The Antlerette Volume 97 Issue 4

The Antlerette Volume 97

December 2022

Issue 4

Red Diana Cruz, Copy Editor The color red has always represented so many emotions. I think it is incredible how one color can imply both love and evil. It’s scientifically proven that the color red can provoke physical reactions in the human body, such as an increased respiratory rate, higher blood pressure, and even enhanced metabolism. Not to mention that if you’re in a room with loads of colors and a spot of red, your brain has no other choice but to focus on that one speck of red. It’s like a reflex.

The color red gives you the ability to make fast choices. The color red demonstrates talent, skill, and potential as well, which is why celebrities have the red carpet.

Studies show that there is such a thing as too much red which causes people to get easily agitated and become demanding. Research also shows that red is actually the strongest color in the world.

Red actually makes you hungry. This is why so many and mostly fast food places use the color red. Some of these places are McDonalds, KFC, and Wendy’s just to name a few . If you think about it, this makes complete sense considering that the color red does enhance your metabolism.

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The color red is the most fascinating color. Red is the color of your heart and the color your face turns when you blush. Red is the color of an ambulance and the color of your blood. Red is beautiful yet tragic; not to mention, it influenced a whole album written by Taylor Swift.

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Experience with Ambient Music Izaiah Retana, staff

Ambient music is one of those genres that, while I haven’t listened to too many albums that are restricted to the genre, I can still heavily appreciate the influence it’s had on the artists I’ve listened to and even the other types of media I’ve experienced. While one could attribute the creation of Ambient Music to classical composer Erik Satie, my experience with the genre makes me credit its creation to one Brian Eno. Brian Eno is a man whose Wikipedia article stretches longer than any ambient track he’s laid down, and his 1985 “album” Thursday Afternoon is literally a singular 1 hour track that I will never listen to but I digress. I first came to know Eno through his work as a producer for many famous acts such as David Bowie, U2, Talking Heads, and Slowdive. Despite seeing his name throughout many writing and producing credits on albums I’ve thoroughly enjoyed such as Low by David Bowie, and Remain In Light by Talking Heads, seeing Eno’s first true ambient album included in the “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” was the catalyst that caused me to give him a listen.

Ambient 1: Music For Airports is the essential ambient album that sets the standard for the overall sound of the genre, which can be seen as a sonic progression from Eno’s previous works, Another Green World and Before And After Science, both being great, more art rock oriented albums. Ambient 2: The Plateaux Of Mirror is the great second installment in the ambient series, and a collaboration with Harold Budd, whom I know nothing about besides his work with Cocteau Twins. Ambient 3: Day

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of Radiance is mediocre at best. Apollo is actually the first album by Eno that I listened to, and it along with the first ambient album is a great starting point.

Ambient music’s influence to me is pretty widespread, from the soothing nostalgia soundscapes of the Minecraft soundtrack, to any movie soundtrack that Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor has composed, even to the “lo-fi study mix” that’s in everyone’s Youtube recommended feed. In conclusion, I believe Eno said it best that ambient music is “As ignorable as it is interesting.”

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Taylor Swift: Mastermind

Benjamin Carrillo, Editor in Chief

When thinking of titans of the music industry in the modern world, some instant names that come to mind are Beyonce, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, and Taylor Swift. The musical journey of all of these individuals is incredibly interesting, as all of them have in their own right built themself up from something into becoming their own geniuses. But how did Taylor achieve greatness on the same level as these people? In the simplest of terms, it’s because she’s a mastermind.

Taylor Swift began her career as a humble teenager with one album, named after herself. Despite this album being made by some 16 year old in Pennsylvania, she stood out as a highlight in the 2000’s, with this album being considered one of the best country albums of the 2000s, and of all time in some lists. Taylor Swift’s songwriting is what stood her apart from the competition; it was all hers and this is something that has remained consistent throughout all 10 of her albums, and her 2 rereleased albums. The music authentically tells the story of how Taylor was doing at the time. The album that best represents this is Red, her 4th studio album telling the story of her processing a heavy breakup from an even heavier relationship that she had with Jake Gyllenhal. This album is cathartic for anyone who has gone through a breakup to listen to, and it shows her transition from country to pop. As symphonically this album has more motifs of pop, opposed to more country motifs of the past. Her albums aged with her, each album shows more emotional maturity than the last.

