Off The Shelf Reviews: Little Blue TruckIn all actuality, no one can grow to be “too old” for a book. A story is nothing more than a story; it is the readers who give it life. This statement is especially true in the case of Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle. Illustrated by Jill McElmurry, Little Blue Truck is a wonderful installment to libraries everywhere, with its Shakespearean rhyming style and spot-on moral undertones.
Little Blue Truck begins with a lovely fall setting, in which a little blue truck, as the title suggests, is rolling along the countryside, greeting his friends as he goes. Schertle does an amazing job describing the truck as friendly, approachable, and kind; it is this type of character establishment missing from most books nowadays. Out of nowhere, the story takes a darker twist. A huge dump truck flies around a corner, overtaking and nearly overturning the little blue truck while also coming close to flattening a nearby duck. This dump truck, after just one page, has already shown more emotion and motivation than Bella Swan (Twilight) ever did. If that is not impressive writing, then the bar has been set unattainably high. Little Blue Truck is highly recommended by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and of course, yours truly. Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry will take readers on an unforgettable journey full of beautiful paintings and lessons alike. Little Blue Truck is undeniably worth the read, despite its large popularity margin residing between the ages of three and five. A Running Start to Running Start
Dreary, dreary days—that is what most people view their experience in high school as. It can ring true; sometimes high school is a steaming conglomerate of hormones and artificial superiority, but what most people forget is that high school is not a perfect representation of the real world.
High school is simply preparing students for what is really out there. Every school has a different tactic for this—Flathead High School uses IB (International Baccalaureate), Glacier uses AP (Advanced Placement), and Bigfork strays away from both and uses Honors. To many students, this fact is viewed as “lame” and has been, in part, the reason why some pupils decided to transfer in recent times. But while Bigfork may not have fancy high school programs, the school does have other options. “We offer what we call Running Start Courses through Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC),” says school counselor Tyson Roe. “We currently have four math courses that are taught right here at the high school, as well as a GIS course…and we are looking into getting more.” FVCC’s Running Start programs offer college credit to any junior or senior who decides to participate in them. “The cool thing about Running Start is that you just have to take the course,” relays Roe, “and if you pass the course then you get the grade and it goes on your college transcript as well as your high school transcript.” Basically, this means that any general course that is required for college freshmen will be ticked off of any Running Start student's list. For example, taking a Running Start math course tells all Montana colleges that the student no longer has to take that math course. “The cost is a fraction of what the cost of a regular two-admission is,” explains math teacher Josh Feller. “The going rate at any undergrad program like at U of M (University of Montana) is between three and five hundred dollars per credit, and if you do Running Start, it is sixty (dollars per credit) after you get your six free.” Running Start offers students six free credits, “so that is, in sense, two classes,” says Roe. “And then after that it is about fifty percent off.” So it is obvious that Running Start courses are just as good as any AP, IB, or Honors program; one senior has an even better idea of how beneficial it can be. “They have been fairly beneficial,” emphasizes senior Jordan Claveria. Claveria’s senior project is to “earn [his] associate’s in science” alongside graduating high school. “I’m actually probably gonna get a full ride to U of M because I will have at least a 3.4 GPA when I graduate with my associate’s degree. So, I get a free tuition and that cuts down most of my cost for schooling.” Courses like Running Start are pretty much run-of-the-mill nowadays; they are everywhere, in every school district and college in the United States. But this was not always the case. “Nope,” his school did not have a program like Running Start, remembered Feller. “We had a partnership with a college that was an hour away, but it was not a lot of opportunities that we could do on-site. We would have to go to [the college] and take care of stuff there.” FVCC’s college programs have recently opened up opportunities that BHS students probably would not have had more than ten years ago. So even though BHS does not have the socially academic standpoint, it is clear that the school is not far behind some others. “So that is why you should take Running Start courses,” says Roe, “’cause they are awesome.” |
Off the Shelf Reviews---All the Bright Places
It would probably be best to get one thing straight right off the bat: this book is, so to speak, a high speed ride that includes sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, dropping, and backwards motion. Readers who have recently undergone surgery, cardiovascular problems, neck trouble, or back trouble are advised to choose a different book or read at their own risk.
With the warnings in place, it is safe to delve into Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places. A first look at this book reveals a picture-perfect pastel cover carrying wit and humor within its pages; those who so choose to read this novel will soon learn that this is nothing more than a clever facade. Though a review on the inside cover of this book carefully compares it to John Green’s The Fault in our Stars, a more appropriate comparison would hold true to Paper Towns. Both books are based around teenage exploration—psychological or otherwise—and can be a bit infuriating at times. All the Bright Places starts out in Theodore Finch’s perspective, a 17-year-old mystery boy with an ever-changing personality. He thinks: “Is today a good day to die? And if not today—when?” Immediately, Niven has challenged the reader to question what he or she may not have otherwise considered. Niven flows smoothly through the first chapter, all the while giving Finch a three-dimensional taste rather than the two-dimensional view most authors seem to fancy. By the time Niven graduates to chapter two, told by Violet Markey, she has established a sarcastic yet considerate character with more to him than he seems. In chapter the second, Niven cracks open the mind of Violet Markey, a 17-year-old secretive girl with “Extenuating Circumstances,” as she calls it. Nine months after a car crash that took away her older sister, Violet is still heavily grieving; she believes that the world is not going to get any better. Then, she meets Finch. Talking about the events of this story would be completely unfair to a future reader; too much happens for one writer to do All the Bright Places its justice. However, it would be fair to say this: All the Bright Places is a story of Violet and Finch, yin and yang, love and loss, life and death. Riddled with classic quotes, plot twists, psychological ideas, and clear, pulchritudinous descriptions, All the Bright Places will take even the most secure the mind and tear down its walls for good. |
Literary Extinction or Technological Epidemic?
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Leave Bigfork in the Dust
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While saying that printed books are a “dying” breed may be an exaggeration, it is not exactly wrong.
