The Importance of Story in Video Games

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

Video games have a lot of value in media. They are interactive and capture a wide audience. However, games without intense, immersive, and surrounding storylines really don’t have a lot of appeal to me. A storyline that doesn’t have a fully immersive plotline gives me no reason to care, personally. If a story does capture me though, boy, does it capture me. Continue reading “The Importance of Story in Video Games”

Egan Library Kicks Off “Poetry Café”

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

Poetry is a form of writing, a form that seems to be getting less and less attention as time goes by. However, it is poetry that the Egan Library has chosen to be celebrated on our campus. In concert with April as National Poetry Month, Beatrice Franklin, one of the Egan Library’s librarians, has organized what she calls Poetry Cafés. The first was on the April 7, but the next one will be on April 21. Continue reading “Egan Library Kicks Off “Poetry Café””

Recipe: Omurice

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

Food is hard to make. Well, not really. But it’s hard to make if you don’t have any experience or drive – even more so when you’re not entirely sure what you want. But sometimes the food you make yourself is just the best. I know, because I make dish called omurice. Continue reading “Recipe: Omurice”

Tidal Echoes: A Changing Tide

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

For those who don’t know, Southeast Alaska has its own literary journal, and it’s called Tidal Echoes. It accepts creative work, including poetry, prose, photography, and more. It’s also published every year. In fact, the newest issue will be coming out on April 15 at the Tidal Echoes launch party, 7:00 PM at the Egan Lecture Hall. This will be your first opportunity to buy copies of the book! Continue reading “Tidal Echoes: A Changing Tide”

Poetry: Why and How to Do It

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

I am the “Queen of Comma Splices” within the confines of the Whalesong office. This is because I write poetry, which doesn’t require as many commas as you would think. The thing is, poetry is a great outlet and form of writing that often gets ignored for novels or essays, and everyone should try it out at least once. Fun fact: I actually used to hate poetry with the passion of a thousand tiny babies. I really hated poetry for no real reason. That is, until it magically became my main source of creative work, and hey, it’s panned out well for me. It’s also a lot of fun, despite what people may say about the forms, which are many. Continue reading “Poetry: Why and How to Do It”

Whitewashing in Award Shows

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

Awards shows are great. You get to see your favorite actors or artists win for their hard work. However, I would like to assert that we never really think about the other side of that. With award show season in mind, it’s important to think about the system which gives awards in the first place. Continue reading “Whitewashing in Award Shows”

Helping Someone with an Anxiety Attack: From Someone with GAD

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

For those who don’t know, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (or GAD) is, as the Anxiety and Depression Association of America puts it, “A disorder characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things.” Last issue, Alexa Cherry gave a great article on Anxiety Awareness and I wanted to put my two cents in, especially as someone who has an anxiety disorder. Continue reading “Helping Someone with an Anxiety Attack: From Someone with GAD”

Gender-Inclusive Housing: An Interview with Em Rademaker

Kaylyn HaslundIf anyone has started applying for future housing, you may be seeing a new option at the bottom of the online application, one that has the option for Gender Inclusive housing. Now what that entails is being able to live with people of, well, all genders. We were able to get in touch with housing Resident life coordinator Em Rademaker and get their input on the new policy and how the staff came to making it a reality. Continue reading “Gender-Inclusive Housing: An Interview with Em Rademaker”

Viewing the Elephant Man

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

On Friday February 5th, the Sound and Motion series of this semester had its second presentation, “Viewing the Elephant Man: How Science & Commerce Reconfigured the Grotesque Body.” Professor Robin Walz gave the presentation on the life of Joseph Cary Merrick (1862-1890), who would later become known as the Elephant Man. This was done in conjunction with The Goldtown Theatre downtown which was showing the 1980 film, said film will be showing in other areas over the month. This presentation shined light onto both the man and the subject of how the modern age views the human body. Continue reading “Viewing the Elephant Man”

All-Gender Bathrooms on Campus: Update

Kaylyn HaslundBY KAYLYN HASLUND
For the UAS Whalesong

With the all new All Gender bathrooms having been brought up in last issue, I was able to get in touch with Title IX coordinator Lori Klein, who was happy to talk about the situation and give some information. Continue reading “All-Gender Bathrooms on Campus: Update”