Vol. 5 Issue 06

THE

VOL. 05 ISSUE 06 12.04.2012

News and Culture for the students of Kwantlen Polytechnic University

KSA SAYS NO TO STUDENT PRO-LIFE CLUB Page 4 find us online

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page two | December 04 2012 | vol. 5 issue 06

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NEWS

www.runnermag.ca | The Runner

vol. 5 issue 06 | December 04 2012 | page three

CAMPUS NEWS

The Runner Roundup A brief run around the latest news from the world of Kwantlen and beyond.

Senate considers going online Kwantlen’s senate approved a motion to put forward a notice to address the option of broadcasting meetings to students, at their Nov. 27 meeting.

The motion was put forward by Wade Deisman and was provoked by the June 25 incident ­— at a Kwantlen senate meeting ­— when former Kwantlen president, John McKendry demanded that Runner reporters cease recording the public meeting.

At the time, McKendry briefly engaged in the idea of putting forward a motion that would ban all recordings devices from senate meetings.

The expected broadcasting motion is expected to be revisited at the next senate meeting on Dec. 10.

–Sarah Schuchard

Transit users alike should prepare to expect a ten per cent hike in fare in 2013.

This means that one-zone passes will increase $0.25 to $2.75, two-zone will increase $0.25 to $4.00, and three-zone passes will increase by $0.50 to $5.50.

Monthly-pass users’ wallets won’t go unscathed. For monthly passes, one-zone will increase from $10 to $91; two-zone $14 to $124; three-zone $19 to $170. Along with fare increases, there will also be increases for services such as Handy Dart, West Coast Express fares, concessions, and day passes.

Fare savers, however, will be unaffected.

According to the Translink website, a statement was released on Nov. 13, explaining that there has not been a fare increase since 2008, and due to inflation there will be a 2 per cent increase per year for the last five years. The document goes on to state that the etabilization planapproved by the Mayors’ Council in 2009is for the purpose, “to support operations and keep the system in good repairs.’”

–Sarah Schuchard

Accepting New Patients nvyN mrIz lYdy hW

Medical Clinic Dr. B. Singh, MBBS, CCFP UK Trained Physician relocating from Victoria, BC

604-590-8070 Accepting Patients starting November 19, 2012 The Nov. 27 annual general meeting (AGM) of the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) ended prematurely last month after students refused to approve the agenda.

According to campus newspaper The Varsity, over 300 concerned students attended the AGM, and voted against the proposed agenda.

Some of their concerns stemmed around the union’s alleged lack of attention on student issues and transparency in the proposed agenda. Adding to the political discourse, there was further conflict between the students and UTSU due to a leaked Facebook message from the UTSU vice president of equity, Noor Baig.

According to The Varsity the message had caught Baig describing the planned attending students at the AGM to be, “’randoms,’ who were, ‘just going to make a mess.’” In an interview with The Varsity, Corey Scott vice president of internal described the students’ attitude as, “privilege... I think that’s a lot of what the students showed.”

–Sarah Schuchard

UTSU AGM WTF?

Walk-in and Appointment Welcome

Our clinic can service you in English and Punjabi

Medical Clinic Unit 114, 12578 – 72nd Ave (inside Kwantlen Square) Surrey BC V3W 2M6 Tel: 604-590-8070

page four | December 04 2012 | vol. 5 issue 06

NEWS

The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

ABORTION

Anti-abortion student threatens legal action against the KSA I

MATT DIMERA NEWS EDITOR

The president of a pro-life student group has threatened legal action against the Kwantlen Student Association (KSA), for denying them official status as a campus club.

Oliver Capko, a Kwantlen agriculture student, submitted an application to make Protectores Vitae an official club to the KSA on Oct. 12, but received notice nearly a month later that it had been rejected.

At the Nov. 9 meeting of the KSA’s executive committee, a motion to approve the club’s application was defeated, with the KSA’s director of external affairs and women’s constituency representative, Arzo Ansary, noting her opposition on the record.

During the meeting both Ansary and the then-director of student life, Amrit Mahil, spoke against the club’s application.

