AE

RZ

Cthe football edition

musicfoodfashionsportsdiY (and more)

volume 3 | issue 1 october 2011

02

X03editors’ note

O04-05introduction

X06-07football for dummies

X12-13feature: foot-ball player

O10-11music and books

X

08-09food and fashion

O14the “sam cave”fantasy football

X16-17diY: t-shirt re-construction

O18sports you’ve never heard of

X19best procasti-nation websites

O15video game reviews

the play by playcontributers for this issue:

adviser: nathan moseley

editor-in-chief: lilly phillips

craze managing editor: kate laing

design editor: tyler schank

xanadu managing editor: jordan meradith

photographer: alycia olson, tyler schank

music editor: eva phillips

designers for this issue: leanna klimisch, kate laing, eva phillips, lilly phillips, jordan meradith, tyler schank, megan ulrich

writers for this issue: jill hoppe, kate laing, cassie mccormick, megan north, laurel oetken, eva phillips, lilly phillips, samie steed

october

03

craze vol 3 | issue 2| october 2011omaha Westside high School

8701 Pacific Streetomaha, ne 68114

october

a note from the staff...It is finally fall. The leaves are changing color, the days are cooler, and, oh yes, football season is in full swing. Some of us on staff (most of us, to be honest) are not avid watchers of the game, but living in Nebraska dicates that we care at least a little bit. This issue is full of reasons we do like football, from getting to know the people behind the helmets, to the delicious tailgating snacks, to fun fashion. We even included a handy “Football for Dummies” for those of you who are hopelessly lost when it comes to watching football. If football still isn’t your thing, then you can try out other sports that you may not have heard of. Gurning, anyone?

fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on westside, fight on westside, victory for our school. when the red and black are marching, westside then will rule. fight on 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04

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The tune to Westside’s fight song echoes through the hall-ways every Friday. It is a reminder of the big game and a booster of school spirit. It’s time to learn the words, once and for all, before this football season ends.

Fight on Westside, Fight on WestsideVictory for our school

When the red and black are marchingWestside then will rule

Rah! Rah! Rah!Fight on Westside, Fight on Westside

Victory now and fameSo fight on to victory Westside

Win this game!

go! fight! win!

05

(the football edition)

the factsbout 40% of americans say that football is their favorite sport to watch, in fact over 150 million people will watch the Super bowl each year. it seems as though everyone lives

and breathes football from the start of high school football in September to the Super bowl in february. although football fans make up a large population, some people don’t like it. one of the reasons for this is because they don’t understand the game. that’s all about to change. this guide was created to put football in the most basic terms so even the most football-challenged can understand, and maybe spark some newfound interest in the game everyone is talking about.

• 100 yard field• Each end zone is an additional 10 yards • 11 players from each team on the field at a time • 4 quarters• 15 minutes per quarter in college and pro• 12 minutes per quarter in high school• 20 minute half time • Kick off after every score

TERMS:

• A rush is a run. • A pass rush is when the defenders go after the opposing

team’s quarterback before he passes or hands off the ball.• The line of scrimmage is the point at which the ball starts. • A sack is when the quarterback is tackled behind the line

of scrimmage. • A fumble is when the ball carrier drops the ball.• An incomplete pass is when the receiver never had posses-

sion of the ball.• A yellow flag is thrown when a penalty occurs.• A first down occurs once the ball has moved ten yards.• The end zone is the additional ten yards at the end of the

field, and is where a touchdown is scored.• The red zone is referred to when the team with the ball is

between their opponent’s 20 yard line and their end zone.• A turnover is when the defending team gets possession of

the ball. • You block to prevent the ball carrier from getting tackled. • A blitz is a pass play.

football for dummies

a

written by jordan meradith, designed by jordan meradith and lilly phillips, photo by alycia olson

the facts(must know)

06

the facts OFFENSIVE PLAYERS:

• The quarterback is the leader, and touches the ball on every play.

• The running back runs the ball after hand off and sometimes receives a pass .

• The wide receiver(s) line up “wide” and are the primary pass receivers.

• The tight end is a pass receiver and a blocker.

• The center snaps the ball to the quarterback at the start of a play.

• The offensive guards are on each side of the center, they block the quarterback and run-ning backs.

• Offensive tackles are on each side of the offensive guards, and they block those who get through the offensive guards.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS:

The defense can be separated into three main sections: • Defensive line consists of defensive tackles & de-

fensive ends that stop ball carriers at the line and rush the passer.

