Thursday, January 19, 2012
History of Energy Drinks
by Liam McDonald
Energy drinks are extremely popular among teens and young adult. Energy drinks are filled with caffeine, ginseng, taurine and sugar, which stimulate the user for a short period of time. When most people think of energy drinks, they thing of Monster Energy or Redbull, but they have been around longer than many people think.
The earliest form of an energy drink can be traced to The United Kingdom. This drink was called Lucozade. It was originally formed in 1927, to give hospital patients or people who were sick with a cold or influenza. It was officially considered an energy drink in 1983. It was said that Lucozade would “replace lost energy.” The concept of energy drinks became more popular after this, when Jolt Cola was released in 1985.
Jolt began doing many things with energy drinks, like adding less expensive high fructose corn syrup and getting rid of traditional sugar. They released the “battery bottle” in 2005, which was a re-sealable aluminum can that guaranteed freshness. Jolt also released caffeinated gum, but it didn’t sell as expected. In 2009, Jolt filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and ceased production of many of their products.
Redbull is an energy drink that has been much more successful that Jolt. Redbull is an Austrian Energy Drink and it is the most popular energy drink in the world, with over three billion cans sold every year. It comes in a variety of flavors and can sizes. It’s catch phrase is “Redbull give you wings” due to the energy that it gives consumers. Redbull even has a drink that contains coca leaves, but it isn’t widely available. Some tried to claim that Redbull can have adverse health effects due to some energy components that are added, but it was discovered that only the traditional sugar and caffeine carried any risks.
Tom Cahill is a senior at here at Colonie High, and he is a fan of Energy Drinks. He brings a Redbull or a Monster to homeroom everyday to replace a morning cup of coffee. He stated that he isn’t a big fan of coffee, but he likes the “kick” it gives him in the morning. He substitutes coffee with an energy drink so that he is ready to start his day off correctly.
These beverages are a substantial part of our culture. Energy drink companies promote events, make clothing and gear, and create interesting advertisements to appeal to customers. If it weren’t for energy drinks, people would have less variety when choosing beverages, and who knows, teenagers could be drinking tea right now.
Movie Theaters: Where Does All Your Money Go?
by Alyssa Patentreger
Do you ever wonder where your money goes at the movie theaters? One of the many asked questions about the movies is why it costs so much. As an employee of Regal Cinemas, I have been asked this question, and found out the answers. The movie industry is rapidly growing which means it is getting more expensive to run theaters. Many people just don’t understand that all of the ticket and concession sales don’t go directly to the theater.
Movie goers walk up to the box office and see the $10+ price for a single ticket. Most people assume that half of the money goes to the movie theater while the other half goes to the studios, which is incorrect. In the first few weeks of the shows screening, the theatre itself only gets to keep about a quarter of the money going to the tickets. That means that the theater brings in $2.40-$3.00 for each ticket. Considering how big theaters are becoming, that isn’t a lot of money. As the show is out for a few more weeks, the percentage they take in goes up, but the amount of tickets they sell is much less.
Seeing as the theaters don’t get a lot of money from ticket sales, they’re forced to rely on the concession stands. A manager from a local theater said, “We’re not in the movie business, we’re in the candy business…” It’s not the actual popcorn and soda that is expensive to provide, it’s the bags and cups they come in which is counted inventory. If you ever gone to the movies and asked for a cup of free water, you’re never given a 64oz cup, you’re given a “courtesy cup” as the theater calls it. If they give you a cup, they are actually losing money.
Your hard earned money isn’t going all to the actual theaters, which may be a surprise to you. People think the concession prices are outrageous, but they need to understand that a business is trying to be run. It’s up to you whether you want to spend that amount of money!
Do you ever wonder where your money goes at the movie theaters? One of the many asked questions about the movies is why it costs so much. As an employee of Regal Cinemas, I have been asked this question, and found out the answers. The movie industry is rapidly growing which means it is getting more expensive to run theaters. Many people just don’t understand that all of the ticket and concession sales don’t go directly to the theater.
Movie goers walk up to the box office and see the $10+ price for a single ticket. Most people assume that half of the money goes to the movie theater while the other half goes to the studios, which is incorrect. In the first few weeks of the shows screening, the theatre itself only gets to keep about a quarter of the money going to the tickets. That means that the theater brings in $2.40-$3.00 for each ticket. Considering how big theaters are becoming, that isn’t a lot of money. As the show is out for a few more weeks, the percentage they take in goes up, but the amount of tickets they sell is much less.
