Travis Magazine's 'Identity Issue' February 2012 by Josiah Gordon

Editorial & Publishing

Drew Grav-Graham

Editor-in-Chief Bryan Myers traviseditor@gmail.com Editor-at-Large Jenn McBride travismagonline@gmail.com Media Editor Chris D’Alessandro Publisher Sheridan Student Union Inc.

photographer

Writers Julia Langlois, Tania MacWilliam, Matt Main, Jenn McBride, Sarah Munn, Bryan Myers, Colin Rabyniuk, Jakki Tyson, Michelle Whittemore, Riley Wignall

Before Drew even came to Sheridan, he wanted to work for Travis. That’s a true story, and if you’ve picked up any issues of Travis this year, you’ve seen a good deal of his work. He also told me I could write mad libs about him in this space but I’m already out of room. Take a look at more of his work at dpggphotography.com and in this issue on pages: (14, 18, 36, 40 & 42).

Travis Online Brianne Daigle, Brittany Daigle, Chris D’Alessandro, Shannon Hodgen, Courtney Larke, Ian Martins, Jenn McBride, Colin Rabyniuk, Jakki Tyson, Michelle Whittemore, Riley Wignall

Creative Creative Director Josiah Gordon josiah.gordon1@sheridanc.on.ca Design Holly Doucette, Tyler Doupe, Nathan Langdon, Satesh Mistry, Sabrina Smelko Photography Drew Grav-Graham, Steph Martyniuk, Danny Nguyen (online), Hilary Langfrey (online) Infographics Sabrina Smelko

Marketing & Sales Marketing & Communications Manager Dan La Cute daniel.lacute@sheridanc.on.ca

Printer Chris Beetham Unique Media Solutions

Special Thanks

Cheryl Cnoop-Koopmans contributing writer Cheryl completed her Bachelor of Science (Honours) at Queen’s University in Biology and Psychology. After also earning her Bachelor of Education, she has almost completed her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She has been at Sheridan for almost a year working fulltime since the summer. She wrote about de-stigmatizing counselling, Counselling: Navigate your life (pg.42).

Jakki Tyson writer Jakki took on a huge project in this issue. She agreed to put together a stand up comedy act and open at the Yuk Yuk’s performance at The Marquee on Jan. 17 Travis Challenge (pg. 40). When Jakki’s not performing at The Marquee she’s a first year in the Journalism program.

Moe @ Good Point Tattoos, MTV Canada, the Chefs and Cooks at The Marquee, Chuck Erman, Sheridan Theatre wardrobe, TRC Learning Commons & Dr. Quynn Morehouse

Offices Brampton Campus 7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton, ON 905.459.7533 ext.4350 HMC Campus 4180 Duke of York Blvd., Mississauga, ON 905.459.7533 ext.2335

Courtney Larke blogger Courtney is a first year journalism student who’s been a big part of the team this year. Not only has she written for the mag, but she’s helped out on the blog travismag. com. She’s a sucker for horror films and pugs, but probably not together.

Oakville Campus 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON 905.845.9430 ext.2300 Connect with us: travismag.com, @travismag sheridanstudentunion.com, @Sheridan_SSUI

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Volume Six, issue three

Academia by Bryan Myers

dr. quYnn by colin rabyniuk

elections by Bryan Myers

21 questions with aliya-jasmine

tattoos by Chris Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;alessandro

should travis live or die?

travis challenge by jakki Tyson

PHOTOGRAPHY Courtesy of MTV DESIGN Satesh Mistry Make sure to follow us on the world wide web at travismag. com or on that stupid twitter site at twitter.com/travismag. Please understand if you follow us, we will stalk you. No joke.

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Editor's Letter In six years, Travis has grown from a small campus newsletter to a full-scale, award-winning magazine. We’re the best student-created magazine around, and we owe it to the wealth of immensely talented designers, writers, and photographers, as much as we owe our vastly diverse and infinitely interesting community. I’ve never met so many people that are doing great things than I have at Sheridan. These past few months have been tough ones as our numbers of issues left on the shelves was on the rise. We questioned whether we were still relevant as a student magazine. (Your reactions found in (Travis Asks A Personal Question on page 20) It constantly feels like we’re trying to build the plane as we’re flying it, but you can’t just give up when the going gets tough. You find a way to make it work. If it weren’t for that belief, Travis probably would never have gotten off the ground, and wild ideas like sending Jakki up on stage never would have happened either (Travis Challenge: From Classroom to Stand-up on page 40). We can’t imagine a Sheridan without Travis. It’d be like getting rid of the pub or the cafeteria, it’s a great service offfered to students and it’s a unique one to Sheridan. Other schools might have a student magazine, but none offer one built by such an outstanding team, nor is the content as student-focused. Travis is about reaching out to you, the student, rather than just being the same promotional jargon that every school has to offer. We’re focused on the greatness of our community and we try to show it off in our magazine. And we believe that’s what makes us one hell of a marketing tool for the school as well. To us, this magazine is a symbol of what a little determination can accomplish. It’s a soapbox for every single student at Sheridan to take advantage of, regardless of what campus or program you’re in. If you know cool people at your campus who are doing great things, we want to hear about it so that we can share it with our community. We’re extending the offer, get involved: traviseditor@gmail.com. We are always looking to showcase amazing students in our magazine.

STUDENT POPULATION PER CAMPUS (X 1,000)

8.9 8.3 2 NUMBER OF ARTICLES WRITTEN ABOUT EACH CAMPUS 8

in 2010

6 4 2

in 2011 Legend of Zelda Infographics TRAFALGAR DAVIS HMC

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO THOUGHT JAKKI WAS FUNNY

30% 10% 70% YES

KINDA

Percentage of accuracy in above infographics: 66%

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sound check

PRETTY MUCH EVERY ALBUM WE LIKE RIGHT NOW... AND A FEW WE DON'T

Aqua Megalomania Pop It’s hard to take Aqua seriously, especially if you grew up listening to “Barbie Girl” and “Dr. Jones”. This is supposed to be their big comeback, seeing as they haven’t released anything in over a decade. I think most of the hype about this album is just fact that they still (unfortunately) exist. Sure, there are some catchy tracks that could be played at the club, but if you want to keep a semi-positive memory of the band, stick to their ‘90s hits. S.H.

Angels and Airwaves Love:Part Two Rock A lot of people have strong feelings towards Angel and Airwaves, either hating them or loving them passionately. But they do deserve credit for being the only Blink-182 side project to survive, and produce their own fan base separate from Blink’s fans. They didn’t exactly expand their musical horizon with this album, but what did you expect? It’s a continuation of Love: Part One, so you can’t anticipate much difference. All the songs sound the same with lyrics containing the familiar positive messages, but it’s an easy listen and won’t disappoint fans. S.H.

Florence and the Machine Ceremonials Alternative If you were a fan of their 2009 release Lungs, you’ll be more than happy with Ceremonials. For me, it’s one of those albums where every song is a favourite. “Shake It Out” was the first song I heard off the album, and it’s a perfect representation of what you can expect. While their first album certainly attracted the fans, this one keeps them around, reminding them of Florence Welch’s brilliance. It’s just as magical and catchy as you’d expect, you’ll have no problem keeping it on repeat for days. S.H.

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Of Montreal Paralytic Stalks Rock If you’re looking for an album to feed your hunger of all things psychedelic, this is it. With over ten albums under their belts, Of Montreal make their latest works, Paralytic Stalks, available on February 7th . The influence from The Beatles and Prince has always been obvious in their songs, and their new stuff isn’t any different. While it’s probably not for everyone, it’s sure to be a trip for fans and an excellent party album. S.H.

Lana Del Rey Born To Die Alternative If you’re a fan of Lykke Li or Cocorosie then Lana Del Rey will be an easy favourite. Born To Die is the second album from the 25-year-old from New York, available January 30 th. Her sound isn’t that of a typical, mainstream female singer, and that’s what makes her so good. Her voice has a familiarity to it, without sounding over done. Each of her songs brings something different to the table, giving everyone a chance to become a fan. Check out “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans” for a taste of what’s to come. S.H.

