2012/2013 Column & Review Archive
Under the desk
By: Mckenzie Messer
Summer is the time when you have all the time in the world, but what do you do with it? Some people sleep in, some watch full day movie marathons, and some enjoy reading. The problem is that people don’t know what to read, so instead they spend all their time on the computer. Well, lucky you! Here’s a list of books that you can look into this summer!
If you’re into bawling over fictional charcaters, read “Kira, Kira” by Cynthia Kadohata. It’s about a poor Japanese family with two young daughters during the 1940s. The older daughter gets very ill and the family gets poorer and poorer. I honestly haven’t read this book since the fifth grade, but it stuck in my mind for five years because it was so fabulous. I highly recommend this book.
If you’re a parent that wants your child to read, or you are a teen who wants something easy to read, read “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. It’s about a boy who was born with many problems that caused him to have a severe face deformity. The book is told by many people’s point of view and switches between sections. It really makes you open your eyes and think about how others are affected by how you act and speak.
Two books that are really neat to read are “What My Mother Doesn’t Know” and “What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know”, both by Sonya Sones. If you read these, make sure to read the one mother one first because the second is kind of like a follow up. They’re both set up like a free verse poetry so it’s a unique twist on a novel. The first is told by the girl’s point of view, whereas the second is told by her boyfriend’s point of view.
One of my favorite human beings is without a doubt John Green, who just so happens to be an author. He’s written three books, and co-written two. “Looking For Alaska” by Green is one of his most popular books. It’s about a gawky, leggy dude that goes to a school in the sweatiest place in Alabama. He meets some extraordinary people there, particularly a girl who changes his life and screws with his mind. Warning, you will also cry during this one. If you really want to read a book that will have you lying naked on the bathroom floor sobbing and whimpering, read “The Fault In Our Stars”, also by Green. But don’t read that. Trust me, do not even touch it. You will die on the inside.
Everybody loves J.K. Rowling, right? If you don’t, I’m reporting you to the police. While the Harry Potter books were AMAAAAAAZING, she has recently published another book called “Casual Vacancy”. In this book, the Parish Councilor dies so a seat on the council is vacant and everyone is fighting for the spot. This fight shines light on things like class, drugs, and even rape. This is told by seven different people, so make sure you are keeping track of who’s who. This is an adult book, so if you’re younger or more sensitive toward sexual content, I wouldn’t recommend this book for you.
A funny, witty books that shows that not every girl has to be a size 00 is “This Book Isn’t Fat, It’s Fabulous” by Nina Beck. Riley Swan is a fashionista diva who doesn’t let her weight get in front of her goals because she knows her fabulousness. However, when her parents send her to fat camp, she has some soul-searching to do.
A short, creepy story that I sickly enjoyed was “The Cask of Amontillado” by the always deranged Edgar Allen Poe. I read this for class and I sat there in eerie happiness while everyone else stared at Mrs. Garee for making us read it. If you enjoy a creepy, back-stabbing story that doesn’t take long to read, I’d definitely recommend you to read this book.
Another short story by Edgar Allan Poe is “The Masque of the Red Death”. I showed quite a bit of interest in this one personally because I’m interested in class differences in history. It’s about a mysterious masked man who walks room from room and people die. It resembles how the higher classes would try to keep the lower class out, but death waits for no one.
If you’re into novels that are easy to get through, I’d read “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” by E. Lockhart. The book is told by a third person point of view and tells the story of a girl who changed a lot over the summer of her freshman year and comes back as a…physically gifted individual. She starts dating the guy of her dreams, but as a strong-willed human being, she hates being lied to and being thought of as a weaker mind. It is kind of teenagey and cliché, but I still liked it.
A book series I read when I was about 12 was the Internet Girl Series by Lauren Myracle. The book series consists of “TTYL”, TTFN”, and “L8 G8” and the story is like a script of three best friends’ instant messages. Their friendships do through hardship and adventures. It’s pretty cheesey, so if you want books you can relate to and you’re around the ages of 14-16, I’d recommend this series for you.
Another very teenager book series is the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. It’s about a teenage girl spy who goes to a top-secret genius spy school. She has multiple close-death experiences while trying to figure out how to live a normal teenage life. I’ve only read the first three, so the rest is for you to find out.
A series I fell in love with between the summer of fifth and sixth grade was the Magic In Manhatten series by Sarah Mlynowski. The series consists of “Bras & Broomsticks”, “Spells & Sleeping Bags”, and “Frogs & French Kisses”, and “Parties & Potions”. It was about a teenage girl who found out she was a witch and her whole high school experience changed. She goes to school, summer camp, and school dates trying to act normal when in reality she has a secret that nobody can find out or she’d be considered a freak. I’d recommend you to read this book if you’re a young teenager or if you want a cute, easy book series to read.
If you didn’t like any of these books, I encourage you to go to a book store or a library and ask a librarian or search by your own. Whatever you enjoy to read, pick up a book and have fun!
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: Megan Hatfield. Photo Caption: Chillin’ under the desk
Summer is the time when you have all the time in the world, but what do you do with it? Some people sleep in, some watch full day movie marathons, and some enjoy reading. The problem is that people don’t know what to read, so instead they spend all their time on the computer. Well, lucky you! Here’s a list of books that you can look into this summer!
If you’re into bawling over fictional charcaters, read “Kira, Kira” by Cynthia Kadohata. It’s about a poor Japanese family with two young daughters during the 1940s. The older daughter gets very ill and the family gets poorer and poorer. I honestly haven’t read this book since the fifth grade, but it stuck in my mind for five years because it was so fabulous. I highly recommend this book.
If you’re a parent that wants your child to read, or you are a teen who wants something easy to read, read “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. It’s about a boy who was born with many problems that caused him to have a severe face deformity. The book is told by many people’s point of view and switches between sections. It really makes you open your eyes and think about how others are affected by how you act and speak.
Two books that are really neat to read are “What My Mother Doesn’t Know” and “What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know”, both by Sonya Sones. If you read these, make sure to read the one mother one first because the second is kind of like a follow up. They’re both set up like a free verse poetry so it’s a unique twist on a novel. The first is told by the girl’s point of view, whereas the second is told by her boyfriend’s point of view.
One of my favorite human beings is without a doubt John Green, who just so happens to be an author. He’s written three books, and co-written two. “Looking For Alaska” by Green is one of his most popular books. It’s about a gawky, leggy dude that goes to a school in the sweatiest place in Alabama. He meets some extraordinary people there, particularly a girl who changes his life and screws with his mind. Warning, you will also cry during this one. If you really want to read a book that will have you lying naked on the bathroom floor sobbing and whimpering, read “The Fault In Our Stars”, also by Green. But don’t read that. Trust me, do not even touch it. You will die on the inside.
Everybody loves J.K. Rowling, right? If you don’t, I’m reporting you to the police. While the Harry Potter books were AMAAAAAAZING, she has recently published another book called “Casual Vacancy”. In this book, the Parish Councilor dies so a seat on the council is vacant and everyone is fighting for the spot. This fight shines light on things like class, drugs, and even rape. This is told by seven different people, so make sure you are keeping track of who’s who. This is an adult book, so if you’re younger or more sensitive toward sexual content, I wouldn’t recommend this book for you.
A funny, witty books that shows that not every girl has to be a size 00 is “This Book Isn’t Fat, It’s Fabulous” by Nina Beck. Riley Swan is a fashionista diva who doesn’t let her weight get in front of her goals because she knows her fabulousness. However, when her parents send her to fat camp, she has some soul-searching to do.
A short, creepy story that I sickly enjoyed was “The Cask of Amontillado” by the always deranged Edgar Allen Poe. I read this for class and I sat there in eerie happiness while everyone else stared at Mrs. Garee for making us read it. If you enjoy a creepy, back-stabbing story that doesn’t take long to read, I’d definitely recommend you to read this book.
Another short story by Edgar Allan Poe is “The Masque of the Red Death”. I showed quite a bit of interest in this one personally because I’m interested in class differences in history. It’s about a mysterious masked man who walks room from room and people die. It resembles how the higher classes would try to keep the lower class out, but death waits for no one.
If you’re into novels that are easy to get through, I’d read “The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks” by E. Lockhart. The book is told by a third person point of view and tells the story of a girl who changed a lot over the summer of her freshman year and comes back as a…physically gifted individual. She starts dating the guy of her dreams, but as a strong-willed human being, she hates being lied to and being thought of as a weaker mind. It is kind of teenagey and cliché, but I still liked it.
A book series I read when I was about 12 was the Internet Girl Series by Lauren Myracle. The book series consists of “TTYL”, TTFN”, and “L8 G8” and the story is like a script of three best friends’ instant messages. Their friendships do through hardship and adventures. It’s pretty cheesey, so if you want books you can relate to and you’re around the ages of 14-16, I’d recommend this series for you.
Another very teenager book series is the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. It’s about a teenage girl spy who goes to a top-secret genius spy school. She has multiple close-death experiences while trying to figure out how to live a normal teenage life. I’ve only read the first three, so the rest is for you to find out.
A series I fell in love with between the summer of fifth and sixth grade was the Magic In Manhatten series by Sarah Mlynowski. The series consists of “Bras & Broomsticks”, “Spells & Sleeping Bags”, and “Frogs & French Kisses”, and “Parties & Potions”. It was about a teenage girl who found out she was a witch and her whole high school experience changed. She goes to school, summer camp, and school dates trying to act normal when in reality she has a secret that nobody can find out or she’d be considered a freak. I’d recommend you to read this book if you’re a young teenager or if you want a cute, easy book series to read.
If you didn’t like any of these books, I encourage you to go to a book store or a library and ask a librarian or search by your own. Whatever you enjoy to read, pick up a book and have fun!
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: Megan Hatfield. Photo Caption: Chillin’ under the desk
Everyday I'm hosslin':
Internet trends
NORTHRIDGE- Over the past few years the people of our generation have become almost dependent on the internet, especially on internet trends.
We have had to experience many different viral videos over the years that branched out and versions were being made by anybody and everybody. The first internet sensation I will talk about is “Hardcore Parkour”-Daniel Tosh. These videos started out as professionals showing off their talents by jumping over and around things, and looking basically like ninjas. Then of course the common man had to try. The video trend turned into a bunch of people jumping around a certain place like a store, or classroom for roughly thirty seconds, and then casually going about their day. If you are interested in people getting hurt and looking stupid look up “hardcore Parkour."
Earlier this year we were introduced to a new level of people looking stupid with the Harlem Shake. This rap song was not very popular until the videos started coming out. They all start off with a bunch of people minding their own business and one person in the room casually dancing. Then when the beat drops the entire room goes crazy with people doing random things. The most popular thing to have in a video is a person in a chicken suit and of course you have to have at least one guy using the famous pelvic thrust.
The last video I will talk about is the infamous gallon smashing. I don’t work in a grocery store, but if I did I would hate these people with a passion. Every video starts off with a “good Samaritan” carrying two gallon jugs, usually of milk. They then proceed to pretend to trip and smash the gallon containers on the ground which spills them everywhere. Lately the trend is stopping because of stores beginning to press charges. Our generation is known for creativity but also for plain stupidity. This makes me wonder what the next video trend will be.
Zach Hossler is a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
We have had to experience many different viral videos over the years that branched out and versions were being made by anybody and everybody. The first internet sensation I will talk about is “Hardcore Parkour”-Daniel Tosh. These videos started out as professionals showing off their talents by jumping over and around things, and looking basically like ninjas. Then of course the common man had to try. The video trend turned into a bunch of people jumping around a certain place like a store, or classroom for roughly thirty seconds, and then casually going about their day. If you are interested in people getting hurt and looking stupid look up “hardcore Parkour."
Earlier this year we were introduced to a new level of people looking stupid with the Harlem Shake. This rap song was not very popular until the videos started coming out. They all start off with a bunch of people minding their own business and one person in the room casually dancing. Then when the beat drops the entire room goes crazy with people doing random things. The most popular thing to have in a video is a person in a chicken suit and of course you have to have at least one guy using the famous pelvic thrust.
The last video I will talk about is the infamous gallon smashing. I don’t work in a grocery store, but if I did I would hate these people with a passion. Every video starts off with a “good Samaritan” carrying two gallon jugs, usually of milk. They then proceed to pretend to trip and smash the gallon containers on the ground which spills them everywhere. Lately the trend is stopping because of stores beginning to press charges. Our generation is known for creativity but also for plain stupidity. This makes me wonder what the next video trend will be.
Zach Hossler is a staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Nails, nails, nails
By: Adreona Perkowski
Nails, nails, nails!
Girls across America have been sweeping the Internet with pictures of their gorgeous nails. For instance, on Instagram, there are many nail accounts with nail care tips, designs, and tutorials to create a fabulous look for your nails.
One popular look is the galaxy nails. Typically, you start off with a black coat of polish and then apply glitter to make it look like stars in the sky. Also, there are tie-dye nails. For these, you simply put on a white coat, and then apply a few small drops of the colors you want to mix; finally you mix them together with a toothpick. If you don’t fully understand, or just want to see for yourself, try following any of these Instagram accounts: @hairnailfashion @nails_make_us @cuute_nailss or just simply hash tag the word “nails” to find cute and easy designs!
I know many people want to go the fanciest and most elite nail salons in licking county, but honestly the Regal Nails salon in the Walmart on 21st Street in Newark is seriously one of the best. Not only do they take their time to make sure they do a great job, but I’ve never had any problems with them. If you’re wanting a French tip style they could air brush the white on, but they also impressively hand paint your tips if you’d like. If white tips aren’t your thing they offer glitter tips too which are very pretty. It doesn’t stop there, though! They have plenty of air brush designs and painted on designs too.
Nails are sweeping the nation at a fast pace and the designs are so cute!
Adreona Perkowski (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: sheknows.com
Nails, nails, nails!
Girls across America have been sweeping the Internet with pictures of their gorgeous nails. For instance, on Instagram, there are many nail accounts with nail care tips, designs, and tutorials to create a fabulous look for your nails.
One popular look is the galaxy nails. Typically, you start off with a black coat of polish and then apply glitter to make it look like stars in the sky. Also, there are tie-dye nails. For these, you simply put on a white coat, and then apply a few small drops of the colors you want to mix; finally you mix them together with a toothpick. If you don’t fully understand, or just want to see for yourself, try following any of these Instagram accounts: @hairnailfashion @nails_make_us @cuute_nailss or just simply hash tag the word “nails” to find cute and easy designs!
I know many people want to go the fanciest and most elite nail salons in licking county, but honestly the Regal Nails salon in the Walmart on 21st Street in Newark is seriously one of the best. Not only do they take their time to make sure they do a great job, but I’ve never had any problems with them. If you’re wanting a French tip style they could air brush the white on, but they also impressively hand paint your tips if you’d like. If white tips aren’t your thing they offer glitter tips too which are very pretty. It doesn’t stop there, though! They have plenty of air brush designs and painted on designs too.
Nails are sweeping the nation at a fast pace and the designs are so cute!
Adreona Perkowski (’15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: sheknows.com
dating advice
from the girls:
I have a crush on Barack Obama, but I’m not sure if I have what it takes to be the first lady. How do I win his heart?
Obama is the president, so he may be hard to get to. Always appear patriotic, by wearing red, white, and blue. You can also write him letters or send him e-mails. I highly doubt he is that busy, so he will have time to read and reply to both of them. It may be hard to go out with him for multiple reasons. For one, he is married, which may lead to Obama only being your crush and nothing more. Secondly, he always has a few body guards around him. Okay, not a few; like he rides in a car and has to sit with body guards in his car. It may also be hard for you to ever go over to his house, because, well, it’s the White House. Sorry girl, but this is one man you may have to give up on. He’s just off limits.
I met my boyfriend over the internet. He lives in Texas, while I am in Ohio. We have never met, but we are so in love. Will this relationship work out?
Let me guess you spend your evening’s Skyping him and spending hours talking to him. You have never met this person before, so please tell me why you are isolating yourself in your bedroom and curling your hair to talk to someone from states away. This person could be anyone, ANYONE! Oh you have seen pictures of them? You have seen them on Skype? No. people are crafty and can make anything look real. I guess the best thing you could get out of your online relationship is to become a T.V star on MTV’s great new show Catfish. If you haven’t figured it out yet, your relationship is missing face to face communication. I don’t know though, I don’t date people unless I have met them, and know them pretty well.
Megan Hatfield and Gabrielle Evans are Staff Writers for the Viking Vault
Obama is the president, so he may be hard to get to. Always appear patriotic, by wearing red, white, and blue. You can also write him letters or send him e-mails. I highly doubt he is that busy, so he will have time to read and reply to both of them. It may be hard to go out with him for multiple reasons. For one, he is married, which may lead to Obama only being your crush and nothing more. Secondly, he always has a few body guards around him. Okay, not a few; like he rides in a car and has to sit with body guards in his car. It may also be hard for you to ever go over to his house, because, well, it’s the White House. Sorry girl, but this is one man you may have to give up on. He’s just off limits.
I met my boyfriend over the internet. He lives in Texas, while I am in Ohio. We have never met, but we are so in love. Will this relationship work out?
Let me guess you spend your evening’s Skyping him and spending hours talking to him. You have never met this person before, so please tell me why you are isolating yourself in your bedroom and curling your hair to talk to someone from states away. This person could be anyone, ANYONE! Oh you have seen pictures of them? You have seen them on Skype? No. people are crafty and can make anything look real. I guess the best thing you could get out of your online relationship is to become a T.V star on MTV’s great new show Catfish. If you haven’t figured it out yet, your relationship is missing face to face communication. I don’t know though, I don’t date people unless I have met them, and know them pretty well.
Megan Hatfield and Gabrielle Evans are Staff Writers for the Viking Vault
what if...
What if we had summer all the time? There would be no school, just summer. All the times whenever you what you could do whatever you want. Sleeping in and staying up late is great but Mallory Petrella (’15) has a different look on it.
Petrella said “if it was summer all the time and we never went to school we would all become dumb. Nobody would ever know anything and we’d all become clueless.” She went on to say that not having homework or tests to study for would be nice though. She adds “I think I could get used to it if it really did happen.” She also said that if summer was every day and we didn’t see everyone all the time that we would never know the stuff going on with each other like we do when we are in school.”
Shanlee Lamp was very for having summer all the time! She said “having summer all yeah would be the best; we could have fun all the time instead of worrying about school”. She also added “it’s not like we would have to stress about test and studying all the time.”
Instead of just a short three months of summer, having it twelve months, all year round would be awesome. It would be better than just the three months. Three months is just a little tease. It’s like you get out and the next thing you know you go back. Having nice weather, seeing friends and family and having that freedom of doing whatever you wanted would be better than anything else!
Petrella said “if it was summer all the time and we never went to school we would all become dumb. Nobody would ever know anything and we’d all become clueless.” She went on to say that not having homework or tests to study for would be nice though. She adds “I think I could get used to it if it really did happen.” She also said that if summer was every day and we didn’t see everyone all the time that we would never know the stuff going on with each other like we do when we are in school.”
Shanlee Lamp was very for having summer all the time! She said “having summer all yeah would be the best; we could have fun all the time instead of worrying about school”. She also added “it’s not like we would have to stress about test and studying all the time.”
Instead of just a short three months of summer, having it twelve months, all year round would be awesome. It would be better than just the three months. Three months is just a little tease. It’s like you get out and the next thing you know you go back. Having nice weather, seeing friends and family and having that freedom of doing whatever you wanted would be better than anything else!
AQUATIC SAFETY TIPS
FROM THAT GUY WITH THE WHISTLE
By: Mat Scott
With summer coming up, many people are probably thinking about going to beaches, pools, or lakes to swim or sunbathe. While this is all well and good, there are some things that people should do and not do.
First off, you know those guys on the towers with the whistles and red tubes that say “GUARD”? You should probably listen to them. They're there for your safety, and they enforce the rules of the facility as they see fit. So don't just blow them off because you don't feel like listening. They have the authority to throw you out.
Several facilities have rescue equipment laying either hanging from walls or columns, or on the back of lifeguard chairs. It's best to leave this where it is so that in the event of an emergency, response personnel can find it when they need to. If they can't find it, response may not be as effective as it must be.
Facilities have rules that are generally posted at the entrance. These rules are made for your safety, so it's best to follow them, even if you think that they may be stupid. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor. These rules should be enforced by the lifeguards and staff, not by patrons.
While many different facilities use different whistle tones for different things, it is important to know the emergency tone for the facility that you're attending. Common emergency tones include three blasts, one long blast, or two long blasts. If you hear these tones, immediately look to the lifeguard for further instruction. If the guard has to jump in the water, it is a good idea to get out of their way or clear the pool entirely. Generally, if this is needed, a second guard will whistle and yell to clear out. Make sure you are never swimming or hanging on the wall below or around lifeguard stands, as a guard needs to enter quickly in the event of an emergency, and they cannot do that if you are hanging out where they need to jump.
Slides and inflatables pose a different kind of hazard. These are fun to play on, but there are a whole different group of rules that need to be followed in order to keep from having problems. Follow the directions of the slide or inflatable manager. They will give some instructions that may help out. If it's a large inflatable, be mindful of breaks or joints where feet or ankles may become entrapped. If you fall off, don't try to climb back on; make your way to the end of the course. At the end of a slide, get out of the catch pool as soon as possible.
Whatever you are at the waterfront for, it's always a good idea to listen to the lifeguards when you're there. Remember, they are there to keep you safe. If they tell you to do something (or to stop doing something), you should do what they tell you.
Mat Scott ('15) is an editor for The Viking Vault as well as a lifeguard.
With summer coming up, many people are probably thinking about going to beaches, pools, or lakes to swim or sunbathe. While this is all well and good, there are some things that people should do and not do.
First off, you know those guys on the towers with the whistles and red tubes that say “GUARD”? You should probably listen to them. They're there for your safety, and they enforce the rules of the facility as they see fit. So don't just blow them off because you don't feel like listening. They have the authority to throw you out.
Several facilities have rescue equipment laying either hanging from walls or columns, or on the back of lifeguard chairs. It's best to leave this where it is so that in the event of an emergency, response personnel can find it when they need to. If they can't find it, response may not be as effective as it must be.
Facilities have rules that are generally posted at the entrance. These rules are made for your safety, so it's best to follow them, even if you think that they may be stupid. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor. These rules should be enforced by the lifeguards and staff, not by patrons.
While many different facilities use different whistle tones for different things, it is important to know the emergency tone for the facility that you're attending. Common emergency tones include three blasts, one long blast, or two long blasts. If you hear these tones, immediately look to the lifeguard for further instruction. If the guard has to jump in the water, it is a good idea to get out of their way or clear the pool entirely. Generally, if this is needed, a second guard will whistle and yell to clear out. Make sure you are never swimming or hanging on the wall below or around lifeguard stands, as a guard needs to enter quickly in the event of an emergency, and they cannot do that if you are hanging out where they need to jump.
Slides and inflatables pose a different kind of hazard. These are fun to play on, but there are a whole different group of rules that need to be followed in order to keep from having problems. Follow the directions of the slide or inflatable manager. They will give some instructions that may help out. If it's a large inflatable, be mindful of breaks or joints where feet or ankles may become entrapped. If you fall off, don't try to climb back on; make your way to the end of the course. At the end of a slide, get out of the catch pool as soon as possible.
Whatever you are at the waterfront for, it's always a good idea to listen to the lifeguards when you're there. Remember, they are there to keep you safe. If they tell you to do something (or to stop doing something), you should do what they tell you.
Mat Scott ('15) is an editor for The Viking Vault as well as a lifeguard.
review: Olympus has fallen
By: Matt Hebert
While serving as the President's (Aaron Eckhart) personal bodyguard, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) grew very close to the president’s family. During his time at the White House, the dedicated, Secret Service agent also learned every aspect of the building's layout.
Nevertheless, Banning was reassigned to a desk job after failing to rescue the president’s wife (Ashley Judd) before the president’s limo plunged off a bridge into an icy river on the way to a Christmas party. Although the accident wasn't his fault, he was left emotionally damaged over the decision that might have saved her life.
A year and a half later, we find Banning still feeling guilty despite being told from the Secret Service Director (Angela Banning) that there was nothing he could have done. However, he soon a shot at redemption when a swarm of North Korean terrorists attack the White House, taking the President and his Cabinet hostage.
With the President and Vice President (Phil Austin) abducted, the Speaker of the House (Morgan Freeman) must assume power the role as president. Meanwhile, the leader of the terrorists (Rick Yune) proceeds to torture his hostages, hoping to learn the codes controlling America's nuclear weapons.
The unfolding crisis is not lost on Banning, the disgraced agent springs into action and surreptitiously enters the White House armed only with a handgun and a walkie-talkie. He still takes on the advantage of fighting heavily-armed intruders. In the end Banning must defeat all the invaders and try to save the president and the United States.
Matthew Hébert (’15) is a staff reporter for the Viking Vault
While serving as the President's (Aaron Eckhart) personal bodyguard, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) grew very close to the president’s family. During his time at the White House, the dedicated, Secret Service agent also learned every aspect of the building's layout.
Nevertheless, Banning was reassigned to a desk job after failing to rescue the president’s wife (Ashley Judd) before the president’s limo plunged off a bridge into an icy river on the way to a Christmas party. Although the accident wasn't his fault, he was left emotionally damaged over the decision that might have saved her life.
A year and a half later, we find Banning still feeling guilty despite being told from the Secret Service Director (Angela Banning) that there was nothing he could have done. However, he soon a shot at redemption when a swarm of North Korean terrorists attack the White House, taking the President and his Cabinet hostage.
With the President and Vice President (Phil Austin) abducted, the Speaker of the House (Morgan Freeman) must assume power the role as president. Meanwhile, the leader of the terrorists (Rick Yune) proceeds to torture his hostages, hoping to learn the codes controlling America's nuclear weapons.
The unfolding crisis is not lost on Banning, the disgraced agent springs into action and surreptitiously enters the White House armed only with a handgun and a walkie-talkie. He still takes on the advantage of fighting heavily-armed intruders. In the end Banning must defeat all the invaders and try to save the president and the United States.
