Every artist has demons that they fight. Billie Eilish is no exception. Her music captures her raw emotion as she is feeling it. Her songs “bad guy,” “Happier Than Ever” and “Bury a Friend” are all examples of such songs.
Billie Eilish has been an inspiration all my life. Ever since I was little, her song ”bad guy” played in the background. My mom found it and became obsessed with it. Some lyrics that stood out to me the most are “I’m the bad guy, Duh” and “I got bad thoughts, I got bad vibes.” These stick out to me because I grew up with mental illnesses in the family, so I could relate to the lyrics specifically.
Musically, Eilish blurs the lines between pop, alternative, and electronic, often favoring whispery vocals over minimalist, sometimes eerie productions. Her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” (2019) was a cultural reset in the music industry. Eilish was fearless when it came to singing about topics of mental health, fame, and identity. Songs like “bad guy” and “Bury A Friend” showcased her versatility, while tracks like “i love you” highlighted her emotional depth.
What sets Eilish apart is her authenticity. She doesn’t chase trends—she sets them. From her distinct fashion sense to her refusal to conform to traditional pop aesthetics, she brings a punk emotion to mainstream music. Her 2021 follow-up album Happier Than Ever showcased her growth, trading some of the earlier darkness for reflective ballads and a more mature sound, while still maintaining that signature Eilish vitality.
Billie Eilish is the voice of the anxious, the sensitive, the misunderstood. She’s reshaping what it means to be a pop star in the 21st century—providing that quiet can be as powerful as loud, and being true to yourself is the boldest move of all.
Studio Albums
Popular Songs
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go
xanny, all the good girls go to hell, bad guy, you should see me in a crown
Creating a book is a tall task, from coming up with an original idea, making a draft, editing through the draft, making a cover, and then the actual publishing process. Despite how long the process can take, an estimated 2.2 million books are published yearly.
Joining these 2.2 million books is The Band, a book being published by English teacher and club Creative Writing Club adviser David Kummer.
Kummer has been writing since he was a kid – he recounted writing his own stories as young as the age of 9. He would fill notebooks with his own stories, showing them to his father, with youthful drive.
It shouldn’t be shocking then that Kummer started publishing as young as 15 with his first novel She. Kummer has continued to self-publish a number of original stories. Inspired by authors like Mark Edwards, Kummer’s books “leans towards horror, mystery, thriller, and young adult fiction.” This leads to his books often being filled with twists and turns and morally in-depth characters.
The specific inspiration for The Band was Kummer’s visit to West Virginia where he went and saw a musical festival, which is a direct connection to the plot, as the main characters in the book are a traveling cover band.
Another large part of inspiration for the book is Kummer’s wife, who drew illustrations for the book, as well as helping him throughout the writing process.
However, unlike Kummer’s fun summer trip to West Virginia, the book goes in a more tragic direction. following a main character who feels in the shadows, falling in love with a bandmate, while dealing with a possible murderous end. For those who are lovers of thrillers, this book is handcrafted for them.
When Kummer isn’t working diligently on his books, he works as an English teacher and as the Creative Writing Club adviser, a club meant to help students self-publish and grow confidence in their writing and put it out there. Many young people aspire to become authors, producing stories for the world to read and enjoy but are shackled by fear to put their work out there actively.
“The best way to grow confidence is to start by showing your work to friends, family, or even teachers,” he said.
He also advised starting with something small and writing shorter stories before doing a larger project. Kummer talked about how experimentation with short stories is a great way to try to figure out your “core writer voice.
“Throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks,” he stated.
Kummer stated that a large part of writing is for writers to throw themselves into it and find their wings as they go. He said writers can’t be scared of being good or bad; they simply have to try if they wish to improve.
“Don’t be afraid of the first draft,” Kummer stated. He said that most first drafts are rough – they won’t be the best, but something is better than nothing.
To conclude, Kummer’s book is available for preorder on his website, davidkummer.com, and on Amazon. For those who want to read it, the first two chapters are also free on his website.
English teacher David Kummer presents his newest book, The Band. Photo by Ifrah Daber.
Adele has been a positive influence on me for my entire life. Ever since I was little, her music was all over the place. My mom would play Adele’s music when she was cleaning, cooking, sewing, pretty much anytime that there was a chore to do. Of course, there was other music, too. Adele stuck out the most.
Adele is an inspiration to people all around the world. She encourages individuality, finding our voices, and staying true to ourselves. She has been a trailblazer in promoting body positivity and self acceptance.
Adele is a 36-year-old English singer-songwriter who is known for her soulful vocals and sentimental songs. She has one son, Angelo, whomich she and her ex-husband share joint custody over. They even live across the street from each other in LA to do “what is best for Angelo.”
