April Issue by The Newspaper

the newspaper The University of Toronto’s Independent Publication

Since 1978

VOL XXXVI Issue 8 • April 2014

April 2014

thenewspaper.ca

the newspaper Serving up a good time Every time since 9T6!

Editor-in-Chief Yukon Damov Managing Editor Dylan Hornby Production Manager Camille Leon-Angelo Design Editor Odessa Kelebay

the editorial “Time is making fools of us again,” said Albus Dumbledore

Associate Design Editor Daniel Glassman News Editor Isaac Thornley Web Editor Marsha McLeod Associate Web Editor Yasmine Laasraoui Arts Editor Carissa Ainslie Associate Arts Editor Jane Alice Keachie Online Arts Editor Laura Charney Comment Editor Zach Morgenstern Features Editor David Stokes Photo Editor Grant Oyston Associate Photo Editor Paulina Saliba Illustrations Editor Nick Ragetli Managing Copy Editor Samantha Preddie Copy Editors Phil Metz Anna Bianca Roach Poppy Sanders Alexandra McKinnon

It is a familiar narrative to many: feeling frantic, anxious, feeling like you don’t have enough time—not enough time to do your laundry, to focus on yourself, to read the newspaper, to call your mother, to go to the library, to apply for internships, to sleep. In this frenzied line of thought, speed is key. Even eating breakfast in the morning contains a sort of semi-conscious desire for the activity to just be over, thus allowing you to move on to the next task. Checking off items on your daily to-do list feels damn good. Which leads many of us to the idea that it would feel even better if that todo list was our life. Undergrad. Check. Masters. Check. First real job. Check. As youngsters we are encouraged to enjoy that satisfying upward stroke of an energetic check mark. Ultra-competitive and goal-oriented, invested and encouraged by the innumerable possibilities that are before us, slowing down in any degree would mean getting behind, not even necessarily behind each other, but behind our own personal perceptions and preoccupations of where we could be. This leads many students to develop an intense fear—the fear of “being average.” It’s a ludicrous and neurotic fear. But, as they say, the struggle is real. Our maniacal internal coaches don’t allay the fear much. Instead, they unhelpfully posit that if we move fast enough, there is no possibility we could gather enough dust to be average! In our video game perception of life (with its infinite levels to be conquered), the idea that we actually have boatloads of time is easily scoffed at. But if we took the time to look at ourselves, perhaps we would see preoccupied perfectionists obsessed with time, and getting more of it: more time to do all of the things we both want and desperately need to do. And if we saw that, perhaps we would try to move slower, and let go of some of the intense parameters we have welded to the timeline of our futures. We could be patient with ourselves. We could refuse to compare our personal narratives to those of friends and fellow students. We could take that gap year or work at a minimum wage job that “doesn’t advance our career,” or live at home, or drop out. We could change schools, or decide not to apply for grad school, or take a road trip to Alabama, or buy a pet rabbit, or throw our resume in a lake. We could do all or none of those things. We could understand that time is on our side. And we could even realize that to live a life worth telling involves a massive amount of hours—not all of which need to be spent advancing the plot.

St. Patrick’s Day: Get some Irish in ‘ya...Cheap!

Weekly Events: MONDAYS Man vs. Martini & Red Hot Poker Tour (6pm registration)

Toonie TUESDAY (Shots ‘n apps)

Open Mike / Pub Quiz WEDNESDAY Good tunes, great prizes. hilarious host and free stuff@9pm

Giant Beer Sale THURSDAY (Stein Special)

B.U.R.P! FRIDAY Live Music SATURDAY The best acts from our open mike take the stage @ 9pm

Social Media Mogul Paulina Saliba

Ad Sales Representative Tommy Wilson

1 litre Leprechaun Boots available now!

(Big Ugly Rockin’ Party)

Video Ted Rawson Max Parr

Business Manager Anna Afshar

Get yer boots on!

the newspaper is published by Planet Publications Inc., a non-profit corporation. We print monthly issues and publish multiple times weekly online at www.thenewspaper.ca.

Free Pool & Comedy SUNDAY Toronto’s funniest people take the stage @8pm!

Happy Hour 8-9pm

Events Coordinator Chelsea Hirons

thenewspaper@gmail.com

Associate Events Coordinator Anna Bianca Roach

256 McCaul Street, Suite 106 Toronto, ON M5T 1W5

All Day Breakfast every weekend!

All of U of T community members, including students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper.

229 COLLEGE STREET

Cover Image Daniel Glassman

(everything on sale!)

416/59•STEIN

Facebook: einsteinpub Twitter: einbierhalle www.ein-stein.ca

April 2014

Reflections of a

Toronto’s temporary, exotic vistors: 50 MILLION BIRDS

UTSU directorial candidate

As slates clashed, I learned important, if less melodramatic, lessons

uncertainty about whether my nomination would go through had kept me from preparing in advance so I quickly prepared a Facebook page and posters. It surprised me that, much like in my student council elections, all official campaign statements and literature had to be approved by the Chief Returning Officer (CRO). Unlike some other candidates, I had no quarrels with the CRO and found she responded to my emails quickly and politely. There were still moments, however, where I found the process tedious. For example, electoral rules require that posters have the following statement on them “please pass this on to a friend and recycle after an election.” The newspaper editor in me was annoyed and perplexed by this statement. Do you first pass posters on to a friend so they can then put it in a recycling bin assembly line style? Do you simply tell friends to recycle posters that they see, even though these friends can presumably also read recycling statements? I thus modified the statement to read “please recycle this poster after the campaign period ends”, but the CRO insisted I adopt the original statement. As the election went on I occasionally made statements, responded to a music video from other candidates by recording myself singing “Solidarity Forever” and put up posters. Perhaps the most dramatic moment for me was then I was approached by a Varsity reporter for an interview. The Varsity had recently published an article, complaining that candidate platforms lacked depth. As someone who’d only chosen to run a few weeks ago, and who had had homework commitments the whole while, I hadn’t had time to come up with an incredibly detailed platform. I quickly prepared as much as I

could before nervously calling my interviewer. I was relieved to find out, however, that I was not held to the same tough standard as executive candidates. Rather, the fact that I had a platform at all and planned on showing up to meetings (when many directors had poor attendance records

Morgenstern learned that UTSU board of directors’ elections are fairly straightforward, but the CRO’s grasp of grammar was inadequate.

this year) made my conversation a smooth one. At the end of it all I somehow came in second in the Victoria directorial election, which was good enough for me to win a seat on the board of directors. I ran because I have convictions, but I also ran because I was curious about how the often controversial UTSU electoral process feels from the inside. In summary, these are some of the lessons I learned. 1) Running as an independent seems to be advantageous for directorial candidates. Most of the reactions to my campaign were positive. My politics appealed to supporters of the “incumbent” Voice slate, while by virtue of being independent, I received an indirect endorsement from the opposition Unite slate. I would argue, however, that running as an independent is not as good a strategy when challenging for executive positions (and perhaps for the Arts and Science directorial seat). There is much more pressure on these candidates to have detailed platforms. Because of school, there is no way I would have had time to develop a truly extensive platform without the support of a team. 2) Have draft campaign material (including an unpublished, closed Facebook group) ready for CRO approval before your candidacy is confirmed. This year we were given approval to run the day before our elections started. Rushing to release material while still having school commitments was not a situation I would have chosen to be in.

