The Plumber's Ledger
Volume 9, Issue 5 December 2020
The semester is ending; just one week of classes left and then holidays to look forward to! As always this semester seems to both have gone by too fast and not fast enough at the same time. We are all currently crossing our fingers for an extended winter break but it's never too early to get into the holiday spirit. With this issue of the Ledger we hope you can both take a break from final stress and also begin to plan and look forward to the winter break.
The Team Editors-In-Chief Shafaq Nami Marie Mansour
Editor(s) Ze Yuan
Staff Writer(s) Ann Trinh Sharon Kattar Nikko Ong Tahsin Abedi
Contributor(s) Charlotte Volk Andrew Salem
Illustrator(s)
Erica de Petrillo Jiaze Ben
Layout
Ann Trinh
Photographer(s) Daphne
Publications Director Imane Chafi
The beautiful front photograph by Daphne Lisak captures what this issue is really about, celebrating winter with all its many flaws (*cough* cold *cough* earlier sunset *cough*). The back cover by the very talented Jiaze Ben adds to that by looking at the good things about winter and the holiday season. If you are currently worried about final exams, you can check out Tahsin Abedi's article for tips to manage stress and study more effectively. Alternatively if you find yourself too tired, you might have zoom fatigue! Don't know what that is? Fear not, in her article Sharon Kattar answers that exact question as well as providing tips to deal with the ill-effects of too much screen time. However, if you are picking this up after you have finished your finals, or are one of the lucky ones to have final projects instead of timed exams, you can check out Paul Hinta's article on how to give back this holiday season. Stumped as to how to enjoy winter break while social distancing? Check out Shafaq Nami's article. If you are interested in learning about other engineering majors keep an eye out for Ann Trinh's series where she delves into the major breakthroughs in each engineering major. This month's spotlight is on Architecture and Civil Engineering. The ledger also has other series to ensure you keep coming back each month! If you are a foodie, make sure to check out for Nikko Ong's food reviews. In this issue he reviews Nopalito, a vegan Mexican restaurant. If you are into conspiracy theories and sinister facts, Charlotte Volk dives into McGill's archives to explain how Jack the Ripper could actually be a McGill alum. Keep an eye out on upcoming issues for more McGill conspiracies. If you’re looking for something to read, check out Imane Chafi’s second chapter of the Children of the Plane series, which will continue to be published on the Plumber’s Ledger! Action-packed and filled with imagery, this fiction piece will help you forget about all of those dreaded exams coming in! Last but not the least, as we go into 2021, the Ledger is getting a new look! If you have any suggestions about design or topics you would like to read about please send us an email or fill out the form on our Facebook page. Your Co-Editors-in-Chief, Shafaq and Marie
VP Events Paul Hinta
VP Publications
Join The Team
VP Communications
The Ledger is always looking for new people! If you want to be involved in what we do, join us as a writer, illustrator, editor, or some combo of the three.
Yash Khapre
Yassaman Bassiri
Contact Us: ledger@mcgilleus.ca
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The Plumber’s Ledger
December 2020
plumbersledger
This Issue
Front Cover Photograph
Daphne Lisak 3
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Ambivalent Nostalgia Episode 5
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Zoom Fatigue: Fact or Fiction?
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Sudoku
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From the Archives: McGill Killer
Erica de Petrillo
Tips for Stress Management during Exams Tahsin Abedi
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Five things you can do to give this holiday season
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Paul Hinta
Architecture and Civil Engineering Breakthroughs
Ann Trinh
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Sharon Kattar
Andrew Salem
Charlotte Volk
Things to do in Montreal and at home over the winter break Shafaq Nami
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Children of the Plane - Chapter 2 Imane Chafi
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Nopalito: A Little Cactus in Cold Montreal Nikko Ong
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Se souvenir d’elles - Remembrance and action against gender-based violence Imane Chafi
Back Cover Design
Jiaze Ben
Visit our website at ledger.mcgilleus.ca View this issue and previous ones in glorious technicolor at issuu.com/theplumbersledger
Published by THE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE SOCIETY a student society of McGill University. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of THE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE SOCIETY and does not necessarily represent the views of McGill University For questions, comments, and complaints, as well as more information on the policies of The Plumber's Ledger, please use the contact information to the right. Use this contact information also if you have an interest in contributing to the The Plumber's Ledger on a one-time
The Plumber's Ledger
The Plumber's Ledger ledger@mcgilleus.ca Volume 9, Issue 5 December 2020 ISSN 2291-3319(Print) ISSN 2291-3397(Online).
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Tips for Stress Management during Exams By Tahsin Abedi
You did it! You have successfully reached the end of a virtual semester and finals are now knocking at the door. Even though we may not be lining up outside the fieldhouse to write our finals in person this year, online exams can be just as stressful, if not more. If you are suffering from exam anxiety, here are some tips for you:
cluttered desk and an uncluttered mind.
Utilise time management skills.
