Blue & Gold

Blue & Gold
A Publication of Waynesboro Area Senior High School Students
Volume 57, Issue 3
HALLOWEEN ENTERTAINMENT EDITION October 2007
Students Explore German Culture
at Annual Oktoberfest Celebration
The end of October is
By Danielle Forney
here and one of the fun traditions
at WASHS is back for another
year. If you are involved in
German class or in German club
you should know what’s up. If
you don’t, here is a hint, October
and festival. Still not getting it?
Okay, here is the answer. It’s
Oktoberfest!
To be able to attend
Oktoberfest at WASHS you must
be either in a German class, or
plan to be in a German class, or
are involved in German Club.
Oktoberfest happened this year
during third block, during lunch,
on Friday October 26, students
were asked to bring German food
to the event so they all could try to
catch a glimpse of what the real
deal is like. However, you did not
have to bring a dish if you would
not like to, but it was nice so there Juniors Lauren Wriston & Chris Carnes battle it out with other German students in
was enough food to eat. “What
a game of foosball.
kind of food is German food?”
This year, even though I am
delicious food, and just having a
Well, there are lots. Some foods
not involved in German, I got the
good time. Mostly everyone who
include: Bratwurst, Sauerkraut,
opportunity to get a behind the scenes
attended was wearing German
pretzels, spivta, weinerschnitzal
look at Oktoberfest, and it was
colors and showing their German
(AKA a really big hotdog),
amazing. People were playing
Pride.
burgers, and black forest cake.
foosball, socializing, eating some
Phobias Create Fears
Throughout the Year
By Teonna Hahn
Are you afraid to fly? Do needles make you nervous? These
symptoms are sure signs of a phobia. Phobia is just a fancy name for fear, but
being afraid of your neighbors Great Dane because it barks when you pass by
it’s fence is not a phobia. A phobia is an excessive and irrational fear of well,
just about anything you can imagine. It could be anything from a common
phobia like Arachnophobia, the extreme fear of spiders, to something a little
more uncanny such as Zemmiphobia, the fear of the Great Mole Rat.
Does this sound like you? If it does, it is very likely that you do, in
fact, have a phobia. It is estimated that one in ten people live their everyday
lives with some sort of phobia. When asked, Senior Aaron Huff mentioned
that it was the dentist that left him shaking in his shoes. “I make sure I hang
out with my friends before I need to go. I treat it like my last days.” And he is
not alone. Many people worry about something that frightens them days,
possibly even weeks, before it actually happens. Senior Chris Hicks claims
this happens to him when he goes anywhere near a roller coaster. “I get really
shaky, and my heart starts racing when I am near them.” Snakes evoke fear in
Ashley Walker, a junior, while crickets make Samantha Blessing tremble.
Other ladies, Juniors Alysha Hardman and Brittany Deckrosh, claim that
being alone scares them. Darkness and heights were stated as fears by
Deanna Whitlock and Shelby Fogus, both juniors.
Even tough guys can be brought to their knees from a phobia. Junior
Chad Eyler admitted to being scared of hot ham and cheese sandwiches. “I
don’t know what it is about them. They just freak me out,” he proclaimed.
Spiders are on the top of Zach Arthur’s list of phobias. “I can handle just
about anything – but spiders,” Arthur, a junior, stated. Sometimes certain
people make a man bite his fingernails from terror. “My mom, she can scare
me every time,” confided Marcus Brown. While, for others, a certain event
causes them to cringe. Report Card Day is Adam Wallace’s weakness.
Solutions can be found to theses phobia problems. Many people
with phobias can be helped with treatment. The usual therapy is a mix of
medication and psychotherapy. There are several types of programs designed
The real Oktoberfest takes
place the first week of October in
Germany and lasts for the whole
week. At the real Oktoberfest some of
the festivities include lots of food as
mentioned before, roller coasters,
people getting off work to celebrate,
beer, and socializing. German club
President Mark Fries stated, “If you
could ever get the chance to go to the
real Oktoberfest, go because I would.”
It sounds like a lot of fun, and hey,
you get to celebrate your heritage.
If you are an underclassman
and you would like to go see what
Oktoberfest is all about, sign up for
German I next year or try to get
involved in German club. And
remember Oktoberfest isn’t only about
food and drinks; it is about the time to
remember where you come from and
to socialize with friends.
Above: German Teacher Ms. Jackson
dips up some grub at Oktoberfest.
for people with phobias. These programs use a variety of behavioral therapy
techniques to help clients confront and overcome their fears.
If your fear is becoming uncontrollable and is disrupting your everyday
life, it could be time to seek treatment. Ask a medical doctor, such as your
family doctor to evaluate you and rule out other possibilities of your anxiety.
He might refer you to a psychiatrist who can give you the treatment and
medication you need to live a normal, light - hearted life without the fear.
Juniors Deanna Whitlock & Chad Eyler scream in horror as they think about
their fears.
Autumn Happenings
Reynolds Farm Serves as a Fall Favorite for Many
At this time of year, Halloween festivities start to take
By Katie Willard
place. A local well-known farm, Reynolds Farm, has been a
source of fun times and fall décor for years.
Bill and Louis Reynolds purchased their farm in 1982
for the purpose of dairy farming and growing vegetables. For the
past ten years, the Reynolds decided to solely grow vegetables,
including pumpkins and gourds, fall decorations and mums.
They started off by selling their pumpkins in wholesale to local
community members, but it slowly grew into something greater.
In addition to the fall favorite of pumpkins and the adventure of
picking your very own, activities include hayrides, a 30-foot
slide, viewing zoo, corn maze, sandbox and many more activities
for young children and families. Junior Tori Reed said, “Every
year during the fall season my family and I go to Reynolds to
pick our pumpkins. It is a fun thing to do with my family. My
brother really enjoys the slides and the other activities they have
there.” Lauren Wriston, also a junior, states, “It was amazing. I
took my two-year-old nephew and not only did he love the
hayride but he found the hay maze and slides to be extremely fun!
I myself enjoyed the giant pumpkin to tell how tall you are and
looking at the goats. It was so much fun! Not to mention,
pumpkins!”
A scarecrow smiles a welcome at Reynolds Farm.
For the flower and decorating savvy, Reynolds provides
over 9,000 Belgian Mums, Indian corn, straw, and pumpkins in
the colors of white, purple, blue, and of course, orange. Mr. Bill
The Reynolds plan on at least four or five more good years of fall activities at their
Reynolds stated that his favorite part of the farm is interacting
farm, so do not be alarmed, if you missed out on the family fun this autumn stop by in
with the countless people that drop by to participate in the
years to come to join in!
merriment.
