The Carillon Volume 63, Issue 22

the carillon the staff editor-in-chief editor@carillonregina.com

taylor balfour

executive director business@carillonregina.com

jacob nelson

production manager production@carillonregina.com

morgan ortman

advertising manager advertising@carillonregina.com

ty cote

technical editor shae shackman carillontechnical@carillonregina.com multimedia/graphics editors

multimedia@carillonregina.com graphics@carillonregina.com

kate thiessen sarah carrier

copy editor copyeditor@carillonregina.com

hannah senicar

news editor news@carillonregina.com

sara birrell

a&c editor aandc@carillonregina.com

julia peterson

sports editor sports@carillonregina.com

ethan butterfield

op-ed editor op-ed@carillonregina.com

holly worby

distribution manager distribution@carillonregina.com staff writer staff writer news writer a&c writer sports writer web writer

kyle anderson

marty grande-sherbert

n/a

matt thomson florence hwang sarah nakonechny

contributors hammad ali, maria azam and hila smith

vol. 63

gillian massie

board of directors taylor balfour, lindsay holitzki, maddie ouelette, dustin smith. marty grande-sherbert, and jacob nelson

the paper

227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB The Carillon welcomes contributions.

Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff.

The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization. land acknowledgement The Carillon is written on treaty four territory. As such, the staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without speaking to our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of the land to its place sacred place in the cultures of those that live here. the manifesto In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years.

In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower.

The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.

the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe

The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 March 18 - March 24, 2021 | Volume 63, Issue 22 | carillonregina.com

news

Welcome back!

We’re super happy to share another amazing Carillon issue with you all. We all want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who contributors to make our paper as unique as it always is.

Sit back, wash your hands, and relax while reading stories from around your university campus.

news

arts

Five Days For Homeless p.3

Sarah Everard

Hill Business School’s Five Days for the Homeless campaign has gone virtual for 2021.

The murder of London woman Sarah Everard has led to outpourings of grief and anguish worldwide, as women everywhere call attention to the violence they face.

sports

p.4

Bojack and forgiveness

p.7

Bojack Horseman can be bleak, comical and a source of self-reflection. Marty Grande-Sherbert talks about forgiveness and relating to an anthropomorphic horse.

op-ed

sports

Stay safe everyone!

Taylor Balfour Editor-in-Chief

photos

cover......................................sarah carrier news.............................hill business school news...........................wikipedia commons a&c.....................................festival annecy sports...........................marco verch (flickr) sports............................................pixabay op-ed.............................................pixabay

CFL x XFL

p.10

Ethan Butterfield and Regina Leader Post’s Rob Vanstone speculation the motivations behind a possible CFL/ XFL partnership.

Charles Shultz

p.11

The veteran sports broadcaster is remembered after an unexpected death at the age of 61.

One year

p.14

Between burnout, distraction, and isolation, students find solace in supportive peer networks.

news

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editor: sara birrell news@carillonregina.com the carillon | march 18 - march 24, 2021

Five Days for the Homeless Campaign kicked off March 15 hammad ali contributor

In 2005, business students from the University of Alberta started a fundraising campaign called Five Days for the Homeless with the mission of generating awareness about homelessness and raising funds for charities around the country. Student participants experience homelessness for five days in early March to raise funds all across Canada. Since 2005, the movement has spread to universities throughout Canada. The Hill Business Students’ Society at the University of Regina has been taking part for 12 years now.

In 2019, they raised $58,000, the highest amount ever raised by this campaign since its inception.

This year, the campaign has had to change format due to the pandemic. We got in touch with Melissa Donald, VP Academic at the HBSS, to find out more.

“All proceeds from this campaign are donated to a non-profit organization in the local community that aids people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Our campaign funds go to Carmichael Outreach, and help support their many programs including housing support, food security and

nutrition, children’s needs, and many more. Their website has more information on these and other programs,” said Donald.

“At the University of Regina, the events we organize for this campaign have changed and adapted over the years, and the campaign has grown and gained a lot of awareness. In 2019, we raised the highest amount across all universities in Canada!” she added.

Unfortunately, in 2020, the lockdown was issued two days before the campaign kick-off. The HBSS adapted and was able to organize a raffle draw instead of in-person events, and were still able to raise $42,000 within that short turnaround time.

When asked what they were planning for this year given the circumstances, Donald said, “This year’s campaign will run from March 15-19, and will involve a nightly livestream from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. every night, hosted by Mark Johnston. These live streams will consist of local community members speaking on relevant topics, and there will also be entertainment, musical performances, and games. Each day there will be a raffle with a $5 donation per entry. All relevant

Hill Business School

Hand holding an orange tin can that says “Help me.”

details for the live stream and the raffle will regularly be posted on HBSS social media accounts. We will also have some guests from Carmichael Outreach speaking about the importance of this event.”

When asked about other similar fundraising campaigns that HBSS might be involved in, Donald mentions, “This is the only campaign we do specifically for people experiencing homelessness. We do, however, do another fundraiser through our keg-arama event for the Burn Unit in

Regina.”

Donald urges all members of the University of Regina, and the community at large, to get involved with the campaign and donate if they are able to do so.

“Once the live stream is on, people will be able to donate directly through the livestream, or to Carmichael, via the online donation portal. We believe this year, it is more important than ever before to help our community and those experiencing homelessness. Even if all you can do this year is join the live stream and learn more

about Carmichael and the local community, it would be highly appreciated.”

The Hill Business Students’ Society has a strong online presence, with their website www. hillbss.com, @HillBusiness on Facebook, and @hillbss on Instagram and Twitter. More information about Carmichael Outreach can be found at www.carmichaeloutreach.ca, where HBSS is listed as one of their long-time partners. Information about the upcoming events and how to get involved is already being posted.

Prairie Harm Reduction meets fundraising goal But receiving government funding is still an unknown

taylor balfour editor-in-chief

Earlier this week, Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR), Saskatchewan’s only safe consumption site, publicly requested $1.3 million from the Saskatchewan Party to keep the site running and move to a 24/7 basis. Jason Mercredi, the executive director of PHR, had applied for government funding in 2020, but was denied.

This comes merely three days after Ryan Meili, leader of the Saskatchewan New Democrats, urged the Saskatchewan Party government to place more money and focus on harm reduction campaigns and safe consumption sites. Meili told the CBC that this is a problem that goes “beyond what partisan preference there is” and urges people to “look at the evidence.”

The deadliness of the opioid crisis is not unknown to the province. In 2019, Saskatchewan reported 172 fatal cases of drug toxicity deaths. In 2020, there were 377 – Saskatchewan’s deadliest year for overdoses on record.

However, the existence of PHR benefits the community in a variety of ways. While safe consumption sites may be primarily known for ensuring that drug users are monitored while consuming and are receiving drugs that are not laced with lethal substances, the benefit of these sites creates ripple effects.

For example, a safe consump-

tion site allows for the safe use and disposal of needles. Saskatchewan has the highest HIV rate in the country, and ensuring that users are not sharing and/or exchanging needles will further save lives.

Despite the lack of government funding, the community has been rising to the challenge to fund the site. In 2020, when the site requested funding in order to open, private community donations allowed the center to open on October 1, 2020. The donations not only helped maintain their space, but also helped hire a full-time medical staff member to remain on site while open.

Again, in 2021, PHR is in the midst of another fundraising campaign and has finally surpassed their $80,000 goal. In their official Facebook post, PHR specifically thanked the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon and the Okihtcitawak Patrol Group for helping them reach their goal.

PHR has said themselves that fundraising, merchandise sales, donations, and support from the community have been helping the site bring in steady revenue. However, support from the government would allow the site to remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This would allow staff to offer around-the-clock care to users instead of limiting their support to specific “work day” hours.

Additionally, PHR offers free naloxone kits. Naloxone is a medication that counteracts the effects

of opioids in the system. If a drug user is suffering from the effects of a drug overdose, naloxone can help counter the effects, oftentimes saving lives.

Not only does PHR have these kits on hand for users who enter their site, but they also offer

free kits for people to take home.

Their website notes that training for using naloxone takes “10-15 minutes.” A certificate is also distributed after training.

The need for safe consumption sites is clear, and the demand for them is rising more and more

each day. The community has uplifted and supported PHR even when the government has not. As Scott Moe said on his campaign trail in 2020, “we need to continue to invest” when it comes to the opioid crisis. Now, it’s time for us to see those investments happen.

Prarie Harm Reduction

Prairie Harm Reduction logo with three sheaves of wheat.

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 4

news

Everard’s murder shows dangers facing women Thousands killed each year

holly worby op-ed editor At 9:30 p.m. on March 3, 2021, 33-year-old London local Sarah Everard left a friend’s house for what – unbeknownst to her – would be her last walk home.

Everard did not make it home that night, was reported missing shortly thereafter, and was reported dead a week later when her remains were found in some nearby woodlands.

While the exact cause of death has not yet been made public, there is a prime suspect: Wayne Couzens, a constable for the Metropolitan (Met) police department. In an article for the Guardian on March 12, 2021, police and crime correspondent Vikram Dodd reported that Couzens was already under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct for two alleged accounts of indecent exposure at a London fast-food restaurant, both occurring on February 28, 2021. Couzens is currently being held on suspicions of indecent exposure, kidnapping, and murder.

