NOVEMBER 20 TO NOVEMBER 26, 2019
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 27
Relaying on spellcheque since 1993
Power bottoming since 1993
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SUS TUTORING APP
WEXIT STAGE RIGH T DOJA CAT: SE X AND SASS IN hot pink WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
Production Assistant Renée Campbell renee@ufvcascade.ca
Opinion Editor Carissa Wiens carissa@ufvcascade.ca
News Editor Jessica Barclay jessica@ufvcascade.ca
Arts in Review Editor Chandy Dancey chandy@ufvcascade.ca
Culture & Events Editor Andrea Sadowski andrea@ufvcascade.ca Feature Editor Darien Johnsen darien@ufvcascade.ca Illustrator Kayt Hine
Sports Editor Alex Jesus alex@ufvcascade.ca Digital Media Manager Anoop Dhaliwal anoop@ufvcascade.ca Illustrator Kelly Ning
Social Media Writer Katee Clements
Sports Writer Nic Jackson
Social Media Writer Krizzia Arcigal
Staff Writer Karen White
Photographer David Myles
Staff Writer Krystina Spracklin
The Shuffler Aaron Levy
CONTRIBUTORS Aleister Gwynne Danaye Reinhardt
Cover Design: Mikaela Collins Back Cover: Renée Campbell
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OPINION
Copy Editor Kat Marusiak kat@ufvcascade.ca
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Snapshots.......9 @UFVCASCADE FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE INSTAGRAM.COM/UFVCASCADE Volume 27 · Issue 27 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529
The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by the Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a print circulation of 1,000 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities. The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Pitch meetings are held every Monday in The Cascade’s office on the Abbotsford campus at 2:00pm. In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members. The Cascade is published on the traditional, unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples. We are grateful to be able to work and learn on this beautiful land.
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ARTS
Production Manager Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca
NEWS
Creative Director Mikaela Collins mikaela@ufvcascade.ca
CONTENTS
FEATURE
Business Manager Aneesha Narang aneesha@ufvcascade.ca
Managing Editor Nadia Tudhope nadia@ufvcascade.ca
CULTURE
Executive Editor Jessica Barclay jessica@ufvcascade.ca
18.......CIVL Shuffle
Study Break.......16
NEWS Ken Steele presentation.......3
4......SUS peer tutoring app
OPINION Editorial.......6 Wexit stage right.......7
6.......Dear Robin 7.......Christmas in October
CULTURE Interview with Anatole Smith......12 ART......13
12.......Scholarly Sharing Initiative 13........Wrinkle in Time
SPORTS Changes to athletics programs.......14
15......Men's and women's basketball
ARTS East of the Rockies.......17 Queer Eye Japan.......19
18......Hot Pink 19......Being John Malkovich
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
news@ufvcascade.ca Jessica Barclay — News Editor
NEWS
UFV //
NEWS BRIEFS
The future of education Ken Steele presents on trends in university education
Town and Gown raises $245,000 for UFV students UFV’s annual fundraising dinner raised over $145,000 for student bursaries, scholarships, and enhanced learning opportunities and $100,000 for the the new Peace and Reconciliation Centre from the Oikodome Foundation. A total of 190 new $750 scholarships were pledged at the Town and Gown, including 20 from Auguston Development and a $18,750 donation from UFV president Joanne MacLean and her partner Maureen Murphy. “We’re very proud of our students and our alumni, and of the impact they’re having, and will continue to have, in our community and beyond. And this would not happen without your help,” MacLean said at the event.
Ken Steele. Nov. 19, 2019. (UFV flickr)
- UFV Info
ALEISTER GWYNNE
Young Distinguished Alumni Award goes to advocate for the homeless Jesse Wegenast, a pastor and a resource person for Archway Community Services, has been awarded UFV’s 2019 Young Distinguished Alumni Award. Wegenast received the award for his extensive community work, having spent the past 10 years as a leading advocate in Abbotsford for the rights of the homeless and people dealing with addiction. He serves as the director of Abbotsford’s shelter for adults 50 years and older — B.C.’s first age-specific shelter not oriented toward youth, which Wegenast created in 2017. Wegenast has served on several committees, and worked to establish harm reduction services in Abbotsford as part of the Supporting Wellness and Reducing Harm (SWaRH) multi-agency group.
- Abby News
UFV faculty, staff, and students packed into the Building B auditorium on Friday, Nov. 15 to hear a lecture by Ken Steele on the future of higher education. Steele is the founder of Eduvation, a market research think-tank that specializes in helping post-secondary schools adapt to changing conditions within higher education in the present and near future. He hosts a weekly webcast called “Ten with Ken,” which covers various aspects of the future of education. Steele was introduced by James Mandigo, vice president academic. The lecture is part of Mandigo’s short-term projects for UFV administration, which were laid out at October’s UFV town hall meeting. Present and future trends in education will affect UFV’s longer-term planning. Steele identified nine core areas where post-secondary education is experiencing or will soon experience major disruptions. The lecture was jam-packed with facts and information, and it would be difficult to do justice to each aspect, but a few core themes emerged over the course of the presentation. Advances in industry, science, and digital technology are changing the world of universities as much as anywhere else. Technology can be both a boon and a threat. Increases in automation puts the future careers of students in doubt
as artificial intelligence (A.I.) improves. Yet this same A.I. can also help students learn. For example, an A.I. program disguised as a fellow student named Jill Watson helped answer students’ questions in an online course forum in the U.S., and was convincing enough that Watson was able to pass as a human to most of the students. One of the biggest changes facing universities is the increasing diversity of the student body. Immigration is making up an increasing proportion of population growth within Canada, not so much due to increasing immigration, but because of a falling birthrate at home. Services for new Canadians and international students are becoming more important. A poll of the audience, answered using their phones, revealed that most consider providing services for international students and new Canadians to be a high priority. Another area in which diversity plays a role is indigenization. Postsecondary schools seek to reduce the barriers to education for many First Nations people by appointing Indigenous recruiters and counsellors, and providing separate queues to fast track enrollment for Indigenous students. In addition, many universities are finding ways to incorporate Indigenous learning into their standard courses. Colleges and universities are also becoming more diverse in age, physical and mental ability, and the preferred learning style of students.
An increasing number of students also identify as disabled, with a growing proportion of these having mental rather than physical disabilities, which increases the demand for mental health services and disability accommodations on campus. In addition to physical and mental challenges, students often have to juggle the responsibilities of a job or family. To cater to these varied needs, universities have been moving away from the traditional single lecturer model of instruction that does not work well for some students, and incorporating more technology and experiential learning opportunities into the classroom. To accommodate students with scheduling restrictions and different learning styles, many universities are experimenting with alternatives to the traditional semester/ trimester nine-to-five type of schedule. For example, the Hyflex system allows students the option of inperson classes, online learning, or a hybrid of the two, and students can switch between models on a weekly basis. Steele believes employers and educators ought to, and will, focus more on specific competencies achieved within classes as opposed to fulfilling broad program requirements. This would allow more flexibility for students and allow them to focus on their areas of interest and strength. “It’s all about fluidity going forward,” Steele said.
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NEWS
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
SUS //
Peer tutoring app anticipated for Winter 2020
SUS is working on implementing a technology-based paid peer tutoring service NADIA TUDHOPE
The Student Union Society (SUS) is implementing a new technology-driven peer tutoring service that will be soft-launched in the Winter 2020 semester. The service is being created to give students UFV-specific tutoring services that are available off-campus and outside the hours of UFV’s existing tutoring services. Tutors will be UFV students hired through SUS. The implementation of the service was in part due to student interest. In August, SUS sent out a poll to determine if there was student interest in a technologydriven peer tutoring service. Of the approximately 200 students who responded to the poll, 83 per cent were in favour of the program. SUS’s peer tutoring will be run through Nimbus Tutoring, a free-to-download phone app. The cost of the service for students is dependent on the length of the tutoring session and the tutor’s individual rate. Students and tutors will choose the time and location for tutoring, making the program flexible and able to accommodate busy schedules, and ensuring commuters can access tutoring services without having to travel to campus. “The app is similar to an Uber service, where after you’re done your service, or however you’ve arranged with your tutor, you’ll be able to pay through your phone, and you’ll also be able to rate the tutor based on your experience,” Kimberly Hunter, vice president students, said. Once students have selected their university on the app, they are able to search by course to find a tutor to teach them in a given subject. A tutor’s profile will show all the courses they are tutoring in, the rate they charge, the languages they teach in, and can also list specific times they are available. Tutors are rated using a five-star system. Those with a lower-than-average score, or one that is two stars or less, will be contacted by SUS for a review to see if there are any issues and to determine if they need to be let go. A tutor’s average rating is displayed on their profile. Students can also report issues through the app if there are problems with the tutor. The app comes with the Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission campuses as built-in locations, but there is also a “determine location” option, so students can put in the address of a location they would like to meet at. “If they’re more comfortable at home,
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they can actually contact the tutor and be like ‘Hey, I feel more comfortable studying at home. I can’t focus in a public setting just because there’s too much distraction if not noise; is it okay if you come by my home?’... It’s more or less between the student and the tutor to decide on that,” Hunter said. The tutors will be students who have a minimum grade of A- in courses they would like to teach. Applicants who can speak and/or read multiple languages are able to indicate their level of proficiency in these languages at the interview. There is no minimum CGPA required for prospective peer tutors.
“The app is similar to an Uber service, where after you’re done your service, or however you’ve arranged with your tutor, you’ll be able to pay through your phone, and you’ll also be able to rate the tutor based on your experience.” “We’re not counting the CGPA because that can be super misleading,” Tripat Sandhu, SUS president, said. “Especially, like, for example, a business student may be really good at accounting, has a high GPA in accounting courses, but in finance or marketing, it’s Bs. So they wouldn’t be teaching in those courses, so it’s coursespecific grades we’re looking at.” Currently, SUS is in the process of marketing and setting up the interview process for prospective tutors. The starting wage for tutors is $15 an hour, but tutors are able to raise their wage. “They’ll start at the average rate, and then they can change their wage from there, after a certain amount of time and after a certain amount of ratings as well,” Hunter said. If a tutor, for example, had a five-star rating from 10 students, SUS could approach them to consider raising their charge.
