October 16, 2013

Local writers workshop helps hone skills Pg. 7

The Omega Ω

Thompson Rivers University’s Independent Student Newspaper

News Pages 1, 2

Editorial & Opinion Page 3

Volume 23, Issue 7 October 16, 2013

Life & Community

Arts & Entertainment

Sports

Pages 5, 6

Page 7

Page 11

Many choices in coming byelection Students to choose new TRUSU student representatives Oct. 16 and 17 Jessica Klymchuk Ω News Editor

Heather Pratt-Johnson of McGill Residence (left) and Acacia Schmietenknop of Enactus discuss solutions for culture-related barriers among and within clubs.

( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega)

Club leaders address segregation and cultural barriers Intercultural Council’s club leaders social highlights inclusiveness issues across campus Jessica Klymchuk Ω News Editor Everyone in the room was told to close their eyes. Upon opening them, each had a coloured sticker on their forehead, and when they were asked to silently group up, they sorted themselves by colour.

Some were pushed out of groups where they didn’t match, while others were pulled in where they did match.

“Why did you go by colour?”

Kyra Garson asked when they finished. “All I said was get into groups.”

“This is what happens on campus.”

The TRU Intercultural Council hosted the campus leaders social on Oct. 10 to begin a campuswide conversation about cultural separation. The council brought together around 100 of TRU’s club and association leaders in an effort to begin creating partnerships between groups on campus.

“We want to challenge each other to work together,” said Craig Engleson, founder of the council and TRU World employee. “We want everyone to be involved.”

Groups were represented widely across campus with leaders from TRUSU, Enactus, the Visual Arts Student Association, both residences, the focus club, the writer’s club, the pride club, the Japanese club, the Pakistan club, the student leadership club, Kappa Sigma and Zeta Beta Psi, just to name a few.

Garson, TRU intercultural consultant, led different activities to stimulate cultural conversation and address inclusiveness issues that affect every group in one way or another. It took the attendees under three minutes to organize themselves by colour, even without being able to see their own colour. Garson said that is always the case.

“Really, the world is on our campus,” she said.

Together, the leaders identified common cultural issues on campus as differing customs among cultures, lack of international or domestic representation in a group, communication barriers, lack of outside engagement and cultural pressure.

See THIS IS JUST US, Pg.

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Nominations for the TRUSU byelection closed on Oct. 9, with ten candidates for the directorat-large and two for the graduate students’ representative.

Both TRUSU president Dylan Robinson and executive director Nathan Lane said ten nominations was an extremely high number for one position, especially for a byelection.

In the spring elections, TRUSU might have 40 candidates in total for its 13 positions.

Seven of the 10 directorat-large candidates and one of the graduate students’ representative candidates attended the all-candidates forum on Oct. 10.

There was a large international student presence among the director-at-large candidates with a couple lobbying for lower international student fees.

“When I sat down and talked to my friends I saw that how much I paid was a huge difference,” said Akinmodiro Fadekemi, one of the ten candidates for director-at-large.

When asked if fellow international students shared

her concerns Fadekemi said many are unhappy with the price of international student fees.

Sunanda Chowdhury, another director-at-large candidate, also named international student fees as a key concern she wants to address, while candidate Charlotte Nyungou Tibia cited overall fee increases as a concern.

“I don’t want to promise students that we can decrease fees but that we can work towards it,” Tibia said.

Candidate Meshari Alanazi is campaigning for longer hours in the cafeteria, a reduction in parking fees and a 24-7 study area for students.

Candidates Ajay Borasi and James Maraun share a concern for TRU being characteristic of a commuter college, with very little campus life outside of class. They would like to see that change.

The electoral committee asked the candidates what they think makes a good director-at-large and what they think the role of a director-at-large is, which spawned answers including being a good listener, being optimistic and being responsible.

Sabina Donnelly was

the sole graduate students’ representative candidate in attendance. Donnelly has been a student at TRU since 2006 and is now doing her masters in environmental science.

“The grad programs are quite young, and they are growing and having growing pains,” she said.

Grad students face very different issues, depending on their program, she said, but she did highlight funding as one of the key concerns.

The electoral committee asked Donnelly how she would build community with the grad students, given that the grad representative position is new.

She said she hopes to see some kind of a society formed so issues can be addressed collectively.

The gallery was mostly TRUSU representatives, including Robinson, vice president external Leif Douglas, vice president finance Trad Bahabri, vice president internal Will George, membership development coordinator Natalie Reisle and research coordinator Alex McLellan.

Polling will take place on Oct. 16 and 17. Full biographies of all the candidates will be made available by TRUSU.

(Left to right in front row) TRUSU representatives Dylan Robinson, Trad Bahabri and staff member Kaitlin Clement were in attendance at the TRUSU byelection all-candidates forum on Oct. 10.

( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega)

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News

October 16, 2013

“This is just us trying to be a part of the answer” From CLUB LEADERS, Pg.

1

When asked to design events that would counteract these problems they suggested club meet-and-greets and quarterly leader meetings. It was also suggested that orientation be restructured so international, domestic and Aboriginal students aren’t separated.

While the energy was high, Engleson said the challenge would be to prolong the momentum. While every club could identify their inclusiveness issues, addressing them is a whole other challenge.

“We don’t have the answers,” he said.

Engleson said it’s common, even among international students, to congregate with one’s own ethnic group.

“When you take it across campus, you see the same thing,” he said. “It’s a real lost opportunity.”

There are three major identifiers on campus: domestic, international and Aboriginal, and although there are resources for everyone, Engleson said it’s hard to reach every group simultaneously.

The International Student Activity Program (ISAP) organizes social events for international students, but it’s not limited to them.

“The word international is a strong word so it scares off domestic and Aboriginal students, but that’s not its intent,” said ISAP council member Vince Watson.

According to Watson, there is a push to re-brand ISAP to become more inclusive, but in the meantime the Intercultural Council was created to host oncampus events that incorporate all cultures and ethic backgrounds across campus.

After its inception last year, it hosted events such as the battle of the DJs, a movie night and several low-key events such as speed dating.

“We are growing, but lots of people still don’t know about us,” said Watson.

The council wanted to host a meet-and-greet type event where leaders on campus could meet the

TRUSU has more representatives than ever on its student caucus and 2,145 signatures for its sweat-shop free campus campaign.

( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega)

TRUSU briefs Jessica Klymchuk Ω News Editor

Student caucus participation is up

Craig Engleson, founder of the Intercultural Council, encourages club leaders to keep cultural conversations active and work towards further partnerships. ( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega)

council, meet each other and form universal goals for inclusiveness.

Because the Intercultural Council is run under ISAP, it receives all its funding through international students and has resources that it can offer clubs if they choose to collaborate on events.

Watson said the idea is to avoid clubs hosting similar events separately. By holding one large event, clubs can avoid high costs and increase turnout while also bringing together a diverse group of people.

Although this wasn’t the largest event the Intercultural

Council will hold, Watson said it was the most important one.

“I’ve met lots of new people and heard some really great ideas,” Katrina Misko of the student leadership club said, adding that she plans on using the suggestions in the upcoming student leadership conference the club plans to host.

Before the end of the night, the human resource club, the visual arts club and the pride club had a preliminary plan to host a fashion show together.

“This is just us trying to be a part of the answer,” Engleson said.

TRUSU’s student caucus has more representatives than ever, with 42 of 50 seats filled. Recruitment occurred throughout September.

The student caucus is an initiative that brings together the student representatives on institutional committees. TRUSU works to educate and mentor these students so they can play a meaningful role on their respective committees.

