other press vol 39 issue 24

I can’t quit you, Veronica

Letter from the Editor:

If all good things must come to an end, are they still good if they come back long after they’re over? My friends are always harping on me to stop dwelling in the past and to look to the future, but I can’t help but look back on things that made me happy before and wonder if I could recreate them. Case in point? The Veronica Mars movie.

Veronica Mars and her Hitchcock blonde-high school hijinks hold a special place in my heart. A few years ago, I found myself bedridden for weeks, unable to do much more than lift a finger; so, I lifted said finger to press play on a marathon of the entire series of Veronica Mars. Veronica got me through a tough time, and I was more than a little sad to watch the end credits roll on the final episode. Still, I learned to accept that it was over and move on with my life. Imagine my surprise, then, to hear last week that five years after the show’s cancellation, it was coming back in the form of a fan-funded film.

My feelings are mixed. On the one hand, I have such affection for the series, that a little more of the characters and stories that I so enjoy seems like a dream. On the other hand—in entertainment and in life—revisiting a long-lost love always comes with risk: the risk of ruining what you thought you had, the risk that it’s changed for the worst, the risk that you’ve changed for the worst.

So, will I be first in line when Veronica Mars: Electric Boogaloo finally hits theatres? At this point, I’m pointing my sails towards “yes.” As large as the danger of disappointment may be, I ultimately can’t resist giving my love another chance.

WHO WE AREThe Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of directors appointed by and from our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus.

The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tutition fees every semester at

registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada.

The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.

The Douglas College student newspaper since 1978

THE DOUGLAS COLLEGE NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sharon [email protected]

ARTS EDITOR

Angela [email protected]

SPORTS EDITOR

Josh [email protected]

STAFF WRITER

Keating Smith

GRAPHICS

Joel [email protected]

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Jonathan Roysocialmedia

@theotherpress.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Jacey [email protected]

LIFE & STYLE EDITOR

Sophie [email protected]

HUMOUR EDITOR

Livia [email protected]

STAFF WRITER

Elliot Chan

ILLUSTRATORCONTRIBUTORS

Idrian Burgos, Steven CayerAvalon Doyle, Mel Freylinger,

Savis Irandoost, Aidan Mouellic, Sonia Panesar

Adam Tatelman, JJ WebbEd [email protected]

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Chris Paikdistribution

@theotherpress.ca

BUSINESS MANAGER

Angela Ho [email protected]

OPINIONS EDITOR

Natalie [email protected]

STAFF WRITER

Eric Wilkins

LAYOUT MANAGER

Cody [email protected]

NEWS EDITOR

Dylan [email protected]

Room 1020 – 700 Royal Ave.Douglas College New Westminster, BC V3L 5B2

TELEPHONE: 604.525.3542WEBSITE: www.theotherpress.caEMAIL: [email protected]

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News.

Olympic champion shares his storyBy Dylan Hackett, News Editor

I recently had a chance to talk with Chris Wilson, BCNDP candidate for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, which is the home riding of Douglas College’s David Lam campus. Below is an excerpt of our conversation.

What led you to sign up last September to run for NDP representative for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain?

It goes back a long way. My parents instilled in my brothers, sisters, and me the will to help people. As far back as I can remember, we’ve been a family that volunteers. I got a little sidetracked when I got really into wrestling when I had to be more focused on my training. Once I achieved success in wrestling, I realized I could use the success to educate young people and motivate them to reach for their goals, their dreams. I started travelling around the province, talking to kids about setting goals and making good choices—staying away from drugs, and that sort of thing. I was in a position where as a young, successful role model, I could have a good

influence on young people. I started doing that in 1989, when I was 21.

I’m on the homelessness and housing task force in the Tri-City area, and we’re really pushing for a provincial replacement policy, especially in the City of Coquitlam, especially because of the Evergreen Line and all the construction that’s going to happen up by the Burquitlam area. The developers bought all the low-cost rental housing up there, filled with low-income families and new Canadians who can only afford what they’re paying right now. They’re all going to be torn down eventually, and replaced with towers. What we’re trying to do is convince the city to implement a rental replacement policy like in Vancouver—anything over six units is replaced one-for-one… too many people on city council have the feeling that the market knows, and the market will decide what’s needed. Developers will do what makes them the most money. I have no problem with them making money, but let’s be more creative.

What did you expect when you put your name forward in September, given that you were running against Barrie Lynch and Joe Keithley?

I knew it was going to be a lot of work. I knew I had to be as

organized as I could and I knew it was going to be close.

It was evident in the nomination meeting crowd that you had a decent supporter base.

The way it came out in the media was that [MLA Mike Farnworth, candidate Selina Robinson, and MP Fin Donnelly] all came out and endorsed me at once. A lot of those folks endorsed me about eight weeks ago. It was huge because it gives my campaign a bit more credibility and that the party is behind me. I’m so thankful for them coming out and supporting me like that.

What exactly made you want to hop from the non-profit sector, leading the charge for childhood recreational opportunities at KidSport, to the cutthroat legislature in Victoria?

Being a former wrestler, I don’t mind getting in there and fighting it out (laughs). For me, it’s having that opportunity to make a difference. I have an 18-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son, and I look at the world that we are leaving them and I’m ashamed—on so many levels. It’s easy to be a critic, but at some point I’d like to do something about it. A lot of my life has been around

trying to make a difference with people and this gives me an opportunity to have a bigger influence in what I’m doing.

What are your main strategies to win and bump incumbent Douglas Horne out of his MLA pension?

It was interesting that when I was trying to sign up members and would ask ‘Do you know who your MLA is?’ and a lot of them didn’t know and still weren’t quite sure… I think my competitor has not had much of an impact on our constituency. He’ll talk about playing a role in bringing the Evergreen Line to area, but c’mon. The people in Burke Mountain are clambering for an elementary school. Jerome Bouvier of PoCoMo Youth Services is begging the provincial government to provide funding for them but they don’t provide any. They run an outreach bus on Friday and Saturday nights. A majority of the money comes from outside the community. They got a big grant from a foundation in Alberta. At some point, you say: What have you done for our community?

My strategy to win is multi-pronged—I’m going to work my ass off like I did for the nomination campaign, and talk to people about issues. What the NDP is all about really resonates with people.

You look at all the people graduating from university and the jobs they trained for aren’t there. In your late 20s, you’re more likely to live with your parents than ever before.

What are your views on TransLink and how it operates?

It’s ridiculous how the government set it up. Having to rely on property taxes for funding increases is totally wrong. It’s been set up to fail. I don’t know why they’d set it up to fail. It’s an extensive issue, not something to be fixed overnight. We definitely have to change the money and governance models for it and make sure its actually providing the services it needs to be.

Is there anything else you’d like the readers of The Other Press to know about Chris Wilson?

I would love to meet with any student and would love to support a young NDP club at the Coquitlam campus. I want to get young people involved in politics. That’s what this is about—our future generations. We’re leaving the world in your hands and we have not done you justice. That has to change. One way to change that is to get young people involved in politics. It has got to happen.

www.theotherpress.ca

A chat with Chris WilsonChris Wilson | Photo courtesy of www.chris4coquitlam.ca

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News. Know the scoop or have a lead? Contact the editor at [email protected]

Students showcase wide range of talents

By Dylan Hackett, News Editor

Last Thursday evening, 12 Douglas students,

involved with 10 different acts, showcased an array of abilities at the first ever Dougie’s Got Talent show, put on by the DSU and the Office for New Students. Sydney Bedford and Kaylee Mitchell won the crown prize of $500 for their medley of over 20 songs that follow the chord progression of C, G, Am, F. The first and second runners-up were 2wintrix, the hip hop dancing duo comprised of Shannon Ko and Hanna Kim, and slam poet Vincent Gnit.

The house band for the event was self-described stoner metal country trio MEGABEAR, who warmed up the event, played the mid-show intermission, and followed up with a post-show set where they were joined onstage with

an ensemble of music studies students who swayed and sang to a few choruses.

Jeffrey Aitchison opened the show with a powerful acoustic performance of Lady Gaga’s “Pokerface,” with appropriately gender-adjusted pronouns.

Lin Lin followed Aitchison with song on the Chinese pipa, an instrument with sizable

tuning pegs that could make Ron Jeremy blush. Lin Lin struggled with a few hammer on notes, but on whole was positively-received. Aboriginal student services coordinator and talent judge, David Seaweed, had nothing but praise, impressed by her “pageantry

and regalia.”The Other Press’ all-smiling

answer to Jeff Buckley, Eric Wilkins, then took to the stage to lament lost love with an acoustic performance of Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning.” One impressed judge remarked that his eyes were in tune with the music.

Slam poet Knit took to

the stage with the timbre, rhythm, and cadence of an a cappella hip hop performance. Some choice lines from his jam were, “Let these words touch your emotions and cause a commotion,” and “I kick-flipped into the abyss and fell into blackness.”

Two more singers rose to the stage, Isabel Sui and then Luc Picard, who with his guitar did an earnest performance of “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.”

Wearing a suit the same shade of an unripe avocado, was magician and comedian Billy Hsueh. He declared that every good act needed an opener, and proceeded to procure

a bottle opener from a blue handkerchief.

