OCTOBER 2016 | | 11 MARCH 2016
Halloween OCTOBER 2016: Vol. 22, Issue #02 www.macmediamagazine.com 004c McLaughlin College, York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 416-736-2100 ext. 60555
Executives Editor-in-Chief Web Manager
Editors Opinions Features Arts Humour Sports & Health
Staff Writers
Art and Design Cover Artist Designer
Tabitha Peters Tatiana Prisiajny
Jessica Malandrino Anastasiya Ivanova Vanessa Butera Juan Lopez Tyler Drummond
James Zhan Doris Pozo
Editor’s Note
04
Five Classic Halloween Movies
05
Dead Poetry
06
That Is Not A Costume
07
Going Trick Or Treat As A Kid Vs. As A Young Adult
08
Expectations Vs Reality: Halloween
10
Halloween Is Too Basic: Be A [Drag] Performer Any Day
11
Playlist: Murky Halloween
12
October Horoscope For All 12 Signs
14
Hollow-Ween
15
Halloween Health Factors
16
Personal Paranormal Experiences
18
Dating Shudders
20
Halloween Drinks To Make This Year
22
Games
Angel De Narvaez Mary Anne Cruz
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EDITOR’S NOTE Halloween is the time of year when the youngsters go out trick-or-treating. Not only for the purpose of going around to stranger’s homes and collecting candy, but for the sake of the overall season atmosphere that Halloween is here. The rustic colour leaves falling from tree branches, the colours of burgundy, and pumpkin spice filling the stores and coffee shops. House decorating is what the older folks enjoy, the people who have kids and grandkids enjoy the little ones ringing their doorbell. People who are university students don’t give out candy, we like to get drunk and get candy if we can. I haven’t gone out trick-or-treating in about 4 years, not because I think I’m too old, HA! I’m only 21 and I will dress up as 10 years younger if I have to just to get strangers to give me their candy. One time, I was dressed
up as a sexy bunny for a house party, it didn’t start until 9 p.m., so my friends and I decided to go out on the streets in the meantime. A few people took a while at giving us candy because they said we were too old for this. I was not pleased. I will further expand on this topic in my article Going Trick-or-Treating as a Kid vs. as a Young Adult on pg. 10. Halloween is that yearly event that everyone looks forwards to; dressing up, doing makeup, getting candy, and for us university students, we like to let off a little steam and go to a party. It’s something that gets most people excited for the fall season. Always remember to be safe, as a 90s child joke, check for razorblades in your candy bag.
Editor-in-Chief Tabitha Peters
MacMedia is the official student monthly of McLaughlin College but does not speak on behalf of McLaughlin College—unless specifically specified by the Big Kahuna upstairs (in which case there’ll be a note). The opinions expressed herein are also not necessarily held by MacMedia or its staff (unless they’re really smart and dastardly written) but are a reflection of the current social outlook. Our goal is to act as an objective forum for constructive conceptual synthesis and intellectual thought—not as a community censor. Therefore, our content is only as strong as your contribution. Every month we publish a wide variety of studentwritten news, opinions, art, poetry, humour, fiction, photography, and everything in-between. Please feel free to contact us for any reason, including publishing dates, advertising, world domination, iguana preservation, puddle-pants, the whereabouts of Godzilla, or any other “topics of interest.” Please send all submissions and inquiries to macmedia.eic@gmail.com
OCTOBER 2016| |33 MARCH 2016
Five Classic Halloween movies een?
