by Chris
Here I sit in 6th period European History on a faceless Wednesday. On the walls hang pictures of old things: Saint Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo's David, Henry VIII. From above, columns of fluorescents rain cold light upon the class. Upon my desk is a worksheet and a mechanical pencil, same as yesterday. Outside, a late summer afternoon beckons me. It’s just beyond the double-paned windows, just two hours away. Around me students work feverishly to complete the day’s assignment on 16th century religious wars in France. Our disinterested teacher is at his desk, his gaze locked on his computer monitor. The only other sound is the scratching of pencils against paper, as is expected in a sophomore class. But I am senior, I am a senior, and I just felt the pangs of senioritis.
Years ago I, too, sat sophomorically working and studying. I breathed the rarified air of academia and pursued that most coveted of titles: highest grade in the class period. Back then, 99 percents were “okay;” the SAT was a dragon to be slain; academic rivals ( aka friends) were knights from a hostile kingdom just beyond the pastures. Back then, I’d be working just as feverishly to complete the work laid before me as these sophomores currently do. That was then.
Now, I find there is but little depth to the proceedings which surround me. I sense in these sophomores an oblivion, a perfect ignorance to the brevity of their high school experience. They busy themselves with empty work, but how can I answer questions about the Huguenots or Henry of Navarre when I feel my youth speeding toward its conclusion? One minute it seems you’re confronted with a mountain of worksheets and textbooks, the next a mountain of college applications and college brochures. And the time between? It was filled with Friday night football games, Algebra II quizzes, student council meetings, volunteering, partying, laughing, lying. Living. I have lived those years, and here on this faceless Wednesday, I just realized it.
It’s ironic that we should find our maturity in the presence of the immature. I have. Perhaps it is the last vestiges of youth still imbued within their countenances that I perceive: whatever it is, it fills me with a small quantity of sadness, for I feel in their presence the consequences of my own transformation. I am far more pensive, far more poised than I ever was while I danced in academia. I am also far more extroverted and compassionate. I have learned things not found between the covers of a textbook. I have learned the lessons of three years. This is what it means to be a senior.
The second hand is just beginning its final revolution. I sit here in this class of old things staring apathetically at a blank worksheet. It’s the same worksheet that has confronted me for three years. It’s a worksheet I refuse to invest myself in, a worksheet to be completed just to be completed. Beyond the confines of this dry world lies something warm and vibrant, something inviting. I want to escape into that world. I want to leave behind this asphyxiating school and venture into the vast and fascinating realm outside. These are the symptoms of true senioritis.
by Sarah
David Levithan is a successful author of young adult novels and one adult novel, as well as a publisher of others’ work through Scholastic. At 41 years of age, he has released a total of 18 books, including both solo books and books he’s written with others. His characters differ in many ways, from a character named A who wakes up in a different body every day (and has since birth) to quarterback/drag queen Infinite Darlene, all the way to Will Grayson, a boy who, by chance, meets someone with the same name as him, and nothing is ever the same again.
He mainly writes about teens that have dealt with all sorts of things, whether that is depression, sexuality, making mistakes, or just life in general. He gives them such depth and development that it’s as if they’re sitting across from you, sipping tea, telling you their story and either laughing or crying, depending on how their story went. While I haven’t had the pleasure of having read all of his books quite yet (planning on doing so soon), I’ve yet to have the problem of his writing keeping my interest. If anything, I had the problem of finding time to read, due to wanting to finish it all in one sitting.
Levithan has had the honor of working on books with other talented authors, such as John Green in Will Grayson, Will Grayson; Rachel Cohn in Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List, and Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares; and Andrea Cremer in Invisibility. Each of these books alters points of view among the characters, depending on whose turn it is to write.
He, refreshingly, doesn’t seem to be overtaken by fame, either. He tells yalsa.ala.org about his accomplishments, saying, “It was really thrilling to have my first book published. But, truth be told, the first time one of my stories was accepted to the high school literary magazine was pretty thrilling, too. All variations of the same theme. But honestly? It’s all those moments with my friends. Dancing in parks or goofing around at a multiplex or crowding into someone’s house for a deadline meeting for the newspaper – those fuel my writing more than anything academic.”
