Rita McKail, a nomad of sorts, recently returned from her adventure in Australia. The 35-year-old loves to travel, and has taken an unescorted adventure on every continent. Her most recent one, however, to the land down under "was like any other trip," she says. She tells about all of the unexpected events and people that came her way under the equator.
When she decided to take a trip to the only continent she had not visited, she decided "flying would just be too boring." Knowing that going by boat would take much longer, she looked at it as a "pre-adventure." It took nearly 3 weeks for her to leave New York City and make her way across the Atlantic and to maneuver through the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship had to pick up more cargo, through the Suez Canal and across the Indian Ocean, to land in Darwin, to start her journey on the outback. The interesting part is that she made this seemingly endless journey on a cargo ship. "I didn't really know exactly what they were hauling on the ship, everything was in huge boxes, or cars, but I knew a guy who knew a guy that could get me on board that ship all the way to Australia, so I took it, I got to learn sea life."
While on board the ship McKail encountered dozens of obstacles. First of all, she had to pull her own weight. Therefore, she helped serve meals to the entire crew; she also had the dirty job of doing the dishes. Since she was the only female on board, she was able to take advantage of having a room all to herself, and used the quiet to keep a journal. The journal included the day by day routines she went through on the trip. One page read: "I never thought I would get sea sick, until I spent a month on a ship. I never thought I would be disgusted by the sight of food, until I spent a month doing dishes. I never thought I would be able to hate the rain, until I spent a month wanting sun." This passage represents how she wanted an adventure, and experience, but she might be relentless to take a ship next time.
"I was so relieved to finally reach Darwin," says McKail. There, she rented a car, bought a map, and set out for a road trip. Unfortunately she had arrived in the middle of their dry season. With only a tent to sleep in, many nights were simply spent on the side of a dirt road. "One morning, I woke up, and a mother kangaroo and her joey were into my food." At that point she had to find a town big enough that she could get more supplies. The remaining animals, that didn't migrate with the wet season, had an unbelievably thirst. McKail said she would often pour an entire canteen of water on the ground and go back to her jeep to observe the several species of animals that would come and try and taste some of the moisture. Since she wasn't taking a guided tour, she may have missed some of the great sites, but she would rather experience the country on her own time. "I've never really liked guided tours, tried one in Antarctica and we weren't allowed to observe the penguins very closely. I would have rather done it solo, and done what I wanted, on my own watch, and my own money." She mostly just saw kangaroos while on her trip, due to the season, but the trip "was very much worth my time."
As for the trip back, she bought a plane ticket. "It was good to get back to the states," she said, "but I would do it all again, I think I would choose a different season for the travel though." Life is short, but Rita McKail teaches us to do what we want with it, wherever we want.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Interview
Rita McKail, a nomad of sorts, recently returned from her adventure in Australia. The 35-year-old loves to travel, and has taken an unescorted adventure on every continent. Her most recent one, however, to the land down under "was like any other trip," she says. She tells about all of the unexpected events and people that came her way under the equator.
When she decided to take a trip to the only continent she had not visited, she decided "flying would just be too boring." Knowing that going by boat would take much longer, she looked at it as a "pre-adventure." It took nearly 3 weeks for her to leave New York City and make her way through the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship had to pick up more cargo, through the Suez Canal and across the Indian Ocean, to land in Darwin, to start her journey on the outback. The interesting part is that she made this seemingly endless journey on a cargo ship. "I didn't really know exactly what they were hauling on the ship, everything was in huge boxes, or cars, but I knew a guy who knew a guy that could get me on board that ship all the way to Australia, so I took it, I got to learn sea life."
While on board the ship McKail encountered many new events. Fist of all, she had to pull her own weight. Therefore, she helped serve meals to the entire crew, she also had the dirty job of doing the dishes. Since she was the only female on board, she was able to take advantage of having a room all to herself, and used the quiet to keep a journal. The journal included the day by day routines she went through on the trip. One page read: "I never thought I would get sea sick, until I spent a month on a ship. I never thought I would be disgusted by the sight of food, until I spent a month doing dishes. I never thought I would be able to hate the rain, until I spent a month wanting sun." This passage represents how she wanted an adventure, and experience, but she might be relentless to take a ship next time.