Break your study times into smaller blocks of 40-50 minutes and remember to take breaks in between. This has been shown to be the most productive, allowing Create a separate workspace. the brain to rest in between tasks. Try to complete assignments at Working from home may mean least one to two days before the that you've been watching zoom deadline as this allows you time lectures from your bed. Although to go through your work and fix this may seem convenient, it is any mistakes and also leaves you not recommended for efficiency less stressed out right before the and is unhelpful for exam anxi- due date. ety. Try creating a separate study space and chill space in your liv- Avoid multitasking. ing area. Even if you have a smaller area, just having a designated Although it may seem like a more corner for studying can help your efficient use of your time, it is mind focus better. actually less effective and reduces your quality of work. It is also Declutter your workspace. more stressful and has been proven to increase heart rate. Close Clear out unnecessary clutter any unnecessary tabs on your from around your desk. Stacks computer window. List down all of papers, old pictures, staples- the things that you wish to comanything that may distract you plete that day and go through from your work. This includes them one at a time. your computer as well. Clear out your desktop and organise your Limit the time you spend on files to make it easier to find the your phone during breaks. things you are looking for. Take 5 minutes at the end of every day Have set times during which you to clear out any mess so that you check your social media feed once can start tomorrow with an un- or twice a day and turn off unnec3
December 2020
essary notifications. There are several apps that have been designed to help you stay off your phone and focus on studying for exams. Some of them are: Offtime, Moment and Forest.
Take time to move your body. Exercise can help release the endorphins and help alleviate some of that exam stress. Having a workout buddy often helps you stay motivated to exercise. If that is not your thing, feel free to take a short walk and get some sun. You can also do some stretching exercises and at-home yoga!
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the mind and body. For example, it could be when you focus on the act of breathing and move your focus through your body. There are many apps to guide you through mindfulness and meditation: like Calm, Headspace, etc.
Get enough sleep. 8 hours of sleep is necessary for your brain to be well rested to work efficiently the next day. Try going to sleep and waking up at around the same time every day to help set your body’s internal clock and to improve quality of
Via www.goodfirms.co
sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep, you can try having a wind down routine before bed. Turn off your devices, read a book, drink chamomile tea to calm yourself, lavender essential oil spray on your pillow- all of these have been said to improve sleep.
Be kind to yourself. It is easy to become anxious when all you think about is the possibility of failing the exam. Practice self-compassion. Take five minutes at the end of each day to write down 3 things that
you achieved that day. It doesn’t have to be big things either- celebrate both small and big success. Focus on your progress and not on perfection. Use positive affirmations like “I’m going to do well on this exam” and “I am going to continue to work hard” to calm yourself down.
Reach out if you need to talk to someone. This is definitely a difficult time for all of us and if you have persistent feelings of stress and anxiety, please reach out for The Plumber's Ledger
help. The Wellness Hub is offering virtual support. You can also contact our Engineering Local Wellness Advisor, Lauren Webber, for any emotional support. Keep.MeSAFE is an online mental health support resource that provides support 24/7 to all students. Nightline is a peerrun service that provides mental health support over chat or call. Remember that you are not alone in this and that there is always help available. ♦
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Five things you can do to give back this holiday season By Paul Hinta
Source: https://rgvisionmagazine.com/giving-back/
We did it. We’are in the final stretch of the year. Exam season is just around the corner, and after that it will be a timewarp through the holiday season and into the New Year (seriously, couldn’t 2020 be over sooner?). As we approach those few weeks of well-deserved rest and quality time with our friends/family (while remaining Covid-responsible, I hope), I would like to take this occasion to remind you to stay mindful.
practice to remind ourselves of the privilege that we have that has helped us to get where we are. Unfortunately, there are people in the world who don’t have the opportunity to walk away from their regular lives for two or three weeks. While this is no fault of our own, this is a perfect time to give back to the world.
I understand that the majority of us are students in a non-ideal financial situation; and with the current state of the pandemic, the While this year has been terrible last thing I’d want is to pressure for most of us, it's always good or guilt-trip anyone into giving 5
December 2020
more than they can afford. So, I’ve compiled a list of five things that we can all do for free or for a low cost in order to help others out.
Buy Gifts from Local/Small Businesses (Ethical Alternative) At this point, I’m sure that we all understand the stress that small business owners are under especially since the onset of the pandemic. So, if you’re going to purchase gifts for your friends/
family anyway, why not opt to support one of the businesses in your neighbourhood?
Donate Old Stuff (Free - Low Cost) Whether you’re returning to your childhood home or finally taking the time to clean your room this winter break, chances are that you’ll run into some old clothes that you haven’t worn in a long time. While some of them still carry a vintage charm, there are likely also a bunch of them that you don’t need anymore.There are a ton of local and corporate charities that you can donate these clothes to, and during the winter season, they would be more appreciated than ever! Often, these charities will also accept stuff we’ve all grown out of, such as old books, decorations, furniture, appliances, etc. that might just be taking up space for you. (Note: some local charities might also require a monetary donation/fee with your donation).
