Spring2016
Springtime no longer belongs to the birds & the bees . . .
we give you Google, new tech, and mac n' cheese!
(But for those out there who crave just a little romance as the cold weather fades, check out the next installment of How I Picked Up a Penny on the Legatum page.)
That One Time when I went to Google and Wasn’t Allowed to Talk About the NSA.
By Bing Snowden
Most schools don’t get to take trips to places like the Google Headquarters.
I remember this time last year, when other students - some younger than me - went. I was jealous and wanted so badly to have gone. I didn’t care about programming then (I still don’t now) but I really wanted to eat the free Google food and go down the Google slide.
Shortly after seeing the presentation of the people who had gone, I forgot all about it, about how much I wished I could’ve been there too.
Those feelings remained dormant for a year. (They weren’t the ones that mattered then, or ever, they were small creatures, with fleeting lives and half-a-heartbeat beating wings made of tissue paper.) Then, the announcement that we would have an opportunity to go again this year came, and I jumped at the chance. I was one of the thirty students chosen to go, something that was probably based on being liked as much as it was on my abilities - I’ve had the teacher who did the choosing for four years and six classes.
We were supposed to come up with a question to ask before we went. I had several - two about abandoned projects like Google Glass, and another two about the NSA and privacy. The former were approved, the latter were given the veto.
We finally went to the Google Headquarters in Mountain View on February fifth. It was a lovely day. It was sunny without being too warm, and the air was neither too still or too windy. It was blue sky and a metaphorical island of trees and grass and buildings that didn’t all touch or block out the sky, almost surreal for the Bay Area. It was every bit as much of a halcyon as I had imagined it to be.
The first iconically Google thing I saw was the Google Street View car. It was the slightest bit surreal, because even though I was aware that it had been on mostly every street I had, I had never seen it in person
before. Our guide - A. Larkin - set up a virtual meeting for us so we could talk to a product manager, which was pretty cool. The big, burning question of whether or not Google employees use Google search to solve Google problems was answered - they do. We were split into three groups and speculated on what the schools of the future would be like. Group one thought 3D-printed food would be cool. My group talked about hologram teachers, touchscreen walls, and chips in our heads. That last part led to me, my paranoia, and my obsession with conspiracy theories talking about building a doomsday-preppers style bunker in the woods somewhere. Group three came up with the idea of a floating school. We watched a a Really Inspirational Video and were told
to imagine what we would be doing at thirty-five. (I was dead and gone, Valerie had lots of kids.)
A. Larkin led us on a tour around the Google campus. We didn’t get to go inside any of the buildings except one, because Google was just as hush-hush as you’d expect a big company with important projects to be. The building we were able to go in was the Beta Visitor Center. It had sticky notes of ideas and such hanging from the ceiling and scattered over a long table. It also had ball pit, which was fun and miraculously did not give me pink eye. There were Google Glasses on display, along with a timeline of the Google Search engine. We left and saw the dessert-themed Android sculpture garden up close. I took a bunch of pictures - partially because everything was adorable, partially because people kept getting in my shot. Mrs. White felt the need to take my picture next to a giant donut. With my wide hips, large thighs, heavy chest, broad shoulders, and general obesity, it looked like a diagram of cause and effect.
At one point, I actually did end up asking my questions about privacy. They were dismissed in a way that let me know the discussion was closed.
However, the fact of the matter is that you don’t need to be someone who does questionable things on the internet to be concerned over the fact that the NSA collects our data and digital communications in a 1.5 million square foot warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Everything you do digitally is kept there, often indefinitely. This is not limited to things like email, phone calls, Google searches, but extends to things that are less easily accessible, such as the deep web, password protected data, non-commercial file sharing, and the cameras
on our phones and computers. This is not new news in the slightest either, but the amount of people who are oblivious to it is shocking, as the government has not turned it’s NSA surveillance apparatuses on the US and its people since the Nixon administration and this particular rebirth of Big Brother began during the era of the Bush administration.
Hello, everyone! Sherrie here! Today, we will be discussing an old childhood favorite: Mac and Cheese. I for one LOVE macaroni and cheese and I’m probably always going to love it. But honestly, where did it come from?