Seeing as the theaters don’t get a lot of money from ticket sales, they’re forced to rely on the concession stands. A manager from a local theater said, “We’re not in the movie business, we’re in the candy business…” It’s not the actual popcorn and soda that is expensive to provide, it’s the bags and cups they come in which is counted inventory. If you ever gone to the movies and asked for a cup of free water, you’re never given a 64oz cup, you’re given a “courtesy cup” as the theater calls it. If they give you a cup, they are actually losing money.
Your hard earned money isn’t going all to the actual theaters, which may be a surprise to you. People think the concession prices are outrageous, but they need to understand that a business is trying to be run. It’s up to you whether you want to spend that amount of money!
The Role of Music
by Katie McManus
Music has the power to unite individuals of diverse backgrounds. In Colonie Central High School, many students participate in a performing art. I had the opportunity to sit down with a few students to gain perspective on the role music plays in their lives.
Q: What role has music played in your life?
Brianna Turner, senior violin player: It has always been an escape for me. I remember one day I was really upset, so I went down to the music office and played my violin in one of the practice rooms. I felt a little better.
Emily Finlan, senior cello player: It has basically guided me. I can’t even imagine my life if I didn’t have it.
Amelia Jones, senior trombone player: When I first started playing, I didn’t really think it would do anything for me. I kind of hated it until tenth grade when I made second chair in band, which is a huge responsibility. I decided to rise to the occasion and fell in love with the instrument between private lessons and seeing what trombone is really like.
Q: How has music shaped you as an individual?
BT: I’ve always been a really creative student. I’m going to major in art, so it helps me be a little more creative. If I’m thinking of painting a picture, I can think of how a song makes me feel and then I can paint the picture.
EF: I think it has taught me a lot of responsibility because I have to practice every day. It taught me that there is always someone better than you, but that just makes you want to be better.
AJ: It has done a lot for my dedication. You need to dedicate yourself to it. You can’t half put yourself into it. You have to let it overcome you and let it become you.
Q: Has music opened you up to any other opportunities?
EF: Definitely. I play in the Empire State Youth Orchestra. I don’t know what I would go to college for if I didn’t have music.
AJ: Oh, plenty. I was principal chair in Area All State. I take private lessons with a teacher who has made me so much better.
Q: What have you learned from performing in an ensemble?
BT: How to work together and how to listen. It’s really important.
EF: I’ve learned that you should be proud of what you accomplished after weeks and weeks of work. You should just be excited to share with other people.
AJ: Leadership and patience. You can’t get upset with someone who plays a sharp when it’s supposed to be a flat.
Q: Will you continue playing after highschool?
BT: I probably will. I don’t see a reason not to. It’s always going to be a skill I will have unless I develop carpal tunnel! (Laughs)
EF: Obviously! (Laughs)
AJ: I will. My parents got me a very nice trombone. I’m only applying to colleges with music programs.
Music has the power to unite individuals of diverse backgrounds. In Colonie Central High School, many students participate in a performing art. I had the opportunity to sit down with a few students to gain perspective on the role music plays in their lives.
Q: What role has music played in your life?
Brianna Turner, senior violin player: It has always been an escape for me. I remember one day I was really upset, so I went down to the music office and played my violin in one of the practice rooms. I felt a little better.
Emily Finlan, senior cello player: It has basically guided me. I can’t even imagine my life if I didn’t have it.
Amelia Jones, senior trombone player: When I first started playing, I didn’t really think it would do anything for me. I kind of hated it until tenth grade when I made second chair in band, which is a huge responsibility. I decided to rise to the occasion and fell in love with the instrument between private lessons and seeing what trombone is really like.
Q: How has music shaped you as an individual?
BT: I’ve always been a really creative student. I’m going to major in art, so it helps me be a little more creative. If I’m thinking of painting a picture, I can think of how a song makes me feel and then I can paint the picture.
EF: I think it has taught me a lot of responsibility because I have to practice every day. It taught me that there is always someone better than you, but that just makes you want to be better.
AJ: It has done a lot for my dedication. You need to dedicate yourself to it. You can’t half put yourself into it. You have to let it overcome you and let it become you.
Q: Has music opened you up to any other opportunities?
EF: Definitely. I play in the Empire State Youth Orchestra. I don’t know what I would go to college for if I didn’t have music.
AJ: Oh, plenty. I was principal chair in Area All State. I take private lessons with a teacher who has made me so much better.
Q: What have you learned from performing in an ensemble?
BT: How to work together and how to listen. It’s really important.
EF: I’ve learned that you should be proud of what you accomplished after weeks and weeks of work. You should just be excited to share with other people.