Family Finds Sweetness in Tradition
By Nicole Dingle
The Ivy Hill Farm festival may be just a pit-stop for some people on
their way through Smithsburg, but for the Kuhn family it is a tradition and
something fun to look forward to every year.
The Ivy Hill Farm is owned by John and Jean Martin. John and Jean
were friends with Richard “Dick” Kuhn. Thirty-three years ago the trio decided
to start a tradition of making apple butter together and having a festival at Ivy
Hill Farm every year during the first weekend in October. They decided that half
of the apple butter would go to the Kuhn’s family and the other half of the apple
butter would be sold at the farm. Although Mr. Kuhn has passed away, both
families continue the tradition becauseit’s a good time for both families to get
together and just continue the tradition. This tradition is a place where the
family (all the Kuhns family and some family friends) just talk and catch up on
things that have happened throughout the year. The whole time they are talking
they are also taking turns stirring the apple butter and adding the ingredients. It
is a time for Mrs. Kuhn to watch her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandkids have fun and carry on the tradition her deceased husband had started.
Primarily the apple butter is made by the Kuhns group because John and Jean
Martin are normally talking to the guests at the festival and taking care of the
business. The tradition still remains a highlight of the season for all involved.
To make apple butter they first start a fire and put a kettle over the fire.
They begin by adding two gallons of apple cider, then 66 gallons of applesauce.
This concoction has to be stirred for 7-8 hours before they add the 25 pounds of
sugar. Next they cook and stir for another hour. After that they pull the fire out
and add the spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The amounts of
spices may vary. Finally, they jar it up and they are done!
The festival is very exciting and great for families. There are lots of
food, crafts, animals, hayrides, and even a little magic show for the little kids.
It’s a great time to just spend time with your family and have a blast.
Creatures made from hay bales serve as hosts at Ivy Hill Farm.
Pumpkins Provide Plenty
of Fun Possibilities
Carving Pumpkins Correctly
Requires Safety & Creativity
By Nick Rounceville
Pumpkins are one of the many signs that fall and Halloween are
approaching. Have you ever thought about what you might do with a
pumpkin? This Halloween if you have no plans or are just bored I might have
something fun for you to do. You can eat pumpkins, play sports, smash them
into tiny small pieces or, my favorite, blow them up. Let me tell you how you
can make these fun things happen.
How about playing football or baseball with one? Football can be
done easily. Just pick a small pumpkin about the size of a softball, get a
couple of friends together and play football. Baseball is simple too. Get the
same size pumpkins but be sure to get more than one pumpkin because most
likely some will be smashed. Gather your friends and you are ready to play.
There are many ways to eat pumpkins. There is pumpkin bread,
pumpkin cookies and my favorite, pumpkin pie. I love walking into the
kitchen and smelling pumpkin pie baking. Pumpkin pie is best warm with a
glass of cold milk and topped with Cool Whip.
My last suggestion is to smash them but you must be creative.
Pumpkins can be smashed using a sledge hammer or baseball bat. Again,
watch for flying pieces, in fact, it might be a smart idea to wear goggles.
However you choose to smash a pumpkin, be smart! Do not be an idiot when
doing it.
These may not be the only uses for pumpkins, but they are a start.
So, truck down to your local pumpkin patch and buy – don’t steal – a batch of
pumpkins and let your imagination run wild.
By Katie Willard
Carving pumpkins is a Halloween tradition, simple as that. Many
people take this opportunity to show off their creative side, or lack thereof,
and just have a fun time in the process of conceiving a masterpiece.
When it all boils down to carving pumpkins people take many
different approaches to it; countless people simply freehand whatever they
please. To accurately carve a pumpkin of perfection, start off by gutting your
pumpkin. Yes, it does sound brutal but in all seriousness it is a fun time! Cut
a circle on top of the pumpkin in an angle, so that when placing the lid back
on top it will not fall right through. The next step is to choose a pattern to use
as your design, which can be obtained from a magazine or printed off of a
computer.
Designs are endless, from a traditional scary or happy faces, to sports
logos, or even animal drawings. Copy the design and place it on the pumpkin
where desired. After that, trace the design onto your pumpkin. Take a knife
and carefully cut out the design, I repeat carefully. Ta-da, you have your
carved pumpkin. Furthermore, if carving the pumpkin is not your forte, then
another option would be to paint designs onto it. Just like the never-ending
options of carving a design you have the same options in painting something
on the pumpkin.
Selections are infinite as to how to decorate a pumpkin to fit your
personal taste. And remember; do not make this into a tedious project, but a
fun festive activity. So go ahead, start gutting.
Haunted Happenings
Field of Screams Helps
Student Face Fears
By Shana Wilson
Why do we keep going back to haunted houses if they scare us so
much? Is it the adrenaline rush? The thrill of the moment? Or is it just the
peer pressure to prove you’re not a wimp?
In all of my experiences of going to haunted houses, I have gotten so
scared that it brings tears to my eyes, but I still keep going back. Every year
most people will not even go near a place if they think it is scary. In my
opinion, I am trying to go near the scariest place, which has turned out to be
for me The Field of Screams. To some it might be far but nothing is stopping
me from going the distance.
Most people say the haunted houses around Waynesboro are not
scary, whereas places further away tend to turn it up a notch. At the Field of
Screams you all actually get scared and get your moneys worth out of it. The
Field of Screams has three attractions: The Den of Darkness, The Haunted
Hayride, and The Frightmare Asylum.
The Den of Darkness in the past was the scariest for me with its
freaky crazy doctors trying to give you shots and trying to do surgery on you.
Then you would go across a bridge where the people are pinching your ankles,
which definitely freaks you out. Next you go into the checkered lit room with
people blending in with the wall wearing checkered outfits with a skull mask
and a massive chainsaw that chases you out.
The Haunted Hayride tends to tie with the Den of Darkness with the
freakiness. With the crazy clowns getting up in your face looking all
demented. The next scene has the toxic waste where you think the barrel is
going to fall on you but it stops right before it does. But don’t forget the pigs
blood part where they are killing pigs and it gives you the illusion of having
blood splattered all over you (using water with red colored lights). They lock
you in a shed where the chainsaw people come out and they touch your back
with the chainsaw but there’s no chain on them so you only feel the vibration
tingling down your back. You also see the lights blinking on and off.
The Frightmare Asylum is all 3-D looking and the people pop out
from nowhere. This attraction I would describe as non-stop pop out pee your
pants scary, where everything glows in the dark and you can’t see where
you’re going.
