The Palm Valley School Student Blog
By Arty Fischel
I didn’t cry
when you ended us.
But,
of course,
it did hurt.
Of course I felt
the tell-tale feeling
of my stomach
sinking.
My heart had
become an angry bull
bucking wildly in my chest,
suddenly released from
its pen by the
impending doom
that your words had
delivered.
But there were no
tears,
no unstoppable sobbing.
It was as if
I was saving my tears.
Editor: Leo Milmet
By Fae Dowae
I will let my eyes
adjust to
the colors as they
fade and
the world takes on a
muted tone.
Colors will be less vibrant
than before, and
everything will
wilt.
The beauty that
I once saw all
around me will
fade until it is
almost gone.
I will be okay with this
because I will know
that you have been happier since
you found
a more beautiful love with
Someone Better.
Editor: Holden Hartle
By Luke Langlois
In honor of National Positive Attitude Month, I, Luke Langlois, am here to say that “living for the weekend” is a horrible way to live. I define living for the weekend as counting the days, every week, until you reach the short, two-day weekend. Why live like this? Why not appreciate every day given?
No one is ever skeptical of numbers; therefore, I will use numbers to prove my point. To start, let’s look at some facts. Using my big brain knowledge, I can tell you that there are 52 weeks in a year. If we multiply 52 by 2, we get 104. 104 is the number of weekend days we get a year. If we subtract 104 from 365 (days), we get 261. That would be 261 weekdays in a year. If you despise the weekdays and only live for the weekend, you fail to appreciate 261 days out of the year. Let’s go further. The average human lifespan is 79 years. An average 79 year old experiences 28,835 days (unless they happen to have fallen into a coma). That is a lot of days. More big brain knowledge tells me that 79 (years) multiplied by 261 (weekdays) is 20,619. Finally, let us subtract 20,619 from 28,835. That would be 8,216 weekend days in a 79 year old’s life .
So, in conclusion, live for all seven days of a week. It is to the entire planet’s benefit to learn to appreciate every day that you live. If you live to be 79 and only live for the weekend, you will only appreciate 8,216 days of your life, compared to the possible 28,835. That is a lot of days you could be missing out on! Please, appreciate your days, at least for National Positive Attitude Month.
Editor: Makena Behnke
By James Zheng, Anime/Game Expert Reviewer for thebirdonfire.org
Hey guys, today I bring you another impressive anime. Before we get into the review, I need to tell you why this title is so long. Well, this anime, Fate/Stay Night, has a previous edition, which was actually terrible. And since this anime is a product of a series, not a single work, and the official announcement says that they will remake this anime, it becomes Fate/Stay Night[Unlimited Blade Work]. This action saved this anime indeed, as it has been improved a lot in many aspects.
Fate/Stay Night, which is also known as FSN, is actually edited from a visual novel game, so it is originally designed by Type-Moon, and it is published by three companies: Aniplex, Notes, and Ufotable. In fact, Ufotable finishes most of the work such as the scripting and producing of the episodes. FSN is also directed by Takahiro Miura.
FSN generated an artistic performance from the game that gives you a sense of fantasy. The strong special effects and 3D animation are perfectly presented in this anime. When all those elements are mixed together in a fighting scene, it displays an exciting moment with realistic feeling. Also, the soundtrack plays a significant role in FSN, as it always fits in at a key moment.
The story of FSN is full of supernatural elements. In other words, this anime is designed based on fantasy. The storyline begins with a war called the Holy Grail War, where there are seven participants who are selected by the Holy Grail (The Holy Grail narrative is developed after the legend of King Arthur). Their purpose is to eliminate each other in order to obtain the Holy Grail, which can fulfill any wishes the winning participant desires. Those seven participants are called Masters, and they have to summon their own fighter to fight for the Holy Grail. Those fighters are Servants, and each of them will have different abilities. Therefore, there will be fourteen participants in total. But the fifth Holy Grail War, which is about to be held, is not going to follow the normal routine.
So finally, to make sure that anime won’t be spoiled, my review is over here. To know more details and enjoy more appealing moments, start to watch FSN[Unlimited Blade Work] right now!
*I recommend you catch FSN[Unlimited Blade Work] on 9anime.to.
Note: FSN[Unlimited Blade Work] is recommended for those who are fifteen or older.
FSN[Unlimited Blade Work] has a prequel called Fate/Zero, but it doesn’t affect anything if you just wanna watch Unlimited Blade Work. You can also watch both if you want to.
Editor: AJ Patencio
Need a song for a rainy day? a sunny day? any old day? To recover from the PSAT? Makena has just the song for you.
Compiled by Blogger of Eclectic Taste, Makena Behnke
i don’t like just one genre of music; i have a collection of different music tastes from different time periods. my music taste is basically whatever speaks to me. so, here are some songs that i enjoy and you might, too:
Editor: Holden Hartle
By Holden Hartle
Basketball, even outside of the NBA, goes through different waves of how people play the game. Normally spearheaded by a small group of players, a new style of play will burst onto the scene, and it will actually cause teams to modify their roster. That is long and convoluted, so let me give you some examples.