Pasta casseroles have been around as early as the 14th Century in - you guessed it - Italy. A cheese and pasta casserole, called “makerouns”, was made with fresh, hand-cut pasta sandwiched between butter and cheese. The original recipe is as follows:
“Take and make a thynne foyle of dowh. and kerve it on peces, and cast hem on boillyng water & seeþ it wele. take chese and grate it and butter cast bynethen and above as losyns. and serue forth.”
Confused? Let me break it down for you. “Losyns” was a dish sorta like a lasagna (long, flat strips of pasta layered with filling and sauce). In this recipe, you make the pasta thin and cut it into pieces, boil it until it is al dente, grate parmesan cheese over it, top it with butter, cut it up and serve it. Very simple. I’ve made this before and to tell you the truth, it’s about as special as it sounds, i.e. not very. Buttered noodles and cheese? That’s what you give to picky children on spaghetti night. But then again, this is a recipe from Medieval times. The first modern macaroni-and-cheese-type recipe appeared in Elizabeth Raffald’s 1769 book, The Experienced English Housekeeper. The recipe, titled “To Dress Macaroni With Parmesan Cheese.” is as follows:
“Boil four ounces of Macaroni ‘till it be quite tender, and lay it on a Sieve to drain, then put it in a Tossing Pan, with about a Gill of good Cream, a Lump of Butter rolled in Flour, boil it five Minutes, Pour it on a Plate, lay all over it Parmesan Cheese toasted; send it to the Table on a Water Plate, for it soon goes cold.”
In layman’s terms, you would boil the macaroni to al dente, drain it, put it in a skillet along with some bechamel sauce, cook it down, plate it, and cover it with toasted parmesan cheese. Raffald also suggests serving it over a plate of boiling water to keep it warm. Other than being somewhat bland, this recipe sounds very much like the kind of mac ‘n cheese we eat today. But how did today’s beloved macaroni and cheese come to America?
President Thomas Jefferson came across macaroni when he visited Europe. He drew a sketch of the noodle and took detailed notes on the extrusion process. After failing to produce his own, he began to import macaroni to the US. In 1802, he served “a pie called macaroni” at a state dinner. According to Reverend Mannasseh Cutler, it wasn’t very popular. Nonetheless, the first recipe to be titled “Macaroni and Cheese” appeared in Mary Randolph’s 1824 cookbook, The Virginia Housewife. It included just three ingredients: macaroni, butter, and tons of cheese. ‘Murica. Since then, it became extremely popular among lower classes because of its simplicity and general tastiness.
Besides making it from scratch, most people make the good ol’ blue box mac ‘n cheese. I prefer the from scratch kind, but Kraft Deluxe is a personal favorite of mine. I also like putting Deluxe on my hot dogs. It’s amazing, just trust me. You can have mac and cheese in other ways, y’know. You can add a pound of hamburger, broccoli, shredded chicken, bacon, the possibilities are endless. Go forth, in a blaze of cheese and buttered bread crumbs!
Jefferson’s notes!
Basic Baked Mac and Cheese
8 oz elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups milk
¼ cup butter + 2 tbsp
2 ½ tbsp flour
½ cup bread crumbs
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to the roux very slowly, whisking constantly. Stir in the cheeses, and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thick. Put the macaroni into a casserole dish and pour the cheese sauce over it. Stir to incorporate.
Melt the other 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and brown. Cool and sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Serves 4
Beef ‘n Cheese Mac
2 boxes Kraft Shells and Cheese
1 lb roast beef (deli sliced)
8 slices provolone
1 onion, diced
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Salt and Pepper
In a small saucepan, caramelize the onions until they are brown and translucent, seasoning them with the salt and pepper. Set aside.
Cook the shells and cheese according to their package directions. In a greased 13x9 casserole dish, spread about half of the shells and cheese. Cover this layer entirely with the roast beef. On top of the beef layer, add the cooked onions. Next, lay the provolone over everything. Spread out the rest of the shells and cheese, and cover entirely with breadcrumbs.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serves 10.
That's My Jam: The Top 5 Sounds of The Hour
By Micah Joel
February has been a month of surprises in the music industry, and as a listener I have not been disappointed with the results. From Beyonce’s “Formation” to Rihanna’s full release of her long-awaited album ANTI, I have been kept on my toes. Although these releases could be considered old news, music always grows on me and many recent releases have been big parts of my musical playlists. There have even been some that hooked me in right off the bat. So here are some of the songs that have been my absolute favs, and they may be a sweet addiction for you, too.