Dead Poetry Vanessa Butera | Arts Editor
You’re a walker in the night Striving closer to the edge You’ve made a home in the shadows Collecting dead poetry once love is lost
Tyler Drummond | Sports & Health Editor
When October comes and the leaves start to change, it is a sure sign that Halloween is just around the corner. As the end of October approaches, houses get more and more decorated, and stores, buildings, and soon the city is filled with all sorts of creepy (or goofy) Halloween decorations. As such, one of the favourite October past times is watching scary movies, but not all scary movies are created equally. That’s why I’m here to help you with the best scary movies to watch around Halloween! 1. Halloween - Oh come on, you had to expect this one! You can’t possibly have a list of Halloween movies, without THE Halloween movie! Michael Myers, his creepy mask, a giant knife, must I go on? One does not simply watch Halloween movies and not watch Halloween. 2. Friday The 13th - My personal favourite of the slasher groups, Friday The 13th is another excellent movie to watch for Halloween. Who doesn’t love Jason? He’s a total badass, and again it’s hard to go wrong with a giant dude in a mask brutally killing people as your choice for a Halloween flick. 3. Nightmare On Elm Street - Alright, alright, we’ll move on from the slasher flicks after this, but seriously, this is the perfect trifecta. Myers, Jason and now everyone’s favourite ugly sweater-wearing psycho who kills you in your dreams! MACMEDIA 4 || OCTOBER 2016
Your heart belongs to the wind You long to hold warm hands But won’t let love crawl under your skin And, you could even end your slasher marathon by watching Freddy vs. Jason, because why not? 4. Saw - “You wanna play a little game?” Admit it, you totally read that in Jigsaw’s voice (I know I wrote it in his voice). For years, Saw was the movie franchise you could count on to watch every October and get some gory, violent Halloween fun! And who doesn’t love some crazy death puzzles too? 5. Donnie Darko - To change it up a bit, Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller, a creepy movie that makes you think. While the previous movies in the list are gory, violent and brutal, they’re usually only scary for the squeamish. Donnie Darko, on the other hand, is the kind of movie that messes with your mind and makes you dream for weeks about that damn bunny. Special Mention: Now, I know this series of films doesn’t fit the scary and violent themes, but seriously, Halloweentown is a MUST watch every year at Halloween. If you haven’t seen it, just trust me, it’s amazing. And if you have, then you already know its greatness! I’m pretty sure Family channel still plays it every year. Though, you can leave out the fourth one, it kind of sucked.
Glinting with mystery and dreaminess You look back at me with the same eyes I think I made you up in my mind The lips of lovers lost throb and bleed Words they cannot say to you My cherry lips are dry with crimson Stealing kisses in empty spaces But you won’t let your lovers see The nooks and crannies of your soul I chase you in concrete fields Following your trail of petals But this love cocoons in a coffin
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Going trick or treating as a Kid vs. as a Young adult
That is NOT a costume Juan Lopez | Humour Editor
I don’t understand it myself, but people love Halloween. Don’t get me wrong, I love free candy more than almost anything, but I’m too old and lack any younger siblings to go trick-or-treating anymore. And trust me, following around little kids and pretending to be their older brother is not a good idea. But by now, most of us have replaced candy with alcohol and our vampire teeth and Scream masks for bunny ears and corsets. For many of us, Halloween stopped being about candy and friends and started being all around slutty costumes and who can wear the least amount of clothes and get away with it as a “costume.” I’m not being sexist or anything, it’s just what I see. Every year, you’re going to find some wonderful females who dress colourfully and think of very unique costume ideas that have only been repeated a couple thousand times. So this is a big thank you to you girls, for dressing up all sexy but lacking a little bit of creativity. Bunny: I think it’s the first thing that pops into everyone’s head when they think of Halloween. It’s become, dare I say it, an iconic look for the season. Add some slutty ears, a slutty little white tail, and a slutty corset or bra and presto, you’re a bunny. And I’ll be honest, every guy loves it because every guy goes out on Halloween expecting to see a half-naked girl in a costume. Some shirtless guy variant: Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, guys. Yeah, we know you got a six pack and yeah, we know you want to show it off so yeah, we know you’re going to be a Greek god or some movie character that involves being shirtless. Or some murder victim or some god awful concept like that. We know you’re trying to get some, don’t worry. Both sexes dish out awful, sexually appealing costumes for the other to enjoy.
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Good costumes, like genuinely good ones: These are far and few in between, but when they work, they’re bomb. Group costumes work good too, and I don’t mean having everyone dress up as Smurfs or having four friends be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Having someone come up with a good costume usually means it’s not slutty or it’s embarrassing, but that’s what makes it good. You can see from my lack of examples that I obviously lack the creative brain power to come up with a creative costume, but having people show up as the Avengers would be pretty cool. Or Pablo Escobar, but you know that’s already going happen with the memes going around. So enjoy your party, enjoy your alcohol, enjoy your candy if you can get any, and enjoy your weird Halloween movies. If they’re scary, then they’re okay but the other ones are just weird. But anyways, have a happy Halloween from us at MacMedia and try not to have a basic costume this year… put those bunny ears and that toga away and find something else!
