Artichoke Vol. 6 No. 1

SWEET BEGINNINGS Welcome to Candyland Frosh 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 I VOL. 6 No. 1

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Another year, another Frosh Issue! Despite having worked on so many Frosh Issues over the last few years, I don’t think the excitement ever wears off!

I am as ecstatic as ever to be welcoming the Winters College class of 2020!

This year’s frosh issue has been put together with lots of love, and wisdom from our team to make your transition into university as smooth, and as fun as possible!

I am extremely excited to welcome Safa Gangat- our new Assistant Editor, and Daniel Kim- our new Design Editor to the Artichoke team, and to the Winters College Council family! I am looking forward to working closely with WCC and the Ab this year to further help the Winters community get involved, participate, and showcase their work.

This issue’s feature introduces two of the most spectacular Winters women- Angelica, and Lina- whose names and faces you’ll get to know very well over the course of the week! It has been a pleasure working with this power duo over the summer, and I am extremely excited to feature them in our Frosh issue!

If you would like to have your work featured on the Artichoke, or write for us- please feel free to shoot me an email at wintersfreepress@ winterscollegecounci.com. Here’s to another spectacular year of showcasing Winters’ talents with WCC and Artichoke- welcome back!

With Love, Mayeesha Chowdhury

Win ters ASSISTANT EDITOR

New to the team and extremely excited to join the Artichoke’s journey into exploring the many avenues of Winters College! The many forms of art are beautiful on its own, I’m eager to see how we pick up on the beauty of each and show the readers that in a way that they can too understand it.

I look forward to helping Mayeesha and forming the first issue of the new year 20162017 year!

Safa Gangat

DESIGN EDITOR

I’ve been a part of Artichoke’s team since 2014 and I am honoured to carry on Karen’s role as the art director. I’m excited to give Artichoke a new look for this year and can’t wait to work with such talented individuals!

We look forward to improving Artichoke’s style to better define Winters’ energy!

Daniel DoHyun Kim

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CONTENTS

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Frosh Interviews

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The Purity of Photographs

Winters

Mayeesha Chowdhury

Nadia Rompas

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Meet the OG Ab Rat

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He Was A Skater Boy

Winters

Ian Pedley

Katherine Collier

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Frosh Friendship

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You’ve Got Time

Sweet Sweet Frosh Week

Shweta Sanzgiri

Sana Ahmed

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Then to Now

First Year Self

Between Pannels

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Cole Kennedy

Christina Zisko

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Then And Now

Gerrod Harris

On Art

Reflections

Reflections

Then And Now

Frosh

BY MAYEESHA CHOWDHURY FEATURING: ANGELICA LYN GROSPE, AND LINA IACOBELLI

This year’s theme is pretty sweet! (ha ha) What made you choose the candy theme? What punny name are we looking at for this year’s frosh?

Lina: There is something about a candy shop or a chocolate factory that is so exciting! The moment of awe when you first walk into these kinds of places is what first initiated the Frosh Theme. A candy shop has a sense of fantasy, crazy colours, an intense array of chocolates and sweets, and just an overall feeling of joy. When students first walk into Winters, we hope that they get that sense of excitement and welcoming too.

How will the theme be shaping the events surrounding this year’s frosh week?

Lina: We like this theme because it has a lot of potential to mesh with almost everything within the week.

Things like the music at the quad parties (cough cough 50 cent), the way leaders and frosh decorate their shirts, decorating the quad with over sized candy, and our events like gumball bowling, jaw breaker mini putt, and our riddle course called Lost in Candy Land!

A two-woman O-duo has been rare in our Frosh history. How does it feel to be leading this year’s frosh week with girl power?

Angelica: EMPOWERING AND AMAZING. I feel that a woman duo in our time of 2016 is very fitting haha. We’re both different and strong in our own way that very much compliments each other. We hope that the result of Frosh Week

is incredible due to its finest women working behind the scenes! (And also our 150 Leaders who are with us the whole way) We also hope that it continually encourages more women to sign up for bigger roles within the Winters Community in the future and feel confident with tackling on such roles.

Which event are you most excited about?

