THE
PEAK
KSU Student Spotlight Entertainment 4
A Tale of Facial Hair Care Health 18
KSU STUDENT LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE // DECEMBER 2017 // KSULIFESTYLE.COM
Drones
Science & Tech 30
EDITORIAL
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Griffith Knoop
Jessica Brummel
Editor in Chief
eic@ksulifestyle.com
Managing Editor
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Lead Copy Editor
copy@ksulifestyle.com
Millena Silva
Creative Marketing Director marketing@ksulifestyle.com
Camille Reaves
Science & Tech Editor tech@ksulifestyle.com
Tommy Calhoun
Entertainment Editor
entertainment@ksulifestyle.com
Sabrina Finnegan Health Editor
health@ksulifestyle.com
Contact Us KSU Lifestyle 1100 South Marietta Parkway Joe Mack Wilson Student Center Room A-246 Marietta, GA 30060
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KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017
STUDENTS. BY THE
Table of Contents Page
Article Title
Section
4
KSU Spotlight
Entertainment
8
Loot Boxes and Addiction
Entertainment
10
Video Game Review
Entertainment
12
Leave No Trace
Entertainment
14
Your Medicine Cabinet Must Haves
Health
16
A Tale of Facial Hair Care
Health
20
Dry Skin Care
Health
22
Hot Cuppa
Health
23
Starbucks Secret Menu Items
Campus Life
24
Cherokee County Animal Shelter
Campus Life
26
Computing on a Pane of Glass
Science & Tech
30
Drones: Disaster Relief, Not War Science & Tech
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017
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ENTERTAINMENT
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KSU Student Spotlight:
Brawlhalla Champions By Tommy Calhoun Featuring: Brannan Vitek
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t a recent video game development convention known as SIEGE Con, KSU participated in several eSports competitions, competing in Brawlhalla and Paladins. I was able to get ahold of Brannan Vitek, a junior at KSU and one of the members of the KSU Brawlhalla team who progressed to grand finals against UGA, and asked him a few questions. The full team consisted of Brannan Vitek and Brandon Moss, also a junior at KSU. I hope you all decide to tune in and watch as they move on to the Brawlhalla 2017 World Championship.
Tommy Calhoun: Who are you, and what do you do?
TC: What is Brawlhalla, and what made you decide to pick it up?
TC: Tell me a little bit about your time at SIEGE Con. What was it like?
Brannan Vitek: I’m Brannan, a blue-haired game design and development major. I love Stranger Things and long walks on the beach. While I’m in school, I spend much of my free time developing games. Art, music, code, design, the whole nine yards (and a lot of ibuprofen). I’m not necessarily exceptional at any of these things, but I enjoy studying them while I have the opportunity. I really feel like I’ve found a passion doing this, and by this point I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life!
BV: So, Brawlhalla is in the genre of “platform fighter,” which most people know as a Super Smash Brothers style of fighting. The aim of the game is to beat the snot out of your opponent and push them off of the stage, much like sumo wrestling. With each successful punch, your opponent is affected more and more by physics - meaning it’s easier to throw them around. When I attended SIEGE Con last year, the company Blue Mammoth had set up a large booth for everyone to play. Since I had a blast, and it’s free, I decided to download it when I got home. The rest is history!
BV: SIEGE is the Southern Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo. It’s a conference where interactive experience developers all around the Southeast come together to network, show off, and go to panels. I’ve seen everything from the sound engineer from DOOM to the legendary creator of Myst give talks. It’s a massive learning opportunity and a lot of fun. At this past conference, I snagged a booth and showed off my biggest personal project yet, Ninja Couch Party. The reception was amazing, and it won the “Most Fun to Play” award. It was an incredibly humbling experience. TC: What was your experience
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playing Brawlhalla before the tournament? Did you plan on progressing as far as you did? BV: Not at all! All my buddies slowly started to pick it up, and we’d play together at night. Each match is short, so it’s easy to pull up and play every now and then throughout the day within my busy schedule. At some point along the way, it became frustrating being consistently put up against people much better than me. So, I decided to take it up a notch and really practice, getting down all the complicated moves and standing on the shoulders of giants until I got better. Eventually I found my own
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personal fighting style and grew pretty successful at managing the intricate dances you play with your opponents. It’s a fascinating thing to study and enjoy. Once the wins started rolling in, I was hooked on the competitive scene. TC: How are you planning on practicing before heading to Worlds? BV: The championships are 2v2 matches, meaning Brandon Moss and I head in there as a team against two others at a time. During
hard practice sessions, we generally sit in the same room side-by-side and work together in-person. We both play characters that use a scythe for a weapon, which require intricate combo moves under small windows of timing. We like to make sure we’re both on the same page when it comes to taking down the other team using these moves. Much of the practicing is precise communication and managing all kinds of battle situations. TC: You told me you got to meet the creator of Brawlhalla? What was that like?
