Vol. 3 Issue 9 by The Runner

NEWS AND CULTURE FOR THE STUDENTS OF KWANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

VOL. 3 ISSUE 09 | NOVEMBER 30 2010

TRAVEL ISSUE

CALIFORINA TO PERU: KWANTLEN STUDENTS SHARE THEIR ADVENTURES P. 06-12

NEWS & POLITICS

page two | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

BEER

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AROUND KWANTLEN

Labatt’s beer move disappoints Nova Scotians Maritime brewer Alexander Keith’s to be brewed in three new provinces

The Alexander Keith’s Brewery in Halifax. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

LUCY MACDONALD THE CAPER TIMES

SYDNEY, N.S. (CUP) — Labatt’s trademark “Good things brewing” has been up for debate after the company announced that they would be moving some production of the popular ale Keith’s out of Nova Scotia. The production is being moved to Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario, and will cost over 40 full-time and temporary workers their jobs. The move also means that the majority of Keith’s still brewed in Nova Scotia will remain in the Maritimes, instead of being shipped across the country. Labatt released a statement

regarding the move as a way to share in the popularity of the beer from “coast to coast,” citing the accommodation of growth as the number one reason for the change. “The quality and taste of Alexander Keith’s will not be compromised,” Keith’s Brewmaster Emeritus Graham Kendall assured faithful drinkers, but many consumers have been left with a sour taste in their mouth. Vince Dezagiacomo, from Glace Bay, N.S., is one dissatisfied customer. “Keith’s won’t taste the same coming from Ontario,” he said. Residents in Ontario seem generally impressed, bringing Keith’s closer to consumers there.

London, Ont. mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best spoke with London Free Press and noted that the change “is really positive” and will keep jobs and opportunities in the city. Labatt will cut costs through a decrease in transportation costs by moving production closer to consumers across the country, but some Nova Scotians are now refusing to buy the product. “I no longer be consuming or purchasing Labatt’s products following their blatant disregard for Nova Scotians as shown by their recently announced layoffs here,” said Tony Tracy, a resident of Halifax. But this isn’t the first time Labatt has outsourced part of its brewing. In the summer of 2009, the company moved a portion of its Keith’s production to a sister brewery in Creston, B.C. Despite controversy over the recent move, the company says it remains dedicated to Nova Scotia, even after the layoffs. Labatt will invest $500,000 for improvements to the Halifax brewery and will continue to create an estimated 3,600 indirect jobs in the province. Although the shift of production of Keith’s seems positive, many Nova Scotians, in particular the 40 staff members being laid off, will have to make some changes themselves, perhaps including a new drink of choice.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT KWANTLEN

DEC

Music @ Midweek

WHERE: Langley Campus - Auditorium

2010

WHEN: 12:15 p.m. -1:00 p.m. WHAT: Swing by the Langley Campus Auditorium and hear your fix from Kwantlen’s musically inclined. This week will feature the Kwantlen Piano ensembles.

DEC

02 2010

Winter Wonderland @ Night School Thursday WHERE: Grassroots Lounge WHEN: 7:30 p.m. WHAT: Drop by Grassroots and dance ‘through a winter wonderland.’

CUP CARTOON-CHILDREN’S STORIES: CARMEN SANDIEGO

DEC

03 2010

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities: Proposed Amalgamation Open Forum WHERE: Surrey Conference Centre WHEN: 2:30pm-4:30pm WHAT: The Social Sciences Faculty Council is hosting an open forum to discuss the implications of the proposed amalgamation between the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities.

ANDREW MACLACHLAN/THE NEXUS (CAMOSUN COLLEGE)

DEC

MISBEHAVING

Profs threaten to walk out on students I

MATTHEW PRESCOTT OXMAN THE EYEOPENER

TORONTO (CUP) — Paper airplanes thrown at professors, music and movies played aloud on laptops and chattering cell phone users are causing engineering instructors at Ryerson University to pack up and leave. In an announcement posted on a university website on Oct. 19, first-year engineering instructors Robert Gossage and Andrew McWilliams announced two measures to deal with the “constant disruptions” in their general chemistry lectures. The first was a three-strike policy. After three warnings the professor would walk out and it would be up to students to learn the rest of the lecture

material on their own. The second was to make test and exam questions harder, since “the class appeared to know the material well enough so as not to listen during lecture.” “Chemistry has been the worst,” said Adam Rupani, a first-year engineering student. “I was sitting in the first row and couldn’t hear the professor. Lucas Crawford said he was nearly blamed when another student threw a paper airplane that narrowly missed chemical engineering professor Frankie Stewart. Crawford said Stewart “flipped out,” and took the name, student number and picture of every student in the three back rows. Yet no students were reprimanded as far as Crawford is aware. Disrupting learning and

teaching is listed as the first offence in the non-academic code of conduct. University president Sheldon Levy said that professors should ask the university for support before walking out. “Walking out doesn’t sound to me like it would be in our policy,” Levy said. Gossage declined to comment. But Mickey Cirak, student conduct officer, said neither professors nor students have made any formal complaints so far. Students said the disruptions could be because of the large class sizes, but Cirak said he hasn’t seen a trend of this kind of student behaviour. Andrew McWilliams and Frankie Stewart were unavailable for comment.

06 2010

Movie Monday’s WHERE: Langley Campus WHEN: All day WHAT: Swing by for some free popcorn at the KSA lounge. This week is featuring movies with numbers in the title. Booyah.

DEC

08 2010

KSA Surrey Council meeting WHERE: KSA Offices - Surrey Campus 1240 WHEN: 12:00 p.m. WHAT: Find out what the KSA has been up to and have your thoughts and opinions heard on important student issues.

NEWS & POLITICS

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vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page three

IN THE COMMMUNITY

PAT organize coat drive for the community Kwantlen’s President’s Ambassadorial Team are looking for students to donate gently used coats for local shelters

MATTHEW BOSSONS TRAVEL BUREAU CHIEF

This holiday season the President’s Ambassadorial Team (PAT), a group of 17 students representing the President of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, is organizing its first-ever coat-drive to collect winter clothing for Lower Mainland homeless shelters. The team is asking KPU students to donate lightly used coats, as well as new socks, toques, gloves and mittens. The PAT is also accepting cash donations to purchase more winter clothing for donation. “The coats and other items can be dropped off at any KPU library,” said Ryan Keigher, a PAT Board Member. “There is a box covered in Christmas wrapping where it can be placed.” “We are accepting these donations up until December 13th, so the last day of classes.” Campus donations will be given to charities in their community. The donations are

being distributed through the Salvation Army as well as The Front Room in Whalley. A bake sale has also been suggested as a way to raise money to buy new winter clothing for the coat-drive. “We are also trying to organize bake sales in order to raise funds to purchase some new gloves and socks,” said Trishia Coburn, a PAT member and driving force behind the coat-drive. “Those who would be willing to contribute some baked goods for this cause could contact me.” “Lately people have been complaining about how cold it is outside, or having to wait five minutes to catch a bus or a ride,” said Keigher, “however this is only temporary for the students at KPU.” “There are those who are not as fortunate as us, and we need to remember this. We can all make a difference.” Those interest in contributing baked goods can contact Trisha at patricia.coburn@ kwantlen.net.

“There are those who are not as fortunate as us. We can all make a difference” says, Ryan Keigher, member of the President’s Ambassadorial Team. Coats can be dropped off at all campuses in the library until Dec. 13. KRISTI JUT/THE RUNNER

PROSTATE CANCER

A Movember to remember Kwantlen Recreation host successful Dodgeball tournament, raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer

DOMINIC SRAMATY CONTRIBUTOR

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s finest folk congregated at the nest that is our Surrey gymnasium on Nov. 19 to take part in what would go down as a giant success of a charity dodge ball tournament. All November long the recreation department at Kwantlen recruited participants to take part in Movember. Movember is a charitable organization that supports the fight against prostate cancer through the self-titled, monthlong event. Participants are asked to grow a mustache all through the month of November to show their support. In order to raise money, the recreation department charged an entry fee for each team participating in the Movember dodge ball tournament. In the end, 16 teams entered to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research. The tournament was very successful as it packed the Kwantlen gym with both teams and spectators. The two hour event ended with an exciting finale between Team McCulloch and Team McNiel. Coincidentally, both teams were dominated by players

from both of Kwantlen’s varsity soccer programs. The final match was close but team McCulloch gained the upper hand in the end, taking the victory by two players. The winners were presented $15 dollar iTunes gift cards and commemorative Movember dodge ball tournament gold medals. Tournament coordinator John Stewart said, “The tournament went really well, I think we’ll do it again in the spring. We’ll definitely have to do it again next year.”

