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the sex issue VOL. 75 ISSUE 20 | FEBRUARY 12 ,2015
IN THIS ISSUE Residential development P.5
Centretown private student residence approved
To the tune of success P.10 Prof named one of CBC’s top artists
SEX
A kinky subculture P.17 An intro to ethical BDSM
Di throwback P.19 The best sex advice through the years
You win some, you lose some P.23-24 Women win while men’s basketball falters
The free speech debate P.28 Looking at the new antiterrorism legislation
NEWS
NEWS EDITOR
Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
Private developers pry open student housing market Two new residences to address U of O’s student spillover Justin Dallaire
Staff Contributor
A
s the University of Ottawa copes with a space shortage on campus, private developers in the area are taking advantage of a bloated student housing market.
A new privately run residence within walking distance of the University of Ottawa is set to open in September, as codevelopers Campus Suites and CA Student Living finalize the conversion of an old Holiday Inn at 111 Cooper St. Dubbed “1Eleven” to match its address, the 220-unit longterm furnished apartment hotel will cater specifically to students. Residents will have access to common rooms, a study room, laundry facilities, a restaurant, and a gym. Despite its resemblance to university-run residences, the president of Campus Suites said the building will be less restrictive in terms of its clients
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and operations. “You’ll see a lot of the same characteristics,” said Henry Morton. “But a lot of it is in the fact that this is not the university, so we do not have the same true guidelines as the university does.” Morton described 1Eleven as more modern and trendy than other residences. “We have a passion for what we do, and we would like to believe that it shows up in our accommodation,” he said. “It isn’t necessarily what you find on campus, which is a little more utilitarian.” Michel Guilbeault, director of the university’s Housing Service, said in an email to the Fulcrum that the university “does not have involvement of any kind” with 1Eleven. The school was merely informed of the development plans, he said. Morton maintains that there had been talks of building a more “integrated relationship” with the U of O, but remained unclear as to why those plans failed. The U of O opened its first off-campus residence on Friel Street in September, and has
begun work on another one on Henderson Avenue after a long fight with the surrounding community. Catherine McKenney, city councillor for Somerset Ward, said some residents have expressed concerns over the location of the 1Eleven residence for reasons of increased foot traffic on the Corktown Footbridge, possible noise disturbances, and limited visitor parking in the neighbourhood. “We continue to liaise with the community on any of their concerns and any possible ways we can mitigate those concerns,” she said. “We do have a need for housing that suits a wide range of needs, and students are one of those groups.” 1Eleven will soon be facing more competition in the private housing market, as the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) ruled in favour of allowing Viner Assets to proceed with its development of a private nine-storey residence at Laurier Avenue and Friel Street on Jan. 27. The development was initially rejected March 27 by city council on the grounds that it
1Eleven is one of two new privately-owned student housing projects near the U of O.
was not compatible with the character of Sandy Hill. But the OMB has overruled the decision, stating that the “proposed development is appropriate and would fit within the context of and form a good relationship
with Laurier Avenue East.” According to Morton, who said he has spoken to Robert Viner, CEO of Viner Assets, the residence is not expected to open until 2017 at the earliest. In any case, Morton said he
Photos: Rémi Yuan
believes student housing will continue to be in demand. “As far as how many students are around this neighbourhood that need accommodation, I think that there’s a place for all of us.”
NEWS | 5
Election candidates appeal spelling penalties
Candidates appeal decision after material initially approved Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi News editor
Both the ABC and Here for Us slates running in the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) general elections are appealing the elections director’s decision to penalize them because of spelling issues on their campaign material. Dana Abu Hammad, the vice-president of equity candidate for ABC, said her slate was penalized for misspelling the position in French on their campaign material. However, the term was spelled several different ways depending on the source. On the SFUO elections website, the position is spelled “vice-président aux affaires de équité,” while on the electoral regulations, it’s “vice-présidente à l’équité,” and in the SFUO constitution, “vice-présidente aux affaires étudiantes.” Abu Hammad said the elections director approved her team’s campaign materials, but they were later informed about the error after the campaigning period had begun, forcing them to take down their social media content to fix it and lose some of their online following. “It’s frustrating when you start your campaign, you know that everything’s been approved, and you’re doing everything by the rules,” said Abu Hammad. Elections director Lindsay De Jaegher declined to comment on the specific penalties, but said she’s made sure all candidates are following electoral regulations. De Jaegher dealt the penalty despite previously approving ABC’s and Here for Us’ promotional material, after receiving “a complaint from a student regarding bilingualism not being
6 | NEWS
properly respected,” she said. “As a result, I asked all candidates with imperfect bilingualism on their campaign materials to correct the errors from that point on in order to respect the concerns regarding bilingualism of the student who made the complaint.” According to the electoral regulations, “the elections office is not responsible for campaign materials that are found to be in non-compliance with the regulations after it has been posted.” Nicole Desnoyers, presidential candidate for the Impact slate, said they too were notified by De Jaegher about misspelling vp equity, and “rectified the situation.” Abu Hammad suggested that not all candidates are being treated the same. “There was a few other candidates who aside from us still didn’t have to go through the same penalties even though they didn’t spell it correctly, the same way as us. I think they just changed theirs online,” she said, though she declined to
name specific candidates. David Gakwerere said his slate, Here for Us, is also appealing a spelling-related penalty. Here for Us was penalized for not having the word president in both French and English, opting for just “président.” Gakwerere stated in his appeal to the elections committee that previous candidates Anne-Marie Roy, Geoff Parent, Ethan Plato, and Rachael Yaworski have all used the singular form of “président.” They did not fix the errors within the time alloted and were penalized. The timing of the penalty which led to his team being without social media during the debate in which both he and vicepresident equity candidate Nicole Maylor were participants. Chris Hynes, vice-president of university affairs and a member of the elections committee, declined to comment on either appeal while they were still in the process of deliberating. Voting in the election takes place Feb. 10–12.
Dana Abu Hammad is running for vp equity as a part of the ABC slate.
Photos: Rémi Yuan
City council voted in favour of extending the U-Pass program, and raising fees by $5 a semester on Jan. 25.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
Ottawa hikes U-Pass fees
Student transit program extended beyond 2016 with $5 hike per semester Lindsay MacMillan Associate News Editor
U-Pass fees will go up in September as the City of Ottawa approved the continuation of the universal transit program for the 2015–16 academic year and beyond. Students will pay $192.70 a semester starting in the fall, as opposed to the $188 they paid this year. “While the U-Pass is a high value program, the SFUO continues to question its revenue neutrality. We recognize that we have one of the most expensive passes in the country,” said Chris Hynes, vice-president of university affairs of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO). Hynes, who has promised for the past two years that he would negotiate a summer UPass, said he hasn’t met with OC Transpo as much as he’d like this year, after an audit of the contract renewal delayed talks until the fall. Because of this, they haven’t been able to discuss the possibility of a summer U-Pass, he said. His goals for his term include setting a firm contract by the July deadline. “It might take longer. That doesn’t mean if no contract is
reached by then the program is inoperable, but I hope negotiations would have reached that point,” he said. For February, one of the points on the agenda is combining the U-Pass with smartcard technology like the existing Presto Card. This would allow OC Transpo to track users and see how students use their services. “We’re not opposed to smartcards,” said Hynes. “But the reality is the student information system at the U of O, which determines everyone’s fees, does not support prorate refunds. So if a student becomes ineligible halfway through a semester and has to return a smartcard, we either deny them a refund or refund the whole session, which OC Transpo wouldn’t allow.” Current U-Pass cards must be returned upon ineligibility, and students get refunded the semester they didn’t use,
if applicable. Mathieu Fleury, councillor for the Rideau-Vanier ward in which the university resides, said he’s a proponent of the U-Pass. “I know the importance of having access to affordable transit. City-wide, we struggle because there’s no new money in transit,” he said. Fleury noted that other transit systems, specifically in Quebec, have more provincial subsidies. Ottawa receives subsidies from the provincial government through the gas tax, but it isn’t enough, he said. “It costs $500 million to operate OC Transpo. Where funds come from is an important conversation to have, but the money has to come from somewhere.” Hynes emphasized that the U-Pass should be continued only if students are still receiving the “best deal.”
“While the U-Pass is a high value program, the SFUO continues to question its revenue neutrality. We recognize that we have one of the most expensive passes in the country.”—Chris Hynes, vice-president of university affairs of the SFUO
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“It becomes tedious. You spend a ton of time looking for jobs and aren’t left with time to apply to them. So many jobs fall through the cracks.” —Dylan Hunt, co-founder of Hired
Creators of the app, Hired, say they take “away the legwork” of finding jobs.
Photo: Rémi Yuan
Ottawa app wants to get you Hired University grads’ app streamlines job-hunt Christian Zapata-Prado Staff Contributor
While the economy has recovered significantly since the 2008 recession, the youth unemployment rate in Can-
ada in January was 12.8 per cent, double that of the 6.6 per cent national average. Ottawa entrepreneurs, Dylan Hunt and Nick Evans decided to take matters into their own hands, by creating
a website that would show job hunters more opportunities and employers more applicants. Hunt, a 24-year-old Trent University graduate originally from Ottawa said the
pair was inspired by the vast number of their friends who hadn’t found jobs long after they graduated from university. That, and they were simply “annoyed” by the conventional job hunt. “It becomes tedious. You spend a ton of time looking for jobs and aren’t left with time to apply to them. So many jobs fall through the cracks,” said Hunt. “We wanted to build a website to make it easier for job hunters and small businesses to be able to show their jobs off.” So they began building Hired six months ago, an app that pulls information from company websites and displays the opportunities they have available. It filters job postings, then emails possible candidates based on key
terms. The app is free, or users can pay $8 a month for a premium account with more sophisticated settings and daily email notifications. “You can sit back and wait for your email on a daily basis. It takes away the leg work to go to every company’s website,” said Hunt. Hired also makes it easier for business owners to fill vacant positions, say its creators. “Small business owners who I know, say they have three jobs they would like to fill, but it’s $600 to post on Monster. They can only post one of them because they can only afford one,” said Hunt. It costs $595 for a standard 30-day job posting on Workopolis, while Monster. ca asks for $625 for a 60-day
standard posting. “For them it’s quite simple… As soon as they put an ad on their company website, it shows up on our website. They don’t have to post anything, we pull the information for them,” said Hunt. He added that all postings appear the same way on their site, regardless of the employer. Hunt and Evans hope to expand to Toronto within four months, Montreal by the end of the year, and eventually across Canada. Ross Finnie, a University of Ottawa professor of labour market economics, said students are too worried about post-graduations jobs. “There’s way too much fixation on what happens after graduation,” he said. Finnie said students’ best bet is to develop their skills in fields that interest them. “Entering the labour market after leaving school is often unpredictable,” he said. “But if students stick with it and inform themselves of the best opportunities, and put effort into it, by and large things will work out.”
Monia Mazigh was the keynote speaker for CHRA’s annual ECH week.
‘We knew he was being tortured’
Monia Mazigh shares story of human rights’ struggle at ECH Week Julia Riddle
Staff Contributor Thirteen years ago, Monia Mazigh was catapulted into the world of human rights activism as she fought for the release of her husband, who was being tortured and held without charge in a Syrian prison. While returning to Montreal from a vacation in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, Mazigh’s husband Maher Arar was detained in the United States and eventually shipped to Syria—a country where he had not lived for a decade and a half—on suspicions of terrorism-related activities. Mazigh shared her story as
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the keynote speaker for the Conflict Studies and Human Rights Association’s (CHRA) ECH Week, describing the incredible frustration she felt knowing she was powerless to help her loved one. “We knew he was being tortured,” she said. “We knew, since they sent him to Syria, this is what they were sending him for.” Mazigh also discussed the experience of being a Muslim Arab in the post-9/11 world and the continuing relevance of her husband’s story in 2015. She spoke to the importance of balancing security concerns with a respect for democratic and due process. “Democracy goes with
logic, rationality—but not with fear,” she said. Canadians need to speak up against measures that allow the government more and more control over the lives of individuals, she said. “Someone like me understands the results of these new powers,” she said. “We have to denounce, denounce, and keep denouncing.” Mazigh, who was born in Tunisia and immigrated to Canada at the age of 21, has a PhD in financial economics from McGill University and worked at the University of Ottawa as a research assistant and French-language instructor. She ran in the 2006 federal election as the NDP candidate for the Ottawa–
South riding, but lost to the Liberal candidate. She recently published a novel, Mirrors and Mirages, that tells the story of six Muslim women living in Canada who cross paths, as each one explores her religious and cultural identity. She previously authored the memoir Hope and Despai,r which recounts her fight to free her husband. Mazigh was an “easy choice” to kick off ECH week, said Moh Mousa, the CHRA’s vice-president of university affairs. “I was touched by her story. I think that it’s pretty rare to find someone who has been through as traumatic of an experience as
Photo: Julia Riddle
“Democracy goes with logic, rationality—but not with fear.” —Monia Mazigh, activist and author her that’s willing to speak so openly about it,” said Mousa. “She went through something most people could never recover from and she’s done an amazing job since to ensure it doesn’t happen to more people.” The week’s events also included a workshop about
homophobic language, a panel on sex work under the Canadian law, and documentary screenings and discussions. Mousa said the turnout and interest at this year’s event pointed to it being the most successful ECH Week the association has held thus far.