Lina: I’m most excited for the Glendon Carnival! I feel that we lack involvement with Glendon and I so badly wanted to bridge the two campuses together! I also do believe we share a lot in common with Glendon such a strong LGBTQ community and just utilizing our college so heavily as an welcoming and inclusive home!

Angelica: I’m most excited for Founders Double Quad! Simply for the fact that I love to dance in big crowds and this is the first time Winters is actually going to a joint party with almost every college!

How will this year’s frosh week be different, and what’s the most unique thing about this year’s events?

Angelica: This most unique thing about this year’s events is the collaboration! We’re so excited for our collaborative events such as the carnival with Glendon, a movie night with New College, and a Quad Party with almost every college! We felt that collaboration was important for us to do. In the end, this is a YORK Orientation Week and we want to show our Frosh the pride that we have with not only Winters, but with York as well! This Frosh Week will also be different because the boat cruise will be on the last day AND will host our closing ceremony.

Win ters

SWEET SWEET FROSH WEEK MEET THE O-CHAIRS!

We actually had a lot of writers suggest articles for incoming froshies who choose to opt out of frosh activities (due to shyness or the fear of not knowing anyone) What would you say to an incoming freshman who is scared to be a part of frosh?

Lina: To the freshman who is scared to be a part of frosh: WE GOT YOU. Myself being shy at first and Angelica who went to her frosh week knowing nobody, we are ready and excited to host a week of events that cater to all personality types.

If you’re not into quad parties, we have other events going on like movie nights, jams, board games, etc. We also have 150 leaders who all have different personas so you can connect with anyone!

What tips would you give to someone going into frosh, in terms of meeting new people?

Lina & Angelica: Tips for meeting new people: Be open-minded, do stuff you normally wouldn’t do, talk about music, compliment each other, play ice breaker games like 2 truths 1 lie, add each other on social media, actively listen to each other and never judge.

We often have a lot of commuters!

What sort of accommodation are you providing for commuters?

Lina: We have a team called our Head of Commuters! Their main

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Ar tichoke responsibility for the week is to make sure every commuter is properly taken care of! We do this by providing free sleepover spaces for the whole week that are: 6 smaller rooms that are shared with other frosh in residence, and 1 large room called the Junior Common Room. Commuter frosh have access to the showers in residence in the morning, and we host a Commuter Orientation on the first day of frosh!! This talks about what commuter life is like, how to get settled as a commuter, tips and tricks, and an opportunity to meet all the other commuters who are apart of Frosh Week!

How should incoming froshies prepare themselves for the upcoming year? To what extent does frosh allow for a smooth transition into university life?

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Angelica: Frosh allows a smooth transition into university life because we teach Frosh about all the resources that are part of Winters such as Winters College Council, The Absinthe Pub, The Master’s Office, Intramural Sports, clubs, social events, your program and academic resources provided for that program, health and sex ed, etc. The list goes on! But apart from what Frosh Week gives you, I would recommend Frosh to also prepare themselves by taking it day by day.

Go to school for the first week and see if you like the way your classes are scheduled. Find creative ways to always be organized and balanced with your school, jobs, sports, whatever else you are involved with, and never hesitate to ask questions.

Our leaders are here all year long to help you!

Some froshies are introverted, some are extroverted - Does Winters Frosh Week have events that accommodates students and their comfort zones?

Lina: Yes, definitely! One of the things that make Angelica and I a great team is that she’s introverted and I’m extroverted so we have both

perspectives when planning every event. One of the most important things to me is making sure every frosh feels comfortable and a big part of doing that is making sure that there are events for every personality type!

What advice do you have about meeting new people? And, for students who are looking to dip their feet into the Winters community life and get involved?

Angelica: For students who are looking to dip their feet into the Winters community life, you can join intramural sports, clubs that are specific to their program like DSA (Dance Students Association), and council! For first years, you can run for First Year Rep, Residence Rep, and Commuter Rep! We will have our nomination package go out by the beginning of October for any Frosh who are interested!

What is the most exciting thing about being a part of Winters? What is your favourite Winters memory?

