By Noah Pond

Recently, I went down to the Bay Area and every bathroom in San Francisco might as well be fully automated. You don’t get to decide how much soap you get, you can only get two measly pieces of paper towel — hell, you don’t even get to flush the damn toilet yourself these days. I think automated shit sucks. 

I think this is a huge issue in our culture today — LeT’s AuToMaTe eVeRyThInG. Let’s just have little sensor robots do all of our most simple tasks. I’m all for a flying car future and all that b.s., but come on — a little robot that vacuums your house for you? Like, we are one mistake away from a Black Mirror episode where your Roomba is so sick of picking up after you that it just slimes you out. 

I guess the reason all the devices in the bathroom are automated is to make it so people are less wasteful, but at what cost? Wet hands when you leave the bathroom? God forbid I walk past the homie and have to give them a soggy dap-up. Half dirty hands from the slightest little dollop of soap? Even worse. Toilet water that splashes your asshole because the censor thought you were done? This ain’t France, and I don’t need doodoo water spraying me where the sun don’t shine.

Those automatic faucets are pretty buns too; how many times have you stood at a bathroom sink lathering your hands with soap and the water just never comes out? I’m always like, ‘any second now and I’ll be making sudz!’ But it’s not until you put your hand right on the wet little knob of the faucet that you get some action, so what’s the point? 

How ‘bout automated lights? There’s this bathroom I use on campus fairly often, and if you go take a shit in there — yes I shit on campus, I am not a coward — after about five minutes, the light turns off because it doesn’t sense you sitting there dropping wolf bait. It leaves you pawing around in the dark and that is just not ideal. On the other hand, those lights that turn onand-off when you clap are pretty sick, but still just as efficient as flipping a switch.

I just feel like if we keep automating these little things, we’re gonna end up like the humans in Wall-E. Like, where does this end? A toilet paper dispenser that only gives four or five squares? A nail clipper built into your bathroom counter? Or maybe a robot that wipes my ass for me and tells me I oughta eat more fiber?

I just miss OG public bathroom experiences. Let me decide how much soap I need, not some fuck ass little sensor. And don’t even get me started on that damn Samsung fridge…

Noah Pond is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt and the Layout Editor of the Lumberjack. When  he’s not dishing designs, he can be found with a skateboard or at the Manilla Community Park disc golf course.

by Kaylon Coleman

Whether you’ve been keeping up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) lately or not, you’re probably familiar with its recent inconsistencies in quality. It feels like the company’s only hitting 50% from the free throw. Each release flip flops from practically peak to just god awful, with a good bit of mid-tier cinema sprinkled throughout. Well, the tides have shifted into our favor once more. I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t watch Wonder Man because it’s a good MCU show, you should watch Wonder Man because it’s a great show in its own right. 

What originally began as a potential tax write-off has turned into so much more. The eight episode series was released on Jan. 27, and unlike most shows under the Disney+ catalogue, it became the second show to drop all episodes at once, after Echo in January of 2024. Although I believe Disney did this as a result of little faith in the show’s success, I believe it worked out in their favor, as Wonder Man is extremely bingeable and just wouldn’t benefit from that week-by-week schedule as much as other shows have. 

The show follows Simon Williams, a struggling actor with superpowers who is determined to be cast in his dream role —  played amazingly by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. He mostly shares the screen alongside Ben Kingsley, who reprises his role as Trevor Slattery, the actor who pretended to be the Mandarin in Iron Man 3 and also appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. This duo surprisingly shares an onscreen chemistry like no other. 

Besides both lead actors absolutely killing it in their roles, this show sets itself  apart from the other MCU shows because it understands how to focus on the characters first, and the action second. Simon isn’t a hero or a vigilante crime fighter like other Marvel characters; he’s an actor who happens to have superpowers. The show focuses much more on personal identity and ambition than it does sci-fi and villainy. In fact, I think the weakest parts of the show come from the times it tries to connect back to the grander MCU lore — Mandarin scenes not included.

Another key factor in what makes this show stand apart is how grounded it is. It’s so fresh, and so stand alone — it’s like a breath of fresh air in contrast to everything that’s been coming out of the Marvel pipeline as of late. Whether you’ve been a fan of Marvel, or you know nothing about it, any person could watch this show and enjoy it for what it is with no preexisting knowledge.

Wonder Man is a reminder that there may still be hope for Marvel. When writers come together to actually make a piece of art that is intentional and heartful, high quality is still possible. The director, Destin Daniel Cretton, is also set to direct the next Spider-Man movie, so if he approaches that movie with a sliver of the heart he put into this project, I think we’ll be okay. And may Josh Gad be at peace wherever he is.

