As the fruitful 2018 skids to a close and a reinvigorating 2019 bleeds into the upcoming horizon, basketball fans are looking forward to some of the marquee matchups of the 2018-19 NBA season, which showcase a few of the most anticipated games of the season. The culmination of the Christmas season along with the continuous Christmas games makes for a festive occasion. With the 25th slowly creeping up, here is the schedule of the long-awaited nationally televised Christmas day games.

Milwaukee Bucks (21-9) at New York Knicks (9-24), 9:00 AM PT:

The first of the Christmas games features a red-hot Milwaukee Bucks team, led by their stalwart superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and a reeling New York Knicks team, given a chance on Christmas day to steady their footing at home. As always, Antetokounmpo relishes playing in the Knicks’ stadium, Madison Square Garden, but this matchup is more personal than usual. Earlier in the season, on December 1, Hezonja stared down the 6’11” Antetokounmpo after dunking the ball and stepped over him in a gesture of dominance. When asked about the play after the game, Antetokounmpo told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News that he would “punch him in the [groin] next time”. With the addition of a tasty twist to the foremost Christmas game, the day is guaranteed to start off strong.

Oklahoma City Thunder (20-10) at Houston Rockets (16-15), 12:00 PM PT:

Directly after the Bucks and Knicks game is one of the biggest rivalries of the past few years between the Thunder and Rockets. The rivalry started nearly six years ago when the Thunder forwent paying James Harden a max contract and dealt him to the Rockets, igniting a flame between the teams that would only grow stronger through the individual accomplishments of both Westbrook and Harden, now both MVPs. There’s always something to look forward to when these two teams face each other.

Philadelphia 76ers (21-12) at Boston Celtics (18-12), 2:30 PM PT:

Next is the matchup between two of the budding young teams in the 76ers and Celtics. The teams opened the 2018-19 NBA season against each other, which resulted in a win for the Celts. However, the 76ers recently acquired All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Celtics’ All-Star center in Al Horford is nursing a knee injury, which makes the game all the more anticipated. With Joel Embiid of the Sixers and Kyrie Irving of the Celts both playing at a stellar level, we’re looking forward to the rematch of opening night.

Los Angeles Lakers (18-13) at Golden State Warriors (21-11), 5:00 PM PT:

Arguably the most anticipated matchup of the season, let alone Christmas Day, the matchup finds the two-time NBA champs in the Golden State Warriors facing the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time this season, along with an old foe: LeBron James, who signed in the City of Angels in the summer. With Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo healthy enough to take the floor, the game could be a preview of both the Lakers’ and the Warriors’ postseason performances. A subplot of the game also includes JaVale McGee, whose first matchup against his former team (GSW) after winning two rings with them is something to watch as well.

Portland Trail Blazers (18-13) at Utah Jazz (15-17), 7:30 PM PT:

The final matchup of the Christmas day games pits the Portland Trail Blazers with a fiery Damian Lillard against a stout Utah Jazz team with the reigning Defensive Player the Year in Rudy Gobert. As the two teams have yet to play each other, we will get a preview of the Christmas Day game on December 22, when the two teams face each other in Portland. The dynamic backcourt of Lillard and teammate CJ McCollum can be a formidable one to face, along with a revamped bench and an upcoming center in Zach Collins. For the Jazz, sophomore Donovan Mitchell has been struggling, though Gobert is having a career-best season. Though they are 15-17, the Jazz demonstrated in their game against the Warriors on December 19 that they are still an extremely tough team to beat.

With a day filled with key matchups on Christmas Day, there’s a lot to look forward to. Whether it’s the Knicks and the Bucks and the personal vendetta of Giannis Antetkounmpo or a postseason preview between the Lakers and the Warriors, there’s bound to be a good amount of anticipation as Christmas season comes into full effect.

Formal Prep Checklist

by: Ali Youel

Formal is approaching, it’s time to get ready for the big day. Corsages, formal askings, tickets, dresses, suits, shoes, coats, transportation, and more can make preparing for the dance seem like an insurmountable amount of work. In this article, I will walk you through how to make formal fun and how to get all your stuff ready for the dance floor.

If you haven’t asked your date to formal yet, here are some creative ideas via Pinterest and my brain to help.

• Posters. First of all, make sure the person you are asking will like being asked by poster. Know your date. If they would love a big formal ask in front of their friends, do it! If you know they would want something more private, or even without a poster, do that. If you are lacking on puns to ask them out, always use food puns. They always work. For example, if you give them a dozen donuts and say “Please donut say NO” they will say yes and dive into the donuts, making everyone happy. Another classic food asking is “Are you IN or OUT...formal?” Giving your prospective date some delicious food is always a good way to score a yes.