All attractions are so scary, even in the past years that I went there. It
started when I was about seven years old with the smell of burning oil in the
air, fake blood and non-stop horror! My dad held me close while I was
screaming, crying, and wanting to go home, which is my most memorable
moment there. Some advice when you go there: the more scared you look the
more they will go after you and scare you even more.
The more I go I seem to want to go back more to face my fears. It
seems like a lot of people do that, but for me it’s mostly the rush of the
moment when it happens. Through it all I seem to find a big scare that I never
want to leave behind!
The Haunted Mill
Fails to Terrify
By Steve Beckner
In spirit of Halloween many people want to go with a groups of
friends to a haunted house to be scared out of their minds. If you and your
friends want to be scared out of your minds, don’t go to The Haunted Mill.
With five attractions you would expect at least one of them to be at least a
little bit scary, but unfortunately they were all terribly boring. Almost all of
the attractions were filled with nothing but displays and there were hardly
any actors.
When there were actors that would attempt to scare you, they were
almost all young children that weren’t even dressed up; I don’t know about
you but nothing scares me more that a 12-year-old in an American Eagle
sweatshirt. I was expecting to be screaming and running in fear when I
arrived at The Haunted Mill; unfortunately, I ended up yawning and
stumbling out from shear boredom. If you want to spend a fright-filled night
with your friends you definitely don’t want to visit The Haunted Mill.
Leitersburg 30-year Tradition Comes to an End
By Jasmine King
For many years the Leitersburg Haunted House has left an
abundance of people with a mind turning, spine-tingling, creepy
Halloween feeling. A number of people have made it a tradition to
attend, because it is one of the best, most liked in the tri-state area.
Unfortunately, there will be no more frights or ghouls after
this year. After three decades of haunting, the local Ruritan Club
and the Leiterburg Youth Organization “can’t afford to bring the old
schoolhouse up to code.” The old creepy building used to be a
schoolhouse back in the 1920’s. What makes it even scarier is that
even when it isn’t being used as a haunted house, it still doesn’t
have any electricity! After this dreadfully horrific year, what’s left
of the building will probably be abandoned.
Leitersburg Haunted Schoolhouse terrified locals for three decades.
The 15-minute intervals of terror are filled with props of
blood, chains, axes, and much more. All the funds that they have
gotten in previous years have gone to keeping the building up to
code and producing all of the props, lighting, and sound effects
that make this experience almost too weird to handle. They also
use some of the profits to benefit community projects. This year
the cost was $10, with much of it going to community projects.
Those who attend agree that the parking may be horrible
and the wait may be over three hours, but it was worth the wait!
Admission this year was ten dollars per person; hot chocolate and
coffee were available to buy for only one dollar. Every person
who has anything to do with the Leitersburg Haunted House is a
volunteer, so they put hours and hours into something that they
aren’t getting paid for.
What did you miss this year, if you were unable to attend?
Once you walk in it is a practically unbearable, cold room where
you sit on benches and wait for the show to begin. Halfway
through the show they pick one unlucky victim to be a random
“volunteer,” who is pushed down a little hole during which they
tend to scream terrifyingly. Don’t worry though, they are
rewarded for their “acting” by getting a free pass to go into the
house again. Creators said that since this is the final year they
wanted to make it the best year ever and most would agree. After
the show is over you go through a pitch dark, musty, stinky maze
which leads you back outside. Then you are finished.
As they say, all good things must come to an end. There is
no difference when it comes to the Leitersburg Haunted House.
We are all sad to see it go. Who knows where we can find our
haunts for next year?
Fall Festivities
Tips Help Parties Become
Spooktacular
By Stacy Alexander & Alexis Goodreau
Halloween isn’t just some stupid holiday, it’s a time for children and
teenagers to dress up and go around scaring people and gathering candy from
houses. What would make Halloween more fun are Halloween parties. It’s a time
for you to have over friends and family to celebrate the great fun Halloween. It
could be spooky or not, it could just be fun for little kids or teenagers. Here are
some ways to make sure that everyone has fun at your party.
Tips:
There’s never a perfect time to have a party. Previous plans have
always been made for someone, so invite more people to your
party than you expect to actually show up. If you invite 60
people and 35 people come, you’ve got a good turnout.
When people think party they think food. For a Halloween party,
it’s best to serve fun food and/or drinks that go along with
the holiday theme. Some interesting things that you can serve
are: apple cider, bloody juice, fruit punch, vampire kiss, nuclear
punch, pumpkin cookies, candy, candy apples, monster-shaped
cookies, roasted pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, monster-shaped
Jell-O, pizza, spider-shaped cake, and multicolored pudding
Every party needs music. This can be a hard step to get right.
Since most people have different musical preferences try to
have a bit of everything on your play list. Add in some
Halloween-ish music to make the mood more festive.
Make sure that you don’t plan your party for Halloween night,
or any evening that there will be trick-or-treating.
Weekdays are also a bad idea; it’s best to have your party on a
weekend evening.
To ensure that your party does not fail at life, make sure that
you’ve always got something going on. If you have activities
planned, make sure that you’ve always got something for your
guests to do during the breaks between them. Nothing is worse
than a dull party.
After your party is over have a few helpful friends stay over
with you to give you a hand in cleaning up the mess. Parties
usually destroy a house’s order and its no fun if you’ve got to
do all of the cleaning on your own.
What’s a good Halloween party without decorations? Decorations
can be scary or they can be funny for Halloween. Good
decorations include: skeletons, ghost, stuffed heads, stuffed
dummies, bats, rubber spiders, grave yards, tombstones,
streamers, balloons, pumpkins. Those always make good
decorations for all Halloween parties.
These ideas will be useful for having a great Halloween party. Dress up
and have fun!
Holiday Gems are
a Tasty Treat
By Danielle Forney
Black Magic Cake
Ensorcells Tasters
By Mark Fries
The Hershey Company’s Black Magic
Cake is an irresistible dessert of soft, fine
chocolate and warm, coffee aroma for the
Halloween season. The recipe is easy to follow, inexpensive to make and all
of your guests will be in awe of your skill. The cake is a two-layered
masterpiece, that will have your mouth salivating before the first taste.
The ingredients used for making the cake are simple and easy to
find. There are eleven ingredients consisting of suger, flour, cocoa, baking
soda, baking powder, salt, eggs, buttermilk, coffee vegetable oil, and vanilla
extract, (see bottom of page for recipe instructions). They are only about
fifteen dollars if you go out and buy all new ingredients; not bad because for
that price you can make about ten Black Magic Cakes.
