’
VOL. 76 ISSUE 9 oct 22, 2015
Fulcrum Food issue
This Week Days since the fireworks have not been used...
411
IN THIS ISSUE... University launches refugee programs P.5 U of O does its part to ease the stress of the Mediterranean refugee crisis Fulcrum fashion update P.11 Flick through our fall fashion edition of campus style Can we take your order? P.13 The Fulcrum Food Issue’s here and it tastes great Picture perfect P.21 Women’s rugby enters postseason with second perfect season Not quite fully loaded P.26 Where can a guy get a charge on campus? Full steam ahead P.28 You’ll be going down with this ship after reading this week’s Di.
NEWS
NEWS EDITOR
Eric Davidson news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0061 @Eric_Davidson93
U of O creates programs to ease global refugee crisis University provides funding as well as legal counsel, scholarships
The Refugee Sponsorship Support Program (RSSP) began as a modest initiative. Its aim is to train law students and lawyers in sponsorship, and then pair them with Canadians that wish to sponsor a refugee. “It is an energizing and amazing time to be doing this work,” said Professor Bond. The model is simple yet effective, and with the overwhelming amount of Canadians that want to help, the program has potential for nation-wide reach. The post-secondary certificate program is in partnership with the American University of Beirut, and combines online and on-site learning for people in refugee camps, especially since many of these people don’t have educational transcripts. “Their path to higher education is blocked, but this provides a way forward for them,” said Nadia AbuZahra, program co-director and Faculty of Social Sciences professor, in a press release. For the scholarships, the U of O will be working with World University Services of Canada (WUSC) and other organizations to find candidates to start in January or September 2016. For more information on what you can do to contribute, you can visit the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program at refugeessp.ca
Brigitte Michaud
Fulcrum Contributor
T
he University of Ottawa has stepped up amidst the international refugee crisis with the creation of a Faculty of Law Refugee Sponsorship program, along with a post-secondary certificate program for Syrian and Lebanese refugees, and scholarships reserved for refugee students.
“Like all Canadians, members of the University of Ottawa community have been deeply moved by the plight of refugees fleeing war in Syria and other countries,” said Allan Rock, president of the U of O, in a press release. “We feel an obligation to act in practical ways that will make a difference.” The University is establishing a $400,000 fund in order to finance the programs. The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has found that the number of displaced persons in the world is currently at the highest level ever recorded, with one in every 122 people either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. The United Nations refugee agency estimates that 2,200 refugees have
Professor Jennifer Bond and event organizer Anthony VanDuzer at the event in Fauteux Hall
died while trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe since June. Canada’s involvement in the crisis has been a contentious issue, particularly in the thick of the election campaign. Professor Jennifer Bond, who is involved with the initiative, spoke about Canada and the U of O’s involvement in the crisis at an International Law Speaker series event held
at Fauteux Hall on Oct. 6. She stressed the fact that Canada can and must do more to aid in the resettlement of refugees. Although the number of refugees keeps rising, Canada has not raised its resettlement target for the last five years. The UNHRC claims that there are roughly 20 million refugees in the world today. Among those numbers, there is a
Photo: Eric Davidson.
quota for government-assisted refugees and a quota for privately sponsored refugees. If Canadians don’t take action to privately sponsor refugees, many of those spots go unfilled. The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law and the Refugee Hub have decided to take immediate action to make sure that Canada meets its quota when it comes to privately sponsored refugees.
Heart Institute research on coronary artery disease recognized in Nature Genetics U of O research makes major breakthrough in fight against heart disease
from the previously reported 11 per cent. Perhaps more importantly, the researchers were able to demonstrate the importance of small and more common factors in an individual’s susceptibility to the disease, whereas most groups have been focusing on large, but rare variants. By identifying these subtler but more common risk groups, the outcomes of the study could provide valuable tools for developing personalized diagnostics and treatment for coronary artery disease. In other words, doctors would be able to suggest what action a specific patient should take to lower their risk of developing or worsening the disease, based on genetic testing. “Many of these genetic variants are likely to exert their effects on the walls of arteries, making them more susceptible to the common heart
Veronika Cencen
Fulcrum Contributor The University of Ottawa Heart Research Institute (UOHRI) received recognition for its groundbreaking research on genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease published in Nature Genetics on Sept. 7. Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart become blocked, and is one of the main causes of death and disability in developed countries, according to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The paper used data from the 1000-genomes project, and examines how to identify a genetic predisposition to coronary artery disease. One of the impressive results of this research is the identification of 10 new risk markers, two of which are recessive genes identified
thefulcrum.ca
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute .
through a novel statistical method of analysis by post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Majid Nikpay. With the new method, the team was able to find 202 genetic variants
Photo:CC ZW Group
in 129 gene regions that together explain 23 per cent of the heritability of coronary artery disease. This may still fall short of solving the entire mystery, but it’s big step forward
disease risk factors such as cigarette smoking, diabetes and cholesterol,” said Dr. Ruth McPherson, Director of the Ruddy Canadian Cardiovascular Genetics Centre at the UOHRI. Of course, a lot of work is still to be done before studies like these could significantly alter the course of modern healthcare development. Dr. Calum Redpath, clinician-scientist and staff cardiologist in the department of electrophysiology at the UOHRI and assistant professor in the division of cardiology, acknowledges that studies like this are a “fabulous foundation” for future endeavours, but that we are “miles away” from using the acquired knowledge in clinical practice. “Going from zero knowledge, we certainly know an enormous amount compared to, say, 20 years ago,” he said.But for now, it’s still a bit like an enormous fishing experiment.”
NEWS | 5
Addressing Islamophobia on campus and globally Speaker says we need better information, a more positive social presence
Marwan Muhammad, advisor to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Brigitte Michaud
Fulcrum Contributor Marwan Muhammad, advisor to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), was welcomed by the University of Ottawa’s Human Rights Research and
Education Centre on Oct. 15 for an event held to address Islamophobia in Canadian communities. “Today, religious polarization and intolerance threaten our peace and prosperity,” said Mobeen Khaja, president of the Association of Progressive
Muslims of Canada. Muhammad came from France to discuss how to bring an end to Islamophobia in Canada and across the world. After volunteering to translate a speech for one NGO, the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF), Muham-
Photo: Eric Davidson.
mad found that it was actually pretty convincing. “When I was translating the speech, the evidence that was there was compelling,” he said. “I felt the call to get involved.” He then began informing himself on all aspects of Islamophobia, eventually becoming a
spokesperson for the CCIF. As he became more involved addressing Islamophobia across Europe, he was hired by the OSCE. Today, Muhammad works on an international level, empowering NGOs and participating states of the OSCE—57 from Europe, Central Asia and North America. He said he’s been invited to speak and run workshops in Canada by a number of NGOs. Muhammad’s goal is to inform the public of the harm caused by Islamophobia. He believes that not only is it harming Muslims and Muslim communities all over the world, it is also harming our societies as a whole. “There is a responsibility for all of us, not only Muslims to address this phenomenon,” he said. Islamophobia can be manifested in a number of ways, Muhammad said, from hate speech and hate crimes to the way Muslims are portrayed in the media and in political discourses. “We should make sure that every participating state has the means to respond to these incidents by supporting victims, providing psychologi-
cal and legal support,” he said. “Whether through equality bodies or police forces, but also through a vibrant network of people who are human rights oriented.” One way to do this, he said, is by going back to his academic roots in statistics. Before we can solve problems, he said, we need to properly identify them. “There are huge disparities in the data collection mechanism,” he said. To properly combat Islamophobia, he said, it’s important for human rights activists and NGO’s to collect solid data. “People who are not in NGOs—students, professors, everyday people—can get involved by making sure that they are aware of this reality by showing solidarity to communities.” Muhammad said that by being present on social media and addressing incidents of racism, we can all contribute to fostering a positive climate of tolerance and diversity. “The main message I came to deliver in Canada is stay together, and define a common narrative that brings people together in all their diversity,” he said. “You have something precious in terms of mutual understanding and diversity.”
CBC welcomes U of O grad to the den
Harley Finkelstein to judge Canada’s entrepreneurs alongside the dragons eric davidson news editor
Harley Finkelstein is the chief platform officer at the Ottawa-based business Shopify, and a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Juris Doctor and MBA joint program. If that wasn’t already an impressive resume, he’ll also be taking the stage as a newly minted judge on the Dragons Den spinoff, Next Gen Den. “I think I took a very different approach to academia and my education than most people do,” he said. “I didn’t go to law school to become a lawyer, and I didn’t do my MBA to go work in a consulting firm.” Finkelstein chose Ottawa for its close proximity to Montreal, where Finkelstein had started a T-shirt business during his undergrad, and because a mentor of his was teaching law at the university.
6 | NEWS
Harley Finekelstein was welcomed as a dragon on Next Gen Den.
“The entirety of my academic career was done in an effort to become a better entrepreneur,” he said. “I really looked at the entire experience as leverage,” he continued. “I leveraged my profes-
Photo courtesy of Harley Finkelstein.
sors in law school to help me understand complexities that I was having in my own business.” “I look back really fondly on my time at the University of Ottawa,” said Finkelstein. “I
think it’s one of the best schools in the world.” He didn’t take to being a lawyer, but he soon found success working with Shopify, the wildly successful Canadian ecommerce company.
But if you think Finkelstein prepared extensively for his role as CPO at Shopify, you might be surprised to know he was preparing for the role of Dragon long before that. Finkelstein said he’s been an entrepreneur since he was 13, when he started a DJ company. “I was always entrepreneurial, always trying to figure out how to sell things to my neighbors,” said Finkelstein. “It taught me a lot about responsibility, it taught me a lot about customer service.” After all of Finkelstein’s success as an entrepreneur and businessman, CBC asked him to be a judge on Next Gen Den, which deals with tech startups. Finkelstein said he was invited by the CBC a couple months ago to be part of a mock pitch. A couple of weeks after that, they told him they wanted him to be their new dragon on Next Gen Den. Finkelstein says he’s been
very impressed by some of the entrepreneurs on the show. “I think that the people that are pitching on Dragons Den are some incredible companies, I feel very lucky that I get to participate as an investor in some of them.” So much talent on air could be a good sign for Canada’s tech industry in general. Ottawa especially has had a strong showing in the tech industry. Invest Ottawa estimates that there are around 1700 tech companies in the region, from startups to established players like Shopify. This has led to Ottawa being dubbed “Silicon Valley North”. “Today, we’re moving away from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy,” said Finkelstein. “We have companies popping up all over the country that are not just good Canadian companies, they are the best at what they do globally.”
thefulcrum.ca
U of O student presents new gift business Online store sells personalized gift baskets Eric Davidson news editor
Dasha Shakov, a third-year marketing student at the University of Ottawa, is taking her business education to the next level—by starting her own online gift shop, called Parcelly. “We offer personalized gift packages for all kinds of occasions,” she said. This includes life events like birthdays, weddings, even one for bad days— called ‘cheer up buttercup’.” But before Parcelly could get off the ground, Shakov needed to find a business partner. Luckily she didn’t have to look too far. “Me and my mom started the company together,” said Shakov. “We’re always trying to pitch new ideas to each other.” “It brought us together in a unique way, one that I never really thought would happen,” she said. The idea for the company actually came while the two were putting together a care package for a friend living abroad. “We were thinking ‘why isn’t there a service that allows for this?’” she said.
