The Other Press - October 22, 2019

Page 1

The Douglas College Newspaper Since 1976

V olume 46

October 22 , 2019

Issue 8

true crime in bc


Lettitor

What are you, the Halloween Police? Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief

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erusing the world wide web for something spooky related to talk about in my Lettitor this week, I was surprised at the number of articles discussing Canadian schools opting to ban Halloween costumes, or towns banning kids above a certain age from trick or treating. Some of the reasons for these restrictions are that some younger kids may find the older students’ costumes scary, or that some kids may not celebrate Halloween and feel left out, or that some kids are simply too old to trick or treat. Who are these people policing kids on how and when they can celebrate Halloween? For the costume ban, school is supposed to be a fun and creative environment for kids to learn and socialize. Banning costumes and Halloween fun gives kids nothing else to celebrate and prevents learning about the history of the holiday. How can kids learn about an event the majority of our society engages in if they don’t celebrate it at

school? Instead of dressing up in fun or scary costumes, some schools will be doing “orange and black” days, or “tie and scarf days.” These spirit days don’t relate at all to Halloween, nor do they allow or encourage kids to be creative and have fun showing off the costumes they maybe made or were excited to wear. Plus, the proposed days are lame as hell. What’s fun or scary about wearing a tie or the colour orange? Nothing. Halloween is a time in children’s lives to make memories and enjoy the particular type of creative pleasures the holiday offers. Personally, I trick or treated until I was about 16. Some might say 14 is the cut-off, but since I didn’t want to go to Halloween parties and drink or stay at home alone—trick or treating with my friends or family was the only way I could get my need for spook satisfied. Have Halloween costumes gone too far? Maybe sometimes. Are some kids too old to trick or treat? Depends who you’re asking. Regardless, I

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Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief  editor@theotherpress.ca

Janis McMath Assistant Editor  assistant@theotherpress.ca

Position Open News Editor  news@theotherpress.ca

Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor  arts@theotherpress.ca

Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor  lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

Position Open Opinions Editor  opinions@theotherpress.ca

Position Open Entertainment Editor  humour@theotherpress.ca

Caroline Ho Web Editor  webeditor@theotherpress.ca

James Moore Layout Manager  layout@theotherpress.ca

Nhi 'Jenny' Vo Production Assistant

Lauren Kelly Graphics Manager  graphics@theotherpress.ca

Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager

don’t think kids should have to suffer the consequences of no Halloween fun in their school or neighbourhood because some schools find it’s too much trouble to deal with costumes, or some adults don’t want to give candy to some who may be a little older. Costumes are worth the trouble, because they generally bring a lot of joy to those creative types who enjoy participating in the holiday and highly value this outlet. If kids are really frightened by some costumes, I think they should be encouraged to learn that there is nothing to be afraid of, as it’s only a costume. By putting the kibosh on costumes, kids will never be exposed to them and may never become comfortable with these Halloween festivities or any type of spooky festivities, and that’s more of a long-term problem then being a little scared, isn’t it? There will always be scary things in the world, so having a child confront their fears is the best way to deal with them—sheltering the child will only exasperate the fear further. If some parents don’t want their kids involved in celebrating Halloween, they

Brittney MacDonald Business Manager Cara Seccafien Illustrator Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter Craig Allan Tania Arora EG Manilag Michele Provenzano Staff Writers Billy Bui Staff Photographer Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist David Douglas Erin Meyers Contributor Cover layout by Janis McMath Freature layout by Nhi 'Jenny' Vo

should have the choice to opt out, but Halloween festivities and costumes being banned from school is not a viable solution. Parents can explain to their kids why they don’t want them to be involved in the revelry but taking away everyone’s fun because one’s own personal disagreement is cruel and unjustified. Halloween is a great holiday that we celebrate here in Canada and in the Western world. It allows kids to be creative and have fun dressing up to get candy, or at least be where the Halloween happenings are. Even if you don’t personally celebrate this spooky holiday, it’s fun to be a part of the games and festivities. Don’t tell kids they can’t innocently enjoy themselves and be a part of the communal fun for the comfort of other people. Limes,

Jessica Berget Jessica Berget

The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of directors appointed by our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus. The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tuition fees every semester at registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada. The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.


Have an idea for a story?  news@theotherpress.ca

N ews A bus stoppage may be near

news // no. 3 • Douglas Discusses: voting in the election • The Great British Columbia ShakeOut • Douglas food services deemed ‘low-risk’ ...and more

Photo by Billy Bui

››Douglas College students likely relatively unaffected due to SkyTrain access

Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter

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hances are that you may not be reading the Other Press on the bus in a week, after Oct 28. Last weekend two unions—Unifor Local 111, the union representing Metro Vancouver Transit Operators, and Unifor Local 2200, the union representing bus maintenance and Seabus workers, held strike mandate votes ahead of negotiations for a new contract with Coast Mountain Bus Company. According to a memorandum posted on the website of Local 111, 99% of their membership voted in favour of a strike action. The strike vote empowers the bargaining committee to call a strike among its membership if negotiations

with their employer breakdown. Unifor (the amalgamation of the two Unions) and Coast Mountain Bus Company continue a second round of negotiations for a new contract, after talks broke down earlier this month. CityNews reports that Gavin McGarrigle, the Western Regional Director of Unifor, stated: “We’ve just come through three days of negotiations and we’re starting to make some progress, although it’s slow at this stage.” The Union is seeking increased wages that align with other major transit services, longer­breaks, and the hiring of more drivers. According to the BC labour Relations Code, the bargaining committee can exercise their memberships’ strike support, or “call a strike,” within three months of an “in-favour” strike vote, but must give their employer 72 hours’ notice

of a prospective strike. A looming bus strike would inconvenience students in the Lower Mainland, as many greater Vancouver-area post-secondary students commute to class via bus. Most universities and colleges are serviced primarily via bus, with Douglas College being the exception—as the campus is serviced via SkyTrain for most students. Of note is that SkyTrain services would not be affected by the bus operator strike. Both New Westminster and Coquitlam Douglas campuses are steps away from SkyTrain stations. Douglas College New Westminster is serviced by New Westminster station on the Expo Line, and Douglas College Coquitlam can be accessed by Lafarge Lake–Douglas station on the Millennium Line. According to TransLink data, available

on their 2018 Transit Service Performance Review website, New Westminster station was the eighth busiest SkyTrain station in terms of daily passenger boarding. Whereas, Lafarge Lake-Douglas was 48th out of 53 SkyTrain stations with regards to total ridership. The ridership numbers at New Westminster station may be primarily student driven, as its ranking falls dramatically over the weekend. This is not the first time the Lower Mainland has faced transit unrest. In 2001, TransLink and its employees failed to reach an agreement through the bargaining process, and that produced a labour stoppage. The last bus operator strikes in Metro Vancouver occurred that year. The protracted strike lasted approximately four months and was resolved with provincial legislation mandating employees return to work.

Free tech skills learning program held in Canada ››Sessions will be held in six cities across the country Tania Arora Staff Writer

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he Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is booming like never before, and it shows no sign of stopping soon. In this digital age, the entire world is running on technology. Recognizing the importance of the ICT department, West Coast Technology Foundation, a not-for-profit section of The Network Hub (TNH) in Vancouver in partnership with CodeCast and ComIT.org designed a free tech skill learning program. The curriculum is designed to teach onthe-job required skills to people looking to

get into the ICT industry. According to the Government of Canada’s website, revenue for this field between 2012 and 2018 reached up from $156 billion to $193 billion—increasing by 23 percent. The website also reports that employment growth in this sector has been outpacing the overall economy since 2012. Even though there are many professionals in the ICT field, countries still face a dearth of skilled technical personnel. According to a news release by ComIT, “Pablo Listingart is the founder and executive director of ComIT, a nonprofit organization providing free digital employment skills training to interested students in six cities across Canada.”

