if you dont mind sharing, what are some of your favorite ska songs/bands?

I will admit I am not a huge band person I tend to be more of a "pick whatever random songs sound good" person, so I can't recommend any good bands. I also listen to Ska Punk, which is a subgenre of Ska... and Punk. So I am not a good authority on Ska songs to listen to I am just someone who is banned from being passed the aux cord...

But some of my favorite songs include:

No Children - Ska (cover)

Quinto Patio Ska

Everything Went Numb

S F D D

And songs by Reel Big Fish tbh. I know I just said I don't listen to specific bands but Reel Big Fish has some pretty good songs like...

Sell Out

And their Take on Me cover

Here's my disclaimer, though: I am not into music subcultures I just listen to whatever sounds good (and jazzy punk with horns sounds good), so I could be giving absolutely awful music recommendations that anyone who is especially into Ska (and more specifically Ska Punk) might find egregious. I personally just grab whatever song sounds good and add them to my forever long playlist.

Also the Jabberjaw (Running Underwater) song from Pain used for the Cartoon Network Boomerang Groovies is probably the reason I enjoy Ska punk so much, and it has been in my playlist for years now:

If nothing else in this list interests you, I require everyone by law to listen to Jabberjaw Running Under Water by pain and watch the Cartoon Network Boomerang Groovie video of it. I used to watch Boomerang a million times, and this was probably the only Groovie I really enjoyed watching and didn't go to the bathroom during.

New Ban On Talking On Phone While Driving

Stephanie Franco, St. Catherine University Class of 2019

May 10, 2019

In most states including Minnesota, texting while driving is illegal. Texting while driving entails composing, reading, or sending an electronic message from a phone, tablet, laptop or another similar device and is considered a petty misdemeanor [1]. If one gets caught texting and driving the penalty is a fine. For the first offense the fine is $50, a second offense would add $225 to the first offense [1] resulting in a fine that is $275! As of August 2017, 46 states ban texting while driving and 14 ban talking on a hand-held cell phone [1]. In every state the penalty for texting while driving is a fine, but those fines vary [1]. On the other hand in Minnesota, it is not a violation to use a phone in hands free mode; make a phone call; obtain emergency assistance for an accident or medical emergency; or send or read an electronic message in the reasonable belief that a person’s life is in immediate danger [1]. But law enforcement agencies have had problems enforcing distracted driving laws because drivers are using their phones for other reasons [2]. Because of this a new ban has been placed on holding phones while driving [2]. The hands free bill was signed by Governor Tim Walz on April 12th, 2019 and will go into effect August of 2019 [3]. Supporters of the bill say that this will be the key to get Minnesotans to put their phones down and in turn reduce distracted driving accidents [2]. While opponents believe that the ban limits personal freedom [2]. Senator Torrey Westrom states that for some jobs, talking while driving is the only time people have to field phone calls, this ban would limit people’s ability to do this [2].

So what can people do while in the car after August? Drivers can use their cell phone to make calls, text, listen to music or podcasts and get directions, but only by voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone [3]. Single touch means that as long as your phone is held up by something that is not your hand, you can tap the phone one time, but not type. As long as the driver is not holding the phone, the driver should be okay. But these things can still be a distraction for the driver even if they are hands free. Meaning that drivers still need to be careful. What drivers cannot do is use their phone at any time for video calling, video live-streaming, Snapchat, gaming, looking at video or photos on the phone, using non-navigation apps, reading texts and scrolling or typing on the phone [3]. Of course a driver can hold their phone if they are calling for help, but that is it. People can also use a GPS navigation device because it is not included in the hands free bill [3]. Moreover, those who hold their phones to their ear in their hijabs also do not face the penalties of the hands free law because they are not holding the device [3]. With that said this new law is supposed to keep the people of Minnesota safe. In 12 of 15 states that have hands free laws, traffic accidents have decreased by 15% [3]. Also since phones are easier to see when in a person's hand it will be easier for law enforcement to enforce the laws [3].