I appreciate her music so much and\ there are some songs that just put me in a trance-like state. They make me forget about things even if it’s for three and a half minutes. So many of her songs are playful and catchy and enlightening. And some are slower and have a deeper meaning.
Some songs that stick out to me the most are “Rolling In The Deep,” “Hello,” and “Oh My God.”
“Rolling In The Deep” sticks out to me for the reason that she sings about the displeasure and heartbreak of a past relationship. Adele sings about her anger and feelings of betrayal in the lyrics: “There’s a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark.” She creates a feeling of realization when she sees him “crystal clear,” as she doesn’t see him how she did previously. I believe that “the dark” she refers to is the disillusionment of the relationship.
Adele’s “Hello” broke the record of most views in 24 hours. At 27.7 million views, she even surpassed Taylor Sswift’s “Bad Blood” at only 20.1 million views.
“Hello” speaks about regret and guilt. Adele admits her wrongdoings when she sings, “I must have called a thousand times, To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done.” She speaks up to honesty and boldness.
Adele sings about feeling dismissed or ignored when she sings, “To tell you I’m sorry for breaking your heart, But it don’t matter, it clearly doesn’t tear you apart anymore.”
When I first heard “Oh My God,” I imagined Adele in a room full of mirrors, walking around and searching for an escape from herself. The lyrics “I’m a fool, but they all think I’m blind, I’d rather be a fool than leave myself behind-,” reveal an internal struggle of whether or not her choices are selfish or if it’s okay to put herself first. She has the same effect when she sings, “I am a grown woman and I do what I want to do.” It’s another unfolding of her journey, a part where uncertainty pervades everything.
Adele has had a great impact on me and countless others. Her soul and jazz music captivates many audiences all around the world.
Albums
Popular Songs
19
“Day Dreamer,” “Chasing Pavements,” Make You Feel My Love”
1988
“Chasing 1988: The Intro,” “First Love (Remot remix),” “Melt My Heart To Stone (kickdrums remix)”
21
“Rolling In The Deep,” “Rumor Has It,” “Turning Tables”
JHS Theatre brings nightmares to the stage in the next two weekends.
The Nightmare Story is the tale of a boy who ventures into the unknown to find a cure for his mother’s rare disease before it’s too late.
The one-hour performance features inspiration from Eastern European folklore and old world cautionary fables, as the audience is guided by storytellers under lamplight.
Boy sets off across the countryside seeking a cure for his mother while encountering frightening nightmares in a musical that includes action and folk-style adventure.
The Nightmare Story features live instrumentation through ukulele and percussion, along with a variety of puppetry, foley work, and theatrical sequences.
Please be advised that this production contains loud noises and flashing lights.
The show runs this weekend and next: March 7, 8, 14 , and 15 at 7 p.m.; and March 9 at 2 p.m.
A monster, a beast, Dragon Ball Z’s devil, Broly the legendary super Saiyan.
Even if you’re not a Dragon Ball fan, chances are you’ve heard of Broly. He was first introduced on March 6, 1993, in the movie: “Dragon Ball Z: Broly the legendary super Saiyan.” He was introduced as this huge, menacing villain that was a threat to even the likes of Goku. However, his character was rewritten to fit a new movie that released Jan. 16, 2019, titled: “Dragon Ball Super: Broly.” In this review, I’ll go over both the change with this new Broly, and how he contrasts the old one.
When the movie starts, we’re placed on Planet Vegeta. We meet many characters — King Vegeta, Frieza, Bardock — but who we want to focus on is Broly. He was only an infant, but displayed immense power. To protect both his planet and his pride, King Vegeta sends Broly off to another planet, Vampa. Broly’s father, Paragus, steals a spaceship and flies after him, finding and training his son for 40 years due to them being stranded.
After Frieza makes a move and steals 6 of the 7 dragon balls from Goku and the others, they track the last one down to intercept Frieza and his soldiers. However, that’s when they meet Broly, and Paragus immediately recognizes Vegeta as Prince Vegeta’s son. He sends Broly after him, and there’s a huge fight with Vegeta and Goku versus Broly, each of them pushing their limits and going through multiple forms. The fight eventually ends with Goku and Vegeta fusing into Gogeta, defeating Broly before he is ultimately teleported back to Vampa. Goku befriends a calmed down Broly and that’s where the movie ends.
This movie is beautifully written. The visuals are stunning, the characters are extremely well written, and I can never stop admiring the story in this film — it always makes me smile.
