The Captain’s Log
THE VOICE OF CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
@CNUCAPTAINSLOG
VOLUME 56, ISSUE 8
Students for Life speaker sparks controversy
Abortion has been a key issue on the election ballot for many years. The current presidential election cycle has seen the issue as a more prominent issue swaying many voters’ opinions.
On Oct. 22, Christopher Newport University’s Students For Life (SFL) organization hosted spokesperson Lydia Taylor
International affairs update
SFL speaker sparks controversy
Davis for the national SFL organization in the David Student Union (DSU) building. During the duration of this event, the CNU Planned Parenthood Generation Act (PPGA) organization held a counterprotest on the first floor of the DSU.
The event in the DSU that evening opened with remarks from SFL president Jenna Gibson who briefly introduced Davis. Davis stated that abortion is not “pro-women,” but is instead “anti-women.” Once pro-choice herself, she stated her reasoning behind being pro-life
(Story continued in News p. 2) CNUCLOG.COM OCTOBER 31, 2024
and why she switched.
“I believe all human beings deserve equal rights, and anyone who says otherwise is just honestly supporting discrimination,” she said.
Throughout the day, Davis was seen tabling outside of Trible Library with other members of her staff recording the entirety of it along with other SFL members. Several CNU students reported that Davis and her staff were “harassing” and “yelling at” those walking by.
WNBA set to lose $40 million
Rams rise back to playoff contention
Dwayne Wade statue
Fall on campus
Students for Life speaker
PPGen counterprotest
Horror movie villians as Taylor Swift albums
Sabrina performsCarpenter at PNC Arena
Halsey album review
Shake Shack review
Your new Fall playlist
Claire’s Corner
“We Live in Time” review
People talking in class
Harry Potter movies ranked
Students for Life spokesperson Lydia Taylor Davis prepares to give her speech to a room full of students, photo taken by Breanna Dorrian/TheCaptainsLog
NEWS Students for Life speaker sparks controversy
continued from cover
PPGA members counterprotest outside the SFL event, photo taken by Breanna Dorrian/TheCaptainsLog
Several students also reported being called a “baby killer” and others reportedly emailed CNU administration to report the alleged harassment. However, Davis and her team quickly denied these allegations when questioned by a student.
“I hope I’ve made it very clear tonight that I am here because I love people and not because I think people are baby killers,” Davis stated. “Now I do think abortion does kill babies, but I’m not here to call names. I’m here to have a conversation, and I absolutely did not call anyone a baby killer today.”
Davis and her team stated that the full, unedited footage from her time tabling would be posted on their website for people to view. Davis also stated that her intentions are to be loving and supportive.
“Yes, I am passionate. Yes, I am angry at the abortion industry, but I always think we should be taking a more loving and compassionate approach when talking to women,” she said. “I absolutely agree that it reflects badly on the pro life movement if people do otherwise. So I want to let you know that the real pro life movement is absolutely compassionate and kind to both women who have had abortions.”
Davis also stated that she believes there is a difference between an abortion and a “life-saving” medical procedure. She also stated she believes that in instances in which, what most would classify a medical abortion, the mothers life is at risk and there is no chance of saving the unborn child then a medical procedure to save the mother is not an abortion as it is not “murder.”
The event opened with a Q&A to allow students a chance to ask questions without needing to stay until the very end. The room reached space capacity, leaving several students lining the walls and standing near the doorways.
The Q&A session began roughly at 7:30PM and quickly turned into a debate that lasted until 9:14PM when it was cut off to allow the speaker a chance to run through her speech.
Davis ran through a portion of her speech, including clarifying her position as to why she is pro-life, her personal beliefs and ‘debunked’ a viral TikTok made against her. Finishing her speech early, Davis again opened the floor for questions.
At the bottom of the main stairwell in the DSU, PPGA held its counterprotest until 9PM. The table gave out merchandise, buttons and
even free condoms. President of the PPGA, junior Andrew Brown, stated that CNU is the only public university in Virginia that doesn’t directly distribute condoms to students. Part of PPGA’s intention is to help bridge that gap for students.
Brown stated the intentions of the organizations counterprotest was to remain civil, but also stated that organization members were briefed and prepared for any and all possible confrontations. Other E-Board members such as Vice President Ally Carroll, Social Media Director Jaidyn Forrest and Secretary Olivia Fallen were also in attendance.
Brown joined PPGA during his freshman year, then became club president his sophomore year.
“Planned Parenthood, which is, I think for a lot of people, a beacon of hope and kind of like an area of safety in an area where maybe there are more people who aren’t as open to minorities,” Brown said “You know, it’s a kind of no point across the board that Planned Parenthood caters to everyone and anyone.”
Brown stated his main goal and focus is to create a space for respectful, safe dialogue.
“I think it’s really important to have a safe space, to have a visible presence of minorities, women [and] people who are underrepresented, especially at a predominantly white university, a university previously under the kind of oversight of a former Republican politician,” he said.
The intention of the counterprotest was to remain civil, which reportedly remained that way from other witnesses. Brown stated that while the SFL organization isn’t “hateful,” he’s observed that it has a tendency to attack those with opposing viewpoints.
However, Brown did state that Davis and members of her team did approach the PPGA table. Brown stated that the two introduced themselves, but when
Davis questioned why PPGA was there to protest, Brown chose not to comment. He also explained to her that her alleged actions tabling earlier in the afternoon was another factor as to why he chose not to further engage. When Davis asked for clarification on what those actions entailed, Brown reportedly explained that several students had reported her to administrative figures at CNU and she should contact them for further clarification. Brown stated that he was unsure as to what her intention for approaching the table was, but it appeared she wanted to have a conversation.
A photo of the PPGA table and its members was posted to the national SFL organization Instagram story with the caption “pro-choicers protesting @lydiataylordavis before her speech.” Brown stated that while this was expected, it was “disheartening” to see, considering PPGA has reportedly never posted photos of SFL members online in that manner.