BV: Almost! I met the company’s Tournament Coordinator, who goes by Foda. He’s a great guy who shoutcasted our match against UGA. In the closing interviews, he offered us free tickets to Worlds. We may not have won State, but the crowd was definitely on KSU’s side. TC: Where and when can everyone watch the the stream when you play? BV: Truth be told, I’m actually not sure of the exact URL. The event is in the first weekend of November. It will be streamed on Twitch (www. twitch.tv). If it isn’t on the front page, I’m 100% positive that googling
“Brawlhalla World Championships Stream” on that weekend will take you straight there. TC: Is there anything else you’d like to tell the people of KSU about your experiences at SIEGE Con, or moving to the Brawlhalla World Tournament? BV: I encourage anyone who’s interested to come watch the stream, or even download the game for yourself! The eSports scene is a really high-energy and entertaining environment. However, I do have a small addendum I’d like to share. Too often, game design and development majors here aren’t taken as seriously
as other fields of study. It’s a crying shame, given all of the intense passion and time dedication that goes into being successful. I’m so glad that opportunities like SIEGE Con are available for people to really take in what it’s like to be in the industry; that being a game developer is one of the most challenging and rewarding creative jobs out there. We all love every minute of it! Thanks so much for the interview. Keep on keepin’ on, folks.
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017
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Loot Boxes and Addiction By Tommy Calhoun
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loved arcade machines when I was six or seven years old. There was something so novel about having a huge screen, palm-sized buttons, and a huge box devoted to just one game. My favorites were always the ones where you could win prizes, and my parents knew this, too. Every time we walked into a store with a claw game, I would be taken in the most convoluted directions to wherever our goal was, just so I wouldn’t see the bright lights streaming across the screens. My parents knew me so well that, when they wanted me to get out of their hair in the mall, they could just give me a couple bucks as a “treat” to go try my hand at the stacker games. I wasn’t a dumb kid, though. I knew those games were
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each designed by someone whose sole job was to make sure that those games were just on the verge of being winnable. I also remember the exact day I stopped playing those games. One day at the mall, I wasted seven whole dollars of my own allowance money trying to beat a stacker game and win a PSP and I did! I beat the stacker game, but the prize didn’t drop. The mechanism holding up the prize just ticked one notch closer to the edge. My own poor decision making aside, why did I keep jamming quarters into the machines, even when I knew there was only a fraction of a chance that I’d win? Well, for an answer, we can turn (very briefly) to science. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in your brain
Photo source: gamezone.com
by providing the opportunity for players to buy these boxes, developers are giving players the opportunity to gamble their money away. “Well, it’s that player’s money. If they choose to spend it poorly, it isn’t the developer’s fault,” you might say. This is where addiction comes in. The thing about addiction is that it defies sense. If a drug addict needs their fix, they’ll do what they need to to get that fix. Now, sure, that is an extreme example, but doesn’t the analogy hold true? The real reason people gamble isn’t for the money. It’s for the rush they get right before they flip their cards. They may not tell you that, and they may not even know it, but it’s true. If the option is there, then an addict will take the route that provides the most satisfaction in progressing towards a goal. Why wait to hit the next level marker and get a single loot box, when you could just buy one? Photo source: polygon.com
associated with pleasure sensations, is easily targeted by the promise of unpredictable rewards. It’s the same reason people go for broke in Vegas, or, more to the point, why people spend money on loot boxes. For those of you who are unaware, loot boxes have become one of the most popular gear grinds in modern video games. Games such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch, and Destiny 2 are just some of the games that require a purchase to play, and also offer microtransactions for the players within the game. Thankfully, these ingame purchases usually don’t afford the player any distinct advantages. They usually exist as a method of “progression” after the player has completed most of the in-game content. On the surface, they seem to solve a lot of issues, and afford players the opportunity to get decorations without paying for them.
Yes, I know these boxes provide purely cosmetic gear; yes, I understand that it’s the player’s choice to buy the boxes; and yes, I understand that you can buy just one or two boxes. Still, the fact remains that these are games you already payed money for. Why should you even have the option to pay for a loot box in the first place? Why can’t you just use payed currency to purchase the content you want? These systems that promise the chance at content are what entices addicts. Just ask the 12-year-old blowing all his cash on a PSP.
The problem, however, lies in the fact that loot boxes are basically gambling. Sure, you are guaranteed to get rewards every time, but there are some rewards that are more valuable than others. This is very similar to gambling at a blackjack table or spending your cash on a claw machine. Yes, you can opt for a small gain, but why not just go for the whole thing? These loot box systems could work just fine without a microtransaction system - I mean, you already paid for the game. Just Photo source: ausgamers.com
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Video Game Review: Heat Signature By Tommy Calhoun
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hat do you get when you combine Hotline Miami, Super Hot, and FTL: Faster Than Light? Probably something that looks a lot like Heat Signature. This procedurally generated top-down action tactical shooter from developer Suspicious Development puts you in the shoes of an unknown bounty hunter. Your task is to unite the star sector by hijacking enemy ships and completing missions for high-paying contractors. Along the way, you’ll pursue your own personal missions, expand the influence of your bounty-hunting network, and throw some guys out of spaceships.
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Photo source: ign.com and youtube.com
difficult to deal with as well. At the point I’m at in the game, most enemies for well-paying missions have armor that requires special inventory items to deal with. Unfortunately, as the game progresses, you encounter this great divide in difficulty for missions. Medium missions become walks in the park, and the harder missions you unlock are either teeth-gnashingly difficult or just downright impossible. To offset this difficulty curve, it becomes very important to manage your inventory before going on a mission, or else you might end up fighting enemies that you can’t harm at all. All of these other problems can be avoided by proper resource managing and hoarding (yes, you can and should let your inner pack rat free to keep anything that might be remotely useful), but the biggest issue for me was the lack of importance of money. Rarely do the hub area’s onboard shops have any useful equipment that isn’t obscenely overpriced. As far as I can tell, the most important reason to get money is to get information regarding your personal mission status.
