It is a new year, a time of endless possibilities, new beginnings and big dreams. Embarking on a new year can give anyone the burst of confidence needed to make this year the year for change. Losing weight is one of the most common resolutions made and broken. Senior reporter, Izzy Durham, gives you tips for success on working out and staying healthy.
Set Realistic Goals. Setting a goal to lose one hundred pounds by the end of the year can make anyone stressed out. It’s unrealistic plans like these that cause people to give up on their goal before they even get started. Instead of setting a goal to lose a certain amount of weight, you should pledge to do some sort of physical activity everyday. Making simple plans like this will allow you to stay on task without stressing out over a deadline.
Stay Motivated. Finding the time to exercise can be difficult, not to mention the fact that most people would rather be sitting on the couch instead of being active. One option to avoid such lazy behavior is by working out with a friend. Having someone there can be the best support because you can encourage each other to finish strong on any workout.
Make Exercise Fun. Instead of going to the gym and doing machines for an hour, take a class such Zumba, Hip-Hop, or Pilates at our local YMCA. These are fun classes that will not only get your heart pumping, but will bring a good laugh. These classes are offered a variety of days and times, so it will be easy to fit a class into your busy schedule. If you don’t have a membership to the local gym, there are many videos that you can buy or even rent. Family Video in Springfield offers workout videos for a rental fee of $1. The great thing about workout videos is that you can stay in the comfort of your own home.
Keep It Simple. Everyday activities can contribute to your goal. Going to the mall? Instead of parking near the entrance, park further away and walk those extra steps. Also, take the stairs whenever possible. Between your favorite television shows, do a couple reps of lunges. Each of these actions will take only a few minutes, but will make a difference if they become part of your routine.
Eat Healthy. Working out is a positive that can easily be canceled out with the negative of eating unhealthy foods. At school, try to avoid the junk food in vending machines by having a healthy snack in your purse or backpack. You can also control the portions size of your lunch by bringing one form home.
Although results may not show after your first week of getting healthy, your attitude and wellness are sure to improve. The process of cutting back on bad habits can be frustrating, but having a support group around you can be empowering. When trying to stick to a health plan, work at your own rate because the end goal is for a healthy and overall better you.
Izzy Durham
-The Cardinal
Monday, March 19, 2012
Establishing Growth In A Familiar Sound
Indie-punk group, Say Anything, is releasing their sixth studio project in March of 2012. The project, “Anarchy, My Dear” is highly anticipated by the indie-rock community and the group’s followers. Released by the group itself, is the album’s first single, “Burn a Miracle.” The song retains familiar melodies, riffs, and relative vocals to the group’s earlier projects. Although Say Anything has experienced much success from their debut album, the track holds its’ own; retaining much prediction on the upcoming album’s expectations.
The track, in some ways, is relative to a typical Say Anything piece. Front man, Max Bemis, has unique vocals and lyrical compositions that captivate the audience. The group has experienced growth in their material, though, discovering inspiration through warfare and global issues-opposing the group’s former material regarding teenage themes, love, and rock and roll. The album is a new definition and direction for the group, displaying global awareness and matured themes. With this said, though, the group could restyle their initial construction and lose some of their loyal fan-base.
Although the group has marketed themselves through the indie-punk community, their new album could unearth their music into the mainstream category; a category formally opposed by the founding members. The album undoubtedly has high expectations, for the group’s fans have not been disappointed with earlier pieces. This expectation could hinder their ability to accept the developing group, though Say Anything could use their touring as a tool to sustain this loyalty. Touring the United States following the album’s release, the group will play with renowned indie artists such as Kevin Devine and Fake Problems. The tour will undoubtedly sustain approval from the group’s fans, being their own headliner on this tour. In previous tours, Say Anything has opened for more familiar artists such as Angels and Airwaves in 2009 and 2010.
Despite the track’s lyrical alterations, the song displays growth for the band. With the members’ maturity rising comes a rise in the music’s content and development. Although this new sound sets another category for the group, their music contains familiar sounds and styles, which are overlaid with heavy riffs, vocals, and melodies. This is a style tried and achieved by Say Anything, marking a newly defined disposition for the group.
