“Saturdays are for the boys,” but especially Roman. Although he will be sad to miss the big Arkansas vs. Georgia game this weekend, his spirit will be there cheering on his Georgia Bulldogs. Will Arkansas beat the #2 team in the SEC? Will the Dogs take home another win? Keep reading for Roman’s predictions.–Editor Jesse Denyer

By Roman Rickwood, Sports Enthusiast

Since 2012, the Arkansas Razorbacks football team has a mere 14 SEC (Southeastern Conference) wins. Not only have they suffered in conference, but they have also suffered embarrassingly bad losses to much lesser teams. The team has had five coaches since 2012, a pretty good indicator that a team is struggling and getting fed up with losing. The football program was riddled in controversy and had a questionable culture around player safety, recruiting, and most importantly winning. Playing in the most competitive conference comes with many benefits; however, it requires you to play some of the most talented teams week in and week out. College football is all about recruiting, and being in the SEC already gives the schools in the conference a leg up in recruiting because they are able to offer more opportunities to help these young players reach the next level that they desire (NFL). However, due to lackluster recruiting abilities, Arkansas has fallen behind and dug itself into a hole. 

Last year, Arkansas football hired Sam Pittman, who at the time was the offensive line coach at the University of Georgia. Pittman, who was a fan favorite at the university and who has always been a master recruiter, had never been head coach in his 30 years of coaching. This decision made many college football analysts confused and shocked that this was Arkansas’s pick. 

However, all of the scrutiny stopped when Sam Pittman got to Arkansas and quickly won over the fans with his relatability and his desire to win. His first year as a coach was the infamous year of 2020; for a while it was unclear whether or not there would be a season. It was finally decided that teams electing to play would play in conference only, meaning Sam Pittman’s inaugural season would be restricted to in-conference opponents; meaning they would have to play tough teams week in and week out. However, Arkansas ended up having a surprisingly good season. They snapped their SEC losing streak by beating Mississippi State in week two, and they also had wins against a good Ole Miss team and Tennessee. The games they lost were very close. The program was trending upward, and fans were excited about it. 

So far this year, they have started out 4-0 with notable wins against rivals Texas and Texas A&M. These are very good wins for the program in terms of recruiting and bragging rights. This week they play their biggest game of the year against #2-ranked Georgia. A vigilant defense will be needed. This will be a true test for the Arkansas team. Right now they are 18.5-point underdogs; however, I assume as game-time approaches that line will get smaller. Another big story is the Arkansas head coach going back to Georgia to play against his former team, as well as playing against his old boss and kids that he recruited. 

I expect this to be an exciting game, and my prediction is that Arkansas starts fast; however, the Razorbacks will lose steam as the game goes on. Much to my dismay, I will be missing this game as I have to take my SAT on Saturday! Kickoff will be at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time and will be on ESPN. 

GO DAWGS!!

After Amateur Astrologist Jesse’s last post, hopefully you now understand the details of your Sun sign. But, that’s not the only zodiac-related business that influences who you are. Read more to learn about your Moon and Rising signs–they can make all the difference. –Sagittarius Sun, Aquarius Rising, Pisces Moon Editor Sara Habibipour

By Jesse the Amateur Astrologist

Welcome back my celestially binded friends!

In my last post, I explained everyone’s Sun signs and what they mean. If you read the synopsis of your sign and thought, “That sounded kind of like me, but this was off,” don’t dismiss Astrology as a hoax like so many do. Your Moon and Rising signs also play a huge role in your personality. 

So what is a Moon sign?

The moon moves very quickly around the sky. It only takes the moon about a month to travel through all the zodiac signs and spends only about 1 to 2 days in each sign. While your Sun sign can easily be found by the month and day of your birthday, your Moon sign is a bit harder to calculate. Your Moon sign can come down to the day, hour and even minute of your birth and where exactly you were born. 

What does your Moon sign control?

While your Sun sign mainly controls your core personality traits and habits, your Moon sign controls how you feel things emotionally and your inner mood. It is the second most important influence on your sign. Don’t give up on Astrology just yet ‘cause learning your Moon sign might just blow your mind.