Audio and Video
Gameplay Heat Signature is a game based entirely around making your plan of attack, executing it, and figuring out what to do when shit hits the fan. The core gameplay mechanic revolves around your ability to, at any time, hit the spacebar and pause time. Neither you, nor your opponents can move in this frozen state. All you can do is look through your inventory, and set one action to complete when you come out of frozen time. In this way, your fights follow a sort of, “shoot this guy, pause, hit this guy with a wrench, pause, throw the wrench at this other guy, pause, shoot the last guy, pause,” and so on. At first, it is incredibly simple to take down ships. From the time-stop screen you can also teleport any item on the ship that is on the ground to you at any time. Once you master this “extended inventory,” your potential for success greatly increases. As the game progresses you begin to encounter more difficult missions. Some will require you to kill no one, others will ask that you set off no alarms, and some will ask that you are never seen at all. Later, you gain access to personal teleporters and shields that allow you to more easily traverse the spaceships. Of course, the opponents get more
Photo source: pentadact.com
There isn’t much to be said for Heat Signature’s music beyond the fact that it helps set the mood for the game. It also helps to evoke the feeling of travelling around space to carry out contract killings. It adds to the game’s atmosphere, but doesn’t do much beyond that. There are only a handful of tracks, but they do a good enough job of setting up for the rest of the game. The visuals are very much in the same boat. Now, I’m no one to dictate the quality of a game based on graphical quality, and Heat Signature’s graphics do a good enough job. I will say, though, that the design of the enemy spaceships all feel very thematic. It’s easy to tell when you’re on a Foundry ship, and differentiate it from a Glitcher ship. There are also clever little details that you can only see if you look carefully, which I appreciate.
Overall Score: Fun to Play, Easy to Master, Best for Short Bursts of Time Heat Signature is a feel-good game. You can get in and play for fifteen minutes to blast a few guys into space, and feel like you accomplished something. The controls are tight, the time stop mechanic is fun, and there’s something so satisfying about teleporting a guy into his own bullets that I’ll never be able to explain. If you’re looking for a fun little game to whittle away a few hours while feeling like a badass, Heat Signature is exactly what you’re looking for.
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Leave No Trace: Camping the Right Way By Tommy Calhoun
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he leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler, and everyone is lining up at Starbucks to get their pumpkin spice lattes. That’s right - fall is here. Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year to go camping, and many others share the same sentiment. The nights aren’t too cold, the days aren’t too hot, and the woods are beautiful when the leaves are changing. Now, before you just hike on into the woods, try to keep some of these camping tips and tricks in mind. They’ll make your campsite safer and help you to leave the site the way you found it so others can enjoy the wildlife, too.
Make Arrangements.
Be Prepared.
When deciding where to put your tent and food areas, make sure your tents are at least 50 feet away from the cooking area, and that any smellables you have (deodorant, soda, snacks, etc) are all stored in a safe space at the cooking area. This will deter any bears that wander by from trying to get into your tents to get food.
Make sure you have everything you need before you leave. Nothing is worse than showing up to the campsite and realizing you left the dining fly or toilet paper at home. Double and triple check your stuff before heading out.
Pack the Essentials. Even if you forget everything else, make sure you have a pocket knife, a first aid kit, extra clothing, rain gear, food (preferably non-perishable), a flashlight, water, a fire starter, sunscreen, and a map/compass. I can attest, from unfortunate personal experience, that forgetting any one of these things can turn a great trip into an awful one very quickly.
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Photo source: pexels.com
Proper Tent Placement.
Party Responsibly.
Make sure you set your tent on a flat, elevated area that is clear of rocks and roots. This will help water drain properly in case of rain, and help you sleep soundly.
There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your friends while camping. Just remember to be mindful of other people around you, and, if you bring alcohol, remember to drink responsibly and properly dispose of the cans
Use Firepits Responsibly. If a fire ring exists, don’t make a new one. Use only dead branches that you find on the ground. Don’t burn anything green. When finished, let the fire burn out to white ash, soak it with water, and scatter the remains away from camp.
Collect Your Trash. If the campsite you are staying at doesn’t have a trash area, then please bring your trash in bags to the nearest dump site. Nothing ruins the experience of camping for someone else than having to camp in someone else’s trash.
Bring Your Best Judgement. Ultimately I can’t tell you everything you should know while camping. This list is a good start, but just remember to use your best judgement and think of what your actions might do for others that come after you.
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Winter Stock Up
Your Medicine Cabinet Musts By Jessica Brummel
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art of being an adult (or so I’m told) is being prepared for anything. Part of being a student (this I know very well) is having no time for anything especially body pains and sickness. My weekly schedule is jam-packed, with every hour filled with clubs, jobs, classes, and study hours. I don’t have time to waste on feeling ill. Having a proper medicine cabinet can help you stay healthy and active this winter, so here’s what to stock up on!
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Heating pad
Photo source: walmart.com
Heating pads are great for relieving muscle aches, cramps, and for keeping you warm.
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Bandages
Photo source: band-aids
This ranges depending on your usual day-to-day activities, but I like to keep a pack of various sized adhesive bandages.
Cough/cold medicines Photo source: vicks
There are some great cold medicines that cover coughs, congestion, sore throats, and more! Stock up on some liquid or pill medicines to quickly shut down a cold.
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5 Ibuprofen/Advil Photo source: HealthA2Z
Neosporin
I get headaches easily, and I can quickly go through a bottle of ibuprofen in a month or two. Make sure to stock up so nothing stops your day!
