Mount Hood

Dasani to rename themselves “America’s Best Tap Water” until November election

By: Katrina Penaflor
Managing Editor

The next company to show their support for the upcoming election is none other than Dasani, you know, the bottled water brand you buy because it’s cheaper than Smart Water.

But consumers will no longer find “Dasani” on the labels for the next few months. Instead the company is choosing to print “America’s Best Tap Water” to show their support for our fine country.

Franklin O’Brian, a brand spokesman for Dasani, issued a statement about the new name.

“When you think of America, you think of two things. First is the word ‘America’ and second is ‘Dasani.’ We want our company to reflect that, hence the temporary name change,” O’Brian said.

Although it is completely arguable that Americans have never once thought of Dasani when thinking about their country, it can be noted that a major company showing their support for the presidential race is a unique form of marketing.

O’Brian continued with his statement and added, “We really felt like Dasani fit the theme of the election this year, and our rebranding supports that. Our newly labeled ‘America’s Best Tap Water’ is all about not totally being the best water for you, but you’ll drink it anyway because it’s your only option.”

When asked if he thought having “tap water” as part of the new name would deter people from purchasing their product, O’Brian quickly responded with “I don’t think so, no. People will honestly purchase anything with ‘America’ written on it.”

He continued, “Our sales have skyrocketed in the last week that we’ve been on shelves, and all we did was place a sticker over our new labels. We didn’t even bother to reprint.”

To see if what O’Brian was saying was actually true, I stopped by a local Target and found a woman who was purchasing the new America’s Best Tap Water.

I asked why she favored this brand over something of the same price, like Aquafina. She said, “I don’t want people to think I’m un-American. Plus I’m in charge of bringing drinks to my PTA meeting. This will make all the moms look bad who showed up with off-brand bottled water that doesn’t have ‘America’ written on it.”

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu or on Twitter @JournalKatrina

Horoscopes

 

Aries 3/21-4/19Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 4.14.23 PM
Here is a random tweet to I found to guide you through your day. “When in doubt, just do the opposite of whatever the person wearing pajamas in public is doing.” -@Tmoney68

Taurus 4/20-5/20
The moons are telling me you’re prepping for summer, Taurus. Take it down a notch, and please stop bathing in tanning oil. You’re getting it all over the place.

Gemini 5/21-6/20
I was harsh on you last week, Gemini, when I predicted you’d only get three pumps. I’m feeling generous today. The stars are telling me you’ll get four.

Cancer 6/21-7/22
I’m sure you’re wondering why your dog is constantly dressing as a goth princess, Cancer. Just let her do her thing. It’s just a phase.

Leo 7/23-8/22
Go eat a mediocre, chunky peanut butter sandwich.

Virgo 8/23-9/22
The next Arizona iced tea you purchase will be filled entirely with cream cheese.

Libra 9/23-10/22
You’ve consumed nothing but uncooked ramen noodles for the last 14 days. I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life, Libra … actually, I am. Switch up your diet. Go eat something covered in chocolate.

Scorpio 10/23-11/21
Scorpio, I’ve got great news for you. Your Justin Trudeau glitter tattoo kit is arriving in the mail tomorrow.

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21
May 27 is officially the day that you begin dating a 10 piece chicken nuggets box. Congratulations. I’ll send you a card.

Capricorn 12/22-1/19
Save the date November 24, 2016.

Aquarius 1/20-2/18
That plaid shirt is simply disgusting.

Pisces 2/19-3/20
That’s not your cat, it’s a raccoon. Put your glasses back on, Pisces.

Ted Cruz allegedly seen picking up newly dry cleaned Zodiac Killer costume

By: Katrina Penaflor
Managing Editor

In a mom-and-pop dry cleaners in Dallas, Texas, it has been reported—and I use the term reported very loosely—that a man looking oddly similar to Ted Cruz was seen picking up some sort of Zodiac Killer-esque costume on May 5.

The costume, which may or may not be just an oversized black hoodie, was washed by an employee named Robin.