Tabitha Peters | Editor-in-Chief
The reality of it all, is going to get candy. When you’re younger, you start off by going with your parents, at the ages starting at around 5 years old, your parents should be there. As you get older, you want to go with your friends, at age 10, you bring along some friends, with your parents chaperoning of course. When people assume that as soon as you become a teenager, you should automatically stop going trick-or-treating. Sorry, that doesn’t work. My friends and I were 17 and we still went out for candy. We drove to the suburbia of Mississauga and went to these gigantic houses, in hopes their candy bundles were bigger, they were. Some of the people questioned us on if we were too old to be trick-or-treating, that just made all of us mad. We are dressed up, carrying plastic bags to be filled with toothdecaying sweets, I don’t think there’s an age limit. Prior to that, I would always go in my grandma’s neighbourhood from ages 5-12, it was tradition. I would always go with my mom, my cousin and her dad. The four of us would laugh, get spooked out, and just explore the neighbourhood and look at the cool house decorations that were there. You needed your parents there, it was dark, and at age 7, who wanted to cross the haunted front yard of a stranger’s house to ring the doorbell alone? Not me. As usual, the person who answers the door is dressed-up as something terrifying. The spookiness became less scary, and more fun as I got older. But then, outfits became sluty. From ages of 5-12, I was some kind of elegant princess, or a witch covered from head to toe with a wig, and makeup my mom put on me. When I hit 15, I attended my first Halloween party due to high school and didn’t go trick-or-treating that year. It was a weird feeling for
me, but I’m glad I attended that party, I did a little underage drinking and just hung out with my friends. My outfits slowly started to reveal skin, and makeup had to be done by me, not my mom this time. Every year after that was not set in stone on what I was going to do. This year, Halloween falls on a Monday so I’ll be home sleeping.
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Expectations vs Reality: Halloween
James Zhan | Staff Writer
“Faithless is he who says
IT’S OCTOBER! I scream inside when I see the new Halloween candies in Walmart. I’m going to have some great fun this Halloween, because last Halloween I didn’t end up doing any of the things I planned, due to schoolwork. I don’t have a life. But that’s going to change. It needs to be changed. Heck, I’m supposed to have more fun in university. I’m definitely going to have some fun this Halloween. I’m determined. To put my Halloween resolution in action, first, I’m buying some candies to give out to kids who knock on my door. Last year, my roommate and I had to turn off all the lights in the house and hide so that kids wouldn’t come by—none of us ended up getting any candies, so that was a shame. We felt quite terrible since we were the new people in this neighbourhood and hoped our neighbours would like us, but we failed at that. I saw my neighbours outside the next
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morning. Shit. The little boy was looking at me accusingly. Then the dad lifted his head and gave me a cold nod. It was not good. That’s going to change this year. Next thing is that I’m going to plan my time so that I can do fun stuff on Halloween, instead of rushing assignments or cramming for midterm exams. I open Google Calendar, which I never use and have no idea how to use, and start to mark down exam dates and assignment due dates. Then I mark dates when I should review or start doing the assignments. Damn, this looks neat. I feel a sense of accomplishment after planning everything out. How can you have fun without friends on Halloween, right? So I open up Facebook and ask my besties to make plans for Halloween with me in the chat. They are all very excited about it. Downtown trip? Wonderland? Costume party? Lots
of ideas are bouncing around. Nothing is finalized yet, but in the end, we have a rough plan—Halloween is on Monday this year, so we are going to have fun on Sunday, and do more fun things on the night of the 31st instead. Well, at least that is the plan and expectation, because things start going south in a matter of a few days. And when Halloween comes— “Richard,” I ask, after not being able to find the candies I bought at the start of the month. “Where are my Halloween candies?” “Huh?” “Where the—” I stop when I raise my head and see his expression. Guilty and not sorry. “YOU ATE THEM ALL!” “Oops,” he says unapologetically. I storm back to my room. We are going to have to turn off the lights again this year.