According to an email from Ansary, dated that same day, “the Executive Committee decided it was against the interests of the Kwantlen Student Association, and it’s Executives, to vote in favor of the creation of a club that is clearly against our own standing policy on Abortion and a Woman’s Right to Choose.”

“I believe that life issues and other such controversial issues should be discussed in universities where free speech and new thoughts and ideas are formed,” Capko told The Runner by telephone.

“No matter how controversial they might be, different perspectives always give a fuller approach to anything. So instead of just seeing one side of the argument I feel it’s important to get the other side out there.”

Anastasia Pearse, the western campus coordinator for the National Campus Life Network and a student at Trinity Western University, has been helping Capko and the Protectores Vitae with their application and subsequent rejection.

Pearse made headlines of her own in 2010, when as the president of an anti-abortion group at the University of Victoria, she sued the University of Victoria’s Students’ Society for denying

them funding.

“I see that a university is such a key place for us to be sharing our pro-life message because the demographic that is most susceptible to abortions are university students,” said Pearse, explaining her continued involvement through the NCLN. “We need to be reaching out to these students, educating them on life issues and also pointing them towards positive alternatives to abortions.”

Capko said that as a new student to Kwantlen he has been disappointed and frustrated by the treatment of his wouldbe group and said that many of his attempts at communication with the KSA had been rebuffed.

“I feel a bit ignored and that they’re not trying to contact me in anyway,” he noted. “As we all know exams and term papers are coming up and it’s not the ideal time for me or anyone to be going through all this attention.”

Capko sought legal advice and is now being represented pro bono by John Carpay, president of The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).

Carpay sent the KSA a letter, dated Nov. 23, demanding that Protectores Vitae be approved as a club.

“Denying a club the right to exist and operate at Kwantlen merely because you and other students disagree with this club’s beliefs and opinions amounts to censorship,” wrote Carpay.

“Student associations should be supporting free speech and vigorous debate, not attempting to muzzle it.”

That letter gave the KSA a Nov. 29 deadline, promising legal action if they didn’t reverse their decision.

“We’ll take them to court on the basis that they’re enforcing their policies and their opinions on the whole student body,” said Capko.

“We’re demanding that the KSA end their illegal discrimination of pro-life students and grant [our] club status.”

The KSA has denied that they are preventing Capko’s group from getting their message out and suggested through their legal counsel, that Protectores Vitae could be approved as a recognized group instead, which would allow them access to space on campus, but not KSA funding.

“The KSA supports freedom of expression, which is why we facilitate room bookings, free lockers, and free photocopying for recognized groups.

This option was communicated to Mr. Capko,” wrote the KSA’s director of student services and chairperson of the executive committee, Christopher Girodat, in a message to The Runner.

“In relation to his announcement of a suit against the KSA, the executive will be seeking direction from our board shortly.”

The KSA currently has ten recognized groups listed on their website, including several religious and political groups.

In a Dec. 3 press release, Protectores Vitae rejected the KSA’s offer of recognized group status, reaffirming their decision to sue.

“After discussion amongst Protectores Vitae members, we have decided to move forward with the lawsuit,” said Capko, in a written statement. “It is unfortunate that we have to sue our own student representatives in order to secure equal and fair treatment on campus.”

“We are not religious, nor are we political. Our activities would lead to consideration of bio-ethical issues at Kwantlen, which would surely enrich the extracurricular experience of students.

That is why we applied for club status and not for recognized group status.”

NEWS

www.runnermag.ca | The Runner

vol. 5 issue 06 | December 04 2012 | page five

TECHNOLOGY

Kwantlen updates ‘archaic’ wireless internet I

SAMANTHA LEGO CONTRIBUTOR

Kwantlen unveiled a new $450,000 upgraded wireless internet system Nov. 1, 2012.

Students have long complained that connecting to Kwantlen’s network and logging into the internet can be a hassle: failed logins and slow connections have been commonplace.

It was an outdated system according to Sukey Samra, assistant director of Kwantlen’s information and educational technology (IET) department.

“We’re replacing a very old, archaic wireless system that was put in place [seven years ago]… to something that’s more reliable,” said Samra.

The new and improved Internet system has 2.5 times more access points, jumping from 143 to 348 across campuses according to Jim Anderson, network administrator.