Matthew Hébert (’15) is a staff reporter for the Viking Vault
The guy with the whistle
By: Mat Scott
Frequently, I can be seen with a whistle around my neck. So Mrs. Garee suggested this, because she knows about my job as a soccer referee and my volunteer work as a lifeguard. So I carry a whistle while covering games. Anyone who's seen the many different kinds of whistles lying around my room may say that I've got some crazy obsession with whistles. I can even describe some of the different kinds of whistles I own, as well as recognize diffferent whistle types by the tone that they make. Garee said “You carry a metaphorical whistle with you during the day,” following which she pointed out the notice on the board, written by me. It’s really kind of sad that she’s kind of right. But there are always those who choose to ignore that sharp, high-pitched note that usually means “Knock it off!”
During a soccer game, the whistle is the supreme authority on the field. Nothing happens until the whistle is blown. No penalties or goals are given, no kick-offs taken, no subs allowed on until the ref blows the whistle. A basic list of whistle tones used by me as a referee include: one short chirp=start/stop play; two chirps=hold the ball/ball not in play; one long note=goal scored; three long notes=time is up; three short notes followed by one long: emergency requiring play to be stopped (i.e. lightning or injury). And I use my whistle. Any time I’m not sure if the players know what’s going on, that whistle is blown to make sure.
The issue comes when players like to argue with what I have called. They don’t always agree with me, or some of them just like to be uncooperative. For the most part, this isn’t a problem, but there are always those who need a card. I’ve never issued a caution for arguing, because the players are smart enough to answer “no” when I ask them if they’re arguing. On the off chance that they answer yes, they can get a cautionary card.
Parents and coaches also like to argue the whistle (or lack thereof) sometimes. They disagree with the call and think that I should have allowed the play on, or called it the other way. Some parents even try to get me to give a card. That's my decision, thank you. The biggest problem is when people don't understand the rules and try to question calls made. This gets to be a pain in the arse because I'm stuck trying to explain things in a too-small time frame, and usually they're so convinced that they're right that they don't listen to anyways. There are some parents (and players) who like to try and tell me how to do my job as well. I am the referee, I am paid to do this, and I can do my job without your help, thank you.
There was one coach I've dealt with, I won't say who or when, but s/he was not in the mood to listen to the referee. S/he came on the field without permission, sent subs on without permission, criticized every call, just was being a crazy arse. Another coach, again, no who or where, actually mooned the ref (I wasn't actually there for this, I heard about it from the ref who got mooned), jumping up on the bench and dropping trow.
People don't realize that I can still issue a card before the game starts and during time breaks. As soon as I show up at the field, I have the authority to take disciplinary actions as I see fit, and that includes ejecting a player before the game even starts or at quarter or half-time breaks. So if players are fighting on the bench, they can still be thrown out.
I've only had to pull one card for foul language, but that's one thing that there are no warnings on. If I hear it, it's a card. If it's an F-word, it's a red card. The whistle does not wait when someone is cursing on the field.
Refs also use their whistles to break up fights, another thing I’ve never had to do and hope to never have to do. Multiple loud, sharp notes blown close to the players’ ears are a great way to make sure that they break it up, and then the ref can pull a red card. Again, never had to use a red card, but the chance is always there.
On a slightly sadder note, a referee in Texas was recently killed while officiating a game. He was hit by a player, following which he went into a coma and died a few days later. The player was 17 years old, and the referee was only in his twenties. There are severe legal repercussions for even touching a referee, up to six years in jail, but killing one? That player just ruined his entire life because he got worked up over one call.
Whatever the whistle is being used for, it is always the final word. If a player hears my whistle, it’s a good idea for them to stop whatever they’re doing and listen to me.
*Note: There will be a piece mentioning lifeguarding later on as well.
Mat Scott ('15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault and that guy
with the whistle. Photo credit: Kyli Fleshman
Frequently, I can be seen with a whistle around my neck. So Mrs. Garee suggested this, because she knows about my job as a soccer referee and my volunteer work as a lifeguard. So I carry a whistle while covering games. Anyone who's seen the many different kinds of whistles lying around my room may say that I've got some crazy obsession with whistles. I can even describe some of the different kinds of whistles I own, as well as recognize diffferent whistle types by the tone that they make. Garee said “You carry a metaphorical whistle with you during the day,” following which she pointed out the notice on the board, written by me. It’s really kind of sad that she’s kind of right. But there are always those who choose to ignore that sharp, high-pitched note that usually means “Knock it off!”
During a soccer game, the whistle is the supreme authority on the field. Nothing happens until the whistle is blown. No penalties or goals are given, no kick-offs taken, no subs allowed on until the ref blows the whistle. A basic list of whistle tones used by me as a referee include: one short chirp=start/stop play; two chirps=hold the ball/ball not in play; one long note=goal scored; three long notes=time is up; three short notes followed by one long: emergency requiring play to be stopped (i.e. lightning or injury). And I use my whistle. Any time I’m not sure if the players know what’s going on, that whistle is blown to make sure.
The issue comes when players like to argue with what I have called. They don’t always agree with me, or some of them just like to be uncooperative. For the most part, this isn’t a problem, but there are always those who need a card. I’ve never issued a caution for arguing, because the players are smart enough to answer “no” when I ask them if they’re arguing. On the off chance that they answer yes, they can get a cautionary card.
Parents and coaches also like to argue the whistle (or lack thereof) sometimes. They disagree with the call and think that I should have allowed the play on, or called it the other way. Some parents even try to get me to give a card. That's my decision, thank you. The biggest problem is when people don't understand the rules and try to question calls made. This gets to be a pain in the arse because I'm stuck trying to explain things in a too-small time frame, and usually they're so convinced that they're right that they don't listen to anyways. There are some parents (and players) who like to try and tell me how to do my job as well. I am the referee, I am paid to do this, and I can do my job without your help, thank you.
There was one coach I've dealt with, I won't say who or when, but s/he was not in the mood to listen to the referee. S/he came on the field without permission, sent subs on without permission, criticized every call, just was being a crazy arse. Another coach, again, no who or where, actually mooned the ref (I wasn't actually there for this, I heard about it from the ref who got mooned), jumping up on the bench and dropping trow.
People don't realize that I can still issue a card before the game starts and during time breaks. As soon as I show up at the field, I have the authority to take disciplinary actions as I see fit, and that includes ejecting a player before the game even starts or at quarter or half-time breaks. So if players are fighting on the bench, they can still be thrown out.
I've only had to pull one card for foul language, but that's one thing that there are no warnings on. If I hear it, it's a card. If it's an F-word, it's a red card. The whistle does not wait when someone is cursing on the field.
Refs also use their whistles to break up fights, another thing I’ve never had to do and hope to never have to do. Multiple loud, sharp notes blown close to the players’ ears are a great way to make sure that they break it up, and then the ref can pull a red card. Again, never had to use a red card, but the chance is always there.
On a slightly sadder note, a referee in Texas was recently killed while officiating a game. He was hit by a player, following which he went into a coma and died a few days later. The player was 17 years old, and the referee was only in his twenties. There are severe legal repercussions for even touching a referee, up to six years in jail, but killing one? That player just ruined his entire life because he got worked up over one call.
Whatever the whistle is being used for, it is always the final word. If a player hears my whistle, it’s a good idea for them to stop whatever they’re doing and listen to me.
*Note: There will be a piece mentioning lifeguarding later on as well.
Mat Scott ('15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault and that guy
with the whistle. Photo credit: Kyli Fleshman
review: The great gatsby
By: Marissa Mullen
Baz Luhrmann did not quite do justice to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The 1923 novel told a story about a young dreamer by the name of Jay Gatsby, whom moved to New York in search of his long lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Although Daisy was already married to the brutal, Tom Buchanan, that didn’t stop him. Nick Carraway (the Narrator) gets caught in the middle of it when he moves next door to Gatsby in West Egg. The movie showed Nick Carraway telling the story of Gatsby to his therapist after having a mental break down because of all the chaos he has witnessed.
Luhrmann portrayed the characters very well. Seeing trailers before reading the book really helped put faces to the characters. Jay Gatsby was exquisitely played by Leonardo DiCaprio. I believe Fitzgerald wanted readers to almost fall in love with Gatsby’s character and how can you not fall in love with former Romeo. Dicaprio was more than how I pictured him to be, I knew he would so an astonishing job.
The only character that really disappointed me was Joel Edgerton who played Tom Buchanan. They did not make him quite mean enough. Fitzgerald shoed Tom as this evil, controlling, no-good man but Luhrmann did not exactly go far enough with it. There was only a few moments when I really felt scared of Tom, but his dark side was not dark enough.
Overall I give the movie two thumbs up, although do not miss out on the book. There was some really good moments Fitzgerald had written that did not make the cut into the movie. It is rated PG-13 for language, partying, alcohol, etc. The Great Gatsby is a phenominal story that takes us back into the roaring 20s.
Marissa Mullen ('14) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault
Baz Luhrmann did not quite do justice to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The 1923 novel told a story about a young dreamer by the name of Jay Gatsby, whom moved to New York in search of his long lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Although Daisy was already married to the brutal, Tom Buchanan, that didn’t stop him. Nick Carraway (the Narrator) gets caught in the middle of it when he moves next door to Gatsby in West Egg. The movie showed Nick Carraway telling the story of Gatsby to his therapist after having a mental break down because of all the chaos he has witnessed.
Luhrmann portrayed the characters very well. Seeing trailers before reading the book really helped put faces to the characters. Jay Gatsby was exquisitely played by Leonardo DiCaprio. I believe Fitzgerald wanted readers to almost fall in love with Gatsby’s character and how can you not fall in love with former Romeo. Dicaprio was more than how I pictured him to be, I knew he would so an astonishing job.
The only character that really disappointed me was Joel Edgerton who played Tom Buchanan. They did not make him quite mean enough. Fitzgerald shoed Tom as this evil, controlling, no-good man but Luhrmann did not exactly go far enough with it. There was only a few moments when I really felt scared of Tom, but his dark side was not dark enough.
Overall I give the movie two thumbs up, although do not miss out on the book. There was some really good moments Fitzgerald had written that did not make the cut into the movie. It is rated PG-13 for language, partying, alcohol, etc. The Great Gatsby is a phenominal story that takes us back into the roaring 20s.
Marissa Mullen ('14) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault
The Story So Far:
What You Don't See Review
By: Forrest Priest
Young up and comers, The Story So Far's second full-length album, entitled “What You Don't See” has seen great success since it's release on March 26, 2013. The band really made it's mark on the the pop-punk scene with the release of their first album “Under Soil and Dirt” and gained a ton of fans and momentum, they went from just another band to an important part of a scene in the middle of it's revival. So needless to say this new album had a lot of people depending on the same quality for this one, and to say the least, they did not disappoint.
What You Don't See leads off with a powerful track, “Things I Can't Change” and just from hearing this first song, you can tell that the 5-piece's musicianship has improved vastly. The two years spent touring and writing have done a lot for the band, their style has been carefully refined and the production has been vastly improved and it just overall sounds tighter.
Most of the tracks on this album are just as memorable as the last one, though I'd have to say that the best tracks are “Stifled”, “Small Talk”, “Right Here”, “Empty Space”, and “The Glass.” Vocalist Parker Cannon's lyrics are just one more reason why this band has developed such a strong following in a short time. With lyrics like “Tell me how you think it's gonna be, I'll bite back with broken teeth, so helpless” in “Small Talk”, and “The distance is poison, it f**ks with my mind” in “Stifled” have created multiple simplistic, yet infinitely catchy songs. Parker's unique style of writing and singing/yelling have gained the band plenty of lifelong fans. With the right singer, even the not-so-great songs can sound incredible. His voice makes some of the weaker tracks like “Playing The Victim” and “Framework” sound great enough to force you to sing along uncontrollably.
The one thing this album seems to lack, unlike it's predecessor, would have to be a slower, acoustic track like “Placeholder” on their debut full-length. With the momentum in the songs on this album, though, it did not seem like there was much time to slow down for an acoustic track without ruining it.
Overall, this album brings exactly what fans wanted to the table. With multiple listens, this album simply gets better, it doesn't wear on you like most albums out nowadays and it will definitely be one of the albums considered vital to the revival of the pop-punk scene.
Forrest Priest is a staff writer for The Viking Vault
Young up and comers, The Story So Far's second full-length album, entitled “What You Don't See” has seen great success since it's release on March 26, 2013. The band really made it's mark on the the pop-punk scene with the release of their first album “Under Soil and Dirt” and gained a ton of fans and momentum, they went from just another band to an important part of a scene in the middle of it's revival. So needless to say this new album had a lot of people depending on the same quality for this one, and to say the least, they did not disappoint.
What You Don't See leads off with a powerful track, “Things I Can't Change” and just from hearing this first song, you can tell that the 5-piece's musicianship has improved vastly. The two years spent touring and writing have done a lot for the band, their style has been carefully refined and the production has been vastly improved and it just overall sounds tighter.
Most of the tracks on this album are just as memorable as the last one, though I'd have to say that the best tracks are “Stifled”, “Small Talk”, “Right Here”, “Empty Space”, and “The Glass.” Vocalist Parker Cannon's lyrics are just one more reason why this band has developed such a strong following in a short time. With lyrics like “Tell me how you think it's gonna be, I'll bite back with broken teeth, so helpless” in “Small Talk”, and “The distance is poison, it f**ks with my mind” in “Stifled” have created multiple simplistic, yet infinitely catchy songs. Parker's unique style of writing and singing/yelling have gained the band plenty of lifelong fans. With the right singer, even the not-so-great songs can sound incredible. His voice makes some of the weaker tracks like “Playing The Victim” and “Framework” sound great enough to force you to sing along uncontrollably.
The one thing this album seems to lack, unlike it's predecessor, would have to be a slower, acoustic track like “Placeholder” on their debut full-length. With the momentum in the songs on this album, though, it did not seem like there was much time to slow down for an acoustic track without ruining it.
Overall, this album brings exactly what fans wanted to the table. With multiple listens, this album simply gets better, it doesn't wear on you like most albums out nowadays and it will definitely be one of the albums considered vital to the revival of the pop-punk scene.
Forrest Priest is a staff writer for The Viking Vault
42 was a homerun
By: Matthew Hebert
Before 1945, baseball was a segregated game ... until the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford) changed the game by deciding to sign Jackie Robinson (played by Chadwick Boseman) onto the farm team for the Dodgers, the Montréal Royals.
By starting him here, Robinson was able to show the country that he was a player worth having on their team. When he finally did get moved up to the Dodgers in ’46, a young Jackie Robinson faced ugly racism throughout the movie, as he slowly gained the acceptance of his team and finally broke down barriers to become a baseball legend. Robinson forever immortalized the number 42 which is now a retired number by every major league team In the MLB.
This is a great and inspiring movie that has been brought to screen with excellent performances and good action on the baseball field. The strongest moment comes from the scene where Jackie Robinson is forced to listen to racist comments from Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman (played by Alan Tudyk). This causes Robinson to break down and leave the stadium and destroy his bat in frustration, and finally going back out to finish the game. This is almost an uncomfortable moment in the movie to just listing to the racism from Chapman and knowing that Robinson actually faced these problems.
The story of Jackie Robinson was an inspiring one because he refused to give up, even when facing death threats not only on himself but his family, and ugly segregation. The number 42 is associated with a man who took risks that shook the public’s view on racism and segregation.
Matthew Hebert (’15) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo credit: petaluma360.com
Before 1945, baseball was a segregated game ... until the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford) changed the game by deciding to sign Jackie Robinson (played by Chadwick Boseman) onto the farm team for the Dodgers, the Montréal Royals.
By starting him here, Robinson was able to show the country that he was a player worth having on their team. When he finally did get moved up to the Dodgers in ’46, a young Jackie Robinson faced ugly racism throughout the movie, as he slowly gained the acceptance of his team and finally broke down barriers to become a baseball legend. Robinson forever immortalized the number 42 which is now a retired number by every major league team In the MLB.
This is a great and inspiring movie that has been brought to screen with excellent performances and good action on the baseball field. The strongest moment comes from the scene where Jackie Robinson is forced to listen to racist comments from Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman (played by Alan Tudyk). This causes Robinson to break down and leave the stadium and destroy his bat in frustration, and finally going back out to finish the game. This is almost an uncomfortable moment in the movie to just listing to the racism from Chapman and knowing that Robinson actually faced these problems.
The story of Jackie Robinson was an inspiring one because he refused to give up, even when facing death threats not only on himself but his family, and ugly segregation. The number 42 is associated with a man who took risks that shook the public’s view on racism and segregation.
Matthew Hebert (’15) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo credit: petaluma360.com
freedom writers review
By Marissa Mullen
Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama film based on a true story and the book The Freedom Writers Diary. The movie features, Academy Award winner, Hilary Swank, who plays high school English Teacher, Erin Gruwell. She leaves her safe abode in Newport Beach to teach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Woodrow Wilson High School was once a high-achieving school but students turned to self-segregation in the classrooms. These students are known as the “unteachables” and not as eager to graduate as Mrs. Gruwell had hoped. Gang fights are likely to break out in the middle of classes because of how territorial these kids are. The school’s main focus for these students is discipline and obedience and it refuses to give Mrs. Gruwell permission to use books because the students cannot be trusted with the books.
Mrs. Gruwell decides that she needs to dig deep into each of her students’ lives and interpret her lessons into something they can relate too. She chooses to teach them all about the Holocaust. She begins to gain the students trust and buys all of them composition books and tells them to use them as their diaries. They write about anything and everything, from moments in their life, to how they wish their future to be. Mrs. Gruwell had no idea the situations these kids have been through and all the friends and family they have lost to gang violence. These diaries eventually are turned into the real book of The Freedom Writers Diaries, which was inspired by The Anne Frank Diaries, a story that touched all the hearts of all the students in Gruwells class.
This story and these students story will surely bring tears to your eyes many of times. It gives outsiders and chance to see how these students really lived and how they dealt with the hardships that come with small, self-segregated areas. The plot was familiar and very cliché but does give a very inspirational message and a story line not easy to forget. What’s so flabbergasting is that the scenario’s and stories the students give, really happened. This is based on a true story, so its hard to believe that kids our age have been through all of this by their freshmen year. These students go from doing anything, and hurting anyone to defend their territory, to making a change not only in their own lives, but in the world. They learn right from wrong, and what’s fair and what isn’t. Mrs. Gruwell had an extreme impact on each of these students lives. Many went on as the first in their families to graduate and first to attend college. I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, but make sure you have a box of tissues handy because you will really need them.
Marissa Mullen (14’) is a staff reporter and Features Editor for The Viking Vault. \
Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama film based on a true story and the book The Freedom Writers Diary. The movie features, Academy Award winner, Hilary Swank, who plays high school English Teacher, Erin Gruwell. She leaves her safe abode in Newport Beach to teach at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Woodrow Wilson High School was once a high-achieving school but students turned to self-segregation in the classrooms. These students are known as the “unteachables” and not as eager to graduate as Mrs. Gruwell had hoped. Gang fights are likely to break out in the middle of classes because of how territorial these kids are. The school’s main focus for these students is discipline and obedience and it refuses to give Mrs. Gruwell permission to use books because the students cannot be trusted with the books.
Mrs. Gruwell decides that she needs to dig deep into each of her students’ lives and interpret her lessons into something they can relate too. She chooses to teach them all about the Holocaust. She begins to gain the students trust and buys all of them composition books and tells them to use them as their diaries. They write about anything and everything, from moments in their life, to how they wish their future to be. Mrs. Gruwell had no idea the situations these kids have been through and all the friends and family they have lost to gang violence. These diaries eventually are turned into the real book of The Freedom Writers Diaries, which was inspired by The Anne Frank Diaries, a story that touched all the hearts of all the students in Gruwells class.
This story and these students story will surely bring tears to your eyes many of times. It gives outsiders and chance to see how these students really lived and how they dealt with the hardships that come with small, self-segregated areas. The plot was familiar and very cliché but does give a very inspirational message and a story line not easy to forget. What’s so flabbergasting is that the scenario’s and stories the students give, really happened. This is based on a true story, so its hard to believe that kids our age have been through all of this by their freshmen year. These students go from doing anything, and hurting anyone to defend their territory, to making a change not only in their own lives, but in the world. They learn right from wrong, and what’s fair and what isn’t. Mrs. Gruwell had an extreme impact on each of these students lives. Many went on as the first in their families to graduate and first to attend college. I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, but make sure you have a box of tissues handy because you will really need them.
Marissa Mullen (14’) is a staff reporter and Features Editor for The Viking Vault. \
“The Bible” series breaks records
By: Jake Adkins
The History Channel had its prayers answered. "The Bible" first premiered on March 3, 2013 and amassed an audience of 13.1 million total viewers that episode according to Nielsen (one of the largest market researching companies in the United States). This made it the Number 1 entertainment telecast of the year on cable TV. The five week miniseries was an absolute victory in terms of viewers, never having an audience of less than 10.3 million viewers for all of the episodes.
The series covers many of the Bible’s stories, from the creation story in the book of Genesis all the way to Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. It also briefly covers some remaining parts of the New Testament including the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the church’s persecution, and John’s writing of Revelation.
The series has received mixed reviews, with some coming from both ends of the spectrum. One Washington Times writer, Daniel Wattenberg, claimed the series to be a success and a “David of a mini-series that tops anything on network Goliaths.” New York Times writer, Neil Genzlinger, was very critical of the series. “[Speaking of producers Mr. Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey] Instead of embracing this challenge, they ducked it, serving up a rickety, often cheesy spectacle that is calculated to play well to a certain segment of the already enlisted choir but risks being ignored or scorned in other quarters,” he said.
Let’s be honest. It would take years to closely examine and produce a series that included every story in the Bible, with the primary criticism being that “the Bible” skipped too much of the book it’s based off of. Do you know how long the audio version of the Bible is? Seventy-two hours. One other common complaint is that the series didn’t portray messages such as salvation and Jesus’ role as the messiah in enough light for viewers new to the Bible. Once again, I believe this is partly due to a time issue. The Bible is beyond complex, and you would need a much-longer than ten hour series to show such points in their fullness.
In the end, “The Bible” wasn’t perfect. But what it did do is give both believers and non-believers of the Bible enjoyable and easy-to-watch depictions of some of the most popular Bible stories, as well as create much more dialogue regarding the book than has been seen in a while. Jon Acuff, a popular Christian speaker, described it by saying “Recreating God’s glory is like trying to capture the might of a hurricane with crayons.”
Jake Adkins ('15) is an editor for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: amazon.com
The History Channel had its prayers answered. "The Bible" first premiered on March 3, 2013 and amassed an audience of 13.1 million total viewers that episode according to Nielsen (one of the largest market researching companies in the United States). This made it the Number 1 entertainment telecast of the year on cable TV. The five week miniseries was an absolute victory in terms of viewers, never having an audience of less than 10.3 million viewers for all of the episodes.
The series covers many of the Bible’s stories, from the creation story in the book of Genesis all the way to Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. It also briefly covers some remaining parts of the New Testament including the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul’s ministry, the church’s persecution, and John’s writing of Revelation.
The series has received mixed reviews, with some coming from both ends of the spectrum. One Washington Times writer, Daniel Wattenberg, claimed the series to be a success and a “David of a mini-series that tops anything on network Goliaths.” New York Times writer, Neil Genzlinger, was very critical of the series. “[Speaking of producers Mr. Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey] Instead of embracing this challenge, they ducked it, serving up a rickety, often cheesy spectacle that is calculated to play well to a certain segment of the already enlisted choir but risks being ignored or scorned in other quarters,” he said.
Let’s be honest. It would take years to closely examine and produce a series that included every story in the Bible, with the primary criticism being that “the Bible” skipped too much of the book it’s based off of. Do you know how long the audio version of the Bible is? Seventy-two hours. One other common complaint is that the series didn’t portray messages such as salvation and Jesus’ role as the messiah in enough light for viewers new to the Bible. Once again, I believe this is partly due to a time issue. The Bible is beyond complex, and you would need a much-longer than ten hour series to show such points in their fullness.
In the end, “The Bible” wasn’t perfect. But what it did do is give both believers and non-believers of the Bible enjoyable and easy-to-watch depictions of some of the most popular Bible stories, as well as create much more dialogue regarding the book than has been seen in a while. Jon Acuff, a popular Christian speaker, described it by saying “Recreating God’s glory is like trying to capture the might of a hurricane with crayons.”
Jake Adkins ('15) is an editor for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: amazon.com
a croods review
By: Kyli Fleshman
If you are looking for a funny, family friendly, good-for-all-ages movie, The Croods is for you!
While my family wasted their time seeing Evil Dead, I had a sibling movie date with my little brother, and we went to check out The Croods. The theatre room was actually packed!
The movie is completely original, and filled with jokes and funny lines. My brother and I were laughing and chuckling the whole way through the movie. Not to mention the pre-historic animals and plants that make you look at today’s animal and plants differently. Of course, the plot does have a few twists that are sure to take someone off guard. I know was surprised, and teared up a bit.
But rest assured, the movie is a happy one! Without a doubt, one of my new favourites! I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars! Go see this movie with your family, and then go buy it on DVD! It is not one you can get too much of!
Kyli Fleshman (’13) is the Senior-Chief-Editor for The Viking Vault.
If you are looking for a funny, family friendly, good-for-all-ages movie, The Croods is for you!
While my family wasted their time seeing Evil Dead, I had a sibling movie date with my little brother, and we went to check out The Croods. The theatre room was actually packed!
The movie is completely original, and filled with jokes and funny lines. My brother and I were laughing and chuckling the whole way through the movie. Not to mention the pre-historic animals and plants that make you look at today’s animal and plants differently. Of course, the plot does have a few twists that are sure to take someone off guard. I know was surprised, and teared up a bit.