Silverstein Short Songs Rock Silverstein just recently released their latest album Rescue in last April, and are already coming out with a mini-album planned for release in January. The album, entitled Short Songs, is quite literally that. A compilation of short songs, all under 90 seconds. Some will be originals, but there will also be covers of songs by their major influences, like NoFX and Dead Kennedys. It’s something different from the band, but will tide the fans over until their next release. S.H.

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sound check

PRETTY MUCH EVERY ALBUM WE LIKE RIGHT NOW... AND A FEW WE DON'T

The Black Keys El Camino Alternative People still like The Black Keys despite serious radio overplay, so there are some standards to live up to. Fear not, El Camino delivers. The blues-rock band has created tracks that still carry their same signature sound, but are much more up beat than in the past. It’s hard to find an album you can load onto your iPod and not skip seven out of 10 tracks when you listen to it. This is one of those rare albums. It’s a unique sound they’ve created, somewhere between Cold War Kids and Queens of the Stone Age. C.L.

HotKid Under the Streetlight Rock Toronto indie-band HotKid has recently released a new single ‘Rip it into Pieces’ on iTunes, but you also owe it yourself to check out their EP Under the Streetlight. I was lucky enough to catch this band last fall, fresh off their tour with Sloan, at Steam Whistle’s Unsigned concert. They’re a two-piece punk rock band, and they’re pure awesome. The drums burn to a blur, the guitar shreds your face off and the vocals are loud and especially aggressive (in an ‘oh so good’ way). The best thing about HotKid? At live shows, front-woman Shiloh Harrison just might jump off the stage and dance with you. C.D.

Childish Gambino Camp Hip Hop Camp is a disturbingly fitting title for Childish Gambino’s album. Like preadolescent days at summer camp, it is happy fun, yet unexpectedly melancholy. The track “Outside” is basically a rap-therapy session and “Heartbeat” will have you both listening to the lyrics intently and somehow wanting to rush out to a club. This album is a good example of a budding style. It’s not quite polished or defined yet, but it’s smart rap that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Plus, Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) is Troy from Community. If that’s not incentive to at least give this a listen, I don’t know what is. C.L.

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Band of Skulls Sweet and Sour Rock Calm down, watch your blood pressure, and try not to groove too hard because Band of Skulls has a new album. It’s nice to see a band grow in a healthy direction like this one is. The duet-style, simple arrangements and overall rock and roll core that Band of Skulls is recognized for are still intact here. The album is, however, a little bit different contextually, and thematically. Sweet and Sour is the perfect title. Songs are darker, yet uplifting. They’re good bar songs, the kind of tracks you’d feel nostalgic about when someone plays them on the jukebox. C.D.

Jack’s Mannequin People and Things Alternative People and Things, the third album from Jack’s Mannequin, continues with the bands signature emotional lyrics and up beat tempos. However, in this album it seems Andrew McMahon is going for a more mature sound, which is natural. Unfortunately, the album is far from the glory of Jack’s debut record, Everything in Transit. While I don’t mind the more serious subject matter, the band has strayed away from their signature piano-based songs. In fact, in some tracks, McMahon’s vocals are the only thing that distinguishes the songs from being any other musician’s creation. C.L.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Self-titled Alternative I’ve never doubted Noel Gallagher. I’m a huge fan of Oasis. Let’s be honest, Liam didn’t make the most of the hits. It is, however, a bit disconcerting when one member of a band ventures off on their own. What secured my faith in this album, and newly formed band, was “If I Had a Gun”. One of the more emotional tracks, it shows just how raw Noel’s vocal styling and heartfelt writing is. It will bring about emotions of “Wonderwall” proportions. The album, as well as the band itself, are not venturing too far from Oasis’s signature sound, but there is a definite distinction. C.L.

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Literary Love

READ IT HERE BEFORE THEY MAKE A MOVIE OUT OF IT

Marissa Meyer Cinder Ever wonder what would happen if Cinderella was a cyborg? Cinder, by Marissa Meyer, is a novel about a future Earth, where humans and androids are being threatened by a deadly plague. Cinder, is a poor cyborg who lives with her evil stepmother and stepsisters. One day, the handsome Prince Kai shows up at her door asking her to fix his android, because not only is Cinder a cyborg, she’s a mechanic. Her life is then changed forever. Her stepsister falls ill to the plague and Cinder is drafted to a deadly program where they test cyborgs for a cure. She must fight to save her life, the Earth, and to win the heart of the prince. Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, there is a ball but Cinder doesn’t lose her shoe – she loses her entire foot. J.T.

Tucker Max Hilarity Ensues Tucker Max is an asshole and isn’t ashamed to admit it. The former University of Chicago and Duke Law School grad is the famed author of I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell and Assholes Finish First. His books are an account of drunken misconduct, ridiculous sexcapades, and other debauchery, all of which are absolutely hilarious. Max’s third and final book, Hilarity Ensues, is no different. It recalls more obnoxious, yet bold stories, including the time he lived and worked in Cancun, while enrolled in law school miles away. The book is an entertaining telling of how sometimes being a douchebag pays off. If you want a good laugh and enjoy things like Jersey Shore, this book is definitely for you. J.T.

Various Authors Why We Broke Up Why We Broke Up is basically a letter from a girl, to her ex-boyfriend, explaining why she dumped his ass. The book is much more poetic than that. Protagonist Min, writes football player Ed, a letter and puts in a box, alongside a collection of belongings that are symbolic of their relationship. From that he will learn why their relationship was doomed. Why We Broke Up, features illustrations by Maira Kalman for an intimate feel and will remind you of past relationships. That may or may not be a good thing. The book has also sparked what is known as “The Why We Broke Up Project”, which allows people to anonymously share their break up stories. Check it out and share your own story at whywebrokeupproject.tumblr.com J.T.

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Teasers

MOVIE REVIEWS... THE GOOD, THE RAD, AND THE SUPERBAD

50/50 Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogan 50/50 may be old news but I’ve just gotten around to watching it. I just couldn’t let this baby get away. The protagonist, played by Joseph GordonLevitt deals with a rare cancer, which gives him a 50/50 survival rate, thus the title. His best friend, played by Seth Rogen helps him through his recovery. I’m sort of breaking it down like a real bummer flick, but it’s actually truly funny. Cancer is really heavy, but real people in situations like that are usually awkward and tip toe around death or just make a joke of it. “Based on a true story” doesn’t do the movie justice because it seems like the script was simply scribed from a real situation as the events unfolded. This movie is beautifully done, full of awkward silences and dark punch lines. M.W.

Loosies Peter Facinelli, Jaimie Alexander, Michael Madsen Loosies is probably the first movie that I’m going to see this New Year, just because it’s distributed by IFC films (they usually know what’s up with independent films). It’s about a professional (and quite dreamy) pickpocket, who gets a woman pregnant. As it turns out, she’s not that into the criminal thing. Love ensues. Although this film has a very unfortunate sounding name, it looks great. Dreamboat protagonist, Peter Facinelli (which some gals will remember as the guy who played Carlisle in Twilight) alone, makes this movie worth watching. On opening night, I’ll be there with bells on. M.W.

The Sitter Jonah Hill, Ary Graynor, Sam Rockwell Noah Griffith gets stuck babysitting three rich kids for his mom. Essentially this is Adventures in Babysitting for the 21st century. Instead of an adorable, blonde Elisabeth Shue, our protagonist is a witty, (still) chubby Jonah Hill. Now, I’m pretty much sold on anything with Jonah Hill. Hell, I’ve even been caught watching Allen Gregory, but this movie is actually a belly laugh. I’m pretty easy to please when it comes to film, but if you’re really a picky critic, this movie might come off as pretty immature. Yes, they go for the easy laughs, but if you’ve met your foreign film quota for the week I think that you can let this one slide. M.W.