Most teenagers these days only tend to read a physical copy for the benefit of completing their homework assignment; a task usually accompanied by a plethora of protest. This is a puzzling circumstance, and researchers are trying to find the answer to the question parents are asking: why? Ebooks and movies are statistically cheaper than hardcover and paperback books, making them more attractive in the eyes of customers. They are also easier to access because no one wants to wait for shipping when they can simply touch a button and own a personal library. For example, with $40, one could hop into their car, take the small road trip to the nearest bookstore and return home with only two or three books. If the same individual had stayed in their home and visited an Ebook store, such as Google or Amazon Books, they could have bought a little under twenty times that amount of books. The only thing that truly changed was the book’s format. So maybe it is all a money race. Maybe people living in this century have lost the value in brand new, freshly printed, never-been-read books. This point is very well argued in the literary world, but there is another theory. In 2014, two random ninth-graders at a bus stop were asked a question: “do you read for fun?” Both students answered “no,” claiming that they preferred the television and their video games. It’s plausible that NPR simply picked the wrong two kids to interview that day, but the number of kids who could have answered “yes” is slowly dwindling. According to Common Sense Media founder and CEO Jim Steyer, “most children now have access to e-readers, or other smart electronic devices like phones and tablets. [...] It just strikes me as extremely logical that that’s a big factor.” In one of his interviews, Steyer stated that even his own kids are not very into reading and prefer the tablets and phones of the family. The cell phone epidemic does not just affect children, though. A 2014 study states that only 69% of American adults read at least one printed book in the past for their own personal enjoyment. 69% seems like a lot at first, but one hundred million one hundred sixty-one thousand (100,161,000) people make up the other 31%. That’s about ten times the population of Montana alone. Because of the decline of the demand for books, it seems as though no one is reading anymore. It could be true, it could be false, but the absolute truth is that life in the future will be a life without books if no one changes the world’s view on physical copies of books. Buying Ebooks may be easier, but the rewards will never be the same. As Marcus Tullius Cicero once said, “a room without books is like a body without a soul.” |
Everyone who lives in Bigfork, Montana knows that the summertime is the worst time to do anything. An agglomeration of sweaty, badly dressed, middle-aged one percenters crowd everything from Flathead Lake to the local Harvest Foods. It is for this reason that traveling in a small town is frowned upon: after seeing the mess one’s mere adventures can cause, no one wants to become one of the nuisances, but traveling has many benefits for high school students and should be embraced by the community. In 2013, a study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies concluded that 59% of people plan to travel during retirement. For teenagers, retirement is certainly a ways away, and the benefits of travel take time to fully develop, so why not start the memory-making journeys now?
One reason traveling is so essential to the developing human brain is the social and communication skills it provides. By exploring new places and meeting new people, it expands the traveler’s horizons exponentially. Learning to navigate foreign languages helps the brain grow sharper. Another reason to consider delving into another country is the peace of mind it will bring. High school students can all appreciate the stress that school and jobs can bring, and traveling aids subjects to move on from those troubles and forget for a few days. In the aforementioned 2013 study, researchers found that 89% of people on vacation saw a significant drop in their stress level after just one or two days. Empathy is a topic that some people have trouble understanding at times, and the best way to walk in someone else’s shoes is through a week-long “vacay.” For instance, by visiting Haiti, one can more easily empathize with the victims of the 2010 earthquake. This is why people who visit the Holocaust museum in Washington, D.C. or the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam feel that they are not able to stomach it through the end; sometimes, the weight of the empathy is too much. Oftentimes, empathy can be overwhelming: undertaking new cultures, eating habits, and activity helps refresh the brain of more colorful images. Traveling gives individuals the chance to try these new things, such as more flavorful foods or traditional dances. All of this evidence and more proves that though traveling can often be expensive, the benefits it brings are long lasting. For more information about the benefits of travel, visit www.nbcnews.com/better/wellness/5-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-traveling-abroad-n759631 |
Scary Movie of the Month--April
Stephen King’s “The Shining” was a very genius idea. However, the movie adaptation was not as genius. Almost anyone from the 1980s will tell you that this is one of the greatest horror films of all time, and yes, it is a classic and pretty good, but some of the elements were shifty. This, and the following reasons, is why it is given 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The beginning of this R rated movie is an expositional nightmare. It is long and drawn out with nothing to keep an audience’s attention. After a classic 1980s opening credits scene showing the long journey up to the hotel, the film goes into a 20 minute interview with every character you will need to know. Jack Torrance, played by famous Jack Nicholson, is interviewed by the boss of the Overlook Hotel for a position as the winter caretaker. Most of this interview is Mr. Ullman telling Torrance about the hotel’s long, homicidal history. He tells Jack about how a former caretaker went insane due to cabin fever and butchered his entire family with an axe. Seriously, how much more foreshadowing can you successfully pull off? The plot then flips to closing day of the hotel, which is the day that Jack and his family were told to move in. Jack and his family went on a tour of the place they will be living in for the winter. They tell Jack, Wendy (Shelley Duval), and Danny (Danny Lloyd) things that do not become relevant to the story. There were also strange set mistakes. For instance, when Mr. Hallorann (Scatman Crothers) was showing Wendy the kitchen, they show her a meat locker and a pantry, the latter seemingly on the left. Later in the movie, though, the pantry is shown on the right, next to a corner that did not exist before. After the tour of the house is through, the plotline skips to a month later. Everything seems to be fine with the Torrances, except for Danny, who seems to be having paranormal experiences. Danny is told in the beginning of the movie that he has the ability to “shine,” hence the title The Shining, though this only ever comes up twice. The rest of his activity is premonition type things, when Tony, the “little boy who lives in [Danny’s] mouth,” shows Danny what is going to happen. Jack, Wendy, and Danny are all living together in a hotel with a gory past, cabin fever, and some sort of demon living inside Danny. Absolutely nothing can go wrong, right? When Jack starts to go insane, the scenes are a lot like the beginning. There is a two minute clip of Jack bouncing a tennis ball against the walls of the Overlook. Then, the camera spends two minutes zooming in on Jack’s face as he is spying on his wife and son. That’s when the movie gets interesting. Danny enters room 237, a room that Mr. Halloran warned him about. He finds a crazy lady in the bathtub who tries to strangle him. Jack goes to the room to prove his innocence and sees exactly what Danny saw: a crazy lady in the bathtub. Maybe the whole point of this story is the confusion, and that is what makes it scary. Maybe Jack was going insane because of the hotel’s paranormal history. There are hundreds of possibilities as to what really happened in the Overlook during those few months, and it is the viewer’s job to explore what they wish. Just remember, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Scary Movie of the Month--March
“Silence of the Lambs” is not your typical “scary” movie. If anything, it is riddled with suspense, mystery, and a little bit of gore. So, then, this month’s “suspense” movie is “Silence of the Lambs”, a 1991 movie starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.
