Lettitor

Health is wealth t’s an odd transition to go from being a saving your money for a rainy day, or for you, Superstore. The “Live fast, die young,” attitude gets old Ibroke-ass student to being a somewhat an emergency, or for a down payment on Your overall health should become quick, just like those who hold onto it for less broke-ass working professional, but I a half a million-dollar studio apartment a priority over saving up for that new too long. The reality of it is that you’re just think I’m finally getting the hang of it. somewhere in Vancouver (yeah, right), Playstation, or purchasing a motorcycle, setting yourself up for failure down the Probably the strangest choice to but I quickly realized that no matter how or whatever it is you kids are excited about line. make once you escape the meagre life of much you save, you’ll never necessarily feel these days. Sure, eating nothing but toast, Your own body is, without a doubt, a student is where exactly to delegate the like you had enough. eggs, and spaghetti for every meal is okay the most valuable thing you could ever extra funds that shows up in the bank Anyway, what I’m beating around the if you literally can’t afford anything else, invest your time or money in, because account, and for the longest time the bush to actually say, is that it’s important but once you start earning a bit more, the you’re basically buying yourself additional scared student in me believed that the best to allow your spending habits to change unhealthy eating habits gotta be the first time down the road. It might not be an choice was to simply sock it all away. along with your income, especially when it to go. easy thing to grasp right now, but you’ll There’s a few reasons for that. One concerns your overall health. It’s just not worth sacrificing your be thanking yourself for eating that being that, as a student, my finances were No, I don’t mean go out and buy a health for a little bit more cash in the bank, occasional apple in the years to come—I’m constantly in flux. I’d work my ass off in $1,000 juicer, or get dinner from some and you’d be doing yourself a disserve sure of it. the summer so that I could eat during fancy vegan restaurant every single down the line by continuing on with the the semester, scrape by on ramen and evening. What I mean is that, when—and diet of a broke college student, even if it Cheers, Kraft Dinner until finals were finally over, if—you finally do have the income that does save you a few bucks. and then launch myself right back into can sustain it, maybe you should consider Take it from me, the guy who balked overtime shifts at two to three different buying a few fruits and vegetables, instead at the idea of spending $50 a month on a summer jobs. of a 12 pack of Kraft Dinner just because it gym membership, but would drop $50 on a Chandler Walter Another was the age-old mentality of was on special for less than $10... looking at night out with friends, no questions asked.

OO The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student Angela Ho union. We are a registered society under Rm 1020 – 700 Royal Ave.  theotherpress.ca Business Manager the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board Douglas College  [email protected] Jacey Gibb of directors appointed by our staff. New Westminster, BC V3L 5B2    /theotherpress Distribution Manager Our head office is located in the New  604.525.3542 /DouglasOtherPress Elizabeth Jacob Westminster campus. Production Assistant OO The Other Press is published weekly Cara Seccafien during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive Chandler Walter Rebecca Peterson Illustrator Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor our funding from a student levy collected  [email protected]  [email protected] Colten Kamlade through tutition fees every semester at Staff Reporter registration, and from local and national Kwiigay iiwans Lauren Kelly Greg Waldock, Jillian advertising revenue. The Other Press is a Layout Manager Graphics Manager member of the Canadian University Press McMullen, and Katie  [email protected]  [email protected] (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers Czenczek that includes papers from all across Staff Writers Canada. Jake Wray Caroline Ho News Editor Arts Editor Analyn Cuarto OO The Other Press reserves the right to  [email protected]  [email protected] Staff Photographer choose what we will publish, and we Jerrison Oracion, Ed Appleby, will not publish material that is hateful, Jessica Berget Brittney MacDonald Cheryl Minns obscene, or condones or promotes illegal Life & Style Editor Opinions Editor Senior Colomnists activities. Submissions may be edited for  [email protected]  [email protected] clarity and brevity if necessary. All images Janis McMath, C J used are copyright to their respective Mercedes Deutscher Klara Woldenga owners. Social Media Coordinator Humour Editor Sommerfeld, Ethan Gibson  [email protected]  [email protected] Contributors Have an idea for a story?  [email protected] OO Coquitlam reviews housing initiative OO BCFS demands cap on international tuition increases OO $15.20 minimum wage coming to BC by 2021 News And more!

BIKE THE BLOSSOM VANCOUVER 2018 Photos by Analyn Cuarto Analyn by Photos news // no. 4 theotherpress.ca $15.20 minimum wage coming to BC by 2021 ööDouglas College students share their thoughts on the change

Katie Czenczek Staff Writer

t appears that the NDP is honouring Itheir campaign promise to increase BC’s minimum wage. Premier John Horgan and Minister of Labour Harry Bains made a February 8 announcement that the NDP government plans to gradually increase the minimum wage. Starting officially June 1 this year, the wage will increase by $1.30, and will go up on every June 1 until 2021. The announcement was made in a JJ Bean. The coffee chain decided to pay non-Ontarian employees $14 an hour following Ontario’s minimum wage increase. In order to account for the cost of increasing wages, JJ Bean increased the cost of their items. Jillian Antalan said that it’s great that they’re increasing the wage, although it should have been done earlier. “Considering we have some of the highest taxes, much like Toronto and Quebec City, I think it’s long Cuarto Analyn by Photo overdue. At least they’re trying to money, but at what cost? Businesses increase the minimum wage.” might have to start cutting staff For those who working at a serving and making things more expensive. It’s good that people are getting more wage, June 1 will mean that their It’s like everything—there’s always money, but at what cost?” — Claire hourly rate is raised from $10.10 per positives and negatives,” she said. hour to $11.40 per hour. By 2021, the According to Horgan’s press Dookwah, Douglas College student NDP government plans to have every release, the reasoning for slowly worker get paid at least $15.20—no increasing the wage is to avoid matter if their profession is currently shocking small businesses with owners will be disproportionately think this will help to make a better way below minimum wage. This includes such a drastic change. Three experts affected by the change,” Tomsons said. of life for many people. Especially for servers, farm workers paid by piece recommended gradual increases “That being said, one could argue that students since they’re the ones working prices, resident caretakers, live-in camp from the Fair Wages Commission if your business plan cannot sustain these lower-paying jobs,” she said. leaders, and live-in support workers. in order for a smooth transition. people who work full-time for you, In BC currently, over 20 per cent Claire Dookwah, a student at Dr. Kira Tomsons, a professor at then there are other issues at play.” of the population works for less than Douglas College, said in an interview Douglas College, said in an interview with Anasthasia Anganete, a $15 dollars an hour. Of those 20 per with the Other Press that she has the Other Press that, despite how it will student at Douglas College, said in cent, according to an article posted mixed feelings about the news. place a burden on small business owners, an interview with the Other Press in CBC, “more than half of those “It’s a good thing and a bad thing. it ultimately still is the right thing to do. that she supported the change. workers are university or college It’s good that people are getting more “It can’t be denied that small business “The living cost is high here, so I graduates over the age of 25.” Steep slope development ööCoquitlam reviews retaining wall requirements

