Volume 29, in the Year of the Lord 2008

volume 29, issue 16 • Tuesday, December 2, 2008 • thelinknewspaper.ca

Synaptic Sex : Stimulating the mind and body through show-and-tell wait, thisishypotheticalsince1980 concordia’s independentnewspaper

Getting to know football all-star Corey Greenwood

You pay for Concordia’s Co-op bookstore, so go and use it

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Sports page 19

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Opinions page 21

Special Issue insert THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 03 Too sexy for school Why the sexualization of young women is a form of violence

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON and recently starred in a docu- ‘represent’ her school in Victims of Crime Act.” The Act mentary produced by the Playboy,” says Goldfarb. intends to protect the fetus from Violence against women National Film Board, entitled The failure of schools to pro- harm which Mugyenyi believes is remains a pressing problem 20 Sexy Inc.: Our Children Under vide sexual education is under- the “first step to recriminalizing 510 Number of aboriginal women years after the Polytechnic shoot- Influence. lined by the increasing corporate abortion.” ing, says Lilia Goldfarb of the Sexy Inc. catalogues all the presence in school cafeterias and One of their most recent meas- murdered or missing since Young Women’s Catholic usual media distortions sur- women’s bathrooms, says Bianca ures is a cooperative effort with 1980. Association. rounding sex by exploring misog- Mugyenyi, the 2110 Centre for Le Frigo Vert and the Concordia Source: Native Women’s According to Goldfarb, the yny in rap music to the sexual Gender Advocacy’s Programming Co-op Bookstore to create the Association of Canada. YWCA’s head of Leadership underpinnings behind reality TV. and Campaigns coordinator. Solidarity Identification Card, Services, violence against women More surprising, says Sexism cuts across school which allows students not only to can be attributed to the increas- Goldfarb, is the recent trend of lines, says Mugyenyi, and the select their own given names, but ing commodification of young age inappropriate material aimed group which is at the largest risk the gender which they identify women’s sexuality. at children as young as four to six of sexual violence and intimida- themselves by, something identi- “Sex remains a taboo, even if years old. Goldfarb cites Baby tion are aboriginal women: the fication cards distributed by it’s everywhere,” and advertisers Bratz, a line of plastic dolls fea- Native Women’s Association of Concordia don’t offer. 77,000 have a monopoly on the public turing young babes with plucked Canada calculated that 510 abo- “The Centre [has been] lobby- Number of invasive surgical discussion of sex, says Goldfarb. ing the school to make that procedures performed on 18- “Part of the problem is that “Sex remains a taboo, change,” says Mugyenyi, “but year-olds and younger in when AIDS became huge, sex even if it’s everywhere.” instead of just waiting for them to 2005. education became about the take action, we decided to be mechanics of sex and less about —Lilia Goldfarb, proactive and to issue our own YWCA head of Leadership Services the human experience,” she says, cards.” which is another reason that sex Aside from its practical use as shouldn’t be a subject taught eyebrows, silk diapers, and lip- riginal women have been mur- a second form of personal identi- exclusively in biology and science stick galore, as well as a brand of dered or gone missing since 1980. fication, the SID cards are cur- classes. children’s diapers made to look “It’s astounding that [so many rently the only ID cards that 70 The human experience is now like women’s lingerie. women] have disappeared and it reflect the owner’s self-identifica- Average percentage of teens tion. “Being able to have your supplied through cable television All of these developments can is shocking how little attention 15 to 17 years old who acci- shows, and easy access to pornog- be seen in just the past five years, this has received,” says Mugyenyi, chosen name and gender is a big dentally encountered pornog- raphy on the web. Kids as young says Goldfarb. “When I started [at who says it is “important to deal to people,” says Mugyenyi. raphy on the Internet. as 13 “talk about sex and pornog- the YWCA in 2003], people said I remember that gendered violence Inspired by the Polytechnic raphy like they know it,” says was just exaggerating, that this is a systemic problem,” even if it’s shooting, the YWCA will be pro- Goldfarb, who was told by a 13- was just a trend.” But now that out of sight, out of mind. moting the Rose Campaign, a year-old youth that the way to tell trend is rising ever higher, that is, Mugyenyi and the 2110 Centre companion to the White Ribbon a girl that you like them is to until society as a whole decides to for Gender Advocacy have been Campaign, which asks partici- pinch their rear end. put on the brakes. working to fight gender oppres- pants to mail a white rose to their Goldfarb insists that violence The lack of educational stan- sion and to promote gender local MP as a plea for action 244,000 and sexuality converge so often as dards for women compared to the equality through a series of com- against gendered violence. Minimum number of American to link the two together, and that standards of beauty they are munity-driven projects, including “the sexualization of kids is a forced to maintain, is evidenced calling for universal access to free For more info on the Rose children at risk each year of form of violence.” by a recent Playboy centerfold, and safe abortions. The fight for Campaign, visit rosecampaign.ca. being victims of commercial Goldfarb wrote her graduate which featured McGill students. greater access to abortion For a list of upcoming events hosted sexual exploitation. thesis at Concordia University on “There was this one girl on televi- includes a concerted campaign by the 2110 Centre for Gender Source: American the sexualization of young girls, sion who said she was proud to against Bill C-484, “The Unborn Advocacy, visit centree2110.org. Psychological Association.

Remembering the fallen Gearing up for National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

• TERRINE FRIDAY father as a child, blamed his Geneviève Bergeron, 21 actions for his distaste for femi- Nathalie Croteau, 23 “Force is all-conquering, but its nists on his father. Monique Anne-Marie Edward, 21 victories are short-lived.” Lépine, Marc’s mother, tells her Maryse Laganière, 25 —Abraham Lincoln own story of emotional grief Anne-Marie Lemay, 22 and survival in her book Michèle Richard, 21 On Dec. 6, 1989, Marc Aftermath. Annie Turcotte, 21 Lépine entered Montreal’s The Link commemorates Helène Colgan, 23 École Polytechnique’s engineer- the women who died. Dec. 6 is Barbara Daigneault, 22 ing school and shot and the National Day of Maud Haviernick, 29 killed 14 women. 10 other Remembrance and Action on Maryse Leclair, 23 women whom he shot Violence Against Women. Show Sonia Pelletier, 28 survived. solidarity by wearing your Annie St-Arneault, 23 Lépine, who was abused by his white ribbon. Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz, 31 GRAPHIC SAGINE CAVÉ 04 NEWS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS

Judicial board decision in the books Driving to sustain • JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI Fuelling sustainability with a little bit of grease On Nov. 26, the Judicial Board of the Concordia Student know it's not a real solution.” students doesn't necessarily stop Union delivered a written deci- The unfortunate reality is that when Jerry and Whittaker leave sion on the complaint brought there isn't enough used deep-fryer the classroom. “Students can go to it by councillor Louise oil to go around, and it will never online and track the progress of Birdsell-Bauer. be a viable replacement for petro- our journey from the website,” The JB ruled that, “The leum fuels. Using fresh vegetable Whittaker explained. These gung- Executive […] shall present a oil is a solution, but Jerry and ho greens even have resources for motion at the December 3rd, Whittaker don't think it's ethical. teachers: a downloadable curricu- 2008 Council meeting, respect- “It's a situation of food versus lum developed with the help of a ing all applicable deadlines, to fuel,” said Whittaker, referring to British Columbian teacher to fur- address the prompt appoint- the fact that increased use of bio- ther educate students about sus- ment of a new Chief Electoral diesel is raising global food prices tainability issues. Officer and 4 [sic] new Judicial and contributing to world hunger. New York Fries in Canada and Board Members.” The pair does believe, however, Taco Time in the United States Although a five-day period that the value of their eco-trek is supplied the oil for the sustainable was provided to challenge the Tyson Jerry and Chloe Whittaker hit up fast-food joints for fuel...for their van. that it gets people thinking about journey. Participating locations of ruling, both Birdsell-Bauer and • THOM BATOR in an effort to beat the previous alternative fuel sources. “This is the sponsor restaurants along the CSU VP Communications Elie world record of 38,137 kilometres all about energy, whether it's duo's route save the oil from their Chivi said that they have not Would you like a world record set by a group of German environ- clean or dirty is the question,” said deep fryers that would otherwise done so. with those fries? mentalists in 2006. Jerry. “We have the technology be thrown out. To abide by the JB’s ruling, Environmental activists Tyson When they stopped in with solar, wind and tidal to [sig- The oil is stored in two large the motion will be on the CSU Jerry and Chloe Whittaker of Montreal last Friday, Jerry and nificantly reduce] our dependence barrels that the pair carry in a Council’s agenda for its Driven to Sustain might just be Whittaker admitted that their on fossil fuels.” trailer behind their van. They Wednesday meeting, Chivi con- able to oblige; the team is world record attempt was really Jerry and Whittaker began don't have a sponsor in Mexico firmed. attempting to break the record for just a publicity stunt, secondary to their journey in Victoria, B.C. on yet and aren't quite sure where the longest journey by car using their primary goal of sustainabili- Oct. 1. Since then, they've been they'll get the oil when they get New student group? alternative fuels, by driving ty education. making their way east, stopping to there, but Jerry doesn't seem to 45,000 kilometres in their waste “The main thing for us is learn- learn about various sustainability worried about it. “We'll just get I don’t think so vegetable oil-powered vehicle. ing for ourselves and then teach- projects and initiatives along the on the phone when we get down • CHRISTOPHER OLSON The vehicle in question is a ing what we've learned to others,” way. They then take what they've there and find a donor,” he said. Mitsubishi Delica diesel van, said Whittaker. Although the learned at their various stops into “It's building a greater communi- Elie Chivi, the Concordia modified to run on used cooking environmentalists are putting secondary and elementary school ty that way.” Student Union’s VP communi- oil. Over the next few months, across the continent on vegetable rooms across Canada to educate cations, responded to a petition Chloe and Tyson will be taking the oil, Whittaker and Jerry “don't young Canadians about various To learn more about Driven circulated by the group van across the rest of Canada, the even advocate the use of cooking sustainability issues. to Sustain, please visit driventosus- Democracy, Sustainability, and United States, and parts of Mexico oil [on a large scale] because we The learning experience for the tain.ca. Accountability which called for a recall of the CSU Executive, calling the petition “plagued with misleading information Faculty association exec throws in the towel and propaganda.” Lawyer Patrice Blais circu- • TERRINE FRIDAY don’t want to be on the hook for that.” tor of finance for the ECA. lated a petition accusing the According to Novik, Brovkin had request- “Now knowing what Henry said, we CSU of not recognizing an ear- Amidst accusations of delinquency from ed access to financial documents, which should take a look at the budget and ask lier petition and appointing a duties, former Engineering and Computer Novik had initially denied. Novik says a questions,” said councillor Karine new Chief Electoral Officer, Science executive Henry Novik resigned read-only password was later issued. Huberdeau. although Chivi says the search from his post as VP finance Monday. Rather than resign before the ECA According to Brovkin, “it’s not only the for a replacement is an ongoing Novik denied his performance as VP Council meeting, Novik said he wanted budget that was an issue […] I shouldn’t be process. finance was “far less than spectacular,” as Council to consider his performance as the the one running after money […] I shouldn’t The petition also blames the described by current ECA president Alex association’s finance representative. be the one running after McKibbin’s, who CSU for doing nothing to Brovkin. Rather, Novik suggested, a clash of Most of the words from the councillors still owes us $5,000.” oppose an international stu- personalities with Brovkin is the reason for were supportive. But Novik maintains that he wasn’t given dent fee increase, but Chivi his removal. “[…] You were there at the [ECA B-Annex any notice about not meeting his job require- deflected that claim, saying the “The simple fact is that the president and office] and I do thank you for that,” said ments. “No, there weren’t any warnings,” he CSU prevented the “increase I don’t get along,” Novik told the ECA coun- Garrett Morgan, VP internal of the ECA. told Council. “Yes, I was given the reason [of for an entire year, saving stu- cillors. “I haven’t really been there that much,” delinquency], but I wasn’t given the cause.” dents over $1.4 million.” “I encourage all of you to examine the said VP external Marc Lindstrom, who was Novik says there are no hard feelings and “The CSU Executive is con- relationship between the president and the just installed in September. “But he did get he just wants his named cleared of financial fident that the student body is next VP finance,” Novik said. “There’s been my beer money.” responsibility with the ECA. wise enough to see through no real misappropriation of any kind” during “The only problem I found when I was “I resign. I resign in the spirit of keeping Blais’ fabricated claims,” Chivi his mandate, Novik said, and “if [Brovkin] working with him […] was there was a delay the cohesion of the team together,” Novik continued. wants to have control over that stuff […] I with everything,” said Athena Fotiou, direc- said. “I don’t need a title to be involved.”

editor-in-chief opinions editor layout manager The Link is published every Letters to the editor are wel- CONTRIBUTORS The Link SEBASTIEN CADIEUX JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI MATHIEU BIARD Tuesday during the academic year come. All letters 400 words or CONCORDIA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER web editor Jennifer Aouad, Thom Bator, Louis Birdsell Bauer, Nicole news editor copy editor by the Link Publication Society Inc. less will be printed, space permit- Volume 29, Number 16 BRUNO DE ROSA Content is independent of the ting. Letters deadline is Friday at Biard, Justin Bromberg, Valerie Cardinal, Sagine Cave, TERRINE FRIDAY R. BRIAN HASTIE University and student associations 4 p.m. The Link reserves the right Madeline Coleman, Ginger Coons, Ion Etxebarria, Jennifer Tuesday, December 2, 2008 Freitas, Pamela Friedman, Marie-Eve Gagne, Melanie student press liaison business manager (ECA, CASA, ASFA, FASA, CSU). to edit letters for clarity and Concordia University features editor Editorial policy is set by an elected length and refuse those deemed Hughes, Elsa Jabre, Jason Lapointe, Tristan Lapointe, VivIen ICHAEL OPPINGS Leung Pascale Rose Licinio, James Lynch, Jackson Hall Building, Room H-649 CLARE RASPOPOW JESARA SINCLAIR M T board as provided for in The Link’s racist, sexist, homophobic, xeno- 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. business assistant constitution. Any student is wel- phobic, libelous, or otherwise con- MacIntosh, Nikki MacMillan, Kali Malinka, Alex Manley, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8 fringe arts editor photo editor come to work on The Link and trary to The Link’s statement of Julien McEvoy, Paolo Mingarelli, Evita Mouawad, Alexandra JACQUELINE CHIN Murphy, Fiona O’Connor, Barbara Pavone, Matt Reichman, JOELLE LEMIEUX JONATHAN DEMPSEY become a voting staff member. The principles. editorial: (514) 848-2424 ext. 7405 ad designer Link is a member of Canadian Board of Directors 2008-2009: Sinbad Richardson, Shanna Robets-Salee, Laura Roberts, arts: (514) 848-2424 ext. 5813 literary arts editor graphics editor CHRIS BOURNE University Press and Presse Giuseppe Valiante, Ellis Shawna Satz, Molly Sowiak, Rachel Tetrault, Giuseppe advertising: (514) 848-2424 ext. 8682 Valiante, Caroylne Weldan, Nicole Jane Young, Bonnie computer technician Universitaire Indépendante du Steinberg, Shawna Satz; non-vot- Zehavi, Philip Zein, Winstone Zulu fax: (514) 848-4540 CHRISTOPHER OLSON AMY SMITH Québec. Material appearing in ing members: Rachel Boucher, business: (514) 848-7406 OPEN sports editor managing editor distribution The Link may not be reproduced Sebastien Cadieux. ROBERT DESMARAIS without prior written permission Typesetting by The Link. Printing cover graphic by Carly Fridhandler [email protected] DIEGO PELAEZ-GAETZ JOHNNY NORTH AVID AUFMANN from The Link. by Transcontinental. http://thelinknewspaper.ca D K THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/NEWS NEWS 05 Prez sez, Breaking down barriers “Thanks a latte” for World AIDS Day • TERRINE FRIDAY Although The Link report- ed president Judith The stigma of sex and disability Woodsworth’s World Café was • WINSTONE ZULU when my mum tried to enroll me my living with HIV. I was asked to reason, many Anglican denomina- a bust two weeks ago, into first grade when I turned report the following day for the tions in Africa—and indeed the Woodsworth begged to differ Winstone Zulu is a social seven. One look at the way I was results of my application. world over—are on the verge of at the monthly Board of activist hailing from Zambia. standing was enough for the head Her: “I am sorry, Mr. Zulu. splitting over the ordination of gay Governors meeting. Zulu, who has a permanent phys- teacher to conclude that giving me According to U.S. government priests. This is at a time when Woodsworth, who says she ical disability, has been living a place in school would be a waste policy, persons with HIV are inad- there are several serious issues of was advised to leave the Café with HIV for 18 years. He was of government resources. missible to enter the United States human rights abuses in places like to allow for more casual dis- also the first person to be open The following year, mum took of America. I cannot issue you a Burma, Sudan, Zimbabwe and cussion, is happy that faculty about living with HIV in his coun- me to another school but entry visa.” Tibet, as well as the looming turned out in good numbers. try. was denied for the same reason. Me: “Why?” catastrophe of climate change Zulu is currently a Journalism After a third attempt she gave up Her: “I don’t know but it’s the caused by global warming that call graduate student at Ryerson as the argument had now even law. You are in the same category for urgent and thoughtful leader- $16 million University in Toronto, Ontario. changed from one based on my as terrorists and drug traffickers.” ship. disability to one about being over- I will not attempt to answer the aged for grade one. Talk about multiple stigmas and discrimination deficit could difficult questions of why certain When I was 26, I managed to based on a non-conformity body. I was black, people react with such revulsion get a scholarship to study political be late at the sight of a person with a cer- science in St. Petersburg—then visibly disabled and HIV positive. tain disability. Leningrad—Russia. One of the • TERRINE FRIDAY Maybe the idea behind shut- requirements for entry into Russia Mind you this was barely a year So the fight for disability rights ting doors to persons with a dis- was a full medical examination, after 9/11 and at the mention of has to compete against all these The university’s 2007- ability is no more than an attempt which included an HIV test. My the word terrorists, the whole real issues as well as distractions 2008 budget is facing delays to “see no evil, hear no evil and say HIV test results were positive and room was all ears, listening to this such as whether life begins at and will be produced for no evil.” Could it be that my pres- access to enter Russia was effec- exchange and I am yet to find a conception or not. Eventually, we December. According to the ence is perceived as a bad omen tively denied. It was around this more zealous group of auditors. will succeed. university’s vice-president of that speeds up someone else’s time that I first started to connect I later rang my contacts in Before I close let me share with finance, Larry English, a process of becoming disabled? the dots between the stigma and Washington who got in touch with you something else. I always trav- deficit of up to $16 million will Fortunately, I have faced stig- discrimination that surrounds dis- a number of members of Congress el with the crucifix even though be reflected in the financial ma and discrimination for other ability and other conditions such who in turn wrote letters of sup- my faith in God is smaller than a statement. reasons that make me doubt the as HIV/AIDS; the refusal to allow port to the embassy to issue a mustard seed and there is little Also included in the budget reasoning above. It is said that entry was based on the premise waiver to allow me enter the U.S. chance it will grow into anything is the $1.3 million payout to those that are targeted for dis- that I could get ill there and Talk about multiple stigmas bigger than what it is. former Concordia president crimination are first stigmatized. become a burden on the Russian and discrimination based on a But the symbol of the crucified Claude Lajeunesse—10 per And so we had Hutus in Rwanda government’s medical resources. non-conformity body. I was black, Christ shows to me someone who cent of the university’s deficit coming up with a “clear” descrip- Memories from 20 years ago visibly disabled and HIV positive. bore what I think was the ulti- in the 2007-08 fiscal year— tion of what Tutsis looked like flooded my mind and I could see Several times I have shared my mate stigma. They could have who held the position for only despite generations of intermar- that small boy in khaki shorts and story of living with HIV and when killed him in many other ways. two years. riages and intermingling. blue golf shirt, standing in a asked how I contracted it and They could have stoned him to Concordia University I had polio when I was three queue, only to be told that it would reply that it was through sexual death like they did Stephen. But Faculty Association president years old. My mum tells me that be a waste of government intercourse, jaws drop simply death on the cross, particularly Charles Draimin voiced his my entire body was paralyzed at resources to give a disabled child a because I am sitting in a wheel- between two criminals, was a concern for Lajeunesse’s pay- one stage. Mercifully, most of my place in school. chair. And this is often from the mark of disgrace, a shame. out and its relation to the uni- limbs and body functions retained In 2003, I was invited by both same group of persons who only Although many people, including versity’s deficit yesterday in full control except my right leg RESULTS-Canada in Ottawa and moments before were suggesting famous celebrities, use or wear an interview on CBC radio. where the muscle failed to fully RESULTS-International based in that people who contract HIV are the cross as fashion apparel, I see develop. As a result I ended up Washington, D.C. to give a pres- promiscuous. no glory in what went on at walking with a very bad limp entation. So, okay, here is a person with Golgotha. To me the cross is a “Goodbye, a disability who is “confined” to a reminder that we are in this world “According to U.S. government policy, persons wheelchair and is supposed to be for one important purpose and farewell...” with HIV are inadmissible to enter the United asexual but has HIV contracted that is to serve and help others, through sex. That is not good for especially those in less privileged • TERRINE FRIDAY States of America. I cannot issue you a visa [...] many audiences I have had dis- situations and positions than we You are in the same category as terrorists and cussions with. It kind of rips opens are. Any other way I have tried to The fall convocation of drug traffickers.” and exposes their neat but false search for happiness and mean- newly graduated students may theories and stereotypes about ing has left me dissatisfied and have been president —U.S. Embassy officer disability, sexuality and AIDS. yawning. Woodsworth’s best time so far throughout my childhood and I went to the U.S. embassy in There have been and still are Regardless of how long it takes at Concordia. part of my adult life. Ottawa to apply for the American many dark and unacceptable good triumphs over evil. “I think it’s my favourite When I turned 38 my body visa. The very last question on the things that occur in our world Need evidence? Well, it wasn’t time of year,” said could no longer support the form was whether you had an today. until the end of June this year, to Woodsworth of the day-long weight that often accompanies infectious disease of some signifi- In the U.S., supposedly the the embarrassment of war crimi- “marathon.” entry into middle age. I started cance to public health. So, most advanced and civilized nal Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Woodsworth was also eager using crutches, which I still do. although I already knew that like nation on Earth, every four years, struck Nelson Mandela off its list to hear several graduates were For longer distances, such as Russia the U.S. did not allow entry including this one, leaders waste of terrorists. Change for good will returning to further pursue maneuvering around airports and to HIV-positive people, I precious time and resources eventually come. degrees. the university campus, I use a answered yes to the last question. debating what two consenting “So many of them are con- wheelchair. Besides, I was entering the U.S. adults can or cannot do in bed To read Winstone Zulu’s tinuing their studies at the My first experience of discrimi- for a media promotional tour, based purely on sexual orientation complete letter, please visit graduate level here, which is nation based on disability was which would involve talking about or preference. And for the same thelinknewspaper.ca. really good news […]” 06 FEATURES THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES The high price of technology Why newer and shinier can be dirty and dangerous