Senate Overview //
Senate approves permanent orientation day JESSICA BARCLAY Senate is the academic governing body of UFV, with the university president and vice chancellor Joanne MacLean as the chair. They are responsible for making decisions on everything academic: approving new courses and programs, approving changes to programs, setting entrance requirements, and setting the academic calendar. The Board of Governors, which looks at the business side of the university, is advised by Senate on matters of mutual interest. All at the university are welcome to attend Senate’s public meetings, held once a month at either the Abbotsford or the CEP campus, but most do not. Regardless, Senate makes decisions that impact the daily lives of both students and faculty. Full approval for permanent orientation day After a two year trial period, Senate unanimously approved a permanent dedicated orientation day for the university. The day extends the academic calendar by one day, allowing UFV to run orientation programming during the first day of the academic semester. Student Life presented on the Fall 2019 New Student Orientation (NSO) programming. Although the trial day was originally granted to the Student Union Society (SUS), Student Life was granted leadership over the NSO this fall. There was a 225 per cent increase in attendance in Fall 2019 compared to the NSO SUS ran in 2018, with 1,300 students attending compared to the previous 400. Of students registered for the Fall 2019 semester, 64 per cent of them attended this semester's NSO, according to Student Life. The day was a collaborative effort between many areas of the university. Student Life introduced the first-ever Invocation Ceremony, which they plan to continue on all future NSO days. Students were welcomed to the
university with speeches from faculty, administrators, and students, including UFV president Joanne MacLean and SUS president Tripat Sandhu. During the day there were a number of activities, including a personalized faculty welcome sesion where students could meet their program deans and a midway fair where students learned about resources available to them through games and activities. Student Life said that in the future they plan to expand orientation programming to the Chilliwack campus and Trades and Technology campus. Themes and concentrations on transcripts Themes and concentrations will now be displayed on the official transcript for the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS), previously the Bachelor of General Studies. Themes are student-constructed learning programs, while concentrations are university-approved programs within the BIS. Previously there had been no official recognition of the student-chosen themes, but according to a memo to Senate, the College of Arts indicated it was a significant component of the program. Discussion on the Health and Social Innovation Hub Research Centre The Health and Social Innovation Hub Research Centre, which was approved at the last meeting, returned to Senate for a discussion. The hub was approved without full documentation in order to be eligible for a $300,000 grant, which it received. There are plans to turn the centre into a full institute once it has permanent funding. For now, the positions within the institute are unpaid. There was some discussion in Senate concerning the use of “innovation” in the title, which one senator argued should be used strictly regarding the development of technology.
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OPINION
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
opinion@ufvcascade.ca Carissa Wiens — Opinion Editor
Advice //
Editorial //
UFV’s reaction to on-campus violence is insufficient
Dear Robin
JESSICA BARCLAY
ROBIN HALPER Life is tough and confusing and weird. We all need help sometimes, and when you need an expert opinion, you turn to an expert opinion-giver like Robin Halper. Whatever problem you’re facing in life, Robin will have a solution. The Cascade cannot guarantee the effectiveness of Robin’s unique approach to life, but if you’re in a jam, get some advice by writing to halp@ufvcascade. ca Tree talk Dear Robin, My roommate asked me if I want to buy a Christmas tree with him for the holidays — like a pre-lit, plastic one. We’ve only been living together for a few months, but this question makes it seem that he wants to live together for a long time. He’s fine, I guess, but I’m hoping to move out sometime next year, and Christmas trees are pricey, so I’m not sure how to tell him no. How should I handle this? Sincerely, Tree Trapped Hey, I know it may seem like fake Christmas trees are insanely expensive because of shops like Michael’s and Canadian Tire selling them for well over $500, but the truth is, you can pop into a second-hand shop for one of these for a fraction of a price. Worst comes to worst, buy a little real tree from a farm nearby. It’s super cheap and it’ll die in a month
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or two, so you don’t have to worry about who’s going to get the tree when you move out. Robin Family feuds Dear Robin, I’m absolutely dreading hanging out with my family for Christmas this year. Usually it isn’t too bad, but when I visited during Thanksgiving weekend, things were all tense and everyone was salty with each other. I don’t even know why. I feel like they’re all keeping something from me, or everyone has just reached a point in their lives where they stop caring about each other. I have no idea what to do. Sincerely, Homebody Here Hello, Families are complex, but only when you let them be. This year, I suggest getting drunk before you join your family so when they start being jerks to each other, you can easily join in, without second guessing yourself. Someone in your apartment building will have a flask you can borrow that will be helpful for loading up in the taxi on the way to see your family. Just knock on some doors, people will be sympathetic. I find a cheap tequila is the most effective for times like these. Hopefully you don’t remember any of it the next day so you can go home guilt-free. Robin
On Nov. 5, a group of 30 individuals gathered in the Student Union Building (SUB) parking lot and loudly threatened one another with golf clubs and baseball bats. It was not clear if they were UFV students, but they were a part of a student-organized event. The altercation came after the fire alarm was pulled, resulting in the evacuation of the building. In a statement to The Cascade, UFV said they are “very concerned” about the incident and will be investigating in addition to working with the police. Besides a statement to the on-campus newspaper, which, let's be honest, only a small portion of the student population reads, UFV appears to have not found it necessary to inform the student population of the incident or the actions being taken. There has been no official statement released to students and no information posted online informing students of the altercation. This is not the first incident in the Fall 2019 semester. On Sept. 24, a group of people were chased on the Abbotsford campus with blunt weapons. One was sent to the hospital with minor injuries. In a released statement, UFV said the attack was targeted and there was no further danger to UFV students, faculty, or staff. It was unclear if any of those involved were UFV students. While there has been no direct connection made between the two incidents, the parallels are concerning: both involved groups of people racing around in sports cars, waving around blunt weapons, and yelling aggressively at one another. This is not said to invoke fear in students,
or to escalate relatively isolated incidences. No one has been seriously injured, and the Abbotsford Police Department and university are investigating the situation. But the university's lack of response is in itself concerning. These incidences are of general public interest, if only so students and staff are aware of potential problems. A statement was released regarding the first incident, but not for the second incident, nor the broken car windows that occurred the day after the second incident in a parking lot on the Abbotsford campus. UFV said in a statement to The Cascade that the issue of the broken car windows was being looked into. Safety is a general expectation for students studying at a university. Altercations on campus and the actions being taken by the university regarding those incidents are something students should be informed about. While crime in Abbotsford has generally been decreasing, along with crime rates in the rest of Canada, we are still in an area of concern. In 2018, Abbotsford and Mission had the fourth-highest homicide rate per capita, with six homicides in total. There was also an increase in incidents in breaking and entering, theft of under $5,000, and sexual assault. UFV has a functioning emergency alert app, numerous social media accounts, and the ability to send out emails to everyone at the university. There is no excuse for failing to inform the student body of on-campus incidents. Not talking about something does not make it go away, and an informed student is a safer student.
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Canada //
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threat. Canada came close to breaking up in the Quebec independence referendums of 1980 and 1995, the latter of which failed by only half a percentage point. Yet, if you believe the polls, only one in three Albertans believe that their province would be better off outside of Canada. With such limited support, I suspect Ottawa is likely to call Wexit’s bluff if push comes to shove. However, let us suppose for a moment that Alberta and/or Saskatchewan did leave Canada. This would actually put the West in a worse position, since these provinces would still be landlocked, and it would no longer be the responsibility of, nor be politically prudent, for the Canadian government to help Albertans build a pipeline to the sea. With regard to that issue at least, separation would only make
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In the wake of last month’s federal election, a new political movement called “Wexit” has emerged in Alberta and Saskatchewan which seeks to separate from Canada. On Nov. 4, Wexit Alberta applied to become a registered political party after gaining the necessary 250 signatures required for approval. Peter Downing, the movement’s founder, claimed on CTV to have gotten over double that number. A poll by Ipsos found that 33 per cent of Albertans and 27 per cent of people in Saskatchewan felt their province would be better off if it left Canada. This is more than Quebecers, only 26 per cent of whom had the same opinion. While Wexit will not be winning any referendums with these numbers, the level of support may come as a surprise to many. On one level I sympathize with the sentiment, if not the actual goals of Wexit. For a long time, the western provinces have felt that the federal government, dominated by Ontario and Quebec, has ignored the needs and wants of the rest of the country. However, I find myself put off by the goals, strategy, and rhetoric of the Wexit movement. Wexit’s supporters hope their movement will grow to embrace all the western provinces. The reality of the situation is that Wexit is mostly an Albertan (and to a lesser
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BE RT SA A SK AT CH EW AN M AN W IT O ES BA (B TE .C R ., N AB C , S AN K, AD M A B) O N TA RI O
ALEISTER GWYNNE
extent, Saskatchewan) phenomenon. In fact, I find the whole concept of “Western Canada” in political discourse to be insultingly skewed. The narrative of Western Canada paints a picture of a solidly Conservative region with heavy support for, and reliance on, the fossil fuel industry. While that may accurately describe Alberta, it most certainly is not true of British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, and yet we are not included in this political concept of “the West.” In many ways, B.C.’s interests and values are in opposition to Alberta’s, especially where oil pipelines are concerned. B.C. and Alberta do not see eye-to-eye on many issues, and the West is a lot more complex than some people would have you believe. So, why Wexit? I think Alberta has looked at Quebec’s history of separatist politics, seen that Quebec enjoys special treatment by the federal government, and thinks that if they do the same thing, Alberta will get special privileges as well. For instance, Alberta Premier, Jason Kenney, has floated the idea of leaving the federal Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and creating their own provincial pension system like Quebec has. “We are going to do for Western Canada, and Alberta in particular, what the Bloc Quebecois does for Quebec,” said Downing, who was quoted in a recent article in Macleans. Here’s the thing though: this tactic requires political separation to be a credible
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Wexit stage right
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things worse for them. I do not think Wexit’s founders and supporters seriously want or expect to gain independence. This is all just political grandstanding to spook the federal government into giving their provinces preferential treatment. In my opinion, Canada is not in any immediate danger of losing provinces. However, the existence and popularity of Wexit illustrates a concerning trend in Canadian society. Frustration, partisanship, and disillusionment are setting in, and as a result, there is an increasing sense that we are not all on the same team, and that Canada is merely the state within which we live rather than the nation we are part of. If nothing else, that is something our leaders should be paying attention to.
