Artichoke Vol.3 No.4

TBLGAY: TRANS BISEXUAL LESBIAN GAY ALLIES OF YORK WINTERS PRESS PLAY: COPYCAT, REVISITED

JANUARY 2014 VOL. 03 NO. 4

Come out for weekly Salsa lessons every Thursday.

Location

Winters Dining Hall BEGINNER

7pm — 8pm

OR

8pm — 9pm

INTERMEDIATE

9pm — 10pm Cost

$25 for any one session; $40 for all sessions per semester.

Join us on Facebook and YUConnect: ‘Salsa Club @ York’ E-mail: yorksalsaclub@gmail.com

EWAG Elanor Winters Art Gallery Update Alex Millington, Representative for the Eleanor Winters Art Gallery In lieu of the start of another semester, the Eleanor Winters Art Gallery will be presenting a few new exhibitions and active, participatory spaces to help reinvigorate the student body after a lengthy bout of lethargy.

Since the middle of December, EWAG has been offering a free space for MFA Studio Visual Art students to work on their projects. Visitors are free to come and see these students’ works-in-progress. This opportunity will be available until January 3.

From January 6 – 17, the gallery will be showing the work of Lesia Szyca. Through the mediums of oil and sculpture, Szyca will be exploring life, death and the beautiful relationship that binds them.

And from January 20 – 30, the gallery will be open for artists who are in need of proper photographic documentation of their work to take advantage of both our natural and artificial lighting systems. This is a great opportunity to buffer a portfolio.

Aside from a tremendous amount of wall space, pedestals will also be available for sculpture. Please bring your own camera.

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CONTENTS VOL 3 NO. 4 JANUARY 2014

FEATURE

ENTERTAINMENT

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TBLGAY

25

STUDIO GHIBLI

Trans Bisexual Lesbian Gay

The Cat Bus Tour

Alliances at York

28

MATH ROCK

16

CREATIVE SUBMISSION

Math Rock Renaissance

By Jennifer Hunt

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WINTERS PRESS PLAY

Copycat, Revisted

MAJOR SPEAK

HEALTH

30

LIFESTYLE

Drinking and You

32

BODY IMAGE

Be Fitspirational

20

DANCE

34

BEAUTY

A Dance Major’s Survival Guide

Blue Hair, Don’t Care

22

ENGLISH

36

PHILOSOPHY

The Canadian Literature Scandal

Meh

24

THEATRE

38

RES RECIPE

Little Black Afro

Chili

Contributors EDITOR IN CHIEF

EMMA BECKETT

ART DIRECTORS

JACOB COLOSI JENNIFER ZHANG

WRITERS

Alex Millington Camellia De Castro Charlotte Fowlow Connor Johnstone Curtis te Brinke Diana Edelhauser Joy Wong Lindsay Presswell Nigel D’Souza Peter Ellman Rielle Ullberg Laura Speare Jennifer Hunt

DESIGNERS

Amanda Hoff Amy Chiu Anna Campbell Chelsie Grant Emily Munro Erika Sternberg Heather McAlpine Karen Keung Karen Vertierra Michelle Fok Sarah El Sherbini Scott Osborne

PHOTOGRAPHY

Peter Howie

COVER

Tracey Baker

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WINTERS

WCC Update FROST WEEK 2014

NOW THAT THE COLD WEATHER

has taken over and the year is half way through, Winters College is taking the opportunity to revive Frosh Week and give first years something to be excited about in the new semester! Rochelle and Liam, your O-Chairs from September, have organized a radical week of fun activities to rejuvenate school spirit and introduce new students to the campus. During the week of January 12th-18th, Winters will be buzzing with excitement. Frosh bosses are running events for Winters affiliates in the college, including the newly renovated Junior Common Room, and anyone is welcome to come out and join the fun. Some of the events are carried over from frosh

week, like Karaoke and Quad Parties, but some of them are completely new. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about your student council at the Town Hall Meeting, and plenty of events that go on year round so you can show your support for Winters College even after Frost Week is over. If you are a commuter the commuter sleepover will be up and running again, so you won’t have to miss a minute. It is a great chance to beat the winter blues, reconnect with the upper year students that facilitated your introduction to York, and take a break from your classes, even if it’s just for a couple hours.

2:00 am

1:00 am

12:00 am

11:00 pm

10:00 pm

9:00 pm

8:00 pm

7:00 pm

6:00 pm

5:00 pm

4:00 pm

3:00 pm

2:00 pm

1:00 pm

12:00 pm

11:00 am

Winters Classic Hockey Game

Stories of Winter Past

Polar Bear Run

January 13 Monday

Dirty Bingo Round 2

Town Hall

CASA Coffee House

January 14 Tuesday

Poetry Night

Frost —A — Farian Acousitic Day

January 15 Wednesday

Charity Ball

&

Red Hot Pub Night

Spa Party

Lunch WIth the Master

January 16 Thursday

Karaoke Party Round 2

Snow Sculpture Contest

January 17 Friday

24th Night After X-Mas Sleepover

Ice Palace Quad Party

January 18 Sunday

FROST WEEK

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EDITORS LETTER As we are all gearing up to tackle the new semester, I would like to take the opportunity to look back on the past few months and sincerely thank Winters College Council and the Office of the Master for all of the incredible work they have done this year. This is my first year on student council, and I have felt so welcomed and appreciated in my role as the Winters Free Press editor. The outstanding members of Winters Council work tirelessly to improve student life and support leadership and positivity in the community, and I have really seen it make a difference.

Though there have been a few changes recently within the council, everyone has stayed versatile and professional and has

not let it affect their ability to perform their duties or stay available to the student body. The council office is still a positive space, and there are always members of council there who are knowledgeable and eager to help. I feel confident that the new members that are joining us this semester will be just as welcoming and helpful. I am truly looking forward to this year, and I know Winters College Council will continue to improve and direct the high-spirited energy that I have always seen into promoting a constructive learning environment.

SINCERELY, EMMA BECKETT, E.I.C.

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TBLGAY

T B L G AY

BY EMMA BECKETT

ARTICHOKE

ALLIES THE TRANS

AT BISEXUAL

11

YORK LESBIAN

GAY

allies at York have been committed to representing and providing services for LGBT students on the York campus for over forty years. They were established in 1970 as the York University Homophile Association (YUHA), and went through a number of changes to their name before eventually settling on the current title, TBLGAY, in the mid-nineties. The organization originally operated out of the Winters College council office, before finding their own space on the fourth floor of the student centre.

