The Athenaeum, issue 79.4

Acadia’s Student Newspaper, since 1874 November 22nd, 2016 Issue 79.4

NEWS crime online page 3

FEATURES fifty first dates page 5

ARTS feed your head page 9

OPINIONS open thy wallet page 12

ath atheditorials The Athenaeum Acadia University’s Student Newspaper Issue 79.4 ASU Box 6002, Acadia University Wolfville, NS, Canada B4P 2R5 Editor-In-Chief: Andrew Haskett Email: eic@acadiau.ca O�ce Hours: Tue & Thu 1:30-4:30 Advertising/Business Inquiries: tompkins.biz@acadiau.ca wile.biz@acadiau.ca Section Editors Arts & Culture: Sidharth Kondapuram Creative: Kelsey Crosby Distractions: Thane Mullen Features: Katrina Kwan News: Allison Smith Opinions: Emma Hughes Sports: Hayley Phoenix Science: Hope Latta

Management Production: Adam Langille Photography: Anjuli Ripley Business / Ads: Noah Tompkins & Colleen Wile Managing: Hannah Hutchinson Copy Editor Kody Crowell Editor-in-Chief Andrew Haskett

The Athenaeum is the official student newspaper of Acadia University and is published in print and online yearround at theath.ca. The opinions expressed herein do not represent the Acadia Students Union or the staff of the Athenaeum, they are held by the individuals who contribute to the Athenaeum as essential members of our completely student-run newspaper.

We pride ourselves in publishing and participating in a diverse community, and we are more than eager to work with anyone, regardless of age, economic situation, race, creed, sexual orientation, or any other defining or diversive human trait. In the spirit of great debate we will argue with you and your opinions to the ends of the earth if we deem it necessary.

Articles submitted will be published at the discretion of the editorial board. If there is content that we feel will not add to the philosophy, dialogue, or tone of our newspaper, it will not be published.

We’re always looking for controversial and rowdy material that challenges society and its norms, but any material deemed offensive or hateful will be met with scrutiny. That being said, all of our staff members look forward to working together with writers to improve their quality of writing, and to make sure the Athenaeum remains professional and well-rounded.

The Athenaeum may accept submissions from any student or member of our campus, present and past, and is always looking for more writers and photographers. If you are looking for coverage of an event or story, would like to notify us of a complaint or correction, or would like to submit a letter to the editor, contact Andrew D. Haskett at eic@acadiau.ca There are open story meetings every Wednesday at 5pm in the Athenaeum office, room 512 in the SUB. Everyone is welcome, and we encourage you to join us!

The Athenaeum, since 1874.

Call it like you see it.

On the Cover: This week’s cover photo was taken by Janani Chandramouli.

2

Issue 79.4

www.theath.ca

AxeRadio Schedule (Online at: http://axeradio.ca/schedule/) Time 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30

Sunday

14:00

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Borderline Opposite The Noah Holleman Experience

13:00 13:30

Monday

Afternoon Vibes with Varun and Daniel

Free Your Mind

Wildfire

14:30 15:00

Some Tunes on Wednesday Afternoons

The Score

15:30 16:00 16:30

Free Your Mind

17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

Equalizer

The Hotbox

The In The Morning Show Coleman Merry? Yes plz

Seth Stevenson Evening Chill Jamz with Ian On A Sunday Night The Mystery Sweet and Spot Sour

Alternative Beats

The Crew

Paige and Olivia

Vinyl Playlist Saturday Night Up for Grabs

Songs and Stories The Monday Night Show

Homegrown Haligons

The Main Weak News

Ultrabazz Radio

Jamz with Ian

TrapHouse

Thrashin’ Thursday’s

Kathleen & Gabby

AxeRadio News:  Good Morning Vietnam screening in the KCIC Auditorium on Nov. 29 th at 7pm (Admission by donation, snacks will be provided!)  AxeRadio Apparel Order happening soon!!

E-mail: coordinator@axeradio.ca or 113844e@acadiau.ca to pre-order

THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR ACTIONS Josh Sampson Contributor

Early September marks the

beginning of a new school year for students at Acadia University. For many upper year students, it can also mark the start of new o�campus living arrangements.

Although living o�-campus for the first time is exciting, there are a couple things you need to know when preparing to live on your own for the first time. The most important pieces of advice I can give students is to be aware of your surroundings and be courteous to your neighbors.

Unfortunately, I learned these lessons the hard way.

On September 12th 2015, my five roommates and I decided to throw a party to celebrate being reunited after a long summer apart from each other. We originally invited approximately 50 people. The party began to spiral out of control after word of the celebration spread on multiple

social media platforms. By the end of the night the party was exceptionally large. There was over 250 people scattered throughout our house, adjacent properties, and onto a busy street. Police arrived after receiving multiple noise complaints from our neighbors. Several of the attendees were charged with public intoxication, before we were told that we had to shut the party down. To my roommates and I, we didn’t think this night was any di�erent from the previous parties we had hosted.

This feeling changed three months later when my three of my roommates received fines under the Excessive Noise Prevention by-law totaling $1,058. This by-law was recently updated due to the ongoing noise complaints in the Wolfville area. For first time o�enders the fine is $352.50, but can increase up to $1157.50 for repeat o�enders. Many students can relate to the fact that it would be

very hard to pay these fines on a strict student budget.

Looking back, I would have done whatever I could to pay the fine, because my punishment was much worse. I was charged with Mischief, which is defined by the Criminal Code of Canada as anyone who willingly: A. Destroys or damages property B. Renders property dangerous, useless, inoperative or ine�ective C. Obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property D. Obstructs, interrupts or interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property As an individual who has never had any run-ins with the police before this incident, it was frightening to know that this was all caused by my roommates and I deciding to host a party that got out of control.

It was even more frightening to know that I could poten-

tially have a criminal record during the most important years of my life. After researching the e�ect of having a criminal record, the information I found was shocking. A criminal conviction, or even a discharge where you’re found guilty but not convicted, could restrict your ability to travel abroad. This means that some countries, including the United States, could refuse you entry. Additionally, a criminal record could prevent you from obtaining a job in a chosen field. Many professional bodies require that their employees be of “good character” and may reject applicants convicted of certain crimes. These consequences would have a profound e�ect on a recently graduated students looking start a careers in their respective fields. To determine whether you receive a criminal record or not, you must first go through the criminal justice process. This includes finding a lawyer, having your mug shot taken, getting finger printed, and showing up to multiple court dates. As you read my story you might think that you have never heard of something like this happening. The truth is that stories such as mine are going to become more prevalent as the town of Wolfville ramps up their e�orts to control the disconnect between students and full time residents.

By telling my story and explaining the consequences of my actions I hope to prevent Acadia’s o�-campus students from making similar mistakes. The key to preventing being issued a monetary fine or charged with a summary o�ence is to be conscious and realistic. Remember, we are not only students, but also Wolfville residents, and we want to maintain and preserve positive relationships within the community. Many students are only part-time residents of Wolfville; for many more people, this is their home. It is the place they choose to start families, raise children, or enjoy retirement.

Students must learn to respect their neighbors because it is just as much their town, as it is ours. Please talk to your neighbours before having a party and be reasonable with noise levels. For further information regarding the Excessive Noise Prevention Bylaw, feel free to visit the Acadia Student Union Website or The Acadia O� Campus Students Facebook page.

ath athnews

www.theath.ca

WORLD WIDE WEB OF CRIME Allison Smith News Editor

The Internet is a wide and wonderful world where you can talk to anyone, be anyone, buy anything, or see any place with only the click of a button. But there is a sinister side to the World Wide Web that escapes most people and only pops its head up from time to time, such as when you click a very realistic pop up on your computer while streaming Game of Thrones and end up talking to a guy in Pakistan who claims giving him your credit card number will make your computer run faster. Embarrassing. And every so often cyber crime makes it to the world stage, like when WikiLeaks revealed Hillary Clinton’s private emails during the campaign supposedly thanks to Russian Intelligence Agencies in an attempt to interfere with the American election. There is an underground world of cyber crime that we as users of the Internet encounter every day, without any knowledge of it and it is growing.

Ron Deibert is a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Canada Centre for Global Security Studies and the Citizen Lab at the Monk School of Global A�airs, University of Toronto. Citizen Lab is a project that marries the world of computer programming and analysis with the world of social and political analysis. Through this program Ron Deibert has delved in to the world of cyber crime far deeper than most of us think possible. When Ron Deibert came to Acadia to give the H.T. Reid Lecture on October 21, he shed some light into the dark corners of the Internet, which I will share with you here.

For me, one of the most chilling things about cyber espionage is just how simple it is. As someone who struggles to update her own laptop, it never occurred to me that the guy in the cubicle next to me in the library could be hacking my computer, much less a computer around the world. But it is people like the guy next to me, any person and every person, that can have access to the means to com-

mit cyber crimes. For example, Ghost RAT (Remote Access Trojan) is a tool that allows a hacker to access and export files on any computer they have access to, from anywhere. This tool can be downloaded o� the Internet.

This means that the guy next to me really can access another my computer remotely.

It was these kinds of people who invented Koobface.

Koobface is a cyber espionage enterprise. It works through a system of Trojan horses and viruses that infects unsuspecting Facebook users. Essentially a “friend” already infected by Koobface would send you a link you can’t resist (ie: OMG look at this naked picture of you!).

Once you click on the link you are entwined in their web. Viruses redirect you to webpages that send Koobface money for every click, many of which are fake cyber crime enterprises themselves. Koobface entwined people from all over the world into its web before Citizen Lab found the masterminds behind this cyber plot: five Russians in a basement raking in millions of

FORTY, FERTILE, AND THRIVING Sarah Bachar Contributor

Older moms are the new normal. Maritimer Meagan Campbell highlights recent Statistics Canada findings that claim that “for the first time in recorded Canadian history, mothers over 40 are officially having more kids than teens are.” While this may come as a shock to many, Demographers have allegedly been anticipating this trend since its gradual emergence in 1974.

In the medical community, women who have children over the age of 40 have been dubbed “mothers of advanced maternal age,” and their pregnancies are often referred to as “geriatric.”

Many, including Elizabeth Gregory, a professor at the University of Houston, attribute this cultural and medical shift towards delayed motherhood to that of new technologies, wherein women can control their fertility in ways which they could not have before.

Along with medical innovations increasing delayed parenthood, social factors too play an important role, as our society has be-

come increasingly accepting of women’s choice to delay having children, or to choose not to have children at all.

But not only are women choosing to have children later, it seems that teenagers have simultaneously been experiencing a decline in pregnancy rates.

A Canadian research report called “Sexuality and U” attributes these trends in teen pregnancy to be reflective of “increasing levels of effective contraceptive use, greater access to reproductive health services, exposure to higher quality sexual health education, and/or a shifting of social norms in a direction that provides greater support for young women’s capacity to exercise reproductive choice.”

It is important to note that while these trends of birth are reflective of a national trend, it must be taken into consideration the vast differences between the statistics seen nationwide, and their application to areas in which we live.