Lifestyle //
Christmas in October Putting up decorations early may benefit you KAREN WHITE
Illustration by Kayt Hine
Near the beginning of October, I had a customer come up to me to settle her bill at the restaurant I work at. She asked me when I think the appropriate time to set up a Christmas tree is. Not thinking much about it, I said probably no earlier than Dec.1. She immediately agreed with me and complained that a coworker of hers has already set up a Christmas tree at their work. She said it was ridiculously early, and I nodded along with her. That got me thinking though: when is the appropriate time to start setting up Christmas decorations? I think most people would agree that the beginning of October is too early. But the more I see what others think, the more I disagree with myself. There are benefits to putting up Christmas decora-
tions early. According to Amy Morin, an American psychotherapist, many people look forward to decorating because of nostalgia. Christmas recalls those strong feelings from childhood. This is a season for families traditionally to get together and spend quality time with each other as well as a time for gift-giving and sharing. It is a time to connect with loved ones and even strangers. Reliving these memories from past Christmases can bring warmth and comfort to oneself during a hectic time. We all know the stress and the amount of spending that Christmas also brings. Spending time at home, taking out the Christmas decorations from storage and sorting them, is also taking time for yourself to rejuvenate. There has also been research on how people use holiday decorations on the outside of their homes to communicate
their friendliness to the world. The research examined what strangers thought of houses with or without decorations. When the homes had the decorations on, strangers thought that the owners of the homes must be more friendly and sociable people. That is because the homes looked more livedin and open. The results of the research indicated that people can use their homes to communicate friendliness and help them become more involved with their neighbourhood. I think that we are quick to judge those who put up their Christmas decorations early, which I am guilty of. If it makes you happier, then do it. It’s not like we are forcing people to put up their own decorations early or putting them up in public. Putting up Christmas decorations early in your home should be completely fine if it brings you and your loved ones happiness.
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BRIEF BITS OF BITE-SIZED BREVITY
SN S AP HO TS
CURTAILED COMMENTARY ON CURRENT CONDITIONS
Illustrations by Kelly Ning
I can’t stop buying turtlenecks
One life is all we have
People always wonder and worry about the future. Why? Just stay calm and go with the flow of life. People can have a particular way of living; for example, some may have a systematic one. However, when life brings you a bundle of surprises, it isn’t easy. Sometimes we just have to jump for the stars and hope we make it to the other side. Hope, willpower, and strength determines your fate. Enjoy the time you have in life and do what you want because we only have one life and should live it to the fullest. What is stopping you? Kids, marriage, age, money? If
You look tired
It’s that time of year where students are dragging their feet from Building A to the SUB like zombies and clutching massive cups of coffee like a lifeline, just waiting for that sweet black liquid to enter their bloodstreams. It’s the time of the semester for pulling all-nighters because you should have started that research paper a week ago, but you somehow managed to leave it until the last minute. Look around your classroom and you’ll see a gaggle of messy buns, piled atop of heads that have long abandoned arduous beauty routines in favour of some-
there is a will, there is a way. At times in our lives we have so much going on to the point where we don't even know how to function, but it is important, at the end of the day or month, to reflect on what you were able to accomplish because if you don’t, you may not realize your capabilities and achievements along the way. Take time, and accomplish whatever your heart desires, and never take life for granted as we never know when it may disappear.
I used to hate turtlenecks. Even a mock-neck made me feel like I was being choked. This time last year, I had a grand total of one mock-neck shirt, but increasingly, I’m drowning in a pile of turtlenecks and my own inability to keep from buying more. I’m not sure when this happened. Every time I go shopping now, I seem to come back with two new turtlenecks. Admittedly, they do also appeal to some of my other tastes — most pleasingly, big funky sleeves — but I feel like I’m losing the ability to buy an item of clothing that is not
turtle-necked. When was the last time I got a shirt whose neckline didn’t creep up my throat? What happened to the regular necklines, the low-cut tops? At what point did I completely lose the sense that any shirt with a neckline this high was trying to asphyxiate me? When the turtleneck trend ends, will I be free? Or will I be reduced to desperate roaming, like a hungry wolf on the tundra, starving for more turtlenecks?
Nadia Tudhope
Aneesha Narang
Peckish for YouTube passerines thing that takes two seconds to do, because they probably all slept through their alarms. It’s the season when someone will stare into your lifeless eyes, framed with bags so big they could be suitcases and circles so dark you look like a 13-year-old girl who tried to do a “smokey eye look,” and say “You look tired.” What they really mean to say is “You look like crap; go have a snack and take a nap.”
Andrea Sadowski
I have started to put on YouTube videos for my cat when I'm studying or playing games. She sits on my lap or on the back of my chair and purrs gleefully at the birds on the screen, following their flight and jumping slightly when one moves too quickly. During the winter, my cat doesn’t spend much time outside watching the real birds, and I get worried that she isn’t getting sufficient intellectual stimulation, but YouTube is there to save the day. There's a whole range of YouTube videos specifically for cats. Whether it’s squirrels running
in trees, birds eating at feeders, or big fat pigeons waddling on rooftops, there’s something for every indoor or semi-indoor cat’s needs! She’s still learning that the birds aren't actually on the screen, and licks the screen and any place around the screen the bird might be. I have to wipe drool off my screen, keyboard, chair, and desk daily, but the joy on Sergeant Pepper’s face as she watches the videos makes it feel worth it.
Jessica Barclay
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VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
Can you grammar?
BY: T he Cascade Editorial Board
It’s that time of the semester again. Your brain is leaking out of your ears, your bloodstream is 30 per cent coffee, and the due dates just keep coming. Your life belongs not to you, but to your final papers; however, all of your hard work will be undone if you fall prey to these common grammatical errors. Can you spot the mistakes in the following questions?
1. The Thursday specials at Aneesha’s restaurant were chilli, tuna melts and macaroni and cheese.
7. Andrea saw the man with the telescope walking.
a. Correct b. “Chilli” should be “chile” c. There should be a comma after “tuna melts”
a. Correct b. Through the telescope, Andrea saw the man walking. c. Through the telescope, Andrea saw the man as he walked.
2. Alex should of been wearing reflective gear since it was dark outside.
a. Correct b. “Should of” should be “should have” c. “Since” should be “sense” 3. The rattlesnake returned to its resting place beneath the rock.
a. Correct b. “Its” should be “it’s” c. “Beneath” should be “under” 4. Anoop tried to find out who’s cat it was that came to her back porch every nig ht, but the little calico didn’t wear a collar.
a. Correct b. “Who’s” should be “whose” c. “Calico” should be capitalized
5. I was negatively effected by my new medication, so I asked my doctor to prescribe me a smaller dose.
a. Correct b. “Smaller” should be “lower” c. “Effected” should be “affected” 6. Carissa told David that she was defiantly going to come to Taco Tuesday, then cancelled suddenly.
a. Correct b. The “taco” in “Taco Tuesday” shouldn’t be capitalized c. “Defiantly” should be “definitely”
8. Kat’s apartment building is seven story’s tall with a rooftop garden.
a. Correct b. “Story’s” should be “stories” c. “Rooftop” should be “roof-top”
9. Darien went to visit her brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws in Nanaimo.
a. Correct b. “Brothers-and-sisters-in-law” c. “Brothers- and sisters-in-law” 10. Chandy went to the aquarium with Kayt, the octopus was her favourite.
a. Correct b. The comma should be a period c. The comma should be a colon 11. Nadia was killed when apart of the space station’s toilet struck her as it fell to Earth.
a. Correct b. “Earth” should not be capitalized c. “Apart” should be “a part” 12. The students knew what they had to do. Study until their eyes fell out.
a. Correct b. The period should be a semicolon c. The period should be a colon
Fold this page in half while you take the quiz! 1. Answer: C
7. Answer: C
Not everyone agrees on putting a comma before the final item in a list, but we at ***The Cascade strongly recommend it. Sometimes called the Oxford comma, this piece of punctuation is your best friend when it comes to avoiding ambiguity, especially if any of your list items contain a conjunction like “and,” as in “macaroni and cheese.”
“Andrea saw the man with the telescope walking” is ambiguous. Did she see “the man with the telescope” or, using the telescope, did she see the man? And did she see him while she was walking, or while he was? Option B removes some ambiguity, but option C clarifies each question.
