GET LIT: October 2015

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October 2015

OCTOBER 2015 | 1

GET LIT OCTOBER 2015: Vol. 21, Issue #02 www.macmediamagazine.com 004c McLaughlin College, York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 416-736-2100 ext. 60555

Executives Editor-in-Chief Web Manager Production and Layout Manager Social Media Manager

Janae Diaz Tatiana Prisiajny Eryn Tang VACANT

Editors News Opinions Features Arts Humour Sports & Health

Nick Catania Julia Alfano Jason Rivas Vanessa Butera Juan Lopez Tyler Drummond

Copy Editors

Tabitha Peters Milica Markovic

Staff Writers

James Zhan VACANT

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Editor’s Note

04

How To Avoid Being A Wallflower

05

The Basic AF Costume Epidemic

06

Partying Is Not So Cool At All

07

Faded ≠ A Good Party

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What It’s Like to Host A Party

09

Drinking Etiquette: Top Five Tips For Keeping Classy

10

Hanging Up That Hangover

11

One Shot Vodka, One Shot School

12

Play With Matches

13

MacMedia Gets Lit & Tells

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One Rep At A Time

Art and Design Cover Artist Designer Designer Illustrator

Kristen Chung Mary Anne Cruz Sandra Tacic Elizabeth Zhu

@MacMediaMag

MacMedia Magazine

MacMedia is a proud member of The Canadian University Press, a national organization of Canadian student newspapers.

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MacMedia is the official student monthly of McLaughlin College but does not speak on behalf of McLaughlin College—unless specifically specified by the Big Kahuna upstairs (in which case there’ll be a note). The opinions expressed herein are also not necessarily held by MacMedia or its staff (unless they’re really smart and dastardly written) but are a reflection of the current social outlook. Our goal is to act as an objective forum for constructive conceptual synthesis and intellectual thought—not as a community censor.

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Editor’s Note “Tonight’s gonna be LIT!” I’m sure that we’ve all heard the saying by now. If you haven’t, then let me break it down for you.

Getting lit can mean a multitude of things. Tonight’s going to be crazy; tonight I’m going to get black out drunk; tonight will be the night to end all nights. The list can go on! But the message still stays the same: we’re going to have an amazing time tonight.

Our second annual partying issue doesn’t just focus on getting “lit”. We want to make sure that everybody can have fun without getting sent to the hospital. We’ve given you a couple of tips on how to make sure that you don’t end up yacking all over your cute outfit (or cute date, for that matter). You don’t want to be that person at the party, do you?

Also, don’t be afraid to be that other person at the party – the one who’s not drinking at all. Whether it be for religious reasons or personal preference, don’t feel pressured to be downing shots of Ciroc if you don’t want to. Remember this: if you have to be drunk to be having a good time, then you’re not really having a good time. Rave while sober; it can happen.

But if you rave and get totally sloshed at the same time, check out our hangover tips! You’ll need one.

Speaking of hangovers, you may be getting one soon.

With Halloween right around the corner, you have to have given your costume a thought or two, right? We want you to be

original, hilarious, and look amazing all at the same time. Don’t buy some animal ears and wear all black! Don’t throw on a pair of 3D glasses with the lenses popped out and proclaim that you’re a nerd. Don’t be basic – we’ve got the tips on how to avoid that.

MacMedia wants everyone to have the best Halloween – and overall year of partying – possible … if you’re into that.

Remember: don’t mix, consent is sexy, and try not to wake up next to a “sexy construction worker”, if you can help it.

Janae Diaz Editor-in-Chief

OCTOBER 2015 | 3

How to avoid being a Wallflower Milica Marković | Copy Editor

Every party needs a pooper; that’s why you exist. Right?

Wrong, sweet pea. It doesn’t matter how above the party scene you think you are, or how inept you think you are in turning that scene into a major motion picture. The fact of the matter is that we all want to be noticed, because a sense of belonging is secretly more important to us than Netflix (and chill), social media and food porn. If you need a little push in your step, here are some tips that are sure to help you stride into the room with confidence.

