All posts by HPSH Plaid Line

Music/Concerts

Drake and his career

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By: Julia Swee

These days, Drake is a huge name among the common youth. More than the youth, but young adults as well. The 35-year-old rapper and actor grew up in Toronto, Canada with biracial parents; his father, Dennis Graham, is a Catholic African American, and his mother, Sandra, is white and Ashkenazi Jewish Canadian. Drake grew up listening to all different types of music, and this led him to become accustomed to many different genres.

“We have a very deep musical background. My grandmother, who passed away in Memphis, used to babysit Louis Armstrong. And my dad was a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis,” Drake told Hip Hop Canada in 2006. Drake took his stage name from his middle name, which his father Dennis had given him. Drake’s full name is Aubrey Drake Graham.

In 2001, Drake got his big break when he landed a role at 14 in the famous Canadian teenage drama ‘Degrassi’. This gave Drake a head start in his career, as his influence rose with his role as Jimmy Brooks in the show. 

“17, 18, is when I was really getting into that hip hop phase, you know, and really studying the things that I needed to study as far as learning about flows and learning about lyrics,” Drake told GQ in an interview about his life. He told the interviewer that he was a natural, and he soon became more interested in music than his acting. During the fourth episode in the seventh season of the show, Drake’s skills are featured as he freestyles during a school talent show. This allowed viewers to take an interest in Drake’s musical career, as he was immediately deemed a very talented musician. 

In 2008, Drake quit his acting career to pursue his music full time. At the time, Drake had already released his debut album, ‘Room for Improvement’ in 2006 and his second album ‘Comeback Season’ in 2007. On February 13th, Drake released his third album, ‘So Far Gone’, which dramatically improved his career. The album’s most successful track, “Best I Ever Had” had gone on to be nominated for two Grammy awards – best rap solo performance and best rap song. This release had shown the country Drake’s best talents, and with it came the increase in his musical fame. Drake would go on to collaborate with many other famous artists such as Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West, Eminem, and was even featured in the LeBron James documentary in 2009. 

Drake’s most recent release, ‘Certified Lover Boy’, on September 3rd of 2021, showed the world that Drake still had it, as the album instantly topped charts with its release. To this day, Drake boasts the most top 10 hits, with 54 hit songs. Over the years, Drake has made many many influential pieces of music, and will forever remain in history as one of the greatest rappers of all time. 

Personally, I have listened to every single one of Drake’s albums. Each and every song he continues to amaze me with his lyrical genius and his ability to incorporate so many different types of music within each album. No matter if it’s a rainy day, a sunny afternoon, or even snowing, I can always count on Drake to bless my ears with his tunes.

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Tech/Games

Review of APEX Legends

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By: Abdirahman Ege

APEX Legends is a battle royale type game. There is a certain number of people that load into one game, and the map is humongous.

As the game progresses, a gas starts to erupt. There will be a circle which you go to so you can protect yourself from the gas. Last team standing wins.

The game has different characters which are called “legends”; they each have different abilities. Each legend has three abilities, their passive skill, a tactical skill, and their ultimate skill.

My favorite legend is Octane. Octane’s passive is while he isn’t taking damage, he restores health overtime. Octane’s tactical is a “stim” – he moves faster after he uses it on himself but it also takes some health. Octane’s ultimate is he deploys a bounce pad that takes you into the air and you can double jump from it.

Each legend have unique skills that are beneficial for different things; they are all balanced. APEX Legends has about 3 different game modes. It has casual, ranked, and 3v3.

  • Casual is more for beginner players or people who want to chill.
  • Ranked are for more advanced players who want more of a challenge, there are 7 different ranks. The ranks are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, and lastly, APEX Predator, which are the top 750 players on their platforms.
  • 3v3 game mode is very similar to the game Valorant; you spawn into a room and you buy guns with points before the round starts. You can get more points within the map by collecting them. You get better weapons the more points you have. The team who wins 3 rounds in a row are the winners.

