The Driftwood #42: Sports Center

March 1, 2024

March Madness: What You Need to Know

March Madness basketballMarch Madness is coming around the corner. We should check and see how these college teams are doing.What is March Madness?March Madness is the yearly college basketball tournament held by the NCAA that spans from mid-March to early April. The tournament began with eight teams playing against one another in 1939, where Oregon beat Ohio State to take home the first tournament title. Over the years, it grew from an eight-team event to 16 in 1951. In 1975, it doubled to 32 before doubling again to 64 in 1985. Currently, 68 teams make it into the tournament with eight teams participating in play-in games to make the official first-round field of 64. (Play-in games are games you must win to get to the tournament and have to keep winning to move on. If a team loses two in a row, they’re out of the running) Learn more about the history of March Madness hereCollege Sports Scores For the Big Ten Conference (includes Madison)Wed, Feb 7th– Michigan beat Wisconsin 72 – 68– Northwestern beat Nebraska 80 – 68Thu, Feb 8th– Penn State beat Iowa 89 – 79

Sat, Feb 10th– Purdue beat Indiana 79 – 59– Michigan State beat Illinois 88 – 80– Rutgers beat Wisconsin 78 – 56– Ohio State beat Maryland in double overtime 79 – 75– Nebraska beat Michigan 79 – 59Sun, Feb 11th– Iowa beat Minnesota 90 – 85– Northwestern beat Penn State 68 – 63Tue, Feb 13th– Michigan beat Illinois. 97 – 68– Wisconsin beat Ohio State 62 – 54Wed, Feb 14th– Maryland beat Iowa. 78 – 66– Michigan State beat Penn State 80 – 72Thu, Feb 15th– Purdue beat Minnesota 84 – 76– Rutgers beat Northwestern 63 – 60How Teams Qualify for March MadnessCollege basketball teams can qualify for the March Madness Tournament by earning the automatic qualifying bid that is given to each conference. The winner of the conference tournament earns a right to the NCAA Tournament. After all the automatic bids are handed out, a selection committee fills out the rest of the field with deserving teams. After 32 teams earn automatic spots by winning conference tournaments, the NCAA Tournament selection committee convenes on Selection Sunday to decide on 36 teams that will earn at- large berths to round out the field of 68.2024 March Madness Predictions for Big Ten TeamsThe Purdue Boilermakers are locked to reach the NCAA Tournament and could wind up with the No. 1 overall seed. The No. 2-ranked Boilermakers have a 23-3 record, including 12-3 in Big Ten play. The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Wisconsin Badgers also appear to be locks to reach March Madness. The No. 14-ranked Fighting Illini are 19-6 and 10-4 in conference play, while the No. 20-ranked Badgers are 17-9 and 9-6 in Big Ten play. While the Michigan State Spartans have not entered the AP Top 25 Poll since November, they should once again reach the postseason, as they are 17-9 and 9-6 in the conference. The Northwestern Wildcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers also seem highly likely to qualify for March Madness. While both teams are 18-8, the Wildcats are 9-6 in Big Ten Play, while the Cornhuskers are 8-7.To see more scores and updates on the Big Ten, click here.

—Mackenzie Hebert, Sports Editor

The Driftwood #41: February 9, 2024

News, Events, and Happenings on the Marinette Campus

The Driftwood is our student-centered e-newsletter for the Marinette campus. We’ll bring you tips for navigating life as an on-campus or online student, as well as entertainment suggestions.

February 9, 2024 Contents

The Driftwood is published by UWGB’s ENG 224: Practicum in Literary Publishing class.

Sasha Bouyear: Trash Vortex Editor
Kayu Brooks: Music and TV Editor
Kana Coonce: Wandering Wikipedia Editor
Mackenzie Hebert: Sports Editor
Tiffany Jablonowski:  Local Events Editor
Ginger Knauer: Horoscopes Editor
Logan Meek: Nature and Podcasts Editor
Jalaine Olks: Books Editor
Payton Rhyner: Movies Editor
Cheyenne Schreiner: Self-Care Editor
Kelsey Vanderpool: YouTube Rabbit Hole Editor
Gage Wilson: Anime and Video Games Editor

Driftwood Advisor: Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Interested in being on the Driftwood and Northern Lights staff? Enroll in ENG 224: Practicum in Literary Publishing, available every spring. (Provides a Fine Arts general education credit.)

Questions or News Items? Contact The Driftwood‘s advisor, Tracy Fernandez Rysavy.

