Issue 9, Volume 122

THE

XAVERIAN VOLUME 122 ISSUE 9 JAN 23 2013

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ISSUE 9

THE XAVERIAN XAVERIAN WEEKLY

Thursday Mar 29 2012

Volume 120 Issue 20

EDITORIAL STAFF

Thursday, January March 21, 232012 2014 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Volume 121 Issue Issue915 Sean McEvoy122 xw.eic@stfx.ca | (902) 870-9431

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news Whose line is it anyway?

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Frustrated Students speak out about Parking issues on campus

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A popular “Who’s Line is It Anyway” meme has been circulating the internet recently; it is particularly popular on Spotted at StFX. This meme reads, “Welcome to winter, where parking spots are made up and the lines don’t matter.” It seems to be hitting frustrated StFX students’ nail right on the head, accurately expressing the parking situation here on campus. The meme is representative of the vast amount of posts on Spotted and conversations across campus even before the snow began to fall. This week we asked students from across campus for their thoughts on parking at StFX, and it appears that this meme suits our findings well. Whether dangerous drivers or overcrowding in lower campus lots, we wanted to know just what was making students tick.

When asked her opinion on the posts on Spotted at StFX, first year Human Kinetics student Abbi Finnan saw both sides of the story. “I think people are getting too worked up about it, I mean parking isn’t that bad.” However, even the optimistic Finnan has a bone to pick with parking her car, as she explains, “One time I was at an MRI appointment and I had a midterm [afterwards]. I got back on campus at five after one, and had to be in class at quarter after,

so I parked in the Bishop’s parking lot. But I was in the no parking zone. They ticketed me because there was nowhere else to park on campus.”

Although this incident occurred before the snow began to fall, Finnan’s problems only worsened with snowy winter conditions. Parking lots such as the one beside Bishop’s Hall are available for overnight parking before winter begins. With the issue of snow removal, students and staff are forbidden to park in lots of this type overnight during the winter so that crews can deal with the snow. However, with the unpredictably mild winter weather we have been receiving lately, Finnan sees the overnight parking ban as unnecessary. “I got two tickets from parking in the Bishop’s parking lot because you’re not allowed to park there overnight. I understand that if there is snow, but if not then I don’t.”

The parking lot next to Power and Somers is an alternative place for students and staff like Finnan to park overnight. However, with its popularity among students on lower campus, this parking lot has its own issue: overcrowding. The issue of this lot is one common among most students interviewed. First year Nursing student Darci McCabe

says she is especially fearful of this lot. “I don’t really like leaving my car here because I feel like if I park anywhere other than the far rows [of this parking lot], then somebody is going to hit me, or I’m going to get blocked in.”

McCabe was not the only one concerned with this parking lot, “[The apartment style lot] is kind of an issue, because people park behind or perpendicular to other cars and it makes it so hard to get out of the parking lot,” said Finnan.

The location of this parking lot was not an issue for McCabe, living on lower campus, but she stressed her frustration with the lack of parking availability she is often faced with when trying to get a spot. “I’d rather know with certainty that I’m going to get a parking spot,” McCabe told the Xaverian, adding, “I drive around for fifteen minutes waiting for someone to leave.”

McCabe feels the distressed students’ posts on Spotted at StFX are “spot on; they’re honest.”

Cassie, a fourth-year student who also works on campus says that although she herself does not have a problem with the lack of parking on campus - as she commutes by foot - she notes many of her friends speak of their frustration in trying to park

their vehicles. Cassie notes the overnight parking ban is not a new issue, as it was in place for the duration of her four years at StFX. “I had friends who drove down here all the way from Ontario when I lived on campus in my first year. They wanted to park overnight, but had to move to a different [parking] place.” Cassie says she is “surprised there hasn’t been a major accident” on campus, with the way the administration has dealt with parking concerns in recent years.

Students suggested many ways they would like to see the issue resolved. Ideas ranged from parking passes to hang from rear-view mirror, the addition of more parking lots in more convenient locations on campus, lifting the overnight parking ban, to reopening parking on streets surrounding campus. Finnan feels these solutions are great in theory, but will most likely not be put into practice, saying, “I think it’s going to be an ongoing problem because parking issues are hard to resolve.”

Perhaps she is correct, or maybe we will see the frustration felt by student drivers remedied in the near future.

Until then, the parking spaces will probably continue to be made up, and the lines won’t matter.

Angela Clark Kent MacKenzie

Veronica xw.report@stfx.ca Farley opinions

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Fire destroys three snowplows on eve of major blizzard

Ramsay Duff set to leave StFX in February

WINTER CLASSIC: Saturday, Jan 25

On the eve of a predicted 40 cm snowfall, a three-alarm fire gutted the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s snow plow shed in Antigonish. According to reports, three plows and the nine-plow shed that held them were destroyed in the blaze. There were no injuries reported. The fire started at approximately 12:30 PM. The cause of the blaze is so far undetermined. According to Department of Transportation Spokesperson Pam Menchenton, an emergency call was sent out to other parts of the province. Three trucks and one loader plow were sent to

Ramsay Duff, StFX’s VP of Finance and Operations and interim VP Recruitment and Student Services, is leaving the university in February to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Duff has worked in the StFX community for ten years as a crucial component of the financial management apparatus at StFX. Duff was a central negotiator for administration during the strike in spring 2013. His absence opens up two positions, for which StFX is currently seeking applicants. Duff was the recipient of the Honorary X-Ring in 2012.

A predicted cold snap is set to usher in the first annual StFX Winter Classic, hosted on an outdoor rink on Memorial field. As of 3 PM Tuesday, water had been poured, and weather dependent, the ice should be ready for Saturday’s 2 PM puck drop. The game , called by referees Cameron Fynney and Tyler MacDonald pits students against faculty members. The student roster is available on the Students’ Union Facebook page. The faculty roster has not been officially released, but rumors say that they’re starting their fourth line. Things could get frosty.

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Antigonish from across the province. In an interview with CBC, Mencherton said that the plows would arrive in time for the storm.

“We will replenish those plows for the storm tonight.

The longer term implications or impact is something we’re going to look at and sort out what that’s going to mean for us.”

NEWS 3

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

I Have a dream Stfx celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day ANGELA MACKENZIE | Staff Writer

On Aug 28, 1963, a brave man delivered a speech that would go down in history as one of the most awe-inspiring arguments for civil equality and freedom in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on Jan 15, 1929, and grew up to be a man who believed that all men and women, regardless of skin colour, were equal before the law. He spoke for seventeen minutes in front of hundreds of thousands of people confirming his beliefs that the racist sentiments that were so entrenched in American society should be put to a stop. This speech later became famous and is currently known as the “I Have a Dream” speech.

Martin Luther King Jr. was highly involved in his community. He was an

American pastor, an activist, humanitarian, and the leader of the AfricanAmerican Civil Rights movement. In 1963 he helped to organize the March on Washington, which was one of the largest political rallies for human rights in American history. It was at this time that he delivered the speech that gave him the reputation as one of America’s greatest civil rights advocates. The message he conveyed was strong and clear: racism in the United States should not be tolerated. He wanted to make sure that his children, and his children’s children, would live in a world without racism. He wanted to see a world where everyone was free to walk around without feeling judged by the colour of their skin.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the

color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

He had a dream that freedom and equality would arise from the American people and would extinguish racism and hatred. He took a stance against racism and stood in earnest for what he believed in. His words were those of a pioneer, in that they served to pave the way for the future generations of the United States to live without fear of being judged.

“We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”

Unfortunately, he died five years after this speech was delivered. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, and his untimely death caused an uproar throughout America. Martin Luther King Jr. is a symbol of freedom, equali-

ty, and human rights. After his death others felt the need to carry on his work and continue his tradition of promoting a non-violent and egalitarian society.

After his death, members of the United States government thought it was appropriate to honour what he stood for by declaring the third Monday of January a statutory holiday in the United States. This day is known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and it is a celebrated holiday in the United States.

Even though it is not an official holiday in Canada, we still recognize the day and celebrate the strides that he took in promoting equality and freedom. The StFX community celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day on Jan 21. The event was hosted to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and featured the Honourable Minister Tony Ince.

The WORLD AT A GLANCE Jamaican bobsled team recieves $30000 donation Users of Dogecoin, a digital alternative currency, have raised the equivalent of $33000- or about 26.5 million Dogecoin- for the Jamaican Bobsled team, which has its sights set on Sochi.

As part of the Dogesled campain, the Dogecoin community rallied around the team, who are looking to raise $80000 to fund their Olympic hopes.

Liam Butler and a team of Dogecoin community members- all fans of the 1993 Disney hit Cool Runnings- put the project together. “I grew up in the 90s so that (movie) was on every school bus trip,” said Butler to Kevin Newman Live. “I’ve probably seen the move a hundred times.” The donation adds to the $5500 that the Jamaican team has already raised.

Ukraine erupts in protest after EU membership rejection

U of T first-year student invents anti-malarial compund

Widespread protests and protestor-law enforcement violence has erupted in the Ukraine, after legislation was passed Jan 16 aimed at clamping down on demonstrations that have gripped the country since its president backed out of an agreement to join the EU. The new laws tie strict penalties to protestor’s actions, giving a three to six year prison term to protestors blockading residences, or sharing information about judges or law enforcement officers. Under the legislation, ‘social media extremism’ carries a three year sentence, while any site publishing news must now be licensed by an official news agency.

First year student Jessie MacAlpine thought it would be interesting if she could turn the bioherbicide she had been investigating during her sophomore and senior years of highschool into an anti-malarial drug.

One year, and several international awards later, she was proven right.

Her treatment, a compound synthesized from raw mustard oil- a common food ingredient in many third world countries- is about to start in vivo trials. “The hope will be to conduct clinical trials before establishing potential distribution channels,” MacAlpine told The Varsity. “The drug itself is very inexpensive – the necessary dose costs approximately a millionth of a cent – resulting in the

major inhibitor to treatment being distribution.” MacAlpine has applied for a patent on her treatment, in hopes of preventing pharmaceutical companies from turning it into what MacAlpine calls an expensive ‘tourist treatment’.

