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The Appeal Behind Aesthetics

Pareen Cheema
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As you may have already noticed, the appeal behind “aesthetics” or aesthetically pleasing content is a major trend on social media and an important genre of content on many platforms. For instance, apps such as Pinterest have become known for their content that caters for the idea of aesthetically pleasing images for people to gain inspiration and create mood boards. Despite becoming very popularized in the last decade, aesthetics has always been an essential part of humankind and even has its art movement. Therefore, today I wanted to discuss why aesthetically pleasing content catches our attention and the craze behind it.

The Aesthetic Movement

The Aesthetic Movement was a turning point for the perception of art during the mid-19th century as it was established to create “art for art’s sake.” Thus, it led to changes in painting, sculpture, literature, and interior design while focusing on the pursuit of beauty and self-expressionism. In other words, aestheticism focused on representing what an individual personally viewed as beautiful, which meant self-expression was a vital element of this art movement. Majority of the art during this period valued craftsmanship, colour, and composition rather than using art to convey societal messages. Overall, the purpose of aestheticism was to be included in everyday life and not just confined to the different mediums of art and literature.

Notable Artists

There are many important artists and individuals who have greatly contributed to the popularization of the Aesthetic Movement. Some of the most notable would include Oscar Wilde and Walter Pater. Oscar Wilde is an important figure within this movement as he was a prominent vocal supporter and believed in the literary study of beauty by challenging classical literary structure. On the other hand, Walter Pater is known for his phrase ”art for art’s sake,” and he supported the artistic experience behind Aestheticism. He was also regarded as an inspiration to Oscar Wilde.

Aesthetics In Terms of Content

As mentioned previously, aesthetics has become a popularized trend on social media and has also had its involvement in business, fashion, architecture, and many more fields. Aesthetics has also become an area of study in school within design and contemporary art. Essentially, it has established itself as a vital part of modern society and is constantly considered when completing tasks at school or at work. In terms of content, there are a variety of aesthetically pleasing lifestyle videos on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube. As well as, aestheticism can be found in modern literature, more specifically in poetry. On social media, having a specific aesthetic allows creators to establish a “niche” audience and expand their audience by creating a distinct form of content based on their identity and self-expression. For example, a content creator whose aesthetic is Dark Academia can create posts regarding fashion, books, and art that relates to that topic. Additionally, an individual can use mood, tone, style to create a visual look for their content that separates them from other content creators. The appeal behind aesthetics comes from the fact that establishing an aesthetic that is unique to you allows your content to become more memorable for others and allows individuals to express their creativity while sharing it with other like-minded people. 

Different Aesthetics Popular Today

Currently, there are many different types of aesthetics, and they can be explored through the creation of mood boards or scrolling through apps such as Pinterest and Instagram. Aesthetics can be found in art, clothing style, and in images. Images have the ability to showcase many different emotions at one time and allow for each person to relate and perceive what is shown accordingly. Therefore, photography is key to promoting the different aesthetics popular today. Some of which include: Dark Academia, Light Academia, Cottage core, Monochromatic, and Alternative.

 

Sources: feature image/[1]/[2]/[3]/[4]/[5]

Another Immigrant Story

Penny Per Thought
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I can almost see it at the back of my mind. I’ve spent so much time watching everything that the image is painted into the soul of my eyes. The crevices of the mountains, the colours of the morning sun, and even the breeze that breaks the overwhelming heat occasionally. Perhaps I should paint it for the visuals, but I would never know where to start. Would I start with the overwhelming sturdy trees, from which the sky even cowers under their mystery? Or perhaps the mountains that are covered with thick forests that are scattered with colours of the homes that lay among them, the evidence of other life forms? Even the hardly tangible sky that softens against the edge of the million shades of green that are present, is a great place to start. But the paintings wouldn’t discover the specks of golden moments that can be captured. The details like the euphonious singing of the birds or the chattering of the grasses that held life so willfully that the sound still finds me on cold nights. No, perhaps not a painting could do it justice.

When I am there, I seek out the scene where I sit, eating away at the crisp apples that taste of ambrosia whilst taking in the heat as if it would never pour into me again. Some days, being hidden behind branches does not fill my thirst, I then seek out higher ground. Walking over the dusty trails towards the rock, where the view is impeccable, I climb the old walnut tree that lets me witness the mountains when I seek the comfort of greatness that coexists with the simplicity of life’s little pleasures. I sit outside most days in a sort of golden light that encompasses me in a tender warmth that feels as though it is surely no less than a trance. It has been the most becoming of all the places I have inhabited and that heaven of mine is also the hardest to reach: thousands of miles away is the place I call home and the other that I visit once every few years that embodies the “what ifs” of my life. To know that this was the land where my ancestors had settled and to come to the realisation that this was the very place that my parents had left so that we could find prosperity away from the limiting reaches of its borders is what leaves an everlasting impression on me.

As I sat bathed in sunlight, elated with the sounds of singing birds, I considered that this “what-if ” home of mine had once been my parents’ home that they left behind. The culmination of the life my parents had led in the crevices of this land only amounted to finding themselves overwhelmed in a land thousands of miles away that was not their own. Of where they were unfamiliar with the layout and the workings. Where summers weren’t blessed with the sweet mangoes and the trees that grew in their orchard. Where nights weren’t accompanied by the whispers of cicadas and the feeble croaking of the crickets that lingered amongst the tall grass. The life they had in Kashmir contrasted drastically with the thin mattress that lay on the rock-like floors, and the gas station jobs that were to feed themselves. Yet there was little room for pessimism. In the hopes of betterment for their children’s futures, away from the constantly struggling families back in Kashmir and the lack of security that left the people bare to struggling like not as many people to know here, they kept working to improve life for our family.

