Imprint_2009-11-27_v32_i19

Impr int The university of Waterloo’s official student newspaper

6 Friday, November 27, 2009

Vol 32, No

19

imprint . uwaterloo . ca

A YEAR STRUGGLE

UW takes Western at OUA finals, ending long-term vendetta

staff reporter

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o-captain Amanda Carruthers saw a dream come true as Waterloo’s badminton squad defeated the Western Mustangs in the OUA championship gold medal match.

“I have been in the team for four years and I so wanted to beat Western. It was a personal vendetta, and I have succeeded in ending it,” she said.

This win is of significant importance as the Warriors have been trying to beat the Mustangs since the 2003-04 season.

Coach Chris Erven’s association with

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this year, the Warriors boasted of having a successful season run, with only a solitary loss, incidentally against Western.

It seemed that the ensuing struggle and that loss would have introduced an intimidation factor in the equation.

“Not really. We knew that our lineup was strong,” Carruthers said. “We played with the same set of players in the regular season as well as in the finals, and somehow it worked in our favour this time. As a team, the Mustangs are very strong. A lot of their members have been provincial players. There was no pressure on us this year, as we were lucky to have a deep team, with players getting

On Sunday, four teams competed in the semifinals for a chance to play for the gold medal.

the Waterloo badminton program has spanned over a decade, and this win is as much a team victory as it is a moral victory for him. “He has a very unique coaching style. He takes interest which motivates us as we go along,” Carruthers said while speaking exclusively with Imprint.

Every player deserves accolades for their perseverance and belief in themselves and their varsity mates. “We have improved. We have a different practice format, with cardio and physical fitness training. So it has helped us to play harder and with added intensity. Due to this, we have played much better this year than we have in the past,” Carruthers said.

Heading into the championship match, which was held at York University

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Siddhant Baride

along very well. Our team was cohesive enough to give their best.”

On Sunday November 22, four teams competed in the semifinals for a chance to play for the gold medal. Waterloo began its championship trot with a tight match against the Toronto Varsity Blues, with both teams tied at 5-5 going into the final three matches, while York tried to sustain Western’s initial lead.

In their first mixed doubles game, Warriors Evan McDonald and Amanda Carruthers put the Warriors up 6-5 despite dropping their first set 21–17. They edged the Mustangs in the following sets 24–22 and 22–20.

It was Rahim Karmali and Shanaz Currium who sealed the win that sent

courtesy uw athletics

Sio Weng “Koda” Kuok returns a birdie during the OUA championship which took place at York University on Sunday, November 22. The Warriors went on to take gold.

Waterloo to the gold medal round. The Varsity Blues’ Dustin Yu (Mississauga, Ont.) and Melissa Hill (Oakville, Ont.) took the first 21–18. However, Karmali and Currium held on and finished the game with resounding 21–15 and 21–18 wins. The Warriors went on to take the match 8–5 to advance to the championship tie.

Entering the gold medal match, the Mustangs and Warriors found themselves tightly matched as they headed into the doubles. The Warriors had a strong start as they controlled the men’s singles with Nathan Lee and Andrew Zhuang taking their games in straight sets.

The Mustangs responded with Jennifer Lam (Toronto) and Choi-Fong Cho (Guelph, Ont.) dominating in women’s singles. By the time the doubles rolled around, both teams were tied up 3–3 and looking for the deciding victories.

Throughout doubles play, the Warriors began to pull past the Mustangs and took both men’s matches.

9 10

opinion

A criticism of critics

features

The Grace Lee Project: What’s in a name?

arts 23 Avenue Q intersects with KW

News

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 news@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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23–23 tie: Orientation schedule decision

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After the vote came to a tie, UW President David Johnston had the opportunity to settle the issue by casting a deciding vote but decided not to use this privilege.

STILL PENDING

intern

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he UW Senate has not yet reached a decision on whether to reschedule fall classes to start earlier and shorten orientation week. On November 16, the senate vote came to a tie; 23 were for the change and 23 were against it. Senate meetings typically occur on a monthly basis, but it is unclear whether the item will appear on the agenda for December’s meeting — or if there will be a meeting at all.

The proposal, outlined in a memo from university Registrar Ken Lavigne, is for changing the 2010 and 2011 class schedules. The proposal is for at least the next two years, however, it may not be permanent for years to come. It proposes to start fall classes on the Thursday after Labour Day rather than on the Monday. On years when Labour Day falls on an earlier date, students would be consulted on how to use the extra days. UW needs to have a minimum of 60 days for classes between Labour Day and Christmas.

The Thanksgiving holiday in October is another factor. The proposal would start classes earlier but would allow more study days in between the end of classes and the start of exams. The new scheduling would also allow more exam days and ensure that professional

programs such as engineering and accounting would be given enough teaching days to meet federal and provincial accreditation requirements. The vote had already been deferred from an October meeting as student representatives including Feds VP Education Justin Williams

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across campus, the undergraduate student members of the senate have decided against the proposal, as the majority of students wish to preserve the traditional orientation week schedule. “I feel it’s effective as is,” says AHS student senator Dave Smith. “The possibility of

The Senate Executive Committee reserves the right to delegate the task of setting the calendar to the Registrar’s Office and bypass the senate approval of the different start dates.

claimed to need more time to gather student opinions across campus. In particular, science student senator Sam Andrey pushed to have the motion tabled until a later meeting.

Two student representative senators who may have voted against the change — Feds president Allan Babor and GSA president Jonathan Aycan — were away at a conference. Faculty and administration members overwhelmingly hold the balance of power in Senate — 14 students (including the Feds and GSA presidents) sit on the committee, versus 62 faculty and administration, and four alumni members.

After consulting with members

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Sinead Mulhern

losing [part of] orientation week is sad... it’s disheartening.” The student senators showed up at November’s senate meeting with a crowd of supportive UW students — the largest crowd ever seen at a senate meeting.

“To see that from UW students was amazing. UW students have a lot of heart,” said Smith. The crowd of students wore frosh and leader gear representative of their orientation weeks here at UW — showing the impact our current orientation week schedule has had on our students.

The student senators have several concerns regarding the potential change in schedule. Among these

concerns are the lack of time to become familiar with the campus and campus life as well as prepare for classes, the strain on orientation week leaders, the shortened break for anyone enrolled in the spring co-op term, and then the dramatic reduction in networking opportunities. Senators also included that orientation week is essential, both academically as well as socially, and that institutions placing emphasis on student orientations have higher graduation rates. Overall, the senators feel that changing the fall schedule would not be maximizing student success.

“Some students think the decision is of mal-intent,” said Smith, “however, I disagree.” He adds that they do see where the administration is coming from and that it is understood that the proposal is only to include extra study days, to have fall exams end earlier, and to have more exam days; however, the student senate still feels that this proposal is not the best point of action to ensure student success.

After the vote came to a tie, UW President David Johnston had the opportunity to settle the issue by casting a deciding vote but decided not to use this privilege. “I personally think he made the right choice,” said Smith, who points out that by casting the deciding vote, Johnston would have received criticism from different groups either way. Johnston was unavailable for

comment by publication time.

It has not yet been announced if there will be another vote next month. However, the issue is highly urgent. Normally, the following year’s schedule would be decided in October, and as it is already running late. The issue may not be given a second senate vote. While a December 21 senate meeting is scheduled, the university Secretariat can choose to cancel it due to the possibility of low attendance or few agenda items. In the past several years, the December senate meeting has either been cancelled or not scheduled at all. The Senate Executive Committee (a 10-member group with three student representatives)reserves the right to delegate the task of setting the calendar to the Registrar’s Office and bypass senate approval of the different start dates. “The reality is, we need to build a calendar for next year,” says Smith. “It comes down to whether the registrar needs dates.”

Establishing the fall class schedule is not only a concern of the university; OSAP and the federal government have business dealing with university schedules. The student senators have plans to meet with the university’s provost Feridun Hamdullahpur, who also serves as vice president academic.

— with files from UW Secretariat

4

News

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Radio redux

Student group emerges to revive SoundFM at upcoming AGM Jacqueline McKoy Lambert

New graffiti tag marks campus

SoundFM's last days?

news editor

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In a press release from SoundFM board of directors President Steve Krysak, the station currently plans to cease broadcast on December 4, 2009.

A previous Imprint article stated that university administration had extended SoundFM's tenancy in the Bauer Warehouse building until the referendum was completed. SoundFM's board of directors is currently in talks with both Feds and UW administration to determine the status of the station's tenancy as consider their future plans. As of press time, none of Radio Waterloo Inc., Feds, or UW administration were willing to comment on if or when the corporation will have to vacate campus. Despite being denied funding from the proposed $2.50-per-term student fee, SoundFM could potentially stay on the air if its management find an alternate, significant source of funding.

Vexler was not willing to divulge details of CCCR-UW’s plans to support Radio Waterloo, but he asserted that “it’s not a question of if it’s going to survive, but one of how.”

to have those people validated in a club.” More specifically, the group seeks to raise funds to potentially give SoundFM a new life.

CCCR-UW is not yet an official Feds club, having not yet applied to Feds' Internal Administration Committee. According to Vexler, the group is choosing to delay their application while they adjust their mandate. CCCR-UW also plans on launching a non-Feds-affiliated companion group to represent community members interested in their cause. According to CCCR-UW's draft letter of intent to the IAC, the short-term focus of the group will largely be to recruit those interested in radio advocacy — particularly students who voted yes in the referendum — to participate in activities such as discussion groups and public outreach on the significance of independent media, including radio. According to CCCR-UW’s draft letter of intent to the IAC, another goal of the proposed club is to “determin[e] why the referendum failed and look at ways that radio can become more relevant to students.”

The group has a vested interest in supporting CRTC-licensed campus radio — such as SoundFM — rather than advocating a switch to internet radio. Vexler claims that switching to internet-only broadcast will not provide the same accountability and protections that being under the CRTC offers.

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oundFM may have lost the recent referendum to reinstate their student fee, but a new development may mean that they have not lost their last lease on life. With what may possibly be SoundFM's last general meeting happening, a new radio advocacy group has formed to find a way to save the station.

The Citizens for Campus/Community Radio Action Group-UW Chapter (CCCR-UW) is comprised of former Yes2SoundFM committee members, including Radio Waterloo Inc.’s (SoundFM’s holding corporation) Student Promotions Director Nathan Vexler, and other members of the UW undergraduate community.

Despite Vexler’s membership, this group is not officially affiliated with Radio Waterloo Inc. The group was born out of the support generated by the efforts of the Yes2SoundFM committee; Vexler felt that “it was important

The topic of SoundFM and Radio Waterloo's future will be formally discussed when the corporation holds its annual general meeting this upcoming Monday, November 30 at Needles Hall, room 3001. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The agenda includes an item regarding “discussion of future plans,” where a variety of groups and individuals are expected to propose plans to help the corporation stay alive. According to Vexler, memberships that grant voting rights at the AGM can be purchased directly prior to the meeting for $10.

Both students and community members are eligible to hold memberships.

Vexler was not willing to divulge details of CCCR-UW's plans to support Radio Waterloo, but he asserted that “it's not a question of if it's going to survive, but one of how.”

CCCR-UW's members plan to meet on Sunday, November 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the SLC Great Hall. All interested members of the community are welcome, and can also contact nathan.vexler@gmail.com for more information.

— with files from CCCR-UW, Imprint and SoundFM jmckoy@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

peter kreze

The offending tag was found lurking under an Engineering 3 stairwell.

Erin Harrison staff reporter

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ince the middle of October, upwards of 40 graffiti tags have appeared throughout the UW campus in a variety of locations including the Dana Porter Library, East Campus Hall, Math and Computers, the Tatham Centre, Environment 1, and the Student Life Centre. The tags, according to Dan Anderson, UW’s director of police and parking services, have been found mostly in the men’s washrooms, although they have also been located in secluded areas like stairwells, such as in Engineering 3.

Students may be inclined to pass off graffiti as more or less harmless, but the UW police insist that it’s nothing to be ignored.

“Although some may view this as a relatively innocent art form, it is much more appropriately categorized as property damage. Can you

imagine what our university would look like if all our students decided to ‘tag’ walls? And the cost of repair is borne by all of us as the funds come from the UW operating budget,” said Anderson. While the investigation is still ongoing, when the person doing the tagging is identified, they could face criminal charges with upwards of 40 counts of mischief (one for each tag), and, if a student, they could also face academic repercussions.

If students have any information regarding the tags or those making them, they can call the UW police at (519) 888-4567 x22222 or contact them by email at uwpolice@uwaterloo.ca. Alternatively, anonymous reports can be made through the UW Police webpage at police.uwaterloo.ca/.

— with files from UW Police eharrison@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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News

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Survey seeks Canadawide student feedback Paula Trelinska staff reporter

staff reporter

Indonesian ferry catastrophe

23 people were reported killed and more than 200 were towed to safety after a ferry sank in heavy seas off Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Sunday, November 22. Officials claim that Dumai Express 10, sailing from Batam island to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra, went down on account of high waves and bad weather conditions.

Fishermen were among the first rescuers on the scene as the incident occurred in the busy Malacca Straits

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Muslim pilgrims face H1N1 affliction

Hajj, the world’s largest Muslim religious gathering, is under severe threat from the swine flu virus. Instead of being concerned about typical stampedes and congestion during the pilgrimage, the health ministry of host country Saudi Arabia is more alarmed about the probability of rapid spreading of the virus.

Four people have been already reported dead from contracting the H1N1 virus. Three of the victims, a woman from Morocco and men from Sudan and India, were in their seventies. The fourth was a 17-yearold girl from Nigeria.

The health ministry said that most of the pilgrims did not get vaccinated before joining the Hajj despite their recommendations.

between Indonesia and Malaysia.

The actual number of passengers aboard the vessel is unknown and many might still be missing. The ship’s capacity was only 273 passengers and an investigation is underway to determine if overloading contributed to the accident.

Overloading is a common practice on Indonesian ferries, leading to regular disasters every year despite repeated official promises to tighten and enforce safety regulations. Corruption is also a major problem, with ships selling more tickets than they should and packing ferries with cargo in addition to passengers.

Previously, more than 232 people were killed when a heavily overloaded ferry sank off Sulawesi Island in January this year. On December 30, 2006 a ferry went down in a storm off the coast of Java, killing at least 500 people.

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Nagma Zerin

The health ministry said that most of the pilgrims did not get vaccinated before joining the Hajj despite their recommendations. It has made people more vulnerable to the virus especially when they are in close contact with thousands of people during the spiritual rituals.

Pilgrimage crowds can reach a density of up to seven people per 10 square feet — the perfect circumstance for the flu transmission.

Performing the Hajj by traveling to the cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia is an obligation for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford to go at least once during their lifetime. Thus, ensuring their health and safety has become a major responsibility for the Saudi Arabian government.

— with files from BBC and CNN nzerin@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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government and institutional funds should be spent,” explained Kramer.

Once completed, the goal is that this survey will lead to the publication of national as well as institutional level reports. “We will receive the information collectively and analyze it, so that we can compare across provinces

For the Federation of Students, this survey means being better able to understand what matters to students, allowing them to create better policies and service on campus and beyond. “The data collected will be used to strengthen our advocacy internally and externally,” said Feds

housands of students across campus received an email from the Federation of Students last week asking them to participate in the Canadian Student Survey.

This survey, which was designed and co-ordinated by student associations from various universities, is The reports will assist leaders from meant to “fill a gap” that is left by the institutional level through to the other student surveys such as the commonly-quoted National Survey national level in making improveof Student Engagement.

“While there are some questions ments to university education in relating to student experience [in Canada. other surveys], the Canadian Student Survey is much broader,” said Miriam Kramer, the director of the Canadian Education Project, “many and institutions,” said Kramer. These VP Education Justin Williams, “For of these questions have never been reports will assist leaders from the Waterloo this data will likely be used included in any survey before in institutional level through to the na- for strategic planning this year...and Canada, which makes this research tional level in making improvements as an argument for our advocacy.” If to university education in Canada. “It students complete the survey, they particularly exciting.”

This survey is seeking to engage was created with the purpose of col- will be a part of what the Federathe entire student body, at various lecting data that would be useful for tion of Students does and how they institutions, in the feedback and dis- student associations to use to better advocate for students; their voice cussion “covering a range of issues understand who their students are will be represented. from how students pay for school, and what they want so that they can — with files from Feds how they feel about their debt, what best serve them,” explained Kramer. their post-graduation plans are, what In addition, these associations will they know about financial assistance better be able to advocate for their ptrelinska@imprint.uwaterloo.ca 40Crk_Imprint_Oct09_fin:Imprint - Waterloo - 6.125x8.3125 b&w 29/09/09 1:57 PM Page 1 and repayment options, how they feel students on a national level.