While this occurrence – a woman reported missing only to be found murdered – is so devastatingly common that some hardly considered it newsworthy, this particular case has sparked a massive uprising of women on social media sharing the strategies they have to use to feel any semblance of safety in public spaces. From carrying keys between knuckles to only walking on well-lit streets; calling a friend so someone knows their whereabouts to strategically wearing shoes they can run in, every woman has a story of the

Wikipedia Commons

Woman holding sign that reads “end violence against women”.

extra measures they take to avoid winding up in a situation like Everard’s.

This particular case highlights the reality that, despite all possible forethought, these situations happen to women so often it’s considered a cultural norm. It has also led to the viral hashtag #toomanymen as a response to those who attempt to silence victims by insisting that not all men commit these atrocities, so not all men should be looked at as potential aggressors.

While that is true, not all men

March 13 served to increase that suspicion to certain distrust.

On March 11, the opposition Labour Party’s spokesperson on domestic violence, Jess Phillips, posted a video on her twitter account (@jessphillips) of her voicing the following message in the chamber of the House of Commons: “In this place we count what we care about. We count the vaccines done, we count the number of people on benefits, we rule or oppose based on a count and we obsessively track that data. We

and the academics and charities working on the femicide census, these women’s lives and the scale of male violence against women can be known. Since last year on this day, these are the women killed in the UK where a man has been convicted or charged as the primary perpetrator in the case.”

Phillips went on to read a list of 118 women by name who were killed in the UK over the last year alone, which took over four minutes. Everard’s murder has become a catalyst for the building movement of women collectively

“

Dead women is something we’ve just all accepted as part of our daily lives; dead women is just one of those things. Killed women are not vanishingly rare, killed women are common.

– Jess Phillips

commit acts of violence, Everard’s case shows that it’s often impossible to tell aggressors from those who aren’t – in our current system, it takes a victim finding out the hard way. There have also been mixed responses from London locals after the Met police department announced they will be increasing their presence on the streets at night to make women feel safer walking; given that the prime suspect for Everard’s murder is a constable for the Met, the suspicion is understandable.

The Met’s violent response to the peaceful vigil for Everard on

love to count data on our own popularity. However, we don’t currently count dead women. No government study is done into the patterns every year of the data of victims of domestic abuse who are killed, die by suicide, or die suddenly. Dead women is something we’ve just all accepted as part of our daily lives; dead women is just one of those things. Killed women are not vanishingly rare, killed women are common.

Dead women do count, and thanks to the brilliant work of Karen Ingala Smith and the Counting Dead Women Project,

putting their feet down against the constant insistence that if women were just more careful, they wouldn’t find themselves in these situations.

This twitter threat written by @Flip_Stewart compares the advice given for avoiding assault versus the responses people have after assaults occur. It establishes that really, regardless of an individual’s best efforts, anyone can find themselves in a situation just like Everard’s because those who are assaulted cannot cause the situation – only the aggressor can: “Don’t walk home, but don’t

get a taxi, and don’t use public transportation. Don’t refuse to go out with men because they deserve a chance, and don’t leave early but don’t go home alone after dark, and don’t carry protection because that’s offensive but why didn’t you defend yourself ?

Don’t lead people on but don’t make them angry, and don’t walk quicker if someone is behind you because ‘not all men’ but why didn’t you run away? Take it as a compliment, but why did you say thank you if you didn’t mean it?

Don’t wear this, or that, or that.

Don’t be hostile but don’t lead people on, and don’t draw attention to yourself but don’t be too shy as that’s seen as a challenge; he’s not that bad but why didn’t you trust your instincts?

Why didn’t you report it, but where’s your proof ? Are you sure, he’s such a good guy.

Don’t be so dramatic, but it can’t have been bad – you don’t seem upset. Don’t get drunk but don’t be so uptight; why are you so suspicious, but why didn’t you keep an eye on your drink?

Why did you go by yourself, and why are women always hanging around each other and messing up men’s game?

To the people asking if I’m okay, the answer is a deep and abiding no. BUT I’m a very privileged version of not okay. I’m white and cis and have a job I can do from home.

It’s exhausting to have to do a risk assessment every time I choose to go outside, but for me it is a choice and for millions of women it is not.”

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 5

news

Racist Seuss stories pulled by author’s estate Conservatives throw tantrums

gillian massie staff writer Six Dr. Seuss books are no longer being published due to inappropriate imagery that negatively depicts racialized groups.

The beloved author, who died in 1991, has been called into question in recent years over his books portraying culturally-insensitive images and phrases towards different communities. His estate, Seussville, has responded positively to the charges, and have made moves of their own volition to remove harmful materials from circulation.

The statement released by Seussville on March 2 explains how they are dedicated to change: “Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’s catalog represents and supports all communities and families.”

Among the more well-known books that have been removed from sale are And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street, which depicts an Asian man with chopsticks running down the street, and If I Ran a Zoo, which caricaturizes African people as wearing grass skirts and carrying dead wild animals, while also reinforcing white supremacist ideology by depicting a white hunter standing on the heads of Africans, ready to shoot a wild animal. Among other less popular books whose licenses have been restricted are The Cat’s Quizzer, Scrambled Eggs Super!, McElligot’s Pool, and On Beyond Zebra.

Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known by his pen name, Dr. Seuss, is one of the most famous children’s book authors who has enthralled readers young and old with fantastic stories. Trademarked with rhyming schemes and often light-hearted plotlines, there is a reason that Seuss remains one of the most successful children’s writers of all time.

However, multiple protests of his work have happened over time, first recorded in the 80’s when teachers criticized the harmful stereotypes and caricatures that have a negative influence

racist themes against Muslims, Africans, Asians, and black and Indigenous people portray them in discriminatory and dehumanizing ways. The parallels of removing Seuss’s insensitive themes have also been matched with respect for some of his other stories.

The Sneetches deals with themes of social inequality and segregation measures during the Civil Rights Movements. It depicts the star-bellied Sneetches ruling the beaches and leaving out the Sneetches without stars. It is also one of the first books to challenge bigotry, a theme that many pub-

have blamed “cancel culture” as the reason behind taking away beloved Dr. Seuss stories. Many Seuss fanatics are worried that the favorite author will disappear from shelves as people boycott Seuss books altogether, a doubtful conclusion as Geisel is the second most paid person, post-humously, and still incredibly popular. Furthermore, many protests from the far-right have demonstrated a skewed view of the six books’ restriction. Conservative propaganda demonstrates that many of the protests are insensitive and problematic.

“

Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’s catalog represents and supports all communities and families.

– Dr. Seuss Enterprises

on young minds. 10 Seuss books gifted to a Massachusetts elementary school by former First Lady Melania Trump were returned to her by the librarian who did not want to feed damaging imagery and words to young children.

However, most protests have been overshadowed due to how widely loved Dr. Seuss’s stories prove to be. Seuss Enterprises’ decision to restrict the sale and publication of the books led to both rejoicing and protest.

For many, ceasing publication could not have come soon enough. The antisemitic and

lishers tend to steer clear of. Other books like The Butter Battle directly relate to Seuss’s views on the Cold War. And Yertle the Turtle and Gertrude McFuzz demonstrate how greed and selfishness will only lead to short-term success and longterm pain. Many Seuss lovers are still entranced by the whimsical characters and rhythmic patterns but agree that there is no place to allow for hate speech and hate depictions.

For others, the ceasing of publication of the six books has been met with hostility. Many conservative and right-wing news areas

“A racist Dr. Seuss is not. But one thing is true! Banning books is something…only Nazis & Commies do!” proclaimed one status update on Facebook.

“Why is a song called “Wet A** P***y” not considered inappropriate but Dr. Seuss is?” tweeted Republican Party member Chris Bish.

The irony of many Conservatives arguing that it is an infringement of freedom of the press stems from the banning of The Lorax from libraries and schools out of fear of turning children away from the California logging

industry.

Before Seuss became a best-selling author, he would often make cartoons for the comic section in newspapers. Some of Seuss’s most shockingly racist cartoons were shown in these sections. In 2015, one of Seuss’s four-panel comics page was put up for auction in California but received no bids because it was such a shockingly racist caricature of black people. Many of Seuss’s illustrations during the Second World War displayed antisemitism towards Jewish people and cruel depictions of the Japanese with “slanty-eyes” after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was not until after the Second World War that Seuss switched his attention to children’s books. Seuss later published Horton Hears a Who! which was reflective of his regret of depicting Japanese individuals in such an ignorant way. Arguably one of Seuss’s greatest lessons comes from Horton the Elephant, who says, “A person is a person, no matter how small.” It was published nearly three decades after the now-denounced To Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street.

Since the statement by Seussville was released, sales of Seuss books have spiked on Amazon, with The Cat in the Hat being the number one best-seller, followed by One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go. The books that have been discontinued are currently being auctioned off for hundreds of dollars. Seuss proves to have a complicated legacy, having both participated in and condemned racism.

Pixy

Words “Dr. Seuss” in red with cartoon characters.

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editor: julia peterson aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | march 18 - march 24, 2021

RSO delivers virtual concert to your living room

Enjoy a cultural experience in the comfort of your home

florence hwang arts writer The video dissolves from black to Regina Symphony Orchestra Musical Director Gordon Gerrard, who is sitting in an armchair. He welcomes his virtual audience with some background on composer Dmitri Shostakovich.

In February, the RSO chamber players performed the Chamber Symphony in F Major Op. 73a at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

Even though the performance was recorded, it still felt like a live event. Regina’s Strategy Lab successfully captured the performance, featuring individual musicians as well as the whole ensemble. The recording quality of the show was exceptional, making the performance feel even more authentic. The video performance was thoughtfully and well edited.