Through the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, the NBA was led by several different stars that all had their unique styles of play. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill 
Russell dominated the league in the 60’s, while the revolutionary scoring of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took the league by storm in the 70’s.
During the 80’s, the faces of the league were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. But, during this era, the idea of grit and grind is introduced. This is the idea of playing tough defense, fouling hard, and showing the rest of the league that you are the toughest guy on that court.
The 90’s popularized the ideas of the pick and roll and isolation basketball, or ISO for short. The pick and roll was executed to perfection by John Stockton and his counterpart Karl Malone. The way Stockton and Malone pulled this off is something that NBA teams are still trying to perfect today. And, then, there’s the idea of ISO-ball, popularized by none other than Michael Jordan. His coach, Phil Jackson, created an offense in which Jordan would get the ball at the top of the three-point line, everyone would give him space to let him work, and Jordan 
would score easy buckets. It’s basically like a 1v1 between Jordan and the defender. ISO-ball, as well as the pick and roll, are both present in the league today, but the grit-and-grind mindset of the 80’s players are for the most part gone, with a few exceptions of course.
The reason that defense in the 80’s and 90’s was so prolific is because of hand checking. Before the 2000’s, you could place your hand on the offensive player’s hip to help dictate where they are going. In the 2000’s, the league ruled against it, which allowed people like Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant to play the same kind of ISO-ball that Jordan did, except with much more ease, as their defender is basically helpless without hand checking.
For the 2010’s, the revolutionary style of basketball has to do with the three-pointer, popularized by the Splash Brothers, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry. Though the three pointer had been in the league since the 80’s, no superstar made the three pointer a sole part of their game. Yes, Larry Bird could shoot the ball, but he was also an amazing defender and playmaker. Though Ray Allen could shoot the ball, I wouldn’t necessarily call him a superstar. And, though superstar Kobe could shoot 3’s, he could basically shoot from anywhere, and his main attack was the mid-range shot. But, Steph Curry took the three pointer and made it his primary way of scoring the ball. While playing in college, many scouts saw him as a risky prospect. He was small; he was thin; his defense was subpar, and many didn’t think that he could be a playmaker. Nonetheless, he 
proved all of them wrong by winning back-to-back MVP’s and becoming a three-time NBA champion. But, as for the three pointer, it is normally seen as a weakness if you can’t shoot 3’s. Even centers, who have historically stayed in the paint are forced to come outside of the paint and their comfort zone to help their team stretch the floor.
For the 2020’s, who knows what the NBA could become? A rule change could drastically change the way the game is played, like with the hand-checking rule. In any case, I’m sure the NBA will stay relevant and exciting for decades to come.
Editor: Makena Behnke
A prose poem by Poet Blogger Makena Behnke
does human nature like to be trapped? do you, specifically, like to be trapped? you always go on about liberation and being free. but, you were the one who trapped yourself in that stupid box in the first place. i think you wouldn’t know what to do if you weren’t looking for a way out. you’re always griping about how everything sucks and how your life is terrible. if you unleash yourself from your own restraints, you would be so much happier, you would enjoy life. what would you do if you were content? how would you handle yourself? who would you be if you weren’t stuck in that box?
Editor: Luke Langlois
By Luke Langlois
In a world with seven billion people, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out. We all know that people love to be unique. Around the world, original thinking has taken the form of baby names. Rarely is there situation where an unorthodox baby name causes any problems. However, some people really push the boundaries. Here are a few nations that make sure their children are not named anything too ridiculous.
In France, local birth registrars have to inform their local court if they feel a baby’s name will cause issues or excessive mockery. This law, originally created by Napoleon Bonaparte, has caused the “veto” of quite a few prospective French names.
Nutella
Strawberry
Mini Cooper
Deamon
In Germany, there are a couple of baseline rules. Parents cannot give their children gender-neutral names, last names (as first names), names of objects, or names of products. Besides this, Germany has laws similar to France’s where they do not allow names that could lead to a lifetime of embarrassment, names such as . . .
Matti (Not a clear gender indication)
Osama Bin Laden
Adolf Hitler
Kohl (A last name)
In Sweden, the list of banned names is a bit more interesting, to say the least. Similarly to France, Sweden believes that any names that are obviously unsuitable or offensive are illegal. Swedish parents must register their child’s name three months before birth to the Swedish Tax Agency. Primarily, the Swedish government does this to tax people. Other times, they do this to stop a crime against humanity. Swedish unlawful names include . . .
Metallica
Superman
Ikea
“Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlb11116”
Apparently, residents of New Zealand try to go even further when it comes to naming their children. New Zealand bans one hundred character names, names that cause offense, names that are clearly unfit for a human being, or names that could be seen as an official title rank. Such banned names include . . .
Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii
Lucifer
Fat Boy
Cinderella Beauty Blossom
It’s more than just the eastern hemisphere banning names. Mexico passed a law that banned sixty-one specific names. They banned names that were deemed to lack meaning or are derogatory, names such as . . .