Colten Kamlade is very strong despite the fact these still being worked out, but designs are generally better suited to Fujii emphasized that safety Staff Reporter flat sites; and developer design has not was of the utmost concern. responded to hillside development “The City is now proposing he City of Coquitlam is on increasingly-steep slopes. a variety of solutions to looking to change policies and T Higher walls pose concerns over allow for the development guidelines related to steep slope liveability and aesthetics. This has of new communities while development and retaining walls. led the City to address the height at the same time safely Houses built on slopes generally of retaining walls in Coquitlam. reducing the reliance on high require the use of retaining walls to In an email interview with the Other retaining walls. All walls maintain the land. Unfortunately, these Press, George Fujii, development services over 1.2 metres in height will walls can become unsightly if they are director for the City, said the City has continue to be certified by a built too large. According to the City proposed new requirements for retaining professional engineer when of Coquitlam website, the height of walls, but nothing is set in stone as of yet. they were built, and the City these walls has recently increased in “The City is proposing new rules for will still review these walls Coquitlam. In some areas of the Burke maximum wall heights. The maximum for safety and construction Mountain region, retaining walls have height, where only one retaining wall standards prior to issuing an reach 10 metres high, and this is due exists between two homes, will be occupancy permit,” Fujii said. to several factors. Neighbourhoods are 2.4 metres. The maximum height of The City of Coquitlam being developed on a portion of Burke two retaining walls built on the slope website states that a “multi- Mountain that has steeper slopes then between two ‘back to back’ houses disciplinary” team has reviewed areas previously developed; increasing would be a combined maximum of 4.8 current practices and has housing costs has made smaller lots metres where no single wall could exceed worked with developers to more desirable and when developed a 3.6 metre maximum height for any examine ways to improve the on steeper site, which can lead to more individual wall (of the two),” Fujii said. aesthetics and livability of and higher retaining walls; market The details of such changes are new communities. demand for traditional housing designs issue 28 // vol 44 news // no. 5 BCFS demands cap Coquitlam reviews on international housing initiative tuition increases ööPublic consultations to be held in May Colten Kamlade on May 3 at the MacDonald-Cartier Room at Poirier Community Centre, ööInternational tuition increased 64 Staff Reporter and a pop-up kiosk at the Poirier Street Farmers Market at Dogwood per cent since 2006, BCFS says f housing is a concern for you, it Pavilion on May 6. Community input should come as welcome news I will help shape the objectives of the in line with our campaign goals that the City of Coquitlam is seeking Jake Wray program, which will again be subject (i.e. elimination of interest on to address this issue through their News Editor to revision after another survey. student loans) so we will continue Housing Choices Program. to put pressure there,” he said. In an email interview with he British Columbia Federation According to the City of Coquitlam International students at the Other Press Andrew Merrill, of Students (BCFS) is asking website, the program is meant to T Douglas College chastised Douglas community planning manager for the the provincial government for an provide more options for those looking College administrators about tuition City, elaborated on the focus of this annual cap on tuition increases for to invest in a home, but who are stuck increases during a student budget phase of community engagement. international post-secondary students. choosing between an expensive house consultation at the college in February. “This first round of consultation Tuition for domestic students can and a tiny apartment. It is also meant Christen McDonald, an in this second phase of the Housing only increase by two per cent each to provide seniors with the option international student who studies Choices Review will look at the year in British Columbia, but no such to stay in familiar neighbourhoods environmental science at Douglas community’s values and objectives as regulation exists for international when they wish to downsize. College, addressed administrators they relate to housing options, infill students. Provincial funding for post- Recently, the City has decided during the consultation and blasted a policies and neighbourhood character secondary institutions has decreased to review the program and consult 9.4 per cent increase in her tuition. in existing areas that are designated as in recent years, while operating costs with the community. The first half of “Douglas College unexpectedly being allowed to have Housing Choices for those institutions have increased, public engagement began in the fall raised my tuition fees for fall 2017 units such as garden cottages, laneway leading most post-secondary of 2017 and continued into early 2018. by 9.4 per cent with no warning to homes, duplexes, or triplexes,” he said. institutions to rely on international This was on the proposed expansion the people paying that,” she said. In the future, a third phase will students’ tuition payments as a of backyard suites in Southwest “Like many international students, deal with a wider swath of Coquitlam. primary source of revenue growth. Coquitlam. The second stage has already my parents are not wealthy. With “The previously-endorsed Phase “Due to government begun, and the city will be focusing on uncapped tuition increases, 3 will be replaced by a new, separate underfunding, institutions have come bringing more duplexes, triplexes, and my education is at stake.” project which will involve a broader to depend on the revenue they receive quadraplexes into areas of Coquitlam. Tracey Szirth, chief financial review of housing options and land from increasing fees for international There will be several opportunities officer for Douglas College, said during uses across Southwest Coquitlam, and students,” a post on the BCFS website to participate in this round of the budget presentation that the could be initiated after the end of the said. “However, unpredictable consultation. Specifically, there will college increased international student Housing Choices Review (anticipated fees make budgeting impossible, be an online survey open until May tuition by 1.9 per cent annually for in early 2019),” Merrill said. meaning some international 14, a community information session three years, but they received feedback students are forced to leave Canada from students who said annual before completing their studies.” increases were difficult to plan for. Aran Armutlu, chairperson of Consequently, the college increased the BCFS and former finance director international student tuition by 9.4 per for the DSU, said the Fairness for cent in the 2017/2018 fiscal year, but International Students campaign is there will be no international student currently in a “soft launch” for the tuition increases for the following summer but it will be in full swing by two years, according to Szirth. September. He said BCFS members will lobby the provincial government and their respective schools. “One of the main ways our members will be doing that is by sending postcards to the Minister of Advanced Education asking them to implement policy,” Armutlu said in an interview with the Other Press. “They will also be sending postcards to their respective [post-secondary] administration requesting the same thing.” The BCFS also plans to lobby for increased provincial funding for post-secondary institutions, which could counteract any future revenue compromised if international tuition increases were capped, but Armutlu said that will be a separate campaign, which could begin as soon as January 2019. A dearth of provincial funds for post- secondary schools “is the underlying issue that is causing many of the other issues,” Arumtlu said. Armutlu said BCFS campaigns generally follow election cycles to maximize lobbying impact, but the current NDP government has demonstrated openness The City has decided to review the program to issues the BCFS values. “The NDP have made a and consult with the community.” number of promises that fall Have an idea for a story?  [email protected] OO Broadway in your backyard OO Narratives abound in latest Amelia Douglas Gallery exhibit OO Local author releases long-awaited debut novel Arts And more! ‘Infinity War’ manages Reversal, revolution, the impossible: and retribution Cohesiveness öö‘The Power’ novel review ö Ethan Gibson read this novel will likely come away öA spoiler-free ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ review from it with a renewed horror at Contributor the state of our own world, because Greg Waldock on Wakanda. This latest Avengers film the novel flips the patriarchy on its blends these two plots almost seamlessly Staff Writer head and thereby assists readers and ties in iconic elements from the in imagining the worst cruelties legendary Walter Simonson Mighty suffered by women today. eminist classics like Margaret Thor run and many other comics across One of The Power’s most Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale hen the Marvel Cinematic Marvel’s long history, plus adds a few F poignant sucker-punches is its have received new attention in recent Universe began in 2008 with incredibly creative twists of its own. framing as a manuscript written by W years—especially in the wake of Iron Man, comic book movies were a This movie had more expectations a man in a future female-dominated a certain election in America. In joke. Outside of Nolan’s Batman and on it than any other movie in the MCU. society. Neil, the fictional author of 2016, a potential successor to The Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogies, there It needed to be a culmination of the last The Power, asks a fictional version Handmaid’s Tale emerged: The Power were almost no good superhero movies 10 years of Marvel movies, it needed to of Naomi Alderman for advice, by Naomi Alderman. Part dystopian available. This perception has changed be a respectful interpretation of one of and she replies: “I think I’d rather thriller, part thought experiment, radically over the past 10 years. The the most influential comic runs of all enjoy this ‘world run by men’ The Power explores a world in first part of the culmination of this time, and it needed to set up the next you’ve been talking about. Surely which the gender-power dynamic colossal, genre-spanning, industry- decade of the MCU—all while being a kinder, more caring, and—dare as we know it is totally reversed. defining endeavour was released April a good standalone film and setup for I say it?—more sexy world than The Power depicts the changes 26, and Infinity War did not disappoint. its sequel. It succeeds enormously in the one we live in.” At the end of that occur in a world similar to Avengers and Avengers: Age of every arena and still manages to fit the novel, the frame-narrative ours when women around the Ultron are structurally different from so in its own ideas and iconography. It between Neil and Alderman globe suddenly gain the ability to many other films, a trend which Infinity is not just an adaptation of Marvel concludes with her asking whether conduct electricity through their War continues. The films need to be able characters and story, it’s a daring and he has “considered publishing [his] fingertips. Suddenly, women rise to to introduce pre-existing characters and meticulously well-constructed movie book under a woman’s name.” more positions of political power, a unifying thread, show the heroes unite that knows when to pay homage to Needless to say, this mirrors escape from human traffickers, after some light fighting, and resolve the source material and when to do the male-dominated literary world, and take back their rights by force. the internal and external conflicts while something totally new. Infinity War is a which is only now beginning to Saudi Arabia and other nations are maintaining a screen time balance for new standard for universe-building and change. By directly reversing and overthrown by women. Religions all the characters to set them up for comic book adaptations as a whole. mirroring the power structures are reshaped to be female-centred. their next movies. of our world, Alderman has However, Alderman’s novel is at its This makes the films achieved a nuanced, disturbing, most chilling when the corrupting massively unwieldly and compelling study of gender, nature of power resurfaces. The to write, and Age of power, and human behaviour. positive achievements made after Ultron is famously the power-reversal are a bit of a clustered quickly eclipsed by the mess. Infinity War emergence of a female- cleans itself up by dominated world as focusing on a single fraught with cruelty as “protagonist” with our male-dominated all the superheroes world currently is. The desperately fighting outcome is not equality, around him—Thanos, but rather a world in the villain of the entire which the structure of MCU up to this point, unequal power between is the closest thing sexes has been reversed. to a lead character Just as women in our in this movie. society regularly fear for Infinity War takes their safety, men in The this villain-protagonist Power come to experience cue directly from that fear as they never Jim Starlin’s original have before. The systemic Infinity Gauntlet comic oppression of women, book run, which is told which we ourselves are largely from Thanos’ only beginning to rectify, perspective as he is dramatically mirrored collects the Stones in Alderman’s speculative and brutally murders nightmare. The bold waves of superheroes hypothesis of the novel is in an attempt to woo that if the present power- the Marvel Universe’s disparity between men personification of and women was reversed, death. The second- society would fail to most influential progress. It is the power comic series is difference itself which Jonathan Hickman’s engenders oppression. Infinity saga, which