Kaylon Coleman is a senior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in communications. He is the life and arts editor for LJ and vice president of the Black Student Union, Marketing and Communications lead for the Umoja Center and a part-time radio DJ and merch manager for KRFH. If you have a topic you want him to discuss, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu.

by Alba Galvan

As a Latina woman who loves chisme — gossip, for my non-Spanish speakers —  you can only imagine how intrigued I was when my roommate, Violet Nunez-Rojas, introduced me to reality TV this semester. 

At first, I was confused as to why people would enjoy watching a day-to-day show with the same characters and plot line. But then, I found myself two episodes deep into Jersey Shore and I was instantly hooked. Then, after only three days, I managed to consume up to four seasons. I was addicted. 

“I think I like reality TV because it’s real. They didn’t censor anything, it was all raw, real human emotions back then,” Nunez-Rojas said. 

Shows like Love Island and Survivor, where a new episode is released every day, are what draw people in. Classics, like Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Real Housewives and Jersey Shore are the juicy shows filled with the best drama and raw, real emotion.

I feel like what really pulls viewers in is watching the relatable emotions of reality TV characters and getting to watch it all play out from the comfort of our own homes. I’ve come to realize that my For You Page on TikTok is filled with influencer drama, specifically streamers. 

The only thing I dislike about watching streamers is that they can be on for up to five hours — sometimes longer — and only 30 minutes of it will be entertaining. At that point, I’d rather watch clips on TikTok with all the comments filling me in on the gossip. 

In a way, it’s like streamers took the concept of day-to-day reality TV into their own hands, broadcasting their daily lives to viewers. Popular streamers like Wendy Ortiz, Neon, Kai Cenat, and many others give viewers a constant scope into  their lives. Streams are usually free with a few ads here and there depending on what platform they use — typically Twitch — but many viewers pay streamers as a form of supporting someone who regularly entertains them, like a subscription. Viewers feel a connection with streamers this way. It helps streamers interact with their audience by reading comments and sharing parts of their daily lives. For some viewers, it also brings a sense of belonging within the streamer community. 

Jaleena Alvarado is a student at Loyola Marymount University majoring in forensic science. She often spends her time watching streamers because of its authenticity.

“You’re seeing people react in real time, build communities, and create spaces where viewers feel included instead of just entertained,” Alvarado said. “Having a blend of social connection and entertainment makes it more immersive.” 

I think both reality TV and streaming are interesting concepts, especially because of how many views they attract, and I am one of those viewers. I love my drama, and they both equally supply me with it. 

Alba she/her, LumberJack reporter. Journalism major who loves to read and write. She’s very passionate about sharing and listening to different opinions and loves self-expression. Contact email: agg83@humboldt.edu 

by Alba Galvan

Books are often created as a way for people to escape reality or reduce stress, but what most don’t realize is that books are also there as a way to be self-expressive and learn new things about yourself. 

A common misconception people have about erotica is that it’s just pornography, but in words – it’s not. Erotica is mainly deep storytelling that explores intimacy, relationships and personal desire with the help of sex as a way to bridge human connection. For example, pornography is aimed at sexual arousal and immediate gratification; whereas, reading it allows readers to enter characters’ thoughts and feelings, creating a more meaningful outlet for exploration, as it encourages people to actively engage with desire rather than passively consume it. 

Everyone has their own comfort zones, so this isn’t meant to push anyone, but have you ever wondered about sexual desires you’re too scared to personally try or look up online? Maybe you might not even know what to look up, but are curious about it. Well, books are a way to safely explore desires, intimacy and connections. 

Erotica in books can differ; romance books are more on the lighter side, whereas dark romance introduces a more explorative side of sex that also touches on subjects like psychological or taboo relationships, characters who have experienced trauma and abuse. Some books are in between, but a BookToker — a.k.a, a TikTok book influencer — would be able to give recommendations with a slight synopsis if readers are interested. 

BookTok is a community on TikTok that promotes reading books, and there are different spaces or creators that can help one further learn and explore different genres. Many creators create content for dark romance or romance readers, each trying to target different audiences with the same goal: to recommend books. A few top creators are @cassiesbooktok, @larissa.cambusana and @madicantstopreading, who frequently make recommendations for new readers. 

An anonymous person on the site ‘Medium’ that goes by “The Bookaholic” writes about why erotica commonly gets dismissed or stigmatised with a post called Why You Should Read More Erotica: How Turning Pages Can Be a Turn On, where they talk about what erotica is and how it can be helpful.

“Erotica offers the chance to explore different dynamics, kinks, or power structures, all from the comfort of your imagination,” The Bookaholic said. “Think of it like travelling to exotic locations you might never visit — it’s a way to broaden your horizons, but for your sensuality.”