He says this will allow more users to connect to the system while also increasing the speed so that users can

access websites in a timely manner without the stress of maintaining a secure connection.

According to Kwantlen’s website the aim of the upgrade is to produce a stronger signal, ensuring all indoor areas of Kwantlen’s campuses have full wireless coverage. Dead zones will also be eliminated. Upgrades will also increase outdoor connectivity - although this is not an intentional aspect of the renovation.

“The plan is to have all our services that we want to have as part of this phase completed by the end of November,” said Samra.

Being introduced is a secure network that will encrypt students’ data and, more importantly, remember individual sign-ins, explained Anderson.

Just like wireless networks at home, Kwantlen’s new system will remember your device and automatically log you in.

“Once you’ve signed in the first time, every time you come on campus, it’ll automatically sign itself in, noted Anderson.”

Also, by becoming a part of eduroam, Kwantlen has joined the ranks of other institutions such as UBC, UVic, SFU, Langara, VCC and many more across Canada and internationally.

The eduroam website described itself as a secure, global roaming access service created to enhance the research and education community.

What this means for Kwantlen students is, by the end of November, Kwantlen login credentials can be used to access the eduroam network at other participating universities and colleges across the Lower Mainland without having to obtain guest passes.

FARRUKH SAEED ENGLISH JORDAN LOVEROCK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PAIGE PRICE GENERAL STUDIES

“Kwantlen’s Wi-Fi network takes too many attempts to complete the authentication process and connect properly. It’s annoying when you need it for homework.”

“It sucks and you have to log in thirty times a day. It’d be better if you didn’t have to. I put down my laptop for a couple minutes to go write something, then it’s logged out of my wireless. “

“Sometimes [I get frustrated] especially with all those log in screens that you get all the time like. If I just leave my computer out for like 10 minutes, I have to log in again. If I just shut it or close the top of my laptop I have to come and log in again.

It’s kind of crazy, I wish it would just be a strong tether that would keep it on.”

All that is needed when logging into eduroam is an authentic Kwantlen login. Attached to this is a realm name in order to identify the institution. i.e.: yourkwantlenlogin@kwantlen.ca.

Once these updates are in place, Kwantlen’s IET department will continue to revamp the university’s wireless in the coming years with a planned infrastructure upgrade, providing faster contact with the access points, and outdoor coverage of all the campuses, explained Samra.

All told, this upgrade will cost Kwantlen $450 000 to implement, but Samra believes it to be worth it.

“The proof will be in the pudding,” said Samra.

page six | December 4 2012 | vol. 5 issue 06

EDITORIAL

The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

OPINION

In defence of a woman’s right to choose: ‘Stay out of my uterus’ I

ARZO ANSARY KSA Women’s constituency rep

Having choices is an integral part of my life, because for as long as I can remember, I was not allowed to have any! I grew up in an environment where having a different thought was akin to plotting the downfall of the government…or otherwise known as treason.

In some countries, treason is still punishable by death (unfortunately in a lot of those countries a death sentence is handed out almost quicker than new restrictions are placed on choices). So maybe death wasn’t the sentence in my household, but I tell you, for some people who are robbed of basic choices, it might as well be.

Think of a world where you are robbed of basic choices. Imagine your day, the motions you go through to get ready in the morning, the clothes you choose, the food you eat, and the people you choose to spend your time with.

Now pause for a second. Take all of these choices away and start all over.

This is the unfortunate reality for many people in the world, some of whom you might know personally. Every aspect of your life being dictated to you by someone who thinks they know the exact path your life should take, could you face a reality such as that? The majority of you would shudder at the very thought.

Now go tell someone that you think you know what is best for what happens inside their bodies, and that whatever it is they think is right is actually absolutely incorrect and entirely akin to homicide.

How absurd does that sound?

Here I am telling you to imagine not being able to pick a preference you might have, and simultaneously asking you to go tell someone you know what’s best for their bodies.

Am I crazy?

No. I’m angry.

I’m furious.

I’m a woman who is sick and tired of hearing governments around the world debate about what to do with MY uterus.

I’m tired of walking down the street and

seeing a man with a pro-life sign hanging around his neck, holding up a picture of a four-week-old fetus while yelling ‘abortion equals killing precious babies!’