Even though it was a virtual show, the symphony orchestra members observed pandemic safety precautions: during the 39-minute concert, the musicians wore face masks while they played and were spaced six feet apart from each other.

If you’ve never attended a live orchestra event, this is the perfect time to do so. These virtual concerts are free, but the orchestra asks for donations. People who normally can’t afford symphony orchestra tickets can pay what they can. (The recommended price is $35.)

There are some benefits to watching an online concert: you can wear your pajamas as you take in the event. Plus, you can pause

Regina Symphony Orchestra

The Regina Symphony Orchestra performs to a physically-distanced in person audience on November 20, 2020.

for snacks or washroom breaks and not miss anything. You could replay the concert if you enjoyed it that much. There’s the added benefit of seeing close ups of individual musicians throughout the performance (without needing to rent or buy binoculars).

For people who aren’t familiar with classical music (and those who must know the musical background information), the RSO provides a listening guide, which highlights noteworthy points in the performance and the composer’s intentions. The guide details precise time codes when the

“

The last live performance took place in November, before the provincial government imposed heavier restrictions for public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other provinces, like British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta, had lockdowns earlier, forcing artistic groups to adapt by going online.

This year, the RSO followed suit.

“There is a curiosity and desire to connect, especially the loyal supporters with the musicians … people are very grateful to have the music,” Gerrard said.

ple, usually the RSO visits 30 elementary schools in the fall. So far this year, the digital version of the show reached 50,000 students.

Gerrard says these virtual visits will likely carry on after the pandemic. With this success in mind, the RSO plans to create more educational programming for high school students in the future.

Not only are more students being exposed to classical music, but rural residents can share in the experience, too.

“We’re reaching people [from southern Saskatchewan] who normally wouldn’t have the

There is a curiosity and desire to connect, especially the loyal supporters, with the musicians.

– Gordon Gerrard

composer changes the mood of the piece and why. There are also graphics that mark the beginning of each of the movements. You can choose to not use the guide and simply immerse yourself in the live concert experience.

But, the empty church pews are a stark reminder of the absence of an audience – one of the things Gerrard misses the most about live performances.

“I miss turning around to see 1,500 people. I miss being able to talk to them after [the concert] and hearing what the music means to them,” he said.

The first virtual performance was with singer-songwriter-pianist Jeffrey Straker in the symphony orchestra’s pop series. The sold-out performances took place October 22 to 24 at Holy Rosary Cathedral. The concert was recorded. It aired on SaskTel Max last month. Straker performed original songs like “Birch Bark Canoe” and “The Wonderful Mrs. Bell”. Both songs were arranged for orchestra.

There has been one silver lining of moving performances online: a broader reach of listeners – both young and old. For exam-

opportunity to attend the performance, those who don’t live near Regina. They wouldn’t be able to hear how great our artistry is. I’ve had some great comments from people,” he said.

Loyal RSO fans were pleased to continue supporting their local orchestra, noted Gerrard.

For a while now, the RSO has wanted to have more of an online presence.

“We needed to be creative in how we used digital resources.

The pandemic just bumped this process to the top,” Gerrard said.

He’s hopeful that the RSO

can keep developing more online shows because of the federal government’s announcement at the end of November 2020. The government will provide a one-year non-recurring extension of the $8 million additional funding to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) in 2021 – 2022.

Even though these virtual shows are making classical performances more affordable and accessible, nothing compares to attending live events. There’s something about looking up concerts to attend, finding friends to go with, choosing your seats, and buying your tickets. There’s the anticipation of getting dressed up for a night out with friends or loved ones. It’s the experience of finding your seats in the Connexus Centre auditorium, thumbing through the programme, reading about the composer, performing artists, and notes while you wait for the curtain to rise. And when watching a live concert, anything can happen. The best part of going to live performances is sharing it with others: meeting afterwards to discuss and share thoughts about it.

Gerrard is hopeful live concerts will return in time for the 2021-2022 season. The RSO is already planning for it. But in the meantime, it will keep putting on virtual shows.

For more information about upcoming online concerts, visit https://www.reginasymphony. com/rso-at-home/

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

arts & culture

8

BoJack, borderline, and self-forgiveness Are we men or are we horses?

marty grande-sherbert staff writer “You’re BoJack Horseman; there’s no cure for that.”

“You are all of the things that are wrong with you.”

“You ruin people; that’s what you are.”

Before I started watching BoJack Horseman a few weeks ago, the essence of what I knew about it was that “you’re not supposed to relate to BoJack .” He was introduced to me as one of those central characters – like Rick and Morty’s Rick, or the alcoholic writers at the centre of nearly every Stephen King novel – who often speak to people in a way that is less a comfort and more an indictment of their own character.

If you see yourself in BoJack, as I was told by most of the people who recommended the show to me, that’s a red flag. Now that I’ve seen the show, I’d say that yes, it probably is a red flag, but also that there’s more than one way to react to flags of that colour. When I did find myself, in many ways, understanding what BoJack was wrestling with through six seasons with himself, I also realized that I was responding to the “red flag” it raised in a way that is so different than I would have years ago.

BoJack Horseman tackles a lot of topics through a lot of characters, but the story of the character BoJack is focused on the judgment he passes on himself.

In turn, the judgment that we as viewers pass on BoJack is part of the watching experience, too.

The show intentionally challenges the viewer every time BoJack does something harmful to think critically about how he (or they) should respond, to what degree

Festival Annecy

A still from BoJack Horseman, where the title character - a brown horse with a black mane and white blaze - stands with other human and animal characters.

we should condemn him. What’s more – we are challenged to decide if it’s productive or helpful to assign BoJack permanent shame for his repeated mistakes. The questions we’re encouraged to ask often challenge our ideas about justice, about how to deal with interpersonal harm, and about who deserves forgiveness and what that means. Sometimes the viewer sees themselves in Diane, someone often desperately trying to get BoJack to take accountability, but there is no simple perpe-

ter of his own story (not to mention that we can’t hold a fictional horse accountable) and that he has to find a way to live with himself. And if we do unfortunately relate to BoJack – that is, realize that we are capable of hurting the people around us or have done so before – eventually we are invited to realize that we are our own protagonists and have to find a way to live with ourselves, too.

It was very hard for me to watch a character like BoJack struggle through the assumption

psychiatrists believe as much about people with a personality disorder. I found myself reminded again that even if BoJack were to understand he fit all the criteria for a BPD diagnosis, people with BPD often receive biased care or are refused treatment altogether.

My frustration with the constant refrain of “go to therapy” reignited, and I remembered again how awful it feels to be expected to change your whole life when nobody believes you can – when you don’t believe you can either.

“

Sometimes, as in BoJack’s case, it is a lot easier to just believe that we are monsters instead of sitting down with our emotions and the wounds of our past, the things that are really driving our behaviour.

– Marty Grande-Sherbert

trator/victim dichotomy in BoJack and Diane’s relationship. In fact, as Diane points out, such a dichotomy is not realistic: “there are no ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys.’

We’re all just ‘guys.’”

There’s a lot of meta-commentary around this; the book Diane writes and the movies and shows BoJack stars in all act as metaphors for the Netflix series itself. We’re always supposed to be thinking: should we be glorifying people like BoJack by investing in their emotional turmoil? Is that just making excuses for what they do, and silencing the people they hurt? They are difficult questions, but ultimately, we have to realize that BoJack is the main charac-

that he, on some fundamental level, was a “poison” to those in his life. It was hard for me to watch other people believe that and tell him that too. This had a lot to do with the way it became increasingly apparent that he was living with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and that the things people told him (in the beginning quotes of this article) were so emblematic of the way people with BPD are treated like unsolvable problems. Over the years, I’ve lived with that same stigma. I’ve heard and deeply believed that it was wrong for me to be around others, to love others, or to foolishly think that I was capable of change – even many

It wasn’t that BoJack and I had the same life or made the same mistakes; the details of what BoJack does are not meant to be the focus for viewers, but rather the way he can’t separate his actions from his essential self. Like BoJack’s string of failed relationships and personal endeavors, every time I failed for a long time, it felt predestined – as he illustrates after his breakup with Wendy: “Same thing that always happens.

You didn’t know me and then you fell in love with me. Now you know me.”

This is a useful narrative for people who are trying to live with constant abandonment and disappointment. It assigns cosmic

significance to every screw-up and whisks away responsibility like it did for BoJack so many times. Like all defense mechanisms though, this black-andwhite thinking is a convenient and attractive lie. BoJack did not lose girlfriends and hurt other people because he was a toxic beast.

Each of those mistakes were comprised of decisions he made, decisions that could have been made differently and can be made differently in the future. Sometimes, as in BoJack’s case, it is a lot easier to just believe that we are monsters instead of sitting down with our emotions and the wounds of our past, the things that are really driving our behaviour. At the end of the series, BoJack finally arrives at the base of that understanding – that you have to grant yourself humanity before you can improve as humans do.

There are so many other things I can say about my BoJack Horseman binge, most of them about that really messed up episode with the chicken, or how funny all of the jokes about Mr. Peanutbutter are, but the most important thing it gave me was this refreshingly earnest message of the ability to forgive ourselves.

It is not the same as deserving forgiveness from everyone – many people don’t forgive BoJack, and the people we hurt do not have to forgive us either – but we can control whether or not we hate ourselves for the rest of our lives.

So maybe you do feel a little bit like you relate to BoJack Horseman – that’s not the end of the world.