Vince Leong took the stage to sing, sans guitar due to the show’s organizers refusal to let performances differ in any way from their auditions. He did an ‘N Sync tune: “A Little More Time on You.” The judges

echoed the sentiment that Leung should’ve been allowed to wield his guitar onstage.

Winners Bedford and Mitchell took the stage next, inciting much cheer as they played their medley set and 2wintrix followed with the final talent performance.

Singer-guitarist Aitchison enjoyed performing at the show, but had a few criticisms of how the event played out. “I felt it was a little too rigid. [Organizers] could’ve been a bit more relaxed with how this went. The voting system was a little messed up… it might as well be called the ‘see-who-knows-the-most-people show.’ The talent doesn’t mean anything at the end of the day if [attendees] are voting on their friends. I would like to have seen the judges play a more active role in that.”

The audience voting system was partially set into place as means to promote the DSU Rock the Vote campaign, a voter registration drive set on signing up Douglas students for the May 14th provincial election.

Dougie has talent

Photo courtesy of Douglas College Office for New Students (Flickr)

The Other Press’ all-smiling answer to Jeff Buckley, Eric Wilkins, then took to the stage to lament lost love with an acoustic performance of Maroon 5’s ‘Sunday Morning.’ One impressed judge remarked that his eyes were in tune with the music.

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News.www.theotherpress.ca

Weekly geopolitical events

By Keating Smith, Staff Writer

North America: (Canada) Colonel Chris Hadfield became the first Canadian astronaut to take command of the International Space Station (ISS) last week. Both Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have been vocal about recognizing Hadfield’s efforts in his latest mission. Hadfield has been active on social media, posting pictures of Canada as seen from the ISS and tweeting, with his followers growing to half a million on his Twitter account earlier this week. Hadfield is expected to return to Earth sometime in mid-May.

Latin & South America: (Falkland Islands) Citizens in the Falkland Islands voted 98.8 per cent in favour to remain a part of Great Britain as an overseas territory in a two-day referendum held last week. Tension between Great Britain and Argentina has risen over the future ownership of the South American islands during the past several months. The Argentine government declares sovereignty over the oil-rich archipelago and requested that British Prime Minister David Cameron turn over the islands earlier this year.

Asia- Pacific: (Fiji) Disturbing footage of two Fijian citizens being tortured and beaten by military officials in the small Pacific country surfaced on the Internet last week, prompting the UNCHR to demand the Fijian military launch an investigation. Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has contested the clip’s validity claiming the victims likely staged the video to falsely portray abuses authorities in the nation carry out on its citizens.

Asia- Central & South: (Vietnam) A deal with the Russian Defense Ministry for the Vietnamese Navy to acquire a fleet of Russian-built subs was negotiated earlier this month after Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu made a visit to Hanoi to discuss options. During the Soviet era, the country had a foreign maritime base in the southern city of Cam Rahn until it was decommissioned in 2002. A tentative deal to reinstate the city as a foreign port for Russia is speculated to also be part of the deal, but was not officially confirmed.

Europe: (Slovenia) Last week, thousands of Slovenians gathered in the nation’s capital of Ljubljana to protest the fallen government and its leader Janez Jansa, with many demanding revolutionary changes. Opposition party, Positive Slovenia, ousted Jansa last month in a non-confidence vote, though Jansa’s 20-year

career in Slovenian politics has been riddled with scandals and corruption. Protesters stormed the central bank, pasting stickers claiming “This is our property” and a fire bomb was thrown at the building. In February, a crowd of 20,000 rallied against government corruption in one of the largest protests Slovenia has seen since its inception in 1991.

Middle East: (Syria) Last Friday marked the two-year anniversary of the start of Syria’s bloody conflict, which has claimed as many as 70,000 lives and caused over one million Syrians to be displaced. Both France and England were in talks last week to have the European Union lift the arms embargo to rebels in the country. Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov calling such action a breach of international law. Lavrov has said it is up to Syrians to determine the fate of the Assad regime and that no foreign aid should be allotted into the war-torn country. Lavrov also expressed that Russia has no interest in asking Bashar Al Assad to step down from power. Western countries are becoming critically concerned with the amount of violence spilling into neighbouring countries. Last week, an Al Qaeda-associated group claimed responsibility in the murder of 48 Syrian government troops in Anbar—Iraq’s western-most province.

World Recap: March 8 - 14

Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut | Photo courtesy of CSA


With the summer jobs season around the

corner, the Douglas College Co-operative Education Office is gearing to place students in a wide variety of co-op jobs, ranging from positions in the tobacco industry to BC Hydro, or even locally within New Westminster.

Every semester, placement officer Lianne Johnston recruits new students to join the co-op pool. These students have to be in one of the 10 programs in

the three school faculties and they must have completed 18 credits, with an average GPA of 2.23. They also have to take time off from their studies, of which there are 80 students this semester. Students are often placed within co-ops relating to their studies—national statistics read that 82 per cent of those employed in co-ops were placed in jobs “very” and “somewhat” compatible with their field of study.

“What differentiates co-ops from other intern and unpaid jobs is that they’re full-time, paid positions. Students earn

additive credits—these credits don’t replace any of their required breadth or elective courses,” explained Johnstone. “If they complete two co-ops in their diploma, they receive that on their transcript, and three if they’re in a degree program. Our goal is to set students apart so when they do finish their programs, they not only have the credentials but the experience.”

For some students, co-ops are more than just a credit-earning summer job. Co-ops can be utilized as valuable networking opportunities

for students. A second-term Douglas co-op student was hired on full-time by Saputo, Canada’s largest dairy processer, this year after an astounding performance in a co-op role.

“It has been a positive experience and has certainly opened the door for the future,” said Saputo warehouse manager Steven Siteman.

The Co-operative Education Office currently consists only of Johnston, but there are talks among senior management to consolidate the office into a career services resource, with graduate job placement services

and co-op in one area.“This semester we placed

12 students, last semester nine. It sounds small but a lot of the students in the pool don’t realize the time and effort required. It’s the students’ job to be actively looking on the job board,” explained Johnston.

For access to the job board and co-op services, Johnston can be contacted at [email protected], or visited in the Office of Co-operative Education on the second floor of the New Westminster campus.

Co-op week enticing Douglas to work

Arts. Have an idea for a story or review? Contact the editor at [email protected]

6

And I was like, ‘Bieber, Bieber, Bieber, no’

By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor

Five years ago, “Baby”-faced Justin Bieber from

London, Ontario was uploading videos of himself singing onto YouTube—first red flag. These videos caught the attention of a talent manager by the name of Scooter Braun—second red flag. Braun passed the videos onto one Usher, who in no time signed this kid to his record label—three red flags and no going back. The result has been, to reiterate, five long years of everything from terms like “Beliebers” to hits like “Baby” to a 3-D concert/documentary called Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2010) to repeated Grammy nominations. As of March 1, 2013, Bieber is only 19-years-old.

Bieber’s recently had a lot of bad press. Along with his public breakup with Selena Gomez, Bieber’s willingly let the world know how “difficult” his life has been lately through social media posts and some lousy timing.

From Tweets about his “worst birthday ever” to Instagram rants that included gems like:

“…if Anyone believes i need rehab thats their own stupidity lol I’m 19 with 5 number one albums, 19 and I’ve seen the whole world,” and, “And to those comparing me to Lindsay Lohan, look at her 2012 tax statements ;)”

These may be Bieber’s own red flags in regards to his childhood stardom. Child stars have a bad rep for aging into broke, addiction-heavy, egomaniacal monsters whose sole purposes are to put food on the tables of TMZ and Entertainment Tonight hosts. However, as we’ve seen from the likes of Emma Watson, Justin Timberlake, even (and it pains me to add) Kristen Stewart and Zac Efron, being a child star does not always spell disaster. Every child’s situation is different, but in the case of Bieber’s recent negative antics, it seems his situation might simply be that he’s the epitome of spoiled—or at least in the public’s eyes.

Far too many child stars have gone off the rails, and, honestly, who gains anything from seeing another kid fall

apart from being thrown into a world they didn’t fully understand? Put your high school rages and judgments aside and remember that while you’re all here working to some extent, he’s getting ready for another press party or concert or some other meaningless endeavor. I’m not saying to feel bad for him, but I am saying that it might be too early to wag a finger. What I’m getting at is that there is still ample time for his life in the limelight to go in a very horrible direction, and convincing him that it really is “him against the world” as the public isn’t going to do any favours for his psyche. We the public have essentially taken on the role of parents to his rebellious ‘teen.’

With all of that in mind—as the creepy public we are—let’s wait and see what his next move is. Who knows? Tomorrow he could be donating a couple million to a kennel for orphan puppies… or he could take a shot at Hilary Duff next, the possibilities are endless. Now if you’ll excuse me, all this Bieber talk has left me parched for some delicious Fitz and the Tantrums.

By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor

After three in-theatre viewings and several

months of waiting, I recently purchased my own copy of Wreck-It Ralph on DVD. If I were silence the critic in me, Wreck-It Ralph was likely my favourite film of 2012, likely because video games are such a large part of my life. So now that video games have proven to be more than just an ‘80s fad, it’s time for filmmakers to realize that video games surprisingly do not translate well into film—at least, not for anything more than a cash grab.