“I was given very specific directions by the man who placed the order to not remove the Cruz 2016 button from the garment. I tried to tell the man it would affect the cleaning, and that Cruz had recently ended his campaign, but he said, ‘leave it on, dammit,’” Robin said.

Robin was unfortunately unable to identify the man beyond saying he had brown hair. When asked what name was left on the order form, Robin showed a copy and under “name” it read “noT the ZoDiaC KiLleR.”

The second eyewitness, who wishes to be unnamed for obvious reasons, said Cruz entered the dry cleaner wearing a white button down shirt that definitely needed to be tailored, and when he exited the establishment he had the black cloak on and was wearing black framed glasses.

“That’s when I knew it was the Zodiac Killer,” he said. “I also saw him get in a gold minivan that was driven by a blonde woman in a pink pant suit. She even got out of the car and yelled at him to hurry up.”

Another Cruz spotting, which can definitely not be confirmed because I overheard two teenage boys talking about it while I waited in line at McDonald’s, said Cruz was also seen earlier that morning at a nearby Party City.

He allegedly asked an employee where their costume selection was, and quickly grew furious when he discovered they had sold out of their adult size large Zodiac Killer costumes.

He left the store in a rage, accidently punching and elbowing multiple employees and shoppers in the face on his way out.

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu or on Twitter @JournalKatrina

Horoscopes

Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 4.14.23 PMAries 3/21-4/19
I’ve got a special treat for you this week, Aries. Orange mocha frappuccinos!

Taurus 4/20-5/20
There is a very adorable caterpillar in your pocket.

Gemini 5/21-6/20
The moons be dancin’ and singin’ in your favor, Gemini. You will not be hungover on May 14.

Cancer 6/21-7/22
My recommendation for you, Cancer, is to only buy Vlasic brand pickles from here on out.

Leo 7/23-8/22
Piff the magic dragon.

Virgo 8/23-9/22
You think you’re an Evian, Virgo, but you’re really more like a Dasani or an off-brand generic bottle of water.

Libra 9/23-10/22
Libra, the moon told me she burned her toast this morning and the char looked just like your face.

Scorpio 10/23-11/21
You will be attacked by a garbage squirrel in front of the WUC. Totally unavoidable.

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21
This content is currently unavailable in your country.

Capricorn 12/22-1/19
A falcon will fly into your window at 5 p.m. this Sunday. Her name is Emma and she will be glorious.

Aquarius 1/20-2/18
All Aquarians remind me of my uncle Rodger. Cool guy.

Pisces 2/19-3/20
It was Vanessa Hudgens. She did it.

Horoscopes

Aries 3/21-4/19
Aries, the tattoo you just got on your left leg is spelled wrong. Check it, double check it, and show it to a friend over 30. I’m totally right.

Taurus 4/20-5/20
Your astrological sign has now been changed to Libra. Please refer to the horoscope below.

Gemini 5/21-6/20
Hop on the fourth bus headed to Dallas on May 3 at the stop right in front of the WUC. Proceed to the left side of the aisle and sit seven rows back. Look under the seat for your next instructions.

Cancer 6/21-7/22
Spill the tea, Cancer. I want to hear all the juicy details about your encounter with the campus dreamboat.

Leo 7/23-8/22
You’re lookin’ like a flavor blasted, xtra cheddar Goldfish cracker this morning, Leo. Use this to your advantage.

Virgo 8/23-9/22
You will be delivered one of those glorious sushi burritos tomorrow by a close friend.

Libra 9/23-10/22
You’ll wake up in a tub of vegan marshmallow cream tomorrow, Libra. What does this mean? Is it a euphemism? Is it the hot new slang the teens are saying? Just embrace it.

Scorpio 10/23-11/21
When you hear the song “Milkshake” by Kelis playing within the next week, jump far to your right. You will narrowly miss getting hit by a ceiling tile. You’re welcome.

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21
Java Crew’s blended chai lattes are straight crack. Is this a horoscope? No, but I needed a place to post this statement.