Based on research by the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, in Nova Scotia (and in most

of Atlantic Canada) we have seen teenage birth/abortion rates rising (by 15.1%) in the period of 2006-2010, whereas in other areas of the nation these rates have been declining considerably. So while in Canada teen pregnancy is in general on the decline, these statistics are not reflective of Nova Scotia or what you

dollars between games of World of Warcraft.

It gets better though.

Once Citizen Lab found the culprits they sought to turn them to the justice system. This is new territory for the justice system though. Where do you turn in Russian criminals committing crimes in multiple countries without leaving Russia, who were found by citizens of Canada? Not the justice system, but the private sector.

Frustrated with the public sectors inaction on cyber crime, private companies are taking matters like Koobface into their own hands. By publicly exposing Koobface companies can create anti-virus softwares that will prevent Koobface from working so openly. However, Deibert doesn’t expect the criminals to ever be prosecuted by public courts. There is simply no jurisdiction for it.

This isn’t the end though. Russian gamers tricking global citizens into giving away a couple dollars is not the darkest corner of this underground world. Cyber crime gives hackers access to any information they want. And with knowledge comes power and with power comes politics.

Governments around the globe

are starting to realize how the Internet can be used for political gain. For example, Chinese hackers employed by the government sent emails to government o�cials of Tibet, that when opened gave them access to the contents of their computers, much like Koobface, then exported these documents through social media platforms to hide their trail. There are cyber armies popping up, like the Islamic Republic. Russia even used hacking in the 2009 war against Georgia in order to plan ground attacks after hacking into Georgia’s plans of war. Cyber espionage is a tool for more than just making a couple bucks when employed by governments, especially autocratic regimes.

However, government’s using cyber espionage in acts of war still isn’t the worst part. The worst part is that there is no structure in place to regulate the Internet, protect its users, prevent espionage, or penalize cyber criminals. The Internet is a global phenomenon. It knows no boundaries and it knows no law – yet. Sooner or later, the freedom of the World Wide Web may come at a hefty price.

may have personally observed or experienced.

In a perfect world, women could have it all, but in reality it often comes down to the choice between having children and establishing a career. While it is now possible for a number of Canadian women to become mothers of advanced maternal age, it cannot be ignored the extreme privilege associated with this phenomenon — as fertility

treatments are highly costly, and not available to all.

Pregnancies among women over the age of 40 are increasingly seen among women of higher socioeconomic status, who wait until establishing their careers before turning to motherhood, which is a luxury afforded to few.

Photo by: Kamryn Minors

November 22nd, 2016

3

athwriteforit

4

Issue 79.4

www.theath.ca

ath athfeatures

www.theath.ca

GOOD CREDIT, BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT: Things Students Should Know Kartina Kwan Features Editor For many undergraduate students, attending university is one of the first times living away from home. Some of the privileges of being an independent adult are a lack of bedtimes, doubling your helping of dessert, and paying your own bills with that shiny new credit card of yours. But what is credit? Why is it important?

Surely credit scores aren’t that much of a concern when you’re only a young student, right?

Credit, in its essence, is imaginary money. You never get to physically touch those dollars.

They exist only as numbers associated to a plastic card. However, this does not mean that it is free. It can be seen as a very small loan from your bank given to you on good will, and you can access these funds when necessary through the use of a credit card. Some banks allow credit values from a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars. When you’re a student, though, it’s more likely that you’ll be approved for a credit card in the hundreds range. Whatever you choose to spend, you have to pay back to the bank. This is obviously a pretty sweet deal because you can now make immediate purchases and pay the bank back at a future time.

So where is the downside? The downside is that if you fail to pay the banks back, that’s when the interest hits you. And depending on how prepared you are, that interest can hit you pretty hard and begin to a�ect your credit score. I’ll get to the issue of credit score a little later.

Let’s say that you have a credit card limit of $100 (let’s use nice small numbers for example’s sake). You’ve spent $100 on a week’s worth of groceries, and for some reason you cannot pay the bank back $100 on time. Your credit card has an interest rate of 10%. This means you will owe an additional $10 on top of what you already owe on your next credit card bill. Now, I know that $10 may seem like a measly sum, but this is money that you could have avoided paying entirely. Not to mention, these numbers aren’t entirely realistic. If you’ve got a credit card

Sam. Both Bob and Sam regularly ask to borrow your bike to get in and out of town. Bob is incredibly responsible with borrowing your bike. He uses it when he needs to run errands and brings it back to you in pristine condition. Sam, on the other hand, borrows your bike whenever he so pleases and often forgets where he puts it, and when it does come back to you it’s missing parts.

One day, both Bob and Sam ask to borrow your shiny new car.

Who would you rather say yes to? Would you say yes to your friend with the good track record, or the bad one?

blue, to borrow your car, how are you supposed to determine if he is responsible enough or not? A reasonable person would feel incredibly i�y about saying yes. Having no credit can be just as bad as bad credit.

In a similar way, a credit score is the bank’s track record. You may be a student now and owning your own car, business, or home isn’t that important to you at the moment.

One day, however, you just might go into the bank to ask for a car loan or mortgage. Depending on whether or not you have a good credit score will determine either your loan’s approval or denial. But let’s go back to the scenario where you don’t bother getting and using a credit card out of concern that you may lower your credit score. Having no credit established is like having no track record. If your third friend Will You have two friends, Bob and asks you, completely out of the

1.

Think of a credit card as a two-step debit card. Try to use your credit card only when you know you have money in your savings or chequing account to immediately pay that sum back. This way, you’re using your credit and creating a track record, as well as paying back what you owe to avoid interest build up.

with a limit that is significantly higher $100, this will obviously reflect in what you’ll owe in interest if you fail to pay. If you fail to pay the $110 that you owe next month, an addition 10% will be added. You now owe the bank $121 and so on and so forth. If you repeatedly spend up to your limit and fail to make minimum payments, your credit score will start to su�er.

You’re probably thinking, “I’ll just avoid all of this hassle and not get a credit card. This way I’ll never miss a payment, pay interest, and avoid lowering my credit score. I’ll just pay everything in cash.” In some ways, I would agree that this is clever.

However, credit is important for several reasons. Think of establishing credit as a stepping stone towards bigger and better things. If you never miss a payment and use your credit for a long time, this establishes a “good” credit score with the bank. On the other hand, if you regularly miss payments, this establishes a “bad” credit score with the bank. But why does this matter? Allow me to present to you a scenario:

The process of owning a credit card for the first can be incredibly intimidating for students because they may not understand entirely its implications.

This article so far has discussed interest, credit scores, and what not to do. But what are some of the things that students can do to help improve and maintain good credit?

2.

Pick a credit card that’s right for you. Not all credit cards are the same. Some have higher or lower interests, higher or lower credit limits, di�erent annual fees, di�erent rewards and so on. Don’t be afraid to go speak with one of your bank advisors to help de-

termine which card best suits your needs.

3.

Check your credit card balance regularly. This will help you to determine how much credit you have left to avoid overspending. Exceeding credit limits often comes with hefty penalty fees which is included when interest is charged after missed payments.

4.

Do your best to avoid big purchases. Emergency spending is a completely different case. Things happen, and having a credit card there to help you out of a tough spot is always a great thing. Spending money on a new television or expensive pair of boots is probably not a priority.

5.

Do not co-sign for your friends (even if they are your BFF). Co-signing for your family is a di�erent scenario.

The reason why you shouldn’t co-sign for friends is because it’s di�cult to determine if they are a Bob, Sam, or Will with concern to their spending habits. If they end up being a Sam and have substantial amounts of money owing, as co-signor you may be held responsible for paying o� that debt if your friend fails to do so after a certain period of time.

Photo by: Anthony Chu

November 22nd, 2016

5

athfeatures

www.theath.ca

KENTVILLE SHELTER PROJECT Chloë Betuik Contributor

Homelessness is an issue which faces many youth in the Annapolis Valley. On any given night, it is estimated that between 58-70 youth in the Annapolis Valley experience homelessness, not including those currently in the Child Welfare or foster care system. There is little awareness of this issue and this stems in part from the fact that visible homelessness (ie. unsheltered, in cars, parks, tents, etc) is not the main issue for youth. Hidden homelessness contributes largely to youth homelessness with 18-30

year olds couchsurfing or staying temporarily with friends, family, or others because they have no immediate prospect of permanent housing. There is no emergency youth shelter in the valley, which puts youth more at risk of being or remaining in unsafe situations. Youth may also relocate to Halifax in attempts to find support or shelter, which may result in further unsafe situation if they are unsuccessful.

The Portal Youth center is an outreach program located in Kentville designed to give youth a safe space where they can responsibly “deal with their stu�”. They

work with youth who are (or are at risk of becoming) homeless.

Russell Sanche, a founding member of the organization, spoke to me about some of the individuals who have come through his doorsof The Portal. One young man, Matt (name changed for privacy), was described as lacking the resources to deal with his mental health issues. This drove him to substance abuse and subsequently away from his parents and towards depression and suicidal thoughts. His issues escalated until he was connected to The Portal. Their support facilitated family intervention, community engagement and connections to

the mental health assistance he needed.

The Shelter Project is an awareness and fundraising event to help end youth homelessness in the Annapolis Valley. If you are in Kentville between November 14th and 19th you will see a makeshift shelter being built at 437 Main Street (beside Independent Grocery). It will be a powerful image that represents the struggle of youth homelessness. Individuals are being invited to experience being in the cold from 5 PM on the 17th to the morning of the 19th. Portal Youth Centre sta� and volunteers and concerned residents of the Annapolis Valley will join together to raise awareness and take steps to end youth homelessness.

Consider joining us in one of these ways: Take a shift staying in the shelter during the day or night Come with a friend and seek some information about youth homelessness Share the information to increase the awareness Donate money towards our Emergency Fund for Youth Start a conversation in your circle of friends to make a change in awareness For more information or to sign up to do a shift in the shelter visit: www.portalyouth.ca.

MY MOST UNCOMFORTABLE FIRST DATE Anonymous Contributor

We’ve all been there: you slip on your cutest shirt and narrow your eyes at your reflection in the mirror. Do I need another coat of lipstick? No. Stop worrying. Just as I was experiencing this the doorbell rang, and what ensued will go down in history as the worst date I have ever been on. Norman was an attractive guy who went to my high school.

We had never talked before, but our friend circles orbited each other so closely that I knew of him, and he knew of me. He was well dressed, smart, artistic, and he seemed pretty cool over text.

When I answered the door, I was reminded why I agreed to go on a date in the first place: boys are cute. Maybe I’ll find love.

Besides, there’s nothing wrong with using human interaction to distract from the tedium of everyday responsibilities and constant existential dread in the meantime.

He met my mom and the two friends she had over for a book club meeting. I felt proud to be showing o� such a fine catch, like a farmer displaying their prize hog at the county fair. Look at me, guys. Going on a real date.

With a guy who has a real job and wears a watch and cardigans.

I’m a grown up, too! As I strutted out the front door with Norman by my side, I began to feel more optimistic about putting myself out there. We approached his car parked on the side of the road, and he even opened the door for me. I made a conscious e�ort not to think it was weird.