But there is also a third key factor as to who you are astrologically, and that factor is called your Rising sign.

So what is a Rising sign?

As previously explained, the Sun spends about 30 days in one sign and the Moon spends about 2 days in one sign. The Rising sign, also known as your Ascendant, is what sign is on the horizon at the exact time of your birth. Again, another reason that the exact time and place of your birth is extremely important in knowing your exact zodiac chart is because as the Sun and Moon are ever changing, so is your Rising sign.

So what does your Rising sign control?

Your Sun sign controls your core default personality, your Moon sign controls your inner emotional self, and your Rising sign controls your outward self and how people perceive you at first glance. It is how you present yourself as a person. Although not always as accurate compared to how you think people perceive you, ask a person what’s their first impression of you and compare their description to your Rising sign. See any similarities? Yea, I thought so. 

I promised my readers something special last time, and here it is! If you email me the date, time and place of your birth, I will calculate your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs for you. Below will be summaries to come back and compare your results to. So, if you are interested in getting to know who you are through your Big 3 Signs, my email is jdenyer@student.pvs.org. I’m excited to help you all learn more about yourselves! 

Aries Moon and Rising: 

Moon Sign

Emotionally, Aries Moons can be quick to anger but also quick to cool. They surprisingly don’t hold grudges; although they forgive, they don’t necessarily forget. Sadness, as an emotion, is something Aries Moons will rarely let escape the confines of their mind. However, in private, it can be expressed through a need for solitude and alone time to process. Once processed, Aries Moons are back to their happy-go-lucky, positive selves.

Rising Sign

If you are an Aries Rising, chances are you come across to people as bold, confident, and opinionated. Depending on who is on the receiving end of your Aries Rising, people can see you as a bit obnoxious and over the top. You are seen as being fiercely competitive, sometimes to a fault. You are very instinctual and tend to leap before you look and usually don’t ask for permission. You are either the leader of the tribe or lead other parts of your life.

Taurus Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Though extremely hard-headed, Taurus Moons are known to be quite sensitive and loving by nature. They love very deeply and strongly and expect the same love back. This can make them be very possessive and controlling over the people they care for most. If they feel disrespected or betrayed in any way they are known to deeply repress the emotions and let them sort themselves out in the mind over time. They are not quick to act out of anger, however they are known to be passive-aggressive. They thrive off of security and comfort and emotionally seek that in partners.

Rising Sign

Taurus Risings are interesting. It’s like flipping a coin on how they will present themselves in certain situations. They can present themselves as being stern and confident. They can seem intimidating and even unapproachable. However, they also have a softer side that can present a loving and caring personality. They can be misinterpreted as being materialistic; however, they are actually just lovers of the material world and finer things. 

Gemini Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Gemini Moons are known to get bored very easily whether it be with people or with their life in general. Problems that arise for them are dealt with by putting on their rose tinted glasses and they tend to just ignore their emotions until they become a huge issue that can no longer be ignored. This habit can usually lead them to trouble. Geminis are lovers but have a hard time showing it; however, they do feel the love very deeply. This again can lead them into troubled relationships. They are not very trusting of people and are extremely wary of others. However, they love to have fun, and, when they are happy, they are very outwardly happy and extroverted. 

Rising Sign

Gemini Risings are very outgoing and friendly. They come across very welcoming and approachable and make friends easily this way. They seem extremely creative and love to live life to the fullest. However, they can seem very scatter-brained and unfocused. You can always usually find a good and welcoming friend in a Gemini Rising.

Cancer Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, making them one of the most emotional signs. Due to the Moon’s constant and rapid changing, Cancer’s feelings tend to be all over the place, giving them the reputation for being somewhat moody. They feel very deeply in every way and relationships mean alot to them. Because they are so emotional and are easily hurt, they tend to also have a hard outer shell to protect those emotions. You will only get so many second chances from a Cancer Moon before you are lower than dirt in their eyes, so be careful how you treat one.

Rising Sign

Cancer Risings are extremely caring, warm, and nurturing individuals. They are usually the mom of the friend group. They love everyone until you spite them. You know the grudge will be never ending if you have wronged a Cancer Rising. They like things exactly how they want them and will stop at no cost and let no person get in their way to accomplish this. 