The Captain’s Log was unable to get in touch with the SFL organization on campus.
“I think it’s really important to have a safe space, to have a visible presence of minorities, women [and] people who are underrepresented...”
Countdown to November: Polling results
and more
In the last few days before the U.S. Presidential election, the race is nearly tied. Kamala Harris is polling slightly higher than Donald Trump, but not by a margin large enough for either candidate to be comfortable. Both campaigns are making their final pushes as the first votes of this election cycle are being cast.
Donald Trump held a rally in Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Oct. 27th, filling the majority of the arena with his supporters. The speakers at this event, including the for-
mer president, have been widely criticized for making racist and xenophobic remarks. Most notably, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe has come under fire for referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean.” The rally also featured a rare appearance by Melania Trump, the former President’s wife, who has been notably absent from the Trump campaign in recent months.
Kamala Harris held back-to-back rallies last week, first in Georgia and then in Houston, Texas. Harris’ rally in Houston was opened with a speech by Beyoncé, who appealed to Texas voters as “a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in,” according to the Associated Press. This Houston rally comes as Rep. Colin Allred seeks to defeat Sen. Ted Cruz in a state that has not elected a Democrat senator in over thirty years. According to FiveThirtyEight, Allred is polling four points behind Cruz.
Early voting has begun in 47 states; all but Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire, which do not allow for early voting. According to NBC News, upwards of 45 million early and mail-in votes have been cast. Party registration of early and mail-in voters is skewed slightly Democratic, as it has been in previous years. Early votes are being counted, but have not been reported yet. Each state has its own laws regarding the counting of early votes. In Virginia, the votes are counted immediately, but are not reported to the public until after the polls close on election day.
International Affairs Update:
War in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine continues to go poorly for Russia as North Korea sends around ten thousand troops to aid Putin’s invasion. The Associated Press reports that North Korean troops have been reported in the Kursk region, an area where Russia is struggling to repel a Ukrainian incursion. NATO officials are worried that this may increase tensions in the already tumultuous Indo-Pacific region. A spokesperson for the Pentagon has stated that the U.S. will not place any limitations on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weapons on North Korean forces. Previously, the U.S. has placed limitations on the use of US-supplied weapons against Russia, particularly by placing a restriction on long-range strikes within Russia.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
On Monday, NBC News reported that the Israeli parliament has voted to ban the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The Israeli government alleges that UNRWA supports terrorist activities, a claim which the organization strongly disputes. A number of nations have condemned the ban, including Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Norway. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also expressed concern at the passing of the bill. President Biden has not commented as of Monday night, but the Biden administration had previously called for Israel to refrain from banning the organization. This comes amid rising tensions between Israel, Iran and Lebanon.
U.S. Restricts Investment in Chinese Technology
The Biden Administration has finalized a set of restrictions on U.S. investment in China in key technological sectors. Reuters reports that the restrictions primarily focus on semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. The U.S. Department of the Treasury believes that these technologies are at the core of Chinese military innovation, and therefore should not be funded by American investors. This is the latest move in the push to direct American investment and innovation back into the United States.
PATRICK WOOD PATRICK.WOOD.21@CNU.EDU
Image of Ukrainian flag from Unsplash
Map of the United States 2020 electoral college from Unsplash
PATRICK WOOD PATRICK.WOOD.21@CNU.EDU
WNBA set to lose $40 million
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
Despite the thrilling ending to the 2024 season, the WNBA will be losing $40 million this season.
This announcement has frustrated many NBA owners as they account for almost 60 percent of the league. With hundreds of millions of dollars being invested into the WNBA since its inception in 1996, the league has been hoping to return a profit for quite some time. This patience was waning as new dynamic young players such as Indiana Fever guard Catilin Clark and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese entered the league. With their arrival, the WNBA had been expecting a financial turnaround sooner rather than later.
The league is coming off of a thrilling season. This past year was the most watched WNBA regular season in 24 years. This continued in the finals as an average of 1.6 million viewers were tuning into each game. However, the league’s revenue stream was not
A huge loss
Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center on October 10, 2024 between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx. 2024 WNBA Finals Game 1 NYL vs MIN 10.10.24 by Kew Gardens 613 is licensed under the CC By-SA 4.0 Attribution-Sharealike Deed.
“With hundreds of millions of dollars being invested into the WNBA since its inception in 1996, the league has been hoping to return a profit for quite some time.”
correlating to the record-breaking campaign the league had just experienced.
The WNBA should be making money in the coming years. In 2026, the league will receive a new basketball media contract that will give them $2.2 billion over the next 11 years. This will lead to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players as well as an expanded season. A new format was attributed to the league’s focus on expansion which includes teams such as the Golden State Valkyries entering the fold next season.
This news is not as surprising as it may have initially appeared. The WNBA has typically been in need of the NBA for funding and broadcasting rights. However, the league’s sudden popularity should lead to a route where the league can operate with the NBA instead of under them. This will help the NBA as the league and their team owners will begin to see a worthwhile return.
Dwyane Wade statue unveiled
TREY GREENWELL TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
Longtime Miami
Heat shooting guard
Dwyane Wade became the first player in team history to have a statue.
The statue was unveiled on Sunday outside of Kaseya Center. Wade is the Heat’s all-time leading scorer and has played an integral role in all three championships the team has won. The championship Wade will always be remembered for is the 2006 NBA Finals in which he averaged 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the series.
An in-game celebration will happen on Monday during the Heat’s game against the Detroit Pistons. This will be 21 years since Wade
A controversial sculpture
“The statue was unveiled on Sunday outside of Kaseya Center.”
made his NBA debut, which was against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2003-2004 regular season.