“As an antimalarial treatment aimed at developing countries, the medication’s purpose is not profit, and a patent was filed to ensure I remained in control of the compound.”

MacAlpine currently works as a research intern at MaRS Discovery District, a non-profit research institution.

MacAlpine has been conducting laboratory-based research since age twelve.

4 NEWS

Thursday, January 23, 2014-The Xaverian

GOOD BLOOD AFTER A RESIdent’s mother recieved 86 UNITS OF DONOR BLOOD, FRASER RESIDENTS RALLY TO DONATE BLOOD TO RED CROSS CLINIC LEWIS FORWARD | Co-Editor-in-Chief

As the result of emergency Yarmouth, Amherst- we go on through...I felt good after, liver transplant surgery, the the road every week...We’re It’s something really small mother of Fraser resident like a circus. We come to town you can do, but it means a Marshall MacNeill required with our truck full of equip- lot to people. They say it’s the 86 donor units of blood. ment and set up our clinic....at in you to give.. it’s really During the blood donation the end of our night, we’re true. I’m excited for the drive on Jan 20 and 21, Mac- packing up and heading to next time I donate.”

Neill, other Fraser residents, Port Hawksbury.”

“Me and my family feel and the StFX community doFraser resident Caitlin that the least we could do,” nated blood a total of 251 Thomas was part of the Fras- said MacNeill in a post on times- with 60 more students er team donating in support the Fraser group, “is pay deferred. According to a of MacNeill’s family. “It was a [the donations] back.” nurse involved with the clin- big thing that his family went ic, it was a success.

“We love coming to universities.

We love the students. Everyone’s so positive, it’s a great bunch of kids, and we got a lot of donations.

The mobile donation clinic travels Nova Scotia and PEI collecting blood, and they are on a tight schedule.

“We travel all over Nova Scotia.

Port Hawksbury, Cape Breton, PEI, Nurses pack up blood and equipment

New TheU App New interactive app helps SU break into digital arena LAURA ALOISIO | Senior Reporter

Well, it’s January and the winter break is over. For most of us the first week back means slacking off and reuniting with friends while due dates appear so far off we haven’t even marked them in our planners.

Ignorance is bliss! However, the Student Union has already gotten back to work to help make your first weeks back even better. The U has created an app to help give you the 411 on everything happening on campus so you can be highly effective in identifying valid reasons to increase your academic procrastination.

Before you can reap the benefits of this app you first have to download it. Open up your browser on either your phone or computer and enter handbook.theu.ca to get started.

From your phone you will be prompted to click the download button and it will be immediately added to your home screen.

From your computer it will bring you directly to the app.

You are now ready to enjoy the app, so let’s take a look around together.

The first option to click on is Frost week, providing an opportunity to reminisce about

your first week back at StFX or plan out what you don’t want to miss during next year’s Frost Week.

The Inn is our second stop and for many fellow Xaverians it is the most important. Click on “About the Inn” to get the details. This area shows the hours of operation for food and drink, and provides contact information if you are interested in performing or working at The Inn. If you are a newcomer or you haven’t had a chance to check out this hot spot on campus, the app provides a short synopsis of all the highlights that will make you a local overnight.

Can’t remember what the drink specials are and what time the fun starts? Click on “Drink Specials” to get the most up to date information. Filled with a variety of options for both our campus carnivores and omnivores, The Inn now offers lots of delicious things to eat and your Student Union has come through for us once again by putting the menu on the app.

The U is also using the app to serve you better. Now you can learn more about those elected to serve you, the executive team and the council. This,

along with information on how to contact them, makes them even more accessible. You probably didn’t know that StFX had a Best-Buddies or a rock climbing society, or, better yet, who their presidents are. The app tells you all of the societies and groups at StFX, what they have to offer and who to contact in order to learn more. It’s a society night on your phone.

For all students it is important to know about some of the services The U provides and who to contact. Off-campus housing is one of the most popular inquiries made by students and the information is available on the app alongside the student advocate office, food and resource center.

As much as most students would like to not think about studying this time of year, the time will eventually come when you will need to buckle down and do all the work you have been putting-off. Luckily, the app has a study map showing all the great places on campus to get away from your roommate and review the notes from that 8am class you missed last week. It shows you different environments that may suit your

particular style of study better, from the quiet of the library to the openness of the Student Union Building. If none of these venues help, you can use the app to find the chapel because we all know that sometimes prayer is the only option. Please note, ordering pizza to be delivered to the chapel is frowned upon so please, limit food consumption to the other buildings.

Drive U is a great option on campus to help get you and your friends home safely after a late night. The problem is nobody ever seems to know what time they stop driving, and students inevitably wind up braving the cold when they don’t

have to. Now, using the app, you can look up the hours and contact details at the click of a button.

Upcoming events is a great way to find out what is happening on campus and help you and your friends decide what to do this weekend or weeknight.

Stay connected to what others are doing using the final option on the app: Networks. This will connect you to the Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts of the Student Union. In short, the app helps you stay connected, get involved and enjoy your time at X and, when you’re ready, help you find the perfect place to study.

OPINIONS 5

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

OPINIONS Put down the bottle, pick up the bong Marijuana accompanies student life better than drinking. Trust me.

RORY MACLEOD | Culture Editor

I think we can all agree that the student life can be a stressful one. Looming deadlines, exams, and financial woes all contribute to the never-ending compulsion to want to get messed up every weekend, especially at this school. However, as someone who has been at this school thing for while now, I believe that our weekly leisure could be better spent elsewhere. Other than being immersed in a bottle of your alcoholic beverage of choice, university life allows for indulgence in other leisurely activities.

Before I go on I must stipulate that I am by no means a “pothead.” I consider myself an enthusiast, but I have no grandiose ideas about how legalization would lead to world peace. However, I sincerely believe, that if consumed responsibly and effectively, marijuana can be a better companion for students than alcohol. Nevertheless, we need to recognize that alcohol is still the social inebriant of choice, and that that is not about to change. It isn’t called “liquid courage” for no reason. That being said, pot can also be used on other social occasions that are arguably more conducive to a student’s academic and social life in the long run.

First of all, alcohol makes you stupid.

That’s essentially what being drunk is: a socially acceptable way to compromise your basic brain functions, like memory, motor skills, problem solving, and decision making.

While smoking marijuana may produce the same effects, they occur in relative moderation and are certainly much less destructive. If you’re drunk, you might think it’s a good idea to cheat on your long-time partner, or sleep with your best friend’s ex, or get into a fistfight. If you’re stoned you might have a really hard time trying to decide what to watch on Netflix, make weird food creations in the kitchen, and think that any music you listen to is awesome. While drunken people can be externally destructive, high people might just get lost in their internal monologue. At least if you’re stoned you are much less likely to commit social suicide (and possibly not even remember

how you did it).

Second, marijuana can still be a social indulgence, albeit fit for much different occasions than alcohol. While weed may not

you knew it the whole time. For more chilled out or intimate occasions, get on the same level as your friends and watch a weird movie, listen to an album, get cre-

be meant for packed house parties full of strangers, it can be great for downtime with a more modestly-sized ground of friends who are also participating in the festivities. When consumed in moderation pot can lead to intellectual discussion, meta-level thinking, and artistic appreciation. Some might say that alcohol can produce the same results, and I’m sure it does and has for some, but that being said, coherent philosophical conversations are few and far between at keggers.

Alcohol is good for highly extroverted, high volume social situations where you might meet a bunch of people and forget all of their names immediately - the following day you might not even remember meeting any of these people anyway, or even being at that party for that matter. If you remember meeting them, then you spend the next few interactions with said person hoping you don’t have to use their name in conversation, all the while trying to figure out what their name actually is so that you can pretend that

ative in the kitchen, and talk about the great mysteries of life.

Third, marijuana can increase overall productivity when consumed responsibly and in moderation when compared to alcohol. After a night of drinking the next day – or at least the morning – is a complete write off. Stomaching anything might be unthinkable; light is intolerable; the thought of leaving your room, impossible. After a late night of g e t t i n g stoned, waking up the next morning all groggy might present a minor inconvenience, but a cup of coffee or two will solve that. At this point, your hung-over alter ego wouldn’t even be able to have baby formula.

Fourth, being a stoner is cheaper than drinking regularly.

Depending on your tolerance, a couple bucks worth of tree could satisfy you for an evening, while alcohol will run you considerably more.

Additional costs are also associated with drinking. Cab fare to a bar, cover at the bar, overpriced drinks at the bar, tips, pos-

sible cab back from the bar, with probable pizza stop along the way, all add up to make a rather expensive night rather quickly. The more you drink, the more expensive it is, not just because of the cost of drinks, but also because of extremely reduced inhibitions vis-à-vis spending money. You might be coupon clipping for milk but as soon as you down a few drinks you’re making it rain.

Finally, weed won’t kill you.

Often overlooked, I feel like this is probably the most compelling argument of all. If you smoke too much weed you run the risk of “greening out,” but it won’t kill you; it just sucks. Unless you just took a sugar bowl to the face from your friend’s bong named Mike Tyson, then you will probably just smoke until you fall asleep. If you drink too much, on the other hand, you can die. Literally. I don’t think that this is addressed enough in our drinking culture. Just because it hasn’t happened to you or your friend yet doesn’t mean that we should be ignorant of it. Seeing someone with alcohol poisoning is whack, watching someone get carted off to the hospital in an ambulance sucks ,and getting your stomach pumped would be awful. If that wasn’t bad enough, drinking perpetuates excessive drinking. The more you drink the more you think that you can drink - or maybe you aren’t thinking at all because you drank too much. Generally, if you hack up a lung after taking a particularly harsh toke then you will probably want to chill out on the smoking for a bit. If you keep smoking then you might get stuck in your friend’s chair, fall asleep, and wake up in the morning groggy but good to go.

I understand that this might not appeal to everyone. I know that I won’t stop drinking cold turkey any time soon. However, it is worth questioning what we take for granted. This isn’t a prescription; it’s an opinion.

Nevertheless, I still believe this wholeheartedly. People will always want to get messed up. Let’s just be smart about it.

