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I have to take my pills

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Poem by thebirdonfire.org staffer Ike Spry

I have to take my pills

I’m a different person without them

Sure, maybe It’s not truly who I am

Or maybe I’m a failure without Western medicine

All the suffering I’ve faced

And the pain I’ve instilled

It doesn’t hurt me anymore

Knowing I live a “fake” persona

Maybe I’m lying to myself

The industry is a scam

I’m running in circles

And everyone’s a sheep but me

Maybe I’ll go off my pills

Sleep on the roof

Fall in love for the sake of my loneliness

And threaten to kill myself for attention

Or maybe

I’ll swallow down the truth

With a cold glass of water

And come to accept 

I have to take my pills

Have You Tried Genshin Impact? You Should.

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By Izumi, Middle-School Gamer Correspondent

Genshin Impact is an action story game made in China. What is its story? Our correspondent explains.

Genshin Impact: Process and Overview

Genshin Impact is an action RPG made on September 28th, 2020, after the company miHoYo made another similar action RPG called Honkai Impact 3. That game was made on October 14th, 2016. Development of Genshin Impact started in January 2017 and started with a crew of 120 members in Shanghai. That crew grew to 400 at the end of the year and reached 700 by February 2021 (gamefaqs.com). miHoYo revealed Genshin Impact in June 2019, three months before the release. From soundtrack, animation, backgrounds, and character designs, miHoYo worked three hard years on the start of the game and has added lots of updates in the past year, including new characters with each update. As a matter of fact, new character Sangonomiya Kokomi comes out today!

Genshin Impact: Regions and Elements

In Genshin Impact, there are seven regions. Every region has an archon (ruler/god) based on the seven elements. Characters (playable ones mostly) have visions based on the elements. Dendro (nature), Geo (earth), Pyro (fire), Cryo (ice), Hydro (water), Electro (electric), and Anemo (wind). So far only three out of seven regions are in-game, Anemo, Geo, and Electro. Each region is based on another country. In the photos below you can see all three regions. The Anemo Archons city, the first region to come out in Genshin, is based on Germany. The Geo Archons city, Liyue, is based on China. Lastly, the Electro Archons city, Inazuma, is based off of Japan.

Side note: Characters don’t have to have the same vision as the archon for their city. For example, Beidou, an electro character, isn’t from Inazuma; she’s from Liyue, the geo archon’s city.

Genshin Impact – Step Into a Vast Magical World of Adventure
Monstadt
Liyue | Genshin Impact Wiki | Fandom
Liyue
Genshin Impact: Diluc Ascension And Talent Materials - Flipboard
Inazuma

         

Genshin Impact: Storyline

Here is the story of Genshin Impact. You (player) have a twin, and you both travel from world to world, but one day when you and your twin were traveling to the next world, an unknown god stood in your way. As you try to defeat her, and travel to the next world, she kidnaps your twin. Right after, you’re both sent into an unknown world separated from each other. Your goal is to travel through this new world called Teyvat and be reunited with your twin. Through this journey you have a companion named Paimon, who travels alongside you. You and Paimon will explore Teyvat, adventure through new regions, and meet characters, while in the process, reuniting with your twin.

Next post, I’ll be drawing a character from Inazuma named Ayaka

Football is Back, and Roman is Happy

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People are back and together again. And, according to Roman, nothing brings us together like football and . . . mayonnaise!

By Sports Correspondent Roman Rickwood

College football is in full swing, and it is showing. As we move into week three of the college football season, we find ourselves in a very familiar and comforting time. While college football was played last year, it was anything but normal with some conferences only playing four games with no fans in the stadiums and no normal football season traditions. But, finally, after the wait of our lives, college football is back to its natural glory. There are no more Covid restrictions, or capacity restrictions, and most importantly no teams have severe enough outbreaks to where they had to cancel the game. We saw the return of out-of-conference play, another important thing that Covid took away. 

