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by Brad Graves
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
5 out of 5 stars
The legacy continues with Modern Warfare 2 as one of the most popular first person shooters of the decade. Although many people keep playing the game for its online features, for me, the campaign mode is the most appealing aspect.
Throughout playing the game, the main character is rotated through three compelling different characters as well as different countries and scenarios. My personal favorite scene is where Sergeant Gary "Roach" Sanderson is in Siberia. I like to call the moment in Russia the biggest “oh crap” moment I have ever experienced in a video game.
Roach has to run and jump on ice into the side of a cliff with a pair of ice picks. The jump is successful, but as he climbs to the top, he falls backward and the camera view changes to the background behind him. It is a long way down. Luckily, his companion, Captain "Soap" McTavish, saves him in the nick of time.
Modern Warfare 2 is a nice way to pass the time whether it be online or the regular campaign.
Assassin’s Creed II
4 out of 5 stars
Assassin’s Creed II is one of the most visually appealing games I have ever played. The game, set in 18th century Italy, includes many scenic cities that are attractive to the game player.
The game play is also excellent. It took me almost 12 hours to beat the whole game, and I left some of the nonessential side quests without completion. The fighting style is great, very interactive, and has plenty of blood and guts.
Furthermore, playing as an underdog has its perks as well. The game involves a corrupt government that you must put to rest by assassinating all of its leaders. Who doesn’t like sticking it to the man every once in a while?
Left 4 Dead 2
3 out of 5 stars
Once again it is time to put your zombie-surviving skills to the test with the sequel of Left 4 Dead. Very few people can take pride in saying that they would actually be excited about a zombie apocalypse, and for the many who simply wish to remain human for the rest of their vertical lives, this is one game that will put you to the test.
While Left 4 Dead 2 does not come close to being a zombie-killing classic, it is heavily focused on being a cooperative experience, whether it be online or simply trying to make it through the campaign with some artificial intelligence help. Left 4 Dead 2 is behind on the times in many ways and still could have given so much more with better graphics, game play mechanics and more distinctive competitive game modes.
Despite its shortcomings, Left 4 Dead 2 provides new elements which were lacking in Left 4 Dead. Hopefully, the franchise will make major improvements for a triquel, if they decide to continue making games.
by Kara Tompkins
Lifehouse’s new album, “Smoke and Mirrors” is really just smoke and mirrors.
They consider themselves alternative rock, but others claim them to be alternative indie. I believe the album is nowhere near indie, just another alternative band singing about love and being rejected by the world, and not doing it very well.
All they sing about is love, just as many bands do, but they don’t talk about anything new. It’s the same old thing: they just can’t find themselves or that just right girl.
For example, in “All In,” the speaker seems to be begging the girl for another chance. He doesn’t know when to move on saying “And now I’m calling, calling out your name even if I lose the game.”
Despite the weak songs, the band has some good aspects including Jason Wade’s vocals that almost make me care about the “sad” situations because his voice is so good.
Additionally the music is appealing because of catchy beats and good musicians.
Because the lyrics are fairly simple and relatable, this album might be a good buy for young teens who are love
struck, head over heals, or for emo boys. But for others down to earth, this album is just something to put on your iPod and to jam out to without really taking the lyrics too seriously.
by Allie Kindred
And the shot is good! Falcon Hoops is a project that the video class undertakes along with the Intro to Communications class to broadcast high school sports games.
So far the project broadcasts two basketball games a year, but they are hopefully going to broadcast more in the future.
This year they have done only one basketball game so far, which was the first home game of the girls’ basketball team, and will be broadcasting the boys’ game versus Olathe East.
The project is not a class during school hours, but it involves kids who are interested in technology, sports and journalism.
“The students who are involved have volunteered, and we match their job with their abilities,” Roger Ramseyer, technical producer, said.
Even though broadcasting is a major part of the project, other jobs help put the productions together such as interviewing the coaches and different players.
“I usually tape assets and prepare graphics that are on the screen of your television,” Glen Edler, sophomore, said.
The team has 10 to 12 people working behind the scenes to make sure things are running correctly.
The broadcasters, on the other hand, have a lot of different jobs.
“The students who are broadcasting need to know about the sport and the players from both teams,” Ramseyer said.
All of the games they broadcast, they “taped to replay,” which means they tape and then show it later because there is no channel on cable to play the live broadcast.
by Kristen Oyer
Since Valentine’s Day has just passed, love is in the air and Cupid is flying overhead. Valentine’s Day is the one day a year when it’s perfectly normal to fantasize about being shot in the butt by a naked baby who is obviously too young to be playing with an arrow that pointed.