NEWS | 7
News Briefs
Ottawa man makes first court appearance on terrorism charges A 25-year-old Ottawa man appeared in court facing terrorism charges Feb. 4 after police put out arrest warrants for three local men accused of terrorismrelated offences. Awso Peshdary is charged with conspiracy to participate in the activities of a terrorist organization and facilitating the activities of a terrorist organization. They carry maximum sentences of 10 to 14 years. Peshdary will plead not guilty. His lawyer said the prosecution has yet to disclose evidence that would allow his client to understand the charges against him. The RCMP alleges Peshdary was recruiting fighters to go abroad. Peshdary, who was arrested the previous day, was ordered not to communicate with a list of people, including his two co-accused, Khadar Khalib, a former Algonquin College student, and John Maguire, a former University of
Ottawa student. Both men are currently believed to be in Syria. Maguire appeared in an ISIS video in December and was reportedly killed while in the Middle East, though the RCMP said it can’t yet confirm if that is true. Lawyers for the prosecution say the non-communication order was requested due to fears of witness intimidation. Peshdary was previously arrested in 2010 as part of an extensive anti-terrorism investigation, but was acquitted. He worked at the Pinecrest Queensway Community Centre and was involved with the Algonquin College Muslim Students Association. Algonquin told CTV News it is not aware of any recruitment being done at the school. The case returns to court Feb. 9. —Eric Davidson
Ottawa clinches world snowman-building record
More than 500 participants rolled up their sleeves and boulders of snow to break the Guinness World Record for snowman-building in Ottawa. Ottawa beat the previous record of 1,299 set by Salt Lake City, Utah, by only a 20-man margin. The event took place Feb. 1 at TD place as part of Ottawa’s comedy festival, Cracking Up the Capital. Funds raised went to various associations including the local effort Do It for Daron, a charity that raises awareness about youth men-
tal health issues, following the suicide of 14-year-old Daron Richardson in 2010. Participants had one hour to build as many three-feet-tall snowmen as they could, and had to think creatively since the powdered snow that day was harder to pack down. The competition was also taped for an upcoming segment of the CBC’s Rick Mercer Report. —Jessica Eritou
Loss of funding forces closure of aboriginal homeless centre The Shawenjeagamik Aboriginal Drop-In Centre, a facility that provides services to Ottawa’s homeless First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people, will close on March 31 after the city rejected its application for funding. The 10-year-old centre at 510 Rideau St. is run by the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, and has depended on federal and municipal funding to operate. The federal government changed the rule for funding breakdowns 18 months ago so that 65 per cent of the money is allocated toward housing, as opposed to
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shelters like the Shawenjeagamik Centre. Carrie Diabo, the facility’s coordinator, told Ottawa Morning the centre helps aboriginal people with housing as well as those without. It serves as a place of companionship and aid for those who live by themselves or can’t afford food. Aaron Burry, the city’s general manager of community and social services, told the CBC that overall funding has not been cut, but the centre wasn’t competitive enough against other shelters. —Carolyn Mutis
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National News
Self-harm stats put campuses in the red
More than 6 per cent of post-secondary students self-harm: report Alexis Stockford The Omega
KAMLOOPS, B.C. (CUP) — Mental health professionals are alarmed about self-harm on campus after a recent report revealed that 6.6 per cent of post-secondary students had intentionally hurt themselves in the last year, and up to 20 per cent had done so at some point in their lives. “The statistic is unsettling,” said Cliff Robinson, head of counselling at Thompson Rivers University. “But the thing that’s most sad for me is that for some people it’s easier to cut than it is to talk about their own mental health condition, and that speaks to stigma about mental health and mental illness.” Released by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) last week, the report measured 13 indicators of Canadian mental health. Selfharm among post-secondary students was one of four indicators marked red for “significant concerns.” In many cases, Robinson said, students who self-harm began in high school and the behaviour carried over when they entered university. The Canadian Mental Health Association has estimated one to four per cent of all people in British Columbia self-harm and 14 to 39 per cent of those are adolescents. “It’s generally a period of life where emotions are high,” said Kerri McLean, manager for Mental Health and Substance Use Services. “They’re intense … I think
as a result of that individuals aren’t quite sure or don’t have the healthy coping strategies that older adults may have if they’re in a more secure, stable environment.” Robinson said TRU counselling does see a number of selfharm cases, but not enough to be consistent with the MHCC report. For him, that raises concern that there may be students that are self-harming but have not reached out to counselling. According to Robinson, only a small percentage of selfharm cases are actually suicidal. People may also self-harm as a way to deal with personal upheaval, anxiety, depression, or as a coping mechanism for emotional distress. He also said not everyone who admits to selfharm is
Graphic by Alexis Stockford/The Omega
hospitalized. “We’re not going to overreact on your behalf,” Robinson said. “Our job is to figure out what it’s going to take for you to deal with whatever mental health thing you’ve got going on.” TRU is one of the few campuses to have a regional health worker attached to the counselling department. McLean said in cases where intervention might be needed, the worker can then streamline the referral to British Columbia’s health authority. Robinson said he looks forward to the full report in April, but knows it will highlight how much work is ahead for mental health professionals like him.
Daniel Holmberg carries a knife as a tool, but UFV security advises students not to bring them to campus. Photo by Megan Lambert/The Cascade
UFV security grapples with open-carry knife complaints Students defend use of tool blades against campus security's urgings to leave them at home Nadine Moedt The Cascade
ABBOTSFORD, B.C. (CUP) — Security at the University of the Fraser Valley are facing the question of how to deal with students who carry knives while on campus after a student complained about someone with a blade on their belt. Michael Martin and Daniel Holmberg carry knives as tools used to “trim loose threads, eat, and (open) packaging.” Holmberg’s is a folding utility knife, and Martin’s is a hunting knife designed for slicing—he uses it to skin moose in the fall. According to Martin and Holmberg, knives should be seen as “multi-purpose tools,” and not weapons. Martin also suggests a knife might be an heirloom and a source of familial pride. But while the two men use their knives for harmless tasks, not all students are comfortable with the sight of a knife on the belt of a fellow student. Section 86 of Canada’s Criminal Code states that only specific knives are illegal to carry, such as switchblades, stilettos, and blades that retract and
protract automatically. Head of UFV security Mike Twolan has extensive experience dealing with citizens carrying knives during his career in the RCMP and as head of an airport security team. Twolan notes the line between using a knife as a tool and using it as a weapon is relatively clear: If you mean to use it as a weapon, it will be treated as a weapon. But the situation is different on campus, he says. “If (a student) is intimidated by you carrying a knife, then you are not allowed to carry it,” he says. He notes that if a student is making others uncomfortable, they are technically violating student policy by harassing other students. Because of this, the university has the authority to ask students not to bring their knives to campus as sanctions can be imposed. Martin says if a student is made uncomfortable, they might simply “attempt to open a dialogue about the legality of carrying knives and the way (they) use the knives.” Holmberg had been carrying a knife for two years
before he was approached by a member of UFV’s security team, who asked him to remove the knife from his belt and keep it out of sight. Holmberg did not comply, concerned about breaking the law by hiding the knife. “The law regarding knives is that they cannot be concealed,” Martin says. “In a pocket, it counts as a concealed weapon.” According to Twolan, the legality concerning concealed knives is a grey area, as Canadian law focuses on the ability to prove intent. In order for a student to be doing something illegal, the court would have to prove that they intentionally concealed the weapon, rather than being asked by security to conceal it. Twolan says a knife should not be present in a learning environment like UFV unless it is required for your trade. For students, this means not using a knife where a pair of scissors can do the trick. “You don’t want to be sitting behind a student who you know is carrying a knife,” he says. —With files from Sasha Moedt
Dal dentistry student asks to have suspension expunged KELOWNA, B.C. (CUP) — A Dalhousie University student is requesting the school's disciplinary committee expunge his suspension from his student record. Ryan Millet, 29, is one of the 13 Dalhousie dentistry students suspended for their alleged involvement in a
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Facebook group containing misogynistic posts about female classmates. In a letter leaked to the Chronicle Herald, Millet stated that although he “did not play a direct involvement in the hurtful comments brought forth,” he nonetheless apologized for “being a by-stander.”
He also wrote that he “was one of the people directly involved with bringing (the Facebook group) forward.” Millet’s lawyer said he has been suspended because he clicked the “like” button on one of the inappropriate photos. —The Phoenix (Okanagan College)
NEWS | 9
ARTS &CULTURE
A&C EDITOR Jessica Eritou arts@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
The piano keys to success Juilliard-trained U of O prof named one of CBC’s top artists Diyyinah Jamora Contributor
I
f not for his father, David Jalbert would not have become a pianist at all.
“My dad asked me if I wanted to take piano lessons,” he recalls. “I didn’t know what a piano was.” Much has changed since then. Jalbert is a professional pianist, a University of Ottawa music professor, and a three-time Juno nominee. The now 37-year-old studied at the world-renowned Juilliard School in New York and has won prestigious awards nationally and internationally. Most recently, the CBC named him one of the top 25 greatest classical Canadian pianists. Jalbert was selected based on international recognition, successful recordings, and artistic integrity, according to classical music community producer Robert Rowat. Jalbert has played for au-
diences across North America and Europe, since the age of 21 when he graduated from the Université de Montréal. Rather unsurprisingly, he was away when he heard the news—but not because he was travelling on a music tour. This time he was on vacation in the Caribbean. “I get an email from a friend that forwarded me the link. There’s a saying in French, ‘La fortune il vient en dormant,’ which would translate roughly as, ‘Good things happen when you’re sleeping.’” Not long after Jalbert learned what a piano was, he began studying at the Conservatoire de Musique du Québec and was soon competing in various competitions such as the Concours Clermont-Pépin, the MSO Competition, and the CBC Competition for Young Performers. Jalbert was the first Canadian in the Dublin International Piano Competition to make it to the finals. He knew the challenge of standing out from the crowd
of other pianists in the classical music industry, but he took them as an opportunity. “(It) was a bit of a blessing because the sooner you realize that, the sooner you take the means to set yourself apart and do all that you can to ensure that you will be successful.” Jalbert won several awards at competitions and eventually caught the attention of a music manager during one of his performances. He was competing professionally before he had even finished his studies. Now a professor with the U of O’s School of Music, he’s passing along the torch. “After you’ve learned so much and accumulated all this experience touring and performing and you meet lots of young pianists along the way who come to your concerts, it’s really nice to have a way of helping young people doing what you did, what you went through,” he says. In his spare time he lis-
Cutting hair for a cause
Rez association donates students' hair and $1,700 to help young cancer survivors
Candace Blake, one of the 12 participants who bared it all for cancer.
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"My da d to take asked me if I p didn’t k iano lessons. wanted n I was.” — ow what a p iano David J albert
Pianist David Jalbert takes centre stage as he recieves national recognition as a top pianst, from the CBC.
tens to rock ‘n’ roll and opera, plays tennis, and reads French literature. Jalbert says that if the piano didn’t exist he would be a French literature professor—that, or diving into the field of neu-
Amy Leppanen
Staff Contributor If you see any bald-headed students on campus this semester, feel free to show them your support. The Residents' Association of the University of Ottawa (RAUO) held a fundraiser for young people affected by cancer called Shave for the Brave on Feb. 3. Twelve willing participants collected pledges and six shaved their entire heads, while the other six lopped off more than 10 inches of their hair. Marketing manager Kelly Strickland said that, on average, shavers raise significantly more than other types of fundraisers due to the power of sacrifice. “Our culture understands the value of hair,” she said. The RAUO donated the hair and more than $1,700 to Wigs for Kids, a partner organization of Young Adult Cancer Canada. The charity helps more than 7,000 young adults di-
Photo: Courtesy of David Jalbert
roscience. Luckily for Jalbert, the piano does exist. “Music can be a catharsis in so many ways,” he says, “and just helps you emotionally throughout your life and
all sorts of aspects ... There have been times when it has been a support. I think for any music lover to feel that way about music, it’s one of the greatest things I find about life.”
agnosed with cancer each year in Canada. Donations fund support programs such as retreats and conferences for patients to connect with one another. Strickland said these programs are proven to fundamentally change the lives of survivors who attend. “Young adults crave peer support because cancer is different for young adults, it’s all relative to stage of life,” she said. “Issues like fertility, relationships, and career ... take a toll on a young adult’s emotional well-being.” Candace Blake, a thirdyear international studies and modern languages student and a LeBlanc Residence building rep, was the brains behind the RAUO’s fundraiser and was amongst those who shaved their heads. “Choosing to fundraise for a cancer charity supporting young adults is relatable to university students as young adults themselves,” said Blake, who individually raised $675. Second-year Spanish stu-
dent KiAnne Little said many people in her family have been diagnosed with cancer. “I want to empathize with them and let them know that I’m there for them,” she said. Blake too explained the significance of the fundraiser. Her uncle passed away from cancer about a year ago. His passing inspired her to organize and participate in the event to commemorate her uncle a year after his death. It was also the 10-year anniversary of Shave for the Brave events across Canada, held the day before World Cancer Day on Feb. 4. Blake said Shave for the Brave was one of the RAUO's biggest events of the year. The group has more fundraisers to come, with a food drive currently in the works. Strickland said fundraisers are vital in helping organizations like Young Adult Cancer Canada, which caters to the special needs of young, brave patients. “We need more support to reach more survivors, more deeply.”