What are you going to do about it now?

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

arts & culture

9

Book review: A Promised Land The former president reflects on his time in office TK

Former President of the United States Barack Obama.

hammad ali contributor I lived my most impressionable years around the same time when former U.S. president Barack Obama was rising through the ranks from an Illinois Senator to the first ever African-American president of the United States.

I have read both the books he wrote before his eight years in office, and was eagerly waiting for his latest book, A Promised Land, slated as the first volume of his memoirs as president. I would have to admit I am something of a fan.

Anyone who followed the news while Obama was active in politics knows he is a brilliant speaker. As his most recent book shows, he is also a gifted writer.

The nearly 1000-page book discusses heavy issues but is always easy to read while also making you think. However, to me, the strongest point of the book was the refreshing bluntness. Obviously, Obama has no more elections to win and no more funds to raise for his own campaigns. This manifests in the honesty with which he is able to state opinions in this book, no longer bound by the shackles of not wanting to

DIY dorm decorations Mirror, mirror on the wall...

gillian massie web writer

Some of the best decorative mirrors come at a price – and an expensive price at that. In this edition of DIY Dorm Decorations, I tackle making the iconic moon mirror that everyone on Pinterest is doing, as well as the beautiful rattan sun mirror by Justina Blakeney. All the items were purchased at Walmart and Michaels and are relatively cheap.

Moon Mirror You will need: Grey Crayola air dry clay – $6.00 at Michaels 10” mirror – $7.00 at Michaels White acrylic paint – $2.00 at Walmart Smooth paintbrush Tin foil Optional: Glitter or glitter paint The moon mirror was dead easy. It took me approximately 10 minutes total to do, and it looks so cool. I first started making a quarter-moon shape on the mirror with the grey Crayola clay in thick and thin chunks. After I assembled my mirror into a quarter-moon shape, I took the back of my paintbrush and made craters in the moon’s thicker portions. I used crumpled tin foil to give it some wrinkles to provide it with even more texture.

I left the clay to dry for about two hours, then I came back to paint it. I already liked the moon’s look just being grey, but I did want it to have some definition. I have seen many moon mirrors that are very beige, and I wanted mine to be a little more defined, so I kept the darker grey color for the lowlights. You want to paint the mir-

ror with thinner paint so it doesn’t get stuck in the craters. After giving it a light coat of white, I used my finger to highlight the craters’ insides, and voila! Finito! If you feel it does not have enough pizazz for you, apply some glitter on it or use a different paint or clay color.

Sun Mirror You will need: White Crayola clay – $6.00 at Michaels 5” mirror – $5.00 Gold circular ring 10” – $3.00 Michaels Skewer sticks (mine were 12”) Gold spray paint – $11 at Walmart Glue gun The sun mirror was inspired

by Justina Blakeney and rattan mirrors. I wanted to recreate her beautiful design with cheaper materials to hang up on my dorm wall.

I started with the construction of the sun’s face so the clay could dry.

First, roll out your clay into two long ropes to go around the circumference of the mirror. Second, construct the face using the rest of your clay in thick logs. I chose to replicate the iconic sun mirror I’ve seen online. Once your face is built, put it to the side.

Grab your gold ring and start gluing skewers to the ring, resembling beams of light. I ended up doing eight on each side and then applying two coats of spray paint on each side. Make sure you wear a mask while spray painting. Once the face dries, apply a second coat.

Let them dry overnight.

Once everything is dry, carefully glue the face onto your mirror, then the mirror itself onto the centre of your sunbeams.

displease anyone. Thus, we are offered a glimpse of his displeasure with the way Hillary Clinton’s team attacked him during the 2008 primaries, or his candidly stating how the Republican Party did not even bother pretending that there is any reason for their obstruction of Obama other than that he is, well, Obama.

When talking about the efforts to pass the Affordable Care Act, he is honest about how some senators stringed them along for months, and when finally confronted about whether they would vote yes even if all their demands were met, just said “I am afraid not”. Everyone is the hero in their own story, but one still senses the frustration Obama experienced due to the deep polarization of America on issues like the role the government plays in giving all citizens a level playing field. In his recollection of repealing laws discriminating against members of the LGBTQ community in the Armed Forces, he candidly admits to having been unaware of their struggles when he was younger and more full of typical machismo.

While mostly covering his first presidential term, the book also details his campaign trail and

all the sacrifices his family had to make as a consequence of his political ambitions. There are entire chapters devoted to his interactions with other heads of state such as Putin, Manmohan Singh, and the King of Saudi Arabia.

The American approach to climate change and the difficulties of getting some other nations onboard is mentioned as well. Once again, one does need to keep in mind that we are hearing one side of the story. But it does come across as the story of someone trying to do the right thing but finding himself able to do a lot less than they had anticipated.

This volume, which is supposed to be followed by a sequel covering his second presidential term, ends with the assassination of Osama bin Laden. Maybe this is his tacit acceptance that after a first term when several legislation battles left his approval ratings hurting, this successful mission against probably the most hated man in the USA at that point did a lot to help him get re-elected. Nevertheless, the book was a pleasant read, covers many interesting anecdotes of his first term in office, and I am certainly looking forward to the next volume!

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

arts & culture

10

Date Night offers virtual travel experience Dunlop Art Gallery connects people through art

florence hwang arts writer For those looking for a fun way to connect with friends and family, the Dunlop Art Gallery is offering a monthly free event, Date Night, which takes place next on March 26 at 7 p.m. online.

“If you have nothing to do on a Friday night (due to the pandemic), there’s this idea of travel in our Date Nights. We try to pull artists or art works that are from around the world,” said Sarah Pitman, an education assistant with the Dunlop Art Gallery.

In October, the first Date Night the gallery hosted had 27 participants. In January, there were 56.

People who sign up for the event don’t have to live in Regina or Saskatchewan. Organizers say it’s hard to determine where people come from because the gallery doesn’t keep track of those details. The gallery wants to keep people’s identities anonymous to ensure confidentiality and to encourage honest feedback in the art critique sessions.

The participants study and discuss 10 to 15 art pieces relating to a particular theme. This month’s theme focuses on land or environmental artwork. Artists will include Andres Amador, Andy Goldsworthy, Robert Smithson, Nancy Holt and Nils Udo. American artist Nancy Holt took three years and multiple trips to the Utah and Nevada desert to complete her definitive work “Sun Tunnels in 1976. Critics say her

Dunlop Art Gallery

A photograph of Genius Loci, an installation by artists involved in Red Earth. This photo shows a circle made out of woven branches, through which a tree and a building are visible.

Dutch partner, Robert Smithson, overshadowed her career until his sudden death in 1973. Smithson is best known for his work “Broken Circle/Spiral Hill”. This month’s Date Night will examine pieces from this couple.

In the first program, participants learned about the elements of principles of design, like complementary colours. Participants also learned some of the language commonly used in critiquing art.

Pitman would give examples of artwork that demonstrate each of these elements.

“

“What do you like or dislike about this artwork? What do you see in this artwork? What do you think this artwork is trying to represent?” she asks.

However, participants do not have to speak if they don’t feel like it. There’s no pressure to speak during the class. People can sip from their glass of wine or juice while immersing themselves in the Date Night experience.

People who do want to share their thoughts are welcome.

“If you’re really yearning for that discussion and you want to

which was considered as one of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpieces.

According to Wikipedia, Casa Batlló is a building in the heart of Barcelona. The locals called the building Casa dels ossos (House of Bones) because of its visceral, skeletal and organic quality. It is part of a row of houses known as the Illa de la Discòrdia (or Mansana de la Discòrdia, the “Block of Discord”). This house was constructed in Art Nouveau or Modernisme style.

The couple had stayed in a hotel across the street from this

These events are one way people can virtually escape their daily lives by seeing the world through artwork.

– Florence Hwang

“I’d say ‘I’m seeing a lot of complementary colors in this artwork, and that really makes things pop.’ So I try to help give them the language before they need to use it,” she said.

She reviews these basic principles of design so the participants will be able to recognize and notice these elements in the artworks being discussed. In each of the sessions, she gives some background information relating to the artist and the artwork.

Then, she asks the participants for their feedback.

participate and talk with other people and share your opinion, you’re welcome to do that.”

Pitman’s favourite part of the evenings is when people share about their stories relating to artwork.

“It’s really nice to see folks engaging with these artworks,” she said.

A couple shared their story about their observations of a Spanish building. In particular, they were fascinated by how the way the light hit the building.

That building was Case Batlló,

building. They marvelled at the way the sun rose and set on this building and how in the morning, when the sunlight hit the windows, it just “sparkled.”

“They would just sit and watch this building because it was so magnificent in the changing light,” said Pitman.

In the past, when the gallery held art history events, there was not much in-person attendance.

Organizers brainstormed ways to get families to gather virtually and connect through art.

“We revisited this idea of

looking into different historical artworks that are contemporary,” she said.

And that’s how the idea for Date Nights was born.

These events are one way people can virtually escape their daily lives by seeing the world through artwork.

“We all have this urge to get outside, to move, to travel, to see places. I think this program brings a little bit of that spirit to that as well,” said Pitman.

Even though the event is called Date Night, it is open to anyone. It’s not just for romantic couples. It could include friends, relatives or partners. Or, people can attend by themselves, too.

People are encouraged to share the Zoom link for others to join the event.

“So there’s really no restrictions on it. We just want folks to be able to connect with their community. That’s why we open it up for them to invite whoever they think would enjoy that program with them.”