It’s an overall fun game that I enjoy greatly. 5/5 stars

The game is available on all platforms.

Basketball

Who is St. Peter’s college? A 2022 March Madness Cinderella

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By: Toby Martin-Kohls

March Madness kicked off earlier this month with its first and second-round games, and with it, another Cinderella team was born.

No. 15 seed, Saint Peter’s, was written off as an afterthought coming into this year’s NCAA Tournament, as prior to their win, No. 15 seeds went 9-135 all-time against No. 2 seed foes.

They came into the first round as 18.5pt underdogs. That means that Vegas sports betting casinos thought Kentucky would win by 18 to 19 points.

They beat Kentucky in OT, 85-79, and busted many brackets. According to data from ESPN’s Tournament Challenge, Kentucky was the fourth most popular Final Four choice, with 13% of entries picking the Wildcats.

It was a great story, a small school beats a college basketball blueblood. They played again in the second round against a No. 7 seed, Murray State, that went 30-2 during the regular season, and did the improbable again, winning 70-60.

So, you may be asking like many, what and where is St. Peter’s University?

The private university is located in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was established in 1872 by the Society of Jesus. It is a Roman Catholic school. They are a smaller college, with only 2,600 undergraduate students and 800 graduate students. This is also what makes their run in the tournament so special.

Their basketball facilities are miniature compared to what Kentucky and other D-1 programs offer. St. Peter’s plays in the Yanitelli Recreational Life Center nicknamed the Run Baby Run arena. It holds 3,200 people, compared to Kentucky’s Rupp Arena which holds 23,500.

Because of the many disadvantages these smaller colleges have, it shows that anyone can succeed in the Big Dance. St. Peter’s can join the very exclusive list of No. 15 seeds pulling off major upsets.

As the all-time record indicates, it is a rare occurrence. Hopefully, we can witness more great games from St. Peter’s throughout the tournament.

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘Batman Begins’ review

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By: Ava Olson

This movie, starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne (Batman), follows his journey of training with Ra’s Al Guhl and the League of Shadows then leaving to try and help Gotham. This movie shows his backstory including how he gets his suit and how and why he becomes Batman.

I really enjoyed how much we learned about Bruce Wayne and his struggles throughout this movie, like his childhood trauma. It was cool to see how he got his suit and batmobile and why he chose the bat as his symbol.

I liked how the movie really showed that Batman was still learning and getting the hang of being Batman. He still made mistakes along the way and took a lot of risks.

The main villain in this movie was Scarecrow, played by Cillian Murphy. He did a great job and I thought his weapon, the psychedelic drug that causes people to experience their deepest traumas, was very interesting and unique.

The plot was very engaging and had many different layers to it. It kept me intrigued throughout the whole film and I never felt bored. I found all the different characters very compelling and I thought the casting was pretty well done.

The visual effects look a little funny watching it today because of how much we’ve improved with them, but they were good for their time. I loved watching this and seeing all the differences between all the different Batman’s including the newest one starring Robert Pattinson.

Overall, I liked this movie and thought it did a great job of showing people Batman’s backstory. This movie is the first of the Christoper Nolan Batman movies so you don’t need to watch anything beforehand to understand it. I would recommend this to any action movie fan or people who want to know more about Batman. I would give this movie 3.5/5 stars. You can watch this movie on Netflix or HBO Max.

Getting To Know/History

Rwandan Genocide

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By: Liibaan Yusuf

The Rwandan genocide was one of the worst cases of ethnic cleansing in the late 20th century after the Holocaust. It began after Hutus, one of the three major ethnic groups in Rwanda, began rallying nationalist and radical ideas, which spread extremely quickly. Almost 1 million people died in the approximately three month span of pillaging, murder, and hatred for each other from May through June of 1994.