Photos: Courtesy of Candace Blake
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Ottawa music scene reaches for high note
Megaphono festival looks to push the city’s music industry to the next level Eric Davidson Contributor
A new music showcase is looking to put Ottawa on the musical map. The inaugural Megaphono festival took place Feb. 3–5 to show off local musical talent and grow the city’s music scene. It attracted industry delegates from Los Angeles, New York, Montreal, and Toronto. It was music to the ears of Mayor Jim Watson, who cut the ribbon—in this case, a ceremonial spool of audio tape—to kick off the event at City Hall. “Our city boasts an incredibly talented and diverse set of musicians, and I am glad to see the community getting behind them to help get them the exposure they so richly deserve,” he said. The festival aimed to present a variety of music to fans and give artists the knowledge to help them succeed. With a combination of music and panel discussions about the industry, it was a little less Bluesfest and a little more SXSW. “I think it’s actually a turning point for Ottawa” said Erin Flynn, station manager at CHUO who hosted a panel on radio programming. “It’s fair to say we’re in a boom,” she said. “There’s lots of
really exciting new music coming out, a lot of active artists, a lot of growth happening.” The showcase came about as a result of efforts by local label Kelp Records, both of whose showrunners are University of Ottawa alumni. Jon Bartlett holds an MBA in international management, while Lesley Marshall majored in communications with a specialization in media studies. The festival emphasized a goal of growing Ottawa’s music scene further so that talented artists stay in the city and still hit it big. “What generally happens is people create this music and do all this stuff and then … they move to a larger market where they think they can make it,” said Flynn. “There isn’t that mid-level industry available here.” Often many artists feel the need to go to larger Canadian cities such as Toronto or Vancouver for access to better connections at major record labels. Megaphono looks to change that. Panels featured topics such as finding agents and managers, getting airtime on the radio, and licensing music for television. There was also a panel by members from local favourites A Tribe Called Red regarding the export of Canadian music. The festival featured live
CHUO-FM station manager Erin Flynn was a part of a radio broadcasting panel for the inaugural festival.
Photo: Rémi Yuan
performances by local acts Fet.Nat, Petra Glynt, Michael Rault, and other up-and-comers. “It’s a great place to discover bands that are about to be discovered,” said Flynn.
Illustration: Megaphono, facebook.com
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ARTS & CULTURE | 11
Pedalling for change
U of O student reflects on youth-led sustainability organization Janoah Willsie staff contributor
The first time he saw an Otesha play in high school, Benoit Jolicoeur knew he had to join in on the fun. Now a fourth-year political science student at the University of Ottawa, Jolicoeur had to wait until he was 18 and finished high school before he eventually joined the
Otesha Project, a youth-led environmental organization focusing on educative entertainment about sustainability through bike tours and theatre. In 2012, he was a part of the Rising Tide Tour, a twomonth, 2,000-kilometre bike trip from Fredericton to Halifax in order to promote environmental sustainability. A year later, he and his
team performed interactive plays—while travelling across the country on their bicycles—for elementary and high schools. The Cycling Through Change campaign discussed issues such as fracking, fossil fuels, and material consumerism. Rather than using props, the members used their bodies to simulate objects. Along the way, he says he
Since 2002 The Otesha Project provides a fun way for youth to learn about suistainabilty as particpants cycle coast to coast.
12 | ARTS & CULTURE
Rebecca Gray, left, Benoit Jolicoeur, Tamara Dinter, Nikola Barsoum and Neil Bodimeade on their 2012 trip across the East Coast. Photos: Courtesy of Benoit Jolicoeur
met inspiring people at other environmental organizations and bike coops, and learned a lot about alternative energy and organic farming. Although the idea of biking more than 30 kilometres every day for two months seems like a daunting task, Jolicoeur assures it’s not as hard as people might think. Of course, it doesn’t come without some challenges. Cooking and eating on a bike tour is very difficult, for example. “We would always eat the same things over and over,” he says. Living with nine other people for two consecutive months wasn’t always easy either. Jolicoeur says it was a
good experience in learning to compromise. Although he was first inspired to consider and change his consumer choices when he saw an Otesha Project play back in high school, he admits it’s difficult to tell whether others feel the same way. “It’s too difficult to measure the impact,” he says. Jolicoeur explains that the Otesha Project’s plays try to reach out to people on a personal level. “Social media is a good one these days, but for me, there’s nothing that can beat the human touch,” he says. This approach is how the project stands out from the crowd. As the Otesha Project’s developmental coordinator
Josh Martin explains, the bicycle theme is a way of “walking the talk,” so to speak. The project emphasizes sustainability in their plays and the organization tries to make responsible and sustainable choices throughout the tours, he says, including the humanpowered form of transportation and a all-vegan diet. The organization is now accepting applications for their 2015 East and West Coast tours. Martin says he hopes the initiative will encourage Canadians to make more responsible consumer choices. “It’s all about considering how our everyday actions affect the world around us,” he says.
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Participants Bastien Zara, left, and Guillaume Durette rock some warm wool for the sake of fashion, and the environment. Photo: Courtesy of Brigitte Morin
Sweaters that make you hot Turn down for what? Ugly Sweater Day to fight climate change earns a full-out fashion review Jessica Eritou
Arts & Culture Editor What’s old became new again as the Office of Campus Sustainability (OCS) debuted its new collection of woolly wearables for Ugly Sweater Day. The ugly sweater line pre-
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miere was inspired by the World Wildlife Federation’s National Sweater Day initiative aimed at reducing energy consumption by turning the heat down in the winter. “It’s the first time we’ve celebrated this,” said Alice Tremblay, the group’s volunteer outreach and communications
coordinator. According to Tremblay, who’s in her final year of biology and environmental studies at the University of Ottawa, the goal is to fight climate change by turning down the heat in your home by two degrees and rocking a sweater instead of a T-shirt.
The romantic Februarythemed collection featured an array of slouchy, heavy-knit graphic wool sweaters and statement accessories from the Free Store. The hallwayturned-runway displayed a remarkable unisex collection drawing from nostalgic ‘90s patterns and stripes reminiscent of Marc Jacob’s first collection for Perry Ellis in 1992. A highlight and archival piece from the soft-grunge collection was a muted, multi-coloured, vertically striped poncho with an applique of white, heavy-fringed tassels. Adding warmth to any outfit while still looking fresh and current, it will surely be a favourite for the rest of the winter. Another well-received piece was a shrunken forest green and black wool blended Glebe Collegiate varsity sweater, fitting perfectly amongst the rest of the collection’s floral sweaters and cardigans. Its vile elbow patches are fit for a GeeGee who lives in Doc Martens and loves Tumblr. A quirky element was also added to the show with OCS’ use of accessories, such as magenta and cotton-candy pink coloured feather boas, clownsized brown and black fedoras, and eccentric oversize Coke bottle glasses, providing the perfect juxtaposition of fab-
rics and texture. Masquerade masks also played a subtle role, perfect for those who crave attention but not too much of it, found in neutral black but still donning outrageous sequins. The show’s models were also encouraged to use a ‘90s sitcom house setting, opting for photos sitting down on a stiff vintage leather couch between two potted ferns and a
red shag carpet, with campy artwork behind them. The Ugly Sweater Day showcase embodied a laidback revival of vertical and horizontal graphic-patterned muted wools and harsh mixed mediums, offering much excitement for fans of incongruity and spectators who love the spotlight.
The goal is to fight climate change by turning down the heat in your home by two degrees and rocking a sweater instead of a T-shirt.
Ahad Ahsan, far left, Drew Werbitsky, Sam Bilous, first row to the left, and Andre Haroutounian all show off their latest threads with the help of OCS and the Free Store. Photo: Courtesy of Brigitte Morin
ARTS & CULTURE | 13
Popular indie flick Dear White People is being used to discuss racial politics on-screen, and off.
Facing racial discrimination with film Members of black student groups open dialogue about on-campus racism Allegra Morgado Staff Contributor
With a free viewing and discussion of the film Dear White People on campus, student leaders are reaching out, to anyone who’s faced antiblack discrimination while at school. The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) and Black Student Leaders Association (BSLA), in collaboration with student group BlakCollectiv, will screen the independent film on Feb. 12 as part of the SFUO’s Black History Month event series. Then, they’ll guide a discussion about the experiences of the black students attending college in the movie and similar anti-black discrimination many students face on our campus. “It’s dealing with a lot of issues that we as black students face on a daily basis, and the fact that it was even created was a testament to the realities of it,” BSLA president Ellen Inglish said
of the film in a statement to the Fulcrum. Sakinna Gairey, a public relations student and member of BlakCollectiv, said the group hopes the event can guide students to find parallels between what goes on in the movie’s theme of attending a predominantly white school and what goes on at the U of O. The discussion will include both critiques of the movie and personal experiences that students have had with discrimination, both on and off campus. Gairey said the event will be beneficial for all students, no matter their race. “I think that it’s a discussion that needs to be had on campus,” she said. “A lot of people don’t notice what black students go through on the daily basis at university and I think that by showing Dear White People at the UCU auditorium, we’re hoping that a lot of people will come out and be part of the dialogue.”
Inglish said black students will be introduced to the BSLA and BlakCollectiv, which they can join to help improve their overall student experience. On-campus racism has been top-of-mind for many U of O students lately. The event takes place the same week students will be voting on a referendum to create a Racialized Student Centre as a new service run by the SFUO. “There’s a Women’s Resource Centre, an Access Centre, an LGBTQ centre. There are lots of different marginalized groups on campus and they need attention, and they need somewhere safe they can go to bring their complaints and their stories of harassment to people that they know will listen to them,” said Gairey, voicing her support for the proposed service. The free event will be held on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Auditorium in the UCU.
“I think that it’s a discussion that needs to be had on campus. A lot of people don’t notice what black students go through on the daily basis at university and I think that by showing Dear White People at the UCU auditorium, we’re hoping that a lot of people will come out and be part of the dialogue.” — Sakinna Gairey, member of BlakCollectiv 14 | ARTS & CULTURE
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Smooth jazz to charm the serpent
Bondage to increase chemistry
#DEFythecumventional lady, shall i lie in your lap?
no, my lord. i mean, my head upon your lap?
Shakespeare to spice up sexting
Brushing up ON your breast stroke
Sex sex And more sex
I’d like to put out a horny hello and warm welcome to my dear Fulcrum readers. If for some reason you don’t know me yet, my name’s Di Daniels and I write the weekly sex column for this fine paper. February is the month of love, and with so much action and arousal going on, I decided to put together this especially erotic edition of the paper. To be honest, I’m not a conventional kind of gal, and I like to keep things hot and spicy. Prepare your senses: This issue is full of sexy articles to inform and entertain. We have a sampling of Ottawa’s hottest sex shops and events going down at them this month, tips for dirty talk, a think-piece on virginity, a porn personality quiz, my usual kinky Q&A, of course, and that’s just the tip. As a titillating throwback, you’ll also find some of my golden oldies: articles from my recent past that I had to pull up again because they’re just such a hot read. The annual Sex Issue is my favourite time of the year. I get to take the lead at the Fulcrum, and I hope you find this edition just the thing to help you hone your sexual skills and senses. Unlike some relationships, I promise this issue will stay by your side through thick and thin, regardless of what your personal pleasure preferences may be. As always, I'm here as your carnal confidante through the good, the bad, the hard, and the not-so-hard. I’m always here to listen and chat about your sexual wonderings and wanderings, so feel free to reach me through Twitter, Facebook, or email. Now, I can just sense you’re raring to go – so jump right in! The pleasure will be all yours.
Why being a virgin is neither right or wrong Priya Smita Selvarajoo
Contributor
Growing up in Singapore, sex was considered a taboo topic. Most parents never talk about it to their children because it’s seen as embarrassing. At school, we learned that vagina equals girl, penis equals boy, and penis added to a vagina can sometimes equal baby.
The more I thought about it, the more I began to realize how conceptually wrapped up virginity is in a society. Take, for example, here in Canada. For the most part, at least in university, virginity is perceived negatively. Virgins are viewed as naïve, inexperienced, and uncool.
During puberty we began having feelings that made things more complicated. But between gruesome images of herpes-ridden genitalia and reminders of the importance of saving ourselves for "the one," it was almost impossible to tell anyone how we felt, for fear of being seen as dirty deviants.
But around the world being a virgin can mean many things. If you’re in a society that values purity and tradition, being a virgin right up until marriage is seen as a necessity. Failing would not only make you an outcast, but would also bring shame to your family.
So we learned to associate sex with impurity, especially if it was done outside the sanctimonious bond of marriage. You have to remember that Singapore is a pretty conservative society. Up until 2007, oral sex that did not lead to intercourse was criminalized.
Illustration: Marta Kierkus
When I arrived at the University of Ottawa for an exchange program in January and was told that students here who haven’t had sex faced pressure from their peers, my first thought was to tell them to visit Singapore.
In a society that values freedom and sexual liberation, virginity can be seen as a sign of power and choice. I guess I thought this was what I was going to see in Canada. Back in Singapore, we were practically cultivated to believe that premarital sex was wrong. Only when I started university did I begin to wonder why I thought it was wrong. When you really think about the ways you conceptualize sexuality and virginity, you find that you really have no basis for the way you understand it, except that that's how you've always thought.
I was programmed to think that way by people who had been programmed to think that way, and I’ve imposed my judgment blindly on others without realizing it too. The thing that coming to Canada has made me realize is that whether someone decides to have sex should be their own business. You can choose to share the graphic details of your own sex life with your friends, but you have no right shaming people for choosing not to share theirs, or shaming those who decide not to partake in the act. Being a virgin is not wrong. What’s wrong is putting other people down for seeing the world differently than you do, and acting like you know more about sexuality than anyone else. Your decision to not have sex does not define you as a person. It is your choice and it deserves as much respect as anyone else’s choice to have sex. It’s not a competition, nor is your virginity a status. No one has to justify their sex life. And if the pressure ever gets to be too much, you can always go on exchange to Singapore—they will worship you.
