April 30, 2021
Long-Distance Game Night
Looking for some fun games you can play with friends at a distance, or even friends across the world? Here are some recommendations for you!
Plato
Editor’s Verdict: Groovy Mobile App
What’s better than one game? Multiple games! Plato offers just that and more, with over 40 games to choose from (my favorites are Sea Battle, Literati, and Pool), the ability to play against people from all over the world, and group chats you can join to talk to new people. With so many different games on offer, most of which are both solo and group playable, you are sure to find a game that you enjoy, including familiar ones like Checkers, Chess, and Skeeball. This versatile app is easy to use, great for those distanced game nights, and awesome to have to play games with friends across the globe, not to mention it’s free! All of that earns it the “Groovy Mobile” verdict this week. Available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Editor’s Verdict: Honorable Mention
The concept of this game is simple: find your quarry and assassinate them. But watch out for the person who is hunting you in turn. Gather your friends up to play The Ship: Murder Party, but don’t trust anyone as you explore the map, taking care of both your character’s needs and looking for weapons. And watch out, because you may get caught by the cameras, workers, or each other, and you just might just end up in jail. There are many weapons for you to choose from, and fun times to be had for those who play with their friends or solo. With a fun premise, good graphics, and an easy-to-use interface, this game earns the “Honorable Mention” verdict this week. Available from Outerlight Ltd. on Steam, as well as other platforms.
Picture this: in a futuristic world, China conquered the U.S.after the Fourth World War. A country called Illéa, made up of 35 provinces and governed by a monarchy, now exists in its place. Citizens are divided into caste numbers that strictly determine what occupations people may pursue. At the top are the Ones—the royal family—along with the more rich and privileged Twos through Fours, while the Fives through Eights struggle just to keep food on the table and shelter over their heads. 17-year-old America Singer is a Five, and she cares about only two things: helping her family survive and someday marrying her secret, forbidden boyfriend Aspen, a Six. Then, America is one of 35 eligible young women chosen to compete in the Selection for not only the affections of the gorgeous Prince Maxon, but also the titles of his wife and princess. At first, America has absolutely no interest in the Selection process or in falling in love with Maxon … but the more she gets to know him, the more her feelings become conflicted, and America has to make a very difficult decision. Does her heart lie with the poor boy-next-door, or the future King of Illéa? While this slowly burning love triangle is a big focus of the three books that make up the main story, things like tyrannical government, dangerous rebel attacks, and serious systemic issues in dystopian society make the series as a whole a more powerful, hard-hitting read. The Selection by Kiera Cass is one of my all-time favorites to re-visit over and over again, and I can’t wait to watch Netflix’s film adaptation, hopefully coming later this year!
In the age of Charlemagne, the Moors fashioned a gem-encrusted chess set that held powerful, mystical secrets, gifting it to the Frankish and Roman Emperor. Terrified by the set’s potent magic after playing one game, Charlemagne had the chess service broken up and hidden in the walls of the Montglane Abbey. And there it stayed, until 1790. In the midst of the French Revolution, dangerous forces are seeking the set, and the abbess of Montglane knows she needs to act fast. She has her nuns unearth the chess set and scatters them two-by-two across Europe, each carrying a few of the pieces. Mireille and her cousin Valentine end in up in Reign of Terror Paris. And when Valentine is brutally murdered on the orders of Terror mastermind Maximilien Robespierre, Mireille needs to put everything on the line to protect Montglane’s secrets from the likes of French diplomat Charles de Talleyrand, up-and-coming soldier Napoleon Bonaparte, and Robespierre himself.
In honor of the recent release of his latest single (“Imagine,” which I highly recommend), I have rediscovered my love for Ben Platt. Best known for his Broadway career, starring in musicals like Dear Evan Hansen, as well as his turn as Anna Kendrick’s love interest in Pitch Perfect, Platt released his debut album Sing to Me Instead in 2019. The album pays tribute to the Broadway part of his life and features a lot of dramatic runs and is very piano-heavy. It’s easy to listen to and invokes a lot of emotions from listeners. “Grow as We Go” is a particularly emotional track and has even gained some popularity on TikTok recently—and for a good reason. The song shows off Platt’s range as an artist, proving that he can not only belt those Broadway-esque high notes, but is also comfortable in his lower register, singing softly about a partner he wants to grow old with.