I know this about my parents because I witness it every few years when we retreat to that paradise for the summer. Every time I watch from the haven of my car when we drive down the rough streets and I witness the kids that beg for money outside, left without alternatives. I listen as I spend my nights hearing the gunshots and bombs whose sounds echo from the border where the other Kashmir fights for its independence still. My parents left the glimpse of paradise because under that beauty lay the horrid reality of existing in a land that would limit their children to fulfil their dreams, not guaranteeing any illusion of safety. It is something I understand and relearn every time I leave the bubble of privilege I reside in and witness the what-if of my life, of what could have been mine but what my parents made sure they did better for me. Kashmir is a reminder to me, something that helps me understand how my parents could be brave enough to choose a better life for our family and lucky enough to attain it.

Ode To Nemesis

Alex K
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Envy

is a silly thing

 

A weight on one’s back

stale breeze on one’s face

 

I hold you by Your waist

in my gental hands

look into Your white eyes

 

to be like You,

naive

Free

 

Such a silly thing

to hate

every essence

of my vile being

 

to look at You

an idol of virtue

and wish to Rip

to Tear

 

To whom do I owe this retribution?

 

not You

You who have done

no wrong

 

Not like me.

for I am the mortal Invidia.

 

Perhaps it is Your light

Your purity

each finger and curve

so wantly crafted

a true Persephone,

to my Hepaestus

 

It is my execution day.

 

Strung by my neck

feet dangling over a chasm

I look over my shoulder

towards Your divinity

 

Do You sense it?

my Hubris?

my Calm?

 

Fear not,

I am the doe

and it is You who weilds the knife

 

I am afraid

of You

of everything

 

They have tied my body to a pole

They chant for my demise

are You surprised?

 

I detest myself

though You may try to hate me more

each strand of greasy hair

every acid mole

who are You to say I have control?

 

What I envy

is not Your beauty

but that You are able

to want

to walk

free infront of heckling eyes

and be Unexceptional

 

to us monsters of the bush

in the lurking shadows of Your sight

such an act

is Incomprehensible

 

I hang.

 

Featured Image Source: 1

A Short Story

Jaida Chadha
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Sometimes you don’t know what to read. Maybe your browsing the internet. Maybe your bored on the first couple days of summer. Well I wrote a story all fiction and thought I’d share it. It’s a short story and it’s about love and revenge. I hope you enjoy it and it keeps your mind off the rainy summer days ahead of us!

Deadly love  

In the small town of Enhansia, a young maiden is perched on the window sill in the tallest tower of her royal family’s palace. The young maiden gazed out the window looking at the village just below her. Her gaze followed an attractive young prince whom she had never seen. A loud voice snapped her out of her reverie.

“Diana,” a voice sang, “your dress fitting is in ten minutes!” 

“I’m coming Mum!” She called back. 

The ball was later that night. It was being held due to her brother, the prince, proposing to his girlfriend. The whole town was coming to celebrate. While the whole family was excited about the ball, Diana was not. She was more than happy to have a sister-in-law, but balls, in her opinion, were just awful. In the small town of Enhansia, Diana felt as if she did not belong. She was the middle sibling to two brothers, so the focus was never really hers for the taking.

Diana made her way down the stairs. The red-carpeted stairs brushed her feet. Her mother, Queen Margaret, hated when she walked barefoot, she claimed it wasn’t proper. Her fingers traced the gold railings as she walked down. She was stuck in her thoughts again as she slowly took each step. A tight grip grabbed her wrist.

“You crazy girl get your little bum downstairs before you make your mum bloody mad!” the old servant said. Eleanor was the oldest of the maids; she had worked in the castle even before Diana was born. Eleanor had worked here for 30 years. Diana was only 18.

Diana was dressed in a flattering olive green silk gown for the ball that brushed the ground slightly. It had bell-shaped sleeves that reminded her of Eleanor’s cream puffs and a sweetheart bodice. When she twirled, it flowed around her like the softest cloud.

Eyes followed her as she walked into the ballroom. Of course. Her beautiful gown trailed behind her and her thick ebony hair was held up in a messy bun that fit the overall image. She caught the gaze of a man whom she recognized as a prince from earlier that day, though she couldn’t recall who he was exactly. He looked around the same age as her. She stared back but quickly caught herself and turned to face her family. She made a beeline for her mother to ask who that prince was. As she started making her way toward her mother, she spotted an unfamiliar face talking with her.

The face was of a king from the west. If her father were still alive they would be around the same age. The room was filled with music, dancing, and chatter which made it hard for her to hear her mother’s soft voice. 

Suddenly her hand was unexpectedly snatched by the mysterious prince, and she found herself on the dance floor. She smiled demurely. Her hand was on his shoulders and his on her waist. Their eyes locked. 

“What’s your name, love?” he asked in a deep mischievous voice.

“Diana,” she says confidently.

“Beautiful,” he says. She looks down at her shoes quickly, but right back up continuing their deep stare, “I’m Tom.” 

He’s kind, sweet and very attractive. Who is this guy? she wondered. Soon their dance was over and everyone was pointing and whispering. But she was swept off her feet and she couldn’t care about the people any less. Once she looked around and realized that the room was silent, she got butterflies in her stomach and her heart was beating a mile a minute. Diana looked at the prince and then ran out of the room.

The night sky was lit up by a bunch of stars and the castle lights. She walked to the garden, just as her old abandoned childhood swing blew slowly in the wind. She took off her shoes and threw them to the side. The grass was soft under her feet and the air was refreshing. 

The prince had followed her. He watched as she sat on the swing. She hadn’t seen him yet but when she looked up her soul almost left her body. 

“Oh gosh! Prince Tom, it’s just you,” she said as her hand slapped her chest.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just couldn’t help it, you ran before we could chat,” he apologized. 

“I’m sorry, I just get the worst panic attacks,” she looked down embarrassed.

