CSDprovidesanextremelyvaluableresourceforstudents:theEnglishasa NewLanguage(ENL)departmentManystudentscometothedistrictwith limitedEnglishproficiencyduetothefactthattheyspeaka
differentlanguageathomeorhaverecentlyimmigratedtotheUS.Comingtoa newschoolisalwaysterrifying,butit’sevenmoredifficultwhenonedoesn’t speakthelanguageusedbystudents,teachers,andstaff.
The Tattler spokewithJoeMcMahon,ateacher’sassistant(TA)inENL (studentscallhimMr JoeorjustJoe) He'stheonlyTAinENLthisyearand worksalongsidetwoteachers,JenniferJohnsonandBrianKane Theentire departmentconsistsoffourpeople,withKaneservingasthedepartmentchair McMahonnotedthatthenumberofstudentswhoenrollinENLvariesfromyear toyear,butit’salwaysahugeresponsibilityforthissmalldepartmentinwhich everyoneisoverwhelmedandoverworked.Thereisnodominantlanguageinthe department;studentscomefromallovertheworld.WhenMcMahonbegan workinghere,manystudentswereBurmeseandspokeKaren.Nowthere’san influxofstudentsfromUkraine.ThedemographicsoftheENLclassroomare alwayschanging,andtheteacherscontinuetoworkhardtosupportthem
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BeforeCOVID19shutdowns,ENLhadalargeroominK buildingtowhichallENLstudentscouldcomeduringtheirfree periodsandtheirlunch McMahonsharesthatthiswas“asafe space,acomfortablespaceforthem Theydidn’thavetoworry abouthavinganaccentornotknowingtherightword because everybodywasprettymuchinthesameboat”Inthisclassroom, studentshelpedeachotheroutandbuiltabeautifulcommunity withtheirpeers.
However,asthenumberofstudentsenrolledinENLwentdown, theyweremovedtoasmallerspace.Eventhoughthenumbers havesincerisen,theyarestillconfinedtoasmallclassroominthe depthsofEBuilding.Insomeperiods,therearen’tevenenough desksforallthestudentspresent,andtheENLteachersandaides can’tcomfortablymovearoundtheroomAlackofadequatespace isaseriousissueforthisalreadyoverlookeddepartment,anissue severalotherdepartmentsarefacing,asclassnumbersincrease acrosstheboardandclassroomsbecomemoreandmorecrowded
ItisalsodifficultfortheENLstafftocommunicatewiththeir students,whocomefromallovertheworldandsometimesdon’t speakawordofEnglish.Manyoftheteachersspeakdifferent languages,suchasSpanish,buttheyencounterchallengeswhen studentscomefromcountriesthatspeaklanguagesthey’renot familiarwithGoogleTranslateandothertranslatorappsareused whenworkingwithstudents,butthisisnotareliablemethodWe alsospokewithTaliaKedar'24,aHebrewspeakingstudentwho wasenrolledinENLinthe20212022schoolyear Shesaidthat whileitisdifficulttoworkwiththeselanguagebarriers,everyone isdoingtheirbestanditworksoutfine.Shedidmention, however,thatshecametotheUSalreadyquitecomfortablewith English,whichisn'tthecaseforseveralofthestudentsthisyear andinyearspast.
Translatorsaresometimesbroughtinforfinalexamstosupport ENLstudents Havingtranslatorsallyearlongwouldgreatly benefittheschool,buttightbudgetsmakethismorecomplicated However,giventhatICSDisafinanciallywelloffdistrict,having translatorsshouldbeworthourinvestment Havingafewmore teachersinthedepartmentwhoarebilingualortrilingualin diverselanguagescouldmakedaytodaylifeforforeignstudents mucheasier.
Inaddition,manystudentswithinIHSspeaklanguagesother thanEnglishathome.IHSalreadyhasamathtutoringprogram thatseniorscanenrollintogettheirmathcredit,sowhynotcreate asimilarprogramforENL?Havingateamofstudentsworking withENLstudentswouldfosterastrongercommunityandlessen theburdenofthestaff Thestudenttutorsthemselveswould benefitgreatlyfromanexperiencelikethis,whichprovidesskills thattheymayneedlaterinlife ENLstudentswouldlikelyfeel morecomfortablelearningwithpeersbytheirside,whospeak theirnativelanguage.Whenthisideawasproposedtoboth McMahonandKedar,thereactionwaspositive.Kedaralsoadded thatthiswouldbeagreatwaytomakefriends,whichcanbehard fornewstudents.Tomakethisprogrampossible,Englishspeaking
IHSseniorscouldmeetwithanENLteacherandstudentto demonstratetheirproficiencyinthegivenlanguage.Ifthestudent mentor and mentee are able to communicate effectively, the Englishspeakingstudentcouldbeassignedaperiodwherethey canworkwiththeENLstudenttotranslatewhattheteachersays, whathomeworkisassigned,andmore Thiswouldbeagreat programtoimplementinthe20232024schoolyearandcould taketheplaceofanEnglishorWorldLanguageelective.
McMahonalsoofferedanothersolution:oneguidancecounselor forallENLstudents.Inourcurrentsystem,studentsenrolledin ENLareassignedtocounselorsthesamewayallotherstudentsare bylastname.Thismeansthattheschedulesofindividualstudents aren’torganizedefficiently;forexample,McMahonspokeabout yearsinwhichmultipleENLstudentshavebeeninthesame subjectbutdifferentclassroomsatagiventime,creatingchallenges forthealreadyoverextendedstaffIftherewasoneappointedENL guidancecounselor,schedulescouldbeplannedinawaythatputs ENLstudentstogether,sooneTAcansitinonthatclassandassist. Thiswouldalsobebeneficialbecausetheguidancecounselor wouldbewellversedintheprocessofbeingenrolledinENL,and knowexactlyhowtosupporttheirstudents.Fromyeartoyear,this counselorwouldbecomemoreandmorecomfortablewiththe innerworkingsofthedepartment,andbetheindividualthat studentsandparentscanrelyon
InadditiontostudentsinENL,therearemanystudentsthat mayhavesomelanguagebarriersbutdon’tfullyqualifyforENL EmmaMori'25,astudentfromJapan,told The Tattler abouther experiencecomingtoIHSfivemonthsago.Sherequestedsupport fromENLforunderstandingspecificEnglishvocabularyinher classes,buttheytoldhertheywereunabletoprovidethis.Emma spokeEnglish,butherentireeducationhadbeeninJapaneseso thereweretermsinScienceandEnglishclassesthatsheneeded translated ENLcan’tbecriticizedforbeingunabletoprovide supportforstudentsinthissortofposition theysimplydon’thave thestaff butit’saconcernnonetheless Thankfully,Moriended upreceivingsupportfromtheReadingandWritingLab,another vitalresourceforbothforeignandlocalstudents
TheENLdepartmenthasbeenworkingwiththeadministration foryears,suggestingchangesthatmaymakeeverythingrunmore smoothly. Mr. Joe says the administrators have helped the department,beingveryresponsivetochangesandissues.However, IHSwasn’tcompletelypreparedforthecurrentsituation,inwhich thenumberofENLstudentshassharplyincreasedENLhasbeen askingforalargerspaceforseveralyears,andthatproblemhas beenfurtherexacerbatedthisyearThere’scertainlyquiteawaysto gountilENLhasalltheresourcesitneedstobestsupportnon Englishspeakingstudents
Despiteallthesestruggles,ENLhasdoneacommendablejobat supportingthenonEnglishspeakingstudentsofIHS.Kedartold usabouthowgratefulshewasforthethingsENLdidforher,such asofferingheraquietroomtodoquizzes,explaininghowthe schoolworks,helpingherfindherclasses,andexplainingtechnical
The ENL Department Must Be a Priority for ICSD
termsinmathandscience.“ENLisagreatplacetomeetnew friendsfromallaroundtheworld,andseethedevelopmentof individualswhosometimescomewithlittlevocabularyinEnglish andgraduatelikeanyoftheotherstudents,”saysKedar This departmenthascreatedasafeenvironmentforstudentsfromall different backgrounds, and continues to put its all into its programs.Therefore,TheTattlerEditorialBoardhopesthatIHS
ICSDfocusonmakingmeaningfulchangestosupporttheENL department,startingwithhiringmoreteachers,creatingastudent led tutoring/support program, appointing an ENL specific guidancecounselor,andprovidingmorephysicalspaceforthe department.Withtheseinitiatives,IHScouldtrulycultivatea supportiveenvironmentforallitsstudents.
F
romoverlappingclassesandforcedzeroperiodstopacked rooms and teacher overage, this year has presented numerousschedulingrelatedissuesWhilethisisaneasy
reasontofaulttheadministration,itshouldbeconsideredthat thereisnoperfectsolutiontogiveeverystudentacomplete scheduleoftheirchoiceWiththeofficialIHSProgramofStudies boasting one hundred and fifty different courses, it is understandablethatnotallofthemarerunning,andespeciallynot inmultiplesectionsHowever,theschedulingproblemsthisschool yeararesopervasiveanddestructivethatitisclearthatthisisa seriousissueandactionmustbetaken.The Tattler EditorialBoard believesthat,althoughnosystemcanbeperfect,IHSandICSDas awholecancombatschedulingconflictsbyhiringandretaining moreteachers,havingagreaterconsiderationofthedifficultyof zeroperiods,andcommunicatingmoreeffectivelywithstudents andwithinthedistrict
Inordertoillustratethemagnitudeofthisissue, The Tattler randomlysurveyedsixtyIHSstudents,fifteenfromeachgrade,on conflictsintheirschedulesSchedulingconflictsweredescribedas problemsthatrequireastudenttodroporswitchoutaclass.The resultsaredocumentedbelow.
Themoststrikingfigureinthisdataisthat733percentof studentsselfreportatleastoneissuethisyear,anastronomically high proportion. The Tattler later interviewed lead guidance counselors Charmine Warriner and Bennet Wilson, who confirmedthisproportionwasatminimumthishighandat maximumupto8087%.Forreference,TheJetJotter,astudent newspaperinMassachusetts,wroteanarticleaboutthedangersof theirfigure:15percentThefactthattheaffectedstudentsarethe substantial majority is deeply concerning and indicates that schedulingissignificantlyaffectingstudents
Ninthgradersreportedonlyaround45percentasmany conflictscomparedtotherestoftherespondents.Becausealmost all freshmen are scheduled to take English 9, Algebra 1 or Geometry, Global History 1, Physical Education, and Earth ScienceorBiology,theadministrationcanhavetheserunat different times and reduce scheduling issues for freshmen significantly However, sophomores’ and especially upperclassmen’sschedulesaremuchmorediverse,sotheyare significantlyhardertoaccountfor Ingeneral,noncoreclasses suchasthoseinmusic,thearts,andAPsareachallengeandend upwithtoomanyortoofewmembersWhileithasbeenargued thatschedulingconflictsmostlyaffectoverachievers,respondents whodidnotdescribethemselvesassuchonthesurveystill reportedseventyfivepercentasmanyconflictsasthosewhodid not.SchedulingissuesaffectallIHSstudents.
Althoughimprovementstothecoresystemareverydifficult, therewereseveralavoidableissuesthisyearManyupperclassmen signeduptotakeAPEnglishLiterature,expectingthattheseven orfewerclassestheysignedupforwouldfitwithintheschool day Asignificantproportionofthesestudentswereshockedto seetheirschedulesincludedazeroperiodAPLiteratureclassanda freeperiod.Theadministration’salgorithmwashopingtoplace thesestudentsintheotherAPLiteraturesectionthatrunssixth periodaswell,butmanyotherAPclasseswerechosentorun during sixth period as well, including one of the two AP Chemistrysections,theonlyAPPhysics1,APHuman
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Geography,andAPCalculusBCclasses,presentingascheduling nightmare.Somelanguage,arts,andmusicclasseshadthesame issueThesestudentsfoundoutonlyaweekortwobeforethestart ofschoolthattheynotonlyneededtowakeupbutalsofind transportation to school for an hour earlier than expected, somethingthatnotallstudentshaveaccesstoThiscanbeaserious issueandlikelycontributedtomanystudents’decisionstodrop theirzeroperiodclasses.
Inthe20212022schoolyear,therewerethreeAPCalculusBC sections.Thisyear,there’sone.Theclassofthirtytwostrugglesto fitintheroom,andbecauseenoughofthenewertriangulardesks physically could not fit, the older rectangular desks are used instead The fact that the existing solution places thirtytwo studentsinasingleclassroomshouldalreadybeenoughtojustifya secondclass,butnotethatmanymorewouldhavebeenableto taketheclassifitwererunningmorethanonce“Itliterallymakes itharderformetogetaroundtheroomandharderforstudentsto getmyattention,”saysFrederickDeppe,thesoleteacherofthe course.Whilehe“generallyfeelslike‘themore[students]the merrier’...therearelimitstothat,”andmanyteachersandclasses maynotfarequiteaswell.
The Tattler recognizesthatICSD’spervasiveissueofstaff shortagesisnotjustintheshortterm;itisdirectlyrelatedtothe waythatlowpayandoveragecanforcestaffoutofthedistrict AccordingtoAdamPiasecki,presidentoftheIthacaTeachers Association,sixtyseventeachersvoluntarilyresignedbetweenJuly 2021andAugust2022 Thishighteacherturnoverrateputs pressureontherestofthestaff.Alackofteachersandstaffin educationingeneralisanationwideissue.However,ICSDcould stillimprovethesituationandreducetheimpactofperiodsof understaffingwithhigherpayandbyhiringasurplusofteachersto fillgaps.
ICSD could also improve the scheduling situation by communicating to students and teachers about scheduling shortcomingsmoreeffectively Thisyear,manystudentshadto rushtofixtheirschedulesduringthefirstweekofschoolbecause theyonlyfoundoutaboutschedulingissuesshortlybeforeschool started.SomewerecontactedasearlyasearlyAugust,whichjust goestoshowhowcommunicationcouldhavebeenbetterforthe majority of students who weren’t. The team of guidance counselorsishardlytoblame itismadeupofjustsixpeople tryingtorepairschedulesfor1400students.Communicationcan improveiftheirsummerschedulinggrindismadeshorterorto startearlier,whichcouldbedonewithimprovedautomation,a reductioninthecoreissue,orbysimplyhavingcounselors
While effective communication is important to mitigate damage,itismerelyatemporarysolutionandaddressingtheroot problemremainsnecessary.Althoughschedulingconflictsarea troublesomeissue,IHSiscertainlyfaringworsethanitcould. ICSDneedstomakethesechangestoallowmorestudentsto personalize their schedules. After all, isn’t a transition to independenceandspecializationreallywhathighschoolisall about?
Hearingaboutclimatechangecatastrophesisexceedingly common in our modern age Pollution, extinction, drought:it’sjustpartofourdailylives
Still,oureffectonthisplanetthatwecallhomeisoften understated,orevenignored.Agrowinggroupofpeopledon’t thinkclimatechangeisrealordon’tseehowitwillaffectthem. Butitisaffectingthem,anditwillgetworse Accordingtothe WorldWildlifeFund,theEarthhasexperiencedfivemajormass extinctioneventsbeforeExpertsbelievethatweareinthesixth
Itisnaturaltomakethepointthatthelongtermrisein temperatureisquitesmall thetemperaturevariesmuchmoreina singleday.Thetruthis,however,thatthatsmallchangein temperatureisn’tinsignificant.ScientistsfromNASAestimatethat theglobaltemperaturehasalreadychangedbynearlytwodegrees Fahrenheit.AccordingtotheNationalOceanicandAtmospheric Administration,thatsmallchangeintemperaturehasledtoa globalsealevelincreaseofapproximatelyeightinchessince1880 Nearly30percentofthepopulationoftheUnitedStateslivesin highlypopulatedcoastalareasthatcouldbeaffectedbythese changesThepopulationsofaffectedcoastalcitiesalreadyreach25 million,andbythe2070’s(whenalotofdamageisexpectedto occur)willbemuchlarger.Accordingtoastudyconductedby theEuropeanUnion,damagesfromclimatedisasterscouldbein thebillions,eventrillionsofdollarsatthecurrentrateofinflation. Sealevelisexpectedtorisebythreefeetbythe2100’s,flooding andpotentiallysubmergingcoastaltownsandcitieslikeTokyo, NewYork,Shanghai,Mumbai,andMiami Continuingtolook into the future, we can see that climate change will cause problemsthatwearealreadyfacingtogetexponentiallyworseIn thenextthirtyyears,250,000additionaldeathsperyearwillbe indirectly caused by malnutrition and heat stress, problems worsenedbyclimatechange.
Theriseintemperaturealsoaffectsweatherpatterns.TheU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hasmeasuredheatwave frequency,intensity,anddurationsincethe1960s:thechangesare easilynoticeable.Since1961,thenumberofheatwavesinthe UnitedStateshasincreasedfromanaverageofjustovertwoper
yeartomorethansix,andtheheatwaveseasonlastsfiftydays longer.Today,heatwavesintheUnitedStatesare0.5degrees Fahrenheithotteronaveragethantheywerefiftyyearsago Betweentheyears2000and2020,upto70percentoftheUnited Statesexperiencedabnormallydryseasonscausedbyheatwaves anddroughtDuringmostof2012,morethanhalfoftheUnited Statesexperienceddrought.Hurricaneintensityhasalsonoticeably increasedinthelasttwentyyears.Eightofthepasttenmostactive yearsforhurricanessince1950haveoccurredsincethemid1990s. Inthefaceofthesestatistics,fewcandenythatthechangein temperatureaffectstheplanetandpeople.
However,wecan’tonlylookathowthisproblemisaffecting humans It most affects the other species of our planet Deforestation,agriculture,urbanization,hunting,climatechange, pollution, and invasive species have caused biodiversity to plummet Thenaturalrateofextinctionisoneextinctionper millionspeciesperyear That’sabouttenextinctionseveryyear Therateofextinctionwecurrentlyfaceisapproximatelythree speciesperhour.Thatisapproximately26,000specieseveryyear, morethan2,500timestherateofextinctionfromahealthyEarth. Anextinctionlevelthishighhasnotbeenseenin65millionyears when the dinosaurs were killed off by an asteroid. Now, humanityisanasteroid Thisdestructionofbiodiversityisjustas catastrophic as flooding or drought When one species goes extinct,sayfromdestructionofhabitat,thespeciesthateatsit struggles,anditspopulationdeclines Becauseofthatlowered population,itcannotsurviveanextendeddryseason,anditdies out.Theanimalshigherinthefoodchainwouldbefineifthe pollinatorsintheareaweren’tdyingout.Becauseofthelackof pollinators,herbivoresandsubsequentlycarnivoresbegintodie. Thisdoesn’tjustapplytootheranimals humansarepartofthe foodchain,andarejustasaffectedbyhowecosystemsaroundus function
ThehoneybeeexemplifiesthisdependencyAccordingtothe BBC,“Oftheonehundredcropspeciesthatfeedninetypercentof humanity,overseventyofthemarepollinatedbybees”Honey beesaretheleadingpollinatorsofourworld,andthirtybillion dollarsayearincropsdependontheirpollination.Ifbeeswereto goextinct,asignificantnumberofcropsthattheypollinatewould dieoff,andstarvationwouldbeimminentfortheentireworld.A worldwithoutbeescouldn’tsustainourcurrentpopulation,and ourpopulationisgrowing,whilethebeepopulationshrinks.The reasonsforthispointtowardsthedestructionofhabitatssuchas flowermeadowsinfavorof,ironically,farmlandStudiesalsopoint to a type of pesticide called Neonic pesticides Neonics are neurotoxinsthatconfusethebees,makingthemunabletoflyand locatefood Anotherreasonisclimatechange Thevariationin weathercanconfusethebeesandtheflowers,makingitharderfor beestoknowwhentocomeoutofhibernationandforflowersto knowwhentoopen.Thismeansthatbeesstayinhibernationfar toolongornotlongenoughanditmeansthatflowersopenand dieorneveropen causingbeestostarve.Theseeffectscouldcause pollinationlevelstodropbyasmuchasfiftypercent
Unfortunately,thereisn’tmuchthatanypersoncandotostop allofthis,tosavethebeesandsavehumanandanimallifeon Earth TheClimateAccountabilityInstituteandtheCarbon DisclosureProjectsaythatjustonehundredcompaniesareat faultforoverseventypercentofcarbonemissions Itisniceto thinkthatpeoplecanchangetheclimateproblembyrecycling, drivinganelectriccar,orgettingonlyrenewableenergyfroman energycompany,andwhileitcaneasesomeone’sconscience, unlesseveryone(includingthecompaniesresponsibleforthe majorityofemissions)makesachange,nothingwillchange.