Here are a few recommendations from me, personally. Penelope Douglas is a bestselling dark romance author who pushes boundaries with psychological tension, taboo dynamics and explicit intimacy. They are known for books like Punk 57, Credence and The Devil’s Night series — all of which got heavy attention on BookTok. Lauren Asher, bestselling author and known for her Dreamland Billionaires series, is a popular romance contemporary author who creates books with slow-burn tension, chemistry and relationship intimacy. Other bestselling authors who are highly recommended are Elle Kennedy, Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, H.D Carlton, Ana Huang, Emily McIntire and Katee Roberts. The authors listed create their books in a way that helps readers stay engaged with the content, and good flow and writing styles are easy to understand, with stimulating storytelling. 

Alba she/her, LumberJack reporter. Journalism major who loves to read and write. She’s very passionate about sharing and listening to different opinions and loves self-expression. Contact email: agg83@humboldt.edu 

by Nico Patakidis

“I don’t need a recipe for chocolate covered strawberries — how hard can it be?” 

Names can be deceiving! Making a good chocolate covered strawberry means going the extra mile, especially if you’re making these for your lumbersnack on Valentine’s day. I’ve made these a few times and each batch was better than the last. The ingredients might be simple, but I’ve learned plenty of tips along the way to improve my method. 

Ingredients:

1 pound of strawberries

12 oz Baker’s chocolate

• I find that Baker’s chocolate is easier to work with and looks nicer, but your choice of  chocolate chips will work as well!

Step 1: Washing your berries

Start off by adding 1 cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of water to a large bowl, then submerge your strawberries for 5 minutes. Some people don’t think there’s a difference between soaking your strawberries in vinegar or just giving them a quick rinse, but there is! Vinegar will kill and mold spores on the surface of your berries and keep them fresh longer. After five minutes, rinse your strawberries thoroughly to get rid of any vinegar taste. Maybe taste test a few to be sure.

Step 2: Drying

After rinsing your strawberries, spread them out stem side down on a clean towel to ensure they dry properly. Leave them for 10 to 15 minutes then pat dry. It’s good to make sure your strawberries are completely dry before dipping them in chocolate, as the water can ruin its texture and appearance.

Step 3: Preparing to melt chocolate

It isn’t as easy as just throwing a bowl of chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds. You should use a double boiler to make sure the chocolate doesn’t burn and stays evenly heated. To set up a double boiler, get a medium sauce pan and a heat-safe bowl that can rest inside it. Fill your saucepan about one-third of the way with water, but make sure that the bottom of your bowl doesn’t touch the water inside.

Now line a baking sheet with wax paper to set your strawberries on after you dip them. Wax paper is gonna stop your chocolate from sticking, letting you take your berries off without cracking the shell. 

Step 4: Melting the chocolate

Start off by simmering your water. Leave your bowl to the side for now and add about three-fourths of your chocolate to it, but set aside a quarter.

Once the water simmers, turn the heat to low and place your bowl on top. The chocolate will start melting fast, so stir constantly to keep it from burning. Keep stirring until the chocolate looks nice and shiny but still has a few lumps in it, then remove it from the heat. Add the rest of your chocolate and stir until it’s fully melted. Adding the rest of the chocolate now will temper it. Tempering the chocolate helps it set, making it form a harder shell around the berries and giving them a glossy shine. 

Step 5: Dipping

The fun part! Hold your strawberries by pinching the stems to give yourself a good grip and prevent the leaves or your fingers from getting chocolate covered. Let some of the excess chocolate fall off the strawberries to make sure they’re evenly coated before you place them on the wax paper. 

Leave your berries out to set at room temperature. They should be finished when the chocolate shell doesn’t feel tacky. Once the chocolate has set you can refrigerate them. I recommend you serve them to your sweetheart within 24 hours!

These chocolate covered strawberries are approved by my girlfriend — she’s my lumbersnack ;).

by Wren Salazar

A flower once bloomed for me. In it, I saw the face of a man. He spoke gently, his voice carrying a soft demeanor. He spoke of a place he recalled with such clarity. Illustrious and illuminating, this place. I wouldn’t believe a word of it, just how could I? He’s a flower, simple as can be. With roots in the ground and forced to face one way. Sensing my suspicion, he regaled me with a tale. Another lie I could only assume, but it wasn’t just that. It was a lesson as well. For he could leave whenever he pleased. A traveler and a nomad. When he wished, he simply closed his eyes and dreamt. Little did this flower know, I couldn’t dream. So, I stomped him. Plain as can be, jealous as I can be.

Wren is an artist and story writer looking to add some whimsy and curiosity to those around her. A lover of all things, Wren seeks to help others around her with advice or humor. She can be reached at ws81@humboldt.edu.

by Alexis Blue

The best Sunday of the year is on the horizon. I can already see the glorious arrangement of snacks awaiting and a heated debate on who has a better donut: Don’s or McIntosh Farm Country Store? Of course, with a side of football and waiting forever for the real reason we’re all watching —  the halftime show. 