Offer to Clean Someone Else’s Place (Free) With everyone figuring out the whole “stay home” thing, chances are that most people’s homes aren't as organized as they usually are. This could be because someone is too busy with work to clean their room, they are a person in need who usually relies on the (now laid-off ) house cleaners, or simply because the fatigue of the whole year has drained them. Either way, offering a few hours of your day to come over to help them clean up would be a great help to them. Just remember to wear a mask!
Source: http://clipart-library.com/clipart/762294.htm
Write a Letter to an Incarcerated Individual (Free) Life is hard for everyone, and that isn’t relegated to the free members of society. There are a lot of incarcerated individuals who face extreme hardships and would really value a letter from you. Power Blossoms is a California-based non-profit that allows you to write birthday cards to incarcerated LGBT+ and queer folks, with the option of being their long-term penpal. There are a ton more organizations that you can find, such as Write A Prisoner, who are in constant shortage of penpals, and would appreciate your time.
Inform Yourself on Social/ Humanitarian Issues and The Plumber's Ledger
Take Action (Free) 2020 has been a huge year for activism in social and human rights issues. Unfortunately, there are thousands of fights that are far from over. This winter break, why not take some time to inform yourself on the local, national, and global issues that are happening? There are thousands of campaigns that desperately need more support, whether that means attending protests (if the conditions are safe to do so!), engaging in online activism, or even donating. While not every can afford to donate to these causes, informing yourself and bringing attention to these issues is absolutely free. ♦
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Acheritechture and Civil Engineering Breakthroughs By Ann Trinh
The Great Pyramid of Giza, Giza, Egypt: The oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was the tallest structure for over 3 800 years with its height of 481 ft (146.5 m), built around 2560 BCE.
Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire: It was speculated that the standing stones of this famous monument were brought from Preseli Hills, located over 225 km (140 miles) from Stonehenge.
(2)
Classical 850 BCE - 476 CE
(1)
Prehistoric Times 11600 - 3500 BCE
Ancient Egypt 3050 -900 BCE
Greek 700 - 323 BCE Doric column used for temples like the Parthenon in Athens. Hellenistic 323 - 146 BCE Ionic and Corinthian columns.
(3)
References https://www.visualcapitalist.com/top-10-impressive-civil-engineering-projects-time/ h t t p s : / / w w w. n a t i o n a l g e o gra p h i c. co m / h i s to r y / m a g azine/2020/11-12/stonehenge-part-multi-monument-complex-howit-fits-together/ https://www.thoughtco.com/architecture-timeline-historic-periods-styles-175996 https://thetowerinfo.com/buildings-list/chrysler-building/ https://www.som.com/projects/burj_khalifa__structural_engineering Images (1) "Stonehenge" by thegarethwiscombe is licensed under CC BY 2.0 (2)"Great Pyramid of Giza also known as Pyramid of Cheops or Khufu" by www.holgersbilderwelt.de is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 (3) "Parthenon, Athens, Greece" by GothPhil is licensed under CC BYNC-ND 2.0 (4) "Ionic Column, Erechtheion, Acropolis, Athens" by profzucker is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (5) "elaborate top of Corinthian column" by Martin LaBar is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 (6) "Roman Colosseum" by Greg Walters is licensed under CC BY 2.0 (7) "The cathedral corridors" by Rapid Spin is licensed under CC BYND 2.0 (8) "York Minster flying buttresses" by the noggin_nogged is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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(4) Ionic column
Roman 44 BCE - 476 Structures were m mented. Concrete w widely used to bui vaults and domes.
(5) Corinthian column
Great Wall of China, China 475 BCE - 15th Century CE Built to serve as protection from Hun invaders. 8850 km (5500 miles) long (11)
(12)
December 2020
Aqueduct of Segovia, Segovia, Spain 50 CE Built from 167 arches and designed to transport water from the fluent Fria river 24000 granite blocks made without the use of mortar.
Pointed arch: As an improvement to the rounded arches, the pointed arches had a greater proportion of the weight above the arch channeled down into the ground instead of sideways. Ribbed vault: The intersecting stone arches provided greater support and strength. This new structure allowed for the vaulted ceilings to have greater size and opened up the space. (7) Flying buttress: A pillar of stone against the outside of a wall to counter forsces from air turbulence or the weight of the masonary which is pushing sideways on the wall. (9) The Palace of Versailles
Baroque 1600 - 1830 CE A time of complex shapes, ornaments and irregular shapes.
(8)
Gothic 1100 - 1450 CE Romanesque 800 - 1200 CE The beginning of rounded arches.
Renaissance 1400 - 1600 CE The return of Classical architechNeoclassicism 1730 - 1925 CE Art Nouveau 1890 -1914 CE
6 CE more ornawas more ild arches,
Beaux arts 1895 - 1925 CE Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, New York, 1883 The first suspension bridge to use steel for the cable wire.
(6)
(13)
Art Deco 1925 - 1937 CE Dubai Tower - Burj Khalifa, Dubai United Arab Emirates, 2010 At 828 m (2717 ft) Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. The "Y" shaped structure was designed to counter wind forces.
