Vol 34 issue 16

The Voice of the University of Toronto at Mississauga

MEDIUM THE

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2008

VOLUME 34, ISSUE 16

www.mediumonline.ca

That Summer at Theatre Erindale

Creative Corner

Pats one game away from perfection

Page 5

Page 9

Page 12

“We are the crisis” SAIRA MUZAFFAR NEWS EDITOR

David Suzuki thinks the human race may not be quite as smart as it believes itself to be.

“We boast that we are intelligent.

What intelligent creature, knowing the role air plays in our lives would then proceed to use air as a toxic dump and think that it will simply go away?” he asked during a lecture at Convocation Hall last Friday.

“We are air, whatever we do to the air, we do to ourselves.”

Students packed the auditorium to hear the renowned Canadian broadcaster and environmentalist talk about developing nations’ roles in averting climate crisis.

Suzuki did not sugarcoat the effect the developed world has already had on the environment. He warned that much of the damage may already be irreversible, with over half of the world’s forests cut down in the last 50 years and more than 50,000 species becoming extinct every year.

Quoting scientific studies at Dalhousie University, he added that in 40 years, the ocean will be empty of commercially useful species, and there was only a narrow window of time left to act to slow or reverse the effects of global warming.

The activist blamed this rapid degradation on a combination of humanity’s dramatic increase in population and urban sprawl, reliance on technology and consumer-based culture. All of this, he said, happened over a very short period of time.

“It means that you have spent your entire lives in an absolutely unprecedented and absolutely unsustainable period of growth and change but to you this normal. Not only normal, you demand this, because that’s all you have ever known,” said Suzuki.

But despite humanity’s role in causing the problem, he said that the youth in particular could have a hand in reversing it.

“The youth has that simplicity and purity of vision, and so the challenge now is up to you,” said Suzuki.

But while he was optimistic about the role of youth, Suzuki had harsher words for the governments of Canada and the world at a press conference held just before his lecture.

Suzuki placed a lot of the blame squarely on the shoulders of the developed countries, which are the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases per capita and, in his view, are not doing enough.

At a UN conference on climate

change in Bali last December, which resulted in a plan to adopt a non-binding pact to reduce pollution by 2009, Canada’s apparent lack of leadership in securing more stringent standards “was absolutely humiliating,” said Suzuki.

“We know voluntary compliance doesn’t work and aspirational targets are a joke,” he said.

“So we really have to have a seat change now and whoever gets in has to have a mandate dictated by the electorate in the next election and that has got to be about climate,” said Suzuki.

“We’ve got to make it the issue of the next election,” he continued. “[Politicians] are not going to raise it unless we do and everybody at university, all these young people, they are the ones, I think, to lead the charge,” he said.

He came back to the role the youth should play, while criticizing the Harper government’s decision to renege on Canada’s obligations under the 1997 Kyoto protocol to reduce emissions: “Every young person has the right to say ‘how the hell do our politicians make decisions?’ Are they going to make decisions on the basis of the best science available or are we going to look to the Bible or Exxon? What do we use as the basis of our decisions because I can tell you now that what our government is not doing is a criminal act,” he said.

“There should be people going to jail for what they are doing now. They should go to jail because they are committing a crime against future generations.”

Suzuki was not alone in his lecture.

He was accompanied by Clayton Thomas-Muller, a member of the Indigenous Environmental Network, who spoke about the impact of global warming on members of the First Nations and other indigenous cultures.

He especially focused on the development of the Alberta oil sands, which has seen increasing destruction of surrounding forest and water bodies.

“The government has effectively given the responsibility of environmental monitoring and enforcement to the corporations,” he said, outlining the First Nations’ position.

He demanded an immediate moratorium on further tar sands expansion, until First Nations and Métis questions about human rights, environmental quality, sovereignty issues and other concerns have been taken into account.

The lecture was organized by the University of Toronto’s Students’ Union along with the University of Toronto Environmental Resource Network and other coalition partners.

photo/Melissa Di Pasquale

Activist and former broadcaster David Suzuki gestures during a press conference before giving a lecture on humanity’s impact on the environment. His talk attracted a capacity crowd at Convocation Hall.

MSA Eid gala a hit all around SAIRA MUZAFFAR NEWS EDITOR Students at the University of Toronto at Mississauga were treated to free food and a bazaar on January 17 at the Student Centre during the Eid Gala organized by the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA). The event’s goal was to involve students of all faiths in celebrating the annual Islamic Eid alAdha.

The festival celebrates the willingness of the prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son at Allah’s behest.

“To give the event a special cultural touch, we had various cultural snacks and drinks for our guests including samosas, bakhlava, tea, and juice,” said the MSA’s external affairs officer Yusuf Bhatia. “There was also a cultural bazaar where students could purchase a variety of items ranging from jewellery to tshirts, headscarves and skirts.”

Aside from the bazaar, there were also booths set up for the benefit of those curious about Islam, with pamphlets, free books and posters describing the tenets of the religion.

“We wanted to share this beautiful religion of Islam with our brothers and sisters in humanity in a way that would be both appealing and fun.”

- Yusuf Bhatia, MSA external affairs

When advertising the gala on Facebook, the organizers made the unusual request that all Muslim attendees try to bring at least one non-Muslim friend to the event.

“It was very important because we really wanted to show the beautiful cultural side of the religion, the side which people rarely see.

We wanted to show the true happiness and contentment that Muslims share on this day of Eid,” said Bhatia. “At the same time, we wanted to share this beautiful religion of Islam with our brothers and sisters in humanity in a way that would be both appealing and fun. In short it was a way to open the doors of Islam to everyone.”

The theme of education about the religion is a large part of the club’s thrust this year. The MSA intends to follow up the gala with a planned “Islam Awareness Week” in March.

“It [will be] our effort to celebrate Islam on campus and share its beauty with the rest of our brothers and sisters,” said Bhatia.

He also said that the MSA was happy with the large and diverse turnout.

“Overall, I believe the event was a success. We had a large crowd of people attend and they all seemed to really enjoy it. It was a unique and intriguing experience.”

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Strong turnout at job fair ADAM PEET

On Wednesday January, 17 the University of Toronto, Mississauga’s Career Centre held its annual Summer Job Fair at the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre. The fair included representatives from a variety of not-for profit organizations and logistical enterprises.

From Easter Seals to FedEx, the fair was designed to attract a large turnout with alluring prospective employers, and Career Centre representatives were not disappointed. Kristen Stolze, a career development officer at the centre, spoke about organizing a diverse fair that caters to the student body.

“We do look to accommodate all students, to ensure this we research which jobs to bring to the fair. The response for this fair is very positive; I think students are very positive, there have been over 1,000 students already. This year we’ve also brought in the ‘Start Here’ area for

Monday, January 21, 2008

NEWS

students to allow them more prep time before mingling with the individual companies,” she said.

From the lack of free seats, the turnout exceeded the expectations of the Career Centre and the fair’s participating ventures.

“It’s been great, lots of students,” said Barbara Gray of Easter Seals.

Despite the variety, some students were puzzled by the Career Centre’s decision to include certain ventures such as summer camps at the fair. Trevor Abes, a first year student in English literature expected a larger range of jobs at the fair.