Superbowl Sunday is a time to get together with your friends and family, cry tears of joy when Bad Bunny comes on the screen and, most importantly, eat buffalo chicken dip. I’m not sure if this is just a thing that I have become accustomed to in recent years, but buffalo chicken dip is a must on this special Sunday in particular. Whether you’re rocking blue and red or blue and green this year, this dip can bridge the rivalry that is stewing in your dorm room. Once you try this dip, you’ll be making it every chance you get. Here’s how to do it!

Ingredients 

2-3 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts

2 (8 oz) blocks of cream cheese

1 cup of hot sauce 

1 cup of ranch dressing

1 block of cheddar cheese 

Salt

Pepper

Garlic powder

Onion powder to taste

Chips or crackers of your choice

Step 1 – Season and cook your chicken

Regardless of how you cook it, what really matters is that you season your chicken. This is going to give you deeper flavors when it comes to your actual dip. Generously apply seasonings to suit your taste. Cook your chicken in the oven at 350°F for one hour, or chop it and cook it on the stovetop — my go-to, since it’s the quickest method — until the internal temperature is 165°F with visibly no pink. 

Step 2 – Mix & build your dip 

I think the best part of this recipe is that it doesn’t require you to dreadfully shred your chicken — unless, of course, your team is losing and you need a distraction. Chop your cooked chicken into small chunks and place into a bowl to mix with the rest of your ingredients. 

Shred your cheddar cheese from the block into the bowl. This will make all the difference in the flavor of this dip and ensure ultimate gooey, creaminess. I’m a cheese-lover to my core, so I measure with the heart for this one. 

The choice of hot sauce in this recipe is also pivotal to the experience. My personal choice is Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Hot Sauce because it gives just the perfect amount of spice and signature buffalo flavor you’re craving. 

Now with all your ingredients in the bowl, give everything a hearty mix until well combined and creamy.

Step 3 – Bake 

Place your mixture in a greased baking dish and top with more shredded cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes at 375°F or until the top begins to crispen. 

Step 4 – Dip & enjoy 

After its time in the oven, let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving warm with tortilla chips or whatever you may choose to dip into this ooey-gooey, cheesy buffalo — minus The Bills — dip. 

It’s packed with flavor, not too spicy and will be there as a comfort when your favorite team falls short — or as a celebratory treat when you’re the victor. Happy Super Bowl Sunday snacking! 

Alexis Blue is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism – public relations and minoring in writing. In her free time, you’ll probably find her drinking coffee, watching sunsets and collecting shells on the beach and playing soccer.

by Peter Nielsen

Yesterday morning, I received a text asking me to download a new social media app called Homie. Without even downloading the app, it asked for an Instagram handle and offered to connect all my social media applications, music streaming platforms and even apps like DoorDash under one hub.

Those versed in cybersecurity know there’s safety in keeping data separate. While many social media platforms make your information public without specifically telling you they’re doing so, there is a degree of safety in keeping your data split across the different platforms you use.

I first saw people tabling for Homie on Monday. Signs called upon students to come get free donuts, coffee and energy drinks. Multiple times throughout the day, there were lines of people at these tables signing up on their phones.

After reaching out to students about it, the predominant opinion was fear. 

“Someone sent [the app] to me and I got scared to open it,” One student said.

Another student had a similar reaction.

“That shit scares me so bad,” the student said. “How easily people are handing over all that data.”

The concern is present with a certain portion of the student body, but evidently not enough. The donuts kept moving, the lines at the tables stayed ever-present and by that evening, another Homie-touting table had appeared at the top of the stairs that descend to the Jolly Giant Commons, having moved on from donuts and now sporting case upon case of Celsius energy drinks.

And then, the other shoe dropped. The Homie Instagram account’s bio read, “OpenAI’s new social app.”

There’s an ill-feeling on campus towards everything regarding artificial intelligence. Continued or increased reliance on AI could endanger the prospective livelihoods of many Cal Poly students. This same reliance both currently and directly endangers our environment, and thus, our futures. 

When I approached students and asked if they knew about Homie’s connection to OpenAI, a spokesperson on the other side of the table told me to “just walk away.” To avoid confrontation, I did so, but a member of Homie’s startup team followed me and spent about two or three minutes giving me a statement explicitly denying that OpenAI was an owner of Homie or its parent company, Relatent Inc.

But a webpage entitled “Homie Campus Launch Strategy,” published on Sept. 15, summarizes Homie as, “OpenAI’s new social platform targeting college students for Fall 2025”. 