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Photo source: neosporin
I’ve watched enough House to know that even the smallest of scrapes can lead to some serious health issues. Make sure to keep some antibacterials around to prevent infections.
Tissues
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Photo source: Kleenex
Runny noises are both annoying and unpleasant. Make your life easier by keeping tissues imbued with lotion to prevent the skin on your nose from chafing.
Thermometer
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Photo source: walmart.com
Know quickly how sick you are, and how bad it really is. Remember that a temperature over 102 can be lifethreatening, and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Pepto-Bismol photo source Pepto Bismol
Upset stomachs are the worst and can completely halt your day and leave you trapped in pain. Make sure to stock up on medicines like PeptoBismol that combat upset stomachs and diarrhea.
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One Beard, Two Beards, Long Beard, Short Beard 16 KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER2017
A Tale of Facial Hair Care By Zachary Auzenne
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s the winter season crests over the horizon, the rapidly approaching winds will start their assault on all that we hold dear. With that in mind, you will want to begin preparations in the annual war on cold. For about a third of American males, this means taking care of that fuzzy windbreaker on your face. Cleaning out the ol’ crumb duster, draining the soup strainer, and trimming up that face blanket. Beards, people - we’re talking about beards.
When it comes to beards, there are three main principles of care: grooming, daily maintenance, and shaving. We will be delving into all three, but one thing to keep in mind is that not everybody has the same beard. All of the offered advice will truly depend on what kind of facial hair you’re sporting.
Grooming Getting your beard clean is the first and most important step. Without a clean beard, you will not be able to do anything with it. Sure, it may be groomed into a fantastical style, but if it reeks like a horse’s rear end, no amount of flash will redeem you. Beards have their own natural oils which are crucial to the beard hair’s health and growth, so you will want to refrain from washing it with shampoo everyday. Sticking to a fully shampooed wash every couple of days will result in a good healthy beard, but the amount of days in between will depend on the beard itself. However, this does not mean you let your beard or facial hair marinate in the day’s juices! Thoroughly rinse that bad boy out while in shower with a steady application of hot water. It will keep the oils intact while flushing out the food debris and whatever else was accumulated that day.
As far as what products to use when washing, whatever shampoo you normally use for basic care will be fine. If you’re wanting to step your beard game up a good bit, it’s recommended that you get a specialized beard shampoo. Many beard washes tend to have an increased amount of natural oils such as argan, eucalyptus, or lime, which work well for thickening and repairing hair damage. They also give your beard a fresh scent to go along with it. I personally recommend trying out a few different ones before settling, but a good place to start would be Grave Before Shave’s Beard Wash Shampoo. With a proper cleaning schedule, this $12 bottle will last you a good while before you need to re-up with a new product.
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Daily Maintenance Now that you’ve got a freshly cleaned face scarf, it’s time to get it ready for the day ahead. Some people seem to think that a beard is just something that you grow and forget about. If you’re one of those people, you’re what we in the beard business call, “incredibly and horribly wrong.” Beards require daily maintenance, almost as if it were a ritual. I spend about 10-20 minutes every morning on my beard if I plan on leaving the house. This number will vary depending on beard size, hair type, and whether or not you want to put in your full effort. It may seem like a long time for just some face-follicles, but those 10 or 20 minutes can really make or break a beard.
Similar to bedhead, longer facial hair wearers may succumb to bed-beard when they wake up in the morning. This can typically be solved in the shower, but running some water through it in the sink can work, too, if you’re not a morning shower kind of person. Personally, I tend to get the whole thing thoroughly soaked so I can brush out any knots or tangles. Moving forward, there are a few tools you’ll need to get your beard in dapper condition: brush, comb, scissors, beard balm, and beard oil. If you prefer to keep your facial hair short, all you will really need to do is to rinse it with some water to keep the skin wet and then apply a light amount of oil and rub it in around the bearded area. This will prevent the skin from drying out and becoming too itchy. It will also give a nice healthy shine to the beard hair. For those of you with longer hair, you’ll want to start off by brushing everything out so it’s tangle-free and loose. Then, apply a penny- or dime-sized amount of oil to the beard. You’ll want to work it through all the hair and into the skin of the beard-zone for the previously mentioned reasons.
As far as products go, I use Grave Before Shave’s Bay Rum Beard Oil, but they also have nine other oil brands, all with their own suite of scents and oils. I also recommend the Cremo line of beard oils; they have fewer options, but their products are more centered around natural scents. Both brands come in at $12, and there are a plethora of others out there. After applying the oil, you’ll want to brush it out again, then get a small amount of beard balm and work it into the palms of your hand. Then, using the recently applied balm, shape your beard to the desired shape! The balm helps hold everything together and keep its form. After that, use the comb on your mustache, if you have one, and the scissors to clip off any brave stragglers protruding from the newly sculpted masterpiece.
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Photo source: gentalmensfoundry.com
Shaving Now that you know how to clean and shape your beard to perfection, there’s only one question left: what’s next? Whether your plan is to keep it short or let it grow, you’ll still need to do a few things to restrain the beast that is facial hair. For those playing it close to the chin, a good set of trimmers with a small range of trimmer guards should do the trick. One trim every week or so should be enough to maintain a neat and consistent trim. If you trend more towards the longer side of beards, a trusty pair of scissors and a comb will be all that is needed. With longer hair, you’ll have more room to play with and hide any unevenness, but as you go and get more practice, trimming your own beard will become second nature to you.