TOP The Demolishers prepare before one of their games on Nov. 19. The Demolishers won the team spirit award and made it to the semifinal before being eliminated. BOTTOM LEFT Kwantlen hosted a Movember dodge ball tournament on Friday, Nov. 19. BOTTOM RIGHT Mike Streeter winds-up to throw a ball in the Movember dodge ball tournament on Nov. 19. KYLE BENNING/THE RUNNER

page four | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

NEWS & POLITICS

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BUSINESS TRIPS

TOP 5 Political Travel Destinations So the holidays are coming close, but not before that hurdle called final exams or papers. Given all of that, we might not be interested in paying attention to some of the depressing stuff that’s going on around the world. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek listing of top worldwide locations that offer some insight to our current world politics or economics.

PAUL LI POLITICS BUREAU CHIEF

Brasilia, Brazil. Maybe it should be Sao Paolo or even Rio de Janeiro. The point is, its Brazil. More importantly, they’re having their first female president take power next year. Dilma Rousseff, a former Marxist urban guerrilla fighter, won the second round, of presidential elections on Oct. 31, and with it, the honour of leading Latin America’s largest economy. As additional perks, she’ll get to oversee Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Busy agenda ahead.

Bretton Woods, U.S.A. Ah, scenic New Hampshire, the granite state that borders Quebec. Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization can all point to their birth to events that resulted in the United Nations conference held here in 1944. It is here that the US dollar became the new gold standard for international finance. While the world has moved on from such system, the US dollar is still the widest used reserve currency, and unfortunately there’s always someone claiming that the solution to all problems lies in returning to the gold standard (including Robert Zoellick, current head of the World Bank).

Seoul, South Korea. Earlier this year, Toronto had a bad experience with the G20 meeting. Seoul had an easier time with it, not much came out of the meetings, but then, there weren’t any riots either. Alas, their luck did not last, and their Northern neighbour decided to let loose the dogs of war. So far, just the puppies. And on a small island. Still, not the best of Novembers.

Dublin, Ireland. Home to the Gaelic games, beautiful scenery, Lord Kelvin and George Bernard Shaw. Also, the latest site for economic crisis within the Euro zone. Since 2008 banks have struggled to pay back their loans, and since the government promised to guarantee every single loan made by banks, the Government is on the hook for billions. So the taxpayers are on the hook for billions. Prime Minister Brian Cowen has negotiated EU and IMF backed assistance, but no it seems it is his government that needs help, as former allies have deserted him in the days since the bailout was announced.

New York City, NY. Yes, the Big Apple is still at the top of the world in most respects even this one. Here, you can find the headquarters of the United Nations and the famous (or infamous, if you prefer) Wall Street of financial meltdown fame. It is also home to the Plaza Hotel, where Japan and Germany famously agreed to devaluate their currencies in the face of US pressure. While the latter didn’t suffer too badly, some critics point to the agreement as the beginning of the Japanese economy’s 25-year economic doldrums. So, in that particular case of being told by the US to “sign the dotted line or else.” Maybe Japan should’ve taken the or else.

POLITICAL COLUMN

Meet the Kwantlen Political Science Society (KPSS). They have hijacked our political column. Every week they will talk about a different political issue and explain how it relates to you. Every week will feature a guest columnist. Check it out.

Opinion: Bank bailouts: a necessary evil or a moral hazard?

PAUL LI POLITICS BUREAU CHIEF

Dublin, Ireland, Nov 21, 2010: Prime Minister Brian Cowen informs the world that his government has reached an agreement with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund on a bailout for the beleaguered country, who in recent days had seen a run on its banks and a crippling increase in long term interest rates. The next day, the same Prime Minister is fighting for political life, a battle he may very well lose. How and why did it come to this? Is it necessary? Ireland’s economic success of the past few years was built on two platforms: one of very low corporate taxes (a flat 12.5 per cent, compared to rates that go up to 50% per cent in other European countries) and a very lax government regulation of the banking sector. This in turn allowed its banks to borrow money from markets and go on a real market shopping spree. As property prices went up, this strategy paid off handsomely, and

everyone benefitted. Alas, the happy times did not last, and housing prices fell. As banks started losing money, investors teetered, and threatened to withhold further funding. To avoid a liquidity crisis back then in 2008, the government put in line a fated policy- it would guarantee all loans made by the banks. In other words, anyone lending money to the banks would have such money guaranteed by the Government of Ireland itself. Flash forward to 2010, and the situation has not improved. The banks continued

been withdrawing funds and depositing them elsewhere, further weakening the banks. As the government continues to fund bank obligations, the total fiscal deficit balloons to 30 per cent of GDP. Soon, it is the very government that faces its own financing crisis: people are worried that it will be unable to pay its debts and so they charge a higher interest on any loans they make, to compensate for the increased risk. Fearful of Ireland’s crisis spreading to other countries, the EU and the IMF step up, offering Ireland the money it

The mistakes to date have cost the world dearly enough. to lose money, and the government, making good on its promise to guarantee the loans, nationalized the worst offenders- making their debts the public’s debt. The lenders were saved, but now the taxpayers are on the hook. The depositors are not stupid either, they can smell a sinking ship, and have

needs to meet its short term obligations, so that it can pay off its debtors. Problem solved, yes? Well, not really. Let us be clear about what has happened here- the problem with Ireland not being able to pay its debts hasn’t been solved. Ireland has been running a primary deficitthat is, even without debt repayments, its budget doesn’t

balance. Unless it makes drastic changes, it will never be able to afford any debt repaymentsnot now, not ever. Second, Ireland has chosen to protect its debtors and saddled its taxpayers with the costs. However, these same debtors knew very well that lending to Irish banks and to the Government of Ireland, instead of, say Germany, carried increased risks. And they profited off these risks by getting higher interest payments. If the Government of Ireland will guarantee Irish banks, and the EU/IMF will guarantee Ireland, then the “risks” of making those loans are nil. Investors are thus presented a moral hazard- they earn the profits of the risk, but know that they will not be made to pay if the bet goes sour- and so they will continue pouring funds in. It is time that the world realize that we cannot continue to reward bad investment behaviour. Just like Wall Street banks profited during the good times, and then presented bills to taxpayers when they lost money, so are Irish banks

leaving a big bill to the Irish people. The regulators must learn that, as long as investors are not held responsible for the risks they take, they will continue taking excessively risky bets and ask for the taxpayer to help them when they get it wrong. And the only way to do so is to make investors and debtors take on part of the losses. As far as this correspondent is concerned, the mistakes to date have cost the world dearly enough. The notion that the taxpayers, whether in Canada or the United States or in Europe, will always cover risky financial bets has to be disabused. Otherwise, not only will we prove to have been unable to contain the financial crisis, but we will have shown ourselves to be unable and unwilling to learn from the mistakes of the past. Paul Li is a student of Economics and Political Science. A member of the Kwantlen Politcal Science Society, he is a faithful adherent to the words of a wise man, who said “Everyone has a hidden agenda. Except me.”

SPORTS

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vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page ﬁve

KWANTLEN EAGLES

EAGLE WATCH

Soccer: No win at Nationals l

CHELSEA JEWELL CONTRIBUTOR

After a quick sweep through the Provincial weekend, the Kwantlen Eagles were roaring to go, ready to leave the nest and fly to freezing cold Edmonton. The week went quick leading up to our first game on the opening day, Nov. 11 at the NAIT artificial turf. The Eagles were first up against first time national qualifiers and hosting team, the NAIT Ooks. With below freezing weather and a light practice two days prior to the opening game; the Eagles were off to a slow start. Going down two nothing by the end of the first half, the Eagles needed someone of the starting eleven to step up their game and announce their leadership on the field. The Eagles entered the field with a new mind set and were ready to claw back and gain some life. A sudden goal by Shanay Sangha put Kwantlen on the board. The weather was dropping, but the heat on the field continued. With an injury concerning Tara Makrigiannis, the Eagles were given an additional four minutes of injury time. With a corner to the Ook’s keeper’s left, every player was surrounding the eighteen yard box. Shannon Reykdal, nicknamed

“mom” managed to distract the keeper long enough for rookie forward Dominique Lang to blast one into the back of the net to call the game at tie and force overtime. This overtime was long lived but finished with a negative result. With a goal in the last two minutes do to exhaustion and miscommunication the Ook’s were given the 3-2 win over the BC Kwantlen Eagles, thus preventing the Eagles their dream of a Gold medal. Moving forward, the Eagles went back to their locker room to debrief and ready for bronze qualifying Friday the 12th against Humber. Once again with a slow start on that bright, freezingcold sunny Friday, the Eagles quickly went down a goal in the opening ten minutes. The Eagles were still lacking in communication and leadership – frustration was growing and it was noticeable amongst both teams. Although, tensions shrank when Meghan Nilsson managed to chip the Humber goalie off of a forty-two yard shot. Unbelievable. Kwantlen was on the board and was now pushing for a win to qualify for the bronze medal game. Halftime arose and finished quickly, forcing rookie goalkeeper Melina Gomez in the sun. With temperatures and stakes rising, the Eagles were pacing them-

selves to force and overtime. Wide shots of the goal, quick runs up the field and smart work in the midfield, the Eagles were desperate for a goal. But, the tables quickly turned with a mere fifteen seconds left, when the far post was left wide open and the all-Canadian Humber defender rocketed one past Gomez. Kwantlen would not qualify for the bronze medal and would go on to win two to nothing against the Holland Hurricane from the Maritimes. Although the Eagles did not manage to win a second consecutive bronze, or even their first gold, being the youngest team at the National Championships, the Eagles put on quite a show. We managed to fight back twice, and give the best athletes in the country a run for their money, as we were not going down without a fight. After watching the gold medal match between NAIT and FX-Garneau, we were ready to face the challenges of a whole new season and giving Nationals a round three. Although the youngest team, we were the most fresh and the most eager to win – we just have to all work together, and all fly in the same direction. Flying home to the nest was euphoric, but next year, we plan on winning the Gold, and putting another two banners on the wall.

