As more grocery chains, such as Kroger and Publix, implement new limits on how much of an item you can buy at one time, hopefully this situation will grow more manageable. There is also an increase in delivery services offered. Whether or not stores set limits, though, depends on the state.

Panic buying is not a new phenomenon. When there is snow in the South, for instance, people stock up on bread, milk and eggs. In places like Florida, it’s practically an annual occurrence due to hurricane season. However, unlike a hurricane, there is not a definite end in sight, and this affects the entire globe. 

Let’s take a closer look at what panic buying is and potential reasons behind it.

What do we mean by “panic buying”?

In an email, Elmira Shahriari, Ph.D and Georgia Southern assistant professor of marketing, defined panic buying as “when a large number of consumers buy a product(s) in larger than normal quantities because of a belief the item will become scarce or increase in price.”

Something Shahriari also pointed out is that panic buying occurs with shortages or perceived shortages of a product.

Reasons behind panic buying might include wanting to minimize risk, people being driven by their emotions and feeling a sense of relief and control when hoarding, according to PsychCentral.

But why toilet paper?

Shariari said that obvious purchases were non-perishable food items, such as canned/dried food, as well as more pandemic-specific preparations, such as bottled water, cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer.

Toilet paper doesn’t fall into either category. So why did it become one of the most sold-out items?

“American consumers heard about toilet paper shortages in other countries that were affected earlier by the coronavirus,” Shahriari said. “When it was our turn to do our pandemic shopping, we knew we [needed] to stock up.”

She also talked about the role herd mentality may have played in panic buying all the toilet paper.

“While toilet paper is something consumers must have for weeks/months of self-quarantine, it is our herd mentality that led to the many YouTube videos we have seen of people buying toilet paper in mass,” Shahriari said. “These videos, and news stories on the TP shortages, elicited a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Shahriari pointed toward social media as increasing this perceived shortage and need.

“Seeing Facebook pictures and Instagram stories of the long lines at grocery stores or the empty shelves and aisles at the supermarkets compel consumers to pile up on necessities before they run out,” Shahriari said.

What are the problems with panic buying?

Aside from generating more panic, this type of consumer behavior affects the economy and supply chain.

Shahriari said that in this situation, suppliers are struggling to get the products back on the shelves as quickly as possible. In addition, she said that, in order to stay competitive, agile suppliers need to use data and develop models to forecast how the consumers’ purchase behavior will shift in the following weeks or months.

The pandemic is changing suppliers’ predictions about what consumers will need or want in the future.

“By incorporating data into the systems and analyzing models, we can also anticipate the next wave of consumers’ needed products,” Shahriari said. “For instance, recent research shows that consumer demand for hair color kits have significantly increased since people cannot go to salons due to the stay at home orders.”

Shortages can also lead to serious problems, according to Shahriari. She personally saw a post on Nextdoor asking if anyone had isopropyl alcohol to share, with the writer stating that they needed to sterilize the needles for her granddaughter’s insulin shots. Fortunately, many commenters quickly offered donations and alternative cleaning methods, said Shahriari.

Will placing limitations help the situation?

It’s not just toilet paper or essential items that have limits on how much one person can buy. Shahriari said that it’s notable that Apple Inc. has applied purchase limits on its products.

Placing limits on what consumers are able to buy in-store, from Shahriari’s point of view, has both pros and cons.

“On the one hand, it can decrease the overall consumer stress by increasing the availability of the in-demand items; on the other hand, it may create chaos by not providing clear instructions for the consumers about why the limits are in place or how some other shoppers get around the restrictions,” Shahriari said. “Further, having to make additional trips to the store increases contact with others, thereby increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

What can everyday people do to help the situation?

Shahriari said that, like the Nextdoor community offering assistance to the grandmother, Americans must work together in this time of need.

“Thinking about others when making purchases is only part of the sacrifices we must continue to make during this pandemic,” Shahriari said. “Those sacrifices include staying at home so that we can flatten the curve.”

Note: There is a widget embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's widget. ]]> /where-should-you-do-for-your-virtual-date/feed/ 0 9004 /conan-grays-kid-krow-soars-above-expectations/ /conan-grays-kid-krow-soars-above-expectations/#respond Fri, 03 Apr 2020 16:00:10 +0000 /?p=8820 Conan Gray just released his debut studio album “Kid Krow” on March 20, 2020, which has already reached number five on the Billboard 200. Perfect timing to help us all combat quarantine fatigue, right? 

If you don’t know who Conan Gray is, you will probably find out pretty soon as he’s gaining a lot of traction in the music world. So, read this crash course on this singer-songwriter and review of his debut full album.

Here’s a quick run-down of who he is and why you should care.

Conan Lee Gray is a 21-year-old California-born but Texas-raised Japanese-American pop musician and YouTuber who currently attends UCLA. Way back in 2013, he started producing music and posting it on YouTube. His YouTube channel now includes videos about his art portfolios, college advice, music videos, thrift store clothing hauls and more. He’s also pretty active on other social media platforms, such as Twitter, often teasing fans with hints about upcoming songs.