Porn or art? The divide between pornography and film is greyer than you think
“I know it when I see it,” said Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Potter Stewart in 1964 in order to attempt to derive a threshold test for obscenity. The case, Jacobelli v. Ohio, was a matter of whether the state could ban the showing of a French film (Les Amants) the state had deemed obscene while remaining consistent with the First Amendment. But what makes a film obscene? What makes it pornographic? I have seen my fair share of sexually explicit scenes in films, which are called “passionate” instead of “pornographic.” In no way am I complaining—I simply want to know how we de-
In it to
fine porn and why. The infamous 50 Shades of Grey film will be released on Feb. 14, and some day economists will look back and wonder about the almost inexplicable economic boom that happened in February 2015 (not only in ticket sales, but in sex toys, too). After watching the trailer and doing some research, I couldn’t help but wonder why it wasn’t just a feature-length, big-budget porno. A pornographic film company, Smash Pictures, actually announced their intention to film an “adult version” of the trilogy in June 2012. Later that year, Universal Pictures filed a lawsuit against
Pornography is generally understood as the “Printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activ-
Pornography itself is then divided into two categories: Softcore contains partial or full nudity in sexually suggestive but not explicit activities, while hardcore will contain graphic sexual activity and visible penetration.
In the case of 50 Shades, the plot and character development revolve around sexual exploration, tension, and BDSM. The sexual acts themselves are the plot—so why is it a film playing in theatres and not something you whack off to at home?
So, how do we define a movie like Blue is the Warmest Colour? The film is a beautiful love story about two women, but then includes 20 minutes of “hardcore” pornography before ending with the demise of the relationship.
I guess we won’t know if 50 Shades is pornographic or not until it’s released and we can see all the graphic or suggestive details. Either way, they better put some plastic covers on those movie seats.
Emerson King
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I’m curious: Why isn’t it considered pornography?
It does have some high-art aspirations, so is it erotica? Or is it the intent of the film what makes it pornography? Is it that a porno’s purpose is to get you off, but a film with scenes of a sexual nature is meant to further the plot or character development?
Contributor
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Why analin
The plot of 50 Shades, which I can state in about 42 words, is this: A timid young woman meets a powerful, rich man who makes her sign a contract so he can fuck her as he pleases. They engage in some BDSM and she decides she’s not into it; he refuses to have a romantic relationship. The end. That’s it.
ity, intended to stimulate sexual excitement,” or at least that’s what Oxford tells me. It is different from erotica, which is the portrayal of sexuality with “high-art aspirations” focusing on feelings, rather than purely the physical act, as porn does.
The sexual acts themselves are the plot—so why is it a film playing in theatres and not something you whack off to at home?
Chelsea McManus Staff Contributor
Smash Pictures claiming they had previously secured the film rights. After Smash Pictures received an undisclosed amount of money, they dropped their plans.
Photos: Steve Kaiser, CC, flickr.com
s us
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Photo: Marta Kierkus
Anal sex has been around forever. But there's more to explore when it comes to butt play. This past year alone, the talk of tossing salad has hit the mainstream. Thanks to Nicki Minaj’s lyrics and the opening sequence of this season's premiere of HBO's Girls, rim jobs are no longer the butt of any joke.
What's so good about it? As a heterosexual female, I have been on both the giving and receiving end of rimming. It feels a lot like the clitoral stimulation
of oral sex, since the anus is also endowed with multiple nerve endings to make you go crazy and squirm with delight. And much like genital oral sex, you or your partner can explore your body with your hands while your tongue is rather preoccupied. Rim jobs are also great if your female partner is on her menstrual cycle and you prefer to not engage in vaginal oral sex.
How do I do it? Obviously, some may be worried about the hygienic factor. I always recommend having a shower very shortly before the act and, of course, not visiting the restroom in between. I also encourage the use of dental dams to
make you feel more comfortable (and safe). It's best to be in a submissive position on all fours on an incline and have your partner spread your cheeks apart, then have them gently kiss and swirl their tongue around the anus while you and your partner have a free hand to either play with each others' genitals (stroking the shaft and testicles, stimulating the clit or fingering inside of the vagina) or squeeze and slap your buttocks around.
What should I be careful of? Rimming should be at the end of any sexual activity, otherwise there's a risk of bringing any bacteria to the
urethra (for any gender to prevent urinary tract infections). Once the act is done, brush your teeth before you kiss anyone, too.
Butt, that's what I said Consent and open communication is crucial. Talk to your partner beforehand to see what their boundaries are, and what they are and aren't comfortable with. During the act itself, talk to them but also read their non-verbal cues. What makes them moan more and breathe heavier is a sign you are most likely doing something right. Rimming may not bring you to orgasm, but it's something that is fun, pleasurable, and still a little bit kinky.
Eleven ways to put on a rubber without killing the mood Di Daniels
Fulcrum Sex Guru
Putting on a condom doesn’t have to be a buzz-kill or a struggle. Try out these sexy ways to stay safe while you heat things up between the sheets.
The magic’s in Tingle, tingle, Taste tester your mouth little star There’s a taste for everyThis one’s not as tricky as it seems, and it’s super seductive for your partner. Dab a little lube onto your fingertips and place just the tip of the condom into your mouth, keeping the rest of it outside. Squeeze the tip of the condom between your lips, taking care to avoid teeth contact to not risk a tear. This one’s all in the lips: Wrap your mouth around his penis and gently guide the condom onto the head with your fingers. Then put your puckered-up lips to good use and push the rest of the condom down into position and you’re ready for action.
Back, back, back it up With this one, the power is all in your hands. Position your partner on his knees with his back to you. Take your time teasing your partner before you come up from behind, giving him a good rubdown complete with kisses on the neck. When he’s heated up and ready to go, bring the condom with your other hand to wrap his package.
The effect on his senses with this move can be unexpectedly pleasurable. Holding the condom by the rim, squirt some tingling lube into the tip. When you roll it down over your partner’s package, he’ll get some seriously chilling sensations on his shaft that will have him seeing stars.
Saddle up This move takes a little skill. After a bit of foreplay to get your partner raring to go, place the condom over the head of his penis, but only as far as the ridge of the tip of the penis head. Then take the opportunity to hop on up, and in. Let your body take the reins to push the condom down the rest of the way, using some hand action if necessary. Giddy up!
…And ride off into the sunset Follow the above, but in the reverse cowgirl position so your guy has a view worth millions. He’ll have to rely on the sensations of your hands and body, only amping up his arousal.
one out there, so experiment with different condom and lube flavours from one of your fave sex shops. Use the lube on your tongue and run it up and down his penis, covering his shaft with your flavour of choice. Then slide on a condom nice and easy, with another taste if you feel so inclined. Sex has never tasted so good.
Patience makes perfect You’re in control. Channel your inner temptress by sitting between his legs and pinning him at the waist. Holding his gaze, let him watch you slowly undo the wrapper and guide the condom achingly slowly over his penis. Take your time for some kisses, a ball massage, or grab a little ass. Make him be patient— good things cum to those who can wait.
Cum hither Men, take aim. Ladies, you can start by laying on your back and placing the condom in front of your vagina,
with the tip of your partner’s penis resting just inside the condom. Have him thrust forward into you, rolling the rest of the condom down, and you’re ready for action.
The dos don’ts dirty t Tori Dudys Staff Contributor
Tease before pleasing Heat it up with foreplay, fooling around between the sheets until you’re ready for penetration. Pass him a condom and tell him to suit up. While he’s getting ready, lock eyes and indulge in a little self-pleasure. He’ll be putting that condom on faster than … well, faster than it normally takes to get a condom on a penis.
Double trouble Pay your local sex shop a visit and pick up a vibrating penis ring. This secures at the base of his shaft and produces some sexy vibrations for you both. You can thread the condom through the ring, hold the rim of the condom and the edge of the ring together, then place the combo on the head of his penis. As you roll the rubber down, hit GO on the ring, and you’ll both be away to the races.
The squeeze
Generally when we engage in fr a little hanky panky speak is bou a quick “babe you’re so wet” or can be encouraging for your pa the unpleasant sounds that ca intertwining. That said, there a keep in mind before diving in to
Don’t say your partner’s full name Especially if it’s long! “Oh Jemimah Allison Fernandez” is really unsexy. Plus, your partner probably already knows their own name… one would hope. No need to prove you remember it, at least during coitus. If you’re into screaming their name, try just their first name or a short nickname.
Do give a climax warning
It’s just the polite thing to do. Generally it’s proper etiquette to do the ever-sopopular lead-up: “I’m close, I’m so close.” Then follow it up with an “I’m gonna come” seconds before you finish. A nice crescendo of oohing or ohhing while you orgasm is the standard, but feel free to express your finale whichever way your body and voice deem appropriate. Feel free to let your partner know you’re “close” with whatever words you like, but making sure they’re aware of your impending peak is a must.
Ladies, have your partner kneel over you while you lay on your back and have your man Illustration: get Marta Kierkus a good feel, gently pushing your boobs together. While you hold the condom right at the underside of your cleavage, tell him to lean forward and thrust into the condom. His momentum will push him into the rest of the condom, at the same time pushing his package up through your boobage.
Photo: Marta Kierkus
s& s of talk
Yeah, oh yeah, you like that? Not really.
does not mean abuse An outline of the responsibilities and rules of a misunderstood practice
Jennifer Vo
Staff Contributor
risky times with our partners, ound to happen. Sometimes “oh my god you’re so sexy” artner and even hide a bit of an happen when bodies start are a few things one should the dirty talk.
Don’t be afraid of a little role-play Sometimes role-play can be as simple as the words you use during sex. Maybe you want to call each other by different names, or perhaps be anonymous. You could pretend to be coworkers or two people who just randomly met on the street and snuck to a hotel room impulsively. It may seem tricky to make something up on the spot, but once one person gets the ball rolling, some really steamy stories can pan out.
Do ask what your partner is OK with
Before breaking out the bedroom banter, ask flat out what your partner is OK listening to. Some folks love hearing every single thought that enters your dirty mind, and others hate even hearing the odd grunt. If you really want your partner to get all hot and bothered, knowing what’s OK to say before you play is incredibly important. What if, contrary to this advice, your partner wants to hear your scream their six names? You’ll never know until you ask.
“Will I have to be naked?” I asked. My friend shook his head. “It isn’t necessary. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in. You can even wear what you’re wearing right now, jeans and a sweater.” We talked for another two hours on topics like floggers and rope rigs, me taking notes the whole time. We might have talked longer if I didn’t have an early class the next day. Talking about sex was normal for us; me as the curious student and he as the experienced guide who was more than happy to answer any of my questions. After all, it was through BDSM that he and I had first become acquainted. At the mention of BDSM, people tend to imagine punishment fetishists. That isn’t too far off, but it doesn’t begin to cover the diversity of the BDSM subculture. The initials of BDSM stand for bondage and discipline (BD), dominance and submission (DS), and sadism and masochism (SM). It’s a subculture built around instruments of torture and taboo pleasures, but it emphasizes open communication, honesty, and trust. The types of play involved in the subculture include but are not limited to bondage, sexual roleplay, suspension, and torture.
Drawing the line There’s a distinct line between BDSM and abuse. It’s a clichéd mantra but remains prevalent when practising: safe, sane, and consensual. Those three words cover the basics that everything must be done with both partners’ knowledge and understanding of the risks and limits. Any and all boundaries of both partners must be respected and never compromised. Red flags of abuse include but are not limited to partners taking complete control that has not been agreed upon, manipulating the partner to do more than what was agreed upon, and intentionally causing physical or emotional harm. “You’re not a good dom if you can’t make me bleed” or ”You’re not a good sub if you don’t let me do whatever I want to you” is not part of safe or usual practice. When someone cannot respect another and tries to use the role of the dominant master or the submissive slave to justify disrespect or physical harm, that’s abuse.
Planning it out Before sessions involve hours, sometimes months, of meticulous planning between partners. Just like any relationship, time and work has to be put in for it to function well. Prior to actually playing, partners will meet and discuss general information such as fetishes, medical and physical concerns, soft and hard limits, and thoughts on various punishments and services. Nothing is undisclosed. Nothing that has not been discussed in the play sessions will ever occur during sessions. The negotiations must always be adhered to, even when the submissive partner argues that more can be done during the session. Adrenaline can be dangerous during a session since it clouds judgment. As much as it is the submissive partner’s responsibility to always communicate any concerns and discomfort, it's also important for the dominant partner to always observe and make sure that the submissive partner is in a good state and in good health and to never let the Illustration: Jennifer Vo
activities in the session go farther than what was agreed upon beforehand. Even if the safe word has not been said or the safe signal has not been done, it's still the dominant partner’s responsibility to end it when he or she sees that the submissive partner is being overexerted.
A word on rope play It’s imperative to understand the pros and cons of bondage and different knots before thinking about BDSM. Most learn rope first to actually learn the ropes— pardon the pun—of the subculture. It’s an inconspicuous tool that has boundless possibilities for decoration, function, restriction, and suspension. It can be practised alone or with partners. Cotton rope is easy to find and buy, hemp has a rough texture but holds knots well, and nylon is smooth but can’t hold knots well. Open communication is extremely important. While a safe word can be used to end the session immediately, it’s also important to tell the person tying you up any of your concerns before or during the process to avoid getting hurt. Scissors should always be within reach in case of accidents. To maintain circulation, the ropes should not be too tight, and two fingers should be able to slide between the ropes and the body. The most important thing to remember is that while there are some rules and practices common in the BDSM community, each partnership is different. Make sure to continuously check in with your partner to ensure they feel comfortable and safe.
Your friendly
neighbourhood
sex shop
Tori Dudys
Staff Contributor
Some have argued that our nation’s capital is a buttoned-up bore, but take a walk around most areas of this fine town and you’ll come to find a variety of R-rated shops, the quality of which you’d be hard-pressed to find in many other Canadian cities. Here’s just the tip of what you can find at some of Ottawa’s sex shops.