But rest assured, the movie is a happy one! Without a doubt, one of my new favourites! I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars! Go see this movie with your family, and then go buy it on DVD! It is not one you can get too much of!
Kyli Fleshman (’13) is the Senior-Chief-Editor for The Viking Vault.
under the desk: harry potter
By: McKenzie Messer
NORTHRIDGE- Ten years, nine Weasleys, eight movies, seven horcruxes, six years at Hogwarts, five escapes, four houses, three friends, two sides, one story.
If you don’t know what Harry Potter is, please stop reading my column from here on out. Harry Potter is the most magical, inspiring book and movie series I’ve ever seen (and it kicks Twilight’s butt!)
If you haven’t read nor seen Harry Potter yet, then I GUESS I will explain it quickly. Harry Potter was a young boy who was forced to live with his horrible, plump uncle and cousin along with his skeleton of an aunt. He finds out at age 11 that he’s wizard. He goes to Hogwarts, the school of magic, and learns and basically dies nearly every year. He finds out around year five that he’s the “Chosen One” and is the only one who can defeat He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. I’m not going to explain the rest because either you know it, or I want you to learn it on your own.
Now, let’s talk characters. Harry Potter is the main character, but let’s be honest, he’s everyone’s least favorite character. I mean, yeah, it’s cool and all that you’re the chosen one, but you’re still my least favorite.
Ron Weasley is a beautiful human being. His flaming hair and gawkiness is why I first admired him. He is so kick-butt and deals with his best friend’s fame quite well for that age. I’m done talking about him because you just need to see him to get it.
I love Hermione, but she got kinda annoying. Her lines like, “It’s not going to woOOOrrrk,” make me cringe. But I love how blatantly sassy she is and how fearless she is. Plus, she didn’t lie down in a forest waiting to die until the police found her when her love interest left her.
The Weasley twins are about half of my favorite characters. They’re so close and they’re best friends and when Fred died George felt like he died too and the tears are started to come. I’m done. I’M DONE.
Another favorite is Neville Longbottom. IF YOU DON’T THINK NEVILLE IS THE BEST CHARACTER, GET OUT OF MY FACE. He killed a poop ton of death eaters while wearing a sweater. What a babe. He’s also been through a lot and came out on top.
Bellatrix Lestrange is another of my favorites, which isn’t exactly good because she kinda torments Hermione. But she kicks some major booty while looking fab. Plus, Helena Bonham Carter still looked absolutely gorg with rotting teeth.
My last favorite is Draco Malfoy. In the movie, his mother begs Snape to please protect and whimpers, “He’s only a boy,” and it’s so heart-breaking because he has to kill Dumbledore, and he only kills Dumbledore so “The Dark Lord” could kill him. HE WAS ONLY 16. 16. THAT’S HOW OLD I AM. I couldn’t even imagine what he was like on the inside.
Cedric Diggory was there for two books, one movie, but I still love him. He may have been a Hufflepuff, but still, he wasn’t afraid to do what he needed to succeed. AND HE WAS SO NICE. Like, he wanted to win so badly, but he still helped Harry because he helped him at one point. What an absolute angel.
Luna Lovegood. Woo, Luna Lovegood. I have such a soft spot for Evanna Lynch, the actress who portrayed Luna, because Harry Potter literally saved her life. She was dying in the hospital from anorexia, and she went to the audition for Luna and J.K. told her that if she got better, she got the role. She strived to get over her eating disorder and got the role and now she’s healthy, happy, and successful. (And I also ship her with Draco, woops.)
Molly Weasley is the absolute most kick-butt person in this entire series and if you say otherwise, leave. Ron sent her a letter once and told her Harry wouldn’t be receiving any presents for Christmas AND SHE KNITTED HIM A FREAKING SWEATER. She is protective over Harry as if he was a Weasley because she knows he needs a mother figure. She later kills Bellatrix, and even know she’s one of my favorite characters, I cheered because she killed her to protect her daughter. Man, I love Molly Weasley.
I’m not going to get into Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs because those are my homies for life. But really quick, Wormtail was a coward and pathetic, Mooney is my favorite from the group because he’s so protective over a Potter yeeeeeeears later, I pity Padfoot because he was framed for the murder of his best friend and wanted him back so badly he treated Harry like James, and Prongs is…dead.
Many magical creatures and friends make up the Harry Potter series. The cast described it as inspiring, life-changing, legendary, and unforgettable, and the fans definitely agree.
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for the Viking Vault.
NORTHRIDGE- Ten years, nine Weasleys, eight movies, seven horcruxes, six years at Hogwarts, five escapes, four houses, three friends, two sides, one story.
If you don’t know what Harry Potter is, please stop reading my column from here on out. Harry Potter is the most magical, inspiring book and movie series I’ve ever seen (and it kicks Twilight’s butt!)
If you haven’t read nor seen Harry Potter yet, then I GUESS I will explain it quickly. Harry Potter was a young boy who was forced to live with his horrible, plump uncle and cousin along with his skeleton of an aunt. He finds out at age 11 that he’s wizard. He goes to Hogwarts, the school of magic, and learns and basically dies nearly every year. He finds out around year five that he’s the “Chosen One” and is the only one who can defeat He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. I’m not going to explain the rest because either you know it, or I want you to learn it on your own.
Now, let’s talk characters. Harry Potter is the main character, but let’s be honest, he’s everyone’s least favorite character. I mean, yeah, it’s cool and all that you’re the chosen one, but you’re still my least favorite.
Ron Weasley is a beautiful human being. His flaming hair and gawkiness is why I first admired him. He is so kick-butt and deals with his best friend’s fame quite well for that age. I’m done talking about him because you just need to see him to get it.
I love Hermione, but she got kinda annoying. Her lines like, “It’s not going to woOOOrrrk,” make me cringe. But I love how blatantly sassy she is and how fearless she is. Plus, she didn’t lie down in a forest waiting to die until the police found her when her love interest left her.
The Weasley twins are about half of my favorite characters. They’re so close and they’re best friends and when Fred died George felt like he died too and the tears are started to come. I’m done. I’M DONE.
Another favorite is Neville Longbottom. IF YOU DON’T THINK NEVILLE IS THE BEST CHARACTER, GET OUT OF MY FACE. He killed a poop ton of death eaters while wearing a sweater. What a babe. He’s also been through a lot and came out on top.
Bellatrix Lestrange is another of my favorites, which isn’t exactly good because she kinda torments Hermione. But she kicks some major booty while looking fab. Plus, Helena Bonham Carter still looked absolutely gorg with rotting teeth.
My last favorite is Draco Malfoy. In the movie, his mother begs Snape to please protect and whimpers, “He’s only a boy,” and it’s so heart-breaking because he has to kill Dumbledore, and he only kills Dumbledore so “The Dark Lord” could kill him. HE WAS ONLY 16. 16. THAT’S HOW OLD I AM. I couldn’t even imagine what he was like on the inside.
Cedric Diggory was there for two books, one movie, but I still love him. He may have been a Hufflepuff, but still, he wasn’t afraid to do what he needed to succeed. AND HE WAS SO NICE. Like, he wanted to win so badly, but he still helped Harry because he helped him at one point. What an absolute angel.
Luna Lovegood. Woo, Luna Lovegood. I have such a soft spot for Evanna Lynch, the actress who portrayed Luna, because Harry Potter literally saved her life. She was dying in the hospital from anorexia, and she went to the audition for Luna and J.K. told her that if she got better, she got the role. She strived to get over her eating disorder and got the role and now she’s healthy, happy, and successful. (And I also ship her with Draco, woops.)
Molly Weasley is the absolute most kick-butt person in this entire series and if you say otherwise, leave. Ron sent her a letter once and told her Harry wouldn’t be receiving any presents for Christmas AND SHE KNITTED HIM A FREAKING SWEATER. She is protective over Harry as if he was a Weasley because she knows he needs a mother figure. She later kills Bellatrix, and even know she’s one of my favorite characters, I cheered because she killed her to protect her daughter. Man, I love Molly Weasley.
I’m not going to get into Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs because those are my homies for life. But really quick, Wormtail was a coward and pathetic, Mooney is my favorite from the group because he’s so protective over a Potter yeeeeeeears later, I pity Padfoot because he was framed for the murder of his best friend and wanted him back so badly he treated Harry like James, and Prongs is…dead.
Many magical creatures and friends make up the Harry Potter series. The cast described it as inspiring, life-changing, legendary, and unforgettable, and the fans definitely agree.
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Make me a fashionista: Prom
By: Sierra Sullivan
Prom is right around the corner. Every girl wants to know where to get their hair styled, nails painted, makeup applied and at an affordable cost. Prom packages are the best way to go because they are cheaper than each task would be individually. There are places close to Northridge that would love to doll you up.
The Alexandria Spa is on Rt. 37 through Alexandria. They have a great staff willing to help. The biggest issue is booking a time. If you are interested in going to the spa, book an appointment as soon as possible.
Further away, Charles Penzone’s Salons are everywhere. They have a good staff and many open appointments. They offer a prom package that includes manicure, pedicure, makeup application and an updo style. This comes out to $181.00 before taxes and tips. You can upgrade to higher levels for additional fees. The great thing about this salon is that everything is in one location. All that you have to do is move from room to room and you leave with a polished look. Contact this salon at the website: www.charlespenzone.com. You can call them to make an appointment at 614.418.5350. Remember, appointments can go fast during prom season. The sooner you book, the better.
There are countless spas and salons that offer prom packages. The best way to learn about them is by what you hear. Ask your older friends where they got their hair done. The downfall to some other salons is that they do not always offer all services. This means that you would have to go from one salon to the next and the day is already hectic enough. My huge piece of advice is to go to an all-inclusive spa. Relax and enjoy the process of getting ready. It is not supposed to be stressful. Make memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. In making memories, stay safe!
Sierra Sullivan is a Junior Editor for the Viking Vault. Photo credit: dress2wedding.com
Prom is right around the corner. Every girl wants to know where to get their hair styled, nails painted, makeup applied and at an affordable cost. Prom packages are the best way to go because they are cheaper than each task would be individually. There are places close to Northridge that would love to doll you up.
The Alexandria Spa is on Rt. 37 through Alexandria. They have a great staff willing to help. The biggest issue is booking a time. If you are interested in going to the spa, book an appointment as soon as possible.
Further away, Charles Penzone’s Salons are everywhere. They have a good staff and many open appointments. They offer a prom package that includes manicure, pedicure, makeup application and an updo style. This comes out to $181.00 before taxes and tips. You can upgrade to higher levels for additional fees. The great thing about this salon is that everything is in one location. All that you have to do is move from room to room and you leave with a polished look. Contact this salon at the website: www.charlespenzone.com. You can call them to make an appointment at 614.418.5350. Remember, appointments can go fast during prom season. The sooner you book, the better.
There are countless spas and salons that offer prom packages. The best way to learn about them is by what you hear. Ask your older friends where they got their hair done. The downfall to some other salons is that they do not always offer all services. This means that you would have to go from one salon to the next and the day is already hectic enough. My huge piece of advice is to go to an all-inclusive spa. Relax and enjoy the process of getting ready. It is not supposed to be stressful. Make memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. In making memories, stay safe!
Sierra Sullivan is a Junior Editor for the Viking Vault. Photo credit: dress2wedding.com
what if...
By: Hunter Adkins
We all had superpowers?
If everyone had superpowers and had special abilities to do things it would be sweet! Everyone would have this special power and be able to use it however they wanted. You could fly, shrink, grow, be invisible and all sorts or other creative things.
Kyli Fleshman (’13) said she would love to be able to shape into different things. She would shape into animals and robots. If ever she was in an awkward situation she would just shrink into a small animal, that way it wouldn’t be awkward anymore. They would think she was cute and forget about the awkward situation. She would want to see how many things she could turn into and she would do this every day.
Abby Reed (’14) said she would love to have the super power of being invisible. She said, “You could provoke people and see what their real thoughts were.” When asked what the best thing about having that power would be she said, “You could do anything, you could ride rollercoasters or airplanes and nobody would know.” She also added that you could sneak up and scare people. But she said there would be a something not so fun about this power. You could mess up your power and not be able to become un-invisible.
Gregory Wilson (’15) would want to be able to teleport. He said the best thing about having this power would be sneaking into places or getting out of bad situations. He said, “You could go anywhere in the world and that would just be awesome.”
Kylee Mahan (’14) when asked said she would want to have the power of reading people’s minds. She said, “It would be nice figuring out what people are saying and thinking all the time.” The best thing about this power she said, “You could know people’s real thoughts and know how they really think about you.” The worst thing Mahan said, “You would sometimes find out things you don’t want to know and that could be bad.”
Having super powers could be really interesting or it could be very bad. But it would be so worth it to know what it would be like.
Hunter Adkins is a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault
We all had superpowers?
If everyone had superpowers and had special abilities to do things it would be sweet! Everyone would have this special power and be able to use it however they wanted. You could fly, shrink, grow, be invisible and all sorts or other creative things.
Kyli Fleshman (’13) said she would love to be able to shape into different things. She would shape into animals and robots. If ever she was in an awkward situation she would just shrink into a small animal, that way it wouldn’t be awkward anymore. They would think she was cute and forget about the awkward situation. She would want to see how many things she could turn into and she would do this every day.
Abby Reed (’14) said she would love to have the super power of being invisible. She said, “You could provoke people and see what their real thoughts were.” When asked what the best thing about having that power would be she said, “You could do anything, you could ride rollercoasters or airplanes and nobody would know.” She also added that you could sneak up and scare people. But she said there would be a something not so fun about this power. You could mess up your power and not be able to become un-invisible.
Gregory Wilson (’15) would want to be able to teleport. He said the best thing about having this power would be sneaking into places or getting out of bad situations. He said, “You could go anywhere in the world and that would just be awesome.”
Kylee Mahan (’14) when asked said she would want to have the power of reading people’s minds. She said, “It would be nice figuring out what people are saying and thinking all the time.” The best thing about this power she said, “You could know people’s real thoughts and know how they really think about you.” The worst thing Mahan said, “You would sometimes find out things you don’t want to know and that could be bad.”
Having super powers could be really interesting or it could be very bad. But it would be so worth it to know what it would be like.
Hunter Adkins is a Staff Writer for The Viking Vault
Evil dead rendition review
By: Kyli Fleshman
The Evil Dead rendition was finally released. Thousands of horror movie fanatics were all in a fuss about it, and swarmed the theatres to see it, with hopes high.
Abby Reed (’14), and I went to Easton to go see the movie Friday night. The ticket usher standing outside of our theatre asked us if we had seen the original. I had, and Abby had not. He looked right at me, and said “If you’ve seen the original, you’re going to be severely disappointed.” That was not very reassuring. Luckily, I did not have high hopes for the movie, because I firmly believe that film makers these days have lost all originality and refuse to come up with their own movie plot. Typically, I do not like remakes.
Eventually, we got in the theatre and took our seats to watch the previews, and let me tell you, there are some movies coming out soon that look like real knee slappers!
The movie started off a bang, some blood, and some fire, not to give too much away. The movie was highly plot packed, with some not-so-subtle hints at the original film. It was gore packed, until the credits rolled. The ending seemed to drag on and on.
The movie was alright, but highly unoriginal. Of course, it scared Abby.. but that’s not hard to do. Personally, I give this movie a 2 out of 5 stars. Do not waste your money going to see it; wait until it is on DVD, or online.
Kyli Fleshman (’13) is the Senior-Chief-Editor for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: mutantville.com
The Evil Dead rendition was finally released. Thousands of horror movie fanatics were all in a fuss about it, and swarmed the theatres to see it, with hopes high.
Abby Reed (’14), and I went to Easton to go see the movie Friday night. The ticket usher standing outside of our theatre asked us if we had seen the original. I had, and Abby had not. He looked right at me, and said “If you’ve seen the original, you’re going to be severely disappointed.” That was not very reassuring. Luckily, I did not have high hopes for the movie, because I firmly believe that film makers these days have lost all originality and refuse to come up with their own movie plot. Typically, I do not like remakes.
Eventually, we got in the theatre and took our seats to watch the previews, and let me tell you, there are some movies coming out soon that look like real knee slappers!
The movie started off a bang, some blood, and some fire, not to give too much away. The movie was highly plot packed, with some not-so-subtle hints at the original film. It was gore packed, until the credits rolled. The ending seemed to drag on and on.
The movie was alright, but highly unoriginal. Of course, it scared Abby.. but that’s not hard to do. Personally, I give this movie a 2 out of 5 stars. Do not waste your money going to see it; wait until it is on DVD, or online.
Kyli Fleshman (’13) is the Senior-Chief-Editor for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: mutantville.com
everyday I'm hosslin':
"Front-hand, Back hand"
By: Zach Hossler
As you have walked down the halls of Northridge in the past few weeks you may have noticed students referencing to or speaking of “Front-hand, Back-hand”, or even speaking about a substitute teacher. These are the skits on a comedy TV show called “Key and Peele.”
The TV show first aired on Comedy Central on January 31, 2012. The show had a record-breaking 2.1 million viewers the first episode. It quickly gained praise. The two hosts of the show, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, are mixed race comedians who use to work on the show “Mad TV”.
The shows include stand-up comedy along with previously taped sketches of the comedians making fun of racial profiles. One of their more popular skits, Substitute Teacher, is about a teacher who use to teach at an inner-city school and can’t pronounce the names of the students at a rural school. For instance there is a difference between Aaron and A-A-ron, or jaqueline and JA-queline.
Another very popular skit making fun of college football player’s names has the two comedians dressing up and acting like they are football players with odd names. Some of the names they use are ridiculous like “Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace”, “Jauaris Jamar Jauarison-Lamar”, “Devoin Shower Handel”, and even “EEEEE EEEEEEEE”.
The duos have even gone as far as to do many skits making fun of President Barack Obama. After watching the skit called “Obama’s anger translator” the president stated “It’s pretty good stuff-It’s good stuff.”
The “Key and Peele” show have already been through three seasons. The show is very comical and a great watch.
Zach Hossler is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo credit: Fingersonblast.squarespace.com
As you have walked down the halls of Northridge in the past few weeks you may have noticed students referencing to or speaking of “Front-hand, Back-hand”, or even speaking about a substitute teacher. These are the skits on a comedy TV show called “Key and Peele.”
The TV show first aired on Comedy Central on January 31, 2012. The show had a record-breaking 2.1 million viewers the first episode. It quickly gained praise. The two hosts of the show, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, are mixed race comedians who use to work on the show “Mad TV”.
The shows include stand-up comedy along with previously taped sketches of the comedians making fun of racial profiles. One of their more popular skits, Substitute Teacher, is about a teacher who use to teach at an inner-city school and can’t pronounce the names of the students at a rural school. For instance there is a difference between Aaron and A-A-ron, or jaqueline and JA-queline.
Another very popular skit making fun of college football player’s names has the two comedians dressing up and acting like they are football players with odd names. Some of the names they use are ridiculous like “Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace”, “Jauaris Jamar Jauarison-Lamar”, “Devoin Shower Handel”, and even “EEEEE EEEEEEEE”.
The duos have even gone as far as to do many skits making fun of President Barack Obama. After watching the skit called “Obama’s anger translator” the president stated “It’s pretty good stuff-It’s good stuff.”
The “Key and Peele” show have already been through three seasons. The show is very comical and a great watch.
Zach Hossler is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo credit: Fingersonblast.squarespace.com
The guys say:
The guys say:
Question: My Girlfriend really wants to go to prom but I have no desire to go. She offered me Lil B’s newest C.D. and I’m very conflicted. What should I do?
Answer: Forrest: Well first of all, Lil B IS the BASED GOD and all of his workings should be put in the upper echelon of music. Tony: That’s just a given. Forrest: Listen here young man, you owe it to yourself and the based god to go to prom and try and enjoy yourself. Tony: But if you still don’t want to go that’s fine too. Forrest: WHAT IS YOU STUPID T BONE????? HOW COULD YOU DISRESPECT THE BASED GOD LIKE THAT? Tony: I’m just saying, he doesn’t have to go if he doesn’t want to. Forrest: YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH. LIL B IS AMAZING.
Question: My Boyfriend gets made fun of a lot for his fashion choices, and it annoys me to a degree. The taunting has extended to me and it’s really getting awful. Please help!
(P.S. he wears overalls with a cut right at knee level)
Answer: Tony: listen here babe, YOU CAN’T TAME SEXY, and you should just let your man be himself. Forrest: I don’t know man, overalls are pretty hideous. Tony: Dude is you dumb? The 90’s brought us the great overall, and we never looked back. Lots of celebrities even took on the revolutionary overall look. Forrest: So basically overalls are an outdated style? Tony: Are you kidding me? Overalls have always, and will always be in style! If your man wants to wear overalls, let him. Especially if they’re cut off at the knee, that’s the tween wave style and it’s here to stay, Boris.
Question: My Girlfriend really wants to go to prom but I have no desire to go. She offered me Lil B’s newest C.D. and I’m very conflicted. What should I do?
Answer: Forrest: Well first of all, Lil B IS the BASED GOD and all of his workings should be put in the upper echelon of music. Tony: That’s just a given. Forrest: Listen here young man, you owe it to yourself and the based god to go to prom and try and enjoy yourself. Tony: But if you still don’t want to go that’s fine too. Forrest: WHAT IS YOU STUPID T BONE????? HOW COULD YOU DISRESPECT THE BASED GOD LIKE THAT? Tony: I’m just saying, he doesn’t have to go if he doesn’t want to. Forrest: YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH. LIL B IS AMAZING.
Question: My Boyfriend gets made fun of a lot for his fashion choices, and it annoys me to a degree. The taunting has extended to me and it’s really getting awful. Please help!
(P.S. he wears overalls with a cut right at knee level)
Answer: Tony: listen here babe, YOU CAN’T TAME SEXY, and you should just let your man be himself. Forrest: I don’t know man, overalls are pretty hideous. Tony: Dude is you dumb? The 90’s brought us the great overall, and we never looked back. Lots of celebrities even took on the revolutionary overall look. Forrest: So basically overalls are an outdated style? Tony: Are you kidding me? Overalls have always, and will always be in style! If your man wants to wear overalls, let him. Especially if they’re cut off at the knee, that’s the tween wave style and it’s here to stay, Boris.
Dating Advice
The gals say:
Is it Ok for me to date my best friend’s ex-boyfriend?
Best advice I can give for dating your ex’s best friend is no. Let’s look at the positives and the negatives here. The positive is, you gain a boyfriend. That’s about it. The negatives are, you most likely will lose your best friend and your clique. They will sub tweet the heck out of you and kick you out of the lunch table. So you will be the boyfriend-stealing best friend who everyone tweets about with nowhere to sit at lunch. Try dating your enemy's ex instead of your friend's. Then, no new problems will be made. Probably.
I always try to meet new guys to date. I only end up meeting crazy people. Why can’t I meet normal, nice guys?
I meet guys and they seem really nice and down to earth. Then they start to get a little crazy. To be honest, everyone is crazy in their own ways. What kind of crazy are we talking about here? Serial killer crazy or cat person crazy? I suggest if it's serial killer to maybe never talk to them again. If it’s an odd obsession crazy such as cats, these problems can be solved. If they are crazy about you it’s a new story. If they call you up to 20 times a day, texts hundreds of times, and show up where you are without telling you they are obsessed and crazy about YOU. My advice is to get out of that one NOW, I’m not into clingy. Maybe you like it. Idk.
Gabrielle Evans and Megan Hatfield are staff writer for the Viking Vault.
Is it Ok for me to date my best friend’s ex-boyfriend?
Best advice I can give for dating your ex’s best friend is no. Let’s look at the positives and the negatives here. The positive is, you gain a boyfriend. That’s about it. The negatives are, you most likely will lose your best friend and your clique. They will sub tweet the heck out of you and kick you out of the lunch table. So you will be the boyfriend-stealing best friend who everyone tweets about with nowhere to sit at lunch. Try dating your enemy's ex instead of your friend's. Then, no new problems will be made. Probably.
I always try to meet new guys to date. I only end up meeting crazy people. Why can’t I meet normal, nice guys?
I meet guys and they seem really nice and down to earth. Then they start to get a little crazy. To be honest, everyone is crazy in their own ways. What kind of crazy are we talking about here? Serial killer crazy or cat person crazy? I suggest if it's serial killer to maybe never talk to them again. If it’s an odd obsession crazy such as cats, these problems can be solved. If they are crazy about you it’s a new story. If they call you up to 20 times a day, texts hundreds of times, and show up where you are without telling you they are obsessed and crazy about YOU. My advice is to get out of that one NOW, I’m not into clingy. Maybe you like it. Idk.
Gabrielle Evans and Megan Hatfield are staff writer for the Viking Vault.
What If...?
We didn't have cell phones?
By: Hunter Adkins
What if cell phones never existed? What if we never had them? Would our life be crazy and hectic? Would we know what to do with ourselves? Or would our social skills be so much better and be perfectly fine?
Some people have their cell phones with them all the time. Other still have flip phones and hate them. Cell phones for certain people are their lifeline. They can have that thing with them and use it for anything, especially with technology today. We are so used to having the safety of our cellphones, but what if we never had them?
Erin Rinehart (13’) has recently just gotten the iPhone 5 and she absolutely loves it! She had a Droid and was just so annoyed with and fed up with it. She loves her new phone and says it is “pretty awesome.” Rinehart also said, “It’s just so convenient to have with me. It has so many apps that are very helpful.” She also goes on to say that she loves her phone, but it would be very interesting and different not to have one!
Mallory Petrella (15’) has an iPhone 4. She said, “It’s pretty much attached to my hip, and in my hand all the time.” She uses her phone for texting, Twitter, and Instagram the majority of her time. She also loves Wanelo! She said she couldn’t live without her phone, and really wouldn’t want to try!
Many people are so used to having them, and don’t notice how big of a role they play. Cell phones can be very useful at times and really help us. But if we never had one we could still survive!
Hunter Adkins (15’) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: sysomos.com
What if cell phones never existed? What if we never had them? Would our life be crazy and hectic? Would we know what to do with ourselves? Or would our social skills be so much better and be perfectly fine?