My instinct is to say, “no, you moron, it really isn’t, read a biology textbook” but sometimes I manage to stop myself from actually yelling it out loud. Sometimes.

Something else angers me though. Not the fact that the man with the sign thinks abortion is like killing babies, but the fact that he is standing there telling me and everyone else that he thinks he knows what is best for MY body and in essence, my life.

Unless you have had to raise children that have been your responsibility and under your care, you are probably incapable of fully appreciating just how strenuous of a task it is.

To be responsible for their well-being, physical and mental, for as long as probably 18 years (often times more), requires

you’re lucky enough to have a healthy child, you have a long way to go and many roads to travel before you’ll ever regain any semblance of sanity you might have had before.

If things do not turn out the way you anticipated them to go, well then you have a child who will require a special amount of love and care from you that you are going to have to prepare yourself for and take responsibility of, for the rest of that little ones life. Remember, I haven’t even discussed how finances play into all of this (yet).

My argument is not that it is wrong to have children. My argument is that a woman should be able to have children when she wants them, and if something prevents her from wanting a child to be born into a world where she may or may not care for it the way it should be cared for, she should be able to make the call not to have it.

sist her throughout that child’s life. At the end of the day, when all is said and done and the scales are weighed, the onus of responsibility of care is on the caretaker, not the people shoving their opinions down everyone’s throat.

I can proudly say that I am for choices, and that I defend a woman’s right to do what she wants with her body. If you are still persistent and want to tell women what to do with their uterus, well then perhaps you should look into adopting children who were reluctantly birthed and provide your service to society that way. After all, you are a part of why they need to be adopted in the first place.

“

I’m a woman who is sick and tired of hearing governments around the world debate about what to do with MY uterus.”

patience, persistence, and a whole lot of sacrifices on the part of the caretaker or caretakers. Let’s be honest here, how many of you are ready to be parents, or a parent, right now right at this moment?

Think about it.

Think some more.

Scary thought? I bet it is for some of you.

Birth is not the end of the story. The hardship does not end as soon as a baby has left the mother’s womb. The hard part hasn’t even begun at that point – if

—Arzo Ansary

Because at the end of the day, that man down the street with the sign and the picture of a four-week-old fetus telling women they are raging homicidal maniacs for thinking of abortion is NOT going to be waking up at 3 a.m. to feed a hungry baby or quit school to provide for the family, or console a woman on the nights she can’t stand to see her child because she was raped but still forced to have it, if that were the case.

No pro-life organization is going to as-

Arzo Ansary, the Kwantlen Student Association’s women’s constituency representative. JEFF GROAT/THE RUNNER

page six | December 04 2012 | vol. 5 issue 06

EDITORIAL

The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

OPINION

In defence of a woman’s right to choose: ‘Stay out of my uterus’ I

ARZO ANSARY KSA Women’s constituency rep

Having choices is an integral part of my life, because for as long as I can remember, I was not allowed to have any! I grew up in an environment where having a different thought was akin to plotting the downfall of the government…or otherwise known as treason.

In some countries, treason is still punishable by death (unfortunately in a lot of those countries a death sentence is handed out almost quicker than new restrictions are placed on choices). So maybe death wasn’t the sentence in my household, but I tell you, for some people who are robbed of basic choices, it might as well be.

Think of a world where you are robbed of basic choices. Imagine your day, the motions you go through to get ready in the morning, the clothes you choose, the food you eat, and the people you choose to spend your time with.

Now pause for a second. Take all of these choices away and start all over.

This is the unfortunate reality for many people in the world, some of whom you might know personally. Every aspect of your life being dictated to you by someone who thinks they know the exact path your life should take, could you face a reality such as that? The majority of you would shudder at the very thought.

Now go tell someone that you think you know what is best for what happens inside their bodies, and that whatever it is they think is right is actually absolutely incorrect and entirely akin to homicide.

How absurd does that sound?

Here I am telling you to imagine not being able to pick a preference you might have, and simultaneously asking you to go tell someone you know what’s best for their bodies.

Am I crazy?

No. I’m angry.

I’m furious.

I’m a woman who is sick and tired of hearing governments around the world debate about what to do with MY uterus.