Jodie Foster plays Agent Starling, who is very much like the main character in “The Babadook”. “The Babadook” was reviewed in January and the character, in short, did everything wrong. This is exactly how Agent Starling goes about her mission. One of the very first things shown in the film is her assignment to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, an imprisoned psychopath who ate his homicide victims. She is told multiple things during her assignment, the three most important being do not approach the glass, do not touch the glass, and do not tell him anything personal. Agent Starling breaks the first rule almost immediately when showing Dr. Lecter her ID. He asks her to multiple times to step forward, and she complies, despite her authority as an FBI agent. The second rule is broken not 10 minutes later when she, trying to get away from the other patients in the ward, slams herself into the glass in an attempt to save herself. Luckily, Dr. Lecter is calm through all of this and does not try to eat Agent Starling. The third rule is not broken until the FBI director becomes desperate and sends Starling back to Dr. Lecter’s cell to try and gain information about the notorious killer, Buffalo Bill, who starves and skins his victims. Dr. Lecter agrees to share, truthfully, anything they would like to know in exchange for Agent Starling’s personal history. Though this is a horrible idea, Starling agrees and shares nearly everything about her past for information they may not have even been able to trust. After all, it came from a very smart psychopath. While all of this is going on, another psychopath by the name of James Gum, also known as Buffalo Bill, is keeping a young girl locked up in his basement with the intention of skinning her. His true intentions for doing so are revealed later. So between Dr. Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter’s mind tricks, Agent Starling’s attempts to solve them, the FBI’s efforts in finding Buffalo Bill, and Buffalo Bill’s insane plots, it seems like this movie would get a little hectic. However, it does not. The creators of this movie did a wonderful job trying everything together with the beautiful soundtrack. They also avoided a plethora of flashbacks, and while they used some in context, they were used well. With all of these things, they were able to depict a sense of mystery right up until the last 30 minutes, when Agent Starling finally figures it all out. As she is going through the first victim’s work, she found cuts on a dress in progress that matched the strange cuts on the victims, making the connection that Buffalo Bill was making himself a “woman suit.” Disgusting. After calling in her victory, she followed up on her lead, a woman for whom the first victim worked. She only gained the lead from talking to Lecter, who wrote in a note “we covet what we see.” This will make sense later. Arriving at the woman’s house she is told, without knowing that she is talking to the woman’s son, that the woman and her family have moved. Unfortunately, she arrives at the house alone, so she does not have any backup on her side when the shooting commences. The next scene is very long and drawn out, and is mostly Agent Starling running around checking doors and windows and yelling at the girl still trapped in the basement. Starling eventually kills Bill, and the rest of the police show up just in time to do absolutely nothing. In short, this movie is pretty good. The ending, a shot of Lecter(who had previously escaped) walking through the streets of what seems to be Jamacia, was a very obvious setup for a sequel. Its R rating is appropriate, because the visuals in the movie tended to get graphic, but not overly so. The main character may have been idiotic, but the execution of the film certainly was not, which is why this movie is given 4 out of 5 stars. Scary Movie of the Month--February
This month’s scary movie is The Blair Witch Project, a 1999 movie about as real as they come. Blair Witch begins when Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Joshua Leonard are lost in the woods, attempting to film a documentary in 1994. According to text at the beginning of the film, their footage was “found” in 1995.
Heather and her friends set out for Burkittsville, Maryland in search of interviewees and key information for Heather’s documentary. They talk to many Burkittsville residents in the first 15 minutes of the movie, but after that, the only three characters on screen are Heather, Michael, and Joshua. Because they have to travel together and trust each other, there is a lot of conflict throughout the movie. For example, Michael and Josh become tired of walking all day and accuse Heather of leading them in circles. Heather does eventually get them to where they are planning to go, so they had no reason not to trust her. Unfortunately, though, they were filming the documentary on a stolen camera and were pressured to return it, so Michael and Josh got increasingly frustrated with Heather, causing Michael to kick their map into the river. If Michael had not kicked the map into the river, the rest of the movie would not have happened. They would not have gotten lost, tread on the Blair Witch’s land or been terrorized by a 1900’s murderer and eventually killed. The rest of the movie is mainly fighting, walking in circles, and crying, with some added horror along the way. At one point, Josh disappears with no explanation and Michael and Heather are forced to make their way through the forest without him. At night, the witch tortures them with the sounds of Josh’s voice, so that they know that he is alive somewhere. Smartly, they do not chase the voice until the very end, which prolongs their lives. One of the most interesting things about this movie is that it is almost entirely real. The directors hired three actors who were skilled at improvisation and put them in the woods with cameras. The entire movie is unscripted except the documentary clips Heather is making, and those were written by Heather Donahue herself. The reason Josh disappeared in the middle of the movie is because Heather and Josh had a lot of tension and their conflicts were getting in the way of the movie from the directors’ point of view. All in all, this movie was very cleverly done and while the camera quality was not the best, the way it was executed was incredible. This movie deserves 5 stars every time it is watched, no matter what. Scary Movie of the Month--January
At first, a movie titled “The Babadook” would almost seem like a kid’s animation, but it does not take a genius to figure out that it is a lot more than that. The plot of this movie is well thought out, the filmography is beautiful, and it will keep you on your toes the whole time.