After releasing a debut EP entitled “Sunset Season” in November 2018, including the song “Generation Why,” Gray went on tour with Panic! At the Disco on their Pray for the Wicked Tour.

Gray has garnered attention from other famous musicians as well. On Twitter in 2019, Gray posted about his shock after BTS’s Kim Taehyung or “V” said in an interview with Rolling Stone that he was inspired by Gray’s music. 

MTV even went so far as to label Conan Gray as the “Prince of Pop,” according to Spotify.

Then Gray released his breakthrough single, “Maniac.” By January 2020, he became one of the most streamed artists on Spotify. “Maniac” has over 90 million streams on Spotify alone.

Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of Gray’s new twelve-song hit album titled “Kid Krow.” Some songs are based on the singer’s real life while others are based more on acquaintances or other influences, and all of the songs feature situations that are gender neutral so that anybody of any gender identity and/or sexual orientation can relate to the song.

“Comfort Crowd”

This beautiful, soft song is all about friendship and needing someone when things get tough. In this song, the speaker talks about saying he doesn’t need anybody when deep down he’s really feeling lonely. What he needs is comfort.

I just needed company now / Yeah, I just needed someone around / Yeah, I don’t care what song that we play / Or mess that we make / Just company now

“Wish You Were Sober”

This song has another relatable but poetic theme. The speaker wants someone he likes to like him back–and not just after a couple beers. At its core, this song is about longing and doubt.

I’ma crawl out the window now / Getting good at saying “Gotta bounce” / Honestly, you always let me down / And I know we’re not just hanging out

“Maniac”

Gray revealed in a Tweet that this song was his favorite of the album. It’s also based on an ex’s drunken midnight text. The ex told people that Gray was a “freak” who wouldn’t leave them alone. Gray said, in reality, the ex was the one sending strange late-night texts and showing up at his shows unannounced.

Here’s Gray’s statement on the song’s inspiration and the spooky Halloween-themed music video. 

Tell all of your friends that I’m crazy and drive you mad / That I’m such a stalker, a watcher, a psychopath / And tell them you hate me and dated me just for laughs / So, why do you call me and tell me you want me back? / You maniac

“(Online Love)”

This is one of two “interludes” in this album, indicated by parentheses around the title. They are short and meant to provide more context for those who listen to the album in order.

Surrounding issues involved with long distance relationships, such as with communication, this 37 second interlude begins as if it’s a phone call. The singer talks about their connection with another person but also wonders how things might be different if they were physically in the same place. The song closes with different voices talking about why someone isn’t answering them in a long-distance relationship until, finally, one voice says, “Delete.”

Quirky, but especially relatable for those on dating apps and in relationships where they’re physically apart.

You only pass through my city / Every once in a million seconds on a broken clock / Yet we talk like we’re living / Only miles, only minutes from another just around the block

“Checkmate”

In this angry song about a bad relationship, Gray uses the metaphor of chess to explain how he felt played by a past significant other. There’s a twist here, though, as the singer reveals what the past flame didn’t know: Gray is plotting revenge on the cheating partner. 

The music video actually features a guy and a girl both cancelling plans with Gray, but, when he follows them, he sees them on a date together kissing. 

Honestly, this one could pair pretty well with Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” despite the different genres.

’Cause I’ve gotten tired of the games that you play / When you tell me you love me then you throw me away / So cry me a river ’til you drown in the lake / ’Cause you may think you’re winning but checkmate

“The Cut That Always Bleeds”

This moody, sad track with simple instrumentals captures you early on. It’s about needing to say goodbye but finding it hard to do so.

The singer is having a hard time getting over someone who is constantly leaving and coming back in a push-and-pull, hot-and-cold way. The singer knows it’s not a good situation, but, by the end of the song, he still wants that person to stay.

The song even ends on an unfinished line, showing how it never really “ends,” at least not with any closure: Oh, I could be / Anything you need /As long as you don’t leave / The cut that always

Oh, I can’t be your lover on a leash / Every other week, when you please / Oh, I can’t be the kiss that you don’t need / The lie between your teeth / The cut that always bleeds

“Fight or Flight”

Another song about betrayed love, this chaotic song mirrors a past situation in the singer’s life. In the song, the singer notices his partner doesn’t look at him the way they used to and other details that point toward his lover cheating on him. The singer is in love with this person, but he says he would rather die than tell them that now or show how hurt he is.

You tell me it ain’t what it seems / But, baby, this is lookin’ like a crime scene / There’s clothes thrown on the balcony / And you smell like perfume out a magazine / I’m throwing all your shit outta my window / Telling you I wish we had never spoke

“Affluenza”

Detouring from songs about relationships, Gray talks about unhappy rich kids. Despite growing up in what he describes as a financially-challenged household, Gray said that he hung out with people who were “insanely rich” but also absolutely “miserable.” This song is about how money can’t buy happiness.

Crystal liquor cups and designer drugs / They say money “Monday can’t buy you no love” / But a diamond cheers you right up / Give me none of your affluenza

“(Can We Be Friends?)”