2. Answer: B
8. Answer: B
“Story’s” is the singular possessive form, whereas “stories” is Many people shorten “should have” to “should’ve” when speak- the correct plural form. “Rooftop” can be hyphenated, but it ing, so if you’ve never seen the phrase written down, it’s fair doesn’t need to be and it isn’t the issue here. that you might think it’s actually “should of.” However, when 9. Answer: C referring to something that regrettably was not done, “should have” is the correct thing to say. To list hyphenated items with common second objects, just use the different first part and its hyphen for all but the last item. 3. Answer: A This is more concise than saying “brothers-in-law and sistersThis sentence is correct. “It’s” with an apostrophe is only used in-law,” for example. But be sure to include all necessary hyas a contraction for “it is.” Though it is (it’s) counterintuitive, phens to avoid ambiguity. In this example, saying “brothers “its” is the correct possessive form. and sisters-in-law” implies that the brothers are just brothers, not brothers-in-law. 4. Answer: B 10. Answer: B “Who’s” is only used as a contraction of “who is.” “Whose” is the possessive form. Calico does not need to be capitalized be- “Chandy went to the aquarium with Kayt” and “The octopus cause it refers to the colour of the cat’s fur, not a breed or any- was her favourite” are both complete sentences with a subject thing else that might be considered a proper name. (Chandy, the octopus), an object (the aquarium, her favourite), and a verb (went to, was). Complete sentences can’t be joined 5. Answer: C with a comma. This is referred to as a “comma splice,” and it is Ah, effect and affect. Like your friend with an identical twin a crime. A period (or a semicolon) is appropriate. who is considering getting a face tattoo so that they won’t be 11. Answer: C confused for their sibling anymore, these two constantly get mixed up, and it’s time for it to stop. “Affect” is (usually) a verb. Because “Earth” is being discussed as a specific planet in this Someone can affect something, or be affected by it. “Effect” context, it qualifies as a proper noun, and is capitalized. “A is usually a noun. You can have an effect on something by af- part” is for when you’re talking about a piece or a component of fecting it. When “effect” is a verb, it means “to cause,” hence a whole, and “apart” is used when two or more things are septhe phrase “effect change.” Though this is not always the case, arated. When the piece of the space station’s toilet broke away “smaller” and “lower” are interchangeable here because dosage and struck Nadia, killing her instantly, it was both a part of can be quantified in terms of either physical size or numerical the toilet, and apart from it, but the sentence in question was value (i.e. micrograms). talking about its part-ness, not its apart-ness. Got it? 6. Answer: C
11. Answer: C
The image of Carissa boldly and rebelliously declaring that she would come to Taco Tuesday, hair blowing in the wind and face bravely fixed against compliance like a dystopian protagonist is certainly moving, but David does not deserve such a defiant response to a Taco Tuesday invitation. “Defiantly” means to do something in a manner that shows daring disobedience or open resistance, whereas “definitely” means “certainly” or “undoubtedly.” “Taco Tuesday” is a title, and therefore both words should be capitalized.
“Study until their eyes fall out” is not a complete, grammatical sentence. Rather, it is what the students knew they had to do. Colons are used when the second clause answers or explains the first, or for emphasis. Semicolons are used to show that two complete sentences are closely related.
CULTURE
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
culture@ufvcascade.ca Andrea Sadowski — Culture Editor
Column //
Cascade Kitchen: Pantry staple soup
Pantry staple soup. Nov. 9, 2019. (Carissa Wiens)
CARISSA WIENS The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budget-friendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back bi-weekly for something new to try in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to culture@ufvcascade. ca. This recipe is based off of another lentil and potato soup from the book Martha Stewart’s Vegetables. It’s vegan (unless you add sour cream for garnish) and is a nice pick-me-up on a dark and cold fall day. It’s also a good recipe to finally use some things in your kitchen that have been around for a while, like lentils and celery. The potatoes don’t have to be nuggets; two large yellow potatoes will work well too. You can even make a big batch of the soup so it can be lunch for the week. Enjoy. Ready in: 50 minutes. Serves: 6-8 Ingredients: 27 g (2 tbsp) olive oil 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 12.6 g (2 tbsp) yellow curry powder Pinch red pepper flakes (optional) 1,656 ml (7 cups) of warm water 15 oz (2 cups) brown lentils, dried 12 nugget potatoes, quartered 4.84 oz (1 cup) green peas Salt and pepper, to taste Sour cream and cilantro, for garnish Method: 1.
In a large saucepan, sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes, until onions are somewhat translucent. Stir in the seasonings. 2. Pour the warm water and lentils into the pot. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. 3. Add potatoes and green peas. Simmer for 20 minutes (or until potatoes are tender), covered. 4. Add a dollop of sour cream and chopped cilantro for garnish and serve immediately.
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Artist Q&A //
The journey of ART Anatole Smith on acting in UFV’s latest theatre production ANDREA SADOWSKI Anatole Smith is one of the three actors in UFV Theatre’s first play of the 2019/20 season, ART. Smith plays the character of Serge, who buys a whiteon-white painting for the hefty price of 200,000 francs — a purchase that threatens to destroy two life-long friendships. Smith’s spark for theatre was reignited after highschool when a friend of his recommended he take a course with Raina Von Waldenburg. Smith acted in last year’s theatre production, Attempts on Her Life, in addition to this years production ART. The show takes place not in a traditional theatre, but in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery, as the production is based around the theme of “art” and what really makes something “art.” Smith speculated as to why the show was held in the art gallery: “It’s a show about art; art happens in an art gallery sometimes. I think [the director] wants to ask questions about what makes an art gallery an art gal-
lery or a theatre a theatre,” Smith said. ART was a smaller production with a tight-knit cast of just three actors; luckily they were all friends and managed to make the production of the show fun, unlike an arduous group project. Of course, it was sometimes a tiring process, especially late-night and early-morning practices and weekend rehearsals. Rehearsals for this 90-minute play began in the middle of September, running four times a week until the show premiered on Nov. 14. According to Smith, it was a journey that they all supported each other through. The show was put together by many different students who contributed as cast or in the design and production of the show, as part of various theatre courses. Smith did the show as part of THEA 399: Intermediate Practicum in Theatre, but one of his co-actors did the play for THEA 290: Acting Practicum. The show revolves around the themes of “What is good art?” and “Who is capable of judging whether art is good or not?” The main piece of
art which sparked the controversy in the play was abstract, while the other two characters displayed more traditional paintings on their mantles. While researching for the show, Smith said he learned quite a bit about modern art, and the difference between a modern and classical art styles. “The difference to me is that classical art tries to imitate reality and so the best that classical art could ever do is be really close to reality. Modern art says ‘No we don’t want to just imitate that; we can do better.’ … I don’t know if [the show] has really changed my view of it, but it has rather broadened my viewpoints on it,” said Smith. When asked what advice Smith has for other theatre students or maybe those considering going into theatre, Smith said, “Have fun. It’s not something where you should say ‘I’m not a good actor’ or ‘I can’t do this.’ It’s about having fun and being alive.” Catch Smith and his two co-actors in the production of ART, which is running on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 at 5 p.m., and Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Gallery.
UFV Event //
Sharing knowledge at UFV
Scholarly Sharing Initiative continues for its eighth year in a row KAREN WHITE
UFV’s Scholarly Sharing Initiative was founded in 2011 and has been going on every semester since. It is an informal monthly meeting where faculty, students, and others come together over lunch to share, discuss, present, and receive feedback on their latest scholarly work. The Scholarly Sharing Initiative gives faculty and students an opportunity to share their research or recent interests. “It’s a place to get input but it’s also intended to be like an interdisciplinary avenue where faculty from all disciplines come to share their work,” Rita Atake, assistant professor of communications and one of the events current organizers, said. Students are also able to present their research at the event, but only just recently. When it first started, the event focused on faculty members but as it grew, students were welcomed to attend and present their own research. “It has been very enlightening and rewarding to see what student researchers do,” Atake said. The topics have been very diverse and range with each discipline. This
semester the event had Molleen Shilliday, assistant professor of French, present on “The Language and Purpose of Mourning in Canadian Dystopian Novels” and Anastasia Anderson, associate professor of philosophy, present on “Philosophy for Children and the Aims of Education,” amongst
“For me, I find it very fascinating what the faculty members are doing and I learn from what they are doing every time I am in the meeting.” others. The year before she started overseeing the event, Atake was one of the presenters herself. “For me, I find it very fascinating what faculty members are doing and I learn from what they are doing every time I am in the meeting. This was one committee and institution I really wanted to be part of,” Atake said. Currently Atake; Melissa Walter,
department head of English; and Alex Wetmore, assistant professor of English, are overseeing the event and have been for the last two years. They continuously reach out to faulty members asking for speakers to present at the event. The event itself runs for around an hour and 30 minutes. It is held at U-House on the Abbotsford campus, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday, depending on presenter availability. The meetings happen once a month until mid-June. Lunch is served at the events as an incentive for people to attend. Typically, around 15 people come to these events, but they are always prepared for more. The Scholarly Sharing Initiative gives researchers an opportunity to present their ideas in front of others who will give them the feedback that they might really need. It might be feedback that lets them know they are on the right track, or it might be another perspective that they haven’t even thought of and will help broaden their research. The event is open to all to come and hear what others at UFV are currently working on. Those interested in presenting at a future event can contact the event organizers.
CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Community Event //
There is such a thing as make-believe A Wrinkle in Time leaps from the page to the stage at Gallery 7 DANAYE REINHARDT On Nov. 8, Gallery 7 Theatre opened its doors for A Wrinkle in Time, directed by Kate Muchmore-Woo. The story follows Meg Murray (Morgan Peters) as she attempts to find her father and rescue him from the evil IT, a living brain that has threatened to bring darkness to worlds across the universe. Along with her brother, Charles Wallace (Andrew Kehler), and her friend, Calvin (Brodie Rogusky), the three journey across strange, fantastical worlds with the help of three strange, fantastical women. The play is adapted by John Glore from Madeleine L’Engle’s book of the same name. While it originates from a children’s novel, the familial and moral themes resonate with an adult audience. At the same time, the play preserves the magic of the book, keeping unparalleled childlike inventiveness. The story’s magic stems from the narrative of good versus evil, going beyond the bizarre worlds Meg encounters or the three eccentric ladies Meg befriends. There are a thousand variations of the classic tale of good defeating evil, but none quite like Meg’s journey. IT embodies a living, deep evil that swallows up planets, and Meg must find it in herself to save those she loves from this darkness. Good science fiction produces creative worlds, but great science fiction also produces parallels to our own world.