Although Pitman would prefer to hold these events in person, she is happy to see people gathering virtually with their friends or family to immerse themselves in art for an hour.

“We’ve had a couple of times where folks have been on one camera, and it’s a full table,” she said.

To register for the next Date Night, visit https://www.reginalibrary.ca/register

sports

11

editor: ethan butterfield sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | march 18 - march 24, 2021

CFL & XFL: what does the future hold?

Looking at developments in the NFL

ethan butterfield sports editor In an announcement that came on March 10 regarding future opportunities for two franchises, the CFL and XFL are currently exploring options which may result in a potential partnership.

Due to the vagueness of the discussions that are currently happening, there is a wide amount of speculation as to what will actually be the result of a possible partnership between the two organizations.

To try and clear the air around the current situation, I reached out to Regina Leader-Post Sports Editor, Rob Vanstone, who was available for comment.

“The tough part right now,” said Vanstone “is trying to figure out what it is that we’re critiquing or voicing an opinion on. Because all the wording is so vague. And it’s contradictory. The league puts out this announcement saying that ‘okay, they’re doing this’ and obviously it’s a big deal if they’re putting out a media release. But at the same time, they’re downplaying virtually all the questions that arise from it.”

The talks between both leagues can be summarized a bit via this quote from CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie (which can be found on the CFL website).

“Canada has an exciting game and devoted fans,” said Ambrosie. “And our discussion with the XFL provides a tremendous opportunity to build on that strong foundation. We look forward to exploring how we might work with one of the most inno-

Marco Verch (Flicker)

A wilson football in focus.

vative sports brands in the world to grow the game, engage fans in new ways, and reach new audiences.”

At its very basic foundation, it sounds like things are at their most preliminary stage, and, whatever emerges from that stage, will be a more official discussion with regards to whether or not this ends up being a merger or something else entirely.

Vanstone continued with his own comments by addressing Ambroise’s statement.

“I mean,” said Vanstone, “Randy Ambroise has said that,

2001, when the XFL managed to run one successful season with a definite championship winner in the form of the Los Angeles Xtreme.

As things stand now, Vanstone would continue to discuss the “survival mode” situation that CFL and XFL find themselves in.

“I’ve been wrestling with this one for three or four days.” said Vanstone. “Am underselling it?

Am I overselling it? You know, CFL diehards, and that constitutes about 99 per cent of the people that live in Saskatchewan.

They have a right to kind of won-

leave unexplored,” said Vanstone, “because they’re fighting for their survival. And if you look at the principles involved in the XFL, there’s lots of money there.

There’s lots of profile, and there’s 10s of millions of Twitter followers. So they’d be foolish not to do what they’ve done. But, you’ve got to leave no stone unturned right now.

“I don’t begrudge them a second for talking with them.” continued Vanstone. “It’s just my concern would be ‘how far do you go, if you were somewhat absorbed by this league’? How far do you

“

You know, CFL diehards, and that constitutes about 99% of the people that live in Saskatchewan. They have a right to kind of wonder what does this mean for the game that they’ve embraced and loved for so long?

– Rob Vanstone

basically, they’re talking about talking. Are they just going for lunch? Or are there serious things going on here? Are they down to real crucial issues? Both exist, sort of at a crossroads. The CFL after missing last year, they’re just trying to find a way to get on the field. The XFL is already folded twice under previous ownership.

And they’re trying to find a way to get back on the field, and it won’t be nearly as soon as the CFL is trying too.”

One of the previous attempts Vanstone refers to goes back to

der what does this mean for the game that they’ve embraced and loved for so long? And it’s the automatic question to ask. But when the fundamental question is so quickly deflected, and left unanswered, all it does is spawn more questions.”

Whether or not this is the right move for the CFL to make is, as with everything else, up in the air.

Vanstone also commented on this and speculated that the sky’s the limit for the league.

“There’s nothing they should

go in association with them? In order to tap whatever resources you may need to sustain yourself.

But, if you do that at the expense of your game, you’re probably no further ahead. I like it in terms of principle. Obviously, what they have done to this point, while keeping the league afloat has led to a different prosperity. There’s every reason to reach out to other people who play this game.”

Looking more towards the future and speculating on what it could possibly hold, Vanstone had this to say.

“I get the feeling that in a year,” started Vanstone. “We’ll be wondering why we made such a big deal about this. I just wonder if it’s practical to do this. The CFL has to be enticed by the kind of money that the front people with that group have. What does the CFL need right now that prevented them from being able to play last year? Oh, about $30 million as a minimum. But when you’re looking at the XFL, and they’re trying to find a way to sustain themselves, I’m not sure really what they can pluck from the Canadian Football League is going to be beneficial to them.”

“And by contrast,” continued Vanstone, “I’m not sure what, aside from money, the CFL can get for the XFL that’s going to help their game. If the CFL is going to get a significant amount of money from the XFL it may or will likely entail to some sacrifices and some compromises being made. And if you’re compromising the nature of your game, maybe that would appeal to some people. Maybe a new look to the CFL might attract a different demographic, but at the same time, would it repel the fan base of the CFL has developed over years? … if they’re just going to put a product out there, that’s four down football, and 100 yard field, and a narrow field, and fair catch, et cetera, et cetera. If you’re just doing that, I think people are just gonna say, ‘Well, that’s the case, I’m gonna watch the NFL, that’s the highest brand of football played’.”

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 12

sports

History of sports: the bicycle Rolling on

sarah nakonechny sports writer As the weather slowly begins to warm up, it’s time for us to bring out our summer activities – one of those being the bikes that many of us have looked forward to riding year after year. Who came up with this machine that is a staple in many people’s lives? Grab your helmets because you are in for a bumpy ride.

The recognized father of the bicycle was a man by the name of Karl von Drais, a German baron who had made the first major development in the creation of the bicycle in 1817. It had all the components of a bicycle: it was steerable and had two wheels. It was operated by kicking against the street. However, it is not what we would consider to be similar to the modern bicycle. This evolution did not come till the 19th century and that was due to the work of several different inventors.

A handful of French inventors, including Pierre Lallement, Pierre Michaux, and Ernest Michaux, were the first to develop prototypes based off of Drais’s initial design. These were the first to have pedals attached to them to allow the riders the chance to control their speed. These were quite a rough ride and they earned the nickname “boneshaker” from

Pixabay

Bicycle on the sidewalk.

those who tried them.

These models were in need of a facelift and a lift is definitely what came next. James Starley and Eugene Meyer introduced new models to the scene that sported an oversized front wheel.

This also brought forth the fourfoot-high seat which made it slightly dangerous for some to ride. It was believed that these oversized wheels would provide a greater amount of stability to their riders. These were iconic in

the 1870’s and 1880’s and what many people associate with the old black-and-white photos that float around of individuals on bicycles from this time period.

The Englishmen decided to alter this design when John Kemp Starley decided that enough was enough with the dangerously high seat that the previous model offered. In 1885, he featured what was known as the “safety bike.” This design featured equal sized wheels, which is the closest

template to the modern bicycle that had been developed thus far.

Starley’s model was also the first to introduce the use of a chain to connect the pedals and has been used since then as well.

After this point in time, the development begins to get hard to track, as many different inventors from all over the world began to come out with variations of Starley’s model. The developments focused on improving the tires, implementing and then improv-

ing brakes, and trying to manufacture ways for the product to either be practical or for speed and racing purposes.

The bicycle is something that has allowed individuals to expand their freedom, provided efficient ways for travelling, and has given people of all ages an activity that they can bond over. Although it has gone through quite the transformation in order to get to its current point, it is important to consider possibilities for future improvement as well. Of course, there are different needs based on the purpose and the terrain being driven over, but no matter the circumstance, manufacturers can continue to look into providing better tires, higher quality breaks, and improving the overall look of the equipment as well.

This spring, as you get ready to take the bikes out for the first time, take a moment to appreciate all the thought that went into developing what looks like such a simple piece of equipment. Imagine what it would be like trying to ride a bike with no pedals or one that is four feet in the air while you try and maneuver your bike around town. As the wind cools your face and you dread the look of helmet hair after you’re done, be thankful for the effort that went into making the bicycle what it is today.

Remembering Chris Schultz A good anchor, player, and person

sarah nakonechny sports writer

We all have our opinions on what makes a good sports anchor.

Granted – whether you enjoy seeing their faces show up on the TV at halftime because you care about what they have to say, or because that means you can refill your snacks, we can all agree it is terribly saddening when a beloved anchor passes. Recently, we lost the cherished Chris Schultz at the age of 61 due to an unexpected heart attack on March 4, 2021.

Schultz was more than just an anchor. Prior to his time behind the desk as a football analyst, he also played in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

From 1983 to 1986, he played with the Dallas Cowboys before coming up to play with the Toronto Argonauts for nine years afterwards. He was even able to secure himself a Grey Cup win in 1991.

He was known as being the “Big Man” for many reasons throughout his life. Not only did he stand at an impressive 6’7”, but he had a personality to match his stature. From being able to make you laugh and feel at ease, to the big presence he held on The Sports Network (TSN), you always knew when he was around. His passions for his family, friends, teammates, and, of course, for football, were very noticeable,

and he was known for always being willing to talk about any of them at any moment.

The passion for his work and for people did not stop with the football families or his personal relationships. Schultz also participated in work with Purolator Tackle Hunger and displayed his passion for it tirelessly. He spoke very publicly about working with this organization and what doing so meant not just to himself but also to the families in need.