The program will run in six different Canadian cities including Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Kitchener, and Toronto. The program is free of cost, which makes it more accessible. The pilot program will accommodate up to 25 people and will be held at two of TNH’s office locations in Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver. The pilot session shall commence from January to April 2020. Most classes will be held in the evenings and shall take place three times a week. The curriculum will include lessons on the language and basics of using Javascript. The program is set up to include peer support and drop-in workspaces for trainees to study

and work in, between their training. The organization will also conduct a hiring event towards the end of the program, inviting ICT companies to connect with the local trainees for possible hiring. Listingart emphasizes the importance of creating such a program. “I believe in the democratization of education,” he said. “My goal was to give that first chance. There are a lot of born-and-raised Canadians who are here and can’t get a loan to attend a university or college, and they are still very smart and talented, but nobody gave them that first chance.” Those interested in the program can apply at Comit.org’s website.


news // no. 4

theotherpress.ca

Douglas food services deemed ‘low-risk’ ››Faulty fridge frustrates food service operator Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter lthough there are many dining establishments close to both the New Westminster and Coquitlam campuses, to students on campus and in a rush, the campus cafeterias are usually the only game in town. Each campus is outfitted with a cafeteria offering a variety of hot and cold items, as well as Tim Hortons kiosks. Annually, Douglas’ food services undergo inspections as per the Food Safety Act of BC. Typically, the health authority in charge of regulating food services within their jurisdiction schedules food inspections at random times—without warning to the operators. Every food service establishment in a region that can be accessed by the public must be inspected. In September, Health inspectors descended on Campus Deli and Tim Hortons on the New Westminster Douglas College campus for their annual inspection. The health inspector did not identify any critical or non-critical hazards—a list of which can be found within The Food Safety Act—in their examination of the New Westminster campus Tim Hortons, and assigned a risk score of zero, deeming the service low risk. The campus deli’s inspection was not

Photo by Billy Bui

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as fortunate. During the September surprise visit, the inspection report (DSEA-BG3SZU) noted two critical and one non-critical hazards. The critical hazards—which are acts that can potential harm customers by helping to propagate food-borne illness—included “Adequate handwashing stations not available for employees” due to dead batteries in a soap dispenser, and

“Cold potentially hazardous food stored/ displayed above 4 °C.” This was because of a faulty two-door pizza prep cooler stored products that needed refrigeration above four degrees. The cold storage issue led to the Campus Deli throwing out food items and taking precautionary measures—including icing potentially hazardous food items— until the cooler could be repaired, which

the health inspector mandated must occur within 48 hours. The malfunctioning pizza cooler was the source of 8 of the 13 points scored by Campus Deli as the consequences of using non-refrigerated food items is severe. Despite the warm cold storage unit, Campus Deli was deemed low risk, as their point total missed a ‘moderate’ risk score by three points. The health inspector noted that the next inspection should occur within the next six months. Details of past food inspections and the food inspection reports for food retailers servicing both Douglas College campuses can be found at the “food safety” webpage of Fraser Health Authority. How public health inspections work Health inspectors, officially called Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), present to a food service operations and examine the premises for health violations, as outlined by the Food Safety Act. Generally, the officers scrutinize the premises for large food safety violation, such as rodents, pest, and improper food storage processes; however, EHOs also ensure the food service establishment has employees trained in food safety courses and can provide consultation and education to food operators.

Shake off earthquake anxiety with the Great BC ShakeOut ››Event highlights the importance of earthquake safety and procedure

Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief

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o you know what to do when the “Big One” hits? On October 17, at 10:17 am, both Douglas College campuses held an earthquake drill known as the Great British Columbia ShakeOut. The event is provincewide and is used to educate participants on safety and procedures in the case of earthquakes. The ShakeOut BC website states that BC is at a higher risk for earthquakes in comparison to the rest of Canada. It goes on to say that over 3,000 earthquakes occur in BC every year, most of them being too small for anyone to feel impact of. The website also cautions that there is a risk of a big earthquake that could cause significant damage in the future. ShakeOut BC states that there were almost 570,000 participants in the event in our area of Southwest BC—Metro Vancouver accounting for over 504,000 of those who partook. The drill encouraged the college community to carry out an earthquake drill known as “Drop, cover, hold on” to inform people how to protect themselves in the potential event of an earthquake. According to the Facebook page, the event is held to better prepare students and staff, and to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies. It is also used as a reminder for the community

to sign up and receive DC alerts—an emergency communication system that sends notifications to your phone or email in the case of an emergency on campus that could impede safety. The emergencies DC Alerts notifies subscribers of are things like snow closures, bomb threats, power outages, or any other safety or security concerns. Students can subscribe to these alerts through their Douglas College accounts under their Emergency Notification Information. Natural Resources Canada’s website states that the Pacific Coast is the most earthquake prone region in all of Canada— Manitoba and Saskatchewan being the least prone. Earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates slipping past or underneath each other which releases stress, causing the ground above to move and shake, ergo an earthquake. City of Vancouver says some of the largest earthquakes in the world have been in BC. It also says the city is at high-risk of having another one in the future. In a Douglas College blog post, Nancy Constable, Director of Safety, Security, and Risk Management emphasized the importance of earthquake drills in the Lower Mainland. “Seismic experts tell us that we can expect a major destructive earthquake in BC,” she said. “We don’t know when it might hit. This drill is about practicing how to protect ourselves when it does.”


issue 8// vol 46

news // no. 5

Douglas Discusses: Deciding factors for voting in the election ››We ask students what made them decide who to vote for and strategic voting

Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief

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Photos by Janis McMath

A couple students we asked said their decision was influenced by their family.

oting for this year’s election will take place on October 21. In the spirit of the election, the Other Press asked the students of Douglas College what made them decide who they will be casting their ballots for in the 2019 federal election. We also asked students about whether they knew what “strategic voting” is and if it has influenced their decision at all. Strategical or tactical voting is a term used to describe a voting method with an election with more than two parties, in which someone supports a candidate from one of the leading parties more than their actual preferred candidate—in hopes of preventing a specific candidate from winning. Among the college community, the most attributed reason was the party’s platform. Issues like taxation, immigration policies, and climate change were all things students mentioned in terms of what contributed to their decisions. “What they stand for. For me, it was climate change because we’re going to be living in that,” said Shealin, a Stagecraft major at the college. We also asked her about strategic voting, and if that had any impact on the choice. “Well my parents are trying to get me to vote for that, because they were saying that the vote that you want is pretty much throwing away your vote,” she said. Other students were concerned with issues other than climate change and taxes. “Plans for budget, bit on immigration, the relations with China,” said Charlie, a Business major. Some other students also said they didn’t know who they were voting for, or that they weren’t going to vote at all because they either didn’t connect to any parties or didn’t feel informed enough to make a decision. “I decided not to [vote] because I don’t like any of the parties,” said Jake, an English major. EJ, a Business major, also explained his choice to not vote in this year’s election. “I don’t know anything—I don’t follow it so I’m not voting,” he said. A couple students we asked said their decision was influenced by their family. “I voted, but I don’t know. Probably what my parents decided,” said Eden, a Sports Science major. When asked about strategic voting, he also said that it has influenced his choice in the past. “It did influence me when I was in the UK, but I’ve not had a chance to do it here.” A group of general studies students also attributed family and other economical factors for how they decide to vote for people. “How much […] I have to pay for gas,” said General Studies major, Sienna, about how she would decide who to vote for. She also said she knew what strategic voting is, but it didn’t influence the decision. The students we talked to either were voting for the same party as their family, voting for the party whose platform they agreed with most, or just weren’t planning on voting at all. Many also knew what strategic voting is but didn’t say it influenced their decision. The 2019 election may be one of the closest Canada has ever had. By the time this paper has hit the stands, Canada will already have a new Prime Minister.


