Capilano Courier | Vol. 51, Issue 7.

VOLUME 51, ISSUE 7 DEC. 3, 2018 - JAN. 21, 2019

This is How

CAMPUS LIFE

KEITH JACKSON IS PLAYER OF THE YEAR PG. 5

We Celebrate the Holidays

ARTS & CULTURE

VAN ARTXGUO PEI PG. 18 COMEDY OF ERRORS PG. 19

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

VOL. 51 ISSUE 7 DEC. 3, 2018 - JAN. 21, 2019

ON THE COVER: JULIANA VIEIRA

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LEARNING COMMONS OPENS

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PROFILE: SOCCER STAR KEITH JACKSON

When did being busy become the in-thing?

News

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Campus Life

ICELAND'S BANNED "CHRISTMAS" AD

Opinions

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RECAP: CLIMATE JUSTICE SUMMIT

Special Feature

10 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Cover Feature

12 THE MYTH OF THE STARVING ARTIST

Columns

17 HOLIDAY RECIPE PICKS

Reviews

19 HOW ONE WOMAN SHAPED THE CSU

Arts & Culture

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 7

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART DIRECTOR

MANAGING EDITOR

PRODUCTION MANAGER

NEWS EDITOR

COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

BUSINESS MANAGER

FEATURES EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christine Beyleveldt capcourier@gmail.com

Helen Aikenhead manager.capcourier@gmail.com

Greta Kooy news.capcourier@gmail.com

Annalisse Crosswell associatenews.capcourier@gmail.com

Freya Wasteneys specialfeatures.capcourier@gmail.com

Cynthia Tran Vo artdirector.capcourier@gmail.com

Melissa Gibbons pm.capcourier@gmail.com

Ana Maria Caicedo community.capcourier@gmail.com

Jessica Lio businessmanager.capcourier@gmail.com

Max Ferreira, Benjamin Jacobs, Tia Kutschera Fox, Emma Lewicky, Clarissa Sabile, Nirosh Saravanan, Jarod Smart

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Nivedan Kaushal arts.capcourier@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS

Andrea Alcaraz, Sarah Haglund, Heather Haughn, Valeriya Kim, Erika Medina

OPINIONS EDITOR

Megan Orr opinions.capcourier@gmail.com

EDITOR & COLUMNIST PORTRAITS

Cynthia Tran Vo

COLUMNS EDITOR

Rachel D'Sa columns.capcourier@gmail.com COPY EDITOR

Ashleigh Brink copy.capcourier@gmail.com

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institution we serve happens on the unceded territory

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of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

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CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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very time a holiday is around the corner I plan to accomplish something personal. Last Christmas, after a couple months of hashing ideas out with a friend, I started a blog so I could get a better handle on WordPress. Over the summer I committed myself to learning basic German. Ich verstehe ein bisschen Deutsch, aber nicht viel. My boyfriend has started learning it too, and we can repeat a few simple phrases back and forth. But unlike tinkering around with WordPress, it takes years to learn a language. There’s no such thing as instant gratification, and that was my ultimate lesson.

Forbes reported that Millennials are addicted to self-improvement. It’s become a lucrative business designed to get us to spend more money on education. But in the end we don’t feel any better. If we really want to improve ourselves and our quality of life, no self-help book is going to be the magic cure.

Because sooner rather than later, we’re going to have to close the back flap of the book and start putting those lessons to use.

More often than not, I start off my personal projects ambitiously, and as the holidays slip away I lose my motivation. Not with German though, that I’ve at least kept up with, but only because that little green owl makes me feel bad if I don’t. Duolingo offers little factoids while you wait for your lesson to load, usually along the lines of “did you know that there are more people learning Irish on Duolingo than there are native Irish speakers?” Or, “15 minutes a day can teach you a language, what can 15 minutes of Instagram do for you?” Ouch.

I’m the type of person that loves to complain about being busy. I thrive on being busy. But at the same time I feel that I'm never doing enough. Any idle moment is a moment that could be spent doing something productive, and if I don’t accomplish something each day I feel like it's been wasted. Part of this I absolutely put on social media. I never thought I’d be the type of person to compare myself to others online.

I refused to get Instagram for the longest time because I knew I already wasted too much time on Facebook, and I didn’t want to

see any more of my precious time dithered away. Now, I spend just as much of my time, probably more, scrolling through stories of people who have proper, structured work schedules as I do practicing German.

According to Bustle, Millennials are taking better care of themselves than any prior generation. We practice self-care, we admit when we need down time, we practice yoga and meditation. We get laughed at for colouring and playing with puppies as exams creep closer, but we also tend to do much better on our exams than the previous generation.

Young folks are constantly exercising their brains. We say we’re so busy all the time, and yet we keep volunteering to take on more work, or we’ll find things to make ourselves busier when we know we’re supposed to take a break.

Telling everyone how busy I am has become a bit of an obsession, much like my stereotypical love of avocado and self-care.

I even put a story on Instagram before I disappeared into my dad's study to work on this last issue of the Courier – the same Instagram I vowed not to get – showing off my "preparing to work all weekend" getup consisting of an ugly Christmas sweater and fuzzy pyjama pants. We’re constantly comparing our schedules, and the person who has the most work on their plate emerges as the champion of productivity.

I do plan on committing myself to selfimprovement over the holidays again. I dream of starting my own magazine and bringing friends in London, Paris and Stellenbosch respectively on board as columnists from abroad. But this time, I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't make as much headway as I want to over the next two weeks. After all, the holidays are about enjoying the company of family.

That's a small affair in my case. Christmas morning in my house is a series of Skype calls around the world because my family is in another hemisphere. I might be working through an online tutorial in the background, and I won’t feel the worse for it if I don't accomplish everything I want to before 2019.

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RECAP: Scotiabank Charity Challenge CapU team raises $21,000 for charity house and student bursaries TIA KUTSCHERA FOX CONTRIBUTOR

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aculty, staff and students of Capilano University participated in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge on June 23 this year. The Challenge involves registering with one of the official charities that Scotiabank supports and running a 5k.

The CapU team raised a little over $21,000.

Half of the amount went to the North Shore Neighbourhood House, a charity chosen

by CapU as it aligns with the University’s values.

The other $10,000 went directly towards Capilano University Bursaries. “Specifically the CapU Student Bursary, we are trying to get it up to $250,000,” explained Director of Alumni and Development Scott Blythe.

Unlike scholarships which are mainly awarded based on academic achievement, bursaries are awarded to students who display financial need. “But we can only hit kind of on average about 30 per cent of that need, so every student gets help, but they only get help to a certain point because there's only so much money coming in.”

While the goal is to have the CapU Student Bursary fund at $250,000, it’s currently just over $100,000.

“We chose this event because of the participation element of it that really allows people to raise funds in support of something they believe in, access their

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Photos by Rob Newell

De-Stress Week Returns to CapU The CSU is using therapy dogs, massages and Nintendo Switch games to get students through exams ANNALISSE CROSSWELL ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

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e-stress dogs and massage therapy sessions are making their return to Capilano University for the semi-annual De-Stress Week, presented by

Photo by Mikko San Ramon

the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU), from Nov. 26-29. Spearheading the De-Stress Series week for his first time is Mikko San Ramon, recreation, intramurals and wellness coordinator, who has also brought in a new addition to the lineup of events - the Nintendo Switch, which was approved midsemester.

The gaming console, which was used earlier in the semester to facilitate events during Mental Health Awareness Month, included games such as Mario Party, Mario Kart and Mario Tennis, as well as Rock Band. Being a one-time purchase, the console and games allow the CSU to provide for small events to encourage

engagement among students without a huge amount of planning and cost. “It’s easy for people to get involved without [CSU staff] having to worry about logistics so much,” said San Ramon. Rock Band allows this at virtually no cost to the University, as it was donated by a staff member.

“I think it’s really important for students to be reminded to take care of themselves and sometimes that’s getting a massage,” said President and Vice-President Equity and sustainability Anna Rempel, who was also involved in planning the De-Stress Series. “Sometimes that’s playing with a dog or playing video games with your friends, but sometimes that’s also remembering to sleep [or] remembering to eat.”

De-Stress Week events are usually organized by CSU Accessibility Justice Coordinator Andrew Dillman, but the board of directors decided that planning fit better into San Ramon’s role. This semester, Dillman was involved to a lesser degree, initiating the conversation about De-Stress Week and helping to organize dog therapy and massage therapy. De-Stress Week falls under Rempel’s mental health mandate, so she would also usually be more involved.

However, this year Rempel is travelling to Ottawa for the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA)’s Advocacy Week, resulting in a lesser involvement in planning. However, while in Ottawa she will be trained for the upcoming mental health campaign run by the CSU. Final exams and the last push towards the

end of the semester can be a stressful time of year for students, and the goal of De-Stress Week is to allow a moment’s reprieve from worrying about assignments and exams coming to a head. “Everyone has a different perspective and a different way of receiving stress…and so we can’t make an assumption that there is only one level of that,” said San Ramon, “So, with that being said, we offer De-Stress Week so that everyone, regardless of [the] level of stress of they’ve got, can be involved in participating in that.”

Both San Ramon and Rempel have plans for how De-Stress Week could be developed further next semester and in the years to come. With Rempel’s less-direct involvement in the event and concerns that students too easily forget self-care, she thinks some things could be extended to the rest of the academic year, including workshops, talks and resources that could be shared with students that focus on maintaining a work-life balance.

San Ramon indicated that unlike other on-campus events, turn out for De-Stress Week is not a huge concern because students already have a history of being very engaged with activities offered during the semester.

His goal with De-Stress Week waiss simply to give members of the CapU community a chance to relax during this busy time of the year. “Honestly, whatever distraction we can give them is a win,” San Ramon said, adding his hope that students would not become too distracted from their schoolwork because of these events.

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not the point of this particular event. “It’s not about how much people give, it’s that they are giving, because we will get there…

That’s when we start to see that difference.

Because $5 matters. $10 matters.”

For students interested in participating next year, Blythe’s advice is, “Don't be afraid to ask people to support you… students will be surprised to see how many people are willing to support them. There's a whole community of people that are behind students, and sometimes you see us, and sometimes you don't, but I think it's really fun – and you get really cool T-shirts as well!”

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networks, and as we entered into our 50th it was really important that we had avenues in which to explore that… the goal was to increase pride," said Blythe.

This was the first year CapU took part in the event, but the plan is to continue participating in the future and work alongside students. “We always want to work in partnership with students wherever possible. Students are drivers in their own education and process, and while the primary purpose for the first year was a driver around pride and participation with faculty and staff we always look for those opportunities to engage students in more meaningful ways.”

While the charity run occured on one day, the process of fundraising developed over a few months. Training started in April at CapU with a recruitment process to encourage people to come out. The fundraising ended in July, just a little after the event. “We had a goal to get 50 participants, we got 53 participants. So for first kick at the can people did really really well. And people don't know how to do that so we did workshops, and we had lunch events, and so the community really came behind that.”

