Jock Talk reviews some CDs the only way he knows how
Artist profile...
the newspaper
CALL FOR EDITORS
U of T’s ‘Great
the newspaper will be holding its annual editorial staff elections on Monday April 7, 2008
Canadian
Novel’
OPEN POSITIONS: Members of G8 Research Group gaze ponderously at Prof. John Kirton.
G8 Gets Grilled at Munk Centre By Dan Craig
By Alexandra Kazia “I’m shameless in my pleasures,” said Jake Babad, a self published third year UofT student answering a question about authors who may be guilty pleasures. It’s nice not hearing an air of pretension from this English and Cinema studies major. Babad completed his novel, Hollywood North, last year. It’s a book about a 19 year-old marketing intern who works at the Toronto offices of a major American film studio. It follows his summer’s misadventures and is a coming of age comedy and a commentary on what Hollywood looks like in Canada. The book itself, however a labour -or love and labour in general- it may have been to produce was not the problem; writing for Babad was easy and done within a four month span during his year off. “I really had noting better to do. Honest to God it was write or watch
February 28 2008 Vol. XXX No. XX
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toronto’s student community paper
Undergrad self-publishes book agents deemed “too Canadian”
November 22 2007 Vol. XXX No. XI
How well would you do if you could create and then write your own exam? Under conditions like these you would expect to get good marks, and you would look more than a little foolish if you failed. This seemed to be the theme of the Heiligendamm Interim Compliance Report released this week by the G8 Research Group. Based out of the Munk Centre for International Studies, the G8 Research Group is composed of over 150 analysts recruited mostly from undergraduate and graduate students attending UofT. Considered an international authority on all things G8 related, the group releases annual report cards on how well the G8 member countries do what they say they will do. Each individual country is given a score based on compliance with twenty-three specific commitments made at the 2007 Heiligendamm Summit. These twenty-three commitments cover a range of issues such as climate change, counter-terrorism, and African debt relief. Over the course of the G8’s 33 year history the UK is the highest scoring country when it comes to complying with commitments made. Canada ranks second overall for compliance, but has had a particularly Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns.” And so he wrote. So much so, that it was a constant effort not to be completely enveloped in his fictional yet semi autobiographically inspired world and ignore family and friends. The key is semi… he makes no pronouncements of having lived this story, rather he based the main character on himself and his past experiences working in that industry (so there will be no *** scandal here). The tiring task would be the search for an agent: most of which
a Conservative government , but rather because of a minority government. It is one thing for leaders to make commitments at international conferences, but it is another thing to actually pass the legislation when you return to Ottawa. The United States has shown the greatest improvement in compliance throughout the history of the G8, and this year it scored the highest. This might be surprising considering America’s typical tendencies towards unilateral
action but Cliff Vanderlinden, Chair of the G8 Research Group, pointed out that compliance on the part of the US is due in large part to the fact that the US has a lot of influence over the agenda and subsequent commitments made at G8 Summits. Hence the theme that if you create your own exam, and then write your own exam, chances are you will get very high marks. A good example of this would be the scoring for commitments to fight climate change. To receive a perfect score in the climate change category a country merely needed to attend the Conference on Climate Change in Bali late last year. Since all countries attended the conference, they all received full marks. The results of the Bali conference are irrelevant so it does not matter if nothing was accomplished. I sure wish I could create my own IR exam this year. The G8 Research Group helps fill a great void of information analysis about the G8 and its activities. They are the only group so far that holds the G8 to such a rigorous account across such a wide range of issues. By publicizing the commitments and the actuality of attempts to fulfill them perhaps will drive the G8 to make more challenging commitments in the future.
agreed that his book was too Canadian to be published. Babad says he was not about to change the locale because of this. He realized how severe the publishing world was on Canadian content, but remains hopeful. “Nothing is set in stone on the matter.” He thinks things can change. After many rejections he decided to self publish. He had written a book and wanted to get it out to the public. It ended up being a somewhat tedious process, acquiring barcodes, ISBN’s and
securing other legalities, but he maintains that tedious as it may have been, “anybody could do it”. His publishing company is named Capoe6; simply just because, and “[he] likes the way his guitar sounds on capoe 6”. Advertising was initially done through Facebook. “It’s good for any kind of artist who has anything to offer.” He then managed to get his book on amazon.com and start a website. Babad, laid back, modest, and seem-
bad year scoring 61 out of 100, placing it 4th behind the US, UK and Germany (in that order). Prof. John Kirton points out that this may not be because of
If you create your own exam, and then write your own exam, chances are you will get very high marks
Arts Editor News Editor
These are paid positions.Each requires a time commitment of approximately 20 hours per week.
