Quick Review - 10 O'clock Live By Rob In late January 2011 the UK's Channel 4 launched a weekly news show based on the format of its widely popular "Alternative Election Night Live" (circa May 2010). The basic premise is to combine comedy with genuine current events, enabling it to be both entertaining and educational. Aimed predominantly at younger viewers, 10 O'Clock Live successfully makes news far more accessible to its target audience. Despite its value in this regard, it is concerning...

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How to make chocolate covered pretzel rods By Cassie (cynefin) Source] Chocolate covered pretzel rods are a relatively simple, yet fun treat to make for all ages. Pretzel rods can be easily dipped in any color chocolate and decorated with a variety of sprinkles and other baking decor. This article will give a step by step tutorial on how to make your chocolate covered pretzel rods into festive looking desserts. You will need

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 6 (December 2009). Socialism by Casey (Cas*) Due to a misunderstanding of political parties and past events, there are currently a significant amount of negative opinions toward socialism. Many people wrongly relate socialism to National Socialism, commonly known as Nazism; although National Socialism might have had some socialist ideals, it is also mostly focused on race, socialist is not about race. By definition, socialism boils down to...

Peanut Butter and Newborns By Brittany (.Brittany.) History For many years, mothers have been wondering if it's safe for babies to eat peanut butter while breastfeeding or to be around peanut butter, as it was unknown whether or not the newborns may have an allergy to it. A lot of babies don't develop an allergy until they have tried the food, and most of the time it's when they're at an older age; but sometimes they do develop allergies when they are still young. In the United...

How to determine your feelings By Cassie (cynefin) Sometimes when you're struggling with something, it can be hard to acknowledge or put words to how you're feeling. This can cause frustration or difficulty communicating with others. Here are a few things to try when you're coming up blank. Assign a color to your feelings. It doesn't have to be the typical "I'm feeling blue" or "I'm seeing red" either. If that's helpful, go for it. If not, dig deeper: maybe you're a...
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Curly hair care By Cassie (cynefin) Source]
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A review of Buffy the Vampire Slayer By Chess (Syzygy.) On May 20, 2003, the final episode of the television show 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' was aired. The episode, ‘Chosen’, signalled the end of its seventh season, and it remains a critically acclaimed program that remains popular with fan groups around the world. The franchise was developed in 1992 with a film of the same name, which has been described by the series creator as ‘a start, but it’s not quite the girl’. The intention with the...

Surviving the holidays as an LGBTQ+ teen By Sammi (Orenda.) The holidays are often regarded as a time of cheer and festivities with loved ones. However, for many LGBTQ+ individuals, this is not necessarily the case. Whether you're still in the closet and fending off questions about your love life, out and being misgendered by intolerant family members, or anything in between, even the most joyous of times can become difficult. While it can seem unbearable, it is possible to enjoy your...

Quick Review - Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide By Nat (Natsumi) Since the second in what is set to be a thrilling trilogy was released recently I thought everyone should get their teeth into the first of these amazing books; Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide. Jake Harker is a relatively normal teenage boy who knows everything there is to know about horror. You name it, he's memorised it; vampires, witches, werewolves, zombies, ghouls, everything. But what happens when his obsession...

Maintaining effective communication with your partner By Sammi (Metanoia.) One of the most common pieces of advice people offer when a new relationship starts is to communicate with your partner about topics such as boundaries and expectations. During those beginning stages, it's common for couples to talk about everything, big and small. However, as relationships progress, those open conversations often start to dwindle, especially regarding the more mundane topics like little annoyances....
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EMDR therapy By Cassie (Cassado) EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing therapy, was invented in the 1990s by Dr. Francine Shapiro after she realized side to side eye movements helped reduce the intensity of unpleasant events. It is most commonly used for (C)PTSD, addictions, and other anxieties. It is not widely known but it is increasing in popularity. During EMDR, a professional will ask you to focus on a painful or traumatic memory while you move your eyes from side...

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) By Brittany (.Brittany.) What is it? Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, also known as NAS, is a group of withdrawal symptoms that a baby is born with when the mom has taken certain types of drugs while pregnant. These drugs can include Heroin, Oxycodone, and Meth. The reason that the baby is born with withdrawal symptoms is because the umbilical cord is attached from the baby to the mom's placenta, which means when the mom smokes or does drugs, it makes...

Living with your abuser By Cassie (cynefin) Living with an abuser can be a very triggering and even dangerous time for survivors of the abuse. By living with the person who harmed you emotionally, physically, or sexually, you are being re-exposed to a possible major trigger. You are also likely to be in danger if your abuser is prone to harming you again. This article will discuss a few coping techniques to utilize if you are currently living with your abuser, among other things....

How to keep your pets hydrated By Cassie (cynefin) Keeping your pet hydrated is very important, no matter what the weather is. It can help to maintain your pet's health and prevent possible conditions, or treat ones they already have. Despite this, sometimes pets are finicky: it can be hard to get them to drink! Here are a few ways to encourage your pet to stay hydrated. Many pets enjoy moving water because of the sound, appearance, and the freshness of it. Try looking into a pet...