All posts by HPSH Plaid Line

Advice/How To

The Pomodoro technique

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By: Joxery Mezen Camacho

The Pomodoro technique is a time management technique created by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980’s. It is still used by many today. 

The main idea is that you make a list of what you need/want to get done that day and then set a timer for 25 minutes. In those 25 minutes, you work on the first task at hand without any distractions. After time is up, you take a 4-5 minute break and then do it all over again. Doing this once is called a “pomodoro”. After 4 pomodoros, you take a longer 15-30 minute break. 

This technique is nice because of its multiple breaks. After the break, you start the timer again, hopefully feeling refreshed and ready to begin working again. 

Another variation of this technique is to set a timer for an hour and take a 30 minute break. I personally prefer using this method because I get to watch an episode on Netflix, do a quick workout, or small meditation session, in comparison to the 5 minute break where all I do is eat a quick snack or get up and stretch. 

This variation also seems to be good because in a recent study at the University of California, they found that it takes most people about 23 minutes and 15 seconds to focus after a distraction not related to their work. Therefore, the hour gives you more time to work in a focused manner compared to the 25 minutes. 

Using the Pomodoro technique has helped change my perspective and feelings towards work. I no longer dread doing my homework or studying as much as I once did. It’s also nice because I get to look forward to doing what I want during those breaks, and feel more motivated to turn back to my work after the break is over. 

Both variations of the technique are effective and beneficial to many people, so trying both and seeing which one works best for you is key. You could also try and make your own variation depending on what your day looks like!

For more information, please visit: 

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘The Last Man On Earth’ review

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By: Bijou Kruszka

Phil “Tandy” Miller is the last man on Earth. The year is 2020, and he has found himself alone due to a global pandemic. Yeah, you read that right. This 2015 comedy series somehow predicted COVID-19, and it’s one of the best shows to watch while quarantining.

Let’s start with the characters. Tandy, played by Will Forte, is the main character. The pilot follows him in his post-apocalyptic life. He spray-paints billboards across America, saying that he is alive in Tucson, Arizona. He talks to sports balls with faces on them, after watching Tom Hanks in ‘Castaway’.

He is in peak despair when he finds Carol Pilbasian, played by Kristen Schall, the believed last woman on Earth, and my favorite character.

As the series goes on, the cast expands, all with their own interesting personalities and arcs. One of my favorite running jokes in the show is that a celebrity comedian will be introduced, only to get killed off halfway through their first line.

The show is hilarious, but also still dark. Of course, the central cast are the last people on Earth, and they have to deal with all sorts of consequences because of it. They are forced to flee from their homes because of nuclear meltdowns, there are hardly any animals left, and they have to deal with trying to repopulate the planet, and that barely scratches the surface. The series does a great job balancing the seriousness of living in a post-apocalyptic world though and the humor of being a sitcom, which many other shows struggle to do.

Later on, we meet Pamela, played by Kristen Wiig. Pamela is special because her first episode features none of the central cast, just her, in a prologue before the virus killed everyone.

In “Got Milk?”, the 10th episode, of the 3rd season, we follow life as the pandemic spreads, and the parallels to COVID-19 will make you wonder how much of the writing staff had the ability to see the future. People everywhere are seen wearing masks. Pamela goes grocery shopping in a homemade hazmat suit, and all the aisles have been heavily picked over. She keeps saying over time that the vaccines are going to come any day now. This episode is almost unsettling to watch, considering it aired in 2017.

Of course, no show is without its flaws. The first season is incredibly rough, as they are trying to introduce all the characters, but over a span of an entire season. Plus, Tandy is completely unlikeable until the second season. He’s a self-centered, rude person who can’t stop lying, which is one of my least favorite tropes. But as the seasons go on, he becomes funny, he cares for people, and sure, he still lies for plot reasons from time to time, but it’s more justified.

In 2018, the season 4 finale aired, ending with a huge cliffhanger that I won’t spoil here. Unfortunately, after that, NBC cancelled the show, letting fans suffer on the unresolved plotline forever. I do hope that the show gets picked up again, and that it will get a good ending.

My final rating for ‘The Last Man On Earth’ is an 8/10.

Clubs and Activities, School Life

What’s happening with HPSH theatre?

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By: McKenna Nutter

Highland Park Senior High School definitely has its fair share of extracurricular activities. A wide range of sports for every season, awareness clubs, creativity outlets, and so many more. My personal involvement lies with the Highland Park Theatre Club. Each club and team all have their own sense of community, and theatre is no different.

The challenges that the year of 2020 has thrown at us all were hard to overcome, but we’ve been able to adapt for the safety of everyone. Unfortunately, these adaptations have left almost all of us stuck at home, and many after school activities have made plans for the rest of this year.