When it comes to dealing with the area surrounding the beard, it’s recommended that you shave every few days to keep things looking clean. A standard razor and shaving cream will do just fine for small areas such as the cheeks, under the ears, sides of the face, and the neck. It is also imperative that you remember not to commit the one cardinal sin of beard growing: never, and I mean never, let your beard grow onto and down your neck. Not only is it unsightly and incredibly detracting from the rest of the beard, but it will also open you up to the negative connotations that come with the title of a “neckbeard.” If you remember nothing from this, at least remember that. Also, always remember to clean up your trimmings - people hate that.
With all this in mind, you will still want to visit a barber every couple of months to professionally trim up the beard. I typically time mine up with my haircuts or every other cut depending on the season, but it certainly feels good to get it done by someone whose job is to make you look good.
Closing Thoughts and Tips Beards are great, and can really add to one’s look. Personally, I think everyone looks good with a solid beard; that being said, it really only works when you put in the effort to make it look good. Stylistically, it’s a bold and dashing extension. Practically, it’s like a coat for your face. Simply remember to keep it clean, neat, and well groomed, and you’ll be the talk of town. For those still trying or hoping to grow one, just keep at it. If it comes in patchy and a little weak, don’t worry: that’s how they all start. Power through it and you’ll be sporting an illustrious beard in no time.
Photo source: maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com
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Dry Skin Care By Jessica Brummel
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old weather increases the chances of dry skin - so how do you combat it? There are a few daily tasks that can help, such as staying hydrated and sleeping with a humidifier, but sometimes we need more than that. Here are some all-around amazing products to help you fight dry skin and chapped lips this winter!
Face Cleansers Cetaphil ($13) is a gentle cleanser that feels soft, doesn’t strip natural oils, and is relatively cheap. You can get a bottle for less than $15.
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Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($10) removes your makeup while cleaning your face. It’s noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic, so it’s great for all skin types.
Good Moisturizers Coconut oil ($7) is light weight and antibacterial. It is also a great and low cost moisturizer for all over the body.
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Palmer’s Cocoa Butter ($8) is a body butter that is full of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that can help prevent aging.
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Chapsticks
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Aquaphor Lip Repair ($4) is made out of shea butter, vitamin e, chamomile.
Eos ($4) is hypoallergenic and is made out of cocoa butter and shea butter
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General Tips: Make sure to apply moisturizers at least twice a day - and you’ll get the best use out of them if you apply them after a warm shower. Hot showers can quickly dry out your skin, so, as tempting as it is, try to stay away from them. If dry hands are a constant problem for you, try wearing gloves when completing everyday tasks like chores or taking a walk outside.
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Have a Hot Cuppa: The Health Benefits of Hot Drinks By Jessica Brummel
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hen I lived with my parents, before starting college and living on campus, my mom and I would sit down, talk, and have a cup of hot tea every night. It was our cure for cold nights, colds, and it was a great way to wind down the day. With winter weather coming back, I have started to pick the habit back up. While tea and coffee have enormous health benefits, there are plenty of reasons to indulge in drinking anything that’s hot, whether that be cider, water, or hot cocoa. Here’s why:
Photo source: socratic.org
Photo source: extremetech.com
Photo source: peoplespharmacy.com
Improves Blood Circulation
Weight Loss
Decreases Congestion
Interestingly enough, hot liquids actually bring your body temperature down. This, in turn, increases your metabolism which increases the number of calories your body consumes.3 You might have noticed that a lot of restaurants serve coffee or tea at the end of meals. This is because hot water also aids in dissolving a lot of foods and clearing out your intestines. Choose a caffeinated beverage to end your meal and you’ll not only get the benefits of a hot liquid, but a metabolic boost due to the caffeine as well.
There’s a reason many people drink hot tea when they’re sick, and it’s partly because of the steam! Steam has been proven to unclog sinuses and ease a congested nose.2 The hot liquid can also soothe any sore throat issues that stem from mucus. Make sure to couple a hot drink with any cold medicine you’re taking to ensure an even quicker recovery time.
Do you ever feel really relaxed while drinking something hot? That’s because it has been proven that hot liquids cause muscles to relax. When tension leaves the body, arteries have an easier time expanding and allow for easier blood flow.1 Improved blood circulation has been shown to not only increase brain and other organ functioning, but also aids in fighting off infections.
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Resources
1 http://www.medicaldaily.com/health-benefits-warmwater-6-ways-drinking-warm-water-can-heal-yourbody-282218 2 https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-drinking-hot-water 3 https://www.livestrong.com/article/421331-why-is-ithealthy-to-drink-hot-water/
Star Wars CL
CAMPUS LIFE
Starbucks Secret Menu items
Edition By Lauren Clark
I
f you haven’t heard or kept up with it, Star Wars: Episode VIII will be coming out around Christmas time this year. What better way to prepare than to consume your favorite characters (or enemies) through a fresh, cold frappuccino! The following recipes are pretty simple and very delicious, so you shouldn’t have any trouble ordering these anywhere you go.
Storm Trooper Frappuccino
The Dark Side Frappuccino
What’s a Dark Lord without his storm troopers? The drink is pretty basic, but it tastes wonderful. This was probably my favorite one out of all of them, just because I prefer simple drinks like this. All you have to do is tell your barista to give you a:
I took one look at the recipe and knew I would love it. This frappe is as dark as Darth Vader, but is much sweeter and doesn’t kill people - hopefully! If you are a chocolate lover, this one is for you. Release your Dark Side just this once and order this:
Vanilla Crème Frappuccino (made with syrup, not powder)
Ask for an Espresso Frappuccino
Top with whipped cream and mocha drizzle
With some mocha sauce blended in Add chocolate whip and mocha sauce to the top The best Starbucks to get this at is the one in the J Building on the Marietta Campus. The barista will probably ask you how much mocha sauce you want. I told them two pumps for a grande and it was pretty strong, but I like it that way. So I’d say just tell them to put what you think you can handle, like one pump for those who don’t want something as strong or two for all of you who are like me and want to be alert all day!