It also confirms that Homie is a social platform built by OpenAI. For not owning Homie, OpenAI is far too present. The document mentions that campus launch directors — student hires

making $18/hour — would play a major role in unlocking access to the student body with the responsibility of reporting feedback to Homie on how well it has been adopted by students.”

Altogether, a near-militant set of marching orders. Target students; report back.

I asked Jeremy Nielsen, a certificated IT professional and student of cybersecurity at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, for some insight. He described a seemingly intentional lack of transparency around Homie-affiliated domains.

“Sounds like an OpenAI gimmick to ‘centralize’ your feed as a flimsy cover for ‘give us your data’,” Nielsen wrote. “It’s a really slick trick, redirecting [the websites] … nobody can actually find them. This is definitely sketchy.”

Additionally, Homie’s Terms Of Service (TOS) contain dangerous language. 

“Relatent Inc. has the right but not the obligation to monitor and edit all Content provided by users,” states one of the Homie terms. “[You agree not to] take any action that may damage or falsify Company rating.” 

This allows the company to change what users post on their platform, but absolves them of any moderation responsibilities. Users risk incurring legal repercussions if they act in a way that negatively impacts the company’s rating. Other concerning elements of the TOS regard deletion of user data and release of liability by the user, and chiefly, Relatent’s reservation of the right to share your data with partner companies — namely OpenAI. The problem with many services’ TOS is that users often accept them without reading and are left unaware of the dangers.

“From a data privacy [and] security standpoint, this platform is a complete nightmare, and they will absolutely exploit it as much as they can,” Nielsen said. “It is a very thinly veiled way to gather data to a place where OpenAI can use it for training GenAI models and could be easily exploited to push an agenda and attack or silence those who oppose that agenda.”

A cybersecurity nightmare, then. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Whether it’s an energy drink, a cup of coffee, or a donut, you’ll pay for it somehow. With Homie, the price you pay is your data’s use by OpenAI. Homie’s entire operation is underhanded and endangers student privacy on campus. Their terms of service leave you vulnerable, and your data trains AI. Still want that donut?

Peter Nielsen is a young writer and activist at Cal Poly Humboldt. He enjoys advocating for sustainability and student rights.

Peter Nielsen (he/him/any) is a freshman at Cal Poly Humboldt and an avid writer and poet. He is double majoring in Theatre and Computer Science. He is deeply passionate about environmental and humanistic topics.  

by LIVI Lyman

In my time in Humboldt, I have experienced emboldened individuals who symbolically tear and tie their clothing. They find meaning in everything and they wear it with pride. I’ve met empowered people who drown in their hoodies and walk swiftly to their next experience. They feel comfortable in who they are and wear their oversized jackets with love. That’s the freedom of fashion. Fashion is always in a fluid, transformative state. Fashion can fill a person’s glass, it can fit their needs and satisfy their goal of expression, when they have chosen it for themselves. 

Fashion was described by participants in the Fashion < Identity survey as the soul’s expression, shared by Diamond Gunn, a sociology junior at Cal Poly Humboldt. Social work senior Miles Banda Davila shared this sentiment. 

“[Fashion] is the easiest way to say, ‘this is who I am,’ without saying anything,” Davila said. 

Isa Phythian, a communications major at Cal Poly Humboldt, shared their love for fashion. 

“Fashion is the freedom to be anything and everything depending on the moment,” Pythian said.

Fashion is not about looking the best; it is never about wearing the trendiest, hottest, most expensive new look. We see the fashion world move through resurrections of trends every 20 years described by Laver’s law. Proving what is ‘in’ has no weight compared to how you want to dress. The control and expression that you get to encapsulate in how you present is a direct correlation to how you feel about yourself. To hell with the stereotypical impression of Humboldt fashion, you are art. 

The fashion of Humboldt was described by community member Rianna Duke as extensive and versatile. The stereotypical outdoorsy hippie look hasn’t been accurate in Rianna’s experience. In the five years they have been in Humboldt, they have observed more fluidity as they have become ingrained in the community and realized how deeply fashion is expressed. 

“There is very little judgment of how you present yourself because people up here want to be themselves,” Duke said.

Being able to validate who you are without societal pressures of having to look a certain way, I believe, is the first step to creating space for humanity’s differences by celebrating them. 

Finding comfort in the ability to express your feelings, your imagination and creativity is the purest form of freedom. Students’ styles reflected those from the 90s and 2000s, with lots of  baggy or tight clothing. I saw fashion with bright colors and patterns, vintage to eclectic accessories, and different individuals with whimsical or grounding auras. All of these styles came together in a room to be shown off in the Fashion < Identity Photoshoot. 