TRUSU executive director Nathan Lane reported the recruitment success at the Oct. 8 council meeting, saying it is something to be proud of and a good start to the year.

“We are really happy to have such a great turnout for that program,” TRUSU president Dylan Robinson said.

Robinson also said that TRUSU has expanded the number of seats on the caucus to include the faculty councils, which has helped growth.

Some students of the caucus sit on multiple committees, so there are actually only four vacant seats. Robinson said some of those seats have very strict requirements, and it’s harder to find student representation.

Overall, there are 80 students participating in the co-curricular designation and Robinson said he expects that number will rise as the year continues and more committees are formed.

Petition for sweatshop-free campus at 2,145 signatures TRUSU is near its goal of 3,000 signature and they expect to be there by the end of October. With 2,145 student signatures supporting the sweat-shop free campus campaign as of Oct. 10, TRUSU sees its goal in reach.

Leif Douglas, vice president external and head of the campaign’s committee, reported the success of the campaign at the Oct. 8 council meeting. Their original goal was to have 2,000 signatures

by December.

The goal of the campaign is to get TRU to agree to sign on with Workers Right Consortium, an organization that monitors factory conditions and workers’ rights.

“I would say I’m not surprised how engaged people are with this campaign,” TRUSU president Dylan Robinson said. “I think when you talk to students about sweatshops and how sweatshop materials are on our campus, I think it’s really easy to understand why that’s wrong and why that’s something we should work towards fixing.”

The broader media attention on sweat shops has also made students aware of the issue and made them more engaged with the campaign, according to Robinson.

Club leaders across campus converge at the Intercultural Council’s club leaders social. Representatives from most TRUSU clubs were in attendance. ( Jessica Klymchuk/ The Omega)

Editorial & Opinion

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 7

The Omega www.truomega.ca

October 16, 2013 Volume 23, Issue 7

You get a say, too!

Editor asks for information about what his audience wants to read

Published since November 27, 1991

editorialstaff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mike Davies

editor@truomega.ca

250-828-5069

@PaperguyDavies NEWS EDITOR

Jessica Klymchuk news@truomega.ca @jjklym

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Courtney Dickson arts@truomega.ca @dicksoncourtney SPORTS EDITOR

Adam Williams

sports@truomega.ca @AdamWilliams87 ROVING EDITOR

Karla Karcioglu

roving@truomega.ca @dicksoncourtney SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR

Mark Hendricks

sci-tech@truomega.ca @MarkHendicks5 COPY/WEB EDITOR

Sean Brady

copy@truomega.ca @iamseanbrady

omegacontributors Kevin Skrepnek, Whitney Griffiths

publishingboard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF * Mike Davies INDUSTRY REP* Sylvie Paillard FACULTY REP* Charles Hays STUDENT REP* Sadie Cox STUDENT REP* Adam Williams

letterspolicy

Literary and visual submissions are welcomed. All submissions are subject to editing for brevity, taste and legality. The Omega will attempt to publish each letter received, barring time and space constraints. The editor will take care not to change the intention or tone of submissions, but will not publish material deemed to exhibit sexism, racism or homophobia. Letters for publication must include the writer’s name (for publication) and contact details (not for publication). The Omega reserves the right not to publish any letter or submitted material. Opinions expressed in any section with an “Opinion” label do not represent those of The Omega, the Cariboo Student Newspaper Society, its Board of Directors or its staff. Opinions belong only to those who have signed them.

Editor’s Note Mike Davies Ω Editor-in-Chief Well, here we are. Seven issues into volume 23 and I’m happy to say we have been doing an exceptional job and in no way are we leaving anything out of our publication that should be included.

This is where you go, “That’s fairly presumptuous and arrogant of you to say, Davies.”

Why yes it is, but that’s the only assumption I can make when no one complains about our coverage of campus or suggests any ways in which we can improve.

That’s not to say I actually believe that above statement, though. Sure, I think we’re doing pretty well, but I know there are places in which our coverage is lacking.

Cariboo Student Newspaper Society (Publisher of The Omega) TRU Campus House #4 900 McGill Rd, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 0C8 Phone: 250-372-1272 E-mail: editor@truomega.ca Ad Enquiries: accounts@truomega.ca

(Correspondence not intended for publication should be labelled as such.)

Follow us on Twitter:

@TRU_Omega “Like” us on Facebook.

Do it.

Seriously.

readership doesn’t care what’s going on in the trades. While that would be unfortunate — because you really should — I can’t really blame you for wanting to turn your attention to whatever it is you’re here to accomplish.

So what is that?

Let us know so we can serve you better.

Do you want more information about events happening around Kamloops you should be attending? What kinds of events? Ones where you learn and/or develop skills that will help you down the road like the writers workshop featured on page seven this week? Or ones where you can “let your hair down” and step away from your ever-increasing workload and just forget about academics for a bit?

Say…like heading up to the cinema to see Captain Phillips, which is apparently very good (also page seven)?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably end up saying it again, we can’t get you what you need unless you tell us what that is.

If you actually do think we’re doing an exceptional job, you could tell us that, too.

If not, how can we get better, and what are you going to do to help us do that? editor@truomega.ca

No easy answers in vaccination debate

copyright

All material in this publication is copyright The Omega and may not be reproduced without the expressed consent of the publisher. All unsolicited submissions become copyright Omega 2013.

For example, there’s an entire demographic of this campus that is fairly underrepresented here, and it’s one that has getting more and more interest over the years — not just in terms of student enrolment, but also from government and industry.

That demographic is, of course, those interested in the trades.

While we have, for the first time in years, hired on a science and technology editor, who can get you some news on what’s going on in the technology sector here and there, it sure would be nice if there were a few people he could turn to who are interested in what’s going on in the trades building or in various industries and could help fill the rest of you in.

Here’s where you say, “Way to pass the buck, Davies. Pawning off your work on everyone else, and blaming others for your failures….”

Well, it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help, and the truth is there are only so many hours in a week, and so much that one person can do in an hour.

With limited resources in terms of both finances and time, there will always be gaps in our coverage, and this is one of the areas that I am asking for help.

Of course, maybe our

Wellness Matters Courtney Dickson Ω Wellness Columnist The cold and flu season seems to be upon us and we’re about to be bombarded with ads for the flu vaccine. Vaccinations in general have always been surrounded by some controversy and some choose not to vaccinate themselves or their families.

The flu really seems to kick our butts. The fever, aches and pains, fatigue, dry cough and sore throat make you wonder if waiting in line to get the flu shot may actually be worth it.

According to Immunize BC, vaccines contain antigens, an inactive substance associated with the targeted virus or disease. Our bodies think these antigens are the targeted disease and start creating antibodies to get rid of a virus the body doesn’t actually have. The idea is that these antibodies will defend the body against the disease if and when it does decide to attack.

Sometimes side effects of the flu vaccine mirror the actual symptoms of the virus. Headaches, exhaustion, fever and sore muscles as well as general vaccine side effects like

redness and swelling at the injection site are all possible post-vaccine.

The HealthLink BC website clarifies things further, saying “The inactivated influenza vaccine cannot give you influenza because it contains killed influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.”

TRU nursing professor Mona Taylor says the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others against the virus.

According to Taylor, it’s important for students to get vaccinated, particularly if they fall into any of the high-risk categories.

Some people are at a higher risk of catching influenza, due to work or living environments or medical conditions, and can receive the vaccine for free. HealthLink BC provides a full list of people who are high-risk, but those on the list students should be aware of include aboriginal people, care providers and those suffering from immuno-deficiencies or chronic health issues.