Corsages and boutonnieres can seem like a hassle, but make having a date to formal that much more fun. Corsages and boutonnieres are available at places such as Del Mar Floral and Gifts, Gelsons, Ralphs, and many more places. Corsages tend to cost around $30, and boutonnieres are normally about $15-20.

Don’t forget about pictures; your instagram and snapchat are going to be flooded with formal pictures, and you need to get in on the action. For photos, you can go to the beach, I mean we live in San Diego and the beach is a perfect backdrop. You can also take photos at a park on in your or a friend’s backyard. If you ever need ideas on where to go or what poses to do, you can always check Pinterest for inspiration.

Make sure to buy your ticket soon, they are $55 with an ASB card and $60 without. Formal is at the U.S.S Midway Museum this Saturday, from 7pm to 10pm. Take cute pictures with your friends, eat good food, explore the Midway, and don’t forget to have fun on the dance floor. But not too much fun.

Different Types of People in High School

by: Bri Cateriano

High school is an interesting place filled with interesting people. Coming into it, I knew that there were the jocks, populars, and nerds, however I was never fully aware how many different types of people there truly are. There are the music students, the emo kids, the stoners, and many more. Here are some of their stereotypes-

The Jocks: The jocks play sports and are praised for doing good in whatever sport they play. Whether it is soccer, basketball, field hockey, or lacrosse, those who are good at the sport are looked up upon by others. They are notorious for eating healthy and rejecting drugs because they are too serious about their sport. Many of “nerds” or people who want to play sports but cannot look up to the jocks in awe.

The Popular kids: The popular kids. The “in kids”. The people that everyone who is not one of them wishes to be. They have a reputation of having a lot of friends who are also “cool” or “popular”. The popular kids are known for being pretty or attractive ( most of the time) and are constantly at parties. They ( most of the time) have a ton of followers on instagram and have a lot of friends added on snapchat. The popular kids are famous for only living for high school and then once its over, they are so clueless and sad because no one in college knows that they were popular in high school.

The stoners: I think that most people know what a stoner is. A person who collects a lot of stones. Just kidding. A stoner is someone who smokes weed and gets high constantly. They are known for wearing hoodies that smell weird and black clothes with boots or beat up vans. Oh, and they love beanies. At school, they are also notorious for sitting with their own click with people of the same hobby as them and eating behind the bleachers or somewhere secluded. They have a tough time getting through school and barely pass their classes.

The music lovers: The music lovers are a talented bunch. They are always in the band, orchestra, or some type of music program. In their free time, they jam out and practice for their shows. They listen to a select type of music- classical.

The nerds: Nerds are a well-known group in high school. It is easy for most to tell the populars and the nerds apart. Nerds stereotypically wear glasses and are socially awkward. They care a lot about school and are super smart. Nerds can be found in honors and Ap classes, rarely regular classes. They usually get in to super good colleges and are not invited to parties unless it is their own.

The emo kids: Here’s a riddle. Who likes to be alone and listen to rock while always wearing black. You guessed it, it’s the emo kids. Wearing black and listening to angry rock music alone or with their emo friends is their specialty. That’s really all that is known about them.

What's Next For The Legend Of Nick Foles?

by: Josh Golden

On December 10, 2017, in a beautiful week 14 game in Los Angeles, Eagles quarterback and MVP favorite Carson wentz went down with a scary injury that we later found out was a torn ACL. At that moment, the legend of Nick Foles began. Foles stepped up to win the game and the next two games after that to propel the Eagles to the number one seed in the playoffs. Once the playoffs began, Foles picked up three more wins, leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl upset over Tom Brady’s Patriots for the first title in franchise history.

This season, after a 6-7 start, Carson Wentz was once again ruled out for the season, and again, Foles stepped in, winning the last three games of the season to sneak the Eagles into the playoffs. The Eagles picked up a big playoff win in Chicago, but had their hopes of another miracle slip through Alshon Jeffery’s fingertips yesterday in New Orleans. Now, the Eagles enter the offseason about $13 million over the cap and have a backup quarterback with a $20 million cap hit. With his revised contract from this offseason, Foles and the Eagles could mutually opt out of his contract this offseason, so Foles will either be traded or become a free agent, but where will he end up in 2019?