Lina: There is never a dull moment in Winters. There’s always multiple ways to get involved, and you can always find a friend somewhere to do anything with you. My favourite memory at Winters the first day of Frosh Week when I was a frosh because I had no idea what Winters was like at all, and by the end of the day, I had met a group of people who I felt connected with. A home away from home! Angelica: I love the diversity of every student. Our programs bring in the most creative and entertaining people. Everywhere you go, you can see a dancer doing improv, a music major jamming out to their guitar, visual art students painting the most beautiful thing. It’s just so exciting for me being surrounded by all these wonderful artists who can always come together and have a good time! My favourite memory was the formal two years ago. The theme was “A Night at the Moulin Rouge”. I loved seeing everyone dress up and celebrate the Winters community and

knowing that we all made it through the year together.

What’s Lina and Angelica’s fool proof frosh packing list?

Lina & Angelica: Socks, sunscreen, a water bottle, an open mind, deodorant, a fanny pack, phone charger, energy bars, floaties, a metal spoon, comfortable shoes, your best dance moves, chapstick, a mist bottle, bathing suit, a fancy outfit, a positive attitude, dry hair shampoo, and a smile.

What has been the best part about being an O-Chair?

Lina: The people that I’ve met along the way and the experiences that you gain. One of my goals stepping into this position was to make change through college collaboration. Over the summer I’ve seen all of the Colleges and Faculties get closer and work collaboratively, being a part of that has been really special.

State one silly, one weird, and one lovable thing about your partner!

Angelica: One thing about Lina that makes her silly and weird is that you can tell her one thing and she’ll completely miss hear it and repeat it as something totally different hahaha. ALL THE TIME. If I asked, “Hey Lina, do you want to go get Krispy Kreme donuts?” Lina would say something like, “What time are we going to the movies?” Just TOTALLY different, it’s quite admirable and hilarious. I love Lina because she is so sweet and kind, it’s contagious.

She makes a great friend because she cares so much about you and can always make you laugh.

Lina: Angelica is totally low-key weird. She is so blunt to people, that they don’t think she’s being blunt for their best interests, but she’s always looking out for everyone and has the biggest heart. One lovable thing about Angelica is her drive.

She has shown some serious dedication and commitment in planning for Frosh Week!

MEET THE OG AB RAT

BY IAN PEDLEY

THE ABSINTHE PUB AND COFFEE Shop has been part of the Winters community since the early 70’s.

Owned by Winters College Council, we strive to build a safe and entertaining place for Winters students to go and maybe call their second home.

Me, I’ve been a part of it ever since I was a frosh doorman in September of 1979.

Since becoming the general manager in 1988, I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful councils, masters and of course staff. Staff are like snowflakes. No two are alike and they form in winter. Each year brings a new faces but their goal has always been the same. Serve the college and the community in the responsible sale of alcohol while having a little fun along the way. Our mantra (a play on coffee) has always been “an

alternative to the regular grind”.

People often ask me what an “Ab Rat” is.

Here’s the story. – In the early 90’s a lot of older students were coming to the Absinthe to play darts. After a while, the staff began to refer to them as “dart dinks” (dual income, no kids). They told us that they would prefer to be known as Ab Rats since we are located in the basement level and likened themselves to “the rats in the cellar”.

Since then I have managed to produce t- shirts each year that I would give to the staff and a few fortunate and loyal Absinthe customers. These shirts always contain a different depiction of a rat. From rat skulls to revolution rats, Super rat man to rat zombie each year showcases artistic talents, often coming from Winters students themselves. It’s fun to hear stories now of people travelling to different parts of the world and chancing upon someone on the street, at the airport, in a bar or even once on a fishing trip wearing an Absinthe Pub t-shirt from years gone by.

We intend on having a lot of fun this year. Winters college council will be putting on events like karaoke and acoustic nights in the bar and the Ab. Staff will be trying things on for size like theme nights and give-a-ways.

So when you come to the Absinthe Pub and Coffee Shop this fall, get to know the people that work for you and most of all, have some fun.

It’s part of what the college spirit is all about.

My name is Ped and I’m an Ab Rat.

Win ters

MEET THE OG ABRAT

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BY SHWETA SANZGIRI

FROSH FRIENDSHIP The first friend I made at Frosh is now one of my closest friends, as we head into our fourth year. Apparently, from her perspective, we met when we were lining up to get some burgers for lunch. The second time we saw each other was at a masquerade dance that was going on at the Winters campus.