It is also recommended that flu shots are received annually. Because influenza strains are always mutating the vaccine has to change along with them.

Though health professionals generally recommend the flu shot, some are completely against all vaccines.

Actress and autism activist Jenny McCarthy is one of the loudest antivaccine campaigners. McCarthy believes, contrary to a number of scientific studies investigating the matter, that vaccines caused her son’s autism. When it was announced the McCarthy would become the newest cast member of popular daytime talk show The View, Canadian health experts were so worried about McCarthy spreading her beliefs that in July 2013, they asked The View to reconsider their decision to hire her.

They were worried that the added spotlight would provide her with a platform to spread her beliefs that health professionals do not agree with.

There is often talk of the flu being fatal in order to encourage Canadians to get the flu shot. An article released

by CBC in November 2012 found that statements about deaths caused by influenza are often assumptions, and a Statistics Canada report said that only 300 deaths per year, from 2000 to 2008 were recorded as being caused by influenza. When the CBC story was published, only one death had been officially recorded in 2012 as a result of influenza.

I’m not trying to sway anyone one way or the other to get the flu shot, as I fall into a high-risk category and every year I struggle with whether or not I should get vaccinated against influenza. I just want to make this knowledge available to those who are also uncertain to try to make the decision a little better informed. arts@truomega.ca

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A guide to spoiler etiquette Kyle Darbyson The Fulcrum (U of O) OTTAWA (CUP) — Now that the fall television season is in full swing, it’s probably a good time to talk about a distasteful social phenomenon sweeping through university campuses everywhere: spoilers.

Many have fallen victim to whispers of unwanted plot information regarding their favourite TV shows. Luckily, these kinds of spoilers are easily avoided if you remain cautious and vigilant. Here are five tips on how to establish clear-cut spoiler etiquette for the fall TV season.

1) Establish spoiler quarantine zones If you are forced to talk about highly sensitive plot information in a public forum, it’s probably a good idea to quarantine your friends and yourself in a designated spoiler zone. These spoiler zones can be small rooms or other selfcontained areas that have relatively impenetrable, soundproof walls. Ideally, these areas should only be accessible to those who are up to date on the topic of discussion and should exclude those who have fallen behind.

2) Speak in ambiguous terms If you feel compelled to talk about your favourite TV shows outside of these spoiler zones, it’s probably a good idea to try to mask specific plot details using precise language. Speaking in general or ambiguous terms is key to creating a spoiler-free environment.

For example, a statement of general enthusiasm like, “The third season of The Wire is amazing!” is perfectly acceptable. However, something along the lines of, “You won’t believe what (character A) does to (character B) at the end of season three of The Wire!” contains way too many plot details for the uninitiated viewer.

3) Be conscious of what you share via social media There’s nothing wrong with passing around funny memes or GIFs through social media sites, but before you post these humorous images, make sure to select your audience carefully. These fun distractions usually rely on vital plot information and character development as the meat of their humour, and this can easily constitute a spoiler for specific recipients. In any event, please be cautious of what you post and who is receiving it.

4) Beware of the Internet To expand on the last point, you should probably avoid the Internet altogether since it’s basically the Wild West in terms of unfiltered plot information. This is especially true for shows like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, which have been building up spoiler-y discussions online for several years because of their origins as a book and graphic novel.

5) Make sure you know the language of spoilers

(Photo courtesy USACE Europe District/Flickr Commons)

Unfortunately, not everybody chooses to adhere to this kind of spoiler etiquette. Thankfully, there are ways to intercept a potential spoiler in everyday conversation if you know how to anticipate specific trigger words or phrases. For example, when a careless friend says something like, “This detail isn’t important, so…” or, “This really isn’t a spoiler, but…” be sure to expect an incoming spoiler.

Science & Technology

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October 16, 2013

“Hangover cure” study questionable Study seeks relief from excessive drinking, falls flat on its face following TRU peer review Mark Hendricks Ω Science & Tech Editor

Unless you’re one of those lucky individuals that can drink all day and wake up bright-eyed and ready to go for a run the next morning, you’ve probably had a hangover at some point in your life.

They can be a painful and debilitating experience that can cost you the majority of the next day. A new study, published in the Royal Society of Chemistry on Sept. 25, seeks to alleviate the negative aspects of alcohol consumption by studying how different drinks affect the body’s ability to process ethanol.

The study explains how the body processes ethanol by first converting it into acetaldehyde and then into acetate. High levels of ethanol, which is toxic to the body, lead to being drunk. Ethanol is converted into acetaldehyde, which is even more toxic. This is what causes hangovers. The acetaldehyde is eventually converted into acetate, which is relatively harmless to the body.

These processes are sped up by specific enzymes within the liver.

The study looked at the effects of 57 different drinks on the enzymes that process ethanol and acetaldehyde (ALD and ALDH respectively).

The study found that different beverages will either speed up or slow down these reactions, and discovered that the best thing you can drink for a hangover is Sprite, while the worst thing is any drink containing hemp seeds. Sprite increases the ALDH reaction while hemp seed drinks slow down the process.

As promising as this study appears to hopeful university students seeking hangover relief, there are serious f laws in the methodology according to Ron Smith, biological sciences professor at TRU. “Our upper-level students could’ve conducted a better, lessf lawed study,” Smith said in an email interview.

The tests were conducted in test tubes at higher concentrations and lower temperatures than what would appear in the human body, according to Smith. The liver also modifies compounds as they pass through it, therefore the compounds that were present

Some of these drinks will help your hangover, while others will make it last longer, according to a recent study.

One TRU professor has issues with the science, however.

(Photo courtesy geishabot/Flickr Commons)

in the drink and test tubes would very likely be modified before they have a chance to interact with the ALD or ALDH enzymes.

“The data provided in the report are very likely meaningless as far as

This week in science Malaria vaccine in three years, a step in the right direction versus neurodegeneration, and self-forming cubes!

Mark Hendricks Ω Science & Tech Editor

Potential malaria vaccine?

African countries could see a malaria vaccine as early as 2016 according to researchers from PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative (PATH MVI), who are engaged in the largest and longest malaria vaccine test to date.

The researchers plan to submit the vaccine to the European Medicines Agency in 2014, which would slate approval for 2015, according to David Kaslow, vice president of product development at PATH MVI. Approval for use in African nations is expected for 2016.

The vaccine was tested on two groups, babies aged six to 12 weeks and toddlers aged five to 17 months.

The vaccines resulted in a 56 per cent decrease in malaria cases for the toddler group and a 31 per cent decrease in malaria cases for the baby group.

Researchers predict that the vaccine could prevent 941 cases of malaria per year for every 1,000 toddlers vaccinated and 444 cases per year for every 1,000 babies vaccinated.

diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

The compound completely prevented the neurodegeneration in mice, and although the compound would need to be altered for use in humans, it’s the first proof that neurodegeneration can be halted, and serves as a starting point for future research.

The compound does, however, have side effects. It caused damage to the pancreases of the mice, giving them a mild form of diabetes.

Find out more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health/

Self-assembling robotic cubes The creation of robotic cubes that can reconfigure themselves into various shapes without any outside interference may seem like science fiction, but researchers at MIT have

successfully done just that.

The cubes rely on an internal flywheel for movement, and magnets on their outsides for guidance. The results are cubes that can move and lock on to each other’s faces. Because of the flywheel, they can even jump from cube to cube without climbing over each individual cube.

They currently operate by receiving instructions broadcast from a computer.

The ultimate goal is to create algorithms inside the cubes which will allow them to make their own decisions about the shape they form.