Chrysler Building, New York City: standing at 319 m (1047 ft) making the Chrysler Building taller than the Eiffel Tower. Decorated with ornamental and geometric elements, the Chrysler Building was the example of Art Deco architecture. (10)
Qingdao Haiwan Bridge, Qingdao, China, 2011 Built to withstand typhoons and earthquakes up to 8.0 on the Ritcher scale.
The Plumber's Ledger
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Nopalito: A Little Cactus in Cold Montreal By Nikko Ong
(nopales), coconut “cheeze”, cashew-jalapeno “cheeze”, avocado, caramelized onions, and brightly pickled onions. While traditional Mexican tortas feature ingredients like ham, chicken, or veal, Nopalito's offerings are unabashedly vegan. In fact, every one of the 6 sandwiches on the menu emphatically and parenthetically reminds the reader that they are indeed (Vegan).
Source: https://www.instagram.com/nopalitomtl/
“
Walking up Saint-Laurent Boulevard on a pleasantly sunny day with a vegan croissant from Sophie Sucrée is a surefire way to cheer up any pal having a bad week. Walking up Saint-Laurent Boulevard with a vegan torta from Nopalito is akin to the balm of Gilead for any heart-broken, drowning-in-work, dog-
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just-died person in your life. Nopalito, a brand-new restaurant in the center of one of the city's most multiculturally dense areas (3723A St Laurent Blvd) serves up plant-based traditional Mexican sandwiches with a twist. The restaurant's namesake Torta La Nopalito ($10.50), a traditional sandwich based on white telera (bread), contains cactus December 2020
Another smash hit from Nopalito’s menu is the La Llorona ($13), a sandwich filled with chorizo con papas, feta “cheeze”, a slightly spicy salsa, vegan sour cream and mayo, onions, and lettuce. You can even add sweet potato fries or a cactus-papaya salad to your sandwich to round out the meal, turning a walking lunch into a full-fledged picnic in the nearby Jeanne-Mance park. As a non-vegan engineer, I can tell you that meat is delicious and that the livestock industry is wreaking havoc on the environment. As a sandwich lover, I can tell you that plant-based sandwiches can be just as good, if not better than animal-based sandwiches. As an honest reviewer, however, can I recommend Nopalito to you? The Plateau is no stranger to vegan options, boasting the plant-
based giants Aux Vivres and Le Panthere Verte, alongside truly excellent sandwich options from Cafe Santropol. Nopalito is up against stiff competition, and it has opened its doors, or rather its street-facing service window, to one of the most difficult times that the restaurant industry has ever faced. After trying the tortas at Nopalito, I am reasonably sure that they’ll be just fine. I tried the Torta La Nopalito, and I ate the entire sandwich very quickly. This wasn't because I was starving and the sandwich was mind-bogglingly good, but rather because its construction was less than optimal for slow enjoyment. The heterogeneous mixture of vegan “cheeze” with a light salsa and mashed avocado lowered the sandwich's coefficient of static
friction enough that the fillings began to ooze out of the sides.
Underestimating the bun is a serious hazard that any sandwich enthusiast will warn you about, As with many vegan sandwiches, but Nopalito’s telera, a secthe vegetal components of the ond-cousin to French bread, is filling need to be well-flavored airy, pillowy, and unforgettable. and strongly-seasoned, else the Make no mistake, any sandwich’s entire dish becomes one-note achievements rest squarely atop and timid. The acid from the the shoulders of its bun, and the pink pickled onions helped pick Torta La Nopalito is no different. up the pace of the sandwich, and the unique texture of the cactus Nopalito's mission of providing (think okra) gave me enough vegan Mexican sandwiches to textural variety to want another the Montreal area is a testament torta immediately after demol- to the great culinary diversity ishing the first. in our beautiful city, but also a sorely needed gem in the growCactus is not a common sand- ing heap of look-alike vegan cawich filling here, and I would fes. Light Vegan Green paints be shocked (and pleased) to see the walls of the new restaurants more of it around. Mildly fla- and cafes that have been sproutvored and lightly-seasoned, the ing up in the past few years, but cactus complements the deli- there really is no green like caccious green that surrounds it, tus green. ♦ all nestled in a soft white bun.
Source: https://www.instagram.com/nopalitomtl/
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December 2020
Zoom Fatigue: Fact or Fiction? By Sharon Kattar
Source: https://theswaddle.com/
Being part of POWE, I have hosted and attended my fair share of events this semester, not unlike last year. The phrase that is common during these events, other than feminine-identifying gender minority,” is Zoom Fatigue. What is it? Do you have it? Do you know someone who has it (or has used it in the past 20 minutes)?
I am most curious about how seasonal depression will mingle with zoom fatigue, what with living in Montreal and all. However, you know what I find funny? How still listeners appear on Zoom. I asked my coordinator several times in one meeting if she was “still with us.” Why do I expect the internet to fail, laptops to lag, and sisters to interrupt? For one meeting, my cat sat quietly yet distractingly on my desk, staring at my screen, curious of my obsession with it instead of her food bowl.