Some people have their cell phones with them all the time. Other still have flip phones and hate them. Cell phones for certain people are their lifeline. They can have that thing with them and use it for anything, especially with technology today. We are so used to having the safety of our cellphones, but what if we never had them?
Erin Rinehart (13’) has recently just gotten the iPhone 5 and she absolutely loves it! She had a Droid and was just so annoyed with and fed up with it. She loves her new phone and says it is “pretty awesome.” Rinehart also said, “It’s just so convenient to have with me. It has so many apps that are very helpful.” She also goes on to say that she loves her phone, but it would be very interesting and different not to have one!
Mallory Petrella (15’) has an iPhone 4. She said, “It’s pretty much attached to my hip, and in my hand all the time.” She uses her phone for texting, Twitter, and Instagram the majority of her time. She also loves Wanelo! She said she couldn’t live without her phone, and really wouldn’t want to try!
Many people are so used to having them, and don’t notice how big of a role they play. Cell phones can be very useful at times and really help us. But if we never had one we could still survive!
Hunter Adkins (15’) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: sysomos.com
Pretty "Shore..."
Strange Addiction
By: Tony Shore
Anyone can become addicted; anyone can be one pitch away from the unimaginable. Unfortunately for me, I have a close family member that is addicted. He struggles every day with the reality that he can never go back and undo all of those summers, all of that time gone doing the unthinkable: playing in a slow pitch men’s recreational softball league.
I’m all for recreational sports, from pick-up basketball to kickball; I love it all. I just have a small problem with this one sport. My idea of a recreational sport is something that lets you get out of the house and exercise, all while having a little fun. It’s not that I have beef with softball specifically, because fast pitch looks incredibly difficult and I have no right to doubt that it as a serious sport. The problem is that slow pitch softball causes over-competitive people to go into overdrive; 40 year old postal workers start acting like a rec league game is really game seven of the World Series, and the aftermath is almost always incredibly embarrassing.
Luckily though, my family member (who will remain anonymous) has realized he had a problem, and he’s been clean for almost seven years now. Instead of spending his weekends yelling at volunteer officials and talking trash to a pitcher about his 25 MPH heater, he now spends valuable time with his children on the weekend, acting as a loving husband and father rather than a tool on a dusty field.
To commemorate his struggles with this gripping disease, he got a tattoo that would symbolically sum up how much of a joke those years spent in the sun were. He requested a flaming softball with a face emblazoned with the number “3” to remind him of how he wasted many a summer day, just wearing short shorts and arguing with grown men.
Tony Shore ('13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: toonvectors.com
Anyone can become addicted; anyone can be one pitch away from the unimaginable. Unfortunately for me, I have a close family member that is addicted. He struggles every day with the reality that he can never go back and undo all of those summers, all of that time gone doing the unthinkable: playing in a slow pitch men’s recreational softball league.
I’m all for recreational sports, from pick-up basketball to kickball; I love it all. I just have a small problem with this one sport. My idea of a recreational sport is something that lets you get out of the house and exercise, all while having a little fun. It’s not that I have beef with softball specifically, because fast pitch looks incredibly difficult and I have no right to doubt that it as a serious sport. The problem is that slow pitch softball causes over-competitive people to go into overdrive; 40 year old postal workers start acting like a rec league game is really game seven of the World Series, and the aftermath is almost always incredibly embarrassing.
Luckily though, my family member (who will remain anonymous) has realized he had a problem, and he’s been clean for almost seven years now. Instead of spending his weekends yelling at volunteer officials and talking trash to a pitcher about his 25 MPH heater, he now spends valuable time with his children on the weekend, acting as a loving husband and father rather than a tool on a dusty field.
To commemorate his struggles with this gripping disease, he got a tattoo that would symbolically sum up how much of a joke those years spent in the sun were. He requested a flaming softball with a face emblazoned with the number “3” to remind him of how he wasted many a summer day, just wearing short shorts and arguing with grown men.
Tony Shore ('13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: toonvectors.com
Warm Bodies review
By: Kyli Fleshman
Girls wanted to date werewolves. Then it was vampires. Now… it’s Zombies!
Say what? Who on earth would want to date a flesh eating, bloody, corpse? Well... most teenage girls in all the world right now.
The movie, Warm Bodies, is definitely the cause of this new swoon-obsession. It gives an entirely new lookout on zombies from the zombies’ perspective. Who would have thought that zombies could think, let alone have emotions?
It went from, “brains…brains…sdfsdfs brains…” to, “We call those ‘bonies.' They’ll eat anything with a beating heart. I mean, so will I, but at least I’m conflicted about it”
Imagine a world halted by the outbreak out flesh-eating zombies. Not only zombies, but bonies as well... which is basically a more vile version of a zombie. Now picture in this world, a zombie falling in love with the daughter of a zombie-slaying father. That’s not all! This zombie has unique thoughts, and feelings... like a normal hormone-filled teenage boy. Not only that, but he saves said human girl, and even tracks her down to warn her about future trouble! At the end of the day in this peculiar world, the zombies and humans learn to cohabit together, and the humans even teach the zombies how to live.
Sounds strange, right? I know. But don’t worry. Warm Bodies doesn’t leave the audience displeased. The movie is filled with comical lines that will at least make you chuckle. I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars.
Kyli Fleshman ('13) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Viking Vault, as well as a zombie-loving teenage girl. Photo credit: siamzone.com
Girls wanted to date werewolves. Then it was vampires. Now… it’s Zombies!
Say what? Who on earth would want to date a flesh eating, bloody, corpse? Well... most teenage girls in all the world right now.
The movie, Warm Bodies, is definitely the cause of this new swoon-obsession. It gives an entirely new lookout on zombies from the zombies’ perspective. Who would have thought that zombies could think, let alone have emotions?
It went from, “brains…brains…sdfsdfs brains…” to, “We call those ‘bonies.' They’ll eat anything with a beating heart. I mean, so will I, but at least I’m conflicted about it”
Imagine a world halted by the outbreak out flesh-eating zombies. Not only zombies, but bonies as well... which is basically a more vile version of a zombie. Now picture in this world, a zombie falling in love with the daughter of a zombie-slaying father. That’s not all! This zombie has unique thoughts, and feelings... like a normal hormone-filled teenage boy. Not only that, but he saves said human girl, and even tracks her down to warn her about future trouble! At the end of the day in this peculiar world, the zombies and humans learn to cohabit together, and the humans even teach the zombies how to live.
Sounds strange, right? I know. But don’t worry. Warm Bodies doesn’t leave the audience displeased. The movie is filled with comical lines that will at least make you chuckle. I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars.
Kyli Fleshman ('13) is the Editor-in-Chief of The Viking Vault, as well as a zombie-loving teenage girl. Photo credit: siamzone.com
Under the desk: Doctor Who?
By: McKenzie Messer
Before reading this, please be aware that if you do start watching it, you will become highly addicted to it. It will probably ruin your life and then you’ll have a very serious love/hate relationship with yourself. This is a warning.
The show was created by the spawn of Satan. Woops, silly auto-correct. I meant to type a 51 year old Scottish man by the name of Steven Moffat. He’s also the co-creator of Sherlock. Don’t get into Sherlock. You’ll wait 189,384,298.7 years for the next season, and then you’ll only get three episodes. You’ll probably want to jump with Sherlock…too soon?
Doctor Who is probably the hardest show to explain without sounding like a complete lunatic. So, just have an open mind. It’s about a 900 and something year old alien from the planet Gallifrey. Gallifrey was destroyed during the Time War and now he explores the all galaxies and time in his T.A.R.D.I.S. (Time And Relative Dimension In Space). This lovely alien is named “The Doctor”. That’s not his real name because only Time Lords know. Time Lords are the time travelers from Gallifrey. Now the Doctor is the only Time Traveler because Gallifrey kinda went..ka-plooey. When the doctor is shot or something like that, he doesn’t die. He regenerates into a new person, but with the same memories.
Now the Doctors. If you tell me Nine wasn’t completely awesome and sassy, we can’t be friends. Nine was played by Christopher Eccleston and wasn’t very well liked. I don’t really get that because he was seriously an awesome Doctor and I adored him. Probably because many thinks he’s less attractive than Ten and Eleven, BUT WHATEVER, HATERS. He was the one who fell in love with Rose and was the sassmaster. He was also the one who introduced us to Captain Jack Harness! C’mon! Captain Jack. He only lasted for one season, but he’ll always be in my heart with those funky moves.
Ten is probably the most well-known. Everybody falls in love with Ten (not gonna lie, I kinda did too). Ten was played by the forever charming David Tennant Ten’s hair was re-donk. It was so fluffy and you just want to shrink down and sleep in it! He had three companions throughout his journeys; Rose, Martha, and Donna. Each one of them was heart-breaking to watch leave, except Martha. Martha was just being an immature child because he wouldn’t love her…I didn’t say that. Shh. But, “Rose Tyler, I-” gets me every time. He is usually everyone’s favorite. He lasted for three seasons and then regenerated into the current Doctor, Eleven.
Okay. I love Eleven. Eleven’s played by Matt Smith. He’s so quirky and adorably funny. AND HIS HAIR. It’s like a tidal wave that drowns you in feelings. And those cheekbones. Mm. His cheek bones could cut diamonds. Think about that. Yeah, he may look like the baby of an Easter Island head statue and a marshmallow, but still. His companiosn were Amy and Rory Pond and his new one is Clara-Oswald. If you don’t cry every single time that Amy and Rory commit double suicide, then get taken back in time by angels, I’m judging you. Eleven is so broken and W4TUIAETBTAG. I’M DONE. But seriously, love me some Eleven. (And Rory. Woops.) He has already done two seasons and is working on a third, but knowing Moffat he will kill him off soon.
The Doctor isn’t the only amazing person on the show *ahem River Song*, but I must stop there before I turn into a puddle of sadness. Doctor Who is the saddest, most heart-breaking show on TV, but it’s also one you should definitely watch. Or don’t. I recommend don’t. Seriously. It ruins lives.
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: academy.sfi.org
Before reading this, please be aware that if you do start watching it, you will become highly addicted to it. It will probably ruin your life and then you’ll have a very serious love/hate relationship with yourself. This is a warning.
The show was created by the spawn of Satan. Woops, silly auto-correct. I meant to type a 51 year old Scottish man by the name of Steven Moffat. He’s also the co-creator of Sherlock. Don’t get into Sherlock. You’ll wait 189,384,298.7 years for the next season, and then you’ll only get three episodes. You’ll probably want to jump with Sherlock…too soon?
Doctor Who is probably the hardest show to explain without sounding like a complete lunatic. So, just have an open mind. It’s about a 900 and something year old alien from the planet Gallifrey. Gallifrey was destroyed during the Time War and now he explores the all galaxies and time in his T.A.R.D.I.S. (Time And Relative Dimension In Space). This lovely alien is named “The Doctor”. That’s not his real name because only Time Lords know. Time Lords are the time travelers from Gallifrey. Now the Doctor is the only Time Traveler because Gallifrey kinda went..ka-plooey. When the doctor is shot or something like that, he doesn’t die. He regenerates into a new person, but with the same memories.
Now the Doctors. If you tell me Nine wasn’t completely awesome and sassy, we can’t be friends. Nine was played by Christopher Eccleston and wasn’t very well liked. I don’t really get that because he was seriously an awesome Doctor and I adored him. Probably because many thinks he’s less attractive than Ten and Eleven, BUT WHATEVER, HATERS. He was the one who fell in love with Rose and was the sassmaster. He was also the one who introduced us to Captain Jack Harness! C’mon! Captain Jack. He only lasted for one season, but he’ll always be in my heart with those funky moves.
Ten is probably the most well-known. Everybody falls in love with Ten (not gonna lie, I kinda did too). Ten was played by the forever charming David Tennant Ten’s hair was re-donk. It was so fluffy and you just want to shrink down and sleep in it! He had three companions throughout his journeys; Rose, Martha, and Donna. Each one of them was heart-breaking to watch leave, except Martha. Martha was just being an immature child because he wouldn’t love her…I didn’t say that. Shh. But, “Rose Tyler, I-” gets me every time. He is usually everyone’s favorite. He lasted for three seasons and then regenerated into the current Doctor, Eleven.
Okay. I love Eleven. Eleven’s played by Matt Smith. He’s so quirky and adorably funny. AND HIS HAIR. It’s like a tidal wave that drowns you in feelings. And those cheekbones. Mm. His cheek bones could cut diamonds. Think about that. Yeah, he may look like the baby of an Easter Island head statue and a marshmallow, but still. His companiosn were Amy and Rory Pond and his new one is Clara-Oswald. If you don’t cry every single time that Amy and Rory commit double suicide, then get taken back in time by angels, I’m judging you. Eleven is so broken and W4TUIAETBTAG. I’M DONE. But seriously, love me some Eleven. (And Rory. Woops.) He has already done two seasons and is working on a third, but knowing Moffat he will kill him off soon.
The Doctor isn’t the only amazing person on the show *ahem River Song*, but I must stop there before I turn into a puddle of sadness. Doctor Who is the saddest, most heart-breaking show on TV, but it’s also one you should definitely watch. Or don’t. I recommend don’t. Seriously. It ruins lives.
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: academy.sfi.org
Everyday I'm Hosslin'
By: Zach Hossler
Like many of you; I myself have wondered why professional athletes and other millionaires have felt the need to commit some of the dumbest acts and crimes imaginable.
This will include athletes such as Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, and the worst of the worst Ben Roethlisberger.
In 2007 an investigation began on suspicion that Michael Vick was running an illegal dogfighting ring. As it would happen, he was. The question is why would an NFL quarterback need to make more money? There is a more disturbing thought; what if he did this for the thrill? Vick was arrested for federal offenses include illegal gambling and drugs on top of animal abuse.
The next athlete, Ray Lewis, supposedly did something a bit more extreme. In 2000 he was arrested on first degree murder charges. He was released after paying his one million dollar bail. Many people think Ray Lewis should have been convicted of murder for what he supposedly did. The entire situation makes you think. An NFL player has the money to buy his way out of a murder conviction, and this is the angle many people have taken.
Ben Roethlisberger was sued in 2008 for a supposedly raping a woman at a casino in Reno, Nevada. Roethlisberger is the famous and well-liked quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After three months of trial the case was dropped on December 27, 2008 because both parties had come to an agreement. This to me could mean that they had either found out the woman was lying, or Roethlisberger paid her off.
The truth behind the stories is not clearly shown. No one is sure if the accused were innocent or guilty. Professional athletes have the money to pay off most people. So in a nutshell, I have no more idea what the truth is than the next guy, but I know I don't have enough money not to be a decent person.
Zach Hossler(’14) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Newspaper Staff
Like many of you; I myself have wondered why professional athletes and other millionaires have felt the need to commit some of the dumbest acts and crimes imaginable.
This will include athletes such as Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, and the worst of the worst Ben Roethlisberger.
In 2007 an investigation began on suspicion that Michael Vick was running an illegal dogfighting ring. As it would happen, he was. The question is why would an NFL quarterback need to make more money? There is a more disturbing thought; what if he did this for the thrill? Vick was arrested for federal offenses include illegal gambling and drugs on top of animal abuse.
The next athlete, Ray Lewis, supposedly did something a bit more extreme. In 2000 he was arrested on first degree murder charges. He was released after paying his one million dollar bail. Many people think Ray Lewis should have been convicted of murder for what he supposedly did. The entire situation makes you think. An NFL player has the money to buy his way out of a murder conviction, and this is the angle many people have taken.
Ben Roethlisberger was sued in 2008 for a supposedly raping a woman at a casino in Reno, Nevada. Roethlisberger is the famous and well-liked quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After three months of trial the case was dropped on December 27, 2008 because both parties had come to an agreement. This to me could mean that they had either found out the woman was lying, or Roethlisberger paid her off.
The truth behind the stories is not clearly shown. No one is sure if the accused were innocent or guilty. Professional athletes have the money to pay off most people. So in a nutshell, I have no more idea what the truth is than the next guy, but I know I don't have enough money not to be a decent person.
Zach Hossler(’14) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Newspaper Staff
Make me a fashionista
By: Sierra Sullivan
Spring is here. Forget about all the thick sweaters and dull colors. This season’s must-have are colorful and thin. Number one on the list: v-necks. V-necks can go with any type of bottom. They are a great versatile piece to have in every color. Jeans and a v-neck are perfect for running errands or a casual day. If you get a longer v-neck, put a pair of neutral leggings under it and a pair of flats that complement the color of your shirt, throw on a long necklace and statement ring and you are ready for a lunch that is a little more than casual.
The color of the season is gray. Contrary to what you may believe, gray is the best thing in the spring. A heather gray (light gray) flowing shirt and a pair of jeans can be spruced up in numerous ways. Instead of the gray, black or white shoes, put on your most colorful pair. If the shirt does not have enough structure and is making you look like a box, put a thin belt in a neutral color or the same color as your shoes and buckle it right under your bust line. This will emphasis the smallest part of you and gives the shirt visual interest.
Boots, boots and more boots. Rain boots have made their comeback. They are a perfect addition to every outfit because they are adorable and they are perfect for the weather. You never want to walk around with wet ankles from stomping in a huge puddle on your way into school. But, with rain boots on, you can stomp away. Multiple pairs of boots is the best bet because then you have many pairs to resort to in order to match your outfit. If you are wearing the gray fashion, a patterned boot with bright colors will look great. If you are wearing a bright v-neck, a black and white pattern is a neutral yet an interesting one. Have fun with your accessories.
Let’s step away from the clothing portion of fashion. Jewelry is just as important as the clothes you wear. If you want to get away from the basic hair down, put your hair up in a messy ponytail and put on a bold earring. They are “all the rave” this season. As long as the earrings match your outfit, you can never go wrong. The earrings can either be studs with a shape on them or a short dangle earring that is not too fancy.
The cold weather is over and the new fashion is here. Have fun with the warm weather and splash around in your new boots. On a rainy day, tease the crown of your head and put it in a ponytail to save yourself the mess of frizz and not straightened hair. Enjoy the warm weather with fashion!
Sierra Sullivan (’14) is the Junior News Editor of The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Newspaper Staff
Spring is here. Forget about all the thick sweaters and dull colors. This season’s must-have are colorful and thin. Number one on the list: v-necks. V-necks can go with any type of bottom. They are a great versatile piece to have in every color. Jeans and a v-neck are perfect for running errands or a casual day. If you get a longer v-neck, put a pair of neutral leggings under it and a pair of flats that complement the color of your shirt, throw on a long necklace and statement ring and you are ready for a lunch that is a little more than casual.
The color of the season is gray. Contrary to what you may believe, gray is the best thing in the spring. A heather gray (light gray) flowing shirt and a pair of jeans can be spruced up in numerous ways. Instead of the gray, black or white shoes, put on your most colorful pair. If the shirt does not have enough structure and is making you look like a box, put a thin belt in a neutral color or the same color as your shoes and buckle it right under your bust line. This will emphasis the smallest part of you and gives the shirt visual interest.
Boots, boots and more boots. Rain boots have made their comeback. They are a perfect addition to every outfit because they are adorable and they are perfect for the weather. You never want to walk around with wet ankles from stomping in a huge puddle on your way into school. But, with rain boots on, you can stomp away. Multiple pairs of boots is the best bet because then you have many pairs to resort to in order to match your outfit. If you are wearing the gray fashion, a patterned boot with bright colors will look great. If you are wearing a bright v-neck, a black and white pattern is a neutral yet an interesting one. Have fun with your accessories.
Let’s step away from the clothing portion of fashion. Jewelry is just as important as the clothes you wear. If you want to get away from the basic hair down, put your hair up in a messy ponytail and put on a bold earring. They are “all the rave” this season. As long as the earrings match your outfit, you can never go wrong. The earrings can either be studs with a shape on them or a short dangle earring that is not too fancy.
The cold weather is over and the new fashion is here. Have fun with the warm weather and splash around in your new boots. On a rainy day, tease the crown of your head and put it in a ponytail to save yourself the mess of frizz and not straightened hair. Enjoy the warm weather with fashion!
Sierra Sullivan (’14) is the Junior News Editor of The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Newspaper Staff
Josie's Frozen Yogurt review
By Arielle Cottrell
Now that spring is here, frozen yogurt shops are back in business. Josie’s Frozen Yogurt is located on 30th street in Heath at the strip mall. With a whole strip of flavors, two sizes, and rows and rows of toppings, the possibilities are endless.
Once you walk into this humble emporium, you instantly feel the colorful and happy vibe. The walls are lined with spring colors that give it that spring/summer air, and after taking in everything that this place offers- it makes you feel sunny. After you realize you’re actually at a store, and not the beach or something, it’s time to get truckin’ on that yogurt.
No matter what mood you’re in, whether it be fruity or chocolaty, Josie’s is the place to be. Flavors range from strawberry or honeydew, to red velvet, and good-ole chocolate. You can mix and match any flavors you want to, just to make it your own. After adding all the flavors that fancy your taste buds, the toppings come into play.
You can pick from so many different toppings; kiwis, pineapples, little teeny fruit flavored bubbles, cheesecake balls, brownies, and marshmallows are only a few of the delightful treats you can add to your yummy dessert. After adding everything you could possibly desire, it’s time to pay. It’s very convenient because you pay depending on the weight of your bowl; so you don’t have to pay as much as your pudgy friend if you don’t want to.
Josie’s has a great variety of flavors and toppings that appeal to anyone, it’s in a town near you, and they even have a little cardboard cutout person that you can put your face in (see picture above), so there’s no reason to not visit this frozen yogurt place today!
Arielle Cottrell (’14) is a staff reporter for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: yelp.com
Editorial: Meow, meow, purr, hissssss
By: Elizabeth Kallay
NORTHRIDGE- Some believe in the myth of cat ladies, while others laugh and see it as merely an old joke. Well, in Northridge the myth is very much true.
As normal as these girls may seem, many are hiding a dark secret. You may suspect that these girls would be the lonely, friendless type but even your best friend may be a victim of this infection.
For most, it begins at birth, following in the footsteps of their cat-loving mothers. For others it begins at a shelter or a pet store when the mews of a little kitten draw them closer to the cage and the large, bright eyes make them fall in love.
I, myself, was begging for a kitten when I was gifted twin black cats, Sadie and Lily, by my brother. He himself had his own cat, Daisy. I should mention that he named them all, for my names would have been much nerdier.
Samantha Ferry (’14), who attends C-Tec, owns four cats and explains how we cannot escape this epidemic for “cats choose their humans”.
Females are not the only ones controlled by the adorable balls of fur, for males are also susceptible to the mind-controlling green-eyed gaze.
To help you identify cat ladies (and gentlemen), here is a list of some signs:
1. Curl up into a ball while sleeping
2. Are able to purr
3. “Aw” often, especially in the presence of small furry things
4. Are often covered in fur or multiple colours
5. Talk of strangely named friends (I.e. Mr. Pickles, Fluffy, or Chairmen Meow)
6. Own multiple cats
7. Talk of nothing but cats
8. Watch cat videos on YouTube
Unfortunately there is no cure or vaccination for this disease and the best prevention is staying at home in a giant bubble and never allowing any cats to enter your home.
Cat ladies, however, are not all crazy. At first. To be classified as “crazy” cat ladies must stop speaking any human language, loathe dogs (puppies are fine, since if you squint they look like cats), only come out at night surrounded by cats, and worship cats more than any Egyptian ever did. Oh, and they’re the ones who make the YouTube cat videos.
Elizabeth Kallay ('13) is the senior News Editor for The Viking Vault and a somewhat crazy cat lady. Photo caption: I'm sorry, you are now infected. Photo credits: Elizabeth Kallay
NORTHRIDGE- Some believe in the myth of cat ladies, while others laugh and see it as merely an old joke. Well, in Northridge the myth is very much true.
As normal as these girls may seem, many are hiding a dark secret. You may suspect that these girls would be the lonely, friendless type but even your best friend may be a victim of this infection.
For most, it begins at birth, following in the footsteps of their cat-loving mothers. For others it begins at a shelter or a pet store when the mews of a little kitten draw them closer to the cage and the large, bright eyes make them fall in love.
I, myself, was begging for a kitten when I was gifted twin black cats, Sadie and Lily, by my brother. He himself had his own cat, Daisy. I should mention that he named them all, for my names would have been much nerdier.
Samantha Ferry (’14), who attends C-Tec, owns four cats and explains how we cannot escape this epidemic for “cats choose their humans”.
Females are not the only ones controlled by the adorable balls of fur, for males are also susceptible to the mind-controlling green-eyed gaze.
To help you identify cat ladies (and gentlemen), here is a list of some signs:
1. Curl up into a ball while sleeping
2. Are able to purr
3. “Aw” often, especially in the presence of small furry things
4. Are often covered in fur or multiple colours
5. Talk of strangely named friends (I.e. Mr. Pickles, Fluffy, or Chairmen Meow)
6. Own multiple cats
7. Talk of nothing but cats
8. Watch cat videos on YouTube
Unfortunately there is no cure or vaccination for this disease and the best prevention is staying at home in a giant bubble and never allowing any cats to enter your home.
Cat ladies, however, are not all crazy. At first. To be classified as “crazy” cat ladies must stop speaking any human language, loathe dogs (puppies are fine, since if you squint they look like cats), only come out at night surrounded by cats, and worship cats more than any Egyptian ever did. Oh, and they’re the ones who make the YouTube cat videos.
Elizabeth Kallay ('13) is the senior News Editor for The Viking Vault and a somewhat crazy cat lady. Photo caption: I'm sorry, you are now infected. Photo credits: Elizabeth Kallay
Grease was definitely the WORD
Slicked-back hair, flying skirts, and an energy
level that had crowds on their feet for ovations marked NHS’s performance of Grease in March.
The cast not only put on a fantastic show, but had a great time producing it, says Adreona Perkowski
(’15).