Men and women who Cover of ‘The Power’ introduces the Black Order and the focus ‘’Avengers: Infinity War’ movie poster issue 28 // vol 44 arts // no. 7 Chairman of the Board: With friends like these… öö‘Shadows over Camelot’ board game review

Ed Appleby in enough quests to have more white Senior Columnist swords than black on the Round Table. Like many cooperative games, there are a lot of different ways to lose—too many siege engines, too many black swords, or everyone simply dying. ho doesn’t want to team up However, Shadows Over Camelot has Wwith their friends and do battle another infamous mechanic in which against the unspeakable evils making one of the players might be a secret their way across the land? In this age of traitor to the Round Table. Unlike massive team-up movie blockbusters, other traitor games like Fury of Dracula it’s the perfect time step into the shoes or One Night Ultimate Werewolf, the players don’t actually know if there of the original ragtag band of heroes. is a traitor among them. This adds Shadows Over Camelot (2011) is a to an atmosphere of suspicion in an cooperative game for three to seven people designed by Bruno Cathala and already tense and complex game. Serge Laget and published by Days of This game is a blast to play. Wonder. In the game, players take turns Turns are fast, with players only going on quests and defending Camelot being able to move or act upon a by moving their hero around the board quest, but not both. This can cause Illustration by Ed Appleby and earning white swords. On each a lot of strategic maneuvering and discussion as the game progresses. player’s turn, they choose whether to simple, there are plenty of chances I would recommend this game to The theme of the game is very strong, take damage, add a siege engine to the for thrilling heroics—as some quests any group of friends, though it would army surrounding Camelot, or draw a and the gameplay is challenging. have to be attempted by only one definitely be advantageous to have more card that may move the quests closer to The one downside to the game is hero at a time—but working together experienced players, or at least those that its complexity can be a bit much defeat. The game is won by succeeding as a team is the key to winning. who can guide others through the game. for new players. Though the rules are A circus of magical mysteries in ‘Sleight’ ööLocal author releases long-awaited debut novel

Cheryl Minns But during aerialist Delia’s routine, she becomes distracted by a ghost Senior Columnist only she can see and then falls off her aerial hoop to her death. This is a uthor Jennifer Sommersby knows crushing blow to Genevieve, who has very well how much patience and A a magical healing gift and can repair perseverance writing requires. She has injuries with the touch of her hand tried her hand at journalism, medical but isn’t able to save her mother. transcription, and editing, but her dream “I knew I wanted something of being a young adult novelist wasn’t a little bit different, where there’s achieved until this April, when her magic and unexplainable things debut YA fantasy novel, Sleight, finally happening,” Sommersby said. hit shelves after years in the making. While she was researching magic “It’s taken a long time to get for her novel, she discovered the here,” she said in an interview word Avrakedavra, a healing spell with the Other Press. that magicians used in ancient times Sommersby’s journey to getting when they were considered healers. published began when she enrolled in She decided to use Avrakedavra in The Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser Sleight, the first book in the Avra-K University in 2007. While in the duology, but not in the form of a spell. writing-intensive program, she wrote “I needed something they could a short story about a 13-year-old girl chase. You can’t chase down a spell, named Frankie who lives with her so I turned it into a book,” she said, aunt and uncle in a traveling circus referring to a magical book that and has a pet frog named Hamlet. becomes a vital object in the story. “The workshop group that I did Sommersby self-published an the story in said, ‘This ends really earlier version of Sleight in 2011, but it abruptly. This is more like the beginning was discontinued after HarperCollins of a novel,’” said Sommersby. “Then Canada purchased the Avra-K duology in Sommersby Jennifer by provided Sommersby Jennifer of Photo I thought, ‘Oh! That’s a good idea.’ I 2012. Six years later, a revamped version started writing the novel in 2009. I of Sleight was published in Canada by elephant figurines, and circus items. at Indigo in Park Royal Shopping knew I needed [the lead girl] to be HarperCollins Canada on April 3, and in “I walked in and I saw the Centre in West Vancouver on June 22. older to be able to handle the things the US by Sky Pony Press on April 24. banner with my name, my book, “It’s good for readers to see writers that would be coming at her.” Sommersby celebrated the Canadian and Indigo Chapters on it. I started in the flesh because then they see there’s Sleight follows 17-year-old launch of Sleight with a book signing crying because I had a real banner. a person behind the book,” she said. Genevieve Flannery, who has grown up event at Chapters in Coquitlam’s That was pretty great,” she said. The second book in the in the Cinzio Traveling Players Company Pinetree Village Shopping Centre on Sommersby’s next book signing Avra-K duology, Scheme, with her mother, Delia, and other circus April 3. The signing featured an event event will be at Chapters in Metropolis will be released in 2019. performers. Her story begins during a banner, cake for the guests, and a at Metrotown in Burnaby on May 18, For more information on special New Year’s Eve Gala performance table full of Sleight-themed props— with Dawkins scheduled to appear. Sommersby and her books, check out her that the players hope will bring in lots including old-fashioned skeleton keys, The author will also be signing books official website at JennSommersby.com. of funding for the upcoming year. arts // no. 8 theotherpress.ca Broadway in your backyard ööA look at community theatres in the Lower Mainland

Jerrison Oracion Theatre Company with their three Lower Mainland before they received— film. The play and its potential sequel theatres: The Stanley Industrial Alliance or will soon receive—a lot of attention. might just inspire a film or a miniseries Senior Columnist Stage, the Granville Island Stage, and There is Onegin, which is considered involving its lead character Tommy Lam. the Goldcorp Stage. There is also the to be Vancouver’s Hamilton, and the Productions in community theatres ne of the most popular things to Gateway Theatre in Richmond, the opera Eugene Onegin as a musical; the will have local actors and actors in film do in New York is to see a musical O Touchstone Theatre, Studio 58, the Mom’s the Word series, which follows and TV. For example, Supernatural star or play on Broadway. You probably Waterfront Theatre, and youth theatre the lives of five women and which has Briana Buckmaster was in the Arts would want to see one because you’d companies including Theatrix and the been so successful that the shows are Club’s production of The Humans, and like to see a musical that everyone is Carousel Theatre for Young People. being performed around the world; and Andrew McNee, who was in Onegin talking about like Hamilton and Dear Before musicals and plays become Nine Dragons, which premiered in the and is currently in the Arts Club’s Evan Hansen, to sing along to your famous, they begin in these theatres, Gateway Theatre recently, written by the production of Misery, also acts in favourite show tunes, or to see a play being developed and tested before theatre’s artistic director Jovanni Sy and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series that has your favourite actor in it. they are premiered. If the production starring Kim’s Convenience star John Ng, and Adventures in Public School (now However, what if you do not have a lot is successful, it will be performed in a who you may remember as Mr. Chin. released in theaters). Local theatres of money for a trip to New York? The major city like Broadway in New York, The Gateway Theatre is a great also do programs to train future actors next best thing is to go to your local the West End in London, or Toronto. example of a community theatre because and develop script-writing skills. community theatre. Community theatre A few examples of this rise to fame is it is right next door to Richmond Community theatres have the is a place where you can see high quality the hit Canadian musical Come From Hospital, a field, and a church. When magic of Broadway at a cheap price and productions made possible by local Away, which was developed in Sheridan I saw Nine Dragons there, I thought there are a lot of productions to see residents and that encourages people College before it opened on Broadway, that it was the best play performed this summer, including the Arts Club’s to be involved in the arts community. and Hamilton, which had a test run in the Lower Mainland this year. The productions of Mamma Mia! and the There are a lot of community in The Public Theatre Off-Broadway quality of it feels like watching a play musical version of Once, Bard on the theatres in the Lower Mainland. The before everyone was amazed by old on Broadway because of how it is Beach, and Theatre Under the Stars. most notable community theatre school rap making history look cool. presented, and its running time of two company in the area is the Arts Club A few productions started out in the hours makes it feel like watching a Narratives abound in latest Amelia Douglas Gallery exhibit ööOcean-themed paintings and glasswork

