Graphic by Chelsea Wood

Here’s What The Lumberjack is Watching, Reading, Playing and Doing

Some unedited recommendations and brief reviews from some of our staff
Translate

Some unedited recommendations and brief reviews from some of our staff


Life and Arts Editor Grace Caswell

What I’m watching:

Just finished “Tiger King.” It’s the most ridiculous and unbelievable show I’ve seen yet with a surprising amount of depth.

What I’m reading:

“Noam Chomsky” by John Lyons.

What I’m playing:

None :/

What I’m listening to:

Lots of new music is being released but right now Toro y Moi and Jhene Aiko.

What else I’m doing:

Yoga and meditation has been a go to as well as cooking healthy foods. Anything to keep my mind at ease and health immunity high.


Managing Editor Chelsea Wood

What I’m watching:

I’ve been watching the final season of “Schitt’s Creek” which has been a bittersweet reflection of the last five seasons.

What I’m reading:

I’ve been reading more of a book I started last summer. It’s called “The Spaceship Next Door” and it about a teenager who grew up in a small town where a spacecraft crashed years ago but never left.

What I’m playing:

Minecraft. I trash talked this game as a teen, but it’s amazing and I love creating things on it. It’s extremely entertaining and relaxing.

What I’m listening to:

I’m listening to lots of downbeat songs—music that soothes the soul with catchy beats. Just stuff to satisfy this melancholy phase I’m swimming through.

What else I’m doing:

I picked up an old hobby, basket weaving. It’s a relaxing and simple task that yields a useful item. And no that’s not a BS excuse, basket weaving is the shit.


Editor-in-Chief James Wilde

What I’m watching:

I just finished season three of “Ozark.” It’s a crime drama with superb characters and writing that had an unexpected depiction of mental illness that probably hit a little too close to home and (full disclosure) made me tear up.

What I’m reading:

I just finished “Why Time Flies,” by Alan Burdick, a fun little foray into the way we think about time. Next up: “The Glass Hotel,” by Emily St. John Mandel.

What I’m playing:

Call of Duty: Warzone with my brother and some friends. I hate the premise of Call of Duty and, you know, shooting people, but as long as I ignore that it’s lots of fun.

What I’m listening to:

Kind of all over the place, which isn’t out of the ordinary. Indie stuff to hip hop to alt rock to electronic stuff to jazz to whatever else. Oh, and random Tiny Desk Concerts.

What else I’m doing:

Walking or going on runs to get out of the house. Drowning in schoolwork. Lying on the floor.


Opinion Editor Alexis Parra

What I’m watching:

“Gentrified”- A show that hits home for people of color. “Tiger King”- A cult war in the world of big cats.

What I’m reading:

“Z: The Beginning of Everything”- the untold story of Zelda Fitzgerald and beautifying her life.

What I’m playing:

None.

What I’m listening to:

My playlist on LJ- All of my favorites songs and energy that I carry into one playlist. “La Platica”- A bilingual podcast where the host is funny and talks about dumb shit and real shit.

What else I’m doing:

Painting. Make-up. Face masks. Talking to my family. Getting creative while also taking care of my skin and keeping in touch with my loved ones.


Sports Editor Thomas Lal

What I’m watching:

“Drive To Survive,” a super fun look into the 2019 F1 season with the dramatic thrills and spills to match!

What I’m reading:

“Permanent Record” by Edward Snowden. An intriguing and somewhat terrifying read.

What I’m playing:

The Witcher 3. This game has consumed my life. Loving the story and exploring the world.

What I’m listening to:

So much music, mostly ska, punk and jazz along with the “Every Little Thing” podcast.

What else I’m doing:

Being sad without any sports to watch.


Web Editor Seth Finnegan

What I’m watching:

“Community.” The always funny comedy about students at a community college.

What I’m reading:

None.

What I’m playing:

Dead Rising and MLB The Show 19. Filling the sports void with hitting baseballs and zombies with baseball bats.

What I’m listening to:

The “Adventure Zone” podcast. Three brothers and their dad play D&D together.

What else I’m doing:

Learning to play darts. It’s very frustrating but very fun!


Video Editor Benjamin Zawilski

What I’m watching:

The filmography of David Fincher and Hayao Miyazaki, and “The Good Place” on Netflix.