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The concept of her albums aging with her is exactly why she’s so successful. The fanbase of Taylor, known affectionately as “Swifties” has been through everything with her, and the fanbase ages with her songs. As the song subjects became more mature and introspective, such as on her newer records such as Evermore and Midnights so has her audience.

Taylor’s titan grasp on the music industry, and legion of fans shows the way that music works in the modern day, through Taylor’s masterful lyrics and raw connection with her audience, she shows that all it takes to be successful is to find your own niche, and run your platform using authenticity and humility.

Taylor Swift is the mastermind of the music industry, showing what a good artist can do with the right platform and capabilities.

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Why Cats Are Better Than Dogs David Cano, Staff

There are two popular household pets that everyone thinks of–a dog and a cat. A dog is a man's best friend, while the cat has been worshiped for centuries. In every house across the world, dogs and cats are commonly found in almost every one. This has been true for many years, stemming back to the domestication of their early ancestors. I believe that cats are the superior pet to dogs.

The first reason is that dogs smell really bad. A dog will always smell bad no matter what, even if you wash them, they will still smell like a wet dog. While a cat smells good and licks themselves clean, without the stench. Which also gives the convenience of not having to bathe your pet a lot because a cat can do it themselves, but on the other hand dogs constantly need to be taking baths.

The second reason is that cats are perfect companions for a lazy person such as myself. All they do is sleep and sleep all day. This is perfect for me because I do nothing at home, resulting in me just laying down on the couch with my cat just watching tv. While dogs are hyper and constantly need attention. They need to be played with at all times in order to be happy.

For these reasons, I believe that cats are better than dogs, but it's up to you to call me wrong or right.

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A Love Letter to Toaster Ovens Alyson Coles, News Editor

For decades, the oven has reigned supreme as not only the most central and necessary kitchen appliance, but also the only one any chef or home cook can truly bake in. And while the marvel of the oven is of significant note, there has been, slowly approaching, a competitor to its greatness. Smaller in size, countertop design, buttons and knobs galore, the toaster oven has, in many households, come to replace the oven in day to day life.

The success of the toaster oven comes in staying true to its name:in its original design, it is very similar to the oven we all know and love. Its compact, "toaster" size is what gives it the edge. Traditionally, preheating an oven can take up to 10 minutes, confusing the cooking process and adding an extra layer of worry to complex dishes. But with the toaster oven, all the doubt is cast aside. Being approximately an ⅛ of the size of an oven, there is much less matter involved in the preheating process, allowing a toaster oven to heat to 450 in mere minutes.

No more guessing the right time to press start or wondering how much power you'll use baking a batch of cookies. The average toaster oven uses about 1,400 watts of power while in use, on the high end. Similar to a microwave. The average oven, on the other hand, uses up to 5,000 watts of power while in use.

And not to mention, because of the preheating time, ovens need to stay in use longer, using even more power. This can make a huge difference over time, especially in low income households not wanting to tack on extra expenses.

It's obvious that the toaster oven is not an overall replacement for an oven. On Thanksgiving day, while baking several dishes at once, with enough to serve a

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whole family, the toaster oven falls short compared to the oven. Similarly, professional chefs, cooking for dozens of people everyday, are no sooner going to replace their ovens with toaster ovens than replace their knife sharpeners with concrete slabs. But for the home cook, the simple cook, feeding just the nuclear family, it makes sense to opt for the homier, simpler toaster oven.

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Storm

Jasmeen Basi ,Staff

I've always found comfort in thunderstorms. something about the aggression, and the roughness of it all. from the inside, It's a warm feeling. sheltered inside your own little box, but aware that the only thing separating you from the chaos outside is the thin walls of your home. and some storms are strong enough to break these walls down. and then, you've got no shelter at all.

I think storms are very different from an outside perspective. it's not warm and cozy anymore, In fact, I think it's rather cold. nowhere to run to, nowhere to hide, you can't silently watch from afar anymore. once you're outside in the storm, you might as well be a part of it.

I wonder if that's how all storms are formed, somebody gets trapped inside and can't help but unleash a storm themselves.

I'll just sit and watch from the inside, though.

I'm sure I'll be fine.

