The Ontarion - Issue #176.3

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Issue No. 176.3

A frosty mug win for the Gryphons’ SEE CENTRE

LIGHTS LIVE AT PCH CSA ELECTIONS

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THE CLASS INVESTMENT QUESTION PAGE 21

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SEAN DREILINGER VIA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

NEWS 3 • ARTS & CULTURE 8 • SPORTS & HEALTH 12 • LIFE 19 • OPINION 22 • EDITORIAL 25 • FUN PAGE 26

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Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

Why do oil prices keep falling?

A brief overview of a complex topic JOANNE PEARCE Plummeting oil prices call for our attention, but many of us don’t understand why the change in price – a major topic of interest – is happening. There are countless factors to consider. Oil prices are influenced by supply and demand — and by expectations on where future investments should be taking place. Supply can be influenced by things such as weather, such as the Northern Hemisphere’s spike in usage of oil in the winter, and geopolitical conflicts.

From around 2010 to mid-2014, world oil prices were fairly stable at around $110 per barrel. The high

price, compared to those of today, was due to the large demand for oil by countries that consumed a lot of oil, such as China, and those experiencing geopolitical conflicts, of which Libya and Iraq are two such examples. Because oil production couldn’t keep up with the large demand from countries around the world, oil prices spiked.

As oil prices jumped, this led energy companies in Canada and the U.S. to try to profit from extracting oil in difficult-to-reach areas. This was seen in the increased fracking and horizontal drilling of shale formations, as well as the heating of oil sands to extract crude oil. With this boom in oil production, America has become one of the largest oil producers in the world; North Dakota and Texas were two large players in this climb. Despite this boom, crude oil is not exported, meaning that America imports much less than it used to

and creates a large extra oil surplus.

Yet, there are even more reasons to why oil price has decreased.

The world is also currently experiencing a decrease in oil demand, due to weak economic activity and an increased switch to other fuels.

The demand for oil in Asia and Europe began to weaken as emerging market economies cut imports due to weak Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. This was noticeable in November of last year, as weak demand for industrial raw materials could be seen in Japan, China, and Europe. In Libya, production increased around mid-2014, which then acted as an important downward pressure on Brent (North Sea) oil price, further aiding in decreasing global demand, especially in Europe and Asia, as Libya’s output did not decrease.

Brent is a major trading classification for sweet crude oil, among

NEWS others such as Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Reference Basket or West Texas Intermediate (WTI). These classifications act as benchmarks for the price of oil worldwide, and the Brent-WTI price spread has narrowed considerably as of late.

Another factor that has influenced oil prices is that the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and their Gulf allies decided not to sacrifice their own share prices and cut production back, but rather continue with their level of production. This brings us to the influence of OPEC. As a collection of the largest oil-producing nations, OPEC had their last big meeting in late 2014, at which a heated debate took place on what to do about the plunging drops in oil price — a remarkable 30 per cent drop over the last five months. There were some OPEC members, such as Venezuela and Iran, who wanted the group to

Franc-ly speaking: the franc-euro dilemma What you need to know about the Swiss franc ALEXANDRA GRANT The Swiss franc has been the currency to park cash in during recessionary times and euro debt crises. Due to this, the franc’s demand during these times surges much higher than other European currencies and forces its appreciation to, at times, 120 per cent its usual value. The Swiss population is not so thrilled with this fact. When other countries force the appreciation of the franc, the

Swiss feel it in their exports, and the increased price of these goods for foreign buyers hurts the bottom line in a major way.

With this in mind, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) placed a ceiling on the strength the franc could tolerate, and for a while, this seemed to work. The SNB set to use the value to print fresh cash with which they could purchase mass quantities of foreign currency.

However, there was no guarantee on return, which caused the SNB’s currency holdings to explode.

Unlike U.S. government bonds, for example, which can be held until they mature and can virtually guarantee a payback, the Swiss were now in possession of giant piles of currencies that could fluctuate

in value, potentially exposing the bank to much bigger losses.

The SNB’s currency bet is huge, with foreign currency holdings now making up 75 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

As such, the SNB decided to abandon the ceiling on the franc, which caught the market completely by surprise and flung the value of the franc upwards. As the performance of the Swiss stock market suggests, however, the strong franc will hurt the economy just as much, and with Switzerland already in such little debt, it is likely that this will force them into even more deflation – again, not the best thing for an economy.

What does this all mean? In its simplest form, it’s all but a done

deal that the European Central Bank (ECB) will start its own bond-buyback program and force prices down. The euro weakened sharply, and European government bond yields fell as expectations grew that the ECB would be buying government debt. On the whole, this is a very good thing, as the European economy is in terrible shape. Of course, on the other hand, there has been some collateral damage. For some, like UK foreign exchange brokerage Alpari, this was too much to handle, and exposed other banks in the Hungarian mortgage market to losses, as they deal mainly in francs. The scariest of all, however, is the SNB’s total abandon of the fight against deflation.

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cut output, while others disagreed.

This is an important issue, especially for those countries who are heavily invested in oil production, as government spending has led to economies in precarious positions.

In Venezuela, for example, inflation is coming to be about 60 per cent, and their economy is hovering close to recession. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s most influential member and the world’s largest oil exporter, shows no desire to cut back its production; however, their tactic seems to be letting the price drop so that high-cost producers will be hit hard.

As the game of chicken continues, the world economy will persist in facing a drop in oil prices. What this means for the boom in the US and whether the price of oil will stabilize is yet to be seen; at present, no one knows what potential events could influence oil production worldwide.

While a decline in prices might sound good, if the economy were a car, deflation of this sort is like driving with the parking brake on.

The decline in prices makes debt tougher to pay back and discourages the kind of capital investment that economic growth relies on.

This pushes consumers to defer purchases in the hopes that prices will be lower in the future. As such, it will take serious political efforts from governments and central banks to move against the tide.

The ECB finally shows signs of joining the fight, which is a good thing, but the SNB’s decision suggests that some governments are giving up and just letting the current carry them away.

Now hiring a full-time contract position for April 2015-2016 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for everything concerning the daily operation of the newspaper and all material printed within. They set a vision and direction for the paper in terms of design, format, and content that is consistent with The Ontarion Policy. They will manage and evaluate staff, schedule work hours, coordinate volunteers, and facilitate regular meetings. They troubleshoot and facilitate conflict resolution. While the Editor-in-Chief will make journalistic or graphic contributions to the newspaper, this is primarily a management position.

Apply with portfolio of at least 6 writing samples, resume and cover letter to: The Ontarion EIC Hiring Committee UC 264, University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Email: ontarion@uoguelph.ca Only those applicants granted an interview will be contacted. The Ontarion offers a learning environment in student media and considers this in their hiring process.

To obtain a copy of The Ontarion’s Employment Equity Policy and/or the Job Description for this position, please email us at ontarion@uoguelph.ca or visit our website @ www.theontarion.com. The Ontarion reserves the right to prioritize candidates who currently live in, or who commit to moving to Guelph or the immediate surrounding area during the duration of their employment.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MONDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 4 P.M.

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The successful candidate will possess: -a vision for The Ontarion for 2015-16 -supervisory or leadership skills; excellent communication skills -interpersonal conflict resolution skills; strong organizational skills -the ability to work in a stressful environment under tight deadlines -work and volunteer experience in a press environment -training or experience in journalism, editing and/or graphics, some design experience

The Ontarion’s Employment Equity Policy is a proactive measure to recruit qualified people from a variety of ethnic, religious, and class backgrounds, lesbians, bisexuals, gays and transgendered people, people of colour, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and women. Members of the previously identified groups are encouraged to self-identify.

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contact us for more information onsales@uoguelph.ca 519-824-4120 ext 58267 theontarion.com/advertising

The Ontarion is recruiting

volunteers for the Board of Directors

Are you interested in learning more about how your student newspaper is run behind-the-scenes?

Joining the Board of Directors is a way to gain valuable experience while still an undergraduate student.

Get involved, and start working on committees such as: human resources, finance, public relations, and more!

Please contact onpresid@uoguelph.ca, or ontarion@uoguelph.ca for more information.

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

NEWS

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Threat of Boko Haram continues to escalate African Union to discuss collective force ALYSSA OTTEMA Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group centred in Nigeria, has wreaked havoc throughout the country, as well as bordering nations, with assassinations, mass killings, abductions, and bombings. The group has now turned its focus to overthrowing the Nigerian government and creating an Islamic state.

Boko Haram, founded in 2002, adheres to a vision of Islam that denounces Muslim participation in Western political and social activities as forbidden, or “haram.” Such activities include secular education

practices, democratic voting systems, and making modern Westernized clothing choices.

Though commonly known as Boko Haram, which translates loosely to “Western education is forbidden,” the group’s official name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, translating to “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad.”

Fighters for Boko Haram have launched mass attacks on villages, and have been known to kill, loot, and burn entire rural areas that refuse to collaborate with their extremist forces.

In April of 2014, the terrorist group made headlines when Boko Haram forces abducted over 200 girls from a boarding school in Chibok, threatening to treat them as slaves and marry them off.

More recently, the terrorist group has been credited with thousands of

deaths in the bushes of Nigeria. Boko Haram has also shifted their sights to Cameroon, where the extremist forces recently kidnapped dozens of people in raids on the Nigerian neighbour.

In light of the recent escalation of conflicts, several are looking to the African Union to cooperate on collective action.

Ghana’s President, John Mahama, has announced plans for several African leaders to discuss more permanent solutions for the Boko Haram militants.

“We have to make this terror end,” said President Mahama. “We must find a way to act together to share information, to synchronize our strategies, to pool our resources in order to rid the entire African continent of terrorism.”

As the chaos of Boko Haram spreads through to surrounding countries, the militant group is no longer viewed as

solely Nigeria’s problem, with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon promising to join forces with Nigeria in a multinational force agains Boko Haram.

Cameroon recently announced that Chad is set to send a large military contingent to help fight the terrorist organization. The announcement came three days after the country’s army forces killed over 140 Boko Haram militants, who had attacked one of its army bases in the first major effort against Cameroon since the terrorist group threatened the country’s leader in an online video.

President Mahama, along with other African leaders, supports this collective action, noting that the crisis created by the terrorist group has escalated to the point where “a regional or a multinational force” would be important.

“We cannot stand by silently,” concluded President Mahama,

Successful sting busts biker gangs in Saskatoon Police seize arrest prominent members of the Hells Angels and Fallen Saints bike gangs CONNOR HEWSON When one thinks of large-scale drug busts and rampant gang activity, the quaint city of Saskatoon is far from the first place that comes to mind.

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Most famous for being the Canadian city with the greatest number of Tim Hortons per capita, Saskatoon is the kind of place where, to quote the beloved Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, “There’s not a lot going on.”

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, however, police forces across Saskatchewan seized a large amount of guns and drugs in this very city in what is being called one of the most important and wide-ranging sting operations in Saskatchewan’s history. The 15-month long operation, dubbed Project Forseti as homage to the Norse god of justice, culminated on Jan. 14 with the arrests of 14 prominent gang members, including two fullpatch Hells Angels members and the

president of the Fallen Saints motorcycle club, Mark Nowakowski. The charges for those arrested include drug trafficking, weapons, assault, and proceeds of crime. Police have said more charges and arrests are to be expected.

According to Detective Inspector Jerome Engele of the Saskatoon Police, the bikers originally began their business in Saskatchewan because of the booming economy in the prairies seen during the last couple of years, which created a lucrative market for drug dealers in cities such as Saskatoon.

“They’re using illegal drugs, they’re using cocaine” said Engele.

“These are some of our so-called

movies and more NOON

better businessmen. They are aiding this crime by buying the product.”

The Fallen Saints, said to have been formed in the summer of 2013, is one such gang to take advantage of the market.

The drugs seized included methamphetamine, cocaine, counterfeit oxycontin, hashish, and heroin – which, according to the police, are uncommon finds in idyllic Saskatoon. Also among the seizures were more than 3350 fentanyl pills, which police say have “the same chemical composition” as those responsible for the three recent overdose deaths in the city.

The combined value of the seized narcotics is said to be over eight

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM VIA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

President John Dramana Mahama of Ghana calls for action.

“idly waiting for the international community to intervene on our behalf.”

million dollars. Police also seized about 200 firearms, both prohibited and restricted, on top of raiding and searching nine residences and two commercial properties in and around the Saskatoon area. Seven vehicles were seized and impounded as well, along with approximately $100,000 in cash.

Engele did not go into details about the investigation, which first started in November of 2013. Engele did say, however, that informants, surveillance, and tracking devices were some of the tactics used by the Saskatchewan police during the operation. All those arrested and charged will appear in court before the end of January.

Visit www.sundaycinema.ca for info on these Central Student Association events.

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ROZANSKI 105 | FREE Fela’s Themessage Egyptian remains Revolution completely from current the inside. today.

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NEWS

Dalhousie Dentistry student comes forward Scandal over sexually explicit Facebook posts continues MATTEO CIMELLARO One of the 13 Dalhousie Dentistry students (DDS) implicated in the recent scandal concerning sexually explicit Facebook postings has come forward, breaking the media silence in an interview with the Chronicle Herald.