The office of public safety also provides some helpful tips to go hands free. For example, the first and cheapest option would be not to use your phone while driving, put your phone in the glove compartment or even in the trunk while you drive [3]. Another option would be to use a single earphone that has a microphone so that you can still talk on the phone [3]. You cannot use two headphones because that is illegal in Minnesota [3]. They also suggest getting an auxiliary cord [3]. This way the phone can be connected through the car’s AUX jack and you can operate the phone through the AUX. If someone does not have an AUX jack, but has a cassette player, they could get an adapter that allows for your phone to connect through the earphone jack [3]. If these are not feasible, one can also get a phone holder clip [3]. You could talk to your phone through siri or google, allowing you to use your phone, but not holding it. Lastly, they mentioned buying a bluetooth speaker to connect your phone to [3].  

All in all, this hands free bill is supposed to keep the streets of Minnesota safer. The states that do have such laws have noticed a drop in driving accidents and Minnesota hopes to mirror that drop. When the law goes into effect, drivers will not be able to hold their phones while they are driving and could get a fine if caught doing so. Using your phone through voice commands or single touch activation is okay, again as long as the driver is not holding the phone. This new law will make it easier for law enforcement to enforce the law because talking on the phone is much more noticeable than other things, which may increase the number of fines given to distracted drivers. This will hopefully act as a deterrent to other drivers.

________________________________________________________________

[1]https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/ss/ssdistdrvg.pdf

[2]https://www.twincities.com/2019/03/25/minnesota-senate-approves-ban-on-using-cellphone-while-driving/

[3]https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/hands-free/Pages/default.aspx