The statue also includes Wade’s various accolades such as his 13 All-Star appearances, two All-NBA first team selections and most notably, three NBA Championships. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and one of six
Heat players to have their jersey number retired by the team. Since retiring from the NBA, Wade has stayed involved within the game of basketball as he has minority ownership stakes with both the Utah Jazz and Chicago Sky. He has wanted to take a hands-on approach with his involvements since retiring from playing.
While the statue was a great moment for both Wade and the Heat, it has received lots of backlash online from fans and critics. Many think that this situation is similar to when international soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo had a statue unveiling in his hometown of Madeira, Portugal. This is because the original sculpture received large amounts of negative publicity, forcing the sculptor to create another statue that received more positive reviews from fans. With Wade’s statue already receiving negative publicity, it will be interesting to see if the Heat decide to create a new one that better honors Wade’s legacy with the team.
Dwyane Wade during a game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2011. Dwyane Wade by Keith Allison is licensed under the CC By Attribution 2.0 Generic Deed.
Rams rise back to playoff contention
Two straight wins save the season
TRAJAN.GREENWELL.21@CNU.EDU
After a crushing 24-19 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams dropped to 1-4. Questions were being asked about the futures of star players such as wide receiver Cooper Kupp and the season looked lost. With a dismal record in a tough NFC West, the Rams were beginning to consider punting on the season. With everything to play for, the Rams defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 20-15. The offense was fueled by running back Kyren Williams, who accounted for 76 yards and two touchdowns on the day. With some resemblance of a pulse, the Rams asked for a secondround pick in exchange for Kupp. This, along with his hefty cap hit led to him remaining on the Rams. Teams interested in Kupp’s services such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills decided to look elsewhere for receivers.
The Los Angeles Rams host the New Orleans Saints on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. Rams V Saints 12/21/2023 by PontiacAurora is licensed under the CC By 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication Deed.
On a short week, the Rams faced the Minnesota Vikings at home. Led by quarterback Sam Darnold, the Vikings had gotten off to a 5-0 start. However, the team lost to the Detroit Lions on a late field goal and were looking to return to their winning ways. Fortunately for the Rams, the return of both Kupp and second year wide receiver Puka Nacua to the lineup
Coming soon in CNU Sports:
*Games listed are happening at CNU
heavily boosted the offense. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had one of his best days of the season, throwing for 234 yards to go along with four touchdowns and one interception. This, paired with a valiant effort from the team’s pass rush gave them a 30-20 victory over the Vikings.
“With two consecutive wins and a record of 3-4, the Rams are now half a game behind first place in the NFC West.”
With two consecutive wins and a record of 3-4, the Rams are now half a game behind first place in the NFC West. First place is currently a three-way tie as the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks all have records of 4-4. With a chance to win the division very much alive, the Rams will now be gearing up for one more playoff push. Here’s What You Missed!
1) The Colorado Buffaloes were ranked in the AP top 25 after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats to become bowl eligible.
2) Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk will be out for the season after suffering a broken collarbone.
3) Indiana Fever fire head coach Christie Sides after ending a seven-year playoff drought.
4) Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been sacked after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United. TREY GREENWELL
November 1st:
*Women’s Volleyball CNU v. Salisbury
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 6:00 PM
November 2nd:
*Men’s Football
CNU v. William Paterson
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 1:00 PM
*Women’s Field Hockey
CNU v. Mary Washington
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 4:00 PM
*Men’s Soccer
CNU v. Mary Washington
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 6:00 PM
*Men’s Basketball
CNU v. Chowan University (Exhibition)
Location: Newport News, VA
Time: 7:00 PM
To look at events off campus and for future weeks, visit cnusports.com
Fall leaves on campus
Sunlight filtering through bright orange leaves on a tree in front of the Sports Lot.
Tree in the middle of the Alumni Lot stands out with it’s orange leaves compared to the others.
All photos taken by Amanda Eacho
Students For Life Speaker
All photos taken by Breanna Dorrian
Planned Parenthood GenAct counterprotest
CNU Students gather together to listen to Lydia Taylor Davis speak about her opinion on the topic of abortion.
Image of the sign advertising Lydia Taylor Davis’s campus tour.
Members of CNU Planned Parenthood Generation Act gather to counterprotest CNU Students For Life’s speaker.
CNU Students gather around CNU PPGen’s table to get more information on Planned Parenthood and to get free candy and condoms.
Horror movie villains as Taylor Swift albums
What era are these iconic characters in?
ALYSSA TILLMAN
ALYSSA.TILLMAN.22@CNU.EDU
With the spooky season coming to an end, it’s time to take a look at the main antagonists of all the horror movies being rewatched this year. From the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface to the charming yet sinister Hannibal Lecter, these infamous characters reflect deeper themes that resonate within Swift’s discography. This fusion of horror and pop music reveals how both realms explore the intricacies of fear, love, and the human experience.
1. Leatherface- Taylor Swift
Leatherface is the main villain in “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” He is a part of a cannibalistic family living in rural Texas, known for wearing a mask made of human skin and wielding a chainsaw. Leatherface’s character symbolizes the fear of the unknown and the brutality of rural isolation as he follows a group of teens traveling through Texas. Taylor Swift’s selftitled debut album introduced her as a fresh voice in country music and Leatherface would surely jam to these songs.
2. Chucky- Fearless
Chucky is the main antagonist of the “Child’s Play” film series. He is a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer named Charles Lee Ray, who uses dark magic to transfer his spirit into the doll to escape death. Chucky can usually be found trying to transfer his soul into a human body or targeting children and their guardians. His childlike nature is reminiscent of Swift’s second studio album, “Fearless.” The album embodies the themes of youthful love, heartbreak and the optimism of being young.
3. Ghostface- Speak Now
Ghostface is the iconic masked antagonist from Craven’s “Scream” movie franchise, known for his satirical take on slasher film tropes, often targeting teenagers and utilizing phone calls to taunt his victims with questions about horror movies. Swift’s third studio album “Speak Now” captures the
importance of speaking your truth. Ghostface’s primary motive in these movies is revenge, a feeling that Swift captures beautifully in track 10 of “Speak Now,” “Better Than Revenge.”