Opening weekend in college football always features marquee matches from powerhouses across all five conferences. The #1 game in week one was (then) #2 Clemson vs (then) #5 Georgia; this game was played at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This game ended 10-3 in favor of Georgia as well as ending up as the most watched game of the weekend. The opening weekend TV ratings for college football were as high as they have ever been and five times higher than the TV ratings of the 2021 NBA Finals (ESPN). I believe that one of the major contributors to these heightened ratings is credit to the fans in attendance. Personally when sports returned with no fans, I found it incredibly hard to watch, even to watch my favorite teams. There is something special about a packed stadium that just makes the viewing experience that much better. 

Photo Credit: Roman Rickwood at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte

I went to the Clemson-Georgia game. It was sponsored by Duke’s Mayo, so there was a Mayonnaise-Eating Competition! The Georgia Redcoat school band marched in, sat in the stands, and played non-stop. And, . . . there was the tail-gating. There was barbecue brisket and ribs piled high on paper plates. 

So far this season is looking like it will be a good one, especially considering how many upsets there have been and how many more there are to come. As for now I am just happy to have something to look forward to on Saturdays! This Saturday, kick-off is 9 a.m. You’ll see me camped out on the couch.

In celebration of college football returning, a Bulldog fan took on a Tiger fan in the age-old competition of eating mayonnaise.

Let’s Learn about Chakras!

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By Jessica Denyer, Amateur Astrologist

Hello my fellow transcendent beings!

In my quest to enlighten you all about our universe and how you can further connect to it, there is one thing that cannot be overlooked, and that is the practice of Reiki. Reiki is a type of energy healing. It comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life energy. Reiki aims to help energy flow through your body steadily. If energy becomes trapped anywhere in the body, it can have negative side effects. Reiki practitioners believe that improving the energy flow throughout your body can reduce pain, induce relaxation, and help you live a healthier life. Although this is not a medically proven science, some people, like myself, believe wholeheartedly in Reiki healing. 

So, let’s start by talking about Chakras. What is a Chakra? Chakras are known to be energy points within your body. During a Reiki session, you will work to release the flow of your energy and get the right alignment. Let’s identify the Chakras.

The Root Chakra

The Root Chakra is known as the “root of all things.” It is located at the base of your spine. It is the center of all emotional and spiritual balance. The root chakra is most concerned with needs. It governs strength, safety, stability and is responsible for making you feel grounded. The root chakra allows us to thrive in our environment. This is one of the most important chakras because if there is a “root energy blockage” it can affect all of your other chakras’ functions.

The Sacral Chakra

The sacral chakra is known to be connected with pleasure and joy. Located about two fingers above the base of your spine, this chakra can help with artistic expression and creativity as well. It is also important in relating to your emotions and the emotions of others. A blocked sacral chakra can lead to anxiety, nightmares, sensitivity, and self-consciousness. 

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra is known to be connected to your intellectuality and how you process information. Located right about where the ribcage starts, the solar plexus chakra also controls personal power, accountability, and conveying wisdom. Issues with this chakra can lead to symptoms such as brain fog, low motivation, and low self esteem. 

The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra is known for being connected to one’s self love and love for others. Located in the center of the chest, it controls having compassion, empathy, showing forgiveness, and practicing acceptance. Issues with the heart chakra can lead to symptoms like poor love life, depression, shyness and fear. 

The Throat Chakra

The throat chakra is the chakra of communication. It allows you to speak freely and not feel held down by your thoughts. Located in the middle of the neck, the throat chakra is also responsible for self expression and projecting your creativity out into the world. Issues with the throat chakra could lead to symptoms like fear of public speaking, anxiety, and lack of creative flow. 

The Third Eye Chakra

The third eye chakra is responsible for your sense of intuition and clairvoyance. Located in the center of the forehead, the third eye chakra is also responsible for recollection and memory, your conscious and unconscious self, and extra-sensory perceptions. Symptoms of a third eye chakra blockage is lack of memory, feeling of insignificance, and inability to make decisions.

The Crown Chakra

The crown chakra is known as “the bridge to the cosmos” and is responsible for your connection and awareness to your universal consciousness. Located in the center of the top of the head, the crown chakra is also responsible for the center of your spirit and connection to a higher guidance. Symptoms of a crown chakra blockage can be depression, confusion, loss of self worth, and feelings of disconnection. 