Caroline Ho abstract works. While her realistic works are often planned out in advance, Arts Editor based directly on photoshoots she does of the West Coast and its surrounding he Amelia Douglas Gallery’s new life, her abstract pieces develop far exhibit brings together unique T more fluidly and organically. glass sculptures with rich histories With abstract art, Dupre said, and colourful, evocative abstract “I get to play and alter and shift paintings overlaid with text. that composition as I paint from Titled The Pacific and Other beginning to the end, and even Stories, the exhibit opened on April 26 then, I continue painting, altering. and features the artwork of realistic [It’s] a lot more exploratory.” and abstract artist Denise Dupre, Parkes’ glass-blown pieces are based in Port Moody, and glassblower also full of individual stories. His Robert Gary Parkes, who runs a masterfully-crafted vases and pots, with studio in Surrey. The two artists were their dazzlingly intricate swirls, spots, selected by the gallery to create the and other vivid textures beneath the exhibit together, with their works smooth glass surfaces, are the result of a complementing one another in colour, lifetime of practicing, making mistakes, theme, and narrative potential. and learning from others and from the Dupre’s abstract acrylics on canvas glass itself, he told the Other Press. are composed of bold areas of colour, “That’s what I love about this predominantly sweeping marine particular field is no two glassblowers hues and sepia tones across busy are the same. As you learn, [through] compositions full of textures and spaces. the learning process, the glass starts to Each painting also contains words and talk to you or speak to you,” he said. Like letters strikingly arranged in elegant with other crafts, the glass is “making an typefaces. Along the wall of the Laura expression through the artist’s hand.” C. Muir Theatre hang three larger 36” The pieces in this show, and many by 60” canvases with vast, mesmerizing of Parkes’ other works, are made partly expanses of oceanic blues and greens. Cuarto Analyn by Photos from scraps and broken pieces of glass The artist told the Other Press at from previous creations out of his Parkes also emphasized the thinking about it, we can’t live like we the show’s opening reception that she studio. For example, he said, when he centrality of glass in our everyday do without this amazing material.” considers all of her works in this exhibit trims the lip of a vase, he will take that lives and throughout history, In fact, if you go down deeply to form a complete body of work, but little piece of cut-off glass and reuse it although this importance often goes enough, Parkes explained, it’s at that they also all stand individually, for the ornamentation on a new piece. unacknowledged. Glass was essential the heart of the Earth itself. with each combination of text and This repurposing is both economically for building cities in creating windows, “Our continents are floating imagery telling its own unique story. practical and serves to enrich the tools, and other utilitarian items. on liquid molten rock, which is “There are a couple that relate artwork’s ornamentation, he said. Today, it’s everywhere—in our homes, what glass is. Our whole planet is to the West Coast, our Pacific Waters, “We don’t throw anything away,” in our phones, and in so many other basically a liquid glass ball, and I but the others really are narratives said Parkes. “We use as much as we things we largely take for granted. get to create stuff with this.” in their own right,” she said. can. It’s kind of neat to be able to take “I try to remind people to sit for Dupre does not only do abstract The Pacific and Other Stories stuff that a factory or something would a minute and try and imagine your art: She began in the style of realism, will be open in the Amelia Douglas just throw away, and turn it into a little life doing everything you do everyday and still returns frequently to realistic Gallery, on the fourth floor of the New bit more, enhance the decoration.” without glass,” he said. “If you start painting between creating series of Westminster campus, until June 23. Have an idea for a story?  [email protected] OO KupoCon

OO A brief history of sandals

OO Great Inclinations: Day-trippin’ in and

around Vancouver Life & Style And more! Single room occupancy ööAn article written from inside an SRO

C J Sommerfeld was $375.00 per month, this was the fiscal amount designated for rent for Contributor those living on welfare. Unfortunately, these rooms did not remain livable for he norms of what define a “Single long. The designated buildings had Room Occupancy” (SRO) have been T not been refurbished prior to their curated by the finite documentation put tenants moving in, and the tenants lack forth for the public. I’m here to tell you of upkeep contributed to the further that there is another side to them. I will dilapidation of the buildings. This, along start with a short bit of history: with neglecting management, angered These apartments are not bachelor the municipal government and they suites, nor studios; they are rooms. They eventually demanded a revision. are usually repurposed hotels in what

Rental holding agencies took a hold Photos of Hotel Canada and via 2015 in 1914 VancouverisAwesome.com used to be Vancouver’s happening part of of many of the SRO-designated buildings town; what we know now as the sinister published in the media, the reality is that And, while a mini-fridge and hot and re-marketed them as micro-suite Downtown East Side (DTES). many of them skews greatly from that plate suffice as our kitchens, and while living. The cost of rent increased to SROs are small 100-foot rooms image, and in a few short years they have we have been forced to configure our amounts high above the affordability of which previously acted as temporary undergone a vast evolution. The scarcity furniture like a game of Tetris, we’ve the people receiving income assistance, homes for weary travelers , now of available housing sprawls further still managed to make these spaces sifting out many of the previous masked as entire apartments. They than those living in the DTES as many of our home. The media has curated a residents. were implemented as an attempt to these micro-suites are not littered with collectively tainted perspective on SROs, Here is where I entered. The trickle- combat the lack of affordable housing, anarchists of society, but with students, maneuvering our interest elsewhere, down effect is now the trickle-up effect. particularly for those on welfare income artists, and young professionals—people but sometimes we need to explore and While the plumbing, electrics, and assistance. eager for a place of their own, but experiment for ourselves. Sometimes all overall aesthetic in some SROs still When SROs were first introduced unable to demand anything larger in that glitters is not gold, but is brighter reinforce the poor picture that has been into Vancouver the rent for each room Vancouver’s exorbitant housing market. than gold itself.

#DOUGLIFE the Share your photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #DougLife, otherplaylist for a chance to be featured in the paper! Brittney MacDonald Life and Style Editor

Now I’ve never been one to brag about my musical taste. I think taking pride in something that is so mercurial is a little strange. What we listen to and what we enjoy is entirely evolutionary and dependent on our state of mind. So, we here at the Other Press would like to share a little piece of ourselves

with you. Here’s what we’ve been jamming to this month. Photo via the ‘Vancouver Sun’

Obvious Heart by Finger Eleven (Caroline)

Supermodel (You Better Work) by RuPaul (Jessica

Prune, You Talk Funny by Gus Dapperton (Jacey)

Coteau Guidry by Lost Bayou Ramblers ft. Scarlett Johansson (Jerrison)

Brother by The Organ (Brittney)

Wasteland by 10 Years (Caroline)

Man! I Feel Like a Woman! by Shania Twain (Jessica)

We Got a Love by Shit Robot and Reggie Watts (Jacey)

DNA by Kendrick Lamar (Jerrison)

Queer by Garbage (Brittney)

This week’s post is by @douglascollege Another tank of laughs with ‘Corner Gas Animated’ Beloved Canadian TV series returns to the small screen