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Coincidentally, I found out that night that we were both majoring in the Design program, which was such a relief. Although it was a kind of blur, we took a picture together with a group of friends we made, which I still look back at.

The same night of the masquerade she invited us over to her residence, at Calumet, which was a lengthy walk. This was due to a mosh pit we had to get past between Stong and Bethune. It was one of the most memorable nights, but we ended up losing touch after Frosh.

By third year we reconnected by being in the same classes and we took on the same internship together, which brought us much closer. Another coincidence was finding out we lived only a few minutes away from each other, so we began to hang out on day offs, as well as school days.

One of the most important things I have learned from our friendship is that we can never too much of ourselves with each other and I believe that is why we get along so well.

We have each other to talk to.

So going to my Frosh week did bring me an amazing friendship with so many good vibes and I would not have it any other way.

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Then to Now: From Frosh Week to Final Year BY COLE KENNEDY

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Between P an n els EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED. From taking my first steps on campus, walking up to my dorm, seeing the place I would be spending the next year of my life, to sitting here now writing this so close to beginning my last year at York; from then to now, everything has changed. The Cole Kennedy that started university is pretty different from the Cole Kennedy ending it.

I am more outgoing, more confident, and less shy. I attribute a lot of that confidence to the growing familiarity of the school and to the friends I have made who have made me better along the way. Right now, the school seems massive, you are wondering how the hell are you going to navigate around this place, you may be nervous to talk to others in your dorm, and even the slightest thought of schoolwork makes you sweat. Just remember, everyone is in the same boat and it only gets easier.

As I said, the interactions I have had and the friends I have made here have only made me more outgoing and more confident.

The friends you make here may be some of the strongest ones you will ever have. Here, you meet so many different people, all of whom are on their own, away from their home, their families, their other friends, just like you. My two cents: do not hesitate. Meet and talk to as many people as you can. One of them might just become one of your best friends.

I met one of my best friends in the first week of university. I was sitting in my room, watching television, avoiding the first readings for all of my classes, when my mom called. She insisted I go up to the common room, see who is in there. I thought that I needed a reason to go in there, so I grabbed some microwavable Kraft Diner and climbed up.

Who should be sitting in there but the person who would become one of my best friends? He was playing a Nintendo 3Ds, so I asked what he was playing. He said “Pokémon”.

My reply: “I love Pokémon!” All it took was that one initial interaction to gain a lifetime friend.

All of the friends you meet may not be your life-long friends, or even your friends for the rest of the year. I like to think of the years of university as the seasons of a TV show. You have your new cast members who become series regulars, and your recurring cast members who are demoted to guest stars, and you have your special guest stars. The important lesson to learn is that you will take things away

from every friendship. Some may seem terrible at times, but it will all contribute to your own growth. As it happened with me meeting one of my best friends, you just have to exit your comfort zone and do something the “old” you would never do. You will be amazed at what can happen next. I cannot wait for the summer to end because waiting for me in Toronto are friends I have accumulated over all of my years here, waiting to enjoy even more good times ahead.

They say the 4-year university experience contains some of the best years of your lives. But that does not just happen. Great times are not just given to you; you have to make them great. And it all starts now. …

You are still here?

It is over.

What are you waiting for?

Go make a new friend.

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The Purity of Photographs 11

BY NADIA ROMPAS

On Ar t I WOULD SAY THAT MY PHOTOgraphs are made from pure coincidence. Every person, building, and plants came together coincidentally.

While many people still question the idea of fate and its existence, I would say that my images are evidence of my belief towards it.

Although its originality can be questioned, it’s an undeniable fact that a picture simply wouldn’t look the same, or even boringly good, if things played out differently that day. It’s true that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes, going to a certain place and meeting certain people at a certain time, could make for a work that defines your artistry.

The moment you realize how special your pictures are is the second time you visit the place you photographed. The first time felt so natural, limitless, and exciting.

There were so many angles, so many colours, so many shapes. You had the options to place a subject into the setting or freeze it in its raw state. This moment will resonate with you every time you look at your photograph.

