Verve magazine

WELCOME TO VERVE Working with Information Design students in the creation of this magazine has been a delightful journey. This kind of non-traditional class project provides the perfect “town/gown” experience for students. That is, students encounter knowledge from the academy and from industry. They engage in theoretical concepts while also engaging in real-world, real-time, professional work. The curricula and the profession meld together. Academic work becomes purposeful.

Not surprisingly, the experience has been as rich for me as it has been for them. Indeed, this rare teaching/learning situation inevitably creates conditions of abundance. Learning, in the context of abundance, becomes a personal, pleasurable and powerful experience. Once within a paradigm of abundance, success is not only possible but undeniable. Imagine being an educator in such a scenario – doing so will help you understand the deep joy and satisfaction that has come my way through the production of Verve.

I first taught this class of students three years ago when they were in their first year of the Information Design, four-year degree program. I have had the pleasure of working with many of the students in other courses over the past two years prior to accepting this unique assignment with them. These students are as remarkable as they are talented.

It is not surprising that they chose “verve” as their conceptual theme for this annual, studentcreated magazine. I have always found these students to be enthusiastic, energetic and enspirited. And artistic. Creative too. Yes, talented in every respect. Full of life on every turn. This is Verve. They brought themselves to this magazine in every respect. You’ll see what I mean.

Dr. Richard Erlendson Faculty of Communication Studies

VERVE

Features WWII: The war to end all wars

12

Photo Obsession

32

Hell yes

46

Chasing Completeness

62

Tail-water chasers & fly-tying baiters

74

VERVE

Departments 4 Fuel

Igniting the spark

24 CRAZE

obsessed with trends

40 PULSE

People make the difference

56 GRIP

Passion that sticks

68 FIXED

Thoughts that consume

3

noun igniting the spark. That which produces heat or power. “Happiness is my fuel�

synonyms power source, internal fire, propellant, charge, fire, stoke up, supply with fuel

5

Rediscover Your Passion REKINDLING YOUR CREATIVE PASSION MAY SEEM DAUNTING, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE TO RE-IGNITE THE CREATIVE SPARK Story by Iphia Henry and photos by Tasie Herman

Y

ou may have experienced the crushing realization that your life’s dream has been derailed. You had a plan, but somehow life got in the way. Your youthful passions disintegrated into fumes.

As a student returning to university, I became aware that I needed a creative intervention. Since my youth, being surrounded in creative experiences fueled my imagination. Art was my method of interpreting the world around me.

After working for 10 years as a graphic designer, the passion I once had for this creative field had dwindled to a mind-numbing burden. I was in a state of perpetual stagnation, and it was time for a drastic change.

So what can you do in order to ignite creativity and passion if life seems empty of inspiration?

“IT IS POSSIBLE TO RE-IGNITE THE CREATIVE SPARK AND REUNITE WITH WHAT YOU ONCE LOVED TO DO.”

Gary Gradley, a life purpose and performance coach, from Onpurposepeopleperform.com offers some insight into why it is so easy to lose interest in life’s passions.

“The challenge in life for most of us is that we are not ‘on track’ to achieve our full potential and our life purpose.

We have fallen into the habit of living within our comfort zone.”

Gradley says that being overwhelmed with day-to-day activities can make us lose sight of what is meaningful to us.

“Few people have discovered their true passion and purpose and many are feeling very unfulfilled, overwhelmed and ‘stuck.’ It is like swimming upstream against the flow, which takes a lot of energy without really going anywhere. We often get tired, discouraged and quit.”

In your quest to rediscover your passion consider the following five recommendations.

Find out what makes you feel alive Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood, co-authors of The Passion Test: The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose, suggest that the first step to discovering your purpose is to “identify the activities that make you light up – the things you love to do more than anything else.” Capitalize on the activities that you already feel passionate about.

Identify your key strengths Activities you excel at can help you identify your passions. If you are not sure, let someone else do the work.

Others often compliment us on certain skills or talents. It can be impossible to honestly judge our own talents, so asking a trusted friend could help you identify your strengths. This can also be a wonderful method for personal encouragement.

Discover your motivations When something piques your interest, try it again – and again. According to motivational author Trent Hamm from TheSimpleDollar.com, if you try

something out and you find yourself strongly desiring another stab at it, then it’s a good sign. Give it a second try – and a third.

Hamm says not to “worry about failures – only worry about the process itself. Are you learning something each time? Are you enjoying that learning? Afterwards, are you yearning to try again? Those are the things you should be looking for.”

Find others who inspire your passions Hamm encourages “associating with people who share your burgeoning interests.” Finding people who are interested in similar activities can be a fantastic motivator. Look for groups, clubs or social events related to your passions.

just be willing to be move on to other interests.” Your other personal or career interests could help reignite your original passion and give you a new perspective.

There are a plethora of rules and motivational advice out there to assist you in rediscovering your passions.

The trick is to find a method that works for you. Initially, this path to rekindling your creative passion may seem daunting, but it is possible to re-ignite the creative spark and reunite with what you once loved to do.

Don’t be afraid to move on If the desire to pursue your passion dries up, it may be best to take a step back. There are moments when your passion or personal interest may subside when you are frustrated.

Author Trent Hamm says don’t “fret –

7

P H O TO B Y S T E V E HUE T HE R

P H O TO P R O V ID E D B Y K AT E P I CK E R IN G

K

ate Pickering was only in her first year of university when she discovered her interest for the oil and gas industry. At her mother’s wish, Pickering took a geology class. She loved it. And she soon changed her to major to geology and geophysics. She realized she was hooked.

“Working as a geologist is exciting and fulfilling,” she said.

“I really enjoy the immediate response – being able to test ideas and getting results from drilling wells, and collecting data.”

In her work as a well site geologist, Pickering works side-by-side at rig sites with drillers and other technicians. She works long, hard and sporadic hours.

will continue to make, to follow her passion for the oil and gas industry.

Recognizing terrible accidents do happen in the oil industry, Pickering said she still believes in research and innovation – specifically in Canada. “Some very promising things are happening (in the industry). Companies such as Shell and Cenovus are spending millions of research dollars on decreasing water use and decreasing surface disturbances.”

“I REALLY ENJOY THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE – BEING ABLE TO TEST IDEAS AND GETTING RESULTS FROM DRILLING WELLS, AND COLLECTING DATA.”

Additionally, Pickering writes geological reports, supervises well logging and prepares drill cutting samples for the government.

Nothing frustrates Pickering more than hearing the antipetroleum rants from armchair activists. “I challenge anyone who claims that we should stop producing petroleum products in Canada to stop driving cars, taking transit, wearing shoes, riding bikes, heating their homes or using their cell phones.”

Currently 29 and married, there is no chance of slowing down in her future. “I enjoy working in the field. I am not tied to a desk or an office job. I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of fieldwork and of being self-employed,” Pickering said.

Although working in the field and being self-employed has its advantages, Pickering does recognize its challenges.

“I don’t have control over when or where I will be required to work, so I often miss holidays and the associated family festivities.” These are the sacrifices that she makes, and

That being said, Pickering believes that everyone would benefit from decreasing their carbon footprint, but it can’t just be the oil and gas industry cutting back – everyone must do their part.

Pickering stated that the “disposable consumer society is just as dangerous for our environment as petroleum production.” Needless to say, the oil and gas industry is something from which Pickering takes immense satisfaction. She said that the hard work, long hours and missed holidays are all part of a career that she enjoys.

“I supervise the geological side of the drilling operation – giving guidance and direction to the drilling department.”

9

VIBRANT, BOLD AND EXHILARATING, SHOW JUMPING HIGHLIGHTS TEAMWORK BETWEEN HORSE AND RIDER Story and photos by Laurie Gimber

T

he horse’s brown eyes are bright and alert – he knows what’s coming.

Today is show day.

He prances into the arena with his head held high. His coat gleams in the sunlight; his rider is elegantly dressed in a red jacket.

I hold my breath in anticipation as horse and rider gallop towards the first jump. Time seems to slow as they launch themselves into the air.

H O R S E A ND R ID E R T E A M S D E M O N S T R AT E HI G H L E V E L S O F T E A M W O R K W HIL E G A L LO P IN G T HR O U G H A CH A L L E N G IN G S H O W J UMP IN G C O MP E T I T I O N LO C AT E D AT S P R U CE ME A D O W S IN C A LG A R Y, A LTA .

“IT’S A PARTNERSHIP BUILT FROM THE STRENGTHS OF TWO INDIVIDUALS.” Every year I join thousands of spectators who flock to Spruce Meadows to watch the exhilarating sport of show jumping.

Located in Calgary, Alberta, Spruce Meadows is a world-renowned equestrian facility.

For 18 years, I’ve been captivated by this dynamic and exciting sport that showcases the speed, agility and daring of horse and rider.

Show jumping is a deceptively simple sport with two main objectives: don’t knock down any jumps and finish within the time limit.

Despite weighing about 1,000 pounds, a show jumping horse must clear up to 16 five-foot jumps within a two-minute time limit. The rider’s job is to navigate the challenging course of jumps.

Horse and rider dedicate years of training to develop a strong relationship based on high levels of teamwork, trust and respect. It’s a partnership built from the strengths of two individuals – the horse provides the power, strength and stamina, while the rider contributes the math, strategy and tactics.

Like any athlete, horse and rider need to find their mental edge. True athletes have developed the ability to focus despite distracting factors – the deafening roar of the crowd, splattering rain and mud or knocking down a jump.

Show jumping is a fast-paced sport and, with only seconds between each jump, horse and rider need to be able to make decisions with only a splitseconds notice.

Like a decathlon athlete, the show jumping horse and rider need to be versatile. Show jumping combines elements from multiple sports, and success comes from the ability to learn and master many skills.

Galloping through a show jumping course is like running hurdles – a slight mis-step between fences means big disaster. Jumping too soon or too late leads to knocked down fences and penalties.

of strength and momentum to clear jumps that can be up to 15 feet wide.

Additionally, horse and rider are like gymnasts – they need a welldeveloped sense of balance. It takes poise, strength and focus to make quick transitions between speed and direction. The sharp turns, tight distances, high jumps and uneven terrain of a show jumping course test the athletic and gymnastic ability of both horse and rider.

Show jumping is also like long distance running – it takes stamina to run the race and endurance to sprint to the finish line. Show jumping is no different – horse and rider must jump fast and clear while also conserving energy for the tie-breaking round.

It’s a sport that demands courage, perseverance and passion. At the end of the day it’s not just the horse and rider who are flying high – the spectators are too.

Like a long jumper, the show jumping horse needs explosive bursts of speed and power. It takes a huge amount

“IT’S A SPORT THAT DEMANDS COURAGE, PERSEVERANCE AND PASSION.”

11

A YOUNG CANADIAN AIR GUNNER LIVES TO TELL HISTORY

By Christina Riches

P H O TO B Y M AT T G IB S O N

D O N A L D F. CL E ME N T 19 2 3 -2 013

D

onald Clement, 19, dreamed of being a world traveller and becoming a pilot by the age of 21. So, in 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Shortly after he joined, however, it was determined that he would be an air gunner – a decision that would later turn out to be a matter of life and death for Clement during the Second World War. By 1944, Clement had completed various exercises and was looking forward with excitement to the months ahead. He was deployed overseas to Bournemouth, England, where his aircrew was established. They would later experience 24 operational flights together. He spent additional time in England training as a rear gunner with his crew in the Lancaster — a fourengine, heavy bomber aircraft.