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Waste Time

GAME REVIEWS FOR ALL THE N00BS OUT THERE

Skyrim PC, XBOX 360, PS3 Yes Skyrim came out months ago and yes I’m still playing it. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. It’s easily the best RPG of all time, and quite possibly the best video game ever. It should be enough to tell you that you can kill dragons just by shouting, and that you’ll need to duel-wield both magic and swords in order to win that argument. You can go anywhere, do anything and be anyone you can imagine in a fantasy world. If you want to be an Orc, who can make potions out of flowers, raise zombies from the dead, while wielding a giant battle-axe, you can. This game is amazing. As a bonus, the game editor should be on its way soon, allowing PC players to alter the world and build their own quests. As if hundreds of hours of gameplay wasn’t enough. C.D.

Star Wars: The Old Republic PC I am a die-hard fanboy. I absolutely love everything Star Wars. Well, except for the prequels, I refuse to acknowledge the existence of Jar-Jar. Also, Han shoots first. I can’t emphasize that enough. Most MMORPGs are easily completed and soon forgotten thanks to World Of Warcraft. However, The Old Republic, with the Star Wars license, with Bioware at the helm may give WoW a run for its money. Speaking of money, it might be this game’s biggest downfall. Yes, every character in the game has spoken dialogue. Yes, you can be any kind of Jedi, Sith, bounty-hunter or smuggler that you can think of. And yes, there are space battles. However, the game will cost you at least $13 a month to play. Does George Lucas not have enough of my money yet? C.D.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations PC, XBOX 360, PS3 I’m still not tired of Assassins Creed, or at least, Assassins Creed 2 yet. The game really should have progressed more than it has in the last few years since the release of the second installment. Indeed it almost feels like Ubisoft is just stalling for time before the release of Assassins Creed 3. It really is a great trick they’re pulling. If you want to understand what’s going in Assassins Creed 3 you’ll need to have played the two installments after Assassins Creed 2. However, it’s not like Assassins Creed 2 was a bad game, so more of it isn’t a bad thing. I’m still anxious to see the story unfold, and stabbing people in the neck with dual hidden blades never ever loses its fun, and I mean never. C.D.

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Tech’d out

THERE REALLY IS AN APP FOR THAT

Apple iPhone 4S I don’t know what uncivilized, uncultured caveman, living under a rock hasn’t upgraded to the iPhone 4S yet... except me. I’m still using my old 3GS, and I was planning on holding on to it until the iPhone 5 came out, but the 4S maybe tempting enough to make me abandon it. The list of upgrades is fairly alluring, even over the standard iPhone 4. The CPU is the same dual-core setup from the iPad 2. The camera is, of course, upgraded, and graphical processing power is seven times better. I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I’m starting to feel technologically inferior. C.D.

Viper One Way Remote Car Starter How much would you pay to feel like a baller (or a shot caller?) when you start your car? Never mind that, how much would you pay to let your car warm up outside before your morning commute, while you enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate inside, without the fear of it being stolen? $190 will get you the Viper One Way Remote Car starter from Best Buy. Click a button, your car fires up within 2000 feet. For the price of admission, Best Buy will also take care of installation for you. The only drawback is that these won’t work with manual transmission cars. C.D.

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15 Minutes of (student) Fame: the boys of academia written by Bryan Myers, photo by Drew Grav-Graham

Certain things are impossible to fake. Being funny is one of those things. That’s why shows like SNL and 30 Rock employ teams of writers to pull off consistently funny episodes, and even then it takes some serious acting chops to make it work. Real comedy is impossible to recreate, it relies on wit and timing. If you listen to any stand-up comedian talk, they’ve got a sixth sense for what’s funny. Even when they’re doing a routine, they’ll throw a curve ball out of nowhere, just because they sensed something at that moment. Being truly funny is a rarity, luckily, at Sheridan there’s a ton of personality, and a lot of it is genuinely funny. Enter: The boys of Academia. I met up with the boys behind Academia at Lourice. It’s a bit of a blind date. I was at pub a few nights earlier and a friend of a friend told me about Academia, and a short conversation later and I had a meeting with them. Lourice is where all the Academia magic begins. Dave Minakakis, Dakota Arsenault, and Nick Hall-Wood are the creators, actors, and directors of the show, along with a handful of friends who agree to help out. The show itself is a no-holds-barred, beer-soaked version of The Office, if it was about college rather than an office. Minakakis had the original idea and began working on a script and eventually enlisted the help of Arsenault and Hall-Wood, as well as Cam Gumulak to make the show a reality. “We wanted to capture college-life aside from the comedy,” says Arsenault. Arsenault plays Spencer, the overzealous Resident Advisor. “Spencer is based off a guy I used to work with. He was obsessed with one-upping everything anyone would say to the point that you’d almost feel sympathetic if he wasn’t constantly being so offensive. He’s oblivious but he’s not malicious,” explains Arsenault. In real life, Arsenault is the quietest of the trio. He’s introspective and thoughtful, and he kind of acts as the public relations guy for the show. He explains the future of Academia, the different and new directions it might take on. Spencer is loud-mouthed and wholly unwitting to the trouble he causes. Hall-Wood plays Rusty, an over-the-top party-animal with a penchant for nudity, booze, and breaking the law. “Nick decided he wanted to do the first scene wearing nothing but a sock,” says Arsenault. “Cam’s not really comfortable with that kind of nudity, but he had no idea what was going to happen when he walked in the door. There’s a mix of genuine reaction and acting on Cam’s part,” says Arsenault.

*Viewer discretion is advised

In a later scene, Rusty fishes a beer out of the upper deck of a toilet while brushing his teeth. Rusty then opens the beer and uses it to brush his teeth, which was not in the original script. The trio explains that while a lot of the jokes are somewhat scripted, there’s a large portion that are just improvised. “We’ve got this idea for a scene, that’s actually a true story about Nick,” says Arsenault. “We had an exam for this class and Nick shows up late to it, and sits down right in the middle of class and he doesn’t have a pencil, so he’s looking all over for one, and starts emptying out his bag,” he continues. “Yea, and I’m putting all the shit on the desk trying to find a pencil,” says Hall-Wood. “But he’s pulling out condoms, and lube and all this sex stuff.” “I like to be prepared.” “Yea, but you had, like, nothing else in that bag.” Hall-Woods just grins. He’s shameless in the best possible way.

Certain things are impossible to fake. Being funny is one of those things. Minakakis is the writer and the creator, and he has a few smaller roles in the show. Originally, he wrote the lead character for himself, but the team eventually gave the part to Gumulak. “It bothers me a lot when you watch me eat,” says Minakakis to Hall-Woods who is staring blankly as Minakakis and I finish our meals. Hall-Woods laughs heartily, but just continues staring hungrily. Minakakis plays a Russian thug at Academia who’s been at the college for a lot longer than most students and studies “international business”. The original two episodes are pretty crisp for the equipment the team had available to shoot it, but they constantly discuss reshoots and re-booting the series. Especially now that their original protagonist, Cam, has changed schools, making the filming schedule infinitely more difficult to plan. The team has already started planning the reboot with new episodes, new characters, and better equipment. Luckily, Academia will continue. A new protagonist and new story is already in the final planning stages and it’s just a matter of making time from busy course schedules to film and edit the new season. Check out Academia on Youtube by searching: Bloor Academy t

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WHO THE HELL IS DR. QUYNN MOREHOUSE? written by Colin Rabyniuk, photo by Drew Grav-Graham