• The linebackers are behind the defensive line, and tackle runners that the defensive line doesn’t, cover pass receivers and tackle quarterbacks on a blitz.

• The secondary includes the cornerbacks, which cover wide receivers and tackle runners on a run-ning play. The safety is the last line of defense.

07

who’s who

The object of the game is to score the most points. There are four ways to score:• Touchdown - Ball is caught or run into the end zone - Six points • Extra point - Team gets to try for an extra point after each touchdown - Kick through the goal posts = one point - Run/throw into the end zone = two points• Field goal - Ball is kicked through the goal posts - Three points • Safety - Tackle the person with the ball in their own end zone - Two points

The team with the ball has four downs to get ten yards. They try to advance the ball down the field in order to score.

objective

WHY DO THEY ALWAYS STOP THE CLOCK?!

STOP RIGHT THERE!

Many people wonder why a football game, that only has an hour of total play time on the clock, takes such a long time. Here are reasons why the clock is stopped:

• First down• Offensive ball carrier out of bounds• Incomplete pass• Penalty• Called time out• Change of possession • Injuredplayeronthefield

staff

pick

14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped10 oz package frozen spinach, chopped, thawed, and drained8 oz package cream cheese, softened1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese½ cup sour cream½ mayonnaise2 garlic cloves, pressed½ tsp ground red pepper

Preheat oven to to 375. Mix all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Spoon the mixture into a shallow 1 ½ quart baking dish. top with an additional ½ cup parmesan cheese. bake 25-30 minutes

spinach artichoke

2 packages cream cheese2 cans hormel no-bean chili2 cups cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread cream cheese in a pan. top with chili and cheese. bake 20 minutes or until bubbly. dip!

chili cheese

08

2 cans Mexican tomatoes6-8 fresh tomatoes, chopped1 green pepper, chopped1 onion, chopped1 6 oz. Can tomato paste2 limes1 t. salt2-3 cloves garlic, mincedChopped fresh cilantro to taste2-3 serrano peppers, chopped (take seeds out if you want less heat)

Mix all ingredients together and cook until all vegetables are tender. then allow to cool slightly and process in food processor to desired consistency. Store in covered container in the refrigerator.

salsa

dip into thiswritten and designed by megan north, photos by tyler schank

1 green pepper, finely chopped1 tomato, finely chopped½ cup cilantro1 bunch green onions, finely chopped1 can corn, drained and rinsed1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed1 bottle Kraft Zesty italian dressing Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

cowboy caviar

ith football season underway, sports fans are going to be spending plenty of Saturdays with their eyes glued to the tV, shouting at number 49 or 52 for not catching the ball. everyone’s favorite fall sport and dips have the perfect relation-

ship: a delicious mix of chili and cheese fuels this fire and keeps team spirit at its highest, while football season is a great ex-cuse to whip up some Cowboy Caviar or white bean dip. Whether you’re planning to invite a couple friends to cheer on your favorite team, or laze around on the couch in an oversized jersey, these dips will have your tastebuds doing a victory dance.

W

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened1 cup mayonnaise1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chille peppers, drained1 (7 ounce) can Mexican-style corn, drained

Stir ingredients in a large bown. Serve immediately or chill.

ugly dip

3 garlic cloves45 oz cannellini, rinsed and drained¼ cup lemon juice½ cup olive oil2 ¼ teaspoons ground cumin1 ½ teaspoons chili powdersaltfreshly ground pepper3 tablespoons cilantro (minced)additional cilantro (minced)

finely chop garlic in a food processor. add beans and lemon juice and puree. Mix in oil, cumin and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. add cilantro and mix in using on/off turns. transfer to large bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with chips and veggies, or both!

white bean dip

food

hile it’s good to have a prominent sense of fashion at a football game, standing out in a bad way can be brutal. Cheering for your team does not mean sacrificing your style, and there are alternatives to the

boxy unisex t-shirts. Whether you are the stylish super fan or chic sideline supporter, you can’t go wrong with these simple football fashion tips.

written by cassie mccormick, designed by megan ulrich and lilly phillips, photos by alycia olson

Wfashiongame dos and don’ts

09

Get caught wearing a boring t-shirt. it is an easy mistake to make, but these shirts require minimal effort and have little style. Why go plain when it is so easy to make that unisex t-shirt into something much more exceptional?

#1 don't...

Sophomore Savanna Couillard’s t-shirt with hand painted words adds fun to a basic shirt. (for more ideas see page 16).