This 58-second track is the second interlude on the album–and it’s all about being desperate for a friend. The speaker begs for another person to be his friend, and the lines come off as very serious. The speaker never gets an answer within the track.

Could you be my best friend? / I’ll tell you all my secrets / I’ll tell you all the times / That I wish that I could die

“Heather”

This slow, moving and poignant song returns the album to songs about love. The speaker is in love with someone who is in love with a girl called Heather. The speaker expresses their pain but admits that Heather is an angel and much prettier. They wish they were Heather because she’s with the person they want to be with.

One fan loved the song so much that she wrote a companion piece from the perspective of Heather entitled “Sucks to be Heather.” Here’s her YouTube video. While the original never states any gender beyond Heather’s, this version shows Heather noticing her boyfriend’s attention is often on another boy.

I still remember, third of December, me in your sweater / You said it looked better on me that it did you / Only if you knew, how much I liked you / But I watch your eyes as she / Walks by / What a sight for sore eyes, brighter than a blue sky / She’s got you mesmerized while I die

“Little League”

A little faster paced, this song is less about baseball than being nostalgic about younger days. Everyone is telling the speaker to act his age, but he just wants to rewind back to the good old days before his friends moved and he felt like he could get away with anything.

When we were younger / We didn’t know how it would be / We were the dumbe, the wild, the free / Little League / And when we were younger / We wore our heart proud on our sleeve / Why did we ever have to leave?

“The Story”

The final song of the album also focuses on childhood and growing up as well as disillusion. Switching between third-person and first-person, the singer tells us stories: one about a boy and a girl who didn’t love themselves so they became “headstones on a lawn”; one about two boys who were best friends and wanted to be more but were too scared; and one about the speaker and his female best friend, how they used to want a better life and how he wonders if she’s all right where she is now.

It’s an emotional piece, and, according to Genius, one that Gray revealed was very personal and related to his own childhood. 

Despite the majority of the focus being on the pain of growing up and looking at the past, the song does have a hopeful note as the singer includes the following lines.

Oh, and I’m afraid that’s just the way the world works / But I think it could work for you and me / Just wait and see / It’s not the end of the story

Featuring a host of universal themes, such as needing comfort, longing for an unrequited crush or feeling betrayed by a lover, each song is meaningful and shows a slice of life for modern-day young people. The album is inclusive for everybody. While it doesn’t break any new boundaries, what it does include is done well, using distinctive lyrics and smooth vocals. What’s not to like?

If you made it this far, I think it’s time you gave “Kid Krow” a shot if you haven’t already.

You might not be able to head to your nearest bookstore, but that won’t stop you from buying these books from the Kindle store–or ordering them to be shipped. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle app for free on your smartphone. 

From feminist critiques to brand-new fantasy novels, these upcoming or recently published books will have you laughing–or crying. I pinky-promise to not to sneak in any books about pandemics.

“Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” by Mikki Kendall 

Genre: Nonfiction

Length: 288 pages

Publication: February 25th 2020

Kindle price: $13.99

Mikki Kendall is a new voice in Black feminism. In “Hood Feminism,” a collection of essays in which she draws on her own experiences, Kendall addresses how today’s feminisit movement has a glaring blind spot. Kendall argues that, rather than focusing on the basic survival of many, mainstream feminists focus more on increasing privilege for the few, which ultimately results in more women rebuffing the title of feminist. 

Food insecurity, access to quality education, medical care and safe neighborhoods are some of the issues that Kendall discusses as feminist issues, and she goes on to write how prominent white feminists can fail to see how things like race, class, sexual orientation and ability intersect with gender.

More details and reviews can be found here.

“The City We Became: A Novel” (Great Cities #1) by N.K. Jemisin

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 437 pages

Publication: March 24th, 2020

Kindle price: $14.99

Hugo award-winning and NYT bestselling author N.K Jemisin delivers the first book of a new series about five New Yorkers who must come together in order to defend their city. In this world, cities have souls–and a dark side. Some are ancient, and some are as new and destructive as children. 

New York, however, has five protectors. When an ancient evil stirs, they must rise to protect their city.

More details and reviews can be found here.

“The Gravity of Us” by Phil Stamper

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, LGBTQ+

Length: 314 pages

Publication: February 4th, 2020

Kindle price: $8.64

Two “Astrokids” fall for one another in this young adult novel by debut novelist Phil Stamper, who got his start writing Legend of Zelda fanfiction. 

Seventeen-year-old successful social media journalist Cal is used to sharing his life online, but that still doesn’t completely prepare him for when his pilot father is selected for a highly publicized NASA mission to Mars. After they relocate from Brooklyn to Houston, Cal meets sensitive and mysterious Leon and falls for him fast. 

Then secrets about the program are uncovered, and Cal must find a way to reveal the truth without hurting the people who have become important to him.

More details and reviews can be found here.

“The Herd” by Andrea Bartz

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Length: 336 pages

Publication: March 24th, 2020

Kindle price: $13.99

In this thriller from Andrea Bartz, whose previously published book “The Lost Night” is being developed for TV by Mila Kunis, The Herd is the name of an elite, women-only coworking space that prides itself on mentorship and empowerment. Its charismatic founder is Eleanor Walsh, who is also extremely private.