Show that you’re approachable.

Body language says a lot about how far you’ll get as a social butterfly. There’s no point in acting like you’d rather be somewhere else once you’ve subjected yourself to a night out. If you’re just looking around, texting, or have your arms crossed permanent Macarena-style, chances are people aren’t going to flock towards you. On the other hand, if you wear a smile and emit a welcoming vibe, you may actually be helping someone else get over the same fears you have! It wouldn’t hurt to be hospitable, either. If you’re going to get food or drinks, ask them if they want anything. Invite them for a dance, perhaps.

Just take the initiative! And while we’re on the topic…

Be interested in what others have to say.

As I was saying before, nobody wants to feel like an outsider at a party. We’d all like to think our existence means something. One of the nicest things you could do for a person is ask them about themselves, and follow up on any interests or goals they might have. They’ll probably feel grateful and return the favor. People like conversation and the feeling of connecting with others, regardless of setting. It is not just about getting drunk dizzy, you know.

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Don’t let anyone steal your thunder.

Don’t you hate it when you’re trying to start a conversation with someone or are in the middle of one, and you’re constantly either getting interrupted or overpowered by the surrounding crew? Well, don’t allow it! Ask to switch seats so that you can sit closer to the person, or step outside with them. For those of you who aren’t as successful in finding a buddy: if a person seems disinterested in talking to you, and they have a bad case of wandering eyes, feel free to turn around and find someone else to talk to without warning. You don’t have time for people who don’t have time for you.

Get over the “humanity has gone down the drain” mentality and meet new people.

Honestly, you’ll likely never encounter random people you meet at parties ever again. Or, you might just want to keep in touch with someone who’s right up your alley! That is, if you’re, oh I don’t know, open-minded? Either way, we are our biggest judges, so other people judging us are definitely a lesser problem. Complete strangers have little to no context as to who you are as a person, and even if you don’t seem to get along with some, you’re not stuck with them forever. There are probably plenty of others for you to talk to who’ll appreciate you.

Not having fun? Change venues.

Worst case scenario, if the party really is that poopy, then perhaps let your inviter know that you have to leave and see what else happening ‘round town. It really comes down to personal preference and nobody can force you to do anything.

You can explore what else the nightlife has in store, be it a club, a concert, or a karaoke bar. Even a low-key gathering at your place with a few friends could be just as fun – with Netflix (and chill)…social media…and food porn…you’re going to end up doing that anyways, aren’t you?

The Basic AF Costume Epidemic Julia Alfano | Opinions Editor

“I’m a mouse…duh” - the Gospel, according to Mean Girls.

What’s more terrifying than A Nightmare on Elm Street?

It’s the sea of girls dressed as cats and football players that seem to clog the metaphorical drain of every Halloween party. For that matter, if I never see another 20-year-old male dressed as a nerd in a club, it would be too soon. And don’t even get me started on prisoner-and-cop couple costumes – you’re tacky, and I hate you both. If I were to make a mental calculation of every single Snow White I’ve seen in my life, the number would put the balance in my bank account to shame.

I like to think of humans as a somewhat advanced species; we have self-parking cars, high-speed Internet and reality television, don’t we? So why is it that 90% of us can’t seem to think of an alternative to ‘sexy sailor’? We literally have billions of resources at our fingertips, so that whole “I don’t know what to be” line is played out. Bitch, I know you use Google. Take a minute from finding essays to plagiarize, and search up famous people, historic moments, or makeup tutorials that you can use for a costume instead. A little face paint can turn your basic AF (as fuck) fairy costume into something that doesn’t make my stomach churn. A little consideration, you know?

When I was in Grade 7, I was a waitress for Halloween.

But not just any waitress - a tacky waitress that chews gum, wears blue eyeshadow and calls you ‘Hun’. I found the whole

thing hilarious, and what was even more delightful than my cleverness, was that no one has ever had the same costume as I did. While I had to double take every Marilyn Monroe that passed by, my friends could spot me in a crowd every time.

