The Cascade Volume 20 Issue 05

MARCH 16, 2022

VOLUME 30 ISSUE 05

Giving more fucks than you’ll ever believe since 1993

The First Battle Ground of 2022: Bah-F**Kin’- Rain 12

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A GUIDE TO THE 2022 SUS ELECTIONS

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UNDERSTANDING FREEDOM & BOUNDARIES

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THE BATMAN SETS A NEW STANDARD

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Copy Editor Maecyn Klassen maecyn@ufvcascade.ca

News Editor Rachel Tait rachel@ufvcascade.ca

Features Editor Andrea Sadowski andrea@ufvcascade.ca

Digital Media Manager Jeff Mijo-Burch jeff@ufvcascade.ca Photographer Laura Ayres Production Assistant Aayush Bhatia Staff Writer Priya Ghuman Staff Writer Allison Holcik Staff Writer Anisa Quintyne The Shuffler Aaron Levy

Sports Editor Teryn Midzain teryn@ufvcascade.ca Arts in Review Editor Danaye Reinhardt Danaye@ufvcascade.ca Production Assistant Niusha Naderi Illustrator Iryna Presley

Illustrator Lindsey Roberts Distributor Gurtaj Dhami

Caleb Campbell Chandy Dancey

WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA

@UFVCASCADE FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE INSTAGRAM.COM/UFVCASCADE Volume 30 · Issue 05 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 other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 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 will be digital for the remainder of the semester. Please email managing@ufvcascade.ca to be put on the assignment email list.

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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Illustrator Brielle Quon

CONTRIBUTORS

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Opinion Editor Kait Thompson kait@ufvcascade.ca

ARTS

Culture & Events Editor Steve Hartwig steve@ufvcascade.ca

OPINION

Production Manager Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca

NEWS

Creative Director Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca

CONTENTS

FEATURE

Business Manager Tarini Sandhu tarini@ufvcascade.ca

Managing Editor Sydney Marchand sydney@ufvcascade.ca

CULTURE

Executive Editor Andrea Sadowski andrea@ufvcascade.ca

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17 Snapshots.......11

20.......Study Break

NEWS "Writing as a Way of Healing"......3

4...... SUS election guide

OPINION Editorial.......8

9.......Sex and Relationships

The Conscious Consumer.......8

10.......Putin versus Trudeau

NFTs as digital deeds.......10 CULTURE Cascade Kitchen......17

17....... Campus Fashion

UFV’s clothing exchange.......18 SPORTS Cascades recap......19 ARTS The Adam Project......21 Blue In The Sky......22

21......The Batman 23......House of Sky and Breath

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news@ufvcascade.ca News Editor — Rachel Tait

NEWS

UFV //

How writing can be foundational as a way of healing Journaling workshops that help process the loss of the floods ANISA QUINTYNE The “Writing as a Way of Healing” workshop was created after the floods that wreaked havoc over the Fraser Valley in November 2021. The goal of these workshops is to help those who are impacted by the flooding overcome this challenging experience through a series of reflections, brainstorming, and sustainability.

Michelle Superle, a passionate children’s literature specialist and writer, has taken the lead on this project. As a Yarrow resident, Superle had to evacuate her home when the floods came, and immediately started looking for ways to help her community.

“Right after we returned home from evacuation during the flood, I started volunteering with the Yarrow Food Hub,” Superle says, sharing what inspired the creation of the workshops. “For a while I was there twice a day. It was very intense hearing firsthand about the farmers’ experiences, and I immediately started wondering how I could help by using my own unique skills and interests — beyond all

the baking and cooking I was doing!”

“So many people were volunteering by doing heavy manual labour, but I’m unable to do that. I couldn’t think of what I could do beyond writing about the farmers’ experiences.”

While Superle was conducting interviews with the impacted farmers about the Yarrow Food Hub in an interview she was writing for edible Vancouver magazine, she began to form connections with the stories that were being told.

“Many farmers started talking about the family treasures they’d lost — including diaries, letters, journals,” said Superle.

“It was an exceptionally heartbreaking aspect of the losses, and that’s a pretty big deal considering that for many people the losses included their entire home!

“As I chatted with farmers about this aspect of loss, the conversation would often meander off in the direction of how much comfort writing can bring — especially journaling.”

From hearing farmers’ stories of loss and how writing became an integral part of their healing, Superle realized what her contribution to the recovery efforts could

be.

“Coincidentally, I’d just been reading about expressive writing techniques and their benefits; this was inspired by a research essay that one of my students, Lauryn Joly, had recently submitted. I asked a couple of farmers if they’d like to attend a writing workshop aimed at helping them journal about their experience in the flooding as a way to help process the experiences. Everyone said yes.”

Through UFV’s Work Study program, Superle eventually hired Joly to collaborate with her to develop and co-facilitate the workshop.

Simply venting frustrations into a journal can actually make writers feel worse as they wallow in their misfortunes. As an alternative to venting their miseries away with a pen and paper, a deeper understanding of their emotions can be achieved if the writer describes their intense emotions through brainstorming and illustrating their experiences.

This type of journaling functions as a balance, an equal measure of stability to ground oneself in reality while reflecting on the trauma endured through this pas-

sage of life. Otherwise known as “narrative therapy,” this is what the workshop aims to do: provide a comfortable healing experience through journaling for all those involved.

“Once I write about an experience, there comes a point where I find a sense of peace with it,” said Superle, who has used writing as a way of emotional healing to process circumstances throughout the course of her life. “Usually this comes when I arrive at some new understanding of or perspective on the issue, and that’s what the experts in expressive writing suggest is so empowering for people — so healing.”

Superle explains, “It’s the process of reinterpreting our experiences on our own terms, as our own stories.”

Superle started teaching children’s literature and writing courses at UFV in 2005, and then returned as a full-time, permanent faculty member in 2012 after she completed her PhD. “This is literally my dream job,” Superle says with enthusiasm. “Every day I pinch myself to remind myself that I am living the dream.”

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NEWS

NEWS BRIEFS

SUS //

A guide to SUS elections Meet your candidates for the 2022 elections

IPCC’s latest climate report states: “Any further delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window to secure a liveable future” The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its sixth assessment report on the effects of climate change on Feb. 28.

The Earth is already locked in for a 1.5°C temperature increase in the near future, which will present “unavoidable increases in multiple climate hazards,” which will become “increasingly complex and difficult to manage.” While some adaptations are being made, unless nations overcome “financial, governance, institutional, and policy constraints,” the damages made by climate change will increase so much that soon it will be too late to make any adaptations that will heal damaged ecosystems.

- Andrea Sadowski

Gas prices soar up to $1.99 a liter in the Fraser Valley Those who drive vehicles are paying record high numbers at the pumps, and experts suggest that prices will only continue to increase. This is partly due to the world-wide boycott of Russia’s oil sector, which produces 10 per cent of the world’s oil, causing prices to skyrocket due to factors of supply and demand. B.C.’s politicians have made it clear that they will not interfere with the price of gas, other than the one-cent-per-liter carbon tax that will go into effect on Apr. 1.

- Andrea Sadowski

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RACHEL TAIT & ANDREA SADOWSKI The Student Union Society (SUS) is a student run organization that operates with a governance style leadership elected on behalf of UFV students. The student government represents the needs of the students and works towards creating a better campus experience for them. Every year, SUS holds an election for different positions to represent and serve the students, including the President and the Vice President Internal.

The voting period for this year’s elections is from Mar. 21 to 24, 2022.

The 2021 elections had a voter turnout of 522 students (a mere three per cent of the student body) voting for the uncontested President and Vice President Internal nominees, with approximately 15 per cent of those votes becoming null due to being “spoiled ballots”. According to SUS elections officer Caitlin Garfias-Chan, students will receive an email on March 21, 2022 to vote, noting also that “there will be occasional reminders for those who have not voted.”

According to Garfias-Chan, to help engage more student voting participation, SUS is focusing more on their social media presence this year. They have filmed the candidates debate and will be creating videos of each candidate as well. Students can read more about each candidate's platforms on the SUS website.

The Cascade sat down with each candidate to create this guide to help you decide who to vote for in this upcoming election.

All UFV students who pay student fees have a say in who represents them in their student government. Please vote.

Presidential candidates:

The president represents the student body at UFV. They are the official spokesperson of SUS and the liaison between SUS and the university. Working with the executive director, the full-time staff member hired by the executive team, the president runs the day-to-day operations of SUS and ensures the strategic direction of the board of directors is put into action.

Nikiel Lal (rerunning)

Can you tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you've had at UFV? I am the current president of SUS, and I'm running for re-election. One thing I'm proud of, for myself and our team, is with the ever-changing dynamics of what this year has brought, we have been able to pivot and react very quickly to every situation. Specifically, what I'm proud of this last year was our Kickback event, which increased campus engagement. It was made in a way that was accessible and inclusive to a wide variety of students. I'm proud of the campus shuttle and improving community partnerships; I partnered with the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Abbotsford Canucks, and other local businesses for discount programs for UFV students.

These mostly small wins to community partnership was something I was happy with, and I want to continue to grow because it adds to that experience and advocacy. We did a lot of that with provincial and federal governments, and lobbying UFV as well, in advocating for students during the tough times, like the B.C. floods and pandemic. Prior to my presidency at UFV, I was at Douglas College, which was where I sat on their student union government, so I definitely understand the scope of government from many different lenses.

What's your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

My pitch is definitely impactful leadership. I think what's really important is that all students should be heard, and, as president of the Student Union Society, my job is to listen to their voices, to understand the issues that students are facing, and tackle those issues, and to allow for students to have a safe place to have access to services and resources, affordability, campus life, and engagement. My job is to ensure that these projects are being pushed and these things are happening for students. I want students to know that voting for me is a vote for impactful leadership that students will see and continue to see.

What are the main goals you're hoping to achieve if you are elected?

I do have a lot of new goals that I’m very confident I can achieve. It’s no secret that we need a route back to Langley for the shuttle. All year, our team has been working with BC Transit and trying to figure out a solution.

If re-elected, I will be working hard to ensure that there is a plan for a transit

service available from Langley to our UFV campus. Along with our student discount program, we've been working hard on our students perks program that is going to be launching in May. I want to make sure that it is going to be sustainable, and that we continue to build off this program and add value.

Mental health is something I'm also extremely passionate about and it's something that I want to make a big difference on, because mental health services are essential. I plan on launching a big survey regarding mental health in September, and with that data, I'm going to create a strategic plan that addresses barriers that exist for students to access support. I'll be working very closely with the university to continue to grow the support already in place and grow services. We have our JEDI program, which is justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. It's something that I'm also very passionate about. UFV is a place where all students have the right to feel successful, and welcomed, and I want to continue to work towards creating that safe place for students. Another big thing I'm super passionate about is the food bank. Food insecurity is a problem that no students should face at all. This last year, I have had the opportunity to meet with a couple different student unions, such as the University of Alberta and MacEwen, and we have done extensive work on tackling food insecurity, and I am very dedicated to continuing that work that I've already started and providing students and our food bank with sustainability. With the success and feedback we received over Kickback, I want to continue to grow engagement on campus to ensure that there are more fun and exciting events and ways for people to get involved. I want to increase inclusivity. I want to intentionally plan both online and inperson events to increase opportunities for engagement. I want to make sure that everyone has an unforgettable experience here at UFV. What about SUS as an organization would you look to improve or change?

That's a tough question. I think this last year, our team has done such amazing work to really hear students’ voices and work towards building better in the work [we’ve] done with the university, growth in our organization, outreach to students, working with other universities, having the opportunity to work with our lobby organizations, such as the Alliance of BC Students, and the Canadian Federation of Students.

There has been a lot of great work that has been done to advance our student

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NEWS union, and to provide a space, opportunities, and services that students can be proud of, and want to be actively involved in. However, I understand that that is continuous work that will never stop.

Danika Elias

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. I first became involved with the Student Union Society last year when I ran for faculty of College of Arts representative in winter 2021. That was my first introduction to SUS, its mission, and all the amazing people that are involved with the organization. Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to work as a board member, getting acquainted with the internal functioning of the organization and doing my best to increase student engagement on campus. I played for the Cascades women's rugby team for a short while; I was involved with the Academic Success Centre and the Political Science Student Association.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

Students should vote for me because they can count on me to be somebody that's going to listen to them. I want them to feel like when they see me on campus, they can say “hi,” and I think that a lot of the time, people that are represented by the students, they can become out of touch with that, because they might get caught up in the administrative duties and all these other responsibilities that are associated with the job. But campus engagement, student engagement, and what students care about most is what's at the forefront. I want to make sure that when people come to UFV, that they feel like they have a place here and they belong. So that's what I think SUS should be about. It's about [the students'] concerns.

And that's always going to be at the forefront for me.

What are the main goals you are hoping to achieve if elected?

I think that I want students to have more events that they feel comfortable attending, whether they're coming with a group or they're coming alone. I think that as a bit of a commuter campus, we sometimes will head off after our class,

and don't always take that extra minute to make that connection. I will change that; I would like to try and work on the environment. So people say, “You know what, I'm gonna head over to the university tonight and see what's going on, there's always something going on and I know that I'm welcome there.” That's something that I would really like to make happen on campus. That can happen through increasing the amount of funding available to clubs and associations, and also other great events that the Student Union Society hopes to put on in the coming years. I know that we have the staff and also the passion available. So, I'd like to put that to use and make sure that we're giving back to the students.

