Category: Uncategorized

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Biggest Draft Busts Since the 1990s

For as long as the NFL Draft has been around, there have always been players who’ve never lived up to the hype put on them by sports analysts and fans alike. Often called “busts.” these athletes end up failing when they get to the league; this could be due to a variety of factors that all come down to how well the player is able to transition from a college football player to a multi-million-dollar professional athlete. This week, we’ll be looking at two of these players and discussing how they were projected to do in the league by sports analysts and scouts, and how they ultimately ruined their careers once in the NFL.

Starting off strong, we have a second overall pick by the name of Ryan Leaf, who was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL Draft. Watching Leaf during the 1998 Combine, many scouts and football-analysts praised him for his arm strength and overall potential to do well in the league. However, there were others who took issue with his performance during the combine, stating that they saw a lack of maturity, leadership, work-ethic, and overall football understanding from the young prospect. These analyses of him and his performance at the combine frustrated and infuriated Leaf, who often called them “lies” and “bullshit.” However, they would all come to be right as Leaf’s career in the league was plagued with obstacles both on and off the field. He struggled to develop at the professional level, battled substance abuse, arrests, and even ended up serving a prison sentence. With such a dramatic downfall, it’s safe to say that Ryan Leaf’s NFL career was over even before it began.

Another notable bust was JaMarcus Russell, who was picked first overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft. During his combine performance, scouts and football analysts alike all thought very highly of Russell, citing his impressive arm strength, massive size at 6-foot 5-inches tall and 265 pounds, and movement within the pocket and on the run. For the most part, everyone viewed him positively and considered him to go #1 overall in the draft, as he did. However, much like Ryan Leaf, Russell struggled upon making it into the NFL. Most notably in his work ethic, which was made evident in one instance where the Raiders coaching staff sent Russell home with blank films of practice footage to study. The next time they saw him, the staff asked him about the film, to which he stated that he’d been studying “blitz packages” on the tapes. Knowing the films where blank and that Russell was lying, the team benched him for the entirety of his third season and released him shortly thereafter … marking the end of his NFL career.

 —Seth VanEss, Sports Editor

May 7, 2025

The 6 D’s of Self-Care

Self-care is essential for maintaining both our mental and physical well-being, especially in today’s fast-paced world. The 6 D’s of self-care provide a comprehensive framework to help us prioritize our health and happiness. Let’s explore each of these principles to enhance our self-care journey!

1. Disconnect: Take a break from technology and social media. Unplugging helps reduce stress and allows you to focus on your mental wellbeing.
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2. Declutter: Organize your space to create a calming environment. A tidy space can lead to a clearer mind and less anxiety.
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3. Decompress: Find activities that help you relax, like meditation, deep breathing, or taking a warm bath. It’s important to give yourself time to unwind
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4. Delight: Engage in activities that bring you joy, whether it’s reading a book, painting, or spending time with loved ones. Prioritizing what makes you happy is essential for self-care.
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5. Discover: Take time to explore new hobbies or interests. Trying something new can boost your mood and provide a sense of accomplishment.
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6. Discipline: Establish routines and set boundaries to maintain your self-care practices. Being disciplined about your self-care helps ensure that you prioritize your well-being consistently.

By focusing on disconnecting, decluttering, decompressing, delighting, discovering, and practicing discipline, we can create a balanced lifestyle that nurtures our mind, body, and soul.

—Jenna Fintelmann, Self-Care Editor

May 7, 2025

Coachella Fashion

Coachella 2025 showcased a vibrant array of fashion, with celebrities flaunting bold styles and nostalgic trends.

Megan Thee Stallion grabbed attention in a Y2K-inspired look, complete with ultra-low-rise jeans and a denim bikini top, marking the return of the “whale tail” trend. ​

Jennie from BLACKPINK enchanted fans in a Western-inspired ensemble featuring red shorts, a cowboy hat, and vintage Mugler pieces, such as jewelry or shirts. Even when faced with a wardrobe malfunction due to a tight leather jacket, she elegantly managed the hiccup, revealing a chic cutout tank top and cape underneath.

Lady Gaga made a striking appearance in a red Victorian-themed outfit that served as both clothing and performance art, merging high fashion with theatricality.

Tyla (pictured above) embraced early 2000s pop aesthetics with a green bikini and zebra boots, shaking off comparisons to Britney Spears.

Charli D’Amelio, the TikTok sensation turned multi-talented star, made an impression with her numerous appearances and performances and significantly impacted the festival’s atmosphere.

Coachella 2025 celebrated the creativity and diversity of celebrity fashion, showcasing looks from Western styles to futuristic designs, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as a vital moment in the entertainment fashion calendar.