“Hm, so do I,” he responds while slowly walking behind the swing. She looks at him so confused. He then starts pushing the swing. They spent the next couple of hours chatting and laughing.

They later sat down in the garden looking at the pond. A sudden silence hit them but got interrupted by a slow kiss.

Diana woke up in her room. She remembered the night, finishing with chatting and then running to give her brother’s wedding toast. She sat in her bed waiting for anything to happen. Her mum knocked on her door and then walked in. 

“Diana. Do you know who that boy was from last night?” She asks with her arms crossed and with a stern expression. 

“Prince Tom?” 

“Yes, him. He is the son of the worst royal family. You stay away from him,” she yelled and then walked away. Diana fell back into her bed and pulled the sheets over her head. 

Tom was in shock. Last night he danced with the girl of his dreams. He wanted to meet her again. Thankfully the ball was at her castle so she’d be easy to find. His father was in Enhansia for a certain business. So they were staying at the fanciest hotel. He walked to the castle just like he did last night. The queen was not fond of his family therefore he’d have to wait until she left. He waited until the queen left for the preparation edits for the prince’s wedding.

As soon as he got into the castle he ran upstairs to look for her. He stumbled upon a staircase that led to a tower. Assuming it was Diana’s he walked up the stairs. 

“Tom?” She asked while looking at him as he opened her door. 

“Diana, we need to speak about our family rivalries,” he said. She barely heard what he said because she was picking an outfit for the day. 

“Let’s go on a walk. We can chat there,” she said as she slips into the closet to change. She came out in a magnificent walking dress. 

As they walked out of the room they bumped into her brother and his fiancée.

“Diana, who is this? Why was he in your room,” Jayden, her brother, asks.

“Jay stop, he’s a prince from the ball we are going on a walk,” Diana softly says back. Tom liked that she talked so softly but still gave a sense of power in her voice. 

“You look familiar,” he says as he addresses Tom, “We’ll go ahead and be home by dawn.”

“Jayden! Let them go. You aren’t her father,” Emily, Jayden’s fiancée, said. Diana sneaks a quick smile at Emily then walks off.

On their walk, they chat and chat about nothing and everything. As they walked their fingers entwined and they held hands. 

A couple of months passed when Tom and Diana would go on walks and just hang out. They were nothing more than friends but both were falling hard for each other.

Diana, one night, had returned home a bit late. She had gotten swept away by Tom and his deep blue eyes. She didn’t have a curfew so she thought it would be fine. But as she opened the front door she didn’t acknowledge her mother sitting on the couch, so she slunk down with her back to the door. Jayden cleared his voice, startling her. She jumped back up. Jayden stood angrily by the couch. Emily just hugged her and then walked to Jayden. She noticed tears in both Jaydens and Emily’s eyes. 

“Where were you, Diana?” His mum asked.

“On a walk. What’s happening?” She said.

“You were with Tom, right? Well, he isn’t who you think he is,” Jayden says sternly.

“Jayden no! She can’t take it,” her mum yells.

“I can, tell me!” she insisted.

“Your little boyfriend is the son of our father’s killer,” Jayden says. Everyone just stood there. Diana fell to the ground, her legs jello. Her hands shook then she ran to her tower. Tears streamed down her face. Did he know? What was he going  to tell her a couple of months ago? She hated herself for falling for him. But she was in love and there was nothing that could pull her out of that. A knock on the door disrupted her thoughts. 

“It’s me, Emily.”

“Come in,” she says as she wipes her eyes.

“Diana, I am so sorry you found out this way. I can’t imagine how you feel,” Emily was always so sweet so Diana was unsure how Emily was in love with her brother. But love is love. 

“Thanks,” Diana looks out the window. It was raining, the drops were so big that they made loud sounds as they hit her window.

She took a second before saying, “I let myself fall in love after we danced. I have been swept away and I hate myself for it.” 

As night became day, she started to understand the truth. 

The next morning Diana was supposed to meet Tom in the little hideaway, where they had kissed. After she would get ready to go to the wedding. 

Diana felt tired because she spent the whole night weeping over a boy. She thought it was pathetic.

Diana walked downstairs and ran into her mum. 

“Where are you off too?” Her mum thought she was too hurt to even face Tom again. 

“Off to clear my head. I’ll be home in time to get ready for the wedding,” she says as she heads to the door. 

Even though it rained till 4 am it was sunny and dry outside. Diana liked this weather but today she couldn’t enjoy it. 

She saw Tom sitting on the swing waiting. Furious at him for sitting down cluelessly, she strides over while yelling, “TOM!” 

“Diana! It’s wonderful to see you,” he says.

“Don’t play me like that. I know why my family hates yours! Your father KILLED my father!” She yells.

“How’d you find out?” 

“So you knew! This whole time, when I was falling for you, you knew?” Her voice broke as she fell to her knees. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t know how to tell you, I’ll leave,” he says as he turns around.

She grabs his hands and says, “No, if you leave me you’ll be taking the best part of my life away. Stay.” She speaks softly and quietly tears streaming down her face. 

He gets on his knees, too, and holds her. 

For the wedding she put on the same olive green dress she wore to the ball. Her youngest brother couldn’t attend because he was on a trip with their uncle in Europe. It had been almost a year since they had last seen each other. 

The ceremony was taking place outside with a bunch of reporters, extended family members, villagers, and friends. 

Seeing her brother this happy, after he told her about her father, made her sick. Just last night they found her father’s killer and ruined her life and he’s smiling. 

During the reception, she had to give a speech. She wasn’t prepared whatsoever. She had to deliver it as if nothing was wrong. That was going to be hard.

“Don’t screw this up,” her mum says. 

She walks up to the stand. 

“Um. Today we witnessed the long-lasting love of the beloved prince and the amazing Emily. Emily, I am so excited to have a sister and have you in the family,” she was running out of things to say but thankfully the doors were shoved open. Shocked to see who it was, she was quiet. Tom had his hand running through his hair as he walked in. His eyes were only on Diana. She raced down the aisle to meet Tom and he embraced her with a kiss. 

