The Antlerette Volume 97 Issue 5

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The Antlerette

Volume 97

January 2023 Issue 5

“SheeatyourheartoutlikeJeffreyDahmer”

Todaywearetalkingaboutcannibalism,moralgrayorpersonalpreference?

Theworldrecordholderfor“MostProlificCannibal”isnoneotherthanFijian Chief,RatuUdreUdre.Markingeachmealwithastone,he’sknownforconsuming humanfleshofupto1,000peopleinhisprime.Hismarkwaseatingpeoplethat hadreturnedfromaWarVictory,sinceFijiwasfightingagainsttheBritish.Four yearsagoIwasontheroadduringmytriptoFiji,andafter5hoursofdriving,I finallyfoundmyselfinRakiRaki,homeofthegraveforUdreUdre.Itwasnot much,justastonecasketwithhisnameengraved.Thereisn’tanyproofthatheis buriedthere;hewasshotbytheFijiangovernment,andtherestisundocumented.

Anotherpopularfacewe’reallfamiliarwith,ourveryownAmericantreasure, JeffreyDahmer,liketheoneKatyPerrysingsabout.Eventhoughhewasliterally crazy,hewasdiagnosedsaneathistrial,facingitbecausehekilledaround17 youngmenandboys,andatethemup.Hewassentencedto941yearsinprison,but shockingly,hewouldnotbeabletoserveouthiswholesentence.Doingabitofa favorformankind,oneofDhamer’sprisonmates,beathimviolentlytodeath.

Katy Perry’s Inspo Avani Kumar, Staff
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Peoplebelievedthateatingotherpeople’sfleshprovidedspiritualandphysical powers.Butasgrossasitseems,theconceptofcannibalismisonethatismildly rootedinourhistory.WelearnabouttheDonnerpartyinearlyhistoryclasses, andnewlandwasn’ttheonlythingtheyweregobblingup.

Manynativetribeswerealsoknownasman-eaters,soit’snotanewconcept, noronethatisonlyinlandsabroad.SoI’llleaveyouwithascarythought,asold timeyascannibalismseems,thereismostcertainlystillalargepopulationof peopleeaters,sosleepwithoneeyeopenmaybe!

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So You Want to be Immortal? Get a Half Life.

Youprobablydon’tknowit,butyou’resurroundedbyradioactivematerialevery day-someclocksandwristwatches,ceramicsandglass,plantfertiliser,andeven food.Everythingweinteractwithcontainssomeamountofradioactivematerial1; thehumanbodyevenneedsalittleradiationtofunctionatitsbest2.

Thatsaid,radioactivematerialnaturallygoesthroughaprocesscalledradioactive decay.Radioactivedecayisaprocessinwhichunstableatomicnuclei3breakapart orchange,releasingradiationastheydoso;itoccursbecausetheforcesholding thenucleustogetherarenotstrongenough.However,notallnucleiwilldecayat thesametime-inablockofradioactivematerial,therearetrillionsofnuclei.

Becauseofthis,it’simpossibletotellwhichnucleuswillnextdecay,orevenwhen. Butbecausethereareso many nuclei,itispossibletosaythatacertainnumberwill decayinacertaintime.Scientistsusestatisticalmethodstodeterminewhenhalf oftheunstablenucleiinagivensamplewillhavedecayed.Thehalflife4isthe amountoftimeittakesforhalftheunstablenucleitodecayinasample.

Asanexample,let’ssaywehavesomeradioactivematerial-SampleA.Itbegins withacountrateof160Becquerel5onDay0andhasahalflifeoftwodays.OnDay 2,itwillhave80Bq.OnDay4,itwillhave40Bq.Thecountratewillcontinueto halveeverytwodays;note,however,thatitwillneverreachzero.

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Itisalsopossibletodeterminehowmuchofasampleshouldremainaftera givenamountofhalflives.Thiscanbeexpressedasafraction,adecimal,ora ratio6.Forexample,theamountremainingafterfivehalflivescanbeexpressed as1/32(½ ● ½ ● ½ ● ½ ● ½=1/32),0.03125(1/32),or1:32.Youcanthen incorporatethisintootherdata.Ifasamplehas3,200Bqandgoesthroughfive two-dayhalflives,itscountrateafter10dayswouldbe1/32of3,200-so,100.