I sit down on my desk and send a Facebook message to my friends: Hey guys, seems like I’m being me again. I got nothing done and a shitload on my plate right now. One of my friends replies: SAME. Another friend says: YUP. Don’t think the hangout is happening. We are stuck with schoolwork. I open the Google Calendar where I planned my schedule neatly weeks ago, and curse—I didn’t follow any of the schedule; I now have three assignments due and two midterms next week. Each of them weighs heavily, around 30% to 40%. I’m definitely not doing anything fun this Halloween. Not at all. I should at least get one of the assignments started tonight, I think, and then typed “youtube.ca” in my browser.
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Halloween is too Basic: Be a [Drag]Performer Any day
Playlist: Murky Halloween
Jessica Malandrino | Opinions Editor Vanessa Butera | Arts Editor Halloween, the eve of costumes holds so much meaning. The use of symbols, aesthetics, and costume are all intertwined by ideas created with purpose. By dressing up and performing as something or someone can hold ideas of desire. Physical appearance on Halloween can be an act that could be wished upon as an everyday identity. Halloween then was a time of year that some people wish to fulfill their self-identified fantasy that is accepted and not frowned upon. These celebrations of identity should be looked at far beyond the day of performance. This is because selfhood could be hidden on other days of the year, but I wish to explain why it does not have to be that way given that meanings are created to simply understand. For some people spooky costumes or showing more body can be only expressed on a day like Halloween yet, the self that you want to be can be shown every day. The longer that value is placed on costumes of Halloween exist, the more ideas of selfexpression will be excluded. Meanings of aggressive and passive are created by our social world we live in, just as provocative versus innocence 10 | OCTOBER MACMEDIA 10 2016
can be played on by the performance of costumes. For instance, dressing up as Cinderella versus a playboy bunny represents opposing opinions that can be overwhelming for some. Or dressing up as the purge versus a butterfly. The sense that these ideas are true make the world we live in so much more fake because popular beliefs are often loaded with stereotypes. I wish to complicate this idea that particular fantasy of aesthetics and costumes because they do not need to be solely understood to be only played out on Halloween. Based on the judgmental opinion of others Halloween represents a day to play with identity, but we can play with this every day. What about drag queens and drag kings? Such an example can simply prove that dressing up as one’s desire does not have to be only on Halloween, but instead whenever we would like. Who cares if ambiguity is bothersome, be yourself at any time because we should be able to express ourselves on any day of the year. That is just my opinion. Â
Feeling a little out of the ordinary this Halloween? Maybe you have the same plans to celebrate this spooky holiday as you did in previous years. Same friends, costume, drinks, basement, and/or bar. Same classic Halloween songs. Shake things up this Halloween with this mix of your favourite spooky tunes as well as some modern murky songs that will make this holiday extra mysterious, no matter what you do!
Highway to Hell - AC/DC Nightmare - Avenged Sevenfold Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd Blue Moon - Elvis Presley Sources: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart- beat/513466/the-top-10-halloween-songs
Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones Ghostbusters - Ray Parker, Jr. Thriller - Michael Jackson Glory and Gore - Lorde Strange Habits - July Talk Scary Monster - David Bowie I Will Follow You into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Lou Reed Creep - Radiohead
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October Horoscope
time to make your home more harmonious in one way or the other. You may also be inclined to spend more time in private, at home, relaxing and enjoying more indoors activities, perhaps even with your family members. The connections with your family and home have never been more positive, Cancer. Leo During October you start learning new skills, which can be beneficial to you for the next 12 months. You may even start new projects that present you with opportunities to learn, grow and explore new ideas you may have, or new strengths you never knew you had. This month, you also cooperate and work with people successfully. Communication is key for you this month and you excel at it as you connect with people this month, Leo. People welcome you the same way you welcome new opportunities from these connections.