The Rwandan genocide was caused by key events in the years before. In 1994, Tutsi refugees in Uganda came together to start the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front). Through Uganda, they had infiltrated northern Rwanda and came on the plans of taking over the country. That incited the Rwandan civil war and abruptly ended when neither the RPF nor the Rwandan government gaining any advantage. As a result of the civil war, the former President, Habyarimana, brought forth the Arusha Accord to be signed by the Rwandan Government alongside he RPF in August of 1993.

Not even a year later, in early April of 1994, Habyarimana was assassinated. No one knows who did it, but historians say evidence leads them to believe that the perpetrators were of the Tutsi tribe. The death of the president lead to a power struggle between the Hutus, Tutsi, and Twa. Each group had reason to believe they were deserving of the position. The Hutus argued that since Habyarimana was a Hutu, it would only be right for a Hutu to be president and would be outlandish to hand over power to the Tutsi, who tried to overthrow the government just earlier that year. The Tutsi and Twa used exactly that as their counter argument though. Tutsi and Twa, both believed they should be given a chance at power.

Though just as early as the day after Habyarimana’s assassination, the genocide began. High power Hutus went after powerful and influential Tutsi’s first. Once the other Hutus heard of this, it morphed into an ethno-nationalist issue and Hutus began roaming the streets, killing anybody who was not a fellow Hutu.

The Tutsis hid in churches and schools believing that they would be spared, but they were massacred wherever they were found. Some of the perpetrators preferred machetes to rifles, they hacked away at hundreds of bodies. With murder came rape; Hutus sexually assaulted women and children with an estimated count of 500,000 women raped and some accounts of necrophilia.

All the while, when radical Hutu’s went after innocent Tutsis, the RPF saw the situation as a breach of the Arusha Accords and they resumed the brief civil war again, on grounds of fighting in defense. The RPF quickly took over the capital and gained tremendous ground and power with no central government to fight back. This incited violence and caused the innocent Tutsis to run towards Zaire, modern day DRC, in fear of the roaming Hutus killing anyone in sight.

Though the actual genocide ended in an estimated 100 days, the RPF formed into an actual government and in 1996 began an attack into neighboring Zaire, where thousands of Hutu refugees and war criminals ran to after the RPF took power in Rwanda. The Rwandan attack on Zaire began the First Congo War resulting in the deaths of 200 thousand people, combatants, and others.

Today, according to the Rwandan Constitution it claims that 1 million people died in the Rwandan Genocide and the government has put in many noteworthy laws and precautions to stop any similar uprisings and ethno-nationalist ideals are classified as criminal activity and can result in legal action. There are 2 holidays dedicated to the remembrance of those who died.

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘Tall Girl 2’ summary/ review 

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By: Samera Adam

‘Tall Girl 2’ is a Netflix movie. 

Jodi and Dunkleman’s relationship begins on a sweet note, with the two exchanging romantic moments. As a result of her speech at the Homecoming dance, Jodi has become one of the most popular students at school, high-fiving other students instead of being invisible. 

Her increased celebrity and wanting to appear in the spring musical, proved to be major stumbling obstacles in her relationship with Dunkleman. 

She is battling her own concerns and suffering from anxiety attacks. Jodi is exited and nervous after earning the lead role of Kim in the musical ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’ 

Her insecurities are speaking to her through an inner voice. In ‘Bye Bye Birdie’, Tommy plays the lead alongside Jodi.

Jodi is a typical person dealing with adolescent issues. She carries a lot of weight on her shoulders between the person she’s dating, her pals, bullying, the musical, and her worried parents. She’s under a lot of stress and is very exhausted. 

By focusing on her self-assurance, Jodi was able to silence that negative voice. She prefers to be ruled by her thoughts rather than the other way around. Her parents go above and beyond to ensure their children’s success. 

Others are dealing with their own insecurities, while Jodi is fighting negative thoughts in her head.

Harper, Jodi’s older sister, is attempting to show that she can do more than compete in beauty pageants. Fareeda, Jodi’s best friend, hopes that her parents would support her dream of becoming a fashion designer. The relationship between Dunkleman, Fareeda, and Jodi is frequently questioned. 

