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Mercedes Deutscher News Editor [email protected] A good empty Cheryl Minns ell, we’ve made it. The last bits and bobs. It’s a sight what’s most important, that just one or two as mementos, the Arts Editor Wissue of the Fall semester. familiar to any high schooler, creates the tough calls. Anyone same can be done for emotional [email protected] The next time the Other hopeless nostalgic…or hoarder. can squirrel every trinket away, baggage. No, don’t block that ex Press hits the stands will be in Fortunately, I’m fairly certain I but it’s not necessary, and not out of your mind completely; that Chitwan Khosla frigid January days. January 2016. don’t fall under the lattermost right. relationship has had a part in Features Editor As always, with the New Year category, and, being a college If every moment is spent creating the mosaic that is who [email protected] come new trials, tribulations, graduate, I’m no high schooler, trying to hold onto the past, are you are today. Don’t try and erase and tests. Knick knacks and which leaves me as nothing more you really living life as it’s meant painful memories of loss with a Brittney MacDonald garbage. Successes and failures. than a hopeless nostalgic. to be lived? A stagnant person is family member—they need to Life & Style Editor Time eventually weighs us down I’ve always been a bit of a a person in regression. If you’re remain existing in your heart. But [email protected] with physical and emotional packrat. I just can’t help it. And not up, you’re down. If you’re not don’t hold onto everything. Don’t memories and we’re left with no there’s nothing wrong with forward, you’re backward. allow those thoughts to dominate other option than to pick what holding onto objects that mean Some things are best in the your mind. Keep only what you Elliot Chan truly means something and something to you—objects moment. need. A piece. A scrap. A token Opinions Editor what’s merely been a delightful that trigger some lost feeling As we race towards the for the memory machine. [email protected] acquaintance in passing. long ago imprinted—that first of January and New Year’s My desk at home is an utter needn’t be explained to anyone resolutions, take some time for Chandler Walter mess right now. The captivating else. But our memories, like a bit of early spring cleaning. Humour Editor lustre of Ikea laminate buried our storage spaces, do have a It doesn’t have to be of the [email protected] under a disturbingly large maximum capacity. You can’t physical variety. Similar to how mountain of receipts, notes, keep everything forever. It’s a childhood collection of toys Staff Reporter articles, and other random deciding what’s important, can be remembered by keeping Aaron Guillen
Sports Reporter Davie Wong Get to know us! Staff Writers The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we Adam Tatelman have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered Alex Stanton society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of Cazzy Lewchuk directors appointed by our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus. The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly theotherpress.ca Senior Columnists during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tutition Jerrison Oracion fees every semester at registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The facebook.com/DouglasOtherPress Lauren Paulsen Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student David Manky newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada. twitter.com/theotherpress Sarah Walker The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish youtube.com/user/theotherpress Contributor material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions Duncan Fingarson may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their instagram.com/theotherpress Josh Visser respective owners. Have an idea for a story? Let us know! This issue: Contact: Mercedes Deutscher, News Editor OO New Parliament session begins [email protected] OO Promising new drug helps prevent spread of HIV OO Progress in Paris News And more! Coho salmon research could lead to population revival Studying a little known genetic makeup
Jessica Whitsel about the genetic makeup of the one year after birth in freshwater; The Peak (Simon Fraser University) Coho salmon. One of the goals they will then swim downstream of the project is to establish the to saltwater, stay there for one to he value of the West Coast’s genome of the species. Along two years, and finally return to Tcommercial salmon fisheries with establishing the Coho the same stream in which they has dropped from $263 million genome, the goal of the project were born to spawn and then die. to $24 million since the 1990s. is to look into how the Coho There is no clear explanation Research shows this is due salmon compares with the of why the salmon follow this to a decline in endangered Atlantic salmon, whose genome pattern, and by looking at the populations of salmon. has already been established. genes of the Coho, the researchers Enhancing Production in The researchers hope that hope to establish if the species Coho: Culture, Community, comparing the two genomes will is better adapted to fresh or Catch (EPIC4), a new four-year help them gain insight into what saltwater. This could lead to the research project co-led by SFU the foundational differences establishment of a comprehensive geneticist Willie Davidson, between the Coho and Atlantic conservation strategy. aims to answer some of the Image viawww.the-peak.ca salmon are. “Looking at Coho, we Another reason to look at Coho migrate into the interior of that migrate into the interior of questions that surround the know there are many differences how genes relate to a Coho’s the province through rivers that the province can be improved. Coho salmon through genetics. and yet many similarities between life history is to figure out how have been heavily dammed for When asked about what By understanding the Coho and Atlantic salmon,” the salmon deal with stress in hydroelectric power projects. he would consider the most genetics of the Coho, Davidson said Davidson. “Can we put their upstream migration. It isn’t yet understood how exciting potential outcome for the and his team aim to help reopen genomic, genetic basis for that?” Coho salmon have spawning these migratory challenges project, Davidson replied, “I think the commercial Coho salmon Davidson’s focus on genetics migrations of various lengths and affect the salmon, but if the understanding the basic biology fishery that closed down in could help shed light on what as a result can travel up streams study gains insight into how the and understanding the marine 1999 and revive aquaculture drives the salmon to behave in the and rivers that have had very little Coho react to these stressors, survival would be the biggest on Canada’s Pacific coast. manner that they do. Coho spend human impact. However, some there is hope that the stocks kick that I could get out of it.” Currently, very little is known Downtown Eastside street vendors face persecution VPD claim that move was not to displace homeless
they’re not welcome there,” said Mercedes Deutscher Doug King, a lawyer with the News Editor [email protected] Pivot Legal Society, to CBC. King and the Pivot Legal he City of Vancouver is Society have taken action against Ton the defence after being the city, saying that Vancouver’s accused of attempting to bylaw prohibiting street vending displace the homeless in the is unconstitutional. They also Downtown Eastside, insisting claim that the move by the city the city and the Vancouver Police and the VPD is in violation Department are only looking to of a Supreme Court of BC relocate homeless street vendors decision made earlier this year in to a safer area to peddle. Abbotsford, which granted more The street vendors have been rights towards the homeless in present in East Vancouver for regard to setting up shelter. years, both around Commercial The city defended its actions Drive and East Hastings. in a statement, as reported by The markets have garnered CBC: “People are still able to controversy over time, with congregate along East Hastings, many accusing the often- and staff are not displacing homeless vendors of selling those who are homeless and stolen wares. The homeless sleeping on the street.” vendors often set up shelter As an attempt to remedy the Image viawww.news.cn near their street markets. situation, the city announced letter to the Georgia Straight come before the profits of Studies major Amy Widmer, Many claim that the city’s that they would set up a more that read: “We ask the City of developers and corporations.” who said to CBC that it is not move to herd the homeless to permanent location for these Vancouver to listen to the 3,000 They accused the city of enough of an effort on the city’s another area to sell their goods is vendors to sell items. However, Downtown Eastside residents conducting “social cleansing” part to move these vendors just an attempt to keep them off in a first attempt to establish a who have demanded that the and brought attention to the to a collective market. of some streets and move them space, the allocated area became DTES become a Social Justice disproportionate number “[Potential buyers] have onto more dangerous ones. overwhelmed and overcrowded. Zone. A Social Justice Zone is of indigenous homeless to actually actively enter into “They don’t feel comfortable Many have come to the a place where people are not people in the area. a space that is designated for being there, and either explicitly defence of the homeless vendors. targeted and criminalized SFU students are also vending instead of being able or indirectly they’ve received A collection of local support for being poor, and where defending the vendors. One to just walk down the street, the message from police that organizations wrote a collective the needs of the community such student is International pass by, and see something.” news // no. 4 theotherpress.ca New Parliament session begins Speech from the throne discusses top five agendas of Liberal government The first agenda covered Mercedes Deutscher assistance for middle class News Editor Canadians, which has been [email protected] speculated as the first legislative arliament resumed on action to be taken in Parliament PDecember 4 for the since Trudeau was sworn in as first time since July. Prime Minister in November. The There was an aura of actions taken to help the middle- optimism in Parliament, as class include tax cuts, increased the general public was invited funding to both child benefit and to witness the first session. pension plans, public growth, job Governor creation, more General affordable David “Canada succeeds in post-secondary Johnston education, delivered a large part because investment speech from here, diverse in public the throne transportation, to kick off perspectives and and the the new different opinions creation of a government. new health Johnston are celebrated, not accord. welcomed Digging new and silenced.” further into returning – Governor General government members of reform, the Parliament. David Johnston. second agenda “Canada discussed Image ofDavid Johnson via www.parl.gc.ca succeeds abolishing the many demographics that internal and external security. appeared to come from a in large part because here, the first-past-the-post electoral occupy Canada. The Liberal In regard to internal perspective of peacekeeping. diverse perspectives and system and reforming the Senate. government promised increased security, Johnson said: “To A renewal of Canada’s different opinions are Environment and economy relations between the federal that end, the government will peacekeeping relations to the UN celebrated, not silenced,” fell under the third agenda, government and the indigenous introduce legislation that will is to be prioritized. The speech Johnston stated in his speech, which promised a future where populations, placing the inquiry provide greater support for also assured that Canada will cited by the Canadian Press. the two don’t compete, but into the missing and murdered survivors of domestic violence stand by its allies in the fight The speech reconfirmed rather co-exist. Investment in women as a top priority in and sexual assault; that will against terrorism. In regard many of the promises given clean energy technology, carbon repairing the relations. Other get handguns and assault to the military, the agenda by Trudeau and the Liberals taxes, and a new environmental groups mentioned within the weapons off our streets; and mentioned wiser spending that during their election campaign, review process were mentioned. fourth agenda were Syrian that will legalize, regulate, and will lead to “a leaner, more agile, with a specific focus on The fourth agenda is refugees, veterans, and the CBC. restrict access to marijuana.” better-equipped military.” five different agendas. improving relationships amongst The final agenda discussed External security policies Mark Zuckerberg donates 99 per cent of fortune Chan Zuckerberg Initiative means to help future generations actually under no obligation Mercedes Deutscher to make any grants to a non- News Editor profit or a charitable recipient [email protected] at all because it’s an L.L.C ark Zuckerberg, founder (limited liability corporation).” Mof Facebook, and his wife, Yet others have Pricilla Chan, have decided come to defend and show to donate 99 per cent of their optimism towards the Chan Facebook shares—around $45 Zuckerberg Initiative. billion—to a new organization Gene Takagi, an attorney of their founding called the that specializes in working with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. non-profit organizations, told The Chan