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Movie Review: Halloween Ends

Kai Hancock, Staff

On October 14, 2022, a movie called Halloween Ends came into the box office.

This movie made 105 million USD, which is not a lot of money compared to some of the other Halloween movies. An example of this is Halloween Kills, which made 133.4 million USD. That number may seem like a lot, but that is a pretty big difference. Now the reason for these differences is simple: a lot of people did not like the new Halloween Ends movie for a lot of reasons.

For starters, the main character Michael Myers was replaced by a kid named Corey. Corey had most of the kills in this movie and on top of that, most of the kills were sick. They made this kid seem as though he would be the new Michael because of the way he acted and his kills. This movie even had Corey wearing the classic mechanic jumpsuit Michael has been wearing since the first movie. Corey and Michael were tag teaming a few people, which is not Michael's forte. He works alone like most serial killers.

The second reason is Michael’s screen time, which was a total of 10 minutes. This movie made the mistake of cutting out and putting the villain of the whole story in for only 10 minutes. Michael only had about 3 kills, which were very plain and boring. He had one kill, which was cool, but again Corey was the one who mainly did it.

Last reason is that this movie made Allyson’s character really rude and not at all listening. The whole movie Laurie Storde was trying to warn Allyson that Corey was the killer and she would not listen. Allyson would later learn that Corey was

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whole family, the toaster oven falls short compared to the oven. Similarly, professional chefs, cooking for dozens of people everyday, are no sooner going to replace their ovens with toaster ovens than replace their knife sharpeners with concrete slabs. But for the home cook, the simple cook, feeding just the nuclear family, it makes sense to opt for the homier, simpler toaster oven.

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It Was There & Then It Wasn’t

Taeya Onyems, Staff

There was suddenly a blank space as I stare into memory lane To salvage the bits & pieces that disappear into the air Surfing on earth’s whisper of a wind Is it missing from the wonder puzzle?!

I can’t even remember what was forgotten, was it important to me?

If it was forgotten, it might have not been important A shame really…..was it someone I held dear?

Was it a place of tranquility? I hope it was calm and clear Something so deep rooted in the mind, a seed worth watering Regrettably slipped through the cracks of remembrance Was I happy in this moment during this time or person?

Did I leave them in a place of despair? Were they happy?

Are they happy….without me? This feeling…the sense of emptiness Just like an hourglass, the sand will soon run out from one side to the other An unending cycle of forgetfulness, A repetitive wavelength of recollection loss “I guess we’ll never know” -Kanye

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Bonobos: And how they’re different Sam Ramon-Azvedo, Staff

In this article, we’ll be talking about Bonobos apes! What was originally thought to be a subspecies to chimpanzees are now officially recognised as their own!

However it wasn’t unreasonable to think that, given the similarities between the two. They look very similar and share 99.6% of their DNA! But once you look a little closer the .4% becomes so much more obvious. There are a lot of visual differences if you have the chance to see them both side to side though.

First of all, they have different skin pigmentation. Chimpanzees have more of a human complexion with pink skin whereas Bonobos are the opposite with pink tinted black skin. Bononos also have longer hair, black ears, and tufts of hair on their cheeks. Chimpanzees also tend to be larger, the average male chimp is 132 pounds at 4.4 feet tall; while the male Bonobo is about 100 pounds at 4.3 feet and tends to be more slender than their cousins.

You can also see a difference in the way that they walk. You see, Bonobos are bipedal, meaning that they spend most of their time on two legs. Chimpanzees however are quadrupedal, meaning that they use all four limbs most of the time.

They have many differences in the way they sound as well, Bonobos are a bit higher pitched and have less of a tendency to yell and hoot.

Then we have lexigrams! Lexigrams are symbols that the Bonobos use to communicate with their caregivers. With Kanzi the Bonobos, he has a keyboard with all of the symbols he knows and can always speak his mind, showing him capable of understanding (somewhat) written word and replying to human speech.

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And finally my favorite part, their social lives! Bonobos tend to be more peaceful and are led usually by the females. Most of their conflicts are solved with sex, and that's also how most of their relationships are maintained. Male Bonobos also tend to be surprisingly easygoing, which is typically attributed to selective breeding(with the women selecting calmer men) or could also be a surplus of the thyroid hormone.

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