3) Don’t be afraid to put your ideas out there. They may not be fully developed, but simply having convictions is an asset. In this election at least, I found most of the charged commentary was aimed at slates. As an independent director you should feel free to take righteous risks. 4) Don’t be afraid of the CRO. There are a lot of stories about CRO strictness. While I was careful to get all my material approved, my interactions with the CRO were all seamless. Again, high profile-executive candidates who are at risk of making misleading or wrong statements may not have the same experience, but one should not let stories about demerits deter one from running. And, finally: 5) Don’t rule out potential voters. During the electoral process I received nomination signatures, and words of support from people who I’ve had political arguments with in the past. While I’m a firm believer that UTSU elections are and should be political, that doesn’t mean that people won’t consider non-ideological factors, such as your willingness to engage with them or your commitment to the job when voting. I hope that this gives people a sense of what running in a UTSU election is like, and will inspire more people to become involved in the political process. Campus politics, however, are about more than elections. The real lessons of this experience for me are yet to come. • Zach Morgenstern

David Stokes

THOMMY THOMPSON PARK BIRD RESEARCH STATION

“I ran because I have convictions, but I also ran because I was curious”

MARSHA MCLEOD

he idea to run came to me the second I saw the election posters go up. I’d spent my first two years at U of T frustratedly reading and occasionally commenting on articles on student politics, and I felt a need to give some weight to my frustrated voice. I went to the UTSU office, signed some papers and came out with a nomination form. I decided to run to be a board of directors representative for Victoria College. I didn’t feel I had the time or an adequate network of connections to get the required nomination signatures to run for an executive position, but being on the board felt like a reasonable compromise. To become an official candidate I had to get nomination signatures from Victoria College students. My exchanges with potential signees were somewhat awkward as I was not allowed to “campaign” until the start of the “campaigning period” which would begin the Monday after my candidacy was confirmed. When people did ask me why they should sign, I simply told them that their signature was not an endorsement, and that they should feel comfortable signing so long as they had no reason to think I was an outright terrible person. Luckily that worked. Along with nomination forms, aspiring candidates have to submit a 100-word statement. I therefore had to come up with a campaign strategy early on. I decided to run as a left-wing populist. I’ve noticed that while UTSU executives usually have left-ofcenter platforms, their points rarely excite the left as much as they annoy the right. Knowing I couldn’t win over right-leaning voters anyway, I figured I might as well try and galvanize the left. I made the fight for free education the central point of my campaign and referenced the legendary Vietnam war-era student movement in my statement. Once nominees collect enough signatures, they subsequently have to attend an all-candidates meeting. It is there that candidates can finally see who they are running against and are given a run-through of the election rules. The Varsity made a surprise appearance at the event, seemingly with the intent of photographing and talking to candidates. Not having anticipated this, I had to leave without interacting with the press. A day after this meeting, the campaign period started. A combination of homework and

y the end of the spring migration, 50 million birds will have passed over Toronto. It’s a stupendously large number of birds, and a completely unexpected event, as close as Toronto gets to nature’s monster swarms. There are so many of them that they appear on radar screens like vast thunderstorm systems coming over the lake. In many myths and legends, birds appear as messengers of the deities. Ancient Roman augurs predicted the future by reading the flight of birds. This is completely accurate for Toronto, as these birds are an extravagant iridescently plumed and breasted symbol that winter is—FINALLY— over, that the air has literally defrosted and become sweet enough to fly through. These birds hate frost and cold; they fly behind the frost line like they are chasing it away. Some have flown from Central and South America—migrations of 7,000 to 8,000 kilometres. Most of these birds spend the winter months in the tropics and the jungles of Central and South America. Passing through Toronto are some 270 species, most exotic variations never seen here outside the migration, with bright plumage befitting their residence in the jungle. It is like something from a dream that 50 million flying creatures from the jungle have come to Toronto; at the risk of whining like a little bitch, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that all winter long, all I wanted was for Toronto to be a jungle, and not be this cold and barren overly familiar place. Because you don’t get winter blues in the jungle. The jungle is fertility and febrility. You flitter about and eat fruit. There, the bird calls are overwhelming. For a few weeks this spring, we will have that here too, a symphonic portend of a summer’s sweet liquor. They are calling for sex. Birds have their priorities right: forget winter; it’s shitty; let’s go to the tropics. A further note on the rightness of bird priorities: birds travel faster during the spring migration than they do in the fall. It’s in the spring that they are heading towards the breeding grounds.•

Golden-crowned Kinglet at Thommy Thompson Park Bird Research Station, Toronto.

thenewspaper.ca

Pornography as Art

Tips for travelling light and thrifty

Talking art and sex with Feminist Porn Award winners Sonya JF Barnett and N.Maxwell Lander

Yes, Europe is great and all. But Asia is less expensive just as awesome. Also, buy a small backpack and ride the nightbus.

PARKER BRYANT

he Good For Her Feminist Porn Awards (FPAs) and Conference is in its ninth year of celebrating feminist pornography or “smut,” as the FPAs’ website playfully calls it, and will be hosting events throughout the first week of April across Toronto. The adult films nominated for these awards are arguably frontiers of an exciting new genre in adult filmmaking and postmodern artistry: feminist art porn. But in saying “art porn,” we enter ourselves into the age-old debate of what qualifies artwork as “erotic” and what designates it as obscenity or “porn.” “Pornography’s sole intent is to stimulate sexually; it is an aid to sex or masturbation,” said Alyce Mahon, author of the 2005 book Eroticism and Art. If we keep with the definition that pornography is only a means to an orgasmic end, then art and porn become incompatible. But can we not have both? Something that is aesthetic and intellectual while also visceral and stimulating? After all, what is the difference in artistic merit between Anaïs Nin’s acclaimed works of erotic literature and modern adult films that present the sex act in the same nuanced way? The only difference is that the technologies used to illustrate XXX content have changed. The newspaper talked to FPA-winning filmmakers, N. Maxwell Lander and Sonya J.F. Barnett, about their films’ inspirations, aesthetic motifs, and how they think the artistic and the sexual intersect. “There is something about the lines and curves and shadows of a nude woman that is really compelling,” said Barnett, a Toronto-based artist, activist, and founder of SlutWalk Toronto and The Keyhole Sessions. She is also the director of the FPA-winning film Because I Want You to Watch (2013) and Sexiest Short nominated film