AJ: Leadership and patience. You can’t get upset with someone who plays a sharp when it’s supposed to be a flat.
Q: Will you continue playing after highschool?
BT: I probably will. I don’t see a reason not to. It’s always going to be a skill I will have unless I develop carpal tunnel! (Laughs)
EF: Obviously! (Laughs)
AJ: I will. My parents got me a very nice trombone. I’m only applying to colleges with music programs.
The Private Investigator
by Abbie Skinner
I sat down on a Sunday evening with private investigator Dave Skinner from Ashley Investigations Inc. He was tired and a little cranky, but willing to answer my questions as long as we were done by the time Mom finished making dinner. My dad, the private investigator. A couple years ago he was my dad, the lawyer, but had now exchanged his suit for jeans and a worn out T-shirt as he sprawled out on his bed. I sat down beside him, pressed play on the recorder on my phone, and started asking questions.
What exactly do you do as a private investigator?
As a private investigator I’m hired by clients to obtain information about certain people. My clients have certain situations where they need to know what someone is doing on a day to day basis and a lot of it involves verifying whether someone incurred an injury and to what extent they’re suffering from that injury and if that injury limits them from working. And so I’m hired to find that information through a number of different ways. Like surveillance on someone without them being aware, I conduct interviews on their neighbors and friends, I can interview the person themselves and I can do research through public records as to what they are doing on a day to day basis.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part is that I get to be creative. I’m trying to get information about people, usually without them knowing about it. I have to be creative in how I get that information. Whether I’m doing surveillance or I’m interviewing someone, or whether I’m making phone calls to people or talking to people face to face without them really knowing why I’m trying to get that information it takes a lot of creativity. I do a lot of research through postal office, post office, various government offices and gathering information and the most interesting part is being creative so they don’t know I’m onto them.
Have you ever been caught or discovered?
I’ve been caught a couple of times and it’s not because the person I’m investigating found out it’s because a neighbor or someone had become suspicious of seeing me and then they, uh, (pauses) figured out what I was trying to do and they told the person that I was investigating what it was about, and they were not very happy. They were very angry and violent about it.
Would that be considered your least favorite part or is there something else that you don’t like, other than being caught?
I, uh, I really love my job, but what I don’t like about it is there are times, as part of the job, that you have hours of inactivity. Someone may not be very active, though if I’m doing surveillance it may go four or five hours without them leaving the house or doing any activity but that’s usually followed up by an hour or two of pure adrenaline because once they become active and I have to be, uh, very diligent in determining what their activities are.
What are some skills you have developed through following people and trying to gather this information about them?
Well, first is preparation. I’m very good at checking sources to find out if the person is running a business or active through various sources. But then, once I’m doing surveillance, I have to be able to record video to document what they are doing. I can get video of that person without them knowing and that took a lot of practice to develop. Also, I can follow someone in a vehicle without them knowing they’re being followed and that took a lot of practice to develop as well.
Do you see yourself doing this in five years?
Yes, I do. I think I will always be doing it as part of my career. I would like to expand and do other types of investigation. And then I think I could also have investigators working for me. With the experience that I am getting I can teach other people how to do it as well and be more productive.
I sat down on a Sunday evening with private investigator Dave Skinner from Ashley Investigations Inc. He was tired and a little cranky, but willing to answer my questions as long as we were done by the time Mom finished making dinner. My dad, the private investigator. A couple years ago he was my dad, the lawyer, but had now exchanged his suit for jeans and a worn out T-shirt as he sprawled out on his bed. I sat down beside him, pressed play on the recorder on my phone, and started asking questions.
What exactly do you do as a private investigator?
As a private investigator I’m hired by clients to obtain information about certain people. My clients have certain situations where they need to know what someone is doing on a day to day basis and a lot of it involves verifying whether someone incurred an injury and to what extent they’re suffering from that injury and if that injury limits them from working. And so I’m hired to find that information through a number of different ways. Like surveillance on someone without them being aware, I conduct interviews on their neighbors and friends, I can interview the person themselves and I can do research through public records as to what they are doing on a day to day basis.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part is that I get to be creative. I’m trying to get information about people, usually without them knowing about it. I have to be creative in how I get that information. Whether I’m doing surveillance or I’m interviewing someone, or whether I’m making phone calls to people or talking to people face to face without them really knowing why I’m trying to get that information it takes a lot of creativity. I do a lot of research through postal office, post office, various government offices and gathering information and the most interesting part is being creative so they don’t know I’m onto them.
Have you ever been caught or discovered?