Have an idea for a story?  arts@theotherpress.ca

A rts From being overweight to

• ‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ movie review • A review of ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ • The International TheatreSports Festival ...and more

becoming a ‘food heavyweight’ EG Manilag Staff Writer

M

an! First off, you’ve got to watch Randy Santel’s videos to see for yourself how beastly this guy can eat. From tackling insanely large sandwiches to inhaling extra-large bowls of ramen, professional competitive eater Randy Santel is making himself a name on social media. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Santel was a kid who weighed around 346lbs, which was his heaviest weight ever. From high school to college, he would use his weight as a power advantage when playing football. But after his football career, he decided to lose some weight and get ripped. In 2010, Santel challenged himself to compete in the worldwide Men’s Health/ Spartacus Transformation Challenge. The challenge was to see who could undergo the best gladiator body transformation within only 12 weeks. With a very strict diet and a brutally intense workout, Santel achieved the gladiator bod and won the challenge. Moreover, he was given the privilege to appear on the 2010 hit TV series Spartacus. According to his website, exactly

one week later after the bodybuilding competition, he began his very first food challenge in his hometown in Missouri at Pointer’s Pizza with his buddy Dan Graham. The challenge was a whopping 28 inch Pointersaurus Pizza, which they easily slaughtered. They got the meal for free, plus a sweet $500 prize. Little did he know, this was the start of his food slaying journey. Shirts, walls of fame, popularity, praises, free meals, and not to mention cash—these are the things he always gets during his food wins at restaurants across the globe. With the help of his social media accounts, Santel can share his glorious and delicious victories with the world. One of his famous challenges won was his take down of the undefeated 70-ounce English Steak Challenge at Jacks American Bar & Grill in Oldham, England. The challenge was to be finished within an hour—which everyone who had tried up to that point could not breakthrough. Santel completely destroyed it within 41 minutes. His sweet victory was then posted to YouTube, which has gained 4.3 million views. Another challenge he easily dominated was the gargantuan Filthy Mill

Image via RandySantel.com

››Randy Santel: Competitive food slayer

burger challenge at The Mill Restaurant & Sports Bar in Milton, Washington. The competitive food slayer wiped out the giant burger in just 6 minutes and 27 seconds, beating the previous record of 18 minutes and 25 seconds. Two hours after the challenge, he ordered another burger. His stomach is like a vacuum… a very hungry vacuum. What really intrigues me the

most about him is his ability to hold a conversation, give courtesy to the restaurant workers, and compliment the food in between the game, while still breaking records. Insane. Now fast forward to 2019, almost 10 years of food slaying, Randy Santel is currently and insanely holding 784 food challenges wins—a record no one has—and he’s definitely not stopping anytime soon.

A maestro and a gorilla

››Fun improv games at the International TheatreSports Festival Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

Photo via Vancouver TheatreSports Facebook page

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he Vancouver TheatreSports League welcomed the improv world to Granville Island for the International TheatreSports Festival this year. Between October 14 and October 20, many performers from around the world did essential improvisation and presented new ways to do things on the spot. Performers also were at the event to discuss improv at the International TheatreSports Institute Conference. The performers used the concepts learned at the conference in some of the shows in the festival—including the shows created by TheatreSports creator Keith Johnstone. I saw two of his shows, Maestro Improv and Gorilla Theatre back to back at the Waterfront Theatre. There were not a lot of people in the audience during the conference, mainly delegates—though there were a lot of people in the audience during the plays. The atmosphere was similar to playing drama games in drama class, and it also was like workshop for directing. In Maestro Improv, 12 performers did scenes directed by two people— the directors would sometimes come into the scene to make it more interesting. In each round, the director chooses

who will perform, the audience rates the scenes from one to five, and the performers that have the lowest amount of points are eliminated until one of them is left and is named the maestro. The maestro wins a five-dollar bill. In this performance, one of the performers named Jun was going to be in the show but was absent. VTSL player Jeff Gladstone substituted for him while he was hosting the show, and he did a lot of impromptu dancing while the audience was rating the scenes. They even referenced the absence in some of the scenes, one performer sang a song about it, and it was mentioned in a scene where an elderly couple talked about one of their former husbands. There were many great scenes—there was one where Justin Bieber is getting advice from his wife, Hailey Baldwin, during his big comeback. There was also a great scene where two people talked about fir until one of them told the other that he is an undercover conservation officer. In the end, Jun won the game even though he wasn’t present to accept his prize. The next show, Gorilla Theatre, was not only funny and entertaining but was also an example of a masterclass in directing. The show works with six performers performing and directing

scenes, trying to get the most bananas in order to win some time with a gorilla named Coco. Coco participates in some of the scenes if he is needed, and there are set designers that create the atmosphere of the scenes. The performers can ask the designers get props, and the designers can even be part of the scenes. The audience determines if they like the scene by either saying banana or forfeit. If the audience says banana, the performer gets a banana. But, if they say forfeit, the director of the scene would have to do a punishment. The punishments included asking Coco for forgiveness, a performer must tell a relative that they directed a bad scene, or a performer must do something while being heckled. The performers did a lot of funny scenes, including a scene where the actors must act while the expression on their faces is not the emotion they are acting. For such a scene between a father and son, I suggested that the father feels surprised but looks angry. There was also an interesting scene where a landlord goes inside a party and the person playing the landlord wore a mask. Next week, more on the plays in the International TheatreSports Festival this year and a fiesta bus tour.


issue 8// vol 46

arts // no. 7

J-Pop Spotlight: The 46 groups Promotional image for 'Silent Majority' by Keyakizaka46

››J-Pop analysis Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

This is J-Pop Spotlight: A column where every month until the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, we explain some of the biggest musicians in Japan performing in a genre that is starting to go mainstream in North America.

I

n the history of J-Pop, there are well known groups that defined their era and revolutionized the genre. In 2005, famous record producer and songwriter Yasushi Akimoto created AKB48, which originated the idea of a group performing in their own personal theatre (theirs was in the Tokyo neighbourhood of Akihabara) so fans can engage with the group in person. This also set a standard for meet and greet events. When I began following J-Pop fulltime in 2013, the group was mainstream—seen everywhere in the entire country. Akimoto created a rival group for AKB48 in 2011. The group is called Nogizaka46, and they were also founded on the idea of idols you can meet. As the decade went by, more sister groups for Nogizaka46 were created—all together, they are called the Sakamichi Series (or the 46 groups)—and they are one of the biggest idol groups right now. Compared to AKB48, they appeal to everyone, and have groups that have different styles for each type of hardcore idol fans. The rest of the 46 groups include Keyakizaka46, Hinatazaka46, and Yoshimotozaka46. Nogizaka46 is an easy breezy group, and you can see such traits in their synchronized choreography and elegant

clothes. Their breakthrough year began in 2017, when they got the award Best Song in the Japan Record Awards—the Japanese version of the Grammy Awards— two years in a row for “Influencer” and “Synchronicity.” The group could make history this year by being the first musicians to get the award three years in a row. Keyakizaka46 is the opposite of Nogizaka46. Their songs tackle serious topics, beginning with their first hit single in 2016, “Silent Majority,” which talks about rebellion and challenging the system. The lead member of the group, Yurina Hirate (nicknamed Techi), is the forefront member in many of the singles they have released. Their choreography is very intense and passionate. They had an understudy group called

Hiragana Keyakizaka46. When more members were put in the group, they started to form their own group personality that was more cheerful. In February 2019 during a press conference, the group was made independent and renamed to Hinatazaka46. The group can be described as Nogizaka46 with the choreography of Keyakizaka46. Their recent hit single “Is it OK to like you so much?” shows their unique style and it was the number one song on Billboard’s Japan Hot 100 between Sept 30 and Oct 6. The most interesting group of all is Yoshimotozaka46, which is a collaboration with one of the biggest talent agencies in Japan: Yoshimoto Kogyo. The group consists mainly of comedians—both boys and girls, and elderly members as well. While you might think that they are doing

this for charity or fun, but they are actually very serious about the group, shown in the music videos of their songs. The group has EXILE TAKAHIRO (also known as Takahiro Tasaki) doing their choreography. One of the members in the group, Yuriyan Retriever, was seen on season 14 of America’s Got Talent doing body building—she even saw Simon Cowell! The 46 groups are rising up the slope, and there is a group that is for everyone. They will probably get more attention because they could be involved in the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Favourite Members: • Nogizaka46: Rena Yamazaki • Keyakizaka46: Nanako Nagasawa • Hinatazaka46: Kumi Sasaki (Captain) • Yoshimotozaka48: Riho Miyaki

Mistress of pointlessness ››A review of ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’

