the carillon the staff
editor-in-chief editor@carillonregina.com
taylor balfour
executive director business@carillonregina.com
jacob nelson
production manager production@carillonregina.com
morgan ortman
advertising manager advertising@carillonregina.com
ty cote
technical editor shae shackman carillontechnical@carillonregina.com multimedia/graphics editors
kate thiessen sarah carrier mercedes redman
multimedia@carillonregina.com graphics@carillonregina.com copy editor copyeditor@carillonregina.com
hannah senicar
news editor news@carillonregina.com
sara birrell
a&c editor aandc@carillonregina.com
julia peterson
sports editor sports@carillonregina.com
ethan butterfield
op-ed editor op-ed@carillonregina.com
marty grande-sherbert
distribution manager distribution@carillonregina.com staff writer staff writer news writer
holly worby
reese estwick
a&c writer
kyle anderson
issac tamlin joseph holoein
sports writer
sarah nakonechny
web writer
gillian massie contributors hummad ali, nicole donison, joel steve and jessie struek
vol. 63
board of directors taylor balfour, lindsay holitzki, maddie ouelette, dustin smith. marty grande-sherbert, and jacob nelson
the paper
227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB The Carillon welcomes contributions. Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff. The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization. land acknowledgement The Carillon is written on treaty four territory. As such, the staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without speaking to our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of the land to its place sacred place in the cultures of those that live here. the manifesto In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years. In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower. The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.
the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe
The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 October 1 - October 7, 2020 | Volume 63, Issue 7 | carillonregina.com
news
news
arts
Welcome to October! As we enter our spooky season, consider submitting some fitting art, writing, poetry, or photography to your student paper! We’d love to fill our pages with your spooky additions. Special thanks to contributer Jessie Struek for the amazing illustrated cover. We hope you all enjoy this week’s issue. Taylor Balfour Editor-in-Chief
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cover........................................jessie struek news...........................wikipedia commons news...........................wikipedia commons a&c..................................................pixnio sports...............................the noun project op-ed..............................................pxhere
Throne speech
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September 23, Canada’s Governor General delivered her speech from the throne outlining the government’s goals in a post-COVID world.
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You might think municipal elections are small fry, but think again. Right now Regina’s policing budget is $96 million but that money could be serving our city better.
op-ed
sports
Sex toy sports!
Municipal election
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You guys ever heard of “Shafting”?
Stolen laptop
Dads cry, too
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Todd Rennebohm’s new children’s book Sometimes Daddy Cries takes a realistic look at how parents experience anxiety and depression.
graphics
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After Gillian Massie’s laptop was stolen, instead of feeling angry and upset, she instead decided to focus her energy on understanding why people steal in the first place.
Cool cats
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Contributer Nicole Donison blesses us with some cute af kitties. Thank you, Nicole! It’s been a long week.
news
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editor: sara birrell news@carillonregina.com the carillon | october 1 - october 7, 2020
Throne speech offers little that was not there before Parliament back in session isaac tamlin news writer The Throne speech was delivered on September 23, 2020, starting a new session of parliament after the previous one was dissolved on August 18. When parliament was prorogued, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it was necessary that the government could have a moment to reflect on the current state of Canada, because January’s speech from the throne had no mention of COVID-19. The speech from the throne, delivered by Governor General Julie Payette, began by explaining the government’s approach would have four foundations: “The first foundation of this plan is to fight the pandemic and save lives. The second foundation of the Government’s plan is supporting people and businesses through this crisis as long as it lasts, whatever it takes. Effectively dealing with the health crisis is the best thing we can do for the economy. Government action has already helped Canadians stay safe, and buffered the worst economic impacts. The third foundation is to build back better to create a stronger, more resilient Canada. To do this, we must keep strengthening the middle class and helping people working hard to join it, and continue creating jobs and building long-term competitiveness with clean growth. We must also keep building safer communities for everyone. The fourth and final foun-
dation of this plan is to stand up for who we are as Canadians. We cannot forget what has made us a country that is welcoming. A country that celebrates two official languages. That achieves progress on gender equality, walks the road of reconciliation, and fights discrimination of every kind.” The most important, specific point included in the speech was the promise that the government will launch a campaign to create over one million jobs in order to
the current rules would be helped by the newly created transitional Canada Recovery Benefit. In an interview with Jim Farney, Department Head of Politics and International Study at the University of Regina, he praised the government for their promise to restructure EI, which has been undermined by successive governments since its disastrous restructuring in the 1990s. “There is a lot of criticism for EI because it doesn’t affect people working part-time, so depending
ever, they never gave specifics on what that would look like and what costs would be involved, and prior to the pandemic, the government was nowhere near meeting the Paris climate targets first set by the Harper government in 2015. It is unclear how they plan to do so now. The Government also announced their support for two new important grants to ensure a fairer Canada. As the Government said in their throne speech, “Women, racialized Canadians,
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There is a lot of criticism for EI because it doesn’t affect people working part-time, so depending the details of these changes, we might end up with an EI system that helps students and others who are working part-time.” – Jim Farney restore employment to pre-pandemic levels. The government plans to do this by extending the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), and scaling up the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to open up more paid work experience for young Canadians. This is good news for newly graduating students who may be worried about finding work in post-pandemic times. Another important promise the government made was that CERB recipients would be supported by the Employment Insurance (EI) system, and that people who wouldn’t qualify for EI under
the details of these changes, we might end up with an EI system that helps students and others who are working part-time,” Farney said. The throne speech also included a promise to exceed Canada’s climate goals and legislate their goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. They plan to achieve this by retrofitting homes and buildings to cut energy costs for Canadian families and business, to invest in transit and more active transit options, and make zero-emission vehicles more affordable, while investing in charging stations across the country. How-
and young people have borne the brunt of job losses.” So along with help for young Canadians they have announced an Action Plan for Women in the Economy as well as continue their support in the form of the Black Entrepreneurship Program. There is also talk of RCMP reform, including enhanced civilian oversight, modernized training, and a shift towards community-led policing. Again, without promising too much, or explaining in many specifics, the government has made a broad promise surrounding the RCMP. [Editor’s note: The RCMP’s current budget is
$3.5 billion. They have shot and killed at least 10 people so far in 2020 and another seven have died in other interactions with the RCMP or while in their custody this year.] They also announced their support for Pharmacare, something previously argued for by the NDP. They aim to move towards Pharmacare through help like “a rare-disease strategy to help Canadian families save money on high-cost drugs; to establishing a national formulary to keep drug prices low; and working with provinces and territories willing to move forward without delay.” In summary, barring some of the points above, the speech from the throne included little new information surrounding the government’s response to the pandemic. As well, the government came in without a great number of specifics, but mostly a rehash of what they have already promised Canadians. Many of those promises, like their climate targets, are promises they’ve been making and breaking since 2015. According to Farney, Trudeau’s post-speech address to Canadians went beyond what was expected, turning into an argument for his government’s plans. “It was expected to be just about COVID, but became a partisan argument for the throne speech.” While many of the promises in the throne speech are vague, if they’re realized, they have the potential to radically change the lives of working class Canadians for the better.
Wikimedia Commons
Ottawa’s very own Centre Block
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 4
news
Police budget should be priority as municipal election approaches Regina votes November 9 isaac tamlin news writer November 9, 2020 is election day in Regina. Although municipal elections are often low on the radar – only 20 per cent of eligible voters in Regina cast a ballot in 2016 – the people elected to city hall have an enormous impact on the day-to-day lives of citizens. The municipal election is vital for all residents to know about because the municipal government runs many important services such as safe drinking water, public transit, garbage collection, sewage treatment, road maintenance, fire protection, and community policing. Of these, one of the most critical is policing, which currently eats up 20 per cent of Regina’s municipal budget. With all that is happening across the world you would hope that the city would work on new strategies and move to defund policing services. However, a quick look through the 2020 budget shows the city has no intention of diverting funding away from the police and toward badly needed social programs. A total of $96 million has been devoted to the police for this year, a $3 million increase over 2019. Michael Fougere, the current mayor of Regina, has been making claims about the “amazing quality of life Regina has to
offer,” but Fougere has obviously never had to wait an hour for a bus, or try to find affordable housing in the city. Fougere, a former developer, has done little during his time in office to improve the lives of poor people, the working class, students, or the city’s large Indigenous population. While the police budget has ballooned, community investments are listed at $9 million, less than a tenth of what is spent on police. Even transit, which many Reginans rely on daily, only makes up $40 million, less than half of what is spent on policing. Better transit is important not only for students and workers, it’s a critical factor in the fight against climate change. If Regina had a good, working, timely transit system, more people would use it. Police should not be a catchall response, and it shouldn’t be the city’s only response. Police chief Evan Bray himself has said that the police can’t arrest their way out of the social problems that Regina residents are facing, even as he defends the massive budget. Bray is the third highest-paid person on the city’s payroll. The city could put some of that almost $100 million dollar budget to good use in other ways, like low-income housing, substance-abuse programs, long term solutions instead of just ramping on extra policing and giving officers more weapons.