Seniors Shelby Russell and lauren tomoser show their school spirit with style. beads and glitter are great ways to accessorize for a game.

be afraid to go all out.

InStEAd...Wear the right colors and put your own spin on it. try cutting up an old tee to make it into a unique scoop neck shirt or a fabulous crop top with fringe. for instructions and ideas, see page 18.

Wear the opposing team’s colors. this is a

detrimental mistake, and people won’t

appreciate it if you’re the only one in the

crowd decked out in the wrong colored

clothing.

InStEAd...

#2 don't...

try going a little crazy. if body paint is your thing, then go with it. every football game needs people who are not scared to look a little ridiculous in order to get the crowd pumped. Gather a group of people who are up to painting their bodies, and be prepared to pose for pictures.

try wearing key pieces in black or red,

and then adding accessories that show

your team spirit. It is fine to wear everyday

clothes, such as jeans and a cute shirt.

InStEAd...

#3 don't...

RAPPER NAMES?

K: Ocho, I wore #8 my junior year of football and everyone started calling me it. I like it because its not a typical rapper name and its unique.

B: Way back in little league football they used to call me the Boogeyman. Then later on it got shortened to Boogie.

wHEN/HOw/wHY?

K: We started because we wanted to be like all the rappers we saw on MTV and heard on the radio. That touring around the country from city to city lifestyle seemed like the greatest thing ever. Plus I love partying and it’d be pretty tight to go to a party or dance and here your song come on.

B: It all started freshmen year when we got our computers. We started to mess around with Garage Band, then actually tried to make songs. I always liked music so I finally tried to make some songs. The computers actually gave me a chance without having to get studio time.

INSPIRATIONS?

K: Basically just modern day hip-hop. The artist that specifically inspires me is Big Sean. I started listening to his music before he had any major recognition for being a rapper. I like that he wasn’t born into the music industry but he worked his way up to becoming a signed artist. Big Sean’s style varies from hard hitting beats with sick punchlines to bouncy catchy flows that stick in your head. I also like his swag.

B: What inspires me are other artists; Lil Wayne because his lyrics are the best. I’d say some of the stuff he says is unreal, most people don’t even know what he’s saying. I would love to live his lifestyle.

HOw DO YOu wRITE YOuR LYRIcS?

K: Lyrics come to me at different times. I could be watching TV or be messing around, free-styling with my friends and then once and a while a good line comes up and I end up using it in a song. Every time I think of a line, I save it in an app on my phone so I can plug them in when I’m making songs.

B: Sometimes in class I’ll just start writing some punchlines or what not. Then I’ll come home listen to an instrumental and start throwing stuff together.

FIRST SONG PRODucED?

K: The very first song we ever made seriously was “Beat Cry” by Boogie and

me. It was basically just about letting people know who we are and that you will eventually know our name.

B: I think it was “Beat Cry”...very old song, you can definitely tell we came a long way since then.

FIRST ALBuM EVER BOuGHT?

K: The first album I ever bought, I think, was a Black Eyed Peas album in like 4th grade. Haha, swag!

B: I guess you could say I liked rock n roll as a kid, then one day my mom gave me an old 2 Pac CD. I’m not sure which one, but I loved it. Also Bone Thugs’n Harmony was another CD I listened to a lot.

Brandon Bruggeman ”Boogie”, left; Kevin Dosoo “Ocho”, right

varsity rappersmusicSenior varsity football players, Kevin dosoo and brandon bruggeman have been rapping together since freshman year. ever since they were given the technology to do so, the two friends have been producing tracks on Garage band and writing original lyrics together, with the hope that they will one day make it big time. here’s what they had to say about their music.

written and designed by eva phillips, photos by tyler schank

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o many, football is an excit-ing, unpredictable sport. You just can’t fathom how someone

goes by during the season without watching the games, or how some don’t even understand how it’s played. To others, football is not exciting. It’s dull, confusing, and you’d much rather spend your day doing something more productive. However, if this year you’re look-ing to join in a little on America’s football craze, without sitting at a T.V., confused because you have no idea what’s going on, try picking up Dairy Queen. Without reading the back of the book, you would never guess it had anything to do with football, let alone be a book the sportiest of girls (and guys) may actually enjoy. Dairy Queen’s main character, DJ Schwenk, believes her foot-ball obsessed family is completely dysfunctional because besides farm work, the only thing they ever talk about is the sport. Then, her dad injures himself, leaving DJ to keep the family farm running. Her older brothers are out of the picture, now away from home at college on football scholarships. DJ feels overworked, unappreciated, and misunderstood. Now to add to her problems, her high school’s rival football team’s coach (who happens to be friends with DJ’s father) asks her to help his star quarterback train for the upcoming season by helping out working on the farm, and because of DJ’s vast knowledge of the sport. Sick and tired of being treated like a farm animal, herded around