Zuckerberg CBC: “Those funds are forever Initiative aims to create a better dedicated to charitable purposes world for future generations by and, from a public perspective, investing in projects that promote that’s much more trustworthy.” universal equality, as well as Zuckerberg will now join human advancement. In regard the ranks of billionaires known to equality, the initiative strives to to engage in philanthropic end poverty, empower minorities Imagewww.digitaltrends.com endeavours. Zuckerberg and and women, and increase access Zuckerberg wrote in a come, but these issues are too “It’s another company,” said Chan are included amongst to basic social services such as document describing the important to wait until you or Linsey McGoey, a sociologist who several of the world’s wealthiest healthcare and education. The initiative, which was formulated we are older to begin this work. writes on philanthropy, to CBC. who have commit themselves to initiative also aims to increase as a letter to their infant daughter, By starting at a young age, “It’s an investment vehicle. It will the Giving Pledge—a pledge that the number of advancements in Max: “Today your mother and we hope to see compounding in some respects be subjected involves most of their fortune. medicine, create a world where I are committing to spend our benefits throughout our lives.” to tax if it earns revenue, but it The Giving Pledge was founded all people are connected by lives doing our small part to help Although many are praising will be able to off-set those tax by Bill and Melinda Gates, who ensuring Internet access to all, solve these challenges. I will Zuckerberg and Chan for the liabilities through deducting any also founded the Bill and Melinda utilize clean energy globally, and continue to serve as Facebook’s donation, some have been critical possible charitable grants that Gates Foundation, which works improve common knowledge CEO for many, many years to of the sudden act of kindness. it makes from the L.L.C. But it’s to lift people out of poverty to include entrepreneurship. through an improved education. issue 14 // volume 42 news // no. 5 Promising new drug helps prevent spread of HIV Canadian study finds usage greatly reduces risk Cazzy Lewchuk reached a similar conclusion. Health Canada is currently Staff Writer Truvada’s role in combating reviewing an application to the spread of HIV is still being approve Truvada for specific HIV PrEP (pre-exposure studied, but part of its limitations prevention. Applications can Aprophylaxis) drug with a involve the cost. Truvada’s market take up to a year to be approved. brand name of Truvada has been cost is close to $900 a month— The potential for curbing HIV’s found to greatly reduce the risk particularly inaccessible to spread through Truvada is seen of HIV transmission in a new patients without private health as an exciting possibility if its joint study between Quebec insurance. This contributes limitations can be overcome. and France. The pill is currently to doctors’ reluctance or even Tan further explained: “This is a only covered under federal unawareness of prescribing primary prevention intervention health care as a treatment for the medication, particularly that belongs in primary care HIV-positive patients. Although with patients who are at risk at the most basic levels of our doctors are able to prescribe the but not yet HIV-positive. health-care system, not at drug for preventative purposes Dr. Darrell Tan, a specialist the level of highly specialized at their discretion, such usage in infectious diseases, provided academic physicians.” is not covered under common a media statement about the Truvada’s effectiveness and medical insurance, and it is not drug: “The challenge is, there’s prevention is still being studied a common practice to do so. only a limited impact you can amongst those who benefit or The study identified 400 have when an evidence-based would benefit from its usage, subjects at high risk for catching intervention cannot be accessed primarily amongst homosexual HIV—in this case study, men who by the people who need it most.” men. Further studies are needed had unprotected anal sex with Other factors limiting the success to test effectiveness in reducing multiple partners. Half of the include frequency of dosage, HIV for other at-risk behaviours, subjects administered Truvada as patients in the latest study such as heterosexual sex or and the other half a placebo took about 15 pills a month, and intravenous drug usage. before and after having sex—after it is recommended that high- An estimated 75,500 6 months, 14 men in the placebo risk patients use the drug every people in Canada have HIV. group had contracted HIV, day. Side effects of Truvada can Further estimates suggest compared to 2 whom had taken include gastrointestinal rupture that one in five of these Truvada. This showed an 86 per and kidney failure, so users must people—just over 16,000—are cent decline in HIV infection. adhere to a schedule and regular unaware they have the virus. Previous studies conducted have
testing to remain healthy. Image viathinkstock Communities come together to help incoming refugees A highlight of the efforts made by current Canadians to help new Canadians
Mercedes Deutscher News Editor [email protected]
elina Prevost, a mother from SCoquitlam, is making an effort towards helping Syrian refugee children feel welcome in their new home, through customized dolls and teddy bears. “I’d love to be there when they get to a shelter, or show up once they land at the airport,” Prevost said to The Huffington Post. “Just something for them to hold as soon as possible.” Prevost is one of many Canadians working to help the masses of Syrian refugees expected to enter Canada by February 2016. Knitters have been working across the country to create large amounts of “Izzy Dolls,” a doll design created by Carol Isfeld as tribute to her son, Master Cpl. Mark “Izzy” Isfeld, who lost his Image viawww.care.org/ life in a mission to the Balkans in refugee children incoming. hoping to ease the minds of those and donations, Canadians will help the refugees pick 1994. Mark had once described The government is who have gone through traumatic have been coming together to up English or French. Other a scene to his mother of how he encouraging Canadians to donate experiences within Syria. The organize welcoming ceremonies educators are stepping in to had seen a doll left behind by towards refugee sponsorship, society also provides employment to help the refugees feel more help Syrian children get caught a child who had fled in fear. with a promise of matching the counselling and coordinates local welcome and accepted into a up in other school subjects, Although the project has donations up until $100 million donations of cash and items. new society. Children are also since many have fallen behind been gaining traction since is reached by the public. The Muslim Food Bank has being encouraged to participate, due to displacement. Mark’s death over 20 years Within BC, the Immigrant been collecting food donations with many creating homemade “These groups are always ago, there has been a higher Services Society of British for the refugees, in addition to cards with kind messages. looking for volunteers,” said Hugh demand for knitters to contribute Columbia is providing support offering to help the new refugees Language educators are Brewster of Word Vision Canada because of the large number of and counselling for individuals find housing and employment. working together to create to CTV. “…All of them have ways and families settling into Canada, Aside from counselling “conversation cafes,” which that volunteers can contribute.” news // no. 6 theotherpress.ca Image via thecanadanews.ca via Image PM Trudeau lays out ‘five principle’ plan on climate change at COP21 Aaron Guillen development of a low carbon no time to waste.” Additionally, rising sea levels. that are pledging billions to Staff Reporter economy” which will incorporate Trudeau noted that they aren’t Lastly, Canada aims to take boost new developments in carbon pricing. alone, because the cities spread the positive outlook on climate clean technology,” explained anada has taken centre Trudeau admitted that he across our nation possess change and use it as a building Huffington Post. Cstage in the Paris climate doesn’t have all the answers, but innovative leaders who want only block to grow a thriving economy Gates is integrating a group change talks. Along with his that the Aboriginal people hold the best for Canada, and have rooted in “clean technology, of private investors, with a fellow representing officials, PM the key to a brighter tomorrow: been working to combat climate green infrastructure, and green commitment of $7 billion towards Trudeau announced last week his “Third, and very importantly, change. jobs.” research and developments for country’s plan to combat climate we will work with our provinces, Fourthly, he vowed that Apart from the five principles clean energy—likewise, Trudeau change with five main principles. territories, cities, and indigenous Canada will aid developing PM Trudeau is implementing announced that Canada will Firstly, Trudeau plans on leaders who are taking a countries to deal with the in Canada’s plan for a greener budget $300 million annually into taking only the best evidence leadership role on climate problems that climate change world, Microsoft co-founder clean technology innovation. and advice through scientific change. Indigenous peoples have causes, including the vulnerable Bill Gates staged an event “We will not sacrifice growth, research. Secondly, he promises known for thousands of years countries who receive the blunt of called Mission Innovation, we will create growth,” said to “support and implement how to care for the planet and the the consequences—for example, “a group of 19 countries Trudeau. policies that contribute to the rest of us have a lot to learn and the Marshall Islands, with their and 28 leading investors On all four wheels, begging for forgiveness Volkswagen Canada apologizes Aaron Guillen What are you doing to regain my Staff Reporter trust? “We are working tirelessly fter the shocking reveal back to develop a remedy for affected Ain September concerning the vehicles. We hope our employees, controversial diesel emissions dealers and customers see this scandal, Volkswagen is making advertising as an important a conscious effort to find peace step towards acknowledging the with their Canadian customers. damage done to Volkswagen’s Last week, VW purchased relationship with Canadians and full-page ads in more than 100 declaring our full commitment to newspapers, in which they restoring faith in our Brand.” expressed their sorrow and asked Meanwhile, Canadians are their customers to look at a expected to receive a form of website provided on the ad. compensation. On the website, Maria According to CBC: Stenström, President and CEO “Environment Canada is working of Volkswagen Group Canada with U.S. regulators to approve Inc., apologized: “We are grateful a fix for the cars, which have for the relationship of trust that software installed that turns on we have built over the years with emissions control when cars are Canadians. I am committed undergoing testing, but turns it to working directly with our off during real-world driving.” Dealers, and the thousands of Until then, a nationwide Volkswagen enthusiasts across recall is expected soon. Canada, to honour our strong Additionally, VW sales have relationship going forward,” she taken a plunge of 5.5 per cent in said in an open letter on the Canada, even though collective home page. vehicle sales have risen 4.7 per Included on the website is cent in the past month, pointed an emissions FAQ, in which one out CBC.
question in particular stood out: Image viaSean Gallup/Getty Images Have an idea for a story? Let us know! This issue: Contact: Cheryl Minns, Art Editor OO Christmas on the streets [email protected] OO Chairman of the Board: Those darned kids OO Crowded Bookshelf: Expanding the universe Arts And more! Comic Corner: Weird and wonderful ‘Kill Giants’ review Kelly manages to cover it all Brittney MacDonald in this humorous narrative, Life & Style Editor which is very reminiscent of [email protected] cartoons like Recess and Hey Arnold, except a little darker. Artistically, I can’t praise this book enough: nobody originally picked up I Kill draws gangly pre-teens like J. M. IGiants by Joe Kelly after a Ken Niimura. Outside of this Goodreads recommendation graphic novel, Niimura is not from a friend, and luckily extremely well known, but I can that friend seems to know assure you, this is probably one me pretty well. This graphic of the better artist introductions novel is probably one of the I have seen. Stylistically, I Kill most entertaining reads I’ve Giants is very simplistic and had in a really long time. cartoonish. There is no focus on Joe Kelly, better known for accurate portrayals of anatomy, Deadpool and Spiderman, took and I can’t image this book a more whimsical approach succeeding any other way. The when he created I Kill Giants. art perfectly matches the tone Fifth-grader Barbara is not the of the plot, and vice versa. most popular kid in school, nor I’m sure reactions to this is she the smartest, but the one graphic novel will probably be thing she can do that none of extremely polarized, since it her classmates can is kill giants. has a love it or hate it kind of Half-fantasy, half-metaphor vibe. I definitely recommend for growing up, I Kill Giants is picking this one up, even if extremely dynamic not only in stories about grade schoolers its action but in its emotional don’t really appeal to you. content as well. Alienation, Believe me, this is much friends, family, and identity— more than just a kids’ book.