I hadn’t noticed anything about his car until he advised me not to mind the rattling coming from the dashboard, and that it would be fixed as soon as the “custom Mustang part” he ordered came

6

Issue 79.4

in. Emphasis on the Mustang.

Cool, man.

He asked me what I wanted to do, and, like a girl, I said “it’s up to you!” thinking he would suggest we drive to a scenic spot and talk, get a co�ee or a drink, or even food. Instead, he said “Actually, there’s a car that I’ve been wanting to look at for a long time at the Audi dealership.

Let’s go there!” and took o�.

Okay, so he’s pretty into cars. No big deal. Again, I tried to be open-minded. As we drove to the dealership, Norman engaged in some light bragging about his knowledge of cars, the status of his pre-ordered 2018 Tesla electric car, and how much he cared about the environment. I sensed his heart was in the right place, but I didn’t really know what to say. He seemed very impressed with himself.

We slowly cruised past car after expensive car, and all the while the conversation was so one-sided he may as well have been talking to himself. At one point he acknowledged my lack of interest in the subject, and I laughed apologetically.

“Yeah, I’m not very well versed on the subject. But these cars are really cool!”

My comment fell flat, and as it echoed through the car I realized that my tone of voice contained a twinge of condescension, as if I were talking to a kid about his race cars. I started to feel bad, but then it fully dawned on me how weird it was for a guy to take his date to a car dealership and talk at her about a subject she clearly has no grasp on for upwards of 20 minutes.

As we exited the lot and continued driving around the city, Norman continued on to another topic: his ex-girlfriend.

He informed me that they had just finalized their breakup the

previous Sunday afternoon. I thought back to that Sunday, and realized that he had already asked me on this very date by then. I cringed. Though my initial reaction was annoyance, I couldn’t help but think that, as someone who has been through a nasty breakup myself, I could appreciate that sometimes these things take time. In the end I decided I was glad he was so forthcoming and honest, and lamented the other, much longer relationships I’ve had with people who did not value those qualities.

Anyway.

As Norman wrapped up his drawn out and detailed recap of his most recent and raw heartbreak, I was confused to say the least. Why was I here? Was this even a date? Was I under the wrong impression here?

No. His text said “date”.

Nervously, I commented on something I had picked up on throughout our conversations, to change the subject. “So, you’re pretty close with your mom, huh?”

His whole demeanour changed. He seemed brighter.

And somehow, a little smug. “My family is pretty cool, obviously.”

He remarked grandly, smiling like Mona Lisa. I suppressed a cringe. “My mum is my best friend. I work for her company and we both work at home, so we’re together all day, every day.

She’s a pretty amazing woman. I like girls who see that too.”

My heart felt confused.

This is sweet, right? Why does it sound creepy to me? Am I a pervert?!

But listening to Norman continue to describe he and his mother’s relationship, the more I became strangely aware of an almost reverent yet strangely manipulated adoration for his

mother. He described he and his mother’s trip to Europe for work when he was 18, and how they slept in the same bed in their hotel. It did not sit right when I heard it, and it still doesn’t.

This was essentially the lowest point of the evening. I was rendered speechless by almost everything he said. I wanted to go home. I yawned widely and stretched my arms. Transitioning smoothly from yawn to words, I said “Aaaanyway. I’m pretty tired, would you take me home now?”

He took me home. I was in the home stretch, and I acted like it. As he was turning left onto my street he was asking questions about my previous relationships. I did not care to share, and I said so. I tried my hardest to say it in the nicest voice possible but I still felt guilty about my rudeness.

He got out of the car to hug me when we arrived at my house. I briskly hugged back and rushed into my house, calling out “I will!” when he suggested I text him later.

Now in the house, I exhaustedly flopped down on the love-seat across from my mom.

I assume my face said it all. She tilted her head sympathetically and said “No, huh?” I shook my head with mock solemnity and then burst into hysterical laughter. I was having trouble believing I had experienced such a prolonged period of discomfort in a small car with Norman and not lost my mind sooner. I jokingly remarked that I never should have put myself out there in the first place, but it sounded kind of dark out loud.

Some may wonder why I didn’t trust my instincts sooner and stop pretending to be interested. And to those, and

the people who will think I was a judgmental bitch, I say this: I don’t know. I do not know why this happened to me. I should not have been in this situation in the first place, because I should have figured it out sooner. This guy… he’s weird as hell. Yeah, I said it. Norman, if you are out there reading this (which I sincerely hope you aren’t and if you are, I hope you were fooled by the pseudonym I gave you), you are a weird guy.

Don’t talk down to a girl about cars when she clearly is not interested (this includes taking your date to slowly drive by cars you think are cool). Do not be a braggy asshole about all the money you kept hinting you had the entire time. Don’t.

Talk. About. Your. Ex. This is a date. If you aren’t paying me for therapy, you are not entitled to spew your stylized rhetoric about moral values and grand views on love, and certainly not on the first date. Do not expose yourself as a momma’s boy in the most concerning of ways, well, like, ever. Get help. I can’t help you!

My life is a mess too!

I’m not really sure why I wrote this. Mostly because I just had to get it out there. This “date” left me feeling very unclear about what happened, and I think clarity has come from my realization through writing this that this is a really funny story.

And that’s what most romantic endeavours will be to me someday. Or any type of relationship, for that matter. Things certainly did not feel great at the time.

It’s happened before, and it will happen again. But, just as before, I made it through, like humans do. I can see the humour in it now. And if that’s what happens in the grander scheme of life, I’m okay with it.

ath athfeatures

www.theath.ca

FLU SEASON IS BACK: MUSKRAT FALLS Remember to Bundle Up! Katrina Kwan Features Editor The leaves are changing colour and there’s a chill in the air. Both are signs of fall being in full-swing and the dreadful arrival of everybody’s favourite time of year: flu season.

It goes without saying that if you have a cold, cover your mouth by coughing or sneezing into your elbow. This will help to prevent the spread of germs to those in your immediate vicinity. Wash your hands before you eat and after you’ve used the restroom.

Take note of the numerous hand-sanitizing stations located around campus, and take the opportunity to kill as many harmful germs on

your hands as possible. Most importantly, if you’re feeling ill, just stay home and get as much rest as possible. This is a good idea for two reasons: you will feel better much faster, and you will not spread your germs to your classmates. You can always ask a classmate to send you the notes if you’re that concerned about missing class!

If you’re prone to feeling under the weather, then hopefully you had the chance to drop by the main level of the ASU’s Students Center to get your flu shot. If you were unable to visit the flu clinic, there are still plenty of options available to you to ensure that you stay healthy this upcoming winter season. You can book an ap-

TIP YOUR SERVER Anonymous Contributor

I am one of many students here at Acadia University that also dedicates a handful of hours a week to a part-time job. I currently hold a position as a server at one of the locally loved restaurants here in Wolfville.

I chose to get a part-time job partially because a little extra pocket money is nice to have, but also because I am not in a financial situation that allows me to go to school without the worry of crushing student debt. Getting a part-time job seemed like the most viable option to slowly but surely pay back at least a small portion of my student loans. Working in the service industry has taught me a great many things: how to multi-task efficiently, time management skills, and most of all patience.

Patience, I would argue, is a necessity in this industry for a great number of reasons. It’s a skill that you need to learn in the service industry, which runs on the mantra “the customer is always right.” To a large extent, I can understand this. People are out to have a good time to spend their own hard earned dollars on delicious meals and drinks.

As a waitress, it’s my job to

UPDATE

pointment at the Acadia Student Health Clinic online, over the phone, or in person. There are also several o�-campus options such as the Mud Creek Medical Co-op located on Elm Daniel Allen Avenue and the Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Contributor Centre located on Earnscli�e Amidst the growing Avenue.

The Acadia Student Health Clinic is open Monday through Friday at 9:00 am, their entrance located on the west side of Dennis House. The clinic also o�ers appointments with nurses who can address a wide variety of concerns such as morning after pills, sexual healthy questions, pregnancy tests, STI testing, travel vaccine injections, and other injections such as B12 and Gardasil. The clinic is available to any Acadia student who wishes to take the necessary precautions to be healthy and happy. For any other questions, the clinic can be contacted at (902) 585-1238.

make sure that this kind of ple believe that it’s not manenvironment is available so datory to tip. Servers should that you may enjoy yourself. get paid the minimum wage and should be paid for this I will go out of my way to work. It’s their job. I agree make sure that you have ev- that this is indeed true. I erything you could possible will have you know that it want and then some. I know does hurt. When I have an when to drop off extra nap- incredibly disagreeable takins without being asked, ble who doesn’t tip, it hurts.

I will grab you some more Snapping their fingers to ketchup, I will bring your get my attention, shouting soda refills before you’re “where’s our food?” across completely finished your the restaurant, mumbling first round, I will take you and avoiding eye contact, to a table by the window / snapping orders at me to near the bar / by a television make the food arrive fastif you so requested. I will er or hotter, wanting the bring your food out as soon cheque now because they’re as it’s on the kitchen line, I running late for a meeting, will ask you how you’re en- asking me to bring them joying the meal a few min- things over and over and utes later. I will be prompt, over again even though I ask polite, perfectly pleasant. every time if there is anything else.

I genuinely enjoy the work that I do and I’m happy to Servers could very well just help out my guests. I would take orders, drop the food describe myself a people- off, and leave guests be until person and a people-pleas- it was time for the cheque. er. If I serve my table and This isn’t the case, however. exceed experience expecta- Servers go above and beyond tions, I am rewarded for my to make sure that restaurant efforts with a reasonable guests are provided the extip. If I do poorly (and there perience that they deserve. are certainly days when I Above and beyond. I can’t do better or worse), the tip even begin to count the will reflect this fact. I expect number of time that I have to be treated as kindly as I had to put up with harasstreat my guests, and this ment from unruly guests often reflects in a wonderful to make sure that they still experience for both guest have a good time. In a uniand server. versity town, I understand that not everybody is in the I understand that some peo- position financially to spend

chaos that the mains t r e a m m ed i a i s b e coming post-election, many news outlets h a v e o v e r l o o k ed o n g o i n g u n r e s t i n N ew foundland over the Muskrat Falls Project.

This project, funded b y t h e g o v er n m e n t a n d c o n s t r uc t ed b y N a l c o r E n er g y , N ew f o u n d land and Labrador’s, m a i n ut i l i t i e s c o m p a n y . T h e p r o j e c t i t s el f i s a h y d r o e l ec t r i c d e velopment in central N ew f o u n d l a n d , a n d i s p r o j ec t ed t o p r o d u c e 824 MW of electricity that will be distributed a l o n g t h e m o r e t h a n

the extra couple of dollars to tip a server. But if this is indeed the case, why are you spending your money eating out at all?

This message is coming from a fellow student, a fellow worker, a fellow human.

The service industry can be a hard one in a “the customer is always right” environment, especially when your efforts go ignored. I judge my peers by the way they treat service staff, and I am glad to say that most are passing with flying colours.

