The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: broke

  • Ask Evergreen: Lootless Lover

    Ask Evergreen: Lootless Lover

    Ask Evergreen is a weekly advice column by the students of The Lumberjack

    Dear Evergreen,

    What do I do for my significant other on Valentine’s Day when I’m broke?

    Dear Lootless Lover,

    Valentine’s Day is this Friday and with that comes the societal expectation to shower your lover in materialistic gifts. But for those with limited funds, making an extravagant gesture isn’t always possible. There are many creative ways to express your love this Valentine’s Day that don’t involve spending loads of cash.

    If you’re a wizard of words you can charm your valentine with a thoughtful card of appreciation. Words are free, so come up with a clever poem for your partner to make them feel special. Bust out your artistic talents and create some art from the heart. You can even doodle some cute cartoons inside a card for a more personal touch to a standard Valentine’s Day card.

    With spring inching closer and closer, flowers have already started blossoming. Take a walk and gather some wildflowers and foliage to make a bouquet. Be careful not to pick any poisonous plants. You wouldn’t want to infect your valentine with anything other than love.

    Baking a sweet treat for your sweetheart is sure to satisfy. Check your cupboards for basic baking ingredients and whip up something good. If you aren’t the best baker you can easily make chocolate-covered strawberries to set the mood.

    Chances are you already have some type of streaming service, so put on some Netflix and chill with your valentine. Pop some popcorn and cozy up with your favorite movie or show. Light candles or incense for an extra touch. Soon enough you’ll be having consensual fun while Netflix asks if you’re still watching.

    You can also try going out and sightseeing with your partner instead of a movie night. Go on a scenic walk or take a stroll with your lover somewhere beautiful. If you can swing it, try planning a picnic on the beach or in the redwoods to share some quality, heart-to-heart time together. There’s nothing more pure—and free—than talking with someone you care about.

    Think outside the box this year. Whether you can afford it or not, there are plenty of thoughtful and creative ways to express your love.

    xoxo

    Sincerely,

    Evergreen

    If you have any questions you’d like to send in, email us at contactthejack@gmail.com. We won’t publish any names and you don’t need to use one.

  • Make the most of it

    Make the most of it

    Businesses in Arcata close up shop too early, leaving some of us bored and frustrated with the same limited options when we’re done for the day. Affordable dining and entertainment options are especially slim pickings.

    A good deal of local businesses should consider staying open longer. This would not only satisfy the demands of a revolving demographic, namely HSU students, but closing early is missed opportunity for more sales. In addition, the extended hours would ultimately do its part by enhancing the quality of life in our small college town.

    Let’s be honest, though. The most positive reaction this editorial will get out of readers is a nod of approval. Further, business owners will not go out of their way to accommodate a marginalized complaint, nor will businesses pop up to supply a relatively weak demand. This is not reverse psychology; this is the reality of where we live.

    Here’s the thing, we’re all on the same boat. In some respects, you knew what you were signing up for when you decided to be a Lumberjack. Humboldt is not known for a bustling nightlife, cultural diversity or a wide variety of cheap eats to name a few. We clearly don’t have a wealth of options compared to Los Angeles or New York City.

    However, the LoCo Lowdown is a good source of local events. HSU hosts big acts on campus year-round, sometimes for free. If you don’t feel like cooking, Stars Hamburgers or La Chiquita Taqueria offers hearty, delicious and affordable meals within reasonable hours of operation throughout the week. Don’t take granted of Humboldt’s abundance of hiking trails, swimming holes and other outdoor activities. The point is, there are ways around the limitations of what Humboldt has to offer. Make the most of what’s in front of you.