4. Annabelle- Red
First introduced in “The Conjuring,” Annabelle is the vintage porcelain figure that becomes a vessel for dark spirits and is linked to tragic and violent events. She’s known for her iconic red hair, a color that comes to life in Swift’s fourth studio album, “Red.”
5. Pennywise- 1989
What do Taylor Swift and Pennywise have in common? Their iconic red lip. The shapeshifting clown from Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel “It” preys on the fears of children and exploits what each child fears most. Swift’s fifth studio album “1989” features a polished pop sound with synth-heavy production, drawing influences from the 1980s. “1989” is all about having fun and so is Pennywise the dancing clown.
6. Jigsaw- Reputation
James Wan’s “Saw” features Jigsaw, the serial killer who captures his victims and places them in deadly traps designed to test their will to live. Each trap requires the victim to confront their own flaws or sins. Swift’s sixth studio album
“Reputation” reflects her response to media backlash and the challenges of being in the spotlight, particularly in her relationships. Musically, the album features a darker, more electronic sound compared to her earlier work and explores themes of betrayal, karma and revenge.
7. Hannibal Lecter- Lover
The notorious cannibalistic serial killer created by Thomas Harris was first introduced in the novel Red Dragon and later featured in The Silence of the Lambs. Lecter is known for his intelligence, charm and sophisticated demeanor, often manipulating those around him. Lecter’s interactions with various female characters often carry an undertone of fascination and manipulation, but Alana is one of the few who sees him as more than just a monster. Swift’s seventh studio album “Lover” celebrates themes of love, romance and personal happiness.
8. Jason Voorhees- Folklore
Jason Voorhees is the central antagonist of the “Friday the 13th” franchise, known for his signature hockey mask and brutal methods of killing. He seeks revenge for his tragic past on groups of unsuspecting teenagers at Camp Crystal Lake. He spends most of his time lurking in the woods, tormented by his
childhood trauma, so Swift’s eighth studio album “Folklore” is right up his alley.
9. Count Dracula- Evermore
From Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula”, Count Dracula remains one of the most popular vampires in fiction. His character embodies various themes, including fear of the unknown and the clash between modernity and the ancient world. His gloomy nature resembles Swift’s 9th studio album, “Evermore”. This album explores themes of love, loss, nostalgia and the passage of time.
10. Freddy Kreugar- Midnights
The disfigured antagonist of Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” film series stalks and murders his victims in their dreams, which leads to their deaths in the real world. In her 10th studio album “Midnights,” Taylor Swift reflects during her sleepless nights. The album is a collection of stories and thoughts that come to mind in the quiet hours of the night, which happens to be the perfect time for Freddy to strike. “Midnights” also features a synth-pop sound, a style made popular in the 80s, when “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was first released.
11. Michael Myers- The Tortured Poets Department
Michael Myers is characterized by his iconic white mask, dark jumpsuit, and a relentless, emotionless pursuit of his victims. His backstory involves a traumatic childhood where he killed his sister, leading to his institutionalization. In Swift’s 11th studio album “The Tortured Poets Department,” each track offers a glimpse into the mindset of a “tortured poet,” exploring the intersection between love and loss. She uses imagery of mental asylums and institutions, which Michael knows all too well.
Pennywise the dancing clown, photo from GoodFon.
A Sweet Experience at the Short n’ Sweet Concert
Sabrina Carpenter performs at PNC Arena
MICHALAH BECK
MICHALAH.BECK.22@CNU.EDU
On the morning of Oct. 19, my mother, sister and I packed up our family SUV and eagerly drove three and a half hours to Raleigh, North Carolina, to watch Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet concert. My sister and I grew up with Sabrina Carpenter, so going to this concert was a bittersweet conclusion to our childhoods. We watched “Girl Meets World” often growing up, where Maya Hart, played by Carpenter, was our favorite character. Now she is my sister’s favorite singer and one of my favorite artists.
When we got to the hotel, we were so excited about the show that we could have sprinted to our room if it weren’t for the weight of the millions of bags we brought with us. After we took a ton of mirror selfies and after I applied an absurd amount of glitter to my eyelids, my sister and I walked out of the room to get to the arena with the idea that we would have two hours before Sabrina was supposed to take the stage.
Tragically, we were wrong. Google Maps said the distance from the hotel to the arena was 15 minutes. They were wrong, too.
Thanks to the concert traffic and the North Carolina State Fair (which shared the same route), our 15 minute drive became an hour and a half. Frustrated, overwhelmed and already exhausted, we rushed into the arena with two goals for the night: Get to the merch stand, then see the fivefoot blonde sing on stage.
After purchasing merch for the three of us, we took our seats right before the opening act, Griff, took the
stage. While my sister sat patiently beside me, I was fidgeting in my seat. I kept checking my watch and counting down the minutes.
8:00…8:15...8:30. Nothing.
Since I purposefully avoided any spoilers for this concert and was going into it clueless, I asked my sister when Sabrina was going to get on stage. She said Sabrina typically came on at 8:30. It was 8:37. Around 8:45, the lights cut out and the arena burst into excited screams and applause while the concert screen displayed a cute intro video. After the introduction, Sabrina Carpenter ran out in a costume-like towel and unveiled her first costume choice. She almost immediately began singing her first song of the night, the third single from her album Short n’ Sweet, called “Taste.”
Sometime after the concert, it was confirmed that her tardiness was caused by the traffic entering the arena. She apparently wanted to ensure everyone had the opportunity to get into the arena and settle before she began the show. Any sort of delay caused by the traffic was made up through her interactions with the crowd and her effort to make everyone feel included and welcomed throughout the concert.
