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’!
Tropic Thunder Review
Tropic Thunder Review
Daniel Rothman
Tropic Thunder is the rare comedy that combines a hilarious script with phenomenal acting, and it ends up being the funniest movie of the year. Thunder is about the making of what is supposed to be the greatest war movie ever. The A-List cast, including action star Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Oscar-winning Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) and comedic star Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black). With the filming of the movie at a disastrous standstill, young director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) decides to take the cast out into the Vietnamese jungle in an attempt to get the actors into their roles. When Cockburn is blown up by a landmine, the cast is left stranded in the jungle, and goes on to fight a Cambodian drug ring.
Tropic Thunder is easily the funniest movie of the year. The movie is nonstop laughs from start to finish, making from of every war movie from Platoon to Apocalypse Now. All the actors are phenomenal, especially Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise, who delivers the greatest performance of his career as the fowl-mouthed producer of the movie. The movie has been a hit with audiences, including Alissa Rothman ’11 who said “Tropic Thunder was very funny. It could be a little crude at times, but I laughed a lot.” It is this well-done humor that makes Tropic Thunder worth watching.
229 words
Daniel Rothman
Tropic Thunder is the rare comedy that combines a hilarious script with phenomenal acting, and it ends up being the funniest movie of the year. Thunder is about the making of what is supposed to be the greatest war movie ever. The A-List cast, including action star Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), Oscar-winning Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) and comedic star Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black). With the filming of the movie at a disastrous standstill, young director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) decides to take the cast out into the Vietnamese jungle in an attempt to get the actors into their roles. When Cockburn is blown up by a landmine, the cast is left stranded in the jungle, and goes on to fight a Cambodian drug ring.
Tropic Thunder is easily the funniest movie of the year. The movie is nonstop laughs from start to finish, making from of every war movie from Platoon to Apocalypse Now. All the actors are phenomenal, especially Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise, who delivers the greatest performance of his career as the fowl-mouthed producer of the movie. The movie has been a hit with audiences, including Alissa Rothman ’11 who said “Tropic Thunder was very funny. It could be a little crude at times, but I laughed a lot.” It is this well-done humor that makes Tropic Thunder worth watching.
229 words
Journalist for a week
Journalist for a Week
By Daniel Rothman
While Intro to Journalism is typically one of the more fun and interesting classes, students were not looking forward to the Journalist for a Week assignment. During this, students have to write an article everyday, at least 150 words long and with at least one quote. “I was really worried about it. I sometimes have a busy schedule, and I wasn’t sure if I’d have the time to write an article every day,” said Tim Yu ’12, who is in the class. The purpose of the assignment is to keep our writing and interview skills sharp while we study legal rights in class. “I think this assignment has really helped me with my writing. Since we are doing the unit on the first amendment, we haven’t been writing a lot in class, but this helps us maintain our skills,” said Alissa Rothman ’11, adding “the only problem is that it can be difficult to come up with topics to write about.” Journalist for a Week is an example of an assignment that has far exceeded expectations, proving to be both fun and educational.
190 words
By Daniel Rothman
While Intro to Journalism is typically one of the more fun and interesting classes, students were not looking forward to the Journalist for a Week assignment. During this, students have to write an article everyday, at least 150 words long and with at least one quote. “I was really worried about it. I sometimes have a busy schedule, and I wasn’t sure if I’d have the time to write an article every day,” said Tim Yu ’12, who is in the class. The purpose of the assignment is to keep our writing and interview skills sharp while we study legal rights in class. “I think this assignment has really helped me with my writing. Since we are doing the unit on the first amendment, we haven’t been writing a lot in class, but this helps us maintain our skills,” said Alissa Rothman ’11, adding “the only problem is that it can be difficult to come up with topics to write about.” Journalist for a Week is an example of an assignment that has far exceeded expectations, proving to be both fun and educational.
190 words
Taking the Low Road
Taking the Low Road
By Daniel Rothman
Joe Torre was always a well-respected man. Known for taking the high road in a profession full of egomaniacs, Torre was rewarded for his honest nature with unimagined success. As the manager of the New York Yanks from 1996-2007, Torre made 12 consecutive playoff appearances won 6 pennants, and 4 World Series’. Despite all this success, Torre never let it go to his head, and always was even-tempered and fair. That is, until now. Torre’s new book, The Yankee Years, is a tell-all rip job of the Yankee franchise. He takes cheap shots at everybody from the management to the players. Torre didn’t end his tenure on the best of terms, with the Yankees refusing to give him more than a one-year contract, but that is no excuse for doing something so unmoral. This will deservedly ruin his legacy and his revered status among New York sports fans. His greatest managerial trait was his ability to control his star-studded rosters, and do it in a classy way. So much for that. “He should have been fired, and should be fired from his current job for saying this stuff.” Said Tim Yu ’12. Torre has broken the time-honored baseball code of not revealing what happens in the clubhouse. The sun has officially set on one of baseball’s last great men.
226 words
By Daniel Rothman
Joe Torre was always a well-respected man. Known for taking the high road in a profession full of egomaniacs, Torre was rewarded for his honest nature with unimagined success. As the manager of the New York Yanks from 1996-2007, Torre made 12 consecutive playoff appearances won 6 pennants, and 4 World Series’. Despite all this success, Torre never let it go to his head, and always was even-tempered and fair. That is, until now. Torre’s new book, The Yankee Years, is a tell-all rip job of the Yankee franchise. He takes cheap shots at everybody from the management to the players. Torre didn’t end his tenure on the best of terms, with the Yankees refusing to give him more than a one-year contract, but that is no excuse for doing something so unmoral. This will deservedly ruin his legacy and his revered status among New York sports fans. His greatest managerial trait was his ability to control his star-studded rosters, and do it in a classy way. So much for that. “He should have been fired, and should be fired from his current job for saying this stuff.” Said Tim Yu ’12. Torre has broken the time-honored baseball code of not revealing what happens in the clubhouse. The sun has officially set on one of baseball’s last great men.
226 words
Orchestra Concert - India Goss
An orchestra concert on the night of February 27, 2009 lit up the West High auditorium. Parents, friends, and the close family of any person in the North Central Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra, or the West High Freshman Concert Orchestra filled the auditorium up. The lights grew dim as each orchestra played their songs lead by Wayne Thelander and Carrie Beaderstadt.
The West Side Elementary Advanced Orchestra (lead by Carrie Beaderstadt) played at 7:30 starting off the concert. They played the songs Dragon Slayer (Bob Grice), Morning Lights (Brian Balmages), Festive Dance (Edmund J. Siennicki), and Apache (Carold Nunez). The North Central Symphony Orchestra played the Four Royal Dances by Eric Ewazen which included The Lord, The Lady, The Jester and The Knight. They also played Sanseneon by Robert S. Siennicki. The audience seemed to like this concert with the whistles and cheers from peers and family that followed each song.
This concert was followed by the West Concert Orchestra lead by Wayne Thelander. They played African Procession by Ellen Lindquist and Danzas De Panama by Willliam Grant Still. The crowd also showed their approval by clapping so much that Wayne Thelander had to come out twice.
Matt Vest ’11 attended the 7:30 concert and said, “I think that they did great for how young they are.”
Paola Jaramillo ’11 was in the orchestra concert for West High’s Concert Orchestra starting at 8:30. She said, “I think we did pretty well. It was nice because it got over quick. There were a few mistakes but they were unnoticeable by the audience.”
Wayne Thelander directed West High’s orchestra and also helped the 7:30 orchestras before they played.
About the younger orchestra he said, “I thought all the groups did very well.”
He said that the performance went very well but “any performance could be better.”
Melanie Foraker, a parent of one of the students in the West Concert Orchestra said, “I think the concert was beautiful. Every group did wonderfully. I don’t understand why my child was so concerned about her pieces. She thought that she wouldn’t do very well. I think they did great.”
Westside Orchestra, North Central Orchestra, and our own West Orchestra was a success. The lights got turned off, violins, violas, cellos and bass were returned to their rightful place, and everyone went home.
The West Side Elementary Advanced Orchestra (lead by Carrie Beaderstadt) played at 7:30 starting off the concert. They played the songs Dragon Slayer (Bob Grice), Morning Lights (Brian Balmages), Festive Dance (Edmund J. Siennicki), and Apache (Carold Nunez). The North Central Symphony Orchestra played the Four Royal Dances by Eric Ewazen which included The Lord, The Lady, The Jester and The Knight. They also played Sanseneon by Robert S. Siennicki. The audience seemed to like this concert with the whistles and cheers from peers and family that followed each song.
This concert was followed by the West Concert Orchestra lead by Wayne Thelander. They played African Procession by Ellen Lindquist and Danzas De Panama by Willliam Grant Still. The crowd also showed their approval by clapping so much that Wayne Thelander had to come out twice.
Matt Vest ’11 attended the 7:30 concert and said, “I think that they did great for how young they are.”
Paola Jaramillo ’11 was in the orchestra concert for West High’s Concert Orchestra starting at 8:30. She said, “I think we did pretty well. It was nice because it got over quick. There were a few mistakes but they were unnoticeable by the audience.”
Wayne Thelander directed West High’s orchestra and also helped the 7:30 orchestras before they played.
About the younger orchestra he said, “I thought all the groups did very well.”
He said that the performance went very well but “any performance could be better.”
Melanie Foraker, a parent of one of the students in the West Concert Orchestra said, “I think the concert was beautiful. Every group did wonderfully. I don’t understand why my child was so concerned about her pieces. She thought that she wouldn’t do very well. I think they did great.”
Westside Orchestra, North Central Orchestra, and our own West Orchestra was a success. The lights got turned off, violins, violas, cellos and bass were returned to their rightful place, and everyone went home.
Definitely not just for girls
After winter break the tennis team (which I am part of) started going to Wellness Wednesdays a.k.a. yoga. It is just one of the things that we do for conditioning to get ready for the season.
The first day I went I figured that yoga would be a piece of cake, I’d like to think I’m somewhat in shape and I exercise enough, we’d probably just go and stretch for an hour and then leave. Seriously, what else is yoga? I was definitely in for a surprise
Within 15 minutes into the yoga session I was already sweating pretty badly and my heart was racing. Within about…maybe 45 minutes my arms and shoulders were burning and I was lying on my stomach, half dead.
The yoga work out does many things. It helps Improve balance with various moves, it improves flexibility, and also it helps build strength. However, I don’t know how much it is going to help my tennis game (maybe just a little), and I still don’t really like it but now that I’ve been going to it pretty much every week I have a new found respect for it.
I don’t know if it was just me or if it is all guys that think yoga is just for girls because it definitely isn’t. It’s really challenging, but mainly it’s beneficial for health in general. And isn’t good health a goal for both guys and girls?
Word count: 239
The first day I went I figured that yoga would be a piece of cake, I’d like to think I’m somewhat in shape and I exercise enough, we’d probably just go and stretch for an hour and then leave. Seriously, what else is yoga? I was definitely in for a surprise
Within 15 minutes into the yoga session I was already sweating pretty badly and my heart was racing. Within about…maybe 45 minutes my arms and shoulders were burning and I was lying on my stomach, half dead.
The yoga work out does many things. It helps Improve balance with various moves, it improves flexibility, and also it helps build strength. However, I don’t know how much it is going to help my tennis game (maybe just a little), and I still don’t really like it but now that I’ve been going to it pretty much every week I have a new found respect for it.
I don’t know if it was just me or if it is all guys that think yoga is just for girls because it definitely isn’t. It’s really challenging, but mainly it’s beneficial for health in general. And isn’t good health a goal for both guys and girls?
Word count: 239
Congressional Award
By Alissa Rothman
Word count: 327
An unusual event occurred Wednesday after school in room 132 at West High School. The Congressional Award Club was meeting.
“We don’t meet very often,” said Molly Parsons ’10, one of the three co-founders and co-presidents of the club. “This club is very individualistic.”
The Congressional Awards Club is a club that focuses on helping members earn the Congressional Award. This award is very prestigious and internationally recognized. It is given by Congress to students aged 14-24 years who complete a set number of hours volunteering, engaging in physical fitness, participating in a personal interest and undertaking a wilderness or venture experience. It is spilt up into different medal and certificate awards, allowing students with busy schedules to participate in the award. Students can register at any time to start trying for the awards.
The club is one of the newest being created only a year ago by three freshmen; Parsons, Darin Lee (’10) and Sophie Donta (’10). Now sophomores, they became interested in the award through Parsons older sister, who did the international award in Thailand.
“We talked to Mr. Breitbach (West High counselor) about the idea of the club and he loved it,” said Parsons.
“When we first started doing the award it was just the three of us,” said Lee. “But when we told our friends about it a lot of them wanted to get involved, and we thought it would be a good idea to have a group to support each other.”
The Congressional Award currently includes 20 registered members, with 27 others that are interested in joining. However, due to other activities, some can not actively participate in the club for this year.
The club focuses on setting goals and working toward them, but they also do fun trips such as the expeditions which are group camping trips and participating in Ragbrai.
“Doing activities as a group is fun and it feels good to work towards something with your friends,” said Parsons.