Adele to the next level Adele’s ‘25’ album review The album begins with the songs like “Send My Love,” “I first hit single from 25, “Hello.” Miss You,” and “Water Under Jerrison Oracion The song’s music video shows the Bridge.” Also, there are a Senior Columnist Adele remembering a former lot of orchestrations on the boyfriend of hers as she goes album, including the song “Love through their former home. in the Dark,” which sounds The possible second hit like something that would fit ver the past three years, single of the album, “When in the score of Interstellar. Ofans have waited for Adele We Were Young,” talks about Ryan Tedder works with to release her next album. Now, her childhood. An interesting Adele again in the song “Remedy.” her new album 25 is out and fact about this song is that one Bruno Mars, surprisingly, she still sounds as great as her of the people who wrote it is is one of the people that earlier albums. Like her previous, a songwriter from Vancouver wrote the song “All I Ask.” Grammy-winning album 21, named Tobias Jesso Jr. The The album ends with the there are no bad songs in this song “Million Years Ago” also song “Sweetest Devotion,” which album—they are all great. Just talks about her childhood, and showcases Adele at her best. like her earlier albums 21 and 19, she references various people, It sounds happier than album 25 is named after the age that she including her friends and her opener “Hello,” which is very sad. was when she made the album. mother. It reminded me of the Overall, 25 is a level The album summarizes her life Beatles song “In My Life.” up from 21 and, if you are Artby Niimura via thingsmeanalot.com so far and every song in it talks The album has more pop a big fan of Adele, you will about an aspect of her life. music than on 21, especially in not be disappointed. arts // no. 8 theotherpress.ca Christmas on This season’s Christmas the streets classics and holiday hits ‘Tokyo Godfathers’ review Local theatres present treasured tales and playful parodies Japanese Christians with the majority public who celebrate a Adam Tatelman secular version of Christmas. Cheryl Minns Staff Writer Hana falls into the former Arts Editor Christmas category, believing that God [email protected] Presence sent her to protect the child. December his December, theatres across Metro Amusingly, the film is packed 13–15, 20–21 Vancouver invite you to step away from full of strange coincidences T Pacific Theatre, guess I can officially call myself the holiday reruns on television and come that may or may not be divine Vancouver Ia Satoshi Kon fan, considering see Christmas classics live on stage. I’ve reviewed three of his four providence. These chance For a simple films in as many weeks. meetings and near misses may production full Kon’s third film, Tokyo seem convenient, but that’s the of Christmas magic, Pacific Theatre presents point: like in The Blues Brothers, an intimate series of songs and readings. The Godfathers, is an odd little Sherlock Holmes’ we’re left to decide if the trio are artists meet and choose their material on the duck. The plot is based Christmas Goose really on a mission from God or day of the performance, so audiences are in on the John Wayne classic December 12–13 just incredibly lucky. It’s mostly for a surprise. Each show features a different Three Godfathers, casting Burnaby Village used as a comedic device to call line-up of artists with new tunes and tales. the trio of bandits instead as Museum, Burnaby attention to the ongoing identity Tickets can be purchased at PacificTheatre.org desperate street people. Gin, a Are you in the crisis of the Christmas holiday depressed alcoholic; Miyuki, a mood for a mystery? itself, both a secular institution teenage runaway; and Hana, a The Forte Theatre and a religious tradition. transsexual drag queen; happen Society presents a Since this is a Christmas upon a baby abandoned in a Sherlock Holmes tale with a holiday twist. It’s a Wonderful movie, there is a happy dumpster on Christmas Eve of Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story Life ending. But after watching the all nights. Forced into the roles The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, this play Until December 26 beleaguered bums constantly of surrogate father, mother, follows Sherlock (Gavin LeClaire) and his Granville Island go out of their way to help other and sister, the three decide to assistant Watson (Karissa Ketter) as they try Stage, Vancouver unfortunates, it feels earned. locate the baby’s parents. to solve what happened to a Christmas Goose The Arts The characters had to grow in Taking place from and a blue carbuncle. Douglas College theatre Club presents this order to reach the finale, and Christmas Eve to the end of alumni Levi Williams and Adam Tatelman festive favourite that’s exactly what keeps this Christmas Day, the film explores also star in the production. Admission to about George film from feeling like holiday the strained relationship both the Village and the show is free. Bailey (Bob Frazer) facing financial woes between the three bums as treacle. It is brave enough to and meeting his guardian angel (Bernard they dodge street punks, show the conditions many suffer Cuffling), who shows him a glimpse of a Yakuza hitmen, and unpayable on the supposed happiest day world without him. Filled with detailed, era- hospital bills. In the process, of the year, yet it never wallows specific sets and costumes, the play makes each of the three is given a in despair. The real Christmas Inspecting Carol the film come to life, live and in colour. chance to confront the past spirit of the show is its optimism Until December 19 Tickets can be purchased at ArtsClub.com mistakes that landed them on in the darkest of times. The Bernie Legge the streets. The one thing that Once again Kon manages Theatre, Queen’s unites them as a dysfunctional to highlight the importance Park, New Westminster surrogate family is their social of animation to the ongoing A Christmas The Vagabond rejection, but it’s shown that cultural dialogue between Story, the Players present this charming comedy about each of them has, in a sense, Japan and North America. It’s Musical a wannabe actor who gets mistaken for a made themselves outcasts, a common ground upon which Until National Endowment for the Arts informer and still has the chance to be to discuss all the philosophical December 27 at a local theatre troupe’s production of A accepted back into the world. ideas that intrigue our respective Stanley Theatre, Christmas Carol. The actor is quickly cast in In another unique twist, the cultures. Seeing another Vancouver the production and the group caters to his film features both Western and culture’s perspective on a The Arts Club’s musical adaptation every whim because they want to make a good Eastern religious iconography. familiar tradition is a novel idea, of the holiday film follows Ralphie (Valin impression on the so-called informer. Tickets The three hobos and the making for thought-provoking Shinyei) as he desperately tries to convince can be purchased by phone at 604-521-0412 or abandoned child are an obvious holiday entertainment with the adults in his life to get him a BB gun for by email at [email protected] reference to the virgin birth an affecting dramatic centre. Christmas, despite their warnings that he’ll and the three wise men, and If you’re tired of watching shoot his eye out. This show features several the baby’s forehead has a mole reruns of A Christmas Story and talented child actors in main roles, all of resembling Gautama Buddha’s. It’s a Wonderful Life, then Tokyo whom pour their hearts into the production. The opening act even parallels Godfathers may be the Christmas Love Musically Tickets can be purchased at ArtsClub.com the minority population of film you’re searching for. December 16–20 Studio 1398, Granville Island, Vancouver Get ready to A Christmas share your most Carol: On the Air romantic stories with Until January 2 Off Key Improv’s Pacific Theatre, musical take on Vancouver holiday favourite Love Pacific Theatre Actually. Filled with takes a unique songs and audience- approach to this classic Charles Dickens inspired content, the show explores love tale by presenting the story as a 1940s live in Vancouver in its many forms. Each radio play. Like being in a live radio studio, improvised show promises a new story audiences are immersed into the experience of with original content and music. presenting a vivid radio show to the listening Tickets can be purchased at LoveMusically. public about an old miser who’s visited BrownPaperTickets.com by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. Tickets Screenshot fromfilm can be purchased at PacificTheatre.org issue 14 // volume 42 arts // no. 9 Game of the Year Awards The very best of this year’s releases across consoles and genres
Alex Stanton situation of the post-apocalyptic remake end up on a Game of the Staff Writer variety. Your hero, cryogenically Year list, but this one deserves frozen from the day the bombs it. It’s the most underrated game s 2015 comes to a close, I’d fell, wakes up in the late 23rd of the Zelda series and it’s been Alike to award this year’s most century in a bomb shelter in overhauled by a second-party deserving video game releases Massachusetts, roughly at about developer of Nintendo’s from its by genre. Without further ado, the same time that you, the N64 roots, putting the gorgeous here are the finest of the finest player, wake up and get your graphics and stereoscopic 3-D of this year’s gaming industry. mind blown by the vastness of more in line with the games the wasteland and the serious of today. I reviewed Majora’s Action Game of the Year advancement from Fallout 3. Mask when it arrived on the Metal Gear Solid V: If you’ve ever wondered how 3DS this year, and I gave it The Phantom Pain beautiful a cruel and inhospitable a perfect score. Handheld Xbox One, PS4, Xbox wasteland could be, pick this up owners, particularly those who 360, PS3, PC as soon as you can. This time, haven’t played this masterpiece The Metal Gear series has war changes for the better. already, owe it to themselves been the golden standard by to try out Link’s most surreal, which all stealth action games Shooter of the Year scary, and dark adventure. are measured. For those of Splatoon you non-gamers out there, Nintendo Wii U Console Game of the Year Metal Gear is an epic espionage Splatoon achieved many Super Mario Maker thriller series that tells a story notable milestones in the gaming Nintendo Wii U chronologically beginning in industry, in addition to being For the record, I should 1964 and concluding in 2014. The the greatest online competitive note that I personally got focus of the series is purely on shooting experience in 2015. First, slightly more enjoyment from the plot, but this time around the last time Nintendo created the aforementioned games than the gameplay has advanced a new intellectual property was this one, despite Super Mario greatly. One of the notable moves Pikmin, which was released in Maker winning the overall Game that puts The Phantom Pain in 2001 for the Gamecube. Second, of the Year award. This game is line with more modern action it’s the very first straight up just so brilliant and innovative games is the presence of an shooting game by the company, that I have to give it credit. It’s a open world. I’m not saying the which has a family friendly game in which you can construct story isn’t one of the finest in the reputation. Third, and most your very own levels based on series, but it’s the gameplay that importantly, the gameplay, the graphics, gameplay, and makes this yet another award- which involves half-squid, half- characters of the 30-year-old winning title from Konami. humans spraying ink at each Super Mario series. You’d think other in unique team-based that this idea is a no-brainer Role-playing Game of the Year game modes, was made in a way and should have been made Fallout 4 that is easy to learn and hard to before, but the touchscreen Xbox One, PS4, PC master. It’s the most accessible gamepad of the Wii U makes Fallout 3 was the defining online multiplayer game of this this a perfect fit for the console. western role-playing experience generation, and easily one of the Using unique 12-digit codes, is, quite literally, for everyone. subjective, no matter what of the previous console best in Nintendo’s three-decade players can share their levels with the Metacritic aggregate score generation, and Fallout 4 long tenure as a software maker. other people, either by directly Another year in gaming, tells you. No matter what improves on it in every way. The sharing the code or by posting another set of great games. games you loved best, 2015 Fallout series takes place in an Handheld Game of the Year it on the Miiverse, Nintendo’s Everybody has their opinions, was a great year for gaming. alternate timeline where the The Legend of Zelda: answer to social media. With and some may consider Seeing some of the future world’s superpowers ended up Majora’s Mask 3D the ability to switch between mine unorthodox. But the releases, I can’t wait for 2016. pushing the big red button and Nintendo 3DS the art style of all eras of Mario nature of art makes it entirely placing the United States in a Rarely does a video game platforming, this is a game that