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hen it comes to Disney’s live action remakes, I have no love lost for them. To me, they are cash grabs of the worst kind. Disney is simply recycling a script from the past. However, one of the bright spots of this live-action remake renaissance of Disney is 2014’s Maleficent. Maleficent was an outlier because instead of merely making an almost shot for shot remake of the animated version, Disney went with a more original idea, centring the film on the evil Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. The film may not be a classic, but Angelina Jolie dons the wings of Maleficent well, and focusing the film on the villain made it feel different than other Disney adaptations. Of course, because the film made a worldwide box office gross of $758 million dollars on a $180 million dollar budget, a sequel was practically guaranteed. Thus, we have Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. After seeing this movie at an early screening, I must say that whoever thought that this was a good idea should have taken a long nap to think it through. There is very little to like about this movie. While the production shows glimmers of Disney magic through some

set pieces, every other part of this movie is terrible. The previous movie ended with Maleficent as a hero, and Aurora (Elle Fanning) unifying the two kingdoms and seemingly starting a relationship with Prince Phillip (played in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil by a re-casted Harris Dickinson). How does the movie get around the fact that Maleficent is no longer evil? Simple, the story is just retold in a fairy tale style game of telephone, with the story being altered and warped with each telling. This movie is set five years in the future from the first movie. Phillip was there for what happened. He would surely tell his kingdom that Maleficent is a hero, as the most credible storyteller. Also, does this kingdom not have any contact with Aurora’s people, who would also tell the story of the hero Maleficent? It is later explained why the story turned against Maleficent—but again, it was only five years ago. Along with this glaring issue, if you have seen any movies in your life, you can easily figure out where every part of this story is going. There is little imagination to be had in this story. As for the cast, everyone is sleeping through their performance in this movie. Despite being in the title, Maleficent barely feels like she is in the movie. Jolie is hardly in the movie, and when she is, it feels like she is a side character. The worst

performance must be Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith though. Pfeiffer overacts the hell out of this movie. As for the other actors, their performances are completely on auto pilot. Seeing such lackluster performances, I’m surprised that someone saying the phrase “That cheque’s not going to bounce right?” didn’t make it into the film. Of all the sins this movie commits though, the biggest one may be simply that it fails to justify its own existence. There was no need for this movie. Maleficent

was a standalone movie, and a good one at that. The movie tries to make a reference to not judging people based on one bad experience and hearsay, and there may be some illusions to modern day racial tensions—but in the end this is a boring and unnecessary sequel. I fail to understand why Disney thought that this was a story that had to be told, outside of the huge profit intake of the first movie. This movie is a one hour and 58-minute curse that can only be broken when the credits start to roll.

'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil' promotional image via Disney

Craig Allan Staff Writer


arts // no. 8

theotherpress.ca

A fun ride through the apocalypse ››‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ movie review

Craig Allan Staff Writer

     he first Zombieland is probably the best example of a film coming out at the right time. Debuting a year before The Walking Dead TV show, the first Zombieland capitalized on the growing fascination of zombie-based fare. Filled with highlights like a cast of mostly unknowns, a humourous take on the zombie apocalypse (contrasting all the standard bleak films), and possibly one of the best cameos of all time, Bill Murray— Zombieland was one of the freshest films to come out of 2009. For a movie with such a rich premise, sequels seemed certain—but unlike zombies that reanimate seemingly in an instant, the sequel for Zombieland took it’s time to gestate. In that time, the unknown cast and crew went on to unprecedented success. With stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, and Emma Stone all going on to be nominated for Oscars. Stone won an Oscar for 2016’s La La Land. Even the crew behind the camera on Zombieland went on to success in the comic book movie world. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick wrote the smash hit Deadpool, and Ruben Fleischer directed the cult classic that is Venom. Despite all this, the cast and crew were able to find time to come back to their zombie slaying roots, and after 10 years take a double tap to the franchise with the second installment, Zombieland: Double Tap. This movie sees the crew of Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) clearing their way to the White House. They finally decide to settle down in the presidential estate after years of being out on the road. A secure place is needed as the zombies

Illustration by Athena Little

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have become stronger, sneakier, and more resilient—with Columbus giving them new designations like the Homer (slow), the Ninja (fast), and the T-800 (hard to put down). When Little Rock leaves the nest and finds people her own age, Columbus, Tallahassee, and Wichita head back out on the road again out of fear for Little Rock’s safety. The strength of the movie comes from its all-star cast who, despite seeing so much success over the last 10 years, come into Zombieland: Double Tap still bringing their all. The real surprise, however, may come from the new cast of characters that the regulars run into. Specific praise must go to Zoey Deutch as Madison. Madison, a dumb blonde character, could very easily ruin the movie if she did not play the character to the right frequency. However, Deutch

plays the role with such ignorant joyful innocence that she lights up the screen in every scene. Characters Albuquerque and Flagstaff, the doppelgangers of Columbus and Tallahassee—played by Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch respectively— also added greatly to the film. Their funniest scene being when Columbus and Flagstaff compare their dueling rules and commandments lists. Rosario Dawson as Nevada and Avan Jogia as Berkeley were also an enjoyable addition. The movie ends with one of the best end credit scenes ever thanks to another legend of the franchise. Will we ever see Garfield 3: Flabby Tabby? Ironically though, the strength of the cast may very well be a weakness. While the cast was great, stars like Stone and Breslin don’t really have a memorable moment in the movie. A consequence of

such a stacked cast. As for zombie slaying, it can be noticeably absent at some points. In fact, after the opening scene, there are very little zombie killing until a set piece in the middle of the movie. The humour can also sometimes be misplaced. Tallahassee’s bloodline containing Blackfoot Native American ancestry is one somewhat cringe worthy example. Despite this though, Zombieland: Double Tap still packs a fun cinematic punch. Everyone returning to this movie clearly cares for the franchise. Where a lot of comedy sequels fail to bring anything new or do not succeed in justifying their existence, like another long-paused sequel coming out this weekend by the name of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Zombieland: Double Tap is a satisfying return to Z-Land.

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Life & Style

life & style // no. 9 • Weirdo Cafe in East Vancouver • Lasagna in a tube • Restaurant review: Royal Crown Castle ...and more

What’s happening this week

Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

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he events have taken me in as one of their own and now they fancy me as their spokesperson. I guess that’s okay. Here’s another list of events yet to come!

Ghost Train • Date: October 11 to 31 Location: Stanley Park, Vancouver • Time: Monday to Thursday, 5:30 to 9:30 pm, Friday to Sunday, 5:30 to 10 pm • Price: $12.60 per adult ticket Have you ever wondered what Alice must’ve gone through when she fell into the rabbit hole? Well, now you can find out! The Ghost Train tour at Stanley Park is back again! And this year, the theme is Alice in Nightmareland. Come for the train tour, stay for the activities, exhibits, and pumpkin patch!

Matt Mays • Date: October 23 • Location: Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville Street, Vancouver • Time: 7 pm • Price: $19.99 to $49.50 per ticket

Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show • Date: October 25 • Location: Lafflines Comedy Club, 530 Columbia Street, New Westminster • Time: Doors at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm • Price: $20 per ticket & a secret

JUNO winner Matt Mays plays at Vogue for his Howl at The Night Tour. A fitting theme for both the artist and the season. Mays himself says the night will be “A journey through songs, old and new, an evening that will start off woody and mellow and finish electric and stormy. Without a doubt, it’ll leave everyone in the house howling at the night!”

The humble halls of New West’s favourite comedy club, Lafflines, host some of the best improv comedians in BC! This improv show is inspired by the audience’s secrets—each ticket holder is asked to anonymously reveal one to watch the show. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

The Bomb Shelter Amateur Night • Date: October 24 • Location: Keto Caveman Cafe, 605 West Pender Street, Vancouver • Time: 9 to 11pm Price: $7 per ticket Do you think you’re funny? If you do— and even if you don’t—come on down to the Keto Caveman Cafe, where a handful of the best and worse amateur comedians try to make you laugh. The Bomb Shelter Amateur Night happens every Thursday, but the open mic for anyone to try stand-up is only on the last Thursday of the month—which is October 24.

Vancouver Halloween Festival • Date: October 25, 26 and Oct 31 • Location: On Oct 25 and 31, Republic Vancouver, 958 Granville Street, Vancouver • On Oct 26 and 31, The Bourbon, 50 West Cordova Street, Vancouver • Time: starts at 10 pm • Price: $10 per party or $25 for access of all parties (prices subject to rising) 19+ Join thousands of people in a multinight Halloween Festival! The Bourbon and Republic Vancouver Night Clubs team up to offer a spooky fun festival where Halloween costumes are a must! And the cherry on top? Halloween themed drinks!

