Culture

by Matt Fry

Many guys will always have their wallet with them. They usually put it into the same pocket every single time they are done using it. Everything a man needs can be held in there. From money, to bank or ATM cards, to insurance cards, to his license or state ID, school ID, his social security card, anything. Really, just about anything that he needs in could be in there. Every guy has their own organizational technique they use, and that could be displayed by their wallets. There are many kinds of wallets that fit different people better than others. Some have chains that clip to you, some don’t. Some are a bi-fold, and some are tri-fold. Some are designed to look “cool” or goofy. No matter how they look, or what they do… most wallets work the same way, and do the same thing. For most guys, a wallet is his lifeline. But what would happen if he was to misplace or lose that wallet? What is he to do to protect himself after this happens? What can he do to prevent that from happening?

Well, I had lost my wallet over the weekend. I didn’t have any money to pay for gas, or get something to snack on. I worried about being pulled over because I didn’t have my driver’s license. I couldn’t go to an ATM and pull any money out. I was left in a position that I almost couldn’t make it back to Washington! I made it home with fumes left in my tank. And right after I got home. I tried to do anything and everything that I needed to do to make sure I didn’t lose any more of my money. Or lose my identity! First, after driving all the way home. I called my bank/ATM card numbers and tried to get them canceled. The number wasn’t working because I had called them past office hours. So I had to wait another two days before they opened again! I signed up for life-lock because there isn’t much you can do to stop your social security number, you can’t cancel it, and you can’t protect it once it has left your hands. The best you can do is hope that whoever finds your wallet don’t know what to do with that number. Signing up for life-lock will alert you if there is something that goes on that includes you, without YOU knowing. Meaning that if someone goes and tries to buy a $40,000 car that is half way around the world. The company can contact you. See if you really are the one trying to buy that car, And if not; that other person isn’t able to buy anything else. And they also get caught!

But after replacing my driver’s license and bank cards. I checked my bank account. And there hasn’t been any activity on my account. So now, I do know that whoever has found my wallet hadn’t touched my banks. This is good, less for me to worry about. But if they wouldn’t take money from a bank. Then what will they do with your wallet? Some people will take any cash you have in there. And just throw the wallet in the trash. But then there are other people that will look in every corner of the wallet to get as much as they can out of it. And then there are the few kind hearted people that will take it home and try to mail it back to you using the address on your state ID, or your driver’s ID. So therefore you do have a small chance to get your wallet back. But that is just a small chance. Don’t think this can never happen to you. One little mistake can turn your whole day upside-down and just might turn your whole life upside-down. So take little steps to save you the trouble now! One thing I’m going to do is find a new wallet that clips to my belt, or belt loop. So that way it can’t be easily dropped. And then just know what you keep in there and what it can do if it falls into the wrong hands. Lastly, try not to keep super important things in there.
Images by Ruben Otero and Daniel Ostapenko

There have always been doomsday predictions – 32 since 1990. What make this one so different? People have been predicting the end of the world since 634 BC. There is some major evidence that this December 21st Doomsday Read more →

Images & Writing by Jay Ulrich

Lots of changes have occurred between the early 90’s and the early 2010’s. As a senior this year, I’ve noticed a lot of the different changes that we have between my generation and today’s. Born in the 90’s, we didn’t have extreme excess to computers or game systems that now every kid has. We did have computers, but our internet started out on AOL compact discs and the best graphic game system was the Dream cast; Things that most kids now a day’s never even heard of. We have advancement in technology that is rapidly inclining as we advance software, and build easier alternatives to daily tasks. We could very much say that the next generation of kids will not know a world without computers, or an easy life. Even experiencing some of the time without the need of technology as a 90’s kid, the later part of my life eventually revolved around the computer and more so than ever today. Is that necessarily a positive result with the advancement in computers?

To say that this era of new technology is entirely a good thing would be a bit of an overstatement. We’ve developed faster computers, lighter mobile phones, and since the 2000’s the availability of internet and phone access has increased. A 2008 Pew Internet and American Life Project Study states that only ten percent of US adults use dial-up internet access. According to United States Federal Communications Commission in 2010 it was 6 percent. A main reason for this is that advancement in technology occurred and produced Broad-Band Internet and Cable, to produce a faster and cheaper way of surfing the internet. With this newer availability of internet, companies have been finding their way over the years to broaden their target audience from mainly adults to kids. Computer games are a consumption of children’s time now a day and even hook them till their mid to late twenties. Examples like Sims Series, Star Craft, Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and Farmville.

New companies were trying to connect to gaming industry with the idea that you didn’t need to be in the same room or even country to play a game of scrabble online. Through Social Networking, we’ve given a whole new perspective of communication between friends. Social networking has evolved from Friendster (2002-03) followed by MySpace (2004-06) and ultimately replaced by Facebook (2007 – ). Networking between friends and staying in touch not only became easier, but more impersonal. A phone call was easily replaced with Instant Messaging and for some has replaced verbal communication between people. It’s not entirely a bad thing, and many prefer the non-verbal attention, but it really dampens the idea of the socially awkward coming out of their shells, and more inviting others to hinder their social lives.