Juulisanelectroniccigarette(ecigarette)companythat marketed their ecigarettes, known as vapes, as safe alternativestotraditionalsmoking.ThefirstJuulvape wasreleasedin2015,andtheirriseinthesevenyearssincehas been astronomical For several years, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA)hasbeenconductinginvestigationsofJuul andotherecigarettecompaniesbecausetheirproductsarewidely usedamongunderagehighschoolers.IHSitselfhashaditsfair shareoftroubleregardingvaping,andthisissuehasbeenachief causeofthelockedbathroomsallaroundtheschool.InTompkins Countymorethanthirtypercentofhighschoolseniorsvape, according to the CommunityLevel Youth Development Evaluation Survey In September 2018, as a result of the governmentinvestigations,Juulwasgivensixtydaystodevelopa strategyforcombatingunderagevaping Theverynextmonth theypulledallbutthree“flavors”(vapesthatemitvarioussmelling vapors)fromretailstores.Thebannedvapeflavorshadbeenones morepopularwithayoungeraudience,suchasmangoandcrème brûlée.Thecompanyalsodevotedanentiresectionoftheir websitetolimitingusageamongsthighschoolers.However,
manyfeelthattheactionstakenbyJuulhavenotbeenenough.
Criticspointoutthattheiradvertisementsandmarketingpolicies seemtotargetayoungeraudience Juuladvertisementsoften featurefashionableyoungpeoplehavingagoodtimevaping
Additionally,theygiveoutfreesamples,whichcanbeusedtoget peopleaddictedsothattheywillcomebackformore
Currently,Juulisfacingclosetofourthousandlawsuitsranging fromnegligencetointentionalproductmisrepresentationcharges. AparticularlyseverelawsuitaccusesJuulofsellingonemillion tainted vape pods without informing the consumers of their contamination.Despitealloftheheavycharges,Juulhasthusfar admitted to nothing outright. However, several large legal settlementshavebeenreached,requiringJuultopaymillionsof dollarsindamages
Themostrecentandbyfarthemostcostly settlementwasreachedthispastSeptemberandforcedJuultopay out4385milliondollarstothirtythreedifferentUSstatesThisis, ofcourse,onlythelatestinalineofcostlysettlementsforthe vapingtitan,whichhasdolledouttensofmillionsmoreoverthe lastseveralmonths.Toputtheselossesintoperspective,Juulhasan annualrevenueofaroundtwobilliondollars.Overthecourseof thelastsixmonthstheyhavelostoverfivehundredmilliondollars, aquarterofthatrevenue.Bynomeansdoesthisspelltheendof Juul,butwhatcouldbeconcerningforthemassivecompanyisthe FDAbanontheirproductsinlightofrecentlegaldevelopments Juulhasbeengrantedatemporaryreprieveandcanstillselltheir productsintheUS,butitisnotknownhowlongthiswilllast
Acommonmisconceptionisthatecigarettesaresignificantly saferthantraditionalones.Accordingtonumerousstudies,this doesnotappeartobethecase.Despitetheshorthistoryofvapes, theyhavebeenshowntonegativelyaffectthelungsandheart. Additionally,manyteenagersareunawareofthefactthatallof Juul’sproductscontainnicotine(aharmfulchemicalfoundin tobacco)whichhasbeenshowntobeasaddictiveasheroin In fact,theamountofnicotineinoneJuulpodhasbeenshownto haveasmuchasispresentintwentycigarettes Otherharmful chemicalsfoundinJuulvapesincludeformaldehydeandleadThe USNationalToxicologyReporthasshownthatformaldehydeisa carcinogenandposesasignificantdangertohumanhealth.Lead alsohasanumberofnegativehealtheffects,includingbrain damageifthedosageishighenough.Inregardtosecondhand smoke,ecigaretteshavesimplynotbeenaroundlongenoughfor theretobeanabundanceofresearch,butaselectfewstudieshave drawncorrelationsbetweenassortednegativehealthconsequences andinhalingsecondhandsmoke Allinall,theideathatJuule cgiarettesaresafealternativestosmokingisdoubtfulandthe companyhasclearlydownplayedtheirproducts’harmfulness
WhiletheremaystillpossiblybeaneventualUSbanonJuul, theyarestillsoldelsewhereallaroundtheworld.Thoughnot necessarilyinimmediatedangerofcollapse,Juulmaybeforcedto changetheiradvertisementtechniquessoastonottakeadvantage ofuneducatedteenagers.Withapproximatelytwothousandvape relateddeathsalready,Juulwillhavetoworkhardtochangethe
current public perception. Many scientists and doctors have showntheadversehealtheffectsofvaping,butitstillhasanappeal toacertaingroupofunderagesmokerswhobecomeaddictedand areunabletoquitThisisthecrueljokethatcigarettecompanies ofallkindshaveplayedonconsumersfordecadesOnceasmoker ishooked,theyhavetokeepcomingbackformoretoavoid withdrawalsymptoms.Juulandothersimilarcompaniesmake moneyoffofconvincingpeoplethatthereislittleriskandthen continuingtosellthemproductsthatensuretheywillbebackfor more.Thisperversecycleneedstostopanditisthehopeofmany thatthesemassivecorporationsarefinallybroughttojusticeand teenagerscanbecomebettereducatedonthedangersofvaping.
Ithacahasseenalargepopulationofleafeatingcaterpillars crawling everywhere around town this summer, and an outbreakofspongymothscontinuesinthestateforasecond yearManyworryfortheirtrees’safetyafterseeingtheimpactof insectsonNorthAmericanforestsWhatarethesecaterpillars,and aretheyadangertoourforestsorcitytrees?
TherearethreemaintypesofleafeatingcaterpillarinNew YorkState(NYS):foresttentcaterpillars,easterntentcaterpillars, andspongymothcaterpillars.Whiletentcaterpillarsarenativeto NewYork,spongymothshaveonlybeenaroundfor150yearsor so;theywereintroducedtotheNewEnglandstatesbyaccident whensomeescapedfromafailedexperiment Spongymoths spreadallacrosstheEastCoastandhavesincebeen“naturalized” inourforests,meaningthattheydonotneedahuman’shelpto survive and reproduce, but that doesn’t mean that they are harmlesstohavearoundtheydamagetreesandcompetewith nativetentcaterpillarsforfoodandspace.Leafeatersaren’ta constantthreat,though,theycomeincycles.Usuallyanoutbreak lastsafewyears,followedbyafewyearsofsilence.
NYSleafeatersfeastinthespring,leavingtreeslittletimeto photosynthesizeaftergrowingtheirleavesHowever,the
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caterpillarsdisappeararoundlateJuly,allowingdeciduoustrees suchasmaplesoroakstogrowasecondarysetofsmallerleaves. Deciduoustreescansurvive2to3yearsofthisbeforerunningout ofsteamanddying Evergreentreesdon’tfarequiteaswell They’renotbuilttoregrowleavesveryoften,norlivewithout themforlong,andwilldieiftheylosemorethanaroundhalfof theirleaves.
Climatechangecanalsohurtatree’sabilitytosurvive defoliation:atreelivinginadroughtmaybeunabletogrowa secondsetofleaves,andexcessiveheat(oftenexacerbatedbycity sidewalks)orpoorsiteconditionscanmakeithardforatreeto surviverepeatedleafeating.Thiscancreateadestructivecycle:a treestrugglingwithdefoliationwillhaveahardertimefighting disease,andatreefightingdiseasewillhaveahardertimesurviving defoliation
Treesinaforestareofteninhealthierlivingconditions,making themlikelytosurvivecaterpillarfeedingforevenseveralyearsina row.Ifaforesttreeisstruggling,itmayevenbelessofatargetin thefuture,asit’ssurroundedbyfull,healthytrees.Inplacessimilar toIthaca,treesmaylacktheseprotections,butcaterpillardangeris unlikelyfewcaterpillarsanytreesarespreadfartherapartand there’smoreanticaterpillaractiontakenoutsideofforests,making suchareasundesirablefortheleafeaters
Withallthisinmind,theforesttentcaterpillar,easterntent caterpillar,andspongymothcaterpillarspeciesarenotmuchto worry about Defoliated trees in the summer may ruin the appearanceofaplace,butrarelydieoff Thegreatestworryan Ithacanshouldhaveisgettingarashbytouchingaspongymoth caterpillar,whichcanbetreatedwithanantihistamine.Treesco evolved to survive leafeating caterpillars, disease, birds, and everythinginbetween,soaslongaswedon’thurttheirconditions too much,theywillbejustfine.
OnSeptember8,2022,QueenElizabethIIoftheUnited KingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelanddied ShewasabridgetotheUK’spast,havingservedasa mechanicinWWIIandasQueensincehercoronationin1953 Herdeathrepresentsnotonlytheendofastableandconsistent monarch,butalsooftheculturalspiritthatwaspostWorldWar IIBritain,andtheentranceintoanew,modernera Herdeath willmakemanycountriesreconsiderhavingtheBritishmonarch astheirheadofstate.ItcouldalsoinspiretheUKtoendthe monarchy altogether, something ongoing antimonarchy movementshavebeenhopingfor.Manyworldleaders,including USPresidentBiden,attendedherfuneralonSeptember19.
InherlifeQueenElizabethIIaccomplishedmanythingsShe workedasamechanicinWWII,andappointedfifteenprime ministers QueenElizabethfirstappointedWinstonChurchillas PrimeMinister,andappointedLizTrussjusttwodaysbeforeher deathTrusswasborn101yearsafterChurchillwasbornDuring the coronavirus pandemic she gave a speech to the Commonwealth,famouslysaying,“Wewillseeourfriendsagain, wewillseeourfamiliesagain,wewillmeetagain.”Shemadethe monarchymoretransparenttothepublicandbeganatraditionof yearlyChristmasbroadcastsbytelevision.Shealsoencouraged climateactionatCOP26 theclimatesummit"Conferenceofthe Parties" inGlasgowlastyearSheoversawthedissolutionofthe BritishEmpireandtheUK’sweakeningasaglobalpowerQueen Elizabethwasloyalintheservicetohercountry evenasthe monarchybecameweakerandlessimportant
(Credit: NYS Integrated Pest Management, https://nysipm.cornell.edu/)
Manycountriesmournedherdeathinavarietyofways. PresidentBidenorderedtheUSflagtobeflownathalfmast withintheUnitedStates,andthesamewasdoneinFranceand acrosstheworld.HereatIHS,theAmericanflagwasalsoflownat halfmasttohonortheQueen’sdeath.Franceturnedoffthelights oftheEiffelTower.IntheUK,allradiobroadcastswerestopped toannounceandcoverthedeathoftheQueen Mosttelevision channels also shifted coverage, and the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC)halteditsbroadcastofcomedyshowsforthe tendaymourningperiod
SomecountriesmaytakestepstopreserveQueenElizabeth’s statusoverthatofthenewlycrownedKingCharles.Canada’s RoyalCanadianMinthasyettoannounceitwillchangeitscoins,
andtheBankofCanada,whichissuesCanada’spapercurrency,has notstatediftheCanadiantwentydollarbillwillbechanged.Itis currentlytheonlybillinCanadawiththeQueen’simageNolaw inCanadarequiresthecurrencytobechangedNewZealandwill bechangingtoKingCharlesonitscoinage,buthasnotissued newtwentydollarnotes,andhasstateditlikelywillnotforafew years.
ThereareongoingeffortsinAustraliatohaveareferendumto removeKingCharlesastheheadofstateandtobecomearepublic. There is a stronger effort in Jamaica to do so. Heads of governmentacrosstheCaribbeanhavedeclaredthattherewillbea referendumtodecideonwhethertoremoveKingCharlesashead of state Overall, Queen Elizabeth’s death could significantly changeBritain’sinfluenceintheworld
runningasaRepublican.Athirdcandidate,KatieSims,willalso runasanindependent.WilliamMetro,thefamiliar“MagicMan” ontheIthacaCommons,isrunningasawriteincandidate followingWinn’ssuccessfulchallengeofhispetitionsignatures, whicharenecessarytorunontheballot
TheDemocraticcandidate,LauraLewis,grewupinBuffalo, NewYork.Shehasspentmostofherprofessionalcareerin studentservicesattheIndustrialandLaborRelationsSchoolin Cornell,andhasalsoservedontheDemocraticCommittees, BoardofIthacaNeighborhoodHousingServices,theTCAT Board,andwaselectedtotheIthacaCommonCouncil’sfifth wardin2017and2019.SheisthechairofitsPlanningand EconomicDevelopmentCommittee Followingtheresignation offormerMayorSvanteMyrickinJanuary2022,Lewishas servedastheActingMayorofIthaca
Lewisstatedto The Tattler thatherinterestincitygovernment beganwhensheretiredfromCornell“Atthatpoint,Idecidedto takemyinterestandexperiencewithcommunityserviceand takeittohavingaseatatthetable.”Sheemphasizedthatshehas nothadacareerinpublicoffice,butasacounselor,working withstudentsatCornellwhilesimultaneouslybeinginvolved withcommunityservice.Lewisdecidedtoruninthegeneral electionthisyeartocontinueworkingonseveralinitiativesthat shehasbeeninvolvedwithinCommonCouncil,including helpingensuretherighttocounselfortenants
Lewisstatedto The Tattler thatherprioritiesinthecoming yearwouldincludeavailabilityandaffordabilityofrentalhousing shenotedthatthiswaspassionofhers,stemmingfromher background.Ithacaconsistsofaround74percentrenters,andas mayor,Lewisaimstoestablishprotectionsforrenters,aswellas landlords.Lewisaddedthatrentalhousingreformwasrelatedto sustainability,asmorehousingwithinthecityofIthacawould leadtofewerpeoplehavingtocommutein Sheaddedthat continuingtoworkontheimplementationoftheIthacaGreen NewDealwasanotherofherpriorities,andstated,“Iwasvery pleased,asaCommonCouncilmember,tovotein2019for [Ithaca’s]GreenNewDeal,andtovoteinourbudgetfora sustainabilitydirector.”
T inordertoserveastheexecutivedirectorofPeopleforthe AmericanWay,aprogressiveadvocacyorganizationWhoeveris electedtothepositionwillserveforoneyearasMayor,to complete Myrick’s unfinished term Laura Lewis is currently campaigningastheDemocraticcandidate,whileZacharyWinnis
hisfall,threecandidateswillfaceofftocompleteformer MayorSvanteMyrick’sterm,afterthelatterannouncedin earlyJanuarythathewouldberesigningfromtheposition
RegardingcrimeandpolicinginIthaca whichshenotedas anotherofhertoppriorities Lewishopestoimplementthe ReimaginingPublicSafetyplan,whichwouldcreateanew public safety agency responsible for, according to the Reimagining Public Safety Working Group, centering “the experiences of [Ithaca’s] marginalized and vulnerable populations”Lewisplanstoaddresswhatshereferredtoas,“very very difficult, complex issues around violence in the city” Beyond this, she hopes to counter substance abuse and homelessness in Ithaca. Lewis emphasized that these are all separateissuesthatare“sometimesinterrelated.”Whenaskedif sheplanstorunagainfollowingthisoneyearterm,Lewisstated thatsheisfocusedonthecurrentcampaign,andherplansfor 2023arenotentirelycertain.Sheadditionallynotedthat“weare
acityof32,000peoplewithabudgetof80milliondollars,andthat isnotenoughtodoeverythingwewanttodo.”Inordertoaddress thecomplexitiesofsomeoftheseissues,Lewisstressedtheneedfor cooperationwithTompkinsCounty,Cornell,IthacaCollege,and more
The Tattler alsospokewithKatieSims,theindependent candidateinthemayoralrace.Shedescribesherselfasanorganizer andactivist,andhasworkedontheGreenNewDealandthe campaignforgoodcauseeviction,whichwouldprohibitlandlords fromendingatenancyexceptwhenaleaseisviolated.Simscame toIthacatoattendcollege,andhasadegreeinenvironmental sciencewithafocusonclimatechangefromCornell.Shehasbeen involvedinlocalclimateadvocacysinceshewasastudent,beinga partoftheinitialSunriseMovementinIthacaSimsseesrunning forpublicofficeasa“nextsteptofollowingthroughonthese progressivepromisesthatwerebeingcalledforin[Ithaca]”Sheis runningformayorinparticularbecausesheseesthepositionasthe bestwaytofollowthroughonthepromisesintheGreenNew Deal,amongothergoals.Simsespeciallyemphasizedherworkon theIthacaGreenNewDeal,whichwasadoptedbytheIthaca CommonCouncilin2019 shewasoneoftheoriginalmembers oftheSunriseMovementinIthacathathelpedpushthemovement throughtheCouncil
WhenaskedwhatthebiggestissuesfacingIthacaare,Sims highlightedhousingproblemsShedrewonherownexperiences, adding,“ThelongestI’veeverstayedinoneapartmentinIthacais thirteenmonths”Simsnotedissuesfortenantsinrenewingleases andhavingtomoveoften anexpensive,timeconsumingordeal. Movingoftencouldmakeitdifficulttokeepajob,especiallyif tenantsareforcedtomoveoutofthecityofIthaca.“It’sjustan untenablesituationwhenpeopleareunabletostayintheirhomes forextendedperiodsoftime.”Simsaddedthatshefaceddifficulties runningforofficeduetohersituationasatenant,whichcould discouragerepresentationoftenantsinlocalgovernmentHousing problems,Simsstated,weremakingIthaca“aplacethatworksless andlessforworkingclasspeople”Inresponsetocrimeand homelessnessinIthaca,Simswantstoinvestinhousingfirst,harm reduction services for addiction, healthcare and community centers,andemergencyhousing solutions,shestated,thataren’t basedonpunishment.
Sims’sgoals,ifelectedmayor,mostlyprioritizefollowing throughonthepromisesthatIthacahasmadeinthepastyears. ThisincludestheIthacaGreenNewDeal,whichSimshopestoget backonschedule,andtenantprotectionlawsthathaven’tprotected tenantsfromleasesnotbeingrenewed aproblemSimshopesto solvewithgoodcauseevictionSimsendedbysayingthatamong citiesinNewYorkState,Ithacahasthesecondhighestincome inequality.“WehavethisvisionofIthacaasaplacethathasalotof prosperity…Wherepeopleareprettywelloff.Butthatprosperity isnotsharedamongallmembersofthecommunity.”Inresponse, shestated,“Oneofmybiggoalsasmayoristoorientthecity towardavisionofeconomicjustice…Weneedtoenvisionan
Ithacawhereyourabilitytohavehousingisn’tdeterminedby whichsideoftheeconomicspectrumyoufallin.”
Attimeofwriting, The Tattler wasunabletocontactRepublican candidate Zachary Winn Ithaca consists of only 6 percent registeredRepublicanvoters,accordingtothe Ithaca Voice,but Winn believes that city government in Ithaca no longer representsthepopulation.Speakingtothe Ithaca Voice,Winn stated,“The[Common]Councilandthegovernmentofthecity has,Ibelieve,gonesofarleftthatitisnotrepresentativeofthe averagepersonwhatsoever.”Winn’scampaignfocusesespecially oncrimeinIthaca,whichWinnwritesblogpostsaboutonhis website,ithacacrime.com.Ifelectedmayor,Winnplanstoend theReimaginingPublicSafetycampaign Hehasalsocentered homelessness aproblemwhichthecityhaspreviouslyaddressed byrelyinguponsupportservicesWinnadvocatesthatthetrees be cut down in “The Jungle,” a tent encampment behind Walmart and Lowes, so that the encampment cannot be occupied.Speakingtothe Ithaca Voice,WinnstatedthatIthaca shouldnotbehostiletowardsthehomelesspopulation,butthat “Peopleshouldhavetofacetheconsequencesoftheiractions. Endingupinjailforsomebodyinthespiralofdrugaddiction canbeapositivething.”Winnrananunsuccessfulcampaignfor mayorin2007 Thisyear,hisgoalsasmayorincludecutting propertytaxesby50percent HealsowantstotaxCornell’s endowmentofaround10billiondollars,andwantstheuniversity topaypropertytaxtothecityofIthaca
Thoughthismayoraltermwillonlylastoneyear,itisclearthat allthreecandidateshaveambitiousgoals.Climatechange,crime, andhousingappeartobethethreemajorissuesthatthiselection willrevolvearound.ThiselectionwillalsobringIthacaitsfirst newmayorinalmostadecade,andonlytimewilltellwhich directionwewillgoinnext.
tisestimatedthataroundtwentythreepercentoftheUS population purchases an ebook every year. Ever since the introductionofereadingplatformsin1997,popularityhasbeen
I increasingacrossthecountry.Inacademicenvironments,many conversationsareheldbetweenstudentsandteachersonwhether their reading materials should be offered in a digital format. Discussionslikethesehaveresultedintheriseofanimportant question:whatisthebestplatformforwrittenworkyoucanuse?
Physical: paper copies of written work helps better the process of understanding!
