May 19, 2025 (Summer)
Songs of the Summer: “Run” and “Santeria”
When thinking of the ideal summer soundtrack, two songs that immediately come to mind are “Run” by COIN and “Santeria” by Sublime. These tracks wonderfully capture the carefree, relaxed spirit of the season with their infectious energy and mellow rhythms.
“Run” by COIN delivers an energetic burst of indie pop, ovrflowing with catchy hooks and an upbeat tempo that evokes a sense of freedom and adventure. Its lyrics, centered around seizing the moment and pursuing new experiences, resonate deeply with the essence of summer, a delightful time for spontaneity and enjoyment. Whether you’re cruising with friends or dancing at a backyard gathering, this song adds a spark of excitement that feels just right for those sunny days.
Conversely, “Santeria” by Sublime offers a different summer vibe, more laid-back yet equally unforgettable. With its smooth reggae rhythm, easygoing guitar riffs, and catchy chorus, this track brings to mind sun-soaked days at the beach, savoring good drinks and great company. The song’s lovely blend of ska, reggae, and rock makes it a perfect complement for unwinding during those long, warm evenings.
Together, these songs beautifully encapsulate the spirit of summer, making them timeless anthems for the season.
While Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs is my go-to album every summer, one favorite from the tracklist is “Half Light II (No Celebration).” The whole album keeps a theme of growing up and the changes that happen between youth and adulthood. “Half Light II” continues this through lyrics that talk about how different their hometown seems now that they’ve returned after leaving. It uses loud notes and more somber lyrics to come together to make the listening experience more deeply felt.
“Beaches” by Beabadoobee is a song I only first heard a couple of months ago, but I immediately threw it on the summer ‘25 playlist. This song is great for a fresh new season as we head into summer. It has themes of contentment and self-assurance in times or moments where other things in life might feel or seem uncertain, progressing towards that final acceptance of taking risks and not being afraid to try something new or different. This song is perfect for the summer as new bucket lists and dreams are created, the air and opportunities are fresh and inviting, and changes are inevitable. Even if you’re scared or uncertain, you can still endure and embrace what’s to come as life goes on.
Okay, hear me out. Every time I mention this game to someone, I always get told, “Oh, I played that when I was a kid!” WolfQuest may or may not have been part of your childhood, but the game has evolved over the years and has become one of the best games for me to get mindlessly hyper-fixated on and play for hours on end. In 2019, WolfQuest: Anniversary Edition was released, and it was the perfect update that the old 2007 version desperately needed.
When it comes to fantasy video game series, there are few-to-none that I can think of that surpass Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls. I became a fan of the series through Skyrim, the fifth entry in the series, like many others, but the recently released Oblivion Remastered presents me with a new opportunity to play that game again. Originally released in 2006, Oblivion is the fourth game in the Elder Scrolls series, and while I’ve experienced it briefly in the past, I never had much motivation to venture through the whole game. After all, I began with Skyrim, so why would I go back to a game that’s essentially a downgraded version?
Summer is a time for relaxation and vacation, what better way to spend it than with a good game? Dwarf Fortress is my choice this summer. This game is a labor of love, built by a team of two developers over the course of 20+ years. Dwarf Fortress is a simulated city builder with manageable citizens and dwarves, each with their own distinct personalities and values. The world your fortress exists in is generated when you begin a new save, and each one has its own unique history. This attention to detail is what really makes the game for me, as it forces you to really care about the city you’re building. Dwarves need to be kept happy, weapons must be made, and alcohol is essential.
Finals week is almost over, and students at UW-Green Bay are pushing through the last stretch of the semester. It’s a time filled with late-night study sessions, papers, presentations, and plenty of caffeine. But just beyond the stress and deadlines, summer is waiting — with open skies, warm weather, and the freedom to finally take a breath.
As we look forward to Summer 2025, an exciting fashion trend is the use of sheer fabrics. This lively style brings a bold and vibrant flair to warm-weather outfits. Designers are eagerly using lovely materials like mesh, organza, chiffon, and lace to create dreamy and daring ensembles. This trend invites us to explore themes of layering and exposure, sparking creativity in styling that can range from soft romance to sleek minimalism.
For our summer issue, my wonderful “Nerd Zone” Co-Editor Julia and I chose to theme our articles as “Summer of Animation.” So in that spirit, I have decided to choose the Wikipedia article for Studio Ghibli. They’re the animation studio responsible for so many wonderful animated classics, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ponyo, and the list goes on.
Fun fact about me: I am a practicing Roman Catholic. Since I dedicate a good chunk of my life to Jesus, I was very aware that Pope Francis died. On April 21st, 2025, Pope Francis passed away peacefully and went up to see our heavenly Father. Lots of Catholics are saddened by the passing of our Pope, and I am one of those people.