Writer Katie Bradley hopes she’s found her next book subject in Eleanor. Luckily, she has an in–her sister Hana is Eleanor’s best friend. As head of PR, Hana is working to prepare for a huge announcement from Eleanor that would change the trajectory of The Herd forever.

Then Eleanor vanishes without a trace, and everyone’s a suspect. As Hana struggles to unveil what her friend was hiding and Katie chases the story of her life, the sister must also face the secrets they’ve kept from one another.

More details and reviews can be found here.

“Deacon King Kong” by James McBride

Genre: Historical fiction

Length: 371 pages

Publication: March 3rd, 2020

Kindle price: $14.99

It’s September 1969. A fumbling, cranky old church deacon called Sportcoat shuffles into the courtyard of a south Brooklyn housing project, pulls out a .45 and in front of everybody shoots the project’s drug dealer.

At the heart of this book lies the reasons for this burst of violence as well as the consequences of the shooting. Award-winning author James McBride brings to life the people affected by the shooting: the victim, the African-American and Latinx residents who witnessed it, the white neighbors, the local cops assigned to investigate, the members of the baptist church, the neighborhood’s Italian mobsters and Sportcoat himself.

As the story deepens and the truth emerges, it becomes clear that the character’s lives intersect in surprising ways.

Click here for more details and reviews.

“The Last Human” by Zack Jordan

Genre: Science fiction

Length: 448 pages

Publication: March 24th 2020

Kindle price: $12.99

Humans normally fear aliens, right? Not so in this humorous debut space opera. Sarya, the main character, is the civilized galaxy’s worst nightmare: a Human. Humanity was deemed too dangerous to exist a millennium ago, but somehow Sarya, the last of the human race, lives and must hide her identity among the hundreds of alien species around her. 

After an encounter with a bounty hunter and a miles-long kinetic projectile shatters her world, Sarya must navigate the galaxy in a stolen ship and discover an impossible truth. 

More details and reviews can be found here.

“Chain of Gold” (The Last Hours #1) by Cassandra Clare

Genre: Young adult urban fantasy

Length: 624 pages

Publication: March 3rd 2020

Kindle price: $12.99

The Shadowhunters are back in an all-new series–this time set in Edwardian London. Cassandra Clare, nicknamed the Queen of Fantasy, has also written other series for her Shadowhunter Chronicles, such The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices and The Dark Artifices.

James and Lucie Herondale, the children of famous Shadowhunters Will and Tessa Herondale, have been raised in a peaceful London where demon sightings are rare. Meanwhile, Cordelia Carstairs and her family have traveled around the world, but, with her father under trial, Cordelia is determined to save her family from ruin.

But everything changes when the Carstairs family and another old Shadowhunter family come to London…and so does a demonic plague and a despicable plot.

Along the way, they will discover the cruel price for being a hero…and falling in love.

Find more details and reviews on Goodreads.

“The Oracle Code,” written by Marieke Nijkamp, illustrated by Manuel Preitano

Genre: Graphic Novel, superhero fiction

Length: 208 pages

Publication: March 10th 2020

Kindle price: $9.99

In this graphic novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and artist Manuel Preitano, Barbara Gordon must solve her first mystery: herself.

Before she was Batgirl, Barbara Gordon was Oracle. But before she was even Oracle, she was left paralyzed by a gunshot and entered the Arkham Center for Independence, where Gotham’s teens undergo rehabilitation. Now wheelchair-bound, Barbara feels something is amiss as she hears strange sounds at night and patients go missing.

But, with Barbara’s own judgment in question, could this suspicion be a result of her trauma? As Barbara pushes her fellow patients away in favor of ghost stories, she must battle her past before she can rise to meet her future.

More details and reviews can be found here.

Each of these books will stave off boredom, so treat yourself to some great reads this spring.

A vast number and variety of amazing women throughout history have broken barriers and soared to new heights. You’ve probably heard a lot about famous historical figures, such as Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony.

Here are some of the many women making an impact today to remind you that anything and everything is possible.

Aly Raisman

Aly Raisman is a 25-year-old retired American gymnast known who is a two-time Olympian. Both gymnastic teams that she served as captain for–“The Fierce Five” and “The Final Five”–won their competitions.

However, you might also know Raisman (along with others) for speaking up about being sexually assaulted by her doctor–resulting in his being sentenced to 40-175 years in prison on criminal sexual conduct charges. Raisman was interviewed by TIME and has written a book called “Fierce.”

“Over the years, I’ve gradually realized that confidence must come from within, not from others’ opinions, and that it’s impossible to feel satisfied with yourself if you’re constantly worrying about what other people think,” said Raisman in her book, “Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything”

Jennifer Doudna

Jennifer Doudna, an American biochemist, has many illustrious titles, including Li Ka Shing Chancellor Chair Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Whew. That title could be an article all by itself.