Rambo
Hermione
Batman
There are baby-name laws in nearly every country on the face of the Earth, even the liberty-loving United States of America. If this has peaked your curiosity, I encourage you to check out the wide range of illegal baby names and name restrictions. Perhaps these names could provide you with some quick laughs. It is also possible that you’re worried about naming a child something illegal. To add onto this, some of the above names have stories behind them. For example, Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii went to court to change her unwieldy name. No matter what, it is unquestionably beneficial to check out the surprising range of baby-name regulations. I would be a bit careful though; some of these baby names are simply going to be grotesque or offensive.
Editor: AJ Patencio
Primary source: https://www.businessinsider.com/banned-baby-names-from-around-the-world-2016-10
By Holden Hartle
Three years ago, in September of 2015, my freshman class hopped onto a bus for Lake Arrowhead for the Freshman Retreat. This is a three-day trip for the new high schoolers during which they get to know their classmates better through group activities, workshops, etc. They envision what will be and can be their high-school career and beyond.
Back then, the general consensus of the grade was split in half. Some thought that it was going to be a great experience for team building, making new friends, and just a simple getaway from the city. The other half were dreading it, fearing social interaction. But, nonetheless, the freshman class entered the bus and headed to Lake Arrowhead.
This year is no different. In mid September, the future class of 2022 traveled towards Lake Arrowhead. Though I went to the UCLA Conference Center and this year’s class went to a large cabin, and though we may have done different activities, the idea of bonding with fellow classmates was still present.
According to current freshman Kaiya, this was the “…best field trip so far.” I don’t want to spoil the activities of the Freshman Retreat in fear that it would ruin the surprise for the upcoming freshmen, but in a survey sent to the current freshman class, 75% said that it helped them learn more about their classmates, 100% said that they had fun, 100% said that they would recommend it for next year’s freshman class.
This tradition is something that I hope will continue for many years to come. This passing of the torch is how I made some of my best friends that I have today. The memories I made on that trip always make me smile. I remember our shared songs, games, and team projects. It is such a great way to not only learn about new students, but it is also a great way to learn more about students that you may have known your whole life.
Editor: AJ Patencio
By James Zheng
Hey guys, this is a non-popular anime for you all. Well, I mean a non-popular anime that is absolutely fabulous and extraordinary. You might be wondering, how can a non-popular anime be fabulous and extraordinary? Let me tell you three things–this anime was not published nor developed by a famous company; the company did not advertise the anime; and I can tell you that there is not even a Wikipedia about this anime. After I finish this, you may have even more questions to ask, but the popularity does not really affect the quality of an anime. Just watch it first before you give comments.
The Grisaia Trilogy includes three seasons: the Labyrinth of Grisaia (Grisaia no Meikyuu), the Fruit of Grisaia (Grisaia no Kajitsu), and the Eden of Grisaia (Grisaia no Rakuen)–ordered according to the time of publishing. And the most important thing before we go into the introduction, I am not a spoiler! I only tell the attractive elements in this anime instead of telling you the plot or the details.
The Grisaia Trilogy was actually edited from a game produced by Front Wings when it was published by Geneon Entertainment. The figure of characters and making of episodes are designed by 8-bit, which also has designed a few animes such as Infinite Stratos and Rewrite.
The Grisaia Trilogy has an ideal performance of art. It does not look quite realistic but gives audiences a sense of comfort since the artistic style shows characters’ faces and actions that are not tense. In other words, the style of its art does not give any excitement but rather a sense of relaxation as you watch it. Also, each season of Grisaia gives you a different story. It makes you feel like watching three separate animes, which is not a weird thing because the stories are connected to each other. At this point, what really makes an anime too boring to watch? Since other animes are too long (over a hundred episodes), you don’t even know which episode is going to be the last. Or it is lack in creativity? You might say, “I have watched a similar one before this.” Well, those issues won’t apply to The Grisaia Trilogy because it gives you three separate stories to watch. The first season has thirteen episodes; the second season is only one episode (about forty-eight minutes), and the third season has ten episodes. Each episode is an outstanding work, and you won’t spend a long time finishing it.
Let’s go to the story part. Briefly, this anime tells a story between a boy and five girls. To be more specific, it’s how the hero helps those girls to extricate from the shadow of their dark past. Well, that is what the first season tells. The second season introduces the prequel to the first season. But, in the last season, it’s how the girls save the hero from his shadow, which is opposite from the first season. To summarize, the most attractive piece of The Grisaia Trilogy is the detailed expression of psychological emotion of characters in the first season, and the humanity is perfectly presented by several figures of character in the third season. Those are the most excellent aspects of the trilogy.
After all those deep introductions, if you are interested in this anime, watch it right after you finish reading my review! Whether you are interested or not, watch the first episode. Then, decide!
Note: The Grisaia is recommended for those who are 17 or older.
I recommend you watch the Grisaia Trilogy on a website called 9anime.to by searching its Japanese name.
Editor: Holden Hartle