Photo via Ian Burns on Flickr

››October 22 to 26

Diwali Downtown Vancouver • Date: October 26, 2019 • Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver • Time: 12:30 to 4:30 pm • Price: Free or by donation! A festival of lights featuring multicultural events. Come and see South Asian music, and dance performed by local artists! Heritage Halloween • Date: October 26, 2019 • Location: Coquitlam Heritage, 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam • Time: 11 am to 3 pm • Price: By donation Learn about the spooky traditions of cultures all around. The setting: A haunted train station! Enjoy apple cider, crafts, and treats too! No registration required and donations are encouraged.


Haunting two true ››Two editors and two cases—each with two killers

Photo of Atif Rafay and Sebastian Burns via Amazon

Jessica Berget and Janis McMath Editor-in-Chief and Assistant Editor

Atif Rafay and Sebastian Burns I

n 1994, two friends from a Vancouver high school—Atif Rafay and Sebastian Burns—were accused of murdering Rafay’s family. The Rafay family consisted of mother Sultana, a nutritionist, father Tariq, an engineer, and their disabled daughter Basma, and Atif—their teenage son. The story begins with Rafay’s parents moving from Vancouver to Bellevue, Washington. During his breaks from school, Atif would often visit his family. During summer vacation, Atif and his friend Sebastian took a bus to visit Atif’s family home in Washington. A weekend of friends visiting family appeared seemingly innocent, until the night of July 12. Atif and Sebastian went out that night to get dinner and see a movie. They came home in the wee hours of the morning, only to discover that Atif’s parents had been bludgeoned to death, and that his sister was critically injured. His sister died soon after the assault. Sebastian called 911 at 2 am to report the incident, and then the two waited outside for police. When police arrived on the scene, they had their suspicions that this was more than just a break-in gone wrong. The RCMP looked to the two young men, thinking that they murdered the Rafay family for the inheritance money. The night of the murders, the duo had gone out to get dinner, to watch The Lion King at the local cinema, and to check out a Seattle club. Despite them having alibis, the police still suspected their involvement. Investigators found that whoever had committed the murders had also showered before they left the scene. It was also found that the crime scene seemed to be a staged break-in, meaning that

someone had deliberately worked to make it look like a break-in had taken place. Other aspects police found odd was Atif’s calm manner, and also his mention of his Walkman and VCR being stolen. After returning to Canada, the RCMP conducted an operation known as the “Mr. Big” technique, in which they would try to get the boys to confess to the murders. They posed as gangsters who were trying to help the pair by receiving their confession in exchange of helping them clear their names. The sting proved successful in that it got the boys to confess, but many question the validity of their confessions. In US at the time, the “Mr. Big” technique was illegal—yet it was still legal in Canada. The confessions, plus some newfound DNA, were enough to take Burns and Rafay to court. After years of legal battles and court hearings, the two were found guilty of three counts of murder. They were given three consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole. Many doubt the court’s guilty verdict considering that the boy’s confession was obtained under false pretences. The boys have also maintained their innocence throughout their incarceration. Some believe that the murder was done by a religious group, since Rafay’s mother’s body was found with a shawl over her head facing the East—which has a religious connotation. The pair’s case have also caught the attention of three innocence projects, according to the CBC. The Netflix series, The Confession Tapes also reports on this story and goes more into detail about the case in their two-part episode. As of 2018, both have exhausted their appeals.


Photo of Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam McLeod via ABC

e crime cases in BC

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Bryer Schmegelsky and Kam McLeod

his past summer on July 15, the bodies of tourist couple Chynna Deese and Lucas Fowler were found near the Alaska Highway outside Fort Nelson. The two were killed by gunshot wounds, and bullet casings were found near their bodies. In the words of Lucas’ father, Stephen Fowler, this disaster “was a love story that’s ended tragically. It’s the worst-ever love story because we now have two young people, who had everything before them, tragically murdered,” according to the Vancouver Sun. Police were shocked and confused at this point, and on July 18, police released the names of the victims in hopes of obtaining information that would help identify a motive or a suspect. The next day on July 19, the body of an unidentified man is found near Dease Lake, two kilometers south of a burning truck that was also reported. Near this newly found body were bullet casings matching those found near the bodies of Fowler and Deese, linking the two crimes. The truck is identified as belonging to Kam McLeod—a 19-year-old—who at the time was not a suspect. RCMP identify the body as Leonard Dyck, a 64-year-old Botany instructor at the University of British Columbia. Police visit the family home of McLeod, who told police that he had left to go on a vacation to northern BC with his 18-year-old friend, Bryer Schmegelsky. McLeod’s family mentions that the two are good boys. With their eyes on the two, police locate footage of the teens at a gas station in Kitwanga in a silver Toyota RAV4—the car that Dyck drove when he was on his research trip. Police also locate footage of them at a hardware store purchasing black electrical tape and a crowbar. In gas station footage, the silver Toyota RAV4 can be seen with black racing stripes, which police believe is made out electrical tape in an effort to disguise their stolen vehicle. On July 21, a witness reported an incident in which he pulled over on a highway to take a nap, and saw two teens holding guns, “Moving towards [him] in a tactical or hunting stance,” according to the report mentioned on GlobalNews. At this point, the two were certainly the main persons of interest. Suspicion heightened on July 22, when a burnt silver Toyota RAV4 is found in Gillam, Manitoba. A few days later, the silver Toyota RAV4 is confirmed to belong to Dyck. The Royal Canadian Air Force assisted RCMP in searching the Gilliam area, and soon found a damaged aluminum boat,

McLeod’s backpack, wallet, and clothes were found, along with ammunition. Soon after the boys were found, dead due to suicide by gunshot. A camera with the boys’ last will and testament was found near their bodies, and in the video, the boys admit to the killings with “No remorse for their actions,” as stated by BC RCMP Assistant Commissioner Kevin Hackett, according to Global News. The case unfortunately never went to trial because Schmegelsky and McLeod killed themselves. They did admit to committing the crimes, so hopefully that allows the mourning families to get some closure. This BC case was shrouded in drama and controversy for several reasons. One of the reasons being the fact that the boys were known to have a gaming account online that featured imagery referencing to communism, far-right politics, the soviet flag, and the heraldic eagle from Nazi Germany. The killings did not seem to be racerelated as their interests may suggest, seeing that all of their victims were Caucasian. Another controversy was the fact that one of the rifles used was purchased legally from a hunting-supply store—and police are still uncertain where the second rifle used came from. Lastly, much controversy was caused by the comments and actions of Alan Schmegelsky, Bryer Schmegelsky’s father. Drama bubbled between the two families due to a book published by Alan. In an article in VancouverIsAwesome, it is mentioned that “While police were still hunting for the pair, [Alan] sent a 132-page book to reporters about his own life. He described it as a novelization of his son’s troubled life and his numerous encounters with police and courts, and said he wanted to highlight how what he called a “’broken system” shaped him and Bryer.’” Some of the excerpts of the book include that a psychologist diagnosed Alan as delusional, and his lawyer called him autistic at one point. On his book, Alan said that “My son and I have been treated like footballs. It's time for some truth,” according to The Globe and Mail. In response to Alan’s painting of his son’s and his own life, Kennedy Deese, who is the sister of Chynna Deese, wrote a Facebook post that called out Alan Schemegelsky for “playing the victim,” according to VancouverIsAwesome.


life & style // no. 12

theotherpress.ca

Restaurant review: Royal Crown Castle

Credit

››A new meaning to ‘prison food’

Craig Allan Staff Writer

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or years while riding on the Skytrain, I would look out the window between Sapperton Station and Columbia Station and see a series of townhouses and condominiums. This sight is no different than any other neighbourhood in the Lower Mainland, but for this certain development, there’s an architectural feature that I haven’t seen anywhere else. In the middle of the sprawling residences sits a castle. It looks like something out of a fantasy storybook. Obviously, it could not be a real castle, because unless New Westminster is home to the most modest royal family ever, there is no way I would not have heard about it. It wasn’t until recently that I found out that this castle is not a castle for the affluent, but instead a prison for the wicked. The towers and design are the remnants of the New Westminster Penitentiary. It’s not just a structure however, as a restaurant resides inside. Intrigued, I put on my orange jumpsuit (not literally) and headed down for some gruel. The British Columbia Penitentiary resided on this site from 1878 to 1980. It was the first federal penitentiary west of