There are those select few, however, that I recognize walking around me when I’m going to class. Out of uniform, you may not know who I am, but I know you. I know you and the way you treat somebody who is in a position of subordination.

It says a lot about you and your character. So, please, tip your server.

1 6 0 0 km o f p o w e r l i n es t o t h o u s a n d s o f h o m es i n N ew f o u n d l a n d a n d Labrador.

The project not only i n c l u d es a L a b r a d o r I s land link to transmit power from the mainland, but also a maritime link so that this m a s s i v e h y d r o el ec t r i c d ev e l o p m e n t c a n s en d ex c es s e n e r g y a l l t h e w a y h er e t o t h e M a r i t i m es , c r ea t i n g a n A t l a n t i c p o w er s h a r i n g grid.

P r o t es t s h a v e b ee n u n d er w a y s i n c e t h e b e ginning of the project b e c a u s e o f t h e t h r ea t caused by construction t o t h e ec o s y s t e m s t h a t t h e l o c a l I n u i t p eo p l es r el y u p o n f o r t h ei r l i v e lihood. The construction of the dam requires the flooding of a r es e r v o i r l o c a t ed a t t h e Muskrat Falls Project s i t e. T h i s f l o o d i n g w i l l cause m et h y l m e r c u r y contamination, to the point that a local Inui t ’ s i n t a k e o f t h e c h em ical could more than double by the complet i o n o f t h e p r o j ec t .

I n r e c en t w e ek s , t h e Nunatsiavut Governm en t , NunatuKavut Community Council, and the Innu Nation r ea c h e d a n a g r e em en t with Nalcor which det er m i n ed t h a t i n i t i a l f l o o d i n g w o u l d b e n ec es s a r y f o r t h e p r o j e c t t o c o n t i n u e , bu t f l o o d i n g m u s t b e k ep t t o a 23-metre limit. Despite this a g r e em e n t bet w e en o f f i c i a l s , t h e r e are protestors still on t h e g r o u n d i n M u s kr a t Falls organizing hung er s t r i ke s , w a l k- o u t s , and more demonstrations against the projec t t h a t s h o w s n o s i g n s of stopping anytime soon.

November 22nd, 2016

7

athcreative

www.theath.ca

Untitled Chris McEwnen

The Statue’s Song Hayley Phoenix

He was drugs and drugs were him. They were circling through his system as oxygen would. He floated among the clouds as the drugs su�ered the day. When the drugs came back home and put their head on the pillow, he came falling from those clouds, crashing against the bed where his body sleeps. The drugs then get up and leave, leaving him alone. He would toss and turn.

Toss and turn.

Toss and turn.

No sleep. He wanted the drugs to come back and rock his aching mind and body back to sleep. He wanted the to come back and distract his mind from those horrifying thoughts and memories that circulated in his head. His mind gave him not one moment of peace.

6 hours of this.

No, he could not do it, but he must. He must. He needs a break from drugs, to show himself and others he did not need them, but he loved them so very much. They were the only things who truly understood him. They were the only things who didn’t judge him. They even took over his body when he asked them to allow him to escape the earthly chains of hell.

Hell. Hell on earth is where he lived. He knew he must get out, but if he left, drugs would be left alone. No one would go talk to them. No one would be friends, then lovers with them as he had become. He could not leave his beloved drugs in this world alone.

But he needs to get out, leave this world for another. He romanticizes it. It must be a bittersweet end. He imagines tasting a bittersweet taste as he leaves this world. If only he was a dog. They have the life: just lie in the sun all day then play and be fed. Not having a single worry in the world. Or a cat, just get drugs and get pampered. It is okay to be a bitch if you are a cat. You are a cat.

It must be nice to have someone look out for you. People around stopped caring. All of them. They did not care what he did with himself. They found out he had started going out with Mary Jane, they all stopped talking to him. Leaving him alone.

Then he started whoring himself out to Acid and Shrooms and Molly. He had a brief encounter with Chris Dolmeth and Mescaline. He then fell in love with several Hashishes: the Afghan, the Nepalese, and the Moroccan. These were his friends, because all the other ones had left. These were his family, because the others did not give a shit. These were his role models, because no one else seemed to show an interest and look out for him.

He should leave. Yes, he should. He did not want to be alone though. He called them all up, begging them to come over. After calling and waiting for an hour, they were all there. His friends. His family. Drugs.

He began to caress and make love to them. Allowing them to enter his body and stay there. He was in his clouds. The drugs had their body. He was drugs and drugs were him.

He placed the metal cylinder into his mouth. The metal tasted bittersweet. He muttered the incomprehensible words, he did not even understand what he had said, but he knew they understood. He closed his eyes. He let a breath out.

Bang.

Let me tell you about the saddest song in the world.

I have heard many songs in my time, from opera houses to cheap taverns. From soaring angelic chorus, to the chitter-chant of demons.

But none are quite so sad or beautiful as this.

It was in a dive bar, the kind of place with neon signs, sticky tables, folks in trench coats, and at least one murder within the last year.

It was my kind of place. But on this day, I had not been planning to stop by. On this day, everything was far too much and I was far too little and all the world sounded like it was being played through cheap speakers.

All I wanted was to sit at the bottom of the river for a few hours to get my breath back.

But on the way to the river, I heard it. A sound like the sky was wailing. A sound like the feeling of mascara running down your face. A sound like if diamonds had a voice.

The singer stood tall in front of the piano, a marble statue carved slowly by the wind.

I’m not being poetic: she was literally a weather-worn statue. She was beautiful.

The audience tastefully averted their eyes as she sang, to preserve the modesty of her stone lips moving. I sat down and placed my hat over my eyes.

By the time the song was done, the tears were ankle deep on the floor.

I approached her at the end. She stood perfectly still as the audience began to

A Crash in the Distance Anonymous Waves crash against the sand in the distance as I look along the beach in the dim, blue light of nautical twilight. I can taste salt on my skin when I lick my dry lips where I had been biting them during the anxieties of the day. The sand feels like ice between my toes as the warmth of the sun dissipates. My dress brushes lightly against my thighs and to stop the tickling I sit down and sink into the dune.

Somewhere a fire burns, adding light to a rapidly darkening scene, but I can’t see it. Knowing it is there however, brings a smile to my lips and I close my eyes to continue listening to the crash of the waves in the distance. When I open my eyes again I find your hand on my shoulder and realize the crash of the waves have climbed further up the beach, and they are not so far in the distance anymore.

Sleep Never Comes Easy Benjamin Pierce Sleep never comes easy. I don’t know if the headache is physical or emotional in nature. My thoughts cause more problems than they solve. I wish someone had understood me 14 years ago when it was going on. I wish I had known I should have told someone. Despite knowing better I still blame myself for the things I did and did not do when I was 5. The pressure I place on the character who lives in my early memories is beyond the expectations I hold for myself today. I wish that he recoiled from the situation I see as I flinch from any motion that bridges the gap in my brain between this little boy and myself. Imagining the di�erent paths that would have been available to the boy in my memories if he had not been taken down the dark and twisted path chosen by someone older and stronger is painful. The marks left on me were not scars, but camouflage. Hiding my emotions from others and myself was a mistake. Is a mistake. Pain is the result, sometimes my own, sometimes for others. Writing is the outlet that hurts the least. I wish I had known that sooner.

Beautiful Kelsey Crosby Look in the mirror and put on your face.

Some waterproof mascara frames each eye because you must be prepared just in case your day turns from bad to worse and you cry.

If a tear should fall, you will have to soothe yourself by feeling the bumps in your braid.

Despite the dips and curves, your hair is smooth.

Use this as fuel -- be proud of what you’ve made.

Take a deep breath, wipe the tears from your shirt.

If not for you, do this for your lover, hide best as you can the fear and the hurt.

Use your appearance, don’t blow your cover.

Look, dress and act as a little cutie.

Isn’t that the true meaning of beauty?

Photo by: Kayla Westhaver-Covin

8

Issue 79.4

ath atharts&culture

www.theath.ca

PROCRASTINATION THE STONER-EST MOVIE? FEEDING Best of Netflix TV Shows Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle Sid Kondapuram Arts Editor

Stoner movies are usually seen as the lowest of comedies, blatantly and shamelessly pandering to mentally stunted adults that are still trying to hold on to their fading adolescence. Well, they are viewed this way by the general public, at least. Although, it holds true that a majority of these movies are stuck in a perpetual cycle of arrested development, packed to the brim with stale humor, with little to no character development (i.e. the likes of Mac and Devin Go To High School, or Bong Water, or Dude Where’s My Car).

I believe that Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle breaks this mold, and you can hold it to the same cinematic standards you would for critically acclaimed comedies like Superbad, Hot Fuzz, or Step Brothers. The movie follows the trials and tribulations of two lifelong friends, Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) and Harold Lee (John Cho), as they smoke marijuana and embark on a journey that may change their life. A journey to get the best darn burgers on this side of the planet: White Castle Sliders. What I find interesting about this movie is that it has a lot of incisive points to make about racism in modern America.

Harold Lee is a meek employee of a nameless business conglomerate, and his co-workers consistently pawn o� their work on him because they believe that

“Chinese people live to work.”

Kumar is stuck in the shadow of his overbearing father, who constantly pesters him to become a doctor. Although this wouldn’t jump to mind when people think of fair representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood, it is refreshing to see Asian Americans represented as real people, having the same vulnerabilities as other people, as opposed to being represented as intelligent stoners that have a point to make about racism (even within the confines of a ‘stoner’ movie). We’re not all convenience store owners, or Taxi drivers, or Doctors. Hey, we like getting stoned and listening to Steely Dan too. If this isn’t enough to bowl you over, Neil Patrick Harris makes an extended cameo in this movie. Portraying a womanizing, drug addled, alcoholic (the man has impressive range) that runs into Harold and Kumar through pure happenstance.

So, you know, watch this movie. Not only is it a refreshing portrayal of Asian-Americans, it’s a salivating documentary on burgers, complete with a very fish out of water cameo by Neil Patrick Harris. This movie may be one of the most wholesome stoner comedies ever made, and can hold a candle in every regard to more serious critically acclaimed comedies.

Andrew Donaldson Contributor If you lack self-control when it comes to being able to shut your computer screen at the end of a long day because you can’t get enough of your new favourite show, I encourage you to stop reading this article right now. I realize that a university education can be very demanding and I would hate to see you struggle to find the time to go to class or finish an assignment. Therefore, if you really need get on that assignment that you’ve been “going to start tomorrow” for the past two weeks, stop reading and get to work.

If, however, you are on top of your work (or simply don’t care about the warning above), you’ve come to the right place. As I sat in bed last night trying to think of a topic for this article, I couldn’t find much current news that inspired me. So, being your typical university student, I flung open my laptop and proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes diving into my latest Netflix addiction, How to Get Away with Murder (on the recommendation of one of my roommates).

As one of the main characters was having her typical high-stress meltdown, it dawned on me what I would do if I were so stressed with school or work that I had a meltdown – watch Netflix! Alas, I got up off the bed and came up with my all-time favourite TV shows on Netflix to share with my fellow struggling students.

