May 2019
Macudus (5/9)
By: Eileen Xue
His name is Macudus, and he is a cat. Macudus is a writer, a ventriloquist, case-solver, lock-picker, and fugitive. And he was on the run from the police for a very long time.
He also doesn’t believe he’s very talented, but I would say his skills are quite impressive for a feline. In fact, he’s very humanoid -- but of course, humans no longer exist. Here’s what happened to him before we started the New Society and eliminated Macudus from our project.
---
Macudus was a black and white cat with stripes all over the length of his body and to the tips of his tail. He was disturbed, which ultimately meant he wasn’t very happy with himself, his home, the outside, inside, or anything that our Property had to offer. His therapist diagnosed him with paranoia, which meant he saw the world in ways that didn’t exist.
This is very important because Macudus had a faulty therapist. His Doctor, #1009, didn’t try to fix him and instead told him to come to terms with reality. On our Property, this is an illegal act, since all of our citizens deserve to feel happy.
Because #1009 did not cooperate, we had to seize him and temporarily close his practice. When citizens no longer act agreeable with one another, we send them to Reformation, which can fix them by recalibrating with the Control Center. This is a very simple process, because many of our citizens are not alive. Macudus is one of the few who is not a machine.
Because of this, we keep a close eye on those citizens, since they are prone to developing Hysteria and A List of Other Disorders. And once they are broken, we no longer can fix them. As a result, we were very concerned about Macudus’s exposure to the manipulation of unit #1009. However, when we went in to find him, Macudus had already disappeared.
It was at this time that he started doing a lot of impressive things for a cat. In the period between Sun 13A and Dark 15B, he had broken into our holding facilities, evaded several police officers, snuck into the Capitol in diguise, and stolen unit #1009 from Reformation. By this time, we had already decided to abandon this first project, and Macudus gave us a lot of difficulty. When we finally detained him, he had already disrupted the underground explosive system and caused blockages in our central wiring.
Which is why I was impressed to write this report. Although we did have to terminate him before the New Society, he brought to attention some serious flaws in our system, which we revised before starting the second project. An incident like this most likely will not occur again.
End Report
***
Please access files stored in #33B0HU under names “Property, Bomb Project, Criminal Records” to examine additional police files, medical documentation, and withheld information.
He also doesn’t believe he’s very talented, but I would say his skills are quite impressive for a feline. In fact, he’s very humanoid -- but of course, humans no longer exist. Here’s what happened to him before we started the New Society and eliminated Macudus from our project.
---
Macudus was a black and white cat with stripes all over the length of his body and to the tips of his tail. He was disturbed, which ultimately meant he wasn’t very happy with himself, his home, the outside, inside, or anything that our Property had to offer. His therapist diagnosed him with paranoia, which meant he saw the world in ways that didn’t exist.
This is very important because Macudus had a faulty therapist. His Doctor, #1009, didn’t try to fix him and instead told him to come to terms with reality. On our Property, this is an illegal act, since all of our citizens deserve to feel happy.
Because #1009 did not cooperate, we had to seize him and temporarily close his practice. When citizens no longer act agreeable with one another, we send them to Reformation, which can fix them by recalibrating with the Control Center. This is a very simple process, because many of our citizens are not alive. Macudus is one of the few who is not a machine.
Because of this, we keep a close eye on those citizens, since they are prone to developing Hysteria and A List of Other Disorders. And once they are broken, we no longer can fix them. As a result, we were very concerned about Macudus’s exposure to the manipulation of unit #1009. However, when we went in to find him, Macudus had already disappeared.
It was at this time that he started doing a lot of impressive things for a cat. In the period between Sun 13A and Dark 15B, he had broken into our holding facilities, evaded several police officers, snuck into the Capitol in diguise, and stolen unit #1009 from Reformation. By this time, we had already decided to abandon this first project, and Macudus gave us a lot of difficulty. When we finally detained him, he had already disrupted the underground explosive system and caused blockages in our central wiring.
Which is why I was impressed to write this report. Although we did have to terminate him before the New Society, he brought to attention some serious flaws in our system, which we revised before starting the second project. An incident like this most likely will not occur again.
End Report
***
Please access files stored in #33B0HU under names “Property, Bomb Project, Criminal Records” to examine additional police files, medical documentation, and withheld information.
Feed
By: Megan Lacy
APRIL 2019
WHO AM I?
By: Gage Heeszel
The clock’s hands spun.
I stared at the clock, pacing from one side of the hallway to the other.
We ordered the clown
for this party at 12:30.
And it’s half past one.