I’ve been caught a couple of times and it’s not because the person I’m investigating found out it’s because a neighbor or someone had become suspicious of seeing me and then they, uh, (pauses) figured out what I was trying to do and they told the person that I was investigating what it was about, and they were not very happy. They were very angry and violent about it.
Would that be considered your least favorite part or is there something else that you don’t like, other than being caught?
I, uh, I really love my job, but what I don’t like about it is there are times, as part of the job, that you have hours of inactivity. Someone may not be very active, though if I’m doing surveillance it may go four or five hours without them leaving the house or doing any activity but that’s usually followed up by an hour or two of pure adrenaline because once they become active and I have to be, uh, very diligent in determining what their activities are.
What are some skills you have developed through following people and trying to gather this information about them?
Well, first is preparation. I’m very good at checking sources to find out if the person is running a business or active through various sources. But then, once I’m doing surveillance, I have to be able to record video to document what they are doing. I can get video of that person without them knowing and that took a lot of practice to develop. Also, I can follow someone in a vehicle without them knowing they’re being followed and that took a lot of practice to develop as well.
Do you see yourself doing this in five years?
Yes, I do. I think I will always be doing it as part of my career. I would like to expand and do other types of investigation. And then I think I could also have investigators working for me. With the experience that I am getting I can teach other people how to do it as well and be more productive.
Colonie High School: 1953 and Today
by Liam McDonald
Colonie Central High School is a school full of diversity and culture. There have been many generations that have gone through this school. This campus was built in 1953, and it is very different today than it was when it was built. Everything from extracurricular activities and school events are drastically different compared to today’s events.
The head principal from 1953 was named Glenn E. Bretsch. The class president was Bruce Coulter. Colonie High School served as a learning place for children grades 10-12. In the yearbook, the freshman sophomore and junior classes were photographed in groups unlike today where everyone gets their own individual picture. Seniors were pictured individually, and a lot of information was given about each student. The information given included their nicknames, their place of residence and it included any activities that they partook in at the high school. The school had a carnival, which would have been Colonie’s main attractions of the school year. The school newspaper was called The Post. Some plays in school plays included Cheaper By The Dozen, What A Life and Hearts Are Young Gay. A class song was written for the class of 1953 by students. The class of 1953 also had a “Class Alphabet,” where students were commemorated for certain attributes that began with each letter of the alphabet.
Colonie Central High School has changed a lot since 1953. The head principal is Mr. Wetzel, and the class president is Andrea Kim. There are many activities that Colonie High School takes part in now. There are many dances and other activities such as craft fairs, holiday concerts and car shows. Today’s yearbook has less personal information about people, and it shows people individually. It has things like senior buddy pictures, and it senior celebrities instead of a class alphabet. Colonie High School has also had more expansions since 1953, making the building significantly bigger. This allows grade nine to receive and education here as well. This year’s school play is The Wedding Singer.
Many things have changed since 1953, but one thing that remains the same is our Raider Pride. Teachers still strive to give students an exceptional education that will help them to succeed in the future. Colonie High School was and continues to be a great place to learn despite its changes.
Facebook and Twitter: Are We All Journalists?
by Molly Newell
Life as we know it has changed; we have all become infatuated within the world of social media. Everywhere you go, everything you hear, everything you see relates to the internet or the universally popular social media sites. There are so many that thrive on the gossip and drama that is intertwined with sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Most people reading this right now are probably commemorating on a particular incident, or in some peoples’ case quite a few situations in which they were entangled in some sort of social networking drama…it’s high school, it’s going to happen. Whether it’s rapidly posting comments back and forth, writing on a friend’s ( or enemy’s) wall, filling out a “note” (yes girls, we’re all guilty of that), creating an inspiring status so that everyone you know will “like” it, posting pictures or videos, perhaps “facebook stalking” for a few hours (or a whole day), or sharing a good tweet, the world of social networking has created us all into journalists whether we realize it or not.
The definition of journalism is “the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news.” This is exactly what teenagers and adults around the globe are doing while spending their time on these websites. There are people who spend hours on end carrying out those exact processes on a daily basis, not even knowing that in their own way they are being a journalist.
Many parents, teachers, and advisors may not like these websites and argue that there is too much drama and scandal involved. While this may be true in some cases, next time when on these websites, pay attention to the pictures, wall posts, comments, notes, and tweets that people create and post; every aspect of them resemble a certain characteristic about that particular person, or really let their true personality shine through. Some people love to show their artistic side, others like to show the fact that they can write a good poem or inspiring quote that stops everyone in their tracks when they read it. The people reading the various stories and news feeds are journalists themselves, taking in everything detail there is to know and realize about their friends; things that they may not have had knowledge about them prior.