"I was so relieved to finally reach Darwin," says McKail. There, she rented a car, bought a map, and set out for a road trip. Unfortunately she had arrived in the middle of their dry season. With only a tent to sleep in, many nights were simply spent on the side of a dirt road. "One morning, I woke up, and a mother kangaroo and her joey were into my food." At that point she had to find a town big enough that she could get more supplies. The remaining animals, that didn't migrate with the wet season, had an unbelievably thirst. McKail said she would often pour an entire canteen of water on the ground and go back to her jeep to observe the several species of animals that would come and try and taste some of the moisture. Since she wasn't taking a guided tour, she may have missed some of the great sites, but she would rather experience the country on her own time. "I've never really liked guided tours, tried one in Antarctica and we weren't allowed to observe the penguins very closely. I would have rather done it solo, and done what I wanted, on my own watch, and my own money." She mostly just saw kangaroos while on her trip, due to the season, but the trip "was very much worth my time."
As for the trip back, she bought a plane ticket. "It was good to get back to the states," she said, "but I would do it all again, I think I would choose a different season for the travel though." Life is short, but Rita McKail teaches us to do what we want with it, wherever we want.
When she decided to take a trip to the only continent she had not visited, she decided "flying would just be too boring." Knowing that going by boat would take much longer, she looked at it as a "pre-adventure." It took nearly 3 weeks for her to leave New York City and make her way through the Mediterranean Sea, where the ship had to pick up more cargo, through the Suez Canal and across the Indian Ocean, to land in Darwin, to start her journey on the outback. The interesting part is that she made this seemingly endless journey on a cargo ship. "I didn't really know exactly what they were hauling on the ship, everything was in huge boxes, or cars, but I knew a guy who knew a guy that could get me on board that ship all the way to Australia, so I took it, I got to learn sea life."
While on board the ship McKail encountered many new events. Fist of all, she had to pull her own weight. Therefore, she helped serve meals to the entire crew, she also had the dirty job of doing the dishes. Since she was the only female on board, she was able to take advantage of having a room all to herself, and used the quiet to keep a journal. The journal included the day by day routines she went through on the trip. One page read: "I never thought I would get sea sick, until I spent a month on a ship. I never thought I would be disgusted by the sight of food, until I spent a month doing dishes. I never thought I would be able to hate the rain, until I spent a month wanting sun." This passage represents how she wanted an adventure, and experience, but she might be relentless to take a ship next time.
"I was so relieved to finally reach Darwin," says McKail. There, she rented a car, bought a map, and set out for a road trip. Unfortunately she had arrived in the middle of their dry season. With only a tent to sleep in, many nights were simply spent on the side of a dirt road. "One morning, I woke up, and a mother kangaroo and her joey were into my food." At that point she had to find a town big enough that she could get more supplies. The remaining animals, that didn't migrate with the wet season, had an unbelievably thirst. McKail said she would often pour an entire canteen of water on the ground and go back to her jeep to observe the several species of animals that would come and try and taste some of the moisture. Since she wasn't taking a guided tour, she may have missed some of the great sites, but she would rather experience the country on her own time. "I've never really liked guided tours, tried one in Antarctica and we weren't allowed to observe the penguins very closely. I would have rather done it solo, and done what I wanted, on my own watch, and my own money." She mostly just saw kangaroos while on her trip, due to the season, but the trip "was very much worth my time."
As for the trip back, she bought a plane ticket. "It was good to get back to the states," she said, "but I would do it all again, I think I would choose a different season for the travel though." Life is short, but Rita McKail teaches us to do what we want with it, wherever we want.