How can I show my face to the guests without the promised entertainment?
The clock’s hands continued to spin.
I finally gave up. I need to apologize to them, I thought.
I returned to the dining room.
“Sorry I’m late, everyone.”
Why did I say that?
They started clapping.
Apparently the clown was already here.
Oh right, it was me.
I stared at the clock, pacing from one side of the hallway to the other.
We ordered the clown
for this party at 12:30.
And it’s half past one.
How can I show my face to the guests without the promised entertainment?
The clock’s hands continued to spin.
I finally gave up. I need to apologize to them, I thought.
I returned to the dining room.
“Sorry I’m late, everyone.”
Why did I say that?
They started clapping.
Apparently the clown was already here.
Oh right, it was me.
TOAD-ALLY RIPPED !!! (4/2)
By: Eileen Xue
MARCH 2019
The Future is an abyss
By: Gage Heeszel
The future is an abyss
that we must one day scale down by ourselves.
Some of us go in with a map
that gives directions to the bottom.
Others have every tool necessary to make it all the way.
An unlucky few fall to the bottom with nothing.
However you approach it, there is no guarantee of a safe descent.
This abyss is a beast on its own, the epitome of unpredictability.
It’s impossible to know what dangers lie inside.
I know you’re scared.
But you must go.
You cannot turn back.
This is your fate.
Safe travels.
May you find your worth in the waking world.
that we must one day scale down by ourselves.
Some of us go in with a map
that gives directions to the bottom.
Others have every tool necessary to make it all the way.
An unlucky few fall to the bottom with nothing.
However you approach it, there is no guarantee of a safe descent.
This abyss is a beast on its own, the epitome of unpredictability.
It’s impossible to know what dangers lie inside.
I know you’re scared.
But you must go.
You cannot turn back.
This is your fate.
Safe travels.
May you find your worth in the waking world.
A NEW WORLD
By: Eileen Xue
Lake Guardian
By: Megan Lacy
A young adventurer hears of a tale.
There is a lake. Past the vineyards, past the rolling hills, past the verdant woods, past the monster infested forest, past the harsh mountain tops, in a hidden cavern in a dreary cave, there is a lake. This lake is said to light up the rocky cavern, moonlight shining in and reflecting off of the milky white waves. The lake goes on to an unreachable depth, certainly dooming anyone who attempts to find its end. Legend tells that if one were to reach the bottom, they would find unthinkable treasures from times long past, and whatever’s left of those who tried to find that treasure.
Of course, the legend is incomplete without the guardian of the lake: an eight-legged dog, said to be 30 feet long, with opalescent fur, golden eyes, and teeth larger than your hand. Some say she’s kind and gentle, others say she’s monstrous and gruesome. All say she’s something to behold.
Though many have tried to find the lake, few have succeeded, and, as of late, few have even come back. The legend has been passed down from mother to daughter, from friend to friend, from brother to sister, from bar patron to bar patron, each time slightly differing. Some claim to have seen the lake, but none are ever believed. Not that it stops folks from dreaming.
An old adventurer remembers a tale.
They’re late in their life, and they know their time is soon. They’re unsure how they made it this far- they haven’t seen another living creature in weeks. Their food is gone, their water low, and their knees ache and their back is sore and their heart is resigned. As they’re ready to lay down on the cool rock of the dreary cave, they spot a subtle light. They carefully make their way through the crevice, having to leave their bags behind.
They stand at the edge of the lake, tears welling in their eyes. A gentle hand cups their face, and they graciously lean into it.
“You must be so tired,” she says, her voice soft and kind. “You’ve come a long way. I’m very proud of you.” The adventurer opens their mouth to speak, but all that comes is a strangled noise. Another hand comes to rest on their other cheek, while yet another gingerly takes their sword and shield. “Shh, it’s alright. It’s time to come home now.”
And with that, they step into the lake.
There is a lake. Past the vineyards, past the rolling hills, past the verdant woods, past the monster infested forest, past the harsh mountain tops, in a hidden cavern in a dreary cave, there is a lake. This lake is said to light up the rocky cavern, moonlight shining in and reflecting off of the milky white waves. The lake goes on to an unreachable depth, certainly dooming anyone who attempts to find its end. Legend tells that if one were to reach the bottom, they would find unthinkable treasures from times long past, and whatever’s left of those who tried to find that treasure.
Of course, the legend is incomplete without the guardian of the lake: an eight-legged dog, said to be 30 feet long, with opalescent fur, golden eyes, and teeth larger than your hand. Some say she’s kind and gentle, others say she’s monstrous and gruesome. All say she’s something to behold.