David Levithan is just one of those authors that has become blessed with the gift of writing beautifully or humorously and can do both all within the same book without confusing or troubling the reader. I suggest that you explore the words that have come from him as soon as you can; you won’t regret it.
by Rose
Nimbus is a steampunk novel by Austin King and B.J. Keeton. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where the characters live in skyports, and the ground below is covered in a poisonous fog. Clean, fresh water is scarce, and the only way to obtain it is to sail the skies in steamships and process clouds for their water.
Living on a steamship, the Gangly Dirigible, young ‘Hoser’ Jude works for both money and the scarce clean water to send to his family living in Burrow 12. One afternoon, his ship docks at an abandoned lighthouse, and a team (including Jude) is sent inside to investigate. As they unlock a forbidden door, Jude finds himself to be possessed by one of the most evil creatures known to humans, but he’s not the only one.
A crippled young man, Demetrius Rucca, who also plays a role in this story, has lived a privileged life due to his father's power. He grows resentful for his lack of legs and wants to be captain of an airship. His father, overprotective of his weakened son, keeps tabs and discourages his child from fulfilling his dreams. But that won’t stop Demetrius. Demetrius is determined to get an airship, one way or another.
This book was amazing; it’s not like your typical science-fiction novel. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever read. You won’t be able to put it down. Immediately you grow attached to Jude and Demetrius and fall in love with the entire story. Nimbus is a favorite of mine. Even if you don’t know what steampunk is, you’ll enjoy the adventure and suspense that accompanies this novel.
by Chris
Blondfire
Awww, don’t those two look cute together? Actually they don’t; they’re brother and sister. They also happen to be the principal artists of Blondfire, an indie pop band from Los Angeles. Erica and Bruce Driscoll’s first endeavour was Astaire, which toured locally and recorded in their parents' basements. (Stay in school, kids.) The group released the Extended Play Don’t Whisper Lies, which contained the hit single “L-L-Love.”
However, a legal situation forced the duo to change their name. Blondfire was born. Under this new name, the group released one album in 2008, My Someday, but their singles and extended plays, the aforementioned Don’t Whisper Lies and Pretty Young Thing, were by far greater successes. My favorites include “Walking with Giants,” “Waves,” and their newest single, “Where The Kids Are,” released late in 2011.
The vocals of Erica are lovely, but the melodies make Blondfire what it is. It’s upbeat and carefree but with passionate undertones, the kind of sound you’d hear only on Alt Nation. Helping to create such a unique sound is a backup group of musicians directed by Bruce. Together, Erica, Bruce, and their backups have achieved recognition, and they are indeed “walking with the giants.”
Local Natives
Local Natives (originally Cavil at Rest) is a indie pop band based in Los Angeles started by UCLA graduates Kelcey Ayer, Ryan Hahn, and Taylor Rice in Orange County. Bassist Andy Hamm and drummer Matt Frazier joined in 2008 to complete the group. The group released its debut album, Gorilla Manor, in 2009, embarked on a European tour in 2011, and parted ways with Andy Hamm in the same year. Nik Ewing joined the group in 2012. In 2013, the group released its second album, Hummingbird, which is noted for its divergence from the subject matter of their first album.
I stumbled upon Local Natives quite unexpectedly while randomly clicking on thumbnails in YouTube Narnia. (YouTube Narnia is where good music lives, by the way.) What I noticed, and perhaps what you’ll notice, is the versatility of this band: “Heavy Feet” is well, heavy; “World News” is upbeat; “You and I” is almost mournful; “Breakers” is simply powerful. However, though the atmosphere of each song differs, extraordinary drumming is a common thread uniting them all.
Fans of Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, and Fleet Foxes will probably find aural bliss in the choruses and melodies of Local Natives. Actually, anyone who enjoys indie rock should listen to Local Natives. I did, and here I am writing about it!
Sóley
Sóley is actually a member of the Icelandic indie-folk band Seabear, which contains six other members. The band has been active since the beginning of the century and has released three albums. However, the truly extraordinary talent of Sóley Stefánsdóttir revealed itself in her debut independent album We Sink, released in 2010, after she’d toured the world with Seabear.