When I think more about this initial encounter, It’s actually quite sad – solidifying the fleeting moment (a visual arts concept by scholar Paul Goring). It becomes a tangible reminder that reveals time, age, knowledge and identity, amongst others, in which the process only lasts for a blink of an eye. But for this reason, it is why I believe that a picture could still be sweet and pure even though it may be the most photographed barn in America. It doesn’t have to be perceived this way to other people, just as long as it is to you.

Today, I biked to an old apartment building near my house and felt more than prepared to eternalise the pink and green walls I gaze at every Sunday on my way to church.

It was in that 3-minute bike ride that I realized the importance of indulging in subtle aesthetic pleasures as a tool to enhance your life.

The previously tacky pink and green walls when I was younger are now a mood enhancer at the end of the week. It was in that fleeting moment that I truly heard the heartbeat of my own artistic and personal growth.

As I biked farther, entering a different neighbourhood, a glimmer of vivid fuchsia-coloured petals

laying on rich soil caught my eye.

Perhaps it was the colour, but it looked like magical fairy dust, and so, I stopped to take a picture to remember how some purplish things were randomly underneath a tree when I didn’t expect to see them there. It probably will never happen again, or maybe it will, and that’s the beauty of it. But what I knew for sure was that the second time won’t be the same.

I think a photograph makes something into something of value.

It may be capturing your friends you see once a year, a section of a building covered in rain, or some ordinary plants that looked really interesting that day. Holding a camera makes me feel like a hunter of the everyday, sneaking in and capturing bits and pieces of my surroundings that would otherwise tarnish from my memory. In the end, it is an illuminating parasitic vision that slowly consumes my way of seeing.

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HE WAS A 13

SKATER BOY

BY KATHERINE COLLIERS

Ref lection s I WOULD HAVE NEVER EXPECTED TO MEET HIM THE way I did. I would never have expected that he would affect me the way he did. He did though, and now I cannot get him out of my mind.

It was a warm June afternoon. The sun was hanging high in the sky, beating down on the asphalt and making the world seem hotter than it actually was.

There was a slight breeze, making my blonde shoulder length hair fly completely out of place. It was quite frustrating honestly. My green eyes squinted behind my glasses, the sun making it hard to see too far ahead. I was headed to my aunt’s house.

I had not made it far from the subway station before I saw them, a group of three boys on skateboards going down the hill that led to my aunt’s house. None of them were particularly tall, all hovering around 5’6”-5’7”.

Hoodies, t-shirts, jeans, and one even in a SnapBack, there was nothing special about them. Clearly, one of them had spotted me first, as they started to skate over to me, one boy in particular, SnapBack boy. I should add, I did not find out what this move was called until later, but I knew enough about skateboarding to know what should have happened next.

He rode right near in front of me and kicked the back of the skateboard, attempting to do an Ollie. He could not have failed more miserably. In a split second his board was under a garbage can and he was rolling down the hill part way. I deserve an Oscar for not having laughed at him.

Picking up his hat, I walked down the hill to where he was now standing and brushing off dirt from his pants. His face, and even the tips of his ears had gone scarlet.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry! Are you ok? Did I hit you? Did the board hit you?” He asked, sounding frantic as his eyes looked me over for any possible injuries. He was a dork, but it was endearing. I handed him back the hat, which now had a bit of brown on the red colour of the actual hat.

“I’m fine, don’t worry. Your skateboards up there though.” I spoke with a smile, feeling as though I was going to explode from laughter, especially when his eyes near bugged out as he took sight of his wedged in skateboard.

“Damn, thanks.”

And I thought he could not blush any more, I thought to myself, heading back up the hill beside skater boy who then proceeded to try and pull his board free. Being the good person that I am, I helped him pull and unstick the board, smiling when there was no damage on it apart from a bit of scratching where it had hit the ground.

“Thank you so much! You’re sure I did not hit you at all? I would feel terrible if I did.”

“No no, all is good,” I said, fully intending to walk away and head to my aunt’s, which I was already late to, until I heard a call from behind me.

“Hey, uh... Do you want to go to a movie some time?”

“Wow, falling for me twice in 5 minutes? I suppose I’ll take the tumble.”

And that is how I got my first date. Though I have to say, when I had finally gotten far enough away, I did double over with laughter.

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you’ve got time BY SANA AHMED

HERE WE ARE AGAIN—THE FIRST DAY of school is upon us and some of you might be trying to make the most of those last few days of freedom with partying, traveling or binging on Netflix.