By Cheryl Minns, Senior Columnist

If you think there’s not a lot going on at Corner Ruby are odd-job guy Hank Yarbo (Fred version, and people who are coming to Corner Gas, then you need to see what Brent Leroy Ewanuick), police officer Davis Quinton Gas for the first time are enjoying this version.” and his friends are up to in the franchise’s (Lorne Cardinal), rookie cop Karen Pelly (Tara Butt and the creative team wanted to make latest series, Corner Gas Animated. The series Spencer-Nairn), and Brent’s parents: Oscar the animated series recognizably similar to is a continuation of the live-action series, Leroy (Eric Peterson) and Emma Leroy (who Corner Gas, with the animated characters having Corner Gas, and brings back all of the show’s was played by the late Janet Wright). many similarities to their real-life counterparts, favourite characters in an animated format. Each episode features a self- including expressions, body types, outfits, and “It’s fun getting back together with contained plot, which allows viewers to hairstyles reflecting that of the original series. everybody, getting into the studio, and doing start watching the series at any point. “I play the animated character the same scenes again,” series creator Brent Butt “Everybody changes throughout the way I played the live-action character,” Butt said in an interview with the Other Press. episode, but they always end up exactly where said. “We’re really trying to make this an Corner Gas began as a 13-episode, live- they started from the beginning of the episode,” extension of the original show, so we don’t action sitcom about rural life in Saskatchewan. Ewanuick said in an interview with the Other want it to feel remarkably different.” Since its premiere in 2004, the franchise Press. “One of the advantages is you’re never In Corner Gas, Hank was a very has evolved into six seasons, a theatrically- locked in to any one thing. It opens you up to all visual character, often gesturing while released film, and now an animated series. different sorts of things that could happen.” speaking and doing physical comedy “I didn’t think it would last beyond Corner Gas Animated continues the to accompany his zany personality. one season. None of us thought anybody lives of the Dog River residents in its “Hank knows he’s the coolest guy in the was going to watch a show about a gas 13-episode season, which premiered on room,” Ewanuick said. “He’s sort of a Norm from station in Saskatchewan,” Butt said. “This The Comedy Network on April 2. Cheers, with a Kramer from Seinfeld mixed in.” has all been a surprise from the get-go.” “The animation looks really good and When it came to the animated series, The series follows the residents of a it’s true to the show,” Ewanuick said. “It Ewanuick was only able to convey Hank’s vibrant fictional town called Dog River. The Corner totally works. Almost to the point where personality through his voice. Having previous Gas station is run by Brent Leroy (played by I kind of wish it was animated from the experience in voice work—including voicing Butt) and cashier Wanda Dollard (played by get-go because it totally makes sense.” Click-Clack in the DreamWorks series Dinotrux— Nancy Robertson, Butt’s wife). Next to the gas “I’ve had a few people reach out on social he figured out how to alter his performance station is The Ruby café, owned and operated media, saying that they didn’t really watch the of Hank to suit the animation medium. by former-Torontonian city slicker Lacey original show, but they were curious about the “If I played him the way I played him in Burrows (Gabrielle Miller). In the pilot episode animated show and they really like it,” Butt the live-action, I don’t know if that would’ve of Corner Gas, Lacey moves to Dog River when said. “It seems as though we’ve hit that sweet translated to the animation,” Ewanuick she inherits the café from her late aunt, Ruby. spot that we were hoping for. People who really said. “You need to amp it up just a touch, Frequently seen at Corner Gas and The enjoyed the original show are liking the new just to give it a little more life, and then you rely on the animators to add to that.” she passed away at age 71 in 2016. go through all the dialogue, our reactions, and Another tank of laughs with ‘Corner Gas Animated’ Butt and the team decided to set “We were quite a ways down the everything for about four hours,” Ewanuick said. Corner Gas Animated earlier in the Corner development road when Janet passed, so I During the first cast recording, when Koslo Beloved Canadian TV series returns to the small screen Gas timeline, at approximately season two. didn’t know what we should do,” Butt said. read Emma’s lines, she altered her voice to This change was to give the characters a “I wanted to make sure that we honoured imitate Wright’s distinct, raspy sound, which younger appearance and to avoid any of the what we thought Janet might want us to do, surprised some of the Vancouver cast, who relationship plots from Corner Gas: The Movie. so I met with her husband and we talked and were listening to Koslo reading in Toronto. “This way, most of us are trapped in he said she would want Emma to live on.” “The first time we heard her voice come our mid-to-late 30s, and they can animate Wright’s husband, Bruce Davis, suggested through reading the script, I just looked at us that way for years,” Ewanuick said. that Butt and his team audition an actor named Nancy and Nancy looked at me because it felt Corner Gas was known for its cutaway Corinne Koslo for the role of Emma. Koslo was like Janet was still there,” Ewanuick said. fantasy sequences, but the series was limited a close of friend of Wright’s, who worked with “There were times where she really by time, budget, safety restrictions, and reality. her in theatre and had a similar-sounding voice. nailed it,” Butt said. “But it’s kind of nice The new series’ animated format has allowed “We auditioned a few people, one of them that there’s also enough of a wrinkle where Butt and his team to create lots of fantasy being Corinne, and she nailed it. I could really she brings a bit of her own thing to it.” sequences, flashbacks, and physical comedy see what Bruce was saying when he said she had With the animation aspect of Corner Gas gags, which would have been impossible to a similar timbre to Janet’s voice. She knew Janet Animated allowing for new creative directions, film in the live-action series. For example, so well that she kind of understands Janet’s Butt and the writing staff have the opportunity the first episode of Corner Gas Animated rhythm and brings that to the table,” Butt said. to take Corner Gas to new frontiers. features Oscar telling Brent that if Corner “Nobody will ever be Janet, but “It’s a mix of people who wrote on Gas ran out of fuel it would turn the town Corinne does an amazing job of bringing the original series and some new writers. into a post-apocalyptic nightmare. The show that essence of Emma,” Ewanuick said. I always like when I get into a room with then cuts to Oscar’s vision of the future. When the cast recorded their voices for other writers and sit down and kick “We did a scene that was very similar the episodes, the team was split across the around stories. That’s always a lot of to a Mad Max scene where you have 20 war country. Actors Butt, Cardinal, Ewanuick, fun and a lot of laughs,” Butt said. machines rolling over the dunes,” Butt said, Miller, and Robertson recorded in a Vancouver “The writing has evolved throughout the describing Oscar’s vision. “Stuff like that we studio, while Koslo, Peterson, and Spencer- series. Every season, the scripts were a bit wouldn’t have been able to do in the live- Nairn recorded in a Toronto studio. To make faster and tighter and we were putting more action, so we’re having fun with that.” it feel like they were all reading together, jokes in and the pacing was a little bit faster The animated format has also allowed the team set up a live link between the two than the year before. With the animation, it the team to continue the series with the studios so the actors could hear and interact feels like it’s taken one more step,” he said. character Emma. Wright had planned to with each other while reading lines. Corner Gas Animated airs Monday nights be part of the animated series and voiced “We all have the scripts in front of us as we at 8 p.m. on The Comedy Network. Emma in the series’ first trailer, but sadly life & style // no. 12 theotherpress.ca

A brief history of sandals ööThe shoe that transcends time

Katie Czenczek of animal hides and were

stitched together with a - Staff Writer softer inner sole, harder outer sole. Everyone else ith summer coming in hot, it’s wore sandals made out really starting to seem reasonable W of braided papyrus. to return to the beach, whip out your Now, for early Japan, favourite pair of flip-flops, and take in sandals called “getas” the sun. Sandals are just ready to be were where it was at! worn. Whether you’re rocking $3 flip- Getas were made out of flops from Old Navy or Fenty’s $100 wood with black thongs fur slides, it might do you some good to keep the shoes in place. to learn a little about these functional Japan is the only place yet fashionable footwear; especially where socks and sandals since people have been wearing them are socially acceptable. Photo of vintage sandals from the Phillip ines via 1860-1960.com for approximately 10,000 years now. These sandals were Even the first civilization, improved their style, but also let them the United States until World War II, paired with Tabi—a fabric made out Mesopotamia, believed in this solid travel that much further. Who knew with most credit for the comeback of cotton and dyed white that was footwear. Ancient Sumerians crafted that the secret to world domination attributed to the Philippines. Filipinos worn up to the ankles. Getas could be sandals out of animal hides and was to have the right footwear? took the Japanese Getas to the next the inspiration for modern platform curled their footwear up into a point, Allegedly, when Christianity level and carved ornate designs into sandals, which is one of my personal like an elf. The curve at the front became more normalized in Rome, the sides of the platforms. When favourite sandal trends right now. of the shoe determined a person’s that is when sandals were ditched for American soldiers came to aid the Whether you love gladiator sandals status, where the more upturned a a more conservative shoe. Your boy Philippines against Japan, they came or hate them, the Romans were largely sandal, the higher class you were.. Jesus may have even been wearing home with these decorated platforms responsible for inspiring the trend Ancient Egyptians and Greeks Jerusalem 100s before people decided and caused a sandals craze. that emerged a couple of years ago. followed suit and also used sandals that toes were indecent things to show Although the styles have (sort of) They began styling the shoes with to determine a person’s status. The in public life. The notion that bare feet changed over the centuries, the barely- elaborate caged-like straps running up Greeks even dyed their sandals different were inappropriate possibly lasted until there footwear has managed to pass their calves, and it is believed by some colours to show if someone was a part the early 20th century in the West. the test of time, always returning to historians that their sandals helped the of the aristocracy, a child, or a bride. When hemlines rose, and legs the fashion scene. As you dust off your Roman Empire expand even further. For Egyptians, it was the material were exposed, that’s when sandals were favourite pair of summer shoes, marking This was because while everyone was that determined a person’s place in the reintroduced in the Western world. their emergence from hibernation, now still shoeless, Roman soldiers wore world. Pharaohs wore sandals made out They did not catch on completely in you at least know where they came from. sandals. The foot protection not only KupoCon ööThe pros and cons of Vancouver’s first ‘Final Fantasy’ convention