Word count: 327
An unusual event occurred Wednesday after school in room 132 at West High School. The Congressional Award Club was meeting.
“We don’t meet very often,” said Molly Parsons ’10, one of the three co-founders and co-presidents of the club. “This club is very individualistic.”
The Congressional Awards Club is a club that focuses on helping members earn the Congressional Award. This award is very prestigious and internationally recognized. It is given by Congress to students aged 14-24 years who complete a set number of hours volunteering, engaging in physical fitness, participating in a personal interest and undertaking a wilderness or venture experience. It is spilt up into different medal and certificate awards, allowing students with busy schedules to participate in the award. Students can register at any time to start trying for the awards.
The club is one of the newest being created only a year ago by three freshmen; Parsons, Darin Lee (’10) and Sophie Donta (’10). Now sophomores, they became interested in the award through Parsons older sister, who did the international award in Thailand.
“We talked to Mr. Breitbach (West High counselor) about the idea of the club and he loved it,” said Parsons.
“When we first started doing the award it was just the three of us,” said Lee. “But when we told our friends about it a lot of them wanted to get involved, and we thought it would be a good idea to have a group to support each other.”
The Congressional Award currently includes 20 registered members, with 27 others that are interested in joining. However, due to other activities, some can not actively participate in the club for this year.
The club focuses on setting goals and working toward them, but they also do fun trips such as the expeditions which are group camping trips and participating in Ragbrai.
“Doing activities as a group is fun and it feels good to work towards something with your friends,” said Parsons.
The deal with lunch- Jami McClain
It’s 10:53 you can’t wait one more minute, and then bell will ring for lunch time. But you remember you don’t have A lunch you have C lunch. West has three lunches. A lunch the best lunch for hot pizza, and other foods, and they never run out. B lunch everybody wants, because it makes forth period shorter. Then there C lunch where you eat around 11:52 so you wont get as hungry during the end of the day.
Jordan Shavers '12 who has A lunch said
“No people that I like is in my lunch, but it’s good.” If he could change one thing it would be that, his friends have the same lunch as him. His dream lunch would be B lunch. Sometimes the lunch rooms are so packed that there isn’t a place to eat by the time people get their food it’s almost time for fifth period. Most people are starting to bring a lunch from home so they won’t have to wait in line. Brieana Houg '11 has B lunch said, “If I could change anything I would change the prices.” Her dream lunch would be the lunch that she has now because it cuts down the time.
There is also down sides to all of the lunches even B. A lunch you eat so early that sometimes you aren t very hungry, but towards the end of the day you can be starving. B lunch if you ever have a test in your forth period it can be a pain, and you have to switch your lunch, and eat before or after forth period. C lunch always runs out of food, and the pizza is cold by then. As of this tri C lunch is packed it’s way to crazy in there. The lunches aren’t split very well because, they don't split the lunches up evenly. A lunch barley has any people in it. It would be better if the lunches were more balanced out, but then again if you have one of the better lunches then why make it worse.
Jordan Shavers '12 who has A lunch said
“No people that I like is in my lunch, but it’s good.” If he could change one thing it would be that, his friends have the same lunch as him. His dream lunch would be B lunch. Sometimes the lunch rooms are so packed that there isn’t a place to eat by the time people get their food it’s almost time for fifth period. Most people are starting to bring a lunch from home so they won’t have to wait in line. Brieana Houg '11 has B lunch said, “If I could change anything I would change the prices.” Her dream lunch would be the lunch that she has now because it cuts down the time.
There is also down sides to all of the lunches even B. A lunch you eat so early that sometimes you aren t very hungry, but towards the end of the day you can be starving. B lunch if you ever have a test in your forth period it can be a pain, and you have to switch your lunch, and eat before or after forth period. C lunch always runs out of food, and the pizza is cold by then. As of this tri C lunch is packed it’s way to crazy in there. The lunches aren’t split very well because, they don't split the lunches up evenly. A lunch barley has any people in it. It would be better if the lunches were more balanced out, but then again if you have one of the better lunches then why make it worse.
Dangerously Cheesy
So you want to be able to pick up girls with your radical one liners? Want to make guys fall in love with you with one sideways glance? Unfortunately, so does the rest of the world.
The simple fact is that, in most cases, love doesn’t come that easily. There is no ‘quick fix’, no shortcuts. But never fear, world, because love is real, and love will survive.
The hardest part is not getting the response you want. Ever been turned down? Not fun. Then you either have to try again, or walk away awkwardly, and neither of those options are pleasant. So what if it was Julia, “the love of your life” and she-will-never-talk-to-you-again-and-you-feel-stupid-and-sad-and-you-should-never-had-done-anything-and...
Yes, yes, we’ve all had the feeling, so suck it up. She can’t be “the love of your life” because your life has just begun [unless you’re 80, which in that case, you should probably get out of the school and stop trying to date 15 year olds, you crazy old creep].
“You just gotta pick yourself up, and try again. You’re bound to hit the jackpot some time,” said Jesse Tomas ’10.
Now, you’re going to be like, “yes, I’ve heard this all before,” but listen up, because even the most attractive of people get rejected, even the most caring, the funniest, the richest, because you see, life doesn’t make sense, and people are no exception to that rule. I’m not saying that there is going to be that perfect person waiting for you, and don’t go looking for them.
Just sit back, take it as it comes, and learn as much as you can, so when you do happen to stumble on someone who just might be the best thing you’ve ever seen, you’ll be ready.
Just remember, try not to be to dangerously cheesy.
Writen by Jake Ross-Sheehy
The simple fact is that, in most cases, love doesn’t come that easily. There is no ‘quick fix’, no shortcuts. But never fear, world, because love is real, and love will survive.
The hardest part is not getting the response you want. Ever been turned down? Not fun. Then you either have to try again, or walk away awkwardly, and neither of those options are pleasant. So what if it was Julia, “the love of your life” and she-will-never-talk-to-you-again-and-you-feel-stupid-and-sad-and-you-should-never-had-done-anything-and...
Yes, yes, we’ve all had the feeling, so suck it up. She can’t be “the love of your life” because your life has just begun [unless you’re 80, which in that case, you should probably get out of the school and stop trying to date 15 year olds, you crazy old creep].
“You just gotta pick yourself up, and try again. You’re bound to hit the jackpot some time,” said Jesse Tomas ’10.
Now, you’re going to be like, “yes, I’ve heard this all before,” but listen up, because even the most attractive of people get rejected, even the most caring, the funniest, the richest, because you see, life doesn’t make sense, and people are no exception to that rule. I’m not saying that there is going to be that perfect person waiting for you, and don’t go looking for them.
Just sit back, take it as it comes, and learn as much as you can, so when you do happen to stumble on someone who just might be the best thing you’ve ever seen, you’ll be ready.
Just remember, try not to be to dangerously cheesy.
Writen by Jake Ross-Sheehy
Tenth-grade registration
West High tenth-graders are upset about the lack of time they have to put together a schedule for next year.
Due to the six-day weekend caused by snow days, registration information for the 2009-2010 school year was issued to both the ninth-graders and tenth-graders at West High last Thursday. The ninth-graders have until next week to figure out class schedules, but the tenth-graders are meeting with their counselors this week to determine the courses they will take next year. This year, counselors are also asking for signatures from social studies, science, math, English, and foreign language teachers to insure that students are choosing correct classes. This is to help lighten the load of schedule changes at the beginning of next year.
“We only got five days to think about it and only three days to get teacher’s signatures,” said Lizzy Laikhter ’11. “I am very upset. I haven’t really been able to think about classes. I don’t have signatures, and my meeting is tomorrow.”
Laikhter ’11 also complained about the lack of information on classes. “This is a big decision. They [teachers] haven’t talked about classes, haven’t talked about anything you do in those classes.”
Students are expected to make the best choices possible in the allotted time. West High guidance counselor Kay DiLeo said, “It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think the amount of time makes a difference. Nothing is final. Students decide and have the opportunity to change.”
By Laura Stamnes
Due to the six-day weekend caused by snow days, registration information for the 2009-2010 school year was issued to both the ninth-graders and tenth-graders at West High last Thursday. The ninth-graders have until next week to figure out class schedules, but the tenth-graders are meeting with their counselors this week to determine the courses they will take next year. This year, counselors are also asking for signatures from social studies, science, math, English, and foreign language teachers to insure that students are choosing correct classes. This is to help lighten the load of schedule changes at the beginning of next year.
“We only got five days to think about it and only three days to get teacher’s signatures,” said Lizzy Laikhter ’11. “I am very upset. I haven’t really been able to think about classes. I don’t have signatures, and my meeting is tomorrow.”
Laikhter ’11 also complained about the lack of information on classes. “This is a big decision. They [teachers] haven’t talked about classes, haven’t talked about anything you do in those classes.”
Students are expected to make the best choices possible in the allotted time. West High guidance counselor Kay DiLeo said, “It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think the amount of time makes a difference. Nothing is final. Students decide and have the opportunity to change.”
By Laura Stamnes
Down with Pointless Inconveniences
Getting up early in the morning can be a pointless inconvenience. So can not being able to take all the classes you want to.
Especially seeing as it can be fixed. Changing the number of class periods a day from 7 to 8 would not be a bad idea, considering the reasoning below.
For one thing, cutting the time in a period from 55 minutes to 48 minutes would not drastically affect class lessons. In most classes, that five to ten minutes at the end of the period is just some extra time to do homework.
Also, there would be less necessity for earlybird. There are a few advantages to early bird classes. “It [EB PE] wakes me up for the rest of the day,” said Nhan Trahn-Phan, ’12. But that’s still not worth losing an hour of sleep every day.
West High’s motto is “Where Excellence is a Tradition.” Now limiting the number of classes a student can take is something akin to limiting their excellence, right?
Also, high school students should be able to handle more than junior high students, according to John Wen ’12. “They even have eight periods at Northwest,” he said.
So, give those hard pieces of evidence, the changing of 7 class periods a day to 8 should definitely be considered.
-Allan Liu
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Have we become dependent on Technology?- Ellie Taylor
It is a Sunday night and my whole family is sitting in the living room, the TV is on but the only one watching is my brother who’s eyes are glued to the screen. My dad is sitting on the chair with his laptop on his lap, I too am on my laptop sitting next to him. My sisters are both on the ground with earplugs in, on their iPod touches, and my mom sitting on another chair with her cell phone checking her email. This is not unusual for my family to all be sitting in one room, not talking but on their own electronic device. It is during one of these scenes that it occurs to me how much Americans today rely on their, cell phones, lap tops and other sources of technology. Newsweek published an article in July of 2008 saying that 85% of Americans have cell phones, 84% have DVD players, 80% have a PC or Mac, 69% have a digital camera, and 40% have an iPod or MP3 player. These are just the beginning of all the technology that we Americans depend on. If fact most people who own a cell phone would say they could not live with out it.
Now that people are relying so much on their technology they have begun to come up with a way to fit all of it into one. Take Apple's I phone for example, this a cell phone that can hold contacts, planner, camera, music, directions as well as calling, texting, getting online, checking your email and there is room to spare for games. An I phone as all the same features as a laptop, palm pilot, iPod, cell phone, digital camera, email, GPS and a game boy but with this you can fit in all into the palm of your hand, who wouldn't want it? But with technology surrounding us everywhere we go we are beginning to go to it for our problems, need an answer to hard question all you need to do is hop online and look it up. TV is giving our options and by telling us how to think or feel. Meals can now be cook in on minute rather than hours of hard laboring. Cars allow getting from place to another quicker and easier. But without all this help from technology could we do things ourselves? Lets face it, technology makes our lives easier, help us get through our daily lives without as much hassle, in fact for people who have grown up like me, life without technology seem well. . . unimaginable, and it is hard believe that 50 years ago none of this stuff existed. In fact people 50 years vary little if not no technology, even my grandpa grew up without plumbing! Obviously life is possible with out technology.
Grated good has come from it as well. Hospitals now have better technology making surgery easier, quicker and less painful. Today it is also easier to stay in touch with family and friends from far away places, take it from someone who knows staying in touch is hard, but texting, email, Instant messaging and group sites like face book or MySpace has made it a whole lot easier.
A lot of good has come from technology but with such a big power comes big responsibility, its good to meet face to face with someone, and go for a walk rather than watch TV. Technology isn’t a bad thing it has helped make lots of advances but if we rely on it took much it leads to trouble. So get off the computer, and go over to your friends house, or sit down an write a letter to your grandma, its not to late to change some of your ways and move into the future without being dependent on technology.
Now that people are relying so much on their technology they have begun to come up with a way to fit all of it into one. Take Apple's I phone for example, this a cell phone that can hold contacts, planner, camera, music, directions as well as calling, texting, getting online, checking your email and there is room to spare for games. An I phone as all the same features as a laptop, palm pilot, iPod, cell phone, digital camera, email, GPS and a game boy but with this you can fit in all into the palm of your hand, who wouldn't want it? But with technology surrounding us everywhere we go we are beginning to go to it for our problems, need an answer to hard question all you need to do is hop online and look it up. TV is giving our options and by telling us how to think or feel. Meals can now be cook in on minute rather than hours of hard laboring. Cars allow getting from place to another quicker and easier. But without all this help from technology could we do things ourselves? Lets face it, technology makes our lives easier, help us get through our daily lives without as much hassle, in fact for people who have grown up like me, life without technology seem well. . . unimaginable, and it is hard believe that 50 years ago none of this stuff existed. In fact people 50 years vary little if not no technology, even my grandpa grew up without plumbing! Obviously life is possible with out technology.