I got to engage and direct models of fashion varying in extreme degrees, in the Fashion < Identity photoshoot on Cal Poly Humboldt campus on Dec. 3rd, 2025. In a collaboration with photographers Carmen Ruiz Fernandez, Bodhi Haugen and Miles Robinson. I saw participants’ anxiety melted away once they started talking about the accessories they picked and the memories tied to them. From the cat galaxied leggings and dangling chains, to the eccentric cowboy whose poses were an extension of themself, I saw the most beautiful interpretations and representations of art in science majors, bodybuilders, dancers and community members. The spectrum of love for who they are and the confidence that arose from showing off their favorite items was such a profoundly impressive moment. I believe this encompasses the Humboldt fashion. 

This love for fashion was expressed by Jazzlyn Strebel, a biology and ecology junior.

 “One of my favorite things is hearing the sound of my earrings clinking together when I walk by,” Strebel said. “It is the sound of magic, it is the sound of me… I am not hindered by qualities of myself that I do not understand.” 

The dichotomy of validating yourself; or validating yourself to others – impresses upon me, you’re not everyone’s cup of tea, you were never supposed to be. 

There is no destination or required outcome when it comes to fashion. It’s what you’re comfortable in, what makes you feel confident, it’s prioritizing yourself in your expression – it’s the goal to achieve. 

Senior botany major Vivana Morfin, described what fashion is to them.

“An extension of oneself,” Morfin said. “The first thing people get to see of you. Fashion has reminded me that I can accomplish my visions in reality.” 

This journey of exploring the fashion in my own life, seeing Humboldt’s fashion in the wild, inspires me to Do. It. Yourself. An independence you get to choose, taking the harder route to experience growing pains, rather than becoming complacent in what is deemed normal or ok to do. You can take control of yourself; it’s your decision. 

Break the pattern of what is comfortable and digestible to other people — cut a new cloth and choose what fashion is to you.

LIVI E. Lyman (they/them) is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, a lumberjack fashion reporter, studying Business Marketing. Contact humanmade.in.humboldt@gmail.com to share your story. 

by Mia Costales

Homemade

Food – You know what they say — the way to the heart is through the stomach. When in doubt, festive treats like cookies, peppermint bark, tamales or hot chocolate are sure to make any grinch’s heart grow three times the size.

Holiday zine – This is one of my personal favorite homemade presents. Hit up Tin Can Mailman and Art Center Arcata for colored construction paper, magazine clippings, glitter, ribbons and anything else you can think of. Add a nice note, some festive games like a crossword or maze and you’ve just whipped up the most heartfelt — and inexpensive — gift that special someone will receive all year. 

Music lover

Mixtape – Do you have someone in your life that just won’t shut up about how they knew about that one band before they blew up on TikTok? Do they try to slip in a, “This is just like that one time at Coachella” into every conversation? Did they wrack up an unhealthy amount of hours spent listening to music this year? Well, then make them a mixtape of all of their favorite, totally niche songs and guarantee yourself a spot on their ‘Best Holiday Gifts Wrapped.’

Physical media – Lining the pockets of ‘big stream’ is so out this year. Instead, gift your music-lover friend physical media like CD’s, vinyl and cassette tapes of their favs. You can even find DVD’s of concerts — the possibilities are endless. 

Home chef

Cookbooks – Cookbooks have become a lost art. Nowadays, if you want to follow a recipe, you have to scroll through some random person’s life story and 10 ads just to get to some subpar chocolate chip cookie recipe. Find a local bookstore — Northtown Books, if you’re in Arcata — and peruse the cookbook aisle until you find the one. Plus, you may receive a little homecooked treat in return!

Oddly specific cooking utensils – Stay with me now. Everyone has some pots, pans, utensils and plates. But have you ever been making a meal and thought, “Damn, I could really use a fine mesh strainer, right now.” Ask your friends what oddly specific cooking utensil they really want but just don’t see the point in buying themselves — maybe it’s a lemon squeezer, microplaner or in my case… a fine mesh strainer. If you’re reading this, you know what to get me.

Pet parent 

Framed photo of them and their pet – I know pet people. Most of the time, they won’t stray from the ultra-specific item their pet loves. And that’s understandable — why won’t my dog eat the exact same recipe of food but from a different brand? I couldn’t tell you. So, get them a framed photo of them and their pet that they can treasure for years and avoid the embarrassment of watching their pet open a brand-new toy just to walk back to the old, raggedy one they just won’t quit.

Local pet store gift card – Gift cards are always an easy option. Especially when it’s for someone who can’t vocalize exactly what they want for the holidays. Local pet stores like Arcata Pet Supply have a huge range of toys, treats and everything in between. You can take their pet to the store together and watch them sniff out the perfect gift for themselves.