Concepts in A Wrinkle in Time parallel many issues in today’s society: Our religion demands a moral standard and seeks for people to be made righteous, our philosophy questions our nature and the core of our wrong and right choices, and our global justice pleads for good people to triumph over evil practices. The “good versus evil” narrative is significant in our own world. A Wrinkle in Time illustrates both the inventive magic and the concept of good and evil with a stunning visual display. L’Engle’s book actually describes things as indescribable, and this is where imagination comes in. The set design was simple and relied on a background projection to provide each scene with a location. The costumes, especially for the mystical Aunt Beast, were gorgeous. Since Aunt Beast is a large, tentacled creature, several people hid inside her costume to move her tentacles and her body. As a result of Muchmore-Woo’s adaptation, the costumes, props, and projections were all innovative, but since L’Engle describes things in abstract terms, they still required an element of imagination. If you grew up reading L’Engle’s timeless book, you will appreciate these adaptations of costumes and set design. The same imagination needed when reading the book is valuable when watching the play. Scenes where the characters traveled by tesseract (essentially time traveling) proved to be the most visually dazzling
scenes in the play, with strobe lights, violent music, and the actors’ lurching movements. While the adaptation succeeds in its transition from novel to theatre as a whole, it breaks down in the conversion from book character to live actor. As an audience member, I found it difficult to get lost in the story because of the actors’ somewhat stilted performances. This was partly due to the actors themselves, but also due to the adaptation from book to stage. In Glore’s adaptation, many of the characters acted as narrator during scene changes, which took their character out of the story. Glore could have trusted theatre-goers to understand the scene changes — or included a separate narrator role — and avoided these awkward narrations, especially since the audience was already willing to envision aspects of the set and the costumes. A fundamental ingredient of theatre is imagination. In a rapidly screen-dependant world, where distractions from creativity are always at your fingertips, theatre provides a way into artistic inspiration. By illuminating a pull between light and dark and by demanding theatre-goers to look inside themselves for courage and imagination, A Wrinkle in Time asks each one of us to question what is important: Is imagination lost in today’s fast-paced world? What would you be willing to do to save those you love? And most pressingly, what side of the darkness are you on?
UFV Event //
A play on modern art, and what it is worth
UFV’s latest production questions the value of modern art and friendship ANDREA SADOWSKI ART, written by Yasmina Reza, translated from French by Christopher Hampton, was UFV’s first theatre production of the 2019/20 season, and the first production of UFV’s new School of Creative Arts (SoCA). The play centres around the conflict of Serge buying a piece of art that is simply a four-by-five foot white canvas with three white diagonal strokes for 200,000 francs. The three characters fight with each other for the entire show, revealing a contention among the three life-long friends that lies deeper than the purchase of an overly expensive painting. The entire production took place in the intimate setting of the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Gallery, which had limited seating of just 25 people. The three-man comedy starred UFV theatre students Paul Hill as Yvan, Tommy Luu as Marc, and Anatole Smith as Serge, and was directed by theatre professor Parjad Sharifi. The three actors worked well within the small space, and the audience felt as if they were sitting in the characters’ apartments with them. The lighting was well done, and actors would often cut away from the scene in order to monologue with just a spotlight shining on them. The set had a minimalistic design, with just two benches and a table that the actors sat on and walked around throughout the show. There was a lot of interaction with props during the play as well, as the art on the “mantelpiece” was switched as scenes would take place in the different characters’ apartments to display that particular character’s taste of art. There was also a table with several bottles of pills that Marc would intermittently pop throughout the show, claiming they were different herbal pills like echinacea. Even though the show consisted of just three actors, there was the support of 26 people on the design and production side of the show, most of which were UFV students working on this play as a requirement for various theatre classes. The show did not come off as a comedy, but rather a conflict between three grown men with repressed traumas fighting over art. It was ironic that a large part
of the play involved making fun of pretentious art snobs who use words like “deconstruction,” but still used this same pompous vocabulary in the script. With the exception of a few profanities sprinkled into the dialogue, the script felt less like a conversation and more like chapters from a textbook shouting at each other. The one geniously comedic moment of the play was by Yvan, who recounted a domestic drama in a long, exaggerated monologue in which he described a drawn out argument he had with his fiancée and estranged parents over miniscule wedding details. He simultaneously played both his own character and his character’s dramatic mother in a scene that is all too relatable to those who know the pains of organizing a wedding while navigating through deeply rooted family drama. It was a much needed comedic break that came around half-way through the 90-minute play. The play’s conflict escalated from fighting over a painting to insulting each other’s intelligence levels, and even jabbing at one another’s spouses — the characters went as far as pushing Yvan to not go through with his marriage. There was even a poorly choreographed fist-fight at the height of the argument. In the end, Serge allowed Marc, who was adamantly opposed to the painting, to draw on the white canvas with a felt-tip pen, in order to prove that their friendship meant more to him than his treasured painting. I would not classify this play as a comedy, as the majority of laughter came from the rehearsed laughs of the actors rather than the 20 audience members in attendance. It felt like watching a debate, as the three characters spent the entire show tearing each other down and justifying their own actions and beliefs. The plot did, however, did bring up an interesting dialogue around the market value of modern art, and who is capable of judging that value. It also asked the question of whether or not friendship is possible between those who hold radically different beliefs. You can still catch a viewing of the show on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 at 5 p.m., and Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Gallery. Make sure to reserve your spot early as seating is limited.
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SPORTS
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
sports@ufvcascade.ca Alex Jesus — Sports Editor
Programming //
UFV’s volleyball program moves to U Sports, wrestling program gets postponed ALEX JESUS As of 2019, the Cascades now have a full varsity sports roster of programs competing in U Sports, the highest level of Canada-based university sport competition. This came after it was announced that the volleyball program would join U Sports in the Canada West conference and the UFV wrestling program would be postponed. The decision came after eight months of application consideration and multiple meetings with U Sports. Steve Tuckwood, director of athletics and campus recreation, explained that members of the university met about the prospects of such a commitment, given that there would be financial implications if they decided to apply to Canada West. The volleyball teams will start playing in the U Sports organization next September. For now the largest change UFV has seen in 2019 regarding the program’s switch has been in the budget, with the introduction of coaching salaries for volleyball. Next year, however, full-year salaries for the coaches will come into play, as well as an increased travel budget. This will mean a six-figure increase in budget for the volleyball program for the 2020 fiscal year. “I think it was about a $150,000 to $175,000 budget increase that will take effect in April, for next September when we begin playing in Canada West,” Tuckwood said. The budget increase was written and formalized in UFV’s application to join Canada West. This was not required, but was included in order to show the commitment of the university. A point of contention last year for many UFV wrestling athletes was the postponement of the wrestling program, a program which UFV had competed with in Canada West. According to Tuckwood, the way the program started ultimately led to its eventual closure due to financial reasons. “The way the program had been operating with central budget was not going to continue, and the reason was, originally when we had a group come to UFV in 2013, asking if they could start a wrestling program in conjunction with the university, significant promises [were] made about financial pieces that would be coming in order to cover costs,” Tuckwood said. However, by 2015, the university was covering most of the costs. According to Tuckwood, the money for the team never fully materialized, causing the program to go from a slightly subsidized athletic program to one that the university has not accounted for in their budget. Had the university known that the money wasn’t going to come
14
through, Tuckwood said it’s unlikely it would have chosen to start the program. Tuckwood said that people may look at the recent increases of budget money given to volleyball and say that it isn’t fair; however, it has a lot to do with how athletic programs typically begin. Most develop slowly, giving the university time to make incremental budget changes. “Well, UFV’s had volleyball in some iteration in the ’90s and in the early 2000s so the university at that time decided it was going to have volleyball. The university at no time said ‘Hey, why don’t we start a wrestling program?’ They had an outside group come and say ‘Hey, why don’t you start a wrestling program. We’ll give
you money to operate it,’ which then never came. So, to me it’s two different things,” Tuckwood said. Tuckwood recognizes that losing the program officially wasn’t the desired outcome for anyone involved, and that in the future he would like to commit resources to wrestling if a situation could be organized and presented to the university. For now, UFV is growing at a rapid rate, and the athletics budget is being increased, so things are looking good for nearly every program. If you’re a fan of volleyball, you’re in luck. If you’re a wrestling fan, do not despair. Increases in resources for the wrestling program are not out of the question.
Slapshots // can duel on ESPN about the issue until the cows come home. I don’t think much is going to change when it comes to the public perception that things need to change very soon. The days of exploitation within major sports infrastructures are numbered, or at least threatened by many who are realizing that this isn’t right. No one is arguing that these players need professional-level contracts. No compensation at all though? For the young men and women who are solely responsible for the television ratings? Yikes.
Alex Jesus
BizNasty joining the Warriors is a win-win Paul Bissonnette, more famously known on Twitter and Instagram as BizNasty, is a former National Hockey League/American Hockey League (NHL/AHL) hockey player. Although he has not played professionally since the 2016-17 AHL season, Bissonnette has remained relevant through his social media outlets. Recently, Bissonnette has come under fire for claiming that he “could make an @NLL lacrosse team as a walk-on without having ever played a game,” despite never playing lacrosse before. Allowing him to test his words, the Vancouver Warriors have invited the former hockey player to their training camp. This move by the Vancouver Warriors is brilliant, because it puts them in a win-win situation. Bis-
Nov. 15 – Nov. 16, 2019
Women’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV versus Douglas/ Friday, Nov. 15 Score: UFV 2 Douglas 3 Game/Date: UFV versus Douglas/ Saturday,Nov. 16 Score: UFV 3 Douglas 2
Men’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV versus Douglas/ Friday, Nov. 15 Score: UFV 1 Douglas 3 Game/Date: UFV versus Douglas/ Saturday, Nov. 16
The NCAA should compensate athletes In recent news, there has been a lot of discussion around paying the players in the U.S.’s most recognized university sports league, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCA). The association, though it has raked in billions in total revenue, has long maintained that amateurs in sports should not be paid; that is for the professionals. Yet, here we are, in a new era where the so-called amatuer league is making untold fortunes off of players who are compensated with scholarships and the privilege to become associated with these universities. Stephen A. Smith and Tim Tebow
UFV Cascades Sports Scores
sonnette is a big name and has over one million followers on his Twitter. If BizNasty is able to live up to his words and contribute to the Vancouver Warriors, the team would be able to capitalize on Bissonette’s fame and draw in more fans and more revenue. However, if the former hockey player is unable to perform at the level of the current National Lacrosse League (NLL) players, then the Vancouver Warriors and the NLL can show that lacrosse deserves recognition as a difficult sport. While this may damage Bissonnette’s reputation if he is unable to live up to his words, the Vancouver Warriors and the NLL can only benefit from this situation.