He looked at her and said, “These past couple of months have been the best of my life and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.” 

“They have been for me too but everything is just a mess now.”

Margret, her mum, looked Tom up and down and then spoke, “So you’re the son of the man who killed my beloved.” She spoke in a stone-cold tone. 

Reporters shouted and raced towards them. Diana stood to the side feeling light-headed. Her brother ran down to talk to Tom as well. Diana ran to the washroom. She couldn’t take this anymore. Staring at herself in the mirror, she spots, through the reflection, Tom entering. 

Diana wiped her face as she turned to look at him. Her thoughts were mixed up. Sure she had a boyfriend or two before Tom but no one made her feel this way. 

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have come but after you left I wasn’t sure if you would want to see me again,” he said. “I just can’t let you go.”

She looks at him and walks out of the washroom and to the stand. Everyone who was murmuring stopped to recognize Diana.

 “Everyone is probably confused. The bride and groom are probably angry. But like I said before they showed us that love is love. And love is something you feel. That you wish to feel or to be. Loving someone is hard to stop doing, especially when who you love is by your side. When that person allows you to be yourself. And that’s the best and worst thing you’ll ever feel, love.” She glances at Tom and then back at the crowd. The crowd was stunned.

Her mother sat silently just staring into space with a singular tear streaming down her right cheek. 

Diana walked to Tom, grabbed his hand and they left outside.

See this story could end with the two walking by the ocean into the sunset and living happily ever after. If that’s the story you want you won’t be satisfied here. The rest of the story is filled with manipulative plots and things that will break your heart. They already broke mine. 

Tom was perched on the window in Dianas tower, watching the castle grounds. He had no idea about what was going to happen next. Diana leaned on the door frame, after the wedding, she longed for these quiet, simple moments. 

“Diana! Come sit, the gardeners are crazy!” he spoke softly with a hint of excitement. Diana walked over and stood with a hand on his shoulder. And a gun to the back of his head.

POW POW

It all happened so quickly. No one saw it coming. Tom laid on the floor with blood coming out of his head. Diana blew on the top of the gun as she stepped over the body, taking off a mask and revealing someone else.

THE END

Blessing in Disguise — A Poem About Change

Chloe Zhai
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The 2021-2022 school year has ended (at last)! This year has certainly been a wild ride, with many changes happening around us and in our lives. At least, the end of this school year is quite a significant milestone for me and everyone else in Grade 9 because it marks the start of high school! My poem below uses symbolism and allegory to define the true nature of change, and how perspective shapes how one is affected by it. Enjoy! (And on a side note, have a great summer everyone!)

Blessing in Disguise

Reflecting back on childhood memories,

enemies became friends; friends to enemies.

Revenge tag, grounders, and dodgeball fights,

flip through our minds in nostalgic lights.

 

Ending with final exams and PATs,

time seems to suddenly freeze.

This is when reality hits,

and the creature starts to prepare its toolkits.

 

Everywhere you are, everywhere you see,

lurks this strange creature, that decrees.

It paves the way for shifting seasons,

and mutations in evolution—often without reason.

 

So as the school year scrapes to a halt,

it ushers all to make amends with past faults.

Its presence is there as you shout your goodbyes,

urging you to finally realize.

 

And you do; you eventually do understand,

the situation that is at hand.

All this is inevitable, you see,

you just must learn to keep yourself at peace.

 

The last school bell rings, a waking call,

to those who rise and those who fall.

The creature gives everyone a piece of clay,

then it’s up to us to decide our fate.

 

Some may treat it as a boulder,

carrying it like a chip on their shoulder.

It weighs them down and slows their pace,

in an imaginary rat race.

 

But others, who are more audacious,

would be more than gracious.

As they mould it into resourceful shapes,

and wear it on their shoulders like superhero capes.

 

But the choice is yours,

and yours alone to make.

Is it really a burden, 

or an opportunity to take?

 

At the end of the day,

what’s bound to happen, 

you cannot delay.

 

For the creature with the clay is Change.

That is,

a blessing in disguise.

 

—Chloe Zhai

 

Source: 1

The Significance Of Steph Curry’s 4th Championship & 1st Finals MVP

Daniyal Sait
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Not long ago, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in 6 games to win the 2022 NBA Championship. With this victory, Warriors point guard Stephen Curry secured his fourth career NBA Championship, along with what was likely the biggest storyline of his performance – his first career NBA Finals MVP. However the magnitude of this feat goes far beyond the star’s updated resume. By powering the Golden State Warriors to the top of the NBA once again, Curry has established both himself and his team as those among the greatest in the history of the league. 

Steph Curry’s latest ring has opened up several areas of discussion, three of which are explored below.

The Modern Golden State Warriors Dynasty

This year’s triumph marked Golden State’s fourth championship in the last eight years. In addition, it was their sixth NBA Finals appearance in the last eight years; the last team to do so were Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls from 1990 to 1998. There are many more interesting statistics with regard to the Warriors’ historic accomplishments, but perhaps what is more worthy of noting is the fact that the modern Golden State Warriors may very well go down as one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.

Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with the the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics in game six of the 2022 NBA Finals to win the NBA Championship at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Individual Legacies Of Steph Curry & Kevin Durant

Let’s be honest – in all likelihood, both of these players will share the stage in the Hall of Fame when all is said and done. And while analysts such as Stephen A. Smith have seemed to love debating the ways in which their respective legacies have been altered following Curry’s 4th ring, it’s probably a better choice to simply appreciate their greatness while we still can, rather than comparing them. With that being said, Golden State’s most recent championship does invoke an interesting discussion. 