Ryan Millet appeared with his lawyer, Bruce Macintosh, in an unedited video, talking about his role in the group and his opinion on the matter.

Millet says the group was created “during the first week in school” in 2011. Millet admits the posts were “foolish,” and describes the vote on which classmates to have hate-sex with as “extreme inappropriateness and disturbing in nature.” Millet also

says some of the men were “very upset, disturbed by the post. We felt like the guys who posted it would come to their senses within minutes.”

“That post upset me quite a bit,” said Millet.

Millet is the first of the 13 men to have his name released to the public, and is currently the only student not participating in the university’s Restorative Justice program – which includes the DDS and their victims – to bring about community healing.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) obtained a letter written by some of the victims involved, and the women who authored the letter said that the Dalhousie University administration was silencing their views. The letter also demands that the school deal with the formal complaint filed by the women, using the Student Code of Conduct to determine if the women were deprived of a safe and discrimination-free learning environment.

The school’s position states that the online comments were “deeply

offensive, degrading to women, and unacceptable,” but they stand firm in not releasing the names involved, saying that they have an obligation to protect the privacy of students involved.

Students returned to classes in the winter semester, but the dentistry graduate students were ordered to study elsewhere to ensure a safe learning environment for the victims. The DDS were also stripped of their clinical privileges at the school dental clinic.

The Vice President of Student Affairs released a statement saying that the students would be evaluated on “professionalism” for re-admission.

The school’s response sparked mixed feelings from students. Some have said that the DDS should be able to finish school, while others have demanded their expulsion. On Jan. 5, hundreds of protestors rallied and demanded that the students be expelled and that more be done to address sexism on campus.

The scandal was brought public after the CBC received screenshots of the now infamous Facebook group,

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Dalhousie students continue the passionate debates concerning the university administration’s role in pursuing punishment. which consisted of the 13 DDS joking about having hate-sex with fellow students. One joke consisted of which women they would “chloroform,” and another involved a comment on a photo of a student in a bikini, which read, “Bang until the

stress is gone or unconscious (girl).”

Police released a statement in mid-January explaining their decision to not launch a criminal investigation after reviewing the material provided by Dalhousie University.

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

NEWS

New Delhi Uber taxi rape case began in India Trial begins for taxi driver SAMEER CHHABRA On Dec. 7, 2014, 32-year-old New Delhi Uber taxi driver Shiv Kumar Yadav was arrested for the alleged rape of a 26-year-old female passenger. The allegations caused the New Delhi government to ban Uber taxis in India’s capital city on Dec. 8, 2014, calling into question the effectiveness of the American company’s background checks.

In response, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick issued a statement, on Dec. 8, affirming the company’s stringent safety standards, while also establishing the San Francisco-based taxi company as a leader in transportation safety.

“We will work with the [New Delhi government] to establish clear background checks currently absent in their

commercial transportation licensing programs,” said Kalanick in a Dec. 8, 2014 statement. “We will also partner closely with the groups who are leading the way on women’s safety here in New Delhi and around [India] and invest in technology advances to help make New Delhi a safer city for women.”

The criminal trial for Yadav began on Jan. 15, 2015, where the taxi driver was charged with criminal intimidation and kidnapping. Yadav pled not guilty.

Under Indian court laws, journalists are not allowed inside the court, while it is forbidden to publish or report on the victim’s statement. However, prosecutor Atul Shrivastava spoke with the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency, and said that the victim was certain in her ability to identify her attacker.

“She gave her statement confidently,” said Shrivastava to the AFP. “She saw the man and immediately

said: ‘He is the person.’”

“She appeared angry, obviously. If someone curses you, you would be angry. Imagine her situation – that anger is more than justified.”

The BBC reported that, due to India’s notoriously slow legal system, Yadav faces trial before a fast-track court specifically established to deal with crimes against women. The fast-track courts were established in December 2012, after global outrage over the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student.

The alleged events involving Yadav bring into question major complaints with the Uber taxi service both in North America and in the rest of the world, while also continuing to highlight concerns over sexual assault in India.

Earlier this month, news outlets reported that two Indian brothers and three other men were arrested over the kidnap and rape of a Japanese student

near a Buddhist pilgrimage site.

In 2012, statistics from India’s National Crime Records Bureau released figures citing 585 recorded cases of rape in New Delhi, 232 cases in Mumbai, 68 cases in Calcutta, 94 in Chennai, and 90 cases in Bangalore. The total number of unreported cases is always expected to be higher, however.

Uber also faces criticism from groups claiming that the company’s policies on background checks are too lenient.

The taxi company has been working on amending its policies since last year.

Uber is currently banned in Thailand and Spain, while it has been banned in certain German and American cities.

The Yadav-Uber-rape case will continue forward, and prosecutors have said that they intend to produce more than 40 prosecution witnesses. Yadav also faced rape charges in 2011, but his accuser – also a taxi passenger – agreed to a settlement.

CSA General Elections nomination process begins Breaking down the timeline for selecting the candidates KATE SCHIEVINK It’s that time of year again: time for vigorous campaigning, campus debates and voting for your undergraduate student government representatives. As the nomination period began on Jan. 12, it’s likely students have seen potential candidates vivaciously running around campus, pen and paper in hand, in the grand attempt to fill their nomination forms. Nomination period ended on Jan. 20, but students still have the opportunity to get involved.

The Central Student Association (CSA) elects its Executive Commissioners and Board of Directors through a democratic manner. This system is held in the highest regard as it is derived from the necessity of assurance that students have their voice is heard. For students who have felt trapped by the university system, or as though they are just single “drops in the bucket,” the CSA is meant to show students that they are not alone, and that their voices matter. To combat these feelings, undergraduate students come together each year in solidarity to form the CSA Executive. Within this democratic

electoral process comes the promise that topics of discussion are not dismissed. Elected officials are ultimately responsible to the undergraduate student body. As such, it’s important that fellow student representatives, who have the influence to affect change and engage in conversation with the administration in an effective manner, address student issues.

The aim overall is to create a university experience for everyone that is as fulfilling as possible.

While a CSA representative will be conducting the administrative nitty-gritty, candidates will be given time and resources to plan the details of their individual campaign strategies. Jan. 28th is when the real fun begins, as it will mark the beginning of campaign week. With only one week to canvas themselves far and wide, each candidates will certainly have their hands full.

Students can expect to see these busy candidates advertising their platforms through a plethora of techniques: posters, classroom talks, buttons, candy; the works.

These individuals will be on the lookout to interact and engage you in conversation.

Shortly after this week’s closing of the nomination period, the CSA will post information about each candidate’s platform on the CSA website. If any students are unfamiliar with the inner workings of the CSA, this is a great time for anyone on campus to learn more about what the CSA

does and the Executive members’ respective responsibilities. While you might feel tempted to hastily cast a vote for a familiar name, it’s important to make an educated decision this election season.

There will be an all-candidates forum on Feb. 3, which will give voters the chance to ask candidates direct questions about their platforms and campaigns.

The campaigning period comes to a close on Feb. 3. Shortly after, students can expect the convenience of voting through their Gryph Mail accounts. Voting is completely online and can be done anytime between Feb. 4 and Feb. 6. Fellow Gryphons are encouraged to step up and have their say.

To the nominees: good luck and may the odds be ever in your favour.

Upcoming events Jan. 23: Last day to apply for international exchange programs in Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Winter 2016 Jan. 24: Student Volunteer Connections’ 7th annual Do So Much weekend “Celebrating Community.” Handson workshops to create more connected communities around food, art and personal well-being. Free. Sign up at uoguelph.collegiatelink.net/form/start/6131 Jan. 26: -Intercultural Awareness Week begins - Meal Exchange Skip-A-Meal beings Jan. 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day Jan. 28: CFRU 35th Anniversary Jan. 29 - Feb. 1: Guelph Organic Conference. Currently seeking volunteers for administration, tech support and a variety of other jobs. Attend the conference for free! Fill out an application form online at guelphorganicconf.ca Lambda Scholarship for students performing excellent LGBT research! Up to $1000. Submissions accepted until scholarship given, more info at www.uoguelph.ca/ registrar/studentfinance/apps/awards?id=I0591

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Under the Radar

Pipeline bursts in Yellowstone River A pipeline in the Yellowstone River burst this past week, flooding 50,400 gallons of oil into the river. The spill occurred approximately five miles north of Glendive, Montana, where residents are now being told to avoid drinking from tap water.

The Yellowstone River, which is partially frozen due to the recent extreme temperatures, is the largest undammed river in the United States. Reports of strong odour coming from tap water suggest that the town’s water supply has been severely contaminated.

While the source of the leak has been stopped, the negative impact and effect on the environment will be long lasting, especially since this spill is not an isolated incident.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time an oil spill has occurred.

In 2011, an Exxon Mobil pipeline spilled approximately 42,000 gallons of crude oil into the river.

While the leakage into the river was stopped quickly after detection, some residents reported seeing oil trapped under ice as far as 60 miles away from the spill site. The primary issue for Montana officials involves the containment of the spill and the safety of residents. The EPA is currently conducting multiple tests to ensure the removal of all toxins in the contaminated water. While teams are working tediously to clean up the spill, the frozen condition of the river poses additional obstacles.

In a statement released regarding the spill and their efforts to minimize damage, the EPA claims, “Responders are in the process of placing containment structures across the Yellowstone River at Sidney, Mont. approximately 30 miles downstream from the spill location.”

While the quantity of oil in the Yellowstone River is not anywhere close to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the severe impact of the spill on the environment and economy remains prominent. In comparison, the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 had 38,000,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Alaskan Coast. In 2010, the BP oil spill had the largest volume of oil ever released. Also called the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a staggering 210,000,000 gallons was dispersed into the Gulf of Mexico.

- Compiled by Emilio Ghloum

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ARTS & CULTURE

The Weekly Scene: Birdman (2014) and cinematic tropes is too weak a dissection. To say that Inarritu’s film challenges modern notions of cinema is too hackneyed an analysis.

The truth is, Birdman is an attack campaign against actors, producers, artists, critics, and audiences. We are, all of us, at fault for the state of our society, culture, cinema, theatre, art, and life. This is, of course, too simple an examination of Inarritu’s efforts.

4 Mezmerizingtechnicaldirectorialand-actingsuccesses out of 4 SAMEER CHHABRA Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) opens with former Hollywood superstar Riggan Thomson levitating in a room in New York City. He’s in his underwear – a fashion statement we’ll see him repeat later in the film – and he’s grappling with a laundry list of personal and public demons. Riggan’s trying to stage a theatrical adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story; he’s written the script and spent a significant chunk of his personal time and finances acting and directing the play. Everyone thinks the play is going to be a failure, but Riggan is convinced that this is what his soul – and career – needs.

Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman is a beautiful film about people going nowhere, stuck in their own nihilistic circles of hell. It’s a movie about the beauty of pointlessness, and the script – written by Inarritu, as well as Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr., and Armando Bo – paints a portrait of perfectly damaged people. Every speaking role is given to a specific kind of twisted monster, and each character wrestles with disorders that range from addiction to insignificance.

To say that Inarritu’s characters are subversions of theatrical

COURTESY PHOTO

A person’s struggle within a falsified, constructed sense of reality (similar to Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman), Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s bold and brutal Birdman is among the finest offerings of 2014.

COURTESY

What is Birdman, then? If it’s not a movie meant to raise our collective spirits – or crush our collective souls – what does Birdman hope to accomplish? On a purely technical level, Birdman seeks to prove that minimalism is a beautiful artistic style.

Inarritu shoots the entire film as one extended long-take tracking shot. Characters walk through scenes, enter and exit doorways, stop to chat and drink, fly, climb buildings, ride in cabs, and attempt suicide, while Inarritu captures every moment with a total of maybe six outstanding cuts. Aided

by Emmanuel Lubezki’s lighting and cinematography, a single frame

of Birdman is realistic and sublimely minimal. Music by Antonio Sanchez adds to Birdman’s minimalism. Drums permeate much of the film’s scenes, while occasional classical music fills the spaces in-between.

Thematically, Birdman is a dark, dreary, depressing film that has the audacity to masquerade as a comedy. Audiences will laugh – but only because Inarritu’s film forces laughter out of its viewer’s lungs.

Comedy in Birdman is used as an antidote – a remedy – to a longailing darkness growing in our fatigued minds.

What of Birdman’s actors?

Michael Keaton leads the film as Riggan Thomson; astute readers – those particularly tuned to universal ironies – will remark on the notion that Michael Keaton’s last

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major cinematic role was as Bruce Wayne in 1992’s Batman Returns.

Astute readers will also note that Edward Norton – a terrific, multidimensional actor known to be extraordinarily difficult onset – plays an arrogant, self-absorbed theatre legend. This is a film that doesn’t require enormous imagination on the part of its cast; every actor – with the exception of Emma Stone in an incredible performance – plays some convoluted, deformed version of their selves captured by the media.