Nic Jackson
Score: UFV 3 Douglas 1
Women’s Basketball Game/Date: UFV versus UBC Okanagan/ Friday, Nov. 15 Score: UFV 78 UBCO 49 Game/Date: UFV versus UBC Okanagan/ Saturday, Nov. 16 Score: UFV 77 UBCO 53
Men’s Basketball Game/Date: UFV versus UBC Okanagan/ Friday, Nov. 15 Score: UFV 89 UBCO 76 Game/Date: UFV versus UBC Okanagan/ Saturday, Nov. 16 Score: UFV 87 UBCO 60
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Women’s Volleyball //
The UFV’s women’s basketball team dominates in their home opening weekend
Men’s Basketball //
Men’s basketball first home weekend a success
The Cascades look for a win after starting the season with two losses
The Cascades pushed their regular season record to 2-2 after two games against the heat ended with a score total of 59-31. The Heat were unwilling to give up and won the last quarter, but only by one After receiving a bye last weekend, the point. The final score for the game was UFV women’s basketball team held 78-49 in favour of UFV. their first two home games of the season Cascade players lead Friday night’s against the University of British Colum- game in both successful three-point atbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat. Before the tempts and overall points. Nikki Caweekend started the Cascades and the buco was able to hit three out of five of Heat sat at records of 0-2 and 1-3, respec- her three-point attempts, while Taylor tively. Claggett led the game with 19 points Friday night’s game against the Heat overall. started out evenly matched, but with a With a win now on the record, the dominating third quarter, the Cascades Cascades entered Saturday with enwere able to pick up their first win of the ergy. The two teams were once again season. evenly matched. Although the Cascades The first quarter of the game saw the grabbed the lead early on, the Heat Cascades find a four-point lead over the crawled back and brought their score Heat by the time it had ended. With a within two points, 11-9, with only 2:47 score of 17-13 heading into the second, left in the first. From this point though, the Cascades began to slowly add to their the Cascades dominated the game, scorlead, ending the first half with a score of ing another 11 points in the quarter with33-21. out letting the Heat get another basket. Although the Heat were able to keep The second and third were closer in the game within their grasp in the first score, but the Cascades still outscored half, the third quarter saw the Cascades the Heat 21-15 and 21-16, respectively. crush any chance of the Heat making a This pushed the Cascades to a 64-37 lead comeback. The Cascades were nearly entering the last quarter of Saturday’s able to double their score, with 26 points game. in the quarter, while keeping the Heat to When the fourth quarter started, the only nine more points. The third quarter Heat tried to overcome their 27-point deficit; however, they were only able to outscore UFV by three. The Cascades won the game with a score of 77-53. In their second win of the season, Claggett helped lead the team to victory with 24 of the Cascades’ points. Maddy Gobeil led the Cascades in success outside the threepoint line, hitting two out of three of her three-point attempts. The next two games for the Cascades will be against the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. UFV will host both games at the Envision FinanJessica Zawada. Abbotsford, BC. Nov. 15, 2019. (UFV Athletics) cial Athletic Centre.
NIC JACKSON
Vick Toor. Abbotsford, BC. Nov. 15, 2019. (UFV Athletics)
NIC JACKSON The UFV men’s basketball team was back in full swing this weekend, after having a bye last week. This week, the Cascades hosted the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Heat on Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. After losing their first two games of the regular season two weeks ago, the Cascades entered Friday’s game well-rested and determined to bounce back. From the jump ball, the Cascades were aggressive, resulting in a 10-0 lead after only two minutes of play. Although the Heat did catch up by scoring the next 10 points, the Cascades were able to double their score while only allowing another three points against them, resulting in a 20-13 score after the first quarter. Although the Cascades ended the first quarter ahead in the score, the next two quarters did not go in their favour. With the Heat outscoring them 22-20 in the second and 25-17 in the third, the Cascades ended the third quarter down by three points, with a score of 60-57. Once the fourth began, the Cascades quickly took the lead and were unwilling to give it back. They dominated the Heat, outscoring them 32-16, resulting in an 89-
76 win for UFV. During Friday’s game, Parm Bains and Sukhjot Bains were key players for the Cascades, grabbing 31 and 23 points, respectively. Parm Bains had a great game from outside the three-point line, tying the Heat’s Spencer Thomas for the most three-points baskets of the night, scoring seven out of 12 three-point attempts. With the win on Friday, the Cascades entered Saturday’s game against the Heat with a record of 1-2. Eager to start a winning streak, the Cascades went into the match full of energy. In the first quarter of the game they were able to keep the Heat to only eight points, while scoring 24 points of their own. Unwilling to let the Heat catch up, the Cascades went on to score 43 more points in the next two quarters while the Heat scored 27. Entering the fourth quarter, the score was in UFV’s favour, 67-35. Although the Cascades were outscored, the Heat’s large deficit was too much for them to overcome. The game ended with the Cascades grabbing their second win of the season with a score of 87-60. The Cascades’ next two games will be at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Both games will see UFV host the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
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STUDY BREAK Crossword //
VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
Made by Andrea Sadowski DOWN
ACROSS
2: A small creature that produces honey.
1: A loveable, hypoallergenic dog breed.
3: Causing disappointment at the end of an exciting or impressive series of events. 4: Animals that produce young by means of eggs which are hatched within the body of the parent. 5: A woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field. 8: A fictitious supervillain featured in Marvel comic books, recently appeared in Into the Spiderverse.
6: A lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder. 7: Relating to, or characterized by atoms with extra electrons or missing electrons. 8: Fish that are usually kept in outdoor ponds for decorative purposes. 9: Frozen water.
12: A span of time defined for the purposes of chronology or historiography.
10: An African nation whose capital is Nairobi.
LAST ISSUE’S
11: A depression in a road surface, commonly found in the gravel parking lot.
ANSWERS: Down: 1: Mouthwash 2: Abnormality 4: Ash 5: Apartment 7: Mat 9: Ira 11: Hic
Across: 1: Inexpensive. 5: Volcanic. 6: Forgo. 7: Egg. 8: Poi. 9: Owlet. 10: Eyeliner. 11: Trichinosis.
13: When something is not needed.
Cascade Calamities
Horoscopes //
Your weekly life predictions as told by Ang the Great
Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 Like the courageous ram that your sign represents, you are not afraid to crash headfirst into the struggles that life throws at you. Be strong and steadfast this week as the universe presents you with a difficult challenge that you must overcome.
Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 A strong, powerful lion you are, ruler of the jungle, and you reign with the same power and elegance in this school. As you grace your classmates with your fierce presence this week, suppress the desire to feast on their insecurities. Instead use your strength to lift them up.
Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 True to your sign’s zodiac symbol, the bull, you will find yourself fighting for domination this week in one of your classes. Channel this energy as you stand up for yourself and voice your strong opinions, unafraid of the judgement of others.
Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 Sweet, maternal Virgo, represented by the goddess of the harvest and agriculture, you are known for your kindness and the unrelenting love you bestow unto others. People in your life may test your patience this week, but continue to be a never-ending fountain of grace to them.
Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Your sign is symbolized by the celestial twins, a constellation which becomes more prominent in the sky as winter creeps ever closer to us. Remember this week that you get brighter as the days get darker, so do not despair — the season of your prosperity awaits. Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Similar to your zodiac symbol, the crab, you tend to latch onto things and are unable to let them go. This week, work on letting go of that burden you have been carrying on your shoulders for far too long; it is time to be free.
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Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 Libra, you are always balanced, poised, and fair. As the only sign represented by an inanimate object, the scales, you excel at achieving balance in your life. This week will entail a difficult situation that attempts to tip the scales of harmony in your life. Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 Represented by the venomous predator, the scorpion, you’re truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece who is able to adapt to whatever turbulent situation life may bring. Take a rest this week: do not be on guard as you always seem to be, as it may clear up people’s misunderstandings about your personality and let them see who you really are.
Illustration by Elyssa English
Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 You encapsulate your sign’s symbol of the half-human, half-horse centaur archer that is constantly ready for battle. On a perpetual search for your true identity, you will have a revelation this week, and an answer you have been searching for will become unmistakably clear. Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 With the body of a goat and the tail of a fish, you are as wacky as the animal your symbol represents. Own this incredible trait of being everything to everyone; feel good about yourself this week and embrace who you are. Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 An earth sign, but with the symbol of a water-bearer, you have the ability to carry the burden of others without letting them weigh you down. Use this talent this week, as a friend may come to you in desperate need of compassion. Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 My delightful, excitable Pisces, symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, you are always up for an adventure. Do not pass up the opportunity to go on an unexpected undertaking this week — put down your books and have some fun!
arts@ufvcascade.ca Chandy Dancey — Arts Editor
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
ARTS
Apps //
Exploring Canada’s history of racism with an app
East of the Rockies tackles the harrowing history of Canada’s internment camps KRYSTINA SPRACKLIN Joy Kogawa is a Canadian literary novelist known for her work Obasan (1981), which was a semi-autobiographical account of her time in a Japanese internment camp. In East of the Rockies, Kogawa revisits her past with a new medium. East of the Rockies is an interactive mobile game developed with augmented reality (AR) technology and stunning art visuals. It immerses the user in the natural environment of Slocan, B.C., and a soft-spoken narrator retells the story of a young girl named Yuki, one of 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were sent to internment camps during World War II. After the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, Japanese immigrants and their Canadian-born descendants were forced into internment camps, the majority of which were in British Columbia. East of the Rockies relays this isolating period piece by piece, allowing the user to maneuver Yuki through locations, play through everyday activities, interact with other characters, and investigate objects and their significance during that time. Yuki is an idealistic protagonist, hope-
ful that the hatred from the rest of Canada will dissipate when the nation comes to recognize that they are not Japanese patriots but instead every bit as Canadian as other citizens. As the years progress under Canada’s internment policy, Yuki’s reality grows grim from the harsh conditions of the camp her family originally begins in, to the farm she and her husband later move to where they are “worked like slaves.” Yuki chillingly writes: “[The mountains] are so beautiful here, I could cry. Then I remember why we are here, and I do.” The Japanese internment policy allowed the Canadian government to seize all property owned by immigrants and Japanese Canadians, including homes, businesses, motor vehicles, and fishing boats. Japanese Canadians were restricted from entering professions outside of farm work and, after the end of World War II, many were expatriated to Japan. Until 1949, Japanese Canadians were not allowed to return to the B.C. coast; Japantown in Vancouver where Yuki’s family came from was entirely erased. Kogawa notes that today there are no Japantowns in Canada as a result of these heavy measures to suppress Japanese identity.