Under the highlights for what Regina has done for Reconciliation, the city has the “Reconciliation Wall” – a permanent legacy to the contribution of Indigenous Peoples in the development of our city – that was established on the main floor of City Hall on October 30, 2019 as well as hosting Regina’s 7th annual celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While these are both important in order to counter the erasure of Indigenous peoples and their contributions to Regina, there’s nothing to solve the inequality and structural racism being experienced by Indigenous people in Regina. Communities with large Indigenous populations are receiving more policing but no more funding for community services. It’s up to community groups like White Pony Lodge to pick up the slack where the city has failed. The lead up to an election is an important point for activism, even in municipal elections. As RPIRG pointed out in their workshop on activism in an election, candidates want to secure support and votes. Bringing a contentious issue liking policing up is a good way to see where candidates stand and to force them to make changes. So get out there, be heard, and make a change. Wikipedia Commons
Regina’s very own City Hall
E-proctoring lives up to worst expectations as university continues to push spyware Piling stress on stress
isaac tamlin news writer
Last week was the first test for many classes using the e-proctoring software and issues were found across the board, confirming the shortcomings that many students anticipated. Many students downloaded the software only to find their firewall flagged Proctortrack as “malware” and required students to specifically grant access to their computers. For students downloading Proctortrack right before
an exam, this added stress to an already stressful time. Some of those who could get Proctortrack to work were still met with myriad problems. Students in a nursing final were promised the ability to work with an online calculator, which they were told would be provided. Upon getting into their exam they found they couldn’t use the online calculator, leaving many students without any calculator at all. In Professor Brett Dolter’s Economics 231 exam students were promised to be able to use excel during their exam, and to
contact Dolter over Zoom if they had any problems. Problems occurred when Excel wasn’t allowed by Proctortrack. It would forcibly close any student’s Excel sheet, and when students attempted to contact Dolter over Zoom they found Proctortrack wouldn’t allow them to open Zoom either. This resulted in students either closing the exam without finishing it to talk to Dolter, or students having to attempt to write an exam without the use of Excel, which they required. In the end, Dolter ended up having to make the exam a take-home exam and
even had to open a second exam for those that couldn’t get Proctortrack to work. When asked about it, he stated Proctortrack would continue to be used, and that it was “good to find these problems before the midterm”. Students who were stressed, lost time doing an exam that they could not complete, and who were worried about leaving the exam because they would be flagged for cheating or have to submit an incomplete exam, were not impressed with the response from the professor. “For that entire hour I just sat there and felt sorry
for myself. Everything went to shit and I can’t do anything” said one student, who doesn’t want to be named for fear of ramifications. And it’s not an isolated event. Many students using Proctortrack have had issues with it. One professor who originally used it has since stopped. It’s important for students to continue to raise their concerns with their profs and deans, for the betterment of all students, so they can succeed to the best of their abilities.
Wikipedia Commons
E-proctoring nightmares
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 5
news
Future Majority works to get out the vote in Saskatchewan’s 2020 election The power of Saskatchewan youth
reese estwick staff writer On October 26, the people of Saskatchewan head to the polls and vote for who they want to be their representatives and leaders. This election, people aged 18-38 are the largest number of voters – meaning that youth in the province hold a lot of power. Politicians have left young people out of the conversation for far too long and it is time for them to make our priorities their priorities. University students across Saskatchewan pay some of the highest tuition prices in all of Canada, according to www.unican.ca. There are so many students in Saskatchewan who are struggling financially now more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic – what support has the government offered to students? It is important that students hold politicians accountable and ensure that they are working for us, as we are the future generation of working-class citizens, taxpayers, and continuing voters. Young people in Saskatchewan make up over 35 per cent of voters across the province, meaning that youth have a huge say as to who governs and makes decisions for the province. During the 2019 federal election, some ridings in Saskatchewan were decided by fewer than 200 votes. Every single vote is important, especially in ridings that are that close. Aina Ulain, a University of Regina student and Future Majority volunteer, spoke to her experience while connecting with Saskatchewan youth over the phone, “a lot of people I call, they
pikist
Saskatchewan’s very own Legislative Building
don’t even know about the election that is coming up and I think that it’s not just because young people aren’t involved in politics, it’s because politicians aren’t doing enough to get the word out.” Many young people express that they are unaware of how to vote, who to vote for, or that there is even an election. As young people, we are surrounded with media. So how is it possible to not see Facebook ads from each party or candidate? It is because politicians are barely advertising the
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non-profit, non-partisan organization, has had a large presence in Saskatchewan since the 2019 federal election campaign where they mobilized thousands of young people to get out and vote. Throughout the month of October, Future Majority is hosting a number of campaigns and events to educate and engage young people all across the province about the importance of voting and being engaged in politics. The events so far are as follows: Posters and Politics in the
has spent a lot of time connecting with young people across Saskatchewan about what they need to see from their representatives. It has been repeated again and again that politicians are failing to serve youth. “I think one of the most important things for politicians to note is that for the first time in our lifetime youth [age 18-38] make up the largest voting bloc in Saskatchewan. In order to get the young people’s votes you need to care about the issues that we care
I think one of the most important things for politicians to note is that for the first time in our lifetime youth [age 18-38] make up the largest voting bloc in Saskatchewan. In order to get the young peoples’ votes you need to care about the issues that we care about.”
priorities of youth, meaning that they are barely discussing the priorities and struggles young people are facing. Politics, voting, and elections have been given the image of something “boring” or “something your parents care about.” But youth in Saskatchewan have a different idea this time around. “Our generation is growing up in a world with less opportunities than our parents or our grandparents, and life is way more expensive. The fundamental things we need are out of reach,” Ulain said. Future Majority, which is a
– Aina Umair
Park in Regina, March to the Mail-In, also in Regina, and Youth and Politics, an online event. These events are ways for anyone to get involved in the election and vocalize their experiences and priorities, as well as connect with like-minded people. There are many politicians across Canada who have worked very hard to connect with young people through social media, events, and more – but in Saskatchewan there are not many politicians who are making the extra effort to engage young voters. Ulain [and Future Majority]
about,” Ulain said. Some of the issues youth in Saskatchewan have identified are affordable mental health care, affordable education, and job security. “We always talk about how ‘every vote matters,’ but this year, it really does,” Ulain said. “When our generation comes out to vote we’ll have the power to vote for a more secure and just future for the province.” If you are a resident of Saskatchewan or a Canadian Citizen who studies at an institution in Saskatchewan and have not yet registered to vote, it is super easy
to do online at https://www.elections.sk.ca/voters/registration/. Many students who are residents of a different province or territory are often unaware that they, too, have the right to vote in the provincial election as long as they’ve been residing in Saskatchewan for at least six months – this leads to many eligible voters not getting their ballot into the box. If you are living in a different province or are unable to vote on the day of the election you are able to vote by mail. To register to vote by mail, go to https://www. elections.sk.ca/voters/voting-bymail/. The outcome of this election, and every election, affects each and every person within Saskatchewan, students living out of province, and international students. There is a place for everyone to get involved, even if you are not eligible to vote. Advocate for the changes you want to see, encourage your friends to get out and vote, and hold politicians accountable for their actions. If you are interested in volunteering with Future Majority and joining an amazing team of youth in Saskatchewan – head to https://futuremajority.majoritylabs.co/act/home#activist-recruitment-form. The election is on October 26, and the last day to register to vote by mail is 15 October 2020. See you at the polls.
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editor: julia peterson aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | october 1 - october 7, 2020
Karin Johnson: a picture of fort(nite)itude The producer behind your favourite titles joseph holoien arts writer
Canadian producer Karin Johnson said, “It’s pretty rewarding to be able to say that I worked on Club Penguin, or Fortnite, or this movie or that TV show, and getting to see someone light up with excitement or disbelief.” Following her high school graduation in Nelson, BC, Johnson continued her education in Kelowna, BC. It was there that she received two diplomas: Computer Information Systems and Graphic and Digital Media Design. Only two weeks later, she was hired by Disney.