Grated good has come from it as well. Hospitals now have better technology making surgery easier, quicker and less painful. Today it is also easier to stay in touch with family and friends from far away places, take it from someone who knows staying in touch is hard, but texting, email, Instant messaging and group sites like face book or MySpace has made it a whole lot easier.
A lot of good has come from technology but with such a big power comes big responsibility, its good to meet face to face with someone, and go for a walk rather than watch TV. Technology isn’t a bad thing it has helped make lots of advances but if we rely on it took much it leads to trouble. So get off the computer, and go over to your friends house, or sit down an write a letter to your grandma, its not to late to change some of your ways and move into the future without being dependent on technology.
Move me by Jake Ross-Sheehy
Mo-ti-va-tion adj; used to describe the false sense of enthusiasim [sic] one shows to get their jackass boss to leave them alone (Urban Dictionary)
Now, I bet a lot of people are going to be like, “nuh-uh, you’re so wrong”. Well, what do they know about motivation? Who are they to truly understand the meaning behind it?
What I’m really asking is what is motivation? It doesn’t have much of an effect on success because if someone has brains, they can half-ass almost everything and still pass with flying colors (if they’re lucky and know how to “work” people). Sometimes people are short on brilliance, but pour their blood, sweat, and tears into all of their work and still barely scrape by.
Don’t get me wrong; motivation can affect your life in great ways. For example, people who are motivated tend to do their homework, they might learn to play guitar *well*, and maybe even have a life on Friday nights.
But why would they do their homework when they get B’s on their tests anyway? Why would they play an instrument when they could just listen to people who have an idea of what they’re doing? Who needs friends?
If you’re like me, you’d understand these thoughts, perhaps even had similar ones. It’s not that we’re just lazy, or at least I speak for myself, I don’t do nothing by choice, in fact it frustrates me quite a lot and I bet I’m not the only one. But that’s not the worst part, there’s this idea that if you punish kids for being lazy they wont do it again -- but that’s not helping anything, in fact it’s probably hurting. Even if by some miracle it actually worked, you’d still risk making those poor kids go insane under all that pressure.
Now I’m not saying you should give all unmotivated students straight A’s, that would just be a bad idea, all I’m saying is that maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to judge us as unworthy, or as slackers, because some of us can’t control it.
Obviously we all will have to learn to get around it at some point or time, or we’d all end up on the streets (and I hate the cold). But no one can help us, this is something we have to learn on our own. If you try and punish us, we’ll take it and then proceed to do it again, because one thing that all unmotivated people have in common is a thick skin (metaphorically speaking, of course).
So what I’m really trying to say here is, mind your own business, this is our problem, our curse, and nobody can help us but ourselves. Do us all a favor and be understanding for once.
Now, I bet a lot of people are going to be like, “nuh-uh, you’re so wrong”. Well, what do they know about motivation? Who are they to truly understand the meaning behind it?
What I’m really asking is what is motivation? It doesn’t have much of an effect on success because if someone has brains, they can half-ass almost everything and still pass with flying colors (if they’re lucky and know how to “work” people). Sometimes people are short on brilliance, but pour their blood, sweat, and tears into all of their work and still barely scrape by.
Don’t get me wrong; motivation can affect your life in great ways. For example, people who are motivated tend to do their homework, they might learn to play guitar *well*, and maybe even have a life on Friday nights.
But why would they do their homework when they get B’s on their tests anyway? Why would they play an instrument when they could just listen to people who have an idea of what they’re doing? Who needs friends?
If you’re like me, you’d understand these thoughts, perhaps even had similar ones. It’s not that we’re just lazy, or at least I speak for myself, I don’t do nothing by choice, in fact it frustrates me quite a lot and I bet I’m not the only one. But that’s not the worst part, there’s this idea that if you punish kids for being lazy they wont do it again -- but that’s not helping anything, in fact it’s probably hurting. Even if by some miracle it actually worked, you’d still risk making those poor kids go insane under all that pressure.
Now I’m not saying you should give all unmotivated students straight A’s, that would just be a bad idea, all I’m saying is that maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to judge us as unworthy, or as slackers, because some of us can’t control it.
Obviously we all will have to learn to get around it at some point or time, or we’d all end up on the streets (and I hate the cold). But no one can help us, this is something we have to learn on our own. If you try and punish us, we’ll take it and then proceed to do it again, because one thing that all unmotivated people have in common is a thick skin (metaphorically speaking, of course).
So what I’m really trying to say here is, mind your own business, this is our problem, our curse, and nobody can help us but ourselves. Do us all a favor and be understanding for once.
Come On Ref! - India Goss
You're at a (insert your favorite sport here) game. Your favorite team is up against the leading team in the nation. If your team wins, they get into the playoffs. You are sitting on the bleachers with popcorn and soda, enjoying the fans screaming around you and the anticipation of the latest time-out. The band plays your team’s theme song and the announcer continues to shout out statistics and MVPs. Thirty seconds are left on the clock and your team is a point away from the big win. Players are released from their time-out session. One more play can be made. The play starts then… wait… what?! Someone blows a whistle. You sit in great agony as you hope that the call is on the opposing team. The call stands against your team. The crowd then roars with the common, “BOOOO! COME ON REF!”
Now I know I’m not the most sports-worthy writer in my intro into journalism class. There are many other people that could do a better job. But I do know this, whether your team is losing or winning, the referees of any sport gets blamed for making a bad call, even if your team just messed up and rightfully deserves the call on the field, the ref is the one who made the mistake. I believe there are three instances in which the referees are publicly noticed by everyone in the stadium.
1. The obvious mistake
This is the instance in which the official or referee really does make a mistake. In this case the poor men in zebra costumes are humiliated by everyone’s “Boos” and “What were you thinking?” calls from their seats. This instance is usually caused if no one was really traveling, that was so holding or duh, that was NOT a strike. Even if the referee tripped wrong or made a funny signal with his hands or body, if the reputation of the referee has been bad throughout the game, the ref will soon be humiliated by laughs and whistles from the crazy fans.
2. The “good” call
In this instance, the official does make the right call (which is, actually, the majority of the time). When officials go to sleep at night they dream of a place where people shout out, “Good for the official!” I mean, being a referee/official is a hard job. Getting the right call in there a couple times should be praised by the judgmental audience. The crowd roars with “Yay!” and “Good job ref!” even if the call is against their team. The official bows with happiness and skips back to his job. Well, only in Referee Heaven.
No, but really, even if the official makes the right call, the crowd is furious and steam fires through their ears. Usually this type of hatred comes at the end of a close game where the official has the power to either let your team win, or lose. If they choose that your team has better sportsmanship and can take the call against them (as they usually do) the onlookers are… well let’s just say VERY angry. Sayings like “What game are you playin’ ref?” the occasional “What the &%*@ are you doin’ ref?”or “Is this your first day ref?” are constantly heard. In this situation the refs must be thinking, “These people are idiots.”
Are we really idiots? Or are those prison escapers the stupid idiots making the wrong calls against OUR team?
3. The really good call
In this case, the official does the right thing in the eyes of the crowd (a.k.a. the official makes the call in favor of the home team) and, therefore, gets praised for it. The fans scream and yell with happiness. Now, the official shows no sign of being content with his good call. He doesn’t show unsportsmanlike conduct by raising his hands in the air asking for the crowd’s cheers and approval. Nor does he put his hand up against his ear acting like he can’t hear the screaming that is obviously loud enough for the whole town to hear. In this situation, the ref is the humble man in a silly uniform that, in this rare case, is getting approval for doing his job.
In these three situations refs find themselves in, it would be good to meditate on our reactions to their calls. Why do we hate on a man who is just doing his job? After all, hasn’t he come, taking time out of his life, to give us the entertainment that without him would not exist? Should we not be thanking this man who has come fully aware of what the crowd may say or even do to him? Well, I leave this in your hands to figure out for yourself. But think about this… maybe next time we could show our support to these underappreciated refs by, not necessarily cheering them on, but just by keeping quiet when a call against our team is made.
I have the tendency to be “mean” to the ref with boo’s when the call was clearly not what he claims it was. But he is just doing his job. And how would we feel if every time we made a mistake (or even if we didn’t actually make a mistake) in our job people booed us, told us to get out of the building or threw things at us? .
In the end, the saying holds true… “An official is only as good as his last call.” So next time you’re sitting in your stellar seats, sipping a cold coca-cola, enjoying the game you’re attending and then a serious disturbance whistles at your team, think twice about imagining the ref shot down then and there. Even if you don’t think it at this moment in your life, you’ll be happy he’s alive in the minute time span it takes to call a foul on the opposing team.
Now I know I’m not the most sports-worthy writer in my intro into journalism class. There are many other people that could do a better job. But I do know this, whether your team is losing or winning, the referees of any sport gets blamed for making a bad call, even if your team just messed up and rightfully deserves the call on the field, the ref is the one who made the mistake. I believe there are three instances in which the referees are publicly noticed by everyone in the stadium.
1. The obvious mistake
This is the instance in which the official or referee really does make a mistake. In this case the poor men in zebra costumes are humiliated by everyone’s “Boos” and “What were you thinking?” calls from their seats. This instance is usually caused if no one was really traveling, that was so holding or duh, that was NOT a strike. Even if the referee tripped wrong or made a funny signal with his hands or body, if the reputation of the referee has been bad throughout the game, the ref will soon be humiliated by laughs and whistles from the crazy fans.
2. The “good” call
In this instance, the official does make the right call (which is, actually, the majority of the time). When officials go to sleep at night they dream of a place where people shout out, “Good for the official!” I mean, being a referee/official is a hard job. Getting the right call in there a couple times should be praised by the judgmental audience. The crowd roars with “Yay!” and “Good job ref!” even if the call is against their team. The official bows with happiness and skips back to his job. Well, only in Referee Heaven.
No, but really, even if the official makes the right call, the crowd is furious and steam fires through their ears. Usually this type of hatred comes at the end of a close game where the official has the power to either let your team win, or lose. If they choose that your team has better sportsmanship and can take the call against them (as they usually do) the onlookers are… well let’s just say VERY angry. Sayings like “What game are you playin’ ref?” the occasional “What the &%*@ are you doin’ ref?”or “Is this your first day ref?” are constantly heard. In this situation the refs must be thinking, “These people are idiots.”
Are we really idiots? Or are those prison escapers the stupid idiots making the wrong calls against OUR team?
3. The really good call
In this case, the official does the right thing in the eyes of the crowd (a.k.a. the official makes the call in favor of the home team) and, therefore, gets praised for it. The fans scream and yell with happiness. Now, the official shows no sign of being content with his good call. He doesn’t show unsportsmanlike conduct by raising his hands in the air asking for the crowd’s cheers and approval. Nor does he put his hand up against his ear acting like he can’t hear the screaming that is obviously loud enough for the whole town to hear. In this situation, the ref is the humble man in a silly uniform that, in this rare case, is getting approval for doing his job.
In these three situations refs find themselves in, it would be good to meditate on our reactions to their calls. Why do we hate on a man who is just doing his job? After all, hasn’t he come, taking time out of his life, to give us the entertainment that without him would not exist? Should we not be thanking this man who has come fully aware of what the crowd may say or even do to him? Well, I leave this in your hands to figure out for yourself. But think about this… maybe next time we could show our support to these underappreciated refs by, not necessarily cheering them on, but just by keeping quiet when a call against our team is made.
I have the tendency to be “mean” to the ref with boo’s when the call was clearly not what he claims it was. But he is just doing his job. And how would we feel if every time we made a mistake (or even if we didn’t actually make a mistake) in our job people booed us, told us to get out of the building or threw things at us? .
In the end, the saying holds true… “An official is only as good as his last call.” So next time you’re sitting in your stellar seats, sipping a cold coca-cola, enjoying the game you’re attending and then a serious disturbance whistles at your team, think twice about imagining the ref shot down then and there. Even if you don’t think it at this moment in your life, you’ll be happy he’s alive in the minute time span it takes to call a foul on the opposing team.
Calling all ITunes users- jami mcClain
A buck twenty-nine that’s right. ITunes has decided to raise the prices of their songs in March of ’09. They will raise the prices of their newer songs, and their high definition songs. Also, get this if you want your old songs that you already spent a dollar on (.99) you could pay ten more cents to make it a higher definition what a “bargain.” They did manage to do some good things though. They will lower the prices on their older songs. Some of their old songs will be priced .69 cents. Not all the songs will drop or go up in price some will stay the regular .99. People with mp3 player will now be able to use ITunes to. You won’t have to have an IPod.