Yoda’s Frappuccino Not only is Yoda the cutest jedi, he also makes a pretty sweet treat. I’ll be honest, I was hesitant to try this one because I’ve never had green tea, but it actually hit the spot. The tea flavor and the frappuccino texture were an oddly satisfying combination. Here’s what you need to tell them: Green Tea Frappuccino
The Starbucks on the Kennesaw Campus in the Social Sciences Building makes this the best! As a tribute to Carrie Fisher and her character Princess Leia, you can pair any of these drinks with a Cinnamon Morning Bun so it looks like you’re eating her iconic hair. If you enjoy nontraditional Starbucks drinks and treats, make sure to check out starbuckssecretmenu.net for more recipes! Keep an eye out for some other movie-themed Starbucks Secret Menu articles in the future.
Add java chips Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle If you don’t mind a small drive you can grab this great drink at the Starbucks on Chastain Road.
Photo source: Millena Silva
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017 23
CAMPUS LIFE
CL
Cherokee County Animal Shelter By Lauren Clark
I
f you are like us over at The Peak, you have a big soft spot for precious little animals. You want to love them, care for them, and be their best friend. Unfortunately, not everyone gives animals the care they need, or can’t keep domestic animals because of personal or financial reasons. Those animals end up at a shelter like the Cherokee County Animal Shelter, and need a new home.
The animal shelter needs more help getting adults cats adopted - they stay at the shelter a lot longer than kittens or dogs do. Because of that, the adult cats sort of get special treatment. Some of them are able to go into Cat Room 1, which lets the cats play and roam free. There are toys, a gigantic cat house, and little shelves on the wall that the cats can lay in or on. Customers can go in and play with the cats at their leisure. It seemed to provide a more personable interaction between the animal and future pet parent. Every cat we met was very sweet and full of personality.
Molly
Toby
As a customer, you’ll be pleased to find that the kennels and feline areas are well kept and clean. The dogs and cats are also well fed, taken out regularly, and are kept clean. Basically, as soon as an animal makes a mess in its area, you can expect it to be clean by the next time you walk past that same area. You can tell that every person genuinely cares about the needs and conditions of the animals. The staff is very nice and has a well-rounded relationship with the animals.
Porky
24 KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017
Photo source: Emilie Wilhite
Pumpkin
Marshmellow Currently, the Cherokee County Animal Shelter is expanding. Instead of having both the drop-off, adoption, and kennel areas in the same building, they have built a structure behind the shelter that will serve as their new drop-off area. This expansion will provide more room for the animals and make the adoption and drop-off process more organized. A mission the manager has placed is getting every animal currently in the shelter to a new home by Christmas time. They hold special promotions to help get these amazing animals adopted. One of the employees said they always try to do specials like that to give an incentive to those adopting the animals. During the time The Peak visited the shelter, they were having a Free Adoption Friday and Saturday for all animals.
Ella specific list of shots, such as feline leukemia test, as well as microchipping, which is definitely not bad at all! That’s way cheaper than finding an animal at a traditional pet store and paying $400 for the shots and other things they need. Also, traditional pet stores are known to do business with puppy mills while there are hundreds of other animals in need. You aren’t just finding a new best friend, you are giving a homeless animal a new home and someone to love them. You can check out some of the animals that currently stay at the shelter at www.cherokeega-animal.org. The Cherokee County Animal Shelter is located about 30 minutes away from the Kennesaw campus. Adoption hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adult cats are free to adopt, while dogs and kittens are $100 to adopt. Every animal comes with their
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017 25
SCIENCE & TECH
ST
Computing on a Pane of Glass:
A 2017 Guide to Buying a Tablet Computer By Tommy Calhoun
S
martphones may be one of the greatest inventions of our generation. By offering a whole new way to communicate and access the internet, society has been completely changed. People can send emails, share funny videos, and collaborate on group projects all by using a device that fits in the palm of their hand. Of course, there is just one problem with smartphones - their screens are just too small! It’s amazing how much work you can get done with a screen that’s just a few inches bigger.
Unfortunately, tablets are still relatively expensive and many people are wary about dropping a bunch of cash on a device that they may not even end up using. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a short list of some of the best tablets. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas for someone, or you’re looking to spend a little money on yourself, check out this list before you go off and make your final decision.