Now that you know all of the chakras, allow me to quickly explain what a Reiki practitioner will do to help unblock them. A Reiki specialist will usually feel around the chakras, and hover their hand for minutes at a time to help strengthen the energy by transferring some of theirs to you. This will help to remove any blockages. 

So that’s it! You now know the basics of Reiki and chakra work. Come back next week where I will be talking about what crystals go with which chakra, and how you can do your own crystal Reiki at home!

Thanks for reading!

Your Amateur Astrologist Jesse

It’s Hot in the Kitchen!

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By Ike Spry

Working in the culinary world is one of the hardest jobs in the service industry. Experienced chefs work countless hours before achieving professional kitchen standards. Working as a line cook can be extremely stressful, and many cooks turn to vices to calm their stress. The standard for higher level culinary jobs is rigorous. Unlike being a waiter, you need plenty of former experience, and cooking is not something you can immediately pick up or adjust to. 

This brings us to the salary ordeal. Chefs barely are making a liveable wage, and usually they make less than waiters and waitresses–who get tips. The problem is that restaurants are incentivized to pay less to their staff. No business wants to lose money if they don’t need to. Restaurants are consistently pressured to lower overhead and prices, and chefs, as a result, often get lower wages. While most people assume that waiters make higher tips for better service, studies show that it is a cultural standard to give waiter tips so they can have a liveable wage. Tipping as a custom is really only a thing in the United States. I’m not going to say that waiters should be paid less, or chefs should be paid more because that won’t do anything. My suggestion is to get rid of the tipping system. Restaurants could universally raise prices because it is not the customer’s job to give a worker a liveable wage; it should be the business’s job to pay a minimum wage. If a customer doesn’t have to pay a tip out of pocket, they are likely to pay more for an entrée. Restaurants can legally pay under minimum age and let tips equalize the rest. Federal law allows businesses to pay tipped workers as little as $2.13 an hour (dol.gov). If there was less of a demand for restaurants to lower prices, restaurants in turn could use the money to pay their staff’s wages appropriately. The chefs making high wages are usually celebrity chefs, or partial business owners. Line cooks, sous chefs, and even head chefs are struggling with wages nationwide. Thus, many cooks and chefs are becoming private chefs and caterers, as they can make more money, and there is usually less stress involved. I think it is important that people are aware of the issues that chefs and waiters face, as working in the service industry is becoming harder during a pandemic. 

I hope one day soon restaurant owners can abolish tips and give their staff a livable wage. Being a cook is one of the hardest and most stressful jobs out there. Yet, chefs aren’t making enough money. Accomplished chefs I’ve met in person have told me, “Don’t go into the industry.” That’s unfortunate. I have a passion for cooking and would like to make it my living, and until the industry provides sufficient salaries, I’ll be looking at the many, less stress-inducing jobs available as private chef.

The Saga of Bishop Sycamore

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By Roman Rickwood, Sports Analyst

If you have never heard of the high school Bishop Sycamore it’s because it’s not a real school. Bishop Sycamore played the #1 ranked school in the country, IMG Academy, in high school football on the night of August 29 on national television. IMG Academy, a boarding school in Bradenton, Florida, took on Bishop Sycamore in a game that was supposed to be a high-scoring dogfight of a game with both teams supposedly having a lot of college-bound players on each team. However, the score said otherwise, with IMG blowing out Bishop Sycamore 58-0. The first red flag was when ESPN failed to produce numerous names for Bishop Sycamore players as the “school” failed to provide them. This game led many, including Forbes magazine, to suspect the legitimacy of Bishop Sycamore as a school as well as a football program (forbestalk.com). The game resulted in investigations into Bishop Sycamore’s background, standing, and licensing. The investigation led to many more questions and almost no answers. Bishop Sycamore is listed as an all-online charter school; however, they get no funding from the state or the federal government. Also coaches failed to produce an official website or address for the school. Then the suspicions came down on the players, specifically on their ages. At first there were rumors of players as old as 30. However, these rumors were never actually proved. Another thing that came up was that the night before Bishop Sycamore faced off against the best team in the nation, they played against another school; due to the dangerous aspect of football, this is a complete disregard for health and safety of players as fatigue often is the leading cause of injuries. Most games are played a week a part.