My mom, sister and I sang and took several photos and videos for an hour and a half straight. At the end of the concert, Sabrina sang “Espresso” as loads of confetti sprinkled the crowd. The three of us walked out of the arena with tired feet, hoarse voices, absolutely no storage in our phones, t-shirts and hoodies and a memorable experience we will sweetly look back on forever.
“The Great Impersonator” album review
Halsey’s raw journey through love, loss and identity
AMANDA EACHO AMANDA.EACHO.22@CNU.EDU
Halsey’s fifth studio album, “The Great Impersonator” is an emotional deep dive into the mind of its creator. Released three years after her last album, “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power”, “The Great Impersonator” gives fans some insight into Halsey’s private life. During the 3 year gap between albums, Halsey was diagnosed with lupus and a T-cell disorder. She also gave birth to her son, Ender.
The album touches on topics such as death, postpartum depression, wanting to be loved despite being sick and feeling like an impersonator. Her album is raw and honest as she pours her feelings out in her “confessional concept album” as she called it on Instagram.
To help build up anticipation for the album, Halsey impersonated artists who inspired a few of the tracks. A few of these artists were Britney Spears, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen and Dolly Parton. To do this, she would photoshop herself into the artist’s most iconic album covers, sparking a lot of talk on social media. This marketing strategy was very smart and worked well as there was a lot of talk across Instagram, TikTok, and X in the days leading up to the album release.
The album was first teased with the release of the first single “The End”. Halsey wrote, “Long story short, I’m lucky to be alive. Short story long, I wrote an album. It begins with The End. Out now.” The song gives a bit of insight into their sickness and their feelings about wanting to be loved despite potentially dying. The song is slow with acoustic background music, focusing solely on the lyrics. The song is heartbreaking and raw, a perfect beginning to the album. Other promotional singles, including “Lucky,” “Lonely is the Muse,” “Ego” and “I Never Loved You,” also helped bring up the anticipation for the album and allowed Halsey to share their feelings through their song writing.
The 18 songs on the album range from emotional ballads to pop punk. Three of these tracks are the decades
“Halsey poured their heart and soul into this album and it definitely shows.”
spanning “Letters to God.” These interludes span from 1974 and wishing they were sick as a kid so that their parents would pay attention to them, to 1983 and wondering if their plea to be sick as a child has caused her to become sick in this stage of life, to 1998 and their plea for survival as an ode to their son. Halsey’s heartbreaking and emotional album is receiving rave reviews online as fans process the lyrics. Halsey poured their heart and soul into this album and it definitely shows.
“The
Sabrina Carpenter performing in Raleigh, North Carolina, photo taken by Michalah Beck/TheCaptainsLog
Great Impersonator” album cover, photo from @ iamhalsey on Instagram
LIFESTYLE Shake Shack review:
Is
Shake
Shack really worth the hype?
KATHERINE ZICKEL
KATHERINE.ZICKEL.22@CNU.EDU
As I’m sure many of you have heard, the popular burger and milkshake chain, Shake Shack, has recently opened up a new location in Newport News. This is great news for lovers of this fast food chain who have had to either drive to Richmond or Virginia Beach to fulfill their cravings in the past. My friends and I decided to take a trip to the intersection of Oyster Point and Jefferson to see for ourselves if the food was worth it.
The first noticeable thing when you arrive is the lack of parking in an already busy shopping center. Located in Jefferson Plaza, the same place as Costco and McDonald’s, parking spots at Shake Shack are few and far between, and we ended up having to park at McDonald’s and walk over even though we were eating at around 2pm. We then had to wait in line outside the restaurant, most likely due to being at full capacity, but the staff offered complimentary beverages while we waited and the wait was only about 10 minutes.
The actual ordering process was quick and smooth, with self-ordering kiosks that walked you through the menu and payment process. Everything comes à la carte, which for a student on a budget, was a little disappointing. However, I ordered the regular ShackBurger, six chicken bites, fries
and a chocolate shake to top it all off. The ShackBurger, (which comes with lettuce, tomato, cheese and ShackSauce), was a little dry and more toppings than actual meat. They offer a double patty, which is more expensive, but probably worth it to get the topping to meat ratio right. Ordering an extra side of sauce also wouldn’t hurt the burger. Next to review were the chicken bites, which looked similar to Chick-Fil-A’s nuggets. If you like your nuggets salty, these are for you. They were juicy and hit the spot after the disappointing burger. The infamous Shake Shack crinkle fries were perfectly crispy and salty and good for dipping in the chocolate shake, which was thinner than I expected, but taste-wise, rich and chocolatey. Overall, would I come back here? The total for my meal was just under 25 dollars, which is expensive for a chain restaurant with a mediocre burger, but everything else I tried was delicious. I would say it’s worth it to go at least once, particularly for the fries, shakes and chicken. I’m not sure I would order the burger again, but that still leaves me with plenty of other options, including chicken sandwiches, fried mushroom sandwiches and even grilled cheese. Shake Shack receives a four out of five stars from me.
Your new fall playlist
Songs to listen to during the autumn season
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
The autumn season is one of my favorite seasons to celebrate when it comes to music. There are so many good songs out there that can get you in the fall spirit, whether you are relaxing with a hot chocolate or walking through a trail with many colorful trees. These songs will lift your spirits and leave you feeling excited for the seasonal changes to come!
Stick Season -Noah Kahan
I recently started listening to this song and I really enjoy it. It has the perfect upbeat vibe for the chillier weather. I usually listen to this song when walking to class early in the morning, as it fits that chilly morning vibe perfectly. It’s not too chaotic and loud, which makes this the perfect song to listen to early in the morning. My favorite part of this song is Noah’s voice as it harmonizes welll with the background acoustics.
Cardigan -Taylor Swift
This song has always a classic of mine since it was released. I pretty much listen to this song year round, but it holds special meaning for me in the cooler months because of the symbolism behind the cardigan. I love listening to this song while relaxing and journaling as it has
such a soothing melody! This is also my to-go song when driving places at night.