While Steph Curry has spent his entire 13-season career with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant’s career has taken a very different path. When it comes to loyalty, Durant is nowhere near Curry. In fact, right after KD and the OKC Thunder lost to Curry and the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, KD decided to join the team that had just eliminated him. After winning two NBA titles and two Finals MVPs with Golden State, Kevin Durant decided to make yet another departure, teaming up with Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets. In the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets got swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Celtics eventually went on to the NBA Finals, where Steph Curry and the Warriors would go on to win in six games. 

Here is what is interesting about the situation: Durant left Curry and the Warriors to team up with Irving. However, he faced a first round exit while his former team (Golden State) played against Irving’s former team (Boston) in the finals. Despite the loss of Durant, Curry and the Warriors defeated the same team that swept Durant in the first round. So, what does this say about each of them? Let’s take a look at some of their career accomplishments, in the context of the NBA Finals.

Steph Curry

  • NBA Championships: 4
  • Finals MVPs: 1
  • Finals Record: 4-2

Kevin Durant

  • NBA Championships: 2
  • Finals MVPs: 2
  • Finals Record: 2-2

All in all, it’s up to each individual to decide who they think is greater all-time. Those who favour Steph Curry praise the fact that he won championships before, during, and after Kevin Durant’s tenure in Golden State. Those who favour Kevin Durant center their argument around the fact that during the two championships that Curry and KD won together, it was Durant who won Finals MVP both times. And then, you start accounting for their loyalty, all-star appearances, career averages, and enter an endless rabbit hole that really has no definite answer at the end. So, as mentioned above, maybe it is wiser to simply appreciate the two. Or, if you enjoy the thrill of comparing legacies such as these, then Curry’s recent championship opens up many more debates with regard to some more all-time greats.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

GSW’s Resiliency & The Future Of The Western Conference

Finally, the 2022 NBA Championship says a lot about Golden State’s resiliency. It starts with the departure of Kevin Durant, along with Klay Thompson’s injury. Thompson would go on to face another injury during his rehabilitation process, leaving him out of the lineup for 941 days. Klay Thompson’s “splash brother”, Steph Curry, also dealt with an injury during the 2019-20 season, and the Warriors finished dead last in the league. Fast-forward a couple of years, and they’re back at the top. These factors are just a few of many that make their championship storyline so great, and they will with no doubt look to continue building on their dynasty in the coming years. However, the Western Conference will just grow tougher and tougher. Young stars like Luka Doncic and Ja Morant are on the rise, while players like Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray are looking to return from injury. LeBron James and the Lakers will look to rebound after a disappointing season, and overall, we’re heading for a pretty great ride in the upcoming season. All of these factors are just on the side of the Western Conference, too – stars such as Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East will also look to return to the stage of the Finals. As Steph Curry will look to win his fifth championship in 2023, the NBA Playoffs will be as tough of a battle as ever.

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The Hurt Locker – Best War Movie Of All Time

Sally Wang
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Introduction:

The film The Hurt Locker is an American war film released in 2008. Written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the movie displays the memorable events faced by units of veterans during the Iraq war. Director Bigelow uses specific techniques to emphasize the daring nature portrayed by the main character and how it impacts the tensions between characters.

Summary:

The movie begins in Banghad 2004, three soldiers of an army bomb disposal unit are in operation to defuse an improvised explosive device (IED). The unit leader, Matt Thompson, was killed by the overpressure of the bomb during this operation while he was still in the kill zone. Soon after Thompson’s death, a new unit leader replaced him. William James is shown to have a risk-taking and aggressive nature, this leads to various conflicts between the rest of the soldiers. His failure to follow protocol made his comrade soldiers think of him as reckless and many disagreements and incompatibility is encountered throughout the film. But the film also depicted James’s internal culpability and guilt when his unit was called in to assist the situation of a human bomb. A man was forced to wander into a military unit with time bombs strapped and locked onto his body. Inhumanity of the war is depicted by the brutality of humanity’s actions. When James failed to disarm the bombs on the mans body and was forced to flee, he turned his face towards the explosion of the bomb last minute. This scene provided the audience with extreme details and formed a representation of James’s guilt for not being able to save the man. 

What I Liked about it:

The director of this film used very shaky and obscure scenes throughout to illustrate the uncertainty and tensions the veterans are forced to face in addition to the burden of dangers. The frequent use of handheld camera scenes helps to display a lot of unstable moves, sudden pans and quick focus changes helps me to realize that the overall style of this movie is filmed in “documentary style.” Throughout the scenes in which the army unit is on mission to defuse the bomb, the establishing shots used by the movie to show the location of each spot is very unique. Scenes establishing the above types of situations use mostly wide-angle lenses, and most shots are usually taken from a high perspective like the rooftop of a building. I also adored the POV shots used throughout, especially with the techniques of having the audience’s viewpoints zoomed in to look through the rifle scope. This helps me as a viewer to relate more towards the situational conflicts of the characters and experience what they’re feeling. 

In addition to the use of strong music and sound effects, the film provided the audience with a tense and suspenseful feeling throughout. Music composers of this film used guitar, piano and violin in order for the audience to feel a sense of sympathy for the soldiers. The gloomy and unease music used leave the audience wondering the possible events that might happen and the dangerous environments of war many soldiers are forced to face. This film also used various unique aspects to further improve the viewing of the audience. Throughout the movie, almost every mission scene included certain shots showing the outside observers. The addition of the citizens of Iraq looking through the windows and roofs created a sense of uncertainty and awareness. This really helped to grasp my attention more into the film. The use of close up shots towards the eye of a human helped to illustrate the intense moments of the movie. An example of this is the memorable taxi driver scene. The shots cutting between the extreme zoom up of the eye of the taxi and the gun pointing at him magnifies the emotional feelings the characters are trying to inform the audience. 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this film really grabbed my interest and I love the main message the film portrayed in regards to “war is a drug.” The Hurt Locker presents a masterly reflection of the daily lives of many soldiers that’s still sacrificing their personal lives in order to maintain peace within a country. The harsh reality the movie concentrated towards throughout the various scenes showed the audience how war is a “drug” and many veterans abandon everything just to remain devoted towards their duty and job. 