There are a few things about the film that could use some work. For instance, there were not very many characters involved. This was executed well, but more characters would have enhanced the main theme. As a result of this, there was no one to talk some sense into the main character. This woman has a very driven, “do what you are told” personality (shown in the way she works and treats her child), but the whole conflict of the movie could have been avoided if she had just done what she was told. In the beginning of the movie, Amelia (Essie Davis), and her son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman) receive a mysterious and terrifying book describing the Babadook, specifically saying that “if it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babadook.” Amelia decides to ignore this and throw the book away, resulting in sleepless nights and, eventually, a car accident. Then later, she receives the book again, with a new page added, this one talking about how “the more you deny me, the stronger I get.” Amelia thinks that burning the book is going to solve things and nearly kills her son because she was trying to ignore the problem. But I digress. Overall, this movie is very well made and, like all movies, has its ups and downs. The general lack of music forces you to focus on what is happening so that you do not miss anything. Also the acting is very impressive. It is for these reasons that this movie deserves 4 out of 5 stars. Really good, but not perfect. Then again, what movie ever is? Scary Movie of the Month--November/December
December’s scary movie of the month is titled Krampus, a Christmas tale with a terrible twist. The main plot involves a young boy, Max (Emjay Anthony), who loses the spirit of Christmas two days before the twenty-fifth.
His loss of spirit summons a deadly snowstorm that traps the family and their relatives inside. The storm also knocks out all of the power, having the effect of an EMP. This causes Beth(Stefania LaVie Owen) to go out and look for her boyfriend, starting a chain of events that get a lot of people hurt. Though the beginning of this movie entirely rips off the plot of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation(1989), this movie deserves about 3.5/5 stars, losing 2 stars for copyright and adding back .5 stars for special effects. Krampus will definitely keep you captivated through its rollercoaster of a plot and creepy sound choices. Just keep in mind that watching it at night is not a good idea if you plan on sleeping. Fashion Tips for the Win(ter)--Novemer/December
“We can’t say we’ve never sacrificed some comfort/warmth for the sake of fashion. We love our own personal style, and sometimes we tell ourselves tiny little fibs that make a denim jacket and beanie seem appropriate to wear on a 30-degree day.” These are the words of Gina Marinelli, a writer for Refinery29, and in my opinion, they are very, very true. So here are a few short tips to stay stylish and snug in the winter.
Tip #1: Layers Layers are a good way to stay warm and look good during the colder months, but this does not necessarily mean they have to show. Wearing a long-sleeve shirt under a cozy sweater will do just fine, as will tights underneath skirts or ripped jeans. These tips will work for staying well inside the dress code as well. Tip #2: Hats You will see many hats around the school as the year flies by, ranging from snapbacks to beanies and back again. Hats can actually be very warm if you pick the right one. When looking for a hat, try to find one that covers your ears along with your skull, because keeping your ears warm in the winter is just as important as keeping them shaded in the summer. Tip #2 Alternative: Earmuffs Yes, earmuffs are not always pretty, but if hats just are not your thing, then earmuffs are a good option. Keep in mind that they do not always need to be worn like a headband; you can try the Guy Fieri look and wear them behind your head. Amazon.com has a huge range of earmuffs, some of them even foldable and contractable for when you need to shove them in your backpack after your mom drives away. Tip #3: Blanket scarves Now, its true that these do not always fit into the unisex theme presented here, but places like J.Crew and Old Navy have flannel ones that are not quite as feminine. They can also be pricey, with $100 being one of the most expensive. I don’t know very many people who would spend $100 on a scarf that only has so many uses, but luckily there is a solution. Many people have created tutorials on how to make one as a DIY project. Momadvice.com was the most helpful. They even give a link to a Joann’s coupon for fabric! Tip #4: Anything with long sleeves Sometimes, having to drag yourself out of a warm bed in the morning is like finishing an essay; you just cannot bring yourself to do it. Thanks to long sleeve shirts, though, it is out of the frying pan and into a nice, soft hug. Oversized flannels are a personal favorite of mine because they are soft, comfortable, express your inner lazy. Long sleeve down jackets are also a good idea because when you wear them, it feels like you are in a cloud. Take these tips and look great for the rest of the season. But then again, you are reading an article written by a girl who will wear a sweatshirt with a dress just because it is comfortable. Silence City--October
Monday, July 19, 2320
In exactly seven days, my life will begin to slide downhill. Exactly twenty-four days later, my life will hit the bottom of said hill and I will have to make my way back up. The Government says it is necessary, but I find it a harsh and cruel thing to put a fifteen-year-old through.