The costume was cheap, low-maintenance, and funny AF; all it required was a little imagination. Maybe it’s because we’re so used to readily available ideas that we have become less inclined to actually use our brains, or maybe we genuinely enjoy wearing crinolines. Either way, it is entirely possible to think of an original costume, and your basic AF excuses are as basic as your devil horns.

This Halloween – dare to be different. Be a footballplaying cat.

OCTOBER 2015 | 5

Partying is Not So Cool at all James Zhan | Staff Writer Getting hammered, getting high, getting laid, and going crazy are probably the gist of partying, in my opinion, based on the parties I’ve attended before. That is probably very opinionated, biased, and inaccurate for me to say, simply because I hate partying. Regardless, I still go to parties every now and then since some of my good friends love it, and I feel bad saying “no” every time.

At this point, you might think I’m just another pathetic, socially awkward, stay-at-home-all-day-long introvert, but I’m not. I might not be very extroverted, but I’m definitely not a recluse. When I’m at a party, I actually try to talk to people a lot because I enjoy conversations with others. I said “try” because many parties have the music so loud that I have to yell at the top of my lungs at the person in front of me. I still remember how ridiculously loud the music was last year during frosh week, at the boat cruise party. Making new friends had never been so hard. We couldn’t hear each other. I mean, how do you expect people to talk with the music so damn loud?

If I want to listen to loud music, I might as well go to a live concert. What made the cruise party even worse was the fact that I already knew a bunch of people from my major whom I wanted to hang out with, but I had to give up because we couldn’t hear each other.

The typical party music is what turns me off the most at 6 | MACMEDIA

parties. I am a huge metal head and because I’m so used to the aggressiveness, high energy, and the musicality in metal, I find party music (dubstep or whatever it’s called) to not be my cup of tea. When the party genre of music is amplified through loudspeakers, it’s time for me to get the hell out of there.

Different people love different genres of music. So, party hosts, why don’t you choose some more tunes from other genres to play instead of playing house all night? Luckily, my housemate always throws parties in the backyard and loves rock music, making the parties are a bit more enjoyable for me.

Another thing I don’t like about parties is how they always start fairly late and end really late at night, or very early in the morning. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a thorough night owl and never consider going to bed until the clock hits 3am – but that doesn’t mean I enjoy being outside at night. On the contrary, I want to be in my bedroom, feeling comfy and feeling the serenity of the night. That’s my favourite time to read, write, or play some heavy tunes.

I’m only so out of the partying culture because of these specific reasons. Having said that, I do enjoy small parties with my friends … Actually, it’s more like “get-togethers”. So, if you enjoy partying, then keep it going! But if you don’t, then don’t worry – you’re still cool!

Faded ≠ a good Party Jason Rivas | Features Editor Partying in the modern age has become synonymous with drinking and the usage of drugs. Instagram profiles have become saturated with photos of liquour bottles and chase with hashtags such as: #ftb, #girlsnight, #faded, #ravetilldawn, and etc. It’s rare to find photos of a party that doesn’t involve the infamous red solo cup. There is no denying that the effects of alcohol or drugs can induce a sort of looseness that makes partying fun, but is it necessary to be anything but sober to enjoy partying? Can you party hard without hard liquor?

I think you can. Having to grow up in an environment where alcohol played a negative role in my upbringing, I have chosen to remain sober – avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

Whenever I’m asked if this inhibits my ability to have fun at parties, my simple reply is “no.” Why? It’s what I tell froshies (on why York Frosh is a dry frosh), “if you need alcohol and drugs to party, you’re partying wrong.” Frosh continues to be a prime example of partying while being 100% sober and still enjoying yourself. Because it’s dry, it’s up to each individual to loosen up without stimulants. It’s you who makes a party “lit”, as the kids say nowadays.

There’s nothing wrong with having a couple of drinks or participating in “other activities” at parties, but the idea of “let me take a shot so I can enjoy tonight” needs to change.