“I had a lot of trouble looking for jobs in the fair related to writing. Well actually there were none, and I looked for half an hour,” he said.

Graham Lowrey of Transport Canada mentioned that with summer fast approaching, many students were not actually looking for full-time positions.

“I was actually at the last fair, and compared to what it is now, much larger turnout. I guess this is because the major-

ity of the turnout has been looking for summer jobs,” he said.

Robin Anderson of Impact Educational Tours was looking for university students to fill their ranks of tour leaders. These leaders are placed across Canadian cities, with the more qualified candidates being placed in some key American cities.

“We are looking for people who are the life of the party, yet at the same time responsible. They would be dealing directly with clients and suppliers, and are the only contact the client has on site.

Essentially you are a site manager for Impact Educational Tours and look’s really great on a resume,” said Anderson.

Carla Medina, a third year commerce student, found that although there seemed to be a large amount of care put into the expo she found that the businesses that were present did not apply to her job search.

“I expected banks and financial institutions. I had hoped that this fair would have been more like the last one this previous fall,” she said.

Adam Rogers evicted, again SAIRA MUZAFFAR NEWS EDITOR

Schreiberwood resident Adam Rogers was served with a second eviction notice by the sheriff’s office on Friday, January, 18 ordering the tenant and his family to pack-up and move out by January 25, 2008.

Rogers, who filed a $5 million lawsuit against the University of Toronto at Mississauga on December 17 said that he cannot believe the university “would go on with this after all that has been done.”

Rogers, his wife and four children under the age of six moved into a residential unit in the Schreiberwood complex on August 16, 2007 after signing a lease offered by the university but UTM filed for eviction when the tenant’s application for admission was rejected. Rogers filed an appeal for both his admission and the eviction order twice and was turned down by both admissions and the Land and Tenant Board.

Rogers said that unless the courts grant him stay of eviction, his only

option now is to go to a shelter.

“That’s why we fought the eviction and that’s why we had to sue the university, because they cut off all our funding and we have nowhere else to go and we can’t pay for anywhere else because we have no money,” said Rogers.

Normally those served with an eviction notice are given two weeks to move out of the property but according to the order served to the Rogers, the family has only one week.

“After this is served, if I can’t stop it we only have 72 hours to get all of our stuff out of the house or we’re going to lose everything we have. The sheriff’s office told me when I called that everyone’s given two weeks by law,” said Rogers.

“The eviction is not even legal.

You can’t evict somebody just because you prefer a different tenant. It’s against the residential tenancy act, it’s not even allowed. The housing tribunal never cited that because the university gave me a lease either without status or with status. They shouldn’t have given me the lease and then they pressured me to sign it.”

Political violence in Kenya kills 600 MEGHA KUMAR ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Violence and political unrest has killed over 600 people and displaced another 250,000 in Kenya over the last three weeks due to disputed election results.

The leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Raila Odinga, has demanded a rerun of the election on the grounds that the votes favoring former president Mwai Kibaki were rigged.

Some of the reasons cited by the opposition include delayed results at a time when Odinga was leading, and discrepancies in results announced nationally and locally.

Some of the results also came out from areas that were known to be pro-Kibaki. Widespread violence has provoked concern worldwide as armed supporters of Odinga’s opposition party attacked members of the Kikuyu tribe, which supports Kibaki’s victory.

According to Kenyan authorities, the armed supporters killed

five people using bows, arrows and machetes and set nearly 200 houses on fire.

The police also shot seven people dead in Nairobi's Mathare slum and choked some opposition supporters with tear gas in an attempt to ban public demonstrations.

“The government and the police have turned this country into killing fields of the innocent," -Raila Odinga, Kenyan opposition leader “The government and the police have turned this country into killing fields of the innocent," said Odinga.

Kibaki and Odinga have, according to the European Union Commissioner, finally agreed to end the violence and recognize mediation efforts by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan when he arrives in Kenya on Tuesday.

Monday, January 21, 2008

NEWS

Academic societies agreement gives money to UTM clubs TEJAS AIVALLI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Nearly a year after the referendum creating the Academic Societies levy was passed, the agreement formally creating academic societies has been signed between UTMSU and UTM. This will see the disbursement of more than $35,000 to the student bodies of approximately 14 academic departments at UTM. But, many of the societies have expressed displeasure with the current structure and are waiting on much-needed funding from the student union.

In a successful referendum held in early 2007, students were asked if they were in favour of an 89-centsper-semester levy charged to all UTMSU members. The preamble to the question stated academic societies “will be the official student body representing students in each academic department providing input in department programming, course offerings, research activities and other student academic issues.” Then-VP academics and equity Aun Jaffery had the UTM administration agree to match student contributions dollar-for-dollar. This matching was on a two-year trial basis starting this year. Over 2008-09, the dean’s office will consult with various parties to decide whether to continue matching the levy.

The Academic Societies levy will generate more than $18,000 from students in 2007-2008. This is separate from the approximately $22,000 generated through the clubs levy, as well as nearly $58,000 generated through the opt-outable pub levy.

Sandra Ceccomancini, president of the Historical Studies Society (HSS) lauded the achievement over e-mail: “the HSS has been waiting for this agreement to be signed. Now that it has been [signed], this will impact the HSS tremendously, since we don't charge membership fees.”

Carolina Oteiza, president of the Political Science and Pre-Law Association (PSA), is glad the agreement was signed and that the PSA will receive much-needed funding. Oteiza expects a quick turn around in getting funding to the Academic Societies, as it will impact what the group can do over the course of the year.

“Hopefully, UTM and UTMSU can work on this to get it resolved as soon as possible. Because we will be receiving funding late into the year we are limited as to what we can do for the remainder of the year,”she said.

“However, our club will be able to really put together some great events and services for political science students in the upcoming year.”

But, she added, “As a club, we did not feel very involved in the process.

We often tried to find out the status of the agreement and why it was taking so long but we were given very limited information.”

Past UTMSU VP academics and equity Aun Jaffery said over e-mail that the idea behind academic societies was “to give more autonomy to academic clubs, in terms of finances and goals so that they don’t have to rely primarily on the monies collected through membership. For less than a dollar a semester, UTM students can benefit from the well-organized and adequately funded social, academic and professional development activities initiated by their academic societies.”

The body ultimately responsible for academic societies is to be the Academic Societies Affairs Committee (ASAC). As per the Academic Societies Constitution given out by current UTMSU VP academics and equity Anita Chauhan in August, 2007, the ASAC – chaired by the VP academics and equity – was to have one representative from each academic society, three executives from UTMSU, and two members from the UTM administration.

However, as per the recently signed contract, UTMSU and the vice principal academic and dean will each appoint three members to the committee. Also, the chair will be appointed on a rotating basis annually by UTMSU and UTM. Jaffery was surprised by the structure of the ASAC as outlined in the agreement. “The whole point of the ASAC [as outlined in the constitution] was to have everyone represented,” he said. “It was bureaucratic, but it was a necessary evil. The ASAC being the body ultimately responsible for Academic Societies, every group should be represented on it.”