The first thing you notice about Dr. Quynn Morehouse is her bright green and pink Saucony running shoes. Runners have a distinct identity, and after only a brief conversation with Sheridan College’s newest counselor, it is clear just how important running is to her. “Some people say you’re crazy, you’re nuts, absolutely insane,” said Morehouse, but for her, a veteran marathoner, running is a release. Prior to joining Sheridan’s counseling team last summer, Morehouse worked briefly as a disability counselor at Centennial College. Since September she has been working out of her office at the Davis Campus Health Center. Using her expertise in clinical psychology, Morehouse works with students facing a variety of issues. Morehouse works with students both in one-on-one settings and in groups, like Share the Journey, a support group for stressed and anxious students. “It helps normalize things,” she said about the group. Morehouse, like all of the counseling staff, is well equipped to counsel students. She’s spent the better part of the last decade in school, completing her academic career with a doctoral thesis on sexual risk among college students. It’s obvious that she understands the pressures of a student life, and the challenges that come with it. “It’s an exciting time in young people’s lives. It’s exciting to be involved in that,” she said. Today, Morehouse is finally where she wants to be. However, it was a long journey to get here. Growing up in Halifax, Morehouse started her undergrad at Acadia University studying biology. “I knew psychology was something I was interested in, but my high school didn’t offer any psych courses and I didn’t want to just jump

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right in,” says Morehouse. But at the behest of the department head, she transferred into Honours Psychology at Acadia. After graduation, Morehouse attended Antioch University in Keene, New Hampshire, where in 2010 she earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology. “It can be difficult,” she said, “you really have to be okay with having the identity of a student. Your friends are off starting their careers and earning money while you’re trying to save.” Running helped her stay focused on her goals and kept her from burning out. It’s even how she met her husband. “He actually hates running, but he did do a triathlon once so he did pay his dues,” said Morehouse. To Morehouse, psychology goes beyond mental illness. She explains that everything from the performing arts, to politics is affected by psychology, and a working knowledge of it can be an asset. However, the shelves in her office are filled with books on sports psychology, which as a runner is her main interest. In October 2010, she worked with the Toronto Marathon’s Psyching Team, a group of qualified professionals and grad students that helped runners to mentally prepare for the race. Marathon running relies heavily on the mind, to run for hour after hour is mentally and physically draining. A runner in top shape physically who is stressed out and anxious may not have what it takes to complete a marathon the way someone with a good mental attitude can. The team was designed in part to de-stigmatize counseling and psychology, taking it off the divan and into the streets. That’s important to Morehouse. Psychologists, she said, offer a

safe, confidential environment where someone is actively listening without bias. “Sometimes you break up with someone and your friends say ‘Oh, they were a jackass,’ because they want you to feel better,” she explained that because of their vested interest that advice may not be the best. Counselors can provide an added perspective. “For me, it’s really all about having a good relationship,” she said. In April, Morehouse will be running her second Boston Marathon. Her running partner wants to complete the race in three and a half hours, a personal best. Her last time at the Boston Marathon, Morehouse

is hoping to get involved with the athletics department. Morehouse is a young woman just starting a career and marriage. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She talks about balance and identity often and it seems that she’s found both through her work, her running, and her family. “It’s so important to have a balanced lifestyle. Knowing who you are, what you like to do, what your values are is really important.” Since Morehouse was young she’s carried with her a simple phrase, “Be good, have fun.” Obviously, she is doing both of those here at Sheridan.

Knowing who you are, what you like to do, what your values are is really important completed the race in 3:40. “I don’t know if you know a lot about Boston, or the Heartbreak Hill. I didn’t want to take it too hard. The race is on Patriots’ Day and it’s a big thing down there. You run by Wellesley College, Boston College, and Boston University. All the students are in the streets partying and cheering on the runners. It’s an amazing experience, you feel like a rock star. I wanted to enjoy myself and not be in pain running into the downtown,” says Morehouse. When she’s not training for the marathon, Morehouse will be busy here at Sheridan. She has about 500 hours left in her supervised practice, as well as two more exams before she is a fully licensed psychologist in Ontario. She has plans for a new addictions group and

Morehouse is one of many professionals at Sheridan who are employed at the school to help students understand, interpret, and deal with their personal and academic lives. A certain stigma exists that perceives counseling as only for the weak, but like other health professionals counseling is in many ways preventative medicine. You don’t go to the dentist only when you have a cavity, you go to prevent cavities and stay on track. Counseling is a form of preventative medicine for the mind. Students can turn to it to guide them when in many cases there aren’t people there to guide you to deal with common issues such as stress, anxiety, grieving, and depression. For more information on counseling check out page 38. t

Your Sheridan College Counselors Trafalgar Campus From Left to Right Tae Hwang Carol Goodrow David Knapp HMC Campus Linda De Jong Davis Campus From Left to Right Quynn Morehouse Ida Gianvito Kanchan Kurichh Sandra Hornby

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IT’S HERE 2012 STU D E NT U N IO N E LE CTIO NS

Each year, on top of your tuition, you pay a fee to the Student Union. That fee is your money, to be invested as you please in making the school a better place, and every year, you are given the chance to express your needs. It’s called: Student Union Elections.

The first few weeks of the semester have flown by! The SSUI team came back from the holidays refreshed and re-energized, and there is a new sense of excitement for this semester. We are more committed than ever to making sure that we, as your Student Union, are doing our best to represent our student body, the students who elect our board and the students who commit to Sheridan. There are many different types of students: those who emerge as natural leaders, those who are here to work hard and get great marks and the social butterflies with tons of friends. Whichever category or categories you happen to fall in to, we are here to support you and to help you make the most of your experience. Our goal is to be the glue that brings together every Sheridan student. Our annual Student Union Elections are quickly approaching. Last year, we made some changes to the structure, the roles and the responsibilities of the Board of Directors in order to better represent students. This change brought us the opportunity to have a more diverse group of students to be the key decision makers for

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our organization. Armed with your feedback on a wide variety of issues, this year’s Board has been responsible for making key decisions about our student health plan, the health centres on campus and major renovations to your student centres. Elections are quickly approaching, and the search for the best candidates is upon us and we need your help. We are looking for passionate students leaders who are committed to building a better student experience for all current and future Sheridan College students. We are looking for team players that will listen to their peers and will work tirelessly to make key decisions that will benefit the entire student body. If this person sounds like you or someone you know, please visit us at any of our three Student Union Offices. Please feel free to chat with me about running for the Board of Directors. If running for a spot on the Board isn’t your cup of tea, we still need your support. Have your voice heard and vote for your Board of Directors on March 13th to 15th. We look forward to the upcoming Elections, and seeing you cast your vote! Sincerely,

Monique Pereira Sheridan Student Union President

VOTING PRACTICE AREA

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@travismag

T R AVIS ASKS A PERSONAL QUES T ION

SHOULD TRAVIS

LIVE DIE OR

written by Bryan Myers

Honestly, there are a ton of boxes from the last two issues of Travis in the storage rooms of SU, and that scares the hell out of us. It’s never happened before, we have always had minimal copies left over (Thank-you dear readers!), not boxes and boxes. So that has really been a cold wake up call to assess what we are doing here at Travis, if what we are doing is relevant, and if we should continue, or what we should change? So, we roamed the halls to see what you think.

Trafalgar Says

Is Travis the magazine or a mythological creature in the mag? If it’s the actual magazine…well then I think it should live. William Dobson, Animation

I don’t think it should get killed. I don’t read it all the time but there’s useful stuff in there when I do - stuff that we wouldn’t usually get to know without it. Alice Bondet, Art Fundamentals

I don’t actually know what it is, so I don’t know if we should keep it. But if people enjoy making it, you should tell more of us what it is so we can get it. Rob Pegg, Advertising

I don’t really know about it - you’re going to have to give me some background information here. (Commence background information) Oh well then I think it’s necessary for students to have but I think you could find a different way to make the money for it…like selling cupcakes or something.

It should live - but cut it down. The content is okay but it would be more useful to have a rating system on the CDs and books. Some content is relevant to students though.

Kadar Hall, Advertising

Nikky Cox, Early Childhood Education

I have never heard of Travis…What is it?

Die, never read it.

Angela Medeiros, Art and Art History

Shawn Hussein, Marketing

davis Says

Live. It has useful information and student’s opinions in it. It allows students to give good feedback and you can’t do that on the Sheridan site. Everyone looks at it and you can get your voice out.