It becomes its own form of negative dependence. It creates

a semiotic link (shout outs to my pending Law and Society degree) between substance use and enjoyment. Your enjoyment should come from forming a positive attitude. Before a party, thinking about the possible outcomes of the night can really help bring your energy up. Just think: “I’m going to go nuts if they play my jam!” For example, I lose all control when “Work (remix)” by A$AP Ferg comes on. Hyping yourself up before a party can really help you get into the mood – the same mood alcohol and drug use are trying to find.

It’s not this writer’s place to judge others on how to loosen up (that’s not the goal for this article in the first place). But I do think it’s important to comment on what’s become a common practice in today’s night life and celebrations. You and those around you are the reason for having a good time, not a bottle of Jack Daniels or “that good kush.” Party however you like, but keep in mind that if you need to be faded to say you’re having a good time, maybe you’re not really having a good time.

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What it’s like

to host a party Tabitha Peters | Copy Editor

Hosting a party can have its ups and downs. It’s great if you know how to host a party that everyone will end up talking about later on. However, if you host a boring one, no one will ever want to come back to your house.

The very first party that I ever hosted was for my 17th birthday, back in Grade 11. I had finally convinced my mom to let me have about 20 people in my backyard. She didn’t really care that much, as long as we weren’t in the house. Around 60 people showed up and I was mortified. People were going in and out of my house, and someone had puked all over my Persian rug and bed. Luckily, I had my best friends clean it up for me and they set boundaries so that people were only allowed in for washroom purposes. All in all, the night was pretty amazing.

Everyone was drunk, making out with each other, and just having a blast. To this date, my friends still say that it was one of the best parties in high school.

I’ve hosted around fifteen parties in my entire life and I always have these same thoughts going through my mind as the night goes on: [7:30pm] I hope I invited enough people.

[8:02pm] No one’s here yet...no one is coming…

[8:15pm] I hope people like the music.

[8:20pm] Unless you’re my best friend, stay the fuck out of my room.

[9:00pm] Oh my god, there’s too many people…

[9:01pm] PLEASE GOD, I HOPE NO ONE PUKES ON MY FLOOR. [9:05pm] I hope no one breaks anything.

[9:15pm] FUCK IT, let’s do some shots!

[9:45pm] Let’s see … Who can I can hookup with? *I’m in party mode, and for once, my mind is not focusing on anything but having fun* 8 | MACMEDIA

[12:05am - 2:00am] *BLACK OUT* [2:45am] I hope no one is driving home.

[3:00am] I guess you can sleep over.

[3:45am] I have to clean all this mess up?!

Sometimes, going to another person’s party is better than hosting your own. You wouldn’t be responsible if someone breaks a lamp, gets injured, or steals stuff. You’d only be responsible for yourself and you could get as drunk as you want to while having a blast. When you’re hosting, you’re responsible for everyone there, so you can’t let loose as much as you’d want to. You’ll have to be attentive to your guests, but at the same time, also have to allow yourself to enjoy the party.

Planning the party does take some time. There’s the guest list, making space in your house, getting snacks and drinks, making a good playlist, and just the function of being sociable.

The most important thing is planning it on a day that you know the majority of your friends can make it. When you’re new to hosting parties, don’t worry about people not showing up.

People will show; just give them time! They’ll probably end up bringing other people too, but just be careful about who shows up to your party uninvited and be prepared to host a larger crowd than expected. If you’re meeting someone new at your party, drink with them to avoid any awkward feelings! Be kind and play a few drinking games to break the ice.

My motto is: serve tequila and blast 50 Cent for a good time! At the end of the night, you’ll have a good turnout and you’ll have a really great feeling the next morning…unless you got shit-faced and can’t remember anything.