Production notes and credits:

Studios: Voltage Pictures, Grosvenor Park Media, Film Capital Europe Funds, First Light Productions, Kingsgate Films, and Summit Entertainment

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Writer: Mark Boal

Music: Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders

Cast:

Jeremy Renner (Sgt. William James)

Anthony Mackie (Sgt. J.T. Sanborn)

Brian Geraghty (Specialist Owen Eldridge)

Christian Camargo (Col. John Cambridge)

Christopher Sayegh (Beckham)

References:

The Hurt Locker Film Analysis – Academic Master (academic-master.com)

The Hurt Locker | Plot, Cast, Awards, & Facts | Britannica

The Hurt Locker movie review & film summary (2009) | Roger Ebert

Expository Versus Interpretive Writing

Chloe Zhai
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From TV shows to novels, literature is present in every media type. Writing can be divided into two general categories within media; expository and interpretive writing. Movies, shows, plays, and/or books are all considered media. Expository writing conveys the author’s message directly, often using dialogue or narration to get the point across. This can be telling the viewer what the story is about or how the characters are feeling. On the other hand, interpretive writing is when some of these details are left unexplained. The meaning of certain events and concepts in the media is up to the viewer to decide. So, which form of writing is most effective in media?

 

PROS OF EXPOSITORY WRITING

 

1. Sense of fulfillment

Humans have a natural tendency to inquire and attempt to understand things that evoke our curiosity. This proves difficult to achieve with interpretive writing. We’ve all read at least one book with a “cliffhanger,” which typically ends with the fate of the characters unknown to the reader. With these types of books (using a technique known as interpretive writing), the reader is often left unsatisfied, confused, and most likely frustrated as well. Chances are, the abrupt ending ruined the reader’s entire perception of the book. Through expository writing, however, the reader is able to fully understand the plot, meaning that the ending will be understandable and logical. The reader will not be left with a plethora of questions and irritating what-ifs. Viewers are instead able to feel that satisfying sense of fulfillment at the end.

2. Clear communication

The whole point of media is to entertain or create feelings of enjoyment for the viewer. In order for the viewer to even judge the media that they have sought for entertainment, they must first be able to understand the plot and messages within the media. Expository writing achieves exactly this. There are fewer misunderstandings since the author directly communicates the point. Therefore, the author expresses their message more effectively and efficiently. This results in a thorough, reliable, and well-rounded plot. Again, the entire purpose of media relies on the type of writing that conveys its messages, and expository writing is able to execute this more successfully.

3. Eliminates opinion and personal preference

Creating an unclear scenario where the message is confusing can lead to misconceptions that are avoidable with expository writing. Children’s books are a great example of why too many viewpoints can be harmful in media. For instance, children could see the moral of Cinderella as an encouragement to disobey their parents instead of perseverance or forgiveness. If a book is too open-ended, the viewer may interpret it in a different way than was intended. People are influenced to a large extent by the media they take in, so when the point of the media is hazy, their outlook and behaviour in the world could be negatively impacted.

 

PROS OF INTERPRETIVE WRITING

 

1. Promotes thought and perspective

Interpretive writing encourages creativity and open-mindedness by allowing viewers to view the media as they wish. This is extremely important for children and adolescents, who make up a significant portion of media consumers. Interpretive writing strengthens the imagination, which is crucial for healthy mental development. Children can use their imagination to create fiction, while young adults can take their own stance on the topic while thinking outside the box. Moreover, media should not teach you facts like a science textbook. Rather, media inspires and motivates, as well as boosts creativity. Interpretive writing in media provides hints for the viewer to uncover its hidden messages and gives them as much information as required. Oftentimes, media has more than one interpretation, and interpretive writing propels these perspectives.

2. Offers flexibility instead of structure

The structure that expository writing follows weighs down the entire purpose of media. Again, media should inspire and foster creativity in individuals. By leaving some events and messages unexplained and open-ended, the material becomes more engaging for the viewer. Entertainment is, after all, the main motive of media. Diverging from convention, interpretive writing allows room for different viewpoints that depend on the viewers themselves. Media should not deliver facts like a textbook and should be open to many perceptions. Instead of boring the viewer time after time and providing an expansive explanation for every single event, interpretive writing allows the viewer to find joy in their imagination. Imagine the world of media if all there was is one scene, explained to the point of boredom, after another. Blunt realities replace all the interesting components that media uses to define itself.

3. Increases engagement with the media

Interpretive writing builds a deeper connection and relatability with the media. Rather than being straightforward, allowing the viewer to connect with the media on their own level is beneficial for both the viewer and the author. Due to the reasons listed above, interpretive writing attracts many. As such, higher profits for the author are possible. In addition, media is a means to let creativity and imagination run free and provide us with joy. Only interpretive writing achieves this, by allowing other viewpoints of the concepts presented. As humans, nothing is more exciting than the unknown, and therefore, interpretive writing proves to be of greater interest to viewers.

 

Image source: 1

Ice Cream Spots in Calgary That You Need To Try!

Gabrielle Cadiang
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With school being out for summer, the warm weather has influenced me to leave my house and not play video games all day. I’ve finally had the time to explore around the city and find more food places that every Calgarian should try! Now that it’s summer, an excellent way to beat the heat is to get yourself a bowl or cone of ice cream. Listed below are a few of my favourite ice cream shops in Calgary!