I’m tired of walking down the street and

seeing a man with a pro-life sign hanging around his neck, holding up a picture of a four-week-old fetus while yelling ‘abortion equals killing precious babies!’

My instinct is to say, “no, you moron, it really isn’t, read a biology textbook” but sometimes I manage to stop myself from actually yelling it out loud. Sometimes.

Something else angers me though. Not the fact that the man with the sign thinks abortion is like killing babies, but the fact that he is standing there telling me and everyone else that he thinks he knows what is best for MY body and in essence, my life.

Unless you have had to raise children that have been your responsibility and under your care, you are probably incapable of fully appreciating just how strenuous of a task it is.

To be responsible for their well-being, physical and mental, for as long as probably 18 years (often times more), requires patience, persistence, and a whole lot

part hasn’t even begun at that point – if you’re lucky enough to have a healthy child, you have a long way to go and many roads to travel before you’ll ever regain any semblance of sanity you might have had before.

If things do not turn out the way you anticipated them to go, well then you have a child who will require a special amount of love and care from you that you are going to have to prepare yourself for and take responsibility of, for the rest of that little ones life. Remember, I haven’t even discussed how finances play into all of this (yet).

My argument is not that it is wrong to have children. My argument is that a woman should be able to have children when she wants them, and if something prevents her from wanting a child to be born into a world where she may or may not care for it the way it should be cared for, she should be able to make the call not to have it.

that were the case.

No pro-life organization is going to assist her throughout that child’s life. At the end of the day, when all is said and done and the scales are weighed, the onus of responsibility of care is on the caretaker, not the people shoving their opinions down everyone’s throat.

I can proudly say that I am for choices, and that I defend a woman’s right to do what she wants with her body. If you are still persistent and want to tell women what to do with their uterus, well then perhaps you should look into adopting children who were reluctantly birthed and provide your service to society that way. After all, you are a part of why they need to be adopted in the first place.

“

I’m a woman who is sick and tired of hearing governments around the world debate about what to do with MY uterus.”

of sacrifices on the part of the caretaker or caretakers. Let’s be honest here, how many of you are ready to be parents, or a parent, right now right at this moment?

Think about it.

Think some more.

Scary thought? I bet it is for some of you.

Birth is not the end of the story. The hardship does not end as soon as a baby has left the mother’s womb. The hard

—Arzo Ansary

Because at the end of the day, that man down the street with the sign and the picture of a four-week-old fetus telling women they are raging homicidal maniacs for thinking of abortion is NOT going to be waking up at 3 a.m. to feed a hungry baby or quit school to provide for the family, or console a woman on the nights she can’t stand to see her child because she was raped but still forced to have it, if

Arzo Ansary, the Kwantlen Student Association’s women’s constituency representative. JEFF GROAT/THE RUNNER

culture

www.runnermag.ca | The Runner KWANTLEN

vol. 5 issue 06 | December 04 2012 | page seven

opinion

Kwantlen instructor’s book becomes a film

Don’t forget about Christmas’s colourful history

KEVIN DOOLEY/FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS

I

MAx hirtz cULTURE editor

Genni Gunn, a Kwantlen creative writing instructor, recently had her novel Tracing Iris turned into a movie called The Riverbank. We had a chat with her about the adaptation process.

The Runner: Did you find it difficult letting a screenwriter adapt your work?

Genni Gunn: No, I didn’t. The reason why I didn’t is because that particular novel has a bit of history. I started that novel as a screenplay, took it through development... and at the end of it, I felt like I -- it didn’t feel complete to me. It didn’t feel like it was the full thing that I wanted to say about that particular topic.

So I thought, No, I’m just going to write a novel. So I wrote the novel, and then, interestingly enough, it got optioned almost immediately, as soon as it was published. So somehow, maybe, it just wanted to go back to being a screenplay.

The fact is that I had already spent five years with that topic and that story, so I was quite happy to let someone else interpret it.

TR: Was this your first venture into the world of film?

GG: It was certainly the first film that’s

been made of my work, yeah. I went for a couple of days to just watch the filming.

TR: What was that like?

GG: I thought that the actors were... perfectly suited. I couldn’t have picked them better for the characters in the book.