Sóley’s music is euphorically melancholic. There’s no other way to describe it. She combines her impressive pianist abilities, her extensive knowledge of composition, and her beautiful voice to create music that should be used as a soundtrack to dreams. Indeed, all of her songs take on an otherworldly atmosphere, transporting the listener to some far off land rife with both macabre adventures and heavenly landscapes. The light, delicate melodies contrast with dark lyrics in a seamless way solemn achieved.
Like all good independent music, the songs of Sóley can be found running around in YouTube Narnia. “Smashed Birds,” “Pretty Face,” and “Dance” are among my favorite songs. Each is like listening to someone else’s dream. Hopefully Iceland will produce more artists like Sóley.
by Daisy
It’s movie night. You want to watch something with romance and music, but your partner or company is more interested in something with adventure, action, and excitement. Well, look no further because Les Misérables has it all! Warning! There will be some spoilers if you continue to read this article!
The protagonist is Jean Valjean, a former convict who broke parole who has made a new name for himself as the mayor of the town, Digne. He’s known for his kindhearted ways, and the first thing you see him do as mayor is save a man from being crushed under a fallen cart. Then one night he agrees to take care of prostitute/former worker of his from the factory he owns - Fantine's child. Suddenly Inspector Javert comes to Valjean, who is under the alias as the mayor, saying they caught the convict Valjean. Being a man of integrity, Valjean couldn't let an innocent man become a slave to the law and goes to court to clear his name.
Now, Valjean has to go on the run so he can protect and raise Fantine’s child. Will Inspector Javert find him? The rest is up to you! I personally found this movie to be well put together and beautiful. I strongly recommend you go see it!
by Sarah
Released on July 19th of this year, the movie The Conjuring is a movie supposedly based on true events. The movie follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, well known and experienced demonologists. In real life, they have been said to have taken on over 10,000 cases and founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in 1952. One of these cases even includes the real life Annabelle doll, who you meet at the beginning of the movie.
While not as creepy and grim-looking in reality, there was indeed a case involving Annabelle and her owners: nurses Donna and Angie. Donna received the doll from her mother, after she bought it secondhand. Seemingly a normal doll at first (they had no reason to believe otherwise), Annabelle was just sitting around the house. However, after a while, Annabelle seemed to move. Nothing big, just slightly different positions at times. That could be explained, though, they thought. Maybe the doll was just bumped into. Things happen. But when the doll would end up in a completely different room, and notes on parchment paper were found (no one in their apartment had that kind of paper) that said things like ‘Help me,’ they brought in a medium who said the spirit of a young girl had possessed the doll because she wanted to be with the nurses. Naïve as they were, they accepted it.
Things began to go downhill. Their friend, Lou, was at the apartment once, and when he and Donna were talking, they heard movement in the bedroom. Curious, Lou went to investigate. Everything was in place, except for Annabelle. She was out of place, and when Lou turned around, he felt someone watching him. Then he had scratches on his chest that burned and said that he was sure Annabelle did it. Frightened, they called Ed and Lorraine, hoping to put this nightmare to an end.
They explained to the nurses that it wasn’t the spirit of the little girl possessing the doll; there was demonic activity. They said that the doll wasn’t possessed; the demon was manipulating the doll to make it appear like that. The demon was said to be trying to target Donna’s soul. An exorcism was performed, and the doll was removed, now property of the Warrens. The doll is said to still be locked up in a case, not to be removed.
Fast-forward a bit into the movie, and you see the Perron family moving into their new colonial home in the country. They wanted a fresh start, a new beginning. Their dog, Sadie, refuses to go inside the house, instead staying outside and whining. Some people believe that animals are more sensitive to things such as upcoming storms, spirits, or inhuman things. The Perrons dismissed it though. Maybe they should've listened because not much later, strange things start occurring. Becoming increasingly frightened, the mother, Carolyn, attends a lecture that is being given by the Warrens, seeking them out after and convincing them to come back and investigate.
This movie includes several sequences that could be jumpy to most people. The music and special effects were quality, keeping your attention on the movie instead of the lust-filled couple two rows in front of you, three seats to the left. There’s not much gore (this isn’t the SAW series) and didn’t earn it’s ‘R’ rating for highly graphic adult scenes; it doesn’t have those at all. It was simply said to be too scary for some people, so it was selective about its viewers.
