Wellness by The Weal, SAITSA's student run publication

Vol

Wealinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; since 1926

Top

P ic k s

s u p m a c on

.0 4

P o d c as t

s i b a n C an p.10

ss e n ll e W

: y t i l a u x e s Bi 0 2 . p l a e it's r

Publications Coordinator

Emilie Charette

Layout Editor

Spring Nguyen

Hello SAIT students, Photo Editor

Jesse Boily

Editor

Mark Wiseman

Editor

Carter Bews

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the winter holidays and wish you all a good start to the new semester. You may have noticed that this edition of the Weal looks a little different from previous ones. We’ve decided to start branching out with the kind of content we provide, instead of staying inside rigid categories. However, we’ll still be providing you with quality stories and hope you’ll bear with us as we find our feet with this new direction.

Jesse Heinrichs

In this wellness-themed issue, you’ll find advice on keeping sex safe, a tasty rice recipe to keep you warm in the January chill, and some suggestions for fun winter activities, among many other things.

Editor

As the new semester kicks off, don’t forget to make time for yourself, even with other responsibilities such as work and school.

Editor

Amanda McColl

Editor

Nokwethemba Moyo

If you’d like to see your byline and your work, whether written, photographed, or design, in print, please come to our weekly pitch meetings every Monday at noon in V219 of the Campus Centre. We’re located near the hockey rink and always looking for fresh voices and perspectives. Emilie Charette,

Editor

Terry Fru

Publications Coordinator, Saitsa Graphic Designer

Kendra Marshall

Graphic Designer

Brandon Wong Cover illustration Spring Nguyen

Direct letters, questions and concerns to:

Staff Photographer

Lexa Chambers

Staff Photographer

Kira McDonald

EMILIE CHARETTE ecycharette@yahoo.ca The Weal V219, 1301-16 Ave. N.W. Calgary, Alberta, T2M 0L4

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES For rates, available sizes, and deadlines, visit: https://theweal.com/advertise-with-us/ For inquiries, contact: Emilie Charette Publications Coordinator the.weal@edu.sait.ca ph. 403-284-8558

FEATURES

Cannabis up in smoke...

January Podcast Picks

Inside journalism at SAIT

CONTENT JANUARY 2020 PODCAST FEATURES

RELATIONSHIPS

04 January Podcast Picks

15 How to find yourself in a relationship

ALUMNI FEATURES 06 Inside journalism at SAIT

OPINIONS 10 Cannabis up in smoke on campus? 12 Tommy’s Two Cents

18 Sexual health beyond condoms 20 Bisexuality: it’s real

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 22 Everything you need to know about Disney+

p in .

YouQuest at SAIT

Bisexuality: it’s real

Everything you need to know about Disney+

CAMPUS CURIOSITY

HOW TO

24 SAIT collaborates with YouQuest

30 How to – Sew

FATDWAP

WORD SEARCH

26 Introducing “Fun Activities To Do With Another Person”

31 Year for Mental Health

RECIPES 29 Jollof Rice

PODCAST PICKS Educational: Philosophize This

hilosophize This is a fantastic introduction to basic philosophical concepts and the brains behind them. In this podcast, Stephen West takes us through the chronology of philosophers, from the 6th century BC all the way up to present day philosophers. It’s best to listen to this podcast from the beginning, as a lot of the earlier concepts lay important groundwork for future topics in the podcast.

West relates old ideas to modern day concepts in a way that makes them applicable to everyday life. Philosophize This comes off as a little bit DIY in early episodes. The sound quality hasn’t improved much since the podcast’s conception. However, it’s not bad to the point where it’s distracting.

One criticism Philosophize This faces is that West is not himself an academic philosopher. He also doesn’t bring in any academic philosophers on the show. Initially, West released a podcast every one The early episodes are long, with run times around to two weeks. Recently, it has been quite sporadic. 50 minutes. As the show progresses, Stephen West Releases happen once every month to month and a cuts them into more digestible, 25-minute episodes. half. This is a very informative podcast that offers a This podcast describes the events that led to ton of well thought-out ideas and, it deserves to be specific ways of thinking, such as how the bubonic on everyone’s list. plague spurred individualistic thinking among the public.

theWeal.com | January 2020

Sports: Don Cherry’s The Grapevine

on Cherry has resurrected his old TV show The Grapevine, and rebranded it as a podcast with the help of his son, Tim Cherry. The podcast comes as a result of an on-air debacle where Don Cherry criticized people in predominantly nonwhite communities of the Greater Toronto Area for not wearing poppies. His gross generalization sparked a lot of attention across the country, and led to his firing from Sportsnet. It’s my opinion that Don Cherry’s remarks were divisive, whether intentionally or unintentionally. I also believe that those sorts of remarks have no place on national television, especially on a program which was publicly funded for so many years. Don Cherry has been known for making off-handed comments before, and odds are he’ll probably continue. That’s why I want to be cautious while recommending this podcast.

over his podcast could lead to more frequent outbursts like the one on Coach’s Corner. There is another part of me, however, that sees his value as a hockey commentator. He has been in and around the game longer then most people have even been alive. Its relevancy to current events is why I’ve chosen this podcast for the sports category. Tim is there to facilitate the conversation, to keep the ball rolling, and to act as a fact checker. Don talks about old stories, current events in the NHL, and, of course, about his dog Blue. It looks like they’ll be releasing episodes weekly, with mini episodes coming out on days with breaking news stories. If you miss Don Cherry’s booming voice talking about “good Canadian kids,” old-time hockey, and the state of the game today, you’re going to want to give it a follow.