Basketball begins

>> I

Meet Kyle. He likes writing about sports. He also believes in a no-holds-barred approach when talking about it. Beware, it’s time for ‘Eagle Watch.’

KYLE BENNING SPORTS BUREAU CHIEF

Both of Kwantlen’s basketball teams haven’t had the brightest start to the season. They both started off 0-3 after the season-opener at Langara in early November, and the home-opener to the UBC Okanagan Heat. The good news is, both teams have plenty of time to rescue their slip-ups. The women’s team has already started their rescue mission after they beat Columbia Bible College twice in Abbottsford on Nov. 19 and

20. The men’s team lost one more before picking up their first win against the CBC Bearcats on the second game of the road trip. But let’s look at the men’s negative record with a positive spin. Two of the four loses, have been by three points. Bernie Love’s team is competing, and even though the team is 1-4, they are sitting in seventh place in the standings. The top six teams advance to the provincials, and Love has more than enough time to make a push for the playoffs.

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TRAVEL

page six | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

The Runner | www.runnerrag.ca

PERU

Photos from the Inca Trail A four day journey along the fabled Inca trail to reach Machu Picchu

MATT LAW MEDIA EDITOR

After four long days on the Inca trail, the descent into the picturesque city of Machu Piccu from the sun gate was a magnificent sight. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER

Our Peruvian guide, Percey, takes a moment on the hike up Dead Woman’s Passto play a traditional Quechuan song from his native village. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER

A porter takes a break atop Dead Woman’s Pass. The elevations at the top is over 4,200 meters. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER Chelsea Riches, from Vancouver, hikes past grazing donkeys during the first day of the Inca Trail. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER A young boy who still lives with his family along the Inca Trail watches the hordes of tourists march past his home. MATT LAW/THE RUNNER

CULTURE

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GROAT IN THE SACK

vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page seven

GAME REVIEW

Earn your membership Game review: Call of Duty - Black Ops to the mile-high club I JARED VAILLANCOURT CREATIVE WRITING BUREAU CHIEF

This is Jeff Groat. He’s the Runner’s sex columnist. He has only one qualification for the job: his last name sounds like a dirty word. That’s good enough for us.

JEFF GROAT LIFESTYLE BUREAU CHIEF

t starts with the ascent of a long, cylindrical… um, airplane, and ends with a descent into a warmer, often humid climate. Over the Christmas break, people who feel a little adventurous will travel to warm and exotic locations to beat the winter cold. Some of these people will be feeling extra risqué and may want to try and spice up a 20 hour-long flight with a few maneuvers of their own. The mile-high club. Yes, the numbers are likely very exaggerated as anyone can really claim to be a “member,” since proving or disproving membership is almost impossible. If you’re planning on attempting some BoeingBedding or Lufthansa-Loving there are more than a few things to consider: •

Security. Remember 9/11? Any screaming, moaning or thumping emanating from the lav may cause some alarm or, you know,

some jail time. • •

If it’s understood just what you two are up to by people outside the lav, I’m quite sure a “sex in public places” charge becomes quite sticky.

•

Any camera used for “proof of membership” can be the incriminating nailin-the-coffin.

•

People might just think you’re weird. Not everyone is as kinky as you (if you care about what others think).

•

It’s pretty damn obvious what two people are up to after petting, kissing, and playfully joking with each other, who then suddenly vacate their seats at the same time on a red-eye from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta. At best, you’ve got 10 minutes, tops.

•

There’s probably only about two positions that are humanly possible to try in such a tight space.

•

You’re in the bathroom. On a plane. Where people, you know, go to the bathroom.

The only way to beat it? Space Shuttle sex.

ames aren’t just an escape from realism anymore. The art of video gaming has evolved from simple entertainment to something akin to the latest installment of the Call Of Duty series. Set in the cold war era of the early to late 60s, COD:Black Ops follows the story of an American operative known only as Mason. The entire game is actually Mason’s recollection of all the events that led to his current predicament; being held, restrained, in an interrogation room with an unknown group pressing him for information. In this manner, even the most difficult missions feel like they shouldn’t be a challenge, since it’s already known that Mason has survived everything he’s remembering. The game is remarkably similar to the same style of play that has become a staple of the COD series; looking down the sights virtually guarantees 100% accuracy (and if you aim quickly enough, the game automatically targets the head of the closest enemy), melee attacks are always fatal (thanks to your tactical knife) and damage is represented by splattering the screen with what looks like raspberry jam. Ever since the infamous “airport shootout” of Modern Warfare 2, Black Ops offers the option to skip over what is

considered “objectionable material” – in this case, not a single morally horrific mission, but the very content of the game itself. With the censors on, swear words are simply blanked out, enemies that you engulf in flames don’t melt (really should avoid seeing that, it’s not pleasant) and the explosive arrows, well, you get the message. Black Ops is a game that has no shame about just how violent and grotesque real warfare can be… and rubs your face in it. The storyline is historically appropriate, accurately depicting places like nuclear launch sites and POW camps. Mason even participates in an assassination attempt against Fidel Castro during the Bay of Pigs incident (you get to kill the communist leader, but later learn you shot his body double). In fact, the game centers on Mason’s mission to assassinate several people – all enemies of

Mason’s best friend, a Russian revolutionary named Reznov, who acts as something of a deus ex machina when the odds seem strangely overwhelming. Although the campaign is fascinating, the multiplayer seems to pall in comparison to the multiplayer modes of previous COD titles. It would seem that the ability to thoroughly design one’s own emblem gives players a little two much leeway to display, deeper personal beliefs. The Zombie mode is a lot of fun, however – you get to play as JFK and use a shotgun against Nixon, Castro… basically, it’s a hell of a lot of fun, with the censors, of course. Black Ops is more than just a game. It’s an experience. To the seasoned gamer it’s a wild ride that hits the spot, but if you’re new to video games, it’s an acquired taste. Just keep that in mind.

Screen shot courtesy of videogamesblogger.com

JAMMIN’ WITH GINGER

Music lovers versus music criminals This is Kristi Alexandra. She’s the Runner’s music columnist. She’s also a ginger. And she does have a soul. And she likes music with soul, too.

KRISTI ALEXANDRA CULTURE EDITOR

emember growing up in the ‘90s? When you’d wait for your favourite songs to come up on the radio and you’d have your finger on the “record” button on your chunky radio/cassette boombox? The cassette tape opened up reproducability for music, which, according to industry honchos was “killing music.” This launched the slogan for anti-cassette taping as “Home taping is killing music... and it’s illegal.” What those of you perhaps born in the ‘90s remembers better than cassette taping is burning blank CDs. These were effective because you could load a lengthy playlist and jam over 20 songs onto a single disk (you can thank compression for that), when only a few years previous, about seven songs could fit onto each side of a “mixtape”. If you don’t remem-

ber, this was (and in ways, still remains) a huge controversy because of the file-sharing nature of MP3s. And where did we get these MP3s? Well, none other than Napster. Napster was essentially the OG of peer-to-peer file-sharing, and has the lawsuit history to prove it. Because of its obvious copyright infringement, Napster underwent several lawsuits. Napster users who boasted large libraries full of illegal MP3s were sued for tens of thousands of dollars, making an example of music “pirates”. Following the company’s bankruptcy in 2001, alternative file-sharing software giants began to spring up, like Morpheus, Kazaa and most recently, Limewire. The savvy music pirate knows that torrent files are the way to go to get that album that you wanted to check out as Napster-style software is a thing of the past. And with a quick transfer into your iTunes library, creating a digital mixtape has never been easier. My favourite endeavour put out by music lovers these days, though, is the ability to set up

a zip folder with a collection of songs. Indie musician Atlas Sound has taken to his blog to create mixes that include his own songs and songs that he’s listening to and packaging them in a zip file for his blog readers to download. Popular music site Stereogum recently did the same thing with a mix that included this year’s best music (according to them, and hey, it ain’t bad). It’s a quick and effective way to find out about new artists and music you might not otherwise have the chance to sample, and a good way to fly under the radar of music “stealing” as you don’t need to download any software or sign up for a membership to access it. And hey, to all those record company honchos who think that just because we’re downloading/home-taping/burning CDs for free means I’m ripping off the band, think again. If we’re exposed to something really great, we’re more likely to show up to the concert when they hit our town and buy the vinyl from the merch table. That doesn’t sound like it’s “ruining music” to me.