What I’m reading:

Rereading “Peter and the Starcatchers” by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which was one of my favorite book series as a child

What I’m playing:

Overhearing my sister play Animal Crossing.

What I’m listening to:

The film scores of Mark Mancina, Alexandre Desplat, and James Newton Howard.

What else I’m doing:

Hiking at least five miles a day, sometimes up to seven, and have done a considerable amount of housecleaning.


Reporter Deion Alston

What I’m watching:

“Coffee & Kareem.” Cop dates kid’s mother and him and kid (Kareem) uncover a conspiracy of dirty cops.

What I’m reading:

Haven’t been reading books tbh, but a lot of news article pertinent to sports, COVID-19, crimes etc.

What I’m playing:

Fortnite and NBA 2K 20. Fortnite is a shooting game and 2K is professional basketball at your finger tips.

What I’m listening to:

For podcasts, I listen to “Up in Smoke” hosted by two former NBA players, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. It’s very interesting—great interviews and guests as well. For music I’m listening to a lot of Lil Uzi, G Herbo, Tory Lanez. So basically rap, hip-hop and R&B.

What else I’m doing:

I’m cooking a lot more—takes time up in the day. Do my 250 push-ups everyday and step-ups for some cardio. And occasionally throw the football in the drive way.


Reporter Dakota Cox

What I’m watching:

“Seinfeld” & “Empire.” “Seinfeld” is a wonderful waste of time. “Empire” is a must-binge, cutthroat musical.

What I’m reading:

“Hurricanes” by Rick Ross is a fairly generic success story in terms of rapper autobiographies. “The Alchemist” is an extraordinary journey of the body, mind and soul.

What I’m playing:

Animal Crossing; don’t ask questions, go pick up the game!

What I’m listening to:

Going back and forth between oldies and hip-hop, gotta keep the serotonin up. Michael Jackson, Bob Marley and The Beatles are timeless, go listen! Gambino got the best album of 2020, @ me!

What else I’m doing:

Slipping out of sanity; would not recommend. Get a mask-on walk in when the sun shows it’s face; I like to play a little game called guess the gang members.


Reporter Sarah Blunt

What I’m watching:

I just finished “I am not okay with this.” It was a really good show with short episodes that have a lot going on in them. 10/10. I also just recently watched “Freedom Writers.” That one was really good and empowering, also took place in Long Beach (where I’m from) so that was relatable (kind of).

What I’m reading:

“Looking for Alaska.” I’ve already seen the show on Hulu but I realized I had the book. So far it’s really good and John Green (the author) writes really descriptively so I never feel bored when I’m reading it.

What I’m playing:

None.

What I’m listening to:

Tons of music. Nothing in particular just going through my music apps and looking for things I haven’t heard before, or even music from shows i’ve watched that I liked the soundtrack. That’s most of what I spend my free time doing.

What else I’m doing:

Lately I’ve been taking bike rides alone just to get fresh air and not be stuck in the same surroundings. I never ride bikes but lately it’s just been a really nice way to get out the house but also keep my social distance from others. 10/10


Reporter Ivan Ramirez

What I’m watching:

“Castlevania,” the show. “Mewtwo Strikes Back: EVOLUTION,” the movie.

What I’m reading:

Marcy Burstiner’s Investigative Reporting Book.

What I’m playing:

None.

What I’m listening to:

Psytrance, Electronic Dance Music, Drum & Bass, Electronic Rock.

What else I’m doing:

Meditating, talking to people on Discord, Instagram.


Reporter Alberto Muro

What I’m watching:

I have started watching the Amazon Prime series “The Boys.” It has an interesting take on superheroes proving that not all of them are super. It’s a world where super heroes exist, now imagine their lack of empathy for saving people.

What I’m reading:

Currently reading through my textbooks so that I don’t fall behind on homework.

What I’m playing:

I am currently playing the remake of Resident Evil 3 which has updated graphics and character development.

What I’m listening to:

I am listening to the “Tinfoil Hat” podcasts since conspiracies take my mind on a wild ride

What else I’m doing:

I have transitioned from a student using critical thinking to an essential asset during a global pandemic thus turning me into a critical drinker.

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination

Major League Marijuana

Why I don’t think marijuana is everything it’s cracked up to be in baseball

Pigs Compost on Campus

CCAT tries to reduce HSU’s food waste footprint through new pig program