It’s a very simplified version of the book, and there are several characters who have been collapsed into one. That kind of thing. There’s lots of stuff missing from it, but that’s okay because I understand film is a different medium. But what I did like about it was that they managed to maintain the father/daughter relationship, which in the book is really important. And that came across in the movie. I thought that was really well done. It’s quite beautiful actually. It’s very moody and very evocative. I thought all of that was great.

TR: Would you recommend that young writers be open to the idea of optioning their works?

GG: I would think so. I mean, I think getting a film made out of your book -- or story, whatever -- the chances are super slim. I feel incredibly fortunate that this project went through. I think it’s a great way to get people to read your books as well, because if they like the movie, they may be curious about it.

I

TABITHA SWANSON associate cULTURE editor

Merry Christmas. Where do those words come from? The word Christmas originated in Germany, originally meaning Christ mass, as in a mass for Christ. Though Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25, Mr. Christ’s birthday was actually determined to be near the end of Summer. Dec. 25 however, was the date of many religious holidays that predated Christianity. The Winter solstice was by Pagans, and Rome celebrated the holiday Saturnalia, which honoured Saturn.

Many of Christmas’s other traits and traditions have drawn from other religions.

The twinkling lights we wrap our houses with are based off of fairy lights. In Rome, Constantine merged both Sun worship and Christianity in Roman churches as a political move to unite his empire.

Trees in many cultures represent life, and for Pagans, it was no exception. To them, evergreens in particular seemed to have mystic powers that allowed them to withstand the harsh winters.

And then there’s Santa Claus. His character has been created from a whole smorgasbord of personalities from many religions and times. Most people, of course, know St. Nick. While there is no historical evidence that he actually existed, the story goes that he lived in Turkey. He saved three girls from lives of selling their bodies by giving dowries for them to get married. In Holland, Sinterklaas would ride to houses

on a white horse every December. If you were good, a gift was given, but if you were bad, his cronies, the Black Jacks, would come and beat you with rods. In ancient Scandinavia and Germany, the high god Odin was worshipped. He looks just like the Santa we all know and love today, just without the red and white outfit. Where did the red and white come from? Well, it is popular belief that the company CocaCola created this as a marketing campaign, because it works out perfectly for them.

However, Santa’s signature suit was probably created by a cartoonist named Thomas Nast in the 1800s.

Religion used to be forced upon people much more than it is today. Though in many places in the world, what type of religion you choose could mean death, people as a whole have become a lot more open minded. At the end of the day, when you strip back religion, race, gender, and age, we’re all just people. Most of us have no idea what life means and we’re just trying to get by, day by day, using our beliefs as a way to ground us. There are enough bad things in life without having to include judgment for our personal beliefs about spirituality and such.

Christmas isn’t just for Christians; it’s become a world-wide holiday. Just look at all the elements mixed up inside that holiday stew. It’s nice to take a little taste after learning about the origins of holidays and gaining a some perspective on past and present religions. Mmmm, tastes like open mindedness, doesn’t it?

page eight | December 04 2012 | vol. 5 issue 06

culture

The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

interview

An interview with Rachael Yamagata I Cindy st-laurent

Rachael Yamagata, an American singer and songwriter, is currently touring her 2011 album Chesapeake through America and Canada.

This indie rock artist is known for finely-crafted pop songs, but she told The Runner during a phone interview that she didn’t start her music career until she was in her twenties. Over the last few years, she has produced three studio albums and four EPs. This November she released six songs on her latest EP called Heavyweight.

This is also the name of the title track, which she said is a dark ballad mixed with lush tones. It greatly contrasts the upbeat mood of Chesapeake.

Yamagata has always aspired to be part of the music world, and has been playing piano and flute since she was in grade school. She studied at Northwestern University and Vasaar College toward a career in acting, until one day she got kicked out of class for not showing up on time. She liked the program but hated the structure of school, so she would rebel. “I was always the person who handed in a paper a day late even though I had it ready a day before,” she said.

Soon after she left the acting program, she saw a Chicago band called Bumpus play live and was immediately drawn in. She started writing songs with them and soon became their vocalist. “I got hooked on writing songs the way that I think actors are when trying to develop their characters,” she said.