• MÉLANIE HUGHES responsible, effective and ethical e-waste Telecommunications Waste in Canada report ard in themselves. These chemical elements management. released in 2000 estimated that in 1999, become a health and environmental hazard The age of technology has a dirty little 33,972 tonnes of IT waste was sent to the when they are used in human-generated secret: e-waste. The problem dumps, while 15,592 tonnes was recycled, industrial processing and combustion prac- E-waste is a term coined to encompass The growing amount of e-waste parallels 24,507 tonnes was sent for reuse and 6,128 tices. information technology and telecommunica- the rising amount of technology's more com- tonnes was put into storage. It was estimated In the process of decomposition, these tion devices, such as televisions, fax machines, pact, better, and shinier built-in obsolescent that approximately 67,325 tonnes of e-waste chemicals release toxic by-products that printers, radios, mobile phones, computers, products. Product obsolescence is a process would be disposed of in 2005, almost double find their way into our water, air, and soil and laptops that are broken or unwanted, and whereby merchandise is produced with the in just six years. through fumes, liquids, and solid masses. destined for the dumps. intention of becoming non-functional within Combined with the Baseline Study of End- PCB is an organic compound used as a There is little collective agreement on the a predetermined time. of-Life Electrical and Electronic Equipment coating for electrical wiring and as a flame definition of e-waste. E-product manufacturers benefit from in Canada, both studies revealed that dis- retardant. In the process of eliminating or Some definitions extend to any electronic planned obsolescence because consumers are posed computer equipment, phones, audio- degrading this compound, toxic substances, commodities sold and donated by their origi- pressured into buying newer versions of the visual equipment and small household appli- such as dioxin and dibenzofuran, are nal owner, whether destined for reuse, resale, same product, from the same producer. A ances account for more than 140,000 tonnes released from the combustion. Cadmium is recycling or disposal. E-waste can also be report commissioned by Environment of waste each year in Canada. toxic when inhaled through fumes from the equivalent to what Environment Canada con- Canada developed baseline estimates of e- The ITTWC report also estimated that out burning of municipal waste. siders hazardous waste, toxic or chemical sub- waste currently generated in Canada. of the 33, 972 tonnes of waste sent to the The ingestion of contaminated water is stances-as some electronic products contain The Information Technology and trash in 1999, the weight contained 1,356 the common source of elevated lead levels in polychlorinated biphenyls (commonly known tonnes of lead, 2.0 tonnes of cadmium and the human system. And mercury enters the as PCBs), lead, mercury and cadmium. 0.5 tonnes of mercury. environment through land filling or the Semantics aside, the e-waste load, both incineration of e-waste. functional and non-functional e-prod- The danger Not every individual will be equally ucts, is mounting and society The health and environmental impacts of affected by the release of these chemicals needs to act in favour of lead, cadmium, and mercury should not be into the environment and worrying about taken lightly. Natural levels of these three the random side effects of exposure elements usually circulate within the human to these chemicals isn't advised. system and they are not a haz- But individuals are strongly encouraged to investigate their personal level of exposure to these substances. 33,972 tonnes of e-waste sent to the dumps in 1999.

67,325 tonnes of e-waste sent to the dumps in 2005.

140,000 tonnes of e-waste produced each year in Canada. THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FEATURES FEATURES 07

How we deal with it Illegal Canadian exportation operations For citizens of developing countries, it is management has to be common. To safely handle hazardous chemicals and were recently exposed. This news shook the more lucrative to burn computer materials However, the initiatives, models and alter- increase the amount of e-waste that goes to legitimacy of current exportation regulations than to harvest a field. Without properly natives from country to country in responding recycling and reuse purposes, an appropriate and questioned the ethics of the recycling enforced and controlled trade laws, as well as to this multifaceted issue can differ. legal, social, economic and political frame- business in Canada. common decency, e-waste can continue to work needs to be in place. Canada needs a CBC News uncovered an underground cross the borders with Canada customs turn- Local action comprehensive plan to guide all actions deter- electronics recycling industry in China, making a blind eye. If we flip the focus to a micro level, our mining who does the “what, how, and where” ing migrant workers custodians of wealthier provincial government has no e-waste recy- of how our techno-garbage is handled. nation's e-garbage. Technotrash, an electron- Global action cling programs in place. Public awareness In Canada, managing hazardous waste is a ics recycling organization based in Vancouver, The globalization of information technolo- about the e-waste challenge is as important shared responsibility between the federal and sent cargos filled with non-functional e-waste gy calls for sensible action and relationships as accessible options from government, com- provincial/territorial governments. The feder- to Hong Kong. between countries. The Basel Ban munity groups, organizations and business- al government is responsible for the regula- Jim Puckett, an environmental health and Amendment, a piece of legislation put out by es. tion of international movement of hazardous justice activist, as well as the executive direc- the BAN, forbids all forms of hazardous waste The Quebec Residual Materials wastes, while the provincial government con- tor of the Basel Action Network, an interna- exports from the 29 wealthiest, most industri- Management Policy 1998-2008 gives some trols generators of waste, management facili- tional organization focused on confronting alized countries of the OECD, as well as all direction for groups to implement sustain- ties, and transportation. the global environmental injustice and eco- non-OECD countries. able residual materials management prac- The ITTWC report states that recycling nomic inefficiency of toxic trade and its devas- Canada has never signed this amendment. tices. To find a local organization or business infrastructure for IT equipment in Canada is tating impacts, explains in an interview with However, Canada has made steps for respon- that will take your IT or Telecom equipment, far from uniform and has limited coverage. CBC over the case of Technotrash that citizens sible action with the recent e-Stewards pro- you can make your way to the Couleur Bazar So much so that Canadian waste is export- of Guiyu, China are surrendering to the choice gram. repertoire, newly published by the city of ed to the United States because Canada's abil- of poison over poverty. The BAN announced that the Electronics Montreal on their web page. ity to dispose or recycle its waste is inade- The lack of regulations around the export TakeBack Coalition, whose goal is to protect There are options for recycling or sending quate. and import of electronics between countries is the health and well being of electronics users, your IT equipment for reuse that fall under Jim Wittwer, from the Transboundary a serious problem because so much money workers, and the communities where elec- the category of selling, donating and Movement Branch of Environment Canada, can be made through the disposal of e-waste. tronics are produced and discarded by requir- exchanging. Don't be surprised if some states in the Hazardous Waste Management There is an economic logic to e-waste ing consumer electronics manufacturers and groups charge a fee when they take in e- in Canada 2002 Statistics report that exporta- which goes: with lower environmental stan- brand owners to take full responsibility for the waste, since most community or non-profit tion increased from 313,000 to 340,000 dards and cheap labour markets in developing life cycle of their products, through effective groups are barely keeping their heads above tonnes between 2001 and 2002. This was due countries, processing and eliminating e-waste public policy requirements or enforceable water with high operational costs, limited to increased hazardous recyclables going to in poorer countries is more profitable. agreements, has joined with 32 electronics resources, limited funding and inadequate the U.S. and countries of the Organization for An increased regulation of e-waste and recyclers in the U.S and Canada to implement recycling technologies. Economic Co-operation and Development. concern for the environment in Canada has this program. And to add to the complexity of IT recy- He says that 70 per cent of total exports had the effect of raising disposal costs. The It prohibits the dumping of toxic e-waste in cling, the falling economy is lowering the were destined for recycling operations. result is e-waste dumping in India, Africa developing countries, local landfills and incin- prices of metals and plastics. Recyclers are and China. erators as well as using prison labour to facing financial challenges since they are not E-waste and the third world process e-waste, and barring the unautho- selling their recycled materials. Buyers are These recycling operations need legal rized release of private data contained also reluctant to purchase since the value of scrutiny. The e-waste contained in them in discarded computers. On an the material is just too low. include important elements, such as gold or international level the The e-waste challenge needs more dia- metal, making the recycling industry a direction of e- logue, public awareness, collaboration and very profitable business. And funny waste consolidation from a number of information money can accompany such a lucra- technology beneficiaries, keeping safety and tive business. ethical action as the main intentions.

KKnownow yyourour ppoisonsoisons Dioxins - Mercury - A blanket term for a family of chemical Used primarily in auto parts, batteries, fluo- compounds that are formed through combus- rescent bulbs, medical products, thermometers, tion, chlorine bleaching and manufacturing and thermostats. Mercury and most of its com- GRAPHIC GINGER COONS processes. They are highly carcinogenic and pounds are neurotoxins. They are extremely dan- toxic compounds. gerous and are generally handled with care. It is known to produce effects such as tremors, impaired cognitive skills, and sleep disturbance Dibenzofurans - in workers with chronic exposure to mercury A white, crystal-like solid created from vapour even at low concentrations. Long-term, production of coal tar. It is used as an low-level exposure has been associated with insecticide, in the production of Polyvinyl subtle symptoms of social phobia, and includes chloride (plastics), industrial bleaching, symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, loss of and incineration. They are very toxic and memory, vivid dreams, and depression. have properties and chemical structures similar to dioxins. Lead - Used in building construction, lead-acid bat- Cadmium - teries, bullets and shot, weights, and is part of Used largely in batteries and the pigments solder, pewter, fusible alloys and radiation in plastic products. Inhalation of cadmium- shields. Lead, like mercury, is also a neurotoxin containing fumes in a concentrated enough and accumulates in soft tissues and bone over amount can result initially in metal fume extended periods in time. It is considered to be fever but may progress to inflammation of particularly harmful for women's ability to repro- the lung tissue, swelling or fluid accumula- duce and young children are especially suscepti- tion in the lungs, and death. It is known to ble to its effects. It's been known to harm the be a carcinogen. kidneys and cause abdominal pain. 08 LITERARY ARTS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT Montreal, meet Montreal Before the Olympic stadium, and the Quebec referendum, there was Montreal

• GIUSEPPE VALIANTE Montreal Canadiens, and per- played when it was home to haps to the delight of the author, spies for Adolf Hitler or secret In John Kalbfleisch’s This no mention of referendums that communists allied with the Island in Time: Remarkable almost broke up the country or Soviet Union? Tales from Montreal's Past, the exodus of the majority of Unlike the St. Lawrence, thick ice infests much of the St. English Montreal and a signifi- there’s no real flow to This Lawrence River during the win- cant portion of the economy. Island in Time. It opens with ter. What Kalbfleisch does dig up the birth of the city as a mission These days, the big freeze presents a Montreal as the new colony for the pious French then doesn’t pose much of a problem frontier for pioneering describes its evolution into the for the city: the metropolis has Frenchmen and Europe’s poor. cradle of Canada’s industrial many bridges and boats aren't Anything that happened before revolution, and then back again used as frequently to shuttle the visit of Samuel de to the religious tensions people around. Champlain is an afterthought. between the Protestants and the But back in the late 1880’s The natives were there to be Catholic before the turn of the the frozen water was the ire of conquered; the land to be culti- century. everyone who wanted to get to vated, the streets to be paved Its’ heavily tilted in favour of Longueuil—or anywhere else and named the names of their European colonization, but the Centre-ville 1961 off-island. Travellers at that religious protectors. author at times acknowledges time had the choice between the This book is a short, tight that the settlers had little desire majestic Victoria Bridge, on read for anyone who is interest- to accommodate the people which a train passed, or walk ed in the city and its relationship already living there and con- across the ice. to Europe and the U.S. cedes that perhaps this wasn’t But some ingenious Who knew that Abraham the most moral of positions. Montrealer in 1880 decided to Lincoln’s assassin, William H. Despite the precious little try and lay tracks over the thick Booth, checked in to Montreal’s attention it gives to the other side ice. They called it the ice train. most prestigious hotel six of Montreal’s history, there’s Sadly, this frivolity only lasted months before he was to become enough unplundered material three winters. the most wanted man in here to make the book worthwile. This is but one of the stories America? compiled by Kalbfleisch in This Apparently, Booth told one of This Island in Island in Time, published by his Montreal billiards buddies Time Véhicule Press. that “Abe’s contract is up.” The John Kalbfleisch Everything in the book takes city was a hotbed for the Véhicule Press place before the 1970’s. This Confederates who plotted ways May 2008 means no Olympics, no six out to destroy the Union army. Who 188 pp of 10 Stanley Cup wins for the knew the part that the city $17.95 Boul. Saint-Laurent 1944 Drop a few dollars for Drop-In True tales from Toronto’s Regent Park

• BONNIE ZEHAVI giggly girls who between skipping rope and drawing animals exercise the wildest Based on his experiences as an art of imaginations. teacher at a youth drop-in centre in These slices of life, funny, sad and fre- Toronto’s Regent Park, Dave Lapp’s quently awkward, give the reader a sense graphic novel debut Drop-In is a sparse of Lapp’s attempts to connect with a com- and evocative work. plex and multicultural community so far The stories Lapp tells are all true, and removed from his own homogenous sub- for anyone who has ever worked with kids urban experience. The sentiment is effec- and teens in a similar context, they will tively genuine as Lapp learns how to be likely resonate as such. supportive without being intrusive, be sensitive without appearing soft. ...scrapping boys and giggly The intricacies of life and the vulnerability of the human animal is explored girls who between skipping through Lapp and the individuals he rope and drawing animals encounters as they negotiate tense, often exercise the wildest of heart-breaking lessons in relating. imaginations Starkly rendered yet surprisingly expressive, Drop-In is an impressive debut. Presented as mostly short and often anecdotal vignettes, each narrative differs Drop-In from the last as they weave an overall por- Dave Lapp trait of the centre and of the sundry char- Conundrum Press acters found within. Through Lapp we October 2008 meet a family that digs up worms at night, 140 pp ex-cons and fiends on the street, Vietnamese refugees, scrapping boys and Drop-In illustrates the author’s experiences at a drop-in centre in comic form. THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT LITERARY ARTS 09 Father of Saint Patrick A second-hand perspective on the life and times of Patrick Roy

• JOHNNY NORTH his Stanley Cup wins. When it comes to conversational topics, such as Patrick Roy was the heart and soul of the Montreal Roy’s departure from Montreal, Michel Roy does not Canadiens throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s—he made hold back his own opinion of the disgraceful night spectacular saves almost every game and gave the against the Detroit Red Wings. However, Michel Roy impression of a hockey warrior in the nets. backs up his argument with many quotes from Habs Recently, the Habs paid tribute to Roy, the previous players on the team and former Habs greats like The Conn Smythe winner to backstop them to their last two Rocket and Ken Dryden. Regardless what side you Stanley Cups. In October, his father Michel did his own take, the picture of a dark day in Habs history was tribute to his son, a biography entitled Patrick Roy: perfectly illustrated. Winning. Nothing Else. If you’re looking for the juicy gossip about This is as close as one is going to get to a true Patrick Patrick Roy’s domestic disturbance, that Roy biography. For years Roy refused the help of eventually saw him in divorce court, you’re ghostwriters wanting to publish his life story. His out of luck. Although his ability to deci- father, a full-time musician, writer and journalist, obvi- pher what his son was thinking at the ously has a lot of bias towards his son. time of certain events is questionable, However, this bias doesn’t ruin the exciting style it is apparent that he had a profound exhibited in this new biography. He clearly showcases influence on his son’s life. a passion for hockey when he tells of his son’s games. Whether you’re a fan of Roy or not, Michel Roy also displays a great knowledge of history Patrick Roy: Winning. Nothing Else, is a and how young hockey players are brought up in great hockey book and explains the origins Canada. of a Habs hero. The book is as much a biography of Roy as it is Michel Roy, who fills the reader in on his own life dur- Patrick Roy: ing the rises and falls of his son. Patrick Roy was not an Winning. Nothing instant success—he was seen as different due to his Else butterfly style of goaltending. But his determination Michel Roy and love for playing hockey kept him motivated and John Wiley & focused on his destined career. Sons Canada His father fills the reader in on almost every detail 2008 of Patrick Roy’s NHL career, from a brief overview of 518 pp each season to a detailed playoff run, including all of $29.95 For you non-sports fans out there, Patrick Roy was a Habs goalie. GRAPHIC ALEX MANLEY Can you feel the vibe? What has 288 pages and From the makers of Throw Slam Poetry Collective costs $24? comes The Vibe Brain Fuel great for when you’re sitting • PASCALE ROSE LICINIO & ALEXANDRA MURPHY on the toilet, train • JASON LAPOINTE The worlds of poetry, dance and music collid- tions seemingly unrelated to science ed and continued with the same mood and With a radio show, weekly newspa- that you never bothered to ask, but rhythm for the rest of the evening last Saturday per columns, numerous awards for will appreciate—and may use as din- at the Mile End’s E.M. Cafe. teaching and communicating science ner table conversation material: A circle of expression and non-judgment, The to the general public to his credit, Dr. apparently pumpkin seeds improve Vibe aims at creating a safe space for artists to Joe Schwarcz doesn’t just write best urinary flow in men with prostate express themselves and to learn from each sellers, he writes them in a way even I problems. Discuss it with your father. other. can understand. Such is the case with The writing style is enough to keep The purpose of The Vibe, precisely, is to his latest book, Brain Fuel. you intrigued and interested over long make everyone present feel like a part of the If it wasn’t for Schwarcz’s ability to or short periods of time. It makes event. explain chemistry and biology in lay- great reading material for a long bus “I don’t like it when there’s boundaries man’s terms, I wouldn’t know Sri ride or for a quick bathroom break. between the artist and the audience,” says Lanka has the highest per capita death You’ll likely be able to read this Christine Ghawi, a classical guitarist who sang rate from snakebites (I wasn’t aware book through several times, and this and danced the night away. that was even a problem); or that I re-readability makes up for its steep Organizer Chloe Haboush and other poets could come down with lead poisoning price. from the Throw Slam Poetry Collective are if I continued to drink from my garden For those of you interested enough responsible for creating this interactive space for hose. to question the mysticisms of everyday artists in Montreal. Christine Ghawi, standing, and Laura Beach, seat- Brain Fuel is a great read. The life, such as why table salt tastes salti- From now on, on the third Saturday of every ed, collaborate their artistic talents in a jam ses- question and answer format is a little er than kosher salt or why chickens sion at the Vibe.. PHOTO ALEXANDRA MURPHY month, dancers, poets and performers of all different from Dr. Schwarcz’s usual have white and dark meat, pick this kinds can meet, jam, dance and “break the ice” Chris Masson followed with an improvised style of short essays. Instead it offers a book up, if not for you, than for your at this artistic and collaborative gathering. spoken word jam. He went around the circle, quick dose of science factual in a ques- brain. Everyone sat in a circle and the night kicked off gave people new names and spouted one of his tion and answer format. with a session of humming to connect people poems with frenzy. He’ll ask questions like, “What Brain Fuel together under the dim lights of the cafe. As Haboush puts it: “It’s not a show. It’s a major change occurred in the produc- Dr. Joe Schwarcz Special guests led others in a musical act. movement where people can feel each other’s tion of M&M candies in 1976?” And Doubleday Canada Laura Beach’s chanting inspired others to join energy.” you’ll answer: I don’t know, but I hope September 2008 in the performance. Some people sang, some he tells me. 288 pp hummed while others shook their maracas For more information on the next jam session, The book is teeming with interest- $24.00 and tambourines. check out The Vibe’s Facebook profile. ing half page-long answers to ques- 10 LITERARY ARTS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT Cruel to be kind Hood’s first collection of short stories basks in the nastiness of the everyday