When it decays, the sample then turns into a decay product7. It will continuouslyturnintonewdecayproductsuntilitreachesastablestate.Atthat point,itisnolongerradioactive.

1Thisarticleisnotwrittentoscareyou.

2Infact,theabsenceofradiationisbad.

3Thenucleiofmostatomsarestable.

4Itcanalsomeanhowlongittakesforhalftheactivityinasampletohalveor forthecountratetohalve.

5Becquerel(Bq):aunitofradioactivity;definedastheactivityofaquantityof radioactivematerialinwhichonenucleusdecayspersecond.

6Theratioisgivenintheformof‘activityaftern-halflives:initialactivity’.

7Adecayproductisalsoknownasadaughterproduct,adaughterisotope, etcetera.

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FIFA World Corrupt

Fédération Internationale de Football Association, better known as FIFA, was established in 1904 to oversee international soccer among several European nations.Eventually,FIFAsetouttocreateanOlympic-liketournamentofsoccer touniteplayersfromallaroundtheglobe,andthus,theFIFAWorldCupwasborn. Ever since the first FIFA World Cup was held in 1930, the tournament has continuedtobethemostpopularsportingeventintheworld.

For every World Cup, one country is selected by FIFA officials to be the host country, but why is being the host country for the World Cup so important?

Hostingthemostpopulartournamentofthemostbelovedsportbringsaninflux intourismtothehostcountry,whichiswhysomanycountriesbidtobecomethe host.FIFAanalyzeseachcountry’sbidandvotesonwhowillbethebesthost,but what happens when multiple FIFA officials are bribed into selecting a nation clearlynotfittohostsuchacrucialevent?

InDecemberof2010,FIFAwassettodeterminethehostcountryofthe2022 World Cup. Many wealthy nations entered the bid for the honor of hosting, includingtheUnitedStates,UnitedKingdom,andAustralia,whowereallthought tohaveadecentchanceatwinningthebid.Whatstunnedtheworldwasthatthe countryselectedwasnotanyofthefavorites,butthesmallcountryofQatar,a countrythathadnotreceivedmuchattentiononaninternationalstage.Notonly wasthisanunlikelypick,itwasalsoextremelycontroversial.

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Qatar did not have any existing stadiums to host the tournament, and the extreme summer heat did not help their case for the bid. Immediately speculation about possible bribery to sway FIFA officials’ votes emerged, especiallysinceanotherpolarizingcountrywonabidthatsameyear–Russia. FIFAhasarecordofawardinghostbidstoquestionablecountriespriortothis. The1934WorldCupwashostedinMussolini’sfascistItalyafterall,butsurely theorganizationhasimprovedsince1934?

SinceRussiaandQatarwereawardedWorldCupbidsin2010,severalFIFA officialshavebeenaccusedofacceptingbribesandriggingFIFAelectionslike theonethatresultedinRussiaandQatarbeingawardedWorldCupbids.Some officialshaveevenbeenaccusedofcrimessuchasmoneylaunderingandfraud. Theorganizationasawholehasbeencaughtinscandalafterscandal,andits credibilityhasbeenquestionedbyitsownsponsorsandsoccerfansthemselves. The controversy over the 2022 World Cup being hosted in Qatar left many soccerfansdivided.Somefeltguiltyaboutsupportingacorruptorganization thatgaveintobriberyandgavebidstocountriesunfitforthejobformoney’s sake.Otherssimplywantedaseparationofpoliticsandsportsandtheabilityto simplyenjoythegamedespiteFIFA'swrongdoings.

ThenegativeattentionsurroundingFIFAhasstartedtofadeasthe2022World Cuphasended,butthedamagedonebyFIFAremains,theirimagetarnished, and the people uncertain of whether or not the organization deserves their support.

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The Prince Of The Forest

Anytimesomeonepicksupafantasynovel,theforestisalwaysdescribedas dark,menacing,dangerous.Andforsome,thiswasanaccuratedepiction.Butfor Cassiel,theforestwasalwaysasafehaven.Everytimehisparentsdecidedhewas ‘toomuch’forthemtohandleandtoldhimtofindsomewhereelsetosleepfor thenight,theforestwelcomedhimwithopenarms.Therewasneveramoment wherehewasunsureofwhohewaswithinthewoods-thetreesheclimbeddid notcarehowhespelledhischosenname,andtothepineyboughsheslepton highabovetheforestfloor,hisraggardhaircutfromusingsafetyscissorswas irrelevant. Beneath the canopy of greenery and bird calls there were no expectationsofhim,justanendlesswalkdownapathonlyCassielcouldtake.