Johnson even shared some “secretive” details about Disney Imagineers. What is it? According to Johnson, it is a “nondescript warehouse… [that is] incredibly secretive.” Why? “It’s where all the innovative and inventive work happens for animatronics that go into the parks” said Johnson. This would not be the only secret place she visited during her work. Johnson describes having to “punch in a specific code” in Walt’s office that would lead to a “secret room hidden behind a large wall.” This would lead to a “tiny” private lounge with a “robot that served you beer – he would even tease you if your beer
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Rigid simulations also took place, meaning buildings and vehicles were actually destroyed for the making of the film, and Johnson’s department was heading these efforts. – Joseph Holoien
“I got to work closely with Lane Merrifield for several years at Disney. He was one of the founders of Club Penguin and now is one of the dragons on Dragon’s Den,” said Johnson. “I often thought, what would five-year old Karin say if she knew I’d be working at Disney one day. The nostalgia never wore off, even after nine years.” As a web developer at Club Penguin, Johnson managed teams of highly skilled “artists, designers, developers, writers, animators, and testers,” to ensure that they met the expectations of the executive management. Johnson was the mobilizer, “pushing [the team] through ideation, design, development, testing and release.” Additionally, her team would provide weekly progress reports to the executives and, “company meetings [were] to celebrate accomplishments and learnings,” said Johnson. While Club Penguin was a positive game for a number of reasons, Club Penguin also donated 1 million dollars to real charities focusing on “building schools, providing clean water, or protecting endangered species,” said Johnson. The kids who played the game were given the opportunity to donate their virtual coins and make a real difference in the world – “tens of BILLIONS of coins” were donated. For Johnson, her time at Club Penguin was something special, something “wholesome.”
pour resulted in too much foam. It was called the Server Room.” Spending a tremendous amount of time flying back and forth between different cities for several projects, one of Johnson’s most memorable experiences was when she flew down to the Pixar Headquarters in Emeryville, California and pitched an idea to the Co-Director of the film, Inside Out. The presentation was a success as “he approved it on the spot,” said Johnson. For the shooting of The Man in the High Castle, a series on Amazon Prime, Johnson was the VFX Producer. “So I spent my days reading scripts and identifying where VFX would be required and then building a budget for what it may cost, depending on how they shot it” said Johnson, “On that job I could go to the set and watch the shoot, and actors would be hanging around the lunch areas quite often.” But what was Johnson’s first project working in Visual Effects? Captain America: Civil War. “I was running Animation and Creature Dev – Creature Dev teams simulate the movement of hair, clothing, and skin” noted Johnson, “so in this film we would simulate the movements of capes, Spiderman and Black Panther’s costumes (because a Marvel exec decided he didn’t like the look of the six-figure practical costumes they shot the whole scene in), Spiderman’s web, etc.” Rigid simulations also took
Karin Johnson
“I’ve always been driven by the next big thing that I haven’t tried yet.”
place, meaning buildings and vehicles were actually destroyed for the making of the film, and Johnson’s department was heading these efforts. Johnson says, “when Scarlet Witch was pulling the cars out of the parkade and smashing them on the ground, or when Ant-Man ripped the wing off the plane and threw it at Iron Man, that was all us.” It is hard to imagine just how awesome these experiences must have been but Johnson sums it up: “watching these scenes evolve from Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland running around a tarmac in Atlanta in green pyjamas, to flying and swinging around a fully CGI airport throwing cars and planes at each other was an incredibly cool thing to experience.” Whenever I tell my friends for the first time that my cousin currently works for Fortnite and was a producer working in some Marvel films, they immediately respond with, “what’s his name?” Nothing against them, but this reality is evident in our expectations. The industry is not always
fair, nor on the side of women. When I asked Johnson about being a woman in the industry, she responded: “Being a woman in this industry definitely comes with its challenges. Sometimes it can feel like you need to work significantly harder to get the same recognition as your male counterparts. It largely depends on the person on the other side of the table at any given time. There are great people who genuinely encourage and promote more women being successful in this industry and champion you for what you bring to the table professionally. I have had many people like this in my life who have majorly contributed to my success. But there are also people who will exploit their position of power to take advantage of ambitious women wanting to make an impact or make a name for themselves. Sexual harassment is a very real issue in these industries and I’ve dealt with it in varying degrees of severity throughout my entire career. It can also be common to
see competitive or unsupportive nature between women moving up in leadership positions as well. So you always need to have your guard up, at least a little bit, being a woman in this type of work environment.” Currently living in Raleigh, North Carolina, near the Epic Games headquarters, Johnson is dedicated to the company and operates as the producer, which she says in this context is more like being a, “project management position.” Nonetheless, she is passionate about her current role. So what drives her success? “The old saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ definitely has its validity, but after that door is opened for you, it’s all in your hands from there” Johnson said, “I’ve always been driven by the next big thing that I haven’t tried yet.”
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
arts & culture
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Erin Haasdyk, designer and creator behind Lemondrop Local A talented artist who crafts unique clay earrings
joseph holoien arts writer Erin Haasdyk started Lemondrop Local just a few months ago, in January. While currently a teacher in Calgary, she is originally from Thode, Saskatchewan. Sharing the same profession as her parents and brother, it is fair to say that her family holds a passion for education and for inspiring future generations. Along the way, she was inspired to delve into a new craft from a surprising place – a need for clay earrings. “I had spent a lot of time at Christmas looking for clay earrings… and hadn’t seen any” said Haasdyk, “and I thought, I could totally make those.”
Rockbamboo Photo & Film
Erin Haasdyk couldn’t find any clay earrings for Christmas gifts. So she started making them.
Where there is a want, there’s a product – but in Haasdyk’s case, she would be the one to bring that vision to life in her community. Trial and error occurred until she cracked the code and created the perfect formula for her designs. “I have come a long way,” emphasized Haasdyk. When she opened up her product to friends and family the result was, “earring spam.” With support from her Saskatchewan-based family and co-workers in Calgary, Haasdyk’s dream is now expanding. Throughout it all, Haasdyk’s husband, Michael, has been a key supporter: “He always encourages me to try new things and he
often helps me with some of the assembly of the earrings.” Where did the name Lemondrop come from? It was actually a dual effort between Haasdyk and a friend from work. Haasdyk’s favourite colour is yellow, so she suggested something involving lemons and her friend responded, “Lemondrop?” Lemon juice is sticky, and so, it was here to stay. While maintaining a focus on clay earrings, this has not prevented Haasdyk from broadening her Lemondrop collection in the direction of hair clips and lanyards – and people love them. “I usually walk around my school and see my co-workers wearing my earrings and lanyards and I
am just so appreciative of them,” said Haasdyk. As a full-time teacher, junior high volleyball coach, and soon to be mother, Haasdyk finds it challenging to find a balance. “I really enjoy sitting down and creating new things,” said Haasdyk, “I don’t really know how being a mom is going to change my business but I am excited to see what the future brings for Lemondrop!” When COVID was at its first high point, Haasdyk found her new hobby to be the perfect way to pass the time. She was able to build up quite the collection and to really think about her designs. Due to COVID, art shows
have largely been cancelled; however, Haasdyk sells some of her products through a local shop in her neighbourhood that features some local Calgary artists –ask her about it! Haasdyk has a website (lemondroplocal.org) and Facebook page dedicated to her collection, however, she maintains that the best way to stay updated and to see her work is through Instagram: @lemondroplocal. For online orders, she currently has a $2 flat rate for shipping, so go ahead and spoil yourself, your friend, or your loved one, all while supporting this talented entrepreneur and her growing family.
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
arts & culture
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Book review: Sometimes Daddy Cries
Todd Rennebohm hopes his new book inspires parents to initiate a conversation about mental health
joel steve contributer Indian Head, Sask. author Todd Rennebohm joins the Zoom call with a joyous grin. It’s a Friday afternoon, and we’re about to talk about his new children’s book Sometimes Daddy Cries. The book is about a young boy whose father has depression, and all that entails for him and his family. Rennebohm’s demeanour is warm, welcoming and sets the tone for an enjoyable conversation; however, like his book, we cover some tough-to-discuss topics. He’s candid about some stress caused by early traction the book is getting. “I launched it on Saturday, and it’s just kinda been insane since then,” he says, joking, “You know, way to give myself anxiety. I write a book about social anxiety and then go out trying to promote it.” He shares some of his struggles with depression, addiction, and self-harm over the years. The first draft of the book was written four years ago – the same night he quit drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Rennebohm says life with his young family has been on the ‘up-and-up’ since then, although writing motivation has been a bit sporadic.
“Well, because of mental illness and being an artist, I kind of flake out on stuff once in a while. I would come back to it and rework it,” he said. “And then COVID hit, and I was stuck in the house. I thought, ‘well here’s a good opportunity to finish this project.’” In the book, the boy understands his father’s depression by drawing an analogy to a stomachache. Rennebohm hopes the story could help other families like his own come to understand their experiences. “I know my kids saw me suffer through it, and we didn’t really know much about it at the time,” says Rennebohm, “I figure this book might help kids to understand how it works or what to expect. Maybe to have some empathy for their parents or other people suffering through mental illness.” The timing of the book could not be better. Amid the current pandemic, many people, especially parents, are experiencing new stresses at home. Having a resource to use for discussion with younger children could be a beneficial tool. “I think a lot of parents want to talk about mental health with their kids, but they don’t know how to get the conversation started,” Rennebohm said. “So, I’m hoping maybe this book can start those discussions.”
