It’s the Holiday Season. So Woopty-doo and Dickory Da.

December 1st arrives every year, and with it comes the countdown to the Holidays. Whether you are preparing for Christmas, Hanukkah, or even just Winter Break, December is chock-full of Holiday movies, shopping, and winter activities.  Being a huge cinema fan, I find that my favorite part of the holidays is watching Christmas movies. Here are my PERSONAL opinions and takes of the following Holiday films.

•  Elf
• National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
• Die-Hard
• Daddy’s Home 2
• Love Actually

Elf 2/10

I know this is a flaming hot take, but I hate Elf. I feel it is less of a Christmas movie, and more of Will Ferrell playing the same character he does in every movie he is in: a glorified man-child. The plot line has holes. Everyone thinks the scene where Buddy walks through NYC is so funny, but I prefer Billy on the Street than a rando is a costume. The shower scene just trips me out. However, I think there are a few good jokes, and any movie with Zoey Deschanel gets a free point.

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation 8/10

” Grace? She died 30 years ago…They want you to say the BL-ESS-ING”

I may not be a fan of Chevy Chase, but I love this movie. It reminds me of my own family during the holidays. I like how the plot slowly crawls to climax on Christmas Eve. When I was younger, I always wanted to try the oil they used in the sledding scene.  Also it teaches life lessons: Never depend on your holiday bonus to make ends meet!

Die-Hard 7/10

There is a reason this is called “HOLIDAY MOVIES” . I do not wish to start beef on whether or not Die-Hard, is or is not a Christmas movie; I just wish to share my opinion that is a FIRE movie. I love Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber, and nearly every scene is iconic. They literally have Bruce Willis’s wife-beater in a museum. “Christmas in Hollis” , played in the beginning of the film, os one of my favorite underrated Christmas Songs. Points off for unnecessary sequels.

Daddy’s Home 2 9/10

SOOOO underrated. Not to be nonchalant, but this movie is UNDERGROUND awesome. Again, not a Will Ferrell hater, but Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, and John Cena cancel him out. The slap-stick comedy is well-balanced by other comedy. the end scene is just magic. If you haven’t listened to “Do They Know It’s Christmas” sung by John Cena, I highly recommend. Point off for having to know what happens in the first movie, and for the mistletoe scene (no l will not elaborate)

Love Actually 10000/10

MY FAVORITE!!!!! I think it is a perfect balance of fantasy and reality. I love how all the individual stories have unique story-lines, and how they all interlock without influencing each other. Not every ending is happy (WHY ALAN RICKMAN WHY?!?!), but the ones that are make me soo happy. My favorite, is Just Judy and John. The cast is STACKED: Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Kiera Knightley, Thomas Brodie-Sangster,  all of your classic Brits. Hot take: I do not love the story line with the famous Cue Cards.

There may be faults in this movie, but personally they are all disregarded because of the ending and opening scenes. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND WATCHING IT.

Honorable Not-Mentioned: The Grinch (2000 & 2018), A Christmas Story, Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Four Christmases, Eight Crazy Nights

Regardless of my opinion, watch what you want. Do what floats your boat, eggs your nog, and butters your biscuits. The Holiday season is for cheer, and these movies help make December a bit better. Let me know your thoughts on my ranking.

I like to think that I got my first job working in Papa’s kitchen at the ripe old age of six. I started off making cupcakes in a wintery town, then I began flipping pancakes in a log cabin. Eventually I fried donuts in an amusement park and baked pies in a mall. I made milkshakes along the beach and I sold hot dogs at a baseball game. I have been working diligently ever since I was first employed by Papa Louie, and 11 years later I still continue to be under his grasp. 

I find myself trapped in the kitchen. Cooking, topping, and serving whatever restaurant I’m working in that day. I’m paid in measly tips and none of that money even goes to me. It goes towards kitchen upgrades or decorations for the lobby to keep the customers patient. These same customers that I have been serving on hand and foot for so much of my life, and for nothing in return. All because of Papa F****** Louie. The man who has deceived me at each hiring, entrusted me with his restaurants, left for weeks on end going God knows where, and comes back whenever he wishes to as if he hasn’t left all of his restaurants in the hands of some poor teenage girl. I sought an escape but got trapped instead. 

