| The Owl Gazette |
| Issue: 36 Date: November, 2006 E |
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| How to Know You�re a Vegetarian
By Kiley Blaire Think that the roast at dinner is your only problem? Think again! We have uncovered the REAL traits that �Tofu-eaters� have! If you have ANY of these unfortunate qualities, please see Professor Snape or any Slytherin immediately for a cure! 1. Your friends nickname you �Tofu.� 2. You have evil kittens.3. You name the above kittens after sodas. 4. You spend all of your time reading up on fairy tales. 5. Your avatars scare the little children. 6. You have annoyingly blonde hair. 7. You went to Slytherin�s Halloween dance as Beauty, which is just misleading. 8. You claim that certain people are yours, when it�s so obvious that they�re not. 9. You make false accusations about your housemates. 10. Your name is Lorena Quietglass. Remember, if you have any of these symptoms, seek help! ((#6 has absolutely nothing to do with blondes in general, but one in particular, who knows who she is)) |
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| Top Five Snowflake Shapes
(Thanks to http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/)
By: Jennifer Kull (JUNK) 1. Sectored Plates Stellar plates often show distinctive ridges that point to the corners between adjacent prism facets. When these ridges are especially prominent, the crystals are called sectored plates. The simplest sectored plates are hexagonal crystals that are divided into six equal pieces, like the slices of a hexagonal pie. More complex specimens show prominent ridges on broad, flat branches 2. Fernlike Stellar Dendrites Sometimes the branches of stellar crystals have so many side branches they look a bit like ferns, so we call them fernlike stellar dendrites. These are the largest snow crystals, often falling to earth with diameters of 5 mm or more. In spite of their large size, these are single crystals of ice -- the water molecules are lined up from one end to the other. Some snowfalls contain almost nothing but stellar dendrites and fernlike stellar dendrites. It can make quite a sight when they collect in vast numbers, covering everything in sight. The best powder snow, where you sink to your knees while skiing, is made of stellar dendrites. These crystals can be extremely thin and light, so they make a low density snowpack. 3. Split Plates and Stars These are forms of double plates, except that part of one plate grows large along with part of the other plate. The picture at right shows all eight ways to make a split star. Split plates and stars, like double plates, are common but often unnoticed. You may have to stare at these pictures a bit to see how the two distinct pieces fit together. Note how in each case the crystals are connected in the center with short axles. 4. 12-Sided Snowflakes Sometimes capped columns form with a twist, a 30-degree twist to be specific. The two end-plates are both six-branched crystals, but one is rotated 30 degrees relative to the other. This is a form of crystal twinning, in which two crystals grow joined in a specific orientation. These crystals are quite rare, but sometimes a snowfall will bring quite a few. The picture at the far right shows a 12-sider where the two halves are widely separated. 5. Radiating Dendrites When the pieces of a polycrystal grow out into dendrites, the result is called a radiating dendrite (also called a spatial dendrite). The first example on the right shows radiating plates. The second example shows a fernlike stellar dendrite with two errant branches growing up out of the main plane of the crystal. |
| Top Ten Ways to Decorate Your Dorm
By: Jennifer Kull (JUNK) 1. Use a spell to make your belongings go wherever they fit. 2. Bring in a chest full of tapestries and make sure no wall shows. 3. Dry your clothing by hanging them up. 4. Toss hay carelessly about. 5. Meticulously unpack all of your belongings and make a special spot for them. 6. Create mounds of 'TO DO' lists and post them on the walls. 7. Hang Posters! 8. Show off your Collection of Muggle Items. 9. Fill the walls with cupboards and drawers galore. 10. Let someone else do it. |
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| 10 Things to Annoy a Half-Gorgon
By: Seraphina Rosehill 1.Tease her snakes with mice, dangling them just out of their reach 2.Refuse to look her in the eye when you talk to her, instead turn your back to her, hold up a mirror, and look at her through that. 3.Tell her that Professor Snape has NOTHING on Professor Lockhart 4.Threaten to tell Lego� oh I mean�. a certain elf, her secrets. 5.Ban all images of Johnny Depp from the castle. 6.Call her a Meanie Hiss Head 7.Feed Pop Rocks to her snakes while she is sleeping 8.Start a rumor that Johnny Depp hates snakes 9.Try to convince her that Hufflepuff is better than Slytherin 10.Ignore her when she wants to be the center of attention� which is all the time! |
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| Personal Opinion, a monthly update