Darwin Harasym, past president of the UTM Student Management Association, was involved in the consultations held by Jaffery. “Aun asked me to be involved because of the experience I had with the SMA. Essentially, the SMA had been operating as a form of an academic society for a few years, so I guess they wanted to bounce ideas off me and get my opinion on how things could or couldn't work”.

“The creation of academic societies would provide a more straight-forward and predictable funding model than what is currently used for clubs” said Harasym. “I really think that academic societies are a great idea. The groundwork has been laid for something great to be created.”

The agreement and the constitution both stipulate the use of 10 per cent of the entire levy – approximately $3,000 – for administration. The constitution mentions the hiring of a work-study position to ensure day to day workings with each academic society. During a meeting on August 21, 2007, Chauhan had said that the position of academic societies assistant would be put up within two weeks. The posting for an “academic societies facilitator” has only recently been put up on the UTMSU website.

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Letters to the Editor EDITORIAL

Opinion JULIE TYIOS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | editor@mediumonline.ca www.mediumonline.ca

EDITORIAL Last week, I got the chance to see one of my favourite celebrities up close. David Suzuki was at U of T to address a sold-out crowd at Convocation Hall about the danger our planet is in.

I joined members of the press at a conference before the speech to hear Suzuki speak animatedly about Canadian policies on climate change, among other things. Some of what he said was absolutely shocking.

While it’s true that environmental advocacy has come a long way since the mid-twentieth century, we’re still nowhere near the level we need to be. Suzuki made a good point about the Kyoto Protocol, which some argue is inefficient – in reality, he said, we are all morally bound, as polluters, to take concrete action. We shouldn’t back out of such an agreement because another country won’t commit. The Kyoto Protocol is a written agreement between countries globally, yes, but every industrialized nation in the world should step up and accept responsibility for their actions.

Suzuki sent a chuckle through the room as he emphasized the importance of our generation’s actions. “I’m an old fart, what do I care?” he said when asked why he still cared enough to campaign. But it’s our generation, he said, that should be concerned. We are the ones that have inherited the Earth, and will be directly responsible for its future state.

Every time we turn on our cars, throw away recyclables, buy items with excessive packaging, and use chemicals, we pollute. We cannot avoid pollution – it accumulates in our body from the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. Each of our bodies is host to dozens of toxins, which contribute to health problems. Pollution of our bodies is inescapable with the current state our environment is in.

North American consumerist society contributes a significant chunk of the world’s pollution, and Canada is one of the world’s worst polluters. According to a 2005 study by the David Suzuki Foundation, “Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are two times higher, and major smog-causing air pollutants are two-to-three times higher than the average for other industrialized countries.” The air we breathe is toxic, the water we drink is toxic, and the soil we grow our food in is also toxic. Protected areas around the world are disappearing at a rapid rate. We have less than 30 years to stop polluting as we do before the damage is complete and irreversible. So how do we curb this problem?

There’s no end to steps we can take every day, even as university students: Recycle. Walk or bike short distances instead of driving. Stop idling. Use less paper. Make your assignments double-sided. Ask for one cup instead of a double cup at Tim Horton’s. Use a travel mug. Pack a lunch in Tupperware. Turn off the lights. Turn down the thermostat and bundle up. Use less water. Shower. Use Nalgenes instead of expensive bottled water. Read a book instead of watching TV. Talk to your local Queen’s Park representative about your concerns.

There’s a lot we can do. And I hope, for our sake, that we can do it.

For more information about changing our environment, visit www.davidsuzuki.org or the UTM Green Team at www.utm.utoronto.ca/5201.0.html.

Yours,

Julie Tyios

I beat you, Arts Boy. Tonight there’s a rematch. My mom woke me up this mornin gcomplaining I wrote something in the blurb last week about her and “Asshole TV” )???. Can’t find it, but I’ll apologize anyway, Mom, for defaming your good nature. Even now, as you sit at home, giving me MSN updates on how you steal every poker pot you can. Shame. Rob complains it’s quiet. Too quiet. We’s all working. I can haz Great Wok of China? The office smells of Chinese delivery. Cutest deliveryman ever. Nikita went home a little while ago, she’s pulling late Sundays lately. It’s only 11.30, but we’ve been cooped up ehre for hours. Dan’s playing Civilization. Ali and Rob are clicking frantically. Saira has her hat pulled down on her head and looks grumpy. Hey Arts Boy, come visit me. “As you wish.” My mom was just booted from her poker tournament in 296/12,000. Sucks. Ace on the ri ver blows. I feel your pain. Oh, Melissa’s here too, I thought she left for some reason. Very quiet. Was that Rob, or did Mr. Ed just enter the room? I’m awaiting a very special showdown of Trivial Pursuit. Yes, Arts Boy, your ass will be mine again.I acn’t really talk to anyone else because they’re working, so I turn to my mom to hear about her Vista problems. I sneezed. I think I popped a blood vessel on my forehead. This is feeling very ElJay. Blah! I played the White Album for Dan, but he was so busy working he didn’t hear it. If I play it again, Rob will take my head off. I wasn’t allowed to listen to seven different versions of Time To Say Goodbye earlier. Poop. Speaking of poop, how was your hockey game? I’m putting on Office Space. Um, yeah. Is that enough flair for you? I want to see 300 so I know what the whole Sparta thing is about. I love Sparta. If I have a son, I’m naming him Sparticus. Can’t help Mom’s Vista problems. 3.30 a.m. We`re still here, about to `play Trivial Pursuit.

Hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee`s Arts Boy! Why dont you just space out the editorial? asks Rob in response to Julie's for a longer blurb. "No, i'm not Iris; i do my job," was her dry response. Amen Julie. But we miss you Iris, the office isnt the same without your "Aww, i love you guys" and your "That`s not nice." Yeah, we also miss your weekly threats to fire us. Tsk tsk. Trigger happy woman. How many did you boot outta here? Eight people in eight months? And why? Coz they didnt stroke your thigh the way you wanted them to? Shame. Hold on a sec, whats that J.T? What goes around comes....Uhuh. me again. Tsk tskk. I hear tool. Dan is frantically glancing at Sports to see if he can figure out the problem. Cold in the Student centre. Turn the heat on! i can hear the janitor working below. Rob is waiting. Ali is waiting. Saira is waiting. What`s this about a podcast class, huh. I think I`ll sign up. I am not responsible for that. I totally kicked Ali`s ass in Trivial Pursuit. The mad blurber returns! Angry pie. No editorial from Moose this week, pity. Okay, I really have to fill space. Chicken chow mein, no bean sprouts. Vegetable fried rice. Chicken noodle soup. Ho fun with vegetables only. i`m hungry! How many quarters do you have - how manyÉÉ Buy ALL THE CHIPS YOU CAN. ALL THE CHIPS. EMPTY THE VENDING MACHINE! Oh, no. We caught it on tape. Tsk tsk. If only your mother could see. Master Splinter`s batteries died. Yarg! Rob, quit using up my double AAs. Ali requests that we print twice a week. TWICE A WEEK! Taking requests. Tell Jordan Bimm I`m coming for himéher - Ali. Ìf this was my section, I could print every day.`Yeah, Rob. Night.