Ashestumbleddownasmalltrailmadebyyearsofwildlifemigratingthrough the woods, he wondered how it came to be. Was it from a family of deer wanderinginsearchofastream?Perhapsabearandhercubwereouttoforageormaybeitwasn’toftheforestatall,andinsteadhehadstumbleduponapath madebythosewithnoregardforthenaturallifearoundthem.

Thetrailbegantotaperoff,sowithaquickglance,heduckedofftotheleftand continuedoneastward.HisGoBagwaspainfullylightthistime;hehadjust emptieditintothewashwhenhewaschasedoutagain.Internallyhelamented hismeagerstashofproteinbarsandhalffilledwaterbottle.Maybeifhewas luckyhecouldfindastream-thoughitmaybebesttoriskdehydration;there wasnotellingwhatbacteriamaybefloatingaround.

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Hecarriedonforafewmoreminutes,eventuallyadjustinghiscoursesoasto runintoapatchofblackberriesheknewwasupahead.Asheabsentmindedly pushedabranchoutofhisway,hecouldn'thelpbutwonderwhatwouldhappen ifhedidn'tgohomethistime.Wouldhisparentscare?Hissiblings?Would anyonebothertolookforhim,orwouldhejustfadefrompeople’smemorythe wayhishairdyedidafterafewbrutalwashesunderhotwater?

Thethoughtofjustwalkingintotheforestandneverreturningwasenticing,but logicallyheknewsomeonewouldnoticehisabsence,histeacherswouldhaveto reporthimmissingfromclass,afterall.Besides,hehadpromisedtogotohis sister'sdancerecitalinafewweeks,andhisbrotherwasbecomingayellowbelt inamonth,soevenifhethoughthecouldgetawaywithit,theguiltofmissing thosemilestoneswouldbeunbearable.

Ashethoughtofhissiblings,hecouldn’thelpbutsmile.Theywerebothsuch chatterboxes it was baffling, they always had something to say. For Cassiel, talkingwasalwaysachore ifhedidn’thavetotalk,thenwhywouldhe?Life waseasierwhenhedidn’thavetoworryabouthiswordsandstupidlyhigh pitchedvoice.Hewasalwaysgladtositandlistentothemthough;forlittlekids theyweresurprisinglyinsightful,andalwayshadthegreatestideasforgames.

Eventually, Cassiel stumbled into the clearing with the blackberry bush and droppedhisbagtiredly,groaninginexasperationwhenherealizedthezipwas partiallyundone,andhadspilleditscontentsacrosstheground.Shakinghis head,heturnedhisgazetothethornybramblesoftheblackberrybush,sighing atthethoughtofhowmangledhisarmswouldbeafterhewasdonescavenging. Helanguidlyapproachedthebush,andbegansiftingthroughthevineslooking forsomethatwerehopefullyuntouchedbywildlife.Hehadjuststuckhisarm intothebushandsteppedforwardforabetterreachwhentherewasarustling behindhim.Hewhirledaroundandfoundhimselfstaringatacat,seemingtobe attemptingtopawthroughhisbag’scontents.

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Slowly,heextractedhimselffromthebush,holdingjustafewberriesinhis hand.Thecat'seyesshotup,andithastilyretreatedafewstepsbackintothe underbrush.Cassielstoodforamoment,beforewalkingbacktohisbagand sittingnexttoit.Carefully,heplacedasingularberryonhisjacket,holdingthe restinhishand,andlaiditoutasfarfromhimashecouldwithoutgettingup. Then,hepulledoutaproteinbarforhimselfandwaited.

Eventually,thecat'sneedforfoodoutweigheditsfear,anditcrepttowardsthe jacket.Itpausedtosniffattheberryforamoment,beforecarefullypickingitup andeatingit.Afterithadswallowed,itstareddistrustfullyatCassiel,whoheld outahandwiththerestoftheberries.Slowly,thecatapproachedandsnatched onefromhispalmbeforeretreatingbacktothejacket.