Chairman of the Board: Those darned kids! ‘Home Alone’ board game review controlling one of the two thieves lot of time to explore and by exploring the house. Each player the end all of the cardboard Ed Appleby has a kid token in their colour, tokens have been collected. Illustrator and once that square is found This game holds a lot of is the season to grab your a kid playing piece is added nostalgia for me: it was a game ’Tholiday board games, to the board. The game ends I used to play with my brothers although I find there is a when one of the thieves catches when I was young, especially desperate lack of Christmas one of the kids. The winner around Christmas. The game board games out there. They are is the player with the highest itself is far from stellar, with an quite rare, and when you find combination of their traps extremely basic gameplay and a one from a licenced property and other players’ valuables. drawn-out endgame. Also, I hate then you are in for a treat, When revealed, the kid spinners, so if you have a four- like last year’s fruitcake. moves a lot faster than the sided dice to use instead, do so! Home Alone is a spin-and- thieves, and can use various I would only recommend the move game for 2–4 players secret passages throughout the game for younger players. It offers published by THQ in 1991. In the house to move even quicker. a light and simple introduction game, players lay out coloured This makes the endgame more to a more complex style of cardboard squares around the drawn out than it should be. gameplay. Maybe a quick game house with either valuables or This can lead to a lot of ties after watching the holiday classic because it gives the thieves a with some younger relatives. traps, then players take turns Illustration by EdAppleby arts // no. 10 theotherpress.ca Another new ‘Mystery Dungeon’ to explore ‘Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon’ game review
Lauren Paulsen However, I decided to go with the game, as connections with Senior Columnist whoever the game thought Pokémon are a big theme in the was my match, which this time series. Instead of going to look at happened to be Oshawott. a request board for quests, you are The game will also give you given a Connection Orb. You start a partner that remains with you off with one connection, and when ne of the greatest successes throughout your journey. Again, you fulfill that request, it opens up Othat I have seen throughout the game allows you a choice, connections to other Pokémon. my life has been the Pokémon but I went with the one that the As you fulfill more requests, franchise. I remember playing game decided complimented my more connections will open up, the game, watching the television Oshawott. The game matched forming a kind of web. It’s a pretty series, and buying the trading me with a Cyndaquil, which is high-tech gadget compared to cards while I was in elementary strangely the same partner that I the previous request boards. school, and even today Pokémon had in the first Mystery Dungeon Another difference with seems to be as popular as I game. As you progress through the this game seems to be the age remember from my childhood. game, you can gain more friends of your Pokémon. Although our It’s no wonder there are so many to help you in the dungeons. ages are not mentioned in any spinoffs of the video game. Several things are different of the games, I don’t remember Recently, another one was released in Super Mystery Dungeon than being treated as a young child in for the Nintendo 3DS: Pokémon in its predecessors. Usually, the previous versions. A big part Super Mystery Dungeon. early on in the game you are of your partner’s story in Super Pokémon Super Mystery given various request options to Mystery Dungeon is that their Dungeon is the fifth generation accept that you can fulfill in the dream is to join the Expedition can then attach Emeras that you are there, though I imagine of the Mystery Dungeon series for dungeons, perhaps by finding a Society, which they can’t currently you find to gain various effects that will change as I progress. Nintendo’s handhelds. In each lost Pokémon, defeating a certain do because they are too young. to help you in the dungeon. I have liked all of the game, the protagonist wakes up Pokémon, finding something Not only that, but in the last Overall, it felt like the game previous games in this series, after being changed from a human for a Pokémon—many different installment, Pokémon Mystery took some time to gain its footing, and I like this one too. If you to a Pokémon. I found the concept types of quests. However, in this Dungeon: Gates of Infinity, you but it does eventually turn into the have played any of the previous of being a Pokémon pretty cool installment, the game pretty and your partner build your own familiar Mystery Dungeon game games, you know what you are when the first generation of the much directs you along one house and live there. It’s not really that I enjoy. The new features are getting into. However, for those series came out. Using a series of path for the first five chapters a big deal, but it means that they interesting to explore, though the who haven’t played any of the questions, the game will set you or so. It isn’t until later that you actually make you go to school in Emeras seem overpowered and I previous Mystery Dungeon up with a Pokémon that matches are allowed to choose between the game, at least until summer have found it rather easy to clear games, you don’t have to have your personality. You don’t have requests, and even then I have break. The lessons are a way for dungeons so far. The story has played them to enjoy this one. to stick with this Pokémon, found the options more limited you to learn stuff about Dungeons, mostly focused on your partner’s If you like Pokémon and you and this installment allows you than previous generations. and certain new features such dream and you helping them to like dungeon crawling, then add to be one of 20 different ones. This may change further into as the Looplets, onto which you fulfill it, and little to do with why this to your Christmas wish list. Crowded Bookshelf: Expanding the universe ‘Thrawn’ trilogy series review
Duncan Fingarson from disparate guerilla force mysteries everywhere and it’s Columnist to reigning government has a credit to his storytelling that not gone smoothly. Political he can build so much suspense ecember is here, and amidst infighting is rampant, Luke while still showing off so much. Dall the usual trappings of Skywalker’s attempts to rebuild Book two, Dark Force Rising, the holiday season comes the the Jedi Order are progressing builds on the framework started newest Star Wars movie, the slowly, and remnants of the in book one. By now the Republic first in 10 years and the first to be Empire lurk in the shadows. is aware of Thrawn and in handled by the franchise’s new The primary lurker is Grand desperate need of warships. Enter owner, Disney. I’m cautiously Admiral Thrawn, one of the old the Dark Force, a fleet of lost optimistic about the movie, regime’s best fleet commanders. battleships from before the time but that’s not what I’m here to An alien in an organization of the Empire. Most of the second talk about. Instead, I thought famous for hating aliens, Thrawn book follows the attempts of Luke this was the perfect time to still has a sizeable fleet and the and the others to track down the take a look at part of the Star tactical acumen necessary to ships before Thrawn does, and Wars Expanded Universe. use it well now that the tables take them for the use of the New The EU encompasses have turned on the Empire. Republic. Some of the intrigues everything that’s not part of the The first book,Heir to the from the first book are cleared up, six core films, and it includes a Empire, sets the stage. We get and more are introduced. Leia wide variety of books and video to see what all the old cast have goes on a journey to a planet of games. Unfortunately, due to been up to in the five years people loyal to the old Empire to the new film trilogy the EU has since the battle of Endor, new see if she can change their minds, been declared non-canonical. characters get introduced, and while Han and Luke search for Fortunately, its status of not the first glimpses of Thrawn’s the fleet. This is where Thrawn’s are left unspoiled. Suffice it to characters act out-of-character being canon does nothing to plans are made visible. The books plans start to turn back on him. say, it was well worth the read. for themselves. There are no actually delete the works in are all written in third person Finally, book three, The Last Are these books perfect? dei ex machina to be found. question, some of which are omniscient, and the perspective Command. As might be expected No, they aren’t. However, they There are Dark Jedi, blasters quite good. Possibly the best of jumps around between all of of the finale to a trilogy, book are solidly written, they’re a and lightsabers, and, indeed, the many Star Wars novels is the major players of the story. three starts tying up loose ends. whole lot better than the rest a war amongst the stars. Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn trilogy. Both sides have plans and the All of the conflicts introduced of the Expanded Universe, and, This is space opera at The novels pick up shortly reader knows more about each in the previous two books come most importantly, they feel like its finest and any fan of Star after the battle of Endor. The than either side knows about the to a head, one way or another. I Star Wars. It’s not hard to see Wars would do well to have Rebel Alliance has become the other, but Zahn doesn’t show won’t say too much about this these books as being part of these books on their shelves. New Republic, and the transition everything. There are still little one—it’s better if the surprises the universe, since none of the Have an idea for a story? Let us know! This issue: O Contact: Eric Wilkins, Editor-in-Chief O Midseason Reflections [email protected] OO Player profile: Simran Bir And more! Sports
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL INSTITUTION CONF PTS VIU 6-1 12 DOUGLAS 6-1 12 CAPILANO 5-2 10 QUEST 4-3 8 LANGARA 3-4 6 CBC 3-4 6 CAMOSUN 1-6 2 KPU 0-7 0
MEN’S BASKETBALL
INSTITUTION CONF PTS VIU 7-0 14 QUEST 6-1 12 LANGARA 5-2 10 CAPILANO 4-3 8 CAMOSUN 3-4 6 DOUGLAS 2-5 4 CBC 1-6 2 KPU 0-7 0 Image by Davie Wong WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Midseason reflections INSTITUTION CONF PTS VIU 10-2 20 Talking with women’s volleyball coach Kyra Iannone CAPILANO 8-4 16 their rookies: “We have had some Self-improvement throughout the Davie Wong CAMOSUN 8-4 16 Sports Reporter strong rookies coming on and team will be a major asset if the making an impact early. They team hopes to make a deep run DOUGLAS 6-6 12 ometimes, records are only a have stepped up to their roles.” into the playoffs. UFV 4-8 8 Snumber. For the women’s vol- It has also helped that much of Iannone praised the efforts of leyball team, who will be ending a last year’s roster has returned this first year players, Claudia Corneil, COTR 3-9 6 year at 6-6, this is definitely true. year, more experienced than they Darby Dunn, and Autumn David- CBC 3-9 6 Coach Kyra Iannone spent some were the year before. son, calling them “invaluable to time with the Other Press to talk Moving forward, Iannone the team.” She also recognized the about their year so far. believes that her team has a real effort put in by of her older play- “We are learning so much shot to compete for a national ers. Along with serving ace Geor- in a short amount of time and title this year. “I believe our loss- gia Hurry, Iannone commended MEN’S VOLLEYBALL the only way to progress some- es to the top teams prove to the the work of her seniors, Juliana INSTITUTION CONF PTS times is to take a step back and league and to ourselves that we Penner and Courtney Wilson, for allow yourself to break before are within reach of a Nationals the leadership ability that they CAMOSUN 12-0 24 you build.” The ideal goal for the berth.” The team reached the have shown. DOUGLAS 9-3 18 team is to make the playoffs and quarter-finals last year before Besides her players, Iannone peak before or during playoffs so falling to the eventual champions also applauded the work done by UFV 7-5 14 they are playing their best when it VIU. her coaching staff. With the first VIU 6-6 12 matters most. But to do that, she realizes half of the season in the books, While 6-6 is not the best that things may need to change. the women will look to move CAPILANO 4-8 8 record, being even means the “I think we will see some person- forward after the break and build COTR 4-8 8 team has had their own flashes nel changes in January. There on the success that they’ve found of success. According to Ian- may even possibly be some lineup so far. CBC 0-12 0 none, much of their success this changes. So selflessness and buy- season has come off the back of ing into the team will be huge.” The end of animation A bridge between cultures about to collapse By Adam Tatelman Staff Writer