Book Review
Second Glance by Jodi Picoult is a stunning combination of a ghost story, love story, historical novel, and a paranormal ghost story. If character diversity has ever been insufficient, this book would definitely not fall into that category with characters alive and dead, and from the past and present. Family structure raises questions about integrity, respect, prejudice, memory, and medical ethics.
To open the book, Jodi Picoult grabs the reader’s interest in question by using contradiction and irony. The first character to come into play: Ross Wakeman. No matter how hard he tries he just can’t manage to succeed at death. The life he wanted ended when his fiancée was killed tragically in a car accident, and all he wants is to reunite with her. The perfect job for this? Becoming a ghost hunter. Try, and try again he does until he throws in the towel and moves back in with his sister and nephew in Comtosook Vermont.
Enter Spencer Pike. Pike owns land apparently on an Abenaki burial site, and is looking to sell it to a construction company, led by Rod van Vleet to build a mall on the site. If built, ghosts are threatened to stir things up. Who believes in ghosts? Certainly no one of Rod van Vleet status, however just to make sure Mr. van Vleet hires Ross to check the place out for the imaginary nuisances. Ross agrees, mostly because he has nothing better to do with his time, and begins the stakeouts with the help of his nocturnal nephew.
Much to his surprise, a movement in the woods draws his attention and what he finds is ever so real. Suddenly his late wife is not so important, and an equally suicidal woman comes into his life just like that. Lia is her name, and Ross falls in love. However there is one catch, Lia has a wife she is deathly afraid of. Anyone who is reading this can predict what will happen next, however in actuality the outcome is surprising.
All the changes in the town lead to paranoia of ghosts, however Ross claims to not have seen any ghosts. Where are these ghosts coming from? Rain is replaced with rose pedals, and strange dreams enter everyone’s minds, and the August ground is freezing bizarrely.
Next, the story sweeps into a 1920’s and ‘30’s time set. The main character: Cecilia Pike. This stage in the story explains a time in Vermont’s history where sterilization seemed to be the key to depopulate the insane or mixed race people. This was factual, and puts a very interesting twist in this fictional story. Most of the United States had sterilization beliefs amongst the powerful. What happens in this portion of the book is unbelievable, and unheard of in today’s time. Enter Meredith Oliver. As a person who studies genes, she predicts what kinds of diseases babies will have to make sure the parents actually want to have the baby. She has a daughter, Lucy, who sees ghosts. Some might call her crazy, and she drives her mother nuts, but in actuality she is seeing what everyone else is missing out on. Only her great grandmother, Ruby understands and supports the child’s incite. Perhaps the reason for so much support lays in the secrets of Ruby’s own self.
This twisting mind map is truly unlike any novel out there, mixing facts, fiction and time zones. It’s a ghost story with so many upsets you won’t be able to put it down.
To open the book, Jodi Picoult grabs the reader’s interest in question by using contradiction and irony. The first character to come into play: Ross Wakeman. No matter how hard he tries he just can’t manage to succeed at death. The life he wanted ended when his fiancée was killed tragically in a car accident, and all he wants is to reunite with her. The perfect job for this? Becoming a ghost hunter. Try, and try again he does until he throws in the towel and moves back in with his sister and nephew in Comtosook Vermont.
Enter Spencer Pike. Pike owns land apparently on an Abenaki burial site, and is looking to sell it to a construction company, led by Rod van Vleet to build a mall on the site. If built, ghosts are threatened to stir things up. Who believes in ghosts? Certainly no one of Rod van Vleet status, however just to make sure Mr. van Vleet hires Ross to check the place out for the imaginary nuisances. Ross agrees, mostly because he has nothing better to do with his time, and begins the stakeouts with the help of his nocturnal nephew.
Much to his surprise, a movement in the woods draws his attention and what he finds is ever so real. Suddenly his late wife is not so important, and an equally suicidal woman comes into his life just like that. Lia is her name, and Ross falls in love. However there is one catch, Lia has a wife she is deathly afraid of. Anyone who is reading this can predict what will happen next, however in actuality the outcome is surprising.