The materials that you need to make this cake are the utensils that
you use for any kind of cake: measuring cups, bowls, and mixers are the
tools of choice. The tools and decorations are not difficult. This flummery of
Heaven is mild in difficulty, but major in taste. The most difficult thing is
layering the cake; adding the ingredients is simple and the instructions are
easy to follow. The cooking time for this recipe is reasonable at about 35
minutes and the mix time is around 20 minutes, but this dish is worth the
preparation time. It is very popular with all ages and will disappear in no
time.
This Black Magic Cake is a wonderful dish for all Halloween
events such as costume parties or getting together with the family and
anything else that has people. It is sure to be a hit with just about anyone you
might run into during Halloween season. In addition to the directions listed
below, you can also add pizzazz by decorating it with candy corn, cherries,
or more chocolate. The possibilities are endless, which is beneficial because
you will find yourself turning to this recipe again and again. It’s just that
good.
Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
1 cup strong black coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans
or one 13x9x2 inch baking pan
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in
large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium
speed of mixer 2 min (batter will be thin). Pour Batter evenly into prepared
pans.
Bake 30 to 35 min for round pans, 35 to 40 min for rectangular pan until
wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min; remove from
pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost as desired.
Makes 10-12 servings.
Recipe courtesy of The Hershey Company Copyright 1995-2005
Don’t worry, you will not have to eat these lovely treats plain; you can
make some fluffy frosting for on top, and that isn’t very hard either.
Fall is slowly coming into season, and nothing puts me in the autumn mood
like a tasty treat. My favorite one for this time of year is the Pumpkin Gem. It
is a wonderful treat and is really easy to prepare. So, if you are hungry for a
gem, give this recipe a try.
Ingredients: 8oz. block of cream cheese (softened)
3/4 of butter (softened)
1/2 Tsp. of Vanilla
2 cups of Powdered Sugar
1 Tbsp. of Milk
Ingredients: 1 Box of Yellow Cake Mix
1 Can of Pumpkin
! Cup of Oil
3 Eggs
2 Tsp. of Cinnamon
1 Tsp. of Baking Soda
Recipe: While the Gems are cooling, mix together: cream cheese, butter, beat
in the vanilla and milk, then add gradually the powdered sugar until your
desired consistency is reached. When finished whipping up the frosting take
the desired amount on a teaspoon and smooth over top of the gem and enjoy.
Recipe: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. While the oven is heating put mini
muffin cups into the mini muffin pan and make sure the cups are greased.
When you are finished greasing the pan, mix all of the ingredients together
thoroughly, then fill the muffin cups 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 11 to 15
minutes.
It doesn’t take a whole lot of time to make these wonderful goodies,
but I suggest buying two mini muffin pans because this recipe makes 100 mini
muffins. You can always half the recipe and modify the time to make regular
sized muffins. This treat is not only enjoyable during the fall; it is also good in
the winter. Serve these treats at Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just for an
everyday snack. Enjoy!
Eerie
Editorials
The 40-year-old Spiderman
Should Give Up Trick or Treat
By Carly Hollinshead
It is Halloween night and your doorbell rings. Who do you expect to be there? A little boy dressed up as batman? A tiny girl dressed up as Tinker Bell?
How about a 40-year-old man dressed up in a skin-tight spider man suit? Say what!? You heard me. This guy expects you to give him candy. If you ask me I’d
be too distracted by the red tights flattering the orbular shape his body holds to wipe the confused “What the Hello Kitty?” look off my face, let alone hand him
a Twizzler.
Trick-or-treat for all ages! Are you serious? Do you honestly mean all ages? I do not want anyone like this showing up at my door begging for some
Milk-Duds, when he looks like he still lives in his parents’ basement. I’m sorry but that night is not meant for adults to participate in. Once you are over the age of
eighteen I think it is safe to call it quits on going door to door with a Wal-Mart shopping bag.
“But I want to enjoy Halloween too,” you say? You can. There are plenty of alternatives. You can take your kids, siblings, younger friends, children you
borrowed from friends, kidnapped children, etc., etc. You can still dress up and sneak a few pieces of candy from their bag while they’re looking at something else.
Kids have enough candy to go into sugar shock by the end of the night, like they are going to notice that they’re candy supply has depleted. It’s incognito trick-ortreating for adults.
Hand out candy. It works too. Again you can dress up, eat your own candy, and don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home or porch. But if
you don’t feel like sharing you can always sit on your porch with the lights off and growl at anyone who approaches the bowl of ‘goods’. Or you could take the
easy way out. Go get your own candy. Just about everywhere sells it. Simple, no problem, and candy all to yourself.
See there are plenty of things to do other than actually going trick-or-treating yourself. Leave this night for the kids, and find something a little more
mature to do – like see how many M&Ms you can fit in your mouth at one time.
Homemade Costumes
Add Originality
to Halloween
By Sara Jerde
Imagination. That’s probably the only thing you won’t see in this
year’s different costumes. You’ll have your Spider-men, the Cinderellas,
and the occasional devils. But when will we see the costumes that not
every other kid is wearing, the ones that show some creativity and
thought?
It may be because parents don’t have enough time. They simply
can’t fit it into their schedules to sit down at a computer and Google
“homemade Halloween costume ideas.” Could it be that creative
costumes have been retired because no kid is bold enough to walk down
the street looking like no one else. Trick-or-treating asºthe only laundry
basket in a sea of Wal-Mart-purchased Power Rangers may not make you
a part of the “in-crowd,” but it will get a lot of laughs from the older folks
(which leads to more candy).
With all of these good reasons to make your own costume, why
go to Wal-Mart/CVS/Target/etc… to buy a pre-made? Today’s Halloween
celebrators go the chain-store route because they can buy costumes to
make them look exactly who or what they want to be. Why not when you
could have Jack Sparrow’s dreadlocks or Frankenstein’s features? Maybe
instead of wearing a hot, plastic, hard-to-see-out-of mask that smells
faintly of gym socks, why not use a little face paint, even if it’s not
exactly Frankenstein green. At least you won’t look like the person in
front of you. All I’m trying to say is think about replacing the foreignmade, expensive, and unoriginal costumes with the creative, homemade,
memorable ones. Use your imagination!
Some other ideas are:
Mother Nature
Soda Pop can
Tourist
Hula Dancer
Athlete
Making a costume isn’t that hard. To be a laundry basket, cut the
bottom out of one that you already have. Either tie it with a rope to hang
it around or neck, or use suspenders. After you’ve done that, then drape
clothes on the basket and the suspenders!
Homemade costumes are sure to be crowd-pleasers this season.
So look around your house and use your imagination, instead of running
to a store with your wallet extended.