Birdman left me feeling weak and vulnerable. It hurt my feelings, and I’m not sure how to feel about that. In a heart-breaking scene, the slowly deteriorating Riggan attacks a needlessly cruel theatre critic.

He claims that all she does is put labels to the works of others. The

critic doesn’t understand what it’s like to put her life on the line in service to her art – all she does is write down adjectives to describe art. Michael Keaton’s anger and pain – nouns, thankfully – are felt through Inarritu’s camera, which insists on staring into his face. At that moment, we are all the critic being told that our understanding of art can never tear apart the dedication and merciless devotion of the painter to his canvas.

Ultimately, Birdman is about a broken shell of man, struggling to pull himself out of a nihilistic pit of self-imposed despair and exile. Played by Keaton – an acting legend who just hasn’t caught a break in years – we feel what it’s like to put everything on the line, only to have it slip out of our fingers.

Upcoming events Jan. 22: Thursday At Noon Concert presents Faculty Showcase, 12 p.m. in MacKinnon 107 Jan. 24: GAIN Music Battle of the Bands Finals at DSTRCT, featuring Frenemy, Joel Saunders, Something for Nothing and Death by Decibel. $7.

Jan. 24: “Model Minority” Publication Launch - a collaborative, intertextual project. 3 p.m. at Heritage Hall (83 Essex St.). Free event.

Jan. 27: Eden Mills Writer’s Festival presents awardwinning Canadian authors Alan Bradley and Thomas King. 7:30 p.m. at River Run Centre. $10 at Bookshelf or box office.

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

ARTS & CULTURE

9

Countdown to the Oscars The countdown is on to watch all of this year’s nominated films CADEN MCCANN On Jan. 15, the nominees for the 87th annual Academy Awards were announced at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills. With the awards show scheduled for Feb. 22, movie-goers now have a month to catch up on this year’s Oscar-nominated flicks in anticipation of the annual televised ceremony. With local theatres like Galaxy Cinemas and The Bookshelf filling their schedules with many of the Oscar-nominated films, Guelphites have been given a chance to embrace the spirit of Oscar season.

Of the films nominated, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s cracked-actor story, Birdman, and Wes Anderson’s twee comedy, The Grand Budapest Hotel, have racked in the most nominations with nine apiece. The Alan Turing

biopic, The Imitation Game, has come in second with a close eight, while Richard Linklater’s Boyhood and Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper have tied for third with six nominations each.

Other well-represented films include Foxcatcher, Interstellar, The Theory of Everything, and Whiplash, which each have racked in five nominations.

The Golden Globe Awards, an annual awards ceremony celebrating the best in film and television, took place on Jan. 11. The Golden Globes are often thought to be a significant forecast for the Academy Awards. Boyhood, a contender for both the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars, cleaned up at the ceremony - snagging the equivalent Best Picture (Drama) and Best Director awards. Furthermore, when googling “Vegas Oscar Odds,” website Oddsmaker lists Boyhood as a heavy favorite in many categories.

This year’s Oscars have not been without their share of controversy, though. Cultural commentators have come down on this year’s nominations, many citing a lack of minority voices.

The Best Director, Writing, Actor, and Supporting Actor categories are dominated entirely by white males, while

Selma - the Martin Luther King civil rights drama directed by an AfricanAmerican woman featuring a mostly black cast - has snagged a meager two nominations. In response to these accusations, the Academy’s first black president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has lamented the lack of diversity but added that “in the last two years, we’ve made greater strides than we ever have in the past toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization”.

Additional controversies have come up about the omission of the critically acclaimed The Lego Movie in the Best Animated Feature category, and about singer Lorde getting snubbed in the Best Original Song category for her contribution to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay soundtrack.

These criticisms aside, however, Academy Awards-season remains a fun and exciting time for movie fans. Watching all the nominated movies, cinephiles get a rare chance to root for favorite films, actors, and directors in the same way they do sports. It is a special time of year when Hollywood comes alive with fervor and excitement.

Book Review: Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar Kelly Oxford’s memoir reveals life stories with bare honesty ALYSSA OTTEMA I’m completely enamoured by the truth of people’s lives. While I’m impressed by perfectly crafted fiction, drawn into the well-written worlds of the most practiced authors, I’m completely blown away by people who unabashedly share the awful truths of their lives with the world.

As far as awful truths go, Kelly Oxford potentially has the worst of the worst, but she spills them all in to the pages of her memoir, Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar, without a second thought. That time she got high and stalked Leonardo DiCaprio across Los Angeles, with $10 in her pocket and no reliable transportation? It’s in there. The time she got drunk at a strip club with her husband and became convinced that David Copperfield could read her mind, while simultaneously receiving a lap dance? She talks about it.

The time she, as a teenager, peed her pants while waiting in line at the gas

station to buy cigarettes? She holds nothing back.

Granted, Oxford’s first book isn’t necessarily plot driven, nor is it particularly deep. Oxford’s stories are self-lauding, typically drug-induced, and almost too ridiculous to believe.

But what saves Oxford from that special narcissistic literary place is her unyielding determination to tell the truth. Oxford doesn’t pretend to have a goal in writing this book; she doesn’t purport to present important life lessons or nuggets of wisdom from which we can learn and grow.

Oxford herself tells us, several times, that she is a terrible person – but she is a terrible person who tells the truth about her terrible life.

Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar works precisely because it skips over the big, important, “life-lesson” moments. Instead, Oxford weaves together several random stories with no greater purpose than to offer a glimpse into her life. From her beginnings as a precocious six-year-old forcing the neighbourhood kids into an illegal reproduction of Star Wars, to a teenage-hood full of pot and wasted promise, to life as a married adult with three children trying to survive the horrors of Disneyland, Oxford’s book has something for everyone.

I might not want to be Oxford when I “grow up,” but I aspire to her

COURTESY PHOTO

Renowned auteurs Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Wes Anderson, and Richard Linklater eye up the prize for this year’s Academy Award ceremony. But some controversial omissions and apparent misrepresentations are sure to get people talking.

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level of honesty, and I relish in her levels of sass and snark. Oxford is the kind of friend I’d want to have on my side, and her book is the perfect antidote to the day when I’m lamenting the terrible, horrible moments of life. I might not be perfect, I might not be prepared for the future, and I might spend too much time bingeeating sour cream and onion chips, but I have never peed my pants in line at the gas station while waiting to buy cigarettes.

Above all else, Oxford shows us that if you live your life without apology, there’s no need for perfect, and there’s no need for lies.

ANALYST AND MANY OTHER EXCITING CAREER OPTIONS.

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ARTS & CULTURE 2015 Music Festival Preview

COURTESY PHOTO

New album from Panda Bear

Panda Bear Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper Album Review CADEN MCCANN Experimental indie rocker and Animal Collective member drops new album.

As the singer and drummer of Animal Collective and the artist behind acclaimed solo albums like Person Pitch and Tomboy, Noah Lennox has consistently positioned himself at the forefront of indie rock’s cutting edge over the past 10 years. With his latest release, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, out on Domino Records Jan. 13, the experimental musician once again serves up an array of sounds both otherworldly and beautiful.

The 13 tracks collected on PBMTGR are linked by overarching themes of personal change and flux. On album standout “Boys Latin.” Lennox sings “Dark cloud / descended again” in his choirboy tenor - channeling the spirit of trying times over a weirdly distorted synthesizer riff. Elsewhere, on single “Mr. Noah,” Lennox’s angelic vocals seem to be wading through the swampy sounds created by his electronics. The kaleidoscopic journey the album takes us on mirrors life in all its highs and lows, and the lyrics that can be discerned from Noah’s heavenly vocals along the way read like mantras on themes of death, adaptation, and self-growth.

When Animal Collective (and by extension Panda Bear) were at their peak in the mid-to-late noughties, there was an energy and dynamism behind their experimental-ism that made their music fresh and exciting. Though latter day entries in the AC catalog have been somewhat hit-or-miss, Panda Bear does the group’s legacy proud with another solidly constructed LP. 4/5.

Ring in the summer with a road trip and music festival!

DANIELLE SUBJECT It’s the New Year, and that means a whole new round of music festivals to look forward to! As 2015 lineups slowly begin creeping their way into our social feeds, many fans are already buying their festival tickets. Bonnaroo and Coachella have paved the way for this year’s dadrockthemed lineups (like every year).

Although only a few lineups have been officially announced, more will be revealed by the end of February. Here is a guide to what has been announced and what to look out for.

LINEUPS ANNOUNCED: Bonnaroo Where: Manchester, Tennessee When: June 11 – 14 Headliners: Billy Joel, Kendrick Lamar, Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, My Morning Jacket, and Robert Plant The Sensational Space Shifters.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Where: Indio, California When: April 10 – 12 and 17 – 19 Headliners: Drake, Jack White, AC/DC Boots and Hearts Where: Burl’s Creek, Ont. When: Aug. 6 – Aug. 9 Headliners: Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line LINEUPS TO LOOK OUT FOR: Lollapalooza Where: Grant Park, Chicago When: July 31 – Aug. 2 Although the Chicago lineup has not yet been released, the Lolla Chile lineup is out and includes headliners Jack White, Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Kings of Leon, Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and Foster the People. As usual, there is a trend in lineups, and considering Chile’s is a mesh of Bonnaroo and Coachella headliners, it is easy to

guess what their Chicago festival will be like.

Burning Man Where: Black Rock Desert, Nevada When: Aug. 30 – Sept. 7 Burning Man is less of a festival and more of an animated cultural movement, but should be near the top of everyone’s festival bucket list. Apparently, it’s memorable and insanely trippy.

Firefly Music Festival Where: Dover, Delaware When: June 18 – 21 This year is Firefly’s fourth year running, and although it’s a fairly newer festival, it has surprised festival-goers over the past few years with its impressive lineups.

In 2012 they ran The Black Keys, Jack White, and The Killers. In 2013, they hosted the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and, last year, they brought us Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, and Outkast.

Outside Lands Where: San Francisco, California When: Aug. 7 – 9 Osheaga Where: Montreal, Quebec When: July 31 – Aug 2

NRK P3 VIA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Whether you’re in for the road trip, the campout, or seeing as many bands as you can, the summer is always ripe for music festivals. Check out Bonnaroo, Coachella, and Guelph’s own Hillside Festival, among others!

TheOntarion.com

Album of the Week: Madvillain: Madvillainy

Hillside Where: Guelph, Ontario When: July 24 – 26 Amnesia Rockfest Where: Montebello, Quebec When: June 18 – 21 Being near Toronto, we’re lucky enough to live near a city that holds a variety of awesome indie music festivals, including NXNE (June 17 – 21), Canadian Music Week (May 1 – 10), Toronto Urban Roots Festival (N/A).

Finally, an exciting new Canadian music festival has also been added to this year’s list! Bonnaroo co-founder and AC Entertainment CEO, Ashley Capps, has recently partnered with Republic Live – known for putting on Boots and Hearts – to create a Canadian Bonnaroo-esque music festival called HomeAway.

HomeAway is set to be located in Barrie, Ont. and will run July 24 – 26.

If you’re a festival fanatic and in it for the road trip, this list barely scratches the surface.

There are many more low-key Canadian festivals all over the country to keep in mind – just do som googling!

COURTESY PHOTO

When two notoriously reclusive left-field hip-hop mavericks clash, at least on the level of rapper MF DOOM and DJ/producer Madlib, a legend is bound to be born – this is certainly the case with 2004’s Madvillainy. A crowning achievement for experimental hip-hop in the mainstream, Madvillainy features Madlib’s markedly obscure samples (from any and all genres), surreal and sometimes non-sequitur lyrics courtesy of DOOM (who approaches near Eliotic levels of lyrical difficulty), all with an overarching supervillain theme that wouldn’t seem out of place from 1960s comic book culture. While a difficult sell at first, what with its abstract subject matter and brief, decidedly radio-unfriendly songs, Madvillainy has been embraced by both hardcore hip-hop heads and casual enthusiasts as one of the finest offerings of the mid-2000s. Just remember - ALL CAPS when you spell the man’s name!

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

ARTS & CULTURE

Canadian electro-pop singer Lights performs new and old material at Peter Clark Hall. Volunteer Zoey Ross had a chance to speak with Lights about her career and where it’s headed – the full interview can be found on The Ontarion’s website.

Lights at Peter Clark Hall Electro-pop singer performs at the UC ZOEY ROSS Electro-rock star Lights shook the University Centre Friday, Jan. 16, while dropping the pop and embracing the rock. After the show, we had a chance to talk about everything from the gradual change of her sound, to life as a mom and whether or not she can do the Macarana.

Lights took the stage with her band and opened with “Muscle Memory.”

Lights was singing, dancing, and playing keyboard for most of the night.

She also played many other instruments throughout the show. The synth and solid bass vibrated through the building and hit with a surprising punch that could be compared to Phantogram. While such a comparison would seem unconventional, it is really just Lights’ new sound changing and growing.

“Well you know, that’s where the records have been going, especially with Siberia. It was meant to be more dynamic and rough around the edges,” said Lights when asked if she was getting ready to cut the pop and add more rock. “Even this record was recorded with the band live, or [rather] off the floor. That was meant to bring some of the energy we have live.”