All the changes in the town lead to paranoia of ghosts, however Ross claims to not have seen any ghosts. Where are these ghosts coming from? Rain is replaced with rose pedals, and strange dreams enter everyone’s minds, and the August ground is freezing bizarrely.
Next, the story sweeps into a 1920’s and ‘30’s time set. The main character: Cecilia Pike. This stage in the story explains a time in Vermont’s history where sterilization seemed to be the key to depopulate the insane or mixed race people. This was factual, and puts a very interesting twist in this fictional story. Most of the United States had sterilization beliefs amongst the powerful. What happens in this portion of the book is unbelievable, and unheard of in today’s time. Enter Meredith Oliver. As a person who studies genes, she predicts what kinds of diseases babies will have to make sure the parents actually want to have the baby. She has a daughter, Lucy, who sees ghosts. Some might call her crazy, and she drives her mother nuts, but in actuality she is seeing what everyone else is missing out on. Only her great grandmother, Ruby understands and supports the child’s incite. Perhaps the reason for so much support lays in the secrets of Ruby’s own self.
This twisting mind map is truly unlike any novel out there, mixing facts, fiction and time zones. It’s a ghost story with so many upsets you won’t be able to put it down.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Car Raid
Jaynee Hanson
The Tongue River High School principal’s car caused many questions to arise. The problem was never solved about him parking in front of a “No Parking” sign, although the owner of the car was revealed, and interrogated by sophomore students.
So many interesting artifacts were found in this ancient vehicle; however a few of them definitely stood out to the classes. The hood definitely looked its age, with several dents across the plain. A question that also came up was: Why is this car parked in front of a “No Parking” sign? In order to ask the hundreds of questions flooding the 16-year-old’s mind, they first needed to discover who the blog belonged to. The answer was discovered when the nosy students discovered an ID while gutting the car. Ironically the car parked in the illegal spot belonged to none other than the principal. Mr. Don White. We all know how many questions that must have risen.
The students got to ask these questions the next day. Mr. White had no problems elaborating on anything and everything. The disgusting smell of the dino-car was apparently from an American Eskimo dog, that White has to drive around sometimes. “Its kind of embarrassing, an old guy like me, having to be seen with this little… lap dog,” stated White. The dents on the hood are from running a red light and having “a guy” run into him. He said he must have been having a seizure because he destroyed “that guy’s” truck. “This thing is a tank,” White said. “I’ve only ever gotten two tickets in my entire life.” Perhaps somebody should make it his third and give him a ticket for parking in a specifically marked area. While investigating the vehicle there were containers, or tubs rather, that the students were not allowed to look in. So, obviously the students asked what were in the tubs. Random fix-up materials is the summed-up version of what was in there. Nothing fun or exciting there. A challenge was up against white by the students, obviously because of all the crime, and him being the principal and all. “I’m noticing a pattern,” said Henry Rawlings pertaining all of the laws broken. Whites response could of definitely been described as beating around the bush. No specific reason for all the crime was addressed, except for the fact that he should of “removed the sign.” Of course that makes it all better. The students continued to challenge him until the end of the time limit.
A mysterious 1982 Toyota Land Cruiser was spotted in the back parking lot of Tongue River High School Monday, March 2. Why would this old piece of crap be parked there, and who does it belong to? This was a question to be answered by the sophomore English classes.
The Tongue River High School principal’s car caused many questions to arise. The problem was never solved about him parking in front of a “No Parking” sign, although the owner of the car was revealed, and interrogated by sophomore students.
So many interesting artifacts were found in this ancient vehicle; however a few of them definitely stood out to the classes. The hood definitely looked its age, with several dents across the plain. A question that also came up was: Why is this car parked in front of a “No Parking” sign? In order to ask the hundreds of questions flooding the 16-year-old’s mind, they first needed to discover who the blog belonged to. The answer was discovered when the nosy students discovered an ID while gutting the car. Ironically the car parked in the illegal spot belonged to none other than the principal. Mr. Don White. We all know how many questions that must have risen.