Live. It was very helpful when it had maps and showed the services available. Scott Sun, Computers

Johnny Huyng, Human Resources

Live! It’s a great magazine.

Navjot Singh, Child and Youth Worker

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hmc Says

Yes, it should live. It’s a good read from time to time but some articles are boring. It needs more info on HMC and really, there are way too many Travis copies around campus. Cut it back. Kinglsey Buzugbe, Business

It should die. It’s not interesting and doesn’t relate with me. I couldn’t care less if it’s published. If some people like it you should make it an online mag. Don’t print it - save trees. Alyssa Manbodh, Business

It should live because from time to time it has good content. A more HMC focus would be nice though and I’m not too into the actual name – Travis? It doesn’t represent anyone at this campus. Amir Kolia, Business

I don’t read it all the time but there’s useful stuff in there when I do — stuff that we wouldn’t usually get to know without it.

57% OF THOSE STUDENTS

POLLED VOTED ON

KEEPING TRAVIS SEMI-IN-DEPTH RESULTS

It should live. I like the print copy so I can just pick it up - but it’s not interesting enough for HMC students. I think you should use the magazine to showcase more about our services, like starting a club, events going on, health and dental – you know, student life stuff- especially at HMC. Manasa Chengebba, Business

Live. It’s an okay magazine that I read from time to time but it should be more focused on students and what matters to them and more HMC content would be nice. Hassan Hider, Business

43% 14% 29% 14%

OF STUDENTS WHO VOTED “LIVE”, READ TRAVIS OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO VOTED “LIVE”, DON’T READ TRAVIS Of students don’t know who, why or what Travis is OF STUDENTS POLLED VOTED “DIE”, MOST OF WHOM DON’T READ TRAVIS

JOIN IN on the discussion on travismag.com

@travismag

written by Bryan Myers & Jenn McBride

1GIRL 21QUESTIONS Aliya-Jasmine Sovani with MTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

photos courtesy of MTV

Aliya-Jasmine Sovani is sexy… I imagine she’d stop us there. It’s not the first time she’s been called sexy, but even after being labeled one of HELLO! Magazine’s 50 most beautiful Canadians, she still finds it weird. But as host and segment producer of MTV News, the lady with the cue cards on 1 Girl, 5 Gays and the face behind a long list of worldwide achievements, she is without a doubt way more than that. She’s exactly who you think she is - incredibly brainy, a tad bit nerdy, and passionate about everything she talks about. The self-proclaimed “ugly kid” (Surprised? We were too, and quite frankly, we don’t believe her,) grew up to be exactly who she dreamt of being and she’s coming to Sheridan February 7th.

The Basics

t : Where did you grow up? Aliya-Jasmine Sovani: I’m from Ottawa, the nation’s capital!

Who are you? I’m the host of MTV News as well as the segment producer, and I’m also the title Girl of 1 Girl, 5 Gays.

What do your parents do? My dad is the Chair of Hospitality & Tourism Department at Algonquin College, and my mom is a Director General for the Canadian Government.

How have they influenced your career choices? My mom paid her way through law school by modeling; she is an example that brains and beauty are not mutually exclusive. My dad

had a successful hands-on career owning restaurants and then went back to university well into his adulthood… I find that truly inspiring that it’s never too late to re-brand your life and your future.

In high school, were you an overachiever or an underachiever… or just a regular achiever? Regular, I guess.

A lot of people grow into who they are. There are countless celebrity grad photos that you’d never expect them to become who they are (for instance, Ryan Seacrest or Avril Lavigne). Have you always been sexy and smart or is it something that you grew into? When you get to know me, I’m just a dork that collects comic books and likes hockey and

@travismag

I like sports and hard rock. It’s not something that I hide, but it probably doesn’t show neighbourhood pubs. So the sexy thing is always weird. Well, I guess it’s something I grew into. I think I was pretty ugly as a kid and had zero attention span in school.

How has that affected how you see the world? We all become the people we dreamt of being at some point in our lives, I truly believe that.

Identity

Why is identity important as a television personality? So people know whose voice represents their own.

What is something you like that your TV personality might not reveal? I like sports and hard rock. It’s not something that I hide, but it probably doesn’t show.

What does it mean to be Canadian? Everything. We are the luckiest country in the world for being so pluralistic. As a woman of colour, in the media, with free speech, equal rights, and a family that came from Uganda – I know how blessed I am. And that makes me an extremely proud Canadian.

What does it mean to be a woman? The bathroom door I use has a dress on the sign.

How does identity affect sexuality? Everyone needs to choose that for themselves.

Is your heritage important to you, and why? It’s very important. It’s my history, and the history of the people whose lineage allowed me to have this life and these dreams.

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How has travelling affected who you are? It has made me who I am.

How does identity differ in countries like Sudan? Mostly because I am a woman – and – a woman of colour, that’s the biggest difference, the life I am able to have here in Canada as opposed to other places.

In an interview you mentioned that in Cuba someone offered 100 cows to marry you and that the more he realized you were educated and independent your market value dropped. Are there factors in America that drop a man or woman’s "market value"/dateability? If so, what are they? There are a ton, women are always objectified and put into categories that don’t affect men… It’s the reason the “slut march” developed in North America protesting that the way a woman dresses is the cause for rape, for example.

You can’t judge a book by its cover, but ultimately the human mind still does, how is image important in terms of identity?

How do you shop for yourself? How do you know when something you like looks good? If it feels nice. I like three things: minimalism, masculine, and texture. If it’s a simple black t-shirt that’s soft – it’s probably my fave thing in the store.

How does Facebook/Twitter/social media affect our identity? It’s kinda ridiculous. I feel a lot of people create fake identities of themselves and their accomplishment on social media. When it’s used as an extension of who we are then I think it’s amazing. For me it’s a great way to interact with viewers and fans about things I do in real life.

Is it for the better or worse? Probably for the better. Social media is exciting!

Wild Card

What’s on your bucket list?

Catch Aliya-Jasmine February 7th Live at The Marquee as she brings her show 1 Girl, 5 Gays to the stage.

Bring my parents back to Uganda so they can show me around the country they grew up in. t

It’s someone’s first impression of you. I think it is very important in our society. Just as important as opening the book and reading the first page.

@travismag

Be The Change Across the board, Sheridan is bursting with talent. We’ve got people doing great things all over the place – real go-getter types. We call ‘em student leaders – and on February 10th we’ll funnel down the most outstanding students from all three campuses and throw them together to share their student success stories. With keynote speakers and a lot of ideas in the same room, the workshop aims to fuel the conversation on how to enhance the quality of your school life and put Sheridan’s leaders in the spotlight.

Here’s where you should be headed: HMC Campus, Feb 10th for more info check out www.sheridanstudentunion.com

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Brought to you by

sheridanstudentunion.com

makeup artist Amanda Blair model Tyson for Push Modeling Agency stylist Mark Williams photography Steph Martyniuk All pieces in this article are available at The Bay.

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written by Jenn McBride

On first glance, even we missed a pinnacle detail – probably the same one you’re doubling back to find now. It might be obvious once you figure it out, but a glance from further back and you’ll be questioning the details all over again. We initially put out a casting call for two models – one guy and one gal. The original concept was to play with the theme of gender as identity, and dress the models opposite their gender. Eventually, Norwayne Anderson, a modelling agent at Push Talent Agency, suggested the idea of simply using one model. “He thought that it would really enhance the idea of playing on gender identity – I agreed and was a little upset I hadn’t thought of the idea myself,” says Mark Williams, Travis’ own fashion editorialist. His name is Tyson, and damn, he’s convincing.

So we chose a delicately-featured dude and found him a pretty convincing wig. Next, we blurred the lines of sexuality and style – and in the end it’s something we can really stand behind. “I feel like we see a lot of trends flipflopping between genders – like menswear on girls or a more fitted silhouette on boys,” says Steph Martyniuk, our resident fashion photog. Identity is about killing the stereotype and walking around with ball-busting confidence no matter what you wear (an expression I’ve also heard from a man who chewed on a toothpick for 15 hours a day – and coming from him, it sounded positive).