Leo Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Being the kings and queens of extroversion, Leo Moons hardly feel the darker emotions. They are fierce leaders and love to keep their place at the top of the pyramid at all times. During times where Leo Moons feel those darker emotions, their knee-jerk reaction is to use over confidence and borderline conceitedness to boost their ego back up to its regular height. Overall, Leos are extremely positive and happy people who enjoy being the center of attention and life of the party.

Rising Sign

If a Leo Rising walks in the room, I guarantee you will know. With their vibrant style and flair Leo Risings are truly captivating. They love being the center of attention and will stop at nothing to achieve that status. They are very loyal friends and will do anything to help someone. Fierce lovers and extreme extroverts, Leo Risings will capture the attention of everyone around them and have a reputation for being “the loud ones.”

Virgo Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Virgos are highly intellectual beings and have little time for outward emotion. However, internally, they spend a lot of time over analysing situations and little things which can drive them a bit crazy and distract from things that are important. They tend to be very critical of themselves and picky. However they are emotionally the strongest when striving to better themselves.

Rising Sign

At first glance, Virgos come across as very organized, level headed, intelligent, and friendly. They are likely the person you would go to in a crisis moment, as they always seem to know exactly what to do. They have a deep rooted connection to Earth and much like it they are constantly evolving, never staying in the same rut for too long. 

Libra Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Libras spend an enormous amount of time trying to keep their life and the people around themselves as harmonious and balanced as possible. They will likely put others’ wants and needs before themselves believing it will bring them balance, however it is just as important that they get what they want and need, as in the long run depriving themselves will only lead to unbalance and unhappiness. They then tend to become a bit bitter and snarky with others as Libra Moons feel that the other person got to be happy and now they don’t. It is best that Libra moons focus on themselves just as much as others to achieve their necessity for balance. 

Rising Sign

Libra rising will always put up a positive front around people no matter what is going on below the surface. This comes from their want and need for everyone to be happy. Libra Risings are extremely pleasant and loving and will do anything for you. They can be extremely indecisive and will tend to put others’ needs before themselves. They are extremely social and always like to be in the know. 

Scorpio Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Scorpio Moons feel emotions very deeply and tend to hide them very easily. Their emotions are extremely volatile and Scorpio Moons can change their opinions on a dime. When they are feeling dark emotions they tend to go quiet and into themselves which can make people suspicious of them. They have a tone of fire and will argue with anyone about something they are passionate about. 

Rising Sign

Scorpio Risings tend to be very mysterious, quiet, and aloof at first glance. They always seem to be thinking which can sometimes scare people and make them suspicious. They are watchers and love to gather information. It might be hard to make friends with a Scorpio Rising at first because they are very guarded, but once you make friends with them, they will be loyal ‘til the end. 

Sagittarius Moon and Rising :

Moon Sign

Sagittarius Moons are very good at concealing feelings. However, they are quite emotionally in touch with themselves. They are very balanced and tend to deal with their emotions quickly and directly, which is why they hardly ever make their way above the surface. They tend to not keep secrets very well because they hate the emotional burden of it and, in spilling a secret, will usually create more turmoil for themselves.

Rising Sign

Sagittarius Risings are known for their energetic and super friendly nature. They are easy to make friends with and love to go on adventures and explore the world. They love to learn about new things and find the truth to every story. They are almost always positive and friendly and are very easy to get along with. They are very outspoken and extroverted, usually making them the center of a friend group.

Capricorn Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Capricorn Moons are known for being creatures of solitude. They are very comfortable in their own company and require lots of alone time. People can easily be too much for a Capricorn, and after a day of being in a social situation, they are known to retreat back into their comfort zone in solitude. However, it is important that they not spend too much time in solitude, as they are likely to get sucked into a depressive state.

Rising Sign

Capricorn Risings are very mellow creatures who crave alone time. They can seem very shy and quiet and they are extremely focused on their own personal goals and greatness. They hold themselves and others to a very high standard and are constantly striving to achieve their new personal goals. Though not the most social butterflies, Capricorn Risings still make great friends and are very easy to talk to. Just don’t expect them to get too worked up over your drama. 