Although Foles is undoubtedly a legend in Philadelphia and should get a starting opportunity in 2019, his market is hard to predict due to other quarterbacks expected to hit the open market. Due to the emergence of rookie Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, another former Super Bowl MVP, Joe Flacco, is expected to be available via trade. Additionally, Teddy Bridgewater is a free agent, and Blake Bortles, Ryan Tannehill, Case Keenum, and Andy Dalton all could hit the open market, so there’s multiple options in free agency. However, many believe Foles is in a class above the other options and will have plenty of landing spots, so where can he go?

To me, the wild card team in the quarterback market this year is the New York Giants. The team is in obvious need of a quarterback, but would likely look to the draft to develop a quarterback behind Eli Manning for a year. If Eli chooses to retire, the team could still look to the draft to fill the need, but Foles would immediately become a great fit for the Giants, a team that gets to play the Eagles twice a year. If Foles leaves the division, one of his top options would likely be to go to mile high and get wins for John Elway’s Broncos. Case Keenum had a rough first year with Denver and Elway should look to move on from him for Foles.

Should the Broncos choose to keep Keenum or look to someone other than Foles at quarterback, Foles will likely end up playing in Florida. All three Florida teams (Miami, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville) could potentially have a new starter come this season, with Tannehill having a potential out in his contract, both Winston and Fitzpatrick being financially expendable, and the Jaguars reportedly ready to move on from Bortles. Of these three teams, Jacksonville would likely be the best option for Foles due to their recent success, making the AFC Championship game in 2017. If the Jags add Foles and can keep Leonard Fournette healthy, perhaps they could return to winning form and get past Tom Brady.

Should the Eagles and Nick Foles part ways after a memorable second stint, Foles will have plenty of options to become a franchise quarterback and bring some playoff magic to a new city.

After his rookie season, Jared Goff was written off by many as a bust. The Rams went went 4-12 during that 2016 season, their first in Los Angeles, and head coach Jeff Fisher was fired after they went 4-9 through the first 13 games. In seven games, Goff threw for 1089 yards with a 5:7 touchdown to interception ratio. Goff, along with the rest of the Rams franchise, needed a spark. To provide that spark, the Rams hired 30 year old Sean McVay to become the youngest head coach in NFL history, and turn the franchise around.

As it has turned out, Sean McVay has gone beyond the wildest dreams of the Rams front office. In the quarterback whisperer’s first season at the helm, he led the team to an 11-5 record and NFC West championship. On top of that, Jared Goff threw for 3804 yards and 28 touchdowns in 15 games, a huge improvement from his rookie year.

McVay’s second season managed to be an improvement upon his incredible first, leading the Rams to 13-3, the second seed in the NFC, and coaching Goff to 4688 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. Almost as importantly, this year, McVay has shown us his slightly scary ability to recall every single play of his coaching career. After just two seasons as a head coach, McVay is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the league, and has yet to play in the NFC Championship game.

In an NFL where offense is increasingly becoming more and more important, it seems as though every team in need of a head coach wants the next Sean McVay. Despite his belief that he is “too young to have a coaching tree,” one of McVay’s former assistants, Matt LaFleur, former Rams and Titans offensive coordinator, has already been hired to be the next head coach of the Green Bay Packers, and the Cincinnati Bengals have displayed their plans to hire current Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor once the Ram’s playoff run comes to a close. LaFleur, who has only one year of play calling experience under his belt, only led the Titans offense to the 25th rank in the league, but has the confidence of the Packers brass. In addition, Taylor, who is even more inexperienced, having achieved his highest rank this year as the Ram’s QBs coach, is highly desired by the Bengals.

It’s obvious why every GM and owner want their next head coach to be a McVay-esque prodigy. McVay is the brightest young mind in the NFL, and at just 32 years old, the best years of his career are ahead of him. He was able to turn a team that was perennially 7-9 into one of the most formidable forces in the league, and created a Pro-Bowler out of a supposed bust in Jared Goff. Too young to have a coaching tree? Apparently not.

Acumen Movie Review

by: Becca Clark

Aquaman, the newest addition to long history of DC Comics films. The highly anticipated movie reached the theatres on December 21, 2018 and ever since has surpassed expectations regarding box office sales as well as watcher satisfaction. Opening weekend alone, the sales of this movie were already $67,873,522 and as of January 13th, 2019 the sales have soared to $1,021,547,915 worldwide.