This last fall, Highland Theatre put together a number of student directed virtual shows. Auditions, rehearsals, meetings and tech was all done over Google Meet. The talented actors faced the challenges of portraying movement, emotion and a storyline all from the comfort of their own homes.

Each of the shows were all recorded, and are now almost all posted on the Highland Park Theatre YouTube channel at: HP Theatre. On the channel, you will find ‘The Curious Art of Critique’, ‘Please Have a Seat’, ‘The Maltese Falcon’, ‘Words, Words, Words’, and ‘Heritage’. 

As fall turned into winter, HPSH Theatre was ready to start their next set of productions and everyone prepared for the upcoming recordings:

  • ‘Twelfth Night’ directed by Nancy Michael
  • ‘4 A.M.’ directed by Soren Chirhart
  • ‘Murder in the Knife Room’ directed by Briana Heidkamp
  • ‘I Said Run’ directed by Rachel Dickinson
  • ‘The Virtual Support Group from Hell’ directed by Colin Ward
  • ‘The Discussion’ written by Anne Douma and directed by Anne Douma and Na’Riyah Johnson

With the opportunity for in-person learning starting April 14th, HPSH Theatre is hopeful to have a socially distanced live audience for a production of last year’s planned performance of the musical ‘Matilda,’ by Ronald Dahl. With fingers crossed, we are waiting to hear if a live audience will be approved in order to continue with plans for this fun musical.

Auditions for the musical should hopefully be taking place as early as the week of March 16th. Unfortunately, a live audience is required because of restrictions on recording this specific production. It is unknown what will take place if a live audience is unachievable, but we are hopeful we will not have to change plans. 

With new planned safety measures beyond the ones already being put in place, theatre is also planning to make use of outdoor areas, masks at all times, and being socially distanced both on and off stage. We are also being mindful of the spread through germs on objects, so cleaning and sanitizing will become a regular occurence.

National

​The crazy weather In Texas

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​By: Charles Fragrassi

Around two weeks ago, the whole entire United States was hit with a pretty crazy snow storm, which sent a majority of Southern states into single digit temperatures. Texas, which as we know, is a historically warm state, was sent into shock during this snowstorm.

Texas is normally a warm state, so this means its houses and buildings don’t have as much insulation as the colder states do, and this led to floods, power outages and residents who could not rely on their home for a heat source. People have even slept in parking garages with their cars running all night just to be able to stay warm.

This storm did a lot more than some minor home inconveniences though. There have been about 35 cold weather related deaths in Texas alone from this storm.

Texas also had 400,000 COVID vaccines scheduled to be delivered, but those had to be halted until the weather was more permissible.

As for the amount of snow they actually got, it varied from half an inch all the way to 10 inches. That may not seem like a lot, because of the fact that we live in Minnesota, but for a state that rarely ever gets into below freezing temperatures, that can be a pretty big deal.

There were also over 100 car crashes, due to slippery roads, in San Antonio alone, along with frozen pipes and frozen water treatment plants leaving many Texans without clean water.

Luckily, this past week, things have started to take a turn for the better, because the temperatures are starting to warm up not only in Texas, but nationwide, so hopefully, for the sake of Texas, we have no more winter storms the rest of the year.

For more information, please visit:

  • “What’s Going On in Texas?” ​slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/02/texas-snow-cold-blackouts-why.html
  • “Deadly Winter Storm Strikes the U.S. What’s Going on?” ​www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2021/2/16/22285356/deadly-winter-storm-texas-northeast-forecast- what-happened
National

How the Joe Biden administration plans to handle the climate crisis

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By: Hayat Osman

Climate change is known as long-term change in weather patterns having a huge range of effects on the Earth’s surface temperature. Since the early 20th Century, changes in the Earth’s climate have been recorded by scientists and have been found to be dangerously increasing.

What researchers found was that certain human activities are leading to irregular temperatures.  NASA points out that fossil fuel burning, which increases the heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, is a main source.

As the effects of climate change continue to worsen, scientists urge our world leaders to take action against climate change. In 2015, under the Obama administration, the U.S. along with 190 other countries formally entered the Paris Agreement Treaty. The goal of the agreement would have reduced the greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% by 2025.

Although Obama signed an executive order confirming the U.S. entering the Paris Agreement, he didn’t submit it for Congressional approval. Later, this allowed the Trump administration to have the U.S. retract the commitment to the treaty.

Now, the U.S. is under a new president: Joe Biden. He has promised to take action against climate change before the effects are irreversible to our planet.

According to President Biden’s website, Biden’s agenda on climate change is to ensure the U.S. achieves net-zero emissions no later than 2050, with the first targets at the end of Biden’s first term in 2025. The Biden administration will take action against fossil fuel companies and other polluters who profit over the harm of our environment and endanger our communities. Biden wants to ensure the safety of communities across the U.S. like Flint Michigan. The Biden climate and environmental justice proposal will make a federal investment of $1.7 trillion over the next decade. The goals of the proposal include clean energy and climate innovation research, as well as clean infrastructure and communities.