This is ridiculous because it’s already enough to pay a dollar just to buy a song. Now people might have to spend as high as a dollar twenty-nine. ITunes already makes a lot of money off their products. The money people will spend on these things will start to add up. Next ITunes could decide to raise the prices on their videos, movies, games, or rentals. People won’t want to spend 387 dollars when if it was .99 cents they could spend 297 dollars. You can buy almost 90 more songs with the difference. The change in ITunes could make buying songs illegally go up some ITunes users won’t want to spend the extra money. If a CD comes out that you like. You Are not going to pay a dollar twenty-nine for the seven songs you like on the album. You might as well go bu7 the whole CD.
ITunes will either suffer from this or just make more money. It probably won’t hurt them. At least you can go, and buy older songs that you never listen to anymore. On the other hand, you now can get your favorite songs from the artists you enjoyed when you were little like the old Brittney spears, backstreet boys. So ITunes music buyers you better hurry up, and buy your songs now!
Uggly Fashion Trend
By: Chelsee Birt
You’ve seen them everywhere. They come in different colors, styles and lengths. Sarah Jessica Parker made them famous when she wore a custom-made pair of ruby red ones in the final season of Sex and the City. No, I’m not talking about Manolo Blaniks. I’m talking about Ugg boots.
It’s almost impossible to step into school and not instantly spot a pair. An outsider would probably think they were part of the dress code. Some may not know this, but Uggs aren’t a new invention. The brand has been around since 1978 when local Australian and Californian surfers used to slip on a cozy pair of the boots after hanging ten. Then in 2002, the trendsetters of Southern California certified them the "it" shoe. Countless celebs were photographed strolling around L.A. wearing them and they quickly became extremely popular. Oprah loved them so much they were on her favorite things’ list in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007. And she is known for setting trends.
Uggs are at the top of most young girls wish lists during the holiday season. If you plan on getting a pair for a loved one, you better plan ahead and get them before Thanksgiving. The demand is so high; it’s harder to find Uggs after Black Friday than it was to find a Tickle Me Elmo during the Christmas of ’96. Since they are so hard to get a hold of, when people finally get a pair, they people choose to wear their coveted suede footwear year round. This perplexes me. I think it’s ironic to sport a pair of suede fluffy lamb boots with daisy dukes or a mini. Why do you need to wear them in the summer when its ninety degrees outside? (Perhaps that’s why Paris always said “that's hot,”… because her feet were roasting!)
To an outsider the Ugg craze may seem ridiculous. I mean, c’mon people, be honest. These things are not the most aesthetically pleasing shoes. They’re chunky, shapeless, and are even downright UGGly. Stacy and Clinton from What not to Wear and many other self proclaimed fashionistas won’t be caught dead in them. Until recently I have strongly agreed. From seventh through tenth grade, I refused to break down and buy a $160 pair of slippers. I was not going to be another clone sporting my Northface, Coach purse, and Uggs. Then something happened that changed my life forever. I was running out the door one day, late as usual, and accidentally grabbed my sister’s pair of chestnut short classic booties. At first I was extremely depressed (tears may have been shed) and contemplated turning around to grab different shoes. In the end however, I came to the conclusion that this was not practical and I sucked it up and went to class. What happened next surprised me. I noticed the shoes were comfortable and I kind of liked them. All day my feet felt as if they were floating on clouds! My toes were so much warmer than in ballet flats or ankle boots. I realized that maybe all those clones were on to something. At the end of the day, I wasn’t crying from blisters the size of quarters that usually resulted from trampling around all day in my BCBG stilettos. These boots were durable, comfy and warm.
After all of this soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that, ugh I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe Uggs are ok. They are definitely not going to “make and outfit” or help you stand out in a crowd of teenage girl; but they are going to keep your little piggy’s warm when it’s below zero outside. So I say, give Ugg boots, Northfaces, and Coach purses a chance. (Maybe just try to avoid all three at once!) And to those who have tried them and still refuse, well, let 'em freeze. Because in the end, who really cares about someone’s boots?
You’ve seen them everywhere. They come in different colors, styles and lengths. Sarah Jessica Parker made them famous when she wore a custom-made pair of ruby red ones in the final season of Sex and the City. No, I’m not talking about Manolo Blaniks. I’m talking about Ugg boots.
It’s almost impossible to step into school and not instantly spot a pair. An outsider would probably think they were part of the dress code. Some may not know this, but Uggs aren’t a new invention. The brand has been around since 1978 when local Australian and Californian surfers used to slip on a cozy pair of the boots after hanging ten. Then in 2002, the trendsetters of Southern California certified them the "it" shoe. Countless celebs were photographed strolling around L.A. wearing them and they quickly became extremely popular. Oprah loved them so much they were on her favorite things’ list in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007. And she is known for setting trends.
Uggs are at the top of most young girls wish lists during the holiday season. If you plan on getting a pair for a loved one, you better plan ahead and get them before Thanksgiving. The demand is so high; it’s harder to find Uggs after Black Friday than it was to find a Tickle Me Elmo during the Christmas of ’96. Since they are so hard to get a hold of, when people finally get a pair, they people choose to wear their coveted suede footwear year round. This perplexes me. I think it’s ironic to sport a pair of suede fluffy lamb boots with daisy dukes or a mini. Why do you need to wear them in the summer when its ninety degrees outside? (Perhaps that’s why Paris always said “that's hot,”… because her feet were roasting!)
To an outsider the Ugg craze may seem ridiculous. I mean, c’mon people, be honest. These things are not the most aesthetically pleasing shoes. They’re chunky, shapeless, and are even downright UGGly. Stacy and Clinton from What not to Wear and many other self proclaimed fashionistas won’t be caught dead in them. Until recently I have strongly agreed. From seventh through tenth grade, I refused to break down and buy a $160 pair of slippers. I was not going to be another clone sporting my Northface, Coach purse, and Uggs. Then something happened that changed my life forever. I was running out the door one day, late as usual, and accidentally grabbed my sister’s pair of chestnut short classic booties. At first I was extremely depressed (tears may have been shed) and contemplated turning around to grab different shoes. In the end however, I came to the conclusion that this was not practical and I sucked it up and went to class. What happened next surprised me. I noticed the shoes were comfortable and I kind of liked them. All day my feet felt as if they were floating on clouds! My toes were so much warmer than in ballet flats or ankle boots. I realized that maybe all those clones were on to something. At the end of the day, I wasn’t crying from blisters the size of quarters that usually resulted from trampling around all day in my BCBG stilettos. These boots were durable, comfy and warm.
After all of this soul searching, I have come to the conclusion that, ugh I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe Uggs are ok. They are definitely not going to “make and outfit” or help you stand out in a crowd of teenage girl; but they are going to keep your little piggy’s warm when it’s below zero outside. So I say, give Ugg boots, Northfaces, and Coach purses a chance. (Maybe just try to avoid all three at once!) And to those who have tried them and still refuse, well, let 'em freeze. Because in the end, who really cares about someone’s boots?
Dude, where's my life? Eleanor Marshall
I’m only a freshman, but already I’m filling up my schedule with every possible activity I can fit in, cramming my days with anything and everything I think I may have some chance of liking. I always make it a point to only involve myself in things I’m actually interested in, but somehow the image of another resume builder tacked on the end of my college application always manages to sneak into the back of my mind.
And obviously, I’m not the only one. We all know that person who’s taken the SAT twice by the time he hit junior high and loaded up his schedule with extracurriculars he doesn’t even like in preparation for his college apps. What we don’t like to admit is that there’s a little bit of him in all of us. After all it’s been hammered into our heads that, especially with this economy, it takes more than good grades to get scholarships. Have you heard about all the kids with 4.0s that are getting turned away from Harvard because they aren’t well-rounded enough? I have. Many, many times.
Yes, college applications and scholarships are great, and even better if they happen to motivate apathetic procrastinators. What’s not so exquisite is when we stop doing things just for the pleasure of them or just because they’re a part of our daily responsibilities. The issue isn’t what we’re doing; it’s what we’re not doing instead. We forget our household tasks and sense of fun because we’re rushing from one resume-builder to another.
We don’t have time to walk our own dogs, but we’re happy to walk abandoned shelter puppies. We’re too tired to empty the dishwasher because we spent the entire evening washing dirty plates and silverware at a charity dinner to benefit the homeless. We’re too busy for arts and crafts night with our friends because we have massive amounts of homework from our AP-laden schedules. We don’t ride our bikes to school because we need our cars to get us there on time for early bird PE.
We all end up with wonderfully complete resumes, but when it comes to becoming complete people, I’m not so sure. We emerge from high school academically ready to take on the world, but lacking the common sense to take on a dorm room. College admissions officers don’t measure how often you help your mom with dinner, do your own laundry, or remember to feed the cat you persuaded Dad to buy you in 4th grade. They don’t count the number of times you were tardy because you helped someone pick up the books she dropped all over the hallway or carried in your elderly neighbor’s groceries.
Being a good person can’t be measured by the number of clubs you join or even the number of volunteer hours you put in. Being a good person is how you act outside of the application, off the resume. It’s all the extra things you do just because they’re right.
I’m not saying you should drop all your clubs, quit doing your homework, and coast through high school. But the next time learning how to cook Mexican food with a group of friends sounds better than an all weekend math competition, or planting a garden sounds better than volunteering at Oaknoll, do it. Your resume will be here tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Your life won’t.
And obviously, I’m not the only one. We all know that person who’s taken the SAT twice by the time he hit junior high and loaded up his schedule with extracurriculars he doesn’t even like in preparation for his college apps. What we don’t like to admit is that there’s a little bit of him in all of us. After all it’s been hammered into our heads that, especially with this economy, it takes more than good grades to get scholarships. Have you heard about all the kids with 4.0s that are getting turned away from Harvard because they aren’t well-rounded enough? I have. Many, many times.
Yes, college applications and scholarships are great, and even better if they happen to motivate apathetic procrastinators. What’s not so exquisite is when we stop doing things just for the pleasure of them or just because they’re a part of our daily responsibilities. The issue isn’t what we’re doing; it’s what we’re not doing instead. We forget our household tasks and sense of fun because we’re rushing from one resume-builder to another.
We don’t have time to walk our own dogs, but we’re happy to walk abandoned shelter puppies. We’re too tired to empty the dishwasher because we spent the entire evening washing dirty plates and silverware at a charity dinner to benefit the homeless. We’re too busy for arts and crafts night with our friends because we have massive amounts of homework from our AP-laden schedules. We don’t ride our bikes to school because we need our cars to get us there on time for early bird PE.
We all end up with wonderfully complete resumes, but when it comes to becoming complete people, I’m not so sure. We emerge from high school academically ready to take on the world, but lacking the common sense to take on a dorm room. College admissions officers don’t measure how often you help your mom with dinner, do your own laundry, or remember to feed the cat you persuaded Dad to buy you in 4th grade. They don’t count the number of times you were tardy because you helped someone pick up the books she dropped all over the hallway or carried in your elderly neighbor’s groceries.
Being a good person can’t be measured by the number of clubs you join or even the number of volunteer hours you put in. Being a good person is how you act outside of the application, off the resume. It’s all the extra things you do just because they’re right.
I’m not saying you should drop all your clubs, quit doing your homework, and coast through high school. But the next time learning how to cook Mexican food with a group of friends sounds better than an all weekend math competition, or planting a garden sounds better than volunteering at Oaknoll, do it. Your resume will be here tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Your life won’t.
Patience, my young padawan
As we near the end of Bush’s reign as President, we can reflect on the many problems that our country has had in the past eight years that may or may not have been his fault. On Jan. 20, we will swear in a new President, Barack Obama. Many people seem to think that all the problems that this country has, such as the economy and the war will magically disappear on this day, too. Well, sorry to break it to you, but they’re not. Oh, they will eventually, but not right away. It’s going to take time, and America is going to have to use a little bit of patience.
Patience seems to be a virtue of the past. These days, people will do anything to save a little bit of time. Multi-tasking is a desired skill. People drive and yak on their cell phones at the same time. They can’t wait five minutes to take the call at a later, not to mention safer, time. But, hey, time is money, as the saying goes. In this era, things are prized for being fast. Faster Internet, faster cars, faster food. Heck, we even have instant oatmeal. We rush through meals, school, even life. Children can’t wait to grow up. When you’re fifteen you want to be sixteen. Sixteen, seventeen. Seventeen, eighteen. Eighteen, nineteen. Nineteen, twenty-one. At each age, we get a new benefit that we weren’t allowed before. But as soon as we gain the power to do one thing, we are instantaneously looking for the next. We can’t stand to wait for anything. If we don’t get instant gratification, we get antsy and upset. We rush through too much in life without taking the time to enjoy anything. So slow down and breathe, for heaven’s sake. Life’s not going anywhere. This isn’t an easy thing for me to say. I am not really a patient person. I won’t even make toast for breakfast because I hate to wait for it to toast. I am constantly being told to wait a minute, take your time and do a good job. Lately, though, it just seems like we could all use a little patience.
As we look ahead to the change in our government, just remember that some things take time, and as the turbulent whirlwind of a year falls behind us, take a moment (you can spare it) to add patience to your list of New Year’s resolutions.