for all 12 signs Anastasiya Ivanova | Features Editor
(With sources from Astrolada.com) Aries In October you depend and work with others on new and positive opportunities. You begin new things in your life or reach new phases in your personal and professional relationships. But these new opportunities, and the level of your success, are closely dependent on your cooperation with the people in your life. Do not be afraid to reach out to people for help or advice; embrace the ideas and views of others as there you can find clarity, wisdom and even guidance to move forward in your new beginnings. Trust in people this month, Aries. Taurus New beginnings and renewal of energy in your work tasks (professional and personal) highlight your October. During this month, you are very detail-oriented and energized. Any work that you have put off is back in your hands and you have the inspiration to go for it. You may also feel the need to cleanse yourself physically or cleanse your environment, like
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throwing away all the things that don’t serve you anymore. The importance is in the details, Taurus, so use your clarity and focus to get things done and rejuvenate yourself and your surroundings! Gemini In October you create new karma and move forward! Whatever you initiate this month in new beginnings or in the things already present in your life, these initiations will bring you only positive developments. Lucky karma is active in your romantic life. If you are single, October may very well be the period when you find love and indulge in romance. If you are in a relationship, which hasn’t been developing, or you have been feeling stuck in your romantic life, in October you move forward in the most positive direction. Savour the love and good, Gemini. Cancer October brings you great new opportunities and positive developments at home or in your family matters. For example, a great opportunity may present itself to your family or to you, which will bring you a much needed support. You may put
Virgo Finances grow for you in October as new doors open that will lead you to prosper financially. Money come to you and so do opportunities to gain some of the material things you have been wanting for a long time. But when there’s money, there’s fun. Pleasures and sensual experiences also are the highlight of your month. You may get opportunities to enjoy good food, buy beautiful clothes or things, visit breathtaking places and generally indulge yourself in some material riches. Treat yourself this month, Virgo. Libra In October you dive into new beginnings because luck, love and beauty are with you. You finally start achieving the things you have been wanting in your life. The universe is on your side, so boldly take the first step, even if it is a small one, into the new direction you want to go. Whatever you initiate this month, it will have long-lasting results and be implanted in your life for the years to come. Also, embrace new and unexpected opportunities, Libra, that come to you this month. Now is the right time to shine bright and manifest your dreams and goals. Scorpio Take it easy in October, Scorpio, recharge and to turn your gaze towards yourself. Take care of yourself and listen to your heart this month. Take the time to figure out what you really wish to have and accomplish in your personal and professional life. The universe is with you this month, guiding you and is sending you signs. Your deep Scorpion intuition also speaks to you most clearly. Trust and listen to the universe and your intuition, Scorpio, because they will guide you on the path to success and fulfillment of your needs and wishes for the next 12 months.
Sagittarius October is a gainful month for you! You finally receive a much deserved recognition for the works and personal projects you have been working on for quite some time. Peers, authority figures and the people in your life reward and support you. If you have been dealing with government institutions, you may finally receive the much needed support from them also. This month, you also create new gainful connections, business partnerships and friendships, or you grow old ones. Network and keep working hard, Sagittarius. The pay-off will be great. Capricorn In October you may feel a bit more irritable and moody, but the good news is that you are able to channel your irritation (and determination that comes with it) into a productive action. You feel the productive driving force and you use it in manifesting your goals. But in order to do that successfully, you have to keep watch over your emotions and be rational. You feel driven, focused and confident. This month is a month of you being practical and impeccable. So keep your eyes open for new career opportunities and charge at them, Capricorn. Aquarius October brings luck back into your life with full force! If you feel that the past year has been tough on you, in October everything beings to make sense and you begin feeling the ground under your feet again. Expect inspiration or guidance from someone or something that will set your gaze on the right path. Also, you find new purposes and you finally move forward in the areas of your life where you have been feeling stuck. The direction will be one towards prosperity. Keep your eyes, ears and mind open, Aquarius. Pisces In October your personal and professional relationships improve. It is time to move forward from the past that has held you back and made you struggle with your communications with others. This month you feel especially insightful, meaning you are especially intuitive and able to read and connect with people easily. You also sort through the people who might be deceiving to you. You are more skeptical and critical of others and yourself. But you make positive changes. Expect unexpected positive changes in your environment, as well, Pisces.