Fundamentally, the organization is run by three executive members: the External Coordinator, Brandon Vieira, Internal Coordinator, Tyler Morehouse, and the Deputy Coordinator of Education, Itzel Velazquez Martinez. Deputy Coordinator of Education is a recently founded position designed to facilitate information sessions, and raise awareness for LGBT issues in classrooms and seminars. Every winter term a committee is formed with a few current members, representatives from YFS and other student organizations in order to hire executives for the new year.

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TBLGAY

In addition to these three members, there are also opportunities for students to fill chair positions in the organization, and assist the coordinators with the services and activities provided by TBLGAY. These chair positions are decided on at the beginning of the year by popular vote of the collective members, i.e. anyone who has expressed interest in the organization, attended three or more meetings, and is available to hold office hours. The Media chair is responsible for creating posters and advertisements about upcoming events and meetings and promoting them on social media, the Programming chair organizes social and cultural events, and the Library chair keeps the library in the TBLGAY office well stocked with relevant literature and information. Each chair position also has a committee of collective members who volunteer to assist them with their duties.

“It is defined as a ‘safe space’ in order to ensure that a person’s identity or orientation will not be judged or victimized in any way while they are there.”

The office itself is a vibrant, active and welcoming place. There is plenty of colour and comfortable furniture, and all of the collective members who hold office hours have gone through a safe space training program, meaning they are actively promoting an accepting and friendly environment. It is defined as a “safe space” in order to ensure that a

person’s identity or orientation will not be judged or victimized in any way while they are there. It is usually open between 10am and 5pm vvon weekdays, and it is open to anyone. There will always be a few collective members there working on assignments, playing games, using the library resources, or answering questions about the organization. It is open to anyone who wants to learn more about TBLGAY and queer culture, or just spend some time in a positive environment.

Every year, TBLGAY sets aside some funding and receives donations to expand the resource library located in their office.

It includes a number of books and media to provide students with information about LGBT culture, history, STIs, relationships, etc. The library is constantly being added to in order to include as many perspectives as possible and represent all members of the community. Any student is welcome to sign out books and resources for class research or personal use.

Recently, the outreach and education projects that TBLGAY has been focusing on has led them to team up with the Personal Counseling Services at York to provide counseling for LGBT students.

They have also founded the TTC Token Fund, which provides free transit fare for students who need to travel downtown from the York campus for LGBT related health services. Currently TBLGAY is collaborating with Founders College to raise awareness and funds for World AIDS

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“...open to anyone who wants to learn more about TBLGAY and queer culture, or just spend some time in a positive environment.�

Day. As a more long-term goal, they have been working with SexGen York, an organization that operates through the Centre for Human Rights and focuses on addressing sexuality, gender and orientation in a professional setting. This joint project seeks to allow students who are transgendered to change the name that appears on a transcript and class list to their preferred name rather that their birth name, because in the current system that change is not possible.

Coming up in February, TBLGAY will be hosting another Queer Night at the Underground bar in the York Student Centre. To celebrate Valentines Day they will renting out the space, hiring a DJ, and giving students a chance to socialize and meet new people on campus.

If you are interested in getting involved, or still have some unanswered questions about the organization, feel free to drop by their office at any point during the week. It is located at 449a on the fourth floor of the Student Centre up the winding stairs.

CONTACT INFORMATION Office Address:

449a, Student Centre, York University Phone Number: 416-736-2100 ext. 20494 Email Address: tblgay@yorku.ca Website: tblgay.yfs.ca SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/2351054827/ Twitter: twitter.com/tblgayork Tumblr: wedemand.tumblr.com/

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14 CREATIVE

Patricia was impressionable. She had recently picked up the annoying habit of taking pride in her job. She started watching our department manager to make sure she wasn’t trying to sell off expired meat as ‘acquired taste’ products, and that she was filling out the health and safety logs correctly. She wasn’t, but Patricia soon corrected them, switching ‘cleaned the oven’ to ‘stared at it with broom in hand’. Her obsession with the deli department got worse as the days went by. Finally one day she caught our manager re-heating chicken carcasses from the day before. Patricia took the chickens out of the oven. Just as she was throwing them out, the store manager rounded the corner and saw her. She was fired, and I had to scrub chickens for the rest of my shift.

BY JENNIFER HUNT

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16 CREATIVE

Visit the Winters Council office for more details on upcoming Word Nights and other events.

In the 2012/2013 school year, the social and cultural team on Winters council began hosting student poetry readings in the Eleanor Winters Art Gallery. These Poetry and Word Night events have become increasingly popular, and this year they have been hosted monthly with a great turnout. The social and cultural team for this year is undergoing some changes in the winter semester, and Artichoke will be hosting them for the rest of the year!

Confessions The next Word Night will be during Frost Week on Wednesday, January 15th and sign ups will be on a first come, first serve basis so if you want to read, get there right at 8:30 when the event starts or even a little early. This poetry reading also has a suggested theme, so try to bring in some new writing that carries the motif of “Confessions�.

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Winters Press Play:

For

this special edition of

Winters

Press Play, we are revisiting a group we featured in our October 2012 edition of the Artichoke, Copycat. This group is gearing up for its 2nd anniversary and in celebration are headlining Johnnyland Returns‌ at the Opera House!, an independent music festival in Toronto in January.

Copycat began two years ago as the brainchild of James Atlin-Godden, who wanted to make the multi-instrument orchestral pieces he had been composing a physical reality.

Copycat is:

James Atin-Godden (piano / vocals) Aniqa Qadir (vocals) Nune Ananyan (vocals) Ben Sirois (violin) Bryan Yaremko (baritone sax) Bea Labikova (alto / baby soprano sax) Basil Flanagan (alto sax) Peter Cavanagh (tenor sax / clarinet) Chris Adriaanse (trombone) Mike Dossey (guitar) Vennie Tu (bass) Neel Dani (percussion) Bobby Ben (percussion)

Genre:

Orchestral Art Rock

Favourite Place to Perform: El Macambo, Cinecycle

facebook.com/wearecopycat

youtube.com/copycatband twitter:

@copycatband

bandcopycat.bandcamp.com

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PRESS PLAY

“I wanted it to be huge and baroque and driven... I needed to do that myself.”