An order to construct a specific shape would be given, and the cubes would decide the best way to make the shape before autonomously forming it.

Find out more (and watch a cool video demonstration): http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/

Find out more: http://www.newscientist.com/section/health

New discovery the first-ever case of preventing neurodegeneration Scientists at the University of Leicester have discovered a compound that prevents neurodegeneration in mice.

Neurodegeneration is the loss of function or death of neurons in the brain. It has never before been prevented and is linked to numerous

One of the self-assembling cubes at MIT with the sides taken off and the flywheel removed.

(Photo courtesy M. Scott Brauer/MIT)

directing our drinking habits,” Smith said.

The only surefire way to get avoid the negative effects of alcohol consumption, according to Smith, is to limit yourself to one to two

drinks per day. This will give you the health benefits of limited alcohol consumption while avoiding all negative consequences.

“After several years of trial and error, this works for me,” Smith said.

Hadfield lands teaching gig University of Waterloo announces the hiring of Canada’s most famous astronaut H. G. Watson The Cord (Wilfred Laurier) WATERLOO (CUP) — Famed Canadian astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield gets to add a new line to his already extensive resumé this fall: professor.

The University of Waterloo (U of W) confirmed on Oct. 8 that Hadfield has joined the faculty as an adjunct professor of aviation, cross-appointed to the faculties of environment, science and applied health sciences, through August 2016.

“This is an amazing opportunity for students to have access to his career experience and knowledge,” said Ian McKenzie, director of aviation programs at U of W. “He has tremendous enthusiasm for engaging students in learning.”

Commander Hadfield became an international celebrity after tweets and videos taken during his five month long stint on the International Space Station (ISS) went viral. Since returning to Earth he has embarked on several educational tours and has a book, An Astronauts Guide to Life on Earth, coming out this fall.

The deal to bring U of W alumnus Hadfield to the aviation department took shape after Hadfield announced his retirement from the Canadian Space Agency earlier this year. McKenzie explained that Hadfield’s longstanding relationship with the university and the surrounding community were driving forces in bringing him to the school.

“He was actually here in 1982 as a NSERC post-graduate in mechanical engineering,” McKenzie said.

Hadfield was also married in Waterloo, and his first son was born there in 1983. Over the years he has given several lectures on campus, including a downlink from the ISS in February of this year. Because of his current schedule, U of W officials expect that Hadfield will only have limited time on campus until the fall 2014 semester. Once here, his role will be a mix of research, advising and teaching within the university’s Bachelor of environmental studies and bachelor of science programs in aviation.

Aviation students at the university also take practical flight lessons at the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre as part of their degree requirements. “[He] has flown over 70 aircraft,” said McKenzie. “With Chris’ practical experience with flight ... this will be a great asset for our students.”

Prior to joining the CSA, Hadfield was a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and test piloted several experimental aircraft in both Canada and the U.S.

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 7

Life & Community

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Meet “nomophobia” Scott Moraes Capilano Courier (Capilano) Tomorrow, you will leave your phone at home, on purpose.

It’s an experiment.

Go catch your bus, go to school or work and go about your everyday routine.

See how long it takes for your hand to jump to your pocket, with no particular trigger other than habit.

Write down how you feel when you realize it’s not there. No Angry Birds, Twitter, Instagram or trivial texts about the bus or your pressing need for coffee.

Despite your most gutwrenching feelings at that moment of isolation, life could be worse. Couldn’t it?

You need the experiment because the first signs of a true addiction are withdrawal symptoms.

If you are incapable of turning your phone off during a twohour long movie, or can’t help but check for texts every few minutes, or cannot function normally without your phone, even at tasks not at all phonerelated, then it is quite possible that your phone has overgrown its function as a utility tool, and has instead become a central part of your social life. Almost physiologically, a part you simply can’t live without.

And that’s cause for concern.

There is a word for that now: Nomophobia (“no-mobile-phone phobia”).

This is not yet a strictly medical term. British researchers coined the term in 2008, and it relates to freaking out at the mere thought of losing mobile phone contact.

This phenomenon is fairly recent and has not been studied enough and defined officially as a mental disorder.

But let’s start tossing it about: we should acknowledge the pathology of our relationship with our phones, and start talking about it.

We became addicted to computers and televisions, and we are addicted to our phones, even more so as their alreadyextensive features multiply by the year.

This is particularly worrisome because phones offer increased portability. We have a highlyconnected device that we can carry around all the time, unlike computers and televisions. They are the go-to friend in times of boredom, anxiety, loneliness, restlessness – a friend always available, and always soothing.

That doesn’t sound too bad, until you realize your phone may have become your best friend.

There’s something wrong with the picture, and we’re not bound to notice unless someone else points it out.

James Roberts of Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas, is the author of a recent study on cell phone dependence amongst college undergraduates.

He concluded, “Cell phones are used as part of the conspicuous consumption ritual and also act as a pacifier for the impulsive tendencies of users.”

Roberts also describes the smart phone as the status symbol of the moment, and claims, “It is eroding our personal relationships.”

People have different degrees of dependence on their phone and different degrees of personal relationships, so it is impossible to generalize on the extent to which phone usage affects personal relationships.

But here are some facts: Addictions are profitable for those who feed them. Smart

It’s safe to say that we’re living in a world where our cell phones make our lives easier, but it’s probably also safe to say we’ve created a situation where our overreliance has become addictive.

phones are a growing trend, and related disorders are more than likely to spread as phones become more prevalent and, for lack of a better word, more addictive.

You might ask, is this really serious enough to be called even informally an “addiction,” or is it the overzealous and conservative voice of old people mocking young habits?

How can such a useful and fun device lead to or aggravate an actual mental disorder?

A study by Dr. Lisa Merlo of the University of Florida found a link between anxiety and smartphone dependence.

According to Merlo, many patients use their cell phones to alleviate their mental health

(Photo courtesy jseliger2/Flickr Commons)

symptoms.

“You might see a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder who is using the phone to check things, or you might see a person with social phobia who is using the phone to avoid interaction with people,” she said.

There’s a fine line between embracing technological marvels and completely subjugating to their functions. Technology should be complementary to our natural social features, not a hindrance or an artificial substitute.

The only apparent way to forestall the trends is to make an effort to resist them.

You have a few choices.

Option one: denial, because, well, it’s comfortable being the

way you are; option two: You can become a hyper-aware neoLuddite who refuses to accept any new technology; or option three: you can fall somewhere in between, recognizing the faults in your lifestyle and truly desiring change for the better, while still enjoying the latest tech convenience.

Technology has its wonders, but there’s nothing more reassuring to human behaviour as letting your phone ring at will in your pocket, as you dare not disrupt a face-to-face conversation – or to turn it off entirely for two hours while watching a movie or the ballet.

It’s crucial to remember that the thing in your pocket is just a machine, and it works for you.

This mock parking meter was installed in between Old Main and the Brown House of Learning on Oct. 10.

The unnamed mastermind left a note saying the meter was installed to stimulate conversation between students and faculty about overpriced parking.

The note acknowledges that students are concerned about parking, but states there is no forum to express concerns.

The note on the meter reads: “This installation gives students an interactive way to voice concerns. The scaled up proportions of the meter represent our feelings as a group that this issue is all about the money regardless of feelings and financial state of the students” If you are behind the installation of this mock meter, The Omega would like to hear from you to continue the conversation. Contact news@truomega.ca

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Life & Community

October 16, 2013

The mental health conversation continues Suicide prevention workshops held as outreach improves for mental health issues on campus Karla Karcioglu

Mental health resources for students:

Ω Roving Editor TRU Aboriginal counselor Andrea Brassard presented two suicide intervention workshops on campus on Oct. 8 and 9 for staff and students. The event was organized by TRU wellness coordinator Chelsea Corsi.