James Wan, Aquaman director has also directed many other well known films such as The Conjuring, Insidious, Fast and Furious 7 and many other critically acclaimed movies. Along with producers Peter Safran and Rob Cowan, James Wan gave the world a story of action and adventure set both on land and in the water. The story starts following the love story of Atlanna, the queen of Atlantis (Nicole Kidman), and Thomas Curry, a lighthouse keeper (Temeura Morrision). They spend years together falling in love and becoming parents to Arthur, better known as Aquaman (Jason Momoa). When Arthur is still a young child, the family is attacked by those sent from Atlantis for the purpose of bring Atlanna back to the kingdom to follow through on her arranged marriage. To protect her family, Atlanna goes back to the underwater family compound but promises one day she will come back for them. Skip ahead a few years Arthur realizes his inhuman capabilities while on a field trip to the aquarium. The rest of the movie follows Arthur and his journey to protect the world from war with the sea.

James Momoa joined the DC Expanded Universe in Batman vs. Superman but now has received the spotlight in Aquaman. Though he is known for other roles such as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, and Conan in Conan the Barbarian, snagging a lead role in a DC movie will lead to his involvement in future spin offs as well as movies like the Justice League.

The Kyler Murray Situation

by: Noah Gaines

Oklahoma’s Heisman trophy winner and ninth overall pick in last years MLB draft just declared for the NFL draft this week. The two-sport super-star athlete is drawing comparisons to the next Bo Jackson, one of the greatest tailbacks in NFL history when he played as well as the Kansas City Royal outfielder. This guy is a tremendous talent in both sports and will most likely make history by going first round in two professional sports. The player will make an impact in either sport whichever he decides to play.

Yet, things aren’t as simple as it seems for Murray. MLB executives, marketing agents, and members of the Oakland A’s (the team that drafted Murray in baseball) met with the player to persuade him to pursue the big leagues rather than the NFL. Murray’s camp stated prior to the meeting that the A’s will have to up the signing bonus of Murray by 10 million in order to secure him as a MLB player rather than an NFL one. Murray agreed to a 5 million signing bonus with the A’s on draft night this past June.

Murray is slated to go top 10 in the NFL draft that will take place in late April. It will be interesting to see whether or not he decides to stick around with baseball or go pro in the NFL draft. There is more than just the pure skill for Kyler to consider. He can most likely maximize his market in football as it takes less time to become a professional talent than in baseball where it takes multiple levels of minor league ball to be a talent. He also is more injury prone in the NFL in the means of concussions and broken bones compared to baseball where the most consistent injury is Tommy John surgery, which occurs most likely in pitchers, yet Kyler is an outfielder so it should be minimal.

It’s going to be one of the biggest NFL offseason discussions until the draft rolls around in April, along with the Antonio Brown discussion drama surrounding the Steelers. In baseball Kyler won’t have the name-recognition as quickly as he would if he played in the NFL, but his potential commitment can contribute to the slow staring contest of an offseason that has blossomed in the MLB.

Either way all eyes will be on Kyler these next couple months as we await his decision, my pick is he goes to the NFL riding the momentum of a Heisman trophy and lack of quality quarterback depth in this draft. Buckle your seats sports fans it’s gonna be a whirlwind of an offseason folks.

How to Motivate Yourself

by: Emily Gao

As much as I am writing this to help out my fellow peers, this article is also for myself. With the tragic ending of winter break and spring break seeming years and years away, it is no surprise that many students feel in a bland, never-ending cycle of school, tests, homework, stress, and meager amounts of sleep. However much we may despise school, our classes, or our lack of sleep, we must persevere. We must stop complaining and start doing. Hard work will always pay off, some way or the other.

If you are debating whether or not to finish that episode of Friends or finish your statistics homework, or spend the next hour studying for your history quiz or spend the next hour scrolling through Instagram, this is for you. Here are some things that you can do to get your butt out of your bed and start being productive.

TED Talks:

These are the epitome of motivation. Great people talking about great things. Watch these. Get inspired to change the world. And then get onto finishing your homework, because no one ever changed the world with unfinished math homework.

"How To Measure Your Life" by Clayton Christensen

"The Power Of Vulnerability" by Brene Brown

“How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Sinek

“My Stroke of Insight” by Jill Bolte Taylor

Read:

No, you do not need to read Shakespeare in order to motivate yourself. Unless that’s your thing, then go ahead. For me personally, Shakespeare is a great alternative to the sleeping pills I take before boarding a plane. Please don’t be offended. I’m just trying to be honest.