In the fall of 2012, three of twelve members of Copycat– James Atlin-Godden, Ben Sirois, and Mike Dossey, met up with Artichoke Magazine at the Ab to discuss their formation, sound development, and the trial and error process that comes along with being such a large group and performing such inno-vative music.

“These songs I was writing needed to be huge and orchestral, sort of like Arcade Fire… but more of a string and horn section and less sort of… rhythm chugging,” James says, “I wanted it to be huge and baroque and driven. As heavy as Owen Pallet and other orchestral driven artists sometimes are, I wanted them to get heavier and decided I needed to do that myself.”

With this goal in mind, he set out to find creative musicians to help out with his ambitious project. He talked to people he knew, singers he knew, and put up

advertisements in order to fill out the ranks of the group. By the time he had filled these instrumental roles he had produced about 13 compositions, and the band was formed in October of 2011.

Since their last interview with Artichoke, Copycat has gone on to release an EP entitled Grass is Greener, available for purchase on Bandcamp. They have also played a number of shows in Toronto and the surrounding area, and their audience and fan base continues to expand.

As part of the celebration for their 2nd anniversary, Copycat will be releasing a new album in January 2014. Every song has a music video that includes some footage from the recording process, choreographed dance sections, and creative storylines. The band began recording the album over a year ago, but due to the ambitiousness of some of their

songs and videos, it has taken a while to get underway. The amount of people involved in the group already makes it difficult to get things done, and it also means there are a lot of different, sometimes conflicting ideas about how to present the work. Though it took a while to work out the ideas, put together the recordings and edit the footage, all of that time was well spent to create a high quality product. James has made some progress with his vision of the and in the past year, saying that “before, my conception of the band was very loose, flowy… we’re really trying to orchestrate and tighten up now to update our image to be more of a big spectacle.” The release of their 2014 album will be worth the wait!

Aside from the actual creation of the music, Copycat has also had to figure out how to make their album available for

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purchase. Since CDs are all but obsolete and vinyl record players, though gaining popularity, are still not in mass use, their best option is to use download cards. These will be available for sale at their concerts and online, and will allow people to buy the music and transfer it directly to their computer. Though this method makes it difficult to present cover artwork with the album, the band will be including some small designs on the download card, and selling full size posters separately. They are also looking to expand to clothing, stickers, and a variety of other merchandise, all with artwork by the talented Miguel Ramirez.

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Johnnyland Returns at the Opera House On Friday, January 31st 2014, Copycat will be playing a show at the Opera House on Queen St. East, the exact same location where they played their first show two years previously. This time they will be performing with a number of other talented bands, as part of an event run by the organization Johnnyland. Copycat has performed with them before, at their Nuit Blanche event in October. Johnnyland is a promotion company that focuses on all-ages shows, making their music

available to a much wider audience.

For this milestone show, Copycat will be presenting some re-orchestrated classics, introducing some new songs, and continuing to rein everything in and make their performance as crisp and hard-hitting as possible.

Advance tickets are only $12, available online at ticketswell.com.

“Before, my conception of the band was very loose, flowy… we’re really trying to update our image to be more of a big spectacle”

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DANCE MAJOR SPEAK

BY CHARLOTTE FOWLOW

IT’S 7:45 AM, and I’ve already hit the snooze button on my alarm twice. If I hit it once more, I will have fifteen minutes to get ready before rushing out the door to make it in time for class. My muscles groan at me as I pull myself up out of bed, yank on tights and a leotard, and limp downstairs for some breakfast. My roommates and I scurry out the door at 8:17AM, giving us precisely 13 minutes to make it to class in time to warm up.

about a million and one things that need to be happening in my body in order for it to be just right, I hear the three magic words; ‘Good job, Charlotte!’ I breathe out a sigh of relief, let go of my self-conscious thoughts, and just dance. As I begin to let my mind go and just move to the music, I am reminded of why I love what I do. There is no feeling quite like the one that I get when my body is moving through space, connected to the music and creating a movement signature that is mine alone.

I am a York University Dance Major, and this is how I begin a typical day of school.

As any York Dance Major or alumni can tell you, making it through this program is tough. The days are long, the classes are both physically and mentally exhausting, and at any given point in time, you are pretty much guaranteed to be dealing with at least one injury. To top it all off, job opportunities in the arts, particularly in dance performance, aren’t exactly in abundance. Choosing to take this path is risky to say the least, and some may even call it reckless (about 70% of the middle-agedor-older people I’ve discussed this with, to be frank). When those magic moments of acing an exercise start to seem few and far between, it becomes increasingly difficult for us dancers to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thus, I have compiled a dance majors’ survival guide to refer to in times of need, when even your beloved foam roller cannot ease the pain…

The next three and a half hours consist of one Ballet and one Modern technique class, each an hour and thirty minutes with a warm up before the first class and a break between the two. We plié, we jump, we roll, we pirouette, and do a little of everything else in between. About 75% of our grade is comprised of in class performance, so we can’t afford to have a bad day. If someone seems uninterested, unmotivated, or simply just tired, it will be noticed and their grade will suffer the consequences. On this particular day I am working off of 6 hours of sleep and a bad back, so it’s a little harder for me to be ‘on pointe’. I am trying to focus on my alignment, as I have been getting corrections about it for the last few classes. As I move through one particularly difficult ballet exercise, thinking

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Sleep. As much as humanly possible. This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s surprising how many of us will stay up until all hours of the night and then attempt to be on our A game at 8:30 the next morning. A great way to get more sleep is to actually set an alarm clock for the time that you should be in bed. When the alarm goes off, you know its time to logout of Netflix and prepare for some serious shuteye.

If you fail at tip number 1, be sure to request Tim cards for every possible occasion so that you are prepared to refuel with caffeine at various times throughout the day. The Tim’s located in Seneca just across the street from ACE conveniently accepts Tim’s cards.

Always pack extra food and clothes. As a Fine Arts major, you never know when you’ll be asked to help out with a friend’s project or be needed for a last minute rehearsal. That fresh pair of tights and extra apple can really go a long way in such situations. If you run out of food, see point #2.