The Driftwood #41: Campus Services #1

February 9, 2024

Library Services Still Available for Marinette Students

library logoEven though our campus library has closed, students are still able to access library services–and you won’t have to drive to the Green Bay campus to do so. Here’s a brief list of what you can get through the UWGB library:

  • Research help: To access research assistance, visit the online Library Research Guide or call the research desk at 920/465-2540. You can also use the “Chat with a Librarian” e-chat feature. Just click on the chat pop-up on any library website page.
  • E-books and digital articles: 88% of the library’s collection is available digitally. Log into the library website and click the “Available online” checkbox in the Search@UW field, and enter your search terms to see what’s available.
  • Laptop and mobile hotspot checkout: If you need a laptop or a signal-boosting mobile hotspot for the semester, you may still check one out from the library. E-mail the circulation department (circdept@uwgb.edu) or call 920/465-2540, and the librarians will make arrangements to get one to you here in Marinette. You may also pick them up at the Green Bay or Sheboygan campus libraries if you’re nearby.
  • Citation help: Need help citing your sources in MLA or APA format? The library’s citation guide can help! You might also try the NoodleTools online tool, free through the library with your UWGB login.
  • Other questions: If you need help with any other library-related question, contact the Green Bay campus librarians via chat on the website, e-mail, or phone (920/465-2540).

The Driftwood #43: February Horoscopes

Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Aim for confidence without crossing into arrogance. Let go of past burdens and embrace forgiveness. The Pisces new moon on March 10th brings focus onto the positive, helping you handle challenges with maturity and self-assurance. Strive to maintain an optimistic yet humble outlook as you move forward in a healthy, productive direction.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Find a way to express your emotions in a healthy way. Trust and confide in your friends and family. Allow yourself to daydream but remain focused on achieving well-defined short term goals rather than being overwhelmed by ambitious long-term dreams. If you feel stuck, take things step-by-step to work steadily towards your goals.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Visualize success to clarify what your goals are. Now will be an excellent time to network and connect with like-minded people. The people in your corner will support you. Let go of things that are no longer serving you and embrace change.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Don’t shy away from expressing your opinions. There will always be someone that won’t agree with you. Assert yourself without being combative, as arguments aren’t worth your time. Focus on your inner growth and peace without worrying about validation.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Embrace heartfelt conversations with people you wish to deepen a connection with. Don’t be afraid to open up and be vulnerable, as this could lead to healing and growth. Prioritize your happiness, don’t fixate on what you think others want from you.

Virgo (August 23 – September 23)
Get the ball rolling by expressing what you need and desire. Don’t expect others to read your mind. Recognize your worth not by your merit to other people, but to yourself.

Libra (September 23 – October 21)
Seize the day. This month, you will be feeling energized and inspired. Tackle the projects you’ve been procrastinating on. Unlock your inner potentional by recognizing barriers in your life.

Scorpio (October 22 – November 20)
There’s no reason to tackle a burden on your own; ask for help. Remember to slow down and listen to your body. Take breaks when you need to, so you can prevent yourself from burning out.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Prioritize experiences that make you happy rather than chasing fleeting moments. Focus on what is truly good for your state of mind. Figure out what you are ruminating about and break past the barriers.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Rise above conflicts that may arise this month. Cherish the small things in your life and your conflicts will not seem to be as big of a deal as they once were.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Express your thoughts and opinions with confidence. Demonstrate maturity by being the bigger person. Be open to criticism and take responsibility for any mistakes you may make.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Stop comparing your journey to others. You are your own unique special person with your own life. Lower your expectations of the future and live in the moment. By doing this, you will allow yourself to grow and reinvent yourself in the best way possible.

Ginger Knauer, Horoscopes Editor

The Driftwood #43: Wandering Wikipedia

Useless knowledge we dug up this week.

Fustian

fustian in several colorsNow, I know what you’re thinking: “Fustian? Is that another one of those literary subgenres? A kind of psychological trope, maybe?” I am here to tell you in a very fustian manner that you are wrong about the meaning of “fustian.” Fustian means a fewstian things, but firstian things first: We’re here to discuss wordplay.

Fustian is a heavy cloth woven from cotton. Today, we’re more familiar with some of its varietiesdenim, corduroy, velveteen, and moleskinbut fustian dates all the way back to the middle ages. Historians believe that fustian may have been named after the Egyptian city of Fustat, its likely birthplace. Over the next few centuries, fustian spread up into and across Europe, gaining popularity for its cost-effectiveness and durability. Long story short, a lot of people used fustian for a lot of things.

One of those things was padding clothing. In addition to being cost-effective and durable, fustian is also thick. This made it a natural choice to use as insulation for cold-weather clothing. And as fashions changed, tailors began to put that padding in less practical places, too. Anyone like shoulderpads?

As it always does, the English language took its own course. Clothing is not the only thing that can be padded; writing can, too. In the 1600s, “fustian” became an adjective used to describe someone who is trying too hard to sound smart. Purple prose? Sounds pretty fustian to me.  Incidentally, another synonym is “bombast,” a word that originally meant—you guessed it, a type of padding.