We’re in 2013 now, and still there are no good films based on video games. For the better part of my life, I’ve blamed filmmakers. But really, there’s no point anymore. How can anybody adapt something assumedly already so great? And what could be dumber than watching a video game you’ve already played? The

act is beyond watching a ‘let’s play,’ because at least a let’s play can stick to its source material without pissing anyone off. What the norm needs to be is movies about video games—not the story everybody knows, but the culture people are just starting to understand.

Early ‘80s films like Tron and WarGames had the right idea—really, they were beyond their time. How would someone who’s played video games their whole life adapt to being inside a video game scenario? Now we’ve got Wreck-It Ralph, which went a step further and asked, “What do video game characters do in their spare time?” Then at the heart of it all, you have documentaries like The King of Kong (2007) and Indie Game: The Movie (2012) in terms of movies that simply get “it.”

What is “it”? “It” is that we all play video games, that at some point we’ve all been immersed in a video game, and we all know what “it’s” like to be part of the gaming

experience. As nice as Darren Aronofsky adapting Silent Hill 2 or Wes Anderson making a film about Kirby would be, there really wouldn’t be much of a point. How can filmmakers, no matter how great, change a world that’s already been developed?

What might be interesting would be if the right game developers decided to try their hands at filmmaking, because who understands video game culture better than the ones that make video game culture?

With a number of video games signed to be adapted into

films, it’s frustrating to basically be awaiting disappointment. But maybe if we’re good, we might actually get that David Fincher-produced HBO series based on Indie Game: The Movie in the next year (drool).

Mending the broken marriage of video games and film

Scene from Wreck-It Ralph | Disney. All Rights Reserved

Justin Bieber caught smoking weed | Photo courtesy of TMZ

Should we beware the Biebs?

Arts.www.theotherpress.ca

7

Douglas Profile: Cast of ‘Blue Window’(L to R) Alex Chan, Katie Doyle, Aaron Holt, Larissa Sampson, Michael Kurliak, Maddy Osborne-Wood, and Shanelle Horobec (Actors)

By Elliot Chan, Staff Writer

“Fight Club!” “Breakfast Club!” “No, definitely Fight Club!” It is not uncommon for a group working together to have disagreements, but the cast of Blue Window came to a quick consensus when discussing the best pre-performance movie. “We all have such different taste in everything,” says Michael Kurliak, “But it is one of those

things we can all agree on.” “There is action, there is

comedy,” Larissa Sampson agrees, “and there are hot men for Shanelle.”

“It is always an important thing,” laughs Horobec.

Blue Window is the ensemble’s second Douglas production, and it is clear that living in the trenches together for so long has erased all signs of formality. “It is so necessary for the work we are doing,” says Sampson. “Because of the emotional vulnerability; to be able to cry in front of the entire cast and know that they are not like, ‘Heh! Look at her trying to cry, she looks terrible.’” Their friendship and trust is the framework for the performance, and it is the most valuable and pleasurable part of the experience.

But with 12-hour days, rehearsing emotional scenes

over and over again, the actors feel the tolls adding up. “A lot of stuff doesn’t come out,” says Maddy Osborne-Wood, describing the internal struggles of her character Boo:

“She has these big parts where she’s just lying on a couch, and at first I was, ‘Oh okay, lying on a couch,’ but the thoughts that come from that can be pretty draining.”

Although the presentation on stage is significant, the ability to remove themselves from the lives of their characters is equally important, if not more so. “Safety is the top priority,” said Alex Chan. “It is really easy to lose yourself. It might not happen on day one, and it might not happen on day five, but… something outside the work entirely can happen to weaken your mental fortitude and that is not healthy.”

As romantic as living and

breathing theatre sounds, the group also knows that such a relationship could be abusive. “After rehearsal, I can’t just go to sleep,” said Sampson, “I have to go home and de-stress.”

“Defragment,” Aaron Holt adds. “It is good to take some time off and return to it. It becomes so much more exciting.”

Acting requires effort, and oftentimes the art form is unappreciated. Marketability becomes a large factor for the future of young actors. “It sounds horrible,” said Sampson, “but you have to pander to people. Nobody wants to see you do Macbeth again, the exact same way everybody else has done it. But if it is Macbeth set in space, would that be dumb?”

On a planet where entertainment is a mouse-click away, theatre seems as good as dead, but the cast is undaunted.

“It is not dying,” said Holt, “It is just changing.” Vancouver‘s diverse culture is a breeding ground for new experimental art, as well as contemporary renditions of the classics. Motivated by the evolution, Osborne-Wood and the others don’t feel a need to relocate. “We have this group of actors and the stagecraft people,” she said, “and we are just starting to create our own theatre. We just need to start doing things and see what happens. It’s about giving opportunities and testing the water.”

Anticipating the future is not a comfortable act for anybody, and it is no easier for actors. But when all is said and done and the spotlight hits the stage, the cast of Blue Window will remember the stern words of a former instructor, Stephen Drover: “Don’t bullshit me!” A lesson we can all follow.

Arts. Have an idea for a story or review? Contact the editor at [email protected]

8

Douglas takes us through Craig Lucas’ looking glass

By Adam Tatelman, Contributor

Blue Window is a meticulously-structured play about totally

fragmented people trapped in separate, yet seemingly empathic, environments as they all search desperately for meaningful connections with the people in their lives/immediate vicinities. It is a tragicomic peek into the private and public lives of these people who, in cleverly concealing the parts of themselves they fear or dislike, stand in the way of their own development—and even their own happiness.

The play revolves around the home and social lives of a handful of quirky folk: 33-year-old control-freak and widow

Libby (Katie Doyle), ex-military skydiver Norbert (Alex Chan), obsessive studio musician Tom (Michael Kurliak), his taciturn girlfriend Emily (Shanelle Horobec), aggravated family therapist Boo (Maddy Osborne-Wood), her know-it-all lover and bestselling author Alice (Larissa Sampson), and the entertainingly enigmatic Griever (Aaron Holt). We are allowed to see each character in an isolated state before and after they all get together for a dinner party that makes up a third of the play, so we can witness the changes they make to themselves when they put up their social front. Some are less subtle than others; some are less stable. None of them are really happy though, and that’s what unifies them. Their experiences are different, but their emotions are the same; they are all dissatisfied with something that they feel powerless to change. Thus they stew, and mix well.

All of this is staged in a brilliant way; in the opening

scene of the play, when each character is confined to their own private space on the stage, a literal window is lifted to allow us a glimpse into their worlds. Each little room is home to someone, yet the seemingly separate spaces can and do interact, eventually becoming one as the half-hearted party begins. Neither the rooms nor their inhabitants are divided by walls. There is no longer anything physically stopping the characters from reaching out—only the barriers that the characters imagine, their insecurities, and fears. Mirrors can be found in each room, reflecting the self-images of the characters back at them and at us, often leaving them alone with themselves. Outside of the party, conversations tend to be one-sided, if the second party is onstage at all. It goes to show that just because you have someone doesn’t mean you aren’t alone.

After the party, the characters are separated once

again. The normally quiet Emily postulates that socialization might be made less brutal if we could all just wear our hearts on our sleeves. As the finale builds to a disparate chorus of loss and loneliness, underscored by a disharmonic piano melody, I couldn’t help but think that if such a thing were possible, we probably wouldn’t like what we’d see. When the window closed at the end of the play, I was filled with a profound sense of isolation, as though I too were now shut out.

This play is all about relatable human dilemmas. We change who we are because we’re afraid of what people will think if they see all of ourselves. We shy away from this and that because we don’t want to fail. Rejection terrifies us, as does loneliness, but if we do not brave the former, then we will have only the latter. Despite all the hopelessness inherent in a play about lonely people, I found the play to be uplifting in its implications; in the end,

it is up to us to break out of our respective ruts. That means we have the power to do it. Don’t hesitate; make a flying leap out of that Blue Window.

Deborah Neville’s elegant production of Blue Window plays in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre from March 15-23. Please support our talented student body actors and hard-working stage techs; get your tickets now at http://masseytheatre.com.

By Steven Cayer, Contributor

Whenever I think about getting back at the

assumed big man, I think to myself, ’What would Kratos do?’ I’m talking of course about the newest instalment in the God of War series, God of War: Ascension (released March 12). The seventh game in the series, Ascension is an overall prologue, happening 10 years before the events of the classic game that started it all in 2005, God of War.

If by chance, you completely missed out on this amazing series, I will give you the basic summary. Kratos is just a normal warrior in an era of loosely-based Greek mythology. During a battle with barbarians, he thought he was going to die, and thus prayed to the God of War, Ares. Ares responded by destroying everything around him–an immense act that comes with, in classic Greek fashion, a very tragic price for Kratos and his loved ones.

Ascension is about Kratos trying to break his initial bond

so that he can kill Ares in an act of revenge. The only way to do this is by destroying Ares’ henchmen, the three Furies: Megaera, Tisiphone, and Alecto—all of whom are also trying to find Kratos so they can punish him for disobeying Ares. The game bounces between different times, playing with the linear of the story as the player attempts to piece together the details.