By Laura Stamnes
Patience seems to be a virtue of the past. These days, people will do anything to save a little bit of time. Multi-tasking is a desired skill. People drive and yak on their cell phones at the same time. They can’t wait five minutes to take the call at a later, not to mention safer, time. But, hey, time is money, as the saying goes. In this era, things are prized for being fast. Faster Internet, faster cars, faster food. Heck, we even have instant oatmeal. We rush through meals, school, even life. Children can’t wait to grow up. When you’re fifteen you want to be sixteen. Sixteen, seventeen. Seventeen, eighteen. Eighteen, nineteen. Nineteen, twenty-one. At each age, we get a new benefit that we weren’t allowed before. But as soon as we gain the power to do one thing, we are instantaneously looking for the next. We can’t stand to wait for anything. If we don’t get instant gratification, we get antsy and upset. We rush through too much in life without taking the time to enjoy anything. So slow down and breathe, for heaven’s sake. Life’s not going anywhere. This isn’t an easy thing for me to say. I am not really a patient person. I won’t even make toast for breakfast because I hate to wait for it to toast. I am constantly being told to wait a minute, take your time and do a good job. Lately, though, it just seems like we could all use a little patience.
As we look ahead to the change in our government, just remember that some things take time, and as the turbulent whirlwind of a year falls behind us, take a moment (you can spare it) to add patience to your list of New Year’s resolutions.
By Laura Stamnes
The color and the culture, not the same thing- Ellie Short
What does it mean to be fraction of a race? I’m a fraction of a race (I am so confused as to how much of this and how much of that I really am to tell you in real terms.) so I can honestly tell you that it doesn’t matter much. I’ve noticed something of late that surprised me more than just a little. The world has a warped view of what a race and a culture is and what that has to do with the new President-elect Barack Obama.
This year is the beginning of the first term for our newest president. President Barack Obama is the forty-fourth president of the United States of America, and happens to be black. I’m not taking anything away from him and his race, but I chose to point out a few things first.
The media is showing President-elect Barack Obama as black, and he is, but they’re playing that up just a little too much for my liking. I’m more than happy that we have a black president, but the media is forgetting one important fact.
He’s not just black I’m sorry if you just found this out (it probably blows your mind)
Obama was raised by his white mother, and lived in many places, including Hawaii and Thailand, having more than one set of ideas instilled in him. His mother taught him the ideas of a white American, he learned the ideas of people all over the world, but we chose to focus on his race. It’s important and it’s a landmark event for African-Americans, but he’s not just one race, he’s bi-racial.
If he messes up in office could it possibly be blamed on his race?
Yes, it could. He is the first black president, and so his actions can effect the out comes of future elections involving black runners, but he isn’t just black. His ideas are his own and have nothing to do with the fact that he’s black, or with the fact that he was raised by a white woman. Those things play a role in his life but not in every bi-racial person or black person, just like Bush’s ideas aren’t the ideas of every white person or ever person from Texas.
I’m bi-racial, so is my mother, who was raised by my white grandma, but that doesn’t effect who I am, my race doesn’t effect my personality, just like my name doesn’t.
The things that make Obama great aren’t his race, but how he was raised, and his own experiences. not his color or his fathers color, or even the color of his mother, but the ideas they instilled in him and the things they taught him.
Some African-Americans say that Obama isn’t “black” enough, but what makes a person black. Is it the way someone acts? How someone talks? Where someone’s from? No.
Being a race is having that blood run threw your veins, and that make Obama black, just because he doesn’t talk/act like the stereotype of a “black” person doesn’t mean he isn’t black. Just like how someone can’t act white or Latin. It a race, and no one is exactly the same in that race, I could be white and talk like I’m from Spain because I lived there all of my life, but I’m not acting a race. It’s a culture not a race, and just because Obama might not fit into the stereotypical idea of a black person’s culture doesn’t mean a thing. He just so happens to not fit the culture, not the race.
So the next time you hear someone comment on how Obama is African-American or how is he isn’t “ black” enough, speak up, politely, remind them that he isn’t just black and that the way he acts isn’t “ white”, but his own personal style or culture not his race. That his race and his culture don’t necessarily go hand in hand, it just so happens that in most people they do.
This year is the beginning of the first term for our newest president. President Barack Obama is the forty-fourth president of the United States of America, and happens to be black. I’m not taking anything away from him and his race, but I chose to point out a few things first.
The media is showing President-elect Barack Obama as black, and he is, but they’re playing that up just a little too much for my liking. I’m more than happy that we have a black president, but the media is forgetting one important fact.
He’s not just black I’m sorry if you just found this out (it probably blows your mind)
Obama was raised by his white mother, and lived in many places, including Hawaii and Thailand, having more than one set of ideas instilled in him. His mother taught him the ideas of a white American, he learned the ideas of people all over the world, but we chose to focus on his race. It’s important and it’s a landmark event for African-Americans, but he’s not just one race, he’s bi-racial.
If he messes up in office could it possibly be blamed on his race?
Yes, it could. He is the first black president, and so his actions can effect the out comes of future elections involving black runners, but he isn’t just black. His ideas are his own and have nothing to do with the fact that he’s black, or with the fact that he was raised by a white woman. Those things play a role in his life but not in every bi-racial person or black person, just like Bush’s ideas aren’t the ideas of every white person or ever person from Texas.
I’m bi-racial, so is my mother, who was raised by my white grandma, but that doesn’t effect who I am, my race doesn’t effect my personality, just like my name doesn’t.
The things that make Obama great aren’t his race, but how he was raised, and his own experiences. not his color or his fathers color, or even the color of his mother, but the ideas they instilled in him and the things they taught him.
Some African-Americans say that Obama isn’t “black” enough, but what makes a person black. Is it the way someone acts? How someone talks? Where someone’s from? No.
Being a race is having that blood run threw your veins, and that make Obama black, just because he doesn’t talk/act like the stereotype of a “black” person doesn’t mean he isn’t black. Just like how someone can’t act white or Latin. It a race, and no one is exactly the same in that race, I could be white and talk like I’m from Spain because I lived there all of my life, but I’m not acting a race. It’s a culture not a race, and just because Obama might not fit into the stereotypical idea of a black person’s culture doesn’t mean a thing. He just so happens to not fit the culture, not the race.
So the next time you hear someone comment on how Obama is African-American or how is he isn’t “ black” enough, speak up, politely, remind them that he isn’t just black and that the way he acts isn’t “ white”, but his own personal style or culture not his race. That his race and his culture don’t necessarily go hand in hand, it just so happens that in most people they do.
Fearless
Leah Murray
For all those girls (or guys) out there who love Taylor Swift and her first CD you will be pleased. Swift’s new CD, titled Fearless, is all about relationships much like her last CD, titled Taylor Swift.
In fact, every song on her new CD is about boys she has encountered except for the last two titled, “The Best Day” and “Change”. While writing songs about her relationships is one of Swifts weaknesses she makes up for it in the lyrical guitar rhythms and innocent lyrics. “The Best Day” is about her family while “Change” is about persevering in everyday life. The CD’s lead song, “Love Story,” has been on the Billboard top 100 for over 15 weeks. This Romeo and Juliet themed song was a major hit preformed by Swift at the Country Music Awards last year.
Obsessed with the Jonas brothers? Swift and Joe Jonas were once a fling, but when that ended a song began. Have you ever heard the quote, “When one door closes, another opens”? This is exactly what happened. Taylor wrote “Forever and Always” soon after the couple broke up.
Luckily Swift made sure “Forever and Always” appeared in her latest album. The song also made it on to the Billboard Hot 100 and was twenty-third on Hot Digital Songs.
Altogether, Fearless sold around 2 million copies and was the third best selling CD in the United States in 2008.
You might be wondering how an 18 year old already has a CD out and how she became famous. When Swift was young she knew she wanted to become a singer. Eventually, she convinced her parents to move to Nashville where she would visit record labels and ask for a contract. Swift realized she would have to become different and started playing the guitar for hours everyday and writing lyrics. In the end she received a contract through Big Machine Records and that’s how she got where she is today.
Overall, Fearless has the perfect blend of upbeat love tunes and slow breakup songs. If you just got dumped by a boy or you’re in the mood for some good karaoke lyrics, this would be the perfect CD for you.
For all those girls (or guys) out there who love Taylor Swift and her first CD you will be pleased. Swift’s new CD, titled Fearless, is all about relationships much like her last CD, titled Taylor Swift.
In fact, every song on her new CD is about boys she has encountered except for the last two titled, “The Best Day” and “Change”. While writing songs about her relationships is one of Swifts weaknesses she makes up for it in the lyrical guitar rhythms and innocent lyrics. “The Best Day” is about her family while “Change” is about persevering in everyday life. The CD’s lead song, “Love Story,” has been on the Billboard top 100 for over 15 weeks. This Romeo and Juliet themed song was a major hit preformed by Swift at the Country Music Awards last year.
Obsessed with the Jonas brothers? Swift and Joe Jonas were once a fling, but when that ended a song began. Have you ever heard the quote, “When one door closes, another opens”? This is exactly what happened. Taylor wrote “Forever and Always” soon after the couple broke up.
Luckily Swift made sure “Forever and Always” appeared in her latest album. The song also made it on to the Billboard Hot 100 and was twenty-third on Hot Digital Songs.
Altogether, Fearless sold around 2 million copies and was the third best selling CD in the United States in 2008.
You might be wondering how an 18 year old already has a CD out and how she became famous. When Swift was young she knew she wanted to become a singer. Eventually, she convinced her parents to move to Nashville where she would visit record labels and ask for a contract. Swift realized she would have to become different and started playing the guitar for hours everyday and writing lyrics. In the end she received a contract through Big Machine Records and that’s how she got where she is today.
Overall, Fearless has the perfect blend of upbeat love tunes and slow breakup songs. If you just got dumped by a boy or you’re in the mood for some good karaoke lyrics, this would be the perfect CD for you.
Why we care too much about sports
By Garrett Anstreicher
As I watch people picking fights with people who support the opposing team, getting up at four in the morning to get the best seats, and screaming obscenities at umpires and referees alike, I can’t help but wonder why we should care about sports so darn much.
HOLD IT! Put away those pitchforks and torches! If I have an angry mob surrounding my house and demanding my head tonight I want to have thoroughly earned it, so hear me out!
Mind you, I do NOT think that sports are a bad thing. Physical activity is great, as is meeting new people, and I’ve no problem with school spirit. And hey, sports are fun. I’m a tennis player and a martial artist myself. However, even though sports are a good thing, our society focuses too much on them.
To illustrate this point, let’s look at salaries for a second. The average pre-college teacher is paid roughly $50,000 per year, while the average salary of a professional sports player is $2,000,000 per year. This seems a bit odd, as the teacher clearly does the more important job in our society. While teachers educate children and prepare them to lead America in the future, sports players throw or hit balls around, but for some reason they are paid forty times the salary of teachers.
Something seems…WRONG here.
Also, our huge reactions to any sports event indicates how overly obsessed we are with them. Say, for instance, the West High Math Team (nothing personal, guys) came to be the best in the state or the best in the nation. No matter how great the accomplishment, the reaction will always be similar:
Woo. Yeah. Break out the party hats. Hoorah. (zzzz…)
On the other hand, if the West High Football team won state or nationals (or even won a GAME, for Pete’s sake), the reaction would be more like this:
Oh. My. God. AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON WE WON WE WON WE WON!!! (pant*pant) AAAAAHHH!!! Oh my gawd, I’m gonna cry… WAAAAHHHH!!!!
The reason why sports became such a big deal is understandable. Back in the hunter-gatherer days, the most physically capable humans would come out top and have the most power, and during the constant warfare of the recent centuries, countries needed to have physically powerful people to be soldiers. We used to really need fit people in our societies to survive, and that may be why sports and athletes became such a big deal to us.
However, our society has progressed enough that someone’s usefulness is not determined by how strong they are. The days when we needed strong people to make it through are over. We don’t have to throw away sports completely, but at the very least we should pay more attention to the things that really matter. So stop watching last Saturday night’s football game when instead you can do something that will really make our society a better place. Sports may be fun, but they’re really not worth all the attention we give them now. After all, no matter how much passion or spirit we put into it, any sport really is just a game.
As I watch people picking fights with people who support the opposing team, getting up at four in the morning to get the best seats, and screaming obscenities at umpires and referees alike, I can’t help but wonder why we should care about sports so darn much.
HOLD IT! Put away those pitchforks and torches! If I have an angry mob surrounding my house and demanding my head tonight I want to have thoroughly earned it, so hear me out!
Mind you, I do NOT think that sports are a bad thing. Physical activity is great, as is meeting new people, and I’ve no problem with school spirit. And hey, sports are fun. I’m a tennis player and a martial artist myself. However, even though sports are a good thing, our society focuses too much on them.
To illustrate this point, let’s look at salaries for a second. The average pre-college teacher is paid roughly $50,000 per year, while the average salary of a professional sports player is $2,000,000 per year. This seems a bit odd, as the teacher clearly does the more important job in our society. While teachers educate children and prepare them to lead America in the future, sports players throw or hit balls around, but for some reason they are paid forty times the salary of teachers.