Though many have tried to find the lake, few have succeeded, and, as of late, few have even come back. The legend has been passed down from mother to daughter, from friend to friend, from brother to sister, from bar patron to bar patron, each time slightly differing. Some claim to have seen the lake, but none are ever believed. Not that it stops folks from dreaming.
An old adventurer remembers a tale.
They’re late in their life, and they know their time is soon. They’re unsure how they made it this far- they haven’t seen another living creature in weeks. Their food is gone, their water low, and their knees ache and their back is sore and their heart is resigned. As they’re ready to lay down on the cool rock of the dreary cave, they spot a subtle light. They carefully make their way through the crevice, having to leave their bags behind.
They stand at the edge of the lake, tears welling in their eyes. A gentle hand cups their face, and they graciously lean into it.
“You must be so tired,” she says, her voice soft and kind. “You’ve come a long way. I’m very proud of you.” The adventurer opens their mouth to speak, but all that comes is a strangled noise. Another hand comes to rest on their other cheek, while yet another gingerly takes their sword and shield. “Shh, it’s alright. It’s time to come home now.”
And with that, they step into the lake.
The Pearl Shelter
By: Eileen Xue
Deep in the woods, he finally reached the pearl shelter.
Scales painted opal, with eyes gleaming crimson, towering is the pearl shelter.
With flesh rippling under clusters of jewels, and warm blood inside its veins
It was a fearsome treasure to behold.
The pearl shelter.
He ripped the strings of light and luster off it’s back.
Heaving and shuddering, glaring over him was the pearl shelter.
Who plunders here disappears forever, into the the belly of the beast
Down, down, safe, warm, and into the core.
The pearl shelter.
Merging again as one, the shelter gains another piece of those who hoped to claim it.
It waits and waits for someone to disturb its residents.
The pearl shelter.
Scales painted opal, with eyes gleaming crimson, towering is the pearl shelter.
With flesh rippling under clusters of jewels, and warm blood inside its veins
It was a fearsome treasure to behold.
The pearl shelter.
He ripped the strings of light and luster off it’s back.
Heaving and shuddering, glaring over him was the pearl shelter.
Who plunders here disappears forever, into the the belly of the beast
Down, down, safe, warm, and into the core.
The pearl shelter.
Merging again as one, the shelter gains another piece of those who hoped to claim it.
It waits and waits for someone to disturb its residents.
The pearl shelter.
FEBRUARY 2019
Year of the Pig
By: Gage Heeszel
VALENtine's Day around the world
By: Saratika Kelly
CHinese NEw Year
By: Eileen Xue
As a part of my Chinese heritage, I celebrate Chinese New Year on February 5th with my family. However, on the day before (New Years Eve), it is customary to have a big dinner and cook traditional Chinese dishes and dessert. This year, my family prepared water chestnut cakes, sweet and sour pork, stir fried noodles, bamboo shoots, rice, and milk candy to celebrate. However, we also included American dishes like baked lobster, chips and dip, and chicken empanadas. As I am writing this, it is New Year’s Day. In China, people usually get 10 days off of work for visiting families and celebrating the New Year. Since it is the year of the pig, it is lucky to wear red if you have this zodiac sign. With all the food I had on New Year’s Eve, I feel really “pigged out” too.
A taste of my cultureBy: Eileen Xue
I know that in my culture
We love our food Some days we make cakes The inside, a yellow moon Other times the taste is savory Baozi, Jiaozi, Zhonzi, and more Or extremely salty Eggs soaked in salt to their core But my favorite is hot pot An always boiling pot of water Inside we cook vegetables, Fish cakes, meat, until they’re hotter With all this said Sweet, savory, sour, and spicy flavors The best thing about my culture Is the food we eat together |
HOT POTBy: Eileen Xue
ZongziBy: Eileen Xue
|
January 2019
Wear yellow: it will bring you good luck
By: Saratika Kelly
The YEars That PAss
By: Eileen Xue
On the edge of next year
On the brink of times past
After Christmas has ended
Is Spring coming fast
Next year we will change
Bring to life a new face
We will leave back our mistakes
And close the year with a bang
On the brink of times past
After Christmas has ended
Is Spring coming fast
Next year we will change
Bring to life a new face
We will leave back our mistakes
And close the year with a bang
New YEars Traditions
By: Sarat'ika Kelly
DECEMBER 2018
THE ULTIMATE WINTER BUCKET LIST
By: Laila Elreedi
Here are ten activities EVERYONE should try to complete to make the most out of this winter season!