hroughout modern history, many important convenience and comparative ease provided by Many of the earliest anime took their skills have become so-called “lost arts” 3-D computer animation because they can no inspiration from the original Walt Disney cartoons because nobody practices them anymore. longer afford to pay for the large teams traditional like Steamboat Willie, hence their typical use of Consider blacksmithing. Today, nobody bashes pen-and-paper animation requires. There is, quite large, expressive eyes. In the ’90s, Cowboy Bebop Tred-hot metal against an anvil to create simple simply, no money in it anymore—and because gained notoriety in North America for its pastiche shapes, instead, any metal we need can be forged of that, the world could lose an artistic tradition style, adopting audio and visual elements from on an assembly line by specialized machinery. It’s that has connected cultures for generations. jazz, blues, film noir, sci-fi, western, and so on. faster, cheaper, and requires less human input to Like many children of the ’90s, some of my This is not to say that anime should Americanize accomplish. Such is the way of industrial progress. earliest memories are of Walt Disney’s animated itself to appeal to a Western audience, but rather Most craftsman jobs are no longer practiced films. I vividly remember watching with glee as that a show like Bebop could only exist following a today, except by those who do so for recreation. Timon and Pumbaa sang “Hakuna Matata,” and long-term artistic dialogue between Japanese and Modern methods may be more efficient, but cheering for Peter Pan as he dueled with Captain American artists. Each new generation of artists is they come at the expense of traditions that carry Hook. What my four-year-old brain could never like the next strut on a bridge that spans nations. much history within them. Likewise, the world of imagine was that there were children just like me All this has contributed to the emergence animation is currently seeing a similar evolution. around the world who felt the same way about of animation as a medium apart from all others, More and more frequently, major animation the same films. The only difference between us complete with its own creative benefits. On the studios are turning is that some of those other children decided practical side, it’s easier to animate something to the to make new movies when they grew up. than film live action because it is cheaper And that’s how it started. It’s no secret that to produce and not limited by filmmaking Disney’s The Lion King was partially inspired by necessities like set building, location shooting, Osamu Tezuka’s 1965 anime series special effects, and so on. On the philosophical Kimba the White Lion. Now, side, animation has created unique tropes and we can debate forever about storytelling devices that can only exist within what is or isn’t a rip-off—you it, particularly the expression of a character only need to change one through design. In many cases, these designs letter in Kimba’s name to get become widely adopted, then subject to parody “Simba”—but the fact remains and subversion. It’s amazing when any medium that animation has no borders. evolves to the point where it parodies itself. Like all artists, animators get All of this is evidence of animation’s inspiration from works that came validity as a form of artistic expression, in spite before. Homage becomes a tradition of detractors who may claim that animation is that transcends cultures, simply only for children. There are countless reasons to through a shared love for preserve the method alongside the ever-more- storytelling through pictures. successful 3-D computer animation. However, a number of factors are emerging that severely limit the profitability of traditional animation. The most prominent harbinger of the tombstone on the horizon is, as mentioned, 3-D computer animation. Back in 2013, Walt Disney Corporation slashed its entire team of hand animators for this exact reason. I object to the idea that 3-D animation is somehow inherently superior just because it is more technologically sophisticated. The two mediums share similar of the positions that were available even a decade popular anime series One Piece using the advantages, but despite the obvious differences in ago. Those who succeed, end up in teams of 30 torrent program BitTorrent. The judge ruled tech and cash, the products they create are entirely or less doing work that usually requires over 100 that the defendants were not “acting in different and aimed at different audiences—and animators, all while their superiors hold them to concert,” and so the case was dismissed. the product is the most important issue at hand. impossible production schedules and standards Many were quick to claim that Funimation The next proverbial mark of Cain is the of quality. Popular cartoons like Family Guy and hates anime fans, and that they only care about rise of streaming media. Netflix charges $8 American Dad only survive because their simplistic the money. However, Funimation did not sue a month for subscriptions, and has over 60 animation style is super-cheap to produce. for money; their objective was to have the illegal million subscribers. That’s almost half a billion Hayao Miyazaki, renowned Studio Ghibli copies of their content destroyed. Obviously it is dollars every month. Netflix’s most expensive animator, retired in 2014, shortly after appearing in Funimation’s interest to protect their Japanese properties are the originals, such as House of in The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, a shareholders as well as their own licences, but that Cards, Daredevil, Orange is the New Black, documentary about the studio’s history. In the is a matter of necessity, not greed. If fewer people which were all produced for around $100 million film, he was quoted as saying: “The future is torrented content in the first place, then such each. Compared to that, the cost of hosting clear. It’s going to fall apart. I can feel it.” Since search-and-destroy policies would be unnecessary. content is entirely negligible. Netflix only has Studio Ghibli routinely rakes in hundreds of We’re all students with very little disposable to pay for a show once, and no matter how millions of dollars with films like Ponyo and income, but if you like animation, try to share many people watch it, the studio that created it Spirited Away, the fact that the general managers the wealth. Buy DVDs to support your favorite won’t see any more of that subscription cash. are looking into “housecleaning” speaks to the studios. If you’re into anime but prefer streaming, Even worse, the Internet has bred torrenting. costs of production. Under such constraints, there are new services like Crunchyroll offering No one needs to be told why it’s unethical to it’s no wonder that Manglobe, the high- anime content for monthly subscriptions of consume unpaid-for content, yet millions of profile anime studio that created Gangsta and $6.95. If you feel tempted to torrent a show, people feel entitled to watch what they want Samurai Champloo, went bankrupt this year. just remember that it is the dogged animators for free. Anime faces the similar case of fan Clearly, the captains of the industry feel that who suffer most when the studio collapses— dubbing. It’s expensive to make good dubs, the writing is on the wall. Japanese television the very people who created, frame by frame, because translators must be hired in addition to moguls agree; the former primetime television the very content you’re watching for free. voice actors, and the latter can’t be poached from slot for anime has now been reserved for reality It’s a grim state of affairs, but it doesn’t have Disney’s talent pool. So, western fans have taken TV programs. It’s not much different in the West to be the end of days. If everybody does their part, it upon themselves to write English subtitles for either. Funimation, an American anime licensing we won’t have to watch while hand animation the anime, and distribute the translated versions company, has been particularly aggressive in its go the way of the without paying licensing fees to the studios. anti-piracy policy. Since 2005, they have been blacksmith. Combine all of this with the smaller number serving cease and desist letters to numerous of buyers on the market due to recession in both websites that offered fan subs of their licensed North America and Japan, and you’ve got a perfect content. In 2011, Funimation filed a storm. Disney knew this, and cut costs accordingly. lawsuit against 1,337 individuals Hand animators worldwide now face an extremely for allegedly downloading competitive environment that offers a tiny fraction an episode of sports // no. 14 theotherpress.ca Midseason Reflections Sitting down with women’s basketball coach Courtney Gerwing Davie Wong chemistry just continues to get Sports Reporter better and better. We really em- phasized that in the beginning t truly has been a year of equal- of the season and do a significant Iity—one up, one down—for the amount of work to ensure that Royals. The women’s soccer team we are all on the same page… Ev- went to Nationals and the men erything the team does, we do to- bowed out. The men’s basketball gether, and I think it builds team team went 0-5 before picking up chemistry. At the end of the day, wins, and the women have just that’s the most important thing.” dominated. Building momentum That mentality has really shaped off of an excellent pre-season, the the team over the years. While team has been in the driver’s seat the focus is on making sure the of their own destiny. With only 1 team works hard and nothing is loss in 7 games, the women look taken for granted, Gerwing always poised to be a serious challenge ensures that the players can enjoy for any team. the time that they spend with the The Other Press sat down team. with head coach Courtney Ger- Moving forward, the squad wing to discuss her team’s success will be coming back into the reg- to open the season. “6-1 is a great ular season with not much space start but we know that it is often to move up in the conference, a ‘tale of two seasons’ where the but a lot of space to move down. second half can be much different Although the skill level of the than the first. We are working group continues to climb with hard to ensure that is not the case every passing year, coach Gerwing this season from a win-loss per- believes that they’re well prepared spective.” for the challenges that lie ahead. However, December won’t be “Our team mentality has been a completely quiet month for the about attacking wins and not ladies. They have a few exhibition preventing losses. Our approach games planned to keep the team ensures we take each game one at warm and hopefully build on a few a time.” Image by Davie Wong aspects. Although their record is With every great season, almost spotless, the team has not there have always been star players invaluable insight to the team,” Jettie McLaughlin is the team. Katja Fuess has been the been without its struggles. Coach on the squad—players that put in Gerwing noted about the co-cap- team’s fundraising coordinator. sole provider of transportation Gerwing recognizes that better a little extra and push the team tain. When she isn’t putting in time to practice which is massive con- than anyone. “We have had some farther than thought possible. But Beasley’s contributions practicing with the team, she’s off sidering practices are at 6:15 a.m. offensive struggles in some games This year however, proves to be don’t just end there. Along with planning and putting together the Both she and Marie-Line Petit that we will be focusing on solving an anomaly. The team currently Ellen Fallis, Beasley helps to team’s next fundraising activity. It has played crucial roles in help- during the break. December gives has more than six different players manage the team’s monthly news- is thanks to her work coordinating ing the team and myself prepare us a lot of time to study game film who have scored into the double letter which allows them to stay such events during the offseason, for games. Ashley Melvin is our and work on weaknesses during digits in different games. connected with their fan base and that the team managed to obtain Director of Operations as well practices.” The players’ hard work alumni. Other members of the new equipment, among other as our student trainer. Working December also offers a unique doesn’t end when they leave the team have taken to the cause as things. alongside Alvin Tseng, the team’s opportunity for the team. As the court. Many of the players take well. But no great team is without physiotherapist, they have kept holidays roll right through the on other responsibilities with the Lauren Sollero and Simran Bir a great coaching roster. When the team healthy and work hard to season, it gives the team a chance team. “Amber Beasley has been a manage the team’s social media asked about the importance of her make sure players that are injured, to do some bonding. This bonding key leader amongst the team. She presence. Their work allows the coaching team, Gerwing had no are well taken care of. My life has has been a key part of Gerwing’s ensures that everyone is on the team to keep their fans up to date hesitations responding, praising been made easier by all of the staff coaching regime and she believes same track and has taken steps to and give a unique point of view to her team of coaches for their effort and their effort and desire to be a that is has given them an edge develop her leadership skills. Her the complicated, and sometime and contributions to the team’s part of this great team.” of over other teams. “Our team ability to be analytical also adds hilarious, world of collegiate bas- success. “My coaching staff have ketball. been huge for myself, and the Player profile:Simran Bir Prolific sharpshooter for the women’s basketball team Davie Wong from her history as a competitive amounts of pressure was a huge Sports Reporter swimmer. Unlike other players beneficiary to her when she made who have been playing basketball the decision to transition to bas- imran Bir is a third year mem- since their infancy, Bir only start- ketball more seriously. Sber of the women’s basketball ed playing competitive basket- This year, Bir hopes to win team and plays a key role at the ball near the beginning of high gold at Provincials to earn a berth number five position. Standing school. at Nationals. The team has come at 5’9”, Bir is not the tallest player Originally, she believed that second in the last two years, los- on the court but definitely not she would be pursuing competi- ing in the finals to the same team the shortest. What she lacks in tive swimming going into college, both years. height, she makes up for in skill. but due to her mother’s insis- Outside of basketball, Bir is a Her shooting ability has been tence on her branching out and third year student at Douglas en- integral to the team’s ability to playing other sports, Bir discov- rolled in the Bachelor of Nursing score offensively. When the team ered basketball. Over time, she program. While unsure about her struggles to get into the paint to developed a deep passion for the future, she hopes that basketball score, they know they can rely on game, favouring the team aspects will be a part of her life, one way Bir to score from the outside. of the sport compared to the indi- or another, long after she leaves Her ability to shoot well vidualistic aspects of swimming. Douglas.