People love to post everything there is to know about their lives. Likewise, they also love to read about everyone else’s lives. These social networking websites have exploded across the world, capturing the attention of more and more people every day. Even though people only join websites like Facebook and Twitter for the social aspects of them, little did we know that they would create us all into journalists, just looking to create that next great wall post or tweet.
Life as we know it has changed; we have all become infatuated within the world of social media. Everywhere you go, everything you hear, everything you see relates to the internet or the universally popular social media sites. There are so many that thrive on the gossip and drama that is intertwined with sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Most people reading this right now are probably commemorating on a particular incident, or in some peoples’ case quite a few situations in which they were entangled in some sort of social networking drama…it’s high school, it’s going to happen. Whether it’s rapidly posting comments back and forth, writing on a friend’s ( or enemy’s) wall, filling out a “note” (yes girls, we’re all guilty of that), creating an inspiring status so that everyone you know will “like” it, posting pictures or videos, perhaps “facebook stalking” for a few hours (or a whole day), or sharing a good tweet, the world of social networking has created us all into journalists whether we realize it or not.
The definition of journalism is “the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news.” This is exactly what teenagers and adults around the globe are doing while spending their time on these websites. There are people who spend hours on end carrying out those exact processes on a daily basis, not even knowing that in their own way they are being a journalist.
Many parents, teachers, and advisors may not like these websites and argue that there is too much drama and scandal involved. While this may be true in some cases, next time when on these websites, pay attention to the pictures, wall posts, comments, notes, and tweets that people create and post; every aspect of them resemble a certain characteristic about that particular person, or really let their true personality shine through. Some people love to show their artistic side, others like to show the fact that they can write a good poem or inspiring quote that stops everyone in their tracks when they read it. The people reading the various stories and news feeds are journalists themselves, taking in everything detail there is to know and realize about their friends; things that they may not have had knowledge about them prior.
People love to post everything there is to know about their lives. Likewise, they also love to read about everyone else’s lives. These social networking websites have exploded across the world, capturing the attention of more and more people every day. Even though people only join websites like Facebook and Twitter for the social aspects of them, little did we know that they would create us all into journalists, just looking to create that next great wall post or tweet.
We Loved it Like Crazy
by Lexie Fuhr
Like Crazy, directed by Drake Doremus, portrays the struggle of a young couple’s romance, as they attempt to sustain true love over several years, while living thousands of miles apart. Anna, a smart and passionate, blossoming writer, played by Felicity Jones, is finishing her last year of college in Los Angeles, where she meets Jacob, played by Anton Yelchin, a soft and humble carpenter studying furniture design. Anna makes the first move, sending a letter to Jacob asking him out on a date, and the two experience an instant chemistry, a magnetic attraction. The couple is in paradise, without a care in the world, until reality strikes. Post graduation, Anna's student visa expires, forcing her to return to London. As the thought of leaving Jacob seems unimaginable, Anna decides to disobey the demands of her visa, and spend the summer in America. Anna finally returns to London, assuming she will only be separated from Jacob very briefly. However, when she returns to Los Angeles, the violation of her visa is brought up, and deemed immediate grounds for deportation. Anna and Jacob are soon caught in a web of immigration laws and government affairs, as they try desperately to keep their love alive. This struggle takes places over several years, while Anna and Jacob both find themselves drifting apart, attempting to see other people, only to be struck by the inescapable freight train of true love.
Like Crazy gives viewers a modern spin on a traditional story of love lost and found, however, although the lead characters themselves are very attributable to the movie’s success, their real life chemistry undeniable, the story’s time structure in the movie may be unfavorable to some viewers. The chronological gaps between certain moments of a lengthy relationship can be a bit agitating, even with the use of combinations of scenes, and sped-up footage. But there are several intimate and emotionally intense points in the movie that create completely new conditions for the characters, and feelings for viewers. These interruptions are especially noticeable in the plotline for characters like Sam, played by Jennifer Lawerence, and Simon, played by Charlie Bewley, the two people Anna and Jacob become involved with, as their long distance relationships begins to fail. The moments of Sam and Simon appear, and disappear just as quickly highlight the filmmaker’s issue of focus. Like Crazy’s divergent structure, forces viewers to simply accept certain changes to the characters relationship, without letting them see the critical moments when the actual decisions were made, and why. Given the talent of the two actors telling the tale, it would have been easy, and beneficial to the storyline to show some additional key moments along the journey, making the end, an insightful comment on the nature of love much more satisfying. Despite some issues with structure and focus, Like Crazy is still one of the best modern day love stories to come about in the past few years, a must-see for anyone who can relate to the idea of life getting in the way of happiness.