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Rennebohm’s book launched last week, and has already been attracting interest
He also spoke about the parenting and writing challenge of balancing the positives and negatives surrounding mental illness. “It was tough writing the book and walking that fine line making it realistic,” he said. “Not making it so gloomy and doomfilled, but also not making it fluffy or making light of the depression.” The illustrations from Jessie Stueck help strike that balance. Each image expertly conveys the emotional tone of the corresponding text, contrasting warm with cold. “I love her artwork,” Ren-
nebohm said. “I thought it was absolutely perfect for the book. I mean, you can almost feel the images. The first bundle of images she sent me, I started weeping.” When I ask about future projects, he jokes, “It’s like a band just finished an album, released it, and now people are asking, ‘When’s the next one?’” He is open to the idea of more writing someday but focusing on promoting Sometimes Daddy Cries for the immediate future. Additionally, Rennebohm leads by example with ‘boots on the ground’ mental health advocacy and through his work life.
“I can complain about the funding of mental health programs all I want... And it is getting better, mental health is getting out there more and more, he said. “But I do think it’s up to the people with mental illnesses to destigmatize what it’s like to have a mental illness.” He now works at the addictions treatment facility where he was a patient in the past. The book is available in Regina at Aware House Books and newly-opened The Penny University Bookstore.
How I Keep Calm: Happy New Year
julia peterson arts editor It’s amazing to think of everything I’ve forgotten since last fall. This year has been full of so many events - the good, the bad, the global traumas, one rapid-fire shift after another. I try to remember the most important moments, the things that terrified me or gave me a sense of profound peace, but there’s always the chance they could slip away. After all - around this time last year, what was on my mind? What was I worried about, and hoping for? What did I think might happen in the year ahead? It’s easy to look back and come up with a whole litany of how things turned out, but accurately remembering who you used to be is no mean feat. That’s why I’m so glad I do 10Q. 10Q is a neat little exercise that takes place during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year (which is decidedly less cool hol-
How have you been keeping calm during the pandemic?
iday Lag B’Omer, the Jewish archery-and-bonfires holiday, but still pretty awesome), where you can sign up to get a question sent to your inbox every day between the start of Rosh Hashanah and the end of Yom Kippur - ten questions for ten days. Then your answers get sealed away in the digital vault until the next year, where you get to revisit your past self ’s state of mind before you start answering the questions all over again. And these questions really are designed to get you thinking, from day one’s “describe a significant experience that has happened in the past year. How did it affect you? Are you grateful? Relieved? Resentful? Inspired?” to day five’s “Have you had any particularly spiritual experiences this past year? How has this experience affected you? ‘Spiritual’ can be broadly defined to include secular spiritual experiences: artistic, cultural and so forth.”
When I got the email saying my 2019 answers were available to view, I was incredibly excited to be reminded of what I had written a year ago - and as I read through them, I even learned a few important things about myself and my life. On day four (“describe an event in the world that has impacted you this year. How? Why?”) in 2019, I wrote about feeling disappointed in myself for not being able to be as present in one of my friend’s projects as I wanted to be. I had all but forgotten that project in the twelve months that had passed, but seeing this answer spurred me to check in with them and commit to being more present going forward. 10Q also allowed past-me to reach through time and space and metaphorically slap myself in the face with my ridiculous tendency to underestimate myself. This year, for day six (“Describe one thing you’d like to achieve by this
time next year. Why is this important to you?”), I’ve tried to set a much more ambitious goal, so I maybe won’t leave it in the dust by October. And there are some really lovely moments, too. Day ten asks “when [next September] rolls around and you receive your answers to your 10Q questions, how do you think you’ll feel? What do you think/hope might be different about your life and where you’re at as a result about thinking about and answering these questions?” Here’s what I answered, back in 2019: “I think my life will be much more secure (at least, I hope it will be). I think I will look back on this time in my life as exhausting, exhilarating, frightening, precarious, full of guilt and hope and loneliness and love and friends. I’m still asking myself the question my brother asked me, which is “What would this look like if it were easy?” And maybe this time
next year, I’ll know.” And, reader: one year later, I do know. So as I finish up my last 10Q answers for this year, documenting my joys, fears, memories and aspirations from 2020, I am full of hope for the person who will be here next year to read them. Where will she be? What will she be doing? What will her life be like? I don’t know! But I know, whatever happens, she will have a chance to remember me as I am right now - and doing 10Q , engaging with these questions, is both how I keep a grasp on the ways in which the events of this year are actually impacting me as I live through them, and a reaffirmation that I am worth remembering exactly as I am.
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
arts & culture
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“Anyway, Here’s Wonderwall”: The Article Never gonna give meme music up holly worby staff writer Viewed as both a generational favourite and a performance faux-pas, “Wonderwall,” was released in 1995 by the band Oasis in their second album. This fall brings us to a major anniversary for this song - on October 2nd, it turned 25 years old - aging about as gracefully as us 90s babies who grew up with it. Some heard this song on the radio, some in grocery stores, some through Xavier Dolan’s film Mommy, but possibly the most
larity among those still learning guitar who wanted to try to perform. The song has moved through three phases since it’s release. In the first phase during the late 90s, it was generally loved by the public and played frequently by radio shows and performers. There was a sharp swing to the other side in the early 2000s though, as people had begun to grow tired of hearing the same few chords in the same damn order at every busking corner or open mic night. Noel Gallagher, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, said in an
jokes and jabs. College Humor even got in on the fun through releasing a video in 2009 called “Learning Guitar to Get Laid” where a man plays through “Wonderwall” and is slowly surrounded by nearly a dozen women who can’t keep their hands off him. In the video’s preamble the guitar player jokes that “There are literally thousands of chords, but only four of them are needed to play ‘Wonderwall’,” allegedly making it the perfect low-effort chick magnet. So what’s the next phase for this song? We’ve already gone
and it’s definitely a mash-up that’s worth trolling your friends with. My second wish would be that if you really, truly, honestly think you’ve got a way to cover the song that no one has done in the 25 years it’s existed...GO FOR IT! Honestly, who knows what you could create? While it’s true that you only really need four chords for the song, you don’t actually have to stick to those four chords - you can mix them up or change the tone however you’d like, as long as you retain at least some parts of the melody. The cover of “Wonderwall” by Scary
My third and final wish is that we bring busking and open mic nights to a karaoke-esque level by playing songs that have no business being played in that context but that people will sing along to, and one of the most fun ways to do that is to play with genre. Picture a busker covering “Pants On The Ground” by General Larry Platt with a banjo and harmonica. Imagine a barbershop quartet rickrolling the entire crowd at an open mic night. I want to be walking downtown and hear a mournful violin player serenade Scarth Street with “It’s Raining
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Noel Gallagher, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, said in an interview with Guitar Magazine in 2002 that he had “went into this (Manchester) guitar shop and there was a sign banning people from playing Wonderwall. When I walked in, they all groaned.
common reference to the song is found in the phrase “Anyway, here’s Wonderwall.” For those who don’t know, the statement is a bit of a jab at the frequency that the song is used for busking, or in the performances of beginning guitarists. The chords are pretty easy to master, there’s a leisurely pace, and you don’t need a crazy vocal range to be able to sing along, so it quickly gained popu-
interview with Guitar Magazine in 2002 that he had “went into this (Manchester) guitar shop and there was a sign banning people from playing Wonderwall. When I walked in, they all groaned.” This brings us to the current phase that began around 2010 with a meme that said “I don’t know that one...here, let me play ‘Wonderwall’ again.” Since then the song has mainly been referenced through conversational
through love, loathe, and mock, so what’s left? Well I’ve got three wishes to follow those three phases with. My first wish would be more versions like the one Jon Sudano did in 2016. The video is titled “OASIS: WONDERWALL VOCAL COVER 2016...” and I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you, but he starts singing a different popularly-memed song at around the 12 second mark,
Pockets with Darren Criss is honestly one of my favourite covers of all time, and I’ll confess that I’ve had it on repeat for the entire time it took me to write this article (which has been like three hours straight so far, and I’m still jamming). They put a solid funk spin on the song that shouldn’t work but does, and the video’s worth watching just to see how enthusiastic the keyboardist and bass player are.
Men” by The Weather Girls. What I’m trying to say here is there’s still places we haven’t ventured to yet, and discouraging people from trying to make new versions with the idea that it’s all been done before could stop us from missing out on some incredible compositions, or at the very least, some meme-worthy creations.
Know Your Meme
sports
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editor: ethan butterfield sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | october 1 - october 7, 2020
Looking into the New FC Regina Restrictions Some hoping there will improvements along the way
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sarah nakonechny sports writer
What to keep in mind before hitting the field.