It appears that the motive behind Bishop Sycamore scheduling games against far superior opponents comes from the want to play on national television. To make matters worse, the Bishop Sycamore head coach at the time of the game had active warrants out against him. Fox News has him being sued by multiple people.

Photo Credit: Fox News

While the Bishop Sycamore situation has become something of a joke, these adults took real advantage of young athletes by promising them things they could not deliver. As well, they put them in harm’s way by making them play games on back-to-back nights. In a statement, the new coach tried to explain that Bishop Sycamore was not a high school, and then proceeded to give a shaky explanation for what exactly they are–a “post-grad football academy” (USA Today). Whatever the outcome is for Bishop Sycamore and its players, the memes that are Bishop Sycamore will live on. 

Calling out myself…

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The sophomores read the poetry of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, including her poem “You Foolish Men,” where she calls out . . . well, men. Sophomores in turn wrote poems “calling out” someone. Lilah turns the tables and calls out herself. It caught our eye. Thus, we asked if we could share “Calling out myself…” on thebirdonfire.org. (She said “Yes.”)

By Sophomore Guest Poet Lilah Nick

I always play my music a little too loud,

I always sleep in when I know I have plans,

And I always drink caffeine late at night. 

I always stay up late until my eyelids

Have weights pulling then down, 

And I always “forget” to do my homework,

Telling myself I can finish it later.

I always say no to help because I’m too stubborn.

I drink water when I’m hungry

And isolate myself when I’m lonely.

I think self care forces me to spend 

Too much time with myself 

So I choose destruction everytime.

Is it just self sabotage?

If you have a poem, essay, photograph, animation, rant, opinion you’d like to share, contact the editorial staff at thebirdonfire.org: Jesse Denyer, Aria Mendoza, Roman Rickwood, Ike Spry, and Ms. Zachik.

Let’s Learn About Crystals!

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By Jesse Denyer, Amateur Astrologist

Ah, crystals, a recent obsession of mine. You can only spend so much time believing in the world of astrology before you hear about crystals and their powers. I know you’re probably thinking, “Wow, Jesse has really lost her mind. First she thinks the stars are talking to her; now she thinks crystals are giving her powers!” And, if you are thinking that, you are correct. Maybe I have lost my mind, but at least I have my crystals and stars to keep me happy. So, what is the significance of crystals? 

Crystals have been used for healing purposes by many cultures. They are meant to help with chakra work as well (I’ll talk about chakra work next column). They are also known to better your connection with the Earth and Universe. Although this has not been scientifically proven, trust me when I say that crystals can change your life if used properly. Holding specific ones for specific meditations can help you relax more and allow yourself to be more open to the Universe. Holding certain stones while manifesting can help you relay your messages better to the Universe. So much as even wearing them around your neck everyday or placing them somewhere you spend a lot of time can have major effects on your life. But, how do I know what I’m talking about? 

Funny story. During this past summer I was looking for a job. As I strolled the streets of downtown Palm Springs, I came across this crystal store. I was intrigued, and one might say the energy drew me inside. I immediately became obsessed with buying crystals and using them to heal and manifest. A few days later, I applied and got a job there. I had to learn everything about every crystal from every country. I had to be able to identify them by sight only and know what their purpose was. It was an incredibly fun job, and I learned much. I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I could probably tell you about any crystal you show me. Why is this all significant? Every sign has a correlating crystal that is known to have helpful energies for that specific sign. A correlative crystal is almost like a birthstone, except way cooler and way more helpful. Follow along as I tell you what stone goes best with your sign!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Bloodstone

Bloodstone is definitely one of the best stones for an Aries. It is the stone of vitality, for being strong, active, and energetic.  It is associated with Mars energy, which is the planet that rules Aries. It encourages the bold and creative spirit of an Aries; it also keeps an Aries grounded and supports them in emotional times. Bloodstone is also really good at blocking negativity both from inner and outer sources. To all Aries, I recommend keeping this stone somewhere you spend a lot of time. 