Take for example, model Andrej Pejic (a name we could never pronounce). His entire professional identity relies on his ability to gender bend on all sorts of shoots. Look him up, he makes Kate Moss look like Chuck Norris. Although Pejic has been a topic of much debate in the fashion world, keep him in mind as you look at this spread. “If people are looking and have something to say, that’s awesome! What good is making art if people don’t say anything. I mean if you have an opinion, that’s great – but each person is unique in their own way and this piece is about celebrating that quality in each other,” says Martyniuk. ’t’

@travismag

cardigan, denim shirt, cargo jeans, shoes Ralph Lauren: Denim & Supply scarf Burberry socks Dickies

hat Hudson Room jumper Jeremy Scott for Adidas shoes Muska Skytop II by Supra

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hat Ralph Lauren: Denim & Supply shirt Polo by Ralph Lauren sweater Polo By Ralph Lauren

hat, jacket, sweater, jeans Ralph Lauren: Denim & Supply shoes Y3, Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas @travismag

A RANDOM NUMBER OF WORDS ABOUT CULTURE

THE IDENTITY OF TATTOOS

written by Chris D’Alessandro, photo by Drew Grav-Graham

Ever take a look around at the body parts of some of your fellow students? They sure are colourful. Our generation loves tattoos, and who can blame us? They’re everywhere. Celebrities, musicians and countless television shows are all giving a giant thumbs up to the tattoo culture. 36 travismag.com

Grandparents just don’t understand. “How’s that going to look when your 60? ” they viciously nag. All your tattoos will probably look terrible when you’re 60, but so will everything else on your body. The fact remains that tattoos are on us forever. They’re a life long fashion decision, like deciding on a shirt to wear every day for the rest of your life. That doesn’t seem to be slowing anybody down. Everyday we see more people with fresh ink, and more tattoo shops popping up ready to drive a needle into your epidermis in exchange for your hard earned cash. It’s easy to see why older generations don’t quite get the current tattoo craze. Tattoos used to be associated with bikers and were practically never seen on women. They were a symbol that you were outside the conventions of polite society. Having tattoos used to be about being a rebel. They acted as a sign that you lived outside the rules of 99 per cent of

we get them in the first place, but what does it mean to have them? Of course a tattoo should always mean something to you. When you look at them, see them on yourself, they remind you of where you were in your life when you got them — whether that’s for better or for worse. It also probably means that you’re a little addicted. It’s an addicting process. You can’t stop thinking up new ideas, and the adrenaline from getting a tattoo is hard to replicate. Think about it, do you know anybody who only has one? If they do, I’m willing to bet they talk all the time about wanting to get another one. I speak from experience. I have six tattoos, and I may have seven by the time you read this. I’m addicted. Yes, tattoos hurt. It’s a very specific sensation, like someone drawing on yourself with the edge of a steak knife. Although, there are varying degrees of the painful sensation based on which part of your body you’re modifying. So maybe it’s also a way to show that you’re tough enough to endure the process of getting one.

G e t t i n g a tat t o o w o n ’ t c h a n g e y o u r p e r s o n a , b u t i t i s a way t o b roa d c a s t w h o yo u a l r e a dy a r e the population (that was when it was cool to be branded as the 1 per cent). The truth is that you were outside convention, because most people didn’t have tattoos. This just isn’t the case today. Now it seems that you’re almost on the outside if you don’t have a tattoo. So does it mean that you’re conforming when you get a tattoo or further defining yourself? Tattoos can be unique to you. You don’t have to group them all together - sort of like hairstyles. Granted, hairstyles aren’t on you forever, but just because you do something with your hair doesn’t mean it’s the same as the next person who styles theirs. People are concerned with showing off who they are. Tattoos are like our own personal flags to send up to neighbouring ships. It’s the corner stone of our culture today. We love showing off who we are. It’s the same reason why we’re obsessed with Facebook and Twitter. There are other reasons to get tattoos. Sometimes we get them to remember. Ink is forever for a reason. It’s comparable to a prisoner counting the passing years by carving strikes into his cell wall. Anyone who has ever gotten a tattoo to remember somebody close to them who has passed away can probably acknowledge the feeling. If you’re an artsy person, that’s a factor you might want to broadcast and celebrate. That’s what art is all about after all. I know a lot of people who designed and drew their own tattoos. In fact, a friend drew my first one. So, those may be some of the reasons why

But does it mean you’re cool if you have a tattoo? Sure tattoos can be very cool, but anyone can get one. For example, my mother has more tattoos than I do. Seriously. Not that my mom isn’t cool or anything, but you understand my point. Having a tattoo doesn’t change who you are, or automatically make you cool. If you get a tattoo just to be cool, you aren’t going to be cool, and neither is your tattoo. Getting a tattoo won’t change you’re persona, but it can broadcast who you already are. Also, branding ourselves with ink isn’t the only thing we do to show who we are. Tattoos are a form of expression. They give us the opportunity to imprint on ourselves just who we are, they send a message about us. Whether that’s cool or not, I have no idea. Vanity is, of course, incredibly lame, but self-expression is awesome. There is a very fine line to walk between the two. I remember the tattoo a friend of mine who recently passed away had. On his upper arm he had tattooed a cartoon swamp monster dressed up as Super Mario. It made everybody laugh when they saw it. For him, the tattoo was just about self-expression and fun. Maybe it’s just because it was so funny, or maybe because he, regardless of his tattoos, was so cool. Either way, it is the absolute coolest fucking tattoo I have ever seen. t

What’s the

craziest

tattoo you’ve ever done?

“There are lots of funny ones. I’m sure there are a few other artists out there who are tired of drawing Tasmanian Devils on people. I had a guy who got a full ‘Tazz’ back piece once.” Rebecca, Way Cool Tattoos

“I’ve been doing this for 27 years, so I’ve done some pretty crazy ones. I’ve done realistic looking razor blade cuts that spell out words, those are pretty out there. But I also tattooed the guy from ‘The Office’ on someone once.” MJ, Paris Ink

“Rachel [Sideshow’s owner and operator] did the craziest tattoo to come out of our shop. Some guy raised $1600 as a bet from his friends, and got a leprechaun drinking a pint tattooed on his penis. Easily the craziest thing ever.” Aaron “Beamer”, Sideshow Tattoos

“So, I don’t like to tattoo spouses or boyfriend/girlfriend names on people. This one time, this girl comes in and tells me she wants her kid’s name tattooed on her foot. Fair enough. I’m just finished the outline when she says ‘I have a confession, I don’t have a kid.’ So I ask, ‘Is this your boyfriend?’ She replies ‘Not yet.’” Luke, Good Point Tattoos

Tattoo gun courtesy of Good Point Tattoos, check out ad on pg. 4.