Part of me is worried that having full autonomy

Informative: The Daily

he Daily is one of the most popular podcasts out currently, and is produced by one of the world’s most reputable publications, The New York Times. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, The Daily comes out with new episodes Monday to Friday. Each episode is generally between 20 and 30 minutes long, and is often focused around politics. Usually the topics covered are U.S. current events, however, The Daily is not beholden to that. This podcast also covers current events from around the world. The production of The Daily is some of

the best production around, and it’s evident that The New York Times has a large and capable team backing the podcast. The Daily provides long-form journalism with great narratives and clear story arcs. The short episode length, the frequency of episodes, and subject of this podcast make it ideal for a morning commute. Listening to this podcast is a great way to stay caught up on current events and is a must-subscribe for anyone with an interest in the news.

What’s happening in your community | Podcast Feature

E D I S N I T I A S t a m s i l a n r jou ke elped them ma h t a h w t u o b a lk n. m graduates ta ra g ro p after graduatio sm rs li e a re rn a c l Jou fu ss e SAIT to succ the jump from

By Mark Wiseman

s employment in traditional news media continues to face great instability and claims of “fake news” are used to target journalists worldwide, SAIT’s journalism program has been steadily enrolling more students than ever before. Challenging job market conditions for journalism grads will likely persist into the future. However, recent SAIT Journalism grads highlight how they were able to make it in a business with so much uncertainty.

theWeal.com | January 2020

RCMP ing campaign for about a letter-writ s nt de stu l l. oo ee ch highs Western Wh ht, interviews two ent Calver of The Krista Conrad, rig oto provided by Br Ph . 19 20 r be to in Okotoks on Oc

Appreciation Day

Krista Conrad, 2015 graduate: Reporter at the Okotoks Western Wheel and Communications Consultant After leaving SAIT, Krista Conrad landed a full-time job at the newspaper in her hometown of Okotoks. The family-first culture of the Okotoks Western Wheel proved to be exactly what she needed.

“I was a part of the Weal from the very beginning,” said Conrad, “I started writing right away outside of class, and that helped a lot.” Conrad believes students at SAIT are exposed to a wide variety of opportunities to get involved, and she By the time she finished at SAIT, Conrad was a single encourages them not to pass anything up. mother of four about to face a difficult job market. “The more that you can show potential employers that For Conrad, not working simply wasn’t an option. you’ve done, the better off you are,” said Conrad. So, as soon as her classes finished, she scoured job While the future outlook of traditional print media websites and began applying for a minimum of 10 jobs looks challenging, Conrad is optimistic about the per day. future opportunities that SAIT journalism graduates will encounter. “I thought if I could get them in a room, maybe I could convince them I’m the right candidate,” said Conrad, “Don’t be discouraged by what you’re hearing who applied for every job that seemed remotely within in the market or the economy,” said Conrad. her skillset. Conrad says the journalism program While Conrad was attending SAIT, she became heavily provides students with a variety of skills involved with the Weal and volunteer organizations as in communications, news, video, and a way of differentiating herself from her classmates. photography, which will help graduates get jobs in many different industries. What’s happening in your community | Alumni Features

Amanda Siebert, 2015 graduate: Freelance Journalist, Photographer, Cannabis Editor, Author

According to Siebert, it’s a lot harder for people who only want to specialize in one area like writing or photography. While Siebert was attending SAIT, she made a conscious decision to focus heavily on her school work and extra-curricular activities. “I knew how hard it was going to be a journalist for real,” said Siebert. Siebert was able to gain an advantage over her classmates in the job market because she also took great care to participate in extra curriculars. “Being involved in extra curriculars and particularly working with the Weal, those were things that really benefited my time at SAIT.” Siebert’s practicum took her to The Georgia Straight, a Vancouver weekly newspaper she had been reading for much of her life. SAIT journalism alumni, Amanda Siebert, left, sha res excerpts and insigh from her book titled, The ts Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life at the Odessey in Calgary on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. Photo by Rorie Stannard

During her practicum, she found herself doing stories that many of the journalists at the paper didn’t want to cover.

Journalism is a highly uncertain profession right now, and Amanda Siebert remembers distinctly being told at SAIT “you’ll need more than one skillset if you want to make it.”

“I was able to go out and cover those “boring news items” in a way that journalists who had been at the paper for 10-15 years weren’t about to do.”

Heeding this advice, Siebert has since worked at The Georgia Straight in Vancouver as a writer, photographer, and cannabis editor. In 2018, she published her first book, The Little Book of Cannabis.

Siebert also thinks it’s important in to chase topics you’re interested in, which is a strategy that lead her to becoming one of the North America’s first cannabis editors.

“That was some of the best advice I got, because that really enabled me to get a job right away,” said Siebert.

