Playing on the safe Side

Only 35% of American women depend on a contraceptive, such as the birth control pill, instead of or in addition to condoms (yes those dreadful, inconvenient little rubbers) or other preventive methods.  Taking contraceptives is not absolutely necessary in preventing pregnancy. However, young adults and college woman are told that it is too risky to have sex without using contraceptives.  Even though I agree that contraceptives are not 100% necessary I have learned the hard way that it is better to play safe the hard way. 

I had one sexual partner for three years, and I refused to "consume hormones" as I once put it.  I took risks and I could have cared less.  I did not use a preventive method and after three years of not getting pregnant I did not see any reason to start taking birth control regardless what people told me. 

The about a year ago reality struck.  A positive pregnancy test meant my world was going to change, and it did.  Ten weeks later I did have an abortion. Because one, the relationship I was in was falling apart, and two, at 20 I was in no way ready to be a mother. 

Now, despite all my earlier immature thinking about birth control and other contraceptives, I have alarms and reminders to swallow that little blue pill every day.  And I encourage other women that are not using it to start.   

Two other girls, Danielle Stoir, 20, and Jackie Hobbs, 21, and I often invade the house in which all of our boyfriends are roommates.  The conversations that take place are sometimes personal, and I have asked about the methods they are practicing. 


Hobbs swears by two forms of methods at all times.  As she puts it she will not have sex unless there are two forms of preventive methods, most commonly the pill and a condom.  However, this can be a little over the top. 

The pill alone only gives her less than 1% chance of getting pregnant.  The only time a back up method is suggested is when a female is beginning to use birth control for the first time, or if they forgot to take a pill.  Even after hearing these facts, she still insists on her "two rule."  Whatever works for her works for her.     

There is no need to over think birth control.  Now days, it can take more effort for women to become pregnant than it does for to prevent it.  On the other hand Stoir has not used any contraception method.   Stoir did say though that she wants to but fears going to a clinic.  As a friend I told her that I would go with her and it is not as scary as she thinks.  There is no reason for her not to take birth control, and therefore she should even if it only raises the chance of her not getting pregnant slightly.

Plus there are benefits other than preventing pregnancies that come with taking the pill.  These include regulation of your period, lighter periods, and less cramps.  It also has a positive effect on PMMD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), or also known as PMS, symptoms, which is a great thing for the people around us. 

So even though it is not necessary any sexually active female should play on the safe side and take advantage of what contraceptives have to offer.

How-to Change a Flat Tire

Even if you always change your tires on a regular basis, and avoid glass and sharp objects on the road, just do not say that it will not happen to you.  Statistics show that an average person will have a flat tire about 5 times in their life.  Knowing how to change it is not only proof of your self-sufficiency, but a skill every man and woman should acquire.    

 
First, it is a must to ensure you have everything for such an emergency.

The spare tire is the most important.  Most cars already have one, but if it is a used car check and see if it is still there and in good condition.  Find the designated area for the spare tire in the driver’s manual of the car.  A proper spare tire is well inflated; the tire pressure of the spare should be checked monthly.    
A lug wrench and a jack are also needed.  There are three options for jacks, the scissor jack, hydraulic jack, and the trolley jack.  The scissor jacks are most common in cars and are hand operated.  The hydraulic and trolley jacks are great for cars weighing over 2 tons. 

The next few items are optional but will make changing the tire easier: a flashlight, to see in the dark, tire blocks, gloves, and a tarp. 

Pull the car safely to the side of the road and out of traffic’s harm.  Turn on the hazard lights to warn other drivers. 

Now pull out the tools and spare tire.  Before changing the tire, place tire blocks beside the tire opposite to the one that is flat to keep the car from rolling. 

Next step is to remove the hub cap, not all cars have them. Grab each side and pull away from the tire and towards you. 

Then grab the lug wrench and loosen the lug nuts (remember “lefty loosey, righty tighty”). This may be a tough task so feel free to your entire body weight by stepping on the lug wrench. Don’t remove them yet. 

Now it is time to jack up the car.  Read the driver’s manual and find out where the proper place is to put the jack.  Then place it there and raise the jack until it hits the frame of the car.  Ensure placement, then continue raising the jack until the tire is about 6 inches off the ground. 

Take off the lug nuts now, and place them in a safe spot.  Pull the tire straight towards you to take it off. 

Now place the spare tire and lug nuts on, do not tighten them yet.  Lower the jack.  Do this slowly so the car does not hit the ground abruptly and cause damage. 

Next take the lug wrench and tighten the lug nuts.  The proper way to do this is to start with one and then go to the opposite one.  Most cars have 5 lug nuts and the trick is the 5 point star pattern to tighten them.  The reason for this is to make sure the tire is on even and balanced. 

Before driving off, put the flat tire and the tools in the trunk. Make sure not to leave anything behind.  Now pull the gloves off and give yourself a pat on the back and pull safely back into traffic.  The spare tire is meant to last up to 50 miles at a 50 mph speed.  The next stop should be the nearest tire shop.   