Little Machines is the title of Lights newest record and it has a range of themes, but Lights described this as her “feel good” record. Bringing her new baby Rocket into the world just under a year ago might have something to do with it.

“It’s funny, people think you get old when you have kids, but you get young – you get so much younger.

We’re doing animal sounds and monster sounds, relearning how to teach the alphabet. It’s so cute,” said Lights.

Lights started out as the space princess of pop but has gradually, with dignity intact and a strong resolve, began to shed that image. This change could actually be a case study on how to change your sound without copious amounts of scandal.

It would not be surprising to see Lights performing with bands like Mother Mother and Arcade Fire.

Her fans are growing up and so is her sound.

“I feel like everybody’s in it together and I want to write what I feel can be identified by the listeners. I feel we’re like a big family growing up together,” said Lights.

It’s an exciting for time for Lights and whatever comes next will undoubtedly be broadcast over the airwaves. Maybe a new heavy single with husband Beau Bokan? One can only hope.

After the show Lights, and I had a chance to chat. As a primer, she seemed into everything we were talking about, as she sat legs crossed under her, sitting sideways on the couch with so much energy that she seemed she was ready to perform another set. Her astrally adorable baby, Rocket, was in the room with dad Beau. Throughout the interview, there were great laugh breaks set to Rocket’s schedule and even some inspired acting. […]

Zoey Ross: I was trying to do as much research for this before I met you.

Lights: (Laughing) There’s a lot out there.

ZR: A lot, a lot. Something I found

out there was a song called “Perfect,” and it made me wonder – from “Perfect” to “Portal” is a huge difference.

Would you say that you’ve grown with your music?

Lights: For sure, absolutely. Every time.

It’s funny to make [a connection] from “Perfect” to “Portal” because “Perfect” wasn’t written for me. I wrote that for the show Instant Star. It was in the head of the main character I was writing for that season. It was supposed to be a song for her. It’s a funny example to bring up, because it’s one of the songs that’s out there [that] I wrote with another person in mind. Everything I write is for myself, but even within that, everything has changed.

It’s a funny one to reference. The lyrics in that song, even, “I’m just a girl/ I won’t be changing the world,” I don’t personally believe that.

ZR: I didn’t think you did. It doesn’t mirror your music now.

Lights: Exactly.

ZR: I knew it wasn’t written for you at the time, but it was an interesting choice of writing compared to where you are now.

Lights: Totally.

ZR: I look where you are now, and I hear that song “Don’t Go Home Without Me,” and the growth really shows.

Lights: Yeah, it really has. And the cool thing is, I’ve seen the fans growing with it too. I feel like everybody’s in it together and I want to write what I feel can be identified by the listeners. I feel were like a big family growing up together, and […]

(A tiny scream of joy comes from Rocket across the room, while her dad, Beau Bokan, is taking her for a ride in one of the office chairs).

Check out The Ontarion’s website for the full-length interview!

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MOHAMMAD MELEBARI

12

SPORTS & HEALTH

The do’s and don’ts of dieting How to think for your wellbeing JILLIAN DASTI With a new year comes new, or possibly the return of old resolutions. You might be clinically obese and need a lifestyle change, feel the need to shed a few extra pounds of fat, or just want to be healthier.

Regardless, you might think “I need to start on a diet.” Whether you’re considering the Dr. Bernstein diet, the Adipose diet, the South Beach diet, a juice cleanse, or any of the countless other diets out there, here’s some things to keep in mind.

First, don’t consider any program that has the word “diet” in it.

Unfortunately, the modern meaning of the word has come to refer to severely restricting the types and amounts of food a person consumes in an effort to lose or gain weight.

There are a range of diet programs;

the combinations are quite elaborate. One problem with these diet programs, however, is that they do not actually account for all the nutrients and energy sources our bodies need. Contrary to what the creators of these diet programs say, you do need some amount of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

“...change your understanding of the word diet...”

Fat molecules, among other things, provide insulation and energy, and are absolutely necessary for the body to absorb certain vitamins. Proteins are found in all cells of the body and are made of amino acids. There are nine essential amino acids that the body needs to consume because it

cannot create on its own. Proteins are also needed to form blood cells, and repair cells. Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy, are major components of the genetic molecules RNA and DNA, and play key roles in the immune system and reproduction growth.

When you go on a no-fat diet, you may be losing the pounds, but you’re also going to experience energy loss and an inability to stay warm. If your goal is to lose weight or even just to become healthier, the key is moderation. Make sure you fully understand what you are consuming as well as all of the good and bad effects these foods have on your body. For example, while carbohydrates are key to maintaining good health, some types of carbs are not healthy (think cookies and pop). Other than the truly bad stuff, don’t cut out any one nutrient just because excessive amounts of it can have negative effects.

Again, the key is moderation!

Next, change your understanding of the word “diet” to its

original meaning – think of it as a lifestyle change. If you try to lose a lot of weight really fast, you’re going to gain it back really fast.

Your body needs time to adjust to these changes, and so changes – including habit changes – need to be gradual. Because permanently losing this weight is a long process, you aren’t doing yourself any favours by starving yourself of specific nutrients; you’re going to notice the negative effects of cutting those nutrients out of your diet well before you notice the weight loss. You might as well start on the long and never-ending path to consuming the proper amount your body needs of each nutrient to properly function, rather than jumping on the week or monthlong eating programs that do more harm than good.

Keep in mind that, just as you’re taking in all this energy to fuel your body, you must also expend more energy than you’re consuming to actually notice any weight loss results. When your body takes

in the energy from your food, your body uses what it needs and stores the rest. The loss of weight in your body comes from using more energy than what you’re providing your body with. It’s not enough to just start eating healthier; you need to be active and exercise as well.

Realize that you are unique. Your body has specific needs that are not exactly the same as that of another person. Whatever those differences may be, your body is different than others’. Why would you treat your body the exact same way as others do? The answer is, you shouldn’t. Go see a health professional who can help you design a unique nutrition and exercise schedule that fits your needs. Take your likes and dislikes into account—if you hate asparagus with every fibre of your being, don’t expect to be feeling happy about eating healthier when you’re forcing yourself to eat said asparagus all the time.

Finally, drink lots of water. It’s amazing how beneficial water is to your body!

hockey? Want to write about them? Or take photos?

We are always looking for more volunteers for our sports and health section.

More info at www.theontarion.com/volunteers

TheOntarion.com

Do you like sports other than

University of Guelph Ambassadors Needed !!!

Are you an enthusiastic, knowledgeable student who loves Guelph?

Would you like to introduce the U of G to prospective students during special events?

We’re looking for upper year students to give campus tours and first-year students to show their residence rooms to prospective students.

If interested, apply online at: www.uoguelph.ca/admissions/ambassadors Email: ambassad@registrar.uoguelph.ca APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 4, 2015

a frost

at the sleem MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Gryphons down Badge Sixth annual event features big crowd, big win for Guelph STEPHANIE CORATTI

RYAN PRIDDLE

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Hosting the sixth annual Frosty Mug on Jan. 16, the Guelph Gryphons welcomed the Brock Badgers for what would be nothing but an exciting match-up in front of a large Sleeman Centre crowd.

The night began on an international level, however, as current Guelph Storm forward, St. Louis Blues prospect, and 2015 World Junior gold medalist, Robby Fabbri, took to the ice for a ceremonial puck drop. Gryphon Len Fabbri, Robby’s older brother, was called to centre ice to partake in the pre-ice presentation alongside the Badgers’ captain. It was a fitting moment as Robby was featured praising his older brother Len, illustrating his biggest influence to date in a TSN segment that aired during coverage of the World Junior Championship this past December.

Getting to the contest, it didn’t take long for things to get interesting. Merely 1:10 into the game, the Badgers found themselves ahead by two-goals, almost completely deflating the record home crowd of 3,226.

Jordan Gignac of Brock opened the scoring at the 44-second mark, only to be followed up 26 seconds later by Greg Jambrosich capitalizing on a rare two-onnone rush into the Gryphons zone.

Just over three minutes later, the Gryphons hopped into the game with Teal Burns burying his sixth of the season as captain Daniel Broussard orchestrated a two-on-one rush, setting up Burns for the goal. MacKenzie Nichol, a former Guelph Storm defenseman, excelled playing back at the Sleeman Centre, notching his first of three assists on the opening tally for the Gryphons.

Following up the effort, Nichol got in on the action for Guelph’s second goal of the game at the 7:05 mark of the period. The Listowel, Ontario native would feed Scott Simmonds who made no mistake to knot the game up at two.

With a total of four goals scored in the opening 10 minutes of the game, both the Gryphons and the Badgers tightened up to close out the second-half of the period still tied at two-a-piece. Guelph outshot Brock 15-11 after 20 minutes.

Both teams came out of the gates in the middle frame no differently than in the first, with either side pocketing an early marker to make it a 3-3 game just three minutes into the period.

ty win

man centre CODY GRESSWELL

ers 6-4 in Frosty Mug The Badgers struck first at the 2:13 mark with Taylor Fielding finding the back of the net with a hard point shot for his second point of the game, and a 3-2 lead.

A lead, however, that would be short-lived as Carlos Amestroy beat the Badgers’ Adrian Volpe to once again make it a tie contest merely 47 seconds later. Nichol would be at it again, hitting his total of three assists on the night – a point total earning him second star recognition in his old junior arena.

Later in the frame, despite Gryphon Robert De Fulviis scoring a go-ahead marker, the Gryphons would be called for too-many-men, resulting in a no-goal call and a 3-3 tie heading into the final period of play.

Just over four minutes into the third, it would be Nicklas Huard giving the home crowd something to cheer about as he wired a wrist shot that would beat Volpe’s glove.

Following the theme of the contest, the Badgers responded quickly with a tying marker at the 6:30 mark of the period. Brock’s Dan MacEachern would take advantage of a screened Andrew D’Agostini to make it a tie game for the third time on the night.

That would be the last time, though, as the Gryphons would go on to score two more goals in the third for a 6-4 victory.

The momentum shift came noticeably with Guelph controlling the pace of the game for large portions of the third, forcing Brock to lose out on the battles down low and in the corners. With that came Michael Hasson – standing at 6’2” and 200-pounds – who would set up Steven Strong for the game winner. Strong, a defenceman, put a top-shelf wrist shot through, giving the Gryphons a 5-4 lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the game.

Insert former Peterborough Pete and current Gryphon goaltender, D’Agostini, here. D’Agostini would come up with his biggest and best saves of the night in the second-half of the third to keep the team in front of him ahead by one. The netminder’s most significant stretch came against Sammy Banga of the Badgers, who was in alone with an opportunity to tie things up once again. D’Agostini turned away the Brock’s leading scorer, and eventually hanging on for the win.

With 26 saves on the game, D’Agostini raised $26 for Cystic Fibrosis through Saves for CF, a community initiative that has Guelph’s Frank & Steins donate $1 for every save a Gryphon goaltender makes for the duration of the 2014-15 season.

Jordan Mock would net the empty netter with 32 seconds left in the game to solidify the 6-4 Gryphons victory.

With the win, the Gryphons moved into a tie with the Toronto Varsity Blues for the final playoff spot in the OUA’s West Division, and improve their record in the Frosty Mug to 4-2-0.

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

CODY GRESSWELL

RYAN PRIDDLE

16

SPORTS & HEALTH

Storm with dramatic back-to-back wins The Guelph Storm boast character in two consecutive victories STEPHANIE CORATTI With a starting roster as depleted as it has been for the Guelph Storm over the course of the 2014-15 season, many would have had the defending champions – who dressed a low of 18 players – already down and out heading into Sault Ste. Marie on Jan.16.

The Storm, however, facing off against the newly reloaded – and the Western Conference’s best – Greyhounds, had other plans to begin their three-in-three weekend stretch.

“Van Schubert... turned aside 41 shots in the victory...”

Heading into the final period of play knotted up at two-a-piece, the Storm were pushing for their first victory against the Greyhounds this campaign, and were doing so convincingly. Although, it would be former Peterborough Pete and member of the 2015 gold medal winning Team Canada, Nick Ritchie, who would find the back of the net with less than five

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Following a close 3-2 loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Jan. 16, the Guelph Storm rebounded with a 5-4 comeback victory in Saginaw, only to close off the weekend with a dramatic 4-3 overtime win against the Kingston Frontenacs on Jan. 18. minutes remaining to solidify the 3-2 win for the home squad.

Rookie netminder Bradley van Schubert had 43 saves in the loss, while Zac Leslie and Jason Dickinson had the goals for the Storm.

Collectively, Van Schubert, Leslie, and Dickinson continued to make individual impacts in the remaining games of the weekend, providing much needed support in both character victories that followed.

Not as strong off the hop the following night on Jan. 17 in Saginaw, the Storm fell behind 4-1 to the Spirit after one period of play. The Spirit’s Dylan Sadowy registered a three-point frame, pocketing two goals and an assist. The effort, however, would not be enough.