Several documents appear during the playthrough as informative detours that recount the odious narrative that allowed this national hatred to manifest into fullblown systemic oppression. Signs were posted in Vancouver demanding Japanese citizens leave and telling them that they were hated. Broadcasts depicted Japanese soldiers beheading enemy soldiers. News articles blatantly suggested that Japanese citizens were spies, and politicians declared that they were sub-human. This hateful rhetoric has been making recurring appearances in modern day Canada. Anti-immigrant sentiments are spray painted on public property, protestors gather on Parliament Hill to rally against the recent UN migration pact, and Facebook community groups are never without a spoonful of animosity. In our last federal election, one proposal by Maxime Bernier, the People’s Party of Canada leader, was to slash the total number of immigrants allowed in Canada from 350,000 to 150,000. He wanted all future immigrants to pass a test to see if they aligned with “Canadian values.” Don Cherry criticized immigrants, among others, for not wearing poppies in a televised rant on Nov. 9 and was fired
for his remarks. This resulted in divided outrage, with many supporters rallying to his defence and lamenting the fact that they’re no longer in an age where they can “speak freely.” But Yuki was from an era where those in power has seemingly less restrictions on what could be said; in Parliament, speakers remarked that Japanese citizens, regardless of whether they were native to Canada or not, were a threat. Thomas Reid, a then Liberal MP from New Westminster, said in the House of Commons that Japanese people and Japanese Canadians were “only one generation removed from savagery.” East of the Rockies has a vital commentary to consider when wading through our current social extremisms, because allowing this hatred to gain traction again can lead to policies that strip the identity and humanity of entire groups of people. It started with Indigenous peoples, it targeted Japanese Canadians, and it could reappear if we are not adamant that these ideologies are inherently unCanadian. There is plenty of freedom to host racist and xenophobic views, but consequences are imperative to ensuring they never wield power in Parliament again.
Soundbites //
Too Late to Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots Do you think of Chicago when you think of country? You should. Too Late to Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots is a compilation album from Chicago’s Bloodshot Records, and if you think you don’t like country music, this is the album you should listen to before you say so; something on it is bound to change your mind. Bloodshot Records’ first album, released 25 years ago, was also a compilation of Chicago country, so they know the scene and the artists within it. They’ve sifted through the spectrum of country subgenres and put together a satisfying smorgasbord of songs. The art-
ists’ styles range from honky-tonk to ‘90s revival and pared-down bluegrass, with influences from every shelf in the record store. With both original songs and covers of classics from outside the genre like “Gotta Have My Baby Back” and “Head Over Heels,” Too Late to Pray offers listeners a look at the diversity of modern country music on the whole and a window into the Chicago roots scene. Whether you’re a country fan or a country critic, there’s something on it for you.
MIKAELA COLLINS
Jesus Is King In October, Kanye West released a new gospel-inspired album called Jesus Is King. A testament to his faith, the album celebrates West’s Christianity and even includes biblical references to gospel passages such as John 8:36. Musically, it’s nothing original or dynamic, or even lyrically interesting — at times I found it repetitive and annoying. It isn’t as much of an exploration of himself, like previous albums, but rather it centered on West’s faith and repentance for his own shortcomings, and is very much Jesusfocused. The songs are fairly short and
simple, and include traditional Christian hymns — even featuring a gospel choir on the first track. West has been met with some backlash in response to the release of this album, though, mainly for his own self-righteous and money-chasing nature. He’s even referred to himself as “the greatest human artist of all time.” I think there is a major disconnect between what West wants to preach and what he’s actually practicing.
DARIEN JOHNSEN
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VOL. 27 // ISSUE 27
Album //
CHARTS 1 Woolworm Awe
SHUFFLE AARON LEVY
Doja Cat refuses to limit herself with Hot Pink
#1 SWIFTY
CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy tributes UFV women’s basketball senior Taylor Claggett Zone Of Exclusion this week, after taking the alltime Cascade lead in career Myles Goodwyn free throws this weekend with Myles Goodwyn & Friends her 406 career. She now stands Of The Blues 2 at fourth all-time in Canada West, with her all-time attempts Kamikaze Nurse total leaving her only two short of the all-time conference reBucky Fleur cord! Come celebrate her quest for Canada West immortality Chastity this weekend versus the hated Home Made Satan Lethbridge Pronghorns.
2 Kristin Witko 3 4 5
6 Jenny Hval
Taylor Swift - “Shake It Off”
Lucky 7 Zachary The Ballad of Losing You
Whose favourite T-Swift song is this half-a-decade old banger that dropped just before the student show came back one summer so long ago already?! With all apologies to the handclap, cheer-oriented, half-rap breakdown (I really don’t think it works), this is a therapeutic club song.
The Practice of Love
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Art d'Ecco Trespasser
9
Kellarissa Ocean Electro
Mangan 10 Dan More or Less
11 Dumb
Seeing Green
12 Sue Decker
Outskirts Of Love
13 Tegan And Sara
Hey, I'm Just Like You
14 Phoebe Bridgers
James Taylor - “Fire and Rain” I know this song only from a television episode of either ***The Simpsons or ***Family Guy, though for the life of me I can’t remember which one. But, curiously, in the episode, Taylor continuously starts, stops, and restarts a performance of this particular finger-picking tune.
Better Oblivion Community Centre Drake and BlocBoy JB -
Bea 15 Rosalie Music to Breathe
16 Outpatient 5 Track EP 17 Blue Moon Marquee Bare Knuckles & Brawn
18 Fiuran
Faoinsgeulan
“Look Alive”
The BlocBoy JB half of this song with The Great Champigno (no, not mushroom, but my own Bambino-flavoured moniker for the 6 God) may even be better than the half belonging to the icon himself. Extra points for the stat sheet reference sandwiching the lyrics Febreze with Sugar Ray Robinson.
19 Grapetooth
Taylor Swift Space”
20 KOSM
While “Look Alive” brings up the concept of the quarterly statistical analysis provided by the finite numbers on the page after each 10 minutes of play, this song deals with the theoretical: a blank space, just like that as-yet-unknown number — how many shots will Taylor be champion by?
Grapetooth
Eyes On The Inside
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“Blank
CHANDY DANCEY Hot Pink, available since Nov. 7, marks the second album released by Doja Cat. It boasts an explosion of bright beats that wander from old-school R&B to pop, all while showing off fresh aspects of the female rapper’s definitively hip-hop style. The album serves as a shining example of what Doja Cat does best: experiment while having fun. Many will recognize Doja Cat from her late 2018 viral video sensation, “Mooo!” It was a lowbudget track along with a homemade music video, introducing the world to her sound in a goofy package with lyrics like “Bitch, I’m a cow, bitch, I’m a cow / I’m not a cat, I don’t say meow.” Since its release, she’s proven herself as a serious artist with her debut album Amala and singles like “Tia Tamera,” a collaboration with Rico Nasty. Hot Pink is easily on par with Doja’s other work. Per usual, her lyrics are sex-drenched to the point where the censoring involved in the clean version of the album both detracts and distracts. Her tracks feature clever rhymes served with a clean delivery and the lightheartedness fans have come to expect of her. One aspect of her music that reigns supreme is her extreme versatility. She can work within a variety of genres, giving fans polished songs that still distinctly feel like they’re part of the Doja Cat brand. “Bottom Bitch” gives listeners a taste of grunge punk with its Blink-182 samples and auto-tuned background vocals, but Doja Cat also isn’t afraid to venture into a slow and sultry sound in “Streets,” reminiscent of early 2000s R&B. Although criticism for Hot Pink claims it’s
without focus, I wholly disagree. While Doja Cat might meander amongst genres, it comes off as fresh rather than foggy. Jumping between different sounds is also something she does often and is even known for. For the most part, the tracks are arranged in a way that transitions between songs of different tones. The first half of the album is bursting with upbeat, pop-funk notes whereas the latter half mellows out and slows down. Most importantly, Doja Cat manages to tie Hot Pink together with common themes of strong bass lines, quirky lyricism, and similar time signatures. “Rules” is arguable one of the strongest songs on the album and has a music video accompanying it. It opens with a sharp, twangy guitar riff and Doja Cat conducting a desert drug deal for mice amidst feline imagery, complete with henchman in tow. Director Christian Sutton filters Doja Cat through saturated, coloured lighting and settings that evoke an old western film while she spits unapologetically sexual lyrics. Ones that come to mind are the opening line “Said play with my pussy / But don’t play with my emotions” and “N***a, don’t laugh ‘cause the pussy ain’t joking / N***a, don’t splash when the pussy be soaking.” Hot Pink is an infectious album that rounds out Doja Cat as an artist, giving fans varying genres that further demonstrate her adaptability in a music scene where artists often rely on one specialty. To date, Doja Cat has claimed within her lyrics to be a cat, cow, and a reptile. Time will only tell what this chameleon queen will experiment with next, but in the meantime Hot Pink is a solid success.