As he continued the waiting game with the cat, he noted the lengthening shadows across the forest floor. He was immensely grateful that it was the middleofsummer,alreadypainfullyfamiliarwithhowcoldtheforestfloor couldgetatnight..Keepingthehandoutwiththeberries,hestruggledtoreplace thecontentsofhisbag.Thecatdartedoutforanotherberry,thistimeonly retreatingtotheedgeofthejacket.Withasmallsmiletowardsthefeline,he finallymanagedtoshovehisbagbacktogetherandzipitshut.

Eyeingthecat'sneck,hedulynotedthelackofcollar.Notthatitmeantanything really,itwasjustaslikelyitwassimplyahousecatthathadgottenlostasitwas tobeatrulyferalanimal.Eitherway,Cassielneededsomethingtocallthepoor thing,andbeganmusing.Hecouldn'tpickupthecreaturetocheckitsgender itwouldrunoffbeforehecouldshifttohisknees.Honestly,Cassielwasnotthe person for naming things, he’d run through so many names before finally settlingonCassiel.Itwasalmostembarrassing.

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Hewasdrawnoutofhisthoughtsbutagentlesniffingofhispalm,andabrush ofwhiskersagainsthiswrist.Insteadoftakingitsspoilsandrunningoff,it pausedtoproperlyinspecthishandfirst.Hewatchedasslowlythecatbegan lappingatthestrayberryjuicerunningdownhisarm,andpromptlydecided thatdespitethefeline'sadorablenature,itwasnotworththeeffortoffindinga uniquename.Thepoorthinglikedtheberriesthatmuch?Thentheirname wouldbeBerry.

AsBerrylickedthelasttracesofjuicefromhisarm,Cassielfinallytookthetime toopenhisownproteinbar.Makingafaceatthechocolatepeanutbutterlabeled monstrosity,hetentativelytookabite.Grimacingashechewed,hehaphazardly shovedhisbagbehindhimandleanedback,tryingtolandhisheadonthe makeshiftpillow.Berrywatchedfromthejacketashestruggledtomaneuver himselfintoacomfortableposition,slowlybeginningtokneadhisjacketasthey watched.Eventually,thebagwassatisfactorilyplacedandheclosedhiseyes.

Helikelywouldn’tsleepforawhile,butrestingasmuchashecouldnowbeas goodaplanasany.Besides,maybeshowinghisguardloweredsomuchwould enticeBerryintotrustinghimmore itwouldbenicetohaveapetofhisown. Butthentherewasthehousingandfeedingissue-well,hecouldworryabout what-ifslater.Fornow,hewasgoingtolayintheclearingandgazeupatthe rapidlydarkeningskyandwonderhowanyonecouldfindaforestmenacing.

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Unlikely Allies

The guards roughly threw him into his cell, his knees and palm colliding painfullywithstone.Hedidn’tevengetbackup,insteadsinkingintoasitting position,staringblanklyatthewallashelistenedtothemthrowhiscellmatein with him. He was vaguely aware that his cellmate seemed to be shouting something,butcouldn’tfocusonthewordsaspainflashedthroughhisbody.It feltlikehisveinswereonfire,likehisheartmightgiveoutanysecond.

Thesoundsofthejailcellbeingslammedshutandkeysjinglinginitslock, followed by departing footsteps, seemed so far away, as if he was on some distantlandratherthanonthedampstoneflooroftheprison.Theseconds trickledby,secondsabsorbedbypain,secondsthatseemedtolastaneternity, thecoldofthefloorslowlyseepingintohisskin.Suddenlyhefelthandsonhis shoulders,hisattentionsnappinguptothemaninfrontofhim,

“Damien!” An angry desperation lined the man ’ s face as he shook Damien gently,tryingtosnaphimoutofhistrance.Damien’seyesfellonthemetalcollar aroundtheman’sneck,asoftbluelightemanatingfromthegeminthemiddle. “Anthony.”Histhroatseemedtocloseupashespoke,thenamearaspingsound, thoughAnthonyseemedtopaynomind.

“Weneedtofindawayout,Ican’tdothatifyou’retoobusystaringatthewall feelingsorryforyourself.”Anthony’shandsslippedoffDamien’sshouldersashe begantopacetheroom,anauraoffrustrationaroundhim.

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“Everything hurts, I need a minute,” Damien growled. The room fell silent, AnthonysteppingoutofDamien’seyesight.HecouldhearAnthonyshakethe jailbarsandscoffedunderhisbreath,

“It’snouse,”

“Thisisallyourfault,”Anthonyhissedfromwherehestood.