Brassard said she hoped the workshops would “reduce the stigma around suicide and help people get a better understanding of what it could look like, or present like when somebody is asking for help,” as well as how to stay calm and feel capable of responding to those in need.

During the workshop, Brassard talked about the high correlation between mental health disorders and suicide, and how grouping people into high risk and low risk groups may cause us to give undue attention to some, and not enough attention to others.

Brassard also stressed the importance of using what she suggests is the correct term, “death by suicide,” and not the common term “committing suicide,” because it can give the wrong connotations.

An overall theme of the week’s events appeared to be outreach and better support for those affected by mental health issues.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada’s website states that “suicide is the leading cause of death for people in Canada aged 15 to 25.” The commission also suggests improving access to mental health treatment and support as a way to help those considering suicide.

Corsi is working towards improving access to said treatment and support with initiatives like Therapy Thursdays, where the St. John’s Ambulance therapy dogs

TRU Counselling Department OM 1631 250-828-5023 TRU Health Services OM 1463 250-828-5126

TRU students Taryn Cassidy (left) and Yulia Zubok (right) visit with Bridget Jensen and the St. John’s Ambulance dogs.

(Karla Karcioglu/ The Omega)

visit campus. The event returned to campus on Oct. 10.

Corsi also noted that the latest data from the National College Health Assessment survey, conducted last spring, indicates that mental health issues are very prevalent on campus. She is working to get more mental health information to students on campus and in the classroom.

According to Brassard, the two major theories behind suicide are the hope to get the attention and help needed, or a pain so intolerable that a person is desperate to make it stop.

There is usually a sign, conscious or unconscious, where people reach out for help, according to Brassard, and these signs are usually characterized by sudden differences or changes to a person.

Though it can be difficult, Brassard insisted on the importance of bringing forth the difficult question, “I’m wondering if you are feeling suicidal?”

Brassard outlined elements of a safety plan for those considering attempting suicide. The plan can be verbal or written and should include a plan to keep the person safe, a safety contact for them to reach out to, an agreement to avoid use of drugs or alcohol and a link to other resources and continual follow-up.

Some may already have a plan to attempt suicide, and in this case, Brassard said it is necessary to disable the method they plan to use, and to walk the individual in need directly to emergency support.

Statistics Canada reported

3,890 suicides in 2009 for people ages 10 and over, but Brassard pointed out that doesn’t include unreported attempts and suicidal thoughts.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) also visited campus on Oct. 10, setting up a booth in Old Main Student Street for their “Beyond the Blues” depression and anxiety education and screening day.

In previous years, the CMHA provided on-site mental health screening tests for students, but this year they opted for a more private option by providing students a website link where they can take the test themselves. To take the test yourself, visit http:// w w w.heretohelp.bc.ca / beyondthe-blues and click the link under “Take a self-test.”

Interior Crisis Line Network 1-888-353-2273 TRU Wellness Centre OM 1482 250-828-5010 Kamloops Mental Health 250-377-6500 Canadian Mental Health Association 250-828-2642 After-Hours Crisis Line 250-377-0088

TRU launches physical activity challenge to motivate students Karla Karcioglu Ω Roving Editor TRU wellness co-ordinator Chelsea Corsi is hoping to get staff and students to be more active with the Wellness Centre’s physical activity challenge “Fall Into Motion.”

The challenge is a part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) Wellness Fits program, which was designed to promote healthier workplaces in Canada.

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology’s guidelines for people aged 18 to 64 is 150 minutes of vigorous activity per week in increments of at least 10 minutes.

According to Corsi, physical activity plays a major role in preventing cancers, but getting the minimum suggested daily exercise is only one part of the picture.

The CCS website states that although only a small amount of studies have been done so far, recent research has found that long periods of sedentary behaviour may cause various health issues like diabetes, heart disease and various cancers as a result of cellular and metabolic changes.

The CCS reports that men spend 68 per cent of their waking hours being sedentary, and for women it’s 69 per cent.

Corsi lists driving, watching TV, sitting in classes and working in an office as major contributors to a sedentary lifestyle.

The CCS suggests breaking up your time spent sitting or lying down with two to three minute activity breaks that are as simple as standing, stretching or walking.

For students, Corsi said physical activity is known to

boost brain power and aid in a good night’s sleep.

For the Fall Into Motion challenge, staff and students are asked to organize teams of four to six people, decide on a team captain and team name and have the team captain register with Corsi via email at ccorsi@tru.ca.

Teams will be registered to an online dashboard to help track fitness points gained by participating in physical activity.

Extra points will be awarded if teams engage in activities together.

One point will be awarded per 10 minutes of physical activity.

Prizes will be awarded throughout the challenge to those who are submitting points, and the final winner of the challenge will get a free lunch anywhere they choose.

The challenge starts Oct. 14 and ends Nov. 24, but Corsi will accept registrations until Oct. 21.

Does this look like how you feel? Maybe think about joining the Wellness Centre’s physical activity challenge as an energy boost.

(Image courtesy Mr. Thomas/Flickr Commons)

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 7

Arts & Entertainment

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Film Review: Captain Phillips Hanks turns in brilliant performance, causing audience to forget they already know the ending Kevin Skrepnek Ω Contributor In a traditional movie trope, one would expect that, in a scenario seeing four ordinary men face off against a military superpower, the audience would be rooting for the underdogs.

In Captain Phillips, released Oct. 11, this is not the case. The semibiographical thriller, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Paul Greengrass, is a David vs. Goliath story of a disparate band of Somali pirates up against the combined force of the United States military.

Make no mistake, in this story, Goliath wins the day.

Based off Captain Rich Phillips’ book A Captain’s Duty, the film is a fast-paced retelling of the 2009 attempted hijacking of the American cargo ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa.

Given that Phillips has lived to tell the tale, it’s not much of a spoiler to say the pirates are not successful in hijacking the massive freighter. But, despite the somewhat foregone conclusion, Hanks puts on a gripping performance and Greengrass

keeps the action so tight and suspenseful that the audience will find themselves forgetting that they know how this story ends.

The movie’s opening act, providing a thin veneer of character development to both Phillips and his Somali antagonists, is without a doubt the plot’s weakest point.

The dialogue here is clichéd – almost as though it was added on as an afterthought. Thankfully, the action quickly moves the high seas, where the movie, and Hanks, hit their stride.

Director Paul Greengrass’ trademark “shakeycam” style is in full-tilt during most of the movie, giving it a documentarylike feel, not unlike his previous historical drama United 93. While he has received ample criticism for overusing this effect in his past movies, it works especially well in Captain Phillips and helps accentuate the claustrophobic setting on the ships, and the frenzied nature of the action onscreen.

Hanks’ acting ability, particularly in broadcasting raw human emotion, is on full display here as he turns in what is likely his best performance since 2000’s Castaway.

The interactions between Phillips and the pirate “captain” are intense, as the audience sees both men stripped down to their barest motivation – survival.

This dialogue stands in stark comparison to the clinical and swift American response to the hijacking – when the first slate-grey US warship arrives, it’s clear that the pirate’s fate is all but sealed. The asymmetrical nature of the standoff serves to showcase the sometimes nonsensical 21st century reality we live in, where ragtag bandits take on the most powerful military in the world.

The pirates themselves are not faceless villains, but fishermen forced into service by a local warlord. In many ways, they are men of circumstance, not unlike the crew of the Maersk Alabama.