Anyways, here are some books that are about topics that may not be so conventional. They are meant to stimulate your telectual juices. Take the time one night: turn off your phone, grab some hot chocolate, read a good book.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

The Smartest Kids in the World by Amanda Ripley

Blank Slate by Steven Pinker

Talk to Your English Teacher, or Any of Your Teachers in General:

Something about English teachers. For some reason, they always tend to be the most impactful. Converse with him and her about literally anything: college, food, sleeping habits, true crime. I guarantee that you will leave the conversation feeling enlightened in some way. I don’t know if it’s the water that English teachers drink, but they always have the most insightful conversations. If you don’t have an English teacher on hand to converse with, any teacher will work. English teachers are preferred though.

The Real Issue From Championship Weekend

by: Josh Golden

After an eventful weekend of two thrilling conference championship overtime finishes that resulted in the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots facing off in Super Bowl LIII, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding the result. Many people have been very outspoken on a blatant no call on a pass interference by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman that changed the outcome of the game. After the play, the Saints kicked a field goal to go up by three with just under two minutes left, but would’ve been able to run off about a minute and a half of clock had the penalty been called, which would’ve likely resulted in New Orleans going to the Super Bowl. Now, many people are referencing a crazy rule that gives commissioner Roger Goodell the power to replay the game from the penalty (give up hope Saints fans, it’s not actually going to happen), or at least asking for pass interference calls and no calls become reviewable plays next season. These fans are fighting for a just cause, but I believe that a more important rule change should be brought to the NFL’s attention after this weekend.

In the AFC Championship, the Chiefs and Patriots had a historic battle, with the legendary Tom Brady and soon-to-be MVP winner Patrick Mahomes exchanging touchdowns down the stretch to force overtime. However, the bonus football was brief. The Patriots won the coin toss, chose to receive the football, and engineered a 75 yard touchdown drive that had three incredible third and long completions by none other than Tom Brady. 13 plays, 75 yards, four minutes and 52 seconds. Game over. All Brady and no Mahomes when the game mattered the most.

To me, this sequence was insanely alarming. Either side that coin landed on, I believe the game would’ve ended on one drive, but that’s not important. The 41 year old legend got the ball and scored while the 23 year old stud sat on the bench and watched helplessly. Does this not alarm the NFL? Patrick Mahomes is a unique and special playmaker and is unlike any quarterback this league has ever seen. He’s a bright young kid who’s never been in trouble and can be a great role model to children that are currently falling in love with other sports. Patrick Mahomes has the potential to become the face of this league for the next fifteen years, so should he spend overtime on the bench? Absolutely not. Patrick Mahomes is potentially the face of the NFL’s future, and the league’s poor overtime rules just denied their potential most marketable player for the next decade to create a career-defining moment. The NFL should change their overtime rules in order to prevent this situation from happening again and ensure that both teams get an opportunity on both sides of the ball, especially when the guy who doesn’t get a chance could be making billions for the NFL for years to come.

That Darn Senioritis

by: Kayla Fung

Let’s be real here, if you’re currently a senior and about to wrap up your last fall semester at CCA, senioritis is starting to hit you and it’s hitting hard. The college hype intensifies as the acceptance letters begin rolling in and all your mind can focus on is the future. You’re imagining your soon-to-be college campus, worrying about a handful of logistics, and subconsciously pre-decorating your dorm. As you get caught up in the glitz and glamour of this new chapter of your life, it seems that the present pales in comparison. What is Aeries? What even are finals? Do my grades even matter anymore. Is attendance reallllyyy necessary?

Now before you think that I’m endorsing senioritis, let me set the record straight. Although we’re all guilty of succumbing to this strange but seemingly unavoidable phenomenon, we need to get a hold of ourselves. Although we’ve been accepted to colleges and feel safe and guaranteed in those acceptances, let’s not forget that all acceptances are conditional. Yes, I said it, conditional. The schools we have gotten into are accepting us with the assumption that as students we will complete our high school careers with the same motivation and perseverance as the previous three years of our lives. Offers can be rescinded and opportunities can be lost if we mess around or slack off too much, so we have to hold senioritis at bay, to the best of our abilities.

So, I propose a compromise. It’s okay to relish in the fact that we as seniors can begin to take it easy and allow ourselves more down time as the final stretch approaches. Yes, it’s fine to spend more time in your socials circles and to collect the maximum face to face time with friends before you’re all shipped off across the country to your respective colleges. While it’s okay to begin to let loose, just keep in mind that yes, your grades do still matter. Your performance as a student is still being monitored by admissions teams. Even without this reason, we owe it to ourselves to work at our fullest potential and really go out with a bang.