Anyone who has contributed three pieces this year has a vote and should be present on voting day to elect next year’s editors. We welcome all h opefuls and look forward to seeing you all on voting day.
ingly content, is proud of his work; he has no delusions of grandeur. “It’s not the greatest book ever written …it’s just a good, fun book.” Despite agent naysayer’s he has gained some recognition; Hollywood North was accepted into the University of Toronto’s Festival of the Arts. On March 11th he will be giving a free reading at Hart House at 8:00 p.m. in the East Common Room. Hollywood North can be purchased at capoe6.ca or amazon.com.
the REVIEWS
2 the newspaper
The
Directed By: Mark Palansky Starring: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O’Hara, Reese Witherspoon By Matthew Pope Mark Palansky’s wry attempt at a modern fairytale has charm, humour and a certain je ne sais quoi, but its tempo interrupts the experience. Let’s get something out of the way right now: I love Christina Ricci. With that being said, let me just say that while I am aware of certain biases I may have for this movie -vis-à-vis the vampy seductress- I found it to be a surprisingly charming tale and a
whole-hearted attempt at a modern fairytale that succeeds in spirit, but fizzles in its telling. Not to sound too Jock Talk here, but this film could easily be construed as a ‘chick flick’. The whole ‘boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back after one/both have personal catharsis’ formula is there. But at least it doesn’t bludgeon you with a soundtrack heavy on Sarah McLaughlin ballads. The movie doesn’t take itself seriously; nor do I think that’s possible when we’re talking about a girl locked up in a blue-blood tower with a pig snout on her face. Even with her swiney sniffer Ricci is attractive and even alluring. This is driven home by a period of time in the story when Penelope, the pig girl, is out in the world disguising her face with a scarf so that we see only her eyes. For all its charm and style the movie ends up feeling slightly awkward due to the pace. The first half of the story takes its time developing Penelope’s home life and describing the bizarre suitor procedure she endures. However, the story then turns it up to double-time to get us through her life on the outside (of her house), and then continues in a series of fits and starts towards the boy-getsgirl-back conclusion. The movie was not what I expected and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little bit different. The eclectic cast and their characters kept me interested start to finish.
the newspaper Editor-in-Chief Joe Zabukovec
Managing Editor Sean Liliani
News Editor Steven Borowiec
Arts Editor Niya Bajaj
Associate Editor Timothy Ryan Art Director Brendan Keen Associate Art Director Jeff Arnott
Photo Editor Evan Jordan
28 February 2008
Counterfeiters
BEER • WINGS • POOL • JAVA SPORTS • JUKEBOX • SPIRITS EVENTS • OPEN STAGE • GAMES
Directed By: Stefan Ruzowitzky Starring: Karl Markovics By Sean Liliani After last Sunday’s Academy Awards, The Counterfeiters went from foreign film obscurity to centre stage in front of Hollywood’s most famous. While the Academy has a penchant for picking nominees with more notoriety than talent, this movie has achieved the honour of capturing one of the only categories free of such Hollywood nepotism. The second German history flick to win this award in the past two years, the Austrian made movie directly secedes Lives of Others –last year’s powerful portrayal of an artist coping with his truncated existence within the walls of East Berlin. In the case of Lives of Others it is a playwright who has a career in communist state theatre but finds passion in political perfidy. While his work heralds him as a champion of the party, he must repress his true sentiments to survive the suppressive East German Stasi. As the story unfolds we are privy to see what happens when a passionate artist must choose between survival and self. The Counterfeiters is another story where an artist’s craft affords a man his life within a despotic regime, only this time the regime is that of the Nazis and the artist is a smooth handed illustrator with a knack for counterfeiting. Unlike the romantic central character in Lives of Others, the counterfeiting protagonist in this movie is aloof and emotionally opaque. Among his prison mates there are skirmishes and rivalries over the idea of aiding the Nazis but the
central character of Salomon Sorowitsch lives from day to day and does not often look beyond the walls of the concentration camp. The premise of the film is based on the true story of the Nazi’s Operation Bernhard, an attempt to flood the British economy with millions of forged pounds. However, this interesting and mostly unknown bit of history is not the crux of the movie. This is not an international espionage film but a simple story about the lives of artists coerced into creating forgeries for the Nazis in exchange for salvation from the gas chambers. Like the prisoners in the film, the scenes tend to trudge between the dormitory and the studio in which they work. The viewer of the film knows and hears little more than the prisoner and can only assume what the ghastly conditions of the concentration camp might look like beyond the safety of their studio. Like Lives of Others, this movie is a character driven story of creative, free spirited people contorted by repressive regimes. From the zealous revolutionary to the sympathetic government agent, both these movies have a cast of cliché characters. The major difference is that Lives of Others manages to overcome the pitfalls of such cliché with an emotionally evocative script while The Counterfeiters falls short of such sincerity. The Counterfeiters is a decent film with an interesting story but it fails to deliver the deep authenticity that made its Oscar winning predecessor such a strong film.