TRAVEL

page eight | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

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WEST COAST

Off the I-5: I

MELISSA FRASER CONTRIBUTOR

here’s something about November that aches for a vacation. Maybe it’s because you haven’t done anything fun since Labour Day. Maybe it’s because you haven’t seen sunlight since Thanksgiving. Or maybe it’s because you’ve watched an average of five movies a day since Remembrance Day. Whichever it is, it’s time to get away. Whether you have a day, a night, a weekend or a week, a quick drive south takes you to a whole other world. Being a tourist in America means great customer service and unbelievable prices (the further south you get). And just think, a passport costs about the same as a ferry ride to Vancouver Island with your car, but it lasts five years.

Seattle If you’re looking to get away for a night or even just a day, the proximity of Seattle makes

places to hit between Vancouver and California

it the perfect break from Vancouver. The drive down is about three hours and as long as you stay away from rush hour, border lines and freeway back-ups should be a minimum. If you only have an afternoon in Seattle start at the Space Needle and walk to Pike Place Market. From the compelling architecture around the Needle to the sounds and smells of Pike Place, a visitor can get a real sense of the city in an afternoon. If you’ve got some extra time, walk through the Experience Music Project or look around the Seattle Art Museum. Or, take in the lesstouristy attractions and grab a coffee in Ballard, just North of downtown, or take a stroll around Green Lake.

Olympic Peninsula Turn off the I-5 in Burlington and head down Whidby Island. Take your time, the drive through thick forest and over deep gorges is what makes the Olympic Peninsula a stress-free

Though San Francisco boasts many historical enclaves for tourists to explore, the Fisherman’s Wharf in the Bay area is the famed tourist attraction of the city. MELISSA FRASER/THE RUNNER

weekend away. Just across the ferry from Coupeville on Whidby Island and just three hours from Vancouver is Port Townsend. Spend and evening and an afternoon in the sleepy city to experience the laid-back lifestyle. There are a number of restaurants, book stores and galleries along the main street, as well as affordable places to stay. Check out the underground coffee shop, UnderTown, and mingle with local artists. Just north of the city is a state park with an old, unused battery, great for playing hide and seek.

Highway 101 The Oregon Coast is everything you’ve heard it to be. It’s a beautiful drive and a cultural experience. Start in Astoria (The Goonies’ home town) and head south. It’s quite simple. Take your time and stop whenever you want. There are plenty of state parks to camp in, but there are tons of hotels and motels along the way as well. The Oregon Coast is what you make of it. It’s a trip that will be different for everyone and different every time you go.

The Oregon Coast is a great spot to hit if you enjoy surfing, or just the calm beauty of coastal greenery. MELISSA FRASER/THE RUNNER

Portland Portland is everything Vancouver wishes it could be. A big (ish) city with a small town feel. Roughly, five hours away from your real home, Portland feels like a place you can really lay your head. The city is split into distinct neighbourhoods, each with something special to offer. The Pearl District is home to a plethora of galleries and boutique clothing stores as well as Powell’s, the world’s largest used bookstore. Downtown is a great place to take in brand name shopping at American prices but coolest bars and best eateries can be found in China Town. Remember, Portland is known for its greenery and bicycle culture, but it’s real charm lies in the happy hour specials.

San Francisco This destination needs no introduction. As the backdrop to countless movies, songs and political movements, we’ve already got an idea of what type of town San Francisco is. It’s a free-wheeling, lovemaking type of town with a crazy night life and an endless number of things to do.

San Francisco has an intriguing past which is evident in its neighbourhoods. Find a history of West Coast immigration in China Town and Little Italy, or delve into the Spanish-Catholic history in the Mission neighbourhood. Take a stroll down Fisherman’s Wharf and walk around some of the ferry’s from the late 1800’s.

San Diego Will Ferrell’s Anchorman and Sea World’s Shamu may have made San Diego famous, but it’s the beaches and the people that keep the tourists coming back. Despite being America’s eighth largest city, San Diego has a sense of hospitality you would only expect from a small town. Although the city is 25 hour drive away, a flight from Bellingham is quick and inexpensive. Once you’re there take a walk through Balboa Park for some time with nature. Check out Normal Heights for affordable pubs and quirky coffee shops. Plus, make sure you get to the Gaslamp Quarter downtown. If you’re lucky the Gaslamp will be hosting one of it’s many festivals.

Also check out: Olympia, Washington; Mt. Saint Helens; Ashland, Oregon; Weed, California; Disneyland

MELISSA FRASER/THE RUNNER

TRAVEL

www.runnerrag.ca | The Runner

vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page nine

BACKPACKING ESSENTIALS

Top 10 urban-backpacking essentials 5 9

8 2 1

7 4 10

ABBY WISEMAN/THE RUNNER

MATTHEW BOSSONS TRAVEL BUREAU CHIEF

Backpacking is one of the most common methods of traveling employed by young adults that wish to see the world. Here is a list of 10 things urban backpackers should plan to bring with them for their journeys.

Camera: If you plan to be on the road for any amount of time, a camera is a must. Even short trips warrant photographic evidence.

Padlock: Many hostels

and guesthouses offer lockers for backpack storage; these will require a lock of some sort. It allows you to leave valuable goods in a safe location while out on the town.

Good Footwear:

Backpackers tend to end up walking a lot, whether you plan to or not, so pack something comfortable. The last thing any traveler wants is blisters and sore feet.

Photocopies of ID:

Although unlikely if you are careful, passports and other ID do go missing and having photocopies of all valid documents makes life a lot easier when things go wrong.

Money belt: There are a

Backpack: A good backpack is absolutely essential; you simply can’t travel without it.

First-Aid kit: A small first

aid kit is a wise thing to carry as well, once again I can confirm that this will come in handy.

variety of different types of money belts on the market and I highly recommend getting one. It hides money on your person, usually around your chest under your shirt.

Currency: Always carry cash on you, you never know when you may end up in a town or village that doesn’t take visa and has no ATMs. Not everywhere takes Visa.

watch: Comes in handy

when trying to time bus transfers or tours you wish to participate in.

Positive attitude:

Arguably the most essential tool in a backpacker’s arsenal is a positive attitude and a willingness to adapt and try new things.

Things you don’t need: Sleeping Bag: Most hostels, guesthouses and hotels supply bed sheets so a sleeping bag is not necessary unless you intend to camp. Electronics: Cell phones, portable DVD players and laptops are grossly unnecessary. Roaming charges on your phone will be astronomical outside of North America and these are distractions from the culture, food, beer, and landscapes around you. You are backpacking to see the world, so see it.

BACKPACKING

Going down south: the hunt for the perfect wave l

MATTHEW BOSSONS TRAVEL BUREAU CHIEF

he deserts of Baja California, Mexico are long, lawless and hot. In some places roads are non-existent, but that didn’t stop Kristoff Maier, Doug Zaklan, and Adam Turner. They had been on the road for months and had finally made it to Mexico, continuing their hunt for the perfect wave. A journey that started in the Canadian surfing town of Tofino several months, and thousands of kilometres earlier. The journey down had been long, with regular surf stops and side adventures that had occupied months of time. But this was no problem, the whole point of this journey was that

there wasn’t really much of a point. Surfing, skating, and conquest of the unknown. Kristoff sat behind the wheel of a 1982 Toyota BJ60; no power steering, no AC and no turbo. The truck’s engine had been converted to run off bio-diesel, a creative mixture of vegetable oil and standard diesel fuel. “So I have 2 fuel tanks in the vehicle, one for diesel and one for veggie oil. As for storage of veggie oil, we could fill up at a restaurant and get enough fuel to drive us 1000 miles, no joke,” said Kristoff. “We drove the entire Baja Peninsula without filling up once, it was bad ass.” The unique fuel allowed the trio to conduct the trip cheaply

and in an environmentally friendly manner as Kristoff recalls, “I live free, live free, freedom man. That’s what the veggie oil was about too. Getting away from being dependant on cash and a job and being able to realize my own dreams and potential and get myself into crazy situations.” The perfect wave is a concept that is defined by the person who is searching for it. Kristoff, Doug and Adam had left the paved roads of the Baja, heading into the desert, searching for this elusive wave. Between compass readings, Adam would steal quick glances out the window at the barren desert landscape. He was plotting their course on

a map of the Baja desert; they were going to the ocean. The three had heard rumours of a right-hand breaking wave on the other side of a long strip of desert that runs between the highway and the Pacific Ocean. Doug gazed out the back window, sipping a warm Corona. The landscape was dotted with tall cacti and short, withered trees. Heat radiated off the yellow sand, creating illusions all across the horizon. The three trudged on- they wanted to reach the Pacific before sunset. When they finally got to the sea, it was almost dark, there would be no surfing until morning light. “I woke up before the sun

and as it was rising behind me I paddled out. And a beautiful right was breaking in front of me and there were 3 dolphins riding inside it, with the daylight, and knowing it was just me and my buddies around for miles... it was a good moment,” said Kristoff. Kristoff, Doug and Adam took turns riding in the consistent right breaking waves all morning, no time frame, no rush, just surfing. The tranquil ambiance of nature at this moment in time somewhere on the Baja is not easily forgotten. The boys still talk about it regularly, an adventure of this type stays with you forever. The freedom, the excitement and the unpredictability make it simply unforgettable.

