10
opinion
February 2014
Online dating Caitlyn Whitman Staff Writer Ron Whitman, my father, started his online journey as his comprehension of technology increased. He tried out dating sites and met many different women online that he has pursued friendships with but not much more. "I wanted to open up my options to more than the women that I was meeting at church, work and other venues." As Whitman became smarter with technology, he figured out how to use Facebook and how to join sites to meet friends. He joined a group for single fellowship Christians, a site that requires potential members to be approved by another member. Whitman explained his favorite part about this group on Facebook was meeting a certain woman. The two began texting and Skyping to learn more about each other. "I have made more friends than I have actually dated. Anyone from online dating and a lot of my friends are in different states and countries," Whitman said. "Match.com is okay for more local people and Christian Mingle.com is good for meeting people with the same beliefs.” Whitman pursued this friendship by flying to Australia to see this woman for a week-long vacation. He says if he could change anything about these websites, it would be the prices and hidden costs involved. Facebook sites are not the only way people use the internet to date. okcupid, Match.com, farmersonly.com or eharmony.com offer users the chance to meet a variety of singles.
“These sites can get quite costly and if they are not a paying member, then communicating with them is impossible,” Whitman said. “POF or formally known as "Plenty of Fish" is free and has a lot of local people to meet, so I would that is where I would suggest someone to start their journey." As Whitman explained, there are prices involved in meeting people online. For example Match.com costs $14.99 for 6months, $16.99 for 3 months, and $29.99 for 1 month. These sites can become expensive and can also throw in hidden costs that you won’t find out about until you look at your credit card statements. However, online dating is risky. A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they're not using Facebook or other social media to create untrue identities, especially to pursue deceiving online relationships. People meet online, start creating a relationship and in the end find out they have been talking to a different person than they originally thought and will end up in a bad heartbreak or dangerous situations. Studies show only 2 in 10 people are actually who they say they are. Despite the risk, online dating helps thousands of people meet new friends everyday, even if it’s not their life-long partner. It is predicted that more relationships are being created through social media websites while the divorce rate also continues to climb because of this same reason. To know more about what goes on and how it works, you would have to make your own account and try it yourself. These online dating sites may not always be the safest but neither is meeting people in person nowadays. Online dating could be great way to meet new friends and eventually find that lifelong partner.
Choosing chains Heidi Myers Staff Writer The arguments over fast food have come, gone, and come again. Evidence of unsafe or damaging processes has surfaced for numerous food chains over the years and will probably continue to do so. And yet, despite the lawsuits and shortcoming of good meal preparation, billions of people continue to eat at these chains every day. They have not changed, and they will not change. If someone chooses to knowingly expose themselves to unhealthy or unsafe foods it is their own poor choice. Small businesses are not exempt from unsafe practices. They can just as easily have an unsanitary kitchen, messy employees, and unsafe food prep process. Just be-
cause they are smaller and we do not hear about them doesn’t mean bad practices don’t happen. The idea that anyone working at a locally owned establishment does so because they enjoy it and big business employees just need a job is a gross generalization. There are some people who simply enjoy doing what they do, be it in a small town diner or Applebee’s. Also, how many people have jobs because they need them? No matter where a person works, it is a fair assumption they need the income they are working for and are not simply there to kill time. Work is just that, work. Ultimately, the quality of a restaurant isn’t based on if it is a local or a chain. It is whether it’s a pleasurable restaurant with varied and delicious food, exceptional service and a great atmosphere. Find that, and it won’t matter who is behind the counter.
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food that was given to them. A lot of the spices and seasonings come from the food these folks loved in Africa. Wherever and whatever its source, it is a proud part of many African American lives and enjoyed by a much larger group! More Greens, Please! Dr. D.
Dear. Dr. Destiny As a single person on Valentine’s Day, what can I do to lessen the sting of no flowers, no dinner, and no love? The Shriveled Heart Dear Shriveled Heart, You can be thankful that you are not in a lousy relationship! Actually going out alone on Valentine’s Day is a real bummer, but ask some friends who are also alone over for a pot luck dinner or an evening of playing cards or games or whatever suits your group. Immerse yourself in a great book or a great DVD and a huge bag of M&Ms and enjoy being with YOU. When you meet the right person for you, you won’t be alone. I have been married for a very long time, and we never celebrate Valentine’s Day. We love each other, and show it, every day. Dr. D. Dr. Destiny, I hear the Soul Food Luncheon is back again this year at KCC. What makes food “soul food?” Hungry for Corn Bread Dear Fellow Corn Bread Lover, I believe soul food is defined as food beloved by and often developed by the African American population. Some of it comes from the days of slavery when slaves had to be creative with the
Dear Dr. D, What are a few tips to lessen seasonal depression short of sitting under a sun lamp eight hours a day? Blue Dear Blue, Surround yourself with happy people! If you suffer from seasonal depression, being around others who are constantly finding fault and depressed will not help you at all. Laughter is season-less, so find reasons to laugh and people who laugh! Developed Funny Bone Dear Dr. D, This is my final semester at KCC. I’m worried about funding my future education. Where should I begin? Help!!!!! Future Graduate Dear Future Grad, Congratulations on finishing the first lap of your education! That is something to be proud of. Financing a college education is difficult, but at least you have some credits to start with. Now evaluate the colleges you are interested in and decide what school can give you the education you want at the best price. Investigate scholarships at those institutions; work-study programs; on-campus job opportunities; and every scholarship that comes up in an internet search. Congrats and continued success! Dr. D.
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Jonathan Hogan Heidi Myers Ashleigh Olmstead Cavin Smith TJ Taylor Caitlyn Whitman Bob Psalmonds
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