Charli XCX’s Vroom Vroom EP
Charli XCX’s experimental pop record has just hit iTunes recently. It has definitely been a top play for me at all times, so I had to include this whole 4-song EP. If you’re looking for something out of the box and different from other pop records these days, this will be quite the listen for you. From her hard-hitting title track “Vroom Vroom” to the crazy-good production on songs like "Paradise," to a line taken from Pulp Fiction placed prominently in the song "Trophy"; it is an unforgettable record that you will have to listen to with an open mind, especially for the unique SOPHIE production on each song.
Beyoncé - “Formation”
The message behind Beyonce’s "Formation" has been stirring up trouble in the news recently. From the iconic Super Bowl performance with backup dancers dressed in Black Panther attire to her music video advocating the Black Lives Matter movement, “Formation” has definitely done its job and caused the conservation it deserves. It’s been on replay ever since its release, which happened one day after Trayvon Martin’s birthday and a day before Sandra Bland’s birthday (do your research on those two). I’ll be seeing the queen on May 14th in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl, so please keep me in your prayers as I will most likely not be able to deal with the fact that I am breathing the same air as Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter. Not only is the song loud and popping enough for a party, but the choreography is vital, and I plan on learning every single step of it.
Rihanna’s ANTI album
I had my first listen of ANTI when it was a Tidal exclusive, but I was definitely turned off by the fact that it was released on the dreaded Tidal first. If you don’t know what Tidal is, it’s a Jay-Z owned music-streaming app that you have to pay for, and honestly, it’s a service that doesn’t give you the bang for your buck. I wasn’t too interested in this record at first since it was just so different, and so not what I was expecting from an artist like Rihanna. However, once you give it a few listens, you will definitely find that ANTI is a reminder that Rihanna has become more original in her stylistic choices.
Rihanna is an evolving artist and deserves her musical freedom, so the fact that she wouldn’t release the familiar hits and let them shoot right to number one is understandable. Although “Work” - with long-time collaborator Drake - went number one, ANTI offers far more than just that hit. We get songs like “Same Ol’ Mistakes” and “Consideration” with singer SZA, which show us that Rihanna has more to offer as she tries her hand at other sounds, and I am LIVING for it. I bet you won’t like this album on your first listen, but give it some time and let it grow on you. I promise you will love it after a while.
Marian Hill’s Sway album
There’s nothing really noteworthy to say about about Marian HiIl’s debut album - there’s not much to say about them in general as their Wikipedia page is practically empty - but they are a group consisting of soft-spoken female vocalist Samantha Gongol, along with production artist Jeremy Lloyd and improv jazz musician Steve Davit. Sway is peaceful and smooth, and definitely an enjoyable experience that I have enjoyed from start to finish. I had heard the first track of the record, “One Time,” many times on several Vine videos, and my friend had played “Got It” on replay many times before. I have only recently listened to this album fully, and I have enjoyed every single song on it. Although the production is homogenous, the tone of each song is unique and absolute ear candy with its distinctive sound and this velvet soft bass that I absolutely die for. Marian Hill’s Sway is unforgettable to say the least, and a sound that I look forward to hearing more in mainstream music these days. If you’re doing homework or just looking to be in a world of your own, this horn-filled album will do the trick and put you in the right mood.
Carly Rae Jepsen - “Everywhere You Look” (The Fuller House theme)
Although this song is just a revamp of the original Full House theme song for the new Netflix continuation series Fuller House, Carly Rae Jepsen has brought the right pop flavor to the new series, something that just brings in the fun for a new generation. Watching the new Fuller House series was like reliving my childhood, and this was the cherry on the top of it all that definitely doesn’t feel too much like the original theme song. I appreciate that they decided to take a different approach and stick with the pop vocals of Carly Rae Jepsen, as her interpretation of it is cute and the song itself is just right for her style. “Everywhere You Look” is iconic, and Carly Rae’s version has oddly been on repeat for me ever since I first heard it.
TechPage By CeeCee Davis
In a world where new technology is invented everyday, trends and current apps go in and out the window. We all constantly strive for the newest, the best, and the latest. In this edition, I review and give you the latest games, apps, and technology.