under intense pressure comes Her ability to cope with large Image viaDouglas Collage Student Servieces on Flickr Have an idea for a story? Let us know! This issue: Contact: Brittney MacDonald, Life & Style Editor OO The worst that the holidays have to offer [email protected] OO My Cycles OO Beauty on a Budget Life & Style And more! Image viathinkstock CBC cuts comments towards First Nations News website removes the comment section due to racist trolling published online that involved with accusations of being First Nations stories, which is devolve back to the old ways of Brittney MacDonald the First Nations people, CBC somewhat elitist. Criticism problematic because it comes dealing with reader concerns, Life & Style Editor has decided that they will made by fellow news site The off as white-washing. Yes, and remove the comment [email protected] disable the comment section Rebel claims that the action more often than not, when section from every story. This enerally speaking, websites on any Aboriginal stories in the eliminates the voice of working you have a news posting about forces people to actually contact Gare pretty complacent when future. CBC claims that this is class or “grass roots” First any minority group, you are the web administrators, writers, it comes to toxicity; I mean, who due to an overload of racist and Nations, while propagating the going to be faced with a lot and editors themselves, either even reads comments anymore inappropriate comments posted opinions of “millionaire chiefs.” of racist backlash. However, through email or social media, anyway? CBC has taken it a by users. Despite repeated The Rebel also claims that by eliminating the response as opposed to offering them step further, though. Rather attempts to filter the content what is said in the comments platform entirely, but only doing an immediate, public outlet than just ignoring what goes of the comments, elimination section is as much a part of so when the question of race is for every thought that enters on in their comment section of all inappropriate comments the story as the quotes used in a factor, you are left with the their brain. This method has like most news websites, they was not possible, leading the the article itself. I personally singular opinion of the article’s had quite a bit of success with decided to disable comments site administrators to this find these accusations a little author alone—and let’s be websites like The Times and on certain stories entirely. rather extreme decision. radical and extremely binary. honest, CBC isn’t exactly known The Chicago Sun, and would After noticing a disturbing The decision has not Where I see the problem for its racial diversity when it probably be a better option than trend regarding any story they gone unopposed, though. lying is that the removal of the comes to content creators. CBC’s current course of action. CBC has come under fire comments section is specific to Instead, it seems wiser to Work out like a superhero! New geek fitness line to spice up your gym experience high praise for the fact that even took into account cellular Brittney MacDonald it caters to nearly all body dependence, working a phone Life & Style Editor types and features both plus- friendly pocket into the design. [email protected] sized and slender models Ranging in price from ooking to geek out your in its ad campaigns. $50–$105 depending on the Lworkout wear? Well your Personally, I am delighted design and item type, the line is prayers have been answered! by the practicality of the definitely on par if not cheaper Ultra-nerdy design label Castle pieces. This is not a workout than a lot of other competing Corsetry, founded by Lauren line to simply impress your fitness labels on the market. Matesic, has recently decided Instagram followers—it is The designs themselves are to branch out from costumes, actually meant to be used in super cute, drawing from corsets, and boudoir wear to a gym. This means that it has fan favourite characters like bring us a feminine fitness options for all comfort levels, Spiderman, Harley Quinn, line inspired by our favourite with crop tops, tank tops, and Wonder Woman, and Deadpool. super heroes and villains. pants, so it has you covered It also has the benefit of being Based out of Los Angeles, whatever your level of body made to order, meaning that if the new line debuted in sensitivity. The products are you have odd proportions they November to some pretty stellar also made of machine washable can most likely be accounted for reviews by websites like Geek Dri-Fit spandex to reduce in the ordering process, and if and Sundry, Nerdist, Legion problematic sweat stains and the quality is anything like any of Leia, and Fashionably Geek. keep you cool while you’re other Castle Corsetry product, working out. Castle Corsetry these garments are built to last. It has received extremely Image viaCastle Corsetry life & style // no. 16 theotherpress.ca
#DOUGLIFE
Share your photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #DougLife, for a chance to be featured in the paper! Imagevia www.realityaltered.com The worst that the holidays have to offer The 13 pains of Christmas
Cazzy Lewchuk 7) Elf on the Shelf. Teach children about Staff Writer surveillance states at an early age this holiday season with a creepy monstrosity that seems or most of us, December and the holiday season to move on its own. Big Santa is watching. This week’s photo is by gymgenesis Fis a joyous time of year. It’s a time for giving, sentiment, togetherness, and celebration. However, there are some factors that come around this time 6) Gift obligations. Christmas is of year that make December not so jolly after all. a time to spend with family, and pretty soon you’re obliged to get a gift for 10 or 20 people who you don’t know well and will 13) Crowded stores. It can be fun to not see for another year. It’s expensive, pick out a gift for a loved one, but there are so annoying, and usually awkward anyway. many people that it’s more like a stampede than a shopping mall. And Christmas shoppers aren’t exactly laid-back, considerate consumers. 5) Mariah Carey. All I want for Christmas is for her original holiday composition to vanish back to Hell where it came from. In 12) Fruitcake. Every year, the rock with fact, let’s extend that to any original modern pieces of vague fruit-like cubes appears in our holiday song. “Last Christmas” indeed. homes somehow. It makes an excellent door- stopper, but it should never be considered edible. 4) Religious guilt. Christmas is by definition a religious/spiritual occasion, 11) Mistletoe. Maybe you’re caught but debates about the “Christ in Christmas” under it with an ex, your cousin, or your or lectures about what we choose to boss. Whatever the conundrum, forced believe or not believe come out in crowds kissing is a weird and stupid holiday trap. this year. It’s no fun for anyone. It’s usually infested with nargles, anyway.
3) Christmas movies/specials. 10) Exams before festivities. Your Yes, they all suck. Even the good ones classes are over, you’re working more than suck—plot, depth, and entertainment ever—but you’ve still got to take several arbitrary are all sacrificed for a holiday theme. two-hour tests worth 30 per cent of your grade. 2) Being called “The Grinch” 9) Working hard. Whether you work directly in customer service or on a different or “Scrooge” for complaining person interaction level, everyone is busy and about the season. This one should stressed at their jobs during the holidays. be self-explanatory, and admit it—you were The client and employee, whichever you thinking it when your read the title of this list. may be, are both tired and just want to go home—but alas, the holiday duties call. 1) Eggnog. Don’t pretend you enjoy this monstrosity—you enjoy the rum mixed in. It’s 8) Christmas sweaters. Nothing like really thin pancake batter that you drink. like spending $50 for an intentionally ugly They only sell it once a year because it takes sweater that you’ll wear once. Nobody 12 months to forget how awful it tastes. likes those types of parties. Nobody likes the designs. Plus, they’re so itchy. issue 14 // volume 42 life & style // no. 17 My Cycles An app for the modern woman be expected to remember what Brittney MacDonald types of aspirin or ibuprofen Life & Style Editor are the ones you can take, [email protected] and which ones just make you o woman likes getting their feel nauseous and cranky. Nperiod. It’s an awful time My favourite aspect of filled with pain, sweatpants, and the app is how simple it is. the desire to punch everyone I hate things that try and you see in the face—especially overly feminize the menstrual if they assume your desire to experience—I mean, come do so is specifically linked to on? When I have my period I the fact you are on your period. don’t need shallow attempts at It’s a weird system. I didn’t reminding me how great it is make it up. That’s just the way to be a woman, or references it is. Fortunately, managing to my uterus being a flower your period has become a (I’m looking at you, tampon little bit easier thanks to the ads). I need a simple, discreet modern, technology-driven pop up on my phone that says age. Of course, I’m talking “Oh, by the way, expect your about a smartphone app! period in the next couple days,” My Cycles by MedHelp so I can plan accordingly. allows you to keep track of your This app caters to that symptoms, moods, flow, etc., desire for simplicity by having a while on your period. The app customizable design, calendar uses this information to predict function, countdown clock, when your next ovulation cycle colour-coded cycle warnings, and period cycle will begin reference guide, and summary based off of the timing of your analysis page, and just being previous ones. It also warns in general very user friendly. Image viawww.medhelp.org you about what symptoms you Reviews online also state that cycle—which I didn’t even also beneficial if you’re looking app wasn’t created to make might have if certain ones are the response times for the app’s think about until after I got to get pregnant, or wanting money, but simply as a tool especially common during your customer support is incredibly this app. Apparently, your to make sure you avoid it. to help maintain feminine menses. Speaking of symptoms, fast, which is always nice. ovulation cycle can also affect So you may be asking health and wellness, and also there’s an option that allows you And those pop-up messages your moods, sex drive, and yourself how much this app to help women better recognize to keep track of what medication about your period? Yeah, they fatigue level, so it’s worth it to costs. That’s the best part— when there is an abnormality you took and whether it was also have them for when you keep track of it as well. Being the app is entirely free on within their cycle that they successful, meaning you won’t should expect your ovulation aware of your ovulation cycle is both Android and iOS! The should see a doctor about. Beauty on a Budget Skin care for the holidays for almost anyone who wants Lauren Kelly to use them that often (or Assistant Editor even once or twice a week). [email protected] However, they can be purchased aking care of your skin at Asian supermarkets like Tis important, but it can T&T for about $1 each, or in be expensive. Going into the bulk for an even better deal. holidays, I wanted to tell you E.l.f. Zit Zapper: If you about tWwo of my favourite struggle with breakouts, this skincare steals to help you look clear roll-on gel from E.l.f. is fresh faced for any festivities! very effective. Zit Zapper is Face Mask Sheets: These filled with ingredients famous face masks, which are incredibly for helping with acne, such popular in Korea and have been as tea-tree oil, witch hazel, brought to a Western market and salicylic acid, and it also by stores such as Sephora and contains camphor, which The Face Shop, are one time use works as an anti-microbial and only. Each comes in a separate anaesthetic when applied to package filled with various the skin. Make sure your skin is serums, such as vitamin C, completely product free before rose, pearl, green tea, and aloe, applying it or else it won’t be which serve different purposes able to work properly. People such as anti-aging, brightening, have reported this making a tightening, and hydrating. They big difference in their skin in are incredibly easy to use: You as little as a couple days. And wash your face well, unfold the its all-natural contents make mask, lay it across your face, and it the perfect option for people wait about 20 minutes before with sensitive skin. Zit Zapper taking it off and massaging the is also an easy gamble if you’re remaining serum into your skin. concerned about whether it will These masks, which are ideally work for you; I picked up a tube used every day, will put you out at Old Navy for $3, and it should $8 a piece at Sephora, making be about that price anywhere you can buy E.l.f. products. them incredibly unaffordable Imagevia aprilfoolromance.blogspot.ca Have an idea for a story? Let us know! This issue: Contact: Elliot Chan, Opinions Editor OO Sparking interest [email protected] OO White is the new black, yellow, brown, and all the other hues, really OO Unwrap some free time this holiday Opinions And more! Your laws are too ‘precious’ Why comparison of the Turkish president to Gollum is as ridiculous as fantasy at the end of the saga, is not a funny, too. You’d think a man Elliot Chan hero of the trilogy. He is a vile with power could poke fun at the Opinions Editor [email protected] creature that succumbed to fact that his looks are comparable