Morning Savers Quick-and-easy nutritional ideas to jump start your day CARMEN TAN It’s the winter season again and you really don’t want to wake up for that morning class. Oh, the pain of getting out of bed! So you sleep for another five minutes and suddenly those five minutes turn into being late for class. Scrambling, you dash out the door like

a madman with a piece of toast and some cold coffee. What a great beginning to a new day.

I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been in that situation, but, luckily, I was able to pull through with these simple – and nutritious – life saving cooking hacks.

Thermos oatmeal This nutritious and easy-to-make breakfast idea will save you time and energy on a busy day. All you need is a thermos, oatmeal, your choice of fruits, and optional honey or maple syrup. Preheat your thermos by simply filling it with boiling water for about five

Tyler Bertuzzi and Tyler Boston led the comeback for the Storm, as the two each registered two goals, with Pius Suter netting the game winner with just over five minutes remaining in the game. With four unanswered goals in a relentless effort, Guelph took home the two points in a 5-4 victory.

The Storm outshot the Spirit 46-28.

Despite being on the lower end of the shots-faced scale, Van Schubert rebounded incredibly in the matchup, coming up with significant saves – specifically in the third period – after allowing four goals on 11 shots in the first.

Left without a star recognition would be rookie Boston, who had the best offensive game of his OHL-career

in the contest with two goals and an assist.

In the final game of the three-inthree stretch, the Storm returned home to the Sleeman Centre to host the Eastern Conference’s Kingston Frontenacs on Jan. 18. The game, off the ice, was Guelph’s “Talk Today Night” in support of the OHL’s partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association labeled “Talk Today.”

The partnership was a response to the suicide of Terry Trafford, a former player for the Saginaw Spirit, in 2014.

The program creates a support system, maintaining safe environments for the discussion of mental health.

On the ice, the Storm jumped ahead with a two-goal lead with a

minutes. Pour out the water and add it to your oatmeal. Make sure to add the appropriate amount – you don’t want the oatmeal to end up too lumpy or watery – and add in your preferred choice of fruits.

For some additional sweetness, feel free to pour honey or maple syrup and remember to stir!

This is an amazing breakfast idea because you can prepare it the night before and still have your thermos ready to go in the morning. Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast options because it’s low in fat, low in calories, high in protein, and contains antioxidants that protect you from heart disease and cancer. For some

additional nutrition boost, feel free to add in some chia or flax seed.

Banana chocolate mug cakes Mug cakes have been trending the internet for months. If you are someone who is health conscious but likes to indulge in cravings now-and-then, this stress-free and super-delicious idea is for you.

You will need a banana, a large egg, cocoa powder, sugar, any nut butter, and any nuts. Mash the banana in a large mug with a fork.

Add in the egg and nut butter. Mix thoroughly. Then add in sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder. Make sure to combine until smooth with

first period marker from Leslie and a shorthanded tally from Dickinson just under two minutes into the middle frame. With the goals, Leslie extended his point-streak to four games, totaling for three goals and two assists, while Dickinson has posted at least a point in each of the last nine games, compiling five goals and eight assists for 13 points over the stretch.

The Frontenacs, however, remained in the game, cutting the lead in half with a goal from Juho Lammikko on the power play.

Guelph’s Tyler Hill found the back of the net next, registering his first point as a member of the Storm since being acquired prior to the trade deadline.

Much to the dismay of the home crowd, with eight seconds remaining in the contest, Kingston would complete their third period comeback, knotting the game up at three-a-piece.

The Storm would hold off the Frontenacs, however, with none other than Suter pocketing his second consecutive game-winner with just under a minute left in overtime. Hill would notch his second point as a member of the Storm, setting the Swiss-Sensation up with a smart feed.

Van Schubert, starting in his third consecutive game, turned aside 41 shots in the victory, earning the game’s first star.

Looking to build on their backto-back victories, the Storm head full force into another three-in-three weekend stretch that features the Erie Otters in town on Jan. 23, followed by a trip to visit the Plymouth Whalers, only to cap off the weekend back at the Sleeman Centre playing host to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds the next afternoon on Jan. 25.

no lumps. Pop the whole thing into the microwave for about one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half minutes. Use a toothpick to check if cooked thoroughly.

Top it with nuts or yogurt of your choice for some extra protein, and there you have it – a tasty treat perfect for dessert or breakfast. Yum! With these quick nutritional ideas, why not sleep an extra five minutes on a cold winter day?

Throw that boring loaf of bread away, because you’ll have breakfast already covered like a pro with these easy-to-make, time-saving ideas. Give your mornings a new chance.

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

SPORTS & HEALTH

U of G student to play for Team Canada Gryphon Erin Houle to compete in the 2015 Indoor Field Hockey World Cup ANNIE KRUEGER

Every time fourth-year Landscape Architecture-student and field hockey-star Erin Houle goes somewhere to play, her dad texts her four words: “Play hard. Play fair.”

Clearly, she does.

Erin is a prime example of what a strong work ethic can do. A 2013 All-Canadian and 2014 Ontario MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION University Athletics (OUA) AllStar, Erin is heading to Germany at Erin Houle, a member of the Guelph Gryphons field hockey team, will add playing for Team Canada the end of the month to play in the this coming February to her resume that already includes 2013 All-Canadian and 2014 OUA All-Star.

2015 Indoor Field Hockey World Cup in Leipzig. The tournament big a deal as it is in Europe,” Erin could be included in the article, “My oldest sister, Devon, was will run through Feb. 4 to Feb. 8, said. “People think, ‘it’s just girls Erin laughed. a competitive swimmer,” Erin and will pit 12 nations against each running around in skirts.’ It’s not “Oh, everyone knows.” explained. “She got up at five other in both men’s and women’s recognized the way that ice hockey That control and focus has a.m. to train, trained after school divisions. is.” enabled her to get to where she … All the time. We admired her Team Canada, a group of 12 girls As a team, their goal is to finish is today. so much.” with a few reserves, is entering the in the Top Eight, and to prove that For Erin, sports have been That persistence and drive was tournament unranked. They are they’re in it for more than just the a part of her life for as long as passed onto the rest of the girls facing a tough crowd of mostly experience. she can remember. The second- too, who hit their stride in the European teams, including the Erin plays midfield. youngest of four girls, all of sport of field hockey. After Erin’s powerhouse German team, who “I’m a bit of a control freak,” whom were rigorously involved sister, Victoria, made her high they play in their second match-up she explained. “I like being in the in sports growing up, Erin has school team in grade nine, their of the tournament. middle of everything.” lived and breathed athletics her mother put Erin, and their young“In Canada, field hockey isn’t as When asked if the self-label entire life. est sister Adrienne, into a league so they could give field hockey a try. Each of them excelled at it.

As university students, Victoria played for Dalhousie University, while Erin plays for Guelph, and Adrienne plays for Providence College in the United States.

The Houle sisters are a name to be recognized in field hockey circles, but that’s what Erin says she loves most about the sport.

“Everybody knows everybody.

It’s such a community – I can go to a tournament and be able to

Gryphons’ Wrestling

17

talk to anyone. Parents, coaches, other players,” Erin said of the sporting world. “By this point, I’ve played with at least one girl on every [university] team.”

But field hockey has its pitfalls too. Erin had her hand shattered in three places in a game against Waterloo this fall, which led to her missing out on the OUA and CIS championships. It has healed well though, and for that she gives credit to the team here at Guelph.

“Shout out to Gunner, Judy, and Nat – they saved my hand.”

Erin still can’t straighten her index finger completely, but she can play - and that’s what matters.

A more day-to-day struggle is time management.

“That’s a big one,” Erin said, nodding. “I learned it so young, though. I’ve always been doing everything. One sport a semester, club sports outside of school, a job.”

But it isn’t as easy as Erin makes it sound. University requires her to juggle a full course load and field hockey, not to mention preparation for Team Canada.

“Practices [for Team Canada] are almost every day and they are in Toronto – thankfully I only have classes two days a week.”

It’s worth it, though.

“I love it,” she said. “I could never just be a student. I have to be a student athlete.”

As for what is next for Erin, playing professionally is an option; it would be a dream job that would enable her to travel the world doing what she loves and playing with a group of girls that have become close friends.

However, the other option is getting a job in her field of Landscape Architecture – another appealing prospect.

For now though, Erin is going to Germany for the World Cup. She is going to “play hard and fair” just like her Dad reminds her to, and is going to do Canada proud.

Upcoming events Jan. 23: -Women’s Volleyball: Western @ Guelph (W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre, 6:00 p.m.)

-Men’s Volleyball: Western @ Guelph (W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre, 8:00 p.m.)

MOHMAMMAD MELEBARI

On Jan. 17, the W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre – home of the Guelph Gryphons – played host to the Wrestling Guelph Open.

Jan. 24: -Women’s Volleyball: Windsor @ Guelph (W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre, 6:00 p.m.)

-Men’s Volleyball: Windsor @ Guelph (W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre, 8:00 p.m.)

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SPORTS & HEALTH

Super Bowl preview A look at the New England Patriots versus the Seatle Seahawks JAMES DE MELO Two weeks from now, the NFL’s two top ranked teams from the regular season will meet in Arizona. Despite their shared number one ranking, they’ll be arriving under very different circumstances.

The Patriots have humiliated their opposition along the way, while the Seahawks, on the other hand, limped their way to the finish line.

Tom Brady and his teammates have looked as good as ever this postseason, showing the necessary mental toughness to come back from two separate 14 point deficits (an NFL first) against a surprisingly effective Baltimore Ravens team, in addition to the ability

to dominate, even when put up against a quality team like the Indianapolis Colts.

Conversely, the Seahawks have looked nothing like their usual dominant selves, as of late. Despite playing against a Green Bay Packers team with a notably weak defence, the Seahawks were shut out in the first half of the NFC championship game and only managed to sneak into the Super Bowl on the strength of a miraculous final three minutes from Russell Wilson and a minor miracle from the football gods in the form of an ugly Packers play.

The Seahawks are undoubtedly a great football team, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but with injuries to cornerback Richard Sherman’s elbow and safety Earl Thomas’ shoulder, the usually great secondary will be playing with question marks surrounding two of its most important pieces.

With these two players playing even slightly injured, the entire Seahawks defensive scheme suffers. Sherman and Thomas are the reason Seattle can run man coverage on the outside and still boast one of, if not the best, passing defence in the league. With those

two not their usual selves, expect to see more nickel-and-dime looks from the normally aggressive Seahawks defence, a fact which should bode well for the suddenly terrifying ground game that Bill Belichick and Brady have picked up over the last few months of the season. LeGarrette Blount should continue the trend of tearing up defenses running behind the powerful Patriots’ offensive line, and that’s not even mentioning the damage quarterback Brady can do when he’s on. Keeping in mind that it’s Tom Brady, and it’s the Super Bowl, there’s a strong chance he will be.

That’s not to take anything away from Wilson, who is well on his way to becoming elite and who has shown as much poise and as much heart as anyone could dream up for a young signal caller in these playoffs.

Prior to the (mostly) embarrassing outing against Green Bay, Wilson boasted the highest quarterback rating (QBR) of all time in the playoffs.

The flat out zero he pitched heading into the second half of Sunday’s game changed that fact, but Wilson showed that he can be dangerous no matter how off he might seem – as was

the case by his game-winning strike to Jermaine Kearse on the first drive of overtime. Not only was the throw spot-on into extremely tight-bordering on pass interference level-coverage, it showcased Wilson’s extreme mental toughness. He was able to shrug off a first half in which he threw for more interceptions than completions, to lead his team to a 15 point rally at the end of the second half. Wilson then proceeded to immediately one-up himself by taking the opening possession of OT down the field for the winner. He’s the most clutch quarterback the game has seen since – arguably – Tom Brady.

Fittingly, the approaching Super Bowl and these playoffs as a whole really have represented something of a symbolic passing of the torch from the old-guard at the quarterback position to the new one. With the Colts’ Andrew Luck knocking off his Hall of Fame-bound predecessor in the divisional round, and Wilson making it to his second straight Super Bowl, there’s the sense that the potential of the two standouts from the 2012 Draft is only being scratched.

However, Wilson does face his

KEITH ALLISON VIA CC BY-SA 2.0

The NFC West Seattle Seahawks (124-0) will face off against the AFC East New England Patriots (12-4-0).

toughest test by far this post-season in the Brady led Patriots, the challenge that many believe he will fall short of overcoming, at least not at this point in his career. Wilson will win more Super Bowls, maybe many more, if he remains healthy and keeps playing behind that dominant Seattle defense, although it just might not be in the cards this year.

Prediction: New England Patriots 24, Seattle Seahawks 17.

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

LIFE

You’ve probably seen this on Pinterest Make your own food, like an adult (sort of) ALYSSA OTTEMA Do you ever have those days when you resort to eating microwave popcorn and chocolate bars, because cooking real food is just too much to handle?

Do you ever follow these days with promises to eat healthier and take care of yourself, like real adults do? I hope your answer to both of these is yes, because I’d hate to be the only one stuck in a cycle of terrible eating habits.

It turns out, you can have the best of both words: a diet consisting of things only made in the microwave and things that healthy, real adults would eat.