Looking for an album with those chill summer vibes and that ’70s psychedelic rock guitar? Maybe not, but you should still give Wish You Were Here a listen. As with most of Pink Floyd’s albums, the songs are placed in an order that serves a purpose, as each song has a smooth and effortless transition into the next one. The instrumentals alone are enough to make you appreciate the work the band puts into the quality of their songs. The album was written primarily by Roger Waters after founding band member Syd Barrett left the band due to rapidly declining mental health. Waters missed his friend and came up with the premise for the album and the title song, “Wish You Were Here,” because he was inspired by those feelings of loss, as well as the anxiety and depression that emerged within each of the band members due to their new rise to fame.
Nakajima Atsushi is on the run after being tossed out of his old orphanage. What he’s running from? A great tiger that appears to be pursuing him. In steps Dazai and the Armed Detective Agency, a group of gifted investigators all with special, supernatural powers. Atsushi, after learning a bit about what, or rather who, the tiger is, joins this group. But that is just the beginning of his new worries. With the Mafia sending people after him, he has to watch his back now more than ever, while also getting through many crazy shenanigans and mysteries. Watch how this loveable, protective protagonist gains friends and learns about his past. A charming art style, lovable characters, and interweaving plot lines lead Bungou Stray Dogs to be this week’s “All-Time Star.” Produced by Bones, found on Funimation,Crunchyroll, and other streaming platforms.
When hungry demons that crave human flesh can disguise themselves as humans, they can be almost impossible to find. The Claymore, who are half-human, half-demon, are the only ones that can sniff out a Yoma (full demon) in their human form. The humans despise the Claymore and call them witches and monsters. But the Claymore may be the humans’ only hope of survival. Follow the journey of one Claymore, Clare, and a young boy, Raki, as they travel fighting the Yoma. Produced by VAP and available on Funimation, Crunchyroll, Hulu, and other streaming platforms.
So far, I’ve covered three of the four basic workouts pull, push, and squats — all of which should include working out your upper and lower body. In this 
3. Once all of that is done, mark out with a fluffy brush where you want the fake facial hair to go with the lightest of your shades, then fill it in. I used a tan for this part. Make sure it is symmetrical (if it is on the character) and that you go below your jaw as well. This is the base of what is to come.
4. Take the second darkest shade that you have, along with a thin angled brush, and start making little flicks inside the shaded area. It is best to flick it across the skin in the same direction as the hair would grow. Also, make the edges you did in step three a bit rough, as hair doesn’t grow in a straight line. Do the same with the third and fourth darkest with the same brush, as this will create dimension.
5. You could stop there, but if you want it to look even hairier, take an old eyeliner brush or equivalent tiny brush, put a bit of mascara on the back of your hand, dip the brush in, and do the same flicky motion as before. Make a few wispies if the character is especially unruffled (like Aizawa is). And once you have done that to your satisfaction, you will have your final appearance.
6. Set the makeup with setting spray so it will stay on, and add any other makeup that your character may have. If you are doing Aizawa like I am, that would include his signature eyebags, eyebrows, and the scar under his eye.
Choosing between going natural or using a wig usually depends on which character you’ve picked and how easily you can match your own hair to the character’s hair. For the Rainbow Dash cosplay I’m making, I am using the wearer’s natural hair with a few extensions. Now, because Rainbow Dash has six colors in her hair, we are going to use hair chalk along with setting hair spray to achieve the desired colors. This may be time-consuming, but some people prefer it to wearing what might be an uncomfortable wig.
When people are looking to get into photography, they often get really overwhelmed, really fast! It’s these little mental blockers that make getting into photography tough for some, not the actual photography itself. I’m hoping that, even if you are new to photography, you may be able to connect with stories of facing a difficult situation in another area of your life and getting the best of it.
Notebook: This can be anything you want to keep it in, whether that be an actual journal that uses bullet points, a lined notebook, or even one you create online in a design app like I did (see right).
By setting aside time every day, you can learn a new language and give your brain a workout at the same time. The benefits go beyond learning a new language: you’ll also improve your memory and problem-solving skills. By choosing to make the learning process a hobby instead of taking classes, you’re able to decide how much time you set aside each day and when you practice. There are plenty of apps that can help you learn a new language, but I’m going to discuss the two I found most useful:
Everyone loves pizza! Yes, I’m even looking at you, health nuts. Pizza is the perfect thing to order when you’re feeling low maintenance, and are looking for something a little indulgent. Want to go out and eat? Order your pizza in the restaurant. Want to have a relaxing night in? Order your pizza for delivery! Either way, that melty, cheesy goodness is worth sacrificing your diet for a day.
Craig Bergner is a graduate of Winneconne High School and is a currently working to help his parents open a fish and coral store in Oshkosh, WI called 
Women’s Volleyball: Coach Dan Porath, porathd@uwgb.edu.
Men’s Basketball: Coach Bryan Wickstrom, wickstrb@uwgb.edu