Repeatedly, when negotiating with the Americans, they emphasize that the hijacking is “just business,” and that they have no affiliation with al Qaeda.

Captain Phillips succeeds where other recent fact-based dramas have failed (Zero Dark Thirty comes to mind). The suspense on-screen gives a human window to a global conflict, with Hanks and the rest of the cast putting on a thrilling and visceral performance.

Album review: The Sunshine, Girl

Annual gathering calls on writers Kamloops Writers Fair brings opportunities to make connections

Courtney Dickson Ω Arts & Entertainment Editor More than one year since their last EP, Kamloops’ own Van Damsel officially put out their latest work on Oct. 2. Right in the midst of the Peak Performance Project, The Sunshine, Girl’s release could not have been better timed.

The title track, “The Sunshine, Girl,” is perhaps one of the catchiest songs to come out of Canadian music in the last few years. Soothing vocals from front-man Sebastien Ste Marie and bouncy guitar make it difficult to not get up and dance.

As listeners will find with a good portion of the new EP, the lyrics express the group’s desire to take a special girl to the coast and hang out on a beach.

The first set of vocals in “August” sound like that of City and Colour’s “Fragile Bird,” though the mood shifts as the chorus rises and they sing, again, about going surfing and hanging out with a girl on the coast, sounding like an electronic version of The Drums.

“We could have some fun and try to make a baby,” is anything but subtle. The humour in their lyrics makes the music that much more enjoyable and easy to move around to.

“This song is called ‘Communist’ and it’s about my brother,” Ste Marie told the crowd during a recent performance in Kamloops. For a song with such a bold title, it sure has an upbeat, poppy sound

Director Paul Greengrass’ “shakeycam” and Tom Hanks’ emotion combine for a gripping tale.

(Image courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Whitney Griffiths Ω Contributor

Even the album artwork, designed by guitarist Richard Bregoliss, displays Van Damsel’s love for beach life.

(Image courtesy Van Damsel)

to it. Lyrics like “I’m so glad you finally found out what you wanted all along” also make the relationship between the song and Ste Marie’s brother a little more understandable.

You’re not going to fall asleep listening to this EP. Even though “Sun & Sand” is a little slower and initially sounds a little like Blink 182’s stuff during the early 2000s, the chorus turns it into another danceable track.

Guitarist Richard Bregoliss particularly showcases his talent on this album, and his contributions are precise and unique.

There’s no reason why these guys couldn’t become internationally popular; they’re not just another B.C. indie band.

Their music is universal and well-written. It’s even safe to say that if the people who create the playlist for surfer clothing store American Eagle got hold of this album, they’d have the whole thing blasting throughout their stores.

Fans should look forward to hearing their full length album, expected to be released early 2014, as it will also feature songs from The Sunshine, Girl.

The Kamloops Arts Council and BC Living Arts are hosting the fourth annual Kamloops Writers Fair at The Old Court House Cultural Centre Nov. 1 and 2. This event provides a great opportunity for writers of all ages, skill levels and genres to further their knowledge about writing and publishing.

“We are open to all writers. This includes emerging writers, amateurs and professionals alike,” fair co-ordinator Sylvia Olson said. “We kind of give them the opportunity to learn from their craft and give them networking opportunities. It’s the one time that all writers can get together here in Kamloops.”

The evening of Nov. 1 is a wine and cheese night, with an open mike for those who sign up for five-minute readings, though spots are limited due to time constraints. This first night is free for registered guests, and $10 for the public. This portion of the fair gives attendees the chance to hear the Writers Fair’s featured authors perform readings, as well as the opportunity to mingle with other writers.

Saturday, Nov. 2 is the official start of the conference. The keynote address will be given by author Sylvia Taylor and will be followed by four workshops, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

This year’s workshop hosts are award-winning author Sylvia Taylor, world-renowned author Gail Anderson-Dargatz, awardwinning author Mark Leiren-Young and publishing consultant Crystal Stranaghan.

After the workshops there will be a panel discussion with all workshop facilitators on the topic of publishing trends, focusing on e-publishing. The Writers Fair will conclude at 4 p.m. with door prizes.

Over the last four years, an average of 60 people have attended the Kamloops Writers Fair and Olson hopes this year they will have another good turnout of enthusiastic writers.

“We like to invite everybody that’s interested in writing to come and attend because there is always something new to learn about the craft of writing,” Olson said.

Registration for the fair closes on Oct. 26. The registration fee is $105 for the general public. A new addition this year to the Writers Fair is student pricing. With valid student ID, TRU students can attend for $75.

Feature

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October 16, 2013

Cancer recovery brings new goals WolfPack men’s soccer player Sebastian Gardner focusing on “the beauty of life” after taking on Hodgkin’s lymphoma Adam Williams Ω Sports Editor

F

or almost two years, Sebastian Gardner has been trying to have the last word with cancer.

Ever since the 25-year-old Vernon native, a midfielder for the TRU Wolf Pack men’s soccer team, was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January of 2012, he’s been desperate to get healthy.

He had done everything right.

He endured the chemotherapy, the radiation and changes in his diet and lifestyle. On July 5, 2012, he was rewarded. His doctors said he was cancer free. He burst into tears on the streets of Vancouver that day while on the phone with his wife – fiancée at the time – Cassie Gardner.

But the elation was shortlived. Just six months later in January 2013, a routine check-up made all that feel like a distant memory. The cancer was back and Sebastian hit rock bottom.

“The first bit of cancer wasn’t really rock bottom, and I think you really need to hit rock bottom before you make any changes that will really enhance your life,” Cassie said.

“So when he had his relapse, he got desperate. A relapse at 24 is kind of crazy and kind of terrifying.”

The cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, is a disease of the lymphatic system (the bodily system responsible for removing

Matt Adkin (left) and Nour Baz (right) pose with Gardner the day he was released from Vancouver General Hospital in June 2013.

toxins, waste and other unwanted material, while producing and transporting white blood cells).

It’s a tricky type of cancer, one that meant that, on top of the cancer, Sebastian also had to

Cassie and Sebastian at their wedding in September 2013.

(Photo submitted)

worry about otherwise benign illnesses like the f lu, because as the disease progressed it would affect his body’s ability to fight infection. He was given a 95 per cent chance of recovery the first time he was diagnosed, but with his relapse the survival rate sank to 40 per cent.

But as Sebastian and Cassie both agree, he’s a stubborn man, and diminished odds or not, he wasn’t going to give up. He made changes in his life. He took control of his diagnosis and his treatment, no longer focusing solely on what doctors were telling him to do. Sebastian went from a state of fear to a state of control. He became an active participant in his recovery.

Sebastian underwent two months of chemotherapy in Kamloops before undergoing a bone marrow transplant at Vancouver General Hospital at the end of April. Doctors harvested healthy stem cells from his bone marrow before putting him through six days of aggressive chemotherapy.

His stem cells were then reintroduced with the hope they would begin to produce healthy cells and he would begin to recover.

“Recovery was kind of the worst part for me because the chemo was still doing its thing and my blood levels just kept dropping and dropping and dropping . . . until the stem cells were able to find their way back to the bone marrow and produce healthy cells again,” Sebastian said. “Thank God for medicine and science.”

He spent those weeks in Vancouver drifting in and out of consciousness. He returned to Kamloops around the beginning of June, and it didn’t take long before he began to try to get back

in shape for the soccer season.

Despite what everyone around was telling him, he still held out hope he could play soccer in 2013. When he first got home, a 15-minute walk left him so drained he had to nap for four hours afterwards, but slowly things were getting better. He was seeing progress.