Manitoba. Some of the famous (or maybe infamous) residents that occupied one of the bared rooms include train robber Bill Miner, and the Doukhobors, a group of Russian dissenters who would protest against the government by committing acts of public nudity and arson. Because they were often convicted en masse, they would overrun the prison so much to the point that they had to be held in a separate cells that were fire resistant due to many instances of setting the prison on fire. In the 1970s, the prison became known for being the site of many riots and hostagetakings. It can’t be a coincidence that the prison would close in 1980. The prison was dismantled, but the turrets and the main façade remain. Now the site is the location of a Montessori preschool and daycare, and a neighbourhood pub. Since I have already graduated, the pub it is! The building itself is quite impressive. Walking into it is certainly unique compared to many other restaurants. The walls are white with gold trim, and there’s an old saloon bar in the lobby. I only wish I had gone in the daytime, as the view from the south side of the building is a fantastic vista. You can see the Frasier River and Surrey Central. In terms of the meal, I ordered the Classic Chuck Burger. The burger

was nothing special, but the fries were something to write home about! They were steak fries, and they were nicely seasoned. Though there were only a few patrons in the bar, they seemed happy and animated—engaged in a discussion about the recently aired English language debate for the upcoming federal election. For myself, the journey to the castle on the hill was not about the food, but about the history. This site was the location of very little happiness but was nonetheless an important in Canadian history. The bartender told me that she had heard that there are tunnels under the building that lead directly to the courthouse, and what I wouldn’t give to take a walk in those halls. The historic Government of Canada plaque outside the restaurant states that “union with Canada was advocated for to solve the town’s fiscal problems,” so the prison may have

been built due to the financial instability brought on by New Westminster losing the right to be British Columbia’s capital to Victoria in 1868. Just looking at the area, you can see how much times have changed it. A prison right in the middle of a residential area reflects a merging of histories. The prison was built in the economic struggle, but now it resides around a view of widespread success, with a side of steak fries.


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life & style // no. 13

Lasagna in a tube ››Impressive bachelor food

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his is just a pasta dish, but it’s fancy. The perfect make-in-advance plate to eat in front of the big screen. Perfect for the bachelor and for when he’s got company. If a man needs to impress anyone, this is the dish to do it.

10 uncooked manicotti noodles 2 cans tomato sauce 1 can tomato paste 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp smoked paprika 1 tbsp basil 1 tbsp chili powder (optional) 1/2 lb ground beef 2 cups chopped frozen spinach (thawed) (300 grams) 500 ml cottage cheese 2 eggs 1 cup shredded mozzarella 2 green onions (minced) salt & pepper to taste For the sauce (make first): On low heat in a large saucepan, warm the tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, smoked paprika, basil, chili powder,

salt, and pepper with a lid on—stirring occasionally. It is going to spend some time in the oven, so it should be wetter than you normally would want lasagna sauce to be. For the stuffing: In a large sauté pan, break apart the ground beef then brown it. I like to sort of overcook the beef and have it dark. If one desires a smokier flavour, add a wallop of BBQ sauce to the ground beef while it cooks. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let the beef cool enough to touch, then in a large bowl, mix the ground beef, spinach, cottage cheese, and eggs. Use hands to knead until it becomes a consistent squishy goo. Step-by-step assembly: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Take handfuls of the meat stuffing to fill the manicotti. Filling is best accomplished by making a fist with the stuffing and placing a noodle at the opening between your index finger and thumb. When you squeeze the stuffing in your hand, it should fill the noodle. Fill the noodle from one end and stop when it just starts to come out on the other side. This process could also be accomplished with a piping bag. Repeat for the other nine noodles, ensuring

Illustration by Morgan Hannah

David Douglas Contributor

not to break them. Put any leftover stuffing aside. By now, the flavours in your sauce should fuse since it has been on the oven for awhile. In a large casserole dish, pour the sauce to fill about one to one and a half centimetres from the bottom. The sauce will help hold your manicotti in place while you arrange your noodles in the casserole dish. Ensure that there is one to two centimetres between all noodles, since they will expand. I usually place them in two columns of five. Pour more sauce over the noodles. It is best if the noodles are barely above the sauce level. With the mozzarella, green onions, and leftover stuffing, garnish the manicotti. Put a wide strip of mozzarella across each noodle column,

with a more narrow strip of stuffing along the middle of each strip of cheese. Sprinkle with green onions. Place in oven for about an hour. The sauce should reduce and thicken. It will darken at the edges and on top of the noodles. The noodles should expand and become soft. For the presentation: Remove the dish from the oven and serve by carefully scooping under each noodle with a wide spatula taking as much tomato sauce as possible. Placing on a dinner plate. Try to keep your decorative cheese, stuffing, and garnish on top and visible. Spoon additional sauce from the casserole dish on top of the noodle. Serve with a caesar or garden salad—and garlic toast.

Would you try the spaghetti donut? ››Weirdo Cafe in East Vancouver offers strange delights

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he fancy indie cafes that seem to pop up on every corner can be intimidating. If you’re anything like me, you enter the latest trendy cafe only to feel like you don’t belong there. You feel less sophisticated than the other patrons. You feel like... a weirdo. Well, what if there was a cafe dedicated to us weirdos? I was in the car with my dad when he pointed it out: “There’s the Weirdo Cafe!” I asked him why he would criticize an innocent establishment and peered out the window to identify the victim. But I saw a small sign—Weirdo Cafe turned out to be the actual name of a restaurant in East Vancouver. Who knew! Tucked away in the corner of a small

strip of shops on Victoria Drive, Weirdo Cafe can be found—an Asian fusion restaurant that opened earlier this year. After dropping in, we were met with friendly service upon entering and were quickly brought to a table in the moderately busy cafe. Thanks to its warm lighting, dark grey walls, and wooden decor accents, the area possessed a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Dozens of wooden crates hung from the ceiling over the bar, creating a unique geometric art piece. Glancing through the menu, the item that intrigued me the most was the spaghetti donut. Yep, that’s right, a spaghetti donut. It is essentially noodles encased in a donut-shaped fried batter. Some may find the concept gimmicky, and perhaps it is true that I’m rather easily amused. This dish showcases the

restaurant’s dedication to unexpected food combinations. The menu contains a wide variety of foods from portions of pastas and risottos, to sandwiches and seafood. They also have brunch and dessert options. The spaghetti donut was a wonderful combination of savoury and sweet. My only issue with the dish was not knowing whether to eat it with my hands, or with a fork and knife! I also ordered chicken karaage, a Japanese-style fried chicken. I paired my meal with their rose-peach iced tea, which was sweet and refreshing. Overall, the meal was satisfying, enjoyable, and at a fair price point. Weirdo Cafe takes pride in its creative dishes. Their website outlines their values: “[the founders] think that delicious cuisine should not be bounded by a country’s restrictions, instead, it should combine the merit of different country’s cuisine to make

a brand new different flavored creative cuisine.” The cafe’s website also states that the restaurant is "founded by a bunch of people who have very weird and special ideas.” The owners feel that they may seem like “weirdos” to people who are used to restaurants sticking to one type of cuisine. I’m looking forward to visiting Weirdo Cafe again and trying more dishes. Their website also explains a phrase on their sign in Chinese, 我有毒 (wo you du), means "I have poison.” The phrase is a homonym of weirdo, and is supposed to signify the idea that their food “can be addictive and unforgettable as our customers will continue to keep wanting more and more servings after a bite.” I certainly feel that they’ve succeeded.

