Comics

Corporate Mango by Jon Diotalevi

The Game by Chris Donovan

Haiku Challenge by Allison Reitz

Sudoku

Sudoku is made up of a 9 x 9 playing field with numbers from 1 to 9 scattered throughout. The object of the game is to fill every column, row and 3 x 3 box with the numbers 1 through 9, without repeating any numbers in any given column, row or box.

The difficulty level of the puzzles will change from week to week. Some will be easy. Some will be moderate. Some will make you want to cry. It’s gonna be a grab bag, so hang on.

If you get stuck, the answers can be found here, but don’t give in unless you absolutely cannot do it! What fun is finishing it if you had to cheat?

Horoscopes

ARIES
March 24 - April 19
After spending literally all of your savings on textbooks for classes, you are broke. You have no money to impress the person you are with or want to be with and you certainly do not have the cash to impress yourself. Look for a job on-campus as that would suite you best. Maybe become a desk attendant in a residential hall.

TAURUS
April 20 - May 20
Winter break was boring. The first couple days back on campus have been boring. You need something more exciting to happen. Unfortunately, nothing of the sort will happen to you for at least another week and a half. Until then, try “people watching” at Res.

GEMINI
May 21 - June 21
You need an escape. You are already getting overly stressed again and your usual methods of relaxation are just not working anymore. Read or reread J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” It will provide you with an adventurous escape from your own reality.

CANCER
June 22 - July 22
Your organization has become a bigger issue than you ever expected. It’s time to get organized. Purchase an agenda book and make sure you keep up with it constantly. Get some storage bins that can fit beneath your bed. Use Post-it notes for quick reminders.

LEO
July 23 - August 22
You have been doing some illegal activities lately, but have escaped being caught. This “lucky” streak will come to an end shortly. Take a step back and reflect on what you are and question whether or not it is worth it.

VIRGO
August 23 - September 22
You knew this would happen. That girl or guy you had a disastrous fling with right before school closed for winter break is in one of your smaller sized classes. He or she is constantly staring disgustedly in your direction, which is really distracting you from what the professor is lecturing about. You should have considered this beforehand.

LIBRA
September 23 - October 22
Your week looks sunny. So far, you have nothing to worry about or stress over. Enjoy it while it lasts.

SCORPIO
October 23 – November 21
Seriously, lay off the carbohydrates. It is all you have been consuming lately. Try wheat bread instead of rye, or even a wrap instead of sliced bread. You may love bread, but it is not healthy to be eating too much of it, especially since that is eliminating options for you to get all the other vitamins, minerals and whatnot that you need.

SAGITTARIUS
November 22 - December 21
This is going to be a clumsy weekend for you. You will be dropping and spilling things left and right. You will be tripping over and walking into things wherever you walk. Be cautious.

CAPRICORN
December 22 - January 19
You’re in need of good, hilarious comedy that will take your mind off the downer stuff that has been going on around you lately. Rent “Superbad” or “Good Luck Chuck.” Either one of those movies is bound to have you caught up in laughter.

AQUARIUS
January 20 - February 18 vHow come you haven’t signed up for the campus gym yet? Think about that question all weekend. Hopefully, though, it will not take that long to sink in before you walk over to the gym, sign up and then exercise before the weekend is through.

PISCES
February 19 - March 20
School has been in session for around half a month and your snack money is already half gone. By the time spring break comes along, you will not be happy. Balance out where and when you eat.

Poetic Perfection

Rising Tide

By Malissa Vieira

I’ve got this rising tide
Rising, rising, rage
Now at the shores of my understanding
I comprehend so clearly
What before the fog of my desire
Would not let me see
In my head I had this image
It was of you
And it was of me
So foolishly I let you enter my water
Only to have you pollute my sea
I’ve got this rising tide
Raging, raging inside
Asking why. Why?
Why did I let such an impurity
Destroy my beautiful sea

Impossible Height

By S.S.

this staircase that supports my steps,
it is broken and eroding.
the hallways are as empty as it gets.
my world’s falling apart here.
my world’s falling apart at home.
my world and its pieces,
I fear,
are suffocating me to be more alone.
where is the light that once grazed my skin?
has it gone out or has it chosen
someone else?
who I am and what I stand for,
have become something unknown.
all opportunities have sealed their doors;
where I am going,
perhaps nowhere,
I am unsure.
I’ll keep climbing these stairs,
wandering these silent, idle halls,
waiting for an open door or window
that is most advantageous in time.
until then,
climb,
climb,
climb.

If you would like to see your own poetry published in the Torch, email ssarnelli@umassd.edu.