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the newspaper 3
28 February 2008
the science
by Timothy Ryan
Bill Gates aids India HIV/AIDS to the majority of middle-class Canadians is a problem inherent to the poor and uneducated; specifically, third-world countries always creep into the conversation. Most people you talk to here will tell you they don’t know many people, if any, living with the virus. Ask most Canadians where the virus proliferates most actively and the unanimous response is Africa. For years, Africa and AIDS have become synonymous. Stories of gross lack of education about the virus lead its proliferation throughout the continent. You hear stories of infected men raping virgins as a method of ridding themselves of the virus. But there is another emerging player in the HIV/AIDS battle: India. The rate of infection has India on pace to steal Africa’s title as the AIDS Epicenter by 2010. With that said there is a serious problem in India in recog-
This
nizing the problem. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has predicted that the number of Indians infected with HIV with top 25 million by 2010, eclipsing the number in Africa. As a result, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates donated $100 million to fight AIDS in India. The response from the Indian government was criticism; that Gates was “spreading panic” and citing “completely inaccurate data”. It was an interesting response to someone donating a large sum of money in an effort to curb a national problem. Gates was told “they didn’t like the figures”. In 2006, the Indian government claimed they cut the rate of new HIV infections by 95% in comparison to the previous year. Granted that the epidemic is now being taken very seriously in India it just seems to me that those numbers just don’t add up. Even the Indian Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal
had doubts saying, “Our numbers may not be accurate.” The fact of the matter is that India has a lot of owning up to do. Continuing to sweep HIV/AIDS under the rug is going to backfire immensely. Not only do they have to stop lying about the numbers of infected Indians, they have to come to terms with the fact that India’s sexuality is far more active and diverse than people think. New Delhi researchers have finally publicized India’s booming sex industry. There are large communities of homosexuals, gay sex workers and transsexuals in every major town. There are frequented brothels, wife-swapping rings and high-class prostitutes. These discoveries have surprisingly been a total revelation to some. But that is what HIV does; it brings the skeletons out of the closet.
It is progress though. Recognizing the problem is the first step to finding a solution. And now that India knows the nature of the beast, hopefully they can find effective solutions to curb HIV’s spread.
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Campus Briefs Racist vandalism
fires up students
Students rallied outside of Ryerson to protest against administrative inaction towards the burning of a bulletin belonging to East African Students group. The bulletin board was used to advertise campaigns such as United to End Racism and Boycott Israeli Apartheid. Various student groups have demanded that Ryerson issue a public condemnation, an investigation of the incident and a university audit screening for Eurocentric curricula on campus. Students have expressed concern that the arson is part of a larger pattern of systemic racism at campuses across Canada.
Even more athletics fees?
www.international.gc.ca/experience 1-877-461-2346
TRAVEL & WORK ABROAD VOYAGER ET TRAVAILLER À L’ÉTRANGER
Between March 4th and 6th U of T students will vote on the proposed Varsity Centre levy increase. The increase would be an additional $18 a year, resulting in a total annual fee of $270.40 for 2008-2009 and $135.20 for the summer session. Athletics and Recreation has justified this levy increase as necessary to cover additional occupancy and staffing costs due to the expansion of the Varsity Centre. Various student groups, such as nolevy.ca are largely opposed to this suggestion, maintaining that Athletics already has the highest non-refundable incidental fee which has already increased by 40% since 2003.