Passion was something that had been used to describe Schultz for everything he did – from the work that he did on the field, the outreach work he did for food banks across Canada, and, of course, the work he did on The Sports Network. For those who are not familiar with his work, Schultz became a regular on CFL broadcasts on TSN. As well, he hosted Risky Business, made weekly NFL picks, and had the opportunity to be a part of the Grey Cup

and Superbowl coverage on TSN for many years.

It was clear to many that Schultz was worthy of being placed in the Hall of Fame, and that is exactly what happened.

In 2016, he was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame where his legacy will continue to live on.

Whether or not you knew the man personally, he was able to use his joy for life and the platform he was presented to touch the lives

of so many individuals and to make a difference in the lives of many families. His big heart, passion for everything he did, insight into various topics, and joy for life were all infectious. If you cheered for him as a player or enjoyed listening to him on the panel, there are many impressive moments that he will be remembered for.

Next time you tune in to listen to the hot takes of next season, take a moment to appreciate the life that was loved and lost.

3DownNation (Twitter)

Chris Schultz on the Toronto Argonauts bench

march 18 - march 24, 2021

sports

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

13

The Butterfield Breakdown: NFL free agency edition Looking at developments in the NFL ethan butterfield sports editor The offseason for the NFL has been really heating up as of late, with some of the trades and events that have taken place recently really turning the heads of football fanatics (such as myself) everywhere. So, in the spirit of the Butterfield Breakdown, I’ll be doing a rundown of the NFL free agency and all of the developments that have occurred. So, without further ado, you can find the news just below: So, the biggest event which took place was the retirement of more-or-less guaranteed future Hall of Famer, Drew Brees. Brees,

Famed QB Phillip Rivers (who also retired this year) would replace Brees in San Diego and go on to really accomplish nothing of any relevance (to be fair, he did set a bunch of Charger franchise records).

Brees retirement not only comes about because he felt he gave all he could give, but also (according to an Instagram post on his account) to spend more time with his family.

Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long was also supposed to retire in 2020, but is now officially returning for another year.

From Brees’ retirement to another legends extension, we reach that of Tom Brady. Tom Brady,

Moving away from the legacy players, we move to the bigger re-signings that are occurring around the league. A notable one being a one-year contract extension for Cam Newton to continue his QB position in the New England Patriots organization.

Despite Newton’s lacklustre performance with the Patriots, the extension gives the impression that Newton will have (at the very least) one more season to make things work. Another couple of major re-signings took place in the Buffalo Bills with main defender Matt Milano and tackle Daryl Williams coming back to the franchise with four-year and three-year extensions, respective-

known) is now officially a member of the Washington Football Team! Signing a one-year deal with the team, he will suit up with the organization next season. Another of the bigger ones that had occurred (and a bit under the radar) is that of veteran running back (RB) Mark Ingram. Formerly part of the Baltimore Ravens, Ingram was signed as a part of the Houston Texans in an effort to add more depth to the position.

The Detroit Lions also brought in some offensive depth with two veteran signings of tight end (TE) Josh Hill and wide-receiver (WR) Tyrell Williams. Of course, all these signings pale in comparison to the mega-signing that was

million in cap space for the organization. Lastly, veteran defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap was released by the Seattle Seahawks.

So, that should be it, right?

There’s a ton of updates about what’s going on around the league and plenty of information to keep any NFL fan excited. Well, there are a couple of interesting rumours worth addressing, such as Ryan Fitzpatrick’s retirement and the Philadelphia Eagles trading Zach Ertz. As well, the landing spot of QB’s DeShaun Watson and Russell Wilson is also a big hot topic going on in the league right now. Of course, these are all just rumours at the end of the day, and the end result will be

“

From there, he would sign with the Saints and spend the next 15 years of his career setting records and winning a Super Bowl title.

– Ethan Butterfield

who was well known as the starting quarterback (QB) for the New Orleans Saints, hung up his number nine jersey after 20 seasons in the NFL. Interestingly enough, despite Brees’ association with the New Orleans Saints, they were not always his team. Brees spent the early years of his career as a part of the then San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) before suffering an injury and being put onto the free agency.

From there, he would sign with the Saints and spend the next 15 years of his career setting records and winning a Super Bowl title.

QB for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and winner of Super Bowl 55, has officially signed on for a four-year contract with a lockedin first year. Like me just say this to Mr. Brady personally (‘cause I know he’s reading University of Regina articles in his spare time): what more do you have to prove?!

I say again: what more do you have to prove?! You have won the Super Bowl 7 times! You have almost every QB record out there!

You can stop, you’re the best – go home and enjoy Netflix and eat chips or something! But anywho, yes, expect more Tom Brady moving forward.

ly. The return of both players will keep that all-important depth in the Bills organization.

As well, Dak Prescott was also solidified as the starting QB for the Dallas Cowboys with a huge four-year, $160 million contract. This does leave backup Andy Dalton in a bit of a tricky spot with his place moving forward after having been the main playmaker last season. However, those developments are still yet to come.

With re-signings looked at, let’s take a look at some actual signings. First and foremost, Ryan Fitzpatrick (FitzMagic as he’s

defensive all-star J.J. Watt, who joined the Arizona Cardinals during the offseason. Watt will be spending two years as a Cardinal and earning $31 million overall.

Re-signings and signings aside, there comes the unfortunate reality that players must face with regards to the cut. Notable cuts during the offseason include that of Malcolm Butler, who the Tennessee Titans released.

The Miami Dolphins released line-backer Van Noy after failing to find a landing place for him.

The New Orleans Saints also ended up cutting veteran WR Emmanuel Sanders, saving $6.5

whatever it ends up being.

So, there you have it! All of the retirements, comebacks, signings, re-signings, and extensions that you can handle. I hope there was enough useful information in this article for you to get caught up on the goings-on of the NFL free agency and where things currently stand for numerous franchises. Here’s hoping for a busy week of NFL trades and signings so that I can bring this edition of the Butterfield Breakdown for one more week.

Ethan Butterfield

Laptop displaying the NFL free agency.

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon | 14

sports

Sports in media: the Maximum Football franchise Looking into the world of independent sports games

ethan butterfield sports editor If your reaction to the title of this article was like that of a dog that turns its head when it hears the word “walkies”, then congratulations, you’ve just recreated my first encounter with Maximum Football when I initially saw it in the dim light of the game store on Xbox.

For those curious (and I hope you would be if you’re reading the article), Maximum Football is a simulated American-style football experience that does away with the American aspects of the

Lycconf Games

An Xbox game controller against a green backdrop.

Honestly, I’m being harder than I should be on this type of game considering the size of the development team behind it, but it’s still a strange product to put out there into the world when something like Madden exists.

That being said, I get it. Not everyone wants the big virtual football experience – some want a more homegrown style of game that actually comes from a developer with heart rather than the soulless hollowed-out money creature that EA is. Of course, to

great. The arena presentation left a lot to be desired, teams were very bland looking, there was no background commentary, and trying to do anything other than throw the ball was a mistake. Not that you couldn’t run the ball, but there are certain plays where if you throw you score all the time.

So yeah, throw the ball.

Moving on to Maximum Football 2018 (and more or less 2019), there just wasn’t enough there to warrant this franchise needing a sequel – which is interestingly

is where the franchise should’ve been from the start. Not AAA in quality, but something that has a decent independent feel to it, something that has a lot of charm and makes me want to show it to my friends. Yes, it is still a bit disappointing that you can’t play as any of your favourite CFL teams, and instead have to settle for weird alternatives, but it is what it is.

Again, I can appreciate the work that it takes to deliver on a project with the amount of limit-

to develop a polished and refined game would have made a world of difference to their success.

I’m happy for Canuck Games that things have improved to the point of quality that is presented in Maximum Football 2020, but it really should’ve been there from the get-go.

All in all, Maximum Football is an interesting development in the genre that is simulated sports and continues the argument for smaller developers being able to create something of substance despite a

“

Honestly, I’m being harder than I should be on this type of game considering the size of the development team behind it, but it’s still a strange product to put out there into the world when something like Madden exists.

– Ethan Butterfield

game and, instead, makes the Canadian Football League (CFL) the centre focus. That’s right – for the low, low price of still more money than it should be, Maximum Football brings Canadian teams to the virtual world of videogame football.

The only thing is is that, because of the small development team behind this title and the lack of backing from the CFL, the actual official CFL teams are nowhere to be seen. Instead, we are greeted to the legendary Saskatchewan Knights, yaaaaaaaa?

backpedal on the backpedal, the price that Canuck Games asks for their games does not get you the same level of product (for reference, Maximum Football 2020 is $30 dollars new on Xbox and $40 dollars on PS4).

Going back to the team’s first entry, Maximum Football 2017, the first time I actually got the chance to play that title, I was convinced that somehow, someway, my console had magically changed to a PS2 … and the disc inside was scratched … and PS2 was on fire. Joking aside though, it wasn’t

also the problem that Madden has now. Actually, in all honesty, Madden is taking more features out of its franchise as opposed to adding them, so Maximum Football at least has that going for it. It’s doing what a franchise should be doing: growing rather than just relying on nostalgia to sell copies. Anywho, Maximum Football 2018 was more or less a case of “second verse same the first”, and proceeded to be another forgettable entry into the franchise.

And so comes around Maximum Football 2020, which I believe

ed funding that must be available.