“HowwasItoknowWildfirewassomeevilorganization?AllIdidwasfollow ordersandnowlookwhereIam,”Damiensaid,thepainslowlysubsiding.He carefullystoodup,scaredthepainmightreturn,andturnedtolookatAnthony, whowasstilllookingpastthebars.

“Youweretheonetocaptureus,youwerethefirstoneIsaw,youshotme,” Anthonyturnedtowardhim,pointingatDamienashespoke.

“Wedidn’tknowwhatyouwere,you’redefinitelynothuman.That’swhyyou’re theonewearingacollar.”

Anthony’shandswentuptothecollarasitwasmentioned,angerflashinginhis eyes.Thecollarswereusedtokeepthe“Unnaturals”,asWildfirelikedtocall them, from using their magical abilities. It was the only way to keep them contained.

“We’reAvalians.Justbecausewe’redifferentdoesn’tgiveyouanyreasonto attackus.We’renotathreat,”

“AndIwasasoldierwhothoughthewasservinghiscountry.Itwasn’tmycall.” AnothersilencefollowedDamien’swords,Anthonyturningbacktowardsthe barsofthecell.

“Look,I’mjustasstuckhereasyouare.I’llhelpyouescapeandafterwecango ourseparatewaysandneverseeeachotheragain,”Damiensaid,breakingthe shortlivedsilence.

Ashespoke,thefamiliarsoundsofcombatbootsonstonealertedthemthatthe guardwasback.Anthonysteppedbackfromthebarsastheguard,Vera,took herposition.AnthonylookedtowardDamien,makingdirecteyecontactasifto catchhisattention.Damienraisedhiseyebrowashematchedtheeyecontact, Anthonypointingtowardstheguardashemouthedwhatlookedlike“Whatdo wedo?”.

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DamienlookedtowardVera,discardinghalf-formedthoughtsashescrewedup hiseyesather,yethecouldn’tthinkofasingleescapeplan.Suddenly,light reflectedoffsomethinghehadn’tnoticedbefore;thekeythathungfromher belt.Theycoulddosomethingwiththat.HeturnedbacktowardAnthonyand quickly signed “key.” It was only as Anthony stared at him in confusion, screwinguphiseyesashemouthed“what”thatherealizeditwasdumbtothink aninterdimensionalbeingknewASL.Sighingsoftly,hepointedtowardVera, thentothelockonthedoor,beforemakingamotionoflockingadoorinhopes Anthonywouldpickuponwhathewassaying.

“Key?”hemouthed,makingaslightlylessconfusedface.

Damiennodded.Wecouldprobablygrabthekeywithouthernoticingifwe’re carefulenough,andthenexttimethere’sagapoftimewherenoone’sguarding ourcellwecanescape.ButhowdoIcommunicatethattoAnth-

Hehadn’tevenfinishedhisthoughtwhenAnthonystoodupandbegantowalk meaningfullytowardVera.HefranticallywavedhisarmsatAnthony,unableto trustthathe’dbeabletopullitoff,buttheAvaliandidn’tsee.Damiencursed underhisbreathasAnthonyreachedthroughthebarsforthekey.

“Hey!”Veraexclaimed,butAnthonyquicklyheldherinachokehold,usinghis otherhandtograbhergunbeforeshecould.Damienjumpedup,alarmshooting throughhimasVerathrashedagainstAnthony’shold.

“GUAR-”Verastarted,butAnthonythencontinuedtotakethegunanduseitto hit her over the head. Vera slumped against the bars, unconscious. Damien lookedbetweenthetwooftheminshock.

“Igotthekey.”Anthonyliftedthesmallslightlyrustedkeyinfrontofhim.

Anthonyfiddledwiththelock,thesecondsseemingtotrickledangerouslyby. Anysecondsomeonecouldcomeacrossthem.

“Whatwasyourplanthere???”
“Justopenthedamndoor.”
“Yeah,yeah,onit.”
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Thiswasbarelythoughtout.Damienwasn’tevensureeitherofthemknew wheretheexitswere.Finallythelockclickedandthedoorswungopen,thetwo quicklymakingtheirwaydownthecorridor.

“Doyouhaveanyhelpfulmagicalabilitiesyoucoulduserightnow?”Damien hissed,lookingdownthehallwaystomakesuretheywerealone.Anthonyjust pointedatthecollar.Right.HowdidIforget?