The lead was Jacob Eckhardt (13’) as Danny Zuko and Jamie Comisford (16’) as Sandy Olsen. Another favorite from several people was Rizzo, who was played by Mirandah Popp (15’). She had great solos, and fit that part of Riz perfectly! The solos in the play were excellent along with the group songs. The T-Birds and the Pink Ladies sang and danced well together.
The scenery for the school, the sleepover, the dance, and the park all made the play come to life, along with the outfits and make-up. It all made you feel like it really was the 1950s. Grease
is one of our favorite movies and the songs are great, but one of our favorite
parts about Grease the play is there is new songs and scenes that aren’t in the movie.
There was never a dull moment or scene during the play. All the songs were upbeat and all the actors and actresses were into them dancing and singing. From the lead roles to the behind-the-scene helpers, everyone did their part to make the play the best it could be.
The musical was definitely a success, boasting the groove and
meaning that Grease should always have!
Hunter Adkins ('15) and Megan Hatfield ('15) are staff writers for The Viking Vault. Photo caption: The Grease cast. Photo credit: Megan Hatfield.
level that had crowds on their feet for ovations marked NHS’s performance of Grease in March.
The cast not only put on a fantastic show, but had a great time producing it, says Adreona Perkowski
(’15).
The lead was Jacob Eckhardt (13’) as Danny Zuko and Jamie Comisford (16’) as Sandy Olsen. Another favorite from several people was Rizzo, who was played by Mirandah Popp (15’). She had great solos, and fit that part of Riz perfectly! The solos in the play were excellent along with the group songs. The T-Birds and the Pink Ladies sang and danced well together.
The scenery for the school, the sleepover, the dance, and the park all made the play come to life, along with the outfits and make-up. It all made you feel like it really was the 1950s. Grease
is one of our favorite movies and the songs are great, but one of our favorite
parts about Grease the play is there is new songs and scenes that aren’t in the movie.
There was never a dull moment or scene during the play. All the songs were upbeat and all the actors and actresses were into them dancing and singing. From the lead roles to the behind-the-scene helpers, everyone did their part to make the play the best it could be.
The musical was definitely a success, boasting the groove and
meaning that Grease should always have!
Hunter Adkins ('15) and Megan Hatfield ('15) are staff writers for The Viking Vault. Photo caption: The Grease cast. Photo credit: Megan Hatfield.
The Guys Say:
Question: My Girlfriend really wants to go to prom but I have no desire to go. She offered me Lil B’s newest C.D. and I’m very conflicted. What should I do?
Answer: Forrest: Well first of all, Lil B IS the BASED GOD and all of his workings should be put in the upper echelon of music. Tony: That’s just a given. Forrest: Listen here young man, you owe it to yourself and the based god to go to prom and try and enjoy yourself. Tony: But if you still don’t want to go that’s fine too. Forrest: WHAT IS YOU STUPID T BONE????? HOW COULD YOU DISRESPECT THE BASED GOD LIKE THAT? Tony: I’m just saying, he doesn’t have to go if he doesn’t want to. Forrest: YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH. LIL B IS AMAZING.
Question: My Boyfriend gets made fun of a lot for his fashion choices, and it annoys me to a degree. The taunting has extended to me and it’s really getting awful. Please help!
(P.S. he wears overalls with a cut right at knee level)
Answer: Tony: listen here babe, YOU CAN’T TAME SEXY, and you should just let your man be himself. Forrest: I don’t know man, overalls are pretty hideous. Tony: Dude is you dumb? The 90’s brought us the great overall, and we never looked back. Lots of celebrities even took on the revolutionary overall look. Forrest: So basically overalls are an outdated style? Tony: Are you kidding me? Overalls have always, and will always be in style! If your man wants to wear overalls, let him. Especially if they’re cut off at the knee, that’s the tween wave style and it’s here to stay, Boris.
Gabrielle Evans ('15) and Megan Hatfield ('15) and Tony Shore ('13) and Forrest Priest ('13) are staff writers for The Viking Vault and dating experts. Photo credit: Kimberly Garee
Question: My Girlfriend really wants to go to prom but I have no desire to go. She offered me Lil B’s newest C.D. and I’m very conflicted. What should I do?
Answer: Forrest: Well first of all, Lil B IS the BASED GOD and all of his workings should be put in the upper echelon of music. Tony: That’s just a given. Forrest: Listen here young man, you owe it to yourself and the based god to go to prom and try and enjoy yourself. Tony: But if you still don’t want to go that’s fine too. Forrest: WHAT IS YOU STUPID T BONE????? HOW COULD YOU DISRESPECT THE BASED GOD LIKE THAT? Tony: I’m just saying, he doesn’t have to go if he doesn’t want to. Forrest: YOU SHUT YOUR DIRTY MOUTH. LIL B IS AMAZING.
Question: My Boyfriend gets made fun of a lot for his fashion choices, and it annoys me to a degree. The taunting has extended to me and it’s really getting awful. Please help!
(P.S. he wears overalls with a cut right at knee level)
Answer: Tony: listen here babe, YOU CAN’T TAME SEXY, and you should just let your man be himself. Forrest: I don’t know man, overalls are pretty hideous. Tony: Dude is you dumb? The 90’s brought us the great overall, and we never looked back. Lots of celebrities even took on the revolutionary overall look. Forrest: So basically overalls are an outdated style? Tony: Are you kidding me? Overalls have always, and will always be in style! If your man wants to wear overalls, let him. Especially if they’re cut off at the knee, that’s the tween wave style and it’s here to stay, Boris.
Gabrielle Evans ('15) and Megan Hatfield ('15) and Tony Shore ('13) and Forrest Priest ('13) are staff writers for The Viking Vault and dating experts. Photo credit: Kimberly Garee
Dating advice!
The Gals Say:
Q: My boyfriend has no desire to go to prom. How do I force him into going with me?
Gabrielle's Answer: Tell him that you really want to go! Tell him the next time he wants to take you somewhere and you don’t want to go that you will go because he went with you to prom. Make sure he has fun and make it something he will never forget. But if you can’t convince him to take you, you will just have to get over yourself. You can go hang out, go to a movie and dinner, or go out and have fun. I’m sure you could have more fun that way anyway.
Megan's Answer: My first suggestion is to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a fancy dress, shoes, and jewelry. This way he will feel bad about the money you spent and have to go. The next is telling on him to his mom. Cry while saying “All I want is to go to prom with your son and he’s crushing all his hopes and dreams.” This will make him obligated to go to avoid any punishments at home. These things will make him feel really bad about not going. The final thing you could do is just kidnap him and blindfold him until you arrive at the prom. He may act a bit displeased at this and upset. The goal is just to get him to the prom any way you can.
Q: My boyfriend has bad taste and style in clothing. Should I let him continue to embarrass himself and more importantly me, or should I burn all his clothes and buy new?
Gabrielle's Answer: You should take him out and show him how nice he can look. One he realizes that he can look nice take him out and help him pick out clothes that will make him look nice. Let him pick out some stuff, and show him different ways to add little things to each outfit to make him pop. Get rid of the old clothes that he can’t wear with his new stuff. But also don’t try to change he style so much that he looks like a completely different person. HIS style is part of who he is and if he is not willing to change it don’t make him. If you don’t like your boyfriend because of how he dresses you two shouldn't be together in the first place. It shouldn't matter what you look like. It’s his cute, unique way of expressing himself so just let him do that.
Megan's Answer: Boys need to realize that the choices they make about style affects many other people around them, especially the girlfriend. Overall the girl had the final say in everything. Guys just remember most of you have no sense of style, so let your girlfriend tell you what looks good and not good. The first step to starting a new wardrobe is getting rid of the old one. Burning clothes, sending them to a local goodwill or craigslist are good ways to get rid of the unwanted clothes. Then take him shopping to pick out new things that express his personality but you still want him wearing. You have the final say.
Q: My boyfriend has no desire to go to prom. How do I force him into going with me?
Gabrielle's Answer: Tell him that you really want to go! Tell him the next time he wants to take you somewhere and you don’t want to go that you will go because he went with you to prom. Make sure he has fun and make it something he will never forget. But if you can’t convince him to take you, you will just have to get over yourself. You can go hang out, go to a movie and dinner, or go out and have fun. I’m sure you could have more fun that way anyway.
Megan's Answer: My first suggestion is to go out and spend thousands of dollars on a fancy dress, shoes, and jewelry. This way he will feel bad about the money you spent and have to go. The next is telling on him to his mom. Cry while saying “All I want is to go to prom with your son and he’s crushing all his hopes and dreams.” This will make him obligated to go to avoid any punishments at home. These things will make him feel really bad about not going. The final thing you could do is just kidnap him and blindfold him until you arrive at the prom. He may act a bit displeased at this and upset. The goal is just to get him to the prom any way you can.
Q: My boyfriend has bad taste and style in clothing. Should I let him continue to embarrass himself and more importantly me, or should I burn all his clothes and buy new?
Gabrielle's Answer: You should take him out and show him how nice he can look. One he realizes that he can look nice take him out and help him pick out clothes that will make him look nice. Let him pick out some stuff, and show him different ways to add little things to each outfit to make him pop. Get rid of the old clothes that he can’t wear with his new stuff. But also don’t try to change he style so much that he looks like a completely different person. HIS style is part of who he is and if he is not willing to change it don’t make him. If you don’t like your boyfriend because of how he dresses you two shouldn't be together in the first place. It shouldn't matter what you look like. It’s his cute, unique way of expressing himself so just let him do that.
Megan's Answer: Boys need to realize that the choices they make about style affects many other people around them, especially the girlfriend. Overall the girl had the final say in everything. Guys just remember most of you have no sense of style, so let your girlfriend tell you what looks good and not good. The first step to starting a new wardrobe is getting rid of the old one. Burning clothes, sending them to a local goodwill or craigslist are good ways to get rid of the unwanted clothes. Then take him shopping to pick out new things that express his personality but you still want him wearing. You have the final say.
Transit: Listen and Forgive
By: Forrest Priest
Pop-punk band Transit's second full-length album, Listen and Forgive, is twelve tracks long and came out in October of 2011. The album was a change in their style of music from their first full-length, they stayed in the same genre but their style changed overall. They are a slower, seemingly more structured pop-punk band, and this album came out in Fall, usually meaning it’s going to have a more sad tone to it.
The album starts with the song “You Can't Miss It (It's Everywhere).” This song is about not being good enough no matter what you try and being totally screwed over by someone. This song is a good lead onto the album. The second song is titled “Long Lost Friends” and this one is about finally reuniting with an old friend only to find out that they think that you have changed too much and they don't want to be friends with you anymore, so you just lose touch again although that if they would have talked to you about it everything could have been explained and made right again. The third song is “Listen & Forgive” and it is about being found again by an old friend or girlfriend and getting close with them again only to find that they are just like everybody else that has come into your life and walked back out again. The fourth track is “All Your Heart” and this one is about somebody changing you for the worse, but you can't tell them to their face, so you write about it in a song, but all the critics and other listeners take the song and destroy it.
The fifth song “Asleep At the Wheel” and it is about missing the summer time because it just makes everybody feel better in general. The sixth track, titled “Cutting Corners” is about not always being able to take the stuff you say back, so you should pick your words carefully but you should always have fun with your life no matter what happens. The seventh song is called “Skipping Stone” and this one is about having to let go of someone close to you and how writing helps you cope with it. The eighth song, titled “I Think I Know You” is about your hard work writing for a person gets rejected and how when that happens all you want to do is just give up and stop writing under your own name.
The ninth song, called “Don't Make a Sound” is about wishing someone would stay with you for the night and how they have become overwhelmed with the position they have put them self in. The tenth song “1978” is about someone wanting you to give them more space, but not leave them out of your life completely, and how every song you write ends up being about them, and how they would feel if they knew that all of these songs were about them. The eleventh song, “Over Your Head is about how a friend keeps letting people walk all over them and will not do a thing about it or realize that it is happening, so you just wish that they would open their eyes and see it. The twelfth and last song on the album is titled “The Answer Comes In Time” and it is about how everybody's view of what is right keeps changing and that it seems like all the places that are worth staying or taking are already claimed, and that nobody should be judged for what they have had to do.
Overall, this album is pretty sad but that doesn't mean that it's not a great album. This entire album is extremely good, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre of music.
Forrest Priest ('13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Kimberly Garee
Pop-punk band Transit's second full-length album, Listen and Forgive, is twelve tracks long and came out in October of 2011. The album was a change in their style of music from their first full-length, they stayed in the same genre but their style changed overall. They are a slower, seemingly more structured pop-punk band, and this album came out in Fall, usually meaning it’s going to have a more sad tone to it.
The album starts with the song “You Can't Miss It (It's Everywhere).” This song is about not being good enough no matter what you try and being totally screwed over by someone. This song is a good lead onto the album. The second song is titled “Long Lost Friends” and this one is about finally reuniting with an old friend only to find out that they think that you have changed too much and they don't want to be friends with you anymore, so you just lose touch again although that if they would have talked to you about it everything could have been explained and made right again. The third song is “Listen & Forgive” and it is about being found again by an old friend or girlfriend and getting close with them again only to find that they are just like everybody else that has come into your life and walked back out again. The fourth track is “All Your Heart” and this one is about somebody changing you for the worse, but you can't tell them to their face, so you write about it in a song, but all the critics and other listeners take the song and destroy it.
The fifth song “Asleep At the Wheel” and it is about missing the summer time because it just makes everybody feel better in general. The sixth track, titled “Cutting Corners” is about not always being able to take the stuff you say back, so you should pick your words carefully but you should always have fun with your life no matter what happens. The seventh song is called “Skipping Stone” and this one is about having to let go of someone close to you and how writing helps you cope with it. The eighth song, titled “I Think I Know You” is about your hard work writing for a person gets rejected and how when that happens all you want to do is just give up and stop writing under your own name.
The ninth song, called “Don't Make a Sound” is about wishing someone would stay with you for the night and how they have become overwhelmed with the position they have put them self in. The tenth song “1978” is about someone wanting you to give them more space, but not leave them out of your life completely, and how every song you write ends up being about them, and how they would feel if they knew that all of these songs were about them. The eleventh song, “Over Your Head is about how a friend keeps letting people walk all over them and will not do a thing about it or realize that it is happening, so you just wish that they would open their eyes and see it. The twelfth and last song on the album is titled “The Answer Comes In Time” and it is about how everybody's view of what is right keeps changing and that it seems like all the places that are worth staying or taking are already claimed, and that nobody should be judged for what they have had to do.
Overall, this album is pretty sad but that doesn't mean that it's not a great album. This entire album is extremely good, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre of music.
Forrest Priest ('13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Kimberly Garee
Mama Review
By: Arielle Cottrell
This spine-chilling movie starts off with two young sisters (Victoria and Lilly) getting dragged away by their delusional and insane father. When their father killed their mother, Victoria and Lilly were driven to a cabin in the woods.
When they enter the dark and dusty cabin, their father becomes homicidal, but something strange occurs. Just when he was about shoot his child, Victoria, an unusual and mystifying creature, comes out from the dark, takes him away, and untimately kills him.
With a murder and the girls missing, the surburban town they lived in went berserk. The sisters’ uncle, their father’s brother, frantically looks for them for five straight years.
After they are miraculously found in the cabin, something wasn’t right. Although they were taken care of for the most part, the two were dirty and troll-like. No one could find out who took care of them, but soon after they were taken in by their uncle, the word “Mama” was the only thing that came out of their mouths.
The cast of this movie includes Jessica Chastain (Annabel-their uncle’s girlfriend), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Lucas- the uncle), Megan Charpentier (Victoria), Isabelle Nelisse (Lilly), Javier Botet (Mama), and Jane Moffat (Jean Podolski / Voice of Mama).
Directed by Andres Muschietti, this edge-of-you-seat movie takes you into the lives of Victoria and Lilly, and how “Mama” wants them all to herself; she would do anything to take them away from anyone who tries to take her place.
Arielle Cottrell (’14) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: The New York Times
This spine-chilling movie starts off with two young sisters (Victoria and Lilly) getting dragged away by their delusional and insane father. When their father killed their mother, Victoria and Lilly were driven to a cabin in the woods.
When they enter the dark and dusty cabin, their father becomes homicidal, but something strange occurs. Just when he was about shoot his child, Victoria, an unusual and mystifying creature, comes out from the dark, takes him away, and untimately kills him.
With a murder and the girls missing, the surburban town they lived in went berserk. The sisters’ uncle, their father’s brother, frantically looks for them for five straight years.
After they are miraculously found in the cabin, something wasn’t right. Although they were taken care of for the most part, the two were dirty and troll-like. No one could find out who took care of them, but soon after they were taken in by their uncle, the word “Mama” was the only thing that came out of their mouths.
The cast of this movie includes Jessica Chastain (Annabel-their uncle’s girlfriend), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Lucas- the uncle), Megan Charpentier (Victoria), Isabelle Nelisse (Lilly), Javier Botet (Mama), and Jane Moffat (Jean Podolski / Voice of Mama).
Directed by Andres Muschietti, this edge-of-you-seat movie takes you into the lives of Victoria and Lilly, and how “Mama” wants them all to herself; she would do anything to take them away from anyone who tries to take her place.
Arielle Cottrell (’14) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: The New York Times
Act of Valor review
By: Matthew Hebert
Act of Valor is a good movie, maybe one of the best action movies of the last couple of years. It stars real, on duty Navy SEALs. You know that they are real immediately by the military professionalism shown on the big screen; a professionalism that actors can’t imitate.
The movie begins with an act of terror which changes into a complicated plot to smuggle suicide bombers into the United States through Mexico. We get to the warriors as they are called to do what they have been trained to do. We get to know them and their families.
The characters in Act of Valor are played by on duty members of active SEAL teams. They certainly act like it. You can see it in how they hold their weapons, in how they move through jungle and desert and how they sit in an airplane just before a jump. Unlike other war movies, this one seems like it is real because the stars of the movie have been here and have done this before.
Act of Valor has a very different feel to it than any other war or action movie you'll see. The way these men move in combat is so real that it almost makes you feel like you are there with them while all of the action is happening. By halfway through, you are cheering and hoping that the good guys will win.
Near the end of the movie one of the teammates, Rorke, saves his team by jumping on a grenade. Only Lieutenant Rorke sees the grenade land. Realizing his team cannot escape the room in time, he dives on the grenade and it detonates, mortally wounding him. At home, Rorke is given a military funeral with full honors. The SEALs pay their respects, punching the gold SEAL tridents that signify them as SEALs into Rorke's coffin. The film ends with a dedication to every U.S. Navy SEAL killed in action since 9/11, and a list of their names.
If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend that you borrow or rent it from somewhere. Like I said before, it is probably one of the best action movies that I have seen in the past couple of years, and it also shows how these soldiers protect us and what they risk for our safety.
Matt Hebert ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: julieblake.blogspot.com
Act of Valor is a good movie, maybe one of the best action movies of the last couple of years. It stars real, on duty Navy SEALs. You know that they are real immediately by the military professionalism shown on the big screen; a professionalism that actors can’t imitate.
The movie begins with an act of terror which changes into a complicated plot to smuggle suicide bombers into the United States through Mexico. We get to the warriors as they are called to do what they have been trained to do. We get to know them and their families.
The characters in Act of Valor are played by on duty members of active SEAL teams. They certainly act like it. You can see it in how they hold their weapons, in how they move through jungle and desert and how they sit in an airplane just before a jump. Unlike other war movies, this one seems like it is real because the stars of the movie have been here and have done this before.
Act of Valor has a very different feel to it than any other war or action movie you'll see. The way these men move in combat is so real that it almost makes you feel like you are there with them while all of the action is happening. By halfway through, you are cheering and hoping that the good guys will win.
Near the end of the movie one of the teammates, Rorke, saves his team by jumping on a grenade. Only Lieutenant Rorke sees the grenade land. Realizing his team cannot escape the room in time, he dives on the grenade and it detonates, mortally wounding him. At home, Rorke is given a military funeral with full honors. The SEALs pay their respects, punching the gold SEAL tridents that signify them as SEALs into Rorke's coffin. The film ends with a dedication to every U.S. Navy SEAL killed in action since 9/11, and a list of their names.
If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend that you borrow or rent it from somewhere. Like I said before, it is probably one of the best action movies that I have seen in the past couple of years, and it also shows how these soldiers protect us and what they risk for our safety.
Matt Hebert ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo credit: julieblake.blogspot.com
What if...?
By: Hunter Adkins
What if you went to high school with your parents? Having your parents walk in the same hallways, eat in the same cafeteria, and play in the same gym as you or with you! It could be really fun or absolutely awful. You could turn out to be best friends or worst enemies.
If we went to school with our parents, we would see why they act the way they do, or what they weren’t interested in. Then we would be able to see if they ever did anything bad, so they couldn’t throw it in our face that they were perfect. Also, we would be there for some of their accomplishments that they had in high school and see what they were.
Some people would be friends with their parents and some would despise their parents! Megan Hatfield (15’) said, “I would be friends with my mom, heard she was pretty nice.” Another girl, Megan Dalton (16’) said,“I would be less bad, and more behaved.” She went on to say she probably wouldn’t be friends with her mom because she is her mom. She also added that she would avoid her parents, because they would see how bad she is. At the end she wanted to add that we should, “Keep parents out of schools!”
Seeing if you got a long with your parents, and what it would be like would be very interesting to say the least. And so many things would be different for everyone! So if you went to high school with our parents, how would you act?
Hunter Adkins (15’) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. photo credit: sysomos.com
What if you went to high school with your parents? Having your parents walk in the same hallways, eat in the same cafeteria, and play in the same gym as you or with you! It could be really fun or absolutely awful. You could turn out to be best friends or worst enemies.
If we went to school with our parents, we would see why they act the way they do, or what they weren’t interested in. Then we would be able to see if they ever did anything bad, so they couldn’t throw it in our face that they were perfect. Also, we would be there for some of their accomplishments that they had in high school and see what they were.
Some people would be friends with their parents and some would despise their parents! Megan Hatfield (15’) said, “I would be friends with my mom, heard she was pretty nice.” Another girl, Megan Dalton (16’) said,“I would be less bad, and more behaved.” She went on to say she probably wouldn’t be friends with her mom because she is her mom. She also added that she would avoid her parents, because they would see how bad she is. At the end she wanted to add that we should, “Keep parents out of schools!”
Seeing if you got a long with your parents, and what it would be like would be very interesting to say the least. And so many things would be different for everyone! So if you went to high school with our parents, how would you act?
Hunter Adkins (15’) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. photo credit: sysomos.com
Don’t touch that dial!
Super Bowl commercials worth watching
By: Katelin Ashbrook
This year’s big game, Super Bowl XLVIII, kept the fans intrigued with fumbles, touchdowns, a power outage, and plenty of hilarious commercials. In fact, many viewers only tuned in to the game for the unique ads that companies had to offer rather than to see the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers face off.
Airing commercials during the Super Bowl is very important to big-name companies because that’s when a huge percent of the population all tune in to the same channel. These companies are trying to sell things such as chips, soda, alcohol, and even trade. The goal though is to have the best commercial out of them all ... the one commercial that the viewers, radio stations, and The Viking Vault will be talking about the next day. And what better way to grab the attention of the fans than to make them laugh?
Taco Bell, E Trade, Go Daddy, Doritos, Wheat Thins, Volkswagen, and Coca-Cola all brought their A-game to the Big Game. These are just a few of the companies that had us all laughing until we cried.
Taco Bell’s commercial included a very interesting parody to the very famous “We are Young by Fun., called “Viva Young. In the commercial, old folk rebelliously snuck out of their nursing home in the middle of the night and partied ‘til the sun came up. The trouble-makers ended their crazy night with a trip to Taco Bell. Getting old isn’t all that bad, I guess.
E Trade is famous for their talking babies, and this year’s commercial didn’t let us down. It featured the baby relaxing in the hot tub with a panda, partying, and having the time of his life. If you want to live that life, all you have to do is contact E Trade.
One of the most popular and controversial commercials of the night was the Go Daddy commercial which featured the lovely model, Bar Refaeli, kissing a nerd. The purpose of the commercial was to show us what happens when beauty meets intelligence. This one seemed to really grab our attention.
A quite comical Doritos commercial had us all in tears Super Bowl night. The commercial featured dads dressed in their daughters dress-up clothes wearing makeup. The men looked very, very pretty.
Wheat Thins showed us how to protect our box of the delicious snack with their ad. The commercial showed an over protective husband sitting up late at night in the kitchen with night goggles on and his wife thinking he was going a bit over the top. She was proved wrong when Big Foot comes into the kitchen looking for a night-time snack.
Who doesn’t like a Bug? The new Volkswagen was shown during the Super Bowl and was presented in the happiest of ways. An American man talking with a Jamaican accent tells everyone, “don’t worry, be happy,” on a Monday morning. Why is he so happy? Well, because he’s driving a brand new Volkswagen, of course!
The last on our list of commercials worth talking about is the Coca-Cola ad. Coca-Cola changed it up this year with a huge twist. They let the fans pick the ending by simply logging onto their website and voting. The race to the giant Coke bottle was close between a bus full of showgirls, cowboys, motorcyclists, and a group of men riding camels. In the end, the showgirls won.
Commercials are very important to big businesses and cost about $4 million for just a 30 second slot. So, think twice before you change the channel because you don’t know what you could be missing.
Katelin Ashbrook (’14) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Dads playing dress-up with their daughters instead of watching the game with their “bros.” Photo credit: fashionistadaddy.com
This year’s big game, Super Bowl XLVIII, kept the fans intrigued with fumbles, touchdowns, a power outage, and plenty of hilarious commercials. In fact, many viewers only tuned in to the game for the unique ads that companies had to offer rather than to see the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers face off.
Airing commercials during the Super Bowl is very important to big-name companies because that’s when a huge percent of the population all tune in to the same channel. These companies are trying to sell things such as chips, soda, alcohol, and even trade. The goal though is to have the best commercial out of them all ... the one commercial that the viewers, radio stations, and The Viking Vault will be talking about the next day. And what better way to grab the attention of the fans than to make them laugh?