DOCUMENTARIES THAT YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING ON NETFLIX Destiny Spicer Contributor

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) This documentary chronicles the life of Andrew Bagby, a man murdered by his ex-lover. Not long after his death, his ex proceeded to announce that she was pregnant with Andrew’s child.

Andrew’s close friend Kurt Kuenne decided to put together a documentary film about Andrew so his son could one day watch it and get to know what his father was like. As time goes on, things slowly begin to grow more apparent and what seems like an already huge tragedy escalates into an even bigger one. You can watch Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father on Netflix.

The Woman Who Wasn’t There (2012) Alicia Esteve Head is a woman claiming to be a survivor of the

September 11th 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. She states that she was on the 78th floor of the South Tower, making her one of the nineteen people that survived near the point of impact of the plane. She proceeded to join the Survivors’ Network Support group and eventually become the president. She was mentioned in many reports about 9/11 and was widely respected for her story of courage, that is until people started to realize that aspects of the story weren’t adding up. You can watch The Woman Who Wasn’t There for a limited time on CBC Life with Murder (2010) In 1998, 18-year-old Jennifer Jenkins was found murdered in her basement. The main suspect was her own brother. Their parents now had to face the reality that both their children would be cruelly stolen from them. They refused to accept this and instead

chose to stand by their son’s side during the trial. Claiming vehemently that he was innocent, even when all the evidence pointed towards him.

You can watch Life With Murder on Netflix.

The Imposter (2012) I’ve saved the best for last: this may be hands-down the best documentary I have ever had the fortune of watching, and the first one my mind would jump to if I were to recommend a documentary to people.

The Imposter follows Frédéric Bourdin, a Spaniard that claims to be a 16-year-old American boy (‘Nick’ Barclay) who had been missing for 3 years. Unbelievably so, the police and Nicholas Barclays family believed that Frédéric was telling the truth. They send Nick’s sister to get him from Spain. If it seems like the story smells a bit fishy, they only get stranger from there. You can watch The Imposter on Netflix.

How to Get Away with Murder As mentioned in the introduction, my latest craze arises from my love of law. Main character Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) is a defense attorney that quickly finds herself in a sticky situation (the first episode foreshadows what is going to happen throughout the first season). This dramatic thriller is perfect for a weekend night, and it dives into the action 3 minutes into the pilot episode. I’m still only on the first season, but as season 3 is currently airing on CTV, I am desperately trying to catch up. A gruesome and bloody series, each episode has Annalise tackle a new criminal case. Episode length: 45 minutes.

The Walking Dead If you haven’t heard of The Walking Dead, there’s really no point in reading this article because you clearly don’t have an interest in television. The Walking Dead is by far the most popular series on television right now, and for good reason. Currently on its 7th season, it’s hard to keep track of all of the characters that have come and gone throughout the years. Don’t get too attached, because they’ll probably die at some point. The show follows the trials of an everchanging group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. Based on the popular comic book series, the costumes and make-up is incredible and as realistic as zombies can look. I suggest starting now so you can catch up by the start of the 8th season! Episode Length: 50-55 minutes.

Prison Break Another one that you should definitely know, Prison Break ended in 2009 after 4 terrific seasons. Ok, maybe 2 ½ terrific seasons with a mediocre (at best) third season, but the others are so good they make up for the disappointment. True to its title, Prison Break follows the story of death row inmate Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and his genius brother Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) as they plot to break out of Fox River Penitentary. Add a little assistance from the prison doctor Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Collins) and they might just me able to pull it off. The people they include in the plan, however, might have a different idea. Episode length: 45 minutes.

Friday Night Lights The first ever show I bingewatched has a soft spot in my heart. Set in Dillon, Texas, the show follows the Dillon Panthers High School Football Team and its diverse set of players. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) takes his team to new heights after losing star quarterback, Jason Street.

The stories of small-town Texas football and the lives of its players is something that everyone can get on board with. It’s half sport, half drama. If the female audience

needs any more convincing, the fact that Taylor Kitsch plays star full back should do the trick. Episode Length: 45 minutes.

Narcos Another one of my latest discoveries (once again thanks to my roommate) is one that I would never have tried on my own, but I am glad that I was encouraged to do so. The show follows infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura), and drug enforcement officers Javier Pena (Pedro Pascal) and Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook), who always seem to be one step behind the cocaine trafficker. This is one show where you can watch an episode and put down for a couple of days, as most of the episodes are separated from one another, making it a great option for casual viewing. Don’t pass this one up next time you see it! Episode length: 45 minutes.

Stranger Things Far and away the most popular new show, Stranger Things just has something about it that makes you want to keep watching non-stop despite increasing your blood pressure exponentially. I still don’t know if I have the entire show figured out or know absolutely nothing about it, but that’s what makes me want to come back for more. Although somewhat out there and strange, the show ties in a realistic approach. Would you judge me if I told you I watched the entire first season (8 episodes x 50 minutes each) in a 24-hour span?

Episode Length: 50 minutes.

Dexter Dexter is probably the closest thing there is to a killer’s perspective of Criminal Minds - Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) works as a bloodspatter analyst with the Miami Metro Police Department. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, he spends his nights ridding the world of killers. Seeking only to kill people that have killed others (making him the Robin Hood of killers) seems a little twisted, doesn’t it? Dexter’s psychopathic tendencies sure are fun to watch unravel throughout the 8 seasons. Episode Length: 50-55 minutes.

Friends Hands-down my favourite show of all time, Friends is set in late 90’s/ early 2000’s New York. This is probably the most easy-to-watch show ever, due to its short episode length, witty humor, and broad appeal.

Friends is the perfect show to watch one episode of before bed, and allows you to skip through to your favourite parts (although I don’t recommend it). The most common rebuttal I hear when advertising this show to others is that they’ve seen too many episodes here and there. The greatest thing about Friends is that you can watch it from start to end (all 10 seasons made up of 20-25 episodes each) a million times and it never gets old. On top of that, the underlying storyline that runs throughout the show is awesome to follow from the start right until the very end. I am currently on the 9th season of watching the entire series for the 5th time – it really is that good!

November 22nd, 2016

9

www.theath.ca

athopinions

AN AMERICAN’S RESPONSE TO THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS Cole Smith Contributor What happens when people become disenchanted with the electoral system and politics, and when bigotry, hatred, and fear-mongering wins? Donald Trump becomes president-elect of the United States. I did not vote for Donald Trump, nor do I think he will be a good president.

As a Vermonter, Hillary Clinton was admittedly not my first choice for president; I would have preferred Bernie Sanders.

But alas, Clinton became the Democratic nominee, and regardless of my disappointment, I chose to support her over Donald Trump. Sadly, as of Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Clinton lost to a crooked demagogue.

Now Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States of America, which is a statement I never thought I would have to say, and I do so embittered and disheartened.

It is not an easy time to be proud to be an American, especially outside of the United States, as a student in Canada. Even within Wolfville and Acadia University, a place which I have called home for the duration of my undergrad, I hear people refer to Americans with disgusting rhetoric because of the election results. I would ask people

10 Issue 79.4

to understand that although many people voted for Trump, many did not.

A Trump presidency gives me reason for fear for many reasons. He is a denier of climate change in a time where the world cannot afford such ignorant belief. He has even said on Twitter, “it’s freezing and snowing in New York – we need global warming!” (November 7, 2012) It needs to be understood that global warming is not positive.

Climate change is a real and persistent threat to the future of humanity and the world cannot survive continued ignorance on the matter.

LGTBQ+ and women’s rights are now under greater threat. He has said intolerable things and made horrible claims to both demographics. His treatment of minorities and nonwhites is atrocious. Yet still he continues not to condemn racist groups.

At one point during a debate, when asked if he was going to reject the support of former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, he said, “I don’t know, did he endorse me or what’s going on, because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke.

I know nothing about white supremacists.

And so you’re asking me a question that I’m

supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about.” (CNN’s State of the Union) No one should have to stop and think about whether to reject the support of a hate group. Furthermore, what he has said about Muslims is despicable, and his idea of stopping the entrance of Muslims into the U.S. goes against the nation’s principles of religious freedom. His o�ensive comments are not limited to Islam either, as he has made a mockery of other religions as well.

Throughout this election, I have been shocked that any woman could support Trump. I truly do not understand why they would, after the things he has done and said. He made the incredibly inappropriate comment, “if Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her,” on The View in 2006. Trump has even stated in a recording where he was talking to Billy Bush, that he has acted in ways akin to a sexual predator.

Countless women have come forward to discuss the horrible things he has done. On Twitter on May 7, 2013, regarding sexual assault in the military, Trump said, “26,000 unreported sexual ass[a] ults in the military-only 238 convictions. What

did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?”

Sorry, Mr. Trump, but it is possible for men and women to work together without there being sexual assault. His despicable nature knows no bounds, and he has also made disgusting claims regarding his views on women’s reproductive rights. I cannot understand why anyone would support someone so vile towards women.

For supporters of Trump who say good will come from his presidency, I cannot agree. I only hope that his presidency can be somewhat moderated by “more sensible Republicans.” Of course, for that moderation to work he would have to find a Republican that he has not insulted. It is distressing to think what he could do. He will have the ability to nominate a new justice to the Supreme Court, someone who could theoretically make Antonin Scalia look like Bernie Sanders. Hopefully he will not drive the United States into bankruptcy as he has some of his businesses. The foreign policy possibilities are deeply troubling. His relationship with Putin is extremely questionable, although the two seem to share similar views on human rights.

Trump has said during a presidential debate that, “I would bring back wa-

terboarding and I’d bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.”

(ABC News’ Republican Presidential Debate) Hopefully he does not initiate any more wars for the U.S., although when asked if he would go to war against China, he said “Who knows?”

(New York Times) Unfortunately, this election has given legitimacy to the far-right around the world, a truly disturbing thought. France now has to consider the legitimacy of its own ultra-conservative demagogue, Marine Le Pen. The United Kingdom has also su�ered the rise of the far-right with the rise of the UKIP (UK Independence Party) under Nigel Farage, and the employment of conservatives Theresa May and Boris Johnson to two prominent government positions, PM and Foreign Secretary. Overall, the far-right has gained momentum throughout much of Europe and the world.

Although Trump has been elected president, it does not mean people should stand idly by and wallow in the consequences of his presidency. Stand up for what you believe in. It is the prerogative of the people, no matter the country, to defend what is right.

I would urge anyone, if there is a cause you truly care about, to support it.

My one hope for Donald Trump is that one day he will understand that fear and hate cannot win.

ath athopinions

www.theath.ca

UNDERSTANDING OUR UNION: And Why You Should Care Christine Moreau Contributor Let’s start out by getting one thing straight, you are a member of our Students’ Union. Part of your fees are Union fees, just like you would pay union dues if you were in a labour union.