Chapter 01

~~Cami POV~~ I really hate the mornings; I wish I never have to wake up. So I toss and turn until my alarm just starts blaring at me. Then I begrudgingly get out of my cozy cocoon; and trudge into my bathroom which looks like Jasmines palace in Agrabah. My room and bathroom have speakers in hidden spots so once I hook my phone to their Bluetooth and I select my favorite playlist; which starts out with Boys Like Girls' Be Your Everything. As the beat starts to wake me up I walk to my open shower and turn the water on and continue to wake up by singing the song into my mirror. I take off my clothes and step into the shower and I continue to sing the next song on the list which is Cups and after a few more songs I turn the water off and I walk out of my shower.  I wrap my hair in a towel and I put my satin robe on as I turn on my fan in my bathroom and walk to my vanity where I plan to start my routine. I flip on the stage lights that surround my vanity and sigh as I gaze upon my refection; everyone says that my face and body are flawless but if that is so then how come I can easily find flaws in them. I reach for my cc cream and I thinly apply it to my face and neck then after that I put on my pore minimizer. After my base is done on my face I start adding my concealer and bronzer; then my cheek tint. Next I always do my eyes; the normal stuff my pink neutral eye shadow, MaryKay black waterproof mascara, silver glitter mascara on top, black onyx eyeliner and my favorite gold and pink glitter eye shadow. I swiftly put my sheer pink lip tint on my lips and then my clear non sticky gloss. I graciously turn off my lights on my vanity and stand from my little bench and sauntered to my mirror by my sink and I quickly put in my leave-in conditioner running my fingers through my blonde curls and as I stare into my reflection I start to see what everyone sees. I tousle my hair a little bit and with the skills of a ninja I put my curl booster in and then of course hair gel. I spray aquanet on my hair and face to keep everything in place. I add a bow to my hair last second before my hair sets up. I stare at myself in the mirror and I like what I see so I exit my bathroom but before I do I take my towels that I used and put them in the laundry chute.     Walking back out to my room I go to my walk-in closet where you could comfortably live in and sometimes I find my brother in there; just watching TV or listening to music. We share our huge closet; so one huge room is mine and one is his and our rooms are actually adjoining but you can only get to his room from mine via the closet lounge. Which has two arm chairs a chaise and a couch  and our shoes that line the walls plus our accessories. If no one can find him I know I can because twin telepathy; and as a protective measure we had several hidden panic rooms that weren't on the blueprints. Plus our closet has a pass-code and a bio-metric lock. I start to put together my outfit my Cami NYC pink high collared tank that flows just past my hips with my Hudson Jeans Croxley shorts I take a look and I love how this outfit looks on me. With my long tanned legs the dark washed denim is just fabulous. I walk into the lounge where I see my brother doing the same thing as me picking out shoes and I have to chuckle to myself which he catches.     "What's so funny?" he smirked.     "You. You're funny. I swear you are more like me everyday." I smiled     He smiled and walked over to my side of the lounge and looked at the few pairs I had out one pair of neutral wedges that were about five inches, a pair of sparkled pumps also about five inches and a pair of sneaker wedges about three inches.     Jesse sat down next to me and pointed to the pumps. " Alright nerd let's go with the Christian Louboutin pumps." I stared blankly at him and he chuckles "Now who looks funny?" He kisses the top of my head and says "Hurry up we are going to be late for our first day. I'll grab your bags if you want me to; that way once you are finished being a princess you can meet me in the car." He hands me my tumblers one of coffee for the morning and the other of sweet tea.     "Uh...yea sure I'll be down in a minute or so." I still can't get over that he knows as much about fashion as I do. Sometimes he knows more but you would never know it from looking at him while I had blonde hair he had brown hair and we shared the same bright blue eyes the same face shape and the real difference between us. Height. Jesse is about 6'10" and I am an awesome height of 5'2" so even though I am two minutes older than him he always calls me little sister. But I don't mind it keeps people from messing with me too much. I look at my 6s and mumble "Shit" I throw the pumps on and dash to the elevator in our house.     I finally get to the bottom floor and holler a good bye and I love you to my mom who is scuttling about the kitchen. Mom quit her job when I was about five to help with the family; I am one of three girls and the only set of twins in the family but I have eight brothers. So when mom quit her job dad was really supportive of her and you can tell how much he truly loves her when he looks at her. As I walk out of the front doors I see Jesse standing outside of my Jeep Renegade; he has a car but it's not so practical he has a Jaguar F-Type and even though it is a really nice car; it drives too fast for the sharp turns out here. I get to the door and get in I see Jesse is already in and buckled up and I see that he already has my cheer backpack, my soccer duffel, my purse, and my school backpack already in the backseat and I love when he does things like this for me. Because not only does he have them in the backseat but he also has them in the order that I need them. A smile spreads across my face and I look at him and grin.     "Ready to go? New School, New people, New everything" I giggle. He just stares at me.     "Why do we have to transfer so much? I liked the last school. I fit in really well."     I lowered my head knowing why we transfer so much despite never moving. "Because Dad needs us to. He'll tell you when you are ready to know why we do what we do. He told me when I was six and I have been moving around since then. I know this is hard for you this only being your third school but it gets easier. That is why we have social media and cell phones get their numbers and keep in touch hang out outside of school. I swear it does get easier." I start out of our driveway and I GPS the school that dad gave me; I wait at the stop sign about a mile down the road and plug in my my phone into my Aux port and pick a playlist; my everything playlist. And I choose Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon and Jesse and I start singing with the song. After about an hour and thirty minutes we arrive at the address and I pull into the lot and find the first parking spot and Jesse says where's the school? And I look around and see no buildings, no walk ways, nothing that signifies that this is a school. Just a lot with cars surrounded by woods. All of a sudden I see a glimmer of something out just to my left.     Jesse hops out of the car and he walks to the back of our Renegade and grabs his bag and then opens my door and held out his hand so I can get out of the car. He then hands me my regular backpack and my purse leaving my soccer stuff and my cheer backpack still in the back seat. I grab my circa 1985 Ray Ban aviators the same ones that Tom Cruise wore in Top Gun; Jesse chuckles and grins at me.     "What?!" I say sarcastically.     "You and those glasses." He barely got out from laughing so hard. But then he pulls out his exact same pair. But his are the ones that Anthony Edwards wore.     "Shut up Goose."     "Listen Mav I just wanna get home safe." he laughs I punch his arm. He has always had the weirdest names for me. I love him though. So as we are walking out to the glimmer that is calling my name for some reason; I wonder how it can get into my head when I am closed off mentally. I can feel Jesse's nervousness and I send him some good vibes. ~~~~~A/N~~~~~ Hey everyone I hope you like this first chapter... They are going to be a little slow to start and I'm sorry this is my first book. Xoxo PrettyLittleCami Insta: StrawberryFields1617 Snap: Soccersister12