MEDIUM THE

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Monday, January 21, 2008

CONS UMERS NEED A R EALITY CHE CK Dear Editor,

Dr. Suzuki was his usual highenergy self throughout last Friday’s lecture at Con Hall, downtown. He was incisive and witty, shattering many illusions people have about the role mankind’s governments, corporations and consumer society have all playing in bringing us to the brink of irreversible environmental catastrophe. As a prophet for action on climate change, he is second to none.

However, I don’t think his audience, whose applause, thoughtful nods and excited whispering bespoke their constant agreement with everything he said, fully grasp how large their role needs to be in halting climate change.

Corporations cut down those trees, mine those resources and empty those streams because we are crying for the cheap, disposable consumer products they happily supply.

Dr. Suzuki pointed out that the breakneck pace at which our societies have grown has resulted in a generation that knows nothing else, and expects nothing less, than total convenience, all the time.

But I don’t think he went far enough on what needs to be done. He correctly demands that electorates wise up and put pressure on governments to curb emissions and pollution.

But governments are too much in the palm of the corporations that rely on lax standards and short-sighted policies to have

any real power over them.

The only way to stop the decline is to change ourselves.

Consume less, use less energy, watch less TV, learn to cook real food, make time for friends, family and spirituality.

If we become healthier and more in touch with each other, our need for consumer goods will wane, pulling the rug right out from under corporations that rely on our sloth and spiritual isolation.

Weakened, polluting corporations would be easier for governments to keep in line. If, by then, they will even need to be.

Respectfully, Daniel Martins

CONSU ME RS NEE D A REA LITY CH ECK Dear Editor, I couldn’t believe the facebook group: “If you don’t go to UTM, get the fuck out of my library!”

What is this, high school?

So 900 people sign up for a random facebook group, which is supposed to prove what? That’s not going to stop outsiders from coming in, even if we actually have any legal basis to, which is a little hazy. I guess it might make people feel a little better, giving them a forum for bitching and venting while they’re stressed out and tired from all the studying most of them were avoiding doing during the regular year.

What makes it even more ridiculous is that UTMSU president Walied Khogali is one of the admins! I thought we elected a student government to look out for

our interests. It’s nice that he’s come down on UTM students’ side, but come on! How does it look for an elected leader when he’s administrating a facebook group with the work “fuck” in the title? That doesn’t look very professional, and any outsider having a look at the group out of boredom or curiosity is going to be even less impressed with UTM than they already are.

Sure, we don’t need tons of outside students hogging our study space, legal or not, but there’s gotta be a way to do it that doesn’t make us all look like crybabies.

Write for us!

There are plenty of opportunties available for you to pad your resume.

Email Julie at editor@mediumonline.ca

Sincerely, Leena Raza

EDITORIAL Please write to:editor@mediumonline.ca Letters to the editor will be edited for spelling, grammar, style, and coherence.

Letters will not exceed 500 words in print. Letters that incite hatred, violence or letters that are racist, homophobic, sexist, or libelous will not be published.

Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters and and other editorial materials reflect opinions of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, staff, volunteers, or Board of Directors of The Medium. In other words, just because we print it doesn’t necessarily mean we agree with it.

Submission does not guarantee publication. Submission of materials to The Medium presumes the writer has read, and agrees with, this policy.

Editor-in-Chief Julie Tyios

Composite Editor Andrei Dinu

Special thanks to our assistant editors:

News Editor Saira Muzaffar

Copy Editor TBA

Arts and Entertainment Andrea Grassi Rafay Agha

Features Editor Nikita King

Distribution Manager Ali Kasim

News Tejas Aivalli Megha Kumar

Arts & Entertainment Editor Ali Kasim

Business Manager Romano Bergic

Features Andrew P. Hamilton-Smith Lujayn Ali

Sports Editor Robert Silva

Webmaster Andrew Munro

Photography Editor Melissa Di Pasquale

Photography Matthew Filipowich Sports Christopher Sa’d Sunny Pathak

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Monday, January 21, 2008

Arts & Entertainment ALI KASIM, EDITOR | arts@mediumonline.ca

photo/Jim Smagata

That Summer SAMANTHA BERGER

Remember that one summer where experiences in lust, love and loss all encapsulated into one day? And that one day changed life as you knew it forever?

No? One could suppose a tale such as this would make for good story telling.

And, well, that’s still up for debate.

In 1990, Margaret Ryan and her granddaughter return to the cottage where she spent the summer at the age of 17. Margaret reflects on her time thirtytwo years ago at that very place. A time filled with self-discovery, and as the program reveals, a “magical place to lose your innocence.”

UTM’s Theatre Erindale premiered its first show of 2008, That Summer, last Friday. Expectations were high, as the campus theatre rarely disappoints.

Written by the nationally acclaimed David French, directed by Theatre and Drama Studies (TDS) coordinator Patrick Young and starring five talented fourth-year TDS students, the cards were stacked heavily in favour of this show being a hit. Let’s just say it barely fell short of a miss.

The first aspect to factor into this miss is the plot of the play. Contemporary Canadian playwright French delivers a classic coming of age story we’ve no doubt seen before. The play begins with what should be a grandmother reminiscing with her granddaughter about that one summer she’ll never forget, but translates into Granny talking about the first time she had sex, which just so happens to have taken place in the exact spot on which her granddaughter stands.

This opening scene sets the rest of the play, and is the first in a series of awkward moments French most likely did not anticipate, but ultimately acquires in this production. That, and the Jesus-like walks across what is supposed to represent (but is ultimately disregarded for) water on stage.

The speed of the plot shifts dramatically throughout. It begins with the divulgence of a lot of information, but the story slows down as Margaret, the grandmother, played by Leslie McBay, narrates and watches on as her 17-yearold counter-part Maggie (Cydney Penner) adjusts to life up at her Ontario cottage for the summer. Maggie and her sister are left under the care of their neighbour Mrs. Crump (Catherine Boutin) when their father (Joey Romkey) must return home unexpectedly. Maggie soon meets Paul Wyatt (Brady Paron), a local boy with a bad reputation, and while she tries to fight the attraction, she gives in after bearing witness to Paul’s soft side. The final day of the summer encompasses most of the

play’s action, if only in a few short scenes.

The minimal set and intimate space offered at Theatre Erindale add to the development of the young love between Maggie and Paul. While a little stiff at times – whose first love isn’t? – the couple’s romps around the stage are personal in this small space.

In an attempt at a period piece, the play comes off as dated. The music – what would usually set the tone of the show – only adds to the awkward mood with unsuitable song choices throughout.

The wardrobe screams 1950’s, but the people wearing them look uncomfortable and out of place. Janelle Hanna, who portrays Daisy, sports an itsy-bitsy polka dot bikini for one scene. In a failed effort to strut around confidently, she by no fault of her own looks completely insecure in the unflattering swimwear.

Jokes are centered on celebrities and sports figures from the decade, which makes it impossible to understand, let alone laugh at if you do not have a birthday preceding 1950, or a subscription to Turner Classic Movies. One would expect Margaret to add to her conversation with the audience, “I guess you had to be there.”

That Summer struggles to fit into Theatre Erindale’s current season,

photo sources/Séamus Kealy

named Hero of My Own Life. Maggie, the protagonist of the story, defies advice given to her and abandons the morals she once preached proudly. There is no one hero, but various attempts by all characters in the play to live by and for experiences and, to make a timely reference to baseball, hit the ball you’re pitched.