Brandon Kuhl
-The Cardinal
The track, in some ways, is relative to a typical Say Anything piece. Front man, Max Bemis, has unique vocals and lyrical compositions that captivate the audience. The group has experienced growth in their material, though, discovering inspiration through warfare and global issues-opposing the group’s former material regarding teenage themes, love, and rock and roll. The album is a new definition and direction for the group, displaying global awareness and matured themes. With this said, though, the group could restyle their initial construction and lose some of their loyal fan-base.
Although the group has marketed themselves through the indie-punk community, their new album could unearth their music into the mainstream category; a category formally opposed by the founding members. The album undoubtedly has high expectations, for the group’s fans have not been disappointed with earlier pieces. This expectation could hinder their ability to accept the developing group, though Say Anything could use their touring as a tool to sustain this loyalty. Touring the United States following the album’s release, the group will play with renowned indie artists such as Kevin Devine and Fake Problems. The tour will undoubtedly sustain approval from the group’s fans, being their own headliner on this tour. In previous tours, Say Anything has opened for more familiar artists such as Angels and Airwaves in 2009 and 2010.
Despite the track’s lyrical alterations, the song displays growth for the band. With the members’ maturity rising comes a rise in the music’s content and development. Although this new sound sets another category for the group, their music contains familiar sounds and styles, which are overlaid with heavy riffs, vocals, and melodies. This is a style tried and achieved by Say Anything, marking a newly defined disposition for the group.
Brandon Kuhl
-The Cardinal
New Weight Room Improves Students And School
One major addition to the new part of our school is the weight room. The old weight room was outdated, smelly, and too small. In the old weight room, a lot of students would rather goof off instead of work out. “(The weight room) already has students much more on task,” Mr. DeBarr, the Strength Training and General P.E. instructor, said.
The biggest difference from the old weight room to the new one is the quality of the equipment. “It is much nicer,” said DeBarr, “It has more space and better equipment.” The district spent $70,000 on new equipment, including new squat racks, dumbbells, rubber weights, and cardio machines.
The new addition offers a number of machines to strengthen all muscles of the body, ranging from leg press to the tricep extension. Elliptical machines, treadmills, and stationary bikes are also offered for a cardio workout. A unique addition to the weight room is the row machine, a cardio/strength training machine. Using water and a rotating wheel, the machine makes the user feel as if they are rowing a boat while getting a great full body workout.
In time, the weight room will become open to the public. As of right now, students are offered the chance to work out after school on scheduled days with supervision. Taking advantage of the weight room is a great option for student athletes. Mr. DeBarr hopes that the new equipment will result in improvements for school sports. He adds, “The better the training the better the team will perform.”
Jake McNamara
-The Cardinal
The biggest difference from the old weight room to the new one is the quality of the equipment. “It is much nicer,” said DeBarr, “It has more space and better equipment.” The district spent $70,000 on new equipment, including new squat racks, dumbbells, rubber weights, and cardio machines.
The new addition offers a number of machines to strengthen all muscles of the body, ranging from leg press to the tricep extension. Elliptical machines, treadmills, and stationary bikes are also offered for a cardio workout. A unique addition to the weight room is the row machine, a cardio/strength training machine. Using water and a rotating wheel, the machine makes the user feel as if they are rowing a boat while getting a great full body workout.
In time, the weight room will become open to the public. As of right now, students are offered the chance to work out after school on scheduled days with supervision. Taking advantage of the weight room is a great option for student athletes. Mr. DeBarr hopes that the new equipment will result in improvements for school sports. He adds, “The better the training the better the team will perform.”
Jake McNamara
-The Cardinal
Leap Year
Leap years occur every four years. During leap years, an extra day is added to our calendar, extending the year to 366 days. Leap years do not just happen; instead, they serve a purpose. In fact, the concept of the leap day has been around for over 2000 years. Leap years keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth’s movement around the Sun allowing our seasons of summer, fall, winter, and spring to stay in sync with our calendar months. If we did not add February 29th to our calendars every four years, we would lose six hours from our calendar every year. After 100 years this would cause our calendars to be off by approximately 24 days. Therefore, leap years are very important to our calendar.
