February 10, 2022
Dying Light
The idea of the living versus the dead is a common cliché that games use, except in the case of Dying Light, which puts a whole new spin on this game trope. Dying Light was released in 2015, and it took the gaming world by storm. It is a game where fighting was not your only choice. You not only navigate the world horizontally but vertically as well with the game’s revolutionizing parkour system that allows you to be quick on your feet while fighting the undead. The overall story is great. I won’t spoil anything major; you are Kyle Crane, a GRE agent tasked with finding a file containing information about what was happening in the city of Harran. The voice acting is well done, and the number of ways to deal with enemies is endless, whether you like to use bladed weapons, blunt weapons guns, or even a bow. However, in this game you, aren’t an invincible individual, and you have things that you should avoid at all costs; as the game’s reoccurring message goes, “Good Night, Good Luck.” As that saying hints, the night is when the nightmares are out, and the whole game shifts from just fighting the undead to trying to get to safety before you get hunted down by the “nightmares,” which are zombies at night that are faster, stronger, and deadlier than their daytime counterparts. It is a vast experience, and it offers an abundance of stuff to do in the open world. If you enjoyed it, then feel free to look into the sequel that came out recently. Available for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and for PC on Steam.
—Will Kosmal, Gaming Editor
Emily in Paris: Where to begin with Emily in Paris? Emily, our heroine—if we can call her this—parades around the Parisian streets in wild outfits with her smartphone always ready to fire the next tweet. She is a marketing executive and American to the core.
Bridgerton: Phoebe Bridgerton has it all: wealth, beauty, bespoke gowns, and a ridiculously good-looking set of seven brothers and sisters. When she makes her debut at court, Queen Charlotte steps forward and proclaims her the “diamond of the season.” Of course, it’s all downhill from there. Her overbearing brother Anthony chases away all of her suitors except creepy, handsy Nigel Berbrooke. A gossip pamphlet written by the infamous, anonymous “Lady Whistledown” declares that Phoebe has more in common with a lump of coal than a sparkling jewel. And to top it all off, the arrogant Lord Simon Hastings thinks she’s chasing after him like all of the other eligible women of the ton, just because she bumped into him. What’s a Regency-era girl to do? Punch Nigel in the face, deliver the mother of all set-downs to Lord Hastings, and refuse to settle for anything but true love, that’s what. Created by Gray’s Anatomy producer and head writer Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton actually improves on the Julia Quinn novels upon which it’s based. (I can count on my thumbs the number of times I’ve said that about a film or series….) Rhimes and showrunner Chris Van Dusen add groundbreaking diversity to the cast and take Quinn’s family matriarchs from shrewish cliches to strong, whipsmart women you can root for. Be forewarned that there are some spicier scenes—the show definitely earns its “Mature” rating. But the storytelling is fast-paced and fun, the romance packs an emotional punch with every episode, and the costumes are worth watching all on their own (despite their anachronistic zippers). If you haven’t watched this trash-tastic Regency romp yet, what are you waiting for? There’s still time to catch up before Season 2 launches March 25th. Available on Netflix. 
A negative outlook on life can have lasting effects. According to an article put out by Marque Medical titled “The Damaging Effects of Negativity,” people who spend months or even years thinking negatively can experience numerous mental and physical effects, including hostility, anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, headaches, fatigue, problems sleeping, and eating disorders. Living with positivity can lead to better self-confidence, good habits, and a healthier body. But how can someone go from a negative outlook to a positive one?
Swearing comes to some of us as a reaction to something surprising and to others like a first language. Normal for some, it might also point to underlying personal troubles that may need addressing in order to lead a fulfilling and happy life. Recognizing why you swear can help you determine if it’s a harmless occurrence or if you’re struggling mentally and emotionally to cope with negative situations happening in your life. Left unchecked, these issues can lead to a highly negative outlook on life and all the damaging effects that come with it. It’s important that you know when you need to take a break and address these feelings directly, rather than attempting to cope alone.
We all know that feeling of grogginess, exhaustion, and overall disgust when you wake up in the morning, wanting to immediately fall back asleep. One common method of removing this disgusting feeling is drinking coffee, but that energizing effect gradually weakens the more often you have it. There’s also the fact that you can become addicted to coffee, so trying to quit after a long period of time will likely make you feel worse. If you’d prefer not to become dependent on coffee but still have something to help you wake up, here are some suggestions:
October 23, 8:32 AM
Mr. Jameson strolled along the familiar winding path to see his lover, despite the constant ache in his bones. Once he reached her, he lowered down to the morning dew-soaked grass, and he set to work. He tidied her plot, pulling weeds from the gravestone’s base, but left a single dandelion sprouting from the earth. He could see her dancing around the yard, tiny yellow suns stuck in her short, springy hair as she smiled in utter joy. Spinning her at arm’s length, the love of his life laughed in a voice that sounded like home. Just as he leaned to kiss her soft, dark cheek, she faded from view. Mr. Jameson rose from the ground with a tear in his eye and the words, “I’ll see you next week, dear” on his lips.
The reaches I would go for you be deep
As human beings, each and every one of us has a cherished real-life experience that we yearn to share with the world. Something that we are either proud or embarrassed about, something in which we simply find nostalgia. Travels, silly mishaps, successful achievements, and warm family interactions are some of the many events that will forever be placed in our long-term memories. If there are any real-life stories that you yearn to share—it can be ANYTHING—