Upon Googling “'zoom fatigue',” I instantly got suggested search results stating that “zoom fatigue is real.” Do I sense a conspiracy theory in the brewing? Moving on... articles on BBC, National Geographic, and CBC are dedicated to this cause. According to my research, video calls actually require more attenThe Plumber's Ledger
tion than a face-to-face chat[1]. Listeners need more energy to process non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, tone and pitch of voice, and body language when on video call; this creates dissonance in the conversation, and results in neither party ever being able to truly relax. As I mentioned earlier, silence from the other end of the screen is equally distracting, as it results in anxiety over the technology as opposed to a sign of listening. What I hate about this very fact is that if you try to hum and give verbal cues to the speaker to show your engagement, the result will not be satisfactory. Instead of reassuring the speaker you are listening, you 12
instead might interrupt their audio. In the broadest sense of it, we talk into our microphones, audio gets turned to digital, a packet is created, sent over whatever network you want, then reaches the other side, the packets get sorted then are converted back from digital to audio. Though this happens ridiculously quickly, there is a chance that the packets will get mixed up or even delayed. This is what we perceive as lag, and the only way to solve it is to not hum and awe [2]. Lastly, Zoom fatigue is the stress of always being watched [1]. I know, I was mind blown when I read this too. When we are on a video call, and our camera is on, we are “very aware of being watched” [1]. Let that sink in and realize how true it is! We are performing on video call, we are gut-wrenchingly on stage, and worst of all we can see ourselves! Now that we've identified what zoom fatigue is, let's point out the obvious fact that looking at a screen for every waking hour is also very draining on its own. To end this article, I want to share with you some tips I have been following for staying sane and productive in front of a screen:
If your eyes get blurry or dry, buy some eye drops from your neighborhood Jean Coutu. I wear contact lenses and I find that my eyes are especially susceptible to blurriness, dryness, and teariness (all at the same time). Over the summer my eye started twitching every day at 2PM sharp. Then I bought the drops. Game-changer.
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Dark mode (let us see if this will Plus, you are lucky to be living in be debunked by any article). As my boyfriend will disagree, your screen does not have to be an OLED one to enjoy the darkness of a page. Sure, the blacks won't appear truly black, but there are dark gray alternatives that I just love.
Night mode all day. Sadly, my personal laptop does not have this feature, but my work laptop does, and I always keep it on.
TAKE A BREAK. When you de-
a time where monitors aren’t expensive to produce. Go on, check BestBuy for new options and Kijiji for used options.
Update your screen placement. Now that you have a second screen, where are you going to place it? Mounted? Above your laptop screen? To the left? I mean right? Not just this, but do you have an external keyboard? Mouse? I think you should write this down. I have a friend who would bring her laptop stand (you know, the kind that elevates your laptop for optimum eye-level viewing) to Trottier 5th. Well, we aren't allowed in Trottier anymore, but a laptop stand is still a good idea. Another game changer for those experiencing upper back pains. ♦
cide to leave your desk and laptop to take a break, do not go on your phone!!! Believe it or not, your phone is just another screen. I suggest reading a book, cooking, going for a walk, talking to your cat (or roommate), finally doing that home workout you’ve been plan[1]https://www.bbc.com/worklife/artining for the past month, or taking cle/20200421-why-zoom-video-chats-are-soa shower. exhausting
Update your setup. It is time. Do you only have one screen (i.e. your laptop screen)? Maybe it is time to buy a monitor. Yes, I am studying software engineering, so yes I am biased, but a second monitor increases productivity by 44% [3]. December 2020
[2]https://callercallsback.com/etiquette-meets-physics-dealing-with-lag-1cffdc1b1ed8 [3]https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/ technology/personaltech/surviving-andthriving-in-a-one-monitor-world.html#:~:text=The%20research%20supports%20 this.,who%20used%20a%20single%20monitor.
Sudoku By Andrew Salem
How to Solve: Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.
The Plumber's Ledger
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From the Archives: McGill Killer By Charlotte Volk
Almost everyone has heard the name ‘Jack the Ripper’, mainly because prolific media and fiction coverage of his crimes has created an urban legend around him. Jack the Ripper was a serial killer who preyed on vulnerable women, all the while sending taunting letters to the authorities desperately trying to capture him. To this day, his actual identity remains unknown and is the object of much speculation. However, some researchers believe that a McGill alum and Jack the Ripper were one and the same. Dr. Thomas Neill Cream enrolled at McGill University in the Faculty of Medicine in 1872 and received his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery in 1876. In a sinister beginning to his career, he wrote his doctoral thesis on chloroform, a substance he would later use in his early murders. Later, he switched to strychnine, which causes convulsions and is evidence of Dr. Cream’s sadistic tendencies. Cream's first victim was his wife, Flora Brooks, who he married in 1876 after almost killing her during a botched abortion procedure. Brooks’ death a year later was originally attributed to consumption but is now believed to be chloroform poisoning. Cream's attempts to frame a local businessman for another of his murders were unsuccessful, and he fled to Chicago, where he established a medical practice near the red-light 15
Source: Alchetron.com
district offering illegal abortions to prostitutes. A string of chloroform and strychnine poisonings in Chicago followed this move. Cream was eventually arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment after he attempted to blackmail and frame a pharmacist for one of his murders. After Cream’s brother allegedly bribed the authorities for leniency, Cream was released from prison and sailed to England, where he continued to murder, and continued to attempt to blackmail and frame others. In fact, it was this insistence on accusing others that was his ultimate downfall, as the police found it suspicious for one person to have such intimate knowledge of the various murders.