6 OPINIONS

Thursday, January 23, 2014-The Xaverian

We don’t care about U student apathy for The U and this year’s election Reaches embarassing highs. It’s clear we don’t care, but we should.

SEAN McEVOY | Co-Editor-in-Chief

This past week has left me amazed. I’m not sure exactly what I expected going into covering this Student’s Union Presidential election campaign, but the reality has far exceeded any expectations I could have ever thought of. Looking back now, I suppose I should have seen this coming, but the reality of the situation is still shocking. This election campaign has left me amazed, but for all the wrong reasons.

The majority of the student population this week has made it abundantly clear multiple times that they could care less about The U and student government at StFX. I knew going into this election that student voter apathy was a major problem in universities all across the country, but to see it to this degree has been shocking. In previous years, large groups had shown passionate support for different candidates in these elections, with the question ‘Who are you voting for?’ buzzing on many people’s lips. However, this year even my lowest expectations had been exceeded and the buzzing has been replaced by the chirping of crickets.

Let me start off by saying the blame cannot be saddled entirely on the two platforms running in this election. Brandon Hamilton, Alicia Silliker, Kurtis Pankow, and Andrew Jennings are all bright, passionate, hard working, and respected students who are putting themselves forward to serve their fel-

low students.

Having interviewed them all personally, it is obvious how much they care about this school, are all in this election for the right reasons, and on top of that are great human beings.

That being said, there are still intangible qualities that are missing: the ability to create passion and excitement, the ability to make themselves a household name in the StFX community, and the ability to pitch ideas that interest students and make them want to care about how their university is run. The platform of Nick Head- Petersen and Rachel Mitchell from 2012 comes to mind when looking for an example of candidates that had the proper balance of professionalism and charisma that left students inspired. While the winning platform this year will have time to hone their skills and strike that perfect balance, thus far that spark has been nowhere to be found. Any student who has taken the time to read both groups platforms will know that they are filled with fantastic ideas that have the potential to really make a difference in student quality of life. This makes it an even bigger shame that nobody is listening.

Some aspects of this campaign could be easily described as an unofficial disaster. Watching the first debate was a perfect example of this; it was an embarrassment. I had such sympathy for the nervous candidates as they had to pitch their platforms and debate important policy in

front of a small crowd of approximately fifty students at The Inn. Throughout the debate, their words were drowned out by the drunken conversation and yells of students having afternoon beers with friends. If one was not sitting close to the stage, readings lips would have been your best bet to understand what was being said. A giant orange Jägermeister flag hung behind the candidates heads for the duration of the evening, which left some wondering whether they were sponsoring the event, and left me questioning if I was supposed to take the debate seriously. Beers and Jäger are awesome, but mixing it with a serious political debate was not a wise idea. By the end of the debate, the audience had been halved as students finished their food and drink and immediately went for the exit, making it clear they weren’t here for politics but rather for a good meal.

The second debate was a significant improvement over the first in terms of quality of location (Nicholson Hall) and ability to hear what the candidates were saying, but it was an even greater embarrassment in the attendance department. The number of students in the room hovered around the fifteen mark for the duration of the debate. If we take away the number of students that attended who work for the Students’ Union, the number would be less than ten.

Just let that sink in for a minute.

We’re talking single digit num-

bers when it comes to the biggest political decision we as StFX students will have all year.

The candidates capably answered a round of fourteen somewhat difficult questions asked to them by the Returning Office, but with such a small audience, the candidates could have promised everyone a million dollars and rocket ship for all the difference it will have made.

There are those who may say that these type of debates have always had poor attendance. At StFX, that has not always been the truth. A successful location for debates which was used in previous years was Meal Hall, where debates came with a large built-in audience. While the audience may not have always been the most attentive, it allowed candidates to get their face out there and reach an optimum amount of eyes and ears. If nothing else, it peaked the interest of students for a brief period of time, and at least made them aware that an election was occurring. A return to this locale next year would be welcome.

Another venue that had significant success in the past was the Schwartz Business School Auditorium, allowing students to at least enjoy comfortable seating compared to the dying building which is Nicholson Hall.

So now that we’ve established that the majority of students don’t care about this election, we must look deeper as to the root causes of how we got in this mess. We need look no fur-

ther than this year’s Students’ Union for part of the answer.

While this year’s executive team has done outstanding work in a number of areas, and are without a doubt dedicated and passionate about their jobs, at times this year they have been invisible to the general population.

Events run by the Students Union outside of the SUB, where students can get to know their leaders and put a face to a name, have been lacking in comparison to years previous. Council meetings have had dismal attendance this year as well. If students do not feel their student government is easily accessible and familiar, it is hard to blame them when they don’t care come election time. Promotion and marketing for this election could have also used a little more variety. One week into the election and all that’s been done for promotion are the usual posters, Facebook events, and a few tweets. A little creativity would go a long way.

On a final note, I can’t stress enough that even though students may not care about our Student’s Union right now, they absolutely should. These hard working leaders, present and future, shape our campus community. The more we speak out and take part, the better they can do their jobs. As a strong collective, we could help create a student government that is the envy of the region. StFX is a tight-knit, strong-spirited community, and it’s time that reflected in our politics. It’s time we cared.

and Jezebel has positioned themselves in an unclear opinion on the matter. By making a public search for the unedited photos from Dunham’s shoot with famed photographer Annie Leibowitz, they inadvertently contributed to the idea that Lena Dunham was much less beautiful than the pictures taken portray. I assume that the website had not intended this, but rather desired to highlight the extremes that retouching goes to when dealing with Lena Dunham’s more rounded figure, however this did not prove the case. When Jezebel released the non-retouched versions of the pictures alongside the ones printed in the magazines, there was not nearly as much difference as one might think. Yes, her chin was thinned out, boobs lifted, and her neck lengthened,

but for the most part her body remained untampered with in its beautiful, voluptuous form.

While Jezebel loses points for their lack of tact, these developments in the world of women’s fashion can be seen as a win-win. Aerie surpasses expectations with flying colours for their bold approach to healthy body image campaigning, and even the illustrious Vogue gets credit for respecting the beauty of different body sizes and leaving Lena Dunham as she truly exists. I can only hope that this serves as the starting point for future campaigns of the sort, as well as a wake up call for companies who stand by their unrealistic examples of what women should look like that this is no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated by the masses.

SEEING IS BELIVEING MAJOR BRANDS BEGIN USING NON-RETOUCHED MODELS IN AD CAMPAIGNS LAURA O’BRIEN | Opinions Editor

Just this past week, American Eagle’s lingerie brand Aerie announced their new campaign featuring non-retouched models. In the same week, the popular women’s website Jezebel posted a $10,000 asking price for non-retouched photos from Lena Dunham’s Vogue cover shoot and results were successfully returned within only a few hours. The internet ran amock this week with the re-appropriation of beauty in women’s fashion, creating major waves in the stagnant waters of the female body ideal and its relationship to the media.

First of all, let’s all give Aerie a round of applause. They are recognizing and proactively taking a stance on how we project the image of women in society, and trying to ameliorate that image into something

healthy. Having already been a fan of the brand, its nice to know that I’ve been supporting a corporation that is trying to do a little bit of good in the vain, vain world of marketing to women.

Not only has Aerie decided to not retouch during their current campaign, but they have also committed to not using supermodels as well. However, that statement deserves some scrutiny: the girls in the ads are still very much professional models, they just aren’t supermodels such as the women of Victoria’s Secret advertisements. Using the slogan #AerieReal, the company is also asking regular girls to send in un-edited photos of themselves that become posted online to represent the look of true beauty. Young women and teens are Aerie’s target market, and are also arguably the demo-

graphic that is most susceptible to the idea of the unrealistic, ‘perfect’ body that is projected everywhere in the media and is nearly inescapable. The recognition of this by a big name brand is hopefully only the beginning of an overhaul of the female beauty standard and the public disapproval of ads that project the false idea of perfection towards youth and women everywhere.

The website Jezebel on the other hand, is taking the concept of non-retouched photos and spinning it in the opposite direction. Lena Dunham, the creator/director/writer and star of HBO’s Girls, is well known to be unashamed of her less-thantypically ‘ideal’ body, often flaunting her nudity on the show. She has been both heralded and shamed for doing so,

OPINIONS 7

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

HOW DO you SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? Before you give up on all your new years resolutions, here’s one worth trying MARIA RIZZET TO | Columnist

There are articles upon articles about how to keep your New Year’s resolutions. Extreme gym sales, clever banking offers, and fluctuating transcripts reel you in for commitment. But honestly, how can you commit to something that isn’t on paper, or worse, that didn’t cost you any money? Easily - you just do it for a few weeks and then climb right on whatever sin wagon you abandoned (kidding). Realistically, there is only one resolution that everyone needs to make. If you are strong enough to commit to it, then you will be rewarded with benefits in all aspects of student life. Frost week is now over. I will be the first to say I was more than willing to use frost week as an excuse to drink, but after the lovely grace period that followed, we should all be looking to make a worthwhile resolution. I wouldn’t dare say that three nights out a week is excessive - I’ve been there. Everyone should be there. But cutting back on partying really allows room for alternative resolutions to function seamlessly.

Health implications If you’ve ever worked at the gym, or are a consistent gym member, the most popular resolution becomes apparent with each New Year: that is, anything surrounding weight loss or healthy living goals. When I worked at the YMCA, each January I got to sign up at least 100 brand new members and learn all of their names just to have their attendance trickle off

week by week. It is not simple to vow you’ll go to the gym everyday or skip on dessert when it’s offered, but the evenings of binge drinking are a main contributor to the problem. If you narrowed partying down to one night a week - or two nights a week, let’s be realistic here - it not only cuts out thousands of calories, unless you’re drinking vodka water, but also limits late night Kenny’s slices and hangover grease. So have your dessert or give yourself a day off from the gym, just don’t top it off with a power hour.

