The recent proposal by a joint teacher-community committee to build a stone labyrinth in the open space outside the art wing on the Colesville Road side brings to mind many heretofore unasked questions about the nature of labyrinths, self-discovery, urban art projects and solipsism (whatever that means).
As many sports teams are concluding their regular season and looking towards the post-season world of playoffs and divisionals, a review of their performances as well as expectations:
NOV. 17, WHEATON INDOOR ICE RINK— The Blair Community ice hockey team is not affiliated or sponsored by the Montgomery Blair High School athletic program or Montgomery County Public Schools. The team is an independent group of Blair students. With high hopes for the 2006-2007 season, the Blair ice hockey team took the ice tonight expecting to flex their offensive muscle against the Magruder Colonels in their season opener. However, the Colonels completely shut down the Blair offense and dominated the Blazer defense, inducing the mercy rule with 2:02 left in the third period with a score of 10-0.
NOV. 10, Blazer Stadium— Damascus is not as strong a team as it was last year. A junior-entrenched roster, it lacks the overall leadership its state championship team held in such high esteems. This, however, mattered little as they dominated Blair last night in the Blazers' final game of the season, 35-7.
NOV. 3, BLAKE— Just two weeks ago, a winless varsity football season seemed inevitable. After losing seven straight games and scoring only 24 points all season, team morale was low, and so were expectations. But in week eight they finally edged out a victory against the un-ranked Einstein Titans. The game was wet, it was cold and it wasn't pretty — but in the end, they came out on top. This week, despite crowds of naysayers, the Blazers won again, trampling the Blake Bengals (1-8) 29-13.
OCT. 27, Einstein— Winning always feel good — even when it's cold, wet and muddy — but especially when you've lost seven games in a row. Tonight, the Blazers finally put one in the 'W' category, edging out a victory over the Einstein Titans, 8-6. Saving a win-less season, they improved their record to 1-7.
"The Grudge 2," the sequel to "The Grudge," fails to advance the already-exhausted plot-line. Aside from killing off Karen Davis (Sarah Michelle Gellar), it does little more than provide cheap scares via slow-pan-shots. And, worst of all, it makes the seemingly straightforward story of Kayako, the not-so-friendly-ghost, even more complicated.
OCT. 20, Blazer Stadium— For those who hadn't predicted it already, no, the Blair varsity football squad is not going to the playoffs. Tonight, despite the return of senior Ross Williams, the Blazers dropped their seventh straight game, losing to the Kennedy Cavaliers, 0-35.
There are certain truths to which we hold dear. What goes up must come down. What goes around comes around. Non-denominational ceremonies in denominational locations like churches cause controversy. And finding the perfect place to hold graduation each year can prove elusive.
SEPT. 29, Blazer Stadium— The Blazers were heftily defeated tonight at home by the Sherwood Warriors, 6-43, in a performance comparable only to their play against the Warriors in the 2005-2006 season — where they lost 7-48. Tonight's loss dropped their season record to 0-4.
Sept. 21, Quince Orchard— Being shut out is never empowering. It is an utter and often humiliating defeat. The Blair varsity football team (0-3), coming off of a 0-28 loss to the Springbrook Blue Devils, fell once again, 0-28, to the Quince Orchard Cougars. It's just that nobody told them. Walking off the field with their heads held high, they, along with their coaching staff, were proud. Proud that they battled. Proud that they never gave up. Proud that they showed up to play.
Sept. 16, Springbrook— The Springbrook Blue Devils are hardly a perennial powerhouse in Montgomery County football. Their last state championship came in 1988 and a season with a winning record in 2002. Blown out during the first game of the season 33-0 against the Sherwood Warriors, little was expected of the Blue Devils in their game against Blair. However, on this dreary day, they would seek their just desserts, demolishing the Blair varsity football squad 28-0.
April 4, Blazer Stadium— The Blair Blazers were defeated 13-4 by the Damascus Hornets tonight, dropping their overall season record to 0-6. Plagued by errors, the team found itself unable to pass efficiently or capitalize on Damascus mistakes. They were also hindered by the absence of senior captains Diana Frey and Julie Spatz, who remained on the sidelines due to injuries.
Running is dangerous — statistics don't lie. Baseball is more than just dangerous — it is corrupting and insidiously perverse. Abolish recess. Outlaw the swing set. Tear down the monkey bars — set the monkeys free.
When junior Danny Min goes to Wheaton Mall, he has only one thing on his mind: new shoes. But Min doesn't want just any new pair of Jordans or Nikes. Min, a self-declared collector of shoes, is searching for the ever—elusive "First Game Lebron James Zoom Air Generations." With a tip-off from a friend that two pairs may arrive soon at Foot Locker, Min is within striking distance of a pair of dream shoes.
There's nothing special about a square. It's angular, bland. It's what we call people who don't know how to let loose and have a good time.
"You have to understand, my family is perfectly normal," says John, a junior. "We all have secrets we don't tell each other. My secret is just that I used to do ecstasy."
In Zorro's 90 year history, numerous films have been created to honor Johnston McCulley's pulp fiction story. First there was the soundless "Mark of Zorro," released in 1920; then a twelve-chapter film created in 1937, titled "Zorro Rides Again;" a Disney television series in 1957; and finally, the prequel to the "Legend of Zorro," "The Mask of Zorro." The latest installment in the already sizable franchise inspired by the swashbuckling charmer, "The Legend of Zorro" provides fast-paced, fun entertainment, romance and hair raising stunts – but because of its new PG rating, doesn't quite live up to its predecessors.
With femme fatales, "French Connection" inspired car chase scenes, a balding Australian with moves like Jackie Chan, hot cars and more explosions than the National Mall on July 4, "Transporter 2" accomplishes exactly what its predecessor, "The Transporter" does; it returns to basics, which in an age where Tom Cruise can set the standards with Mission Impossible II, is more than just a welcome change.