1. The physical aspects of a written work help with focus, visualization,andcomprehension.
AccordingtoastudybyMangen,Olivier,andVelay(2019), printedbookshelpreadersabsorbandremembertheinformation betterthanebookreaders Printreadersalsoscoredhigherin “empathy,immersioninthebook,and[the]understandingofthe narrative”Whenthebookisinfrontofthereaderandtheyareable toholditandturnpages thusinteractingwithitphysically ,they willhavemorefocus.
Frompicturebookstographicnovelsoreventextbooks,physical copiessupportalltypesoftextswhilepreservingtheirillustrations. Manyvisualizationscanbealteredduringtheprocessofconverting aphysicalcopytoanebooksupportedversion Withaphysical copy,thereisnoneedtoworryaboutthesealterations
Scan to vote: What is the best platform for written work we can use?
Digital:e-readingplatformsareconvenientandoftenmore accessible!
1.Accesstoavarietyofworksaremadeeasyforquickuse.
E-readerdevicesandplatformsgivereadersaccesstothousandsof booksandresources,allstoredinoneplace.Withouthavingto physicallytraveltoobtaintheseresources,onlinetoolscaneasily sortthroughdatabasestofindwhatyouneed.Thissystemmakesit efficientforreaderstofindorreferencearesource.Nomore forgettingbooksforindependentreading!
2.Thereisflexibilityinhowawrittenworkispresented. Onmanyplatforms,theappearanceofebookscanbepersonalized tothereader’sliking.Dependingontheirpreferences,theyare abletochangefontsize,style,linespacing,etc..Thismakes readingmoreapproachabletothosewhoneedthisflexibility.
→Thereareseveralotherreasonswhyonemaybelievethatone platformofreadingisbetterthantheother.Whatareyour thoughtsabout“(E-)ReadingPlatforms”?Goto <https://bit.ly/CTOct2022>orscantheQRcodeandtelluswhere youstand!VotesarecollecteduntilOctober21,2022andresults willbereleasedintheNovember2022issueofTheTattler
Inthelastissue,wediscussedtheprosandconsoftechnologyuse inschools.Readerswerethenaskedtovoteonthesideforwhich theystood.Hereiswhattheythink!
is against theuseoftechnology
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Write an article, take photos, or submit your small sketches by October 22 to be included in the November issue.
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nowdaysholdaspecialplaceineveryone’sheart.Maybeyou superstitiouslyflushedanicecubedownthetoiletorwore yourpajamasinsideoutwhentheweatherreportlooked
S promising.Ifyouwerelucky,yougottobuildsnowmenorsled downhillsintheneighborhoodonthosespecialschoolfreedays. Ormaybeforyou,snowdayssimplywereamuchneededbreak:a daytostudy,adayjustforyou.Snowdaysareoftenfondly rememberedasanoasisinthemiddleofthegruelingschoolyear OnlineschoolhasthepolaroppositereputationFormostofus, distancelearningmeantisolation,tankedgrades,andbluelight burningoureyesoutofourheadsOnething’sforcertainthough onlyacrazypersonwouldtradeasnowdayforZoom OrsoI thought.
Imaginethen,myshock,whenIfoundoutthatNewYorkCity wasgettingridofsnowdaysforgoodandreplacingthemwitha GoogleMeet.IwasmostupsetnotbecausethechildreninNew YorkCitywouldnolongergettoexperiencethemagicofsnow days, or even because online school has been proven to be incomparabletoinpersonschoolingintermsofengagementand functionality,butbecausethiscouldverywellbethestartofa trend Schoolshavebeenconcernedwiththeeverdroppingtest scoresinapostCovidworld,andteachersarescramblingtomake upforlosttimeafteranalmostyearlongeducationalgap.
InarecentinterviewwithWNYW(WhatNewYorkers Watch),NewYorkCity’sDepartmentofEducationchancellor DavidC.Banksexplained,“Withthenewtechnologythatwehave that’soneofthegoodthingsthatcameoutofCovid ifasnow daycomesaround,wewanttomakesureourkidscontinueto learn”Thereheclaimedthattheneedforuninterruptededucation canbemetthroughtechnologyondayswithinclementweather Banksdoesn’tseemtounderstandtheculturalweightsnowdays hold,northemultitudeofadvantagestheyincludeHealsogrossly overestimatesonlinelearning
Ibelievethat,nomatterhowadvancedonlineschoolgets,itcan neverreplacetherealthing.Foralotofkids,especiallyhigh schoolers,therejustisn’tenoughmotivationtowakeupandmake theefforttologontoaChromebook.Banks,wholikelynever attended online school for months on end, cannot possibly understandtheaversionmanykidshavetoitIfearthatsincefew adults,apartfrommaybeteachers,areabletocomprehendhow repetitiveanddullonlineschoolis,theywillfollowBanks’sleadto cancelsnowdays,adecisionthatnostudentwouldbehappywith However,Ialsomaintainhopethatwewon’tloseourprecious
snowdays.EverywhereIlook,Iseeoutrageatthelossofsnow daysinthecity.Parentsandstudentsalikeareangeredatthe cancellation,andyou’dbehard-pressedtofindasinglewordof praiseforthedecision.WhenaskedhowNYCstudentsfeltabout thecancellationofsnowdays,AsaPosmentier-Row,amiddleschoolstudentinNewYork,explained,“...Theattitude[about snowdaysbeingcanceled]isgenerallyannoyed,assnowdaysare valuedactivityandcountedonforenjoymentduringthewinter.” He,andmanyotherstudents,understandablyaren’tthrilledabout thisnewdevelopment.However,healsohighlightedthe importantfactthatthereisn’tmuchsnowinNewYorkCityeach year,whichmayhavecontributedtothedecisiontorevokesnow days.
So,shouldwebeconcernedforthesafetyofourtreasuredsnow days?Idon'tthinkso.Atleast,notyet.Ithacausuallygetsalotof snow,andgenerally,afairamountofsnowdays.Thatwould meanalotofonlineschool,inwhichevenBanksmightseethe harm.Untilthesnowhassloweddownoronlineschoolhas improved,IHSshouldbeabletokeepitssnowdays.
Brie Larson, the actress who plays Captain Marvel, was recentlyinterviewedby Variety about the future of her character,leavingmanytruefansdisappointedwithher lacklusterresponses.Latelytherehasbeenalotofcontroversy aboutLarsonplayingthepartofCaptainMarvel.Thiscontroversy mayhavecontributedtoherfeelinguncertainofwhetherherfans werefondofheracting,orifshewouldwanttoplaythecharacter ofCaptainMarvelagain,evenstating,“Doesanyonewantmeto doitagain?”
Recently,manypeoplehavebeendebatingLarson’sabilityto actTomethisisdisappointing;youngkidsandevenadultslook uptothischaracterandfindhertobeinspiringinmorethanone
Society’s Issues With a Female Superhero Continued from page 13
way.Personally,Ithoughtthatthecharactersheportrayeddida phenomenal job of exceeding society’s standards. Women in generalaren’tusuallytheonestobeshownas“powerful”Evenin today’sworld,manypeoplebelievethatwomenarenotnearlyas capableasmenindisplayingstrength However,MarvelStudios hassubvertedthismisconceptionandreallynailedtheportrayalof womenempowerment,despitesociety'sexpectationsoffemale superheroes.Let’snotforgetalltheamazingCGIinthemovieas well; the graphics effectively added to the movie’s overall interpretationandfeeling.Mostimportantly,actionfansgota superhero movie with a female lead. This is very important because,inmanyactionandsuperheromovies,womenaresimply viewedastheloveinterestsratherthanthehero,whichisunfair Womenaren’tjustpossiblegirlfriendsofsuperheroesinmovies, butratherpeoplewiththepotentialtobeheroesthemselves
Ifyouhaven'tseenthefilmCaptainMarvel,it’sanewerMarvel moviethatcameoutin2019directedbyAnnaBodenandRyan Fleck. This fan favorite features Carol Danvers, the female protagonist,asshecomestotermswithherpowersandthemany difficult events she experienced in her past. Carol Danvers' backstoryisn’taboutaloveinterest.Instead,it’sabout her,whichis whatmakesthismoviesopowerful.She’snotsomeonewhocanbe fooledanymore
Ofcourse,CaptainMarvelisanactionmovie,butthere'salot moretothestorythanjustthatTheprotagonistdiscoverswhoshe isasaperson,empoweringotherwomentodothesameMarvel decidestoshinethelightonafemalesuperheroinsteadofaman foronce,butsomehowtheactressisreceivingveryharshcriticism forheroutstandingjob.Ifthehaterscouldkeeptheiropinionsto themselves our world would be a much more positive and optimisticenvironment,andmorewomencouldfeelempowered bythisexcellentsuperherofilm.
ByRUBYZAWEL
Writer’s Note: This article was written in September, 2022 The Tattler acknowledges that changes at IHS may have been implemented by the time of publication
Onadailybasis,theIHScommunityissubjecttomultiple announcements over the public address (PA) system Rangingfromlunchmenustorequestsforstudentsto reporttotheWelcomeCenter,mostannouncementshaveone
thingincommon:theyshouldnotbemadeduringclassperiods.
Themainreasontheseannouncementsarenotbeneficialisthat theytakeawayfromtheseriousnessofemergencyalertstothe schoolSchoolemergenciesconsistofShelterInPlace,HoldIn Place,Evacuate,Lockout,andLockdown Allofthesesituations mustbebroughttotheattentionofstudentsandstaffassoonas someoneismadeawareoftheproblem.However,constantPA announcements about lunch, athletic events, and student attendance minimize the effect of the PA system. Students frequentlytalkoverthePAsystemduringclasstimebecausethe announcementrarelyappliestothem.Thisisdangerous,asatrue emergency situation may not be heard or taken seriously. Additionally,frequentannouncementsarepotentiallytriggering forstudents,whomaybelievethereisaninschoolemergency whentheyhearthesoundoftheintercomturningon
Luckily,therearealternativestomidclassannouncementsLots ofinformationregardingUniversalLunchcanveryeasilybe emailedtotheschoolratherthanmadeoverthePAsystem,and lunch menus can be found at ithacacityschools.org/lunch.
Additionally,whenastudentorstaffmemberisaskedtoreportto alocation,callstotheclassroomshouldbemade,ratherthan schoolwidebroadcasts.Allclassroomshaveacallbuttonthatcan beusedforbothinitiatingcallsandrespondingTheseshouldbe usedinsteadofalertingthewholeschool,especiallybecauseevery singlestudentinIHSisdisruptedbythesemessageswhenmade throughthePAsystemAsforathleticevents whicharealready publicizedviasocialmedia,Canvas,schoolwideemails,andthe electronicsignoutsideofthelargeparkinglotatIHS aschool widePAannouncementisnotnecessary.Finally,informationthat theschoolfirmlybelievesshouldbebroadcasted,suchasthe IndigenousLandAcknowledgementandbussinginformation, shouldalwaysbemadebeforetheonsetoffirstperiod.Thus,by preservingthePAsystemfortrulyurgentmessages,IHScan createahealthierenvironmentforlearningandbetterpromotethe generalwellbeingofstudentsandstaff
acrossplentyofpeoplewhohavemadetheirantigay stanceclearItdeeplytroublesmethatanyonewould
protesthumanrights,ofcourse,butwhatisalsoparticularly destructive(thatpeoplerarelydiscuss!)istheharmfulbehavior often perpetrated by our “allies” Even though it may seem innocent, many behaviors that straight and cisgender people exhibitareactuallyincrediblydamagingtothequeercommunity Therefore,I’vecompiledalistofmicroaggressionsthatnegatively affectus,andwhatyoucandotochangeyourbehavior
“Kissing the homies goodnight isn’t gay.” Asinnocentasthis mayseemtosomefolx,thisjokemakesfunofmenlovingmen whilealsoenforcingtheideathat“gay”isabadword.It’snotmy businesstotellanyonewhatafriendshipshouldlooklike,but whenthisisusedasaninsensitiveformof“comedy”toundermine andshamegaymen,itbecomesaplague
“I only kiss girls at parties...” SimilarlytothepointImade above,this“trend”ofgirlsjokingabouttheirexperimentationwith femalefriendsisnotonlyhomophobic,itsignificantlycontributes tothefetishizationofqueerwomen.Idon’tthinkit’sfairtoshame girlsfortryingonnewidentities,especiallyatatimeintheirlives when it’s vital, but the issue surrounding this is when the experimentationiscateredtothemalegaze.Straightgirlsareoften shownbeingintimatewitheachotherformen’sattention,which encouragesmentoentertaintheirdisgustingfantasiesaboutqueer girlsandcontributestotheideathatanysexualorromantic relationshipisfortheenjoymentofmenThisfeedsthepatriarchy thatstraightandqueerwomenalikehavebeentryingtobreak downforcenturies.
“I identify as an attack helicopter.” Idon’tevenwantto entertainthis.Whenpeoplemakethesejokes,they’remockingthe everchanginggenderspectruminalazyattemptathumor.Not fittingintohardsetlabelsisreallychallengingforgendernon conformingpeople,whichiswhywenowhavesuchadiverse(yet underrepresented)groupofgenderidentitiessuchasagenderand xenogender Makingfunofdiversityingendercansignificantly hurtgendernonconformingandtransfolxbyimplyingthattheir uniqueidentitiesarefrivolousoroutlandish.
“
So when are you gonna get the surgery?” Genderaffirming surgeryisapersonaldecisionTheassumptionthatalltranspeople wantsurgeryisnotonlywrong,butitalsospeakstotheideathat tobe“legitimatelytransgender,”youhavetoundergohormone replacementtherapyand/orsurgery.Thereisnoonewaytobe trans, and whether someone wants surgery or not doesn’t invalidatetheiridentity.
“Don’t fall in love with me!” Onethingthatannoysmewhen comingouttopeopleofthesamesexistheassumptionthatIam automaticallyattractedtothemChancesarethatevenifIwere, I’mprobablynotanymoreThistakestheemphasisawayfromthe personwho’scomingout,andfocusesontheincompetenceof theirtrustedperson
“Will you be my gay best friend?” AsmuchasIloveagood trope,thisisonethatIdon’tstandfor.Theideaofa"gaybest friend"accompanyingastraightgirlpushesstereotypesabout homosexualityinalackluster,tiredattemptatinclusionwhile framingthemaincharacter,whodoesvirtuallynothingforher friendbesidessaying“slayqueen!”asaprogressiveandinclusive ally
“I couldn’t even tell you were trans!” Thisisnotacompliment Unintentionallyornot,you’rereinforcingthebinaryandtheidea of“passing”asatransperson(theideathatyouhaveto“look cisgender”)whilecenteringtheconversationaroundyourpointof view.Iunderstandthatthisisusuallymeantwithgoodintentions, butthereareplentyofotherwaystoaffirmtransfriendsjustask themwhatmakesthemfeelgood!
can I do to be a better ally?
Ifyoudon’tknow,askordoyourownresearch.It’sgreatto learn,andforotherstoseethatyoucareisreallyimportant. Confrontyourownprejudice.Thefactofthematteristhat you’re probably biased because you’ve been taught an outdatedsetofstandards.Reflectonyourselfsothatyoucan beabetterpersontoothers
5.
Standupagainsthomophobiaandtransphobiawhenyouseeit. Ifyoudon’tknow,askordoyourownresearch.It’sgreatto learn,andforotherstoseethatyoucareisreallyimportant Confrontyourownprejudice Thefactofthematteristhat you’reprobablybiasedbecauseyou’vebeentaughtanoutdated setofstandardsReflectonyourselfsothatyoucanbeabetter persontoothers
Listentoqueerpeople.Don'ttalkoverus.Thebestthingyou candoforapersonistoshowthemloveunconditionally,and thatincludeslisteningtothem.
IcommendallthewellintentionedalliesoutthereandI encourageyoutokeeplearning,growing,andsupportingeach other Mistakesareboundtohappen,andwhiletheycanhave negativeoutcomes,Iseethehumanityinyouandhavefaiththat youwilltakethisasapositivelearningexperience
Toallmyqueerreadersandfriends you’resoloved.Never forgetthat.
forget what you did, and make recalling information for homeworkthatmuchmoredifficult
AnationwidetestdoneonsleepinteensfromtheCentersfor DiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)showedthatsevenoutof tenhighschoolstudentsdon’tgettherecommendedamountof sleep per night A study from the “American Academy of Pediatrics”onhighschooler’ssleepreportedthat,“Researchers found73%ofhighschoolstudentsacross30statesarenotgetting enoughsleep,upfrom69%in2009,”andaseparatestudyfrom the“SleepFoundation”recordedthat23.8percentofteenssuffer frominsomnia,whichcanbecausedbypoorsleepinghabits.If weallgotatleasteighttotenhoursofsleepatnighteverynight, thinkabouthowmuchmorelivelyweallcouldbe
betwehaveallseenshowsormovieswith“that”typeofhigh schoolexperience. Mean Girls, Clueless, High School Musical, Never Have I Ever,oreveryone’s favorite movielastyear He's
I All That There’sglowups,popularfriendgroups,toxicfriend groups,romance,spontaneoussingingeveryotherscene,food fightsatlunch yougetthepoint
Buthowcometheyneverreallymentionwhat’sgoingonin high school: students struggling through seven hours of instruction,sleepdeprivedandoverworked,yetstillexpectedto focusandparticipateinclass?Afterschoolisnobetter.Youwanted tohangoutwithyourfriendsatthemalltoday,butyouhadsports, clubs, or work, and now it’s late and you’re exhausted. Unfortunately,though,thegrindneverstops Youstillhavethat fivepageessayduetomorrowandaChemistryquiztostudyfor, soyoustayuppastmidnightdoinghomeworkAndthiscyclejust repeatsitself,overandover,prettymuchuntilyoufinishschoolfor good
We’realwaysremindedtofocusonourselvesandmakesureall aspectsofourhealthareincheck.Butsometimes,therejustisn’t enoughtimetorest,doyourassignments,andfocusonyoursocial wellbeingwitheverythinggoingon.Shouldwechoosetodoour homeworkovergoingtothemovieswithourfriends?Orshould weskipbothofthoseactivitiesandcatchuponsleep?
Asafirstpriority,focusingonyoursleepisvitalWhenwelack sleep,researchshowsourattentionspansareshorter,andthereisa significantreductioninconcentration,focus,andreactiontimeIf you’reconstantlytakinghoursandhoursanighttodoyour homework,itmayevenbebecauseyou’rehavingsideeffectsdue toalackofsleep.Sleepdeprivationcanaffectourmemory whetherit’sinformationyougotfromclassyesterday,ormaking yourbedinthemorning.Alackofsleepcanmakeyoucompletely
Iknowyou’veprobablyheardthismultipletimes,andhearing thesameold“getmoresleep”talkfromarandompersonmight notmakeyouchangeyourmind Idon’tblameyou,especially sinceIbarelygetsevenhoursonagoodnightmyselfButthink ofitthisway:ifyougotobedattenatnight,andwakeupatsix inthemorning,thatgivesyoueighthoursofsleep.Youcoulddo yourhomeworkinthemorningwhileyou’remoreproductive,as itmighttakeyoulesstimetofinishifyou’remoreenergized.You couldalsohaveafreshermindforschool,whichisideal:afterall, ifyoudon’thaveenoughbrainpowertolearn,what'sthepointof beingatschool?Youwouldbeabetterandmoreproductiveself inactivitieslikehomework,yetstillhavemoretimewithyour friendsOntopofthat,sleepingmorewillimproveyourhealth,so you’llbefeelingthathighschoolglowupinnotimePropersleep isalsoproventohelpreducethechanceofdepressionandcan increaselifeexpectancy,sothere’sevenmorereasonstogetthose eighthoursofshuteye.Whatyouchoosetoprioritizenextreally dependsonyoursituationandwhatyoufeelismoreworth focusingon.Butwithpropersleep,yourbrainwillbemore active,sofiguringoutyourprioritieswillbeeasier Finally, hearingafreshmantellyoutosleepmoremightnotmakeyou changeyourmind,butjustthinkaboutthebenefitsitcouldhave Plus,it’sjustthebeginningoftheschoolyear,andformanyofus westillhaveafewmoreyearsofthis,sojustmakingonesmall changetoyourschedulecouldgiveyouthathighschoolmovie glowup,andmakeyouabetter,happier,moreproductiveperson.
Sleep,homework,andstress:threethingsthataffecthigh schoolandcollegestudentsthemost.Unfortunately,sleep, despitebeingcrucialtofunctionasastudentandhuman
being,issacrificedduetothingssuchashomeworkandstressmore andmoreinthelivesofhighschoolstudentsacrossthecountry
Atthestartofeachschoolyear,studentsgofromrelativelyhigh amountsofsleepandlowamountsofhomeworkandstressto minimalsleepandagreatdealofhomeworkandstress.This transitionismanageableforsomestudents,butformanyothers,it iscommontogetoverwhelmed.Especiallysincewearestillina pandemic,themerethoughtofschoolstressessomestudentsout Additionally,eachstudentconsidersdifferentthingstobestressful Forsomestudents,notdoingtheirhomeworkinordertogetmore sleepmaybeastressreliever,butforotherstudents,themere thoughtofhavingincompleteassignmentsisenoughtokeepthem upallnightlong.