• JACKSON MACINTOSH Satan for God; this is the kind of casual version of his hometown of Guelph. book, one that bodes well for Hood’s hatred that we all experience everyday, “The reason I chose to fictionalize the future work. The main criticism is that the On the cover of Andrew Hood’s debut and we feel guilty of when we acknowl- name was for the simple reason that I’d copy-editing could have been a little more collection of short fiction, Pardon Our edge these feelings that are always bub- been away from Guelph for four years and careful—I found about 10 obvious spelling Monsters, there’s a stylized illustration of bling but rarely percolating. I was having trouble remembering and punctuation errors in the text. a Bic lighter roasting an ant. It neatly specifics,” says Hood. “It sort of allowed For a book that was obviously highlights a major element of many of the Hood has a very high me to have my cake and eat it too. I could painstakingly written, such mistakes stories—the misdirected cruelties of batting average for use the town as a setting, but I could also shouldn’t have been made. It’s still a very youth. fudge the specifics.” good book, and the Writers’ Union of Hood finds maliciousness in otherwise crafting likeable, The specifics are very important to the Canada thinks so, too. They recently mundane situations and uses it as a ful- funny short stories. story, and as much as the characters are awarded Pardon Our Monsters the crum to get the rest of the story across. jealous or weak, the setting is romanti- Danuta Gleed Award for the best first col- In the titular story, the narrator Now, with all of this talk of hatred, I’d cized, the way a writer will often romanti- lection of Canadian short fiction written describes the damage wrought by the be remiss not to mention that Pardon Our cize the home of his youth. in English. unnecessary and meaningless death of a Monsters is a very funny book, and that Hood has a very high batting average This prize carries a purse of a cool young local hoodlum named Dennis Hood himself is a funny, affable guy. He for crafting likeable, funny short stories, $10,000, which makes me think that Miner: “Living, Dennis was tolerated or has a knack for replicating the cadences of and the consistent setting allows the read- there might be something to this writing ignored, but dead, he could get away with speech of the hosers and WASPs of er to create a sense of place that extends racket after all. anything.” Southern Ontario, and it all feels very nat- from one story to the next. There is no shyness about describing ural and unforced. He can knowingly use One story leans against the others, Pardon Our Monsters the faults of the characters in these sto- a phrase like “throw a conniption” and strengthening the whole—Hood intended Andrew Hood ries, and there is no aversion to muddying have it mark a character as a suburban this, saying, “I think it’s all a cohesive Vehicule Press the portraits by making the narrators doofus, instead of having it mark him as a piece. That’s why it only says ‘stories’ October 2008 completely unreliable. bad, tasteless writer—which is a tough instead of ‘collection of stories.’ I think 160 pp The most notable constant in Pardon trick to pull off. that ‘collection of stories’ makes it sound $17.95 Our Monsters is the hatred the characters A town named Corbet, Ontario is the like a greatest hits collection or some- describe but rarely show. It isn’t grand, point of departure for all the stories, but thing.” epic hatred like the hatred of Milton’s Hood admits that it’s really a fictionalized In short, this is a very strong first Lit Writ Microwavable Impotence

• SHANNA ROBERTS-SALÉE worms and publishers who tossed it aside like an aging starlet. Apparently, the public I woke up feeling apprehensive. Another could not connect with the main character, day stretched ahead, without purpose or because he was an unworkable person. promise. I pulled my old blanket off my legs Irrelevant. Cold. One-dimensional. with a limp shrug, the only remnant of the The main character was based on me. life I had before I realized I could fail, before What do you do when the public at large I realized that life isn’t all dreams and ambi- openly admits to finding you irrelevant as a tion and determination. human being? When you pour your whole I got up and let the sun burn my eyes for being into little clicks of computer keys, ter- a few seconds. I marvelled at the fact that it rifyingly aware that you are stripping your- was taking longer and longer each day for self of your skin, only to find out that people me to feel blinded. Even the sun was wearing have mercilessly urinated on your open off. flesh, burning holes into your muscles, your I walked around my flat, surveying the core, your soul. Thinking of something to write in this space is hard. GRAPHIC VIVIEN LEUNG mess of pre-packaged meal tinfoil plates, I became a sex addict. It did not work. I candy wrappers and empty Coke cans; a buf- am not a sex addict. ple, I tried inventing characters, but I always obsolete technology, a plug no one can con- fet of consumer products. If I could not I tried drinking. It did not work. My liver found myself jealous of their charisma and nect with. So, I nuke my pre-packaged meals accomplish anything, I would drown myself could not stomach such a blow. thus incapacitated when it came to the writ- and enjoy a daily dose of microwave radia- in hydrogenated fats, sodium and glucose- I tried various addictions; methampheta- ing process. tion with a side dish of sodium, and I sit in fructose. I slumped onto a kitchen chair, mines, pills, hallucinogenics. None of it I have literary impotency. There are not front of my white screen. staring off into space. This hell of repetition worked. It was all so tedious and painful that pills for it; I even checked on the internet for I laugh back at it, yes. Because at the end was breathing warm stale time in my face, I gave up on being a martyr, a victim of my quack doctors and charlatans. “New Creative of the day, I have won. If no one knows that the seconds aimlessly ebbing away, a mild circumstances, an ill-supported sufferer of Stimulus Packaging Pill” or “Hot characters I lurk, that I sit here, staring into nothing- aggravation like waiting for bread to toast, or my fate. waiting to get read,” it doesn’t exist. ness, into the constant reminder of my fail- for coffee to infuse. This is not to say that I ploughed through I have a condition for which there is no ure, then I am the best failure I can possibly I sighed. Back to work. valiantly, overcoming my weaknesses and name or remedy. Failure to comply with be. I am a failed writer. My first—and possi- failures. No. human warmth. So I lurk, and I try to face One day, I finally think of something. I bly last—book seemed promising. It received I am a mildly overweight lurker. I lurk in my fear of the big white screen: the gaping start writing: “I woke up feeling apprehen- mild critical praise. But the public hated it. my apartment. Staring at the gaping, fright- abyss of my existence. Some people fear spi- sive...” Worse even, they ignored it. After being on ening white screen of my computer. I endure ders, or snakes, or one time I even saw a This is the dawn of a new era. the shelves for a mediocre three weeks, its ridiculing whiteness, its constant woman who was afraid of olives on “The bookstores sold it at a loss in the discount reminders of my personal incapacity to be a Maury Show.” To submit your fiction or poetry to bins, fated to be handled carelessly by ruth- compelling human being, or to have a com- I can never face the notion that I am sub- the Lit Writ column, email them to less consumers, non-discriminatory book- pelling soul. I tried writing about other peo- par as a human being, that my spirit is like [email protected] THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/LIT LITERARY ARTS 11 In an ideal world, we’d all be idle Mark Kingwell reveals the lazy bum inside the author writing this review

• CHRISTOPHER OLSON “It’s the episode where Springfield announces a “Do What You Feel Day” which of One of the perks of being your own boss is course, replaces “Do What We Say Day.” On not having to deal with deadlines. On that the one hand, it seems like an obvious mes- note, I confess to handing this review in late, sage, but what happens is everything collaps- but doing anything else would be going against es.” the spirit of everything that is The Idler’s However, “there's a danger that creeps up Glossary. when you turn idleness into work,” warns Born from a cocktail column in a men's Kingwell. “We spend so much time keeping magazine, The Idler’s Glossary is a collection thought at bay, that even the weekend of slang speech and words meaning lazy, inac- becomes another kind of work.” tive, non-committal, and generally slow to With students buried in exams and action. research papers stacking up, the upcoming Usually a glossary comes with a text, but holidays will be a welcome reprieve, what with “this is a glossary without a text,” says Mark all the endless shopping and accruing of finan- Kingwell, a columnist for the National Post cial debt, followed by the emotional exhaus- who teaches philosophy at the University of tion that’s synonymous with the season. The Toronto. “In a sense, the text is life itself.” transformation of the holidays into the busiest When Kingwell was asked to write the time of the year is a telling sign that idleness is book's introduction by long-time colleague missing from our lives. The Idler’s Glossary Joshua Glenn, “these thoughts that had been was published in pocket-sized form for “small in mind for so many years just crystallized,” moments of openness,” says Kingwell, but says Kingwell. “It wrote itself. There was no would also make a welcome stocking stuffer. work in making it. [Doing so] would have been Seth’s artwork has a “whimsical look” says Mark Kingwell, author of the book’s introduction. Like most procrastinators, Kingwell’s contrary to the spirit of the book.” work is never done, as he hints at the ongo- Kingwell makes a strong distinction implied in words like “deadline.” matter of pass or fail. Grades are another ing evolution of The Idler’s Glossary: between idleness and procrastination, which “An idler’s utopia would be a place where example, says Kingwell, of the “relentless “People have sent us recommendations for he describes as feeling compelled to do some- you only did things that were beautiful and quantifications of people's lives.” new words, which means a new edition thing, but not desiring to do it. For an idler, that really mattered,” claims Kingwell. Like all Like an erudite Tyler Durden, Kingwell could be done relatively fast.” however, “doing nothing is what he’s not utopias, true idleness is an illusion brought on believes the “way we live nowadays is sick,” doing.” In essence, idleness is being free from by the desire to escape the grit of the daily and that the true path to happiness is finding The Idler’s Glossary the expectations set upon us to do something grind. In reality, affirms Kingwell, “Idleness ways to let go of the things that demand so Joshua Glenn and Mark with our lives. can only exist as an aberration, as an opposi- much of our time. Kingwell “We’re not defending idleness as a route to tion to some other form of activity.” As a connoisseur of popular culture, Biblioasis Publishing productivity,” says Kingwell, although some As a professor of philosophy, Kingwell is Kingwell points to an episode of “The October 2008 statistics have shown that added leisure time paid to ponder the ineffability's of life, and Simpsons” as an indication of what's 132 pp can have positive effects on our output, just as claims to live the ideal of comfort espoused by wrong with forcing idleness onto a world $12.95- a lack of leisure time can have its adverse The Idler’s Glossary. But if he had it his way, that demands responsibilities from each of effects. The word “death,” notes Kingwell, is grading his student's papers would be a simple us as a whole. Acting ordinary Former Concordia prof schools young writers on overwrought fiction

• MADELINE COLEMAN I expected, Randall’s book turned out Randall is a perceptive writer, but to be a compilation of character his style is almost too rational, too It’s often easy for me to tell when sketches more pragmatic than over- practical. The reader is rarely called the author of a short story is under 25. dramatic. upon to interpret anything. Instead I’m not sure what it is. There’s just The 12 stories in Character Actor of being able to consider what my something about ham-fisted attempts depict all manner of everyday own reaction would be to a given sit- to render the regular profound that crises–from unexpected pregnancy to uation, I was quickly told whether screams “young writer.” marital dysfunction. Refreshingly, the protagonist was uncomfortable An action as simple as lighting a Randall never blows any of it out of or anxious or cheerful, and in words cigarette is always related to strange as simple as those. Randall’s writing and unusual mental torment. Many Randall is a perceptive is not simplistic—it’s just not relat- young fiction writers just seem writer, but his style is able on a deeper level. uncomfortable with being—or letting Reading these stories was like their characters be—emotionally almost too rational, too casual sex, without the emotional unexceptional. practical. risk: kind of fun, mostly forgettable, My dislike of this kind of subject with an illusion of intimacy that ulti- material was the reason I initially had proportion. His characters are distin- mately left me cold. reservations about Character Actor, guishable as individuals, yet his writ- Scott Randall’s second book of short ing style maintains a remove that Character Actor stories. While the former Concordia always places their problems in a larg- Scott Randall professor is no adolescent, all that talk er context. Yes, I have problems, the Signature Editions on the back cover about “[getting] to fictional protagonists seem to say, May 2008 the heart of ordinary characters” had nudging each other between stories, 176 pp me livin’ in the fear. but I’m not the only one! $19.95 I had assumed wrong. The downside is that I never felt Instead of the self-important prose myself getting close to any of them. GRAPHIC MADELINE COLEMAN 02 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX Welcome to The Link’s Sex and Sexuality issue

The definition of sex on the cover of equipped to tackle gender identity than Awareness Week and World AIDS Day, straints of a strict, inverted pyramid-style this insert is somewhat outdated. the mere binary term “sex.” this special issue will focus on sex, sexual news story. Those stories are the pith of Nowhere in the first three definitions in Traditionally The Link grouped discus- expression and sexuality through sexual this special issue, of which you’re a part. A the Canadian Oxford Dictionary does sion around sex and gender into the same identity. part of each reader is in every heartache “sex” refer to the carnal union between special issue: the Women’s Issue. This The goal with this special issue is to be and every guffaw. two people, even though it’s the term’s year, The Link decided to separate the two the conduit through which people could So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. most common usage in dialogue today. because they’re not one and the same. As share their own stories of self-actualiza- —Sex and Sexuality coordinator Perhaps the term “gender” is more we are within the realm of HIV/AIDS tion and social activism without the con- Terrine Friday

GRAPHIC AMY SMITH Access denied: taking sex out of the classroom How high school students see their lack of sex ed resources

• Page 11 / seksA history/ ofn., penis envy: adj Does a man’s., size& really v. matter? o n. 1 • Page 6 A first-hand account of a condom conundrum and getting chlamydia • Page 5 A brief encounter with the sights, sounds and smells at Cinema l’amour 02 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX Welcome to The Link’s Sex and Sexuality issue

GRAPHIC AMY SMITH Access denied: taking sex out of the classroom How high school students see their lack of sex ed resources

• VALERIE CARDINAL that should’ve come in a biology or ernment officials should be taking divide her time between so many course offered before the cuts in science class somewhere,” she said. the time to talk to students and students. 2005 and the sex ed given in sci- Did you know that the average “If you don’t understand what a teachers about sex ed, adding that “Some days when someone ence class today. age Canadians have sex is 16.5? Or cervix is, for example, or how con- she hopes things will change in the comes to see me, then they tell their However, students like that according to a report by The ception works, how will you under- next provincial election on Dec. 8. friend […] it just snowballs,” she Dominique would like to see a sex Canadian Journal of Human stand how to prevent [pregnan- Things aren’t much better at the said. ed course back in the school cur- Sexuality, condom use decreases cy]?” university level, according to Owen According to Trepanier, who riculum. from grade nine to grade 11? Head & Hands is a Montreal- Moran, a health educator for saw two abortion cases last year, “What they’re teaching us right As shocking as the statistics may based organization that gives sex Concordia University’s health serv- most of the teenagers at the school now is a bit childish,” she said. be, the government of Quebec cut education lectures in high schools ices. He said that he still sees a lot of see her for information about con- Her schoolmate Laurence said the course dedicated to sexual edu- in the area. Jocelyn said that they misconceptions when he does pre- traception. that even though it might be cation in 2005. Sex education is are trying to prevent teenagers sentations in classes. “They’re young people who usu- embarrassing to talk about sex in now the responsibility of teachers from thinking about sex as a bad— ally protect themselves very well,” class, it’s important to be informed. who haven’t been trained for it. and purely physical—act. “Some people still she said. However, Trepanier said, She didn’t seem very enthusiastic “The old course also took care of “The more education we do think birth control many students have family doctors about the current sex ed curricu- the social dimension and relation- around it, the more we talk about it, they consult on the outside. lum: “It’s alright,” Laurence said. ships,” said Diane Fortin, principal the more open we are and the more protects them Even though sexual health Although some of the informa- of grades nine and 10 at the we can help make sex a positive from STIs.” might not be the top priority for tion might not be useful to all stu- International School of thing,” she said. —Owen Moran, teenagers, it’s still an important dents, many agree that a class McMasterville. She said that the However, Jocelyn said that hav- health educator for Concordia part of health that they need to would still be useful for some. subject of sex is talked about in sci- ing a few workshops on the subject University’s health services learn about, said Trepanier. “Most of the students are really ence classes, but it’s mostly the isn’t enough for students. “We real- “You’ll watch your skin, you’ll interested in hearing about it but technical aspects. ly need to make this a part of the “It’s from some people being watch your nutrition, and you’ll maybe they just haven’t had an Her students say they rarely get school curriculum. Then they get it quite ignorant to quite informed,” watch all sorts of things because opportunity to be in that space around to sex talk in class. no matter what.” Moran said. “Some people still you know you have to. But [sexual before,” said Jocelyn about the “We talked about it last year in “We talk about prevention, but think birth control protects them health] is also an aspect of your life workshops she gives in high biology, but this year we haven’t we don’t really know what we’re from STIs.” that’s important,” she said. schools. talked about it at all,” said tenth- preventing,” agreed Alexandre, a Most of all, teenagers and adults “There’s no less teenage preg- Fortin stressed the growing grade student Gabriel, whose last student at McMasterville. alike are urged to get informed and nancies. There’s no less STIs, polarization between her students, name has been withheld. Alexandre said in his biology class, get tested. Moran stresses that either. And yet we have all this which can already be seen by the “We’ve put a taboo on it when “They don’t prepare you for the Concordia’s health services does information and accessible prod- ninth grade. we really shouldn’t have,” said stu- consequences.” offer free STI screening. ucts. So I can’t say there’s an “We have two types of students dent Dominique. “They’re making Although schools are important As Moran said, “If everyone improvement,” she adds. [...] Some are starting their love sex sound purely physical.” in sex ed, Fortin said that parents practiced safe sex, STIs would dis- While all agree that lack of sex lives and some are more advanced Head & Hands health animator should still be included in the learn- appear.” education classes are causing a gap in terms of sexual relations,” she Jocelyn, who requested her last ing process. When it comes to sexu- At McMasterville, students nor- in sexual education in Quebec, said. “We have women and little name remain confidential, said that ality, “I think parents are leaving mally have the school nurse, Carole many mentioned that classes might girls.” Fortin said that the boys tend even the information teenagers are behind their role and responsibili- Trepanier, available to them three not be as useful as they are thought to be more even in terms of devel- taught in biology classes is ques- ty,” she said, adding, “Parents days a week. But ever since the new to be. opment. She said, however, that tionable. expect a lot from the school. Way HPV vaccine Gardasil was intro- “Just because it’s being taught, her students are usually more con- “I find often that there isn’t even too much.” duced, Trepanier spends most of doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good,” cerned with their workload rather a good basic anatomical knowledge However, Fortin said that gov- her time giving it out and can only said Jocelyn, referring both to the than sexual discovery. THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX SEX 03 Just a love machine Human-robot relationships to conquer the bedroom and beyond by 2035 • JOHNNY NORTH any at all, is pushing humans and far-fetched and “even impossible,” their sexuality without boundaries robots closer together. but there was a time when many and to explore different sexual Imagine a world where your sex- Levy, who is married, is a recog- thought the ideas of masturbation, worlds.” ual partner never says no, never nized expert on artificial intelli- homosexuality and the use of Levy does not believe everyone breaks your heart, never gets bored gence and the president of the vibrators were unheard of or will abandon his or her human of you and has the sexual energy to International Computer Games taboo. partners in exchange for a robot have sex for days. One catch— Association. He divided his book Levy comes off as an expert one, but believes most people will they’re made of cables, metal and into two sections: the notion of love when it comes to AI, but his idea of open their minds to believe it to be computer chips. with robots and the reality of sex love lacks the same passion he dis- ethical and healthy for those wish- Whether you want to believe it with robots. plays with AI. The idea of how men ing to add a little spice to their cur- or not, relationships with robots By listing 10 different ways in and women will act differently rent human-human relationship. have matured over the years. which humans fall in love or are towards a robot relationship is dif- For some of us, it’s the only Science fiction films such as 2001: attracted, Levy is able to identify the ficult to believe when there are chance to ever get laid. A Space Odyssey and I, Robot relationships humans have already only numbers, stats and Freud to might scare us away from the possi- established with robots. Levy also go on. Levy does add his own Love and Sex bility of robots being anything more explains how anthropomorphism— thoughts, but lacks a female per- with Robots: than lifeless service boxes, but if giving human characteristics to Humans and robots having sex. spective. The Evolution of you take a closer look at society, objects—has made it possible for GRAPHIC GINGER COONS The second section of the book Human-Robot we’ve already come to depend on people to have strong feelings even believes that at least by 2035, AI is easily the most exciting read— Relationships machines emotionally. for non-humans. will be developed to a point where sex toys, prostitution, differences David Levy David Levy’s Love and Sex with Virtual pets, like Sony’s AIBO, marriage with robots will be possi- of male and female sex habits and Harper Collins Robots: The Evolution of Human- Furby and Tamagotchi—all artifi- ble. Legislation for robots will be a the role of Cybersex helps show Canada Robot Relationships is a conversa- cially intelligent pets—were not problem that will have to be dealt that, “technology has allowed peo- November tional and eye-opening read on how only a hit with children, but also with, though. ple who may have felt repressed, 2008 the evolution of technology and the fascinated adults with the possibili- Levy admits that suggesting guilty, unimaginative or just basi- 320 pp. desire for new sexual experience or ty of how far AI can go. Levy human-robot relations might seem cally sheltered, a way to express $27.95 sexy Lit Writ There’s no downfall that doesn’t turn up