“If you have a niche, if there’s something you really like writing about, and you’re good at it, do that thing.”

theWeal.com | January 2020

Photo pro vided by

Kyle Mell e

Kyle Meller, 2016 graduate: Trafficking Coordinator at Critical Mass Since graduating from SAIT, Meller has worked in communications and marketing for Mercedes Benz and Storm Inc. He is now at Critical Mass.

With a clear vision of what he wanted to accomplish after SAIT, Meller did a “lot of self-education” before graduation, to do what he needed to get his first marketing and communications job.

When Meller was going through the journalism program, he began to feel that specializing in marketing and communications would be the most viable career choice for him once he left SAIT.

He took a number of free online courses from Google and other companies to bolster his resume while in school.

While Meller was at SAIT, he remembers his instructor Jim Cunningham saying “this diploma is what you make of it,” and Meller took this to heart.

“Being a licenced Google ads professional was a basic stepping stone into marketing and communications,” said Meller

He began to search for learning opportunities outside of his course work, including working at the Weal.

To Meller, it’s important for current journalism students to realize there are many career avenues for their education other than doing journalistic work.

“I definitely think that working at the Weal was probably the best thing I ever did at SAIT,” said Meller. That year, Meller earned a crash course in newspaper publishing, as the newspaper’s publications coordinator quit, and all of the remaining editors at the Weal ran the newspaper.

As a suggestion, he challenges students to think about all the different careers that require a talent for writing or taking photos. “There’s many more career paths that would suit a bunch of varying skillsets with the journalism background,” said Meller.

What’s happening in your community | Alumni Features

CANNABIS UP IN SMOKE ON CAMPUS?

An update on the cannabis prohibition and Saitsaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in student concerns with cannabis. By Jessica Dezall - Photo by Jesse Boily

theWeal.com | January 2020

“

“The main concerns that people have are they don’t want people to be high in class.” - Ryan Morstad, Saitsa President

AIT’s cannabis prohibition aroused response

“What I’m advocating for is that it would be a des-

from SAIT students and faculty, and is drawing ignated zone away from walking areas in a secluded part of campus,” said Morstad. the attention of Saitsa Board members.

With SAIT being a public space, SAIT’s first re-

Morstad said that while they see it is a student

sponse in creating the procedure document for concern, broader research needs to be done and it Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products was to follow currently won’t be a main issue of focus. the City of Calgary guidelines outlined in Calgary’s “Smoking and Vaping Bylaw.”

Saitsa BOD member Tristan Ryan, an Electrical Engineering Technology student who smokes cannabis

SAIT’s regulations state that the use and/or sale off campus, says there are more important issues to discuss than cannabis on campus, such as educaof cannabis is prohibited in SAIT’s facilities. Saitsa President Ryan Morstad and the Saitsa

tional funding.

team are collecting data through the Happy or Not

“It’s a need that is not unmet,” said Ryan.

terminals as well as through the anonymous com-

He also said that advocating for a consumption

ment sections in the voting for the Saitsa Board of preference is use of time that could be better spent. Directors (BOD) election, which took place in the “Frankly, I think that you should be allowed to con2019 Fall Semester. sume the medicine you need wherever you are, but “The main concerns that people have are they I really do think that students are already able to do don’t want people to be high in class,” said Morstad. that,” said Ryan. “And they don’t want to smell it.”

Tim Holowachuk, a SAIT Mechanical Engineering

Morstad said that he wants to host a town hall, or Technology student and Saitsa BOD member, advoforum, on SAIT’s campus to hear student concerns cated for cannabis in the recent BOD election. on this topic, but no official plans have been laid. Morstad said that it’s ultimately up to SAIT to im-

“I think it’s inherently unfair,” said Holowachuk. Concerning cannabis prohibition negatively af-

plement any course of action and that Saitsa’s part fecting people on campus, Holowachuk said he had is to present student concerns to SAIT’s Board of no information to support that, but he says it’s a stuGovernors for evaluation in making their decisions.

dent concern. What’s happening in your community | Opinions 11

Tommy’s

Two cents By Tommy Twocents Illustrations by Kendra Marshall

ometimes, when I’m feeling wild and rebellious, I’ll do something out of character. I’ll do something like parking my beatup Honda Civic somewhere where it’s clearly forbidden. Sometimes I’ll park somewhere that requires payment, and I’ll flip the bird to the parking meter as I hop out. Sometimes I’ll hop on the train after forgetting my U-pass and I’ll just skip paying my fare. Pretty wild huh? That’s usually what I’m thinking. I commit these acts of defiance, like many of us do, as a way to fill that rebellious urge I developed in my pre-teen years. I end up feeling pretty cool stickin’ it to the man. That is, until I get back to my car and see they’ve stuck a nice shiny ticket between my windshield wipers. As I watch the chinook winds blow that ticket around like an inflatable man outside of a used-car dealership, the only thing I can see is the smug look of a bylaw officer as they drive

theWeal.com | January 2020

away knowing they’ve taught another valuable lesson. In this installment of Tommy’s Two Cents, we’re switching things up a little bit. Instead of doing a budget product review, I’m going to shed some light on how to get a pesky fine reduced. I should probably start this off by saying I have nothing but respect for law enforcement. I’m a big believer in a society that reinforces its rules, and I’m super thankful we have people working around the clock to make sure we’re safe. However, I’ve never actually been able to afford a ticket, so this has forced me to try and find ways around it. There are a few options you can explore when deciding how to handle a ticket. I’ll briefly gloss over the first couple of options, but I’m really only going to focus on the one I think is the best.

