Mount Hood

Who I Hate Today

By: Declan Hertel
Entertainment Editor

I hate at least one person in every movie theatre.

It might be the stupid teenager who pays a whole $10 to see a movie and then is constantly checking their stupid phone to see what’s going on with their stupid friends in their stupid life and ruining the movie for the rest of us with that tiny screen that glows like the furious sun in the midst of the pristine darkness of a cinema auditorium.

If you have ever checked your phone in a movie theater while the movie was playing, you would have received 40 lashes on the spot if I ran the world (Declan Hertel/Kanye West 2020).

The group I hate less justifiably is old timers. I saw “The Hateful Eight” (review at wou.edu/westernjournal) for the second time last weekend, and the theatre was full of 40+ patrons who were, for the most part, defying my stereotype. But I have almost 200 more words, so buckle up, kiddo.

It’s not them asking about what the character just said: while that is annoying, hearing deteriorates over time, and there is an awful lot of whisper-mumbling in today’s cinema. It’s more them being shocked and appalled at the content on screen, and deciding to stay and keep a half-voiced running commentary throughout the film about how senseless and stupid it all is rather than, you know, leaving (I hear you, economics enthusiasts yelling “sunk cost fallacy,” but you can shut up, nerds).

This happened during “Goodnight Mommy”: an older couple was making flabbergasted comments about the film and how they didn’t get it and weren’t enjoying it, but they stayed for the whole thing.

For butt’s sake, guys. If you’re at the movies, shut up, turn it off, and watch the film. I don’t care who you are or where you’ve been, how old you are or how interesting you currently believe your uninteresting life to be, the rest of us are really quite intent on watching the movie we paid a bunch of money for.

Musings from a woman on the edge

By: Katrina Penaflor 
Managing Editor

When I was sitting down to write my column this week, I had a moment where I thought, hmm… there really isn’t anything I have to sass about this week, how wonderful.

And then I read this article on BuzzFeed titled “15 waters that need to be stopped,” and then I thought, ”yup, this is something I definitely need to sass about.”

Basically, if you haven’t already gathered from the title, the article was talking about ridiculous types of water. When I first saw it, I was thinking “really? There are 15 different types of dumb water? No way.”

But, as usual when it comes to pretentious drinks, I seriously underestimated the absurdities of the water industry. Which is actually a thing.

One of the most ridiculous ones was “asparagus water” which was sold at Whole Foods for about $6. Yes, you read that correctly, a 16 ounce bottle of water was $6. Why, you ask? Because it contained four stalks of asparagus. Are you kidding me?!

Because really, if you’re putting these items in your grocery cart just give me the $6 instead—I know I’ll find a better use for it.

Another equally outrageous one was “blk.” or water that was completely black. Why is it black? I looked it up and it’s infused with black fulvic trace minerals, which, according to their website, “are thought to contain an abundance of natural plant sourced nutrients including: natural electrolytes, amino acids, 77 trace minerals, antioxidants, and a pH of 8.0+.”

Just stop with all the “are thought to’s” and lists of ingredients that are used in an attempt to trick people into thinking they need to buy it. Just give me water that doesn’t look like it was filtered through dead bodies.

Seriously, there are so many people in this world struggling to just get clean water to drink and it shocks me to find people who throw their money out the door on overpriced, glammed-out waters because they’re “trendy” or “cute” or whatever the kids are saying on Instagram these days.

Thriving with Asperger’s in the College Setting

By: Rachael Jackson
Staff writer

On Jan. 20, the Human Resources and Student Health & Counseling Center (SHCC) put on an informational presentation on students with Asperger’s Syndrome on campus. Director of the SHCC, Jaime Silva, and Director of Counseling Services, Scott Perfect, led the presentation and discussion.

The presentation began with characteristics that professors and college staff can look for when approaching students that may have Asperger’s. They explained that it is considered a hidden disability, a disability that that is not identifiable based on physical attributes.

“College can be a very challenging time,” explained Perfect. “Some students come with Asperger’s Syndrome, and they are seeking help to do things like keeping a sleep schedule, doing laundry, making friends.”

For the past six years, Silva has run the Asperger’s Support Group on campus. Students come to the group for therapy, training for social situations, and for a place to meet friends.

Silva read from “Aquamarine Blue 5,” a poem book that was written completely by college students that have autism. The poems reflected difficulties that students often go to the SHCC for. One poem detailed the sensory overload that can come from light sensitivity connected to Asperger’s.

The SHCC offers other resources to help students plan days, to prioritize assignments, training to ask professors for help, and how to create deadlines.

Perfect and Silva were quick to point out that there are many strengths associated with Asperger’s. Strong vocabulary skills and average or above-average intellectual ability is prevalent. They are usually skilled in fields that apply a lot of logic or problem solving.