Something seems…WRONG here.
Also, our huge reactions to any sports event indicates how overly obsessed we are with them. Say, for instance, the West High Math Team (nothing personal, guys) came to be the best in the state or the best in the nation. No matter how great the accomplishment, the reaction will always be similar:
Woo. Yeah. Break out the party hats. Hoorah. (zzzz…)
On the other hand, if the West High Football team won state or nationals (or even won a GAME, for Pete’s sake), the reaction would be more like this:
Oh. My. God. AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!! WE WON! WE WON! WE WON WE WON WE WON WE WON!!! (pant*pant) AAAAAHHH!!! Oh my gawd, I’m gonna cry… WAAAAHHHH!!!!
The reason why sports became such a big deal is understandable. Back in the hunter-gatherer days, the most physically capable humans would come out top and have the most power, and during the constant warfare of the recent centuries, countries needed to have physically powerful people to be soldiers. We used to really need fit people in our societies to survive, and that may be why sports and athletes became such a big deal to us.
However, our society has progressed enough that someone’s usefulness is not determined by how strong they are. The days when we needed strong people to make it through are over. We don’t have to throw away sports completely, but at the very least we should pay more attention to the things that really matter. So stop watching last Saturday night’s football game when instead you can do something that will really make our society a better place. Sports may be fun, but they’re really not worth all the attention we give them now. After all, no matter how much passion or spirit we put into it, any sport really is just a game.
General Surgeon Warning: Eat At Your Own Risk By Andy Stratton
Located at 2500 Corridor Way in Coralville or 201 Clinton Street in Iowa City, Buffalo Wild Wings is exactly what it sounds like; Wild Wings. Known primarily for their wings and fourteen different sauces; Buffalo Wild Wings also serves burgers, wraps, sandwiches, ribs, shrimp, salads, shrimp, and desserts.
When you walk in to Buffalo Wild Wings it’s very hectic. There is at least 12 different t.v’s playing usually sporting events along with music in the background and this makes for a great atmosphere to come with friends and just hangout and eat good food.
Wing + Sauce is the key, and with fourteen flavors there is a flavor for everyone. Flavors range from sweet to extremely hot. The flavors include: Sweet BBQ; traditional BBQ sauce, that is satisfyingly sweet, Teriyaki; terrifically tasty teriyaki sauce, Mild; classic wing sauce, good flavor but not hot, Parmesan Garlic; roasted garlic and parmesan sauce with Italian herbs, Medium; classic wing sauce that is comfortably hot, Honey BBQ; a sweet and sassy sauce, savor the flavor, Spicy Garlic; a tasty, spicy, garlicky, good sauce, Asian Zing; sweet meats heat: a chili pepper, soy and ginger sauce, Caribbean Jerk; red peppers you love, island spices you crave: an exotic delicious sauce, Hot BBQ; rich BBQ sauce with a touch of heat, Hot; classic wing sauce: delicious flavor, exhilarating heat, Mango Habanero; feel the burn, savor the sweet: two sensations, one sauce, Wild; classic wing sauce, big flavor with blisterin’ heat, and Blazin’; Keep away from eyes, pets, and children: the hottest sauce they got. This is ridiculously hot sauce and is so hot that when you order these wings it comes with a general surgeons warning! With this sauce they have the Blazin Challenge, at the Coralville location if you are able to eat eighteen blazin in under six minutes you get a free t-shirt and your picture on the Blazin wall of fame. Furthermore, on Tuesday its forty cent wings, Wednesday is all you can eat wings, and Thursday is forty cent boneless wings.
I believe with all of these kinds of wings available, anyone should give Buffalo Wild Wings a try; it is a reasonable price with great food and a great atmosphere.
Word Count: 380
When you walk in to Buffalo Wild Wings it’s very hectic. There is at least 12 different t.v’s playing usually sporting events along with music in the background and this makes for a great atmosphere to come with friends and just hangout and eat good food.
Wing + Sauce is the key, and with fourteen flavors there is a flavor for everyone. Flavors range from sweet to extremely hot. The flavors include: Sweet BBQ; traditional BBQ sauce, that is satisfyingly sweet, Teriyaki; terrifically tasty teriyaki sauce, Mild; classic wing sauce, good flavor but not hot, Parmesan Garlic; roasted garlic and parmesan sauce with Italian herbs, Medium; classic wing sauce that is comfortably hot, Honey BBQ; a sweet and sassy sauce, savor the flavor, Spicy Garlic; a tasty, spicy, garlicky, good sauce, Asian Zing; sweet meats heat: a chili pepper, soy and ginger sauce, Caribbean Jerk; red peppers you love, island spices you crave: an exotic delicious sauce, Hot BBQ; rich BBQ sauce with a touch of heat, Hot; classic wing sauce: delicious flavor, exhilarating heat, Mango Habanero; feel the burn, savor the sweet: two sensations, one sauce, Wild; classic wing sauce, big flavor with blisterin’ heat, and Blazin’; Keep away from eyes, pets, and children: the hottest sauce they got. This is ridiculously hot sauce and is so hot that when you order these wings it comes with a general surgeons warning! With this sauce they have the Blazin Challenge, at the Coralville location if you are able to eat eighteen blazin in under six minutes you get a free t-shirt and your picture on the Blazin wall of fame. Furthermore, on Tuesday its forty cent wings, Wednesday is all you can eat wings, and Thursday is forty cent boneless wings.
I believe with all of these kinds of wings available, anyone should give Buffalo Wild Wings a try; it is a reasonable price with great food and a great atmosphere.
Word Count: 380
Meet The Parents By Kristin Fomon
After meeting my brother’s new girlfriend, embarrassing him by showing her his baby pictures, eating a nice dinner, then finishing the night with a good fun game of Wii; I started to think about the actual meeting of the parents for the first time. There can be two potential scenarios… One, its awkward or two, it’s not awkward. Usually you aim for the “not awkward” scenario, but sometimes you don’t get so lucky.
Luckily, in the case of meeting my family, it wasn’t awkward at all for her, (thanks to my award-winning charm and amazing smile.) I asked questions about her life and coincidentally she played volleyball at Iowa, so we had a lot to talk about since I am interested in going to college for a sport as well. After she left, I started thinking of some dos and don’ts that come with the whole “I’m about to meet your family” business.
Four things that I found helpful when meeting the boyfriend’s family for the first time are:
Number one: You should try to shake their hands while being introduced. It makes you a lot friendlier and easier to talk to, where as a little nod and smile could freeze the conversation and make things start off uncomfortable leading to more awkwardness.
Number two: if you are eating with them, make sure you try everything but be honest. For example, if you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, you’re not a fan of mushrooms. No biggie. They can’t blame you for trying. Make a joke out of it if it starts to get silent, saying, “Wow my mom would be so surprised I tried this. I never eat her cooking because it never looks this good.” It’ll work every time!
Number three: Don’t stand there silently. You will come off as shy and unapproachable. Although I have not experienced the silence, I have had friends who have had this happen to them and trust me getting into a staring battle with your new boyfriend/girlfriend’s parents is not fun. First impressions mean everything. Why not start the night off with a little joke? For example, Q: How much does a polar bear weigh? (Give them time to answer) A: Enough to break the ice! Hi my name is [Your name here]
That joke will work every time!
Number four: Don’t be too personal unless you feel comfortable and they do to. Letting one rip in front of the parents doesn’t fly well. Especially not on the first little get together!
So, don’t stress out because honestly it’s not a big deal and if you let it freak you out, just remember you are bound to see these people again at some point. You wouldn’t want them to point out that awkward time so make them forget it with an unforgettable second impression. If that doesn’t work, third time’s a charm! Good luck. I mean if you ever see this poor guy/girl again with those impressions!
Luckily, in the case of meeting my family, it wasn’t awkward at all for her, (thanks to my award-winning charm and amazing smile.) I asked questions about her life and coincidentally she played volleyball at Iowa, so we had a lot to talk about since I am interested in going to college for a sport as well. After she left, I started thinking of some dos and don’ts that come with the whole “I’m about to meet your family” business.
Four things that I found helpful when meeting the boyfriend’s family for the first time are:
Number one: You should try to shake their hands while being introduced. It makes you a lot friendlier and easier to talk to, where as a little nod and smile could freeze the conversation and make things start off uncomfortable leading to more awkwardness.
Number two: if you are eating with them, make sure you try everything but be honest. For example, if you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, you’re not a fan of mushrooms. No biggie. They can’t blame you for trying. Make a joke out of it if it starts to get silent, saying, “Wow my mom would be so surprised I tried this. I never eat her cooking because it never looks this good.” It’ll work every time!
Number three: Don’t stand there silently. You will come off as shy and unapproachable. Although I have not experienced the silence, I have had friends who have had this happen to them and trust me getting into a staring battle with your new boyfriend/girlfriend’s parents is not fun. First impressions mean everything. Why not start the night off with a little joke? For example, Q: How much does a polar bear weigh? (Give them time to answer) A: Enough to break the ice! Hi my name is [Your name here]
That joke will work every time!
Number four: Don’t be too personal unless you feel comfortable and they do to. Letting one rip in front of the parents doesn’t fly well. Especially not on the first little get together!
So, don’t stress out because honestly it’s not a big deal and if you let it freak you out, just remember you are bound to see these people again at some point. You wouldn’t want them to point out that awkward time so make them forget it with an unforgettable second impression. If that doesn’t work, third time’s a charm! Good luck. I mean if you ever see this poor guy/girl again with those impressions!
Florida fluke
By Tim Yu
After watching a more than lack luster BCS National Championship game between The Florida Gators and The Oklahoma Sooners (Florida won), this past Thursday, I asked myself (as many of you might have) if the BCS really got the right teams in the national Championship.
This national Championship was supposed to be a shoot out and a very high scoring game. Both teams had high powered offenses and two of the top three quarter backs in the nation, Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Tim Tebow of Florida, both of them have won a Heisman trophy. Oklahoma averaged more than 50 points a game during the season, and Florida averaged about 45 points a game. However, this game was a snoozer, with a disappointing score of 24-14.
The BCS or Bowl Championship Series uses a very long and complicated equation to figure out the top teams in college. The problem with this is many teams feel like they should be in the championship game and rightfully so but get left out. For example, on week 7 of the season Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35 and they both ended up with 12-1 records. Guess what? Texas didn’t make National Championship and Oklahoma did.
Florida isn’t off the hook either. Florida had only one loss to Ole Miss which had a regular season record of 8-4. The USC Trojans also only had one loss to Oregon State, which also had an 8-4 record. Florida ended up ranked second in the nation after the regular season, and USC ended up ranked fifth.
Even the Utah Utes have a pretty good argument for why they should have been in the national championship. The Utes were the only undefeated team this year; however, they were in the Mountain West conference which is pretty weak. They probably would not have been undefeated if they were in The SEC, Big-12, Pac-10, or even the Big-10 (not bashing the big ten).
This game had the makings to be a very good game, but it wasn’t. It was pretty much one sided, and the quarterbacks didn’t play up to par.
Word Count:354
Allan Liu
Christopher Paolini’s novel “Eragon” rings of the same medieval, quest-like storyline taken by the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Heroic characters travel through fantastical lands toward some distant goal, each chapter filled with satisfying, entertaining content. This captivating adventure will have you on your toes to the very end
The setting is on the continent of Alagaesia, a place plagued by social and economic divide. Eragon, a 16-year-old boy of unknown lineage, comes upon a dragon egg on a failed hunting trip. This discovery sets off a chain of momentous events—the corrupt King Galbatorix sends representatives to investigate, Eragon’s uncle is brutally killed by the king’s ambassadors, and Eragon faces the decision of what to make of his life. Then the adventure truly starts when he casts his fate with the Varden, a rebel group who resist Galbatorix’s Empire. Armed only with a sword of mysterious origins and the guidance of old man Brom, Eragon embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
With each passing day in the story, readers watch Eragon change, crossing the line from child to adult. Hardship makes him tough, and the prospect of revenge fuels him. The story also offers insight to the thoughts of his dragon, Saphira, and the magical bond between them that gradually possesses Eragon of the powers of the legendary Dragon Riders. However, near the end of his journey to the Varden, Eragon discovers that he not only opposes the Empire for personal revenge, but because “he had witnessed too many wrongs committed in Galbatorix’s name, from murder to slavery, to turn his back on the Empire.”
This book is written with illustrative description and an action-filled storyline that combined make reading it an enthralling experience. Eragon describes the landscape after a storm: “The wild elements were slow to abate, but as the day passed, they wandered elsewhere. Once again the sky was revealed, and the setting sun glowed with brilliance… Objects had a unique sense of mass; grass stalks seemed sturdy as marble pillars. Ordinary things took on an unearthly beauty; Eragon felt as if he were sitting inside a painting.” Also, personification is prevalent. “Tall rocks slanted out of the ground- gray witnesses to their presence. There was an unfriendly feel in the air, an animosity that resisted intruders.” “The turret was crumbling in disrepair, but it was still a stern sentinel over the valley.” Such description effectively brings out the mood in a scene, and makes the reader feel as if he were looking through Eragon’s eyes.