There are a number of very successful companies that sell curated packages through online stores, including companies like Quarterly and Birchbox. But Shakov sees a lack of personal gifts, a hole she wants her company to fill. “The whole subscription box thing is pretty popular, but there’s not one that’s curated to special events,” said Shakov. Shakov started building her company in May with a business plan, and hunting out suppliers. They also worked on putting the site up early, along with a variety of social media accounts to broaden the site’s range. After a summer of work the company was ready for action, and the online store went live on Oct. 1.“It’s doing well, better than I thought,” she said. “We’re selling between one and three a day, and our site is getting about 1,000 views a day.” Shakov’s already had to contend with one obstacle many entrepreneurs don’t have to face—midterms. “It’s tough,” she said, “but it’s definitely doable.” She also says that having a business partner—maternal
Shakov’s company offers personalized gift baskets.
or otherwise—was crucial in managing the workload. She also says doing all of the site’s construction and promo-
Photo: Dasha Shakov.
tion during the summer made a big difference. Despite the work, Shakov seems to have fallen into her
new role as a student entrepreneur. “I wasn’t really looking to be an entrepreneur, it kinda just
News Briefs
Shopify to partner with Uber on rush delivery service Shopify and Uber will now combine their services, with Shopify using Uber to let its users make rush deliveries. Shopify has said the partnership will launch “in the coming weeks.” Both companies are operating on a global scale and will look to create an immediate delivery option for Shopify customers. The partnership came after Uber was approached by Shopify. Shopify spokesperson Janet Park told the Ottawa Citizen that Uber wanted to “focus on small- and medium-sized businesses”. She said that since Shopify works with many such businesses, it was a good fit. Shopify already works with
thefulcrum.ca
Canada Post and FedEx, but with this partnership Uber “rush deliveries” can now be offered to customers in select cities. This comes amid a debate around Uber in Ottawa, as city hall is currently reviewing taxi by-laws that could allow Uber drivers to operate within city limits.The service which will be called UberRUSH will be offered in cities which are currently undisclosed. It’s not the only recent change in Shopify’s strategy, as they just added a buy now button on Twitter and Facebook allowing transactions to be done directly from newsfeeds. —Moussa Sangaré-Ponce
Stateless man Deepan Budlakoti was arrested for stunt driving on Sat. Oct. 10.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Deepan Budlakoti arrested for stunt driving Deepan Budlakoti, a man who lives in Canada and is currently fighting deportation, was arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
for stunt driving. Budlakoti was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 10 for travelling 165 km/h on Highway 417 where the posted speed
limit is 100 km/h while on his way home from visiting a friend near Casselman. In Ontario, a stunt driving/racing charge applies to anyone
happened,” she said. “It wasn’t something that I was specifically looking to do, but now that I’m doing it I love it.” going 50 km/h or higher over the posted speed limit. The OPP told the Ottawa Citizen that Budlakoti was “arrested and charged” after the incident. Budlakoti has denied this. “It’s a ticket,” he told the Citizen. The OPP stated that he must appear before a judge to receive a fine. Budlakoti also had the car he was driving, a rented Chevrolet Camaro, impounded for seven days and had his driver’s licence revoked for seven days. Deepan would have been in danger of a larger punishment, but in July the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada eased the conditions of his deportation order while he fights it. The updated conditions state that he must report to border officials within 48 hours of any arrest, accusation, or conviction. Budlakoti told the Citizen that no such arrest took place. —Eric Davidson
NEWS | 7
National News
Mohamed Fahmy says defending freedom of the press is imperative Former Al Jazeera English journalist speaks at press conference at Ryerson Farnia Fekri The Eyeopener
Toronto (CUP)—Mohamed Fahmy, a former Al Jazeera English journalist imprisoned in Egypt for almost two years until his pardon on Sept. 23, was at Ryerson on Oct. 13 in his first public appearance since his return to Canada. He began by thanking the organizations and people who helped support the campaign to bring him home. “If you ever doubt that these campaigns make a difference, I’m living proof that they do,” he said. Addressing the media in the Rogers Communication Centre as part of a Canadian Journalists for Free Expression event, Fahmy said he hopes to start a foundation to fight for the release of journalists unjustly imprisoned abroad. He criticized the Harper government for not doing enough to secure his freedom after he was arrested in 2013 with two colleagues on terror-related charges, saying that the Cana-
dian government didn’t understand the urgency of his case. “When you’re there (in prison), your only hope is that your prime minister will get you out,” Fahmy said. “Sitting in that prison cell, it was difficult not to feel betrayed.” Fahmy said there needs to be immediate leader-to-leader communication with cases like his, and added that though lowlevel government officials met with him “Mr. Harper refused” to talk to him and his lawyers. Fahmy also addressed his lawsuit against his former employer Al Jazeera English, saying, “no news service should be able to compromise… the safety” of its journalists. “If we believe in a free press,” he said, “we need to defend it.” Fahmy’s views and criticism of the Harper government come just days before the Oct. 19 election. But he said he has “no intention other than” to express his views. He did say he met with Prime Minister-Elect Justin Trudeau on Oct. 12, that he would meet with NDP leader Tom Mulcair
Mohamed Fahmy at the CJFE event on Oct. 13.
on Oct. 13, and that he has no plans to meet with Harper as of the conference. As for going back to the
Middle East, Fahmy said he will definitely consider going back as a journalist. “I’m a front-line reporter and
I get bored in the studio,” he said. Fahmy appeared with two of his lawyers and his wife
Photo: Badri Murali
Marwa Omara, who ended the conference by saying that she hopes the two can “have a normal life.”
Study finds Aboriginal youth are incarcerated at higher rate Findings prove reasons for crime patterns go beyond heritage
UBC alum Kora DeBeck, seen above, was the study’s lead author.
The Ubyssey
Vancouver (CUP)—A recent study has found that Aboriginal youth are
8 | NATIONAL NEWS
Photo courtesy BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
incarcerated at a higher rate than nonaboriginal youth. The study, whose senior author was UBC alum Kora DeBeck, found that even when researchers took into account drug use, homelessness and
Sruthi Tadepalli
The study sheds light on potential explanations for the difference in youth incarceration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups. Due to general limitations, it can’t, however, highlight specific causes. “Often times we’ve seen that when there’s these kinds of discrepancies, some people instantly look and say Aboriginal youth are just committing more crimes,” said DeBeck. “But I think what this study shows is that there may be something else happening as well, and that there could be different policing practices or just different risks for aboriginal youth.” This study utilizes data collected through the At-Risk Youth Study between September 2005 and May 2013 which studied youth between the ages of 14 and 26. Participants in the study completed a questionnaire administered by an interviewer once when they became involved with the study, and twice a year from then onward. The primary outcome of interest was recent incarceration—which is defined as spending a night in detention, prison or jail in the last six months—compared to youth who had not been incarcerated in the previous
other factors that put youth at an increased risk for imprisonment, streetinvolved Aboriginal youth were still more likely to end up incarcerated than street-involved non-Aboriginal youth.
six months. The pattern of Aboriginal youth being incarcerated at a higher rate was also addressed Oct. 14 at Vancouver Quadra elections event. According to Joyce Murray, who’s running for re-election as the Liberal candidate, the Liberals plan to spend $2.6 billion on “bridging the gap” to help Aboriginal youth complete their high school education. “In B.C., there are more Aboriginal people that go to jail than graduate high school on reserves,” said Murray. “It is a tragedy of lost opportunity and lost fairness.” Despite limitations in explanation, DeBeck said these studies are important for looking at this issue more closely, to untangle why the discrepancies exist in the first place, and then have policy interventions to reduce them. When DeBeck was asked what she hoped people would take away from the study, she said she would like it to change the context in which people look at the health outcomes of others. “What I hope that it does is bring attention to how lots of the health impacts we are seeing in the real world are often influenced by larger social and structural pressures and factors.”
thefulcrum.ca
A&C EDITOR Allegra Morgado arts@thefulcrum.ca
ARTS&CULTURE
(613) 695-0062 @allietate
From model Parliament to centre stage
U of O alum performs in biggest improv show in Canada Allegra Morgado Arts & Culture Editor
A
political science degree may not seem like the Most Likely path to a career in comedy.
But for Brie Watson, her political knowledge is one of the biggest assets she brings to her improv troupe. Watson, a University of Ottawa alumna, and her troupe, Fifty Shades of 50, performed at the biggest improv showcase in Canada—the Big City Improv Festival from Oct. 16 to 24 in Toronto. Watson attended the U of O for political science, graduating with a Social Sciences degree in 2008. After school, she decided to get back into improv, an activity she hadn’t done since grade school. She practiced in Ottawa for a while before moving to Toronto to attend the Humber College School of Comedy, and later the Second City Conservatory program. “I started doing a bit of im-
prov in Ottawa, and then realized that if I really wanted to pursue comedy, then I wouldn’t be able to do it in Ottawa,” said Watson. “The comedy scene in Ottawa is getting bigger now, it’s building now, but it didn’t have the necessary schools or systems in place to teach it to a greater extent.” Throughout her time doing improv, Watson has been involved with multiple troupes. When applying for the festival, she entered with different troupes that she’s a part of, and Fifty Shades of 50 was the one chosen to perform. The troupe, which is made up of Watson and three of her friends, sets all of their sketches in the 1950s. All of the women bring different education backgrounds to the table, putting interesting spins on their sketches. “I bring a lot of information about the political climate of the fifties, whereas Heather Sanderson, who’s in the troupe, studied fashion, so she has this completely different understanding of what the ‘50s were
Brie Watson (middle right) with her improv troupe get big laughs for their 50s-centric comedy. Photo: Courtesy of Fifty Shades of 50.
like, completely based on what people were wearing, and what the styles and fashions were at the time.” Many of the troupe’s sketches make feminist commentary on the gender divide that existed in the 1950s. Watson believes that comedy is an important tool that can be used
for spreading awareness of important issues and encouraging people to work towards change. “Comedy has largely been a man’s game, for a long time, and I think by setting scenes in the fifties, we’re able to take on certain issues that existed then and just pointing out the ridiculousness of the gender divide
and showing how far we’ve come since then,” she said. “And it always garners huge laughs because it’s so powerful.” Watson is starting her career in comedy at a perfect time, where female comedians are dominating the scene. Amy Schumer, Melissa McCarthy, and Tina Fey are just three of
the biggest names in comedy at the moment. Two of Fey’s former co-stars from 30 Rock, Scott Adsit and John Lutz, headlined the Big City Improv Festival. Colin Mochrie, of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, also performed. Adsit also led a workshop for attendees. One of Watson’s favourite parts of the festival is the ability to connect with different actors from across the country and learn from each other during the workshops. Although Watson is enjoying her time doing improv right now, she hopes to eventually break into the film and television business. “My main problem with improv is that it exists in the moment, and then after that it’s sort of gone, so it’s hard to capitalize on that,” she says. Although improv may exist only in the moment, it looks like Watson’s time in the spotlight will last much longer. After being accepted to perform in the biggest improv showcase in Canada, Watson’s future in acting looks bright.