Taco Bell, E Trade, Go Daddy, Doritos, Wheat Thins, Volkswagen, and Coca-Cola all brought their A-game to the Big Game. These are just a few of the companies that had us all laughing until we cried.
Taco Bell’s commercial included a very interesting parody to the very famous “We are Young by Fun., called “Viva Young. In the commercial, old folk rebelliously snuck out of their nursing home in the middle of the night and partied ‘til the sun came up. The trouble-makers ended their crazy night with a trip to Taco Bell. Getting old isn’t all that bad, I guess.
E Trade is famous for their talking babies, and this year’s commercial didn’t let us down. It featured the baby relaxing in the hot tub with a panda, partying, and having the time of his life. If you want to live that life, all you have to do is contact E Trade.
One of the most popular and controversial commercials of the night was the Go Daddy commercial which featured the lovely model, Bar Refaeli, kissing a nerd. The purpose of the commercial was to show us what happens when beauty meets intelligence. This one seemed to really grab our attention.
A quite comical Doritos commercial had us all in tears Super Bowl night. The commercial featured dads dressed in their daughters dress-up clothes wearing makeup. The men looked very, very pretty.
Wheat Thins showed us how to protect our box of the delicious snack with their ad. The commercial showed an over protective husband sitting up late at night in the kitchen with night goggles on and his wife thinking he was going a bit over the top. She was proved wrong when Big Foot comes into the kitchen looking for a night-time snack.
Who doesn’t like a Bug? The new Volkswagen was shown during the Super Bowl and was presented in the happiest of ways. An American man talking with a Jamaican accent tells everyone, “don’t worry, be happy,” on a Monday morning. Why is he so happy? Well, because he’s driving a brand new Volkswagen, of course!
The last on our list of commercials worth talking about is the Coca-Cola ad. Coca-Cola changed it up this year with a huge twist. They let the fans pick the ending by simply logging onto their website and voting. The race to the giant Coke bottle was close between a bus full of showgirls, cowboys, motorcyclists, and a group of men riding camels. In the end, the showgirls won.
Commercials are very important to big businesses and cost about $4 million for just a 30 second slot. So, think twice before you change the channel because you don’t know what you could be missing.
Katelin Ashbrook (’14) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Dads playing dress-up with their daughters instead of watching the game with their “bros.” Photo credit: fashionistadaddy.com
No Easy Day review
By: Jake Adkins
“Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.” These are the words of President Barack Obama, notifying the American people of the successful mission that killed Osama Bin Laden, Operation Neptune Spear.
One member of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, more commonly known as SEAL Team Six, took place as a team leader in this operation and wished to tell his story. Matt Bissonnette, under the pseudonym Mark Owen, wrote No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden in order to “set the record straight.”
In the book’s epilogue Bissonnette says that he “felt like someone had to tell the true story.” To him, the men who sacrificed all they had toward the mission deserved to have the story told right.
The beginning of the book follows Bissonnette’s extensive training in order to enter DEVGRU, the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, or SEAL Team Six. SEAL Team Six is the best of the best. You must have of already become a Navy SEAL, which is one of the most difficult-to-complete accomplishments in the world. More people graduate from Harvard College in one year than SEALs do from BUD/s, the SEALs’ seven month physical training school, in ten years.
No Easy Day also gives Bissonnette’s firsthand accounts of some of the most famed special operations missions that he took part in, such as the mission that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from three Somali Pirates off the Horn of Africa.
About halfway through the memoir, Bissonnette begins recounting Operation Neptune Spear. He divulges a good deal of information about how CIA analysts had pinpointed Bin Laden’s location through one of his couriers and the most early preparations taken by several government agencies to organize the mission.
Once the mission was planned out, the legendary SEAL Team began rehearsals for the mission. Bissonnette and his fellow squad members spent several weeks preparing for the mission by running through the operation on a life-size mock-up of Bin Laden’s compound built in a North Carolina pine forest. Bissonnette described the rehearsals as becoming nothing but muscle memory, and complete absorption of his surroundings. The duplicate compound was built to resemble the original complete with mounds of dirt even being placed strategically to simulate the potato fields surrounding the compound. The team planned for every single possible contingency.
Finally, after extensive training, the mission was approved by The White House. Soon after, the SEAL Team Six members found themselves suiting up for the most important mission in the War on Terror ever conducted.
No Easy Day will take readers on a rollercoaster thrill ride, recounting some of the near-mission-ending contingencies such as the Black Hawk Helicopter crash that took place within the first moments of the SEALs’ arrival, and the exalted conclusion to the largest manhunt in history.
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden is a must-read novel. It is an important document in the United States’ history, and written in a style that is easy-to-read and impossible to put down. For many who were personally affected by 9/11, this book offers a much larger sense of closure than what has been previously been released to the public. I urge that everyone reads this book, which gives incredible insight into arguably the most important mission in all of American history.
Jake Adkins ('15) is a staff writer and editor for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: No Easy Day Book Cover. Photo Credit: libertybook.files.wordpress.com
“Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.” These are the words of President Barack Obama, notifying the American people of the successful mission that killed Osama Bin Laden, Operation Neptune Spear.
One member of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, more commonly known as SEAL Team Six, took place as a team leader in this operation and wished to tell his story. Matt Bissonnette, under the pseudonym Mark Owen, wrote No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden in order to “set the record straight.”
In the book’s epilogue Bissonnette says that he “felt like someone had to tell the true story.” To him, the men who sacrificed all they had toward the mission deserved to have the story told right.
The beginning of the book follows Bissonnette’s extensive training in order to enter DEVGRU, the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, or SEAL Team Six. SEAL Team Six is the best of the best. You must have of already become a Navy SEAL, which is one of the most difficult-to-complete accomplishments in the world. More people graduate from Harvard College in one year than SEALs do from BUD/s, the SEALs’ seven month physical training school, in ten years.
No Easy Day also gives Bissonnette’s firsthand accounts of some of the most famed special operations missions that he took part in, such as the mission that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from three Somali Pirates off the Horn of Africa.
About halfway through the memoir, Bissonnette begins recounting Operation Neptune Spear. He divulges a good deal of information about how CIA analysts had pinpointed Bin Laden’s location through one of his couriers and the most early preparations taken by several government agencies to organize the mission.
Once the mission was planned out, the legendary SEAL Team began rehearsals for the mission. Bissonnette and his fellow squad members spent several weeks preparing for the mission by running through the operation on a life-size mock-up of Bin Laden’s compound built in a North Carolina pine forest. Bissonnette described the rehearsals as becoming nothing but muscle memory, and complete absorption of his surroundings. The duplicate compound was built to resemble the original complete with mounds of dirt even being placed strategically to simulate the potato fields surrounding the compound. The team planned for every single possible contingency.
Finally, after extensive training, the mission was approved by The White House. Soon after, the SEAL Team Six members found themselves suiting up for the most important mission in the War on Terror ever conducted.
No Easy Day will take readers on a rollercoaster thrill ride, recounting some of the near-mission-ending contingencies such as the Black Hawk Helicopter crash that took place within the first moments of the SEALs’ arrival, and the exalted conclusion to the largest manhunt in history.
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden is a must-read novel. It is an important document in the United States’ history, and written in a style that is easy-to-read and impossible to put down. For many who were personally affected by 9/11, this book offers a much larger sense of closure than what has been previously been released to the public. I urge that everyone reads this book, which gives incredible insight into arguably the most important mission in all of American history.
Jake Adkins ('15) is a staff writer and editor for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: No Easy Day Book Cover. Photo Credit: libertybook.files.wordpress.com
Under the desk
King Richard III discovery
By: McKenzie Messer
Okay. Let’s talk about this king dude that some British construction workers found under a parking lot in Leicester.
If you’re reading this and you honestly have no idea who King Richard III is, I’ll give you a brief history. If not, just skip over this. So King Richard III was probably the most chastised king in English history. I mean, Shakespeare himself wrote a very lengthy play about Richard III and he tried very hard to make him sound unfit for the throne. Shakespeare portrays Richard as deformed, ugly hunchback that would do anything to be king. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth showing that he’d do anything to make himself king, but calling someone a deformed, ugly hunchback. Bro, that’s low. Lower than being under six feet of ground. OOOOOH. But seriously. What a jerk move, Shakespeare. I’m not saying he was a good dude, because he wasn’t, really. He killed some kids to get to the throne, but other than that, he didn’t do too much evil. He did only have two years to rule, though. After he died in 1485 in the Battle of Bosworth Field, King Henry VIII took the throne and six wives. Ever since then, we haven’t heard a lot of Richard III.
So now after my not so brief history (sorry about that lie), let’s talk about the discovery! Out of all places in the world, the former king was found under a parking lot! Scientist weren’t really sure if this was the legit king, but after many months of researching and junk, they confirmed it was Richard III!
Experts say that the traits that were shown made it very obvious that it was Richard with the many battle wounds and signs of scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. They said there is a large slice out of the back of the skull cause by a medieval pole weapon. The pole would have knocked him unconscious and was the cause of his death. Also at the back of his head, there is a small hole which is the beauty mark of a blade. On his ribs, there’s a cut mark from a knife or a sword from behind, but he didn’t penetrate his ribcage! Completely mental! And you know who was wrong about this “deformed freak”? Shakespeare. He had two normal arms, not one and a withered one. They may have not been the same exact length, but he surely wasn’t deformed. TAKE THAT, SHAKESPEARE. Richard’s butt was also stabbed. They say it was likely it happened after his death. What I want to know is, who stabs a dead man’s butt? Like, who does that? But the creepiest part to me is that there were no feet found in the grave. Not even ankles. Where are his feet? Did someone take them, or did he have bio-degradable feet from the future the Doctor gave him on a trip? It’s really eerie, to me. I’m just excited about the day a child will be digging through some dirt and find the king’s feet. That will sure be interesting.
After hundreds of years of chilling under a British parking lot, a hated king was recovered with his body intact, with the exception of little bones…and his feet. His stabbed and wounded body just waited to be discovered. Took a long time, but after the wait, we have found a king with a sad and kinda evil history and we’re finally learning about a long forgotten king. Hoo-ray science!
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Okay. Let’s talk about this king dude that some British construction workers found under a parking lot in Leicester.
If you’re reading this and you honestly have no idea who King Richard III is, I’ll give you a brief history. If not, just skip over this. So King Richard III was probably the most chastised king in English history. I mean, Shakespeare himself wrote a very lengthy play about Richard III and he tried very hard to make him sound unfit for the throne. Shakespeare portrays Richard as deformed, ugly hunchback that would do anything to be king. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth showing that he’d do anything to make himself king, but calling someone a deformed, ugly hunchback. Bro, that’s low. Lower than being under six feet of ground. OOOOOH. But seriously. What a jerk move, Shakespeare. I’m not saying he was a good dude, because he wasn’t, really. He killed some kids to get to the throne, but other than that, he didn’t do too much evil. He did only have two years to rule, though. After he died in 1485 in the Battle of Bosworth Field, King Henry VIII took the throne and six wives. Ever since then, we haven’t heard a lot of Richard III.
So now after my not so brief history (sorry about that lie), let’s talk about the discovery! Out of all places in the world, the former king was found under a parking lot! Scientist weren’t really sure if this was the legit king, but after many months of researching and junk, they confirmed it was Richard III!
Experts say that the traits that were shown made it very obvious that it was Richard with the many battle wounds and signs of scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. They said there is a large slice out of the back of the skull cause by a medieval pole weapon. The pole would have knocked him unconscious and was the cause of his death. Also at the back of his head, there is a small hole which is the beauty mark of a blade. On his ribs, there’s a cut mark from a knife or a sword from behind, but he didn’t penetrate his ribcage! Completely mental! And you know who was wrong about this “deformed freak”? Shakespeare. He had two normal arms, not one and a withered one. They may have not been the same exact length, but he surely wasn’t deformed. TAKE THAT, SHAKESPEARE. Richard’s butt was also stabbed. They say it was likely it happened after his death. What I want to know is, who stabs a dead man’s butt? Like, who does that? But the creepiest part to me is that there were no feet found in the grave. Not even ankles. Where are his feet? Did someone take them, or did he have bio-degradable feet from the future the Doctor gave him on a trip? It’s really eerie, to me. I’m just excited about the day a child will be digging through some dirt and find the king’s feet. That will sure be interesting.
After hundreds of years of chilling under a British parking lot, a hated king was recovered with his body intact, with the exception of little bones…and his feet. His stabbed and wounded body just waited to be discovered. Took a long time, but after the wait, we have found a king with a sad and kinda evil history and we’re finally learning about a long forgotten king. Hoo-ray science!
McKenzie Messer (’15) is an editor and staff writer for The Viking Vault.
Make me a fashionista
By: Sierra Sullivan
The season must-have, ladies, are tailored blazers, and they prove a good choice. You can never go wrong with a great neutral. These wonderful cover-ups can go with anything. Dress it up with a cute little cocktail dress underneath and a magnificent little sparkling clutch in your hand. Dress it down with a classic pair of super skinnys, a pair of red or purple pumps and a deep v-neck in a gray or white. There is no way to do this outfit badly. It’s a great way to keep warm but look stylish rather than just throwing on an old zip-up jacket.
Don’t forget about the lace! The new craze is the best for the most feminine and simple woman. Lace makes everyone look so innocent when done right. For winter, get a white lace dress with sleeve and give it one of the thick belts from last season that are hanging in your closet. Keep your hair down and your fingernails a natural color to play into the innocence of the beautiful fabric.
And the easiest of all, color blocking! Everywhere you look, there is a little dress hanging on the rack with amazing color blocking. Pick one up with a figure hugging fabric and grab your neutral pumps and head out the door. If you grab one with a three-quarter length sleeve, you won’t need anything else. Without the sleeves, throw on the other season must-have, the blazer, and jump in the car.
This season is the easiest of all when it comes to fashion. A few great pieces and a need for looking great is the sure way to stick out in a sea of dull. Just because the season is bleak doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to be. Don’t be afraid to try the pieces that jump out at you in the store; they tend to be the best.
Sierra Sullivan (’14) is the Junior News Editor for The Viking Vault.
The season must-have, ladies, are tailored blazers, and they prove a good choice. You can never go wrong with a great neutral. These wonderful cover-ups can go with anything. Dress it up with a cute little cocktail dress underneath and a magnificent little sparkling clutch in your hand. Dress it down with a classic pair of super skinnys, a pair of red or purple pumps and a deep v-neck in a gray or white. There is no way to do this outfit badly. It’s a great way to keep warm but look stylish rather than just throwing on an old zip-up jacket.
Don’t forget about the lace! The new craze is the best for the most feminine and simple woman. Lace makes everyone look so innocent when done right. For winter, get a white lace dress with sleeve and give it one of the thick belts from last season that are hanging in your closet. Keep your hair down and your fingernails a natural color to play into the innocence of the beautiful fabric.
And the easiest of all, color blocking! Everywhere you look, there is a little dress hanging on the rack with amazing color blocking. Pick one up with a figure hugging fabric and grab your neutral pumps and head out the door. If you grab one with a three-quarter length sleeve, you won’t need anything else. Without the sleeves, throw on the other season must-have, the blazer, and jump in the car.
This season is the easiest of all when it comes to fashion. A few great pieces and a need for looking great is the sure way to stick out in a sea of dull. Just because the season is bleak doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to be. Don’t be afraid to try the pieces that jump out at you in the store; they tend to be the best.
Sierra Sullivan (’14) is the Junior News Editor for The Viking Vault.
Whitechapel w/ The Plot In You, Bless The Child, and The Beast and His Image
By: Trevor White
Skullys Music Diner proved to be a great night on Feb. 2. With Tennessee tech metal masters, Whitechapel, headlining the show, it was sure to be a treat. Local favorites The Plot In You, Bless The Child, and The Beast and His Image were direct support and drew a fantastic local fan base.
The doors to the venue opened at 6:00 P.M. and the place was abuzz with excitement. The maximum occupancy for the venue is about 250 people and there were, give or take, 125-150 people in attendance.
The Beast and His Image started the show at around 6:30-6:45 and the night started off right. With so much pent up energy and angst, the pit was unforgettable. Although Skullys has a “No stage diving tolerated” rule the stage divers were out and ready to jump. With a tight crew of security, multiple people were removed from the show because of stage diving.
Bless The Child later took the stage and put on quite the performance. Starting their set with a wall of death, (in which I was kicked in the mouth) they brought a steady set of breakdowns and blast beats, which is what the crowd came for.
Next to take the stage was Findlay, Ohio band, The Plot In You. My personal favorite band on the bill, I was ready for this set to start as soon as possible. With their newest album “Could You Watch Your Children Burn” being released in late January and being signed to Rise Records they gained popularity very quickly prior to the show. Their set was opened with their latest single “Premeditated” and a 5-7 song set followed. They played mostly their older, heavier songs which the crowd responded well too.
By the time the headliners, Whitechapel, took the stage everyone was either hurt or exhausted, but that didn’t slow anyone down. They opened their 10-12 song set with the title track of their 2007 debut album “The Somatic Defilement” which is their biggest song to date. It has been three or so years since they played at Skullys and they were welcomed with open arms and open mosh pits. They will be co-headlining the “Brothers of Brutality” along with Emmure and receiving support from The Plot In You.
Trevor White ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Whitechapel album art. Photo Credit: www.metalkingdom.net
Skullys Music Diner proved to be a great night on Feb. 2. With Tennessee tech metal masters, Whitechapel, headlining the show, it was sure to be a treat. Local favorites The Plot In You, Bless The Child, and The Beast and His Image were direct support and drew a fantastic local fan base.
The doors to the venue opened at 6:00 P.M. and the place was abuzz with excitement. The maximum occupancy for the venue is about 250 people and there were, give or take, 125-150 people in attendance.
The Beast and His Image started the show at around 6:30-6:45 and the night started off right. With so much pent up energy and angst, the pit was unforgettable. Although Skullys has a “No stage diving tolerated” rule the stage divers were out and ready to jump. With a tight crew of security, multiple people were removed from the show because of stage diving.
Bless The Child later took the stage and put on quite the performance. Starting their set with a wall of death, (in which I was kicked in the mouth) they brought a steady set of breakdowns and blast beats, which is what the crowd came for.
Next to take the stage was Findlay, Ohio band, The Plot In You. My personal favorite band on the bill, I was ready for this set to start as soon as possible. With their newest album “Could You Watch Your Children Burn” being released in late January and being signed to Rise Records they gained popularity very quickly prior to the show. Their set was opened with their latest single “Premeditated” and a 5-7 song set followed. They played mostly their older, heavier songs which the crowd responded well too.
By the time the headliners, Whitechapel, took the stage everyone was either hurt or exhausted, but that didn’t slow anyone down. They opened their 10-12 song set with the title track of their 2007 debut album “The Somatic Defilement” which is their biggest song to date. It has been three or so years since they played at Skullys and they were welcomed with open arms and open mosh pits. They will be co-headlining the “Brothers of Brutality” along with Emmure and receiving support from The Plot In You.
Trevor White ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Whitechapel album art. Photo Credit: www.metalkingdom.net
The Gals Say:
Q: How did we survive Valentines Day alone?
A: This year we survived the day without pink and red roses,overpriced chocolate and typical movie dates. This is not a day to sit around and be sad and cry in a corner about being lonely. Go out with your friends and have a better time than you ever would with a date. Honestly friends are more fun anyways. Don’t pick a gathering place that is overflowing with couples and DO NOT invite couples EVER. Have a singles party. If you have no one to pamper, you pamper yourself. Get a pedicure or eat a lot of fattening yet delicious food. If someone asks you what your Valentine’s Day plans are, snap on them. They are probably being mean and reminding you how lonely you are. Just be strong.
Q: Should I tell my new boyfriend about past relationships?
A: Well, this all depends on how many people are in the past.
If you liked an old boyfriend better than your new one, give your new boyfriend advice on being more like your ex. Give him a chance to be better than your last. Remember your next is always better than your ex. If I were you I would keep it on the down low; just move on, girl. Move on. Keep that past in the past. Unless he asks, just don’t say anything. If you are going to say anything at all then bash on them. Tell them every little bad detail you can think of. Make them seem like a horrible person that you never wish you would have been with.
Tony Shore ('13) Forrest Priest ('13) Gabrielle Evans ('15) Megan Hatfield ('15) are staff writers for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Our Advicee's pose in a typical goofy fashion. Photo Credit: Kimberly Garee
Q: How did we survive Valentines Day alone?
A: This year we survived the day without pink and red roses,overpriced chocolate and typical movie dates. This is not a day to sit around and be sad and cry in a corner about being lonely. Go out with your friends and have a better time than you ever would with a date. Honestly friends are more fun anyways. Don’t pick a gathering place that is overflowing with couples and DO NOT invite couples EVER. Have a singles party. If you have no one to pamper, you pamper yourself. Get a pedicure or eat a lot of fattening yet delicious food. If someone asks you what your Valentine’s Day plans are, snap on them. They are probably being mean and reminding you how lonely you are. Just be strong.
Q: Should I tell my new boyfriend about past relationships?
A: Well, this all depends on how many people are in the past.
If you liked an old boyfriend better than your new one, give your new boyfriend advice on being more like your ex. Give him a chance to be better than your last. Remember your next is always better than your ex. If I were you I would keep it on the down low; just move on, girl. Move on. Keep that past in the past. Unless he asks, just don’t say anything. If you are going to say anything at all then bash on them. Tell them every little bad detail you can think of. Make them seem like a horrible person that you never wish you would have been with.
Tony Shore ('13) Forrest Priest ('13) Gabrielle Evans ('15) Megan Hatfield ('15) are staff writers for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Our Advicee's pose in a typical goofy fashion. Photo Credit: Kimberly Garee
Dating advice
By: Tony Shore, Forrest Priest, Gabrielle Evans, and Megan Hatfield
THE GUYS SAY:
Q: How do I cope with spending Valentines Day alone?
A: Forrest: Well, I don’t really have that problem.
Tony: Yeah, me neither. Me and Forrest both get babes on the reg.
Forrest: I don’t think you should learn how to be alone, you should let us teach you how to be a babe magnet.
Tony: Agreed.
Forrest: Now as we stated in our last issue of the paper, both of our cars are everything you need to attract the babes.
Tony: My mom’s Yaris and his mom’s Grand Am both gather droves of chickies.
Forrest: They love to hear the roar of the engine as well as the passion in our hearts.
Tony: So basically, get a car that connects to your passion for the babes, and
hopefully you won’t have to spend Valentine’s alone.
Forrest: A great example of this connection is in Alumnus Zachary Thompson a.k.a. ZZthomp, or Mr.740. He drives a 96’ Chevy Cavalier and it truly completes his loving persona.
Tony: Evey single detail tells a story, from the grandma tan exterior, to the
poorly fashioned LED lights under the seats.
Forrest: So if you’re looking for love in February, look no further than a used car lot.
Q: Should I tell my boyfriend about past relationships?
A: Forrest: Well, this is definitely a touchy subject.
Tony: Hmm…
Forrest: Sometimes you have to spin the truth, the same way a DJ spins a record.
Tony: What are you suggesting?
Forrest: Well, not every detail of your previous relationship should
be shared; or at least not at one time.
Tony: I would suggest telling all of your darkest secrets, but with a twist. Share every detail, but always include a wink at the end of each sentence.
Forrest: That’s stupid.
Tony: Nah man nah, it’s sort of brilliant in a way. Regardless of how crazy your past is, he won’t
be able to tell if you’re kidding or not.
Forrest: So basically just lie to his face?
Tony: Eh, not really.
Forrest: My advice is to just do you booboo, and don’t listen to them haters. Or, Doctor love for that matter.
Tony: Well, if they don’t want to take my advice, they should take hip hop mogul Lil’ B’s, “You
can’t write down love”.
Forrest: Indeed Mr. B, indeed.
THE GUYS SAY:
Q: How do I cope with spending Valentines Day alone?
A: Forrest: Well, I don’t really have that problem.
Tony: Yeah, me neither. Me and Forrest both get babes on the reg.
Forrest: I don’t think you should learn how to be alone, you should let us teach you how to be a babe magnet.
Tony: Agreed.
Forrest: Now as we stated in our last issue of the paper, both of our cars are everything you need to attract the babes.
Tony: My mom’s Yaris and his mom’s Grand Am both gather droves of chickies.
Forrest: They love to hear the roar of the engine as well as the passion in our hearts.
Tony: So basically, get a car that connects to your passion for the babes, and
hopefully you won’t have to spend Valentine’s alone.
Forrest: A great example of this connection is in Alumnus Zachary Thompson a.k.a. ZZthomp, or Mr.740. He drives a 96’ Chevy Cavalier and it truly completes his loving persona.
Tony: Evey single detail tells a story, from the grandma tan exterior, to the
poorly fashioned LED lights under the seats.
Forrest: So if you’re looking for love in February, look no further than a used car lot.
Q: Should I tell my boyfriend about past relationships?
A: Forrest: Well, this is definitely a touchy subject.
Tony: Hmm…
Forrest: Sometimes you have to spin the truth, the same way a DJ spins a record.
Tony: What are you suggesting?
Forrest: Well, not every detail of your previous relationship should
be shared; or at least not at one time.
Tony: I would suggest telling all of your darkest secrets, but with a twist. Share every detail, but always include a wink at the end of each sentence.
Forrest: That’s stupid.
Tony: Nah man nah, it’s sort of brilliant in a way. Regardless of how crazy your past is, he won’t
be able to tell if you’re kidding or not.
Forrest: So basically just lie to his face?
Tony: Eh, not really.
Forrest: My advice is to just do you booboo, and don’t listen to them haters. Or, Doctor love for that matter.
Tony: Well, if they don’t want to take my advice, they should take hip hop mogul Lil’ B’s, “You
can’t write down love”.
Forrest: Indeed Mr. B, indeed.