Option One

You can take your ticket and burn it. You can continue to be defiant by just pretending it never happened. If you choose this method you can realistically get away without paying the ticket for six months, maybe longer. The only thing about doing this is it usually ends up one of two ways. It can pan out like it did for my roommate, who didn’t pay his ticket for a year, and when he came back from a trip to Mexico, was refused entry back into Canada. This led to an awkward phone call with his folks, and a sad plea for an e-transfer.

02 PAID

You could also end up like my mom, who had a warrant issued for her arrest after failing to pay her ticket for over a year. From what I hear, this isn’t such a bad outcome. It turns out that three days behind bars can provide some much-needed rest. It’s also a great opportunity to meet some really neat pen pals.

Option Two

If you pay your ticket the day after it’s issued, the discounted rate is actually pretty good. This is the least likely of the options, as I’ve never met a student who was truly proactive.

Option Three

You have every right to plead ‘not guilty’. If you’ve been binge watching Suits for the hundredth time, and you’re feeling particularly confident in representing yourself and pleading your case, this isn’t a bad option. Often times, the person who issued the ticket can’t be bothered to give your broke ass the time of day. If this is the case, then you can get away scot-free. I’ve also heard of the judge just throwing the case out before it even goes to court. Keep in mind this one is a bit of a gamble because there’s no way to tell if the person who gave you your ticket is a devout justice warrior. If that’s the case, you’re pretty much screwed.

Option Four

These next two words are the most important words you can use when trying to not pay for a ticket, and I can’t emphasize them enough. COMMUNITY SERVICE.

What’s happening in your community | Opinions 13

My feelings are that by taking the community service option, you can get two birds stoned at once. The only thing employers like seeing on a resume more than relevant work experience is volunteer endeavors. The way I see it, you can pay off your ticket without spending a dime, build up your resume, and impress your friends by donating yourself to the community for a day. There’s no reason to disclose your real motives – the bottom line is you did a good thing. You can sleep well knowing you’re a pillar of the community.

have your fine reduced, and she’ll send your case up to the courts on the 9th floor. Elevator time. When you find your courtroom, you’ll be given the option to have your fine reduced, extended, or transferred to the Fine Option Program. The Fine Option Program makes your ticket payable through community service and gives you an additional six months to pay with cash, should you decide to later. On top of that, they’ll reduce your fine as well.

My most recent case had my $250 transit “You can sleep well knowing ticket reduced to a $150 you’re a pillar of the community.“ transit ticket. The best part about it is that I get - TTC to decide where that Throw on your Sunday $150 goes. Heck, I can best and head down to probably give it to the the Calgary Courts Centre on 5th Ave. Going Mustard Seed, one of the many crown jewels to court is exhilarating. There are more that have come out of Calgary. escalators than you can shake a stick at, and the elevators feel like they’re moving at warp If you’re like me and you like stickin’ it to speed. I had honestly never even been to the the man, this isn’t a bad way of going about 9th floor of a building before going to court. it. I like to think of it almost as a peaceful The entire building reeks of tax dollars, so protest, just without a real cause or a picket when I walk in there, I usually act like I own sign. As I said before, community service the place. gets you jobs, saves you money, and makes You should too. you look like an icon on social media. My two cents for the week is to use the Fine Option Remember, the earlier you get there, the Program as much as you can from here on faster you’ll get through. To submit your out. appeal, you need to go to the 2nd floor. Once there, put on your favourite podcast. You’re Thanks for listening, about to be standing in queue for a minimum of 30 minutes. Once you get to the front of Tommy Twocents. the line, you’ll tell a clerk that you’d like to The process of reducing your fine to community service is a fairly simple one.

theWeal.com | January 2020

HOW TO FIND yourself IN A RELATIONSHIP By Sarah B Groot - Photo by Jesse Boily

Chloe Lee and Chris Symes pose for a portrait in Kensington in Calgary on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. The couple has been dating since April 2017.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in your community | Relationships 15

“

Clear communication is really important, as is explaining priorities,” - Marta Edgar, SAIT educational counsellor

ealthy relationships are built on love, respect, her partner four years ago in army cadets and care, and happiness. They require attention to they started dating two years ago. flourish. Kowal believes it is important to understand

The most important relationship you will ever have is the relationship you have with yourself.

that your values aren’t always going to line up. You need to be able to appreciate differences.