Another nod to an old Dragon Ball Z movie, the fusion Gogeta was first introduced in the 1995 movie: “Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn,” where Gogeta was made to defeat Janemba. They both share similar characteristics, despite Gogeta being more serious in his first appearance, so I won’t stay on him.
The differences between Z Broly and Super Broly are obvious. Z Broly is more one dimensional and flat, while Super Broly is much more developed and characterized. Z Broly was made purely for the instance of having a villain stronger than Goku, and that’s evident in his size and muscle mass. However, Super Broly was made to turn Broly into a more deep and sympathetic character. He is soft spoken, honest, kind, and only fights with Goku and Vegeta because his father wants (and forces) him to. There’s a moment near the middle of the movie that really shows Broly’s difference in the two versions of him.
After Broly and Paragus are found and rescued by Cheelai and Lemo, Frieza Force soldiers, Cheelai offers Broly proper food. Broly takes it and scarfs it down, but after which he is reminded by his father to use his manners. He thanks Cheelai, and even tries to replicate her little thank-you gesture she does. It’s also shown at the end when Goku befriends Broly. Broly doesn’t attack Goku at all, letting him speak and even smiling as he leaves.
This movie is a beautiful representation of the difference between two versions of one character that can be made. It also shows the symbolism between Dragon Ball characters. The world of Dragon Ball is met by two kinds of characters, good and evil. Without the good, the evil takes over and tips the scale, and if there’s no evil, vise versa. Broly perfectly shows this, because good and evil of him exist, both movies showing what could happen if he is good or evil. What I’m trying to say is, Broly perfectly encapsulates the path characters in Dragon Ball can go — they’re either Goku’s friend, like Vegeta, or his enemy, like Frieza.
This movie is beautifully written. The visuals are stunning, the characters are extremely well written, and I can never stop admiring the story in this film — it always makes me smile.
Movie title: Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Starring: Christopher Sabat, Vic Mignogna, and Sean Schemmel
Regarding family-style dining, Buca di Beppo is a name that often stands out. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and hearty Italian-American dishes, this restaurant promises a ballad of flavor nostalgia, and communal dining. But does it truly deliver on its reputation? I visited Buca de Beppo, and here’s what I discovered.
Buca di Beppo: A Taste of Italy with a Side of Nostalgia
Buca di Beppo is a restaurant that knows how to make an impression from the moment you walk through the door. With its warm, inviting ambiance and quirky décor that celebrates Italian-American culture, it’s the kind of place that feels like stepping into the home of a big, boisterous Italian family.
Ambiance
The décor is over-the-top, with walls covered in vintage photographs, posters, and eclectic knickknacks. Strings of lights and checkered tablecloths create a fun, nostalgic vibe. The layout features family-style dining rooms and even a “kitchen table” for those who want a behind-the-scenes experience. While the atmosphere is lively and vibrant, it may feel noisy for those seeking an intimate or quiet dinner.
Service
The service is friendly and accommodating, with staff members eager to explain the family-style menu concept. They are attentive without being overbearing, ensuring drinks are refilled and dishes arrive promptly.
Food
Buca di Beppo specializes in Italian-American classics, and their portions are designed for sharing. Here’s a breakdown of some highlights:
• Appetizers: The Fried Mozzarella and Bruschetta are crowd-pleasers. The mozzarella is perfectly crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and paired with a robust marinara sauce.
• Pasta Dishes: Their Spaghetti with Meatballs is a signature dish, and it doesn’t disappoint. The marinara sauce is tangy and fresh, while the meatballs are tender and flavorful. The Fettuccine Alfredo is creamy and indulgent, though it can be a bit heavy for some palates.
• Entrées: The Chicken Parmigiana is a standout, with its crispy breading and generous layer of melted cheese. The Eggplant Parmigiana is also a great vegetarian option, though it leans on the richer side.
• Desserts: The Tiramisu and Chocolate Chip Cannoli are decadent and satisfying, making for a perfect sweet ending.
Family-Style Concept
The family-style dining experience is both a strength and a potential drawback, depending on your party size and preferences. Large groups will love the communal feel, but smaller parties may find it challenging to justify ordering multiple large dishes.
Price
While the portions are large, the pricing can feel a bit steep, especially if you’re dining with a smaller group. However, for the quantity and quality, it’s a reasonable value for those looking to indulge.
Overall Experience
Buca di Beppo is a fantastic choice for celebrations, family gatherings, or casual dinners where you want to enjoy hearty Italian comfort food in a fun, lively setting. While the noise level and portion sizes may not suit every diner, the restaurant’s charm and bold flavors make it a memorable dining experience.