“

(Photo submitted)

Sebastian achieve a more holistic recovery, taking care of him emotionally and spiritually, not just physically.

Breath integration therapy, as the centre describes it, is a method of counselling using self-examination coupled with breathing techniques in an effort to help a person hear

Thank God for medicine and science.”

Sebastian Gardner, TRU WolfPack soccer player and cancer survivor

Part of his treatment plan this time around was making use of alternative medicine.

He began undergoing breath integration therapy with Lori Putoto at Kamloops’s Breath Integration Counselling and Therapy Centre shortly after his relapse. Putoto, herself a cancer survivor (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), quickly became a close friend.

She and Sebastian connected over their similar diagnoses and the journey to recovery. The therapy helped

subconscious thoughts, feel the emotions around them and change existing beliefs.

“I think in Canada, we’re mostly focused on a Western model of medicine – the medical model – you see a doctor, you get a diagnosis, you hit a treatment plan, take some pills. It’s very statistical,” Sebastian said.

“So I was kind of stuck in that procedure for almost two years now, and I just kind of wanted to discover other things.”

See RELAPSE, Pg.

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Feature

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 7

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... and a relapse “No one pays attention to his mind or his spirit, and that component was really the gamechanger for him,” Cassie added.

Between the help of Putoto and his doctor, Habib Sadeghi, a Los Angeles-based doctor of osteopathic medicine, Sebastian felt he was developing a treatment plan that worked for him.

“The medical model isn’t very empowering, so I just felt like I was a victim to my diagnosis and just getting put through cookiecutter steps to get better,” he said. “I just felt like there was other processes that I could attempt.”

“

and trying to make them more positive for himself and others.

He paid attention to his strengths and tried to have more patience with himself.

“He had literally built a ‘sac of shit’ around his heart,” Cassie said, ref lecting the words Dr. Sadeghi used to describe Sebastian’s cancer. “Through the emotional healing he’s just the image of health right now.”

Sebastian and Cassie didn’t face their challenges alone. Their relationship remains incredibly strong. Sebastian described Cassie as his “rock” in an article in last April’s The Omega, and they’ve been there for each other

There’s a grace there that I think he’ll find success with” Cassie Gardner WolfPack Alumnus and Sebastian’s wife

On top of his breath integration therapy, Sebastian underwent a blood detox and a heavy metal removal to rid himself of toxins from chemotherapy. Some of his treatments weren’t available to him here in Canada, and he believes the heavy metal removal was especially important in speeding up his recovery.

He focused on things that felt healing for him – a good diet, strengthening his connection with his Christian faith, reframing negative situations

throughout Sebastian’s recovery.

They had family and friends there to support them and they also had their athletics families (Cassie played women’s soccer at TRU) to fall back on.

“Both coaches, John Antulov and Sean Wallace, have been supportive throughout,” Sebastian said. “They’ve come and visited us at the house on shitty days, been there for fundraisers for me, always given me the time. They know how to manage me quite well, too, as

a player . . . they monitor me. I sometimes go too hard and tell them I’m fine. They know me so well now after five years of playing for them, they know when to call it quits for me.”

In March, Sebastian’s teammates held a fundraiser for the Gardners, which helped them cover their mortgage while Sebastian was undergoing treatment. The money also allowed Cassie to take time off of work to be with Sebastian during his recovery.

Soccer gave Sebastian a goal to work towards, even on those days where he could only muster up the energy to walk for 15 minutes.

“It was always something that I did hold on to, and I kind of created it, I think, with that belief that I could possibly be able to play soccer again for my last year of school,” he said. “There was a lot of people doubting me, like doctors told me not to rush back . . . I just felt like I could do it, so why not.”

Sebastian is now back in remission, and though his doctors have suggested that he undergo radiation treatment, he’s putting that off, instead focusing on soccer.

“I feel so confident in where I am right now in my healing process, I feel physically fine, emotionally fine, just a wholesome person,” he said. “To me playing soccer was way more healing than going to a medical clinic and getting radiation in Kelowna.”

He returned to Hillside Stadium on Oct. 5 for a game against the UBC-Okanagan Heat, which the Wolf Pack won 4-2. While Sebastian wasn’t sure his return provided a boost to his teammates, Cassie said they’re inspired by him. He’s now able to play more than half a soccer game at his best, and he’s still improving every day.

“I was so emotional; I was so thrilled; it was so cool,” Cassie said of his return. She was in the stands watching him play that day.

“They say, typically, the recovery from a bone marrow

Sebastian Gardner in action in September 2012, three months before his relapse.

Gardner before the ‘Pack’s Oct. 13 match against the Kwantlen Eagles.

(Photo by Cassie Gardner)

transplant is six months to one year. He’s right at his fivemonth mark right now and he epitomizes health and fitness.

“He’s taken charge of himself and it translates to athletics too.”

Sebastian said returning to the soccer pitch was an amazing feeling. It’s an experience he’s more appreciative of now than he was before his diagnosis.

“To be able to graduate this

(Photo by Andrew Snucins)

year and play out my fifth year after all I’ve been through is just so rewarding and so healing at the same time,” he said. “I find freedom playing soccer; it’s a way to express myself. I think before . . . I called it a healthy distraction, but now it’s not so much a distraction, it’s just who I am, my being. I love soccer and it’s healing.”

Cassie said the last two years have changed Sebastian, but not just in the physical sense – as a soccer player, too. She believes it’s only going to improve his play, and considering Sebastian hopes to return to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s national championship this year, his play has never been more important.

“He’s more humble now. You can tell on the field he’s just so grateful to be there,” she said.

“There’s a grace there that I think he’ll find success with.”

Sebastian is in control of his health now. He was once incredibly fearful of his diagnosis, but now he no longer relies strictly on the outcome of tests or the tone of his oncologist’s voice on the phone.

He’s confident in his own mind that he’s healthy.

Now, he’s finishing his education, planning to travel and focusing on starting a career in social work.

Eventually he and Cassie hope to start a family. He was also just named an academic all-Canadian for last season.

Things are falling into place.

For the first time in a long while, he’s able to focus more of his attention on the things that make him happy and the things that feel healing.

“It’s the beauty of life, I suppose,” he said.

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Puzzle of the week Puzzle of the Week #6 – Logic Problem Three students (Gordon, John, and Sue) each rent a different type of dwelling (apartment, dorm room, and house) and each have a different type of pet (cat, dog, and goldfish). From the clues below, determine who rents what and has what kind of pet.

1. John’s dog likes chasing the apartment dweller’s cat.

2. Gordon keeps his dorm room neat.

3. Cats and dogs are not allowed in a dorm room.

This contest is sponsored by the Mathematics and Statistics department. The full-time student with the best score at the end of the year will win a prize. Please submit your solution (not just the answer but also why) by noon the second-tonext Wednesday to Gene Wirchenko <genew@telus.net>. Submissions by others are also welcome. The solution will be posted the Wednesday after that in my blog (http://genew.ca/) and in the Math Centre (HL210A). Come visit: we are friendly.

1. Hardy post 5. Paperlike cloth 9. Talk effusively 13. Suffer 14. Area 51 conveyances?

15. ___ Domingo 16. Word waiters write 17. “Forget it!”

18. Anesthetized 19. Express excitement 22. ___ Bowl 23. “___ Baby Baby” (Linda Ronstadt hit) 24. Don’t hold back 28. Inner ear part 32. Ancient Greek theater 33. Shiftless 35. “Dig in!”