Participants were given a goal of raising $500 each. “We wanted to make it into bitesize, and so we gave instructions on how to do that and we think next year we'll see that continue to increase and some people are really successful, and some people were less successful, but it was more important that people are out there doing it.” While CapU does receive large donations from single donors, Blythe explained that this was

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CapU Unveils New Learning Commons at Official Opening Ceremony The new central hub hosted guests to celebrate CapU’s latest step towards expansion

the introduction of this space is a big move and an indication of change for CapU. The Centre for Student Success, which is located in the Learning Commons, was the first step in future development for the University.

The development of this space was entirely within the University’s budget and did not require the use of government funding, further exhibiting CapU’s commitment to progress.

The University intends to open a Lonsdale Campus within the next year, and the Squamish campus will be reopened. In addition to these off-campus changes, there is clear intent to make the Capilano campus accommodate student needs further than it currently does.

The Learning Commons centralizes already existing services that many students had, in the past, been unable or had not tried to find. It also introduces new resources and programs intended to benefit students... we’re trying to create a kind of one-stop centre in the centre of campus, the library being part of that, where students can find

ANNALISSE CROSSWELL ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

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sit at one of the big tables? Do they want to collaborate around one of the smaller tables?”

In the future there will be software that students can use to book time with mentors, which will also give the University more data about how students are using the space. In the meantime, manual counts have revealed that the space has been over capacity much of the time, which will come as no surprise to those that have tried to find a spot to study there. “The thing is that we thought this space would be well used, but it’s very well used,” said Banks.

Banks believes that the Learning Commons and the new engagement-centred orientation will boost student engagement.

Students had previously commented that it was too difficult to find information on events, with all the resources for doing so being so spread out around campus. “Now there are more publicized reasons for staying [on campus] and I think you’re seeing that, I think you’re seeing the effect of that,” she said.

THE CAPILANO COURIER

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hile the Capilano University Learning Commons has been open since the beginning of the semester, guests gathered on Nov. 20 to officially open the space. Faculty and staff, along with guests such as the architect, Jeff Gravistin, some of the individuals behind the ‘Start Right Here’ campaign designed

by Ion, the CapU Board of Governors and members of the community that have contributed to the University were present at the ceremony.

Associate Vice President for Student Success, Cyndi Banks, acknowledged that

the support they need all in one place,” said Banks.

The Writing Centre, Math Learning Centre and English Language Support (ELS) services have now been relocated to the Learning Commons. New to the space is the Student Life Hub, which is staffed by students and boasts an electronic calendar that enables all events to be found in one place, something that students had requested in forums last year. A YouTube tutorial service that requires small monthly fees is also being piloted, mentors are available to work on e-portfolios with students and in the near future students will be able to sign out technology to aid their studies.

The space is also dynamic in its physical arrangement with a collaboration room, smaller study areas, larger tables and new seating located near the Good Earth Coffeehouse outside of the library. “The idea is that the student chooses what kind of space they want [and] how they want to use it," said Banks. "Do they want to

Eleven Years of Creating Connections Networking events at CapU begin to diversify MEGAN ORR OPINIONS EDITOR

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apilano University hosted the 11th annual Creating Connections networking event on Nov. 14 at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver. The event, hosted by the Faculty of Business and Professional Studies and the Career Development Centre, is held to encourage students and alumni to get to know local businesses and potentially create opportunities for future employment.

Originally, the event was open to third and fourth year Business students, this year being the first that it included the School of Communications and the School of Legal Studies. According to the website, “The

event enables business leaders to meet with some of the best and brightest future graduates and an excellent opportunity for these students to interact with potential employers.”

This year’s industry attendees included the likes of BlueShore Financial (the primary sponsor), North Shore News, RBC Royal Bank and Freedom 55 Financial, among many others. Students, alumni and faculty of CapU attended. Paul Dangerfield, president of the University, spoke briefly, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Professional Studies, Dr. Halia Valladares, and Ms. Janet Burgess of BlueShore Financial.

This was the first year that the event was held at the Pipe Shop, as it had previously taken place at the Pinnacle Hotel. The location change was met with positivity.

“The Pipe Shop is an awesome place for conventions, conferences, galas and dinners… It’s so open and it’s got a good

Photos by Remy Marlatt view. It’s got a very casual kind of feel to it,” said Yats Palat, the MC for the evening and vice-president student life at the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU).

The Pipe Shop hosts many different events and boasts a beautiful view of the Quay and downtown Vancouver across the water. The event was catered, with charcuterie, crudite and seafood platters, as well as a delectable dessert tray. They also served beer and wine, with each attendee receiving a free drink voucher. “The event went well. The food was good, the drinks were decent,” said Palat.

The event had approximately 300 people registered to attend, according to Dominic Guieb, one of the Business students in charge of helping facilitate the event. “I think it went really well, I know they had a decent number of attendees. I know I heard from the Career Services… that they may have had less attendees than they had last time, but I know they were pretty happy

with how it went. They had a lot of people from the industry, it was organized very well,” said Palat.

Aside from a hiccup with the speakers, where people were still networking and disrupting the program, one of the other concerns was that the industry attendees were mainly finance related. “It was really nice to network with these companies and get to know what they do, and a lot of these companies do a lot more than just banking, like BlueShore, they do their marketing and whatnot, but their ideology is finance driven. That’s one thing I would’ve liked to change,” said Palat, noting that a lot of Business students aren’t just interested in finance.

The event encouraged networking, and positive connections were made for those eager enough. Creating Connections is a good opportunity for students, alumni and industry professionals alike, and will return next year in case you missed it.

CLASSIFIED Tired of your Spotify playlists? Volunteer with the BlueShore at Capilano University and discover electrifying jazz and global roots acts. ​ Volunteers have exciting opportunities to connect with the CapU community, participate in an exciting music and theatre environment​ and build new skills while fueling your passion for the arts.

More information: ushers@capilanou.ca

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CAMPUS LIFE

CapU’s Keith Jackson Named CCAA Men’s Soccer Player of the Year Fifth year soccer star talks about how far his team has come in a few short years GRETA KOOY NEWS EDITOR

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Photos by Vancouver Sports Pictures as a coach coming in and connecting [with] us right away, and of course all the other players as well. This year we had a great team dynamic, everyone got along very well

and the rookies were just as much a part of the team as every other person,” he said.

Jackson believes that with Elliott as their coach next year, the Blues have a great shot at not only making nationals but winning provincials as well. He recognized the hard work of all his fellow players, including midfielders Marco Favaro and Bryce Millway, and defenders Andres Romo and Eric Swanson. “They could definitely be a good core for a championship team,” said Jackson. “My first two years playing for the Blues we didn’t even make playoffs or provincials, now I’ve seen the team go to nationals twice. It’s great to see what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team and I’m definitely going to miss it next year.”

Also in their fifth and final year playing for the Blues is goalkeeper Hudson Nelles, who has the most career shutouts as a goalie in CapU men’s soccer history. “He had a really big influence on the team,” said Jackson. Jackson himself is second on the Blues men’s soccer all-time scoring leaderboard with 38 goals in 56 games.

With graduation in his near future, Jackson hopes to remain involved in the game while also putting his Global Stewardship diploma and Communications degree to use. “It would be great to work for an organization that focuses on developing sport in developing countries,” he said. “I know that living here we’re so lucky to be able to play organized sports, not everyone gets that opportunity.”

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n his fifth and final year playing for the Capilano University Blues men’s soccer team, Keith Jackson polished off the 2017-18 season winning the CCAA Men’s Soccer Player of the Year award. This isn’t Jackson’s first major accolade however, having previously taken home the title of PACWEST Player of the Year for the second season in a row, along with several other well-earned titles.

The Blues men’s soccer team had travelled to the CCAA Men’s Soccer Championship in Cornwall, PEI, where they finished in fourth place overall. It was on their second night there, at the CCAA awards banquet, that Jackson would take home his award.

“I was very surprised,” said Jackson, “As soon as I won, my whole team stood up cheering and that was one of the best feelings I’ve had the whole season, just seeing them happy for me. That meant a lot.”

Jackson began his academic career at CapU after graduating from North Vancouver’s Seycove Secondary, where he first entered into the Global Stewardship Program. Wanting to focus on volunteering efforts and not-for-profits, the program was a good fit. “Coming out of high school that was a passion of mine, and still is,” he said.

Although he had played soccer during his post-secondary years, Jackson was involved in a variety of other sports and didn’t

consider it a main focus of his – yet. While some of the other players were recruited out of high school, Jackson found his way onto the Blues team after reaching out to thenhead coach Paul Dailly for an open tryout.

“He liked what he saw, so he signed me for the first year,” said Jackson. He spent his first two years at CapU playing for the team, although acknowledging it was a slow start.

After completing the two-year Global Stewardship program, Jackson decided to take a year off. At the time, returning to CapU wasn’t set in stone.

For four months he backpacked through Central America, travelling through Belize, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. For two weeks of his time abroad, he took part in a WWOOF (WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program, volunteering in exchange for accommodation and trying his hand at rural farm work. “It was completely off-thegrid,” he said. “We didn’t really know what to expect going into it. It was a lot of hard work, but it was a great experience and a lot of fun.”

When Jackson returned home, he made his way back to CapU, this time starting a degree in Communications. He also found his way back to the CapU Blues men’s soccer team where he would play his last three years.

“It feels weird that it was my last semester playing for the team,” he said. “It’s great to look at what we’ve achieved since I’ve been here.” Jackson has seen the team go through some major changes since his first year, including the introduction of new head coach Alex Elliott at the beginning of the year. “Alex brought in a new dynamic and a new team environment,” said Jackson.

On winning the CCAA Men’s Soccer Player of the Year award, Jackson acknowledged both Elliott and the team, saying “I think if anything it speaks to Alex

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Ho-Ho-Hold Your Tongue Stop getting testy about people trying to wish you the best this season MEGAN ORR OPINIONS EDITOR

THE CAPILANO COURIER

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Tis the season for people complaining incessantly about everything. Trust me, I know, because I love to complain.

There’s something about the holidays though that really brings out the best and worst in people. We’re sensitive, excited and just generally fragile. So fragile in fact, that a mere festive proclamation of “Happy Holidays!” or “Merry Christmas!” can send people into a spiral of rage. If you’re one of these people, it’s time to pull the Christmas cracker out of your ass and just be grateful that anyone is showing your Scrooge-y self even a little bit of kindness.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all about trying to be inclusive. I will wish people Happy Holidays if I’m not sure how they celebrate and if I feel like they deserve the gesture to begin with. I celebrate Christmas, so for friends and family it’s usually a, “Happy Christmas!” (British Harry Potter style).

Here’s the thing though: me having to explain which greeting I use and why is absolutely unnecessary. Just take the well wishes and move on.

Seriously, during a time of year that can be very difficult for individuals and families, just appreciate the fact that someone feels like you deserve anything happy or merry, say “thank you”, return the sentiment if the mood strikes you and then walk away. I mean, if it’s someone you’ve just started a conversation with don’t walk away, but you get my point. Not everything is about you and your beliefs.

This is not a war, no one is trying to take Christmas away from you. “The idea of a ‘War on Christmas’ has turned things like holiday greetings and decorations into potentially divisive political statements,” wrote Liam Stack of the New York Times on the controversy. The fact that people feel like a mere statement of cheer is a “divisive political statement” just shows how much y’all love the drama.

I am absolutely not finger-pointing here either – there are guilty parties on both sides.

People get offended if they don’t celebrate Christmas but you wish them a merry one.

Other people assert that we have to, “Put the Christ back in Christmas!” when you hope someone has a happy holiday. In a world where it seems like cheer is some form of protest it can be easier to just say “bah humbug” and be done with it.

If someone saying the wrong greeting to you really has the power to ruin your day, you need to re-prioritize. There are so many different ways of celebrating this time of year and if someone is trying to (kindly) spread cheer through their own greeting, allow them to. There’s no need to clarify what you think the best way to celebrate is, seriously. Nobody really cares what your beliefs are. The point is: if you can’t handle someone wishing you a Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays (or Seasons Greetings, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, etc.) maybe it’s best to just stay home until after New Year’s.

If you can manage to share kindnesses with people around the holidays without being a miserable asshole, then please do.

I am always just flattered when someone wants to wish me well, any time of year, but especially around the holidays. It takes so little to spread cheer, but people are hesitant because of the idea that your

choice of words is some form of personal or political statement. If someone does use the “wrong” greeting to you, there’s no need to correct them. Like I said, it isn’t actually about your beliefs. Bite your tongue, say,

Is it the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Christmas decorations and all their jolly associations give everyone good cheer ANNALISSE CROSSWELL ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR

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can’t honestly say that Christmas itself is something that I celebrate – in fact I have a certain complex about how spending major holidays alone gives emphasis to the fact that I moved to the other side of the world. However, that does not stop me from using Christmas decorations to up the positive ante on my day-to-day life. Yes, I keep my miniature Michael’s baubles on my weird dead flower arrangement with skiing moose decor at its side, all year round.

I downplay the Christmas element during the year, but as soon as it starts to get cold and miserable outside I get out the little lights and make it nice and Christmas-y.

This is not to say that I am an advocate of getting all the Christmas decorations out preDecember, but I definitely don’t think it is

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“Same to you,” or just smile, following the age old adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” And on that note – merry, happy, festive, cheerful whatever to all of you, dear readers!

Illustrated by Erika Medina

It's No(t Yet)vember, so lay off the festivities necessary to wait until Dec. 24 to get festive.

It’s not Christmas’ fault it’s so damn cute and aesthetically-pleasing.

If you also fall in this camp you’ll be happy to know that you can even use science to defend your opinion now. According to one study, those of us who get out the Christmas decorations well in advance are happier. The thinking is that the nostalgia of the holidays and the cheerful happy associations we have make this stressful time of year easier to bear. Psychoanalyst, Steve McKeown commented, “In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood.”

Christmas tends to be a busy, stressful time of year, but, if you’re strangely invested in having an aesthetically pleasing environment like some, those pretty coloured baubles and the colour coordination of such, should be allowed as early in the year as your mental state requires.

NIROSH SARAVANAN CONTRIBUTOR

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he winter holidays are great and all, but there is just so much extra baggage that comes with them.

Whether it's the stress of getting plans in check, getting the flu somewhere along the way or dealing with your family, the holidays aren’t as merry as they were when you were younger. Not to mention that it seems the festivities start earlier and earlier each year.

Let’s face it, crowds are everywhere.

Enthusiastic shoppers are trying to get the latest deals and steals. Somewhere in this chaos, you too are trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone. You’ll go from store to store, hoping they have the right size/brand/scent. When you go back outside, it's raining. Great, did you bring an umbrella? Of course you didn’t, it was sunny when you left. All part of

the Vancouver winter experience. Not to mention that everyone is absolutely miserable.

Or you’re commuting. Whether it be by plane, train or automobile, everyone else is doing it too. Now traffic comes to a screeching halt while you’re trying to get home in time for a nice turkey dinner with the family.

Getting sick is fun too. The low humidity and the fact that everyone is indoors makes it incredibly easy to pass along a cold or something worse. You might as well stock up on some tea and tissues while you’re at the mall.

The barrage of carols will wreak havoc too, with too many of them leading to distraction and dismay among retail workers. For the business as a whole, the holidays help to drive sales by enticing customers to buy more. This isn’t the most wonderful time of year, retail shops have just tried to convince us it is to sell more products. If you are feeling the holiday spirit, please, for all of us, keep it to yourself.

OPINIONS

Will Banning Animals From Parks Really Save Them?

BC parks banning dogs from trails dismisses the real issue of overcrowding JAROD SMART CONTRIBUTOR

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curbing the destruction so far have targeted the wrong group of people, locals and hiking enthusiasts with dogs, and should instead be aimed at out-of-town visitors and hikers with little or no experience, who may be unknowingly and unintentionally damaging the area.

By following the lead of Joffre Lakes and banning dogs, Metro Vancouver has stated that it is one way of “[managing] the ecology of the park.” While it may be nothing more than a wild assumption, people who hike with their dogs are not the ones making the biggest negative impact to the ecology of the park. And without enough staffing to enforce hikers leashing and cleaning up after their dogs, an outright ban likely cannot be effectively enforced.

There’s no doubt that BC Parks are dealing with an unsustainable number of visitors who are damaging the parks’ ecology. Banning locals from bringing their dogs on hikes in the name of “protecting the environment" whilst allowing these same parks to be advertised to an unlimited number of tourists, however, is not a solution.

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he list of dog-friendly parks recently became even shorter as the Metro Vancouver board unanimously approved a motion banning dogs from the Grouse Grind and British Columbia Mountaineering Club (BCMC) Trails in Grouse Mountain Regional Park on Oct. 26. Earlier in 2018, Joffre Lakes introduced the same restriction, joining the likes of Garibaldi Provincial Park, Bowron Lake, the Kokanee Glacier and trails in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

When Joffre Lakes announced their new ban in April, BC Parks made a Facebook post claiming, “dogs on and off leash impact wildlife in the park. […] No longer allowing dogs or other domestic animals will help us protect the park, its wildlife, and the people who visit it.” The park cites potential human-dog conflict and environmental concerns as the reasoning behind the ban.

But what has a greater impact on wildlife in the park: dogs, or the massive amounts of waste left behind by the people – not the

dogs – visiting the park?

It’s clear that environmental damage to these parks and the threat to the wildlife that lives there is something that needs addressing, but this is not the solution to the problem. With multiple tour services offering private bus transportation from downtown Vancouver, Whistler or Pemberton up to Joffre Lakes, an excessive amount of foot traffic by tourists is the real issue.

In the past few years, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park has cleared a boulder field between the second and third lake. Doing so has made trail access exponentially easier for less experienced or entirely inexperienced hikers and has led to the issue of too many people accessing the area. Between 2015 and 2017, there was an increase of 840,100 day-users (not including campers) across all BC Provincial Parks, with a grand total of 21,838,700 visitors.

Promoting and encouraging tourism and exploration of these parks and trails, without implementing a cap on the number of visitors, or at least increasing maintenance funding in line with the money spent on promoting these parks, is the biggest cause of destruction and disruption to the natural ecosystem.

These natural areas are not able to handle an unlimited amount of foot traffic and remain in pristine condition – the attempts at

No matter what Clearcast did, doxing is never the answer BENJAMIN JACOBS CONTRIBUTOR

and contact information online.

It is important to acknowledge that protesting Clearcast's decision is a valid forms of free speech, but that there is a fine line between what is considered valid criticism and what is considered harassment.

What protesters did to the company's

but rather that it went against a regulation that forbids political ads.

Of course, free speech is important for everyone. However, there are limits when it comes to such things as abusive comments.

The wave of criticism Clearcast was met with is not an example of freedom of

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The Controversy of Iceland's "Christmas" Ad Explained political message is an expression of free speech as long as it doesn’t impact others freedom. However, if this didn’t happen, Iceland would potentially be facing some legal challenges. Clearcast was just trying to avoid a legal confrontation.

From an outsider's perspective, forcing

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Public Service Announcement can serve as a powerful medium to spread a message, as long as it doesn’t get preachy. Of course, the public does not have to agree with the ad’s message, but there is a line between what is considered criticism and what is considered harassment. In early November, Clearcast, a UK-based company that pre-approves ads for television, removed an advertisement involving the origins of palm oil and how it affects orangutan habitats. Clearcast faced an enormous amount of backlash, causing the company to remove all contact information from their website and delete their Facebook page entirely.

The ad itself, launched in Iceland, is in the form of a poem. An orangutan, hiding in a little girl’s bedroom, is looking for palm oil. The orangutan then explains to the girl that the palm oil industry is hurting the environment, and that he needs the humans’ help to stop them from continuing to wreak havoc in his rainforest. All in all, it seems fairly harmless, however, Clearcast deemed it to be in violation of advertisement regulations, and that it couldn’t be run because, “it fell foul of the rule on political advertisers,” since the ad had been created

by GreenPeace, as the company explained.

The beration that followed was in excess, including the sharing of employees photos

Screengrab of the Palm Oil ad employees is a form of doxing, which is publishing people’s personal information online without their consent, and therefore harassment. Taking down the ad could be considered a mild form of censorship, but there needs to be some understanding of why they did it in the first place. Clearcast's reasoning was not because of the message,

speech, but rather harassment. Individuals have the right to criticize the company, but that does not excuse those resorting to outright harassment.

Unfortunately, the good intentions of the commercial did not outweigh the fact that it was clearly political. Of course, this law could come off as ridiculous. After all, a

the ad to stop showing could not have been helped. If the ad had continued to be shown, the company would have faced backlash from legal corporations. So, Clearcast did have a valid reason to remove the ad.

However, the protesters did not. There is never a valid reason to dox anyone for what their company chose to do.

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Politics at the Dinner Table

BY MEGAN ORR ILLUSTRATED BY VALERIYA KIM

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How CapU’s Climate Justice Summit tackled difficult conversations with family and friends is something worth doing, despite the potential challenges.

Markwick emphasized how “the relationship should always lead.” The focus should be on talking about issues and sharing stories. According to Markwick, we all need to learn how to “check [our] own judgments and assumptions about people.”

“It’s a bad idea, at the dining table – unless you know your family very well – to go in with the International Panel on Climate Change report and leave it on the table. But the advantage of doing this at a Christmas table, or over the holidays, is to always lead with the relationship,” he said. “That process of sharing your experiences, should always be done in a way that recognizes [the relationship]. Creating space for us to share what this was like for me, for you, is important because it enriches that relationship.”

Research on climate change discussions supports Markwick’s ideas. “Rather than being a threat to rational deliberation about climate change, emotions are a necessary source of reflection and insight concerning the moral impact of climate change. Emotional engagement also leads to a higher degree of motivation than a detached, rational stance on climate change,” Sabine Roeser wrote in her article titled Risk Communication, Public Engagement, and Climate Change: A Role for Emotions.

This idea, of being able to share emotions is deeply important to the work of the Climate Justice Project, but also to larger conversations about our world as a whole. “[...] The ability to be candid in a relationship is essential if we are to share in the work of doing a democracy together,” said Markwick.

The purpose of the summit was not just to start a conversation, but hopefully create changes in legislation through the students’ letter to the Premier. It also held some valuable lessons on relationship and community building, for both CapU students and Eagle Harbour students. Moving forward, these teachings will hopefully allow us all to approach difficult conversations with curiosity, in good faith and with the relationship in mind, combining all three ideas from Price, Ma and Markwick, respectively.

It’s likely that not everyone that you have the chance to share a dinner table with this winter break will share the same views as you, but that doesn’t mean that the conversations that you have can’t be worthwhile. On the contrary: engaging with people who you don’t agree with can be extremely valuable in, as Markwick puts it, “doing a democracy together.” Sharing stories and experiences, and listening to others is simply the first step.

The resounding message? It’s the same as the first: You gotta have hope – hope that we have the capacity to make a change and save the environment. Hope that our policy makers have our best interests in mind, and hope that this holiday season we are able to engage in meaningful conversations, and emerge unscathed.

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families.

Students from both classes shared personal stories of their experiences when it came to the fires this summer.

Overall, students felt limited by the fact that they were unable to do the things they wanted to because of the smoke. Markwick stressed the importance of having such conversations. “What I have seen is that creating public space for people [allows them] to turn a really difficult personal moment into a public story builds their power [and] allows them to say: this is why I am not going to be moved from this,” he said.

Ma shared a personal anecdote about her life as a politician. She admitted that disagreement around certain policies can sometimes impact her personal life in negative ways. Despite that, she understands that talking about these challenging topics is extremely valuable. “It’s so, so incredibly important that we talk about these things with each other,” she said. “Despite the challenges that sometimes happen around the family table, I do actually believe in bringing politics to the dinner table, provided those conversations are in good faith.” .

Not talking politics at the dinner table is a concept that’s driven into us. Perhaps born out of politeness or discomfort, it’s often thought that it’s just better to avoid politics altogether. It’s the plot of many a sitcom episode.

It was the central conflict of the 2018 movie, The Oath, where the family members had differing political views which quickly dissolved into chaos over Thanksgiving dinner.

It’s pretty normal to want to avoid conflict, especially in an era where it seems that the political spectrum is becoming increasingly polarized. While it’s often tempting to try and avoid a potential conflict entirely, it doesn’t do anyone any favours when it comes to building relationships and starting a dialogue about the issues that are worrying us. “I honestly do believe that the taboo of talking politics with friends and family stifles our ability to address the very issues that are driving us,” said Ma. With winter break quickly approaching, it’s important to keep in mind that just because a topic is challenging, it doesn’t mean the conversation needs to be. There are ways to approach politically charged issues without invoking too much anxiety. “I think in having these conversations around the dining room table, around the Christmas table, it’s a mistake to start with policy… I think it’s more important to check in with people and have conversations just about what their experiences are,” said Markwick.

In his work with young children, Price has similarly found that the best thing you can do is encourage polite curiosity, as well as polite persistence. “Starting with curious questions is, I think, a really powerful and often underutilized tool,” said Price.

Conversely, having these conversations may not be possible for everyone. “Being able to have difficult conversations about what’s actually taking place, [should] not to be taken for granted because there are lots of people who don’t want to have those conversations, lots of people who don’t want to entertain those facts,” said Markwick.

He’s right. The ability to have thoughtful conversations

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he morning began with an uplifting, albeit adorable, rendition of Merrill Osmond’s You Gotta Have Hope, by a small group of fourth and fifth graders from Eagle Harbour Montessori. After one last shrill proclamation of “Hope!” Communications Professor at Capilano University, Michael Markwick, came forward with a few opening remarks. “This has never been done before,” he said. “This is the very first time elementary school students and Communications students have worked together.”

The Climate Justice Summit, held on CapU’s North Shore campus on Nov. 14, however, is an event that has taken place before, but this year’s structure was new. The summit, which is organized as a part of Capilano University’s Communications 433, Risk and Crisis Communications, has been a part of Markwick’s syllabuses for more than five years. This year, however, the term work has been done in correlation with Stephen Price’s fourth and fifth graders at Eagle Harbour. After a summer of widespread wildfire devastation in BC, Vancouver experienced one of the worst years on record for air quality. Price and Marwick were interested in looking at how these different groups of students were experiencing these issues.

“That’s really the origin of this specific project,” said Markwick. “We are looking at how two different generations of students have had experiences of wildfire smoke, and what that means in terms of their physical health, but also their mental health and with that, the prospects of a future.”

The work that both classes were doing this term became increasingly poignant with the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) releasing their report detailing the implications of increased warming trends on Oct. 8.

The findings were damning: an increase more than 1.5 C in the next 12 years will be irreversible. “We’ve only got 12 years left. So there was most definitely, I think, in the collaboration between both generations of students, a sense of urgency,” said Markwick. “But I didn’t get a sense of fatalism. In fact, the younger generation was even more determined that we’re going to get this done and less inclined to settle.”

Price said that this was a great opportunity for his elementary students to not only get to see what a university class is like, but also get involved with politics in a more tangible way. “[It] really humanizes government,” he said.

“Rather than looking in a book, at a chart, we were speaking to an MLA and seeing our letter presented by that MLA to the Premier of the province. It’s hard to get students to get excited about the book that shows them the chart of how their government is organized… They were way more interested.”

In the Climate Justice Summit, both classes presented a joint letter to North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA, Bowinn Ma, which she later took to Premier John Horgan. The letter detailed the work that the classes had been doing, but also pointed to four main concerns, asking for the Premier’s consideration. The concerns outlined were: building a green economy, making polluters accountable and our families safer, helping workers switch out of jobs that are bad for our environment and responding to emergencies and helping

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Unique Holiday Traditions There isn’t one way to do it right, but we might be doing it wrong...

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Can’t We Just Have a Small Tree?

FREYA WASTENEYS FEATURES EDITOR

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Tis the season for the usual charade.

Every Christmas it’s the same crunch of dad’s boots up the logging road as he eyes the piles of logs poised for burning.

When he spots “the one” – a 16-foot Charlie Brown hemlock pre-decorated with Old Man’s Beard – he enlists his reluctant helpers.

As my siblings and I haul the massive, lopsided evergreen out of the rubble, my mother will inevitably protest. “Oh Hardolph, can’t we just have a small tree for once?”

Ignoring her pleas, we strap the tree to the roof of the family vehicle with a stiff climbing rope. A haphazard job for the short seven-minute drive home.

Back at the cabin, Home Depot bucket in hand, it’s my siblings job to gather rocks from the beach for the makeshift tree stand.

I get the ladder while my parents wrestle the tree in through the deck’s sliding door.

Hanging from the peak of our family home is a pulley-system (a fixture year round) made with the sole purpose of holding up our tree. When Jamie and Avalon return bearing their bucket of water-rounded pebbles and boulders, we’ll hoist the tree into the rafters, and with practiced hands, wind the blue-white LEDs around the Franken-tree. A smattering of homemade decorations and keepsakes grace whatever branches we deem the most hospitable. My boyfriend, Ed, often (wisely) chooses to read

his book on the couch.

As dinner time rolls around, it’s the usual battle of what to wear. Mom would really, really, really like us to dress up. Dad would really rather not. He stubbornly wears his 20-year-old black and blue plaid in a statement of defiance. Mom deems it a good time for her to break out the Christmas velvet. We three kids, all well into our twenties now, tend to opt for our fleece onesies. Ed, likes to keep it simple, and wears whatever he finds at the top of his duffel bag.

In the midst of this, perhaps we’ll hear the familiar whoosh as the propane flame goes out in the oven again. Something is always broken – Dad’s a last-minute fixer.

The broil works though, so maybe we’ll use that to cook the Christmas meal again. Or maybe Dad will take the oven apart with my brother, while Mom transfers the turkey pan to the woodstove, rotating it rotisserie style for several hours. My sister will retreat to the loft, wrapping presents and humming to herself, using her athlete focus to enter a zen-like state, and I will write a poem about the night before Christmas, and something about a mouse (eating the oven wires).

We’re nothing, if not reliable.

Getting Jiggy with Fire and Ice...

EMMA LEWICKY CONTRIBUTOR

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ew Year’s Eve with my family doesn’t involve watching the New York ball drop on TV. Going out to celebrate with your friends isn’t an option either. Instead, we haul our butts up to 100 Mile House (a six-hour drive) to light fireworks in the middle of a frozen lake at exactly midnight on Jan. 1. Writing this, I now realize how crazy it seems to be lighting fireworks on ice. Despite the suspicious cracking sound one year, so far the ice has held.

Possible danger aside, the trip is always a good one. Clustered in our cozy cabin (passed down by my grandparents) on the edge of the lake, the head count usually includes my mom, dad, two siblings, and sometimes a few family friends. The theme is fire and ice – we snowmobile, go ice fishing and engage in raucous snowball fights. Tobogganing is given a facelift too, with a snowmobile tow-rope for those too

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hether you’re celebrating Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah or the Winter Solstice, there’s almost an endless number of holidays celebrated in December. Whatever it is you celebrate, or don’t celebrate, it’s safe to say there are many different traditions in just this one month alone.

Despite the Hollywood-ified Christmas trope that tends to set the standard for a successful holiday season, most of us do things a little differently. Our editorial staff and contributors share their December traditions:

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Illustrated by Juliana Vieira

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Thanks for Nothing...

NIVEDAN KAUSHAL ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

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s someone whose family does not celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or any other Western “excuse to stuff your face,” the holiday season is exactly like any other – completely normal.

With that being said though, every December

I feel like I’m missing out on something. I didn’t grow up with Santa Claus. I don’t get gifts on Dec. 25. I don’t have any unique family traditions. I don’t relate with any Christmas movies (I’m looking at you, Elf).

Nevertheless, as the days get darker and the breeze gets colder, I always think to myself, “Who will I share my first Christmas dinner with?” It’s not about Christmas itself – it’s that I’ve never experienced that warm, fuzzy feeling that everyone is “supposed to feel” at this time of year, complete with Christmas lights and eggnog.

On the rare occasion I’ve been a part of a Christmas-related activity, it hasn’t gone well. Take Secret Santa – a favourite for high school classrooms everywhere. The first (and last) Secret Santa I was a part of was in Grade 10. Each member of my drama class worked incredibly hard to get a fabulous gift for their assigned person, including me. I went out of my way to buy a handcrafted glass Christmas tree ornament from the local fair for my assigned person – who I knew collected glass sculptures. I was buzzing to finally be a part of this grand elusive entity that is Christmastime.

After all, it would have been my first Christmas gift ever.

The gifting day finally arrived. Every single person got something truly suited to them – a toy orrery for the space enthusiast, a custom mousepad for the gamer, you get the idea.

What did my person get for me? Absolutely nothing. Out of 29 people in my class, the kid who doesn’t do anything for the holidays was the only one to be left out. Expected.

Admittedly, Grade 10 was a while ago and I definitely should have let this go by now… but still. What a grind.

None of this is to say that I don’t enjoy the holiday season. It’s an excuse to be home with my family in Nanaimo and meet up with old friends. I may not have Christmas dinners, but I still indulge in delicious food with the people I love. One day though, I’ll get to share the Christmas experience with someone properly. Hopefully that’ll be this year.

was somewhat of a bonding experience, I wouldn’t wish the feeling of waking up on Christmas Day with the most catastrophic hangover of your life on my worst enemy.

Having to feign interest in all the crap your adorable three-year-old nephew is getting while wondering if your brain can actually swell to the point of seeping out of your ears is not what Christmas is all about.

I will be the first to admit that the life choices that led to the most brutal hangover I have ever experienced were questionable.

However the hilarity of our idiotic duo, just trying to soak up as much fun (and alcohol) as we possibly could before the stockings were drunkenly hung with care later that night, does not escape me.

That being said, if I felt like it was a bad idea for me, the fun aunt in this scenario, it was an actual disaster for my brother playing the role of responsible dad. I do not recommend feeling like a literal garbage MEGAN ORR human on Christmas morning when your OPINIONS EDITOR nephew asks you to play Lego with him. ast year, Christmas Eve started with You politely say, “Not right now, sweetie,” a few chores around the house – my when what you really mean is, “Don’t you brother and his wife were expecting dare even look at me.”

We eventually rallied, gingerly sipping another baby and I was doing some menial on Caesars and coffee with Baileys over work and running errands. After some very breakfast (as one does on Christmas Day) mild labour, my brother and I settled down but a part of me that I can never get back for a couple of not-so-well-deserved double died that morning.

It was like finding out rye and cokes before heading to dinner at my Santa isn't real – my innocence was gone. aunt’s.

While I sincerely hope that this never Cut to: a bottle of wine, two caesars, two happens again, I also know that it probably beers and various other inebriants later and will, because that’s the thing about holiday we were ready for Santa to give us the sweet traditions: you don’t always get to choose gift of death. Things went from fun and them.

Merry Christ-smashed. festive to fully fucked up real quick. Though being that hungover in the morning together

Please, Don't Let This Become a Thing...

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lazy to walk back up the hill. And then, of course, there’s our frozen lake fireworks.

To prepare for the night on ice we first bundle up in as many layers that we possibly can. We still want to make sure we’re able to walk or at least waddle somewhat though. Thermoses are filled up with either hot chocolate, coffee or apple cider, and champagne is packed for the celebration. Getting to the lake we partner up on snowmobiles and take a little joyride through the forest, until we finally get to the, hopefully, very frozen lake. Driving to the middle of the lake, or what we presume is the middle since its pitch-black outside and we never truly know where we are, we set up shop. Fireworks are set out, watches are observed, and at 11:59 pm explosions fill the air. Champagne is poured, cups are toasted, and we welcome the new year. It’s the same tradition since I was a child. The ice hasn’t failed us yet.

COLUMNS

Digital Hurdles How passion and obsession can sully the game

JOHN TABBERNOR COLUMNIST

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he word “passion” gets thrown around a lot in video games culture, but it can be hard to pin down exactly what it means. At its best, it describes a sense of shared identity, a common love for games that unites people from all around the world. But it can also be used to excuse exploitative work practices in video game development. At its worst, “passion” is used as a euphemism to justify

Artist Angle A language of my own CRISTIAN FOWLIE COLUMNIST A ROTATING SPOT WITH THE PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF VARIOUS STUDENTS REFLECTING ON THEIR ARTISTRY. THIS WEEK: COURIER ALUM AND LOCAL LEGEND CRISTIAN FOWLIE WRITES ABOUT THE MYTH OF THE STARVING ARTIST.

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t’s challenging to write about my art because drawing always came more naturally than words. I fumble sentences, lose my train of thought and bite my tongue. Even now I’ve written, backspaced and rewritten this paragraph over and over again. As a voracious young reader, I was obsessed with the idea of becoming a child author, but couldn't write more than a few pages. Gradually my attention shifted towards the pop culture that saturated my suburban childhood. Through anime, comics, video games, MTV and magazines I became fascinated by the power and potential of an image for storytelling.

Early dial-up internet, art-sharing platforms like ConceptArt.org and DeviantArt.com introduced me to the commercial artists creating the series and worlds I so loved.

More importantly the web showed me that the starving artist was a myth – anyone could make a living from their art, more than ever with the resources, tutorials and programs available online. At the age of 12 I started drawing obsessively, determined to make a career from my creativity.

I've been hustling my art ever since, and have never shied away from being commercial. As a teen I sold commissions through PayPal, made cover art for family and shared my work in contests, library

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the toxic behaviour of fans. Language is a slippery thing. Working our way into 2019, I’d love for the word “passion” to be stricken from the lexicon of the games industry. It won’t happen, but one can dream.

Being a fan of the medium and being entrenched in games culture often leaves me with conflicting thoughts and emotions.

There’s never been a better time to play games, and there’s something for everyone – huge blockbuster action games, independent experimental titles, dating simulators, introspective narratives on identity and sexuality and so much more. Yet at the same time the industry is constantly plagued with harassment against women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ folks and other vulnerable groups. Scandals pop up almost every week about workplace abuses in game development or transphobic posts from a major studio’s social media account.

Even the identity of “gamer” itself can seem incredibly fraught. It is a term that seems grossly outdated in 2018. As games are no longer seen as the purview of a small number of social outcasts, we’ve all come to realize that games are for everyone, whether that be Pokémon Go on your phone or World of Warcraft on your gaming PC. The idea that the title of “gamer” belongs to a select few is laughable. And to be frank, tying

galleries and across the internet. I attended Capilano University straight out of high school, choosing the IDEA program for its short three-year duration and the industry success of its graduates. I was keen to start working, and dove straight into freelance illustration after graduation. Since then I've collaborated with clients across industries – publishing, design, music, public art and more. It's almost been four years of illustrating professionally, and over a decade that I've focused on my art, but in many ways I still feel like a beginner. Each new project challenges me with more to learn about my craft, and uncovers new avenues for my art. Working with others’ stories has helped develop my own creative voice and crystallize what I want to say.

I often think back to art and artists that have influenced me personally. I can vividly picture the first queer kiss I saw in the graphic novel Skim, beautifully illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. Or similarly, I recall my sheer excitement over gay characters in the Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O'Malley. In these images I saw myself represented when too often media reduces gay characters to stereotypes or punchlines, if they are included at all. These moments demonstrated the importance of representation in media, and how the arts could alter the perception of ourselves and of others. Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut, was famously inspired to join NASA by the character of Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek. Pop culture can seem frivolous in the harsh reality of world issues, but it has the power to inspire and influence change.

Now in my own work I look for opportunities where I can show diversity with thoughtful representation, in personal pieces like VCR or when illustrating a Courier cover feature on the dating lives of transgender people. I also look at the role artists play in social and political activism: artists like Keith Haring who championed

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one's identity so closely to consumer products is incredibly unhealthy. Publishers don’t care that their fans are “passionate.” They care that they spend money. They are not beholden to “gamers” but to their investors.

Writers like Leigh Alexander and Brandon Sheffield have even argued that we ditch the term entirely and reevaluate what “games culture” has actually become. Consumption for consumption’s sake? Or is it a space for exploring and expanding a new medium?

I often find myself excited by the vast potential video games hold as a medium for shared experiences and storytelling. But I also find myself exasperated when they fail to live up to that ideal. Critiquing the aspects of games and games culture that are problematic is not some form of blanket condemnation.

It’s only through being critical of the things we love that they will grow and become better. Blind “passion,” or as I like to think of it, obsession, can colour our opinions.

Sometimes we just need distance to come to a better understanding of the things we love, warts and all.

Finding balance in our own lives is no easy thing. I find I get frustrated when other responsibilities take me away from games that I’m passionate about (read: obsess over). I honestly think that Dota 2 is one of the best games ever made. But you can’t trust my opinion – it’s coloured by that

AIDS awareness and safe sex through his iconic street art during the 80s, or Shepard Fairey whose 'Hope' poster of Obama became an integral part of the president's 2008 election campaign.

Art is part of our daily lives and our cultural narratives, and as an artist I have the opportunity to contribute to the conversation.

Illustrated by Cynthia Tran Vo

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obsession. I have over 1,330 hours played in Dota 2. That’s almost two full calendar months straight. I think about it all the time.

I watch YouTube videos breaking down complex maneuvers. I listen to podcasts that delve into gameplay strategy. I play when I can and get frustrated when I can’t. I’ve never loved a game like I love Dota 2. But when I take a step back, I can be one of its harshest critics. It utilizes a monetization model that preys on those susceptible to gambling mechanics. Its community consistently struggles with elitism, sexism, homophobia and racism. It has not done enough to promote women competing at the professional level. The game and its community are deeply flawed, and yet I want them to persist, learn from past mistakes and be better in the years to come.

Not all games have to be for me. And not all games have to be for you. There’s so much happening in the industry that we can all find something we love. What’s more, is that we can make space for everyone here.

We can grow and learn from one another, call each other out when we make mistakes, and transform this medium into something truly special. We can leave “passion” and blind consumption by the wayside. And when that doesn’t work, we can take a step back, find our balance and return once again.

Through my medium I get to impart meaningful stories like a Walrus magazine exposé on racial bias in AI. I can also create experiences that connect communities, whether through a tour poster for Hey Ocean! or a public mural at CapU. I can be eloquent, persuasive and inspiring to others, not limited by culture or language.

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Bitter and Better

I don’t kid around when it comes to the kid’s menu

with a side of cooked vegetables and garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes. It’s just that sometimes all I want is a grilled cheese and some apple slices on the side, and the Kid’s Menu is almost always the treasure trove I’m looking for.

Unfortunately for me, that holy grail of simple menu offerings is usually reserved for patrons 12 and younger. Of course I don’t always try and order off of the kid’s menu, but when my appetite is small, or when my longing for something simple with cheese on it kicks in that’s where I’ll look. Coyly I’ll ask if it’s alright for me to order something off the kid’s

I understand full and well that restaurants have specific operating costs, and if they were constantly dishing out $6 mini cheeseburgers and nothing else they’d go out of business. Dining wise, we have it especially good in Vancouver. We have an incredible amount of choices when it comes to food, and we’re spoiled when it comes to pricing – If you don’t believe me just ask any one of your friends working in the local restaurant business.

It’s because of this that I understand my desire to order off of the kid’s menu isn’t necessarily good for restaurants.

GRETA KOOY COLUMNIST

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What is inspiration and what is imitation?

JUSTIN SCOTT COLUMNIST

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he worlds of sports and music thrive on inspiration. Athletes and artists are inspired by their peers and predecessors, often wearing their admiration on their sleeves with pride. However, where the two begin splitting views is where their work stops drawing from inspiration and borders on imitation.

American rock band Greta Van Fleet could tell you all about this conversation, seeing as they’ve found themselves at the centre of the debate for over a year now.

Breaking into the rock scene in 2016 with their first hit, “Highway Tune”, the Michigan-based group

Illustrated by Andrea Alcaraz menu, and more often than not I’m met with a smile and a “sure.” I don’t always get so lucky.

Sometimes the responses I get for asking are pretty damn condescending, and they haunt me for the rest of the dining experience. I’ll get that one salty server who points out that those options are kids-only in a snarky “What? You don’t want to pay for a regular meal? You cheap ass” tone. And it’s not about the money. I’m perfectly happy to pay an upcharge on a kid’s menu item if that means I can get a grilled cheese. I already had two pints of a $9 beer and I’m going to tip just the same as I always would, so what’s the problem?

If every adult were choosing food off of their sons and daughters’ menus, I would accept the rejection of a grilled cheese and move on, but it’s hardly an epidemic. If it’s on the menu I should be able to order it. So what if I’m not under the age of 12, isn’t that ageism?

At this point, my parents, friends and boyfriend have all accepted, and love poking fun at, my eating habits. The Courier staff especially will never let it go. All I’m asking is that if you catch me out in public ordering off the kid’s menu, just let me eat my chicken fingers and fries in peace.

Please and thank you.

instantly garnered praise for their sound. It wasn’t new per se, but rather extremely reminiscent of the music of the 60s and 70s. Then, near the end of 2017, they released From the Fires – an eight-song double-EP. The more praise they received for their sound the more criticism they also received.

It was undeniable that the group sounded incredibly similar to another rock band – Led Zeppelin.

If an up-and-coming basketball player had a game that almost replicated an all-time great player, not many people would complain. Take Zion Williamson of Duke University as a current example. The 6’7, 280-pound wing with explosive athleticism has been lauded by many as “the next Lebron”. Or Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers who nearly mimics old footage of Hakeem Olajuwon when he goes to work in the post. Basketball fans aren’t upset that Williamson or Embiid’s games are strongly inspired by those who came before them – and they won’t be as long as the pair continue to succeed.

The main reason for this is that finding success on a basketball court is measurable – there are statistics and analytics that offer easy and clear ways of measuring a player’s performance. Although Williamson may remind many of a young James, his game is measurably successful in its own right. In music however, songs and albums are subjectively good. There’s no definitive way to rank music.

When a band like Greta Van Fleet comes along, it’s harder to digest their music as simply “inspired”.

But what’s so wrong with a group of young musicians making music that sounds like the stuff they grew up on and came to love? One of the biggest critiques of modern rock ‘n’ roll is that it doesn’t sound the way it used to. Yet, when it

does, it’s criticized for being unimaginative.

The art world is the only realm of society where one’s work is held to such a standard. An investment banker wouldn’t be criticized for using the same tactics as their competitors if they yielded strong returns, nor would a pilot if they flew their plane the the same route as someone who flew before them. So why then are artists held to such a high standard?

Not only does it come back to tangibility, but it also comes back to the very nature of art. It’s in our nature to favour beauty. When Williamson seemingly flies over his opponent and finishes with a thunderous dunk, it’s clearly a more exciting play than an open layup – however, the two are worth the same. Art, on the other hand, has no attached worth. Its value is purely in its beauty and the feeling it evokes.

More than that though, is society’s assigned role of artists.

They’re meant to be the honest. Artists are meant to create works that make us think about far more than what we see in front of us, and it’s because of this that many feel that Greta Van Fleet’s music is somewhat disingenuous as the group are portraying themselves as the second coming of 70s rock culture, when they’re really no more than a glorified cover band.

On the other hand, what could be so wrong with four kids playing some good old rock ‘n’ roll?

The truth is, there’s nothing wrong with it. Greta Van Fleet makes great music that brings listeners back to a different time. But, if they don’t evolve, they’ll become a novelty, they’ll be forever known as “the band that sounds like Led Zeppelin.”

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Beats and Buckets

THE CAPILANO COURIER

may be 25, but my palate suggests otherwise. When it comes to food, I really do enjoy the simpler things: chicken fingers, pizza, mac ‘n’ cheese. Some might say that this is a product of my upbringing, that my parents never introduced me to more complicated dishes and that they robbed me of a finer taste for foods. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Both of my parents love to cook, my dad especially.

If he isn’t working or playing golf you can usually find him in the kitchen or pouring over one of the thousands of cook books he has in his library. When I was younger, he always encouraged me to try new foods, at times even bribing me with pennies and dimes if I was being stubborn. Maybe not the best parenting method, but it always worked. He was always trying something new in the kitchen, every dish more complicated than the last. Family dinners were a feast of sorts and my dad the ultimate host. That was just at home. Travelling with him means finding all the best restaurants the Globe and Mail has raved about and going into every local grocery store in search of some new, exciting foreign food product. My point here is that I was never robbed of any experience when it came to food, nor were my parents shielding me from experiencing the cuisine of other cultures and the intricacies of fine dining.

Despite my parents’ efforts at expanding my culinary horizons, I like chicken fingers and fries and have no shame in asking for them. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy “grownup” meals, because I definitely do. A staple and personal favourite of mine being marinated lamb chops

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If She Ruled the World Why the ascent of soccer in Canada makes Christine Sinclair the greatest athlete of our time

affordability, low barriers for participation and broad appeal. Fears that were insecure of an increasingly diverse Canada and meant to prevent uncomfortable discussions about why hockey was declining, but in the end, were far from misguided. Indeed,

One”. In my opinion, Canada is no longer a hockey country. Its sports landscape is as diverse as its population, with soccer being the only sport that is equally as popular between white people and visible minorities. According to the Institute for Canadian Citizenship,

KEVIN KAPENDA COLUMNIST

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ue to constant marginalization and underinvestment of women’s sports, there are few countries in the world whose most significant athlete is female. Christine Sinclair makes Canada an exception to this rule. Her body of work combined with the impact she has had on the game of soccer globally and in Canada, has put her head and shoulders above most Canadian athletes since 2000. Now in the twilight of her career, the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France is likely to be her last.

Despite her forthcoming retirement, her legacy will only grow as soccer continues to tighten its hold on Canada.

Growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s, there weren’t many Canadian soccer players to revere. Furthermore, the absence of MLS teams, the struggles of our national men’s soccer team, and the overall popularity of hockey, related the “beautiful game” to the periphery of Canadian culture.

In fact, it was almost viewed as an insurgent sport – a threat to hockey because of its

Illustrated by Heather Haughn soccer would eventually unseat hockey as Canada’s most played sport and never look back – something that Sinclair has certainly contributed to.

If Gretzky was the 20th century sports hero of Canada, Sinclair is this century’s “Great

among white Canadians and the overall population (70 per cent of Canada is white), soccer is the most popular sport followed by hockey. However, among first and secondgeneration visible minorities, soccer is trailed by basketball and cricket. Sinclair is the poster

child for Canada’s changing sports culture, not only in terms of what Canadians are playing and watching, but on the gender front as well. While the success of our women’s hockey team has also contributed to the advancement of women’s sport in Canada, hockey just doesn’t have the universal reach that soccer has.

What I appreciate most about Sinclair’s game is how well rounded it is, which is out of necessity in all honesty. Often compared to Wambach, aside from their goal totals and stature, Sinclair couldn’t be more different. A complete attacking player, Sinclair can be deployed centrally as a striker or attacking midfielder or in wide areas. Despite her prolific scoring, Sinclair is typically played in “the hole”, between deep-lying midfielders and a striker, so the team can capitalize on her incisive passing, hold-up play and impeccable ball control. This is rarely talked about in comparisons between her and Wambach, which in my view, is somewhat misleading. Wambach was usually fielded as a striker, playing with legendary midfielders and full-backs whose prerogatives were to create chances for her. Whereas Sinclair has always had the burden of having to score and initiate attacks for Canada from deeper positions.

While Sinclair is only 7 goals away from tying Wambach and could realistically achieve this by July 2019, I am always left wondering if she had been deployed as a finisher for most of her career, rather than a creator, would she still be second in goals?

I don’t believe records are the only measure of a player’s career and I have no reservations about calling Sinclair the greatest women’s soccer player of all time.

But looking back on the last 18 years, it’s clear that she’s much more than that. For me, she is the greatest Canadian athlete of her time.

Naked and Not Afraid "Secrets" by OneRepublic

something needed to change.

What’s kept me going for these last few years, and has helped me push through extremely trying times has been a list. A small piece of paper, I’ve somehow managed to lose in my closet’s abyss (though I had managed to memorize most of it), listing the things I must force myself to experience before I can even begin to think of myself as invaluable – one of the points being performing in a burlesque show.

I’ve gotten pretty good at keeping secrets.

I could say I’m not proud of it, but – fuck it, it’s great. I get away with so much. Keeping burlesque a secret is much like keeping any other secret. It feels kinda good, kinda bad, SCARLETT VANDERWOODSEN kinda sneaky, kinda sad. But as much as I COLUMNIST love having my own little world, at times it breaks my heart that I can’t share some of the experiences and the excitement with my t was three years ago when I had the friends and family. epiphany of my lifetime. I was just When you outwardly share so much of about to fail every course I was in, yourself, it becomes difficult to share who you attending class maybe once a week and really are.

Last February, I had been rehearsing madly in love with my best friend. My for my company’s Valentines Day show. It day-to-day life revolved around shedding was my favourite one.

I got the chance to endless tears while curled up on my bathroom floor, putting all I had in me into a channel my inner-Old Hollywood showgirl, relationship where I had nothing left to offer. dressed in a glamorous red silk corset and a mesmerizing floor length gown for a solo The seemingly infinite downward spiral I number. It was during my first performance embarked on at a young age made me feel loveless and incapable of success. It wasn’t of “La Vie En Rose” when I realized just how until I was hooked up to an IV that I realized disconnected I was from the song. At the time,

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I had been struggling with lying to everyone close to me and it became very difficult to feel like I was living La Vie En Rose when I was living really La Vie En Lies.

My outwards appearance presented me as a confident glitter bomb while my insides couldn’t feel worse. I was coming undone at the seams and I couldn’t have looked any better. And of course, what came with it was everything I just didn’t want to hear and couldn’t handle. At the time I was dating a guy who fed me all the compliments I needed to feel great. The only thing was they were based solely on my appearance.

I had no one to share my feelings with, and despite the mounds of attention I got from performing, I couldn’t have felt further from everyone in my life.

Learning to differentiate between what should and shouldn’t be out in the open is something that takes a lot of time to get right. Over the years I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut upon assessing potential repercussions and share what I’m feeling when the time feels right to do so. But when it comes to mental health I’m absolutely ignorant.

We all have our secrets. Some bigger than others. Some we are dying to share, others we are dying to keep buried. Weirdly enough, despite wanting to relieve myself of my mental health woes, I still, to this

day, have trouble voicing what I’m going through deep down with even the people I’m most close to in life, almost as if carrying the biggest secret inside me. Some days I don’t notice it and some days it’s the weight of the world.

I don’t think erasing your history completely and forgetting how far you’ve come is the way to go. It’s not a pretty task but I often find myself needing to reflect on my past in order to recognize just how strong of a person I am. Even if you’re not quite ready to share your story with those close to you, or have it printed in a paper bi-weekly, there are ways to get past the roughest of times. There are so many other ways to find your purpose in life and externalize your feelings, that don’t have to come with all the anxiety surrounding vulnerability when sharing intimate details of your mind.

Sharing our “true” identities, whether it be our seemingly darkest secrets or our real names (no, Scarlett Vanderwoodsen is not my real name), takes a lot. But finding it within to view yourself as worthy of overflowing success is something that shouldn’t be second-guessed. Find what you love. You do you, boo.

And as for my true identity? I’ll never tell.

XOXO

CALENDAR

DECEMBER 3-10

WEEKLY PAINTING CLASSES 2414 MAIN STREET 5:30 PM / FREE-$200

Talk to me Naked artist and Capilano University Communications graduate Tori Swanson guides intrepid painters through this class, which is all about uncovering oneself (not in the literal sense, keep your clothes on. It’s about shedding your inhibitions). “We’re not going to be painting fruit,” she says.

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THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

PACIFIC THEATRE 2 PM AND 8 PM / $38.35

This is one of my all-time favourite children’s books, and I watch the movie every Christmas (although making a marathon out of it is tricky because Prince Caspian isn’t very festive). Follow along as Lucy stumbles into a magical land where it’s always winter but never Christmas, falls into trouble with her siblings, a fawn, a talking lion and the evil white witch.

THE CAPILANO COURIER

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THE NUTCRACKER

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE 1 PM AND 6:30 PM / $34.50+

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is coming to Vancouver for a limited time, and this isn’t an ordinary ballet. Tchaikovsky’s classical performance is getting a Canadian makeover. Battle on Parliament Hill or pond hockey, anyone?

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 7

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WINTER HARP

BLUESHORE FINANCIAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 7:30 PM / $36 FOR STUDENTS

Despite what its name suggests, this is actually an ensemble of medieval instruments, including harpists, violinists and flutists. If you’re not annoyed by the incessant Christmas carolling yet, they promise to whisk you away to a land of magic, performing in front of a snow covered cathedral backdrop.

ADULT ROLLERSKATING LESSONS ROLLA SKATE CLUB NOON / $25

If your significant other is one of those annoying people who values experiences over material goods and makes shopping for them so much harder, sign them up for a roller skating class. Get decked out in a neon leotard and hit the rink with your groove on. If you need any inspiration, take your cues from Leonard Hofstadter and Howard Wolowitz.

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CONTACT FESTIVAL 2018 BC PLACE 5 PM / $209.25+

Truthfully, I just saw the Chainsmokers in the lineup and it got me excited, although they’re not performing until the second day. I don’t know who the other mojos are.

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NYE SEABUS PARTY

WATERFRONT SEABUS TERMINAL 9:30 PM / PRICE OF TRANSIT FARE

Apparently a roup of rabble-rousers had a party on the seabus to celebrate New Year’s Eve last year, and they’re doing it again. “We get high on life,” they say, “not substance.” Basically, it’s a rock n’ roll on the rockin’ waves, and your only shot at getting home if you live on the North Shore.

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CALENDAR

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JANUARY GONG BATH MEDITATION BRIDGE AND ENRICH LIVES SOCIETY 6:30 PM / $10

Every event in early January is either Christmas (it’s the new year already, people!) or fitness related. You’ve probably given up on your resolution by now, I suggest checking this out if only because it’s got a cool name. I can only assume it involves a gong and a bath. Let your imagination run wild with that. And if you miss this event, it’s on every Wednesday.

SHAMANIC BREATHWORK AND SOUND HEALING

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ANCIENT FIRE (15 W SECOND AVENUE) 6:30 PM / $50

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 7

Okay, I was wrong. Not every event in the new year is Christmas or fitness related. Apparently 2019 is the year of mindfulness. The event organizers ask everyone to BYO yoga mat, pillow and blanket for some quality nap time. Sorry, er, “shamanic breathwork”. While you do that, our editors will be at the John H. MacDonald Awards in Calgary.

MOVIES IN THE MORGUE FT. MAD MAX

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VANCOUVER POLICE MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES 7 PM / $10

Cozy up (if you can) knowing you’re in a room where bodies are stored in freezers to watch Mad Max. This is actually cheaper than going to the cinema, and you can bring your own blanket. But can your gnawing stomach handle it?

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CAPROCKS

CAPILANO UNIVERSITY SPORTSPLEX 6 PM / $10 FOR STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY

I know most of you don’t like to stay on campus after class, but your school is hosting a free party for you as part of its continued 50th anniversary celebrations. Your ticket gets you a free drink and there are currently a limited number of BOGO tickets available at the CSU desk.

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VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS. FLORIDA PANTHERS ROGERS ARENA 4 PM / $82+

It’s the first game of the year, go cheer for your much-loved-butalways-losing hockey team. Is today their lucky day?

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THE ILLUSIONISTS LIVE FROM BROADWAY QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE 7:30 PM / $50+

It’s not the Four Horsemen, they won’t be robbing their sponsor and redistributing the cash among the audience (I hope), but this touring quintet apparently has quite some “outrageous and astonishing” acts lined up, and they’re only in town for a few days.

IT’S JUST DRAG!

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THE COMMODORE BALLROOM 9 PM / $35-45

If you’re into RuPaul’s Drag Race, this might be the event for you. See the bedazzled costumes on local drag stars strutting down the catwalk.

Have fun! We won’t be there unfortunately, the editors will be putting together the first print issue of the new year for you (finally, right?).

The Best Bobotie You Aren’t Having for Christmas… Yet

The Cheesiest Cheese Fondue That Ever Did Smack Your Lips

GRETA KOOY NEWS EDITOR

CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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y dad’s bobotie recipe is a holiday favourite and often served up alongside all the other Christmas dinner usuals. Bobotie is a traditional South African dish packed with the perfect blend of meats and spices, served with tumeric rice and finished with a buttermilk and egg-based topping. It’s a great meal for the holidays and perfect rainy day comfort food. That is, as long as you’re not a vegetarian.

What you need: 500 g lean ground beef 500 g ground lamb 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp butter 1 onion (chopped) 2 cloves of garlic (crushed) 2 tbsp curry powder 2 slices of white bread (without crust) ½ cup milk 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp apricot jam 2 tsp vinegar 1 tsp soya sauce 1 cup buttermilk 2 eggs Pepper (to taste) Instructions:

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eat vegetable oil and butter in a large pan, add chopped onion and garlic to soften. Then add the blended meats and cook until brown before mixing in the curry powder. Soak two slices of bread in milk and mix with everything in the pan.

Add pepper, Worcestershire sauce, apricot jam, vinegar and soya sauce and let it slowly cook together. Pour the mix into casserole dish. For the topping, mix the buttermilk with eggs, pour over the meat and bake at 350ºF for about 25 minutes or until the top is solid.

Serve with turmeric rice and fruit chutney.

espite the fact that we aren’t Swiss, my family makes cheese fondue on Christmas Eve every year. We have for over 20 years (I couldn’t remember before then). My dad makes the trek out to Costco a few weeks before the holidays so he can do a trial run in preparation for the big night, and it’s the one day of the year he’ll get a bit of alcohol in his bloodstream. I’m incredibly nervous that we won’t have cheese fondue this year because more people in my family are now on the keto diet than not, but there are plenty of keto-friendly cheese-delivery mechanisms that aren't bread so I’ve got high hopes. Usually we’d go for a classic French baguette, but an assortment of Italian cold meats will give some nice, flavourful variety.

What you need: 250 g emmental cheese 250 g gruyere cheese 1 clove of garlic 2 tbsp of flour 1 ½ cups sauvignon blanc Pinch of pepper and nutmeg Instructions:

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rease the fondue pot with your clove of garlic, grate the cheese and combine with flour with your fingers, pour the wine into the fondue pot over low heat on the stove, gradually stir in the cheese until it forms a runny consistency. Season with pepper and nutmeg, remove from the stove and enjoy while it’s still bubbling!

SHORTS

Sweet Potato Stew Adapted from Peas and Thank You

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f you’re a non-chef or a one-pot wonder, this recipe is for you. I love this stew for its simplicity. It’s not the most Christmas-oriented pot of goodness, but it’s great after a day of activity in the snow when you’re hangry and in need of something hearty and warm. Just don’t burn the roof of your mouth while you’re shovelling it in.

What you need: 16 oz can of diced tomatoes 12 oz can coconut milk 12 oz can chickpeas ½ cup red lentils 1 medium-sized sweet potato, cubed 2 tbsp ginger, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ cups vegetable broth 1 tbsp curry powder ¼ tsp garam masala 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp peanut butter

Even Cheesier Chilean Empanadas

NIVEDAN KAUSHAL ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

MAX FERREIRA CONTRIBUTOR

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rowing up, my mother made sure my brother and I had delicious homecooked Indian food for lunch, and there was always a delicious-smelling dinner at night. So when I moved out of home, this fusion chicken recipe was one of the first dishes I mastered.

What you need: 3 diced chicken breasts ½ white onion 1 ½ bell peppers 1 inch of ginger 3 garlic cloves 4 green chilis Salt and pepper 1 tsp cornstarch 3 tbsp grapeseed oil 2 tsp red chilli flakes 2 tbsp sambal 1 tbsp salt ½ tbsp red chili powder 2 tsp of soy sauce 1 tbsp of vinegar

his is my grandmother's recipe, and we usually have to make our empanadas a full day or two before Christmas because they take endless hours to make. But it's so worth it every year.

What you need: 5 cups of flour 1 tsp salt 1 ½ tsp lard 2 cups warm water Grated mozzarella or ground beef or 4 cups prepared seafood Instructions:

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ift the flour and salt into a large bowl.

Cut the lard into small pieces and work into the flour by hand. Slowly add two cups of warm water to the flour and mix it into the dough. When it has the consistency of dough, turn it out onto a floured counter and knead until smooth. Roll out a section of the dough, keeping the rest tightly wrapped Instructions: in plastic, until it is about 1/4 inch thick, and Instructions: cut out the empanadas with a large biscuit ix the diced chicken with the cutter. Fill each round with your choice of a hrow everything together in a slow cornstarch. Add seasoning to taste. few tablespoons of mozzarella, ground meat cooker (or a regular pot), and let ‘er Add grapeseed oil to a frying pan or seafood. Run a wet finger around the edge simmer. Once the sweet potatoes on medium heat. Cook the chicken and place it of the dough, fold in half and press the edges are soft and have reached the desired in another bowl once done. Julienne the onion. to seal them firmly. Then, heat a large pot consistency, put it in your mouth and savour Blend garlic, green chili and ginger using as with vegetable oil and the remaining lard on .that sweet feeling. little water as possible to create a thick paste. medium-high heat. You'll know your oil is Dice the bell peppers. Using the leftover ready when you can fry a ball of empanada grease in the pan, saute the onions before dough golden-brown in a few minutes. Fry adding the peppers. Cook for 15 minutes the empanadas in batches, turning each over before adding the ginger-garlic-chili paste. to ensure they are cooked to a golden-brown Add the chicken back with red chilli flakes, all over. After removing the empanadas from sambal, salt, red chili powder, soy sauce and the oil, drain on a paper towel and enjoy! vinegar. Stir everything together. Eat!

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One Foot in the Gravy MEGAN ORR OPINIONS EDITOR

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usually come in to the kitchen when the gravy is already underway, glass of wine in hand, insisting I take over. Once the turkey is done you use the leftover drippings to start. Most recipes call for butter and some sort of stock, but my family saves leftover water from the mashed potatoes.

What you need: Potato water Flour White wine Montreal steak spice Salt Dried sage Instructions:

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o thicken, create a roux with the potato water and flour. Add the wine, steak spice, seasoning salt and dried sage to taste. Continue stirring regularly until you have your desired thickness, then pour that shit over everything. If I don’t get asked, “Having some dinner with your gravy?” at least once, then what am I even doing?

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FREYA WASTENEYS FEATURES EDITOR

Spicy Thai Masala Fusion Chicken

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The Courier's Holiday Recipes

ARTS & CULTURE

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Chinese Couturier Guo Pei’s Opulence on Display at the Vancouver Art Gallery The exhibit is the first fashionforward display to feature at the gallery CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 7

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he Vancouver Art Gallery is showing its first couture exhibit by acclaimed Chinese couturier, Guo Pei, in collaboration with the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion and Film until Jan. 20, 2019.

“Why fashion? Why Guo Pei? Why now?” asked the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Associate Curator, Diana Freundl.

Pei has always aimed to capture the splendour of China’s last ruling dynasty. She was born in Beijing in 1967, during a time when most of the country adopted some form of the Mao suit. However, that didn’t stop the budding artist.

Clothing is her medium instead of canvas, and in 2016 she made history as the first Chinese couturier invited to join Paris’ Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

“For us it’s a first on many fronts… It’s not the first time we’ve shown fashion in the gallery but it’s the first time we’ve done an entire exhibition dedicated entirely to a fashion designer,” said Freundl. “What you see in the exhibition is not representative of what she [Guo Pei] makes for her clients to wear, this is really couture… it’s made for presentations on the runway.”

The exhibit is modeled after one of the same name – Guo Pei: Couture Beyond – which was presented by SCAD in Atlanta last year. Despite sharing a name and credit with SCAD, the curated collection on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery is unique in showing Pei’s evolution as a designer, with styles dating back to her 2006 debut collection, Samsara, to present day.

Included in the exhibit are a selection of gowns from Guo Pei’s 2009 collection, One Thousand and Two Nights, which was inspired by the Arabic folktale and modeled at China Fashion Week. Each gown is an incredibly detailed display of beadwork. Many of the garments feature Swarovski crystals, and one silk mesh gown is even dripping with pearls. Her 2015 collection, Garden of the Soul, is a standout attraction in the gallery’s atrium for the bold colours, outrageous platform shoes and layers upon layers of visible silk petticoats giving the garments their cutting-edge silhouettes. Guo Pei’s most recent collection, located at the far end of the gallery, Legend, was unveiled in 2017. Legend is a departure from the bright colours of Garden of the Soul and a shift towards mossy greens and light fabric printed with the art of a Swiss cathedral in St. Gallen. Legend was walked down the runway at the Conciergerie in Paris, where the last queen of France, Marie Antoinette, was once imprisoned.

“One of the things she wanted to include in this exhibition was the China bride gowns,” said Freundl. In China, red is a symbol of joy, and is a traditional wedding colour, while white is a symbol of mourning.

“A lot of people, not only in this city but in North America, are not familiar with Guo Pei. They might be familiar with the dress Rihanna wore at the Met Gala, but they might not be familiar with her work or her name,” said Freundl. Guo Pei was commissioned to make fabulous articles for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which made her an international sensation, but it wasn’t until Rihanna wore a fur-trimmed canary yellow robe weighing over 55 pounds to the New York Met Gala in 2015 that she garnered a name in North America. The garment, which represents over 50,000 hours of labour, is one of extreme opulence.

Pei used 24 karat gold thread to embroider the silk robe’s five-metre train – in a colour traditionally reserved for the Chinese imperial family – by hand. Now, the exhibit is a first, not just for the gallery but for Guo Pei, who has never been featured anywhere in Canada before.

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Installation view of Guo Pei: Couture Beyond, at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Photo: Rachel Topham, Vancouver Art Gallery

Installation view of Guo Pei: Couture Beyond, at the Vancouver Art Gallery, showing garments from the Garden of the Soul collection, 2015. Photo: Rachel Topham, Vancouver Art Gallery

ARTS & CULTURE

How I Restructured the CSU

Brittany Barnes wanted a clean slate after growing up in Winnipeg

portfolios ranging from finance to university relations were assigned voluntarily between 16 representatives. In other words, someone who was elected for one role could manage an entirely different set of responsibilities, regardless of their qualifications. By the time Barnes realized the CSU was hindering

in just so I could continue my work,” said Barnes. Her passion for the CSU would not have been sparked, however, had she not left Manitoba.

Barnes was raised in an impoverished area of Winnipeg’s West End, parts of which average $24,500 in household

NIVEDAN KAUSHAL ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

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income. Her mental health fell drastically when she completed high school because of an abusive relationship, smothering her lifelong dream of attending law school.

Meanwhile, Barnes was working in the

A Series of Ridiculous Events: Comedy of Errors

CLARISSA SABILE CONTRIBUTOR

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s a high school theatre student of five years, many of my classmates were not invested in the Shakespeare portions of my acting classes.

It seemed that people had difficulty, or just weren't into memorizing archaic pronouns from scripts written by a guy who's been dead for 400 odd years…

Second-year Acting for Stage And Screen (ASAS) student Mac Christison would have proved many high school theatre students wrong, as one of the leading roles in this semester’s ASAS theatre production.

For Fall 2018, Gillian Barber, head of Capilano University’s Theatre department, directed Comedy of Errors, the shortest, and one of the most humorous, of William Shakespeare’s plays.

Comedy of Errors follows a set of twins who were separated at birth: merchant sons, both named Antipholus, and their respective indentured servants, both named Dromio.

“Twenty-two years after the separation, my character, Antipholus, along with my slave Dromio, venture out to find our long-lost brothers. Unbeknownst to each other, we end up in a town where my twin has become

Illustrated by Melissa Gibbons a prominent figure,” Christison explained.

“Basically, the play concentrates on the mishaps that occur when the townspeople confuse me for my twin, and my slave for his slave.”

Christison’s entertaining synopsis prompted the question: why was Comedy of Errors selected, out of Shakespeare’s many acclaimed plays? “My best guess would be that our director was in the mood to direct

CLASSIFIED We're hiring a new Arts & Culture Editor to begin in Jan. 2019. Duties include pitching stories, shaping the overall look and feel of the section, sourcing contacts, writing, editing and assisting with proofreading and layout.

To apply, please send your resume, cover letter and any relevant writing samples to Christine Beyleveldt at capcourier@gmail.com by Dec. 15.

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VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 7

Casting the Shakespeare performance was a performance unto itself

something comedic,” he answered. Fittingly, the title of the play became an idiom, meaning “a series of events so ridiculously full of mistakes that it is comical”.

Twenty ASAS actors were cast in Comedy of Errors. “The casting procedure involved a single day of auditions,” Christison said, with rehearsals beginning less than a week after. Theatrical performances are constructed like a tower: set the foundation, then build. It involves read-throughs, individual character work, blocking and technical rehearsals, costume fittings and any other preparatory business.

“There were between 76 to 80 hours of in-class rehearsals,” Christison said, which may seem excessive to an outsider but is reasonable to an actor. Theatrical productions require a lot of time and commitment for tasks like practicing scenes separately then altogether, working alongside tech backstage, and preparing set backgrounds. One of Christison’s favourite moments during the making of Comedy of Errors was watching the creation of the exaggerated Elizabethan costumes and how they were modeled on his classmates.

“Entering this program showed me how much I don’t know,” Christison expressed toward CapU's Theatre program, wellknown across the Lower Mainland, “Not only has it given me a broad understanding of aspects of theatre and film, but it has taught me about the industries I’m going to be involved in after I leave Capilano. My time at Cap has made me a better actor, but it has also shown me the path to becoming a great actor.”

THE CAPILANO COURIER

In the end it came down to one vote, and the guy probably thought about it for three or four minutes. It was the longest period of my life because I had worked on the proposal for four months.”

Brittany Barnes, alumni relations officer of Capilano University, was the first in her family to graduate high school, let alone complete two degrees at CapU. She also redesigned the Capilano Students’ Union’s (CSU) current governance structure before serving as CSU President from June 2014 to May 2015.

When Barnes was elected to the CSU as the educational issues coordinator during Illustrated by Sarah Haglund her final year of the Global Stewardship program in fall 2012, its governance its own ability to advocate for CapU students, structure lacked executive function.

While most elected positions ensured that graduation day had arrived. “I saw so much potential to grow the CSU into something that marginalized groups were represented, students could reconnect with that I actually administrative responsibilities were not inherent to any role. Instead, more than 20 looked for a new bachelor program to enroll

paint department of Home Depot when her boss complimented her work ethic. “Even when including my family, he was the first person who said something positive to me.

That was all it took to turn my life around and leave my abusive boyfriend.” She then moved to the North Shore in 2008, and first set foot on CapU’s campus two years later.

In preparation for the 2013-2014 academic year, this time as a Communications student, Barnes took on Organizational Review – the portfolio responsible for assessing internal efficiency. She began developing a proposal to implement an executive governance structure. Barnes’s biggest step was amalgamating overlapping responsibilities between various elected positions and portfolios. This led to five new roles: VicePresident External, Vice-President University Relations and Services, Vice-President Student Life, Vice-President Internal Development and President. The CSU Board voted on Barnes’ proposal in August 2013. It passed by one vote.

Though the CSU’s current structure differs slightly, it is still largely based on Barnes’ work. After graduating with her Bachelor of Communication Studies as valedictorian in 2016, she now handles alumni relations for CapU. “The Brittany that I was back in the day was like, ‘We can do anything! Nothing's too much! Lots of eagerness and optimism.

Now? I think I'm a little more tired and pragmatic,” Barnes said with a laugh.

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 51 ISSUE NO. 7

CABOOSE

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