For breakfast, try two-minute French toast in a cup: 1 slice of bread 1 small pat of butter 1 egg 3 tbsp. of milk 1/4 tsp. cinnamon A mug Take one slice of sandwich bread and cut it into cubes. Then, melt

the small pat of butter in the mug, sloshing around the liquified butter to coat the inside of the cup. In a separate bowl, crack the egg, and mix it with the milk and cinnamon. Place the bread cubes and the egg mix into the buttered cup and microwave on high heat for about one minute.

For lunch, consider making macaroni and cheese in a mug: 1/3 c. of dry pasta of any kind 1/3 c. + 1/4 c. of water 1/3 c. of shredded cheese of any kind 2 tsp. of milk A mug Put the pasta and the water in the mug and microwave on high for six minutes, stirring at four minutes, two minutes, and one minute. Add the cheese to the mug and microwave on high heat for 30 to 45 seconds to melt. Stir well, adding the milk as needed to create a creamy sauce.

1/4 lb. lean ground beef A small bowl A mug In the small bowl, combine the milk, ketchup, oats, and soup mix.

Crumble the beef and mix it into the other ingredients. Pat the mixture into a mug coated with cooking spray. Cover and microwave on high heat for three minutes. Let stand for three minutes. Serve with additional ketchup on top, if you like.

For dinner, think about trying meatloaf in the microwave: 2 tbsp. of milk 1 tbsp. of ketchup 2 tbsp. quick-cooking oats 1 tsp. onion soup mix

For dessert, try out a single serve microwave brownie: 3 tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder 1/4 c. Unsweetened Applesauce 1/4 tsp. Baking Powder 1 pinch of Salt 1 tsp. Vanilla 1 tbsp. Maple Syrup A mug Mix all ingredients together in the mug. Microwave on high heat for one minute; then, check the centre of the brownie to see if it is cooked.

Continue to microwave on high heat in thirty second intervals until the centre is fully cooked.

There you have it: a full day of adult-worthy meals with minimal effort, minimal time, and minimal dish clean up required.

can prove to lenders, that despite not paying your credit card bill on time when you were in university, you really are good with your money and should be trusted with more credit.

How you use your credit card changes how lenders see you. Is your card limit maxed out? Are you paying the minimum payment on your card each month just to use what little credit there is available for a late night trip to McDonald’s or a quick trip to the LCBO? If your card is constantly maxed out, lenders are less likely to give you more credit. Try keeping it at least 10 per cent under the limit (i.e. $900 instead of $1000) if you can’t muster up the money to pay it off.

Which leads me to spending habits.

There is a misconception that, as you earn more money, you will have fewer financial problems. The truth is that there is a significant amount of people who are living paycheque-topaycheque, regardless of their income.

If you’re unable to manage your money now (while you presumably have none), you’re not going to be able to manage your money when there are more places for it to go each month.

Spend your time in university trying to pay off your credit card (and student) debt.

Think about it like this, if you have a $1000 credit card, if you were to not

use it again, but only pay the minimum payment each month, it would take you eight years to pay off the card.

Reconsider your spending next time you go to pay for a trip or another luxury on your credit card.

Also, make sure to manage the amount of credit you have available to you. Even if you don’t have money sitting on your credit cards, as long as you have that credit available to you, that’s credit that other lenders won’t be willing to give to you for other (potentially more desirable) reasons.

For example, if you have four credit cards with limits of $1000, that’s $4000 less that a lender would be willing to give you for, say, a car loan.

Before you apply for that Future Shop gift card, or another Visa with another institution, think about the credit you might need within the next few years.

You should also be cancelling a maximum of one credit card per year in order for the cancellation to not affect your credit, because it can seem to lenders that you don’t trust yourself with that credit.

Take some time to educate yourself on how to improve your credit, and consider looking into a service that provides you with your credit score to stay on top of your financial wellbeing so you too can perfect being perpetually poor.

MICHAEL PHAM VIA CC BY-SA 2.0

Pinterest is a great place to look for simplified recipes – in this week’s article, I shared four simple recipes you can make in the microwave.

Perfecting being perpetually poor Pay more than the minimum GABRIELLE DICKERT Your credit is this weird thing that can sometimes seem imaginary, because most people don‘t get regular updates on it. In addition, a lot of people just don‘t get how it works. Some question, “if I don’t pay my Visa bill on time this month, will it really make that big of a difference on my credit score?” Then you don‘t pay it and you don‘t see the repercussions, because lenders don’t always notify you after one missed payment. So one missed payment turns into another, and maybe another, but that’s because you were way too wasted at the bar and didn’t realize you were racking up such a high tab, so you tell yourself it won’t happen again. And the bank starts calling, just to see if you’re planning on paying your bill, and you tell them you will and you give them a date to pay it by, and you don’t hear from them again.

You don’t see them, of course, until you go to apply for a car loan, or a line of credit, or even try to buy a bed at Sleep Country, and you’re declined due to your poor credit. Now you’re stuck like this for a few years until you

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LIFE

On this day...

Date: January 22, 2001 ALEXANDRA GRANT On this day with SHAC, the British government launched their pro-vaccine campaign in which they hoped to educate the public on the benefits of vaccines. Even to this day, there are many individuals that are against vaccinating their children or themselves, as they believe that there are too many negative side effects that come with the vaccines. However, these vaccinations were created after years of research and development to prevent major diseases like Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B. Thanks to proper treatment, there are vaccinations that have wiped out certain diseases, like small pox, entirely.

The campaign that the British government launched focused on the benefits of vaccinations, like, the removal of possibly contracting fatal diseases and viruses, thanks to the protection these vaccines provide. They drew attention to the need for vaccines and the right that all individuals have to be safe, healthy, and live lives free of disease. Unfortunately, this campaign, as many that followed have also experienced, was meet with disdain and resistance, as there is still a growing support for anti-vaccine groups and protests.

With more focus, and continual resistance to the medication and vaccines that can easily prevent disease and cultivate life without threats to basic human rights, are the people that protest the removal of vaccines really helping themselves, or are they doing more harm? Though some seem to possess some facts that could persuade some individuals, the real issue that the British faced in 2001, and that we face today, still remains: disease or no disease – that is the question.

TheON

How to write a blog worth reading Helpful tips for starting your blog!

JILLIAN DASTI So you want to write a blog.

Perhaps you feel a burning passion to express your views about important topics. Or, perhaps Facebook posts and 140-character-long tweets just aren’t cutting it for you. Whatever your reasons, you’ve made the decision to start chronicling your thoughts, ideas, and feelings.

Here’s what to keep in mind when blogging.

Firstly, have something of substance to say. It’s wonderful that you want to express yourself, but, like listening to that annoying person who keeps talking without actually saying anything, nobody wants to read a blog that doesn’t contribute to the conversation – any conversation. If you feel that David Tennant was the best Doctor, at least explain yourself, and try to give a new perspective that makes others see the situation in a new light. Just internet-yelling “OMG! David Tennant was the best Doctor because he’s hot” makes your reader want to leave

a scathing comment about your profound mastery of debate and your true talent for typing while holding down the Shift key, instead of wanting to continue the conversation or read any of your other blog posts ever again.

Secondly, do your research. Can you honestly take a person seriously when they can’t get their facts straight in a conversation? Probably not. Why do you think professors hate it when you use non-peer reviewed references for your papers? How could you think your readers will take you seriously when you get the facts in your blog posts wrong? Wikipedia, while not a good site to academically reference, is a great starting point. If you’re wanting to build up your blog’s reputation as a credible source of information, fact-checking is a must. In most blogging platforms (such as Wordpress), you can actually reference your facts directly; when setting up your blog post, you can make a word or phrase a link to another webpage. Using pagelinking, instead of making a reference list, is both visually appealing and user-friendly.

Thirdly, for the love of all that you consider holy, write clearly, concisely, and correctly! I cannot stress this enough. Think of that drunk person who’s attempting to tell a convoluted story that just doesn’t make sense,

slurring and yelling at you all the while.

Again, are you going to take them seriously? No dice – you’d probably rather want to record their shenanigans, prank, and laugh at them mercilessly, or get them to bother some other poor soul. You can’t understand them, the whole shouting thing makes you want to cover your ears, and it feels like they’re harassing you. Well guess what: it’s possible to do this in blog form too – if you’re not careful. Keep your paragraphs short and organized, your sentences concise and straight to the point, your characters all in the correct case (As OpPoSeD tO wRiTiNg LiKe ThIs), and your spelling accurate.

There is a difference between definitely and defiantly, affect and effect, are and our, and so on. Just like you hate when people get your name wrong (“It’s Jillian, not Julian!” is basically my life story), people also hate reading words used incorrectly.

Fourthly, and probably most importantly, have some tact, respect, and empathy. The world is rife with craptacular things: war, injustice, narrow-mindedness, death, terrible drivers, the cancellation of Freaks and Geeks – you name it. How about this: rather than being a cynical sassypants, you could put a positive spin on what you have to say instead! Try to be tactful in expressing your views; you can

express yourself without attacking others. Express your frustrations, but instead of just whining about them, come up with a solution instead. Even directing your readers to organizations and movements that are working to help improve the situation is better than whining about problems but not actually doing anything about them.

And, of course, make sure to tell others about your blog! One of the biggest mistakes in blogging is forgetting to let others know about your blog.

Social media is a wonderful tool, and it’s just a miracle that you, an 18+ year-old member of our generation, are proficient in tweeting, posting on Facebook, and/or Tumblring (Le gasp!

You, a social media witch or wizard?

Imagine that!). Start using those mad skills, and get the word out!

So go on, social butterfly that you are! Let the whole world know you’re loud and proud of your opinions! Let the world know that you will forever be a Majora’s Mask diehard fan, or that you do keep up with the Kardashians (for philosophical reasons, of course), or that we are being gouged by Big Telecom companies!

Oh, and if you could just do me a little favour, that would be great: please learn the difference between there, they’re, and their. It’s really not that hard!

Fun things to do on a budget in Guelph Guelph offers many activities tailored to the needs of starving students RACHEL VAN ZEUMEREN Do you want to impress your significant other but don’t know how on a tight student budget? Do you and your roommates need to get out of the house to release some tension and rekindle your relationship? Have you run out of fun things to do when friends visit you in Guelph? The following list describes activities for someone looking to spend little or no money.

1. Volunteer! Give back to the community and impress others with your philanthropy.

2. Visit local breweries! You can sample their small batch specialty beers and delicious craft beer.

3. Grab something to slide down

a hill on and go tobogganing on Moe Hill at the end of Municipal Street.

4. Go skating on one of Guelph’s many natural outdoor rinks, they are free and locations can be found all over the city.

5. The Market Square rink is free as well, and is open seven days a week. Afterwards there are plenty of places downtown to get warmed up with some hot chocolate.

6. Want to see some ass? Visit the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.

It is open from May to October.

See cute donkeys, bring a picnic lunch and explore the trails on the property. Admission for students is inexpensive, and the proceeds go directly towards caring for the animals.

7. The MacDonald Stewart Art Gallery contains over 8,500 pieces and is home to the largest public gallery sculpture park in Canada, and it’s right on the University of Guelph campus!

8. Rock climbing at the Guelph Grotto is a great opportunity to show off your biceps.

9. The Bookshelf offers a free membership for University of Guelph students, which includes discounts on movies, food, drinks, and books.

RYAN PRIDDLE

If you are looking for something fun to do but are on a budget – why not try going skating on the ice rink in front of city hall?

10. Check Groupon! Restaurants in Guelph often offer Groupon deals for dinners for two, as well as things to do.

Remember though, dinner for one is only half as expensive as

dinner for two. The most important, exciting, and challenging relationship you can have is with yourself. Don’t be afraid to do any of these things alone, treat yourself!

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

Science Avenue: antibiotics A microscopic solution to a microscopic problem SAMEER CHHABRA What are antibiotics?

Modern medicine has an innumerable amount of ammunition in the battle against disease and infection. Pills, injections, surgery, transplantations, replacements, and electromagnetism can all be utilized in some shape or form to prevent illness and to insure sick patients grow healthy.

Antibiotics are, simply put, one of the many options available to patients suffering from disease.

Antibiotics are antimicrobials – they either kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms. However, unlike most vaccines, which act against viruses, antibiotics are only able to counteract the effects of bacteria.

The difference between virus and bacteria forms the backbone for an understanding of antibiotics. Whereas viruses are not living organisms, bacteria are fully functional living organisms.

antibiotics are created through pure chemical synthesis, others are isolated from living organism, while others still are created through semisynthetic modifications of natural compounds.

How do antibiotics work?

Antibiotics come in a variety of classes and each class of antibiotic acts against bacteria in specific ways. However, for the sake of simplicity, there are two major varieties of antibiotics: bactericides (which kill bacteria) and bacteriostats (which slow down the growth of bacteria).

What’s fascinating is that different classes of antibiotics target different bacterial structures. For example, penicillin acts by targeting a bacteria’s cell wall, while lincomycin targets a bacteria’s protein synthesis structures. Whereas penicillin attacks and attempts to kill bacteria, lincomycin instead prevents bacteria from growing and reproducing.