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Pilgrimage flu outbreak and ferry overload disaster

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Opinion

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 opinion@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

IMPRINT The University of Waterloo’s official student newspaper

Open formats over open words

Friday, November 27, 2009 Vol. 32, No. 19

Editor-in-chief, Michael L. Davenport editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Advertising & Production Manager, Laurie Tigert-Dumas ads@imprint.uwaterloo.ca General Manager, Catherine Bolger cbolger@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Ad Assistant, Aj Orena Sales Assisstant, Tony Tang Systems Admin., vacant Distribution, Sherif Soliman Distribution, Garrett Saunders Intern, Paige Leslie, Sinead Mulhern Volunteer co-ordinator, Angela Gaetano Board of Directors board@imprint.uwaterloo.ca President, Sherif Soliman president@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Vice-president, Anya Lomako vp@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Treasurer, Lu Jiang treasurer@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Secretary, Erin Thompson secretary@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Staff liaison, Caitlin McIntyre liaison@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Editorial Staff Assistant Editor, Adrienne Raw Head Reporter, vacant Lead Proofreader, Alicia Mah Cover Editor, Katrina Massey News Editor, Jacqueline McKoy Lambert News Assistant, Clara Shin Opinion Editor, Rosalind Gunn Opinion Assistant, vacant Features Editor, Keriece Harris Features Assistant, Simone Toma Arts & Entertainment, Dinh Nguyen Arts & E. Assistant, Robyn Goodfellow Science & Tech Editor, Bogdan Petrescu Science & Tech Assistant, Shirley Ma Sports & Living Editor, Brent Golem Sports & Living Assistant, Komal R. Lakhani Photo Editor, Peter Kreze Photo Assistant, Sophie Sanniti Graphics Editor, Peter N. Trinh Graphics Assistant, Sonia Lee Web Administrator, Paul Collier Web Assistant, Xiaobo Liu Systems Administrator, vacant System Administrator Assistant, vacant Production Staff Tejas Koshy, Peter Kreze, Deanna Ostafichuk, Angela Gaetano, Emily Stringer, Andrew Dodds, Jacob McLellan, Ivan Lui, Tom Levesque, Tony Tang, Abisade Dare, Paula Trelinska Graphics Team Alcina Wong, Xaiobo Liu, Sarah Al-Hage Imprint is the official student newspaper of the University of Waterloo. It is an editorially independent newspaper published by Imprint Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital.

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Next staff meeting: Monday, November 30 12:30 p.m.

Next board of directors meeting: Friday, November 27 12:30 p.m.

I

n a recent Feds council meeting, VP Internal Sarah Cook said something I found very interesting: a “holiday tree” would be put up in the SLC.

I am in favour of being open and inclusive, but not in the particular way being pushed by the “politically correct.” Allow me to elaborate.

After doing a bit of research into the matter, I found that there are two religious groups that use a tree in their celebrations this time of year: the Pagans and the Christians. The Pagans would sometimes take clippings of trees and bring them inside, or decorate a tree outside, but would not cut down an entire tree and bring it inside. That particular tradition is practised by modern day Christian and secular families for Christmas.

I’m not one of those paranoid “war on Christmas” types. If you want to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas,” that’s fine by me. There’s plenty of different holidays this time of year so that’s technically accurate — and I’m not one for platitudes anyway.

But replacing “Christmas tree” with “Holiday tree” is a meaningless di-

editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

lution, a word change which does nothing but sanitize a practice of its origin. Would you call a Mshumaa or Menorah “holiday candles”?

Would you call a dreidel a “holiday spinning top”? I thought not.

But I digress. The point is that Cook made a judgment, and decided that “holiday tree” was more inclusive than “Christmas tree.”

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dards. Portable Document Format (PDF) is one you’ve probably heard of. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is another. OpenDocument Format (ODF) is an ISO international standard, and the tools to use that format are free. But there are other file formats which are proprietary, and can only be edited natively in one specific application. The

me to have certain computer software doesn’t seem very inclusive.

“But everybody has Microsoft Word!” you might be thinking to yourself. Is that the same “ever ybody” who celebrates Christmas? Think about that.

Being inclusive is a good thing, but inclusiveness comes in different flavours, and those flavours have

The point is that Cook made a judgment, and decided that “holiday tree” was more inclusive than “Christmas tree.”

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Student Life Centre, Room 1116 University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 P: 519.888.4048 F: 519.884.7800 http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca

The thing I find fascinating — and irritating — is that inclusiveness that focuses solely on language seems to be all the rage, but there seems to be little focus on other forms of inclusivity. It’s possible to for an individual or organization to be extremely inclusive (or exclusive) depending on the technology they use. For example, let’s talk a little bit about computer file formats.

There are some file formats which are published, open stan-

formats used by Microsoft Word (DOC and lately DOCX) come to mind. WordPerfect (WPS) is another program which uses a proprietary file format to store information.

If I receive a PDF or HTML file, I can open it in a wide variety of applications, some of which are both well designed and obtainable for free. But if I’m sent a WPS or DOCX, I need the specific application that was used to create the file to open it reliably. Requiring

varying degrees of importance. If you wish me “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hanukkah” instead of my preferred greeting, I might be mildly annoyed, but you haven’t prevented me from doing anything useful. But if a job requires me to send in a resumé in Microsoft Word format, or if Feds councilor reports are sent in DOCX, that acts as an impediment to me actually getting information.

Which is more important?

with a large, heavy tome because they have acted lazy in My Presence. What do I mean by “lazy”?

I am talking about people who do not do something that they should do, and expect me to do it instead.

Since I am not allowed to physically abuse such people, and yelling at them makes me look like a raving lunatic, my usual outlet for my frustrations is passive aggression.

But you can only be passive aggressive for so long. It is for this reason that I am writing this letter.

The following is a list of lazy actions that annoy me: 1. When going through a doubledoor, people on the other side wait for me to egress so that they can go the other way through the (now open) door. This avoids them having to open the other door all by

themselves (gasp!).

2. Roommates who do not clean their own dishes in a timely fashion, leaving them spread all over the kitchen counter. I have been waking up to this every morning recently.

You know who you are roommates!

3. People who leave used chewing gum under tables and chairs.

Enough said.

4. People who do not dress warmly enough outside and then complain about the cold. It’s November in Canada, you idiots!

5. People who do not understand etiquette in the library carrels. These areas are for quiet, individual study, not long conversations (in groups or on a cellphone) about who fucked who or how you can’t study because you’re too tired. Oh also, please do not bring in food that has loud wrap-

pers when you open them.

6. People who force themselves into an already crowded elevator cab, rather than patiently waiting for the next one. Everyone else is then forced to crunch in some uncomfortable way and the short woman in front of me is forced to jab her oversized backpack (full of textbooks) into my [well, you know where].

I guess that I could go on, but my rage has now subsided and this letter is getting a little long. There are many more things that I would like to complain about though. Perhaps I will continue this list next term in another letter.

I guess that you’ll just have to take my word for it.

they be given increased funding to address the concerns raised so far.

Outrageous!

The PDEng independent review clearly shows the “programme” is nothing more than harassment of dedicated, hard working students.

Additionally, if the rumour that PDEng justifies UW as a 12 month per year school (which qualifies UW for an additional $6 million in government funding) is true, then this professionalism office is an unethical act of fraud. PDEng is not a course, and definitely is doing a horrific job at educating! Students pay tuition for courses. Students are not assessed by unqualified staff without being taught in a course. Students receive real grades (not CR) in a course. Students qualify for tax benefits for being part time students when taking a course.

I propose two different possible courses of action going forward: 1. Help UW students. Immedi-

ately disband the PDEng programme.

Eliminate all PDEng degree requirements. Issue a public apology to employers for starting a program which has caused students to beg employers for time and resources. Issue a public apology to students for creating a department that is not accountable to or adequately supervised by anyone. Refund every engineering student $1000 per PDEng course taken. This is an acceptable payment for the needless harassment we are forced to endure ($1000 is approximately the current cost of taking an engineering course on a work term).

2. Follow the highly successful and highly admired strategy employed by the recent George W. Bush administration in America. Hang a “Mission accomplished” banner in front of E2 and have the Dean make a speech explaining the astounding success PDEng has been. Insist that unilateral action that contradicts the

wishes of students and employers will be good for us in the long run.

Declare additional funding for PDEng and require a PDEng course for every staff and faculty member each term, also marked by unqualified junior students, with successful completion tied to salary increase.

I have come to expect inaction and callousness from UW Engineering. Clearly the best interests of students are only recalled by the odd professor here and there.

My final question: where does this extra money PDEng generates go?

It’s definitely not spent to upgrade the ancient hardware in WEEF lab which I’ve struggled with while working as a TA these past two work terms. Apparently real courses are taught on a tight budget.

Letters Re: lazy people I hate lazy people. I almost wrote “I hate people” but I decided that that would be too harsh. I’m not a mean person, I assure you. In point of fact, I actually have many friends* to whom I am genuinely loyal because they are honest and commendable human beings. This letter is not written to them.

Nonetheless, lazy people annoy me.

I am not a lazy person: I work hard, I keep myself and my surroundings clean, I eat healthy, I take responsibility for my actions, etc. To my great annoyance, not everyone I meet can be described this way.

On a daily basis, there are several, anonymous individuals to whom I would like to smack upside the head

Re: PDEng My letter concerns the recent PDEng independent review, which can be found here (http://www. eng.uwaterloo.ca/~deansweb/ Waterloo%20PDEng%20Final%20 Review.pdf).

The response you have given to the serious concerns raised by prominent engineering professionals (including the president elect of the PEO) is totally unacceptable and unprofessional.

So far, faculty heads have toed the PDEng line: students should shut up and “stay engaged.” PDEng has begun the process of BS generation wherein massive volumes of verbal diarrhea are disseminated attempting to discredit legitimate student criticism and the independent review (which did not provide a mysterious ‘context’ in an accompanying document). PDEng has recently suggested

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Opinion

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Five good ideas that you can’t vote for (yet)

7

mrowley@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

L

ast week, I complained about the lack of vision in current politics. This lack is symptomatic of many problems, but above all the culprits are the desire for shortterm profit and the advancement of partisan agendas. However, the fact that our leaders are without vision does not mean the same is true of average Canadians. This week’s column presents five good ideas just waiting for advocates.

1. High Speed Rail. Trains have big advantages over planes: they are less harmful for the environment; can be easily changed in size to accommodate different passenger loads; and have stations in downtown cores of cities, rather than the outskirts, like airports. They can also carry more baggage, offer more passenger space, and don’t give you vertigo.

In France, one can travel 350km from Nantes to Paris in two hours for 28 Euros ($40). This is not an accident: it represents the current state of a project began 40 years ago, spearheaded by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer (SNCF: the French national rail company) to not only build a high speed rail

network, but to promote it heavily among the population.

350km is roughly the distance between Toronto and Ottawa, so why is the same trip not possible in Canada?

The creation of this network would cost a lot of money, and would really only be feasible between certain cities (for the moment). It would create thousands of jobs for both blue- and white-collar workers, and would help Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions once implemented.

2. Serious international promotion of Canada through the creation of Canadian-staffed and occupied “Canada Houses.” Canada is a country dependant on immigration, so why are we not more directly promoting ourselves to the world? The government could easily establish a network of buildings that function as integrated residences, cultural centres, and schools. A common current practice is for the government to hire locals to advertise for the Canadian government, promoting Canada as a tourism, education, and investment destination. Can these people really express what Canada is all about as well as Canadians?

We need to pick target countries whose political and economic clout is

growing (Brazil, China, Russia, India, Nigeria, and Indonesia all leap to mind) and establish a Canadian presence there.

It gives us a way to diffuse our music, food, literature, and art throughout the world and portray Canada as more than America north. We could offer classes in English and French to locals, provide advice and support to local small businesses, and encourage skilled immigrants to come to Canada.

We can make a positive impact in local communities, which would improve their image of Canada. We benefit by having a generation of Canadians who know intimately other major world powers, which gives us an edge in future discussions and negotiations.

3. Legalize marijuana. Marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol, and certainly less so than cigarettes. A huge number of Canadians have used marijuana, and legalization would take that money out of the hands of organized crime and into the pockets of government to be used for education campaigns about the risks of marijuana use, enforcement of laws concerning more addictive and damaging drugs, and a system of regulation and inspection that would keep marijuana additive-free. Treat marijuana in the

same way as alcohol and open up a new revenue stream while minimizing the social harms that go along with illicit drug use, including trafficking and organized crime.

4. Fix our voting system. First-pastthe-post is an antiquated system that tends to produce majority governments who have strong regional support while penalizing small parties with diffuse support. This is lunacy: Canada is a very big country with three founding peoples and an enormous population who belongs to none of the three. The idea of “tyranny of the majority” is nearly two centuries old, but it is a serious problem in contemporary Canada: how can we expect Native, French or new Canadians to feel like fully integrated and appreciated citizens when majority groups ignore them? Canada was founded on principles of mutual cooperation and support, and the system by which we choose our leaders should reflect these ideals.

5. National broadband and digitized Library of Canada. The creation of a national broadband system would again cost money, but create thousands of jobs, and at the end of this process every Canadian would have broadband access. Couple this with a program

whereby the Library of Canada freely distributes Canadian music, film, and television (paying royalties directly to the producers of this content), and we will have created a huge market for Canadian culture within Canada. We would give Canadian artists massive free exposure, setting them up for international success. Not only would this normalize the practice of downloading and sharing media content, it would also be a powerful pedagogical tool in communities with underfunded schools and poor libraries. These benefits cannot be monetized in the same was as the costs of laying cable, but they are real nonetheless.

None of these ideas are without cost, but all of them have real benefits to the future security and success of Canada.

These ideas are all worth further study, and as students we have an enormous advantage in this study: we know how to research and have huge stores of information at our fingertips, have access to top-notch professors who can help us refine our work, and can communicate with each other more easily than any other generation in history. If we don’t generate, develop, and advocate for new ideas and new approaches, we will never see progress. Let’s get started.

understand that we have no enemies, but face only human folly.

Soldiers, we say, serve their country. That is quixotic and naive.

That is incorrect. Soldiers serve the will of their superior officers.

Soldiers are broken down and built back up to serve the ideologies of their aristocratic masters; or at least that is what effectively happens as a consequence of the way armies are structured. Present day wars offer ample evidence of this. Yet warriors are still much romanticised. Hollywood would argue that Achilles died so his name would be sung forever, and Achilles fought for no King. The Iliad that suffuses through culture and consciousness, however, is the tale of a raging, bloodthirsty hero, a type of hero no longer tenable in modern times. Lest we sing the names of warriors: lest we court the villainy of Death: lest we ennoble the business and profession of war: lest we remember. When war is seen as a cowardly act, few men would raise their arms. The enlightened man no longer bears the burden of Adam’s sin, and may he someday innocently forget, even if it is through apathy, the sins of his forefathers. And indeed, have we ever heard of the wars of the apathetic?

Then again, maybe we remember because it is so conveniently self-flattering. It is easy to don a flower to gain

a spurious, obscure moral high ground.

It is still easier to remember those who are dead than to save those who are dying, in war or peace. Remember, we say. But remember what? Remembering is for those who were there, who have memories which they can call upon, not for those who know nothing of war, going for a cheap fashion state-

ment with an extravagant yet ultimately meaningless symbolic value. If only for the instruction of one who needs to learn empathy: what is it that we all remember? to what emotion does a happy heart yield on Remembrance Day when the chest so righteously bears a poppy? A sort of desperate vanity at best. “Why should we celebrate/ These

dead men more than the dying?/ It is not to ring the bell backward/Nor is it an incantation/To summon the spectre of a Rose,” T.S. Eliot wrote in 1942.

Today, that spectre of a Rose haunts us as the poppy.

Letters Re: Remembrance Day In remembering soldiers we often forget those soldiers who fell for the other side. Few men have the mental fortitude to choose between good and evil, and often, to choose at all. Most of us simply drift with the current. Most of us are on a side because we are stuck on that side, because we were born to be on that side.

If we are to remember the sacrifices of those who were pawns in wars fought over power, and not always for identities and ideologies, but often for the greed of powerful men who are in a position to make choices, then why are we not also to commemorate the sufferings of German soldiers executing the menacing will of the Nazi party? In truth, it is always the common people, with little understanding of underlying issues, that execute wars on the fields. None is a villain, just as none is a hero. Only when us ordinary men, as non-partisan individuals, not as citizens of states but as citizens of the world, are disinclined to pick up arms and thwart the plans of those ruling over us, can we honestly strive for enduring peace. Only when presidents and generals descend onto fields alone, without their armies, can we all rest at home with our families. Only when we see, as if through the eyes of Milton, the case of Satan against God, the case of evil against good through the eyes of an evil held hostage, can we

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Opinion

8

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Communiy Editorials The Feds of the Future, and the Bus Pass of Today

F

eds has a few monumental projects on the run this year and as a result we believe that it is important to consult the student population on these projects before we move forward. There are two major items that we will be consulting the student body on over the following months and those would be a long range plan for the Federation of Students and the U-PASS, or the Universal Bus Pass.

First, the Long range plan of the Federation of Students is intended to be what it says: a long range plan. The idea is to try to take a snapshot of what students want the Feds to be in ten years and develop a process for future executive and staff to follow to recognize that vision in the long run. Having said that, the document is intended to be organic, we cannot limit the executive of the

future but we can provide them with a roadmap of the process to realize that vision. Our process for consultation is as follows; we have brought in a consultant who will facilitate the process of developing the plan. Further to that we have formed a committee to investigate the plan which will consist of the four executive, two members of the Board of Directors, two members of Students’ Council, a student-at-large, the general manager of the Feds, the Executive Researcher/ Assistant, and our consultant. The plan is to create focus groups made up of various stakeholders in the federation, have our promotions team talk to students, poster the campus, use online forms and surveys, and have committee members talk to students in order to gather feedback. Lastly we will take the feedback we get from our stake-

holders and put it into a plan that will guide the Feds to what students want the organization to be in ten years. If anyone is interested in sitting on the committee as the student-at-large you should contact your student councilor or any of the executive for more details.

The second project we are doing is a consultation on is the U-PASS. The U-PASS referendum from three years ago stipulated that the U-PASS contract would be reviewed in three years. This project is intended to investigate the questions of is the program working, do students want it to continue, and lastly how can we improve it.

Likewise with the long range plan process the idea is to consult students through the same marketing mechanisms, so it is quick and easy for students to voice their opinions on both topics. The addi-

tion on this plan is to give students a run down on how the program works beyond flashing your Watcard to board a bus. We could ask students their thoughts on route improvements, refundable versus non-refundable, and ask the question how often students are using the pass.

Lastly what to take from this article is that we intend on coming to students with these questions to try to do what’s best for them. We want your feedback and we want to know what you want from both the Feds and the U-PASS. Please look out for opportunities to provide your opinion, because we want it.