What about SUS as an organization would you look to improve or change?

I think that the mandate of SUS is something that doesn't need to be changed. I think that it is a fantastic ideal that supports the will of students. But I think that sometimes it's not the words, it's about the culture. I think that's something that might need to change. I'm running for president because I believe it needs to change [because] I haven't always felt that my concerns were being represented at the highest level. I sometimes felt like they were not the reason that decisions were being made. I felt like it was important for me to be able to run for president to have a seat at the table during those important times where student concerns [are met].

Vice President Internal candidates: The vice president internal role is related to the internal workings of SUS. They are the treasurer and secretary of the society, and oversee finances, ensure adherence to the bud-

I joined the Get Out the Vote campaign, which [is] a nationwide campaign in Canada to increase student voter turnout in participating universities. In 2021, I did the same thing. Also [during] my time at UFV, I participated as a member of the Debate Association (which no longer exists), organizing debates, events, designing promotional material, and some of the social media aspects of the association.

Currently, I'm the sitting co-president of the Political Science Association.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I would like to keep SUS on track as it's been for the past few years now. There's a lot of new changes that have been implemented on the website, a lot of new events that they’ve organized; of course, COVID-19 really disrupted all of that.

But [SUS is making] a lot of changes to make the organization more transparent, which, as a paying member of the society, benefits everyone. I would like to continue to carry that torch. Some of my plans are to digitize all of the archives of the society which have a room stacked full of files, but also to standardize the policies and bylaws that govern the society from within. Which, to be fair, sounds boring, but that's a job that needs to be done, especially because it pertains to the financial aspects of the organization and internal management. That is important.

Are there any current SUS bylaws or policies that you would want to change and why?

Not necessarily changed, more so revised. As in wording everything to make it clearer, not for the sake of the current administration, but the future administrations. And it's a work that is ongoing, but there's still lots to be accomplished in that regard.

Is there anything within the SUS budget that you would like to see revised?

get, and review and update SUS’s bylaws and policies.

Adam Magalhaes (running unopposed) Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV I started my relationship with SUS when I first enrolled in fall 2019. We had the [federal] elections that year and

Ashley McDougall (rerunning)

We are making a few changes from internal discussions. I'm not sure how much freedom I have to speak of them. But we're speaking of increasing the budget for clubs and associations for the organization of events, which is important. Lately, we haven't done much of that because of obvious reasons. The campus has been shut down for a long time. Also, more allocation for student funding regarding emergency funds, [such as] the food bank and all of that. So, we're working on those changes.

Vice President External candidates: The vice president external’s role is to advocate for UFV students with both the university and local, provincial, and federal governments. They represent SUS on various committees at the university and in external advocacy groups. Right now, SUS is a member of the Alliance of B.C. Students (ABCS) and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA).

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. I have been the vice president external at SUS since the by-election in October, and I have been working on projects in my role here, [such as] campaigning for a fall reading break for the university. That’s been a huge kind of advocacy project for me during this term, and if re-elected, I aim to continue that project. We’ve also started a video series here at SUS called “Know your Rights,” which is basically interview style videos for the SUS YouTube channel, breaking down UFV policies. That’s a project I’ve been working on with our vice president internal, and that’s another project that, if re-elected, I would love to continue. We’ve also done some provincial and federal advocacy through our lobbying partners here at SUS, as well the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations and the Alliance of B.C. students. Outside of SUS, I’m also the copresident of the Political Science Student Association.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

If students vote for me, I will continue advocating for a fall reading break and continuing advocacy provincially and federally through our lobbying alliances.

I want to advocate for the best interests for students and student advocacy is a passion of mine. If re-elected I will continue advocating for the best interests of students at UFV. How will you look to make tangible changes with your advocacy work around the university?

I know I have talked about it quite a bit, but going back to advocating for a fall reading break, the goal would be to work with the university to implement that, and I think that would be a tangible change that I really aim to make at the university.

What do you think is a priority issue that UFV students want SUS to advocate for?

I think right now especially, mental health is a huge issue on campus. I think that is something that really needs to be supported, and as the vice president external, I would want to support students’

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NEWS mental health in any way possible, especially just coming out of all of the waves of COVID-19 and the flooding. I think [it has] taken a toll on students’ mental health, and I think that’s probably a big concern right now on campus.

Naman Tachilote

coming to the university, they can come and attend classes in-person. In case this scenario comes in, which it likely might because of how things are going and changing, I would really like to work on it. And any other thing that I can get to know from people, I would like to make sure that happens. I would like to make an open door policy for the union so that people can come anytime and make it easy to be accessible.

Vice President Students candidates: The VP students’ primary role is student programming: they advise Clubs and Associations (C&A) executives and work with SUS staff who develop and organize events.

Stefan Boekhorst

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. I am a third-year UFV student, but my first two years were in the Chandigarh [India] campus. So, I was involved in many activities over there, I was involved in many clubs, and I was the student company coordinator for two consecutive terms.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I am bringing a new perspective to the table. The majority of students in the student union are domestic students, and their perspectives of the problems they see are related to the issues they see as domestic students. When you’re not able to see a problem, you cannot give a solution. As I recently moved here from India, I know how tough it is for the transition between India and Canada; it’s a totally new country and campus. There are different things that international students go through that they shouldn’t have to go through. So, I want to make sure that does not happen to them. I want to make sure that everyone gets comfortable here.

How will you look to make tangible changes with your advocacy work around the university?

There are many changes that I want to make, such as the abolishment of the flat fee system, which is a system that makes international students pay for four courses even if they don’t take four courses. If I only decide to [enroll in] three courses, I still have to pay for four. The fees are already more than 450 per cent higher for international students, so that is very tough.

What do you think is a priority issue that UFV students want SUS to advocate for?

If the COVID-19 cases start to increase again, one big struggle that will come is the decision between online or offline or hybrid education. I would like to make a new type of education that will be student choice: they can attend the class or they can attend the online lecture [depending on their] preference; if they feel safe

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What kind of programming do you think SUS is lacking right now and what would you do to change that?

I feel right now, just because there is brand new office staff, trying to make more engagement with students. I feel there needs to be a little more communication with students about what kind of benefits they have, what kind of environments that they’re allowed to be in — for example, the SUS lounge that opened on the second floor. Something like that wasn’t publicly announced. I understand that because of COVID-19 protocols there is a certain limit of how many people can be in there, but it would've been nice for students to know, “hey, we’ve got a pool table upstairs.” I feel like SUS definitely needs to work a little more on communication and giving people information because at the end of the day, knowledge is power.

What would you do to increase student engagement on campus?

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. I’ve actually been working as a facility crew member and technician for about three to four years now. I’ve met a lot of people through SUS because the office staff has changed quite a bit, as well as new electoral staff such as the president and vice president, so I’ve definitely seen SUS grow over time. I’ve actually been a student here since 2013, too, so I’ve seen it all. I remember when [Building S] wasn’t even a building and when U-House was still a thing too. I’ve seen a lot of people and have made a lot of connections; it’s been a great learning experience and I’ve become more open minded about things that I’ve never thought of before. It’s been great being here.

Definitely create more engaging events for [students]. I’d love to reintroduce live music into the SUB lounge, like when Cambree [Lovesy] was performing; I believe she was performing before COVID-19, and a lot of people really seemed to enjoy that. Also creating more engagement for clubs and associations, because I did actually go onto a lot of their social media pages and they’re still quite active, but the last major event a club has done through myCampusLife was [in] January, and before that was [in] October. So, if we made those events more public for people to join, we could make more connections and more positive experiences for people on campus as well.

Bailee Jacques

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I think the biggest thing is because I'm human. I'm really wanting to dive deeper to understand what students need, to navigate and refer and to be able to improve students' lives. I think a big part of that is allyship skills and being able to walk through the university experience with my peers. I'm well-versed and I feel that I'm ready to take on something a little bit bigger and just provide more support, to get on an individual's level and see what's really needed to make positive changes.

What kind of programming do you think SUS is lacking right now and what would you do to change that?

I've been doing a lot of community networking with clubs and associations at UFV and different avenues within UFV International. Something that I'm really passionate about is seeking more professional development opportunities because I find that we focus a lot on fun, exciting engagement activities. Which, don't get me wrong, are very vital to the university experience. But I want to be able to put in some foundational blocks to enhance the university experience.

And then blocks that go on beyond the university experience. A couple of years ago, there was an advanced leadership program that focused on societal issues.

Community leaders came in and spoke to students with lots of resources. Really amazing things were going on, and that’s something that I would like to implement again, because students need something more for our development.

What would you do to increase student engagement on campus?

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I feel like students should vote for me because I want to create a lot of engagement events that we used to have; not even just SUS events, but UFV as a whole too. Especially with COVID-19 and everybody being inside all the time and not used to being around people, I want to create ways for people to start to reconnect with each other as well. Sure, we all want to have fun once in a while, but for me, the important thing about creating more events and creating more opportunities for clubs and associations to grow is that, at the end of the day, a lot of these people that you’re going to classes with, you’re going to be working with them in the long run, so why not make it a great experience? Who knows? Maybe those important people that you meet in the future are your classmates right now, so I feel like it’s very important to create positive relationships while you can.

I spoke at the orientations. I essentially guided new students through the campus, networking and finding support for them and referring them when needed.

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. As far as SUS goes, I haven’t had direct involvement, however I did work for Student Life and I did a lot of volunteering over my first three years at UFV. I was involved in the leadership program, both as a mentor and then later I was the assistant. I also worked for clubs and associations through myCampusLife, so that was a really great experience. I did lots of promotion for community engagement events on campus and essentially just supported clubs and associations. I was also involved with new student orientation; I was a leader, I did a lot of campus tours,

I'm essentially just getting on their levels. I’m a student myself and I like when someone comes to me with open ideas or asking, “what can I do to support you in this?” That’s very much the approach that I’m taking. Even currently interacting with all these clubs and associations and asking “What support do you need?” and directly hearing it from the students. So, just being able to connect, be human, be vulnerable and just say ‘how can I support you?’ and ‘how can we do this together to get the best outcome for the university experience?’

Claudia Daboin

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NEWS Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. I don't really have any experience with SUS specifically. This would be my first role with them. With UFV, I have experience working with Campus Rec during my first three years of university. I currently work at all the varsity games. I used to be a varsity athlete and played soccer for my first three years at this school, which was a really good experience. I really understood what it was like to represent the school in that way as a student, which is really cool.

The SUS board of directors consists of the executive team and 10 student representatives.

In previous years, there were student representative positions from specific faculties and programs. This year, there will just be student representatives “at-large” who act as the voice for all students.

Ravneet Sohal

That was something that brought together this sense of community, which I felt was kind of lacking before this year. So, I feel like that's something that I would want to contribute to, and that I'm really passionate about — holding more of those events where people can kind of let loose and let go of that constant stress, which I can imagine is there for everyone.

a big role in the community because most students who graduate high school in Abbotsford come to UFV, so we should play a greater part not only in Abbotsford, but in Mission, Chilliwack, and all the Fraser Valley.

Ishika Sethi

Moninder Grewal

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I think students should vote for me because I have a lot of passion when it comes to helping and supporting others, and I really want to create an environment on campus where students feel that they're supported by not only the school, but also by other students. It also ties into mental health, where people sometimes feel like they're alone. I personally know that's not a great feeling. So, just having communities, especially on campus, feeling supported is really important and I will make that one of my biggest goals if I get elected.

What kind of programming do you think SUS is lacking right now and what would you do to change that?

I think that one of the biggest things that I'd like to change going into SUS or just improve is the awareness and accessibility of student resources. Things like the Academic Success Centre, Advising, counseling, career education centres, increasing awareness and accessibility to those and other student resources. I think that'd be best to minimize the stress and anxiety for students who feel kind of lost. I know I felt a little bit lost with what career decisions I wanted to make.

So, understanding where I can find those resources has really made it a lot easier for me. It kind of felt like doors were opened, even though those doors were technically open the whole time. It just eased stress and anxiety. That's definitely something that I hope to improve. I also hope to also maintain relationships with other members of the student union, and also make better relationships with clubs and associations.

What would you do to increase student engagement on campus?

I definitely want to, of course, make more social events. Another thing is there are so many events that are already happening on campus that students aren't aware of. I would make a student calendar; maybe send out an email every week or so about what events are happening on campus that students can go to, because all the events that clubs and associations and organizations have are open to all students. So, I think just making people more aware of what's [already] going on and getting people out there would help.