page ten | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

TRAVEL

The Runner | www.runnerrag.ca

ISLA MUJERES

HAGGLING

Guide to Haggling I

MATTHEW BOSSONS/THE RUNNER

Escaping to the island of women l

MATTHEW BOSSONS TRAVEL BUREAU CHIEF

sla Mujeres, or the Island of Women in English, is a small island a halfhour ferry ride from Cancun. The island is tiny, but that is what makes it a prime destination for those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of Cancun and enjoy a far more laid back style of life. With a population of only 11,147, according to the 2005 Mexican Census, this remains a place for people who long to experience quiet beaches and sample what locals refer to as the ‘island vibe.’ Guests to Isla Mujeres can expect a variety of activities other then sunbathing to be available, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and deep sea fishing. You can also swim with dolphins or visit the sea turtle sanctuary where injured turtles are rehabilitated. A favourite way to explore the island is by golf-cart. Since the island is so small, (only seven kilometres) long, golf-carts are by-far the most commonly used vehicle on the island. It maybe a bit more expensive then walking, but

split the rental costs between a few people and it becomes a great way to quickly see the island. I used my cart to drive the length of the island, going down the west side of the island and back up the east side; stopping at beaches, bars and restaurants along the way. The beaches on the west side are sandy, sheltered and calm because they face away from the open ocean. In contrast the beaches on the east side of the island consistently see large waves rolling in over jagged rocks and limestone. Large cliffs also line the east side of the island creating some of the most breathtaking landscapes in all the Yucatan. The downtown centre of Isla Mujeres, located at the north end of the island, is full of activity. Because the ferry docks are located there, it is the port virtually all traffic on the island goes through. This is also where the majority of the shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, hostels and hotels are located. A variety of beachfront seafood joints line the town’s waterfront, offering great deals on fresh seafood. Although most tourists come to Isla

Mujeres as a day trip from their allinclusive holidays in Cancun, I highly recommend hanging around for a night or two to experience the nightlife. The island offers a surprising number of nightclubs and bars for such a small place. It’s home to seven clubs and bars. My personal favourite is Nitrox, a club located about a ten minute walk from the main ferry docks. There are a few large resorts popping up on Isla Mujeres, but there is no better place on the island for the adventurous soul then Poc-Na. Poc-Na is a backpackers hostel with a fantastic international crowd. It is beachfront, with two bars, one inside the building and the other located on the beach. The hostel also has a simple restaurant, single rooms, dorms, and a small campground on the beach. Regardless of whether you stay on Isla Mujeres for a day, a week or a month, all will agree that this island fits well with the definition of paradise. The islands variety of beautiful beaches, cheap restaurants and accommodation and the laid back attitude that comes with it are all attractions worth seeing.

MEXICO PHOTOS

ABBY WISEMAN/THE RUNNER

MATTHEW BOSSONS TRAVEL BUREAU CHIEF

Haggling is a process in which the buyer attempts to negotiate a better price on a product from the salesman. It is a practice used throughout Central and South America, as well as most of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Europe and North America. Let’s say I’m in Mexico shopping for a Team Mexico football jersey. I approach a vendor in a small street market who offers me one for $100 USD. This price is quite high, and it is to be expected that I can get the price much lower. One thing you must understand is that low-balling the initial price is not seen as rude or disrespectful, in fact – it is expected. In retort to the salesman’s original price I offer him roughly one-third of the price, $30 USD. This is the formula I generally go by because it allows you lots of room to get to the actual value of the product and you aren’t starting so low that you look ignorant and rude. Generally, what follows is an exchange of offers that narrow down a price that both parties can agree upon. This price should usually fall somewhere in the middle of the initial offers. In the case of the Team Mexico jersey I should have been able to purchase it for somewhere between $50 - $60 USD. This would have been both a reasonable deal for myself and the salesman. There are several matters of courtesy to remember while haggling for a product. The first is that the people you are usually bartering with are living in third world countries and they are most likely living below the international poverty line, so be respectful. Keep in mind the individual you are negotiating with probably has a family to feed and clothe and offering insultingly low prices is not only rude but extremely ignorant. That said, don’t let yourself be pressured and bullied, street vendors and hawkers can be very pushy at times so don’t be afraid to say no and walk away. Don’t get discouraged if you get ripped off the first couple times you try to haggle, not everyone is cut out for it. I have learned through my own experiences. Each time you haggle, consider it a lesson and learn from the mistakes and successes of each attempt. Sometimes you will walk away with a genuinely good deal, other times you will leave only to hear from another traveller how they purchased the same item for dramatically cheaper. This happens, don’t let it get to you.

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TRAVEL

vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page eleven

YOGA

Spiritual Journey. I

ABBY WISEMAN COORDINATING EDITOR

It’s

a balmy evening in October 2010, and Alex Tegart is radiating with excitement because Swami Vivekananda, a teacher from the Agama yoga school in Thailand, is speaking at a small Vancouver yoga studio. A large enough crowd gathers in front of the inconspicuous studio that the bartender from the pub next door pokes his head out to see what’s going on. Inside the studio, it’s hot and crowded with hardly a place to sit. Tegart finds a spot in the front and automatically folds herself into a lotus pose, a kind of cross-legged position. A quick glance around is enough to gauge that the demographics of the room is 20-40 yearolds, eager to listen to the Swami speak about hot chocolate and blowjobs, and the philosophies around tantric yoga and sexuality. The Swami comes out behind a curtained room and positions himself in a lotus pose on a cushion. He surveys the room, recognizing a few people, and then he speaks. His voice is loud and clear and definite. He doesn’t appear to be self-conscious in his bright orange Kurta Pyjamas, and he doesn’t stumble on his words or lose track of his thoughts. He doesn’t stop talking for three hours and all the while his eyes light up with sincere joy. Tegart is attentive, as if the three hours of sitting in a hot room and on hard floor doesn’t phase her. When he finishes speaking, she gets up and makes eye contact with the Swami, who looks on her with recognition and happiness, and they both do a little bow to each other. Tegart was suppose to arrive at the Gaya train station during daylight hours, but like all things when travelling, that didn’t go quite as planned. Instead, she arrived at India’s most dangerous train station, where the murders and rapes are common, late at night. It’s 2007 and she was foreign and female, which basically made her rickshaw meat. Switching into survivor mode, she knew she needed to get to Bodhgaya; she needed to get there alive or relatively undamaged, and she was only going to pay 70 Rupees. Using her instincts she followed a man who made eye contact and offered her hundreds less than the others. She rode the 13-kilometre trek from Gaya to Bodhgaya, a sacred pilgrimage sight in the Bihar State of Northeastern India, making peace with the fact that she might die enroute or kidnapped by her driver. Then dust gave way to a sea of red cloaked Tibetan monks and Tegart was delivered to the Bodhgaya meditation centre. Seconds after arriving at the centres gates, she was greeted by the meditation teacher, who invited her to the Mahabodhi temple where the Bodhi tree resided; the tree under-which Buddha sat. Tegart joined the procession of monks and walked in a slow circle around the temple for an hour thinking to herself “this is crazy.” In Mick Brown’s travel novel The Spiritual Tourist, he writes “the spiritual search, whatever that may mean- has become a dominant feature of late twentieth century life: a symptom of collective uncertainty, in an age when there are no longer jobs for life and the traditional institutions of church, family and community appear to be breaking down.” This is illustrated in the Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel Eat, Pray, Love, which follows Gilbert’s journey to spiritual enlightenment from pizzerias in Rome, to an ashram in India, and then to a ninth-generation medicine-man in Bali. The book was a phenom; ordained by Oprah, adopted by disillusioned western women and characterised by Julia Roberts in a feature film. It seems that the idea of spirituality through eastern philosophies has struck a chord with North Americans and many have made the trek to the East to find that something, which is missing in their Western lives. Tegart had finished two years journalism school when she felt the need for a mental break. She moved back to her home town of Golden, B.C. and worked. There the 22-year-old and her friend, armed with a Lonely Planet travel guide, decided to travel Thailand and decompress. Avoiding the backpacker track, Tegart and her friend hung out in fishing villages where they were often the only foreigners, besides the men who frequented Thailand’s fervent sex-tourism industry. Along the way Tegart learned about the Agama yoga school in Koh Phangan, an island off of the coast southeast Thailand. Intrigued, she continued to travel through Laos and Vietnam. When tension worsened between her and her travel-mate. Tegart packed her bags, hell-bent to get Koh Phangan. Tegart made it to the school and coincidentally arrived on the first day of a month-long introductory