With the change of the seasons comes the start of a new soccer season for many. This season isn’t going to look like any that these players have ever seen before. As health concerns and the spread of COVID-19 are still in the forefront of everyone’s minds, FC Regina has implemented an assortment of new protocols for players to follow. For those who are unfamiliar with these new regulations, let’s shed some light on some of the decisions that were made. Restric-
close-mouthed, and goalkeepers must use gloves. Gameplay is also changing as your head is no longer allowed to make contact with the ball, throw-ins are changing to kick-ins and slide tackling is not permitted. In the event that someone’s head or arm touches the ball, it will be removed from play to be sanitized and a new sanitized one will be provided. These are a few among many other added regulations that we have all started getting used to, such as wearing a mask and social distancing whenever possible. Those who are choosing to
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reported that these restrictions are just a new challenge to the game and that they don’t make it any better or any worse, just different. Even with things being different the ability to go out and socialize with teammates and fans will help reduce the feeling of isolation, especially as we enter the long upcoming winter months. Another player who is eagerly anticipating the return to the field is Cayla Filewich. Out of all of the new regulations she is looking forward to some of them sticking around. As she wears a wrist brace, doing kick-ins as an alter-
Even though there are people that are ready and prepared to get back onto the turf this upcoming season, there are just as many that are choosing to sit this one out. Miles Geres, one such player, stated that these regulations are completely changing how the game should be played. He has concerns that players are going to be too concerned with remembering not to do certain things that it will ruin their enjoyment of playing. Geres intends to save his money and ride out the winter months as safely as he can and if these restrictions continue
if individuals are unable to maintain a social distance of at least six feet then they are strongly encouraged to wear masks. FC Regina has stated in their restrictions that spectators are expected to wear masks, but has stated nothing about the players. This means that players are going to be side by side without masks for an hour at a time. This fact is making those playing and those choosing to sit out nervous because they feel as though we may be playing with fire as the season will run at the same time as flu season. No matter which side of the fence you sit
FC Regina has put in place every restriction that they have deemed necessary to ensure the safety of those choosing to play and their fans.
– Sarah Nakonechny
tions start as soon as you enter the facility with player identification cards needing to be checked by facility staff and the signing of waiver forms before anyone can enter the field area. Equipment will also be regulated as teams will need to ensure that they have two different coloured uniforms since they can no longer borrow pinnies, water bottles must be
register for this upcoming season have decided that these restrictions are something that we need to get used to. Of course, with that in mind, there are some that believe said restrictions will be phased out as things improve or will hopefully become second nature to the game. One player who shares these views and is excited to get back into the swing of things is Samantha Knight. She
native to throw-ins is extremely beneficial for her. Filewich, along with many others, is also excited that the season will not have to come to a pause part way through to make way for Agribition. With large group gatherings being cancelled the season doesn’t have to stop and the players have an opportunity at getting a couple extra games in before the Christmas break as a result.
into the summer season he will most likely opt out of that season as well, choosing to just kick a ball in a park with some friends. Whether or not players are choosing to participate in this season or not, there are concerns about the inability to social distance in games accompanied with no requirement to wear masks when playing. As health officials have stated time and time again
on, this lack of a restriction makes everyone uneasy. FC Regina has put in place every restriction that they have deemed necessary to ensure the safety of those choosing to play and their fans. We are all hopeful that these will be enough to protect everyone who will be entering the facility. To all those who are playing, good luck and wear a mask.
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 11
sports
The major league Butterfield breakdown Bringing the major league news to you ethan butterfield sports editor Hey all, I’m back yet again with another sports update regarding the happenings of the various major leagues and whatnot. Another week has come and gone with its own set of twists and turns. Yes, major developments are coming out of several areas making for good conversation. Whether it’s about the (sure to be over by the time this article is released) Stanley Cup finals, the continuing developing landscape of the NFL, or ongoing NBA Finals, those interested can find the news just below: NHL: If the Dallas Stars would’ve just lost Game 5 on Saturday, this would’ve been a very different article. The Tampa Bay Lightning now have to play again in a (at the time of writing) Game 6 with the, apparently, amazing human wall that is Anton Khudobin. The man made 39 saves and held out in double overtime to help get the win for the Stars. That being said, The Lightning had a little bit of success themselves that night as they broke an NHL record for most overtime played in the postseason. The overall time came to
191:51. The former record was held by the New Jersey Devils in the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a time of 175:10 NFL: Week 3 has now rolled around in the National Football League, boasting more of the great match-ups that come as a result of the week-to-week system of the NFL. First up, the Atlanta Falcons blew yet another lead in the fourth quarter, this time against the Chicago Bears. And now, beyond all logic, the Chicago Bears are 3-0. (Oh right, Atlanta). The Buffalo Bills also threw together an impressive performance against the then undefeated Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Josh Allen threw 5 TD passes for a big win, putting the Bills themselves in an undefeated position at 3-0. In other huge news, the NFL had a more progressive reason to celebrate today as three women, two coaches and an NFL official, graced the field this Sunday. This is the first occurence of this in NFL history. The historic moment included the Cleveland Browns with Callie Brownson, their chief of staff; Washington Football Team, with coaching intern Jennifer King; and NFL official Sarah Thomas.
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In other rapid-fire updates, the Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks also ended up going 3-0, with Russell Wilson of the Seahawks especially making his mark by setting a new NFL record for most touchdowns after the first three games (14). On the other end, the disappointment for Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow continues as he can not find the win column yet again, instead tying with the Philadelphia Eagles to go 0-2-1. In shocking Thursday Night Football news, the Miami Dolphins found the win column. I guess that means either the Jets or the Giants are the current top contenders for the coveted 0-16 title. Lastly, The Browns made news again by being over .500 (having more wins than losses) for the first time since 2014 this far into the season. MLB: The Wild Card Series (best of the three format) will be starting on September 29th, which means it will already be on the go before this update is released. So let’s look at the contenders. As was established in previous updates,16 teams will now be able to qualify for the playoffs, eight from The American League and eight from the National League.
Currently, several teams have finally clinched a playoff berth, getting a chance at a post-season title run. The following teams that have qualified by League are: The American League: The Chicago White Sox, The Tampa Bay Devil Rays The Oakland A’s The Minnesota Twins The New York Yankees The Toronto Blue Jays The Houston Astros The Cleveland Indians The National League: The Los Angeles Dodgers The San Diego Padres The Atlanta Braves The Milwaukee Brewers The St. Louis Cardinals The Chicago Cubs The Cincinnati Reds And the Miami Marlins. Looking at the contenders, it should be an interesting playoffs to be sure. Even more interesting is seeing how many “fans” will fit on the Blue Jays bandwagon during this playoff run. NBA: The NBA playoffs continue on with only two teams remaining, competing for the Championship trophy: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. Given what we’ve seen from both teams, this should be an excel-
lent playoff series. On the Lakers side, of course there’s Lebron, but also Anthony Davis (not Anthony Jones) and Dwight Howard who have made some noise heading into this final. Davis especially with his buzzer beater against the Denver Nuggets. On the other end we have the Miami Heat, who knocked off the once-hot Boston Celtics, but at the end of the day I suppose they couldn’t bring the heat (that was terrible, I know). Jimmy Butler of the Heat will be a name to watch out for in this series, as well as Tyler Herro – Herro being a player that Heat fans literally can’t get over. Seriously, they’re crazy for him. Regardless of how the series goes, it’ll be a fun watch. Well, I hope you enjoyed this rundown, fingers crossed that there was, once again, enough in it to hold your attention. I do my best to keep the news as relevant or ‘up and coming’ as possible but sometimes there can be things that end up being a bit stale. Regardless, I look forward to continuing to bring you the major news of the major leagues from week to week.
And now, beyond all logic, the Chicago Bears are 3-0. (Oh right, Atlanta).
– Ethan Butterfield
Ethan Butterfield
Surfing the web for major (league) news.