"Pretty Shore"
The case against Tauheed Epps (as a rapper)
By: Tony Shore
I honestly love hip hop. So don't think I have a hateful stigma towards the genre, I just hate the artist most of you know as “2 Chainz”. He happens to be a part of a rap conglomerate that I love in “G.O.O.D. Music”, which includes the likes of Kanye West and Pusha T among others. So it’s not that I hate his supporting cast; I just absolutely despise Tauheed's lyrics.
Let me give you a few examples:
1: “I take ya wife; give her back, nine months after that, SIMILAC”.
Translation- I'll have relations with your wife, then I could care less what happens to her. Also, I have impregnated her, as she now has to buy the baby formula known as Similac.
2: “I'm over (at girls' houses) like I’m only gonna visit, when they try to make me stay I tell 'em that's some strong (beverage)”
Translation- I'm at this woman's house only to stay the nights; and in the morning when she wants to continue spending time with me I tell her that my judgment was impaired due to the beverage that I had consumed, and I now have no interest in her emotionally or physically.
3:“Murder, murder,take her (expletive) like burglar, then I put her on that loud and feed her
turkey burgers”
Translation- I have no idea, I’m assuming it has something vulgar in it though, as most of his lyrics do.
The artist is a college graduate, and he even had an athletic scholarship to Alabama State to play basketball. So why is it that he seemingly has nothing intelligent to say? It's unfortunate, but about 90% of Tauheed's lyrics revert back to one of two things: money, or vulgarity. You would think someone who finished second in his high school graduating class would delve into the intricacies of his new found fame, or maybe tell vivid and detailed stories about his past through his lyrics. Instead of that, we get god awful lines. Last example and then I’m done. “She got a big booty so I call her big booty." That line alone summarizes what kind of M.C. Tauheed is; an awful one at best.
Tony Shore (13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Tauheed Epps looking as intelligent as always. Photo Credit: djkayotic.com
I honestly love hip hop. So don't think I have a hateful stigma towards the genre, I just hate the artist most of you know as “2 Chainz”. He happens to be a part of a rap conglomerate that I love in “G.O.O.D. Music”, which includes the likes of Kanye West and Pusha T among others. So it’s not that I hate his supporting cast; I just absolutely despise Tauheed's lyrics.
Let me give you a few examples:
1: “I take ya wife; give her back, nine months after that, SIMILAC”.
Translation- I'll have relations with your wife, then I could care less what happens to her. Also, I have impregnated her, as she now has to buy the baby formula known as Similac.
2: “I'm over (at girls' houses) like I’m only gonna visit, when they try to make me stay I tell 'em that's some strong (beverage)”
Translation- I'm at this woman's house only to stay the nights; and in the morning when she wants to continue spending time with me I tell her that my judgment was impaired due to the beverage that I had consumed, and I now have no interest in her emotionally or physically.
3:“Murder, murder,take her (expletive) like burglar, then I put her on that loud and feed her
turkey burgers”
Translation- I have no idea, I’m assuming it has something vulgar in it though, as most of his lyrics do.
The artist is a college graduate, and he even had an athletic scholarship to Alabama State to play basketball. So why is it that he seemingly has nothing intelligent to say? It's unfortunate, but about 90% of Tauheed's lyrics revert back to one of two things: money, or vulgarity. You would think someone who finished second in his high school graduating class would delve into the intricacies of his new found fame, or maybe tell vivid and detailed stories about his past through his lyrics. Instead of that, we get god awful lines. Last example and then I’m done. “She got a big booty so I call her big booty." That line alone summarizes what kind of M.C. Tauheed is; an awful one at best.
Tony Shore (13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Tauheed Epps looking as intelligent as always. Photo Credit: djkayotic.com
EDITORIAL: Problems the new superintendent inherits ... from our perspective
By: Elizabeth Kallay
NORTHRIDGE--Anyone entering one of the four buildings in the district would be able to tell just how badly our school needs money.
With the new semester underway for students, a new superintendent
joins the ranks only to be faced with Northridge’s many issues, from the
virtually non-existent budget to the leaking roofs in front of the Sophomore
Hallway.
Students have fallen down due to the leak and so far the only solution is to place empty garbage cans under the dripping water.
Northridge has been faced with budget cut after budget cut, losing several staff members and important upgrades, like the money to build a new school to replace the two that were previously closed due to poor conditions.
And now Northridge will soon be losing the money from our emergency levy- the last levy
that the district has successfully passed. This will leave the district with virtually no tax money and an even smaller budget to work with.
This comes during a time when the History department desperately needs to update their books, and several school computers constantly need some sort of repair, including the brand new ones on laptop carts.
Dr. Briggs seemed confident he could fix the challenges Northridge faces.“The levy will pass,” he said during the interview process without a single tremor in his voice.
Others are not so hopeful. With Northridge’s levies losing over and over again, hope is not abundant in our small school. Students have gone their entire high school career without seeing a levy pass, and we had to wonder if even the administration had given up when a levy did not appear on the November ballot.
Parents in the district vote time and time again to no avail, simply because they make up only 20 percent of Northridge’s voting populace. The other 80 percent have no children within the
district and are far less likely to vote for a new tax.
“Someone paid for our education, so we should take our turn and pay a little more in taxes” some parents in the district noted. But not many hold this parent's opinion and listen
more to flyers being mailed to their homes.
Over 200 students still have class every day in portable classrooms. The last remaining
elementary contains a small lunchroom and walls with chipping paint. The high school building faces a leaking roof and other small problems.
Hopefully with a new superintendent will come renewed support from the community and, in
turn, much needed new improvements to our district.
Elizabeth Kallay ('13) is a Senior Editor for The Viking Vault.
NORTHRIDGE--Anyone entering one of the four buildings in the district would be able to tell just how badly our school needs money.
With the new semester underway for students, a new superintendent
joins the ranks only to be faced with Northridge’s many issues, from the
virtually non-existent budget to the leaking roofs in front of the Sophomore
Hallway.
Students have fallen down due to the leak and so far the only solution is to place empty garbage cans under the dripping water.
Northridge has been faced with budget cut after budget cut, losing several staff members and important upgrades, like the money to build a new school to replace the two that were previously closed due to poor conditions.
And now Northridge will soon be losing the money from our emergency levy- the last levy
that the district has successfully passed. This will leave the district with virtually no tax money and an even smaller budget to work with.
This comes during a time when the History department desperately needs to update their books, and several school computers constantly need some sort of repair, including the brand new ones on laptop carts.
Dr. Briggs seemed confident he could fix the challenges Northridge faces.“The levy will pass,” he said during the interview process without a single tremor in his voice.
Others are not so hopeful. With Northridge’s levies losing over and over again, hope is not abundant in our small school. Students have gone their entire high school career without seeing a levy pass, and we had to wonder if even the administration had given up when a levy did not appear on the November ballot.
Parents in the district vote time and time again to no avail, simply because they make up only 20 percent of Northridge’s voting populace. The other 80 percent have no children within the
district and are far less likely to vote for a new tax.
“Someone paid for our education, so we should take our turn and pay a little more in taxes” some parents in the district noted. But not many hold this parent's opinion and listen
more to flyers being mailed to their homes.
Over 200 students still have class every day in portable classrooms. The last remaining
elementary contains a small lunchroom and walls with chipping paint. The high school building faces a leaking roof and other small problems.
Hopefully with a new superintendent will come renewed support from the community and, in
turn, much needed new improvements to our district.
Elizabeth Kallay ('13) is a Senior Editor for The Viking Vault.
Brantley Gilbert holds nothing back
By: Storm Strout
NORTHRIDGE- Fans will learn more about Brantley Gilbert in a song than during any radio or newspaper interview. The singer pours the emotions of what he left behind to chase country music dreams into his new single 'More Than Miles,'.
Gilbert gets credit for his relentless live show and the exciting edge he's brought to country radio with songs like ' Country Must Be Country Wide' and 'Kick It in the Sticks, but he's proving to be a songwriter of the highest caliber with each new release. 'More Than Miles' is a personal story that quickly relates to anyone who's broken a heart. It's his story, but it's easy to make it our story.
In recent years, Georgia has been a huge asset for country artists, giving us Sugarland, Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean, to name a few. Brantley Gilbert, a native of Jefferson, Georgia, is the latest artist out of the Peach State to set his sites on country music stardom. With the release of his second album, Halfway to Heaven, Gilbert has proven that he has what it takes to become a household name.
The album's first single, "Kick It In The Sticks," is a welcome to the country song that tells a city slicker how country folks have a good time. The song has a driving hard rock edge and is made to blast from your vehicle with the windows rolled down. The two standout tracks on this album are not the rockin' good time cuts or the heartfelt ballads however. They are tracks about loss, grief, and finding God.
"Halfway To Heaven" is an autobiographical track about Gilbert's own halfway to heaven experience. After an accident nearly claimed his life, Gilbert turned his life around and this track is a personal testament of faith and finding God. Inside the album's jacket are photographs of the accident that nearly claimed his life, displayed just below the lyrics of "Halfway To Heaven."
"Saving Amy" is the other standout track. This time, Gilbert sings about a friend who lost his life the night he proposed to his girlfriend, Amy. The song takes the point of view of the friend, watching Amy from Heaven as she grieves.
All in all, when you look at an artist like Gilbert, it is easy to see that he has two sides. One side being that soft, family friendly country music star, the other being the tough Georgia boy we all know and love.
Storm Strout ('13) is a public relations representative on The Viking Vault
Photo Caption: New Album, "Halfway to Heaven!" Photo Credit: Google Images
NORTHRIDGE- Fans will learn more about Brantley Gilbert in a song than during any radio or newspaper interview. The singer pours the emotions of what he left behind to chase country music dreams into his new single 'More Than Miles,'.
Gilbert gets credit for his relentless live show and the exciting edge he's brought to country radio with songs like ' Country Must Be Country Wide' and 'Kick It in the Sticks, but he's proving to be a songwriter of the highest caliber with each new release. 'More Than Miles' is a personal story that quickly relates to anyone who's broken a heart. It's his story, but it's easy to make it our story.
In recent years, Georgia has been a huge asset for country artists, giving us Sugarland, Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean, to name a few. Brantley Gilbert, a native of Jefferson, Georgia, is the latest artist out of the Peach State to set his sites on country music stardom. With the release of his second album, Halfway to Heaven, Gilbert has proven that he has what it takes to become a household name.
The album's first single, "Kick It In The Sticks," is a welcome to the country song that tells a city slicker how country folks have a good time. The song has a driving hard rock edge and is made to blast from your vehicle with the windows rolled down. The two standout tracks on this album are not the rockin' good time cuts or the heartfelt ballads however. They are tracks about loss, grief, and finding God.
"Halfway To Heaven" is an autobiographical track about Gilbert's own halfway to heaven experience. After an accident nearly claimed his life, Gilbert turned his life around and this track is a personal testament of faith and finding God. Inside the album's jacket are photographs of the accident that nearly claimed his life, displayed just below the lyrics of "Halfway To Heaven."
"Saving Amy" is the other standout track. This time, Gilbert sings about a friend who lost his life the night he proposed to his girlfriend, Amy. The song takes the point of view of the friend, watching Amy from Heaven as she grieves.
All in all, when you look at an artist like Gilbert, it is easy to see that he has two sides. One side being that soft, family friendly country music star, the other being the tough Georgia boy we all know and love.
Storm Strout ('13) is a public relations representative on The Viking Vault
Photo Caption: New Album, "Halfway to Heaven!" Photo Credit: Google Images
DATING ADVICE: Great date on a low budget?
By: Gabrielle Evans, Megan Hatfield, Tony Shore, and Forrest Priest
Question - I am a guy and I don’t have a lot of money. What are some good date ideas?
The Gals say:
Answer- Well we have a few options here. You could sell all your valuables on Craigslist™ to gain more money. Always put your girl first. You need to go out of your way to find the money for nice dates. Asking your parents for money is a good choice. You could also get a job, but this is only if the first three don’t work; it is your final option. If you try all of these ideas and still can’t find the cash, then here are a few cheap date options. You could steal a small child’s bike and let your girl ride on the handle bars all the way to Taco Bell. That’s really the only good cheap date. The best way to avoid all of this is to break up with your girlfriend and save your money.
Question- My man left me and I want him back. What do I do?
Answer- Well, don’t shave your head. Read Marilyn Monroe quotes until you find the best one to describe your breakup and your broken heart. Then nicely over edit a selfie, put the Monroe quote as the caption, then upload this photo to MySpace. When he sees how well you’re moving on and getting over him by the smile on your face and the inspiring quote he will miss you. I guarantee he will run back to you very quickly. Don’t take him back. Go for his best friend.
Question - I am a guy and I don’t have a lot of money. What are some good date ideas?
The Gals say:
Answer- Well we have a few options here. You could sell all your valuables on Craigslist™ to gain more money. Always put your girl first. You need to go out of your way to find the money for nice dates. Asking your parents for money is a good choice. You could also get a job, but this is only if the first three don’t work; it is your final option. If you try all of these ideas and still can’t find the cash, then here are a few cheap date options. You could steal a small child’s bike and let your girl ride on the handle bars all the way to Taco Bell. That’s really the only good cheap date. The best way to avoid all of this is to break up with your girlfriend and save your money.
Question- My man left me and I want him back. What do I do?
Answer- Well, don’t shave your head. Read Marilyn Monroe quotes until you find the best one to describe your breakup and your broken heart. Then nicely over edit a selfie, put the Monroe quote as the caption, then upload this photo to MySpace. When he sees how well you’re moving on and getting over him by the smile on your face and the inspiring quote he will miss you. I guarantee he will run back to you very quickly. Don’t take him back. Go for his best friend.
The Guys say:
Question- I don't have a lot of money, but I want to take my girl out. What are some good cheap date ideas?
Answer- Forrest: I feel your pain, man. Tony: Yeah dude, I know the struggle. Forrest: But we do have a few suggestions for you, man. Tony: Take her to the park or something when it gets warmer, or maybe just take her for a ride in your car. Forrest: It definitely helps if you drive a Toyota Yaris, as that gets the babes BY THE TON. We both know the struggle, having to borrow our mom's cars all the time. Tony: Any who, where would do you take the babes, Forrest? Forrest: Well, I prefer to take them to my mother's basement, which is conveniently stocked with Netflix and grape flavored Kool-Aid. Tony: What babes wouldn't like that? Forrest: But since you can't take your girlfriend to my basement, I would suggest maybe a nice brisk walk through the beautiful city of A-town. Tony: I think we all can agree that the babes love A-town.
Question- My man left me, and I want him back. What do I do?
Answer- Tony: Tyler Perry once said "I can do bad all by myself". So my suggestion to you would be, try and be as noticeable as possible. Forrest: Do what you can to attract any good attention without looking like you are trying way too hard. Tony: For example, shave your entire head. The Brittany Spears look is in this season. Forrest: Well, I don't know about that; but you definitely should make an effort to grab his attention. Tony: The best thing to do would be to just talk to him about it.
Gabrielle Evans and Megan Hatfield ('15) are writers for the Viking Vault. Tony Shore and Forrest Priest ('13) are writers for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Kimberly Garee
Question- I don't have a lot of money, but I want to take my girl out. What are some good cheap date ideas?
Answer- Forrest: I feel your pain, man. Tony: Yeah dude, I know the struggle. Forrest: But we do have a few suggestions for you, man. Tony: Take her to the park or something when it gets warmer, or maybe just take her for a ride in your car. Forrest: It definitely helps if you drive a Toyota Yaris, as that gets the babes BY THE TON. We both know the struggle, having to borrow our mom's cars all the time. Tony: Any who, where would do you take the babes, Forrest? Forrest: Well, I prefer to take them to my mother's basement, which is conveniently stocked with Netflix and grape flavored Kool-Aid. Tony: What babes wouldn't like that? Forrest: But since you can't take your girlfriend to my basement, I would suggest maybe a nice brisk walk through the beautiful city of A-town. Tony: I think we all can agree that the babes love A-town.
Question- My man left me, and I want him back. What do I do?
Answer- Tony: Tyler Perry once said "I can do bad all by myself". So my suggestion to you would be, try and be as noticeable as possible. Forrest: Do what you can to attract any good attention without looking like you are trying way too hard. Tony: For example, shave your entire head. The Brittany Spears look is in this season. Forrest: Well, I don't know about that; but you definitely should make an effort to grab his attention. Tony: The best thing to do would be to just talk to him about it.
Gabrielle Evans and Megan Hatfield ('15) are writers for the Viking Vault. Tony Shore and Forrest Priest ('13) are writers for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Kimberly Garee
Under the desk: Welcome!
By: McKenzie Messer
"Nerd Life is so much better than regular life." Preach that, brotha John Green.
Before you continue this column, please understand "nerd" is not a term for 13 years old girls trying to be cute popping out lenses from their 3D classes taking selfies in the school bathroom with a hand on her hip titled “neeeeeerd <3”. "Nerd", according to The American Heritage Concise Dictionary, is an unpopular or socially inept person, especially one regarded as excessively studious. But it's so much more than that.
Being a nerd is a lifestyle. It's staying up all night for the release of a new book. It's frantically looking for tally marks on your arms when you forget something. It’s about not going to sleep until roughly 5:00 a.m. because you're trying to defeat the newest game of Legend of Zelda. It's seeing a stone angel statue and not blinking. It’s about sitting in front of your television for 20 straight hours trying to watch all eight Harry Potters in a row. It's about having "bloody", "oi!," and "completely mental" in your daily vocabulary because you watch a lot of British television. It's saying "I know" when your significant other says "I love you." It's starting to look at things more in-depth because of "Sherlock." It’s about spending more time in your favorite Barnes and Noble than the best clothes store and packing the books around like they’re your babies. It's staying on the internet for hours on end voting for your "babies" and fangirling over new things with fellow psychos. I mean fans. It's putting Cas on the top of your Christmas tree instead of a store bought angel or star. It's picking up a stick shouting, "STUPEFY!" at your sibling expecting them to go unconscious. It's crying over your OTP becomes canon...and then dies *cough cough Merthur cough cough*. It's shipping. And if you don't know what shipping is, run. Run and NEVER get involved. Being a nerd isn't just a switch you can turn on and off or pop out glasses lenses and declare yourself a nerd. Being a nerd is a full time occupation.
You may not be prom royalty or be the best athlete, but being a nerd makes life more fun and interesting. You are guaranteed to have a better vocabulary and grammar, which sounds better in an argument "Excuse me, good sir. I can't help but notice that your a bloody, mewling, clay-brained, maggot-pie," or "You're stupid?" Exactly. Your friends are much more loyal and you don't have to fall back on sex jokes to be funny. When you make nerd jokes, you feel funny and smart! Double Whammy? Always.
No matter what you're a nerd for, you're bound to find great friends with the same nerdtastic interests. D.F.T.B.A.
McKenzie Messer ('15) is an editor at The Viking Vault.
"Nerd Life is so much better than regular life." Preach that, brotha John Green.
Before you continue this column, please understand "nerd" is not a term for 13 years old girls trying to be cute popping out lenses from their 3D classes taking selfies in the school bathroom with a hand on her hip titled “neeeeeerd <3”. "Nerd", according to The American Heritage Concise Dictionary, is an unpopular or socially inept person, especially one regarded as excessively studious. But it's so much more than that.
Being a nerd is a lifestyle. It's staying up all night for the release of a new book. It's frantically looking for tally marks on your arms when you forget something. It’s about not going to sleep until roughly 5:00 a.m. because you're trying to defeat the newest game of Legend of Zelda. It's seeing a stone angel statue and not blinking. It’s about sitting in front of your television for 20 straight hours trying to watch all eight Harry Potters in a row. It's about having "bloody", "oi!," and "completely mental" in your daily vocabulary because you watch a lot of British television. It's saying "I know" when your significant other says "I love you." It's starting to look at things more in-depth because of "Sherlock." It’s about spending more time in your favorite Barnes and Noble than the best clothes store and packing the books around like they’re your babies. It's staying on the internet for hours on end voting for your "babies" and fangirling over new things with fellow psychos. I mean fans. It's putting Cas on the top of your Christmas tree instead of a store bought angel or star. It's picking up a stick shouting, "STUPEFY!" at your sibling expecting them to go unconscious. It's crying over your OTP becomes canon...and then dies *cough cough Merthur cough cough*. It's shipping. And if you don't know what shipping is, run. Run and NEVER get involved. Being a nerd isn't just a switch you can turn on and off or pop out glasses lenses and declare yourself a nerd. Being a nerd is a full time occupation.
You may not be prom royalty or be the best athlete, but being a nerd makes life more fun and interesting. You are guaranteed to have a better vocabulary and grammar, which sounds better in an argument "Excuse me, good sir. I can't help but notice that your a bloody, mewling, clay-brained, maggot-pie," or "You're stupid?" Exactly. Your friends are much more loyal and you don't have to fall back on sex jokes to be funny. When you make nerd jokes, you feel funny and smart! Double Whammy? Always.
No matter what you're a nerd for, you're bound to find great friends with the same nerdtastic interests. D.F.T.B.A.
McKenzie Messer ('15) is an editor at The Viking Vault.
Pretty "Shore..."
By: Tone Shore
TOO MUCH BASS IN MY FACE:
So here's the deal: if you happen to be a male from age 16 to 22, I bet you've contemplated putting a “system” in your car/truck. Call me crazy right now, but I fit in the small minority (of that group of people) that actually doesn't want to have the bass enhanced in my car. I like rap music as much as the next guy. I sort of prefer it compared to any other genre, actually. But for some reason I have absolutely no desire to make the inside of my car sound like an airport terminal at peak hours. Let me examine why though, because a few reasons and experiences definitely play into my preference.
Reason number one: I drive a Toyota Yaris. This beautiful vehicle may be a great way to pick up the ladies, but the “Ol' Yari'” happens to be incredibly small. Even if I wanted to put a box in the Yaris, I seriously doubt it would even fit.
Reason number two: Riding in a car with the Homies. This one pretty much explains itself. For about two years now I have endured my fair share of rides in vehicles with vicious amounts of bass. In fact, most mornings I ride to school with Senior Kaleb Crump. If you think I’m being irrational about this, try and sit through a Chief Keef mix tape play through in his blazer without leaving his car once. I don't care how much you love Sosa, you won't love having your eardrums violated.
Reason number three: Medical reasons. Much like my friend Tate Van Fossen, I have small ears. My tiny sensitive sound collectors always become easily damaged when exposed to dangerous amounts of twerk-inducing, trunk-rattling jams.
Tony Shore ('13) is a staff writer of The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Download.minicam.com
TOO MUCH BASS IN MY FACE:
So here's the deal: if you happen to be a male from age 16 to 22, I bet you've contemplated putting a “system” in your car/truck. Call me crazy right now, but I fit in the small minority (of that group of people) that actually doesn't want to have the bass enhanced in my car. I like rap music as much as the next guy. I sort of prefer it compared to any other genre, actually. But for some reason I have absolutely no desire to make the inside of my car sound like an airport terminal at peak hours. Let me examine why though, because a few reasons and experiences definitely play into my preference.
Reason number one: I drive a Toyota Yaris. This beautiful vehicle may be a great way to pick up the ladies, but the “Ol' Yari'” happens to be incredibly small. Even if I wanted to put a box in the Yaris, I seriously doubt it would even fit.
Reason number two: Riding in a car with the Homies. This one pretty much explains itself. For about two years now I have endured my fair share of rides in vehicles with vicious amounts of bass. In fact, most mornings I ride to school with Senior Kaleb Crump. If you think I’m being irrational about this, try and sit through a Chief Keef mix tape play through in his blazer without leaving his car once. I don't care how much you love Sosa, you won't love having your eardrums violated.
Reason number three: Medical reasons. Much like my friend Tate Van Fossen, I have small ears. My tiny sensitive sound collectors always become easily damaged when exposed to dangerous amounts of twerk-inducing, trunk-rattling jams.
Tony Shore ('13) is a staff writer of The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Download.minicam.com
Parking lot fiasco
By: Adreona Perkowski
Parking lots at Northridge High School cause a lot of controversy. Have you ever wondered: where does the parking pass money go? Why do you have to pay? Are the pot holes are going to eat your car?
At Northridge there is a designated parking lot just for student drivers. This parking lot has some issues that concern students. Summer Richards (’13) says that the parking lot is in need of some serious attention. She wants the district to acknowledge that there are problems that need fixed to ensure the safety of future student drivers. Richards believes that the parking fee is “crap” because the parking lot allows for less kids on the bus equaling shorter routes for bus drivers. Richards says, “we definitely need repairs, please!”
On the other hand, Principal Amy Anderson enjoys having a parking lot just for students. As far as safety is concerned, we do have two cameras to watch students and teachers out advising students both in the morning and in the afternoon. Anderson understands that changes are needed. The district is trying to do their best. Anderson’s thoughts, which she emphasized are not solid plans, would be to have the parking lot repaved, lines repainted, and numbers put on parking spots so students could have designated spots. As far as the parking fee goes, it helps to maintain the grounds and patch holes when needed. “It’s a privilege for students to drive to school,” said Anderson, “it can always be revoked if a student has bad grades or misbehaves.”
In the winter the district hires a company to come out to salt and plow the parking lots. When it comes to the ice, Anderson is most definitely concerned for all of our safety. When there are people walking and people going to their cars while others are driving out, it can understandably make most adults concerned, especially when many of us are still young drivers. The district, as well as Ms. Anderson, understands that students want to see changes, but we need to understand that we have financial struggles right now. The district does have an outline of the budget, and the parking lots are on their spending list. Anderson’s main goal is to be safe and allow this opportunity for students to drive to continue.
Adreona Perkowski ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org
Parking lots at Northridge High School cause a lot of controversy. Have you ever wondered: where does the parking pass money go? Why do you have to pay? Are the pot holes are going to eat your car?
At Northridge there is a designated parking lot just for student drivers. This parking lot has some issues that concern students. Summer Richards (’13) says that the parking lot is in need of some serious attention. She wants the district to acknowledge that there are problems that need fixed to ensure the safety of future student drivers. Richards believes that the parking fee is “crap” because the parking lot allows for less kids on the bus equaling shorter routes for bus drivers. Richards says, “we definitely need repairs, please!”