She toured and recorded with the band until 2001, when she began her solo career.

As a child, Yamagata was influenced musically by her parents’ favourite seventies artists. Carole King, Rod Stewart, and Stevie Wonder are among the many older singers who created her music foundation when she was a teenager.

Currently the artists that influence her musically are more diverse. She said that she admires Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, but will also listen to hiphop artists like Kanye West. There are certain production element she likes from different artists, but what she focuses on as a writer is telling a good story.

Yamagata’s song-writing process involves having her own private space, where she can channel all the emotions that she has. She will also make melodies

without lyrics and record them. She does this by going with the flow and being spontaneous. This way she gets the feeling first and the words come after. The most important thing, she said, is to “be very open and receptive, and unafraid of where something might take you.”

Some of Yamagata’s best moments occur when she is writing and has found the exact words to say what she means. “A lot of the best things happen when no one else is looking,” she said. Other amazing moments throughout her career have been playing with great musicians on stage or in the studio. In 2009 Yamagata collaborated with Jason Mraz to make the song called “Did You Get My Message?” She looks up to him, saying that he is one of the best live singers she has ever heard.

Other great moments in her career have been playing at Madison Square Garden, playing for presidents, being on television and playing herself in a movie called Renee. Yet her favourite moments are simple ones, such as “getting chills from something that inspires you,” she said.

When things aren’t going well, Yamagata zones out and gives herself mental breaks. She also makes sure to stay away from reviews and “stay away from things that might remind me too much of how crazy it is to do this in the first place.” Although, she admits that facing your fears is important at times, in order to motivate yourself to try harder.

Yamagata has always been driven since she started her solo career and recently opened her own label, Frankenfish Records. After working in major labels for ten years she found that the industry was too volatile. She wanted something more stable that allowed her more control and freedom over her music. When working in major labels she could go four years in between releasing records. She believes that producing her own music is better for her psychologically and creatively.

Now that her most recent EP has been released, Yamagata said that she is excited for people to hear her new song “Keep Losing”. It is a more universally optimistic song than she is used to writing. She

admits to usually avoiding this style of song because it is hard to write without coming off as “cheesy”.

Yamagata’s career shows that hard work and dedication pays off. Her advice to other people trying to make in into the music industry is to play live. This creates constructive pressure, allows a good connection with the audience and broadens the fan base, she said. She also stresses how important it is to use what people have at their fingertips. She believes that the internet and social media are great tools that provide an excellent way to get more public relations. She mentions that in the end, “if you’re up for the leg work of it, protect yourself and your music and go for it.”

The most important thing that Yamagata did in order to reach success was to stay true to herself and the stories she wanted the world to know, she said.

www.runnermag.ca | The Runner

culture

vol. 5 issue 06 | December 04 2012 | page nine

film

Five twisted Christmas movies for your twisted mind I

Scrooged

chris harcus associate culture editor

Set in modern times, Scrooged re-imagines Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in an enjoyable and entertaining interpretation of the classic Christmas story. Bill Murray plays an Ebenezer Scrooge-esque role as a cold-hearted, highly cynical television programming executive as he is visited by three ghosts that attempt to break Murray’s cynical and uncaring attitude towards others. If you are interested in a feel-good Christmas film with a sarcastic twist and want to see Bill Murray in his prime, Scrooged is definitely worth a look.

Just in time for the holidays, we here at The Runner have assembled a list of five of the most quirky, weird, or twisted holiday movies that you truly have to see to believe. Merry Christmas everyone!

Rare Exports This Finnish film takes everything you know about good-old Saint Nick and twists the mythos of Santa Claus until the jolly man beloved by all becomes an unrecognizable monster. Billed as a horror/comedy movie, Rare Exports tells the story of a group of scientists who accidently find the real Santa Claus encased in ice, inside of a mountain.

However, this Santa Claus has a lot more than a lump of coal in store for all those who have been naughty. If you’re in the mood for a bizarre and twisted Christmas movie, Rare Exports is exactly what you are looking for.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion fantasy film managed to put a Halloween twist on Christmas while keeping in tune with traditional Christmas themes. Striking the perfect balance between the two holidays mixed in with the beautiful stop-motion visuals and lovable characters, if you haven’t done so yet, make sure to pay a visit to Jack Skellington a visit this Christmas.