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
sports
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
12
Oxygen Regina, bringing a new meaning to inhaling positive energy Positive vibes during crazy times
sarah nakonechny sports writer With many individuals not having the ability to, or choosing not to, participate in team sports there has been a silent cry being heard for a new way to maintain one’s fitness. As a result many people have been turning to the practice of yoga to fulfill this need. I had the opportunity to speak with the owner of the North Oxygen Yoga Studio, Rachel, about her motivation for opening the studio a few years ago and the benefits that come along with her studio. Originally discovering the franchise when she lived in British Columbia, Rachel had fallen in love with the unique environment that the company offered. Not only do they offer yoga classes but they also have various fusion fitness classes for members to enjoy.The fusion classes incorporate movements from both a yoga practice and what you would consider part of a standard workout. All of the classes offered take place in a far infrared studio environment. When Rachel found out that life was bringing her back to Saskatchewan she went looking for a studio that had the same environment but came up empty handed. Realizing that there may be others interested in taking advantage of that style of space, she decided to take the plunge and approach the company’s CEO about opening a branch in Regina. That was four years ago and she has not looked back since. Now you may be asking yourself, what is far infrared heat? It is a non harmful light wave that
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Finding your center.
focuses on heating up the objects in the room instead of heating up the room.This is a dry heat technique which allows for the room to maintain an even temperature for the entire duration of a class. Where many heated studios will use a technique that heats you from the outside through a wet, humid heat, the far infrared will heat the participants core temperature. The intensity of the heat then depends on the intensity of your movements and not on the external environment.
she feels the next day after their fusion fitness classes. On top of that, it helps with detoxification, purification of the skin, lowering stress levels and improving sleep patterns. Many members with asthma have also made comments that the studio climate allows them to breathe easier than when they do the same exercises in a cooler or wet heat location. Even though it comes with all these amazing benefits Rachel did detail some health concerns that they are always mindful of
breeze while still ensuring your body maintains that higher core warmth. With the unique environmental factors to keep in mind, the instructors have to undergo a specific kind of training. They undergo a 200-hour certification that teaches individuals how to lead people through their practice using specific transfers and poses to maintain members’ safety in the heat. Those who may already have some sort of certification undergo a five-day course that teach-
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There have been many studies proving how yoga can help reduce stress and increase flexibility, but that is nothing compared to doing yoga like this.” – Sarah Nakonechny
Although they prefer to focus on how you feel rather than looking at how much weight you have lost, the studio environment has proven to help in many areas. The heat increases your metabolic rate and keeps it up for a period of time after you leave the studio which is beneficial if you are trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight. There are other exclusive benefits as well such as a reduction in joint inflammation and increased levels of pain management. Rachel went into detail stating that the heat does wonders for her arthritis and helps to lessen how sore
when leading classes. As we all know from being outside too long in the summer, heat exhaustion and dehydration are very real and unpleasant things, which is something that the instructors need to keep in mind. They have found effective ways to combat this by prompting repeated water breaks for members, having fans that can be turned on in classes and by structuring classes so they build to a peak and then decline back to a safe resting point. With the room heating your core temperature they do not have to worry about the temperature lowering with the fans, it just provides a nice
es specifically about leading in the heat. They focus on transitioning people slowly from standing poses to floor poses and back up, never jumping up and down rapidly. These slower transitions ensure an easier time at protecting joints and lowering the risk of members becoming faint. The course also teaches instructors poses that are relevant to ‘today’s body,’ meaning that they are movements that we make in our everyday life like twisting, crouching and bending. Yoga has been a practice that has been followed for many years and the way that our ancestors’ bodies used to move their bodies was not
the same as how we move ours, therefore the practice needs to adapt as our society evolves. The update in practice ensures that you strengthen the muscles that are applicable to your everyday movement and lowers the risk of injury as you are not moving your body in unfamiliar ways. Besides the unique atmosphere that the studio’s physical environment provides, it also provides a strong community environment that can be difficult to find. Even when they had to shut their doors at the beginning of COVID, they made sure that their members had what they needed. By offering free online classes every single day through their Facebook and Instagram accounts and allowing members to purchase equipment they did everything they could to ensure people could maintain their practice at home. Now that doors have reopened the feeling of community has only grown between members and instructors as the value of being together in the same space has been reaffirmed for all parties involved. There have been many studies proving how yoga can help reduce stress and increase flexibility, but that is nothing compared to doing yoga like this. It leaves you with their signature “Oxygen Glow” and you will never feel more uplifted and supported. Inhale the good, exhale the bad; namaste.
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
carillonregina.com | the carillon | 13
sports
Sex Toy Sports, the new fad A fun way to pass the time
holly worby staff writer Ah sports. Remember sports? Those heart-racing activities that people used to get together to play? They’re normally great for exercise, socializing, and bonding, but a lot of recreational sports have been canceled this year due to the coronavirus. What’s worse, many people don’t have any sports equipment at home. They either rent what they use or borrow from a friend. This means we’ve got a lot of people who aren’t able to use their outlet of sports right now, but I may have a solution of sorts that combines exercise, socializing, and bonding. Well, bondage... Welcome to Sex Toy Sports, an area of games that I made up an hour ago! For those of you who own more sex toys than sporting goods, or those of you who just need a damn laugh right now, here are three games to make those bedroom items multipurpose. We’re gonna start with a totally appropriate re-do of an existing regular event from ye olde church picnic, the three-legged race. All you need for this one is somewhere to run, some rope, and a little shibari knowledge! Divide into teams of three people: two to race, and one to tie the knots (AKA rig). Get the racers
to stand hip to hip and do what’s called a “double-column tie” to cinch their ankles, knees, and mid-thighs together. What makes it challenging? The knot-tying is part of the race. Only once the race actually starts can the rigger begin to tie the knots, and if they come undone while the racers are running, they have to run back and start all over. The second is an upgrade for the leisurely Western activity of horseshoe tossing, modified to be an indoor game just so you can play it all year around (P.S. make sure the kids aren’t home). First you’re going to take a dildo with a suction cup base and pop it right in the middle of a linoleum, smooth-tile, or hardwood floor. Next, scrounge up enough handcuffs so that every player has a pair, and, taking turns, try to throw the handcuffs so they fall around the dildo. One handcuff loop falling around the dildo is worth 10 points, and getting both rings of the handcuffs over the dildo is worth 25. Obviously, the player with the most points at the end of the game wins, so how would one end the game? You keep throwing, retrieving, and throwing again until someone throws their set of handcuffs just a little too low, and a little too hard, and knocks the dildo over. This means the game is over, and they lose regardless of how many
The Noun Project (Modified by Kate Thiessen)
Giving a whole new definition to sword fighting.
points they’d earned already. The technical term for the tipping of the dildo is a “shaft,” and is where this game, “Shafting,” gets its name. The third game is in the area of watersports (nope... not that kind...) so if you have a decent-sized pool and a taste for sword fights this one’s for you. The first step in the set-up for this
two-player game is to inflate four blow-up dolls (yes... that kind...). Each player takes two and, using zip ties, combines them to create a floating raft in the style of their choosing. Toss those in the pool, then have each player perch on their knees on their blow-up doll raft. Next, supply each player with a three-foot-long dildo (you’ve all got a few of those handy, right?)
to be used as both a paddle, and a weapon. Using the dildos, the players will then try to knock each other off their raft, and the winner is whoever stays on their raft the longest. If you lose your balance and fall, you also lose the game. It’s been officially named “Cockfight,” and is banned from every public pool in Canada.
Sports in Media: Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 Remastered Bringing back the 90s
ethan butterfield sports editor
For those who grew up during the golden days of the PlayStation, you will no doubt remember the absolute gem of a franchise that is Tony Hawk Pro Skater. More specifically, you will remember the first and second iterations of the game, two titles that recently found new life in remastered form on the Playstation 4 (among other consoles). As someone who has a fondness for those older Tony Hawk games, I couldn’t help but pick up the newer versions and see what they did to make them fresh and worth the new coat of paint. And honestly, what better time to revisit some old classics then during what seems like an endless quarantine, truly these are happy days. Well first and foremost, I have to talk about the music. This is such a collection of 90s trash and I love every minute of it (I mean if you know me you know how true that statement is). You’ve got Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Papa Roach, Billy Talent, Rage Against The Machine, Powerman 5000, the ever-important Goldfinger, and even Bad Religion back when they were good trash rock instead of just nowadays trash rock. Also, the reason I mention the ‘ever-important Goldfinger’ is due to the fact that most of my time has been taken up due to setting the controller down and jamming
out to “Superman.” It may as well be the theme of the game, I mean come on, if you’ve played the games you know what I’m on about. Anyway, moving on to controllers, this is where I was thoroughly impressed with what the remaster brought to the table. The gameplay is smooth and super easy to learn if you’re willing to put in extra time into learning said controllers you can get really good, really fast. Heck, I’ve already managed to earn the “Sick” level status on a map or two which is absolutely gnarly to get (Listen, I’m doing a review about a skateboarding game, of course I’m going to use the word “gnarly” at some point). Also with gameplay, unless you really want to get really adventurous with the game’s mechanics, I’d recommend sticking with Mr. Hawk as far as character selection goes. Until you feel you’re sure you can take on someone else, it’s best to just stay with the basics. With regards to maps, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 spares no expense. All your favourite locations are back with all the secrets that you feel in love with the first time around. As well, maps feature multiple collectibles for the player to obtain, such as the classic S-K-A-T-E letters and the equally as classic secret tapes. These collectibles, assuming you can get them all within the short time limit the game provides, help
lead to unlocking newer maps that you can test your sick skills on. Lastly, the tricks that you can do in both Pro Skaters are most excellent (thank you Bill and Ted). Pro tip: if you want big points right off the bat, jump and grind the rail as many times as you can so that the multiplier goes up faster. That way, instead of trying to
do a whole bunch of combos like a legitimate player, you can cruise through and unlock maps faster so you can enjoy them in the free player mode the game offers. Free play meaning that there’s no time limit to hinder you from just doing what your skater heart desires, getting mad air. So there you have it, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 Remastered.