Winning the Pokemon Battle: An Addict's Recovery, Relapse and Redemption
by Jon Buhner
As long as you were born in the early nineties, even the late eighties, you know the drill. You pull out the Gameboy Color or Advance, pop in those new AA batteries, blow out the cartridge, push it in, and slide the little “on” switch. Then the notorious Nintendo logo appears with its famous ring sound, and the introduction begins, with the theme music and the 16-bit animations.
Many students can recall the times in their childhood when they played Pokemon, almost constantly, to the point where they had a stockpile of AA batteries. Not only was it both fun and entertaining, but friends could play together by “battling” and “trading,” while at the same time teaching young children to read and promoting other educational ideas.
From a personal standpoint, Pokemon was truly the only video game I owned and played, following the subsequent releases of the new games, or “versions” as dubbed by Nintendo. The first video game I ever played, Pokemon Gold Version, entertained me for several years, and over this time period, I moved onto Silver and Crystal Version. Then I decided to try a throwback, with Blue version, and I exploited the notorious rare candy glitch, that of which any avid Pokemon player should know very well about. Several years later, the Gameboy Advanced had been released, and I finally purchased one. This now allowed me to play Pokemon Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald versions, further worsening my addiction. To add to this growing problem, these newer versions of the games were even more entertaining, intuitive, and time consuming. After about two or three more years of this uncontrolled rampage, I finally and difficultly retired from the profession.
I had finally reached the hiatus stage of Pokemon in my life, but it was only a matter of time before the addiction returned worse than ever before. The relapse began towards the end of tenth grade, with the rediscovery of my cyan blue Gameboy Color, with my Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions. It started slow at first, but aggressively progressed, to the point where I began bringing a bright purple link cable to school to battle Steve Sleasman in chemistry class. Summer quickly came, and I managed to plateau, limiting the amount of play time to a reasonable amount. Halfway through Junior year, I made the unfortunate discovery of a computer program called VBA, which would allow anyone to play any Pokemon game released up to the Leafgreen and Firered versions.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, I created a computer disk that contained every Pokemon version on a single disk with the emulator program, and I made copies for my friends. At this point, the madness had begun, and for the remainder of the school year, numerous juniors and seniors began playing Pokemon. The emulator proved to be a lot of fun, but playing Pokemon on a computer was awkward, since the majority of us started playing on a Gameboy. We quickly came to this realization, and began finding our long lost electronics and cartridges, playing the games they were meant to be played. The phenomenon lasted for several months, and like its original demise, died down after several months.
As long as you were born in the early nineties, even the late eighties, you know the drill. You pull out the Gameboy Color or Advance, pop in those new AA batteries, blow out the cartridge, push it in, and slide the little “on” switch. Then the notorious Nintendo logo appears with its famous ring sound, and the introduction begins, with the theme music and the 16-bit animations.
Many students can recall the times in their childhood when they played Pokemon, almost constantly, to the point where they had a stockpile of AA batteries. Not only was it both fun and entertaining, but friends could play together by “battling” and “trading,” while at the same time teaching young children to read and promoting other educational ideas.
From a personal standpoint, Pokemon was truly the only video game I owned and played, following the subsequent releases of the new games, or “versions” as dubbed by Nintendo. The first video game I ever played, Pokemon Gold Version, entertained me for several years, and over this time period, I moved onto Silver and Crystal Version. Then I decided to try a throwback, with Blue version, and I exploited the notorious rare candy glitch, that of which any avid Pokemon player should know very well about. Several years later, the Gameboy Advanced had been released, and I finally purchased one. This now allowed me to play Pokemon Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald versions, further worsening my addiction. To add to this growing problem, these newer versions of the games were even more entertaining, intuitive, and time consuming. After about two or three more years of this uncontrolled rampage, I finally and difficultly retired from the profession.