“Well,ifwefindawaytotakeitoff,doyouhaveanyhelpfulmagicalabilities?” hecountered,slippingdownanotheremptyhallway.

“I’mashapeshifter.Itmayhelpmebutitdefinitelywon’thelpyou.AndifI managetogetitoff,don’texpectmetotrytohelpyouescape.You’rethereason I’minhere,”

“Fair.” As he spoke, Damien’s eyes traveled down to the gun Anthony still grippedcloselybyhisside.Anthonytracedhisgaze, “No,”hesaidfirmly,grippingtheguntighter.

“Ibetyoudon’tevenknowhowtouseagun.Wehavebetterchancesifyougive ittome.”Damienwasn’tevenawarehehadstoppedwalkingashereachedfor thegun,butAnthonyquicklymovedoutoftheway,

“Soyoucanshootmeagain?Idon’tthinkso.”Damienopenedhismouthto protest,butthesuddenunwelcomesoundofthealarmblaringcutoffhiswords.

“Crap,theymusthavefoundVera,”Damiensaidinstead,instinctivelygrabbing Anthony,wholookedjustaboutaspanickedashefelt,bythewristashestarted runningdownthehall.

Itfeltlikethealarmwassplittingopenhisskull,blastingthroughhisbrainashe randownhallafterhall,dodgingsoldierslookingforthem,seeminglymaking noprogressnomatterhowlongheran.Finally,adoorattheendofahallway showedlightfilteringinthroughthesmallwindowsatthetop.Thiswasit,this wastheirescape.

Butasherantowardthedoor,afiguresteppedinfrontofit,agrinwideningon theirfaceastheyraisedaguntowardthem.Adeafeningcrackfilledthehall,an explosivesoundfollowedbyaringingthatreverberatedinDamien’sbrain.

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Buthewasn’tevenabletobegincomprehendingthesoundassuddenpainhit him in the stomach. He gasped for breath as he fell to his knees, his eyes instantlywateringwithtears.

Moregunshotswentoff,thoughthesoundwasalmostnon-existent.Insteada harshringingwastheonlythingDamiencouldhear.Thepainwasunbearable, anunyielding,undyingforcethatconsumedallofhissenses.Hegrabbedathis stomach, his hands now warm with his blood. He felt hands grab at him, suddenly the floor disappearing beneath him as Anthony picked him up, holding him to his chest. He was vaguely aware that Anthony had begun running,pushingpastthedoortotheoutside.WhywasAnthonyhelpinghim? Whyhadn’thejustlefthiminthehalltobleedoutanddie?

Damiencouldbarelythink,half-formedthoughtsrattlingaroundhisbrainashe shudderedinpain,tearsstreakinghisface,gaspingforbreath.Itfeltlikehewas dying.Hewasdying.Therewasnodenyingthat,thesewerehislastmoments, and he was spending them in the arms of a stranger. He felt consciousness slippingfromhim,holdingondesperatelytothatfeelingofbeingawake,an overwhelmingfearrisinginhischest.Butconsciousnesswasslippingfromhim, thedarknessgrowingcloserwitheverypassingsecond.Therewasn’tmuchhe coulddotokeepitatbay.Hefelthispainstarttofadeandthennothingatall.He wasgone.

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Jack Antonoff & Taylor Swift

Nefertary Cabrera, Staff

JackAntonoffisultimatelyoneofthemostinfluentialfiguresinmusic,whether you ’veheardofhimviahisband,Bleachers,orthroughhisproducing.Recently, he’sworkedwithTaylorSwiftonhernewestalbum, Midnights.Upuntilnow, Swift’smostexperimentalalbumwasfolklore,whichAntonoffalsoproduced. Midnights has broken records unlike any other albums. In just eight weeks, Midnightssoldoversixmillionunitsworldwide.Swiftisthefirsttohavefive albumswithover1millionunitsduringreleaseweek.Coincidentally,allthose fivealbums,(1989,reputation,Lover,folklore,Midnights)wereproducedbyAntonoff.

Since meeting in 2012, Antonoff and Swift became close friends and collaborators.WhenSwiftbeganherfamouscountrytopoptransformationin 2014, Antonoff produced the playful pop album. 1989 was deemed “ pop perfection”bycritics.Soonafterwardstheywonthe Album of the Year awardat theGrammys.Cuttingto2016,theinfamousfeudinvolvingSwiftandKanye causedSwifttogointohidingforanentireyear.WithinthatyearJackand Taylorcreated reputation,hercomebackalbum.Threeyearslater,JackandTaylor collaboratedagainforReputation’smorecheerfulsisteralbum, Lover.Thepair wassupposedtogoontour,butthetourlaterwascanceledduetoCovid-19.