The 2024 Game of the Year Awards was a tough contest. Three of the best games I’ve played in a long time were nominated for the prestigious title, but one stood above the rest: Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Although it didn’t win Game Of The Year 2024, Metaphor: ReFantazio won multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024, including Best Narrative, Best RPG, and Best Art Direction. It is critically acclaimed for its beautiful art style and story.
The king’s assassination is causing anxiety in the kingdom because he is assumed to have no heir. Unbeknownst to the public, the prince was put under a curse many years ago. He is alive, but he has been unconscious since the curse was cast. A good friend of the prince, Will, and his closest confidant, Gallica, are tasked with finding a way to reverse the curse and return the prince to the throne. At the royal funeral, the late king’s magic manifests as a stone island large enough to block out the sun bearing his face. He announces that the people will decide on the next king. Will decides to win the throne in the prince’s place.
Characters and their arcs are handled beautifully by this game’s narrative. The world feels expansive, and it’s easy to get invested in the problems facing this world.
It won Best Art Direction at The Game Awards 2024, and it earned that title. The menus take on a painted style. The art and character designs are visually stunning. The mix of 3D and 2D makes the visuals compelling throughout the entire experience.
The cast is easily one of the most likable. The party includes characters from a variety of fantasy races, and their race and upbringing play an obvious role in how they see and interact with the world.
The voice acting in this game is one of the most impressive aspects of the game. The English voice cast features largely unknown actors, each of whom excellently brings the characters to life. The variety of accents creates the impression of a vast world.
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a step above its competition in the JRPG genre. Few other games have gripped me in the same way. I highly recommend anyone who is a fan of JRPGs check it out.
Bright lights, dozens of different aromas, and chatter all around. From the early 80s to the late 90s, malls were the place to hang out with friends. From grabbing a bite to eat to shopping for clothes and electronics, the mall was the place to go.
With the rise of online shopping and social media, the need for in-person shopping drastically declined, along with the popularity of malls. This raises the question: Are malls still popular?
Saturday is the busiest day for Mall St. Matthews in St. Matthews, Kentucky. With over 150 different stores, it is no wonder so many people want to visit.
The smell was the first thing that hit me after walking through the automatic sliding doors leading straight to the food court. My boyfriend, two friends, and I arrived around 11:30 a.m., only 30 minutes after the store opened. I was surprised to see that there were already dozens of people there sitting down and enjoying their food.
Looking around I was drawn in by the free samples the employees were passing out. I only tried two samples before I knew what I wanted to eat. The large portion of sweet and tangy orange chicken and the vegetable lo mein from Chinese Gourmet Express was delicious. It was hot and fresh and it only took about two minutes for my order to be completed, including the time it took for me to be rang up and checked out. The staff was also very nice and the food was cheap. There were many places to sit in the food court and it was spotless.
After we finished eating we visited numerous stores. The St. Matthews Mall has a wide variety of stores and all kinds of merchandise. They even have places that can fix your watches, jewelry, and even your phone all while you shop. We went to the smaller stores, which surprised me with the amount of stuff they were able to keep inside.
Each store we went into had clothes and toys all up and down the walls. I had trouble getting things down because they were just out of reach, so I had to have my boyfriend hand me the clothes that I wanted. This was a bit bothersome, but it is something that I have to deal with in most stores. Some of the stores were so small that they felt very cramped and packed in, especially some of the more popular ones.
Walking through the mall itself it was wide and open with enough room for everyone to spread out and walk around. Surprisingly the lights weren’t blinding and they had a few large skylights instead. The St. Matthews Mall has a lot of interactive areas for all ages such as a large lifesize chess board with moveable pieces built into the floor and the indoor water fountain where people toss coins into. There are even designated areas for children and tots to run around and play. The mall has both stairs and ramps for easier access for families with strollers and wheelchairs.
One main issue that I had was the bathrooms being hard to find and they were extremely smelly. Large signs were hanging from the wall that said “restroom,” but they were hidden behind other shop signs, and the restroom itself was down a very dim and hardly lit hallway. I was scared that I was in an “employee’s only” area, but then I stumbled across the restrooms. When I opened the restroom door an intense odor of urine hit me and it was so bad that I was turned away from the bathroom altogether.
Luckily there were multiple other restrooms around that were much cleaner without any bad odors. A good thing about the restrooms is that they have a family room along with other full restrooms that also allow for more accessibility.
Around 3 p.m. more people had shown up and it was getting hectic, so we headed back to the food court for one last time. There, an employee from King Gyros, a Greek restaurant, was passing out samples of their lamb. Once again we fell in love with the sample and decided to get it to go. My boyfriend and I chose to get the lamb platter to share, which came with rice and a creamy tzatziki sauce smothered over the top. The to-go box was heavy from the amount of food they packed into it and we left very satisfied.