Capricorn 12/22-1/19
If you promise to name your baby after me, I’ll give you a really good, non-pregnancy related horoscope next week, Capricorn.

Aquarius 1/20-2/18
Unironic plaid.

Pisces 2/19-3/20
John Stamos is the man who has been following you.

Students swallow midterms in an effort to avoid taking tests

 

By: Katrina Penaflor
Managing Editor

Madeline Meyers, a twenty-something philosophy major, has come across a new solution to getting out of taking a test:

Screen Shot 2016-05-01 at 8.46.20 PM“Just swallow it.”

The trend Meyers has coined as “di-testing” (you know, like digesting but you eat a freakin’ test) is happening all over campus.

“You really have to make a scene out of it. Get dramatic, crumple up the paper, and scarf it down in front of your professor. They’ll think you’re crazy and you’ll definitely get out of the test,” said a sophomore student who wished to remain anonymous.

But what is the success rate? Will consuming a packet of paper really get you out of taking a midterm? Won’t teachers try to reschedule?

“Sometimes,” said Meyers. “But if you really freak them out, the teacher will probably just give you a pass at taking it. It’s a much simpler solution to actually studying.”

Simpler? Something tells me chewing and consuming multiple pages of printer paper is not easier than actually studying for a test.

Ava Belle, a fitness instructor on campus who teaches several of the yoga and Pilates classes at WOU, has her own opinion. “This stuff won’t fly, not on my watch. I had a kid try and swallow a yoga mat the other day. That was the last straw.”

Some say the reason behind the di-testing is an increased amount of stress among students, especially seniors who are on the verge of graduating.

I spoke with a senior, currently enrolled in 22 credits if the di-testing was worth giving a try. They responded, “Honestly, I’ll literally try anything at this point if it means less work and still being able to graduate.”

Roger Phillips, a freshman, was asked why he participated in di-testing, and if it had anything to do with stress.

“Stress? No. I’m not really all that stressed. I wasn’t even trying to get out of taking it. I saw this kid next to me do it, so I followed him and ate the biology midterm. I thought it was part of the exam process.”

I didn’t even bother to try and ask him another question after that. I simply left the interview, closed out this story, and continued on with my life.

Contact the author at journalmanaging@wou.edu or on Twitter @JournalKatrina

Humor: ASWOU offers super-genius puppies in an effort to attract more voters

By: Katrina Penaflor 
Managing Editor

“Have you voted?” Is the question I’ve been asked every time I’ve stepped within a hundred feet of the Werner Center this week.

And sometimes, I’m positive it’s not even a person from ASWOU asking, just some twenty-something man in a generic blue polo looking to make small talk.

In hopes of attracting voters, ASWOU has been offering incentives to students who are willing to brave through the labyrinth that is OrgSync in exchange for things like popsicles and brownies.

But to the college students who “simply don’t give uh,” the snacks just weren’t doing it for them.

“We needed to think of something that would entice even more students to vote. We went the safe route with our marketing, it was time we did something really daring. Something that college students would connect with,” said a woman who looked well-spirited enough to be a representative for ASWOU.

And the grand idea in all of this? Hundreds of adorable, totally-free-if-you-vote, super-genius puppies.

The dogs, besides being able to do regular dog stuff, can proofread your papers, balance your checkbook, and speak fluent Mandarin.

“Are they smart enough to vote for me?” A junior, and now new dog owner, Vanessa Rook asked. To which ASWOU quickly responded, “No.”

After news of the dog giveaway spread, students flew to the voting stands outside the WUC. I tried to swindle my way ahead of the line by telling someone from ASWOU that I had already voted.

I was immediately thanked and given a puppy for my “efforts,” but to my surprise the dog turned on me and revealed my scheming ways.

He told ASWOU that I had in fact not voted. Or at least, I’m told that’s what he said—I don’t speak Mandarin.

The dog was removed from my possession until I logged into OrgSync and voted for real.

I’m happy to say that my efforts were worth it, and that I also changed outfits five times that day and continued to let ASWOU know I had voted, receiving more and more super-genius dogs.