The Happy Sunshine Gang
No. 17
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Musings of Our Madness!
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December 10th, 2013
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It Seems That We Have Just Done It Again
Letter From the Editor
After a review of last week’s HSG, I realized that ‘brain’ is not spelled ‘brane’ in this case (brane is “in physics, any dimensional or extended object in string theory. Ex: Our dimension is a 3-brane”. (Dictionary.Com)). This is yet another example of how we happen to ignore some of the most glaring errors. Last week, a writer who has been with us since HSG 3 found that they were unable to continue writing for us (they haven’t officially quit). I’m not ranting about this writer, but this is going to cause some issues with the overall quality of the HSG and the amount of content as we figure out how we make up for not having them with us. The HSG staff would like to ask for your patience until we get this figured out. Please also forgive us for not putting the HSG out on time. The publisher was out of paper and was not able to print any (I had one sheet of paper; give me a break!).
-The Infamous Gavin Stalin
New Writer
We have obtained a new writer recently. Her dedication to the HSG and quality of writing really puts us to shame. She writes for our opinion section, and also puts together the ‘Bits and Pieces’ puzzle for us. She is far too busy to be bothered with the likes of us at this point in time, but you can take creepy notes about her by piecing together the bits of information you learn from ‘Bits and Pieces’ and the pieces she writes for opinion section. I would want to discourage being true to yourself if you happen to be a stalker, now would I?
-The Infamous Gavin Stalin
Survey
The HSG has received compliments and complaints about the changes from last year’s issues to this year’s issues. Due to this, we ask that you answer the following questions and submit your answers to our Creative Works director, Glinda, Witch of the North, to happysunshinegang@gmail.com or in written form to your local HSG representative. If you didn’t receive the HSG last year, you can answer the questions that still apply to you.
- What is a positive change that you have seen in the HSG?
- What is a negative change that you have seen in the HSG?
- What is one thing you think should be done to improve the HSG?
- What kinds of works would you like to see in the HSG?
- When do you usually read the HSG?
- How long do you usually take to read the HSG?
- Do you ever do the puzzles found in the HSG?
- What is a part that is no longer in the HSG that you enjoyed? Why did you enjoy it?
We would like to thank you in advance for reading and/or answering the survey.
-The Infamous Gavin Stalin
Word Search
‘I Don’t Have Time’ by Gavin Stalin
Time, Toomuch, Busy, Crammed, Nosleep, Tests, School, Latenights, Joinourcult
Bits and Pieces
Bits and Pieces is really quite simple. You sit down and count how many words you can make from a given phrase without using the words that are part of the phrase itself (ex: If the puzzle is ‘Fun Puzzle’, you can make ‘Fez’, but not ‘Fun’ or ‘Puzzle’). If you have beaten the given count, you may bring in your list of words with the corresponding puzzle to receive some sort of prize. It may be emailed or given to your local HSG representative.
I Don’t Have Time
Count: 70
What Do You Think?
We’re wondering what our readers are thinking, and may or may not be using their answers to program a robot that will destroy the world. No worries. Just email your answer to niesbixby@gmail.com or give it to your local HSG representative. It will be published!
What is one state that the U.S. could do without?
Serial
The serial might be coming? Soon? Maybe if you’ve been a good child this year. That means that you don’t get to see it, Tommy.
Stereotyping States
Who knows? Our writers thought that this section would be fun. So, without any further explanation...
Idaho
Idaho. What can be said about Idaho that hasn’t already been said many a time before? Lots of things, as I’ve found during my research of this state. The good denizens of Idaho are extremely fond of a good old hog roast with potatoes and gravy on the side. A likely place to find one of this rare species is at a barn dance out at Uncle Jimmy’s cabin. This is an especially rare species of ‘Murican because of the dangers of inbreeding.
-Glinda, Witch of the North
33 Haikus About Poetry
I wrote 33 haikus about poetry last year for poetry warmup exercises. Enjoy!
Poetry VI
Poetry is like
An invention of rKrp
Where is Bobland’s wheel?
Holiday Corner
Countdowns
Human Rights Day- today!
China...
International Mountain Day- tomorrow!
Aren’t you excited?
Christmas: 15 days
Meh.
New Year’s: 22 days
There’s shrimp and egg nog at midnight. What more could you want?
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Thoughts for the Apocalypse Thrillseeker
In Which I Reflect on Children Today
2013 is almost over, you guys, and as people, what have we done? Well, the government shut down for a couple weeks, but I still say that wasn’t our fault as children. A tropical storm came and killed a lot of people in the Philippines, but as children what could we possibly have done about it?