Pleasures N’ Treasures
491 Rideau St.
If you’re on the hunt for a super sensual movie choice, start here. They have stores located all over Canada and boast some of the lowest prices in the business. But don’t stop at movies; they’ve got plenty of other P and V-G goodies you’ll be excited to try. The employees are knowledgeable on their products and you’ll be able to visit until at least 10 p.m. every day. For anyone commuting to campus from the west end, they also have a location at 866 Merivale Road.
Adult Fun Superstore
1565 Saint Laurent Blvd.
This friendly 18+ store is a short bus ride away from campus but well worth the jaunt. You’ll walk into a brightly lit room full of sex gizmos and gadgets designed to get you off. Not only will you find an array of functional and tasty lubes, a selection of vaginal and penile condoms, a plethora of pornos, and a tantalizing ton of toys, you’ll also be able to pick up sassy costumes and bondage equipment. One of the most unique aspects of AFS is their “Pandora Parties.” Pick a night and sign up a group of your friends to have your own personal shopper take you around the shop and show you the ropes on toys, lubes, and other sexy-ssentials.
Wicked Wanda’s
327 Bank St.
Wanda’s offers way more than most sex shops. What’s really unique about the store are their events and workshops throughout the year. Whether you’re looking to learn more about BDSM or you’re curious about new positions, Wanda’s will wet your whistle. Keep in mind they’re also home to the Sensorium Gallery, one of Canada’s only exclusively eroticabased art galleries. Look for the gallery’s opening at the end of February.
Venus Envy
226 Bank St.
Education is the name of the game at this sex-positive, queerfriendly sex staple. If you’ve ever been nervous to go into a dark and dingy adult store, Venus Envy will be a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the staff are incredibly open and helpful, and there are plenty of pamphlets tucked around the store that you can take for free for at-home learning or even to guide you through the shop’s sections. Similar to Wanda’s, Venus Envy offers an array of educational workshops and events but they’re generally cheaper or even free. Learning how to properly go down on someone or how to find the G-spot are great ways to procrastinate on your homework.
di’s Dryllobus February 17 • Wicked Wanda’s is one of the premier sex shops downtown, and they are hosting a variety of events this month. On Feb. 17, they have an “Erotic Escape”, where you can write down all your sexual fantasies. Feb. 22 features a burlesque night. Tickets can be purchased online for all their events. They also have a Red Hot Valentine`s Promo until Feb. 14, when you can save 15% on all your red -coloured sex merch.
February 14 • If you’re a single this Valentine’s Day, don’t fear: there’s no shortage of V-day bashes you can attend. Every bar has an event going down for all the single ladies (and otherwise). You can partake in the night of singledom, go on a date with a new fling or a significant other, or settle in for a night with wine, chocolate and friends.
February 23 • Venus Envy, the sexy company you may recognize from a 101 Week talk, is hosting a “Going Down: Guide to Fellatio” workshop at 6:30pm. You’ll be sure to pick up some penile pleasure practices that will have your guy feeling special this Valentine’s Day. Venus Envy regularly offers a variety of workshops on any topic you want—jump in!
Here are some other sexcapades for you: • The Adult Fun Superstore hosts Sugar or Spice Toy Parties, suited to bachelorette parties that will expand your sexual horizons in more ways than one. Learn techniques, toys to try and lots more when you book a toy party with them: sounds innocent, right? • Wilde’s Sex Store promises to live up to its name and then some. Here, students can get a 15 per cent discount that lets you save on videos, toys, or gives a little more incentive to join the Frequent Buyer Lube Club.
The Best of Di Daniels I’ve been writing sex advice for the Fulcrum for more than 12 years now, which not only makes me the longest tenured staff member of the paper in its entire history, but also means I’ve dished out more than 130,000 words of sex advice. Fun fact though, when I began at the paper I was merely a general advice columnist. It was only after almost all the questions I received during my first year were focused on sex that I decided to major in sex advice. Since I began, I’ve learnt many things about the fetishes and desires of the U of O’s student population. I also learned to relax a little bit— ignorant questions used to get me way too angry, which I realized made for quite an adversarial relationship with those writing to me. I’d like to think I’m wiser and sexier than I’ve ever been, but in case you missed some of my younger spunk and sass, here are a collection of some of my favourite Q and A’s over the past 12 years. Enjoy Responsibly!
Sept.25, 2003
Dear Di,
The guy that I’m seeing is really turned on by pissing. He loves to look at porn pictures of girls pissing, and he often follows me into the bathroom and tries to watch me. I know that he would love for me to pee on him when we’re having sex, but I’m not sure if I could deal with it. Help! —I Can’t Pee Freely
Dear ICPF,
Where did you meet this guy? Ditch the pisser! You totally do not need him using you to fulfill his weird fetish! If two people don’t agree in terms of fetishes, the relationship is just not going to work. As my mother always said, “Good sex will come to me, but awesome sex comes without pee.” Keep that in mind the next time your man wants you to let loose with bladder urges! Love, Di
March 9, 2006
Dear Di, How could you advise a person to have SEX on the 6th floor of Morisset after midnight? Yuck! I happen to spend a lot of time studying on that floor (before and after midnight) and would NOT like to study on a table that someone may have rubbed their bare ass and/or genitals on! No offence Di, but that piece of advice w a s
disgusting and irresponsible even for a sex columnist… —Disgusted in Morisset
Dear DIM,
Are you a major prude? What’s your deal? My advice to you: bring a bottle of Windex with you and spray down your desk before you sit down. Or maybe you should wear a surgical mask and gloves, like, everywhere. Because you know what? Everything is covered in a thin layer of semen. Think of all the people that jerk off and don’t wash their hands. Consider this: you’ve probably touched a thousand things that people have had their bare ass on. So unless you’re an OCD germaphobe, give me a break. Love, Di
Nov.28, 2012
Dear Di, I learned a new technique to save my man-milk for my girlfriend while on solo flights. The technique is to press firmly on the area between my anus and my erection—it blocks the sperm. This technique lets me orgasm without ejaculating, saving my juices for my girlfriend. But I want to know, is it safe? Sometimes I do it pretty frequently, and I just want to make sure it’s OK. Please help me out. —Sperm Bank
Dear SB,
Blocking your own sperm from escaping your body is a bad idea—let those little guys out! There are a bunch of reasons why pressing your taint to block your jizz isn’t okay. For one, the amount of physical p re s s ure
needed to block ejaculation is greater than the number of bunnies Hugh’s slept with— and that’s a lot. By pressing that hard on the perineum (that area between your asshole and cock), you’re risking bruising and even internal damage. Hopefully you’re aware that the occasional knuckle on the taint c a n improve y o u r orgasm, but it’s definitely
dangerous to consistently use enough force down there to block your little swimmers from butterflying out of your cock. Problem number two: Your cum isn’t magically disappearing or being stored up inside your balls, despite the fact that it’s not leaving your body. Once you reach the point of orgasm, your balls are churning out your manmilk. You’re blocking it from leaving your body, but not your nuts. That means it’s just chilling somewhere inside of you, forcing your body to work overtime to reabsorb it. You’re risking plenty by pulling this move regularly, from painful swelling and damage in your manly bits to infertility. Can we touch on another issue? You seem to have some serious misconceptions about cum, and delusions about your girlfriend’s desires. First of all, despite the cum-whore porn you see out there, there are very few women whose greatest desire is to be bathed in a sea of your white splooge. I
love cum as much as the next girl, and I’m satisfied with a job done right when there’s cum shooting into my mouth or splashing over my tits, but I’m not there with a pipette keeping track of how many millilitres are escaping my man’s member. Neither is your girlfriend. If you have a slightly lesser load because you played your personal piccolo earlier in the day, chances are almost zero that s h e’s going t o
care, or even notice. Moral of the story: Your girl doesn’t want you to save up your sperm nearly as much as you think, so don’t stop yourself from ejaculating, it’s dangerous. Love, Di
March 4, 2010
Dear Di, I saw the article you tweeted about 43 per cent of people preferring bacon to sex, and it really hit home. My boyfriend is definitely part of that statistic: on more than one occasion, he’s been too distracted by the bacon he was nomming to acknowledge my advances. How do I get him to choose the poke over the pork? —Sexy Squealer
Dear SS,
I’m assuming you’re referring to the Feb.26 Montreal Gazette article “Ohhhhh, bacon’s better than sex” I tweeted last week,
which noted the statistic in question and discussed Canadians’ rather extreme affinity for the salty meat treat. So while your boyfriend’s preference is no surprise, it’s still a little worrisome. I’m going to guess there are more serious underlying issues in your relationship than the bacon/boning dilemma. Does your man refuse sex even when he’s not chowing down? Are you two frequently on different wavelengths when it comes to other relationship issues? Look, SS, all the bacon in the world couldn’t satisfy a man’s appetite for hot, steamy sex, no matter what any poll might say—unless there’s a fundamental problem with the relationship between the advancer and advance. Take a good, hard look at your relationship, SS, and ask yourself if it’s worth saving the bacon. Love, Di
Porn personality
What type of porn is right for you? Jesse Colautti
Features Editor
The Internet and its massive supply of pornography can feel overwhelming for the uninitiated—and those recently freed of their parents’ internet security settings. Here are 10 simple questions to help you pick the type of pornography you should be investing your time in. 1) Your best friends would describe you as:
6) You really wish you studied: a) Human kinetics (3 points)
a) Imaginative (2 points)
b) Chemistry (5 points)
b) Sharing (3 points)
c) Theatre arts (2 points)
c) Fiscally conservative (1 point)
d) History or classical studies (1 point)
d) Controlling (5 points) e) Adventurous (4 points)
2) Your favourite song on the radio is:
e) Philosophy ( 4 points)
7) Your favourite Harry Potter hookup: a) Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort (5 points)
a) "Anaconda" – Nicki Minaj (2 points)
b) Harry and Ginny (1 point)
b) "Take me to Church" – Hozier (5 points) c) "Uptown Funk" – Bruno Mars (3 points)
c) Tonks and Lupin (2 points)
d) The Frozen soundtrack isn’t on the radio (1 point)
e) Dumbledore’s Army (3 points)
e) "Love Me Harder" – Ariana Grande feat. The Weeknd (4 points)
d) Ron and Lavender Brown ( 4 points)
8) Favourite club on campus: a) Improv (2 points)
3) You’d like to have sex in public when:
b) Knot club (5 points) d) Pole dancing (4 points)
b) You’re in costume (2 points)
e) Networking (3 points)
c) Hell freezes over (1 point) e) You leave plenty of evidence ( 4 points)
9) Your ultimate sexual fantasy takes place in: a) A dungeon ( 5 points)
4) Your favourite cocktail is:
b) A classroom (2 points)
a) A porn star (2 points)
c) A bed (1 point)
b) An old-fashioned (1 point)
d) A shag-carpeted living room (3 points)
c) A round of shots (3 points)
e) Ass-less chaps ( 4 points)
d) Pina colada (4 points) e) Black Russian ( 5 points)
10)
Your spirit animal is a:
5) The one thing that makes or breaks a sexual experience for you is:
a) Cougar (5 points)
a) How many people are involved (3 points)
c) Gazelle (3 points)
b) The type of rope available (5 points) c) If there’s enough room to comfortably get into missionary position (1 point) d) Your backstory (2 points) e) If your supplies are with you (4 points)
The traditionalist (10-15 points) You like the same porn that generations of your family have watched. You like porn that demonstrates the values that built this country: hard work, efficiency, and tastefulness. For you, porn is a time machine, a tool to distract you from your normal frivolities—vegetable pickling and watching reruns of Frasier—and connect you to the spirit of your ancestors.
You can’t try this at home (16-25 points) You enjoy scenarios and characters that stretch the imagination. You’re a big fan of the porn parodies—Star Trek and The Avengers versions especially—but also enjoy the beloved classroom/hospital scenes. For you, porn is a leap of faith, a fantasy, meant to reveal the more creative sexual universe that eludes humanity’s grasp.
Plays well with others (26-35 points) You love porn that treats sex as a social event. Your mind can never focus on one thing or person at once, and you look for porn that satisfies your short attention span. If it doesn’t involve some type of public setting, or more than four porn stars, you aren’t interested. For you, porn is a ticket to the best party in town—with the guarantee that all your friends will be coming.
c) Calligraphy or letter writing (1 point)
a) All of your friends are involved (3 points)
d) Handcuffs are involved ( 5 points)
Your porn personality is:
b) Gerbil (1 point) d) Zebra ( 4 points) e) Dinosaur (2 points)
The trailblazer of extreme (36-44 points) You look at porn as a tool of motivation and exploration, always on the lookout for new positions and concepts you thought weren’t humanly possible. What scares and disgusts others fills your eyes with admiration. For you, porn stars are educators and social activists, who try things no less courageous than the first step on the moon.
Power play (45-50 points) You like porn best if it involves some combination of whips, handcuffs, rope, and black leather. You’ll watch role-play only if it involves a person with a position of power, and get frustrated with anyone who thinks 50 Shades of Grey is hardcore. For you, porn is all about one thing: power.
SPORTS
Gee-Gees take over Ravens at the Capital Hoops Classic
Women’s b-ball defeats Carleton for the second year in a row Sarah Nolette Sports Editor
F
or the first time, the ladies Gee-Gees basketball team won their second consecutive Capital Hoops Classic.