The manner in which we create antibiotics also varies. Some

Why are antibiotics important?

Louis Pasteur, regarded as the father of microbiology, hoped that further studying microorganisms could somehow lead to better medication and better medical therapy for suffering patients. Antibiotics are important for the simple reason that they act as a medical line of defence against otherwise imperceptible invasions, violations, and aggressions.

An understanding of antibiotics is now culturally necessary due to the increased usage of antibiotics, and the growing resistance developed by harmful bacteria. Much like any great shield, antibiotics have grown dull thanks to the countless times they have been used in medical combat. In 2014,

Class participation as an introvert: the undeniable struggle Professors lend introverts a helping hand DIANA KURZEJA University is a place where constant discussion and communication is celebrated. Class discussions, group seminars, and presentations are all part of the curriculum and encourage interaction between students.

Most courses at the university leave a small percentage of one’s final grade to participation – raising one’s hand in class and participating in class discussions. As an introvert, this is often my weakest mark, as I cannot remember the last time I have raised my hand in a University classroom.

When I was in the second grade, I decided I was going to face my fear of speaking in class by answering one of the teacher’s questions. I knew the answer and I was going to finally raise my hand for the first time. The teacher had asked how many nickels it took to make a dollar. I raised my hand up as fast as I could and answered confidently “ten.” Before I knew what had just happened, the entire class was in a

giggling fit and the teacher had to intervene to settle everyone down before correcting me with a look of sympathy on her face. I could have sworn she had asked about dimes.

That day, when I came home, I calmly sat my parents down in the living room and announced that we had to pack our bags immediately and leave town.

What really happened was that I simply lost all confidence in raising my hand in class and got into the habit of sitting quietly behind the desk – even when I thought I knew the answer. Although I now realize that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes are a normal part of life, it’s difficult to engage in class discussion after years of avoiding speaking up.

Recently, some professors have decided to change their syllabus to read “investment” instead of “participation,” in consideration of students who struggle with speaking naturally in a classroom.

Investment can be anything from correspondence with a professor through e-mail, visiting the professor during their office hours, and showing a genuine interest in class material. Those who have a fear of public speaking, or simply have trouble participating in class discussions, can show that they are truly

invested in the course and are genuinely interested in the material. It may be difficult for those who enjoy speaking in class to understand that being graded for participation can add a lot of stress to an introvert’s academic life, since public speaking causes great anxiety for them.

Hearing about this new take on participation grades left me feeling hopeful and excited for those who struggle with speaking in class the same way that I do.

Class discussion is definitely an important aspect of attending class and developing social interaction skills by reaching outside of one’s comfort zone. Genuine class discussion should be encouraged by all professors, but should be more carefully planned and not forced upon students, as it doesn’t come as naturally for some. This new look on grading participation is a great way for extraverts to continue adding to thoughtful class discussions, while allowing introverts to express their interest in the course material in a different way.

Students all communicate, learn, and interact differently, which is why it is so important to continue to adapt such open-minded perspectives on learning to help students work on their fears by eliminating the pressure behind facing them.

LIFE the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report claiming that most humans would see a post-antibiotic era in the 21st Century, while doctors around the world have raised concern over the growing number of bacteria that are growing resistant to modern antibiotics.

In spite of these concerns, individuals must recognize the vital importance of antibiotic use in preventing the spread of disease.

Much like vaccines, which have needlessly come under fire due to public misunderstanding, antibiotics are being treated like the very illnesses they combat, when they should be lauded for their effects on disease treatment and prevention.

What is the future of antibiotics?

In January 2015, researchers in the United States and Germany published a paper reporting the first

new official antibiotic discovery in over 30 years. This means that humanity, for the first in almost three decades has a new shield against the antimicrobial offensive.

However, humanity looks toward two possible futures. In one, most bacteria have become resistant to most forms of antibiotic therapy. Humans struggle to overcome simple infections due to mutated super-bacteria, our overreliance on antibiotics, and our lack of foresight. In the other future, things are much brighter.

Humans still contend with infection and illness – because some problems will always exist – but we are not concerned with highly resistant bacteria. Individuals are properly inoculated and communities receive the necessary shots and medication because we are educated and we do not fear medical science.

As always, I’m excited for the truly absurd possibilities.

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22

OPINION

Tobogganing – it used to be just a recreational activity

wear a helmet while horseback riding and prohibiting any event that involves going down hills. I can bet you my darndest that if I broke a bone falling off my bike, my folks wouldn’t be suing the city for “negligence’’ because of the sidewalk.

Kids today face an obesity epidemic in a world that is also plagued by starvation. Part of this can be attributed to the copious amount of technology we shove down their throats all day (but that is another topic entirely).

Another part of it is that we, however unknowingly, discourage

the physical activity that (thank God) was still permitted when I was a child. We’re consumed with fear if our children ride anything with wheels. We pace anxiously when they’re not within a 20-foot radius of our homes, and we are more at ease as they sit on their computer than we are as they play tag with the neighbours.

If we want our children to be happy, healthy, and functioning, we cannot seek to shelter them from all harm – whether physical or emotional. That does them no favours.

The figures involved in decisions that result in a win for frivolous lawsuits are the real danger now.

In retrospect, we see that what is permitted freely in society has slowly shrunk as groups avoid financial litigation by simply eliminating any activity that carries a morsel of risk. As a citizen grateful to live among the most liberated of nations, I hold strong resentment towards the huge changes that have already occured in my two-odd decades. I have lost count of the number of restrictions that have altered my youthhood, even from those of my younger sister.

I have two very young siblings who are not yet even able to speak in sentences. It is a serious concern of mine that, by the time they are at a suitable age to enjoy glorious activities like tobogganing, outdoor activities will no longer be an option. This isn’t just about tobogganing or lawsuits or safety. This is about how true childhoods are not only changing, but disappearing.

Is that really what we want?

Being single is not some tragic curse bestowed upon us, like it’s sometimes made out to be.

People have different reactions when you tell them you’re still single and over the age of 20.

Those who don’t ask – people I am eternally grateful for – are often good at telling you they aren’t in the least bit surprised, and offer a story about someone they know who is even older and still single. It’s a way to let you know that no, you’re not alone, because there are people out there who are single and older than you are, so don’t sweat it! This usually makes me wonder, is there a specific age I can calmly wait to reach until I break out into a fullblown panic, realizing that I have become the friend who is now both the oldest and single?

That seems like a lot of unnecessary stress and panic, and it is. The last thing I want to do is go on about how much better being single is than being in a relationship, because, ultimately, different things make different people happy. Some people enjoy being single and independent, while others are perfectly happy with being in a relationship. There will always be those few people who will look down on your single status, but perhaps they simply can’t imagine that a person can be happy and single at the same time. Whatever your relationship status is, remember that this is your life and that it’s impossible to please everyone around you. Be kind and stay happy, and the rest will come on its own.

Now a lawsuit waiting to happen?

CARLEIGH CATHCART “Hi, and welcome to Lisa’s Tobogganing Farm. I’m your guide, Ethan, and I’ll be supervising your stay today. Once you’ve all signed these waivers, please continue on to the helmet fitting room to secure the appropriate headgear. You may then proceed to the foam-padding gate before selecting your governmentapproved sledding vessel.”

It sounds like a scene out of a helicopter parent’s biography, but it really reflects the direction in which society is heading when it comes to hobbies traditionally viewed for decades as harmless fun. With lawsuits popping up over absurd occurrences like tripping down stairs, collectives - whether businesses, organizations, or even municipalities - have been essentially forced into covering their butts from all possible angles. Unfortunately, this is not a fool-proof measure and benefits absolutely no one in the long run. In fact, I think if anything, these types of actions attract fools like mice to cheese.

Municipalities, like Orangeville, have faced the recent wrath of citizens who strongly oppose a suggested tobogganing ban. I wholeheartedly agree with these citizens, but, ironically,

JERRY BOWLEY VIA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Tobogganing was once just a fun activity to do in the winter months, but has caught some negative attention lately – should it be banned? it isn’t the municipalities that I feel are to be blamed. Those truly at fault in these ridiculous situations are the self-deflecting fools who do their best to get money from others to finance the common sense they apparently lack. This is true whether it is a lawsuit regarding a fall, a tobogganing injury, or any other similar mishap.

Yes, there are inherent dangers associated with tobogganing. Of course there are! There are also many risks taken in crossing the street, riding the bus, sitting in the classroom, and laying in bed.

While danger may be higher in some situations than others, we have to look at it in perspective. Eliminating the hazards of all activities is impossible – that shouldn’t mean that we consequently eliminate all activities.

I’ll tell you something. When I was a child, I tobogganed, rode horses, climbed trees, and - gasp - played Grounder. Sometimes I got hurt. Sometimes my friends did. But my parents allowed it to continue because they took appropriate precautions. Keyword “appropriate.” There is a difference between ensuring you

“Why are you still single?”

The stigma behind a single status DIANA KURZEJA It’s a question most of us have heard at least once before – maybe even twice, or a dozen times – who’s really counting anyway? As I entered my 20s, it seemed like a favourite question for others to ask me. Parents, family friends, and even close friends who seemed curious about this strange predicament of mine would ask: still single, in her 20s – but why?

At this age, it seems that when others ask us why we’re single, it’s almost assumed that there’s

something wrong with us – like we haven’t accomplished something we were supposed to do.

“People have different reactions when you tell them you’re still single...”

Before coming to university, I was never concerned about whether or not I had a boyfriend.

I was shy, awkward, and couldn’t imagine having to date someone

when I could barely take care of myself. I was still trying to grasp the concept of doing my own laundry, let alone thinking about getting into a relationship with someone. Surprisingly enough, I still find myself feeling that way today. When you reluctantly do finally answer this question, you might still never find an answer that’s good enough for people who look at you differently for your single status.

There’s this myth that if you’re single, you’re miserable and lonely and your life is tragic. You come home to your Ben & Jerry’s and a bottle of wine, and watch P.S. I love you, sobbing and wishing your love life could be as romantic. The truth is, I have only done this a few times and it really isn’t that bad. I’m kidding (sort of ).

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

A man named Zoey Contemplating names and connections ZOEY ROSS I love my name. In the early 90s no one was named Zoey, not girls, not boys, no one. My name was just a quirky name that meant “life” in Greek. My mom was 16 when she found out she was pregnant, and if youthful whimsy has anything to do with name selection, then it totally makes sense.

Having a random name can really be to your benefit. While humans are not a product or corporation, I think that we all have a brand that our name is attached to. When I meet someone with a unique or interesting name, it triggers my imagination. A perfect example of this is the name “Avalon.”

As usual, the Bullring was packed at lunch, so I asked to sit

with someone new. We got talking; she said her name was Avalon and that it had something to do with King Arthur. Well, my mind just went on a vacation. I instantly thought of Disney film The Quest for Camelot; the memory was like a warm embrace on a freezing cold day. Wait, Avalon didn’t ask for this! This is all superficial and imaginative, but inspiring mythological thought and happiness with a stellar name is just the burden she has to bear.

Last week, I found out that there is another man named Zoey – Zoey Stevens. I tracked him down and we had some great Zoey talk.

“I really love my name, I can’t complain about it all. It’s definitely, it’s always a starter, especially with someone who is a perfect stranger,” said Stevens.

I absolutely agree. Zoey is an insta-starter (see the above conversation with Avalon for reference).

“I had a lady meet me and she was like, ‘oh, I was expecting a girl.’

I was like ‘that’s okay.’” Even men

OPINION are like ‘that’s a great name.’ They want to know where it came from – does it run in the family,” said Stevens.

Being mistaken for a woman before meetings is a regular occurrence. Even when I go to interviews, my editor gives a heads up – “by the way, Zoey is a dude.”

“...let it strengthen your identity.”

I find it interesting that Zoey Stevens is a professional artist.

Zoey carries a lot of implied zeal. I would be surprised if I ever found an extremely introverted Zoey.

Stevens also has a 20-year-old son name Zoey, and shared some of his growing pains with the name.

“Right when he was going into the sixth grade, there was a television show on Nickelodeon called

Zoey 101... Of course the character in the television is a girl, he got teased quite a bit about that,” said Stevens.

Although it wasn’t so bad for Zoey Jr., as his dad may have inspired the Zoey 101 showrunner in the first place.

“He was okay with it because, incidentally, in the 90s, I worked for the producer Dan Schneider, [of Zoey 101] on some other Nickelodeon programs. I was the scenic artist for probably 15 different television shows and motion pictures.

So Dan saw my name, the way I spelt it on all the scenery… that was my responsibility… I used to sign Zoey Obi Wan. I think because Dan had moved back to California and I was in Florida he had just assumed, ‘oh that’s just how you spell Zoey,’ whether it’s a girl or boy. Most girls I meet named Zoë it’s just been Zoe with the accent over the e,” said Zoey.

I mentioned to Stevens that I might be heading down to L.A. this year, and he was totally up to

meeting up. He also had a radical idea – a men-named-Zoey annual meeting, “like burning man or something,” said Stevens. I think that would be great, but would rather have an everyone-namedZoey summit.