After a lot of reflection, I’ve found that the children of our generation have this nasty habit of doing everything they can to shove the blame off of themselves. Now, I’m not saying that this is our fault. After all, why break with tradition? Oh, wait, we are. The children of the 1800’s didn’t complain. But of course, if they complained, they got a couple of good smacks across the bottom. So perhaps they had a motive for not doing so.
But wait, let’s think about this, shall we? Where do we get our examples for what to do as people? Oh, yeah, our parents! Our parents certainly haven’t been doing a good job of setting that example. When something goes wrong, do they try something to fix it? Nope. The majority of them blame it on the Republicans or the Democrats. Now, I’m not saying that either of these parties are at fault. I don’t give a fig about political leanings. Are they setting a very good example for us?
So, next time you’re in a tight spot, and the blame will fall on you, how about this? Accept that there is nothing, absolutely nothing you can do to avoid it and just let it play out as it will. You’ll be much happier. I guarantee it.
-Glinda, Witch of the North
Briefly
Meeting
Many people have asked to have a say in what happens with the HSG. While we aren’t willing to let just anyone tell us what to do or control the HSG, we are willing to have a public meeting in which staff figures things out and anyone else can make recommendations to staff.
The HSG will host a public meeting at 3:30 PM in the Commons this Wednesday (tomorrow).
The meeting shouldn’t take any longer than forty minutes, and staff will depart by 4:00. We aren’t planning on adding new staff at the meeting, but are looking for public input and new ideas. For those of you who always complain about not having any say in what happens with the HSG, now is your chance! There is only one meeting planned, so make sure that you attend it! The meeting will end if there are fewer than two outsiders attending.
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Opinion
What Do You Get When a Bunch of Greedy People Trample Over One Another at Four in the Morning? Sales, Sales, Sales!
I recently watched a video of a mob roaring through the streets. They trampled pedestrians and strangled opponents. In the darkness of night, no torches were visible: only the glimmer of credit cards and the shimmer of high-end computers, televisions, and the sickeningly-pink, half-off Furbys. Who were these people? What was their goal? Let me introduce you to the shoppers of Black Friday.
The most recent status on blackfridaydeathcount.com (it’s real), started in 2008, shows that the holiday has suffered a total of seven deaths and 90 injuries. (The saying “shop ‘til you drop” comes to mind…) These figures beg the question: is there a reason why people should be dying over selfishness? Is risking your life over a new toaster downed twenty-five dollars really worth it? And even if one avoids that possibility, the buying of almost fifteen Webkinz (eyewitness account) or the fighting over a pair of yoga pants (ditto) only reflects the greed of American society.
Moreover, let us recognize the irony of this holiday: Thanksgiving takes place the day before America’s shopping spree. Do Americans really go around the table saying what they’re thankful for, then rush out the door to splurge on useless junk? Can’t we give families a chance to reflect on what they do have? The reason this is becoming increasingly difficult is due to stores promoting big Black Friday sales starting at midnight--and earlier. And it’s not just me: a worker at Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Shop commented angrily over the situation, annoyed that her co-worker was required to work on Thanksgiving to prepare for Black Friday shoppers. To skip your holiday in order to serve pretzels to a raging, greedy crowd of two-in-the-morning shoppers is shameful. It’s disappointing that good deals have to be contaminated by tense and thankless shoppers. The creation of such a site as blackfridaydeaths.com indicates that America is only in the wrong when it comes to Black Friday-from the tragedies on the news to the disappointed employees at the counter, Black Friday only bears avarice and hate. I’ll sit at home, eating a piece of pumpkin pie. I’d like to remember what I’m thankful for rather than what I want.
-Crossroads
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Review Corner
Music Musings: The Christmas Invasion Part III
Now that the first snow has fallen (and, with these temperatures, must be staying) it’s more acceptable for radio stations to be playing Christmas music (if you have a craving, tune your radio to 94.9). There are, unfortunately, the ‘countrified’ disasters of songs that we cherish as well as the modern pop versions of them that ruin our ears and spirits, but a decent selection has been played (and no Christmas Shoes!).
A Charlie Brown Christmas By Vince Guaraldi Trio (1965)
This album is a slightly jazzy version of famous Christmas tunes along with the famous music from A Charlie Brown Christmas (the 2012 edition also features the themes from It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving). Even if you don’t care for the film or The Peanuts in general, there are traditional christmas carols included. It is sure to ease the tension at those family gatherings that you don’t really want to be at (I know, I know... It’s their fault!) or just for decorating and baking. If you don’t have the album yet, I recommend that you get it to add to your holiday selections.
-The Infamous Gavin Stalin
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