Stock up on Epsom salts and Tiger Balm. After a long day of classes and rehearsal, there’s no doubt that from time to time you’re going to be sore. And by that I mean you’re going to be in varying levels of Almost Bearable to Absolutely Crippling pain on a daily basis. The ability to soak in a tub full of soothing bath salts and numb your aching muscles afterwards will highly increase your overall quality of life. Trust me.

Lastly, and most importantly, remember why you are here.

Although being a dance major can be painful, frustrating, and seemingly impossible at times, it’s important to remember how lucky you are to be waking up every morning to the opportunity to further develop your craft. Embrace it.

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MAJOR SPEAK

The Canadian Scandal of 2013?

BY CAMELLIA DE CASTRO

“Did you ever expect to hear the words “Canadian literature” and “scandal” in the same sentence?

Neither did I.”

Welcome back from the holidays everyone!

2014 has just begun, so what better way to ring in the New Year than to recount the Canadian Literature Scandal of 2013.

Did you ever expect to hear the words “Canadian literature” and “scandal” in the same sentence? Neither did I. It was last November when I read an opinion article in the Toronto Star entitled “The scandal that is Canadian literature.”

According to the author of the article, the scandal was awarding the Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction to Eleanor Catton, a New Zealander who hasn’t lived in Canada since she was six.

The Governor General Literary Awards, also known as the GGs, are Canada’s foremost national literary awards. The GGs are awarded in both English and French in seven literary categories: fiction,

poetry, drama, non-fiction, children’s text, children’s illustration, and translation. The winners walk away with $25 000. The GGs are a highly prestigious award and solely celebrates Canadian authors.

However, Catton does not technically fit the mold of a Canadian author. She was born in London, Ontario, but her family is originally from New Zealand so they moved back there when Catton was six.

Although Catton is a Canadian citizen, she has not been a Canadian resident for years.

So when Catton claimed the GG for her novel, The Luminaries last November, it distressed the author of the Toronto Star article because Catton has not lived as a Canadian for years, yet she wins an award that is meant to honour Canadian authors.

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Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS Ontario-born, New Zealand-raised author Eleanor Catton speaks after winning a $25,000 Governor General's Literary Award for her novel, The Luminaries. *caption taken from Toronto Star*

Now, whether Catton winning the award is the epitome of scandalous, that is up to you to decide. At the end of the day, the article was one person’s opinion.

However, after reading the article in full, the author did bring up some interesting points about Canada’s literary world. Like, how the majority of Canada’s provinces are without the legislation that makes Canadian literature a mandatory course for students graduating from high school. Or, how Canadian writer and critic Sandra Djwa, the 2013 Governor General Award winner for Non-Fiction, had difficulty finding a Canadian publisher for her biography of P.K. Page (one of Canada’s greatest poets).

While both of these points are telling of the struggles that Canadian writers and their literature must face in their own country, it does not seem fair to degrade Catton winning the GG to a Canadian literature scandal.

After researching Catton’s novel, The Luminaries, I can understand why it won the GG, and it also won the 2013 Man Booker Prize (a literary prize awarded to the best original full-length novel by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations,

the Republic of Ireland, or Zimbabwe).

Catton has both of these awards to her name and she is only 28 years old.

In case you have not read Catton’s novel, The Luminaries is an 832 page novel about Walter Moody, a young prospector who lands in a gold-mining frontier town in New Zealand where he comes across a tense gathering between twelve local men.

Moody is drawn into a mystery revolving around a series of unsolved crimes. The Luminaries is described as “Dickens meets Deadwood” and “part mystery, part fantastical love story.” In addition, the structure of the novel is interesting and original because it is divided into twelve parts like the signs of the Zodiac.

Each character has a personality that is stereotypical of an astrological sign and the characters interact according to predetermined movements of the heavens.

The title “Luminaries” denotes the sun and moon, and the word “aries,” which is the first sign of the Zodiac, is the second half of the title.

All in all, Catton winning the 2013 Governor General Literary Award should

be commemorated, not controversial.

The Luminaries was a big success in 2013.

In fact, I and many others are extremely happy for all of the success that Catton experienced last year. In my eyes, it seems special that Catton was still considered as one of Canada’s own considering she had not lived here for years. It proves that Canada is still proud of the art its citizens create no matter where the citizen lives.

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BY CURTIS TE BRINKE Little Black Afro is an independent theatre company that began at York University, whose primary members are third and fourth year students in the Theatre program. They have been operating since 2011 and have produced work written by its Artistic Director, Luke Reece. They have performed in the Hamilton Fringe Festival in 2013, and their current project is called EAP, or Emerging Artists Project.

The company has taken submissions of one act plays no longer than sixty minutes from young artists from universities from across the GTA, and this January they will announce their selection and begin production on their new play. The intention is to make contact with up and coming theatre artists and for LBA to take on the means of production.

Not only does the company create their own work, but their new mandate is to give back to the community. In 2013, their

Hamilton Fringe production A Little Too Close to Home donated twenty percent of their box office to the Mental Health Rights Coalition of Hamilton. In keeping with this, LBA has decided to continue donating proceeds to a thematically relevant charity for each of their upcoming productions.

This year LBA will be holding fundraising events for their newly selected charity as well as to fund the new play.

In the future the company intends their Emerging Artists Project to evolve into an annual festival, creating theatre workshops with industry professionals, and establishing mentorships. For more information on their new work and to see how you can get involved, check out their website www.littleblackafroproductions.com, or like their facebook page, www.facebook.com/ LittleBlackAfro.

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A Retrospective on the Films of Studio Ghibli

BY CONNOR JOHNSTONE

the works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have become ingrained in the film landscapes of childhood. Kiki and Ashitaka occupy the same pantheon as Snow White and Aladdin, the spirits of the bathhouse are as memorable as the servants of the Beast, and even Totoro stickers take their place beside Mickey Mouse on half the MacBooks in any given Starbucks. Much like Disney, these films remain iconic of childhood far into adult life. Often they seem to For most recent generations,

be the only children's entertainment enjoyed without the slightest hint of irony.

It seems that the Toronto International Film Festival shares this appreciation, having launched an exhibition of Ghibli's work that will have run it's course by the time of this articles publication. My own poor timing aside, the filmography of Studio Ghibli warrants a nostalgic retrospection given the occasion.