On the other hand, Principal Amy Anderson enjoys having a parking lot just for students. As far as safety is concerned, we do have two cameras to watch students and teachers out advising students both in the morning and in the afternoon. Anderson understands that changes are needed. The district is trying to do their best. Anderson’s thoughts, which she emphasized are not solid plans, would be to have the parking lot repaved, lines repainted, and numbers put on parking spots so students could have designated spots. As far as the parking fee goes, it helps to maintain the grounds and patch holes when needed. “It’s a privilege for students to drive to school,” said Anderson, “it can always be revoked if a student has bad grades or misbehaves.”
In the winter the district hires a company to come out to salt and plow the parking lots. When it comes to the ice, Anderson is most definitely concerned for all of our safety. When there are people walking and people going to their cars while others are driving out, it can understandably make most adults concerned, especially when many of us are still young drivers. The district, as well as Ms. Anderson, understands that students want to see changes, but we need to understand that we have financial struggles right now. The district does have an outline of the budget, and the parking lots are on their spending list. Anderson’s main goal is to be safe and allow this opportunity for students to drive to continue.
Adreona Perkowski ('15) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org
Everyday I’m Hosslin’
By: Zach Hossler
Stephen and Jon
“It’s like boxing a glacier. Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is” (Colbert). This is just one of many comedic quotes from journalist Stephen Colbert. Colbert is the Host of the daily news show The Colbert Report and author of books such as I Am America and America Again.
“I’ve been to Canada, and I’ve always gotten the impression that I could take the country over in about two days” (Stewart). Jon Stewart, Host of the Daily Show, is another comedian that expresses his views on journalism.
These two funny men are gaining praise for their comical news shows. The two men may have a clear bias, but they tell their stories well. Having this on certain issues can make them more trustworthy because people know where they stand.
Colbert and Stewart do not edit their shows for content. They say exactly what’s on their minds and aren’t afraid of the repercussions. Colbert stated in his book “Baby carrots are making me gay.” Hilarious yes, but appropriate?, who cares. This is the mindset behind these men’s actions.
Common people, like me, aren’t the only ones feeling this way about the two comedians. Jon Stewart won the Peabody Award in 2005 for his coverage of the 2004 presidential election.
Stephen Colbert is a man of many talents. He has been called a “Renaissance man”. He is also a very intelligent man. He created his own Super-Pac to raise money for former presidential nominee Herman Caine’s Campaign. Colbert was even on the South Carolina Presidential Ballot until he was removed by state officials.
The two journalists have had countless guests over the years their shows have been aired. These guests include actors such as James Franco and Sacha Baren Cohen. It took a long time but Stephen Colbert finally convinced Nancy Pelosi to come on his show. Jon Stewart one-upped Colbert by having President Barack Obama on his show for an interview.
The two shows are quickly gaining more viewers because of their unique outlook of the news. People would rather know someone’s bias than have them try to hide it.
Zach Hossler ('14) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault “Write From The Ridge”. Photo Caption: Zach smiles for a self-picture. Photo Credit: Northrdge Newspaper Staff
Stephen and Jon
“It’s like boxing a glacier. Enjoy that metaphor, by the way, because your grandchildren will have no idea what a glacier is” (Colbert). This is just one of many comedic quotes from journalist Stephen Colbert. Colbert is the Host of the daily news show The Colbert Report and author of books such as I Am America and America Again.
“I’ve been to Canada, and I’ve always gotten the impression that I could take the country over in about two days” (Stewart). Jon Stewart, Host of the Daily Show, is another comedian that expresses his views on journalism.
These two funny men are gaining praise for their comical news shows. The two men may have a clear bias, but they tell their stories well. Having this on certain issues can make them more trustworthy because people know where they stand.
Colbert and Stewart do not edit their shows for content. They say exactly what’s on their minds and aren’t afraid of the repercussions. Colbert stated in his book “Baby carrots are making me gay.” Hilarious yes, but appropriate?, who cares. This is the mindset behind these men’s actions.
Common people, like me, aren’t the only ones feeling this way about the two comedians. Jon Stewart won the Peabody Award in 2005 for his coverage of the 2004 presidential election.
Stephen Colbert is a man of many talents. He has been called a “Renaissance man”. He is also a very intelligent man. He created his own Super-Pac to raise money for former presidential nominee Herman Caine’s Campaign. Colbert was even on the South Carolina Presidential Ballot until he was removed by state officials.
The two journalists have had countless guests over the years their shows have been aired. These guests include actors such as James Franco and Sacha Baren Cohen. It took a long time but Stephen Colbert finally convinced Nancy Pelosi to come on his show. Jon Stewart one-upped Colbert by having President Barack Obama on his show for an interview.
The two shows are quickly gaining more viewers because of their unique outlook of the news. People would rather know someone’s bias than have them try to hide it.
Zach Hossler ('14) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault “Write From The Ridge”. Photo Caption: Zach smiles for a self-picture. Photo Credit: Northrdge Newspaper Staff
Nordguard: Across Thin Ice review
(C) Garman & Gavet 2010
By: Mat Scott
Written and Illustrated by Tess Garman and Teagan Gavet
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 5/5 stars
In the hostile Northern Territory , one group of search-and-rescue dogs stands out from the rest: Pi's team in the Nordguard Elite. Bandits, thin ice, and inclement weather they can handle. It's what they don't know about their mission that could kill them.
This book combines high-quality artwork with an excellent storyline. The artwork, which is all hand-drawn and painted, is about as realistic as is possible with anthropomorphized animal characters. The artwork in this graphic novel is definitely more clean-cut than the artwork in their other published work, which had rougher sketches and colors. The expressions are amazingly well done, conveying the emotions of the characters as well as their words do.
The storyline is geared toward a more mature audience, moving along at a rapid pace but still including all relevant information, even providing a glimpse into what may be more than a working relationship. While the opening pages may be slightly hard to follow at first glance, I trust that all will be revealed in good time.
Nordguard: Across Thin Ice is the first installment in the Nordguard trilogy. This novel, as well as Garman and Gavet's other full-color graphic novel, Dog's Days of Summer, is available from Sofawolf Press in both hard and softcover.
About the Artists: Tess Garman and Teagan Gavet, collectively known as 'Blotch,' have won three Ursa Major awards for Best Published Illustration, as well as the 2008 Ursa Major for Best Other Literary Work for Dog's Days of Summe, and Gavet was nominated for a Russ Manning award for her part in Nordguard. The pair also did the cover art and interior illustrations for Kyell Gold's Out of Position series.
Mat Scott ('15) is a editor for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Written and Illustrated by Tess Garman and Teagan Gavet
Written and Illustrated by Tess Garman and Teagan Gavet
Genre: Graphic Novel
Rating: 5/5 stars
In the hostile Northern Territory , one group of search-and-rescue dogs stands out from the rest: Pi's team in the Nordguard Elite. Bandits, thin ice, and inclement weather they can handle. It's what they don't know about their mission that could kill them.
This book combines high-quality artwork with an excellent storyline. The artwork, which is all hand-drawn and painted, is about as realistic as is possible with anthropomorphized animal characters. The artwork in this graphic novel is definitely more clean-cut than the artwork in their other published work, which had rougher sketches and colors. The expressions are amazingly well done, conveying the emotions of the characters as well as their words do.
The storyline is geared toward a more mature audience, moving along at a rapid pace but still including all relevant information, even providing a glimpse into what may be more than a working relationship. While the opening pages may be slightly hard to follow at first glance, I trust that all will be revealed in good time.
Nordguard: Across Thin Ice is the first installment in the Nordguard trilogy. This novel, as well as Garman and Gavet's other full-color graphic novel, Dog's Days of Summer, is available from Sofawolf Press in both hard and softcover.
About the Artists: Tess Garman and Teagan Gavet, collectively known as 'Blotch,' have won three Ursa Major awards for Best Published Illustration, as well as the 2008 Ursa Major for Best Other Literary Work for Dog's Days of Summe, and Gavet was nominated for a Russ Manning award for her part in Nordguard. The pair also did the cover art and interior illustrations for Kyell Gold's Out of Position series.
Mat Scott ('15) is a editor for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Written and Illustrated by Tess Garman and Teagan Gavet
The Wonder Years
Photo credit: Google images
By: Forrest Priest
The Wonder Years, the band, not the television show, latest release, "Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing" came out early last summer on June 14th through Hopeless Records and it's still fresh in the minds of many fans of the pop-punk world. The Wonder Years have been called "the most punk minded band in recent years" which has a lot of truth to it. The Wonder Years love to interact with their fans. Whether it's online through websites, hanging out before or after shows or having a member dress up as a life-sized pigeon who hides in record stores and gives away free 7-inch records. While all of these things are very good about the band, they're all temporary things, the good things that will last forever are the albums they put out, and it's expressed in the amount of time and effort they have put in this new album.
The album starts out with the song "Came Out Swinging." This song is about having to move back in to your parents' house, in their basement because you had problems with your girlfriend and your job. This song is about being depressed and writing songs about finally getting better, which are helping but not doing it all. The next song is "Woke Up Older" which is about staying with a girl, most likely your girlfriend, but having to leave her house early because she's busy and then you do not want to come back so you try to avoid her, but trying to avoid her for so long makes you fee like a stranger on your own street because no one has seen you in so long. The third song was also released as a single for the album, "Local Man Ruins Everything." This song is all about returning to your home town and feeling alone, but making your own advice to get better and following it. The next song is not even a song, it's a 50 second long transition into the next song and it's about his home town in Philadelphia and all the things that have happened there recently. The next song, titled "My Life As a Pigeon" which is about having to wake up at six in the morning to go to an awful job and work yet another double shift. The title has something to do with the fact that pigeons are shunned and nobody wants them around and how he's comparing himself to them. The next song is about spending the summer in Pennsylvania. It's titled "Summers in PA." This song is about everybody returning home for the summer to spend time with all their old friends, finally getting over the sadness of the winter, it's the beginning of happiness. The next song is titles "I Won't Say the Lord's Prayer" which is about how he refuses to become a mindless follower of religion, not that all followers are mindless, he just refuses to become somebody that will believe without questioning anything. The eighth song on the album is "Coffee Eyes" which is about being regulars at a restaurant with your friends and then coming back after a few years with the same waitress working, getting a scar in the parking lot from accidentally cutting your hand on a piece of glass, and wanting the scar to stay because you want it as a reminder that there's always a place for you to go."I've Given You All' is another transition about the sad things that have happened in his hometown. The next song, "Don't Let Me Cave In" is about how he was extremely depressed and didn't think he was going to make it much longer, but spending some time with a friend helped him get better. "You Made Me Want To Be A Saint" is about how a friend of his ruined one of his experiences and acted like something big and important had never even happened just to make him angry. The next song "Hoodie Weather" is about his hometown and how messed up it really is but how it's also made him the person he is today, so he does not regret a thing. The last song "And Now I'm Nothing" has been called the "best ending to any pop- punk album ever written" by Logan White and Trevor White. The song itself is about pushing to make your life better and doing it all by yourself while finding a real place to call home for once.
In conclusion, this is the greatest pop-punk album ever written. Every song is flawless and everything fits together. For anyone who likes this style of music, I would recommend a full purchase.
Forrest Priest ('13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault
The Wonder Years, the band, not the television show, latest release, "Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing" came out early last summer on June 14th through Hopeless Records and it's still fresh in the minds of many fans of the pop-punk world. The Wonder Years have been called "the most punk minded band in recent years" which has a lot of truth to it. The Wonder Years love to interact with their fans. Whether it's online through websites, hanging out before or after shows or having a member dress up as a life-sized pigeon who hides in record stores and gives away free 7-inch records. While all of these things are very good about the band, they're all temporary things, the good things that will last forever are the albums they put out, and it's expressed in the amount of time and effort they have put in this new album.
The album starts out with the song "Came Out Swinging." This song is about having to move back in to your parents' house, in their basement because you had problems with your girlfriend and your job. This song is about being depressed and writing songs about finally getting better, which are helping but not doing it all. The next song is "Woke Up Older" which is about staying with a girl, most likely your girlfriend, but having to leave her house early because she's busy and then you do not want to come back so you try to avoid her, but trying to avoid her for so long makes you fee like a stranger on your own street because no one has seen you in so long. The third song was also released as a single for the album, "Local Man Ruins Everything." This song is all about returning to your home town and feeling alone, but making your own advice to get better and following it. The next song is not even a song, it's a 50 second long transition into the next song and it's about his home town in Philadelphia and all the things that have happened there recently. The next song, titled "My Life As a Pigeon" which is about having to wake up at six in the morning to go to an awful job and work yet another double shift. The title has something to do with the fact that pigeons are shunned and nobody wants them around and how he's comparing himself to them. The next song is about spending the summer in Pennsylvania. It's titled "Summers in PA." This song is about everybody returning home for the summer to spend time with all their old friends, finally getting over the sadness of the winter, it's the beginning of happiness. The next song is titles "I Won't Say the Lord's Prayer" which is about how he refuses to become a mindless follower of religion, not that all followers are mindless, he just refuses to become somebody that will believe without questioning anything. The eighth song on the album is "Coffee Eyes" which is about being regulars at a restaurant with your friends and then coming back after a few years with the same waitress working, getting a scar in the parking lot from accidentally cutting your hand on a piece of glass, and wanting the scar to stay because you want it as a reminder that there's always a place for you to go."I've Given You All' is another transition about the sad things that have happened in his hometown. The next song, "Don't Let Me Cave In" is about how he was extremely depressed and didn't think he was going to make it much longer, but spending some time with a friend helped him get better. "You Made Me Want To Be A Saint" is about how a friend of his ruined one of his experiences and acted like something big and important had never even happened just to make him angry. The next song "Hoodie Weather" is about his hometown and how messed up it really is but how it's also made him the person he is today, so he does not regret a thing. The last song "And Now I'm Nothing" has been called the "best ending to any pop- punk album ever written" by Logan White and Trevor White. The song itself is about pushing to make your life better and doing it all by yourself while finding a real place to call home for once.
In conclusion, this is the greatest pop-punk album ever written. Every song is flawless and everything fits together. For anyone who likes this style of music, I would recommend a full purchase.
Forrest Priest ('13) is a staff writer for The Viking Vault
Let's get fit
By: Sierra Sulivan
The biggest thing on many females' minds is the image other people have of us. We all want to be slim and toned or at least healthy. I am here to help.
Many women are victims of perpetual snacking. The issue is hard to curb, but there are ways to offset it. Instead of picking up a big bag of salty, fat-loaded chips, pick up a can of peanuts. Instead of picking up a chocolate bar, pick up fruit or dried fruit. And the worst one, instead of picking up a can of pop, pick up a large bottle of water and add a little flavoring by slicing a lemon and squeezing it in.
No one realizes that snacking can be a great thing. Many women struggle with slow metabolism and there is an easy fix. If you continue to snack on peanuts and dried fruit, your metabolism is constantly running. At the end of the day, eat a big, healthy meal and you will be healthy.
The fallback for all teenagers tends to be not eating. There is nothing worse for you. When you stop eating, your metabolism has nothing to work with and therefore, it stops. When you finally decide to fill your body with nutrients, the weight packs on because your metabolism is out of practice. So help your body out. Eat healthy snacks throughout the day and always eat 1 or 2 healthy meals a day. You have to keep that metabolism in shape.
Ladies, to cease eating is the worst decision you can possibly make if you want to lose weight. The weakness and hunger is overwhelming and the effects are long-term.
Finally, before considering this diet plan, study the health chart of what is a reasonable and healthy weight for your personal height and age. I am in no way encouraging unhealthy weight loss.
Sierra Sullivan ('14) is a staff writer and editor for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Google.com/images/exercise
The biggest thing on many females' minds is the image other people have of us. We all want to be slim and toned or at least healthy. I am here to help.
Many women are victims of perpetual snacking. The issue is hard to curb, but there are ways to offset it. Instead of picking up a big bag of salty, fat-loaded chips, pick up a can of peanuts. Instead of picking up a chocolate bar, pick up fruit or dried fruit. And the worst one, instead of picking up a can of pop, pick up a large bottle of water and add a little flavoring by slicing a lemon and squeezing it in.
No one realizes that snacking can be a great thing. Many women struggle with slow metabolism and there is an easy fix. If you continue to snack on peanuts and dried fruit, your metabolism is constantly running. At the end of the day, eat a big, healthy meal and you will be healthy.
The fallback for all teenagers tends to be not eating. There is nothing worse for you. When you stop eating, your metabolism has nothing to work with and therefore, it stops. When you finally decide to fill your body with nutrients, the weight packs on because your metabolism is out of practice. So help your body out. Eat healthy snacks throughout the day and always eat 1 or 2 healthy meals a day. You have to keep that metabolism in shape.
Ladies, to cease eating is the worst decision you can possibly make if you want to lose weight. The weakness and hunger is overwhelming and the effects are long-term.
Finally, before considering this diet plan, study the health chart of what is a reasonable and healthy weight for your personal height and age. I am in no way encouraging unhealthy weight loss.
Sierra Sullivan ('14) is a staff writer and editor for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: Google.com/images/exercise
Make me a fashionista
By: Sierra Sullivan
The season must-have, ladies: tailored blazers. You can never go wrong with a great neutral. These wonderful pieces of cloth can go with anything. Dress it up with a cute little cocktail dress underneath and a magnificent little sparkling clutch in your hand. Dress it down with a classic pair of super skinnys, a pair of red or purple pumps and a deep v-neck in a gray or white. There is no way to do this outfit badly. It's a great way to keep warm but look stylish rather than just throwing on an old zip-up jacket.
Don't forget about the lace! The new craze is the best for the most feminine and simple woman. Lace makes everyone look so innocent when done right. For winter, get a white lace dress with sleeve and give it one of the thick belts from last season that are hanging in your closet. Keep your hair down and your fingernails a natural color to play into the innocence of the beautiful fabric.
And the easiest of all, color blocking! Everywhere you look, there is a little dress hanging on the rack with amazing color blocking. Pick one up with a figure hugging fabric and grab your neutral pumps and head out the door. If you grab one with a three-quarter length sleeve, you won't need anything else. Without the sleeves, throw on the other season must-have, the blazer, and jump in the car.
This season is the easiest of all when it comes to fashion. A few great pieces and a need for looking great is the sure way to stick out in a sea of dull. Just because the season is bleak doesn't mean your wardrobe has to be. Don't be afraid to try the pieces that jump out at you in the store; they tend to be the best.
Sierra Sullivan ('14) is a writer and editor for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Sierra Sullivan smiles for a self-picture. Photo Credit: Northridge Newspaper staff.
The season must-have, ladies: tailored blazers. You can never go wrong with a great neutral. These wonderful pieces of cloth can go with anything. Dress it up with a cute little cocktail dress underneath and a magnificent little sparkling clutch in your hand. Dress it down with a classic pair of super skinnys, a pair of red or purple pumps and a deep v-neck in a gray or white. There is no way to do this outfit badly. It's a great way to keep warm but look stylish rather than just throwing on an old zip-up jacket.
Don't forget about the lace! The new craze is the best for the most feminine and simple woman. Lace makes everyone look so innocent when done right. For winter, get a white lace dress with sleeve and give it one of the thick belts from last season that are hanging in your closet. Keep your hair down and your fingernails a natural color to play into the innocence of the beautiful fabric.
And the easiest of all, color blocking! Everywhere you look, there is a little dress hanging on the rack with amazing color blocking. Pick one up with a figure hugging fabric and grab your neutral pumps and head out the door. If you grab one with a three-quarter length sleeve, you won't need anything else. Without the sleeves, throw on the other season must-have, the blazer, and jump in the car.
This season is the easiest of all when it comes to fashion. A few great pieces and a need for looking great is the sure way to stick out in a sea of dull. Just because the season is bleak doesn't mean your wardrobe has to be. Don't be afraid to try the pieces that jump out at you in the store; they tend to be the best.
Sierra Sullivan ('14) is a writer and editor for The Viking Vault. Photo Caption: Sierra Sullivan smiles for a self-picture. Photo Credit: Northridge Newspaper staff.
What if...?
By: Hunter Adkins
What if cancer never existed? Cancer affects everyone. Most people knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or knows of someone who has had it. Cancer is a very serious condition, but it can be stopped. If detected early enough, it can be treated, but it has to be treated adequately.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. If it never existed, the death rate would decrease for the United States and worldwide.
Cancer takes a lot out of the person diagnosed with it. There are several options you can try when you have cancer and are trying to get rid of it. Chemotherapy and radiation are the two most common. They are both very awful, but sometimes really help.
It doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed with it, but also affects the family too. The family is always worrying and having to deal with all of the things that come with the illness. And not to mention that death could be the outcome. Losing a family member is very hard, and especially losing to the fight to cancer.
Today there are around 10.1 million Americans that have cancer. If it was never here, 10.1 million Americans would be without the worry and the stress of cancer. If it never existed, loved ones would still be here, and we would be enjoying our time with them. Cancer is one of the worst things that could happen to anyone, and it is a very serious matter!
If cancer never existed, the whole world would be different. People would be a lot happier and not be scared their whole lives of getting diagnosed with it.
Hunter Adkins ('15) is a writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: sysomos.com
What if cancer never existed? Cancer affects everyone. Most people knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or knows of someone who has had it. Cancer is a very serious condition, but it can be stopped. If detected early enough, it can be treated, but it has to be treated adequately.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. If it never existed, the death rate would decrease for the United States and worldwide.
Cancer takes a lot out of the person diagnosed with it. There are several options you can try when you have cancer and are trying to get rid of it. Chemotherapy and radiation are the two most common. They are both very awful, but sometimes really help.
It doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed with it, but also affects the family too. The family is always worrying and having to deal with all of the things that come with the illness. And not to mention that death could be the outcome. Losing a family member is very hard, and especially losing to the fight to cancer.
Today there are around 10.1 million Americans that have cancer. If it was never here, 10.1 million Americans would be without the worry and the stress of cancer. If it never existed, loved ones would still be here, and we would be enjoying our time with them. Cancer is one of the worst things that could happen to anyone, and it is a very serious matter!
If cancer never existed, the whole world would be different. People would be a lot happier and not be scared their whole lives of getting diagnosed with it.
Hunter Adkins ('15) is a writer for The Viking Vault. Photo Credit: sysomos.com
A-ca-awesome!
By: Marissa Mullen
Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy film that premiered in late September 2012. It is the story of a college student, Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick), who joins an all-girl a-cappella group called the Barden Bella's. Their biggest competition is also from Barden University, called the Treblemakers. They compete in several competitions, singing mixtures of all-female songs until Beca comes along and spices it up.
If you have not seen Pitch Perfect, I recommend you go out immediately and get it. It is above and beyond any musical comedy that I have ever seen. From the cast selection to music selection, everything is phenomenal, especially the performance done by Rebel Wilson, who plays Fat Amy (you'll have to find out why they call her Fat Amy). She is way past hilarious with her advanced comedy. She plays that "Don't tell me what to do, I'll do what I want," character which is ironic because her name really is Rebel. I love any movie she is in and really hope they will continue the Pitch Perfect story and make sequels featuring Rebel Wilson.
The main character is Beca Mitchell, played by Anna Kendrick. She has that alternative/ rock-girl image. I think they could have found a more well-known actress to play her who would have done much better than she did. She just didn't seem like she was really into the part she was playing. She did have some really good parts, and she is a great actress; just not for this particular movie. She does have a great voice and did a great job with the musical numbers, but she doesn't have the right image. I understand that the point of her being portrayed as a rocker-chick was because she doesn't seem like someone who would be an a-cappella girl, but they may have taken it too far.
The musical numbers that they perform are marvelous and are of a wide variety of music. They range from as recent as "Party in the USA" and "Just the Way You Are" to oldies like "The Sign" and "Don't You Forget about Me," from the movie The Breakfast Club. The way they combined the music and made it flow together was really neat, and makes the movie extremely interesting. Since they do everything a-cappella,
It must have taken a lot of practice, but they did an "A-ca-awesome" job.
Marissa Mullen ('14) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: rottentomatoes.com
Pitch Perfect is a musical comedy film that premiered in late September 2012. It is the story of a college student, Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick), who joins an all-girl a-cappella group called the Barden Bella's. Their biggest competition is also from Barden University, called the Treblemakers. They compete in several competitions, singing mixtures of all-female songs until Beca comes along and spices it up.
If you have not seen Pitch Perfect, I recommend you go out immediately and get it. It is above and beyond any musical comedy that I have ever seen. From the cast selection to music selection, everything is phenomenal, especially the performance done by Rebel Wilson, who plays Fat Amy (you'll have to find out why they call her Fat Amy). She is way past hilarious with her advanced comedy. She plays that "Don't tell me what to do, I'll do what I want," character which is ironic because her name really is Rebel. I love any movie she is in and really hope they will continue the Pitch Perfect story and make sequels featuring Rebel Wilson.
The main character is Beca Mitchell, played by Anna Kendrick. She has that alternative/ rock-girl image. I think they could have found a more well-known actress to play her who would have done much better than she did. She just didn't seem like she was really into the part she was playing. She did have some really good parts, and she is a great actress; just not for this particular movie. She does have a great voice and did a great job with the musical numbers, but she doesn't have the right image. I understand that the point of her being portrayed as a rocker-chick was because she doesn't seem like someone who would be an a-cappella girl, but they may have taken it too far.
The musical numbers that they perform are marvelous and are of a wide variety of music. They range from as recent as "Party in the USA" and "Just the Way You Are" to oldies like "The Sign" and "Don't You Forget about Me," from the movie The Breakfast Club. The way they combined the music and made it flow together was really neat, and makes the movie extremely interesting. Since they do everything a-cappella,
It must have taken a lot of practice, but they did an "A-ca-awesome" job.
Marissa Mullen ('14) is a staff writer for the Viking Vault. Photo Credit: rottentomatoes.com