and told what to do, without her family even caring about what she does as long as her work is done, DJ tries out for her own high school’s football team. This forces her family to deal with issues they were trying to avoid. DJ begins the book as a shy, socially awkward teenage girl who always complies with her parent’s decisions without any issue. By the end of the book, she is strong, confident, and finally makes her family understand communication is key. DJ has an amazing voice in this book. She is sarcastic and hysterical, but at the same time she’s thoughtful, realistic, and interesting. How many girls do you know would actually try out for the school football team in attempt to prove something to her parents? I’m not an avid fan of football, nor do I know much about how the sport is played. To be honest, I pick which team I want to win by who’s colors I like best. But I absolutely loved this book, finishing it in less than a couple days. It’s captivating, and now I can honestly say I’ve read a book about football that I enjoyed! I was surprised with how much football was incorporated into the story, and how much I actually understood. Dairy Queen also involves family and school issues, and it balanced out perfectly. I am eager to read the sequels, The Off Season and Front and Center. Overall, five stars for such an interesting plot line, realistic characters, and mak-ing me realize there is a bit more to football than I thought.

books

if you enjoyed Dairy Queen check out the next two books in the triliogy: The Off Season and Front and Center.

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written by jill hoppe, designed by eva phillips and jordan meradith

“Overall, five stars for such an interesting plot line, realistic characters, and making me realize there is a bit more to football than i thought.”

dairy queen

feature getting to know michaelwritten by laurel oetken, designed by laurel oetken, tyler schank, kate laing, photo by tyler schank

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f or some, football is just a game to watch or play, but for senior

Michael Finocchiaro, football is much more. Being part of a football team is being part of a community where relationships that last a lifetime are formed. The bonds that Finocchiaro shares with his teammates and coaches are a brotherhood.

“I started playing football in the 5th grade with a lot of my friends at Rockbrook,” Finocchiaro said. “I played club football for the Junior Warriors and the Suburban Bulldogs and played at the middle school on the varsity team.”

Finocchiaro continued playing football when he got to high school.

“I started playing at the high school my freshman year,” Finocchiaro said. “I was a punter, third string to be exact, and I also played running back. My sophomore year I was the varsity punter. As a junior I was All Metro Punter. Then junior year all I did was punting when I decided to play some outside linebacker.”

This year, Finocchiaro is the varsity punter and plays safety.

Winning games not only played a big part in Finocchiaro’s performance out on the field, but he says that it also brings the team together as a whole.

“When we win a game, it’s a great feeling,” Finocchiaro said. “After the

games, we all go to the locker room, turn the music up really loud and dance. Everyone dances, even the coaches.”

They all have a particular song that they love to shake it to.

“Thriller is my favorite song that we play in the locker room and is the song that we like to play a lot. I think its a lot of the guys favorite too.” Finocchiaro said. “Everyone dances to that one. We all do the Thriller and [Coach] McKeever bops his head.”

Although Westside is pretty far into the season, there was one memorable game where dancing was a huge deal.

“When we beat Prep it was awesome, everyone was doing the Bernie in a huge circle around [junior] Luke Cammarota,” Finocchiaro said.

Teamwork isn’t just about getting along and winning games. A sense of bonding and community is also important to have a good team.

“As a team, we do community projects every year that are helpful to others and showing the community that we appreciate the support we get on Friday nights and throughout the year,” Finocchiaro said. “It’s very important to be a part of a team and I encourage anyone to at least try it because I don’t see any negatives to it and many positives can come out of it.”

Along with his teammates being a big support system, Finocchiaro’s coaches also do a good job of supporting him.

“Coach Froendt and Coach McKeever have played a huge role with football in my life. They have been my coaches since I began playing football in the 5th grade and I have become pretty close with both of them,” Finocchiaro said. “It has really created a solid relationship that I hope to have forever. I have seen them push me it’s made me realize that they do care about me and my success in football.”

Coaches give out advice that is more than just the plays for the next line of defense or offense.

“The coaching staff does a great job of tying in life lessons with football,” Finocchiaro said. “It has made me become a better person when dealing with others and giving respect.”

Finocchiaro has learned a lot through high school on and off of the field from his peers and coaches on the football team.