Studio Ghibli was established in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki after the success

of Nausica채 of the Valley of the Wind (1984). Pronounced with a soft G, the studio takes its name from the Italian slang for Saharan scouting planes in the Second World War. The word is derived from a Libyan term meaning "hot wind blowing through the desert", an obscure reference meant to reflect the fresh wind of ideas the trio hoped to introduce into Japanese animation. The motif of wind and change still remains strong in the Studio's works, although now it reflects the impact of their achievement.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Grave of the Fireflies (1988) The most lauded work by the lesser known Isao Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies is best remembered as the most visceral work done by the studio. A haunting and disturbing historical piece that centers on siblings Seita and Setsuko during the firebombing of Kobe, this film touches a dark place that few other works in the Ghibli canon have tread. It's a film with meditations on the plight of the innocent in wartime made all the more heart wrenching through the perspectives of children.

Although often perceived as an anti-war film, Takahata has insisted that it is meant as lecture towards unruly Japanese youth for sufferings of their elders

My Neighbour Totoro (1988) Released as a double feature alongside Grave of the Fireflies, (an abrupt tonal shift), My Neighbour Totoro is the film that gave Studio Ghibli its enduring mascot. A cheery film inspired by Shinto folklore, this was the first Ghibli film to exhibit the themes of Japanese nostalgia that will appear in other films on this list.

Although remembered mostly for its toy potential, it played an important role in bringing Japanese animation towards global recognition. Disregard the theory that it is based on an infamously horrific murder occurring in Sayama city.

Porco Rosso (1992) An homage to early aviation set during the rise of Italian fascism, Porco Rosso contains the kernel of absurd charm that characterizes a great deal of Studio Ghibli's work. The film began its life as commissioned short for Japan Airlines based on a previous manga of Miyazaki's, but soon took on a life of its own as it developed into a feature. Though not as well remembered as most Ghibli protagonists, in the titular character Miyazaki creates a lovably porcine jerk to rival Brian Blessed himself in scene stealing ham.

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Princess Mononoke (1997) Dealing with a strong environmental theme that runs through several other Ghibli works, Princess Mononoke is uniquely memorable for the scope of its storytelling. Presented with a mythic grandeur, Ashitaka's quest to rid himself of a terrible curse is brought to life by the efforts of long-time Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi. Perhaps the most overtly violent of Miyazaki's work, this film is a wonderful anomaly in the Ghibli library.

Spirited Away (2001) The first of the Ghibli films to receive the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Spirited Away is the most Disneyesque Miyazaki film in its structure and plot. It took a return to the more quirky fantastical elements that hadn't been explored by Ghibli since 1994's Pom Poko. The interaction between the indentured Chihiro and the eccentric residents of an otherworldly bathhouse are alternately amusing and tragic, giving the movie its lasting appeal. Cited as a favourite by many, I am willing to guess this is the first interaction most people reading this had with Studio Ghibli in their childhood.

Tales from Earthsea (2006) Mentioned here for the sake of its obscurity, Tales from Earthsea is regarded by many as an unusual miss on an otherwise spotless record. Adapted loosely from a series of American fantasy novels, the distinctly Western story of Prince Arren and the mage Sparrowhawk is a sore point for some. In the first film directed by Hayao's

son Goro Miyazaki, the lukewarm reception of the film alongside author Ursula K. Le Guin's disownment of the adaptation resulted in worries from the Studio Ghibli managment that there may be no capable directors to succeed the aging Hayao and Isao. Despite its controversy, I believe it is a good movie. However, with a record such as Ghibli's, sometimes good simply doesn't stack up.

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) The most recent film to be released abroad, From Up on Poppy Hill is a heavily nostalgic piece about Japanese life in the 60's.

Light and cheery, if not a little lacking in substance, this film creates an atmosphere and setting that faithfully reconstructs the period from which it was inspired. A redemption of sorts for Goro Miyazaki, it was this piece that put to rest the fears over his ability and affirmed him as the eventual successor of Studio Ghibli's creative force.

A monumental body of work only sparsely summed up here, the works of Studio Ghibli stretch genres and themes dramatically while retaining their unique quality. Few studios carry with them such an instantly recognizable authorship. They contain a uniqueness that has allowed their work to become a part of the new canon of children's films. Existing in the dreamlike memories of childhood, the worlds of Ghibli exist for many as a source of blissful joy and nostalgia long past their intended demographic.

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28 ENTERTAINMENT

MATH ROCK Renaissance?

BY PETER ELLMAN

the days of four guitar chords making

a hit are laughable now. In our veganfriendly, gluten-free age, progressive creators are pushing meat and potatoes rock ‘n’ roll further into antiquity.

Breakthrough moments like Arcade Fire winning a Grammy for album of the year, Vampire Weekend’s music appearing in car commercials, Broken Social Scene releasing a 10-year retrospective book, and The National headlining Dundas Square for NXNE have helped to increase the profile of innovative music that would have previously remained underground. While all these acts would more likely be called ‘indie pop’ or ‘art rock’ before ‘math rock’, they do sometimes draw from the same musical language as more ‘mathy’ bandsasymmetrical time signatures, complex and dense rhythms, and intricate and technical guitar wizardry.

A quick primer for those who are new to music theory: A time signature determines the rhythmic feel of the music. Next to all mainstream music is in 4/4 time, meaning when Bruce Springsteen counts in the E Street Band, he yells “ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR,” and then they begin. A bar or phrase of music in 4/4 can usually be broken down into groups of 2 or 4 beats, which is why we call this time signature ‘symmetrical’. Other time signatures like 5/4, 7/8, and so on break down into uneven groups of beats. For example, 7/8 time can be broken into a group of 4 beats and a group of 3. This is why these time signatures are called asymmetrical.

According to Allmusic.com: “Math rock peaked in the mid-’90s, when groups like Polvo and Chavez had small, dedicated followings among indie rockers on

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collegiate campuses.” Many Midwestern American groups drew from progressive rock, jazz, post-hardcore and indie rock, to create rock music with asymmetrical time signatures like 7/8 or 11/8 instead of standard 4/4, as well as other complex rhythmic and melodic ideas. Mainstream acts like UK’s Radiohead, while not part of that scene, might have had just as much influence on modern math rock bands as local progenitors like Kentucky’s Slint.