The gameplay is basically the same as in previous God of War entries. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little tired of them, not just because I’m not a good button-tapper, but because I like to have full control of the protagonist. I don’t want to see Kratos cut a Gorgon in half, I want to be Kratos cutting a Gorgon in half. My next issue with the gameplay: the game has a fixed camera which you have no control over. Whenever you go into a new room, the camera drastically changes; half of the time, I’m suddenly going backwards to the room I was just in.

All finicky things aside, some moments in this game made me actually say “Holy crap!” I should’ve known I’d be

saying that though, this being a God of War game and all.

There is also a new addition to the series in Ascension: online multiplayer. I actually found the multiplayer refreshing, surprisingly original, and fun. You pick between four Gods, or classes: Ares, Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon. They all have different abilities and powers that you can level up. (If you pre-ordered this game, you also got the badass armour from the 2007 movie 300 to use on your character of choice.) There are four modes: Team Favour of the Gods, Match of Champions, Trial of the Gods, and of course, Capture the Flag. What I like about all of these is that they are at least somewhat original in their execution, and I’ve been enjoying it so far.

What else can I say about God of War: Ascension? Go into the game with a lack of story in mind, but be overwhelmed by the beautiful graphics and mind-blowing action of a typical God of War game. And hey, when the multiplayer doesn’t weaken the single-player experience, it’s a good day for everybody.

Raise the stakes with Kratos in ‘Ascension’

Kratos, the titular character from the God of War seriesPhoto courtesy of www.fightersgeneration.com

Out the window

Life & Style.www.theotherpress.ca

9

Shabby chic T-shirt surgery

By Sophie Isbister, Life & Style Editor

I’ll start this do-it-yourself tutorial off by saying that I am

not a very crafty person—I can wreck anything involving fabric and scissors, but according to the Internet, it’s nearly impossible to mess up a T-shirt modification. So when my editor in chief, Sharon Miki, gave me an oversized The Other Press T-shirt to wear at the upcoming Canadian University Press conference in Victoria, I leapt at the chance to prove the Internet wrong.

With Sharon’s blessing (“Do whatever you want to it!”), I decided to try my hand at a super simple, shabby chic T-shirt surgery. Using nothing but a needle, thread, and my own intuition, I’m going to take this shirt from baggy to bangin’. I’m going to cut out the neck, sleeves, and sides, and lace the straps together at the top with strips of T-shirt, and then I’m going to tell you how I did it.

Start out with:

· 1 T-shirt that’s a little too big

· Measuring tape· Sharp sewing scissors· Marking chalk or pen· Sewing needle· Thread

Step 1- Cut the neck out:Lay the T-shirt out face up on a flat surface in a well-lit work area. Use your measuring tape and chalk to mark out three dots where you want your new neckline to be, one on each shoulder seam about three inches from the existing neckline (the exact measurement is up to you), and one about three inches below the existing neckline in the center of the shirt. Then, creating as clean a cut as possible, cut the front of the shirt. Then cut the back neckline just under the existing neckline.

Step 2- Sew up the sides:Turn the shirt inside out, if it isn’t already. Determine where you want the new sides to be: measure yourself around the waist, halve that number, and use it to mark on the shirt where you’re going to sew the new

sides. Make the line curve at the waist for a fitted look. One you’re done marking from hem to armpit, thread your needle and do a basic stich along each side (this is where you can use a sewing machine if you have one). Don’t bother cutting away the excess fabric—you can do this after you sew it, and even try it on for fit before committing to the size.

Step 3- Cut off the sleeves:This part is easy. Cut the sleeves off the shirt by laying it flat again and cutting the whole sleeve off each side, seam and all. Set the sleeves aside because you’re going to need them for the next step, also known as the “tricky part.”

Step 4- Lace the tank top straps:This is where it gets difficult, but this step will also give your shirt more shape and—dare I say—intrigue. First, cut two-inch-wide strips out of your discarded sleeves to make laces. Then go back to your T-shirt, which should now look like a tank top with very wide straps. Cut these straps along the shoulder seam, cutting the seam completely out and discarding it. Make a few holes (think button holes) on each side of the strap and then, working with the shirt right-side-out, lace the two sides of each strap together from the neck out, so you’re left with extra lacing on the shoulder.

Step 5- Clean it up:Because this is DIY, you will probably do things a little differently than the exact instructions. After I finished steps one through four, I put the shirt on and identified where to cut more fabric off. When I tried it on there was still too much fabric around the back neckline and along the straps, so I marked where I wanted to cut while the shirt was on my body, then took it off and got to chopping. The great thing about jersey knit is that it won’t fray or pull too much, so it’s easy to just keep shaving inches off. It’s easy to make something stylish (yet rugged) without needing to sew hems or anything fussy like that.

I hope you enjoyed this super-DIY custom tank top tutorial! There are tons more fun T-shirt ideas to be had on the Internet, so as the weather gets better, I hope to see some of you out there in sassy shirts.

Fitted tank top with shoulder lacing DIY tutorial

Photos courtesy of Sophie Isbister

Life & Style. Have a fitness tip or recipe to share? Contact the editor at [email protected]

10

Broga: the new yoga for spiritual guys

By Avalon Doyle, Contributor

Yoga for men has landed here in the Lower Mainland, and

it’s all about dudes getting in touch with their inner bro-ness. What started as a fad in yoga studios across North America has turned into a movement to get guys fit, flexible, and filled with inner peace. While you might think that a room full of flexible, scantily-clad females would be a draw for most men, it turns out that woman-focused traditional yoga classes were scaring some men off. Enter Broga.

Two American yoga instructors, Robert Sidoti and Adam O’Neill, who wanted to introduce more men to the benefits of yoga, originally founded the registered brand of Broga yoga. The ideology behind the movement is to help men find more tools to cope with the daily stresses of life and work, while enhancing their strength and endurance regiments—much like regular yoga, just with a masculine focus to its branding and marketing.

The trend has caught on here in Vancouver, with advertisements for yoga studios around town promoting bro-friendly classes. This particular style of yoga is unique in that it focuses on the strengthening of the arms, shoulders, back, and chest—areas that usually

concern men the most. It also focuses on training flexibility in the hamstrings, lower back, and hips, areas which tend to suffer the most from strength or endurance training.

Many people seem to think that yoga is just for women, which is something the Broga founders say is false. The effects of the controlled exercise are not limited to just female participants, and many male athletes have been supplementing their training with yoga for years, even before the bro-friendly version.

Flexibility, mobility, and core strength can help to improve any athlete’s game, which is reason enough to give it a try. While popularity is growing, there are a limited number of studios that have classes just for men—Bikram Yoga Tri-Cities said they had never even heard of Broga, but all the classes they offer are co-ed. But if you’re feeling intimidated at the prospect of going into a yoga class and—very likely—being the only guy in the room, there are a few studios in Vancouver specializing in men’s yoga. “Yoguy” offers classes in four different locations (check out yoguy.ca) including Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on Agnes Street, just across from the Douglas College’s New Westminster campus.

So grab your bromantic partner, eat some brogurt, and try a Broga class!

Bros getting fit

By Eric Wilkins, Staff Writer

Hypothetical situation: you’re in the g3rocery store

in search of fruit. Bypassing the frozen goods section, you head right on over to the fresh produce, fill a couple bags, and then head home confident that you’ve made the most nutritious decision. But have you?

The fresh fruit you find in stores isn’t quite as fresh as you think. Store fruit is typically picked before it’s fully ripened, so as to minimize bruising and general deterioration

during shipping and maximize appearance. In addition to this, depending how far the source is from the store, fruit can take up to two weeks to hit the shelves, due to travel and stocking time. And, of course, it doesn’t all get sold at once, so some products will sit around for even longer, all the while being exposed to light, heat, and unwashed hands. Ain’t that just peachy?

By comparison, the process for frozen fruit looks great. The fruit is picked at its peak ripeness, sterilized, and then immediately frozen. One downside is that nutrients can

be lost during the sterilizing process known as blanching, whereby the produce is submerged in boiling water for a short time. Nutrients can also be lost when you thaw and reheat the fruit. However, that won’t be a factor if you plan to use the fruit in smoothies.

Studies by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) over the years have shown that the nutritional value of fresh and frozen fruits is about the same. So next time you’re in a store, know that you have choices.

Healthy hints: Don’t get fresh with me

Photo illustration courtesy of Joel McCarthy

Photo courtesy of Doug Tribou/Only A Game

Life & Style.www.theotherpress.ca

11

The Other DressBy Aidan Mouellic, Contributor

Name:

Iloradanon EfimoffMajor:

Psychology/Gender Relations

Best-dressed celebrity:

“I don’t pay attention to that stuff and don’t watch TV—so I don’t know.”

Most desired clothing item:

“My aunt makes homemade moccasins and I want a pair!”

Favourite clothing store:

“Any second-hand store or my mom’s closet. The shirt I’m wearing is from her closet!”

Best-dressed instructor(s) at Douglas College:

“Kristin Wagner and Tad Mcilwraith.”

Name:

Val FerrarMajor:

Therapeutic Recreation

Best-dressed celebrity:

“Charice!”