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Hollow-Ween Mustapha Safadieh | Contributor
Halloween is that time of the year where I get together with a specific group of friends. It doesn’t take much planning: we meet up at T’s apartment around 7. I grab us a gram or two and A rolls us three nice spliffs. Costumes (mandatory as of the last three years) are assembled, and we light a spliff at the apartment before we head out. A’s kid brother joins us sometimes, although he skips any smoking activities for the obvious reasons. I get high often. It hasn’t been a huge deal since that one year in high school. For the most part, it’s receded to something I do every so often on my own before I sleep. It’s not as fun as it used to be. Halloween is that time of year for me when it is fun again. There’s something about a cool autumn night, Halloween decorations and lights flashing, people in costumes, screams of terror or delight or both. Being high enhances the senses, and Halloween is a night where there is a lot to see and hear (and taste). Some years we stay in the neighborhood, help A’s little brother collect candy. We get a portion of the spoils naturally, and there’s nothing quite like Halloween candy after a smoking session. He knows we smoke, but he never says anything. He’s about the same age as me was when I was first introduced to the substance. I wouldn’t try it myself until I was a couple of years older, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s tried it already. He wouldn’t tell us if he did, just as we deny it outright. Other years we head downtown. We hop from bar to bar, crash parties where we can. Alcohol feels weaker when you’re high. The feelings dilute each other somewhere in the middle, so that you’re not too confident and not too paranoid, but doubly aware of everything around you. I’m never more at peace with myself than when the two vices meet. We’ll spend the night at a friend’s downtown, too tired to mission it back. We’ll have a hungover breakfast somewhere in the morning, then head our separate ways home.
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Halloween Health Factors Tyler Drummond | Sports & Health Editor
I imagine we’re growing out of this sort of thing. We’ll still get high this year, it’s tradition. We might sit inside and watch a few horror films, have some pizza. We don’t really need the weed, it’s a gimmick mostly at this point, but I’m glad it’s there and I’m sure they’re glad as well. We all have a year of classes left, which has us thinking about what comes next. Halloween creeps ever closer and the year feels more and more hollow. This will be the last year we get high on Halloween as students. Perhaps next year we’ll get high on Halloween as adults.
Halloween, for many people, is their favourite time of the year. Scary movies, ghosts and goblins, it’s all a lot of fun. For adults, there are parties, drinking and of course slutty costumes (who doesn’t love a good slutty costume?). For kids (and the adults who try to stay young), there is trick-or -treating! Who didn’t love going house to house and having people give you handfuls of free candy? FREE CANDY! Kit Kats, Snickers, Reese’s Pieces, Twizzlers, bubble gum, chips and more! Hordes of candy filled in buckets, bags, sacks, anything you can get your hands on. But, we all know that candy isn’t good for you. It’s full of sugar, bad fats, carbs and more. Just how bad is it? Let’s find out. A lot of people think fat makes you fat. On the surface, that seems to makes sense, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, a lot of fat is good for you and helps you lose weight, not gain it. The real enemy to your body is sugar. Sugar is awful for you, and the bad carbs such as breads, pastas and rice (typically the white carbs, not whole grain) breakdown in your body the same way sugar does. Therefore, eating a full plate of pasta is like eating a full plate of sugar; which is exactly what kids all over the world do after going trick or treating. Your body has trouble breaking down sugar, and thus, takes a long time to process through your body. There are a million other reasons that processed sugar is horrible for you: cancer, diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, dental problems, and more. Sugar can be more even addictive than alcohol and drugs. All those cravings we have? Yeah, addicted. Now, with all that information, what’s the biggest takeaway? Sugar is pretty much the worst thing ever, and what is at the core of the sweet, delicious candy we all love? That’s right, sugar. But, that’s not all there is to candy. Lots of candy is filled with bad fats. See, monosaturated fat, omega-3’s and the like are good fats that give you lots of energy for your body to
burn. Meanwhile, saturated and trans fats are the bad kinds; the ones that clog your arteries and raise your cholesterol. But, really, this is all just icing on the cake to the sugar. However, despite the health factors, it doesn’t mean that one shouldn’t indulge in candy on Halloween! Especially if it’s only one night, indulging in sweets can be a good thing for you, and for those who are religious with their healthy eating, a treat once in a while is a good reward!
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Personal Paranormal Experiences Doris Pozo | Staff Writer
Lucid dreaming and out-of-body experiences are a big part of my life and I shall tell you of three very terrifying paranormal nights. I still do not fully understand what happens but since at a young age, it was normal for me to step out of my physical body and move around in my energy body. I would simply walk around my room and fly off of the floor to the ceiling window right beside my bed and go into a lucid dream while my physical body lies sleeping. I’ll first tell you about this very perplexed night – I laid on my bed, flat on my stomach, head on the pillow. I was awake, simply relaxing, and out of nowhere something grabbed me! Long thick fingers reached my pelvic bone and took hold of my entire ass. I began to rise to the ceiling. I saw my body resting in bed as they dragged me out of my body with their huge reptilian-like hands. I prayed!