Apps:
Neko Atsume
A virtual cat collecting game, the app first made it’s appearance in October of 2014. While wildly popular in Japan, Neko Atsume didn’t burst into fame in the US until mid-2015. The game is simple: users can buy toys and items from the shop to set into the garden that is inhabited by silver fish and gold fish, which the cats leave behind as gifts. Cats will come into the garden when they see toys they like, but only if food is set out. While an unlimited amount of generic food is given, cats prefer better food which is available to purchase from the shop. The game isn’t complex, nor does it follow a story board. The designers and makers of the game wanted something simple that would allow people to relax while they play. Overall the app is good, and the artwork is great, but not something you want if you’re into more RPG or action packed games. It currently takes up 20.5 MB of space, and is free in the Apple App Store.
Tech:
LG G5
Phones are something that we - both as teenagers and adults - will always want to have the latest and coolest models of. With an abundance to choose from, we are always wondering which phone is the best. That can and will always be debatable. In 2016, we are expecting the LG G5. The phone has an always on screen for easy access, and can be converted into a digital camera and Hi-Fi player. Another amazing feature? A slide out battery. Over time, phone batteries do give out, and in some phones - such as Samsungs - you can just get a new battery. However, some models, like the iPhone, require the entire phone to be replaced. While each phone has its pros and cons, the LG G5 is a happy medium. Users can slide the battery out for replacement, or keep the battery and pop a newer version or screen on. The screen measures at 5.3 inches. The phone’s memory comes in a variety of choices: 4 GB, 32 GB, or even 2 TB. Currently, the phone is expected to go for about $550 in the US. It’s available to pre-order from LG.
Games:
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Tom Clancy’s The Division had been keeping the world abuzz, as people awaited the release of one of the most anticipated games of the year. The basis of this game revolves around the collapse of society: Black Friday. A weaponized virus has swept through New York City, leaving devastation. While the majority of the public is out getting deals and bargains, they are unaware that the virus is spreading through the currency. In less than a week, society and the government have collapsed. People begin to tear each other apart, looting and scavenging, with no remorse. When it looks like the world has come to an end, The Division steps out. They are individual people who worked with and were trained by Homeland security to operate when command fails. The mission of the game? Eliminate and investigate the virus. You are apart of The Division and must do whatever it takes to save society. The artwork in this game is outstanding, and could easily pass for live-action cinematography. The game is set in third-person perspective and the character is visible. Users can collect currency and experience to use for upgrades and learning new skills. The game can be played multiplayer or singleplayer. While the game is not overly complicated, it’s probably not the best game to start out with if you’re new to gaming. Currently, the games is at $59.99 and was released on March 8th.
Your FIRST Look at ECHS’s First Robotics Competition
By John Baldwin
EL Capitan is known to most of Merced as being somewhat technologically advanced, so it’s no surprise that rumours of a robotics team surfaced back in August. Five months later, building season had begun.
The robot, affectionately named “Ziptie”, contains 6 motors, 4 standard SIMs and 2 mini-SIMs. To intake a ball, Ziptie uses 1 of its motors, a chain, a lift, and a roller. One more mini-SIM spins the roller to grip the ball and store it into a cavity underneath the superstructure. A simple reversal of the poly cords would propel the ball forward into an awaiting goal. Four 8 inch wheels are located in the back, while the front possessed two 6 inch wheels. The front wheels provide better traction to overcome defenses and other obstacles. In addition to these assets, Ziptie also includes a detachable defense mechanism, made from a polycarbonate sheet attached to riveted aluminum, to prevent opponents from scoring high goals. During matches, colored bumpers are attached to the outer rim of the machine, serving as both protection to the inner workings and as identification among the other robots. The top of the robot (to this reporter’s surprise) is left uncovered, the reasoning being that it made Ziptie’s electronic components more accessible to the pit-crew.
Ziptie in all his glory.
The Central Valley Regional qualification matches began Saturday, March 12th. The arena is, ironically, set up like a medieval stronghold. Two tall goal posts, modeled after towers, sit at opposing sides. The towers have two openings at the bottom and three on top for the robots to shoot balls into. Goals made on the upper levels award the team 10 points during autonomous and 5 during teleop. Lower goals award 5 points during autonomous, and merely 2 during teleop. Defenses make up the middle of the arena, which could be any combination of 5 different defense mechanisms on each side. The various forms of obstacles included a portcullis, a moat (made from a metal panel instead of actual water), ramparts, a cheval de frise, rough terrain, a sally port, a low bar, a rock wall, and a drawbridge. The
teams operate from behind panels, making sure that there is no physical interference with the game. Teams are known as “alliances”. An alliance is made up of three drive teams, all from different schools. A single drive team involves 2 drivers, a coach, and a human player. The drivers control their team’s robot, the coach strategizes with other coaches in the alliance, and the human player controls the balls, known as boulders, making sure there aren’t too many or too few in the arena at one time.