Ultimately, there were some setbacks that came with the advancement of technology, but I would say there is a better outcome because of it. Gaming takes a lot of your time sitting in one spot when a decade ago you were more likely to be found rollerblading or being active in some way. Any activity at all these days is usually done for the idea of ‘getting your exercise in’ instead of playing sports or outdoor games for fun. It should be a priority of Americans to make sure they moderate the use of social networking and gaming but then again, there is always too much of a good thing. Computer advancement isn’t a bad idea and it has help more than harmed. A general principle should be set when on the computer that every hour you’re on it is an hour you have wasted to doing something progressive in your life. Examples like taking a hour walk, playing a sport, or even doing homework are all positive actions that you could have made while you were checking your Facebook.

It takes courage to stand up to a bully. 71% of kids say they don’t feel safe going to school because of bullying. There are various ways a person can gain courage: By asking friends for help, contacting specialists who are able to help you, or having the self confidence to not let it bother you.

Chris Acevedo, a former student and bully victim, agreed to share his story with me regarding his past bullying situations. As a child, he didn’t notice at first, but when he realized that fat jokes were centered on him, it made him despise himself. This continued throughout high school. College came and he had a professor who was also the author of a book called “Fought to be this Happy.” This book showed him that other people are going through the exact same thing that he was. “My advice for those being bullied is that you are not alone there are people going through similar trials like you and that you must always believe in yourself and not listen to those people that will bring you down and always strive to be you.”

Being bullied is a tough aspect of life, and sadly is one that everybody faces at some point in time. But if you believe in yourself and know that you are better than what those people are saying then you’ll be able to overcome.

If you’re a witness to bullying we highly encourage you to report it. You can do so by contacting our district bullying line by phone, email, or text.

SafeSchools Alert is our districts’s tip reporting service. If you have info about a threat to someone’s saftely, do your part and report it! And remember, you can remain anonymous.

Website: egreen-wa.safeschoolsalert.com
Email: tips@egreen-wa.safeschoolsalert.com
Phone: 1-855-4ALERT1, ext. 1002
Text: #1002 @tip + your tip to (513) 655-7173

-Article written by Jeremy Hess / Edited by Cassidy Lucas

by Jay Ulrich

[singlepic id=115 w=233 h=350 float=left]Fall is coming and the transition from light summer wear into layered winter wear is becoming a coming issue. No one wants to throw away entire wardrobes because of the slight weather change, and storage is not a kind way to treat our clothes. Finding new alternatives to updating our wardrobe is becoming more real and it’s something I can see we all need help on.

For most women, we stocked up on sundresses this summer as a way to find a cool alternative to shorts and skirts, but now that the wind is blowing and the temperatures are dipping down. We are ready to put the dresses in the back of the closet till next summer, and whip out our cards to spend one-hundred plus dollars on a new wardrobe. What if I told you there was an easy-trendy alternative to fashioning your dress into the latest fall apparel?

Layering is a key factor in fall fashion. We need a way to stay fashion forward but also to stay warm and comfortable at the same time. Layering can bring out the best in an outfit while keep us cozy and comfortable. It’s as simple as adding a spaghetti strap under our dress, wearing leggings underneath, and/or wearing a cardigan on top. The layered look also shows the thoughtfulness of your outfit, more than just waking up and throwing clothes on, without the hard work of it all. Layering doesn’t just go for girls; Men are sporting the layered look as fall becomes closer. Whether it is adding a flannel or blazer to your tank top, or wearing your jean cut-offs with a sweater, men work with what they have to stay on top of fashion.

[singlepic id=114 w=233 h=350 float=right]Dresses: Take your best summer dress and layer it with a solid legging, or pair of leg warmers. If it’s a bit windy that day, throw on a cardigan pending the pattern of your dress. If you have a solid color dress, then add some patterns with your leggings or cardigan. If your dress has a floral pattern to it, then keep it simplistic with solids and low key patterns. You do not want to have an eye sore outfit with too many patterns in one outfit. Always keep it simplistic, and you will never strike out.

Tank Tops: (Women) Tank tops are always something you can layer. Adding a trendy denim vest, or layering over a buttoned up top always creates a cozy fashionable look. Such as Flannels, button ups, and jackets.

[singlepic id=116 w=233 h=350 float=left]Tank Tops: (Men) Tank tops for men are very common to see layered with denims, flannel, and jackets. The general rule is that layering tank tops can be anything that buttons/zips up without covering the entire shirt.

Accessories: Layering transitions your wardrobe but adding accessories to your outfit makes it a more unique piece that sets it apart from everyone else’s outfit.