I do think in a perfect world guys, girls, and people of all sexes can have whatever name they want without any negative feedback. It would be nice if all the men named Ashley or Kelly and women named Charlie or Frank could make it through adolescence and the rest of life without the nomenclature scrutiny. In the meantime, my advice to anyone with a seemingly off beat name is to own it. Make it part of your brand and let it strengthen your identity. Power to the Avalons, Kezias and Constantinos out there. Oh, and if your name is a little more prevalent, be assured that you’re awesome too. While your name might be common, you have the potential to be extraordinary.

How high school doesn’t prepare you for university University learning is vastly different ARLENE CAMPBELL Does anyone else ever have those moments where you look at your calendar filled with due dates, the stack of textbooks on your desk you were supposed to have had read by last Thursday, the utilities bills you have no idea how to pay, and the terrible resume that’s gotten you rejected from five jobs because it was so poorly done and thought: I was not prepared for this?

In high school, we were prepared for things like essays and graphing. The five-paragraphhamburger-style was all over diagrams that were placed in every English class and we were told to follow that style to a “T.” Then we got to post-secondary, and that same essay style – the one that was so important, that most classes spent weeks learning – will get you at most a C if you’re lucky.

No one ever gave lessons that centred on information we’d need to know. Not once did anyone ever tell me how to get a mortgage, do my taxes, clean a house properly with the correct cleaning products on the correct surfaces, or cook nutritious

meals. I never heard any of my teachers even suggest a lesson on skills most people would need for their whole lives, like how much to tip, how to create a savings plan, or even how to budget.

Instead, we were taught parabolas and imaginary numbers (why, exactly, I don’t know. They’re imaginary – do they have that much of an impact on our everyday life?).

It wasn’t completely useless though. Some information was transferable to life after high school; even then, it’s only been transferable to my next step in education. What I learned in biology is useful in my nutrition class and what I learned in law is useful in my politics classes; so

far, though, I’ve never been in a situation where knowing what the Oakes test is has helped me in any way. So learning it was great for me for my current classes, but what about the kids that didn’t continue their education? Where was the useful information they could take with them to apply to the next stage in their lives?

Learning this information may not have helped me a lot, but it didn’t help them at all.

Every step of our education was supposed to help us with the next step in our life – high school especially. Elementary school prepared us for middle school, middle school was for high school, but I didn’t understand how ill-prepared I was for university until I got here.

23

Exams worth 30 per cent – at least, entire class marks based on four things, readings to be done for every week whether you have a midterm to study for as well or not, professors that talk too fast for you to type and then don’t post lecture slides, late penalties upwards of 20 per cent, and a number of other shocking facts that we all had to learn the hard way after we’d paid our $20,000 tuition. In high school, they held our hands and walked us through the material, in university, they took all those aids away.

They told us they’d prepared us.

Teachers were proud on graduation day, thinking that everything they’d taught us had been a gem, but in all honesty, we were not at all prepared.

We are looking for people who want to hand out our papers outside on publication days (Thursdays) for one-hour blocks. Those who have an interest in doing so can contact us at ontarion@uoguelph.ca and will receive a $20 gift card to the Brass Taps for doing so.

Thanks for helping us out!

24

OPINION

The Conservative government’s maternal health initiative How Canada’s top development priority can be improved EMMA CALLON The Conservative Party of Canada’s maternal health development policy, which was announced at the Muskoka Initiative in 2010 and restated at the Saving Every Woman, Every Child summit this year in Toronto is incomplete.

The initiative appears to be based on ideology rather than public health. This is evident, as funding for family planning is excluded from Canada’s efforts to improve maternal health globally.

The Conservative government’s maternal health initiative has pledged $4.6 billion toward strengthening health systems, reducing the burden of disease, and improving nutrition in 10 countries in North, East, and West Africa, as well as in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Haiti. At first glance, Canada appears to be a global leader for the government’s efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5: reducing child mortality and improving maternal health by reducing maternal mortality.

However, how can these goals be achieved by excluding commitments to improving access to family planning, abortion, and reproductive health services? The Conservative government has refused to fund abortion services and flip-flops on funding programs that promote contraception – all of which are essential for improving the health of women around the world.

According to the World Health Organization, maternal health

involves the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period (about six weeks after childbirth). There is no doubt that maternal health is absolutely important for the health and growth of populations – not to mention for women. For instance, women in developing countries are 300 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than women in developed countries. However, if initiatives are implemented to improve maternal health, the role unsafe abortion plays in maternal mortality needs to be acknowledged. It is estimated that 20 million unsafe abortions take place every year, 97 per cent of which are in developing countries, and lead to the death of 47, 000 women from complications including hemorrhage or infection. The Conservative government’s rational for not funding abortion is that the topic is divisive and may undermine support for saving the lives of mothers and babies. However, unsafe abortions result in eight per cent of maternal deaths, so funding abortion services is directly related to saving the lives of mothers in developing countries. By not funding reproductive health services, the Canadian government is excluding services that are a necessary component of maternal and reproductive health in the country’s foreign development policy.

The Canadian government has committed billions of dollars towards projects that promote nutrition and train midwives in countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. However, what has been happening within Canada? In just under a decade, the Conservative party has canceled a national child care program, defunded Status of Women Canada, cancelled the Court Challenges Program, undermined women’s right to pay equity, and has appointed fewer women to cabinet than previous governments.

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volunteer with The Ontarion Meetings held Thursday @ 5:30 in UC Rm. 264

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE VIA CC BY 2.0

Conservative government policy has focused on improving conditions for women and children abroad, but their national policies still leave much to be desired.

Overall, there has been an erosion of women’s rights and the efforts to improve equality in Canada. I am not suggesting that the Conservative government defund maternal health programs in developing countries, but the health and well-being of women in Canada also needs to be taken into account. By announcing the country’s dedication to vulnerable mothers in the Global South, the Conservative government is

putting Canada forward as an ally to women. However, the government’s domestic policies do not always align with their foreign efforts.

In conclusion, maternal health in the developing world is important. However, to affect global change, policy needs to reflect public health, not conservative ideology. At the very least, the Canadian government needs to include funding for abortion

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and reproductive health more broadly in its maternal health plan if we really want to decrease maternal mortality in developing countries. Ideally, Canada’s government should not only strive to present the country as a peacekeeping nation dedicated to health, equality, and development, but should embody those qualities and carry them out in both domestic and foreign policy.

Issue 176.3 • Thursday, January 22, 2015

EDITORIAL

The Ontarion Inc.

The representation of women in media

University Centre Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca

How we can do better - and change the view

Phone 519-824-4120 General: x 58265 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 53534 Accounts: x 53534 Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief

Emily Jones Associate Editor

Emilio Ghloum News Editor

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Danielle Subject

EMILY JONES I recently re-watched a documentary film called Miss Representation, after flipping through my Netflix account and seeing that it was available.

Throughout my time studying as a student at the University of Guelph, I found myself intrigued and moved by the classes that focused on feminist and ethical issues, as well as dystopian studies. These classes often focused on the voicelessness of the Other – which is actually a big reason for my getting into the field of journalism and communication.

For those of you who do not know what I am talking about – the Other is usually a minority, or someone who is deemed less than by those who are dominant in society.

“...its primary focus is on the ways in which women are represented in the media...”

I found myself feeling very connected to Miss Representation, as its primary focus is on the ways in which women are represented in the media, in addition to why this representation has caused detrimental effects to women all over the globe. Women have been, for quite some time now, represented as highly sexualized objects. Those in the spotlight of Hollywood are judged on their image – rather than their intellectual ability. With the rapid growth of technology and the increased closeness of the relationships shared between our devices and our lives, we have become concerned with things that should not be our primary focus.

Beginning in grade five, I developed image issues – I felt insecure and ugly. Looking back, I can recognize that the reasons I likely began feeling that way was because

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COURTESY PHOTO

Mona Lisa’s Smile is an example of a film that documents the lives of women striving for intellectual autonomy, and is host to a powerful female protagonist and role-model. of the toys I had played with as a child, and the advertisements and television programs I saw when flipping through television channels. I loved Barbies – they were always so pretty, with perfect features, long straight blond hair, and a trim figure. I didn’t fit that category, and so I felt like I was less. As I reached my teenage years, I read all sorts of teen magazines – I loved looking at all of the pictures of celebrities, seeing who was dating whom, and learning about the upcoming style trends. As a teenager, I didn’t understand the media the way I do now, and I didn’t see how harmful it could actually be.

“...I didn’t understand the media the way I do now, and I didn’t see how harmful it could actually be.”

Once I reached my 20s, and began studying representation in media, I started seeing the ugly truth behind the pretty images. I began realizing that the way advertising works, especially for beauty projects or selling fashion, is by feeding off of people’s insecurities in order to make them feel like if they buy this product or that outfit, they’ll be prettier, more desirable,

or fit in better. The sad part of all of this is that it took me until my 20s to understand all of this. By the time I had understood it all, it had already left me in an uncomfortable place – insecure and working on it.

I want to be able to help people understand what they are seeing isn’t the truth – I want people to understand that to accept the media, we need to understand the media. The following list should enable a deeper understanding about our media and will hopefully encourage some acceptance in ourselves: 1. Advertising is meant to do one thing: be persuasive. I am not saying that all advertising is bad, I am just saying that, when it comes to products, advertising is used as a tool to sell you something. The way people get hooked in is by believing that a certain product is something they need. Beauty products are directed primarily at women – women who have, from a young age, been shown what “ideal beauty” is from a media outlet. Everyone is beautiful, and in unique ways – this authenticity is something we should all strive to explore and accept.

2. The “role-models” young women have to look up to are those they see most often. What is seen most often in the media are women who are filling one of two roles – the sex symbol or the hopeless romantic. Again, there is nothing wrong with being sexy or romantic, but it would be beneficial to

see more women in leadership roles in the media who are role-models because of their brilliance and not their physical attributes.

3. Strive to be a role-model for the young people you know – encourage them to embrace themselves with positivity. Teach them the ways in which the media doesn’t show the importance of the female mind in every way, but, rather, focuses on the physicality of the woman. Teach the young women that they are just as qualified for the job as their male counterpart, and that they should push themselves to be the best they can be intellectually. Teach them that hard work really does pay off.

Finally, in my late 20s, I began to think hard about ways in which I can help make a difference in my life and the life of others – to use my voice to enable young people to accept who they are for what they are and to make themselves better from the inside out. I am not perfect – no one is.

However, I hope that these words will help someone feel like they are not the only one struggling the self-image issues – it may not go away immediately, but it gets better with time.

Have a question, comment or complaint?

Send us a letter to the editor at ontarion@uoguelph.ca.

Deadline is Monday at 4 p.m., 300 word max.

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The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since the Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontarion Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit of refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editorin-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2015 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify the Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement.

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FUN PAGE

ACROSS 1- Send out 5- Washer cycle 10- Racer Yarborough 14- Fix up 15- Ham it up 16- K-6 17- What’s ___ for me?

18- The cruelest month?

19- Assist, often in a criminal act 20- Large mass of hard refined sugar 22- Former Russian rulers 23- Hideout 24- Gratis 26- Got together 29- Movable barrier 31- Finally!

35- Old French expression meaning “goodbye” 37- Basics 39- “What I Am” singer Brickell 40- Be dependent 41- Pry 42- Pop 43- Hook’s helper 44- Sicilian spewer 45- According to 46- Annoyance 48- River of Flanders 50- Univ. aides

51- Actress Daly 53- Makes lace 55- ___ bleu!

58- Disloyalty 63- Gillette brand 64- Planet’s path 65- Take ___ from me 66- Lanai neighbor 67- “The Family Circus” cartoonist Bil 68- Mysterious character 69- Utopia 70- The color of honey 71- “The Mod Squad” role

DOWN 1- Greek goddess of strife 2- Course list?

3- Gotcha 4- Bottom line 5- Objects from everyday life 6- Of great significance 7- Director Ephron 8- Rigid 9- Sniggler’s catch 10- Incessant 11- Jessica of “Dark Angel” 12- Lustful look 13- CPR experts 21- Prego competitor 22- Asian holiday

ANSWERS FROM 176.2

25- Coarse file 26- Waterlogged soil 27- Accumulation of fluids 28- Roofing items 30- Black-wooded tree 32- Take as one’s own 33- Cassette half 34- Rips 36- Ocular discomfort 38- Shoreline 41- Spotted 45- Commedia dell’___ 47- Bleaching agent 49- Christian festival 52- Violinist Zimbalist 54- Growl angrily 55- Ditto 56- Somewhat 57- Rock’s Motley ___ 59- Simple rhyme scheme 60- Decorative case 61- ___ Fein 62- Blueprint detail 64- River to the Volga

SUBMIT COMPLETED CROSSWORD TO THE ONTARION OFFICE, UC 264, NO LATER THAN MONDAY JAN. 26TH AT 4PM FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS! Crossword Winner from 176.2 is…David Martynowicz!

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