Student Representative At-Large

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. I ran for the health faculty and sciences representative last year, but I didn't get in[to the board]. So, I'm rerunning this year. Other than that, I’ve been serving on the Senate since September and joining the general Senate meetings, and I'm also serving on the Undergrad Education Committee and the Student Appeals Committee. That's something that I plan on continuing to do and to reapply for the coming year as well. I have also been volunteering with KINPALS, which is basically like a mentorship program through the Kin department. I'm also currently an SLG leader for KIN 170, which is like the anatomy course.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

My main thing is that I want to be an honest and transparent voice. I think a lot of the time when we have these governing bodies, you vote people in and then that's kind of the end of that and you don't hear a lot about what actually goes on at meetings and you don't see that constructive change. I think when I went into the Senate, I had all these expectations and then being in that environment was completely different from what I had imagined. So, I think the skills that I developed from that — just being able to voice my opinion in a room full of people — that's something that, you know, going into that, you're like, “oh, this is going to be really easy.”

But then all of a sudden you're surrounded with so many people that all have different perspectives. I think it's important for me to voice my own perspective. I think because of the experiences that I have, I do have a unique voice to bring and I want to bring that forward for a lot of other students that might feel the same way.

What about SUS as an organization would you look to improve or change?

I think the Kickback was something that was really amazing. I would like to contribute to helping plan and coordinate a lot more of those events hopefully, as we get some of these restrictions lifted.

Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. Tell us about your previous experience with SUS and outline other involvement you’ve had at UFV. So, my previous involvement with SUS was being elected as a student-at-large representative at the by-election last year.

I wasn't able to do as much during that time because of the floods. So, I'm looking forward to doing more now in this upand-coming term. I’ve also been part of WUSC, a program that sponsors refugees to be students at UFV. I’m going to be part of UFV’s Senate in August as well.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I’m running so that I can represent international students and represent accessibility, which I think is underrepresented at UFV. Also, just to see how I can help UFV in the future and what are the issues that UFV is going through the most and how we can fix it as a team. That’s the main reason I want to work on the board, so we can work as a team rather than be an individual.

What about SUS as an organization would you look to improve or change?

Personally, I would say the health insurance policies. The health insurance policy is great compared to other universities, but it’s the quality of student care, getting [access to services] involved so much.

Sometimes they say I'm not approved, sometimes they’ll say that I didn’t pay when I did pay, or that I’m not a part of the plan that I’m actually a part of. Sometimes there is such a long time that you have to wait on the phone and you have to do paper submissions. So that’s one thing that I’ll work on. Also to advocate for why students have to pay for parking fees when they already pay so much in university fees, textbooks, and other expenses. Hopefully with SUS we can talk to politicians and bring more public transportation here since the price of gas has increased so much, so we can bring other alternatives to students. UFV plays

I haven't had any experience with SUS directly, but I served on the board of governors for one year as a student representative, and then the Senate for one year as well as a student representative. So, I’ve dealt with those governing bodies, I’ve had a good chance to interact with different students and to hear what their concerns are and bring those to the governing bodies.

What’s your elevator pitch for students on why they should vote for you?

I just want to ensure that students feel comfortable and they feel that their voices are being heard at UFV, and I just want to serve as a voice for them. I want them to feel like their voice matters, that they feel like they're a part of this university, and that their voices will be represented. As well, I want to include the student life at UFV. I want to engage with the community and bring more clubs and activities so that students' support is coming aside from just their classes.

What about SUS as an organization would you look to improve/change?

I would just look to engage with other clubs and bring more clubs to the university and make sure that there's more activities for students to engage in, and host more events to bring students from different faculties together so that they can meet new students.

Interviews were edited for length and clarity.

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VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

OPINION

opinion@ufvcascade.ca Kait Thompson — Opinion Editor

Editorial //

Why the fuck are we still paying for parking?

Join me in a parking strike ANDREA SADOWSKI I was going to write another editorial about the worsening situation in Ukraine this week. But I’m pretty sure you’re already all depressed out of your minds reading about how Putin’s forces are targeting civilians by bombing maternity hospitals, killing mothers and their children who are trying to flee on a known evacuation route, and forcing the disabled and elderly to cross makeshift bridges made of pallets over rushing water because the city’s bridges have been blown up. I’m sure you don’t want to hear more about a war that neither Russian soldiers nor Ukrainian civilians want to fight, but are forced to because of a psychopathic fascist’s cruel regime.

Let’s talk, instead, about another injustice, one that’s happening right here at UFV: why students are still paying for parking. The other day, as I was leaving campus, I noticed a familiar blue ticket under my windshield wiper. In a parking lot that was barely one-third full, I was slapped with a $31.50 parking violation if I paid within seven days, $63.00 if it took me any longer. The absolute gall of UFV to continue to charge students for parking astounds me.

Parking at UFV has been a contested

topic amongst all vehicle-owning students ever since I first started my degree here back in 2018. Students pay a dollar an hour, even after struggling to find a parking spot.

If you arrive on campus on a weekday after 9:00 a.m. or while there is an event at Abbotsford Centre, you can expect to drive around for up to thirty minutes, circling every lot, until you finally find a spot in the corner of the pothole-infested gravel parking lot or end up in the overflow parking and have to walk a mile to get to your class.

Since The Cascade office is in Building S, I often park outside the Student Union building — a building, I might add, I pay $35.00 a semester for. Not to mention the $36.50 I pay each semester for SUS membership fees, $27.23 for an inter-campus shuttle I have never once used, and $61.56 for ancillary fees that are supposed to fund “activities, athletics, library and technical services, student software, and student spaces.” How about making one of those “activities” parking and one of those “student spaces” the parking lot? Since “all revenue made from UFV pay parking goes back to UFV classrooms,” where is my tuition and all of the provincial grant funding going? Where is the tuition going from the international students who are paying four times as much as me? Accord-

ing to the 2020/2021 consolidated budget plan, campus parking made $170,000 in revenues that went to the “parking lot capital repayment.”

UFV does an incredible job at practicing its core values of integrity, inclusivity, community, and excellence by charging students $160 a semester just to park on campus.

Bravo UFV. Let me throw some numbers at you, in case any higher-ups who make six figures a year are reading and apparently don’t understand why paying for parking is an injustice: 40 per cent of students cannot afford groceries; students are paying $2.00 a liter to put gas in their old, barely-running cars; a dismal 1.3 per cent of students are offered affordable on-campus housing; and on-campus employment pays students just $15.20 an hour, well under living wage.

Even working for The Cascade pays below minimum wage, because we are a nonprofit funded by students who pay just

Illustration by Lindsey Roberts

$6.36 a semester out of their student fees for.

So, my fellow students, I invite you to join me in a parking strike. Stop paying for parking. What is UFV going to do? Tow all of us? Guess what I’m going to do about the little blue slip I got under my windshield wiper? Absolutely nothing. Let me fill you in on a little secret: nothing happens if you don’t pay it, so stop paying your parking tickets too. And UFV, show your students the smallest bit of compassion and stop charging them for a service that should be rightfully theirs in the first place.

Column //

The Conscious Consumer: let’s talk palm oil Conversations about sustainability in an unsustainable world SYDNEY MARCHAND Although I know that avoiding processed food is best for my health, and sure, I strive to live off of as many whole foods as I can, as a student, this just isn’t always possible. So, in an attempt to be more environmentally conscious, I’ve tried my best to educate myself about the sustainability of processed ingredients that packaged foods are made from. While meat and dairy products are more commonly known to be environmental “red flags,” other food products such as palm oil also raise some concerns.

If you look on the back of product labels, you are almost guaranteed to stumble across some kind of oil-based ingredient.

There are approximately 436 different names that palm oil and its derivatives can be labeled as on products, so as a consumer, it can be difficult to really know what you’re consuming.

Although palm oil can be found in about 50 per cent of the packaged foods we consume, it can also be found in animal feed, biofuels, cleaning supplies, and cosmetic products. It is the world’s most widely consumed vegetable oil and is arguably the most efficient crop to grow in comparison to other vegetable oils, like soybean oil.

Some also consider palm oil to be a health-

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ier alternative to other oils since it doesn’t contain trans fatty acids.

Although it is an incredibly versatile oil, if it is irresponsibly produced, then it largely contributes to the deforestation of many biodiverse rainforests. Due to the naturally humid climate, approximately 86 per cent of the world’s palm oil is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia. Here, palm oil plantations are farmed at a mass rate that is equivalent to 300 football fields’ worth of rainforests being cleared every single hour.

Such rainforests are home to a wide range of wildlife, including a collection of endangered species like orangutans, pygmy elephants, and Sumatran rhinos.

Not only is animal extinction a top concern of deforestation, but the mass rates of land that is cleared also have a significant influence on climate change. These plots of densely forested areas work like sponges, soaking up the carbon dioxide in the air and decreasing the number of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. With higher demands for palm oil, more land must be clear cut to farm palm oil trees, and thus poses a serious risk to our climate crisis. With the demand for palm oil theorized to quadruple over the next 30 years, I can’t imagine the amount of land that will be cleared to keep up with consumer needs.

When looking into the industry, it is noted that many of these palm oil plantations are grown on Indigenous lands without the consultation of local communities.

And while the industry may bring some economic benefits to developing countries, such as providing employment to those who face poverty, there have been concerns about human trafficking and rights violations in the work conditions at plantations.

For many, these concerns of deforestation and human welfare are what primarily drive them to avoid consuming products with palm oil altogether. But there may be some more sustainable options for us, consumers, to consider instead of boycotting the industry altogether.

The key here, in my opinion, is to be aware of where a product sources its palm oil from and if such companies receive a sustainable certification. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil’s (RSPO) mission is to create “a set of environmental and social criteria which companies must comply with in order to produce Certified Sustainable Palm Oil.” This criteria outlines both environmental and social expectations that companies must abide by in order to be certified sustainable.

Beyond just getting the stamp of certified approval, though, I think that it is especially important to look at where com-

panies source their product from. Palm oil was and continues to be a staple in African culture, as these trees are known to be native to West Africa. The production of the oil is a much more sustainable process here, as it is already built into the systemic structure of Africa, and therefore many of the social and environmental concerns that South Asian plantations bring about simply do not exist. In short, the reputation of unsustainability in the industry stems from these capitalist influences; not the palm oil itself.

So although the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) explains that responsible palm oil practices should consider all of the environmental and social impacts that the oil could bring about, it seems that these traditional West African communities have been farming it responsibly for centuries.

My advice to you, then: boycott the capitalist-driven South Asian palm plantations, and support West African farmers like Royal Palm and True Palm Oil. We have been spoon-fed these misconceptions about the palm oil industry instead of pointing the finger at the white men in charge. If you choose to include palm oil in your diet, power to ya. Just make sure you’re being conscious of where it is sourced.

2022-03-15 9:05:44 PM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

OPINION Column //

Sex & Relationships: Jealousy CHANDY DANCEY It’s my first relationship, and I’m giddy in love. But after a few months of dating, when I mention hanging out with male friends there’s a shift. Instead of being impartial toward or happy with the fact that I have a separate social life, he becomes hostile. “Oh, hanging out with [name here] again? I’m sure you just love spending time with him instead of me.” What happened to the gentle and kind man I thought I knew? Suddenly having friends meant having to defend myself, get into an argument, or tell white lies to keep the peace.

Jealousy is a powerful emotion that’s inevitably common in romantic and sexual relationships. It’s usually a sense of possessiveness and entitlement that often arises from insecurity and a lack of trust.

Jealousy in itself isn’t problematic, but out of control jealousy can drive people apart rather than address the root issue. The good news is that if you suffer from jealousy, or are on the receiving end of it, there are ways to heal and reconnect if there’s cooperation.

Dealing with your own jealousy If you’re experiencing jealousy, it’s not an easy feeling. You might feel betrayed, unloved, and confused. The journey to recovery is through recognizing your emotions, sitting with them, and communicating. (I never claimed it was easy!)

The truth is that jealousy is an insecurity which is your responsibility to work on in a relationship. It’s not sustainable for it to be continually justified away or tip-toed around by a partner. It’s not wrong to feel jealous, but it must be healed at the source

instead of endlessly accommodated.

The first step is to acknowledge what’s happening. What are your triggers? Maybe the jealousy storm begins to brew when your partner spends hours gaming with their friends or hanging out with an attractive coworker. What are you afraid will happen? Find the source of your insecurity. Are you fearful that your partner doesn’t enjoy spending time with you or that you don’t trust that they’ll be faithful?

How realistic are these fears? Do you have any evidence to back up these ideas, or are you creating hypothetical situations? You need to recognize the negative self-talk and resist being sucked into a spiral.

Next, approach your partner to have a non-accusatory and non-confrontational conversation about how you’re feeling. Decide ahead of time what you’re looking to receive out of this interaction. Do you need comfort and love? Do you want to establish or clarify boundaries? (Think less of a checklist that takes away freedom from your partner and more of a convo around defining what constitutes cheating.) Use “I” sentences to express how you feel. Examples: “I feel like you enjoy hanging with [name here] more than me,” or “I feel like we don’t spend enough time together.”

Somewhere in the conversation work in a clear understanding of what you need from your partner.

After this conversation, it’s up to you to regulate your emotions, shut down your imagination, and seek out additional reassurance from your partner as needed.

Dealing with your partner’s jealousy There’s a whole separate set of emotions and skills involved with helping a partner cope with jealousy. You can understand

that your partner is unhappy and hurt, but it can be confusing as to why it’s happening and frustrating if you feel like you’re walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting them.