Most desired clothing item:

“Leggings, can’t have enough of them.”

Favourite clothing store:

“Antique clothing stores—I guess that would be vintage stores then.”

Best-dressed instructor(s) at Douglas College:

“Nikki Houston.”

Photos courtesy of Aidan Mouellic

Iloradanon Efimoff

Val Ferrar

Life & Style. Have a fitness tip or recipe to share? Contact the editor at [email protected]

14

Victoria woman clears a $22,000 burden in two years


Two years ago, Cait Flanders was like any recent

Canadian university graduate: happy to be done school, but overwhelmed with financial debt—a debt so large that she was afraid to tell her family and closest friends about it. But that all changed when the 28-year-old found financial freedom, thanks to the help of her famed finance blog, blondeonabudget.com.

“I was completely maxed out financially, with more than $28,000 of debt—mostly consumer debt [and] $4,500 in student loans,” Flanders told The Other Press. “I’ve always been a writer, and had written other blogs before Blonde on a Budget, so it seemed like a good way for me to express what I was going through.”

At first Flanders was hesitant to reveal her real name on the blog and referred to herself by her initials in the

first year. It wasn’t until a year later, when she had finally paid off her credit cards, that she revealed her financial secret to those around her, and her identity to those following her blog.

Living with the hardships of student debt fresh out of post-secondary education was not an easy task, says Flanders. She can relate to the stress any student faces while staring at the gaping

hole in their bank account and the end of the line their credit cards may have reached.

“If you’re already starting to feel stressed about how much student debt you’re taking on, look at other areas of your life [where] you might be able to cut back your spending,” she says. “While going out for dinners and drinks with your friends every week is fun, if

you’re putting it all on a credit card or a student line of credit, you’re borrowing for a lifestyle you can’t afford and have to eventually pay back.”

“It might seem worth it at the time, but I can promise you that having your debt control where your money goes after you graduate sucks—especially because you’ll want to start working towards other goals, like saving for a big purchase

or going on a much-needed vacation,” she added.

Flanders moved back home for six months, during which time she made some serious life changes: “I didn’t shop [or] get my hair cut. I may have only gone out for a cheap dinner once or twice a month, and bar nights were out of the question… The worst part was having to say no to a 10-day trip to Nicaragua

with a group of my friends, but putting every penny that I could towards my debt was more important.”

Flanders admits that as time went on, things became easier for her. After earning a degree in communications from Royal Roads University, she left her job with the provincial government last year and relocated to Toronto to be closer to the Canadian media and

communications hub. Since her move, she receives calls almost every month from media outlets such as the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and even Business Insider. Her blog has also been the recipient of the West Coast Social Media Award for Best Personal Blog.

“If telling my story over and over can help motivate even one person to take control of

their finances, I’ll accept every interview request that comes my way,” Flanders says.

So how far has Flanders come in her journey to cut down personal spending while blogging about it? “As of this Friday, my debt will be down to $2,750. That’s less than 10 per cent of what I started out with. My goal is to be debt-free in June of this year—two years from the date I was maxed out,” she says.

No longer interested in a lifestyle of swiping credit and debit cards she can’t afford, Flanders says that there’s a slim chance she will go back to her old ways. Flanders tells us that the next items on her financial to-do list include beginning to save for her future through RRSPs and setting up an emergency fund. She adds, “I will probably buy some new clothes since I’ve lost close to 30 pounds in the last year and would love to finally buy some clothes that actually fit.”

Want to see Cait’s tips for saving money in school? Read more: http://blondeonabudget.ca/2012/08/28/how-i-saved-money-in-college/

Blogging yourself out of student debt

While going out for dinners and drinks with your friends every week is fun, if you’re putting it all on a credit card or a student line of credit, you’re borrowing for a lifestyle you can’t afford and have to eventually pay back.

Cait Flanders | Photo courtesy of www.blondeonabudget.ca

Opinions.www.theotherpress.ca

15

Our questionable loyalty to businesses, products, and corporations


“Don’t buy lamps at IKEA,” my friend once told me. “It will look lonely in your house.”

I didn’t understand her profound statement or the personification immediately, but I soon understood. The lamp I had purchased looked out of place, awkwardly positioned in the corner of my room—yes, lonely. That was until I bought an IKEA desk and an IKEA chair to befriend it. Now my room doesn’t look half bad; far from the photogenic images in the flyers and brochures, but still respectable. Like dressing up in a suit and tie, my room, although furnished and appearing well-to-do, now lacks personality, originality, or any charm whatsoever. And it all started with a lamp.

Some advocate for companies

the way we cheer for sport teams. Others are simply addicted. Over the years, I have developed a tight bond with Apple products. The story began with my first iPod, a green second-generation iPod Shuffle. I resisted the lure for many years, even though I was bombarded with advertising and recommendations. I had to find out first-hand whether or not it was a quality product, and although I have had MP3 players in the past, I now have an iPod. I was hooked. Several years later, I came upon familiar crossroads when the contract for my flip phone ended and I was due for a new one. I had all the choices in the world, but I went with old faithful: Apple. I once had a phone, but now I have an iPhone, and something tells me I will never have anything but. After all, it syncs so well with my MacBook Pro.

I’ve joined the herd shepherded by the big corporations, but is that such a bad thing? I know people who only order coffee from Starbucks and I know people who boycott it completely. Are loyalty or disdain for a company reasonable? We are creatures of habit and we find

comfort in knowing that some things will always be there for us. There’s so much turbulence in our lives that it’s good to have some stability somewhere, even if it’s just sticking with Crest as the toothpaste of choice.

But it’s important to know that there’s a vast world out there. The only way for anyone to know what their preferences are is to try as many things as possible, and there are few mistakes more regrettable than settling. Exploration does not have to be an epic adventure. It can be as simple as making a different choice, such as ordering soup instead of salad, driving a Nissan instead of a Toyota, or shopping at Superstore instead of Safeway. Corporations, as evil and corrupt as they are, are still out to please you, so don’t be intimidated; embrace it.

Having a trustworthy, reliable brand is fantastic. In this materialistic world, life is not only about relationships between people, but also between consumers and corporations; when one finds the other, it is a true love story.

Committed incorporated

Should we think twice before posting?

By Sonia Panesar, Contributor

Have you ever thought about how much time you

spend daily on the Internet? There’s always something that’s appealing to you, so you open it, continuously, and before you know it you’ve killed an hour… or two. Like most of the world, I am an Internet/social media addict. The world uses social media in every different way, from personal to business profiles: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube. The majority of people own an account on at least one of these websites. The world is ruled by social media, but I’ve noticed that people generally just post the most random, meaningless things on the Internet.

When we log into all of these social media websites, we are looking at what the rest of the world is doing, checking up on something, updating a profile

or status. But when someone posts a picture of their ordinary lunch, I’m not sure anyone is really interested. Say it was a picture of your meal at a really fancy restaurant, and it had a great presentation—that’s what someone would want to see. Don’t bore us with every day, regular things.

How about all the check ins? When this feature first came out, people were obsessing over it and checking into places such as “My bed <3” or “Home sweet home.” Another problem people—especially teenagers—seem to face is uploading pictures of themselves: the “kissy” face is not appealing, and I fail to understand how such pictures get 50 “Likes.”

Sure, it’s your life and you will do what you want with it, but either think twice before posting certain things, or limit the post’s visibility. Under unfortunate circumstances like bullying, social media and the Internet can destroy lives. I don’t think that any individual out there would want something like that happening to them. Be careful!

Social media does have several advantages, though. When an unfortunate event takes place on the opposite end of the world, you’ll be one of the first people to know because social media helps relevant information travel around the world at such great speeds—compared to the morning paper, which has an article that was written, edited, published, and finally delivered to your doorstep the next morning. It also helps businesses that use social media to great success by doing promotions. Getting information to selected large groups is great. You can dedicate a page to an event and notify the members instantaneously instead of calling them or texting them; it’s actually cheaper! And then there’s advertising: look around and observe carefully—there’s social media all around you.

Social media and the Internet are great tools, and can be vital for survival in modern society. Like everything else, though, they’re only good in moderation. They can build you or destroy you, so be strategic in how you use them.

Social media and the InternetPhoto courtesy of www.dockforiphone.com

Photo illustration courtesy of Joel McCarthy/Photo courtesy of JJ Webb

Opinions. Need to vent? Contact the editor at [email protected]

16

Enjoyment shouldn’t be age-restricted


Last week, whilst navigating the hallways to class, my

travelling companion and I encountered a pair of those wonderful cardboard tubes, usually left over from when you run out of wrapping paper. Without a second thought, we quickly snatched them up, briefly skirmished, and then headed up the nearby treacherous stairs, using the tubes as staffs for support, like a pair of young hobbits. With the air free of Smaug, it was fairly easy to see the expressions from passersby that greeted us on our journey. The looks we received ranged from bemusement, to indifference, and from one

particularly grumpy fellow, disapproval.

That one look got me thinking: am I too old for this? Are cardboard tube sword fights too childish for a pair of 20-year-olds? After a deep and thoughtful 40 seconds, I came

to the conclusion that they absolutely aren’t, and proceeded to imagine how much more awesome the tubes would look covered in tinfoil.