Leap day falls on February 29th during every leap year. There are many traditions and superstitions associated with this day. Old Irish tradition claims that leap day is the only day a woman can propose to a man because the traditional roles of men and women are balanced; in the same way that leap day balances our calendar. Greece considers Leap Day an unlucky day to marry, but in Scotland it is viewed as an unlucky day to give birth. China celebrates a Chinese Leap Year, which adds one month onto the regular thirteen month calendar every three years. The leap month’s placement in the Chinese calendar varies from year to year and is very unlike our calendar.
The chance of being born on Leap Day is one in 1500. Even with the most unlikely of chances, a faculty member at Pleasant Plains High School happens to be that one in fifteen hundred. Although he will be turning twenty-four years old, Mr. Shattuck will only be celebrating his sixth real birthday. This is due to his misfortune of being born on a day that only occurs once every four years. Make sure to wish Mr. Shattuck a Happy Birthday this February 29th or else you will have to wait another four years…
Emily Baietto
-The Cardinal
Leap day falls on February 29th during every leap year. There are many traditions and superstitions associated with this day. Old Irish tradition claims that leap day is the only day a woman can propose to a man because the traditional roles of men and women are balanced; in the same way that leap day balances our calendar. Greece considers Leap Day an unlucky day to marry, but in Scotland it is viewed as an unlucky day to give birth. China celebrates a Chinese Leap Year, which adds one month onto the regular thirteen month calendar every three years. The leap month’s placement in the Chinese calendar varies from year to year and is very unlike our calendar.
The chance of being born on Leap Day is one in 1500. Even with the most unlikely of chances, a faculty member at Pleasant Plains High School happens to be that one in fifteen hundred. Although he will be turning twenty-four years old, Mr. Shattuck will only be celebrating his sixth real birthday. This is due to his misfortune of being born on a day that only occurs once every four years. Make sure to wish Mr. Shattuck a Happy Birthday this February 29th or else you will have to wait another four years…
Emily Baietto
-The Cardinal
Cardinal Crew
Many have noticed the rising numbers of fans at the sporting events this year. This improvement can easily be credited to the new school organization, The Cardinal Crew, which encourages school pride amongst students.
The student section, also referred to as “Cardinal Nation”, has incorporated themes into every game making the event enjoyable for everyone involved. “Having an awesome fan section isn’t just enjoyable to those who sit in the section, but also to players and the parents who attend the game,” said Susan O’Donnell, sponsor for the Cardinal Crew.
Since basketball season is winding down, the Cardinal Crew is preparing for baseball season by coming up with new chants. “(Members) have big plans to continue the excitement that the Cardinal Crew has brought to the games, and we hope this new club will continue for years to come,” said O’Donnell.
The new fan section has even caught the attention of Principal Ward. Although he enjoys the spirit, Mr. Ward wants the fans’ intentions to be good. “I believe our chants should be more involved in the game not at individuals”, said Ward, “The fans should not become the entertainment.”
The first year of the Cardinal Crew has been a learning experience that has pointed out several things worth fixing. In the following years, the crew hopes to make it to more of the girls’ sports games. With a new sports season beginning, the Cardinal Crew has a lot to do to prepare for the busy spring schedule.
Cody Stone
-The Cardinal
The student section, also referred to as “Cardinal Nation”, has incorporated themes into every game making the event enjoyable for everyone involved. “Having an awesome fan section isn’t just enjoyable to those who sit in the section, but also to players and the parents who attend the game,” said Susan O’Donnell, sponsor for the Cardinal Crew.
Since basketball season is winding down, the Cardinal Crew is preparing for baseball season by coming up with new chants. “(Members) have big plans to continue the excitement that the Cardinal Crew has brought to the games, and we hope this new club will continue for years to come,” said O’Donnell.
The new fan section has even caught the attention of Principal Ward. Although he enjoys the spirit, Mr. Ward wants the fans’ intentions to be good. “I believe our chants should be more involved in the game not at individuals”, said Ward, “The fans should not become the entertainment.”
The first year of the Cardinal Crew has been a learning experience that has pointed out several things worth fixing. In the following years, the crew hopes to make it to more of the girls’ sports games. With a new sports season beginning, the Cardinal Crew has a lot to do to prepare for the busy spring schedule.
Cody Stone
-The Cardinal
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: American Cash-Grab or Praiseworthy Adaptation?