Alongside fourth-year point guard Kellie Ring’s unstoppable drive and aggressiveness, the team played hard defence against the Carleton Ravens throughout their Feb. 6 matchup at the Canadian Tire Centre. Ottawa led the game with high energy and focus to start the first quarter. But with the Ravens’ larger posts, they outrebounded the Gee-Gees 17-2. Carleton killed Ottawa’s momentum and stole the lead to finish the first. “We can’t have it like that,” said Ring. “They are bigger girls, but we just have to outmuscle them and outwork them … that’s something
we’re going to work on in practice.” Carleton’s zone defence rattled Ottawa for most of the second, and it wasn’t until second-year post Akpene Kwamie’s attempted charge that the Gee-Gees responded with a few points of their own. The half finished off with the Ravens leading 25-19. “Our best kids were not our best kids at the half, and we put a little on the line at halftime,” said head coach Andy Sparks. “We really talked about accountability, and how players have to step up in this situation, and I really thought in the second half they did.” During the third, Ring showed the crowd why she’s one of the top guards in the country. With her constant fine finishes and three-point shots, the Gee-Gees were able to pull ahead once again. In the final quarter, both teams left it all on the floor. But it was shooting guard
SPORTS EDITOR Sarah Nolette sports@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
“Our goal in the second half was if this is going to be a win, we have to keep them at 40 points. We did just that.” —Kellie Ring
Krista Van Slingerland’s knockdown three that secured the win for the GeeGees at 46-40 with less than a minute left in the game. “Our goal in the second half was if this is going to be a win, we have to keep them at 40 points,” said Ring. “We did just that. It feels good. We had some people step up.” Though it was never a pretty game from an offensive perspective for the Gees, the team excelled on the defensive end to win the game. “I think our pressure was really good in that one, we did take them out of their stuff,” said Sparks. “They had a lot of short shot clocks in the second half, and I think that was pretty key. There were defensive positives for sure.” Ottawa will travel to Toronto to face off against York University on Feb. 13, then to Kingston on Feb. 14 to take on Queen’s.
This is the second year in a row that the Gee-Gees has won the Capital Hoops Classic. Photos: Jesse Colautti & Marta Kierkus
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SPORTS | 23
Capital Hoops gives Gees’ men first loss
Questionable officiating, lackluster play proves problematic as team takes first loss of season to rival Ravens
The Capital Hoops Classic brought in 10 780 fans to the games Feb. 6.
Spencer Murdock Staff Reporter
T
he 2015 edition of the Capital Hoops Classic was the largest and most hyped yet, drawing a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) record of 10,780 people to the Canadian Tire Centre on Feb. 6.
The number-two Ravens flew in from a rougher road than usual, having posted losses to the number-one Gee-Gees and number-six Windsor Lancers this season, while the GeeGees came to defend their undefeated streak on the season. But the story of the game quickly became less about the players and more about the referees. In the first 20 seconds, GeeGees star Caleb Agada was called on two fouls for seemingly innocent plays, forcing him to the bench to prevent fouling out early. As the game
moved along, the Gees were consistently called for the littlest of infractions. The GeeGees finished with a total of 22 fouls, most of which were dealt to their leading scorers. Turnovers were also a big problem: The Gees accumulated 12 while Carleton had just four, partially because of defence but also because of petty calls. The crowd was regularly raucous about their disapproval of the officiating, and that criticism extended to a hostile Twitter feed. But the Gee-Gees were not without their own major faults, making the mistake of forfeiting a 13-point lead to the Ravens before coming back again. The team did not execute well enough to find a good rhythm and get a solid lead. Carleton’s shooting touch became too difficult for the Gees to match in the fourth quarter when Ottawa surrendered the lead, ultimately falling 79-66. Shooting guard Johnny
Photos: Marta Kierkus
Berhanemeskel carried the load for the Gees with a 28-point, five-assist performance, while bench production was once again only in the hands of Matt Plunkett who finished with 10 points for the night. As most of Carleton’s wins go, the question always comes to which Scrubb brother was the lynchpin that night. This time it was Thomas Scrubb, who posted 29 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists to lead his team to a win. Gee-Gees forward Vikas Gill compared the effort of the team in their first matchup against Carleton on Jan. 10 a “10 out of 10,” but said they only gave half that at Capital Hoops. “We let Phil and Tommy (Scrubb) get to the paint way too much,” said Gill. “They’re too talented to let them get there. We need to work on our defence and keep them out of the paint.”
Head coach James Derouin said his team will still have another chance to regroup, and take another hit at the Ravens. “We’ll wait for our next chance against these guys,” said Derouin. “It’s pretty clear what we did wrong, I think it’s something we’ll be able to fix moving forward, and we’re looking forward to the next time we meet them.” The Capital Hoops Classic itself outdid its reputation this year, with the record attendance responsible for an atmosphere and energy unrivaled by any other single CIS game in the country. “It was phenomenal,” said Gill of the atmosphere inside the arena. “In my four years, it was by far the best I have ever been a part of.” The Gee-Gees will be on the road for their next games Feb. 13–14, where they travel to take on the struggling York Lions and Queen’s Gaels in Toronto and Kingston.
“It’s pretty clear what we did wrong, I think it’s something we’ll be able to fix moving forward, and we’re looking forward to the next time we meet them.” —James Derouin thefulcrum.ca
SPORTS | 25
MMA brings the fight to campus
New club encourages beginners with dreams of UFC Spencer Murdock Staff Reporter
“I think it really meant a lot to them, we had a lot of our alumni here tonight, and I think it gives that feeling of belonging.” —Dave Heinbuch Gee-Gees hosted the OUA championship Feb. 5-7 at Montpetit pool.
Photos: Marta Kierkus
Swimmers win 17 medals at OUAs Men finish fourth as women take fifth in team standings Sarah Nolette Sports Editor
The Gee-Gee swimming teams had an exceptional weekend Feb. 5–7 at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships, where the men finished fourth and the women in fifth. The University of Ottawa hosted the championships at Montpetit, which brought out many supporters, alumni, and fans to cheer on the teams. The pool was packed and loud during all three days of competition. “I think it really meant a lot to them, we had a lot of our alumni here tonight, and I think it gives that feeling of belonging,” said head coach Dave Heinbuch. “And, obviously in your own pool you have that home pool advantage. It was a lot of fun.” Eryn Weldon was the star female for the Gee-Gees as she topped the podium in the 400-metre individual medley
26 | SPORTS
during the final day of competition. She took a quick lead in the breaststroke segment of the race againt Vanessa Treasure from the University of Toronto, which secured her gold medal. Weldon had strong competition, but defeated them with a final time of 4:46.18. It was Weldon’s second OUA gold but first in the 400-metre race. “This is something she’s worked for,” said Heinbuch. “She won the 200 IM two years ago, and she really wanted to win the 400 IM, so this caps off her OUA career for sure.” “It was a great feeling of accomplishment,” said Weldon. “Vanessa and I have been racing side by side in these events for the past five years, and I have usually taken the second place position.” “Going into this swim meet at our home pool with the support of my team, I was able to push myself to get my hand on the wall first,” she added.
Weldon finished off the tournament with a silver medal in the 200-metre breaststroke and a bronze in the 4x200-metre freestyle medley relay. Audrey Prayal-Brown also made an impressive finish as she broke the Gee-Gee’s record of 33.34 seconds from 1994 to win gold in the 50-metre breaststroke, with a winning time of 32.62. Carolyne Godon also joined her on the podium with bronze. The men’s star was Robert Bonomo, who not only won silver in the 100-metre butterfly and bronze in the 4x100-metre medley relay, but three gold medals in total throughout the weekend in the 100-metre backstroke, 200-metre backstroke, and the 50-metre fly. “I think the highlight for us was that we won 17 medals, and that’s three or four more than last year,” said Heinbuch. “That just shows we’re going in the right direction.”
One of the fastest-growing sports in the world will soon have its own club at the University of Ottawa. With the immense popularity of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), mixed martial arts (MMA) has become a phenomenon that has attracted some of the best young athletes across the world. A combination of various forms of martial arts and striking comes together in one of the most physically demanding sports ever established. Although the early days of the sport garnered a negative reputation because of the brutality, it has since become safer for the general public to enjoy. The MMA Jedis Club at the U of O has the simple goals of getting people into the sport and showing students it can be a great workout. The club focuses mostly on sparring and grappling for an authentic experience. “It’s a great way to get together and stay fit at the same time,” said Phil Lachance of the MMA Jedis. “We all have a passion for the sport and we are all trying to improve ourselves.” The club is looking to add more members as they meet weekly in Montpetit’s martial arts room. You don’t need a black belt—the Jedis’ philosophy ensures all new members are given the opportunity to grow and expand their skill set. “We have varying skill levels,” said Lachance. “We’re by no means experts in MMA, we are all new in different aspects. If you’re brand new, don’t worry about it. We all have to start somewhere, we try to really cater to everyone.” Although the club doesn’t fight in any competitions yet, they are certain they can give the skills necessary to reach a
MMA meets weekly in Montpetit for practices, follow them on Facebook for more details. Photos: Marta Kierkus
level to compete. “I would rather make people like the sport, so they can start training outside the university,” said member Thomas Roucolle. “I would love to see
this sport grow because it has become a lifestyle for me.” The MMA Jedis will use their Facebook group to announce plans for drop-in sessions at Montpetit.
thefulcrum.ca
Women’s fencing puts up strong performance at OUAs Alexandra Lyn wins gold for the Gee-Gees Garry Balaganthan staff Contributor
The women’s fencing team presented a strong performance at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships held Jan. 30 at York University. With three fencing events— foil, épée, and sabre—fencers competed in a two-day competition with individual events, followed by the team event. The Gee-Gees finished the weekend with third-year JD and MBA student Alexandra Lyn winning gold in the foil event and second-year education student Olivia Warnock finishing top 10 in the épée event. A former Canada Games champion and 2014 OUA allstar, Lyn beat her silver medal performance from last year’s OUAs. Although not competing in the team event, the veteran fencer is seen as one of the leaders on the relatively young Gee-Gee team. “Our goal as a team going forward is definitely to win
the provincial championships next year,” said Lyn. “I certainly think we’re capable of this. With relative newcomers this year, we’re definitely looking to build on our performance and keep getting better.” Warnock was also able to put up a strong performance in the individual competition while captaining the team in the épée event. “I’m really proud of my teammates for competing hard,” said Warnock. “We’re definitely looking to get better and compete with the schools that sport strong teams, including Queen’s, Carleton, and Royal Military College.” The Gee-Gees finished ninth overall at the championships with a total of 63 points. The Queen’s Gaels pulled away for the second consecutive year as the team champions with a total of 276 points. The team winner was determined by a point system tracking individual and team finishes. Up next, the men’s fencing
Alexandra Lyn, left, celebrates beating her silver medal last year with her gold at the OUA championships.
Photo: Courtesy of oua.com
team will compete at the OUAs on Feb. 20 at Brock University consisting of the same two-day format as the women’s team.
Gee-Gees are right on track for nationals
Track and field team breaks records at the U of O tournament David Campion-Smith staff Contributor
The University of Ottawa’s track team has had a busy few weeks with invitational tournaments in Montreal, New York City, and here in Ottawa. After a successful weekend at the McGill Team Challenge on Jan. 23, where the Gee-Gees women’s team came in eighth overall while the men’s team finished ninth, the team travelled to New York City to compete in the Armoury Invitational. In New York, the relay team set a Gee-Gees record as Charlotte Gardner, Charifa Labarang, Deviant Biswal, and Gift Okankwu finished their 4x200m relay
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in 1:41.81. The team finished eleventh at the Armoury Invitational in New York. High jumper Steve Nkutsi finished second overall in New York, and is currently ranked fourth in the country. Nelson Cecereu, ranked fourth in Canada for polevaulting, finished third at the McGill invitational. “It’s fun, competing every weekend from January to March,” said Charlotte Gardner, who also partook in the 600-metre race. At the U of O’s Winter National Invitational, the GeeGees took over the whole podium in the women’s 1,500-metre run. Gardner and Okankwu both finished third in the 300-metre and
600-metre dashes, respectively. “I know there were a decent amount of personal and season’s best performances this weekend,” said Gardner. “We also had quite a few top three finishers in different events.” The invitational went exceptionally well for Gardner. After coming back this season from a nine-month knee injury, she ran her season best, which also included her second-fastest time in her career at 1:32.19. “This makes me hopeful about the rest of the season, including (nationals),” she said. The track and field team will now be travelling to Boston for the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational Feb.13-14.
SPORTS | 27
OPINIONS Is freedom of speech under attack in Canada? Certain free speech limits are healthy Staff Contributor
Fear and paranoia is not the way to go
A
s soon as the Conservative government unveiled their new antiterrorism legislation, headlines were awash with the claim that it infringed on Canadians’ freedom of expression. This kind of rhetoric is completely ignorant of preexisting Canadian laws, and this bill’s power to disrupt online messages should be carefully examined in relation to domestic security.
28 | OPINIONS
opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
The government’s new anti-terrorism legislation (Bill C-51) is causing a stir among free speech advocates in Canada. Some have taken issue with the bill’s proposal to criminalize the promotion of terrorism, which some say could be easily interpreted to suppress legitimate free speech. Is this new legislation putting a chill on our civil liberties, or can free speech be partially sacrificed in order to maintain a civil and safe society?
Chelsea McManus
First of all, while this new legislation proposes to criminalize the promotion of terrorist propaganda, one has to ask if it’s really that different from the laws we already have. Section one of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms already grants the government the right to pass laws that can limit the freedom of expression, as long as these limits can be reasonably justified. A notable example of this is Canada’s hate speech laws, which limit speech through the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Act. These laws prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, and disability, factors that have been consistently defended by the Supreme Court of Canada. So, the most damning element of Bill C-51 is its redundancy, not its supposed suppression of people’s freedoms. Furthermore, I think it is important that we as Canadians really think about what freedom of expression means to us. After the heinous attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, people started to adopt the attitude
OPINIONS EDITOR Kyle Darbyson
Héloïse RodriguezQizilbash staff contributor
C that the right to unlimited free speech was the end all or be all for liberal democracy. The attack was a terrible and violent crime, but adopting an outlook that says freedom of speech trumps everything else is very problematic. This kind of sentiment has often been used by people bent on promoting violence and prejudice. It is often taken to mean “I have the right to say whatever I want,” without expecting any consequences. For example, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia are real problems on university campuses. People who project this kind of hateful rhetoric, like the violent and misogynist Facebook conversationalists at the U of O and Dalhousie, are not fight-
anadians are lucky enough to live in a country where we get to complain about anything we want. Even our freedom to criticize the government is a right that people in many other countries still haven’t acquired.