• BARBARA PAVONE Leslea was now certain she had become senile; the bust of William Shakespeare, which The water slowly trickled down the stone sat in her room, had just given her advice. walls as it always did after a storm. Glancing Like her, the bust had been the product of her out of the turret adjacent to her room she parents’ love, a gift to her mother upon the noticed the sun slowly emerging, and couldn’t occasion of their wedding night. Soon after her hold back the tears as she looked out onto the mother’s sudden and unexplained perish- vast Scottish countryside. ment, the bust and Leslea were relegated to Her room was filled with the basic ameni- the uppermost tier of the secluded castle; so as ties needed for survival. It had been her prison to ensure nothing would ever harm them. She for the past 18 years. Whilst young nobles her slowly found her voice and asked “What … age attended parties and were preoccupied what …do you mean … Sire?” with finding the perfect soul mate, she was The bust curled its brow and continued: The fear of being caught led to a sense of sexy lil’ Lit Writ excluded from the world. “He’s the only man who comes to see you. If urgency that intertwined itself into all of their Her father, a Duke, had seized the castle you don’t make a move you’ll die as the virtu- liaisons and made them more exhilarating. CAN’T WAIT ‘TIL from its previous owner because he liked its ous fool that you are.” One gloomy winter night the bust spoke for isolation—the perfect place to keep a child safe There was a thump and Gerard walked in the first time since that first faithful meeting: 9:30, YOU? • NICOLA JANE YOUNG from the dangers of the world. with her dinner. When he turned on his heel to “You should do it. Tell him how you really The only person she ever saw, other than leave Leslea was leaning against the now feel.” “Like knives on frozen water, her family, was their cook Gerard. He came up closed door. When Gerard appeared she greeted him Would you like to go and glide?” to the tower thrice daily to deliver her meals. She glimpsed at the bard who offered no with those three powerful words. She felt herself get hotter, She had always fantasized about his lean fig- help. He stared at her bemused and let out a And she wanted him inside. ure and his messy chestnut hair swept up into Surprising herself she pressed her lips to wicked laugh. a ponytail. his and awaited the moment she’d be pushed “You’re the Duke’s daughter, that’s why I He wanted to go skating? In times of sadness she’d be comforted by away. Instead, she felt one arm wrap tightly went along with it. I’ve already got one wife at She would rather take a ride. the thought that he would come by in a few around her waist whilst the other passionately home, it’s more than enough,” and with that A change from masturbating, With that KY-warming slide. hours and she could get another glimpse of pulled at her corset. Her hands shaking, she he slammed the door and left. those perfect lips, which she so longed to kiss. clumsily tried to undo his shirt, to no avail. Gripped with pure rage, Leslea shoved the “You could glide over to my place...” She lay on a sheepskin rug picturing his “You’re safe with me,” he breathed into her bust off her nightstand and it shattered into a (She knew that it was hit or miss.) body pressed up against hers, her teeth play- ear and the clumsiness turned into confi- million pieces, covering the floor with a blan- I wonder if he’d come on my face, fully biting into his neck, his fingers entangled dence. ket of marble snow. If he even knows how to kiss... in hers… His clothes were soon strewn on the floor Without looking back she ran down the “You should do it!” and he slipped behind her to finish the tricky stairway grabbing a torch on her way. As “What time should I stop by then?” (She is DYING to make out.) Leslea jumped several feet into the air star- corset. She soon felt his lips making their way quickly as she could she made her way to the I’m definitely going down on her, tled by the unfamiliar voice. She glanced over up her bare back and on her neck until he stable and untied the Duke’s horse. Yo, it’s what I’m all about! the entire premise and found no one. The pushed her onto the bed. Her hands running She didn’t try to rationalize what she was inevitable finally happened: she had lost her through his hair, his strong arms on her doing; she just rode into the night. In an unex- How about nine but closer to ten, mind. thighs, Leslea slipped into utter bliss. pected twist of fate the failed liaison had given Maybe we could watch a movie... “I’ve had quite a few trysts in my day and The unlikely lovers continued their ren- her the courage and freedom she never What she really meant (and so did he), witnessed hundreds more. Trust me.” dezvous whenever circumstances would allow. thought she’d have. Was “DO ME! DO ME! DO ME!” 04 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX From the closet with love ‘You don’t choose who your parents are’

• PHILIP ZEIN sleeping together—everyone was sleeping with everyone in Ottawa’s gay communi- I think I was four years old and I was sit- ty—that I was disgusted by the gay scene. ting on my uncle’s lap, and I wanted to kiss So I pretty much went back into the him like men kiss women. That was proba- closet for a few months after that. I took a bly the first time I realized I really liked step back and I really looked at what I boys. wanted and being a part of that scene was Being raised in such a religious house- something I didn’t want because I didn’t hold, I thought it was the norm to be want to be categorized as one of them. attracted to women and really thought I’d I’ve done a lot of growing since then, grow out of that phase. and made my mistakes that I had to learn I went to a Catholic school, where you from on my own. Now I’m engaged to play by the books. Diego and we’ve been in a committed rela- When I enrolled in an arts high school, it tionship for the last year and a half. It’s was like an outlet to be myself. I didn’t real- very much like any heterosexual relation- ly have to lie about it anymore. ship. I met a guy at a bar one night and his You know, there’s always commitment, name was Shawn. It was kinda like one of there’s love, there’s helping out the other the Queer as Folk episodes when Brian was person, there’s trust, there’s having a new to the scene and was trying to act house, having a family, having two dogs, “straight” by wearing a plaid shirt with having bills, doing groceries. We live a life khakis. It was at that moment in time when like every other heterosexual couple lives, there was almost a loss of innocence and I we don’t live differently any other way. knew it was surreal in a way. Diego’s mother was so excited when we I guess it was the way that Shawn looked got engaged. She was so excited that he at me. I’d never really been checked out by found a man that has a good head on his a guy. It made me really nervous…but real- shoulders and who has drive. My family, on ly excited at the same time. It was when I the other hand, is Lebanese. I told my aunt and some of my cousins, and they just was dancing on the dance floor to Philip (left) says his relationship with his fiancee Diego is like any other couple. PHOTO PHILIP ZEIN “Bootylicious” that I ended up taking off changed the subject. I never brought it up my shirt. Shawn was kind of trying to after that and I’ve noticed, ever since I’ve older now; I don’t want to give her a heart differently, especially living in a city like dance beside me and there were so many been engaged, there’s a deep distance attack. I would bring my girlfriends over Montreal. emotions running through my head. I was between us. Our relationship has nothing just so she could use her own imagination My advice to young gays in the closet: it scared, I was nervous, excited… It was like to it anymore; it’s like, “I’m just talking to and be happy. might seem hard at the beginning and you a guy discovering girls for the first time. I you out of respect for raising me.” Being gay is never a choice. I always might be scared that you’ll lose your family was 17 and I was discovering guys for the My grandmother, who took care of me found it interesting that people think it’s a or the friends you have, and most impor- first time in my life. my entire life, cried when she first found choice. You don’t choose who your parents tantly the perception of those you love. But are. You can’t help feeling the way you do. you shouldn’t be scared about that because My grandmother […] cried when she first found out. It’s like telling straight people ‘Stop what real friends will love you no matter who Not for being with a man that I love, but rather you’re doing, it’s wrong.’ It’s a double stan- you are and no matter what your sexual dard. At the same time, nobody wants to be preference. because she said I will never make it to Heaven. told how to live their life or who you can or The same goes for your family. Mind cannot love. you, coming out to your family is always In the following year and a half, I lived out. Not for being with a man that I love, What I really find irritating is that peo- the hardest because they have high expec- in the gay club scene with the gay friends, but rather because she said I will never ple think that being gay is all about sex. It’s tations for you and they think you won’t parties, random one-night stands—a very make it to Heaven. Ever since I came out, not. Straight people have one-night stands fulfill them. But follow your bliss. Follow typical young gay life. It was right after our relationship has been different. all the time. Being gay… it’s hard to define. what makes you happy. Because that’s my New Year’s in 2003 that I came to the real- She no longer asks me if I’m dating any- It’s just loving someone of the same sex. advice. That’s the only thing that will keep ization, after seeing a lot of my gay friends one; she knows what the deal is. And she’s I’m normal, I don’t really think of myself you happy. Of labels and lesbians The sliding scale of sexual identity • R. BRIAN HASTIE a defining niche. I paid no mind to that I knew as a child. A whole ties to themselves as a way of sexuality takes a back seat to other this, as I believed popular conven- world of intricacies, exceptions empowering their identity, by giv- characteristics. On the other, you When I was younger I was led tional wisdom, and since the and particularities existed that ing it a sense of direction. would find people who tie their to believe that sexuality was a per- majority of people bought into it, made me question my way of Others, believe that their sexu- sexuality to their identity and use son’s defining feature, especially if then I should also toe the line. thinking. ality is but another component of it as their defining calling card, they were part of a societal minor- But as I entered my post-sec- In this search of self-reflection I their identity, much like their sta- whether gay, straight, bisexual or ity. To be heterosexual was to be ondary education path, sexual dis- realized that there are many types tion in life (student) and nationali- questioning. the norm, unquestioned. course entered my everyday dis- of people out there, and simply ty (Canadian). It is not a central But above all, I now understand When was the last time anyone cussions. Discussion of gender, slapping on a label is doing them a theme to their life but rather one of that people shouldn’t be forced to ever walked up to me and asked sexuality and biology entered my disservice. the building blocks that form their be labelled by others simply me if I was straight? It was merely headspace. Where I used to believe Some people attach their sexu- identity. because of societal norms, because assumed. But to be anything but that someone’s sexual preference ality to their identity rather close- My thoughts often drift off to it lends a disservice to the rest of was considered different, and con- as well as their attitudes towards ly; to them it is their defining fea- consider a Kinsey-style sliding the components to their identity. troversial. various sexual issues were features ture. They want to be known as scale of sexuality/identity that People should have the choice to When Ellen came out on her that were of paramount impor- “the gay guy” or that “riot grrl would explain how closely linked be known as what they want to be show in the mid ‘90s, she became tance, I now understand that it was dyke” themselves, establishing their sexuality is in defining their known as, rather than have a label known as “that lesbian comedian,” a lot more complicated than just their identity instead of being tok- person. On the one end would be attached to them just because they stereotyped and pigeonholed into the straight/other binary dynamic enized. They attribute these quali- someone who believes that their may or may not be different. THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX SEX 05 Golden Girls gone wild Taking the romance out of Cinema l'amour

• TRISTAN LAPOINTE Part deux We appreciated this lull; assuming This place is not an ironic good time, that most of the weirdness had passed, or even a sincere one. It’s a nightmare our group relaxed, joked a bit. By now of violent porn and public sex acts— the dudes on the screen had lost their some more frightening than just old shit and we were treated to a new men jerking it. scene, a fresh girl, and a fresh loca- Populated mostly by the octogenari- tion—a breezy, block apartment com- ans that seem to orbit between the the- plex with all-weather carpeting. The atre and Café Portugaise like they were girl wore a dog collar and an Aladdin planets on an axis of minor vice, this costume. place is everything your brain wants it As the scene progressed, the depart- to be. Which is exactly why you proba- ed gentlemen made their way back to bly don’t want to go there. The 20 min- the front. Smoke break over, they were utes I spent in that place mark the only ready for another round. After a few time I can ever remember being afraid minutes of reintegration and plot- of sex. building (it turns out the collared bumpkin had been a bad girl), some- Part un thing unexpected occurred. Two Tuesday is couples night, meaning women showed up. you and your significant other get in for They looked bad, like the Golden free. If you really must go, choose this Girls but with more meth and less soft- option so as to avoid dropping $20 on focus. Unaccompanied by the owner what will invariably be a pretty short and unfettered by the ropes, which visit. bound us to the couples’ section, they To L’amour’s credit, the roped-off walked to the front—something my couples’ section helps keep a two female companions, 30 years their respectable distance between you and junior, later admitted would have hor- the crowd of old men who’ll be jerking rified them. off to your girlfriend. From where we sat they seemed to I went with some friends to screen exchange friendly greetings with the Rockman Entertainment’s Blowjobs huddle, hugs, kisses on the cheek. It Gone Wild. We were expecting Eat My was obvious this wasn’t a rare treat. Black Meat 2, but there’d been some Then they went wild, with blowjobs. sort of mix up and we were left to wile Clearly silhouetted against other wild out our jungle fever another day. Either blowjobs, we witnessed an elderly way, whatever they were screening was orgy. extraneous to what ended up happen- The room got hot. The velvet cur- ing at the front of the theatre. tains and plush seats that 20 minutes A few minutes into BJGW, a little ago had charmed me into staying now huddle appeared up front; some of the seemed grotesque. I could actually old guys who were too shy to spank it in smell the cum. Thoughts of sex became front of us kids settled for a circle jerk difficult to bear, and imagining what instead. I tried to run up front to verify public perversions might come next this ritual but as soon as I tried to leave was impossible. I needed out. the couples’ area, the porn manager Thankfully, so did my friends. ordered us to leave or sit back down. A We fled from our seats and followed strange demand, I guess the $20 is the aisle to a velvet rope. The house more a buy-in on the midnight meth lights were off and while fumbling for hookers than it is an actual admission the latch in the dark I failed to notice a price. man blocking our exit. He was tall and The mutual masturbation continued fat. Liver spots covered his face, and for several more minutes. During that his pants were around his ankles. We’d time the chick on screen went from been his entertainment for spankin’ it. sucking dick to choking on it, puking The last moments we spent inside on it, and tearfully back to sucking. The L’amour are a blur; maybe we pushed tide of cum soon ebbed and it seemed a him, maybe he moved of his own bunch of the grandpas had finished up accord, I can’t recollect. I don’t think for the meantime, while a devoted core we stabbed him though. We fled up the of oldies kept formation as their less aisle, kicked through two sets of doors, robust counterparts trickled outside. and were soon free. This hot spot on the Main features the hunters, the horny and the haunted. PHOTO TRISTAN LAPOINTE 06 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX Ladies and gentlemen, tonigh

A Concordia student’s confessional about chilling and treating

• THIS COULD BE YOU prepared, but 20 minutes into it, the movie was the last thing on our minds. I am a 22-year-old female student at We moved to my bedroom. As he pushed Concordia. I am a busybody who is involved me onto the bed I asked “So where's the con- in too many activities. Many of you know me dom?” Corey looked at me semi-perplexed or have seen me around. Although I wish I and as he searched for an answer, I became could say that what I'm about to tell you did- too horny to wait. I pulled a strip of three con- n't happen to me, this is a true story. doms that I'd randomly gotten at a parade I was alone on a Friday night. I had no from my dresser and said, “Here you go.” plans to party or events that I was obliged to He opened the small packet and handed attend. Homework was not an option so I was me the condom. “You do the honours,” he bored. I turned to MSN but I had zero friends said. So in my most seductive stance, I rolled online. it onto his most intimate appendage and we I surfed the Internet for a while until a lit- were good to go. And go at it we did. tle pop-up appeared on my screen. It said, It was good… No, it was really good. It was “Corey Andreikowitz is online.” Good old so good that the condom came off. We had no MSN had come to relieve my boredom. reason to worry, we had another one at our Corey Andreikowitz was “Mister disposal. We were up and running again in no Popularity” in high school. All the girls want- time. ed to date him and all the guys wanted to be It was good again. Actually, I take that his friend. As for myself, I didn't think much back. “Damn!” Corey said as the second con- of him. dom popped off. I was a little frustrated but There was no denying he was cute though, thank goodness we still had a third condom but I didn't think he was into black girls any- to resort to. This time it was great; third ways. Furthermore, I didn't like the high time's a charm. The climax was amazing. I school rumours I'd heard about him with noticed that Corey pulled out right before he July, Cindy, and Martha in the parking lot. came. Back then I thought I would be a virgin until After that we chilled... for real, though. We I was married. lay on my bed and said nothing. I knew that We made small talk for a while: “How after tonight I probably wouldn't talk to him have you been?” “What have you been up to?” again, but I was okay with that. I got up to and finally “Are you single?” The conversa- take a shower to get ready for the party as he tion went on like that for a while and then we lay in my bed. decided we would chill sometime soon. I cleaned up my room a little bit before we Within the week I had gotten a call from a left. I picked up two condoms on the floor. I private number. It was Corey. The next searched for the third but couldn't find it. We Friday he was set to come over to chill for a had to go, so I left my room as is and hoped bit before we went to a party. that it would not pop up when my mother or Note: the verb “To Chill” is a very vague friends were there. Although the party was term for university students and so I pre- fun, I had work the next day so I went my way pared myself in consequence. I plucked, I and Corey went his. shaved, I made sure everything was neat and The next morning, I took a shower before tidy down there. Having grown out of my work. I felt something slippery between my prudish phase, I was aware that anything legs. Amidst the suds, something made of could happen and since it had been a long plastic was lodged. I pulled it out. Oh my macy and picked up the most expensive preg- alone. With no Corey to turn to I relieved my time since I had done the deed, Corey seemed goodness, it was the third condom. nancy test I could find. I took the test. I was urges myself (whatever, everybody does it!). like a plausible prospect. I was in a panic and couldn't contemplate not pregnant. That was a relief. I suspected something was wrong with me, He showed up at my house looking better the possibility of being pregnant. I damned So I went on with my life. I kept myself however because I hadn't had my period in six that I remembered. We watched a stupid my irregular period for possibly making the busy and as I had suspected, I did not talk to months. I knew I had an irregular period, but movie-whose name I can't recall that I had situation worse. I rushed myself to the phar- Corey again. Six months went by and I was six months was a lot. I had to go to the clinic THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX SEX 07 ht’s special: Chlamydia

The verb To Chill is a very vague term for university students and so I prepared myself in consequence. I plucked, I shaved and made sure everything was neat and tidy down there.

that I could go on the pill to boost my estrogen to say. I was mad. I was embarrassed and I felt levels and to make my period regular. So I did dirty. I didn't want to be one of “them,” the a pap test to confirm this ailment. The doctor “one-out-of-four” sexually active girls who get did the test and at the same time did a routine Chlamydia. STI test. The nurse said that I would get a call With the condom incident now behind me, about my ovaries within a week and if my STI I was scared of possibly being pregnant and test was negative they wouldn't call at all. having to tell my family. I told no one and A few weeks later, the nurse confirmed the when I got my prescription I wore the biggest POS and gave me a prescription for a birth sunglasses I owned. It was raining that day. control pill. I knew it was Corey. I was clean before him Two weeks later I was in a meeting when I and had no other partners after him. I went to received a call. I did not recognize the number call Corey, but then I realized that he had and have a tendency to screen my calls, but called me from a private number. I turned to something told me to pick up the phone. I MSN and he was no longer on my list. Good answered. It was the nurse again. I knew old Facebook failed me too. Corey and I were something was wrong because they were not no longer friends. I was shafted, insulted and supposed to call back. infected. “Hello, this is nurse Turgeon from the I couldn't help but think that it was CLSC.” somewhat deliberate. I remembered how “Yes?” he had struggled with the condoms. I then “I have your test results from your STI realized it was because he was not used to exam.” using them. I remembered how I was quick “Yes?” to pull out my own condoms and how a bell “The results show that you tested positive did not go off for the fact that he had come for Chlamydia.” without even one. I mean, chilling does not “WHAT!” mean “chilling.” I know that he knew we “Yes, but it is in the beginning stages. We would have sex that night. caught it early and it has not made its way I wished I could have let him know deep into your organs.” because as I figured out during my brows- Knowing that there were other people in ing of the 'net, Chlamydia can go unnoticed the room I tried to keep my cool, but I was in men for a long time. I also felt stupid pissed off. when I read that conjunctivitis-or pink eye- “But I took precautions,” I said. was a symptom. Let's just say that since I “Well, you made contact with the virus at read that, I no longer rub my eyes in the some point because it's only contracted morning when I wake up. through penetration,” she said. “Are you aller- For the record, I would like to thank my gic to penicillin?” irregular period and POS for getting me to “No.” the clinic. After all was said and done, I felt “There is a one-time prescription available bad that I couldn't contact Corey. I took my to you at the CLSC. All you need to do is take prescription and have had several clean STI the one pill and abstain from any sexual activ- tests since. GRAPHIC MATT REICHMAN ity for 14 days. Has your partner been tested The only thing I can say is that life also?” goes on, but don't think that it can't anyways because I was often feeling nauseous nurse said I had the symptoms of Polycystic “I don't know, I haven't spoken to him happen to you. I haven't told anyone and somehow I had developed an eye infec- Ovary Syndrome. since.” about this incident except one person: tion. It's a syndrome that many women have “Please inform him and make sure he gets you. For my eye, the nurse told me I had pink where their periods are irregular and their tested as well.” So don't be a dirty statistic. Now I eye. I had no idea how I got it but I took the estrogen levels are low. She told me not to “Okay, thank you, bye.” make sure that I'm the one who pulls off prescription to get rid of it. For my period, the worry, that it wasn't life threatening at all and I did not want to hear anything else she had the condom. 08 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX Just do it... or just don’t?