Bloodstone

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Emerald

Emerald

Emerald is an absolute must-have for a Taurus. It is a stone of protection, spirituality, and wisdom, which are all things a Taurus’s life revolves around. It helps the Taurus keep grounded with nature, a necessity for this sign. It also helps this sign communicate with others more clearly as that is something the the Taurus tends to struggle with. The emerald is also a fantastic healer for wounded feelings. A Taurus will never let you know when they are hurting, so it is good for them to have some aid in healing. 

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

Agate

Agate

Geminis are always on the move, planning their next step in life, and making sure everything is going according to plan. That can be pretty stressful, which is why they need some agate to calm them down and make them realize that some things can be spontaneous. It helps to relieve anxiety and helps concentration. Geminis are always working, and agate can help them organize their thoughts better. Agate also helps to release tension and anger, even leading to the healing of relationships.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Moonstone

Moonstone is a great stone for Cancers to use as it heightens powers of intuition, which Cancers constantly use to navigate their lives. It is also a crystal that evokes empathy. Cancers are known for being very protective over the people they love, and this stone amplifies their ability to empathize with others. Cancer is also a water sign, and moonstone is usually more powerful for water signs. 

Moonstone

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Tigers Eye

Tigers Eye

Tigers Eye is a very powerful crystal. For any fire sign this crystal would be an extreme boost of power, but for Leos in particular this crystal will be mighty. It is a stone of courage and strength and will bring lots of confidence and bravery in endeavors. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety to clear the mind for decision making. It allows the Leo to open up and be spontaneous.  

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Amazonite

Amazonite

Virgos are a very organized sign and try their hardest to always be one step ahead. They can bring along some anxiety and pressure, which is why Amazonite is perfect for Virgos. Amazonite has extreme calming and anxiety-reducing effects. It is one of the best stones to carry on your person as it will bring instant peace in situations of stress. It is also known to bring clarity of the mind and body. 

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Lapis Lazuli

Libras are constantly on the hunt for the truth. That is why they have such a difficult time making decisions. They like to weigh every choice looking for the truth. That is why Lapis Lazuli is so powerful for Libras. It is a stone of wisdom and truth and will heighten the Libra’s ability to see through falsehoods. It is also a stone of courage. Libras tend to be a more timid and soft sign, so some extra courage is always good for them. 

Lapis Lazuli

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Labradorite

Labradorite

Scorpios tend to be workaholics and don’t like to stop until the work is done. Labradorite allows Scorpios to relax and take some time for themselves to process their life and work in a healthier way. Scorpios are also known to be easily consumed by negative energy. Labradorite is known to be one of the biggest protectors of the crystal world, so it helps Scorpios keep up positive energy. 

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Smoky Quartz

As the third fire sign of the zodiac, you can imagine that the Sagittarius is pretty fierce. Smoky Quartz is great for the Sagittarius because it can slow them down and allow them to reach a calm state, as they tend to have a temper. Smoky Quartz is also known to relieve negativity and depression. It is also really good for blocking nightmares and deflecting bad energy. 

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Garnet

Capricorns are all business. Garnet is fantastic for Capricorns because it is very lucky for both business and relationships. Capricorns are known to be extremely introverted, and Garnet is a great self confidence booster. Garnet allows you to let go of past behaviors and move on to new ones easily. It also allows passions to shine through more easily. Garnet is great for balancing your life. 

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Amethyst

Aquarius is always thinking into the future. What is the next step for them? Amethyst allows them to gain more of a spiritual connection to the universe and opens them up to guidance. Aquarians are good at keeping their cool, and Amethyst allows them to find true inner peace and serenity. Aquarians are also wary of their surroundings, and amethyst allows them to trust people easier and let them in. Amethyst allows them to be a little more vulnerable. 

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is known as “treasure of mermaids” and is associated closely with the sea. As a water sign, Pisces has a deep relation with this crystal. Pisces tend to be more laid back individuals, but they are known to be emotional and worry a lot. Aquamarine will allow them to fully relax and fully trust their surroundings and fate. It allows them to let go of past grudges and pain and is known to be a stone for cleansing the soul of traumas. 