Chris Neal VP Administration and Finance Sarah Cook Vice-President Internal

Obama’s flame fizzling out President Obama started off strong, but don’t expect any Deus Ex Americanus

A

re we witnessing the end of America’s international influence?

As we follow President Obama on his capitulation/sycophancy trip around the world, what’s become comically apparent is that if initial doubts pertaining to his ability to handle the rigors of the presidency underpinned his presidential campaign, then now they’re applicable enough to frame a fitting epitaph on the headstone of his presidential career.

Yes folks, I think Obama’s monumental presidency could be short-lived. And here’s why: Although I was initially inspired by the high degree of sensibility and eloquent

rhetoric exercised by Senator Barack Obama, President Barack Obama seems to be of a different calibre altogether. I might add that if there was a gulf of difference between George Bush and Senator Obama in terms of ideology, idealism, and at the very least, communication skills, then between George Bush and President Obama, Bush may at least redeem himself for being a man of action.

In between a busy schedule of congratulating Hamid Karzai’s impotent regime in Afghanistan, kowtowing to the aged Japanese Emperor, and subcontracting South Asia’s security to China, he has managed to disparage America’s international reputation and force some to question the possibility of his returning to a second tenure in the

White House.

One would expect a diplomat such as Obama to use his rhetoric and charisma in order to bring about the real change that is sorely needed. Whether this change is domestic or international, there is certainly no doubt that Obama is equipped with the intelligence and personality to make it a reality.

So why doesn’t he?

Why did he insist so forcefully on bipartisanship when trying to implement health reform in the face of rancorous Republican and extremist opposition? He could have forced the issue through with Democrat support alone and spent more time focusing on other issues. Did he really have to endorse Karzai’s corrupt regime after the recently rigged Afghan elections? He had the authority to

say no and demand a fair election.

Excuses about avoiding further American interference in Afghanistan’s politics rang hollow in light of its recent history, and did not go down well with the Afghan public, who were hoping for some sort of the American intervention before having to put up with further Karzai drivel.

How about the Japan episode? Was his diplomatic gesture really as polite as it was explained away, or was it marred by an undertone of obsequious pandering to Japanese sensibilities about American influence in the area?

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Opinion

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

9

OBAMA: Multi-lateralism only good in theory Continued from page 8

Moreover, what gives him the right, apart from acknowledging China’s grip over America’s figurative genitalia, to allocate oversight of South Asian political affairs to other countries?

Following on the heels of the explosive Chinese-Pakistani under-the-table nuclear deal that created equal parts shockwave and outrage in Washington earlier this month, this decision clearly demonstrates a contrived attempt to garner temporary Chinese assurance at the expense of long-term strategic significance in the region. Worse, this endangers America’s allies in the region, especially India, thereby undermining the healthy political-economic relationship enjoyed by the two nations.

Add to this his earlier tariff hike on Chinese goods (a form of protectionism), his repeated bromides of inheriting the nation’s economic mess despite his administration’s gaffes, and his fixation on appeasement (especially towards China), and there should be no jaws dropping with regard to his falling popularity polls.

These are helped no doubt by his inability to secure co-operation from conservative members of America’s parlous political menagerie, as well as his ongoing (European-sourced) obsession with generating multilateral solutions to problems. It seems ironic that while George Bush’s regime was marked by American hegemony, Obama’s looks like it’s doomed to be marked by political feebleness.

My solution is this. What’s being called for now is the American solidarity and unilateralism of the Bush years, but now stewarded strategically by Obama to push forward the necessary domestic and international reforms that need to be passed in order to secure our future. This will range from hawkish financial regulation and efficient health coverage amongst domestic policies, to the need to hammer out a new climate change bill in Copenhagen that is more stringent and demanding than Kyoto, as well as international cooperation in bringing the “Vietnam” in Afghanistan, to a swift close. And all this needs to be done very, very quickly if he hopes to salvage a sagging political career.

Whether Obama can commit to and execute such a large agenda is a matter of debate. All I’m suggesting is that he abandon the fallacy of multilateralism, which only works in theory, and endorse good old American hegemony, the type used consistently throughout America’s years as a superpower. In the hands of a diplomat such as Obama, and not George Bush, and factoring in the international celebrity status foisted on him by the world community, this type of foreign policy can be used to bring about the real change that deserves to be the fitting hallmark of his presidential tenure.

Prashanth Gopalan 2A Science and Business

The critic who counts eaboyeji@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

line. Considering that Bomber is still a losing business, opening one more day of the week, attractive as it seems, is a weighty decision. One misstep and the red could be bolder.

“

SoundFM’s proposed funding model put forward an “alternative” that was borne of wishful thinking. Unlike the case at Laurier, Imprint had absolutely no plans to co-opt radio. Arguing

realities that should be the bedrock of valid criticism.

Having said all of the above, I would be the worst critic of critiquing if I did not insert some sort of caveat. That

The moral of the story is simple: A critic has a responsibility to propose feasible alternatives. Just as understandably, there are certain things a critic cannot do, so also are there certain things the people and institutions we criticize cannot do. It is such realities that should be the bedrock of valid criticism.

“

F

or the past few days, I have been thinking very deeply about an insightful column piece by my colleague and editor-in-chief, Michael L. Davenport. The article, entitled “Valuing Criticism,” centered on the role of the critic — and the reasonable limits to this role. “As long as criticism is constructive,” the article argued, “the mere act of complaining is useful since it highlights problems that could be fixed for those able or willing to fix them.”

Naturally, considering all the complaining I am wont to do on this column, I couldn’t agree more. However, despite my agreement with the general principle of the article, I think it may have missed a very important point: Criticism is, very often, the easier part.

Now I do not contend the fact that it does take enormous courage, effort and foresight to constructively criticize, especially in cases where the criticism is against widespread grains of thought. Indeed, sometimes, criticism can be a frustrating and thankless act, like repeatedly hitting your head on a brick wall no one believes will budge.

However, very often I imagine that in dealing with errors, critics simply have to see well enough to point them out. The real challenge is correction.

For instance, if the Bomber’s manager were to deal with Davenport’s concern about the Bomber being closed on a Saturday when a potential market of students is lingering, his first thought would not be simply throwing open the doors of the Bomber. He would have to think about staffing and extra costs that might come with this decision, the laundry list of regulations governing alcohol and such he must abide by — especially in the delicate circumstances (first years are usually minors) — and most importantly, how this decision will affect the bottom

Nevertheless, as Davenport rightly that SoundFM adopt Radio Laurier’s criticism should be reasonable does stated, it is not the critic’s responsibil- funding model dismisses this reality. not mean that institutions should be ity to consider all this in his criticism. In the end, some people who might complacent. Institutions need to be Herein lies the challenge: how do we actually have supported campus radio pushed to reform all the time and it respect the critic’s noble effort at il- were probably swayed by this persua- is critics, unreasonable as they may lumination, whilst acknowledging the sive but unrealistic argument. Now seem that help us ensure they do. For reality of the difficulties that come campus radio is at risk and Imprint is this they deserve our deepest felt appreciation. not swooping down to save it. with implementing reform?

Nevertheless, as in the famous The moral of the story is simple: A In criticizing, critics, if they actually care about whatever they are critiqu- critic has a responsibility to propose fea- words of Theodore Roosevelt, it is ing, must place at the centre of their sible alternatives. Just as understandably, not the critic who counts.

It is the cause. critique the big realistic picture. Again, there are certain things a critic cannot to make my point, I must return to do, so also are there Davenport’s central instance of Jeffrey certain things the Aho’s reasoned critique of SoundFM’s people and institufunding model and preferable alterna- tions we criticize tives. The big picture, (which is be- cannot do. It is such coming clearer now, after the fact) is that if the referendum failed, it would effectively signal the end of any kind of radio on campus.

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Features

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 features@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

The Grace Lee Project

Avneet Dhillon reporter

I

t is admirable to believe that each of us determines the person we become, regardless of stereotypes involving race, gender, religion, or any other label society places on us. At the same time, the power of such labels cannot be completely disregarded. The way we view others based on stereotypes is often so common, that many of us forget that we are influenced by them.

But how often do you think to yourself, “What does my name say about me?” Last Wednesday, the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG), screened The Grace Lee Project, a documentary about this very issue as part of International Education Week.

The filmmaker and narrator, Grace Lee, grew up in Columbia, Missouri, believing she was quite unique. Her parents immigrated from Korea to the Midwest, which isn’t exactly known for its Asian population. She was not only aware of this difference, but proud of it.

Then she left the Midwest. All of sudden she was constantly meeting people who knew another Grace Lee. This was no longer just a name. It was an all-encompassing image of a smart, introverted, nice, religious, and “quietly intense” Asian girl.

Just how popular was this name? Well, I decided to do my own research and typed the name Grace Lee into a Facebook search. The result: about 4,600 matches. For three of these matches I had a mutual friend. Is this like the six degrees of Grace Lee? Does everyone at least know someone, who knows someone, who knows a Grace Lee? Although the commonality of the name is of some interest, the focus for the creator of the documentary, Grace Lee, is whether this sweeping description of her name is accurate. “Does any other name scream generic Asian girl?” she asks.

The director introduces the “Statistically Average Grace Lee,” from a compilation of all the information she receives about various Grace Lees. There are over 2,000 in the United States alone. This average Grace

Lee is Korean-American, lives in California, is 25 years old, heterosexual, single, five foot three, has at least a masters degree, and averages three and a half years of piano lessons. Once again, generic Asian girl?

The filmmaker does not see herself in this image and the documentary is Grace Lee’s quest to find out if there are any other Grace Lees who “break the mold.”

She certainly finds some who fit into this category, but there are also those she finds along the way who seem to be rebels at first glance, yet bring us back to this generic definition.

“The Grace Lee I knew tried to burn down my high school.” Those are the words of a classmate of another Grace Lee. As it turns out, this gesture was done in order to get rid of records that showed some poor academic performance. She did not want her parents to see this. Instead of finding the quintessential rebel, this Grace seemed to reinforce the average image of the name Grace Lee. Other students in the documentary commented on the pressures placed on Asian-Americans by their parents in the San Francisco area, where this incident took place. This is a problem common to many children of immigrant parents. I myself am one of these secondgeneration immigrants, although I am fortunate enough to have parents who respect whichever avenue I choose to take in life and I never felt this level of pressure.

My parents immigrated from India when they were in their twenties and I can understand the sense of unspoken pressure the children of immigrants feel because the reason their parents moved in the first place was for better opportunities for their children. I may have been born here in Canada, but the stories revealed in this film are not only relatable by international students, but our student body as a whole. Every student feels pressure in different forms from different people and most of us are still trying to find out who we are and the kind of people we want to become. Which takes us back to topic in question for this documentary, what’s in a name?

The director Grace Lee does in fact find that rebel she’s been looking for: 90-year-old (now 94) Grace Lee

Boggs, a Chinese-American anti-racist activist living in Detroit.

Dubbed “Grace X” by her fellow Detroit residents, she is a revolutionary figure who has made immense contributions to the civil rights movement, having had dealings with Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and other prominent civil rights figures. At 90, she continues to work hard by mentoring young people in the Detroit community. After viewing the film Evan Coole, a coordinator for WPIRG who set up the screening on campus, said that he would personally love to meet this woman.

She is certainly one individual who really jumps out of the screen and grabs your attention. Even when speaking about when she asked her future husband to dance and was rejected (it was common among gatherings for radical organizations for women to ask men to dance), I can’t help but think to myself, here is a woman who truly epitomizes what it means to be your own person.

Indeed, when asked what she thought her name said about her, Grace Lee Boggs replied that it’s what you do in life that determines who you are, not your name.

The film maker meets the rebel she was hoping for along with many other Grace Lees who have a lot in common with that statistical average, but even among these women she finds similarities with herself. “What’s surprising is how much we have in common…what makes us similar,” she stated towards the end. Suddenly the fear of being mistaken for another Grace Lee disappears, and she is now only curious to find out more about any other Grace Lees out there.

In the end, this is the lesson the audience takes away from the film. The University of Waterloo has over 2,000 international students studying here each year from more than 90 countries, according to the International Student Office website. One of the greatest aspects of university is the diversity of people you meet and this documentary stresses the importance of taking advantage of such an opportunity. Talk to that international student in your Monday morning class, you may even meet another Grace Lee.

Features

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

11

The Secrets of Entrepreneurship Abisade Dare staff reporter

J

im Estill, a reputable UW engineering alumnus, came to the Accelerator Centre last Wednesday as part of Entrepreneur Week to share his life as an entrepreneur and the secrets of entrepreneurship.

This event was hosted by the Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (CBET).

Estill started EMJ Data Systems, a computer distribution company from the trunk of his car, in 1979 after graduating from UW with a degree in systems design engineering. Despite its humble beginnings, Estill grew his company to $350 million in annual sales. In 2004, he sold his company to SYNNEX and later became the CEO. He managed the company to $2 billion in annual sales and left in May 2009. Estill sold his business because he wanted to challenge himself more and wanted to keep on learning.

Ideas are a dime in a dozen but “it is the implementation that is the hard part,” Estill said. He was introduced

by Dr. Howard Armitage executive director of CBET. Currently, Estill is an advisory member for CBET and sits on the executive board of Research In Motion (RIM).

Estill opened his talk by saying “Often you can do something that people say you can’t do,” and went on to share his secrets of entrepreneurship. The first thing in entrepreneurship is to know yourself inside out, he said. You need to know what you can and can’t do. When building a business, networking plays a big part: — the more people you meet and the more relationships you form, the better your business can grow.

He went on to talk about how to add value, attributing part of his success as an entrepreneur to the value he has added to his relationships.

Adding value to one’s interactions with others simply means making the effort to keep touch and adding value to their life. On the topic of change, Estill stressed that the world is changing and this is the opportunity for entrepreneurs to find where those changes are occurring and fill in those changes. Learn to adapt or be left behind. Innovation does not happen effectively as it should in big companies; most of the money in research and development (RnD) Estill says, is spent on the D, not the R. Most big reputable businesses “buy” their innovation and Estill gave the great example of Google, saying “Everything new at Google, they bought it! iGoogle they bought it.” It seems most companies would rather spend millions on development than on research.

Armel Chesnays

Estill went on to talk about time management and advisors. A way to maximize your financial return is your time use — time is your biggest asset.

Time management is really “energy management,” according to Estill who believes managing your energy is key to managing your time effectively.

He credited much of his economic success to time management and leads a wildly successful blog called time leadership-CEO blog.

On advisors, one should have a mentor to offer knowledge and assistance. People help more if they are well informed. Having someone to give advice is good, but at the same time one should filter advice and use one’s own discretion when taking advice.

On the issue of health he makes it known that health is very important one shouldn’t work to the detriment of one’s health. As the saying goes, health trumps wealth any day.

Afterwards, Estill discussed failure. He gave a very interesting philosophy “fail fast, fail cheap, fail often.” If you invest a company and it fails — move on (hence, fail fast).

Failing does not make you a failure — if you fall get up. Learn to recover

quickly after a stumble, because the only failure is not trying. Estill made it clear that he does not dwell on failure. In the middle of his talk, he elucidated his high propensity for action and explained that he started his business in fourth year because he was “too impatient” and expressed his “like” of the Nike ad “Just Do It” because it tells you to take action.

Estill also discussed that business is pretty easy when you’re polite, fast, return calls/e-mails, and you show up. The number one rule Estill makes clear in business entrepreneurship is to show up.

Another thing he makes clear is the importance of frugality: “be frugal, not cheap,” he said. In other words, learn when to spend money and when not to spend money. Stress habits are also key. He tells the group that “I look at my habits and I deliberately modify them to be what I want them to be.” He cites good habits as one reason for his success. In essence, it’s all about having good habits and this requires discipline. He feels one’s intuition should be trusted and if you’re doing something that doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Estill reiterated attributes to his success,

very high work ethics being one of them and being willing to jump into something without knowing the outcome being the other. At the end of his talk, Estill opened the floor for questions. In response to one particular question when asked what was his greatest failure, he replied, “Well I’m not failing, I was talking about other people,” at which the room erupted in laughter. But, he went on to say that he doesn’t particularly see his mistakes as failures and doesn’t dwell on failures, following his philosophy of “fail fast, fail cheap, fail often.” Additionally, Estill said in response to another question “to go with the flow” and “don’t sweat the little stuff.” Estill now lives in Long Island, NY heading a semi-conductor distribution company.

To follow his Time LeadershipCEO Blog go to www.jimestill.com More information about Jim Estill can be found at resources.jimestill. com/3/ and at w w w. b l o g g e r . c o m / p r o file/9195253 adare@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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Features

12

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Quitting for your sanity All the reasons why you should not smoke

jgoodhand@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

friend who lied to you, manipulated you, stole a few dollars from you, and pretty much had nothing but selfish motives in being your friend.

Marlboro, Players or Du Maurier, whatever you call them, ditch them like you would a friend who slept with your partner after maxing out your credit card and deleting your hard drive.

This isn’t just about health, this is about

“

Break up those bitches right now and get over it.

I’ll quit when (weak excuse with no actual time point).

These are all ‘tomorrow’ excuses that never come because we all know tomorrow is just a day away and with it your last puff stays in a comfortable place in the future where you think you are in control but you never really get to.

I like it. You know what? Me too! I love smoking

This isn’t about health, this is about insanity.

There is absolutely no rationality for smoking.

Here are some of the excuses and conditions I know you’ve made foryourself. This is the last time you will read them because you are done making them as of today.

insanity. There is absolutely no rationality for smoking. Here are some of the excuses and conditions I know you’ve made for yourself.

This is the last time you will read them because you are done making them as of today.

I only smoke when I drink. Do you drink every week? Every day? Then you won’t quit smoking.

I need to smoke to get ride of my headache/reduce my irritability. People get headaches and have bad days, that’s what Tylenol and real friends are for. Suck it up.