The pros and cons of being sexually active

GRAPHIC AMY SMITH Sex for all the right reasons Knowing the risks and alternatives • JOELLE LEMIEUX bian… Forever. • JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI ly transmitted infection?' What could be the benefit of abstain- With all due respect to the government, I'm ashamed to admit that the idea ing from sex until marriage (especially When I told my colleagues that I was an infection is like a quiz in school: you just of premarital sex was never one of con- with the concept of “I do” becoming going to write a piece about alternatives to don't worry about it. You may be comforted troversy for me. more and more archaic)? Except for the sex, their answers were as revealing as they when the doctors tell you that you simply In high school it was no question possible fact that if I were peeking but were worrying. With undue machismo pride have an “infection,” but you are still going to who would be the first to “lose it.” Don't not receiving the package, I'd be giving they told me that they had “needs,” that sex suffer a slow and painful death. get me wrong, I was by no means the the world's greatest head by now. wasn't bad and that this wasn't the 1950s. You may consider it callous, I consider it school bicycle. Rather, it was my partic- I don't see it. My answer to them is this: you should honest. ular group of friends who were unusual- And if you're willing to go down, why wish that this was the 1950s. Rates of sexu- Quebec is a special case in this country ly tight-thighed. aren't you willing to go all the way? Why ally transmitted diseases were significantly when it comes to teen sex, according to data And shame on them! My best high give your guy the climax of all climaxes lower and HIV/AIDS didn't exist. from Statistics Canada. As the rest of the school memories are tucked away in the if he's not returning the favour? At least Due to the fact that people couldn't fall country has seen a marked decline in sex corners where I locked lips with the if you're “making love” (or whatever back on oral contraceptives and that barrier among 15-19-year-olds over the past decade, best of West King's '06. other sugar-coated name you've given methods of prevention were not socially from 47 to 43 per cent, Quebec's percentage I remember the first guy I was ever it) you can wrangle that cowboy accepted, levels of sexual education were has increased to nearly 60 per cent. with. The urgent pressing of his body beneath you and really start riding. actually much higher, and honest. Concurrently, as condom use has gone against mine was so desperate I'd have But if you can't dominate him sexual- The nearly 40 million people around the up in the rest of Canada to nearly 80 per done anything for it. ly, can you dominate him anywhere? world today who are infected with cent among males and 70 per cent among And why shouldn't I? Why deny You may think your winter-inspired HIV/AIDS and the one million more who females—a problem where females lag myself the sweaty delight that is the demeanor just makes him want you are infected daily with syphilis, gonorrhea, behind males in nearly all indicators of safe horizontal mambo? The naked bump- more, but when he gets what he wants, chlamydia and trichomoniasis present an sex—Quebec's condom use stands at 66 per and-grind that brings us closer to how keen will he be? interesting quandary. cent. nature than the drive to your The people who caution against sex All of these diseases, nearly 350 million What makes Quebec so different from boyfriend's country house his mother before marriage are worried about the additional cases yearly, are completely the rest of Canada? calls “scenic.” emotional and physical implications of avoidable. STDs are the easiest diseases not With all this talk of morning after pills Fucking is a rite of passage. And, break-ups and pregnancies, and life- to catch—inaction literally leaves you and other contraceptive methods, the idea although in the beginning it's never time illnesses. I'm not advocating healthy. of abstinence has been left to the religious something to write home about, there is against daddies who might be afraid for But the government has decided not to fringes. This is irresponsible. Sex shouldn't something irresistible about young their daughters' well-beings, or Mama ask the difficult question—which is why so be treated as a duty or a societal pressure; it love. Bears who don't want their baby boys many engage in useless and dangerous sex is a choice and a risky one at that. Who wants to cash in their V-card to coming home with… baby boys. with multiple partners—and has left us the If you are unable to think of the alterna- that newly-found partner, 'til death do I'm just saying, sex is kind of awe- responsibility of practicing “safe sex.” tives, ask yourself why. Are your “needs” us part? After all that waiting, your some. Why not do it for as long as you Calling it “safe sex” is tantamount to tak- genuine? Don't blame it on biology. You expectations are bound to be high, but can? Don't be stupid, don't do it without ing all of the bullets out of the gun but one might have the tools, but trust me, you 'aint in my experience the longer I wait with protecting yourself, and don't do it with and playing Russian roulette. Sure it's safer, using them how they were intended. Keep in a guy the worse he is in bed. people you don't know. but why take the risk? mind your biology also wasn't constructed Imagine, waiting so long for some- Let the CBC's revival of The Tudors But how can we expect responsibility for beds, automobiles, or a life expectancy one only to find out his penis is so small be your lesson: there's a reason Henry from ourselves when the government's reac- past 25. he might as well be a woman, and thank VIII founded the Church of England— tion to skyrocketing rates of sexually trans- There are times in life when you just have goodness you got married in Canada no one wants to be around when the mitted disease, and plummeting levels of to throw the dice and hope for a hard six. because somehow you've become a les- heads start rolling. sexual education, was to rename it a 'sexual- Sex isn't one of those times. THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX SEX 09 Get to know your Boobs and Dinks

• FIONA O’CONNOR was two-fold. and bumps. Firstly, in the wake of her part- “A lot of the medical tools make Penis puppets, crocheted cocks, ner’s scare, she found that while assumptions about gender and and malleable mammaries; information relating to women’s about people’s bodies,” said Gerard. Shannon Gerard makes them all. reproductive health was abundant, Making the toys in a range of sizes, The 34-year-old, Toronto-based resources on men’s was consider- colours, and with optional fore- artist is the force behind Boobs and ably scarcer. skins, she hopes that the practice of Dinks early detection kits, the Secondly, Gerard was artistically self-examination will become more plush, crocheted breast and penis compelled by the possibility of accessible and familiar to all. sets that take a fresh and creative establishing a “continuous creative “It’s about breaking down barri- approach to sex education. process” related to but distinct from ers so that people laugh,” she She is also the author of the her comic series. explained. “The medical dialogue comic book series Hung, from “I like the idea of having a com- around the value of self-examina- which her Boobs and Dinks work panion to the story,” she said. tion is regimented, clinical.” stems. The third issue of the autobi- Whereas the relationship between Instead of the traditional mantra of This flaccid friend can teach you how to spot-check your member. ographical zine deals with themes author and reader ends once a book “Check your breasts” or “Check of fear and human vulnerability as is published, a work like Boobs and your balls,” approaches that, by project’s multi-faceted relevance. unidentified professor, Gerard said it tells the story of Gerard’s partner Dinks, with its tangible quality and Gerard’s count, inject unnecessary Incorporating illustration, print that the much-blogged about con- who, one day, discovers a mysteri- “personal and freaky” dimensions, anxiety into the feeling foray, the techniques, and crochet, Boobs and troversy failed to push the debate ous lump in his testicle. opens the channels for “an ongoing artist’s message is “Know your Dinks straddles the conceptual towards what she sees as its con- “My response to being afraid of personal dialogue with the readers.” body,” a motto that alternately divides of art, craft and education, structive limits. something is to write a story about The project is Gerard’s first ven- encourages overall body conscious- with its genre classification ulti- “I wanted it to create a dialogue it,” she said. “I started crocheting ture in the crochet medium, and ness. mately decided by a public’s unpre- that went beyond censorship to one penises with little lumps in them” since 2007, the artist has been Gerard has presented Boobs and dictable reactions. about the fear of the body,” she said, and in turn, the project “became a crafting the plush privates with love Dinks with a variety of adaptations Last year, a collaborative instal- “but that didn’t happen.” primary focus.” and dedication. Each boob and dink in a range of contexts, including art lation called Playing Doctor featur- Apparently, she added, “people A mainstay of the indie zine is made with a lump sewn inside of galleries, book fairs, and Planned ing a display of Gerard’s work—this are okay with boobs, but not okay community who also teaches a it, and by following the instructions Parenthood. time a pair of crocheted breasts and with a giant crocheted cock with a course on nano-publishing at the in the early detection kit’s accompa- “As it’s branched into different a pierced penis mounted on large Prince Albert.” Ontario College of Art and Design, nying booklet, people can learn how communities the vocabulary has cut-out dolls—was dismantled from Gerard’s inspiration for developing to check their own nether parts changed,” she said, a process that the York University Bookstore. To see more of Shannon Gerard’s a separate work based on Hung for potentially unwelcome bits has undoubtedly contributed to the Allegedly considered offensive to an work, visit shannongerard.org Fearless, shameless, and Banging to the beat instructional video-less Sex columnist rings a new flava in your ear • CAROLYNE WELDON running joke over at Nightlife,” she • KATHLEEN K.R. chance to explore sexuality. added. & NIKKI MACMILLAN Through workshops and Peer Education Angelica LeMinh is hardheaded. When Luckily for her, few entities make for Training in local high schools, youth examine the head honchos at Montreal’s Nightlife more likely bed companions than sex and Kathleen and Nikki work at Head & Hands, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexism, fem- magazine told the Vancouver export that rap. Indeed, what more auspicious gate- a Montreal-based organization devoted to inism, racism, transgenderism/ transsexuality, they already had all the music writers they ways exists to delve into the eternally informing youth about physical and mental cultural diversity and more. We’re training needed, thank-you-very-much, but had fresh topic of getting down-be it oral, well-being, as well as counselling youth with- youth to become not just condom enthusiasts, an opening for a, ahem, sex columnist, anal, inter-racial, group or exhibitionistic- out discrimination. but sexual rights activists as well. LeMinh decided to take the gig and just than Ludacris, Foxy Brown, Plies, or 2 Head & Hands has been servicing the Most often, youth just want to know if their write about hip-hop anyway. Live Crew? Montreal community since 1970 through experiences, expectations, fears and body parts The product of that union, “Sex Talk”, As a sex columnist, LeMinh has estab- dynamic youth outreach and advocates for are normal. They want to know how to protect has delighted and shocked readers since lished a full ex-lover typology based on social change at the local level. themselves (questions like “How do I use a con- its debut in early 2007. It’s the kind of sex rappers (“Do you tend to date and dump dom?” and “why would I want lube with that?”). column that’ll serve you an incest special the Will Smiths, or the ODBs?”) and has It’s a fact: Youth know a lot about sex. Students also frequently hit on some of the for the Christmas issue, followed by an liberally sprinkled her work, irrespective They’re talking about safer sex with friends and toughest issues that question sexual stereotypes, anal sex exposé just in time for of topic or tone, with all types of hip-hop siblings; they’re researching sexual diversity on sexism and societal norms: What is virginity? Valentine’s Day (title: “Cupid Takes It In innuendos. It's not often you read about the Internet; and they’re learning about pleas- Why is a sexually-active guy called a stud while The Ass”), while keeping you current on love letters and Soulja Boy in the same ure and consent through hands-on experience. a girl is called a slut? If I want to kiss another the vagaries of rap stars. sentence, let alone in a piece on food and As our government continues to disempower girl, does that make me gay? “One thing that worked out good for sex, but in “Sex Talk,” that's just same old, young people and segregate them from sexual Transmitting information on STI prevention me at first was the editors were french,” same old. information (i.e. by raising the age of consent to and contraception is at the forefront of the Sense LeMinh said. “My friends could never If you ask LeMinh, she'll tell you the 16 and essentially taking sex education out of the Project’s mandate, as is breaking the silence believe the stuff I’d get published.” wonderful thing about being a writer in Quebec education curriculum), youths are edu- around issues of sexuality. At the same time, Her piece on anal sex, however, had to Montreal is that you have the luxury of cating themselves through informal avenues. Head & Hands has a long-standing commit- go through eight rewrites before entering time. “Here, you can't take your sweet Head & Hands’ Sense Project recognizes the ment to supporting queer and the realm of publishability. Even after vig- time to write stuff you care about,” she experience teens already have when it comes to transgender/transsexual youth in their choices orous whitewashing, the column caused said. “You won't have a lot of money. But sexuality and seeks to ensure the information and encouraging all young people to consider an quite a stir. Amidst talk of enemas and in Montreal, you don't need a lot of available to youth is as comprehensive and anti-oppression stance on sexuality and gender lubes, it broached the topic of figging, or money.” Amen to that. empowering as possible. identity. inserting pieces of ginger or garlic in the And with times getting tougher, and Working with youth, our mission is to mini- From our peer educators, to our volunteers, anus for pleasure. She says people are still winter at our door, true Montrealers mize risks by providing: holistic, non-judgmen- to the young activists who are leading our World talking about that one. know they can always depend on one tal information on safer sex methods and sexual AIDS Day campaign this week, youth continue “But I always try to bring it back to hip- form of entertainment that's both easy on health; inclusive explorations of sexual pleasure, to shape Head & Hands’ ongoing dialogue on hop,” said LeMinh, who also contributes the wallet and carbon-neutral. That's diversity and gender identity; and strategies and sexual health and diversity—for a fearless, to Pound, the Toronto-based hip-hop right: hopping in bed for a bona fide support around issues of sexual consent. shameless sex ed future! magazine. “It’s sort of become a running round of hanky-panky, bonus points for Contrary to popular belief, sex ed doesn’t joke over at “But I always try to bring it the bangin' soundtrack. have to be about awkward silences and outdated For more info on Head & Hands and the back to hip-hop,” said LeMinh, who also videos. Approached with an open and positive Sense Project, call 514-481-0277 or visit contributes to Pound, the Toronto-based For more info on “Sex Talk,” please visit attitude, youth are enthusiastic about the headandhands.ca. hip-hop magazine. “It's sort of become a nightlifemagazine.ca 10 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX Oh, how the times have changed... The revolution and discovery of sex

GRAPHIC AMY SMITH

‘Many years ago, we knew nothing’ How sex goes down in 2008 Name: Nicole Biard sex at the age I was still playing with Name: Sagine Cavé In school, we were generally taught to save Age: 51 my dolls! Age: 24 sex for marriage. It wasn't just taught in sex Religion: Catholic Instead of falling in love first, people Religion: Catholic ed, it was a big thing that was in the air. I are having sex and if it doesn't work thought I was going to save sex for marriage. Let's start by saying that 35 years out, they go their separate ways. If I The first time I heard about sex, it was the I thought so because when you don't know ago there was no sex education in had done that, I would have missed out summer before grade six. This girl came up to much, you're like, “okay.” But then you get a school nor anywhere else. When I was on a great life with my husband of 32 me and asked, “Do you know what sex is?” Of little older and your hormones start kicking about 13, I remember asking my moth- years. course I didn't, so she told me a man puts his in. er how babies were made and how to Today, there is nothing more to dis- penis inside a woman's vagina. I didn't believe It's 2008 and things have changed, so not make love. When she explained it to cover; boys and girls know everything her. everyone believes in saving sex for marriage. me, I was confused, trying to figure out about sex and have experienced every- In grade seven or eight, I watched this Those kinds of people are disappearing; it's a position that would make that possi- thing, often before their 16th birthdays. movie called Kids. It’s a really graphic portray- important to know how you're going to vibe ble. A few years ago, I heard a girl on the al of teens having sex, getting STIs, and what with your spouse sexually before you take the We didn't hear about sex or talk radio. She was 21 years old. She felt like have you. So I was more confused after that. plunge. about sex. I only saw that word when I she had missed out on her childhood, Then in the ninth grade, I finally figured When I have kids, I'm going to tell them to had to specify my gender when filling being sexually active since the age of 14. out what it was because in my Catholic school choose a partner wisely. It's kind of unrealistic out a form: 'M' for male, 'F' for female. She said that if she could go back in we had a class in sexual health. Monsieur to tell people to follow the word of God when The most common way of thinking time, she would make different choices Babin went through all the steps. For exam- no one is really listening to God right now. in those days was that when you give because at 21, she was already bored ple, step one was 'guy gets hard.' It was the I'll also tell them that sex is normal and yourself to a man it's a gift, so I wanted with sex. whole shebang; pregnancy, STIs, it was every- that they're gonna do it one day. But when to keep it for my future husband. It I really think that there are two thing. The guys were giggling, the girls felt they do it, they have to know it should be con- doesn't mean that nobody was having extremes. Many years ago, we knew uncomfortable. sensual. If I have sons, they must respect sex though. nothing. Now, they know and see too In the ninth grade, I didn't know of anyone women to the nth degree. If I have a daughter, There was also fear that was control- much. So many things are now based having sex. We were Catholic, after all. But in I want her to use her best judgment. ling us—fear of deceiving our parents, on sex. I feel there is a problem when a the tenth grade, a lot of people just started I think some people aren't having enough fear of being judged, fear of getting little six-year-old wants to be “sexy.” doing it. I wasn't one of them. sex; it's a good stress reliever. Some people are pregnant. The pressure is mostly on girls want- I didn't really think it was a sin or that I'd too stressed, in a whack relationship, and on When I got married, I was still a vir- ing to be perfect to please boys. They go to hell for having sex, mostly because other top of that they're not getting any. The more gin. We learned everything together. lack self-esteem, searching constantly kids were doing it and they seemed perfectly restrictions you put on sex, the more people Even though we were inexperienced, outside of themselves for what they okay to me. start acting crazy and make it a bigger issue the love we had for each other would could improve about the way they look, I had friends in public school at the time than it really is. get us through every time. Love cures always thinking about how to please, and a lot more of them were having sex. I I hope the next generation knows to be safe everything. please, please. remember thinking that different schools and not to rush. And they should always speak So talking about it, learning what my If young people would realize that must have had different views about sex. to someone they can trust about it because needs were, being respectful, were part making love is far more meaningful My parents never talked about sex. Ever. they don't have to be afraid or ashamed to ask of the recipe. than just “having sex,” they would enjoy They left that in the hands of the educational questions. If they're that curious and think Now it's a completely different falling in love first and then choose to system. And I don't think I would have want- they're that ready, they should make sure world. There's nothing left to the imag- give their partner the greatest gift of all: ed to hear my mom talk about it. I'm actually they're not getting into something just ination. I hear that children are having themselves in body, soul and spirit. happy we never had that conversation. because everyone else is doing it. THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX SEX 11 Does penis envy really exist? The long and short of male anatomy

• ALLISA SCOTT, THE LANCE describing early 20th century identity development. (UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR) European culture, but this notion Though penis envy seems to of development cannot be applied be concerned with young WINDSOR (CUP) – cross-culturally. females, males are also affected Everyone’s heard the saying “size Other critics note that gender by penis envy, and they may even matters,” but does it really? And identity occurs across several be affected to a greater extent. for whom does it matter? years, and for some theorists, From a young age, boys asso- To answer these questions, you across a lifetime, so the age that ciate their identity with their have to consider many factors, like Freud was discussing is question- penis. Young boys are more history, social norms, and person- able. aware of their genitals than al preferences. Some psychoanalysts have females because they are exter- argued that Freud’s notion of nal to their bodies. Boys often History of penis envy penis envy is only one small part play with their penises at a very According to Sigmund Freud, of the puzzle for female gender young age. every biologically born female has development, and that many other Research shows that the penis envy. considerations should be recog- majority of males masturbate, so His theory of psychosexual nized as significant during this they get to become aware of the development refers to what he stage. pleasure associated with their called the phallic stage or Oedipus Feminist criticisms argue that penises. They also realize the cul- complex, which sparks between Freud’s theory of penis envy is tural power it possesses as they the ages of three to five, when chil- problematic because of its patriar- age. dren focus on their genital areas chal assumptions. In the Western culture, the during a time of physical and psy- Feminist Karen Horney even penis is a sign of power, mas- chological development. came up with an opposing theory culinity, and status. It is seen as According to Freud, a young called womb envy, which states something that conquers. girl will notice her father’s penis that men are envious of women’s But for some males, this is not and recognize that she does not ability to give birth. their experience. have one, so she feels inferior. Other feminists have explored For many men, penises can be This becomes more complicat- Freud’s theories through a Marxist a sensitive issue to discuss— GRAPHIC SAGINE CAVÉ ed when jealousy is directed lens by using a capitalist analogy because they feel they do not toward her mother, because she is of penis envy. measure up to others. viewed as a threat to the relation- To counter-balance some of the From a young age, boys com- There is a masculine culture and his size. ship between the young girl and negative messages sent out by pare themselves to each other, that says bigger is better, and Some women do care about her father. So the young child is Freud’s theory, some women have and many are known to measure this is an issue for some men, to the size—some length and others understood as loving her father, also pronounced pride in their their penises. This competitive the point where they will have girth—however it is often men but also envious of his penis anatomy by claiming that they nature can be damaging to a surgery or take medications to who are hung up on the size because she does not have one. have vagina pride. guy’s self-esteem. try and elongate their penises. issue. According to this theory, the When you factor in the So perhaps the modern form young girl blames her mother for Social norms and penis envy controversy of circumcised-ver- Personal preferences and of penis envy is actually a form of taking her father’s penis from her. There has been a lot of theory sus-uncircumcised men, it gets penis envy social conditioning, which teach- Freud’s critics have shown his developed about female gender more complicated, because cir- Women often care less about es men they must measure up theory has many flaws. identity development, but very cumcised male penises tend to a penis’ size and more about a when they should be taught that Some believe that he was little about young male gender seem larger. man who is confident in himself they all measure up. Sex sells: How to make money off dirty words A look at the hottest erotic web zines