If you don’t generally like medieval fantasy, but want to share in this thrilling adventure, now’s the time to make the switch.
-Allan Liu
The setting is on the continent of Alagaesia, a place plagued by social and economic divide. Eragon, a 16-year-old boy of unknown lineage, comes upon a dragon egg on a failed hunting trip. This discovery sets off a chain of momentous events—the corrupt King Galbatorix sends representatives to investigate, Eragon’s uncle is brutally killed by the king’s ambassadors, and Eragon faces the decision of what to make of his life. Then the adventure truly starts when he casts his fate with the Varden, a rebel group who resist Galbatorix’s Empire. Armed only with a sword of mysterious origins and the guidance of old man Brom, Eragon embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
With each passing day in the story, readers watch Eragon change, crossing the line from child to adult. Hardship makes him tough, and the prospect of revenge fuels him. The story also offers insight to the thoughts of his dragon, Saphira, and the magical bond between them that gradually possesses Eragon of the powers of the legendary Dragon Riders. However, near the end of his journey to the Varden, Eragon discovers that he not only opposes the Empire for personal revenge, but because “he had witnessed too many wrongs committed in Galbatorix’s name, from murder to slavery, to turn his back on the Empire.”
This book is written with illustrative description and an action-filled storyline that combined make reading it an enthralling experience. Eragon describes the landscape after a storm: “The wild elements were slow to abate, but as the day passed, they wandered elsewhere. Once again the sky was revealed, and the setting sun glowed with brilliance… Objects had a unique sense of mass; grass stalks seemed sturdy as marble pillars. Ordinary things took on an unearthly beauty; Eragon felt as if he were sitting inside a painting.” Also, personification is prevalent. “Tall rocks slanted out of the ground- gray witnesses to their presence. There was an unfriendly feel in the air, an animosity that resisted intruders.” “The turret was crumbling in disrepair, but it was still a stern sentinel over the valley.” Such description effectively brings out the mood in a scene, and makes the reader feel as if he were looking through Eragon’s eyes.
If you don’t generally like medieval fantasy, but want to share in this thrilling adventure, now’s the time to make the switch.
-Allan Liu
21 review
Mohamed Khalifa
A movie that hit the Hollywood box office hard was the movie 21, which is based off a true story. The movie starred actor Jim Sturgess, who played a boy genius in the movie named, Ben Campbell. His character was extremely good at math and was very bright the school he attended was MIT, but his plans were to go to Harvard medicine, he had the grades and the work ethic and he even got accepted. The problem was is that he didn’t have the money, he needed 300,000 for tuition, and he didn’t have that kind of money.
The story takes place in a college atmosphere and the main character in this movie is what people call a loser, he had only two friends and he never had a girl friend, but there was a particular girl he was looking at and had a thing for. Her name was Jill Taylor she was played by actress Kate Bosworth, but he never had the guts to say anything to her. In the movie Ben Campbell meets his professor played by Kevin Spacey, the professor in the movie thought that Ben was a very intelligent young man, and wanted him to join his secret club. What they did in this club was go to Los Vegas and play black jack in the casinos. The professor taught the students in the club how to count cards in black jack that way the students would always win, and make lots of money. Ben took the offer because he thought that was his ticket into Harvard, but he thought wrong.
The movie was very exciting and could put you at the edge of your seat, but there were some flaws in the movie as well, such as is was not very realistic time wise and the events were harder to believe that it was a true story. The movie was also made you think about the possibility of making money and there is no easy way you can get what you want, with out getting caught. The actors in the movie were very good in terms of following there roles especially the main character, you could get a feel of how the real people were like in the real life story. They also made you relate to the story and how everyone goes through similar phases in ones life.
A movie that hit the Hollywood box office hard was the movie 21, which is based off a true story. The movie starred actor Jim Sturgess, who played a boy genius in the movie named, Ben Campbell. His character was extremely good at math and was very bright the school he attended was MIT, but his plans were to go to Harvard medicine, he had the grades and the work ethic and he even got accepted. The problem was is that he didn’t have the money, he needed 300,000 for tuition, and he didn’t have that kind of money.
The story takes place in a college atmosphere and the main character in this movie is what people call a loser, he had only two friends and he never had a girl friend, but there was a particular girl he was looking at and had a thing for. Her name was Jill Taylor she was played by actress Kate Bosworth, but he never had the guts to say anything to her. In the movie Ben Campbell meets his professor played by Kevin Spacey, the professor in the movie thought that Ben was a very intelligent young man, and wanted him to join his secret club. What they did in this club was go to Los Vegas and play black jack in the casinos. The professor taught the students in the club how to count cards in black jack that way the students would always win, and make lots of money. Ben took the offer because he thought that was his ticket into Harvard, but he thought wrong.
The movie was very exciting and could put you at the edge of your seat, but there were some flaws in the movie as well, such as is was not very realistic time wise and the events were harder to believe that it was a true story. The movie was also made you think about the possibility of making money and there is no easy way you can get what you want, with out getting caught. The actors in the movie were very good in terms of following there roles especially the main character, you could get a feel of how the real people were like in the real life story. They also made you relate to the story and how everyone goes through similar phases in ones life.
The Incident of the Shoelace (and other childhood memories)
By Alissa Rothman Word count: 598
Ah, childhood; the open universe of fart jokes, the hours of Sesame Street, the long nights of stories about knights and princesses, the afternoon naps and the Power Ranger and Barbie lunchboxes.
Everyone has childhood memories, unless you are a Benjamin Button or had them permanently erased from your brain because, yes, some of them are excessively painful.
Childhood memories are an essential part of what makes us who we are now, and though we have all changed from the Backstreet Boy worshipping girls and Pokémon obsessed boys we once were, it is those memories that are the foundation for the rest of our lives.
Take one of my deepest, darkest childhood secrets as an example.
One Wednesday when I was in first grade waiting in line for the bus, two kids in my class, Todd and Jesse, asked me to tie their shoelaces together super tight. In fact they told me to TRIPLE KNOT it.
I told them it was a stupid idea, that they would never be able to untie it, but after some persuasion I tied the knots. After some practice trials up and down the line, the two were doing pretty well for a three-legged walk.
However, the problem arose when the bus arrived and they couldn’t untie the knots. All three of us frantically tried to untie them, but in vain. As the two tried to hobble to the bus, they tripped on top of each other, leading the aids to believe they were in a fight, while subsequently creating a domino effect as those behind them in line also toppled over.
It postponed the buses, and the next day we were called down to the principal’s office. There she interrogated the three of us, and as I tried to argue my innocence, stating that it was their fault for coming up with the idea in the first place, I was abruptly halted by this rhetorical question.
“If someone told you to jump of the Empire State building, would you do it?”
Now that I am older (and would like to think wiser) I can come up with at least a dozen snappy remarks to this statement, but to my meek first grade mind it was all to much, and I subsequently burst into tears.
Over and over she repeated this question, until she finally left me alone in my distress and turned to the two boys. By then, I could hardly think. I just shook and cried, replaying the question in my head.
“If someone told you to jump of the Empire State building, would you do it?”
This is the one bad mark on my record, and still haunts me to this day. I remember even in first grade, thinking that this would stay with me forever, crying to my parents that I would never get into college now that I had a record as a shoelace tying criminal as they tried to keep from laughing at my naiveté.
Though I initially walked away from this experience thinking the only life lessons to be taken from it were that principals are mean people, that Wednesdays are bad and that one should never triple knot a shoelace, over time I have come to see its deeper meaning.
The memory now serves as one of my first encounters with peer pressure, and its effects.
Even now, when I feel pressured into doing something that makes me uncomfortable, I can still hear Mrs. Garcia in the back of my head, and reminding me to do the right thing. Oh, and I still hate Wednesdays.
Ah, childhood; the open universe of fart jokes, the hours of Sesame Street, the long nights of stories about knights and princesses, the afternoon naps and the Power Ranger and Barbie lunchboxes.
Everyone has childhood memories, unless you are a Benjamin Button or had them permanently erased from your brain because, yes, some of them are excessively painful.
Childhood memories are an essential part of what makes us who we are now, and though we have all changed from the Backstreet Boy worshipping girls and Pokémon obsessed boys we once were, it is those memories that are the foundation for the rest of our lives.
Take one of my deepest, darkest childhood secrets as an example.
One Wednesday when I was in first grade waiting in line for the bus, two kids in my class, Todd and Jesse, asked me to tie their shoelaces together super tight. In fact they told me to TRIPLE KNOT it.
I told them it was a stupid idea, that they would never be able to untie it, but after some persuasion I tied the knots. After some practice trials up and down the line, the two were doing pretty well for a three-legged walk.
However, the problem arose when the bus arrived and they couldn’t untie the knots. All three of us frantically tried to untie them, but in vain. As the two tried to hobble to the bus, they tripped on top of each other, leading the aids to believe they were in a fight, while subsequently creating a domino effect as those behind them in line also toppled over.
It postponed the buses, and the next day we were called down to the principal’s office. There she interrogated the three of us, and as I tried to argue my innocence, stating that it was their fault for coming up with the idea in the first place, I was abruptly halted by this rhetorical question.
“If someone told you to jump of the Empire State building, would you do it?”
Now that I am older (and would like to think wiser) I can come up with at least a dozen snappy remarks to this statement, but to my meek first grade mind it was all to much, and I subsequently burst into tears.
Over and over she repeated this question, until she finally left me alone in my distress and turned to the two boys. By then, I could hardly think. I just shook and cried, replaying the question in my head.
“If someone told you to jump of the Empire State building, would you do it?”
This is the one bad mark on my record, and still haunts me to this day. I remember even in first grade, thinking that this would stay with me forever, crying to my parents that I would never get into college now that I had a record as a shoelace tying criminal as they tried to keep from laughing at my naiveté.
Though I initially walked away from this experience thinking the only life lessons to be taken from it were that principals are mean people, that Wednesdays are bad and that one should never triple knot a shoelace, over time I have come to see its deeper meaning.
The memory now serves as one of my first encounters with peer pressure, and its effects.
Even now, when I feel pressured into doing something that makes me uncomfortable, I can still hear Mrs. Garcia in the back of my head, and reminding me to do the right thing. Oh, and I still hate Wednesdays.
For Coffee, Tierra Caroline Van Voorhis
Upon first walking into Tierra Coffee, I could barely tell the difference between it and Terrapin, the coffee shop that had previously occupied the space. The tables were in the same position, to the right of the main entrance, with the couches next to the windows in the very front. The atmosphere was still hushed, with quiet jazz music and the hissing of the coffee steamers making the majority of the noise. Very quickly after entering, the differences began to show.
First off, the barista was attentive and ready to serve me, much different from the workers at Terrapin, who were disorganized, distracted, and very slow to serve the food.
The menu offers a wide selection of drinks including classic and flavored espressos, brewed coffee and alternative drinks such as tea, steamers, and hot chocolate. Additionally, they offer a few unique seasonal favorites such as an eggnog latte, mint hot choco, caramel apple cider, and a toffee nut latte.
Along with the drinks, they present a wide selection of goodies including muffins, cinnamon rolls, croissants, breads and cookies. For the more health conscious customers, there are options such as bananas, sandwiches, and bottles of water and juice.
All the items on the menu are reasonably priced, at least when compared to other competitors in the coffee business. The sixteen ounce simpler drinks, such as brewed coffee and tea are less than $2 and the specialized drinks range from $3 to $4. The muffins and other breads offered are fairly big, and despite this fact, they are only about $2. The cookies are less than $1, compared to Starbuck’s smaller cookies that are nearly $2.
While ordering, the barista was very helpful, asking if I would prefer skim milk in my ‘Milky Way’ drink (caramel hot chocolate), before offering and recommending that I heat my cinnamon roll.
Within two minutes of sitting down at a table by the wide windows, with a copy of the New York Times, chosen from an array of magazines and newspapers, the server delivered my order. He brought my drink over in a painted maroon ceramic mug, my warm and gooey cinnamon roll on a decorated plate, and also offered a fork and a stack of napkins. Before leaving, he cheerfully told me to enjoy.
Although Tierra Coffee did not change the décor very much, or even the name of the shop, their friendly, helpful service and wide selection of reasonably priced goodies definitely sets them apart.
First off, the barista was attentive and ready to serve me, much different from the workers at Terrapin, who were disorganized, distracted, and very slow to serve the food.
The menu offers a wide selection of drinks including classic and flavored espressos, brewed coffee and alternative drinks such as tea, steamers, and hot chocolate. Additionally, they offer a few unique seasonal favorites such as an eggnog latte, mint hot choco, caramel apple cider, and a toffee nut latte.
Along with the drinks, they present a wide selection of goodies including muffins, cinnamon rolls, croissants, breads and cookies. For the more health conscious customers, there are options such as bananas, sandwiches, and bottles of water and juice.
All the items on the menu are reasonably priced, at least when compared to other competitors in the coffee business. The sixteen ounce simpler drinks, such as brewed coffee and tea are less than $2 and the specialized drinks range from $3 to $4. The muffins and other breads offered are fairly big, and despite this fact, they are only about $2. The cookies are less than $1, compared to Starbuck’s smaller cookies that are nearly $2.