No Artificial Sweeteners (2014). Because I Want You to Watch, plays with vibrant colour, space and sex. It opens with the film’s performer, Nymph, puffing on a cigarette while walking through a graffitied alleyway. The narrative is set as Nymph opens the door to an empty room and begins to masturbate—the reason behind her

“What’s more interesting than the fucking itself, is what makes us want to fuck.” prior determination now obvious. This kind of simplistic yet effective narrative arc is also present in Lander’s film, Emile. Lander is a Toronto-based photographer and filmmaker who has snapped everyone from high-brow CEOs to provocative drag queens. His films, Emile (2012) and Maybe He’s Gifted (2011), have won Sexiest Short and the Beaver Award for Canadian Content at the FPAs. Inspired by novelists like Tolstoy and prolific photographer Helmut Newton, Lander’s Emile is meant to be a recreation of a “romantic French interlude in an old Russian novel,” Lander said to the newspaper. The film opens with a shot of a closed book placed next to an ashtray sitting on the sill of an open window; the ashtray holds a lit cigarette. Tension builds as the viewers wonder what is unfolding outside of the frame and why this unseen character’s initial actions have been

suspended. Cut to a shot of a woman masturbating and the viewers are given their answer. Each film contains their own symbols of subversion, which might just be a quality inherent to feminist art porn as it stands as a transgressive young art movement. Cigarettes are a predominant motif; in the era of the Motion Picture Production Code, cigarettes were usually used as an allusion to the sex act and as a symbol of the phallus. In present filmmaking the cigarette maintains its sensual status but hints less to the phallus and more to a fringed character who is mysterious and heavily romanticized. Emile is this character; Nymph is this character. “There’s something inherently romantic and sexual about smoking,” said Lander, who includes subtle and nuanced imagery, such as lip and other facial details, entwined within explicit crotch shots to create this exponential buildup of sexual tension. This technique is paralleled in Barnett’s work, whose favourite shot from Because I Want You to Watch is a close-up of Nymph laughing. “What’s more interesting than the fucking itself, is what makes us want to fuck,” said Lander. And that is the crux of feminist art porn: it illustrates—and beautifully so—why we desire and how we choose to act it out. While the intersection of pornography, academia and art come under fire from certain critics, the conversation should be shifted to a commentary on what is a new transgressive art form rather than a self-indulging act of smut. As we have seen with the criticism of Dadaism and Pop Art when they first came to surface, the telltale sign that a significant art movement is in development is when art critics become very critical of that same movement. • Lisa Monozlai

ravelling can be the eye-opening, enlightening, Into the Wild adventure you’ve always dreamed of, even when you are working with a student budget, or lack thereof. There are lots of ways to travel without spending an arm and a leg, and, what’s more, the challenge of travelling on a shoestring often makes for a more meaningful journey than being jettisoned along by a hotel tour guide. Traveling in Asia for two months with a posthigh school budget taught me that food tastes best off the street, meditative moments do not come from sleep, and that laundry is a luxury. First, reconsider your travel destination. In London during the summer, you can expect to spend $30-50 a night for a bed in a dorm, whereas in Prague, for example, you might spend $20-30. Eastern Europe has gorgeous art galleries and architecture, unique culture, and a lively nightlife—all of which can be experienced for a bargain compared to the West. Better still, don’t spend your hard-earned pennies in Europe if you want to get the most experience for your dollar. Southeast Asia is gorgeous–the food is amazing and cheap, the geography is stunning, and the backpacker community is diverse. In Vietnam, you can stay in decent hostels for under $10 a night. In parts of India, you could spend $12 a day for three square meals, water, and accommodation—the price of a croissant and latte in Paris. Also, if Lonely Planet considers a destination “off the beaten track,” it probably isn’t. Guidebooks are helpful for logistical matters like transportation and can have good suggestions for tours and activities. But if you’re looking for a more rustic (read: inexpensive) expe-

rience, the best guidebook will be the locals and the other travelers whom you meet along the way. When it comes to preparing for your trip, we all know that Mountain Equipment Co-op is a REALLY fun place, but it’s a money grabber. Tempting as those breathable, lightweight, quick-dry socks are, you really don’t need them. Also, getting a smaller backpack is cheaper and will prevent you from over-spending when you’re abroad as you won’t have much wiggle room for shopping. Smaller packs are also economical for life on the road, as a 32-liter backpack can count as a carry-on, thus avoiding baggage fees. Once you hit the road, this guide for the common cheap-o recommends that you embrace the dorm life at hostels. A bed in a group room is nearly half the price of getting a private room. Plus, you might meet some potential travel companions. An alternative or complement to the hostelling is Couchsurfing, a free service which allows members to connect with locals who are offering accommodation within their home or just a chance to get a friendly look into the region with a local, often over beers. Really struggling with cash? Churches or other religious centres often have spartan dorms which will be the cheapest rate in town. Another option is to get on board with a volunteer opportunity that will help you continue your travels for next to nothing. WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a network through which one receives room and board in exchange for a day’s work on a farm. WWOOFing is a great way to meet other travelers while getting to really know a new place. Other organizations to look up are Help

Exchange, Conservation Volunteers (Australia & New Zealand), and Rustic Volunteers. An option for more fiscally-interested travellers, you can work for cash while you travel. Lots of hostels will exchange menial work for free room and board, and in addition, touristy bars also tend to hire Canadians and Americans to act as promoters. Use the skills you don’t even know you have: post an ad offering conversational English practice/tutoring on a region’s Craigslist equivalent and you might be surprised how much interest you receive. When you’re jumping from place to place, there are lots of inexpensive options, such as travelling via night bus a la Harry Potter. It’s not a luxurious form of travel, but it’s an economical way of paying for a bed while getting to your next destination. Another word about transportation: While it might look like a traffic accident waiting to happen, whatever transport the local population uses will always be your cheapest option. In terms of the ever-important topic of food, your budget will fare much better if you avoid restaurants that advertise with any of the following words: “North American,” “continental,” “banana pancakes,” or “nutella.” To avoid the pricey restaurants catering solely to backpackers, escape the backpacker refuge. Just a few blocks away, local restaurants will likely be half the price and the food will be tastier, fresher, and more authentic. Perhaps the most important tip is to allow for spontaneity. Overbooking can result in over-spending. Fellow backpackers will give better advice about cheap hostels, restaurants, and cities to visit than the Internet ever can. • Laura Charney

April 2014

WINNIPEG FOLK FEST

WEST

6 Following its 40th anniversary last year, this festival features a range of musicians, but still aims to stay largely true to its eponymous folk roots. Although the 2014 lineup has yet to be announced, judging from last year’s acts, we can expect to find a range of folk and indie bands, with some marginally heavier bands thrown into the mix.