Conservative Costumes
Create Candy Opportunities
By Brianne Kozain
Halloween is a time for candy, costumes and kooks. This probably
brings you to the question is “Am I too old for this?” Come on everyone else
does it! Go Trick-or-Treating!! Also” What kind of costume should I buy?” Of
course every person loves candy. Who would not want to walk around getting
free candy just because your being your wild self dressed up as something you
are not? Remember though you can’t wear normal clothes, make, or buy a
costume!
At any local store there are tons of costumes you can choose
from . Once you walk in those costume aisles there is tons of costumes lying all
over the floor so you know people were in there and trying them on. You can
choose a scary costume if you want to look freaky. Frankenstein would be a
scary original one. Perhaps you want to be someone from a movie and dress up
as that character that would be neat too. Cinderella, The Incredible Hulk, and
Superman. Any of these would work. I see people even in sports uniforms with
some paint on their face. I promise you that you will not have to go far to find
a good costume.
Like seriously who cares if it is not brilliant what can the people
handing out candy do? There will not be some woman standing in her doorway
with a huge bowl filled with Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Rolls, and Chocolate
saying “ no you can’t have some candy, your costume stinks! “ No one’s going
to do that! Make sure your costume is appropriate for the weather that way you
will not be stripping down if it is really warm and remember to dress warmly if
it is freezing. Go with your friends or something and even if you think you’re
too old to go asking strangers for candy, walk around places watching everyone
else. It can be fun, just to see others. Top your costume off with some face
paint or a wig, and maybe some fake teeth. Take a pillowcase or bag to keep
your candy in. Make sure it is bigger too, the bigger it is, the more candy you
can fit in it.
Some tips of advice: DO NOT wear an inappropriate outfit to make
people look at you. It’s not attractive, and plus you don’t want little kids seeing
you like that. This is their holiday too, not just yours. Since when is Halloween
a time to be acting like that? Yeah I do not think it is necessary so, never. DO
have fun with this evening. It is a holiday, might as well do something instead
of nothing, all alone at home. Get out there.
Trick-or-Treating is a chance to be yourself, be what
You want to be, go if you want to go. Walk the lighted streets with pumpkins on
peoples door steps, decorated porches to glance at, and cars and people crowded
everywhere in all kind of costumes. Have fun.
Don’t Wait! It’s time to order your
2007-2008 yearbook. Stop by Mrs.
Gricar’s room, 130, for more information.
Spooky Reviews
Dracula Move Over: 30 Days of Night is Here
By Marcell Daubenhauser
Bloody, gory, and violent. That’s what 30 Days of Night is. Sounds like fun, right? Of course it does. I mean who doesn’t want to be trapped in a
small town where the sun sets and doesn’t rise for 30 days? Plus, there are vampires who take advantage of this wonderful occurrence that happens every year
to feast on humans so they do not have to feed among each other. And it is really, really, cold, kind of like your snot-is-freezing- cold, which is a good thing for
the characters in the movie because the vampire’s senses are lowered during the cold. Lucky them.
Director David Slade has talent. Not so much physical talent, but as a director, he has got some mad skill. Most people would argue that many horror
movies have stupid dialogue, characters, and plot lines (if you want a good example of those just watch a Uwe Boll film, like House of the Dead). Slade
manages to do the exact opposite of Boll, and actually make the characters intelligent. Ebon Oleson, the town’s sheriff
is played by Josh Hartnett; to me, this is one of Hartnett’s best roles since Pearl Harbor. Not only does he get to rid the world of vampires, he gets to enjoy it
too. You can tell by the way that he is annihilating the bloodsuckers that he might be having a little too much fun. Everything he says seems like it is not even
coming from the script, instead it is coming from his head as he plays his role in the movie, that’s how good Hartnett plays his role. Melissa George, who plays
Stella Oleson, has some experience from the horror genre after her role in The Amityville Horror. She plays a strong woman who isn’t afraid to dish out the
beat-downs during the movie. That is just what the movie needs is a fierce female because the vampires are tough. Like rip-your-face-off-tough. When they
feast, it seems as though they haven’t eaten breakfast and are just now getting to dinner. Also, are vampires normally mad when they suck blood? Hmm…who
peed in their Cheerios?
It is important to know that if you are squeamish, you might not want to go see this movie. This is a gallons upon gallons of blood spurting out
everywhere movie. Like pie-eating-contest-no-hands-allowed-make-a-mess-huge-geyser-of-blood-rising-20ft-in-the air…well, that’s a bit extreme but it is
bloody. Ask yourself, “why would I want to go see this movie if I am going to throw up?” Frankly, it is a good movie. So go ahead, sink your fangs into this
movie during the fall season.
Zombies Unite & Terrify
in 28 Weeks Later
By Kelly Burchfield
Calling all zombie lovers! If you loved the movie 28 Days Later, you are going
to love this sequel, 28 Weeks Later. It has more blood, death, and violence than
ever before! Waiting for people to return this Blockbuster hit is worth the wait.
Centering around the fight for survival against infected, bloodthirsty, flesh-eating
zombies, it has just the right amount of gore to satisfy blood-lovers and the easily
faint alike.
After a raging virus takes over London turning millions of people into
“the infected,” the Army is forced to contain the virus and make a fresh start for
about 2,000 survivors. You think everything is “ picture perfect,” but then all Hell
breaks loose! That means more infected. The Army has been given the command
of “Code Red,” which means shoot anyone on ground level. But when there are
thousands of people running either getting attacked or trying to get away, it’s too
hard to make a clean shot. Therefore they have to kill everyone, whether they are
infected or not. Andy Harris (played by Mackintosh Muggleton) is only twelve,
which makes he and his sister Tammy (played by Imogen Poots), 16, the two
youngest humans fighting for their lives. Their fate: getting shot or turning into a
zombie.
I can’t help but have sympathy for the infected. Don Harris (played by
Robert Carlyle) is Andy and Tammy’s dad and just happens to be following them.
Does he want to satisfy his craving for flesh or turn them into an infected being so
they can be together?
The movie may not be too scary, but thinking of the whole world turning
into the walking dead certainly scares me! I have to give director Juan Carlos
Fresnadillo props for making this sequel from the movie 28 Days Later. Along
with Fresnadillo, Writer Rowan Joffe made the events more thrilling. The infected
are faster. After one bite, you are turned into a zombie in a matter of five seconds,
whereas in 28 Days Later it took minutes. Luckily for the people trying to live,
the infected are easier to take down. Don’t bother calling mercy with these
zombies! Watching them push in peoples’ eyes and pretty much beating their
victims up, makes the viewer know they would do whatever it took to destroy
these mutants. This was one of the most disgusting, yet interesting, movies I’ve
ever seen on big screen.