I’ll quit when I finish this pack. If you’ve said it once before you have already become accustomed to not believing yourself. Don’t wait.

“

I

’m writing this article for you. Seriously.

You are probably wondering if I really do mean you, given the enormous readership of Imprint each week, so here is a test. Fill in the following sentence with the first word that comes to your mind, “I wish I could quit ______________.” Skipping class? Stealing my roommate’s food? I know it’s neither, because this article is about you and you want to quit smoking.

Most issues I tiptoe around have a certain degree of sensitivity, but there is 100 per cent no reason why anyone needs to smoke. Since I know you have already thought of all the reasons why you want to quit, I won’t give you any more room for excuses not to. I bet you want a cigarette right now, don’t you? You are probably cursing me as you feel for them in your pocket. Go on take em’ out, light it up , and read this while the guilt of what you know you shouldn’t do removes everything enjoyable from the experience. Are you the only one right now outside, smoking up? If not, for every two people out there with you, one of you will die as a result. Just saying.

I smoked once, not just one cigarette, but something like 32,000 of them. For years, smoking was my everything. You non-smokers laugh, but smoking is more than a habit, it’s a best friend. When you are happy, you celebrate with one, and when you are angry at the world you take a moment with one to question everything in your life that isn’t helping you get to where you want to be. Smoking helps you calm down, contemplate and create that moment in the millions of moments in the day that is just for you. Well, wake up! Who hasn’t had a

and if I could smoke one continuous cigarette all day long and not be inhaling the fumes of chemicals used in concentration camps, I would.

Let me create a scenario for you: You are walking through the grocery store and come across the chip aisle. Various brands, various flavours, some claiming less fat or less salt, but they are all chips in one form or another. Now you pick up a bag, maybe because you like the label, maybe because it is significantly cheaper than the rest. You turn it over and on the back is a big fat “This product will kill you” label.

Would you still buy it, eat its contents, bring it to a party and even share with your friends?

Where is the rationality then of paying money for something that has absolutely no benefit to your health or lifestyle in any way? Well, there isn’t any rationality, and that is why you are going to quit. While you continue to hold on to all your excuses and conditions, you are maintaining some level of rationality for yourself to continue to smoke. When I was in high school, at the end of each summer my best friend and I would have a campfire to set goals for the next year. For three summers in a row, I’d throw each cigarette I had on me into the fire, and with it, a reason why I should quit. Even though I had enough reasons, I didn’t have reason enough to finally make the break until a few years later, when I reunited with an ex-boyfriend who had quit smoking. He was running 10k a day and far exceeded me in every health category I had until that time surpassed him in. This was a man who had previously smoked a pack a day and didn’t move far from the garage for anything but a beer or a joint. I didn’t quit for him but what he said to me triggered the rationality lever in my head, “If you care about your health you wouldn’t smoke.” I know right?! And this is exactly why people never start in the first place or eventually quit. It is so obvious, but we are illusioned to believe that we are invincible, or that we aren’t strong enough to quit. The truth is, there are millions of people who have quit than are smoking today, they either chose health over death….. or they died. And so will you.

My Waterloo idea Komal R. Lakhani staff reporter

A

large crowd gathered in the Great Hall of the Student Life Centre (SLC) last Friday . And no, the crowd was not just there for free food or cool prizes like season tickets to the Raptors. People gathered for the official launch of the My

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Waterloo Idea website.

The My Waterloo Idea website describes itself as a “social networking opportunity for people who want to make a positive impact.” In essence, the website exists as a forum for sugesstions (any kind of suggestion) for students in the Waterloo community.

My Waterloo Idea was an “idea” conceived in the social and innovation class, housed in the department of communication, leadership and social innovation, as a group project, during the winter of 2009. The initial website was improved upon with the help of UW Webdesigners over the summer and the event launch was done in collaboration with the speech and communication leadership class.

The hour long event piqued with the introduction of guest speaker Cheryl Rose. Rose, a professor for social innovation (speech communication 491) engaged the crowd with a very interactive session that involved student’s participation and getting them to connect with each other through some specific exercises.

Diana Denton, director of communications and social innovation, was also present at the event and addressed the audience. This launch session was full of anticipation, especially because of the raffles that were held, which included a whole range of prizes from gamers night packages to Raptors tickets.

The site, which is an interac-

tive portal for the students of UW, started functioning at the beginning of September. Currently this site has 130 users, with about 60 to 70 posts, which is expected to increase. On the future of this website, Alisha Ramji, one of the administrators, replied “we have had 50 users sign up in three weeks, so I guess we will do well.” An intriguing fact that came up was that she herself did not have an idea on the website yet, but now she shares it with Imprint. “I think that a really good idea would be that students should have a place where they can go and have support groups by students.” She continued, “There are counseling services also available but students cannot rely on professionals all the time, because sometimes they just want to talk to people who are students, just like them, and of the same age group.”

The website is divided into many useful sections, like user profile, ideas and resources. Various ideas can be browsed through the links on the home page which is categorized by academics, administration, athletics, co-op, faculties. The website is managed by Ramji, along with the other administrators, and the UW Web designers. You can upload messages, photos, and videos directly or via text. So, what is your Waterloo Idea? klakhani@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Alcina Wong

Features

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

13

A GENUINE CORE FOR HOPE WUSC Brings Refugee Students to Canada Sarah Al-Hage staff reporter

T

he co-chair of the University of Waterloo World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Kristy May, lead a compelling and interesting event in the St. Paul’s United College (SPUC) chapel on November 19, 2009. The beginning of the event was marked by a series of facts that lead to a common message: education is exceptionally important. With an education, one can “have choices, learn their rights, support themselves, improve their community, have a chance, and change the world.”

WUSC is a network of individuals and Canadian post-secondary institutions whose mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. They are a non-governmental organization that develops and delivers high quality development projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. WUSC has partners with Canada in addition to 13 developing countries and there is a local committee on campus called UW WUSC. The organization has given refugee students like Yueu and Tariku — the two guest speakers that night — the chance to make their way to Canada to have an education. Students on Canadian campuses are able to get involved with several different affiliated programs such as Stand Up Take Action — a campaign against poverty and for the millennium development goals, and Shine A Light, which supports education for female refugees by providing solar lamps to help them study at night where there is no electricity to help them improve their education.

WUSC is very popular. In fact “it’s pretty hard to find a campus where WUSC isn’t involved,” said May dur-

ing her speech. UW WUSC itself has fulfilled many achievements already.

There is now a $1 student levy, which goes towards sponsoring students.

The university has now sponsored five refugee students including their very first female.

The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is designed to help refugee students who have been displaced by civil wars in their refugee camps and have no access or resources to further their post-secondary education. SRP has a support team which includes a variety of students and faculty who help and support the incoming sponsored students throughout their time here. SRP does an extremely good job of making sponsored students feel truly welcome and help them with everything they need. SRP also provides continuous support throughout the year to make sure sponsored students continue to enjoy their time in Canada.

Tariku, coming from Ethiopia, was the first sponsored student from the WUSC program, and Yueu, who travelled from Kenya, was the third.

Yueu has been in Canada for a year now, taking geography in the Environmental Studies program at UW. He claims to be doing well, and that he plans on continuing into his third year. Tariku began by describing the refugee camp in Kenya to everyone.

Then Yueu spoke about his last year in Canada.

An overall positive atmosphere was evident at the event. “The SRP and WUSC are amazing organizations and impact many people. I know that my heart has grown greatly since I joined WUSC, and have found a true passion in helping and most of all educating people. After all, WUSC’s motto is Education Changes the World,” said May. salhage@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Sarah Al-Hage

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Features

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

UW BASE collaborates to fight AIDS Paula Trelinska staff reporter

F

riday November, 13, 2009 marked 12 years since the very day that Pam was diagnosed as HIV positive.

As part of World Aids Day Awareness Campaign, the University of Waterloo’s Black Association for Student Expression (UW BASE), with One Waterloo, as well as the Aids Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area, showed a film about HIV and brought Pam (who did not want her full name to be used) to speak to the group about the challenge of being HIV positive.

Pam was raised in Guelph as the youngest of four children. As the only girl in the family, she was “spoiled from the get go.” At the age of 17, she moved to Toronto on her own. She became entangled in a life of partying and drugs. After moving back to Guelph and spending a few years at the University of Guelph without obtaining her degree, she moved to Vancouver to escape the lifestyle she was living.

What she discovered was that, in Vancouver, it was actually much easier for her to obtain and consume drugs. Pam became a heroin and cocaine addict, but claims she was always a safe

user, using her own clean needles, never sharing.

Although she was safe, it was still this lifestyle that led to her contracting HIV. The morning of October 31, 1997, Pam had wandered out of her house in search of her next fix. She got the drugs. However, she could no longer inject in her arms, and instead, needed to be injected in her neck. Pam wasn’t able to inject herself in the neck, so she sought the help of someone else on the street, a man named Rob. Rob agreed to help, but instead of using Pam’s clean syringe to inject her, he used his own, laced with traces of HIV from his blood.

Pam believes that it was this single event that led to her status as an HIV positive woman. That day was the last time she used drugs. After her ordeal, she decided to clean up and get her life back on track. Although HIV has been a struggle, in some way, it has been a good force in her life.

Had it not been for the HIV diagnosis, she says, she may very well have relapsed and gone back to her world of drugs and alcohol.

Living with HIV has been hard, but today, Pam has a new life. She speaks to different groups in the Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo area. She has started a recovery house and is involved in the HIV/AIDS community in Guelph. Although she is

not yet ready to share her story with everybody, she hopes to be an inspiration and an example to others in similar situations.

Pam was invited by UW BASE to bring awareness to World AIDS Day. In addition to having brought Pam in to speak with students, they are currently working on several other initiatives concerning this day. This upcoming Tuesday December 1, World AIDS Day, brings the main event, All Red Affair at 7 p.m., to the CPH lower atrium.

Everyone is welcome.The group will be putting up posters, as well as handing out packages to raise awareness in the lead up to this event.

Several members of the group will also be present in the SLC every Wednesday, as part of the newly formed Freedom, Love, Unity, Salvation, Happiness (FLUSH) Fighters. They will be collecting any type of shoes that can be donated by students to send to Kenya to help those in need.

For UW BASE, the lead up to World AIDS Day is filled with a great lineup of events, but they hope to get the word out to the Waterloo community and educate others about the reality of life with HIV/AIDS. ptrelinska@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Warrior Women’s hockey earn big wins in action packed week

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

Brent Golem

Men’s volleyball splits games at home

See PAGE 19

Imprint files

The Warriors took four points out of six versus some tough competition this weekend. They allowed only three goals in the three games.

Ryan Scott staff reporter

Waterloo 2, Brock 1

T

he Warrior hockey team played back-to-back games this weekend, as they traveled to Brock on Saturday, November 21 and welcomed the Guelph Gryphons to the CIF arena on Sunday, November 22. The team then traveled to York to take on the Lions this past Tuesday, November 24. The Warriors were looking to avenge some tough losses early this season and get back on track by winning some games.

They got a great start to an action packed week by beating the Brock Badgers 2–1.

Both teams came out flat to start

the game as a neutral zone battle ensued, with neither team generating scoring chances. However, Brock struck first near the middle of the first period, beating the Warrior netminder, Kahla Stern. The Warriors quickly answered, scoring a goal of their own, as defenceman Sarah McCorquodale scored a power play goal that would send the Warriors to the dressing room tied at a goal apiece.

In the second period, the Warriors ran into penalty troubles, but the Badgers could not convert, as Stern turned aside the scoring chances she faced. The second period ended like the first, with the score 1–1 and set the fans up for an exciting third period to determine the winner.

Early in the third, the Warriors once again began the parade to the

penalty box. Regardless, the team took control and began to fire away at the Badger’s goaltender. At the 11-minute mark of the third period veteran winger Caitlin Brydges broke the deadlock and gave the Warriors a lead they would hold on to. The final score read 2–1 and the Warriors were off to a great start on the weekend.

Waterloo 1, Guelph 0 After an exciting Saturday victory over the Brock Badgers, the Warriors looked to win back-to-back games for the first time this season as they welcomed the Guelph Gryphons to the CIF arena. The team played strong and shut out the visitors 1–0 in yet another exciting hockey battle.

The Warriors hit the ice flat once again as the Gryphons came out firing to start the game. Penalty troubles did not help the Warriors’ case, and the Gryphons build up a 14 to 4 shot lead in the first period. However, Warrior net-minder Kahla Stern once again stood strong and kept the Gryphons off the score-sheet.

The second period was much different than the first, as the Warriors looked strong, and the Gryphons were the team with the penalty troubles. Veteran winger Mandy Harrop gave the Warriors the lead, with a powerplay goal at the 11-minute mark of the second period and the momentum they would hold onto.

See WOMEN’S HOCKEY, page 21

Games of the week: Friday, November 27

courtesy steve brooks

Women lose close match to #1 ranked McMaster

See PAGE 19

brent golem

Men’s basketball struggles against top East teams

See PAGE 20

the best games in town

Women’s basketball vs Laurentian at 6 p.m. on the War Court (PAC) Men’s basketball vs Laurentian at 8 p.m. on the War Court (PAC)

Saturday November 28 Women’s hockey vs Western at 2 p.m. at the Columbia Barn (CIF)

Check out the previews Women’s basketball vs York at 6 p.m. on the War Court (PAC) for all the home games Men’s hockey vs Western at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Barn (CIF) online : Men’s basketball vs York at 8 p.m. on the War Court (PAC)

www.imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Imprint files

Men’s hockey gets double wins on the road

See PAGE 21

16

Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Think Brent Golem sports & living editor

U

W Athletics has put together the opportunity to continue the fight against breast cancer with the Think Pink weekend. The department of athletics has partnered up with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds and awareness. Think Pink is part of a Canadian Interuniversity Sport initiative that many universities throughout the country participate in.

Throughout the weekend there will be many events geared toward the cause of raising money to support breast cancer research. The Think Pink weekend is dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer to aid in prevention, early detection and treatment.

Varsity teams playing on home court this weekend will don their Think Pink jerseys during warm-up to spread the awareness of the breast cancer.

Why is there such a necessity for this type of promotion? Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung; One in nine Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer during her life.

Think Pink will be a part of seven varsity games. On Friday, November 27, a pair of varsity basketball games will be played against Laurentian with the women playing at 6:00 p.m. and the men playing at 8:00 p.m. at the PAC gym.

During half time of the men’s game there will be a game of mascot basketball. On Saturday November 28, both of the hockey teams are battling against Western. The women play at 2:00 p.m. while the men play at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Ice Fields. The women’s and men’s basketball are back in action on

pink Saturday versus York, with the women playing at 6:00 p.m. and the men playing at 8:00 p.m. in the PAC gym. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with a varsity women’s hockey team playing at 2:00 p.m. at the Columbia Ice Fields and the “Waterloo’s Got Talent dance show” being held at the PAC gym.

During these varsity games and events there will be many opportunities to support breast cancer research: by purchasing a limited edition of the “I am a Warrior” T-shirt, donating to the cause, or by just becoming informed about the issue of breast cancer.

All proceeds from the weekend will go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Ontario Chapter. Last year the event raised over $4,000 which broke their goal of $2,000. This year the UW athletic department has raised the stakes by setting a goal of $5,000 to be achieved through the support of the athletes, Warrior fans, and other donors.

“Last year we were extremely surprised by the support from both our student body and the local community,” said promotions coordinator and event organizer Jenny MacKay, on the UW athletics website. “This is such a great fundraising program to be involved with and we want to build upon our past successes.”

By supporting varsity and the Think Pink weekend, you can “help create a future without breast cancer.” sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

— with files from WHO international Agency for Research on Cancer, Canadian Cancer Society, and UW Athletics

Left to right: Reanne Holden, Steve Whitely, Shane Hart , Keaton Hartigan photos by brent golem

Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

17

fp_nov27:Layout 1

11/24/09

11:35 AM

Page 1

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Spin-A-Thon @ 10am, PAC Studio Women's Hockey vs Western @ 2pm, CIF Arena Women's Basketball vs York @ 6pm, PAC Gym Men's Hockey vs Western @ 7:30pm, CIF Arena Men's Basketball vs York @ 8pm, PAC Gym Don’t miss our famous airplane toss at half-time

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Women's Hockey vs Windsor @ 2pm, CIF Arena

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Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

19

Warriors handed first loss but rebound fast Brent Golem sports & living Editor

T

he Warrior’s women’s volleyball team started off the past weekend going against some strong opponents in the McMaster Marauders and the Guelph Gryphons. McMaster was entering into the weekend with a single loss and were looking to end the women’s team undefeated streak. Meanwhile, the Guelph Gryphons came into Waterloo as a middle of the pack team looking to close the gap between them and the top.

Waterloo 1, McMaster 3 Waterloo started off the game strong and took an slight 8–6 lead early as they were attacking and defending well.

Although Waterloo was setting up their smashes well, they botched two serves in a row which held an even larger lead back. McMaster stormed back with a strong defence to take an 18–20 lead.

The Warrior offence wasn’t setting up their smashes well enough so their attacks were returned by the Marauders who had little trouble passing the ball for some solid smashes. Waterloo was unable to overtake the strong defence and lost the set 20–25. The set would have been lost by more if not for some sensational digs

by Libero Katie Spack (#10).

The second set was a complete turnaround for the Warrior team. Kayla Ng came in as the setter and the offence appeared to work. The Warriors were held close by the Marauder defence and the set was narrowly lead by McMaster

15–16. Waterloo found their stride and struck McMaster for 10 straight points to win the set 25–16. Three timeouts

by McMaster during that run could not stop the Waterloo momentum and outside hitter Bojana Josipovic (#13) from smashing some huge kills.