U of O alumna shortlisted for Governor General’s Literary Award Caroline Pignat’s The Gospel Truth nominated for award in English Children’s Text category Maitland Shaheen Staff Contributor
In 2009, University of Ottawa alumna Caroline Pignat received the Governor General’s Literary Award for her historical children’s novel, Greener Grass. This year, she receives her second nomination for the prestigious national award for her newest book, The Gospel Truth. Set in 1858 in Virginia, The Gospel Truth follows Phoebe, a young slave on a tobacco plantation. The novel uses six different narrative voices including Phoebe, her master, and a number of bystanders. “The issue changes depending on whose point of view you’re looking through,” says Pignat. Pignat’s award-winning first novel, Egghead, is also a
thefulcrum.ca
youth novel that’s often studied in schools. Egghead was written in the multi-narrative style that Pigant has used in many of her books. “It helps kids have empathy for other points of view. Your truth is true to you—it changes depending on who you are,” she said. The narrative style of The Gospel Truth is not its only noteworthy feature. The novel is also unique in its writing style, with the entire novel written in free verse. The poetic style is much more emotional and free flowing than prose, which makes it undoubtedly unique for children’s literature. “It’s a very different form than what I’ve done before, but it fit the voice I wanted to use in the novel,” Pignat says. A graduate of English and
religious studies at the U of O, Caroline Pignat went on to complete her B.Ed. at the university before beginning her writing career. Pignat’s years at the U of O inspired her to start writing professionally. “It was the first time someone thought what I was writing was good. It was a huge affirmation.” Pignat wrote her first children’s book while teaching fourth grade, and says that her audience has grown up over the years. Her upcoming work, Shooter, is a teen fiction novel that revolves around students in grade twelve, the same year she now teaches. As for themes, The Gospel Truth will be Pignat’s fourth historical piece. Three of her novels, including Governor General Award-winning Greener Grass, are set in nine-
about ourselves from looking at them.” The author of seven novels, Caroline Pignat has developed her writing style over her career to include a diverse selection of literature that breaks the classic restraints in children’s literature. Her nomination for the Governor General’s Award is one of only five in the English Children’s Text category. While thankful to be receiving such a prestigious national award alongside talented writers, Pignat is Caroline Pignat (left) with former governor general Michaëlle Jean, accepting her Gover- most excited about being nor General’s Literary Award for Greener Grass in 2009. Photo: Courtesy of MCpl Jean-François Néron. nominated for narrating a story not commonly found teenth and twentieth century person rather than the event.” in children’s literature. “It is Ireland, which is her country “They’re going through the free verse, it is historical,” she of birth. same emotions any person explains. “To know that it resA fan of historical fiction, would, but in their historical onated with the readers and Pignat says the genre has context. I love stories from the felt authentic is huge. I’m very taught her “it’s more about the past and what we can learn proud that it made the list.”
ARTS & CULTURE | 9
Photo exhibit shows off women’s resilience Exhibition showing on U of O campus displays plight of Indigenous women
An elderly woman from Rubkona country in South Sudan.
flict areas and photograph those involved. He has now put together a photo exhibition, called The Unfinished Revolution that will show at the U of O beginning Nov. 5, of the many women and girls he has met during
Allegra Morgado Arts & Culture Editor
Samer Muscati, a former University of Ottawa student and the women’s rights emergencies researcher with Human Rights Watch, has been travelling the globe to research con-
cally women and girls. Human Rights Watch does not only focus on countries outside of the Western world. Some of the subjects in the exhibition are Indigenous women in Canada. “It does have an international focus, but at the same time, there’s a lot in Canada that needs to be done in order to address the serious human rights violations that certain populations are facing,” Muscati said. Although Muscati has been photographing his subjects for years, it was not with the intention of creating an artistic exhibition. While travelling to countries like Cambodia and Sudan, Muscati has been using photography as an added component to document his work. “I feel we can have 100-page reports, and it’s very detailed, and has great analysis, and good recommendations, but sometimes, in order to have the human element, photography’s a great way to kind of make people relate directly to the issue,” says Muscati. While conducting his research, Muscati has found that the effects that conflicts have on women and girls is often ignored. “It’s important because I think women and girls are forgotten in conflicts,” he says. “Sometimes wom-
Photo: Courtesy of Samer Muscati.
his work. Human Rights Watch is an NGO that conducts research and advocacy missions concerning human rights around the world. Muscati focuses on the impact of conflicts and human rights violations on civilians, specifi-
en’s voices are not heard, and I think women suffer very specific violations, and horrible violations, and it’s important that they have a voice, and that their stories come forward as well, and I find that photography is one way to do that.” The photos in the exhibition will all be accompanied by captions that give background information on the women and girls in the photos. “For us this is not just art, this is advocacy driven, so it’s important to contextualize the photographs so people know, it’s not just the image that’s important, it’s the person in the image that’s important,” he said. The exhibition will run until Jan. 26, 2016, giving students almost three months to check it out and learn about conflicts around the world and how they are affecting women. “All of the photographs capture a lot of difficult events, and they also show the resilience of the women and girls, and I hope that people will leave encouraged.” Muscati’s hoping that the photos will teach students about these conflicts and inspire them to get involved with human rights organization, and work towards a brighter future for women in Canada and internationally.
Do-it-yourself Halloween costumes
Impress your friends without breaking the bank this Halloween While dressing up at Halloween is a fun opportunity to express yourself, or to scare your friends, Halloween can be expensive. Halloween costumes from the store often cost money students don’t have. However, by assembling your own Halloween costume, you can create a unique costume without breaking the bank. Here are four costumes that are easy to assemble from your own wardrobe or a thrift store, without requiring any hardcore sewing or DIY skills.
Pizza Rat You need: -Grey cat ears and tail (Tip: if you can only find black, paint the ears with white or grey fabric paint) -Grey shirt and pants -Cardboard -Red and pale yellow construction paper or bristol board -Gluestick -Black face paint
struction paper or bristol board. Trim about an inch from the widest part of the yellow shape to create the crust. Glue the yellow piece to the cardboard. Using a round object as a guide (Tip: the gluestick cap could come in handy for this part), draw and cut out red circles and glue them to the yellow section of the pizza shape. Step 2: Put on the grey shirt and pants. Step 3: With black face paint, colour the end of your nose black and draw whiskers on your face. Step 4: Grab your pizza and go!
10 | ARTS & CULTURE
Silent Film Stars You will need: -Black and white formal clothing such as a black dress and tights, suit, or white shirt and black pants -Grey face paint (Tip: if you can’t find grey face paint, mix a bit of black into white face paint) -Costume Jewelry (optional) -8x10 inch piece of black bristol board or cardboard -White paint or white marker
Sushi You need: -White shirt and pants -Pillow -Pink or orange pillow case -Strip of black or dark green fabric, long enough to wrap around your body (Tip: this can be from a pair of old leggings or the sleeve from an old shirt)
Directions: Step 1: Cut out a large pizza shape from the cardboard. Cut a shape that is the same size from the yellow con-
paint or a black sharpie to draw wavy lines on the pillowcase to simulate a fishy texture. Step 3: Place the pillow on your back and wrap the strip of black or dark green fabric around, fixing the pillow to your back. Either tie, hot glue or safety pin the fabric to hold. Step 4: Head out for Halloween and pique everyone’s appetites.
Directions Step 1: Using white paint or marker, draw a frame around the piece of black bristol board. Add any decorative elements you like, such as swirls in the corners. Write a favourite phrase or
Directions Step 1: Put on white shirt and pants. Step 2: Put pillow case on pillow. If you’re feeling adventurous, use white
Illustration: Kim Wiens
-An old T-shirt or baseball shirt -Baseball cap or athletic headband -Striped sports knee socks -Running shoes -Clipboard -Whistle
movie quote in quotation marks within the frame. Step 2: Dress up in formal clothing and optional costume jewelry. Step 3: Apply grey face paint to areas of exposed skin. Step 4: Amaze your friends with your costume and your silence.
Directions Step 1: Put on all clothing items and accessories. Step 2: Carry around the clipboard all night while making your friends recite camp songs and cheers.
Camp Counsellors
You will need:
-Athletic shorts preferably colourful, and baggy
thefulcrum.ca
CAMPUS STYLE
Fall fashion edition
U of O students show off their favourite fall ensembles on campus.
DAeAndré Charles
Deborah Sogelola, Fulcrum Contributor Fatima diallo alvarenga
Program: Conflict Studies and Human Rights, second
year
Taking a cue from her style icon Kim Kardashian, who is often spotted in monochromatic outfits, Fatima rocks an all-black ensemble. Light makeup and effortless looking hair complete the relaxed, but stylish, look.
first year
Good, versatile, and different are three words Cole would use to describe his style. His ripped jeans are perfectly on trend and, combined with his jacket, it adds an edge to his classic blue button down shirt.
mbury
Whitte
Program: General social
sciences with a double minor in political science and Français langue seconde, fourth year
Paula, like many of us, is saying goodbye to sunny summer days and fully embracing the cool fall weather. She looks warm and stylish with her beige pea coat and burgundy scarf combo. Paula is undeniably starting the season off with style.
Why it’s famous: The Shawshank Redemption has an epic emotional storyline that we can all relate to, as it focuses on the human psyche as it relates to friendship. The film follows two imprisoned men, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding (Morgan Freeman) who bond during their time in jail. Freeman’s smooth, deep voice is stellar (as always), and gives the movie the
Anoop Kaur Fulcrum Contribut or
year Daeandré stands out in the sea of grey and black on campus with his burgundy pants, which add a pop of colour to his ensemble. His outfit is completed with his brown leather bag—both stylish and functional, with more than enough room for all those midterm study notes.
ernanda Paula F Pérez
Program: Conflict studies and human rights, second
Cole Sauvé
Program: Commerce,
Photos: Rémi Yuan
organic feel it needs. This was also director Frank Darabount’s breakout
work, who went on to become one of Hollywood’s finest.
lack of action and with the focus primarily on human relationships and character development. But if you can get past the lack of car chases and explosions, it’s entirely worth it.