While I never find movies actually scary (yet horror is my favorite genre), it was such a nice change of pace to watch a horror film with an actual plot and in-depth characters. I found it so interesting from the opening credits and Annabelle all the way to the ending, that I’m not about to spoil.
by Sarah
San Cisco
“It's a lie, a story that's not quite right; It'll keep you up at night (night) And it'll make the girls cry.” The same could be said of some of the other songs belonging to San Cisco. Straight out of western Australia, the 4-piece indie pop band formed to create something of themselves. This band includes Jordi Davieson (lead vocals and guitar), Josh Biondillo (guitar, keyboard and vocals), Nick Gardner (bass), and Scarlett Stevens (drums and vocals). After finding their true sound in 2010, they came out with their debut album in 2012.
Fans of MGMT, Vampire Weekend, and The Flaming Lips are said to have peaked an interest in this band that has covered many situations, like that awkward first date when you’re getting to know one another. “I wouldn't have gone to dinner if I knew you would agree with everything I say. I left a message last night, you hadn't called back, I've been calling you for days.” The lyrics of this song seem to get it just right, almost as if they were the thoughts in your head as you sat across the table from this boy that you will not be seeing again.
The band formed when Jordi and Josh came together with a mutual love for music. Once their schoolmates Scarlett and Nick came along, their band was complete.
Blessthefall
Metalcore band Blessthefall is currently rising in popularity, especially taking in their performances in Van’s Warped Tour as a factor. Their newest album, Hollow Bodies, had guest vocals featuring the lead singer's (Beau Bokan) wife, Lights; Jesse Barnett from Stick to Your Guns; and Jake Luhrs from August Burns Red, a band that they’ll be touring with in the near future. This is the first time that the band recruited outsiders to take part in their music.
The rest of the members include Eric Lambert and Elliott Gruenberg on guitar, Matt Traynor on drums, and Jared Warth on bass/vocals. Beau replaced previous lead singer, Craig Mabbitt, when he left to take over vocals for the band, Escape the Fate. Together, with the current members, they have come a long way, with Beau being a part of the group since the album Witness. Since then, they have released two other albums, Awakening and Hollow Bodies.
Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade is a punk-rock band with a pop influence signed by Fearless Records. Derek Sander offers vocals to the talented instrumentalists, which include Alex Garcia and Brooks Bretts on guitar, Jeremy Lenzo on bass, and Jake Bundrick on drums. Starting in Tallahassee, Florida, this band has been blessing the world with their music for seven years. Up until now, they have released 3 full-length albums: their self-titled album, Valdosta, and Anywhere But Here.
This fall they’ll be releasing a new album named “Monsters in the Closet,” for which they have sent out teasers on the Internet, showing even more reasons to make that purchase. Mayday Parade has been said to be a great break-up band, due to several of their songs being on the melancholy side. However, they also have come out with some upbeat songs that make you long for bonfires on the beach with your closest friends. Basically, they’re a band that’s mastered the science of changing your emotions in a single note, and they repeatedly do so. The anticipation rises every day while fans everywhere await the new album, so they’ll have more music to fall in love with.
by Jessica
The Great Gatsby leaves something to be desired for almost every consumer of its vapidly glorious tale that told of the supposedly prosperous decade that was America in the 1920s. A happy ending was not what was received or given to any of the pretentious characters in Fitzgerald's classic love story...or tragedy, if the ending was what's important. Although Gatsby inevitably met his tragic end, his love for Daisy never did.
Even as he stood outside the Buchanan's home on his last night, staring in at his imagined fairytale with Nick Carraway's cousin, Jay Gatsby's life-consuming love never ceased. The last word, noun, name he mumbled before the gunshot exploded was Daisy. Daisy was the reason for Gatsby's parties, for Gatsby's glory, for Gatsby's ironic greatness.
The question lies here: Was Daisy worth it?
Daisy Buchanan was a self-absorbed woman who never grew up. She thrived under the security her cheating husband, Tom, provided her. But the adventure that surrounded Gatsby was irresistible to her. Their shared past, however, couldn't make up for the fact that Daisy was now a married woman and mother in the present. Gatsby was highly mistaken when he uttered the famous quote:
"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!"