Waterloo looked to continue the domination into the third set to take a lead in the match. It all started well as Waterloo built up an early 8–5 lead, but that eventually faded with Waterloo’s aggression. The Warriors were not aggressively pursuing kills as they were not setting each other up for spikes as was necessary. McMaster took over the lead at 12–13 and, combined with missed opportunities by the Warrior offence, were able to push that lead to 15–22 before then closed out the set by winning 18–25.

The fourth set was a very tight set all the way as Waterloo needed to win to stay alive. The Warriors found themselves down early as McMaster built up an 7–11 lead. Waterloo found themselves back into the game as they regained their composure and took a 14–13 lead of their own. The two teams continued to battle and the game went into extra points as McMaster was unable gain a two-point lead for the win at 25 points. McMaster was finally able to close out the win with their 27th point for the 27–25 win.

Outside hitter Bojana Josipovic had the biggest impact on the game as she had 18 points, while the nearest person had only 13 points. Josipovic added 12 digs in the game. Outside hitter Kate Flanagan had 12 points and 9 digs.

Waterloo 3, Guelph 1 In the second game of the weekend, on Saturday November 21, the Warriors faced off against the Guelph Gryphons.

Waterloo started off strong and took advantage of Guelph’s poor attack attempts. Waterloo was in good position to return the weak attacks and use the possession to create attacking chances of their own. The Warriors closed out the set by winning 25–20.

In the second set the Gryphons were looking to even the score up.

The Warriors’ had some communication errors that lost points and lead to an early 5–8 deficit. The Warriors called a timeout to try and regroup, but the game remained the same until Waterloo called a second timeout after the score reached 8–11. The Waterloo adjustments seemed to take effect as the offense finally synergized and, coupled with Guelph errors, allowed the Warriors to take an 18–16 lead.

Guelph called a timeout to settle their team down, but it was to no avail as the Warriors had a well-performing offense that made Guelph pay. Waterloo closed out the set winning 25–22.

In the third set, the Warriors could not continue their play as the Guelph attack came on strong. Guelph took an early 7–10 lead and pushed it to 10–16 as the Warriors were unable to find an answer for the Guelph attack. The Waterloo defence was just not able to get the job done against some tough Gryphon kills. Guelph managed to win the set by a disappointing 17–25 margin.

courtesy steve brooks

The fourth was closer than the previous one and Guelph was unable to maintain their strong offense initially but quickly found their groove. An score of 6–8 ensued as the Warriors had trouble controlling the ball to set up their offence. The only reason that the Warriors were in this set was because of Gryphon mistakes that kept the Warriors close. The score doubled to 12–16 with Guelph performing strong. Waterloo called a timeout and a quick strategy session turned the tide for the Warriors. Waterloo was finally able to block the Guelph offense and it gave them a chance to set up a solid offense of their own. The score was even at 17–17 when the Warriors’ setters found outside hitter Kate Flanagan

who pounded the ball over the net for some kills. The score was again even through 22–22 but the Warriors were able to avoid the fifth set with a seemingly lucky call. Up 23–22, a seemingly missed call when the ball looked like it went off a Warrior player and out favoured the Warriors and set up the match win on the next play. Waterloo closed out the set 25–22 and won the match.

Outside hitter Bojana Josipovic once again led the Warriors with 15 points, but it was outside hitter Kate Flanagan who was the key ingredient to the Warrior win with 12 points and game-leading 26 digs. sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Warriors edge out Gryphons, and almost beat McMaster GAME 1: Duncan Cairns starts as Libero

courtesy steve brooks

Aaron Dam (#7) smashes a set from Andrew Thorpe (#5).

Siddhant Baride staff reporter

I

t couldn’t have been better. A game of high stakes volleyball, which had been promised in the previous edition, had been witnessed; McMaster, heading into the game undefeated in the season, and Waterloo, riding high on confidence having upset Laurier just days before.

The match went down to the wire, with both teams maintaining a high kill-roof average, yet struggling with sustaining the momentum.

Waterloo, having beaten McMaster on January 29, 2003, has been

on the losing side in as many as 13 encounters ever since, both at home and away. Warrior co-captain Tyler Vivian later in the interview said that he badly wants to beat McMaster before he graduates.

Saturday’s game against the Gryphons was a simple walkover, judging by the straight set 3-1 victory, where no set was a fight to the finish. It was as if the previous loss had fuelled a comprehensive attempt to outperform their opponent.

Credit must be given to cocaptain Aaron Dam for spearheading the attack, backed by solid digs from Duncan Cairns.

Waterloo opened with outside hitters Tyler Vivian and Corey Yednoroz to neutralize McMaster’s Jeremy Groenveld and Shawn Bench. The teams were equally matched taking the score to 7 – 8 in favour of the visitors at the first technical time out. The gap opened further due to long spikes and tight knit roofing. At 11 – 15, Tyler converted an off-balanced dig into a successful kill.

This positive surge was not enough as all spikes kept going long, which helped the visitors extend their lead to 17 – 22 and to take the first set.

In set two, the Warriors regained composure and used McMaster’s strategy against them. Knowing that their hits were going long, they decided to dump and dig rendering the strong defense of the Marauders ineffective. Leading 3–0 initially, the Warriors pushed their lead to 14–12 to 20–17 through the third time out, Warriors earned the set point.

Set three and four were pretty much a repeat of what had happened, with alternate blocks and kills, spaced with skilful assists by setter Andrew Thorpe.

The fifth set now aroused the spectators’ attention until scores were level at 13-13. At that point, a questionable decision by the referee assisted the visitors in stealing a victory.

Nevertheless, all players involved held their nerves and improved their performance. Points came from all players, including an astounding 40 set assists by Thorpe. Libero Duncan Cairns assisted with 16 digs. Ian Pappel and Matt Snyder provided vital assists.

GAME 2: Hussein Abdo introduced as serve specialist Having lost in a tight set situation, the Warriors decided to consolidate their position in the game before going on the offense. Good player coordination

between Thorpe, Tyler, and Dam gave them a marginal 8 – 7 lead as the first technical time out was called. The gap extended to 16 – 12 owing to digging errors by the visitors. They regained composure and stretched the set from being down at 18 – 16 to equalizing at 24 – 24. Determined not to make the same errors in the final few points, Corey successfully garnered two vital kills from the back row and won the set.

Inconsistent setting, lack of spikes, and spacial defense errors cost the Warriors dearly. An initial lead of 8 – 7 for the Gryphons’ became 10 – 19 by the third time out and finally 25 – 17 in the end.

The problem of defensive errors persisted throughout the third set, although it was negated by cross-court cheats and long rallies. At the third

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technical time-out, when the score read 16 – 14 in favour of Waterloo, serve specialist Hussein Abdo was introduced.

He did manage to sneak in and generate an ace, which extended the lead progressively from 16 – 15 to 19 – 17.

At this point, rookie Aleks Polma was brought into the game. He immediately showed his provincial player skills by heavy blocking and hitting. He hit as many as six kills in the short time that he was on the court. The Warriors swept away set three, being down at 19 – 17 to winning 25 – 23.

The fourth set highlighted the aptness of Dam and Polma at blocking.

Quick reflexes and targeted execution won the set 25 – 19. Aaron Dam led the offense with 14 points and 6 block assists. Aleks Polma stood out with an impressive 8 points, 6 kills and 12 assists. sbaride@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

20

Sports & Living Too tough to handle

Women’s basketball keeps close with Ottawa, but Carleton too tough to handle

T

he Waterloo Warriors’ women’s basketball team made their way to the nation’s capital to face the Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Carleton Ravens.

Waterloo 57, Ottawa 70

On Friday November 20, the Warriors went to the Ottawa’s Montpetit Hall and lost a fairly close battle by 13 points as the final score reached 57–70.

The Gee-Gees took an early lead in the first quarter and never looked

“

The Warriors made adjustments at the half but it was too late. The GeeGees shot well and were able to hold off all Warrior attempts at a comeback to seal the win. Even though the Warriors kept the next three quarters close, they were not able to overcome the deficit.

The Warriors were lead by point guard Reanne Holder and rookie guard Erin Tilley who both had 13 points on the night. Waterloo found themselves out-matched in the game and they were out-rebounded 55–26 as a result. The Gee-Gees shot an impressive 39.4 per cent from in front of the arc and 50 per cent from beyond. The Warriors were

It was as good of defence as we have played all year. We upped the pressure and we started causing havoc.

— Coach Tyler Slipp

back. The Warriors were down 10–21 as the first quarter ended. The Warriors had 10 points in the last two minutes of the half all on turnovers and found themselves down only 40–31 at the half.

“We again showed flashes of physical play and solid defence,” coach Tyler Slipp said. “It was as good of defence as we have played all year. We upped the pressure and we started causing havoc.”

“

Brent Golem sports & living editor

not as impressive as they shot 35.7 per cent from in front of the arc and 23.5 per cent from behind. The Warriors had a great stand at the free-throw line as they shot 76.5 per cent. Although losing is never the goal of the game, it isn’t always the worst outcome.

“We have to worry about the process [of playing the game], not the outcome,” coach Slipp said.

Waterloo 48, Carleton 69 The Warriors travelled across town to Carleton’s Ravens nest to face the East division favourites. The Ravens are so good because they play a system and play that system hard.

The Warriors found themselves in a hole through the first quarter as the Ravens jumped out to an 22–11 lead and their strangle-hold on the game never disappeared. The Warriors were down 40–21 lead at half time. Waterloo adjusted well at half time and outplayed Carleton during the third quarter, outscoring them 16–12 during the quarter, but the momentum did not last during the fourth quarter as the game ended in a 69–48 rout.

“I know we can play better and we have to,” coach Slipp told Imprint.

“It’s not about them playing well, it’s about control what you can control.”

Waterloo found scoring from many sources. Centre Laura Becotte and point guard Reanne Holden both scored team-high 10 points while Becotte also grabbed 5 rebounds. Rookie guard Erin Tilley added 9 points and shooting guard Colleen Quinlan had 8 points and 5 rebounds. Waterloo was out-rebounded by Carleton 40–28. sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

OUA: recognizing all-stars Continued from cover

Despite the defeat, Mustangs head coach Rob Fowler remained optimistic about his team’s performance. “It could have gone either way,” he said. “We played well, but they came out on top. It motivates us for the future.”

All the sets that the Warriors played were close, specifically 24–22 and 22–20 in the mixed doubles game against Toronto. “You just try and keep the bird over the net and in the court. There is no change of strategy.

Personally, I concentrate on the next point and not what has happened throughout the set,” Carruthers said, “It’s all about mental calmness. If you happen to lose a point that you think you should have won, then you tend to take it the wrong way. If you get past that, you have the strength for pushing through.”

There are, as many as three Warriors, in this year’s all star teams. Andrew Tai Pow adds his third all-star nod to his arsenal of honours. As 2007 men’s rookie of the year, Tai Pow has

been named an all-star every year since his first. Other Warriors joining Tai Pow on the team are Rahim Karmali and Andrew Zhuang, both for the first time in their careers.

On being named OUA athlete of the week, Carruthers responded, “I was surprised. I didn’t realize that they would pay as much attention to badminton as they would to basketball or the volleyball games that were going on that week.”

Players that have outperformed and have risen to the occasion are Nathan Lee, Matthew Marr, Rahim Karmali, Andrew Tai Pow and Dorothy Lui. Wing Ka Tsang has been the surprise element of the squad.

“This year we definitely had depth and experience. We also had a couple of national and international players like Lee. Coach Charles competes for Jamaica, and he has helped us shape up for the games.”

The squad is now looking forward to the nationals, which would be held sometime during May next year. sbande@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Pointless games in the capital Brent Golem sports & living editor JJ Maxwell staff reporter

T

he previously 3–1 Waterloo Men’s Basketball game dropped two games this weekend in our nation’s capital to fall to 3–3. Friday brought with it a tough loss to the University of Ottawa, while Saturday’s loss was at the hands of the CIS #1 ranked Carleton Ravens. The scores were 74–66 and 94–67, respectively.

Waterloo 66, Ottawa 74 Ottawa is always tough competition and they proved it Friday night.

Waterloo found themselves in a hole early in the gam e as Ottawa built a 22–16 lead in the first quarter. The Waterloo defence improved its efforts in the second quarter. Waterloo was able to stop the bleeding and the limit the lead to only six points as the team headed 39–33 into the half.

The Warriors made adjustments during the half time and the changes worked well as Waterloo made a huge comeback. Both the offence and defence contributed extensively as the Warriors limited Ottawa to only 10 points while exploding for 21 of their own. Heading into the final frame, Waterloo had built up a 5–point lead on their opponents.

Ottawa was able to stage a comeback of their own in the fourth quarter. After building a late lead, the Gee-Gees’ free throw shooting allowed them to close the game out.

“Friday was a tough loss,” said David Burnett, Waterloo’s point guard. “We weren’t aggressive enough offensively in [those] last couple [of] minutes. Down the stretch key defensive lapses hurt us.”

Ottawa was nearly perfect on the free throw line and they went 20 for 23 as they shot 87.0 per cent. Shooting guard Cam McIntyre had another great game as he led Waterloo and all scorers with 21 points, while Matt Riendeau led the Gee-Gees with 20 points. Centre Matt Hayes and power forward Alan Goodhoofd had solid games inside as they each scored 10 points and had 8 and 7 rebounds, respectively. Small forward Ben Frisbey was a defensive presence in the game as he grabbed 8 rebounds and added seven points.

The key to the Warriors loss was their inability to stay disciplined and

out-rebound their opponents. The Warriors committed 19 fouls while Ottawa limited themselves to only 13 fouls. Ottawa was able to capitalize on the additional scoring chances that fouling brought. Waterloo was also out-rebounded 51–42 during the game.

The Warriors tried to regroup

Waterloo 67, Carleton 94 Friday night and get themselves ready for Carleton.

“After the loss Friday, we were mentally prepared to play Saturday night. On these weekends, the Friday game, win or lose, is learned from and forgotten by the next day,” said Burnett. But Saturday November 21 brought with it the powerhouse Carleton Ravens, who have been CIS #1 for 30 of the past 31 weeks.

Waterloo started off rocky on Saturday, as the Ravens took an early lead. But Waterloo was able to chip away at the difference over the course of the first. The first quarter ended with Waterloo trailing 29–20.

Carleton ran away with it in the second though, increasing their lead to 14 points as it was 52–38 at halftime.

Carleton dominated most facets of the game, and ran away with it in the fourth quarter, winning 94–67.

Small forward Ben Frisbey was Waterloo’s star, putting up 19 points and 6 rebounds. Carleton had four players in double figures, but Kevin McCleery led the way with 19 points and 9 rebounds.

Forward Tim Rossy also made it to double digits with 10 points.

The Warriors were dominated throughout the game as they faced superior shooting and rebounding. Although Waterloo shot well during the game, as they shot 38 per cent consistently across the court, the Carleton Ravens made an incredible 55.0 per cent of their shots from the floor and 52.2 per cent from beyond the 3–point arc. Waterloo was vastly out-rebounded 43–21; but the Warriors were very good at not turning over the ball and beat the Ravens 6–14 in that regard.

Looking forward, the Warriors are getting ready for the upcoming weeks.

“Simple fixes such as rebounding and poor screening hurt us on in both games. But the biggest thing we learned was that we need to play better as a single unit, not as five individuals,” Burnett told Imprint. sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

21

Warrior men’s hockey earns big wins on Eastern Conference road trip Ryan Scott staff reporter

Waterloo 1, Nipissing 0

T

he Warrior hockey team hit the road this past weekend traveling to North Bay to play the Nipissing Lakers, and then to Ottawa to take on the Gee-Gees. The first game was all Waterloo, as the Warriors shut out the Lakers in a 1–0 victory, where the team nearly doubled the shot total of their opponent.

As the game started, the Warriors put pressure on the Nipissing goaltender early, setting the tone for a high volume shot game by the Warriors. However, the team could not capitalize and failed to score on the only power play of the period.

Both goalies stood strong and the game remained scoreless as the teams headed to the dressing rooms.

The second period continued on the same pace as the first, as the War-

riors continued to fire away. However, they ran into penalty troubles midway through the period, sending Nipissing to the power play for four straight minutes. Luckily, Nipissing could not capitalize and only got five shots on the Warrior net during the entire period. The teams once again headed to the dressing room scoreless, even though the score-sheet read 21 to 11 for the Warriors in the shot category.

Determined to get on the board and break the deadlock, the Warriors came out stronger than ever in the third, and quickly scored. Winger Jarrett Schnurr beat the Nipissing net-minder after a sharp pass from veteran Cory Fraser, two minutes into the final period, and the team never looked back.

Warrior goaltender Keaton Hartigan turned in another solid performance and shut the door in the third period, giving the Warriors the 1-0 victory, as well as his second shutout of the season. The team got

the weekend off and rolling, as they looked to add another victory and complete the Eastern Conference sweep the following night in Ottawa.

Waterloo 4, Ottawa 3 Coming off a big shutout win the previous night, the Warriors were looking to add another victory to the win column as they traveled to Ottawa this past Saturday, November 21. The team was down early, but persistence and their hard work paid off as the team rallied in the third period. They won the game 4–3, giving them the Eastern Conference weekend sweep.

Both teams looked sharp as they hit the ice, but the Warriors got into penalty trouble early in the period, and the Gee-Gees took advantage. They scored seven minutes into the period, with Warrior winger Aaron Lewicki serving two minutes for slashing. The Warriors then hit the power play, but

could not convert after several scoring chances on the Ottawa net-minder.

The Gee-Gees ended the period by adding another goal, giving the team a 2-0 lead through one period of play.

The Warriors looked strong in the first period, firing 14 shots on the Ottawa goaltender. After not being able to convert, they looked determined to change the tide and shift momentum to their side in the second. Veteran winger and captain Chris Ray scored two goals within a minute and a half of another as the period started. The special teams expert netted his first goal while on the power play, after some precision passing from Mark Hartman and Kyle Sonnenburg, and then quickly scored his second goal while the team was down a man. However, the Gee-Gees would not let the Warriors keep the lead for long, and scored a goal of their own, sending the team to the dressing room down one goal.