—Kana Coonce, Wandering Wikipedia Editor

Photo from Arad Branding, an exporter of Iranian goods.

The Driftwood #43: YouTube Rabbit Hole

Videos for Better Sleep and Study Habits

These YouTube videos were chosen to help readers with sleep and studying, even adding a studying playlist of instrumental but peaceful music to make long studying sessions all the better.

screenshot of videoYT1: Proven Sleep Tips: How to Fall Asleep Faster
Many of us students struggle to sleep so we rely on energy drinks and coffee to keep us awake throughout the day. This video gives us tips on how to sleep better.

 

YT2: Become a Top 1% Student
screenshot of videoIt’s that time of the semester when we lose the motivation to do our schoolwork and study; all we want to do is lie in bed or stay in and do anything but schoolwork. This video gives us college students tips on how to study better.

YT3: Romanticizing Studying Playlist
screenshot of videoI find it helpful when studying to listen to music without lyrics, so I don’t get distracted by the words coming from the artists I am listening to. This playlist is full of instrumental music to help students study better.

—Kelsey Vanderpool, YouTube Editor

The Driftwood #43: Self-Care Corner (Part 2)

Tips for to Doing a Digital Detox

outdoor yogaSet yourself up for success and plan for your detox by picking a reasonable timeframe for the cleanse. Then, try the following activities to take your mind off your gadgets:

  • Volunteer, read, learn a new skill, and socialize with loved ones.
  • Spend more time in nature.
  • Consume information mindfully. By putting your phone down, you can look at the world differently and take in information you wouldn’t before. Go to nature spots you wouldn’t before and learn more about what surrounds  you.
  • Go out and shop with friends and don’t bring any phones. Just have it be your group and shopping, and have some fun.
  • Go out and eat with friends and talk about what is going on in your life and theirs.
  • Be with family and enjoy the time you have with them. Life is short, and people need to live it to their best ability. You can do that without a phone.

—Mackenzie Hebert

The Driftwood #43: Self-Care Corner (Part 1)

Digital Detoxing

manual typewriter with "digital detox" on typed pageWhat is digital detoxing? It is usually classified as when a person takes some time away from electronic devices and social media, which then provides an opportunity for a person to focus on social relationships and reduce stress. I know how much any social-media platform can affect someone within all aspects of their lives. Social media puts immense pressure on people, because they start comparing their lives, jobs, looks, and relationships to the “perfect” ones that influencers get paid to post.

Digital detoxing has wonderful benefits. Not only does it reduce stress, but it also can improve mental health. It also helps people regroup and focus on themselves and their lives. Some other benefits include things like increased productivity, better sleep, mood boosts, and even better physical health. Digital detoxing has also been known to reduce brain fog, boost creativity, and sharpen our attention span.

You can detox for as little or as long as you would like. The average time for a detox to be effective is 72 hours electronics-free; it is also recommended that you spend these hours in nature. If you want to feel max benefits and effects, the minimum amount of time for this would be the 72 hours. You may be thinking, “Well, how do I keep myself off my electronics?” Some suggestions would be to go out in nature where you would not have service or internet, get a lock box to put your phone and chargers for your electronics in it, or leave your phone out of your bedroom when going to sleep and invest in an alarm clock. Setting time limits on your streaming services, social media sites, or your work apps is recommended after your initial digital detox. Another way to digital detox without completely cutting out electronics is setting the “do not disturb” feature on your devices when doing work or going to sleep.

The word detox can make this sound like some big thing, but it truly is very simple. There are many resources out there to help you make your digital detoxing experience beneficial to you. The things that were discussed above are aimed to help you know how beneficial to yourself a digital detox could be. Digital detoxing will help you transform your relationship with your electronic devices and not rely on them so much.

—Cheyenne Schreiner, Self-Care Editor

The Driftwood #43: Sports Center (Part 2)

Influential Athlete: Serena Williams

Serena WilliamsThis edition’s influential athlete is Serena Williams, a famous tennis player sponsored by the brand Nike. Williams has a website called Serena’s World, which contains details of Williams’s various charitable donations and information on the Yetunde Price Resource Center, which was founded by the Williams family to help honor the lives and memories of its namesake, who was killed by a violent act. The Yetunde Price center ensures that the people who are affected by trauma get and have the necessary resources to flourish and survive. The Williams Family also collaborates with various local organizations to offer healing and trauma-informed programs to the people of Compton, California. The center also provides critical resources and services to the families that have been impacted or influenced by violence. It is a safe space that fosters healing, sharing, and supporting affected people. Serena herself is the face of the center because of her social media presence, which helps draw in a lot of support to the center.