The Exorcist Creeps Out Readers
By Brittany Oyler
What is Halloween to you? Candy? Costumes? Well to Regan MacNeil of
the infamous book The Exorcist it is about possession. Regan is the 11 year-old
daughter of the actress Chris MacNeil. It all starts the day after Regan’s birthday.
The furniture mysteriously moves to a different location during the night,
scratching noises are coming from Regan’s room and stop whenever Chris enters
the room, and Regan spends more and more time downstairs with her Ouija board
and her new imaginary friend Captain Howdy. Her attitude changes, too. She is
doing horribly at schoolwork, she cannot stop moving, and she is cursing out
people in the most obscene ways. At a party her mother is holding, she comes into
the room and, in front of everyone, urinates on the carpet. Later that night Chris
hears Regan screaming and when she comes to check it out, the bed is shaking
violently without the help of terror stricken Regan who is clinging helplessly to it.
Chris enlists the help of Jesuit priests to try and cure Regan. But will Regan come
out of this unscathed? Or will she fall into the hands of the spirits that plague her. I
give it 3 bats out of five because it is an interesting book that will creep out any
superstitious or non-superstitious person who reads it. If you have a taste for all
things Dark, you will love The Exorcist.
Ghost Whisperer Brings
Scares on Friday Nights
By Brandon Baker
CBS’ hit supernatural show, Ghost Whisper airs Fridays at 8 PM.
The drama features popular actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, who plays
Melinda Gordon, a young woman with a supernatural ability to speak to
ghosts. With each new episode comes a new problem revolving around
one ghost. Melinda, being the caring person she is, feels obligated to use
her powers to aid the ghosts with the problems they left on Earth.
As a spooky Friday night drama, Ghost Whisperer is a complete
success. Hewitt supplies a wonderful performance as Melinda, with the
small supporting actors/actresses also creating a strong, believable
atmosphere at the same time. Each character is well acted, and unique in
his/her own way.
In regards to the show’s script, you’ll often find that Ghost
Whisperer varies heavily in theme. You will see those humorous
lighthearted episodes, but at the same time you will also find eerie episodes
centralized upon generating fear. It’s very apparent at times that the show
tries too hard to be scary, however a majority of the time the show will
instill at least a minor sense of fear in you. The varied themes and the
scary mood set by the actors and props within the show make up a
spectacular drama. Hewitt creates one of those spirited characters you’re
constantly rooting for through the entire episode, and through the series.
As a Friday night drama, it’s the perfect type of show with which to end a
stressful week.
The atmosphere and environments within the show are also top
notch. Given that as a TV show smaller budgets are a given in comparison
to horror films, the effects and presentation of Ghost Whisperer are
fantastic. You’ll notice a variety of subtle effects: fire, blood, ghostly
apparitions and much more. None of them are perfect of course, and while
it would be a bold faced lie to say that all of these effects and environments
are flawlessly designed, they are indeed quite good for a TV drama.
Ghost Whisperer is the kind of show you’ll be likely to revisit
each and every week. Its clever writing, wonderful cast and effects that are
pleasing to the eye create a TV show that is bound to be remembered
through the ages. Its unique supernatural theme is great for sci-fi lovers,
but its unusually relatable cast of characters gives this show a mass appeal
unlike any other current television show on Fridays. To experience the
thrills of this show for yourself, tune in to Ghost Whisperer.
Thank you to my Blue & Gold staff for
all of your hard work.
You make me want to get up in the
morning and come to school.
I hope my class does the same for you.
You are all awesome reporters!
- Mrs. Dickey
Journalism Adviser
Spooky Animations
Corpse Bride Illustrates
Killing the Romance
By Michelle Petty
Mastermind Tim Burton has created many mind-blowing films
including Edward Scissor Hands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and
Beetlejuice. In his most recent film, Corpse Bride, a new meaning for
‘Killing the Romance’ is born.
As you will find out in the first 10 minues, reality was the farthest
thing from importance when Tim Burton was creating his recent success.
With the help of the voices of Johhny Depp (Victor) and Helena Bohnam
Carter (Corpse Bride), Tim Burton’s idea is brought to life. The story begins
to unfold when Victor, a proper, yet witty soul, meets his bride-to-be Victoria
for the first time. Victoria, unlike her parents, is open to change and has a
very compassionate aura. It’s love at first sight as Victor and Victoria
proceed to the wedding rehearsal. After many attempted tries, Victor slips
away into the nearby woods, where he tries to master the lines he is assigned
to read at the wedding. When practicing placing the ring on Victoria’s finger,
he uses what appears to be a dead branch as a substitute hand. He is gravely
mistaken when the branch suddenly rises. Victor is stunned to see the dead
branch attached to a corpse dressed in weathered wedding attire.
Immediately the bride claims Victor as her long lost love and drags him to
the world of the dead without second thoughts. Victor’s journey begins
when the Corpse Brides’ story is told. Naturally, she hasn’t been called
Corpse Bride all her life. Her name before death was Emily. Tragedy and
betrayal surround her tale as she tells Victor of love before death. Emily’s
previous love, Lord Barkis, took her life after promising to be her life.
Victor takes this to heart and changes his mind about Emily, but decides he
needs to see Victoria. So, Victor lies to Emily, saying he wants to see his
parents but really intends to see Victoria. Emily understands and with the
help of an old friend, they arrive in the human world. Victor rushes off to
Victoria, but is soon caught by Emily. They return to the spirit world, both
hurt and confused. Up in human world, Victoria’s parents make a horrifying
decision. To save themselves from going bankrupt, they decide that a
wealthy man should marry Victoria instead of Victor. Victoria is taken to the
alter to marry the unsuspecting man of her parent’s dreams.
Unenthusiastically, Victoria is married to none other than, Lord Barkis.
Victor realizes he is too late to save his relationship with Victoria,
and begins to find Emily so he can tell her that he will stay with her. On his
way to find her, he overhears Emily talking with a few others. A problem
has occurred that separates Victor and Emily. All is overcome, however, as
Victor and Emily rush to marry. The ceremony does not go through, as
Victoria shows up. Emily realizes their love is too strong, and decides to
step aside and let them be. Although heartbroken yet again, she knows it is
the right thing to do. The ending consists of unexpected twists and a touch
of sadness, but like in all movies, good always wins, and this movie is no
exception.