Despite its shortcomings, the sold out audience – a mostly mature crowd – ate it up with a shovel. Every intended joke garnered huge laughs and the players – McBay and Penner specifically received standing ovations.

If Dirty Dancing is a film that practically lives in your DVD player, then chances are you will at least be touched by this story of 1950’s summer romance.

Paron is no Patrick Swayze, but Maggie falls for this bad boy with the heart of gold all the same; think John Travolta in Grease, pocket comb and gelled hair, et al. As well, a twist M. Night Shyamalan would be envious of makes the play worth sticking around until the very end to see.

That Summer plays at Theatre Erindale through to January 26. For tickets, call the theatre’s box office at (905) 569-4369.

Noticed these photographs around campus recently? Jamelie Hassan’s Because...there was and there wasn’t a city of Baghdad (above) and Stars and Stripes by Dominique Blain (below) are all part of Blackwood’s latest exhibit, Signals in the Dark: Art in the Shadow of War. Full article on page 6.

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Monday, January 21, 2008

ARTS

Shadow play

Restoring the power of the image: A photo from the series Why Mister, Why? Iraq 2003–2004, by renowned photojournalist Geert van Kesteren. The series is a moving and nuanced reportage of the American invasion of Iraq.

RAFAY AGHA ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR

photo sources/Seamus Kealy

As you’re reading this, somewhere there is a war going on. Someone is dropping a bomb somewhere. Torn families and communities, executions, genocide — do all these stories get told? Do they have embedded reporters, Fox ews, or Christiane Amanpour to spout off their stories to the world?

Signals in the Dark: Art in the Shadow of War, is an ambitious and expansive inter-disciplinary project in collaboration between UTM’s Blackwood Gallery and the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House on the St. George campus. It explores the idea of war, its attached, sometimes hidden or manipulated imagery and relatedness to power, politics and military aesthetics.

Showcasing seventeen artists working in and from all parts of the evershrinking world, their works via contemporary media are as unique as their point of view. Using the same media in their expression as those used to combat or conduct terror-photography, video and film, the artists manipulate this usage to counter government-produced thought and lazy viewership of warfare.

Ranging from traffic signs to audio/video installations, varying articulations of war usually not observed in mainstream media implore viewers to think, make connections and re-image what they already know.

Having opened last Wednesday, the exhibit is constantly changing with a forty-day film and video program that is in constant flux between Blackwood and Barnicke galleries. This coming Friday, a public symposium on “topics of war and geopolitical critique,” will be held at the MiST theatre at UTM. This will lead into the Jan 30 screening of In the Valley of Elah, exploring the dehumanization of soldiers back from the Iraq war, directed by Paul Harris.

At Blackwood Gallery, visitors are greeted by a marble sculpture rendered in the form of a hooded detainee similar to those from the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Untitled by Abdel-Karim Khalil reads ‘We are the American Democracy,’ in carved Arabic font at the base of the kneeling man. The juxtaposition between the humble sculpture and the grand and authoritative sign reading “VOUS ETES SORTIS DU SECTEUR AMÉRICAIN / YOU HAVE LEFT THE AMERICAN SECTOR” is jarring. This interplay sets the

tone for the rest of the exhibit which constantly explores the dualities between perceptions of East and West.

Through a series of graphite drawings spiraling into one another, Kristan Horton’s Drawing of a History of the First World War (Disc 1-3) depicts war and all its appendages with incredible detail, precision and depth.

The monotone voice of the narrator and artist, Sean Snyder, as he speaks the words “Casio, Seiko, Sheraton, Toyota, Mars…” documents the otherwise mundane mention of Western amenities such as detergent, Spam and Mars bars. Almost like paparazzi shots, the DVD still zooms in on pixelated images and logos common in a Western context yet eerily ironic in others.

Paul Chan’s video installation in the CCT E-Gallery titled Tin Drum Trilogy is about 115 minutes long and features edited takes on images, commentary and videos. Using distortion, repetition and sound, Chan’s video sparks debate about a possible video of a beheading among a colleague.

Stars and Stripes, by Dominique Blain, are a series of silkscreen-on-canvas installation tapestries featured on the second and third floor ceilings of the CCT building, imploring viewers to think not only about the sets of black and white photographs – with rows of World War II bombers set against rows of beauty pageant contestants – but also about the division by means of a bold red cross stripe similar to a flag-style.

Also in CCT, the Video Wall will feature various videos for the duration of the exhibit.

Appealing to a slew of students and community members, reaction to the exhibit has been positive to say the least.

The overheard reaction to certain exhibits has ranged from “that’s really interesting,” to “I had no idea.” The art challenges, like an enemy combatant, the ideals of those willing to be engaged. With an excited curator, Seamus Kealy, and timely subject matter, Signals will surely provoke and prod our perceptions of what we think to be truly democratic, honest and fair.

Although over-saturated with war coverage in our everyday lives, perhaps the truest form of reporting happens without network affiliation.

Signals in the Dark: Art in the Shadow of War runs until March 2.

There is no cost of admission to all oncampus events.

Visit www.blackwoodgallery.ca for more details, dates and information on the upcoming symposium.

Abdel-Karim Khalil, Untitled, 2004. Marble, 45×24×16cm.

Monday, January 21, 2008

ARTS

THE MEDIUM

Sex and Crime, what’s not to love?

ODILIA YIM

In their third production of the 2007-2008 season, Hart House Theatre presents George F. Walker’s Criminals in Love (directed by Andrea Wasserman), a winner of the Chalmers and Governor General’s Awards. The first of Walker’s “East End Plays” has a distinctive quality; quick and witty dialogue which immediately captures the audience’s attention and maintains it until the very last scene.

Criminals in Love is a powerful comedy that synthesizes humour and drama by blending in sex with violence, mixing exhilaration and despair, and adding a splash of mobsters, terrorists and crooks for good measure.

Described on the Hart House website as “dark and aggressive”, this Canadian comedy follows a pair of teenagers head over heels in love – Junior ( eil Adams) and Gail (Esther Maloney) – in their journey through many exciting and unforeseen adventures and misadventures. Junior is an energetic and emotional young man who knows what he must do to avoid what he fears most: “fulfilling his destiny” and becoming a criminal like his other family members.

Despite his efforts, he and his girlfriend become intertwined in a half-baked criminal scheme, cooked up by none other than Junior’s dysfunctional family. Together, they navigate through Toronto’s East End (where the play takes place) and introduce us to a fascinating bum (Peter Higginson) and a high-spirited prostitute (Evelyn Wiseman) who become unlikely partnersin-crime to Junior and Gail.

Everything weaves together to convey the sense of a “hanging shadow” – an overpowering weight that is able to limit the characters’ opportunities. Unable to achieve the status they desperately long for, the characters maintain an inherent optimism and aspiration to step up from the lower classes of society. There is an authentic human quality in the story that compels the audience to identify easily with the characters, dwelling much on their possible successes if they had only been given the right opportunities. Engaging and well-paced, Criminals in Love presents an overall truthfulness and a reality that bonds to each character and the challenges they face.