greed. Gollum is a victim, for to, say, Orlando Bloom. n Turkey, insulting, mocking, sure, but at no point was he a Let’s be honest, Çiftçi was Ior showing any dissension to hero. He killed his best friend, not trying to plot Erdoğan’s the president is against the law. Déagol. Gollum is the epitome downfall. Even if he disliked the This case was proven when Bilgin of a self-destructive addict. President, the mere comparison Çiftçi, a Turkish doctor, created I know what you are to Gollum did very little harm a meme of President Recep thinking: he ended up destroying to the President’s persona. All Tayyip Erdoğan’s face side by the One Ring, doesn’t that make it did was call attention to the side, matching expressions with him a good guy? No! Because fact that Erdoğan shared similar Gollum, the despicable character he bit off Frodo’s finger in an features to a fictional character— from The Lord of the Rings. outburst of voracity and fell which he totally does! Perhaps Çiftçi has since been fired off the edge of Mt. Doom. He Peter Jackson didn’t need to from his job, but now the courts had no intention of destroying utilize CGI or Andy Serkis. He are determining the next order the ring. While it was the ring could have just cast Erdoğan. of action. Since the chief judge— that corrupted poor Smeagol I’m sure many in Turkey apparently too busy—has never and morphed him into found the comparison uncanny, seen any of The Lord of the Ring Gollum, we cannot honestly too. But when a country has a films, he and the court is turning say that Gollum is a hero. law that makes it incapable of to some experts of Tolkien’s The second part of the processing a joke, then it is that epic tale in order to determine situation that must be addressed country that becomes the joke. whether or not the comparison is is how stupid the law is. This Imagine a Canada where we indeed an insult. The argument proves that freedom of speech, no weren’t allowed to satirize our in defence of Çiftçi is that matter how benign it is, is still a leaders. That wouldn’t be the Gollum is a hero of the story and luxury in many parts of the world. free country we know and love. therefore the meme was not an Moreover, the inability of some Turkey is a beautiful place, one insult, but rather a compliment. to show any sense of humour is I wish to visit one day, but with Now, I’m going to break this even more disturbing than the a law like that it sounds more whole situation into two parts. law itself. The fact that Tayyip like Mordor than Rivendell. First off, Gollum, although didn’t just brush it off and accept
he redeems himself (in a sense) the little ball busting is kind of Image viawww.huffingtonpost.co.uk Don’t brag about your work ethic, ever Why nobody needs to know that you are a hard worker
Wanting people to know Elliot Chan that you’ve spent significant Opinions Editor [email protected] time on something is natural. We live in an age where sharing ou think you work hard. information—regardless of YWell guess what? Nobody how mundane—is as normal as cares. Nobody cares how hard sharing an elevator. But when you work. People care if you you are telling people that you get the work done or not. How work hard all the time, what you hard you work is your business, convey is that you are stressed and even then it’s just your own out and under pressure all the perception of yourself, and we time. Many people see hard know how often that is flawed. working people, not as inspiring, It’s a competitive world out but as pitiful. They have to work there and hard work doesn’t go harder, because they suck at what unnoticed. However, when you they are doing. Other people start advertising your efforts as with the same job and same if what you’re doing is so much assignment as you are getting it more significant than everybody done with ease, but here you are, else, you are putting a target on working hard. Pfft! Don’t make your back. You think announcing a job sound hard; make a job your hard work will get you sound enjoyable and painless.
praise, but rarely is that the case. You might think that your Image viathinkstock Telling someone you’ve worked boss wants you to work hard, you breaking your back and will ever be able to take it away you are not after the praise. You hard, even if you did, is like a but that’s not true. Your boss winding up out of commission. from you. It’s true—sometimes, probably don’t even care what pretty skinny person telling you wants you to bite off what you Working recklessly doesn’t hard work doesn’t pay off other people think. You want to that they are attractive. On the can chew and swallow it well. impress anyone, not even the immediately. You can play a do your best. How you get to your other hand, if you tell someone The Canadian workforce loses person paying you to do so. great game and still lose. But if accomplishment doesn’t matter, that you’ve worked hard and they $16.6 billion a year in sick days. If you work hard, the product you are genuinely putting in the the key is that you get there. found flaws in your project, then Keeping you healthy and working will speak for itself, and nobody effort, with a set goal in mind, don’t you look like an idiot? consistently is better than having issue 14 // volume 42 opinions // no. 19 Sparking interest Talking less and asking more will make you more interesting
dominating the conversation. Elliot Chan You’re keeping everybody Opinions Editor [email protected] hostage, and that may taint their engagement with you. very person in the world is The best way to appear Efilled with his or her own interesting is not to stand experiences, problems, and centre stage, but rather to knowledge; therefore, everyone in sit in the audience. Yes, your the world is interesting. However, backpacking trip to South in a social environment we are America is interesting. But often put on the spot and are learning about your friend’s required to present ourselves new computer program may be in the most “interesting” way as interesting, at least to him. possible. That’s a lot of pressure. An interesting person is not After all, we are all so interesting, one that goes off on a tangent, and life is but a competition. but rather connects interesting It’s natural to list off the topics together, so search for ways most unique things about to segue into your topics from yourself—things other people theirs. While there may not seem wouldn’t have done—in an effort to be a link between your vacation to appear interesting. You’ll talk and your friend’s computer about the places you’ve traveled, program, there is, because we all the cool hobbies you have, are all part of this planet, we all and even the accomplishments follow human customs, and we you’ve made. While it’s important all kill boredom with interests. to be entertaining, you must “How does he work on his also remember that your computer program when he is interests are one-dimensional. on vacation?” you may wonder, In a conversation, it’s not and therefore, you should ask. Image viathinkstock something you can truly share. A great way to be interesting are not religious, but you want The more people you meet, minded, with the capacity to It’s reflex to talk about is by being around people who to learn. Find someone willing the more you learn, and the acknowledge other people’s yourself when you are in a are different from you. It may to share his or her faith with more interesting you become. interests. That is more interesting crowd, because that is what feel like you are on the verge you and don’t just talk about Being interesting is not the than dressing funny, buying you know best. You may feel of an argument sometimes, how you don’t believe it. experience that you have alone, expensive items, and surrounding like the celebrity of the party, but that is perhaps just a Life is full of little mysteries but rather what you can learn yourself with people who but in reality, you are probably passionate discussion. So you and each person is a clue. from other people. Appear open agree that you are awesome. My war on Christmas As a Jewish kid who grew up in a Gentile neighbourhood, I hate December
Talia Kollek Christmas I will reply—at times, me when she found me trying The Silhouette (McMaster University) coldly—that I do not celebrate. to make a tree out of cardboard Although on principle I haven’t and a green magic marker. have completely different seen any movies starring the Finding out that I was different I feelings towards the holidays Grinch, I’ve been told that from other kids in something than my father. It has never my attitude is comparable. that is often portrayed as a bothered him when someone I fully recognize that I ubiquitous experience hit hard. wishes him a Merry Christmas. am biased, but you should Every time a Hanukkah song “I’m not offended if someone understand that my resentment was played at an assembly— wishes is not inevitably the hateful and me happy unfounded. nonsensical “I Have a Little birthday While other Dreidel”—people would look when it kids my age to me as if to say “Is this what isn’t my It is a reminder that associated your religion looks like? Have we birthday,” he Christmas made you feel included yet?” The used to tell this holiday does not with gifts from truth is that I feel no connection me. “What belong to me, but that Santa, I was to the Hanukkah songs often harm can left wondering played by Gentiles. To start, extra good I can’t help but be why he hadn’t none of my holiday tunes will do?” also visited growing up were in English, and Image viathinkstock I, on involved in it whether my house. if you made a dreidel out of clay, It never ceases to disturb me that have a simple request: please the other I want to be or not. As a child of I guarantee you that it would I know more tunes about the stop assuming that Christmas hand, European and break. If you are going to include birth of Jesus than I do about the is a universal experience. Any despise Israeli parents, a token Jewish song, please at victory of the Maccabees. I feel holiday with “Christ” in its name December. the promised least just do it justice. This type extreme guilt over being more is nowhere near secular enough Every sprig eight days of of clumsy attempt at inclusion assimilated than not, but there is for the entire population to be of mistletoe, every nativity gifts for Jewish children was not tends to just make me feel worse. little that I can do about it. Every celebrating. And please stop scene, and every adorned tree a reality for me. This isn’t to say Perhaps even more upsetting time I get “Silent Night” or “Deck tokenizing our holiday in half- drives me up the wall. As one of that I now feel hard done by it; to me than hearing “Jewish” the Halls” stuck in my head, it hearted attempts at inclusion, the few Jewish students at my I had more than enough toys to songs I don’t know is knowing is a reminder that this holiday because as the kids who know high school, I ran a campaign to keep me busy growing up, but the Christmas ones a little too does not belong to me, but that the truth about Santa long get music other than Christmas it meant that I wondered what well. You can only live in Canada I can’t help but be involved in before you do, we hold more carols played over the PA system I had done wrong to receive for so long before you absorb it whether I want to be or not. power than you’d like to believe. in the mornings. When someone the proverbial lump of coal. My Christmas knowledge, and for Thus, this December I asks me what I’m doing for mother explained the truth to me growing up, that was carols. opinions // no. 20 theotherpress.ca White is the new black, yellow, brown, and all the other hues, really It’s 2015, and still whitewash casting in movies exists
This problem is rotting Elliot Chan the core of entertainment. It Opinions Editor [email protected] eliminates whatever artistic value the film actually has, discredits thnicity in the film industry all the hard work thousands of Ehas always been a problem. people do, and makes it a power In an attempt to reach the move that keeps the minority broadest American market, the outside the gates of legitimacy. film industry often omits the There are so many struggling idea of diversity and simply casts ethnic actors working their well-known (white) actors. Think asses off for minor roles. They of an actor, any actor—odds are as skilled in the craft as any are, that person is white. The Academy Award nominated Jake Gyllenhaals, the Johnny actors. All they need is a break. Depps, and the Christian Bales Change cannot happen from the dominate the industry. It’s not a outside. Criticisms about casting bad thing. They are phenomenal choices have almost zero effect on artists and they deserve to work. the overall decision of the film. However, when they are taking In Aziz Ansari’s Master of the role of some Middle Eastern, None, he perfectly illustrates Asian, or Aboriginal actor, the fight ethnic actors have then there is a clear problem. with the industry, and how I would also understand powerless they feel. In an episode if these actors were stretching entitled Indians on TV, Ansari’s their acting chops. But they character, Dev, combats the aren’t. They are just wearing decision to take on a role that Screenshot viaThe Love Guru a costume. So a movie that would further his career, while do it, someone else will. follow through with their plans. not designed for them. And depicts Egyptian gods now has also furthering the stereotypes So it goes in the film It’s not the actors that need to ethnic actors need to stop being American actors with spray that hold other Indian actors industry. Someone else will change. It’s the overall way of swayed by the power of money. tans. And it’s all because the back. It’s a conversation about always sink low enough for the thinking. But the movement They need to band together studios fear people of ethnicity race, but more prominently, it’s scraps, and they’ll call it luck. needs to happen internally. and condemn stereotypes with with power, even when it is in a conversation about money It doesn’t matter what race White actors need to stop the same discrimination the the fantastical realm of film. and success. If he doesn’t the actors are, the studios will accepting roles that are clearly industry has shown for them. Unwrap some free time this holiday