That said, as I found out this past Friday morning, pretty much no one on campus knows what our Students’ Union is or does. Friday morning, I pounded the pavement (a reporting term I learned from Supergirl on the CW) to find out what students knew about our union and how they felt about it. I asked 20 random students around the library, the SUB, on the hill, and at Meal Hall a few questions and the results were very similar, along the lines of

“I don’t know much about it.”

Now before I hear the cry of people everywhere saying “But 20 people isn’t a representative sample!” I would like to point out that the representative council in which all the power of our Union is vested, consists of 18 voting members. So, really, these 20 random students were two more than are representing all students on council.

According to our constitution, the people that make the decisions on our Union are the Student Representative Council (SRC). This council is where all the power of our Union sits. A Union is not a business where executives make decisions and then pass them down the chain to the other members. However, if you absolutely have to make a business comparison

process stands for our Union as topic, you are welcomed at the well.

SRC meetings. These meetings take place most Tuesday’s at Just as many people may have 5:30, however the next couple (please don’t, it’s not accurate felt that my 20 students, who weeks will not have meetings. to compare the two) I suppose echoed that they knew nothing you could say the SRC is sort about the union (but who for One common misconception is of like the Board of Governors the most part still voted), are that because the student body of the Student Union. These a small sample, imagine just elects someone, that person is people are all elected (with two how small 18 students makable to represent students howexceptions, the VP Finance and ing decisions on behalf of every ever they feel like it. This is not Grad Senator) and are responsistudent on campus is. This is true. All members of SRC from ble for representing your voices why you should care about our the President to the councilors on a number of di�erent isUnion. Several meetings ago, to the VP’s are responsible for sues that are brought to Counthe council discussed whether representing the wishes of all cil. The most important part of to Boycott Halifax Pride and students when they make decithe SRC is that every member whether to ban students from sions, not just their own. This has an equal vote. The 5 executhe Axe based on their Hallowis important to keep in mind tive members sit on the SRC but een costume. These decisions because it is our job as general are outweighed by 7 councilors, are made by the 18 present stumembers of this union to hold 4 senators, the Student Board dents on behalf of all students. them accountable to doing so. of Governors Representative, If you would like to have your Justin Trudeau may be elected and the Equity O�cer. Meanvoice heard on these issues or by citizens but that doesn’t ing that the power of the Union any issues brought to council or mean he can go making all of is not vested in the executive if you would like to bring an isCanada’s decisions willy-nilly, team, but a combination of sue to council, I will see you at things need to pass through the elected o�cials who you can the meetings in the Beveridge House of Commons first. While meet with and give feedback forum and would be happy to a government comparison isn’t to. If you aren’t confident that answer any questions you have perfect either, the idea that meeting with someone during about how to get involved! elected members can’t just pass their o�ce hours will accuratethings without going through a ly convey how you feel about a

TO THE ‘NICE GUY’ WHO TRIED TO ‘WALK ME HOME’: A Story About Consent Anonymous That I even went on one date with you was a mistake. It was a Saturday night, I was perusing Tinder, we matched, and then you opened with some horribly misogynistic pick-up line.

I reacted negatively, you called me a bitch, and that should have been the end … but you messaged me the next morning to explain. You were drunk, you’re so sorry, you’re actually a really nice guy, and will I go for co�ee with you so you can make it up to me?

I thought… okay. I overreacted. He was drunk. I’m too judgmental. I’ll give him a second chance. What’s the worst that can happen? So we exchanged numbers.

We met for co�ee, and you were charming enough, but I had a gut feeling. I was thinking about our Tinder conversation from the night before, and wondering how this could be the same guy. We parted ways, and you continued to text me for the next week or so. A LOT. I said, “Hey, I’m not really looking for anything right now, I’m sorry,” and you said, “that’s totally fine, but I think you’re lovely, so let’s be friends!”

You knew the pub I frequented, so you started showing up more and more … I had never seen you there before we met. I’m usually polite to a fault,

so I smiled and listened as you chat-ted me up and introduced me to your friends, but I pulled away when you put your hand on my back. I stopped responding to your messages and deleted my Tinder profile altogether.

And then one day you wanted to know my plans for the night.

I’ll admit that I lied. I told you I was staying in, watching a movie with a friend, a real girls night, etc.

I inevitably ended up at the pub with my friends, and I was enjoying my night out, until I spotted a familiar hat at the bar.

My friend got up to pee, and you immediately slid into her chair next to me.

“I thought I’d find you here. You’ve been ignoring me,” you said, sipping your pint with a smirk.

“Like I said, I’m trying to take things slow right now,” I muttered, caught o� guard by this accusation.

“I’ll let you take it slow, then,” you replied with a knowing smile, before retreating back to your friends, who continued to stare at me for the rest of the night.

I had a weird feeling, so I paid my tab, said goodbye to my friends, and started out on my walk home. I heard the door swing behind me, and footsteps approaching. You asked to bum a cigarette, so I pulled out my pack. You tried to make conversation, but I was shivering

and feeling awkward, so I said “I can’t stay and chat. It’s cold.

I’m tired. Good night,” and then I turned in the direction of home.

But you weren’t so easily put o�. You followed me.

You said, “I’m going to walk you home,” and I said, “I’m okay, but thanks.” You said, “don’t do that feminist thing again,” and I laughed nervously.

It was 1 AM. The street was silent. We were all alone together. I looked at my phone. It was dead.

We got halfway down Main Street, me walking quickly, you trailing behind step for step, and then I finally turned to face you.

I was thinking, I don’t want to lead this guy back to my apartment, but going back to the pub might make it obvious that he’s scaring me. I’ll tell him I’m going to a friend’s house.

“I’m actually going to my friend’s place, so I’ll see you around,” I faltered.

“Where does she live?” you wanted to know.

“I would like to go there alone. Without you.” I said, my agitation rising.

Your presence suddenly seemed big and looming. “You owe me a hug first,” you said, blocking my way with your arms outstretched. I hesitated, and then gave you a quick hug, feeling extremely uneasy. Anything to end this bizarre encounter.

I pulled away, and you had the nerve to say, “No… I need a real hug.”

This was the part where

my level of discomfort peaked.

I said “No. I need to go. Please don’t follow me,” and then I walked as fast as my legs would carry me, up the hill to a friend’s house, where I camped out until I was sure you hadn’t followed me.

The next day, I sent you a message. Our conversation read as follows:

Me: I don’t like that you followed me last night. I don’t know you. I was alone. It made me un-comfortable.

You: Well sorry … not my intention. I can stop talking to you if you want.

Me: I think we should.

You: Well ok lol I wasn’t trying anything but fine lol And then I blocked you.

As a woman living in Wolfville, I’ve never felt unsafe walking home alone at night. I don’t think it’s fair that I should.

I enjoy the walk - it tends to help me sober up and organize my thoughts after a night out, and it’s obviously cheaper than taking a cab. What worries me is that this is the second time a man has o�ered to walk me home and then ignored my refusal, both of whom were essentially strangers. If I had felt unsafe, I would have called a friend, or taken a cab, or maybe even taken you up on your o�er, but by following me home against my wishes, you became the one thing that might

have made me feel unsafe in the first place. Nice guys don’t discount a woman’s comfort level or lack of consent in the pursuit of chivalry. You may have taken my quiet nature or perceived lack of resolve for “Yes” but if you had actually listened to me, my words said “No.” I don’t believe I should have to reach the point at which I’m visibly upset to make that clear. Neither should I have to compromise my own comfort in an e�ort to preserve yours, in worrying that I might o�end you by answering too bluntly to your o�er. Whether or not you intended to make me feel uncomfortable, you did. Whether or not you were trying any-thing is irrelevant beyond that point.

Consent may seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve met plenty of adults who still seem to find it tricky to navigate and implement. So here’s my advice. By all means, o�er to walk people home (or make-out, or have sex, or dance, or hug!) but before you proceed, please make sure that you: Listen to their response, Acknowledge their feelings, and Respect their boundaries. And above all, ask, don’t demand. It’s the di�erence between “Can I walk you home?” and “I’m going to walk you home.” It’s “Can I give you a hug?” versus “You owe me a hug.” You don’t get to de-cide how another person feels about you, but you can decide how you react to it. Be smart, and stay safe!

November 22nd, 2016 11

athopinions

www.theath.ca

OPEN THY WALLET, OPEN THY SOUL Chris Vanderburgh Contributor

The Church has been a prominent entity of power for most of recorded human history and continues to be powerful in much of the world today. As churches evolved from involving small communities in their activities to the massive “televangelist” movements of today, an important policy question has arisen. Should religious organizations and churches pay taxes? There is no place where this has been a more contentious issue than in the United States of America. The land of the free and the home of the brave with their love of liberty and capitalism has decided that churches need not pay tax. 40 percent of Americans going to church weekly makes for an amount of income that could make all twelve disciples snitch on Jesus. In reality it’s not the churches that have a congregation of a hundred people, it’s not even the churches that have congregations of three hundred people - its ministers like Todd Coontz, “whose TV show reaches 90 million homes in the US and over 200 countries abroad …” (which is funny because there

are only 195 independent states and that quote is direct from Todd Coontz’ website).

Or other ministers like Creflo Dollar whose mega church in College Park, Georgia regularly sees upwards of thirty thousand church goers. With a net worth of 27 million, it seems as though Mr. Dollar should be considering changing his name.

So let’s talk about how much the church and those who run them pay in tax. The Internal Revenue Service is the entity in the United States that enforces and reviews the tax laws including federal, state, and local. Their website states that while pastors do have to pay federal income tax, “a licensed, commissioned, or ordained minister may be able to exclude from income the fair rental value of a home (a parsonage) or a housing allowance provided as compensation for ministerial services performed as an employee.” This includes things like repairs, utilities, and many other things around the home that can be excluded from federal income tax. The IRS stipulates that the parsonage must be reasonable compensation for the minister’s work, which is in-

teresting because Creflo Dollar owns a home in Atlanta valued at 2.5 million dollars, a home in Manhattan also valued at 2.5 million dollars, a private jet, and two Rolls Royces. Not that this really matters, because the same IRS document states: “However, you can request an exemption from self-employment tax for your ministerial earnings, if you are opposed to certain public insurance for religious or conscientious reasons.” Basically this allows you to say “I’m not paying self-employment tax because I don’t believe in it.” So how has this particular minister acquired so much wealth for himself? This is where the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) comes into play as it relates to churches themselves.

Churches in the United States are not just tax exempt on revenue - they don’t have to file a tax return at all. This is concerning mostly because other nonprofits in the US and here in Canada have to file publicly available tax returns so that the public knows where the money is going. This means that Creflo Dollar’s church doesn’t have to declare how much they make, what their

assets are, who the money is going to, what they pay employees, or really anything relating to their finances.

Obviously Dollar’s wealth attracted the attention of the Senate Finance Committee in 2007 where they investigated the practices of six televangelists including Mr. Dollar.

Not surprisingly there were no conclusive answers provided by any of the six men present. The committee did however request documents from Dollar including documents on executive compensation. After three years, the outcry from these televangelists and the people whom they ministered to, the Senate Finance Committee abandoned its request for documents and made no change to IRS policy. As if this wasn’t comical enough, the IRS itself seems to be embarrassed that churches are tax exempt.