Brittney MacDonald that the event was held in Vancouver. My first impression of the event was Life & Style Editor excitement, but as the date drew closer I began to question the event line-up o say that I’ve attended my fair and grew concerned that KupoCon: amount of conventions would be T Pomtropolis—the Vancouver variant an understatement. I’ve been a regular of the convention—may be little more con attendee for over 15 years, attending than a money grab. Only two guests everything from anime to comic had been announced, and with yoga as books, video games, and journalism one of only listed activities, I became a conventions—it’s just something I do and little annoyed. However, I persevered, enjoy. So, I was supremely excited to find worked tirelessly on my costume and out that Vancouver would be hosting attended with entourage in toe. the travelling KupoCon, a convention Admittedly, the event was small. dedicated to the Final Fantasy franchise. It took up only three rooms and one If you’re unaware of what Final hallway at the Pinnacle Hotel. Quickly Fantasy is, it is a massive video game I began to realize that the event wasn’t series that began in 1987 as a company’s a money grab, but rather a toe in the last-ditch effort to avoid bankruptcy. water. KupoCon seemed ill-equipped The original game was a critical success for the turn out and surprised by and the franchise now spans over 20 the voracity of Vancouver fans. games, three movies, and even several That being said, there were many Ryan Caitlin by Photo Photo by Brittney MacDonald; Art by Maxx Merch television series. To be honest, I am not things that I hadn’t seen a convention the best source of information when also encourage cosplayers by offering a when Vancouver is somewhat known do that I was extremely pleased to see it comes to Final Fantasy’s history; my ticket discount to anyone in costume. for its “nerd” community is problematic. at the con. KupoCon turned attendance journey with the title began in October I enjoyed these games a lot, and I To put it simply, KupoCon was too into a game, creating events like 2001, when I received Final Fantasy am proud to say I was pretty successful. scared to be entirely successful, scavenger hunts and puzzles that X as a birthday gift from my mom. Unfortunately, the prizes, as well as though this fear is not without merit. encouraged attendees to interact and It kicked off my love of video games the attendee grab bags, were far too Vancouver has its share of dead share knowledge with one another in and holds a very special place in my limited, and the staff ran out of them or dying cons due to curators that order to succeed. These events ranged heart as the “one that started it all.” long before the predicted end of the con. overestimate their reach—Cos&Effect from putting up wanted posters of KupoCon itself began in Newark, My biggest criticism of KupoCon: comes to mind—but, KupoCon played certain characters—to get people New Jersey in 2016 out of a desire to Pomtropolis is that it operated on too it a little too safe in this regard. to find and meet cosplayers of that consolidate smaller fan gatherings into small of a scale. The choice of venue Iif KupoCon does return to character—to making word games using something more official. It has since limited the availability of activities Vancouver, I hope that they will the fictional Al Bhed language (a Final travelled the globe, uniting lovers of and it made everyone feel crammed, learn from this and plan their future Fantasy X staple). Participating in these the franchise across North America and and the fact that they were unable to endeavors accordingly. Go big, or go games earned you “gil” you could then Europe. April 21 marked the first time predict the Vancouver fan response home—except don’t, please come back. exchange for KupoCon merch. They issue 28 // vol 44 life & style // no. 13 Great Inclinations: Day-trippin’ in and around Vancouver ööLonger hikes that you can turn into a day-long adventure

Jacey Gibb ish terrain (for about an hour) is impossibly beautiful, but also that leads you towards a gorgeous, very challenging. We’re talking Distribution Manager serene, emerald-green lake. The four hours of steep incline, up a hike’s satisfying enough to end trail that is only so-so marked and Great Inclinations is your go-to here, or you can shimmy across the occasionally disintegrates into mud source for diving into the world of boulders located along the west piles. The payoff, though? A meadow casual hiking in and around the side of the lake—leftover from a with babbling streams and fields Lower Mainland. Because hiking’s rockslide—and continue towards full of wild flowers. You can also not just for assholes anymore. Greendrop Lake. If you’re driving venture onward into the meadow from Vancouver, it takes about two and even attempt Brandywine For me, hiking is a great weekend hours each way, and traffic usually Mountain, but stop and have lunch activity, but rarely something that’s slows from about Abbotsford in the meadow before moving on. worthy of consuming an entire day. onwards, so plan accordingly. Weekends are a precious, limited Joffre Lakes commodity; however, occasionally Norvan Falls Everything you’ve heard about this the mood will strike where it’s You might see the words “five-hour hike in Pemberton is true. Postcard- acceptable to pile into a vehicle hike” and immediately stop reading, level scenery, perfect turquoise with a few pals, pack some wraps but hear me out: Yes, Norvan Falls lakes, and one of the most packed and celebratory Hey Y’alls for the is long, but large stretches of the hiking trails I’ve ever been on. So if summit, and head out on a longer hike are relatively flat, and you you arrive later than 10 a.m., expect hike. These are a few of those treks. get some beautiful snowy scenery to wait for a parking spot. As for the the further along you go. Plus, the actual hike, there are three lakes Many trails around Vancouver path is mostly guarded by a thick accessible along the trail. You reach may still be covered in snow, so forest canopy overhead, so you can the first lake almost immediately, always check to ensure that trails do this hike in the rainier months the second one is about an hour are safe and in good condition and not get drenched. Like most and a half up a gradual incline— before you go. Leave yourself trails in North Van though, Norvan but you should absolutely push on plenty of time to return, let is a soupy mess for most of the to the third (and least busy) lake, someone know where you’re year, so make sure you pack your which is about an hour further going, and never hike alone if waterproof boots. Another bonus along. There’s even camping on you’re unfamiliar with the area. for you vehicle-less folks: Norvan the south side of the third lake, Falls is the only hike on this list which gives you a different, equally- Lindeman Lake that’s accessible by public transit. spectacular vantage point. If you If you’ve been following along, have the time, Joffre is much you’ll notice I have an affinity for Brandywine Meadows better enjoyed as an overnight short hikes with whopping payoffs. Located between Squamish and hike—but more on that in the next Located in Chilliwack, Lindeman Whistler, Brandywine Meadows edition of Great Inclinations! Lake is another example of steep- Illustration by Cara Seccafien Have an idea for a story?  [email protected] OO It’s okay to not have much going on

OO Why do you have such a problem with a

friendly, feminine nickname? Opinions And more! BC voting age should be lowered to 16, possibly younger ööYounger voices can and should be heard Argentina, Austria have already allowed turnout was noted with participants This turnout compares with BC’s Jessica Berget 16 and 17-year-olds to vote, and a 2012 between ages 20-25. This shows that 2013 voting polls, as people aged 18- Opinions Editor electoral study from the University of 16 and 17-year-olds already have the 24 had a higher voting turnout than Copenhagen in Denmark has shown means of making their own informed 25-34-year-olds did. Keep in mind that n BC, citizens are old enough to be that people around this age are already political decisions, and I think they 18-24 only counts for seven different Iproductive members of our society political participants. Voters under 20 should be allowed to make decisions age groups while 25-34 counts for ten, and have adult responsibilities by age 16. had a vastly higher turnout than that can and will affect their futures. and still had a higher voting turnout. They can drive, get married, pay taxes, their older peers, but a This illustrates that young adults sign up for the military, but they can’t lower do understand the importance of make adult decisions, like voting in participating in major political elections elections that will significantly impact and do take it seriously, they just need their futures, and that absolutely to be given the opportunity to do so. needs to change. With recent news It’s important to get involved in of school walk-outs in the US and politics at a young age. The younger the current political climate, it’s people are when they become obvious that activism and involved and educated in politics, politics are important to the more informed they will be the younger generations, when their voting time comes, and and the legal voting age the more habit-forming voting will should reflect that. be as they navigate adulthood. Recently, Green Party Democracy is a vital part of leader Andrew Weaver our government, and allowing introduced a bill that would young adults to participate within a allow people as young as democratic society but not allowing 16 years old to vote in BC. them to have their voices heard Some have argued that 16 within the same society is ridiculous. is too immature an age to Younger adults will feel the same make major political decisions, impact on these electoral decisions or that they don’t care enough, as people 18 and older do because but that’s not a fair assumption it’s their future—just as much as to make without research. it is ours—that we are voting for, Illustration by Cara Seccafien Places like Brazil, Scotland, so their voices must be heard. It’s okay to not have much going on ööDespite what the internet tells you