By Lynexe Couronne So what might I have noticed during the course of these last two months? Of course you might have either seen me wandering down the corridors, with a sugar quill in hand and my eyes scanning across the castle grounds. Or for my fellow housemates, I have been sitting by the windowsill, contenting myself by the view from where I could dream on. But somehow, I have found myself waking up early to prepare, eating my breakfast with storms of students chattering around me, and heading directly off to classes, my books jostling in my side bag, only wishing to be freed from this labor. It�s now the time for classes, as the term has only started now two months ago and students are running late to their classes, fingers crossed for slipping past a detention. As have I. You might have seen me in your class, either occupying a table to myself, or maybe with another, if I am most fortunate. With these timetables, and such, one would think you wouldn�t have the time to stop and just appreciate other facts. I suppose, you might already know that this is where I come in and tell you that that�s clearly false. The first Quidditch match done and well played, with my dear Penshire house winning it, as I am surprisingly but not ignorantly, proud. The class lists growing larger by the day as the seasons are changing rapidly from our warm sunshine summer to a rainfall of autumn. To my point, some facts I have kept in mind and noticed. Anyone noticed the amount of rain we might have gotten during summer and the amount of beautiful summer days we now are having? Queer, but all the same, the advantages of coming to a magic school [Not that the weather purposely changes or anything. Some students have already been stressed out with their homework load and others have just seemed depressed. Of course, the aftermath of the previous Quidditch match might have stirred some awake, might yours truly say so herself, but it doesn�t last long. So for all this, what might the next months come with? Christmas is coming along fairly quickly, as well as our beloved new year. May I just wish all another peaceful day? This is my personal opinion, only. |
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| Thanksgiving
By Amanda Dasaro he Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland (The Netherlands) to escape religious persecution. There, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disenchanted with the Dutch way of life, thinking it ungodly. Seeking a better life, the Separatists negotiated with a London stock company to finance a pilgrimage to America. Most of those making the trip aboard the Mayflower were non-Separatists, but were hired to protect the company's interests. Only about one-third of the original colonists were Separatists. The Pilgrims set ground at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating. At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. But the harvest of 1621 was a bountiful one. And the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast -- including 91 Indians who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. It is believed that the Pilgrims would not have made it through the year without the help of the natives. The feast was more of a traditional English harvest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted three days. Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that wild turkey was part of their feast. However, it is certain that they had venison. The term "turkey" was used by the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild fowl. Another modern staple at almost every Thanksgiving table is pumpkin pie. But it is unlikely that the first feast included that treat. The supply of flour had been long diminished, so there was no bread or pastries of any kind. However, they did eat boiled pumpkin, and they produced a type of fried bread from their corn crop. There was also no milk, cider, potatoes, or butter. There was no domestic cattle for dairy products, and the newly-discovered potato was still considered by many Europeans to be poisonous. But the feast did include fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison, and plums. This "thanksgiving" feast was not repeated the following year. But in 1623, during a severe drought, the pilgrims gathered in a prayer service, praying for rain. When a long, steady rain followed the very next day, Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of Thanksgiving, again inviting their Indian friends. It wasn't until June of 1676 that another Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed. On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. It is notable that this thanksgiving celebration probably did not include the Indians, as the celebration was meant partly to be in recognition of the colonists' recent victory over the "heathen natives," (see the proclamation). October of 1777 marked the first time that all 13 colonies joined in a thanksgiving celebration. It also commemorated the patriotic victory over the British at Saratoga. But it was a one-time affair. George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, although some were opposed to it. There was discord among the colonies, many feeling the hardships of a few Pilgrims did not warrant a national holiday. And later, President Thomas Jefferson scoffed at the idea of having a day of thanksgiving. It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book. Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was proclaimed by every president after Lincoln. The date was changed a couple of times, most recently by Franklin Roosevelt, who set it up one week to the next-to-last Thursday in order to create a longer Christmas shopping season. Public uproar against this decision caused the president to move Thanksgiving back to its original date two years later. And in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as a legal holiday, as the fourth Thursday in November |
| Ze aftermath of Penshire�s first win; good?