AccordingtoGlobalNewsWire,45percentofhighschool studentsreportbeingstressed"allthetime"and66percentofhigh schoolstudentsoftenworryaboutbeingacceptedintotheirchosen college.Thesepercentageswillcontinuetoincreasetremendously amongseniorswiththestartofcollegeapplicationsunderwayA fearoffailurehasbeenembeddedintothebrainsofstudents Questionslike“WhatifIdon’tgetacceptedintomytopcollege?,” “WhatwillIdowithmylifewhenIgraduate?,”and“Howmuch studentdebtwillIbefacinginthenextfewyears?”plaguethe minds of many high school students. These are legitimate questionsthattheaveragehighschoolerisunfortunatelynotgiven theproperresourcestohandle.
Assomeonewhowillbeexploringnewbeginningsinlessthan ayear,Isometimesfeelstressed,whichaffectsmysleeppatterns and my motivation to do my homework Different coping mechanismssuchascalendarplanning,screentime,andmeditation mayhelp,buttheydonottakeawayfromthefactthatushigh schoolershavenumerousobligations Studentswhoaretaking rigorous classes, playing sports, and managing familial responsibilitiesorajobtypicallyhavethemoststressfullives,
beforeevenstartingadulthood.Increasedstressandalackofsleep during the formative teenage years leads to aging, being predisposedforcertaindiseases,andanincreasedlikelihoodof havingpoormentalhealth.Asmotivatedtosucceedinlifeasmany studentssuchasmyselfare,wecannotignorethetollthisjourney takesonoursanity.
heQueenisdead”Firstdisbelief Thenconfusion Andthen,theinternetexploded
Let'sbereal,weallthoughttheQueenwasimmortal.
VideosabouttheQueenneverdyinghavebecomecommonjokes onsocialmediaforalongtimenowEverybodythoughtshewas goingtolivetoonehundredyearsandthensome Sowhenshe diedatninetysix,noonecouldbelieveit Now,goodorbad, videosaboutherdeatharegoingviral.Oldscandalsanddrama withtheRoyalfamilyarebeingdugup.Questionsofthefuture arebeingaskedanddebatesabouttheheirtothethronearebeing discussed.Theopinionsofthosewhoareglad,inmourning,or simplydon’tcarehaveallcoercedintoabigheapofinternetmess.
Sothen,whataretheopinionsofthoseinourschool?Some peoplegaveshortanswerslike“I’mglad,”“itdepends,”or“I’m proudofher,”butthemostcommonofresponseswas“Idon't reallycare”It'sunderstandableofcourse,sincetheQueenwas,to mostpeople,asymboloftheBritishmonarchySoasAmericans, mostofusdon’treallycareaboutthepoliticsoftheUnited Kingdomanymore.However,Ithinkthatitrunsabitdeeperthan that.Insteadof“theQueenisdead”whydon’twesay“Elizabethis dead”?Shewasn’tourQueen,soarewejustsayingthisoutof respect?OrisitbecauseweonlyseeherastheQueen,andnotas Elizabeth?Eitherway,shewasarulerwhocarriedoutherduty, throughthegoodandthebad,andalovinggrandmotherwhowill bemissed
placeyourenergyelsewhere
ElizabethIIreignedfrom1952untilherrecentdeathin SeptemberWhenshedied,shewasnotonlytheheadofstateof the UK, but also of fifteen other Commonwealth member countries.Forbackground,TheCommonwealthismadeupof fiftysix countries and most of these include former British Colonialterritories.Someofthemembercountries(referredtoas CommonwealthRealms)areundertheinfluenceoftheBritish Monarchy, with the Queen reigning as their figurehead a situationthatiseerilyreminiscentofBritain'sviolentandcolonial pastTherefore,manycountrieshaveremovedtheBritishRoyalas theirheadofstatethroughoutthecourseofElizabeth'sreign, including Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, and more When BarbadosannounceditsintentiontoremoveQueenElizabethas headofstate,thegovernmentstatedthat“thetimehadcometo fullyleaveourcolonialhistorybehind.”
AlthoughtheroletheQueenheldwaslargelyceremonial,her beingthe“headofstate”stillheldcertain,lessthananideal implicationManyCaribbeannationswanttoseparatethemselves fromanempirethatbrutallycolonizedandenslavedtheirpeople
As Harvard University historian Maya Jasanoff wrote, “The Commonwealth had its origins in a racist and paternalistic conceptionofBritishruleasaformoftutelage,educatingcolonies intothematureresponsibilitiesofselfgovernment.”Nonetheless, theorganizationcontinuestoexistandtheRoyalFamilyhasstill notattemptedtoactuallyapologizeormakeanysortofamendsfor theiractions,whichhaselicitedangerfromthepeopleofformer coloniesinanewerafacingtherealityofcolonialism.Morethan ever,peopleallovertheworldarediscussingtheimpactsof colonizationandtheneedforreparations
Moreover, The Queen’s reign included the Troubles of NorthernIreland,inwhichBritainbrutallyoppressedtheIrishfor decadesViolentencountersbetweentheBritishandtheNorthern Irishcontinuedfromthelate1960stothelate1990s whenQueen Elizabethwasverymuchthequeen.Ofcourse,noteverythingthe lateQueendidwascruel;manyNorthernIrishmournherdeath,as shehadofferedsympathytothoseaffectedbythebloodyyearsof Ireland'spastwithBritain.ShevisitedNorthernIreland,andmet with former Irish Republican Army (IRA) leader Martin McGuinness TheQueendidmakesomewhatofanefforttobe betterthanherancestors;thatIwillacknowledgeTherefore,the
feelingstowardsthedepartedQueenareverymuchmixedin Ireland.Manyrememberthetraumatheyenduredatthehandsof hercountryandherfamily,whileothersrememberhervisitsand handshakeswithprominentIrishleaders.
Ofcoursethough,ahandshakecan'terasetheBritishEmpire’s brutalpast,andthemonarchknewthatperfectlywell.Evenifshe wasn'tdirectlyresponsibleforallofthis,asasymboloftheempire anddescendantoftheroyaltyofthepast,shestillrepresentsallof this cruelty When you embody an entire empire, you are subsequentlyagreeingtostandbehindthepastandpresentactions ofthenation(unlessyououtrightdenouncethem,whichshedid not).Evenwithherdiplomaticactionsandvisitsalloverthe world,QueenElizabethdidn'tmakesubstantialeffortstorightthe colonial wrongs of her family for example, there was a significantlackofparticipationinfinancialreparationsduringher reign.Additionally,theBritishMonarchistechnicallytheone whoisinchargeofgivingassenttotheelectedPrimeMinister Yes,theMonarchalmostalwaysgoeswiththemorepopular candidateTechnically,howevertheydon’thavetoMeaning,the awfulthingsMargaretThatcherdidtotheworkingclassof EnglandandthecitizensofNorthernIrelandarepartiallythe responsibilityoftheQueen.It’scompletelyfairthatmanypeople havehadtroublemourningherdeath.
Asidefromitstremendousparticipationincolonization,the Monarchyisasystemwherepeoplebornintoprivilegebenefitoff thehardworkofregularcitizens.TheRoyalFamilyisfundedby taxpayerdollars,aspartoftheSovereignGrantThisgrantfunds upkeepofRoyalproperty,thefamily’stravel,andmore Other moneycomesfromlandandotherassets(suchasstolenartwork) passeddowntheroyallineage Theirlivesaretheepitomeof irony:justthisyear,KateandWilliam(PrincessandPrinceof Wales)tookatouroftheCaribbean,which,accordingtothe RoyalHousehold’sAnnualFinancialReview,costaround274,000 dollarsjusttopayforcharterflights,accordingtotheroyal household’sannualfinancialreview.So,whyisthistripextremely ironic?BecausetheBritishroyaltyistravelingontaxpayerdollars to countries formerly terrorized by Britain through slavery, colonialism,andracism TakingafewpictureswithJamaican childrenishardlywhatthecountrymeantwhentheydemanded reparationsTheRoyals’Instagrampostsandlengthycaptionsare especiallydisgustingwhenyourealizethattheverychildrenin thephotosyouseeliveintheirpresentconditionsbecauseof William’sfamily.There’snothingquiteasperformativeasthis publicitystuntvacationtakenbyEngland’sbelovedroyals.
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Toaddinsulttoinjury,theRoyalfamilyisnotrequiredtopay taxes notevenontheirlargeinheritance.Upuntil1993,Queen Elizabethdidn’tpayanytaxes,livingalavishlifestyleonthebacks ofworkingEnglishpeople.Thus,itisunderstandablethatthe numberofBritishpeoplesupportingtheMonarchy especially amongthosewhoareyounger isdecreasing,evenwhilethe majoritystillsupportstheregime WiththeQueen’sdeath,it’s speculatedthattheinstitutionasawholewillbeputintoquestion Additionally,despitethefactthatnotallBritishpeoplesupportthe Monarchy,allcitizensmustfundtheRoyalFamily,whichhasled tospeculationontheethicalityofthesystem.AsactorDaniel Radcliffesaid,“Ijustdon’tseetheuseofthemonarchythoughI'm afiercepatriot.I’mproudproudproudofbeingEnglish,butI thinkthemonarchysymbolizesalotofwhatwaswrongwiththe country.”
Withallthissaid,theQueenissomehowstillabelovedfigure formanyaroundtheworldIbelievethereasoningforthisisthat thepropagandafedtoworkingpeopleforcenturieshascreateda perversefascinationwithroyalty Weidolizethesepeople,their lavishlifestyles,theirbeautifulclothes,andtheirimmoralactions It’stemptingtodoso:Elizabethwasasoftspoken,kindlooking attractiveyoungwoman,andthenaninnocentlookingoldlady. It’shardtolookatherandhercorgisandthinkaboutimperialism, yetwemusttryourbesttodoso.
"If
“FartsandGiggles”NoraGibbons'23
“It’sstillthebeginning”Ms.Piacuado
Duringthefirstmonthsofanewschoolyear,Iwasinterestedto seehowourmostrecentgraduatesweredoing.Ireachedoutto lastyear’sTattlerEditorialBoardandaskedhowtheirfirstfew weeksofcollegewereandwhetherornottheyplantocontinue writingandpursuingjournalismincollegeHerearetheiranswers (plussomesageadvice):
Editor in Chief: Jinho Park '22
“Thefirstfewweeksofcollegehavetreatedmewell.WhileI havebeenbusy,muchmoresothanIwasinhighschool,ithas beenthegoodsortofbusy.IamlearningallthethingsIhopedto learnandfindingallthepeopleIhopedtomeet.Ofcourse,ithas notbeenallfunBeingawayfromfamily,friends,thelifeinIthaca IoncethoughtI’dhaveforever allthesethingsaretoughThere isnowayaroundthat
Ofcourse,I’mstillwritinghereI’mplanningtosubmitsome poetryandprosetothemanybrilliantliterarymagazineson campus.AndIhavebeen'comping' aweirdHarvardwaytosay gettinginvolvedwith The Crimson,theschoolpaper.WhatI’ve learnedfromthefirstfewweeksishowmuchIneverknewabout journalism.Ithasbeenhumbling.
Iwishyouandtherestofthefolksat The Tattler theverybest. Andpleasekeepwriting.Keepfindingandupliftingthebright studentvoicesatIHS Pleasefightthegoodfight,butalsodon’t worrytoomuchaboutanyofitDon’tworrytoomuchabout The Tattler,theotherclubsyoujoin,thesportsyouplay,theclassesyou take,oreventhefriendsyou’llgrowtoloveIntheend,afteryou havegivenyourself,allyoucandoischerishthepersonyouhave become.”
“TheBeginning”
“TheStart”
Continued from page 20
Opinion Editor: Louisa Miller Out ’22
“MyfirstfewweeksatSmithCollegehavebeengreatsofar! I’mplanningtomajorinbiologyandneurosciencebutI’malso enjoyingKorean,andIjuststartedwritingfortheopinionsection ofmycollege’snewspaper, The Sophian ”
Arts Editor: Katie Lin ’22
“Myfirstfewweeks[atCornell]havebeenwell,andI’mreally enjoyinggettingtoknowthe“college”sideofIthacaasopposedto the“highschool”side.Ilovemysuitemates,andamexcitedforthe future!Imaycontinuejournalisminthefuture,butcurrentlyam focusingonsocialjusticeclubs”
"IamcurrentlyattendingCornellUniversityandamplanning onbeingaGovernmentmajor.Collegeisveryfun!Iammeeting newpeople,enjoyingmyclasses,andpursuingclubsandother studentorganizations.Itisalotofworkthough;Iamspending manyhoursinthelibrary.Asofnow,Idonotintendonpursuing journalismincollegebutIdefinitelyplanonusingmywriting skillsgainedfrommyTattlerexperienceinresearchpublications andliterarymagazinesthroughoutmytimeatCornell"
Back Page Editor: Adowyn Ernste ’22
“Thefirstfewweeksofcollegehavebeenbusybutgood,and I'mreallyenjoyingallofmyclassessofarIt'sbeenabitofashift gettingusedtohowdifferentcollegeclassesarecomparedtohigh school: there's a lot more reading and a more fastpaced curriculum,butalsoachancetodigdeeperintothematerialand eventakecrazyclasseslikeNauticalArchaeologyandGamelan WhileIdon'tplantocontinuepursuingjournalismexactly,I definitelyplantokeepupwithcreativewriting,drawing,design, andcomics.Sofar,I'vejoinedthe Cornell Lunatic (ahumor magazineforsatire,art,andcomics)and Rainy Day (aliterary magazine).AsI'vediscovered,Cornellhasalotofpublications,so therearemanywaystogetinvolved!”
from
Copy Editor: Adam Saar ’22“Thefirstweeksofcollegehavebeenhecticandthereisso muchchangetotakeinwhenyoutransitionfromhighschoolto college,butI’vebeenhavingalotoffun.I’mreallyluckythatI’ve beenabletomeetalotofcoolpeopleandmakenewfriends,andI likemostofmyclassestoo AtCaseWesternReserveUniversity therearetwostudentrunprintpublications aweeklystudent newspapercalled The Observer,andamonthlysatiremagazine called The Athenian I’veindicatedinterestinbothbuthaven’tyet involved myself in either mainly due to timemanagement concernsasit’smyfirstsemesterincollege,butI’mreallyexcited togetinvolvedinthemeventually.I'mespeciallyexcitedabout writingfor The Athenian,Ifeellikeallthose Tattler AprilFools’ Editionshavepreparedmeexactlyforthis.”
“I’mcurrentlyaBiomedicalSciencesmajorattheRochester InstituteofTechnology,andI’minaBS/MDprogramwith UpstateMedicalUniversity,whichguaranteesmeaspotinmedical schoolinfouryears.IturneddownYaletocomehere Ithinka lotofpeopleworrytoomuchaboutprestigewhenpickinga schoolinsteadofchoosingwhat’srightforthem.Ijoinedthe studentmagazine(RIT Reporter)hereatcollege,andI’mcurrently theTechnologyEditor!Anothercoolfact:I’mgoingtoGuatemala inDecembertorepairhospitalequipmentinruralhospitals”
Asarebelliousteenagerwithtoomuchfreetime,Iwas desperatetofindawayoutofmyhouseforthesummer.In mysearchesforaplacetoescapeto,Istumbledupona
a small college program in rural Vermont Aptly named Middlebury,(probablyshortformiddleofnowherebury),this collegeseemedlikeagoodfitforasummerawayfromhome. Offeringseven toeightweekprogramswhereyoucansleep,eat,
andworkatthecollege,Iwasstokedtoleavemyparentsright away Thecatch,thatIdidn’trealizeatthetime,wasthatthe program was difficult Almost too difficult for my oblivious highschoolerself fourhoursofclassesstartingat8a.m.sharpand sixtoeighthoursofhomeworkwaswaymoreworkthanIhad expected.However,thatwasnoteventheworstpart.Whatcame
from
asaslapinthefacemorethananythingelsewasnotthedifficulty oftheprogramortheenvironment,orevenbeingsurroundedby nearlyallundergraduateorgraduatestudents,itwasTheLanguage PledgeThetrademarkedpromiseofalltheMiddleburyLanguage Schoolswastovowtonotuseanylanguageforcommunication otherthanthelanguageoftheschoolyouareattendingBasically: NOENGLISH.
ChoosingtostudyJapanese,Icametotheprogramexpectingan extremelyfunsummerandalotofnewfriends.Lookingback,you couldsayIachievedbothbutifyourideaofafunsummerisnot writingessaysuntilmidnightanddrawingKanjicharactersa thousandtimesoveryoumightwanttohesitatebeforesigning yournameonthepledgeboardAlthoughIhadmadeitthrough theapplicationprocessandarrivedattheprogram,myhaphazard studyhabitsandwaningattentioninclasswerebeginningtofail me On the first day of class, after procrastinating on my homework,goofingoffwithfriends,andwaitinguntil8pm to start,Ifoundmyselfupuntil1:30a.m.practicingreadingand writing.Gettingameaslyfivehoursofsleepthatnight,Ivowedto neverletmyselfgetintothatsituationagain,butnevertheless continuedtostruggleagainstmyprocrastinationhabitsandshort attentionspaninthecomingdays.Assurfingthroughhighschool oncommonsense(despitelackingproperhomeworkhabits)wasn’t anapplicableskillhereIstrivedtobecomearesponsiblepersonin theshortesttimepossibleIwasworkinghard,andmakingsteady progresstoowhenthefirstexamcamearound Confidentofmy imminentsuccessIforwentstudyingandtookiteasy,butIwas disappointedandembarrassedwhenIsawthatIscoredasixty eight.Peopleintheclasswerereceiving85sand90sandIfeltlike theoddoneout.Istartedworkingharderbutwhenthesecond examrolledaround…Igotasixtyeightagain.Notmuchofa redemption arc I suppose, I was quite discouraged. Despite studyingmorethanthelasttime,Ifeltmoremotivatedthaneverto scorehighlyBeingoneofjustahandfulofhighschoolstudentsin theprogram,Iwasconstantlyreassuredthatitwasokay,andthat "ofcoursecollegecoursesareharder"butIwantedtochallenge myself Icouldn’tleaveMiddleburywithoutsomemajorsenseof accomplishment.Tomysurprise,thiscamenotfromtestscores, butfromthefinalessayandpresentation.Myfinalpresentationwas ontrainsandIwrote2,500charactersonthedifferencesbetween JapaneseandAmericanpassengerrail.Thiswasamuchlonger essaythananythingIhavewritteneveninEnglish,andtheten minute long final presentation was leaps and bounds better executedthanthesubfiveminuteselfintroductionIscrambled togetheratthebeginningoftheprogram
Someofmybestmemoriesfromtheprogramwerestudying untillatewithfriends,eatinggoodfoodeverydayatthedining hall,andsinging 踊 り ⼦ “Odoriko''byVaundywithtwoofmy closestfriendsonstageattheKaraokeparty.Youmightthinkthat aprogramaboutstudyingwaspossiblynotfunbecauseyouhave worktodobutgettingtodohomeworkinthelibraryeveryday
wasoneofmyfavoritepartsoftheprogram.Havingalibrarythat wasopenuntilmidnighteverydaywasquitepossiblythecoolest thingever IgottogothereeverydaytostudyIalsogottostudy everydaywithoneofmybestfriendsfromtheprogrambecause theprogramhadsuchanarrowfocus:becausewehadalldevoted our summer to learning Japanese, everyone you knew was completelydedicated.Thismadehangingoutreallyeasybecause youalwaysknewwhereyourfriendswere.Before8a.m.people wouldbeeatingatthedininghall;between8a.m.and12p.m.we allattendedclasses;andafter12p.m.wewouldeatlunchandthen studyordoactivities.Thisgaveeverydayarepeatablerhythm,a lotoftimetodohomework,andplentyoftimetohangoutwith friends;youcouldalwaysfindthembecausenobodywasgoing anywhereuntilthesummerwasover
Asthekindofpersontosay“Fuckit,weball,”Ihadnoproblem upendingmyentirelifeforthissummerprogramWhatwasnot balling,however,wasleavingtheprogram,whichcamesooner thanIcouldhaveeverexpectedandleftmyemotionsindisarray. Duringtheprogram,Ihadmadecountlessfriends,discovereda lovefortennisandbasketball(whichIhadn’tknownprior),and hadasummerthatdidn’tsuckonanymetricmeasuredontheIt Sucks™scale.Leavingtheprogramactuallysuckedduetosome quiteobviousreasonsTheprimaryandmostobviousreasonthat leavingtheprogramsuckedwasbecauseIdidn'twantto Other reasonsincludedthatschoolwasobjectivelylessfunthanthe summerprogramandIdidn’twanttoreturn,thatIlovedthe friendsthatImadeanddidn’twanttoleave,thatIactuallyloved dormitorylife(apartfromabugthatwasinmyroomthatstill hauntsme),andthattheteacherswereverycoolandfuntobe around.Asacertifiedballer,Iballed(cried)mywaythroughthe closing ceremony in a respectable but nonetheless distressed fashionbecauseIwashavinganotsogreattimecomingtoterms withthefactthatIwasleavingsoonAlthoughdistressed,Irealized thatIwasonlysadbecauseIcaredalotabouttheexperienceand friendshipsImade ThishelpedmerealizethatsinceIwillkeep thosethingswithmeforever,it’snottoobadtoleaveandIhaveall ofmyfriends’contactinformation allofwhomIhavediligently beenkeepingintouchwithaftertheprogram.Mysummerof languagelearningwasn’tallfunandgames,anditcertainlywasn’t easy,butImightdaretosaythatIhavenotonlygrownasaperson frommyexperienceatthesummerprogram;Ihavealsogainedan appreciation and love for learning languages that will last a lifetime
Ourbrilliantprofessorsforourintermediate1classwereas follows:
Ishiisenseiwasourrespectfulandkindheadprofessorthanks foralwaysbeingconcernedwithhowthestudentsweredoing andtakingcareofus.