The Warriors ended the period with 19 shots and pelted the Ottawa net-minder, but would have to continue their offensive assault in the third to win the game.

The line of Chris Ray, Mark Hartman, and Kyle Schwende was the difference in the third period as the Warriors tied the game up within the first two minutes of the period after Kyle Schwende beat the Ottawa net-minder. The Warrior winger was not done there, as he scored again after passes from Hartman and Ray. The team took a lead it would not relinquish.

The Gee-Gees received one last chance as the Warriors took a late third period. However, Hartigan stood strong and the team sealed the victory, starting a winning streak the Warriors will look to extend this weekend as they face the York Lions and OUA leading Western Mustangs. rscott@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

WOMEN’S HOCKEY: unable to streak Continued from page 15

With Stern playing solid between the pipes, the Warriors never lost the lead and held on to beat the Gryphons 1–0 even though all three third period penalties were charged to Waterloo.

Stern earned her first Warrior shutout.

Waterloo 1, York 2 The Warrior hockey team entered

their third game of the action-packed week on a two game winning streak, and looked to add yet another victory to the win column as they try to escape the basement of the OUA standings.

The team played a hard-nosed close game, but the York Lions scored in the third period, and won 2–1 as Warrior net-minder Kahla Stern played another great game.

The Lions came out of the games roaring as they look to take it to the

Warriors. However, Stern turned away the growing scoring chances, and veteran center Randi-Lynn Wilson got the Warriors off to an early lead, scoring on a sharp pass from Emma McMillian. The team then began their typical parade to the penalty box and Stern had to remain strong so that the Warriors could hold onto their lead.

York took advantage of the opportunity and beat Stern at the 14-minute mark of the period, giving the team

Roaring with the Raptors

I

n the NBA, a small snapshot of a season is usually enough to predict how a team is going to fare. It’s not like the NFL, where, often times, you don’t know a team’s true identity.

Take the Tennessee Titans for instance. At 0–6, almost all football fans and experts alike had written them off. Just when we were all sure they were done, they started getting hot. They changed their quarterback, some of their injured defensive backs came back, and now they’re 4–6, look like a solid team. They have some people wondering if they might run the table and make the playoffs. See, even 6 out of 16 games in the NFL wasn’t enough to make an accurate prediction of who the Titans were.

Not so true in the NBA, 15 games is more than enough.

That is why I can say with confidence that after watching the Raptors play their first 15 games, there are some facts that have come clear:

This team cannot play a lick of defence

GM Bryan Colangelo put together a very talented team in a last ditch effort to keep Chris Bosh in Toronto.

Hedo Turkoglu, as I’ve already written previously, was grossly overpaid so he would come to Toronto in an attempt to keep Bosh. But in this mad dash for a decent team, Colangelo seems to have forgotten about defence.

The Raptors are giving up a gross 108.1 ppg. The only legitimate defender we have is Bosh, and he can’t do it all.

jtoporowski@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Hedo Turkoglu is not going to put up 20 points per game

Optimistic Raptor fans were looking at Turkoglu and his ‘07 season and hoping his 09–10 campaign would bear a striking resemblance; but we need to realize that what we’ve seen is what we’re getting with Turkoglu.

In ‘07 he averaged 19.5 ppg, this year only 14.4 ppg, and that’s all we can expect. He’ll win us some games with late-game heroics (just see the recent Phoenix game, where he hit two ridiculously clutch shots to keep us in it), but this is not a guy who is going to dominate.

This team isn’t nearly as good we all thought they’d be

The Raptors are 7–8, which is what we realistically need to start expecting from them. I’ll be the first to admit that I was drinking the Raptor Kool-Aid at the beginning of the year, I thought they would be a 45–win team, make the playoffs and get clobbered in the first round. But they’re not that good. They can’t play defence. Calderon is overrated. And DeRozan is a raw rookie, not a Vince Carter reincarnation.

Aren’t we starting to get used to this? Isn’t this what being a Toronto sports fan is all about: hype and rarely anything more? Toronto sports are your sister’s hot best friend. You can look, but you certainly can’t touch.

They’re a tease.

But I have a solution for the Raptors, and it really only requires two letters: A.I. Yes, I am suggesting we go out and

sign Allen Iverson, the Answer (as Iverson is nicknamed), a man who has won four scoring titles and once gave a legendary lecture to the media about why he doesn’t need to attend practice.

Say what you will about him, say that he’s older now, say that he’s selfish and arrogant, but one thing A.I can bring to the table is: A) scoring and B) star power. The Raptors need both.

Over the past eight months, something has become excruciatingly clear about A.I. He doesn’t care about winning a championship, about being a veteran leader who does the little things a team needs to win — Iverson is all about starting. He wants to show he’s not done, that he can still score big. He wants to be a star again.

So I say, why not? Demote DeRozan to the bench and throw A.I in there at starting shooting guard. We’ll have a guy who can score 20+ per game, who makes opposing teams think twice about doubling Bosh, a guy who we can sign for cheap and to a one-year experimental contract. You pair Iverson with Turkoglu and Bosh, and that’s a legitimate three-pronged threat. Add a surging Bargnani, and the Raptors might have a shot to get to that 45-win season I had seen coming. It won’t help our defence, but we’d have a good shot at out-scoring anyone in the league.

The Answer could be the answer to our Raptor’s prayers. Regardless of whether we win this year, we’re going to lose Bosh (but that’s an idea for another column), so why not try to win in the one year we still have him.

Bosh and Iverson. It’s really got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

a 1–1 tie at the end of one period.

Both teams played hard in the second period, as each looked to take the momentum that they would carry to victory. However, neither team could one-up the other, and game remained tied through two periods of play. The Warriors looked to take the lead early in the third. However, they could not capitalize and the Lions beat Stern once again. The team could not answer, and instead committed back-to-back pen-

alties midway in the third period that would seal the deal and give the Lions the victory, preventing the Warriors from continuing their winning streak.

Even though the team lost, they looked strong once again and determined to win more games as they look to climb the standings this upcoming weekend. rscott@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

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22

Sports & Living

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Men’s Basketball

Men’s Hockey

Badminton

Men’s Volleyball

West Division

West Division Team

GP

W

L

OTL PTS

Western

13

11

2

0

22

Lakehead

14

9

3

2

20

Laurier

13

9

3

1

19

Waterloo

14

9

4

0

19

Brock

13

7

6

0

14

Guelph

13

6

5

0

14

York

13

6

6

1

13

Windsor

13

5

6

1

12

UOIT

12

4

7

0

9

Team

GP

W

L

PTS

Team

GP

W

L

PTS

Team

Lakehead

6

6

0

12

Queen`s

10

8

2

16

McMaster

6

5

1

10

McMaster

8

7

1

14

Western

8

7

1

14

Waterloo

8

5

2

10

Western

6

4

2

8

Windsor

6

4

2

8

Windsor

8

5

3

10

Waterloo

6

3

3

6

Guelph

7

4

3

8

Toronto

9

4

5

8

Laurier

8

3

5

6

Brock

6

2

4

4

Guelph

6

1

5

2

Ryerson

9

2

7

4

Laurier

6

1

5

2

York

8

1

7

2

RMC

9

0

9

0

Nov. 20: Ottawa 74 at Waterloo 66 Nov. 21: Carleton 94 at Waterloo 67 Nov. 27: Laurentian at Waterloo Nov. 28: York at Waterloo

Nov. 20: Nippising 0 at Waterloo 1 Nov. 21: Ottawa 3 at Waterloo 4 Nov. 26: York vs Waterloo Nov. 28: Western vs Waterloo

Women’s Hockey

Nov. 21: Guelph 1 vs Waterloo 3 Nov. 27: Western vs Waterloo Nov. 29: Windsor vs Waterloo

Women’s Basketball West Division

Main Division

West Division

L

PTS

McMaster

8

7

1

14

8

Waterloo

8

7

1

14

1

6

Western

7

6

1

12

4

1

6

Brock

8

4

4

8

5

3

2

4

Guelph

6

3

3

6

Laurier

6

1

5

2

Waterloo

6

1

5

2

Laurier

7

3

4

6

Guelph

6

0

6

0

Windsor

7

1

6

2

W

L

OTL

PTS

Team

GP

W

L

PTS

Laurier

11

11

0

0

18

Windsor

6

6

0

8

Queen’s

12

9

2

0

15

Brock

6

5

1

York

10

7

3

0

12

Guelph

11

5

4

0

10

Western

6

5

Windsor

12

5

7

0

9

McMaster

5

Brock

13

4

8

1

9

Lakehead

Toronto

9

4

4

1

9

UOIT

12

4

7

0

8

Western

12

4

7

0

7

Waterloo

10

3

5

1

4

Nov. 22: Guelph 0 at Waterloo 1 Nov. 24: York 2 at Waterloo 1 Nov. 28: Western vs Waterloo Nov. 29: Windsor vs Waterloo

Nov. 20: Ottawa 70 at Waterloo 57 Nov. 21: Carleton 69 at Waterloo 48 Nov. 27: Laurentian at Waterloo Nov. 28: York at Waterloo

Team

Nov. 21: Guelph 1 vs Waterloo 3 Nov. 27: Western vs Waterloo Nov. 29: Windsor vs Waterloo

PTS

Western

5

5

0

10

Waterloo

5

4

1

8

Toronto

5

3

2

6

York

5

2

3

4

Ryerson

5

1

4

2

McMaster

5

0

5

0

Come to Imprint, where you will never EVER go hungry for it!

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IMPRINT | NOV 27

Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 arts@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Cue the brilliance Felicia Rahaman staff reporter

Q

uality crude, hilarious, educational fun is guaranteed with Avenue Q. Ever looked back on those terrible moments of your life, and thought, this would have been hilarious if it had not happened to me?

If so, this musical is for you. In fact, they devote an entire number to this phenomenon entitled “Schadenfreude,” the German term meaning to find happiness in the misfortune of others. This song is just one the many in Avenue Q that address those socially unacceptable topics that everyone thinks about but never voice. Tuesday November 24 marked the debut of the Off Broadway success, Avenue Q, at Kitchener’s Centre in the Square.

The show attracted a diverse audience that all left with the same thought, “Well, I may have just violated some childhood memories, but it was worth it.”

In 2003, Avenue Q announced its presence with a bang at the Vineyard Theater by receiving the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Musical, and was deemed the best show of 2003 by 13 different critics. Avenue Q is best described as Sesame Street gone wild. Remember those puppets who taught you how to count to five, and spell F-R-O-G? Well now, the curriculum has become a little more advanced, as they teach about internet porn, racism, and homosexuality.

Avenue Q likes to begin their shows weeding out the older audience by inducing heart attacks through the obnoxious blaring of their theme song to signal the start of the show. This “signal” remained a theme throughout

the show, reducing the number of the faint-hearted until only those truly young at heart remained. This is just one of many quirks of Avenue Q that makes it annoying and endearing at the same time, much like the Teletubbies.

The show follows Princeton, a fresh graduate looking to launch his life in New York. He ends up on Avenue Q renting a room from Gary Coleman, the has-been child actor who uttered, “What ‘cho talkin’ ‘bout Willis?” all the way to stardom. As Princeton gets to know his new neighbours, we meet the rest of the quirky cast. There’s Christmas Eve, a struggling therapist, and her boyfriend Brian, an unemployed, failing comedian. Also on the block is Rod, a closet investment banker and his roommate/love interest Nicky, a jobless mess. Then, there is Kate Monster, a kindergarten teaching aide who dreams of opening her own school for monsters someday. The reclusive pornography addict Trekkie Monster completes the list of Avenue Q tenants. During Princeton’s meet and greet with his new neighbours, he finds out that he’s lost his job before he’s even started. Princeton is then left without a purpose or an income. We then get to watch Princeton get bitch-slapped by reality, and spiral out of control until the number “There is a Life Outside Your Apartment” is needed to reintroduce him to the life in the Big Apple. Princeton stumbles through life with the help of his new friends and two adorable characters called The Bad Idea Bears, who bestow gems of wisdom upon Princeton during the show. These adorable Care bears promote excessive drinking, one-night stands and suicide — it makes the audience wish they had someone like the Care bears to help guide them when they were

lost on life’s highway.

The stage was adorned with Avenue Q’s rundown, grimy townhouse set. This set provided the versatility that the show needed, from being a bar, the Empire State building, and the casts’ homes. The set changes were surprisingly discreet and efficient. Avenue Q utilized the entire stage during their energetic prancing dance numbers.

Avenue Q’s main method of transferring knowledge to their audience was done through their racy musical numbers. The numbers were highly relatable, as a sample of the titles were “It Sucks to be Me,” “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” and “The Internet is for Porn.” Each song contained catchy lyrics that had the audience humming along, minus the times during which they were shocked into the silence by the content. “The Internet is for Porn” was a prime example because Trekkie Monster’s suggestion of, “Grab[ing] our dick and double-click[ing]” elicited a collective gasp, followed by uproarious laughter. Many of the songs were sung in high sing-a-long cadences, reminiscent of a children’s program. Think Barney, if Barney was to sing about killing people you really loved, as Christmas Eve did in “The More You Ruv Someone.”

Avenue Q is a must see production that is a beautiful crash of childhood entertainment and hard hitting reality. It challenges the social norms and addresses the truths within the modern lifestyle many choose. So if you’re looking slip out of your crippling reality for a few hours, Avenue Q will transport you into theirs…which makes it funny. frahaman@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

courtesy Centre in the Square

24

Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Home/land & Security Renders patrons speechless

Courtesy RENDER

Render Gallery Hours Tuesday 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesday 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Thursday 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

“

From the inception of Home/Land & Security I

imagined bringing a disparate group of artists together to talk about their impressions and ideas of home, land, and security.

Robyn Goodfellow assistant arts editor

T

Courtesy Jeff Thomas

Photos: Some of many Aboriginal pieces that were displayed at the Home/Land & Security Render exhibit

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his past weekend offered a rare opportunity for the Waterloo artistic community. The University of Waterloo’s exhibition gallery RENDER, located in East Campus Hall, hosted the intriguing Home/land & Security art exhibit coordinated by Jeff Thomas. The show, focusing on First Nation culture and heritage, offers the inspired work of fifteen talented artists using a variety of mediums; paintings, copper metal work, photographs and videos were all incorporated to provide a fascinating multimedia array. The artists, personally solicited by Jeff Thomas to take part in the show, originate from across the province and bear few ties beyond their associations with Thomas and their personal connections with First Nation culture.

The exhibit was designed to focus on the Iroquois’ land disputes over the area surrounding the Waterloo’s own local Grand River, land that was granted to the Six Nations by the British Crown in 1792. Over the years, conflict over the land has resulted in the arrests and imprisonment of countless protestors men and women rallying to defend their basic land rights. The exhibit displays their challenges while highlighting the landscape of this ever-changing country.

Patrons are treated to an array of breathtaking photog raphs by Jeff Thomas in addition to a hammered metal topographical map of the Grand River by Michael Belmore, a metal construction map by Eric Walker and a sweeping northern landscape video by Wanda Nanibush, among other pieces. Nanibush’s work is particularly intriguing as it features the footage of several sweeping landscapes personally filmed from a small plane by the artist, while on route to northern Canada. The projector screening the film is hung from the ceiling to display the film across the cold concrete floor, intended to provide extra depth and perception when observed from above.

An accompanying audio tape of Nanibush recounting recent land settlement conflicts between Six Nations and the Canadian government in addition to some First Nation lore is available.

A small bowl of tobacco sits nearby, an opportunity for patrons to leave a pinch on or near the footage as both a tribute to

— Jeff Thomas

”

and recognition of the conflict. A nearby orange jumpsuit, suspended from the ceiling by a hook and marked with provoking names, facts and questions, asks patrons what constitutes a basic right. The jumpsuit is reminiscent of the imprisonment many First Nation individuals have faced after protesting the government’s seizure of their land. With this piece, Nanibush captures the Home/land & Security theme through an array of breathtaking mediums while provoking thought and conversation between patrons.

On the afternoon of Saturday November 2, halfway through the allotted exhibition time, coordinator Jeff Thomas organized the attending patrons and artists into a community circle for a discussion pertaining to Home/land & Security’s art pieces and message. From his blog on the RENDER website, he states, “From the inception of Home/land & Security I imagined bringing a disparate group of artists together to talk about their impressions and ideas of home, land and security. The scenario I envisioned for the exhibition space was drawn from my childhood visits to the Six Nations Reserve. It was there that I learned about my Iroquois history from my elder Emily General, who had been an educator and a highly respected political activist in her day.” During the exhibition discussion, Thomas recounted the process of approaching the 15 artists and his intention for the exhibit – that it opens the communication between First Nations and white-Canadians and encourages discussion concerning Canada’s recent and past land conflicts. The group then engaged in a discussion of “radical art” and the modern necessity for unconventional art that challenges thought and provides unique perspectives.

The Home/land & Security exhibition will run at a variety of times until February of 2010, and will continue to feature discussion groups and personal contact with the artists until its closing. For a unique experience in artistic mediums and a lesson in modern and past First Nation culture, students are encouraged to visit the RENDER exhibition space in East Campus Hall at their earliest convenience. For more information visit RENDER’s website at www.Render. uwaterloo.ca. rgoodfellow@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

25

Video Game Review

courtesy Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed 2 Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft

A

ssassin’s Creed 2: through a combination of intuitive controls, massive content and historical content delivers an improved sequel for its plagued brother Assassin’s Creed, but flaws prevent the this game from being stellar.

Story Gamers be warned, Assassin’s Creed 2 is not a game that can be played in one sitting — it could take at least 15 hours to play the core components of the story. However when mixed with the entertaining side quests and puzzles, all of which offer rewards such as new armour or extra cash, it can be expected that the entire game will provide at least a week’s worth of gameplay.