Katie Czenczek pressure on ourselves and each other to be going out and doing more. Staff Writer Everyone needs an inside day to just relax, surf the web, and recharge. ith finals being finished for Our generation, especially, puts way the winter term, you might W too much emphasis on going out, and start to feel like there’s a big rush to I think a lot of that has to do with get everything that you wanted to us constantly seeing other people’s do during the semester done right embellished lives online. Who cares now. Temperatures are rising, as if it’s hot outside and your friends are are the number of posts showing asking you to hang out? If you aren’t up people going out, and so too does the for it, don’t feel pressured to go out. pressure to go out and have fun. Moreover, no one thinks to I’m not sure why we feel the need themselves, “wow, so-and-so never to update 600 people about our travel does anything, ever.” People are plans, beach days, or concerts, but inherently self-centred and are so after seeing what feels like every single busy being insecure about their own person you know—and some you stuff that they won’t even notice if don’t—doing “something,” it’s easy to you’re going out or not. For all they start feeling like you’re missing out. Photo by Analyn Cuarto Analyn by Photo know, you could be living it up! That’s not to say people shouldn’t At the end of the day—and the end post everything they do online (they Someone posts about all the wonderful your life. Ask yourself why you feel that of this article—you just have to do you, shouldn’t), but this is more a suggestion adventures they’re having; the person way, and, if it turns out that it’s just whatever that is. Read a book, binge your to keep in mind that there are times who views it feels like they’re missing because you’re comparing your life to favourite TV show, eat a ton of junk food when the people who post a lot feel out, so they start posting about some fitness model online who just went and then regret it later. It doesn’t matter the exact same way you do. In fact, something, and it goes around again. I to Bali on a paid sponsorship, then you what it is, all you need is to be content I’d even argue that many people don’t think cutting out social media is should know what your problem is. with yourself. Just remember that it’s post things just to prove that they’re the solution to this, because it’s more What I’m trying to say is that it’s completely impossible to do absolutely having fun and actually going out. about catching yourself when you start totally fine to be doing nothing at all, nothing, and if getting out of bed is all It becomes a feedback loop: to feel that itch of dissatisfaction with and we need to stop putting so much you do for the day, then that’s enough. issue 28 // vol 44 opinions // no. 15 Homestar Runner: A forgotten relic that should be remembered ööThe originator of modern internet humour deserves a new fanbase book aesthetic and surreal comedy. This Greg Waldock was one of the very first popular Flash Despite the internet being a very different Staff Writer webseries and inspired many animators and programmers, as accessibility of place now, Homestar Runner should be he internet was a fundamentally Flash allowed people to make their own acknowledged and remembered for the Tdifferent place in the early 2000s. Homestar Runner parodies or homages. Before Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and The site also allowed viewers to submit important piece of cultural legacy that it is.” Tumblr, before being internationally emails, which were then read and replied recognized and politically relevant, to by Strongbad, one of the characters. the internet was structured and This was their most popular series and all programmed much differently. Strongbad Emails are still on YouTube. This is best seen with Adobe Flash, As someone who grew up on the a software no longer supported by internet with Homestar Runner, I can modern browsers. It allowed amateur clearly remember its influence. Homestar animators, often children or teenagers, Runner was quoted constantly, and its to create web shows, minigames, and naive-yet-surreal humour propagated entire websites completely on their far across the internet, especially in own. So much of the modern internet animator hubs like Newgrounds and culture and humour comes from Flash Albino Blacksheep, who both produced sites, but I would say the most long- some of the oldest internet videos lasting, important, and hilarious was that are still appreciated today. a site called HomestarRunner.com. I know this sounds silly: These videos Homestar Runner was a website came and went in under five years, nearly with games and regular cartoon sketches 20 years ago. It’s all about internet jokes, all built in Flash. It was an interactive so how can something so unimportant experience created and curated almost be taken seriously? Why should an entirely by the Brothers Chaps; Matt ancient Flash website be “respected and and Mike Chapman—both of whom acknowledged?” Well, as we learned over would end up working on children’s the past two years, the internet matters. television shows like Yo Gabba Gabba! It can swing entire presidential elections and Gravity Falls. It stands alone among and spread movements. That means countless other sites for its clean the culture and history of the internet humour, likeable characters, and endless matters—that means Homestar Runner quotability. Despite the internet being matters. So, when you have a night off, a very different place now, Homestar pour a glass of wine or a mug of tea and Runner should be acknowledged go through the old Strongbad Emails and remembered for the important playlist, or the Homestar sketches. It piece of cultural legacy that it is. will connect you deeper to the internet The site launched in early 2000 and that now influences so much of the rocketed to popularity, with its children’s

real world, and it’s still hilarious. CommonVision.org via logo Homestar Runner

Hey, girl!

ööWhy do you have such a problem with a friendly, feminine nickname? Janis McMath needs to look at the popular use of “girl” in drag culture. Regardless of gender Contributor or sex, cisgender male drag queens call each other “girl” in a way that f you’ve been to middle school, you highlights their companionship. The know what it’s like to suffer the phase I word is gaining traction as a synonym of coloured braces and constantly for pal—yet I keep meeting guys who saying “dude” unironically. “Dude” are offended by my friendly use of “girl.” is a fantastic word, and as you may The reaction I have received from many already know, the term is an extremely guys at the use of “girl” is “I’m actually common synonym for “friend,” or a guy if you didn’t know!” Yes dude, I “buddy.” While originally used in the know—also, how is that relevant? 1800s to make fun of extravagantly While it’s totally fair for people dressed men, the expression has been to be unaware of language trends and used indiscriminately of gender since correct me due to their ignorance, guys the twentieth century. Everyone that respond this way will consistently (male, female, non-binary, etc.) seems correct my use of “girl” even if I’ve to use the expression “dude” because already explained that I only mean it’s a damn good expression, dude. it as friend or pal. Adding to the But, personally, I believe that the hypocrisy, these guys will knowingly era of “dude” is over—I much prefer call me “dude”—yet constantly reject

“girl,” so I use the term regularly with Illustration by Cara Seccafien being called “girl.” If you understand all my friends of all varying genders. that gendered words like “dude” “Girl” is a similar expression to can simply mean “pal,” why keep “dude” because it is used in friendship think women are lesser than men), feminine implication. “Girl” should be correcting me when I call you “girl?” and camaraderie. Furthermore, the then you’re misogynistic! How fragile acknowledged and appreciated as a The only difference between “dude” and term has evolved over time to take on a could your masculinity possibly be? friendly term of endearment—and if “girl” is the masculine and feminine more gender-neutral meaning. To see an It seems that everyone has readily you hate it because you’re misogynistic, implications, and if you are offended example of its neutral meaning, one only accepted “dude,” yet “girl” keeps facing then I weep for the woman who literally by the feminine implication (i.e., you rejection from those who dislike the grew you in her “girly” uterus. Creative Works Kwiigay Kwiigay Kwiigay Kwiigay

If you would like your own creative work to be featured in our Creative Writing section, send poems, short stories, excerpts (of 1,500 words or less), and original artwork to [email protected] or [email protected]. We publish weekly, and chosen writers/artists will receive $50 for every three pieces they have published. Have an idea for a story?  [email protected] OO City on verge of collapse as sun terrorizes citizens OO Brain games! OO Comics! Humour And more! Top free places to camp in Vancouver ööTake in nature without having to take money out of the bank

Klara Woldenga trolls get all the good spots? Assert your dominance by wearing bright reflective Humour Editor clothing.

n Vancouver, summer is the best time A tent store of the year. Unfortunately, since you I There are thousands of tent stores open live here, your wallet isn’t having the best for the fat cats who are able to actually time. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. afford tents, and all of them are already Here are the top free camping places in set up! All you need to bring is yourself Vancouver that won’t break the bank. and an attitude that screams “I want to speak to your manager.” Dude Chilling Park

They can’t arrest you for chilling, it’s in In a petting zoo the name. Pretend to be a goat. It’s a lot easier than

it sounds. Behind a dumpster

Don’t worry, you won’t be breaking new Daniel’s drained pool ground or sticking out like a sore thumb If none of the above options tickle your by being there. Due to the housing

fancy for some reason, don’t worry about Cuarto Analyn by Photo crisis, you won’t be the only one taking it. I know a guy who never uses his pool. advantage of this opportunity! never uses his beautiful, large backyard. can find those in Kitsilano, probably. All you need to do is climb down it, set He doesn’t deserve it, but where he up camp, and enjoy the spooky, echo-y Under a bridge fails as a human being you can succeed! Daniel’s car chamber. Just email me and I’ll give you This is a great option that allows for Sneak in from the back alley and though Don’t worry about it, I never see him his address. excellent rain cover, car noises, and the his back gate. His gate password is 1-6- lock the door. Just make sure that you

sounds of people finding an isolated 3-3-0-3-2-8-4-2-6-3-3-8-6, and his 10 only camp between the hours of 11 Daniel’s backyard location to cry. Nature is beautiful. Why Dobermans won’t bite you if you feed p.m. and 6 a.m., Monday to Friday. Daniel never uses his pool, and he also should homeless people and storybook them gluten-free dog treats; I think you East Africa solves famine by ordering Endless Shrimp from Red Lobster ööMillions of African citizens ‘enjoy’ lukewarm sea bugs and stale cheddar biscuits