Photo via Weirdo Cafe's Facebook page

Michele Provenzano Staff Writer


Have an idea for a story?  opinions@theotherpress.ca

Opinions

• Watching porn is not cheating • You never really know someone until you live with them • Do things badly and let others do the same ...and more

Watching porn is not cheating ››It may be problematic, but it’s not the same as having an affair Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief

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Illustration by Cara Seccafien

veryone has their own idea of what is considered cheating, the most obvious

form being sleeping with someone who isn’t your partner. Others, however, think it can take a less evident form—namely, watching pornography. Even Dr. Phil believes that viewing

pornography opens the door to cheating. The argument for this is that because one is getting pleasure by watching someone else that is not their partner, it could be considered cheating. While I can understand the reasoning for this on some level, I believe it is woefully illogical. Say your partner wants to masturbate and they—like a big portion of the population—watch porn to do it. I don’t believe they should be regarded as a cheater because of it. Watching pornography is something nearly everybody does. Psychology Today reports that in an online survey of over 1000 people, 73 percent of women and 98 percent of men reported watching porn on the internet. Porn is definitely problematic and gives people a warped perception of sex, but it’s hardly something you can put on the same pedestal as cheating. Even an article arguing that porn is cheating suggests that it shouldn’t be a relationship ender because it’s a “different level” of cheating. If it really is the same as cheating, shouldn’t it be a good reason to end a relationship? This is exactly the contradiction in this argument that I find difficult to grasp. Furthermore, if you don’t allow your partner to watch porn, how are they going to masturbate? I don’t think it’s healthy to expect your partner to never pleasure themselves without you. People need time alone to be intimate with themselves sometimes, and viewing pornographic

videos is often an accompaniment with this. The fact is people just need to masturbate for stress relief or sexual release, and for many, orgasm is impossible without the visual and auditory aid of online pornography. This doesn’t make them a cheater; watching porn only makes them someone who grew up in a digital age where viewing such a thing is extremely common, and often hard to avoid on the internet. To me, calling porn cheating downplays the real severity of infidelity. Being with someone else physically or intimately is the ultimate betrayal to your partner and can often ruin relationships and a person’s self-esteem. Watching pornography to masturbate to is a virtually harmless act and something that millions of people do every day—this may not make it okay, but it certainly doesn’t make it equal to having an affair. I can understand the concern if your partner is choosing to engage with it instead of sex—if they go out of their way to purchase cam girl photos or videos, or if have an unhealthy obsession with it, I see the problem. I also see how it can be considered cheating if there was clear communication that neither party would engage with pornography and one of them discovers the other to be watching it. However, if there was no such communication, and if it doesn’t impede on your sex life or relationship, pornography watching is not cheating.

Fear of failure should not be a barrier ››Do things badly and let others do the same Michele Provenzano Staff Writer

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o try something new and be bad at it. Trying out a new hobby or activity is an opportunity for growth. But too often, we’re scared to try new things because we’re reluctant to be bad at something. There’s pressure—internal and external—to be good at all the things we do. A study published by the American Psychological Association reveals that today’s students have higher expectations and are more demanding of themselves and others compared to previous generations. The study suggests that students feel higher levels of societal pressure to be perfect. We need to not only allow but encourage people to do things they might be bad at. This is where hobbies come in. Hobbies benefit us in many ways. They encourage being present in the moment. They challenge us. They provide us with a break for de-stressing and fun. They

are beneficial for our minds and even our bodies, considering that participating in activities we enjoy can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels. Many people have a certain hobby, passion, or calling that they feel attached to—perhaps overly attached. For example, an individual may have started illustrating at a young age and, having done so ever since, they may feel as though this is their greatest talent—and possibly their purpose. However, when a passion reaches this level, the individual may start to put pressure on themselves to create perfect art or achieve an impossible level of greatness with it. The hobbies we get attached to can almost become paralyzing to approach once we’ve put this pressure on ourselves. It can be helpful to find a new hobby that you can let yourself suck at. A hobby which you’re willing to admit to yourself and others that you know almost nothing about. It can be refreshing to have such a hobby, as you’re not fully invested in the outcome or product. You can simply give it

a go and see what happens. Not caring if you completely fail can be liberating. You can express yourself freely and explore new sides of yourself. No matter how bad you are at something to start, you undoubtedly improve with practice. Also, playing around with a new hobby or activity may spark your interest again in the hobby you associate with a negative pressure to excel. Attempting something new can make you see your other passions in a new light. Oftentimes we meet judgmental observers and their uninvited criticism. But no one has ever been good at something before they were bad at it. We all deserve the chance to struggle while learning. People should

explore the activities they may not be naturally skilled at, and society should encourage them to improve instead of demanding irrational perfection.


issue 8// vol 46

opinions // no. 15

You never really know someone until you live with them ››Why everyone should live with their partners before deciding to spend their lives together

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magine marrying and then moving in with someone who you don't know completely. Even after dating them for a long time, you might not know what they are like to live with. Meeting someone every day for a period of time, or even staying with them overnight doesn’t reveal the true nature of a person. Someone may seem like they would be good to spend the rest of your life with, but you never really know until you live with them. Every individual has a different set of habits—some you can be at peace with, some you can suck it up for, and then there are some you just can’t stand. Following are the reasons why I think people should live together for a while before saying yes to that ring. Physical check Everybody wants a partner that they are sexually compatible with. Some may look for longevity, capacity, interest, stamina, flexibility, and other add-ons in terms of sexual compatibility. If they can’t or won’t satisfy you, are you sure you want to hang on to them for the rest of your life?

Family adjustments Everyone knows that marriage is not just between two people, it also connects their families. Proper balance and respect between your partner, their family, and your own family is extremely important. Living with your partner would give you a realistic glimpse of how you need to compromise for each other’s family, and how you must act around each other’s kin. Household chores Your partner promising breakfast in bed, promising to clean up after themselves, and promising to help with daily house duties is not the same thing as actually doing those tasks. Living with them will indicate to you if they are willing (or even capable) of doing these things. This information will help you decide if the deal of dividing the work equally will actually materialize. Are they fun to be around? People might have the urge to change the people they surround themselves with. In marriages, once the vows are taken, it really isn’t that easy. Living together and seeing how well you two get along after a stressful day will help you figure out if there is the slightest possibility of you losing interest in your partner or vice versa.

Illustration by Cara Seccafien

Tania Arora Staff Writer

Deciding who you want to spend the rest of your life is a much bigger decision that choosing a career path. You can change

the course of your life anytime you want, but you cannot juggle or switch partners that easily—choose wisely.

Don’t put today’s social standards on the past ››Learn from history instead of losing time condemning it Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief

Illustration by Cara Seccafien

W

hen we think of our past actions that we aren’t proud of, what do we do? I can bet most people think to themselves “I was young,” or “That was a long time ago.” We are quick to forgive ourselves, yet when it comes to some parts of the past, people are quicker to critique. While being critical of our history certainly has its place, I don’t think there’s any use in applying today’s standards of society on to things that have happened the past. This is often something I hear when talking about old, classic films. “I love that movie, except for that one part.” “That one part” usually pertains to an offensively racist or sexist scene (i.e. Mickey Rooney’s depiction of an Asian man in Breakfast at Tiffany’s). Although I am not excusing the scenes of these films—they are extremely hard to watch—I do think it’s unnecessary to put the social standards of today onto things that happened so long ago, back when society was a very different time and place with totally different norms. It is important to recognize why it’s wrong, but we can’t be too upset at something that happened so long ago that it may have been before we were even born. These films and scenes are a product of their time, and we should stop viewing them with a 2019 lens. The ’40s, ’50s,

’60s, and hell, even the 2000s were a very different time and place than today. As such, they had very different—albeit outdated (at least by our standards)— societal norms and ideas. Although this doesn’t excuse these racist or sexist things, it does explain why and how they happened to be so normal and unquestioned. Be critical of perspectives from the past, but do not disregard them completely or pretend they don’t exist—they can actually teach us a lot. I think media from the past is a good way to see previous human culture and what things were once considered funny or inoffensive. We can’t pretend that society was never racist or sexist, but we should be able to look at evidence that people from the past were. Current culture should be able to view the past with a dissociation that this is how people used to think and deal with big issues. Applying the current rules of society prevents people from seeing any value in learning from people in the past. There’s no use of complaining over things that happened in the past—they’re in the past. In 10 or 20 years I’m sure we will be cringing at some of the things we do or say now, but we ourselves are a product of our time. Standards and societal norms are always changing, and only time will tell if any of the things we are doing now will be considered offensive in the future.