As someone that used to review games, the difficulties for a smaller developer to create a unique product that has to measure up to other more funded games of the same genre are one hell of a mountain to climb.

However, here’s the difference: you can always tell as a gamer when there’s a lack of heart in your product. Yes, the actual franchise of Maximum Football has advanced far from its initial 2017 release, but the time that the developers could have taken

smaller budget. That being said, supporting independent developers is great, but (as mentioned above) when the pricing is high above what the quality of the actual product is, then there needs to be a point where you meet in the middle of recouping funds and understanding your market.

Gamers will pay for what they’re interested in at the end of the day though, so if there are any issues in regards to the price range or the quality, Canuck Games will feel it through a lack of interest.

op-ed

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editor: holly worby op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | march 18 - march 24, 2021

A year in the life of an isolated student

My support system has been my lifeline

Pixabay

Three monitors open with animated video chats on each.

CW: violence, mental health, eating disorder, substance use, suicidal ideation The one thing about my experience over the past year that I think we can all relate to is having very conflicting emotions upon reflection. It’s instinctual to want to label an experience as all good or all bad because that makes it easier to process, but it doesn’t do the experience justice. On one hand, this past year has put me through more low points than I thought I would make it through. On the other hand, I’ve never felt so genuinely loved.

A particularly frustrating aspect of this semester is that most professors seem to think that, since students are in lockdown, we must have a bunch of extra time, so they assign much more than normal. In reality, the last full day off I had was January 8, and the soonest day that I may be able to fully take off is April 6. I have so many assignments, papers, and projects to finish that I have to get them done before I actually have the time to listen to pre-recorded lectures or teach myself what’s in the readings. I have to sacrifice actually learning the material for getting a grade – that’s not an experience I’m comfortable paying full tuition for. I’m clearly not getting my money’s worth, and I have some buyer’s remorse.

Last semester, in October, my then-landlord decided to get a puppy. She already had two big dogs in the house we shared, one of which had aggressive tendencies, a history of attacking other dogs, and then losing control to the degree we had to restrain it or it would also attack us in that moment. This tendency was increased when the puppy was brought home, which led to experiences like being halfway through a midterm and having to stop to break up an attack happening three feet behind me. It also meant that these

fights could break out while I was conducting interviews for work, trying to pay attention during a lecture, or trying to organize my thoughts while writing a paper.

Things got so bad that in December I took a bus to Saskatoon to live with a friend and her husband for a month, because there was no way I could handle the constant reality of potential violence during finals. I was at the point of mental breakdown, and I developed a trauma response so that any sudden loud noise sent me directly into fight or flight. Do you really think I was able to be the best student I could be in that environment? Do

lute nightmare, I don’t have anyone in my household I can sit down with and talk to.

I’ve been dealing with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, anorexia, and suicidal ideation for the last 12 years of my life, and substance use intermittently for the last five. This period of isolation over the last year has removed almost every healthy coping mechanism that I had been using to manage these issues. A year ago I weighed 145 pounds; I’m now sitting at about 110. None of that weight was lost intentionally or in a healthy way, and I’m lucky it’s only resulted in one trip to the ER. A year ago, I would get high maybe

“

Everyone – no matter how much they’re accomplishing right now or how brave of a face they’re putting on – is having to deal with situations they are not prepared for.

– Holly Worby

you think I was able to actually learn everything I needed to and get the most out of the courses I was charged full tuition for? If you think normal test anxiety is bad, think about this-dog-could-attack-at-anymoment-during-this-test anxiety. That is quite obviously not something I would’ve experienced on campus.

I’ve since moved to a much calmer apartment which has helped, but I currently spend 95 per cent of my time in my room, completely alone. The last time I shared a meal with someone was a week and a half ago. I legitimately cannot remember the last time I was really hugged.

Whether my day is incredible or an abso-

twice a week; in 2021, there have been nine days total that I haven’t had to smoke marijuana as a coping mechanism just to be able to eat a full meal that day. That is my reality while trying to keep up with remote learning right now, and I’m only being this vulnerable to communicate that everyone – no matter how much they’re accomplishing right now or how brave of a face they’re putting on – is having to deal with situations they are not prepared for.

Some of the people who have quite literally saved my life this past year are my closest friends, my coworkers at the Carillon, and the board members I serve with on the Psychology Students’ Association

(PSA). I figured out early on in quarantine that if I wasn’t involved in things that gave me a sense of purpose, I wouldn’t make it through this year. One of the best ways for me to manage my depression is to make plans for the future that I can be excited for, so I went all in.

Over this past year, I moved up from being a staff writer at the Carillon to being editor of this section, and though imposter syndrome still rears its ugly head, I am deeply fulfilled by being able to offer students this platform. In the PSA, I moved from being an uninvolved student outreach representative to taking the reigns on our undergraduate mentorship program. Being able to work with this many passionate and engaged people has ignited a drive in me that I didn’t think I had anymore.

I’m still learning that it’s okay to ask for support when I need it, and my close friends and the people who make up these organizations have helped me progress more than I ever thought possible simply by being there for me when I hit my low points. I have never in my life had so many people who genuinely have my back, who want to help me reach my full potential, and who’ve made me feel able to meet all the challenges I’ve faced over the past year.

At times, I genuinely did not see a way out of my low points, and I wouldn’t be here to write this if not for their support.

So, here’s to making it through one year. Whatever that has looked like for you, I’m happy you also made it through your lows. Whatever you thought you couldn’t handle over this past year, somehow you did. Whatever you thought might be too much to handle could not bring you down.

Hold on to that.

holly worby op-ed editor

march 18 - march 24, 2021

op-ed

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

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Quarantine: A bittersweet blessing

The unexpected benefits found in lockdown We’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel – vaccines are coming, immunity is rising, in just a few short months this nightmare year will be over and life can get back to the way it was before COVID-19.

Lots of people are overjoyed about this – I know I should be happy too. But really, honestly? I’m not ready for the pandemic to be over.

That’s not to say I don’t think it should end, of course. People are still dying, and other peoples’ health and well-being and studies and livelihoods have been totally devastated by this goddamn disaster of a year – I’m not so selfish that I would wish all that on others just because I, personally, have benefitted. If I had the power to snap my fingers and eradicate COVID off the face of the Earth, I’d do it in a heartbeat (and then be very impressed that I’d learned how to snap – I’ve never been able to do that before). But beyond masking up, sticking to my bubble, and planning to get my vaccine as soon as I can, there’s very little I can do on the individual level to actually control the spread of the disease. So maybe it’s okay that, when I think about the pandemic, I’m mostly grateful?

Like most of the people I know, I also had a rocky start with quarantine. Through my program I had been matched with a paid summer internship in Saskatoon, and when the U of R went remote at the start of April, I decided I would move right away in case it was going to become more difficult to travel between the cities.

So, I arrived in Saskatoon on the night of April 2, only to find that the landlord I was going to be renting from had changed his mind that day – he didn’t want to take a new tenant during the pandemic after all.

Then, a couple days later, my internship was cancelled as well. I was doing my best to keep up with my online classes with my old, dying laptop in a temporary housing situation with no idea how I was going to pay for classes in the fall.

But then, things started looking up. After some back-and-forth with my program director, I was able to match with another really excellent internship that I could do remotely. Classes wrapped up, so I had a bit more breathing space. And – most importantly – the family I was staying with, who had agreed to let me crash in their basement for a couple of days while I sort-

a year living with these wonderful people who I now think of as my “bonus Saskatchewan family” is not something I ever would have expected. When I left home – as necessary as it was – I thought I was also forfeiting any “right” to be cared for, to have safety and peace (such as they were) that I hadn’t eked out for myself. But now I’ve had a whole pandemic to spend with people (and a dog!) who have redefined my understanding of what care, peace, safety, and family means, and I’ll always be grateful for it.

The pandemic has also let me take advantage of so many work opportunities

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Now I’ve had a whole pandemic to spend with people (and a dog!) who have redefined my understanding of what care, peace, safety and family means, and I’ll always be grateful for it.

– Hila Smith

ed out my housing nightmare, decided they wanted me to stay.

I know that I got very, very lucky. What are the odds that a friend of mine would have parents in the Saskatoon area who were willing to help out a stranger in a pinch? Or that I would be able to help out in turn by offering to stay with their daughter during the workday? Or that we would all genuinely like one another?

I had been estranged from my own family of origin for just over a year at the start of the pandemic, and getting to spend

that would otherwise have never come my way. Because all my classes are remote, I don’t have to commute, so I am able to hold down essentially full-time hours at a job I love without compromising either my work or my education. I have also been able to take on all sorts of remote freelance jobs that have connected me with wonderful people all over the province, and even in other parts of Canada and the States as well.

Essentially, the pandemic has been a miracle for me.

I don’t always know what to make of that dichotomy – that something so awful has been so good for me in so many ways.

I remember nervously waiting to hear the University’s decision about whether our winter classes this year would be taking place in person or remotely; when the decision was made, I was thrilled, because it meant I had more time in this beautiful little equilibrium I’d somehow landed in. At the same time, so many of my friends and classmates were profoundly disappointed because they were having a harder time with online classes and were missing out on the in-person support.

Because of the remote work opportunities I’ve found, I’ve actually been able to earn and save some real money this year.

This time last year, I was relying on food security programs to get by. Even though I don’t have to worry about affording groceries anymore and am feeling very confident in my career prospects after I graduate, food banks are currently straining under the heightened demand.