ARTS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Netflix //
The Fab Five in Japan
Four episodes full of self-love, joy, and gorgeous makeovers ANDREA SADOWSKI Queer Eye, a Netflix reality TV series, released a new mini-series, Queer Eye: We’re in Japan, on Nov. 1. Queer Eye is Netflix’s reboot of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which orginally aired from 2003 to 2007. Queer Eye is a make-over show staring five gay men (the Fab Five) who are each experts in their respective fields. Their aim is to transform the lives of their “heroes,” the people who are getting the make-over. It is one of the unique shows on Netflix that truly gets better with every season. In this mini-series, the Fab Five go to Japan to revitalize the lives of two men and two women with the assistance of local guides, Kiko Mizuhara, a Japanese-American model, and Naomi Watanabe, a Japanese comedian. The mini-series also features an appearance by Kodo Nishimura, a Japanese Buddhist-monk and makeup artist. Let me introduce you to the Fab Five. Antoni Porowski is a chef, originally from Québec, who helps heroes learn a new dish they can easily recreate on their own. Tan France is an English fashion designer who helps each hero buy a new wardrobe. Jonathan Van Ness is a hairdresser who transforms the heroes’ grooming routines and gives them each a stunning haircut. Karamo Brown is an activist and former social worker whose title on the show is “culture expert” who assumes the role of a therapist to the heroes, digging deep into their traumas and focusing on transforming their hearts and minds. Finally, Bobby Berk, the show’s true superstar, is an interior designer who renovates each hero’s home. I will admit that I sometimes watch Queer Eye just to see the home renovations; he truly shines in this mini-series with the added limitation of transforming tiny rental apartments in Tokyo. Unlike the original series where the make-
overs were only done on straight men, Queer Eye works with a diverse range of heroes. The We’re in Japan series starts with a middleaged hospice nurse, Yoko Sakuma, who has dedicated her life, and her home, to ensure terminally ill patients finish their lives comfortably. One thing I love about Queer Eye is that it digs into a hero’s history, making each episode feel genuine and heartfelt. Sakuma dedicates her whole life to her work because she has regretted how her sister died in a hospital instead of in the comfort of her own home. To maintain her selfless devotion Sakuma has “given up on being a woman” — a common idea in Japan that Mizuhara explains as women being pressured by how they have to look and, in response, making fun of themselves by saying they’ve given up on femininity. While working with The Fab Five, they discover her love for Audrey Hepburn, especially in Roman Holiday, and try to channel that energy in her new wardrobe, hair style, and home decor. My favourite moment in the whole series is in this episode, when Porowski takes Sakuma on a date to teach her how to make an apple pie. When the pie is done baking, the two take turns feeding each other dessert, and Sakuma even puts her hands on his hips as he feeds her, causing Porowski to burst out laughing; the scene cuts away to the two slow dancing in the kitchen together. The final episode stars Makoto Chiba, who wants to change “from a rock to a psychedelic flower.” This shy radio director hopes to rekindle the romance and healthy line of communication between him and his wife of seven years, Yasuko. Their relationship resembles roommates rather than lovers. Makoto admits that their relationship has been sexless for five years, and the couple barely admit to one another that they love each other. Makoto and his wife have an emotional release where Yasuko admits that she has always feared that he regrets marrying her because she’s not a wife who cooks or does housework, to which Makoto replies: “I am saved by the fact that you exist.” Queer Eye: We’re in Japan does a spectacular job of navigating Japanese culture with Mizuhara explaining cultural nuances, and is careful not to bulldoze over their heroes’ lives with American idealism. The show brought only 11 staff members to Japan. The rest of the crew were Japanese in order to make the heroes feel comfortable in front of the camera. The cast handles tough topics like homophobia, sexless marriages, and beauty standards without lumping the entire country into a stereotype. Queer Eye brings the world a much-needed makeover show that transforms people from the inside out, focusing on self-love and self-care rather than merely on outward appearances. It’s great for viewers who need a good cry, a funny pick-me-up, or a motivational speech that will inspire them to get their life together.
Rewind //
Being John Malkovich questions the nature of self
KAREN WHITE Being John Malkovich was directed by Spike Jonze who is also known for Adaptation (2002), Where the Wild Things Are (2009), and Her (2013). Being John Malkovich was Jonze’s first breakthrough as a director in 1999. He is a fantastic visionary because he is able to explore philosophical ideas in his films and make them entertaining to watch. The film is about a gloomy puppeteer named Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) who can't find any work. He later discovers a portal that literally sends him into the head of the real-life movie star John Malkovich. Craig partners up with a coworker, Maxine Lund (who he not so secretly wants to get into the pants of), to make money off from using the portal. They put out an ad that anyone who wants to be someone else can do it for $200. Craig’s wife, Lotte Schwartz (Cameron Diaz), finds out what is going on and tries it out for herself. Being John Malkovich features a great cast of dry, comedic actors. Charlie Sheen even turns up for some great self-parody. There are also some cameo appearances by Sean Penn and Brad Pitt. Being John Malkovich is a wildly inventive film that never leaves you bored. It provides an unrelenting thrill with all its visual and intellectual treats. An example is the moment when Malkovich goes through the portal and is in a reality where, for 15 minutes, everyone is Malkovich and only speaks the
word “Malkovich.” It is a weirdly profound meditation on consciousness, identity, fame, gender, and reality that viewers still contemplate today. When Craig goes into the portal for the first time and tries to explain what he has discovered to Maxine, he says the line, “It raises all sorts of philosophical questions about the nature of self, about the existence of the soul. Am I me? Is Malkovich Malkovich?” I think that this line captures what the film is about. It asks the viewers, what does it mean to be me? Lotte goes through quite a change when she has her chance to be Malkovich. She experiences what it is like to be a man and realizes that she finally feels herself. When she tells Craig her reasoning for wanting a sex change, he completely dismisses her and tells her it’s just a momentary feeling. The film takes a turn for the worse after this. Craig becomes so obsessed with Maxine that he locks up his wife (who is now in love with Maxine as well) to gain complete control over Malkovich. Craig is able to control Malkovich with his puppeteer skills and uses him to win over Maxine and to gain fame for his puppeteering. His unhealthy obsession with Maxine leads to his own demise in the film. Being John Malkovich is a fun adventure that has serious aspects that we all should consider for ourselves. What does it truly mean to be ourselves? Or, as Craig puts it, “am I me?”
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Note:
Some of these events require tickets, most are on Facebook. If something catches your eye, take to the internet for more details.
• O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy @ Abbotsford Arts Centre, 7:30 – 9:00 pm. • Transgender Day of Remembrance @ UFV (Abbotsford), SUB, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. • Woof Woof Wednesday @ UFV (Chilliwack), A1355, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • KPMG Networking Event @ UFV (Abbotsford), A235, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Senior Abuse Awareness Workshop @ UFV (Abbotsford), B101, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. • Arts & Cultural Activities — Mini Button Blankets and Dream Catchers @ UFV (Chilliwack), A1201, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Winter Safety with Tim Lee @ Valhalla Pure Outfitters, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. • Daniel Wesley @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. • C3 — Arts, Activism, & Canoes @ The Reach Gallery (Abbotsford), 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • The Paint Ball: An Emerge at the Reach Fundraiser @ The Reach Gallery Museum, 6:30 - 10:00 p.m. • Accessibility for All — Abbotsford Open House @ UFV (Abbotsford), UFV Alumni Hall, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • Accessibility for All — Chilliwack Open House @ UFV (Chilliwack), Building A Atrium, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • God said Kill, Warrborn, Panolith, Silent Screamers @ Captains Captain Pub, 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. • Multicultural Family Fun Night @ Central Heights Church (Abbotsford), 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• • • •
Harma White @ The Railyard (Mission), 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Ryan McNally @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. The Valley All Stars @ Sneakers Sports Lounge (Abbotsford), 8:00 p.m. Downtown Abbotsford Winter Jubilee @ Downtown Abbotsford, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. • Chilliwack Independent Film Festival @ Cottonwood 4 Cinemas, 12:30 – 11:00 p.m. • Boardwalk Puzzle Challenge @ Boardwalk Cafe and Games, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. • Chilliwack Independent Film Festival @ Cottonwood 4 Cinemas, 12:30 - 8:30 p.m. • Belle Plaine @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
• C3 — Campbell’s Honey @ The Reach Gallery (Abbotsford), 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • Woof Woof Wednesday @ UFV (Chilliwack), A1355, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • Paint Night and Pillow Talk @ UFV (Abbotsford), A312, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. • Climate Change Theatre Action @ UFV (Abbotsford), D105, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. • Theo and Thugs (featuring members of Gob) @ Replay Boardshop (Abbotsford), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. • UFV WEST Career Panel Night @ UFV (Abbotsford), B121, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. • Commemorating 550th Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji @ Sikh Heritage Museum, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. • UFV International’s Holiday Party @ The Rancho, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. • Trivia Night: Millennial Edition @ Townhall Public House (Abbotsford), 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. • Symposium on South Asia and Gender @ UFV (Abbotsford), F125, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • 12th Annual Vestival @ Chilliwack Seniors Recreation Centre, 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. • Indigenous Drum-making Workshop with Darren Charlie @ Trethewey House Heritage Site, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. • Random Dander @ The Railyard (Mission), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. • Salt Thief @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. • Dealers Choice @ Triple Play Pub (Chilliwack), 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.
• Wellness Workshops @ UFV (Abbotsford), D105, 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. • Debate on Wexit @ UFV (Abbotsford), B101, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. • UFV Christmas Print Sale @ UFV (Abbotsford), Library Rotunda, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Climate Change Theatre Action @ UFV (Abbotsford), D105, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. • CityStudio Abbotsford Hubbub #4 @ Abbotsford City Hall, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. • Destress with Doggos @ Mission Library, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Life Hacks: Household Hacks @ Foundry Abbotsford, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
• Ethics of Internships @ UFV (Abbotsford), B101, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. • Local to Global Holiday Market @ UFV (Abbotsford), SUB, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • Fraser Valley Human Dignity Coalition @ Archway Community Services, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• The Out There Project — Greenroom Sessions @ The Railyard (Mission), 7:00 – 11:00 p.m • Milk Crate Bandits @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. • Atangard Mental Health Benefit w/ Blessed, Harma White, Kristin Witko, Loans @ Abbotsford Rugby Club, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.