Why you haven’t seen it: The success that The Shawshank Redemption saw was mostly through word of mouth. As a box office failure, it didn’t reach many audiences while in theatres, even with its critical acclaim. Most of its fame came afterwards through showings on television. Later garnering seven Oscar nominations, including “Best Picture”, the movie enjoyed more critical acclaim after leaving theatres.
Floyd: “That’s ‘Cristo’ you dumb shit.” Heywood: “… by Alexandree Dumb-ass. Dumb-ass.” Andy Dufresne: “Dumb-ass? ‘Dumas’. You know what it’s about? You’ll like it, it’s about a prison break.” Red: “We oughta file that under ‘Educational’ too, oughten we?”
Why you should watch it anyways: Aside from the critical acclaims and long list of nominations, the movie also plays on some interesting issues. Many have noted it to be a contemporary twist on existentialism. It also plays with aspects of Leo Tolstoy’s work, God Sees Truth, But Waits. But more importantly, it’s an outstanding movie about friendship that will make you want to call up your best friend and tell them that you love them, while wiping away tears as the credits roll.
Why it might be tough to get through: With its limited array of action and slower story, this film can annoy viewers hoping to see a dramatic prison life. It’s not a Prison Break-type film, and that doesn’t appeal to everyone. The 142-minute runtime may also seem daunting, especially with the
Fun Facts: The movie’s rights were bought off of Stephen King for $1.
Famous Lines: Red: (narrating) “Forty years I been asking permission to piss. I can’t squeeze a drop without say-so.”
The first-choice cast was very different, with roles offered to Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, and Brad Pitt.
Heywood: “The Count of Monte Crisco…”
Only two women had speaking roles in the movie.
Most of the movies mentioned in Movies You Should Have Seen are available for loan at the Morisset Library! thefulcrum.ca
ARTS & CULTURE | 11
t s a f k Brea Smoothie/granola bar combo
Anoop Kaur Dhindsa / Fulcrum Contributor
M
ost of us have at least one day in our week of school that seems impossible to get through. This breakfast spread will guarantee that you at least start out this terrible day on the right foot: with all the calories and nutrients you need to outlast a wave of brutal midterms. My main concerns when it comes to cooking meals are the portability and health factors. This may not cut it for everyone, but it’s important if your morning is packed with never-ending lectures. So here’s a super easy smoothie and homemade granola bar combo that should help ease the pain. Don’t be afraid to mix and match—have fun and get wild(berry).
The importance of eating breakfast Anastazya Vydelingum / Fulcrum Contributor
T
raditionally, eating breakfast has been seen as an integral part of our morning routine, so much so that many view it as the most important meal of the day.
I tend to agree. Breakfast gives you the boost you need to get through your classes. Think about it—our body has been fasting all night and requires some kind of sustenance to start the new day. This bright n’ early meal can also keep your weight levels in check, since it’s supposed to get your metabolism working earlier in the day and give your body sufficient time to burn off calories. In fact, a recent study by Heather
2
Leidy and her colleagues at University of Missouri has shown that a high-protein breakfast leads individuals to voluntarily decrease their daily consumption by 400 calories. But others might shrug indifferently and tell you that this meal is really not as important as once claimed. Researchers conducting a study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham divided 300 individuals trying to lose weight into two groups—those who ate breakfast and those who skipped a meal. After 16 weeks, the researchers found no significant change in their subjects’ weight from both groups. Other studies have also failed to correlate eating breakfast with positive effects such as increased energy and concentration. Researchers note that those who don’t eat breakfast are able to afford it and are likely already dedicated to a healthy lifestyle that doesn’t include this early morning meal. Another concern is that breakfast may actually increase weight gain. However this is largely determined by an individual’s food choice. In this light, I would at least agree that breakfast alone is not the remedy for a poor diet and a lack of exercise. Eating breakfast is not a quick fix, nor is dramatic weight loss the key to a healthy lifestyle. But, on the other hand, the positive effects of skipping breakfast haven’t been tested over long periods of time. These studies I mentioned have only been published in recent years and there needs to be more extensive research done before we can even consider the idea that skipping breakfast is beneficial to your health. In the meantime, I’ll continue to make breakfast an integral part of my early morning routine until the smoke in this scientific tug of war clears.
h c n u L Campus coffee guide Ryan Pepper / Fulcrum Contributor Second Cup
priciest on this list, but it is also the only place you could get a little Bailey’s added to your coffee while enjoying some open mic action.
Second Cup boasts a menu of 16 different roasts along with the standard lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos. If you have an active sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know they offer a plethora of delectable goodies. Both Second Cup locations on campus (one on Laurier avenue and the other in Morisset Library) are located near Café Alt great places for sitting, doing homework, The best kept secret on camreading a good book, or connecting with pus, Café Alt offers great specialfriends. ity coffees (vanilla lattes, chai tea Prices are not unusual for a coffee shop. lattes) at great prices. You should come for the coffee but stay for the atmosphere, since this spot flaunts Dining Hall friendly staff, lively shows, and delicious There’s plenty of food there, so make food. use of it. But don’t expect a stand-out Accessibility might be an issue. Unless coffee experience. The coffee machines are rather hit and miss, and when they miss, you’re an English student, you might not know where Café Alt is located, since it’s the results are undrinkable. tucked away in the basement of Simard. Both the cheapest and costliest Specialty coffees are still pricey, but choice for students. With dinner setting don’t cost as much as Starbucks. students back $13 at the door, it’s far too pricey an option for those without a meal plan. For those with the meal plan, Première Moisson this will probably be the coffee you’ll be Definitely appeals to the hipster in all drinking to get you through the day. of us, with its focus on French artisan baking and fair trade coffee. A great spot to sip your java and feel Café Nostalgica socially progressive at the same time. A purely U of O experience, Café NosThe convenience factor is definitely talgica probably serves the widest selection of food, so it’s a good place to get an high. It’s located in the lobby of FSS, so students in Social Sciences don’t have to actual meal with your caffeine fix. travel far to get their fix. Located right next to Morisset Coffee is a little bit on the expensive Library, Café Nostalgica is located censide, but that’s the price you pay for an trally on campus. environmentally responsible cup of joe . Its specialty coffees are among the
3
Tuna patties Catherine Frasch / Fulcrum Contributor
Tuna patties are the perfect food for a university student who is halfway through their day of classes and needs a quick and filling meal to get them through the second half. It’s different than the typical tuna in Kraft Dinner meal that we all swear by. On top of that, tuna patties are diverse, cheap, easy to make, and use ingredients you probably already have in your fridge. I know that canned tuna isn’t always the most appetizing of dishes, but when you add a little lemon, some onions, a few spices and shape them into little patties, canned tuna becomes surprisingly appetizing.
r e n n Di
Eating high class on a student budget
have a different food special every day (averaging $4-10) and a great selection of rotating craft beers. If you’re looking for somewhere a little more high end for an inexpensive date night, you should try dressing up a bit and check out Sidedoor’s happy hour special (4:30-6:00 p.m.). You can get two gourmet tacos for just $7.50 and they also have a drink special during that time. Lastly, try venturing over to Sparks Street and check out the daily deals at D’Arcy McGee’s. There they offer half-priced appetizers and $5.50
as students is trying to figure out what and where to eat. Of course, we could always just cook our own meals at home, but that option isn’t always the most convenient.
So, in this spirit, here are some tips and tricks in how to eat out on the cheap.
Daily food deals are a gift to every student, since they allow you to eat out at a fairly cheap rate. Although menus are always changing, here are a few daily food deals that you will definitely want to check out. If you’re looking for somewhere quaint and quiet to grab a bite to eat ,I would suggest Smoque Shack. They
Take advantage of large portions Most restaurants in Ottawa dish out pretty big portions, with joints like The Black Tomato, the Fox & the Feather, and Chez Lucien being particular standouts. A lot of the time these portions are so generous that I am usually able to split one meal between two people. I’ve been doing this for years and it works great. Don’t worry if you’re still hungry afterwards, you can always make a snack at home.
Leftovers Don’t be shy to ask the wait staff to pack up your leftovers at the end of a meal. Sometimes we feel embarrassed taking home a small portion of leftovers, but when bed time rolls around and you’re looking for that midnight snack you’ll be thankful. Contrary to popular belief, you can even accomplish this with fries. Just add some seasoning salt and pop them in the oven for a few minutes.
Broccoli and parmesan-stuffed chicken breasts Jodie-Côté Marshall / Fulcrum Staff
Desiray Stewart / Fulcrum Contributor Know the best ’m sure we can all agree that one of the daily food deals biggest issues we face
I
craft beers on Thursdays.
4
Want to throw a memorable dinner party for your friends, but don’t know what to cook for them? Fear not! The Fulcrum has you covered with this cheap, easy, and sophisticated broccoli and parmesanstuffed chicken breasts recipe. This delicious dinner will make you and your friends feel like you’re dining in luxury, all while sticking to that student budget!
