The Herald: July 2007 Edition

[The Herald]

I'm not going to keep you here for very long; I've been up too many hours as it is, but I'd like to take a moment to thank Artemis, our Herald supervisor. This is his last issue as acting Supervisor, and though he appears to have been slowly stepping back from the forum, his absence will leave the Herald with a void I only pray we can eventually fill.

Thank you Arty... for the palm leaf and the editing.

And for the rest of you- we're all extremely proud of this edition. Spanning three pages, it's a whopper. More importantly though, it's full of quality articles. Enjoy it- and don't forget to leave a comment.

[The Herald]

This month's member of the month is someone I'm sure quite a few of you have noticed over the past month. He's always been around, but lately has really been putting a lot of effort into not only being an active member in the community, but in the community's workings. A supportive photographer always willing to share some tips and learn from others, Kai is not shy about his love for the camera. On top of his work in the photography board, Kai brings a lot of laughs amongst the Herald staff. He shares his passion for writing in the form of articles that the entire community may utilize. More importantly- he volunteers to help.

Please join me in applauding Kai for his hard work and hoping that he may continue to be such an important member in the Solidsnake Designs community. Congratulations!

Another month, another list of the outrageous things our forum members say to each other. Don't forget to submit quotes in the submission thread!


"Forum Quotes - Artemis (these were June's quotes)"

- urban.cinderella (in the missing articles post)


"Hehehe.. I know.

And no, it's not me.

As usual, I sat on my lazy bum and watched other people do the real work this month."

"Gaydar convo much?"

- Artemis and AI


"Jam side down."

- bryanic in The Fall of Man discussion


"The only extreme sports I'm into is alcoholism and touchin' Bryanic where he don't like touchin'."

- the Baron


"Ohhh, hydrochloric acid. Yeah, not the greatest stuff to be inserting in your oral cavity."

"Yeah. Nick knows exactly what he likes in his oral cavity..."

- Nicholas and Criminal Mastermind


"I'm gay.
I love Ollie.
My arse is so hot it's untouchable."
- Jonny, when asked to state three interesting facts about himself.


"People ask me why I always have a bottle of vodka next to my computer when I browse SSD..."
- Jonny


"I swear to God that Car is evil."

"I am all rainbows and sunshine."

"I believe the only way I can phrase this is:

ROFLMAO"

- gray 929, UC and Jonny


"I LOLed at that last line. I couldn't seem to find any actual images of the footless (feetless?) girl, but I can guarantee her parents will be receiving a nice chunk of the franchise's profits if they are somehow able to win a legal case against the injury disclaimer the parks usually employ."

"The phrase "We can rebuild her, we have the technology" keeps running through my head accompanied by the clippity-clop of wooden clogs."

- Awesome Andrew and The Baron

First of all, let me say that the entry total was very low this month. Hopefully in the following months the number of entries will grow; I would love to see more to choose from, and with a contest that just draws upon images you've already created, I don't see a reason to not have more! Please don't let me down, guys.

Avatar of the Month

To choose the winner, I had to break this down to three finalists before I finally decided.

Kai- Simple and lovely. The elegance of this, the very first avatar to be entered, gave me high hopes. Well done.

Obsidian- This has to be one of my favorite characters from Final Fantasy; this avatar was also an instant favorite. The fact that it isn't the standard 100x100, but instead a customized size, made it stick out. Very nice.

Pandora- Simple and easy on the eyes. Very well done.

Because of the above reasons, I chose Obsidian. His avatar just really stuck out to me because of its clean simplicity and unique sizing. Congratulations!

Winner:

Signature of the Month

Only two entries in this category this month, but still some lovely submissions.

Mukei- Overall, this is a nice signature. Bright colors make it stand out, but something was missing; I just wasn't very impressed with it.

Pandora- Just wow. Whereas the simple avatar caught my eye, the detail in the signature made me fall in love. Very clean and easy on the eyes. Well done, Pandora. For these reasons, I chose you as the winner this month.

Winner:

Unfortunately, as the resources are pretty much down on the website, I can't give anyone a resource of the month.

What I can do though is provide a re-cap of the resources that have been featured so we can all appreciate the hard work that the creators put into their resources.

February 2006
PSD Banner 1 by Chase
March 2006
Serendipity's Thingar
April 2006
Signature Pack by Newklear
May 2006
Blue Ennui by Egbakaet
June 2006
Green Square Smilies by Chase
July 2006
Stable Oxidation by Ovi and HP.Mad
August 2006
Decayed by Ovi
September 2006
Blue UBBC Tags (V4) by Chase
October 2006
Abstract Set 77 by Stinky666
November 2006
Simplicity by norton
December 2006
City Limits by Reverse Blade

January 2007
The Charmed Ones by Charmed_Boy
February 2007
Avatar Set 8 by Chase
March 2007
Abstract Set 11 by White.Knight
April 2007
Sig Pack #1 by Exultance
May 2007
Avatar Set 16 by Stinky666
June 2007
Grey Button Set 1 by Neko

Chase has won the most featured resources, with a total of 4 features over the past year and a half. Stinky666 comes in second with 2 features and with 1 and a half features, there's Ovi in third.

Well done guys, there have been some gorgeous resources uploaded to the database in my time and I'd like to thank you on behalf of the community for sharing these with us.

In this transition period between our old and new literature mods, I thought I'd snatch the article from ol' pandy and get the feel for this type of article. Let me tell you, too, it wasn't an easy article for me to write. There are so many people that deserve to have the title "Literature of the Month" linked to one of their pieces, but in the end, it all comes down to one.

For this month, that piece is Casualty of Love by Whitney. Out of all of the literature I read, this one struck me as one of the best.

Perhaps it was the subtle southern slang, the creative use of imagery, or the simple lack of punctuation. Or more than likely, it was the charming mix of all these factors which made this beautiful piece of writing pop with character.

Anyway, congratulations Whitney on this month's win... and I'll be signing this over to pandora from this day...forward! Auf Wiedersehen!

This month's photo of the month is "Trinity" by Tommy Huynh. Though this may seem like a simple shot at first glance, it was too beautiful of a portrait for me to pass on featuring. How he managed to get a baby to stay still long enough to get such a flawless and adorable picture, I am still not sure... but I am definitely sure that this photo deserves to be honored this month. Check out more of Tommy Huynh's photography on his Flickr account... and if you have a baby- be sure to stop by his studio.

You may have first noticed this month's Movie of the Month when its star, Helen Mirren, accepted an Oscar for Best Performance. Or you may have been like me and simply picked it up off the New Releases rack in the movie store on a whim. Either way, hopefully this wonderful film has not escaped your notice completely.

The Queen is a drama based on the buzz surrounding Princess Diana's sudden death in 1997. After the popular princess's death, the royal family expected to slink back into the shadows and nurse their sorrow in seclusion as royal protocol has always dictated. Instead, the family finds themselves smack dab in the middle of a media frenzy and subsequent public disapproval at their seclusion. The movie details the daily life of Queen Elizabeth II as she struggles to find her footing between the modernist thought and her conservative background... with a little help from Tony Blair, her newly elected labor prime minister.