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the newspaper 5
28 February 2008
Governing Council Election for Students: Candidates’ Statements Voting will take place on ROSI (www.rosi.utoronto.ca) – Monday March 3, 2008 to friday March 14, 2008
Full-Time Undergraduate Students, Constituency I (Arts & Science) Marcedes Andrews-Overell I am a dedicated and hardworking first year business student at UTM. With my expertise I would represent U of T students very well. I love wearing funky clothes and trying new things. I am confident, outgoing and social. In high school I was involved in the photography club, improve club, weight club, tennis team, Spartan Singers and theatre. I founded the environmental club, S.A.V.E., which I was president for two years. I am a diverse student who has knowledge and experience working with people and organizations. I am very excited about voicing your concerns on the Governing Council!
Grant Gonzales My name is Grant Gonzales. I believe in an approach that emphasizes the importance of working with students and other Governing Council members to find solutions to the problems that plague student life in our University. As the student experience is deteriorating, there is seemingly very little being done to bring about concrete change. As a member of the Governing Council, I will establish a defined partnership between students and administration and work toward making real results. We need authentic leadership to get things done. Vote Gonzales.
Maximilian Cadmus Max is a loyal and experienced leader who strives to balance progress and tradition. He studies a variety of topics ranging from German Literature to Political Science to Calculus. Neither withdrawn nor timid, Max is not afraid to challenge norms, fight for his constituency, and inspire change. He recognizes and intends to address the different needs of commuters versus dormers, Canadian versus International Students, and other sub-groups of full-time undergraduate studies. Max will make a brilliant addition to the Governing Council and vows to always do his best to do right by his constituency, and this University.
Anna Okorokov I am currently a third year student pursuing a Specialist in International Relations. I have a diverse background – I am Ukrainian but grew up in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 2002. At U of T I am involved in the HH Investment Club, the Ski and Snowboard Club, Delta Delta Delta sorority, and was selected as an analyst for the G8 Research Group. I am a certified lifeguard and swim instructor. I enjoy athletics and in my spare time train in Taekwondo and rock climb. I also support charities and regularly volunteer at local organizations.
Anthony Darcovich I believe that elected offices should represent their constituency’s interests and this is what I intend to do as your representative on Governing Council. My campaign doesn’t rest on frivolous ideals or commitments. What I do stand for is concrete change. My name is Anthony Darcovich, and as your representative, I will bridge the interests of the students with those of the University, creating an improved university experience. A vote for Anthony, is a vote for real change.
Governor, a member of the Governing Council’sAcademic Board, a Director from Engineering on UTSU’s board, and Speaker of the Engineering Society. If elected I would continue to be a strong advocate for the issue of accessibility at this University for students with disabilities, mental, physical or otherwise. I would also fight for the lowest tuition possible for all students, and ensure that students’ voices are heard within Governance.
Huan Harvey Yang
I am a third year Political Science and History student. It would be a privilege to be elected as your student representative in the Governing Council elections. I have a deep passion to fundamentally change our institution for the better and will use the skills gained from past experiences in University organizations to achieve this. If elected, I will fight to ensure that the University offers accessible education and upholds the tenets of freedom of expression. I am very committed to pushing forward the interests of the student population. A vote for me is a vote for change!
Ryan Campbell My name is Ryan Campbell and I am currently enrolled in the Infrastructure option of Engineering Science. During my time at this University I have served as a student
David Ford David Ford is in his first year of the MHSc in Health Administration program. His experience includes serving as Vice-President Education for the Student Union at the University of Western Ontario, working as Senior Policy Analyst at the Ontario Medical Association, and sitting on the Generation Next Cabinet of the United Way of Greater Toronto. He plans to bring a unique perspective to the Governing Council that balances the desires of students to study at an institution that both excels at research and teaching, and places the quality and affordability of the student experience, at the top of its agenda.
Joseph Koo, Acclaimed
Sheron Perera
Want a strong voice to speak for your academic concerns? Consider voting for me, Joseph Koo, as one of your Governing Council Academic Board representatives. I have a strong history of active participation in the student community here at the University of Toronto including GSU, Pharmacy Faculty Council, and UTSU. My academic journey has led me to experience many different facets of undergraduate, graduate and now professional learning at the University of Toronto. I will continue my advocacy for student concerns and will effectively represent this diverse constituency. I look forward to new challenges while serving you on Governing Council.
Lawrence Yip I am an engineering student hoping to represent students from all undergraduate professional faculties on issues faced by the University on Academics, Business and Student Affairs. I will be critically questioning key issues to make the best possible decisions (ie. capital projects, accessibility, funding policies, enrolment growth etc.). Currently, I am involved with organizations related to entrepreneurship, education outreach and technology advancing the environment and healthcare. University of Toronto’s professional faculty students will graduate to play vital roles in every facet of society, and I plan to ensure that our interests are well represented.