LOCATION: Gallagher Park, Edmonton, Alberta DATE: August 7-10 COST: $159 for all four days, $55 to $65 for one day Lineup: Feist, John Butler, Charles Bradley, Loreena McKennitt, Neko Case, Bruce Cockburn, Head and the Heart

SLED ISLAND

LOCATION: Squamish, B.C DATE: August 8-10. COST: Weekend passes cost $325, while single day passes are $149 Lineup: Eminem, Bruno Mars, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Broken Bells, Foster the People, the Roots, Tokyo Police Club, Kevin Drew, Hollerado

SQUAMISH VALLEY

This B.C. based festival rivals Bluesfest and Osheaga in booking top-rate headliners. However, the availability of camping facilities sets Squamish Valley apart from other top-tier Canadian festivals. Perhaps the one downside is that this festival holds the dubious distinction of being one the most expensive weekend music passes in Canada. Fiscal concerns aside, if you want to see the biggest bands on the festival circuit this summer, and share an equal love for the rugged outdoors (with loads of amenities of course), Squamish is the summer music festival for you.

Summer music festivals mean blazi porta-potty lines and a sea of undulati friend Molly. From the Squamish Valle plethora of Canadian options for the ou has Coachella and Bonnaroo, and th Festival, Canada can hold its own wh festivals—so leave your passport at is for rock, folk, hip-hop or EDM it’s closer than you think. So sunscreen, pack-up that m rain. Here are the top f across the

TIM

LOCATION: Calgary, Alberta DATE: June 18-22 COST: $199 for all five days Lineup: Only the first round of headliners have been announced, so far confirmed: Spiritualized, Neko Case, Rocket From The Crypt, St. Vincent, Touché Amoré, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Rhye, Killer Mike, Earthless, The Julie Ruin, Bob Mould, Chelsea Wolfe

CANA FESTIVA SUMM

e- . som rk by hfo ed itc c- ly rat f P y a ab cu o all ot as tion ritic re n al it w sec f c s a stiv the ie ke sic’ n o ian l fe p, ind s li u tio usic sica rou ic, nd ead w M llec m u c’ g ron e a rk p r e co an l m ssi ct ric Yo eu t N id ter ica cla ele t p ort , lin es sol ve yp e ‘ of ke F d g. l’s e ‘B a gh e t on ge tic see row yin iva th red ou th ast ran ird to e c art est ng he lth ing le le y-b ses iat e p is f adi gat ds, a lack g at rtab earl omi olleg rabl n o r c o Th re as i n e f 5 e p t , a h d on me d b espi clu com e $2 ds ger mem e, Ti ime . D f in rs a Th ban oun me lum cla ent y o ive cts. wer a y so , F CX b l s r ab d- de p a ne ith fo son i X n f l o w e to. on arl sta tiva p-h er o ity ak on Br Ch r fes d hi mb pac to m To ets on z, an e nu o ca ure ick cti ud rk, dt Yo , A lo th led t is s r i rt ips al C fil ich y-b Fo l Gr ajic : r 9 a wh ion y 1 r e ath , M cat Jul fo De ins Lo e: 25 t es, pk $ im o Da st: Gr n H Co p: Jo eu cia, Lin . Lu St

This festival is one of the largest music festivals in Western Canada outside of B.C. This year marks the first musical festival held in Calgary after last year’s devastating floods forced Sled Island to cancel. Also featuring art and comedy curated by Kathleen Hanna of the Julie Ruin, Sled Island stands to be a true return to form for Calgary live music.

O V O ST FE

VELD

EDMONTON FOLK FEST

A more laid-back and relaxing atmosphere than other Canadian music festivals held this summer, this festival holds fewer than 15 000 people on a given day. The best news is that leaving your friends to use the porta-potties won’t mean a 45-minute manhunt to find your group again. Held in pristine Gallagher Park, the festival features a natural amphitheatre which houses the main stage, while the remainder of the park contains smaller peripheral stages for lesser-known acts. Refreshingly, the Edmonton Folk Fest promotes a sound that is decidedly more true to its name than, say, the Ottawa Bluesfest—you won’t be finding any Wu-Tang Clan members here.

by ned lways o i mp r, a cha a sta lineup , l a iv -dram the ge st fest sic er teen though ises hu s gue e u u m d l wn e form es. A al prom Previo inclu O y m . n y r v r s a Ver er o t n esti ow isto you er’s numb bigges , the f the sh year h er. If t-topb o r e t Oc onto’s -hop’s auster d out l’s five- Wond g cha f the n n r e p a i t To ws hi a bi o rou estiv Stevi atch gaze o VO is . dra y seem uests t r the f e and lves w scient rity, O r too) ma prise g es ove , Kany e invo omni e secu le siste sur earanc inem erienc er the itheatr ur litt app Z, Em val exp ts und mph ybe yo . nto Jay- al festi hop ac lson A d ma oro the T o n , e a for re id g hip nt M ou ( t 0 a 5 e e $3 pin r-pres l for y hith 5 to mp 2 A eve festiva 1 $ lson et, the Mo 3-4. le tick : n sts” atio ugust a sing gue c l o a i r L te: A fo c Spe Da st: $70 t, “ s a Co kend utk e, O k wee a r :D eup n i L

Plenty shake of bros, gals a a weeke stick at. Ch nd more M nd of e strutti ck out Veld DMA than parties ng you you ca for an o f t he n r their d E amned year, Veld is stuff. One o DM-fueled music f p e t s a h t c e ked to r bi a sitting ficionado w each that hi with people ggest g h i h n trying o e a d r rea ch le nuanc ed arti air, while so ms of nothi vel. If you’re stic m mberly ng mo not ex a er a r freaky ctly be your its of a perf considering e than o a t Veld is nd want to scene. But if rmance, this he s y f w m o o e r u ay a ’r y t e look ou. So out th pricey in e g d to Dow rinks, spray et ready for worries of t g to get he lo -tan an nsview d a lon ts of flesh, n week, . g f u n-filled eon, Locati on: Do trek ou Date: t Augus wnsview Par t Cost: k, Toro $225 f 2-3 nto. or regu passes lar wee kend p ass, $3 Lineup 05 for : VIP C alvin H Martin a r r G i s a , r I r n i Helde ns, Bla x, Bingo Pla grosso, Nero yers, D u , VBBS Knife Party , , Dann ic, Oli ver

LOCATION: Birds Hill Park, Winnipeg, MA DATE: July 9-13 COST: $300 for entrance to each day Lineup: The Sheepdogs, the Wilderness of Manitoba, the Wooden Sky, Bonnie Raitt, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Chic Gamine, Scarlett Jane

Phil M

Aiming for a slightly olde festivals, Toronto Urban R to the veteran Toronto fes recently re-united and exh Milk Hotel, and rounded like the Violent Femmes, Featuring three stages and rapidly growing into a pre bands like Beirut and Hey the calmer, indier folks, G will tend to those seeking looking for a festival that a tad more reserved and w kids getting heat stroke, T

Location: Fort York, Toro Date: July 4-6 Cost: $60 dollars for sing bird three-day tickets