perologists” to connect Cream to the Jack the Ripper murders. One such researcher, Donald Bell, draws parallels between the crimes: both killers targeted prostitutes, both wrote taunting letters to the authorities, and their murders all showed signs of sadistic tendencies on the killers’ part. Another link between the two serial killers is that Jack the Ripper showed signs of detailed anatomical knowledge, and it is postulated that he was medically trained. However, evidence suggests that Cream was in prison in Illinois at the time, making the connection tenuous at best. Did Cream bribe the officials to be released early, as Bell postulates? Did he have a doppelganger that served time in his place? Or were Dr. Cream and Cream was convicted and hanged Jack the Ripper friends who used in 1892. Cream’s executioner each other’s prison sentences as claimed that Cream’s final words alibis? We will likely never know were “I am Jack…”, a claim which the truth... ♦ has been seized upon by “RipDecember 2020
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Things to do in Montreal and at home over the winter break By Shafaq Nami
It's almost winter holidays! Well we still have finals to get through but it's still nice to look forward to the end of the semester. This year the holidays may look a bit different, with many stuck at home or in Montreal. However, it is still possible to have fun and finally get around to doing the things we always wanted to do. I have compiled a list of things you can do while social distancing.
Things to do in Montreal Walk trails
Montreal's
best
winter
the city (you can find a list online) but there is a small wooden stand in Old Montreal that sells maple taffy.
own a pair of ice-skating boots, there are many lakes around Montreal you can skate on. You can also visit indoor ice skating rinks if they are open.
source: thrillist.com Source: timeout.com
Go on a walking tour of Montreal's street murals Build a snowman You can search up maps of the murals. Those around the plateau can be accessed at: https:// muralfestival.com/festival/dynamic-map/
Source: tripsavvy.com
Some places you can take a walk: • • • •
Mont Royal Park with its walking and snowshoe trails Maisonneuve Park Montreal's Botanical Garden You can also admire the Winter Wonderland from Observatory Place Ville Marie
Visit a Cabane a Sucre and grab a maple taffy: Otherwise known as a sugar shack. Most of these are outside 17
Source: sustrana.com
Reminisce your childhood and go back to good old-fashioned playing in the snow. Have snowSource: olavolo.com ball fights with people you are quaranting with. Build a snowGo Ice-skating and other winter man and compete with your friends over who has the best/ activities: funniest one. If you are good at ice-skating and December 2020
Things to do at Home Baking!
can also decorate gingerbread with a cup of hot chocolate and houses to get into the holiday watching all your favorite feelspirit good movies? Doing a holiday movie marathon
Finish your to-do list Finally get around to ticking off all the things you have been putting off due to the workload this semester or final prep. For more (better) ideas of things to do, you can check out Tahsin Abedi's article "What to do at home" in the Ledger's November 2020 issue.