The students got to ask these questions the next day. Mr. White had no problems elaborating on anything and everything. The disgusting smell of the dino-car was apparently from an American Eskimo dog, that White has to drive around sometimes. “Its kind of embarrassing, an old guy like me, having to be seen with this little… lap dog,” stated White. The dents on the hood are from running a red light and having “a guy” run into him. He said he must have been having a seizure because he destroyed “that guy’s” truck. “This thing is a tank,” White said. “I’ve only ever gotten two tickets in my entire life.” Perhaps somebody should make it his third and give him a ticket for parking in a specifically marked area. While investigating the vehicle there were containers, or tubs rather, that the students were not allowed to look in. So, obviously the students asked what were in the tubs. Random fix-up materials is the summed-up version of what was in there. Nothing fun or exciting there. A challenge was up against white by the students, obviously because of all the crime, and him being the principal and all. “I’m noticing a pattern,” said Henry Rawlings pertaining all of the laws broken. Whites response could of definitely been described as beating around the bush. No specific reason for all the crime was addressed, except for the fact that he should of “removed the sign.” Of course that makes it all better. The students continued to challenge him until the end of the time limit.
A mysterious 1982 Toyota Land Cruiser was spotted in the back parking lot of Tongue River High School Monday, March 2. Why would this old piece of crap be parked there, and who does it belong to? This was a question to be answered by the sophomore English classes.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
News 3-5-09
Jaynee Hanson
Oldest Human Footprints With Modern Anatomy Found
One and a half million years ago sounds like a time before humans could walk upright, but a new footprint recently is contrary. The tracks were found among other ancient animal prints, and appear to have a foot almost exactly like the foot of humans today. Does this put a new spin on human evolution?
Ancient Camels Butchered in Colorado, Stone Tools Show?
Somebody stored away many necessary tools, and hasn’t come back to claim for 13,000 years. Not many people think of their back yard as ancient hunting grounds, but a Boulder, Colorado resident has just discovered the history of their property. Ice camels were the pray for the hunters, but why were the tools left behind, hidden in a bank?
Curious Octopus Floods Aquarium
Monkeys have always been known for their intelligence in escaping their captures, but have you ever heard of an octopus doing it? A foot-long octopus in Santa Monica Pier Aquarium managed to disassemble a valve in her tank, and unleash 200 gallons of salt water. The water reached hallways and offices, ruining new floors. This may seem like a funny story, but in reality it was a disaster.
Canadian Oil Boom
Millions of acres of forests are currently being made into oil fields. A more interesting story however may be how to the people who grew up in these areas feel about the new work sites. God knows we need more oil, or less, depending on your status, but should these invasions happen without the citizens’ consent?
Oldest Human Footprints With Modern Anatomy Found
One and a half million years ago sounds like a time before humans could walk upright, but a new footprint recently is contrary. The tracks were found among other ancient animal prints, and appear to have a foot almost exactly like the foot of humans today. Does this put a new spin on human evolution?
Ancient Camels Butchered in Colorado, Stone Tools Show?
Somebody stored away many necessary tools, and hasn’t come back to claim for 13,000 years. Not many people think of their back yard as ancient hunting grounds, but a Boulder, Colorado resident has just discovered the history of their property. Ice camels were the pray for the hunters, but why were the tools left behind, hidden in a bank?
Curious Octopus Floods Aquarium
Monkeys have always been known for their intelligence in escaping their captures, but have you ever heard of an octopus doing it? A foot-long octopus in Santa Monica Pier Aquarium managed to disassemble a valve in her tank, and unleash 200 gallons of salt water. The water reached hallways and offices, ruining new floors. This may seem like a funny story, but in reality it was a disaster.
Canadian Oil Boom
Millions of acres of forests are currently being made into oil fields. A more interesting story however may be how to the people who grew up in these areas feel about the new work sites. God knows we need more oil, or less, depending on your status, but should these invasions happen without the citizens’ consent?