I had finally reached the hiatus stage of Pokemon in my life, but it was only a matter of time before the addiction returned worse than ever before. The relapse began towards the end of tenth grade, with the rediscovery of my cyan blue Gameboy Color, with my Gold, Silver, and Crystal versions. It started slow at first, but aggressively progressed, to the point where I began bringing a bright purple link cable to school to battle Steve Sleasman in chemistry class. Summer quickly came, and I managed to plateau, limiting the amount of play time to a reasonable amount. Halfway through Junior year, I made the unfortunate discovery of a computer program called VBA, which would allow anyone to play any Pokemon game released up to the Leafgreen and Firered versions.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, I created a computer disk that contained every Pokemon version on a single disk with the emulator program, and I made copies for my friends. At this point, the madness had begun, and for the remainder of the school year, numerous juniors and seniors began playing Pokemon. The emulator proved to be a lot of fun, but playing Pokemon on a computer was awkward, since the majority of us started playing on a Gameboy. We quickly came to this realization, and began finding our long lost electronics and cartridges, playing the games they were meant to be played. The phenomenon lasted for several months, and like its original demise, died down after several months.
How to Procrastinate
by Lauren Daby
Have you ever wondered how to procrastinate? Although it may seem difficult there are
some simple ways to achieve this ultimate state of sloth.
Step One: Never set an alarm. If you wake up early in the morning, you are way more
likely to actually accomplish something, but if you are able to sleep all day you will never be
tempted to do anything.
Step Two: Buy an Ipod Touch or some other compatible appliance. These really cool
devices will waste hours of your day, and you will have nothing to show for it. Make sure to
download lots of apps. These free-time consumers are addicting and will definitely help your
real life skills unlike that boring homework assignment that will never help you in the real
world!
Step Three: Buy Netflix. With millions of TV shows and movies at the tip of your fingers,
there is no way you will be tempted to move from that ever so comfy couch to do some
pointless house work.
Step Four: Delete all Email accounts you may hold. Without your boss constantly
reminding you of important dates and other junk that you don’t care about, you’ll be able to
spend more time on activities!
Step Five: things done, you will feel a new found sense of freedom and accomplishment, without
actually doing anything.
Step Six: Take at least one nap a day. You’ve already done a lot of time wasting today
so you must be exhausted! This nap will not only revitalize your energy, but also take away
more time from you day. The less time you have in a day, the less you get done.
*Step Seven: Never, under any circumstances, write a to-do list. If you have any, burn
them because they are just a constant reminder of what other people think you should be
doing. Everyone should be original and you should never follow the crowd. Be unique and
don’t follow the trends. If you want to sleep all day, do it! If you want to play Temple Run,
Angry Birds, or even Doodle Jump all night long, go for it.
Procrastination may seem tricky at first, but once you master it, it will be impossible to
stop. Being lazy will be like second nature to you. Just imagine all the things you will never
have to do again! Stop waiting and start procrastinating today!
For My Family
by Lauren Gonzalez
I sat down with my father, him on a love seat, and me across from him on a chair with a mini foldable table in front of me and we discussed his life. We ate dinner and our stomachs were full of his delicious rice and steak. I started off simply by asking him how he was and then proceeded to ask him questions. We talked in Spanish because that’s the language he is most fluent in. He was still wearing his work clothes and had his glasses on, like he always does. He laid back into the love seat with books of work notes and the Bible on his lap. It was calm, aside from the noise of my mother watching television in the kitchen and my brothers playing with the Jack-Russell Terrier puppy. He talked slow and clearly; he was in no rush.
Q: When were you born and where? How many brothers and sisters do you have?
A: “Five brothers, one sister. And Roberto, too, but he died when he was three.”
Q: How did you live your life? Was it easy or difficult? Do you think you had a good childhood?
A: “My childhood was good, but a lot of poverty. But it was good. Good even with the poverty but it was a good childhood. Sane, really.
Q: Tell me about a time from when you were young
A:. When I was young we still had the tough economic situation with my family. When I was young, when I was almost fourteen years old, I went to work at a farm, but it was a rice farm. It was to buy things that I needed and to also help my parents. That (working on the farm) happened about two or three different occasions. It was outside my city and I had to leave for two to three weeks. I remember that my thumb on my hand got infected and it was really swollen. That was from cleaning the rice in the water and removing the weeds. I still needed to work and it was very difficult to do so with my thumb swollen.
Q: What are some of your educational accomplishments? What do you do for work today?
A: At 22 years old, I started sixth grade. That was in the year 1980. And I finished high school in 1986. In that same year I started to study Psychology and I graduated (college) in 1992. In the year 1989, I majored in family counseling. 1983, I have finished an English course, and I started to teach English in 1986 in a private school (for middle school and high school). I was studying in the university while teaching English. And so in 1994, I started to earn my masters degree in marriage and family therapy. Later I was made supervisor of the school psychologists in a specific school district. In 1998 I was n charge of the psychology department in college. When I left my work there (Dominican Republic) in psychological counseling, and I moved here (to the United States), I came to work in the community and was in charge in the Individual and Family Counseling Program, and I’m still doing so.