Marta Edgar, an educational counsellor at SAIT,

“Respect is everything, that’s it,” said Kowal.

said students typically have very little time, which

Edgar said students get a lot of advice from

can be a challenge for romantic relationships. “Clear communication is really important, as is explaining priorities,” said Edgar. Edgar sees students overloaded with work, and the reality is tough. When you are going to

others; in many cases, a student will be stressed, and their friends and family will advise them to end a relationship because they want to help them feel better and de-stress. It can be very difficult to make good decisions

school, working and studying, there is not a lot of under stressful circumstances. If others are advising you or you’re searching for advice online, time to get flirty. “How do you, on top of this overload, maintain a relationship? I don’t know, maybe reconsider your priorities,” she said. One recommendation Edgar had for maintaining a healthy balance in relationships is to get creative. Finding ways to spend time together, even if it’s something like grocery shopping or studying, are simple ways to keep the spark alive. “If you are thinking of this relationship in the long-term, you will be doing mundane things together, so you might as well start,” she said. Maia Kowal, a first-year student at SAIT, met

theWeal.com | January 2020

you will get thousands of pieces of advice that are contradictory, explains Edgar. “Do you have enough self-awareness, enough wisdom, to really figure out what is best for you?” said Edgar. The more you get to know yourself, the easier it is to listen to yourself and know your needs. “Whatever makes you uncomfortable, that’s important to listen to,” said Edgar. She added that it’s important to know the difference between discomfort that can promote growth, such as challenging your assumptions

and biases, and the discomfort that challenges your integrity. “If somebody is telling you to drop your values and drop your integrity, that’s not right,” said Edgar. If you find yourself in the midst of a breakup, acknowledging the hurt and taking good care of yourself is important, Edgar explained. “Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and connecting to others who are there for you, people, pets, whoever is there for you, that will help you go through that pain and recover,” said Edgar. There is a loss that has to run its course. There is no easy way to get over it, so it’s important to be patient with yourself,

The best way to protect your mental health in college, according to Edgar, is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. “We are all much less able to cope with stress when we are sleep deprived, if we have enough sleep, we are much more resilient,” she said. Kowal places a lot of importance on time management, both making time for yourself and making time for your partner. One way that Kowal creates healthy boundaries is by having mental health days where she has alone time to work on projects. “It’s staying an individual while being a couple.”

Edgar explained. “Having hope for the future is important. This may feel like the end of everything, but it’s not,” said Edgar.

What’s happening in your community | Relationships 17

h t l a e H l a u Sgoesebxeyond condomasfe s x e s p e e k y s to

a w r e ot h nda By Ama

McColl

ot Ph

of ro m

Pix ab a y.co m

theWeal.com | January 2020

afe sex is something that everyone who is sexually active should be aware of, but sadly, some of this vital information can get lost in the shuffle. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, hooking up, or somewhere in between, keeping yourself safe is vital. Condoms come to mind for most people when they hear the words ‘safe sex’, but there are options out there that prevent STIs and pregnancy, that don’t get the attention that the condom does. That said, the good, ol’, reliable condom is a good place to start.

Condoms These are, by far the easiest to get access to, and are available at just about any grocery store or pharmacy. They’re useful for vaginal, anal and oral sex, though you might want to get unlubricated condoms for oral sex, since the lube on most brands is not very tasty. There are flavored options but they’re usually listed as novelties and aren’t recommended for vaginal or anal use. “The sugar in some flavorings can cause yeast infections,” said Ellie Goodwin, a local sex educator. Condoms are the most effective way to avoid STIs and pregnancy, though if you or your partner have a latex allergy, do keep in mind that sheepskin condoms are less effective against STIs. So, the old rule still stands true – no glove, no love.

Dental Dams

Internal Condoms

No, we are not looking for plaque with these. Dental dams are square or rectangular pieces of latex that work as a barrier between the mouth of one person and the genitals of another while performing oral sex. They protect against all the same STIs that condoms do, but they are woefully unheard of for many people. “I don’t know if it’s because we don’t want to talk about oral sex that doesn’t involve a penis, or what but too many people don’t know what they are or what they’re for,” said Goodwin. Woefully lacking too, are places to buy them in Calgary. But, never fear, it’s super easy to make your own. All you need is an unlubricated condom. Unroll it, cut through it from the bottom to the tip and, voila! You’re ready for safe oral sex. No matter how you protect yourself during sex, it’s important to use the method as instructed and consistently. “It’s your health on the line, and even the best sex isn’t worth risking that,” said Goodwin. “Have fun and be safe and informed.”

Often referred to as “female condoms”, these come with a very detailed instruction manual, mostly due to the fact that many people are not familiar with them or how they work. Basically, the internal condom goes into the vagina and leaves a bit hanging out that covers everything on the outside of the body. While they say you can insert one hours before you have sex, many said that wasn’t really a comfortable option. “It’s not exactly uncomfortable,” said Danielle Park, about the one time she tried one. “I was just super conscious of it the whole time. It’s hard to be in the moment with a deflated balloon between your legs.” Despite being marketed as a way to have more control over one’s sexual health options, the internal condom is not widely available. If you don’t mind hunting for them, and you follow the instructions, they are an effective option.

What’s happening in your community | Relationships 19

No, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a phase

Bisexuality is real and needs to be seen

By Amanda McColl - Illustrations by Spring Nguyen

theWeal.com | January 2020

isexuals make up the biggest demographic in the LGBTQ+ community, but routinely, they are erased from the community and the ac-

tivism surrounding it. There is a tendency to believe that someone is straight by default, or if you see someone with a partner of the same sex, that they’re gay.