So, now that you know what crystal is best for you and your sign, let’s discuss how to use your crystals to your advantage. Once you get your crystal, wait until the next full moon and cleanse it in the moonlight overnight. The next day you have to hold the crystal in your hand and meditate with it. It only takes a minute. While you are meditating, think of and set an intention for your crystal. This is important as your crystal’s effects will be much more noticeable if you do this. Then, simply place the crystal either in your pocket, put it on a necklace, or just place it somewhere you spend lots of time. Time to let the crystal do all the work!

So, that’s it! I hope you learned a little something about crystals and maybe even became a believer. Next week I will be delving into Chakras and what they mean and do.

Thanks for reading!

Jesse the Amateur Astrologist

Bonjour, Messi!

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By Roman Rickwood, Sports Analyst

Perhaps the biggest news in recent European Football is the transfer of Lionel Messi. Last month, he transferred from Spain’s Barcelona to PSG in Paris, France.

This was a colossal move that rocked the European football world since Messi has been with Barcelona since the age of 13. At the age of 13 he left his home in Argentina to join Barcelona’s academy or farm system. Messi spent 21 years with Barcelona and made them consistently a dominant team in European football.

Although Barcelona was incredibly dominant on the field and was able to seemingly sign any player that it desired, Barcelona had management and financial problems. This, to me, was very surprising considering how marketable Team Barcelona should have been; after all, it was one of the most notable clubs in the world with–at one point–two out of the five best players in football, those being Messi and Neymar. Barcelona currently has 1.6 billion in debt due to poor management and bad financial moves made by the club’s president (apnews.com).

Messi said he had no desire to leave the club and offered to reduce his salary by 50% just to stay with the club (“Messi’s Farewell Press Conference”). A reduction in salary is incredibly rare for a player of Messi’s caliber; he made a statement to the world. It was a statement of loyalty and gratitude. When Barcelona could not keep him and follow LaLiga salary rules, Messi had no choice but to transfer and sign with PSG, the largest and most dominant club in France.

Photo Credit: Fox News

Messi played in Paris one week ago. The fans of Paris-Saint Germain are thrilled to get one of the world’s most famous players. Last week, PSG won, with Messi on the pitch, 2-0, against Reims.

In my opinion, this was one of the biggest moves in European football history. This was the first transfer that the world-famous Messi ever made, and it exposed the financial problems in one of the world’s most popular clubs.

Ode to a Chocolate Sweater

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By Sophomore Guest Poet Lilah Nick

   The sophomores read the poetry of Pablo Neruda, including “Ode to My Socks.” Then, the sophomores penned a few odes of their own. Here, Lilah details her complicated relationship with her brown sweater.

         A sweater that looks like it

 belonged to a thin, short, grandpa. 

Passed from stranger to stranger,

To friend to friend. 

I’ll never be sure why you

passed it along to me. 

Did you think it was ugly?

Were the light brown stripes

Too loud for your taste?

Was it better suited for me?

Maybe you didn’t like the 

Strange velvety, chocolate 

 brown fabric. 

My mother says it’s velour. 

I quite like the feel of it. 

Not too thick but not too

thin so I won’t freeze. 

Maybe you didn’t like it 

because of the smell.

When you smelled the sweater 

you could tell it did in fact 

come from a grandpa. 

But all you had to do was wash it. 

Was it the itchy tag? 

The old frayed tag from a

brand that no longer exists. 

It’s not too bad, I don’t mind it. 

Was it too large on your small frame?

You have the same build

as your mother. 

Small, petit, a little bony,

but rather tall for your little size. 

You might have thought

I’d fill it out better. 

I’ll won’t tell you this

but I think it looks better on me.

Maybe it is just an ugly sweater

that belonged to an old man. 

That’s what my mother says 

every time I put it on.

I never wear it now because

I’m afraid she’ll make fun of me. 

But I know I’ll pull on that 

ugly old sweater and 

wear it on the cold nights 

In December. 

I’ll never stop wondering,

why did I get this chocolate sweater?