I suppose the point of that

disturbingly pathetic anecdote is that there shouldn’t be an age limit on fun. Public perceptions of what is right and proper for certain stages of life shouldn’t have any bearing on what an individual chooses to do. If you enjoy it, do it. Our society seems

to be plagued by imaginary barriers erected by a judgemental few; don’t let that stuffy bunch keep you from funning.

I was always brought up with the idea that drinking was

an immature college activity and those who continue to down booze into their 40s simply failed to grow up. Partying drinkers over 40—or even 30—were supposedly immature boors. I didn’t bother questioning it. But now when I consider it, I

have serious difficulty seeing a problem with drinking. If someone’s into their mid-life and his/her liver can still handle it, then why not? Go ahead and binge drink. Play beer pong until

you can’t stand anymore. If that’s what you enjoy doing, don’t stop just because you’ve aged a few years.

Of course, the irony of this article is that there will be folks who regard this line of thinking as immature, and I will admit this is, for lack of better wording, a youthful way to look at things. But that’s how change comes about. Remember when video games were primarily for kids, teenagers, and college bums? The average gamer’s age has been estimated to be anywhere from 30 to 37 years in recent years. Video games aren’t viewed the same way anymore, so why can’t perceptions change about other things?

Knock down some fences. Smash through some boundaries. Don’t let perceived popular thought hold you back from indulging in some supposed immaturity.

Too old for fun?

The nature of the habitantThe need for a renewed debate on Canadian identity

By Idrian Burgos, Contributor

What defines a Canadian? What makes them

think and act in a way that is interesting to their global neighbours? What influences them to make decisions that mark them as different from others? Why do their actions appear to be divided, going in different directions? Do Canadians think of themselves as similar to those around them, melting into an incomprehensible, globalized mass? If Canadians are persistent in maintaining their identity, how are they faring in this regard?

There’s been recent interest in the issue of Canadian identity: a number of articles dealing with it have been published, and the recent death of folk-country singer and Canadian Stompin’ Tom Connors has only highlighted the importance of this issue. It’s arguably been the peak in these discussions since the ‘60s and ‘70s. Such discussion

is important for development in the concept of Canadian identity, and the direction that the discussion might go in is interesting.

The question of Canadian identity has existed since Confederation. Interestingly, it was influenced by global events. We began with a Eurocentric identity, focussed on the British and French, exalting the glories of the Empire or Old France. The First World War was arguably the moment when Canadians—the English, at least—first came up with the concept of an identity independent of external identities.

The interwar years saw Canadians beginning to take interest in the peculiar features of the country, with the appearance of the Group of Seven and literary modernists. Decolonization and the rise of civil rights after the Second World War saw the rise of various Canadian concepts, which were tied to political parties: Diefenbaker’s “True North”; Trudeau’s emphasis on individual rights, bilingualism, and multiculturalism; NDP social democracy. In addition, more “specific” identities came to attention as the years went on: Quebec sovereignty, Western regionalism, the Aboriginal cause.

Since the climax of

these ideas—along with the constitutional issues of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s—there hasn’t been much talk about our national identity. This decline coincided with neoliberal globalization that began in the ‘90s. Present national conversation is focussed on expanding our overseas markets, or protecting environmental and societal welfare against the effects of said expansion.

It seems, for the most part, that we’ve approved of the abstract concept of Canadian identity developed under Trudeau. We see the Charter, multiculturalism, healthcare, and bilingualism as good in themselves. Present political attempts to change that to a more neoconservative direction appear to have failed, according to pollsters. We don’t seem to centre our identity on military achievements and hockey (which, in my opinion, are dumb and simplistic ingredients from which to create an identity).

The only remaining identity debate seems to lie on the economic field, wherein you’re either pro- or anti-pipeline. Such a freeze in the identity debate creates a fossilized and boring atmosphere, enough to encourage many creative types to flee abroad. Former Prime Minister Joe Clark said

that Canadians are in danger of going into their “gated communities” with a lack of national debate. Yet it might be said that there’s no need for a national debate, since everything was settled decades ago. Globalization, with its denationalizing tendencies, has affected the concept of Canadian identity and its expressions.

Could there be a solution to this problem? Is there any way that the psychological, and even the physical, existence of Canada can be saved from oblivion? I have a couple ideas.

Let’s reassess Canadian history, looking at it from previously unused perspectives, and not take what we’ve learned as absolute. Canadian identity is connected to history, and we can follow Stompin’ Tom’s example: seek inspiration from the people of this country, especially the lesser-known. The potential product of this process is a renewed national debate that wholly questions the existing national narratives and provides new viewpoints from which, hopefully, a more vigorous and unifying identity will be created.

Still from Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, a popular film for movie buffs and film snobs.

Public perceptions of what is right and proper for certain stages of life shouldn’t have any bearing on what an individual chooses to do. If you enjoy it, do it. Our society seems to be plagued by imaginary barriers erected by a judgemental few; don’t let that stuffy bunch keep you from funning.

Opinions.www.theotherpress.ca

17

War of the Words: ‘Sun News’ all right, or right-wing propaganda?Media regurgitated by B-list columnists


Sun News is to the Canadian broadcasting landscape

what your binge drinking, right-leaning, barely-employable uncle is to the family dinner table: basely amusing, but exemplary for gut-over-grey-matter thinking. With their most notable on-air personality being Glenn Beck-effigy Ezra Levant, Fraser Institute mouthpiece and author of the 261-page pamphlet for the oil and gas industry, Ethical Oil, Sun makes the case for itself as a media outlet fit only for uncle Bob and his drinking buddies.

The lack of viewership Sun receives is a measurement of its cultural influence: minimal, if not non-existent. Although a critic of nearly everything Sun does, I didn’t count myself among the crowd that rallied behind Margaret Atwood and the Avaaz.com petition against the network’s clambering for a Canadian Radio-

television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) certification (the petition opened by stating that Stephen Harper had a hand in creating the network), with claims that the network was “Fox News North.” Unlike Fox News, with its “Fair and Balanced” tagline, Sun News has no qualms in its cardboard conservatism, citing most of its own anchors and hosts as noted conservatives in their online biographies.

Where this is not apparent, right-wing code words are employed. For panelist faceoff program The Arena with Michael Copen, the content is boastfully described with an “us vs. them” assumption as programming that “refuses to be limited by establishment thinking and the usual, tired television.”

Besides its own B-list cast of columnists with teleprompters, Sun lacks the sort of noteworthy figures as moral backers seen on Fox News. Even money-worshipping anarcho-capitalist Kevin O’Leary doesn’t regard the network with any esteem—O’Leary once joked on-air that Sun was watched by more than one guy and his dog. A bulk of its programming is curated by

sexless white dudes who revel in Fraser Institute luncheons and neckties of great girth. I assume the programmers are catering to masochists and Ayn Rand enthusiasts.

The only media personality on Sun’s payroll that seems to be able to draw wider attention to the network is Levant, but that’s when he’s wearing a hijab, trying to bar Roma gypsies from Canada, and chumming up with Ann Coulter—not practicing

real journalism. Uncle Bob can do all those things, minus the latter, on the local pub patio to the same effect.

Sun is less a “Fox News North,” as it is often—without affection—labeled by its many critics, than a failing, flailing televised tabloid. To claim the network as a northern iteration of Fox News requires critics to confront that Sun News claims no more than 16,400 viewers in an average minute—around

a tenth of one per cent of Canadian viewership.

To cite Stephen Colbert’s often repeated ironic quip, “reality has a well-known liberal bias,” would be appropriate. Ratings have shown that Canadians as a whole don’t care for a network that champions the from-the-gut divisive media that tops ratings south of the border. Uncle Bob and his Coors-sodden cohorts should probably just move south.

Give ‘Sun News’ a chance


Canadian politics have become incredibly strange

since Stephen Harper’s now-majority government took power back in 2006. Following Ottawa is reminiscent to watching old men quarrel over how much each one should tip the server after going out for a seniors’ discounted lunch. What better way to watch Canadian politics than through the Sun News Network, Canada’s newest “right-wing” media network.

Many critics are calling the network a mouthpiece for Harper’s government, or the “Fox News North.” Are these claims entirely true? Sure, to put it simply. Just look at the layout and appearance of their programming, and who the CEO of the network used to be a communications officer for—because the answer isn’t the CBC

or Jack Layton. But amidst the peculiarity of

modern Canadian politics, you never really see an alternative to the three main national networks: CBC, CTV, and Shaw. A political story will almost be regurgitated verbatim between these three key players, and that’s just boring. Why not throw a little comical flare into the monotony that

Canada’s mainstream media seems to be spewing these days—and not have our tax dollars pay for it.

The CBC costs Canadians 1.1 billion loonies a year, a budget that seems to exceed Sun News’ as we speak. This is taxpayer money spent on “quality” television programs you most likely don’t watch, the

rehashing of top stories with their “journalistic standards,” and crying liberal artists being interviewed on their radio waves. While this stuff may matter to you, and you may perceive it as part of our Canadian identity, why not defund the CBC from being state-owned-and-run? Because it’s a part of Canadian history and culture? There are

many Canadian-owned media corporations that would most likely buy the network. This I can bet my first child on.