It’s a good idea to initiate a conversation around how they’re feeling. Be open to listening to their concerns, reassure them of how you feel, and work together to establish how you can alleviate some of their anxiety. It’ll be crucial to establish bound-

be back, and to express love before leaving.

It’s also important to be transparent with a jealous partner: if you’re hanging out with a friend, there’s no need to cover it up.

They may not like it, but it’s better to tell the truth than break their trust if you lie.

You can do everything right on your side, but ultimately a relationship is a twoway street. If your partner’s jealousy is negatively affecting you, they aren’t willing to work on it, and there’s no effective

Illustration by Brielle Quon

aries that work for you both. For example, having a partner go through your belongings or phone, or needing to constantly check-in with a significant other throughout the night are not healthy boundaries.

An example of a good boundary might be to agree that you’ll both clearly communicate where you’re going and when you’ll

communication happening, make the best choice for yourself. Engage in a serious conversation about the future of your relationship, seek external counselling, and decide if separating is the best course of action.

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2022-03-15 9:05:48 PM

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

OPINION World //

Putin versus Trudeau; are there comparisons that we should be drawing?

Analyzing the similarities between the conflict in Ukraine and the vaccine mandate protests ALLISON HOLCIK The Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine has thrown the world into craziness. Though we just went through the “freedom convoy”, it appears that Canada will not be calming down any time soon, as Russia invades Ukraine. The overlap of these two huge political events has forced many people to draw parallels between the messaging and government action in Russia and Ukraine and the same in Canada. Both movements say they are fighting for freedom and the upholding of human rights, but can any true comparison be made between the two? Are the Russian and Canadian governments overstepping power in similar ways? Or has the pandemic and the privilege of living in the relative safety of Canada caused people to lose their understanding of the role of government and the government’s rights in taking away freedom?

Canada and Russia have extremely different government styles; both style themselves as democracies, but with huge discrepancies in practices and acceptability of control. Many people believe that Russia is in fact a dictatorship under the rule of President Valdimir Putin, and the invasion of Ukraine, which it appears that most of the Russian citizenry is against, certainly lends weight to this argument. Canada, however, is proudly democratic, and holds

the common beliefs that accompany that sort of government — namely the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which must be upheld before any other action, and which is applied equally to everyone (at least in theory).

It seems that many Canadians are of the belief that the Charter has been paused in light of the COVID-19 restrictions that continue to be in place across Canada. In response, thousands of people have flooded the highways and streets of various major cities across Canada to show their displeasure. The protests have been gaining traction since January 2022, as more vaccination mandates were rolled out.

People are arguing that the government should be reassessing their rulings to align with the Charter’s coverage of freedom and human rights. Accordingly, protestors have been trying to prove to the government and the people of Canada that they are not being offered the freedom they should be.They argue that they are being subjected to “tyranny,” or an extremely oppressive and cruel government who is overusing their powers to the detriment of the people.

While no one is happy with the continuation of COVID-19 mandates, the argument that the government is intentionally taking away the rights of its citizens, as opposed to trying to end the global pandemic and prevent future deaths, seems like the words of people who have been sheltered

from real human rights infringements.

These protestors have become overly willing to use powerful words, without understanding their true meaning and impact.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, on the other hand, is an actual example of the destruction of freedom and human rights. According to Edward Akuffo, associate professor and director of the Centre for Global Development at UFV, parts of the invasion in Ukraine go against the Geneva Conventions, which outline appropriate measures during war to prevent excessive human rights violations. In its attacks on civilian-populated areas and hospitals, Russia has broken the Geneva Conventions. Other European countries, in their efforts to aid Ukraine, have also been denying refugees human rights, with their clear racism towards people of colour trying to flee the war torn country, Akuffo says.

The war itself stemmed from Ukraine’s efforts to make their own independent choices, such as joining NATO and strengthening their economy and military.

Akuffo explains that Russia saw this as an affront, interpreting it as Ukraine trying to ally with the West against Russia, and that this contributed to the invasion.

Akuffo points to the Geneva Conventions and the United Nations 1967 Refugee Protocol when describing the policies that should be applied to the Ukrainian war and the ongoing violations to human

rights that come with it.

In comparison, the freedom protests and their use of terms like “tyranny” and “abuse of human rights” paint a picture of Canada as a coddled child who is looking to cause drama without actually knowing anything about the atrocities occurring simultaneously around the world. They cite the removal of choice as the main issue, and many protests have used historical atrocities as comparisons for the rules of the mandates.

The vaccine protest happened during the same time that Ukrainian Canadians marched in solidarity with their families, who were holding signs which had similar slogans about abuse of power, lack of freedom, and ignorance of human rights.

If any comparison can be made at all between these two issues, it is a comparison of the privilege of Canadians who are trying to fight against a government that, for the most part, works to protect its citizens, to that of the Ukrainian people who have experienced continued genocidal actions from the Russian government for decades. Instead of trying to use words that we clearly have no concept of, Canadians should take the time to understand the differences between our struggles with the amount of control our government should have and the horrific actions of those governments with no care for those they are supposed to serve.

World //

Why NFTs are digital deeds of the 21st century Digital artists may benefit from NFTs, but the harm it causes to the environment is catastrophic ANISA QUINTYNE If you possess a phone or any recent memory of this era’s virtual climate, then the rise of laser-eyed tiger icons and images of lions stoned out of their minds might ring a bell.

NFTs have gained popularity since their endorsement by Elon Musk, who shared a 28-year-old meme on Twitter, where the artist subsequently sold it for approximately $20,000 after the image went live for two days. NFTs, otherwise known as nonfungible tokens, are a form of crypto tokens that have forced the internet into an uncomfortably tight chokehold and, despite its constant denials, refuses to let go of.

The “non-fungible” aspect of it originates from its non-interchangeable nature, unlike forms of cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, which rely on a basis of mutual exchange to function. The “tokens” that are bought represent proof of possession. Lately, digital artists have benefited from the rise of NFTs by selling tokens of their pieces, such as the 18-year old artist FEWOCiOUS who

sold their painting The EverLasting Beautiful for $550,000 as the highest bid.

The first time I was subjected to the concept of NFTs was earlier last year, when I was naïve enough to have no prior knowledge of Elon Musk selling his song about NFTs as an NFT for a totally modest cost of $69 million. My first thought was, “So, is he selling the rights to the track?” And when I learned later on that, no, he did not sell the rights to the track, and had in fact placed a “non-refundable token” over the song's premise as a digital ledger, I wondered, “Did he, like, sell it with a purpose to remix the original?” And I was answered with a horrifying “nope” after hearing a song I thought was created in Garageband.

The process is like an adult version of Pokémon trading cards when you were a kid; you trade the equally valuable cards among your friends, while the super rare and shinier ones are sold by the hundreds on eBay. This allegorical tale of NFTs extends to just that: you have a digital photo of the super rare Pokémon card worth more than a month’s rent in Vancouver, except

the individual rights are not technically yours, because all you have is the photo to prove that you own it, while the money you spent doesn’t necessarily prohibit the external duplication or copying of it.

Basically, that means anyone could take a screenshot of your super rare Pokémon card, and they would legally have the same acquisitional rights as Elon Musk and a deep fried iFunny screenshot. Save it as a PNG, JPEG, GIF, PDF — it doesn’t matter. There is no copyright infringement because the copyright does not exist.

This is the equivalent of spending $100,000 to write your signature on the Mona Lisa in invisible ink. This act of claiming a digital deed serves a sole purpose in providing some granduitious vindication that — hey, you can do something with this grotesque amount of money, and no one will stop you, because why would they? Your carbon footprint tethered to blockchain transactions is actively testing the environmental limits of

Illustration by Brielle Quon

the Earth, and a single generated NFT of a monkey smoking a blunt is producing enough energy consumption to bake three pies (340 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy) — but, I mean, you got the funny monkey Twitter icon, dude.

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2022-03-15 9:05:48 PM

BRIEF BITS OF BITE-SIZED BREVITY

SN S AP HO TS

CURTAILED COMMENTARY ON CURRENT CONDITIONS

Illustrations by Iryna Presley

Fish are friends, not food Have yourself a moment of awe My days lately have been playing out like the movie Groundhog Day. Day. I wake up and live the same day over and over again in a boring monotony of reading and writing and scrolling, trying to check items off a to-do list that never seems to get any smaller. The other day, I came home from another day of sitting in front of a computer reading words and thought to myself, “is this all there is?” After looming over that depressing thought for a moment, I decided to take a walk instead of sitting on my couch to catch up on all the depressing news in the world.

On that walk, I saw the most beautiful sunset where the sky turned from blue to pink to orange to gold along the horizon,

and the brightest rainbow had formed all the way across the sky. And I stood there for I don’t know how long in a state of awe, grateful to be alive for the first time in what felt like a long time.

In the podcast Life Examined, Examined, psychologist Dacher Keltner describes awe as “being in the presence of vast things that you don’t understand.” You can find “moments of awe” in nature, art, spiritual texts, and in connecting with other people’s courage and kindness. Try to get your daily dose of awe to connect yourself to community, culture, and ecosystems, and to give yourself a reason to keep going.

The past couple of weeks has been nothing less than hectic. My boyfriend decided to move in with me, which means that my somewhat organized house has turned into a chaotic mess of half-emptied cardboard boxes and packing materials. While I am stoked to have him around all the time, I think I am even more excited for the aquarium that he has brought with him.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: how exciting can a fish tank really be?

But let me tell you, this isn’t just some small, place-on-the-counter-for-decor kind of fish tank. This is a huge-ass 115-liter beast that is home to a bunch of live plants and fish friends. I’ve carved out an entire wall for this bad

boy and I couldn’t be happier. Although I love the fish, snails, and shrimp that swim around all day, the live plants are undeniably my favorite part. The majority of the tank displays an underwater jungle of different types of moss and aquatic plants that are wrapped intricately around pieces of wood and mounds of rocks (actual rocks, not those pearlescent beads that pet stores sell). Sticking out from the water, we draped different varieties of pothos and other wandering plants. It’s quite the setup, I’ll admit. And for someone who has an irrational fear of water, this aquarium brings me so much joy.

Sydney Marchand

Andrea Sadowski

Mosey, the cat I've been stuck with I am a dog person. To my core, dogs are my favorite pets. Except for the annoying, but heartwarming, ball of tri-coloured fur … my brother’s calico cat, Mosey.

Mosey knows she is as gorgeous as she is cunning, and uses her talents of seduction and kindness to get her only two loves in life: food and a soft quilt to sleep on.

Mosey runs on a strict timetable that all must abide by and memorize. Morning breakfast by 9:00 a.m., followed by latemorning judgments of the walkers from her favorite window sill. Lunch should be served by 1:30 p.m., and dinner no later than 7:00 p.m.

Her demands of attention are a grievance. Simple work-from-home days or weekend video games now have to account for a bundle of fur that in one second will

be purring calmly, then with the slightest adjustment of my mouse or twitch of my thumb, becomes a hurricane of claws and teeth. Her peace was disrupted, her entire mood went to shit, and my evening is now forfeit to the duties of Mosey’s Snuggle Hoe. Then there are moments when I am distressed, scared, and alone. When I can’t breathe and feel trapped in a dark forest with no exit or meadow; when our contempt for each other dissipates. Her comfortable weight and soft purring from the nook between my legs and my butt tells me I am loved and appreciated — as long as I don’t move too much, and in doing so, disturb her sleep.

Teryn Midzain

TikTok and Parasocial Relationships TikTok has reduced musicians to material forms of their palatable selves, made to perform and commodify their music before their status as people is acknowledged. We see this now that concerts are opening back up and people are exposed to musicians for the first time since quarantine — with songwriter Clairo asking her crowd to stop yelling inappropriate comments after performing a song about objectification. There is a certain demand for entertainment that has violated all known concert etiquette.

Pre-COVID 19, we praised artists for sharing a sliver of their mind untouched by the world that kills cre-

ativity; now, the barrier that allows us to empathize with creatives has been worn thin by TikTok’s constant and accessible entertainment. It’s difficult to empathize with images behind a screen, and now creatives are forced to conflate their personal identity with their content and become commodified for the music that truly sells on social media. Their humanity cracks open like a running egg, and the yolk is consumed faster than the prose they write in verse.

Anisa Quintyne

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Feature //

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

The First Battle Ground of 2022: Bah-F**Kin’- Rain The F1 season commences this weekend at the iconic Bahrain Grand Prix High octane passion It’s almost impossible to grasp the scope and endeavor of Formula One racing; it’s more than just driving a really fast car along a paved road. It’s unlike any sport in the world but has everything every other sport has to offer: a long history that is shown with pride in each nation, culture, and race track — some of which have been around since Grand Prix and trophy automobile racing became popular in the early 1900s.

Simply put, Formula One is excellence.

The characters and the cars of F1 are two of the reasons why this sport is so amazing. The cars are designed to push the absolute limit that engineering and the human will can reach. Every action and reaction of these drivers and cars are accounted for, tested, theorized, and practiced to the pinnacle of performance. These athletes are making decisions in fractions of a second; a common saying in F1 is that 0.1 seconds is 100 meters gained on the track. There is no margin for error in this league because every aspect of human will is worn on the sleeve and put on the line. It’s all felt on the track by everyone who watches and participates, at every overtake, every pit stop, and every time you see the DRS flap open and the car catch the downforce. Imagine passing a slow driver on the highway — now times that speed by 30, and that’s Formula One. That’s excellence.