I have to quit. It’s the only way out, but no matter how hard I try I simply can’t bring myself to do it. To leave behind these customers, towns, and recipes. I find myself going back at every chance I get. I guess I’ve become dependent on these restaurants. I’ve grown to appreciate my usual customers, even memorize some of their orders. Getting a perfect score on an order brings me as much satisfaction as it did the very first time, and closing the restaurants at the end of the day is incredibly gratifying. I just can’t walk away from something that has impacted me so much. Whether it be negative or positive. I’m stuck here, and I guess I’m okay with that.

I’ve grown up around mountains my whole life, with the Andes mountain range visible from my bedroom window. Naturally, one would want to take advantage of this landscape, not just treat it as a beautiful backdrop. While I’m all for a sense of adventure, I’ve taken one too many hits over the years for a 17-year-old girl.

I had the great fortune (or misfortune) of being born into an adventurous family, namely my father. Too many hiking trips and skiing weekends to count, but the big kahuna of them all is the infinite number of mountain biking trips. My two siblings were able to escape these weekly adventures, but I found myself every Saturday morning standing at the peak of Morro Las Papas, a huge bike park, about to bunny-hop a rock that’s claimed an infinite number of broken bones.

It was a great chance to bond with my dad, and because of our trips, I’ve grown much closer to him than I normally would. However, there have been numerous times when I’ve wondered why I even do this sport. A notable contender is when I had to stick a 6-foot landing for a jump at the beginning of the trail. I landed horribly and was in the process of picking myself up and brushing off the embarrassment when I was thrust to the ground again. The cause? My dad landed on top of me after sticking the jump, because he couldn’t see me from the top. I felt his bicycle wheels crush my back, and it wasn’t until I told him I was underneath him that he finally got off. I came out of that trip with an extremely sore back and the question: why do I do this sport?

It’s left me the worse for wear more often than not, such as the time I was biking down a volcano and ended up falling down a 150-foot cliff. Miraculously, I emerged with virtually no injuries, but the fear I was left with was real. Mud in my socks, bruises and scrapes on my elbows, and the scorching heat all would be enough to make me want to quit.

So why do I do this sport? The answer: it’s more than just a sport I do for bragging rights, or an unconventional way to injure myself. It’s been a way for me to build a relationship with nature, grow my independence, and build an unbreakable bond with my dad. Thanks to this crazy hobby he’s become more than a father to me, rather a biking partner I’ll have for life. Now that I live in a place where these biking places aren’t as readily available, I appreciate so much more the experiences I was able to have and the memories I made. 

 

 

The Heisman Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in college football, given annually since 1935 to the player deemed “most outstanding” in the sport. Named after John Heisman, a legendary coach and innovator, the award has become a cornerstone of college football tradition. Winning the Heisman often cements a player’s legacy, linking their name to legends like Barry Sanders, Reggie Bush, and Charles Woodson. (Don’t forget Johnny Manzel either)

2024 Heisman Finalists

This year’s Heisman race features four dynamic players with exceptional seasons:

Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)

• Team Record: 12-1, Mountain West Champions, College Football Playoff berth
• Stats: 2,497 rushing yards, 7.3 YPC, 30 total TDs
• Experience: Junior, career at Boise State (no transfers)

Jeanty had one of the greatest seasons by a running back in FBS history. His performance rivals Barry Sanders’ legendary 1988 season, where Sanders rushed for 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns, and Reggie Bush’s electric 2005  campaign, earning Bush the Heisman before it was later vacated. Like Sanders and Bush, Jeanty combined explosiveness with consistency, putting Boise State on his back to earn a playoff spot. Also, Boise State’s only loss was 34 – 37 to #1 ranked Oregon. In this game, Jeanty had 192 yards of rushing and 3 touchdowns, where one run was taken 70 yards for a touchdown. 

Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)

• Team Record: 9-3
• Stats:  92 receptions, 1,152 receiving yards, 14 TDs; 4 INTs, 7 PD 
• Experience: Junior, transferred from Jackson State

Hunter’s two-way performance is unmatched since Charles Woodson’s 1997 Heisman-winning season. Hunter’s offensive production far exceeds Woodson’s (who had just 231 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns), and his defensive stats recall Deion Sanders’ dominance at Florida State. While not making the playoffs, Hunter had an immense impact at Colorado with the team going, 9-3, and ranked 20th in the AP Poll. Before these seasons, Colorado went 1-11 in the 22’-23’ season and 4-8 in the 23’ – 24’ season.

Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon)

• Team Record: 13-0
• Stats: 3,558 passing yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs with a 166.6 rating; 192 yards rushing on 63 attempts with 7 rushing TDs 
• Experience: Sixth-year senior, transferred from Oklahoma University

Dillon Gabriel has been a key proponent of Oregon’s undefeated record, the only in all of college football. I believe this is the only reason he is being listed as a Heisman finalist. While his stats are of course impressive, similar stat lines have been produced by quarterbacks of lower talent. Also, Oregon has a roster full of the best players in the nation, some of who are likely to go to the NFL. 

Cam Ward (QB, University of Miami)

• Team Record: 10-2
• Stats: 4,123 passing yards, 36 TDs, 7 INTs with a 171.1 rating; 196 yards rushing on 58 attempts with 4 TDs
• Experience:  Fifth-year Senior, transferred from Washington State University

Cam Ward has made his case as a Heisman contender due to his impressive offensive performances. In several games throughout the season, Miami was down several scores But, due to Ward’s heroics, Miami was able to keep their undefeated record while posting absurd statlines. In Miami’s game against Duke, Ward threw for 5 touchdowns and 400 yards. In Miami’s only two losses of the season, Miami lost by only one possession. 

Why the Race is So Close

This year’s race pits traditional offensive production against positional versatility and team success. Jeanty’s historic dominance and Boise State’s playoff berth make him the clear statistical leader, while Hunter’s two-way brilliance captures the imagination. Analysts are split. Supporters of Hunter argue his versatility is “unprecedented in the modern era,” On the other hand, Jeanty’s detractors claim that running back dominance, while impressive, is less valuable than a two-way star like Hunter.

Comparisons to Heisman Legends

• Jeanty vs. Sanders/Bush: Jeanty’s total yardage and touchdowns compare favorably to Sanders and Bush, with Sanders having slightly more rushing yards and Bush excelling in all-purpose yardage. Jeanty’s success, however, came against consistently tough competition and carried his team to championship contention, much like Sanders in 1988.
• Hunter vs. Woodson/Deion Sanders: Hunter’s two-way impact exceeds Woodson’s in statistical terms but lacks the highlight defensive moments (e.g., game-sealing interceptions) Woodson had. His offensive numbers align more closely with Deion Sanders’ best seasons but surpass Sanders’ in versatility.

My Prediction: Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty deserves the Heisman Trophy. His statistical dominance (2,497 rushing yards, 30 TDs) and ability to lead Boise State to the College Football Playoff set him apart. While Hunter’s versatility is historic, Jeanty’s consistency and game-breaking plays at a crucial position make him the most impactful player of 2024. His season draws closer comparisons to Sanders and Bush than any other finalist, embodying the true spirit of the Heisman: undeniable greatness. Also, the Heisman should not be a popularity contest, something that Hunter would win. If Jeanty was removed from Boise State the same level of production and success wouldn’t be created by that team. If Hunter was replaced, the team definitely wouldn’t be as good, but still have many talented players.  I hope he declares for the draft too, the Browns look like they’re in need of a running back. (Sorry Nick Chubb)

        Sappho, Emily Dickinson, and Chappell Roan are all great poets of their generations. And famous lesbians. Coincidence?? I think not!

        It’s hard to determine if Sappho (born 620 BCE on the Isle of Lesbos) was the first female poet to write about her romantic feelings towards women; regardless, her impact on poetry and lesbian culture is obvious (her birthplace is the reason lesbians are lesbians!! Her name is the reason sapphics are sapphic!)