@travismag

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

the sheepdogs written by Chris Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alessandro

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If anyone can attest to how important voting is – it would be The Sheepdogs. They did the legwork, but we voted them into rock and roll history.

n a world full of spoon-fed, celebrated mediocrity — it’s important to vote. Not just because it exercises your freedom to personal opinion, but by merely checking off one box you’ve instantly changed the world around you. It’s easy. It’s quick, and its impact is impossible to ignore. A year ago, barely anyone had heard of The Sheepdogs — but thanks to the roar of passionate fans, they managed to land on the cover of Rolling Stone. The problem always comes from not caring. If you don’t tell people what you want, you’ll get told what you want, usually by people who stand to make some money off of you. Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Ke$ha are what it looks like when the music industry tells you what you want. The majority of

Night with Jimmy Fallon, they got a record deal with Atlantic Records, they won a ton of awards and of course, they got to do what every rock and roller dreams of: be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. You may already be familiar with that story, it was pretty big news last summer. What you may not know is that before landing the cover of Rolling Stone thanks to popular vote — The Sheepdogs were practically unknown. They had actually released two previous albums before the one that they’re currently touring, which went largely unacknowledged. The band had been trying to make it big since 2006, and it wasn’t for lack of talent that they weren’t getting noticed. The reason was that nobody had voted for them. It’s hard to believe now, but before Rolling Stone came

They are the people’s band people really don’t care, and that’s why these questionably talented individuals stand to make millions of dollars…and they do. The Sheepdogs on the other hand are a product of democracy — a testament to the kind of music that gets its rightful place on the radio when people who sincerely care about music make their voices heard. They are the people’s band. Almost impossible to hate, The Sheepdog’s grooves hit on such a primal, raw level that there’s nothing to not like about them. The band sounds like if Jimi Hendrix and Queens of the Stone Age had a baby. It’s a style straight out of the sixties that doesn’t sound one bit out of place when paired alongside the progressive rock of today. If you listen to this band on your iPod, then it should be through a vinyl app. The longhaired, bearded band from Saskatoon was the only Canadian entry when Rolling Stone ran the “Do You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star” contest. The contest challenged unsigned musical acts to get the most votes through the Rolling Stone website. Of course local radio stations were quick to jump behind The Sheepdogs, but it was more important that they were good than that they were Canadian. The Sheepdogs got the most votes, and they won the contest. They got to play on Late

along, nobody raised their hand in the air for The Sheepdogs. We’re just going to put this out there — there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that a record company would have taken a chance on a hippie-styled progressive-stoner-rock band. There’s no way you can make lunch boxes out of that. This band has longevity. Like other rock and roll evangelist bands such as Kings of Leon and The Black Keys — they’re bringing something pure and easy to love into the picture, while still pushing rock music forward in a positive and interesting way. They’re creating songs that we’re going to be able to listen to for the next 20 years. Songs by The Sheepdogs will become cornerstones of rock and roll, thanks to the people. ‘Vote or Die’ was never meant to be a threat — it was more like a prediction. I think real music lovers are tired of people who don’t care about music electing what’s popular. Nobody asked for Rebecca Black, it was someone’s response to the masses clearly not giving a shit. If you care about something, and you’re not happy with the way it is, when given the opportunity to change it… take it and run. t

Want a free copy of this? Be the first person to tweet the name of the SU EVP at your campus. Use the hashtag #travismagswag FTW!

Rolling Stone Landing on the cover of Rolling Stone didn’t come by chance — it came by the people’s votes (all 1.5 million of them)

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TRAVIS CHALLENGE

FROM CLASSROOM

TO STAND-UP written by Jakki Tyson, photo by Drew Grav-Graham

Growing up, I realized that everyone has an identity. The smart one. The pretty one. The athletic one. But none of these worked for me. I was too lazy to be the smart one. My relationship with quadratics began and ended in the classroom. I was most definitely not the athletic one either. I’ve been hit in the face with more dodge balls than I’ve caught. And my hair was too horrible ever to make me the pretty one. Which is fine with me because all of the “pretty girls” from high school, aren’t nearly as pretty after the Freshman Fifteen… or pregnancy. My natural clumsiness mixed with my pubescent awkwardness created quite the formula for embarrassing moments, but I was quick to learn that there’s one thing in the world that will save you from most situations in life: humour. Thus, my role as “the funny one” was born.

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racking wise has saved me many times. It’s my first line of defense. When I’m standing in a group of strangers with nothing to talk about, I make a joke. When I fall down the stairs in front of the boy of my dreams, I make a joke, then go home and cry myself to sleep (see what I did there? A joke… kind of). When my friends are crying and upset about a serious matter, I make a joke, which is not really the best approach, but it lightens the mood. My love for hilarity made the decision to take on this challenge of coming up with a stand-up comedy routine pretty easy, except for one fact, I hate being in the spotlight. The idea of performing scripted dialogue in front of an audience is quite intimidating. Audiences are mean, judgmental, and are something that I usually avoid. But, you only live once, so I figured what the hell. I have nothing to lose, except my pride, which is something that I’m willing to wager. 1) I don’t have an extensive knowledge of stand-up comedy, so the first thing I did was watch YouTube videos of famous comedians to see what it’s all about. I spent countless hours watching Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Dane Cook and many others. In need of some female inspiration, I checked out some performances by Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman and Chelsea Handler. As much as stand-up comedians need to be funny to succeed, they mostly have to be good storytellers. Comedians always start their jokes by describing a situation and building upon it with small jokes to get to the final punch line. Often the story is based on a simple thing, that isn’t even necessarily funny on its own, but becomes hilarious once it’s elaborated on. What’s often funny about it, is the way it connects to the audience, it’s often a story about a mundane and ordinary moment in every day life but seen from a different point of view. Dave Chappelle does a hilarious routine on Sesame Street, which seems pretty juvenile in thought, but with the right dialogue, becomes hilarious as he rants about how Oscar the Grouch can relate to real homeless people, as he is, in fact, the poorest character on Sesame Street and no one is doing anything to help him. Stand-up is about making jokes that your audience can relate to and understand. It’s about saying things that everybody thinks but doesn’t have the balls to say out loud. Being brutally honest is a must as a stand-up

comedian. Dane Cook’s joke about how in every circle of friends there is a person that no one likes is one of my favourites because, as he says in the routine “It is so true, that’s why it’s funny.” That’s what makes a good stand-up comedian, the ability to tell the truth and laugh at it. It’s about being able to find humour in anything. My theory is that if you make fun of everything and everyone you can never come across as racist or offensive, because you’re actually treating everyone equally. 2) When creating my routine, I tried to focus on my life and pull from real stories that I have. I figured, if I’ve experienced it, there’s a chance someone else has too and maybe they need me to help them laugh it off. The first thing I thought to reflect on was my background. I was raised in the country, where everyone knows each other because they’re either related and /or have dated. I decided to compare country life to city life and talked about things like how a traffic jam in the country usually consists of getting stuck behind a tractor. I then pulled material from my love life,

to practice. My roommates and my mirror became my test audience, and both turned out to be extremely critical. So, I rewrote until I was content with the content. Then came the scariest and most dreaded part; actually performing what I’d come up with. I could have opted to go to an amateur night at a comedy club, but instead I decided to show my friends. You may think that’s cheating, but performing for people you know is actually scarier than performing for strangers. You know their personality, so you can tell when they don’t like something, or if you have friends like mine, they will just blatantly tell you if you don’t. To hype myself up, I did what I do whenever I’m getting ready for something important; I put on the Rocky theme song and chugged a protein shake. Okay, I didn’t actually. I basically just hyped myself mentally, reminding myself that the worst that can happen is my audience hating it, in which case, they probably just don’t get it and have no sense of humour. The time finally came for me to show people what I’d come up with. I was standing

It’s about saying things that everybody thinks — but doesn’t have the balls to say out loud specifically the fact that I dated an extremely metrosexual fellow, who myself and everyone else is convinced is secretly gay. So, I made a list of ways to know that your boyfriend wants a boyfriend; if he preorders tickets to the Twilight movie, knows all the lyrics to every Britney Spears song, and if he asks you to grow a mustache. (It’s sad because only one of those is made up.) The topic that is currently most familiar to me is college life, and one that my audience would relate to as well. So, I decided to talk about that. Life as a poor student, living off of coffee and beer, and attending events solely just for the free food (don’t pretend you haven’t done it.) I also talked about the different types of people that you will encounter in your classes. I don’t care what anyone says, there is such a thing as a stupid question, and there’s a person in every class who insists on always asking them. 3) Once I had decided on what to talk about, and had written it out, it came time

in front of my peers, with all eyes on me and I choked. Not completely, but I did stumble. In the beginning I forgot what I was going to say so I just ad-libbed and continued on. It was a big deal to me, but the thing about audiences is that they don’t know what to expect. I was terrified to start, but once I got a few laughs it was encouraging, so I became more relaxed and comfortable. Then a surprising thing happened; I started to enjoy it. It was a good feeling, working on something and seeing people appreciate it. Not every joke was a hit, but that’s always going to be the case. I can feel accomplished because I actually got up the nerve to do it, didn’t completely bomb and didn’t have any objects thrown at my head. I can’t say that it would become a regular hobby of mine, but it was an experience, and in the end I have something else that I can look back and laugh about. t If you missed Jakki’s performance during Yuk Yuk’s night at the Marquee, read her follow up post on www.travismag.com