The crew’s mission was to slow down the war by strategically bombing locations to deter opposition efforts. Targets included German defenses, oil fields, ports and canals – among others.

In a VHS video interview obtained from Veterans Affairs, Clement recalled several successful targeted raids, which caused considerable damage.

“I BELIEVE OUR WORK MADE IT EASIER FOR THE WAR TO END EARLIER. I WOULDN’T WANT TO SEE ANYONE ELSE GO THROUGH IT.” Most flights were met without incident in the air. However, Clement said that during his third operational flight his plane was struck with a bullet. “We knew we weren’t welcome.”

Regardless of the crew’s bomb aimer being a perfectionist, Clement said, “It’s obvious not all the bombs went where they were supposed to.”

Clement recalled an incident where their target wasn’t marked properly.

Pathfinders marked the ground with indicators to ensure targets were accurately struck during night raids.

Unfortunately, before the bomb was dropped, the pathfinder was killed, which meant the indicator was not placed precisely. He said the result was an unsuccessful bombing.

A second attack occurred during a flight to Nuremburg. “That’s when all my training was put to use,” Clement said. He alerted his pilot of the position of a German aircraft in pursuit – a Junkers 88. He saw the nose of the enemy aircraft turn a bluish orange, and he knew they were being shot at.

His pilot maneuvered into a corkscrew and Clement opened fire on the attacking aircraft.

He recalled the worst feeling of his life being the panic he experienced when the last of his four guns ran out of bullets during that attack. Feeling both dread and self-control, he reloaded all four weapons, fired one more burst, then didn’t see the plane again.

When the crew landed, they assessed the damage to the plane – amazingly, there was none. “It made quite an impression on me,” said Clement, referring to that day’s events.

Feb. 2, 1945, marked flight 24 – his final operational flight – a raid to Karlsruhe. Clement recalled they were two minutes late to their target.

The indicators weren’t visible, so their bomber did not drop the bomb.

Three minutes later, Clement heard four or five thuds and then saw flames – he covered his face to protect it from the fire. There was no sound of the engine. He knew he was in trouble.

13

P H O TO B Y J O HN G O ME Z

Clement felt behind him for the door, and realized the only thing left of the plane was what he was sitting in and the framework of the turret around him.

Clement knew he had approximately 90 seconds before he hit the ground.

He fell approximately 10,000 feet – 5,000 feet with his parachute open.

His chute miraculously caught the edge of a tree and he recalled his landing being as “easy as getting out of a rocking chair.”

He didn’t make it to Switzerland.

Instead he was picked up by the police and transferred to a medical centre where his wounds were treated.

From there, he was placed in solitary confinement for eight days and interrogated – he didn’t speak a word.

Clement was then transferred to several prisoner of war camps. The Red Cross was able to provide some food in the camps, but what would have normally been sufficient for one person was shared among six.

On April 29, 1945, the Third United States Army arrived at the gates of the camp. It was then that Clement knew the war was over. On July 13, 1945, he arrived back in Canada to be reunited with his family at his parent’s home on a farm near St. Catharines, Ontario.

Upon reflecting on his time during the war, Clement said, “I believe our work made it easier for the war to end earlier. I wouldn’t want to see anyone else go through it.”

He was the only survivor of that flight.

He assessed his injury – a bullet wound in the upper-right arm from just before the plane exploded.

Consumed with the drive to survive, he cleaned himself up, began to orient himself with a silk map and compass and tried to make his way south to Switzerland. Clement removed his insignia, and vowed not to speak since he was travelling through enemy territory.

He pushed forward, but as the days passed Clement’s physical condition deteriorated. His face was black from the -20°C weather, and the only food he had was a couple of chocolate bars from his emergency kit and raw parsnips he found in a farmer’s field.

A IR GUNNER T R A INING CL A S S IN T REN TON, ON T., SEP T. 2 3, 194 3. DON A L D CL EMEN T: MIDDL E RO W, SECOND F ROM L EF T. CL EMEN T PHOTOS PROV IDED BY OS CA R CL EMEN T.

WWII OPERATIONAL FLIGHTS NUMBER 61/189 SQUADRON NUMBER 5 BOMBER GROUP

J89570 F/Lt N P Blain RCAF – Pilot R183745 WO2 R E Fulcher RCAF – Navigator 74675 F/Sgt F T J Nicholls RAF – Flight Engineer 153892 F/O K S Porter RAFVR – Bomb Aimer 1399114 Sgt K C R Alder RAF – Wireless Op 1595042 F/Sgt A E Smith – Mid Upper Gunner R208368 F/Sgt D F Clement RCAF – Rear Gunner

189 Squadron

61 Squadron

Date

FLIGHT#/ TARGET

Sept. 10, 1944

1

Le Havre, France

Sept. 11, 1944

2

Le Havre, France

Sept. 12, 1944

3

Stuttgart, Germany

Sept. 17, 1944

4

Boulogne, France

Sept. 18, 1944

5

Bremerhaven, Germany

Sept. 19, 1944

6

Rheydt, Germany

Sept. 23, 1944

7

Dortmund-Ems Kanal, Germany

Sept. 24, 1944

8

Calais, France

Sept. 26, 1944

9

Karlsruhe, Germany

Sept. 27, 1944

10

Kaiserslautern, Germany

Oct. 14, 1944

11

Brunswick, Germany

Oct. 19, 1944

12

Nuremberg, Germany

Nov. 1, 1944

13

Hamberg, Germany

Nov. 6, 1944

14

Gravenhorst, Germany

Nov. 16, 1944

15

Düren, Germany

Dec. 4, 1944

16

Heilbronn, Germany

Dec. 6, 1944

17

Giessen, Germany

Dec. 17, 1944

18

Munich, Germany

Dec. 18, 1944

19

Gdynia, Poland

Jan. 7, 1945

20

Munich, Germany

Jan. 13, 1945

21

Politz, Czechoslovakia

Jan. 14, 1945

22

Merseberg, Germany

Jan. 16, 1945

23

Brüx, Czechoslovakia

Feb. 2, 1945

24

Karlsruhe, Germany

Successful bombing

Incident

6 Received flak Bombing unsuccessful

24

23

3 12

Air attack

Received flak Plane shot down

Major incident

M A P B Y Z E N T IL I A , INF O G R A P HI C D E S I G N B Y CHR I S T IN A R I CHE S

15

d n-1 (t) = nt dt ASTRONOMICAL SELF-EXPECTATIONS LEAD TO AN ENGINEERING STUDENT’S FIXATION ON ACHIEVING PERFECT GRADES Story, photo and illustration by Jenna Wakoluk

F

or most university students, acquiring a 3.0 GPA is a huge accomplishment.

Even a 2.5 can be a big deal, but Matthew Herasymiuk has always strived for what seems to be the unattainable: the perfect 4.0.

Currently in his fourth year at the University of Calgary, Herasymiuk is studying Geomatics Engineering. On top of all the stress that is involved with being a university student, Herasymiuk strives to get a near perfect GPA and to maintain honours status in his final year.

Arpad Soos, another classmate and friend, jokingly adds, “You simply do not procrastinate when working in Matt’s group.”

But it is the way he is and always has been.

The need for achieving exceptional grades has always been a huge part of his upbringing and self-motivation.

Herasymiuk mostly blames himself for setting such high expectations, but also says his parents played a part.

“I always strive for a 4.0. If you don’t want to do as well as you possibly can, what is the point?”

Herasymiuk asked.

“I was always encouraged to do well even in elementary. If I got an A, I was rewarded with a toonie.” Herasymiuk says.

Even those who work closely with Herasymiuk can attest to his compulsion to succeed.

This motivation was something he has always carried with him, and this encouragement from his parents transformed into his own high self-expectations.

Jeremy Steward, a classmate and friend, says: “His drive to overcome adversity and perform well remain great motivators for my own personal success. Matt loves solving problems, and really enjoys a challenge.

“I see him challenging himself all of the time, and I think this kind of attitude is what helps him keep pushing forward.”

Another factor also contributed to Herasymiuk’s desire to perform. “When transitioning from high school to university, there were always those people who doubted my ability to succeed in engineering. This only intensified my drive to do well.”

Y = X - (R + B)

2x-3y G = 3i - (R + B)

R=I

= √B = i (1 - s) (

(

1+

cos(60º - H)

d (uv)= u dv + v du dt dt dt

1t ± 3t = x

X = Xp - Xi

1+

R=I

S cosH

cos(60º - H)

E = MC 2

)

10/10

7/7

110%

S cosH

)

However, Herasymiuk explains that it hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows to think the way he does, and the most challenging part can be finding an off switch to his brain.

Formulas, algorithms and never-ending code constantly consume his mind. Computer code is re-written several times just so it meets his lofty expectations. Even his subconscious thoughts are spent solving mind-boggling math problems – far from what the average 22-year-old man might be dreaming of.

“I ALWAYS STRIVE FOR A 4.0. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO DO AS WELL AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN, WHAT IS THE POINT?” “Matt has always been a serious thinker.

Although he is not a person of many words, he has thoughts going a mile a minute,” his mother Kathy Herasymiuk explains.

Even the tiniest details display the mentality of an over-achiever – from the organized and properly named files on his computer, to the

colour-coded dividers placed carefully in every binder. Countless hours are filled with homework and most days are spent at his second home – the university.

Herasymiuk admits having such high expectations isn’t always easy, but it’s something he has become accustomed to and will always be a part of him.

Although the life of the over-achiever can be strenuous and time-consuming, it is also a life Herasymiuk believes is rewarding: “If you’re not learning, you’re not living!”

17

P H O TO B Y BR I A N A HUE T HE R

Not only does classical music provide me with an outburst of creativity, it also helps me narrow my focus.

Visiting the conscious space that classical music creates is what holds my concentration. I’m not sure what would happen if I were refused access to this sensational refuge.

It is incredible how classical music can give me goose bumps and send shivers down my spine.

By Renita Headley

C

lassical music is to me what the Eiffel Tower is to France – a beacon of inspiration. When I close my eyes, it’s almost as if I can see the actual notes of music dancing in front of me in perfect unity.

essence of what I am and what I am capable of.

The harmonious rise and fall of each perfectly placed note tells a story all on its own. It cheers. It snares. It cries.

Never does it stand idly.

But is it all about the harmony? No.

No, I’m not intoxicated in any way – I’m inspired.

I always find that the work I produce when listening to classical music is far better than otherwise. Listening to this genre while embarking on a new assignment or a creative piece helps me generate fresh ideas.

Through this musical genre, my creativity runs rampant – but with an ebb and flow that molds my work into more than an essay, an infographic or a reflective writing piece. It reaches within me and grabs hold of the very

There’s something about the musical tones that spark a sense of creativity and originality into what I’m doing. It’s as if the music creates a yellow brick road that leads me to the Emerald City of creativity.

Classical music is more than just the exquisite combination of high and low and quick and slow. It’s about a dynamic collective that creates something more. Something that was long ago ingrained into our brains, our psyche and our bones.

To listen to classical compositions is to open the inner chamber of your soul to the purest form of beauty and elegance.

Rate each statement on a scale from 1 to 3. Then, add up the points to get your results.

Choose 1 for never, 2 for sometimes, or 3 for always.