36. Wait on demanding diners, maybe?

40. Age or cube 41. Georgetown athlete 42. Threadbare 43. Attack 46. Savory bit 47. Hindu month 48. Cat chat 50. Lights may do this during a storm 58. Pre-migraine sensations 59. Egyptian god 60. Bin brand 61. Refuse

62. Kind of store 63. Names 64. Transmitted 65. Cicatrix 66. “The ___ have it” Down 1. Cutting remark 2. Aviation acronym 3. By way of, briefly 4. “___ Angel” 5. Prepare to strum 6. In conflict with, with “of” 7. “Big ___” (Notorious B.I.G. hit) 8. Fishing, perhaps 9. Mohandas Karamchand ___ 10. Change back 11. Hasenpfeffer, e.g.

12. Game ender, perhaps 15. Sweat 20. Fine dinnerware 21. Eminent 24. Large-eyed lemur 25. Bring out 26. Article of faith 27. Lowe or Reiner 28. Arm bone 29. Popular mints 30. Caffè ___ 31. ___ alcohol 33. Religious image (var.)

34. V-___ 37. Elected

38. Displeased expression 39. Propel, in a way 44. Directed skyward 45. Upchucks 46. Lame joke 48. Ape 49. Bowel flusher 50. In things 51. Artificial bait 52. “Pumping ___” 53. Physics units 54. Computer info 55. Not bad 56. Craving 57. Make a dinner salad

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RANDOM JOKE! A lady was picking up several items at a discount store.

When she finally got up to the checker, she learned that one of her items had no price tag.

Imagine her embarrassment when the checker got on the intercom and boomed out for all the store to hear: “PRICE CHECK ON LANE 13, TAMPAX, SUPERSIZE.” That was bad enough, but somebody at the rear of the store apparently misunderstood the word “tampax” for “THUMBTACKS.” In a business-like tone, a voice boomed back over the intercom: “DO YOU WANT THE KIND YOU PUSH IN WITH YOUR THUMB OR THE KIND YOU POUND IN WITH A HAMMER?”

Got a better joke? Got a comic? Send ‘em in and we might run ‘em.

editor@truomega.ca

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Sports

The Omega · Volume 23, Issue 7

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WolfPack Bites Adam Williams Ω Sports Editor TRU’s men’s soccer team put the rest of the Pacific Western Athletic Association on notice on the weekend of Oct. 12: they’ll settle for nothing short of a first place finish.

The Wolf Pack shut out the Douglas College Royals 3-0 on Saturday and followed up with a blanking of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles on Sunday, 2-0. They then played a make-up match against the Capilano Blues on Monday, winning 3-1. The men are 9-2-1 through their first 12 games and lead the conference.

The men will be back at Hillside Stadium to play Langara and Quest next Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. – the final two games of the regular season.

The women’s soccer team continued its undefeated streak on the weekend of Oct. 12, winning 2-0 against Douglas College on Saturday and 5-2 against Kwantlen Polytechnic University on Sunday. The Wolf Pack is now 10-0-2.

The women will also close out their regular season on the

weekend of Oct. 19 at Hillside Stadium, with matches against Quest University and Langara College; both games are scheduled to begin at noon.

Simon Fraser University once again had all the answers for the new-look Wolf Pack men’s hockey team on Saturday, Oct. 12, picking up the victory at home 7-4.

The loss is the ‘Pack’s second in as many games and has dropped it out of the first place spot in the B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League for the first time this season.

The hockey team is scheduled to be in Castlegar on next weekend taking on the Selkirk College Saints, the newlyanointed league-leaders.

The Wolf Pack men’s basketball team is 2-1 in its young preseason, after wins against Wilfred Laurier and Concordia of Montreal in a tournament at UBC held on the weekend of Oct. 12.

TRU defeated the Laurier GoldenHawks 84-65 in the tournament’s first game on

Setter Colin Carson puts one up for his teammates in their gold-medal winning match against the UBCO Heat in a four-team invitational exhibition tournament held the weekend of Oct. 12.

(Karla Karcioglu/ The Omega)

Thursday and followed up with a 79-68 victory against Concordia of Montreal on Friday.

The ‘Pack’s only loss came in Saturday’s match against Concordia of Portland in which they were defeated 89-60.

The men will play their next exhibition game at the Tournament Capital Centre, Oct. 19, 8 p.m., against the Vancouver Island University Mariners of the Pacific Western Athletic Association.

Playing host to its first tournament of the year, TRU’s men’s volleyball team took home the bronze medal.

The men, who lost to Guelph (3-2), UBC (3-2), and UBC-Okanagan (3-0) in the

tournament’s round-robin play, rebounded to defeat Guelph 3-0 in the bronze medal match of the four-team invitational.

UBC went on to win against UBC-Okanagan in the gold medal match, 3-2.

The Wolf Pack’s next match will be its season-opener, in Kelowna against UBCOkanagan, on Oct. 25. The team will return home for its homeopener Oct. 26.

Only minor improvement for WolfPack women’s basketball Karla Karcioglu Ω Roving Editor The TRU WolfPack women’s basketball team played an exhibition tournament beginning on Friday Oct. 11 at the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC). The games continued through the weekend, though the results were not what they’d hoped for.

The women took Friday’s game against the UBC-Okanagan Heat, 79-55, with the ‘Pack holding the lead throughout the first three quarters. The ‘Pack lost Saturday’s game to the Trinity Western Spartans 69-66, and lost Sunday’s game against the UNBC Timberwolves 79-66.

Overall, the weekend wasn’t much of an improvement for the team over the three straight losses in Ontario the previous weekend.

The top scorer for the weekend was forward Kassie Colonna, scoring 23 points Friday, and 22 Sunday, while guard Jorri Duxbury scored 22 points on Saturday.

Head coach Scott Reeves said the team didn’t shoot the ball very well in the first half, hitting only 20 per cent of their shots, but they improved in the second half. He also said they struggled with rebounds throughout the game.

“We want to win the rebound war,” Reeves said, noting that he

didn’t like being on even footing with the other team in terms of rebound statistics.

Reeves also said it was good to get some actual games played, rather than just practicing.

“I think the kids have been going at each other for long enough in practice. It was nice to play somebody else,” Reeves said, noting that it was also nice to play a home game with many of the players’ families in town for Thanksgiving.

Taiysa Worsfold, who was injured in a game against the Wilfrid

Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo the weekend of Oct. 5, was there to support her teammates however she could from the sidelines.

Worsfold said her team started slow and they are still getting used to playing in their own gym, but that she was impressed with her team’s energy in the third quarter.

Worsfold hopes to rejoin her team in the next few weeks.

The team’s home opener will be Nov. 1 against the Saskatchewan Huskies at the TCC.

Shenise Sigsworth drives the lane during the WolfPack’s sole win of the weekend against the UBCO Heat.

(Karla Karcioglu/ The Omega)

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October 16, 2013

TRUSU Membership Advisory Election Polling will take place on

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16 FROM 8AM - 8PM & THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 FROM 8AM - 4PM in the Students’ Union Building

Graduate Students’ Representative • Sabina Donnelly

Director-at-Large (1)

Candidate bios available at trusu.ca

• • • • • • • • • •

Meshari Alanazi Ajay Borasi Sunanda Chowdhury Akinmodiro Fadekemi Jennifer Lam James Maraun Stacey Rowat Jaswant Singh Saini Zaid Sayyed Charlotte Nyungou Tibia

Log on to trusu.ca and get connected!

Struggling to make ends meet?

TRUSU operates a confidential food bank for students. Drop by the Members’ Services Desk or contact info@trusu.ca for more info

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