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Fujinagasenseiwasoursweetestandmostlovingprofessor. Thanksforcryingwithme Iwouldn’thavemadeitthrough theprogramwithoutyou
Sakauesensei was our most sporty professor Thanks for alwaysplayingsportswithmeIlearnedtoactuallyhavefunin sportsandourbasketballgameagainsttheChineseSchoolwas arealhighlightofmysummer.
Moritasenseiwasourmostenergeticprofessor.Thanksfor spendingsomuchtimeeditingmyfinalessay Icouldn’thave doneitwithoutyou.Andthanksforplayingtenniswithme; thosetennisnightsweresomeofthebest.
Kawanosenseiwasourcoolestprofessor.Thanksforbeingan excellentDJandthanksfortellingmeyourlifestoriesat1:00 am Thoselastfewdaysoftheprogramweresofunand excitingI’llneverforgetthem
During the duration of the program, I had temporarily forgottenthewordsprincipal,essay,efficient,andmanyothers duetomyprolongedhiatusfromEnglish.
Myfirstwordafterthepledgewaslifted(thedayoftheclosing ceremony)was“what”becausemyfrienddecidedagoodfirst thingtosaywasprofanitywhichIwaswildlyunaccustomedto hearingafterthelong8weeks.
Overall,ImadeunforgettablememoriesattheMiddlebury Language Schools and had such a blast that I am seriously consideringgoingbacktoworkthereasabilingualstudent(IfI canmanagetogetbetteratJapaneseinthemeantime)Tomeit wassucharewardingexperiencebecausealthoughitwasashort periodoftime,ImadecloserbondswiththefriendsImadethere thanIcouldhaveeverimagined.AlthoughIamstillsadthatthe summerprogramisover,I’vecometocherishtheJapaneseproverb “ 期 会 ”(ichigoichie)whichtranslatesto“onetime,one meeting”Thebeautyofthisproverbisinthesignificanceofa onceinalifetimemeetingwithpeoplethatwillcometoanend, butyoubothcherishthesmalltimeyouspenttogether Who knows,youmayverywellseethemagain theworldissmaller thanyouthink
Likemanythings,onceyouthinkabouttheprocessof makingaJacko’Lantern,it’salittlestrange.Hollowingout gourdstocarvefacesinthemisalittlebitbizarre.Sowho
diditfirst?
Well,thecustomofcarvingdifferentkindsofvegetablescanbe tracedbacktoearly19thcenturyIreland.There,turnipswere hollowedoutandwerecarvedwith“scary”faces.Thesefaces weresaidtowardoffevilspiritsthatwalkedtheearthduringthe GaelicfestivalofSamhain,laterknownasHalloween
SomealsoarguethatJacko’LanternsrepresentChristiansouls sufferinginpurgatory Thismostlystemsfromthefactthat HalloweenoccursontheeveofAllSaint’sDay(November1)All Saint’sDayhasmanynames,andisessentiallyusedtohonorall thesaintsofthechurch.Saintsaresaidtohave“anexceptional degreeofholiness,”andtheJacko’Lanternsweresaidtoserveasa remindertothepublictostriveforthatlevelofdedicationtoGod.
BackinIrelandin1836,astorytitled,“TheLegendofJacko theLantern” was published in the Dublin Penny Journal. Throughoutthemid19thcentury,differentlegendsofJacko’ LanternsemergedAcommononeinNorthAmericabeing“The LegendofSleepyHollow”(1820)Here,theHeadlessHorsemanis oftendepictedwithapumpkininplaceofhisseveredhead,which islaterdiscoveredsmashedoutsideofthemaincharacter’shouse
In1879,wesawtheJacko’Lanternshiftfrombeingsomething scarytobeingalegendforchildren.ApoemfromFunnyNursery Rhymeswarnschildrentonotbeliketheuntrustworthy“Master Jacko’Lantern.”AlthoughillustratedasaJacko’Lantern,Master Jacko’Lanternismoresimilartothecharacterizationofawillo thewisp,oramischievousghostlightfromEnglishfolklore
Now,Jacko’Lanternshavebecomesynonymouswith Halloweenandtheharvestseason TheUnitedStatesmakesa biggerdealoutofHalloweenthanothercountries,butJacko’ LanternscanbeseeninNorthAmerica,Europe,andWestern partsofAsiaduringtheholidayseasonaswell.
ThispastsummerIhadthewonderfulopportunitytovisit myfavoriteplaceintheUnitedStates:LosAngeles, California.IloveLosAngelesbecauseofitsplethoraof
opportunities, beautiful coastline, and variety of cultures As someonewholovesLosAngelesandtherestofCalifornia,I cannotignorethestate'sclimatecrisis.
WhenIvisitedLosAngelesfromAugust31toSeptember6,I experiencedtemperaturesupto113degreesFahrenheit.Having livedinUpstateNewYorkandNewYorkCity,Ihaveneverbeen anywhereoveronehundreddegreesinmylife.EverydaythatI wasinLosAngeles,therewasa"FlexAlert"inplacefrom4to9 pm A"FlexAlert"signalstoCaliforniansthattheycannotturn thermostatsanylowerthanseventyeightdegrees,chargeelectric vehicles or use highvoltage appliances Although sometimes inconvenient,FlexAlertspreventmajorpoweroutagessuchasthe onesin2021duringaTexassnowstorm.Flexalertsbegthe questionofwhetherornotourcurrentpowergridscanhandlethe ongoingclimatecrisisandwhatcanwedotoimprovethem.
TemperatureisnottheonlyclimatebattleCaliforniaisfacing. WhenlandingatLAX,IhadabeautifulaerialviewofLosAngeles County Isawwhatappearedtobeanemptyfreeway,which confusedmesinceLosAngelesisfamousforitstrafficjamsItturns out that the “empty freeway” was actually the driedup Los AngelesriverThisriverhadlesswaterthanmostcreeksI’veseen AdriedupriverisahugesignofjusthowseriousCalifornia’s droughtis.AlthoughmanyCaliforniansdotheirparttoconserve water,theuberrichtendtoconsumeanexorbitantamount. CelebritiessuchasKourtneyKardashianhavefacedbacklashfor usingmorewaterthantheyareallocated.(Kardashianused245 percentofherwaterallotmentinonemonth,amountingtoan astonishing101,000gallonsofwater)Withnearlyfortymillion peoplelivinginCalifornia(tenmillioninLosAngelesCounty alone),havingenoughwaterandotherresourcestosupporta populationisofutmostimportance
FireshavealsobeenahugeprobleminCaliforniaWhileIwas landingintoLAX,afireintheCastaicareaburned5,208acresand ledtosevenfirefighterinjuries.Thisfirecausedtwolanesof Freeway5tocloseandthreatenedfivehundredhomes.Thiswas
just one of several fires that occurred during my week in California.Notonlydothesefiresburnthousandsofacresofland, they also threaten the health of residents by contributing to harmfulairquality.LosAngeles’sairremainsoneofthemost pollutedintheUnitedStatesduetofires,vehicleemissions,and emissionsfrommanufacturing.In2021,LosAngelesCountyhad only forty days out of the year where the air quality was categorized as “Good” According to the LA Almanac, the remainder of the days ranged from “Moderate” to “Very Unhealthy”
InthefaceoftheseverityofCalifornia’sclimatecrisis,many groupshaveputeffortintocombatingclimatechange.Higher educationinstitutionssuchastheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia andtheClaremontCollegeshaveinitiativestobecomemore sustainable.TheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia(USC)has createdtheUSCCenterforSustainableSolutionsandhasdesigned itscampussothatitiswalkableandbikeable TheClaremont CollegesincludingPomona,Scripps,Pitzer,ClaremontMcKenna, and Harvey Mudd have created an Environmental Analysis Program,aprogramthatpreparesstudentstocombatclimate change In2015,ClaremontMcKennanotablyremovedtwenty fivepercentoftheirlawnswhichreducedtheamountofwater consumptionfornonessentialcrops.Additionally,withthebanon sellinggaspoweredvehiclestakingeffectin2035,theamountof electricvehicleshassignificantlyincreased.Iftheelectricpower sourcescanbezeroemissions,thepollutionfromvehicletraffic willsignificantlydecreaseWiththesestepsintherightdirection, Californiacanremainasustainableplaceforlife
Friendscomeandgo,theseasonschange,andthusanew archivisttakesherplaceat The Tattler I’vealwaysbeena longtimeenjoyerofhistory,andworkinginthearchives
letsmeseethestoriedhallsofIHSstraightfromthestudentswho havecomebeforeusEnjoy!
October 1999 TheWorldAccordingToLilyHeyy’all.ThisisLilyagain.Igettowritethiswholeanything chunkeverymonth.Wicked!Iknowyou’repumpedaboutit,and that’schillSo,IreallylikethefootballgamesThey’reallschool spiritedoutandflylikethat Andthecheerleadersaresuper I’m notkiddingLastyearsomeonethrewabottleatmeandmadea demeaningcommentatafootballgame Thisyear,IthoughtI’d giveitanotherchancebecauseMr Demeaningcommentmaker doesn’truleMYlife,duh.AndpeoplepaintedIHSontheirchests andIwasreallyloudbecauseIcanhaveaverymasculinevoiceon demand.Butwelost.Ifeelforthefootballplayers.Iplayed modifiedbasketballwhenIwasin7thgrade(rightafterIstopped playingwithBarbies),andalthoughwehadalotofcomraderyand spirit,we,pardonme,sucked Um,IthinkIscoredalloftwo basketsthewholeseason,andIstartedOnetime,wewereplaying Owegoorsomething,andtheywerealmostasabunchofplayers likeMEAnyway,wewereallathomeintheDeWittgymnasium, which,bytheway,hasREALLYsmellygirl’slockerrooms,and thecrowdwasroaringbecausewewereonlydownabouttwo points.(Score!)AndISWEARthisrefereewaswatchinganother basketballgameonlike,aminiatureTV,insteadofwatchingthe gamerightbeforehim,becausehemadethisbullhockeycalland stupidOwegowon.WhatkindofnameisOwegoanyway?It alwaysremindsmeofthoseWinkiesfromthe“WizardofOz”that wereblueandfuzzyorsomething Youknow?Thoseonesthat guardedtheWickedWitchoftheWest’scastlethingthatwas probablyjustaminiaturemodelthattheyzoomedinonawhole
lotAnyhow IdigressSo,thefootballgamesIwanttotryout forbasketballcheerleadingnowjustbecauseitwouldbesofun ThewholethingaboutIthacacheerleadersisthatwehave attitude.Forinstance,the“YELL,YELLeverybodysay UMPH!WOOO!SayUMPHWOOO!”cheer.Irememberthe UnionEndicottcheerleaderssayingtheirschoolcolorsandit soundedliketheywereallsaying“arngeandblick.”Youfigureit outNotonlydowehaveattitude,wecanannunciateproperly (Doublescore!)WealsohaveHomecoming Notlikeother schoolsdon’thaveHomecoming,buthereit’sdifferentBecause I’minhererunningforHomecomingQueenAwwyeahYou shouldvoteformeNo,seriouslyI’llmakeitallworthitforyou, becausewhenthekingandqueendothespotlightdance(ifwe haveone,Iknowtherewasonein“Grease”),I’llbustoutwith therunningmanandthatdancewhereyougrabyourankleand swingyourkneefromfronttoback.That’sright.So,votefor LilyStahlerCavanaughforHomecomingQueenandmakehera weiner!
Yourfriend,Lily September 1898Until1795thevariousIslandswereruledbyindependent chiefs,butatthattimetheywereallunitedintoonekingdom underKamehameha.AdirectdescendantofKamehameha,nearly halfacenturylater,establishedsomelawsandcustomsthathave beenretainedtothepresenttime
Theschoollawcompelstheattendanceatschoolofeverychild betweentheagesofsixandfifteenyearsThefreeGovernment schoolsaresupportedbyataxoftwodollarspercapita,paidby everymaleinhabitantoftheislandsbetweentheagesoftwenty andsixty.Sincethemalepopulationofthekingdomisabout 75,000,thismakesasufficientsumforthesupportoftheschools.
Everyformofreligionispermittedandprotected.Nearlyall thenativesareChristians.ThereisabishopoftheEpiscopal Churchtowhichmostofthenobilityoftheislandsbelong,anda RomanCatholicbishop
Large sums of money are annually expended by the governmentforthecureofthelepers,aboutsevenhundredin number,whoareisolatedinhospitalsontheislandofMolakai
Thegreatrangeoftemperatureatthedifferentelevationsand thevarietyofthesoilarecharacteristictothecultivationofboth southern and northern climates. Sugar is the most valuable productoftheislandsandisexportedinlargequantities.
UndertheprotectionoftheUnitedStates,allformsofindustry andmanufacturewillbeintroducedandHawaiiwillbecomethe mostvaluableofUncleSam’snewpossessions
From the Archives: Excerpts
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Wherecanamanbuyacapforhisknee Orakeytoalockofhishair?
Canhiseyesbecalledanacademy
Becausetherearepupilsthere?
Inthecrownofhishead,whatgemsareset?
Whotravelstothebridgeofhisnose?
Canheuse,whenshinglingtheroofofhismouth, Thenailsfromtheendsofhistoes?
Whatcanheraisefromaslipofhistongue?
Whoplaysonthedrumsofhisears?
Andwhocantellthecutandstyle Ofthecoathisstomachwears?
Canthecrookofhiselbowbesenttojail?
Andifso,whatdiditdo?
Howdoeshesharpenhisshoulderblades?
I’msureIdon’tknow,doyou? Ex
BillyBumpkinwenttoschool
Onanautumnmorning, Therehestartedhiscareer, TheFreshmanclassadorning.
NowBillythoughtthathewasbright Anddidnotneedtostudy; Sowhenhewenttohistoryclass
Hisbrainwasrather“muddy”
“Billy,tellme,”teachersaid “AbouttheRevolution.”
Thenuphejumpedandansweredher, “Itwasaninstitution.”
THEMarchdawnwasjustbreakingoverthewildGallichillsas twomenemergedfromaflappingtentintheRomancampOne, bearingtheuniformofalegionary,wasapologizingprofuselyto theother,whowasstandingwiththeredcloakofageneraldrawn tightlyaroundhimlisteningwithagrowingannoyance.Finallyhe interruptedtheman’spainfultalewith,“Bythegods,man,could not ”thehisimpatiencegavewaytohisusualcalmnessandhe
spokeinavoicewellaccustomedtogivingorders,“Sendtheword aroundthatIofferonehundredsestercesforthesafereturnofmy horse, Aquilius And by the way, Publius, tell my man, Cingetorix,tolightmeafire”
“OnehundredsestercesforCaesar’shorse”echoedbackand forthintheneatlyplannedtentstreetsandthesoldiersscatteredin everydirection,theiraccoutrementsrattling.Eachmanshoutedto themannearesthim,asthoughthatwouldaidthesearch.The horses,catchingthecontagion,neighedinchorusandstamped theirfeetwiththedullthumppeculiartothisaction.
Caesar,habituatedtosuchturmoil,spreadamapofnorthern Gaulonacamptable,placedastoneateachofitsfourcornersand satdownonastooltoplannextsummer’scampaignEveryfew minutesherose,ruffledhishairandabsentmindedlystretchedhis handsoverthesmokeyblazeWhilehewasstandingthusahorse ambledslowlyupandcatchingsightofabunchofdriedgrass underthetable,whichhasbeenusedtolightthemassivefire, shovedhismassiveheadbetweenthelegsofthetable.
MeanwhileCaesarwasstudyingintentlyapieceofcharred wood,seeinginit whoknows? perhapstheRubicon.Suddenly he raised his head and an expression of comic dismay and indecisionoverspreadhisface.ThemapofGaulborneonthechill northwindwasbeatingarapidretreattowardsRome;thetable hadcollapsedinhorroratsuchtreacheryandthestoolwasrolling inheadlonghastedownthehill Inthemidstofthischaosthe horsestoodchewing;hetookaloing,complacentlookatthe mightyconquerorwhoinhisturnstaredinamusedastonishment Thenwithawhinnyofdelightthehorsetrottedupandrubbed hiswhitenostrilsinCaesar’sroughcloak.
ICSDhasbeenfacingteacherandstaffshortagesforseveral yearsandtheproblemiscontinuingintothe20222023school year.IHSisinauniquepositionbecauseofthevarietyofclassesit offers,rangingfromrequiredclassesandENL(EnglishasaNew Language) to electives in English, Social Studies, Math, and Science Ourhugesupportstaffincludescounselors,aschool psychologist,theSpecialEducationdepartment,andthelunchstaff nowfacingtheburdenofUniversalLunchTheseshortageshave beenhardoneveryone,forcingtheadministrationtofallbackona solutioncommonlyreferredtoas“overage.”Inthelasttwoyears especially,teachershaveretiredormovedtosurroundingdistricts, forcing other teachers to pick up extra classes. The amount teacherscanbeforcedtolegallyworkisadelicatenegotiation betweentheteachers'unionandtheadministration.
Tounderstandoverage,onemustfirstunderstandtheway classes are “weighted” According to the Science Department Head,ArtiJewett,a“regular”fulltimescheduleisworth10and typicallyincludesfiveperiodsandlunchduty Eachclassisan additional02points,andeachlabcourseis03Anextra01canbe pickedupbyworkinginAcademicInterventionServices(AIS). Lunchandstudyhalldutyarenotextrapay,althoughtheyhave almostbecomeauniversalresponsibilityforteachersthisyear. Overageisworkinganythingovera1.0schedule.Althougha1.0 scheduleisalreadyafulltimejob,overagehasbecomearealityfor teachersallacrosstheschool
TheIthacaTeachers'Association(ITA)isapartofthelarger NewYorkStateUnitedTeachersUnion(NYSUT)Theyhavean organized website with clear demands, as well as contact informationforITAleadersManyofthenamesyou’llseehereare familiar variousteachersatthemiddleandhighschoolshold positionsattheITA.Unfortunately,evenwithsomanypeople fighting for the rights of teachers, every year brings new challenges. The Tattler spoke with Adam Piasecki, the ITA president,aboutthetopicofoverage.HeexplainedthattheITA hasn’tsatdownfornegotiationssince2019,sinceagivencontract typically lasts several years There was already a mention of overageintheexistingcontract,permittingteacherstotakeon morethan10FTE(FulltimeEquivalent)forextrapayEachtime ateacherretires,alltheclassestheytaughtareleftopen,unlessthe postingcanbefilled.Unfortunately,ICSDhasblunderedits
attemptsathiringnewteacherstoreplacetheold.AsTheTattler haswrittenaboutbefore,surroundingdistrictspaybetterthan ourdistrict,sothereisnoincentivefornewteacherstocometo IHStoreplacebelovedretiredorresignedteachersWhenanew teachercannotbehired,currentteacherstakeonextraclassesto makesuretheyarecovered Forexample,ifonemathteacher retiresandpreviouslytaughtfiveclasses,thenfiveteachersare encouragedtoworkoneclassovertheirusualschedule.Piasecki mentionedthatthisextraincomeisappreciatedbymany,butfor others whodidn’twanttotakeonextraclasses feelobligated inordertosupporttheirstrugglingdepartments.Thisproblem wasmostprominentintheSpecialEducation,WorldLanguage, andMathdepartments.IreachedouttoamemberoftheSpecial EducationDepartment,butunfortunatelytheydidn’trespond Thatprobablysaysenoughabouthowoverworkedtheyare ArtiJewettspokewithmeaboutthenegotiationsshehadwith theadministrationShesaidtherewasn’tpressureplacedonher, but some of the hours suggested were “inhumane” Jewett believesthatinaneightperiodday,teachingfourlabcourses couldhavebeenreasonable,butnotinasevenperiodday.Even ifexplicitpressurewasn’tplacedonJewettandotherscience teacherstoacceptoverage,shefearsthatwiththisnewschedule, thismaysimplybecomethereality.Theissueswerefeltlessin theScienceDepartmentthaninotherdepartments likeMath, WorldLanguage,andSpecialEducation
ElizabethGiblin,theMathDepartmentHead,mentionedthat theMathDepartmentiscurrentlyshorttwoteachers,andfour areworkingovertimetomakeupforthisGiblinalsoexplained thattheaverage“cap”(maximumclasssize)hasincreasedthis year.Theincreaseinclasssizeissomethingstudentscanclearly see;studentshavesaidtheydon'tremembereverbeinginsuch crowdedclasses.Thingsaredefinitelyworsethanusualinthe 202223 school year Giblin can’t remember ever needing overagesinhereightyearsinthisdepartment Sheexpresseda similarsentimentasAdamPiaseckiandArtiJewett,whenshe said,“ateachercannotbe“forced”totakeonoverage itistheir choice,thoughitistrickybecauseteachersknowthatifthey don'ttakeontheoverage,itcanleavesomestudentsinatough spot,schedulewise.”Thisisareallyimportantpointtofocuson: teachersfeelliketheyhavearesponsibilitytotheirstudents,and sometimesareforcedtoputasidetheirownwellbeingtomake sureeveryonegetstotaketheclassestheywant.IfICSDpaid competitivesalaries,therewouldn’tbesuchahugeissueinhiring newandretainingoldteachers Teachersalsowouldn’thaveas muchofaneedtotakeonoveragefortheextramoneyifthey werealreadybeingpaidsufficiently The Tattler haswritten aboutthismanytimesbefore yetnosignificantchangesseemto havebeenmade IfadministratorswantICSDtorunproperly, theyneedtopaythepeoplewhomakeitrun.