Time implications If your resolution is to pick up a new hobby, get a part time job, or volunteer, cutting down on how many nights a week you party can create more time! Sometimes it’s easy to forget you are a full time student, especially at the beginning of the semester when your workload is close to non-existent. Consequently, we feel the need to fill this time with pointless endeavors and a lot of Netflix instead of being, what’s that word? Productive? Once school picks up again, your resolution will cease to exist as schoolwork slowly but surely takes priority. How do find more time? Easy. Just limit the amount of time you spend on another level of consciousness. I literally heard someone say, “Well I can’t get a job. I mean, I wouldn’t want to work weekends, then I could never go out.” Yes, true. But I hope you were a first or second year because

some of us will sooner than later have grown-up jobs... Imagine having an 8:15 everyday, especially after wing night...

Financial implications The broke student stereotype can obviously never be completely demolished. I’m basically in debt from schoolbooks and mini moes alone.

‘Being smarter with your money’ is a likely reality for student resolutions - unless you’re the guy from Mac who hit the 1000 half court shot; kudos to you, pal. You don’t need to start working full time to save a few extra bucks. Refrain from buying a couple extra two-fours or a few bottles of wine a month and that’s an easy 50 bucks. Do that all semester you’ll save 200 bucks. Also: It may seem like a lot, but there comes a time in the evolution of the student when you must decide whether you are a pre-drinker or a bar drinker.

Either leave your wallet at home or skip the liquor store.

School implications Although it’s the beginning of the year, getting a head start on schoolwork isn’t a bad idea; ‘Being a Better Student’ is a popular resolution, especially for everyone taking yearlong classes. I like to think of procrastination as an art. Normally, I can wait until the last minute and still get it done. The problem with procrastination comes with drinking too many times each week, especially on weeknights. It undoubtedly increases class absence and a lot of

‘slothing’ (rarely leaving house/ computer only opened for Youtube watching and streaming), and finding unique ways to waste time. All of which increases stress levels and all-nighter frequency while destroying motivation. Stay in and do some work, even if it’s just reading. Midterm you will be ever so thankful.

Moral implications We all like to think we are somewhat responsible students, or responsible people at that. But the reality is, increased alcohol consumption diminishes inhibitions regardless of how responsible you think you are. Thus, some avid partiers could seem like they’re on a never-ending spree of bad decisionmaking. Being a night owl, I value the late evenings, but nothing good ever happens after 2 am. When those lights go on and you’re still lurking around, get yourself on home and grab a slice while you’re at it. See how easy that was? You stay, you spend, you eat etc. Allow room to live shamelessly- but this should be a once a week occurrence. Piecing your messy night back together with recounts from your friends is fun, but not when it’s happening three times a week.

A select few New Year’s resolutions are thoroughly planned enough to achieve success. Others, well, you know the drill. So make it simple— sacrifice a few nights out and reap the benefits.

Do you prefer to be at x or at home?

The surprising answer to a seemingly easy question ANGELA MACKENZIE | Staff Writer

While walking around campus I asked some friends this general question. Do you prefer it at StFX, or at home? The answers I received surprise me - I figured that the majority of people would say that they much rather enjoy being at StFX than at home. Howeve, no general consensus was made. Instead, I found a mix between people preferring home, people preferring X, and people who were indecisive. Two of the varied answers I received were from Mark Wickson and Megan MacDonald.

Wickson, a third year business student, answered the question by stating, “There is a lot more to do at home than there is in the ‘Nish, so on those terms I prefer going home.”

Macdonald, who is finishing up her

fourth year, responded to the question by saying, “After 3.5 years, X is home.”

When asking this question to myself I came to the immediate conclusion that I preferred coming to StFX rather than going home. Home does have its good sides, I am not denying that. It is nice to be able to see family again, have some home-cooked meals, and say hi to the dog that I had to leave behind. However, when I am at home surrounded by my family something doesn’t feel right. I keep catching myself calling X home in front of my parents. Here is where my friends are and where my life is - my parents are always nice to visit, but when I leave the ‘Nish I immediately miss the small town community I now call home. Antigonish may be small and

compared to big cities there isn’t a lot to do here, but it’s the friendly people and the ridiculous memories that are created that make coming back here worthwhile.

Emily Pelly told me “As much as I love it at home. I love it at X. I call X home all the time when I’m actually home. I am not sure what it is - a bigger sense of family and friends and there is always something to do. Never a dull moment here - and I am a busy body. X definitely keeps me on my toes. Between academics, friends, and extracurricular, I am never bored here at school,” The atmosphere here is warm and welcoming. The first year walking through the doors at the Keating Center and having O-crew dance hysterically around me made a good

first impression and ever since my love for this Xaverian community has grown. I came for the education and in the process became involved with the school and made connections with people I now call my second family. The best feeling after coming back from my parents’ house was walking through the front door of my new house and seeing my roommates for the first time in three weeks. I have become accustomed to the small town living of Antigonish and even though there aren’t many places to go, there is always something going on. It’s always exciting to go home and see my family and my dog, but when I am home I think about all the fun times that I have had at X and all I want to do is come rushing back.

www.xaverian.ca - www.xaverian.ca

8 FEATURE The Xav: Why did you decide to run for President and VP of the Student Union?

Andrew: I know for me it was because last summer I was thinking about it and I wanted to be a part of what’s in charge and how to leave my own mark and contribute to this school better. That continued to develop and I kept thinking about it. I started looking for a partner and discovered Kurtis and said ‘Maybe we should run?’ It would be a new experience, new opportunity, a fun time and at the same time be more a part of the school.

Kurtis: It was a more recent decision for me. I’ve been a member of the football team here for the past three years so it was sort of the same way things went for me in high school. I was very athletically oriented in high school but I was still involved. I’d help out with our orientation day, I’d help out with our open house nights and stuff like that but I wasn’t directly involved with our actual student council until my grade 12 year. I realized this is my last year here and this school has given me so much, I should probably do something to give back to it. And here (at StFX) it was sort of the same thing. I looked athletically and realized in terms of where my football career is going, it won’t progress past the CIS level. That’s not to say I won’t play again, there’s still graduate school. But in terms of my time at StFX, I really feel my time and energy can be better spent helping move the school forward while dealing with the first change of hand in the President’s office in years. Making sure that someone in office is going to stand up for what the StFX tradition is and what makes all the students fall in love with the place in the middle of nowhere, Nova Scotia.

Thursday, January 23, 2014-The Xaverian The Xav: How did you decide who would be best suited for the President and Vice President roles?

K: We checked out Ben (GunnDoerge) and Taylor (Mason)’s info pages on the Students’ Union website and looked at that sort of stuff just to get a better of idea of what they’re involved in and how they’re involved. In reading their website we sort of came to the conclusion that Andrew would be better suited for the Vice President job because he’s been involved in the residence life side of things for so long. That left me dealing with all the external committee’s and that sort of stuff.

The Xav: How does your history and background make you qualified for these jobs?

A: For me, I thought I’d be good for the job with the Vice President role being more internal and in school. I’ve been part of the residence life team for two years now(as a Residence Assistant), I’ve been in three different buildings. I believe I have a decent understanding of what happens in residence so I believe I can help out there. I’ve organized programming for a fair amount of students, figured out what works and what doesn’t work. Also how the stress levels in residence differs through the semester. I’ve come to see what students want and what they pay attention to.

For me it’s more about awareness, and promoting stuff in a safer atmosphere that’s more inclusive.

K: Being involved with the football team here and therefore being heavily involved in athletics, it allows me to provide a unique perspective from albeit a small group of students, still a group of students that often times

is ridiculed for doing what they do. The amount of times I’ve heard student athletes being described as dumb student athletes, or they don’t belong in school, there’s no place for them.

It’s not true. Sport is a great place to learn how to be a leader, how to carry yourself, and it develops character. You learn about resiliency. If you get knocked down, how to get back up. To keep moving forward no matter the obstacles ahead of you. I think my background helps me out big time for the President’s job because sport has made me the sort of person who’s not going to back down from a challenge. Then on top of that, I was on student council executive in high school managing a $20,000 a year budget. It was good for me to get that experience first on a smaller scale before I jumped into things. Both of us not being involved with the Students’ Union previously allows us to offer an outside perspective. We’re coming in seeing things from how other students see things and not just how people within The U see things.

The Xav: On that note, do you feel that not having a position within The U previously helps or hurts your campaign compared to Brandon and Alicia who have both held positions within The U previously?

K: You can argue it either way in my opinion. I think Andrew would agree.

A: I think it’s both ways. One, we’re not as recognizable. We don’t know the intricacies of what happens inside The U. But at the same time we’re new faces, we have new ideas. We just have a different perspective. Sure we

Meet your StFX Stu and VP

Interviewed by: S

The following are excerpts from two seperate interviews wi

don’t know exactly how everything works but at the same time, it allows us to develop new opportunities for the union.

The Xav: From what you’ve observed from The U this year, what are some things that you would like to change going into next year?

A: For me one of the things coming from the Residence Life side of things, with some of the bigger events, have them more accessible and more developed.

The aftermath of those events could be handled better. More security for example. Have it so the event is great, but have it so those that have to look after students after the event have support too.

K: It would better to see people better prepared for things outside the union. I’ve sort of personally had issues keeping up with what happens in The U. Actually Brandon and Alicia have a great point in their platform about transparency. Brandon and a friend of mine who’s a councillor, Michael Thomson, posted on Facebook asking about these plans for subsidized fitness

classes and how to cover the cost. That was the first I had heard of anything being really done publicly without going and doing my own research. So making things more public would be a really good way to get more people involved as well as keep everything very clear and concise. So when people do go and look for it, they don’t have to go searching through pages and pages of council documents.

The Xav: Do you feel The U this year has done a good job of reaching out to students?

K: Better than in the past yeah. Again, I knew our previous President Nick Head-Petersen from Bishops Hall when he was the House Director. I thought Nick was great, he did a very good job, but again it was sort of the issue of transparency, everything was hard to find. So on top of budget transparency, we would just like to make everything a lot more transparent and accessible for students.

FEATURE

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

udents’ Union Presidential Candidates

Sean McEvoy- Co-Editor-in-Chief

ith each election platform. For the full length interviews visit www.xaverian.ca

The Xav: Why did you decide to run for President and VP of Students’ Union?