“Playing football at Westside has huge impact on my life today because of the coaches and people I have been involved with,” Finocchiaro said. “Things would be much different in high school without football because it’s something I enjoy.”

a team practices together, wins together and sometimes loses together. With a team this close, senior Michael finocchiaro proves

that playing together means staying together.

[football] has made me become a better per-son when dealing with others and giving respect.”“

feature getting to know michael

sam cave

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fantasy footballlong time ago in a galaxy far far away... actually, it was in this galaxy and only sixteen years ago when i was beamed down.

in my house, Star Wars and Star trek were commented on, not football references. Sure, my dad kept up with football and the family got together for Super Bowl Sunday, but just this year I finally learned what a field goal is. As a kid, I liked players for the color on their jersey, so it was interesting to learn all that goes into choosing players for fantasy football. Countless hours are spent watching games and taking statistics. i’d much rather spend countless hours playing football video games than trying to learn the ins and outs of the actual game.

n America, an estimated 14 million people play a “sport” that requires massive strategy

and time, but no physical effort. It’s an industry worth one billion dollars, and one many Westside students participate in.

“Fantasy football is just fun,” freshman Sam Stevenson said. “There’s many different groups that play it at school just for the fun of it.”

Fantasy Football started in 1962, when people made fake football teams by picking various players from the league and scoring points based on the performance of those players.The scoring system for each

league is different.

“In my league, quarter-backs can score 150 points which is really high,” junior Josh Montanye said. “We all voted to choose how much points each player can get. In some leagues, different players can earn different amounts of points.”

All of the players are chosen at the beginning of the season during the draft. During this time, leagues set up the rules and scoring system.

“We do our draft online rather than actually meeting as a group,” Stevenson said. “It’s important to get good running backs first during that draft.”

Both running-backs and quarterbacks are important when choosing players, but strategy is different for every

one. “I draft the players

that will go fast, like running backs which aren’t easy to come by,” Montanye said.

Once players are chosen, the season starts and a record is

kept of people’s wins and losses. Then fantasy football players watch NFL to keep track of their players and points.

“Fantasy football helps me get to know more about the NFL,” freshman Forrest McQueen said. “It kind of is a waste of time but it’s fun if you like football.”

For some, fantasy football is taken to a more serious level. People can win money for playing, but most students don’t bet money. Instead, they simply play for the fun of it.

“A lot of it has to do with bragging rights, and the trophy that you get when you finally win makes you excited,” Montanye said.

It may seem silly to spend so much time on watching the NFL and following players, but there are reasons that over 14 million Americans enjoy it. When asked what he would say to people who think it’s a waste of time, Stevenson simply said, “Try it.”

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story by samie steed, designed by leanna klimisch

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sam cave

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Madden NFL

Tecmo Bowl

tecmo bowl for the neS was the first successful football video game and is still fun today. Up to two players can participate in one player, two player or coach mode. being that it was the one of the first games, the gameplay isn’t very complex. there are only four offensive plays to choose from. When playing defense you simply pick which offensive play you pre-dict the computer or other player will choose. the game features names and stats of nfl players dur-ing the 1988 season, however the players in the game aren’t exact replicas. although the game play is simple, sometimes it’s more fun to play old school. You don’t even need a neS, you can purchase the game on the virtual console on the Wii. Jump into the football gaming world with this classic.

Madden is one of the biggest video game franchises and the maker of Madden nfl. not only is it often called the best football game, but also is considered one of the best overall games. it can be played on virtually every video game system. Madden is played in both single player and multi-player, so everyone can play it. Gameplay is similar to a regular football game, but it varies in dif-ferent versions. You essentially pick a play for a team’s playbook and then act as each individual going through the play. the game was originally released in 1988, and there have been many different versions following, including the newest version, called Madden nfl 12. Pick your favorite Mad-den game, and start dominating.

2NcAA Football

nCaa football is one of the most popular football games next to Madden. nCaa features college teams and plays, rather than professional teams which the Madden games use. While Madden games feature actual professional players, nCaa has teams because they would need to pay the college players to use their names. the gameplay and legacy between the two games in essentially the same. nCaa games started in 1992 and have released a new version of the game almost every year, so you can probably find a version of the game that will work with your gaming system, except for the nintendo systems.

game timesamie’s picks for the best football video games

diyt-shirt reconstruction

hen attending a football game, people typically opt to wear a simple t-shirt showing off their favorite team. Sometimes, however, an individual

might decide to throw on one of those badly cut and tied-up-the-sides t-shirts. While some think it’s a good option for editing your favorite shirt, there are other diY options that you can do for t-shirt reconstruction. try “the Scoop and trim” for an 80’s vibe, or if you’re feeling more crafty, you could take a stab at “the hippie fringe.” accessorize your new t-shirt with “the better than beads” necklace.