Duringthepandemic,TaylorandJackcreatedanotherpairofsisteralbumsthat onceagaintransformedTaylorandJackaswriters,producers,andartists.In 2020 ,Taylor unexpectedly announced that her newest album folklore would debutatmidnight.Thealbumwasahugesuccessduetoitsgenreshift.Afew monthsafter folklore wasannounced, evermore cametobe,anotheralbumwith thesamewhimsicalmelodiesasfolklore.Thetwopastalbumssealedanydoubt inTaylor’swritingabilities.With folklore and evermore,Taylorestablishedherself asawriter.

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Circlingbacktothe Midnights album,easilyTaylor’smostplayfulalbumyet, bothcriticsandaudienceshaveseenTaylorevolveandreinventedherselfover the entirety of her career, with Midnights being a complete switch from her previous works. Without Taylor’s infamous lyricism and Jack’s distinctive sound,themusicwouldundoubtedlynotbethesame.Whilesomemusiciansare completelysoloandothersarejustmarketingplots,TaylorandJackarethe completedreamteam.

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California Weather

Kyree Her, Staff

Duringtheendingof2022andthebeginningof2023,California'sweatherhas beenbipolarandverychaotic.NoteverywhereinCaliforniahashadthisvery weirdandnastyweather.Onedayit’llbesunnyandclear,thenthenextit’s supercloudyandrainy.Thistypeofweatheraffectseveryoneandtheirlives.It haslatelybeenhavingstrongwinds.It’snotanyordinarywind;thisisthetype ofwindtoknockhugetreesdown.

Roadshavebeenclosedduetothisstormy,windyweather.Poles,trees,and othershaveallbeenknockeddown.Thecauseofclosedroadsinterfereswith traffic,whichforcesyoutore-routeyourway.Itmaycauseyoutobelateto school,work,oranevent.Trafficlightsbecomedysfunctionalandcausechaos. Theamountoffloodingthathappensonroadsisincredible.I’veseensomany roads that have been flooded. The roads are also trashed with things flying aroundfromthestrongcurrentofthewind.You’llseehugebranchesandmaybe afewthingsfromsomeone'shouse.

Thischaoticweatherleadstoschoolsgettingclosed.Eitherpowerattheschoolis outorit’sjusttoodangerous.Someschoolswereevenruinedduetotheweather. Peoplearealsogettingsupersickfromthisbipolarweather.Turnsoutthatmore studentsareabsentonrainydaysthanonMondays.Somestudentsaren’tableto attendschoolbecauseoftheroads.Roadsareeitherclosedoff,ruined,oritisn’t safeenoughtopassthrough.Ipersonallythinkthatschoolsshouldbeclosedif theweatherisdoingsomuchdamagealready.

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Strongwindscausesomanyproblems.Homesaregettingwreckedandtorn down,treeshavefallenstraightontoahouse.Imaginetheamountofdamage that this weather could do . This includes a huge amount of money. If the weatherbadlydamagesyourhome,you’reobviouslygoingtopayforwhatever's beenbrokenorruined.Treeshavealsofallenontocars.Imagineifatreeoutside yourhousefallsontoyourcar.You’llhavenotransportationtogetanywhere,so you’llhaveachoicetoeitherbuyanewcarorjustfigureouthowyou’regoingto gettoplaces.Expensesforanewcar,ortofixyourhomearealot.Somehomes wereruinedduetotherain.Floodsarehappeningandarecausingfamiliesto evacuatetheirhomes.Ifthefloodgetsintoyourhome,everythingwillberuined. Therewillbenothingleftforyoutosave.

ThishecticweatherisatitsworstinSacramento,California.Thisweatherisnot ajoke.Itcouldreallyputsomepeopleinjeopardy.Thiswillbesomethingto rememberthroughoutthe2023year.Thisisjustthebeginning.Thisweatheris notthebesttostartthenewyearoffwith.We’llallgetthroughthisdisgusting weathersoonenough.Can’twaitforSpringandSummer!