Preparation for this holiday begins long before Feb. 14. Right after New Year’s, it seems, stores begin camouflaging aisles with red and pink. Every other advertisement exclaims that “he went to Jared’s” or informs its viewers that “every kiss begins with Kay.” The sale of overpriced teddy bears, heart-shaped chocolates and greeting cards skyrocket as advertisers everywhere use this lovesick holiday to rack in the financial benefits.
While a man has his choice between the pink teddy bear and the red one, the Russell Stover chocolates and the Walmart brand, a woman struggles to think of anything to give to the man in her life. Heart boxers? No thanks.
Once the male has selected a colored bear and chocolates, and the woman has settled for the best gift that she can find, it’s then time to exchange gifts. Inevitably, one person has spent more money than the other or someone “forgot the gift at home,” explaining that he or she will bring it as soon as possible.
As I consider all of the drama, I have decided that Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be about all the consumerism. I wonder why I even need a special day to tell someone I love them.
Valentine’s Day should be focused on the people you care about—your significant other— but more importantly, your family, friends and anyone else who has a positive impact on your life.
by Samantha Grace Wernicke
The Jo is a mythical creature.
It roams Johnson County, rarely seen and impossible to catch.
Regardless, Ethan Beals, Emily Atteberry, Trevor James, editors, and Grace Wernicke, reporter, decided to try to take a spin on this unreal creature.
We met in the back parking lot of South at 4: 15p.m.
Then, we proceeded to drive to Price Chopper at the intersection of 151st and Mur-len, hoping that this would be our final destination.
Piling into Beals’ car, we started on our way.
“You guys remembered your money, right? Fare is $2,” Beals said.
“You didn’t tell us we needed money!” replied James.
“Well, how did you think you were getting on the bus?!” said Beals, quickly doing a U-turn to return the Price Chopper.
“This is why we left so early,” Atteberry said.
Arriving at Wal-Mart over 15 minutes early, Beals parked and we sat and people-watched for 10 minutes, searching for the Jo.
“Do you think we should go inside and ask somebody?” Wernicke asked. “We have no idea where the stop is.”
So the four headed inside to approach the Wal-Mart greeter with our question.
“Hey,” James said as he reached to grab the greeter’s hand, “Do you know where the Jo stops?”
Unfortunately he didn’t and sent us on our way.
Not wanting to miss the bus, we headed outside to take a look for ourselves.
“Hey! I see it!” Beals said.
“That’s a recycle bin, Ethan,” replied Atteberry, pointing to the large purple recycle bin across the parking lot.
“Oh, there it is!” yelled James, and the four of us turned to watch the Jo… pull away?
Yes, the mythical bus drove down 135th street not even hesitating to stop.
“Well, maybe we can catch it at the next stop,” said Atteberry.
Once again, we piled into the car and took off.
“Wait, what about that girl,” said Atteberry. I turned to look where she was pointing.
A lone woman was standing in an empty corner of the parking lot, looking as if she was waiting for something, or someone.
“I’m going to pull around. Trevor, roll down your window and ask her, just don’t be creepy!” said Beals.
So as we circled her, James in all his glory, rolled down his window, and with his long hair, dark sunglasses, and scary-looking hat, asked her if she was waiting for the Jo.
“No,” she replied.
So Beals pulled out of the parking spot and continued driving as we discussed what to do.
We finally decided on simply returning to Price Chopper and trying to get a few pictures before we called it a night.
So we drove back and sat in Beals’ car until… WE SAW IT!
Atteberry grabbed her camera and James jumped out of the car, running down the sidewalk, with everyone following him.
We had finally managed to capture the beast.
And it stopped. In the middle of 151st and Mur-Len. And then proceeded to drive off.
Almost as a final thought I looked to Atteberry and asked, “Who’s going to tell Ms. Kohl we missed the bus?”
AFTER THE FACT:
The original plan was to take the O-Route, on the Weekday Northbound, from Wal-Mart to 151st and Mur-Len.
Since we never actually found the bus, I called Cris Lowe, community relations’ coordinator for The Jo, to try and understand what went wrong.
At first, when I asked about the route she said there was no such thing, and it simply didn’t exist. So I hung up with her and called her superior Becky Landers, transportation assistance manager.
Landers refused to comment and connected me back to Lowe.
Meanwhile, Beals had printed off the schedule we had followed so I could ask Lowe why their online schedule was wrong.
Once I finally got Lowe back on the phone we asked about the O-5th Street-Olathe-Weekday Northbound. She was “so surprised” that she had forgotten about it.
I asked where in the parking lot the stop was, and she explained that It was actually at the intersection of K-7 and Spruce.
We had been at the wrong Wal-Mart.
So maybe the Jo isn’t a mythical creature after all.
Maybe the website should just be more clear as to where riders have to go.
Oh, and if you were wondering, nobody informed Ms. Kohl that we missed the bus.
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