So, what did Doudna do? Well, she and Emmanuelle Charpentier were the first to say that CRISPR-Cas9 (enzymes that can control microbial immunity) could be used to be programmed to edit genes. Many consider this to be one of the most impactful discoveries in biology history.

“The power to control our species’ genetic future is awesome and terrifying. Deciding how to handle it may be the biggest challenge we have ever faced,” said Doudna in her book, “A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Chances are you’ve heard the name Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whether it be on thew news, in history class or elsewhere. Regardless of whether you’re for or against Ginsburg, she’s made history as the second woman ever to be appointed as a justice in the U.S. Supreme Court. Issues she focuses on include women’s rights, such as abortion.

She’s also a major pop culture icon, having been nicknamed “The Notorious R.B.G.” after her movie of the same name came out.

“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent,” said Ginsburg in an interview with National Public Radio.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is also a well-known name. Williams is an American tennis player who has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles. That’s more than any other man or woman during the open era. Between 2002 and 2017, the Women’s Tennis Association ranked her world No. 1 in singles on eight separate occasions. Pregnancy didn’t even stop Williams from breaking records, as she won her 23rd Grand Slam at eight weeks and at the age of 35. It’s safe to say she’s left an impact in the sports world.

You can find her numerous tennis feats listed here.

Her sister, Venus, also a tennis player, is no slouch, either: she became the first unseeded U.S. Open women’s finalist during the open era in 1997.

“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall,” said Williams said in an interview with The National

Emma Gonzalez

Emma Gonzalez’s story is a heart-wrenching one. She survived the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. At the time, she was only a senior. Today, she advocates for gun control and speaks out against gun violence. Currently, she is studying at the New College of Florida.

Notably, along with her classmates, Gonzalez helped organize the March for Our Lives protest, which occurred in March of 2018.

“So we are speaking up for those who don’t have anyone listening to them, for those who can’t talk about it just yet, and for those who will never speak again. We are grieving, we are furious, and we are using our words fiercely and desperately because that’s the only thing standing between us and this happening again.”

Gonzalez wrote in an opinion piece for Harper’s Bazaar

Mia Love

Haitian American Ludmya “Mia” Love was the first black female Republican elected to Congress. In 2010, she was elected mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah. Then, from 2015-019, she served as the Utah’s U.S. Representative. Love also joined CNN as a political commentator in early 2019.

“Regardless of the difficulties we may face individually, in our families, in our communities and in our nation, the old adage is still true – you can make excuses or you can make progress, but you cannot make both!” Love said in an opinion feature for The Daily Caller

Maryam Mirzakhani

Iranian-born Maryam Mirzakhani was a Harvard graduate and a professor at Stanford University who broke ground in the field of geometry. Her research topics varied from geometry to physics–including such specific areas as ergodic theory, symplectic geometry and the Teichmüller theory, to name a few. However, her most prominent contribution was to the theory of moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces.

In 2005, “Popular Science” honored her in their fourth annual “Brilliant 10.” Nine years later, as a result of her work with Riemann surfaces, she received the most prestigious award for mathematics: the Fields Medal.

Sadly, Mirzakhani passed away due to breast cancer on July 14, 2017 at the age of 40.

“I like crossing the imaginary boundaries people set up between different fields–it’s very refreshing,” Mirzakhani said, according to Aljazeera

Michelle Obama

Before she was the First Lady, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama worked as an associate at a law firm, where she focused on marketing and intellectual property law after graduating from both Princeton and Harvard. This law firm was where she met her husband, Barack Obama. In addition to being a lawyer and a university administrator, Obama also authored the memoir “Becoming.”

As first lady, Obama worked to raise awareness for poverty and to improve education and nutrition.

“Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own,” Michelle Obama said in a keynote address to a Young African Women Leaders Forum

Tarana Burke & Alyssa Milano

Rewind to 2006. Civil rights activist Tarana Burke coins the phrase “Me Too,” using the phrase in order to raise awareness of sexual abuse and assault in society.

Fast forward to 2017. Actress Alyssa Milano stumbles across the phrase and starts #MeToo, urging survivors of sexual assault to reply to her tweet with “Me Too.”

Thus, these two women worked toward raising awareness of sexual assault, freeing women to share their stories. Now, the #MeToo movement has exposed sexual predators in very high places, infamously including Hollywood mogul Harvery Weinstein.

“Me Too is a global community of survivors. It’s a mechanism for action, for empowerment through empathy. It’s about gaining power from knowing there is someone who gets you.”

Tarana Burke said in a speech at Colton Chapel

“I want you to know that also I’m working very hard, a lot of women are working very hard, to make sure that silence is not the norm for your generation…My biggest hope for you is that you never have to say ‘me too.’ But if you do, God forbid, if you do have to ever say ‘me too,’ I want you to know that you will be heard,” said Milano to her daughter in a video shared on Twitter

Rihanna

Barbadian-born Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a household name. Whether you know her as the businesswoman behind her fashion brand Fenty or for her Grammy-award-winning music, she has left an impression on popular culture. In 2006, she founded the Believe Foundation, which helps terminally ill children. No wonder Time magazine included Rihanna as one of its “100 Most Influential People in the World” in both 2012 and 2018.