Aquarius Moon and Rising:

Moon Sign

Aquarius Moons are known for seeming quite aloof and hiding their feelings. To them, showing emotion is a sign of weakness, and they would prefer to uphold their reputation of being sturdy individuals. They tend to deal with their feelings more in private. That is unless that feeling is anger, in which case, Aquarius Moons tend to have a spiteful tongue; if you are the source of that anger, I would look out.

Rising Sign

Aquarius Risings tend to march at the beat of their own drum. It is hard to tell an Aquarius Rising what to do, and they tend to be very individualistic and not a team player. They tend to be very concerned with themselves. However, they do make great friends as they are extremely loyal. If you ever give them a reason to distrust you, just know that they won’t cut you loose. but you will never be trusted again and grudges will be held until they die.

Pisces Moon and Rising:

Moon

Pisces are extremely in touch with their emotions and are not afraid to show it. They have extreme empathy and compassion for those around them and they are known to cry over silly things and seem very hyper emotional. They are extremely caring of others and love doing things for other people just out of the kindness of their heart. Sometimes they get a bad rep for being too sensitive.

Rising

Pisces Risings tend to come off very carefree and friendly. They are very caring and empathetic towards others. Due to this, it is extremely important that Pisces pick friends who understand their good intentions and wont walk all over them or take advantage of them. A Pisces Rising will help anyone in a bind. They are very mellow and easy going, and tend to let others make the plans. They are also known for having a goofy sense of humor that charms many. 

I hope you can now have a much better understanding of who you are and what your Big 3 Signs mean. After all, it was all written in the stars! This will be my last blog post of the year, but have no fear, I will be back in full force as soon as next school year starts and have many exciting plans in store. 

Have a lovely Gemini, Cancer, and Leo season everyone!

Love,

Jesse, your Aries Sun, Taurus Rising, Pisces Moon, Ameteur Astrologist

Sagittarius Sun, Aquarius Rising, Pisces Moon Editor: Sara Habibipour

Blogger Hannah has some serious pride for her new school mascot, the banana slug. She dives into the scientific background of the species, even includes some fun facts.–Editor Elizabeth

by Hannah Hall, Nature Correspondent

This upcoming fall, I will be attending the University of California at Santa Cruz. And, you may be wondering why that is relevant. Well, our mascot is “yellow and slimy.” Our mascot is the Banana Slug!

The banana slug is a gastropod invertebrate (mucus secreting, spineless creature) that can usually be found in yellow, which is where they get their “banana” name from. They can also be seen in shades of brown, white and green—sometimes a speckled combination of multiple colors! Banana slugs can be found all over the Pacific Northwest from some areas in Alaska, all the way to Central California. They are native in forest habitats, and flourish in the moisture. In fact, their slime is based off of the moisture surrounding them. Their slime is actually crystallized. When the substance comes in contact with moisture it can absorb up to 100 times its size, which is what we then recognize as goopy slime. Their slime serves a few purposes. Firstly, it is protective. When predators try to eat the slug, the slime actually numbs their tongue, which can lend to their escape from the jaws of death. Secondly, it acts as a skin barrier. Their slime is practically moisture retaining lotion that prevents their skin from becoming dehydrated. Thirdly, it helps with moving. Yes, it helps with inching around—at their top speed of only 6.5 inches per-minute—but it also helps with the moving of their food. Oftentimes banana slugs will use their slime to push debris on them to their tail, so they can turn around and eat it off of themselves. And, speaking of food, they are pretty much nature’s compost bin. They are known as vegetarian decomposers that feed off of animal droppings and dying/dead plants such as fruit, moss, and mushrooms. Their waste then serves as nitrogen-rich fertilizer which is good for the forest floor. 

You may be wondering how banana slugs reproduce. Banana slugs are in fact hermaphrodites, “which means they possess both male and female sex organs simultaneously” (NatGeo). This also means that as much as they have the opportunity to mate with others—“courting,” they can also mate with themselves. Although when they do mate with others, sometimes they have trouble….detaching….for lack of better terms. The University of Puget Sound states, “if they are unable to [detach,] one or both will finally start chewing and bite off the [sex] organ of the other slug. This behavior is called apophallation and seems unique to slugs.”