Drinking Etiquette: Top Five Tips for

Keeping Classy Nick Catania | News Editor

Being prone to open bar events and a smaller body mass, alcohol quite naturally flows into my system and very rarely out of my control. Coming from a smaller city than Toronto, alcohol and house parties were a frequent aspect of our underage culture. This, in turn, became my alcohol socialization, and I’ve never been more grateful. As we embrace our postsecondary freedoms, now is the time to experiment, though there is always that one person who drinks too much. Live and learn; there is no shame in building on past mistakes, which is why we all need to make them...in high school. So, don’t be upset when you’re not invited to a party because you can’t hold your liquor and throw up in someone’s bed. Follow my five discrete rules to maintain both your physical balance and social standing this party season.

THE GOLDEN RULE Remember this saying: “Beer before liquor, never been sicker. Liquor before beer, have no fear.” If you haven’t already learned it, learn it now - no one likes yeast on the bathroom floor, if you even make it there!

PACE YOURSELF Whether it’s in the bottle or the glass, alcohol doesn’t sit around in my house. A good example would be Amy Winehouse prior to rehab. Call me a guppy, but I love my liquid bliss (alcohol, that is) and don’t need to worry about control because I’ve mastered the practice: drink, pee, repeat.

Follow this art and your social conscience will thank you.

The alcohol is already in your system, so water will naturally balance out the dehydration. This is guaranteed to wet your whistle and keep your clothes on...for the time being.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Sounds pointless, right? But there is such a thing called tolerance. The more alcohol you consume, the larger your tolerance for it builds. Practice at home! The same goes for other substances as well. If you’re a seasoned drinker, then two or three won’t hit you quick, and you’ll be perfectly apt to enjoy the rest of the night - or day!

CUCUMBER’S THE CURE Not only does cucumber help reduce cellulite, but it’s also a natural sponge that soaks up all the alcohol jumbling around in your tummies. Munching on this phallic food will prevent that two from turning into a ten. Add a few saltine crackers and you’ll completely eliminate the hangover by the next morning. Not only does cucumber help reduce cellulite, but it’s also a natural sponge that soaks up all the alcohol jumbling around in your tummies. Munching on this phallic food will prevent that two from turning into a ten. Add a few saltine crackers and you’ll completely eliminate the hangover by the next morning.

DON’T MIX. HYDRATE. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. But you’ll need to drink up, my little ponies, because water brings you closer to the hayloft. Practice by mixing your hard liquors with water rather than with sugary substances, because sugar goes to your head (and then to your waist).

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Hanging Up That Hangover Tyler Drummond | Sports and Health Editor “One more can’t hurt.” These are often a person’s last words before they wake up the next morning afraid of sunlight, sound and standing up. Hangovers are, of course, the balance-killing friend who shows up the next morning after a night of drinking to kick you in the head a few times. Of course, if you’d like to avoid dear ol’ hangover, you could always just drink in moderation – or not drink at all, but that’s no fun. So, here are a few tips and tricks to shoo away the bug that is the hangover.

1. WATER – Get lots of it. Drink it, shower in it, bathe in it, and love it. When indulging in alcoholic beverages, you are dehydrating yourself, so as you indulge, drink water.

When you wake up hungover, drink water, and then take a shower (or a bath, depending on your preference). Our bodies are made up of 73% water; naturally, when we are dehydrated and refill ourselves with water, it helps us feel human again.

2. FOOD – Again, it’s about refuelling. Eat something. Carbs will help raise your blood sugar level while your liver deals with all the toxic alcohol in your system. This, in effect, will help you feel a little less tired and angry, so instead of questioning your life choices and falsely promising yourself to never drink again, you can actually get on with your day. Eating before you drink will also help slow down the speed of your blood alcohol level, thus helping to prevent the hangover if you manage it correctly.

3. FRESH AIR – Go out and get some fresh air and sunshine.

Whether you’re hungover or not, they’re both good for you and help make you feel better both physically and mentally. You can’t wither away and hide all day; eventually, you have to get up to conquer the day, and that really starts when you take that first step outside.

4. ADVIL/TYLENOL – This one is pretty simple, right? If you have a pounding headache the next morning, you can use 10 | MACMEDIA

some Advil/Tylenol to help. Of course, follow all instructions provided on the label or by your doctor.