• LAURA ROBERTS ing, you should get to know a few of them. To also commissions erotica writers for their can always submit your work via email to that end, I’ve assembled a brief list of my top newsletter. You can find more information [email protected]. Laura Roberts, founder of Black Heart five paying erotica websites, for your reading on what they’re looking for, as well as Magazine, makes her living writing about (and writing) pleasure. instructions on how to submit, on the site Kasidie Magazine —kasidie.com sex. under the “Steamy Stories” link. Want to write about swingers? Kasidie is Roberts, a former literary arts editor at The Naughty American— the ezine for the swinger community, and is The Link, runs her “V for Vixen” weekly sex thenaughtyamerican.com Ruthie’s Club —ruthiesclub.com always looking for erotica, articles, interviews column in Hour. Oh, Americans and their weird views of Do you write longer-form erotic fiction? and cartoons. They prefer submissions be sexuality! Your outsider status as an Check out Ruthie’s Club, an illustrated eroti- sent via their online form, which is available When the editors of The Link approached enlightened Canadian may or may not ca website. They pay $75 to $350 U.S. for at kasidie.com. me about writing an article for this year’s Sex come in handy when submitting to this installment stories, which is pretty darn hot. Finally, if you’re just starting out and and Sexuality issue, I was excited. It’s great to web-based magazine, which is looking for Unfortunately, they have limited openings don’t have any erotica clips yet, you might be able to participate in my favourite issue, as well-written articles of 800 words or less, for serial pieces, so be sure to send them a want to consider submitting your work to I credit this paper with much of my journalis- all with an American spin. Whatever your juicy sample to get them all fired up. Send my ezine, Black Heart. I publish fiction tic training—the occasional near-lawsuit definition of “naughty,” this website has ‘em to [email protected] for considera- updates every Friday, in addition to short included. This time I even get to contribute as probably covered it. You can email the tion. reviews each Tuesday. Though the only pay- a Real Live Sex Writer! At the same time, I was editors with your pitches at ment currently offered is for reviews, we’re also apprehensive. Why? Well, these are [email protected]. For the Girls —forthegirls.com always open to publishing new and exciting tough economic times and while publication Paying up to $100 for featured articles, writing that explores the literary and philo- in The Link is always awesome, it unfortu- Hips and Curves — this is definitely the hottest adult website sophical sides of erotica. For more info, nately doesn’t pay a writer’s bills. hipsandcurves.com and ezine available to hetero females. check us out online at On the other hand, there are plenty of great This may look like just another lingerie With full-on porn content, you have to blackheartmagazine.com. places that do, and if you’re a sexpert-in-train- site for full-figured women, but this website subscribe for a peek at the goods, but you Good luck, and happy erotic writing! 12 SEX THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SEX Keeping the meat kosher Which contraceptives are best for you? The B-squad Diaphragm or Cervical Cap If a condom is a barrier, we’ll call these barricades. A diaphragm is a latex cap that covers the cervix and prevents sperm from entering. A cervical cap fits over the cervix and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. Both are made to be used in conjunction with spermicide. Cost: $30 to $100 (not including doctor’s fees) Pros: Women can insert it before sex. Also, it’s good for two years. Cons: The failure rate for a diaphragm, even if used perfectly, is four to eight per cent, and when human error is fac- tored in, can be much higher. The failure rate for a cervical GRAPHIC ALEX MANLEY cap in women who have never had a child is about nine per The A-team cent, but for women who have given birth, it’s a whopping • CLARE RASPOPOW Injection Cost: $60 to $100 (not including doctor’s costs) 26 per cent. And that’s when it’s used perfectly. For the aver- Injection (Depo-Provera) is a hormonal birth control method Pros: The IUD provides five years of sweet, baby-free con- age user, the failure rate is about 20 per cent, 40 per cent The Pill that contains a progestin and is administered by a needle in traception and is 99 per cent effective. It contains no artificial for women who have given birth before. Cervical caps can- The Pill works by releasing hormones into the blood the muscle of the arm or buttocks every 12 to 13 weeks. hormones, so it poses no threat to nursing mothers or women not be used by women with abnormally shaped cervixes and stream to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg and Cost: About $60 a shot (not including doctor’s costs) who might have problems with hormonal contraception. can also fall out of place during sex. Some women find these must be taken every day. Pros: It is 99.7 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy Cons: Common complications associated with the IUD are difficult to insert and effectiveness is lost if they’re not put Cost: Between $20 and $30 per month and you only have to think about it four times a year. This is irregular bleeding, perforations (small holes) in the uterus in properly or not fitted properly to begin with. Some women Pros: Good news. The pill is one of the most researched an advantage for those who find daily or even weekly birth wall, infection, or expulsion (the IUD falls out). Because of the might also develop urinary tract infections. methods of birth control in the world. With proper use, the control a problem. In about half of the women who use it, it perforations many doctors will only recommend an IUD to a Pill is 99.9 per cent effective and is touted as the most prevents periods altogether which could be an advantage for woman who is in a stable monogamous relationship as the effective method of birth control available. Most health care women who have extremely painful periods. risk of contracting an STI can increase. There is also an providers also cover it. In addition to preventing pregnancy, Cons: The injections have been proven to weaken women’s increased risk of pelvic infection or ovarian cysts just after the Hall of Shame the pill can regulate or reduce the menstrual cycle, and bones while they are using them and are therefore often only insertion of the IUD. As an added bonus, this puppy hurts like (Yes, some people believe that these work) reduce acne. recommended to women who cannot use another form of con- a motherfucker going in (especially for women who haven’t Cons: Despite being one of the most effective methods of traception (especially in the case of young women). Women had a child yet) and is prohibitively expensive for some. Withdrawal birth control, there is a three per cent user failure rate (the must also return to their doctor every 12 to 13 weeks to have Also known as pulling out, this ‘method’ consists of Pill should be taken at the same time EVERY DAY). The pill the shot re-administered. The user may also experience Male condom pulling out of the vagina during intercourse before the man is known to cause side effects such as: irregular bleeding; weight gain, headaches, irregular bleeding, or mood changes. We’ve all seen ‘em. We’ve all used ‘em. Your sex ed cums. breast tenderness; weight gain; headaches; or nausea Not recommended for those with a pathological fear of nee- teacher probably had you roll one onto a banana at some Pros: I guess it’s better than nothing…maybe? (though most of these should be temporary effects), and dles, like yours truly. point. Made from latex or a latex alternative, a condom cre- Cons: Oh, where to begin… First off, withdrawal isn’t some women report that it decreases their sex drive. The Pill ates a physical barrier that prevents sperm from entering really effective because the pre-cum that comes out when can cause blood clots in regular smokers, especially older The Ring the vagina. your little friend starts getting excited contains sperm, and smokers. Don’t worry. This ring prevents creepy children from follow- Cost: a box of condoms can cost anywhere from the low it only takes one, so it doesn’t really matter that you didn’t Note: Any method of birth control that alters your ing you around everywhere. The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) is a tens and up (the sky’s the limit). Many places give them blow your load, friend. If you really feel like playing Russian hormones should be taken responsibly and requires new resource. It is a soft, flexible, clear plastic ring that is away for free. baby-roulette, enjoy your Baby-Bjorn. This method requires a the user to educate themselves about possible side inserted into a woman’s vagina, where it slowly releases hor- Pros: Not only do condoms have a 97 per cent rate of great deal of self-control, practice, and timing. It has a fail- effects. mones to prevent ovulation. Each ring lasts three weeks. effectiveness, they also protect against most STIs when ure rate of about one-in-five, and also does nothing to pro- Cost: $30 to $35 per ring used properly (something that all other methods of birth tect against STIs. Patch Pros: Women cannot usually feel the ring once it is inside control do NOT do). They’re portable, easy to find, and Saran Wrap or Balloons The patch (Evra) has been available in Canada since and you can insert and remove it yourself—which I’m told is affordable. Some are even flavoured! Just because it could kind of look like a condom, doesn’t January 2004. It works similarly to the Pill. The small patch relatively easy to do. The ring is at least as effective as the Pill Cons: Some guys complain about a lack of sensitivity and mean it’ll work like one. releases pregnancy-preventing hormones through the skin. or patch and has the added bonus of only having to be there’s a wide margin for human error. Condoms can slip off Pros: The emergency medical staff will have a laugh while Each individual patch is worn for one week for a total of replaced once a month. It has the same benefits as the Pill during sex or even break. And damn that foil wrapper! they try to pull the balloon off your painfully strangled penis. three weeks a month, and should be changed on the same and patch making some women’s periods lighter, more regu- Cons: Saran Wrap and balloons will not prevent pregnan- day every week. lar, or more bearable, but is not found to cause weight gain Female Condom cy or STIs, so you’ve just wasted… I don’t know how many Cost: Between $30 and $40 per month and has not been found to increase the rate of vaginal infec- This attractive polyurethane sheath is shaped like a round, dollars and ruined a perfectly good balloon. Don’t put that Pros: Similar to the Pill, the Patch has the same rate of tions. upside-down baggie and is inserted into the vagina before balloon on your penis, give that balloon to a needy child and effectiveness (99.9 per cent). The benefits are also similar Cons: Like the Pill and patch, some women experience sex. The baggie holds in the sperm, preventing it from enter- go buy a condom. (lighter periods, etc…), but the patch can be a better fit for breast tenderness, headaches, etc… Unique to the ring, ing the vagina. those women who have trouble remembering to take a pill however, is the possibility of vaginal irritation, discomfort or Cost: Where a male condom can cost about $1 each, a Standing up while having at the same time every day. vaginal discharge. As it’s a method that involves the alter- female condom will probably run you about $2.50. sex/Jumping up and down Cons: Again, similar to the Pill, the patch also has a three ation of a woman’s hormones, the Ring has the same risks for Pros: It’s a contraceptive controlled by women that protects These aren’t methods, it’s just sad. Standing up or jump- per cent user failure rate. The same side effects might also older women and smokers as the Pill and Patch. them against STIs! ing up and down do NOTHING to prevent pregnancy, not to be noticed (bleeding, tenderness, etc…), but with the Cons: They’re not as accessible as male condoms and more mention STIs. added possibility of skin irritation. The patch is known to be IUD expensive. On top of that, the failure rate for female condoms Pros: Sex standing up is pretty hot and fun. And I suppose less effective in women who weigh more than 198 pounds. An IUD is a small, T-shaped device with a copper wire that is higher than male condoms (about five per cent). Some jumping up and down is good for your calves… Despite its similarity to the Pill, some health care providers is inserted into the uterus. The copper wire changes the women might also have problems inserting them and there’s Cons: The nine months you’ll spend bearing your life-long do not cover the patch. chemistry in the uterus and destroys sperm. the possibility of a rustling sound during sex. burden, and the lifetime you’ll spend raising it. Failure rates for birth control methods when used correctly (Number of pregnancies per Cervical cap with spermicide 17-23 Vaginal contraceptive ring 1-2 Surgical sterilization (female) less than 1 100 women per year) Sponge with spermicide 14-28 Hormone shots less than 1 Surgical sterilization (male) less than 1 Male condom alone 11 Spermicide alone 20-50 Hormone shots less than 1 Female condom alone 21 Oral contraceptives 1-2 IUD less than 1 Source: U.S. Food and Diaphragm with spermicide 17 Contraceptive patch 1-2 Periodic abstinence 20 Drug Administration Birth Control Guide THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FRINGE FRINGE ARTS 13 Mint condition Montreal-based band The Mints are bringing back the love song

The Mints are (from left) Thom Gillies and John Batt. GRAPHIC MADELINE COLEMAN

• MADELINE COLEMAN bands together during high school in New Surrounded by newfound friends with a Montreal wearing their hearts on their Brunswick, actually stopped talking to penchant for laptop melodies, Batt says he sleeves. They cite Edmonton transplant “‘I’m in love and it’s wonderful?’ Does each other for three years after a falling felt “disillusioned” by the impersonal Sean Savage as someone whose heartfelt that sell?” laughs John Batt, the guitar- out over a girl. approach and wasn’t feeling inspired to songs they really dig. They also shared strumming half of pop duo The Mints. The feud continued from afar when Batt write until he and Gillies started playing high praise for Matt Perri, with whom He and drummer Thom Gillies are pon- moved to Montreal to attend Concordia. It together again. they’ll be playing at Le Cagibi next dering what it means to write a love song wasn’t until the pair swallowed their pride Listening to songs like “Upright Pretty Wednesday. in a time when detachment is king. Forget and shook hands during one of Gillies’ vis- Dame,” it’s obvious that The Mints are all “Alternative is far more fashionable and laptops, forget irony—The Mints just want its to the city that they (finally) made about celebrating everything touchy- marketable than pop is,” admits Batt, but to write catchy tunes about love. amends. feely—as long as that doesn’t include lap- he and Gillies are only doing what feels “Irony isn’t beautiful,” says Batt. In a So, Gillies moved here six months ago top keyboards. natural. world where everyone and their teenage knowing they would eventually start play- The band’s vocals may be reminiscent Honesty, after all, is what they aim for. brother rejects traditional harmonies in ing music again, and The Mints were born. of Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner, who they “If there’s a thesis [to our music], that favour of undiluted noise, he says, “it’s To hear them tell it, the duo’s reconcili- admire, but Gillies and Batt take their would be it.” actually relatively avant-garde to pick up ation could not have come at a better time. inspiration from a much more senior instruments and write songs about girls.” While Gillies professes a love for minimal crooner. The Mints play with Matt Perri at Le Both band members admit to having a electronic music (“there’s a time and place “We don’t mind that kind of coy cheesi- Cagibi, 5490 Blvd. St-Laurent 8:00 p.m., “shared fascination” with the ladies. A fix- for that kind of thing,”) Batt says his own ness that guys like Morrissey nail,” says Wednesday, Dec. 10. Before then, check ation that has been, well, a little too shared move to Montreal actually turned him off Batt. them out at myspace.com/lesmints and in the past; the two friends, who played in of making it. The Mints aren’t the only ones in myspace.com/mattperri The D.I.Y. Provider Montreal’s own The World Provider releases third album

• JAMES LYNCH “My vision with this album was and a code for downloading the making music, you can get into ing but also has great musicians, the pursuit of pop perfection album online. the business to make money, but I music and people appreciate it.” From a man whose ideal music through my own lens,” says “I think people have to think don’t think that way. I think it’s Despite the lack of funds to video features him making love to Fraser, explaining the message he outside of the box when releasing for glory,” he said. realize such a reverie, Fraser a giant dragon, it’s no surprise wanted to convey with the new albums these days, because peo- Speaking of glory, Fraser has gives a pretty solid stage perform- that musician Malcolm Fraser has album. ple aren’t buying CDs so much grandiose aspirations for an ulti- ance, like that of last Friday’s enough imagination to realize his “I have a pretty direct anymore […] that’s how I came up mate The World Provider concert. album launch at Club Lambi. pop ambitions. approach to artistic vision, so I with the idea of the book.” “I had a dream not long ago that I With cute melodies and silly Under The World Provider leave the end analysis to the crit- Since its debut in 1999, Fraser saw a band play that had a forest prose, The World Provider had moniker, he just released his ics.” But critics and fans have a has remained true to himself with on stage, with waterfalls, little even the hipsters shaking their third album entitled Hard surprise in store if they think his musical creations. He may animals and I thought it would be booty, usually too wedged in their Feelings, an oeuvre that they’ll find his new CD in stores. have never had a hit on the radio, something I would like to realize. skinny jeans. combines Devo’s electro pop There’s no physical version of but in true D.I.Y spirit he’s “I think somebody like Tom sensibilities with a lo-fi gloss, the album available yet, only a released over 40 songs over a Waits is kind of an ideal to look The World Provider’s album, ready to appeal to the indie rock $10 Hard Feelings zine including span of eight years. up to, his shows are very theatri- Hard Feelings is available at loving elite. puzzles, jokes, drawings, lyrics “You need to be original when cal, he uses sets, props and light- theworldprovider.net 14 FRINGE ARTS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FRINGE What’s going on Language of brutality Death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder Events listing overcomes rumours of a breakup for December • JOHNNY NORTH

Art galleries “It’s kind of a view of human nature,” said Aleesa Cohene – Something Better Trevor Strnad, vocalist of The Black Dahlia Now until Dec. 14 Murder when asked about the inspiration 262, Fairmount W. behind their lyrics of horror, corpse brides 514-842-9686 and betrayal. “Sometimes I wonder if you could really Titanic: L’exposition touch another person, or if we’re so selfish in Now until Dec. 31 our ways. I see a lot of ugliness in humanity.” 705, Saint Catherine Street W. Founded by Strnad and songwriter/gui- 514-524-6645 tarist Brian Eschbach in 2000, in Detroit Michigan, BDM also features bassist Bart Allyson Mitchell Williams and drummer Shannon Lucas. Now until Dec. 14 “[We were] just kids that wanted to play in 4296, Saint Laurent a band,” Strnad says. “We want to write 514-871-0268 music that we want to hear. It wasn’t neces- sary influenced by any band locally. We pret- Comedy ty much imported our sound from Europe.” James Bond Improv Tribute Their first EP, What a Horrible Night to Spotopussy: The latest James Bond interac- Have a Curse, was inspired by Castlevania tive improv adventure by ON THE SPOT. II: Simon’s Quest: “That game used to scare Dec. 2, 8:30 p.m. the shit out of me when I was a kid,” Strnad Comedyworks, 1238 Bishop Street admits. Tickets $7, $5 for students “I was thinking what would it be like to live there, to go into the environment where Music Dracula has a curse over the land and people Commodity Meat! are being distorted by Dracula’s evil magic.” These days, The Black Dahlia Murder have a lot more on their minds than video games. Rock/garage/soul etc. But it hasn’t been all fun and games. Until Mondays, 10 p.m. they joined Metal Blade Records, BDM strug- n’t stop fans from talking of a possible mies or naysayers are fuel for wanting to Blue Dog, 3958, St-Laurent gled with making it in the metal scene, hav- breakup. push it even further,” he said. “It’s like, ‘Oh Free ing no label and no means to tour. “Dramatic stuff has gone down with mem- you don’t like me, well I’m going to be up “We didn’t have a big record out, we didn’t bers changing, particularly with Zach your ass now!’ Every time we go back to do Skinwell CD Launch have any money,” Strnad says. “We couldn’t Gibson,” says Strnad. “Since then, seems to another album, we’re pushing the limit of our with Sleep Research Facility + Visions afford a van or anything. We were kinda be always someone somewhere talking shit material.” Dec. 5, 8 p.m. stuck at that time, but we had desire to go out about us, online or wherever. In one respect, Currently, BDM is working on a new Katacombes, 1222 Saint Laurent and tour. it’s cool that our name is always in some- release for 2009. With three and half songs $10 “That is a world away now. Since Metal body’s mouth. As long as they’re talking already complete, Strnad is excited for “one Blade, it’s like being in a whole new band. about us.” of the best songs we’ve ever had.” Beat Me Up Thursdays Going out and making records and being a Strnad found this did not take away from This Thursday: DJ Mary Hell and guests. professional metal band. It’s been a really the band’s music or ability to perform last BDM will perform with Soilent Green, Misery Weekly, 10 p.m. cool experience.” year’s release Nocturnal. Index and Shades of Dusk on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Saphir, 3699a Saint Laurent BDM’s albums, Unhallowed and Miasma, “We pretty much maintained one sound at Le National, 1220 St. Catherine Street E. Tickets $5 may have gained them notoriety but that did- throughout all the albums. I think our ene- For ticket information call 514-845-2014.

Intensive Care with Katie Loves Pain Dec. 5, 9 p.m. Barfly, 4062a, Saint Laurent spins sound the same; less intense riffs and weak lously catchy, upbeat and surprisingly ing, doors-reminiscent garage-pop. The kind Crystal Stilts solos are a slap in the face. Copacabana-reminiscent tune. While “Neon of sound that makes me want to simultane- Dec. 10, 8 p.m. Various Artists Though Cooper is entertaining and creepy, the Tiger” offers what seems to be a fitting anal- ously skinny dip and fall asleep—which isn’t La Sala Rossa, 4848 Saint Laurent We Wish you a Metal majority of the album lacks the passion he ogy for the band’s music; “I don’t want to be to imply it’s coma-inducing. In fact, it’s pret- $15 Xmas and a was known for pulling off, proving that kept, I don’t want to be caged.” ty upbeat and if it weren’t so grey and cold Headbanging New watered-down metal music produced for Flowers’ vocals have always been filled with outside I’d lace up my high-tops, throw my Theatre Year commercial benefit isn’t worth it, no matter passion, but this time around they’ll melt your sunglasses on and skateboard to the beach. Mary Poppins Armoury Records what the season. heart. Especially on the closing track, Founded in New York in 2003 by Brad Hargett Now until Dec. 14 2/5 “Goodnight, Travel Well” a surprisingly emo- and JB Townshed, the Crystal Stilts have a 3975, Notre-Dame Street W. The names Alice Cooper, Lemmy Kilmister, —Johnny North tional tribute to Killers guitarist Dave sound that pays homage to a time of drugs, 514-483-5526 Dave Grohl, Steve Morse and those of other Keuning’s recently deceased mother. pop art, and a scene all-too familiar to New notable metalheads gives the impression The Killers American critics may disagree and claim The York. Lead singer Hargett is a tribute to both Lortie that this 12-track compilation is going to be Day & Age Killers’ magic is over but, I’m going to have to Lou Reed and Joy Division’s Ian Curtis with his Now until Dec. 6, 8 p.m. a tremendous headbanging Christmas expe- Island Records side with Europe on this one—the fabulous ridiculously self-indulgent laments. Espace Libre, 1945, Fullum Street rience, but fails to deliver. foursome is at the top of their game. No matter how you put it, the Crystal Stilts 514-521-4191 While it’s cool to hear Motörhead’s Kilmister After a two-year hiatus, not counting last 4.5/5 have something original. Their indiscernible blast out “Run Ruldoph Run” (the songs keep year’s b-sides Sawdust, The Killers are back —Barbara Pavone lyrics, and brooding surf sound combine flaw- All My Sons their original lyrics, for the most part); it’s the and better than ever. With Day & Age the band lessly with the laid-back sound so signature Dec. 9 to Dec. 13, 8 p.m. combination of Chris Wyse, Chuck Billy, Scott has taken their signature extravagance, and Crystal Stilts to The Doors. Add in a little tambourine and Monument-National, Ludger-Duvernay Ian, Jon Donais and John Tempesta on “Silent innovative sound to a new level by opting to Alight of Night we’ve got ourselves an album. Theatre Night” that stands apart with solid guitar use saxophones, harpsichords, and even steel eMusic Select/WOODSIST Check out cool tracks like “The sinKing,” 1182 Saint Laurent solos and powerful growls. drums. “Crystal Stilts,” and “Shattered Shine.” Tickets- 514 871-2224 The mixture of thrash, rock and one death With “Joy Ride” that’s exactly what the band If any sound makes its way out of Brooklyn 4/5 —compiled by Johnny North metal song shows why metal songs usually takes you on, treating the listener to a ridicu- this year, it should be this one: moody-sound- —Joelle Lemieux THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/FRINGE FRINGE ARTS 15 “The Night Con U alum Starts Here” Indie band Stars talk takes a bite restrospectively about life in the limelight of the Big Apple • JOELLE LEMIEUX “I don’t think we’ve ever been ‘hot.’” Really? “Maybe it happened and we didn’t know about it,” suggested Chris Seligman, keyboardist and co-founding member of Montreal-based band Stars. “Maybe it was Set Yourself on Fire,” he continues, naming the band’s 2004 critically-acclaimed album. Whatever it was, Stars are indie legends, proving they’ve still got it with this year’s Sad Robots EP. “I think we wanted to touch on our roots a bit more; the thing that was the initial birth of the band. Get back into that,” he explained. “We also wanted to do it quickly. We wanted to be unprepared for it, in a way.” They also didn’t want to release their album on a label: “That was another thing we wanted to experiment with. Releasing it on our own and seeing what that entailed.” Apparently, it was a little more than they could handle, “I think we maybe wanted to sell a few more copies online. That kind of showed us all the things that go into selling records.” But that didn’t mean it didn’t “work out well.” After all, Stars have come a long way. “I think we’ve been together almost nine, 10 years. […] Our first show was on Crescent Street, in front of a hundred people.” With eight albums under their belts, what’s next? Indie won’t always be so popular, and Britney’s rumored to be on the mend; are Stars worried about getting old? He laughs, “We are too old.” But that’s ok because Stars seem to have a built-in fan base. “We seem to be the band that’s not trendy,” says Seligman. Pol Turgeon’s work entitled Aries. GRAPHIC POL TURGEON “We seem to be the band that’s not trendy.” Artist Pol Turgeon, gets ready —Chris Seligman, keyboardist, for his retrospective show in New York co-founder of Stars