Though not packed with guns or gut-wrenching emotion, The Queen is a solid movie, portraying a strong character in a way that appeals to all audiences. It may just be the history major in me, but I enjoyed this film. With actual footage strewed in and a script reconstructed from details provided from real-life advisors to the queen, the facts are solid... and with Helen Mirren's coldly determined rendition of the queen, the entertainment is there to accompany it for a truly wonderful result.

They can because they think they can.
Virgil

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
Robert Collier

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
Vince Lombardi

Don't bunt. Aim out of the ballpark.
David Ogilvy

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein

The best way out is always through.
Robert Frost

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein

The power of imagination makes us infinite.
John Muir

Alcoholism is the only disease that you can get yelled at for having.
Mitch Hedberg

There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them.
Terry Pratchett

When a woman steals your husband, there is no better revenge than letting her keep him.
Anonymous

One good husband is worth two good wives; for the scarcer things are, the more they are valued.
Benjamin Franklin

Plastic surgeons are always making mountains out of molehills.
Dolly Parton

Everyone should have kids. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You'll realize this as soon as they are born, and they start using sleep deprivation to break you.
Ray Romano

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
Oscar Wilde

The last sound on the worthless earth will be two human beings trying to launch a homemade spaceship and already quarreling about where they are going next.
William Faulkner

Work is the curse of the drinking classes.
Oscar Wilde

[The Herald]

I guess it’s officially summer now; many of us are suddenly finding that we have more free time available to spend both online and offline. We at SSD are no exception to this, and as a result we have a lovely new website for you as well as new moderators being brought in to freshen things up on the forum.

Staff Changes

This month, we say goodbye to our SOTW moderator David, who has left his staff position for private reasons. He shall still be present on the forums as usual though; you don’t get away from the little freak so easily.

Also leaving us is Luke, our Battle Board moderator. He has been absent for almost a month now; he has been removed for the time being.

It can be difficult to put into words the thanks that these people deserve for giving up their own free time to lead and help out, but we hope they both know how much the community appreciates their dedication over the past months.

With these and previous departures, we found ourselves searching for new staff to step up to the plate. To fill these voids, Mukei and gray929 have accepted the positions for Critique mods while Jon Utah has stepped in to take over on the Battle Board. He may eventually be joined by Luke, but until Luke's return, Jon will function as the sole moderator. SOTW is currently undergoing an open-application process where we give everyone a chance to prove their responsibility and dedication to us through an easy application. That said, we are glad to welcome our new members to our team and can't wait to see the new faces this month will bring.

New Website

Last month I promised you a new website. Because of some technical difficulties in moving the downloads to the new directory, we are manually re-adding all of the resources. This is making us run a bit behind schedule, but the new website should be released a week or so from this edition- and it promises many new features for the community.

I’m very pleased with what it has to offer; it is what we have needed for a long time. It should bring together everything that we’re about: the community, the resources, and most importantly- the fun.

Features:

• Clean URLs; Messy PHP in the address bar is a thing of the past.
  
• Efficient search engine, ideal for searching for tutorials and resources
  
• Expandable layout
  
• New image gallery, entirely integrated into the system. Allowing more of your work to be added, an example being featured battles.
  
• An exciting new type of duel system (more details on this to come!)
  
• Tutorials are to be freely edited by members, so they are up to date and informative.
  
• The Herald will be available on there as well as the forum, with the added advantage of being able to “Digg” your favourite articles. (www.digg.com) for more.
  
• All staff members will be able to post news relating to current events in their boards, making it easy for you to find news on your favorite boards.
  
• A more flexible and open affiliates scheme

Art Group Release
Also, Collection 15 may have been out for a while now, but I wanted to officially draw some attention to it. If you haven't clicked on that lovely little promo image at the top of the forums, I suggest you take a look. Though small in size, this collection packs a big punch as it explores the unique topic: Dreamworld. Be sure to leave comments to let your Official Art Group know how much you appreciate their hard work.

Interview Board
The new interview board now features a brand new interview issued by Whitney. Be sure to check out matteo's words of wisdom.

That’s about all for this month; enjoy this month's edition brought to you by those hard-working Herald writers.

Oliver
SSD Admin

[The Herald]

SSD would like to wish the following people a very happy birthday. If you're not on the list, the reason is simple: I obviously hate you.

Member	Date
x.ica	10th
gimli10567	11th
Al Young	12th
Slater	12th
Chantry	14th
Artemis	19th
Joe	21st
Nexxia	22nd
Obsidian	27th
HP	31st

Happy birthday, all. Enjoy them!

... is anyone else thinking it a tad egotistical that I wished myself a happy birthday?

[The Herald]

Note: All of the article excerpts found in this page were based on the information provided in the article.

Paris back in jail


Image courtesy of cnn.com

After being released from jail for an unspecified medical condition and being placed under house arrest, Superior Court Judge Michael T. Sauer, who made the original ruling, placed Hilton back in jail to serve the remaining of her 45 day sentence. The sheriff responsible for releasing Hilton hinted that she may have suffered from severe psychological problems and stated that a person in such a mental state was just wasting space in the already overcrowded jail cells.

Click here to read the full article.

Blair out, Brown in


Image courtesy of cnn.com

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair steps down, freeing his prime minister seat for one Gordon Brown. Shortly after stepping down, Blair was appointed to serve as a special envoy to the Middle East. Blair, who received a standing ovation, said, "I wish everyone, friend or foe, well and that is that: the end."

Click here to read the full article.

Mummy of Queen Hatshepsut Identified


Image courtesy of cnn.com

Discovered in 1903 in the Valley of the Kings, a mummy was identified as 15th-century B.C. Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, a woman who, through the course of history, has become known as the most powerful female pharoah. Hatshepsut was known for dressing up as a man and wearing a beard, but when he rule ended, all traces of her disappeared.

Click here to read the full article.

Wrestler kills family, then himself


Image courtesy of cnn.com

Christ Benoit, a pro-wrestler of 22 years and star within the World Wrestling Entertainment, was found dead with his wife and child in his home in Fayetteville, Georgia. Police believe Benoit strangled his wife before continuing on to suffocate his son. Leaving Bibles by each of their sides, Benoit then sent a string of text messages intending to bring co-workers to his home, and hanged himself on a portable weight machine. Traces of illegal steroids have been found within the wrestler's home, but police are waiting on taxonomy reports to discover whether any were within the wrestler's system.

Click here to read the full article.

Cheney Claims Not In Executive Branch, Funding Could Suffer


Image courtesy of www.philly.com

Vice President Dick Cheney is quickly finding the drawbacks of having a Democratic Congress; the vice president's assertion that his office is not within the executive branch is meeting with strong resistence by Representative Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel has answered Cheney's attempt to avoid the presidential order on secrecy by proposing a cut in his funding until the vice president acknowledges his place in the government's branches.

Click here to read the full article.

[The Herald]

July started out as "Quintilis," the fifth month, but was later renamed to "Julius" in honor of the emperor Julius Caesar, who was born within it. This name would eventually be shortened to July. The month has always had 31 days, no matter which calendar it was under. It was moved to be the seventh month when January took the spot as first month of the Roman calendar.

July is one of the hottest months of the year for those in the northern hemisphere- often with mild weather all month. Flowers are at their brightest at this time of year and some places are prone to drought - meaning the grasses often lose some of their color. In the southern hemisphere, however, it is a winter month and instead promises cold and rainy weather.

The flower for this month is the Lily and the birthstone, the Ruby.