Village Ice Cream

Britannia Plaza - Village Ice Cream

A local, Calgary ice cream staple, Village Ice Cream has made it onto my list of ice cream places you need to try. With 10 ice cream flavours, seasonal ice cream flavours (which change monthly, yum!) and 4 locations in Calgary, Village’s menu is tremendous, even though it’s very small. They have vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options on their menu. Whenever I visit Village, I usually get their seasonal flavours; they recently had their ten-year anniversary (congrats Village!) and I tried their seasonal special flavor, Dunkaroos (the best decision I made). It brought me back so much nostalgia to when I used to snack on Dunkaroos constantly, I loved it so much.

Village Ice Cream has four locations in Calgary 

  • Brittania Plaza, located on 820 49TH AVE SW
  • Victoria Park, located at 431 10 AVENUE SE
  • University District, located at 4019 UNIVERSITY AVE NW
  • Bridgeland, located at 69 7A ST NE
  • Garrison Corner, located at 2406 34TH AVE SW

Made By Marcus

Made by Marcus

Made By Marcus, another Calgary ice cream chain staple. Similar to Village, they have their seasonal flavours and their staple menu flavours. They have 3 locations in Calgary and 2 locations in Edmonton, and they also carry vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. My favourite ice cream flavour is Malted Chocolate Honey!

Made By Marcus has three locations in Calgary 

  • Bridgeland, located on #121 1013 17th Ave SW
  • 17th Avenue, located on 1105 1st Ave NE Calgary
  • Hillhurst, located on 221 19th St NW

Abbey’s Creations

Abbey's Creations - Ice Cream Shop - calgaryplaygroundreview.com

I found out about Abbey’s Creations through some of my family friends and I’ve enjoyed going here ever since it was mentioned to me. As a Filipina, Abbey’s Creations carries Filipino ice cream flavours, like Queso, Sans Rival, Ube Pandan, Macapuno, and many others. I’ve never had ice cream in Calgary that had Filipino-inspired flavours, and this brought me a lot of comfort. My favourite ice cream flavour is Sans Rival; originally Sans Rival is a meringue cake with layers of buttercream frosting and cashews, but in this case, it’s in ice cream form. I am a very big fan of Abbey’s Creations.

My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe

MY FAVORITE ICE CREAM SHOPPE, Calgary - 2048 42 Ave SW, Altadore - Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

A quaint spot, I’ve been going to My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe ever since I was five. The portion sizes are massive and they have a large array of ice cream flavours. I kid you not there are so many flavours every time I walk into their Marda Loop location I feel so overwhelmed with how many flavours there are. My favourite flavour to order is hedgehog.

My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe has two locations in Calgary

  • Marda Loop, located on 2048 – 42 Ave. S.W
  • West 85th Street, located on 1114 – 8561 8A Ave. S.W.

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Calgary’s Hidden Gem: Ajito

Yuri Choi
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Last night, I had the pleasure of visiting Ajito, a Japanese Izakaya restaurant on McLeod Trail. With COVID restrictions being mostly lifted, it seems as if everyone these days are going out to eat. Because of this, restaurants are usually packed with people, and so noisy to the point where you can’t hear yourself talk. While Ajito was decently populated, it wasn’t to the point where I couldn’t carry on a conversation with my friends. 

Ajito is actually located inside Sho Sushi. This might be why not too many people know about it, as well as the fact that you must enter through a “hidden” door. This door is a replica of a coke machine, which makes the perfect photo location. Despite its underratedness, Ajito had some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. It also had very good vibes, not too crazy but just enough to get your spirits up. 

When I went, I ordered the Fisherman’s Bowl, which came with seasoned rice and assorted sashimi, alongside pickled daikon radish. The serving was quite small, but generously priced at ten dollars. They also have a small array of dessert options, but the dessert menu must be requested separately as it is not on the main menu. I got the Japanese tiramisu cheesecake, and it was one of the best tiramisus I ever had. 

For those of you looking to try a new place out for dinner, I highly recommend you visit Ajito. 

Sources [1][2][3][4]

Try a hand at Sugee Cake

Iman Alvi
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What is Sugee Cake?

Sugee cake is essentially the Eastern counterpart of your regular butter cake. Originating from Malaysian and Singaporean ancestry, it is one cake that holds a sweet place in my heart. Also known as suji cake, Eurasians often serve this cake on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and New Year. Considering there are numerous different variations of the sugee cake recipe, you can feel free to play around with different ingredients and amounts all you want, and with summer break finally arriving, what better time to try out a new recipe?

Ingredients: 

– 4 eggs 

– 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

– 1 cup cream of wheat 

– 1 cup melted butter 

– 1 cup of sugar 

– 3 tablespoons yogurt

– 1 cup of all-purpose flour

– 2 drops of yellow food coloring 

Instructions: 

  1. Mix the melted butter with sugar with a whisk or conventional mixer for 3-4 minutes. 
  2. Add in eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition of egg until it’s creamy and light. 
  3. Here, add in vanilla extract and 2 drops of yellow food coloring, and mix it until it is well incorporated. 
  4. Add in flour, cream of wheat, baking powder, yogurt, and mix until well-combined. 
  5. Cover and leave for 30 minutes.
  6. After 30 minutes, preheat the oven to 350° F. 
  7. Pour batter into a lined and greased cake pan and level the top evenly. Bake for 45 minutes or until skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. If cake is browning too fast, cover with foil during the last 10 minutes. 
  8. Remove cake from oven. Let cool for 5 minutes then unmould and leave on wire rack for 20-30 minutes until completely cool before cutting to serve.

I hope you enjoy the recipe!

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Texas Abortion Law

Jaida Chadha
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“My body, my choice!”

Many women have been protesting for many years. Now it has really come into shine, but why?

The bill

The Texas Heartbeat Act, Senate Bill 8 (SB 8), is a piece of legislation passed by the Texas Legislature that outlaws abortion whenever embryonic or foetal heart activity is discovered, which typically happens after around six weeks of pregnancy.