Overall, I think that the movie was a little boring because it had too many unnecessary details. So I’d have to give it a rating of 3/5

Travel/Food

Carbonation and its effects on the body

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By: Ashley Harris

Carbonation is found in around 15% of drinks in the United States alone. A typical carbonated drink contains around 99.5% liquid and 0.5% CO2. When CO2 is consumed in high amounts it can cause a number of short term health effects such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and more. These may not seem like vast problems to the average person, but unlike the short term effects, the long term effects can be tremendously painful and even life threatening. Some of these long term effects involve difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, convulsions, and even coma.

According to Wikipedia, “CO2 is an acidic colorless gas with a density about 53% higher than that of dry air. Carbon dioxide molecules consist of a carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in Earth’s atmosphere as a trace gas.”

In an article titled “Is Carbon Dioxide Harmful to People?” it’s stated that “At moderate CO2 levels, around 1000 ppm, there are minor effects on the way your brain thinks. These same levels also reduce concentration and focus, as well as create discomfort from breathing stuffy air. However at higher levels, around 2500 ppm, there are significant reductions in cognitive functioning, especially for tasks that require higher-level thinking. People feel fatigued and report having more headaches”.

Although a typical carbonated beverage only contains about 5 ppm per 8 oz bottle, when CO2 is consumed It is absorbed into the small intestines by the fluids in the gut. This process takes about 24 hours (or a day). So, that means, if you do the math, that if someone drank around 200, 8 oz sodas, or 1,600 oz’s of soda, they could be at risk for minor health effects such as fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Whereas if they were to drink 2,000, 8 oz sodas they would be at risk for tremendous health problems such as seizures, immediate coma, and even death. So, unless you are soda crazy, CO2 can not do any serious harm to your body when consumed.

Entertainment, Movies/TV/Theaters

Why is true crime so addicting?

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By: Ella Tabor

True crime is compelling to many, but why? Why do so many people obsess over this genre?

According to a clinical and forensic psychologist, Paula. E. Bruce, “True-crime shows are compelling to many because they can provide a window into a reality that we do not readily have access to.”

Since the genre focuses heavily on female victims; it’s not surprising that more women are enthralled by true crime. This is no coincidence given women are more likely to relate to the possibility of being a victim.

Psychology professor Kareem Johnson notes that the violent content we are most likely to enjoy corresponds with the type most likely to affect us.

Dr. Bruce relates the fascination with this gore as a way of preparing ourselves for these situations. She says, “…There is some relief in being able to visualize how a personal trauma could happen…”.

Also, to those who have been personal victims of violent crimes, true crime may provide a sense of validation. These victims can feel relief in knowing their situation could have been worse.

True crime entices many of our curiosities and fears. The fear of how irrational these acts are makes us want to understand why these criminals, who commit such unthinkable crimes, do what they do.

Scott Bonn, Phd, criminologist and author of ‘Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the Worlds Most Savage Murderers’, says, “If we can’t understand why these killers do what they do, that fear is never abated”.

True crime and other horror genres provide us a safe distanced window into these fears and curiosities without having to experience them, which is a large reason why this genre is so addicting.

According to Dr. Bruce, compulsive obsessions with true crime may be cause for concern but simply enjoying the thrill and solving the mysteries is no problem.

Science/Nature

Radon the silent killer

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By: Haroon Yonis

Radon, it is something we cannot see, we cannot smell, and is something that we simply cannot detect with our 5 senses. Yet, it continues to kill thousands every year, and thousands continue to succumb to this silent killer. 

Radon isn’t as known as cigarettes or vapes, but it causes as much damage as the two. 

Radon is gas that can lurk from the depths from your home, your school, or anywhere you go. It is a carcinogenic gas that causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year.

The scariest part is that this odorless gas kills 2,900 non-smokers a year. Even if you avoid smoking, you can still be ravaged by this carcinogenic gas.