Drun k Food Exp ress
Th e b yo u’r est e p pla Chr is Z las ces a As p m a ter tak ta P idt to i r e fin ng a erms a ea d d d a l o/ som you ong- pproa t i n r c Fulc eed ha mis ethin self n e n db bac rum gt ds st o
Ott aw
re k o he tu bes crus n t ak. B dent h t ss h u t dru e 3B t h nk at ca stre alas tart t , e Loc rot o s eat ing e of p ts of the ac buck foo ated her o s le O a exp —12 and d lov two eri st-liq ttawa demic dow 4 e e m , u n, nce o m inu a m insa r. Wh s in r mu drunk adn liver tes Osg n e e t e e sa ood en ss a you dium ly fl her the nchi yo way ’re a nat es. L ly sta will cross fro e S ev pla sized vourf u’re u i g c on’ t. m c nni u s c ckily gerin entua ampu ng shaw l foo arniv the U g a sa Zak w l pita l e’v ar on d o oro CU Elg ’s e c throu y end re re l. u , get ma, p s o 3 g tio , mp h B , an joic c i tin D n i omn Brot ing ile d g l an o yw Wh n St ine s i h d v f p uck ers oro g ua r—1 thi ard you’ll and frie o do . o y p s u p r ro e , an 4 s, list look s ton and nds a sn’t , so igh and d teed or a vides ing oon Byw t— y n off nd w love e t y fo d ou eli ard our licio o hit acti a er al Yo wo r ci o v u e g t s But u ca othe k on good n he u ly arl ’t her Mar r nh o s g ic biv s opti ang food ver t after puk be w bre reas pot. k ore o e a n y o p F a s t S s f , o th tha one arty suc ed in rned, arou o ma garlic r aro this ? t qua n hs o yk slo r any u p hen these this i d, gr are h f the If yo n o r p i d l t p e d a a u ly s a s ani r b our toes. $15, y, dr runk & gan establ not a a bi d to e ama refus Sm i y p t o B fi e cha i Dun p z e sf rom shmen place , and nd a ing d to g nce ut be u can ing, Co oke n oh ine s ’ c giv fter s tak ts, m for a Gu nsid ’s P a t lo refu get Fam mid rs. B ome ing e the e yo e ana ve. l if a o eve sts w red t outi u n f p o g t r lac em ver o n str ight— h Za ter l ill n l o b u e e e l a s fin . y e nt k ong rie und e t a Del has into gglin like p ’s an aving gb xic any lly g er to oubte he fi — 40 dD ero the r i —2 e e a a n c u d g t 7 r g t e l e t n e i b l e e in ntl 20 e h yh n’s ar, as f t t y b d. Alt oppin s. ave dinin Dalh hei a u tover g to a g re ath een r f hou g o g sa sed c o t c e h o f h us r gh eap r yo f enf wa kle re a ow d ood. eve iends , gr u orc ene ow McD But it a inebri ie St los r eas r t i n y i t x m n a m . o . d g t c o i n y e e o n o a I , e h str imu d e us e n a n’t to n i ct a a c .F at know ald rul s at o atch rie chees let th m of ting, 2a ’ w s hat —25 sq e es .m. u lish uic burg at sw 15 m Smok tha ne po p. y er inu ay kly t e i noi ment is the ou’re 2 El n ’ s p t te y ou rev wil s es stil get pout gi pe th ent . N s to l h sog ine The , this l me rfect inkin n S g o a e t a e t g s h ty g t 1 fol . ta is t ing yt can big our its lo … h ll he h a g nex .m. I will fill get s est d e pla your w-up ow cl ord ups be an tm t’s ed up e ic h er raw ce f n t o e m i é e orn wit rs mp ore in, a d do had back or yo ds an that t . But hr o i wn n r nd s ga t u egr e o l Piz ma s. nd ant to atisfy et y (esp f the . Che d the quila et’s b y tha n in za a e b wil If t y ciall dow p, qu som shot e seri l b ment g th e y P ou nto o us ya e. I an ea y ou ick i o let ou ca izz n ft w ate : sa , f n fi a— ppe that the er mi n Ott and t you took a $1. and me k 336 nd ali 3 aw c re a d a n 9 a t s n o ng ng ty. a i me wa ju n in igh tha w. As R l n e t t t S k i a i ) t h c or i l las e fi pas and arn dec dea c the ong a away mply t h a r t th st p i ent b ti u y dr s w firs e m ar. T cken lac ou’ll on o t b you’r ith y unke med St. h or f y e i u s s . o ite, i n e t ter nd u u y s class Big M oub his ic you care r pep ly sta m-si t f o z a t g per ’ll u edl ed n ins ic es ac ger abs l to o y w ic fo pi z and tab in, not ni d olu od ake han za fo eli lo u tel b c u c up h dt ye r$ i r d the ain i he 5e njo n yo ousn s e u c l yt n s s r a t s e e s h . m xt w his hie mo at it r a here, m e o u th rni al. on fiv ng er
Con tr
ibut or
a w he n
t i F c l u F
Consumer nutrition myths
Mexican rice bowl and homemade guacamole
Nicholas Robinson / Staff Contributor
M
yths about food, nutrition and health are widespread in society, and can be misleading or in some cases, even harmful. Over the years I’ve found some repeat offenders, so be sure to keep these in mind as you make your nutritional choices.
Artificial flavours Companies often put “no artificial flavours” on their packages in an effort to present their product as being more natural, and, thus healthier. But funny enough, artificial flavours and natural flavours are literally identical. Flavour is just the body’s way of interpreting certain molecules—For instance, glucose (a sugar) will taste sweet, and the organic compound isopentyl acetate tastes like bananas. To add flavour to a food, a chemist needs to isolate and add the molecule that gives the desired taste. To get a natural flavour, the chemist starts with a bunch of
bananas (for instance), and processes them until only the flavour is left. To get an artificial flavour, the chemist just makes it from scratch. In the end, it’s the same molecule.
Fad diets and gluten Despite the popularity of complicated gluten-free and paleo diets, it’s fairly simple to cultivate a healthy diet. Eat lots of fruit and vegetables, don’t eat too many snacks, and get a good amount of exercise (at least 150 minutes a week). As for gluten, most people don’t need to worry about it. There is a small percentage of the population who have celiac disease, and they can’t have any gluten. Unfortunately, self-proclaimed food gurus have blown this problem out of proportion by marketing gluten-free diets as the universal cure to all evils.
Ella Wright / Fulcrum Contributor
This layered Mexican rice bowl is the perfect one-pot meal for students looking for a hearty meal on a cold day. Its simple ingredients and steps make it an easy introduction to eating meat-free, or a new stand-by if you’re already a vegetarian. Eating vegetarian, even once a week, has proven to have many positive benefits including increasing your life span and reducing your carbon footprint. Most importantly, this tasty Mexican rice bowl crushes the stereotypes that eating vegetarian means you have to make significant culinary sacrifices. Serves four and can be easily reheated throughout the week. Organic foods There isn’t much convincing evidence that organic foods are better for your health or for the environment On the other hand, there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are safe. Yet, myths surrounding those designations are bountiful. For instance, organic farmers do use pesticides—just not pesticides that have been deemed unnatural. A great example of the double standard is how organic farmers will take cans of Bt bacteria and spray them on their crops, whereas genetically engineered food allows the genes to be in the plant itself. In the end, you have the same result—the crops are safe—so why are only the people who grow GMOs crucified for using pesticides?
6
y x Se
Sexy Food Di Daniels / Staff Contributor
S
ome claim that food is almost as good as sex, if not better. Why debate? Let’s incorporate the two pleasurable activities together. Here are some pre-coital meals that will really ramp up that sex drive.
Drinks Most students agree that alcohol makes most things more pleasurable, so pop open that bottle of red and take a few sips (or glasses) with your meal. Being a rich source of antioxidants, red wine can even improve blood circulation during intercourse.
Eating out and dining in A Dear Di guide to making body parts and bodily fluids taste great Di Daniels / Staff Contributor Sweet. Tasty. Delicious. Moist. Are we talking about food? No, we’re actually talking about semen and vaginas and how you can make yours taste just a little yummier. Ladies, you’re up first. Vaginas have a history of being shamed, since we’ve all heard the fishy folklore about what these lady parts taste like. So let’s debunk the myths and stick to the straight facts about this issue. The taste of a women’s vagina depends on a number of factors, including arousal, diet, and sweat. Vaginas are naturally acidic and can therefore have an almost metallic taste, and odour. But there are a number of things that can make your vagina taste not so fresh. These include smoking, which gives your vagina “ashtray breath”, and alcohol which alters your vaginal flavour, and not in a good “aged bottle of wine” kind of way. Spices, onions, garlic, red meat, diary, asparagus, and broccoli can also have some not-soyummy effects on your vaginal palate. What should you eat if you plan on getting luck y later? Well, eating foods like pineapples, kiwis, blueberries, mangoes, green tea, cucumbers, parsley, and fruit salad will make your vagina taste like a sugary tropical paradise.
Gentlemen, let’s talk semen. Semen taste is usually described by women as being slightly salty and warm, but depending on your diet it can be saltier or quite bitter. Staying hydrated is important in improving the flavour of your spunk , since semen fluid is composed mostly of water. Not only will it help rinse out your toxins, but it’ll actually increase the volume of your semen. Yum yum. Other semen-friendly foods include wheatgrass, lemons, pineapples, parsley, peppermint, plums, kiwi, blueberries, and basically any foods that are naturally rich in sugar are going to make you sweeter. Thinking of going for a coffee date before you get it in? Think again. Caffeine makes your semen taste bitter, and no-one likes a bitter after taste. You should also avoid red meats which make your semen saltier. For both men and women looking to cultivate a tasty natural palate, keeping yourself healthy is a good rule of thumb. Not only will you perform better, but it’ll make you taste better. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to being your most delicious self. Bon appétit!
7
Main For the main course, you can prepare salmon with a light pomegranate sauce, topped off with some chopped chilies. These ingredients will feed that sex drive like no tomorrow—salmon keeps sex hormone production at its peak, pomegranates increase genital sensitivity, and those hot chilies can increase your heart rate, making you even more turned on.
Dessert After dinner, treat yourself to a dessert that really gets you into the mood. Warm up some chocolate, cut up some bananas, and other fruits of your choosing and voilà, you have fondue. Not only is this a fun, playful treat you can seductively feed to your partner, but bananas can increase sexual desire in men and chocolate enhances your feelings of well-being and excitement.
Student drinking guide David Campion-Smith / Opinions Editor
Something to help you get your pre-drink on
The key to any good pre-drink is to find something you like automatically, since the taste actually matters on this first drink. Once you find a beverage along these lines, stick with it and be proud. My usual pre-drink of choice is ginger ale and whiskey, with a handful of ice thrown in for good measure.
Something seasonal I hope everyone’s enjoying pumpkin beer season! I know I am. The HighBaller Pumpkin Ale perfects that festive pumpkin pie taste. There’s a bit of spice and cinnamon in this one, and at 5.2 per cent it’s got a pretty decent kick as well. You can even pick up a 500 mL bottle of the stuff from the LCBO for the low low price of $3.50.
Something fancy I’m not going to pretend to be a wine expert, but at $9.95 a bottle, Santa Caroline Chardonnay is a great choice for students who are looking to get into wine on the cheap. On top of the low price, this drink also flaunts some seriously layered flavouring. If you’re drinking it on its own it has a dry fruity taste. If you’re drinking your wine with food it takes on more of a honey flavour.
Something to get you drunk Let’s be honest, there are times when you just want to get drunk, and quick. That’s the perfect time to release The Kracken. A 750 mL bottle of this spiced rum will cost you about $30, and it’s the perfect kind of shot to knock back when you’re late to the party and have to catch up.
Something to wake you up This scenario calls for the Spicy Screwdriver. It requires a bit more work than other drinks on this list, but it’s guaranteed to shake you out of your drunken drowsiness from the night before. Mix white rum, lemon juice, and lime juice in a glass, ice, give it a squirt of siracha sauce, and top it all off with orange juice. The orange juice is a perfect way to start off the day, and the siracha gives you that extra kick to wake you up.
Photos & Illustrations: Kim Wiens / Layout: Devin Orsini
SPORTS
SPORTS EDITOR Spencer Murdock sports@thefulcrum.ca
@SpencerMurdock @FulcrumSports
Women’s hockey strong in home opener Convincing win over rival Ravens followed by tough loss against Concordia Spencer Murdock Sports Editor
I
n a strong preseason performance the Gee-Gees women’s hockey team beat the Carleton Ravens in their home and season opener.