        Emily Dickinson (born 1830 in Amherst, MA) is widely regarded as one of the greatest American poets. The inspiration for her love poems is highly debated, with leading theories being a minister, a financier, or, my personal favorite, her sister-in-law Susan Gilbert (who she called THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE WORLD…just saying…) Either way, it’s all speculation; for the purposes of this exploration, it will be assumed that the object of Dickinson’s affection was Susan Gilbert. Persuasion on this point can be found through personal research. 

        Chappell Roan (born 1998 in Willard, MO) saw great success this past year: with hits like Good Luck, Babe!, Hot to Go!, and Red Wine Supernova, Roan has risen as a prominent (and newly Grammy-nominated) musician. This past September, Chappell confirmed her sexuality at an Ohio show, saying “I just wasn’t supposed to be sleeping with men, and now I’m a little repulsed at the thought of even kissing a guy…”

        Thus, Sappho, Dickinson, and Chappell each represent different generations of sapphic love. Despite the many centuries separating them, the subjects of their poems are shockingly similar when examined. 

        Both Dickinson and Roan use biblical allusions to refer to their lovers, and Sappho (predating Christianity) uses myth to describe her lover’s ethereal beauty. 

 

In “I Cannot Live with You” poem 640, Dickinson writes:

Nor could I rise — with You —

Because Your Face

Would put out Jesus’ —

That New Grace

 

Glow plain — and foreign

 

Similarly, Chappell Roan sings in Guilty Pleasure: 

“And oh my God, you are heaven sent”

 

And, in Sappho’s Fragment 16, she describes her beloved through mythic allusion: 

 

 It’s easy enough to make this plain to all:

for she who was far more beautiful than any woman of mortal 

                                        race,

Helen, abandoned her husband – the best of men – 

…

[This] has made me think of Anactoria, who isn’t here.

Her step, which stirs desire, and the bright sparkle of her 

                                        face,

are dearer sights to me than the chariots of Lydia,

and armed men fighting on foot.

 

        All three women describe their lovers as heavenly: more beautiful and important to them than anything they are meant to desire or love (whether it be Jesus, men, or military prowess). Furthermore, the women defy the societal expectations of desire: Dickinson should love Jesus more than any human, Chappell’s guilty pleasure should be forgotten (with a man exchanged for the woman), and Sappho should favor military force over love. But sexuality and desire are not so easily ignored. This notion is timeless and resoundingly resonates with a queer audience. 

 

        Furthermore, the inability of the poets and their lovers to remain together are main themes of their work (and, once again, a very queer experience). Dickinson’s “I Cannot Live With You” is a lamentation of overwhelming and crippling desire, tragedy stemming from her self-imposed rejection of that desire. In Good Luck Babe, Chappell tells her lover she can no longer endure the emotional toils of their secret relationship and sarcastically wishes her luck as she continues to deny her sexuality. Both Dickinson and Roan’s distance (physical or emotional) from their lovers is a conscious decision to protect them from further hurt. Sappho, however, does not choose to be parted from her lover. Various theories surround Sappho’s departed Anactoria; perhaps Anactoria temporarily left, or maybe she was sent away to be married. Regardless, Sappho’s separation from Anactoria was not consensual. 

 

So, is Chappell Roan Sappho reincarnated as Emily Dickinson reincarnated yet again into a modern-day pop legend? That’s up to you to figure out. The similarities speak for themselves…

In this holiday season, there comes the annual rush of movies hitting the big screen, taking over all ads, toy stores, and discount band-aids at CVS. One of the major films of the 2024 film era has been Disney’s Moana 2, following the previously successful Moana. But has this sequel lived up to its predecessor? I am going to review the major parts of the movie (plot, music, and characterization) to determine whether or not Moana 2 has joined the long list of movies that fail to exceed their forerunner, or if it has managed to rise above. 

 

One of the easy traps that sequels fall into is neglecting to set themselves apart from the first movie, a move that melds the series together in the mind of the watcher. In the first movie, Moana defies her family to travel across the seas and befriend the demigod Maui (I know we’ve all seen this, but bear with me). From there, they run into smaller threats (kakamora/evil coconuts, Tamatoa/demonic crab) before advancing to the main godlike enemy, Te Fiti. They attempt to defeat her once, fail, and have to overcome an emotional hurdle before rallying and defeating her once and for all. Now I am aware this is a mild simplification, but unfortunately, it’s a simplification the sequel perfectly fits. After befriending her new crew, Moana runs into the threats of kakamora and a demonic clam before rejoining with Maui; they all fight a major god once and fail, overcome an emotional hurdle, and then move forward to defeat the god. Now there’s some extra plot I’ve trimmed off, but the major pillars of both plots stand the same, a point against Moana 2. 