Yang Weng Personally, I feel the University should be an institution that promotes academic growth and social development. Students everywhere focus their daily life on mechanical tasks of repetitive routine. We have forgotten that we are at the prime of our youth and we are supposed to have the best time of our lives. My goal is to represent the voices of the students and act in the interest of the University community. I want to create a unified voice and act decisively for the benefit of all students. My priority is to change the social atmosphere and create more social events.
Graduate Students, Constituency I (Humanities and Social Science) RE-ELECT Alex Kenjeev. Like you, I believe that U of T has the potential to become recognized as one of the world’s ten best universities. If you re-elect me, I will continue to let that conviction guide me on every issue. Like you, I am concerned about the graduate expansion. If you re-elect me, I will continue to work to ensure that your experience stays world-class as we double our number of grad students. Like you, I think that elected representatives should listen and be responsive. If re-elected, I will continue to take up your issues at the highest levels.
Olivier Sorin
Full-Time Undergraduates Students, Constituency II (Professional Faculties)
Graduate Students, Constituency II (Physical Sciences and Life Sciences)
My name is Harvey Yang and I am a second year engineering science student. As professional faculty students, we are sometimes ignored, and our voices sometimes unheard. Even in this election we – despite our wide range of studies and interests – are packaged up into one constituency with just two representatives. As student governor, I hope to overcome that barrier and commit myself to representing the interests of all profac students. Some issues I am particularly interested in include stabilization of tuition fees, increased academic freedom in the curriculum, and improved access to internship and coop opportunities.
Alex Kenjeev
Semra Eylul Sevi
campus space for graduate students to help us interact and learn outside of the classroom. Thank you in advance for your support. Visit: www.olivierforgc.ca.
As your representative on Governing Council, I will push the University to hire more professors and staff to support the significant increase in enrollment at the graduate level over the next few years. I will also press for an increase in the funding package so that students in humanities and social sciences can be on equal footing with their colleagues in divisions 3 and 4. Furthermore, I will ensure that there are more services and
Do you think that graduate stipends should increase relative to rising tuition fees, and that there should be more teaching assistantships available? I do. During the last six years I have worked with the administration to enhance the student experience at U of T. I will use my insight to represent the interests of graduate students. I will also focus on research, recruitment and funding policies; all which will affect the future of academia and research. Last year only 3.8% of graduate students voted in the Governing Council Elections. Vote this year and make your opinion count.
Nabil Mansour I have been actively involved in promoting student issues at the UofT for over 3 years. At the departmental level, I serve as vice-president and treasurer of Civil Engineering Graduate Club, represent students on the appeal committee and volunteer at the graduate recruitment undergraduate fair. On a broader scale I was a CUPE 3902 delegate to the 2007 National Convention, GSU representative for CEGS and worked with UTSU on several of their campaigns. Through these activities, I have gained valuable experience and negotiation skills upon which I will build through my networks to further enhance the student experience.
Washington Shao University of Toronto is one massive educational machine. As students, it’s natural we feel overwhelmed by its size and inertia. Therefore we are often reluctant to make changes. However, as students, the largest group on campus, it is our privilege and responsibility to join the decision-making processes, to ensure our needs are met. As one who received undergraduate education at UT, I have served on several student organizations such as NCSC, ASSU, IMMSA for past four years. These experiences trained me on being the bridge between students and university, and voicing your opinions. Vote Washington, and live with no regrets!
Victoria (Vicky) Nguyen I did my undergraduate studies at McMaster University where I served the student body as an Academic Peer Helper for the Centre for Student Development. Through this experience, I gained a deep understanding of the stresses of university student life. Today, as a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Medical Biophysics (Biology Stream), I find similar and additional stresses in the lives of fellow graduate students in both the physics and biology streams. As your representative, I will do my best to keep your interests an important part of all relevant decisions and discussions.
Kerry Tokaryk A graduate student at the University of Toronto since 2004, I have spent significant time on all three University campuses. My experiences as a student and as a citizen in Toronto have helped me understand both the needs of students and the need for the University to be accountable for the impact it has on the communities of which it is a part. As a representative to the Governing Council, I will ensure that tuition and student fees, the environment and social justice are addressed not only as University issues, but as concerns that affect the community as a whole.