On their website, they have a hundred-word section on how churches are to file their tax returns, which basically says that religious organizations and churches are expected to file and annual information return with some exceptions. After clicking on the link to the “exceptions’ to the rule you find this: “Every organization exempt from

RESPONSE TO “FRESHMAN 15”: Addressing the Factors of Weight Gain Kartina Kwan Features Editor

After reading the “Freshman 15” article in a previous issue, I recalled a conversation that I had with my roommate in first-year.

We were discussing old high school friends, and my roommate mentioned one friend in particular who had gone off to university and had come back the next summer with a few more pounds. “I’m not trying to be mean,” said my roommate, “but she got so fat.

I’m going to work out everyday to make sure that doesn’t happen to me.”

Keeping off the “Freshman 15” just isn’t that easy.

There are multiple reasons why it’s a common phenomenon amongst undergraduate students.

Now that I am a fourthyear student at Acadia, I

12 Issue 79.4

am comfortable in saying that I experienced the phenomenon of “Freshman 15.” I will admit that there were things that I could have done to make healthier life choices. I could have started my mornings with a healthy breakfast, gone to the gym more often than twice a week, and avoided ordering in during busy study nights. The more I thought about my weight gain over the past four years, the more upset I became with myself. And the more I became upset, the more I ate out of the need for comfort, only to put on more weight. Lo and behold a self-fulfilling prophecy. I had to take a minute to realize that I shouldn’t place all of the blame on myself.

I had to realize that my circumstances did not exactly make it easy for me to keep off those pounds.

is more expensive than a package of Mister Noodles.

It’s a waste of food and my I live off campus, which in money. and of itself presents its own issues. I do not have I have tried using weight access to meal hall and the loss apps and Fitbits – the “fresh daily” salad bar. whole nine yards. Don’t get What I have is a budget. me wrong, I can see the Said budget severely limits value in tracking caloric what I can and cannot buy intake and recording the every month with regards amount of physical activity to meals. Between paying that I get. However, there rent, the power bill, the are not only monetary reinternet bill, and the elecstraints on my achieving a tricity bill, something has better health, but there is to give. Unfortunately, it is also a lack of time. I’m takmy fridge that must suffer. ing five courses and writing I don’t have unlimited acmy honours thesis. Between cess to food, and I would finishing all of my homerather spend money on work, taking on an indefoods that aren’t necessarpendent research project, ily the healthiest option but working a part-time job, are cheaper and last longer and participating in comso that I can stretch every munity events, how would dollar until the next payone suggest that I find the day. I could spend my montime to go to the gym more ey on healthy fresh fruits 3 to 5 times a week? One and vegetables, but often I might suggest going to the don’t have time to prepare gym early in the morning fresh meals, and these delior late at night where there cious foods go to waste and is less likely to be a schedrot away. A head of lettuce ule conflict, but I also need

federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code section 501(a) must file an annual information return except: 1: A church, an inter-church organization of local units of a church, a convention or association of churches”. The IRS is clear on this matter.

Churches and religious organizations must file an annual information return unless they are a church or a religious organization. But the complications deepen: this same list of exemptions states that ministries associated with the church are also not required to produce an annual information return.

It seems as though the IRS has little interest in interfering with the finances of the church. It’s not as though they lack a good reason for this though: freedom of religion is something that is closely protected by the constitution of the United States and if the gun control debate has taught us anything it’s that constitutional privileges are some of the most closely guarded and reinforced out of any nation. All that being said, maybe it’s time for the IRS to make some room for taking money from the mega churches and televangelists. time to sleep. I am sure that I am not the only student at Acadia who faces similar time constraints.

The main question that I had while reading the “Freshman 15” article was: is weight gain the be all end all? Does gaining weight have any significant impact on my self worth? The answer is no. No, it does not. So what if I have a muffin top?

So what if I have rounder thighs? Are my peers going to judge me that harshly for my weight? Decent friends wouldn’t. It has taken me many years to feel comfortable with the way I look, and every now and then I experience lapses in my confidence. Am I supposed to feel disappointed in myself because I have failed to keep off those “wretched” pounds? Although I appreciate the article’s intention to motivate students into leading healthier lifestyles, I felt that it overlooked and failed to address the multiple factors that result in weight gain. Keeping off the “Freshman 15” just isn’t that easy.

ath athscience

www.theath.ca

GIRLS IN TECHNOLOGY Hope Latta Science Editor

Hayly Thackeray watched the feature documentary with excitement. She sat in the audience at a girls-intechnology event in the Annapolis Valley. The room was full of excited viewers; however, Hayly noticed that she was the only female that was within the target age group (1820). The luxurious film left Hayly wondering if there was a way she could change that. After watching the film, a spokesperson for the event asked her to answer some questions about the content of the film and eagerly waited for her response. With uncertainty and surprise, Hayly answered each question. In that

moment, she realized that the lack other young women at the event provides her with a spotlight for discussing her experience. The excitement of the film and the urgency of its content inspired Hayly to take action.

Five years later, Hayly is working on an honours thesis at Acadia.

Her work with Girls Get WISE and the Acadia Computer Science Department addresses the gender gap and works to change it. Given that the number of available Computer Science jobs will surpass the number of people expected to graduate with a Computer Science degree, Canada will be at a disadvantage. A country that isn’t utilizing half of its population is one that will be left behind. Studies show

that girls and boys are equally good at math.

Young women shouldn’t be left behind.

During the summer, Hayly and a team of Acadia faculty members, put together a curriculum for young girls.

“Girls already feel like they don’t belong in Computer Science, and so if you put a bunch of guys in the room, girls will try to use their gender as a way of making themselves unique. Instead of making something cool, like a dancing taco game (which we had), they create ‘pink games’. Everyone wants to be unique in their own way. You want to have something that makes you stand out.

Women feel the need to make themselves stand out in a room full of men through gen-

der. We want to avoid that [at the camp] and tell women that they are unique without just being a women,” says Hayly.

This is what makes the summer program so special. It gives girls a way to both learn about coding and also explore their individuality. The best part? 75% of girls who attended said they would continue programming after the program. The current percentage of girls in Computer Science is 8% at Acadia.

In most universities, it’s 20%. Acadia needs to recruit more women and has been doing so with organizations such as WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) and through projects like the summer program. With so many great resource on

campus, we need to get more women excited about programming.

While there are many things that need to change, being part of the Acadia community can lead to positive improvements in coming years.

Keeping programs exclusive and starting kids young improves their ability to create unique games. Being cautious not to allow girls to use their gender as a starting block, and instead encouraging them to focus on other aspects of their personality, allows for positive progress. For more information on Computer Science events for women, check out the Acadia Computer Science Society and WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Acadia.

BRAIN WARS: Acadia Faculty and Students Attend Horton High School Academic Challenge Hope Latta Science Editor

It’s a familiar story: a sunny day, you’re taking a break from studying and visiting the local park, throwing bread crumbs to the ducks and drinking a soda. Perhaps you recycle your bottle when done, or maybe you simply throw it down and walk away. What you don’t realize is that your actions then and every day mean you’re feeding the birds more than just crumbs.

Recent studies on freshwater birds are finding that plastic wastes are finding their way into the diets of waterfowl at alarming rates, and may remain in some birds for up to a year after ingestion. Plastic release into the environment is nothing new; humans have been releasing debris into the environment since the early 1900s with studies as early as the 1960s finding plas-

tics in seabird stomachs.

In 2015, 56% of seabird species were negatively affected by entanglement and ingestion of marine anthropogenic debris, and unless effective waste management practices are put into place, 99% of all seabird species will likely be ingesting plastics by 2050.

Improper disposal and lack of knowledge means that large quantities of plastic debris pollute waterways and water bodies each year. Perhaps the most insidious of these are microplastics (plastic debris under 5 mm), which cannot be filtered out through wastewater treatment plants due to their small size. Microplastics can be manufactured, or created through the breakdown of larger plastics over time. Breakdown can occur with anything from red solo cups to plastic razors, and even laundry. A single load of laundry containing acrylic fabric can release

up to 700,000 microplastic fibres into the environment. Manufactured microplastics range from raw plastic granules used in manufacturing to the microbeads widely used in cosmetics as exfoliating agents.

These microbeads, < 1 mm polyethylene and polypropylene microspheres, are flushed into our waterways after a single use. The United States alone releases 263 tonnes of microbeads per year, leading to large concentrations of microbeads in sediments of the St. Lawrence River and preferential ingestion by some fish species. Public outcry from these findings led to the United States passing the Microbead Free Waters Act in 2015 (House Report No. 114-371). This is a step in the right direction. In 2012, 280 million tonnes of plastic were produced globally, and less than half of that value was recycled. The

remainder litters continents and pollutes waterways and oceans. This debris negatively impacts marine and freshwater organisms through entanglement and ingestion, leading to injuries and death. Plastic debris also vector heavy metal contaminants and pesticides such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Once discharged, plastics can persist for anywhere from 3 to 50 years, and complete breakdown may take hundreds or thousands of years.

Due to the mounting evidence that plastic debris is polluting freshwater bodies at greater rates than ever before, studies are needed to address issues such as freshwater bird plastic ingestion, and Acadia is stepping up to the plate. In the past two years Acadia University students have

published two groundbreaking new studies looking at plastic ingestion among Canada’s freshwater birds, finding approximately an 11% ingestion rate (English et al. 2015; Holland et al. 2016), and further research in this field is ongoing.

I am hoping to build on this work by determining where birds pick up the majority of ingested debris. To do this I will be conducting dietary dissections and analyzing stable isotopes from feathers and tissues. I am requesting submissions of mallard gizzards, proventriculi, and feathers. If you, or anyone you know, hunts and would like to take part in this valuable research please contact me (at erikaholland@acadiau.ca) for further information on sampling and shipping protocols.

All associated shipping costs will be covered.

November 22nd, 2016 13

athsports&wellness

www.theath.ca

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH: KNOW YOUR MIND Shelby F. Contributor

When a close friend of mine revealed to his parents that he was considering the idea of dropping out of university, he told them that he just wasn’t the academic type and didn’t want to waste more money on his post-secondary education. When that same friend revealed to me that he was thinking of leaving university, he told me it was because he had done nothing but think about suicide since he began his first year.

Whether you think his decision was foolish or not, whether you are snickering while reading this or feeling empathetic, the

fact remains that mental health issues are a huge area of concern for university students.

Earlier this year, the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services conducted a survey of a little more than 43,000 students on campuses across this country from 41 different schools on a variety of topics. These topics ranged from alcohol use to the number of students who wore helmets while riding their bikes. What stuck out the most for me was the number of these students who reported experiencing struggles with mental health. Of the surveyed students, 32.5% reported anxiety as a main

FA L L B A C K :

factor that affects performance at school. Likewise, 21% reported symptoms of depression played a part, 28.4% indicated sleeping difficulties as an issue, and 42.2% said that stress was an area of concern. 13% of students who completed the survey report seriously considering suicide within the last 12 months.

