Honest about dishonesty by Robin (PSY) Why do we lie? Tad Williams once said that “we tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us.” We also lie when we want to profit from something, to get out of trouble, or to spare the feelings of our loved ones. There are many positive things we can gain from lying, but how does lying benefit us in the long run? The occasional “white lie” may not hurt anyone,...

The Tour de France By Brittany (.Brittany.) The Tour de France is an annual bike race that attracts bikers from all over the world. The race covers approximately 3,600 kilometres (2,200 miles), over the course of twenty-one days. For the past ninety-seven years the race has been held, but the course changes each year. Regardless of the course, though, it always ends in Paris. The race is broken down into day long stages, or segments. In the twenty-onedays of the race, there are usually two...

What is HIV and AIDS? By Casey (Casey.) AIDS. You've heard the term before. You have probably never thought of it affecting you. You have never known anyone who has AIDS, and you don't want to. You fear people who have AIDS. You may view them as unclean and dirty. But what do you know about AIDS really? Not much? Sure you know it's a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be deadly . But what is AIDS? How do you get AIDS? What is AIDS? Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS,...

Bake for Family Fun month By Amy (Amy.) Bake for Family Fun month began in February 2002 by the Home baking Association to encourage families members to spend more quality time with one another. Not only does baking create enjoyment for the family, but also teaches essential skills and knowledge to those of all ages. This includes motor skills (used when pouring, mixing and measuring), mathematics and nutritional insight. Hopefully, everyone this month can take some time to bake something...

Book reviews: Tweaked and Beautiful Boy By Maria (Gidig) Methamphetamine, you’ve probably heard the word, it's an awful, addictive drug. One young man unfortunately got addicted to it, and the books Tweaked: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff and Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff, explain the whole story. David Sheff is the father who watches his son waddle through the struggles of life. Unfortunately, once the drugs start, there is no...

Sudoku By Strider (Nat) The name of the game is Sudoku. You’ve probably heard about it, or even tried this puzzle out for yourself, but how did math become so much fun? Thanks to a retired judge by the name of Wayne Gould, this number game became popular in 1997, even though it has inspiration dating back to the late 1800s. Gould was able to create a computer program that could make the puzzles quickly, making Sudoku the perfect number puzzle to be published throughout newspapers and...

Technology in long-distance relationships By Traci (Coffee.) Technology has affected the way that we communicate in a variety of relationships. From reconnecting with old friends on Facebook to making new friends around the web, technology has changed the way that we interact. Technology allows long-distance relationships, from two lovers split apart by necessity to a couple that met over a dating site, to survive just as a normal couple would. Which apps are best for you and your partner?...

The argument for vaccinations By Traci (Coffee.) Vaccinations are considered one of the 20th century’s biggest medical success stories. Childhood illnesses that once were a common reason for mortality, such as polio, small pox, and mumps are seen as problems of the past in developed nations. Recently, skepticism about the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations has become a common concern. Because of this, fewer parents are having their children vaccinated, causing outbreaks of now rare...

The basics of dialectical behavior therapy By Anonymous Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a branch of cognitive behavioral therapy that deals with the theory of dialectics – two seemingly opposite notions that exist simultaneously. The basis of DBT is to encourage participants to accept themselves as is while still aiming for the possibility of change. The idea of integrating acceptance and change was paradoxical, and of course, dialectical, when it was first proposed in the 1980s by...

The basics of Pap smear testing By Cara (Khaleesi.) Getting a Papanicolaou smear test, commonly known as a Pap smear, is a very important part of becoming an adult as these tests enable doctors to find any abnormal cells that may be present in the cervix, or the lower portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina. These abnormal cells can sometimes lead to cervical cancer which is a big killer of adults aged thirty to sixty and the sooner these cells are found the easier it is to...

Supporting a loved one with cancer By Dez (Terabithia.) What is cancer? The two types of tumors that can be found in the body are benign and malignant: benign tumors are masses of cells that cannot spread to other organs or invade the surrounding tissue, while malignant tumors invade surrounding tissue and may begin to invade other organs if not treated quickly. The term “cancer” is used to describe malignant tumors. Cancer is a condition in which abnormal cells in the body begin to grow...

Understanding transvestism and cross-dressing By Jenny (coolkid98) A transvestite is someone who enjoys dressing up in clothes of the opposite sex. This is different than being transgender because those who cross-dress are comfortable with their assigned sex. There is a common misconception by both individuals and professionals that transvestites cross-dress only for sexual pleasure, but this is not necessarily true. If it is done for sexual gratification, it is called transvestic...

Discussing self-harm with a loved one By Kyra (Viridian) Self-harm is often a private matter, and letting someone in on something so personal is never easy. Feeling unsure of where to start, even when wanting to tell someone such as a family member, partner or friend is not at all unusual. Many self-harmers are afraid of telling someone for fear of them ‘freaking out’ in the case of a parent, a breakup in the case of a partner, or abandonment if it’s a friend. Here are several steps one may...

Life on Mars By Chess (Syzygy.) When people hear the term ‘Martian,’ they likely picture the type of image put forward in science fiction films and popular culture. They are often seen as ‘little green men,’ humanoid, or something so totally bizarre that their very existence could be questionable even if they were standing right in front of you. However, the idea of life on Mars may not be as far-fetched as it sounds, and it is an area of intense study and debate at the present time. ...

How addictions develop By Robin (PSY) Why is it so difficult to stop using some drugs, such as nicotine, cannibis, alcohol, and caffeine? Why does one person become addicted to these and other substances, while another person does not? How much of a substance needs to be used in order for an addiction to develop, and how long does it take for an addiction to develop? The answers to these questions vary depending on a number of factors, so this article aims to provide broader explanations in...