5. REST – Make sure to get some rest after a night of drinking. Get your minimum 8 hours of sleep (if not more) to really allow your body the chance to recover. That doesn’t mean crawling into your bed and never leaving. Do eventually get up to start your day, but do it after getting a great night’s sleep.

You’re going to need it.

6. DON’T MIX/KNOW YOUR DRINKS – This may be obvious, yet so many still do it. A few beers here, some whiskey there, a few shots of vodka here, a few glasses of wine here will result in the worst morning of your life. Be aware of how your body reacts to each type of alcohol. If you get a worse hangover from tequila than you do from vodka, maybe avoid the tequila. Learn your body, and know your alcohol. It can make all the difference.

7. ROUTINE – As humans, we are creatures of routine. It’s why most people hate change and why so many athletes talk about muscle memory.

Routine is important, and sticking to your regular routine, in addition to these other remedies, can help trick your body into thinking everything is normal. You’d be surprised by how one can trick their body.

8. LUCK – Last, but not least, a little bit of luck. Ever have one of those nights where you just know you’re going to be so hungover the next morning, but then you wake up fine? It’s rare, but when it happens it’s a beautiful thing. Like most things in life, sometimes you just need a little luck.

Whether these are new to you or not, it’s always good to be reminded that there are ways to cure a hangover, if you must indulge enough to get one. So the next time you wake up hungover, just remember that life goes on; you’ll make it!

One Shot Vodka, One Shot School Juan Lopez | Humor Editor

We all know that everyone is bummed out now that summer’s over and we’re back in school. You have to switch gears and get back into the swing of things. Even though summer’s over, that doesn’t mean the parties are. I know how badly you want to spend Thursday through Sunday getting sloshed at a bar.

Before you do that, here are a couple of things you should keep in mind before you get stuck taking an Uber to school on Monday morning wearing Saturday night’s outfit.

DON’T BE LAZY. Easier said than done. Let’s face it: a good portion of the student population here at York are procrastinators, including myself. It’s so easy to just ignore that essay due next month until it’s due the next day. Who wants to be stuck at home doing homework when your friends are having a blast at a party and meeting a bunch of cuties? That’s when you have your head in your hands, tearing out your hair because you have no idea what to write your 10 page paper on. Don’t wait until the last minute. Meeting people is great, but they aren’t the ones who are going to help you finish your assignments or receive that C+ grade for a shitty excuse for a paper. Take the extra time to do your readings and get a good amount of your work done before going anywhere.

out on. Juggling a work load for 3-5 classes can be rough, so make sure you remind yourself what you have to read and when what is due.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO RELAX! Schoolwork can be stressful and frustrating, so working on assignments and papers for 6 hours could be enough to fry your brain. Don’t give yourself a day to finish homework for 3 classes. Space it out so you don’t get stuck cramming it all in last minute. Go outside, get some ice cream, grab some vodka – just do something to get yourself to relax. Maybe the hardest thing about school is time management, and the more you manage, the better you become at managing. Sure, go have a good night out with your buddies, but that’s as long as you know you have enough time to finish that essay the following day.

If you keep all these tips in mind, then congratulations!

You’ve got yourself a good mix of partying and getting good grades, enough to keep you and your parents happy. Find that perfect balance, and you’ll find yourself wishing you could be in school all year round.

KEEP YOURSELF ORGANIZED. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting home from a good party, opening your phone and seeing your classmate’s text: “Hey, did you finish the assignment?” Your heart sinks and you stumble to your computer and check Moodle to see that you have a paper due in 12 hours. Make sure you go to class so you actually know what’s going on and you’re up to date. Get a friend in class to let you know what you’re missing

OCTOBER 2015 | 11

Play with

Cover

Vanessa Butera | Arts Editor

Your touch burns like gin, intoxicating my skin.

A tonic jolt finds its way down my spine.

As the fire slowly dies, the light in my chest flickers.

My bones flutter in fragments, wanting more.

Flimsy words that graze my neck turn into warm sighs.

I want to know what your lips taste like.

Leaves and beer cans lie at my feet.