1. Try snowboarding at China Peak
5. Mail a Holiday/Gratitude card to American soldiers
1. Try snowboarding at China Peak
- This might sound overwhelming, especially if you never snowboarded before. But hey, don’t knock it until you try!
- I don’t know about you, but I always made hot chocolate from a powdered mix. This year, I definitely want to test my skills and try making homemade hot chocolate.
- Surprisingly, there are ice skating rinks in the Central Valley! You can try ice skating on the fake ice at the Holiday Ice Skating rink on Main St. However, if you want to take a go on actual ice, you can visit the Gateway Ice Center in Fresno.
5. Mail a Holiday/Gratitude card to American soldiers
- If you enjoy writing, then this is the activity for you! There are many soldiers fighting for our freedom and missing their families during the holiday season. For more information on writing and mailing cards to troops, you can visit OperationGratitude.com
- From Secret Santa to White Elephant, the options for a holiday gift exchange are endless!
- All it takes is a pen and a paper! Jot down some ideas on the positive changes you want to make for the new year to come.
- Redecorating the home can be as simple as trying some DIYs or as extravagant as going on a Target shopping spree! Sometimes decorating the home can make you feel like you’re living in a brand new house.
- I mean… why wouldn’t you want to take a picture with Santa
- Nights beside the fire are the some of the coziest, most relaxing nights. Gather by a fire with some friends & family and reflect on 2018.
Winter Haiku
By: Mikko Romero
December brings Holiday Joy
Decorations line streets
Seasons greetings
Are upon all who hear the call
Decorations line streets
Seasons greetings
Are upon all who hear the call
Christmas Chilling Cat
By: Saratika Kelly
MAJESTIC CHRISTMAS TREE
By: Alan Olea
Every year, I enjoy setting up the Christmas tree. The thought of placing ornaments brings a smile to my face! What I relish most of all is when I am the one to place the tinsel around the tree! The way they shine in holiday lights is mesmerizing, especially when I'm in a car and see a tree and it's wrapped top to bottom with it. I'm always delighted when I place ornaments on the Christmas tree and position the star on top. What I deem the best part of setting up a Christmas tree is when I complete it and stand back to admire every little detail and how everything compliments one another. In my eyes, it is truly majestic.
Rolling Winter
By: Tommy Carrillo
NOVEMBER 2018
Spaghetti
By: Brian Fernandez, Gage Heeszel, & Preston Mattos
Spaghetti noodles,
unprepared and bamboo-esque,
soon on open flames.
The long sticks will slowly heat,
becoming soft and toothsome.
Meanwhile, the sauce boils,
The surface simmering on,
bubbles popping up.
Finally, the time arrived
to fuse the two holy signs.
Pasta on the plate,
sauce and cheese coating the top.
It is truly blessed.
As I reached to grab the plate,
my hand slipped, and the dish fell.
Noodles on the floor,
I fell to my knees, crying
as I slurped them up.
unprepared and bamboo-esque,
soon on open flames.
The long sticks will slowly heat,
becoming soft and toothsome.
Meanwhile, the sauce boils,
The surface simmering on,
bubbles popping up.
Finally, the time arrived
to fuse the two holy signs.
Pasta on the plate,
sauce and cheese coating the top.
It is truly blessed.
As I reached to grab the plate,
my hand slipped, and the dish fell.
Noodles on the floor,
I fell to my knees, crying
as I slurped them up.
November poem
By: Eileen Xue
The days grow chilly
Nights are extending
Anticipating pumpkin filling
And Cinnamon scented pudding
The month is November
A season we remember
Fall’s gathering before winter
With friends and family members
Until we tire of this month
One that only happens once
After turkey we’ve had our fun
Only then would we say
That November is done
Nights are extending
Anticipating pumpkin filling
And Cinnamon scented pudding
The month is November
A season we remember
Fall’s gathering before winter
With friends and family members
Until we tire of this month
One that only happens once
After turkey we’ve had our fun
Only then would we say
That November is done
THanksgiving Riddles
By: Saratika Kelly
october 2018
Halloween cat hangout
By: Gage Heeszel
Halloween
By: Alan Olea
Horror filled night
Arachnophobia
Lifeless props
Lycanthrope
October
Weary people
Eerie encounters
Enchantments
Napoo
Arachnophobia
Lifeless props
Lycanthrope
October
Weary people
Eerie encounters
Enchantments
Napoo
Halloween
By: Emily Dodge
Zombie
By: Eileen Xue
Scary Riddles
By: Saratika Kelly
Maria-MArimacha
By: Saratika Kelly