By Julie Edison

1. When you find a new food that you like, do you keep eating as much as you can until you hate it?

1

2

3

2. When someone has a tag sticking out of his or her clothes do you need to fix it?

1

2

3

3. Do you make sure that certain foods don’t touch on your plate?

1

2

3

2

3

2

3

4. Do you need to use a coaster with your drinks?

1 5. Do you avoid stepping on cracks on the sidewalk?

1

6. Have you ever done a TV show marathon for more than 4 hours?

1

2

3

7. Have you ever excessively stalked an ex-partners Facebook page?

1

2

6-11

12-16

You just go with the flow.

You’re not too obsessive.

You are easy going and don’t obsess over every detail. You probably get a good night sleep even if your bed is messy. People love hanging around you because they know you don’t sweat the little things. Now if you could just keep on top of deadlines and details, they would love working with you too!

You like order but it definitely doesn’t take over your life. You’re a bit of a perfectionist but only about the things that you are truly passionate about.

People love working with you because you can keep both the details and the big picture in mind. As much as you like being in control remember to delegate and let others participate.

Everything will work out.

3

17-21

You’re obsessed!

You are meticulous and detail oriented. You have a very obsessive personality. But that’s not always a bad thing. People love getting you to review their work for mistakes because they know you will find them. Not to mention you are the ultimate leader because you always stay on top of everything.That is, if you don’t go crazy trying to do everything because everyone else is doing it wrong. Just remember to breath every now and then.

19

Smile

Love

Unwind

Jack Johnson Hope

Bahamas Lost In The Light

Brett Dennen There Is So Much More

Avicii Penguin

Passion Pit Dreams

Tiesto Kaleidoscope

Corb Lund Truck Got Stuck

Brad Paisley She’s Everything

Tim McGraw When The Stars Go Blue

M83 Lower Your Eyelids

Explosions In The Sky To West Texas

Kulture Mako Energy

Stars Elevator Love Letter

John Mayer Slow Dancing In A Burning Room

Alexander Truth

Red Hot Chili Peppers Cabron

Blink 182 The Fallen Interlude

Band Of Horses Weed Party

Folk/Acoustic

Electronica/Dubstep

Country

Shoestring

Alternative/Indie

Rock

Master Playlist Scan To Hear All

Dance

Sleep

Work

John Butler Trio Better Than

Ben Harper Paris Sunrise #7

Volcano Choir Byegone

Rudimental Feel The Love

Deadmau5 Strobe

Basement Jaxx My Turn

Zac Brown Band Chicken Fried

Brad Paisley Whiskey Lullaby

James Otto Groovy Little Summer Song

Yea Sayer Ambling Alp

Sigur Ros Glosoli

Chemical Brothers Star Guitar

Ash Koley Let Your Feet Touch

Angus Stone Broken Brights

Lana Del Rey Radio

Band Of Skulls Friends

The Beatles Golden Slumbers

Arcade Fire Sprawl II

By Stu Mason Nobody has the same taste, but everyone has that one song that rouses up vigor for life. Explore this visualization to get a peek at where others get their joie de vivre.

Music fuels our passion. It ignites, sustains and enflames our inspiration. It allows us to stay in the moment or escape it. It seems there must have always been music.

And it has always brought people together. Music is the heartbeat that connects us to each other, our environment and our senses. From Bach to Blink 182 to the Blue Man Group, music is created to inspire people around the world. Although music is a subjective experience, listen to these songs and suspend your judgment knowing that each piece inspires someone out there.

21

INSIGHT INTO ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE SOUND DESIGN TOOLS IN THE WORLD Story and photos by David Campbell

F

or nearly a decade Ableton Live has been a staple part of how I express myself musically. Whether I’m recording live musicians, working on electronic music or playing a DJ set, Ableton Live plays a significant role in all aspects of my music. It’s hard to explain to someone who isn’t into music production the level of sophistication and power Albeton Live offers its users. To find an outlet to create modern music of any genre, one has to look no further than Live.

In a time when most recording software packages were designed to reside in a studio environment, one company broke the mould by creating a piece of software that blurred the boundaries between studio composition and music performance.

Founded in 1999, Ableton Inc. set out to create a digital tool with the capabilities of manipulating audio in real-time. Why was this significant?

Because it meant that recorded music

“SINCE BECOMING COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE IN 2001. ABLETON LIVE HAS SLOWLY GAINED A LEIGON OF USERS AND HAS FOREVER CHANGED THE WAY MUSIC IS COMPOSED IN THE DIGITAL REALM.”

was no longer limited to backing tracks, records or static recordings.

Recorded material could now be played while an artist altered aspects of the composition in real time.

Since becoming commercially available in 2001, Ableton Live has slowly gained a legion of users and has forever changed the way music is composed in the digital realm.

Much like a modern word processor allows a writer the flexibility to position text on a page, Ableton Live lets electronic composers take blocks of audio and maneuver them in any sequence they can imagine.

Songs can be created in a linear timeframe or in flexible non-linear grids – allowing composers to create multiple drafts of the same recording.

It makes extreme edits possible while a track is in motion – something previously impossible to achieve with traditional audio software.

Ableton Live gained popularity not only as a flexible tool to manipulate soundscapes, but also as a robust tool for performance. Software stability is a key factor during a musical performance. Musicians rely on their virtual instruments as an extension of their creativity.

Before Ableton Live, relying on a piece of software to perform to an audience was a risky endeavor. It wasn’t until the electronic music community started adopting Live as a tool for DJing that the rest of the music industry began to realize that it was an extremely dependable tool.

Acoustic instruments, effects and prerecorded clips could now be filtered through a single piece of software – thus creating a platform that allowed live musicians and DJs to unite in new and unique ways.

Ableton Live isn’t the only digital audio workstation on the market. There have been many competitors that have developed other workstations over the last decade which offer similar features, but have failed to captivate the marketplace the way Ableton Live has. So, why exactly has Ableton succeeded where its competitors have failed?

In short, its effective design. All of its appeal can be narrowed down to its design choices in three areas: user interface, audio engine and instrument integration.

Unlike the skeuomorphic design approaches of its competitors, Ableton strives to keep its interface flat and without texture – creating a sense of

elegance within its elements. Ensuring sophistication with ease of use is no easy feat, but Live manages to pull it off with an interface that promotes flexible production without clutter or disorder.

Ableton Live achieves an intuitive workflow through minimalism. Menus and windows are condensed to a single screen so the user can focus on refining their ideas and not become lost in program specifications. Icons and labels are extremely easy to identify – thus speeding up product usability and workflow. Colour schemes and menu designs are well integrated – creating a completely immersive experience as the user navigates through the program.

Beyond its renowned stability and intuitive user interface, Ableton Live’s audio engine also differs greatly from its competitors. Live transforms all audio content into manageable synchronized clips. The audio engine is remarkably good at aligning the pitch, tempo and cue-points in a recording.

elements to be refined until the user finds the particular sound they are looking for.

Instrument integration design is another area where Live excels.

Whether a user is recording an acoustic instrument, playing one of the many powerful virtual instruments or transmitting data from a synthesizer, Live keeps the workflow consistent.

Audio can be routed and mixed in the same channels – analyzing all recorded information as if it were generated from the same source.

No matter the input, music can be recorded, edited and exported all in one package.

Now in its ninth version, Ableton Live remains on the cutting edge of its field – continuing to push the boundaries of what is sonically possible through software. To gain a better understanding of the elements this article mentions, check out the product for yourself at ableton.com.

Alleviating the task of manually managing these elements frees the user to focus on song design or concept. Tones, equalization and effects can all be added to a particular clip on the fly – allowing for recorded

23

noun an enthusiasm for a particular activity or object which appears suddenly and achieves widespread but short-lived popularity.

“The new craze for instagram”

synonyms fad, trend, passion, infatuation, out of one’s mind, deranged, demented, certifiable, lunatic, wild, raving

25

Instafib If

HOW AN INSTAGRAM PHOTO IS WORTH A THOUSAND LIES

By Rachel Hanson

a picture is worth a thousand words, Instagram could write a million fictional biographies.

Children, teens and adults flock to this social media app to share photos and videos that present a carefully constructed life to their followers.

Despite the knowledge that posting under-clothed, over-edited photos of oneself makes you as much of a supermodel as laying on the floor makes you an area rug, some people spend all day taking strategic photos, editing them to set the mood and then sharing them with the community.

Instagram creates a community where users can belong – where authenticity is inconsequential, and where everyone fits into a clique of their choice. The beauty queen, the athlete, the artist – these are just a few of the personas that the people of Instagram bestow upon themselves. Instagram doesn’t only cater to stereotypical high school groups – they have cliques for grownups too.

Some Instagram users are so obsessed with endless personal promotion that they fake experiences just to have a photo to share. Isabella Miyashiro, a Calgary Instagram user, said: “Instagram allows us to present our world as we want it to be seen.

For example, there’s the domesticated housewife who posts photos of gourmet meals and intricate crafts she single handedly creates for her wellbehaved, beautiful, genius children.

Likewise, there’s the successful businessman who posts photos of himself in suits next to exotic cars and checking the time on his designer watch. Of course, each of his photos is aptly captioned with one-liners such as “success and nothing less.”

“On Instagram we are able to edit, delete and choose optimal wording when creating an artifact to serve as the most desirable image of who we are.

“Sometimes I delete pictures if they don’t get enough likes,” Miyashiro said.

Instead of posting pictures of life’s mundane events, Miyashiro prefers to take photos that make her life look fun.

“Some types of pictures attract more people. I get more followers when I post a picture of me shot-gunning beer out of a cowboy hat than I would if I posted what I do sitting at my desk all

day.” If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how much do you get for the lies?

Amédée Waters, a Mount Royal University student, wants to stay as far away from Instagram as she can.

“It cheapens you. Real experiences and true moments are under-valued because they aren’t shocking enough.

“People feel the need to compete with one another: Who is doing better? Who has more? Who has the most perfect life? But Instagram isn’t honest about all the framing that goes on. It’s made to look like real life, but it’s really more of an active illusion. People use Instagram as a tool to obsessively hide themselves – not share themselves,” added Waters.

One thing is true of Instagram – it builds a community of self-expressive users where people have the freedom to be whomever they choose. Inside that little camera app there is a beautiful world where people are less concerned with finding themselves, and more obsessed with creating themselves.

That peach joke was

#pitiful

P H O TO B Y P R O C UR ATO R

27

The Obsession of Secrets

POSTSECRET FANS LOVE TO SHARE THEIR OWN AND READ ABOUT OTHERS Story and illustration by Megan Powell

S

ecrets are something we carry around with us everyday. We all have at least one. Frank Warren, the founder of PostSecret, says on his website that, “Everyone has a secret that would break your heart.”

Whether the secret is heartbreakingly sad, hilarious, embarrassing or outrageous, we can all relate to something and offer empathy to each other and help create a strong and accepting community.

PostSecret was founded by Warren three years ago. He had the idea to leave blank postcards in public spaces with instructions to write a secret anonymously – something no one else knew – and to send it back to him.

People have become obsessed with reading other people’s secrets. They check Warren’s blog every Sunday morning and own every copy of his PostSecret books.

Some individuals are obsessed with reading about other people. They crave the connection they find in complete strangers.

PostSecret allows you to share as many secrets as you wish – all while remaining completely anonymous. PostSecret can act as a mask – something to hide behind – so you don’t have to reveal your secrets to your loved ones. You can send in your secret, anonymously, and still have the same feeling of freedom and satisfaction you would have gotten from telling someone you know.