Lineup: Neutral Milk Ho rut, Jeff Tweedy, Hey Ros Gogol Bordello, Violent F

thenewspaper.ca

7 OSHEAGA

RIP

DRDIGI EA TAL M S

Metz

M dr uch e fr am lik Ca om t . Co e Ve sw na ech ns ld, tes eaty da’s l hou istin Digi Di t D ma arge se g of tal git Js ss st to a Dr al sou go DJ du wid eam Lo Dr nd ing -b bst e- s eam s l b ase ep ran is Da cati s m ike a allist d fe , Dig ge o an E Co te: on: st: Jun On igh pe ic t stiv ita f d DM $1 e 2 tar t ju rfec o so als. l D anc fa Lin 60 8 io st t w me If b ream e m n’s Be eu P $1 29 la be ay o ei w rli p: T c 9 yo to f th ng s is usic et e, n, 0f o u T p s e Ar iest o r f pe p ar ne oro rt t D o, est nd lan t o of he nt iva a et f a ep Just o w l o we ’s h art ice eek f c ek ot me , D en ho en nt ee d ice d, ,E p . ric Dis Pr h, yd Lu z cia no ,D ash

ing sun, overpriced beers, agonizing ing kids getting a bit too close to their ey Music Festival to Osheaga, there are a utdoor music aficionado. While the U.S. he U.K. has Glastonbury and Reading hen it comes to putting together killer t home. Whether your predilection M, there’s a festival for you, and text a few friends, grab some minivan and pray it doesn’t festivals in Toronto and e country.

NXNE

ADIAN AL GUIDE MER ’14

URF

er crowd than other Toronto Roots Festival (TURF) caters stival-goer. Headlined by the haustingly toured Neutral d out with influential bands TURF is not one to miss. d over 40 bands, TURF is emier Toronto festival. While y Rosetta! are sure to speak to Gogol Bordello and Gaslight g a bit more energy. If you’re has an impeccable lineup, is won’t feature neon coloured TURF might be your choice.

onto.

gle-day tickets, $200 for early

otel, Sam Roberts Band, Beisetta!, The Gaslight Anthem, Femmes

LOCATION: Jean Drapeau Parc, Montreal DATE: August 1-3 COST: $250 for a three-day pass Lineup: Jack White, Outkast, Arctic Monkeys, Skrillex, Lorde, The Replacements, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Modest Mouse, Chvrches, Band of Horses, Gogol Bordello, Danny Brown, Portugal. the Man, Mac Demarco

OTTAWA BLUESFEST

Celebrating its 20th year, this enormous festival delivers big names year after year, reinforcing Bluesfest’s position in the top-tier triumvirate of Canadian summer music festivals alongside Osheaga and Squamish Valley. Although a majority of acts bear very little relation to actual blues music, the festival promises all-star headliners performing in our nation’s capital. From DJs, to ’80s arena rock, to Westcoast rap, to indie, to true blues, and everything in between, the variety of acts will pique any music fan’s interest. This festival is a solid choice for anyone with diverse musical tastes and the spare time to attend a nearly two-week long festival. LOCATION: Lebreton Flats, Ottawa, Ontario DATE: July 3-13 COST: Early Bird full-week wristbands are $199, full price is $249, and tickets to any three days are $99 Lineup: Journey, Lady Gaga, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, the Band Perry, St. Vincent, Mac Demarco, John Mayall, Tegan and Sara, Violent Femmes, Queens of the Stone Age, Tokyo Police Club, Foreigner, Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty, The Killers, Tyler the Creator, Barenaked Ladies, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Deltron 3000

EAST

FIEL

e city. e entir ans th nces are a tival sp day fes o see, but ch won’t have multit lse— s will e assive d bands This m re plenty of ch everyone ile wristban s for inh t u a There nd pretty m of them. W ne-off ticke t Yonge o a a er cent you— ncerts wallet, of 90 p out of your ssive free co sponsible al us heard he ma ally re t normo c chunk take a l shows and or a more fis are of the e p early. w a f show u make ing: be dividu undas ord of warn d be sure to n and D ve. A w hows a bs, and ternati at the free s ars, clu s to at b crowd Toron t u rougho vary on: Th ickets Locati spaces idual t , indiv public 3-22 -$150 June 1 re $99 Date: ristbands a e Sleigh Cost: W n venu rown, -Yards, ding o anny B ne depen oon, D P Ferg, Tu ssy, Pizza p S , incent , Metz, A$A z, Perfect Pu : St. V o ti Lineup ac Demarc , Speedy Or uttons Bells, M Fuck B Rhye, round g Under

Fea scen turing you e roy a bev kee movi alty, an y of In thro p indi ng, Fie d eno die ro Abo w-do e-kids ld Tri ugh d ck hea 20- rigina wn to of all p deliv anceab vies, T fest minut l-influ some stripes ers a d le bea oront free ival (ju e BSS enced post-h happy iverse ts to k o mus ic e aga st b jam dan ardc . If l in t ewa , th ce ore you ineup ep t h Loc is y re of en F unes ; bou wan to ie ear) t ; n Da ation: . the an ld Tri and g ce to to t e F p is roo som k : o l Co J e r u tY -bit v n ers—your k e to a e end st: $75 e 7-8 ork, T i n oro k for ids d of nto a si get . ngl Lin in e ti e u cke Bro p: t , k $12 CH en S 5-2 00 Dre VRCHocial S for c w, S e the had ES, Lo ne, In wee t , Fu rd e r kcke Hur pol, Th d U on, p, A Ha e Kil Trib lf Mo ls, C e C on onst alle Run ant in dR ed , Kevin es,

The Montreal-based festival that Torontonians love and Quebecois hate. Osheaga has the weight to pull in bigger headliners than any other festival in Eastern Canada, which makes for a predictably good show year after year. The festival boasts at least five stages, an array of music genres, and plenty of fun extras (pneumatic vending machines that shoot milk beverages). Take a Megabus down to Montreal to party in the expansive portion of Jean Drapeau Parc cordoned off for the festival. One word of warning: watch out if you plan on wandering off into the forested areas, you never know what you’re going to see…

HILLSIDE This festival features mostly Ontario-based bands, and a fairly indie-rock tone, set against the beautiful scenery of Guelph Lake Island. Tickets are a modest price and the revilers are a bit less intense than some other festivals, which is a plus for those on a budget, who just want to take it easy and watch some good Canadian music. If you’re into the camping-focused festivals, love Broken Social Scene-esque tunes, and can tolerate U of G hippies this may be the one for you. LOCATION: Guelph Lake Island, Guelph, Ontario DATE: July 25-27 COST: 2014 prices haven’t been announced but weekend passes were $125 last year Lineup: Hasn’t been announced yet, but last year’s included: July Talk, Diamond Rings, Wintersleep, the Wilderness of Manitoba, the Sadies, the Darcys, Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, Fucked Up, Metz