The heart and passion are felt through every layer of participation — of which there are many in F1, from the team principals; down through each member of the teams that, depending on a team’s budget, can amass close to a thousand employees; into the pit crews as they handle the tires and mechanics on race days; and finally into the drivers, who have the honor of driving the car at its limits on the

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By: Maecyn Klassen & Teryn Midzain

track. Schumacher, Senna, Hamilton, and Vettel; Monza, Silverstone, Spa, and Monaco — these are names that don’t just speak to locations and of athletes, but to the human hearts that go into the pursuit of pushing the human and machine, bodies and souls, to their limits.

It’s hard to put into words what a race is like, as they are rather hard to attend. A race is an expensive event, full of glam and glitz, massive parties, and media coverage.

However, Walter Foreman, UFV’s associate director of international relations, can paint a clear picture.

Foreman has been a Formula One fan since he was 14 when he was living near Hockenheim, Germany, where he saw his first Formula One race and got to see Ayrton Senna win the Grand Prix in the iconic fourth iteration of the McLaren Project, a car that would become the inspiration for the future manufacturing of the cars.

“It was so visceral.” Foreman describes the experience of seeing a race at that young age. “It literally touches every human sense. The engines are so loud, you see the cars, they look amazing in person. You can literally taste the fuel and the heat of the cars. You smell them, and you feel them.

You feel the rumble of the cars before you even see them coming down the straights. And when they’re revving the engines, you feel it hit you in the chest.”

Foreman’s love for the sport didn’t end with one race. He spent some time away from the sport before finding it again in Seoul, South Korea, where he volunteered in the Williams Racing pits (back when the team was called Williams Martini) for a number of seasons while there was still a Korean Grand Prix.

This was where he got to experience the other layers of Formula One. “Another huge draw for me was seeing the logistics of it all,” Foreman says.

“I can’t think of another

logistical operation that is run more efficiently.”

Foreman describes the transportation of cars, catering, team offices, and garages, calling these theatrics the “F1 circus.” The transportation of cars and offices happens from race to race over land, air, and sea. Spare engines and parts, as well as lavish and beautiful motorhomes, are taken apart and transported by a third party for the racing league. Each team spends upwards of $8 million in transportation each year, and it takes six cargo Boeing 747 planes to transport the equipment by air.

“A casual fan might say, ‘Oh, F1, that’s the fast racing car league right?’ but it is a team sport. There are so many layers and dimensions,” Foreman says.

An easy way to describe this is to discuss the chaos of communication, design, and the nerve-wracking seconds that go on in and along the pit wall. The teams’ cars may look similar, but each team adds their own unique designs to make the best car that can be used in a variety of strategies and heartracing overtakes. Pit stops are called strategically at the best times for each driver, adding another layer that makes each race so interesting. Track conditions and weather can affect how the car performs; changing pit stop strategies from a 1-stop to a 2-stop can become crucial at the end of the race. Being on fresher (oftentimes softer) tires can help drivers achieve last-minute overtakes and faster lap times, or get a crucial undercut for better track position, while still gaining the benefit of being on fresher tires to possibly gain even a single point moreover another team. Pit stops are a race against time themselves and can make or break a team’s position if the stop is even one-tenth of a second too slow.

The crucial seconds and strategies are commentated on by the delightful Sky Sports F1 team. David ‘Crofty’ Croft’s and Martin Brundle’s long anecdotes about the smallest details of the cars and teams over their choice of tea and scones are contrasted with the passion and enthusiasm for each turn, overtake, and occasional crash as the laps

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

trickle down. Each battle and scrap for a single point is shown and fought over.

The simple phrase that sums up why the Formula One Championship is felt so passionately by its fans and characters within is told best by Foreman himself.

“I just love to see excellence. Right.

And that’s what F1 is — excellence.”

The epic highs and lows of the points system One of the factors that make Formula One so unique is the points system used to determine an ultimate champion at the end of the season.

Hunting for first place is great, but a team’s strategy has to cover the season as a whole. Engineers, drivers, and team principals have to exercise a truly astonishing kind of control over their builds and manage to predict what other teams might be planning in addition to handling their own ups and downs.

Only the top ten places in a race receive points and the number they receive is proportional to the place they achieve when they cross the finish line: first gets 25, second gets 18, third gets 15, decreasing at admittedly

odd intervals until 10th place, which receives one point. Points are tallied after every race, and whoever achieves the most by the end of the season wins the championship. Frequently, the best battles to watch in a race aren’t the drivers fighting for first.

Landing fourth or fifth can change the trajectory of a driver’s season, so some of the best driving often comes from drivers eking out several points by pushing their way through the upper half of the pack.

Excitement remains high throughout the season due to the points system.

In 2021, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were tied in points, which meant everything came down to who could come out ahead in the final race.

One of the fiercest battles of the 2021 season came during the final laps of the race in Azerbaijan, where Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc gave everything they had at the end of an exhausting day to achieve third place; that fight was one of the standout moments of an otherwise dramatic and shocking race overall (Gasly eked out his place on the podium, in the end). They’re the kind of unbelievable climaxes you only see in sports movies, and they happen over and over in a normal

2. Side pods: A feature that will be talked about a lot throughout this season, and one that will be watched for further development.

Sidepods are built to allow air to vent in and help cool the engine, and also direct airflow to the most ideal locations for aerodynamics.

2. placed over the drivers in the car’s cockpit.

The Max Verstappen-instigated crash against Lewis Hamilton in 2021 demonstrated why the halo is important, as without it Lewis Hamilton would have been killed.

5. Front wing: The most iconic and key feature to the car. The front wing of the car is the first aspect that meets the stale and rushing oncoming air. The previous front wing had a small gap between the elements and the main nose piece that created a lot of turbulent airflow around the car.

It’s easy to say that Formula One wouldn’t be possible without its cars.

Each car is worth roughly $12 million in parts, not counting the cost that goes into developing these fantastic machines, and is the pinnacle of both human innovation and raw machine power. Every piece of the car is designed for excellence; if one nut, one flap, one screw is not accounted for and tested, the car falls apart and a season is ruined.

The 2022 car is no different; in fact, this car is specifically designed to shake up the championship, with aerodynamics at the core of the car’s engineering.

redesigned returning features and the new ones will overall create more downforce together.

More importantly, the new, more aerodynamic rear wing will create less turbulent airflow in the back.

This means that the cars in the back and ones overtaking won’t have as much slipstream and favorable drafts to gain more speed and tow.

3. Driver halo: One of the more standout features of modern-day F1 cars, the halo is arguably the most key safety feature, or at least the most prominent. This curved titanium bar is connected to the car by three main points on the car’s nose and is

The sleek, the sexy, the whole reason the sport exists… The Car

Every year, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (or FIA; the governing body for Formula One) provides a set of standards and regulations that all cars have to abide by. This can include design changes (like the addition of the halo in 2018) or simply overall tweaks to the shape and structure. From this broad standard, teams develop their own unique (albeit very similar-looking) cars. Each team gets to design and make changes to their cars to get the best edge and performance out of them, and this year, teams all have taken different approaches to how features such as sideboards and wings will affect the aerodynamics to get the most competitive edge and performance out of the car.

Even with all the development done before and during the season, these cars aren’t necessarily perfect. Early testing in Barcelona showed that the 2022 cars have a porpoising issue, which will be imperative for teams to find a solution to remain as fast as possible — which, in the end, is what F1 is all about.

Here are the more important features of the 2022 car, and the ones to keep an eye on through the season.

1.

1. Rear wing: The most prominent feature of every car is the rear wing, the primary function of which is to create downforce to keep the cars on track, as well as house the DRS flap. The newly designed 2022 rear wing uses its elements, endplates, and returning beam wings to make a streamlined design with no real edges. This rear wing will generate less downforce on its own, but the

season. Teammates work together to strategically move one another up as much as possible, drivers strike out on their own and break away from established strategy in the heat of the moment, and teams try to think five steps ahead of one another. The points system makes every race a don’tmiss event in one way or another and ensures that even mid-level drivers have a shot at new glory on every race Sunday.

This is gone in the new 2022 wing and will ensure cleaner air. The lack of the front gap means that airflow will fly over and through the car smoothly, and won’t disrupt trailing cars’ ability to slice through the air.

5.

This year, side pods are one of the most varied features of cars.

Most teams are taking different approaches to their side pods, with Ferrari and Mercedes having the most unique takes that will be key to watch for future car developments.

2.

4. Tires, winglets, and wheel covers:

3.

4.

TThe tire is a huge topic in F1, with three types of compact tires: hard, medium, and soft, on top of wet weather and intermediary tires. Each tire type is marked with a special color, and have their own unique strategic value.

The new winglets over the tires will help keep clean airflow around and into the car.

A returning feature on the wheels is wheel covers. Originally designed to help keep the air vortexes less turbulent, covers

were banned in 2010 because they didn’t help to overtake as initially promised, and the individual teams’ development costs were too high. This year, the covers make a return and have so far been complimenting the new 18-inch tire profiles well. A new rule in 2022 is that teams are going to have to share their most innovative designs on specific items, like tire covers, to lower costs and increase performance.

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VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

MERCEDES

Lewis Hamilton #44 United Kingdom. Seven-time World Champion; narrowly missed out on a world-record eighth in 2021. Has smashed almost every F1 record. Unparalleled talent, passion, and hunger. It’s a privilege to watch him carve out a legacy for the ages.

Lando Norris #4

MCLAREN

United Kingdom. Affable, light-hearted, shockingly quick on track. Pushes himself and the car to podiums and solid point finishes; he’s only improved in his career thus far. Plus he’s a Twitch streamer.

ALPINE

George Russell #63

Fernando Alonso #14

United Kingdom. His first season with Mercedes after his career start with Williams. Expectations are high for this young driver’s future in his new seat; it remains to be seen whether he’ll live up to them.

Spain. Longtime driver with two World Championship wins under his belt; bested the likes of Michael Schumacher and broke records to define himself on the grid.

Recently returned to F1 after a two-year break; utterly unafraid and certain of his capabilities.

RED BULL

Max Verstappen #1

Netherlands. First World Championship won in 2021. Consistently battles Hamilton for the lead. Intense and unafraid to take chances; determined to show that his 2021 victory wasn’t a fluke.

Esteban Ocon #31 France. Ousted from his seat in 2018 to allow Lance Stroll to take it, he bided his time and gained a new place in 2020 with Renault, now Alpine. Perseverance and patience are his keys.

Sergio Perez #11

ALPHATAURI

Mexico. Expert at climbing through the pack and excels at team strategy throughout a long race day. Smooth, clever driver with strong analytical capabilities.

Pierre Gasly #10 France. Bounced around by Red Bull, his career has been marked by massive peaks and valleys. Flourishing at AlphaTauri, away from the shadow cast by Max Verstappen.

Ruthlessly hunts down points and podiums.

FERRARI Charles Leclerc #16 Monaco. A brilliant young talent who consistently gets the best out of a sometimes faltering car. Climbs through the ranks with ease and expertly defends his position. One of the best of the younger pack.

Yuki Tsunoda #22

Japan. Previously a huge talent in F2, but struggling more with the F1 circuit. 2022 will only be his second year at the F1 level and will undoubtedly demonstrate whether or not his previous skills will ever transfer to F1 results.

Carlos Sainz #55

ASTON MARTIN

Spain. Bold, unafraid, and unfailingly calm. A personality that’s easy to love and a talent that’s easy to admire. Look up YouTube compilations of his interactions with former teammate Lando Norris if you want some heartwarming escapades.

Sebastian Vettel #5 Germany. Four-time World Champion.

Massively talented; it’s difficult to overstate how legendary his career already is and continues to be. Off-track, he is one of the most outspoken about world issues and F1 culture.

MCLAREN

Daniel Ricciardo #3

Australia. Huge personality; the biggest joker on the grid with seemingly unwavering optimism. A fan favorite for good reason. Has struggled after hopping from team to team, but has every opportunity to excel.

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Lance Stroll #18

Canada. Son of the main team investor Lawrence Stroll, trying to shake off the “pay driver” mantle and prove his own reputation. Sometimes excels in wet weather conditions, but otherwise provides mostly middling results.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

WILLIAMS

F1: Glossary

Nicholas Latifi #6

Canada. After a stellar season in F2 that launched him to F1, he’s never quite made the same pace. Cool and collected, but not nearly as exciting as his fellow drivers. Generally comes in towards the back of the pack.

Alexander Albon #23

Thailand. First at Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri), then Red Bull, then on reserve, and now at Williams, he’s being given a second shot at F1. An underdog story that’s easy to root for. 2022 will either see his fairytale play out or crash and burn.

ALFA ROMEO Zhou Guanyu #24 China. 2022’s only rookie and F1’s first Chinese racer. Moved to England at 12 to pursue motorsports; has been making a name for himself at Ferrari and Renault’s driver academies, but is untested in the pressure of an actual F1 race.