How To Survive Finals In Five Simple Steps

by: Makayla Gubbay

1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep:

This classic yet severely overlooked advice will not only help you get that A, but it will also help you keep some of your sanity while doing it. When students pull all nighters before their tests, they’re not only jeopardizing their cognitive brain’s functionality, but also their emotional functionality. According to various studies, sleep deprivation can result in irritability, mood swings, and a higher level of anxiety. If your goal this year is to get through finals without a mental breakdown, sleep is a must.

2. Take Advantage of Counselors:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the work ahead of you, your counselor is an amazing on-campus resource. They can run relaxing exercises with you, help you make a study schedule, or even just talk your worries out with you. Their guidance could give you the extra push you need to secure your grade.

3. Plan Study Groups:

One of the hardships of finals week is the toll it takes on the social aspect of your life. You and your friends go from seeing each other everyday and lifting each other up, to running from classroom to classroom like mad men during lunch, or spending every free second cramming in the media center. However, finals week can still be productive without being lonely. By hosting study groups you not only have another person to bounce ideas off of, but you’re also fitting socializing into your schedule.

*BONUS: We’ve all experienced a situation in which we begin to become friends with someone and then the semester switches and we never talk to them again. Inviting this person to a study session is a great way to solidify the friendship right before the class ends!

4. Step Up Your Self Care:

Sadly, we oftentimes let go of our self care during finals week. However, it should be the opposite. During finals week, we need to take care of ourselves the most. So take a bath, do a face mask, or even meditate a bit. It just may be the break your brain needs to power through.

5. Recognize That at the End of the Day, it Doesn’t Really Matter

No matter how much your parents or fellow peers make you believe otherwise, your grades do not determine your future. You’re the only one who cans do that. So if finals week doesn’t work out the way you want it, try to take a deep breath and move on. A few letters on paper do not define your worth.

Super Bowl Preview

by: Jordan Goldmann

Almost two weeks ago, the top four teams in the NFL faced off in the NFC and AFC Championship games with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs faced off for the AFC title in Arrowhead for an exciting game between two amazing offensive power teams, with the one and only Tom Brady and MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes. The NFC also packed a punch in an offensive game as Drew Brees tried to lead his Saints to another Super Bowl against Jared Goff, the third year quarterback, attempting to lead his team to their first Super Bowl since 2001. The AFC Championship Game was battled in arguably one of the hardest stadiums to play in from a players perspective. In 20 degree weather, the Patriots and the Chiefs game quickly became an offensive shootout as expected and after the first half, the Patriots showed what they can do by posting 14 points in the first half and allowing no points to the Chiefs. No matter what team the Patriots play, Tom Brady always finds a way to get a win. In the second half, Mahomes found a way to recover from a terrible first half and scored a touchdown entering the second half. Mahomes would score 24 points in the fourth quarter and give the Chiefs defense a chance to stop the Patriots. Unfortunately, Mahomes would fall to Tom Brady 37-31 as the Patriots win in overtime.

With a crazy game under our belt, the Rams and the Saints were next to decide the other half of the matchup for the Super Bowl. Two of the best offenses in the NFL would face off and decide the champion of the NFC. The Saints were coming off a big loss to the Vikings in last year’s divisional playoff game and wanted to take their amazing 2018 season to the Super Bowl. This would be tough because of the Rams impeccable offense and running game. Over the season, the Saints have showed fans what they are capable of and what they can accomplish. This NFC championship game was also a shootout that was expected. In the first half, the Saints grabbed the lead from the Rams at 13-10, but the second half would be different. The second half ended with no touchdowns scored and a very well played out game from both teams. Both teams would tie and go into overtime. In OT, there was a no call for pass interference by the referee that cost the Saints a win. The Rams would then drive down the field setup for a 57 yard field goal to then win the game.

How to Spend Valentine's Day if You're Single

by: Amanda Benbow

Everyone’s been there before. February rolls around, the red, pink, and white decorations start popping up in stores, shelves in the grocery store begin overflowing with teddy bears and boxes of chocolate, and you don’t have that special someone to give or receive these treats from. It almost makes you sick to your stomach, seeing all these happy couples going on romantic outings and spending time with each other. It’s disgusting. Before you get too negative, though, be sure to stop and think of some ways to better spend Valentine’s day, rather than sitting in your room, fretting about your single lifestyle. Some fun and festive examples are below.