Biden also promises to recommit the U.S. to the Paris Agreement, and rally allies to meet the threat of climate change.

For more information, please visit:

Advice/How To

Suicidal signs and preventions

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By: Reagan Welch

Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teenagers. Suicide does not have only one cause. It can be because of things like substance abuse, alcohol, or untreated depression; all lead to a higher risk of suicide.

There are warning signs to suicide that can help you keep your friends safe, and warn you if they are a danger to themselves. According SAVE.org some of the most common warnings are;

  • Talking about dying or killing themselves
  • Coming up with scenarios about how they would do it
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose in life
  • Talking about feeling trapped or being in a lot of pain (mentally)
  • Feeling as if they are a burden
  • Increasing their intake of drugs or alcohol
  • Extra anxious, agitated, or reckless
  • Not getting enough sleep or sleeping way to much
  • Withdrawn from themselves and reality
  • Feeling isolated or isolating themselves from others
  • Showing more rage than normal, wanting revenge on certain people
  • Extreme mood swings

The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize these signs and understand how to respond to them. If you spot any of the signs listed above in your friends or family, try and recommend other alternatives, show that you care, and if you think necessary, get them professional help.

According to Helpguide.org, 2 tips for prevention are:

  1. Do not hesitate to speak up if you are worried
  2. Respond quickly in the crisis and try your very best to evaluate the situation on its level of immediate danger

If you, or someone you know is thinking of committing suicide, please call 1-800-273-8255. It is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, to help you when in crisis.

Science/Nature

Traveling at the speed of light 

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By: Grace Helmke

It’s something out of a sci-fi novel. The thought of being able to travel at 670,616,629 miles per hour seems impossible. But is it really? Traversing the cosmos at the speed of light may not be as fictional as we once thought. 

Understanding Einstein’s general theory of relativity

Einstein’s theory of general relativity is essential to this idea of traveling at the speed of light. He stated that gravity was a geometric distortion of spacetime which could not be predicted by Newton’s laws. Einstein defined spacetime as the dimension which time and space shared. It was the formation of a four dimensional continuum which was made up of space and time. It would look something like a piece of fabric. Each planet, star, or mass would make dips in it. Or, they would bend spacetime. 

Relativity in space travel

Scientists have since been looking into light speed travel using various methods. In several projects, spanning all the way from 1950-1980, researchers discussed using nuclear fusion to propel a spacecraft, however they decided it might be best not to launch a nuclear warhead into space. 

However, researchers have begun to follow in the footsteps of science fiction in an attempt to achieve light speed travel. Warp drive was a concept introduced on Star Trek, a television show from the 1960s about a space crew completing missions in the 23rd century. Warp drive essentially distorted the fabric of spacetime, allowing the crew to travel superluminally, or faster than the speed of light.

Einstein’s theories suggest that this is not a totally unheard of thought. In fact, it’s entirely possible. In 1994, a scientist named Miguel Alcubierre discovered what today is known as the Alcubierre Drive. Essentially, his theory was that it’s possible to bend space time in a way that contracts in front of you, and expands behind you, moving you in a forward motion. 

This field of study is still largely unexplored. However, there have been some discoveries in recent years that have significantly contributed to its advancement. Scientists working at LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) discovered naturally occurring gravitational waves. It confirmed Einstein’s predictions of relativity and proved that the basis for the warp drive exists in nature. 

There are some problems that come along with this form of travel. It requires negative energy. This is an issue because we have no physical evidence that negative energy is real. At this point in time, it only exists in the laws of physics, and in quantum theory, which states that it’s possible to borrow energy from a vacuum at another location. It’s like borrowing money from a bank.

Another issue is the sheer amount of energy needed. Scientists believe that the total energy required to travel via warp drive would be equivalent to the mass of Jupiter. That is simply not in our capacity at this point in time. The production of that amount of energy will only come from the furthering of science and technology; well into the future. It’s not impossible, it’s just not in line with our current abilities. 

Conclusion 

So, is it possible that humanity may one day travel at the speed of light? Most likely, yes. It is probable that we may one day travel at astonishing speeds. Although we do not currently have the capacity to create the amount of energy needed, scientists are working to change that. We will one day achieve a seemingly fictional feat. One that may change our society forever. 

For more information, please visit: 

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘Death Note’ recommendation 

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By: Mohamed Ahmed 

‘Death Note’. Have you heard of if?

No. All right then, this article is meant to see if you would like ‘Death Note’. 

‘Death Note’ is an anime/manga series that aired back in 2006. It was a very successful manga and had a live action based of the anime adaptation. 

The story of ‘Death Note’ revolves around a high school student named Light Yagami. He lives a decent life, his dad is a cop and makes enough to support him and his family. He was a genius and school was a breeze.