[The Herald]

The 4th of July? What was that about again? Fireworks?... Or was that bonfire night? Remember, remember the 5th… the 4th of November? Important to American History, but a little distant to other countries, nevertheless important because of what it said, oddly, rather than what it meant.

On the 4th of July, 1776, the second continental congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and by doing so declared the thirteen colonies independent from Great Britain. Primarily written by American polymath Thomas Jefferson and edited by Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Livingston and Herman, the Declaration stated the justifications for secession and the American colonies' complaints against the king.

The Declaration was one of the founding documents of the soon to be United States of America. Though the American colonies were united in secession, they had not yet united to form the single nation that would actually go on to celebrate Independence Day. The Union that formed later was brought together over the next few years as the American revolutionary war progressed.

American history aside, it is the premise laid down by the declaration of independence that is its most important feature – that all men are created equal and are gifted with certain rights that are inalienable from them. Abraham Lincoln reiterated this in his Gettysburg address:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

The declaration became a blueprint for the United States Constitution and later the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen – a product of the French Revolution. The right to revolution would go on to inspire many other parties to overthrow totalitarian governments and the declaration as a whole inspired a league of philosophers – including Karl Marx – of a brighter future for America. Whether this brighter future was realized is a matter for debate… but in theory, the Declaration prophesied a land of freedom.

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government…”
In Congress, July 4, 1776.The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.

[The Herald]

Name? Heather, x.ica, or Henica. Whichever.
Age? 17, turning 18 on July 10^th.
Location? Nevada/Arizona- right on the border.
Website/gallery? henica.deviantart.com

Well, in case the readers don't already know, I'll clue them in: this chick knows 23 programming languages! Care to list them off for us?
Well, I've actually worked with more than that. Those are just the ones I feel fluent in. They include anything from the more common web formatting languages (HTML, CSS, XML, etc.) to some of the more 'behind the scenes' languages (MySQL, Python, Binary, PASCAL, etc.)

Why, how, and when did you begin your nerdy- er, that is, genius- pursuit of learning these languages?
I began trying to create my first website on Geocities. That led me to HTML, which I picked up fluently in days. That led me to being hosted and eventually having my own website, which is still under construction. Once I discovered how easy HTML was for me, I began looking at the way everything worked, which got me interested in what I call 'behind the scenes' programming.

You also work with Photoshop, yes? How long have you been doing this and what/who got you interested?
Yes, I've been doing it since I had access to a computer, much before I had my own computer. My father was using a very early version at his newspaper for the town. I learned quickly how to do the basics, and ended up with a semi-part-time job at the newspaper. I wasn't paid or anything, but it was nice to have my own job at the age of 6-7.

I started doing more professional work when I owned my first computer, at the age of 10.

Are these only hobbies for you, or do you have a job involving
programming and/or designing? If not, are you hoping to get a job
involving these?
I'm also very deep into the traditional art field, professional scripting and writing, and console gaming fields. I basically participate in anything that gets me away from my own mind and into the mind of someone who doesn't have a care in the world, focusing completely into the project and just speaking from the heart.

Currently I work at a Dry Cleaning Drop store. While there, I bring my laptop and work on my programming and Photoshop skills daily. However, currently, I've fallen away from the scenes of commission work after my accident. I'm trying to get back into it now. I'm also currently a full-time college student, my major being Computer Technology and my minor being Design- so I guess you could say I'm working into the job field of it.

To date, what do you consider your best coding project? Are you working on any projects at this time?
I once created a fully working website for Yahoo! as a design contest. I won first place and got a $5,000 dollar prize.

The website took what Yahoo! already had, and basically gave them a fresh code to start from. I fixed many of the mistakes and errors the I felt the website had, along with a more mainstream layout. Parts of my programming has been added into their system.

Currently, I'm just trying to redevelop my skills and try new things. So, no big, official projects really.

What sort of art are you interested in? Why? Do you have any favorite pieces that you've made?
I love anything that can show me an emotion. Emotions are a HUGE thing for me, so any kind of art that shows it basically earns my vote, no matter the style or skill of the piece.

Currently I'm trying to combine this alongside fractal art. My favorite pieces are showcased in my gallery.

Are there any people that have truly inspired you in either programming or design?
My father has always been a big inspiration for both aspects. While he is no programmer, he is a fantastic artist. My family and loving fiance are also there side by side with me on every project. They provide inspiration on a day to day basis.

Overall, why do you stick with what you do? Do you plan to continue these things for the future?
I stay with them because I feel that I can express my emotions positively in anything I decide to try out. I plan to continue this until the day I die.

Since this isn't being stuck in the interview board, I hereby give
myself the right to stray a little from the professional side. Ready
yourselves!

Give us some of your favorites: food, drink, color, movie, music
(song/artist), etc.
Food: Pasta
Drink: Diet Dr.Pepper/Diet Peach Tea Snapple
Movie: Party Monster
Music: Any music that expresses emotion... 'cept country. Not many country songs I like.

Personally, I highly dislike marshmallows... you?
Love 'em. I actually made my own drink made from pureed marshmallows.

Do you have any juicy stories about yourself that you'd like to share?
Juicy? I hardly find them juicy.

I supposed I could explain my accident though, but it'll be hard to not present it graphically. Basically, I had a BIG scare with cancer. 4/5 of five doctors said I had it. They believed it to be in the back of my skull and some on the part where my spine connects to my skull.

After about two years of worry, a CAT scan cleared me of all suspicions. That day on the way home from the doctor, I was in a car accident. I had suffered mild head trauma, and I forgot so so so many things.

But that's really as 'juicy' as it gets for me.

This last silly question is very important: Do you enjoy penguins and the color green? (...be wary of your answer!)
Why yes... yes I do....

Lastly, do you have any last words of advice for those who are
interested in bettering themselves in coding and/or design?
Read up on anything and everything that you want to be able to do before learning. There are some things that you'll learn that you'll never use. It's amazing, but there is A LOT of that.

Just read up and be as constant as you can. The more you force it into your brain, the more it'll stick and you can add your own creativity to it.

[The Herald]

C'mon in, my fellow friends. I'm about to let you in on a little secret from each of our staff- secrets so deep that until now, they have never been so much as picked at, but instead buried within the hearts of those concerned. Until now. Via my.... methods, I've managed to extract the secrets from them. Don't worry though... no chickens were harmed in the process.

Remember, my friend, that these are a selection of the darkest secrets ever to exist. Be careful and cautious. You might just be affected by its deadly attraction... and find yourself doing the unthinkable (requesting to join The Herald yourselves.)

Presenting...'The Reasons Why We Joined The Herald'.

Alfred Lau aka Kai

Well, I joined Herald around November 2006, for reasons which were pretty much the same as many others on the team: I loved writing. It allowed me to express myself, and I love it.

But what people did not know was, I joined Herald also to gain more experience in writing articles. I was contemplating journalism as a profession in future, and wanted to get some insight as to how it was. Granted, The Herald wasn't a professional magazine, it was my first stepping stone. And I quite love working in The Herald.

So those are the reasons why I got into the team.

Tonya aka SilverWings

So...why I joined the Herald.... Why did I join again?? Oh yeah, because of my passion for writing. As I was telling Kai the other night, I am by no means a 'new' member. I have been around for years but the Herald got me out there, and talking to people.
Also, when I graduated I said good bye to my little high school newspaper. One that I formed, I ran, and I loved. My baby...so many good times.