Smoke runs in circles around trees.

Nothing is clear as I look at you, but I want to get lost in woods of uncertainty.

Your lust looks like love in this haze, and I want to get high.

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Your love is a cliffhanger.

When what remains of the night turns to ashes, you’ll be gone.

I’ll put my heart behind my back before you kiss me, I’m nothing fragile.

But baby, you make me feel weak.

Because baby, you burn everything you touch.

But I want to play with matches.

MacMedia Gets Lit & Tells MacMedia Staff 1. From Remington’s to Flash, there was no holding back.

I became quite friendly with a stripper named “Justin” before making a bolt over to Flash. We bumped into Justin on the way home taking two girls home with us. Four lines later with the ladies long gone, a threesome develops with more room for fun.

are in there, so I frantically search for it. As I decide to give up and go home, I see an old friend sitting, drunk out of his mind, at the entrance of the hall – wearing my coat! Turns out he was on medication but decided to drink anyways, and as he was going home he grabbed my coat because he missed me.

2. My best friend blacked out once at my birthday party. She was pretty much given a naked baptism in my bathtub since her boyfriend and I had to shower her down from head to toe to get all the puke out. She started screaming and singing in Spanish like the crazy Latina she is. Not obeying in the shower, she got all my clothes wet so I then stripped down to just a bra and shorts as I kept on showering her (her boyfriend was enjoying this). When we dried her off, she tried to pole dance on us as we were trying to put back on her clothes. Then she passed out.

6. I woke up naked in a supply closet and lived to tell the tale.

7. I drunk Tindered – as in, swiped right for everyone.

Needless to say, I woke up with way too many prospects.

3. I would say something more witty about partying, but I’m too tired from last night’s party.

4. The last time that I was in Hamilton, I blacked out. I’m talking peed behind a Tim Hortons, puked in the bathroom of Smoke’s Poutinerie, and then my friends threw me in the shower but I kept trying to escape while still wearing my underwear, fake eyelashes, and gold watch. P.S. I didn’t get to eat my poutine.

5. Back in high school I went to a friend’s sweet sixteen party and as I’m leaving to grab my coat at coat check, I notice that it’s missing! I’m freaking out because my wallet and all my ID’s

OCTOBER 2015 | 13

ONE REP at a TIME Emilia Di Luca | MacMedia EIC, 2013-14 Let me take you back to my time as Editor-in-Chief at MacMedia— circa 2014.

Deadlines had me pouncing from mountains of magazines to my computer as I attacked the million and one things on my to-do list. Trying to escape the loneliness of a Thursday night in McLaughlin’s basement, I left the MacMedia office door wide open and turned up the tunes.

“Hey, Emilia,” calls a voice. I cut the music and spun around. Angelo stood at the door, grinning ear to ear. His grin made my grin grow.

“Hey Angelo. Happy to see a familiar face,” I said. Angelo is my long-time family friend. Our families attended 14 | MACMEDIA

each other’s milestones and saw each other every Christmas.

“Dynamacs. I work out with them,” he explained.

“How you doing? How’s the job treating you?” I asked. Angelo was a plumber at York University, which was a pleasant surprise for me. Angelo and I chatted.

I caught him up on my family and he caught me up on his. It wasn’t long before Angelo picked up a copy of MacMedia from the many leaning towers of magazines littering the office like mini skyscrapers. Angelo flips through. He pauses on a page with Siraat Mustafa, a former McLaughlin College president.

I wasn’t surprised Angelo had made friends there. That’s just the kind of guy he was—friendly and welcoming.

“I know Siraat,” said Angelo. “Actually, I know a bunch of these guys!”

“Ya, I work with Siraat all the time,” I replied. “How do you know them?”

“Can I take this home?” asked Angelo, who gestured to the magazine. “I’ll show Marisa and the kids.”

“Of course, I’d love that,” I replied. As we wrapped up our chat, Angelo said one more thing before he left.

“If you ever need anything, just let me now,” he said with his infectious grin.