If you’re in the mood to try out an old reliable classic from the rich history that is the PS catalogue, then you could do much worse than this. If you’re not in the mood to give it a shot, then I guess in the paraphrased lyrics of Avirl Lavange’s ‘Skater Boi’: “This was a skater game, they said “see you later game,” it wasn’t good enough for them”.
BagoGames
Shredding some serious rail.
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editor: marty grande-sherbert op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | october 1 - october 7, 2020
It’s time to change our views on counselling
Physical injuries need support. Why is the mind any different? My brain is a ball of yarn. It’s filled with different colours and textures, all differently wound and wrapped together, but it’s atrociously tangled. Most days, it feels as though I can’t tell where the pink string begins and the blue string ends. That sounds a little silly, right? Well, surprisingly, that analogy is far from uncommon. When I first used this analogy with my own counsellor, I was referencing, weirdly enough, a Shutterstock image that had illustrated exactly that: a woman speaking to her counsellor, her mangled mess of yarn being slow de-tangled, neatly sorted and rolled into its respective colours. I genuinely wish I had heard or seen this analogy years ago, as it would have completely changed my view of counselling and therapy for years to come. That being said, my view of counselling before wasn’t unhealthy or wrong. I think I maintained the view that a lot of the public held: I’m glad other people have access to it, but I don’t need it. Because for some reason, we view visiting a counselor as acknowledging “brokenness,” as needing to go be “fixed,” and as if going means admitting that something is wrong with you. This is why I feel as though the “untangling your brain” metaphor is so smart, and so necessary, in a world that still working so hard to destigmatize conversations surrounding mental health crises. Counselling has never been, and never will be, a “one size fits all” solution to any mental health problem the world faces – much like how, in the medical world, not every patient needs the same care, even if two patients have the same diagnosis. But just like visiting a doctor, visiting a counsellor means not placing a band aid over your wound and calling it quits; it means visiting someone who will help your injuries heal, step-by-step, inch by inch.
Sitting with a counsellor means slapping your yarn-y, messy brain on the table, and asking for help de-tangling it. A counsellor’s job is to, little by little, sit and help you work out all the knots and kinks. It’s the equivalent of physiotherapy after injuring a limb; your counsellor is slowly exercising the parts of your brain that need help recovering. It’s about understanding your body, what’s happening, and how to move forward in the healthiest way (like you would and should with any health professional). When it comes to doctors, we find
offered the proper treatment. So why is mental health viewed any differently? If you experience a traumatizing event and choose to not seek help, that’s okay. It’s perfectly normal, in fact. However, we should normalize and encourage discussions surrounding whether we have “properly healed.” There is so much to the human body, including the brain. Just like the way there is much to unpack from a physical injury (understanding different types of injuries, muscles, tears, breaks, treatments, etc.), lots of factors affect a mental strain as well.
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Now when I arrive for appointments, I gracefully set my yarn down and get to work. I sit, and begin tugging at the little ends of strings, my counsellor sitting across from me, helping me keep them organized. – Taylor Balfour
comfort in knowing they are there if we ever need them. Additionally, from time to time we get to choose when we need them. If you sprain your wrist or roll your ankle, you can choose whether you’re going to book a doctor’s appointment. Maybe your first course of action would be waiting to see if it heals on its own. Regardless, there’s a risk that not going to see a professional could result in your injury healing improperly or causing you more pain. Is there a chance it could heal fine? Absolutely! And if so, that’s amazing. But that being said, it’s normal to see physical injuries not heal properly if they aren’t
Every injury has considerations. Every injury adds a few more colours of yarn to that big, messy, tangled ball, and that’s because every injury – physical or mental – has an underlying history. Physical injuries can be tied to your childhood, goals, family history, and traumatic events, just like injuries of the mind. But mental pain is the pain we seldom unpack and investigate. It’s easier to study and understand the reason for a physical injury than a mental one, which can’t be dissected or seen. But that doesn’t mean it should be abandoned. It should mean efforts are turned toward uncovering an-
swers. When I first began counselling, I would feel helpless over how impossible the task seemed. How was I, alone, supposed to de-tangle such a mess of trauma and heartache? But now when I arrive for appointments, I gracefully set my yarn down and get to work. I sit, and begin tugging at the little ends of strings, my counsellor sitting across from me, helping me keep them organized, separated, and neat. I never needed anyone to de-tangle my yarn for me. I always knew I could do it myself. I just never realized that what I did need was for someone to hold my strings still as I began cleaning them up. I realized over time that I never needed to de-tangle it alone. My initial view when I saw that counsellor for the first time was wrong. It was never about me decluttering my brain myself; it was about asking for someone to help me learn where to begin. It was about asking someone for advice about organizing the clutter. If you break your arm and get a cast, it will help it heal in the proper places. It gives your body a moment of rest to catch its breath and repair itself. But what happens if another part of your body is injured? Your heart? Your head? Your soul? Tell me, are yours being repaired properly? There’s no shame in needing a cast to heal your physical body, so why should there be anything wrong with needing a little support in building up your brain and heart? Everything and everybody needs recovery time every now-and-then. With that being said, check in with yourself right now. How are you? How are you really?
taylor balfour editor-in-chief
needpix
I once accidentally said “love you” to my therapy receptionist over the phone. It keeps you humble.
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
op-ed
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
15
Tiktok and WeChat: Security or paranoia?
This decision was probably not made with the greatest intentions
pixabay
What does Beijing apparently know about you from your TikTok? For me, it’s that I really like frogs in tiny cowboy hats.
Well, this is an interesting dilemma. A lot has occurred in the news lately with regards to apps like TikTok and WeChat. As someone who is older, and therefore hates the youth, things like TikTok have little to no effect on my life (I liked it better when it was called Vine anyway). That being said, when a U.S. politician becomes involved in the activity of said apps, that does make things a bit more interesting. Even more interesting still is when a high-ranking U.S. politician becomes involved. And still more so is when that high-ranking official is the President of the
an executive order to ban both TikTok and WeChat on August 6th; it was during this time that Trump raised his concerns that these apps collect important data from American citizens that could be used by those within the Chinese government. The reason why these two apps were specifically targeted is due to the popularity of WeChat with cross-country communication during the pandemic, and TikTok’s base of operations being in Beijing. In terms of recent developments with the ban, a decision to postpone its effects on TikTok was made on September 27 via
steady. U of R student Jasper Waitrich was able to comment on the situation, discussing how he felt with regards to its political relevance: “It’s a pressing issue depending on where you stand politically, but overall? Not really. It’s grandstanding, and most politics is. TikTok and WeChat are only doing what Facebook, Twitter, and others already do, so it’s not so much about Americans’ data getting stolen — it’s about waving the finger at China.” Moving past developments and student opinions, I’d like to speak on a more
taking against TikTok and WeChat. Saying that you need to protect national privacy and information via the dangers of apps because citizens are “at risk” really just says it all about Trump’s priorities, doesn’t it? As I had said before, a deadly virus that is, as we speak, making a second wave through New York is one thing, but you guys need to understand that Trump is in a altercation with China at the moment so his hands are tied. Long story short, I understand where privacy and safety in social media or communication based apps has always been an
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[Trump] and his administration’s actions are based around “getting back” at China, and nothing else. – Ethan Butterfield
United States. Can I say I’m shocked that the leader of one of the most massive superpowers, someone who’s used an app to turn bad press against them into a hashtag for paranoid conspiracy die-hards to use, has deemed Tiktok and WeChat matters of national security in foreign intelligence? Honestly, no, I can’t say that I’m all that shocked by the hypocrisy on display. A quick refresher for those who aren’t sure what I’m on about: U.S. President Donald Trump has once again decided to spend time and effort on areas that are so minimal to actual issues going on right now (in my opinion) that it makes my head spin just thinking about it. Trump put forward
Judge Carl Nichols. As it currently stands, November 12 is the deadline for TikTok to find an agreement with America in order to continue usage within the country. The date should be taken as a win of sorts for TikTok users, as the U.S. election itself takes place on November 3, thus, users can continue using the app for political means (if they so choose) without any disruptions until possibly after. As for developments with WeChat, it more or less resides on the same level as TikTok. Given the popularity of the app in China, the vocal outcry of disappointment in the Trump administration’s decision to ban the app has been nothing short of
personal note. A large part of where this issue is nonsensical for me is that this entire situation can either be deemed a “tech war” pissing match or lack of focus towards actual issues that are literally plaguing the United States right now. We’re talking about a President who, back in February, understood that COVID-19 was something more than just a common flu, but just dismissed it. He completely left American citizens in the dark and, instead of taking responsibility as a leader, decided to act as though he was just as surprised as you or me. So forgive me if I don’t exactly believe that the intentions of this man are anything but pure with regards to the action he is
issue. Not too long ago, Facebook (as Waitrich mentioned earlier) was, and in many ways still is, under fire for their handling of the private information of those that used their platform. That being said, for the U.S. President to try and move forward with a ban like he’s trying to help with people’s concerns is laughable. He and his administration’s actions are based around “getting back” at China, and nothing else.
ethan butterfield sports editor
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
op-ed
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
16
Someone stole my laptop; I’m worried for them
Thinking of those who are desperate
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Yoink!