Valtteri Bottas #77 Finland. Calm, quiet, collected, and dazzling on the track. Unfortunately overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton during his tenure at Mercedes; stepping out from that pressure may help unleash him completely.

HAAS Kevin Magnussen #20

Denmark. Raced for Haas previously from 2017 to 2020. His unexpected return comes as a replacement for Nikita Mazepin, the Russian driver recently ousted from the team. Good amount of experience; he’ll be valuable for the team and his fellow Haas driver.

Mick Schumacher #47

Germany. Still attempting to make his own legacy apart from his father’s (Michael Schumacher, one of the all-time F1 legends). Struggles with Haas’ poorly built cars. Here’s hoping 2022 is a new start.

1-stop/2-stop:

A strategic maneuver that calls for the driver to come into the pits once or more than once. In dry and regular conditions, drivers are required to take at least one pit stop during the race. Using a 2-stop strategy could get the driver and car on fresher tires to get lastminute overtakes and faster laps.

Downforce:

A fact of aerodynamics that is crucial for keeping cars on track.

As they move forward, air around the cars creates a downward force that is then manipulated by the car’s design in order to achieve better handling.

DRS:

Undercut:

When a trailing driver makes an earlier pit stop than the car ahead to get fresher tires for a renewed attack, or to get into position to play a long con for a later push or to try and set faster lap times to steal points.

Porpoising: The curious trick of high-speed aerodynamics that results in cars bouncing along a track. Some of the 2022 cars struggled heavily with this in testing.

Slipstream:

The aerodynamic current that follows after a car produces a current of clean air (airflow that isn’t turbulent, also known as ‘dirty air’) that the cars can slip into and gain speed. Slipstreams are what makes towing possible.

DRS is the abbreviation for Drag Reduction System, which refers to the small adjustable flaps along the rear wing. The object of the DRS flap is to improve overtaking and allow the cars to get additional horsepower and speed to be able to pass. During a race, DRS can only be activated to overtake when a driver is less than one second behind a leading car, and can only be used in specific sections of the track, dubbed DRS Zones, which are typically along the longer straights. The DRS flap deactivates as soon as a driver touches the brakes.

Sometimes referred to as a “hot lap,” flying laps are laps in qualifying when a driver is pushing their car to the limits to set the fastest lap time possible.

Faster laps mean better position on the starting grid, and sometimes extra championship points.

Pit stop:

Tow:

Changing of tires or other easily replaceable parts in the middle of a race. Done as quickly as possible; can be as thrilling as the race itself.

Overtake:

When one driver passes another.

Usually more thrilling than it sounds.

Flying lap:

A tactic that involves a driver driving closer to the car ahead to reduce turbulent air for a cleaner slipstream, gaining speed without using DRS for a lighter overtake, or gaining precious tenths of seconds’ faster lap times. The strategy is often used by teammates during Qualifying.

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Circuits: Formula One is a global sport, with tracks and events held throughout the world. Races this year will take place in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Italy, the United States, Spain, Monaco, Azerbaijan, Canada, Great Britain, Austria, France, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Singapore, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi. Past Grands Prix locations include countries like Russia (canceled as of 2022 because of the country’s war with Ukraine), South Korea (dropped in 2014 due to organizer disinterest), and Argentina (absent from the roster since 1999 because of contract disputes).

Bahrain, the Premiere: Mar. 18-20

Monaco, the Legend: May 27-29

Bahrain held its first racing event in 2004 and was the first race track in the Middle East to host Formula One. The Bahrain track is usually in the first handful of races of the F1 season, trading back and forth with the Australian Grand Prix to be the season opener, and is an interesting circuit, combining pure raw power and intelligent technique.

It’s a track that always provides fabulous entertainment with its multiple DRS zones and tight hairpin corners, and will be a good test for the manufacturers’ new cars, and where they will need to develop as the season progresses.

All of the prestige and glamour of F1 is exemplified in the Monaco Grand Prix. Since 1929, this track has been the pinnacle of motorsports: drivers race through narrow Monaco streets lined with celebrities and billionaires, past a harbor full of yachts, and try to ease huge cars around corners built for much smaller vehicles. Speeds tend to be slower given the tight course, but the spectacle is unlike anything else in the season. As three-time champ Nelson Piquet once said: “A win here [is] worth two anywhere else.”

Silverstone, the British Grand Prix: Jul. 1-3

Spa-Francorchamps, the Equalizer: Aug. 26-28

Home to the British Grand Prix, Silverstone is one of the few race tracks that doesn’t have a fancy title — as it doesn’t need one. It is the staple of what the phrase “British Racing” is all about — power and elegance. One of the grand cathedrals of racing and one of the most adaptable circuits, able to fit every level of car racing from stock car to the World Endurance Championship. There is one thing that binds the circuit together — the same bond that connects all racing: speed. Lewis Hamilton has compared a flying lap on Silverstone to being in a fighter jet, and the famous corners, named after previous British racing venues, icons, and history provide some of the greatest racing any fan can ask for.

Monza, the Temple of Speed: Sept. 9-11 Built in 1922, Monza is the traditional home of the Italian Grand Prix and one of the oldest and original tracks in Europe. Known as the Temple of Speed for having the fastest F1 lap ever recorded, this track is every bit of a heritage and legacy track, and its 53-lap Grand Prix is an event like no other. A sea of red shirts with black stallions will be seen as the Ferrari fans will come out for their home race, and is unquestionably one of the main arteries in the heart and soul of Formula One.

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Usually referred to as simply “Spa,” the home of the Belgian Grand Prix has been in the F1 circuit since 1925. The track takes full advantage of a gorgeous landscape, and one of the highlights is the Eau Rouge and Radillion section, where drivers pass over a stream and ascend to a blind, winding summit (where it’s impossible for drivers to see the exit as they climb). Spa is a wonderful test of skill and speed, but its complexity has also led to a number of serious crashes and incidents.

Interlagos, the Thrill Ride: Nov. 11-13 The Brazilian Grand Prix is run on the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, which was renamed in 1985 to honour the F1 driver of the same name, but the circuit is still better known as Interlagos.

Terrain changes challenge drivers here; tight, high-speed corners rocket over small hills that push cars to their limits. The circuit also runs anticlockwise, unlike most of the other Grands Prix on the calendar, which means that drivers have to handle centrifugal forces coming from the opposite side they expect. Look forward to every driver being at the top of their game for this race.

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VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

culture@ufvcascade.ca Steve Hartwig — Culture Editor

CULTURE

Column //

Cascade Kitchen:

Column //

Campus Fashion: Smoky romesco sauce Spring up your style with a smart blazer Dressing up with a more polished look RACHEL TAIT

Smoky romesco sauce. 2022. (Andrea Sadowski/The Cascade)

ANDREA SADOWSKI 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.

Everybody needs to learn a couple different versatile sauce recipes that you can whip up at last minute’s notice or can stay in your fridge until the opportune time. This is one of those sauces. You can honestly use this sauce however you like — in a pasta, on a pizza, over some roasted vegetables — I slathered some over my avocado toast, and it was delicious.

Cook Time: 20 minutes. Serves: 2 Ingredients:

Small handful mint leaves Small handful flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar Method: 1.

2.

3.

2 large tomatoes 1 red bell pepper ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup bread crumbs ¼ cup nuts or seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds work perfectly) 1 tsp each: chili powder, cumin, salt, and 4. pepper 2 tsp paprika 2 garlic cloves

As the winter styles go on the clearance rack, and spring is in the air, the blazer is revisited yet again. This spring, update your look with a smart blazer in a light pastel or a classic neutral colour. It is the perfect time to substitute a heavy coat for a blazer and jeans or a matching suit for a more business-professional look. Regardless of the season though, blazers are a good investment piece that is both dressy, casual, and versatile, and can add elegance to an otherwise casual ensemble.

Blazers have been around for a long time, and were originally worn by the boating team at Cambridge’s St. John’s College in the 1820’s, and later in the 1830’s by the crew of the HMS Blazer.

While a lot has changed since then, blazers are usually double or single breasted, and are considered less formal in fit and style than a suit jacket.

They have been worn in many ways, such as being styled with denim jeans, a tee shirt, and white sneakers for a more casual day look. But the blazer can also spruce up a nice dress or be worn with a matching pencil skirt and pumps if you want to go more formal.

This style comes in many different fits, colours and fabrics to spruce up one’s wardrobe. A good place to start is a basic black blazer, as it is a classic staple and can be worn for many occasions such as

interviews and presentations. A navy blazer is another good piece to have because it is a softer alternative to black, but is still very versatile. A navy blazer goes great with jeans and a crew neck shirt, or a navy and white striped shirt and white jeans for a more nautical look.

Pair a tailored blazer with the matching dress pants for an interview or dress up a pair of dark wash jeans with a classic navy blazer and a white crew neck tshirt. Blazers can also be more casual and loose fitting, such as the boyfriend style.

These look great with jeans and sweaters, and can also look good as a jacket for a warmer day.

For those who like statement pieces, there are many blazers emerging this season that come in bright colours, a trend that has sprung out of the 2000’s.

Other blazers may include flattering features such as roll tab sleeves and tie belts to cinch the waist. This spring, try a pastel coloured blazer such as blush pink as an alternative to the regular black or navy.

Blazers are timeless pieces that can be found in the mall or at local thrift shops.

You may find one hanging in your closet already. Purchasing a neutral or a statement blazer is a good investment because it is an effortless way to add sophistication and variety to one’s wardrobe. This spring, try finding a blazer that works well for you and your lifestyle to add that extra polish to your ensemble.

To get that smoky flavour, put your tomatoes and bell pepper on a sheet pan and stick that right under your broiler on high heat, rotating every couple of minutes until the skins are blackened all around. Put your charred vegetables in a bowl and cover with a tea towel to let steam.

Once the vegetables are cool enough to handle, peel their burnt skin off and transfer to a blender or food processor.

With a splash of your olive oil, saute your breadcrumbs in a frying pan until they are fragrant and golden.

Add the vegetables and toasted breadcrumbs with the rest of your ingredients in a blender, except for the remaining olive oil. Blend until smooth, then slowly pour in your olive oil (while the motor is still running) until well combined.

Store your sauce in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to six days.

Illustration by Lindsey Roberts

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VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

CULTURE UFV Event //

Patching holes and getting clothes: UFV’s clothing exchange and repair drive Don’t buy more clothes, trade with a friend instead ANDREA SADOWSKI There is no doubt that the fashion industry has a massive impact on climate change.

The industry is responsible for 10 per cent of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and 20 per cent of all global water waste. With clothing being so cheap and easy to purchase online through apps like Shein or FashionNova, there are people who get rid of items after only wearing them a few times; one U.S. study found that 20 per cent of clothing bought is never even worn. Not to mention the social impacts of fast fashion; with clothes being so cheap to buy, imagine how little those who produce those clothing are getting paid.

The average Bangladeshi garment worker earns just $95.50 a month, with evidence of forced labour and child labour in the garment industries of Argentina, Brazil, India, Thailand, and more.

The second event in the School of Land Use and Environmental Change’s March for Sustainability was a clothing exchange and repair fair held in Evered Hall on Wednesday, Mar. 9. The event featured various booths where students could learn how to make basic repairs on their clothes with the help of volunteers from Archway, learn how to use a sewing machine, and learn how to sew scrunchies and make tote bags with scrap fabric and clothing.

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There were also informational booths from the English department, WUSC, and the students of GEOG 300S: Sustainable Fashion.

Chio Yun, a professional stylist from OneBatchKimchi, was running the clothing exchange booth and giving students advice on how to thrift smart. Yun told The Cascade that Canadians acquire an average of 70 new items of clothing a year, and sustainable fashion is all about “working with what you already own and getting more creative with what is already in your closet.”

“My number one advice,” said Yun, “is to create connection[s] with others, to your friends, with family, because as much as it is easier to go buy at a store, to create a connection with someone else and to get clothes from them, that is the most sustainable, because that is preventing it from going into the landfill.”

When shopping at thrift stores, Yun advises students to “look for key pieces,” and shop with a plan. Go in with a budget and specific items that you are looking for that will pair well with other items of clothing that are already in your wardrobe. Have patience as well; shopping at thrift stores is about the thrill of the hunt, and you may not find anything you like on some trips, but on other trips you may find your new favorite item.

Chio Yun. 2022. (Andrea Sadowski/The Cascade)

Stop buying clothes you don’t need, exchange clothes with your friends, wash your clothes less often, and when you want to get rid of your clothes, donate them to a thrift store instead of throwing them away so that someone else may enjoy them.

Check out the rest of UFV’s March for Sustainability events, including Early Earth Day on Mar. 16, a sustainability career panel on Mar. 23, and a professional designation information session on Mar. 30.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

sports@ufvcascade.ca Teryn Midzain— Sports Editor

SPORTS

Recap //

UFV Cascades Sports Scores

Varsity playoff blues

March 3 - March 6, 2022

The Cascades basketball teams played not to their best even with good playoff seeds

Women’s Volleyball UFV Vs. TWU Spartans / March 3, 2022 Score: TWU 3 UFV 0 UFV Vs. Brandon Bobcats / March 4, 2022 Score: UFV 3 Brandon 1 UFV Vs. Calgary Dinos / March 5, 2022 Score: Calgary 3 UFV 1

Men’s Volleyball UFV Vs. Alberta Golden Bears / March 3, 2022 Score: Alberta 3 UFV 0 UFV Vs. UBC Thunderbirds / March 4, 2022 Score: UBC 3 UFV 1

TERYN MIDZAIN The first weekend of March kicked off the beginning of the Canada West playoffs.