The San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s report on bisexual invisibility drives this home. Bisexual people are more likely to have mental illnesses, suffer from domestic abuse and receive less funding than gay or lesbian people, according to the report that was released in 2011. Teri Ganner, who has been with her husband

This means bisexual people have to come out re-

for nearly ten years, said that she doesn’t feel like

peatedly, any time they are in a different relation-

her bisexuality counts to a lot of people within the

ship. Coming out is not a single event – it happens

LGBTQ+ community.

all the time with new meetings and new jobs, but for bisexual people, it happens even more often. “Even in queer spaces, I didn’t feel seen or understood,” said Rachael Kelleher. Kelleher said that across multiple organizations and groups, the minimization of bisexual issues and people showed up. “There were posters about biphobia but it seemed like lip service, like we didn’t matter.” This invisibility runs deep even within the LGBTQ+ community. Gay men and lesbians are not immune to biphobia. “So many people have told me they wouldn’t date me because obviously I’d cheat and I wasn’t really

“I get asked if I’ll go back to women eventually and why I would bother with a guy.” Ganner said that some of the frustration comes from assuming that her partner defines her. “I’m not straight because of him, or gay because of any woman I’ve dated, I’m bi because of me.” Bisexual people are not more likely to cheat. They’re not necessarily looking for a threesome.. They’re not going to ‘choose’ one or the other eventually. If someone tells you they’re bisexual, respect that and believe them. They know better than you do.

serious about a relationship,” said Ren Harper, a bisexual activist. “It’s a gross assumption to make about anyone for any reason, but when it’s tied to something so important to who I am, it hurts even more.”

What’s happening in your community | Relationships 21

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT Is it worth it? By Nokwethemba Moyo - Photo from Disneyplus.com

theWeal.com | January 2020

isney+ is here, bringing all the Disney shows

“The demand for Disney+ has exceeded our high-

one could ever imagine. There’s no more de-

est expectations. We are so pleased you’re excited

bating about if you should stay up late to

watch the oddly scheduled Simpsons episode at 3 a.m. on a school night.

to watch all your favorites and are working quickly to resolve any current issues. We appreciate your patience,” said Disney+, in a tweet.

They’ve brought all the shows to us under one streaming service.

Since then, the streaming service has had very few problems.

Think of all the shows kids used to run home from school to watch. Yes - Suite Life of Zack and Cody, That’s so Raven, Even Stevens, and Simpsons are now all in one place. No more shaky, bootlegged, throwback nights for us. Disney+ is priced at $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year for the basic plan, which is $5 less than Natflix. The main issue reported about the streaming service from its first day of launch on Nov. 12 was the heart-breaking, hour-long crash.

Disney+ lets their audience enjoy their favourite original Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic series. The streaming service has many more perks than its biggest competitors. Perks like simultaneous streams, 4K Ultra HD in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atoms immersive audio. For students who love Disney and miss the feeling you got from running home to watch your favourite episodes of the Simpsons, Lizzie McGuire, Hannah Montana, Boy Meets World, Kim Possible,

However, Disney+ diligently updated its Twitter

and Recess: yes, it’s so worth it.

followers on the issue. What’s happening in your community | Arts & Entertainment 23

SAIT-YOUQUEST SAIT-YOUQUEST COLLABORATION COLLABORATION

helps support young-onset dementia By Dre Kwong

very Thursday, the SAIT community is joined by participants of YouQuest, a registered charity that works with people afflicted with young-onset dementia.

Staff and students might not realize it, and recreation therapist Beverly Hillman appreciates that. “[SAIT] is such a good fit. If our people were walking down the hallway, you couldn’t tell they have any issues...they’re blending in,” said Hillman. Hillman has been working with people who have dementia for over 25 years. She is one of the therapists responsible for liaising with the participants and families. 24

theWeal.com | January 2020

YouthQuest meets in the Campus Centre at SAIT in Calgary on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019.

Cindy McCaffery and Myrla Bulman co-founded YouQuest when McCaffery saw there was nothing for people who had been diagnosed with young-onset dementia, especially if they were still active and wanting to engage with people. McCaffery is the wife of John McCaffery, who was diagnosed at age 48 with young-onset dementia. Bulman is YouQuest’s on-site coordinator. Each week, she supports the recreation therapists, volunteers, participants, and families in the planning and delivery of services. “People don’t expect people to have dementia at this age,” said Bulman. “People don’t understand that dementia can happen at a relatively young age.” Some participants are let into seniors’ programs because they have nothing else., However, the participants don’t want to be there because it’s very sedentary and it’s not their peers, says Bulman. “When a person is confused about time and space, you can’t push them. But the familiarity of coming to the same room, the same faces each week… it’s like muscle memory for them,” said Bulman. The project was created in September 2016. In September 2018, the pilot service was launched at SAIT. “It’s just a very vibrant community, period. To be able to be a part of this community is awesome,” said Hillman.

Bulman is grateful to Budd Brazier, Merrilee Beddows, and Patrick Gauvreau at SAIT Athletics and Recreation, saying they are the best hosts YouQuest could ask for. Brazier was on board right away, offering a room as a home base for the project, says Bulman. YouQuest is hoping to grow to a second day, since they have over 20 people waitlisted. Brazier has already given the okay for when they do expand, says Hillman. In order to expand, YouQuest is in need of more core volunteers. Dianne McDermid, one of their core volunteers, has given her time almost every Thursday, since the project started. Participants start arriving between 8 and 9 a.m. A typical day involves physical activity, socializing, cognitive and mental stimulation, and music. YouQuest strives to create a normalized day for the participants. Hillman says they encourage the participants to make their own decisions. This means ordering their morning coffee at The Odyssey, and most of the time, their lunch at the 4 Nines. On other days of the week, participants might be home alone with no one to talk to, says Hillman. “We know if they’re not socially engaged, then they’re going to start losing that ability as well so we really want to support that,” said Hillman.