“The minute you learn to love yourself you won’t want to be anyone else,” said Rihanna as quoted in this article by Your Tango

These are only a few of the many women making an impact on America today. There’s no telling what amazing feats the women of the future will accomplish!

Singleton is a post-baccalaureate recreation major with an emphasis in recreational therapy. Though she has only been at Georgia Southern since last January, she will graduate this May 2020.

Singleton wants to work as a certified recreational therapist at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and this summer she has an internship there. With recreational therapy, Singleton said they work with people with disabilities and illnesses and help them by giving them activities to help with their quality of life. 

While dance could be involved as an activity, Singleton said it’s kind of separate from her desire to be a recreational therapist. 

Singleton is also a certified personal trainer, so she would be doing stuff in the physical domain to help people out and get them back to the life they had before their illness.

Her previous bachelor’s degree from a state university is in communications with an emphasis in public relations. 

In addition to performing at Uncivilized Society, Singleton just joined Dyverzion, a GS dance team, as well as teaches hip hop classes every Wednesday at the Recreational Activity Center (RAC). She also performed for “Shine Black Girl Shine!” after someone found her on Instagram and asked her to dance.  

Singleton said her good friend and RAC coworker Jalease Turner wanted some great talent entertainment at Uncivilized Society, the fashion show Turner hosted and coordinated. So, Turner asked Singleton, and Singleton agreed to perform at the event.  

Singleton has danced for a long time.

“When I was three years old, my parents put me in little basic tap and ballet classes,” Singleton said. “And I just fell in love with it. I fell in love with performing in general.”

Singleton enjoys ballet, but she really loves hip hop, which is what she does the most.

Singleton said she dreams about dance sometimes. She said she dances because of the feeling she gets from just moving her body freely and that the music has a big part to do with it. Instead of listening to the words, she listens to the beat.

In addition to being a dancer, Singleton also choreographs her dances. She’s choreographed for going on seven years.

“And when I make up my dances, I always make up my dances based off the beat,” Singleton said. “And that just, really, it just makes me feel good. Like, dancing in general just makes me feel good. And this keeps me in physical shape, too.”

Singleton said Atlanta–where she’s from–is huge in the dance community. She took a lot of classes there.

She also follows a lot of famous choreographers on Instagram, such as Chris Brown’s choreographer. So, taking classes in Atlanta or looking at the choreographers’ videos or movements inspire her own choreography.

“I’m, like, ‘Oh, that looks kind of good,’ ” Singleton said. “And I just do it.”

Every Wednesday when she teaches hip hop at the RAC, she makes up new choreography every week to teach her students.

Singleton said her role models are her parents 100%. 

“So, my parents are my role models because they came to every performance I’ve ever had,” Singleton said. “They’ve always been there. Support me no matter what the situation is.”

She said she actually gets her rhythm from her dad. When she was younger, she liked to get in his size 15 shoes and tap dance. So, her father always brings up that she got her dancing from him. 

Singleton likes dancer Deja Carter, who just moved to Atlanta. Singleton said she likes Carter because she teaches quiet hip hop classes and Singleton really liked her style.

Singleton said something she’s had to overcome is getting denied a position to dance. She said that teaches her to just shake it off and keep moving but, when she does get a yes, to also be humble and grateful for that.

Singleton said dancing at Uncivilized Society was great. As she just came to the school and a lot of people don’t know her, Singleton said she feels like it was a great way to brand herself and get her face out there.

“But I really enjoyed it,” Singleton said, “and the crowd was great. Everybody was respectful and clapping.”

At this point, Singleton said she is used to being in front of a crowd. But she said she can honestly say it was definitely nerve-wracking when she first started performing. She has been dancing and performing for so long that, even though she does get nervous a little bit, she is more excited than nervous. 

“I’m ready,” Singleton said.

Lisa L. Abbott, professor in theater at GS and the director of “Godspell,” said the original plan was to perform “Jesus Christ Superstar.” However, not enough people auditioned, so the department decided on “Godspell,” as it had similar themes and called for a smaller cast. In addition, Abbott and the music director already knew “Godspell.”

Abbott said she’s usually working on a show six months to a year in advance–so this was a much shorter time frame, as rehearsals started in October 2019 for the show to open in late February 2020. However, Abbott knew the musical well enough that she was able to play catch up.

In “Godspell,” Jesus Christ recruits followers and teaches them various lessons through musical parables from “The Gospel According to Matthew.” Toward the second act, Jesus is betrayed by Judas and eventually crucified. Read more about the story here.

The theatre department will be performing the 2011 revised version of the hit musical. Abbott said the music is actually far more complicated than the original in terms of harmonies.

Abbott said they are doing the musical fairly traditionally. The musical will be set in a vacant lot in the middle of a city.

The musical began as a project by drama students at Carnegie Mellon University before opening Off-Broadway in 1971 and becoming a long-running success in the theatre world. Stephen Schwartz, a Grammy-Award- and Tony-Award-winning composer, composed the music for “Godspell.” Schwartz also worked on “Pippin” and “Wicked” and multiple Disney classics including “Pocahontas” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Abbott discussed what makes this musical special.