“ YOU NEVER POSTED MY SECRET. BUT JUST SENDING IT GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO TELL A FRIEND. I’M FREE NOW. THANK YOU.” The postcards started pouring in. Warren now receives over 1,000 a week, and plenty more emails. As he personally reads every submission, he curates them and posts them on his weekly blog – or publishes them in one of his bestselling books.

The people who send in their secrets and the people who read them seem to be looking for recognition, support and to know that they are not alone. Many people believe that there is nothing worse than living in this world and feeling as though they are alone. PostSecret combats this feeling of despair by creating a community that cannot seem to be broken.

Followers of PostSecret have expressed this value in their own life by voicing their stories on Twitter. An anonymous email was sent to Warren saying: “You never posted my secret. But just sending it gave me the courage to tell a friend. I’m free now. Thank you.”

Another PostSecret fan expressed how sharing her secret set her free: “I used to be obsessed with reading PostSecret. Lately, reading secrets doesn’t mean as much.

Maybe because I told him all my secrets and he stayed.”

Whether you read the secrets, share them anonymously or find the courage to reveal them to your loved ones, we can all find lessons and connections in secrets. We can learn and grow from them, and ultimately remind ourselves that we are not alone.

For more information about PostSecret please visit: postsecret.com

I cry tears of frustration almost every day because I hate what I am stuck with. I’m in a hole I can’t get out of, and the only part of my life that I love is something I can never spend my life doing.

I once burned microwavable Mac and Cheese

bisexual because I

fear that if I came out, everyone will

think I am just saying it for

the attention.

I once fell UP a flight of busy stairs on my way to class. I got up and kept running.

I’m an actor who is deathly afraid of public speaking.

I stole a Mars chocolate bar from the local Mac’s when I was in grade 9.

I’m a closeted

I snuggle with my teddy after watching scary movies

I’m scared of guys with beards. It just gives me the heebie jeebies.

I still have a crush on my ex-girlfriend from 5 years ago.

I used to steal magazines from convenience stores as a kid. Is it ironic that I'm admitting this in a magazine?

I often think I am making all the wrong choices. Maybe I don't care.

Maybe I do.

I don't know.

29

MEET MY DEALERS: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A GOOD BOOK AND ITS READER – COMPLICATED, INTENSE AND SO WORTH IT Story and photo by Dayna McCombs “Oh my gosh, I’m exhausted. I’ll just finish this chapter.”

It’s late; much past midnight. I force my dry, burning eyes to stay open. The words on the page blur – their collective weight increases and exhaustion becomes unbearable. The bed I’m in is distracting, suggesting the impossible – sleep.

Curse you, J.K. Rowling.

Sometimes it’s a love story, a suspenseful mystery or an emotional tragedy that has me crying into my pillow. Books, no matter the genre, have tremendous power. It doesn’t have to be a classic or a New York Times best seller; all that a book needs to draw me in are characters, a plot and the right combination of words.

It’s magical how different genres and different writers captivate us. We may all have unique interests, but the results are the same: an illogical obsession with turning just one more page. So, what are the ingredients that make up the drug-like content of a truly great book? What gives us such unabated love for paper and ink?

Investment I don’t know if I have an over-active imagination or if I am borderline insane, but books are real for me. From cover to cover, and a little beyond, I am emotionally invested in the story. I have finished books and been noticeably affected by them for days!

These are not light reads that get me through a long flight; these are extensions of my life.

I develop one-sided relationships with the characters, and in my mind we go through every

up and down of the story together. When it’s over, I lose something.

No, not my mind – although you’d wonder.

Escape From my own reading experience, all I need to keep me glued to a page is a little tension, a small promise, a new adventure or a muchanticipated kiss. Sometimes it takes less than that. Sometimes all I really need is an escape.

Losing myself in a book is a better escape than any drug.

Goal

BOOKS YOU CAN’T PUT DOWN: Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling Thursday Next Series – Jasper Forde A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness

I need to find out what happens in the end!

Getting to the last chapter is a huge driving force for me. However, how often have I reached the final pages of a story, after hours of devouring every word on every page, only to immediately regret finishing so quickly? It’s a sick and twisted catch-22. All I want is to finish, but as soon as I do I am instantly unsatisfied. I grieve for the journey that was over too soon.

The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins

Reality

Twilight Series – Stephanie Meyers

It might be the early hours of the morning, the dishes might be overflowing in the sink or my bladder might be crying for relief. We’ve all been there. We’ve all struggled to abandon the pages of a truly great book. All readers know these feelings well. Each one is a cruel by-product of a book too good to put down – too enthralling to close.

My advice for dealing with this addiction is to treasure every moment. Embrace your inner reader. Enjoying a good book is one of life’s highs that should be cherished. In my opinion, reading is not a habit in need of rehabilitation.

Books written by Rick Riordan Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss The Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien The Dark Secrets Series – Elizabeth Chandler

Gone Girl – Jillian Flynn The Book Thief – Markus Zusak The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom A Song of Fire and Ice – George R. R. Martin The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini The Inheritance Cycle – Christopher Paolini

31

Photo Obsession HUMANITY’S FASCINATION WITH TAKING PICTURES Story by Scott Pfeifer, photos by Scott Pfeifer and Wikimedia Commons

S

ince Joseph Nicéphore Niépce’s successful creation of the first permanent photograph in 1822, “drawing with light” has developed into one of humanity’s most ubiquitous obsessions.

Thanks to the digital revolution, we now have access to increasingly advanced and affordable tools. These tools have ushered us into an age where photography has expanded from art into a method of global, real-time communication.

Tumblr, photographs are no longer being taken to record important events – they are being used in conjunction with written and spoken conversations. Photos can even stand alone as a visual language; they are capable of conveying entire narratives in real time.

Because of this phenomenon, relatively insignificant aspects of our lives, such as what we’re eating and wearing, are now appearing in millions of photographs uploaded to the Internet every day.

The recent mainstream adoption of mobile and smart phones has taken our obsession with photography to levels unfathomable even 10 years ago.

MobiThinking.com estimates that 96 per cent of the world’s population (or 6.8 billon people) now own a mobile device and that 83 per cent of these devices contain built in cameras. This means 4.4 billion people are carrying at least one camera with them everywhere they go.

When we factor in that 2.1 billion of these devices are connected to the internet, a staggering reality begins to take shape. Web connectivity allows instant access to social media and a wealth of photo and cloud storage sites. On platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and

L E S H O R R IBL E S CE R NE T T E S 19 9 2: F IR S T P H O TO G R A P H UP LO A D E D TO T HE W O R L D W ID E W E B

33

on e 16 re hav aily e w d y os the ed ot ph Now add n 1. on i llio 01 mi in 2 mill 0 15 am 55 gr ith ta w Ins ion, l bil

ed load e up th r a os mon phot ery illion ook ev m 0 ceb 20 to Fa

n a m hu ut ho ug ro th n ke ta n e be 3.5 trillion photographs have lone a r a ye is th om fr re a on lli bi 4 y or hist Currently we take more photos every two m in ut es than all of humanity took throughout the entire 1800s

10% of all exist

s h t n o m 2 1 t s la e h t in n e k a t re e w s re u t ic p ing

B O UL E VA R D D U T E MP L E B Y D A G UE R R E 18 3 8: O L D E S T K N O W N E X I S T IN G P H O TO G R A P H O F A HUM A N

V IE W F R O M T HE W IND O W AT L E G R A S B Y NI CÉ P H O R E NIÉ P CE 18 2 7:

TA R TA N R IBB O N B Y J A ME S CL A R K E M A X W E L L 18 61:

O L D E S T K N O W N E X I S T IN G P H O TO G R A P H

F IR S T C O LO UR P H OTO G R A P H

“4.4 BILLION PEOPLE ON THE PLANET ARE CARRYING AT LEAST ONE CAMERA WITH THEM EVERYWHERE THEY GO.”

35

USING IMAGES OF MY FEET TO DOCUMENT TRAVEL Story and photos by Rebecca Myhre

A

n Irish proverb reads, “Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.”

Wherever I go, travel or otherwise, I document my journey by taking pictures. Not the typical selfie-style snapshots, but ones of my feet.

You may be wondering why my feet?

My reasoning for this irregular photo record is that I like to document where I have been and what I have experienced from an unusual perspective.

Beginning more than five years ago, with a single shot of my toes in the sand, my feet-inspired photography collection has grown to over 50 pictures. And it’s still growing.

Accumulating this collection of photos has grown beyond a habit – it’s now a passion. It has become my unique way

of combining individual experiences into a story that will span a lifetime.

As my collection grows, I will be able to compare and contrast my life through the years. I will see my lessons and my mistakes as well as my accomplishments and my defeats.

All of these images document the person I have become and allow me to revisit who I used to be.

I take pictures of my feet because in my mind it shows a different side of my experience – rather than my face in front of a landscape or popular building. Don’t get me wrong, I still take those other touristy pictures, but I always ensure to take one of where I am standing.

Documenting physical ground showcases a difference aspect of where I am, what I experience and how I live life. When I point my camera towards my feet, I see more than

just the surface upon which I stand – I see the journey of how I arrived at that particular place. Whether it’s the dirt on my shoes or the chipping nail polish on my toes, every tiny element contributes to the story. The backgrounds describe the physical location whereas my feet highlight my connection to it.

When people travel, they document their journeys in different way. Some collect sand or buy patches from different countries. Others buy bracelet charms. I have even seen people get tattoos representing each place they have been. I take selfies of my feet.

We all have different ways of remembering, collecting and experiencing life. Chances are you will take photos the next time you travel.

When you do, remember that pictures really do tell a thousand words and it is up to you to choose which words will highlight your journey.

37

DEAR IN THE HEADLIGHTS, ADVISING YOU ON HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR DEEPEST OBSESSIONS

Story and illustration by Julie Edison

Like everyone, I love watching TV! However, recently I’ve been noticing that shows that involve celebrity watching, such as Entertainment Tonight and TMZ, are on the rise.

These shows absolutely disgust me. Who has the time to follow a person around and document their personal life? Yet I feel myself getting sucked into these types of programs. Since they’re on all the time, I find myself sitting in front of the TV feeling like I need to know everything about these celebrities – even though it is completely irrelevant to my life!

It’s becoming a problem. I can’t watch anything else and it’s getting to the point where I feel disgusting every time I watch television. Advice?

Sincerely, Needs to Get a Life

Content has been edited for reasons of brevity and style.

DEAR NEEDS TO GET A LIFE, Extra-terrestrial life forms have officially been discovered on planet Earth. They are called celebrities. And as you have experienced, they are highly addictive.

While celebrities might give the illusion of being like us there is something about their uncommon beauty, strange talents and charismatic personalities that give them away as anything but normal. Not to mention their strange aura that causes us – their prey – to become completely bewitched by their lives.

Like wild animals, we analyze their every move. But let’s face it. Not even Jane Goodall could help us understand them – which of course makes them all the more intriguing.

Mysteries in need of a great detective, my dear Watson.

But fear not fellow entertainment addict. You are not alone.

While the lives of the rich and famous are highly exaggerated and dramatized, they end up being like characters in a continuous story that you are able to relate to. In fact, you have been inviting them into your home since you were little.

Through the television and at the movies, characters have embodied and shown you how to deal with your problems.

Though I doubt you’ve been in a cursed plane that has crashed onto the world’s most messed up island. Then again, maybe you have.

“LETS FACE IT, NOT EVEN JANE GOODALL COULD HELP US UNDERSTAND THEM.”