course into yogic philosophies and practices such as Kundalini, Hatha and Tantra. For four weeks Tegart did six hours of yoga per day, followed an intensive physical purification regiment that included a strict diet of brown rice for 10 days, tongue scraping, eye-washing, and the unusual method of throwing up a litre of water in the morning called Vamanadhouti. “Doing six hours of yoga a day, you go through a spectrum of emotions,” said Tegart. “Your sitting and you can’t go anywhere. Your there with your feet over your head, and it’s just you and your head.” The experience wasn’t all physical and she found the philosophical readings she explored connected with some of her preexisting beliefs. The Agama schools teachings are based on the basic yoga philosophy that everything in the universe is energy. People have pathways of energy running through them, which can be concentrated, stored and used for personal development. The outcome of this alignment and control of energy is to find ones identity or “true centre” as Agama’s website explains it. These philosophies have become popular enough with North Americans that yoga retreats catering to westerners have popped up all across Thailand, offering spiritual enlightenment for 6,900 Baht, or C$244. At the end of the four weeks Tegart felt purified, but not quite fulfilled. She was craving something more meditative than physical and since all the teachings came from India, she decided that’s where she needed to be. The airport in Calcutta didn’t feel like an airport to Tegart, there wasn’t really security, the baggage carousels were from the ‘40s and taxi drivers aggressively vied for her business. She aligned with two Italian women and made it to Sudder Street, which is the backpacker district, and as Tegart found out, the panhandler district. In Calcutta,Tegart continued her yoga and meditation, but also devoted her time to the Mother Theresa Missionaries of Charity. Thirty women would congregate in an open-air compound to wash soiled sheets in large basins. The compound was for women who were shunned from society. Many were victims of an Indian practice called wife burning. “I felt that the volunteering is what kept me sane there,” said Tegart. “Otherwise, if I’m not with the people and hanging out and talking, I feel very disconnected from it. I feel like a tourist, like an observer.” Tegart remembers Calcutta in colours and cows. Red, blues, greens, purples and the insanity of watching a sheep sacrificed in honour of Kali, the goddess of time; being pushed through temple thresholds by Brahmans who blessed her with a red dot on her forehead; burnt women and shitty sheets, but always vivid colours and cows. After two weeks, it was time to move on and made the journey to Bodhgaya; to the dodgy train station in Gaya and then to the Mahabodhi temple where she circled the temple with a procession of Buddhist monks. She spent the first 10 days in Bodhgaya in silence at a Thai Buddhist Monestary. The first day of her meditation practice Tegart was met with two great challenges: (1) she had a parasite and was extremely ill. And (2) there was a holy man sitting behind her blowing his nose, chewing gum and listening to loud music with headphones; basically being the most annoying person on earth, which caused Tegart to question his holiness. “He was there probably to help me with my practice,” said Tegart. Tegart did two meditation retreats in a row and then made her way to Dharmsala in the Himalayas with a group, studying with the Dalai Lama. She learned that groups of westerners would travel in packs from retreat to retreat in a sort of seekers bubble. After three months of meditation practice, she realised that this alternative community segregated from rest of the world, was not the path she wanted to take and it was time to re-enter the west. “Oh my god would I love to do three hours of yoga a day, but living in the West and having a job and school, it’s just not reasonable,” Tegart said. Instead, she brings her practice to her daily life and tries to remember to be present and mindful in every moment.

TRAVEL

page twelve | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

SERIOUS MOVIES

FUNNY MOVIES

Top 10 dramatic travel movies I

HAYLEY WOODIN ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU CHIEF

s a great travel movie defined by its cinematography? Or is it about an adventurous plot, or even how much the film makes you want to travel to the places in the movie? Everyone will have their own criteria for what movies top their list, but here are 10 travel movies that appear to be popular picks, and can provide a temporary escape, in theory, from the cold winter weather.

“Eat, Pray, Love,” starring Julia Roberts and based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir. In the film, a woman realizes the emptiness of her life, and sets off on a journey to Italy, India and Indonesia to find herself.

“The Motorcycle Diaries,” a multiple award-winning film about the memoir and journey of Ernesto Guevara, who would later be known as Ché Guevara, the Argentine Marxist revolutionary.

“The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. His character, Richard, travels to Thailand where he discovers he is in possession of a strange map that supposedly leads to a utopian beach. “Into the Wild,” directed by Sean Penn, and based on the non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer. The film follows Christopher as he gives up his material possessions and sets off for Alaska to live in the wilderness.

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” starring Steve Martin. The comedic holiday film is about a man’s struggle to make it home for Thanksgiving while he deals with his only companion: an obnoxious salesman. “Up in the Air,” starring George Clooney, focuses on the “travel” aspect of travelling. Because of his job, Ryan lives his life out of his suitcase, flies constantly, can never maintain a real relationship and essentially leads an empty life.

“The Darjeeling Limited,” starring Owen Wilson and Adrien Brodie, a comedic and endearing movie that tells the story of three disconnected brothers who travel India by train. “Around the World in 80 Days,” starring Jackie Chan. A British inventor, Chinese thief and an artist attempt to travel around the world in 80 days. The film is set in a time where jets haven’t been invented.

The Runner | www.runnerrag.ca

“One Week,” a Canadian film that chronicles one young man’s cross-country trip, from Toronto to Tofino, as he tries to discover the meaning of his life while battling cancer. “Lost in Translation,” starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The movie tells the story of how a movie star plagued by feelings of emptiness and a neglected newlywed meet in the bustling city of Tokyo.

MUSIC TO TRIP TO

Top 5 funniest travel movies Writer Carlie Auclair takes us on a trip down memory lane with these gut-busting travel flicks. Don’t forget to pack your sense of humour.

CARLIE AUCLAIR HEALTH BUREAU CHIEF

rom my experience in coming across potential contenders for this article, I came to the realization that there are a large amount of movies based on the idea of travel. Some are about kooky frat road trips while others are about serious enlightenment as a product of travel. Because of these complexities I have made the choice to narrow down the options significantly and stick to the more humorous of the contenders. With its variety of misfortunes and mishaps travel has always held the potential for humor. Luggage can be lost; wrong planes could be boarded, and lets not forget the culture shock that takes place when one enters a foreign country. There is hilarity lurking behind every corner when traveling and many movies have been made solely based on this. So as a way of paying homage to the hilariousness that travel can bring I give you my top five funniest movies about travel. Enjoy!

audience constructed of all ages. My dad first introduced me to this movie when I was a kid and I have loved it ever since for its tongue in cheek style parody and slapstick action; and with a variety of off-the-cuff cameos from Hollywood well-known’s such as, Kareem-Abdul Jabar, Leslie Nielson, Lloyd Bridges and Leave it to Beaver’s Barbara Billingsley this movie takes you on a half-baked plane ride full of airplane fun.

Dumb and Dumber

Even though there is some back story to this film, basically it’s about two guys on a road trip to Aspen, Colorado

“On the road again...” I

HAYLEY WOODIN ENTERTAINMENT BUREAU CHIEF

usic is essential for any road trip. Not only can it pump you up, but it can keep you awake while driving and drown out any whining from your road trip companions. When asked what constitutes good road trip music, you can’t escape those classic driving songs that immediately come to mind: “Life is a Highway,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Paradise City,” “Summer of ’69,” “Free Fallin’…” The list goes on. And when searching for music that’s fit for a road trip, it was difficult to find a list of songs that didn’t in some way include a classic rock band, bitchin’ Jon Bon Jovi or Bryan Adams. So, I figured I could either

write up a list of songs that pretty much everybody has heard before, or I could try and find an assortment of not-soobvious road trip songs from various genres of music. In no particular order, here is an eclectic mix of road trip songs, with something for everybody, to rejuvenate your own roadtrip mixtape: Sublime - Santeria NeedToBreathe - More Time Kasabian - Fire Steve Earle - the Galway Girl B.o.B - Ghost in a Machine Sam Roberts - Bridge to Nowhere Tommy Lee - Good Times MGMT - Kids Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man Phantom Planet - California Michael Franti & Spearhead Anytime you need me And, of course, you can’t forget “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers.