I personally love this plot in general. Tim Burton’s creative
masterpiece is compiled of humor, adventure, and some sadness. The
characters themselves help to make the movie unique and enjoyable. Their
characteristics help to light up the movie and leave an imprint on you, even if
they are not real. Music also plays a very important role in this movie, often
setting the mood for a scene. Beautiful compositions accompany the movie
to help make it what it is. This movie is recommended to anyone who likes
to use their imagination and anyone who enjoys a few good laughs.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Continues to Delight in 3D
By Miranda Fogle
Everybody watch out, Jack is back in an even bigger, better nightmare
that will pleasantly haunt your dreams for years to come.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, a musical directed by Henry Celick
and produced by Tim Burton, is now released as a 3-D animation masterpiece,
and will continue to loom in theaters until November 18.
The Original Nightmare Before Christmas movie, released October
29, 1993, became an instant classic; with its hellish animated characters and
witty charm. The story takes place in Halloweentown where every day is dark
and dreary and the denizens consist of transparent ghosts, skeletons, and short
decrepit witches. Every day is Halloween, and many of the residents of
Halloweentown are completely content with the same monotonous ritual.
Jack Skellington, which is voiced by Chris Sarandon, is a prominent
citizen in Halloweentown is bored with the traditions that so many partake in.
Jack performs as the Pumpkin King every year in the annual Halloween
Ceremony, but he takes no joy in Halloween even though he is well respected
and active within the community.
One day, Jack takes a walk and stumbles into a forest on the opposite
end of town. In that forest, he finds doors that allow him to enter into another
holiday. Jack opens the door to Christmas, and enters into a world completely
different from his own.
Jack is impressed with the goodwill and cheer that the community has.
He loves the fact that they hang stockings. He loves the fact that they hang
stockings on the walls, warm cracking fires and hot cocoa can always be found,
and that “Sandy Claus” visits with toys and candy.
He does not exactly comprehend some of the traditions that Christmas
town partakes in; all that he understands is that happiness is everywhere, and
he wants to be a part of it.
So Jack, in attempt to bring happiness to himself and Halloweentown,
kidnaps “Sandy Claus” in effort to replace him. Halloween town is turned into
a Christmas toy company, and residents of Halloween town make Christmas
“gifts”.
This plan is sure to result in complete and utter disaster, but the only
one who foresees the destruction ahead is Sally (voiced by Catherine O’ Hara)
who resembles a female counterpart of Frankenstein. She urges Jack that the
only way to be happy is to be himself and not try to mimic somebody else.
Although the storyline seems a tad fictitious, it is sure to appeal to
children, teens, and adults alike. People are fascinated with the movie because
the characters are brought to life with heartfelt feelings and the desire to do
something good. Music by Marilyn Manson, Patrick Stewart, and Danny
Eltman add splash to the story, for anyone who can’t understand the message in
the story. The new soundtrack also includes Fall Out Boy and Panic! @ The
Disco. As for me, the story serves as an inspiration because it delivers the
message that pretending to be somebody else will not make a person happy.
Only by being yourself can you truly be comfortable with who you are as an
individual.
All in all, the music, message, and character animation flow flawlessly
together, and create a movie that is enjoyable for people of all ages. I would
recommend the movie to anyone.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Entertains Children of All Ages
By Sarah Smith
Everyone has a favorite childhood memory, a favorite movie, or
favorite annual tradition. Charlie Brown is an easy favorite, loved by people of
all ages, both young and old. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which
airs around the Halloween season, is a close call with the much-loved
Christmas episode.
The whole Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween together. Linus
(voiced by Christopher Shea) waits alone overnight for the Great Pumpkin,
who is believed to deliver presents to all the good children. Charlie Brown
(voiced by Peter Robbins) is invited to his first Halloween party, dressing up as
a ghost, until he cuts too many holes in his sheet. Snoopy (voiced by Bill
Melendez) “acts” in World War I as a flying ace, until he is shot down. The
whole cast is played by nine people, using just their voices.
The movie, made in 1966 and directed by Bill Melendez, evolved
from the comics written by Charles Shultz. The story line was originally
printed in newspapers as a comic, but was made into the movie years later. The
movie is shown every year, this year on October 30 on ABC at 8:00 until 8:30.
If you missed it, you can rent the same version at Blockbuster year round.
Charlie Brown also stars in many other movies, almost one for each holiday.
Other movies related to holidays that Charlie Brown stars in include movies
for: Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and New Years.
There is even a movie made about the Superbowl. Charlie Brown celebrates
each holiday, while we watch his celebrations and join in.
It’s an easy favorite, with Linus’ never ending hope for the Great
Pumpkin, and Charlie Brown’s happiness for trick or treating and his first
Halloween party. Linus never gives up hope even though Lucy and Sally don’t
believe the Great Pumpkin will never come. Sally decided to join Linus in his
wait, missing out on trick or treating and the Halloween party, and ended up
getting upset when the Great Pumpkin never showed, giving a prime example
of giving up hope. Linus continues waiting, and waits all through the night
until Lucy takes him home to bed, keeping the watchers as hopeful as Linus
himself. The next day, Linus and Charlie Brown reflect on the previous day,
and Linus still believes the Great Pumpkin is out there. Charlie Brown notes
how quickly it passed, even when he got rocks instead of candy, and was drawn
on as a pumpkin carving pattern. The hopeful and optimistic mood of Charlie
Brown and Linus stay consistent throughout the episode, even when
discouragement sets in. It’s a good example of how one should stay happy,
even though there may be disagreements or discouragements. Snoopy was
hard to follow throughout, acting as a flying ace in WWI, even though his part
was narrated by Charlie Brown.
The great truths about life come out in the children’s cartoon as a
group of friends’ lives are shown. The rest of their life may be read every
Sunday in the newspaper, and most Charlie Brown movies can be rented at
Blockbuster. Always keep your heart hopeful for the Great Pumpkin (and a
bag full of candy rather than rocks) and your eyes and ears ready for the
Charlie Brown holiday special every Halloween!
Advice
&
Reviews
Bad Boys Finish First in Overlord
By Josh Merkle
Fall 2007’s lineup has proven to be an excellent season for gamers. Games such as Guitar Hero 3, Halo 3, Rock Band, Jericho, and Two Worlds have
shaken the foundations of the gaming world and forced us to build up an expansive sleep debt in the meantime. Now, if you aren’t willing to wait up until midnight
and wage war with your fellow gamers over who gets the last “Legendary Edition” of Halo 3, then perhaps I’ve found a game for you. If you liked such games as
Fable and…Fable: The Lost Chapters, you’ll love this game too! The title of this fine piece of entertainment is Overlord.
Overlord is an adventure like game, which takes the player back in time to a medieval era full of swords, bows, and magic. The player takes the role of the
Overlord, an evil warrior whose ultimate goal is to take over the entire world and rebuild a dark armada of demons. The game opens with the Overlord’s sudden
awakening from a dusty tomb by his strange minions. Within seconds of game play, the Overlord is suited up into a set of armor, given a weapon, and given a
simple task – be evil.