I just couldn't let go of writing. Plus I couldn't let Bryanic steal all my articles. So many good times to come, I can see it already. It has already allowed me to gain a few good friends. Friends I wouldn't give up. And my one true SSD love, yup Kai married me... . So I guess, I joined for friends and the writing experience.

Barbie aka Pandora

I joined SSD in March 2006, looking for a place to be creative among other creative people. (Ok, I was actually looking for some help for my friend's dying forum...finding a creative community was priority number two.) I decided I liked the community so I stayed.

Kari was immediately nice to me, telling me about the Lit Board and The Herald. I then wrote my first serious article ever; Kari and UC seemed to think it was alright, so I was in!

The Herald keeps me on my toes. I must have new ideas month to month. If I didn't have articles to write, I don't think I'd write as often as I do. So the combination of The Herald, and my boyfriend playing the part of my Muse, my writing has become quite improved over the last 1 1/2 years. I've even written a happy ending or two for my short stories.

Bottomline, I'm grateful for The Herald, and so I continue to contribute.

Andrew aka Sirius Wolfsbane
No avatar.

If my memory serves me, I originally joined The Herald during the summer of 2006. At the time, I was participating in a journalism class at my high school which I enjoyed immensely. While I never actually wrote a journalistic article, the style of writing has always fascinated me.

I'm a member of many large message forums that would do very well with some kind of magazine. However, most places don't have the member base to run a successful magazine. SSD has that member base, and the support necessary. When I saw the work that was being done with The Herald, I knew I had to be a part of that team.

That's when I put in an application. There wasn't much need for discussion on that and I was put onto the team shortly after I applied. Ever since then, I've always had one article or so appear in the magazine. I've never written much, as I don't have much experience in the main areas of the publication, but I've always put in what I felt was my fair share.

Ever since I joined this publication, my writing has increased twofold. Most of the poetry I have written has improved and short stories I have written have come out better than ever before. This gave me a reason to write, and for that I'm grateful.

Michelle aka Eternity

For the purple nick which never came.

Lawrie aka Bryanic

The beer and the bitches.

Man, I liked the idea of the herald. The general quality always impressed me - particularly Pandora's music corner. Its uniqueness also impressed me, I don't spend alot of time surfing anything except the online news and wikipedia, but I've never seen a forum with a zine.

The real question would be why wouldn't I?

Pestilence. Famine. A job. A girlfriend. Interest in out door activities. Good sense. AIDs epidemic. Terrorism. Aston Kutcher.

Also I'm a ridiculously lazy writer so I was thinking deadlines would help make me work...

Sunshine/Artemis/Wryter/Arty

Back in the day, I joined the Herald after a week of being a SSD member. I guess I joined for a few reasons. First, like everyone else, I loved to write. And I suppose I was decent at it. I also wanted to make a niche for myself in the community. The Herald was doing a writer hunt, so I applied. And got in. Then Kari left, and I was promoted to editor, because, frankly, our administrators are dunces, and thought I'd be a good editor. Ha. So then I kinda felt compelled to stay. And then I stepped down and stepped down from my mod spot... so this is the last real reason I even visit SSD anymore. I cling to it.

Car aka urban.cinderella

I first created the Herald when our forum was at a crossroads; Oliver and I decided we wanted to shift our focus more on developing the community, so while he worked on securing the community already present and making it an all-around friendlier place, I set about with our so-called "Community Projects", namely founding the Herald and the Art Group. Both were meant to accomplish the same basic goal: to allow the community to give back to itself. The Herald is especially important for this. I love that members have their opportunity to submit articles that will inform the entire population at SSD... and what it grew into, a Herald family, has become a wonderful byproduct of a quality magazine that everyone can enjoy.

Oh. And because Oliver made me. Apparently, you can't be the founder and then refuse to participate.

Kay

Why'd I join?

...the sex from Car of course.
Nah, I'm kidding.

Really? It was my love for writing. I stayed because I enjoyed contributing to a community based project. We had a smaller team when I joined back in August of 2005, and now we have, or had, close to twenty writers. I was one of a few editors that got to take the reigns of the Herald, and I loved my job while it lasted. But that was it - it became too much like a job. Plus, my lack of time really cut into my factor for leaving.

What is a reply from me doing in here if I left?
Well, I still lurk. I can't help but keep at least one toe in the door. I've been connected for too long to just let go. Can you really blame me? ...if you said 'yes', go die in a fire. But seriously, being part of a team and putting something together that people take their time to look at, and comment on, is very satisfying. But I had to leave that behind and move on.

But I have faith in the current and future writers of the Herald. They'll make some great editions as things progress and the Herald grows. I wish them all the best.

......

Is your tiny little mind still all right after the mind-boggling secrets, m'friend? Brandy with water and ice helps, I hear. Now be gone, and keep the secret a secret.

Or else...

[The Herald]

Animal Facts

• A polar bear's skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually
  clear.
  
• If you keep a goldfish in a dark room, it will eventually turn white.
  
• The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin in World War 2
  killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.
  
• Bats always turn left when exiting a cave!
  
• Frogs do not drink water.
  
• If you feed a seagull Alka-Seltzer, its stomach will explode.
  
• An ant, when intoxicated, will always fall over to its right side.
  
• A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
  
• Cockroaches bleed white blood.
  
• Slugs have 4 noses.
  
• Emus and kangaroos can't walk backwards.
  
• A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
  
• The ears of a cricket are located on the front legs, just below the knee.
  
• Most kinds of lipstick contain fish scales.

Crazy Statistics

• 4,000 people are injured by tea pots every year.
  
• 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.
  
• Odds of injury from mowing the lawn: 3,623 to 1
  
• Odds of getting canonized: 20,000,000 to 1
  
• Odds of drowning in a bathtub: 685,000 to 1
  
• Odds of being on plane with a drunken pilot: 117 to 1
  
• Odds of dating a supermodel: 88,000 to 1
  
• Odds of being struck by lightning: 576,000 to 1
  
• Odds of injury from shaving: 6,585 to 1

Odd Laws

• Kansas state law requires pedestrians crossing the highways at night to wear tail lights.
  
• You can't own a pair of pliers legally in Texas.
  
• It's illegal to mispronounce the word "Arkansas" in the state of Arkansas.
  
• A building in Belgium was taxed if there was a street light on it...unless a statue of the Virgin Mary were placed above it. Hence, there are no buildings in the city without a statue of the Virgin Mary.
  
• In Chester, England, you can only legally shoot a Welsh person with a bow and arrow inside the city walls and after midnight. The only trouble is finding one.
  
• In Alabama, putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death
  
• Donkeys are prohibited from sleeping in bathtubs in Arizona.
  
• A man can legally beat his wife so long as it is no more than once a month in Arkansas.
  
• In Connecticut, in order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce.

Around the World

• In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, it is customary for the streets to be blocked off on Christmas Eve so that the people can rollerskate to church.
  
• The ten most generous countries are all in Europe.
  
• The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.
  
• The longest official city name in the world is: Krungthep Mahanakhon Amorn Rattanakosin Mahintara Yudthaya Mahadilok Pohp Noparat Rajathanee Bureerom Udomrajniwes Mahasatarn Amorn Pimarn Avaltarnsatit Sakatattiya Visanukram Prasit. It is the official name of Bangkok, Thailand.