The small but captivating ensemble professionally displays their range on stage, in perfected fight scenes and well-practiced comedic timings. Peter Higginson’s William is thoughtful and meaningful, cultivating a genuine depth within the first few moments of his entrance in the first scene, compelling the audience look past his ragged old clothes and scruffy gray beard.

It’s not difficult to feel for William; it makes you wonder that if only we acted like Junior and took the time to speak and be kind to a homeless man, we may harness the reward of discovering that sometimes people aren’t always as they appear.

In a smaller but nonetheless fascinating role, the ambitious Sandy Miles’ (Wiseman) demonstrates a sort of innocence and kindness that fills you with hope for her future, that things will take a turn for the better and she’ll no longer have to turn tricks, even if she is only learning it as a skill.

Recognition must be given to the set changes and those involved in it. As the play progressed, so too did the variation of set changes. With Boyballz’s music blaring out the speakers, the crew and stagehands creatively and very comically rearranged the set props and layout at the end of scenes. The Stage energy was excellent.

Criminals in Love runs from January 16 to 26, with evening shows at 8 p.m., Wednesdays to Saturdays, and a mid-afternoon matinee on the last day. With tickets priced at $12, this clever and fast-paced comedy is a cheaper alternative to a night at the movies, not to mention a refreshing change.

photo/DanielDiMarco

Below: Peter Higginson as William.

Right: Neil Adams as Junior and Esther Maloney as Gail

photo/Courtney Gibson

7

8 THE MEDIUM

Monday, January 21, 2008

Features NIKITA KING, EDITOR | features@mediumonline.ca

Campus club spotlight: Me to We UTM NIKITA KING FEATURES EDITOR

I failed a course. My parents don’t understand me. I’m broke for the year. Now, it’s the end of the world. Most of us are so locked up in our own lives that we tend to forget how much worse off we really could have been. When we take so many good things in our lives for granted, petty issues like cracked finger nails eventually become the centre of our universe. While some of us complain about the $50 worth of junk food we just pigged out on, abandoned children, who have no control over the cruel situation they wake up to, are left to feed on dust in other parts of the world.

Huddled in a corner, their folded arms and protruding ribs are the only flimsy armour they have against the harsh world.

“Most of the time, when people see such suffering, they just avoid such issues by changing the channel,” says Chris Aiken, the president of Me to We UTM. Aiken, a fifth year Chemistry Specialist, has an extreme passion for dedicating a significant amount of his time to those less fortunate than him. With much motivation and inspiration, he and vice president Kendra Moffat co-founded Me to We UTM. Other key members of the club include three executives, Karen

Donaldson, Monica Khosravi and Brady Paron. With strong leadership skills, both Aiken and Moffat are working hard to unite helping hands within Me to We UTM in order to create positive change in both the local and global community.

Armed with a membership of 200 students, the club aims to provide local volunteer opportunities while educating and promoting awareness on the issue of child poverty in the global community. In partnership with Free the Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in the global community, Me to We UTM is also working to provide leadership training. Their big mission is to provide sustainable education and resource to underprivileged children by means of a group trip to one of five Free the Children countries in the summer of 2009. Funding for the group initiative will be accomplished by holding various fundraising events from now to the summer of 2009.

Chris shared more about Me to We UTM: Q: What is the philosophy behind the club’s name, Me to We UTM? Does it deal with the concept of people’s strength in numbers?

A: Well, not really. The vision behind it is to stop thinking of yourself and to start thinking of others.

Q: What New Year’s resolutions does the club have in store for 2008?

A: By organizing community involvement days, we hope to provide opportunities for everyone to volunteer in the local community. On a global scale, we hope to spread awareness on the issues of child poverty its drastic effects.

We also really want to raise about $80,000 by May, 2009 to send a team of 20 UTM students to one of the five Free the Children countries. We are also working on subsidizing the trips for these outreach programs that extend beyond Canada. Ultimately, we want to provide a place photo files/Chris Aiken where students can develop into responsible global citiMembers of Me to We prepared to bring a festive season for long term patients in hospitals. zens.

Q: Most clubs on campus make cash donations to charities commit regularly, so we don’t mind if stuA: In partnership with Style and and don’t physically take part in com- dents want to sign up for just one day trip Profyle, Me to We UTM will be organizmunity work. Me to We UTM sounds and volunteer in the community with us. ing a pub event which will take place on like it is a rather active club that Also, anyone can join; you don’t have to be January 24 at the Blind Duck Pub. We will hopes to involve its members in more a UTM student to sign up. Professors and be selling tickets in the South Building this outreach programs. What else makes even high school students are welcome. week. Tickets cost $5 in advance and $7 at the club different?

Q: Tell us about the pub event that the door. The profits will go to the Me to A: We know that many students can’t your club has planned this week .

We UTM fundraising campaign. It’s just going to be a fun, informal event.

Q: One of the main reasons for creating Me to We UTM was your desire to make a difference in the world, regardless of how big or small your contribution. How has your experience with Me to We changed your outlook on life?

A: Ever since Kendra and I co-founded Me to We UTM, I find that I have more energy and more enthusiasm to do so much more. I realized that I don’t really want to go into forensic sciences anymore.

Instead of sitting in a lab all day, I want to pursue medicine. I think that career option will allow me more traveling opportunities that will enable me to use my success to help others. As president of the club, I really hope to encourage more students to participate in volunteer opportunities within the community. Many students are stuck with this misconception that they are just one young, insignificant student who can’t do much to change the world. They don’t realize that sometimes millions of [dollars contributed] to charities [acumulate] from every little donation from each person that contributed. And, really sometimes you don’t even have to do something huge to accomplish something great. Students shouldn’t always think on the grand scale.

Sometimes, even helping an old lady carry her groceries across the street can make someone’s day.

Be sure to catch Me to We’s huge launch party on February 27, in CCT 1080.

It will focus on the benefits of the community involvement and volunteering, as well as educate students on issues of global poverty and how it can end. Along with other guest speakers, Russ McLeod, Director of Me to We Projects for Free the Children, will be discussing global issues and development work. The event will also kick off with live entertainment and video presentations. Tickets are being sold this week in the South Building. The event has over 200 students expected to attend and it set to be one memorable evening for everyone.

For more information on the club, contact Chris at: metoweutm@gmail.com.

Monday, January 21, 2008

THE MEDIUM

FEATURES

9

Creative Corner Thread pieces

illustration/Roland King

The Awakening Evil: “Sickening is the sweetness of your scent, Yet, for a cure- I will never repent.”

Good: “Taint me no further as you have done unto yourself, There is no purpose for me in your wealth, Our companionship repels in contrast.”

Evil: “You grasp beliefs of the past!

Do opposites not attract?”

Good: “Dare you violate friendship through our contact?”

Evil: “Fool! Where is your power in position?”

Good: “I do not take refuge in self-indulgence or peer possession.”

Or are you shaken by virtue in deformity of my winking eye?”

Good: “I am not moved by you, It is your presence provoking plague that narrows my brow!”

Evil: “ How stimulating! But I live to pervert your view, Shall I continue later or now?”

Good: “Save your filthy intentions for your own decay!

Too near is your sin, Do not threaten my force to prevent your stay!”