“I think one of the things about this musical is no matter what faith you come into it from, it creates a community for the cast because of the way they have to work together and a crew,” Abbott said. “A community for the audience that’s invited into that space with the cast.”

Abbott said that the play is not about the divinity of Christ but about his teachings.

“And all of the teachings center on love one another, respect one another and care for one another, be kind to one another,” Abbott said.

Abbott said that the cast and the company as a whole all come from very different faith paths–from very devout Christians to atheists to people who identify as Jewish.

Abbott said that “Godspell” was not chosen in response to last semester’s book burning event. But she also said that one of the things theatre is all about is what it means to be human, so theatre always is going to reflect back what’s happening in the society in which it’s performed. 

“It always seems like ‘Wow, so we’re doing this, and look at how that speaks to this thing that happened,’ ” said Abbott. “And sometimes it’s intentional, and sometimes, like this one, [it] just happened.”

Abbott said that, for the cast, it’s really bonding because they’re all on stage the whole time and giving each other focus back and forth–a kind of ensemble Abbott said is really wonderful to work in.

There are only two named characters–Jesus and John the Baptist/Judas. (John the Baptist and Judas indicate the same character in the musical’s story.) Everyone else goes by their own personal names. This means there is no one “star.”

“It’s really a pure ensemble work,” Abbott said. “Everybody gets a solo. Everybody’s telling the stories.”

Something else that makes this musical special is Abbott’s favorite part: the script is a rarity in that the playwrights have given those who produce the musical permission to adapt it to their environment. 

Abbott said that there are a couple of songs that just slay her every time, including “All Good Gifts” and “By My Side.”

The dances are something that challenged the actors, Abbott said. This is because there are not many dancers in the cast.

Abbott said her choreographer is a woman named Mathyn Miller, who owns a dance studio here in town, and she is really good at working with non-dancers to dance. Miller previously choreographed “Chicago” for the department a few years ago with non-dancers as well.

There will be all sorts of dance styles going, said Abbott. This range will include hip hop, soft shoe and gospel.

“It’s a good, fun evening,” Abbott said.

Godspell will open Feb. 27th at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday performance will open at 2 p.m. Student ticket prices are $10.

There will also be a scholarship night performance on Saturday the 29th, which includes dinner and a show as a way to raise money for freshmen scholarships.

The show follows three main characters, including the titular Witcher, called Geralt of Rivia, who journeys through the Continent, battling monsters. But, in this world, it’s humans who seem to be the worst monsters of all.

Geralt, our broody and taciturn white-haired hero, is played by Henry Cavill, who is also known for his role as Superman.

It’s a fantastical show, perfect for the void left in the hearts of “Game of Thrones” fans. However, there might be some confusing aspects that need some clearing up.

What is a Witcher, anyway?

Simply put, a Witcher is a man who has been purposefully mutated in order to excel at monster-hunting. A Witcher is immune to magic and part of a dying breed. For an unknown reason, they cannot be made anymore.

The Show

The first season is based on short stories preceding the book series that inspired the show (and that also previously inspired the video game by the same name). It focuses primarily on three main characters:

Geralt of Rivia, the mysterious Witcher.

Cirilla, nicknamed “Ciri,” the Cintran crown princess who witnesses the horrors of war.

Yennefer of Vengerberg, an ambitious sorceress who was treated cruelly as she grew up due to a physical handicap.

One thing that might be useful to know, however, is that this season takes place across three different time periods. Each of the characters’ stories start off at different points in history before finally converging. The show never outright states or clarifies this, potentially confusing aspect.

Something that is neither good nor bad, but simply up to your taste, is how well you like the video-game feel to this show. This feeling is especially strong in the fight scenes.

The Good

“The Witcher” engages you early on with its creepy monsters, smooth sword fights and its prophecy-centered mystery. It has all you want in a good fantasy series: romance and dragons, curses and wars, persistent bards and good versus evil. The characters are even pretty likable.

The comical bard, Jaskier, canonically sings the hit “Toss a Coin For Your Witcher,” which, while lacking in the best of lyrics, admittedly does have a great chorus.

There are also pretty strong female characters, from the main characters to major secondary characters like the fierce Queen Calanthe.

The show’s biggest strength, however, is its sense of mystery and suspense. Why is this world the way it is? How does each event play into what happens in the future? How is everyone connected? What does the villain want? When will they all meet?

Any episode, any character, could alter how the unfolding events will go down.

The Not-so-good

“The Witcher” is a good show…but it doesn’t really do anything to stand out from the crowded fantasy genre. The plot, while engaging, doesn’t break the general mold. Mysterious man with powers must discover his destiny? It’s been done a million times before.

It’s weird to say, but I also expected more monsters. And less nudity, as pretty much every episode features a naked woman without a lot of reason for it.

My final complaint, though? At eight episodes, it’s far too short. You’ll barely realize you’re on the last episode, as everything comes to a head.