Humans

• The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.
  
• The higher the income, the more likely an American man will cheat on his wife.
  
• A person uses approximately fifty-seven sheets of toilet paper each day!
  
• A human burns more calories sleeping than he/she does watching television.
  
• If you farted consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is
  produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb.
  
• Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.

Miscellaneous

• A can of SPAM™ is opened every 4 seconds.
  
• The Bible, the world’s best-selling book, is also the world’s most shoplifted book.
  
• The "save" icon on Microsoft Word original showed a floppy disk with the shutter on backwards.

[The Herald]

Due to the size of this research paper, much of the content has been cut short. Parts of this article may seem to jump around because of this. If you are interested in reading the full article, please contact Sirius Wolfsbane.

---

Photo courtesy of www.100monkeys.org

Many people are not aware of this small fact, but chimpanzees share almost 98 percent of their DNA with humans! Through many years of dedicated research, Jane Goodall was the first person to observe chimpanzees at such a close level. Not only did chimps prove to be so closely related to humans, they showed many human qualities. Because of her research's amazing finds, Jane Goodall should be recognized as one of the world's most significant leaders. Starting in the 1930's and leading up practically to the present day, many advances have taken place in science, technology, and social settings as a direct effect of her work. Along with that, Jane led many scientists into studying chimps more closely.

Starting in 1960, her discoveries showed us a side of chimps we have never seen before. Goodall observed the animals in many different environments and determined that contrary to popular belief, chimpanzees do indeed eat meat. Another observation Goodall made was of a chimp using simple twig to draw out termites in a termite hill. Once there was a good number on the stick, the chimp ate the termites. This proved that they also made tools to help aid them in their everyday life.

In 1964, Goodall observed a chimp using a kerosene can to intimidate larger males. The chimp used these cans to become the alpha male in the group. In 1966, chimps were found to be able to contract the AIDS virus. In 1970, chimps were found to show awe and joy, a similar reaction that is said to have lead humans to religion.

Goodall found, in 1974, that chimps were capable of waging war. One group of males killed an entire population of chimps. Later in 1975, she found that some chimps, if in a right circumstance, were cannibalistic. Males were often found to challenge other males for the alpha male position. Moving on to 1987, Goodall observed female chimps "adopting" abandoned chimps and treating them as their own young.

Taking a leap to 1994, female chimps were found to have strict monogamous relationships. These chimps were also found to adapt, watching how other chimps worked then taking these certain skills and applying them to their own lives. In 1995, female chimps were found to bear twins. Also in 1995, it was found that stomach pains were relieved and internal parasites were killed when chimps were given certain medical plants.

Though Jane Goodall put her efforts originally into understanding chimpanzees and their behavior, a new threat to her beloved animals' safety forced her efforts into different avenues. The number of chimps are dropping. The wild forests of Africa are becoming more open to humans, mainly due to logging, and hunters are taking the chimps for the bush meat trade. The Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden is designed to take in chimps who have survived the hunting. The animals are then cared for in a safe environment.

Through all of these very different contributions, Jane Goodall has proven herself to be one of the most significant people in history. Her research has led to many new and exciting developments to what may be called the closest living relative to a human. She proved chimps are capable of using tools for select jobs, have a sexual desire close to that of a human, and have a taste for war and violence. For the longest time, most people thought chimps to be avid vegetarians. Goodall proved them wrong.

[The Herald]

Often I look to nature for some perspective on life. Trees with their centuries long lives, insects and their amazing communities and brilliant markings, the predator/prey relationships that keep balance and hone instincts. Sometimes, I’ll take a very long, relaxed moment to enjoy the way the sun makes grass glow the most brilliant green imaginable. I always wonder, without fail, “Is this evidence of God?”

And then I happen to take a walk through a depressed town, factories with roofs caved in, rusty sheet metal stacked to form an abandoned, disorganized mountain. Next door to the factory is a crack house where murder, thievery, addiction and vice rule. Down the street is a church with a child molesting priest. I think to myself, “Is this evidence of a lack of God?”

I’ve never received a satisfactory answer to either question.

As an agnostic, I want to know the truth only. Not a vague truth, not man’s written version of truth, but I want to know the deepest truths without any doubts. I refuse to worship a God I think might be there, or dismiss God because he hasn’t singled me out for a one on one like Moses or Noah.

What I’m really trying to do is strip away the formula often used to describe God: Omnipotent powers, ability to make us spend our afterlife amongst unimaginable horrors or indescribable bliss. I don’t believe in that God. It sounds like fiction or symbolism. I’m convinced there is something behind the stories, but it isn’t a glowing man with a beautiful white beard. I’m more convinced It might be beyond human comprehension, and that is why the stories are necessary, so that we can relate to God on our own level.

Aristotle really drove the point home for me with “The Metaphysics”. He describes an Immovable It: God as something, not someone.

Deciding to believe in God, and the form that belief takes, is a very personal decision. There is a unique and separate interpretation of God for every human being that has ever lived. I refuse to let someone else define for me what could be the greatest truth of all. I know a lot of people who refuse to be led into a blind faith, and I’m glad.

Agnosticism is not the denial of God, it is the belief in God in spite of lack of proof. It is the ultimate search for truth.

[The Herald]

“If there is a black guy who doesn't run around hopped up on meth, robbing liquor stores, become gang members, and are willing to accept a law-abiding "White" culture, then he is a good man in my book.”
-Anonymous, Stormfront 12-14-2006

Stormfront is like a trainwreck in slow motion. You stand, like one in the headlights of some huge looming catastrophe made of metal, and wonder just where, O God, you went wrong enough in life to warrant this. One hundred thousand Nazis bickering about how the black man is getting them down or how you can’t trust those damn Chicanos. Where do these fuckers come from? I spent fifteen minutes visiting and I needed to shower for a good couple of hours afterward. Now this article already sounds like a ranting and a raving by a flu ravaged (not avian flu but it feels like it) 17 year old but I dare any of you to look at that site and not come out screaming, tinfoil hat on head to stop your thoughts from leaking out.

We spend much of our time, nearly all of it if you are from Texas, in fear of terrars - closely related to terrarrists, who are closely related to terrorists, who are then closely related to Muslims. Since 9/11, or 7/7 if you swing that way, one half of the world has become obsessed with finding bombs in their sandwiches. If the terrorists aren’t in our schools, with their turban headed idolatry, or in our airports with their dangerous footwear, then they are in our government. Sure we have the Patriot Act and I.D. cards, but is that enough? Will it protect us?

Stormfront doesn’t think so. No, if anything, the government is to blame for those wetbacks and polacks, the damn liberal government in America. Right… Stormfront represents what I have always thought was the white supremacist minority. Call me naïve, but I never even thought Nazi scum bags like this actually existed, except maybe 67 years ago in the Sturmabteilung. These are your real terrorists. If you want to see the indoctrination and ‘training’ of people of all ages into a fascistic extremist group, then look no further. But then maybe they are just harmless assholes, living in their mother’s basements planning the revolution behind three tubs of Vaseline, inventing butch personas for themselves through the miracle of the intrawub. Either way, they are weird fuckers and if they did even half the things they say they will do then why are we busy arresting people with turbans on their heads? Instead we could just run down south, or up north, where ever these inbred ‘pure race’ fuckers are, and arrest them.