For many of you the first day of school means beginning your first year of university.

Your first year is supposed to be the year of exploration, building friendships, and connections that ease you into university life, where you grow into more of the person you are. I wish I could tell you that my first year of university was a great, uplifting experience that changed my life. Instead, those eight months were filled with anxiety, insecurity and uncertainty.

As you might have been told, university is an adjustment in lifestyle. For many students it means moving out for the first time, or commuting long distance, which takes away precious hours of sleep. On top of that there are piles and piles of endless readings, and midterms and exams that seem to creep up out of nowhere.

It can be a lot to handle and for some of us who need to ease into change, it can become overwhelming. I am the kind of person who doesn’t do too well with quick lifestyle changes, but life moves very quickly whether you’re prepared for it or not. As a result, I developed anxiety from spending all my energy trying to stay on top of my studies and

have also had a place to go to take my mind off school, and de-stress for while, because no matter what, university is going to be tough, but it doesn’t have to be a miserable experience.

I say this with confidence because I eventually found my own way to adjust to university life and one key aspect of this was to build a sense of belonging on campus. I started to approach clubs I found of interest, attended events that looked like fun and met amazing people who provided an escape from all the stress that comes with school.

And most importantly, I learned that almost everyone in university is anxious, insecure and uncertain of their future.

Looking back, I wish I knew that making mistakes is a significant part of being young and growing up. It’s better to be open to experiences and slipping up once in awhile than watching every single step along the way.

If there is one message I can leave you with, it’s that you have plenty of time to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. University is that space to explore all the different parts of who can be.

And because this is a personal story about suffering from and overcoming anxiety, I must urge any of you who are experiencing anxiety or depression to please go speak to someone. There are many resources on and off campus for you to approach. One of the best ones can be found here: http://mhw.info. yorku.ca/finding-help/.

And finally I’d like to leave you with this: as you gear up for school and your first year, remember that this is an exciting moment filled with promise and opportunities that will help you establish your sense of self and place on campus and eventually in this world.

So, allow yourself the time to find those spaces that will help you thrive and find the direction you want go in.

Ref lection s

responsibilities without giving myself time to explore what first year had to offer.

The competitive nature of both my program, and the industry I wanted to get into kept me worried about my career as well.

I had no idea how to even navigate one and I was already anxious about it all going to shit.

Most of us don’t know much about the world or our place in it at the age of 18, and yet, I already felt that I had to know everything about my field and possess the necessary skills to succeed. Everyone around me seemed to already know what he or she wanted to do, which made me feel insecure about my place in the program I had chosen because I was utterly lost.

Of course, looking back, the other students were most likely experiencing the same anxiety, and made up for it with the appearance of over confidence. And some probably did know everything about the career they wanted to pursue but were not sure of their abilities. Regardless, anyone who was suffering from anxiety did not open up about their own concerns about success, and because of this, I felt like I was the only one who was lost. A sense of urgency had set in, and suddenly my life felt rushed without a direction to rush towards. In the midst of all this self-imposed pressure I missed out on meeting amazing people and finding a community on campus.

At the time I wasn’t open to joining clubs and organizations on campus to establish a sense of community for myself. That’s the thing about anxiety and insecurity –it makes you want to hide. However, had I understood then that finding a community meant I would have felt more at home on campus, I would have been comfortable enough to open about my confusion and uncertainty.

And through opening up I would have learned that many other students were also experiencing the same uncertainties and insecurities I was. With a community, I would

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FIRST YEAR SELF 17 BY CHRISTINA ZISKO

Dear first year Christina, Tomorrows your first day! I know you are a nervous wreck, but try to get some sleep tonight. Don’t worry, you will catch the bus on time, and find the building for your first class (after you ask a couple of people for directions). Take a breath it all will be fine.

Classes will be half as difficult as your high school teachers made them out to be. Any time they piled on homework or assignments, they would say “This is preparing you for next year!” They also loved to say “Don’t expect A’s in university, your grades will drop at least one level;.”

False. You know you’re a hard worker. You are capable. University isn’t impossible. Go to your classes and do your readings (well, most of them), and you’re going to do great.