May 7, 2025

Wandering Wikipedia: The Whisky War

This week, I was feeling a little silly, so I pulled up an article on one of the silliest wars in history: the Whisky War. (Note: The beverage’s spelling depends on its country of origin; American-produced
varieties such as Bourbon, rye, and Tennessee, as well as Irish spirits utilize the “whiskey”
spelling, whereas spirits from Scotland, Canada, and Japan utilize the “whisky” spelling.)

This was a lighthearted conflict in which no casualties were incurred. The conflict itself arose from an agreement all the way back in December of 1973 between Canada and Denmark to place a border on the continental shelf between Greenland and Canada. Unfortunately, an island by the name of Hans Island was split almost directly in half by this border. At the time, however, they agreed to settle the territorial dispute of Hans Island at a later date.

Jump to 11 years later, in 1984. Canadian soldiers visited Hans island, planting a Canadian flag, and left a bottle of Canadian Whisky. Later the same year, the Danish minister of Greenland affairs came to the island with the Danish flag, which he carefully and respectfully used to replace the Canadian flag, before leaving a bottle of Danish Schnapps and a letter saying “Welcome to the Danish island.” Thus began the almost 40-year-long Whisky War. This war was entirely peaceful, and simply involved countries arriving on Hans island, replacing their flags with all due respect, and leaving behind various items of significance, such as Danish stone cairns, Inuit cairns called Inukshuk, or bottles of liquor. (Pictured above: Cdr. Per Starklint hoists the Danish flag on Hans Island in 2003 during the Whiskey War.)

The war came to an end in June of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The two countries came to a peaceful agreement, where they simply divided the island between the two. This was meant to show other nations, namely Russia, that disputes can be settled peacefully.

And that’s all the random knowledge we’ve got for you this week. Tune in next week for the next edition of Wandering Wikipedia.

May 7, 2025

Meme of the Week: The Minecraft Movie

We have had a lot of memes spring up from the first chunk of 2025, and most of them have been hit or miss. Like most memes, one second a meme shows up and becomes popular, and in the next second, it’s gone like the wind. But a slew of popular memes sticking around are crafted from one particular source: A Minecraft Movie (2025).

As someone who has played Minecraft a total of two times, I don’t know much about the game. All I know is that one day, my socials were full of memes from the recently released movie. After reading reviews and getting opinions from friends, I realized why this movie has taken off the way it did. Is it because the movie was in production limbo for over 10 years? Is it because the director of this movie, Jared Hess, made Napoleon Dynamite? Or maybe it’s the next Citizen Kane? No, it’s none of those things.

The Minecraft movie is mid, but it’s a cinematic experience.

All of the major memes that came from the movie have rippled from audience enjoyment. Being in a theater filled with excited kids to watch their favorite game on the big screen can lead to very interesting experiences. When the main character Steve (Jack Black) says “Chicken Jockey!” everyone yells in unison and cheers. When a Minecraft reference is on screen, everyone is happy to see it. It’s a movie made for fans, who want to share these experiences with the world by celebrating every familiar reference.

I honestly kind of respect A Minecraft Movie for being a silly, fun time. Critics don’t like this movie for multiple reasons, such as the story and characters. But that’s not the point of the movie. This movie is a celebration of the game, and Minecraft is more popular than ever. I haven’t even seen the movie, but I catch myself quoting “I am Steve” or singing the Flint and Steel song. It’s a pop culture moment, and it’s not going away anytime soon.

Now, I’m heading to the theater to watch this stupid yet endearing movie in all its glory.

May 7, 2025

Fantasy Fight Club: Jessie vs. James

Welcome back to Fictional Fight Club, where two fictional characters FIGHT TO THE DEATH! Last week, we had heroes battle it out. But this week’s battle is with villains. Our first two competitors are usually a packaged deal, causing mischief wherever they trek. After attempting and failing on capturing Pikachu, these two are at their wits end and ready to take it out on each other. Prepare for trouble and make it double! It’s Jessie and James from Pokemon!

Both of them are goofy goobers with one goal in mind: capturing Pikachu to give to their boss, Giovanni. Even though their goals are similar, they come from completely different backgrounds. James grew up rich but neglected by his parents, while Jessie was poor and rejected from being a Pokemon nurse. Both of their motivations and charming personalities lead them to be a fun duo, but it can cause arguments and eventual battles.