I am #2657, but you can call me Hawk. I gave myself the name when I was about seven, because I was tired of my dads forgetting it all the time. Dad: "Hey, 2675, come downstairs!" Other Dad: "Honey, its 2765." Me: "You guys are both wrong, It's 2657. You guys should know this, it's not like I have siblings." That's only a fraction of how things used to be. Anyway, when I started calling myself Haw, my dad's confusion was easily resolved. At least if they forgot, they didn't have a bunch of numbers to mix up. Of course, they can't use my name in public. They can't even use my number in public. We can't even have a friendly conversation without getting thrown in jail. The laws say that silence is golden, and punishment for breaking the laws is very very bad. Example: When I was three, my dads had to carry me and run everywhere we went, because if I sneezed or coughed, I would've been given one month jail time. Not a time-out. Jail. Thankfully, we made it to The Clinic, where they gave me a shot that got rid of my allergies forever. But I digress. Seven days from now, I am going to lose my best friend forever. I called him Buck, because #2650 is proud and protective, but also very gentle. Not only is he my bast friend, but he's my neighbor, and our windows are so close together you could throw a paper plane from one to the other without a hurricane affecting its course. My dads always said that we would be Companions one day, but, to be honest, Buck isn't my "type." Not that the computer cares. All it cares about is matching up twenty year olds with other twenty year olds until it breaks or gets hacked or runs out of memory space. Then The Government replaces it with a new one and throws the old one out. No one knows where; it's just another Facility secret. While we're on the topic of Facility secrets, lets talk about the Wall. No one knows what's outside of it except the Revolutionists, which makes sense because they run The Government, but I think The Community has a right to know whether they should be scared or not. If it's terrifying, like dead animals walking around with a vendetta, then tell us, and the smart ones will stay here. If it's not, and there's actual human life outside the Wall, then why haven't we talked to them yet? It's been over 250 years since the third World War; shouldn't that be a sign that we're ready to leave The Community and rebuild America? You're probably wondering: "Hawk, if this 'Community' of yours has trapped people inside a wall for over 200 years, how is it that you know so much about the Past? Well, I was getting to that. America was involved in the third World War, and we made a lot of enemies. You know that whole "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing? Well, in our case, we had Russia and China as our enemies, so once they joined forces-or nukes-America didn't stand a chance. The few who survived formed The Community, and built a wall to keep unwanted things out. They established different laws, one of which I totally despise: At the age of 15, youths will choose their future area of expertise and begin studying for the chosen position. "Youths" have five professions to choose from, including Doctor, Muffler(we're supposed to call them Law Enforcement, but some kid came up with-and got arrested for-the name and it stuck), Scientist, Revolutionist, and Work Force. Ah, here I am explaining my vast knowledge. Told you. My father works in Work Force, particularly the Burn Pile. That's where they take things from the Past and burn them. Over the last 15 years, my dad has been sneaking books home for me to read, and then he brings them back the next day so that no one will notice it's missing. Some books are more personal and leather-bound, some are plain and have professional looking titles. My favorite, by far, is called The Animal Book. I've practically memorized it. I know everything about animals, from bacteria to tigers and back. Thats why I chose the name Hawk, because the hawks in the book are strong and beautiful. Of course, I've never seen a hawk in real life, but the book has pictures. I could never choose my favorite type of hawk, so I used the general term. By the way, don't be fooled by my lighthearted take on all of this. In one, very, very short week, I am going to lose my best friend forever. In one week, I am going to lose my best friend forever. In one week, I will be completely alone. Buck turns 15 on July 26, 2030. Isn't life wonderful? |
Cooking with Satan
April Fool’s Day has come and gone, but there is always time to play a prank on a friend or enemy. In fact, pulling a prank after April Fool’s will ensure that the victim does not expect it. Since no one could possibly turn down something disguised as yummy food, here is a list to refer to the next time someone needs to be taught a lesson.
Spider Cookies: Start with a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a toothpick. When the cookies come out of the oven, do not wait for them to cool as usual. Instead, take the toothpick and spread the chocolate chips out to look like legs, and voila! The result is cookies with an eerie filling. These are also perfect for a Halloween party, right between the finger sausages and brain punch. Exploding Cake: A lot of people enjoy eating cake, so baking a second one as a backup is a good idea. Materials needed: a cereal box of any brand, balloons, duct tape, a type of light frosting (i.e. Cool Whip or whipped cream; buttercream could pop the balloon prematurely), and cake decorations. First, take the display side of the box off with scissors, making a sort of boat for the balloon. Next, blow up the balloon and carefully duct tape into the box. After that, frost and decorate the whole thing like a normal cake for authenticity Lastly, serve to the victim. This only works well if the victim cuts the cake themselves, causing it to explode in their face. Keep away from kids. ...Cookies again?: Yes, cookies again, but these are really fun. The only things needed are mashed potatoes, black beans, an oven, and maybe a pan. Take the mashed potatoes and black beans, mix them together, and put them in the oven at 350°F until golden brown. After that, it is a simple as putting the “cookies” on a plate and serving them to people who deserve a less than sweet treat What we eat is very influential to our mood, so ruining someone’s day can be easily done. By salting cupcakes, for example, those who ate the cupcakes will change the way they view salt for a few hours. The important thing, though, is to know who is likely to prank. Like candy from a stranger, do not accept cookies from a friend with a grudge. Electronics: Necessity or Privilege?--March
Electronics have become part of our everyday lives. If a car breaks down, we use a phone to call a mechanic. If a teacher asks for an essay, usually one of the requirements is that it be typed. Even things as simple as social media are now integrated into our daily routine. Because these electronics are still fairly recent, kids today are often asked a teasing question by “all-knowing” adults: “What would you kids do without your phones?”