Source: thepkpway.com
Whether it is gingerbread cookies or other holiday treats baking Source: fromthegrapevine.com is an excellent way to have fun an also get a reward at the end. You What's better than snuggling up
However, you choose to spend your holidays, remember to be mindful and kind to others. ♌
Ledger Playlist: Winter Wonderland
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Children of the Plane - Chapter 2 By Imane Chafi
The bright green Post-it kept fluttering gently against the whirling fan propped on the wooden night table. Like raven wings in flight, rows and rows of blotchy handwritten manuscript pages flew against the pale moonlight of the cockpit. Well, not the cockpit, Eden thought. This was their home, after all. He could never bring himself to say it out loud, earning odd smirks and side-glances from the crew. And sometimes a visit to “see” the Commander. Shaking his head to forget these wretched memories, Eden caught a sniff of stale ammonia and instantly blew out an exasperated breath. “Not another.. God not another one” Eden said under his breath. Two dark shadows crept underneath his emerald eyes, their arresting color a small reminder of a world long forgotten. No, not forgotten. Forgiven. Forsaken to its own demise, the Commander’s grunt voice repeated in his head. Eden’s striking charcoal hair hung loosely against his silver glasses, hiding his broad forehead and thick dark eyebrows from the moonlight. Tiredness bled out of his soul like a vampire’s last meal. Just like in the stories his grandfather used to tell him. The Dearg-due, his gran would recount with his hauntingly soft petal-like voice, could hear you from miles away, hiding snakingly in its favorite graveyard nooks. With hair like fire, billowing tendrils of red and gold flying across the wind, no one could hide from the Deargdue’s Aphrodisiac beauty. Having lived a life of misery and been a pawn to her 19
father and husband, she died a lonesome death filled with agony and desperation. Her unclenched thirst for revenge against the men in her life could never be met, such that as they lowered her towards the cold dirt-filled land, she pulled herself from her grave and sought to end the terrible anger filling her poisoned heart by sucking the blood of all those who once did her harm. Since then, she was known in the highlands for roaming around the misty fields, sometimes singing a wistful Gaelic melody, waiting for her next victims. “Hah…” Eden snorted. He could feel the sides of his brown eyelashes slowly falling into gentle bows, urging his body to take a night’s rest, envisioning his old life amongst the endless Irish green fields like a solemn dream. But he couldn’t. Wouldn’t. Not now that he was so close to the end of this impeccable plan. Eden rubbed his temples one last time before getting up from the co-pilot’s seat with a loud squeak, a sign that this airplane, his “home”, had long since been tended to. Making his way towards the crew cabin, Eden picked up his black gleaming PanasonicVHS-C Camcorder from the floor. The movement blew dust bunnies across the air, making his aquiline nose twitch. An early sign that his allergies would soon be acting up. This camera had been in his family’s possession for hundreds of years, a dying gift from his gran. How proud he would be if he could see me now, Eden thought sarcastically. December 2020
The crew cabin was a modest affair, a 5x10 meter compartment brimming with piles of sealedtight tasteless powdery food and shaking water bottles. Reaching down to open a rusted copper cabinet labelled with a worn out yellow tape, the words “Cleaning” neatly written on it, Eden snatched a pair of yellow gloves and a faded bottle filled with a pristine white liquid. This wasn’t the first time a passenger decided to wet themselves. “I would’ve done the same”, Eden murmured, “if I was in their position”. The lack of knowing what’s coming next and the pale flickering lights drifting outside against the dark gray clouds would make anyone claustrophobic to the point of trying anything to get out of this hell-hole. Eden had seen passengers pretend they were terribly sick, only for them to realize that even the unsightly stench of vomit wouldn’t make Eden’s crew bat an eye at their dismay. Some had even tried to remove parts of their seat as makeshift arms. If only they knew that the plane was filled with more cameras than a state prison, maybe they wouldn’t be so quick to make plans to get out. There was no way out, anyways. The Commander always knew everything that happened on his plane. And the passengers that went nuts, crossed the line or tried to revolt, Eden didn’t even want to imagine what happened to them. He only knew that they disappeared, like
sugar cubes thrown in warm coffee, dissolving to nothing in less time it took for them to scream out their loved ones’ names upon their last breath.
from the blood-stained army boots and smell of old stale cigarettes that the Commander was standing right in front of him, in all his pompous glory.
I need to get back to reality, Eden seethed against his teeth. There was the stench. Yes, the stench is palpable. I need to get to the urine and clean it. Like a good soldier, his gran would say. Not now gran. Not now. I need to get to work. I need to clean. Clean. Clean it. Clean what? Clean the wound. No, not the wound, something else. Eden didn’t remember. It’s gone now, his urge to work, to complete things, to make things happen. He felt dizzy, like a hundred flies swarming around him with the buzzing sound of an engine flaring.
The sound of gurgling saliva and spit being thrown on the carpet floor made the hairs on his arms stand, the sheer fear of being this close to the Commander inhibiting all his senses.