That sounds irrational, unconstitutional and moreover unjust, but if America and Britain’s respective governments can sanction wiretaps based on the evidence of anonymous tip offs, why shouldn’t white supremacy groups get the same treatment?

They seem to be just as active. From the Klan to the Oklahoma bombings or the Montana militia, its obvious they certainly like to make themselves heard. So why all the scare about Muslims when we have plenty of home grown crazies?

‘Can you imagine Obama, a [mulatto] that would appeal to too many suburban brain-washed white women? He would get close to 90% black vote, clean up in the Mexican vote, get most of the women and damn... we could have a half black president.’

This is the sort of weird craziness that characterises the whole movement; any move for legitimacy runs itself on the sharp rocks of racism. What sort of culture do we have anyway that creates people like this? People who claim that despite English being the language that everyone in their country actually requires to function on any sort of level, that they are being repressed? They complain about immigrants in their country in the same breath as they consider immigrating to New Zealand for ‘whiter pastures’.

What am I trying to say? I wonder really. Maybe that our culture is just a refined gloss of its own worse parts coupled with a fiery criticism of the worst parts of other cultures? Can we claim that any other culture, or religion, is violent or depraved when we put up with folks like these? Freedom of speech is considered one of the highest merits of a truly democratic society, but so is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. You can’t use one to defend your assault on someone else’s right to the other.

[The Herald]

As many of you already know, the iPhone made it's highly anticipated debut on the twenty-ninth of last month. Ushering in a new era in cell phones and the technology in them, the iPhone only served as another sign to me that technology nowadays is really going too far into the realm of nonsense.

Now I'm no Apple hater. I submitted this using an iMac G5 and do my daily browsing and work using said iMac. I listen to my iPod on a nearly daily basis and I even paid half of the cost to have an iPod adapter permanently installed in my parents' Volvo. However, I feel that the iPhone is just a bit too much. Part iPod, part cell phone, part computer, part multimedia player; is it all really necessary in a phone when nearly even teenager already has one of each?

Since when have we really needed to place so much technology in a device that is merely meant to make and receive phone calls, along with the occasional (depending on the person) text message? I myself have a phone that does all that, and only that. My phone has no camera built in, no music player, and certainly no built-in keyboard. It's just a plain, ordinary phone that serves its purpose of allowing me to make phone calls when nowhere near a land line. That is the purpose after all, right? Phones with business tools built in are great when used for business, but the casual chat with the best bud? I think not.

This isn't just a problem with cell phones, though. Take video game consoles for example. Just a little over ten years ago, video game consoles did one task - play games. Now, they play movies, are an entertainment hub for your living room, communicate with your PC and are even virtual stores. These enhancements are all fine and good, but aren't they functions better suited for a computer, which is built to be a multimedia tool?

Now some of you are probably thinking of me as a hypocrite, or even possibly a whiny fool. All I ask is that you consider this: hardly ten to fifteen years ago, when many of us were young kids, did we not have fun with technologically inferior toys that served one primary function instead of being an all-in-one package? Did we really have a need for technology that could do one primary purpose and a fair dozen other tasks? Most of us made do without these new pieces of technology.

I'm not just complaining about how all technological advancements are superfluous or without warrant. I'm all for newer, more powerful tech that can help us out in our daily lives. My primary concern is that twenty years from now, kids will be begging their parents to buy them the newest Tickle Me Elmo doll that will check their emails, give them their messages, check their homework, and plan their schedules a year in advance for them.

Here's to the future and all the outlandish technology it may bring! Maybe, just maybe, we'll have found that line...

[The Herald]

Pandora’s opening statement: Debbie Does the Taxman

Ah. The romantic idea of the wild west’s rip-roarin’ whorehouses with ladies in huge skirts, corsets that push their breasts up to their nose and a sixty year old madam with a trick or two still up her sleeve. Fast forward to present day. Skulking skanks on grimy street corners, beaten, owned and desperate, dying of diseases. Come to think of it, the ladies of the wild American west were also beaten and owned and dying of diseases. Hmm, doesn’t seem like prostitution is going away anytime soon. Geishas, concubines, harems…the whole of history is woven with tales of women used as property.

I propose prostitution be legalized. If a woman or man wants to peddle their own wares, they should be able to. The decisions we make about our own bodies should be ours to make.

Some say prostitution is immoral or unchristian, but religion is a personal choice. As long as two (or more) consenting adults are involved, why should it be illegal?

They should also have access to the same rights as other professionals, such as the right to health regulations, also the right to legal protection from violent “Johns”, pimps or madams. The spread of disease would slow considerably, and the prostitutes would pay taxes on the money they earned. Everyone would benefit.


Bryanic’s opening statement: The Girl Can’t Help It

Whoring... The oldest female profession, or so they say, but why?

Desperation, starvation, addiction. Two constants and one relatively new delight.

The truth is that 70% of whores aren't brought down by the job, but by the situations that force them to take up street walking. The problem that legislation needs to deal with is not the conditions of the job, dire as they are, but seeing that women, or men for that matter, are never reduced to having sell themselves.

Legalizing prostitution would be society condoning a shameful and degrading industry that produces misery, spreads disease and increases the number of addicts.

While many claim that it would be better to legalize prostitution and regulate it safely to remove the concerns the fact remains that most of the time it isn't whoring that is destroying these people, but that they were already brought down anyway.

By all means, increase minimum wage, create new jobs, increase benefits, come down harder on drug dealers - measures which will actually relieve the pressures on societies poorest - but don't legalize prostitution, its just a symptom.


Pandora’s rebuttal: Swing Both Ways

I say both. Legalize it, AND approach the issues that drive girls and guys to a life of prostitution. Why shouldn't they be protected in the meantime? I'm not saying to legalize prostitution only to use it as a band-aid for the problem.

Legalizing it would really help to cut down on a lot of the negative aspects. The prostitutes would be protected by the law. They would have rights that don't exist for them now.

I'm not saying I would ever proudly enter into the profession, bragging to my neighbors about how much money I make as a whore. It still won't be socially acceptable, I'm sure. But I bet there would be less spreading of venereal diseases, because the prostitutes would be tested often and more likely to be kept clean and healthy with health coverage.


Bryanic’s rebuttal: Bend Over I’ll Drive

Legalizing prostitution is the only real solution to rampant poverty, the spread of disease and the addiction of young women to dangerous drugs.

...In fairy land maybe.
After you are finished wishing the world right, how about you take tea with the Leprechauns or go ride a unicorn?

Prostitution is an irredeemably dangerous trade and no government regulation is going to make that any better. As long as prostitutes degrade themselves they will be prey to the vicious affections of those who would use their services. Prostitution is illegal for the prostitutes own protection, and rather than seeking to legalize it we should be keeping the streets safer and cleaner for all those on them, part of that includes coming down harder on prostitution - though more importantly those who seek to profit from prostitution.


Pandora’s closing statement: Prostitutes Are People Too

That’s exactly what legalization would prevent. It would prevent the violent, greedy pimps from profiting and controlling people. Instead of police creating sting operations to bust the “Johns”, they would more than likely concentrate on finding and arresting the pimps who are out of bounds.