 

A huge standard in classic Disney movies is their music, known for being catchy and iconic while advancing the plot and setting the tone for characters. The first movie in the Moana series did this exceptionally well, for instance the use of “How Far I’ll Go” to show Moana’s adventurous nature and her internal moral conflict. In Moana 2, the songwriters changed, switching from Lin Manuel Miranda to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. This shift definitely showed in the song style of the sequel, which lacked the bouncy signature of Miranda’s film work and instead seemed more theatrical and lyrical. Despite the notable difference, the tone shift felt purposeful and relevant to Moana’s story rather than forced, and overall, I would say this movie is worth watching for the songs alone. 

 

Arguably the most important part of a story is its characters, and this holds true for the Moana franchise. The adventurous, self-reliant, strong, and emotional protagonist is proving to be a constant hit, as shown with Moana, Elsa, Anna, etc. Moana 2, however, introduced some new characters to its roster such as Loto, a hyper and genius engineer, Moni, a lovable and excitable artist, and Kele, a cranky yet resourceful farmer. Despite adding so many new characters, Moana 2 managed to develop all new protagonists fairly well, although no major emotional conflict occurred between characters, meaning (in my opinion) no side or main characters had a prominent emotional arc. They also included some new villains, such as Nalo, the main godly antagonist, and Mantangi, Nalo’s unwilling helper. These villains weren’t elaborated on, mostly because (hopefully) they will be featured in a third Moana movie that the after-credit scene sets us up for. Even despite this, Mantangi has a great song that was a highlight of the film for me. 

 

Overall, is Moana 2 as good as Moana? Not really, but it still makes for an excellent and entertaining watch over our next breaks, and I highly recommend it. Now, for the big question: in the long run, will the Moana franchise continue the success of the first film? For that answer, I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.

Meet Barlow & Bear: The duo behind Moana 2’s soundtrack – WHO

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (stylized without an Oxford comma and called CSNY for short) was a supergroup consisting of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. The listing nature of the band’s name and the fact that the musicians in the group operated within similar circles made me wonder: what combinations of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young existed as musical groups? All four had well-known solo careers, but among the members of CSNY, there existed a plethora of sub-groups. But which of all of the possible combinations actually existed?

 

Duos:

Crosby and Stills – Played together as a duo at this 1971 performance and recorded this song together in 1968

Crosby and Nash – This duo had a prolific career with four studio albums

Crosby and Young – Crosby and Young played together with backing from the band Crazy Horse at this 1996 performance

Stills and Nash – Played together as a duo at this 1983 performance

Stills and Young – This duo recorded the studio album Long May You Run together

Nash and Young – This duo recorded this song in 1970 and this song with backing from the band The Stray Gators in 1972

 

Trios:

Crosby, Stills, Nash – Crosby, Stills & Nash was the most common subset of CSNY, producing five studio albums in total

Crosby, Stills, Young – No Evidence

Crosby, Nash, Young – Played together as a trio at this performance and recorded this song together in 1970

Stills, Nash, Young – No Evidence

 

Quartets:

Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young – CSNY itself

 

In conclusion, out of the 11 possible combinations of CSNY members, only 9 ever existed. Or, percentage-wise, only 81.81% of all possible CSNY combinations existed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When notes become dull, assignments seem drawn out and overwhelming, most students turn to one website to save them.  The New York Times games have been a shoulder to lean on for students over the last few years.  It’s thought provoking and challenging set of activities give users a new way to pass the time.  These are my personal rankings of the seven free games on the New York Times.

#7-Tiles

I don’t even know why this is an NYT game. While it’s goal is engagement, compared to the other games on this list, it requires no mental strain. If I wanted to play games, there are other websites to use. The New York Times website is a place to give you a challenge while having fun, but this game provides little of either. I am not surprised that this was a free game, as nobody would pay money for it.