Every situation is different, such as where and when the flat tire occurs.  So be cautious and use the best judgment as possible.  If unable to change the tire alone call a towing company for help.  Do not accept help from strangers because it puts your safety and the car at risk. 

One the most reliable towing and road side service company is AAA.  The service is free when you pay an annual fee to become a member.

Safe Driving.     

trick or treat?

In classrooms, in halls, and even off-campus, there is chatter about the upcoming holiday Halloween. One event that sparked the classic trick-or-treat behavior among California State University of Sacramento students was the University Union’s eleventh annual Phlagleblast. 

Perhaps you are wondering what the Phlagleblast is. The Phlagleblast is an event to get students acquainted with the University Union and all of the services it provides. Each of the 23 stations represented a service available to students in the Union. 


Anyways, on Halloween the act of trick-or-treating is rewarded with candy and sometimes other small prizes. Among college students trick-or-treating has changed to knocking on doors to party-hopping for free booze and good time. Either way it is a winning situation for all especially for low-budget college students that cannot afford to add candy and alcohol to their budget. 

Furthermore, another part of Halloween that students chatter about is costumes, and therefore themes. The Phlagleblast did not hesitate to have a theme and some offices in the Union went all out for the jungle theme. The third of the Union was the most extravagant with animal print scarves, a cardboard jeep around a desk, and to please the ears a CD playing sounds of the jungle all complete with rain and tiger roars. If students hung around long enough there was even a man who dressed up as a lion with a lion’s mane on. Talk about being early for Halloween.

However, the Phlagleblast was not intentionally to be like Halloween at all, but it just so happened to be a Halloween spirited event that was a winning situation for Sac State students. With a total of 23 stations set up along the three floor of the University Union, or commonly referred to as the Union, students walked around to each one to get a stamp as well as free stuff.

As for the services that were represented at the stations I could not tell you much. However, I could tell you about the goodies that filled my pocket as I was similarly trick-or-treating through all three floors of the Union. One of my favorites included a Charms loli-pop, and of course what college student could resist a new highlighter?

The biggest treat was rewarded to those students who managed to journey through all three floors and get the complete set of 23 stamps. The choice was either a T-shirt or a student planner. Even more so, just to bribe a large amount of students to complete this tedious task each completed stamp-card was entered in a drawing to win grand prizes. These grand prizes included an I-pad, a X-box 360, a tent, and a few others that most college students could not even imagine purchasing with what little budgets we have. 

The pens, Post-it book flags, highlighter, and loli-pop, or treats, all worked well for encouraging students to complete the journey through the Union’s jungle. But the question that remains unanswered is whether or not students will return to take advantage of the 23 services. 

As for me, even though my student fees pay for these services I doubt I will spend any more time in the Union that I normally do. Just like Halloween I enjoy the treats that come that day but I do not celebrate all year long. 

To see a slideshow of the University Union’s eleventh annual Phlagleblast event go to: http://www.statehornet.com/multimedia/slideshow-university-union-shows-its-wild-side-in-annual-phlagleblast-event-1.1602279

Its an Emergency

Regardless of the risks of getting pregnant or even getting a sexually transmitted disease many college students and others in all age groups particpate in unprotected sexual intercourse.  Unfortunately, this has led to one third of woman between the ages of 18 and 24 that attend a 4-year institution getting pregnant. 

However, thanks to emergency contraceptives, the number of unintended births has declined steadily in the last decade. 
Emergency contraceptives are hormonal based product that are able to prevent pregnancies up to 5 days after unprotected sex.  There are two forms of the contraceptive available to woman.  The most common form is the pill, which is also known as the "morning after" pill, and it is taken orally right after unprotected intercourse.

Emergency contraceptives were designed not as a birth control method but to prevent possible pregnancies.  Reasons to take an emergency contraceptive include if a condom broke during sex, or if  regular birth control was not taken, or forgotten, around the time of sexual intercourse.     

The second form of emergency contraceptives available to woman is the Copper-T intrauterine device.  This device can be instered by a doctor or trained clinician and is more effective than the pill.  It reduces the risk of becoming pregnant by 99%.  Another advantage of having the Copper-T device inserted is that it can be left in for up to ten years and can be used as a regular birth control. 

Emergency contraceptives are easily accessible and affordable.  On average the cost is $10 to $70.  They can be purchased from numerous places, including local Planned Parenthood facilities.  At these facilities they try to keep costs down to a minimum for woman and sometimes contraceptives can be purchased cheaper than the average cost.  Other places that have the "morning after" pill for purchase are local drug stores, and to students, Sac State's health center. 

Some have said that woman are becoming too dependent on emergency contraceptives as a birth control method.  There are even numerous women that take the emergency contraceptive even though more than likely they would not have become pregnant.  Overall it is best to be safe than sorry. 

However, if this form of pregnancy prevention was not available there would be many more people that would have children that they did not plan for and therefore not ready for.  Also, accidents happen and emergency contraceptives serve their purpose as pregnancy prevention.  This does not mean that people should not deal with consequences of their actions but that they should be careful and understand that sexual intercourse is a serious matter.   