Airplane

This is one of those movies where the humor transcends generations and captures an

Vegas Vacation

Some of you might wonder why I chose this movie over the first Vacation. I did give it some consideration because first of all, the original Vacation was truly fantastic, but the fact that this crazy family called the Griswolds still decides to take family vacations 15 years later ups the humor ante significantly and forces me to give in. Watching Rusty, Audrey, Clark and Ellen peruse sin city with full pockets and empty brains gives good background for any Vacation film and does not fail to deliver with the laughs. The main lesson or moral of the story is that the city of Las Vegas is the beast that brings out the sinner in each character. For Clark its excessive gambling, for Ellen its Wayne Newton, for Rusty its posing as a software tycoon in Tulsa and for Audrey its exotic dancing; each character is reduced to a pile of Vegas sin, once exposed to the tantalizing temptations Vegas has to offer.

Euro-Trip

Even though the humor of this movie is targeted towards the fresh out of high school crowd, I cannot deny the chuckles that escaped my mouth during this film. Based on the premise of a bunch of rambunctious high school graduates looking for some overseas fun, the story takes our characters through a labyrinth of goofy but surprisingly realistic European high jinks. The plot is overflowing with rabid soccer hooligans, drunken sex club endeavors and absinthe filled Eastern European parties; and if you look carefully you might catch the very unrecognizable cameo made by Matt Damon.

determined to return a forgotten briefcase to the very lovely and very ginger Lauren Holly. The road trip is the spine of this movie because it shows how the two characters react to one another and the idiotic situations they manage to get themselves into. There’s murder by chili peppers, a van-for-scooter trade-in, a pair of very pastel tuxedos and an incident involving stomach medicine and a cup of tea. The hilarious chemistry that Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels had in the film has been attempted in many films but none could seem to duplicate the relaxed tomfoolery that these characters managed to emanate.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

This was a pretty obvious choice for me, considering my undying love for all things John Candy and John Hughes. Like most John Hughes films Planes, Trains and Automobiles is based in the windy city of Chicago and chalked full of well-developed main characters and unlike any movie on this list, there are a few very heart warming moments. John Candy plays the bumbling shower curtain salesman, with a heart of gold, “Dell Griffith”, and Steve Martin plays the uptight, intolerant businessman “Neil Page”. Together, the two men attempt to make it home in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. This movie is the number one choice on my list because it is quirky, laughout loud hilarious, and truly unforgettable.

The road trip is the spine of this movie because it shows how the two characters react to one another and the idiotic situations they manage to get themselves into.

EDITORIAL

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THE RUNNER The Runner is student owned and operated by Kwantlen Polytechnic University students, published under Polytechnic Ink Publishing Society. Vol. 3, Issue no. 09 November, 30 2010 ISSN# 1916-8241 #205-12877 76 Ave. Surrey, B.C. V3W 1E6 www.runnerrag.ca 778-565-3801

EDITORIAL DIVISION: Co-ordinating Editor // Abby Wiseman editor@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3803 Culture Editor // Kristi Alexandra culture@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3804 News Editor // Kassandra Linklater news@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3805 Production Editor // Cat Yelizarov production@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3806 Media Editor // Matt Law media@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3806

BUREAU CHIEFS: Arts & Design // Antonio Su Creative Writing // Jared Vaillancourt Current Events // Mae Velasco

vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page thirteen

ENVIRONMENTAL

Kwantlen’s cafeteria’s environmental? A Kwantlen student takes a close look at Kwantlen’s cafeterias to see what efforts are being done to reduce their impact on the planet I CATHERINE THOMPSON

For those that frequent Kwantlen’s cafeterias, you may have noticed the addition of steel cutlery accompanying the usual disposable wares. Embracing eco-friendliness seems to have seeped into Kwantlen; a garbage bin cheerfully encourages students to use ceramic mugs instead of Styrofoam cups which can live in a landfill for 500 years. Quite a burden for that delicious in-between-class hot chocolate, eh? Napkin dispensers proudly boast 100 per cent recycled napkins from 70 per cent postconsumer content. Tally up those environmental brownie points and Kwantlen cafeterias have become eco-friendly converts! These initiatives peeked my interest and although I certainly applauded the cafeteria’s efforts, I was skeptical that a university café would pursue ethically sourced products all in the name of environmentalism. Being a tree-hugger at heart, I was delighted to have my smug cynicism proved wrong. I enlisted Bassanio Tsang, general manager of Sodexo at Kwantlen, to show me the ropes of Sodexo’s ecoinitiatives. It seems that Sodexo doesn’t just stop at napkins and reusable forks: Tsang notes that Sodexo uses biodegradable

soup bowls, cups, plates, takeout containers and sandwich wedges to lessen their impact. To encourage thirsty and thrifty students, Sodexo provides a discount for customers that bring their own reusable mugs. If there’s anything to encourage you to bust out that embarrassing grade six pottery mug, saving some coin would be it! Moreover, the Langley campus deli-bar uses seasonal produce from the horticulture department’s greenhouses; the coffee is fair-trade and Rainforest Alliance certified and the seafood follows Ocean Wise, a non-profit organization that strives to conserve aquatic

life. I also investigated into another popular haunt, The Grassroots Café, and examined their environmental practices. According to Adam Rhode, The Grassroots Café manager, all coffee cups and lids, even the Java jackets that save your hand from third-degree burns, are entirely compostable. The plate which hosted your grilled chicken panini is made from paper and pulpous fibers, making it compostable. Of course not everything is sunshine, lollipops and compost bins: there are no composting facilities at Kwantlen, which is an extra challenge for those eco-minded

folks at the Grassroots. The do-good intentions of the compostable plates and cups is stifled when they end up locked in a noxious landfill. Food-wise, Grassroots seems to have it right: the coffee is free trade and organic, the bread is “100 mile Bread,” which is 100 per cent organic and produced within, you guessed it, a 100 Miles. The produce is from a local supplier and bought in season. Even the peppers are grown in Langley where rainwater collected in a retention pond is used to water them; then once harvested they are shipped in bleach-free cardboard containers free of herbicides or pesticides, Rhode proudly notes that student feedback has been positive, receptive and generally appreciative of these efforts. Channeling their inner David Suzuki isn’t always easy; Tsang remarks that acting eco-friendly “takes time, money and partnership.” While Rhode admitted that “buying organic, local food is hard,” but acknowledges that they must “bear the brunt” of these environmental initiatives in order for it to pay back later. Cheers to that, now excuse me while I go enjoy my free trade coffee. Environmentalism never tasted so good.

Entertainment // Hayley Woodin Environmental // (Vacant)

FOOD

Health // Carlie Auclair

Politics // Paul Li Sports // Kyle Benning Student Affairs // (Vacant) Travel // Matthew Bossons

CONTRIBUTORS: Sarine Gulerian,Catherine Thompson, Dominic Samraty, Chelsea Jewell Cover Art // Cat Yelizarov

BUSINESS DIVISION: Operations Manager, Ads, Classifieds // DJ Lam ops@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3802 Office Co-ordinator // Victoria Almond office@runnerrag.ca 778-565-3802 Operations Assistant // Brittany Tiplady

Is the food worth it?

Lifestyle // Jeff Groat

Kwantlen journalism students investigate to see if the food we pay for at Sodexo is worth the price.

I SARINE GULERIAN

The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Richmond campus cafeteria faces some critics regarding their pricing when compared to the quality of the food offered. First-year journalism students were sent to the cafeteria to compare the quality of food versus the price and to better understand of the opinions of the student body regarding the pricing issue compared to quality.