We fell in love in October -Girl in Red
This song is played so much right when October starts, but nonetheless is a good classic song to have in your fall playlist. I created a fall playlist on my TV and this is always the first song that comes on in the morning when I get ready. The song isn’t too chaotic and loud which makes it perfect the morning when you first wake up. When I hear this song, I think of sunny autumn day, which I hope we get plenty of this season.
Willow -Taylor Swift
This is yet another amazing song by Taylor Swift and is my favorite one to play while going on a walk. It is very soothing and calming as the romantic lyricism and guitar centric sounds makes it the perfect song to relax the mind. I feel like Taylor Swift’s whole album “Evermore” is the perfect album for the fall time as I’ve enjoyed all of the songs so far!
Bad Habit -Steve Lacy
I’ve enjoyed this song for a while
Pumpkins, Photo courtesy of Claire Hall /TheCaptainsLog
now but it really hits differently in the fall time. Whenever this song is playing, it feels like it is a chilly fall morning and you are going out to admire the changing colors of the leaves. It has a friendly and groovy beat that is hard not to dance to and the lyrics are absolutely beautiful. I am not surpised that this song is loved by so many as it is truly the perfect autumn song.
Season of the Witch -Lana Del Ray
I recently started listening to this song and find it perfect for the Halloween season. Lana Del Ray never fails to make incredible music and this was my number one song played while I was decorating my room for Halloween and Fall as I was constantly putting it on repeat. Her song’s psychedelic sound and dark foreboding lyrics gave me such chills!
Wake Me Up When September Ends -Green Day
This song is a little more in the rock genre compared to the other songs, but it nonetheless a good song to vibe to. I enjoy listening to this song at the gym because of its beats. Not to mention, it has the word ‘September’ in the song title., giving it more of an autumn appeal. When I hear this song, I always think about a scenic view filled with mountains and colorful trees while you are watching the sunset.
Sweater Weather -The Neighbourhood
Not only is this song a cute love story, but the title is literally called Sweater Weather for a reason. It’s meant to be listened to during the colder months. While I will say that this song has more of a mellowed
down beat that isn’t as groovy or upbeat, it is still an awesome song to listen to. I love listening to this song when I take my night walks around campus while admiring a sky full of stars.
All Too Well -Taylor Swift
I love this song, especially the 10 minute version. This song is an incredibly passionate and soothing song. I enjoy playing this in the background while I am cleaning my room or reading a book. This song is so addicting for the fall, as it makes the perfect song to listen to while sipping hot chocolate because of it’s soothing melody.
Cinnamon Girl -Lana Del Ray
This song is so incredibly calming. Alongside Taylor Swift’s song “All Too Well”, I also enjoy listening to this song while cleaning my room or reading a book. To me, this song is quite relaxing and is the perfect song to listen to while sipping some hot chocolate and turning on the fairy lights in your room.
Yellow -Coldplay
Compared to other songs on this list, this song seems a bit more down and sad, but it actually represents a passionate love. This song describes the yellow aura of a girl the songwriter desribes as beautiful. This conveys a thoughful and dreamy aesthethic to listeners which makes this song the perfect song to listen to in the fall!
I hope these songs can help you build your fall playlist! So grab your pumpkin spice latte, pick up a good read, and blast your favorite fall songs in your room. Let’s make the most out of this ever-changing season!
Claire’s Corner
Your go-to advice column for college
CLAIRE HALL CLAIRE.HALL.22@CNU.EDU
How do I curb academic validation?
Being in college, I’m sure that many individuals on campus have suffered with academic validation in one way or another. It can be incredibly stressful to have this mindset in your head; that you have to have good grades to be a valued human being. Here, I have listed some tips below to help you curb academic validation.
View grades as progress, not perfection
I know it can be easy to view grades from a perfectionist standpoint, but you want to rid this thought from your mind. Grades are meant to show progress; how far you have come since the beginning of the semester. You don’t come to class in the beginning of the year knowing everything about it, or else you wouldn’t even be taking the class. You are learning new things you never knew about and the truth is, you are still learning no matter how far in the semester you are. So never beat yourself up because you didn’t get such a good score on a quiz, test, or exam. That simply means you have so much more to learn, which is never a bad thing. It just means you have to work harder to understand the material. You are not incompetent, you are simply just learning something new.
Find and accept your weaknesses
There is not a single person in the world that is good at everything. Being well rounded DOES NOT EXIST. There are people who are good at certain subjects and struggle in other subjects. For example, I am very good at English but I struggle with math all the time. It doesn’t make me incompetent; it just means that I have to study a bit harder in math versus English. The best thing about humans is that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. My strengths allow me to read someone’s writing and suggest edits that need to be made whereas that
person can help me understand math concepts that I struggle with. Accept that you struggle in a certain subject and take necessary action to improve.
Always seek improvement
Once you accept that you struggle with this certain subject, you can take action. There are so many different resources that CNU has to offer that can help you in subjects that you are struggling with. You can visit the tutoring center, go to a professor’s office hours, or even ask a classmate for clarification on a certain topic. Do not just sit there and struggle alone, there are so many individuals who are on the same boat as you. While improving in academics is one way to help curb academic validation, another part of this aspect has to do with self esteem. You have to understand that your academics do not define your intelligence or your personality. You are a shining star regardless of your grades, gpa, or scores. Make sure you are giving yourself the positive reinforcement that you need. College is meant to be challenging and your goal is to positively power through with as much effort as you can.
I hope these tips can help you curb your academic validation for good. One of the biggest tips that I can possibly give is making sure you take care of yourself. Give yourself some positive reinforcement because at the end of the day, you are doing great. Remember to power through the week and stay safe!