Thereisn’talotgoingoninIthaca,admittedly,butwe’ve gotafewcoolplacesandevents.TheFarmers’Marketis prettycharming;Porchfestisdope;IndianCreekFarmis
abloomingbitofhippyheaven(althoughIthinkthat’stechnically inTrumansburg)ButmyfavoritespecialfeatureoflifeinIthacais theFriendsoftheTompkinsCountyLibraryBookSaleTheSale happensonlybiannually,butdedicatedvolunteersworkallyear roundtowelcomedonations,sortitemsintohundredsofunique categories,andorganizebooks.(Thesystembywhichthebooks areorganized alphabeticalorder,theDeweyDecimalsystem,the LibraryofCongresssystem isamajorpointofcontentionforthe librarians)
LastweekItalkedwithlongtimeBookSalevolunteerDr AnnaLevina (AnotherdistinctivefeatureoflifeinIthaca:the volunteerstendtobeactivescholars,historians,researchscientists, and other kinds of erudite people in possession of multiple degrees.)InanswertothequestionofwhatshethinksIHSstudents shouldknowabouttheevent,DrLevinanotedthatthewide varietyofitemsmakestheSaleappealingtoeveryone.“I’msure everythingatsomepointwillcomethroughthebooksale.It’slike theAtlantaAirportofbooks.Yougettoseetheitemsthatyou mightnotactuallyseeinbookstoresorlibraries Yougetto discovernewauthors”
AndwhyvolunteerattheSale?“We’reallbooknerdshereso yougettohangoutamongyourfriends”AnneNeirynck,aSale coordinator,toldmethat“nomatterwhatyourinterestsare art, environment, music, literature, politics, the sciences, crime, vampires, magical realism we have books about them, all amazinglylowpriced.Youcanfindotherthingsyou'lllovehere, likegames,puzzles,music,graphicnovels,manga,andcomics. Theselectionistremendousandeveryoneishavingagoodtime. ComeshoptheSalewithyourfriends,andsupporttheLibrary whileyou'reatit!"
TheFallBookSaleishappeningonthreeOctoberweekends October8through10,15through17,and22through25 from 10am to8pmatthewarehouseon509EstyStreet And attentionstudents!StudentNightwillbeheldonWednesday, October19from4to8p.m.Youmustbesixteenorolder(sorry freshies!)andshowacurrentstudentID(asembarrassingasyour photois).SeniorDayisthesamedayandisnotforhighschool seniors.(Iknowthat’sconfusingforsomeofyououtthere.)
IfyouwishtoavoidalonglineonanyparticularSaleday,we suggestyoulineupearlyinthemorningofthatdayorcome laterintheafternoonwhenthelinetendstobeshorter.
Pleasebringyourownreusablebags,boxes,orbins.Weoffer bagsandboxes,buttheymayrunoutlaterintheSale!
OnthelastMondayofeachSale,everyitemonthemainfloor isjustadime!That'sjusttencents,folks
Buyallthebooksthatfitinastandard,reusablegrocerybag foronlyonedollaronBagDay,thelastTuesdayofeachSale OntheWednesdayaftertheSale,wewelcomethefollowing individualsorgroupsfromTompkinsCountytoselectitems fortheirschoolororganization,freeofcharge:teachers,home schoolteachers,studentteachers,theclergy,community,and othernotforprofitorganizations.Pleasebringproofofyour affiliationwithalocalnotforprofitorganizationorateacher
HerearesometipsandwordsofadvicefromtheBookSaletop brass:Withouttheinterestfromlastyearonhowtheywould proceedduringCOVID,the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards havelittletoattractviewers.Withafewemot ionalwinsbutmanymorejokesthatdidn’tland,the2022Emmys werefarfromexceptional.
Thisyear,theawardswerehostedbyKenanThompson,a Saturday Night Live (SNL) comedian. This role had been previously occupied by celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres,andEddieMurphy.Thebroadcastwasopenedwitha dancenumbertofamousseries’intros,from Friends to Stranger Things Whilesomethemeswereclearlyawkwardtodanceto, most of the opening performance was wellchoreographed Despitetheeffort,theideawasbland,andnothingwilleverbeat the2010 Glee themedopening
Inthe2022Emmys,arepeatwinner, Succession, beatoutshows like Stranger Things, Euphoria,and Squid Game towinOutstanding DramaSeries.Theshowhaswonthecategorytwiceinthree seasons,rackinguptoatotalofthirteenEmmywins.Thewinner ofOutstandingComedySerieswas Ted Lasso,thesecondseason earningtwentynominationsatthe74thEmmysDespitethelossof OutstandingDramaSeries,the Squid Game teammadehistory withanactinganddirectingtrophy,thefirstforiegnlanguage dramatowinthesetophonorsWealsosawmanyotherwinsat thisyear’sEmmys,with The White Lotus winningtheLimitedor Anthology Series category. Additionally, Zendaya won Lead ActressinaDramaseriesforherperformanceasRueBennettin Euphoria.Likewise,JasonSudekiswonLeadActorinaComedy Seriesfor Ted Lasso. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver wonthe talkshowcategory,beatingoutboth Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Asexpected,SNLwontheVariety SketchSeriescategoryaftercompetingwithonlyoneothershow Despitetheroutinenatureofthisyear’sEmmyAwards,social mediaclipsfromcelebritiesexpandedtheaudiencefortheawards Lizzo’snewshowLizzo’sWatchOutfortheBigGrrrlswon OutstandingCompetitionProgram,andshecelebratedherwinon aTikToklive,alongsideanappearanceasmemorableasherdress. Additionally, Sheryl Lee Ralph’s win came with another performance,arenditionofDianeReeves’1994song“Endangered Species.”
AstwoyearsworthofCOVIDjokesrandry,theshowwriters turnedtheirattentiontotheTVtakeoverthatisstreamingservices ThenightwaspunctuatedwithanumberofjabsatNetflix’srecent businesssetbacks Althoughbroadcastshowshavebeenfailing,a highpointwasAbbottElementary,anABCsitcom,winningtwo
Emmys.TheshowwonOutstandingCastingforaComedyShow andSherylLeeRalphwonOutstandingSupportingActressina ComedySeriesAmongothernominations,Abbottwasnominated forBestComedy;ifithadwon,itwouldhavemarkedthefirst timesince2014thatthiscategorywaswonbyanetworkcomedy
Overall,TheEmmyswereasusual:unoffensiveandonly momentarilymemorable.Withtheincreasingamountofchoice viewersarefacedwith,what’stheroleofanawardshow?
YoumayhaveheardofPrideMonthinJune,butdidyou knowOctoberisQueerHistoryMonth?Inhonorofthis, I’vecompiledalistoffivequeerartistsandtheirbestsongs. Trustme,you’llwanttoaddthesetrackstoyourplaylistsassoonas humanlypossible.
Isaac Dunbar (he/him) Namedthe“queerprinceofpop,”Isaac Dunbar,agenineteen,isknownforhischillingtakesontwisted loveandpower.Thesingersongwriterhasreleasedfouralbums since2019 hislatest,“BanishTheBanshee,”wasreleasedlast MayHissong“makeupdrawer”tacklesgenderexpressioninaraw andsomehowenergeticway,whilesongslike“intimatemoments” takeaslower,morepersonalapproach
TOP SONGS: “Bleach,”“love,orlackthereof,”“makeupdrawer”
Ashnikko (she/they) Ifyou’relookingforsomethingupbeat, Ashnikko’smusicisthewaytogo.She’snotshyabouther experiences with women and takes a queer approach to the mainstreamrapstandardofgaudilydescribingintimacy.Despite thefactthattheirsongshavebeenappropriatedbystraightwomen while trending on social media, Ashnikko has continued to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and make music that empowerswomenlovingwomen
TOP SONGS: “SlumberParty,”“Tantrum,”“L8RBoi”
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Kehlani (she/they) Kehlani,whooriginallyrosetofameaspart ofthegroup Poplyfe, magicallyfusesslowandsensualR&Bwith currentraptrends Theirpassionatelyricsgiverepresentationof sapphicrelationshipsinanintimate,yettastefulwayShetouches onsecretrelationshipsandhomophobiainhersong“Undercover,” tellingtheirloverbravelythat“youknowtheydon'twannaseeus together,butitdon'tmatter,no,'causeIgotyou.”
TOP SONGS: “Honey,”“melt,”“CRZY.”
BB Bean (they/them) IndiealternativeartistBBBeancleverly combines fluffy romance with catchy electronic instruments Whiletheyhavenotyetreleasedanentirealbumorbeenidolized bythemedia,theyhavegainedpopularitythroughthequeer communityRecently,theyhitonemillionstreamsonSpotify,and aresuretocapturetheheartsofindielovingqueerkids
TOP SONGS: “TwoBestFriends,”“TheNeighbor(demo),” “BiancaStratford.”
UMI (she/they) AfricanAmericanandJapaneseartistUMIis notshyabouttheirqueerness “PrettyGirlhi!”fromtheir2020EP expressesheradmirationforaprettygirl “Umi,”whichmeans “ocean”inJapanese,isaperfectwordtodescribehercraft melodicandsweet,withemotionalandcalmtonesJustasyoucan relyontheoceantide,youcanrelyonUMItoproducevibrant, touchingmusic
TOP SONGS: “OpenUp,”“sorry,”“wishthaticould.”
Supportingqueerindependentartistsnotonlygivesthem recognitionfortheirartworkbutalsoencouragesinclusionina fielddominatedbystraight,cisgenderpeople.Bylisteningtomusic byqueerartists,youcanexpandyourworldviewandexplorenew aspectsofyouridentityinanengaging,entertainingway
Musicbringspeopletogethereveryday,andtheseartistsare goodremindersthat nomatterifyou’regay,trans,cisgender,or straight youcanlove,youcanbeloved,andyoucanconnect withothersthroughcreativeexpression
Inapredominantlywhite,maleledfieldsuchasthecomicbook industry,itisbothrefreshingandexcitingwhenanonwestern femaleartistgainspopularity.In2022,MarvelComicslaunche danewprogramcalledtheStormbreakerartistprogram,inwhich notablerisingcomicartistsofthenextgenerationarerecognized. AcomicartistandauthorfromJapanthatgoesbythepseudonym PeachMomokowasoneoftheoriginalStormbreakersartists.She hasbeenrecognizedforherwildlysuccessfulcoverartandher uniquestyle.
BorninJapan,Momoko’sfatherandgrandfatherwereboth paintersGrowingupintheSaitamaprefectureofJapan,shewas
influenced by her family to pick up the paintbrush. Her grandfatherworkedwithtraditionaloilpaints,andherfather,a photographer,alsolovedpainting.Momokoultimatelywentto collegeforvideogamedesign,whereshedecidedtoswitchcareer tracksandbecomeaprofessionalillustrator.Momoko’sstyleis focusedonjuxtaposingfemininebeautyandstrengthwithinner madness,usingwatercolorasherprimarymedium Shetakes inspiration from Japanese classical culture, including Japanese folktalesandsamurai Shestartedusingthepseudonym,Peach Momokoinartschool,andthenamestuckMomokoenteredthe MarvelComicsworldin2019withavariantcover.Shegained
UMI's Album Cover "Forest in the City," courtesy of Keep Cool/RCA RecordsIf You're Not Listening to these Queer Artists, I Don't Know What You're Doing
recognitionduringthepandemicwhenshebeganproducingan averageoftwentycoversamonth Duringhercareer,Momoko hasworkedon213coversforMarvelandwonthe2021Eisner AwardforBestCoverartist
CreatingcoverartisnotthelimitofPeachMomoko’stalents,as sheevenstartedherownMarvelcomicseriesin2021,whichis written,illustrated,andcoloredbyherself.Thefivepartsagais titledDemonDaysandisaperfectblendofactionpackedhorror, feministideals,realisticadolescentstruggles,andJapaneseculture. Inadditiontobeingvisuallystunning,Momoko’sDemonDays beautifullyblendsrelatableandpopularMarvelcharacterswith Japanese mythology, granting her readers a perspective into classicalJapanesecultureandgivingitvisibilityaswell
PeachMomokoisactiveonbothInstagramandTwitter,where she regularly posts her art This young comic book artist is definitelyworthsupporting.Youcancheckouthersocialmediaat @peachmomoko60,onbothInstagramandTwitter.
Inthemajorityofzombiefilms,weseewhatThomasHobbes wouldcallareturntothestateofnature:whateffectthe dissolutionofinstitutions(hospitals,policeforces,schools)has oon n people, who predictably become brutal, selfserving, and immoral Intheconditionofthestateofnature,manfeelsno securitybeyondwhatsecurityhecanprovidehimself Zombie moviescouldbeconsideredasubgenreofhorror,butthezombies themselvesarenotreallywhatwe’reafraidof we’reafraidofwhat happenswhensocialcohesionbreaksdown,whenhumanschoose to act in their own selfinterest, instead of acting in the community’sbestinterests.InpsychologistPaulBloom’swords, “It’snotliketheriseoftheundeadisaseriousconcernweshould focuson,butthat’snotwhatzombiemoviesareabout.Zombie moviesareaboutwhathappenswhenthereisnopoliceanymore, nolaw,andnogovernmentTherealdangerinzombiemoviesis neverzombies it’speople”
Thebestfilmsofthisgenre filmssuchasthelowbudget genreshaping British independent 28 Days Later (2002), HollywoodblockbusterWorldWarZ(2013),andSouthKorean runawaysuccessTraintoBusan(2016) showthatmosthuman survivorsofthevariouszombieplaguesactpoorlyoutoffearand desperation.But,crucially,thesefilmsalsoshowafewregular peopleactingwithimmensecourageandcompassioninhorrific situationsInWorldWarZ,forexample,thefleeingprotagonists aresavedwhenafamilyunderduressunexpectedlyopensthedoor forthem,exposingthemselvestoperilIn28DaysLater,orphans anddriftersformanewlovingfamilyunit TraintoBusan’s reluctantheroinitiallyshutsthetraindooronapregnantwoman andherhusband,whoarecloselypursuedbyagangofzombies;at thelastsecond,andduetothewealthofvoicesbehindhim screamingtoletthemin,heopensthedoorforthem.Eachofthese threefilmsfeaturescenesthatshedlightonthewayshumanstreat eachother:poorly,kindly,carefully,dismissively,withcompassion or contempt Humans attack other humans out of fear, by fightingtogetonthelasttrain,bywieldingthepoweroflaw enforcementinalawlessland,orevenbyturningpeopleawayand shuttingthedoor
Thesethreefilmshintatwhatiswrongaboutsayingallpeople willactbadlyinthefaceofdisaster,thathumansarefundamentally baseandselfserving.Thereissomethingaboutthecharactersthat
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makesyouresist,challengeordistrusttheHobbesianthesis that thelifelivedoutsidetheregulatingstructureofinstitutionsis “solitary,poor,nasty,brutish,andshort”Butinimportantways, thefilmsstillfollowtheideathatarenewedsocialcontract,a restoredgovernmentorthedecimationofthezombiesistheonly wayforpeopletobeatpeace.Thatiswhythe2013horror romancecomedydrama Warm Bodies provestobeanewkindof zombie movie: the zombies themselves with their grotesque, oozing,bloodybodies offerusapathbacktohumanity.
But how? How do the undead of Warm Bodies enliven themselvesandtherestofhumanity?Howdoesthisfilmoffera critiqueoftheideathatonlylawsmakepeopledotherightthing andnotanyinnateinstinctforthegood?
“WhatamIdoingwithmylife?”beginstheinternalnarrationof Warm Bodies’character“R,”ateenagezombiewhospendshisdays shufflingthroughanairportandmakingcausticobservationsabout hisfellowzombies.“I’msopale.Ishouldgetoutmore.Ishouldeat better.Mypostureisterrible.Ishouldstandupstraighter.People wouldrespectmemoreifIstoodupstraighter.What’swrongwith me?Ijustwannaconnect.Whycan’tIconnectwithpeople?Oh, rightIt’sbecauseI’mdead[ ]Ican’tremembermynameormy parentsormywork AlthoughmyhoodiesuggeststhatIwas unemployed”
OnedayRencountersJulie,aprettyhuman,whilehe’seating herboyfriend’sbrains,andfeelsashiftinhisprioritiesHewantsto protecther.Shemakeshisheartbeatagain. Warm Bodies offersusa newcategorybeyondthedivisionbetweendeadandundead:the transitionalphase,whereinazombiebeginstorecallhishumanity andslowlyregainhishumanattributes apulse,aflushedface,a warm body by either experiencing or witnessing human connection(Parenthetically,thetransitionalzombiehumanphase isahelpfulallegoryinamovieaboutteenagersHighschoolersare likepupaethemselves,somewherebetweenlarvaeandadults) WhatbringsRbackiscaughtupwithhisingestionofother people’s brains, because he gets to experience their human memories;inone,seeinghimselfasazombieshockshim.His friend,hilariousandwonderfulandplayedbyRobCorddry,feelsa changebysimplygazingataposteroftwopeopleholdinghands, whichremindshimofRandJulieholdinghands.Andovertime, smallactsofhumankindnessandconnection,witnessedbythe zombies,promoteaphysiologicalchangeinthezombies’bodies Theybegintocomebacktolife
Inmostzombiefilmsweareofferedasolutionthatisn’tmuchof asolution In World War Z,theWorldHealthOrganization vaccinatesthelivingpopulationwithadeadly(butcurable)virus thatavertsthezombies’attentionwhilethehumanscontinueto fightandburntheundead,seeminglyuntiltheendoftime.In 28 Days Later,everyoneseemstohavediedandthethreeremaining protagonistslivealoneonanisland.In Train to Busan,onlytwoof themaincharacterssurviveandthefilmendswiththemmakingit toapresumablysafebaseButin Warm Bodies,theresolutionofthe filmgoesbeyondthetraitsofthegenreByforgingconnectio
ns with recovering zombies, the nonzombie (but nasty and brutish)humansreaffirmandreconstitutetheirhumanity.