Chicago brothers Mike and Tim Kinsella are responsible for some of the most important bands of that community: Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc, and American Football. Their various acts drew from emo, post-hardcore, and indie rock to create technical, boundary-pushing music. In 2013, Mike Kinsella put his highly credible stamp of approval on a new release as a member of the band Their/They’re/There.

While still identifiable as math rock, this 6 song, self-titled EP finds room to explore a wide range of tempos and guitar textures, often within the same song.

Another math rock innovator with a product that hit shelves in 2013 is the Kentucky band Rodan. Their short existence in the early 1990’s yielded several 7-inch records but only one full-length album, entitled “Rusty”. The band members went on to form other math rock bands like June of 44 and The Sonora Pine, but last year released the long overdue compilation, “Fifteen Quiet Years”. It collects rare, oneoff tracks and recordings from their BBC

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...label-bred, factory-farmed bands are being replaced by those who wish to explore greener pastures. session with John Peel. Unfortunately, original members Jason Noble and Jon Cook have both passed away in the last 2 years.

If these new releases from some of math rock’s originators weren’t exciting enough, the year’s yield from newer acts (of note are Native, TTNG, and Tera Melos) pushes the bar even higher for current and future groups. Of the three, Native might draw from post-hardcore the most with shouted vocals and healthy doses of distortion, however, they expertly balance their noise with stunning delicacy and ambience.

TTNG (formerly This Town Needs Guns) combine bluegrass-style finger picking with clean, chiming electric guitar tones, and the wild rhythmic ideas of math rock, to create gorgeous polyphonic guitar lines in support of their crystal clear singing. Tera Melos throw all of these ideas at the wall, or out the window, in constant, restless search for new textural and melodic vistas. Their album might be one of the most colourful, and varied albums of the year.

With similar releases on the shelves and certainly on their way, one may ask: “Why is this happening now?” and the short

answer is, “the internet”. Online music theory lessons and youtube guitar tutorials have made learning much more accessible to aspiring musicians. The saturation of the market with every band and their neighbour posting demos on bandcamp has pushed artists to challenge themselves to stand out, while others now have the ability to find an audience with whom they may indulge in their wildest creative dreams. Lastly, with less label control geared for mass consumption and immediate gratification, and more consumer control, listeners are finding it easier than ever to expand their palates and to discover exciting new sounds.

With solutions popping up almost as fast as any new challenge faced by musicians and listeners alike, label-bred, factory-farmed bands are being replaced by those who wish to explore greener pastures.

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g n i D rin k and

You

BY LAURA SPEARE After a night of wild partying or an evening of wine and company, it’s easy to reflect on the good times you had and wish that every day could promise the same good feelings. With that friendly atmosphere and feeling of connection with those around you, it’s very easy to feel thankful for the drinks that brought you out of your shell.

You are no longer quiet and self-conscious; the alcohol has ridden you of your inhibitions and made you feel free to be who you truly are.

Has it really though? At one time I may have said yes. Stripped of your defenses, the alcohol leaves you as your true naked self and anything you do while under its influence is 100% you.

But lately I’m rethinking that. Are “you” not an amalgamation of your whole self, including your filters and

regulatory habits? Is your sober self not the best representation of who you really are because it’s your complete and unadulterated personality?

But then you get into the confusing stuff. How much is your truest self dependent on your mood? If you’re feeling sad today and you’re not acting like the fun and bubbly individual you may consider yourself to be, does that mean you’re no longer you? How can you be walking and talking if you aren’t who you are?

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Now let’s assume for a moment that you’re a drinker. And that’s perfectly okay if you aren’t - if you don’t subject yourself to alcohol’s intoxicating effects you can still consider this from the perspective of a living, breathing, changeable human being. But let’s pretend that you are: on a day when you’re feeling sad and run-down, maybe a few drinks will turn your day around. The people around you will go from assuming that you are a quiet, introspective person to seeing that you can be rowdy, loud, fun, contented, or even dangerous. These are all drastically different energies that could lead you to be associated - perhaps unfairly - with one particular personality type.

I call this unfair because that’s exactly what it is: it simply does not make sense for people to assign you to a personalty type based on what they’ve seen of you in an intoxicated state. Or even if you are not drunk - if you’ve had a few and are in good spirits, it can’t be assumed that your general personality type is “in good spirits”. The mental processes that hold you back while you’re sober or even just when you’re not in an extreme emotional state are part and parcel of your true being.

I would argue that it is not possible to just pin a person down to one general character type. Your clear, level-headed and happy self does play a part, sure - and maybe that’s who you think you are and who you want to be seen as.

How you behave while drunk also might give people an idea about who you are.

But when cultivating a view of a person you have to look at every side. Whether

you’re happy or sad, angry or depressed, drunk or sober, there is no way that you can be anyone but who you are - therefore, you can’t choose any one time in your life to put a label on your personality.

In the mean time, whether you plan on drinking with friends this weekend or whether you’ll abstain, it’s important to allow yourself to be who you are. That may be confusing after what I’ve just laid out - but it is possible. All you have to do is accept that you don’t have to try to fit yourself into a category or feel pressured to display a consistent personality trait.

No one is consistent - alcohol has taught us that. You are a thousand and one versions of yourself and there is no point in stressing over who you are trying to be.

Just act how you feel and exist according to your intuitions and you can’t go wrong.

If you are a fun and bubbly sort of drunk, you may be saying to yourself now that you really like who you are when you’ve been drinking, and you think that that should be how people see you all the time. But you must consider that you might be feeling a different way if you were at all a different kind of drunk. Some people get angry when they

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drink; for others, the loss of inhibitions just heightens whatever they had already been feeling. Some of the acts that have been committed by people under the influence are undeniably atrocious, and it can be assumed that these people probably don’t want their drunken attributes to be what others see in them all the time.

So this brings us to the nitty-gritty.

If you’re not who you are when you’re drunk because you usually have different faculties at work, and you’re not who you are when you’re sad because your happy self is so drastically different, then how should people actually think of you?

Should they just ignore the confusing stuff and define you purely by how you act on a good day? Should they factor in how you act under the influence of alcohol in their judgement of your character?

Be

FIt-spirational

BY DIANA EDELHAUSER

LET US REMIND OURSELVES OF

one thing: looks matter. They aren’t the only thing, of course, but if we’re being honest about our mentalities, we’ll realize that physical appeal is hugely important.