• BARBARA PAVONE “can’t picture doing one without moments and [moments] of doubt. Reluctantly, I’d like to agree. But it’s not for lack of talent. the other,” he admits there are pros It’s a roller coaster but that’s what “There’s an obvious movement in music which is about mak- How does one decide to become and cons to both. makes it fun.” ing a shit load of money,” he agrees. “Selling something that an artist? If you’re Pol Turgeon it’s You can “reach many people This month he’ll be experiencing kind of seems perfect.” because you’re dyslexic, at least through print media [whereas] one of his best, and surely most Are Stars the indie combatants of this image of perfect according to him. exhibits are more limited,” he rewarding moments, with his first pop? “I was poor at writing and read- begins. But, with “personal work retrospective show opening Dec. 4 Seligman is thoughtful, “I don’t think we necessarily think ing so I went for visual expression there’s no one over your shoulder, at the Museum of American about that. […] I read a lot of cartoons well, no censorship […] you can go all the Illustration in New York. “At the end of the day we want to write music that inspires looked at a lot of cartoons because I way.” Entitled, “Threshold of the Eye” us. There are obvious pop influences to our music; things wasn’t good at reading,” he recalls. After three decades in the busi- it describes “what happens at exhi- that are catchy, you know. He laughs, a “dangerously infec- ness he continues to produce bitions. [You’re] on the threshold of “I don’t want to say we’re serious people, but I think we tive” laugh that can only be signa- refreshing and magical works of the artist’s mind.” want to get beyond the surface level of things. We like the ture to a genius or a madman. art. Inspiration comes from “sex, The exhibit will feature illustra- stuff that lies below, that’s where we’re inhabiting.” From an early age Turgeon drugs and rock and roll,” he jokes tions, of course, but also “3-D And Seligman would know, as he’s been there from the “couldn’t picture [himself] doing dryly. objects, toy prototypes and decora- beginning, having formed the band with Torquil Campbell. anything else.” He attended In reality “for illustrations [you] tive boxes,” because as an artist, He describes his role as being “like the ears of the band.” Concordia as a Graphic Design stu- read the story or read about the “there’s no end to what you can do.” He clarified, “I’d hope that the good thing about the band dent and, after some experimenta- subject,” and then it’s all about sit- At the end of our interview is that we all bring a certain character to [it].” tion, found himself in the world of ting and drawing. “Something Turgeon reveals that he used to Seligman’s job is “being there when all the chaos is over, commissioned illustrations. comes out and it’s never good,” he work at The Link “28 years ago […] sitting there and kind of going: this works a bit, this could Since then, he has garnered a jokes, and then you go from there. I had the night shift,” he jokes, and come out. Actually really turn it into a painting, a piece of variety of clients across North Other times he explains he’ll “lie for one last time I am treated to his art.” America and Europe thanks to his down on the bed to get to the sub- infectious laugh. An artwork like their show last Friday at Metropolis, images, which are simultaneously conscious. [I] shut down the ration- where Campbell and Amy Millan sparkled as a duo, and all bizarre and beautiful, not unlike his al mind; it’s the best way [to get] The retrospective will run until Jan. the Stars shone brightly. signature laugh. more interesting ideas that go fur- 4 at the Museum of American “It’s like a flower that grows,” said Seligman. “You know, Nowadays his commission illus- ther.” Illustration at the Society of Illustrators and that’s why I keep doing it. If you start stagnating, it’s a trations still flow, but he also pro- Throughout his lengthy career in New York. If you’re in the area over little bit depressing. Hopefully it keeps growing.” duces personal work. Although he Turgeon has experienced “great the holidays, GO! Fingers crossed! THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS SPORTS 17 To another winning season Concordia Stingers baseball team come together for annual team banquet

Concordia’s men’s baseball team came just shy of going back to Nationals for a second year in a row. PHOTOS ION ETXEBARRIA

• JOHNNY NORTH up in a row and take them on one Player were presented, Schwartz proud he was of them all, regard- Schwartz then announced the at a time until they are bringing and Con U Recreation and less of not making to nationals award winners for the year. Howard Schwartz got his year- up their lunch from all the run- Athletics Director Katie Sheahan this year. Rookie utility player Edward ly revenge on the Concordia ning I cause them to do chasing got the team organized in their “We didn’t do that well on Evans took home co-Rookie of Stingers baseball squad by the ball on the court. I call it upcoming endeavour to help the paper this year, but last year we the Year honours along with defeating them in games of ‘PBP’—pre-banquet payback.” poor. This Saturday, the Stingers had a couple of horses we kinda pitcher Emmanuel Hamel-Carey. squash before coaches, players, While the Atwater Club staff will be taking part of NDG Food rode on. We had a couple of guys Hamel-Carey also won the MVP and Concordia recreation staff complained of the team’s late- Depot starting at 9:30 a.m. in on the mound we knew no one award for his stellar pitching that toasted their season at the ness for their dinner, the atmos- front of the Loyola high school. was going to score on. This year, put him among the league lead- Atwater Club last Friday. phere soon became filled with “I can promise you that while even though we didn’t go as far, ers in all aspects, including his “Old man,” “be careful not to loud discussions of a season that a number of [other Stingers] we were just one game short, one batting average. hurt yourself,” and “can I get you saw the Stingers end with 8-7, teams have gotten involved on a pitcher short for that matter. “I’d like to thank God, a chair?” were some of the lines coming up a little short in the number of different levels, by “In many ways I find this sea- my mom, my dad […] no, seri- that head coach Schwartz final game of the provincial participating in this drive you son was a lot more meaningful ously, what helped got me here is remembered as he enjoyed his championship in October, and will completely outclass everyone as a coach, for staff, and I the guys I knew and wanted to victory over the loudmouths. how painful it was to hear Jose body else with this effort,” said think for players as well. We real- play with […] This year was an “I love it when the rookies’ Theodore had shut out his for- Sheahan to the ball club, whose ly worked our butts off. We had amazing experience, next year eyes widen thinking about the mer team that night. efforts will help the poor for at to pitch our guts out to win those we’re going all the way,” said pain they are going to inflict Before the awards for Rookie least three to four months. games. This was much more of a Hamel Carey during his upon me,” he said. “I line them of the Year and Most Valuable Schwartz told the team how team effort than last year.” acceptance speech. scoreboard schedule Home Away Record Who When vs. UQIT Friday, Jan.9, 7:30 p.m. Concordia 102 Bishop’s 61 4-2-0 Men’s Basketball Bishop’s 51 Concordia 59 Men’s hockey vs. Queen’s Saturday, Jan.10, 2 p.m

RMC 7 Concordia 6 8-7-0 Concordia/Reebok Sunday, Dec.28, TBA Men’s hockey Queen’s 0 Concordia 2 Women’s Baskeball tournament Concordia 59 Bishop’s 84 1-5-0 Theresa Humes Friday, Jan.2, TBA Women’s Basketball Bishop’s 85 Concordia 55 Women’s Hockey Tournament

Concordia 2 Surf and Slam Women’s Hockey Carleton 0 2-7-0 Men’s Basketball Tournament Sunday, Dec.28, TBA 18 SPORTS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS Stingers shut out competition Two weeks and three shutouts for the men’s hockey team

• JOHNNY NORTH eventual shootout. Concordia 6 Both teams recorded 43 shots each. Stingers backup Sheldon RMC 7 Baerg started in nets but was Despite falling behind twice to pulled in the second period. the Royal Military College of Concordia 2 Canada Paladins, the Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team’s pow- Queen’s 0 erplay helped them almost escape Concordia’s second straight defeat in a 7-6 shootout last Friday game in Kingston saw them record in Kingston, Ontario. two points as they defeated the Stingers defender Jesse Queen’s Golden Gaels 2-0 victory Goodsell tied up the game at 1-1 at the Kingston Memorial Centre with a powerplay goal a little over last Saturday. eight minutes into the first period. Stingers goalie Maxime Joyal Marc-Andre Element and Brad recorded his fourth shutout of the Gager assisted on the goal. Con U season making 27 saves. Stingers was down 4-1 until another right-winger Nicolas D’Aoust Stingers defenceman Eric Begin scored the first goal of the game on scored a goal assisted by Mike the powerplay with just over three Baslyk to bring Con U within two. minutes gone in the first period. Con U rookie rearguard Lyle Goodsell and Begin assisted on the Van Wieren came back with goal. another goal almost two minutes In the third period, centre later. Gager assisted on the goal Simon-Pierre Sauve got the insur- making it a 4-3 game. RMC came ance marker. Goodsell and back to make it 5-3, but Concordia Renaud Des Alliers assisted on the scored two goals late in the game goal. to tie it up at five. RMC scored early in the third The Stingers are off for the holiday period, but Goodsell once again season, but are back in the action scored on the powerplay with starting on Jan. 9 with a home game under two minutes left in the game at Ed Meagher Arena against the to send it into overtime and an UOIT Ridgebacks. Stingers defender Justin Ciampini gets ready to jump on the ice. PHOTO JOEY TANNY Doyon-Lessard bounces back Women’s hockey shuts down Ravens for second win of the season

• JOHNNY NORTH Concordia 2 Carleton 0 Following a brutal 16-1 loss to the McGill Martlets and three spirit-boosting exhibitions games, the Concordia Stingers women’s hockey team continued to show improvement following a 2-0 victory over the Carleton Ravens last Sunday in Ottawa. Stingers starting goalie Audrey Doyon-Lessard backstopped the Stingers to their second victory of the season (2-7-0-0). Doyon-Lessard made 24 saves, with the majority of her shots coming in the first period. Mary Jane O’Shea, a fourth-year Stingers forward, buried home the first goal a little under four minutes into the game. Stingers captain Esther Latoures and Catherine Desjardins got assists on the play. Second-year Stingers forward Catherine Rancourt got the second goal of the game halfway through the third period. Stingers forward Donna Ringrose chipped in with an assist on the play. Although Con U went to the penalty box five times their penalty killing did not allow Carleton to get back in the game.

The Stingers are off for the holiday season, but are back in the action starting on Jan. 2 when they host their annual Theresa Humes Tournament. The Stingers’ tournament is named after a former Concordia Director of Women’s Athletics from 1976 to 1984. Stingers defender Catherine Desjardins prepares to unleash shot. PHOTO ION ETXEBARRIA THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS SPORTS 19 Con U’s heavy hitter Stingers’ all-star Corey Greenwood explains his football passion and his frustration with the Laval Rouge et Or

• JENNIFER AOUAD

Being named outstanding defensive player is no walk in the park—it takes hard work, dedication, and one heck of a hard hitter; and when it comes to Con U’s defence, nobody hits like Cory Greenwood. “I just like hitting people and I’m not even a violent guy,” said the third-year Stingers linebacker. “When I get on the field, it’s that gladiator mentality.” That very mentality got Greenwood named to the all-star team two years in a row, and made him one of the top four defenders in the Quebec conference, along- side McGill’s Anthony Lukca, Bishop’s James Yurichuk and UdeM’s Josh Gesse. All-around athlete Cory got his start in Kingston, Ontario, as early as grade school, and he admitted that, even then, he was no stranger to competition. “Recess was pretty compet- Stingers linebacker Cory Greenwood (#8) does what he does best, with a solid open field tackle. PHOTO ION ETXEBARRIA itive back then; my grade would play the grade older than me Upon graduation, Cory Donovan was, in Cory’s eyes, one Unfortunately, the heart- hours dedicated to watching every recess for the whole year, already had big plans. “I realized of the many perks of playing breaking loss in the Dunsmore game film and weight lifting, he and we would keep track of every I had the potential to play at the at Con U. “Quebec football has Cup against Laval hit him hard. doesn’t have much time to spare. win and loss.” university level, so the next step the reputation of being the best “[It] was the toughest loss of my When he’s not in football Organized football wasn’t yet was to try and get recruited,” he conference in the CIS, and if career […] It’s a horrible way to mode, he’s busy studying and on the agenda. Despite his expo- explains. His ultimate goal was I wasn’t able to play in the end your season when you know making sure he eats enough to sure to football early on, his pas- to play in the U.S. through an States, the next best thing is to you had the momentum, and keep his body fuelled all week sion at the time was hockey. “I NCAA Division 1 Scholarship, yet play with and against the best your opponent, right where you long, but he says his parents are started playing hockey at the age he kept an open mind towards players in Canada,” declared wanted them. I feel even worse always there to help. of six and immediately fell in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. Greenwood. for our seniors that had to go out “I wouldn’t be where I am love with the sport,” said But once the Stingers’ star in that fashion. today without their help and Greenwood. Plan B middle linebacker completed his “But for the remaining play- guidance. They’ve never missed a Once the AAA defender The two following summers final year of eligibility, it was ers, it gives us a lot of motivation game played in Quebec in my entered high school, his focus were dedicated to training and time for Greenwood to step in. to work hard this off-season and three years playing for shifted to football. “After my first creating game films to submit to “The Donovan brothers left big be back at the Dunsmore Cup for Concordia. Not to mention, on training camp, I realized this was recruiters, not to mention study- shoes to fill, but that’s all part of the fourth straight season next every trip up they bring my the sport I should have been ing for the SATs. With the challenge that I took on,” November.” roommates and I food for the playing my whole life,” said Connecticut, Buffalo and Illinois said Greenwood. week, which makes life really Greenwood. State all interested in Cory’s abil- “The position comes with a lot Life after football? easy with our busy schedules.” of responsibility; you’re the Because of the many years With only two years of eligi- “The position comes with a lot of responsibility; quarterback of the defence as far Greenwood has spent playing at bility remaining, Greenwood’s you’re the quarterback of the defence as far as as calling plays and recognizing a competitive level, he can’t pic- goal for the future is to play pro- calling plays and recognizing formations. You formations. You can make an ture his life without sports. fessional football, and coach impact for your team on almost “I’ve always lived a structured Gerry McGrath is helping him can make an impact for your team on almost every play.” lifestyle surrounded around ath- get there. Not only did McGrath every play.” With a cumulative 61 tackles letics,” he said. “ [Whether] it’s introduce Greenwood to Doc —Cory Greenwood, this season, 50 of them solo tack- hockey or football, always organ- Ping, a sports agent for both the Stingers linebacker les, five sacks and an intercep- izing my life around whatever CFL and the NFL, but he also tion, Greenwood’s impact on the sport was my focus at that time. sent the star linebacker to the Playing both sports was not an ities, the only thing that team is undeniable. Yet he Football was my ticket to pursue East West Bowl last year, an all- option, so Greenwood made the remained was to secure the remains humbled through the my education and earn a univer- star game for CIS players enter- decision to dedicate himself to foot- scholarship through the SATs. awards and nominations. “You sity degree.” ing draft year. “I’m truly grateful ball entirely. Unfortunately, Cory was 20 can never be content with indi- Currently studying in the field for everything McGrath and his “I think I liked how much prepa- points short of achieving that vidual successes when your team of Human Environment, staff have done for me,” said ration went into every season with goal, and was forced to opt for fails to meet its goals set at the Greenwood says that football Greenwood. all the training in the weight room plan B. “It was an easy decision,” beginning of the year,” said the dominates his life. “During the All in all, Greenwood has a and on field, running,” admitted he said. “Concordia was there, team-first linebacker. season I really don’t have much bright future ahead of him. Yet, Greenwood. “It was the whole recruiting me from the start.” Earlier this year, Greenwood of a social life. We only have one through the wins and the losses, build-up until day one of training Having the opportunity to set his personal and team goal day off a week from football and he reiterates a motto that keeps camp [...] just training to get your play with three-time Presidents for the season: to win the confer- that’s Sunday.” him constantly striving to body in the best possible shape for Trophy winner and former ence final and go on to play for With meetings and practices achieve his goals; “stay humble, the season.” Stingers linebacker Patrick the Vanier Cup. every night, added to the many stay hungry.” 20 SPORTS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/SPORTS “The Rock’s” comeback fuels Stingers Evens Laroche returns, energizes Con U in key victory • DIEGO PELAEZ GAETZ doing what I love. The Rock is full-court defence, and continued to Concordia 102 back!” exploit his quickness advantage on His teammates saw immediately the perimeter to get to the foul line. Bishop’s 61 what Laroche brings to the floor. He finished with 14 points, five The Concordia men’s basketball “Evens is huge,” said Damian. “He’s rebounds and eight assists. team sent a clear message of “we a rookie playing in a veteran’s body. The Stingers played their mean business” to the rest of the He comes in, he hustles, and along reserves for the fourth quarter with Quebec conference on Friday night with my brother [Dwayne], he’s one the game well out of reach, and they at the Loyola sports complex, bat- of the most versatile guys on our didn’t disappoint. Con U guard tering the Bishop’s Gaiters 102-61. team.” Hamza Ruhezamihigo always The Stingers wasted no time The Stingers didn’t get compla- seemed to answer every Bishop’s jumping all over their seemingly cent with the lead, and continued to run with another three pointer, as overmatched opposition, as they relentlessly hammer the visiting he knocked down five on the night raced out to a 32-12 lead after the Gaiters. to finish with 19 points. The first quarter behind strong play “We played great team defence, Stingers as a team showed how from guards Damian and Dwayne and we hit some shots,” said many dangerous shooters they pos- Buckley. Stingers coach John Dore. “This sess, hitting a whopping 13 three- The Stingers were clearly uplift- game is a stepping-stone.” pointers on the night. ed by the return of star recruit Gaiters forward Cameron Mowat Laroche provided some more Evens Laroche, who hadn’t yet tried to give the visitors some life entertainment for the home fans, as played in a regular season game. heading into halftime with a three- he once again showed off his elite The versatile wing player brought a pointer followed by a lay-up, but athleticism with a staggering one- healthy dose of athleticism and Stingers guard Decee Krah found handed alley-oop that elicited a roar energy to the Stingers, and showed forward James Clark with a great from the capacity crowd. why he was one of the most coveted pass in transition to stop the run “We weren’t consistent early, Stingers forward James Clark (#5) goes for loose ball. PHOTO CAT TARRANTS recruits in Canada coming into the and give Con U a 54-27 lead heading but we’re starting to come togeth- year. into the half. er now,” said coach Dore. “We’ve With the lineup taking shape, the Damian. “I was on a team with Pat “It was a bit emotional [coming The second half was more of the had a lot of guys coming in and potential of this year’s squad is Perrotte and my brother that went back],” said Laroche. “I was angry, I same, as the Buckley brothers con- out of the lineup, and we’ve been starting to shine through. “This is to nationals. This team has the really wanted to play. I exploded on tinued to terrorize the Gaiters’ back- trying to find our identity. This the most talented team I’ve been on, potential to be just as good, if not the court today, I just played ball, court. Damian showed his great game is very important.” but I’m not sure it’s the best,” said better, than that team.” Another step backwards Women’s basketball squad can’t get consistent effort

• DIEGO PELAEZ GAETZ quarter on a sour note—the Stingers end of the frame. Concordia 59 turned the ball over twice in a row, The Stingers finally let the game leading to two easy baskets for the get out of hand in the final quarter. Bishop’s 84 Gaiters. The visitors held a 27-17 Gaiters forward Amanda Piribauer An inconsistent performance lead at the end of the first quarter. proved too much for the Con U ultimately doomed Concordia’s The Stingers stormed out of the frontcourt to handle, finishing the women’s basketball team in an 84- gate in the second quarter, using night with 20 points and 10 59 loss to the visiting Bishop’s their quickness to fluster the rebounds. Gaiters last Friday at Concordia’s Gaiters. Con U had a 10-0 run to Stingers forward Kendra Carrie Loyola Gym. start the quarter and tie the game at made things interesting midway The Stingers came into the game 27. through the final quarter, hitting missing leading scorer Krystle Con U’s offence fell entirely flat two consecutive three-pointers to Douglas, who was on the bench in for the rest of the quarter and cut the lead to 15. However, Con U street clothes as she heals from a Bishop’s guard Melanie Ouellet- turned over the ball on consecutive broken nose. Godcharles got the Gaiters back on possessions to halt their momen- The Stingers were swarmed by Bishop’s defense all night. PHOTO CAT TARRANTS “She broke it against UQAM and track with two consecutive baskets. tum, and they couldn’t recover, ulti- the plastic surgeon said it should be Gaiters guard Sarah Back added an mately succumbing 84-59. they were just that: flashes. “We should be pissed off after repaired as soon as possible,” said exclamation point with two long When asked how to limit “We played some good basket- today.” Con U head coach Keith Pruden. jump shots to end the half and give turnovers, an incredulous coach ball, but only five minutes here or While the loss dropped the “She shouldn’t be out long.” Bishop’s a 45-33 lead. Pruden responded, “ask the other there,” said Pruden. “Bishop’s Stingers near the cellar in the divi- The game was evenly matched in The second half started in a team to wear more distinctive played very well, we were very soft.” sion, there is still hope for Con U. the opening quarter. The Stingers promising fashion for the home colours? It’s a sign of being flustered Looking to the future, Pruden “We were in a similar situation last attacked the offensive glass, and squad, as Con U managed to stay […] we didn’t adhere to what we had a serious conversation with his year, and we made a second half run Con U guard Felon Harris’ jump within striking distance for most of were trying to do on either end.” team about where they’re headed to get into the playoffs,” said shot cut Bishop’s lead to 20-15 near the third quarter. Forward Kristin Despite the lopsided final score, after a disappointing 1-3 start. “We Pruden. “We need to make progress the end of the opening frame. Portwine’s lay-up brought the the Stingers showed flashes of being had a conversation about who the tomorrow, even if it’s just playing a However, the Stingers ended the Stingers to within 10 points near the an elite team, but unfortunately grown-ups are,” said coach Pruden. little better.” THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS OPINIONS 21 Something for everyone Concordia student’s answer to the corporate bookstore