The team came storming out of the gates attacking in the Ravens end. Ultimately their efforts paid off as forward Cindy Laurin received a centering pass from Vicky Lemire and snapped it home for the Gees’ first goal. Carleton would come blazing back minutes later and tie the game on an unassisted goal from Nicole Miners a matter of minutes later o. The GeeGees put the exclamation point on a frenzy of a period with a scramble in front of the net leading to Roxanne Rioux’s go-ahead goal. Carleton was on attack in the third period but failed to tie the game, giving the Gees their first win. “I thought we dominated,” head coach Yanick Evola told Sports Services after the game. “I do think that we could have closed them out in the second period.” The Gee-Gees were back in action two days later when they traveled
to Montreal to take on the Concordia Stingers. Unfortunately the team couldn’t build on their solid win as they lost 4-2. The Gees were unable to hold on to an early lead as Concordia took advantage of Gee-Gee mistakes to earn their second win of the year. Freshman forward Roxanne Rioux is off to a blistering start to the season, with three goals in two games. Thirdyear forward Vicky Lemire looks to continue her impressive play over her first two years. The road ahead for the Gee-Gees is a difficult one as they take on Concordia once again, and will make a second trip to Montreal to face McGill. A competitive but small division means they will become very familiar with their foes. The team should be able to pull off multiple wins, even if they only come over the Ravens, the only other team at the same or lower level than the Gees. Last year, the Ravens finished in last place with the Gee-Gees not far ahead. Carleton is off to a 0-2 start to the season after winning only three games in 2014-15. The Stingers will arrive at Minto Sports Complex on Oct. 23 as the GeeGees look to avenge their loss with the puck dropping at 7 p.m.
Emilie Bouchard and the Gee-Gees are off to a good start to another tough season.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Gees rugby closes regular season with perfect record 80-0 blowout against McGill previews playoff success
The powerful squad of women in garnet and grey burst into the playoffs.
David Agbaire Proofreader
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s rugby team were rampant, as they stormed to an 80-0 victory over McGill University to round off their perfect season on Oct. 18.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
The Gees undefeated record of 7-0 this season means that they have now completed a second consecutive season in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) without losing a game. With the win at home, the team officially clinched the top spot in the RSEQ standings ahead of Concordia
(6-1-0) and Laval (5-0-2), and will now look to maintain their good form heading into the playoffs. Last year, an initially powerful season came to a disappointing end as the undefeated Gee-Gees lost two games on their way to a fourth place finish in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) finals. The Gees, who recently beat the incumbent champions St. Francis Xavier X-Women in an exhibition, have been on a season long mission to right their wrongs. The home team wasted no time opening the scoring, with two quick tries by star prop Simone Savary in the first seven minutes. The Gees would apply near-constant offensive pressure on the Martlets for the next 20 minutes. Two more tries before the half by Danielle Erdelyi and Ashley Strike meant that the Gee-Gees sat with a comfortable 26-0 lead at the half.
The rest of the match held little change in pace, as the Gees looked to end their season with a bang. Crisp passing, electric speed, and methodical movement on offence lead to 8 tries in the second-half, seven of them coming from impressive passing displays and close range finishes. In a thoroughly focused performance, the Gees were able to stave off any sentiments of sluggishness or complacency. Head coach Jen Boyd noted that this could be regarded as a season-defining performance for the team. An integral part of the game was the Gee-Gees’ teamwork as they simply outworked McGill and held sturdy defensively, preventing the Martlets from mounting any meaningful attacks. Boyd attributed the win to the team’s discipline, vision, and fitness. Despite recording another dominant undefeated season, Boyd was still
thefulcrum.ca
modest in the team’s achievements heading into the playoffs. “We’re just confident enough,” said Boyd after the win. “Everyone is healthy and we’ve had a good season.” The Gee-Gees are ranked second in the nation, just behind Guelph—a team that is also unbeaten and fresh from a record setting 140-5 win over Brock. Regardless of the fierce competition around the country, the Gee-Gees should feel confident knowing they won’t be facing too many teams like the Gryphons. A high seed will reward them for their excellent regular season and will hopefully carry them down an easier road to the finals. The Gees will host the Montréal Carabins on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. in a RSEQ semifinal game. The Gee-Gees last faced the Carabins on Oct. 3 in a match they won 33-7. Tickets for the match at Matt Anthony Field are on sale at tickets.geegees.ca
Sports | 21
Gee-Gees football drops stallion battle in London Western torches the Gees defence in 44-point victory The Gees have regressed in the win column to the same point they were at during their nightmare 2012 year. It’s not that the team can’t win—it’s just that they don’t think they can. Following the heartbreaking loss against Carleton in the Panda Game, the Gee-Gees’ season has fallen off the rails. Head coach Jamie Barresi told Sports Services about the impact one decision of not trying for a twopoint conversion could have had for his team. “I take more frustration out of my performance. Had I gone for two at the end of the first overtime, the game would have been over and we’d have been in a different mindset right now.” The mindset that is ruling the GeeGees is one that will not help them get anywhere in the remaining week of the season. Luckily the Gees still have the power to close the season on a good note and add to the win column for the first time since mid-September. The 2-5 Toronto Varsity Blues are traveling to Ottawa feeling similar to the Gee-Gees. However, with a win and a Laurier loss either of the team’s could sneak into the playoffs. Expecting a battle, the Garnet and
Spencer Murdock Sports Editor
It’s been a rough few weeks for the men in garnet and grey. Following an embarrassing loss to Laurier a week prior, the Gee-Gees traveled to London to battle with the powerhouse Western Mustangs. The expectations were low going into the game and despite the team putting up a somewhat valiant effort in the first half, they couldn’t hold off the Mustangs. The Gee-Gees fall to 2-5 on the season after the 63-19 loss. Quarterback Derek Wendel tallied 277 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns, his lowest totals of the year. The defence was unable to slow a balanced attack from Western as they racked up a staggering 707 offensive yards. Western’s QB Will Finch didn’t have an impressive day, with only 163 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. On the other hand, the Mustangs’ ground attack was potent with their combination of running backs Alex Taylor and Yannik Harou totaling 335 yards and six touchdowns.
After another massive defeat, it is time for the Gees to step up and decide their fate for the rest of the year.
Grey will need to muscle up and bring some of the energy and execution from earlier in the season to pull off a win. In a final fight for life in the play-
offs, it will say a lot about the team. If anything the game is a test that will determine if there is any fight left in a deflated team, or if the rest of the
Photo Marta Kierkus
league will just keep beating a dead horse. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 24 at Gee-Gees Field.
Quick Hits
Ravens no match for Gee-Gees on women’s soccer senior day
The Gees have finally taken the scoring pressure off of Francki and Khoury in time forthe playoffs. Photo: Marta Kierkus
David Agbaire Proofreader
The Gee-Gees women’s soccer team secured a vital win over their intercity rival Carleton on Oct. 17. The close 2-1 victory secured a playoff berth for the Gees, as they currently sit atop the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East division with just three regular season games to go. After the Saturday match the Gees hold an impressive 10-0-3 record. The match was
22 | SPORTS
of special significance for the team, as it celebrated four of its graduating seniors—Pilar Khoury, Julia Francki, Cynthia Leblanc, and Mélissa Pesant. In an emotional ceremony before the game, the four thanked their families, friends, coaches and supporters. The game itself began slowly, as both teams tussled for possession. Ottawa hit the goalpost late in the first half and applied constant offen-
sive pressure, but were unable to add to the score sheet as the first half ended tied 0-0. A more lively start to the second half by the Gee-Gees saw Hannah Landry give the Gees the lead in the 60th minute. Khoury scored what ended up being the gamewinning goal just four minutes later with a close range finish. The Ravens managed to pull one back in the 88th minute and give Ottawa a scare, but the Gees held strong to see the win through. “We were more relaxed than last time (against Carleton), we are better when we are confident and play with trust,” said head coach Steve Johnson. The Gees are next in action in a midweek game at RMC in Kingston on Wednesday. The team defeated the struggling Paladins 6-0 in their last match-up.
thefulcrum.ca
Ditch the gym and try something different
Get your workout on without ever needing to set foot in the gym holly veale
staff contributor Exercise is important—it keeps us healthy, happy, and helps us manage stress. Yet even with its benefits, it often takes a back seat to other important activities in the daily student routine, such as going to class, studying, working, all while maintaining a social life outside of Facebook. For those who find going to the gym uninspiring, fitting in the time to exercise may seem even more daunting. Here are some alternative ways to get your daily dose, all while avoiding the gym.
The great outdoors Go outside! Ottawa is known for its picturesque scenery along the canal and its many other parks. People of all ages are always biking, roller skating, running or walking on the numerous paths designed especially for you to get moving and take in the fresh air. As winter rolls in, running outdoors may not seem as ap-
pealing as it did during the warmer months. If you enjoy the colder weather and are looking to get some cardio and work new muscles, try skating! Skating is an often-overlooked activity for those who didn’t grow up playing sports on ice. The canal is the obvious choice in the dead of winter, but the U of O and the City of Ottawa have public skating times in the arenas across the city year round. There is also an outdoor skating rink located in front of city hall and beside the canal, which boasts a great view of the Ottawa skyline and Parliament. The only downside to this option is that you might be tempted to buy a Beavertail after your workout from the stand located next to the rink.
Join a class Fitness classes are another fantastic way to get exercise while pretending not to. Whether you’re more experienced or looking for a more casual setting, fitness classes offered by Sports Services has it covered. Beyond getting the exercise, staff and students
Finding the right activity will ensure you can skip the gym for good.
can sign up with friends or individually to meet new people. This is ideal for those who require extra motivation to
get up and go by turning exercise into a social activity. Having a friend’s company can turn even the most unpleasant activities into a fun
Photo: Spencer Murdock
hangout. From swimming, to kickboxing, to a casual run in the park, going with a friend is sure to brighten the mood. A little friendly competi-
tion can even be motivational. Schedule a weekly run or challenge each other while learning a new sport. The possibilities are endless!