Sorry, old sport, but you can't. Not this time.
Jay Gatsby's past is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. But perhaps there is a key. To Daisy, Gatsby idolized the sense of the unknown, of the equivocal. Gatsby was seemingly blind to the fact that Daisy had a life, a life she'd had for years. Daisy sometimes appeared to be just as ignorant. She told Nick in her glittering voice that she hoped her daughter would grow up to be a beautiful little fool. In an ironic turn, that was exactly what Daisy became.
Gatsby faked his way through his whole life; he took over the identity of Dan Cody after the latter died and left nothing to his apprentice, the former. He climbed his way up the social ladder to persue his dream of once again capturing Daisy. But here we are again. What was so great about Daisy Buchanan?
With her voice "full of money" and her face "sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes, and a bright, passionate mouth," Daisy's apparent good looks were the initial attraction to Jay Gatsby. She was a fun-loving girl who never stopped moving, a girl that he just could not have - not now, not ever. Gatsby did not provide Daisy with the aforementioned security she was handed on a silver platter from Tom. Truth be told, Gatsby simply was not rich enough at the time of their first romantic encounter.
But alas, he sought to change that. A growing social network brought Gatsby in line with all the right people to impress his love. Putting in underhanded work with the not-so-nice side of New York prompted Gatsby to bank all the money he'd ever need to impress Daisy. And finally, what better to woo Daisy Buchanan than a lavish and ostentatious mansion in West Egg just across the bay from her stunning abode in East egg?
The parties were off the hook. Roaring music blared from the bandstand, and flappers danced until the sun had completed a 360 in the sky. Jazz trumpets sounded, and the pool was filled with reluctant swimmers and wine stoppers party-goers popped as soon as the gate was opened. They came from all over, simply to party at Gatsby's.
"People were not invited - they went there."
But all that time, there was one man who did not drink, did not dance, did nothing but stare longingly out from the pier and across the water to the unreachable green light mocking him from the dock of the Buchanan's. Daisy, like that light, was always going to be unreachable to Gatsby.
There was a time, however brief, in the summer that Gatsby and Daisy and Nick and Jordan would have a gay old time flinging shirts over railings and drinking tea on the hottest days. Gatsby thought he had succeeded in gaining his love back. All Daisy had to do was tell Tom she'd never loved him.
But Daisy couldn't do that.
Daisy could not relinquish the security, the old money, the normality that was her life with Tom. Gatsby, for her, was simply a continuation of a previous chapter in her story, a short-lived adventure that was always meant to end. Tom talked her into staying with him; Daisy, in the end, did not deserve the obsessive love Gatsby had given her all those years.
In the end, no one stayed for Gatsby's funeral except for Nick. In the end, the parties Gatsby threw were thrown away, wasted on those for whom he cared nothing. In the end, Daisy Buchanan was nothing but a beautiful little fool.
by Daisy
If you asked me what my favorite band is, automatically you’d hear me say, “Queen.” Along with many other fans! Queen is a rock band dating back all the way to the 70’s and is still popular today! Have you ever been to a sports game? Guaranteed at some point you will hear the song “We Will Rock You!” Queen may be one of the most iconic bands that ever lived.
Queen has made so many hit songs that they made not one, not two, but three albums of their hits! Can you imagine? Thats over two and half hours of Queen! You may have even heard of some without even realizing it! “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody To Love,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” and my personal favorite, “Fat Bottomed Girls.” But let me tell you about their main writer, the singer himself. Freddie Mercury!
Freddie Mercury was born September 5, 1946, in Zanzibar, Tanzania. He was a skilled musician and studied piano in St. Peter’s boarding school in India. Fun fact about Freddie was that he wasn't straight! He was bi-sexual, and he was confortable with it, but eventually he died of bronchial pneumonia, resulting from AIDS, on November 24, 1991, at the early age of 45, at his home in London. He was dearly missed, and on November 6th, 1995, the remaining 3 band members of Queen, Brian May, John Deacon, and Roger Taylor, released the album Made In Heaven, as a tribute to his memory.