I’ve been trying my best to do my part - giving to local organizations that are doing important work, being there for my friends who are struggling, and keeping my personal joys in perspective with the larger-scale suffering the pandemic has caused in the world.

In the end, I know this pandemic didn’t come about because of me, and I’ve done everything in my (limited) power to avoid spreading it around or drawing it out any longer. But I’m really going to miss it when it’s over.

hila smith contributor PXHere

Person sitting on a couch with a cup, looking out the window with a smile.

march 18 - march 24, 2021

carillonregina.com | the carillon |

op-ed

17

Looking on the bright side

Finding hope through focusing on all we stand to gain

I know we are all sick of quarantine. I know it’s hard to stay positive when many of us are staring at screens all day. I know that coronavirus has ruined many of our plans, and I know we can never gain back a year of lost time.

With the one-year COVID-19 anniversary upon us, time no longer has meaning in online classes and any semblance of a schedule has left just like most of the activities we look forward to. As frustrating as isolation is, it is worth it to keep the elderly and vulnerable safe. But it’s also beneficial to get back to some version of normal.

We are at the beginning of the end, but the end is still a very long stretch away. The vaccines are finally out, but it is still a trek to dish them out to everyone.

In looking toward getting back to normal, I would like to look on the bright side to see what we can look forward to when we get there. While various facilities are still open, I and many others have chosen not to use them. At home, workouts do not give off the same dynamic as being in the gym. Once facilities re-open, I would be eager to try a spin class

or a yoga class to get a smidge more adventurous.

The terrible, dry Saskatchewan cold has limited activities that we could safely do during the summer months. Skiing is the only part of winter that I like, especially trips to the mountains. I am not an advanced skier by any means, but I can make it down the hill without rolling into a gigantic snowball. There’s nothing better than standing at the top of the mountain looking across to the enormous Rocky Mountains with trees cascading down the sides, topped with powder. The crisp morning air is biting your nose as you shift your weight to the front and fly down the hillside.

Quarantine has done wonders for expanding my music interests. Music has been almost continuously playing while I burn my eyeballs out staring at my monitor every day. Some of my favorites while studying are jazz, classical, and original soundtracks.

While I have enjoyed listening to them via a record player, the radio, or my speaker, I cannot wait to actually start attending music festivals. While I am interested in

Niaid (Flickr)

A syringe being filled with a vaccine.

some here in Saskatchewan, like Rock by the River and the Saskatchewan Jazz festival, I would also like to see Tyler the Creator’s music festival, Camp Flog Gnaw.

While I am grateful to have spent holidays and school breaks with my immediate family, I am also excited to plan trips and ex-

pect them to happen. I have made many friends throughout my years at university, and I would love to see them on spare weekends. Facetime, calls, and texts have filled the gap, but I cannot wait to plan a new adventure and head out for a grand old time.

Looking back at the start of

the pandemic, I can’t believe we thought it would only last two weeks. I don’t have a clue when it will end, but some lovely thoughts from the bright side keep me going in more challenging times.

gillian massie web writer

An unstable workspace changes everything Reflections from a year of work during COVID

When it was first pitched, this week’s op-ed section was going to be a retrospective on one year of COVID, with writers and contributors giving their views on the various experiences we’ve had in the pandemic. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much interest from students, but – you know what – I totally get not wanting to write more about this. We’re all really tired of talking about it by now.

It also hasn’t stopped being awful, though, so forgive me for defaulting to it again anyway.

Most of the things we have taken on this year – in school, in work, in our personal lives – are more than we should be expected to handle with the current state the world is in. With nearly inconceivable grief around us, we’re expected to continue behaving as if things are the same. It’s a similar feeling to going through life with a smile on your face while you live with depression, but this time the depression is seemingly societal, and we’re all maintaining the charade together.

Even so, we must work. Students continue to write essays with arguments they don’t really believe, service workers continue to make frappucinos and happy meals with next-to-no respect, and staff writers at student newspapers continue to pump out words only hoping to say something witty or meaningful. It’s the same “grind” in more extreme circumstances, and with extra pandemic precautions.

One would think that with so much of our work being changed by social distancing in some way – working from home, working with masks, working with a small-

er capacity for customers – a lot of it would be easier. But from what I’ve gathered, working from home has highlighted more new problems than it has streamlined old ones. It has led me to realize that a person’s workspace is everything, and when work and home become the same space, a lot of issues with both come to the forefront.

A year of quarantine has taught me that many workers and students lack a safe or stable home environment, something that greatly affects every part of their lives but is often ignored. Three semesters now have been con-

ducted largely on Zoom, and for some people, in homes where silence or privacy is rare. For others, common spaces in the house are not safe spaces to work. This year, many people I know have moved out or realized that they need to move out of their living situation.

In order to work, people need to know that they have another place to rest – if that stability isn’t there, schedules and keeping up the facade of normalcy aren’t possible.

We now know that bringing all your work home also means you bring every part of your home to work.

This understanding of the

way an unstable workspace disrupts everything has implications for what people need in a home and work environment. It reinforces, even for people who don’t work from home, that unsafe environments harm the quality and consistency of our work. People have the right to peace and privacy in their own homes and at their workplaces.

It also lets us know that when we give people safe and peaceful homes – or when we house people at all, as some people do not have reliable housing – we give them a greater opportunity to work and organize their lives. We cannot

tell people that “the grind” is going to lift them out of their situation. Often, those who make huge strides in their workplace can do so because they have stability elsewhere. As we slowly become vaccinated and get back to a society where we can work “normally” again, we have to remember the people for whom workspaces are still unsafe and disorganized. We deserve work that doesn’t drive us to the edge of madness after this pandemic. If we’re really bold, we might say we deserve it now, too.

marty grande-sherbert staff writer Pixabay

Person sitting on a bench, working on their laptop while leaning against a brick wall.

march 18 - march 24, 2021

op-ed

The upsides to disrupting “normal”

carillonregina.com | the carillon |18

Using gratitude to realize opportunities

A year ago, the world decided it wanted to end – let me tell you friends, it has been a crazy ride since then. I know many individuals have been struggling through online schooling, quarantine, the restrictions, and the overall lack of in-person interaction that we are allowed to have. It is extremely stressful experiencing the things you love to do be banned or altered. However, I am here to share some rays of sunshine about the upsides I have found throughout the last year.

I know this sounds crazy. Upsides to the world ending? Who in their right mind

who are adjusting to having the younger boy running around. Many of the shelters in the city were able to find new homes for their rescues during this time which is absolutely wonderful.

Not only did being at home allow me more time with my furry boys, but I also got to spend time with my actual family.

They seem like nice people. Prior to the lockdown, there were times when I would go days without seeing them based on our schedules, but now I see them every day.

It took a lot of getting used to as quiet moments were few and far between with

one outside your household. With many of my courses being asynchronous as well, I was able to change my schedule so I am no longer forced to work every single weekend and can take a Sunday off here and there without losing out on hours and income.

This is something that has been incredibly refreshing for me as I have not been able to do this since I started working six years ago.

Professionally speaking, the pandemic has opened up a ton of opportunities that are normally closed as they are usually in-person events. The number of lectures, presentations, and workshops I have been

I would have never talked to this many people if we were in person. Typically, I stay in my bubble and do not leave the small group I have created. However, knowing that everyone is struggling and that now is the time to be bold and lean on each other has opened up so many connections and opportunities.

Now, I do not know if anything that I have gone through is relatable for anybody else. Maybe you have stayed inside your bubble and have not tried speaking to anyone new. Tragically, you may be allergic to cats. Or, you may have been unable to

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I never realized how much one values the two-minute conversations with people as they are checking out until that is the only chance you have to talk to someone outside your household.

– Sarah Nakonechny

would think that anything positive could have come out of this horrendous experience? Buckle your seatbelts, as you’re in for a whirlwind of an adventure to find out.

Like many of us, my family caved and brought home a new pet at the beginning of quarantine. Although a bit of an impulse decision, this little guy fits in great with the rest of the family. Our newest addition, Hogan, was rescued by Regina Cat Rescue, and once he was cleaned up and cleared by a vet, we were able to bring him home. Not only has he kept us entertained during quarantine, but he alone has breathed new life back into my older pets

almost all of us being home all the time.

Although challenging, it has been nice to be able to bond closer with them while I get ready to apply to schools outside the city in this next year.

I was very fortunate to be deemed an essential service at one of my jobs which has allowed me to push through. Even though being out in public spaces is very stressful, I am very lucky that I can leave my home a few days a week to go to work and talk to people. I never realized how much one values the two minute conversations with people as they are checking out until that is the only chance you have to talk to some-

able to attend for free from universities across Canada and the US is insane. All of these have been completely free and have given me so many new things to consider and look into regarding my interests in psychology and other related areas. Travelling to these workshops is not feasible for most people in school during a regular year, so having the ability to enjoy them from the comfort of my room has been a dream.

Within the parameters of our university, I have had the opportunity to interact with more people than I normally ever would have. From first-years, the other student groups, and those from other faculties,

work during the lockdown period. We have all faced hardships, and I will not deny the fact that this year has been traumatic in so many ways. No matter what, you can say that you have successfully made it through this disaster thus far and that you are still able to continue moving forward. Take some time and reflect on the positives from this year. It was dark and it was dreary, but I promise you that there are gaps of sunshine between these clouds.

sarah nakonechny sports writer PXHere

Someone sitting on a blue couch, holding their neck with a pained expression.

graphics

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editors: sarah carrier, kate thiessen graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | march 18 - march 24, 2021