I finally got tired of laughing wryly and decided to start answering the question, but the only way to that is to, well, do without my phone. So for 7 days, that is exactly what I did, keeping a journal throughout the week. The first day of the week, I wanted to see how well I could do without my phone while keeping it with me. A late journal entry explains the results. “So far today I have checked my phone four times and opened it once. I have made a tally mark on a sticky note on the back of my phone every time I checked it and I opened the screen this morning. I have done better than I thought I did, honestly.” After I turned my phone off for good, I found it a lot less tempting to look at it. That was probably because I left it at home during school, but over the weekends I found boredom more pressing. “I’m having a hard time finding things to do. I’ve already read the school newspaper, made copies, and solved a Rubik’s cube. I haven’t even gotten dressed yet and this is the most productive Saturday ever. [...] I’m starting to regret my decision a little because I miss Netflix but I’ll get over it. Hopefully.” Sunday was hopefully more productive than Saturday because I only have one journal entry. Monday, however, had about five entries, probably because “it’s a lot easier to focus, I noticed, when my phone is not staring down at me. I can’t just sit and do nothing, so homework is pretty much the only thing I can do.” Monday, I accomplished most of my weekly English homework, so I felt pretty good about my decision. Tuesday, however, things took a turn for the worse in my book. I felt better, but I was left stranded waiting for a ride home in 25° rainy weather. Granted, I could have used someone else’s phone, but that felt like cheating to me, so I opted to stand and wait in the cold. “There was a scheduling error and my ride isn’t going to be here until 7:15(it’s 6:50). It’s not that bad, I’m just cold and I wish I had my phone.” Wednesday, I had a question that could have been answered had I had access to my computer. “Wait, why the expression ‘kill’ time? We can’t kill time. Time isn’t even a real thing, it’s just something we made up to explain why the sun goes across the sky. So how can we kill it? It’s a very weird expression.” I never actually did look that up. I guess I forgot about it. “This week went by a lot faster than I thought.” The last day of my experiment has the shortest entry out of all of them. I was probably really excited to get my phone back, so I wasn’t focusing much on writing, but the week was a lot easier than I thought it was going t0 be. Even though I did use computers when it was required by my teachers, I went without my phone for a week, and my parents think that is a huge achievement for me. The best part is that now, when adults ask me if I can survive without my phone, I can tell them yes, I already have. All of my journal entries are below if you would like to read them. Day One--3/3/17
6:00 AM So normally what I do in the morning is get up, shower, and then sit on Instagram for a half hour or until whenever I feel like getting up for real. Today, however, I can't do that. There are two reasons I am keeping this journal. Reason 1: I need to write something for the newspaper (duh). Reason 2: It will probably help any phone relapses that I am most likely going to have. I would definitely say that I use my phone constantly. Like I said; I use it in the morning for as much as an hour straight, but I also use it a lot at school. When I get to school, I connect to the wifi for Instagram again (I'm on Instagram a lot), and then I sit and wait and scroll until my friends get there. First period (English) I use my phone quite a bit because I have a Quizlet set on my phone with every vocab word Mr. Jessop has given us (I think at this point it's about 336 terms) and I study that periodically (or sporadically if you want to get fancy.) I don't really use my phone again until third period (Earth Science) where I sit and scroll for the first 5-10 minutes. Fifth period mostly depends on the busyness of the teacher; if he is walking around helping people and I need help, I usually just scroll through Instagram until he gets to me. That can be 5 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on what the other people in the class need help with. Lunch is also a bit dependent, mostly on where I'm eating and who I'm with. If I eat in, say, Mr. B's room with all of my friends, then I probably won't use my phone very much. On the other hand, if I eat in the back corner of a hallway, I will most likely use my phone a lot. Sixth period (the best class ever, Journalism) is also dependent on how busy I am; if I have stories to write or a page to set then I pretty much don't use my phone at all. Otherwise, I'm on Instagram. So, yeah, I am on my phone a lot. Constantly. That's why I'm doing this experiment, to see if I really can "live without my phone." My parents don't think I will last the whole week and frankly, neither do I, but the point is to prove them (and myself) wrong. my friends and I have been on the receiving end of adults' stupid question, "what would you do without your phone?" This week, I am going to find out. 10:41 AM I'll be honest; I cheated. I used my friend's phone to look something up for a crossword in science. Though, it was for school, so it's okay. We still have about 10 minutes left in class. Yay... This is going to be a fun week. Sorta. Maybe. Probably not. 2:15 PM I cheated again in Journalism. I had to use a computer to do research for another article. Whoops. 3:37 PM So far today I have checked my phone 4 times and opened it once. I have made a tally mark on a sticky note on the back of my phone every time I checked it and I opened the screen this morning. I have done better than I thought I would, honestly. 3:47 PM Make that five times checked and twice opened... Sorry, I got invited to a movie and i couldn't resist answering... Okay, well I could've, but still. Also, I've gotten three phone calls today. Wow. 4:29 PM You know what's good? Ramen. I could eat ramen all the time. Ramen is great. And it's cheap. I love ramen. Forget no electronics, I'm gonna go on a seven day ramen diet. Toast and butter ramen for breakfast, PB&J ramen for lunch, and beef or chicken ramen for dinner. Actually that sounds gross so never mind. Anyway, I realized something. Would I be able to go to see a movie? I guess that would count as electronics but movies have been around since like 1910, at least. Kids without cell phones/computers still went to movies right? Okay so I checked the date on the movie thing through this: The Invention of Hugo Cabret was set in 1931, and in the book one of the characters directed/produced/drew A Trip to the Moon (one of the first movies in real life), but later resented his movies and locked then all up to later be found by Hugo Cabret in 1931. They describe (and illustrate) the character as old-ish in 1931, so I'm guessing when I say 1910, but I think I'm fairly close. 8:48 PM I feel a little more productive. We went shopping around 5:30 or 6:00 and got home about a half an hour ago. Since then, I've worked on 3 different songs and checked my phone only once, so that's good. I'm going to try to go without my phone for the rest of the night. It'll be like a jumpstart for tomorrow. 9:33 PM I'm gonna go to bed earlier than normal tonight (for a weekend). I don't really have a reason to stay up late. I could, but it would be pointless and frankly kinda boring. Hopefully, I'll get used to the whole "no phone/computer" thing quickly. Day 2--3/4/17 12:16 PM I just woke up about 15 minutes ago. My phone and computer are completely shut off to ward off temptations, so that's good. I have also been informed that I was invited to a movie. I'm gonna go, but obviouslyI can't bring my phone, so plans can't really change. This should be interesting. (Mainly because the people I'm going with really like Twisted Bliss.) 1:12 PM I ate lunch outside my room for the first time in a while today. My parents teased me about it and I remembered why I eat lunch in my room in the first place. 