No where in my argument did I say legalizing prostitution would cure all of the world’s ills. I’m merely suggesting that prostitutes are people too. Jack the Ripper didn’t think so. He not only murdered prostitutes, he tortured his victims. Why prostitutes? Because no one would care if they disappeared. The police never caught Jack the Ripper. If the victims had been wealthy men or politicians I bet the search would have been relentless.

Remember Mary Magdalene? There is a lesson there, whether you are religious or not. Jesus treated her like a person, not like a lesser human being. Shouldn’t we try to emulate such compassion? Most people would agree that this world needs more compassion. The desperate ones willing to sell their own bodies for cash are more in need of compassion than most others. Make the profession legal, and suddenly those people have rights and are protected by those rights.

The world will probably never be quite right. It definitely won’t be if we don’t even try to take the baby steps in the right direction. Acknowledging prostitution, a profession that has been around for more than a couple of thousand of years, instead of trying futilely to stomp it out of existence may be one of those steps in the right direction.


Bryanic’s closing statement: Kiss Them For Me…Because All It’ll Take Is Cash.

The legalization of prostitution is simply not viable for three key reasons:

1. It allows an aspect of our culture which is degrading, cruel, and dangerous to come to the surface in a way that will be both difficult and expensive to control.

2. By legalizing prostitution we would be condoning a practice that women should not be forced into.

3. It is a survival strategy, not a choice and therefore does not come under the freedoms of the individual and therefore arguments based upon any individuals right to sell their body is inconsequential - they are being forced by circumstance.

The compassion we can show here as a society is seeing to it that prostitution is no longer an option, for pimps or for women forced into difficult situations.

Do we really want to grow into a society where sex can be bought and sold?
If every sweaty nerd could just pop down to the local offie for a shag, then the primary motivation for meaningful relationships would be lost to what would essentially become a sex 'industry'.

Legalizing prostitution would take as much time and money as keeping it illegal, as I can't imagine pimps suddenly stepping up and saying 'Why yes I'll apply for tax and third party businessman ship because now that prostitution is legal I can see the benefit of contribution to the government.' It would be a strenuous and extended exercise even getting the prostitutes to recognize the government's authority in this matter.

And even then, assuming these problems could be overcome... would you trust the government, or even any company - run for profit- with the basic means of humanity's survival - and the 1# National Past Time?

Editor's note: This article has not undergone editing in order to preserve the debator's stylistic choices.

[The Herald]

Hellsing

Hellsing was recommended to me by a good friend of mine, and I would definitely recommend this to any anime fan. My love of anime and vampires drew me to this anime, and has since made it one of my all time favorites.

Produced by Gonzo, Hellsing draws a connection to Bram Stroker's infamous Dracula through the naming of its main character, Alucard.

The story follows a British organization whose mission is to destroy impure souls. These impure souls are the living undead- however, a sci-fi twist is added: these are not true vampires but "Freaks" created by the Freak Chip, which is used to artificially create vampires.

A vampire named Incognito allows humans to study him in order to learn how to make the Freak Chip. Throughout the the whole series the Hellsing Organization is trying to hunt down the source of the Freak Chip and kill Incognito.

Some of the main characters include:
Alucard- Hellsing's main vampire and strongest unit. He also is one of the oldest vampires. It is hinted in this series that he is Dracula, but not plainly stated.

Seras Victoria- Also known as Police Girl, Alucard turns her into a vampire in the first episode.

Sir Intgera Wingates Hellsing- She is the leader of the Hellsing Organization.

As I said, I enjoyed it. For anyone who loves vampires and a good story, this is the perfect anime to add to your collection.

[The Herald]

Ah, finally! School's out for the summer and what does that mean? No, not staying up late goofing off with friends or sleeping in until mid-afternoon. Summer for me will always be associated with everyone's favorite: good 'ol summer reading.

I admit, for the last eleven years of my academic career, there has always been some form of a summer reading assignment, and, until recently, the assignments have been reading lackluster books with even more lackluster plots. However, this year, things are different. On my list, was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Quickly scanning the plot, I thought to myself, "This book might actually be good." And it was.

But why would I bother wasting my time, and more importantly, the reader's time reviewing a book most people will never bother to pick up in their lives? After all, it is a summer reading book. I'll tell you why: The Kite Runner is different. It grabs you and draws you in with its reminiscent nature and soft, yet modern writing style. If it were not for constant mentions of the novel's setting, along with authentic Persian dialogue, you would easily be able to look past the setting and see the core themes of the book: a struggle for love, honor, guilt, redemption, and fear.

The Kite Runner, Hosseini's first novel, is about two young boys growing up in Afghanistan in the last years of peace leading up to the Communist take-over during the seventies. The novel's protagonist Amir, a Pashtun, is the son of a rich, powerful businessman in Kabul. Living with Amir and his Baba (father) are their Hazara servants, Ali, a childhood friend of Baba, and his son, Hassan, a frail, illiterate boy with a harelip. Amir and Hassan are similar in age and thus grow up together, and are best friends, or so it seems. Hassan has over the years stated that he would do anything for his best friend, always reminding him by saying the statement, "For you, a thousand times over." Amir, however, is never that loyal to his friend and struggles with the fact that he and Hassan are of different Muslim sects, with most Pashtuns looking down on Hazaras.

One day, after a kite running competition, Hassan chases after the last kite to fall from the sky as a prize for Amir. When Hassan runs ahead, Amir loses track of him and begins to search for him. Searching the many streets of Kabul, he eventually finds Hassan in an alley, cornered by three Pashtun bullies, harassing him and threatening him for being a Hazara. Hassan is offered safety if he gives up the kite, but shows his loyalty to Amir by refusing to give it up. As a result, the leader of the bullies, Assef, rapes Hassan. Amir sees the bullying and abuse unfold, but too scared to save Hassan in fear of being assaulted, Amir escapes and later finds Hassan, acting as if he had no idea what happened.

As the book progresses, Amir is constantly haunted by his lack of confidence and it strongly influenced his emotions. As he goes on with his life as best he can, he begins to think he is over his guilt, even as he escapes to America after he fled the Communist takeover. However, after a period of ignorant bliss, he is caught up by his past and goes on a journey back to his homeland to atone for his past sins and finally to rid himself of his guilt and fear.

Throughout the entire novel, Hosseini's writing and descriptive nature helps the reader really connect to Amir and relate to his struggles, his betrayal of his friend, and his quest for redemption. Also, through recurring use of references to Afghani culture, common daily dialogue and thorough descriptions of everyday life, Hosseini delivers a truly convincing depiction of two boys growing up in Afghanistan and coming to grips with the state of society and the pain and joy life can bring.

I would strongly recommend that everyone reads this novel. Regardless of your thoughts and beliefs about Afghanistan and those of the Muslim beliefs, The Kite Runner is, at its core, a novel about the relationships we have and how our decisions can rapidly shape and change our lives, along with those of the people around us, in an instant; a renewed sense of appreciation for friendship, loyalty, and unconditional love will likely accompany you as you traverse the pages.

Whether you read it for a summer assignment or for leisure, I urge you to give the novel a chance.

The Kite Runner earns five stars out of five.