By Lynexe Couronne So you might be hearing this all about, but who knew that after a whole year, may I emphasize WHOLE year of losing EVERY single Quidditch match thrown at them, the Penshire house would actually win their first match in the new school year?! Of course, it came by surprise, but not all in all, as the team had practiced effortlessly during the summer, after looking at every housemate that had signed up and choosing exactly who was playing on which team. Not only had the captains worked the team into playing the sport expertly, but they had learned to love it. Of course, the whole aftermath of the winning game had certainly stunned a couple of the players for a while, some housemates adding to that bit, but it had certainly not thrown off that fact that a victory party was to be thrown! Penshire, new and old, had joined to congratulate the team, including yours truly towards a certain friend. But all in all, the house was drunk on joy, with butterbeers, candies and of course, pocky passed around. With their first match done and won, what do you think the Penshire will bring on next? A well-chosen team, with definite good sport attitudes, the Cranes are definitely going to be a hard opponent this year! |
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| Cooking With Jenii:
by: Jenii Chang Ingredients: Tortilla Chips Pizza Sauce Mozzarella Cheese How To Make It: This is an incredibly simple recipe. Cook the Pizza Sauce as directed on the container. Put the tortilla chips in a bowl. Spread the pizza sauce on top and add the mozzarella cheese. Enjoy! |
| Top 5 Reasons That Are Bad About The Start of Term
by Megan Miller and Roxanne Whitez 1. More time devoted to homework 2. No more nighttime wanderings without the risk of getting caught 3. The possibility of not sharing any classes with friends 4. Having to get up early for class 5. NO more sleeping in, or risk getting a detention for sleeping in class |
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| Ruler of the world
By Ron Weasley I�m sure we�ve all wondered what life would be like if you ruled the world for one day once in your life. I went around Hufflepuff asking random people this one question: if you could rule the world for one day, what 3 things would you do. This is what they had to say. Maya Parker 1. Throw a party probably 2. Visit as many places as I could in one 3. Wouldn�t have time for a third one, I'd be too busy playing tourist Amanda 1. Have my cake and eat it too. 2. Sit in my bed all day, watch movies, and eat room service. 3. I would end the Iraq war and make myself President of the United States. Cody Black would rename America, and it would be called Hilary Duff XDDDD, and I would am... I don't know XDDD, I would rename Asia too and call it Cody XDDD, and I would get all the videogames and games and PC's and all the technology and put it in my backyard hohoho Ciria Cresentlight well, world peace, everyone with music talent will be accepted as a celebrity, and parents would be less strict! Kathryn 1. Take over Pads and take away our wonderful HOHs hair products 2. Make everyone have a pet ducky....they rule... 3. Make an international rule that April fools day is everyday! London Tipton 1. rule the world 2. rule the world 3. rule the world Zoey Taylor 1. Do away with broom closets. 2. Adore my pretty crown. 3. Order someone to train my tracking goats to become top secret ninja fighting goats. Jenii Chang I'd make a national chocolate day, and make sure we got school of, a national Jenii Day, and a pink village. Angus Montana well I would love to make a rule that we only have school threw Monday and Thursday! Then I would put more money into schools! Then I would make sure that everyone is safe Flowershine 1.create world peace 2.make sure kids have a proper education and 3.make sure everyone is respecting everyone Katlin Sawyer 1. I would make chocolate an official food group. 2. I would order all the rich people in the world to give at least 1/2 of their wealth to a special fund who's money would be used to provide for all the needy people. 3. I would make each country's government pay for their citizens' health & dental care (including medicines) so everyone can afford to have good health & there wouldn't be a need for medical insurance. Catrina Wolfe 1. Turn the world into a triple layer chocolate cake. 2. Eat it. 3. Go on a diet. Dakota Tallfeather 1.) Remove all materials that make bombs. 2.) Feed the world. 3.) Make it mandatory that all peoples have internet access and join a place like this to just have FUN. Jessie Matt 1. Show my muggle family what the wizarding world is like! 2. Get rid of Evil!! 3. Become an International singing star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Felicity Sullivan 1)I'll have people stop cutting down so much trees and ruining animals homes (and yes, I'd really do that) 2) get an ipod, my own computer, and a psp with games and movies. 3) I also would get another dog. Well, I'd be afraid of what Zoey would do if she was ruler of the world. Isabella Malfoy Well, for starters I would get a really sparkly crown, then I'd flip the food pyramid to make chocolate acceptable for multiple servings daily, then... world peace. So, as we can see, many people would do so many things to become ruler of the world. They really think outside of the box, don�t they. But I do agree with Felicity. I�d really would be afraid of what Zoey might do if she became ruler of the world for a day. *gulps real hard* |
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| Slytherin Birthdays
By: Seraphina Rosehill Again, it is time to celebrate the births of some wonderful Slytherin students. Be sure to wish these folks a Happy Birthday this month! Starting things off in the month of October, we Have Kelsey Neveah celebrating her birthday on the 12th of this month. Kelsey has been a fixture in Slytherin for well over a year, and is much loved and adored by the students of our house. Kelsey is a dedicated and true Slytherin, and we all love having her in our house and our school. Happy Birthday Kelsey, you deserve to have a wonderful day! Next, we have Joseph Knightly celebrating on the 15th. Joseph has been a Slytherin since the beginning of this year! He has started clubs and has contributed to our house in many ways. Happy Birthday Joseph, we sure are glad to have you around! Coming up on the 19th we have Phoenix Malfoy. Phoenix came to us in July and we have all enjoyed getting to know her! As of late, she has been quite busy and we have not seen her much, but we all hope that she will be able to come back and re-join her friends! Rounding out the month, is Amaya Dimir. Amaya also came to us in the month of July, and since joining, she has made herself known in the games and chit chat of the common room. Amaya took a trip and was gone for a few weeks, but recently returned to the delight of the entire house. Welcome back Amaya, we all wish you a Happy and Wondrous Birthday! |