What’s happening in your community | Campus Curiosity 25

g n i c u d o I ntr

P A W D T A F

Illustration by Spring Nguyen

tarting now, we at The Weal will bring you monthly recommendations for “Fun Activities to Do with Another Person.” They don’t have to be a significant other –spend some time with your best friend and take your mind off your classes for a little while. It’s a new year, so why not try something new? Grab another person, or even a group, and check out the best activities you can do for under $40!

1. Axe Throwing

AXE THROWING

theWeal.com | January 2020

This might sound a little out there at first, but it’s a surprisingly fun activity. The best part is that it requires no skill or prior experience, since a coach will be on hand to fine-tune your technique. Frustrated about assignments? Go take it out on some paper targets and give your arms a workout at the same time! On a student budget, Axe Games is the best option, since the cost is $19.95 per person for a one-hour session. Booking a group of six can get you a private lane, but groups of fewer than six will get paired with other small groups, making this a cool way to meet new people. Axe throwing works up an appetite, so Axe Games has a fully licensed kitchen and bar that offers favourites such as nachos, tater tots, and a variety of beers. Axe Games is located at Suite #23, 2015 32 Ave NE. Mondays and Tuesdays are for private facility rentals, but their hours for the rest of the week offer busy students a variety of times to drop in, chuck some axes, and have a lot of fun.

2. Escape Rooms If you haven’t already done an escape room, then you absolutely need to. These brain-teasing rooms, which have neat themes or storylines, give you an hour to either escape the room or retrieve a hidden artifact. I find that the optimum number of people in a group is four. Fewer than that and you have fewer people to come up with ideas, but more than that and it can get a bit boring. Here’s a tip: don’t overthink too much! Most places will let you have three clues if you get really stumped, but using clues means you forfeit a spot on the leaderboard. The Locked Room has several locations in Calgary and offers more room options, with prices starting at $27.95 per person.

ESCAPE ROOMS

Escape2gether is located at Unit C6, 416 Meridian Rd SE, offers four room options, and is slightly cheaper at $25 per person. Whichever one you choose, you’re sure to enjoy solving the puzzles, riddles, and locks with a group of friends. Just make sure to book in advance!

3. Cross-country Skiing For winter sports fanatics, cross-country skiing is a great way to get outdoors. Why not take advantage of Calgary’s closeness to the mountains and bring your skis to Canmore and Banff? The scenery is truly unbeatable – just be sure to check out trail conditions before you head out.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

If you don’t have gear, you can rent it from Sports Rent. Located at 4424 16th Ave NW, it’s both close to SAIT and on the way out of the city, and an adult ski package costs just $22 for a day.

What’s happening in your community | FATDWAP

4. Tobogganing

TOBOGGANING

Is there any activity that screams “winter fun” like tobogganing? Return to childhood for an afternoon by picking up a toboggan or Crazy Carpet and take to the hills of Confederation Park, conveniently located near SAIT. This is one activity that’s all but free and is best followed by hot chocolate (maybe with a splash of something a little stronger). You could even race with friends and chip in for a winner’s prize!

5. Paint Nights What’s better than taking some time for self-expression, especially if you can have a drink while you do it? These paint nights are on the higher end for cost at $40 per person, but you get two hours of painting with all supplies provided by the hosts, Team Merlot, so it’s definitely worth it. And you can take your painting home to liven up a dull dorm room! Since these events take place at pubs, they are 18+ only.

JAN. 14 - 7 P.M.

Location: Joyce on 4th Pub and restaurant, 506 24th Ave SW Subject: Cardinal Pair Partner Painting With this one, you and your friend leave with matched set of cardinals. Who needs friendship bracelets when you have paintings of birds and fond memories of making them?

PAINT NIGHTS

JAN. 17 - 7 P.M.

Location: WXYZ Lounge at Aloft Hotel, Unit 337 2359 Banff Trail NW Subject: Winter Wolf in Snow Wolves are some of the most majestic creatures in the world. Join the pack and paint the night away.

JAN. 24 - 7 P.M.

Location: The Cat N’ Fiddle, 540 16th Ave NW Subject: Peaceful Nights

a cozy t le d n a lwork o o h rries. c o s w m r o u r f o y ea k ay Ta ke a br a inting soothe a w fp even ing o

theWeal.com | January 2020

Jollof Rice recipe

By Terry Fru - Illustration by Spring Nguyen

ith the new year beginning, let’s try a recipe that some people will be unfamiliar with: jollof rice.

Jollof rice is a one pot rice dish popular in west African countries. Online, there is a feud about which country has the best jollof rice. This feud is mostly between Nigeria and Ghana. The recipe is neither Nigerian nor Ghanaian, but Cameroonian, and it is my mother’s own recipe. I ate this jollof rice growing up.