One day, when he looked out the window, he saw a book fall from the sky. That was when he discovered the Death Note.

I won’t explain the terms or conditions, but in the end, he makes a deal with a shinigami, otherwise known as a god of death in Japanese folklore. Know that shinigami are not the grim reaper or Satan. They’re are not pure evil or good either. 

Then he murders hundreds of criminals before catching the eye of L, the world’s best detective. L proceeds to narrow down the suspects of who Kira.(Light’s nickname) is.

The rest of the show is a mind game where Light has to find ways to prove that he is not Kira, and the extreme lengths he goes to hide that he is a mass murderer.

The characters in this show aren’t one dimensional and are based in reality. They have problems and other things going on in their life. They have issues, priorities, and they all come together to make the story realistic and feel like reality. For example, the police chief is shown to have other responsibilities along with his police work that focuses on Kira. His whole life, and story line, isn’t just connected to the Kira case.

The thing that makes ‘Death Note’ so intriguing is the moral dilemmas in the show. There are naive, sadistic, and morally ambiguous characters.

To what extent is it okay to go to catch a criminal? How much are you willing to sacrifice for the greater good?

Human nature, morality, and greed are major themes in ‘Death Note’. 

If you like mind games, thrillers and supernatural elements in your story, then just give ‘Death Note’ a chance.

COVID-19, Travel/Food

Holiday travels: 2020 vs. the past 

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By: McKenna Nutter

COVID-19 has had a large impact on many aspects of everyone’s life. As the holiday season has recently come to an end, many of us are able to look back on the differences between this year and the years past.

The difference, even in the media, was large. While most years we are encouraged to spend time and gather with our friends and family, this year was very different. We had been warned that it was risky to go see our families, and that we should make other arrangements, such as the highly suggested virtual gatherings.

Another major difference, this recent holiday season, was the restrictions and lack in travel. We all know that the airports are filled each year with millions of people flying out to see families, and the streets and highways are filled with cars packed for the road with people driving to see their loved ones. However, the year of 2020 has no doubt been different.

Each of the airlines and airports have had their own pandemic restrictions, and they all vary from one to another. In many states, there are mandates of their own. For example, in Maine, a visitor must self-quarantine for 14 days unless they have had a negative COVID test result within the last 72 hours. Every state has different regulations, and some have none at all but, no matter the state, over the holiday season, there has definitely been an increase in cases. 

Though there has been a major difference in holiday travel this year, the holidays have seemed to increase the travel. TSA data has shown that during a single week, right before the holidays, over 1 million people had been screened each day. This number may not sound too bad during a normal year, in fact it sounds pretty good, but in a year when we are encouraged to stay home and stay safe, this is a large number. 

As predicted, the surge in the number of cases, and the number of deaths, after the holidays was incredibly high. Of all the states in America, Arizona was definitely a hot spot, and Arizona is only one part of the 50 state nation. After the holiday fun was over, the U.S. was averaging more than 246,000 new cases per day! Not to mention the number of deaths was evened out between 3,000 and 4,000 per day. 

This surge in numbers was expected, and though the experts had continually encouraged us to stay home, the warnings may not have been completely ignored, but they went unfollowed by many. 

Hopefully, with the number of new vaccines going out, and the set-up of many vaccination sites, we will be able to pull this surge back into control.

Basketball

The Timberwolves’ coach change

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By: Alexandra Rimbu

The MN Timberwolves lost to the New York Knicks on Sunday, Feb 21, reaching a league-worst of 7-24 this season. This loss was ultimately what caused management to fire head coach Ryan Saunders, whose replacement, Chris Finch, was named shortly after on Monday.

Saunders’s association with the Timberwolves first began in 2019 when he took an assistant job and was later named interim coach after the firing of Tom Thibodeau. Next season, he took on the job permanently, and at age 33, he became the youngest head coach in the league.

The Timberwolves went 43-94 under Saunders, in a little less than two full seasons. They finished with the third-worst record in the league last season and had the worst record so far before his firing.

CBS Sports claimed that Saunders was stuck in “an impossible situation” on some level. They went on to state there was almost “total roster upheaval during his tenure” and that more games were “lost to injury” than you could have counted. And, of course, the absence of star player Karl-Anthony Towns from a majority of the games did not help the situation.

However, with results like that, the coaching change came as no surprise. Finch was a frontrunner for numerous jobs this offseason, and Rosas, the Timberwolves president, said “Chris brings a wealth of basketball experience from his time in the NBA, G League and Internationally. He is one of the most creative basketball minds in the NBA, has success maximizing players, and I am excited to see him bring our team to the next level and beyond.”

The future looks promising for the Timberwolves, and we’ll have to see if Finch lives up to everybody’s expectations.

Editor’s Note: Since this writing, the Timberwolves have yet to get their 1st win under coach Finch.