@travismag

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Counselling: navigate your life written by Cheryl Cnoop-Koopmans, photo by Drew Grav-Graham

Life’s not easy. There are rough times, tough decisions, and emotional ups and downs that affect us all - especially while trying to complete a postsecondary education. Sometimes things can build up to the point where you feel at a loss, or just need someone to talk to. Or perhaps there are issues from your past you’ve never talked about before. Or maybe you have long suspected that you just don’t feel quite the way you’re supposed to, and now you’re thinking it might be worth asking about. But you’re scared. You’re unsure. You’re worried about being judged and labelled. Who goes to counselling, really? If you need to go there, you must be really messed up… right? These are the thoughts that often surround the idea of coming to talk to a counsellor, and because of this, many students don’t seek or receive help because of the stigma surrounding counselling. In fact, the World Health Organisation suggests that stigma is one of the largest impacting factors surrounding seeking help, even though mental illness affects nearly half the population worldwide. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the life stressors that don’t fall under a diagnosable category. The truth is, we are all affected by mental health at some point or another and we all speak to counsellors, though most are unofficial. Whether it is a parent, a pet, a friend, or a family member, speaking to someone about our problems is one of the best ways to deal with issues effectively. The current research indicates that compared with the general population, overall student health is poor and emotional health is worse than physical health1. Over 80 per cent of students report being moderately or severely distressed, the effects of which often include poor grades, academic probation, and social isolation as some of the outcomes of poor emotional health1. However, even though receiving help could boost marks and emotional well-being, post secondary students report that they often feel a sense of social isolation due to the stigma surrounding the issue of mental health and receiving help, and over 90 per cent of students in distress do not seek or receive help1. Here at Sheridan College, we encourage you to break that stigma, and help yourself, friends, and classmates understand that everyone can benefit from this service at various points in their life. It is free, confidential, and can help you improve your grades and functioning. Staff are friendly, inviting, understanding, and non-judgemental, and are here to support you in your college journey. If you don’t believe it coming from me, hear what some of your fellow students have had to say about their experiences in counselling. In a brave and bold move by several students last year, a short video was produced where students candidly spoke of their struggles, experiences with counselling, and how they hope other students don’t feel the same stigma that they once felt. Tamara, a Child and Youth Worker student stated that, “most people are afraid. I can definitely say I was one of them. I was afraid people were going to see me, or were going to judge me, or that even just being

in the room I was going to be judged.” John from Police Foundations echoed this concern saying, “I had the tendency to feel that I was alone, and that no one shared the same issues or problems that I shared.” Deanna, a Social Service Worker Student, spoke of coming to terms with the idea of counselling, saying, “I realised that I needed to challenge my thinking (about counselling) that was inaccurate, and that we’re all going to go through difficult times in life, and it’s okay to reach out for help.” These are Sheridan students who felt the same way that many of you may be feeling right now. They had the same thoughts, worries, and concerns as you might, but were able to break through that stigma. And what they found once they took that step and got connected was remarkable. Emma, a Human Resources student said that, “it wasn’t only that hey, there are actually other people that are going through this stuff, but you’re actually handling it pretty normally. You handle it probably better than a lot of people do. So it was all these things that sort of came out of me, and all these positive things started coming in. I remember leaving, and feeling a little bit lighter.” Deanna wanted to leave students with one last thought. She wanted “to remind people not to give up. You know, things can get tough, but I’m living proof it does get better, and there is always hope, and you just have to get connected.”

Be the change you want to see. Break the stigma. Spread the word. Emma summarizes it perfectly when she says, “There’s no reason you have to go through anything alone. Not at Sheridan”. These students speak candidly about their journeys, the growth they’ve experienced since coming to counselling, and they really help us all to understand that going to see a counsellor isn’t something that is scary or wrong. It’s actually normal and very healthy. To see this video in full, visit the Sheridan Counselling Services webpage, under services, then under counselling services. The counselling office at Sheridan has both group and individual counselling, drop in times from 11am-2pm every weekday, and a variety of counsellors to speak to. There is a diverse set of groups to get connected with as well: peer mentor program, mature student group, learning disabilities group, athletic stress release & endorphin building group, anxiety group, addictions group, residence outreach & informational group, Asperger’s group and a networking social connections Coffee Haus group, all with students that attend that may be just like yourself. At Trafalgar, drop into room B104 for more information or call 905-845-9430 ext. 2521. For Davis, swing by room C210 or call 905459-7533 ext. 5160. For HMC students, please call Linda De Jong, ext. 5142. Also, for any emergencies that extend our office hours here, call 1-877-825-9011 to reach the Halton Crisis line to speak with someone at any time, 24 hours a day. Be the change you want to see. Break the stigma. Spread the word. t

@travismag Storrie, K., Ahern, K., & Tuckett, A. (2010). A systematic review: Students with mental health problems—A growing problem. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16, 1–6.

random awesome A large part of putting together a magazine like this one is simply exploring the world around you. It’s a writer’s duty to spend hours on the internet, or a weekend haunting comic book stores, record shops, and coffee shops. In the name of lifestyle journalism, there really is no better way to find cool things…Or to find a lot of really absurdly funny things that most people overlook.

The Flaming Lips http : //pitchfork.com /tv /pitchfork-classic /1885 -the-flaming-lipsthe-soft-bulletin / 3081-intro /

Nerdist Podcasts http : //www.nerdist.com /podcast /

I like to throw these on when I’m doing something that doesn’t require a lot of attention like Minecraft because Minecraft is a lonely pastime, and it helps me to pretend like I’ve got friends. I like The Nerdist because there are a variety of channels that cater to many of my interests from shows like You Made it Weird, that talks about the lives of comedians (with guests like Sarah Silverman and Neal Brennan), to The Indoor Kids, which discusses video games and video game life. All in all, it’s a good set of podcasts for long car trips or full days wasting away in the 8-bit world of Minecraft.

Lifehacker http : //blog.lifehacker.com /

I love the Flaming Lips. I think their cover of Dark Side of The Moon might be one of the best albums of all time. It makes psychedelic rock seem like The Monkees. The hipsters at Pitchfork have put together an oral history, as told by the Flaming Lips, about The Soft Bulletin, one of the bands best albums. If you don’t know them, you should get their Pink Floyd cover album, if you do, you should watch this.

KassemG: Going Deep

http : //www.youtube.com /playlist?list= PL2DF3673D1DF139A3

KassemG is the host of a show similar to Inside The Actor’s Guild, but instead of A-listers he talks to adult film stars. He manages to make each guest squirm, which I would imagine is pretty tough, by asking scores of awkward questions, managing to keep a straight face, and constantly keeping them on their toes with rude and unexpected remarks. Best of all, he manages to put out new episodes on a regular basis.

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It took me until I was 19 to be able to make grilled cheese. It was something I had to practice. After that it was smooth sailing, but at that point I realized there were many things I didn’t know how to do. And in my 24th year, I realized that Lifehacker could help me, from hotwiring a car from the early 90’s, to how to open a beer with your forearm. My personal favourite section is the Featured Workspaces, which gives me hope for when I one day have my own office.

Ke$ha covers Bob Dylan http : //www.youtube.com /watch?v = mNCEV7ZSNFo

Who knew that Ke$ha could actually sing?! This is kind of a pleasant surprise. Still, I’m not sure how Dylan’s social conscience appealed to Ke$ha’s daddy-issues and one-track mind for partying, but it works. Maybe in 2012 we can expect to see Bob Marley’s Redemption Song get covered by Hanson.