Tous andthisismaybewhypeoplekeepmakingand watchingzombiemovies zombiesaresobadtheymakethepre plagueworldseemidyllic Sincetheundeadhaveyettorisein 2022,itcanseemlikewe’relivinginthe“beforetimes”ofa zombiemovie.(LiketheTVshow Community’scharacterAbed,I liketopretendI’minthemoviessometimes.)Butjustbecausewe don’tneedtoworryaboutmangled,braineatingcorpsesdoesn’t mean we don’t have any problems with social cohesion, institutionallife,ortheaftereffectsofragingselfinterest.What welearnfromzombiefilms,and Warm Bodies inparticular,isthat ourstateofnatureismorenuancedthanHobbes’s“warofall againstall,”his bellum omnium contra omnes Inthesefilmswesee people,havingbeenreducedtothestateofnature,who are contemptuousofothers,who do activelydecidenottohelpthem, who will takeadvantageoflifewithoutjudiciallaw.Butwealso seethatpeoplewhoactinthismannerareactuallyexceptions,are villains,andoftenturnintozombiesbytheend.Incontrast,the heroesofzombiefilms(whoarealmostalwaysordinarypeople withthesamefearsandhopesandweaknessesaseveryoneelse)are startled and frightened when their fellow humans act as monstrouslyasthezombies Andtheyfigureoutbetterwaysto act In this way zombie films offer glimpses of differently motivatedhumans,smallbandsofmisfitsorfamilygroupswhoare abletohelpandprotecteachother andevenprovidesanctuaryto strangers.ContrarytoHobbesian“stateofnature”logic,these filmsremindusofthenaturalhumandispositiontoworkwellin groups,ortohelpandprotectthepeopleweknowandthosewe accidentallyencounter.So,inthesedarktimes,thesestrangedays, weshouldgowatchsomezombiemoviesandwarmourcoldlittle hearts.
Florence Pugh and Olivia Wilde in "Don't Worry Darling,” courtesy of Warner Bros/Everett C
WhenIheardtherewasgoingtobeamoviewithbothFlorence Pugh and HarryStyles,IwasecstaticThedramasurroundingthis moviemadeitevenmoreintriguingasweallwaitedapprehensive forSeptember23,toseewhatOliviaWildehadcookedupthis time.WhentheextremelylowRottenTomatoesnumbersbegan tocomeout,Iwasshocked.Whatcouldthismoviehavepossibly donewrongtowarrantsuchcriticism?Icommittedmyselftonot readinganyreviewsuntilafterIhadseenthemovie,tobeableto experienceitwithoutanyotherpreconceivednotions
Alice (played by Florence Pugh) really reminded me of Midsommar’sDani,alsoplayedbyFlorencePugh Bothwomen begintospiralastheybecomemoreandmoresuspiciousofthe settingstheyinhabit.In“Don'tWorryDarling,”setinanidyllic world wherehousewiveswearprettydressesandhusbandsgooff toprovidefortheirfamilieseverymorning somethingiswrong. Theactingisgreat;Idon’tthinkanyonecouldtrulycriticizethat aspectofthismovie.Pughpullsoffanamazingperformance(like always),andHarryStylesdoesquitewelltooforanewbieactor EveryonewasexpectingtheworstfromHarryfromthefewclips wegotprevioustothemovierelease,buthewasnotbadatall(in myunbiasedopinion) OliviaWildeactuallycastsherselfasan importantcharacterinthemovie,whichisaninterestingchoice ChrisPineandGemmaChanplaythehypnotizingleadersofthe worldofVictory,bothdoingamazingasalways.Thecombination ofallthistalentinonemoviewasanabsolutelyperfectcastingjob.
Everythingaboutthesetwasperfect,withaculdesac resemblingthatoftheAWrinkleinTimemovieandaperpetually bluesunnyskyThecostumedesigner AriannePhillips couldn’t havedoneabetterjobTheladiesofDon'tWorryDarlingwereall dressedbeautifullyin1950sfashion,andPugh’shalfuphalfdown hairstylehasalreadymadeitswayintothetrendsofFall2022The soundtrack,byJohnPowell,ispowerfulandbeautiful.Everything comes together to make this movie extremely aesthetically pleasing.
Theplotitselfwasgreat,especiallytheplottwist(whichIwon’t share,forfearofspoilingitforthosewhohaven’tyetwatchedthe movie).ThefeministmessagingandreferencetoBeddyFriedan’s theoryoftheunsatisfiedhousewifewasespeciallyclever This moviekeptmeonmytoes,andlefteveryoneIwaswithextremely surprised;usually,plottwistsaremorepredictablethanthisone However,noteverythingaboutthismoviewasperfect
Thebiggestissuewasnottheplot,ortheacting,ortheaesthetics butthetiming.TheendingofDon'tWorryDarlingisextremely rushed.Thefilmtakesmorethananhourtoactuallygettothe point,andwhentheclimaxisreachedandthesecretendingis revealed,there’shardlyanytimetoactuallydevelopit.Theending isfullofgreatconceptsnotdonejusticebybeinggiventen minutesofscreentimeTherearealsomanyoverdonethings;like theweirdeyeanddancermontagesthatrepeatoverandover againThepointistoshowAlicespiraling andfiguringoutthat somethingiswrong butthatpointcouldbeillustratedinhalfthe timethatitwas
Doesthismoviereallydeserveallthehateitgot?No,inmy opinionitdoesnot.Itwasenjoyabletowatch,andleftmewith justtherightamountofquestions.Peoplecriticizeditforhaving toomanyplotholes,butusingevenalittlebitofcriticalthinking skillscouldremedythis“issue.”Themoviedoesleaveyouwith questions, but it's almost like that’s the entire point (it’s a psychologicalthriller,that’swhattheyalldo!) ThisisamovieI wouldevenrewatch,whichishighpraisecomingfrommeThere wasdefinitelyalotmoredramathannecessarysurroundingthe productionofthisfilm,butthatshouldn’ttakeawayfromthe actualproduct whichwassuccessful.
TheNFLseasonisuponus,andwithitalltheintrigueit bringsWhichteamswillmaketheplayoffs?Whowill
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fallflat? The Tattler isproudtopresenttheseentirelyaccurate predictionsforeachteam’sseason
ClevelandBrowns:PerfectuntilDeshaunWatsonreturns,penalties for roughing the passer comprise most of offense thereafter. Record:115
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow delivers MVPcaliber season, unabletokickasinglefieldgoaluntilweek15.Record:107
PittsburghSteelers:MikeTomlinwinsCoachoftheYearfor buyingallplayersBlackAirForcesRecord:881
BaltimoreRavens:LamarJacksongivesuponthrowingtheball, wildcatoffensefaltersRecord:611
BuffaloBills:Can’tbelieveaQBfromWyomingisfavoredtowin aSuperBowl.Unenthusiasticallypredictinganundefeatedseason. Record:170
MiamiDolphins:TuaTagovailoaunabletothrowballmorethan 30yards,stillplayintheAFCEast.Record:98
New England Patriots: Not even Belichick can pull enough mediocrewhitemenoutofhishattosavethesquadRecord:611
NewYorkJets:TypicalJetsSeasonRecord:314
IndianapolisColts:MattRyanbringsadoseoftheFalconschoking habit,wouldgo611inanyotherdivisionbutplayintheAFC South.Record:98
JacksonvilleJaguars:Havingacoachwhodoesn’tkicktheplayers endsupbenefitingthem.TrevorLawrencestillabletonaillifeless monotoneinSubwayadsRecord:710
HoustonTexans:DavisMillsabletoseehisreceiversclearlywith hisabnormallylongneck,somehowthebestteaminTexas Record:611
TennesseeTitans:RyanTannehillissoforgettablemyeditorhad toremindmehisnamewasn’tMatt.Record:611
DenverBroncos:BroncosCountry,Let’sRide.Record:134
KansasCityChiefs:Willsomehowwin11gameswitharunning backnamedClydeRecord:116
LosAngelesChargers:Theirfanisgoingtobethrilledwiththis season!Record:116
LasVegasRaiders:EverymemberoftheteamexceptDavante AdamsandDerekCarrcutorputinjailbyweek10Record:Still 710
MinnesotaVikings:KirkCousinsprovesagainthatheisthebest quarterback in the league, Justin Jefferson 3,000 yard season incomingRecord:125
GreenBayPackers:AaronRodgersunabletodistinguishreceivers
fromthetalkingtreeshehallucinatesonthefieldafterdropping acidbeforeeverygame.Record:89
ChicagoBears:Godhelpme,Ican’tevennameaplayertomake funofRecord:413
DetroitLions:OnlythroughtheincredibleplayofperennialMVP candidateJaredGoffwilltheLionsekeoutfourwinsRecord:4 13
PhiladelphiaEagles:AboveaverageNFCEastteam.Record:152. WashingtonCommanders:CarsonWentzrevengetourfallsshort onceteamremembershelostaneliminationgametoJacksonville. Record:Still710
NewYorkGiants:SaquonBarkley’smassivelegsdragtheteamto four wins Daniel Jones unable to produce facial expressions outsideofconfusedRecord:413
DallasCowboys:MicahParsonsplaysallpositionsondefenseand isleadingscorer,“thisisouryear”allegationsdieoutbyweektwo. Record:116
TampaBayBuccaneers:TomBradyleadstheBucstoaSuper BowlinanefforttonotspendtimewithhisfamilyRecord:134 NewOrleansSaints:JameisWinstonfinisheswithfirst40TD,40 INTseasonRecord:98
AtlantaFalcons:StartingaQBwithgrayhairattheageoftwenty eightisaperfectrecipeforsuccessCordarrellePattersondoublesas thetoprunningbackandsafetyintheleague.Record:611
CarolinaPanthers:BakerMayfieldprovestotheworldwhyhewas droppedbyeventheClevelandBrowns.Record:314
SanFrancisco49ers:TreyLancebringsanunmatchableNorth DakotaStateswagger 13runningbackshaveover300rushing yardsRecord:116
LosAngelesRams:MattStaffordunabletothrowtoanybodybut whitereceiversRecord:98
SeattleSeahawks:GenoSmithisthesecondcomingofRussell Wilsondespitebeingonlytwoyearsyounger.Record:89
ArizonaCardinals:StarttheseasonstrongbeforethenewCallof Dutydrops.KylerMurraythenleavesteamoveraconflictabout howmuchhomeworkhegetsondoubleXPweekends.Record: 611
Thisyear’sUSOpenTennisChampionshipsisonethatwill foreverbewritteninhistory Wesawtheendofanera, withlegendSerenaWilliamssteppingawayfromprofessi onaltennis.Wealsosawtheriseoffantasticyoungtennisstars suchasnineteenyearoldCarlosAlcarazwhowonhisfirstGrand Slam,andtwentyoneyearoldIgaSwiatekwhobecamethefirst Polishwomantowinthetournament.FrancesTiafoebecamethe firstAmericaninsixteenyearstoreachthemen’ssemifinals
Overtheyears,therehavebeenmanyfantasticfemaletennis players,butnoneasiconicasSerenaWilliams Overhercareer WilliamshaswontwentythreeGrandSlamtitles,andhasinspired many,especiallyminoritygirls,suchasCocoGauff,toplaytennis Tenniswastraditionallyarich,whitesportandWilliamshas helpedtochangethat.Thisyear,atagefortyone,shemadeitpast roundsoneandtwooftheOpen,beforelosinginaclosematchto Australia’sAjlaTomljanović.Williamslostthefirstsetbutmadea comebackinthesecond,edgingoutTomljanovićinatiebreaker. However, Williams sadly lost the third set. Throughout the competitionwealsosawanewstarshine,twentyoneyearoldIga Swiatek OnSeptember10,2022,SwiatekfacedTunisia'sOns Jabeur,wheresheswiftlywonintwosets,becomingthefirstever PolishwomantowintheUSOpen
Men’stennishasbeendominatedinrecentyearsbythebig three:RogerFederer,RafaelNadal,andNovakDjokovic,who
From2000to2017theBuffaloBillsdidnotmaketheplayoffs once.Inthatsamespanoftime,theyhadjusttwowinning seasons.Toputitintoperspective,thoseseventeenyearsof cmonsistentlypoorplaytieforthesecondlongestplayoffdroughtin NationalFootballLeague(NFL)historyThiswasatimeoftorture formyselfandotherdiehardfansEveryyearwe’dwatchwithill advised hope, only to witness another season ending in disappointment.Butwhatcanfansdo?We’reallgluttonsfor punishmentandcan’thelpwavingthebannerofourfavoriteteam nomatterhowawfullytheyperform.Butthankfully,thetired massesofBillsfansfinallygotaglimmerofhopein2017.They limpedintotheplayoffsonthebackofathleticquarterbackTyrod TaylorButstilltoopoorateamtomakeitoverthehump,they lostinaheartbreakeragainsttheJacksonvilleJaguarsTheveryne
haverepeatedlywonmajortournamentssince2004Butnotthis year!Djokoviccouldn’tattendtheUSOpenduetoissueswith vaccinationFedererdidn’tplayduetohiscontinuingkneeissues Nadaldidplay;howeverearlierthisyearhetoreanabdominal muscle,whichlikelyplayedafactorinhislossinthequarterfinals Insteadwesawthatyoungerplayersaregaininganedge.Theyare fasterandhavemoreendurance.WesawthiswhentheAmerican TiafoebeatSpain’sNadalinthequarterfinals.Thematchwasn’ta quickonethough.Nadalputupafighttowinthesecondset,64; buthecouldn’tkeepup,andlostthenexttwosets,endinghis winningstreakInthesemifinals,Tiafoelosttoanupcomingstar, Spain’sAlcarazAlcarazisyoungandseemstobetakingafterhis idol,Nadal TheUSOpenwasonlyAlcaraz’sfirstGrandSlam Tournament Hewasunstoppable,andwentontobeattwenty threeyearoldCasperRuddofNorway,winningthetournament, becomingtheyoungestplayerofalltimetoberankednumberone inmen’stennis.
Thischampionshipwastrulytheendofanera.Notonlyhas Williamsretired,butFedererisnowfollowing.Hewillplayinthe LaverCup(September23to25)withNadalforhislastmatch beforeofficiallyretiring AsNadalandDjokovicgetolder,it’s uncertainhowlongtheymaykeepplayingThenextgeneration oftennisiscomingAlcaraz,Tiafoe,andSwiatekwillleadtheway
xtyear,TaylorwastradedandtheBillsacquiredanewquarterback tobuildtheiroffensearound.TheyselectedJoshAllenoutof Wyomingastheseventhpickofthedraft.Allthehopesand dreamsoftheBillsMafiawereridingonthearmtalentofa twentytwoyearoldbarelyoutofcollege Ifthisseemslikea recipeforfailure,itwasJoshAllen,despitehisimmensetalentwas unabletoleadtheBillstotheplayoffsandtheyfinishedwithyet anotherlosingseason However,Allenshowedflashesofraw athleticismandpotentialthatprovidedsomehopeforthefuture.
By2019,theBuffaloBillswerebackintheplayoffs.Butagain, theylostaheartbreakerinthefirstround(thistimetotheHouston Texans).Fansandplayersweredeterminedthat2020wouldfinally betheyearthattheybrokeout.Theyacquiredstarwidereceiver StefonDiggsfromatradewiththeMinnesotaVikingssothatAll
enwouldfinallyhaveanelitepasscatchertothrowtoTheBills rumbledtheirwaythroughtheseason,going133andprovingto beoneofthebestteamsintheNFL Theyfinallywonaplayoff gameandmarchedallthewaytotheAFC(AmericanFootball Conference)wheretheywerehaltedintheirtracksbythedeadly KansasCityChiefsteam.LedbyPatrickMahomesasquarterback, theChiefsslappedtheBillsoutofsightoftheSuperBowlina crushingfourteenpointdefeat.AfterthegameStefonDiggswas seenstandingaloneonthefieldinsilenceandmiseryathaving comesoclosetoplayinginthebiggestgameoftheyearonlyto havehishopesdashedbyoneofthebestoffenseshistoryhasever seen
2021provedtobeanotherstellaryearfortheBills BothJosh AllenandStefonDiggswereselectedtotheirsecondprobowlsin arow(althoughAllenchosenottoattend)Afterwinningthefirst roundoftheplayoffshandily,theBillsagainfacedtheChiefs.It camedowntothewire,butwiththirteensecondsleftontheclock Mahomesmarcheddownthefieldtosetupagametyingfieldgoal whichsentthematchintoovertime.Byovertimerules,ifthefirst team to receive the ball (decided by a coin flip) scores a touchdown,thegameisoverInagutwrenchingtwistoffate,the BillslostthetossandthegameinquicksuccessionAnotherfailed season,soclosetothegoalofbecomingnationalchampions
Thisyear,fanslikemewaitedineageranticipationofwhatwe hopeisfinallytheyeartheBillswillcomeoutontopThreegames in,JoshAllenisplayinglikeanMVP(MostValuablePlayer)and theemergenceofnewplaymakerGabrielDavisatreceiverhas supplementedthealwaysspectacularplayofDiggs.Maybethisis finallytheyearthattheBillswillwintheirfirstSuperBowland endalifetimeofloss.
Mangostickyriceonadock
Eveningscrayonstreakedorange
Boxesoffragilesunkissedraspberries
Curtainsdrawnonsleepyafternoons
Smallblackcatwithyelloweyes
Carridessurroundedbytreecoveredhills
Stiflingstagnantairofaneversleepingcity
Gentleawkwardnessofformerfriends
Frostymilktea,crushingcrowds
Pastelpaintedbuildingsofsmalltouristtowns
Ocean’sinfinity,wildandcalm
Wornboatshaulingmudstreakedlobster
Fallingasleeptorain’ssymphony(andthecookingchannel)
Blueberrysodaandarugula
Middleagednostalgiaforyoungerdays
Lastbreathofsaltyfreshair
Menialyetsatisfyinglabor
Loomingthreatofstandardizedtests
Timegonebytooquickly
Hairthatwouldlooksogooddowntoyourshoulders
Bigroundglassesfromastandinthemall
RedHotChiliPepperstshirt
Orangewintercoat
Thepen(youknowwhichone)
Valentine’slettersinrandomlockers
AShrinkyDinkkeychainwithmybestletter“A”
Metalbowlsyouhated
Justlikethetrombonemouthpiece
Didwetrespassonthatnaturalgaspipeline?
IalwayssaidIhatedtheideaofhavingabestfriend
Youmakemebreakmyword
Itwashotteroutthanusual.Adarolledover,searchingfora coldspotonhermattress.She’dwokenupsixtimeslastnight, drenchedinsweat,withherblanketspushedtothefootofthe bed.
Athinlineoflightcamethroughherblindsandontothespace betweenAda’snoseandmouth Atthis,shejumpedupand replacedtheducttapethatheldtheslatstightlyshut;sheknewthat thehousewouldoverheatifshedidn’t.
Asshemovedthroughthehouse,theonlylightcamefromthe dimbluebulbsoverhead.Adamadeherwaytothecenterconsole inthekitchen,poweringitonwithanelectrichumthatshookthe wallsandfloorwhenitstartedup
Withinafewseconds,themonitorturnedonwithacrackleA hologramofamanwithshakyatbestcameraskillsappeared,and withaslightlygarbledvoicehestartedthespeechthatAdaknew byheart
“HiAdadear,wedon’tknowifyou’lleverseethis.”Herfather wipedhiseyes.
“Wehavetoleave,it’stoodangeroustostay.Wewantedtobe
hereaslongaspossibleincaseyouwokeup ”hetrailedoff, staringatsomethingbeyondthelens
“ButthedoctorsaysthatoddsareslimIfyouseethis,senda messageWe’llfigureouthowtogetyouback,Ipromise” Someoneyelledforhimoffcamera.
“Weloveyou,Ada.Tothemoonandbeyondandbackagain.”
Thefirsttimeshe’dplayedtherecording,shewasconfused. Whywouldtheyjust…leave?Howcouldthey?Therecordingwas datedaweekbeforeshewokeup,butthatwastwoandhalfyears agonow.
WhenAdawasfifteen,she’dbeeninanearfataltransporter accident Thankgodformodernmedicine;hadthisbeenthe 2010s,shewouldhavebeenalostcause Butthedoctorswere smartandputheronthebestsupportsystemmoneycouldbuy She’dbeenonthatsystemforayearHerfathercouldn’tbeartolet hergo.Thedoctorskeptsayingshemightwakeup,andheheld ontothatpossibility.
Then,inAprilof2109,thingstookaturnfortheworst.The planetwasincriticalcondition.Manypeoplehadalreadyleftof theirownaccord,butthosewhowerestillherewereleftwitha choice:leaveeverythingbehindandescapeadyingplanetorstay athomeinanatmospherethatwasgettinghotterbythesecond
Accordingtoherfather’slogs,hehadtriedtogetAda’smother tostaylonger,butafterayearofbeingtoldherdaughterwasalost cause,thattheyshouldgetoutwhiletheycould,shehadgivenup Ada’sfathersaidnottotakeitpersonally.Adadid.
Whenshewokeuptoanemptyhospital,shewasterrified.She satthereconfused,alone,andwarm,verywarm.Themonitornext toherbedwaslosingitsmindandshewascertainsomeonewould havetocomesoonerratherthanlatertoshutitoff.
Afteraday,sherealizedshewouldneedfood,waterifnothing else Whenhermachineturnedoff,Adaslowlybegantofeel strongerWhathadtheybeengivingher?
Adawalkedhome,ajourneythatshewouldnevermakeagain Sincebeforeheraccident,therewerewarningsissuedtoneverbe outsideformorethantenminutesindirectsun.Shewassurethat timehadbeencutinhalfsincethen.Atleast.