Although it sounds as though this game could not possibly have a storyline…it does. You are not the first Overlord by a long shot, there have been
hundreds of predecessors, and you are just another shot at the evil reign. Your job is to avenge your most recent predecessor by defeating the seven heroes who
brought about his demise, each representing one of the seven deadly sins (gluttony, lust, sloth, greed, envy, wrath, and pride). The player begins in the ruins of his
once great tower that has been plundered by those darn heroes and is told to go out and retrieve all of his previously owned artifacts.
One thing different about this game that easily sets it aside from others is that you cannot depend solely upon yourself. Overlord is not another hack ‘n’
slash button masher where the person who hits the buttons fast enough wins. If you attempt to take on a wave of enemies alone, you will die within seconds. The
game provides you with one type of minion called “Browns” which are your main fighting unit. As you discover more areas of the world, you will also discover
three more kinds of units known as “Reds” (ranged units), “Greens” (rogue-like units), and “Blues” (healing units).
As the game progresses and the player uncovers the lost items, the Overlord is given a choice between a variety of spells, weapons, and new minions to
do…well, more evil. Okay, so the game play is limited. Once you’ve defeated the bosses and randomly gotten rid of civilians, you’ve pretty much experienced each
aspect of the game. Although the game does include an online portion, it’s pretty much identical as its offline counterpart – pillage gold faster than your enemy,
murder tons of innocents, and fight giant monsters. Among a series of invisible walls limiting both your movements and attack range, the game does also include a
few glitches. At some points your dark army gets a bit jumbled and can trap you in narrow corridors, forest trails or – well pretty much anywhere. Regardless of
these few bugs, the game is all in all a fun experience if you’re looking for something new and should be played by anyone tired of the “Save the Universe
Complex”.
Transformers Are More Than
Meets the Eye
By John Briegel
The Autobots and Decepticons are back. Relive every moment of
heart pounding action by buying an instantclassic named Transformers.
If you’ve seen the show, you know that the Transformers need the All
Spark to control everything. The All Spark is a giant cube that creates
everything that exists. Some want it for good, others for evil. So when
Bumble Bee sends the All Spark to space, it lands on Earth to start the greatest
movie ever made. Unlike most movies, the action starts off early. In the first
ten minutes, a Decepticon, Scorponok, attacks an Army base in Qatar. A
group of survivors, lead by Captain Lennox (Duhamel) try to fend off
Scorponok while trying to get in touch with the Pentagon. The screen
switches over to Sam Witwicky (Lebeouf) who is buying a car, which ends up
being an Autobot (Bumble Bee). After countless scenes of mind numbing
action and comedy, the Autobots and Decepticons have one last stand to
determine the fate of humanity. Wait until the credits are over, you will be in
for a surprise.
Transformers the movie stars Shia Lebeouf (Disturbia), Megan Fox,
Tyrese Gibson (Annapolis), and Josh Duhamel (Win a Date with Tad
Hamilton). Anthony Anderson makes an appearance as a hacker.
Transformers was directed by Michael Bay and was produced by Steven
Spielberg. This film packs a one-two punch with action and comedy.
The writers of this movie deserve an Oscar. Shia Lebeouf and Josh
Duhamel most likely had their best performances of their careers. They both
keep you zoned in on the screen and you won’t want to take your eyes off the
television. Shia Lebeouf has you laughing nonstop with his insecurities when
talking to Megan Fox. For Megan Fox, this was her first film, and was a great
stepping stone for her career. Anthony Anderson is hilarious, because he talks
of his place of zen and peace, then screams at his grandma. Every single one
of the actors and actresses keep you entertained. Transformers is a must see
film and may very well be the best of 2007. You will find yourself watching
this movie over and over again until the second one comes out in 2009. The
twenty dollars is well worth it.
Hey You!
Have you got some issues?
Are you feelin’ kinda blue?
Drop your problems off at room 106
And Dharma will tell you what to do!
In the little pink box
is where you’ll drop your slip
and The Blue and Gold will try their best
to help you out in a zip!
Dear Dharma
Dear Dharma,
My ex-girlfriend has been avoiding me but her sister keeps inviting me
to their house. Should I keep going over like I did before we went out?
- Concerned
Dear Concerned,
I can tell that you are worried about hurting your ex-girlfriend. If she is
avoiding you, she is probably still hurting. The best thing that you can do
in this situation is to just be friendly and patient. I think that you two
should talk about this. Try to find out if she will be offended by you
hanging out with her sister. And maybe you could even talk to her sister
and figure out what her view on this situation is. She might be able to
advise you in this situation, too. I do not think that you should stop
hanging out with her sister, but at the same time, it is important that you
are aware that your ex-girlfriend is hurt. It will take some time but be
patient. She will come around
Dear Dharma,
My boyfriend and I have been having a lot of problems lately. He says I
have been acting differently and hurting him a lot. I feel bad for hurting
him but after awhile I got tired of it because he never even tried to think
about things I was dealing with. He and I both are very hurt from each
other right now so we are taking a break to hopefully help us. My one
friend said I should just break up with him but I love him so much and
just wish he could be happy with who I am instead of telling me all these
bad things about me. I want our relationship to be back to normal again.
What do I do?
- Depressed and Confused
Dear Depressed and Confused,
It sounds like there is a lot to this story, and I know that I do not know it
all, but if I could sit down across from you and just talk about this, I
would tell you that getting some space is the best thing. If this ‘break’
that you two are on does not give you enough space from each other then
maybe a break up is needed. We are in high school, after all! I think it
would be such a waste to spend so much time worrying and stressing
over this situation. You two have so many things to discover, so many
people to meet, so many places to go, and not much time left to do it (in
high school that is). I would just hate for you two to look back on high
school at all the fun you missed stressing over this relationship. Try to
make a decision that will result in the both of you being happy.
Dear Dharma,
I just found out that my dad’s cancer has spread and I don’t know how to
deal with it. What should I do?
Worried in Waynesboro
Dear Worried,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad’s cancer. I wish I could do
something that could take all the pain away. One thing that I definitely
want to advise to you is to talk to someone about what you are going
through. Someone that you trust and that you feel comfortable confiding
in. That person could be your pastor, God, a teacher you trust, your
guidance counselor, your friend, or your mom. I hope that you and your
dad can talk together on this and hopefully grow stronger together
through this. I think that it important that your dad knows that you are
hurting and that you are being affected by this. I hope that you two will
be able to get through this together, hand in hand.