Object Lesson
Mr. Water Bottle has been accused of the murder of his wife Franchesca and friend Bartholomew late Friday the 13th of February. He called a press conference the next day to tell his side of the story. Bottle was accused of training animals to attack and brutally murder his wife and friend. He maintained that he had spent the night at the local zoo taking care of kangaroos afflicted with Kangaroo Blight. He also claimed that he had never trained animals, only worked with them. When questioned about his relationships with his wife and friend, Bottle said they were the only ones he trusted, since the government "took him out of his hard working, honest life and threw him in the slammer for no reason." He described his wife Franchesca as being busy, and having a fondness for cooking. His friend Bartholomew, however, wasn't so deeply trusted. Bottle stated that he trusted Bart "only enough to have him take care of Franny while [he] was taking care of the animals." He also claimed that the deaths of Franchesca and Bartholomew were caused by forgetfulness -- they, according to Bottle, had forgotten to lock the door, thus allowing animals to enter the home and brutalize both occupants. This tragic incident deeply saddened Bottle. During the interview, Bottle was distrustful of the reporters at the conference, calling them "government spies." His distrust of the government came out in the conference as hostility. This aggression was inspired by his past incarceration for releasing animals from the zoo, a charge which he had fought against and maintained his innocence. His love of kangaroos and other Australian creatures was accredited as being because "they ain't the government," once again tying back to his loathing of the government. His innocence in the current matter, the murder of his wife and friend, will be decided by a jury of his peers next week, on Friday the 20th of February, in the county courthouse at 2 p.m.By Hurricane Katrina, Kayla Brown, Ana Olsen, and Jaynee Hansen
Sunday, March 1, 2009
News 2-26-09
Jaynee Hanson
Poison-Arrow Killings Surge in Africa Elephant Poaching
So ivory auctions are now legal? Then people must be wondering where the ivory is coming from. Legalizing ivory auctions has severely boosted the poaching rate of elephants in Africa, and new tactics have been used to get the job done.
Largest Freshwater Fish?
Look out Davy Jones, this sting ray may have your deadly sea beast beat. The largest freshwater fish may have been found recently on a National Geographic expedition. This monster measures a whopping six-and-a-half feet by seven, and is no joke when you find it up close and personal.
First Jaguar Caught in U.S. In Over a Century
News of jaguars being spotted between the Arizona and Mexico border is now old. Further north in Arizona, a jaguar has been caught and collared. Good news for jaguar conversationalists, but heaps of more work, and a much closer eye for the people living in the area.
New Stegosaur With Odd Long Neck Discovered
Everyone had a favorite dinosaur as a child; some might have been a stegosaur. However when you were doodling them in your notebook, did you think to make it look a little bit more like a long-neck? Paleontologists in Portugal have discovered stegosaur fossils with neck bones over six feet long.
Poison-Arrow Killings Surge in Africa Elephant Poaching
So ivory auctions are now legal? Then people must be wondering where the ivory is coming from. Legalizing ivory auctions has severely boosted the poaching rate of elephants in Africa, and new tactics have been used to get the job done.
Largest Freshwater Fish?
Look out Davy Jones, this sting ray may have your deadly sea beast beat. The largest freshwater fish may have been found recently on a National Geographic expedition. This monster measures a whopping six-and-a-half feet by seven, and is no joke when you find it up close and personal.
First Jaguar Caught in U.S. In Over a Century
News of jaguars being spotted between the Arizona and Mexico border is now old. Further north in Arizona, a jaguar has been caught and collared. Good news for jaguar conversationalists, but heaps of more work, and a much closer eye for the people living in the area.
New Stegosaur With Odd Long Neck Discovered
Everyone had a favorite dinosaur as a child; some might have been a stegosaur. However when you were doodling them in your notebook, did you think to make it look a little bit more like a long-neck? Paleontologists in Portugal have discovered stegosaur fossils with neck bones over six feet long.
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