Information on the Governing Council election is available from the elections web site:
http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections.htm
6 the newspaper
28 February 2008
Artist Profile:
Flogging Molly
the newspaper sits down with some punkin’ Irishmen By Matthew Pope Have you heard about this great new band called Flogging Molly? They just had a new record come out and it’s awesome! I think they’re going to be an overnight smash! This might all be true if it weren’t for the fact that the band has been around for 10 years, has several albums and collections under their belts. Not to mention their legion of cult-like fans. So yeah, I guess they could be poised to be a ten-year overnight success. I caught up with the band after their in-store performance at Sonic Boom. I was more than a little disappointed to see zero signage for the event. If I hadn’t known that Flogging Molly would be performing, I wouldn’t have been there. However, that didn’t seem to be a problem for the tightly knit throng of devotees that crammed into the basement for an intimate performance. I spoke with Robert Schmidt and Nathen Maxwell (Bob and Nate).
Nate was off wandering, so Bob and I got a head start on things. We hit it off, but then again the entire band comes across as passionate and genuine people. Cliché as it may sound; these people are the ‘salt of the earth’ as far as musicians go. And after ten-years of touring and playing together, they are the furthest thing from tired and jaded that one might expected from such a seasoned outfit. I always like to know what the artists are consuming artistically. We spend so much time consuming the stuff we love that it’s easy to forget that our favorite artists are consumers of art too. Bob tells me he’s just finished reading a book about a father and son that had a profound impact on him (due in no small part to the fact that he has one son with another on the way). Nate arrives at this time, and has just been through a couple of quantumtheory-for-everyone-type books. These
campus
o m m e n t
men and their opinions betray an intellect far deeper than the high-school educated, career rocker stereotype. Nate asserts, “When someone is being oppressed, it affects me. It just does.” They talk about people in areas of conflict as ‘brothers and sisters”. They have no illusions about changing the world with their music. “Obviously we can’t have a link to every cause” Bob says “but being in the position that we are, as musicians, and knowing that thousands of people are going to come to your site, why not try to put something on there that has some meaning instead of ‘what I drank last night’ or a stupid tour story… And hopefully somebody says, ‘wow, my favorite band is backing this cause,
maybe I should check this out’”. They ignore the road manager until he forcefully interrupts, so I am invited to interview with them later, after the show. I give them my name and next thing I know I am at the Kool Haus with an all-access backstage pass. The performance is amazing: passionate, powerful and engaging despite the large venue. I see everything from the mosh/slam-dance pits to pirate-costumed dancers and even the odd air-fiddling fan. Flogging Molly are no slouches; they put a solid 1.5 hours of non-stop auditory assault, plus encore, before retiring for the evening. Bob told me earlier in the day that “live music is like making love. When the other person is feeling it, then everyone is loving it. But if somebody’s not into it… well, I’ll just leave it at that.” The post-performance backstage scene is a little bit different. No groupies per se, but a few local friends of the band, one tired security guard, and a couple of free pizzas that are chaperoned by a portly band-chum. After the post-show how-dos and pleasantries with friends, Bob makes some more time for us to chat. It isn’t long before the irrepressible
Reverend Peyton (front-man for the main opening act Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band) joins us. “For what it’s worth, in our travels, we’ve had a handful of people come up to us and say ‘My two favorite bands are Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Flogging Molly.’ Honest to god.” We try to reason what it is that connects the music and people together; Reverend knows that his audience and Molly’s are different people and yet the all show up for the same show. Between the three of us we tackle all the problems of the music world: from genres and boxes to racial divisions in music and the unimportant differences between the ‘classic’ art (bluegrass, Irish folk) and modern incarnations of it. I leave with an honest impression of one of the hardestworking bands in North America; a group of musicians that believe in freedom, fun and foam, a band true to themselves and their cause. As Nate told me earlier that day “the title of our album says it all, y’know? Float”. Just keep your head above water, just keep treading.
By Mathieu Jacob Catalina Gomez
Rock, Scissors or Paper?
“Rock. I just think about it first.”
“Rock. Because that’s what Bart picks in the Simpsons.”
Anthony
Becky
“Rock... Good old rock always wins.”
“Scissors, because they’re SHARP.”
Branka
Aaron
“Scissors. It reminds me of Friends. Cockroach, atomic bomb!”