Sun News, on the other hand, is owned by Quebecor, a publicly-owned company with revenues near $10 billion. Being on public airwaves, like they are currently battling with the Canadian Radio-

television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for, would hardly be another burden on the government’s tax revenues.

People may think the type of information broadcast by Sun News is hateful propaganda better suited to an American audience—another marking on Canadian identity from Stephen Harper and his government.

While this may be true, my point still stands strong: it’s important to have another medium covering politics and media that we are not usually exposed to.

One final note worth mentioning is the viewership of Sun News Network. A staggering 0.1 per cent of Canadians watch it—or, according to the network, 16,500 viewers per hour.

That’s less than a third of New Westminster tuning in to watch it daily. On the other hand, 1.4 per cent of Canadians watch the CBC. Who has a bigger impact on Canadians?

Overall, I really cannot stand North American news corporations, as they do very little for me. When I look at the news headlines in the morning, the first three networks I go to are not even headquartered in the Western Hemisphere, and their positions on the political spectrum vary. If you only look at one side of politics, you are not exposed to both sides of the argument.To me, all Canadians ever hear in our media are the scandals surrounding the Conservative government. While I do agree that Harper and his cabinet are carrying out some worrisome endeavors, we rarely hear about ‘bad things’ on the other side of our country’s political scale, or the hypocrisy of the CBC. Can you say “bias”?

Photo courtesy of www.ipolitics.ca

...it’s important to have another medium covering politics and media that we are not usually exposed to.

Sports. Know the score? Contact the editor at [email protected]

18

By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

Oh yes, the dreaded shootout. Depending on

what team you’re rooting for, the shootout can prove to be your worst nightmare—or if you’re a Chicago Blackhawks fan, an entertaining sure-win to a hockey game. A set-up breakaway from center ice, where 18,000-plus fans watch a shooter from each team skate down with the puck and try and score on the opposing goaltender. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

An entertaining finish to a hard-fought hockey game and the appeal is surely there, but does it do the game of hockey justice?

Last week, the hockey world was bombarded with the news of a shootout attempt by

forward Kaspars Daugavins of the Ottawa Senators, who tried a rather spirited approach against the Boston Bruins. Daugavins used the toe of his stick to control the puck as he skated down the ice and attempted a spin-o-rama move on goaltender Tuuka Rask, who just made the save with his left pad. It was a move that looked as if it belonged in an overrated all-star game where players try and do the most ridiculous moves to score. But in Daugavins’ case, it almost worked. The attempt gained tons of divided attention, both praising the move and criticizing it.

“We were all like ‘He’s not really going to do that is he? What just happened?’” Montreal Canadiens forward Gabriel Dumont said. “If you pull it off you’re a hero, but if you don’t you can look pretty stupid.”

Don Cherry of CBC’s Coaches Corner even tweeted saying, “I don’t blame the kid at all. Let’s face it: the shootout is a gimmick anyway.”

With controversy aside and whether you liked it or not, Daugavins’ chance was a good one. It’s not like he came in, did the spin-o-rama move, and lost the puck in the corner on his attempt. If he was half of a second faster, the puck would have been in the back of the net and he would have been an instant hero. The move would be classified as the best shootout move of all time, beating out Marek Malik’s famous between-the-legs goal in the 05–06 season against the Washington Capitals. But the fact that the young 24-year-old almost scored doesn’t seem to be the issue. It’s the move itself.

How can it be the deciding

factor on if a hockey club wins or loses? It’s a total crapshoot. Like Don Cherry said, “a gimmick.” After a hard fought 65 minutes of hockey, including an extra five minutes of four-on-four overtime play, the shootout commences. And Daugavins type of move is performed in a matter of a few seconds that could possibly win the game?

Daugavins’ attempt is proving how ridiculous the shootout has come to be. It is there merely for the sake of entertaining fans and drawing a fast close to a tied game after 65 minutes of hard-fought hockey. It’s hard to believe that a tied game comes down to a shootout where it begins and ends in a span of a few minutes. Thank god it’s not used in the playoffs.

The most frustrating part is the fact that teams can be absolutely dominated

throughout the game, but come the skills competition, the tables are suddenly turned. This has been evident in plenty of games for the Vancouver Canucks over the past few years, who have struggled in the extracurricular activity.

It doesn’t depict how the hockey game was played out. It’s a whole game on its own.

I understand why the league decided to introduce the shootout back in the 2005-06 season, but why not try an extra five minutes of overtime hockey instead? After the initial four-on-four overtime frame, there should be a three-on-three session. And if the game is still at a stalemate after 70 minutes, then we can begin to discuss the status of bringing in the shootout.

The shootout: should it stay or should it go?David Legwand of the Nashville Predators puts the puck in the net in a shootout against Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks | Photo courtesy of John Russell/NHL/Getty Images

Sports.www.theotherpress.ca

19

By Sonia Panesar, Contributor

It seems as though the Manchester United are still

recovering from their spirited loss against Madrid.

On March 10, they faced Chelsea in a match that started off extremely well for the United as they had a stunning goal from Javier Hernandez halfway through the fourth minute. Chelsea had a good chance as Frank Lampard took a shot, but United’s Rafael Da Silva made a better save. This didn’t seem to be enough for United, with Chelsea trying to put up a defence that wasn’t enough, as Wayne Rooney sent in another goal in the 10th minute. Three minutes later, Tom Cleverley was penalised for a handball which was shortly followed by a free kick that didn’t convert.

Chelsea and United continued to put up a great fight, with several attempts at goal. However, United’s defence seemed to be too strong to surpass. The energy continued

to build as Rooney had a great chance at a goal in the 24th minute, but Petr Cech had a better save.

For each attempt at goal, there seemed to be a foul. Ceser Azpilicueta had a free kick for fouling Hernandez, and further on received a booking for unsportsmanlike behaviour. In the 45th minute, there was a substitution with Luis Nani going in for Antonio Valencia, and slightly after the referee blew the whistle for halftime, leaving the score at 2–0 in favour of Manchester.

Shortly after the second half began, there were some substitutions: Mikel went on for Frank Lampard, and Eden Hazard went on for Victor Moses. Tension began to build as there was a foul against United’s keeper by David Luiz and he was given a booking in return. In the 58th minute, Hazard raised Chelsea’s hope with an amazing goal that was just in the top right corner, made possible with a great pass from Juan Mata. In the 67th minute, United

was put in trouble as Chelsea scored again. This time it was a goal from the edge of the penalty box from Nascimento Ramires. Having the scores even sent pressure back onto both teams with approximately 20 minutes left for the match.

The score remained the same, as both of the teams made relentless efforts to score. Several free kicks showed great opportunities, but there was no change. At the end of the match, it was final that both teams were going home with a 2–2 draw.

Sir Alex Ferguson had a few comments to make at the end of the game: “We’re lucky to be in the Cup. We just ran out of legs and Chelsea were the far better team in the second half,” he added. “But I can’t be critical of my side because the running they had to do on Tuesday night, against a really top side in Real Madrid, had its bearing on today’s result, no doubt about that.”


More than half of the season is over, and the Canucks

are teetering uncomfortably in the standings. On one hand, they are leading the division with a slight edge over the Minnesota Wild; on the other hand, the slightest slip up will send them plummeting out of the playoff picture.

The Western Conference has always been competitive, but with six points separating 13 teams, the shortened season has made the race to the finish line even more dramatic. Few teams love drama more than the Canucks. So if we expect them to pull their game together and race away from the pack to join Chicago and Anaheim as un-touted division champions—don’t, because things are about to get messy.

Failing to exceed expectations, the Canucks are playing cool with all their unfinished business, namely the business in the crease. Cory Schneider is having a respectable season sharing the net with Robert Luongo,

but respectable is not winning complete confidence from upper management. As trade deadline looms around the corner, everybody is anticipating the inevitable. But will it happen in April or will it happen in June? Luongo’s stock hasn’t been higher since the season started and that’s usually a sign that something will happen sooner rather than later.

It’s also apparent that the Sedins won’t be challenging for any scoring titles this year with their underperformance on the top line—an area the Canucks have to look at as they plan for the future. Jordan Schroeder has shown potential of one day becoming an elite forward, but it is a work in progress. And since Mason Raymond, Zack Kassian, and David Booth are all having a horribly-mediocre season, Canucks fans can only hope that someone in the organization will step up or a team with a top offensive prospect will be enticed by Luongo.

For a while, it looked as though the team could thrive without Ryan Kesler’s leadership and grit, but with so many games ending in one

or two goals, the Canucks are hoping there is no delay with his healing foot. But the question is worth asking: will Kesler be the same player he was before? Will he go the extra mile to finish his

checks? Will he have the same intimidating net presence? All questions aside, it is time for him to adjust his style. The ever-changing Canucks need him to become less of a two-way player

and focus more on powering through opposition’s defense—as well as photo bombing his teammates during interviews.

Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Canucks Corner: The halfway markPhoto courtesy of www.armchelsea.com

Photo illustration courtesy of Joel McCarthy

Sports. Know the score? Contact the editor at [email protected]

20

NFL free agency sees big names released


While the opening of the NFL free agency period

is generally seen as a flurry of names signing big contracts and moving to new teams, the aspect commonly forgotten about in the buildup is that there will be a good deal of players receiving their walking papers as well—and this year proved to be no exception.

Two of the cuts involved quarterbacks whose contracts looked iffy even at the time of signing. Ryan Fitzpatrick got the axe after another miserable season in Buffalo, and Kevin Kolb was dropped by the Cardinals in the “what took you so long?” cut of the year. Fitzpatrick got off to a hot start in 2011, prompting the franchise to lock him up long-term, but his demise began immediately after signing his six-year $59-million deal. He would end the season with a league-leading 23 interceptions

and the team would finish a woeful 6–10. Fitzpatrick followed his disappointing

2011 campaign with an equally disastrous 2012; the Bills were 6–10, again. However, despite the Harvard grad’s

struggles, he’s still better than the alternative. Unless the Bills pick up a new quarterback through the draft, they could be faced with the less-than inspiring prospect of having to start Tarvaris Jackson.

Kevin Kolb fared about the same. After making Michael Vick their main man, the Eagles were able to parlay Kolb’s handful of mediocre starts into the Cardinals’ second-round pick and highly-regarded cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. It was a lopsided trade right from the start. Arizona would then continue to dig themselves a hole by handing Kolb a five-year $63-million contract. Now, two injury-plagued seasons later,

the team has finally rectified its mistake and kicked him to the curb.

Also newsworthy this

offseason is the dismantling of the Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens squad. While stud receiver Anquan Boldin was dealt for a sixth rounder from San Francisco in order to free up some cap space to sign some important names on the defensive side of the ball, the team has been able to do nothing but watch hopelessly as their stars take flight for greener pastures. Linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, and cornerback Cary Williams all signed rich new deals, heading to the Browns, the Dolphins, and the Eagles respectively. Ed Reed appears to be on the cusp of signing with the Texans, and hard-hitting strong safety Bernard Pollard was cut. Toss

in Ray Lewis’ retirement and the Ravens are looking to have a completely different defense. For all his talk of being a

leader, Joe Flacco sure made a selfish move when he put his name on that record-breaking, team-crippling contract.

Over in New England, Bill Belichick has continued his tradition of letting aging stars walk. Wes Welker is now a Denver Bronco and Peyton Manning has to be salivating over the weapons he now has at his disposal. With Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker already in the fold, the Broncos now have one of the (if not the) deadliest receiving corps in the league. Belichick was quick to replace Welker though, signing his clone, Danny Amendola, within hours of the Welker move. Amendola comes with injury concerns, but if he can stay healthy, the Pats should be able to carry on without skipping a beat.

And finally, not that there was ever any real doubt of this happening, Mike Wallace has cashed in with the Miami Dolphins, receiving a five year $60-million deal. Miami fans might actually have something to cheer about next season .

Joe FlaccoPhoto courtesy of www.justjared.com

Football Fever: Deep cuts

The Jock Trap: Who is your favourite Vancouver Canuck and why?By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

Name: Emily Zaporozan, third-year Future Teachers student

“Kevin Bieksa, because at my first-ever live Canucks game, he scored the game-winning goal that put the Canucks into the Stanley Cup Final in 2011. And he fights like a champ.”

Name: Shawnali Ogle, fourth-year Arts student

“I really like the Sedin twins because they’ve been around so long and they do good work and they’re good for morale. But I also really like Cory Schneider because I think I have a thing for gingers and goalies.”

For all his talk of being a leader, Joe Flacco sure made a selfish move when he put his name on that record-breaking, team-crippling contract.

Humour.www.theotherpress.ca

21

55 diva dos and don’ts to out-diva any competition

By Savis Irandoost, #1 Diva

1. Always arrive fashionably late. You can arrive up to three hours later than the scheduled time.

2. It’s better to arrive late than to arrive ugly.

3. Never apologize for anything regarding your punctuality.

4. If someone confronts you about anything, cut them out of your life entirely.

5. Spend two hours getting ready before you leave the house.

6. Always dress to impress.

7. Spend most of your time and money on beautification and beautification-related things.

8. Spend the rest of your time honing your many talents.

9. Spend a minimum of an hour a day gazing at your reflection.

10. If you want to be a diva, self-portraits are a must!

11. Love yourself—and only yourself.

12. Don’t hang out with other divas too frequently. They could start to out-diva you.

13. Be seen with influential people.

14. Don’t spend too much time with regular people. They could make you ordinary.

15. On that note, always be seen with a posse. Never be seen alone.

16. Have an enormous following on Twitter

17. Overreact and whine on a regular basis to get your way and establish your rank.

18. Stay up-to-date with the gossip, especially about yourself.

19. Never feel bad about anything negative you hear, because they’re making you famous!

20. Stick to self-absorbed professions such as acting, modelling, or singing. It’s best if you do all three

21. It’s okay to be a little cocky.

22. Be the biggest social butterfly you know. If you know a bigger one, de-friend them immediately.

23. Manage to charm everyone, no matter how hard the task.

24. Wink and smile often.

25. Always use your beauty as a weapon. Blind someone with your perfect smile.

26. Travel the world. Preferably to glam places such as St. Barts.

27. Party often! But pace yourself before you start looking haggard. Don’t cross that line.

28. Order other people around.

29. Fire someone.

30. Don’t ever date a divo (a male diva). There will be too much ego in one relationship.

31. Never get dumped.

32. Always play guys.

33. Be unique like your diva ancestors.

34. Have a signature style.

35. Find a signature catch phrase.

36. Respect the original divas. We’re not talking Mariah Carey, Beyonce or JLo, but Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, and Elizabeth Taylor.

37. When a dance off is called, kill it.

38. Never forget that there is nothing that a manicure/pedicure combo can’t fix!

39. Retail therapy after anything is a must.

40. Only drink sparkling, spring, or filtered water.

41. Junk food is for people who have given up on life, not sexy divas like you!

42. In the words of the King of Fashion, Karl Lagerfeld, himself: “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.”

43. Stay in tip-top physical shape, in case there is a cat fight on the catwalk.

44. Be sassy as often as possible, but not bitchy.

45. Ride in the back seat often. Try to be driven around as much as possible.

46. The tighter and more uncomfortable the attire, the better! Pain is beauty, so suck it up, buttercup.

47. Saving money is for poor people.

48. Always strut. Never walk.

49. Keep it classy and drink champagne.

50. The only shoes you’re allowed to wear are pumps.

51. Sequins and glitter. Enough said.

52. Bedazzle, animal print, fur, leather, and fluff your surroundings!

53. Get a glam pet to reflect your values.

54. Spread the diva gene over to your future babies.

55. And always remember: A diva is a female version of a hustler.

The diva guide

Humour. Laugh out loud hilarious? Contact the editor at [email protected]

22

By Joel McCarthy, Contributor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPoQWclfqOY

The YouTube Comedy Classics have traditionally stayed away from cute videos, but this week I’m breaking my own rules for one of my favourite videos on the Internet. For those of you who are fans of babies doing adorable things, prepare to fall into a cuteness coma.

By Mel Freylinger

Humour.www.theotherpress.ca

23

Burt’s Diary: DO NOT READ!!!August 31, 2020

When my mother told me that one day I’d be good at something, I never thought that “something” would be killing zombies. If there was a job specifically for killing zombies, I’d be the best in the business. Do you know how many ways you can kill a zombie? Me neither. It’s probably a lot though. I must have killed at least 20 of them just today. One almost got me. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my right-hand man and friend, Ryan. He’s been with me and my daughter ever since Z-Day. I wonder how Lucy’s doing…

September 1, 2020

I saw a zombie just outside the Wall this morning, eating Doug. It wasn’t moving, which was weird. If I’m not mistaken, I think it was looking at my daughter’s bedroom window. When I looked up at the window, I see that loser that Lucy’s been seeing, Bill. Not many guys to pick from, I guess. Next time I go for a run, I’ll keep an eye out for that one.

September 2, 2020

I saw the pervy zombie again today during our daily scavenge run. It was with two more zombies. I could’ve sworn they looked like its parents. Me and my gang easily snuck up on them and took out the parents. The perv saw me and actually looked like it felt something. I was so surprised by this sudden outburst of emotion, I let it go.

September 3, 2020

Lucy told me that Bill got eaten alive today. I’m not surprised, but I acted like I cared about him, for Lucy’s sake. I asked her to describe the zombie that ate him, so I could personally thank it. Turns out it was the pervy one I was fretting over! It better not eat her.

September 4, 2020

This morning, I saw Lucy pick up the remaining pieces of her ex-boyfriend and put them in a bucket. I don’t need to know, I don’t want to know. She’s always been special, I guess I didn’t know how special she really was. I wonder why she dyed her hair green...

September 5, 2020

Contributor’s note: Burt’s diary was found near the entrance to the Wall. The pages were all torn up and bloody. He will be missed, as well as his daughter.

With files from Steven Cayer

Diary of a Zombie Lover (part 2)

Photo illustration by Joel McCarthy

other press vol 39 issue 24

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