Klara Woldenga the breaded shrimp and the linguini Humour Editor shrimp—those fill you up too quickly!” The server, Jane Dilben, did a double- fter years of severe famine, the take after writing down Magufuli’s order. Acitizens of East Africa are finally “At first, I didn’t think I had heard free from hunger thanks to the power him correctly,” said Dilben. “I mean, who of all-you-can-eat-shrimp. The amazing asks for 25.5 million orders of Endless solution was discovered by John Shrimp? But that guy did, so I got my Magufuli, the chairman of the East answer right away—that was nice!” African Community (an organization Dilben quickly went to the kitchen composed of six countries in Eastern to put in the order and was met with Africa), who flew to Toronto Canada to some hesitation from the kitchen staff. attend a conference focusing on issues “They weren’t sure if the kitchen surrounding worldwide famine. could properly fill that order,” said Dilben. “I don’t know why I didn’t think “But, I’ve always been told that the of it before,” said Magufuli. “After customer is always right, so I reminded the Photo via ChewBoom.com via Photo attending a panel, I found myself in chefs of that and they started right on it!” a Red Lobster. I ordered the Endless When Kim A. Lopdrup, the CEO over three million pounds of shrimp as Red Lobster seeks to pace out their Shrimp special, and suddenly I realized of Red Lobster, received word of this and, therefore, is subject to all of shrimp servings as to keep costs down, that I could feed an entire country shrimp order, he publicly condemned us questioning his masculinity.” but Magufuli is ready for this tactic. with the reckless overindulgences I it, stating that: “Red Lobster is not a When Lopdrup heard Magufuli’s “I have an entire military team was being offered! It was brilliant.” company that should produce that statement, he responded, “Of course dedicated to sitting in the restaurant’s Drought, war, and high food prices ridiculous amount of shrimp. When I can make that many shrimp,” and entrance way, picking up the orders, and are to blame for the upwards of 25 we started this sea-bug restaurant, then proceeded to aggressively packing them onto a plane,” said Magufuli. million East Africans that are in need our intention was to get customers to ask who it was that had told “I also have several people in there of humanitarian services, so Magufuli overindulge to the point of deep self- everyone his company couldn’t. politely asking for more cheddar biscuits. proceeded to order 25.5 million orders loathing, not to solve world hunger.” After Lopdrup’s statement, Red They have been in there for four days.” of Endless Shrimp, just to be safe. Magufuli responded to Lopdrup’s Lobster quickly began producing shrimp Marine biologists now estimate that “I ordered them to go, of course,” remarks, stating that “It sounds like at an unprecedented rate. Still, the filled shrimp will become extinct by 2019. said Magufuli. “And I stayed away from Lopdrup’s scared he can’t create orders trickle out of the kitchen slowly, humour // no. 18 theotherpress.ca

Consecutive days of good weather fills city with confusion, fear ööCity on verge of collapse as sun terrorizes citizens

Weather reporting has also Greg Waldock found itself in a tough place as Brad Staff Writer McChinsley, the most-watched weather reporter in Vancouver, was forced to ancouver fell under a blanket of admit on-air that Metro Vancouver and Vpanic last week as the sun shone the rest of the Lower Mainland were several days in a row, completely in for several days of nice weather. By unobscured by clouds. This unnatural the third day of beautiful sunshine phenomenon has left residents filled and cool spring breezes, McChinsley with anxiety and fear for the future. was in tears and noticeably shaking. Without endless rain and overcast skies “I’m sorry to say that we’re to complain about, social circles have entering another period of warmth and simply collapsed, weather reporters have brightness,” he told viewers, dabbing been left speechless, and the basic rules at the corner of his eyes. “There’s of Vancouver conversational etiquette nothing we can do except actually are now rendered completely useless. go outside and enjoy the fresh air. I Meghan Chan, a Point Grey don’t know when the pleasantness leader of a local book club, talked with will end. I’m sorry, everyone.” the Other Press’ field reporters. McChinsley hasn’t been on-air “We’ve only had one club meeting since, though he was photographed since the sun started,” she said. glaring at the clear blue sky downtown. Curato Analyn by Photo “We just sat around with nothing The Vancouver Police Department complain about, don’t let the green ignore again soon enough,” they tweeted. to make small talk about. One by has had to remind Vancouver citizens grass and warm sun get you down.” This reporter would like to one, we tried complaining about the that there are many other things to They also reminded us that express his support for Vancouverites weather like usual, but the bright complain about. “Housing is still eventually the dull grey overcast in this difficult time. The good light outside reminded us that there dangerously expensive,” said the will return, and Vancouverites can weather may make you want to smile wasn’t the perpetual greyness that VPD on their Twitter account. “The go back to being bitter about things more—be careful, our faces aren’t we normally hate. We were scared.” opioid crisis is still going strong. that don’t matter and are completely used to it. Being in a good mood for The book club fell Surrey is still planning the Light outside of human control. days at a time can’t be healthy. apart a few days later. Rail Transit system. There’s plenty to “The real problems will be easy to Comic by Nuclear Jackal Comic by Ed Appleby Entertainment SUDOKU WeeklyMonthly crossword: Eco-friendly Crossword: edition Eco-Friendly Edition No. 384 Medium Previous solution - Easy By Caroline Ho, Arts Editor 761924358 4 938756214 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 542318769 1. Gumbo vegetable 49 7 5 897431526 14 15 16 5. Coca-Cola alternative 425697183 613582497 10. Environmental science (abbr.) 31 4 17 18 19 154879632 14. Agreements asea 74 28386245971 15. American lawman Wyatt and his 279163845 20 21 22 23 brothers 82 56 To complete Sudoku, fill the board 24 25 26 27 28 16. Tear down by entering numbers 1 to 9 such 17. Mineral 26 43 that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. 29 30 31 32 18. Courtroom event 19. Unidentified (abbr.) 381 For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 20. Pig's home 5 7 82 21. Not manmade If you like Sudoku you’ll really like 40 41 42 43 23. Explosive abbreviation 9 ‘Str8ts’ and our other puzzles, Apps

© 2018 Syndicated Puzzles and books. Visit www.str8ts.com SUDOKU 24. Prefix for 8 44 45 46 47 48 49 The solutions will be published here in the next issue. 26. Tax in BC from 2010 to 2013 27. Female friend, en français 50 51 No.52 38453 Medium Previous solution - Easy 29. Furious 54 55 56 57 58 31. Birdlike 761924358 33. Spotted4 938756214 59 60 61 62 63 64 35. Slangy denial 37. Affix 542318769 65 66 67 4968 7 40. 68-across in Roman numerals5 897431526 41. Our Lady Peace song: "Is __ 69 70 71 There?" (1999) 425697183 43. Atomic no. 2 613582497 72 73 74 31 4 44. One of the three Rs 47. Mined material 154879632 DOWN 13. Loaned 45. Having a large, innocent 48. Top layer of Earth's surface 1. Canoe propellers 21. 11th month (abbr.) gaze (2 wds, hyph.) 386245971 74 50. Unders' opposites28 2. International climate- 22. Non-clergy 46. Harmful sun rays 279163845 52. Environmentalist colour change-combating protocol 25. Common can metal 48. Catch sight of 54. Take a break 3. One of the three Rs 28. Pad 49. Doing consistently well 82 55. US56 environmental organization To complete Sudoku, fill the board 4. Pose a question 30. Interior (3 wds.) (abbr.) 5. Animal rights 32. Dutch for "father" 51. Faerie Court of folklore Lastby week’s entering solutions numbers 1 to 9 such 57. Rip organization (abbr.) 33. Knight's title 53. And so on (abbr.) that each row, column and 3x3 box 26 59. Chicken pot or pumpkin43 are types 6. This year, April 22 (2 34. Night before 54. Starr of the Beatles of this contains every number uniquely. wds.) 36. Game of Thrones 56. More wan L U T E P E A S A M E 60. Relating to the Pacific or Atlantic, U N I T P I T C H C L E F 7. Hybrid vehicle by Toyota network 58. One of the three Rs 38eg. 1 N A M E L U C C A T L D R 8. Militaristic city-state of 38. Greek letter X 59. Type of moss EForC BmanyP A strategies,S E R T hintsE L O and tips, 63. Crimson Ancient Greece 39. Underworld deity and 61. Ship leader (abbr.) visitO R www.sudokuwiki.orgS A Y E D D A G E N 65. "Orinoco Flow" (1988) singer F R E D D I E M E R C U R Y 9. Madonna's "La __ location in Norse 62. Line from The Sixth 67. "__ __ fair in love and war." A D S N E O O E N O Bonita" (1986) mythology 5 Sense: "_ __ dead people." 7 82 68. 40-across written out N A L O G E A C T E S O 10. Period of time 41. Methyl-bonded-to- 64. Sketched If youS O likeF A SudokuI N K you’llS TreallyS like 69. Like good cheese 11. Mexican or Spanish bar carboxyl chemical prefix 66. Find a sum ‘Str8ts’W O L FandG A ourN G otherM O Z puzzles,A R T Apps 70. Fragment C A L A N S E U M A M I 12. Atmospheric layer 42. Food scraps, when 68. Second month9 (abbr.) 71. Otherwise © 2018 Syndicated Puzzles HandG F books.L O T VisitI www.str8ts.comS A P N E recycling O N E S T U T T I A L G A 72. Victorian villain Sweeney The solutions will be published here in the next issue. R E G S E T H I C B E E T 73. Tight-lipped D R E W E O S U S D S 74. Exhaled forcefully Comic by Rella