Brandon: Alicia and I met when she transferred here (from Saint Thomas University in Fredericton, NB) last year, and we both had similar values for student leadership and involvement on campus.

We really wanted to show students it’s not just a certain style of person who gets these positions, we really wanted to make it open to everybody and be more inclusive. I know coming here it wasn’t my top priority to say I’m going to run for Students’ Union President. But as I was going through my years here, the idea appealed to me more and more.

Alicia: I think it’s really a special thing to be at this university and when you put the wrong leadership ahead of all these students it can be a bad thing. We’re both people who have been involved in various ways across campus and we know a lot of people and we really care about the students input. We put that first when we were making our platform, and we feel that it’s a strong platform.

B: We’ve talked to students, done our research, made sure everything is feasible and if not the new strategic plan is coming out next year.

A: Other than that we’re just passionate about student leadership and the union.

This is my first year on the union and I’ve met so many people and I know next year will be amazing if we get elected.

The Xav: How did you decide who would be best suited for the President and Vice President roles?

A: We looked at the specific roles for President and Vice President, and he (Brandon) had more experience as a House President (Burke) as well he knows more things about X-Ring and things like that, and also the community. Those are things that are specifically under the President’s role. Whereas I was Equity Advocate this year so I worked directly beneath the Vice President, so I knew more about equity, diversity and academics through that.

B: It’s not even just about the position title, it’s a big team. We talked to Ben(GunnDoerge) and Taylor, (Mason) even Nick (Head-Petersen) and Rachel (Mitchell), and took our experience and fit it with each position. We’re really running as team, that’s something we want to emphasize.

The Xav: Could you each talk about your history and qualifications that would make you a good fit for this role?

B: I started my involvement as a House President. It was really good during Frosh Week to get out of a comfort zone and meet brand new people and welcome them to the StFX community. Having that role, meeting a bunch of new people, and not just in one residence but working with the other House Presidents really allowed me

to see more of my teamwork skills, and allowed me to be approachable, inclusive, transparent, and accountable for everything that we do. Having that experience as a House President can definitely be brought through to a larger scale as Students’ Union President. This year, overseeing some of the House Presidents, sitting on council, making big decisions, and having a voice for the students. Having a strong voice and being open and transparent for students is definitely something that I value close.

A: I was student council President for my high school so I kind of have a little bit of experience with that. Obviously this is a much larger spectrum. I went to another university so I’ve been able to see the things that they were doing. I’ve been able to see why StFX is such a wonderful place. This year I’m the Equity Advocate with the Students’ Union so I’ve already made contacts with the Aboriginal Students Society, Black Students Society, International (students), and X-Pride. That’s been really rewarding and I know what needs to be done for next year and what needs to be changed. We also both work at the information desk so we know a lot about the union services aspect of the role, such as the Health and Dental Plan, and Maritime Bus. I also work for Students’ Nova Scotia as a volunteer for Mend the Gap. The Xav: How did you decide what key points to focus on for your platform?

B: We were thinking of running together through last summer, and just started thinking about it then. As the school year started, right from September we started talking to students and getting their voices.

We relayed that into our platform. Our platform is really about the students, not about what we want, but about what the students want. Some of the ideas we’ve spoken to would take longer than a year, like parking for instance is a big thing right now. But it’s definitely something we’re aware of. We sat down with Sean Ryan (Students’ Union General Manager) to just kind of get a sense of what these positions are like. We spoke to Robert Proctor of Safety and Security. He gave us a lot of ideas, not just in relation to safety and security but also

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9

about what it means to be a Xaverian.

Then we talked to Stephen Feist of Antigonish Town Hall. He mentioned that communication with Off-Campus relations was a bit lacking this year. That’s something that I think we need to take into account considering students take up half the population when we’re here. We also spoke to Ramsay Duff about some things, and he helped us through this as well as Bob Hale, and also Corinna Fitzgerald. I know some of these names have left us since then however they really emphasized the transition as well.

The Xav: Could you pinpoint one idea on your platform that you’re most excited for bringing forward?

B: Definitely the Farmers Market is something that I’m really excited about. Just having that resource available.

A: If you look at our platform, in general it’s all about community. So I don’t know if I could pinpoint one thing, but it’s just really emphasizing the fact that we’re a community and we have to work together. Whether it be working with the Town of Antigonish, or working specifically with the on-campus community.

The Xav: Compared to Kurtis and Andrew’s platform, it’s a much larger document. Do you feel that it is too ambitious?

A: A lot of people have been asking us that but we don’t think so. A lot of them are big things that will take a while. But with the strategic plan coming out we know that we can incorporate our ideas within that . Also many of these things are practical things that we feel like we can do. The Students’ Union is a team of over 150 employees, and it’s not just going to be the two of us doing it. There’s a whole executive team that can help us. We can all do this together.

B: Working with societies is also definitely a key. It’s one of the biggest things for student involvement at this university. Having such a large number of societies here compared to schools who have a population way higher than ours, and the amount of successful societies that have come out of that. There are so many people who are willing to help out. It’s definitely not just a two person job. Yes our platform is lengthy, but we’ve done our research, we know that it’s possible.

A: It’s qualitative and quantitative.

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60%*

*According to a theU.ca poll, 60% of respondents do not intend to vote this election.

10 CULTURE

Thursday, January 23, 2014-The Xaverian

Culture estate of mine at the sub gallery the wonderful work of theresa marshall graces the bloomfield center RACHEL REVOY | Staff Writer

The current exhibit at the StFX Art Gallery is one that involves flashes of bold colour, striking imagery, patterns, and themes of rich culture and history. The exhibit, titled Estate of Mine, presents the work of Teresa Marshall and will be on display at the StFX Art Gallery located on the first floor of the Bloomfield Centre until Feb 2.

Immediately upon entering the exhibit, the colours pull your attention to each striking work of art. All parts of the exhibit seem to be unified, as they tell the story of political strife and a history of struggle. The subject matter explored by Teresa Marshall is displayed through colour and a bold sense of a unified environment. The gallery is filled with stunning artwork involving shoes, paintbrushes, patterns, furniture, masks and a wide variety of other materials to celebrate Mi’kmaq culture and explore the issues surrounding indigenous people.

“Although the political messages are uncomfortable, they are cleanly created through agitational object making. There is wonderful tension of formalist objects, the fine art First Nations motif, [executed] by a highly trained Mi’kmaq artist.” says StFX Art Gallery Director, Bruce Campbell, on the exhibit.

The title Estate of Mine was chosen for this exhibit by Teresa Marshall as a way of explaining that the land - or estate - is not for sale. In Mi’kmaq culture, everything from stories to the land, artwork, and skills, are all inherited and shared among generations.

When Teresa Marshall was asked how non-Mi’kmaq students would interpret her exhibit, she replied by explaining how she observed her artwork from a subjective standpoint after it was assembled in the StFX Art Gallery. “It looks like candy in a candy store,” was Marshall’s first thought. No matter what the cultural background, or the political knowledge of indigenous peoples and their cultures, the exhibit can evoke a sense of understanding in everyone.

“Native art outlines the complexity and beauty of a culture that the mainstream knows very little about. Each stitch, each stroke of colour, and each object is a way of unifying the people in Mi’kmaq culture. “The native people are not savage look at the intricate bead work - they had techniques of using their hands as measurements and some elders even today can recognize the artist based off of the distance between stitches.

This shows the size of the artists hands,” Teresa Marshall says of Mi’kmaq art.

Ghost Dancers is a particularly intriguing piece due to the suggested slow movements of the red stained marionettes that are suspended above a drum.

The red symbolizes blood for the female life giver, which in turn represents renewal. If someone were to play the drum,

the marionettes would move due to the vibrations. “To the earth, to the world and praying, with vibrations to the spirit,” says Marshall of Ghost Dancers.

Teresa Marshall transformed ordinary household items into complex masterpieces. The recognizable objects such as furniture and telephones allow the viewer to see day to day objects converted into bold statements.

“Mi’kmaq motifs carried on items that were traded, such as baskets and furniture for basic survival, throw that in our face.

Mi’kmaq art survived on the surface of utilitarian objects,” says Bruce Campbell of Teresa Marshall’s choice of materials.

The titles of the artwork in Estate of Mine are written on tags directly tied onto the pieces. In typical galleries, the title is located on the wall next to the art. This was done purposefully by Teresa Marshall to challenge the notion of knowing. “If people are curious enough find the tag, somehow they have already become invested enough to look for it. If they really want to know, they’ll look for it,” explains Marshall.

To add a touch of humour and lightheartedness to some of the heavy political subject matter involved in the exhibit, Marshall often added funny puns or plays on words to name her artwork. Illegal Eagle and These Shoes Are Quelling Me are examples of the humour in the titles. The idea was to make the pieces more accessible on many different levels, and to portray the laughter involved with Mi’kmaq culture. The Mi’kmaq people are able to laugh at all sorts of situations, said Teresa,

and puns are a way to bring the upbeat happiness of laughter into the exhibit.

The beautiful work of Teresa Marshall will intrigue all who see Estate of Mine.

For those interested in Mi’kmaq culture and native art, or for those curious to see striking political s t atements of colour and creativity, Estate of Mine will capture each viewer with intrigue. Teresa Marshall will be at the

StFX Art Gallery on Jan 30 at 7:00 pm for An Artist’s Talk and Guided Tour.

FIVER at the t-house BRENDAN MORLEY | Contributor

When asked by someone to describe FIVER’s sound, the first thing that came to my mind was “like a melancholic Janis Joplin... but in the best way.”

Toronto born singer-songwriter Simone Schmidt has steadily been forging her way in the Canadian indie music scene as a member of the critically acclaimed country outfit One Hundred Dollars and the psychedelic-country group The Highest Order. Schmidt recently released her debut solo album Lost the Plot this past September under the alias FIVER, becoming one of the most exciting young musicians in Toronto.