While ordering, the barista was very helpful, asking if I would prefer skim milk in my ‘Milky Way’ drink (caramel hot chocolate), before offering and recommending that I heat my cinnamon roll.
Within two minutes of sitting down at a table by the wide windows, with a copy of the New York Times, chosen from an array of magazines and newspapers, the server delivered my order. He brought my drink over in a painted maroon ceramic mug, my warm and gooey cinnamon roll on a decorated plate, and also offered a fork and a stack of napkins. Before leaving, he cheerfully told me to enjoy.
Although Tierra Coffee did not change the décor very much, or even the name of the shop, their friendly, helpful service and wide selection of reasonably priced goodies definitely sets them apart.
The Movie Theater Dilemma
The Movie Theater Dilemma
By Daniel Rothman
It started out like any other Sunday. Sleeping late, playing Call of Duty, watching football. As I lay there, watching the Eagles and Giants fight in a pivotal playoff game, an idea came to me. Why don’t I go to the movies? It didn’t take long to convince the rest of my family that I had a good idea, especially in the height of Oscar season, when studios release all of the best movies. There were many films out that I’d heard were fantastic, from Slumdog Millionare to Frost/Nixon.
The problem arose as I looked through the newspaper’s movie times. The first thing I noticed was that half the movies I wanted to see weren’t even playing. Oscar-bait such as Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road, and The Reader seemed to have skipped Iowa City (although I considered the idea that the theaters might just hate Kate Winslett). The only way I could see any of those was to go all the way to Cedar Rapids, a time-consuming journey made impossible by the daunting pile of undone homework in my room. While junky films like Paul Blart have their place (and trust me, I love these movies), the theaters have more than enough screens to also play higher quality films.
Fine. I figured I’ll just see one of the other movies playing here. I mean, between The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Gran Torino, Milk, or even Marley & Me, at least one had to be playing at a convenient time, right? Wrong. There are two movie theaters in this town, and both were playing the same movies within five minutes of each other. Every single one played around 1:00 and 4:30, making it nearly impossible to see a movie. There’s no way I was skipping lunch to go to the 1:00 show, and even less of a chance of me going to the 4:30, which would make having a nice dinner very difficult. When the same company owns both the Coral Ridge and Sycamore theaters, shouldn’t they coordinate the times so that there are alternating shows? That way there would always be a good movie showing, and crises like mine could be avoided. Iowa City isn’t so big that people can’t travel across town to see a movie. By providing a more efficient movie schedule, the owners could maximize viewing opportunities and increase attendence. Nothing would make my Sundays better than being able to sleep late, go to a 2:30 movie, and still catch Sunday Night Football. If only the theaters felt this way too.
By Daniel Rothman
It started out like any other Sunday. Sleeping late, playing Call of Duty, watching football. As I lay there, watching the Eagles and Giants fight in a pivotal playoff game, an idea came to me. Why don’t I go to the movies? It didn’t take long to convince the rest of my family that I had a good idea, especially in the height of Oscar season, when studios release all of the best movies. There were many films out that I’d heard were fantastic, from Slumdog Millionare to Frost/Nixon.
The problem arose as I looked through the newspaper’s movie times. The first thing I noticed was that half the movies I wanted to see weren’t even playing. Oscar-bait such as Frost/Nixon, Revolutionary Road, and The Reader seemed to have skipped Iowa City (although I considered the idea that the theaters might just hate Kate Winslett). The only way I could see any of those was to go all the way to Cedar Rapids, a time-consuming journey made impossible by the daunting pile of undone homework in my room. While junky films like Paul Blart have their place (and trust me, I love these movies), the theaters have more than enough screens to also play higher quality films.
Fine. I figured I’ll just see one of the other movies playing here. I mean, between The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Gran Torino, Milk, or even Marley & Me, at least one had to be playing at a convenient time, right? Wrong. There are two movie theaters in this town, and both were playing the same movies within five minutes of each other. Every single one played around 1:00 and 4:30, making it nearly impossible to see a movie. There’s no way I was skipping lunch to go to the 1:00 show, and even less of a chance of me going to the 4:30, which would make having a nice dinner very difficult. When the same company owns both the Coral Ridge and Sycamore theaters, shouldn’t they coordinate the times so that there are alternating shows? That way there would always be a good movie showing, and crises like mine could be avoided. Iowa City isn’t so big that people can’t travel across town to see a movie. By providing a more efficient movie schedule, the owners could maximize viewing opportunities and increase attendence. Nothing would make my Sundays better than being able to sleep late, go to a 2:30 movie, and still catch Sunday Night Football. If only the theaters felt this way too.
A good tip for restaurant-goers
Betsy Paige
Our country has evolved a lot within the past hundred years; our schools have multiplied, our transportation has quickened, our job market has increased, and our justice system has improved from the old tar-and-feather method. The United States is the home of a free democracy, as well as some of the most talented athletes, musicians, and scholars in the world. Why, then, if we have evolved so much, has our restaurant etitique stayed in the dark of this change for the better?
Being a waitress in town is great, it helps you get a glimpse of what a fast-paced job is like, and occasionally is good for the wallet, as well. Even with all the tips, it is still disheartening to hear the words, “Table 4", and look up to see a family who does not belong in public, let alone with hot food and sticky drinks. You know what I’m talking about. The mother, a blonde in general, is talking on her cell phone, shouting phrases of, “No!” and “Yes, I’m out to eat with my family. No, I can’t call you back later.”, while occasionally looking over to her child of 2-4 years and mumbling things like, “Get down or you won’t get your spaghetti.”. The father, usually a man of larger stature, is sitting at the table, saying nothing. The children, depending on the number, are all over. The eldest, namely a boy, is playing Gameboy while shouting about more soda. The younger children in procession, are either crawling around the restaurant underfoot, grabbing for the mother’s phone, or screaming like there’s no tomorrow.
Not that this would necessarily be a bad experience for a waitress who has been working all morning, but there always seems to an incidence of rudeness. Most families go for the standard walk-up: an innocent, stressed waitress is at the computer, punching in orders, when a parent from table four comes up and mentions their child’s lack of refill. The waitress smiles, says something like, “Sure, I’ll be there soon”, and the parent retorts with a, “No, now.”. What else is this waitress to do, but abandon all her other tasks and attend only to table four?
Other things include: yelling at the waitress, get annoyed when she comes to ask how the food is, oh yeah, and tipping. In general these table fours tip little to nothing. It counteracts with the giant diamond on table four’s mother, the three gaming systems the oldest kid has, and the giant SUV that the Four’s pulled up in, but in general, the waitress will receive about five dollars for her hour of restaurant hell.
So, be patient with your food, if your waitress messes up, remember that she's human. Try to be as kind as possible, and grab hot plates off of the poor girl's hands as quickly as possible. And always remember to tip!
In the United States, we also have great leaders, people who are smart and have a plan of action. Our newest leader, Barack Obama, is all about change. So how about it, America? Why don’t we change what Barack Obama, Miss Manners, and your mother would all agree with: your table manners.
Our country has evolved a lot within the past hundred years; our schools have multiplied, our transportation has quickened, our job market has increased, and our justice system has improved from the old tar-and-feather method. The United States is the home of a free democracy, as well as some of the most talented athletes, musicians, and scholars in the world. Why, then, if we have evolved so much, has our restaurant etitique stayed in the dark of this change for the better?
Being a waitress in town is great, it helps you get a glimpse of what a fast-paced job is like, and occasionally is good for the wallet, as well. Even with all the tips, it is still disheartening to hear the words, “Table 4", and look up to see a family who does not belong in public, let alone with hot food and sticky drinks. You know what I’m talking about. The mother, a blonde in general, is talking on her cell phone, shouting phrases of, “No!” and “Yes, I’m out to eat with my family. No, I can’t call you back later.”, while occasionally looking over to her child of 2-4 years and mumbling things like, “Get down or you won’t get your spaghetti.”. The father, usually a man of larger stature, is sitting at the table, saying nothing. The children, depending on the number, are all over. The eldest, namely a boy, is playing Gameboy while shouting about more soda. The younger children in procession, are either crawling around the restaurant underfoot, grabbing for the mother’s phone, or screaming like there’s no tomorrow.
Not that this would necessarily be a bad experience for a waitress who has been working all morning, but there always seems to an incidence of rudeness. Most families go for the standard walk-up: an innocent, stressed waitress is at the computer, punching in orders, when a parent from table four comes up and mentions their child’s lack of refill. The waitress smiles, says something like, “Sure, I’ll be there soon”, and the parent retorts with a, “No, now.”. What else is this waitress to do, but abandon all her other tasks and attend only to table four?
Other things include: yelling at the waitress, get annoyed when she comes to ask how the food is, oh yeah, and tipping. In general these table fours tip little to nothing. It counteracts with the giant diamond on table four’s mother, the three gaming systems the oldest kid has, and the giant SUV that the Four’s pulled up in, but in general, the waitress will receive about five dollars for her hour of restaurant hell.
So, be patient with your food, if your waitress messes up, remember that she's human. Try to be as kind as possible, and grab hot plates off of the poor girl's hands as quickly as possible. And always remember to tip!
In the United States, we also have great leaders, people who are smart and have a plan of action. Our newest leader, Barack Obama, is all about change. So how about it, America? Why don’t we change what Barack Obama, Miss Manners, and your mother would all agree with: your table manners.
The Return - Sofia Meredith
Four Boys, seventy-two different songs, and now five albums; Fall Out Boy has made their Return.
Their newest album, Folie à Deux, meaning a madness shared by two, was released in December and features artists such as Alex DeLeon, Brendon Urie, Travis McCoy, William Beckett Pharrell, Lil’ Wayne, Debbie Harry and Elvis Costello.
Even with their album dominated by so many different artists, the Fall Out Boy’s true feelings definitely shine through. With songs like “America’s Suitehearts” (Well I don’t know much about/ classic cars/ But I’ve got a lot of friend stuck on/ classic coke) and “I Don’t Care” (I don’t care what you think/ as long as it’s about me), which criticize America’s love and blind eye towards the stars in Hollywood, Fall Out Boy proves their love of making a statement.
My only complaint for this CD is about some of their “after-thoughts” or “after-nots”. After a few selected songs on the album, there seams to be a little piece of leftover music. Whether it’s a small interlude into one of Pete Wentz’s ramblings like in “20 Dollar Nose Bleed” or a minute and ten seconds of an entirely different song like in “w.a.m.s.”.
The CD overall is undeniably fantastic. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Panic! at the Disco’s two albums in that they are not afraid to try the untried. For instance in their song, “20 Dollar Nose Bleed” they use what could have a strange but pretty piano ballad, speed up the tempo and transform it into something else entirely. Making something normal all their own.
However, unlike Panic’s second album, Fall Out Boy managed to retain some of their old sound. Folie à Duex mixes Fall Out Boy’s old sound of raw, thrumming, bass lines, shredding guitars and crashing drum solos from their second album Take This To Your Grave. Now they incorporate a new sound of maturity and full band and orchestra back up. Folie à Duex is coated in thinly veiled metaphors such as “” from the song “”and even a tribute to Pete Wentz’s new baby boy, Bronx. This catchy album will keep you singing for days!
By Sofia Meredith
Their newest album, Folie à Deux, meaning a madness shared by two, was released in December and features artists such as Alex DeLeon, Brendon Urie, Travis McCoy, William Beckett Pharrell, Lil’ Wayne, Debbie Harry and Elvis Costello.
Even with their album dominated by so many different artists, the Fall Out Boy’s true feelings definitely shine through. With songs like “America’s Suitehearts” (Well I don’t know much about/ classic cars/ But I’ve got a lot of friend stuck on/ classic coke) and “I Don’t Care” (I don’t care what you think/ as long as it’s about me), which criticize America’s love and blind eye towards the stars in Hollywood, Fall Out Boy proves their love of making a statement.
My only complaint for this CD is about some of their “after-thoughts” or “after-nots”. After a few selected songs on the album, there seams to be a little piece of leftover music. Whether it’s a small interlude into one of Pete Wentz’s ramblings like in “20 Dollar Nose Bleed” or a minute and ten seconds of an entirely different song like in “w.a.m.s.”.
The CD overall is undeniably fantastic. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Panic! at the Disco’s two albums in that they are not afraid to try the untried. For instance in their song, “20 Dollar Nose Bleed” they use what could have a strange but pretty piano ballad, speed up the tempo and transform it into something else entirely. Making something normal all their own.
However, unlike Panic’s second album, Fall Out Boy managed to retain some of their old sound. Folie à Duex mixes Fall Out Boy’s old sound of raw, thrumming, bass lines, shredding guitars and crashing drum solos from their second album Take This To Your Grave. Now they incorporate a new sound of maturity and full band and orchestra back up. Folie à Duex is coated in thinly veiled metaphors such as “” from the song “”and even a tribute to Pete Wentz’s new baby boy, Bronx. This catchy album will keep you singing for days!
By Sofia Meredith
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