Evil: “Very well! Let our battle begin…”

- ikita King

Evil: “There, there…no need to freak, You should rather leave the insults to me, I propose…a brotherhood to mend our rivalry.”

Good: “Rivalry?! This is no contest!

My peace is constantly disturbed when you compete to be best.”

Evil: “Why, are rivals not at the same level?

Aw shame, does my laughter make you cry?

Do you flinch at my potential?

illustration/Nikita King

My journey

The night sky that spoke to me instead of letting me dream thundered: “Lay low to the ground.

Human love is sneaking in under your door.”

The stones in the garden raised their muted voices.

Furious at my static spirit, they said: “Don’t be like us.”

The violent rain loved my warm naked toes but rejected the blackness of my sandals, she wailed: “Wear red.

Black is for your mother’s mourning.

White is for freedom from yourself.”

The lively grass soft under my feet welcomed me for some minutes in the sun but soon rejected my calluses: “Take care of yourself.

Came back when you are whole.”

But I didn’t listen – I searched for another sky, new wind-chiselled stones.

A summer rain, one more beautified lawn, that all lead me to my familiar nothingness Of 1 a.m…

Of 2 a.m…

Of 3 am…

- Amalia Voicu

illustration/Dmitri Tcherbadji

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Monday, January 21, 2008

FEATURES

University of Toronto: One institution or three?

ALI KASIM A&E EDITOR

Like the 900 or so University of Toronto, Mississauga (UTM) Frosh students at the Hart House field during Frosh Week, I was silenced by the chant of “St. George rejects” hurled at us from the St. George students. “Is that what they think?” I thought. How many of us are truly St. George rejects dumped at the suburban Mississauga campus because we didn’t have a high enough GPA? And more significantly, aren’t we all students of the University of Toronto and, therefore, of equal standing?

This has been a topic of debate since the inception of the two suburban branches of the University of Toronto (U of T). While the degree attained at graduation is the same throughout all campuses, the stigma exists that St. George is the actual “U of T,” while the other two (UTM and the University of Toronto at Scarborough) are the “poor cousins.”

“Nobody says U of T St. George, people just say U of T. Where for the other two campuses, people usually say UTM or UTSC,” says third-year St. George student Katie Ross.

Commenting on the traditional “rejects” chant, Ross, who is also a frosh leader, adds, “That chant can be heard every year. I guess there’s this stigma attached that if you apply to U of T [St. George], and you don’t get in, you go to one of the other two suburban branches. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s

because that was actually the case for a number of students in the past, and maybe it still is.”

Is it?

“Not anymore,” says academic advisor Doug Leeies. “Certainly there was a time where [UTM] was a dumping ground. It’s not the same anymore. This year we reached full parity. We had 21,000 applicants and reached our maximum intake of 3,000 students.”

But is that statistic down to the fact that UTM has a lower intake requirement? “We used to have a lower cutoff. But it’s not much of a gap anymore.

You tell me the difference between a 77 and a 78,” argues Leeies.

In all aspects, UTM has grown. Over the past year, the campus has seen the addition of a new athletic centre, a new library and an expansion to the on-campus residence offerings with the new Oscar Peterson Hall. Nonetheless, when you think of the calibre of some of the individuals who guest-lecture at the main campus downtown, and the fact that St. George offers four times as many scholarships, you begin to wonder if we truly are the “peripheral campus.”

“It would be foolish to compare us to St. George,” claims Leeies. “You just have to look as far as the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library to know that that’s a special place. How can you compete?”

Hence, the question: why are we competing? The Mississauga and Scarborough branches are supposedly mere extensions of the same eminent institution; the main initiative of the tricampus model established in 1965. As far as academia is concerned, do we need to compare ourselves with, well,

ourselves?

Perhaps. Especially since the programs and courses offered differ from one campus to another. At St. George, the faculty of arts and science encompasses all humanities, science, social science, and business courses. At UTM, each of the four is separated and stand as a faculty on its own. Across the three campuses, there are specific streams and specialists for programs like psychology. At the Scarborough campus, specialist programs offered include behavioral disorders and cognition and behaviour. UTM’s psychology program offers behaviour genetics and neurobiology, and exceptionality in human learning.

How many of us are truly St. George rejects dumped at the suburban Mississauga campus because we didn’t have a high enough GPA? And more significantly, aren’t we all students of the University of Toronto and therefore of equal standing?

Leeis reports that this varying structure is intentional, adding that the focus was to be as specific as possible. “It’s what’s so unique about U of T. You won’t find this sort of richness [of variety] with the other universities around

Canada.”

But along with the varying academic disciplines, there’s also the dichotomy between the student experience, and this goes back to the atmosphere and culture of the campus downtown and the ones in the suburbs.

Third-year international student Afsoun Basheer, who lives downtown and commutes to UTM, commented, “I actually came [to Canada] hoping to go to St. George, because that’s the U of T that I knew from back home in Saudi.

But they didn’t have the CCIT program which I wanted to get into, which was strange.”

Basheer’s elder brother is a 2001 graduate from the St. George campus.

According to her, their experiences were vastly different.

“I went back two summers ago after my first year and we talked about our university experience,” she says. “I couldn’t identify with so much that he was describing. His student life at Trinity College, from classroom to recreational activities, sounded nothing like my time at UTM. It’s like we went to different universities altogether.”

When asked which “campus life” she preferred, “St. George” was the resounding reply.

“I can’t wait to take summer courses there next year,” she says.

Not all UTM students share that opinion. Many prefer the park-like atmosphere of UTM to the hustle and bustle of downtown. As well, the closeknit UTM community is what makes many feel at home.

“At the end of the day, we get the same thing written on our degree,” says

fourth-year professional writing and communication (PWC) major Rafay Agha. “I like not being just a number.

As I go on in my years [at UTM], class sizes become smaller, and I get to know my professors, and they get to know me. At St. George, the lecture halls are large and it’s easier to become part of the crowd than to stand out. I’ve had opportunities with student groups and the campus newspaper that I might not have had if I went to a larger campus.”

Preferences aside, UTM does hold its own in terms of student life and academia. And if you wonder if students from the suburban branches get the same standard of education, just look at the long list of important people that have either graduated or lectured at UTM. There’s Robert Reisz, who recently uncovered and described the oldest fossilized dinosaur embryos in known existence, and Ashley Monks, who developed a new breed of mouse that will aid researchers investigating the causes of Kennedy Disease. David Blackwood, Roberta Bondar, John Percy – the list goes on.

While it’s inevitable that students, both current and prospective, will draw comparisons on what each campus has to offer, Leeies is adamant that “here or there does not make a difference.”

“To draw such comparisons would be to draw short the totality that U of T has to offer. I’ve been here [at UTM] for thirty-nine of the forty years and sure, there have been many ups and downs, but I can safely say now that we are the University of Toronto in all of its many facets.”

THE MEDIUM 11

Monday, January 21, 2008

Sports ROBERT SILVA, EDITOR | sports@mediumonline.ca

A V L I S

SAYS Competition: it’s in our blood ROBERT SILVA SPORTS EDITOR

Competition is a way of life. It is an art form. It is the only thing in the world that can affect you mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Really , c o m p e t i t i o n i s j u s t o n e giant adrenaline rush; one that no drug in the world can simulate.