“Thank you,” I replied. I returned to my long-list of tasks, but this time with a smile on my face—thanks to Angelo.

In June 2014, Angelo passed away suddenly at Dynamacs, McLaughlin’s gym down the hall from MacMedia. Seven months later, his family, friends and I gathered in Dynamacs for a memorial. At the memorial, students stood up to share stories about their time with Angelo—it was then that I truly understood his impact at the college.

The guys at Dynamacs were like me, with stresses as heavy as any dumbbell they’ve lifted. However, Angelo would listen and offer advice to lighten their spirits and of course, challenge them to gradually improve their workout routines. He was a humble role model for the students in that gym. The stories about Angelo spread a grin across our faces at the memorial.

Siraat Mustafa: “We were brothers in arms. Angelo and I met in the summer of 2011 when I was beginning my journey as an undergrad in the McLaughlin community. McLaughlin quickly became our home away from home and Dynamacs, ‘our temple’ as we’d call it. Angelo and I shared this space daily— it was sacred because we could be vulnerable. We considered ourselves ‘warriors’ training mentally and physically while working out. He never let me give up. I’d always bring my iPod and speakers to keep spirits high in the gym. Sometimes Angelo would request his favourites from the 80s and then he would let us all know ‘how to break it down.’ Another time, he showed us he could curl 70lbs dumbbells, but he didn’t show off. He was modest: ‘You guys can do the same, just one rep at a time.’ We shared personal stories, jokes and serious debates—everything from safety issues on campus to amazing stories about his family. He was a simple man, a family man and a lover of life.

Angelo taught me to never give up with his mantra ‘one rep at a time,’ which I carry on my sleeve everyday. He always greeted me with a smile and his usual, “Ehhh, Siraat! Ready for the gym?’ I’m thankful for our friendship and will always cherish the time we spent together.”

Todd Christensen: “I remember I was in the change room talking with Angelo, and this happened many times. I was getting ready to go workout and I was mixing up a pre-workout shake and Angelo was telling me I had to ditch these unnatural supplements – that they were no good. He pulled out of his locker his hard boiled egg and a container with mixed nuts and said, ‘Todd, make it all natural.’ We had a few more of those conversations and I did end up eventually getting rid of most of the store bought supplements. I’ll always remember his two quotes: ‘all natural’ and ‘one rep at a time.’”

Anthony Gabrielli: “I was at school in the evening of late August to meet with a group of frosh bosses. I went downstairs to the Dynamacs locker room to put my bag away and ran into Angelo with nothing but a towel. He had locked himself out of his locker and asked me to find a pair of lock cutters from the maintenance guys. I went looking but returned without lock cutters, so I offered him my phone to call his wife to bring him his clothes. The next time I saw Angelo, he gave me a Tim Horton’s card and thanked me again for my help. In the years that followed, Angelo and I would share stories. He gave

me advice about work, relationships and life in general. Our friendship remains one of the most memorable aspects of my time at York and his advice continues to inspire me. Angelo’s words “one rep at a time” is his philosophy about working out, but it means much more to me. It is a philosophy on life and it inspires me daily.”

Jonathan Grandchamp: “As the Dynamacs manager, I met Angelo two years ago. The first thing he told me was to come to him if I ever needed help. That is one of the qualities I liked about him most: the fact that he was always there to help the students out. He was a genuine and caring individual. He was someone you know you could count on and would come through for you. I try to keep those qualities and practice them in my day to day life. It’s something I will never forget.”

At the memorial, the students unveiled a plaque with Angelo’s name and his famous words of wisdom: “one rep at a time.” While Angelo never uttered those exact words to me on that lonely Thursday, he sent me the same message of encouragement by just stopping by and taking MacMedia, a piece of my work, home to share with his family.

Angelo’s resounding words will echo through Dynamacs, travel down the McLaughlin halls, pop into the MacMedia office and spread throughout the community. His spirit will continue to make McLaughlin College a better place.

To visit Angelo Trolio’s memorial, visit Dynamacs, 018 McLauglin College.

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