Set in Italy during the renaissance, Assassin’s Creed 2 is an extremely long revenge tale mixed with elements involving mysterious organisations, genetic memory, religion and an “interesting” cast of characters, such as the famous Leonardo Da Vinci or the controversial Pope Alexander VI, the story does draw players in.

What is unforgiveable is the Ubisoft Montreal’s attempt to artificially lengthen the storyline at a key juncture.

Without revealing too much, the character is promised a trip to Rome, only to be prevented because they have to retrieve certain items, which becomes a repetitive process. This was not needed.

Gameplay It is easy to see that Ubisoft has made the effort to ensure that the player experiences the breath of this game.

Using the same intuitive control scheme from Assassin’s Creed, players will soon be able enjoy the game.

Assassin’s Creed 2 is as an adventure

game, mixed with some stealth aspects.

Players will jump across ledges, leap across gaps, climb up towers and avoid detection. At the same time, you will stab, slash and smash opponents or attempt to sneak past them. You can assassinate your targets in a variety of ways, such as stabbing or subtly poisoning them. Fans of the Splinter Cell series will recognise its influence here.

A key component of the game is the Enzio’s “free running” ability, retained from the first game. For the most part this ability has remained unchanged.

Enzio now has the ability to climb up the walls of building (provided there is something to grip), run across roofs, leap across gaps and essentially explore the city. When combined with the spectacular combat moves that Enzio can pull off, this makes the gameplay addictive One feature of the game is customization of the character. Featuring an economic system, that allows the player to swap currency gained from completing objectives and sidequests for new armour, clothing and weaponry. This adds a new and welcome dimension to the gameplay.

What is disconcerting are the occurrences when character’s dialogue will switch from English to Italian often in midsentence. While the story attempts to explain this, these occurrences are still jarring and prevent one from being fully immersed within the gameplay.

An interesting fact is that the game assumes that every Italian in the renaissance knew how to “free-run.” This can often lead to somewhat entertaining sequences, as one is chased by angry thugs, heavily armoured guards and sometimes angry civilians who will chase you across roofs and will climb up walls in order to chase you down.

Assassin’s Creed 2 displays an improved AI from the first iteration.

Enemies now display improved combat techniques and will often surround and entrap players during combat.

Additionally the combat dialogue will reveal the guards organising themselves

during a confrontation with the player.

The improved AI also extends to civilians. The civilians almost certainly immerse the player within the game.

The crowds of civilians and how one interacts with them, is one of the finest examples of AI within the game industry. Crowds will react to your actions either cowering in fright, fleeing a fight or act confused by you presence.

Player will dread the sight of a bard, because of his annoying ability destroy the best-laid assassinations. Many a time a subtly executed assassination was halted by the mere presence of the bard. When coupled with Ubisoft’s questionable decision to prevent the player from gently pushing the bard aside, this will make even the most forgiving player scream in frustration.

Renaissance bards could not have been this annoying.

Presentation For the most part Assassin’s Creed 2’s graphics and sound are amazing.

From the chatter of the crowd to the day and night cycles, the graphics and sound accomplish its part by immersing players within the game. From the sprays of blood to the clash of the steel, the graphics and sound will flawlessly demonstrate the brutality of combat.

Words alone fail to describe the sheer beauty of this game.

Thanks to the “Eagle Vision” which highlights key objectives to the player, the game allows players to hone in on their targets and move in for the kill.

However, be warned, that initially this view can be disorienting for those uninitiated to the series.

Nonetheless, there are some blemishes with the graphics. The textures on the majority of roofs and building seem to be recycled. Enzio will occasionally treat a small flight of stairs as if the abyss, standing as if he is gazing into the abbess.

Another flaw are the odd facial details

Grade The Good • • • •

B

• •

Intuitive controls Loads of content Improved AI Interesting economic system Improved graphics

Unneeded lengthened storyline Dialogue switches between Italian and English The annoying bard “Disturbing” facial features of the characters

Music Review

Wooden Arms Patrick Watson Secret City

P

atrick Watson’s prismic voice and calming melodies create a lucid dream. The incredible swells and dissipations take you up and down mountains of emotions.

You’ll be brought to the verge of tears, and then the progression will

change, forcing you to contort your face into a strange grimace in order to hide your tremendous smile.

Wooden Arms is an album that doesn’t adhere to any pre-conceived notions about how music should be made.

Extremely talented and experimental percussionist Robbie Kuster throws anything and everything that sounds good is thrown into the mix; pots and pans, spoons, and even a bicycle are made use of. As a result, the connoted value of the music is heightened just that much more.

As I listen, each song puts me in a different place. Traveling Salesman has a sinister tone and reminds me of dark castle dungeons and old campy monster films. Wooden Arms is like standing under

Air Canada flight. It is shiny, its long and it promises a lot but a few flaws and mistakes prevent it from being a stellar experience. Nonetheless, it is entertaining.

—Tejas Koshy

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of the characters. Displaying the “uncanny valley” syndrome, the characters seem to the have features that seem “off ” and in some instances disturbing. What truly sticks out is the fact that character’s eyes seem to be “dead.”

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26

Arts & Entertainment

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Better than Twilight kmassey@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

T

his weekend was, unfortunately, one of slim pickings.

I didn’t actually want to see a movie — I was forced to choose between Twilight: New Moon, The Blind Side, and Planet 51, none of which looked like they might be half decent.

From the start, the first choice was out of the question. I’d honestly rather watch George Clooney’s last five movies on repeat for the rest of my life than see some vapid braindead teen angst over pansy vampires that look like Barbie princesses when they step into the sun. Did you guys know that Twilight: New Moon made more in box office opening weekend than The Dark Knight? Pathetic.

Having narrowed the list down, I was forced to choose between a football film and a children’s movie. In the end, I chose to see the children’s movie, Planet 51, but only because sports films bore me to death.

The premise of Planet 51 didn’t look too bad. A bunch of aliens that don’t look but act exactly like humans stuck in the 1950s are frightened and panic when a human astronaut

lands on their planet. The mildly amusing plot looked like it could have potential.

Let me talk about the parts of the movie that were good right away. The animation was solid throughout. The images were very high quality, the characters were well designed, and its consistency helped boost the rest of the movie.

The story development wasn’t half bad for a kid’s movie either. It had a simple, logical flow and applied neatly on to the premise.

Here is where it went bad. Planet 51 has just about one of the worst scripts I have ever seen in a movie. The premise was cute, but the script was written so lazily — so carelessly, that it ended up sounding like a bunch of recycled garbage. The writers were obviously either not into the plot of the movie, trying to get fired, or completely incompetent. It was completely uninspired and was painful to listen to.

Here’s a memo, guys: kids movies don’t have to be bad. They don’t have to make teens and adults want to pull their hair out. Wall-E wasn’t all that bad. Coraline wasn’t all that bad. Even

courtesy Ilion Animation studios

Monsters vs. Aliens wasn’t the worst movie. So why did the writers for Planet 51 care so little about this movie?

The second thing that went wrong with Planet 51 was that it was incredibly boring after the first 20 minutes. This is where the movie failed everyone, even the children. This movie became a pain to sit through and made

me wonder whether I should have gone to see The Blind Side.

It really was too bad. The movie’s premise definitely could have delivered if the writers had bothered to write a script that wasn’t just plain bad. From the poor selection of movies released this week however, it was still the best choice. Especially over that Twilight.

levels, and now this revolutionary ability has been brought into the handheld.

The player takes the role as ‘sack-boy’ (or sack-girl), a voiceless woven character that acts like a human sack-doll. There is not much to say about this character; how you play will define the characteristics of the sack-character. A kind of interactive freedom is given to the player by the creators of this game by the use of a multitude of costumes, colours, and wacky addons for the faces of your own sack-character.

One can become rapidly attached to their own personalized sack-person through this in-depth customization process.

Gameplay has not changed since the PlayStation 3 version. The platform Mario-like jumping around is still present, giving the player plenty of obstacles to go through when attempting to reach one side of the level to another. These obstacles can sometimes feel petty as pointdeduction is the method of punishment for dying. There is an option to commit suicide, however, that will not lead to one’s own point deduction.

Adding more to the gameplay, the innovative 2-3D platform that brought out a shine in LittleBigPlanet has carried through to the PSP version as well. What this means for new comers of this series is simply that a player is able to go deeper into the screen, or coming back “loser towards the screen — a touch that gives a player more than one interactive plane to run around in.

When it comes to plot, there is only a bitesized morsel for one to swallow. This is great for those who just want to jump into the game itself and begin hopping about looking for the next ramp to slide down. For those that are rigorous in finding everything out, however, there is some what of a story. The creators within the world of LittleBigPlanet are refusing to go to a celebration and it is up to the player and their sack-person to find and gather them all up for this celebration.

This gathering-up process takes the player across more than 20 levels filled with different landscapes and exotic characters from around the world. One starts off in Australia where they are treated to a series of soft tutorial levels before moving on else where…where else would one go? Well that would be telling, but imagine the Far East and then you’ll go far.

One would be pleased to know that Stephen Fry’s soft, melting voice is back once again from the PlayStation 3 port to give the PlayStation Portable’s version the narrator it deserves. His voice carries you through since the opening sequence and then onward from the tutorial level. The tone of his voice helps to calm some of the overwhelming aspect of the game when it comes to learning to activate different buttons for different effects. It is almost like listening

to a rather short but amazing documentary.

Although the voice acting, game play, and style still retains, LittleBigPlanet is not perfect. As minor as these complaints may seem, they still are lacking features one would expect in a title like this. On the PlayStation 3 port, LittleBigPlanet allowed for up to four players to run about, and explore levels. In the handheld port, you cannot play with people around you, or from across the world. This simply means that the only community elements worth coming out of this game is the ability to make and share your own levels with other people. This should not stop you from going to buy this game, though, as it is merely a minor inconvenience.

The graphical downgrade in this port is so minor that I could hardly tell the difference. Of course, the shine and wax coating of the PlayStation 3 may be more amazing, but this is the PlayStation Portable, and the graphics that comes from this game is fabulous. If you simply do not buy into the greatness of the graphical stand up that is this game, perhaps a look at previous PlayStation Portable titles would give you an idea of how far this game has graphically come to; in short, our little sack-persons are rounded, soft, and cuddly.

I don’t expect anyone to find square blocks of graphics cuddly, now would we?

LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation Portable might not be perfect, but as far as perfection goes, this is it; a great handheld that reflects its little big brother, PlayStation 3. If you have a PlayStation Portable that is collecting dust and you want something for the road, LittleBigPlanet is for you. Simple. Cute. Fun.

Video Game Review

Courtesy Gamer Investments

LittleBigPlanet Media Molecule Sony Computer

T

wo years have passed since LittleBigPlanet first appeared on Sony’s home console, the PlayStation 3. Since then, the motto of LittleBigPlanet’s, “Play. Create.

Share.” has not only created a buzz for the home console, but it has also warranted the

creation of its own version on Sony’s handheld PlayStation Portable (PSP).

LittleBigPlanet’s motto of “Play. Create.

Share.” encourages the player to play through the levels created by the designers of LittleBigPlanet, then go on to make some of their own, ending this majestic circle by downloading and playing levels created by other people. This worked amazingly well with the PlayStation 3 version, with the exception of Super Mario look-alike

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Grading

A+ The Good • • • •

Gameplay has not changed, still fun and capturing Graphics are amazing, some of the best on the PlayStation Portable The ability to share with a community still exists There are various locales and levels for one to explore

The Bad • •

No ad-hoc/multiplayer mode No PlayStation 3 connectivity

“

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 science@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

We are a large technological society. We will never reach a point where we have no effect on the world around us.

“

Science & Technology

Photo by peter kreze graphic by peter N.Trinh

Technology Saves the Environment

I

was recently discussing music with a friend and made a comment about how one day, stores like HMV and Sunrise won’t carry CDs anymore, but rather cards with coupon codes to download from iTunes or some other online music store. Unless they go out of business altogether. The world is becoming digital, and soon media such as DVDs and CDs may be obsolete. Without us even thinking about the environment, we just created a pretty significant boost to helping it.

As the world turns away from external media, and massive stereo to a small iPod with a dock, there is less waste and emissions being created and less energy used. A study from Carnegie-Mellon and Stanford University (which was funded by Microsoft and Intel) researched the energy use and emissions of six different scenarios: three methods of

thelferty@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

physical CD purchase (including e-tail: having it shipped to your home) and three methods of downloading music (including burned to a CD with and without its own case). They discovered that “the difference between even the worst-case scenario for downloading and the best-case scenario for physical CD purchase is large around 65 per cent more CO2 emissions via e-tail.” Of course, there are limitations to the study. People use their music differently. Some may print off an entire album booklet for their burned CD and others may leave their computers running constantly to download the songs. As well, downloading utilities act differently. There are many music and movie stores online than just iTunes or Amazon. Plus there is the energy and emissions used on the variety of mp3 players and other media devices out there. While many

environmentalists may cry “not enough” and that more must be done to bring down those emissions, I think that’s a pretty fair trade-off.

We are a large technological society. We will never reach a point where we have no effect on the world around us. It’s just a matter of how we can reduce our impact enough for the Earth to keep up.

Technology is always advancing, and this is not at all a bad thing. If the human race were to go backwards in technology, we’d go with it. The digital age is a great example of how better technology helps the environment outside of the energy sector. Digital technology has eliminated a lot of wastes from packaging and CDs to massive stereo and home theatre systems, as well as a lot of emissions and energy. While it’s true that the mp3 players, stereo systems, and servers

to host these online services all need to be created and use energy themselves, it is not on as massive a scale and they last longer.

It isn’t only in home computing and media that the digital age is helping the environment either. Supercomputers are able to process tons of information incredibly quickly and can analyse data to make decisions very quickly. These can and are being used to solve environmental issues, such as climate change. On an even larger scale, technology is helping us to find new world to live on and derive resources. What to some may still seem farfetched and worthy only of science fiction, I believe will soon be a reality and maybe even in our lifetime.

If advanced and used the right way, technology will very well be the saviour, no longer the destroyer, of this world.

Science & Technology

28

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Green robots and ancient crocodiles Nagma Zerin staff reporter

Robots go green

Spy drones, used in military operations as well as in civilian life to monitor earth and wildlife, are being furnished with alternative green energy to become more surreptitious and last longer.

These drones are used as eyes to scan the sky and ground for targets and threats to the military, especially for missions that are extremely hazardous for manned aircraft. However, the internal combustion engines used to fuel the spy drones are too

noisy. This distractive noise causes impediments in trailing people secretly and compels them to fly at a higher altitude which makes the act of tracking harder.

Now scientists from the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington are developing faster robot spy bees that are operated by hydrogen fuel cell with an energy unit of 550 watts, 0.75 horsepower.

The electricity generated from the fuel cells, created during the conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water, run the life cycle of the drones.

The green energy increases their efficiency four times over that of an

internal combustion engine and seven times that of a battery powered motor. They are also capable of carrying heavier payloads and operating more covertly than before with reduced noise, heat, and carbon emissions.

Ancient relatives of crocodiles

Research led by paleontologists Paulo Sereno of the University of Chicago and Hans Larsson of McGill University, announced the discovery of fossils belonging to ancient crocodiles in Sahara desert on November 20. Three of them are new species while the other two belong to one of the five primeval relatives of modern

day crocodiles.

Found after a series of expedition beginning in 2000, the three new species, all about a meter long, were nicknamed as BoarCroc, RatCroc, and PancakeCroc. Similarly the two old relatives, having a length of approximately six meters and three sets of fangs, were flagged as DuckCroc and DogCroc.

The study confirmed that four of these crocodiles were able to stand with their legs under their bodies.

They walked like land mammals in lieu of sprawling with their bellies on the ground like the present day crocodiles. But the fifth one, named

as PancakeCroc, used to squat motionless in the water waiting for its prey.

According to Sereno, each of the crocs apparently had different food habits, as well as different behaviours.

He hypothesized that they divided up the ecosystem, each species taking advantage of it in its own way. He also quoted that their amphibious talents in the past may be the key to understanding how they flourished in and ultimately survived the dinosaur era.

—With files from MSNBC, and CBC nzerin@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

From the internet explorer to Your living room Tejas Koshy staff reporter

USAF orders 2,200 PS3s

In a repeat of March 2008, the United States Air Force recently purchased 2,200 PlayStation 3 consoles. According to a documents posted on the U.S. federal government’s procurement website, the purchase of the consoles is to aid the USAF to build a research supercomputer. Having already purchased 300 of the consoles, the Air Force Research Lab wants to expand its capabilities. According to Information Week the USAF has no plans to drop this method, as moving to an alternate platform would cause a duplication of costs. According to Engadget, the PlayStation’s cell processors were what attracted the USAF. According to Sony Insider, two PS3s which would cost $600 USD total would be able to match a single 1U server configured with two cell processors which would cost $800.

The Air Force has used a cluster of PS3s to test a method of processing multiple radar images into higher resolution composite images (known as synthetic aperture radar

image formation), high-def video processing, and “neuromorphic computing,” or building computers with brain-like properties.

order that the publican view and mark up on proposed legislation.

Empire 2.0: Video game alerts

Engineers at Northwestern University, located in Illinois, have created virtual newscasts that use artificial intelligence to collect stories, produce graphics, and even anchor broadcasts.

The project named “News at Seven” gleans stories pulled from the internet. Additionally, the program can generate opinionated content such as movie reviews, as well as inject humour into its broadcasts. The video of the first broadcast is available at www.nsf.gov/ news/mmg/mmg_disp.cfm?med_id=65890.

New York State officials have begun testing plans for emergency broadcasts over online gaming networks. The plan was announced last week at the Interop technology in New York City. New York State Deputy CIO Rico Singleton was quoted as stating that the goal is to reach younger residents who spend more time on the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii than with television or radio.