Humour

Have an idea for a story?  humour@theotherpress.ca

• Zombies or Vampires? • Guy who murders people loves YouTube house tours • Spice up your love life with some terror ...and more

Guy who murders people loves YouTube house tours ››‘How helpful,’ he says

I

n an interview with local murderer, Hugh Mankiller, the infamous criminal discussed his love for the internet. “Back in the day, we had to size a house up over weeks and weeks. There was a lot of stuff to do, y’know. measuring the door, checking the alarms, guessing how many floors there were, making estimated blueprints of the house, learning the schedules of the people who lived there, etc. Nowadays, all that information is conveniently online!” What is Hugh Mankiller’s favourite website? “YouTube is amazing for us guys in the biz. The rich and famous insist

on posting videos that detail their exact house blueprints online! I’m subscribed to a lot of channels that provide house tours. My username is ‘MurdererHughLovezHouseTours69’ if you guys want to see my subscriptions.” But how does the business compare to what it was the ‘60s and ‘70s, when Mankiller was most active? “Oh, it’s a real animal house nowadays. Back in the day, you could write a taunting message to the cops in your own blood… but unfortunately, those days are gone. This damned younger generation and their DNA testing, they’re killing the killin’ industry. Do you have any idea what they can find out about you with a tissue full of boogies? They can even find you with the crusty sock your dirty teenage

nephew threw out!” What else does Hugh Mankiller hate about the future? “Cities, dammit. The young people love livin’ in cities, all close to each other. If you can hear a man fuckin’ sneeze quietly upstairs, you can probably hear me making yer neighbour into a soup. Rapidly declining is the number of folks livin’ in the middle of nowhere—young guys entering the biz will never enjoy the classic cornfield, which makes a getaway a ton of fun.” What are Mankiller’s future goals? “I’m actually really into embroidery, so I’m hoping I can eventually open a small gallery for all of my works. That truly is the dream.”

This damned younger generation and their DNA testing, they’re killing the killin’ industry.”

Illustration by Athena Little

Erin Meyers Contributor


issue 8// vol 46

humour // no. 17

Illustration by Morgan Hannah

With a zombie, what you see is what you get.

Zombies or Vampires? ››An argumentative essay on an age-old question Morgan Hannah Life & Style Editor

R

oughly around 2008, the world fell into a vampire frenzy that produced works such as Twilight, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries. Teens across the Northern Hemisphere went insane for these sparkly, sensual, and fanged creatures. They fantasized about being swept up off their feet—literally—by a cunning, pleasantly old-fashioned, and well-mannered Vampire. Back then, everyone wanted to be woven into the coven of everything wonderful regarding these ancient undead beasts. Vampires are extremely beautiful, utterly vicious blood-sucking creatures with vast accumulations of wealth and worldly experience. These monsters are perceived as regal and impudent, and are often very educated, possessing the ability to blend in amongst the living—the side effect of having been undead for many a decade. However, we must not forget

that vampires use their attractiveness and alluring qualities, including their mental capacity, to manipulate their victims into wanting to be feasted upon. Short of essentially being allergic to garlic, holy water, and sunlight, these calculating, enchanting beings have caused much anguish—and don't intend to stop anytime soon. Then in 2010 and 2013, titles such as The Walking Dead, World War Z, and Warm Bodies emerged, and again teens all across delved deeper into the passion for the grotesque with zombies. These creatures, although more terrifying in appearance, seem to have fewer weaknesses than the vampire and a stronger compulsion for their purpose. Now a new dilemma has been formed, and much like these two horrifying undead monsters, it needs to be put to rest: Are vampires better than zombies? The results of an anonymous poll conducted by the Other Press suggest that vampires still top the charts and break all

those hearts, and there’s only one shallow answer as to why—eight out of every ten poll-takers voted for vampires, stating they're more salacious than zombies. Polltakers commented on how charming a vampire’s age-old, culturally centred life must be. Vampires are romanticized to the moon and back, and zombies are rarely even given a second glance. But reviewing the facts more closely may reveal that there is more to zombies than meets the eye. To get a straight answer as to which of these undead brutes takes the cake, my argument rests firmly with one more question: Which of these monsters would you rather be? A manipulative, vicious blood-sucking monster that lives out its life alone in the nighttime—always waiting for permission to enter, and always having to con its victim into being the prey? Or a mumbly, grumbly, bumbling zombie who spends its days roaming in a group of its kind. With a zombie, what you see is what you get. Though it may not be a pretty picture—all that wobbly rotting flesh and

loose limbs—at least it’s a straightforward one. The zombie’s only mission is to hunt for human flesh—and brains—which is a diet high in protein and DHA, an important source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Consequently, as a result of wandering endlessly looking for those brains, zombies get an unparalleled amount of exercise. A vampire’s body is a toss up—if you’re turned when you’re more on the plump side, you’ll forever remain on the plump side. Zombies may be slowly rotting away, but who wants to live forever anyway? What kind of existence is that? As a vampire, your life would remain completely unchanged from the day you became a vampire… and additionally all your loved ones will die around you. Unless you change them too—which puts some heavy pressure on your relationship choices. Choose to be the healthy socialite zombie over the conning loner vampire. See the difference for yourself!

Scanned with CamScanne


humor// no. 18

theotherpress.ca

What monster is the best boyfriend for you? ››Spice up your love life with some terror Erin Meyers Contributor

Werewolf Pros: An animal in the streets and in the sheets. A guard dog and a boyfriend for the price of one. Has a cool wardrobe of authentic ripped jeans and plaid. House-trained. Cons: Always bitching about the moon. He has a nasty habit of sticking his nose in people’s asses when he first meets them. You probably don’t want to introduce him to your grandmother that lives in the middle of the woods either. Also, there’s no way to avoid it—you’re a furry. Vampire Pros: Polite, always waits for permission before entering your home. When you’re cold, he has a cape to lend you—which is much cooler than an oversized hoodie. Cons: Probably just wants you for your blood, like most of your exes. Zombie Pros: Looking for brains over beauty. Likes long, dragging limps on the beach. Cons: Literally wants you for your brains. Headless Horseman Pros: He never kisses with tongue. Cons: Constantly losing his head over the little things. Demon Pros: He’s gotta a lotta soul(s). Cons: His parents think you’re a bad influence on him. Skeleton Pros: A very supportive partner, always there to hold you together. Super attractive, due to his fantastic bone structure. Great xylophone player. Cons: None.

Cons: Vegan. Tentacle Monster Pros: Girl, you already know the pros. He can also carry a lot of grocery bags at once. Cons: Probably infidelity because he has about 30 dicks.

IllustrationS by Janis McMath

Swamp Thing Pros: Owns his own land. Really into nature and all things outdoors. David Attenborough is narrating his autobiography.


Comics & Puzzles Weekly crossword: Squash! By Caroline Ho, Web Editor

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Previous solution Weekly crossword: The appreciative edition By Caroline Ho, Web Editor

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1. It’s dropped for dramatic effect 4. Furrow 7. Sgt., e.g. 10. Wager 13. Shakespearean suffix 14. Historical time 15. Rowboat need 16. Prefix meaning “one” 17. Small 18. Squash usually used for jack-o-lanterns 20. Yank 21. Pasta sauce 23. Freshen up through outside exposure (2 wds.) 25. Squash with a small, scalloped shape 28. Lower limb 30. Brawl 31. Autonomous nation in the North Atlantic: __ Islands 33. Simplicity 34. Small projectile 38. Boredom 39. Political group in Beijing (abbr.) 40. No laughing matter, for short 41. Reference work first published in 1994 (abbr.) 43. Vase 44. Wanders 46. Kitchen meas. 48. Abbrs. in many company names 49. Put pressure on 50. Honda luxury vehicle 52. Canucks’ org. 53. Squash from Latin America with orange flesh 56. Professional videogamer’s activity 58. Star in Lyra 60. Play a part 61. Squash also known as Japanese pumpkin 65. Variety 67. Light touch

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Caroline Ho Web Editor

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Weekly crossword: Squash!

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40. HDD alt. 42. Kindle Fire file format 45. Gibson, brooks, et al. 47. Famous sled dog 48. Relax 51. Devastate 53. Raccoon relative 54. Tree-shaded area (US sp.) 55. Spry 57. Canada Post deliveries (abbr.) 59. Vocal range 60. Android or iOS program 61. SOH__TOA 63. Federal tax regulator 64. Pelvis-femur connector 66. Understanding

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