David Fincher, the same director who brought audiences Fight Club and The Social Network, has made a gripping adaptation of the popular Swedish novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. As an adaption, it has earned criticism for lack of loyalty to the novel’s ending, but as a film, it is full of the same enthralling cinematic style and raw characters Fincher is infamous for bringing alive. Fingers have also been pointed at Fincher for “cash-grabbing” since many are aware there had already been a Swedish version adapted to the screen when Fincher began his filming. However, after witnessing the intensity of the movie, it’s clear that American competitiveness and greed were not what Fincher had in mind when directing this film.
The plot, which takes place in the novel’s birthplace, Sweden, leans towards a murder mystery-esque effect tied in with themes encompassing financial corruption and greed, popular topics of today’s culture. The story revolves around an antisocial, punk girl who pairs up with an established journalist to investigate an old missing person’s case that leads them down a path more disturbing and riveting than predicted by not only them, but by readers and viewers too. In fact, the movie has gained a notorious reputation for its sexual violence. “I enjoyed it a lot,” said Pleasant Plains senior, Grace Gollon, “but the rape scenes were too intense.”
Although Fincher’s ending slightly differs from the novel, it successfully conveys the same overall impact and stays loyal to the rest of the storyline. In fact, some have voiced that the movie is better than the book. Brandon Kuhl is included among these. “The movie and book are both great, but the movie actually intensifies and adds more style to the plot.” commented the senior.
Indeed, the film is not for timid movie-goers seeking a light-hearted comedy, but if you’re looking for an innovative, suspenseful story with twisting storylines and a magnetic female heroine, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo provides this and more.
Janna Potts
-The Cardinal
The plot, which takes place in the novel’s birthplace, Sweden, leans towards a murder mystery-esque effect tied in with themes encompassing financial corruption and greed, popular topics of today’s culture. The story revolves around an antisocial, punk girl who pairs up with an established journalist to investigate an old missing person’s case that leads them down a path more disturbing and riveting than predicted by not only them, but by readers and viewers too. In fact, the movie has gained a notorious reputation for its sexual violence. “I enjoyed it a lot,” said Pleasant Plains senior, Grace Gollon, “but the rape scenes were too intense.”
Although Fincher’s ending slightly differs from the novel, it successfully conveys the same overall impact and stays loyal to the rest of the storyline. In fact, some have voiced that the movie is better than the book. Brandon Kuhl is included among these. “The movie and book are both great, but the movie actually intensifies and adds more style to the plot.” commented the senior.
Indeed, the film is not for timid movie-goers seeking a light-hearted comedy, but if you’re looking for an innovative, suspenseful story with twisting storylines and a magnetic female heroine, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo provides this and more.
Janna Potts
-The Cardinal
Monday, January 23, 2012
Lightning Strikes Again
In the past two years, Usain Bolt has been the undisputed “World’s Fastest Man.” Bolt began forming his legacy at the age of 16 at the World Youth Championships in 2003 in Sherbrooke. The following year, Usain Bolt won the 200m dash at the World Junior Championships in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica.
In his home country of Jamaica, the speedy islander became known as Lightning bolt. Although the name on bolt’s birth certificate is “Usain Bolt,” there has been rumor of his name being created like a stage name so that people think of him as an insane bolt of lightning.
The humor in the name is purely coincidental. Another example of ironic names in track and field would be the Ukrainian pole vaulter Yevengy Grip, resembling the old expression, “Grip it, and rip it.”
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Bolt set three world records in winning three gold medals and officially gained his hometown nickname of Lightning Bolt. At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Bolt returned to win three more gold medals and set two more world records.
With the 2012 London Olympics approaching, we can only speculate as to whether or not lightning will strike yet again.
George Wayda
-The Cardinal
In his home country of Jamaica, the speedy islander became known as Lightning bolt. Although the name on bolt’s birth certificate is “Usain Bolt,” there has been rumor of his name being created like a stage name so that people think of him as an insane bolt of lightning.
The humor in the name is purely coincidental. Another example of ironic names in track and field would be the Ukrainian pole vaulter Yevengy Grip, resembling the old expression, “Grip it, and rip it.”
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Bolt set three world records in winning three gold medals and officially gained his hometown nickname of Lightning Bolt. At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Bolt returned to win three more gold medals and set two more world records.
With the 2012 London Olympics approaching, we can only speculate as to whether or not lightning will strike yet again.
George Wayda
-The Cardinal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)