“Rock. It’s the first option so it’s the most likely to win.It’s a psychological thing.” Tamara
Marielo
the newspaper 7
28 February 2008
Intentionally Vague
Where the Fuck is This?
but are these ADs effective? By Steven Borowiec In a society where young people are prescribed drugs at the first sign of independent thought, the ads for a mysterious product called “Obay” don’t seem totally out of place. The ads have popped up in and around Toronto and feature the grinning faces of parents and children who seem mutually giddy about a drug that has help their family overcome annoying things like youth with their own opinions and ambitions. Next to the pictures are quotes like “My son had ideas of his own, Obay put a stop to that.” Most people who notice the ads alternate between wondering, hoping and cautiously believing that this must be a joke. One would like to believe that the pharmaceutical industry has a
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Bachelor of Primary Education Studies Interested in studying to become an elementary teacher with a leading Australian university… in Ontario? Photo from Flikr.com
CSU’s Ontario Campus in Burlington is currently in its third successful year of offering this professional one-year program, which prepares university graduates to teach in primary-junior classrooms in Ontario. This degree is accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers and approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
This program is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 24 December 2004 to 24 December 2009. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g. acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).
CRICOS Provider Number: 00005F_C
For more information about this program and how to apply for the August 2008 intake visit www.charlessturt.ca
little more grace than this. The ads are intentionally vague about what exactly they’re advertising or who put them there. They don’t feature a logo or contact of the company that purchased the space. The only further information was the web address www.whybecauseisaidso.com; a disciplinarian motto turned URL. If this was some kind of practical joke, it wasn’t a cheap one given the cost of glossy advertising. The URL came up empty. Apparently it isn’t actually owned by anyone. It turns out that an intrigued/appalled reaction was exactly what the ads were trying to create. According to torontoist.com, the ads were placed by Colleges Ontario, an advocacy group that works on behalf of a variety of
institutions in Ontario. This past Monday, Ontario Colleges held a press conference to explain their intentions with the Obay campaign. President and CEO Linda Franklin stated that her organization is seeking to challenge the perception that colleges are somehow a step-down from university. Her organization argues that students should be encouraged to consider a variety of educational options instead of being forced down the academic path. The ads have been highly successful in drawing attention to their message. They have been given plenty of coverage in various media outlets and have led many who saw them to pause and analyze their message, something advertising rarely does.
8 the newspaper
Illustration by Yoojin Guak
28 February 2008
the jock talk
by Alan Osadetz
Music to get you pumped Hot Chip Made in the Dark I listened to this album during a chest workout on Monday. I was putting up a personal best on the bench press, which signifies that I am on track with my New Years resolution to do two chicks at the same time. Although it wasn’t as good a workout as I’d have if I listened to Journey or Dio, a pair of hotties came to talk to me while I was ripping off some flies. I totally would have laid the mack down right then and there but they were interfering with my routine, and I still had seven pounds to gain to reach 200. Being the gentleman that I am, I gave them my business card for my imaginary detective agency and
assured them I would get drunk and try to coerce them into a three way at a later date.
Ben’s Brother Beta Male FairyTales The only bigger waste of time than Ben’s Brother is the record label that actually took the time to record and attempt to promote them. This guy could start working out three times a day and would be cool enough to hang out with me the day after never. ‘Beta Male FairyTales’ is an album about how this
Phil Collins wannabe douche-bag has always felt insufficient growing up in the shadow of his older brother. This guy’s life is comparable to ‘The 40-Year Old Virgin’, except in the end he doesn’t get laid, but ends up donating his balls to scientific research because he has no use for them.
Putting the funk into the dunk.
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IN THEATRES FEBRUARY 29TH! SUBJECT TO CLASSIFICATION
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Notice of Plebiscite The Council on Athletics and Recreation is asking your directive to U.T.S.U. representatives on the Council of Student Services.