Summing up the basic facts about my new beloved mascot, hopefully you find the species as interesting as I do. #GoSlugs

Editor-in-Chief: Elizabeth Shay

Sources:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/banana-slug

https://www.nilesbio.com/prod342.html

Banana Slug Fact Sheet

https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/exhibits/terrestrial-panel/banana-slug/

Perhaps you’ve missed out on your world travels due to COVID. But, don’t fret. Quintus is here to give you a tour of beautiful Shanghai.—Second Editor-in-Chief Sara Habibipour

By Quintus Ni, Shanghai Editor

Looking at Shanghai from a commanding height, the alleys in Shanghai are spectacular.

When it’s dark and the lights are on, these points and lines are bright. Behind the light, large areas of darkness are the alleys in Shanghai, the darkness seems to be almost rough, almost pushing the light away.

The brilliance of Oriental Paris is based on the darkness.

As the morning light comes on, the light goes out. First, there is a thin fog; light is a straight light, drawn out, like fine brushwork. The first to jump out is the skylight on the roof of the old alley. They have a delicate and clever appearance in the morning fog. The wooden frame of the window is carved carefully. The tiles on the house are of fine workmanship. The rose in the flowerpot on the windowsill is carefully cultivated. Then, the sun comes out, revealing the rusty red bricks, which seem to be in a painting. Every painting is clear. Then cracks appear on the gable, and there is a little green moss. The first ray of sunshine is on the gable. It’s a beautiful picture, almost gorgeous and desolate; it’s fresh and old.

The lanes in Shanghai are varied in shape and sound. Sometimes they are like that; sometimes they are like this; they can’t agree. In fact, they are constantly changing and changing. In the end, there are thousands of people, thousands of faces, and one mind.

The houses on the alleys look like row upon row, crowded and crowded. The lights are like peas. Though weak, they are dense and like a pot of porridge. They are also like a big river with numerous tributaries, and like a big tree with countless branches. They are crisscrossed and crisscrossed, which is a big net. On the surface, they are exposed, but, in fact, they are mysterious and have a tortuous heart.

At dusk, pigeons hover in the air of Shanghai, looking for their nests. The ridge of the roof is continuous and undulating, and it looks like a peak from the horizontal to the vertical. Standing on the commanding height, they are all connected, boundless, and some of the southeast and northwest are indistinguishable. The roof ridges flow like water.

There are whispers on the sun terrace, balcony and window side. It’s better to stand at a high point and find a good angle: the clothes on the bamboo poles in the lane are full of personal feelings. The Impatiens, gem flowers, and green garlic cascade from flowerpots. The gully-like bottoming is made of cement or stone.

The feeling of Shanghai Lane comes from the most daily of scenes, which is not stirred by clouds and water, but accumulated bit by bit. There are some unexpected and reasonable things flowing in the lanes. Things are not big things, but they are trivial. Sand gathering can also make a tower. It has nothing to do with such concepts as history. Even unofficial history is hard to be called. It can only be called rumor. Rumor is another view of Shanghai Lane. It is almost visible, and it is also revealed from the back window and back door. What the front door and front balcony reveal is a little more serious, but it is also a rumor. These rumors are close to the skin and flesh, not as cold and rigid as the old paper pile. Although there are many fallacies, they are also perceptible fallacies. When the street lights of this city are brilliant, there is usually only one light on the corner in the lane, with the most common iron cover. The cover is rusty and covered with dust. The light is dim and yellow, and there are some smoky things breeding and spreading below. The pigeons mumble in the cage, as if they are also whispering. The light on the street is right, but it is eaten by the dark just as it is about to flow into Nongkou.

In the end, the sun is spurting from the roof, which is a spectacular collection of the countless pieces of Shanghai.

Edited by Sara Habibipour

The Royal Family of England fascinates many globally, and there is much to learn about their lives. Recently, Prince Philip passed away at 99 years of age, after living a long, rich life. Blogger Roman Rickwood outlines the history of this notable Royal.