This is one of the many technology initiatives that New York state has launched under the program Empire 2.0. According to Singleton, the goal is to make the state government more “transparent, participatory, and collaborative.” Aspects of the program include monitoring Facebook posts to spot suicidal behavior, using Twitter to disseminate information to the public, using the game Second Life to train 700,000 Department of Homeland Security first responders, and using the website LinkedIn. Additionally, the Senate plans to publish bills on a wiki-style blog in

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Medium

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2 Great Pizzas, 3 Fabulous Toppings 1 lb. Chicken Wings 1 Garlic Bread,4 Cans of Pepsi www.twicethedealpizza.com

Virtual newscasters

Imminent Internet Explorer attack

Hackers working on the open source Metasploit project, whose goal is to discover security vulnerabilities, have found a method to attack Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. The flaw, having been discovered on November 21, has worried security experts. The original “attack” code had been improved since its discovery, thus making it more reliable.

“The Metasploit exploit that was re-

leased last night will be more reliable against certain attacks than the initial exploit,” said Ben Greenbaum, senior research manager with Symantec, in an interview with PC World.

At time of print, Symantec has yet to see the exploit used in Internet-based attacks, but security experts say this type of code is for a very popular hacking technique called a drive-by attack. Victims are tricked into visiting websites that contain malicious code where they are then infected via the browser vulnerability. Criminals also place this type of code on hacked websites in order to spread their attacks.

On Monday, Microsoft published a security advisory on the flaw, offering some workarounds for the issue. It affects Internet Explorer Version 6 and Version 7. Internet Explorer Version 8 is not affected by the bug.

Users can upgrade their browser or disable JavaScript in order to avoid an attack.

— With files from Popular Science, Information Week, PC World and Microsoft tkoshy@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

write For SCIENCE the best thing since pennicilin Contact us at science@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

Campus Bulletin Classified HELP WANTED Weekend counsellors and relief staff to work in homes for individuals with developmental challenges. Minimum eight-month commitment. Paid positions. Send resume to Don Mader, K-W Habilitation Services, 108 Sydney Street, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3V2.

Summer of your life! Camp Wayne for Girls – children’s sleep-away camp, Northeast Pennsylvania (6/19 – 8/15/10). If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need counselors and instructors for: tennis, swimming, golf, gymnatics, cheerleading, drama, high and low ropes, camping/nature, team sports, waterskiing, sailing, painting/drawing, ceramics, silkscreen, printmaking, batik, jewellery, calligraphy, photography, sculpture, guitar, aerobics, self-defense, video, piano. Other staff: administrative, CDL driver (21+), nurses (RNs and nursing students), bookkeeper, mothers’ helper. Oncampus interviews January 27, 2010.

Select the camp that selects the best staff! Call 1-215-944-3069 or apply on-line at www.campwaynegirls.com.

HOUSING

Only $399 – four bedroom housing, 34 Bridgeport Road, E., starting May 1, 2010. Excellent location, on bus route, close to everything, downtown at WLU, near UW, new, immaculate, open concept kitchen, all appliances, dishwasher, dining room and living room open onto a private balcony, central air conditioning, huge rooftop garden patio, complete laundry facilities, dryers free, free parking, gas heat, gas water heater, cheap utilities, perfect for students, rents fast, a must see. Only $399 per room, per month.

Call 519-741-7724 or www.acdev.ca for more info and pictures. E-mail info@acdev.ca.

Only $389 – five bedroom house, must see, goes fast, excellent location at 121 B Noecker Street, starting May 1, 2010. Close to everything, very clean, free washer/dryer, gas heated, cheap utilities, two full bathrooms, two full size fridges, hardwood floors and ceramic tile throughout, large private yard and large deck. Free parking for five cars, on bus route. $389 per room, per month. Call 519741-7724 or 416-575-2104 or e-mail info@acdev.ca.

SERVICES

Does your thesis or major paper need a fresh pair of eyes to catch English spelling and grammar errors? Thesis English editing. Five business day turnaround. Neal Moogk-Soulis, ncmoogks@uwaterloo.ca.

HELP WANTED STUDY Cigarette evaluation study – $90 paid for two visits, $120 paid for three visits. Name brand smokers only. Please call Sandy at 519-578-0873 or email at smokesstudy@hotmail.com or sandy.mich@hotmail.com. Qualified respondents are 19-29 years of age and smoke Players Original, Players Rich, Players Smooth, Players Special Blend, Craven A Gold, Dumaurier Distinct, Matinee Yellow or Export A Full Flavour, Medium, Smooth Rich or Extra Smooth. Study will take place December 1 to 15. Call for your appointment!

UPCOMING November 7 - December 20, 2009 Homer Watson House & Gallery proudly presents the 2009 End of Season Exhibition – 6 to 8 p.m. at 1754 Old Mill Road. Visit http:// www.homerwatson.on.ca/ for more info.

Friday, November 27, 2009 rare presents “Celebrating International Year of Astronomy with Dave McCarter” at 7:30 p.m. at rare admin office, 1679 Blair Road, Cambridge.

For more info 519-650-9336, ext 125 or www.raresites.org.

Saturday, November 28, 2009 “Come as you are Convivencia!” presented by Barber Gallery, 167 Suffolk Street, W., Guelph, from 2 to 4 p.m.

An opener party with a variety of entertainment and spirits from F&M Brewery and Yellow Tail Wines for the three day event. Call 519-8240821 for more info.

December 1 - 9, 2009 ACCKWA’s Online Charity Auction – On eBay.ca, search acckwa for great items! WestJet flight, art, hotel stays and more. All proceeds go to support and education programming for HIV in Waterloo Region. For more info, call 519-570-3687, ext 313.

Friday, December 4, 2009 Live jazz: Alex Pangman and her Alleycats from Toronto, one night only!

Free swing dance lesson at 8 p.m., live music 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Admission. For info www.waterlooswing. com.

Thursday, December 10, 2009 Rotunda Gallery presents “In_ scape” by Sarah Kernohan opening from 6 to 8 p.m, at Kitchener City Hall, 200 King Street, W., Kitchener.

For info call 519-741-3400, ext 3381.

Sunday, December 13, 2009 Brenda Uchimaru Singers presents “Songs Around the Holiday Tree,” at Conrad Grebel College Chapel, UW, 140 Westmount Road, Waterloo. For tickets/info BUSingers@gmail.com or 905-527-8792 or cash at door.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Application deadline for B.S.W. (Bachelor of Social Work) - full-time fall 2010. For more info www.renison. uwaterloo.ca/social-work/prospective-students/applying/apply.shtml.

Friday, February 5, 2010 Nominations are being accepted for Distinguished Teacher Award at UW

– deadline February 5. Please visit the blog on the Centre for Teaching Excellence’s web site for guidance on how to write an effective nomination letter. http://cte-blog.uwaterloo. ca/?p=9. For more info call Verna at ext 33857 or http://cte.uwaterloo.ca.

Friday, February 12, 2010 Nominations are being accepted for Amit and Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student at UW – deadline February 12.

Please visit the blog on the Centre for Teaching Excellence’s web site for guidance on how to write an effective nomination letter. http://cte-blog. uwaterloo.ca/?p=9. For more info call Verna at ext 33857 or http://cte. uwaterloo.ca.

ONGOING MONDAYS Gambling can ruin your life. Gamblers Anonymous, 7 p.m. at St Marks, 825 King Street, W, basement.

VOLUNTEERING Shadow needed to be paired with international students for winter 2010. Show them around, help them resolve cultural conflict and make their stay in Waterloo more enjoyable. Make great friends and learn new things. Please apply at www.iso. uwaterloo.ca.

Volunteer with a child at their school and help improve their self-esteem and confidence. One to three hours a week commitment. Call Canadian Mental Health at 519-744-7645, ext 229.

City of Waterloo has volunteer opportunities. For info call 519-8886478 or www.waterloo.ca/volunteer.

The Distress Centre needs volunteers to provide confidential, supportive listening on our crisis and distress lines. Complete training provided. Call 519-744-7645, ext 300.

Volunteer Action Centre, 519-7428610 / volunteer@volunteerkw.ca, for all your volunteering needs!

Deliver or befriend through Community Support Connections. Deliver meals, drive seniors to appointments or visit one for a few hours each week. Contact Kate Lavender at 519-772-8787 or katel@communitysupportconnections.org.

Hey Hot Stuff! Volunteering at Imprint is fun, easy, helps you meet

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009 ads@imprint.uwaterloo.ca people and boosts resumes and grad school applications. All welcome, regardless of experience. volunteer@ imprint.uwaterloo.ca.

Volunteers needed – The English Tutor program is in constant need of volunters to tutor international students. Volunteering is an essential part of student life at UW. Apply online at www.iso.uwaterloo.ca.

Speak Laos? Volunteer visitor required for a woman with Alzheimer’s Disease who speaks Laos. Two hours per week.

Training/support provided by Alzheimer Society. Jill jmercier@alzheimerkw. com. Resume builder.

Volunteer required to rebuild website for Kitchener International Children’s Games Chapter. Call 519-886-6918 and leave message or respond to icgkitchener@hotmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS “In The Mind’s Eye 2009: Issues of Substance Use in Film + Forum” – offers a very rare glimpse into the world of drug and/or alcohol use through films, workshops and keynote presentations. In The Mind’s Eye is unique in North America and is held at locations throughout Waterloo region in October and November. For more info visit www.inthemindseye.ca or call the hotline at 519-575-4757, ext 5016.

The appointment of Professor Susan Elliott as dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences commences on July 1, 2010. She succeeds Roger Mannell.

Story writers wanted for free paranormal magazine. Short stories, articles accepted. Free for free exposure. Submit your scariest stories true or fictional. Distributed locally to ghost tours and online. www.kwparamag.com.

UW RECREATION COMMITTEE UW Recreation Committee events are open to all employees of the University of Waterloo. Register by emailing UWRC@uwaterloo.ca.

UW Book Club meetings – December 16 – “Child 44” by Tom Rob Smith. Details www.uwrc.uwaterloo. ca.

St. Jacob’s Country Playhouse – last call to order discounted tickets to the Robin Hood Pantomime.

Would you like to assist with the planning of UWRC events for 2010??

Email UWRC@admmail.uwaterloo. ca with your interest.

Exchange Board – looking to rent, buy or sell? UWRC.uwaterloo.ca/exchange_board. More info email Margaret at mulbrick@uwaterloo.ca.

Lots of discounts available for UW employees – CN Tower, Ontario place, Empire Theatre, Galaxy Theatre, Kitchener Auditorium, Princess Cinema, VIA rail and more ... email Shirley at schatten@uwaterloo.ca.

STUDENT AWARD & FINANCIAL AID For all in-person inquiries, including OSAP funding pickup, your SIN card and government issued, valid photo ID are required. Please note that the BIYD card CAN NOW be accepted as photo ID. December 4: recommended last submission date for Continuation of Interest Free Status forms for this term.

December 15: recommended last day to pick up loans for this term.

Visit safa.uwaterloo.ca for a full listing of scholarships and awards.

Imprint Look at Life From a Different Perspective

TRAVEL

Egypt – February Reading Week – 10 days, $3,300 from Toronto. Hotels, Visa, flight, breakfasts, daily transportation, entry fees. 416-727-1040 or www.egyptgrouptours.com

Visit www.imprint.uwaterloo.ca for more info. or come see us at the SLC

30

Comics & Distractions

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done to procrastinate?

By Michelle Spiers and Michelle Fujita

“Watch TV.”

“Went shopping.”

Jessica Pilsworth

Amanda Szeto

2A Science

4A Environment and Business

“Walked around campus.”

“Went skydiving.”

Jenny Ho

Mohammad Hasan

4A Biomedical Science

1B English

“Went on a random trip to Niagara Falls.”

Jessi Weeks

“Faked an illness.”

4B Recreation and Business

Ketussa Sotheeswaran

“Went to the Bomber.”

2B Arts

Phillip Kwan 4A Environment & Business

JORDAN CAMPBELL (faculties@imprint.uwaterloo.ca)

MICHAEL TO (irresponsiblyoptomistic@imprint.uwaterloo.ca)

28 King Street, N WATERLOO

519-954-8660 www.chainsawsaloon.com

W AINSA ook H C n i eb Jo n Fac o S R to LOVE ur chance for yo ASH! win C

Dirty Burger Days

Mon, Tues, Wed

$2 BURGERS & WINGS $5.50/lb

Comics & Distractions

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

Crossword

By Mike Koivusalo Across 1. "Got it!"

4. Drumset pieces 8. Avoid 13. Look over 19. Showtime killer, in short 20. “I t’s a ___!” (Admiral

Ackbar saying)

21. “___ S treet Preachers”

famous Wales band

22. Urkel catchphrase, “Got

Sudoku 4 1

9

2 3

2

1,2,3...Kumar, Superman, and Me...

7 8 9 8 4 1 7 5 6 9 8 7 8 2 7 4 1 5 4 2

Solutions:

31

I like you both...I think you both like me...but we’re all too shy to make moves... so let’s all give me a very Merry Christmas and get it on all together in the SLC quiet room ;).

- Heart-shaped skirt girl.

Missed any connections lately?

Got any ideas, gripes, or randomly entertaining thoughts?

Send them (with utmost affection) to

distractions@imprint.uwaterloo.ca

November 20, 2009

any ___?”

23. CI, alternatively 24. Willy, e.g.

25. Village 1 perk 27. Finish for ‘joys’ 29. It’s kept up sleeves 31. Sault ___ Marie, Ontario 32. Loud summer time bug 33. UW second year perk 38. The only rule (of this game) is this one 41. 38-Across is a derivative of this card game 42. “Holy Diver” band 43. Channel with OnDemand service 45. Ryan’s nickname on The Office 46. Common conjunction 49. Shootouts, e.g.

51. 2003 film, ___ Calling 53. Mr. Redding 54. Wholly absorbed 55. UW campus complaint 60. Job uniform part 61. Zip format 62. Machine part 63. Venus de Milo and David, e.g.

66. Comedian Rock 68. UW wildlife complaint 72. UK HIV foundation 75. Normandy landing point 78. Handles 79. VCR button 80. UW common engineer complaint 84. Ethopian ethnic group 87. From alpha to ___ 88. Single helix 89. Boston university (abbr.)

90. It’s worth a pound of cure 94. UW night life complaint 100. Infomercial psychic 102. Eye sphincter 103. “Gross!”

104. 3rd of 7 (abbr.)

105. Txt space waster 106. National Association of Social Workers 107. “___ at Work” 108. Contraction/possessive pronoun 110. “I ___”(song) 112. “She’s ___ a girl who misses much.”

113. UW perk #3 121. Garfield’s kick-toy?

124. Fugitive ___ Laden 125. Yea’s partner 126. Forced bet 127. UW campus perk 132. Long road trip game 135. Talks like a Canadian 136. Makes amends 137. ___ Exige (sports car) 138. It resides on a staff 139. Canadian politican Bob 140. The taxi driver 141. Big list owner 142. Five to the face 143. Stable form of nitroglycerin Down 1. Wing it 2. Programming tutorial word,

with “world”

3. It’s truth is taken for granted 4. Trinidad & Tobago's ISO

Country code

5. Hockey great Robert 6. Parrot 7. Distracted 8. 911 abbr.

9. “A Momentary ___ of Reason” 10. 1 and i, for example 11. Used a Magic Bullet, perhaps 12. Workout stack (abbr.)

13. Dull pain 14. Mr. “The Beef ” 15. Religious movement 16. Frightened yelp 17. Cambridge to Brantford dir.

18. Alfredsson, e.g.

26. Chemist (archaic) 28. ___ Dhabi 30. Michael Davenport, e.g.

34. Full (with ‘had’) 35. Army training program 36. Mythical Norse female 37. Western most island of Alaska 38. Saunter 39. One coulomb per second, in short 40. Go (for) 44. Malaysian newspaper (abbr.)

45. Holey, to Pierre 46. Graphics card acronym 47. Agree silently 48. Pixel 50. Delicious crustacean 52. They protect the American coast (abbr.)

53. Instrument or body part 56. Big ___ 57. ___ Angelo (Angelo's house) 58. ‘Killed,’ in chess 59. Company that wants you to “save your money” 64. Forty-five d egrees from 17-down 65. A short time 67. Return on equity 69. Woman courter 70. Unexpectedly sudden 71. Yale music group (abbr.)

72. The oddest prime 73. Alter pants, e.g.

74. Led Zeppelin’s “How ___ Was Won” 76. Part of the Colonel’s secret recipe 77. Ms. of Green Gables 81. Beaming 82. 19th Greek letter 83. It controls entry 85. Fictional doctor with an island 86. Didn’t make it home 89. L eibniz’ invention was derivative of his 91. Nothing at all 92. Company honcho 93. Foreign, possibly (abbr.)

95. Helsinki rock band 96. “___ prisoner of our own fate...”

97. Opposite over hypotenuse 98. Doppelganger 99. Migraine warning 100. U.S. news station 101. Person from Vientiane 109. Spills on clothes 111. Charlton Heston’s club 114. Loathe 115. Lasso 116. Boredom 117. “Disinfect to Protect” company 118. Like helium or neon 119. Mission Impossible character Hunt 120. Fix a broken arm 121. ‘All’ prefix 122. Led Zeppelin’s “___ Mak’er” 123. “That ____ last year.”

127. Small amount 128. Common anion suffix 129. 1 day before 104-Across 130. They want “No Scrubs” 131. Direct-Shift Gearbox 133. Group of angry parents?

134. Slang yes

32

Comics & Distractions

Imprint, Friday, November 27, 2009

(postscript@imprint.uwaterloo.ca)

PETER N. TRINH (impression@imprint.uwaterloo.ca)

RAJUL SALEH (differentperspective@imprint.uwaterloo.ca)

“J.T.” (geese@imprint.uwaterloo.ca)