April 2014

ost teenagers have fond memories of their high school graduation and their first year of university. What I remember most about that period of my life is my destructive battle with mental illness. I was diagnosed with a severe case of Bipolar Disorder on July 3, 2012, six weeks after I graduated from high school. I went through high school with every symptom of Bipolar Disorder. I would enter manic periods, go countless nights without sleep and manage to accomplish ungodly amounts of work. All the while I did every extracurricular imaginable and never missed a 5 a.m. rowing practice. Many people would consider these behaviours productive, but it was the grandiose thoughts, poor judgment and impulsive behavior that caused concern. Then I would crash and turn into a cycle of catatonic exhaustion. I would lock myself in my room, unable to concentrate, and lose interest in doing any of my favorite things. I cycled from hypomania to depression constantly. When my psychiatrist diagnosed me, he recommended that I take a gap year to work with the Early Intervention Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to prevent my condition from worsening. At the time, there was no chance that I was going to give up my acceptance at the U.S. college of my choice and a coveted spot on their varsity rowing team—along everything else I had worked for—to deal with a condition that I didn’t want to admit I had. Like many people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder, I was also abusing substances in an attempt to mitigate the symptoms of my Bipolarity. My already compromised behaviour, in conjunction with my substance abuse, led me to make poor decisions and in turn, marred my reputation. Prior to leaving for college in August, my school had assured me that there was a support network set up for my psychiatric care. When I arrived, it quickly became evident that this was not the case. By the middle of October in my freshman year, I hit a new low. I was in the midst of a major depressive episode and unable to function. Small tasks like getting out of bed in the morning seemed impossible. In early November, I came back home to Toronto for American Thanksgiving. When my mom picked me up from the airport she barely recognized me. My medication had caused such an increase in appetite that I had gained close to thirty pounds. The entire way home from the airport my mom was holding back tears. The best word she could use to describe me was “catatonic.” For as long as I can re-

Looking back one year after a mental health diagnosis Recounting the terror (and joy) Bipolar Disorder brought into my life

MARSHA MCLEOD

member, my identity was tied to my appearance. The sport I had dedicated the last five years of my life to required me to be under certain weight and suddenly I realized that I was never going to race again. Moreover, my immediate and extended family always put a huge importance on aesthetics and I could see that they were beginning to give me the cold shoulder. After Thanksgiving break, I returned to school with the intention of trying to finish the semester. I regularly attended Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings and accredit NA for my ability to finish off the semester and pass my exams. My fellow NA members offered me enough support and guidance to push through what I was going through. When I returned home in December, I slept on my parents’ sofa for months because I refused to go outside. I wouldn’t risk running into someone I knew. By January, my doctor realized that the medication I was prescribed in August was actually worsening my Bipolarity. Not only had I been

overmedicated, but the medication was failing to treat my symptoms and was causing side effects that were hindering my physical health. I stopped taking Abilify at the end of January against my psychiatrist’s recommendation. For a brief two-week period everything got better— and then it all came crashing down. In that month, the incidents of my reckless behaviour began to come to light. Hypersexuality is an incredibly common—but rarely talked about—symptom of Bipolarity. I had cheated, multiple times, with multiple different people, on a person I cared deeply about. It felt like everyone knew about my indiscretions. My boyfriend called me from college to tell me that he’d found out about my cheating and that. Not only was our relationship over, but he never wanted to talk to me again. I was devastated. My boyfriend was the one person who had literally held my hand throughout the substance abuse, the mood swings, the weight gain and

everything else that came along with my mood disorder. I realized that after years of him being there for me, he would no longer be a part of my life and it tore me apart. Not on my medication, I sank deeper into a major depressive episode. I eventually became suicidal and tried to take my own life. I will never forget the look on my dad’s face when he saw an empty bottle of sleeping pills next to me: it was utter devastation. My parents decided that I was in danger of hurting myself again and brought me to Sunnybrook Hospital to be admitted. Being locked in the psychiatric ward made me realize the extent that people with mental illnesses are marginalized. My first morning there, I woke up to a nurse trying to take my blood while I was sleeping. The fact that the nurse did not feel the need to tell me of her intentions made me feel disenfranchised. It appeared that even people who worked everyday with psychiatric patients had stigmatized mental illness. For the two weeks I was hospitalized, I was the only patient in the psychiatric ward to receive visitors. I didn’t go a day without family and friends coming to see me. It seemed that people suffering from severe mental illnesses were ostracized by the people in their lives who could have been offering support. As undeniably awful as the psychiatric ward was, I left the hospital in a better mindset. I had my medication changed and was starting to feel like a version of myself again. Out in the “real-world,” I soon realized that I was now the target of stigmatization. The night I left the hospital I met two of my “friends” for dinner. It was my first social outing in months. When we were served our food, one made a joke about how the waiter should take my knife away from me. A few weeks later, I walked into a coffee shop only to hear a group of girls I didn’t recognize whispering about how I had “totally lost my mind.” Those girls didn’t realize the effect their words would have on on my tenuous self-confidence. During my hospitalization, I read Albert Camus’ The Fall. The moral of that story is that sometimes in life we have to fall from grace in order to accept the parts of ourselves that define who we are. Every day since my suicide attempt, I have thought of Camus’ words: “In the worst of winter I found my invincible summer.” My journey with Bipolarity destroyed who I used to be. I am no longer the ultra-confident, thick-skinned, extraverted person I once was, but I like the person I am now. I have found my invincible summer. • Camille Leon Angelo

DAFFODIL MONTH: A time for remembrance, unless your grief doesn’t fit the narrative

belong to a special club. However, the cost of membership is higher than one would ever be willing to pay, and I did not choose to become a member no more than I was able to choose the day on which I was born. I was initiated in the early morning of Saturday, August 8, 2009 when my father died of Stage IV lung cancer after a decades-long struggle with diabetes, heart disease, alcoholism, and poor health management. This month is the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Month, a national awareness and fundraising campaign. The goal of the initiative is to fund cancer research, support Canadians living with cancer, advocate for positive public policy change, and most pertinently, “remember loved ones lost to cancer.” I don’t find it helpful to my healing to identify with the work of the Canadian Cancer Society. I am not arguing that the campaign is not worth supporting—nothing like that, as it is invaluable to many. Rather, I am selfishly noting that I personally cannot gain any catharsis from connecting with its advocacy. However, I do have a problem with the compartmentalization of similar experience. In at least some small way, I can identify with any individual who has experienced the death of someone close to their heart—irrespective of the specific manner through which their blow was dealt. Several months after the death of my father, I began taking part in group therapy sessions for teens. One week, a participant shared the story of her father’s recent suicide. She explained that her mother and her told most of their family and friends that he died of a massive heart attack. Subsequently, when I survey Daffodil Month, I see an effective monetary fundraiser and general awareness campaign, but I also see disenfranchisement. More space is needed for young people whose experience of grief does not fit a common or specific narrative. North American culture considers it taboo to talk about illness without using a shield of positivity and has made it unthinkable to speak about death without the use of euphemism. When our youth-obsessed society does discuss death, two pieces of blanket advice are often doledout: (1) it’s going to be okay