Background Located at the historic Varsity Stadium and Arena site at Bloor Street and Devonshire Place, the Varsity Centre is a state-of-the-art athletic and recreation facility that includes a new 5,000-seat stadium, artificial turf field, air-supported dome for winter use and eight-lane international class track. After seven years of planning, in 2006 the University proudly unveiled Varsity Centre as the new hub of intramural teams, varsity athletics and recreational activities. It was built with University investment and fundraising; students were not levied for the cost of erecting the new facility. With over 10,000 students currently participating in one of the largest intramural sports programs in the country, the Varsity Centre has drastically reduced waiting lists for new teams. The artificial turf field and dome have created a host of opportunities for all U of T students to enjoy recreational and competitive activities year-round. Currently, part of your per-term student athletic fee includes $9.00 for operating the Varsity Centre, approved on a one-year temporary basis in 2007. This fee allows the University of Toronto to prioritize student use of the facility for activities ranging from intramural sports, free student golf, pick-up soccer, recreational jogging, and Varsity Blues practices and games. The fee also ensures that the ratio of student use vs. outside rentals remains at 75%-25%, and that U of T students receive the most and best time slots throughout the year, particularly in the winter months when the dome becomes a hive of intramural and open recreation activity. By voting ‘yes’ to continuing to support the Varsity Centre, students will be directing their elected University of Toronto Students’ Union (U.T.S.U., formerly the Students’ Administrative Council) representatives to vote in favour of making the $9.00 per session fee a permanent component of your student athletic fee. Note that this decision is subject to a vote at the Council on Student Services (COSS) and may only take effect with a majority student vote in favour on the Council. For more information on COSS, please visit http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Policies/Policy/stufees.html.
Plebiscite Question Are you in favour of full-time undergraduate students on the St. George campus maintaining the $9 per term charge as a part of their permanent student athletic fees?
Yes
No
Voting Period News, information, updates, and official notices in relation to the plebiscite, including any changes relevant to this notice, will be posted to the U.T.S.U. website (www.utsu.ca). Please note that advocating committees are required to register in accordance with UTSU’s Charter for Referenda. Inquiries should be directed to UTSU’s Chief Returning Officer by telephone (416-978-4911 x 228) or via e-mail (cro@utsu.ca).
Tuesday March 4, 2008 - Thursday March 6, 2008 9 am - 6 pm, daily
Polling Locations Alumni Hall (SMC) Bahen Larkin (the Buttery) OISE Sidney Smith (1)
Athletic Centre Gerstein Library Old Vic Pharmacy Building Sidney Smith (2)
10 the newspaper
28 February 2008
How the newspaper Gets to School In Part One of How the newspaper Gets to School Nina Manasan goes to hell and back before she even gets to class The few seconds before my alarm propels me into consciousness are the most blissful seconds of my day. In the quiet moments of early morning, I allow myself to drift in and out of sleep, happily suspended in a dreamlike state. Reality soon sets in and I’m gripped by an overwhelming sadness as I realize that I must face another day of agony. Another day of torment. Another day of using the TTC. These are the confessions of an embittered commuter. You think you know, but you have no idea. My journey begins at 6:50 a.m. on the sunny beaches of Stouffville, Ontario. The day must begin promptly if I hope to make it to my 10 am class. At 8:00 a.m. my mother and I prepare to brave the traffic of the 404 from Stouffville to Scarborough. On her way to work, she quickly drops me off at the nearest bus stop. Sometimes, if we’re early, I let her slow down before I get out. At 8:54 a.m. I step onto the 42 Cummer bus and reluctantly sit next to a man who smells like cabbage and wet rags. Nineteen stops later, I arrive at Finch station. From here, I board a crowded subway car where the only seat left is between Andre the Giant and the bag lady from “Mary Poppins.” I
squeeze into the narrow space with my body awkwardly turned to the left and my arm bent over my head. I remain in this position until Bloor station. For 26 minutes, we are delayed at Eglinton, St. Claire, and Rosedale station. Once at Bloor, I transfer to a westbound train and encounter a disheveled man with a lazy eye who is proclaiming the virtues of the colour green. He calls me a communist and tells me to stop stealing his treasure just as I exit the train. At exactly 10:09 a.m. I reach my destination, only to be told that my lecture is cancelled. At this point I would rather eat my own head than ride another train or bus again. Later on, I will endure the torturous commute home. The guy sitting next to me will fall asleep and drool on my shoulder. I will laugh at a group of people running for a bus as it drives away. A bus driver will yell at me because I will try to use a student ticket. I will pretend to sleep so that I won’t have to give up my seat to old people. Then, after a long day, I will finally go home and mournfully await yet another day of commuter hell. Sunrise, sunset.
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“I will pretend to sleep so that I don’t have to give up my seat to old people.”
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A busy junction of the the Toronto Transit Commission.
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the newspaper 11
the c o m i c s
28 February 2008 This Weeks Sudoku Problem
Last Weeks Solution
Toothpaste for Dinner
BY DREW
12 the newspaper
28 February 2008