Thetemperaturehadremainedstablesinceshewokeup.Not worsening,butnotgettingbettereither.Inthetwoandahalf yearsshe’dbeenonherown,Adahadnoticedlittlethingscoming backGreeneryhadtakenover;shecouldgooutsideatnight
Adahadtrieddesperatelytoreachherfamily,butafterayearof notgettingthrough,she’dstartedtryinglessandless Shehad gottenusedtoher3Dprintedmeals,hertasksthatshebusied herselfwitharoundthehouseTheisolationwasintense,ofcourse, andapartofherstillresentedthemforleaving.Shedidn’tsleepfor dayswhenshefirstgothome,obsessedwithfindingherfamily. Buteithershecouldn’treachthem,ortheydidn’twanttobe reached.
Adaswitchedoffthehologram,shenowtriedtogetthroughto herdadonceaday Alogsatonthekitchentablereading 02/05/2111:nosignal,02/06/2111:faintdialtone,silence,andso onShe’dstartedtowonderifitwouldbebettertocallonceevery
fewdays,tospreadoutthewavesofdisappointment.
Shedialedandwaited,pencilinhand.Evenafteryearsofno connection,apartofherwasscaredeverytimeshetriedtomake contactThedialtonestoppedAdaheldherbreath “Hello?”
threetwentyeightam. whentheworldissilentandempty inthespacebetweenthecricketsandthethrushes icry.
fourseventeenam. whentearsbecomesaltyfilmssettlingonirises andalliseeareblurredvisionsfromthebottomofawell likeforsakenstarsreflectedonturbulentwater likeswirlingeddiesofthestreamweusedtogoto nowdistortedmemoriesofusthatplagueme asicry
fivetwelveam. whensorrowtransmutesintophysicalpain asfirelicksthebackofmythroatandstingsmyeyes ichokedownsobsthatonlyechoinmychest reverberatethroughmyweakheartandcleaveitintwo butyetiamleftalive,andyet stillicry
fivefortythreeam whentearsleakfromcrevicesinsqueezedshuteyelids painttrailsfromcheekstoears,poolingthere themuffledsoundsoftheworldcan’treachme underwaterit’sonlymyheartbeatbreathingcryingsobbing it’sonlythevoicesthatcan’tfillthevoidmadewhenyouvanished andleftmetocry
Thistime,whenyouleave,youdon’thugmeInstead,you mutterasimple“Bye,Alice”andstartwalkingaway I watchyourbackasyouleave,tearsstingingmyeyesasIs ilentlywillyoutoturnaround,tohugme,toshoweventhe slightestindicationthatyoustillcareThatIevenmatteratall Youdon’tturnaroundIfuriouslyrubmyeyes,thetightnessin mychestbuildingandsharpeningtoadullacheIcanfeelthetears
Continued from
gatheringinthecornerofmyvision,thesobsclawingtheirway upmythroat
“Fuck,”Iwhisper,shakingmyhandsviolentlyasiftoredirect mymiserytowardsmyfingertipsandbanishittothesummerair “Don’tcry,don’tcry,nothere…”I’vealreadyspentsomanyhours cryingtoday.Ican’taffordanymoretears especiallynotwhile you’restillonlyahundredfeetawayfromme.
I’mfinallyturningawayfromyourvanishingsilhouettewhen someoneslamsintome,almostknockingmetotheground.AsI stumble backwards, they rush up the steps and run in your direction Iwonderiftheyknowyou Dotheygettobeyour friendnow,evenasIhavetosaygoodbyetoourfriendship?
Itseemslikeyou’refriendswitheveryonebesidesmenowAllof yourdormfriends,alloftherunningclubpeople,eventherestof yourfriendsfromhighschool theyaretheonesyoucareabout Theyarethepeopleyoustillwantinyourlife.
Theyarethepeopleyouhugwhenyousaygoodbye.Notme.
Imissbeingyourfriend.Imissthesimplethings:ouracross theroomglancesandeyebrowraises,ourdailyleghangsand hurdledrills,oursecrethandshakethatyou’veprobablyforgotten bynowImissscreamingandlaughingintherainwithyou,Imiss listeningtomusicwithyou,Imisstalkingtoyoueverydayabout stupid,inconsequentialthingsandthingsthataresoimportantwe don’tevenknowwhattosay
Imissthenotsosimplethingstoo,likehowyouwouldlisten tomerantaboutmyproblemsforhours,tryingtomakemefeel betterifonlybyprovidinganacceptingsilence.Imisshowyou nevermademefeellikeIwastoomuchforyou,evenastherestof theworldscreamedthatmyveryexistencewasexcessive.Imiss yourquiet,constantsupportonthedayswhenjustsurvivingwas painful,andthewaythatyourpresencewassomethingIcould alwaysrelyon,somethingthatcouldalwaysmakemefeelalittle lessbroken
Thepersonwhoranintomesuddenlyturnsaround,asifjust noticingtheyalmostbulldozedsomeonetotheground “Sorryaboutthat!Areyouokay?”theycallout,notbotheringto waitforaresponsebeforeturningaroundandresumingtheirrun intheoppositedirection.
“I’mfine,”Imutter. Fine,not okay:adistinctionthatnoonewill everunderstandanymore,nowthatyoudon’tcareenoughto notice Becauseyoudon’tnotice,atleastnotrecently Notsince youleft
IwatchthegroundasIwalkhome,avoidingthecracksinthe sidewalkandkickinganyloosepebblesintothestreettodistract myselffromthethoughtsweighingdownonme Theychurn insidemybrain,declaringmeanidiotforassumingthatthatone andahalfmileswouldn’tkeepusfrombeingfriendsthisyear.I always thought that we’d still hang out after you left, but apparently,whenyoudon’twantsomeoneinyourlifeanymore, oneandahalfmilesisareallyfuckinglongdistance.
Mythoughtsscoldmeformynaivetyinbelievingalltheempty wordsyouspewedlastyear IfIcouldgobackintimeanderase whenyoutoldmethatwe’dhangoutafteryouleft,IwouldBeca
usethepainofknowingthatyoudidwantustostayfriendsonlya couplemonthsago,butnowbarelyfeelanythingmorethan apathytowardsme,isagonizingWithyou,I’mnotevengetting togofromclosefriendtoacquaintance;instead,you’rebecominga strangerovernight,andIcan’tdoanythingtostopit
Nothingwilleverbethesame,IrealizesuddenlyWe’llnever againshareacrosstheroomglancesandeyebrowraises,orhang ourlegstogetherafterdoinghurdledrills,orscreamandlaughin therain.We’llneverbeascloseasweoncewere,nomatterhow muchIwantustobe.Unfortunately,friendshipreallyonlyworks ifbothpeoplemakeaneffort,andrightnow,youaren’t.
AsItrudgehome,myshoeslikeleadweightsonmyfeet,Ilook aroundatthisworldyounowinhabit:newandexciting,filled withsomanydifferentpeopleandopportunities ofcourseyou wouldwanttoleaveyouroldlifebehindIdon’tresentthisfact; I’mhappythatyou’remeetingnewpeopleandcreatingabetter lifeforyourselfIjustwishthatthisnewlifecouldincludemetoo Icanfeelyouabandoningme:it’samassiveholeopeningupinmy life,inalltheplacesthatusedtocontainyoubydefinition.Places thatnowfeelsoemptyandlifeless,sounrecognizableinthefaceof yourabsence.
I’mclosetotearsagain,Irealize,aspainslicesupmythroatand needlesprickthecornersofmyeyesI’monlyaquartermilefrom myhouse,butIneedtobehomenow,wherenoonewillbeable toseemecryIstarttorun,lettingmylegspropelmedownhillI revelinthewindwhippingmyfaceandthefeelingoffreedomasI openupmystrideandsprintawayfromthepainofbeingleft behind.Itfeelsgood,butIknowthatit’sonlyatemporaryrelief fromthemiserythattrailsmelikeashadow.
There’snowayforyoutopossiblyunderstandthespecialtype ofagonyI’min,becauseyou’renotbeingforgottenanddiscarded: Iam.You’vemovedontonewthings,tobetterthings,butI’mstill whereI’vealwaysbeen Mylifeisexactlythesame,andthis monotonyandpredictabilityemphasizesyourabsencethatmuch more Andyou youprobablydon’tevenmissme Whywould you,ifyournewlifeneverincludedmetobeginwith?Youcan’t misssomeonewhoneverbelongedinthefirstplace
MyfeetpoundonthesidewalkasIsprintdownthehilltowards myhouse,butI’mtooslow;thetearshavealreadybegun.Thefirst sobhitsmybodyandIsilentlycrumpletotheground,shaking withtheforceofmygrief.Anumb,colddespairsettlesoverme, seepingoutwardfrommychesttoclotinmybloodstreamand pool in my fingertips I desperately wrap my arms around myself tostopthenumbnessoreasethecold,I’mnotsure butall itmanagestodoisremindmeofmysolitude
Mymomsaysthattheendofsomefriendshipsisagoodthing Shesaysthatpeoplecomeandgoinourlives,andthatsometimes wearen’tmeanttoholdontoafriendshipforever.ButevenasIcry inthemiddleofthesidewalkwithmykneeshuggedclosetomy chest,aloneandunloved,Ican’tbringmyselftoagreewithher. Afterall,nottoolongagoyouweresomeonewholovedme completely and unconditionally, and I refuse to give up on believingthatyoumightagaininthefutureSoIwillcontinueto
cryeveryday,curledupinthemiddleofthesidewalklikeIam rightnow,forevenasliverofourfriendshiptoreturn Iwon’tgiveuponus,evenifyoudo
sometimesIfeeltrapped what’ssodangerousaboutpolyamory whyarepeoplesoafraidofit notjustasawholeortheideaofexploringitthemselves buttheideathatitmakessomeoneelsehappy theideathatsomeoneelsefeelsmorecomfortablewithmorethan onepartner theycan’tgraspthatnoteveryonejustwantstofindtheirforever only theycallpeoplewhoaredifferentfromthemnames Whore Cheater Slut Mental Fatherless WhyisitsobadifIjustwanttosharemylove Can’tpeoplejustunderstandthat Sharingiscaring Mylifeismineandyoursisyourown,ifyoudon’tlikeitthen Fine butdon’tcomeaftermeforlivingmyown justbecauseyoucannotwrapyourheadaroundtheidea thatmorethanonepersonhasmyeye whatissowrongwiththat? whyamIsuddenlyawhorebecauseIamwithmorethanone becauseIdon’twannagetmarried orjusthavemyownandonlylove myfluidityoflovemakesmehappy. butmostlyIfeelfree.
Content warning: This story is set in a psychiatric ward and mentions suicidal ideation and depression
chiatricunitsawhercrying,theywouldwanttotalkabouther feelingsandSeven’smouthwasdryfromtalkingallday.Despite this,shewaswillingtotalktoQuinn,becauseQuinnmade everythingbetter
“Seven?”
“Yeah?”
AtthesoundofSeven’svoice,Quinnbegantocry.Sevencould picturehim hewasshuttinghiseyessotightthatnolightcould passthrough.Hewasdigginghisnailsintohisskinandcradling himselflikeaninfant.
This,Seventhought, is precisely what I didn’t want to happen Thatmuchwastrue.Sevenhatedthatshewashere.“Quinn? Youthere?”
“Yeah”
“Howareyou?”
Quinnsadlaughedfromtheotherendofthephone“IthinkI shouldbetheoneaskingyouthat”
“Well,Iaskedfirst.”
Quinnwastheonlypersonintheworld,itseemed,whowould putupwithSeven’shabitualstubbornness.Andifithadtobethat wayforever,sobeit.“I’mokay.Ijustmissyou.”
“Imissyoutoo.”NowSevenwastearingup.“Thefoodsucks here,”shejoked,hopingtolightenthemoodassheswitchedthe phonefromherlefthandtoherrightTheoldphonewasattached toawall,andshehadtostandrightbyittohaveaproper conversation“Igotspinachstratatoday,anditwastheshapeofa tennisballI’mnotjokingAnd,ontopofthat,itwouldn’teven splitapartwhenItriedtocutit.Itwouldjustjiggle.”
“Soundslikefun.”Quinnlaughedsarcastically.“Soyou’rebeing dischargedsoon?”
“Yeah.Thursday.Fivedays.”
Quinnexhaled worried,yetsomehowrelieved.“I’mreally proudofyou,SevYou’reworkinghard”
“Everyday,man Everyday Igottawakeupandgirlboss” Sevenlaughed
“I’mserious,Seven”
“I’mserioustooGirlbossingisaveryseriousactivityandshould notbetakenlightly.”
“Sev.”
“Quinn.”
Therewasapauseastheybothmappedoutwhattheywouldsay next.
“Ican’twaitforyoutocomehome”
SevenknewthatshehadletQuinndownSevenhungontothosewordsliketheywereherlifelines “I can’twaiteither”Nowshewascrying;sloppywettearswere hittingthefloorlikedrumstickstoacymbal “I’msorry,Quinn I’msosorry”
Shecouldn’tbeartohearhissobsontheotherendoftheline Herowneyeswelledupwithtears,butshecouldn’tcry no,not forthefifteenthtimeinthelasthour Itwasacommunityspace, andshe,inherstringlesssweatpantsandoversizedshirt,was determinedtokeephercomposureIfoneofthenursesinthepsy
“Youdon’thavetobe ”
“Iwasn’tthinkingthatnight,Quinn.Imadeafoolishdecision, andnowIrecognizealloftheselovelythingsinmylifetolivefor. Ihatethatittookanidioticdecisionformetoseeit,butIseeit now.Iseeallofit. I promise.”Seventookadeepbreath.“Pedro’sd
rycleaners Everythreeweeks,theyhaveanewsigninfrontof theirstorewithanewsaying It’salwaysfunny”Shelaughed, thinkingofthelatestone“IhavetofinishthebookI’mreading AndIwanttoperforminthemusicalnextmonth”Shepaused“I havedreams.Ihaveafamily.Ihaveyou.”
Quinnwept.
“Areyouokay?”Sevenaskedafterafewsecondsofsilence.
“No.Areyou?”
“No.ButIwillbe.WhenIgethomeandwhenIgettoseeyou again.”
SevencouldfeelQuinnsmilingontheotherendofthephone “Metoo”
NurseMargaretgaveSevenafiveminutewarning“Offtobed inafewminutes,love,okay?”Sevengaveherathumbsup
“Doyouwanttohangupnow?”Quinnasked“It’sokayI’m sureyou’retired.”
“No,”Sevenresponded.“Iwanttotalktoyouforthenextfour minutesandfiftynineseconds.”
Theybothlaughed.“It’sprobablylessthanthatnow,”Quinn remarked.
“Idon’tcareI’mjusthappytotalktoyou”
“I’msogladyou’redoingbetter,”hesighed “I’mworkinghard”
“IknowthatI’mproudofyou”Theybothtookadeepbreath, simplyfeelingthankfulthattheuniversebrought andkept them together.
“Iloveyou,Quinn.”
“Iloveyoutoo,Seven.”
Thephoneclicks,andSeven,inherdraboutfitandChristmas slippers,madeherwaybacktoherroom theroomwithnolocks, nosharpedges,andnoQuinn
11amGirlsVarsitySwimming/DivingvBurntHillsBallston Lake@IHSPool
12pmGirlsVarsitySoccervElmira@IHSMorescoStadium
5pmBoysJuniorVarsitySoccerv.MaineEndwell@IHS SweetField
7pmGirlsVarsitySoccerv.ChenangoValley@IHSMoresco Stadium
4
5pmGirlsJuniorVarsitySoccerv CorningPaintedPost@ IHSSweetField
5:30pmGirlsVarsitySwimming/DivingvUnionEndicott@ IHSPool
5:30pmGirlsJuniorVarsityVolleyballv.CorningPainted Post@IHSQGym
6:30pmGirlsVarsityVolleyballv.CorningPaintedPost@ IHSQGym
7pmGirlsVarsitySoccerv.CorningPaintedPost@IHS MorescoStadium
4:30pmGirlsVarsityTennisv.SusquehannaValley@IHS TennisCourts
7pmBoysVarsityFootballv.Vestal@IHSMorescoStadium
7pmGirlsVarsityCheerleadingv Vestal@IHSMoresco Stadium
10amGirlsVarsitySoccerv.Vestal@IHSMorescoStadium
12pmGirlsJuniorVarsitySoccerv.Vestal@IHSSweetField
2pmBoysJuniorVarsitySoccerv.Horseheads@IHSSweet Field
4pmBoysVarsitySoccerv.Horseheads@IHSMoresco Stadium
6pmBoardofEducationVotingMeeting(comeat7pmfor publicsession)
18
5:30pmGirlsVarsitySwimming/Divingv Elmira@IHS Pool
20 Oct. 21 Oct. 25 Oct. 26
5:30pmGirlsJuniorVarsityVolleyballv.Horseheads@IHS QGym
6:30pmGirlsVarsityVolleyballv Horseheads@IHSQ Gym
5:30pmGirlsVarsitySwimming/Divingv.CorningPainted Post@IHSPool
6pmBoardofEducationVotingMeeting(comeat7pmfor publicsession)
7:30pmCollageConcert@IHS
28
7pmBoysVarsityFootballv.CorningPaintedPost@IHS MorescoStadium
7pmGirlsVarsityCheerleading@IHSMorescoStadium
As that time of the year approaches, I get so many questions about how to make Halloween treats and snacks Whether you ’ re looking for something to serve at a party, or something to munch on while *dealing* with that body in your basement, this collection of treats will have you screaming with joy!
Looking for somethings to satisfy your fall needs? Want something that smells like one thing but tastes like another? Have I got the recipe for you! You’ll need:
Your favorite coffee (1 bathtub full)
Milk (¾ of a bathtub)
Eraser shavings (7 erasers)
Pumpkin pie esque smell (make sure it’s only the smell)
Trick or treaters (to taste) After brewing your coffee, combine your ingredients in the tub of your choice and enjoy!
Caedmon Sethupathy and Claire Park
For this recipe you will need to go on a fun roadtrip to the depths of Hell! Grab all your friends, pack up the car, and get ready to beg Satan for: Lost Souls (5) Chalk flavoring (3 cups) Aaaaaaaaand food dye!
Once you have combined your ingredients in a small pyrex dish, sacrifice a goat and place the dish in the fridge to chill.
Worms n ’ Dirt: For this classic dessert, you’ll need: That…that’s it. It’s in the name Get worms and get dirt GOD, DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING FOR YOU?
Hope you enjoy these fun, spooky season treats. Happy cooking!
Name: Strumma Chord Snork Occupation: Heavy Metal Guitarist/Waiter Biography: Strumma is the eldest child of Albert Shuffler Snork and was born in 1968. He grew up as his dad's lab assistant and occasional guinea pig These early encounters with unethical experiments turned him away from science and he began to pursue music By 10th grade, he was performing semi professionally as a guitarist However, his good luck ran out when he was caught stealing money from an employer, who took him to court. He was sentenced to one month in prison. With one day left before being released, he inexplicably attempted an escape, landing him in prison for another two years. As of now, he leads a heavy metal band that makes exactly one dollar in profit every year. By night, he is a waiter.
Contribute to The Tattler! Contact editor@ihstattler.com for more information.
Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21):
You’ve been compromising your mental health lately Make sure to connect with yourself what has been weighing you down?
Sagittarius (Nov 22 Dec 21):
It’s been smooth sailing the past couple of weeks, but get ready for a sudden roadblock in one or more of your relationships
Capricorn (Dec 22 Jan 19):
Teamwork has been challenging for you lately Take a backseat next time, and work on gaining knowledge from others
Aquarius (Jan 20 Feb 18):
You’re smart, but you can’t do it all alone You need a reminder that asking for assistance doesn’t invalidate that
Pisces (Feb 19 Mar 20):
Something tells me that you’re still holding onto distress from months (or even years) ago Give yourself time to heal grief is a process that can’t be rushed
Aries (Mar 21 Apr 19):
Your hotheadedness has caused you to ignore your natural flow Stop focusing on old grudges and accept what you can’t change
Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20):
Congrats a leadership position is coming your way! Open your heart, and you will excel at this opportunity
Gemini (May 21 June 20):
It’s time to make a big decision. If you listen to your head and your heart, your judgment will bring positive changes
Cancer (June 21 Jul 22):
This time in your life shows signs of a delicate ending Take a moment to reflect on what brought you to this place, and where you want to go from here
Leo (Jul 23 Aug 22):
Be honest about your workload. Are you overwhelming yourself? Or are you wasting too much time mindlessly scrolling through social media?
Virgo (Aug 23 Sep 22):
Summer’s over, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Celebrate every happy moment, or they will slip away from you
Libra (Sep 23 Oct 22):
Now is an optimal time to explore what makes you curious. During this period, it will be easier for you to learn new skills!