It’s the things like a $2 bottle of water and a $1.45 piece of toast that are discouraging students who purchase their meals and drinks from the school. It’s no surprise that some students aren’t willing to pay $2.20 for a container of Mr. Noodles when they are available for 99 cents at grocery a store across the street. Most students who are already on a low budget appear to be displeased with the cafeteria prices although the

food itself “has gotten better from last year,” said general science student Sara Hashmi, 19, “But the prices are still ridiculous.” Even staff members such as interior design coordinator Lucie Gagni, 55, had something to say regarding the escalated prices. “It’s not always convenient to bring food… but I eat there as little as I can.” Jodie Lei, an optimistic engineering student said that she doesn’t mind that the prices may be “a little bit expensive…because at least it’s warm.” A number of students agreed that there is a good variety of food offered on the campus and that it’s more convenient to buy a $7 sandwich downstairs rather than run across the street to the Subway sandwich store and purchase one for $4. But when it’s snowing outside and there is only 15 minutes in-between classes, students don’t have the luxury of time to run to the Lansdowne Mall to purchase a Fresh Slice Pizza but there is the convenience of running downstairs and grabbing a $7 pizza special.

page fourteen | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

CREATIVE

The Runner | www.runnerrag.ca

SHORT STORY

The Good Water I

TODD EASTERBROOK CONTRIBUTOR

nd it was then that the last tree fell: it seemed to crumple in the breeze— a slight breeze, a whisper breeze—and collapse to the ground like an exhausted traveler struck with the strife of disheveled and intolerable remoteness—but what isn’t remote now, I ask myself? That tree, I knew it so well; I had seen it many times before, whenever I would leave the fortifications of our village to go on my foraging walks. The lone tree’s location is far away from anything or anywhere I was supposed to be going, but as soon as I left the village I was compelled to see it at once. It became a thirst for me, an insatiable lust of wonder connected to the Old World—It was as if I sculpted it myself, or with precise strokes coloured its existence there on the mountainside. I will lament that the last tree quickly became the obsession of my every thought and desire: I dreamt about it while the wind swept through the cracks in the walls of my room; I drew pictures of it—hundreds of them—all buried or destroyed in case anyone found them. I became violent with anyone whom I learned was scavenging outside the parameters that had been designated to them, in case they should find the tree. Numerous times I could not sleep as I paced about my dwelling in the bright heat of night, worrying the tree was out there, in the vast brevity, alone, fighting for life, slowly succumbing to the sweltering fury of the sun without me. And, because of the latter, I frequently snuck away from my collections in the daytime with a small bladder of the good water to feed the tree the azure life-blood it so desperately needed to survive. I did this, at risk of being caught by the watchers and hung in dissention for stealing the good water, which would immediately result in the consequence of death. And if they had found out I had been taking the good water for such a lost and desirable entity, I would have been tortured first without mercy for many days and nights. But I did not care. I reckon I am an old man of about fifty, far past my life expectancy in this world, so death does not woe me; it does not reflect my disposition, it only reflects the

disposition I have concerning the tree–which I suppose, in many ways, is much like me. In the old world, I used to be an artist. I used to create; that alone was my business. You see, people here, they cling to remnants of the old world, the bitter desultory visions of science and progress much like a housecat clings to wood with its claws as you pull its tail roughly (my son knows nothing of housecats). This became the way of the Old World. And the men here know nothing. Men never did know anything at all. They would only push and push and push, until they were pulled—into a realm they never expected could exist—a realm where power had finally been taken out of their hands for good. For good. And now, men here are savages too, practicing an archaic witchcraft they know nothing about, and can only know nothing about; and now, nothing more can be exploited; and now, the deified green papers we all worshiped for so long before have all been burned to heat the cold and still colder days, and our lust for green has gone back to the natural world, whatever that means. The tree would surely meet its end if anyone else found it, but I suppose that does not matter now. Regardless, I never told another soul about its existence, for the discourse I shared with the last tree was an ancient one—I knew that; I am no fool. To me, that tree was the last glimmer of primordial semblance, and I would never allow anyone else to find it. I would kill for it, and I would die for it. But again, I suppose that does not matter now. To me, here, now, nothing matters. I walked the small corridors and alleyways in sorrow, but not regret, dropping off the Good Water at people’s doorsteps. I did not think about the boy. I thought only of what could have caused the death of the tree, and the answer is simple: the rainwater is poisonous, the soil is poisonous, and the sun is too hot. It is a miracle the great tree could have survived so long. All life is ephemeral, and all life is an impression. Maybe I played a small part in the tree’s harrowed longevity. I would like to think so. I fed them the good water. This was two days ago. My only son was murdered today. He was poisoned. I murdered my only son today. I poisoned him. He did not

TODD EASTERBROOK/THE RUNNER

die like I thought he would. He squirmed and convulsed and choked to death, his face red and veiny, his eyes black and abysmally uncertain as he looked at me, his life searing out from his body into the night. He was eight years old. He was strong, but many people die here every day, and so no questions were asked about his death. I could not let him be part of this new world. There is nothing here for him, or anyone else, because hope is an archaic commodity. I will always wonder if he could remember. I was going to show him, too. I was going to bring him to the tree when he turned ten, old enough to come foraging in the distance with me. I was going to show him. So many times I thought of telling him but reconsidered. He was young— now forever young, like the new world—and he would surely have told a peer or an elder, and I would have been tortured until I relinquished the location of the tree: behind the red ridge mountain, on the south face, covered from the elements by a rocky overhang, but not the sun for just ten minutes a day, when it does shine. There it clings to the rock small and rebellious, as beautiful as imagination. I have seen this, and I was going to show him, that is, before he saw one of my pictures and showed it to his young friend. The community, if I can call it that, begins work at dusk and continues into the night. They work to purify the water for us to drink, and forage for food outside the gates in the cover

of night. The cover of ‘night’ is not so they will not be seen, but rather, it is cover from the sun, which will kill you if you are exposed to its torrid wrath for any length of time. The sun, now, is a searing hot beast that causes lesions and cancers of the flesh very quickly. Those who are banished are thrown out into the sun, naked, and smothered in oils. They die within hours. I saw them in the day, crisp, whenever I stole myself away from the village to sojourn with my steadfast friend. After the work of day is done, the night is for sleep. Or death. I forage for water. That is my job. We have set up water traps all over the surroundings. The traps catch the water in specialized cauldrons that hold the water and prevent evaporation. The cauldrons are made from skins we do not eat and are given structural integrity by the bones that support them. They have to be replaced frequently because of the sun and heat, even though most of them are kept in the shade. We put them in strategic locations in the shade of night where the large insects cannot get at them. I am one of the many who go at night to collect the cauldrons of water so that it can be made into the good water. But I am the leader now because the man who turned the bad water into the good water died from natural causes. I tried to make him better by allowing him to drink the good water. I fed my son the unpurified water for three suns and moons. That’s all it took. I told

him it was the good water, and despite the taste, he believed me like a good son would. I was going to show him. Now they have taken him away from me. His body. They are preparing him because he died a pure death, so they think. They will eat him with the others who died today. I will eat as well. It is seen as a necessary evil. For survival. And for me too it is a necessary evil, but for very different reasons. The others who died today were poisoned too by me, slowly, and they too must have died a similar death to my son. They will be presumed pure, falsely, and they too will be prepared, and we will feast. We will also drink the good water. All of us will drink the good water. I will prepare the good water for all, like I have been since the morning of two days before this one—which was previously called evening. Yes, we will all eat and drink merrily today, the secret herbs I add for flavour, the good water; we will eat the flesh, we will feast, and we will indulge deeply, gluttonously, not saving for later, not planning for next day, only binging and slopping on leaf and flesh and the good water until we rightly, justly, purge ourselves into the impression of oblivion. I do this for my creation: beauty: beauty: beauty: beauty: beauty: The Beautiful. My Danse macabre: My diabolical good. I do this because now the good water will only and always flow. And now, with only the world before me, whither should I bend my steps?

WE HAVE SPACE TO FILL! The Runner is looking for a few weekly columnists. Write about music, movies, technology and everything else. send us an email: editor@runnerrag.ca

PROCRASTINATION

www.runnerrag.ca | The Runner

vol. 3 issue 09 | November 30 2010 | page ﬁfteen

JET PACKIN’ - BEN HORNE

HOROSCOPE CAPRICORN Dec. 22 - Jan.19

Don’t become side-tracked by short people, they can’t be trusted.

ARIES Mar. 21 - Apr.19

Become a vegetarian. What did the lettuce say to the celery? Are you stalking me?

AQUARIUS Jan. 21 - Feb. 19 SAGITTARIUS Nov. 22 - Dec. 21 You may step on a crack, and break your momma’s back.

Don’t go barking up the wrong tree, it may be mustache covered. Movember is lethal.

TAURUS Apr. 20 - May 20

Start the wave in your Anthropology class this week. It won’t go underappreciated.

PISCES Feb. 20 - Mar. 20

Fuck bitches, get money.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

You’re a force to be reckoned with this week. Try being a lesbian.

RIP OFF KWANTLEN

CANCER May 21 - June 20 LIBRA Sept. 23 - Oct. 22

If you’re feelin’ like a boss this week: roll with it.

LEO July 23 - Aug. 22

Go find your own horoscope this week Libra.

Whip your hair back and forth.

SCORPIO Oct. 23 - Nov. 21 VIRGO Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

If you slack on being a douche bag this week, there’s a possibility you could get laid.

Take a shit in a crowded bathroom and then don’t wash your hands.

THE SMART ZONE

Woah Library, step off

THE RUNNER

The Kwantlen library has no cap on library fees. This means that the two magazines you borrowed can cost a lot of money if you don’t return them. At that point you might as well of just bought them. The thing I question is that this is a free-rental system, so why are they charging so much when they aren’t losing any revenue?

WEIRD STUFF: STUFF IS WEIRD Eskimo ice cream is neither icy, or creamy. A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for 69 years. In Tokyo, they sell toupees for dogs. Source: strangefacts.com

page sixteen | November 30 2010 | vol. 3 issue 09

The Runner | www.runnerrag.ca