There’s no reason to feel guilty for being fascinated by celebrities. If fan sites are any indication, you are not alone. However, if you really want to end this one-sided relationship you have with these creatures, my best advice is to step away from the TV.

I mean it. Get as far away from your TV as you can. Press the off button, drop the remote and run like hell.

Go outside. Get some fresh air. I’m sure your lungs long for its taste.

See your family and friends. They miss you and they worry.

It’s been what, a couple months? Maybe years?

If you want a life, go get one. Stop living vicariously through the pretty people on TV. Got it?

Sincerely, In the Headlights

39

noun the central point of energy and organization in an area or activity. “Those close to the financial and economic pulse maintain that there have been fundamental changes�

synonyms heart, life, power, soul, leader, energy

41

Insert Heading Here SUBHEADING HERE

By Richard Erlendson

“PULL QUOTE MAY LOOK LIKE T – PHASELLUS TURPIS LOREM, PRETIUM AC AUGUE CONSEQU ULLAMCORPER.”

P H O TO P R O V ID E D B Y C A N A D I A N R E D CR O S S

AFTER 23 YEARS IN THE MILITARY, ALBERTA MAN SERVES WITH THE RED CROSS

By Corrie Butler

S

irens piercing, phones ringing and voices shouting above the din. People rushing in and out of chaos – hyperfocused on the urgency of their tasks.

Enter Donald Bourne – an emergency response senior advisor for the Red Cross – who thrives in crisis situations.

Bourne has worked on everything from fires and floods in Alberta to conflict zones and disasters around the world.

Prior to signing up with the Red Cross, Bourne served 23 years with the Canadian Military – including being deployed on several missions with the United Nations in Cyprus and Cambodia.

so I called and volunteered,” Bourne said. “But once I went through the interview, I was selected to go into disaster management.” The rest is history. He said he’s been “hooked” ever since.

Despite his notable background, Bourne’s first volunteer application to the Red Cross wasn’t related to disaster management, logistics or operations.

Global Reach

“I actually heard an ad asking for volunteers to shovel snow for seniors,

After several humanitarian responses in Canada, Bourne was selected to deploy to Puerto Rico after a devastating hurricane tore through the island. He went on to complete numerous deployments in Haiti, Angola, Iran, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Sudan.

“THE VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF I MEET INSPIRE ME. WE ARE ALL THERE WITH ONE MISSION IN MIND: TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED

BY CONFLICT OR DISASTER. TO SEE THE PASSION THEY SHARE RUBS OFF ON ME.” – DONALD BOURNE

THIS , UAT,

He said these experiences helped him understand the fundamental principles of the Red Cross. For example, the requirement to stay neutral and impartial – even in times of armed conflict.

“Learning about the fundamental principles of the Red Cross is one thing, but truly understanding them takes time and work,” he said.

“Being deployed around the world in areas where the Red Cross is recognized as a safe place to go in times of conflict or disaster makes you truly understand.”

Local Roots His work excelled, not only internationally, but also locally as the director for the Disaster Response

Team in Alberta. During the northern Alberta Wildfires in 2011, Bourne managed the response and ongoing recovery.

A Fundamental Passion

“Normally it is me that deploys to disasters and now it seemed it was all of Canada helping out in my backyard. The volunteers and staff I meet inspire me. We are all there with one mission in mind: to help those affected by conflict or disaster. To see the passion they share rubs off on me,” he said.

“I volunteer because of the principles the Red Cross is guided by. There are many wonderful organizations out there and I have worked side-by-side with many of them in Canada and abroad,” Bourne said.

Bourne said that in the midst of any disaster, his family is always what kept him grounded, “Staying in touch with them throughout the deployment provided me the strength to continue.”

“I have seen people at their worst, only to have them smile when I come in wearing my Red Cross vest knowing I will help them in a way they never thought we could.”

Bourne’s passion for the work he does is undeniable. To him, it isn’t just work – it’s a way of life.

“But for me, the Red Cross has become a family.

43

LIVING BEYOND LOSS Poem and photo by Kate Payne

Live this moment, It’s gone too fast, The present is a gift, The past has passed.

One little step, Ahead of the last, Each moving forward, So slow, yet too fast.

The life I knew, Before tragedy struck, Has disappeared, I’ve run out of luck.

Just breathe.

Just breathe.

Just breathe.

Let the light in, To fill the void in your heart, Time does heal, At least it’s a start.

The spaces between, Each blink of an eye, Are the times I want, You by my side.

I close my eyes, Aching for sleep, But even the sweetest of dreams, Offer no relief.

Just breathe.

Just breathe.

Just breathe.

ON A MISSION TO PREVENT THE DISEASE, ‘EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES’

By Andrea Romain

W

ould you ever suspect a dentist of being a hero? Meet pediatric dentist Dr. Leonard Smith; he is a hero to his patients and their families.

In particular, the Calgary-based dentist makes a difference by preventing a childhood disease known as early childhood caries – an oral disease affecting infants and young children. It results from improper care of teeth in babies, and develops when sugar lingers in a child’s mouth.

Bacteria feeds on sugar in the mouth producing acid that wears down the teeth. This causes chronic pain, sleep deprivation, difficulty eating, tooth loss, and general health decline.

About 10 years ago, Smith’s interest in the disease grew after he noticed an increase in the number of cases coming into his office.

Far too often Smith witnessed children in pain and families devastated by the emotional and financial burden that

early childhood caries inflicted. His patients suffering led him to ask a question: “Why is this happening?”

When Smith investigated the issue, he discovered a gap in parental knowledge. He learned that parents didn’t know that children should be seen for their first dental visit after their first tooth erupts – around 6 months of age but no later than 12 months of age.

After seeing the disease, Smith became an activist – passionately committed to stopping early childhood caries. His efforts resulted in books, manuals, articles, videos and interactive games which all focused on educating the public about early childhood caries.

Smith’s dedication has opened unexpected doors in both his professional and personal life. He now collaborates with others who share his desire to make a difference.

“It is important to have something meaningful in your life and to spend time with others who share this interest with you,” Smith said.

“IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL IN YOUR LIFE AND TO SPEND TIME WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE THIS INTEREST WITH YOU.” – DR. LEONARD SMITH Most importantly, Smith can take pride in the awareness he continues to raise and the families he helps.

His commitment to this cause means more children will live happy and healthy lives untouched by early childhood caries.

Smith offered the following advice to others wishing to make a difference: “Take some ginger steps, utilize the people you know, network and recognize people’s strengths. Knock on doors, and educate others.”

45

H O W S A Y IN G ‘ Y E S ’ H AS L E D M E T O L I V E A L I F E O F A D VE N TU R E , TR A V E L , C O N NE C T I O N AN D H AP P I N E S S

Story and photos by Alex Wright

E

ver since my first trip outside North America without parents by my side, my desire to see, do, feel and try as much as possible has exploded!

For example, the enlightening, unsupervised adventure in Spain as a bright-eyed 14-year-old teenager was one of the most pivotal experiences of my life – but it was only the beginning.

My obsession with getting the most out of life was also heavily influenced by the 2008 movie Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey. Watch it if you haven’t already. It may seem strange that a comedic film could change a person’s outlook on life so drastically, but it did.

The movie is about a man who was living a dull, miserable life until one day he decides to say yes to absolutely everything. It opens him up to a world of new possibilities, experiences and people that completely alter his perspective.

Saying yes defines my character. It speaks to the eternal optimist, adventure seeker and eager helper in me.

It has led me to some of the best decisions and most

“SAYING ‘YES!’ HAS LED TO SOME OF THE MOST EXHILARATING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE.” exhilarating moments of my life – spontaneously booking a flight to Thailand with my boyfriend, skydiving with my sister on the east coast of Australia, eating dinner at the Eiffel Tower and kayaking with whales in Hawaii – all because I said “yes.”

P H O TO P R O V ID E D B Y B Y R O N B AY S K Y D I V E

47

While the majority of these experiences have been fun and exciting, a few proved to be some of the most challenging moments of my life. While in Cambodia, I had to take care of my boyfriend as he suffered through a life-threatening bout of food poisoning. Near the end of my tour of Europe, I came down with pink eye, scabies and a bad cold all at the same time. But I sucked it up and took on the last days of my trip with red eyes, itchy skin, congested sinuses – and a big, fat smile.

These experiences have made me wiser and stronger, and I’m sure they will allow me to better cope with future obstacles.

It’s hard to say yes every day, but on those days when I just can’t say yes, I take comfort reflecting on how rich and full my live has been already. As my bucket list grows every year, so does my reverse bucket list – a list of awesome things I have already done.

New experiences fuel me to wake up and feel amazing. The more experiences I have, the more I learn and the more I push myself to achieve and to grow. I absorb the most when I can touch everything, smell the streets and insides of buildings, take pictures and observe the eyes and smiles of strangers.

It was a quote by Mark Twain that motivated me to apply for a semester abroad earlier this year in Australia – an experience that changed my life forever: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

49

PSYCHOLOGIST SAYS EXPERIENCING ‘FLOW’ IS THE KEY TO A PASSIONATE AND FULFILLING LIFE IL LU S T R AT I O N B Y C UR T I S IN CE , K U Z M A A ND KO E Y

M

any people have experienced the phenomenon of losing track of time while engaging in an activity they enjoy.

Imagine a a violinist playing a challenging song, a runner competing in a marathon or a graphic designer who stays up all night working on a poster design. In these moments, time seems to disappear as the perfect balance of skill and challenge leads to complete concentration when accomplishing a goal.

Flow experiences In his book Finding Flow, Hungarian psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says these moments are the keys to pinpointing our passions and achieving happiness and excellence. He identifies these immersive activities simply as “flow.”

“In contrast to normal life, ‘flow activities’ allow a person to focus on

By Curtis Ince goals that are clear and compatible, and provide immediate feedback,” Csikszentmihalyi writes.

“Flow also happens when a person’s skills are fully involved in overcoming a challenge that is just about manageable, so it acts as a magnet for learning new skills and increasing challenges.”

To test his theory, Csikszentmihalyi developed the Experience Sampling Method, or ESM, which asked people to record their daily activities and accompanying emotions at twohour intervals.

The results suggested that most people experience flow when doing the activities they’re most passionate about, such as cooking, socializing or playing sports.

People also reported high levels of flow at work and low levels of flow while relaxing or watching TV.

Work vs. play Csikszentmihalyi writes that despite our preference for leisure, free time is more difficult to enjoy than work.

People lack a clear purpose while at home and will settle for the most accessible leisure activity — like watching television.

“Each of the flow-producing activities requires an initial investment of attention before it begins to be enjoyable. If a person is too tired, anxious, or lacks the discipline to overcome that initial obstacle, he or she will have to settle for something that, although less enjoyable, is more accessible.”

Csikszentmihalyi writes that work often leads to flow experiences because, like a game, work has clear goals and rules of performance. He says a natural tendency to view work negatively, learned as we grow up, is the main reason we’d often prefer to do something else.

CHALLENGE LEVEL

Anxiety

C S IK S Z E N T MIH A LY I S AY S T H AT O P T IM A L E X P E R IE N CE , O R F LO W, O C C UR S W HE N B O T H CH A L L E N G E L E V E L A ND S K IL L L E V E L A R E HI G H .