1:40 PM I'm having a hard time finding things to do. I've already read the school newspaper, made copies (for band), and solved a Rubik's cube. I haven't even gotten dressed yet and this is the most productive Saturday ever. 9:22 PM All in all, today was a pretty productive day. In 9 hours, I went to a movie, played the flute a little bit, tried to tune my uke (it didn't work), made copies, read most of To Kill a Mockingbird, read the newspaper, and actually ate lunch outside of my room. Today was boring, yet productive. I'm starting to regret my decision a little because I miss Netflix but I'll get over it. Hopefully. Day 3--3/5/17 10:13 AM I feel grounded. Like I got my phone and computer taken away. I don't know. Maybe it's just that I miss using them. Wow, that sounded wrong. Moving on. I keep thinking of things to do and then I realize that it requires my phone/computer. It's funny how reliant I am on my phone/computer. I'm okay without them, but I can't do the things I could normally do. Day 4--3/6/17 6:04 AM I didn't write very much yesterday. I guess thats good, because it means I found something to do. I did take five showers this weekend though. I was a bit more productive over the last 3 days, but the homework that I planned to do still didn't get done. The next time I get my phone/computer taken away for not being productive, I'll remind my parents that I'm not productive anyway. I really don't have much else to write. Right now, I feel bored, yet productive. That's really all there is to it. This isn't passing the time like I'd hoped. It's only 6:15. You know, this world has really become reliant on cell phones. I set my clock early specifically so that I can play on my phone after I take a shower. I also have a Quizlet on my phone that I use to study vocab every day. There's a Starbucks app out there so that you don't have to wait in line for your morning fix. This century has just completely succumbed to a touch screen and I wonder if it'll be our downfall. Again, it's only 6:25. I have another 20 minutes. Why did I do this to myself? 12:25(?) PM It's a lot easier to focus, I noticed, when my phone is not staring down at me. I can't just sit and do nothing, so homework is pretty much the only thing I can do. It's kind of nice, actually, because I have gotten a lot done. It's not the most fun thing in the world, but it is productive. (Sorry I use the word productive a lot, I can't think of (or look up) any other words.) 12:35(?) PM Never mind, I am so bored. 2:18(?) PM I didn't use a computer all weekend, so Journalism today was a relief. It was just for school, but still. I miss my phone, to be honest. 4:19(?) PM The reason there are question marks by the times is because I have no one to ask for the specific time and I can't read analog clocks very well. Growing up, every watch in my house was (and still is) digital, and I was only six when we moved away from my grandparents' grandfather clock. I can understand the basics of analogs, like which is the minute hand or the hour hand or the second hand, and what they mean, but after that, I have no clue. I have tried to read them before but I usually revert back to my phone because the time changes by the time I figure it out. It's not a very fun cycle. Anyway, I walked to DQ and back (from my mom's work) to pass the time and I found myself lonely. Normally, if I did that, I would call a friend or my grandma so that I had someone to talk to while I was walking. I am feeling slightly isolated, though, because a) I don't know what time it is b) I don't have anyone to talk to and c) I notice people on their phones so much more now. Normally, I don't notice because I'm on my phone too, but now that I'm not it seems like the whole world has a phone. Maybe it's just my imagination. Day 5--3/7/17 6:04 AM It's already day 5? Wow. It seems like it should still be day 3. I think that not having my electronics helped me get over my cold faster than normal. Call me crazy, but I was forced to do things rather than just sit, and there was nothing to distract me from getting better. Normally, when I'm sick, I sit in bed for 3 days watching TV. That's really all I do, just wait to get better. This time, though, if I stayed in my bed, I would have absolutely nothing to do, so it was either be bored or potentially have fun. I picked the latter, and I think that it helped speed up my recovery. So listen to my advice or don't, but stay away from computers when you are sick. They can only make things worse. I am faced with a dilemma. I could get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and cure my boredom now, but then I would be stuck sitting again for another half hour. I would get up later to prevent this, but my parents shower right after I do and that would just mess up their schedules. It's only 6:24. I. Am. So. Bored. Okay, I'm gonna cheat. I need to check the time I need to be there for NHD judging. Whoops. 3:25(?) PM I feel a lot better today. More "peppy" I guess. I don't know why, there are probably plenty of reasons, but it may be due to the fact that I'm getting more sleep. I have nothing to do when I stay up, so I just go to sleep instead of watching a movie or something. I feel better in general, I guess. It may just be the day, though. 6:50(ish) PM I am stranded. I am actually stranded waiting. There was a scheduling error and my ride isn't going to be here until 7:15. It's not that bad, I'm just cold and I wish I had my phone. Day 6--3/8/17 6:25 AM I got up a little bit later today to kill time. It only killed about 15 minutes or so but time is time and I was really tired anyway. 4:41 PM Finding things to do has gotten a lot easier, though finding ways to do them has gotten harder. Typing my other articles has proved to be difficult, obviously, and typing my English project has also been difficult. I'm just glad that I can have my stuff back after tomorrow, though I have decided to cut the time back a few hours so that I can complete a homework assignment due Friday. In my opinion, I chose the worst week possible to do this experiment. Maybe that's what made him a good experiment. 7:41 PM In an attempt to kill time, I wrote my intro. Hopefully, it turns out as good as I thought it did. 7:42 PM Wait, why the expression "kill" time? We can't kill time. Time isn't even a real thing. It's just something we made up to explain why the sun goes across the sky. So how can we kill it? It's a very weird expression. Day 7--3/9/17 7:49 AM Today is my sister's birthday! Yay! And the last day of this freaking challenge! More yay! (I spent the morning with my sister, so that's why I didn't write earlier.) This went by a lot faster than I thought. Granted, I did use computers and stuff for school, but I went without my phone for a week. It's actually sitting in my pocket and I am so tempted to turn it on. I almost did instinctively earlier. Help. To Coffee or not to Coffee?--March
73% of America’s youth consume some type of caffeine, the most popular drink being coffee. This number is alarming considering the risks that coffee can present. Drinking excessive amounts of coffee can cause serious problems, such as ulcers and heart disease. Even drinking healthy amounts of coffee can cause insomnia, heartburn, and headaches. There can also be some dangerous chemicals in coffee, one of which is called acetylmethylcarbinol. It is flammable and is used in artificial butter flavoring, which is not always that tasty (except after being microwaved, because then that stuff is good).