Even better than in high school at times. Don’t let the comments of a

few high school teachers keep you up at night.

Just a reminder - you’re not the only person on campus who is worried about making friends and the possibility of sitting alone all day long. I promise you won’t be lonely.

First days are difficult for everyone, especially when you don’t know everyone. York is one of the largest schools in Canada, with thousands and thousands of students. You will find some amazing and hilarious people to spend time with. Try your sociology class on Thursday, you’ll meet some of your most closest friends there.

I know you are can’t stop thinking about all of you friends who moved away to start university.

You miss them already, and are worried about whether or not you will keep in touch. Will you grow

Th en An d Now

18 apart? Let me put those thoughts to rest. You will stay close to all of the important people. All it takes is a little effort.

Here’s a harsh truth. There are certain people that wont make it to your future. People with whom you promised to be “friends forever”. It will break your heart, but I promise it’s for the best. As you get older, you realize that you only have room for people who bring you happiness into your life. This will be a difficult pill to swallow, but believe me when I say that you will have no shortage of finding supportive, loving and genuine friends.

Some classes are going to suck.

They will be boring, uninteresting, and make two hours feel like ten.

But there will be way more classes that you actually enjoy. Maybe you won’t even mind some of the

readings once in a while. These classes will confirm to you that you picked the right major for you. And that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

This is going to be a time of changes. It may be overwhelming at times, but also very exciting. This is a new chapter in your life. A new school, new friends, new jobs, new boys...It will be a blast. It’s pretty daunting right now, but things will work out exactly as they should. I promise. Have fun, and don’t forget to set your alarm tonight!

Love, Fourth Year Christina P.S. Speaking of those “new boys”... you will meet one at a party and think he’s the best thing since sliced bread. When he asks for your number, SAY NO. You will definitely thank me later.

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THEN AND NOW

BY GERROD HARRIS

F rosh

As the old– but incredibly true– cliché goes, university is a place of great opportunity and new horizons.

YES, WHEN EVERYONE SAYS IT IS A time of experimentation, phases, trends, and memory making, they are absolutely correct. One such, and in many cases, one of the more lasting experiences, are that of musical roots. This is equally true for musicians and nonmusicians alike, as the environment surrounding York University and Winters’ College breeds a creative aura bound to strike all sorts of chords.

Within my first month of attending York’s music program, I was partaking in, what was at the time, one of the most enriching musical experiences I had yet to encounter, and it was not from a class. A number of the first year drummers, myself included, would meet twice a week in a practice room and solo back and forth, building off of each other, teaching each other. I learnt as much in those sessions as I would in my private lessons that year.

Throughout the following years, I would take part in regular jams with different musicians which would almost become bands but fell through as the year got busier. Regardless, they were each

worthwhile and valuable musical experiences. Of all of these, the one which became the most important came together quite accidentally following a series of coincidences in which I subbed in for another drummer at a jazz night at Winters’ Absinthe Pub. This unassuming show led to the formation of my band, One In The Chamber, which since that fateful occurrence has opened for Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts– on what would be his final performance– have recorded an EP in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and performed at Toronto’s Opera House twice!

Even for the most casual of musicians or even the nonmusicians, the musical experiences found at York seem to know little bounds. Throughout my first semester of my first year I had been introduced to classical jazz artists of the likes of Wayne Shorter and Thelonious Monk, as well as new fusion groups such as Snarky Puppy, while at the same time getting well versed in instrumental progressive metal through bands of the likes of Animals As Leaders and Scale The Summit. I was watching my professors and new friends perform

in jazz clubs like The Rex and opening up to new subgenres that I had never heard of.

Where York is in such close proximity to the downtown core, it allows for such flow into Toronto’s rich and diverse musical culture with great ease. In many ways, it is this level of integration with the hustle and bustle of the city which allows for such a collision and transfer of cultures and thus sonic textures. As I approach my fifth and final year, I often link many of my memories of university to what I was listening to and who I was playing with. Such experiences, even if they prove to be a phase and short lived, can range from hugely impactful to a small acknowledgement of what was. The weight such experiences may bring do not take away from the enjoyment and value they bring in the moment. One thing that is certain, however, is that music is an essential, paired perfectly with the Winters experience.

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Winters Free Press EST. 1967