By Roman Rickwood, The World Editor

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born June 10, 1921, in Corfu, Greece. Philip was born into royalty as his father was Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg. However, his childhood differed tremendously from that of typical childhood royals. When Philip was very young, his family was disgraced and exiled from the monarchy of Greece. Soon after, Phillip’s mother was institutionalized and his father fled with his mistress. Philip was sent to be raised by his grandparents in England. When in England, Philip attended Gordonstoun School and then proceeded to go to the Royal Naval College. From there, Philip became an officer in the Royal British Navy. Philip began his service in January of 1940 and served until the end of the second world war. Because of his service, he became a British subject. After his service in the Royal Navy, Prince Philip renounced his right to the Greek and Danish throne in order to become First Consort. On November 20th, 1947, Prince Philip wed his distant cousin Princess Elizabeth. Before his wedding, Philip was officially knighted and designated a royal highness. After marrying then Princess Elizabeth, Phillip continued serving in the Royal Navy until February 6, 1952. It was on this date, following the death of her father, that Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth. Because of the new responsibilities, Philip gave up his military duties and committed full time to royal duties. Over the years, Elizabeth and Philip had four children. It is calculated Prince Philip attended an average of 350 official Royal Events and appearances. He was always in the public eye. Prince Phillip often expressed his own views and did not always behave as a traditional royal. However, people loved Prince Philip, sometimes despite his many classic and quotable one liners. Along with his royal duties, Philip also managed to find time for philanthropy and passion projects; he served as the president of the World Wildlife Fund from 1981-1996. This program awarded grants and scholarships to over 6 million young adults. Prince Philip was and is regarded as one of the busiest royals. Over his time representing the royal family, it is estimated that Philip completed over 22,000 solo appearances. Prince Philip died April 9, 2021, at 99 years of age. He will be remembered as the face of the Royal Family and a dedicated father, husband, and civil servant. He will be remembered for his military services, sacrifices, and humor. 

First Editor-in-Chief: Elizabeth Shay

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philip-duke-of-Edinburgh

https://www.biography.com/royalty/prince-philip

When Elizabeth was asked about any laws she wanted made or replaced, she quickly responded as the protector of unsuspecting ears–specifically, those ears listening to national anthem renditions.

By Elizabeth Shay

“The one good thing about national anthems is that we’re already on our feet, and therefore ready to run”–Ocean Vuong  

Roseanne Barr. Dierks Bentley. Fergie. What do these people all have in common? Each of these performers has gone viral for their respective renditions of our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” The spread of the videos is not attributed to the impressive ability of the singers, rather, the not-so pleasant (to downright awful) arrangements of the centuries-old song. Such performances assault the ears of listeners, inspiring laughter and cringes alike. And these flops are all too common. 

To be fair, the “Star Spangled Banner” is an extremely difficult song to sing, even for the most well-trained singers. Michael Dean, chair of the Department of Music and director of vocal studies at UCLA, has worked with vocalists of all skill levels and genres on the song. The difficulty lies in the song’s expansive vocal range, as well as the need for the ability to sing a vowel on the highest note of the piece — on “free” — which physically strains the throat. “[The song] goes from the lowest extreme of the voice to the highest extreme of the voice,” Dean said. “The thing people forget to do is start the piece low enough so that high notes are not too high for them at the end.” Another often problematic factor is that the song is typically performed a cappella, which causes singers to start in the wrong key due to the lack of accompaniment (ABC News). 

So what can be done to protect the innocent public from being subjected to horrendous abuse of our anthem? Well, we can look to Massachusetts for a solution. According to state law, if a person “plays, sings or renders the ‘Star Spangled Banner’” in any public place, theatre, motion picture hall, restaurant, or cafe, or at any public entertainment, other than as a whole and separate composition or number, without embellishment or addition in the way of national or other melodies,” they can face a fine (USA Today). As the law stands, the fine cannot exceed $100; however, making this a federal law with one year of jail time or a $100,000 fine will ensure that nobody butchers the national anthem ever again. The passage of this law guarantees that this heinous crime will not go unpunished.