Worry

Apathy

“EVEN THE MOST ROUTINE TASKS, LIKE WASHING DISHES, DRESSING, OR MOWING THE LAWN, BECOME MORE REWARDING IF WE APPROACH THEM WITH THE CARE IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE A WORK OF ART.” – PSYCHOLOGIST MIHALY CSIKSZENTMIHALYI To improve the chances of experiencing flow and sparking passion at work, he suggests approaching tasks with a determination to make it personally meaningful, and asking ourselves questions such as “Is this step necessary?” or “Can it be done better, faster, or more efficiently?”

Arousal

By approaching everything we do with concentrated attention, Csikszentmihalyi says that even the dullest activities can become flow experiences.

Flow

Control

Boredom

Relaxation

SKILL LEVEL

“Usually the answer to one of these questions will provide a solution that transforms a potentially stressful situation into a flow experience.”

Csikszentmihalyi says people can provoke more flow-inducing experiences by changing their surroundings, trying activities at different times of day, keeping a diary and trying challenging activities that lead to new skills.

Flow = happiness When people talk about their greatest passions and obsessions — writing, designing, cooking, playing an instrument or playing board games, for example — they often talk about activities that produce flow.

Achieving flow

“Even the most routine tasks, like washing dishes, dressing, or mowing the lawn become more rewarding if we approach them with the care it would take to make a work of art.”

In order to take advantage of flow and achieve a more passionate and meaningful life, Csikszentmihalyi says the key is to control which parts of life we give our attention to.

When a task seems daunting, stressful or beyond our skill level, Csikszentmihalyi suggests asking ourselves three questions:

Csikszentmihalyi says these activities — the ones that challenge us and command our full, concentrated attention — contribute most to a rewarding and fulfilling life. All it takes is a bit of imagination and motivation to get started.

“Can you learn the skills required in time? Can you get help? Can the task be transformed or broken into simpler parts?”

“The happiness that follows flow is of our own making, and it leads to increasing complexity and growth in consciousness.”

“How much stress we experience depends more on how well we control attention than on what happens to us.”

51

An Obsession with Life

LIVING SIMPLY: POVERTY AND HAPPINESS ACROSS THE THIRD WORLD Story and photos by Ian Templin

A

with life at its simplest level. Brushing up against the towering Mount Kilimanjaro and the famous Serengeti plains is Arusha in northern Tanzania.

It is home to over half a million people – but you’d never know it. More than three quarters of the city’s population

young mother watches from the entrance of her singleroom, makeshift shack hastily built from mud, salvaged tin and garbage. The odour here is intense – a nostril-burning combination of garbage and feces.

men, women and children are trapped in abject poverty every day of their lives. Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and visiting some of the people surviving in these deplorable conditions across parts of East Africa and the poorer

Among the filth and slums, she grins from ear to ear as her children begin to play with a half-deflated, worn-out soccer ball.

TO CANADIAN CHILDREN, A HALF DEFLATED SOCCER BALL WOULD MEAN NOTHING. TO THESE KIDS, IT MEANT THE WORLD.

I’d never seen children with larger smiles; they were ecstatic at the very prospect of playing a simple game of soccer. To Canadian children, the ball would mean nothing. To these kids, it meant the world.

Slum life is all too common in parts of our world – millions upon millions of

regions of Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Amazingly, the people I encountered in the Third World are some of the kindest, most welcoming people I’ve ever met. They are simply obsessed

live in illegal slums, and a good number of them are refugees fleeing from neighbouring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I spent a good deal of time in and around Arusha this past summer as I

PHOTO BY EOGHANWRITES

worked as a volunteer English teacher at a non-profit orphanage for children ages three to nine. The orphanage sat on the outskirts of the city – just inside the legal boundaries.

Not far off, however, sits one of the largest slums in the region, and it’s a place we visited on a regular basis.

Our orphanage was ill equipped to keep the children overnight, so many of them stayed with relatives or caregivers – mostly in the slums nearby.

Every few days, we would enter the garbage-filled, muddy pathways – whether it may be to visit some of the children and families after school hours or to assist our medical teams in guiding them through some of the worst living conditions on earth.

Every time we travelled through this particular slum, people of all ages shook our hands, said hello and welcomed us with genuine smiles.

Never out to take anything from us, the people we encountered offered some of what little they had. If we came to spend time with some of the kids after classes, we would be welcomed inside and offered tea or rice – whatever the family might have on hand – no matter how little. It’s a local custom, practiced not just in Tanzania. They wish to show you just how welcome you are in their home, and the offerings are consistent.

The children never seem to stop smiling. They play with sticks and rocks – whatever they can find.

These men and women wake up in

the morning simply ecstatic to be alive – nothing more. They are entirely grateful for a roof over their heads, and for at least enough to eat to get through the day. That is what drives them. That is what they live for.

Before travelling to developing countries, this thought process would never have occurred to me – that one can be so delighted over simply retaining a family and having lived another day. It’s an obsession with the basics – nothing more.

53

A CHOICE BETWEEN BABIES AND EDUCATION Story and illustrations by Katrina Harnack

D

aunting thoughts keep me up at night. My body has a biological clock that keeps ticking. With every night that passes, I can only hear the tick tock louder and louder.

I should explain why having children is so important to me.

had planned, but I was still ecstatic.

I experienced the most joyous feeling in the world – the joy of motherhood.

I was glad to put my education on hold for a few years to become the mother I had always wanted to be.

Life was perfect.

It is rare for young people to know exactly what they want in life, but I know what I want – to be a mother.

My generation is all about having a career first and delaying childbirth for later in life. This plan seemed to make sense to me – at least at first.

What did I know at 18?

For years my fiancé and I tried to have another child – unsuccessfully.

My need to become a mother began consuming my life. There was not a day – not even an hour – that I did not

“I AM A MOTHER, JUST ONE WITHOUT A CHILD.”

Sadly, it didn’t last long.

My baby girl, Emma-Lynn, was diagnosed with fatal complications late in the pregnancy. I lost my baby daughter, and I simultaneously lost an enormous part of myself.

But life had a different plan for me.

All I could think was that, “I am just an empty void.” I felt nothing but pain.

At the age of 19, shortly after starting college and meeting my fiancé, I found out I was pregnant. It was not what I

In the years that followed, I had one consistent thought: “I need to become a mother to feel whole again.”

think of the loss of Emma-Lynn, and the need to have another child.

It tore me up inside and ripped my relationship apart. We inevitably separated – as many couples do who lose a child.

As I watched my siblings get married and start their own families, I dwelled on the thought of starting my own.

I needed to move forward somehow, and when I found Mount Royal University’s Information Design program, I immediately felt a

1,000,000 40 19

pregnancies are lost every year

% higher chance of separation for couples who loose a fetal/newborn baby.

fertility rates 86%

% of the adult population has

experienced the death of a child

(includes miscarriages to adult-aged children)

78%

miscarriage rates

63% 52%

30 years old

36%

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

42 years old Approximate pregnancies that end in miscarriage

5%

The average new mother is around 30 years old

age

0% 35-39

45-48

50+

INF O R M AT I O N S O UR CE : H O P E XCH A N G E .C O M , B A B Y CE N T E R .C A & D A ILY M A IL .C O.UK

connection to it. This was what I needed to begin filling the void.

Now that I am about to graduate, and I look at what my future should hold, I still feel there is a part of me that is missing. Having a child still occupies a large part of my thoughts. It consumes my mind on a daily basis because I may be running out of time to start my family.

At age 26, my biological clock is forever ticking louder and louder.

Women do not have forever to have children. I know that the younger I am, the greater the odds of a healthy baby.

Because of the complications and risks brought to light with my last pregnancy, I am aware that I am already at higher risk than others for complications – even before my age is factored in.

I live in constant fear that if I do get pregnant again, I’ll lose that baby as well. I know the statistics, and they haunt me. I know I only have a few more low-risk years left on my clock, and almost two of those years I will still be in university.

“FOREVER TICKING LOUDER AND LOUDER.” It pains me knowing that I could have been a mother seven years ago.

I shouldn’t say I am not a mother, as this statement would be completely wrong. I am a mother – just one without a child. But I am also a student who has spent thousands of dollars and many years of my life completing my education to launch my career, and I am so close to this achievement.

I am torn between two worlds for my future – having a career or having a baby.

I have a big decision to make: to use the expensive education to pursue a career – meanwhile risking never having a baby. Or to have children right away, and postpone a career I have spent so much time and money preparing for.

I know I want to be a mother, but I also want to have a career.

So I lay awake at night with my mind consumed with statistics and logic – looking for a way to have both.

But my biological clock is running out of time.

55

verb passion that sticks. Takes and keeps a firm hold of; grasps tightly. To have a strong or adverse effect on. “She was gripped by the thrill of it all�

synonyms grasp, hold, clasp, clench; control, power, mastery, hold, stranglehold, clutches, domination, dominion, command, influence, possession

57

THE VICIOUS CIRCLE OF AN OCD SUFFERER’S INTERNAL DIALOGUE Story by Kent Wigington and photo by bikeriderlondon

O

bsessive compulsive disorder. We all know what it means – or do we?

It’s not just about washing your hands every 15 minutes or checking that you locked the door three times before you leave the house. It’s about an inner dialogue that never quiets.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a psychological condition in which those affected may feel compelled to perform actions or may be obsessed with one or more ideas.

Obsessions, in this instance, are described by the Canadian Psychological Association as “persistent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are unwanted and cause significant distress.” Compulsions, on the other hand, are defined as repetitive behaviours that a person performs in order to reduce the distress caused by an obsession.

People affected by the disease often recognize that their behaviour is irrational. In many cases this insight is the toughest part of the disorder to deal with and can lead to an increase in compulsive or obsessive behaviours.

Affecting about one to two per cent of the Canadian population, sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder have to deal with their obsessions and compulsions every day of their lives. The following is an example to explain what that means.

Imagine that you are locking your car before walking into a mall. You press the lock button on your key fob and you see your headlights flash on and off. Since the car is locked, you can walk to the mall to begin shopping. For people with obsessive compulsive disorder the same task is much more difficult. They would hit the button and see the headlights

flash, but when they start to walk away from their car they would wonder, “Is it really locked?”

They would try to over-ride their brain by thinking: “Yes it’s locked, I literally just pressed the lock button.” However, a small part of their brain dismisses that logic. As a result, sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder would press the button again. They might feel more confident after the second time, taking a few more steps away from the car before stopping, but they feel something nagging them – a feeling that won’t go away.

In most cases this feeling is best described as anxiety.

Suddenly, the certainty that the car is locked clashes with the concern that the car may not be locked after all, and they experience an anxious feeling. They feel as though they’re trapped, and that they can’t move on with life until this feeling is dealt with – until they can confirm that the door is locked.

This inner dialogue consumes their mind for a few seconds until they decide to walk back to their car and pull each door handle to confirm all of them are locked. This compulsion is a direct effect of the obsession.

People with obsessive compulsive disorder experience the inner dialogue described above repeatedly throughout the day. Over and over they fight and lose an internal battle by acting on compulsions they know are irrational.

Once the compulsion is completed, the anxiousness passes. It melts away in seconds and they walk away from their car feeling at ease. Life moves on. The sun is shining and there’s an attractive person walking in front of them.

“What a cute butt! What is that? Is that a little thread stuck on their pant leg? Why haven’t they noticed? When will it come off? Can I try and pick it off without them noticing?”

The inner dialogue carries on.

59

CALGARY ROCK COMPOSER ALEX OLESEN DISCUSSES HIS LIFE IN MUSIC Story and photos by Alyssa Berger

H

ow does one speak the language of music?