Another thing we should clarify is that most of us want to look good for ourselves.

It’s not about what the guy in your Friday afternoon tutorial is going to think.

More so, it’s how you feel when you look in the mirror. So let’s get right into it. The Freshman Fifteen, those dreaded pounds you gain in first year? They’re not exactly a myth. Numbers may vary but there are undeniable changes that you go through physically during your first year, so it’s important to stay motivated and keep active.

One phenomenon that you’ve likely come across during any fitness related Internet search is “fitspiration”, or “fitspo”.

Essentially, these are motivating photos of ridiculously fit individuals, sometimes stamped with equally motivating slogans, meant to remind you how you want to look. And they’re not wrong; don’t try to convince me otherwise! Toned arms, just the right amount of definition in the legs and a smooth, taut tummy have been a

female physique goal in the past decade.

For guys, it’s that buff chest and the ripped back. And while getting to the gym might be a bit of a struggle at times, the ultimate motivator should be the fact that you’re in the process of bettering yourself.

Fitspo photographs have been frowned upon in the past; probably inheriting some of the bad rap that the “thinspiration” movement has sparked. There is never a good reason to glamourize eating disorders and unhealthy weight loss, so the fact that youth advocacy groups have spoken up against those is great. But I’m a little bit conflicted over this recent critique of fitspo photographs. Allegedly, they’re unrealistic and condescending. Well, allow me to disagree. Some of these slogans are harsh, but sweet talk won’t get you bench-pressing, will it? There is no factor of motivation behind something that doesn’t give you a bit of a wake up call.

What I love most about working out is that burn you feel for a few days afterward. That rewarding ache, known to Kinesiology students as doms (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), is a sign that you’re pushing yourself physically harder or differently

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than before. There is debate on forums about whether it’s related to muscle growth or not, and after all I’m a Communications major, but few things give me a confidence boost the way this delightful burn does. It’s the exact opposite of that sedentary feeling you get after watching 5 consecutive episodes of the Kardashians.

I like to think we’re in the midst of yet another body-image culture change. It used to be the curvaceous Marilyn Monroe that stopped men dead in their tracks. Then we saw the dainty Lesley “Twiggy” Hornby, Kate Moss, and the model movement.

Most recently, I’ve been enjoying the fact that women are getting complimented on their healthy, toned physique! We’re finally tuning in to why men love the gym so much, and it’s showing. There’s a huge appreciation revolving around women being able to deadlift just as impressively as men, and female athletics have certainly taken off. Still, a common complaint heard around campus is, “Tait McKenzie is always full and always intimidating!” Can I disagree again?

Please? Ladies, you will not be whistled at while you squat. You’re also not limited to using the treadmill. You can wear whatever

you want, use any machine you want, and ask any one there for help. Those who know what they’re doing are eager to help out. If the machine you want to use is busy, simply let its current user know you’re waiting.

It’s that easy.

A last point I’d like to troubleshoot is gym and workout apparel. Working at a sports store has really opened my eyes to tons of cute pieces you can wear to the gym. Try Roxy Standard Running Tights in charcoal, they cling to all the right places and are super versatile going from class to the gym- I wear mine on nights out sometimes, too! Or the Lululemon Flow Y sports bra with removable padding. When it comes to shoes, I’m all for the Nike Free Run 4.0 series not only for their totally rad colour combos, but also for their unparalleled comfort. Guys, I haven’t forgotten you: if you’re proud of your superhero-esque upper bodies, Under Armor “Alter Ego” compression shirts are for you.

At the end of the day though, here’s what counts: be your best, push yourself, and don’t skip leg day!

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34 HEALTH

HAIR, DON’T CARE

BY NIKKY WAXMAN IN A WORLD

FULL

OF TWERKING

and grills, people with coloured hair don’t seem so out of place anymore. I’m not talking about natural colours; I’m talking about the deep blues and vibrant purples, the greens, the reds, and the silvers. Hair isn’t merely a part of the human body anymore - it’s an accessory. And plenty of us, myself included, use and abuse it.

The big question is WHY? The most obvious reason is selfexpression. The colour and style of your hair is usually utilized as a form of representation for either you as a whole or one specific personality trait. For some people, colouring their hair is a way to individualize him or herself from everyone else, which makes sense: we live in a society dominated by styles, brands, and stereotypes. Individuality is something both dreaded and desired.

Coloured hair creates an obvious visual difference between people.

Of course with this new “individuality” comes an outdated, but again, obvious stigma: people with coloured hair (or any body modifications for that matter) ruin the image of professionalism within the workplace, and many companies are opposed to hiring people who have coloured hair. But in our modern world, that “image of professionalism” is changing, therefore so should our perception of coloured hair. It is not a mark of irresponsibility, laziness, or idiocy. It is not a measure of a person’s professionalism. Rather, it is a personal choice that deeply reflects an aspect of that individual. And though the number of people with coloured hair is everincreasing, it still exists as a deviation from the norm.

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“Our basic, human need for comfort is strongest when we’re immersed in an environment that deprives us of it.”

Speaking as someone who has had blue hair for years, another possible reason that people dye their hair unnatural colours is because their life is in a state of change or transition. As different aspects of our lives alter around us – such as our home, our love, or even ourselves – we tend to react through changes in our appearance. Fashion choices, weight, hair colour, length or style; these can all be subject to change. What does this say about us?

Our basic, human need for comfort is strongest when we’re immersed in an

environment that deprives us of it. In states of change we crave comfort within ourselves, and one way of achieving this is through altering our appearances.

You find something tangible that you know is real and that, though it fades, is something that you have control over.

Dying hair brings some people closer to finding their true selves in times of crisis.

The feeling of peace and individuality is the final reason why we dye our hair.

People with coloured hair require a certain confidence to boldly dye what’s never been blue before. What other people have to say is irrelevant. You ignore the stares on the subway and the jibes from your grandparents, and eventually, when you find the right colour, it becomes a part of you.

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36

HEALTH

...So much meh. Everything is meh. Sorry Artichoke. But I’ve got a big case of the blahs.

RIELLE ULLBERG

Suffering from Complete Apathy? Yeah, me too.