Decriminalize/Criminalize Editor: Evan Spry

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/celebrities-flubbed-national-anthem-star-spangled-banner-hard/story?id=16756113

https://www.usatoday.com/list/news/nation-now/weirdest-laws-every-state/53ad0541-3518-4432-adc4-0fec193d389e/?block=massachusetts

Taking inspiration from the late Dr. Seuss, Blogger Hannah has imagined what a classic Greek monster would look like if it adapted to her local North American environment.–Build-Your-Own-Monster Editor Erik Bearman

By Hannah Hall

Creating my own monster kind of came easily to me. I honestly just looked at Ms. Zachik’s world map, spotted Canada, and made a generalization about what mythical creature could live there. I came up with the “North American Pegasus,” which in short is a moose with wings. Here is the story of her life in the land not-so-far away:

__

She rescued small animals during the day

and was considered brave in every way.

__

Deep in the forest she ate juicy fruit,

with her favorite snack being sun-baked root. 

__

She was friendly, loving, and good at heart,

big, strong, and very smart.

__

She flew to the palace every night…

dreaming of becoming a powerful knight.

__

But wait, the prince, kidnapped by beast!

The king sought heroes from west to east.

__

Kiku rescued the prince and proved her might.

She finally became the bravest knight.

Build-Your-Own-Monster Editor: Erik Bearman

We often have high hopes in life. Roman, a professional eater, saw world records for saltine crackers and marshmallows and thought: “Easy!”–World Records Editor Jake Sonderman 

By Roman Rickwood

The Saltine Cracker 

When I started to research records I thought I could break, I searched for a very specific record–something to do with food. 

When I first saw that the world record for most saltine crackers eaten in a minute was 12, I immediately assumed that I could beat that. I said to myself: “I eat saltine crackers all the time; this is going to be a breeze.” Well, it was not, I underestimated the power of the saltine cracker. As many know, saltine crackers are incredibly dry and salty. Most of the time, when someone eats them, they are eating them to calm their stomach. I like to eat them as a snack, and for that reason I thought it would be easy to eat 12, 13, or even 14 in a minute. It wasn’t, the fine print in this challenge was that water was not allowed. Without water, a build up of saltine crackers got stuck in my mouth, and I could not swallow them. I was shocked at this sensation, and at this point I knew that the saltine had won. 

https://youtu.be/n6yjuvpPc5U

So, I moved on to . . .

The Marshmallow

The second record that I believed I could easily break was the record for most marshmallows eaten in a minute. The current record is 26. This record seemed average to me. It was one of those niche records where at first glance the number does not appear to be very impressive. Again, no water was allowed. When water is allowed, I have seen numbers thrown out as high as 80 marshmallows in a minute. I am a person who enjoys food. I also am considered a fast eater. I went into both challenges expecting to easily shatter the record; however, both times I was sorely mistaken. As you will see, the marshmallows went down much easier than the saltine crackers; however, because of the density and tension that the marshmallow has, it too created a build up, and I only ended up eating 18. I was 8 shy of the record.

https://youtu.be/RkAGO2NAu4E

Would I attempt this again?

No, plain and simple. I enjoy food. And, while I am a fast eater, I am not a speed eater. I am not cut out for it. The effects of attempting these challenges included me not eating dinner that night–a travesty, I know. However, in all seriousness, the saltine cracker challenge did leave little cuts in the roof off my mouth, and, because of that, it made eating not so enjoyable for about a day. Now, knowing what I know, I have respect for every world record, no matter how specific or crazy it might be. They are world records for a reason. 

World Record Editor: Jake Sonderman

Nowadays, we often look to celebrities for lifestyle advice. But, in Blogger Evan’s opinion, we should take a moment to recognize the wisdom ancient Chinese proverbs hold.

By Evan Spry

With over 4,000 years of civilized history, China and its philosophers have birthed their fair share of proverbs, or short sayings with deeper meanings behind them. There is an ancient Chinese proverb for almost any situation. However, Chinese proverbs can be broken down and organized into four main phrases or sayings. Firstly, there are the chengyu (accepted phrases), then the yanyu (familiar phrases), then the suyu (popular sayings), and finally the xiehouyu (two-part allegorical sayings). The chengyu proverbs are typical idiomatic expressions, mostly consisting of four Chinese characters. The chengyu are usually the shortest of the proverbs. The yanyu proverbs were focused around family and familial ties, which was very culturally important to the Chinese. Similarly, the suyu proverbs were based around family. Finally, the last form of Chinese proverb was the xiehouyu, which was vivid with images and dramatic results. Here are some of my favorite proverbs that cover a range of subjects. (people.wku.edu)

Happiness/Sadness

“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a month, get married. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.” 