Jim Dillan, a health professional, wrote in an article that coffee contains a substance called acrylamide, “a potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance that forms when coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures.” The darker the roast; the more acrylamide; the more likely for it to turn cancerous. Another chemical in coffee is, obviously, caffeine. If caffeine stood alone without coffee, it would take the form of a white powder, much like another popular drug. Caffeine is used naturally by plants to kill bugs that threaten them. Caffeine affects humans by blocking neuroreceptors from receiving the chemical adenosine. In short, this means that caffeine keeps us awake. But prolonged exposure to it can cause sleep disorders, the most common being insomnia. People with insomnia are discouraged from drinking coffee because the caffeine will continue to keep them up at night and they will in turn drink more coffee. Chlorpyrifos, a chemical currently banned from household use in the United States, also resides in coffee. The chemical was banned in October 2015 after eight years of negligence from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The chemical, found mainly in pesticides, is known to cause birth defects and cancerous diseases. Unfortunately, most coffee growers use chlorpyrifos on their crops, and eventually, it ends up in people’s drinks. One of the most toxic chemicals in coffee is called methyl parathion, another pesticide used in South America. It is not cancerous, but is dangerous if ingested, and it would be because it resides in the coffee beans. Washed coffee beans do not present as much of a risk because the pesticide is well, washed off. If the water it was brewed with is contaminated, then it can cause side effects such as tremors, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness. This really only affects people living near coffee plantations, as the pesticide is spread through the air. Drinking coffee in the morning has become a daily routine for most people. Hopefully, this will change that. Coffee, when consumed in moderation, will not prove to be detrimental, but excessive amounts can be harmful. Maybe next time people will think before ordering their “usual.” Sc(eye)nce--February
The word “aesthetic” originally comes from the Greek word aisthētikós, meaning of or for the perception of the senses. Lately, it means “having a sense of beauty.” What is really strange is the reason why many people agree on the same ‘aesthetic’ things. For example, minimalism is a very aesthetic style used by many artists. Putting minimal effort into a drawing is considered art for some reason, but no one questions it. Until now.
Diane Rogers-Ramachandran, a writer for the Scientific American said, “Art is clearly an expression of our aesthetic response to beauty. But the word has so many connotations that it is best—from a scientific point of view—to confine ourselves to the neurology of aesthetics.” Rogers-Ramachandran continues to explain “how visual-processing systems shape our feelings about what we see.” This means that the way our eyes process things determine whether we like them or not. Symmetry is one example of this. Symmetry can actually help with survival for predators. If a gazelle sees a symmetrical face out of the corner of its eye, it is going to run because symmetry probably means that there is a cheetah. It seems like common sense to prefer the aspect of beauty that helps keep us alive. Additionally, environment contributes to our aesthetic. In North America, and especially Montana, most people associate December-February with the color white (representing snow) the same way that Australians associate summer colors with the same months. “If it looks like the kind of environment in which you could survive and thrive,” said Annie Sneed, designer for co.design, “you’re going to have an aesthetic preference for it.” Eyes cannot take in too much. This is why art with the main focus on one module, such as a black dot on a white piece of paper, is more pleasing than art with the main focus on many different modules, such as a dress with twenty different colors and fabrics. This is why minimalism is so popular; without twenty different things to focus on, the eyes and brain can easily interpret and appreciate the art. The science of art and aesthetic is similar to the science behind headphones: few people actually care. Some people tend to see art as entirely separate from science, when in fact, they are quite similar. Science determines the entire aspect of whether art is considered beautiful or not. The Single Person's Valentine's Day Survival Guide--January
Valentine’s Day is a day for love and appreciation between couples, but when will someone think about the single people? For the first two months of every year, chocolates and “I love you” cards line every aisle in the grocery store with signs that say “Pick their favorite! Buy candy for only $3.99!” There is never a sign that says “Pick your favorite.” It is always about couples, all the time. However, it may not be all that bad. There are some good things about being single for Valentine’s Day.
Reason #1: Money You will save more money if you are single on Valentine’s Day. For starters, you are not required to buy gifts for anyone else (besides maybe parents or siblings). By only buying gifts for yourself, you eliminate the need for insanely expensive chocolate. While it is not as good, 69 cent candy will do. Besides, most stores have pretty good candy for that price anyway. Reason #2: Brain Power Yes, this reason is for the lazy, but if you are only buying things for yourself (as discussed in the previous reason), you do not need to worry about another person’s likes or dislikes. A lonely Valentine’s Day is as effortless as not doing your homework; all that is needed is a quick trip to the store. Reason #3: Family Time Obviously this day is not completely about couple love; it is about love in general. Why not spend some time with your family? It does not take very long and they will love anything you give them. Make a heart card like you did in elementary school and throw some glitter on it. No need to spend any money at all. Reason #4: Freedom Without a significant other to please, you are not tied to any sort of dinner reservation or activity. This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday, so there is obviously school (and possibly work), but single people have a free schedule afterward. Feel free to go to Dairy Queen after school and spend an hour there, or go see a movie for no reason. Maybe run to the store and buy a cake and some ice cream. You do still have to celebrate an international holiday. Reason #5: Binge Watching Because you do not need to share a couch with anyone, picking something to watch will be easy. Just pick your favorite TV show or movie series and see how far along you can get. If you do not have a favorite series, then watch the one you have binged the least. Eat some of that holiday candy and cake you bought at the grocery store to go along with it. A lot of people are single for Valentine’s Day. According to www.csmonitor.com, 50.2% of the population is single. So if you only read this article for reassurance, hopefully you found it. If you did not, then think about this: being single does not have to mean being lonely. Double, double, toil and...drugs?--October
Trick-or-treating has been around since the Middle Ages, and even if you are “too cool” to go this time around, it’s likely you have a younger sibling or know someone who wants to go. Parents and other adults may remind you to check each piece of candy, or not to eat any until they have checked it for signs of tampering.
This is parental instinct, trying to keep their children safe from drugged or tainted candy. Though it is sweet that they care so much, there is no solid evidence to say that they should truly be worried. Stories of heroin laced candies have been circulating since the early 1960s, mothers and trollers alike spread these fables, which in turn caused paranoia. Said stories are nothing more than fairy tales, partly because druggies are not going to waste their money or their fixes on random kids. According to Snopes.com, “Some forms of Ecstasy are brightly colored and look like candy,” but are not “intended to appeal to children.” These drugs are shaped as many different things, including the Superman symbol, dominoes, and other Halloween-themed shapes. Parents are also worried about razor blades and pins being stuck into their children’s candy. While there have been proven cases, it is unlikely that you will find a razor blade shoved into your candy bar. There are only about 100,000 people in the Flathead County (as of 2013). Almost all accounts of tainted Halloween candy originate from highly populated areas, including New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania. So unless you are planning on flying to a big city for a night of trick-or-treating, your candy bags should be danger free. |