The basic layout of the “Stronghold.”
Matches begin with the placement of the robots in accordance with the alliance. The teams are introduced and then it’s go time! The match kicks off with 15 seconds of autonomous mode, where the robots function independently. After that, it’s teleop-time and the drivers break out their manual controls. Points are awarded for making goals, taking towers, overcoming defenses, working together with their alliances, and avoiding penalties. Teleop lasts two minutes and fifteen seconds. When the match ends, the scores are posted above, citing each teams’ rank. Moving quickly, the teams sweep their bots off the fields and back to the pits for touch ups.
I myself attended day 2 of Regionals. It was a wet Sunday morning at Madera South High School. Concessions were grilling hamburgers in the front of the school, parents ambled from one building to another, and frantic players shuttled their robots from one gym to another. “Robot!” they’d yell, and parents would slowly shuffle out of their way. I made my way into the pits, where they made you wear protective glasses so you didn’t get hit with any flying debris from players working on their robots. ECHS’s own Illusion Robotics was in the center of it all, their all-girl pit crew working tirelessly to keep Ziptie shipshape. I spent a few moments greeting the contestants and wishing them well, then I left to grab a seat in the main gym. It was packed! Fast dance music blared from every side, children were waving pom poms, the place was lit. I sat behind the Blue team’s tower in order to observe the performance of the drive teams. A tall man with badly dyed red hair to match his scarlet button up announced the teams with such enthusiasm that I questioned the amount of medication he was on. The match went off with a bang! In the first three seconds alone, the Red Alliance scored two goals through the upper windows of the Blue’s tower. But the next thing I knew, it was over! The Red Alliance came out on top, bumping their teams closer to the Top Ten. It was a close game and I was somewhat disappointed when it ended; two and a half minutes isn’t much time for such complexity. But I didn’t have to wait long for Illusion Robotics to take to the field. Team 5852, allied with teams 973 and 4135. The match went off without a hitch. Ziptie quickly shot over the Red Team’s defenses, zipping this way and
Before the match. Zipline center.
Ziptie in all his glory.
that. I must commend Jonathan Rivas and Gerardo Guardado for maneuvering their robot so expertly. Armando Mora served as their coach, calmly overseeing and mingling with the other coaches. Melina Basso took the part of human player, managing the boulders as quickly as they came. The Blue Alliance destroyed the opposition; the end score? 106-42! Ranked 9 out of 49, they had made it to the Quarter Finals!
The rest of the day followed suit; team 5852 ultimately went up against the previous FIRST Robotics World champs! Soon, it was time for the pits to close and the awards ceremony to begin. I visited the pits to congratulate the team one last time. I wanted to stay for the actual awards ceremony, but when a guy tipped his fez to me, I knew I needed to make an exit… soon. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long to learn that Illusion Robotics had won the Rookie Inspiration Award! On behalf of all members of El Capitan, I would like to congratulate all of Illusion Robotics as well as their academic mentors. Best of luck to you now and to all your future endeavors!
(From left to right) Illusion Robotics Pit Crew: Melina Basso, Mai Yer Thao, Phoua Thao
(not pictured) Ruth Ibarra, Angela Almeda, Kristy Tsung, and Rose Vang.
(Pictured left to right) Drive team members: Melina Basso, Gerardo Guardado, Jonathan Rivas
(Not pictured) Armando Mora
Back Row: Tony Doyle, Melina Basso, Daniel, Alan Triano, Gerardo Guardado, Armando Mora, Sean Robinson, Tyrin Herr, Alex Moua, Cristian Castillo, Jacob Cortez, Jonathan Rivas
Front Row: Ruth Ibarra, Phoua Thao, Angela Almeda, Mai Yer Thao, Lucky Her, Rose Vang,
Kristy Tsung
Congrats on to our winners of the Rookie Inspiration Award!