Simone Schmidt’s voice will stop you in your tracks. A hauntingly beautiful twang, cask’d in Marlboros and aged beyond her years. As FIVER, Schmidt has taken her song writing to new levels, tackling themes of illness, murder, and heartache through the eyes of different characters. The new release Lost the Plot flows with a haunting vulnerability that feels like the soundtrack to a desert acid trip while watching the sun set over the horizon.

Schmidt’s bands One Hundred Dollars and The Highest Order do country the right way. Adapting traditional country-western music into contemporary narratives, they give us a glimpse into what country music might have become had the industry not been taken over by pop music production and trite subject matter. Like many artists, Simone Schmidt branched off into solo projects after writing a collection of songs that did not fit into the catalogues of her bands; thus began FIVER. We are very lucky to say that FIVER will be performing in Antigonish at the Townhouse Brewpub on Jan 23 at 9 pm. FIVER will be backed by Sackville garage-punk collective The Mouthbreathers. The Mouthbreathers, who have become a staple in the sappy music scene, package don’t-givea-fuck rhythms with clever kitschy lyrics. The Townhouse owners, Rose and Terry, have an amazing taste in music and are very particular in who they book for shows, living by the “quality over quantity” ideology. That being said, this show is sure to be a treat.

CULTURE

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

11

New Years solutions the strength society will help you resolve your 2014 fitness resolutions DEVON GREENE | Staff Writer

New Year’s Resolutions occupy a great deal of people’s time during the month of January. Deciding what it will be, making a plan, and trying to stick with it can be exhausting. As the end of January draws near our dedication often begins to dwindle. Luckily, if you have a fitness-related goal this year, the new StFX Strength Society can help start the year off right and keep you on track throughout the semester. The society was created in September of 2013 and has been picking up speed ever since. A free workout is offered every Saturday at 4:00 pm in the Gilmora gym. These workouts include a wide variety of exercises and provide the perfect opportunity to learn some new ways to spice up your training regime for 2014.

It is no secret that resolutions are difficult to maintain because they become old news very quickly. The excitement of starting something new tends to fade after a few weeks and people become bored. The strength society aims to prevent people from falling into a slump with their workouts and expose them to different types of exercises that they might not have otherwise tried. As human kinetics students, busy university students and creators of the society, president Mylan Clairmont and vice-president Travis Locey understand the importance of variety. They make sure to incorporate it into the weekly sessions.

“It’s just to keep people active and keep people interested in being ac-

tive. When you do the same thing over and over again it’s easy to get bored with it and give up on it but if you’re always doing something new, if every time you work out with us you can take that and take even just one exercise you really like and incorporate that into your own workout it keeps things fresh,” says Clairmont.

Regular group workouts are a great way to stay motivated, as they help build a support system that you can depend on to push you to achieve your goals.

As a new society on campus, the strength society is building a community of students with an interest in fitness. Clairmont hopes to create such a support system for students for years to come.

“It’s great because it’s almost like a weekly check in and the idea is that we’re trying to build this community within StFX of people who like being active, or even people who haven’t in the past who want to be… with that, you can meet new people and maybe find a workout partner and, through that community, keep going.”

By constantly welcoming new mem-

bers, the society is growing bigger and stronger. Fifth year student Aaron Doucette joined the society when it was created in September and has been a dedicated member ever since.

Doucette describes the society as providing a fun, positive atmosphere in which you can try new things and work out in a safe and welcoming environment. “It’s a good mixture, and it’s not big groups of friends either. It’s just people who thought it would be a good time. Most of the people who showed up were just by themselves and wanted to try it out.

I was one of those as well. Everyone there just has the attitude of welcoming everyone in so you feel comfortable as soon as you get there,” says Doucette.

Stereotypes – particularly those relating to gender – about people who work out can be misleading and discouraging to those who want to join a new club or start a new activity. The society is working to break down the barriers that might prevent people from coming out and enjoying the free workouts. Clairmont has been impressed by the variety of people attending the sessions. “Everybody comes out – arts students, science students, people that work out every day or are coming from a workout, to people who just saw it at society night and figured they’d try it out.” With workouts that range from a game of dodge-ball to yoga classes, the society

is dedicated to providing sessions that are fun and challenging for people of all fitness levels and backgrounds.

Members give input about what types of workouts they would like to do, ensuring there is something to interest everyone. By branching out with the types of exercises members are exposed to, the society helps to bring people together as a community in which there is no pressure and no intimidation.

Clairmont describes the philosophy behind the group as members working together to help each other grow. “It’s actually predominately women that have been coming so far.

I think the name is a bit daunting, ‘the X Strength Society’ - really the idea behind it is to find your weaknesses and make them your strengths. We do endurance training, core stuff, a lot of body weight stuff. It’s not necessarily ‘how much can you deadlift?’ It’s about finding things you’re not good at and exposing you to new things and making those your strengths.”

As a new society, the group is always looking for new members to join the community. Co-president Travis Locey encourages everyone to come out and give it a try. “It’s easy to see that everyone leaves in a better state than they showed up in. Our workouts have been universally enjoyed and it’s a good way to find new and interesting ways to exercise. Also a great place to meet new people.” Whether you have a fitness-related New Year’s resolution, have an interest in fitness, or are simply looking to try something new, the StFX strength society offers something for everyone.

For more information regarding the StFX strength society, visit the “XStrength Society” Facebook page.

is admirable on part of the school, it fell flat in terms of its novelty. Two Year’s Eve as a super-SUB was as enjoyable as any wet/dry super-SUB can be – StFX’s own Too Drunk To Funk played a killer set at the Mackay room and greasy grilled cheese sated appetites in the abhorrently long Inn line.

The fact that Two Year’s Eve simply replaced Winter Ball cheapened the whole deal a little bit.

Frost week was more an amalgamation of already existing events than something new, and for returning students who know the drill, the week was hardly a revelation. A key thing that separates frosh week from frost week is orientation itself. That ridiculous cheering gang in pink was nowhere to be found, and all of the awkward-but-fun ice breaker events are missing. Admittedly, at this point most of us have spent at last one semester here at X so we don’t really need to be told about the community code for the umpteenth time. But this school is a small community - people huddle together, the union hangs out on fourth floor, Mac kids punch walls on fourth floor; hell, even the communications block is pretty insular.

Having a reason to throw disparate groups of people together to interact

outside of their normal channels is always valuable, and while the Inn is all well and good as a meeting space, people stratify there just as easily.

All and all frost week is a great way to brand events early in the winter semester, but there could defi-

nitely stand to be a few new events – maybe something more in line with frosh week itself, especially because, as most X students will tell you, the worst part about frosh week is that it ends.

FROST WEEK what is it really?

LIAM PROST | Contributor

January can be said to be the bleakest month of the year. It’s cold, there are no major holidays, and the failed New Year’s resolutions have us all a little depressed. After stuffing ourselves with Christmas turkey and reminiscing with high school friends, the last thing any student wants to do is hit the books. The alternative, of course, is getting down with more hedonistic pursuits. Enter frost week: the U’s attempt to amalgamate some previously disparate events into a pseudo re-orientation week. The Inn’s usual Two Year’s Eve combined with Winter Ball found us a super SUB experience, frosh-favourite Damien the Hypnotist was brought back after a conspicuous absence during frosh week, and a couple other disparate events made up this year’s frost festivities.

The term frost week itself has been floating around in the ether for a few years now as a denotation for all of the “unofficial” reunion partying that happens in residence after everyone gets back. Obviously the frost/ frosh week assonance is not unintentional – the name is supposed to evoke reorientation, being brought back into the StFX fold, and putting a Keith’s back into your hand. While this push to make frost week a legitimate event

12 CULTURE

Thursday, January 23, 2014-The Xaverian

Her: She’s a keeper joaquin phoenix knocks your socks off in spike jonze’s new flick MARK RISEBROUGH | News Editor

Spike Jonze’s latest film has to be the weirdest, yet most intimate romance movie of the year. As both writer and producer, Jonze spins a complicated web that touches on dating life, existential philosophy, and the future of artificial intelligence. His depiction of the antagonist, an operating system self-named Samantha, and the protagonist, a reclusive writer named Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), is so lucid and awe-inspiring that the viewer cannot help but relate to the story’s infinite possibilities.

Operating System One, as it was called, was the first of its kind, representing the future of real artificial intelligence that grows through interaction – much like a real human being. In layman’s terms, Samantha represents Apple’s Siri after many years of technological improvements. Much like a human girlfriend, Theodore

could not predict what Samantha would do; Theodore struggled throughout the movie as he watched Samantha evolve and wrestle with new feelings, desires, and ideas. Theodore can feel her evolving beyond his grasp – like a real person, only in more rapid and sometimes disorienting increments.

The product of this emotional roller coaster is a true love story that can be condemned as much as it could be adored.

The movie opens in a world not far from our own; one that is dominated by social media and technology and the byproduct of this technology: isolation. Theodore has a job in a futuristic and markedly bleak and grim Los Angeles as a love-letter author. He writes deep, intense, and incredibly intimate personal love-letters from one lover to the other, drawing on his own intuition and empathy. The irony of this situation is that, despite being a truly great author of love letters, he struggles throughout the movie with expressing himself in real life. We enter into Theodore’s life after he and his wife (Rooney Mara) have split and she has filed for a divorce. The reasons for the divorce remain vague, though it seems apparent that the two lovers simply fell out of sync.

Theodore is badgered by his wife’s divorce attorney, as he continues to delay the inevitable divorce by disregarding their e-mails and phone calls;

he simply is not ready for the very real separation. His only recourse from this perpetual sickness is phone sex with women around the city who are searching for a nightcap just as he is.

Jonze included a great deal of exterior shots from Shanghai due to its vast, abstracted skyline. He paid particularly close attention to the colour schemes that he used, making sure not to spin the city into an insipid, cold and colourless palette of dystopia. Theodore’s office, for instance, was an office that I myself would not mind working in; filled with a plethora of beautiful, neutral colours illuminated by the many planes of glass and huge windows that seem to be endless. Despite this, the other people you see in the office, or walking around outside, do not reflect this type of Zen-inspired décor or architecture; they walk around as faceless drones gazing into electronic devices and talking to unseen listeners. Einstein once said that he would pity the time that technological innovation would replace human interaction, and Her flirts with this idea. The city conjured up by Jonze is one that lacks interpersonal signals; it feels like a city of strangers. The citizens of this city embrace a new kind of OS that, in the words of an advertisement, is an “intuitive entity that listens to you and understands you and knows

you.”