Gremlins The Christmas-themed black comedy Gremlins follows a young boy who is given a strange, cute Furby-like creature as a pet for Christmas. However, when the boy feeds the creature past midnight, all hell breaks loose as the creature begins to multiply and mutate into mischievous and violent gremlins. The movie’s mix of surprisingly violent scenes and a dark sense of humour helped instill the movie as a classic that is definitely worth watching this holiday season. Fun fact: it was produced by Steven Spielberg.

Bad Santa Bad Santa tells the story of a manipulative con man who hatches the ingenious plan to dress up and get hired as a mall Santa Claus in an attempt to rob department stores. The catch? The conman is an alcoholic that absolutely loathes kids.

If you consider yourself a fan of dark comedies, be sure to check this one out.

Studies have shown that the version of Santa Claus in Rare Exports is 600 per cent more likely to kill you.

page ten | December 04 2012 | vol. 5 issue 06

culture

The Runner | www.runnermag.ca

pop culture

Culture Roundup Your monthly review of pop culture – from the amusing to the irreverent.

The half stays

Dead animals on Hobbit set

Animal activists are concerned about the living conditions being afforded to animals on The Hobbit’s set following the announcement that 27 animals have died so far. The horse trainer for the upcoming film voiced his concerns about the about the poor conditions of the farm where

the animals were being kept, describing the farm as a death trap. One of the animals was a miniature pony called Rainbow. Rainbow fell down, broke his back and wasn’t found until the next morning. The animals have since been removed from the death-trap farm.

Beyoncé on Beyoncé

Following Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones’ religious rant in which he referred to the show as “filth”, Jones has stated he plans on honouring his contract to the show and finishing the season. The

19-year-old actor has not yet commented on whether or not this will be his final season with the show. Jones was the highest-paid child actor in 2010, and has been on the show since it started in 2003.

Beyoncé has recently announced that she will be directing and starring in an upcoming documentary about herself.

The documentary is currently planned to be released in February on HBO, a week

after her Super Bowl halftime show. The film will include concert footage as well as home footage of Beyoncé with her hubby Jay Z and their new daughter, Blue Ivy.

procrastination

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stars

COMICS

gemini May 21 - June 20

sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21 Your dishwasher resents you. You probably don’t know this. When was the last time you two sat down and had a real conversation?

Seeing how the world is going to end in a few weeks, there’s not really much point in offering adice, is there?

capricorn Dec. 22 - Jan. 20 The Strokes are going to make a huge comeback this month, and the price of aluminum foil is going to skyrocket.

aquarius Jan. 21 - Feb. 19

cancer June 21 - July 23 Yellow is your spirit colour this month. Remember this, and you’ll be greatly rewarded with treasure and whatnot.

leo July 24 - Aug. 23

Santa quietly passed away in his North Pole home in September. His bastard child Thor will be taking over this year for the first time. Go easy on him.

Don’t forget to get your appendix removed this month. Vancouver General Hospital is currently offering a 25% discount.

pisces Feb. 20 - March 20 Look at your feet. Now look at your eyeballs.

Notice how you have two of each. Now think of what would happen if you had no eyeballs or feet.

aries March 21 - April 19

virgo Aug. 24 - Sept. 23 Have a warm cup of tea and reevaluate your entire life. Here’s the tough part: You gotta do it in five seconds or a python will bite your whole face off.

libra Sept. 24 - Oct. 23

Quick. I’m not supposed to be telling you this, but you’re in a dream right now. The Runner isn’t real.

Kwantlen isn’t real. You went into a coma years ago.

taurus April 20 - May 20 Your sonofabitch husband remarried in 2002. The only visitors you get now are doctors. One of them secretely wishes you’d just die already.

Your real name is Jennifer. You fell off a balcony in 2001 at your husband’s office party and hit your head. It hurt like a bitch, but only for a second.

scorpio Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 But that’s not going to happen, no matter how hard you try. You’re stuck here, reading shitty horoscopes and studying for some shitty exam.

SUDOKU

vol. 5 issue 06 | December 04 2012 | page eleven

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