Cheyenne Schreiner

Photo by an unknown photographer, licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND.

The Driftwood #43: The Trash Vortex

You’ve reached the place where all the bad, but oh-so-satisfying entertainment exists. Here, in the Trash Vortex, we provide you with only the trashiest, most bingeworthy recommendations. It’s a dark hole you won’t escape!

Trashy Female Superhero Movies

Some 20 years ago, comic book-inspired films found their footing, expanding further into cultural staples like 2008’s The Dark Knight and Iron Man. Before them? Outside the exceptional few, such as X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002), the world had a rather … different lineup of superheroes than the household names we’ve come to embrace.

Catwoman (2004)

Catwoman posterAward-winning actress Halle Berry of X-Men fame plays a revived graphic designer-turned-literal Catwoman who’s … clearly meant to be the supposed DC Comics antihero. Probably in the same way Frankenstein-ing some two to three crosscuts in five seconds flat is supposed to be “fast-paced,” or that handwriting analysis is supposed to predict your personality. It’s almost captivating to watch a movie trip over itself at every opportunity, at every ideaall in service of a “creative vision” that should never be left five feet within a woman nor a pleather catsuit ever again.

Caution: I’d be remiss not to issue an epilepsy warning, partly due to the film’s overediting and select scenes of flashing lights.

Fantastic Four (2005)

Fantastic Four posterGiven these superheroes’ history of lackluster film adaptions, Tim Story’s was certainly no different. Its characterization-first approach and rather pitch-perfect cast softens the bare-bones plot, allowing a poignant look into othering and disability via the Thing; otherwise, the film struggles to innovate outside just fulfilling an archetypal superhero origins story. Expect a circa-2005 approximation of human interaction, Chris Evans’s most punchable performance known to man, and a whole lot of cheese.
—Sasha Bouyear, Trash Vortex Editor
Elektra (2005)

Elektra posterBack in the early 2000s, Hollywood finally decided to give women a shot at starring in a superhero film. Having had my fill of various Superman and Batman incarnations, I eagerly anticipated Elektra, starring Jennifer Garner. At the time, Garner was the up-and-coming star of the popular Alias TV show, playing spy and mistress-of-disguise Sydney Bristow. With biceps even Angela Basset might envy and a flair for elegantly lethal fight choreography, Garner seemed like the perfect person to show that women could headline a blockbuster action franchise.

The problem was, the script they gave her was so bad, my cats would probably balk if I lined their litterbox with it. In fact, I’ve mentally blocked Elektra‘s plot beyond the barest details, and I can’t bring myself to watch again, even for the sake of modeling good journalism. So I’m relying on an IMDB summary to let you know that the film centers on skilled martial artist Elektra Natchios, who was killed in the 2003 film Daredevil but is here resurrected by Stick, her blind martial arts guru. But Elektra can’t let go of her Batman-style anger over witnessing her mother’s murder, so Stick banishes her from training, though she’s been with him long enough to foster an ability to see short glimpses of the future, which give her an edge in combat. She becomes a contract killer, and we rejoin her as she receives a summons from her agent, who directs her to spend a few days on a random island, where the person who is hiring her will eventually reveal her assassination targets. Why the wait? We don’t know. Some time on the beach might be great for Elektraafter all, a girl needs a break from murder-for-hire from time to time. But it’s deathly boring for the audience. What follows is a messy plot involving juvenile pickpockets, astral projection, some dude named Mark, and a group of men with stupid names like “Typhoid” and “Tattoo,” because apparently naming their martial arts master “Stick” wasn’t enough for the screenwriters.

What makes me salty is that between the colossal failure that was the equally ridiculous Catwoman (see Sasha’s review, above) and this giant flop of a film, Hollywood decided that “women can’t headline superhero movies.” No. These two films only proved that even a future Golden Globe- and a future Oscar-winner couldn’t salvage terrible scripts that would have been vastly improved by sending them through a paper shredder and randomly reassembling the pieces. It wouldn’t be until 2018’s record-breaking Wonder Woman that director Patti Jenkins would be able to demonstrate the error in this patriarchal logic, with a film that added the all-important killer script and stunning action sequences to the solid acting.

Sadly, Garner’s career never really recovered. Although she received a People’s Choice Award for favorite action-movie actress for Elektra, she was relegated to playing two-dimensional soccer moms for years after Alias ended its run in 2006. However, Garner is due to embrace her right to bare arms and reprise her role as Elektra in Deadpool & Wolverine, coming out later this year. Here’s hoping these writers give her something better to work with, or at least something we can hate-watch without accidentally slipping into a boredom coma.

—Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, Driftwood Advisor