Q: When did you and your wife get married? Was there a time when people have said things or have done negative things toward you because she is American?
A: December 19, 1992. A friend of mine didn’t say it to me but to a different person that the relationship wasn’t going to progress. But, it was only her. All my friends and family supported me in this relationship.
Q : When did you move to the United States? Why? Do you think it was necessary? Do you miss the Dominican Republic?
A: (we moved here in) 2002. (It was to) share the two cultures, so that you (his children) would get to know more cultures and more (members of the) family. Yes, sometimes I think no and other times I think yes (it was necessary).
Q: Is it very difficult to live in a country when you don’t know the language perfectly?
A: Very difficult, no. It’s enormously difficult. Why? Because you can’t do your profession like you can in your own country. You can’t express your feelings or knowledge as you do in your own language, in your country. Old friends. When I moved here, I felt that nobody knew me and that I had to start over again when I already had good relationships in my country with my family and friends for over many years.
Q: Did you know that you have three children and a wife that love and admire you very much?
A: (laughs) Let me think about that…yes, I feel very happy and proud about that. It’s something that I always give thanks to God for. For the family he has given me.
I sat down with my father, him on a love seat, and me across from him on a chair with a mini foldable table in front of me and we discussed his life. We ate dinner and our stomachs were full of his delicious rice and steak. I started off simply by asking him how he was and then proceeded to ask him questions. We talked in Spanish because that’s the language he is most fluent in. He was still wearing his work clothes and had his glasses on, like he always does. He laid back into the love seat with books of work notes and the Bible on his lap. It was calm, aside from the noise of my mother watching television in the kitchen and my brothers playing with the Jack-Russell Terrier puppy. He talked slow and clearly; he was in no rush.
Q: When were you born and where? How many brothers and sisters do you have?
A: “Five brothers, one sister. And Roberto, too, but he died when he was three.”
Q: How did you live your life? Was it easy or difficult? Do you think you had a good childhood?
A: “My childhood was good, but a lot of poverty. But it was good. Good even with the poverty but it was a good childhood. Sane, really.
Q: Tell me about a time from when you were young
A:. When I was young we still had the tough economic situation with my family. When I was young, when I was almost fourteen years old, I went to work at a farm, but it was a rice farm. It was to buy things that I needed and to also help my parents. That (working on the farm) happened about two or three different occasions. It was outside my city and I had to leave for two to three weeks. I remember that my thumb on my hand got infected and it was really swollen. That was from cleaning the rice in the water and removing the weeds. I still needed to work and it was very difficult to do so with my thumb swollen.
Q: What are some of your educational accomplishments? What do you do for work today?
A: At 22 years old, I started sixth grade. That was in the year 1980. And I finished high school in 1986. In that same year I started to study Psychology and I graduated (college) in 1992. In the year 1989, I majored in family counseling. 1983, I have finished an English course, and I started to teach English in 1986 in a private school (for middle school and high school). I was studying in the university while teaching English. And so in 1994, I started to earn my masters degree in marriage and family therapy. Later I was made supervisor of the school psychologists in a specific school district. In 1998 I was n charge of the psychology department in college. When I left my work there (Dominican Republic) in psychological counseling, and I moved here (to the United States), I came to work in the community and was in charge in the Individual and Family Counseling Program, and I’m still doing so.
Q: When did you and your wife get married? Was there a time when people have said things or have done negative things toward you because she is American?
A: December 19, 1992. A friend of mine didn’t say it to me but to a different person that the relationship wasn’t going to progress. But, it was only her. All my friends and family supported me in this relationship.
Q : When did you move to the United States? Why? Do you think it was necessary? Do you miss the Dominican Republic?
A: (we moved here in) 2002. (It was to) share the two cultures, so that you (his children) would get to know more cultures and more (members of the) family. Yes, sometimes I think no and other times I think yes (it was necessary).
Q: Is it very difficult to live in a country when you don’t know the language perfectly?
A: Very difficult, no. It’s enormously difficult. Why? Because you can’t do your profession like you can in your own country. You can’t express your feelings or knowledge as you do in your own language, in your country. Old friends. When I moved here, I felt that nobody knew me and that I had to start over again when I already had good relationships in my country with my family and friends for over many years.
Q: Did you know that you have three children and a wife that love and admire you very much?
A: (laughs) Let me think about that…yes, I feel very happy and proud about that. It’s something that I always give thanks to God for. For the family he has given me.
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