The upsetting thing about these numbers is that they do not surprise me at all.

But when will the numbers be enough?

Wolfville is a wonderful town that is home to a fantastic university.

The students here, for the most part, take care of one another and welcome the beautiful diversity that is our campus. Acadia has been proud of being one of the strongest communities of the East coast universities. But it is no longer enough to claim this title. We need to show it.

Our community is lacking mental health resources, and it is time to provide struggling students with the support that they need.

Don’t get me wrong. I am aware that mental health services do exist in our community. The counselling centre on campus and Annapolis Valley Health are excellent options. But there are some draw backs to only having two main professional centres for students to turn to. For one, the wait times are not ideal. It is disheartening to know that professionals can only take so many appointments on due to the ratio of students versus counsellors. This is not a fault of any person, but a fault of the system.

Moreover, travelling to AVH is unfortunately not a realistic option for some people. In addition to the unreliability of the transit system, many students do not have the funds to

Daylight Saving Time Ends and the Winter Blues Begin Riley Marshall Contributor While I was growing up, my mom always had a speech prepared dictating what was and what was not good for my health. Too much caffeine, not enough caffeine, too much sleep, not enough sleep, too much sugar, not enough sugar: the list goes on and on.

Mom is a nurse, you see.

So I wasn’t surprised that when I called my mom to explain how difficult of a time I was having lately, she responded with “it’s because of daylight saving time.” In the threehour conversation (yes, three hours on one topic), I learned a lot from my dear mother. Although it is only an hour, the time change seems to have a huge affect on our health.

Here are the top 3 health concerns connected to the time change: 1. Exhaustion At the beginning of November, everyone was posting on Facebook about their excitement for gaining an extra hour of sleep. It turns out that maybe this wasn’t such a good thing after all. While

14 Issue 79.4

the one hour time change is subtle, our bodies take notice of it. The sudden change to routine makes us tired but restless at the same time. During the winter months, our internal clocks get a little confused and our bodies react in many different ways.

This is, of course, only true if you had a normal sleep routine in the first place. In that case, university students may feel the interruption to internal clocks a little less than others. Nonetheless, sleep deprivation and exhaustion are leading on the list of things our poor bodies must endure after the time change. Some research even suggests that our bodies aren’t getting the amount of nutrition needed to stay healthy in the Winter months. From lack of Vitamin D (bye bye Sun) to being stuck in the house all day, the time change adds some serious stress on our bodies.

2. Depression We already know that the winter months are a drag, but there may be more to this than originally thought. Losing an hour of afternoon sunlight, besides confusing our bodies into feeling like it’s

bedtime at 5:30 pm, also has a lasting impression on our mental health. It turns out that there are more cases of diagnosed depression (8% higher says research) after the autumnal time change.

Shorter days, less time spent outside, and the usual season stress are all related factors of this phenomenon. It is suggested that exercise, light therapy lamps, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help fight the winter blues. For those of us who are about to be thrown into final assignments, midterms, and exams, these suggestions may not be possible. In that case, open the curtains while you’re studying! Go for a short walk outside or even take a few moments to stretch. Your body and mind will thank you!

3. Lack of Socialization If you’re anything like me, I try to avoid going outside in the cold as much as possible. Making it to my classes is a huge accomplishment in the winter months. It’s a danger zone out there! Ice on the hills, snow drifts make their way up into my coat uninvited, the freezing wind slaps my face…

it’s just a lot of effort. So when I can (finally!) come back home to my nice warm bed, you better believe I’m not leaving again until I absolutely must.

Unfortunately, this mindset I tend to have makes me miss out on a lot of social interactions. What is worse is that the more I stay away from people, the more I want to stay away. It becomes tiresome to even try and socialize.

How does this connect with daylight saving time?

When the day is suddenly shorter and half of it is spent climbing up a hill in the snow to get home, going back out is probably not at the top of your priority list. Additionally, the lack of socialization you may be experiencing is most definitely connected to reason numbers one and two on this list.

Exhaustion and depression do not make for a socializing mood. Which, in turn, leads to more depression.

Are these health concerns directly related to the time change? Well, the answer is yes….and no.

While it is true that these health issues become more prominent after the time change, it is not the

routinely take a cab to the offices. Severe mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety need to be worked on regularly.

It is not enough to see a professional occasionally, and then hope for the best.

I know that these things are not black and white. I know that it would take a lot of effort to make resources more accessible, and I know there are factors that I haven’t even considered in this article.

All that I am asking is that we open the dialogue more and try to brain storm ways that we, as a community, can make mental health support more of a priority. Students should not have to choose between their education and their mental well-being. It is possible to have both.

time change that causes them (I mean, come on.

That’s just silly). These are all symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Unlike Major Depressive Disorder, SAD begins in the late fall and typically lasts for the duration of the winter. There are cases of SAD that occur in the spring (after the time change, in fact) and can last into the summer, but it is less likely.

People with SAD will show many of the same warning signs as those with depression such as: sleeping issues, appetite and weight changes, less energy, trouble concentrating, and increased desire to be alone. Just because these symptoms tend to go away after the season, this does not mean that Seasonal Affective Disorder is less severe compared to others. It’s normal to feel a little down during the winter season, but if it lasts for days at a time and you’re struggling to live your life normally, it is important to seek help! Take care of yourself (wow do I ever sound like my mother).

Brighter days are ahead!

ath athsports&wellness

SOCCER HERO

Acadia Hosts Women’s Soccer Championship Hayley Phoenix Sports Editor

It isn’t very often that the CIS Women’s Soccer Championship makes its way to Wolfville. Acadia was host to the event in its second year of existence in 1989, and again in 2000. Now, sixteen years later, Acadia University was honoured with hosting the Championship once again on its 30th anniversary.

The CIS Women’s Soccer Championship took place on November 1013, which featured eight

teams from conferences across Canada, including Acadia’s Axewomen, all gathered in one place to compete to become the national champions. Over the course of four days, eleven games were played to determine which team of the eight would be the last ones standing.

With four recently announced AUS Soccer All-Stars, the Axewomen fought hard and advanced to the consolation semi-finals where victory was taken in a shoot out against the StFX XWomen, securing a spot in the consolation finals

where Acadia defeated Saskatchewan in another shoot out. The cheers from the crowd during the four-day event proves just how proud our community is of the Acadia Axewomen soccer team.

While the games were certainly a highlight this fall study break, we were also reminded that the greatest honours often happen off the field. The 2016 Championship has recognized Laura Sanders, former Axewomen soccer coach, as Honorary Chairperson.

Sanders came to Acadia in 1984 to coach soccer

www.theath.ca

which had not seen varsity results yet. However, during the 80’s and 90’s, the Axewomen soccer team saw great success winning six conference titles and even claiming the national title in 1990.

Due to this high success rate, coach Laura Sanders has been awarded the AUAA (now AUS) coachof-the-year six times, and holds a CIAU (now U Sports) coach-of-theyear under her belt for the 1990 national championship win. Sanders retired from coaching for Acadia women’s soccer in 2001, but remains a fan favourite in the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame and goes down in history as coaching some of the best University soccer teams in Canada. For the 30th year anniversary of the CIS Women’s Soccer

Championship, there is no one better to be Honorary Chairperson than our own Laura Sanders.

Laura Sanders has consistently proved to Axemen and Axewomen that the glory of a team is more than just how the game is played on the field. She exemplifies dedication, determination, teamwork, and knows exactly how to overcome adversity. These qualities are what makes the history of Acadia athletes so tremendous, no matter the number of wins, losses, or titles. Sanders demonstrates all that Acadia strives to be, and we are proud to congratulate her on being Honorary Chairperson for the 2016 CIS Women’s Soccer Championship.

U SPORTS PRIORITIES NEED A RE-BRANDING Anonymous Contributor

When Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) indicated there would be a huge announcement at a press conference, many wondered what it could be. Maybe it involved money, camps, or even new awards that celebrate the blood sweat and tears that go into the games.

Maybe new policies for the organization were finally making a debut. This, however, was not the case. On October 20th, CIS announced a rebranding for the organization. A new name and a new logo that would be sure to impress fans and athletes.

Thus, U Sports is born, indicating a total of four name changes in 110 years.

Why the name change? What is the importance? To officials, U Sports is a brand that is more engaging and more inclusive. In addition to this, U Sports is the same in both French and English languages. This gets rid of the pesky CIS (English) versus SIC (French) confusion. There is also the play on the letter “U” to consider, which obviously stands for “University” but can also stands for “unbeatable, united, unsurpassable” and any other cliché “U” word you can think of. It is a clever strategy. The logo is aesthetically pleasing. All

jokes aside, the rebranding does unite the organization in a way that has not been done before now. But at the end of the day the true goal of rebranding is generally to rake in more sponsors. Anyone who knows the slightest bit about marketing will agree to this. Let me assure you, that this is not a bad thing. We welcome, need, and would be thrilled with new sponsors. However, U

Sports has more areas of concern than a name and logo change.

Chris Cochrane of the Local Xpress wrote about these concerns in an article titled “CIS Priorities Out of Touch with Grassroots”. Here are some of the issues Cochrane discusses regarding the CIS, now U Sports: the gap between the wealthier and the less financially strong programs, inability to do timely

investigations into reports of improper conduct, how the organization is consistently understaffed, and lack of grassroots initiatives.

I agree with Cochrane. These internal issues of the organization are just some of many that need to be addressed. Maybe I am being too critical of U Sports.

The rebranding is, after all, a positive change for the world of University sports.

This I am not debating. I am, however, urging that CIS put more emphasis on fixing the internal issues that have been developing for quite some time now. Who knows, maybe U Sports will have a new outlook on these issues.

But then again, the names of things do not often affect what they are.

Photo by: Kamryn Minors

November 22nd, 2016 15

athdistractions

www.theath.ca

Thane Mullen Distractions Editor

9 8

E

Y

T

I

O

A

D

R

R

H

L

B

M

E

B

A

R

R

A

X

R

N

Y

R

U

O

O

I

R

M

F

A

S

G

M

L

O

O

V

N

Q

R

E

T

Y

N

T

I

P

S

S

F

K

J

D

C

N

Q

I

X

W

O

E

R

W

R

T

Y

M

U

D

I

O

H

P

S

A

N

S

C

D

W

F

R

N

C

I

G

N

A

M

P

I

H

C

I

H

E

J

K

T

O

W

E

R

L

Z

X

A

C

S

T

Y

V

A

M

B

S

N

T

M

W

R

U

A

E

U

L

A

A

Y

E

N

T

C

S

O

P

E

A

T

O

N

F

E

H

E

L

I

I

A

D

D

S

F

S

I

N

N

E

D

E

N

T

T

S

N

J

N

R

O

T

O

16 Issue 79.4

1

8 4

9

3

1

2

4

6 7

6

8 1

6

1 6

3 4

9

3

7

8

3

4 4

7

6 8

Word List BARRAX CHASE CUTTEN DENNIS SEMINARY TOWER

CHIPMAN EATON

CHRISTOFOR ROYJODREY