Radon usually kills people in two ways, either you can be affected by the radiation in radon, and develop lung cancer, or you can die from radon poisoning. One affected by radon poisoning usually exhibits the following symptoms: wheezing, chest pain, coughing blood, a persistent cough, and even weight loss.

Radon has been proved to be associated with cancer, specifically lung cancer. There have been many studies and much literature that validates the correlation between cancer and radon.

So, now that you understand the lethality of this gas, how do you avoid this dangerous and deadly gas?

Radon is found everywhere, but it has extremely low levels outside. It is typically found in much higher concentrations in buildings, such as schools, homes, and stores. The reason for this is that the radon becomes trapped in these buildings, slowly accumulating over time. This is especially true, in urban areas, such as higher populated cities. 

To avoid this gas, you must first find out if it is lurking in your home, or your workplace. You can buy a testing kit online, or have a professional come and test your home. The first option is relatively simple and cheap, while the latter is a bit more expensive but overall more reliable.

If you find out your house has low radon levels, there is nothing to worry about. But if your house has dangerous levels of radon, you must call a professional to purify your home from the gas. Anything higher than 4 pCi/L, is dangerous according to the EPA.

Make sure to test your home even if you suspect there aren’t high levels of radon in your home. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

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Travel/Food

The best places to travel for spring break

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By: Ella Sutherland and Lauren Kottke

Spring break is coming up fast and it’s hard to choose where to go. There are many great options with great adventures. Here are some of the most popular places people go!

Maui

Maui is the big island of Hawaii and where most tourists go. Although it’s a long flight there, it’s worth it. There is beautiful sight seeing, warm weather, culture, and great food.

The Road to Hana is a popular activity for tourists to do. It takes about 8 hours to complete the road trip through the jungle and desert. It’s great bonding time for the family. There are also many waterfalls you can stop and swim in on the Road to Hana.

Another activity that many tourists do are luau’s. They teach the tourists about Hawaiian culture while also entertaining the guests. The dress code for these events is normally a Hawaiian dress or shirt and sandals. First, when you arrive they give you leis. Traditionally they serve a Hawaiian dinner and talk about the history of Hawaii. And after dinner, they do a show with dancers and fire.

The last activity is snorkeling. Hawaii has some of the best snorkeling in the world. You can see whales, turtles, and all kinds of fish!

Florida

Another very popular place to travel for spring break is Florida. There are so many options that offer different activities.

Fort Myers offers wonderful golf courses at the fort Myers’s country club and at the Eastwood golf course.

Another great activity in Fort Myers is a western Everglades tour. On the boat tour you see alligators and turtles. It’s a great way to see and learn about Florida’s ecosystem!

Another popular activity in Fort Myers is a copacetic day sail. They take you on a sail ride through the crystal blue water where you can see dolphins, turtles and varieties of fish.

Colorado

Colorado is a popular vacation spot during the winter, but also can be in the spring. A fun activity is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The zoo is around a mountain so there are great views and animals. Their most popular attraction is their giraffe feeding.

To see some cool historical artifacts, visit the National Museum of World War II. They keep World War II planes intact and preserve them. Along with the awesome planes, there are guided tours. The tour guides know so many interesting facts to keep you interested throughout the tour.

If you want to get outside in nature, visit the Red Rock Canyon. They have beautiful hiking trails that never disappoint!

Costa Rica

A great attraction in Costa Rica is the waterfalls. La Fortuna waterfall is a hike that meets a waterfall. The hike is a bit long, but the views are worth it. You can also jump in the water for a swim!

Another beautiful place in Costa Rica is Playa Manuel Antonio beach. It’s part of a national park and they offer guided tours. Once you get to the beach there is crystal clear water with great swimming. By the town there are also restaurants to stop in and grab a bite.

The last activity for Costa Rica is Neo Fauna CR. It’s led by a group of passionate workers who help endangered species. They offer tours where you can learn all about the animals and scenery. The most popular animal people see there are the monkeys.

All of these vacation spots offer so many great views, attractions, and culture. No matter where you end up going, we hope this article offers some new information.