Photo courtesy of Claire Hall / TheCaptainsLog
Fall plants, Photo courtesy of Claire Hall /TheCaptainsLog
“The Captain’s Log is free to write anything it pleases and CNU fully respects the Freedom of the press.”— CNU Chancellor Paul Trible
Which Harry Potter movies are worth watching?
Staff writer ranks film franchise
With Fall officially in full swing, movie binging has begun and what better way to kick off your Halloween-themed event than with Harry Potter? Here is my personal ranking of each film and the reasons why based on the movies themselves, not compared to the books!
1. Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has many qualities that make it the best of the seven part movie series. Watchers learn more about Professor Snape’s upbringing and why he treats Harry like he does. This view of his past also allowed readers to relate to Snape because he was/is lonely. Snape being the Half-Blood Prince was a shocker since he vocally expressed his desire for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position in the books and movies. Another amusing scene is the use of Liquid Luck, also known as Felix Felicis, where Harry uses the potion to fool Ron into performing well in a quidditch tournament but also uses it to be successful in the task Dumbledore gave him. Sadly, Dumbledore dies in this movie at the hands of the Half-Blood Prince himself. Dumbledore’s death makes the Golden Trio stronger in their fight against Voldemort and is the key to the final battle at Hogwarts.
2. Goblet of Fire
A fan favorite, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire follows three wizarding schools in their attempt to win the Triwizard Tournament. This movie introduces special characters such as Cedric Digory and Fleur Delecour. Cedric is the first Hufflepuff watcher to get to know and potentially connect with (until his premature death). He is charismatic and a true Hufflepuff. Fleur is also an important character as she goes on to marry into the quirky but loving family, the Weasleys. We see flying drag-
ons, merpeople and moving mazes throughout the three challenges. There is action packed into this 150 minutes, which is why many people would claim this movie to be their favorite. Although we see great CGI and iconic scenes, the lack of character development and gained knowledge of the wizarding world is why Goblet of Fire is second on this list.
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is also a fan favorite as it showcases a lot of Hogwarts Grounds, and we start to see the bond between the Golden Trio form. The three best mates trauma bond in this entire film, as they are being ‘hunted’ by the notorious Sirius Black. We see them stand up for the little guy while also taking down bullies and proving themself as honorable. Draco Malfoy also demonstrates how annoying and comical his character is. Introducing Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather, allows watchers to expand their Wizarding World knowledge with a new generation, The Marauders. Many fans have created fiction, plays and even films showcasing their imagination of Wormtail, Moony, Padfoot and Prongs.
4. Deathly Hallows pt 2
The finale fans waited 14 years to see was a showstopper. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2 wrapped up the series into a tight bow and was the perfect end to a perfect series. The Battle of Hogwarts was thrilling and terrifying, apparent in the amount of work put into the film. From the giants falling from the castle and McGonagall whispering, “I’ve always wanted to use that spell,” to a terrifying Molly Weasly to Neville Longbottom pulling the sword of Gryffindor out of the sorting hat, every part was chilling. This film was a reunion of sorts as the filmmakers did a great job of showing everyone the audience has ever connected with. Just like the movie itself, the epilogue was also perfect and allowed cre-
ative watchers a chance to imagine what happened afterward and create their own story.
5. Chamber of Secrets
One of the scariest films in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is placed at number five. Despite major events happening where important secrets are revealed, nothing of substance happens that impacts the final outcome. Watchers broaden their knowledge of Voldemort and some of Hogwarts history. The origins of Moaning Myrtle are also discovered, a comical character who withholds knowledge and gossip and only spills when it is convenient for her. This is the only major event that takes place in the entirety of the film and thus rendering the movie primarily unimportant.
“Despite major events happening ...nothing of substance happens that impacts the final outcome.”
6. Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix creates an initiative to fight against the Death Eaters and allows for the introduction of many new characters. The first film is where the main characters come of age and grow into their roles as a part of Dumbledore’s Army. Although, the explanation of these characters, such as Tonks, is little to none. Also, in this film, Sirius Black dies, which is heartbreaking. Voldemort and Dumbledore duel, and the whole wizarding world now knows that
Lord Voldemort is back. Nothing good happens in this film. The main characters can not catch a break and are consistently threatened, especially by Dolorous Umbridge, the new Headmistress of Hogwarts.
7. Deathly Hallows pt 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 1 is the most boring of all the Harry Potter films, but it is one of the most essential. Deathly Hallows part one sets up all the scenes for the finale and is one of the reasons why Part two is so iconic. Similar to hide and seek, Horcrux hunting is no fun. When Harry, Ron, and Hermonie are given little to no direction, the three 17-year-olds get distracted and aggravated. This movie is also home to the SADDEST scene in cinematic history, Dobby’s death. The sweetest house elf, best friend, and hero did not deserve to die and will forever be heartwrenching.
8. Sorcerer’s Stone
“NO RON, YOU CAN’T” put Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone last…The Sorcerer’s Stone is last on this list, not because it isn’t a great movie, but because it’s later films were better. The first film was very introductory but necessary for the film’s progression, although they left important details and characters out of the movie. This movie is also very overplayed.
Hogwarts Castle, from Unsplash
People talking in class: Just
shut up man.
LINDSAY DEYTON LINDSAY.DEYTON.22@CNU.EDU
Lecture classroom in Forbes Hall, photo taken by Holly Haydon/TheCaptainsLog
I have a little list of pet peeves. Snack wrappers crunching, slow walkers, bad drivers, etc. But one thing that never fails to irk my nerves is people who can’t seem to stop talking in class. I get it. You have classes with friends you don’t see often and you wanna update them. However, in the middle of our 2 PM lecture with almost 100 people in it is not the place to spill the tea. Everyone in the class is paying both time and money to be there. We aren’t paying to listen to you yap.