Samantha’s fully human and seductive voice, provided

by Scarlett Johansson, is girlish, throaty, slightly cracked – the voice of someone lying next to you in bed. Is it for the better or for the worse that we can visualize her? The answer to this I am not certain, though right from the start she is a dream mate, especially for a writer who is a helpless romantic. With Theodore’s permission, she analyzes his thousands of emails – in less than a couple seconds – and dumps all but the 86 that she identified as important. She cleans up his life, a mess that had been only getting worse for the past 12 months, and then tells him that he’s funny.

Heaven on Earth! Theodore, parched from his lack of companionship, drinks Samantha in.

After watching Her I cannot imagine the Oscar going to anyone besides Joaquin Phoenix. His monologues were rife with affliction, confusion, and lost-love. His style of dress is that of 2020’s hipster, indicated by his thick, unshaped moustache, high-wasted pants, and thick-brimmed glasses. In Her, Phoenix is all by himself, responding only to a voice, and so the performance is a floating, freeform solipsistic dance.

He is almost a neo-Jack Kerouac in that he believes he has nothing to offer the world except for his own confusion; a

helpless romantic whose prose and way of articulation is both poetic and methodical. Short, tight, clean sentences are followed up by intensely intimate, colourful and seemingly endless sentences that serve to colour life as both monotonous and spontaneous at the same time. Theodore is not purely solipsistic because Samantha does exist, though allegorically you may as well be watching a five-year-old talking to an imaginary friend; this is how inward the movie’s dialogue is.

It is easy to believe that our main characters are two lovers in a meaningful relationship in that there were scenes where the two compared notes on people in malls where Samantha said that Theodore was “truly insightful.” They romp through a fair. They picnic with friends who think she’s great company. Scenes that could be just a howl are exhilarating and romantic. The sex is literally transcendent, though it did not stop my hairs from standing on-end. It raises the question: Do we even need our bodies? Or is it all in our brains? The relationship is real enough to make us ask what a relationship is and whether the coming so-called singularity – when artificial intelligence will surpass human intelligence while human minds will be broadened by machines – will change the way we relate – or don’t relate – to one another.

healthy dose of oxytocin, which will literally make your day better. Oxytocin is what makes us happy and creates bonds with our partners, and by getting fueled up with that in the morning you can keep the feeling going all day.

Additionally, having sex in the morning means that you can skip the gym! Sex burns a crapload of calories, so not only will it make you feel good, but it’s helping you look good, too.

And of course, if your partner is a guy, he’s probably already made a tent in the sheets before either of you have woken up. Seeing or feeling his morning wood can

be a great turn on for you and it makes it even easier to hop on and get started with your favourite morning activity.

But fellas, please just do yourself a favour and go pee if you really have to. Everyone deserves to get the most out of the glories of morning sex, and you won’t be at your Agame if you have to pee the whole time.

The beauty of morning sex is that it also assures you that someone likes you enough to kiss your morning-breathstanky mouth, stare into your sleep-crusty eyes, and tousle your messy hair. No one looks their best in the morning, but morning sex lets you know

that maybe it isn’t how you present yourself on Friday nights that matters most. And what’s even better is that you’re doing the same for them! Whether you’d like to admit it or not, sex is intimate. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fucking or making love, you’re still exposing a part of your self that you wouldn’t to most people.

Morning sex makes it intimate in the easiest way - just tuck in as the big or little spoon and start your day off right. And hey, if all goes well, maybe you’ll continue the fun into the shower!

Stay thirsty my friends.

sex with an x Morning sex: START YOUR DAY OFF WITH A BANG! MIRANDA | Sex Columnist

Let’s be honest here: most of us are happy and eager to have sex at all times of the day. There’s the afternoon delight, early evening sex, the quickie-at-any-hour, before bed sex, and the drunk at three am sex. But above all these, one time of day shines through like a beam of sunlight: morning sex.

For starters, morning sex gives you an excellent reason to stay in bed a little longer; instead of hitting your snooze button, grab your partner and spend some extra time hitting that. The production that sex becomes in the night seems to slip away in the morning; you don’t need to

worry about the lights being on or off because the sun is shining through the window regardless and you don’t need to be self-conscious because you’ve already (presumably) spent the night sleeping beside your person. You already know what kind of sex you’ll be getting, and this time it’s a sober, cuddly, satisfying romp in the sheets.

While crazy nighttime sex is also awesome and totally has its own proper place in the world, that time is not the morning. Morning sex lets you be lazy and have orgasms: it’s the best of both worlds. Orgasming means that your body is releasing a

DISTRACTIONS 13

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

DiStractions Kaleigh Bent: Editor/ Happy Bunny

Instagram of the week

HOCKEY CUP CHILLIS

OC

TNT

HOUSE

LASER

SPIRIT

BURMAC

PLESSIS

TRIMAC

WIN

SHOOTOUT

PARTY

GOAL TIE NEWREZ

5 WAYS TO A BETTER MOOD:

HOW TO SNAP YOUR SELF BACK TO HAPPY! 1. Morning pump up jams: Begin your day with a clothing optional happy dance! This can take place in your room or possibly in the shower if you are a multitasker. Turn up your favorite toe tappers and be ready to smile!

Antigonish Unrated JANUARY GYM JOINERS It’s that time of year again, the time when the campus gym is packed to capacity with fresh faces of determination. People who have pledged to lose that extra weight in time for beach season and will go to the gym everyday to make it happen. Of course, this select group of people usually fade away by mid January, but this year they are really clinging on for dear life. Upon going to the gym tonight (it is a rare occurrence, so document it wisely) I found all the little blue cards were gone and the machines had lineups like it was Disney World. Frustrated I headed to the rink to do some good ol’ fashion laps, but even that was packed with girls planking up and down the track. I took this as a sign and headed home, broke out the snacks and turned on Netflix. Clearly a better life decision, if you ask me.

See you new gym rats at McDonalds in a few

weeks!

Kurt Brothers

2.Exercise: There are plenty of ways to exert yourself, and no speed walking to the fridge does not count. Hit up the school gym or possibly pick up a membership from goodlife. A little fresh air is a sure fire way to perk up in times of frustration and educational overload.

3. Do Less: Yes, this is not a typo, just sit down for a few minutes after a busy day and do nothing. Relax and have time to yourself without electronics and textbooks. Im not saying go full sloth, but a life break is helpful 4. Do a good deed: Hold a door, buy a coffee, offer advice, give a compliment. There are many opportunities on campus and within the community to brighten someone elses day in return brightening your own!

5. Hug it out: I’m not saying physically attack someone, consent is key. Find a friend and embrace, nothing is better than a semi unexpected friendly holding. Just for reference, make sure you obtain consent, don’t make any odd noises and any hug exceeding 8 seconds is a no no Comic by Emma Dys-ART

SPORTS AND HEALTH

SPORTS & HEALTH Since You’ve Been Gone the x-men and x-women action is once again underway AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor

Unlike Kelly Clarkson’s classic tune, this article is about all we’ve been missing in the world of StFX athletics – not about breathing for the first time. However, since the teams have gotten their respective seasons back underway, a number of entertaining games have been a breath of fresh air amidst a wet and depressing return to classes for many students.

The StFX basketball scene was a topic of some discussion, although at first it was not due to the play of the team. During the half-time of the X-Men’s home game against the Cape Breton Capers, a lucky but deserving student Pieter Heerschop hit a shot from half court to win $1000. All should presently look him up on Facebook so you can recognize him next time you see him at the Pub. As if driven by their fellow Xaverian’s triumph, the XMen turned up their game in the second half, as they cruised to a 68-56 win. It was a welcome victory after the team had limped through

their first regular season game after the holidays, dropping the contest by a score of 96-82 at the hands of the Saint Mary’s Huskies. The X-Men climbed to second in the AUS division, four points behind Acadia, after defeating Dalhousie in a thrilling overtime victory on January 17th. The game ended with both teams having mustered 67 points, when the blue and white clad X-Men overpowered the Dalhousie side, eking out a 76-72 win. They face the basementdwellers of the division, Memorial University, this Saturday, in search of their third consecutive win.

The women’s basketball team has had a slightly more laboured return to action, suffering in a way akin to so many students who remember how much a week’s groceries cost after splurging at home. They came up short in two close games, the first against the top-ranked team in the nation, the St. Mary’s Huskies, who outscored them 82-73. They dropped a second game in a row, this time with

a buzzer-beater by Cape Breton in overtime, with a final score of 66-65. However, they have gotten back to their winning ways, as they defeated the Dalhousie Tigers with a score of 77-63. The win pulled them into third place in the AUS division. Their next game is at home against Memorial University, a team only two points behind the X-Women in the standings.

Similar to the X-Women basketball team, the StFX men’s hockey team managed to gain their footing with a win after losing several contests in succession. Their return to the ice started out with a bang, as they crushed the country’s fourth best team, the UNB Reds, 7-2. However, their next three games would all end in losses, as they fell to Dalhousie, Acadia, and UPEI. Most recently, however, the X-Men defeated St. Thomas with a score of 4-2, bringing their record to a mediocre 9-9-1 on the season, good for 21 points and fifth place in the division. They face St. Mary’s and Acadia

The Xaverian Weekly Staff would like to extend our condolences to the friends, family, and teammates of Melissa Landry. StFX and Antigonish lost a widely loved member of our community. We all regret the passing of a girl who exemplified the Xaverian Spirit, and dedicated herself to improving the lives of those around her.

I did not know Melissa, and as I learn more about her I regret not taking a moment to introduce myself one of those times at the gym. At StFX, strangers are rare, because passing acquaintances soon turn into regular friends. Melissa seems like the kind of person we all want as a friend. Melissa has left an indelible impression on our StFX mosaic. We are a small community, and a tight one, and Melissa’s memory will live on as a part of this community.