26 KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017
Photo source: greatist.com
For the User on a Budget: Amazon Fire 8 Packing an HD screen, expandable storage, and a battery life of 12 hours into an $80 price tag is nothing to sneeze at. While the Amazon Fire 8 won’t be optimal for heavy tasks, the day-to-day use of this tablet should satisfy most users. The value of this tablet increases significantly if you have access to Amazon Prime, since you can access all the features of it through this tablet. Price: $80 Pros: Decent battery life, HD viewing screen, light app usage, and complements a Prime membership Cons: Not suited to more intense tasks, and has a limited app selection since it runs off of Amazon’s app store
For the Well-Rounded User: Lenovo Tab 4 The Lenovo Tab 4 is a jack-of-all-trades. It can run games pretty well, it can take decent pictures, it has an HD resolution that’s great for watching videos, and it has a long-lasting battery life of 11 hours with regular usage. You can even purchase a “Productivity Pack” to increase performance and add a physical keyboard. If you’re looking for a tablet you can do just about anything on, this is the one for you. Price: $180 Pros: A well-rounded tablet that won’t excel anywhere, but won’t leave you in a lurch Cons: Not suited to more intense tasks, and can be a bit heavy to hold for extended periods of time
For the Sofa Shopper: Amazon Fire 7 The Amazon Fire 7 is the predecessor to the Fire 8 and runs slightly behind. The processor is a little outdated and the screen isn’t up to par with the 8, but for $50 you can’t go wrong with using this tablet as a cheap shopping assistant. Instead of having to lug your laptop into the living room, just leave this little guy on the coffee table and you’ll always be just a click away from the Amazon store. Plus, you still get access to all the features of Amazon Prime. Price: $50 Pros: Decent battery life, very light app usage, a handy tool to leave on the living room table, and a super cheap price Cons: Not suited to intense tasks, and has a limited app selection since it runs off of Amazon’s app store
Photo source: amazon.com/www3.lenovo.com
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017 27
SCIENCE & TECH
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For the Person Who Should Probably Just Buy a Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro If you’re wanting a tablet that can do anything a computer can, then you should probably look into the line of Microsoft Surface products. With a built-to-order function, USB functionality, and high-quality pen and keyboard accessories (sold separately), you can be sure you’re getting exactly the kind of functionality you need. The USB functionality is something you won’t see on a lot of other higher end tablets, and it allows you to use a myriad of additional tools. Price: $50 Pros: A laptop replacement that can function as both a laptop and a tablet on the fly
Photo source: juicedsystems.com
Cons: A bit expensive if you get some of the more powerful options, and the accessories are sold separately
For the Gamer Who Can’t Leave Their PC Behind: NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1 A decent $200 tablet in its own right, this little powerhouse features PC streaming so you can game even when you’re away from home. This may seem too good to be true, but apparently it can handle most games without a hitch. Just watch out for which accessories you get, because some of them can be a bit pricey. Price: $200 Pros: A good tablet in its own right that can also stream your PC games
Photo source: nvidia.com
28 KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017
Cons: A bit expensive if you get some of the more powerful options, and the accessories are sold separately
Photo source: businessinsider.com
For the Android User: Pixel C or Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 There are so many Android tablets that it was hard to narrow it down to just one - so I didn’t! The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 is a powerhouse that will stand up to just about any task you toss its way. It also features expandable memory, if that’s important to you. The Pixel C also has some intense power under the hood and has more internal storage than the Tab 3, but it doesn’t offer expandable memory.
Tab 3
Price: $500
Photo source: store.google.com
Pros: A tablet that can handle anything you throw at it, and comes with expandable memory Cons: 32 gigabytes of base internal memory isn’t much
Pixel C
Price: $500
Pros: A tablet that can handle anything you throw at it. Cons: No expandable memory
Photo source: samsung.com
For the Apple User: iPad Pro or iPad Air
Photo source: theverge.com
With Apple tablets, the big question is portability. Most of their devices are able to take on similar tasks without too much extra effort, so it’s really more of a preference for screen space and weight. The current iPad Air is small enough to fit into most bags, and has all the power you’ll need for light to moderately stressful tasks. If you’re looking for something a little bigger with more “oomph,” then you should check out the iPad Pro. It may be huge, but it can tackle any project you throw at it and then some. You can also pick up the Apple Pencil for additional functionality, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you know you’ll be using it often.
iPad Air
Price: $500
Pros: A tablet that can handle anything you throw at it, and comes with expandable memory Cons: 32 gigabytes of base internal memory isn’t much
iPad Pro
Price: $500
Pros: A tablet that can handle anything you throw at it Cons: No expandable memory
Photo source: apple.com
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017 29
SCIENCE & TECH
ST
Drones: Disaster Relief, Not War By John Thornton
W
hat do you think of when you hear the word “drone?” Some think of a deadly, automated war machine, others of a great Christmas gift, and the rest about getting their Amazon packages delivered within 30 minutes - I personally think of the first: Terminator was a cautionary tale, people. As an emerging technology, it’s hard to say what path our future robotic overlords will take (Seriously, Terminator, think about it). It is easy to assume that militaristic purposes will always be at the forefront. After all, the term “drone strike” has become synonymous with drones themselves. That being said, due to recent strides made by various groups, drones could one day do more help than harm. One of the more recent uses is based on neither commerce nor warfare, but something much more humanitarian: disaster relief.