I have two big lectures this semester. In both of them, there always seems to be a group of people who think it’s the best time to chat. Sometimes, I don’t find the material particularly interesting myself. However, it’s still respectful to close your traps and not talk over the professor. If it’s something that’s really that important, just text your friend. I’ve been there and done that. Not proud to say that I was texting in class, and I’m certainly not condoning it. However, it’s better than talking in the middle of a lecture.
Not only is talking in the middle of class disrespectful, but doing it at such a loud volume to where the professor calls you
out is even worse. Like, at that point, it’s just embarrassing. It’s literally a 50 minute class. Listen to the lecture you’re paying for. I swear that the people who decide to talk in class don’t know how to whisper. They talk at a normal volume and I don’t know how they aren’t embarrassed to be doing that at this age. All this to be said, just shut it for 50 minutes dawg.
“Everyone in the class is paying both time and money to be there. We aren’t paying to listen to you yap.”
“We
Live in Time:”
The most heart warming and soulcrushing movie you will watch this year
HOLLY HAYDON HOLLY.HAYDON.23@CNU.EDU
We Live in Time, starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, made its debut last Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The film was produced by John Crowley and rated 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and is this year’s blockbuster romance movie.
During the film, a couple embarks on a challenging path limited by time and where they quickly learn to live in the moment. This romance was not like any other, as we followed the characters during their journey through time.
In my opinion, the movie was designed to reach a targeted audience and I felt as though you either loved it or you didn’t. According to TikTok, there was the one friend who could not stop crying and then the other friend who thought the movie was just okay.
“The movie was designed to reach a targeted audience and I felt as though you either loved it or you didn’t.”
I went to see this film during opening weekend on Sunday with a group of my friends and I can confirm that we were all divided on our initial thoughts. However, I will not tell you which friend I was, though you may be able to take a gander.
Instead of being released as a romance, I believe it should have been labeled a tragedy or even a romantic tragedy. Personally, I was not prepared for the journey the film took me on and was convinced even though the couple was facing devastating news, everything would work out for the better.
I won’t spoil it for those of you
who have not had the chance to watch this movie yourselves, instead, you will have to go see the film to experience the rollercoaster of emotions it brings to the surface.
I was personally not a fan of the ending of the film at all, feeling as though I was left hanging with millions of questions. The movie leads you to be invested in the characters and their unconditional love story, and once you are hooked it ends.
Just like that, the screen turns black and the end credits roll leaving you starstruck in your seat. That’s how me and my friends were anyway because we could not believe the movie could end the way it did. It left the audience hanging to infer the outcome and predict what came next for this young family. Personally, I would not recommend We Live in Time unless you want to cry for an hour and forty-seven minutes just to be left hanging.
However, if you love movies that get you in your feelings or are in need of a good cry, then I would recommend going out and buying a ticket. Then you can figure out for yourself which type of friend you are.
Student poetry and short story submissions
Email clog@cnu.edu to be featured in the paper
“Heartful
Shadow”
By Bao Hoang
The weather was nice, so I ordered a coffee
You didn’t say anything
Just a stagnant smiling that never faded
I began to wonder: did I do something funny?
The last memories I had of you were warm like this coffee
Your eyes bright as the sky above
Your hair flowing like the running water
Your eyes dark like earth
My heart could never forget your name
Birds were chirping away
People were walking by Kids were laughing Cars were roaring by Bike bells were ringing
The waitress comes to bring my tab
I noticed your smile slowly fading As I stood and looked back, the table, the chairs, it was empty
My heart could never forget where you once sat
“Trick or Scantron”
Sudoku
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46 Snare
Month with an extra day on special years
Slanted text, for short
Poison ivy symptom
Digital music format 13 "The Gospel Truth" singers in Disney's "Hercules"
Uncommon
"This Is How ___ It" (1995 #1 hit) 17 Rainbow making device
18 Dark, semiprecious gemstone
19 "Actually that was the name of the doctor not the monster"
22 Likes a lot 23 "Give me ______" ("make me an offer")
27 Owner and operator of the Hotel Transylvania 30 Hides from animals
32 Used to be
LeBron's team, on scoreboards 34 Rigs, as a bet
Feeling blue 36 Certain TikTok aesthetic 38 Take advantage of
Hit the slopes 40 Drab brown
41 Carved pumpkin, like the one thrown at Ichabod Crane by the Headless Horseman
45 Wildly absurd, colloquially
Happy Halloween!
49 The only place you'd go willingly to get scared by strangers
53 Sandwich spread
56 "I love you" in spanish
57 Antagonist of Destiny's "The Taken King"
58 Hydrox's competition in the sandwich cookie market
59 Rock's Eddie Van
60 Self-defense spray named after a medieval weapon
61 Sunset direction
62 Cincinnati Baseball team
63 Secure online connection letters DOWN 1 Guy from Flavortown 2 Collections of Norse mythology with Prose and Poetic variants 3 Iconic Lego theme featuring biomechanical robots 4 Driving force 5 Activate 6 "What you see's what you get" 7 Cautionary word 8 Satirical in a fitting way 9 Sunbathe 10 Bawl 11 Witch's curse
12 Classes opposite TR 14 Smudges 20 Shoelace struggles
21 Craft beer letters
24 Flower from Holland
25 Saint ___ of Assisi, founder of the Order of Poor Ladies
26 Word following "residence" or "lecture"
28 Samuel Clemens' pen name
29 Darth Vader, to Luke
30 Like someone living near a Leaning Tower
31 Business owner, in slang
34 Picturesque Japanese peak
35 Jamaican music genre
36 You are here
37 Firearm showrooms
39 Detective
40 Muscle and bone connectors
42 Classroom trivia website
43 "Are you melted butter? Because you're ___ roll!"
44 Overflowed (with)
47 Vibes
48 College major for studying the mind, briefly
50 A stone's throw away
51 Folk story
52 Program file extension
53 Cut a lawn
54 "___ we there yet?"
55 Affirmative