Speaking of which, it’s battle time! Starting off, Jessie throws out an Arbok, a poison Pokemon. James retaliates with Inkay, a dark and psychic Pokemon. After dealing out a Poison Fang from Arbok, Inkay strikes back Hypnosis. While asleep, Inkay hit Arbok with a critical hit, leaving the Pokemon to faint. Jessie wasn’t done though, as she pulled out another special Pokemon, the ghost & fairy Pokemon, Mimikyu.

Mimikyu came out swinging, hitting Inkay with an Energy Burst. Taking a lot of damage, the Pokemon fainted, leading James to change course. He throws out Growlithe, the fire Pokemon, attacking with a Flash Fire. Both Pokemon were fighters, each dealing devastating hits one after the other, healing in between. They head towards each other in fury, crashing against one another.

After the smoke cleared, Jessie and James realized that both of their Pokemon had fainted at the same time. Before throwing out another Pokemon, Meowth, their third, came prowling in, bashing their heads together. After yelling at them for being stupid, the two of them apologized to each other. With their petty squabble out of the way, they are now off to try to capture Pikachu once again. Now, for the main event, giving it up for Joker and Harley Quinn!

May 7,2025

Fantasy Fight Club: Harley Quinn vs. the Joker

Are you ready to rumble?

This week, we have an absolutely iconic pair of challengers, both of which hail from the dark, gritty city of Arkham. They both

belong in a mental asylum, and neither of them know mercy.

In the red and blue corner, or perhaps the red and black corner, if she’s feeling retro, is Harleen Quinzel, more commonly known as Harley Quinn. Standing at 5 foot 7, and 140 lbs., She’s durable, quick, and insanely lethal. She’s got an entire arsenal of weapons that are always down to clown; however, her favorite is her signature  oversized mallet. If her opponent isn’t careful, he’s sure to get squashed.

In the purple and green corner is none other than Jack Oswald White, otherwise known as the Joker. While he may not have any superhuman abilities, he’s been known to be crafty and a master of chemical engineering. This is why his arsenal consists of poisons, razor-tipped playing cards, lethally strong joy buzzers, and lapel flowers that spray acid.

Now, the fighters step into the ring. Harley’s got her hammer cocked over her shoulder, and the Joker is shuffling his deck. Harley takes a swing, and the Joker lets one of his razor cards fly. Harley watches as the Joker is easily thrown against the bricks but doesn’t escape the card, and it leaves a cut on her arm. The sudden pain seems to snap them out of it for a moment, and they realize how silly this fight is.

The Joker gets up, gives Harley a hug, and says “Let’s get out of here, puddin’.” Harley agrees, and off they go. So who wins? They both do. The crazy folks deserve each other.

And that’s tonights throwdown, no refunds. Thank you for coming, and tune in next week for the next issue of Fantasy Fight Club.

MAy 7,2025

The Hinterkaifeck Murders

Trigger warning: home invasion, mass murder, and child murder.

Unsolved homicides are one of, if not the most terrifying concept to come out of the true crime genre. Whether they occur within the U.S. or not, these crimes often leave many questions unanswered and keep citizens on edge for years, which only adds to their unsettling nature. Coming out of Waidhofen, Bavaria, Germany, our case this week, known only as the Hinterkaifeck murders, surrounds the gruesome slaughter of the Gruber family, a family of five, and their maid by an unknown assailant at their Bavarian farmstead on March 31, 1922.

On the evening of March 31, 1922, four of the six victims: Andreas Gruber (63), Cäzilia Gruber (72), Viktoria Gabriel (35), and Cäzilia Gabriel (7) were lured one by one into the family barn on the property and killed by the assailant who struck each of them in the head with a mattock (a small pickaxe). After murdering the first four members of the Gruber family, the assailant hid their bodies in the barn under a large mound of hay and moved into their home. Once inside, the assailant immediately located and killed two-year-old Joseph Gabriel with the mattock as he slept in his bassinet. After murdering Joseph, they silently crept into the bedroom of the family’s maid, 44-year-old Maria Baumgartner, and, with a few powerful blows to the head, murdered her in her sleep, as well.

Following the murders, the assailant lived in the home for three days with the six bodies of his victims hidden away in the barn right outside. During this time, they ate food from the fridge and around the house, fed the property’s barn animals, and started fires in the home’s fireplace. After the three days had passed, they simply walked off the property and were never located. German police wouldn’t launch any
investigation until days later when the bodies were finally discovered. They considered and investigated many suspects as a part of the search for answers; however, due to several inconsistencies between them and what was known based off the evidence from the crime scene, no one was arrested and formally charged in the Gruber family’s murders. To this day, this case remains unsolved and is considered to be one of the most gruesome and puzzling unsolved crimes in German history.