A week ago, my laptop was stolen. With work and school both being online, it was the world’s biggest slap to the face to lose my means of communication. As you could imagine, I was a walking panic attack all week, scrambling to find a replacement laptop and frantically emailing professors and employers. Was it a Grade A shitty week? Yes. Did I learn the hard way that you should always back up your files? Yes. Am I mad at the person who robbed my building? No. Losing my laptop and multiple accessories blows, but I will never experience the amount of financial instability and desper-
is lovely to join everybody downstairs and decompress, playing cards in the common area or watching a movie in the theater. One of the things I am incredibly fond of about residence are these shared spaces, including the study room. It is incredibly valuable to have the study room, because it separates our time between study and rest. If you feel too cooped up in your room, you can head downstairs for a change of scenery. As a result of that safe space and some trusting individuals, I had moved my whole office from my room to the study room. The thief entered through the window in the early morning. They walked around, checking doors in the dining area and the-
Is this person going to be caught? I do not know. The building’s administrators have filed a police report, but the resale time of stolen items is approximately 24 hours. It would be unrealistic to attempt to get the possessions back. I missed the robbery by only 15 minutes, as I had gone downstairs to get a glass of water early in the morning, and although I do not think they intended to hurt anybody, I do not know what would have occurred if I was to encounter them. Apart from me sympathizing with their situation, I do not know who the person who stole my laptop is or what their struggles are. I do not know who they need
to contribute to those addictions. I know that Saskatchewan is currently attempting to tackle the high rates of crystal meth use, for example, with a budget of 5 million dollars towards treatment and research. Despite attempts to lower substance abuse rates, though, there need to be more efforts to address the chain effects of poverty. I have been struggling all week to think of an effective solution to the poverty rates in Saskatchewan. How can we fix the system? The most effective way I can think of is providing an education for everybody, but I worry that it is impossible. I understand charging the robber with theft may be seen as justice, but is it really? It will take
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I will be okay because I am fortunate enough to be. I will not ever blame somebody who needed to enter survival mode. – Gillian Massie
ation that the person who took my laptop did. Although it is a setback being robbed of my belongings, I am a financially stable individual. I received help from my parents to re-purchase my electronics to continue with my education, and now, I am almost back to normal. The person who robbed us is still at their normal, which is what shakes me the most. I currently live in a university residence that chose to operate despite the COVID-19 pandemic. I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a safe, quiet environment to continue my work, especially with such good tenants around me. Since there are so few of us living here this year, we immediately clicked. After big days of studying, it
ater. Then, they entered the stairwell very briefly and came back down immediately. When they saw the electronics in the study room, they gathered them up and ran out the front door. Growing up in a small community, I had never experienced the high rate of poverty we have in the cities. When I moved to Regina for post-secondary, I was shocked at the number of individuals who lived without basic necessities. Looking back, I feel quite ignorant not to have acknowledged this in Saskatchewan cities. The actions that shook me the most about the theft was the additional stealing food off the counter. Not only was this person desperate to find valuable items, but they were also hungry.
to support in their home or family life. I do not know if they may have lost their job due to cuts during the pandemic. An article published by CTV in January tells how Saskatchewan has the third-highest child poverty rates in Canada. From statistics taken in 2017, 26.2% of children living in Saskatchewan struggle to maintain necessities to live. Knowing all this, I am still feeling afraid that the person may return. I worry that the building is now more susceptible to break-ins, or that next time they will choose to break the glass. It was brought to our attention that if they were abusing drugs or alcohol, they might return. I do not want the money from my belongings
away another person for the benefit of capitalist society, and realistically there will be no rehabilitation involved. The issue will only continue. Although I faced setbacks for the week, I will be okay because I am fortunate enough to be. I will not ever blame somebody who needed to enter survival mode. Instead, I want to see the betterment of society by providing the most basic human rights, so that nobody has to live this way.
gillian massie web writer
carillonregina.com | the carillon |17
op-ed
oct 1 - oct 7, 2020
Increasing courseload in quarantine? Take it easy
You won’t get as much done at home as you may think Taking courses exclusively online, it seems, will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. My first reaction to this realization was that it was a good thing. There’s no need to commute and get around campus, and there might be room for flexibility throughout the day. Over time, however, the challenges also became apparent. Online classes are a poor substitute for in-person ones. Since high school, one of the biggest ways I learn is by asking questions during lectures, and also listening intently when someone else asks a question I had not even thought of. While this can be
usually would. We want to take on a huge course load, pick up some other skills, learn another language, and in general feel like we have been productive. This is admirable, but it could easily become harmful. No one but you knows your situation. If you have the opportunity to work longer hours from home, and keeping yourself occupied helps you feel better, by all means, take on ambitious projects. However, do not feel like you are obligated to. The world right now is scary and uncertain. If all you can do is the bare minimum, and therefore need to unplug and care for
why I cannot put in ten hour days, right? I was wrong, and I think I know why. Physical spaces have mental effects on us. Working in the same space where I usually relax was not the same. Trying to compensate by working longer hours just made it more stressful, and I did not have the option of setting aside a part of the house as my study or work zone. So I would start each morning promising to work till practically bedtime, then feel stressed and unfocused, and before I knew it, another day had come to an end and I was not happy with how much I got done.
hindsight, it makes sense. When your mind knows there is no break or respite in sight, it rebels. When you tell your mind to focus and get things done, and then it will get to rest, you have given it incentive to get more done in less time. For those of us feeling like they need to finish extra courses because they are at home all the time, by all means, try it out. But give yourself permission to change your mind, to do less and take time out as needed. At the end of the day, my only suggestion to all my peers out there is this: give yourself time to breathe, to do something
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For those of us feeling like they need to finish extra courses because they are at home all the time, by all means, try it out. But give yourself permission to change your mind, to do less and take time out as needed.” – Hummad Ali
done on Zoom, I have to contend that it is not the same. Even before we get into how to compensate for the shortcomings of online lectures, however, there is another question that should be asked. What is the best way to manage your courses when school is all online? I remember reading once that writers should aim to write the story they wish someone had written. In that same vein, I am writing this piece today because I wish someone had written it for me to read and ponder about over the summer. If this helps some of us think about how to manage our learning, it will be time well spent. Firstly, many of us have been feeling that we need to ‘make the most’ of the apparent flexibility of school being online, and possibly staying home more than we
yourself, then that is the best use of your time – not learning Spanish, or learning how to code, or finishing two years worth of college classes in six months. I myself took the time to sign up for online classes on things I have always wanted to learn, and it has been very helpful in giving me a small sense of accomplishment. However, there are also days when all I want to do is watch Netflix and nap – and that is exactly what I do. Everyone needs their downtime, some more than others. I want to emphasize that last point a little more. At the beginning of this lockdown, I figured since I will be home all the time, I could work much longer hours. The hour of getting ready and commuting campus and back is saved. The meal prep times are more flexible. There is no reason
Then, I did something counter-intuitive. Instead of pushing myself to work longer, I decided to cut down the hours. I made a clear distinction between work hours and home hours. To quote Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in his book The Sabbath (in reference to the sabbath in Jewish observance), I created a boundary in time instead of one in space. I would start my mornings with a clear list of what things I must get done today, what things would be nice to get done, and keep in my mind the knowledge that everything else can wait. I also knew exactly when in the afternoon I could stop working, and have time for myself for detaching and recharging. To my surprise, I started being productive. I was getting more done in those set hours than when I told myself I have all day. In
you love, to just sleep in or cook a nice meal. A pandemic is not a time to get more done and work longer hours. Not everyone has the luxury to do that anyway. But even if you do, do not feel like you need to overwork yourself or get all your side projects done. You have to stay healthy, take care of your loved ones, and finish the school or work obligations needed to make sufficient progress towards your goals. Everything else can wait, especially with the world the way it is right now.
hummad ali contributer
pixabay
Write that appointment down, trust me.
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editors: sarah carrier, mercedes redman, kate thiessen graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | october 1 - october 7, 2020