The truest test of endurance and power, it combines everything that the teams have learned through the 2021/2022 season.

Forgetting past troubles and woes, the teams must focus on extending their seasons in order to hoist a really slick trophy and add a banner to the home gym wall. But these hopes and dreams were quickly dashed away as almost all of the Cascades teams lost in the opening playoff weekend, with only the women’s volleyball team managing to eke out a win in their first-ever playoff appearance.

The women’s volleyball team's first game was against first-place TWU on Mar. 3, losing 3-0. This dropped the team into the lower bracket before facing the Brandon Bobcats on Mar. 4. The win against the Bobcats moved them onto their third and final game on Mar. 5, in which they lost 3-1 against the Calgary Dinos.

The men’s volleyball team racked up a trio of losses over the weekend. With a lower position in the playoff brackets, they faced tough teams against the Alberta Golden Bears, UBC Thunderbirds, and finally Saskatchewan Huskies.

A strange twist of fate was dealt with both the Cascades men’s and women’s basketball teams as both teams entered their respective playoffs against the Winnipeg Wesmen, and both lost to the

Julia Tuchscherer. Gibi Saini/UFV Athltetics)

Manitoba teams.

The Cascades men’s basketball team played against the Winnipeg Wesmen on Mar. 4 in the second round of the playoffs.

The Cascades led most of the game, as much as 16 points late into the game, but the Wesmen were able to battle, adapt, and overcome in a respectable comeback that ended the game 83 -79, bringing an end to the Cascades’ Canada West run.

The women’s first and only game of the weekend ended in a loss against their iteration of the Winnipeg Wesmen.

Even with a career-high 31 points from Maddy Gobeil, the second-highest scorer for the Cascades in the game was Julia Tuchscherer, with 16 points by the game’s end. It was an odd game to watch, as the

normally defensively-dominant Cascades women were outscored three out of four quarters and connected on just over 40 per cent of their field goal attempts.

It was a disappointing playoff weekend for the varsity teams, but one that can lead to a good build for next season. The playoff visits for both teams are a good start for UFV’s future opportunities to sign players to the growing teams. It gives the younger players a chance to see the physical and mental game that is required to continue on in that setting, as well as learn to never underestimate a lower bracket team, as the do-or-die nature of the playoffs often ignites a special kind of fire that pushes teams to another level of play.

UFV Vs. Saskatchewan Huskies / March 5, 2022 Score: Saskatchewan 3 UFV 0

Men’s Basketball UFV Vs. Vs. Winnipeg Wesmen / March 4, 2022 Score: Winnipeg 83 UFV 79

Women’s Basketball UFV Vs. Winnipeg Wesmen / March 6, 2022 Score: Score: Winnipeg 75 UFV 69

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

STUDY BREAK Crossword //

Made by Sydney Marchand

ACROSS

DOWN

4. In Flanders Fields, these grow

1. These small white petals make excellent herbal tea.

5. Annual fall flower; we roast and eat the seeds

2. Bees love these small pinkish flowers which can often be found growing in grass or along sidewalks.

7. The heart-shaped petals are often purple, blue, or yellow

3. A Christmas classic flower. The large red petals are poisonous to cats.

10. This flower is commonly used in essential oils for relaxation

6. A dozen of these flowers can mean romance and love.

11. Technically a bush, not a flower. The long, cone-shaped purple and pink blooms are incredibly floral

8. A symbol of springtime; you may see their shoots start to pop up as the weather changes 9. Thin white petals offset the bright yellow center of this flower.

12. The bright yellow petals shine brightly under your chin

Sudoku Sudoku //

5 6 LAST ISSUE’S

5

ANSWERS: Across: 2. Halfpipe 5. Combined 7. Snowboarding 8. Moguls 9. Curling 10. Hockey 12. Shorttrack

Horoscopes //

Your weekly life predictions as told by Shiva the Sage

Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 Your horoscope this week is inspired by the Abbotsford campus’ parking lots. Your thoughts have been crowded lately, so don’t be afraid to tell others when you’re struggling. Organization will play a big role in reducing the chaos in your life.

Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building B on the Abbotsford campus.

You’re feeling uninspired and pedestrian, and it’s okay to admit that. You’re housing key amenities to those around you, and that can take its toll. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and look to embrace more of what thrills you.

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Down: 1. Monobob 3. Longtrack 4. Beijing 6. Bobsleigh 11. Aerials

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Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building G on the Abbotsford campus. You’re feeling particularly studious this week, but sometimes that can be lonely. You’re a social creature, so don’t be afraid to study in groups or take a break from the books with friends to catch a bite to eat.

Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building E on the Abbotsford campus. Bursts of energy and inspiration are finding you this week, and it’s time to let them out. Pursue new projects, work ahead on school work, and delve into your hobbies. In order to maintain this level of energy, look for opportunities that genuinely excite you and keep the ball moving.



Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Your horoscope this week is inspired by the Building A on the Abbotsford campus.

You’re a sign known for your intellect, just as your resident building houses biology, chemistry, and physics labs. You may be overcomplicating things, however.

Simplicity can still be effective.

Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building D on the Abbotsford campus. You’ve been feeling run down lately — like you’ve been running on steam or, perhaps, are under construction. Know that better days are ahead, and that as long as you’re functional for now, you’ll get through this.

Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building C on the Abbotsford campus.

You’re feeling a rush of creativity and motivation, and it’s time to put this to good use. Look to branch out, try something new, and take time for your own creative pursuits.

Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building S on the Abbotsford campus. Oversocializing is a thing, and you’ve potentially reached that point. You value time alone to recharge, so don’t be afraid to take it. Find balance between the charisma of the first floor of your resident building and the reclusive second and third.

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Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building F on the Abbotsford campus. You’ve been feeling isolated lately, and your social life has seen better days. Don’t be afraid to take the first step to connect with others and open yourself up to new friendships.

Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator © 2007 - 2022 Education.com

Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 The cards delivered your horoscope in leet speak this week: 1f y0u c4n 234d 7h15, y0u 423 5m427. Take from that what you will.

Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 Your horoscope this week is inspired by Building T on the Abbotsford campus. You’ve been feeling utilitarian lately; your routine is perfectly tweaked to be efficient, but it’s at the expense of other areas of your life.

Shake things up by cleaning your desk, trying something new at your local cafe, and making plans with loved ones.

Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 Your horoscope this week is inspired by the Abbotsford campus bookstore. You’re craving indulgence, which isn’t bad in itself, but be careful with your approach. Taking a break from your studies or stress doesn’t have to mean a big price tag.

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

arts@ufvcascade.ca Danaye Reinhardt — Arts Editor

ARTS

Movie //

The Adam Project is your next brainless sci-fi movie DANAYE REINHARDT The Adam Project is your perfect brainless sci-fi movie. Released on Mar. 11 on Netflix and directed by Shawn Levy, it combines time travel, Ryan Reynolds, and family-friendly humour for an enjoyable film that doesn’t need to be anything more than it is.

The movie follows Adam Reed, a timetraveling fighter pilot, who crash-lands in 2022 and must team up with his mouthy 12-year-old self and their late father to save the world. Their goal? To rid the world of time travel before it’s even invented.

Don’t think too hard about the time travel element to The Adam Project. It’s not a movie that answers questions about the multiverse or the consequences of meeting your younger self. If you’re looking for a sound time travel plot or a Christo-

pher Nolan level of brilliance, you won’t find it here. But what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in actor chemistry and overall humour.

With time travel, quipping characters, and intense fight scenes, it’s like a superhero movie without the superpowers. In fact, the movie features several actors from the Marvel and DC franchises. Ryan Reynolds (playing adult Adam Reed) is his typical, wisecracking self, and Mark Ruffalo (Louis Reed), Zoe Saldana (Laura Shane), and Jennifer Garner (Ellie Reed) play supporting roles. This also became an accidental 13 Going on 30 reunion between Garner and Ruffalo, who now play husband and wife in The Adam Project.

But the breakout role belongs to young Adam, played by Walker Scobell. His first movie role, Scobell combines wideeyed innocence and roasting sarcasm as the perfect younger version of Reynolds.

They both have snarky attitudes that play

off each other well. In fact, without the enjoyable chemistry between Scobell and Reynolds, this movie would easily get lost as a forgettable high-budget science fiction movie. As it is, the jokes land and the light tone mixes well with its heartwarming moments.

The heartfelt moments were surprisingly common, albeit a bit overdone. I was also surprised to enjoy the soundtrack as much as I did. Beyond Rob Simonsen’s score for the movie, it features some classics like Boston and Pete Townshend. I’m a sucker for a movie with ‘70s and ‘80s music, and it’s always fun to watch a fight scene paired with Led Zeppelin.

The Adam Project was largely filmed in Vancouver, including UBC and Stanley Park. It was nice to see beautiful shots of mountains, trees, and lakes that were just so recognizable as British Columbia. The movie takes full advantage of CGI, but it’s visually appealing and really adds to the

feel of the movie. Even simple details, like adult Adam knowing where to find the bathroom light switch in his childhood home, boosts The Adam Project as a satisfying film.

Ultimately, this is a movie that works because of the characters and the actors, particularly Walker Scobell. I, for one, will be watching for Scobell in future projects, including the upcoming Secret Headquarters superhero film (scheduled for theatrical release in Aug. 2022). There’s just something about Scobell’s mix of innocence and snark that comes so naturally for the child actor — which may be partially due to the fact that the 13-year-old has memorized and is happy to recite speeches from the R-rated Deadpool films, which also stars Reynolds.

The Adam Project may not be the best movie out there, but it’s fun to watch. Sometimes, that’s all a film needs to be.

Movie //

The Batman, the new bar to comic book films TERYN MIDZAIN If there was ever a movie that needed to deliver this year, that movie was DC’s The Batman. Warner Brothers (WB) and the DC Comics Cinematic Universe (DCCU) have been on a frigid cold streak in movies, with the last proper hit being 2017’s Wonder Woman. Since then, WB’s attempts to get their cinematic universe off the ground have been rocky, and there was potential that the cinematic universe wouldn’t lift off at all.

Director Matt Reeves’ vision for the movie was to portray a younger and more hurt characterization of Bruce Wayne, which was a welcome break from the typical billionaire playboy that fans have gotten in every other iteration. The plot of Reeves’ film focuses on the story, mystery, and forces that surround the World’s Greatest Detective. The casting of Robert Pattinson as the iconic hero was met with enthusiasm and brought hope for the rest of the DCCU’s series of soft reboots this year, but the The Batman had to deliver for Warner Brothers.

And it fucking delivers.

Reeves’ vision, tone, and pace in The Batman deliver a unique vision to the genre and shows what comic book films can aspire to when there isn’t just a basic monopolized formula to the film’s script.

The cinematography, the music score, the acting, the Batsuit — The Batman nails everything that makes a good Batman film, but also what makes a great comic book film.

Reeves creates a slow-paced and visceral atmosphere — a noir-themed story of Bat and mouse that embraces the threehour run time and sets up the twists throughout the acts of the film with minimal action pieces — and lays the pillars of foundation for Gotham and future installments. Michael Giacchino’s score is

felt every second of the film, building suspense, carrying the emotion the characters don’t need to say, with deep and chilling piano chords lurking in every shadow. It’s a great example of the role a perfect music score plays in a film, and pushes the artistry behind this masterpiece.

The highly billable cast is lined with character-driven actors that breathe new and appreciated life into the supporting characters. Reeves chose a cast that never steals from each other but shares each scene together. Jeffrey Wright plays a tough but honest Detective James (Jim) Gordon. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as The Penguin, both in performance and heavy prosthetic fat suit. And Paul Dano is

amazing as the Riddler; Dano reimagines the iconic character as a serial killer with a love for games and delivers an amazing one-on-one scene with Batman that shows the depth Dano has as an actor, and how far he can play into the psychological character of the Riddler.

Robert Pattinson, with Reeves’ direction, gives us a broken and hurt Bruce Wayne, who is a social recluse, hiding away and not being a billionaire playboy. Reeves and Pattinson’s Batman is smart and capable, gets punched and shot (a lot), and makes mistakes. Reeves shows where Pattinson’s Batman is going to grow in future films as he becomes the legendary Dark Knight. All of the Bat’s gear looks realistic

and believable, while still staying true to DC artists Kevin Smith and Jim Lee’s suit designs.

Zoë Kravitz slays the role of Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman, and embodies the noir femme fatale with a sensuality that is unique to female characters in the Mickey Mouse formula. Kravitz's on-screen chemistry with Pattinson is shown in each scene. Sadly, Kravitz's character suffers from the one unfortunate demerit of the film during the climactic end to her character arc in the film; she is, in a clichéd turn of events, physically saved by Batman.