Don’t spend the break fulfilling obligations project you were planning to Elliot Chan work on, and all the activities Opinions Editor [email protected] you finally had time for will be pushed back. We often mistake he holidays are a perfect motion with progress. The act Ttime to get all your loved of doing something, anything, ones together and share in the feels like accomplishment merriment that is the end of a enough. The fact that we got out year. However, getting a group of of the bed today was a victory. people together—at an optimal However, our time is valuable, time for everybody—is not always even during the holidays, and as simple as creating a Facebook should be treated as such. event. While it makes sense Now, I understand that the to break apart your schedule last thing anybody wants to do and share it with those you during the holiday is live by a love, you must also remember schedule, but if you want some that the holidays are a time for structure in your life, building a yourself. You too need a break. schedule does it—it keeps you If you are a proactive person, accountable. Nobody else has you’ll know that free time fills up to know about this schedule pretty quickly. You might even but you. Still, it must be treated try to slot a couple events into sacredly. It matters. On the one day just so you can fill your schedule, map out all the stuff holiday socializing obligations. you want to accomplish by the But this is also the perfect time end of your break. You can be Image viathinkstock for you to forget about people as ambitious or lax as you want, and get ahead on all the stuff but the key is to have goals. It into indolence and lose all the set days for focusing on certain lunch with one or two friends. you didn’t have time for during can be as simple as finishing a momentum you had during the tasks; you should also set days for These are the days where you are the hurly burly of the year. book, jogging an extra mile, or year. Of course you are allowed rest. It’s like a workout calendar. forbidden from going around It’s easy to lose track of even something more ambitious to sleep in, and those days are Rest days are the days you leave running errands. These are the time. Getting lunch with a like learning a new language. as important as the party nights completely empty. These are the treats of the holidays, and you couple friends can easily turn Then plot these activities into or the productive days. Keeping days when you find stillness in can be as selfish as you want. into a full-day affair. Not that the the calendar and treat those the ball rolling is awesome, but your life. These are the days you time was wasted, but the book days as if they are work. remember that not every day can stay in your pajamas, read you were meaning to read, the The fear is that you’ll fall needs to be productive. You a book, watch a movie, or have Have an idea for a story? Let us know! This issue: Contact: Chandler Walter, Humour Editor OO This just in [email protected] OO Screening process in question OO Transit etiquette Humour And more! Image viathinkstock Ho-Ho-Hanukkah? Santa makes a big confession
do with the Christian religion. having a feast celebration in He went on to describe ourselves very orthodox. “It’s a bit funny, really,” my name. But as the years went his business operations: “The We celebrate Hanukkah in Adam Tatelman said St. Claus, his droll little on, I decided to change my IRS has it out for me, but I December, and we always Staff Writer mouth drawn up like a bow. image in favour of something assure you, everything we fast for Yom Kippur. It’s a esterday, global holiday “I’m actually Jewish. Have more secular. So that’s why I do at the Pole is non-profit. good way to get ready for Yicon Saint Nicholas, A.K.A. been since the Exodus. The took the Coca-Cola deal.” I accept donations from that big delivery; all the milk “Santa Claus,” arranged for Christian clergy made me “The North Pole isn’t really companies like Mattel, Lego, and cookies can really go to an interview with the Other Bishop of Myra back in the the Winter Wonderland you and Sony, and then promote your waistline if you don’t go Press to shed some light on an fourth century because I might think,” continued St. their products in exchange. without for a little while.” ancient misconception that brought gifts to little children. Claus, as smoke from his pipe Every penny of that money “I never meant to confuse has coloured his public image I tried to explain myself, but encircled his head like a wreath. goes towards factory upkeep, anyone,” said St. Claus, trudging since he was first recognized they were very insistent.” “In fact, it’s a pretty humble worker pay, and reindeer feed. towards the fireplace. “It doesn’t as the patron saint of children. St. Claus was quite eager to little workshop. We don’t really If there’s anything left after matter to me what God you According to Father Christmas explain the difference between celebrate Christmas, or even that, it goes to UNICEF.” believe in; I just want to make himself, he is not in fact a his days as Bishop and his put up a tree. The holidays “Ms. Claus and I are people happy.” Laying his finger jolly old elf, but a citizen of modern image. “I only cared are our job, and December celebrating our 5,000th aside of his nose and giving a Patara, Greece. Furthermore, about making the children is the busiest month of the anniversary this year,” said St. nod, up the chimney he rose— he claims to have nothing to happy,” he said, “so I went along year for us, so we don’t have a Claus when questioned about leaving a dreidel behind him. with it at first. It wasn’t so bad lot of time to make merry.” his marriage. “We do consider by David Manky, Senior Columnist Manky, David by humour // no. 22 theotherpress.ca Image viawww.brads1star.net This just in Once trendy issues remain literal things
the recent status of the orcas Columnist Senior Walker, Sarah by Chandler Walter in captivity, but was sure that Humour Editor someone else is probably still [email protected] doing something about it. illennials of 2015 have Meanwhile, many who Mbeen shocked to learn were adamantly opposed to that certain issues that they American assistance during were in complete support or the Ebola outbreak in Africa opposition of many years ago have been left unaware about still remain actual things today. the ongoing struggle. It Tracy Allen, a second wasn’t until November 7 that year student at UBC, wrote the outbreak was officially in a tweet three years ago: declared over in Sierra Leone, “#StopKony2012 we all need prompting curiosity from to work together to help the local Vancouverite Bill Naiker. invisible children!” When “I thought it was all over asked recently how her fight after the Americans who got against Kony went she replied infected came over with it. “Who?” and explained that she The world, that is. Seemed had believed that Joseph Kony like we were all about to die. had been killed by “whoever After that scare I figured made that video or whatever.” that Ebola was just… cured?” After the release of the Naiker had been adamantly documentary Blackfish, opposed to allowing anyone Chad Kelly, a self-proclaimed from the entire continent of “keyboard warrior,” wrote a Africa to travel, stating in a 400-word Facebook status 2014 blog post that that would condemning Sea World and lead to “the end of days.” any other institutions that That’s an idea that is kept orca whales imprisoned. still being held onto by 2012 We caught up with Kelly and apocalypse believer Jessica asked him what more he did Kwon, who had sold all of her to fight the good fight against worldly belongings to “live it up” those oppressing the beautiful prior to the much-speculated sea creatures. “Well, I wrote doom of December 21, 2012. that Facebook status,” Kelly Kwon has, somehow, maintained said, “and then I got into a this belief long after its really long argument with my relevance and trendiness wore uncle in the comments section off, leaving her as the last person of the post. I ruined a family to do so. “The Mayan calendar relationship for those animals. was just… a little off,” Kwon I think that counts as enough.” explained. “Don’t you worry: Kelly had no comment about the doom will come to us all.” by Josh Visser, Columnist Visser, Josh by issue 14 // volume 42 humour // no. 23 Screening process in question Many wondering how safe Santa’s toys are for American homes to wrestle three grown men off Chandler Walter of a Star Wars Lego set, but a Humour Editor blood-stained box at 50 per cent [email protected] off is better than who knows recent outcry has called into what from the North Pole.” A question the legitimacy—or Everly is currently under even existence—of a screening investigation in a case relating process for the toys Santa to four people left dead during brings America’s youth. the Black Friday Bonanza at “It’s dangerous, he isn’t even her local mall, but refused an American,” said concerned to comment on that under mother of three Janet Everly. the advice of her lawyer. “There’s no knowing what She is not the only one kind of things he will bring finding Santa’s visit a hard every December; the screening pill to swallow this year, as process is non-existent.” Everly discussion has flared up over said she is grateful for the free the Internet about which toys and for having the man as side to stand on. Many are a centrepiece for her favorite arguing that the process is holiday, but in this day and too lax, and that even one age it “just isn’t worth the risk” bad elf could cause serious to allow Santa Claus into our harm to American children, homes. This December 25, while others are stating that Everly plans on keeping her fires obviously Santa picks his burning long through the night, worker elves with utmost care. as her own form of protection The big man himself from the terror that may be weighed in on the matter: “To coming from the North Pole. think that my well-meaning “What’s more is he elves would have anything expects us to feed him!” other than goodwill towards the Everly commented during beautiful children and families an interview. “First we are of America is ridiculous! There supposed to allow him into is an intense interview process our country, into our homes, that each elf goes through and still he demands milk and before even being considered cookies!? It’s outrageous.” for work in the shop, with piles Everly stated that she is of documents for each and more than prepared for a Santa- every one of them. It’s a very less Christmas this year, having detailed and thorough process. recently purchased most of Frankly, they’re all so thankful her children’s presents on sale to get the job, there’s no way any this past Black Friday. “I had of them would even consider trying anything sinister.” Image viathinkstock Transit etiquette The dos and don’ts of riding the bus
Josh Visser know what comes next, tell be cool with it too. Columnist the person so they don’t have to waste their time • If someone of relative frailty hen I ride on transit, by reading further. They is struggling to find a seat Wespecially when it’s will thank you for it. and you are a well-bodied shoulder-to-shoulder, I’m human, stay where you are. always careful to angle my • Talk on the phone in an out- That way, you can keep a phone downward to make sure side voice about something firm eye on them to make no one can read the messed up incriminating—or, at the sure they do not fall. thoughts I’m frantically typing. very least whatever makes Don’t be like me, you look like a total douche. • On the off-chance the bus distancing yourself from the is late, be sure to jaw at the other commuters by being • Interrupt and make your bus driver so the driver is on your phone the whole business other people’s con- aware of the present traf- time. Where’s the fun in that? versations while providing fic situation and feeling Why not be intrusive, the valuable insight on them. fully at fault for any delays caused in your schedule. more abrasive the better. • Watch others with I present to you a list lingering eyes. of things to do to quicken We all share transit. What you do while on it is totally up your commute while totally Listen to loud music, prefer- • to you, as you are hopefully exhibiting traditional and well- ably with your speakers on a fully autonomous person regarded transit etiquette: near blast. Or, even better: (as opposed to a robot)… sing along voraciously. Try but just remember there are • Keep your outer thighs and get others to join along. pressing against the sometimes up to 30 other bored people next to you. • Smoke your vape. I mean, people there. So take it upon you saw someone else do yourself to entertain them • Read over the shoulder it, so clearly all 26 other by making an ass of yourself of your neighbour. If you people on the bus must by following this guide. Image viathinkstock Good Luck on Exams! Have a Safe & Happy Holidays!
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