Musician and composer Alex Olesen bends his head over his favourite red guitar as he experimentally strums the next chord for his new song.

Later, he will investigate the deep notes of a bass, experiment with keyboard enhancements and beat out a rhythm on his huge drum kit to bring everything together in perfect harmony.

But Olesen, 22, is not just another would-be musician. He is the composer, manager and lead guitarist of one of Calgary’s newest rock bands – Neon Reflection.

Olesen expects Neon Reflection’s five dedicated members to enter Calgary’s music scene in the next 18 months. So far, the band has released punk single Corporate Destruction and acoustic

single In the Valley of Blood to iTunes – along with the promise of a metal song to be released in the spring.

Verve’s exclusive interview with Olesen tells of the journey he took from playing instruments to speaking and writing the language of music.

“I CAN SPEAK MUSIC LIKE A LANGUAGE.” – ALEX OLESEN Interview has been edited for reasons of brevity and style.

How did your musical experience start?

When I was little, I taught myself to play on my dad’s keyboard. With some help from my brother who was in band, I was able to pick it up pretty fast and soon I was reading music.

How would you describe your preferred style?

I like to play classic rock and metal because the complexity makes them more interesting to play – I also want to challenge myself with difficult music so I can improve. When I compose, I like to compose from a variety of genres, and eventually I would like my band to develop our own unique style. Overall, rock and metal are my favourite because I can express a lot of emotion in these styles – unlike blues, which is always sad.

How many instruments do you play?

My favourite instruments are percussive – my favourite to play is the marimba [mallet percussion instrument resembling a xylophone] because I find it has the purest sound of all percussion instruments.

Percussion is also the only thing I’ve been professionally trained for.

Besides a ton of other percussion I also play guitar, bass, saxophone and keyboard, and I’m now learning the flute as well. In Neon Reflection I play guitar, but I also trained our drummer, bassist and keyboard player and I’ll play any instrument needed in a song.

When did you begin composing music?

In Grade 8, I decided to start a band with some friends. I was able to play the most instruments so I decided to write the music. Since writing by hand takes a long time, I downloaded a free software program to start with and played around until I understood how it worked. Nobody had a good attention span at that age though, and the band didn’t last, so I waited until after high school to form Neon Reflection. Between bands, I kept writing. I feel that I can express my thoughts better in music than words.

What is your secret to composing successful music?

Knowing musical theory is very important – you have to know how some sounds work together and some don’t. It’s also important to know how different instruments sound and which ones complement each other.

I wanted to be a composer to learn more about music. Playing is one thing, but understanding it is very different; it takes real passion to understand the complexity of musical theory. It’s harder than I originally thought, but I still enjoy it a lot.

Why did you decide to start a rock band?

I like spending time with friends and allowing our singers to handle the social parts of being in the band – it makes me a lot more confident. I get to do what I love – play and write music.

I feel that being a musician allows me to express myself – I can speak music like a language, and it’s nice knowing that somebody out there will be able to understand it.

Hopefully one day Neon Reflection will give me the chance to just keep playing music for a living.

Find out more about Olesen and Neon Reflection on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Email Neon1Reflection0@gmail.com.

61

Chasing Completeness COMPLETIONISTS ENJOY FINISHING EXPERIENCES – EVEN WHEN FINISHING IS PAINFUL Story and illustration by Leslie Blondahl

In

the dim glow cast by the living room television, you sit down on the battered sofa with a bowl of popcorn to watch a movie. Minutes drag as you slowly realize that the movie is incredibly boring.

You have two choices – sit through the movie or turn it off.

If you are a completionist like me, you will finish the movie. Completionists are those who must finish experiences – even when finishing seems unpleasant. Despite frustration and boredom, completionists feel compelled to repeat a part of a video game or read an uninteresting book.

Instead of watching a boring movie, I suspect most people choose to do something else with their time – something they enjoy. To them,

time is too precious to waste on something uninteresting and unsatisfying. Yet some of us feel the need to finish the movie – to complete the experience.

For example, two years ago I read a 23-book series despite disliking over half the novels. In another instance, I spent weeks repeating the same battle in a video game to experience every last aspect of the game. A few months later, I beat a different video game in six different ways just to make sure I had seen all the possible endings.

I can’t deny that at times it was frustrating – finishing for the sake of finishing can be painful. Completionism is often dull and can ruin the experience of something that was loved. However, many of us see completing experiences positively.

In an article titled “Why Be a Completionist?” on EscapistMagazine.com, Lauren Admire says that completionists do it for the glory.

feel obligated. I complete experiences for the satisfaction.”

The fact is I prefer satisfaction to entertainment.

“Any psychological scars from the experience can now be worn as badges of honor.”

In contrast, Kotaku.com user DanimalCart says completionism is about getting the most out of the experience: the more time you put into an experience, the greater the value of your entertainment.

I seem to torture myself because the satisfaction I get from completing an experience makes the boredom and aggravation worth it.

I know my behaviour seems strange to some, but it makes sense to me.

While I agree with Admire’s and DanimalCart’s statements, my reason for being a completionist differs from the reasons they offered.

My obsession with completing experiences changes the way I live my life, but my life isn’t less pleasant – it’s merely shaped by different motivations.

A friend of mine suggested that I feel a sense of obligation to the experiences I start. I remember thinking, “I don’t complete experiences because I

I simply replace the word “boring” with “satisfying” and I see the world in a different light.

63

LIGHTING A FIRE MY JOURNEY AS A GLASS ARTIST

By Kat Brodie

CHR I S T M A S B A L L S M A D E B Y K AT BR O D IE . P H O TO G R A P H B Y BE N J A MIN K IK K E R T

K AT BR O D IE W O R K IN G AT F IR E BR A ND G L A S S S T UD I O, 2 013 . P H O TO G R A P H S B Y R I CH A R D E R L E ND S O N

A

s an 18-year-old, I remember walking, nearly in tears, to my mother’s office – which happened to be in the college I was attending at the time.

I wasn’t upset because I was doing poorly in the science program. I was upset because I caught a glimpse of my dismal future following preordained procedures as a middle management cog.

My mother insisted on enrolling me in an art class to “ease the stress of the life I was creating.” I chose a weeklong glass blowing workshop.

On the first day, I was filled with fear, but it was quickly dashed by the friendly instructor. He handed me a long metal rod and pointed me towards the glowing, hissing inferno that was the furnace.

The first time I coiled glass onto the end of the rod – which is a process called gathering – all I could focus on was my burning hands and how I was going to lift the rod out of the furnace.

The second time that I gathered glass, I was determined to do better, so I

forgot about the heat and just went for it.

please?” I was exhausted. But I was happy.

That was it. I was hooked.

When school finished, it was time to sell some work. I designed lots of production vases and bowls – simple, colourful pieces that flew off the shelves and paid for my studio rental time. I also designed and made unique artwork for solo exhibitions that earned me critical acclaim.

All week, I carried colourful glass blobs around in my pockets to show people. I remember thinking, “Imagine if I could do this as a career!”

“GLASS BLOWING BECAME MY ENTIRE LIFE.” The idea just seemed too simple. It was another year before I registered in a three-year diploma program to make a go of it. Glass blowing became my entire life. I spent endless hours in the studio learning new techniques and developing my craft.

My hands hurt all of the time. I was wearing stained, ripped clothes every day. I didn’t see my friends or family.

I remember my mother leaving messages on my phone saying, “Just calling to see if you’re still alive? Could you find a minute to call us back,

Ten years later, I don’t blow glass nearly as much as I want to. Life crept in and forced me to transition my art career into a hobby. It was a painful process because I felt, like so many artists before me, I was giving up just because of money.

Now that I have some distance from that time, I can clearly see that I made the right choice. I still blow glass once a month and make work that I’m proud of.

Do I regret spending my 20s honing my art? Not for a second. Not only did glass blowing fill my life with purpose, but it helped me develop my identity and forced me to determine what was really important to me.

65

Born

Forced

Read to

Work

THE QUIRKS AND OBSESSIONS OF A BOOKAHOLIC Story and photos by Kyla Werschke

T

here are many unique quirks that bookaholics possess.

These book lovers aren’t easy individuals to deal with – especially when it comes to their books. What might seem like simple rules to most bookaholics may appear obsessive to the average person.

Within every town you’ll find one of these unique individuals. It could be your sister, your son, your spouse or even your neighbor. All it takes is the right book, and the addiction will spread like wildfire. Bookaholics are typically gentle beings until something happens to their beloved books.

Bookworms have one rule when it comes to their books; they must be kept in mint condition. This is why lending out books is very stressful for a bookaholic. Just follow their simple rules (at least you think they’re simple at first) – don’t ruin the cover artwork, don’t crack the spine, don’t spill anything on it, don’t write or highlight in it and never fold over a corner. For these reasons alone, you can recognize why lending a book is very difficult for these compulsive book nerds.

Also, understand that it can take up to a week of pestering a bookaholic for them to even consider handing over their beloved books to you. If you are fortunate enough to receive one of their beloved treasures, realize that for as long as their pride and joy is in your hands that the bookaholic won’t stop worrying about its well-being.

Upon returning their beloved back to the addict, their precious treasures will undergo an intense examination.

“IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT I WILL DIE NEXT TO A PILE OF BOOKS I WAS MEANING TO READ.” – LEMONY SNICKET

Recognize that this examination can have many possible outcomes. If you are lucky – tears of joy and happiness, hugging and non-stop blabbering about the book. Unlucky victims can expect sad tears, hysterical wailing, followed by red-hot anger. These outcomes determine whether or not you will receive another book in the future, or whether your friendship is over.

Keep these outcomes in mind when borrowing a book from one of these supposedly gentle beings.

Bookaholics can be very particular when it comes to caring for their books – it is as if these books and characters have real feelings. This may be worrisome for someone who has never experienced the overpowering effect of a good book. However, worry not, this is actually very normal. Although bookaholics may come off as being obsessive compulsive, they just love their books.

On the other hand, there is a difference between an ordinary bookaholic and a crazed bookaholic.

For example, the following is to be expected from any bookaholic: they can spend hours in a book store and always leave with a new addition, they have a pile of at least five books waiting at home to be read, they will

sometimes decline an evening out to stay in and read, it takes time for them to trust you with their books and they must budget out their book fund each paycheque.

So what are signs of a bookaholic going too far? Crazed individuals won’t let you borrow a book at all, they can spend their entire day at a book store, they don’t have a budget and purchase multiple books they can’t afford. They also have 50 books at home waiting to be read, and these bookaholics will push friends and family away to escape real life through their books. Most bookaholics recognize that their compulsions towards books are a little crazy, but the majority don’t cross over to the dark side – they know their limits.

When dealing with these overly compulsive bookaholics, remember they can come off as being shy, geeky types. Nonetheless, they can do serious damage if they feel their beloved books have been mistreated.

The most important thing you need to recognize is that bookaholics sometimes love their books more than they love people. In order to coexist with these unique individuals, understanding their nature is crucial.

67

adjective thoughts that consume. an obsessive interest in or feeling about someone or something. The action or process of fixing or having fixation “Our fixation with art and design�

synonyms obsession, preoccupation, mania

69

EXPANDING THE CANVAS OF DESIGN

By Samantha Clift

W

henever I walk into a room, I instinctively assess its design. I scan the space from wall to wall, analyzing everything from paint colours and window coverings to furniture choices and trinket placement.