GRAPHIC KALI MALINKA

• LOUISE BIRDSELL BAUER small student bookstore’s increas- With over a ingly important role in 1,000 members, it Concordia’s culture. is quite possibly the Additionally, the co-op is worst kept secret at always open to collaborating Concordia. A short walk up Bishop from with student projects and writ- the Hall building and past the dumpsters ers—the space of the co-op has is the Concordia Community Solidarity been a venue to many readings, Co-op Bookstore. workshops, and even impromptu If you’ve ever been in the co-op book- dance parties. store, chances are you’ve had a chance to While it is certainly not the discover one of the most valuable student ideal time to be soliciting stu- initiatives at Concordia’s downtown cam- dents—all of us being buried pus. From the Gandhi t-shirt to the racks in exams and papers—a five- of neatly-organized books of local poetry minute study break to sign and information about global activism, the petition will give you a the co-op bookstore prides itself on being fresh mind and a clear con- “not Chapters.” science. While this may seem like a recipe for If you’ve never been to bashful media and dreamy socio-politi- the co-op, stop in for a cal prognostication, the variety of publi- one semester, but it is a practical visit and consider what it cations is appealing. The low—read: sign of what we stand to win and what offers: a local, low-priced, accessible—price of books is not only stu- 28 calling for students’ we could lose. wide selection of textbooks and dent-friendly, it recalls what reading help. If all goes according to plan, stu- More than money or time, the consign- books, a consignment service, and the should be. dents will vote for an extra nine cents per ment service has made selling textbooks— value of supporting a community based A visit to the co-op is more than a bland credit during a fee-levy campaign in mid- and by extension helping the environ- co-operative. Think about perusing the corporate jaunt. Local writers are often March, keeping one of Concordia’s few ment—bearable. I’ve sold a variety of dif- co-op’s well-tended walls for cheap fiction around looking at how their books are sell- student run and supported institutions ferent textbooks at the co-op and I have to read over the winter break with a cup of ing, or recommending them to the unsus- running. bought Sociology textbooks. For a stu- hot chocolate. pecting. Poets fresh from Expozine may To be clear, signing the petition means dent, the fee-levy is a small investment Stop by the co-op and ask Larissa, the also be hanging around, looking to refresh that students consent to the co-op applying with a big payoff, and the co-op bookstore co-op’s unfalteringly effervescent manag- in a space that represents Concordia’s to the Concordia Student Union for a fee- is perpetually giving back. er, what you should be reading over the potential. levy referendum. By signing, you are making Supporting a not-for-profit student ini- holidays, or for suggestions if you need a The co-op is more than an intellectual a strong statement about a student’s right to tiative like the co-op is a worthwhile and literary gift for that special someone—she melting pot, it is also a space to serve stu- vote on how and where their money is spent. gratifying experience. The co-op stands for may even give you advice on your love dent’s needs. At the beginning of each As a full-time student taking four cours- something that we should encourage at life. semester, the co-op’s expedient consign- es, a fee-levy of 9 cents per credit works out Concordia: it strives to make education The co-op does pride itself on having ment service allows students to name a to $1.08 per semester—less than a cup of more accessible, provide a viable alterna- one of the widest selections on women’s price for their used books, leave them at coffee. If you buy a single book over the tive to the big-box bookstore, endeavour to and sex studies books in the city. the co-op and come back to collect their course of the semester you will save much make environmentally friendly business Whether you are a laid back student, a money. This is a real working alternative more than $1.08. decisions and offer students above mini- budding writer or a potential volunteer, to the 20 per cent “buy back” policy and In September, I bought a consigned mum wage employment. the co-op has something for you. Student- long lines of Concordia Bookstore. textbook at the co-op for $40.00—$26.95 As a sign of success, professors are run is not a synonym for dirty or cheap, After six years of continuous service, less than the Concordia Bookstore’s price. increasingly choosing to order course and the co-op is neither. It is a gem, in the co-op put forward a petition on Nov. That is only one textbook for one class in textbooks from co-op. Attesting to the every sense of the word. 22 OPINIONS THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS What ever happened to...? [email protected] The semester in review The state of the CSUnion stituency should hold that capacity—one with utive, and that closed sessions are held for vir- After reviewing the misleading accusations opinions that are more aligned with the stu- tually every appointment made by council, this • TERRINE FRIDAY fall, the CSU has contemplated the presented in a petition being circulated by a dents we represent. was far from abnormal. And in the same way relevance of the Sustainability group called Democracy, Sustainability, and This process in no way, shape, or form that cabinets have strong principles of secrecy As the semester comes to a close Action Fund and the legitimacy of Accountability led by lawyer Patrice Blais, it has brought either her character or mandate into to guarantee honest expression, we must some- and we all leave our beloved uni- Sustainable Concordia. become apparent that I must provide the stu- question. times do likewise. versity behind for the holidays, It seems as though the CSU has dent body with correct information instead of Second, allegations that this process was Regardless, individual votes are never record- there’s no better time than now to been doing a great job cleaning up the propaganda and fictitious claims that Blais “undemocratic” fail to recognize that, funda- ed – even in open session. reflect on the happenings within their inherited mess, but what exter- is spreading. mentally, this motion sought to reform ASFA’s Fourth, Emilie Marcotte alleges ASFA Council misrepresented students and held “backdoor the three walls of Concordia. nal initiatives are they taking? We’re The petition claims that the CSU was unable representation on the SAF: to have a representa- dealings.” For the former, I would like to remind Where the fourth wall is kept down students, we’re supposed to be to stop international student fees from being tive that supported the organization’s continued raised. What it conveniently excludes is that the Emilie that the SAF was approved by 82 per cent by independent observers. dreaming big and making it happen. existence. If it is undemocratic for council to CSU made national news by preventing the of students in 2007; appointing a representative When it comes to working with decide that an individual should not represent increase for an entire year, saving students over that will defend the organization is hardly ‘mis- Concordia Student Union the city, we have gone from students Arts and Science students in a specific position, $1.4 million by holding four massive protests representing’ these same students. For the lat- The student union has had their thinking large and being independ- then I guess we’re guilty. I thought that was the and taking Concordia’s Administration to the spirit of democracy itself. ter: backdoor dealings are news to me! share of blunders and gaffes this ent to students working through the Quebec Superior Court for raising the fees ille- Third, it is correct that closed sessions and Finally, accusations of ulterior motives being semester, from broken bylaws, to administration. gally in June. secret ballots are sacrifices to transparency, involved are typical of ivory tower Concordia pol- conflicts of interests, to inappropri- The petition conveniently fails to state that it albeit regular and relatively minor sacrifices. itics. Really, has anyone stopped to think that ate remarks during formal meetings. University Administration was the CSU executive who took the initiative to However, these ensure that councilors openly maybe I introduced this motion because it was Although it remains the job of the Former Concordia President stop the October Referendum from occurring express and discuss their opinions and those of the right thing to do? I think not. press to play the role of watchdog by Claude Lajeunesse seemed more —Gregory Johannson when we found out that the CEO was no longer their constituents without fear of reprisal. being an acute observer, the student interested in his salary and toting Political Science a student. Considering that this motion involved the exec- body has become increasingly Concordia swag than about the The CSU executive has reached out to the engrossed in the politics of future of our institution. At the People’s Potato in the form of financial aid to The Link’s letters and opinions policy: The deadline for letters is 4 p.m. on Friday before the issue prints. The Link reserves the right to verify your identity via telephone or email. We reserve the right to refuse let- Concordia. October Board of Governors’ meet- help them improve their operations over the next ters that are libelous, sexist, homophobic, racist or xenophobic. The limit is 400 words. If your letter is longer, Of course most of us were expecting, Lajeunesse’s payout of $1.3 mil- few months until students get a chance to vote it won’t appear in the paper. Please include your full name, weekend phone number, student ID number and program of study. The comments in the letters and opinions section do not necessarily reflect those of the ing a bunch of power-hungry ninnies lion was made public—that’s $1.3 to increase the Potato’s fee levy, which I sincere- editorial board. in student politics and incessant million, on top of his inflated salary, ly hope students do. infighting for a measly piece of for just over two years of work. The CSU executive has also put forward a breadcrumb. But the surprise of the After a year without leadership, motion to rescind the original motion that put past few months has been how much Judith Woodsworth was officially the Sustainability Action Fund’s fee levy to refer- more involved and informed council installed last month as Concordia’s endum to display our commitment to building is this year. president. Woodsworth’s trans- bridges with members of our community, as well Council ask questions, they’re parency and openness seems a step as the CSU’s intention to work with the SAF to improve its by-laws and operations. critical of their own job and each in the right direction for a school that The petition accuses the executive of failing other, and they’ve somehow man- is bogged down with a $10 million to appoint a new CEO when it was the executive aged to repair as many of their own deficit. who extended the application deadline for the mistakes as can reasonably be justi- Although most student faculty position—since the online posting and emails fied in a short semester. associations remain wary of their were inaccessible due to a server crash—to “My experience [with students] relationship with the administration, ensure that as many students are informed of has been, ‘Why would I go and vote? Woodsworth insists that her main the vacancy as possible. The student union doesn’t listen to priority is reaching out to alumni, Blais’ friend, Louise Birdsell-Bauer, presented me anyways,” said Fine Arts council- working with current students and complaints regarding extension to the Judicial lor Katherine Belanger. Council is getting media attention to get her Board and they ruled that the executive’s actions waking up to the fact that the nit- word out. were appropriate considering the circum- picking isn’t doing justice to larger stances. student issues either stalled or for- University faculty In our perception, Birdsell-Bauer’s hidden gotten: where are the gender-neutral How is it possible that full-time agenda and subsequent track record on council washrooms? How will the Loyola faculty and Concordia experts are has now become glaringly obvious seeing as her Luncheon be sustained? Whatever harder to get a hold of than an Uzbek persistence to hire a CEO immediately is a clear happened to the Concordia Coffee mountain peasant? Are they not get- ploy to help her friend’s attempt to recall the Co-op card? ting the support and the resources executive via fictitious information. And we can’t forget the council they need so that students may find I urge students to vigorously research the chair, Jessica Nudo. It’s obvious professors in their offices…other information presented by Blais since it unfortu- when she applied for the position than their required office hours, for nately seems that Blais’ vested interest in the last summer, Nudo had good inten- perhaps a few more hours per week? CSU has led him to fabricate the truth with a tions at heart. This aside, Nudo had You know there’s a problem when smear campaign in his attempts to gain power over our student body. no idea what she was getting herself it’s easier to contact administrators —Keyana Kashfi into as an outsider to Concordia and full-time professors at McGill President of the Concordia Student University politics. University for information and Union “There’s a bunch of stuff in here resources than in our own backyard. that actually contradicts itself,” The Concordia University Part- Why the SAF’s rep was Nudo said of Robert’s Rules of time Faculty Association reached an removed Order. That’s the hard part about “agreement in principle,” meaning There are several points from the letters last being chair: you must be the voice of the administration acknowledges week that need to be addressed. reason and make the tough decisions the need for a new contract. After First, Audrey Peek has done an outstanding that the job requires. teaching for six years without a con- job representing Arts and Science students. I The Dawson Student Union and tract, it’s long overdue. can testify that her integrity as the President of the CSU will be faced with critical After a semester of sanding down ASFA—or as an individual—was never ques- financial decisions in the coming rough edges, it is time to move for- tioned. months. Questions of fiscal impro- ward. The first few months of 2009 Rather, Peek has opinions on this issue (i.e. priety have been raised, and in the will offer students and Concordia the she feels the SAF should be dissolved) that she next semester, those questions will opportunity to move forward and previously sought to implement (i.e. motivating hopefully be answered. work together. a referendum that could dissolve it). More In 1997, Dave Smaller, VP exter- It is time to prove that our cam- importantly, these objectives do not reflect the nal of the CSU, was given control of pus is full of mindful, forward-think- Arts and Science community. Eco-Cartier Peter-McGill and with it ing individuals. Let’s keep that Councilors elected to refrain from having control of all environmental affairs fourth wall down by being an astute Peek serve in that particular position. We decid- between Dawson and McGill. This audience of critical observers. ed that an alternative member of our con- THE LINK • DECEMBER 2, 2008 • THELINKNEWSPAPER.CA/OPINIONS OPINIONS 23 crswrdpzzlol editorial WORST CHRISTMAS GIFTS • R. BRIAN HASTIE & CYBEROSA Money is fleeting, ACROSS 12 3. now you’re forced to buy something at AutoZone, 345 6 a sense of community even though you don’t own a car 7 5. cheap storage device for a 25-year-old; cav- 89 should not be ernous adventure for a five-year-old 8. romantic, potential fire hazard 10 With the global economy in the dumps, spending of all kinds is under intense 11. reams of this mean you can now start work on 11 scrutiny. In an atmosphere where every dollar must be justified, sports seem to

your first novel. Yeah, right 12 many to be an unnecessary expense and a low priority. 12. usually Christmas-related materials are given It may be true that the effect of sports on a community is hard to quantify. before Christmas, grandma Public spending on new stadiums for professional sports teams has time and 13. The Link graphics editor Amy Smith got this 13 14 again proven to do more harm than good to the taxpayer. The effect a new venue and promptly never spoke to her best friend ever has on the local economy is nearly never enough to pay for itself and justify the

again. This band also sang “She will be loved…” 15 16 17 expense. 15. the perfect gift for your ox to clear your field Concordia is not a city and doesn’t have a tax base. In light of the yet to be 16. now you have no excuse not to do your essay finalized plans to expand the sports complex at Loyola campus, the priority of 18 19 20 21 20. we corrected your vision just in time for holiday sports at Concordia should be addressed. The price of the plan is significant, festivities first announced to be in the $40 million range, one could argue that the money 21. we here at The Link have been saving our 22 23 could serve the student body better in other ways.

slammers for this occasion 24 Someone who has never seen our athletic facilities could make that argu- 22. “Why would I want to carve holes in my can- ment—no one else. While the hockey rink is sufficiently large to suit the fan- taloupes?” base, the basketball court is probably the smallest facility in Quebec university 24. inappropriate personal gift from your married basketball. When American players visit to play our team in the pre-season, they uncle Steve 25 26 all can say that their high school had a bigger gym than our proud university. 25. boxers with elves, or briefs with reindeers on If we didn’t take sports seriously at Concordia, the inadequacy of our facilities

the crotch 27 28 could be understood, if not entirely condoned. But Concordia has long been a 27. headache-inducing, red-tinted videogame renowned sports program not only in Quebec, but also in the entire country. 29 console that sold 15 units. Also for fans of Our wrestling coach, Victor Zilberman, is a part of the Canadian wrestling masochism and Nintendo collectors 30 hall of fame, and his son and Concordia alumnus, David Zilberman, represent- 29. come in packs of 10; eight for your feet and 2 issue 15 ed Canada at the Beijing Olympics. for your hands. Puppet theater enthusiasts rejoice Our men’s basketball and football teams are consistently ranked at a nation- 30. The Link features editor Clare Raspopow was Bonestorm instead solutionz al level; our basketball team is currently the pre-season favourite to win this 12345 given this tome by an uncle in hopes that “[she] 10. your grandmother already knit you 80 of them, ACC I DENT DESSERT year’s conference. Our women’s rugby team came close to recapturing the G A E 67 8 wouldn’t screw up [her] own life,” she promptly why did you get another three? V I DEOGAMES R L Quebec championship again this year, as did our baseball team. ignored it. The author’s claim to fame was using the 12. stale, ridged breakfast food that shouldn’t be E I U P E Our soccer teams, while struggling considerably over the first half of the sea- 9 G S BUNNY H V words ‘shacking up’ on her radio show mailed 10 son, showed flashes of what is to come, and the men’s hockey team currently E NOSE O O I 14. “Now the bank won’t get pissed at me when I 11 stands a fighting chance to win it’s conference final. T E O B N S 12 show up with socks filled with pennies” ANYTH I NG A E I Despite our considerable successes in athletics, our school’s spirit has not 13 DOWN 17. Colbert’s worst nightmare. Cute and cuddly if B E CRACKS O gown commensurate to our achievements. Compared to other universities, there 14 LOVE Y R K N 1. its periodic table designation is Fe, can also be domesticated, but angered when forced to dance 15 seems that a certain buzz is missing from our sporting events—perhaps with E M O D 16 17 used on clothing while wearing a tutu SANTACLAUS E the exception of football. 18 19 2. wall-ruining pseudo sport that can not be given to 18. Vince McMahon has a warehouse full of this R N SWIMMING While it is understandable that a downtown university might not have the O E O T five year olds; good with photos attached headgear, part of his failed venture to become 20 same sense of community as a more remote school, sports is one tool that can BORNEO Y O I 4. The Link opinions editor Justin Giovanetti’s best beloved in the hearts of all American blood sport 21 be used to develop that sense of community. Providing better accommodations MONE Y N S Christmas just got a whole lot more nuclear. enthusiasts D T for fans is one step towards getting more students to attend games. Skirmishes on every front 19. you give this when you recycle your Halloween loot In order to foster a sense of school pride and a great recognition of communi- 6. though VHS won this battle, this format will always 21. Tim Allen’s eventual downfall will be led by these 26. the door-to-door saleslady hit her monthly quota ty among our student body, first class sport’s facilities would provide a unifying remain in our ‘80s-tinged hearts 23. protects against spaghetti sauce, cake batter, when mom bought you perfume from this company, symbol. We should all be proud to go to this school, and although our sports 7. the easiest way to show you don’t care; not legal and animal blood; not listeria whose current spokesperson is Reese Witherspoon facilities are currently in a state of extended disrepair, we should all make a tender on moon 24. the cheapest, shittiest gift your significant other 28. the gift that nature gives to us, can be used on point to support our consistently excellent athletic programs. 9. Lee Carvallo’s ______, but we wanted can give you the moon, artificially In addition to improving both the student and student-athlete experience at our school, these improved facilities will also bring a considerable benefit to our community. Unlike hulking professional sports facilities, improved fields and arenas at Concordia would be integrated into the city’s existing public arena. Greater space means more room for community organizing and activities for the THIS WEEK IN HISTORY DECEMBER 2, 1997 youth groups. The problem with Concordia’s current—and unfinished—plans is that they Ecoquartier rolling on tion that has stood to this day. might not integrate so well into the surrounding neighbourhood. If we go forward Although the Éco-quarier pro- and finance a seasonal dome over the Loyola sports fields, we will in effect, pri- • JUSTIN GIOVANNETTI gram is still in place, the CSU no vatize a part of our school. Concordia has stated that it would rent the fields our In late 1997, two Concordia stu- longer runs the organization. as a money making endeavour, restricting the use of our facilities to the well dents and a member of the Concordia Concordia’s current contribution is endowed and willing. Student Union were given control managed through the university’s Furthermore, why would a seasonal dome, that must be dismantled in the over Éco-quartier Peter-McGill. For sustainability program and R4 spring and reassembled in the fall, be good use of our money, when an invest- the first time in Montreal’s history, Concordia. ment in a permanent facility would seem like a smarter choice? students were given the authority to “It is an absolute necessity that Pissing away money in a half-hearted gesture is senseless and irresponsible. direct the city’s environmental pro- students become part of the solu- Ultimately, it’s debatable from an economic perspective whether this move gram. tion,” said Larry Freedman, presi- makes sense for a school on a tight budget. After all, Concordia is an institution “The students presented original dent of the Shaughnessy Residents Students have even taken a back- of higher learning, and perhaps that’s where the money should be spent. ideas and had a clear vision,” said Association. In the past 11 years, stu- seat in the direct redevelopment of University is about supporting education, not the top quintile. Ville-Marie chair Georgine Coutu. dents seem to have taken a step back Quartier Concordia, leaving the city In these tough times, it’s more important than ever to remember the unquan- With control over Éco-quartier Peter- from community environmental of Montreal to push forward with its tifiable. It’s important in these times of less that we cultivate a sense of com- McGill, which covers the area planning. Although students now own plans and good intentions. munity. Sports is something we can all share and take pride in. between avenue Atwater and rue have a large role on campus, through Concordia’s students have not fall- Upgrading our athletic complex will not only make our athletes even more University, Concordia students called organizations like the Sustainability en behind on their commitment, but proud to wear “Stingers” across their chest, but it might also make us a little for a platform of recycling, cleanli- Action Fund and R4 Concordia, min- they have stopped leading. Paying more proud to wear “Concordia” across ours. ness, beautification and renaturalisa- imal direct student control is present. your tuition is not enough. —Diego Pelaez-Gaetz, Sports editor