Texas passed the bill on September 1st, 2021. A little less than a year ago. The law is illegal in Texas once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Many women who have been impregnated in Texas, whether on purpose or by accident, face many obstacles. 

Rights

Women should be allowed to have rights to their bodies no questions asked. Today and this year the world is asking women and young girls to give up their rights to our bodies. No, they are taking not asking. Ever since humans defined genders women have been less than. Our pay, our jobs, and our rights. Women who don’t have homes or that are struggling are looked down at. We never know their full story. Due to this new law, many more women will be on the streets. 

Corruption

In situations like these, we are told to not speak out and to just deal with it. But just like other women, I’m done keeping my mouth shut. Many girls in school such as myself are not allowed to talk about this subject. In school topics like these are forbidden unless you are in human sexuality classes. So outside of that week we can not speak on issues that have to do with the rights of our bodies. I’m not just our governments that is corrupted it’s our society and our schooling systems.


What should we do?

As the young women of this generation and as the women of the next it’s our job to speak out to help ourselves and the women and girls who come after us. This is a real problem in the real world that affects us as women and as humans. I am not going to stand around while being told that the only time I get rights to my body is when someone violates those rights first. Because I and every single women and girl out there deserves their rights just like anyone else. So speak out. Raise awareness in your community and home.

 

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US supreme court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion rights

Lucy Choi
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The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday in a 5-4 decision. Roe v. Wade is the historic decision that established the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. As the result of the Supreme Court’ decision, almost half the states severely restrict abortion. Now, these laws will affect millions of people from the country, who may have to cross state lines to seek reproductive health care. 

 

Supporters of abortion rights immediately showed their strong opposing arguments through social media and protests, while abortion opponents praised a decision they had long supported for and worked to ensure.  

 

The majority opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito, who was joined by four other conservatives. The three liberal justices disagreed with the outcome. Despite not supporting completely overturning Roe, Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the majority to uphold the Mississippi abortion restrictions.

The ruling is considered an extremely rare move that completely overturned the previous Supreme Court case. As a result, political disputes that cause national division are expected to continue.

 

In places where opinions on abortion are tightly divided, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, legal status may change depending on the outcome of the election. Elsewhere, legal disputes may arise over whether an individual is legally able to undergo surgery in a state where abortions are allowed or to receive abortions.

 

President Biden criticized the Supreme Court ruling, noting that women living in states where abortion is prohibited can undergo surgery in states where abortion is legal.

 

Several Democratic governors in California, New Mexico, and Michigan have already announced plans to specify abortion rights in the state constitution.

 

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves welcomed the decision shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, saying, “We have led the nation to overcome one of the biggest fires in American history.”

 

“This ruling will have a direct impact on more children, strollers, report cards, and small-scale sports games,” he said adding, “Today is a happy day.”

 

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who has long criticized the Roe v. Wade ruling, urged supporters not to stop until “the dignity of life” is protected by law in all states.

 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the “Republican-controlled Supreme Court” had met the party’s “dark and extreme goals.”

She also emphasized that American women do not enjoy more freedom than their mothers’ generation. By asserting that this cruel decision is shocking and heartbreaking.

Concerns have grown that the Supreme Court’s reversal of precedents a long time ago could affect precedents that guaranteed other rights.

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Recreation: A Poem

David Shao
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several years ago i disappeared
behind a one-way mirror
as i stared into the past
with unkempt eyes
i gazed at the remnants of a fool’s trail
the surrounding dark comforts the stranger searching
for a place far away from
the bitter frosted track where
he was welcome
to come back and try again
yet try could not so easily try
with guilt ensconced inside
the light reflected away
and i was there behind
a screen of night
lay in flower
the disquiet beyond
had to suffer through for but
a glimmer of warmth
and it is only
to step before their reflections
now find the resolve
to live
to err
to fall
to triumph
to recreate life out of life
D. S.
Calgary, 2022.
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My Summer TBR List

Shraavni Patankar
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The month of June marks the end of the school year and the beginning of yet another summer vacation for many of us. While I believe that I have a strong passion for reading, I have not found enough time for this hobby. In fact, throughout the course of the school year, I have spent more time reading my science textbooks than the novels I used to spend hours immersed in. As a result, I have accumulated a far larger list of books for my TBR (To Be Read List). In today’s blog, I wanted to share a few notable books on this list with all of you and inspire you to read a little more this summer!

1. Circe by Madeline Miller

While I started this novel more than 8 months ago, I haven’t found the time to fully enjoy all that it has to offer. This summer break, I plan on restarting it while annotating. Hopefully, annotating and truly taking the time to enjoy it will allow me to reflect and enjoy it further.

2. Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas (Books 1 & 2)

Recommended by a close friend, I was instructed to go into the series with no knowledge of its premise. Therefore, this summer, I plan on reading the first two books that this series and truly understanding if it truly worth the hype.

3. An array of Colleen Hoover books including, November 9, Reminders of Him, Ugly Love and Confess

After reading It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover late last year, I fell in love with Hoover’s writing style. While I love reading YA fantasy, I had not experimented with contemporary. However, after reading her novel, I truly felt motivated to read some of her other books and broaden my range.

4. Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

After reading her Caraval Series, I truly fell in love with her character and world building. Since it was my  favorite series for a number of years, I was elated to hear that she had come out with a new series. Since this is the first installment in a new fantasy years, I am eager to read this book over the summer.

5. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

This is a book that will truly allow me to broaden my range and step out of my comfort zone. While I mainly focus on YA fantasy, this book is a collection of poetry and prose. While it is unlike anything I have ever read, I truly believe that this will allow me to experiment and truly find another genre that I love!

That’s it! These were 5 of the top books on my Summer 2022 TBR! I truly hope that this blog helped inspire you to read and gave you additions that you can make to your own TBR lists!

 

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Sources (Images): 1/2/3/4/5

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