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written, designed and graphics by kate laing

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Gather an old t-shirt, a pair of scissors and a piece of chalk.

Place the t-shirt so it’s laying flat, and trace where you want the sleeves to be cropped. Cut the edge of the sleeves slightly above the hem to create smaller sleeves.

With the chalk, trace where you would like the scoop neck to be cut to. Cut off the neck in a scoop pat-tern.

try on the shirt. if the scoop is not low enough, cut off more fabric to widen the neck. don’t cut off too much each time, because you can’t add fabric once it’s been cut off.

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the scoop and trim

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1 2take your newly made scoop neck t-shirt, and cut off the bot-tom of the shirt above the hem to make a cropped shirt.

Cut fringe 1 inch wide and 2-3 inches long all the way around the bottom of the t-shirt.

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the hippie fringe

the better than beads Place the t-shirt so it’s laying flat and cut off the hem. then, cut the rest of the shirt horizontally into 3/4 inch-thick strips until you reach the bottom of the armpits.

Pull the loops open and stretch them until the fabric curls. Stack the loops on top of one another so that all the t-shirt seams are in the same spot.

once you have the number of loops that you want, tie the loops together with a scrap piece of fabric.

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written and designed by lilly phillips, photo credit of the Telegraph ,UK

5 weird sports you’ve never heard of

GuRNINGGurning is probably the ugliest sport to ever exist. Literally. In Gurning, the rules are simple: Stick your head through a horse collar and make the most hideous face you can. Gurning has been around since 1297 where originated as a contest at a crab apple fair in the UK. People thought it was so great that today it is an annual competition. Yet, not everyone is talented as a gurner. Gurning takes practice, facial flexibility and a sense of humor. So if that sounds like you, we suggest you give it a try. In fact, why not host your own Gurning competition in an IMC or at the lunch table? Just ignore the weird looks around you. OwLINGAre you adventurous, limber, and eccentric? Try Owling. Owling is the cooler alternative to the overdone planking, and it requires even less physical exertion. Instead of using your abdominals to support yourself in a plank position, you need only crouch to achieve the perfect owl. You can owl anywhere: on a desk, on a chair, in a tree or a car, at a concert, and even on a person planking. A word of caution, however: Owling should never

be done on flammable surface, in the middle of a busy street or on a motorcycle. Please leave that to the professionals.

cHEESE ROLLINGThe name of this arbitrary sport says it all. Every year, an 8 lb round of Gloucester cheese is rolled down a steep hill, where competitors run, trip and tumble in pursuit. The winner is the first one to catch it. Surprisingly, this game can be intense. In the 1982 competition, eight people were struck by lightning. The “Cheese Chase Chaos” of 1990 produced 22 casualties- including a grandmother who was knocked out by the rolling cheese. Although originally a British sport, it can be played anywhere, and with anything. Don’t want to buy a big round of cheese, or are you lactose intolerant? Try oranges, tires, and even siblings.

TOE wRESTLINGToe wrestling is like intense ‘footsie’. The World Toe Wrestling Championship began in 1976 and became so popular that the organizers applied for its inclusion in the Olympics (it clearly didn’t make the cut). The rules of official toe wrestling much like the childhood version:

face an opponent toe-to-toe on a platform, interlock your big toes and then force the opponent’s foot off of the platform. For an at-home version, try standing (and getting your opponent’s foot on the ground first). Things to consider before playing this sport: When was the last time your opponent washed his/her feet? How big are their feet in comparison to yours? Do they have sharp toenails? Are you really this bored?

SOcK wRESTLINGWhile not an official sport, sock wrestling is awesome. It requires two or more players, socks, ample space and floor cushioning. During the game, opponents face each other, shoeless but wearing socks. On the count of three the opponents tackle one another and race to rip off the other person’s socks. The first person to become sock-less is the loser. If there are more than two players, the competition continues until there is a final champion. There are almost no restrictions on how to play except there are no knee high socks allowed. Sock wrestling is the perfect activity for rainy days, family nights and hanging out with friends.

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football isn’t for everyone. luckily, you don’t have to be athletic to play any of these sports... although you do need a good sense of humor.

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