Mia is a journalism major and the Editor in Chief of The Lumberjack. She hopes to give a platform to underrepresented communities through her writing and provide the public with thoughtful and informed stories. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading and playing the violin. Contact her at mdc140@humboldt.edu.

by Wren Salazar

Every day, we walk by something — some kind of plant, road or building. Sometimes we sit in the same place with the same view every day. When you start to look around, you might be surprised by how many small details can change a scene. In a stressful moment, noticing what’s around you can also ground you and turn your boring days a little more interesting. Training yourself to notice can be difficult at first; it might not come easily if you aren’t used to it, but it is worth it when you do. 

In high school, I would park my car in the same spot every morning. Next to my parking spot, there was a median with a grass tuft in it. I would study how the light bounced off the grass and check it every morning throughout the seasons. I can still remember how the grass would sway in the wind with sunlight gleaming in the morning dew. The image of that grass helped keep me sane during the rougher parts of my senior year. Now, in my day-to-day walks at the Arcata marsh, I look for what plants are in season and what birds are around. By paying attention, I can see what parts of the marsh change throughout the year.

The best part about noticing is that you can look at anything and everything to find something fulfilling. Certain things you see can remind you of things you’ve already thought of.  By paying attention every day, insight becomes abundant. A new week’s worth of insight reveals solutions to problems that weren’t clear before. 

I implore you to start noticing; to pay attention to how the little things change. If you keep looking, you’ll see what you need to see. As I’m sure many of you have heard, it’s important not to take the small things for granted. Remember to look out for the small folk, too; you never know when a caterpillar or slug could be crossing at the same time as you.

Wren is an artist and story writer looking to add some whimsy and curiosity to those around her. A lover of all things, Wren seeks to help others around her with advice or humor. She can be reached at ws81@humboldt.edu.

by Devin Bowen

This past weekend, KRFH made our big debut at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) for the annual University of California College Radio Conference, and man, it was an experience. Being a college radio junkie and a KRFH DJ myself, I was just so geeked out of excitement for this trip. We had $20 in our pockets, three cars full of indie college merch and a dream traveling down the state to Santa Cruz, Calif. Once we arrived in Santa Cruz, it was game over; no one was ready for the KRFH Humboldt people to be in their city.

​The conference itself was full of so many activities for the different college radio stations, giving each DJ a panel of where to go for different presentations and what they consist of. KZSC, UCSC college radio station, made the whole experience so welcoming. They provided tour guides, an after conference show and so much free food. Besides the fact that everyone was someone I didn’t recognize, the UCSC campus felt so similar to Cal Poly Humboldt, making the anxiety of it all to be just a tad bit chilled out. I will say it was honestly a surreal moment hearing other college radio stations’ systems compared to ours. 

KRFH, besides Stanford’s station KZSU, are the only fully student-run radio stations and stations that don’t pay their DJ managers. I was quite literally gagged by the amount of money these other stations were given and just the fact that they were being paid! It does make sense after hearing how everyone runs their stations, but in my opinion, I think KRFH keeps college radio pretty punk-rock by doing it for the passion, music and experience.

​At the end of the conference, all the stations got to do a merch-swag swap where we basically just traded what we all made for our stations. KRFH Public Relations Manager Madison Verba and I were on an insane motivational high after the swag swap. There were prints, coloring books, teddy bears and even shorts! As KRFH social media, too, I was ready to grab my phone to document my DJ friends like a crazy facebook mom. Santa Barbara’s station had me most impressed and really jumped the gun for my motivational high for KRFH’s future. Plus, it was so cute and heartfelt seeing everyone take our zines, posters and stickers. In fact, almost everything we had was wiped clean from our table. Imagine SpongeBob with an “aw” face — that was me.

​After the long radio day, KZSC hosted a mini-show at one of their local venues called the Vessel. KRFH were once again the true punk rockers, dancing and jamming the whole time. We even adopted a member from Stanford’s college radio to join the Kerfich family. In the long run, being a college radio DJ is the best part of my college experience, and seeing other stations and students have that passion was so validating. So, of course, I’ll be keeping college radio alive — will you? 

Devin Bowen is a journalism major and also the social media manager for the student run radio station, KRFH. She admires collecting vinyl records and exploring new artists. They hope to spread new experiences and influence a different perspective with music and culture through The Lumberjack. Contact them at dlb155@humboldt.edu.

by Ryan Diaz

Kevin Parker, also known as Tame Impala, dropped a scorching album on Oct. 17 featuring his true display of artistic expertise, hitting the global stages as his tour began Oct. 27 in New York City.

Parker has not released an album in five years, half of a decade since we’ve had a full release from the Tame Impala. Think back for a moment to just weeks right before the COVID-19 pandemic began — does that feel like forever ago to you? It feels like centuries ago to me. So, buckle up as we drive down this road that is Deadbeat.