Check up on all the Gee-Gees scores from the past weekend between Oct. 16-18 Football Western 63, Ottawa 19
Women’s Hockey
Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball (preseason) (preseason) Ottawa 117, UQAM 67
Ottawa 95, Cape Ottawa 2, Carleton 1 Breton 69
Ottawa 77, Acadia 74 Ottawa 60, UPEI 56 Ottawa 57, Bishop’s 40
Women’s Rugby Ottawa 80, McGill 0 Women’s Soccer Ottawa 2, Carleton 1
Concordia 4, Ottawa 2 Ottawa 98, Queen’s 75
thefulcrum.ca
Sports | 23
OPINIONS
OPINIONS EDITOR David Campion-Smith
opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @davidcs96
Looking forward to a possible coalition government It’s about confidence in government, not seats Nicholas Robinson Staff Contributor
Coalition governments are a positive part of the Canadian political landscape. For most of the 2015 Canadian Election, it seemed the 42nd Parliament would have three parties virtually tied in number of seats—resembling many European countries, who have to go through a complex series of political negotiations to form a government, often ending in a coalition. Coalition governments demand compromise and teamwork, which leads to moderation and co-operation—which in turn means that coalitions are more likely to reflect the popular will. There’s a misconception that the leader of the party with the most seats becomes Prime Minister. Instead, the incumbent PM always gets the first shot at forming the govern-
Photo: Mohammed Jangda, Johnathan Allard
ment. The formed government must then gain the confidence of Parliament, so it can pass budgets and legislation. If the PM can’t gain the confi-
dence of Parliament, or chooses not to form a government, the Governor General can then invite another party to form a government, which must then
gain the confidence of Parliament. This process continues until a stable government is formed. If a stable government can’t be established, the
Governor General will usually call new elections. This system helps us avoid falling into government lockdowns, as happens regularly in the U.S. The consequence of our political system is that the government of the day needs to have a majority of the Members of Parliament (MPs) voting in favour of the government. If the government isn’t led by a majority party, the government will need the support of other parties to pass legislation, which can be achieved by forming a coalition. Coalitions are also more stable than having a minority governments, which constantly seek to make compromises with other parties. An example of this is the former British governing coalition, which ensured a stable government during an economic crisis, while maintaining some social programs. Unfortunately, the fixed election date law forced
the two parties to stay together long after they had exhausted all possible compromises. However, there are still a number of initiatives possible to handle the issue of confidence in governments. First, the fixed election date law could be scrapped—these laws lead to coalition governments being forced to stay together long after their bestbefore date. Second, the Canadian government could draft a cabinet manual detailing the regulations and conventions of running a government, like in the U.K. Another important thing to consider is electoral reform, as first-past-the-post systems like ours tend not to result in coalitions. With the two main progressive parties both advocating electoral reform, coalition governments might become business-as-usual for the Canadian government.
Self driving cars in Ontario will be good for drivers and province
Futuristic twist in auto industry can benefit society by making roads safer David Campion-Smith Opinions Editor
Self driving cars are the way of the future, and an advance that could drive Ontario’s automotive sector. Last week, Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced that Ontario would become the first province to allow for testing of automated or self-driving cars. The announcement was coupled with the addition of $500,000 from the provincial government to Ontario Centres of Excellence Connected Vehicle/Automated Vehicle Program, a program designed to increase technological innovation in transportation. With this investment, Ontario has the opportunity to gain a greater presence in this growing part of the automotive market. The market for self-driving
cars is growing, with companies like GM, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and Google either already operating self-driving cars, or have plans to do so. Ontario’s announcement is a little behind the ball with Michigan, Nevada, Florida and California already allowing self-driving cars to operate on their roads. While the thought of selfdriving cars on Ontario’s roads may seem a little scary, all cars being tested must have a human operator inside in case of trouble, according to the Ontario government. As odd as driving alongside cars operating themselves may seem, the trend in this direction is somewhat inevitable for Canada. People are putting increasing demands on technology, and these cars are already being made and operated safely in four U.S. states.
The reality is that selfdriving cars would have a lot of benefits for society as a whole. They’d be able to reduce the number of accidents by removing the potential for human error, saving lives in the process. By reducing the number of accidents they’d also reduce hospital bills, time off work, and money spent on repairing damaged cars. These cars could also be capable of sharing route data, allowing them to pick the fastest route to your destination. This feature would save people time and limit the amount of greenhouse gas emitted by cars waiting in traffic jams. A car that drives itself would also allow people who previously couldn’t operate a car to own one, such as seniors, or people who have certain disabilities. While there are concerns about the safety of these cars,
Photo: Kim Wiens
we have to acknowledge that there have already been many tests have been successfully performed with cars in the U.S. Ontario can look to the
four U.S. states to provide guides on how to ensure testing is done as safely as possible. The development of self-
thefulcrum.ca
driving cars isn’t just a chance to realize the dream of science fiction movies, it’s an opportunity for Ontario as a whole to improve through innovation.
OPINIONS | 25
Heckle
“How are we supposed to defy the conventional Where are if our tools to do so keep dying on us?” the plugs?
moussa sangarÉ ponce fulcrum Contributor
The University of Ottawa campus is missing something. Not school spirit, well sort of, but we’ll save that for another time. In 2015, a time when many students do their work on a laptop, tablet or other electronic device, our campus is severely lacking in plugs. The most coveted spot in class isn’t a seat next to that cutie you’re trying to get a number from, but the seat by the outlets. Trust me, all available plugs usually get taken before the prof has a chance to walk into the lecture hall. Students understand the struggles of sitting in the middle of the hallway in the Minto Sports Complex, or camping out at the library for hours after finally having found a seat that’s within reach of chargers or power cords. Sure, in the newer buildings like Desmarais or FSS there are some areas and classrooms where it’s outlets galore. But what about in Hagen or Vanier, where finding an electrical outlet is just as likely as finding $10,000 dollars worth of fireworks? To make matters worse, in some areas where you can actually find these much-needed outlets, they’re located in such inconvenient places that we have to strongly consider whether
26 | OPINIONS
it’s even worth using them. In some Morisset and Tabaret classrooms, there are four outlets. However if you want to use any of them you need to either bring an extension cord, because they don’t reach the seats, or if they do reach, you have to sit in the seat closest to the wall. Then we deal with a potential danger, as people could trip on the stretched wire and hurt themselves, bringing the laptop down with them. The university spent $2 million on a slogan, according to La Rotonde, that quickly became a joke and a favourite meme of the student population. I propose that next time the school should spend a portion of that on getting students more outlets. How are we supposed to defy the conventional if our tools to do so keep dying on us? Though it would only be a partial solution, the university could also add charging stations for laptops in some of the high traffic areas. How else are students supposed to check their Facebook and Twitter, I mean, study and take notes, if their laptop battery life is limited. Students should be worried about essays and midterms, not whether their laptop is going to die in the middle of their next lecture. For such a great school, it shouldn’t be so hard to find plugs.
thefulcrum.ca
Not only do we have a baseball team but theyre doing well
Rest of Canada hops on Blue Jays bandwagon after discovering they exist David Campion-Smith Opinions Editor In a surprising turn of events, Canada has discovered that it has a baseball team. In an even more surprising turn of events, the team is apparently doing quite well. The newly discovered team the Toronto-based “Blue Jays”, has allegedly been around since 1976, although few people seem to have known about them until now. The team is advancing to the second round of the baseball playoffs after beating the Texas Rangers. Tomato reporters were also surprised to learn that Texas had a baseball team good enough to make it to the playoffs. The team colours for the Blue Jays are blue and white, which means that people wearing those colours aren’t just embracing an odd fall colour scheme. They’re apparently supporting a baseball team. “I was walking around in my blue shirt when a group of people came pouring out of Father and Sons cheering about this thing called the Blue Jays. They saw my outfit and thought I was a fan too,” said second-year phi-
losophy student Jerome Bryant. “I just thought they were big fans of birds, I don’t judge, you know, you do you. “I’m happy that Toronto finally has a winning team, it’ll do some good for them to be able to finally cheer on a team that has a chance of winning something,” said Chuck Rowland, the coach for the University of Ottawa men’s baseball team. Baseball isn’t a sport many Canadians watch, so it’s easy to see how the Blue Jays were missed. In fact, few Canadians were aware that sports were played during the hockey offseason, and seem to have only discovered baseball when the baseball playoffs ran into the hockey season. So few Canadians even understand how baseball is played that some companies are setting up viewing lessons, teaching new fans how to understand what’s happening when they watch the game and when to cheer. One such company is Baseball for Canucks, which “helps Canadians understand a game that doesn’t involve ice or skates.” The basics of baseball seem to include hitting a ball that’s thrown at you very fast with a piece of wood, then running around a diamond. It
CC, Keith Allison
also involves catching a ball and running around a field. The most helpful hint comes from Baseball for Canucks, “remember
that no fights are going to break out during a baseball game.” Hopefully the Blue Jays are able to continue their run and inspire Ca-
nadians to look for other teams that might be hiding within the country. Who knows, we might even have a basketball team, or something.
Rhino Party sweeps federal election in massive upset
Party wins its first election, no one sure if it’s kidding anymore David Campion-Smith
Opinions Editor The results of Monday’s Federal Election voting is in, and for the first time in Canadian history, the Rhinoceros party has won a majority government. This result comes as even more of surprise since it wasn’t predicted in any of the major polls, blindsiding many seasoned political analysts. No one is quite sure yet how the Rhino party managed to pull off such a great showing, however some speculate that the party’s promise of an automatic orgasm for voting for them might have had an impact. “I was really guessing it’d be either the Conservatives, Liberals or NDP who’d win. None of polling showed that people even knew who the Rhi-
Photo: Darren Swim
noceros party was, so how they won is a total surprise to me,’’ said Frank Stamper, head of political polling for Political Outcomes Canada. Party leader Sebastian CoRhino Corriveau has yet to make any an-
thefulcrum.ca
nouncements about what his objectives are now that he’s in office, but many speculate that he’ll begin implementing the party’s long touted 1000year plan. Highlights of the 2015-3015 plan in-
clude the nationalization of Tim Hortons, the privatization of the Canadian army and officially “moving the capital of Canada to Kapuskasing, Ontario so the capital can be in the middle of the country,” although it is not the geographic middle. While many are expecting the implementation of these new policies, some are hoping for older promises to make it in. “I just can’t wait for them to finally tear down the Rockies,” said long-time Rhino party supporter Martha Evans. “I think people in Alberta deserve to see the Pacific sunset.” Tomato reporters are particularly looking forward to the enactment of a proposal made by the Rhino party to repeal the law of gravity, because it’ll be interesting to watch the consequences unfold. Another famous Rhino promise is
to count all of the 1,000 islands, just to make sure America hasn’t stolen any. “I like a party that doesn’t take itself too seriously and can poke a bit of fun at the system, that’s why they got my vote,” said first-time Rhino voter and second year U of O student Jim Stone. “I think that some of their ideas might actually be good for the country, they at least deserve a chance.” The question after this surprising win is whether or not the party will fulfil any of its campaign promises. “I hope they stand by what they say and don’t go off and do something silly like try to handle economic problems or foreign affairs issues,” says Stone. The only thing to do now is wait and see what will happen next. Will the Rhinos stick to their promises and begin paving the Bay of Fundy, or will they do something silly like try to balance the budget?
THE TOMATo | 27
DISTRACTIONS Dear Di
I’m going on exchange next semester and I want to make sure my boyfriend has a little something to keep him company in my absence. I was thinking of getting him a fleshlight so he can think of me when he’s getting off. Is that weird?