Ilustration: Jennifer Vo
ing to maintain some sense of liberal democracy. They are only making individuals feel unsafe. The Canadian government is reinforcing the idea that we should limit the freedom of expression in order to deter more people from being victimized and harassed. And that’s worth the sacrifice.
An outlook that says freedom of speech trumps everything else is very problematic.
This new anti-terrorism bill wants to put a chill on our freedom of expression by telling us what we can and cannot say.
Yet this new anti-terrorism bill wants to put a chill on our freedom of expression by telling us what we can and cannot say. Since freedom of speech is one of the core principles of democracy, the government has no right to infringe on it simply because it is afraid that a few radicalized “lone wolves” might cause us harm. There is nothing more important in democracy than maintaining healthy discussions and alternative opinions. This is what makes a society thrive. Of course, no freedom is absolute, and acts of defamation or openly calling on citizens to commit terrorist acts is understandably against the law. But instituting a ban on broadly defined kinds of speech will only succeed in breeding fear, confusion, and paranoia. This bill might have made sense if it was specifically designed to help identify radicalized individuals like Michael Zehaf-Bibeau or Martin Couture-Rouleau,
who perpetrated two different terrorist attacks in October. But the language of this bill is so vague and open to interpretation that “promoting terrorism” could be defined as anything that fits the government’s agenda. Because of this bill’s loose language, it could lead to situations of extreme paranoia and stupidity, as seen in France on Jan. 29 when an eight-year-old boy was brought to a police station for questioning because he said he supported terrorists. Scaling back on our freedom of speech won’t help CSIS catch real criminals. It will only make us afraid of our fellow Canadians, or afraid of who might be monitoring our online presence. There’s also the possibility that this bill will only hamper conversations surrounding crucial issues like radicalization. According to Lorne Dawson, a professor of sociology and legal studies at the University of Waterloo, “When people don’t feel free to talk about the political, religious, and ideological elements of extremism, Canadian society won’t be able to address the underlying forces that drive people toward radicalization.” Yet government hardliners don’t care about the flaws in this new legislation. They’re all too happy to take credit for “protecting” us in an election year, even if it means infringing on our rights to dissent and speak our minds.
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Most university adverts are hesitant to show anything that even remotely resembles partying or non-academic social interation.
Photo: Rémi Yuan
A balanced approach to university life Post-secondary education shouldn’t be relegated to a classroom Kyle Darbyson Opinions Editor
Despite only lasting 31 seconds, a promo for the Université de Moncton (U de M) has managed to ruffle a few feathers. When the New Brunswick school posted the video online in January, some people took umbrage with the ad’s apparent lack of professionalism. It showcased non-academic activities like rock concerts, beach-side hangouts, and— most scandalous of all—library make-out sessions. It was a fairly honest and forthright portrayal of student life at university. But some people just aren’t having it. According to U de M professor Marie-Noëlle Ryan, this promo has more in common with a beer commercial and isn’t an accurate representation of what post-secondary education is all about. This kind of narrow-minded thinking is the driving force behind a lot of university marketing. The University of Ottawa’s own official online
promo may be slick and wellproduced, but the campus life it depicts is totally sanitized, and it never deviates from the realm of the academic. Aside from the fact that the U of O ad looks like it’s made for parents instead of prospective students, this idea that post-secondary education should be about nothing but grades and studying is counterproductive to a student’s healthy social development. Of course, setting goals to attend class and excel academically is important, since it teaches self-discipline and helps to cultivate a steady work ethic. But concentrating exclusively on schoolwork without any avenue for down time—or party time—is not the path to mental well-being. Science can back it up. Some researchers have found that seeking out social support actively increases the production of the hormone oxytocin, which helps decrease anxiety levels and produces a calming response to the nervous system.
Furthermore, by neglecting the more outwardly social aspects of university culture— going to bars, attending sporting events, joining clubs, and such—you’re missing out on a significant aspect of the real reason you attend university. One of the primary benefits of attending a school like the U of O is that you get to meet many interesting people with diverse backgrounds. Interacting with people outside the confines of a classroom is key to your adult social development; these encounters expose you to ideas, lifestyles, and cultural interests you would not experience reading textbooks. These social encounters also serve as a crash course on how to converse with others in an affable manner—an invaluable skill for life after university. Most serious employers will tell you the number one quality they look for in a new hire is their ability to work with a team. In other words, beyond the academic credentials that will get your foot in the door, managers are looking to hire people who
they can get along with on a personal level. And what better place to develop these “people-person” skills than by interacting with actual human beings outside of a sterile classroom setting? Of
course,
universities
are still learning institutions and students shouldn’t totally disregard academics in favour of self-indulgent, 24/7
partying.
But
they
should still strive for a balanced approach to university life that allows time for studying and for blowing off steam. That’s what makes this U de M commercial so effective: It’s real. Here’s hoping that other Canadian universities
adopt
a
similar
marketing strategy that promotes a more accurate and well-rounded view of what to expect during your postsecondary education. Besides, who hasn’t caught somebody making out in the library?
Here’s hoping that other Canadian universities adopt a similar marketing strategy that promotes a more accurate and well-rounded view of what to expect during your post-secondary education. thefulcrum.ca
OPINIONS | 29
Heckles
The lack of diversity in voters reflects in the nominations, with this year seeing a depressing lack of female and non-white nominees.
The Oscars are way too white Allegra Morgado Staff Contributor
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences always receives some sort of criticism for their Oscar nominations. This year they came under fire for more than just snubbing a few fan favourites—they are being called out for the huge lack of diversity in their nominees. Although it could be argued that the best movies this past year really were created by a single kind of person (white men) and that the nominees were fairly chosen, it is hard to accept this fact when some fantastically talented people were not properly recognized for their work. For example, Gillian Flynn, the writer of the
30 | OPINIONS
screenplay for Gone Girl, based on her novel of the same name, did not get nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. This film received wonderful reviews, with many praising its script, and yet both screenwriting categories do not include even one female nominee. Another big snub came at the expense of the Martin Luther King biopic Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay, who could have been the first AfricanAmerican woman ever nominated for the best director category. Instead, there is not one woman nominated. This is nothing new, since the category has always been dominated by men, never having more than one female nominee at any time in its history. The complete absence of
non-white actors is especially obvious this year, since actor David Oyelowo received such widespread critical acclaim for his portrayal of Martin Luther King in Selma. But again, this is just business as usual. A 2012 article in the Los Angeles Times pointed out that African-Americans have received less than 4 per cent of these acting awards in the past 83 years of the award show’s history. Much of this lack of diversity can be chalked up to the fact that old white men dominate the Academy. According to the same Times report, the Academy is nearly 94 per cent white and 77 per cent male, with a median age of 62. The lack of diversity in voters reflects in the nominations, with this year seeing
a depressing lack of female and non-white nominees. These lopsided statistics are certainly discouraging to women and people of colour who have hopes of succeeding in the film business. The industry is already tough enough to break into, but it adds even more obstacles when you not only have to match up to your white male counterparts, but do significantly better in order to even get recognized. The widespread criticism that the Oscars have received this year should be a wake-up call for Hollywood. Going forward, they need to encourage more diversity in both the film industry and in the Academy itself.
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Feds crack down on‘-gate’scandalnaming trend
People who use the played-out suffix now subject to fines Kyle Darbyson
ditor Tom ato E
The Canadian government is in the process of instituting new legislation that aims to do away with an unseemly media trend. Starting March 1, anyone caught using “-gate” as a suffix will be subject to fines and possible prosecution. “In the wake of scandals like Deflategate, Bendgate, and Gamergate, the use of this particular suffix has lost all of its meaning,” said Janis Fletcher, Minister of the Department of Grammatical
Integrity. “These days, putting ‘-gate’ at the end of a word is the culinary equivalent of adding bacon to an otherwise unremarkable dish to make it more appetizing.” The use of the suffix to denote political or social misconduct dates back to 1972 with the Watergate scandal. Since then, lazy journalists and unimaginative activists have used this grammatical postfix to drum up controversy without putting in any significant effort. “This trend has become significantly worse in the age of social media,” said Fletcher.
“Now, basically anyone with an Internet connection and an axe to grind can make news headlines by tweeting about bending iPhones or Anthony Weiner’s, err, platform.” Fletcher and her colleagues decided to take action in the fall by drafting new legislation. Beginning in March, anyone who uses the suffix in an article or social media post will be served a cease and desist letter by their Internet service provider. Sources from within Fletcher’s department are saying that multiple offenders of this new law could also be handed a fine, or will at the very least be mailed a government-issued thesaurus to help improve their vocabulary. “It’s a real slap in the face to freedom of speech in this country,” said William Baxter, a University of Ottawa social sciences major who made headlines last week after popularizing #Soupgate, which sought to expose the tendency for universities to serve overly hot soup. “With these new restric-
tions, how else am I supposed to get my righteous social crusade off the ground?” he added. While hashtag activists like Baxter are crestfallen at the loss of their favourite grammatical postfix, Fletcher’s colleagues on the Hill remain optimistic about the future. In fact, some Conservative MPs are so pleased with this upcoming legislation that they are now thinking of incorporating the use of “-gate” into their new antiterrorism bill. “If you think about it, using this suffix is kind of similar to writing terrorist propaganda,” said Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety. “Both involve the spreading of misinformed opinions and unoriginal ideas that cause people mental and psychological anguish.” If this legislation proves a success, Fletcher and her colleagues plan to put a stop to similarly overused Internet trends such as Grumpy Cat memes and “Hitler Reacts” videos.
‘Where’s my damn hover board?!’
Campus-wide discontent over inaccurate movie predictions Kyle Dar
byson
Tom ato
Editor
As the year continues to unfold, students at the University of Ottawa are growing
increasingly impatient with the lack of futuristic whimsy in their lives. Student morale is at an alltime low, with many students not bothering to attend class. “During this semester we’ve
seen a radical spike in students seeking prescription anti-depressants,” said Doctor Hope Thompson, head physician at the U of O’s walk-in-clinic. “When we asked these students about the cause of their
depression, most of them just mutter two words: ‘hover boards.’” Much of this discontent can be traced back to the 1989 sci-fi comedy Back to the Future Part II, which—for many students— prophesized the emergence of fantastical devices and trends in the year 2015. “I can understand the lack of flying cars and hover boards. That technology is still in its testing stages,” said engineering student Sarah Lloyd. “But the fact that we still don’t have small dehydrated pizzas available in grocery stores is completely unacceptable.” Other students have decided to be more active in the wake of this widespread disappoint-
Starting Mar. 1, distastful suffix use on social media sites will result in financial sanctions for Canadians. Edits: Marta Kierkus
“These days, putting ‘-gate’ at the end of a word is the culinary equivalent of adding bacon to an otherwise unremarkable dish to make it more appetizing.” —Janis Fletcher, Minister of the Department of Grammatical Integrity ment. Political science major Geoffrey Wilson has even set up a Kickstarter campaign to get the ball rolling on the various Jaws sequels that were hinted at in Robert Zemeckis’ film. “I know it’s a tall order, since we need to essentially crowd fund, produce, and theatrically release 15 killer shark movies inside of 10 months,” states Wilson on his Kickstarter page. “But if we don’t see Jaws 19 by the end of 2015, I’m afraid we’ll create a time paradox which will unravel the spacetime continuum and destroy the entire universe.” This sense of overwhelming disillusionment has even affected members of the school’s administration, some of whom remember seeing Back to the Future Part II when it originally came out in theatres. “That movie promised me
a lot when I was a kid,” said François Tolkan, dean of the Telfer School of Management. “I grew up thinking that fax machines were going to be making a comeback this year. Now I have a garage full of outdated technology, and no one’s buying from me except affluent hipsters.” However, some students are remaining optimistic, since the future world the film promised still doesn’t officially come to fruition until Oct. 21 of this year. “We already have self-lacing running shoes on the market, so that’s a start,” said human kinetics student Richard Fox. “Plus, the movie’s time frame still gives the Chicago Cubs an opportunity to fulfill their destiny and finally bring home the World Series, which gives me hope.”
The fact that we still don’t have small dehydrated pizzas available in grocery stores is completely unacceptable.” U of O students march on Parliament Hill, still angry over lack of ‘future tech’ in their lives. Photo: scottmontreal, CC, flickr.com. Hoverboard photo: LoveBoat, CC, wikimedia commons. Edits: Marta Kierkus
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—Sarah Lloyd, engineering student
THE TOMATO | 31
DISTRACTIONS
Dear Di
Dear Di,
In the past year, I began cock-stuffing. I really enjoy the sensation and feeling of things being inserted into my urethra. I know that many instruments can be used, and lately I have been using glass thermometers. Do you have any suggestions for new things to stuff? I also have a bit of a personal fetish for using my own saliva for a lubricant. Is there anything else you would recommend?
Experiment away: silicone-based lubes are longer lasting, but water-based lubes may have a thinner consistency. Even if you don’t stuff often, you should still take care and do it safely each time. The Ottawa sex shops, a couple of which are mentioned in this issue, can give you further direction and instruction to ensure your solo stuffing is scandalously sensual—and stays that way!