The most outstanding part of The Batman is the film’s musical score. Michael Giacchino, who is well known for his works in Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and Marvel’s Spider-Man movies, composes a score that sets the tone and atmosphere perfectly. Dark and deep piano chords flow through the entire soundtrack, yet the individual themes for Catwoman, the Penguin, and the Riddler stand out on their own, but also organically tie them into the hero. The soundtrack is as close to a perfect soundtrack a film could ask for, and that alone makes The Batman stand out from the rest.

From the score, to the pacing, to the cinematography, everything is great. The story’s narration and the way the characters come to life on-screen were an overdue blessing. While The Batman may not be as boundary-defining as previous superhero movies, it shows the artistry that passionate and creative minds can accomplish in film, and hopefully establishes a narrative and story-driven meta for future comic book films.

For all these reasons and more, I give Matt Reeves’ The Batman a score of ten out of ten — a rare rating for me, who nitpicks the small details that producers could do better. This film is flawless and it’s well worth going to see in theatres.

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VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

ARTS Album //

Thinkin’ bout the new Dustin Lynch album, Blue In The Sky CHARTS 1 2

SHUFFLE

AARON LEVY Big Thief Dragon New Warm CATWOMAN Mountain I Believe In You CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy brings you some tunes from the Tanya Tagaq ether. Who needs to be particularly Tongues topical, anyway?

3

Julie Doiron I Thought of You

dvsn featuring Ty Dolla $ign - “Wedding Cake”

4

FKA twigs Caprisongs

5

Mitski Laurel Hell

The most notable thing this song does, over and above being a smooth, soulful, funky, feel-good love song good for chill vibes or slow jams, is elevate more modern artists like Maxwell and Mary J. Blige (of The Umbrella Academy and Super Bowl cameos) to the level of monumental vocalist Marvin Gaye.

6

Basia Bulat The Garden

7

Teen Daze Interior

8

Missy D Ricch - “Rockstar” Delete My Number (sinCharlotte’s DaBaby is not one gle)

DaBaby

9

The Milk Faction 1%

10

Majid Jordan Killing the Old Ways

11

Maryze Experiments (Single)

12

Stavros Hughes Entropia

13

Beverly Glenn-Copeland Keyboard Fantasies Reimagined

14

Colin James Open Road

15 Hyperia Silhouettes of Horror 16 Tymo

Plastic Parts

17 Opek

Corners

18 Baby Keem

The Melodic Blue

19 Senseless

Senselesspunx

20 Camera Obscura Two

Inversion of the Unseen Horizon

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featuring

Roddy

to trifle with — according to the backstory for this Roddy Ricchsupported triumph, at least.

What happens in Walmart does not necessarily stay there, but that “pistol” on his “hip” apparently can, after concealed weapon charges were dropped in the aftermath of this potential codeine swerve.

Oliver Tree - “Alien Boy” I’ve compared this song, style, and artist — potentially disagreeably, depending on your perspective — to that of Shrek soundtrack favourite Eels and their 1990’s classic “Novocaine for the Soul,” because of its adlib style flourishes and production wizardry, along with its soft lyrical soothe. Maybe you think that cheapens the Tree.

Amaarae - “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY” Remix featuring Kali Uchis and Moliy I thought this was Doja Cat for, like, months. It is totally not Doja Cat. Maybe more than anything, what I’ve been noticing instead is DC’s influence on the entire world of music and production.

Is this a chicken and egg scenario? One could argue, but who’d want to, right?

SYDNEY MARCHAND As a proud and faithful country music fan, I’m always excited to see new albums pop up on the charts. It is no secret that Dustin Lynch has been making a name for himself on country radio over the past few years. With top tracks like “Small Town Boy,” released in 2017, and “Ridin’ Roads,” released in 2019, he’s built a solid reputation for producing damn good music.

Feb. 11 marked the release of Lynch’s fifth studio album, Blue In The Sky, which includes 12 brand new tracks including the recent single “Thinkin’ Bout You,” featuring MacKenzie Porter. This song has been in hot demand on country radio stations for months — and for good reason.

Both artists have similar vocal styles that not only harmonize well together but also bring a lot of emotion and authenticity to the lyrics.

Upon first hearing the album’s single, the opening lyrics felt reminiscent of fellow country artist Sam Hunt, who is known to break up his songs with periods of talking. “Thinkin’ Bout You” follows a similar vibe to Hunt, as Lynch starts out by playing through a casual phone call with an ex. And, let’s face it, there is something so endearing about hearing Lynch ask, “how’s your mama?” in the first few lines that just feels so genuine.

It is clear that the album was inspired by Lynch’s struggles throughout the pandemic and dealing with a sudden break-up with his thengirlfriend. He explained that “[he’d] just gone through a breakup, and [he] remember[ed having] that kind of heart-wrenching inside, and you can’t sleep for weeks on end.” When you listen to all of the numbers, these feelings clearly translate in the lyrics and in the instrumental production — no matter if it is a more upbeat song or an emotional ode.

There is a mix of tracks that make you want to grab a cold Corona and party somewhere, like

“Party Mode,” and more heartfelt melodies, like “Not Every Cowboy.” Both styles work well for the album, though, and neither overshadows the other. In a way, the entire album feels like the soundtrack to a summer romance and the emotional phases of a break-up during the season.

Other featured artists on the album include Chris Lane, who shares Lynch’s energetic and enthusiastic style. As an avid Lane fan, I was beyond excited to hear the two pair up on Lynch’s track “Tequila On A Boat,” and it did not disappoint. I’m actually surprised that this track doesn’t get more radio attention, if any. It’s just a feel-good song, really, and reminds us to relax and live carefree with friends.

A lot of the tracks on the album follow this summertime narrative of livin’ it up with friends on the beach or in the water. This is even sprinkled into more reminiscent numbers, like “Break It On A Beach,” which associates the setting with heartbreak. There is a fluidity to the album with this overarching theme that is really powerful when you listen to all twelve tracks consecutively.

Lynch described having spent summers in the water with friends after his breakup and how this inspired him to appreciate these smaller moments in life. He stated, “We can complain about the clouds in life or notice the good and be a ‘glass half full’ type of person.” This outlook really comes across in the lyrics of each song but also in the production of the tracks.

So whether you just went through a break-up and are looking for a pick-me-up, or just want a new album to add to your summer playlist, Blue In The Sky has got it all. Even for those of you who might not like country music, I challenge you to take a listen. Lynch’s voice isn’t too twangy or backdropped with banjos like some of the older yeehaw classics. Mostly, this album makes me want to sit on a boat, grab a few beers, and chill in the summer sun.

VOL. 30 // ISSUE 05

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022

ARTS Fiction //

Predictable or Signature: A look at Sarah J. Maas’ latest book, House of Sky and Breath ALLISON HOLCIK House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas, the second novel in the adult fantasy Crescent City series, was released on Feb. 15. Continuing the story of Bryce Quinlan and her group of friends and family, this novel begins to elaborate on the plot of the human rebellion against the allpowerful rulers, the Asteri, that Maas foreshadowed in the first book, House of Earth and Blood. The large cast of characters begins to realize that they are going to have a role in the war whether they would like to or not, and begin to make moves and take sides in preparation for the upcoming conflict.

In this latest book, protagonist Bryce has just saved the world and gained a wealth of power as a result. Now, she is trying to figure out how to go back to a somewhat normal life, even though she is a celebrity with a famous boyfriend and is a significant power player in her world.

Maas is known for a few things in her books: gut wrenching twists, older men with wings as the main love interest, and a woman who starts out ordinary but gains huge power that becomes the turning point in the war and which she eventually loses in a sacrifice. This has been the case in both of Maas’ previous series, Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses, and appears to be carrying through into the Crescent City series. These tropes are by no means unique for the fantasy genre, but Maas has the skill to make them exciting. Unfortunately, after so many fantasy books following similar plots, it is beginning to get repetitive and predictable.

House of Sky and Breath did have some great domestic moments between the cast, which helped humanize them and added to their re-

latability. It also nicely cut up the dramatic and action-heavy moments of the book, which was an appreciated break. In comparison to the first book, House of Sky and Breath gave readers more insight into the inner workings of the friend group and made it easier to differentiate between them, which is extremely helpful when there are so many characters. Maas’ redeeming of the evil characters in the previous book added a nice twist, but it was reminiscent of many of her past books.

With 15 books so far, it makes sense that Maas is getting somewhat repetitive. While House of Sky and Breath has a lot of similarities to previous books, the focus on female friendship and the change to a more modern world make this book unique enough to still enjoy, as do the shocking plot twists and quirky characters. In this book, Maas has added a final twist that should definitely be different than what we have seen before, connecting Crescent City with A Court of Thorns and Roses by sending Bryce into the world of the previous series. While an Easter egg in Kingdom of Ash, the final installment in the Throne of Glass series, showed protagonist Aelin falling through the other two worlds, there was never any real interaction. This seems to not be the case for the next books in the two newer series, since Bryce needs to get a lot of allies before coming back to her world for the war.

There are definitely connections to be made between House of Sky and Breath and Maas’ other novels, but they do not stop readers from being drawn into the novel and held there until the last page, in true Maas fashion. There are more than enough twists, adorable moments, and swords to keep readers interested and waiting impatiently for the next books.

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Note:

Some of these events require tickets, and most are online. If something catches your eye, take to the internet for more details, including those about social distancing measures for in-person events.

UFV Events Sports Club Events

march Yoga 4 Self Care @ CEP A2106, 9:00 - 9:40 a.m.

Research Presentation: An Alternative Business Model for Social Innovation in the Fraser Valley @ Abbotsford, K180, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Zumba @ Abbotsford E105, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.

Get Calm Quick Zoom Series: Yeeting Stress and Hitting Reset @ Online, 12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

Total Fitt @ Abbotsford E105, 1:10 - 1:50 p.m.

Drop in Basketball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

UCM Thursday Gathering @ Abbotsford, A402, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

UFV West Annual Career Panel Part 2 @ Abbotsford, B101, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Drop in Soccer @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Nietzsche Reading Group @ Online, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Intramural: Men’s Basketball @ Abbotsford South Gym, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Senate Public Meeting @ Abbotsford, A225, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Portfolio Management @ Abbotsford, C1015, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

BCSA Games Night @ Abbotsford, A367, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Yoga 4 Self Care @ Abbotsford A254, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.

Drop in Badminton @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Drop in Goal Ball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Reflecting Back, Moving Forward: Race and Anti-Racism Network at UFV @ Online, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Get Calm Quick Zoom Series: Entering the Relaxation Response @ Online, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Emergence: Out of the Shadows @ Abbotsford, B101, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Intramural: Co-ed Futsal Soccer @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 7:00 9:00 p.m.

Drop in Basketball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 9:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Yoga 4 Self Care @ CEP A2106, 8:40 - 9:20 a.m.

Get Calm Quick Zoom Series: Trauma Sensitive Yoga @ Online, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.

Strength & Conditioning @ Abbotsford E100, 11:25 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.

Drop in Spikeball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Total Fitt @ CEP A2106, 4:35 - 5:15 p.m.

Symposium on Palestine-Israeli Conflict @ Abbotsford, B101, 5:00 7:30 p.m.

Drop in Volleyball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Intramural: Co-ed Volleyball @ Abbotsford South Gym, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Campus Rec Culture

A Celebration: Student Housing Building Name Unveiling @ Abbotsford, Indigenous Teaching Garden, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Sustainability Career Panel @ Online, 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Yoga 4 Self Care @ Abbotsford E150, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.

Drop in Badminton @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Drop in Pickleball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

UFV Circle K Meeting @ Abbotsford, A233, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Intramural: Spikeball @ Abbotsford North Gym, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

UFV Theater Presents Pericles by William Shakespeare Preview @ Abbotsford, D105, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Drop in Badminton @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 8:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Yoga 4 Self Care @ CEP A2106, 9:00 - 9:40 a.m.

Zumba @ Abbotsford E150, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.

Total Fitt @ Abbotsford E150, 1:10 - 1:50 p.m.

Drop in Basketball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

UCM Thursday Gathering @ Abbotsford, A402, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Drop in Soccer @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Nietzsche Reading Group @ Online, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

UFV Theater Presents Pericles by William Shakespeare @ Abbotsford, D105, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

Intramural: Men’s Basketball @ Abbotsford South Gym, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Portfolio Management @ Abbotsford, C1015, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Board Games Night at BoardWalk @ Boardwalk Cafe and Games, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

UFV Theater Presents Pericles by William Shakespeare @ Abbotsford, D105, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.

UFV Theater Presents Pericles by William Shakespeare @ Abbotsford, D105, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Litter Pick-up for Wildlife at Fish Trap Creek @ Fish Trap Creek Park, Abbotsford, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Yoga 4 Self Care @ Abbotsford A254, 12:05 - 12:45 p.m.

Drop in Badminton @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Drop in Goal Ball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Get Calm Quick Zoom Series: Yoga Nidra @ Online, 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Intramural: Co-ed Futsal Soccer @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 7:00 9:00 p.m.

Drop in Basketball @ Abbotsford, North Gym, 9:00 - 10:00 p.m.