Regardless of how easy it is use emergency contraceptives as a last-minute prevention to pregnancy woman should know that it should not be used as alternative to regular birth control.  It is called "emergency" contraceptives for a reason.  Also, using an external form of birth control such as a condom is still important because emergency contraceptives are not as effective in pregnancy prevention, nor do they protect against STDs. 

Crowded Saturday Disaster

First thing Sunday morning at the Streets of London Pub located in midtown Sacramento 4 people were shot, one resulting in a death.  Victor Hugo Perez Zavala, 24, was one of the thousands of people attending Second Saturday, a community event for midtown art viewers and galleries, and sadly someone took his life about 12:13a.m.

This out of ordinary crime is unexplained, but has managed to stir conversation across the Sacramento region.  The largest debate is about whether or not Second Saturday should be continued.


Midtown neighbors are unhappy about the recent dynamic of Second Saturday.  the event was originally created to drawn in art viewers to the galleries, and was a quiet event.  Now the event draws over 10,000 people even though the art galleries doors close at ten crowds still continue to loiter the streets and reek havoc at the nearby nightclubs and bars.

It must not be overlooked that with any event this large crowd control is a difficult and necessary task.  Organizers of Second Saturday understood this and even paid to have 5 extra police forces.   The event organizers and merchant participants are doing what they can to patrol this large event.

Nonetheless, the merchants are still frustrated with the large crowds because it has also become their problem.  Shoplifting in local stores increases during Second Saturday due to the large crowd.

Even though they would like to close their doors during this event they can not afford to pass on an estimated 1,000 customers.  During this national recession any business is appreciated by these merchants.   Second Saturday draws in new customers to the local stores and has a huge business impact in all of midtown area.

If anything Second Saturday may need tighter patrol and guidelines in businesses and on the streets, but it should not be taken away from Sacramento citizens.  It is one of the few events left that create that midtown feeling and without it Sacramento and midtowns businesses will suffer.

Perhaps one solution would be to hold Second Saturday on a different day, or earlier in the day.  Saturday night, as well as Friday, are popular nights for people to go out to the clubs and bars, such as Streets of London.  However, if the Second Saturday event was held on a Sunday early afternoon, it would attract a different crowd of people and get rid of the crowd that are causing the problems. 

Nevertheless, an event such as Second Saturday, is vital to our community and to our local businesses, and as a community we should support the event regardless of what a couple people have done. 

Welcome Back!

After a three month Summer break I am more than happier to welcome Fall 2010 classes at CSU Sacramento!  By the end of July I had already felt the loss of brain cells, and I am pleased to know I can start gaining them back.  Even though this week has been rough with impossible parking, waitlisted classes and too-early-in-the-morning classes, I could not be more excited to open books, exercise my writing, and most importantly practice my drawing. 

FACS 133, Creative Principles of Design, is the one class I have been looking forward to taking.  Unfortunately, this is the one class that I happen to be on the waitlist.  It is a shame too because this class is the only class for my major, Apparel Marketing and Design, that I have a chance in getting into.  The other four classes that I am enrolled in are for my minor, Journalism.  So, I am crossing my fingers for good news bright and early Wednesday morning.

Not only do I want to take this class because I have a passion in the subject, but it will allow me to drop my dreadful 7:30 a.m. class.  Truth is that early in the morning my brain just does not function, especially considering all summer I was crawling into bed at 4 a.m. So I am on my hands and knees praying that by some miracle I will be added into the FACS class, that way I can still fulfill my full-time requirements for financial aid, a blessing that I could not do without.  

Another exciting factor of the first week of classes has been the parking.  First, I must complain about the $156 for the parking permit; as if rising our tuition and the cost of books are not enough.  Sometimes I feel like it is expected that students have money dropping out of their pockets because they are just too full.  Last time I checked, my pockets were empty. 

To continue my small rant about Sac State's parking situation, the first week just also happens to be the week that two of the parking lots on campus are under construction giving students less options.  I have heard so many stories about students driving around for 30 minutes before they were able to park their car.  Fortunately, I only had to do that once this week.  I have been lucky to find parking quickly.  Nevertheless, I was late three days in a row because I underestimated the time it took to get to campus that early in the morning.  All summer my mornings did not start until the afternoon and I neglected the fact that because of morning traffic it is takes longer than usual to get anywhere. 

Furthermore, with three Journalism classes in my schedule, Column Writing, Magazine Writing, and Online Publishing, it has been quite a task not confusing assignments and due dates between them.  Of course I did fail at this, and missed one due date, but I suppose it is better to learn sooner than later.  Perhaps this mistake will help me not to make it again.  Otherwise this may be a very long semester. 

Overall, even though this first week back has been difficult because I have had to completely change my schedule, I am looking forward to learning.  The way I look at it is that I have already finished one week and there is only fifteen more weeks until I can get right back to letting my brain cells slip away.