Instructions

prep time:

20 mins

total time:

50 mins

serves

s t n e i d e r Ing

ps of rice u c 2 1. Put the tomatoes, bell peppers, cayenne peppers, and onion in a blender and blend. onion 1 2. Boil stewing beef cubes with 1 teaspoon of salt and es the other 2 beef cubes. 2 tomato 3. Put the rice in a bowl and add 2 cups of boiling water. ppers e p ll e b d Leave it for 5 mins. 3 re pers p 4. Put the blended ingredients in a cooking pot and boil e p e n n e until the water evaporates completely. 3 cay es b u c g n 5. Add the boiled beef and beef broth to the blended i w Beef ste ingredients. want) u o y s a 6. Take the rice out of the boiled water and add to the beef much s a ( and blended ingredients. cubes f e e b r r o 7. Add one more teaspoon of salt and 2 beef cubes stir together. 4 Kn f salt o s n o 8. Close the pot with foil wrap and perforate it with a fork put on o p 2 teas low heat and let it cook for 15 minutes 9. Let it cook to the rice texture you love and its ready to serve.

What’s happening in your community | Recipes 29

How to

Sewing

By Jesse Heinrichs - Illustration by Spring Nguyen

s SAIT students, we’re no strangers to living on a budget. From school supplies to groceries, we’re always on the hunt for savings. So, what do you do when your pockets break, or your expensive jeans get ripped? A tailor can be a pricey investment when you’re on a student’s frugal budget, but there is a much cheaper answer! I will teach you how to sew and fix your clothes, all for the one-time price of $2.00 for a dollar store sewing kit!

Sewing kits can be purchased at many different stores such as Co-Op, Safeway, Michaels, Fabricland, and Dollarama. You want to find a sewing kit that has the following items: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Scissors Bobbins pre-wound with thread An assortment of needles Pins Measuring tape or a ruler

Now that you have your sewing kit, it’s time to start sewing. The steps are as follows: 1. Cut a piece of thread about 24 inches long. NOTE: Cut a longer piece for bigger tears. 2. Thread the needle. This can be done with a needle threader or simply by wetting the tip of the thread and carefully threading it through the eye (top) of the needle. 3. Pull the thread until your needle is at the halfway point and tie the two ends together. 4. Turn your ripped fabric inside out. 5. Pin the right (outside) sides of the fabric together, leaving the wrong (inside) sides facing out. 6. Insert your needle 1 cm away from the top of the rip on your end of choice. 7. Pull the needle and thread through the fabric until it stops. Going up your tear, insert the needle again 1 cm away from your previous spot. 8. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of 30

theWeal.com | January 2020

your tear. 9. Turn your work and insert the needle into the end of your first visible stich. This will fill in the empty spaces between stitches. 10. Repeat this new pattern, filling in the empty spaces between your previous stitches. 11. Tie a knot to finish your piece. An easy way to do this is to insert your needle into a small stitch and to make a loop. Don’t pull your thread all the way through. Instead, pull the thread through the loop and tighten it. 12. Trim the excess thread. Congratulations, you’ve mended your clothes! This is a simple skill to learn, but it is essential for living on a budget. For further reference and more advanced techniques, you can use YouTube for step by step visual tutorials. Happy sewing!

JA NUA RY 11/25/2019

Word Search Generator :: Create your own printable word ﬁnd worksheets @ A to Z Teacher Stuff

MAKE YOUR OWN WORKSHEETS ONLINE @ WWW.ATOZTEACHERSTUFF.COM

NAME:_______________________________ DATE:_____________

Yeahh For Mental Health WELLNESS J J K V T F L V E V R N R Z Z A S

R E F I L I O M A S T K F K D U I

K W Z H Y K J K S Q Z V B R W F M

L Z X D N N L E D I Q N R A Z O Z

A J C I Y F C V Y I M T K S I Q Z

M H L R L C C I N F P I E Z P Y X

D A L F U O X O E M L Z T W M F L

O U X S R W X U N X L D P P P O V

H H Y H T G N E R T S M S C O D F

A E V O L V P P I B R M Y F R A E

P M R K J E J T U A J O T R F O V

P Y Z H B S L Q R V P R L I C X H

I X U J O S T B U D O K Z E S B I

N B Q V M P I Y A J K B R N X K U

E F F J U D E X C C Y D X D Q N I

S C D K S W T H T I A F O S Q F M

S G J M D P Y V O Q O G F D E K Y

STREN OPTIM SUCCE FRIEN CONTR LOVE HAPPI FAITH HOPE LIFE

STRENGTH - OPTIMISM - SUCCESS - FRIENDS - CONTROL - LOVE - HAPPINESS - FAITH - HOPE- LIFE Find out the answer at theWeal .com

What’s happening in your community | Word Search

WTF IS THIS? Find out the answer at theWeal .com

THANK YOU

FOR BEING S A I T C ATA LY S T S More than $228,000 raised on SAIT Giving Day! sait.ca/donors | # S A I TG I V E S

SAIT STUDENTS GET

15% OFF SHOW YOUR SAIT STUDENT CARD TO REDEEM THE STUDENT DISCOUNT!

BOSTON PIZZA NORTH HILL MALL #1652 - 1632 14TH AVE NW 403-282-0000 Boston Pizza and the Boston Pizza roundel are registered trademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership, used under licence. Â© Boston Pizza International Inc. 2019.