Tumbling back against the lying equipment on the floor, Eden held his back against the wall. His hands dropped the gloves and bleach, reaching out for the pocket necklace tucked underneath his tweed shirt. Eden started holding it so firmly in his grip that deep red lunar crescent shapes formed in the palms of his hands. Shut your eyes and breathe slowly, Eden repeated to himself like a religious mantra. It’s going to pass. It has to. Remember what you’re here for. Remember for who. Her curly desert sand hair started forming in his vision, the glint of a sharp smile, and he opened his eyes, squirting against the light in the room. The light wasn’t here before. A deep throbbing swelled across his temples, and muffled footsteps started to get louder and louder. He didn’t dare look up. He knew
“My boy, …” the commander started, with an uncharacteristically sweet voice filled with resentment. The sheer contradiction in his voice made Eden look up. The Commander’s eyes were two different colors, red and yellow, like a reptilian snake from the southern Sahara Desert. With a hate so strong for what he was looking at, the Commander’s eyes seemed to exude an unearthly purple glow, which made Eden’s face almost contort in disgust. I have to hide it, Eden thought. Letting him see the fear he instills in me is letting him see the truth. Master your desire to look away, and hold. Hold for as long as you can, but hold. After two agonizing seconds of staring at those pus infected extrusions from the underworld did Eden finally look down. I lasted longer than last time, Eden realized with a hint of pride. But as sure as the storm after lightning, a bloating hand came crashing through his stomach, sending specks of scarlet droplets against the floor. Doubling over and holding his side with both hands, Eden struggled to stay up, blowing sharp breaths filled with saliva and blood. “I don’t understand my boy. The Plumber's Ledger
‘Xplain this to me, will ya? There’s a mess on my plane, and it’s still not bein’ pick’d up. I know you’re not the quickest of the bunch, but y’have to be worth something now, eh? Hmm, my boy, don’t ya?”. Then, nothing. A second, a silence, an early stilled pause where the only sounds were the squeak of Eden’s leather shoes against the floor, straining to keep their balance. “YA ANSWER ME WHEN IM SPEAKING TO YOU MY BOY”, the Commander boomed. Eden rubbed his arm against his mouth and gave his best sarcastic halfsmile. “Yes, Sir” he seethed, for good measure. “Hmpf, petit vautrien”, The Commander flared, exposing his black and blue rotten set of teeth, before begrudgingly stomping away back to whichever hell he’d come from. Eden didn’t know much French, but he could tell from the Commander’s tone that what he had just said was anything but endearing. But then again, this was the Commander. His voice was pretty much always tainted with anger, danger and death. Trying to get down on his knees to catch his breath, now stuck in his sternum thanks to that horrible punch, Eden started wondering about how the Commander got anywhere on the plane so fast. It’s like he’s got supernatural powers and wonders the walls of the airplane without being seen, a sightless shadow that sometimes embodies the appearance of a human being. If you could even call his decaying body parts of the human species. Laughing slowly against his aching abdomen, Eden calm20
ly got up, took his gloves and leaking bleach bottle and stood up straight. Camera still in hand, he never lost grip of his cam, even in the most desperate of situations, Eden began taking long strides towards Economy Class. ♦
Se souvenir d’elles - Remembrance and action against gender-based violence
By Imane Chafi
Trigger Warning: This section will discuss issues concerning gender-based violence and gun violence. Reader discretion is advised. 30 years. It’s been 30 years, but we need to remember and keep remembering, to prevent anything as horrible and inhumane from ever happening again. It’s been 30 years since 14 women, with a future as bright as the stars in our galaxy, lost their lives to the Polytechnique shooting of 1989. To misogyny. They did not die in vain. Because we remember. And we will continue to remember, and fight for equality, against misogyny in STEM and for greater representation of women in science. Please join us as we remember the 14 women who lost their lives on this day, 30 years ago. Geneviève Bergeron Hélène Colgan Nathalie Croteau Barbara Daigneault 21
Anne-Marie Edward Maud Haviernick Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz Maryse Laganière Maryse Leclair Anne-Marie Lemay Sonia Pelletier Michèle Richard Annie St-Arneault Annie Turcotte As we remember, we also need to reflect and act against gender-based violence, in all aspects of our lives, not just in STEM. Hate crimes, against any group, are hate crimes against humanity. But we can make sure to do the best we can to prevent such things from happening, through education, representation, inclusivity. And this isn’t a certain group’s responsibility to follow. It is all our responsibiliDecember 2020
ty, to make sure that women feel like they belong in STEM, making sure that microaggressions stop in the workplace, at school, at home. Using our time and efforts to advocate for equality, equity and promoting safer spaces. Not ignoring it. Ignoring a problem has never solved it. It might seem that this is not your fight, because you do not identify as a woman, or you are not in a STEM field, or you simply think that these are not your interests. But I would urge you to remember, that this fight for equality benefits us all, and not just because diversity brings in new points of views and new ideas to solve problems of any kind. But because this is a fight for humanity, by humanity. It is our duty to help each other, so that when we need it the most, there will also be people to help us then. Because fighting misogyny also helps in fighting poverty and illiteracy. Because everything is undoubtedly connected. The road to equality is long and hard, but we’re getting closer every day, and together, we’ll be able to reach the end of it a lot quicker. And there’s
a lot you can do to help. Starting with signing petitions, such as this petition that POWE is organizing to condemn discrimination and gender-based violence: https://form.jotform.com/203277222357049 To help in ending gender inequalities, there are also multiple ways you can get involved such as providing or demanding equal wages, attending anti-bias courses and training to better notice microaggressions and know how to effectively address them, discuss with your student representatives what you can do at school to promote a safer environment, look into women and BIPOC political representatives and exercise your political right to have more representation! These are but some
ways that you can get involved, and there are many more. The hardest and most important step is understanding that a problem exists, and not accepting to do nothing. Getting involved might seem daunting at first, but there is no greater ser-
vice you will do yourself and those around you. So let’s get involved, and work towards ending gender inequalities, such that our world becomes a safer and more inclusive place to live it, for our sake and everyone else’s. ♦
Source: POWE https://form.jotform.com/203277222357049
Calling all website designers Do you like website design? Are you looking for a fun, small side project to do during your free time? Do you enjoy the world of publications, writing, and editing? Look no further - the Plumber’s Ledger is looking for someone to redesign our website! The website is currently hosted on Wordpress. Please reach out to us ledger@mcgilleus.ca!
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