With sincerest regrets, but much inspiration,

Lewis Forward, Co-Editor-in-Chief, The Xaverian

this weekend. One can only hope the X-Men have been straying away from the NSLC more than some of us, and will have no trouble with these opponents.

In seasons past, the StFX Women’s hockey team has rarely known much adversity in their AUS division. This season has been different.

While they are still tied for first with St. Mary’s in the AUS division, the X-Women have already lost three times as many games this season as they did all of last year – mind you, that only gives them a total of three losses on the year.

They lost their first two games coming out of the break, including a 3-2 loss in the shootout to UPEI. They got back into the winning col-

Next Week At STFX Jan 24th Track & Field Meet In Montreal Jan 24th women’s Hockey at StU - 7 pm jan 24th men’s Hockey vs smu - 7 PM jan 25th woMen’s basketball vs memorial - 6 pm jan 25th men’s basketball vs memorial - 8 pm jan 26th women’s basketball vs memorial - 11 aM

umn, pulling out a win against St. Thomas, but dropped an important two points against their current co-frontrunners, St. Mary’s. They face St. Thomas and Mount Allison this weekend.

While many of us have been patting ourselves on the back for dusting off our gym clothes for the first time since September, StFX athletes have barely broken stride over the course of the break.

Despite the shame you may feel as you wash down handfuls of Cheetos with lukewarm beer, you can easily counterbalance this by doing so while supporting a StFX varsity team. They won’t judge you – at least not too much...

Your Marquee matchup in this week’s matchup, your St. FX Men’s Basketball team take on Memorial University on Sunday, January 26th at 1pm. In the second game of a double-header against the Sea-Hawks, will the X-Men be able to gain any ground in the AUS standings? Or will they go the way of the New England Patriots, and suffer defeat at the hands of some sea-faring fowl?

SPORTS & HEALTH 15

The Xaverian-Volume 122 Issue 9

A real(istic) new year’s Resolution How you can start down a healthy road in 2014 MAT T MACDONALD | Health Columnist

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to ditch the fudge and put down the wine. Shape up or ship out, it’s time to get moving!

For many of us, 2014 brings a fresh start and new beginning. Like many of you, I too embrace the New Year and look forward to achieving new goals and resolutions. While my goals don’t include weight loss, for many of us, losing weight, eating healthy and getting fit are major priorities. In fact, every year millions of people resolve to lose weight and be-

come physically fit. However, according to Forbes, only 8% of these people are successful. So, if you resolved to lose weight and get fit last year but failed to do so, ask yourself, how will this year be any different?

Learning from the past is critical for future success. If you’ve failed in the past, it’s important to examine why, and implement strategies to avoid any such pitfalls. Otherwise, you run the risk of failing again, and that realization will be worse than any New Year’s Day hangover. In ad-

dition, you should examine your motives and consequences for not attaining your goals. Otherwise, you may find yourself months down the road questioning why you resolved in the first place.

Having a well mapped out plan and support network is critical to your success. Make time now to unpack your goals so that when times get tough, you’ll have strategies in place to keep you on track. Also, be sure to make mini goals, which will encourage you along the way. For ex-

ample, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds, having mini goals and rewards can make all the difference. Perhaps after losing ten pounds, you resolve to buy yourself a new exercise outfit.

Or, after 25 pounds, you pamper yourself at the spa. Whatever you decide, avoid rewards such as food. Instead, find something constructive that embraces you’re long-term goals.

Here is a four week plan to help get you started!

WEEK

NUT RIT ION

FIT NESS

T IPS

1

Eat at least 10 servings of fruits and veg per day

Do 3 days of cardio and 2 days of resis- Your health is the single most important intance training vestment -invest daily!

2

Drink 750 ml as soon as you wake up. Drink a quart of Do 3 days of cardio and 3 days of resis- Go for a walk after every meal. This will imwater 20 minutes before meals. Aim for clear urine tance training. prove digestion and add additional movment at lease 8-10 times per day Do 50 squats every other day. to your day.

3

Eat potatoes, rice, corn, beans, and pasta. Avoid cream sauces, butters, or added oils. Opt for low fat/ low sodium tomator sauce, and condiments like balsamic vinegar or salsa.

4

Eat oatmeal or shredded wheat for breakfast or as a Do 3 days of cardio and 3 days of resissnack. Top it off with some cinammon or your favou- tance training. rite fruit!

Do 75 squats, along with 30-60 seconds of plank (3 sets) twice per day.

Do 3 days of cardio and two days of resis- Watch a documentary such as Forks over tance training.

Knives, Food Inc., or Fat, Sick, and Nearly Do 50 squats every other day, along with Dead. It’s bound to impact your life.

30-60 seconds of plank (3 sets) twice per day.

Download MyFitnessPal for your phone or computer. This free calorie counter is perfect for monitoring your new lifestyle. However, avoid following its calorie recommendations, as you’ll have no energy for exercise.

Lebroning: The Slow decline of gamesmenship internet fad could be a sign of much larger issue in pro sports DAN COCHRANE | Sports & Health Contributor

If you’re a fan of the NBA like I used to be, you’ve no doubt heard of a trend that has become known as “Lebroning”. If you’re new to this expression, you’ll find that a quick search of urban dictionary offers many definitions ranging from descriptions of Lebron’s poor efforts whilst under pressure to less-than-savoury acts with his trademark powder. The more widely known definition, however, is when a basketball player drops to the court as they pretend to be fouled by an opposing player. In most sports this is referred to as flopping. Derek Fisher and Vlade Divac were long known to be the premier floppers of basketball, but even they have been usurped by the internet sensation now known as “Lebroning”.

Lebroning is a phenomenon in which people post videos of themselves falling to the ground in dramatic fashion after gently brushing a passerby.

While this provides hours of entertainment at the expense of one of the most talented yet polarizing professional athletes of our time, it raises a serious question – what does this teach the

youth athletes of North America and beyond?

As a guy who has played sports throughout most of his childhood, I can confidently say that all of my friends and I idolized professional athletes growing up. We would spend hours trying to mimic the Kobe Bryant fadeaway jumper in our driveway, or the patented Wayne Gretzky wraparound during a spirited bout of street hockey. The youth of today are equally enamoured with their favourite stars and perhaps more so due to the increased level of media attention they receive. While it is important to have someone who drives you to excel in sports, as it is in all facets of life, I worry about the unspoken lesson being taught. The lesson that it is alright to bend the rules to get what you want.

Flopping is at least considered unsportsmanlike, if not blatant cheating.

Professional sports make a concerted effort to dissuade athletes from these activities, and fines are often issued for their infractions. Unfortunately, there are still far too many instances of these

activities that go unchecked, especially when they are performed by the superstars like Lebron James.

In pro sport, it’s apparent that the elite faces of the league frequently get a pass that average players wouldn’t when they commit penalties. What kind of message does this send to the young fans of their sport? What does this do to the integrity of the sport in general? As a sports fan all of my life, I used to love basketball. But in recent years I’ve watched in horror as it has devolved into a constant display of showboating, and many players display a general lack of respect for the game and their opponents. Fouls were always penalized, but at one time defenders were at least allowed to touch opposing players. Now it’s virtually impossible to defend the man, and fouls are called on almost every possession.

I could even get behind this if it weren’t so frequently abused by players like Lebron. This phenomenon is spreading with the recent rule changes in the NFL– it has become an enormous problem on the gridiron over the past

few years. Every time Peyton Manning or Tom Brady take a hard knock, they jump to their feet in awe that a flag hasn’t been thrown. If I wanted to watch a grown man hurl himself to the ground over a legitimate foul, let alone one in which a player lightly touches you or misses you altogether, I would be watching the Spanish and Italian soccer leagues every weekend.

“King James”, you’re built like an Adonis and you can out-muscle virtually every other player on the court when you take it to the hole. To you, and to all of the pros who read this article- and I can only assume that the number will reach into the thousandsI say: Respect the game, your fans, and yourself. If it has reached the point where un-athletic pre-teens are mocking your antics in the halls of their middle school, you know you’ve gone too far. Use your skills and quit embarrassing yourself for the sake of an extra free throw, a 5 on 4, or a fresh set of downs. For our sake, let your unmatched talent and skills do the talking.

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Thursday, January 23, 2014-The Xaverian

Dalhousie University

MSc Clinical Vision Science with concurrent Graduate Diploma in Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Medical Technology This professional two-year graduate program offered by Dalhousie University in partnership with the IWK Health Centre’s School of Orthoptics/Ophthalmic Medical Technology provides students with unparalleled research opportunities in the vision sciences along with extensive clinical practice to prepare them for the profession of orthoptics/ophthalmic medical technology.

Orthoptists/ophthalmic medical technologists are allied health professionals who perform a wide range of diagnostic and highly technical procedures and, in consultation with an ophthalmologist, plan, implement and monitor treatment of a wide variety of ocular disorders, including disorders of binocular vision and ocular motility. They are engaged in a wide range of activities including research into ocular motility, education of other eye care professionals, patient education and vision screening.

The program involves 7.5 class credits, two extended practica and a thesis in an area of vision research.

Students are permitted to exit the program after two years (prior to completing a Master’s thesis) with a Graduate Diploma in Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Medical Technology.

Applications for the MSc (Clinic Vision Science) program beginning in September 2014 are now being accepted. Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum B average (GPA 3.0), with at least one undergraduate class in human anatomy and/or physiology, and a class in psychology with a laboratory component. Exceptional students may be accepted without these prerequisites on the condition that they are fulfilled either prior to or concurrent with the program. Work/volunteer experience in the health care field is considered an asset.

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate the ability to participate in a graduate program conducted in English prior to acceptance into the program. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL test is 580 for the written test and 237 for the computer test.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students.

Deadline for applications is March 1, 2014.

Further information is available from our website www.dal.ca/cvs or by contacting Clinical Vision Science Program IWK Health Centre 5850/5980 University Avenue PO Box 9700 Halifax, NS B3K 6R8 orthoptics@iwk.nshealth.ca (902) 470-8959

- Lewis Forward Co-Editor-in-Chief

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