The Verdict

If you’re a fan of fantasy who doesn’t mind a few repeated tropes when they are fairly well-done, then check out this show.

While everyone has their own unique sleep needs, the recommended amount of sleep for people ages 18-25 is between seven to nine hours per night. 

“Some studies report that 80 percent of college students sleep less than 7 hours per night,” said Dr. Brian DeLoach, medical director at GS health services, in an email, “while a study in 2016 reported the average sleep duration for a college student was 7.3 hours.” 

The American Sleep Association even reports that 50-70 million US adults have a sleep disorder. They also report that 37 percent of 20-39 year-olds say they have short sleep duration.

Sleep deprivation can cause a host of health issues. According to DeLoach, it can weaken the immune system, meaning you will frequently get ill, as well as increase your risk of developing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. 

On another note, DeLoach adds that sleep deprivation can also increase mental health problems, particularly anxiety and depression, and even creates anxiety and a feeling of being stressed out. You will have less energy, feel tired constantly and possibly gain weight. The fatigue and problems with concentration and coordination can affect your academic and athletic performances.

Taking naps or “catching up” sleep-wise on the weekends doesn’t work. 

Our brain needs regular sleep of adequate duration to function.

Brian DeLoach

Sleeping in and napping sets back your sleep schedule each night, which can lead to insomnia. 

Each of these problems can mean the worst for students. The college environment can be incredibly stressful, and losing a scholarship because of poor sleep hygiene could spell disaster for a college career.

So, how can students combat these nasty side effects and get a good night’s sleep?

According to DeLoach, here are 11 ways you can get deeper and better sleep every night:

If you’re still having trouble falling or staying asleep after trying the above tips, follow up with Student Health Services or your primary care medical provider. 

For information about Health Services on each campus, see https://auxiliary.georgiasouthern.edu/healthservices/.

This article was previously published in the January 2020 print edition of The George-Anne Reflector Magazine

Katie Pham, assistant professor of finance at Georgia Southern University, shared tips for how you can make the most out of a college budget and manage your money like a pro–and have some room to treat yourself. 

SHORT-TERM: HABITS

Most of these come down to one thing: forming good financial habits that will help you now and also in the future.

Spend less, not more.

Saving up a little bit everyday can add up in big ways.

“So, every day, say, for example, you can just go out and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to come into the coffee shop every day and get a cup of coffee,’ right?” Pham said. “That will cost you $5. And so, if you think about it, those everyday expenses might add up.”

She said that if there was anything in your everyday life that you feel is not a necessity, then you could cut down on expenses by finding a cheaper alternative for that thing. 

Pham continued this example to illustrate the point: $5 a day for a month, assuming the month has a total of 30 days, adds up to $50 per month on coffee. That $50 could be invested, adding to your savings.

Create and manage a budget.

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.

For example, Pham suggested prioritizing paying your tuition then buying required class materials, such as textbooks. This way, anything you spend money on later won’t impact your ability to attend class.

Pham compared financial planning to college planning. Just as you know what classes to take in order to graduate in a certain amount of years, you should know what kind of expenses you need to prioritize.

Utilize free services.

“So the university has a lot of resources for you, you know,” Pham said. “Computer labs, laptops. The library has a lot of stuff that you can use or check out and just loan for a temporary period of time. So make yourself, you know, familiar with what is available to you and how you can utilize that.”

She also included borrowing from family and friends who have tools or materials they no longer need as an option.

LONG-TERM: LOOKING AHEAD

Save more, invest early.

Pham said that if you can invest early on, then you will have more funds for later. So, by the end of graduation, you might have a fund to reward yourself with a new car, for example.

“Just by saving a little bit, it adds up,” Pham said.

Pham added this was about creating a saving habit for yourself that would follow you into the future.

Gain basic financial literacy.

Pham strongly suggested taking the Business Finance course as one way to familiarize yourself with financial matters.

“And that would change the way you manage everything in your life and will kind of change your perspective about investing in savings,” Pham said.

Don’t overlook scholarships and on-campus jobs.

They can be great resources to reduce the debt you’re racking up as well as help you have extra money to spend per month.

Look at the big picture.

Pham said that people get into the habit of thinking that because they are making money now, why would they have to come back to the university? 

However, Pham said to not overlook the future by just focusing on getting more money right now. She suggested looking at the big picture and what you really want to do for the future, as everything you do adds up to your work ethic and works to sharpen your skills. 

Figure out how to manage your student debt.

Pham said that something she feels that students are not really paying enough attention to is their student loans. She suggested looking at your loans sometime between the second and third year of college.

Some questions to ask yourself include the following: Do you have any debt? Do you know how much you’re paying in student loans? How much balance is on there? Do you know how to repay what you owe and what kind of payment plan it is?

Pham said, by doing early research on your loans, you wouldn’t get slapped with an amount of, for example, $10,000 and get freaked out. Also, if you have a job once you graduate, then you would already know what to do with that paycheck to reduce debt.

While it may be difficult, it’s 100% possible to live well while on a college budget. In the end, the key is staying prepared for the future.