Love, —Stuffed with Stuff Di
Dear SWS,
For my readers who aren’t in the know about this question, cock-stuffing, or “sounding” as it is called in the S&M community, involves inserting smooth, thin surgical steel rods called “sounds” (hence the name) into a male’s urethra at the tip of his penis. Stuffing can be used solo or on a submissive partner to prevent erection—it’s pretty hard to get hard when you have a rod keeping you full. To answer your question, SWS, the two most commonly used devices are the Van Buren, which has a J-shaped curve on the end, and the Dittle, which is straight. Like you mentioned, other objects such as glass thermometers, can be used but the two I mentioned above are the safest because they are made of metal, clean, and have no chance of breaking inside of you. Now, a word of caution: the main risks of stuffing include tearing or cutting of the urethra, and infection. Since your thermometer most likely isn’t a certified sex toy, these risks are even more real for you. Also, anything inserted into the urethra should be thoroughly cleaned to reduce the chance of infection. Trying out different sizes of instruments can be a tricky business, so it’s a good idea to start out small. If you experience any discomfort, blood, or irritation, these are sure signs that you should see your doctor. As in any sexual activity, lube is a beautiful thing. People who cockstuff do typically use lots of lube so that insertion of the instrument is smooth sailing. Saliva really isn’t recommended as a lubricant because it dries quickly, and natural sugars from the mouth can be found in saliva that may cause urinary tract infections. A water- or silicone-based glycerinfree lube with a thin consistency is your best bet.
32 | DISTRACTIONS
Dear Di,
What are some of your favourite sexthemed novels that you’ve read? Watching movies, porn, and basically anything hot and steamy on screen always gets my juices flowing, and I would like to spice it up between the sheets by reading some stimulating novels to get me going before bedtime. I don’t even know where to begin or where to go for these kinds of racy reads, so what are some suggestions from the sex goddess herself?
FEATURES EDITOR Jesse Colautti
features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 562-5260
Distractions Sex Researcher Profile
Getting the goods:
er current research H explores optimal sexual activity and eroticism
amongst the elderly (for their years of experience in bed) and other minority populations. She’s published hen it comes to human extensively on topics such sexuality, Peggy as talking to your children Kleinplatz is your woman. about sex, optimizing sex, She’s studied the subject and the ethics of being a for more than 25 years, and sex therapist. She's also a is currently an associate reviewer for multiple sex professor of medicine journals and a member of and a clinical professor of several other organizations psychology at the University and editorial boards. of Ottawa, her alma mater. Right now, she's teaching She’s also a registered clinical human sexual behaviour psychologist, and helps (PSY3122) and advanced individuals, couples, and studies in human sexuality groups with sexual issues. (PSY4122).
The U of O’s research on sex
W
—Badass Book Worm
Dear BBW,
Oh my, where to begin! I think people all too often think they need a visual fix in order to get off, but let’s not underestimate the stimulation and power that the written word (and some erotic imagination) can have. Your options are endless and open to explore. Depending on your orientation, experience, and personal taste, you can get as erotic as your wildest dreams envision. Venus Envy in particular is my go-to shop for the hottest reads no matter what mood I’m in. There’s a huge selection of reads on homosexuality, BDSM, gender identity, sex guides, polyamory, feminism, and eroticism … literally anything your P or V could desire. I love exploring my sexuality through the written word. It’s a great way to learn more about the limitless options out there, get inspiration with some new ideas and an excuse to get into bed early. Here are a few of my faves for your personal pleasure: • Hot, Wet and Shaking: How I Learned to Talk About Sex by Kaleigh Trace • Best New Erotica by Maxim Jakubowski • The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler • The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus by Violet Blue • Position of the Day: Sex Every Day in Every Way by Lisa Sweet • What You Really Really Want by Jaclyn Friedman!
Love, Di
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Feb.12 to MAR.7 2015
THRYLLABUS
MUSIC arts Sports FUN Thinking
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Thursday, Feb. 12 Terrorists, Guns, and Drugs: The Application of Social Network Analysis to Illicit Transborder Networks, Faculty of Social Sciences Building — 3 p.m. Gemma Bovery, Mayfair Theatre — 4:30 p.m. Pierre Kwenders, National Arts Centre — 7:30 p.m. EFT-up Comedy Show, Pressed — 8 p.m. Presented by Experimental Farm Theatre
River City Junction, Irene’s Pub — 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 13 2014 Cannes International Advertising Festival, Bytowne Cinema — 6:55 p.m. Hyvä Poika (The Good Son), Carleton University, River Building Theatre — 7 p.m. $13 tickets available, part of Bright Nights: BalticNordic Film Festival
The Barr Brothers, Canadian Museum of History — 8 p.m. Better Living Through Chemistry + No Fly List, Zaphod Beeblebrox — 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14 Nickelbrook Brewery Tasting Session, The Hintonburg Public House — 3 p.m. $25 to sample the brewery’s tasty wares.
Casablanca begins playing at Bytowne Cinema Sarah MacDougall, National Arts Centre — 7:30 p.m.
Nickelback, Canadian Tire Centre — 8 p.m. For those who don’t enjoy music.
Trevor Ferguson on the Art of Writing, Good Companions Centre — 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 19
The Agonist, Ritual Nightclub — 7:30 p.m.
Florida Georgia Line with Thomas Rhett and Frankie Ballard, Canadian Tire Centre — 7:30 p.m.
Comedian Jeremy Hotz begins his 4 day run at Yuk Yuk’s
Friday, Feb. 20 M &W Basketball vs. Nipissing, Montpetit Gym — 6 p.m. Bryan Adams, Canadian Tire Centre — 8 p.m. The Mohrs + The Mandevilles, Zaphod Beeblebrox — 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21 M &W Basketball vs. Laurentian, Montpetit Gym — 6 p.m. Veterans of SNL: Rob Schneider and Jon Lovitz, Centrepoint Theatre — 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22 Beer ‘N’ Board Games, The Hintonburg Public House — 7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 23 Toward a Cultural Political Economy of Canadian Foreign Policy in the Americas, Faculty of Social Sciences Building — 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 24 Stephen Harper and the UN in a Time of Terror, Faculty of Social Sciences Building — 12:30 p.m.
The Sadies, Neat Coffee Shop — 8 p.m.
Tara Holloway, National Arts Centre — 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Sabrina Fair begins its run at Ottawa Little Theatre
Project Wild Thing, Mayfair Theatre — 7 p.m.
Shred Kelly w/ Loon Choir + Peas & Carrots, Cafe Dekcuf — 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Big Eyes begins playing at the Bytowne Cinema
Friday, Feb. 27 Study and Go Abroad Fair, Ottawa Convention Centre — 2 p.m. Amanda Cottreau, Bryce Jardine & Derek Harrison, Cafe Nostalgica — 7 p.m. Dan Mangan + Blacksmith with Hayden, National Arts Centre — 7:30 p.m. SHAMELESS, Babylon Club — 10:30 p.m. Escobar: Paradise Lost begins playing at the Bytowne Cinema
Saturday, Feb. 28 Bry Webb, National Arts Centre — 7:30 p.m. The YA-YA’s (Rolling Stones Cover Nite), House of TARG — 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar. 3 Identity and the Construction of National Security, Faculty of Social Sciences Building — 12 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 5 Aqua Alta, Zaphod Beeblebrox — 8 p.m.
Friday, Mar. 6 Young Frankenstein, Centrepoint Theatre — 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Mar. 7 Neil Diamond, Canadian Tire Centre — 8 p.m.
DISTRACTIONS | 33
Letter to the Editor To the editors and writers at the Fulcrum, After attending the Capital Hoops games on Friday, Feb. 6, and reading some of the reviews and articles about them over the weekend, I must say that I am quite upset and disappointed with the level of attention and importance given to the women's game in comparison to the men's. When I first arrived at the Canadian Tire Centre at 5 p.m., I was shocked at the extremely low attendance rate for the first game. The women's game began with essentially no exciting introduction. They seemed to me the inferior, less important "opening act," while the men's team were positioned as the "headliners." The men's game was preceded by a singing of the national anthem and the stadium filled up when they began playing. After the games, Carleton students celebrated and cheered, while the uOttawa students sulked in disappointment. The articles and reviews after the games all wrote about the Gee-Gees' loss and the Ravens' win. I cannot begin to explain how unbelievably frustrating and upsetting it is to read about this considering the female Gee-Gees team won 46-40. Why is it that in 2015, Canadian varsity sports remain so unapologetically sexist?
Sincerely, Jillian Ohayon
The Fulcrum is looking to elect an Editor-in-Chief for the 2015-16 publishing year To be considered for the election: Submit a platform to general manager Andrew Hawley outlining your relevant experience and plans for both the newspaper and the editorial board should you be elected. Pass both a written knowledge and editing test with a score of 50 per cent or higher. All platform submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2015. The election will take place at the weekly Fulcrum staff meeting on Thursday, March 5 at 1 p.m. in the Fulcrum offices (631 King Edward Ave.).
Staff members eligible to vote: Omar Abdikader, Savannah Awde, Varsha Carpen, Menrika Christian, Jesse Colautti, Justin Dallaire, Kyle Darbyson, Chloee Detchou, Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi, Jessica Eritou, Adam Feibel, Adam Gibbard, Tima Hacini, William Hume, Marta Kierkus, Annalise Mathers, Lindsay MacMillan, Emily Manns, Chelsea McManus, Allegra Morgado, Spencer Murdock, Sabrina Nemis, Sarah Nolette, Stephanie Piamonte, Moussa Sangare-Ponce, Miriam Saslove, Jasmine van Schouwen, Spencer Van Dyk, Jennifer Vo, Janoah Willsie, Remi Yuan
34 |
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EDITORIAL
Volume 75, Issue 20, February 12, 2015 Lending a hand since 1942. Phone: (613) 562-5261 | Fax: (613) 562-5259 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Recycle this or we’ll take out your batteries.
staff
Sabrina “The Kinky Kat” Nemis Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcum.ca Adam “Doc Johnson” Ashby Gibbard Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Adam “Water Dancer” Feibel Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Marta “Magic Wand” Kierkus Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca Nadia “G Kiss” Drissi El-Bouzaidi News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Jessica “Jack Rabbit” Eritou Arts & Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca
Our weirdest sexual experiences My ex and I were having sex, and I turned to switch into reverse cowgirl. He was a talker, but at that moment he became pretty quiet. I ignored it and just continued on. Afterwards, we had a shower and he told me I had poop on me ... I was mortified.
In Italy, I met a guy at my hostel and we decided to grab a drink. One drink turned into many, which turned into having sex in the hostel bathroom. Our search for privacy backfired, because I grabbed the curtain rod on the shower, which was attached to the ceiling, and the entire thing came crashing down, bringing ceiling plaster with it. Two naked drunk people explain a fallen ceiling is neither subtle nor comfortable.
Jesse “Coco Licious” Colautti Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca Sarah “Screaming O” Nolette Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca Kyle “Humm Dinger” Darbyson Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Spencer “Velvet Desire” Van Dyk Online Editor online@thefulcrum.ca Spencer “Liquid Dream No. 9” Murdock Staff Reporter Remi “RingO” Yuan Staff Photographer Lindsay “Black Magic” MacMillan Associate News Editor Moussa “Midnight” Sangaré-Ponce Associate Online Editor
When I was a hormonally confused pre-teen, I developed an unhealthy attraction to a pair of soft puffy slippers that I owned. Needless to say, I eventually consummated the relationship. When my parents asked me about why my slippers looked different, I said the cat peed in them.
Annalise “Hot Octopuss” Mathers Associate Features Editor Savannah “Frisky Fingers” Awde Staff Proofreader Chantale “Whisper” Streeting Webmaster Deidre “The Original” Butters Ad Manager ads@thefulcrum.ca Andrew “Silky Blue” Hawley General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca
Contributors
L. A. “Golden Triangle” Bonte Brennan “Hungry Bear” Bova Christian “Crystal Caribbean” Zapata-Prado Chelsea “Juicy Jewels” McManus Garry “Triple Blaster” Balaganthan Justin “White Nights” Dallaire Stephanie “The Caper Times” Piamonte Carolyn “Pocket Rocket” Mutis Eric “Wall Banger” Davidson Julia “Ring of Bliss” Riddle Janoah “Jumpin’ Gyrator” Willsie Amy “Butterfly Dreams” Leppanen Allegra “Power Stud” Morgado Diyyinah “Pipdeream” Jamora David “Thrusting Bunny” Campion-Smith Priya “Forbidden Fancies” Smita Selvarajoo Tori “Rocks Off” Dudys Jennifer “Rub My Duckie” Vo Susannah “Pink Lady” Vo Heloise “Glitter Glam” Rodriguez-Qizilbash
Cover art Adam ASHBY Gibbard
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I met a girl at the bar who seemed like a nice enough person to bring back to my place- little did I know that she was going to spit on my face, slap my penis around, and during her climax elbow my nose twice extremely hard. I came out of the experience both physically and emotionally bruised, but it also helped disprove a longbelieved myth. Males can fake it too, at least when their noses are bleeding.
I was on my fifth date at the Clocktower Brew Pub when the guy I was seeing at the time asked me to take off my winter boots and socks to give him a footjob underneath the table, while we were having a discussion about Obama. Never saw him again.
I accidentally popped out mid-pump and on my thrust back in, well… I missed and went right in the butt. She sobbed in pain on the floor of her father’s living room. I tried to console her while also trying to get the blood from my rug-burned knees out of the carpet. It was all pretty grim.
Titty-fucking can be a lot of fun, depending on how you feel about ending with cum on your face. One time I had been teasing my ex and building up to it, so he was very excited when we got to the main event. Maybe a little too excited, because when he came, it shot over my head, and into his mouth. It’s the fastest I’ve ever seen anyone get up after an orgasm.
EDITORIAL | 35