and (2) just be strong. In my experience, it’s going to be okay felt like a denialist attitude towards the unique and devastating pain brought by death, while the often-stated “just be strong” seemed like no more than a nicely-packaged way of saying that it was unacceptable to be emotional in my grief. This feeling that (visible) grief is unacceptable affects many people who experience a death, and the feeling is emphasized when one experiences a death that is not easily memorialized or understood through our cultural lexicon. As the young woman in my teen support group evidenced, it is much easier to gain societal support during your grief as the familial survivor of a heart attack victim, rather than one of a suicide victim. It takes only a small thread of similarity to connect: three years ago, I was careening through the Himalayas on a local bus, squished beside two 24-year-old women from Canada when we began to discuss our families. It is easy to detect children who’ve experienced the death of a parent: we never use the term “my parents.” The pair, Liat and Courtney, spoke of their mothers, both of whom had died within the last two years, and I of my father. Referencing my significantly younger age, Liat said, “This is something you really shouldn’t have had to go through.” To which Courtney replied, “None of us should have had to go through it.” Membership to my imaginary club, Young Bereavers (as I like to call it), sometimes feels as though it requires an A at the end of it: Young Bereavers Anonymous. Yet grief need not be silent, simple, understated, or hidden. Nor does it need to be branded, specific, pretty, and a sunny shade of yellow, as Daffodil Month tends to encourage. I believe that openly acknowledging death and its consequences will serve our generation much better than our current coping strategy: denying mortality in an attempt to gain some emotional distance. Through this month’s showers and flowers, let’s work to make grief—and the multitude of forms it can incarnate—a little less anonymous.• Marsha McLeod

thenewspaper.ca

CHEATERS BEWARE: U OF T WILL CUT YOU The perils of academic dishonesty

CAITLIN TAGUIBAO

Riding the 504 at 5 p.m. How not to be a dick

hances are that if you live in Toronto or commute from the surrounding GTA, you've taken the TTC. If that's true, then you have most likely experienced a frustrating ride caused by someone who just didn't get the memo on TTC etiquette. Worry no longer, I am here to help you to help them learn the rules of riding public transportation. To many of us these guidelines are commonsensical, but to combat future indiscretions, cut this article out and carry a copy with you. The next time you see someone breaking one of the rules listed below, take it out and place it on the seat next to them. Hopefully they, or someone else, will learn a thing or two about proper public transit etiquette. But for now, how about we play a game ladies and gents? How about adding, “you dick” to the end of each rule to let out some frustration! Here we go, are you ready? • Paulina Saliba

1 Take your backpack off, you dick. This rule applies to any and all students on the College streetcar. Every person wearing a backpack is the equivalent of two people. So do us all a favour and keep that stuff between your legs. 2 Don't take up two seats, you dick. Unless your groceries or your dog also paid a fare, I don't want to see them on a seat. *Also applicable to this category: Putting your feet up on a chair; sitting on the outside seat instead of the inside (while onlookers angrily stand beside you); hanging your dry-cleaning on numerous poles. 3 Move to the back, you dick. Why are people so afraid of moving to the back of the streetcar or bus? Sure it might be an inconvenience to shimmy your way through the streetcar, but moving to the back will make your life, the driver’s life, and everyone's life easier. I pinky promise you will eventually get off. 4 Have your fare ready, you dick. *It's just not fair (heheh) to the people waiting behind you or to the driver. You know how much it is, and you know you'll need to pay. Don't hope that the driver will be distracted by your charm and good-looks and suddenly forget that you did not deposit any change... just because it happened once doesn't mean it'll happen again. *Also applicable to this category: Do not enter from the back, you're just going to waste all of our time. 5 Give up your seat to kids, you di... butt. This rule applies to anyone who looks like they need your seat: the elderly, a pregnant woman or even just someone who looks like they've had a rough day and needs some human compassion. This means keeping your eyes peeled and pulling your head out of your phone/book once in a while.

T including:

here are a variety of ways to ring the bells of dishonesty,

- Creating false data and/ or fabricating academic resource (7) - Forgery of academic records ex. ROSI printout or transcript (0) - Forgery of Documents ex. Medical Note (7) - Impersonation ex. writing an exam on behalf of someone else (0) - Plagiarism and/or purchased essay (7) - Providing unauthorized assistance (0) - Unauthorized aid, e.g. cell phones, in exams (2) - Other (8) Each number indicates the amount of cases in the 2012/13 academic year. Each can be tried in the University’s own tribunal; however, most cases involved more than one offense. Including overlap, there were 13 cases in total between U of T’s three campuses. Of those, four resulted in expulsion.

ALLAN TURTON

The University is very clear on its stance on academic dishonesty and students can find copious documents intended to eradicate any misconceptions about just how serious the University is. The booklet on Academic Integrity outlines that the policies are “designed to protect the integrity of the institution and to maintain a community where competition is fair. As a result, U of T treats cases of academic dishonesty very seriously.” In one example from a case in 2013, a student impersonated a lecturer through a false email account, then used that account to obtain the answer key to an upcoming test. This student was expelled and received a grade of zero in two courses. In cases of cheating, it is not unusual for a student to be suspended for five years and fail the course in question. Edith Hillan, Vice-Provost Faculty and Academic Life explained

that, if a student is accused of academic dishonesty, a meeting is arranged with a tribunal comprised of three members: a student, a faculty member, and a Chair, who is a lawyer. Andrew Walt, a former U of T undergraduate and former editor at the newspaper shared his experience a couple of years ago with the U of T tribunal. Walt was flagged for possible academic misconduct under the belief that the work was beyond what he could produce based on his previous quality of work. “After a meeting with the undergraduate coordinator of the department that failed to dispel [Walt’s professor] concerns of plagiarism, I was left in limbo for three months awaiting a meeting with the office of academic integrity,” said Walt. After an intimidating meeting, in which his essay was “dissected and compared phrase by phrase, argument by argument” with the paper they believed he had cheated

from, the charge was ultimately dropped, as he was found not guilty. Although not a simple ordeal, Walt endorses the systems put in place against academic dishonesty. “Altogether, I think U of T is doing exactly what it should be doing as regards academic integrity,” he shared. “I honestly don’t think U of T is too strict at all.” Cheating is still a prominent problem, one that may be rising, or at the very least changing in dynamic with the rise of the internet age. Students of all fields of study are faced with the pressure to excel, but students such as Walt are proud of a system that honours original work, and takes the necessary procedures to maintain academic honesty. The tribunal system is meant to show that universities are institutions of learners—academics with integrity and a thirst for knowledge. A tribunal reiterates the importance of integrity, and professors often warn their students that action will be taken if plagiarism is detected. But the reality is, despite these precautions, students cheat. The study “Why Do College Students Cheat?” by Mark G. Simkin and Alexander McLeod used a survey to find that approximately 60 per cent of the business students and 64 per cent of non-business students admitted to cheating in their sample of 144 students. “Among cheaters, a ‘desire to get ahead’ was the most important motivating factor,” the study concludes. “Among non-cheaters, the presence of a ‘moral anchor’ such as an ethical professor was most important.” Kristi Gourlay, manager of the Office of Student Academic Integrity at the Faculty of Arts and Science informs that “Generally speaking, offenders tend to fall into three broad categories: the ones who honestly didn't know they were doing something wrong (rare and difficult to assess); the ones who made a bad choice because they were experiencing difficulties of some kind; and the ones who set out to cheat deliberately, calculating that they won't get caught.” The focus on academic integrity is about encouraging the learning experience, and punishing those who attempt to skirt that by taking advantage of the system and fellow students. There are clear procedures in place to ensure that cheating and plagiarism on campus is destabilized. • Samantha Preddie