“Defeat isn’t bitter if you don’t swallow it.” 

Money

“Wealth is but dung, useful only when spread.” – Confucious 

“To buy a quarrel, lend money to a friend.”

Time

“O man, you who do not live a hundred years, why fret a thousand minutes?”

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” 

Teamwork

“Behind an able man, there are always other able men.”

“Only when all contribute their firewood can they build up a strong fire.” 

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In conclusion, as famous as Chinese proverbs are, I really don’t think they get the recognition in the Western world they quite deserve. All of these sayings are so true and relatable to our current environment. This also teaches us a lot about the time that they were written and how similar long-ago issues are to ours today. I don’t remember learning very much about Chinese proverbs in history classes, and I think that’s a shame because I really didn’t realize how applicable these quotes from 500 B.C.E were. I recommend researching ancient proverbs yourself because some of them can really make you laugh and others can really open your eyes.

Motto Editor: Sara Habibipour

Funny and Wise Chinese Proverbs and Sayings That are Pure Genius

https://www.thoughtco.com/chinese-proverbs-examples-688198

http://people.wku.edu/haiwang.yuan/China/proverbs/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315330789_Distinctive_Features_of_Chinese_Proverbs_A_Comparative_Study_of_Suyu_and_Yanyu_and_Other_Types_of_Shuyu

Debut Post by Blogger Roman Rickwood

African-American athletes have been some of the most influential leaders in their communities. Roman wanted to highlight the importance of two outstanding baseball players, Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson.

Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron was one of the greatest baseball players the game has ever seen. He has the record for most home runs with an astounding 755! Not only was Hank Aaron one of the world’s best baseball players, but he did it under extreme conditions. Hank Aaron faced extreme racism and discrimination as he was one of the few African-American players in Major League baseball. He played major-league ball from 1954 to 1976 (MLB.com). From the crowds, he experienced heckling and thrown objects. From fellow players, he was targeted for dirty plays. Calls from the umpires often did not go his way. He overcame, triumphed, and passed Babe Ruth’s home-run record AND The Babe’s RBI record–which still stands today at 2,297 runs batted in (MLB.com). Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934. He played in the MLB for the Braves of Milwaukee (before Milwaukee was the Brewers) and ended his career in Atlanta with the Braves. He then retired as a Brave and settled just outside of Atlanta. He quickly became not only a baseball legend but a local legend. In 2010, he was named Georgia trustee by the Georgia historical society. He served front office roles with the Braves and had many awards named after him. Hank Aaron died this past January 22, 2021, at his home in Atlanta.

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was a baseball legend who holds many titles and is revered in the baseball community. Jackie Robinson was the first African American ever to play in the major leagues. Like Hank Aaron, he destroyed records as well as racial barriers. Robinson was born January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson was a born and bred multi-sport-athlete who excelled in everything he did: baseball, football, track, and academics. Jackie Robinson attended University of California, Los Angeles, aka, UCLA. Jackie played and excelled at UCLA. He ran track and played baseball for the Bruins. After graduating from UCLA, Jackie Robinson went on to make history and start at 1st base for the then Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson endured racism, prejudice, and threats of violence. He prevailed and went on to break records, most notably the record for most stolen bases in the history of the MLB. Jackie Robinson stole 197 bases over ten seasons (baseballhalloffame.org). On April 15, 1997, his number, 42, was retired by every team in the MLB. When a number is retired, it is always out of respect. It is a symbol of a great career. However, very rarely is a jersey retired by every single team. 

As Black History month wraps up, it is important to remember Aaron’s and Robinson’s groundbreaking accomplishments and their destruction of racial barriers in both baseball and everyday life. 

https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/hank-aaron-career-timeline\

Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry