Class Magazine Issue 1

class M A G A Z I N E

CAMPUS & CULTURE • SUMMER 2014 • ISSUE 1

welcome • kelownafornia • I AM BALLSY • UBCO alumni: liz ranney • NICK THIESSEN

class M A G A Z I N E

SUMMER 2014

CLASS MAGAZINE INC. publisher REUBEN MANN co-founder

ROCKY KIM co-founder

EDITOR IN CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

LINDSAY FARRUGIA assistant editor Contributors writers rocky kim, JACQUELINE LASORDA, matt lauzon, reuben mann, shaman mclean, maria otto, elizabeth ranney.NICK THIESSEN

photographers & illustrators alex bischoff, tim cadeny, melika edalat, cody mAckay, dylan ranney, elizabeth ranney, nick thiessen, steve wiebe

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Class Magazine is published quarterly between September and April by Class Magazine Inc. No part of this publication may be used without written permission from the publisher. Š2014. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions.

If, however, an error comes to your attention, please notify us. Class Magazine Inc. receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. Class Magazine Inc., and its affiliates and assignees, may use, reproduce, publish, republish, distribute, store, and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. This statement does not apply to materials and/or pitches submitted by freelance writers, photographers, or illustrators in accordance with known industry practices.

on the cover

CROWNS by elizabeth ranney Acrylics & Charcoal on Canvas, 2014 www.lizranney.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HAILEY FROEHLER • PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEXANDER BISCHOFF

class M A G A Z I N E

SUMMER 2014 • ISSUE 1

WELCOME TO CLASS.................................... 04

I AM BALLSY................................................. 18

KELOWNAFORNIA: WORK HARD/PLAY HARD..... 06

UBCO ALUMNI: LIZ RANNEY......................... 20

DOWNTOWN EATS......................................... 09

DO IT RIGHT: VAPORIZE................................ 24

WING NIGHT. EVERY NIGHT.......................... 12

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF NICK THIESSEN..... 27

words by: rocky kim & reuben mann

words by: rocky kim photos by: cody mackay

words by: rocky kim

words by: shaman mclean

BEING VEGETARIAN IN KELOWNA............... 13

words by: jacqueline lasorda & reuben mann

art by: liz ranney

words by: reuben mann

photos by: nick thiessen

DON’T BE A KANT......................................... 32

words by: maria otto

words by: matt lauzon

CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEX BISCHOFF...... 14

THE LAW LIBRARY........................................ 34

words by: reuben mann photos by: alexander bischoff

words by: shaman mclean

welcome managing editor

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riends, family, and students, thank you for choosing to open our first issue of Class Magazine. In doing so you have also symbolically opened the doors to the fine nuances, secrets, and hidden gems that the beautiful Okanagan has to offer.

Class Magazine is a project that set out with the intention to connect students with the local area, and to provide a platform for local businesses to connect with students.

Since conception, like most businesses, it has become so much more. Class Magazine has become a hub for ingenuity, innovation, and self-expression; always striving to learn and evolve as the world changes, and remain relevant to students that demand excellence and deserve nothing less.

As you journey through University and discover yourself over the next few years, let Class Magazine be a familiar face in a crowd full of strangers. Over the past year we have poured our hearts and souls into Class Magazine, often working late hours, trying to make ends meet, networking, and eventually (hopefully) succeeding.

Before you move on to enjoying our featured articles, I will leave you with a valuable lesson I have learned through my four years of university; the kid with the highest mark isn’t always the smartest, the girl with the prettiest smile isn’t always the nicest, and nothing is ever for certain. The next few years will be some of the greatest moments of your life so explore, fly, dig, swim, and dive off the deep end; be true to yourself and rest assured Class Magazine will be with you every step of your journey.

Rocky Kim co-founder

to class EDITOR IN CHIEF

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here comes a point in every student’s life where they make a decision that sets them out, at least temporarily, on a career path. In the first few steps of that path, one tends to learn a lot about themself.

Some of us prefer dictation, others freedom. Some want to help run a company in their field of choice, and others want to build their own. With Class Magazine, we set out to do the latter. Regardless of the choice you make, both require focus, attention to detail, and a high level of drive if you wish to excel. You have to, as our managing co-founder loves to say, “believe in the dream,” whether it’s yours or someone else’s. Whether the project you’re working on is the kind of work you want to do for the rest of your life, or something you don’t ever want to do again, to survive and thrive you’ll need both faith and focus. You have to appreciate the nuances of the job, as well as the benefits and perks. There will be black days where everything goes wrong, including the dinner you ordered at the restaurant, and there will be great days, where you see nothing but clear streets and green lights.

The line between life and work will become blurred, and you’ll be putting in more midterm-cram-sesh work hours the closer you get to deadline. Sound familiar?

Class Magazine hopes to operate concurrently with the academic year so we can inspire students as they navigate through their own startups (their degrees). While you’re choosing the classes and majors that interest you most, we’re developing and curating content we think you’d best connect with. The human condition thrives on interest and curiosity, and we intend to give the people what they want.

Reuben Mann co-founder

CHERISH AND CHELSEA • Photograph by Nick Thiessen

kelownafornia: WORK HARD

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ooking out my window in the heart of downtown Kelowna, two things catch my eye: the constant bustling of workers at the lumber mill, and an overzealous jet skier on the lake gliding effortlessly on the water. It’s three in the afternoon, the sun is at its highest point in the sky, there isn’t a single visible cloud and I can see for miles across the lake. The landscape is so vivid I can almost make out the logo on the side of the jet skiers shades and the beads of sweat pouring off the side of the mill workers face. While reveling in the stark realization of how fortunate I am to live in such a pristine city I can’t help but notice that the jet skier and mill worker are a near perfect depiction for the cliche “work hard, play hard.” Deep... I know. I’m not usually this metaphorical, constantly looking for the deeper meaning of things, but in this situation I couldn’t help it.

Too often Kelowna is labelled as a city housing vacationers that party too hard and care too little. I can promise you this is not the case. Don’t get me wrong, Kelowna is rightfully recognized as a sought after destination for its pristine lakes, amazing golf courses, award winning wineries, and of course world class ski resorts, but there’s more to the story. Kelowna is also called home by some of the hardest working people I know. The Okanagan has become a hub of innovation, fostering growth and economic development driving more and more businesses and entrepreneurs to seek out Kelowna to launch their next venture. Whether it’s Class Magazine, Club Penguin, Get in the Loop, or Spin Company (launched by a former UBC Okanagan Alumnus and friends) Kelowna is growing and shows no sign of slowing down.

What’s driving this growth? Well that’s a tough question, and I’m sure some uppity Harvard trained economist on the news may be able to explain it better, but behind the veil of long words you and I don’t understand there’s one simple explanation - hard working residents who take pride in their endeavors.

WORDS BY ROCKY KIM

Shot from a hidden lair high above Kelowna during a typical August’s sunset.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CODY MACKAY

kelownafornia: PLAY HARD

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his four season playground is renowned for its proximity to some of the world’s greatest ski resorts, wineries, hiking trails, and beaches; it’s no surprise that many students, young professionals, and seniors choose to reside in Kelownafornia. The laid back lifestyle where stress can be washed away by the champagne powder on the mountains or thirty degree summer days at the beach, Kelowna has it all.

Enjoying the benefits that Kelowna has to offer also requires some hard work, a little bit of luck, and of course money. It’s not cheap living in Kelowna, with rising rent and increased cost of living, but people are making it work. Kelownafornians have fully embraced what it means to work hard, play hard. In Kelowna work can mean a lot of things, from working (on the ski hill/ on Big White) during the winter season, to grinding away at school as a student. It can also mean starting a new business. Kelowna is bustling with microbusinesses popping up on the daily from crafty peeps that know what it means to hustle.

Okanagan Lake Night Shot Captured at Gyro Beach during a stunningly clear evening.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CODY MACKAY

a bustling sturgeon hall restaurant on a saturday night.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CLASS STAFF

downtown eats DINE HARD

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avigating the food scene in Kelowna is a daunting task. There are hundreds of restaurants and for a noobie fresh on the scene with a tight budget and little knowledge of the local food culture, finding the best places to eat will not be easy. Before I start listing off Class Magazine’s favourite Kelowna Hot Spots that are all part of this issue’s Class List, we need to get some formalities out of the way. If you are feeling adventurous and decide to deviate from the Class List always follow this one simple rule in picking a restaurant: if the bathroom’s clean the kitchen probably is too, if the bathroom is nasty GTFO and find a new spot.

The Class Team loves to eat; the proof is in our waistlines. While we love to eat, we are probably some of the pickiest eaters out there. Now we’re not talking about your fancy pants Michelin star restaurants, but being a veteran of the Kelowna food scene we know what’s important to students and focused on that. The main factors in coming to our decisions were price, portion size, quality, and of course taste.

For this issue we chose to focus on dinner spots, pubs, and late night eats, because let’s get serious, your hung-over self isn’t waking up before 1:00 PM on the weekend to make it in time for breakfast or brunch.

REVIEWS BY ROCKY KIM

downtown eats Dinner Scene

Earls kitchen & bar (downtown) In the heart of downtown Kelowna, Earl’s is a must go for all Kelownafornians. The friendly, easy to read, and approachable menu is familiar to anyone who has ever been to Earl’s before. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this place. Their patio is out of this world as it overlooks the lake, and their cocktail program is student friendly with a touch of sophistication. Their decor and ambience is on point, capturing the perfect balance between casual dining and elegance. Whether you’re out for dinner with your parents, on a date, just hungry, or celebrating a birthday, Earl’s is a definite must go.

GRADE A+ Price $20-$40

momo’s sushi (downtown) All you folk that complain about the Kelowna sushi scene have obviously never been to Momo’s. As a former frequenter of the Vancouver food scene, I can tell you with all sincerity that Momo’s will give most Vancouver sushi spots a run for their money.

The service is impeccable, the staff friendly, and the quality of food will make you think you hopped on a plane and went to Tokyo (Jiro would approve... I think). Within fifteen minutes of you sitting down and ordering, your food will be ready. Seriously. If you don’t believe me, time it. Momo’s sushi is our go-to sushi spot in Kelowna, and definitely Class List certified.

GRADE A Price $15-$25

Olympia Greek Taverna (Rutland) Now the location isn’t ideal, but believe me, if you’re willing to make the trek out there or have access to a vehicle, Olympia must be visited. Olympia is a definite contender for best buffet in Kelowna, and at an unbelievable price of under $15 it’s a student’s paradise. During their lunch buffet you can expect gourmet food. They have everything from fresh Greek salad and savoury meat lasagnas, to grilled lamb kabobs. Keep in mind they only offer their buffet during lunch time on Fridays. Despite that set back, you won’t regret it if you get a chance to taste it. Olympia Greek Taverna is 100% Class certified.

GRADE B Price $13 Buffet

Pub Scene

Train Station Pub (Downtown) Quite possibly the best pub food in Kelowna. Located downtown right by Discovery Bay and the Waterscapes, which are common upper year student hubs, the Train Station Pub is an amazing pub with phenomenal food (presentation, taste, etc.).

Now the Train Station Pub isn’t exactly a hub of activity or a pub with a vibrant nightlife scene, but that can be a bonus.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a night of debauchery at O’Flans or Doc’s but sometimes you just want to spend a Saturday night with the crew having some quality eats while enjoying a few double jacks on the rocks. If you find your way to the Train Station Pub, make sure you start off the right way with a Tuna Stack and some Pineapple Hefeweizen.

GRADE B+ Price $15-$30

Kelly O’ Bryan’s/Carlos O’Bryan’s (DOWNTOWN) Now boasting over 7 locations all across the interior, Kelly O’s is your classic Irish pub with a playful menu at student-friendly prices. After 9PM they offer 2 appetizers at $12, which is a meal all by itself. And of course Kelly O’s is the home of the famous pachos. Imagine Ms. Nacho decided to marry Mr. Fries and they conceived a child. Now take that and multiply it by a thousand and you get Pachos, fully loaded with cheese, bacon bits, and chives, you’re in for a treat my friend, my mouth is watering just writing about it.

GRADE B+ Price $12-$20

Rose’s Waterfront Pub (Downtown) If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past two years you know that Rose’s is the trusted establishment on Friday nights. Most students don’t realize that Rose’s actually has some pretty amazing food at reasonable price points and boasts a massive over-sized patio overlooking the lake. Quick tip: if you don’t want to wait in line for two hours, be there before 10:30 champ.

GRADE B Price $10-$20

Late night eats Now this is our absolute favourite section and I’ll tell you why. During regular hours every restaurant is open, so you have the ability to be picky, explore and indulge at your own pleasure. However, this is not the case post 2 am. You will need our guidance to navigate a city that sleeps in order to get some quality food after hours.

smoke’s Poutinerie (Downtown) Since opening, Smoke’s Poutinerie is a godsend and trust me when I scream “YOU HAVE TO TRY IT.” This is one of the very few late night gems in Kelowna that’s also worth frequenting during the day. The price for the quality and quantity of food you receive is unmatched and unbelievable. If you can finish a wow-size by yourself you’re not human... there’s a reason it’s called a wow-size. Even better is that the menu is almost entirely under ten dollars. Yeah, now while you’re picking up your jaw off the floor I’ll give you a few more reasons: they’re open well past 2 am, have vegetarians options, and are located on Bernard at about a two minute walk from almost every club and bar. I’ll see you there.

GRADE A+ Price $5-$11

Sliderz (Downtown) Remember that Zoolander scene when Ben Stiller asks if the model is a “center for ants?” Well that’s kind of how I felt when I went to Sliderz. The quality is amazing, the vibe friendly, and atmosphere great, but the portion size just doesn’t do it for us. I guess there’s a reason it’s called Sliderz... It’s not the cheapest either, with a single slider costing around $6 and regular menu items varying from $7 and up. To fill your belly you’re looking to spend probably around $15 or more. Now don’t get me wrong the quality of food is amazing for a late night eatery and it’s always packed, but after spending $50 at the bar with a gut full of beer and rum I’m looking for a little more food then a burger for ants!

GRADE BPrice $6-$20

Denny’s (Orchard Park) For when you’re too drunk to care.

GRADE C Price $12-$20

U O Y O D HOW R U O Y LIKE ?

E N I T U PO

WING NIGHT. EVERY NIGHT. Student life isn’t easy or cheap. Good thing we know how to research, because when there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’re willed to get the best wing for our buck.

WORDS BY SHAMAN MCLEAN

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can say with conviction that my guilty pleasure is a good plate (or five) of wings. After a couple years of wallowing in disgust with the amount of wings I’ve consumed, I have completed a list of my favourite places to go for each day of the week.

Monday – Brandt’s Creek Neighborhood Pub

Brandt’s is honestly one of the favourite names on my list. Almost a well-kept secret, this gem of Glenmore offers up some of Kelowna’s best for a steal of a price at $0.35/wing. With all the traditional flavours, including a delicious hot sauce, there’s little not to love about Brandt’s. The decor is bang on, the service excellent, and the beer cold! (Brandt’s also offers the same deal on Wednesdays.)

Tuesday – Boomers Bar and Grill

While a little out of the way, Boomers offers some great breaded wings. Coming in at $0.30/wing the price is great, and if you’re lucky you’ll even get to watch a live hockey game, as the bar is located inside the Capital News Centre. While my personal experience with the service at Boomers is not the best, I would still say it’s pretty good. Breaded is the only way to go.

Wednesday – 97 Street Pub

It pains me to write this, but I have to grudgingly recommend 97 Street for Wednesday. The service is quite possibly the worst I’ve experienced before, having once had to wait close to 2 hours on two pounds of wings! Coming in at $3.99/lb, it’s slightly more expensive than other good pubs such as Baxters. The saving grace for 97 Street is the fact that there are 97 different flavours on the menu. With the sheer size of the menu it makes sense that the kitchen is overwhelmed. While I go back sometimes, 97 Street is definitely low on the list. Note: 97 Street Pub has shut down as of August 2014, but hotel management has insisted that it will be open again very soon. Doc Willoughby’s is a more than suitable Wednesday wing replacement.

Thursday – O’Flannagans I love O’Flannagans. It seems that no matter when I go there I have a great time. Live music, great people and even better wings. For $0.35/ wing, you get some grade A wings. The choice of having open windows during the heat of the summer helps too. No matter what you like, it seems like O’Flans can provide it. Whatever you do, you can’t leave without having at least one Slippery Nipple!

Friday – Mon Thong on Ellis

A Kelowna Friday doesn’t have much to offer for wings. While definitely not cheap at $6.00, Mon Thong provides some good Hot Thai wings. If you’re craving a wing special and don’t want to wait a 24 hours, Mon Thong will be your go to. That being said, you could always just pay regular price for a pound of delicious Brandt’s Wings, but where’s the fun in that?

Saturday – Creekside Pub & Grill

Coming in at the lowest price, $0.25/wing, Creekside is another one of those hidden gems. Way out in the Mission, this pub is offering up some mean wings for cheap. My experience with the service is excellent and the selection of beer isn’t too bad either. Don’t let the distance scare you! Make your way out to this pub and you’ll see for yourself that you can still get delicious food for cheap in Kelowna.

Sunday – A day of rest.

Let your arteries have a break! Go for a walk, hit the gym, but whatever you do, make sure you’re living the Class Life.

1. Make use of the Common Room fridge or your own mini fridge The cafeterias and other eateries on campus close relatively early, and after 8 p.m., The Well only serves pizza (which, in my opinion is only edible and enjoyable after alcohol consumption). So, unless you have relatively good time management, there are going to be MANY times when you’re starving and there is nowhere to eat on campus (and you’re short on time). Every dorm building has a common room on each floor with a fridge, stove and microwave that you can store your food in (or use your mini fridge)!

Make a weekly trek on the 97X to Walmart, Whole Foods, or your grocery store of choice, and stock up on beans, nuts, fresh/frozen veggies, tofu, etc. Be prepared for the weekend!

2. Try out the vegan/vegetarian options in Kelowna If you’ve ever used happycow.net, you know the drill.

If you haven’t, check it out! It’s a great website to locate vegan and vegetarian restaurants in your area.

This is also a super awesome opportunity to explore the beautiful city- something many of us take for granted. It’s easy to get caught up in the university life on campus and not venture out as much as we should.

5 things to know ABOUT being vegetarian in kelowna Tips on managing a high maintenance diet on a low maintenance budget in a city voted the healthiest in Canada.

WORDS BY MARIA OTTO

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will be starting my third year of university in Kelowna in September, but this will be my first year doing so as a vegetarian. I can’t help but think how making this choice is going to drastically change my usual habits and lifestyle. It can be hard to make this transition anywhere, and it can be easy to give up and cheat.

This pressure can be even more intense in the rush of university, between late-night study sessions, lectures, and feeling so tired you just don’t want to cook (it’s around now that the frozen pizzas start to look awfully tempting). Whether you’re vegetarian-except-for-weekends, vegan, pescatarian, vegetarian, raw vegan, or just trying to cut down on your meat consumption for whichever reason, check out these tips for surviving the struggle while attending UBC Okanagan:

3. Check out clubs/societies/organizations I personally know that I’m going to be searching on Clubs Day for a vegan/vegetarian club. If you’re choosing to not eat meat for personal, religious or compassion reasons, then get involved with people with the same interests. There are so many amazing people attending UBCO, and by getting involved, you can swap recipes, meet people, and most importantly, find a Wednesday couscous salad lunch partner. Who needs chicken wings?

4. Meal Prep If you know you have a super busy week ahead of you, take an hour on Sunday night, or take some time each night before bed to prepare food for the next day to take with you on the go, or to have waiting for you when you get back. Whether you have back-to-back lectures, a midterm to cram for, or labs on labs on labs, you’ll need some fuel. And no, that Frappuccino and cookie from Starbucks won’t suffice.

5. Don’t forget to pop some pills Let’s face it... some nights, you’re going to settle on toast for dinner, and you may go a few days without having enough fresh fruit or veggies. It happens to the best of us, especially with getting settled into a new place and being so busy. That being said, remember to take a multivitamin and a vitamin B complex. Especially if you live in the dorms. You’re way more likely to get sick off the bat from being surrounded by people 24/7. That added stress, plus being slightly vitamin deficient, means your immune system won’t be on top of it’s game. You can’t study if you’re low on energy and feeling tired all the time.

And trust me, the vitamins make all the difference.

alexander bischoff CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY

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amn. That’s the first thing I thought when I saw this kid’s work. A BC boy, Alex taught himself everything he knows about photography, and has gone on to shoot some noteworthy models including the up-n-coming Janice Joostema (Google her, and thank me later).

When asked what his motivation for photography was, he noted that he wanted “to make art that people will remember.”

Quite a lofty task in a saturated market, but out of all the local photographers I follow, Alex is one of the few that’s regularly getting checked up on. It’s interesting to see the creativity of an individual evolve over time, and Bischoff’s recent foray into landscape and cityscape photography does not digress from the seductive shots he’s known best for. And if you follow him on Instagram, you’ll understand what I’m talking about, as his favorite type of shoot is “any that shows off the beauty of a woman.”

Although unsure of where his photography will take him, he’s working hard on releasing his own line of t-shirts, and judging from the amount of love he’s getting from fans and models alike, they’re probably going to be a hit.

We felt it was imperative to get Alex on the Class team, and we’re looking forward to having him in Kelowna to do some shoots in our beautiful Okanagan.

WORDS BY REUBEN MANN PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER BISCHOFF

FOURTEEN

HAILEY FROEHLER • UBC • ENGLISH LITERATURE ALEXANDER BISCHOFF

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MAIN STREET ALEXANDER BISCHOFF

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GRANVILLE SKYTRAIN STATION ALEXANDER BISCHOFF

TO BOOK ALEX FOR SESSIONS, CONTACT CREATIVE@CLASSMAGAZINE.CA. INSTAGRAM: @ALEXBISCHOFF1

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the ball push

Canadian cancer survivor, film producer, photographer, and I Am Ballsy founder Thomas Cantley pushed a giant 6 foot ball across Canada. Now he’s about to conquer the United States.

WORDS BY REUBEN MANN & JACQUELINE LASORDA PHOTOS BY TIM CADENY

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homas Cantley is a photographer, filmmaker, and five-year testicular cancer survivor. Born in Canada, Thomas successfully earned his degree in film production at the Vancouver Film School. He has also lived in California and New York, where he found himself working as a celebrity photographer for the prestigious Patrick McMullan Company before making his way to Kelowna.

It seemed as if things couldn’t get any better as names such as Kanye West and Katy Perry would pose for his shots. Then Thomas was diagnosed with Stage 3 testicular cancer. This hardship became the catalyst for a newfound purpose in his life, I AM BALLSY. In 2013, Thomas, with the help of Indiegogo and his friends in media, pushed an inflated six-foot wide rubber ball from Toronto to Vancouver. He connected with thousands of people to raise awareness of testicular cancer, and attracted numerous media outlets to cover his story including Men’s Health and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Now Thomas EIGHTEEN

intends to do it all over again, but with an audience that’s ten times larger.

His ten-city tour will travel from Santa Monica to New York City, and he will not once remove or detach the ball from his person.

In each city, Thomas will be reaching out to fellow survivors he has met both online and in person, and will enlist their help in establishing I AM BALLSY as a new platform for awareness. Oh, and he’s going to document the month long journey with a film crew that will be following his whole campaign.

Thomas intends to fill the ball with messages from people he meets throughout his journey. Each message represents a unique story of heroism, and his documentary will depict perspectives not usually addressed in cancer survivor narratives such as the financial repercussions of a cancer diagnosis, why some types of cancer seem to matter more, or why most men tend to avoid medical care.

In each city Thomas travels to he will perform his “Ballsy talk” at least once. His

Thomas Cantley making his way through Canada on his 2013 I AM BALLSY push.

FOLLOW THE CAMPAIGN

WEBSITE/www.ballpush.org FACEBOOK/Mr.Ballsy INSTAGRAM/Mr.Ballsy TWITTER/WeAreBallsy talks are part lecture, part stand up, and part motivational speech. Thomas will use his ball push to carry out his first speaking tour aimed at young men who don’t typically look to scroll through facts on a Centre of Disease Control website or wish to sit through a badly produced video explaining how to check their testicles for lumps. Thomas hopes that performing in these venues will help develop his primary audience.

“Ballsy,” as he’s affectionately referred to by his friends, will look to the help of social media to rally his supporters from across the US. Just like his 2013 rendition, Thomas will once again be at the mercy of using only “gifted” food and accommodations. His giant ball and camera crew are his only avenues of assistance, and the virality of the BALLSY campaign could be one media outlet away.

With travel estimated to exceed ten hours daily, there will be an ongoing struggle to keep motivated. Desert heat, mountainous inclines, and a six-foot ball attached and inflated at all

“It has to come from the genuine desire to help one another. I know it is risky, but I want to set the example for people.” times are definite obstacles in his path, and many uncertainties remain. How many people will show up to the rallies? If they show up, will they listen? And if they listen, will they remember? Despite the challenges, both mental and physical, the mission is simple: raise men’s awareness towards testicular cancer.

Thomas launches his project on September 3rd, 2014 in Santa Monica, California and you can follow his progress through social media and www.ballpush.org. Thomas Cantley can be reached at media@ballpush.org for any inquiries regarding his cross country tour.

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pastels • the bones collection acrylics & charcoal on canvas, 2014 • LIZ RANNEY

liz ranney UBCO ALUMNI

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iz Ranney is an art explorer. She graduated with a BFA in 2012 from UBC Okanagan with distinction. During her program at UBCO, Liz was focused on Painting and Digital Media, and worked as a 3D game designer with the Future Delta Project. Since her graduation, Liz has been instructing art through a variety of establishments, including her one-year residency at ‘heART school Kelowna’. Some of Liz Ranney’s more exciting projects include large scale commissioned murals made in the Okanagan in collaboration with her husband Dylan Ranney (MYNT), graphics commissioned for local companies and musicians, and working in partnership with Claro Learning Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association, Keloha Music & Arts Festival (2013), Lillegard Music & Arts Festival (2013-14), and Davara.

Liz’s artwork emphasizes self-expression while engaging her audience; and is primarily based on family connections, overlapping fragmented imagery and history. Liz is a painter, media artist and illustrator, working primarily as a portrait artist. Her mixed media paintings contain traces of the abstract, weaving in elements of drawing, resulting in an amalgamation of loose movements and detailed expressions.

Her paintings display bold colors that represent forms and figures with heightened energy. She centers her artwork on community, tracing family connections, and exploration. Liz hopes to pursue art therapy in the future.

ART & BIO PROVIDED BY RANNEY

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ubco alumni

REBELLION • THE CHERISH SERIES acrylics on canvas, 2013 • LIZ RANNEY

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liz ranney

FROM WITHIN • THE CONFRONTATION SERIES OILS & acrylics on canvas, 2012 • LIZ RANNEY

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do it right: vaporize

Why using vaporizers to reduce harm is probably a good idea (and other benefits).

WORDS BY REUBEN MANN

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ne of the best ways to smoke your herb of choice is by vaporization (and it’s more affordable than you’d think). Thanks to the recent legality of mary jane in Colorado and Washington, companies are scrambling to put functional, well-designed products on the market for health freaks and herb aficionados alike.

By heating the compound in the chamber to its boiling point, you’re effectively inhaling the active ingredient while avoiding combustion. The obvious benefits, let’s say if you smoke tobacco, are that you will avoid the harmful by-products of combustion that include several known carcinogens and tar. The thin, inhalable vapor produced by the device contains the active ingredients, and cause considerably less irritation to your lungs. There’s even an NCBI (http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20451365) study backing that claim which concluded “the vaporizer has potential for the administration

of medical cannabis and as a harm reduction technique.” Even if you personally have a blatant disregard for your health, do it for mom.

Harm reduction aside, vaporizing is also far more efficient than smoking. A study (http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19852551) comparing the cannabinoids to by-products ratio of vaporized marijuana and smoked marijuana revealed that “the ratio in the vapor obtained at 200 degrees C and 230 degrees C was significantly higher than in the cigarette smoke.” They’re also discrete, and don’t stink up your whole place of residence the way a cigarette can.

From a practical standpoint, if you’re into smoking any kind of herb, it may be beneficial to consider investing in one of the many vaporizers and e-cigs available in the $100-200 range, which can save your money, your health, and your image.

TWENTY FOUR

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF:

nick thiessen THE BOYS, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA • NICK THIESSEN

TWENTY SEVEN

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’ve always been interested in the arts, drawing, sketching, painting,” Nick Thiessen explains, but in his youth he was more of an athlete and didn’t have too much time to explore his passion for the creative arts. At the age of 18, he decided to travel to the Middle East on a whim. While he was there, Nick fell in love with photography, as well as the people, the culture, and the history of the area. Everything had such a story and he wanted to capture it all. “I am more of an introvert and prefer to tell stories through images, rather then verbally,” he notes. During high school, Nick often made detailed pencil sketches, and each drawing took him tens of hours to complete. “He began to lose patience with these drawings, and instead began to do timed sharpie drawings, allowing himself

STEVE WIEBE OF GOLDEN REPUBLIC TATTOO • NICK THIESSEN

TWENTY EIGHT

only an hour to complete one. “Now, with photography, I can have a finished image with the click of a shutter,” Nick says, “Perfect.”

Nick continued to travel around the world, and his love for photography continued to grow. Some of his inspirations include Estevan Oriol, James Nachtwey and Bruce Davidson.

In the 2011/2012 school year, Nick studied photography and successfully received his diploma. During this time, he completed a documentary called “Misunderstood” which followed Steve Wiebe, a tattoo artist. It can be found at his website, www.goldenrepublictattoo.com. While filming, Nick and Steve became good friends, and Steve came to be a role model and source of inspiration for Nick, as someone else

DINO DURING BATTLE OF THE BARBERS AT FORTUNE SOUND CLUB • NICK THIESSEN

TWENTY NINE

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NICK THIESSEN AND A DJARUM

pursuing their creative passion and having made a career doing what he loved to do. Since then, they have continued to work together, feeding off one another. The pair currently have many projects in the works.

Nick’s photography is a raw documentary style, capturing what’s real, with no sugarcoating. “I love contrast and shooting black and white images.” He prefers prime lenses, one of his favourites being the 35mm on a rangefinder.

“I love shooting people in their element, from models to a tattoo artist to anything or anyone in-between, it doesn’t matter. Just put me in any situation and let me shoot.”

PHOTOS & BIO PROVIDED BY NICK THIESSEN WEBSITE: WWW.NICKTHIESSEN.COM INSTAGRAM: @NICKTHIESSEN

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THIRTY

ILLUSTRATION BY MELIKA EDALAT & REUBEN MANN

DON’T BE A KANT Some philosophical nonsense for all the ambitious idealists out there - Matt Lauzon with Tom Prout.

WORDS BY MATT LAUZON

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mmanuel Kant: men love him, women want to be him. He was an 18th century German philosopher, and a pretty cool guy. He was also a curmudgeonly old man you probably don’t care about, but he developed some pretty cool ideas. Why do you care? Just humour me a minute.

One of Immanuel Kant’s most notable ideas is that of the Categorical Imperative - a prescriptive moral theory that, while admittedly raises some pretty tough questions, is one of those I-get-what-you’re-saying-andI-agree-wholeheartedly-but-I-don’t-see-it-working-inthe-real-world ideas--something that only works in the imaginary world of computers and university students, like Marxism or Bitcoins.

Simply put, the Categorical Imperative says to act in a manner such that your actions ought to be universal law. It’s a simple statement that has some useful applications, but falls apart when scrutinized under the lenses of students, professors, and anyone with a big enough microscope.

THIRTY TWO

Let’s look at some examples: Number 1, Murder: Murdering other people is bad, if you haven’t gotten the memo. If you believe in the Categorical Imperative and you murder someone, you’re operating under the assumption that other people ought to murder people too. And that’s not good for business.

So don’t murder. Period.

Number 2, Lying: Lying is pretty bad, too. It’s dishonest (as per the definition of a lie), and makes other people reluctant to trust you in the future. In a perfect world, nobody would lie. Categorically, if you lie, then you believe people ought to lie to each other all the time. That’s not good for business either: ‘Hey what’s your name?’

‘Kurt. I came here from the moon in a spaceship. I sell hula hoops to rodeo clowns when I’m not growing money trees.’

Fuck off Kurt, that’s not your real name. Your spaceship is a Ford Pinto.

Lying is bad, and shouldn’t be done. But there are instances when a little lie doesn’t harm anybody,

right? Not to Immanuel Kant. He’s of the opinion that the second you lie once, all of morality falls apart and you’re no better off than the murderer because you’re advocating everybody ought to lie.

(If you’re still with me here’s where I’m gonna blow your mind.)

Scenario: Your mother is hiding in the attic from a murderer.

Murderer: ‘Hey, did your mum go up in the attic, or did she go down that never-ending road that I’ll never reach the end of?’

Kant: ‘She’s in the attic.’

Good job, Kant. Got yer mum killed all because you’re against lying.

Fact: Many university students go into the bubble of academia with a cocksure confidence that their ideological preferences are the right ones. And they’re real Kants about it.

“Don’t say this.” “Don’t do that because it’s offensive.” “Don’t wear white after labour day.”

They back these ideas up so categorically that it’s actually detrimental to society: ‘Rally to erase [WORD] from the dictionary!’ ; ‘BAN THE [ARTICLE OF CLOTHING]’ ; ‘YOU (yes, YOU!) Are Obligated to do Such and Such Because I Say So!’ I’m being really vague here because I don’t want any of my personal opinions challenged (not that you have a right to anyway), but what I’m getting at is the way you see the world isn’t the way nearly everybody else sees the world. If you’re of the persuasion you can make up arbitrary rules about how other people ought to live because some people may get offended should they be broken and because people shouldn’t be of a certain

Be open to new ideas, be stupid and make mistakes, reevaluate your perspective every moment of every day. moral persuasion, then you’re bordering some pretty totalitarian mindsets. And you’re being a massive Kant.

Solution? Take a step back from your socio-economic-political-moral ideology and consider the following: if your idea on a specific issue really is the right one, then it deserves to be scrutinized and challenged. Consider both sides of the argument.

In a society that emphasizes individuality, we’re surprisingly fascist in what we think is the right way to do things. You’re a university student, one of the most sheltered, exclusive, self-involved, and heterogeneous class of people in the entire world. If there’s one place to realize ‘yeah I WAS being a massive Kant back there,’ it’s here. You’re not going to get 100% on any paper you write, why assume that your ideology is 100% infallible?

Be open to new ideas, be stupid and make mistakes, reevaluate your perspective every moment of every day. Don’t shout your opinions in the name of progress, shout your opinions in the name of this-is-my-perspective-but-I’m-open-to-the-concept-of-another. Don’t be a Kant.

“I don’t think we should learn to fly, YOU should come down from the sky” -- The Dodo, when confronted by every other bird that got the message, realized there was danger below, and took to the skies.

THIRTY THREE

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the law library Part one of a series which aims to help you out in times of desperation. Mind you, we’re not lawyers, so take all of this with a grain of salt (especially if you’re reading this outside of BC).

WORDS BY SHAMAN MCLEAN

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ou’ve really done it now. You’ve got a backpack full of open liquor and drug paraphernalia, and a cop has just stopped you to “ask a few questions”. By now you’re sweating bullets and your face is paler than Santa’s beard. It’s probably time to know a few of your legal rights.

The best thing to do when dealing with cops is to be polite. Don’t be throwing around your tough guy attitude, because you will not win. At the end of the day, the Police Officer knows the law better than you, and THIRTY FOUR

you could be booked for something completely unrelated to why they stopped you.

In general circumstances the Police can stop you for three reasons: you’re driving, they suspect you to have committed a crime, or you were really stupid and committed a crime right in front of them.

Now that you’ve been stopped Politely ask the officer if you are being arrested. If “yes” ask what for, and if “no” then ask if you may be on your way.

While the police are allowed to ask you questions, including who you are and what your current address is, you quite often do not have to answer them. While it may be easier for you to just answer the questions, it is not a legal requirement to carry identification while walking around town. This obviously does not carry over to driving, where you must provide ID.

RESOURCES FOR THE CURIOUSLY INCLINED

Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada The Canadian Legal Information Institute Laws of British Columbia The Law Society of British Columbia Courthouse Libraries BC The Continuing Legal Education Society of BC The Courts of British Columbia e-Laws, Ontario Legislation Judgements of the Supreme Court of Canada UBC Library

don’t be throwing around your tough guy attitude, because you will not win.

But Class, I was driving when I was stopped Don’t worry the police can only search your vehicle if they have “reasonable and provable grounds.” They can, however, look through the windows for anything to give them those grounds.

You are required by law to provide your driver’s license and car registration when stopped by the police in a vehicle.

If the police suspect that you’ve been drinking, they can and will ask you to provide a sobriety test, such as a Breathalyzer.

Hey can you call my mom? I’ve been arrested.

The difference between being detained and arrested is small, but it’s still important. If you have been detained you do not have to answer police questions and they

- laws.justice.gc.ca - canlii.org - bclaws.ca - lawsociety.bc.ca - courthouselibrary.ca - cle.bc.ca - courts.gov.bc.ca - e-laws.gov.on.ca - scc-csc.lexum.com - library.ubc.ca

cannot search you, they can however pat you down. When arrested, the police can search you and seize anything illegal on your persons or immediate surroundings.

If you believe a search to be unwarranted tell the police officer that you object and seek legal counsel.

Now that you’ve been arrested make sure to request legal counsel. The police must provide you a means of contact with your lawyer. After contacting your lawyer the police can continue to ask questions, though you do not have to answer them.

The absolute best way to avoid being arrested is to not commit crimes, and if you do get arrested, the best thing to do is to know your rights. While this is just a brief overview of your rights, it’s a good idea to research exactly what your rights are. Laws and enforcement vary regionally, provincially, and especially federally so it’s always important to know the laws for where you are.

THIRTY FIVE

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