Four looks to revamp your style for Spring

A strappy, heeled sandal, pumps, or even a chunky wedge will surely do the trick for pairing with denim. The look is not only flattering but you will find yourself dressed appropriately from day to evening. As we wait patiently for the warm weather to arrive, it is only a matter of time before we leave our parkas and Sorrells behind us. Soon enough, parks in every nook and corner across Toronto will be filled with bodies

basking in the sun and sporting their best spring looks. Collectively, Toronto street-style has a reputation for eclectic flair and individuality. While some may disagree, I think we clean up pretty well. • Leah McWatters

ways to say a happy farewell to the

Lilac and trousers and

polar

Balenciaga! Oh my! In this day and age, fashion is instantaneous and the glorified runway shows are available for us to see onlinE. Beginning in New York and then jetting over to Milan, London and Paris, these cities’ shows ignite the beauty of each season. Bloggers, style icons and prominent fashion magazines then capture the art portrayed by the most prestigious design houses and help translate them into accessible style. Taking inspiration from several Spring 2014 runways, here are four major recurring trends that are sure to create some closet staples. Let’s begin with the 90s cult fashion favoUrite, The Crop Top. This garment has been around the block, and it's back to play. Now, when styled after the likes of Balenciaga, Suno or Louis Vuitton, it can tastefully be paired with a tea length skirt or something as casual as your favorite high-waisted jeans. Next up, The Trouser Pant. They are a timeless piece with endless styling options and major staying power. You will see Alexa Chung throw on her tailored trousers with a pair of oxfords and a band tee. This season Maison Martin Margiela and Sass & Bide paired trousers with wordy tops, art deco pop prints, and black and white basics. In terms of colour, one that speaks dear to my heart, as well as to many others on the pastel train, is luscious lilac. Heavily seen on the runway this season were pale shades and muted hues such as minty green, blush pink and icy blue. The best part is that these shades suit most skin tones and generally make one feel like a bowl of sorbet. This trend applies to menswear as well: just take a look at the coveted Marc Jacobs menswear line for valid proof. Here’s to hoping we can kiss our winter blues goodbye and welcome colour back into our lives as soon as possible. If you follow any fashion channels on social media, this next trend will not be of any surprise to you: Denim meets Heels. Soon our denim will move from jeans to shorts, and adding in a pair of high heels to the mix seems to be the answer. Regardless if they are vintage heels or a designer statement, what’s on your feet will tie your outfit together.

Ten

vortex A guide to spending more time outdoors, getting active, and enjoying the spring weather We know summer is not approaching fast enough, but please trust our experts here at the newspaper—it will be here eventually. In the meantime, let’s take courage from that fact that April will (likely) allow us to experience the outdoors once again. Here are ten ways to best soak up the weakly-shining sun this month while getting some physical activity after the sedentary months of studying. Motivate yourself to get into shape for the sake of charity by signing up for a charity run. You feel twice as good about

April 2014 yourself by being active and raising funds at the same time. Upcoming events include: The Run for Women on April 26 for the Toronto Women’s Hospital and Spring into Action! Walk or Run for Diabetes on May 3. Take a wilderness survival and first aid course. Many camping trips go unnecessarily wrong because people do not take precautions or have the relevant skills. Consider a Outward Bound offers Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) training at the Evergreen Brick Works this summer. Go camping with friends. There are lots of sites within an hour or less of the city such as Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, which is about one hour from downtown Toronto. Create your own walking tour of Toronto, for yourself or for friends. If you don’t want to do your own exploring, for $30 you can take a tour of the sweets stores Kensington Market with Tasty Tours or steal a tour of West Queen West leaving from the Gladstone Hotel for $15 (Saturdays at 12 p.m. with Art InSite). Have happy hour outdoors. Move your cocktail party to a rooftop or a patio after a busy (or exhaustingly lazy) day. Our favourite haunts? Kensington's Fika Cafe offers a quaint back patio at 28 Kensington Ave. Engage in farm-to-table dining. Visit nearby farms and orchards to pluck what’s in season. Strawberries, corn, and tomatoes are all coming up! Instead of reading in the living room, head down to the closest (peaceful) park. Another great option is taking a hike at the Evergreen Brick Works, an environmental centre which acts as a jumping off point for exploring Toronto’s ravines. Research shows being in green spaces can amp up attention span. Join an outdoor activity club, such as a running club, cycling club, or power walking club. They are a great way to get fit while expanding your social network. The Toronto Outdoor Club (TOC) runs urban and out of city hikes, canoe expeditions and themed activities such as Pancake Breakfast hikes! Plant something. Whether it’s on your rooftop or balcony, even the smallest of gardens will bring big rewards. Host a BBQ! Cook outside, eat outside, and immerse yourself in nature. • Eman Cheema

MARSHA MCLEOD

ERIK HAYES

Check out the Evergreen Brickworks (pictured) Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning, located in the Don Valley.

thenewspaper.ca

CAMPUS COMMENT What’s your biggest regret of the year? Yukon Damov and Samantha Preddie

Charlotte Fiegenbaum, Psychology

Tom Buchanan, English

Jess Shane, Visual Studies

Gerry Swinkin, UC Alumni ‘74

Aarti Venugopal (left), History and Book and Media Studies

Ashkan Talebi, PhD Civil Engineering

I regret living on residence. I find it to be an isolating experience. It was isolating and lonely and sucked, so that was a bit of a downer. It made things harder.

I have no regrets.

I went to Mexico with my family. I stayed in an apartment with all eight of them.

Not forcing myself to go to class. I’m making up for it now.

Semra Tibebu, Health and Disease

I wish I’d made more friends in class. I have more friends outside of my classes.

I dropped all my classes in first semester–well, a lot of them. I’d just made really bad choices.

My friend came from Iran, but I didn’t go to visit her and I don’t think she’ll come again. I had an exam, so I stayed to work on my courses. After the exam I realized I could have spared the time.

April 2014