When I’m not doing that, I’m rearranging the room in my head, or taking mental notes for my own future projects. I can’t help it; it’s something I automatically do out of habit without a conscious initiation.

I’m not sure when or why it started, but I do know that it stems from a life-long addiction I’ve had with all things design.

Since I was a child, I’ve always hoped I’d end up doing something creative. In elementary school, I swore I’d be a fashion designer one day, and I stuck with that for most of my childhood. In my early teens, I switched to cosmetology, and decided I wanted to be a makeup artist. In high school, I even explored options for pursuing it in post-secondary.

As graduation crept up, things got a little more serious. I tried to really focus on my strengths and weaknesses – my likes and dislikes. This process led me to realize my love for information design.

Now, three years into my degree and a year into my career, my love for information design has only grown stronger.

I’ve succeeded in following my dreams: I live and breathe creativity – both at school and at work.

I couldn’t be happier with the path I’ve chosen.

In other areas of my life, though, my exploration of the creative world hasn’t stopped. Lately, I’ve become fixated with this new mode of creativity, and it has completely consumed me. It’s design in a much broader sense – with an entire interior space being the canvas rather than just a page or a computer screen.

Some people don’t feel the need to have their environment styled any particular way, but I consider it a necessity.

You know that sense of relief you get when an annoying background sound finally goes quiet? That’s what a welldesigned room does for me.

I love this kind of design so much because of the potential it has to improve my life. I have an insistent desire to turn my environment into the most aesthetically pleasing and functional space it can be, because doing so just makes me feel better – physically, emotionally and psychologically.

You can call it interior design, but I like to think of it more as oasis building. It’s not just about organization or style.

It’s about how a space makes me feel.

For that reason, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it.

“IT’S ABOUT HOW A SPACE MAKES ME FEEL.”

71

P H O TO S B Y D E E PA K , MR S . LO G I C, E L E MBI S , W IK IME D I A C O MM O N S , A ND F R AT E R K Y BE R NE T E S

A

leister Crowley: Drug fiend, sex addict, black magician.

The man who called himself “The Beast 666.” Known by British press as “the wickedest man in the world,” Crowley personified the great fears and disturbing desires of a new age.

magic— rituals intended to invoke supernatural forces.

In reality, Crowley was more fiction than man. Not to undermine the depravity he exhibited during his lifetime, but Crowley’s villainous reputation is an exaggeration.

It is born from a time where his belief system and way of life found widespread disapproval from a prudish Christian-Victorian society in addition to rapid advancements in scientific thought and reason.

In 1904, Crowley traveled to Cairo.

It was here where he would claim to have heard a disembodied voice proclaiming him a prophet responsible for ushering in a new era for humanity.

This experience would be the basis for Thelema – the religion that would preoccupy the remainder of Crowley’s life.

Retrospectively, Crowley’s lifestyle would not generate such a stir in contemporary times. His drug use, bisexual promiscuity and fervent critique of Christianity were some of his most shocking attributes to early 20th century society.

His development of occult practices, which includes the inception of his own religion – Thelema, and a perception of sinister intention made him a tabloid sensation. Crowley enjoyed his notoriety and often played up to the sensationalist stereotype of being a Satanist and advocate of human sacrifice – despite being neither.

At age 23, Crowley began practicing yoga and attempting theurgic

Crowley said: “Magick is getting into communication with individuals who exist on a higher plane than ours.

Mysticism is the raising of oneself to their level.”

in Sicily – known as the Abbey of Thelema. The Abbey’s residents lived Thelemic ideology – disregarding every social construct that restricted True Will. Drug experimentation and unorthodox sex acts were encouraged and became daily occurrences.

After his death in 1947, perception of Crowley as vile and immoral waned.

After all, he paled in comparison to the atrocities of the Second World War. The ‘60s was a period that questioned morality in a similar way as Crowley; thus he became an icon, and found his way into the lyrics of Led Zeppelin,

“MAGICK IS GETTING INTO COMMUNICATION WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO EXIST ON A HIGHER PLANE THAN OURS. MYSTICISM IS THE RAISING OF ONESELF TO THEIR LEVEL.”

The underlying message of Thelema, as communicated to Crowley in Egypt, is “Do what thou wilt.”

It means to follow one’s True Will – harmonious interplay between the deepest Self and the universe.

Although now imbued with Thelemic belief, Crowley still continued to experiment with different strains of occultist practice with particular focus on sex magic – the belief that sexual energy is potent enough to transcend one’s reality.

His Thelemic practices reached an apex with the formation of a commune

David Bowie and on to the cover of the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album.

As of 2009, Thelema is recognized by the British government as a valid religion and is one of the most adhered to occultist practices in the world. Crowley’s legacy is that of a counter-culture hero – a legitimate social critic who put pressure on societal norms, and became, for some, a spiritual guru.

73

WHAT KEEPS THEM HOOKED?

A

Story, photo and illustration by Kara Lee Noel

serene walk down the bank of a river, cold water rushing between your boots, a handful of carefully handcrafted flies in your pocket. With rod in hand, you seek the perfect spot to cast a line – completely absorbed by what might linger near your hook.

Through the eyes of a fly-fisherman, this outdoor adventure is what brings him back to the river’s edge time after time.

The question of why fly-fishing so easily captivates its devotees becomes apparent when talking to a long time fisherman – my father Kevin Noel.

“Fly-fishing incorporates so many of the things I love and enjoy, like being outdoors, surrounded by nature, the scenery and hiking.

“When I’m on the water, I completely de-stress.

“I shut off the rest of the world, take in what’s around me and compete with just myself. For most people I know involved in the sport, fly-fishing soon becomes an addiction – much like it is my passion.”

For many beginners dabbling in the sport, it would seem the ultimate goal would be to catch a large trophy fish. Not so, says Noel: Fly-fishing embodies much more than solely catching fish.

“What ignited my passion for the sport was the fact that I have to compete with myself. This might sound odd, but fly-fishing is a process. There are so many things you need to educate yourself about – on top of practice and a lot of patience.

“You are the only one with complete control of the things you need to do to get better. It’s between you and the fish.”

appropriate fly on your hook does not suffice. You must know their behaviour, demeanour and where they lurk in the rivers.

“Sometimes I go fishing and end up just scouring the banks, trying to find and learn where fish are, and at what times of the day. It’s not as easy as it sounds if you want to be successful,” he says.

“YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WITH COMPLETE CONTROL. IT’S BETWEEN YOU AND THE FISH.”

He adds that the learning curve is endless in fly-fishing. “First, you must know the species of fish you want to pursue – which is endless. Knowing what it is you are hunting, you can then embark on learning which flies to tie in order to entice the fish.

“Simply knowing the kind of fish you wish to catch and having the

“But, having tied that fly myself, I know I have done everything right to get that fish on my hook. The adrenaline rush follows, and I am ecstatic that all my work has paid off.

“I reap the rewards by releasing the fish, and then challenge myself once again – despite the condition.”

Flow

75

MAGNETIC THERAPY HELPS A CALGARY WOMAN ELUDE ACHES AND PAINS Story and illustration by Mandi Haasen

If

Dr. Oz says it’s true, it’s true. And, that’s why magnetic therapy is probably here to stay. You might even say it has attached itself to people’s lives.

Do you experience high levels of stress or trouble sleeping? Magnetic therapy may be for you – if you can understand how it works. It does work, right?

Healing fads are often seen as necessary for health-conscious people. Such non-conventional healing options can be quite attractive – no pun intended – and many people quickly take them to the next level. Magnetic therapy is often laughed off by many medical professionals; however, it is just as quickly embraced as acceptable to everyday people.

One person in particular that springs to mind is a dear family member – my mother. She strives to be as healthy as possible and has embraced magnetic therapy as her way to healthy living.

It all started when aches and pains kicked in at age 45. “I couldn’t even walk,” my mother said. When her pain and suffering (and their alleviation) are put into perspective, turning to alternative healing options can suddenly seem like a good idea.

Mattress pads, car seat covers, shoe insoles, water dispensers and of course bracelets and necklaces make up the collection of magnetic items that change the magnetic field in our house. Honestly, I was surprised to find out there were options other than just magnetic bracelets.

My mother’s magnetic mattress pad, which covers her half of the bed, is a couple inches higher and provides a nice buffer between her and my dad. She justifies using this special mattress pad by saying, “I don’t snore anymore. It comes back if I don’t sleep with my magnetic cover.”

When I asked her how it works, she said, “It’s hard to explain, and you won’t believe me anyway.” Perhaps this is true, but the website where she buys all her magnetic products doesn’t offer up an explanation either – at least not in plain English.

At times, money can be overlooked to ensure a comfortable, healthy daily life – and this is probably a case in point.

Regardless if anyone thinks this form of therapy is bogus or not – or if its affects are purely psychological – magnetic therapy has made an enormous impact on my mother. She said, “If it works for me and my health issues subside, then why would it bother me if anyone believes me?”

Apprehensive attitudes will likely always surround non-traditional approaches to health issues, but when something works for you there isn’t much else left to be said.

One thing that’s clear is the amount of money that goes into a collection of magnetic remedies – maybe as much as $4,000.

77

addicted to the information newly available millisecond communication seeking the instant gratification that dopamine hit call it interpersonal association buy this device it does “ALL THE THINGS!” it’s only slightly overpriced you need this new thing everyone has it it speeds your socializing work more hours to spend more money on things to devour this brand new tech is going to be the albatross around your neck you need more space for all the stuff you seem to have misplaced this new toy is guaranteed to bring you endless joy you saw your friends Instagram proof that you made amends optimize your time so you can consume all the things to help you rise life slows down at the top I promise you just need to catch up… all that stuff, it’s making you pretty happy, isn’t it?

Contributors

ver v

em ag

az

ine

.ca

alyssa berger grip front & back covers | leslie blondahl grip editing | katrina brodie grip front & back covers | corrie butler pulse style guide & web | david campbell pulse front & back covers | samantha clift fixed style guide & web | sean doherty fixed section fronts | julie edison craze table of contents & inside covers | sarah gage fuel style guide & web | laurie gimber fuel section fronts | mandi haasen fixed table of contents & inside covers | rachel hanson craze section fronts | katrina harnack pulse style guide & web | renita headley fuel section fronts | iphia henry fuel front & back covers | briana huether fixed table of contents & inside covers | curtis ince pulse print production & launch | stuart mason fuel front & back covers | dayna mccombs craze table of contents & inside covers | rebecca myhre craze print production & launch | kara noel fixed style guide & web | kathryn payne pulse editing | scott pfeifer craze editing | megan powell craze print production & launch | christina riches fuel style guide & web | andrea romain pulse table of contents & inside covers | ian templin craze editing | jenna wakoluk fuel print production & launch | kyla werschke grip section fronts | kent wigington grip editing | alex wright pulse style guide & web | richard erlendson verve faculty mentor

Verve Magazine was conceptualized and created in its entirety as a class project by senior students enrolled in the Department of Information Design at Mount Royal University. The views contained in this magazine are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Information Design, the Faculty of Communication Studies or Mount Royal University. No parts of this publication may be used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission from the publisher. Every reasonable attempt has been made to credit owners of copyright. Copyright 2013 VERVE Printed by students enrolled in the Graphic Communications and Print Technology program at SAIT – a students-assisting-students initiative. Thank you for a

wonderful, new partnership.

2013 ...the vivacity, vigour and vitality that informs our passions.

Go find yours!