It’s the winter term at York University. What are we going to do? I’ve been feeling really apathetic lately about the prospects of “what” and “do”. My apathy centers mostly around school and the things associated with being a communications studies student. But these apathetic feelings extend to work, my relationships, housekeeping, health standards and even personal aesthetics (It’s been a while since I even changed my sheets). The holidays are over, and the most exciting thing to look forward to is reading week. Even to that I feel unresponsive.

As a second year I’m not really sure which way to turn. When I look back on my first year at York, the colours are bright and the emotions are diverse. Life was vibrant and raw. Exposed. I was new to so many things and even though new experiences posed ever-intensifying challenges, they served to bolster my attitude, not stifle it.

And I’ll be totally honest, the general atmosphere I’ve been surrounded with while writing this article is “meh.” So much meh.

Everything is meh. Sorry Artichoke. But I’ve got a big case of the blahs. That being said, how do I, the proverbial downtrodden students, pick myself up? If you feel anything like I do, read on.

Now I know I’m not depressed. I’ve been there before. If depression is your issue, or even if you’re not sure, check out York’s Counselling and Disability Services. However, I believe my problem is less definable than depression. Not that this is any scientific measurement of such an affliction, but I can, even at the worst of my meh’s, rally enough spirit to compete in a 150cc race of Mario Kart. The drive is there (literally), now how to harness it towards productivity and beat apathy?

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I’ll give you the clichés: 1. Buy something special to make yourself feel excited and important. (Because consumerism always proves a positive reinforcer. Yeah, sure.)

2. Hang out with people who make you feel happy and inspired. (Everyone else is feeling the blahs, if we hang out together I fear a massive meh-fest of sad youtube videos, jumbo potato chip bags and tears.)

3. Listen to music or engage in media that motivates you. (Watching or listening to successful people just makes me feel more hopeless and unaccomplished.)

I’m sure there’s more, but incidentally, I don’t care to research them. So this is what my game plan is: 1. Write down 3 reasons why being productive today will help me in the future. (For example, if I work hard at my job today, I can A) earn favour with my managers B) use that favour to request days off during reading week C) spend those days doing whatever the hell I want that doesn’t involve mopping floors and restocking shelves.)

2. Do things that evoke previous feelings of energy and motivation AKA the anti-blahs. (This is just exploiting nostalgia for personal gain. I’m going to brew the tea that I used to drink in high school, watch my favorite friends episodes, call my mom, and take a walk around campus.

These things I associate with happiness and excitement, a good basic to break through blahs.)

3. Remind myself what my own success looks like. (I’m currently pulling down my box o’ memories, sifting through past achievements, reading my old poems, and A+ papers. Looking through my high school art portfolio and rereading books that I found interesting and enlightening.

These things make me feel animated and enthusiastic. Harness this feeling; it is key to pushing through the meh barrier.)

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BONUS: You know how getting something new does create that shopping high?

Well our pockets aren’t always as deep as our constant search for that feeling, so try what I have termed Immaterial Consumerism; the craving for something new and special without paying for it. To me, that’s actualized by a completely clean room and all my best favorite clothes washed and ready to wear. If there’s something you can do to make yourself feel revitalized in this way, I don’t see why you wouldn’t do it. (Unless of course, you can’t work up the desire to start, on account of the blahs.

In this case, revert to my non-cliché step one, and make a three point list of why immaterial consumerism are guaranteed to help you succeed!)

I’ve gotten to the end of writing this article (and you’ve almost finished reading it) and I can only speak for myself here but I feel much more enthusiastic. Get up now, get moving, beat the blahs and have an amazing winter term.

Have a response? A personal reflection, story or critique? Let’s talk about it. Email me at elleartichoke@gmail.com -> your emails are my own personal immaterial consumerism. It’s like a little present that I don’t have to pay for.

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HEALTH

Surprise everyone! This month there are two recipes for a hearty meal for the cold season: Chili. The meat chili is a recipe that I’ve experimented heavily with. The vegetarian chili recipe has been given courtesy of John Mayberry, Academic Advisor of Winters and Professor in the Theatre Department! The good thing about chili is that it can last quite a long time, which can save you a lot of money in the long run. That way you’re spending less on fast food and eating more healthy, homemade food for cheaper (the meat chili may be a little bit more expensive, but still worth the buck).

VEGETARIAN CHILI

BY JOHN MAYBERRY (adapted from my mum’s recipe from the joy of cooking)

2-3 tbsp butter or oil 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 package (340 gm) Veggie Ground Round ½ can (830 ml can) of diced tomatoes 2 cans (540 ml cans) kidney beans ¾ tsp salt ½ bay leaf 2 tsp - 2 tbsp chili powder

Optional: ½ can (177 ml can) tomato paste (to taste) oregano, basil, cumin seed, fennel seed splash of red wine garnish with grated or shredded cheese

Heat butter or oil in a medium saucepan Saute onion and garlic until transluscent Add all other ingredients, including any optionals (except cheese) Bring to a simmer (the longer it simmers, the better it tastes) Serve alone, with cheese on top, on pasta or rice, or with tortilla chips.

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CARNIVORE’S CHILI

BY NIGEL D’SOUZA

2 pounds ground beef chuck 1/4 cup chili powder 1 pound bulk Italian sausage 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 pound of boneless chicken breast 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 pound of bacon, chopped 1 tablespoon dried oregano 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 large yellow onion, chopped 1 teaspoon salt 3 stalks celery, chopped 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 teaspoon paprika 2 green chile peppers, seeded and 1 teaspoon white sugar chopped (or 1 can of corn habanero, 1 can of Dr. Pepper unseeded and chopped, if you like heat) 4 cubes beef bouillon

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground chuck and sausage into the hot pan, and cook until evenly browned. Drain off excess grease.

Pour in the chili beans, spicy chili beans, diced tomatoes and tomato paste.

Add the onion, celery, green and red bell peppers, chile peppers, bacon bits, bouillon, and Dr.Pepper. Add chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, cumin, hot pepper sauce, basil, salt, pepper, cayenne, paprika, and sugar. Stir together, then cover and simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

After 2 hours, taste, and adjust salt, pepper, and chili powder if necessary. The longer the chili simmers, the better it will taste. Remove from heat and serve, or refrigerate, and serve the next day.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, and some shredded cheddar cheese.

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