Many people believe that competition only exists in athletics, or that it is a jock thing. Those people are wide of the mark.

Competition is the nature of humanity and it exists in every single thing that we do.

Take school, for example. How many of us compete for grades? I am sure that most of you are aware that the majority of classes take on a pre-determined grading scheme. For those of you who don’t know, most classes can only give a certain percentage of the class an A, only a certain percentage of the class a B, and so on. So if you hand in A-calibre work and you find yourself with the misfortune of having geniuses as classmates, your efforts would most likely earn you a B. You are competing with your classmates for that A. And these fellow classmates are the same people who will be competing with you for grad school, internships, and even for jobs.

These sorts of competitions may not give the same type of ‘rush’ as a sports event, or live performances like acting or dancing, but let me ask you this: how many of you have felt a sensation when a professor or TA hands back an assignment? For at least a

few moments, you feel anxious to receive your grade. That is the very essence of competition.

Anything that involves performing in front of an audience or judge contributes to that very essence. Nothing in the world can take away that feeling or come close to replacing it.

It isn’t just a sports thing, but a perfect example of the power of c o m p e t i t i o n i s the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics. Those are the only competitions in the world that have the ability to unite countries and people of all cultures. It is the only time where the differences and problems that we all have are put aside for the duration of the competition. Why is that?

Why is everything okay during those times? In all honesty, the World Cup and Olympics go way beyond athletics. They go way beyond training. They go way beyond winning and losing. The experience reaches a realm beyond reality. It reaches the beauty and the essence of competition.

Competition is in our blood and it will follow us in everything we do. Hell, even when you go to the cottage, you compete over who can funnel the most beers at once.

There is no escaping it. It isn’t just a jock thing. It isn’t just a sports thing.

I leave you with one last thought. The next time you enter the library, remember one thing.

You are competing for a computer. You know how crazy it is to find a free one when you need it most. So rush in and battle your way to that less than stellar PC and that below par internet server.

UTM Box Scores Men’s Division 1 Ice Hockey UTM 3 GYM 3 Women’s Tri Campus Volleyball UTM 1 UTSC 3

photo/sports-ak.espn.go.com

His Royness triumphs CHRISTOPHER SA’D ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Surprise, surprise. Roy Jones Jr. defeated Felix “Tito” Trinidad by unanimous decision in a 12-round battle of the titans Saturday night.

Jones and Trinidad both took the step out of retirement for another chance in the ring. Don King promoted both fighters for the first comeback fight of 2008 with a rumble in New York City. But, attention flew away as the fight couldn’t draw enough attention to sell out Madison Square Garden (MSG).

“I know I’m losing a million dollars, but it would take 600 years before I go Broke.”

-Don King

Tito, 42-3 with 35 knockouts, took control of the fight in the first five rounds, landing multiple jabs, punches, and combinations.

However, at the start of round six, Trinidad’s dominance came to an abrupt end. Jones, 52-4 with 38 knockouts, was playing duck hunt with Trinidad as he swiftly dodged Trinidad’s wrath coming close to notching his thirty-ninth career knockout.

The child’s play came to a sudden halt at the start of round seven when Jones landed combination after combination, dropping Trinidad at the 1:10 mark. Trinidad was able to get back to his feet to continue the bout, but it was the beginning of the end for Tito as Jones put on a clinic for the remainder of the evening, sending Trinidad back into retirement.

Finally, in the twelfth round, eight-time world champion Jones unleashed his fury when he connected with a right hook sending Tito back down to the mat, sealing the victory in the eyes of the judges.

The judge’s cards stood at 117109, 116-110, and 116-110, with the unanimous decision going to a flawless Jones, with his old bag of tricks

full of intimidation, mind games, dancing, and trash talking.

“I felt Tito's power, but I had faith in my skills and I was in control.”

Jones said in the post fight interview. “I had a great camp and I felt strong - I don't think anyone can stop me with my ability.”

The fight was entertaining to watch, but it was a miserable failure.

Don King couldn’t even sell-out MSG. What did the King do wrong?

The old Don King could have rammed twenty-thousand vegetarians into MSG, or any venue, to watch a cock fight. So what did Don King do wrong? Truthfully, nothing.

From a money stand point, the fight was doomed from the very beginning. Only the truly dedicated watched the fight. But King anticipated the loss of revenue in his first fight in years.

“I know I’m losing a million dollars,” said King in the pre-fight conference. “But, it would take 600 years before I go broke.”

Even with the less than spectacular turn out, the King wanted to see the fight for himself. Money wasn’t the issue. I guess when you’re worth as much as King is, you could pay a million dollars to see any fight you want, perhaps even a cock fight.

12 THE MEDIUM

Monday, January 21, 2008

SPORTS

Pats and Giants set to tango at the big dance

BY ROBERT KIELEK

Maroney rushed into the endzone for a touchdown in the second quarter, to put the Pats ahead 7-3.

Even though Tom Brady did not

look like an MVP, the Patriots never gave up their advantage. They lead 14-6 at the half, and continued their strong defensive play in the second

AFC Championship

NFC Championship

San Diego 12, ew England 21 Tom Brady and his fellow Patriots are now one win away from perfection.

It was a cold and windy afternoon yesterday in Foxboro, where the New England Patriots hosted the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game. Despite an impressive win last week over the Indianapolis Colts, the Chargers were a 14.5 point underdog.

The game began with an effective showing by the defense. Possession of the ball was swapped six times before San Diego scored the first points of the game to take a 3-0 lead. The lead did not last very long as Laurence

half. They held the injured Chargers to only 4 field goals all game, which clearly wasn’t enough to punch their ticket for the ‘big show’ in Arizona.

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson was in for the first series, and sat out the remainder of the game.

Despite throwing three interceptions, Tom Brady and his army will play in Superbowl XLII on February 3 in Arizona.

Green Bay 20, Y Giants 23

photo/nfl.com

After breaking records for all-time touchdowns and yards, and with nothing left to prove, will future Hall-of-famer, Brett Favre finally call it quits?

Tuque, parka, gloves and we’re ready to go to Lambeau field. In extreme weather where the temperatures reached a whopping -24 with the wind-chill, the New York Giants hit the road for a third straight week to face the Green Bay Packers in a NFC Championship showdown.

The Giants got things started early with two field goals kicked by Lawrence Tynes. Packers quarterback Brett Favre retaliated with a 90-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver to take the lead 7-6.

As the half approached, the Pack scored a field goal and finished the first half with a 10-6 lead. With the evening approaching and the temperature still falling, both teams took to the frozen tundra for the second half.

Giants runners Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw both rushed in for third quarter touchdowns which put the Giants up 20-17 heading into the fourth quarter. Packers kicker Mason Crosby scored an early field goal to tie it up at 20-20.

The Giants had two opportunities to take the lead, but Tynes missed both field goals. It took overtime to decide the NFC winner. Lawrence Tynes got his chance to redeem himself after an interception. Tynes kicked a 47-yard game-winning field goal to declare the New York Giants the NFC Champions. The New York Giants get their chance for revenge and are headed to Super bowl XLII to face the 180 Patriots.