Final Exams Written by Alejandro Neufeld The spring semester is barreling towards its inevitable conclusion. With that comes the dreaded final projects and exams that seem to sneak up on us even though profs constantly remind us about them. I may be alone in this sentiment, but at around the halfway point of March, I begin to yearn for summer, and the classroom begins to feel claustrophobic and stuffy. Especially after midterms, I can gradually feel my motivation for school to dissipate in anticipation for the 5 month period where all I can focus on is work, vacation, and weather that makes any day spent indoors feel like a waste. …
The Concept of Digital Minimalism Written by Alejandro Neufeld We live in a digital age. Our social, political, and professional selves increasingly rely on technology and the Internet. This is by no means a negative thing, as technology has made us more connected globally than ever before. Information about an event is shared within seconds of the event occurring. Technology is only becoming more innovative, as Apple recently developed an augmented reality headset that “seamlessly blends digital content with your physical space”(Apple Vision Pro: Guided Tour). But there is a flip side to all of this advancement. Because we are more connected than ever, we are also less likely to…
Leap Years Written by Alejandro Neufeld You have probably already noticed that this month’s calendar has an extra day this year. Most of us are familiar with the term leap year and have a grasp on the gist of it. To account for accurate seasonal changes, we add an extra day to February every four years and call it leap day. That is the short and sweet version of this phenomenon. However, the history and science behind leap years are exciting and deserve a closer look. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (2024), the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not a whole number. We perceive it to be 365 days…
The February 2024 issue is now available for viewing and download. Check out the digital issue. Some articles in this issue include: The Melioristthemeliorist.ca/
Slow Your Roll Written by Alejandro Neufeld Everyone hates to get caught speeding by a photo radar officer, me especially. It feels almost unfair—they set up a camera, then hide as inconspicuously as possible in an unassuming vehicle a few meters behind. It makes one’s blood boil, but those officers are doing a job, and starting this month, they will be out and about more frequently than we are used to. The reason for this is related to a new city by-law concerning playground zone speed limits. As of September 5th of this year, all playground zones in Lethbridge will have a new, year-round speed limit of 30 km/h from…
The Resurgence of Country Music Written by Alejandro Neufeld Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Sturgill Simpson, Morgan Wallen, Colter Wall. These names are becoming synonymous with country music in 2023 and have been gaining popularity steadily throughout the 2020s. The aforementioned artists are just a few of the names taking country music by storm. Throughout this year, many of the biggest hits in terms of streaming numbers and sales have been country songs. Songs like “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves and “Rich Men From Richmond” by the upstart Oliver Anthony have been and are still are dominating the charts. This comes after many thought that the genre…
When Should the Christmas Season Start? Written by Alejandro Neufeld Growing up in the United States, the holiday season would start in October with Halloween, continue into November with Thanksgiving, and then culminate with Christmas and New Year’s Eve in December. It made sense, and each holiday flowed nicely into the other as the weather got colder. You absolutely did not set up your Christmas tree before December 1st, and no Christmas music or lights were seen or heard before December either. October was about Halloween and the onset of Autumn, but the anticipation for the holiday season started to shine through. November was all about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and…
New Year, New Me? Written by Alejandro Neufeld 2024 is here, and along with a new set of numbers to write on the dateline of assignments, many use the new year as a starting point for developing better habits or cutting bad ones out of their lives. Logically, the beginning of the year would be the time that people declare their resolve to change something about themselves or their lives. We call them ‘New Year’s Resolutions’, and go on and on about how, this year, we will stick to our resolutions and finally better ourselves. If you gagged while reading that opening, I do not blame you, as I myself…
Rainy Musings Written by Alejandro Neufeld Pitter patter goes the rain on the roof. Gentle sighs escape from your lonely bed. You try to relax but all effort’s moot. The coming day never fails to bring dread. You think of all the places you’ve not been, and of every person you’ve avoided. That person could have been more than a friend. But for you, happiness must be voided. You take a pill that will supposedly help you sleep. Instead, it makes you aware of how lonely you seem to always be. Your isolation will never be shared. The rain has stopped, but the storm clouds inside have erupted into a…
Sleep, that Cruel Maiden Written by Alejandro Neufeld Sleep is a maiden whose embrace eludes, my longing cries and desperate whispers. As minutes become hours I’m forced to choose, but my choice is wrong and my mind blisters Perhaps there’s a divine reason for this, a great discovery stumbled upon. I can feel it just like a nagging itch. No, no wait! I had it, now it’s long gone. Morning dew arrives and birdsong begins. Hopes of a restful night evaporate. Sleep is a maiden whose games I can’t win. Her mocking voice echoes within my brain. I wrote this to try and bargain with her. Alas, her cold shoulder…