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The second night I laid in my dark room, and without any rest I began to slowly float out of my body…who took me? What was pulling me to the ceiling? How will I ever get back to my body? Where is my room? Where is up or down? My eyes are open but all I see is darkness! Confusion and fear takes over.
Back in my body…exhausted…what just happened?! I looked around to see if anyone was in my room, and no one seemed to be. I was still in bed, alive and breathing. I needed to get stronger. I needed to be more prepared because these attacks were no joke. It felt like they were happening every night since I started to believe in God.
I was being pulled and mangled around like a ragged doll under a massive crashing wave of energy. It felt like a cyclone-tornado vortex of dark energy in my room was pulling me from all sides. I feared for my life because this did not feel like a dream nor could it have been real. The more I resisted, the bigger it got. My mere human strength was no match for this dark force. This enemy was not an enemy of flesh and blood. I pray. I pray. I pray. The third call for help always wins.
Thirdly, this night I jumped out the window hoping to be in a beautiful dream, but I fell and landed inside a huge gray flying aircraft. A beautiful woman’s head with dark straight black hair came above me and said, “the devil doesn’t want you to wake up.” Immediately, I left the aircraft.
Huge demonic-like hands were seizing my entire body. These inorganic beings were keeping me trapped in my bed. They were clutching me from all sides! I felt their dark presence loom over me as they paralyzed me to the bed. They choked my neck and wanted me dead! God help me.
I looked around and I got transported back to my room. I could not move my body. My legs, arms, hands and fingers were all paralyzed!
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Dating shudders Anastasiya Ivanova | Features Editor The interior’s autumn colours of Symposum Café glowed in different shades under the rays of the afternoon sun that snuck through the café’s windows and glassed front door. In November 2012, it was a usual weekday in Richmond Hill, ON: the northbound car traffic on Yonge Street had already started forming, and groups of uniformed high schoolers strolled up the café’s sidewalk. But inside the café, it was as empty and quiet as the fifth floor of Scott Library; even the servers busied with restocking the bar and polishing the tables. The clinging of bottles and ripping of boxes behind the bar mixed with the quiet chatter of a couple of occupied tables on the south side of the café, and the unending monologue of my date. Sean sat across from me on the caramel-coloured lounge, playing with his cappuccino cup between his hands. We were on our first date, and it was also the first time we met in person. A mutual acquaintance had connected us through Facebook. Online, he had impressed me with his dedication to move a conversations forward; he was polite, never too persistent, and on top of that, he was attractive: tall, blue eyes, blond hair, and a charming smile. If only he embodied all that in person. For the past 20 minutes, I sat listening to him going on 18 | OCTOBER MACMEDIA2016 18
and on about how evil his ex-girlfriend was. Yes, he called her evil and more than once. No, she hadn’t poisoned his dog; rather, she broke up him after two years of dating him. Disappointment, anger, and self-pity poured out of him like there is no tomorrow. For a moment, I wished that there was no tomorrow, because the creepiest part came when he declared that I could be the one for him. I almost spit out my latte back into my cup. Images from movies that featured gun-point negotiations flashed in my mind. With the kindest smile I could master, I explained to him that he couldn’t know that yet and quickly interjected with the suggestion to get the bill. My self-liberation strategy worked: while he was mulling over my words, we paid the bill and headed for the front doors. Luckily, he went on a week-long vacation to Cuba that Friday, which made it easier for me to distance myself from him. I’ve also had a terrifying date. Around the middle of October in 2013, I agreed to go out with Sergey, a coworker from Café Demetré, where I worked as a server at the time. Sergey kept secret the restaurant he wanted us to visit downtown, and the day of the date, he led me towards it with confidence. I found the secrecy exciting, but also confusing.