-Fleshing out Dear FO,
For those of you who don’t know, a fleshlight is a male masturbation toy that is basically a vaginal mold in the shape of a flashlight. I don’t think you giving your boyfriend a masturbatory aid is weird at all! In fact, I think it’s a very forward thinking idea. It seems there’s a weird double standard in our society that says that men can’t use sex toys, or else they’ll be seen as perverts. You shouldn’t feel ashamed or awkward for challenging this ignorant assumption. Besides, from what I’ve heard, fleshlights can be quite pleasurable. For guys, using your hand all the time can routinize the act of masturbation and turn this glorious ritual into a stale chore. By incorporating different devices into jacking off, you can add some variety and excitement to the overall experience. However, I would talk to your partner first and see if he would be interested in using this device. Not all men enjoy the sensation of a synthetic vagina, or are comfortable with the idea of owning a sex toy. So, before you go out and purchase one, make sure it’s something that your man would use and enjoy.
28 | DISTRACTIONS
features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @KyleDarbyson
Dear Di,
I’ve always had a fascination with urine. I’ve watch a lot of peeing porn online and I’m dying to try it myself. But I’m not sure how to bring this up with my significant other, since getting peed on is not exactly everyone’s go-to idea of a sexual fantasy. So how can I incorporate sexual urination into my sex life?
-Peeing Pickle
Dear Di,
Love, Di
FEATURES EDITOR Kyle Darbyson
Dear PP,
There are a number of “golden shower” online communities where you can read people’s experiences and answers to many questions. You can also meet individuals there who can share in your enthusiasm for liquid gold sexual play. If you’re currently in a serious relationship and would like your partner to take part in watersports, it’s only a matter of communicating your sexual fantasies to this person. If your partner is open and willing to experiment then, by all means, pee away! But if your partner is reluctant to try it, you can try and come to a compromise. For example, starting off in the shower can be a simple way of easing into this kind of sexual play. Many people may be battling the stigma associated with peeing, and taking a leak on your partner in a clean, comforting environment like the shower could show them that it’s not that scary or odd. There are no health risks associated with these kinds of watersports. Since human urine is a sterile substance, it’s unlikely to cause any illness or harm to you and your partner. However, the bacteria around the urethra is not. So just make sure not to pee into any orifice directly (mouth, vagina, or anus) as urine is a waste by-product and can cause irritation to these areas. Having said that, incorporating urine into your sex life can actually make you closer with your partner. After all, you wouldn’t let just anyone pee on you, now would you?
Love, Di Sex position of the week: the Ship
Get your man to lie on his back. Position yourself as you would for cowgirl, but rather than having your back face your partner, have your body oriented towards the side so your partner can see your butt and your breasts. This position allows you to have all the control of cowgirl but it allows your partner easier access to your clitoris.
thefulcrum.ca
oct. 23 to nov. 5, 2015
THRYLLABUS
MUSIC arts Sports
Friday, Oct. 23 Gee-Gees Women’s Volleyball vs. Queen’s, home opener, Montpetit Hall—7 p.m. Gee-Gees Women’s Hockey vs. Concordia, Minto Sports Complex—7 p.m. Billy Connolly live, National Arts Centre—8 p.m. Nosferatu, with live musical score, Mayfair Theatre—9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 Gee-Gees Football vs. University of Toronto, Lees Campus—1 p.m. Gee-Gees Women’s Volleyball vs. Royal Military College, Montpetit Hall—2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 Fourth Man Out, Inside Out Film Festival, last day, Bytowne Cinema—8:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26
FUN Thinking
Karaoke night, LIVE! on Elgin—8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27
Newsies (the musical), National Arts Centre—8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 Roméo Dallaire Q&A, Ottawa International Writers Festival, Centretown United Church—6:30 p.m. Ottawa Senators vs. Calgary Flames, Canadian Tire Centre—7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 Lindi Ortega, National Arts Centre—7:30 p.m. 2014 Cannes International Advertising Film Festival, Bytowne Cinema—9:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 Gee-Gees Women’s Hockey vs. McGill, Minto Sports Complex—7 p.m. Nature Nocturne: Giant Bug Invasion, gala, Canadian Museum of Nature—8 p.m. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Mayfair Theatre—9:15 p.m. Heroes vs Villains (Halloween Showdown), comic book themed costume party, The Bourbon Room—10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 Incident at the Bunker: a Zombie Adventure, Haunted Walk, the Diefenbunker—3:30 p.m. Haunted House III: Rated R Edition, featuring DJ Charlie B, Ritual Night Club—9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 Ottawa Wine and Food Festival, Shaw Centre—12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 Playwright’s Circle, meet and greet, Ottawa Little Theatre—7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean (documentary), Free Thinking Film Festival, Library and Archives Canada—7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, National Arts Centre—7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 Ottawa Senators vs. Winnipeg Jets, Canadian Tire Centre—7:30 p.m.
thefulcrum.ca
DISTRACTIONS | 29
30 | LETTERS
thefulcrum.ca
EDITORIAL Volume 76, Issue 9, October 22, 2015 Cookin’ up somethin’ special since 1942. Phone: (613) 695-0061 | Fax: (613) 695-9006 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Recycle this paper or we’ll make you eat your vegetables.
Seeing through rose-coloured glasses
Nadia “Nanaimo Bar” Drissi ElBouzaidi Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca Devin “Pecan Pie” Orsini Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Savannah “Cherry Cheesecake” Awde Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Eric “Pad Thai” Davidson News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Allegra “Garlic Potatoes” Morgado Arts & Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Spencer “Spaghetti & Meatballs” Murdock Sports Editor, Rap Correspondent sports@thefulcrum.ca Kyle “Kraft Dinner” Darbyson Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca David “Philly Cheese Steak” Campion-Smith Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Reine “-Bow Skittles” Tejares Online Editor online@thefulcrum.ca Kim “Side Salad” Wiens Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Marta “Pierogies” Kierkus Staff Photographer photographer@thefulcrum.ca Zach “Guacomole” Verret Multimedia Coordinator multimedia@thefulcrum.ca Nicole “Cabbage Rolls” Rutkowski Associate Features Editor associate.features@thefulcrum.ca David “Haggis” Agbaire Proofreader Deidre “I can’t believe it’s not” Butters Advertising Manager ads@thefulcrum.ca Dayne “Gluten-Free” Moyer General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca
Contributors
Nicholas “Nachos” Robinson Maitland “Strawberry Shortcake” Shaheen Moussa “Shawarma” SangaréPonce Desiray “Vegetable Stew” Stewart Chris “Creme Brulee” Zapata-Prado Ryan “Red Hot Chili” Pepper Katie “Chocolate Fondue” Frash Holly “Veal Milanese” Veale Jodie “Chicken Satay” Côté-Marshall Ana “Lasagna” Vydelingum Ella “Waffles” Wright Anoop “Quesadillas” Kaur Dhindsa Deborah “Spring Rolls” Sogelola Brigitte “Mozzarella Sticks” Michaud Veronika “Chocolate Cake” Cencen Rémi “Chocolate Éclair” Yuan
Photo: Andrej Ivanov
L
iberal party leader Justin Trudeau stepped on the stage around 12 a.m. on election night to address his supporters. Polls were closed, ballots were counted, the opposition had conceded—the Liberals had won a majority. “I didn’t make history tonight, you did,” he said, and he’s right. While his team did run a near-perfect, positive campaign, the sweeping Liberal victory is more indicative of intense Harperphobia rather than Trudeaumania. Numerous anti-Harper groups have been campaigning as tirelessly as the politicians to put an end to Harper’s decade in the PMO. “Welcome to the first night of the post-Harper era,” announced Green Party leader Elizabeth May, who won reelection in her riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair also ushered in the new Harper-free landscape. The real winner of the night was the strategic vote, that after the wedge-issuethat-will-not-be-named, and a lackluster NDP campaign,
thefulcrum.ca
quickly mobilized behind the Liberals. Of the 31 Conservative swing ridings identified by the VoteTogether campaign, 28 went to the Liberals or NDP, with the vast majority going red. The Conservatives, who were unified by Harper into one party, are now forced to find a new leader, do some soul-searching, and take the reigns of official opposition. They did little to appeal to Canadian’s desire for change in this historic campaign. “Making economic management the central theme was a good idea, but beyond that the campaign was too defensive, almost paranoid,” wrote Tom Flanagan, a professor emeritus at the University of Calgary in the Globe and Mail. “‘Protect our economy’ – what kind of slogan is that? Fear of what opponents might do in government is important, but it can’t be the only motivation. A campaign has to offer positive benefits to voters to secure their support.” Positivity also played a part
in this marathon campaign. “Sunny ways my friends, sunny ways,” declared Trudeau, quoting former Prime Minister (and fellow Liberal) Wilfrid Laurier. Change is in the air. For the first time in Canadian history the third place party won and became the ruling party. Voter turnout is currently tabbed at around 68 per cent, the highest since 1993. Eightyeight women will sit in the House of Commons, the highest number in Canadian history. The first federal Canadian political dynasty was born. Trudeau’s historic victory is reminiscent of another North American political victory built on words like “Hope” and “Change.” Soon enough the Liberal leader will be posing with photo-ops with Barack Obama, the outgoing American president. And if you look past the physical perfections of both leaders, you’ll see the important similarities in their ascents to power. Both leaders came into office promising inconceivable change in the status quo, following the long rules of un-
popular Conservatives. “Over the last several weeks, there’s been a lot of eager, nostalgic liberal talk about returning Canada to a nation of peacekeepers and neutral conciliators and environmentally concerned moderates,” wrote Neil Macdonald of the CBC in a post-election op-ed. “You know, the friendly world where travellers with little maple leaf flags on their backpacks drew instant affection and respect in even the nastiest foreign land.” “Like Obama, Trudeau now bears the weight of impossible expectations that he himself largely created,” continued Neil Macdonald. “However what Trudeau can do, of course, is change the tone. That costs nothing, and a lot of Canadians want it to happen.” With a majority government under his belt, Trudeau does have it easier than Obama, whose opposition’s strategy from day one was to vehemently oppose all the laws and motions that came out of his camp. But he should still take care to note Obama’s missteps. With his time in the Oval
Office drawing to a close, Americans eventually grew disgruntled and disillusioned when Obama failed to deliver on his lofty promises. He built on much of George W. Bush’s legacy, expanding the capabilities of security agencies, and returning to Iraq. While this victory does seem new and refreshing, remember, this is the party has controlled Canada’s government more than any other in our history. The Liberal victory was also centered on its traditional bases of urban Ontario and Quebec, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Many of the Liberal MPs have also served in the House of Commons and previous cabinets, including OttawaVanier candidate, Mauril Bélanger who snagged his eighth straight victory. At the end of the day, Canadians opted for the change they wanted, from the name they recognized. Oct. 19 saw a lot of changes in the Canadian political landscape, but it is yet to be determined whether the Liberal’s new found grasp on Canadian politics will do the same.
EDITORIAL | 31