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Before we get into that, let’s talk briefly about the history of drones. Officially named unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), what we know as a drone has been around since the early 20th century. Commission by the U.S. military, Charles F. Kettering started development in April 1917 on what was dubbed the Kettering Bug (KB).1 Fun fact: Orville Wright, of Wright Brothers fame, was one of the team members who worked on the KB. So now we know who to blame when the artificial hive mind sends out a hoard of military drones to stomp out the last remnants of humanity - thanks, Orville! The KB is exactly what you’d expect from an early 20th century drone. The fuselage, or main body, was made of paper mâché and reinforced with wood, and its wings were made of cardboard. It used a series of instruments to decide when to drop, with minimal success. While in modern times this sounds
like something you could make with your cousin at a family gathering, you have to think of the historical context. This was built 10 years prior to the first electronic TV, which wasn’t invented until 1927.2 The first modern drone attack was used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on February 4th, 2002 to kill Osama bin Laden. The man they assassinated wasn’t actually Osama (whoops), but a new era of warfare was born regardless.3 [INSERT QR CODE FOR ksulifestyle.com/anabriged-history-of-drones HERE] There’s a good reason that most people associate the word “drone” with a military death machine. The United States Army has a wide variety of UAVs at their disposal, from small recon units to long-range missile carriers. For instance, there is the RQ-11B Raven, which only weighs 4.2 pounds. With a range of a little under eight miles, the Raven is equipped with multiple types of
Photo source: medicalfuturist.com
cameras to provide information to Special Forces on the ground.4 On the other end of the spectrum is the MQ-9 Reaper, which is as imposing as it sounds. The Reaper drone has a range of 1,150 miles and can reach 230 mph! It comes equipped with three different types of air-toground missiles, one of which is the aptly named the Hellfire II missile, which specializes in anti-armour situations (in other words, it can destroy tanks).5 Luckily, it looks like the future of these devices won’t be exclusively about death and war. In September of 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated not only Houston, but much of the Texan coast. In response to this, the American Red Cross launched a program to send out drones to assess damage done to the Houston area - a first in history. The Red Cross, founded by Clara Barton back in 1881, has been a staple in disaster relief for a very long time.6 It is very appropriate that they would be at the forefront of this new age of drone-based aid. The drones were sent out for a week to gather information on damage done by the storm in order to determine which parts were hit the hardest. Not only was this done to decide where to send the most aid, but to also estimate how much money it would cost to make repairs.7 While Hurricane Harvey was the first time drones were used in disaster relief, the concept of using them for aid isn’t entirely new. Back in September of 2016, the United Parcel Service (UPS) tested the use of drones to deliver emergency medical supplies.8 Even before this, UAVs have been used to save lives in environments that would make certain medical supplies scarce. In July of 2016, an American startup named Flirtey sent a fleet of drones throughout western Rwanda to deliver blood and medicine to clinics and hospitals. Developing nations, such as Rwanda, don’t always have the infrastructure to make delivery by road a reliable method of shipment. Through the use of
UAVs, we could easily deliver aid to those who would die otherwise. UAV technology has progressed rapidly in recent years, and we are light years ahead of Kettering’s science-fair-project-turnedbomb. The drones used by both the Red Cross and UPS have exciting prospects for not just humanitarian work, but technology overall. Previously used solely by the military, the Bostonbased CyPhy’s Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications (PARC) drone was made commercial back in 2015. What makes the PARC so cool is that it can fly indefinitely - as in, forever. This is made possible by a microfilament that tethers the drone to the ground, delivering both energy and data to the PARC. There’s even a backup battery on board, in case the microfilament snaps off.10 To add to the PARC’s usefulness, it can either be piloted by a person, or act autonomously.11 This does limit the range of the drone to about 500 feet, but makes long-term missions such as damage assessment - much more accessible. The future of UAVs is ultimately undecided, but rapidly becoming clearer. While the military has long been the driving force behind drone technology, the private sector has recently become a major player. Hopefully, groups like the Red Cross and UPS can open the door to using drones to deliver aid, instead of dropping bombs. I think the main takeaway from all this is that drones will have a major effect on all of our lives in the years to come. Drones aren’t a passing fad, they’re here to stay; as time goes by, drones show more and more the versatile roles they will play in our society, both at home and abroad. Also, I once again implore you to go watch Terminator and mull it over. It could happen, people.
Resources
Photo source: politifact.com
1. Hunt, David. “World War 1 History: The Kettering Bug—World’s First Drone.” Owlcation, 10 Oct.2017,https://owlcation.com/humanities/WorldWar-1-History-The-Kettering-Bug-Worlds-First-FlyingBomb 2. Stephens, Mitchell. “History of Television.” New York University, Accessed 16 Oct. 2017, https://www.nyu. edu/classes/stephens/History%20of%20Television%20 page.htm 3. Sifton, John. “A Brief History of Drones.” The Nation, 2 Feb. 2012, https://www.thenation.com/article/ brief-history-drones/ 4. “RQ-11B Raven.” Military, Accessed 18 Oct. 2017, http://www.military.com/equipment/rq-11b-raven 5. “MQ-9 Reaper.” Military, Accessed 18 Oct. 2017, http://www.military.com/equipment/mq-9-reaper 6. “Our History.” Redcross, 2017, http://www.redcross. org/about-us/who-we-are/history 7. Moon, Mariella. “American Red Cross is launching a drone disaster-relief program.” engadget, 8 Sep. 2017, https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/08/american-red-cross-drone-disaster-relief-program/ 8. Lumb, David. “UPS testing drones to deliver emergency medical supplies.” Engadget, 23 Sep. 2017, https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/23/ups-drones-deliver-emergency-medical-supplies/ 9. Moon, Mariella. “Rwanda will get drone-delivered medical aid in July.” Engadget, 5 April 2017, https:// www.engadget.com/2016/04/05/medical-drone-delivery-rwanda/ 10. Moon, Mariella. “Boston company launches spy drone that can fly indefinitely.” Engadget, 6 Nov. 2015, https://www.engadget.com/2015/11/06/parc-dronecommercial-launch/ 11. CyPhy Works Inc. “The Future of High-Powered Commercial Drones.” CyPhy Works, Accessed 24 Oct. 2017, https://www.cyphyworks.com/products/parc/
KSULIFESTYLE.COM / DECEMBER 2017 31
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