“Liberal arts curriculum is not typically their friend,” said Perfect, half in jest.

Combating depression on campus

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

Amassing piles of homework, the absence of family and friends, and Oregon’s constantly dreary skies combine to make a delicious cocktail of depression for college students, resulting in a case of the downy dumps, or much worse.

According to the BBC News, Jan. 18 was the most depressing day of the year thus far.

Psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall has stated that “Blue Monday,” usually the third Monday in January, is depressing due to poor weather, debt incurred and not paid off since Christmas, time elapsed since the holidays, and low level of motivation in completing New Year’s resolutions.

While most scientists dub this formulation as nonsensical, the general public may find some truth in Dr. Arnall’s reasons why the post-holiday season is filled with so much woe.

Having to return to school after a lovely holiday at home only to face assignments, tests, loneliness, and gray weather– which can result in a serious case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — may make some students feel morose, unmotivated, and anxious.

Luckily, there are ways to combat the gloom and doom that follow the holiday high.

According to Psychology Today’s Lisa Firestone, a PhD holder and Director of Research and Education for the Glendon Association, some of the best ways to combat depression include staying active and socializing, even when you really don’t want to.

Avoiding negative thoughts and preoccupying the mind with something enjoyable, like a funny movie or a favorite hobby, are other ways to bring some cheer into your life.

On campus events are an easy way to get out of the house and potentially meet new people. These events can inspire creative thoughts, encourage community building, and act as a respite from the stress caused by schoolwork.

While it would be nice if going to a concert or hanging out with friends could cure all woes, this may not be the reality for some.

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or SAD, there are WOU counsellors just a phone call away and can be reached through 503-838-8396. Students in crises are seen immediately.

Weekend Wolfpack brings laser tag to campus

By: Amanda Clarke
Staff Writer

Despite the rain, WOU students lined up outside the old PE building last Friday for a chance to play laser tag. Students had to fill out waivers in order to play. The event was put on by Weekend Wolfpack and Western Housing.

This fun and laser-filled event was held on Jan. 15, and was free. Luke Etherton, a sophomore psychology major, helped to run the event.

“I think we were at about a hundred,” Etherton said, when asked about how many people had attended the event.

“I liked the obstacles you got to hide behind,” said Erin Heaberlin, a first year biology education major.

Accompanied by bumping music, students were split into teams of 12 and maneuvered around obstacles on the course, located in the old PE gymnasium. They were given 28 lives on their weapons, and if they were hit, the headbands connected to the weapons flashed red.

Michael Carrol, Resident Director of Heritage Hall, said that the laser tag event has been held for around eight years on the Western campus.

“Weekend Wolfpack is essentially our weekend program we do through Housing. The mission of Weekend Wolfpack is to bring in events for students on the weekends,” said Carol.

“Selma” Marches into ITC

By: Amanda Clarke
Staff Writer

ITC 211 was full of students on Tuesday not for a class, but for a screening of the movie “Selma.” This movie screening was one of several events held on campus for MLK week at WOU. It was a free event and students were welcome to come on their own or to earn extra credit for certain classes. It was cosponsored by the Student Leadership Activities board and the Black Student Union.

“Selma,” directed by Ava DuVernay, focuses on the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, one of the civil rights movements that Martin Luther King Jr. led.

This march took place 1965 with the aim of highlighting racial injustices and helping to pass the Voting Rights Act.

“With MLK celebration week we try to do something each day,” said Melissa Larson, chair of the MLK committee and director of disability services, when asked about why they had chosen to show the movie.

Bringing comedy to campus

By: Joleen Braasch
Staff Writer

DC Ervin, named LA’s funniest comedian in 2011, will be bringing the laughs to Western’s campus on Friday, Jan. 22 in the Pacific Room of the WUC.

With a unique style and strong stage presence, Ervin has separated himself from other comedians; he is not afraid to laugh with the audience, and his exaggerated facial expressions and impressions get the audience going.

Ervin touches on subjects that everyone can chuckle about, like actors overdoing it in cookie commercials, feeling uncomfortable at ATMs in the middle of the night, and how hard it is to stifle your laughter when somebody falls at the gym.

Ervin’s father, also a comedian, introduced him to art of comedy at a young age. Ervin began his career in the Bay Area of California and is currently eliciting laughs in the Los Angeles comedy scene.

Ervin may be a funny man, but his reasons for success are more serious. His dreams of becoming a comedian were not rooted in simply making people laugh, but in becoming a role model for the two most important people in his life: his daughters.

When he’s off the stage, Ervin also writes, produces, and stars in his own short films and sketches.

This event is brought to WOU through the Student Activities Board and is free to WOU students.

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Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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