[The Herald]

Biffy Clyro ~ Puzzle

Puzzle is the fourth studio album from the Scottish rock group Biffy Clyro. I see Biffy Clyro as a band that is rapidly growing in popularity. They have not long finished supporting Muse at the new Wembley Stadium in London. On top of that they have a whole range of tour dates lined up across the world for 2007.

The band fuses clean vocals with a good burst of craziness and a Glaswegian accent. When I write these reviews, I always listen to the CD in the background to help me, so let us dive into the heart of this new album and explore just how this album differs from their others.

First impressions are important; you certainly get that feeling from the first track of this album. Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies contains an extended intro which you don't hear in the radio edit; the intro really does set you up for something good, and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Without a doubt, it is a song to blast as often as possible.

Saturday Superhouse and Who’s Got A Match? are two of my favourite tracks from this album; both of these tracks are extremely catchy. I can guarantee that you shall have the line “I’m a fire and I’ll burn burn burn tonight” running through your little heads for a while to come.

The incredibly catchy lyrics continue, each song clinging to an identity of its own. That is... until the final two tracks, when the album takes a rather different turn with the pounding 9/15’s and the more refined acoustic Machines. You experience a much softer and raw Biffy Clyro, which adds a nice balance to the tracks that you can find yourselves jumping around your living room to.

Comparing this to the previous albums such as The Vertigo of Bliss and Blackened Sky, each of which were just as excellent, it seems as if Biffy Clyro has produced something far more controlled- perhaps suited to the tastes of a more mainstream audience. This is not necessarily a bad thing- I shall thoroughly enjoy blasting out Puzzle- but the unexpected craziness of the earlier material isn’t present in this new release.

Recommended listening from Puzzle:
- Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies
- Saturday Superhouse
- Who’s Got A Match
- The Conversation Is
- Love Has A Diameter
- 9/15ths


Official Website:
www.biffyclyro.com/

Official Video:
Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies
fr.youtube.com/watch?v=0dgpTHFSQSw

Tracklisting:

1. "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" – 5:18
2. "Saturday Superhouse" – 3:19
3. "Who's Got A Match?" – 2:23
4. "As Dust Dances" – 4:34
+ "2/15ths" - 1:02
5. "A Whole Child Ago" – 3:07
6. "The Conversation Is..." – 3:40
7. "Now I'm Everyone" – 3:50
8. "Semi-Mental" – 3:22
+ "4/15ths" – 0:45
9. "Love Has A Diameter" – 3:53
10. "Get Fucked Stud" – 3:37
11. "Folding Stars" – 4:15
12. "9/15ths" – 2:46
13. "Machines" – 3:56

[The Herald]

When you think of the name "Angels and Airwaves (AVA)", soothing thoughts of space or leisure might come to mind. AVA’s style is fairly similar to that. They are an alternative rock band with a New Age tone. Formed in 2005, they released their first single “The Adventure” in 2006. The band members are as follows: Tom DeLonge, David Kennedy, Adam “Atom” Willard and Matt Wachter.

The name Tom DeLonge might sound familiar to some of you- he was the lead vocal and guitarist for Blink 182. Along with his big name, he brought big drama. He supposedly told Blink 182 he had other things to concentrate on, thus not having enough time for music. Then, a few months later, he unveiled his new band Angels and Airwaves. Obviously, Blink 182 fell apart. The other band members formed a band called +44. Though there are rumors that they might, some day, meet up for a reunion, Angels and Airwaves continues on unblemished to produce its own successes.

The band currently has one album out called We Don’t Need to Whisper which has sold over 10,000 copies already. In addition, it has peaked at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 charts. Furthermore, the band has 5 singles, four of which have been in the Top 100 Singles in the U.K. and United States. The band's sophomore album, I-Empired is slated for release in October 2007.

The band is thus rapidly becoming world renowned and doing much better in sales than their rival band +44. Their hit single The War is the theme song for MTV’s popular show Two-A-Days. Plus, the song has also been used as background music at major golf tournaments like the PGA tour. Their other hit single “The Adventure” has been used in ABC and ESPN promotional commercials as well as in the 2006 World Cup. The band even played for all of Microsoft’s employees at a Vista lunch party. Their very popular and distinct style is what makes them so amazing. This band has voluminous potential and an unforgettable sound. Check ‘em out!

Download These: The Adventure; The War; It Hurts

[The Herald]

Ever since the revolution of Wii, Nintendo has been striving in an attempt to market the system, and its games, to the 'casual' crowd: namely your grandparents, your sister, your girlfriend- even your mom. While games such as Rayman Raving Rabbids, Wii Sports, and Elebits have targeted this market previously, this month's review will be focused on Wario Ware: Smooth Moves (Wii), Nintendo's first real effort for this casual, "nongamer" demographic.

An Overview
Smooth Moves, while similar to all Wario Ware products, follows more in the steps of it's DS predecessor Wario Ware: Touched! in terms of gameplay and market appeal. As one of Nintendo's efforts to bring gaming to the masses, Smooth Moves has been designed from the ground up so that anyone, and I emphasize anyone, can pick it up, play, and have a good time doing it (and hopefully buy a Wii, but that's a different story). While the game is not flawless, it does a pretty good job of living up to its purpose.

The premise of Smooth Moves, as with all Wario Ware offerings, is that you must complete a series of mini puzzles and games quickly in an effort to progress. While this may seem like a throw-away premise, the game's value is quickly seen once you first watch that five second bomb timer on the bottom of the screen tick away madly as you try to complete the mini-game. Now, couple this crazy, fast paced action with the Wii Remote and its control fluidity, and one need only imagine the possibilities.

By using the Wii Remote (and later, the Nunchuk attachment), players have a mere five seconds to complete these challenges by utilizing a plethora of actions, all the while holding the controller, or, as it's called in the game, "The Form Baton," in different formations. These formations, varying from the simple "Remote Control" to the always-entertaining "Mohawk" and "Big Cheese" formations, help add a layer of immersion and insanity to the game, making it that much more worthwhile.

One of over two-hundred mini games utilizing the Wii's unique controller

Smooth Moves is not devoid of drawbacks, however. The game's single player mode, which lacks a proper plot, is short and will only last the player a couple hours (read: two, maybe three tops) and will bore the player quickly if they have nobody else to play it with. Also, due to the fast nature of the game and new control methods, some mini games will seem almost impossible due to errors on the player's behalf and also the developers in mapping controls. This is only a minor problem and can be resolved by the player practicing the said minigame in the Temple of Form portion of the game. Finally, gamers who crave a long, lengthy experience would be best advised not to purchase the game, unless they want the change of a light, casual, yet highly rewarding experience when played as intended.

The Bottom Line
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is a game made to support Nintendo's desire to appeal to the casual crowd, and in many ways appears succeeds in this respect. Smooth Moves will present the gamer with a new way to play a familiar, tried-and-true game and also appeals to those who love party games - and have no qualms against making a fool of themselves in front of their friends. Give Smooth Moves a try, as you will likely enjoy yourself once you get past the game's few shortcomings.

Graphics -

Given the game's art style, the clean, simple graphics neither hurt the game nor seem "last gen." Definitely not for the lovers of high-def graphics, though.

Gameplay -

This is where the game really shines. The controls may be a bit wonky in a few instances, but the game delivers an overall fun experience and great use of the Wii Remote.

Lasting Value -

Great when played with multiple people, but if just played on its own, you will quickly be left wanting more.

Overall Score -