A fun, alternative way of celebrating Valentine’s day is by spending it with your friends. Leslie Knope’s “Galentine’s” day is the perfect example of this; just going out to brunch with your closest girl friends and enjoying each other’s company. Who needs boy/girlfriends when you have your best friends, the ones who have been with you through it all? It also includes eating good food with people you care about, and you can’t ask for anything better than that.

Another classic “Parks and Rec” reference that applies to a lonely Valentine’s day is to treat yourself. There’s nothing better than taking some time to yourself and enjoy a day of pampering. Go to the mall and buy that one jacket you’ve been wanting, or have a fun spa day at home. Everyone deserves a day to treat themselves every once in a while, and Valentine’s day can be the perfect occasion to take the time to do so. It will not only make you more positive and happy at the end of the day, but it will also force you to take care of yourself and appreciate who you are as a person.

One final way to spend Valentine’s day alone is to have a relaxing day at home. Plop yourself on the couch in some sweats, watch any and all the movies you want, or binge that one Netflix show you’ve been meaning to watch. Maybe run to the store and buy a box of chocolates for yourself as a tasty binge-watching snack. It’ll take your mind off of your lack of a romantic partner and let you enjoy some well needed rest.

Valentine’s day may be about romance, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend it in a romantic way. Spend it however you want, and don’t be ashamed of your single lifestyle.

Super Bowl Recap

by: Jake Berman

On Sunday, the New England Patriots faced off against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Both teams had incredible offenses and questionable defenses, so it was an exciting matchup that had people looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday just a tad more than usual. Except the exact opposite happened. What we got instead was a slugfest. The final score was a 13-3 victory for the Patriots, the lowest scoring Super Bowl in NFL history. Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time who has dominated the league for almost two decades, finishing 21/35 for 262 yards with no touchdowns, a pick, and a paltry 71.4 passer rating. It’s not like losing quarterback Jared Goff performed any better, as he was 19/38 for 229 yards, no touchdowns, an interception, and an even more pathetic 57.9 passer rating.

Beyond the stat lines, Brady looked like a composed veteran despite his ineffectiveness, while Goff was abysmally bad. The youngster was clearly nervous in the spotlight, as he frequently got rid of the ball unnecessarily early, missing wide open receivers, and taking sacks when he didn’t need to. The only noteworthy offensive performance came from Julian Edelman, who won MVP honors with 10 receptions for 141 yards. Despite the low score, don’t chalk this up to the defense. Both teams were just sloppy all around. Brady’s pick was tipped, Stephen Gostkowski missed a field goal in the beginning of the game, and Rams receiver Brandin Cooks dropped a would be game tying touchdown the play before Goff’s pick. The list of mistakes go on.

There’s a legitimate argument that the highlight of the game was what’s traditionally one of the most boring. Ryan Allen and Johnny Hekker, the Patriots’ and Rams’ respective punters, put on a clinic Sunday night, regularly pinning the other team inside the 20, contributing to the lack of offense throughout the night. Even announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo thought so, as they were audibly excited after Hekker set a record with a 65 yard punt, the longest in the history of the big game. “That’s the highlight of the game!”, Nantz cried, desperately trying to get audiences engaged in this snoozefest.

The Super Bowl is by far the watched television event of the year. This is both a blessing and a curse, as the great matchups we’ve had for the past two years will go down in history as two of the greatest games of all time. However, it backfires when you have a game as dull as this one.

Apex Legends Review

by: Manit Bishnoi

EA's Gaming’s Apex Legends is leaving its mark on the hot genre of battle-royal type games. Apex Legends has similar characters to both Blizzard Entertainment’s hit game Overwatch, and Activision’s Call of Duty 4: Blackout. However, this game had a legendary release with over 2.5 players on the first day and it is now at about 8 million players on its third day of live play. This is all thanks to one critical detail that this game has over many others: its price. This brilliant game is free to play and thus makes it more viable to casual gamers throughout the world and it’s a main reason of what generated so much hype and attention to it. EA's marketing strategy was interesting to say the least in the release of Apex Legends. Before it even announced the game, the company flew prominent game streamers and Youtubers from around the world to test out their game, yet not say anything about it to the public. After doing so, they announced and released the game on the same day, which was February 5th, 2019.  Many of these Youtubers and Streamers already had a solid fan base from playing Fortnite, and EA used this strongly to their advantage as they became partners of all of these gamers and sponsored videos of them playing their game. This got the word out quickly and they now have a solid player base that is still increasing at a very fast rate.