The overall experience of visiting Mall St. Matthews left me wanting more. I loved the food, the clothes, and the experience, which is why I have no doubt the store is so popular. I am eager to return and visit the other stores I have yet to see and I highly recommend going out and visiting for yourself.
LEGO has hit varieties of different age groups. People play with them or have them as collector’s items. Whatever you do with them, they are an amazing item to make your life fun.
LEGO began in 1934 in the carpentry workshop of Ole Kirk Kristiansen, a skilled carpenter who made wooden toys. Kristiansen prided himself on high quality craftsmanship. He eventually chose the LEGO name for his company, wanting to focus on child development through quality play.
Ever since then, LEGO has become one of the most popular hobbies in the world. It is truly amazing, because you can build or collect what you want to collect.
LEGO has many different options to choose from based on your interests. The most popular sets include Icons, Ideas, and Star Wars. Star Wars partnered with LEGO back in October 1999, and ever since these sets have been a hit.
When you see people’s collections, you’ll see many Star Wars sets. There is a reason for this: they are just great sets to keep sealed or on display. They have over a thousand retired or new sets. Some popular ones include the Millennium Falcon, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder, and many more. Star War sets are truly such great sets to have; heck, I wish I had some.
LEGO Ideas launched in 2014, with the first set being called Shinkai 6500 Submarine. To become a LEGO Ideas set it needs 10,000 votes, and then LEGO will look at it to see if they want to make it. These sets are truly great, and most of the sets relate to real TV shows or movies, like the Winnie the Pooh set or The Office. If you are wanting to get into LEGOs, you definitely need to pick up an Ideas set. I highly recommend the Winnie the Pooh set, as it’s incredible to have on display.
LEGO Icon released in 2010, with only 142 sets available, where most sets came out in 2024. Ideas and Icon sets are more expensive, but they are really worth it. This brand has to be my favorite, because they have many really cool sets, like the Atari 2600, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, McLaren MP4, and more. If you were to get a set, this is really where you get one; they are just fantastic sets.
When a LEGO set retires, it’s possible that that set could go for thousands of dollars. LEGO collection is a great way to make money. The set’s lifespan lasts up to three years before it retires. If it’s in good condition, it’s worth more, and if it is open it’s worth less. The most expensive set ever is the San Diego Comic-Con 2013 Spider-Man.
If you are wanting to get into a hobby, choosing LEGO isn’t a bad way to go.
My favorite club Liverpool FC, known as ‘the Reds,’ has a rich history that spans over 120 years.
Founded in 1892, the club has become a symbol of excellence in the world of football. With passionate support from fans and a commitment to the game, Liverpool has seen numerous triumphs, including multiple league titles and Champions League victories.
This review explores the key elements that define Liverpool FC’s legacy, including its historical successes, recent performances under management, and the unique culture cultivated by its fans.
Historical Background
Liverpool FC has a storied past marked by the likes of Bill Shanky and Bob Paisley, who paved the way for the club’s success. Shankly transformed Liverpool into a dominant force in English football during the 1960s, while Paisley carried on the club’s legacy, securing multiple championships. Fans remember these iconic moments, which established a winning mentality that resonates to this day.
Recent Performances
Under the leadership of Jürgen Klopp, who took over in 2015, Liverpool FC has experienced a golden era. The club won the premier league in the 2019-2020 season after a 30-year wait, along with the UEFA Champions League title in 2019. Klopp’s tactics focused on intense pressing and pressing play, having revitalized the team, making them a force to be reckoned with in natural competitions.
But recently, the discussion around tactics has shifted with the interest in emerging managerial talent, particularly Arne Slot, who has gained a reputation for his innovative strategies while managing Feyenoord. Though not directly at Liverpool, his approach to developing young talent and playing attractive football lends itself to how clubs like Liverpool can evaluate managerial styles in the future.
Fan Culture
One of the most remarkable aspects of Liverpool FC is its vibrant fan culture. The famous anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone (YNWA)” echoes through Anfield, fostering a deep sense of community, unity and passion among supporters. We the fans not only celebrate victories, but also stand by the team during tough times, creating an atmosphere that is unique to Liverpool.
Conclusion
Through its rich history, a commitment to excellence, and a strong fanbase, Liverpool FC continues to leave a significant mark on the world of football. As the club moves forward. It embraces a legacy that inspires both current players and future generations. The journey with the Reds is not just about the trophies won, but it is about the lasting impact on and off the pitch.
Liverpool FC remains a platform that promotes unity and inspiration and will continue to remain such as the club progresses.