#6-Letter Boxed

This may be due to my lack of understanding, but this one is just too hard to enjoy fully. They are lengthy and extremely difficult to complete without cheating.

#5-Spelling Bee 

Spelling Bee has always been overlooked. It’s never had the spotlight it deserves. The Spelling Bee requires critical thinking, but it’s as complicated as letter boxed is. You don’t even have to reach a certain point to complete it, it’s conclusion is flexible to the user.

#4-Strands

While a member of the big four, it lacks a complexity to be truly competitive in this league. Yes its fun and time consuming, it just can’t keep up with the others on the list.

#3-Wordle

The classic of all the games, Wordle, has been a consistent number 3 out of the NYT arsenal. Wordle is responsible for putting all of the games on the map. While not a flashy player, without it NYT wouldn’t be where it is today. 

#2-Connections

Connections is fun, engaging, and most of all, relaxing. I have no complaints about Connections. It incorporates pop culture, sports, music, science, and everything in between. While some argue it’s too simple, that’s where it’s success comes from.

#1-Mini-Crossword

Members of the league have been calling the mini “the goat of NYT.” It’s exhilarating, engaging, and competitive nature make it undisputed in it’s ranking. It’s been ruling the league for years, and will continue to rule the league for the near future.

I’ve played field hockey since the 6th grade and will continue to play in college next year. Over the years, I’ve become increasingly tired of the questions about the rules or the default question anyone asks if they don’t know much about the game. To answer an undying question- my back does NOT hurt.

 

An explanation of field hockey:

11 players on the field per team, 10 field players and a goalie.

Four, 15 minute quarters.

A field hockey stick has two sides, a rounded side on the back and a flat front side. You play with the flat side of your stick.

You can only score within the 15 meter (16 yards-ish) circle around the goal. 

The field is divided into four 23 meters (25 yards-ish) chunks.

Types of fouls:

1. If the ball hits your foot
2. Deflecting or stopping the ball with any part of the body
3. Gaining an advantage from the ball hitting your body (other than your left hand which is considered an extension of the stick)
4. Hitting or somehow interfering with an opponent’s stick
5.  Raising the ball in play near an opposing team’s player in a “dangerous” manner (usually above the knee)
6. Blocking someone from getting to the ball with your body. This is called 3rd party obstruction. No screens or picks like basketball or football. Every player should have a chance of gaining control of the ball.
7. Defenders are not allowed to try and gain possession of the ball from behind the attacking player.

 

Extras:

• Aerials:

These are lifted passes, used to move the ball from one part of a field to another without a player having to use skill and speed to go around defenders. In the men’s game you can expect an Aerial pass to reach the opposite end of the field. These types of passes have their own specific rules.

1. Must land in a five yard zone with one or no players occupying it
2. Played down to the ground by the receiving player in a “controlled” manner
3. A defending player cannot run into the receiving zone, and has to give the receiving player 5 yards to play the ball down before engaging.
4. The player “throwing” the ball must do it in a way that doesn’t endanger any players on the field (the ball has to be high enough and not thrown within 5 yards of another player).

• Checking the ball

If a ref whistles a foul in your favor the ball must be stopped (aka “checked”) at the spot of foul before being played forward.

 

Other fun rules:

If a foul occurs and a team who earns the ball is in their attacking 25 yard space, the ball must travel 5 yards before entering the 16 yard circle.

 

If the defending team commits a foul in the circle, like a foot, or intentionally sends the ball over the endline, it’s a penalty corner, which is sometimes called a short corner. 

If the ball is played over the endline unintentionally by the defending team (like inadvertently deflecting off of a stick), it’s a long corner.

 

Short corner:

The defending team is limited to 4 players and a goalie. They must remain behind the goal line until the attacking team plays the ball. The attacking team sends the ball from the baseline up to the top of the circle. The ball must leave the shooting circle before being shot in. On the shot, the ball cannot be lifted higher than 18 inches which is the height of the backboard.

Long corner:

The ball is played in from the 25 yard line and must travel 5 yards before entering the shooting circle.

 

I hope this has been an informative look into the rules of field hockey!