Now, let’s get into the gameplay of the game. It can only be played in trios with no solo, duo, or squad mode available that traditional Battle Royale games include. The map is relatively the side of the Blackout map with 20 squads spawning in. This totals to 60 players on the map per game. A player can carry two weapons at a time and can find upgradeable armor, helmets, and backpacks as well as weapon accessories. Medical supplies are also readily available. If a player gets knocked down, their teammate is able to revive them and if they get eliminated after getting knocked, there is still a short window for the player’s team to grab their character banner and respawn them in a near respawner. The movement is fast faced with the game incorporating Blackout inspired slide movements as well as no fall damage. There are eight different legends to choose from each with their own abilities. From having the power to create dimensional portals to being able to send out holographic copies of yourself, Apex Legends supports a variety of play styles that will peak the interest of all gamers alike. Overall, Apex Legends has the potential to become a giant in the industry due to the fact that it is free to play and that it supports a variety of play styles.

The future of wireless technology is (almost) here! And ushering us into this new age of discovery is none other than 5G, the next generation in connectivity. It will open the floodgates to new innovations-- innovations that were once dreams but will soon be reality. The tech industry is about to embark on a long but promising adventure in the digital age. It’ll bring better service, faster Internet speeds, and increased efficiency in all of your mobile devices. Of course, that’s not all there is to it. If anything, we are but on the tip of the iceberg.

Currently, we are on but the cusp of 5G. It’s not here yet, but numerous carriers are certainly hyping it up. Thus, it’s hard to accurately predict what the impacts of 5G will be on our lives. It’s plausible that we won’t be immediately influenced, even with San Diego’s proximity to Silicon Valley. In fact, it’s highly likely that the newest networks that will be rolling out soon are only precursors for what’s to come. True 5G networks won’t be popping up until later on as the architecture required begins to meet industry standards. Though to fully grasp the implications of 5G, we must first understand what it is.

5G is the fifth generation of mobile communication, and it follows the release of 4G (LTE) that came some nine years earlier. This new generation will build upon the foundation set by its predecessor and is meant to be easily upgradable. In essence, that means we might not ever need a 6G. You think your phone is fast? Just wait until 5G networks roll out. Let’s say your phone downloads information at 35 Mbps (megabits per second) optimally and the theoretical cap is about 100 Mbps. If you maintained that speed consistently, you’d be able to download a whole movie (not in HD) in one to two minutes. But for speeds to be considered “5G,” they need to be many times faster, and those speeds must be sustainable across thousands of consumers. We’re talking a base speed of a couple hundred Mbps. However, many companies in the industry are hopeful that 1 Gbps (gigabits per second) will be the minimum, with a theoretical max of 10 Gbps. At just 1 Gbps, you’d be able to download a 5GB movie in mere seconds. Responsiveness (in computer speak, latency) is also going to skyrocket. In other words, the time it takes for a web page to load is going to be reduced. You’ll be able to subscribe to Pewdiepie faster than ever before!

Now that we’ve got a key component of 5G down, it’s time to discuss the good stuff. I know all you care about is speed and how quickly you can load Netflix movies, but bear with me, because we’re just getting started. There are more than a few things that will be greatly impacted by the introduction of 5G: driverless cars, virtual and augmented reality, drones, healthcare, asset management, smartwatches, and our phones, to name a few. While I can’t expand on every subject (you’d likely die of boredom by then anyway), I can expand on three pressing ones. One of the most widely anticipated innovations of our lifetimes is the self-driving automobile. In its current state, the autonomous car rouses much concern over public safety and functionality as a whole. However, the implementation of an almost instantaneous network (5G) will allow for quick communication between other self-driving cars and, if applicable, other sensors across a city. 5G will also bring innovations in the VR/AR industry. VR and AR are meant to be somewhat to fully immersive, and both rely on low latencies that are fast enough to fool our brains. 4G cannot achieve such speeds, and industry professionals have their sights set on 5G, as the next generation of connectivity will almost certainly do the trick. And finally, we have remote-controlled machinery. This technology is going to leave a lasting influence on the healthcare industry-- surgeons will soon be able to carry out their duties through robots without even being near the patient.

5G is not only about our precious phones. It’s about enabling faster connections in technologies everywhere, from smart cars to smart cities, to AI and cloud computing. With the arrival of this new network, millions of jobs will be created and economies globally will be bolstered. Though this next generation of connectivity may not be implemented as soon as we hope, there is no doubt that once it does happen we must ready to embrace the changes.

Soon, it will be our time to leave 4G in the dust and look towards a brighter and more integrated future than ever.