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Black Panther-Wakanda Forever Movie Review

SPOILERSAHEAD!!READATOWNRISK!! Black Panther:Wakanda Forever was ananticipatedmoviethatcameoutinNovemberoflastyear.Themoviewas talked about prior to its release date because the main character, Chadwick Boseman,diedofcoloncanceronAugust28,2020andthedirectorofthemovie, RyanCoogler,decidedthathewouldmakethecharacterofT’Challaalsodie becausehedidn’twanttogiveawaythecharactertoanotheractor.Thisdecision was controversial, with many fans of Black Panther being upset about this decision,butevenwiththat,themoviehasgrossedabout733millionworldwide andisstillcounting.Today,Iwillgivemyfullestopinionofthesequelto Black Panther.

Firstthingsfirst,IfeellikeRyanshouldhavejustgiventhecharacterT’Challato anotheractor.T’ChallawasafictionalcharacterthatChawickplayedreallywell inthefirstBlackPanthermovie,butIdon’tthinkthatRyanshouldhavekilled offT’ChallajustbecauseChadwickdidanoutstandingjobandthatjustbecause hedied,thecharacterheplayedsowellshoulddietoo.Attheendoftheday, T’ChallaisafictionalcharacterandRyanshouldhaveseparatedtheactorfrom thecharacterwhenmakinghisdecisionaboutT’Challa.

Back to the movie review, this movie was definitely on the more sad and emotionalside,whichwascoolandallinthefirsthalfbecauseT’Challajustdied andeveryonewasmourninghisdeath,butitcontinuewithRmondadyingdue tothevillian,Namor,invadingWakandaandkillingheroff,whichaddedmore mourningandrevengetothetable.

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TherevengeandmourningwaskindofcomplicatedformebecauseIknowthat thereweredeathsandeveryonewasmourning,butIalsowantedtoseemore actionandotherthingsthatdidn’trelateorgobacktotherevengeormourning thatthecharacterswerefacinginthemovie.

NewcharacterRiriwasthecomedicreliefofthemovie,buthercomedictiming wascoolattimes,butothertimes,itwasnot.Namorhadanice-psycho-killer typeofpersonalitytohimthatmadehimcoolbutscaryatthesametime.When ShuriturnedintotheBlackPanther,IdidfeelgoosebumpsbutIalsofeltehhh. Like,ShurionlyturnedintotheBlackPanthertogetrevengeonhermother’s death,whichisdefinitelyagoosebumpfeeling,butitalsowasnotbecauseIfelt likeIalreadyknewthatShuriwasnotgoingtokillNamorbecauseit’snotinher naturetodoso,andshewasnotintherightmindtofaceNamororanyother villain,really.

WhenthefinalbattlehappenedandShurididn’tkillNamor,itwasakindofa relaxedfeelingbecauseitwaskindoftheendofShuriandherangerrampageof revenge. Nakia was also mourning T’Challla, but she also helped out with findingShuriandgettingherbacktoWakandawhenshewaskidnappedby Namor. Nakia’s presence in the movie wasn’t really that much and she was mostlykindofasidecharacterthatwashelpingShurioutwithherrevengewith Namor,whichiscoolsinceShuriwasthemaincharacterinthismovie,butI wantedtoseeatleastoneflashbackofNakiamovingtoHaitiandsettingupher lifethere,insteadofjusttalkingaboutitandnothearingaboutitagain.

TheshockvaluethatIhadwhenNakaishowedherandT’Challasontoeveryone wasastronomical.MyjawdroppedandIwasstillinshockasthecreditsstarted torollattheendofthemovie.Thatwasanamazingwaytoendasad,emotional movieonagoodnote.

Nevertheless,IwouldgiveBlackPanther:WakandaForeverasolid6.Itwasa goodmoviethathadaninterestingplot,butitisn’tamoviethatIwouldwatch overagainorthatifIwasscrollingforarandommovie,Iwouldpick.

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MarvelmoviesafterAvengers:Endgamehavefollowedapatternofhavingmore mourningandsadnessintheirmoviesthanactuallyhavingafun,nicetype moviewhichisfairsincemanycharactersdiedinEndgameandothercharacters thatareleftwerejustseeingtheeffectsoftheirfriendsdying.Ihopethatthe newMarvelmoviesatleasttrytomakeafun,nicetypeofmoviethatdoesn’t have to deal with mourning or sadness of their loved ones, or other things happeningintheirlives.

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