He took me to O.Noir located on Church Street. The restaurant was famous for giving people the chance to dine in complete darkness like blind people do. I felt exhilarated. Our server led us into the dining area to our table. She sat us down and guided our hands to the utensils and the plates, explaining carefully how we would be served. Then her voice dropped in silence, and I realized she had left our presence. The darkness truly was consuming all my sight. I could only hear the murmur from neighbouring tables and the clinking of utensils and plates. My heart sped and my hands began to shake. I felt a panic began to squeeze on my throat and all I had the chance to say to Sergey was to lead me out of the dining area immediately. Little we both know that I was severely claustrophobic and the complete darkness had triggered a panic attack. Of course, I had never felt so embarrassed as I had never felt so terrified. Dating can never be a regrettable experience. After all, at the end of the day it is an experience, a memory, really. Many dates will be equally creepy, or scary, or even ridiculous; some, however, will be quite the treat. Either way they go, we always look forward to them.
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Halloween Drinks to make this year Tabitha Peters | Editor-in-Chief From cosmopolitan.com 1. The Gravedigger Stir 1½ parts CRUZ Reposado Tequila, ½ part mezcal, ¾ part fino sherry, ½ part pear liqueur. Strain over a large ice cube (preferably in the shape of a skull, muahaha) in a glass. Garnish with an edible flower or a lemon twist. 2. Peach Candy Corn Cocktail Layer ¾ ounce grenadine, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1½ ounces whipped cream vodka, and 2 ounces IZZE Sparkling Peach in a glass. Top with whipped cream and candy corn pieces. 3. V-Blood Make injection syringe shots using 1 ounce of Absolut vodka and ¾ ounce grenadine. Pour 3 ounces 7-Up into an old fashioned glass with an ice cube and a lemon slice. Inject the vodka shot from the syringe into the glass. 4. Sugarsnake Reduce 1 cup of Black Raspberry Sparkling Ice with 2 tablespoons of white sugar into a thick syrup. Drizzle syrup over interior and exterior of cocktail glass. Chill with 1 part Wicked White Whiskey and 2 parks Kiwi Strawberry Sparkling Ice. Garnish with two MACMEDIA 20 || OCTOBER 2016
5. Spiced Orange Pumpkin Bowl Hollow out a medium size pumpkin and fill halfway with ice. Depending on the size of your pumpkin, pour in 4 to 8 bottles of Crabbie’s Spiced Orange Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Top with sliced oranges. To make citrus ice cubes: Take 1 orange and use a peeler to create small orange zest peels to curl up and put in each tray. Take a second orange and cut in quarters, then cut each quarter into small triangle slices that will fit in the ice cube tray. Freeze. To rim glasses: Mix the 2 tablespoons cinnamon, ¼ cup sugar in the raw, and 1 tablespoon allspice in a small bowl and then pour evenly onto a small plate. Rim each glass with orange slices to create a wet layer for the sugar mixture to stick to. Roll the rim of your glass into the cinnamon sugar mixture, add a few citrus ice cubes to your glass. 6. Black Cauldron In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1½ parts Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila, ¾ part fresh lemon juice, ¼ part agave syrup, ¼ part sage simple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, and 1 capsule activated charcoal, which adds a jet-black hue and a light smoky flavor to the cocktail. Shake vigorously.
Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon slice. 7. The Boneyard In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce light run, 1 ounce silver tequila, 1 ounce vodka, 1½ ounces blue Curaçao, and 2 ounces sour mix. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with La Croix sparkling water. 8. Heat of the Moment In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 slices Fresno chile, 2 ounces Espolón reposado tequila, 1 ounce Funkin’ passion fruit puree, ½ ounce fresh lime juice, and ½ ounce agave syrup. Shake vigorously and strain into a rimmed glass with fresh ice. Rim half the glass with cinnamon sugar, Fresno chile “horns,” and a lime spiral. 9. Smoked Pumpkin In cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 1 ounce Ketel One Orange, ¼ ounce lime juice, 1 ounce Illegal Mezcal, 2 heaping bar spoons of pumpkin butter, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with cubes ice. Garnish with an orange twist and a sprinkle of flake smoked salt. 10. Midnight’s Shadow Infuse Sugar Island Spiced Rum with espresso by mixing ¼ cup of ground espresso or coffee with Sugar Island Spice Rum at room temperature. Let the mixture soak for 30
minutes. Strain. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 parts espressoinfused rum and ½ part fresh lime juice. Shake and strain into a Collins glass. Top with ½ part ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wheel and candied ginger.
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