Rising to prominence in the mid-2010s, Parker’s album Currents dropped in the summer of 2015. It featured hit songs many can recognize, like New Person, Same Old Mistakes, The Less I Know The Better and Eventually, to name a few. 

The intricacies of Deadbeat is a true exhibition. This album speaks to millions of people, including myself. According to Billboard 200, Parker’s album ranks fourth on the charts as of Oct. 30. The first song My Old Ways feels like a look over your shoulder into the past and embracing it. The song starts with a slow roll, then a sudden beat shift goes into the themes of falling back into temptations, human nature, sliding back into our old ways and the uncomfortable yet comforting feeling brought on by rescinding backwards. That’s how I interpret it, anyway. 

Dracula is yet another banger in this album, a song initially released slightly earlier than the full album. I’ve been anticipating this release for months, so when we got Dracula early, I listened to it at every chance I had. Dracula dropped just in time for Halloween, and is about running from the sun, like Dracula does. This reflects a way to run from reality, fitting for Halloween, when people can escape and be whoever they want. 

Oblivion is an absolute winner, likely my favorite song on this album. Oblivion has great vocals, good lyrics and tells a story of acceptance. Accepting the reality of the bitter end of a relationship — something we all experience in this life, yet always feel the familiar emotional toll of grief. The song is the acceptance of the loss and choosing of Oblivion, with lyrics like, “If I don’t get to you, my love, then I choose oblivion.” This song transcends me to a tesseract in the fourth dimension, where you can hear colors and taste sound as you observe the passage of time. Not absolute, but relative.

 I am a huge Tame Impala fan and have been for years. I feel like there are very few artists and songs you can listen to and truly never get sick of. Parker perfectly captures every lyric, every pause, every beat, every minute detail, intricately painting a picture of a broader story, theme or concept. Parker knows how to create his own genre of music unlike any other, a unique portrayal of the human experience, the passage of time and the ethereal connection to a past life. 

Ryan Diaz is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt and a second-semester reporter with an ambition to work in the public relations field after graduation. He is also a DJ on KRFH 105.1 FM and krfh.net, hosting a weekly show on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m..

by Kaylon Coleman

It’s November, which means a multitude of things. Veterans Day, Fall Break, Daylights Savings Ending, a few LJ editor birthdays, mine included. But, it also means flu season — and if you live in Humboldt County, you know this is when the rain really starts to ramp up. For the initiated, the “Humboldt Hack” is probably something you’re all too familiar with. For the freshman and transfers who may not be… trust me, you soon will be.

Now more than ever — except for when we had that pandemic a few years back — I implore you to wash your hands. 

Now, there’s a good chance some of you read that byline and thought, ‘Who doesn’t wash their hands?’ Which is completely valid and you’re right in thinking that.  I’m hoping it’s near the 0-2% range, but those aren’t the outliers I’m referring to. 

In my headcanon, a majority of people my age — or, hopefully a majority of people in general — were primarily taught to wash their hands post number one and number two; maybe skipping a cheeky pee here and there. But, I think the art of washing your hands without the excretion prerequisite has been lost.

Let me paint you a picture. It’s a Wednesday night, you decide to go to Harbor Lanes for $3 bowling with a couple friends. You play best of three — loser has to cop the winners In-N-Out. After some quaint belt-to-butt, you’re mad marved and rush to the car elated, thinking about this free double-double you’re about to buss down. Yet, in all your glutinous manifestations you forget one crucial thing — washing your hands. 

Now, the culmination of every germ that has encountered that bowling ball lies within your digits. The kid screaming ‘6, 7’ who couldn’t stop digging for gold. The Jerry Garcia lookalike whose chonies just weren’t sitting right. The party of four who ordered the extra, extra greasy pizza. Every germ now resides with you.

If it wasn’t already apparent, I’m somewhat of a germaphobe; I get it from my mom. I’mma always offer the last bite or a waterfall when I can. But above all, my hands are my tension point. If I’m out-and-about and I feel the muck and grime of the day accumulate, best believe I’m washing my hands first chance I get — it’s like a reset, it’s liberating. I can freely scratch my face without trillions of germs bombarding my forehead, or I can eat stress-free without the thought of any bacteria trying to cop a free meal.

We should normalize just going to the bathroom to wash our hands. Embrace and celebrate it, for it’s one of the most jubilant joys one can partake in. So, once again I’m pleading, as flu season looms near, just wash your hands. And if you still believe this article’s redundant, next time you go out to the mall, movies or lanes with your pals — when all’s said and done, just sit and observe, and you might be more appalled than you think.

Kaylon Coleman is a senior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in communications. He is the opinion editor for LJ. He is also the vice president of the Black Student Union at CPH, Marketing and Communications lead for the Umoja Center and a part-time radio DJ and merch manager for KRFH. If you have a topic you want him to discuss, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu