The Silhouette - March 27, 2014

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McMASTER UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Thursday, March 27, 2014 VOL. 84 NO. 27

Setting the agenda

STUDENT POLITICS

Healthcare referendum to rerun in 2015 Failed motion sent back to drawing board to clarify details Rachel Faber Assistant News Editor

JEMMA WOLFE / EXECUTIVE EDITOR

5:08 p.m.

JEMMA WOLFE / EXECUTIVE EDITOR

6:04 p.m.

JEMMA WOLFE / EXECUTIVE EDITOR

6:30 p.m.

General Assembly hit an attendance peak of 630 people at roughly 6:15 p.m., three people short of quorum. Not soon after, many students against BDS left the gym.

ELIZA POPE / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

McMaster BDS was the sole business item voted on at the General Assembly despite six others proposed. Quorum of 633 was not reached and attendance peaked at 630.

This year’s MSU General Assembly proved the venue can be both effective and inefficient in providing a democratic forum for the student membership to “show up and speak out.”

Attendance at the Assembly peaked at 630, three members from quorum. Compared to last year’s peak attendance of 60 students and to a string of non-quorate assemblies from 1996 to 2011, this year’s turnout was impressive.

But even though seven motions were on the original agenda, none were voted on until the two-hour Assembly was slotted to end due to time restrictions for Burridge Gym. The gym is the only building on campus that can accommodate more than 600 students.

None of the motions were debated in a substantive way despite an engaged-and politically divided-student audience.

Amendments to the agenda were discussed for more than an hour, with numerous motions to call the Assembly to question (where members vote on whether to vote).

At the beginning of the meeting, Salah Abdelrahman, who submitted the McMaster BDS motion, moved to have his placed ahead of the broader motion on the ‘MSU stance on international crises’ motion. The former was approved before the latter, prompting

some to feel the agenda should be re-ordered.

“Many of us are here to discuss the McMaster BDS motion. Let’s discuss this motion and proceed,” Abdelrahman said.

“I think the motions on the agenda should be ordered in the order they were submitted,” said Sarah Jama, who had submitted four motions on improved accessibility. “I put a lot of work into my motions and they were moved down, so I agree with him.”

A motion was then brought forward, though not by Jama, to have the motions regarding accessibility moved up.

“The two top motions are not student issues. We should focus on things that directly affect students,” one student argued.

After more discussion, Sarah Silverberg, who submitted the motion that the MSU not take a stance on international crises, moved to strike both hers and the McMaster BDS motion off the agenda.

“There are other forums and maybe the GA is not the assembly to be discussing such motions. I think it’s important for us to take a lot of time to think about these motions and having an on-thespot vote at the GA is not the appropriate forum to be able to do that,” Silverberg said, adding that committees could be set up to discuss BDS and Israeli-Palestinian conflict over a longer period of time.

At around 6:30 p.m., just before the Assembly voted to adopt the agenda and attendance was announced to be 621, many students against BDS got up to leave the gym, ensuring that quorum would not be reached.

“The problem is that many students feel uncomfortable and should have the right to leave and not be counted in the vote,” said an anti-BDS student after a call to question was announced and the chair ordered the doors to be sealed for voting. The tension in the room was most palpable at that point.

By 6:40 p.m., the number of voting members in the gym was reduced to 520. About 20 minutes were spent on condensed reports from MSU president David Campbell and Engineering Without Borders President Kathryn Chan.

The motion for the MSU to endorse BDS against Israel was up for discussion 10 minutes before adjournment was scheduled. It was passed by a simple majority (360 in favour, 23 opposed and 135 abstentions) and is not binding on the MSU because quorum was not reached.

However, the Student Representative Assembly will consider the McMaster BDS motion and any motions brought to the SRA that were not discussed at the General Assembly.

A policy has also recently been passed by the SRA to strike a committee to discuss how the

Is celebrity culture distorting our idea of influence?

PAGE A9

Triathlon Mac athletes form a dynastic legacy PAGE B1

The Sil sits down with a BBQ bonanza PAGE B8

Anqi Shen Online Editor

GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGENDA (Original order)

1. MSU Stance on International Crises, Conflicts, and Concerns The MSU should refrain from taking political and polarizing stances on international conflicts.

2. McMaster BDS The MSU should endorse Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions gainst Israel and commit to ethical purchasing policies.

3. Accessibility of the Pulse The MSU should lobby for accessibility services at the Athletic and Recreation Centre to be covered under the student fee for students with SAS. 4. Priority Clearing of Ramps on Campus The MSU should lobby the University to make ramp-clearing in the winter a priority.

5. MSU Accessibility Survey to Students Registered with SAS An MSU survey should be sent out to assess the Student Accessibility Service.

6. BSB Ramp The MSU should lobby the university to build a ramp at the front entrance of BSB. 7. Increased Inclusivity of Bridges The MSU should advocate for Bridges Café to adhere to major religious dietary laws and obtain Halal and Kosher certifications.

General Assembly should be run and promoted. The policy will be enacted in 2014-15.

The full video of the General Assembly is available at thesil.ca. @anqi_shen

ANDY reviews Wes Anderson’s latest showing PAGE C6

During the recent MSU Presidential Elections for the 2014-15 academic year, a health care referendum was put forward regarding expanding McMaster health plan coverage.

There were three different questions set forth in the referendum, asking students to take a yes or no stance on extended coverage to include eye doctor visits, prescription contraception, and other services like psychology and vaccines.

None of these three referenda passed. The elections committee made an appeal to the SRA to recommend that the referenda be rerun the following year, which was accepted by the SRA. The subject was brought forward at the SRA meeting on Sunday, March 23.

Regarding the appeal that was brought forward, Ryan Sparrow, SRA Social Science, stated that the main issue was a lack of information around the referendum.

“Information on the ballot confused a lot of people,” said Sparrow.

Some SRA members argued that this confusion made it difficult for voters to take a firm side on the issue. There were clarity issues regarding the language used, such as a misunderstanding of what prescription contraceptives entail. As well, the breakdown of the extended health plan was never publicized.

These concerns were brought to the attention of the SRA and they agreed that it makes sense to run another referendum during the 2015 MSU Presidential elections. MSU president David Campbell stated that the most important thing for the future is to publicize the issue more effectively so that students can publicly take a yes or no stance.

At the meeting, Chris Harper, SRA Health Science, pointed out the challenges that the SRA faced as an organization went beyond the motion, and feels that in general, the way that referendums are administered need improvement and more discussion.

Vice President (Finance) Jeffrey Doucet stated that one of the difficulties with the referendum is that there were a lot of questions and they were all asking drastically different things.

“My advice to next year’s SRA is to look at what services need to be enhanced and look at it one issue at a time,” stated Doucet.

Doucet suggested changes such as increasing the health plan incrementally as opposed to attempting to increase coverage by almost double, feeling that this could be a more effective way to communicate to students and grow the plan.

Anna D’Angela, Vice President (Administration), suggested that the individual caucuses of the SRA should each brainstorm how they will promote the information next year so that students can be aware and ask questions if needed.

Daniel D’Angela, SRA Social Science, stated the importance of next year’s SRA to bring forth the issue at the beginning of the school year, as opposed to into second term. This resulted in a motion passing recommending that the SRA have a decision in place by Nov. 1 2014, which passed unanimously.

This referendum was recommended by the SRA last year, and continued to be unsuccessful this year. The recommendation will again pass the responsibility along to the 2014-15 SRA in the hopes of fixing the issues that caused the referenda failure this year. @rachfaber

the S ’ T N E D I S E PR E G PA MSU Driving Results Through Advocacy As the year comes to a close, I would like to highlight how the MSU and the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) continue to bring value to undergraduates, as we advocate on behalf of McMaster students.

Together , OUSA and the MSU are continuing to pursue a shift from tuition tax credits to up-front grants for students. Ontario’s current system of tax credits disadvantages those who need financial assistance the most. The province has an obligation to reduce staggering student debt and ensure that no student in Ontario has unmet needs throughout the year. OUSA continues to inform the provincial government that it’s time to reallocate the $340M spent annually on tax credits, into up-front, needs-based grants programs.

Spencer Graham VP Education vped@msu.mcmaster.ca ext. 24017

Just last week, we made our position on tax credits abundantly clear at the OUSA roundtable on Student Financial Assistance. Hosted by the Brock University Students Union (BUSU), our roundtable brought university and college students together with Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities staff and financial aid administrators to talk about the current state of financial assistance in Ontario. We brought up the fact that that thousands of students are not given enough assistance to afford tuition, rent (especially in urban areas), and food. Furthermore, we highlighted that the OSAP appeal process is arduous and ineffective for students who are struggling to even meet their basic needs.

Student Financial Assistance at Brock was only one of three roundtables I participated in last week. At the roundtable on Youth Employment at Wilfred Laurier University, I spoke to the importance of experiential learning and emphasized that universities should be accelerating toward this goal. The MSU also hosted a highly successful roundtable on Teaching & Learning at McMaster, which gave students the opportunity to share thoughts on instructor preparation, online education, and addressing the scarce resources that are a result of underfunded universities.

OUSA’s work continues outside of meetings and roundtables. Our daily blogs at OUSA are highly read across the post-secondary sector. In the past few weeks, our members have written about the lack of bilingual programming at Ontario universities, analyzing gender inequalities in PSE, as well as the First Nations Education Act (FNSA). I wrote a critique of the university rankings published by Maclean’s and Time. Our blogs are incredibly good reads; I highly recommend you check them out at ousa.ca, and follow @OUSA on Twitter to stay up-to-date.

Remember the OUSA Student Survey you filled out last semester? Last week, we published a report using the results entitled Beyond the Traditional Classroom: Teaching & Learning in Contemporary Higher Education. Among many other things, the report shows that the vast majority of students want more active learning elements inside the classroom, and that training for instructors is critically important. McMaster students also reported that the imbalance between teaching and research still exists.

Choice of Initiative in Which to Direct Resources (Source: OUSA)

Focus on Research or Teaching by University (Source: OUSA)

In a similar vein, having our voices heard by our federal government is just as imperative as work done on the provincial level. It is important that students have input on issues and programs such as the Canada Student Grants/ Loans Program, the Canada Social Transfer to the provinces for education, or the federal government’s responsibility for Aboriginal affairs. You may have heard that the MSU is considering a drop down to Associate Membership in the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA). The Student Representative Assembly (SRA) will be discussing and deciding on this action at our March 30th meeting, and it’s important that students understand why.

CASA is currently the best student federal lobbying association, but it has significant shortcomings in effectiveness.

Year after year, students see little government action on our priorities, and we seem to repeat history by asking for the same things. As such, we’re concerned about the value that CASA currently provides to McMaster students. We want to give ourselves the flexibility to explore alternative ways of undertaking federal advocacy, while signalling a growing discontent with CASA’s status quo.

Other CASA members have noticed this too, and together we’ve identified key areas of improvement for the organization. These include fairer voting/representation of students, policy reform, a greater presence in the public sphere, and the flexibility of CASA leadership. As Associate Members, the MSU would be advancing many of these changes from within the organization, while also watching with a keen eye to monitor progress and results for students. As the MSU is a fee-paying member of CASA, it’s our responsibility to ensure that students are getting value from membership within the organization. Moving forward, advocacy at all levels of government will continue to be a top priority of the McMaster Students Union.

The President’s Page is sponsored by the McMaster Students Union. It is a space used to communicate with the student body about the projects, goals and agenda of the MSU Board of Directors.

www.msumcmaster.ca Spencer Graham VP (Education)

David Campbell President

Anna D’Angela VP (Administration)

Jeff Doucet VP (Finance)

fb.com/MSUMcMaster @MSU_McMaster

theSil.ca

Thursday, March 27, 2014

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LIVE STREAM: Watch the last SRA meeting of this year’s assembly on our website. Sunday, March 30 at 6:30 pm.

THESIL.CA

Editors Tyler Welch & Rachel Faber & Tomi Milos Email news@thesil.ca @theSilhouette Phone 905.525.9140 x27117

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New CEO at Hamilton Health Sciences Rob MacIsaac started his tenure as CEO on February 3rd, at the start of a turning point in the healthcare industry Tyler Welch News Editor On Feb. 3, Hamilton Health Sciences, a billion-dollar consortium of hospitals and health care providers, got a new boss.

Rob MacIsaac left Mohawk College, after five years as the school’s President, to take the helm of Ontario’s second-largest healthcare system.

MacIsaac came into the role with considerable experience as a leader in public service and a history of successful management but no healthcare experience.

“It’s a big learning curve for me but I’m enjoying it. There is lots of great support here,” he said during his sitdown with the Silhouette. “In the early going, the best strategy is to listen and learn, so that’s what I’ve been doing.”

He continued, “The board obviously didn’t hire me because of medical expertise. They hired me to lead the organization and

those [leadership] are skills I’ve been working on for a long long time.”

MacIsaac also notes that his experience in public service will be valuable.

“I’ve been working in public service for about 20 years. I have a lot of skills that I bring from those other public service jobs into this job,” he said. “I enjoy policy and I enjoy trying to make my community a better place—that’s what brought me here.”

Before becoming the President of Mohawk, he also served as the Chair of GO Transit and Presto operator Metrolinx. Before that, he was a City Councillor and then Mayor of Burlington.

Depending on performance, MacIsaac will earn between $540,000 and $650,000 annually.

This is not, at all, far off from the salary of outgoing CEO Murray Martin who took home $647,465 in 2012.

The job will not be without

its challenges. MacIsaac identifies two major issues that he, and the rest of the healthcare industry, will have to deal with in the coming years.

“We have the emergence of two mega-trends…we have a rapidly aging population and at the same time the provincial government is running a deficit,” he said.

Meeting the needs of an older population on a potentially smaller budget will be the biggest test for the industry, according to MacIsaac.

Despite the challenges, and still learning the ebbs and flows of healthcare world, MacIsaac is optimistic about his tenure as CEO. “I’m really excited about the job. I think it’s going to be a challenge. It’s a wonderful opportunity,” MacIsaac told the Spectator. @tylerwelch4

BEN BARRETT-FORREST / MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Kin Games storm McMaster Tomi Milos Features Editor Despite the biting cold last week, McMaster welcomed nearly 800 kinesiology students from 33 Canadian universities to compete in the hallowed Kin Games.

Having concluded their 14th annual competition, which stretched from March 20 to 22, the Games have never been bigger, with teams generally having 24 members.

The bevy of tank-top and shorts clad kinesiology students joined Cory Heile-Masters, who was raring to get the event in full swing after preparing for some time.

Heile-Masters, a fourth-year Kinesiology student, was lavish in the praise he heaped upon the event, which McMaster won the right to host in Ottawa two years prior and that he’s been planning ever since.

“Kin Games was definitely the most exciting and rewarding thing I’ve ever had a chance to work on. I was able to come in say, ‘Yes, this is exactly what I want to be doing with my time’ every day,” he said.

Participating students engage in both academic and athletic activities, with the coveted “Shoe” trophy going to the team that compiles the highest score over the duration of the competition.

Western took home the Shoe this year, with McMaster coming in a close second. McMaster’s highest ever finish since 2004 was made all the more special by the fact that it took place on home soil.

To offset the advantage that teams who recruit varsity athletes to their teams may have, the athletic events are specifically designed to feel foreign.

For example, flag-football bombardment is a variation of the popular intramural sport that introduces dodgeballs into the mix, using them in a somewhat confusing new version of flag-football.

Even the academic events were tailored for fun, with one of them being called “Are you smarter than a kin gamer?” making a

riff on the popular game show, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

Between events, teams could be found pouring into the student centre leaving those who tried to navigate through it to wonder whether McMaster was prepared to host an event of such size.

Heile-Masters said that the university has know about the event well in advance.

“Environmental Occupational Health and Safety office has known about it for 20 months.

I went to speak with the Public Relations department over a year ago. My own department knew about it right from the get-go and the McMaster Student Union has known about it for quite some time,” said Heile-Masters.

This year, McMaster orga-

nizers added two new events to the fray that took place between events and that Heile-Masters says allowed kin students extra opportunity to network and interact. The Hamilton Convention Centre hosted one of the first ever graduate trade shows for kin students with 20 exhibitors gracing the floor. The academic lecture series also drew big crowds, said Jem Cheng, Social Media director for this year’s Games.

Overall, the two members of the organizing committee were thrilled with how things turned out and extended their thanks to everyone that participated @tomimilos

Almost 800 kinesiology students flooded McMaster for the 14th annual Kin Games

YOSEIF HADDAD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

A4 Executive Editor Jemma Wolfe Email thesil@thesil.ca @theSilhouette Phone 905.525.9140 x22052

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Democracy rules – for better and for worse

Jemma Wolfe Executive Editor Democracy is great. Don’t get me wrong. Having it is a point of political pride for the nations that abide by it, and many people have fought and died for it. But it’s frustrating when the very system we cherish can be manipulated in very undemocratic ways. Case in point: the McMaster Students Union’s General Assembly.

This annual event, which you can read about extensively on A1 and watch a recap of on thesil.ca, took place on Wednesday, March 26 and required a quorum of 633 voting MSU members to be present to have any passed motions be binding on the students union. At its peak, Burridge

Gym held 630.

Despite a consistent lack of quorum, nearly the entirety of the twohour-long meeting was spent debating the order of the agenda. Amendments to amendments abounded, and the majority of the people in the room were either completely confused or visibly dismayed by the time spent on technicalities and the specialized lingo of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Having rules and parameters is important. Following a system to keep a room of over 600 people organized is necessary. But Robert’s Rules – not for the first time in an MSU setting – were manipulated by the minority who understand them to prolong, confuse, filibust and complicate what is meant to be a direct democratic forum.

General Assembly has the potential to be a very useful and simplistic method for students to quickly and collectively create change. If it weren’t for the closed doors, the endless points of order, and the unlimited agenda squabbling, then maybe – just maybe – we could have seen real democracy in that dingy gymnasium.

Instead, this year’s experience will probably deter future attendees and alienate students who were naïve enough to think, despite the polarizing topics being debated, that last night might have ended any other way.

Tense, futile and petty are how I’ll be remembering GA 2014. @jemma_wolfe

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Relationship confusion not indicative of close-minded culture In reply to “Friendzoning and kissing” by Sam Godfrey, published March 20, 2014 on A9 (published online as “Just friends”) “Just friends” was a thought provoking article, but it seems to be built on a false premise. Walking up to people, introducing yourself, and then saying, “this is my boyfriend, and this is my girlfriend,” would probably be met by confusion in most cases. This is not symptomatic of a closed-minded cul-

ture, however.

Imagine yourself walking along.

Then imagine that a man and a woman walk up to you. They introduce themselves, and the woman says, “this is my boyfriend.” What would your response be? Would you meet this proclamation with confusion, wondering “why did

this person just tell me that?” So yes, telling people that you have a boyfriend and a girlfriend would be met with confusion, but no more so than saying “this is my girlfriend” or “this is my boyfriend.”

Scott van Wetten

Student kindness on campus is noticed and much appreciated

www

I wanted to write and show my support for the many kind and honest students that share our campus. Too often we are quick to complain, but we should be just as quick to share our thanks and support when good things happen.

Over the past few months I’ve had several positive interactions with students, and in particular, two of note:

A student stopped and offered me help when I was walking across campus carrying a box and several heavy books – she helped me carry the load across campus and likely has no idea what an impact she had on me that day. Another example is the honest group of students who found my purse left behind in the Student Centre and returned it to me

entirely intact.

I am proud to share the McMaster campus with such generous, honest students, and I am grateful to them for sharing their kindness with me.

Laura Harrington

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to the sil livestreaming.

to expired nyquil.

to everything falling into place. sort of.

to general assembly.

to chapped lips. to forgotten suppers.

to the end of my job search. hello again, MTCU.

to that random snow squall. go away, already.

to august 1.

to hit and runs.

to dollar store nail polish. so many possibilities, so little money.

to putting my travel dreams on hold.

to hugs from my sister, who never wants to let go. to four years with m.k. and being happy happy happy. cheers to that.

to tea without milk. yuck. to the final stretch. time certainly flies. to the price of hair products. to my glasses.

The Silhouette

McMaster University’s Student Newspaper

EDITORIAL BOARD Jemma Wolfe | Executive Editor thesil@thesil.ca Sam Godfrey | Managing Editor managing@thesil.ca Andrew Terefenko | Production Editor production@thesil.ca Anqi Shen | Online Editor news@thesil.ca Tyler Welch | News Editor news@thesil.ca Rachel Faber | Assistant News Editor news@thesil.ca Tomi Milos | Features Editor news@thesil.ca

Laura Sinclair | Sports Editor sports@thesil.ca Alexandra Reilly | Assistant Sports Editor sports@thesil.ca

Redesigned with YOU In mIND OPINIONS >> SPORTS >>

to my cold.

Kacper Niburski | Opinions Editor opinions@thesil.ca

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to windowsill plants. (or in my case, bananas.)

The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in The Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding The Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.

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Amanda Watkins | LifeStyle Editor lifestyle@thesil.ca Miranda Babbitt | Assistant LifeStyle Editor lifestyle@thesil.ca Bahar Orang | ANDY Editor andy@thesil.ca Cooper Long | Assistant ANDY Editor andy@thesil.ca Yoseif Haddad | Photo Editor photo@thesil.ca Eliza Pope | Assistant Photo Editor photo@thesil.ca Ben Barrett-Forrest | Multimedia Editor photo@thesil.ca Karen Wang | Graphics Editor production@thesil.ca Colin Haskin | Video Editor photo@thesil.ca Olivia Dorio | Distribution Coordinator thesil@thesil.ca Sandro Giordano | Ad Manager sgiordan@msu.mcmaster.ca Staff Reporters Tobi Abdul Sarah O’Connor Ana Qarri Sophia Topper thesil@thesil.ca

of fields and backgrounds on beginner-level programming with a relatively low barrier to entry.

As more value is placed on “We got a lot of teachers at programming skills in the the first two workshops, which I workplace, young professionals are thought was interesting. And we taking notice of the gap between get a lot of people who work in those who can and can’t code — and proximity to people who do a lot of the social factors preventing the gap the high-skill programming kind from closing. of work. So people who know this A Hamilton chapter of the kind of work exists and have seen Ladies Learning Code non-profit someone else do it. They see this organization has partnered with workshop and say, let’s give it a try,” The Staircase Cafe on Dundurn St. O’Neil said.

North to host workshops for women O’Neil has also been of all backgrounds and ages looking overwhelmed by the number of to upgrade their coding skills. people who want to fill the mentor The Hamilton role—a testament chapter is led by to the close-knit Erin O’Neil, who community of selfgraduated in 2008 employed, young “It’s fun to teach and works in creatives in Hamilton. the University’s people because they “A lot of Alumni get the reward that the mentors are Office. O’Neil between 20 and they’re learning it was inspired 30 and they work properly, instantly.” to organize for mostly smallworkshops in sized companies in Erin O’Neil, University Alumni Hamilton after Hamilton. Often Office attending six the developers and in Toronto and programmers are envisioning that self-employed and do there would be demand for the contract work.” sessions in her own city. Crucial to “With coding, you’re working the program’s success, O’Neil said, on the code in the back-end of the is that it guarantees a four-to-one website and when you refresh the learner to mentor ratio. browser, you can see the change “If you have no idea what’s immediately. It’s fun to teach going on there’s an instructor at the people because they get the reward front of the room but there’s also that they’re learning it properly, an expert for every four people. So instantly.” you can put up your hand and say, ‘I The next LLC Hamilton session really don’t get this’,” she said. will be Introduction to Web Design Each workshop hones in on a and will take place at The Staircase particular area of programming, Cafe on April 12. from HTML and CSS to WordPress, costs $50 and includes a catered @anqi_shen lunch. The goal is to provide instruction to women in a variety Anqi Shen Online Editor

“

Institutional Research and Analysis

UH, Room 207 1280 Main Street, West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4L8

Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 23530 Fax: 905-546-5213 Email: avpira@mcmaster.ca http://www.mcmaster.ca/avpira/

Inspiring Innovation and Discovery

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ONE FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ONE PART-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ONE GRADUATE STUDENT ON THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT FEES COMMITTEE: Applications are invited for one FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, one PART-TIME UNDERGRADUATE and one GRADUATE STUDENT representative on the University Student Fees Committee for a one-year term commencing July 1 2014 – June 30 2015, renewable for a second 1 year term.

Applications, definitions about eligible candidates, nominations and nomination procedures are available in the office of the Associate Vice-President, Institutional Research and Analysis, University Hall, Room 215 or through the website http:/www.mcmaster.ca/avpira/student_fees_committee.htm.

Forms must be received by the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Institutional Research and Analysis, University Hall Room 215 or by email to avpira@mcmaster.ca by 4:30p.m. on FRIDAY, March 28, 2014. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, April 18, 2014.

The University Student Fees Committee meets monthly.

Questions about the University Students Fees Committee may be directed to the Associate Vice-President, Institutional Research and Analysis who is the Chair of the Committee, telephone 905 525-9140, ext. 23530, or email avpira@mcmaster.ca.

A5

CHECK OUT WWW.MSUMcMASTER.CA/TWELVEIGHTY FOR MORE!

The Hamilton-based chapter of of a non-profit organization is aiming to equip women with the skills to succeed in a traditionally maledominated field

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CHEAPDRINKS, AMAZINGFOOD, PRICELESSMEMORIES.

Ladies Learning Code bridging gender gap

THURS BAR NIGHTS! HOTTEST DJ’S! LOWESTDRINKPRICESINHAMILTON! STUDENTPRICES!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

NEWS

A6

Cleaning up the living wage McMaster cleaning staff, fed up with their low wages, are done waiting for the University to take action and have turned to union leaders to finally make a difference Ana Qarri Staff Reporter McMaster is the leading researcher on poverty and living wage in Hamilton. It has implemented initiatives like the McMaster Community Poverty Initiative, aiming to work with community partners to implement living wage. The living wage is defined as the amount of money needed for workers to meet their basic needs and to participate fully within their communities.

The living wage, as last calculated by the McMaster Social Planning and Research Council, stands at 14.95 dollars per hour.

Jeff Wingard, Coordinator of MCPI, believes that the benefits of paying employees living wage salaries are numerous.

“Employees that are paid above living wage and have security outside of work are often more engaged in the workplace.

It ends up being revenue neutral. Professor Don Wells has done research and found that the expenses were minimal, in terms of reduced sick leave days and more.”

“My sense is that McMaster is really interested in being a leading employer,” Wingard says on the University’s stance on living wage.

Despite the University Administration’s commitment to community relations and the research conducted by McMaster researchers on poverty issues in Hamilton, many full-time and part-time McMaster employees are paid below the living wage, placing them at or below poverty levels.

Currently, 36 cleaners working for McMaster are paid $13.75 per hour with two additional dollars (in lieu of benefits) if they work full-time. Many are casual cleaners who face the difficulties of precarious employment.

At a Board of Governors meeting on Oct. 21, 2010, the board voted to ratify the tentative agreements between the University and the Service Employees International Union. The SEIU represented the cleaners and other affected labour groups at this time.

The workers were not satisfied with the results of the negotiations and the SEIU representation.

In August 2013, after three years of being bound to their previous contract, the group voted the Building Union of Canada to represent them for the 2014 labour negotiations.

Peter Foulds, a representative of the Building Union of Canada, says the results of the 2010 agreement varied within the identified group.

84 full-time employees were assigned wages at or below the poverty line without dental or

health coverage entitlement.

Eighty employees, predominantly female, had their wages frozen and the benefits to which they were previously entitled to taken away. The remaining group was given a wage that was two dollars below Hamilton’s living wage.

In the minutes from the Board of Governors meeting in 2010 it is stated that the issue of the mistreatment of this labour group by the University was raised.

“It was commented that these groups of employees, who are amongst the lowest paid on campus, appear to have been harshly treated by the University,” said the report of the meeting.

The minutes also stated that it is “the University’s intention to close the gap between current University rates of pay and market rates.”

The minutes indicate that it was brought to the Board’s attention that market rates are predominantly below the living wage and do not provide an equitable and fair basis for comparison.

The wage ratified as part of the agreement at this meeting was 13 dollars per hour, which the Board recognized to be below the poverty line.

In the same document, the Board of Governors passed a recommendation to increase the compensation of The Management Group by three percent of their Base Annual Salaries, which are among the highest in the University. Additionally, McMaster has more than 1,000 employees on the Sunshine List.

“We find this morally repugnant,” commented Foulds on the two decisions.

“We know there’s money.

We’re not asking for them to join the Sunshine List. This is a nickel and a dime compared to the University’s budget,” added Craig Bromell, President of BUC. Foulds, Bromell and members of BUC want the McMaster Administration to act morally and take on full accountability throughout the new contract negotiations.

“This group was basically signed into a contract of poverty.

I don’t think anyone here wants people on food stamps and below the poverty line,” says Foulds.

“They are the quality-of-life people at the University. Yet, they are not being acknowledged in any way shape or form. There’s a systemic attack on them as far as I’m concerned,” added Bromell.

This systemic attack, as outlined by the BUC representatives, included taking away money from a vulnerable group to raise the wages of other University workers in the Operations and Management sector.

“We brought it to their attention that they were being

cleaners at Mac earn less than the living wage ($14.95/hr)

McMaster faculty members are on the Sunshine List (make more than $100,000 in a calendar year) of staff voted in support of leaving SEIU Cleaner - $13.75/hr

RACHEL FABER / ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

hypocritical in trying to negotiate physiotherapy is nonexistent. She a contract where they’re taking is worried about the implications money from the cleaning staff of this fact. and giving it to others in the same “At what point do we become sector,” said Foulds. a burden in the eyes of the comBUC wants to see an end to pany? For example, we may not be the “mistreatment” of the cleaners as productive as before. We are ofwithin the University. ten punished by our supervisors, “We’re here to represent our we suffer stress - physical and people, so that emotional – as they are treated a result, and we equally, they are not able to are treated fairafford physical “This group was ly, and we have therapy.” an abundance Foulds basically signed into a of evidence and Bromell contract of poverty.” that that has are confident not been going that there is Peter Foulds, on,” said Browidespread McMaster’s chapter, Building mell. support for this Union of Canada “This issue across the group, predomfaculty and the inantly female, students. has been insulted all along,” he “We believe that the Univeradds. sity wants to do the right thing, A cleaner at McMaster shared but we don’t know why it’s taking her concerns with the current so long.” working conditions she is facing.

“They’ve known this for “Basic needs are not being three years, and they’ve chosen to met.” ignore it,” said Bromell.

She complained about the When McMaster Hospitality lack of health coverage and the Services workers went on strike difficulties a $13.75 wage poses in 2011, hundreds of faculty for the workers, especially single members publicly showed their mothers and those who are the support. only wage earners in their family.

Among the supporters was “Mac teaches us to care Dr. Don Wells, a professor in the about our health and wellness, Labour Studies Department. but where do we find the funds to Wells is critical of the Unipay for these services which we versity’s intention to close the gap need due to the extreme physical with market wages. demanding nature of our work?”

“I don’t think that’s good “Whenever we are sick, enough. The market is based on we are not paid for 3 days. We power dynamics. This is not a dehave no vaccines. We don’t have fense and the University shouldn’t enough vacation days to use for go along with it. It is inconsistent any sick time. We have no perwith Forward with Integrity’s sonal days, so family emergencies focus on community. This is the take a chunk out of our paycheck.” city of Hamilton doing this work The work of university cleanfor us every day. I know Patrick ers is physically demanding and Deane is serious about it. To not access to health coverage such as provide a living wage would be

“

Driver - $19.45/hr Gardener - $20.30/hr Res Facilities Maint. - $24.03/hr Plumber - $29.65/hr

inconsistent.

There can’t be a delay. They should be paid a living wage right away, unless there is some reason not to, and I don’t see what that could possibly be.”

“I’m optimistic that the university will [respond accordingly],” he said.

BUC hopes that the University will rectify its previous decision and offer appropriate compensation to the cleaning staff.

Out of the Top Ten Universities in Ontario, McMaster pays its cleaning staff the lowest wage.

“McMaster University has more precarious employees than you would think possible, when one considers the vast financial investment that the province has made here,” says Peter Foulds.

Roger Couldrey (McMaster’s VP Admin) and Geoff Triney (Labour Relations) were contacted but were unable to conduct interviews at the time of the request. @anaqarri

“

“We believe that the University wants to do the right thing, but we don’t know why it’s taking so long.”

Craig Bromell, President, Building Union of Canada

Is it legal to get hired based on social media?

Sam Sim The Ryersonian TORONTO (CUP) - As the winter semester comes to a close, students scramble to submit job applications in hopes of landing a summer job; more employers are requiring candidates to include their social media account names in the application process. But what exactly are individuals agreeing to when they send their account user names?

Students may not be aware they have a right to informational privacy, meaning a right to control the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

“This almost becomes like a Charter value. Privacy has a fundamental place in a modern democracy. This ability shouldn’t be taken away from you,” said David Goodis, director of legal services and general counsel at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at the ’Is that legal? Ethical? Hiring Using Social Media/Web Results’ event hosted in mid-March by the Career Development and Employment Centre at Ryerson University in Toronto.

How much information can employers gather on potential employees via social media?

ELIZA POPE / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

The extent to which a company can use social media and background checks depends on whether they are a public or private organization.

For a public company such as Ryerson University, a background check is allowed if it is first legally authorized and secondly neces-

sary to the hiring process.

For private organizations, a check is only allowed if a candidate gives consent. When consent is given, employers are able to look at personal information on social media profiles freely.

It’s also important to note that even though information

may pop up on a Google search, that doesn’t mean it’s public knowledge. Organizations still may not be able to collect it and use it towards examining whether a candidate is a good fit.

But, ultimately it is the student who controls what is posted on their accounts and the

impression they give, said Kyle Tettman, district manager at Launch! marketing agency, who also participated in the event.

“Set the breadcrumbs to where you want them to go,” he says. “Meaning you control what people think about you when they search your profiles online.”

He encourages students to be mindful of what they’re posting and tweeting. It’s not just about ensuring there’s nothing illegal on your social media accounts, but examining the image they portray.

What people see online should match your real self, but it should also look okay.

“Doing a keg stand isn’t illegal, but it doesn’t look great as your display picture either,” he said.

Tettman and Goodis said their organizations do not “Facebook creep” or look up an individual’s social media accounts without permission when deciding on interviewees for a potential position.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

A7 Comfort halts progress and change A9

Editor Kacper Niburski Email opinions@thesil.ca @theSilhouette Phone 905.525.9140 x27117

S

Editorial Cartoon

DESERT MEMORIES

The history of a ball

Karen Wang / Graphics Editor Kacper Niburski / Opinions Editor

Sometimes arguments become so heated that the issues around them evaporate Kacper Niburski Opinions Editor “Give the ball back, fucker.”

He brandishes his knuckles. He spits on the ground. He is six.

“Heard what I said?”

I shuffle my feet in the ground and squeeze the ball in my hand. It is a bright orange, the kind that glints even in the weakest of sunlight.

Besides for the colour, it is plain. Nothing seems particularly attractive about it in the slightest. Even when under my grip, it bends and reshapes poorly. I continue to compress and decompress, the elasticity giving way underneath my fingers. He continues to speak.

“It isn’t your ball.” He takes a step forward.

I stop squeezing. I tell him how I found this ball here at my feet. It rolled my way while I was wandering the playground. I picked it up and played with it for some 40 days. This was its new history. Didn’t that matter anything?

“No. I was given it by my teacher.”

I whisper. “And I was given it by chance.”

“That was then. This is now. I’m taking it back.” He doesn’t flinch when he says it. A civil war could be going off, and he wouldn’t notice.

His world is the ball and the ball, the world.

I dig my feet in the ground again. He steps forward. I ask him how could I be sure if it was his ball at all.

“Because it is, shithead.” My six year-old mind wonders what a shithead looks like. I imagine a sentient toilet bowl. But lacking such visual stimulation, I just look in front of me at the boy whose face is contorted and red.

I continue to press the orange ball. “Do you mind if I play with it or not for a while? Or maybe we can toss it around in a game of catch?”

“It’s mine. What don’t you understand?”

“Well, how it’s yours.”

He takes another step forward, and swings. The six year old hits like a trained boxer. I fall to the ground.

Things blur. The ground licks my lips. Liquid iron tickles my tongue.

Before I can reorient, he is on top of me. His left hand raises and lands on my chin. His right, my left cheek. There on the ground, part of me can’t help but wonder if he’s done this before. He’s a professional. He wastes no time.

The other part of me is leaking out bit by bit by bit.

I jut my hips upwards and wiggle. My knee frees from under his, and I slam it into his side. He winces. For a few seconds, he is caught in between an inhalation and an exhalation, neither breathing nor not. A sound comes out from him like two freight train colliding - just the awkward moment of pause between life and death.

He scurries to his feet and tries to breath in all the oxygen his little lungs can load. Blood has seeped into my eyes. I try to clear my eyesight for his next onslaught, but the dirt on my hand only clumps on the wound. In a few moments, I’m blind. In a few other moments, I figured, I’d be dead.

This is it. I think. Six years of life go by. It isn’t much, but it’s enough.

It’s all I know, all I have.

I wait lifeless, my limbs at my side. It is only a matter of time.

Only a few more seconds.

Right here.

Now. It’s coming.

Okay. Maybe he just needs to catch his breath.

I listen around me, but I do not hear panting. Instead, I hear patting on the ground and mumbling. I focus and hear, “Where is it? Where is it?”

With my eyes closed, I ask, “What?”

He says, “The ball.”

“Oh.” In the violence and name-calling, the punches and the verbal abuses, I had forgotten about it. It was just a ball after all. I guess absentmindedness can be forgiven.

It might even be expected. God willing, of course. @ kacpnibs

The 25 year lockout Mac’s shutout on varsity hockey is a penalty worth noting Kevin Deckert The Silhouette Canada is known for its cold temperatures, warm-hearted people and of course hockey. The recent win of the gold medal in men’s and women’s hockey during this year’s winter Olympics left every Canadian resident proud of their country. Canadians have embraced hockey as their own.

Whether it’s in a refrigerated barn, or just a frozen pond, nothing can get in the way of the sport we love. I have played travel hockey my entire life, and as most dreamers realize; “I’m not going to make it in the big leagues”.

However, my passion for the game has not dissipated in any manner since attending post-secondary school. Recently I had the opportunity to attend an exciting hockey game between the University of Waterloo and Lakehead University, which determined the post-season future of the Waterloo team. The arena was filled with positive energy; fans were everywhere embracing the rivalry between schools.

As I sat there, I felt a sudden realisation of deep withdrawal. I did not have the luxury of having my own hockey team to cheer for.

Living in Hamilton, and being a student at McMaster University, I began to wonder how such a reputable school cannot have its own hockey team.

University hockey is a high tier level, with many of the players being big prospects for the semipro level. There are currently 36 universities playing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport league across the Canada. According to

McMaster University, over 40,000 students are enrolled over the 2013 - 2014 year, and the school is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world.

With that being said, McMaster University is the largest university outside Quebec which does not compete in CIS hockey, and has not had a hockey team for 25 years. There is no definite answer as to why. I cannot fathom why this size and level of institution would not want a team where the entire country is behind the sport.

It seems that since McMaster has been out of the hockey loop for so long, the school has given up on hopping back in. There is a multitude of benefits of having a hockey team; the obvious benefit being the profit that the school can make from the sales of tickets, team merchandise, and advertising. This could drastically increase the schools funding. Alternatively, even if the school could not break even and suffered in a loss of money, how can cutting hockey out of the schools funding be justified? How has this sport been chosen out of the dozens of other sports teams to be unfairly boycotted?

If a team was to be created again, the school would be attracting a much larger and reputable selection of academia. From the players that are wanting to play for the team, to the students wanting to be a part of the crowd, a hockey team would attract thousands of eyes that would have never considered McMaster as a possible option.

Many other aspects can be considered when wanting to cre-

ate a varsity athlete team. A large component is building a rink on campus for the team to practice and play on. Once again money is a factor; although McMaster already has 3 prestigious fields, with a stadium that can hold 6000 seats, a newly renovated athletic centre, swimming pool and many other athletic facilities. Hockey players, figure skaters, speed skaters and recreational skaters are all denied access to a facility at the McMaster campus, and seem to be the only class of sport that is.

It’s time for McMaster to jump on board; it seems that almost every other sport has been accepted other than the sports on ice.

Something must be changed if a hockey team at McMaster University will ever exist again.

Awareness is vital, both around the campus and the community.

Making people aware that having a hockey team is in fact possible, and getting them to take action in pursuit of a team can drastically influence the school’s decision.

One person alone cannot impact this cause, however if a large enough population were to show interest perhaps McMaster’s decision would change. I can see that it would require a lot of time, and commitment for staff building the team; nevertheless this does not mean that we should just pack in the bags. With the student body and communities support, McMaster can re-establish their own varsity hockey team, and become a part of Canada’s rich past time once again.

FEEDBACK Compiled by Kacper Niburski & Eliza Pope

What does BDS stand for?

“Are we supposed to know that?”

DJ Biglete, Sociology II

“Big Dick Syndrome.”

John Huynh, Life Sciences II

“I don’t know.”

Samantha Wyngaardt, Poli. Sci. III

“Boys Down South.”

Timothy Weenstra, Humanities II

“Bio-Degradable Society.”

Leyla Eryuzlu, Health Sciences IV

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

OPINIONS

A8

Life lessons from a mouse

Gregory Wygoni The Silhouette

KAREN WANG / GRAPHICS EDITOR

“

“And I kept asking myself what does it think of me? As it scurries, slower and slower as the days progress, did it know how I fantasized of saving it, how I dreamt of smashing the drywall as if it belonged to Berlin, rescuing it with all the cheese and wine necessary for a union.”

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HONDA 1988 GL1500 MOTORBIKE If you are interested and for more details CONTACT: (petermaris@live.com)

I cannot tell you how it will end.

But recently, I heard it.

My room’s closet is connected to the attic, and often someone has to get a chair, climb up there, and clean out the traps. Mouse traps more specifically. Down come the dead bodies, usually every weekend. Most of the time there are none, but once and a while a fellow Hamiltonian is pulled from their home with a broken spine and empty hands from trying to get the peanut butter that the trap beguiled.

This weekend was different.

From the attic there lies a little crevice, smaller than a human hand, that forms from a detachment of the house’s frame. On one side, the closet wall. On the other my drywall and house frame. It is smaller than a fist, but large enough for a mouse.

And so this predictable story goes, a mouse fell in. Down it went, an Alice like rabbit hole that ended in likely a few broken bones. No trap, no peanut butter, just squealing. I have never heard an animal cry out in pain, crying to whomever a mouse can when it is injured. This happened at 2 a.m, and confused, I put earplugs in thinking it was my dog.

The next morning I woke to scurrying, it trying to climb up to heaven or at the very least, where mama keeps the peanut butter.

I listened, drop-out-of-medical-

school-stethoscope in hand, to the scratches at the wall. I heard it scurrying. I heard it panting.

I heard it beating. I think. To be honest I could not distinguish its heartbeat from my own. I was amazed - life, there, in my drywall.

And then I realized the mouse was trapped, unable to escape its fate. And this is the story, I suppose, with enough preamble on how a mouse died in my room.

It took four days, and over those four days I was unsure what to do.

I got angry with myself, unable to rescue the mouse. Afraid of property damage, afraid of my inability more so, I would curse myself for letting the mouse die. I gave it food on the first, pushing bread in the crevice, but realized I was only making its pain perhaps more acute.

I tried playing it music. Classical, and it scurried faster. Rap, and it moved more. It wanted out, and I did not know how to provide that.

Over the course of those four days, the mouse listened to me as I programmed shitty web apps, got frustrated at not understanding math problems, and it listened to my panting as I masturbated. It heard me eating quinoa chips, my laughs, my tears for it. It heard who I was.

And I kept asking myself, what does it think of me? As it scurries, slower and slower as the days progress, did it know how I fantasized of saving it, how I

dreamt of smashing the drywall as if it belonged in Berlin, rescuing it with all the cheese and wine necessary for a union, how I would nurse it back to health with its mouse sized cast and IV, how we would be friends, and I could keep it for a long time, because it knew me.

When I left the house, I texted my brother, “Brother, there is a mouse in my room, behind the drywall. It is dying, and I don’t want it to be alone tonight. If you have time, please stay with it.”

I don’t really know if this is a story worth telling. I don’t even know what kind of opinion I am trying to say. What it is not is an argument for animal’s rights or on the suffering of animals. As far as I can see it, I am just trying to tell you that this mouse, in my drywall, as it scurried its last time, made me cry. It made me realize how pathetic I was, and am, sometimes. And it made me try to be better.

For it only takes an observer, no matter how small their squeal, to make you reevaluate yourself.

As soon as someone is listening in on your life, you have to impress them. Or at the very least, make it worth the fall.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

OPINIONS

A9

Nostalgia can shape the present

YOUSIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR

Shane Madill The Silhouette Nostalgia can come in all shapes and sizes, provoked by the most mundane of things, and often immediately tugs at the five senses with vivid detail in remembered points of the past. With social media so readily available at the fingertips of the masses, this sensation is very easy to obtain and embrace. Memories of last night’s shenanigans start their upload to take their place next to last week’s, scrolling through weeks, months, and years of your own adventures or highlights from the lives of others, whether they be friends you have long lost touch with or ones you met just recently.

Though I do not typically reminisce, everything seemed to fall into place for me to do so the other day. A new cover photo based on March Madness brought likes from those I would not have pegged as being basketball fans; I figured that I actually had no idea of knowing as I had not

seen some of them since 2007. A quick scroll down the Facebook feed brought up the usual array: some posts from Spotted At Mac, people’s comments on statuses old and new that included some more designed exercises in nostalgia with the #tbt hashtag, pictures of old hookups, friends of all sorts, and artists barely listened to anymore.

I sent a quick message to someone to buy something from their post that connected to media influential to my teenage years. Why not? I figured that I might as well add something new to the old collection.

As thoughts raced about events and memories that pertained to each, individual person or event seen, there was one rather lengthy status from an old friend that created the highest emotional toll. I always thought of myself as not just a friend, but a mentor to him as we both enjoyed performing, perfecting, and discussing music. It was a release for the both of us and most certainly

one of the best parts of our day as it was for most of the musicians I knew. While I went onto other pursuits at McMaster, he went onto a prominent music college in the states with dreams far more passionate than mine. Unfortunately, he dropped out due to mental health issues, primarily depression, and moved back to be closer to home and the support system there.

This status in particular was a complete opening up. It revealed rather personal details about his upbringing and situation; he seemed completely willing to expose the less-than-ideal aspects about himself in a way rarely seen done by anyone. While some things may not be desirable to hear, I could not help but feel quite happy for him as he seemed to be progressing towards being happier and letting go of some mental frustrations.

Nostalgia is a very odd emotion in that it can make you happy that you experienced certain events in the past, but maybe

a little upset that you cannot go back and relive those moments again. It can fuel our decisions in the present and future to reconnect with people and it can even change our perception of the past over time as any negative aspects of great times are forgotten in favour of the total emotion.

Some memories, however, have to be fully embraced and opened up to release mental strains in any forms of anxiety, regret, or whatever other negative connotation may be associated with the past.

It was Edgar Allan Poe who stated, “It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream,” to which I encourage you to make peace with your past and attempt to embrace all forms of nostalgia in an effort to make your present self one that your future can look back on in a positive way.

“

“Some memories have to be fully embraced and opened up to release mental strains in any forms of anxiety, regret or whatever other negative connotation may be associated with the past.”

We, not he The stuff of the stars Complacency, not resistance, impedes the progress of gender-neutral language

Celebrity culture gives praise to those who deserve it the least and denies it to those who deserve it the most

SILHOUETTE FILE PHOTO

Bianca Caramento The Silhouette Facebook scrolling proved fruitful last Saturday night. While perusing down my newsfeed, I came across a quote deserving of full recognition.

“Often the enemy of change is not some powerful oppressive regime, but our own enjoyment of inertia.” Justin Morris, a graduate student in the McMaster Department of Philosophy, reportedly made this comment in a discussion about change.

There are many relevant applications of this quote, but it happened to remind me of the confrontation I experienced earlier in the day, regarding gender inclusive diction. Things like saying humankind, instead of mankind, appear to be small accommodations. Yet, they seem to stir up quite the ruckus upon request. While I recognize and appreciate the seemingly overwhelming effort that many people put towards using gender neutral terms, there is still great resistance to change ways.

Do we blame an overarching system of patriarchy? Or simply, a general unwillingness to change?

I would largely argue the latter. In my experience, those who raise a stink over my requests to switch terms typically have one of three reasons for doing so. One, they don’t see why it’s a big deal to begin with. Two, they insist that

traditional usage has been the norm for centuries, and so we should keep it. And three, they regard it as a distraction from the real issues at hand. There are better things to worry about, if you will. Ultimately, it is considered an unnecessary and undesired inconvenience to accommodate whiny progressives.

As far as I’m concerned, if it isn’t a big deal to keep it, it also isn’t a big deal to change it. More importantly, the fact that some people are indifferent towards an issue does not account for or cancel out the importance it holds for others.

Furthermore, I’d like to point out that traditional usage does not grant linguistic immunity. Languages are constantly evolving; I see no reason to grant exclusive diction any sort of exception to this reality. Finally, while I gawk at the notion of gender inclusion being some how inferior on the hierarchy of issues, I’d point out that issues cease to function as a “distraction” if they are managed, as opposed to neglected. In other words, by addressing the issue and adapting inclusive language, it ceases to provide a “distraction” from other tasks at hand.

Quite honestly, adding two letters to the word mankind is hardly a significant exertion of effort. While we may have grown accustomed to past usage, we need not let that get in the way of change and progress.

Eileen Shoreman The Silhouette It was an ordinary Sunday night.

I was sitting on my couch with a warm cup of tea in one hand, and the television remote in the other.

After minutes of aimless channel surfing, I finally settled on the latest episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. I watched for a while as the Kardashian clan sat over lunch, discussing how they were to celebrate Bruce Jenner’s upcoming birthday. It was then that I was interrupted by a thought.

Why do I care?

By no means is it my intention to discriminate against the Kardashian family, or any other “celebrity” for that matter. It has undoubtedly taken a lot of hard work and dedication for such individuals to achieve the success they have today. However, the recognition these famous people obtain is misdirected.

These “celebrities” have become so privileged that every minute detail of their lives is publicized. What about other unknown individuals that have done great things for the world? Do they not deserve the same recognition, if not more?

It is uncommon for one to

know of Paul Ehrlich, the founder of chemotherapy, or Victoria Soto, the young teacher who risked her life to save her students from a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School. But thanks to TLC, anyone could tell you what Honey Boo Boo had for lunch yesterday.

This idea of what is important in society demonstrates nothing but corruption in the world today. We live in the most technologically advanced era in all of human history. With the simple click of a mouse, a message could be sent across the entire world.

Yet, rather than using this power for good, it is instead exercised as a way to gossip over which famous woman has the best boob job. There is currently so much potential for the world.

However, in order to operate to the best of our ability, we must first reconsider what we value most in society.

Instead of focusing on the lives of the rich and alluring, more appreciation should be given to the ordinary individuals who do extraordinary things.

The term “celebrity” should be reserved for those who dedicate their lives to others, such as police officers, teachers, doctors, and firemen. Human beings such as this work to better the world, as

well as pose as significant role models for the youth of today.

By shifting the focus of society onto those who truly deserve it, the world would become a more beautiful place, and not just on a physical level.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

OPINIONS

How to get a job like mine

BAHAR ORANG / ANDY EDITOR

Kacper Niburski Opinions Editor Writer Kurt Vonnegut used to have this speech entitled, “How to Get a Job Like Mine.” In it, he told you nothing of the sort. Instead with his worn-down, rustic voice that sounded like a radiator, he pursued topics with the consistency of a schizophrenic police dog.

Everything he discussed could give a high if spoken correctly and one could laugh about it in the end.

A typical talk went like this: Nuclear holocaust. Squirrels. Art. LGBTQ concerns. Farts.

I’m in quite an opposite situation, however. I have the opportunity to write anything I like here as the Opinions Editor, and instead of a tangential concerns or weighing the seriousness of daily flatulence, I feel like telling you exactly how it is.

Looky here. You want to be an Opinions Editor? Well, it isn’t too hard as this article, and all else written, serves as evidence. You

simply have to understand the products of ozonolysis and react them with chlorofluorocarbons.

Then you need to pee your pants in grade five. If not, or if you’re to embarassed of the squishy-squish sound from your polyester pants, no business.

From there, you must have a birthday party at Lazermania. You have to take it way too seriously.

It’s the environment, you tell everyone. It makes you competitive.

Things happen. Other things happen too. And you grow and

change and write and change that writing too. It grows all the same.

This is what Opinions Editors do. They talk about this or that, or that and this, and they tell you that this is lack of specificity is intentional. For in getting a job like mine, you must first understand what it means to be you.

Otherwise, there will be no mine.

Everything may read like this – a little bit nonsense and a little bit sense all the same.

What I’m getting at is that if you’re tangential, be tangential.

If you make no sense, make no sense. At no point should you dress up and waltz around in a ballroom if you want to tap dance.

I don’t know how to tap dance. In fact, I barely know how to dance at all. I took four years of ballet. It didn’t help me much. I jut around like a Tetris piece trying to fit into a tight spot. Most of the times, the blocks just pile up around me.

But that’s okay. Why? Because I know this, and I’m happy with it.

I hope that the next Opinions Editor, whomever they may be and whomever they may think they are, is just as happy.

For after writing some 30 plus articles this term, I realize this is the only opinion that is worth a damn.

The niceties of being nice

ELIZA POPE / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Rob Hardy The Silhouette In a couple of my philosophy classes recently the question of human motivation came up. Simply put, why do we do what we do? It’s an interesting question and intriguing to mull over.

First of all, it’s safe to say right off the bat that most people don’t self-sabotage. No sane person would deliberately miss their bus, or delete the essay they just typed out in order to see what that might be like. Generally, everything people do is to make things a little easier for themselves, which is fine so long as we aren’t always looking for shortcuts and sneaky ways to cheat.

Without getting too much into technical details, one school of thought involves what is called psychological egoism, whereby it is believed that humans always act out of self-interest. In this view, there is always a self-seeking motive, and our motivations are actually reduced to one ultimate aim rather than existing as complex amalgams. And this is one of the problems with this philosophical view-point.

Aside from being far too cynical, it demands that we discount our humanitarian side simply because it also makes us feel good, insisting that this is really our

nefarious purpose.

Another view is that we are actually ethically obliged to act in our own self-interests. Highly linked with Ayn Rand’s philosophical school, we see evidence of this theory played out in her popular novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. There we see in great detail this sink-or-swim ideology played out. Though this presents problems as well, this also means that by taking care of ourselves we then make sure that in turn we are not burdens to others and society.

Though there is merit in this view, it discounts at least two things. Firstly, that our misfortunes are somehow always our responsibility. But more importantly, at some stages in life we are all in need at some point, for example in the debility of old age.

We can’t ultimately ignore that our society is extremely interdependent no matter how self-sufficient we think we are.

It is hard to dispute that many people do in fact have a pure and driving motivation to help others. They sacrifice greatly, and even if there is some hint of self-satisfaction in doing so, if we were to round out a humanitarian’s motivations to one thing, then it would indeed lean towards altruism and not the smaller amount of egotistical pride.

However, in other circumstances we may be surprised in discovering that the reason we think we help others is not really the reason at all. It is not rare to see others hold a door open for someone, but when gratification is not forthcoming we may become disgruntled.

Perhaps, we need the validation. And perhaps holding the door open for someone when they are, in fact, still ten meters behind you is quite unnecessary.

Though the intention may be good, others may feel even more hurried to then “catch up” when they were content to go at their own pace.

This brings us to yet another motivation for our behavior, that of obligation. In fact, though we put ourselves through onerous tasks with the reasoning that eventually it will work out better in our favour, it doesn’t erase the fact that we spend much of our life absorbed in what we feel obliged to do. This is honestly why many people go to university, get good grades, and go through rigorous job searches.

Of course, we think that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but such narrow thinking doesn’t take into account that we are likely to bring these habits into the workplace, learn not to say no, and plan and save obsessively for

a mortgage and retirement so that we may still see that “one day” yet, even though we may no longer recognize ourselves in the mirror or fully understand the people we’ve become.

On that note, I think the lesson here is that, barring any deep moral concerns, the most important thing is for our motivations to be authentic. Sometimes the person who doesn’t hold the door for you, even when they really should have, is quite busy studying for a professional exam. We may not think about it, but ten seconds to stop and chat might mean them missing the bus, and then actually losing thirty minutes of study time that day.

And if we do hold the door open, make sure it’s for the right reasons rather than acknowledgement from the external world.

And even though Ayn Rand, as intellectual as she was, may have come off at times like a real bitch, it’s worth thinking about why we’re on the treadmill every now and then, so that we can sometimes clear the decks and reset our priorities.

A11

When the ink dries up Kacper Niburski Opinions Editor Sometimes I look back on all I’ve written here in Opinions and I wonder how the heck did I do it all. I’m not amazed by it, though.

How could I be? With lifeless asyndetons, hasty word choices, and jokes that are almost as bad as a clown at a funeral, I often felt that my thoughts were unoriginal and trite. Topics cycled, my ideas were poor and misshapen, and whatever I was writing probably wasn’t worth the page that held it.

I could have been doing other things instead of sifting through sentences that ignited like a wet match. I could have not wasted the ink. The energy of typing could be put to better use.

And I could have been outside, could have been laughing, and could have at least saved my eyes from the eventual myopia.

But despite such mass production of words that may be hardly worth mass-producing in the first place, I am still writing this – everything above and everything below.

This persistence against all other opposition is important.

Though my determination may just be the sign of prolific-amateur who is hunting for the right words to describe a world that shifts as he pens it down and so he goes searching again, I like to believe that even if this is meaningless, it is worth something to me. Not because it inherently is, but because I can make it so by slugging on day by day by day.

Sure, it’s draining. Yes, it’s thankless. And more often than not, I wonder why I’m still here, still looking into the screen, then the ceiling, then a boy in front of me with coiffed hair, a knitted sweater, and shoes that’ll leave his toes cold. Then I wiggle my own toes, feel the warmth in my socks.

Then I write, erase, and write again.

Why? Because in doing what I have to do, and in doing what I want to do, and in trying to find the line between the two, I have dulled the ink in my pen, tattered the pages of my journal, and ruined my fingers with uneven callous that now tickles my tips as I type. I’d rather have this – the weariness and exhaustion, the bluntness and the fumbling around with sentences like wine-corks in my mouth – than the alternative of a pen clothed, a paper unwrinkled, and a finger where even the slightest mark seems foreign. I’d rather do, act, and feel with vulgar inaccuracy than sit here, cross my arms, and wait for the world to wake up when I do.

That does not mean I should write, of course. But even if I shouldn’t and if I have worn down these words, diluted my paragraphs, and filled an entire page with nonsense, it is better to trudge and to struggle with what to say, knowing that you tried to say something in the first place, then to say nothing at all.

I have much to say still. I have stories to tell, opinions that should be voiced, and experiences that need to be highlighted, criticized, and laughed about. I don’t know what they are yet exactly, but I’ll write until I find them in between the infinite spaces between this word and the last.

“

“It is better to trudge and to struggle with what to say, knowing that you tried to say something in the first place, then to say nothing at all.”

CELINEUM New element discovered that drastically improves life expec tanc y, helping hear t go on C4

THURSDAY

THE

HAMILTON SPECULATOR MA JORING IN MINORS SINCE 1934

LOCAL

City councillors outline three easy steps should Hamilton citizens wish to dispose of "accidents" A3

ONTARIO

NOTSPEC.COM

MARCH 27, 2014

"Etobicoke is sketchy - I can't imagine people actually living there." A4

HEALTH

Seven things you didn't know your rectal muscles were capable of B5

Soapbox elected to SRA

Top 6 Fruits I wouldn't know how to even start eating

Leading with 80.3% of his close friends' votes, a soapbox has been elected to the incoming SRA to debate opinions personal to him while under the guise of serving his faculty's needs and interests

Fingered Citron: Do I split them up or something?

Guanabana: It hurts to even look at this thing.

Soapbox hopes to educate his Student Representative Assembly peers to the various issues that plague his narrow-minded corner of the world.

SHIT HASTINGS Needs Assembly

In a world where student representatives are forced to present the views of their constituents to authority figures, one student has started thinking inside of the box.

Soapbox is that student. This third-year McMaster Political Sciences major was recently ushered into a position in the SRA, where he hopes to promote the causes personal to him on a platform where change is not any more achievable, but where more people are forced to listen.

"It's always been a dream of mine to be in an environment of

like-minded narcissists without the fear of having to ever actually accomplish anything," said Soapbox.

Soapbox's campaign posters were plastered with the singlular slogan, a promise to "Put the stance back in substance."

With 80.3 percent of his faculty's votes cast in his favour, he will be the sole representative for Political Sciences, further shining a light on the lack of checks and balances for "windbag politics."

"More people need to be aware of my petty grievances, which only matter to a handful of people in the student body. Why else would anyone get into student

politics?" said Soapbox.

Students can look forward to seeing students like Soapbox push their personal agendas this Sunday, March 30, as the SRA congregates to discuss matters important to the fewest, loudest among us.

"The students have a voice, and if they want it to be heard they can run for office. People who want representatives that care what they think can go join a third-grade classroom. There's no room for advocacy here," said Soapbox.

There sure isn't, Mr. Box.

Shi Jia: It looks kind of like balls that grew their own sets of balls.

"Soapbox's campaign had the singular slogan, a promise to put the stance back in substance."

Soapbox Selfish Social Activist

Wood Apple: It's like anti-Gatorade.

Great if you want to be instantly parched.

CIS tournament kicks off Privileged cisgendered representatives of universities across Canada compete in a week-long tournament of oneupmanship to determine which school hosts the least-marginalized individuals in the country.

TIBERIUS SLICK Pretty in Privilege

Some people have it good, and some just have it way, way, waaaaaay better. The Canadian Interuniversity Swindlers association launched a Canadawide tournament today celebrating those among us who won the genetic lottery.

McMaster's delegate, John Smith, a 6'2" third-generation Canadian with strong Scandinavian bloodline features, including

a powerful jawline and a tan but obviously caucasian skin tone, is expected to perform well.

"The only time someone has ever said no to me was when I offered to do a single honest day of work in my life," said Smith.

Mac hopes to place highly this year, as the tournament has been historically dominated by the University of British Columbia, a haven for people wealthy enough to live anywhere even remotely near it.

WEATHER HIGH: SPRING LOW: OTHER SPRING Winter is lingering, so you better get used to it. Forecasts show a strong chance that Summer will not last long enough, according to you.

It takes a great deal of ignorance to become a nationallyrecognized icon of privilege.

Mangosteen: I wonder how many human sacrifices went into each one.

CAB CSHIT Shit Hastings sees how far he can

SPECU

Noni: When I close my eyes, I can't help but feel they are opening all of theirs.

drive in a cab before the driver gets wind that he's flat broke .

SEE ONLINE

IT'S NEARING THE END A2

TAKE A STEP BACK B11

EVERY END IS A NEW

TO MOVE FORWARD IN YOUR

BEGINNING A4

ENDEAVOURS C3

ONLY WHEN WE BEGIN TO

IT'S STARTING TO FEEL A

KNOW WHERE TO STOP B1

BIT LIKE A BOARD GAME

FIRST STEP IS TO START B4

AROUND HERE D7

LIKE CURLING? Me neither! but someone out there has to!

JOIN MY FANTASY CURLING LEAGUE!

PER ISSUE: 3 Separatist Dollares

INCL. HST, PST where applicable.

DISCLAIMER: I do not assume any responsibility or promise of enjoyment or fun thereof. It is my solemn sworn desire to provide the utmost diligence and care as your fantasy curling commissioner, but there is only so much a human being is capable of. I mean, they are sliding a smooth rock down an ice floor. It's like the goddamn stone-age Olympics. Why don't we just go back to a hunter-gatherer society or let diseases wipe out entire populations of people again? Because we're better than that. We've evolved, and our sports should evolve along with us. Curling is barbaric, archaic even, and we shouldn't submit ourselves to watch, much less play this sorry excuse for a 'spectator sport' which is funny because last time I checked nobody was watching. Oh right, and have fun with it! Applications for the league are due whenever, if we fill up it'll be a goddamn act of divine providence.

Disclaimer: The Hamilton Speculator is a work of satire and fiction and should not under any circumstances be taken seriously. Unless you’re into that sort of thing. Then do what you want. I’m not your dad.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B1 Find out what it’s like to be a female sports reporter

Get to know your Marauders’ athletes from several sports

Editors Laura Sinclair & Alexandra Reilly Email sports@thesil.ca @SilSports

B4

B2

Phone 905.525.9140 x27117

S TRACK

The Marauder triathlon family Over the past decade, McMaster has seen an influx of elite triathletes that make their mark in cross country, the pool and the roads.

Andrew Yorke

Taylor Forbes

C/O RICH LAM

Blair Morgan Taylor Reid

Austen Forbes

These current and former Marauder athletes have all gotten the opportunity to travel far and wide to compete for Canada.

C/O CHUCK PERREAULT

C/O CHUCK PERREAULT

Andrew Yorke

Taylor Reid

Blair Morgan

Taylor Forbes

Austen Forbes

Greatest Accomplishment as a Marauder: “As a Marauder. being an OUA All star in cross country in the most competitive division in the country at the OUA championships in 2010. I was 9th at OUAs XC 2010.

Greatest Accomplishment as a Marauder: “Helping the team get to a silver medal, basically tied my best OUA finish, 7th place.”

Greatest Accomplishment as a Marauder: “I would have to say helping the team to a to a silver medal.”

Greatest Accomplishment as a Marauder: “Helping my team finish 2nd at the OUA cross country championships and 4th at the CIS cross country championships.”

Greatest Accomplishment as a Marauder: “Representing the University at the CIS National championships two years in a row.”

Greatest accomplishment in tris: “I’ve been an alternate for the 2012 Olympic Games and finished top 20 at the World Championships.”

Future Goals: “Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.“

Laura Sinclair Sports Editor Every year, McMaster University manages to attract several talented student athletes that show their drive and passion in the sport that matters most to them.

Among this diverse group of student-athletes, however, lies a different breed — Triathletes.

These high-performance athletes train for and perfect not just one sport, but three. Swimming, cycling and running.

For Marauder alumni and elite triathlete Taylor Reid, training for multiple sports all at once is part of what makes it so thrilling.

“You’re actually training for 4-5 hours each day, and hitting different sports, so it just changes everything up and it’s a challenge, because not everyone can do all of it,” said Reid.

Reid, a member of the C3 triathlon group, came to McMaster five years ago, after following the footsteps of his triathlon teammate Andrew Yorke, who essentially started the influx of several other triathletes at McMaster University, through the recommendation of their coach, Barrie Shepley.

“My coach at the time Barrie Shepley had attended McMaster, my training partner Sean Bechtel, one of the best Canadian triathletes was attending Mac as well. It was a great fit,” said Yorke.

Along with the people convincing Yorke to become a Marauder, he was also attracted to the closeness of Hamilton to his hometown of Caledon.

And for triathletes wanting to train hard, there were not a lot of other options.

“In 2007 when I came to McMaster the only other option to continue my triathlon career was to move across the country to the National Training Centre in Victoria, BC, and I wasn’t quite ready

Greatest accomplishment in tris: “Last year, I won under 23 nationals.”

Future Goals: “I’m going to try and make worlds, that’s the biggest goal, but the mini goals in there are basically to come top ten at PATCO triathlon, and top ten at world cup.”

Greatest accomplishment in tris: “Being the alternate for Canada Summer Games.”

Future Goals: “This season I would like to come top 3 at u23 provincials, and run a 10k in less than 34 min off the bike.”

physically or mentally to make a sity swim team, and running with sacrifice like that,” said Yorke. the Varsity Cross country team The year before Yorke made under Rory Sneyd,” said Yorke. his final decision, he was well “Had I chosen a different union his way to seriously pursuing versity I likely wouldn’t have retriathlons, as he competed at the ceived the same level of attention World Junior Triathlon and was and might not have progressed to named the Junior Triathlete of the the level I have.” year in Canada.

While the triathlete group Another aspect that made the of Andrew Yorke, Taylor Reid, decision to go to McMaster easier Andrew Bysice and John Rasmusfor both Yorke and Reid was the sen trained for hours togetherfact that the swim coach, Andrew logging miles in running, cycling Cole, allowed the group, also on the roads, or swimming at Ivor consisting of Andrew Bysice and Wynne, other triathletes became John Rasmussen, to train with interested in the scene as well.

McMaster’s highly competitive Austen and Taylor Forbesswim team. twins from “No othDundas, Oner university tario -- came would have to McMaster “I was at Mac for a long let me swim just a couple with them, of years later. time and got to see a lot except for this They had an of quality athletes come one, because easy decision through the swim and Andrew Cole when it came basically to choosing a run programs. Getting opened it up university that to share the daily to us,” said would support Reid. their training. experience of training The “Since I and and racing with swimming live in Hamthem was the greatest teams at other ilton, Mac universities has been my experience I’ve ever expect their home base had.” athletes to since I started not only out,” said Andrew Yorke, McMaster train with Taylor.

University Alumni, 2016 Olympic them, but to The Hopeful compete with Forbes twins them as well. started comThe peting and coaches at McMaster — Andrew training for triathlons at the age Cole, Paula Schnurr and Rory of 11, and have used the same faSneyd, however, understand the cilities that Mac offers ever since. commitments of triathlon trainThe brothers also took into ing and preparation, and have account the fact that there were a taken that into account when it long line of triathletes that came comes to their workouts and their to Mac before them, so they knew participation in meets. the coaches were ready for the “Mac was one of the few needs and sacrifices they would schools with a swim and run varhave to make for the sake of their sity program that would allow me triathlon-training. to pursue both programs. I spent “The coaches here are fantasmy years at Mac swimming with tic when it comes to communiCoach Andrew Cole and the Varcating with our Triathlon coaches

“

Greatest accomplishment in tris: “I don’t have many accomplishments in triathlons so far because the past few years i always seem to get struck by injury right before the season starts.”

Future Goals: “Get my feet wet in the international circuit, finish the season without injury, and be a true competitor.”

and working our running around the rest of our training,” added Taylor.

As for Austen Forbes, his decision to come to Mac was based on the full package of what it offered.

“Mac was my choice because it gave me everything I needed: A great academic institution, great training facilities to allow me to continue my sport, great coaches to help me improve in my sport, and it was an option close to home where I can spend more time with my family who are my biggest supporters.”

Austen also credits his twin brother for motivating him to come to McMaster, so that they could continue to be training partners for the rest of their triathlon career.

“We both love the sport equally as we thrive off of it and each other. I truly believe that I would not be half the athlete I am today without my brother there to try and kick my ass and tell me to “keep going, only a little longer,” said Austen.

But the twins also acknowledge their desire to become a part of the “triathlon family” at McMaster that they believed would benefit them in their training and in their progression in the sport.

“Yorke, Reid, Rasmussen, and Bysice went to school here. I wanted to be a part of that family here at Mac and they were so welcoming. And despite being on separate triathlons teams, wearing Maroon and Grey made us one big team,” said Taylor.

Although a good portion of the triathlon family at McMaster has graduated, the men’s cross country team proved this year that the legacy still lives on.

Out of the scorers for the team at the OUA Cross country Championships, 5 of the top 7 were triathletes.

Head track coach Paula Schnurr credits triathletes’ success

Greatest accomplishment in tris: “Being a recipient of the Quest for Gold funding (meaning I am an Olympic hopeful for Ontario) and getting a gold and silver at the Canada Summer Games.”

Future Goals: “Defend my provincial title for the 4th year in a row, and trying to get podium at the u23 elite national championships.”

in cross country running to all of the time spent off their feet- with swimming and cycling in the mix of their season.

“The cross training is certainly beneficial, it prevents them from some over-use training they might get, and it keeps them always running fresh, just allowing the various types of training without focusing on specific running training,” said Schnurr.

The understanding coaches, the facilities, and the support offered at McMaster University has assisted the triathlon family in their future goals and endeavors.

The most impressive member of the family is Andrew Yorke, who is now looking to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, after being named an alternate to the 2012 Olympic Triathlon team.

Through all of the miles logged both in running and cycling, and all of the laps in the pool, Yorke credits McMaster University, and his triathlon family in getting him to where he is right now, and providing him with fond memories he will never forget.

“I was at Mac for a long time and got to see a lot of quality athletes come through the swim and run programs. Getting to share the daily experience of training and racing with them was the greatest experience I’ve ever had.”

As for the rest of the triathlon family, they will continue to compete and train hard for the rest of the summer before they tackle another trying cross country season in the fall. @Lsinkky

SPORTS

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B2

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR MARAUDER ATHLETES Laura Sinclair & Alexandra Reilly

We sit down with some of your McMaster Marauders to find out more about their interests and what they’re up to when not playing sports

Danielle Boiago Basketball

Blair Morgan

Cross Country

Taylor Brisebois

Tom Sterling

Marshall Ferguson

Q: If you could hang out with a celebrity for a day, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Q: If you could hang out with a celebrity for a day, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Q: If you could hang out with a celebrity for a day, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Q: If you could hang out with a celebrity for a day, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Q: If you could hang out with a celebrity for a day, dead or alive, who would it be?

A: “Emma Watson because I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I think she's really cool.”

A: “Probably George R. R. Martin so I could try to get some ‘Game of Thrones ‘info out of him.”

A: “I would hangout with Jennifer Aniston.”

A: “Jim Carrey because I love his movies and I want to be an actor”

Q: Who is your role model and why?

Q: Who is your role model and why?

A: “My parents have always been my role models. Their unconditional love and support has moulded me into the person I am today. I cannot be thankful enough to have them in my life.”

A: “My dad, he pretty well embodies what I want to be later in life, also he still has his hair so if that happened to me too that would be cool!”

Q: Why did you choose your sport?

A: “I got into running through my dad when I was younger, and I haven’t stopped since!”

A: “I started playing basketball when I was four years old and ever since then I knew it would be something that I couldn't live without. I love the feeling that as soon as you step onto the court you're free from the rest of the world for the time being. I really just love everything about it.”

Q: Favourite colour?

A: “Pink” Q: Favourite band and why?

A: “I don't really have a favourite band but my favourite musician would definitely have to be my younger brother because he's so talented and he inspires me everyday.”

Q: Why did you choose your sport?

Q: Favourite colour?

A: “Right now I’m very partial to maroon.“ Q: Favourite band and why?

A: “It changes, but ‘A Day to Remember’ has a good mix of heavy and softer songs and they’re great live.”

Q: What is your dream job?

A: “Working for a pharmaceutical company that sends me around the world.”

Q: Favourite thing to do on the weekend?

Q: What is your dream job?

A: “Other than long runs with the team, typical student stuff like video games and movies.”

A: “University Basketball Coach”

Q: What are you studying at Mac?

Q: Favourite thing to do on the weekend?

A: “I’m in my 3rd year of chemical engineering and biosciences.”

A: “Hang out with my family and friends. “ Q: What are you studying at Mac? A: “Kinesiology” Q: If you could play any sport other than basketball what would you play and why?

A: “Squash because I just learned how to play and it's a ton of fun.”

Q: If you could play any sport other than track or cross country what would you play?

A: “Probably soccer, there’s lots of endurance required and I was a decent goalie when I was younger.”

Volleyball

Q: Who is your role model and why?

A: “My role model is my mom.“ Q: Why did you choose your sport?

A: “My mom chose my sport for me, but also cause I’m tall.”

Q: Favourite colour?

A: “My favourite colour is purple.”

Q: Favourite band and why?

A: “My favourite band is Marianna’s trench.”

Football

Q:Who is your role model and why?

A: “Jake Long, who was one of the best offensive linemen ever from Michigan state, and my dad, who does everything for his family and I just really look up to him.”

Q: Why did you choose your sport?

A: “Loved the team atmosphere and I excelled in it.”

Q: Favourite colour?

A: “Blue”

Q: What is your dream job?

Q: Favourite band and why?

A: “My dream job is a vet. “

A:” ‘Arkells’ - they’re an amazing band from Hamilton and I like supporting local talent.”

Q: Favourite thing to do on the weekend?

A: “My favourite thing to do on the weekend would be being lazy with my friends and family.”

Q:What are you studying at Mac? A: “I’m studying sociology at Mac.” Q: If you could play any sport other than volleyball what would you play?

A: “This is tough Volleyball is the only sport I can see myself playing, so I probably wouldn’t play any other sport!”

Q: What is your dream job?

A: “Football coach/actor” Q: Favourite thing to do on the weekend?

A: “Relax with friends- I rarely get enough time with friends because of school and football so its nice to relax with them.”

Q: What are you studying at Mac? A: “History” Q: If you could play any sport other than Football what would you play?

A: “Hockey- I’ve always had a passion for it, and I’m Canadian.”

“I started playing basketball when I was four years old and ever since then I knew it would be something that I couldn’t live without. I love the feeling that as soon as you step onto the court you’re free from the rest of the world for the time being. I really just love everything about it.”

Danielle Boiago, Women’s Basketball Team

Football

A: “Paul McCartney for the stories and a ukulele lesson over beers” Q: Who is your role model?

A: “Tom Brady. He is the ultimate leader and I pattern my 40 time after him.”

Q: Why did you choose your sport?

A: “I was forced to play football by a high school basketball coach that wanted my teammates and I to get tougher. I immediately fell in love with the game.”

Q: Favourite color?

A: “Glow in the dark” Q: Favourite band?

A: “‘The Sheepdogs’, ‘City and Colour’ and ‘Jack Johnson’ ” Q: What is your dream job?

A: “Sports broadcasting.

Either hosting a radio show called “Tim, Sid and Marsh” or hosting the 1a.m. edition of Sportscentre.”

Q: Favourite thing to do on the weekend?

A: “Spanning the globe to study the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat that only the wide world of sports can supply.”

Q: What are you studying at Mac? A: “Political Science, Communication and how to say “YES” like Marv Albert” Q: If you could play any sport other than Football what would you play?

A: “I would be a Formula 1 race car driver, “I wanna go fast” - Ricky Bobby.”

SPORTS

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B3

Olympian Lumsden returns to Mac Marauder football alumni and Canadian Olympian Jesse Lumsden returns to his almnus for a special event

C/O OLYMPICS CANADA

Alexandra Reilly Assistant Sports Editor With the Marauder football program reaping extra success over the past couple of years, they can now add former football player Jesse Lumsden to their list of successes.

Not only did Lumsden play for the Marauders but he was also a member of the Canadian Olympic bobsled team.

Lumsden and his partner Lyndon Rush won the two-man World Cup championship and represented Canada at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. as well as the 2014 winter games in Sochi, Russia.

The former Hec Crighton trophy winneris returning to the McMaster campus to speak at the 17th annual Marauder football Gala Dinner, which will be held on May 1 in the McMaster Sports Hall.

Lumsden was blessed with much success during his time at McMaster as he received the

Hec Crighton trophy for most outstanding player in Canadian University football in 2004.

He then continued on with his football career into the Canadian Football League where he was named CFL East Division All-star in 2007 as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

After some bouts with injuries his football career seemed to be over, but his athletic career only blossomed from there.

He made the transition to bobsled shortly after and has continued to move up the ranks within the Canadian National Program.

As a member of the Marauder football team, the annual football gala is one that players keep marked in their calendars.

All of the proceeds from this event go to the Athletic Financial Awards (AFA) for Marauder players.

The evening includes a silent auction and the important presentation of the McMaster High school Coaching Achievement

C/O SVEN BOECKER

Award.

This award is presented annually to a coach selected from the Hamilton, Halton, Haldimant and Niagara Regions, which recognizes their dedication within coaching at the high school level.

Nominations for the award can be made by contacting Jon Behie and can be made at the McMaster football office located on the second floor of DBAC. @Miss_AReilly

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McMaster University MUSC Room B117 Student Centre Basement 905.525.9140 x27557

theSil.ca

SPORTS

Thursday, March 27, 2014

B4

OPINION

How sports changed my life It took one experience to open my eyes and show me that sports would always be a part of my life Alexandra Reilly (left) works as the Assistant Sports Editor and Laura Sinclair (right) works as the Senior Sports Editor.

YOSEIF HADDAD / SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR

Alexandra Reilly Assistant Sports Editor When I was first accepted to McMaster University, there were a lot of questions I asked myself before I decided to come here.

Would I have great opportunities here? Would I make friends? Would I fit in?

With all of the struggles that being a freshman in university brings, I knew that in order to find my place I had to find something I was interested in, and use that to my advantage.

My first year at the school would be the year that the McMaster football team would bring home their first ever Vanier Cup title. It made me proud to be a Marauder, and proud to have some of my friends coming home as winners. It was that year that I knew sports would be in my future.

Sports were always an in-

terest of mine, but it wasn’t until I stepped foot onto this campus and took in my first Marauder football game that I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.

Not only did I want to learn more about my fellow athletes but I wanted to be able to learn their stories, struggles and triumphs.

It fascinated me that I could connect an audience with an individual and a sport through writing and word of mouth.

After starting my second year at McMaster, a young man working for the school newspaper entered one of my lectures, advertising the opportunity to write for the paper. It was almost fate for if I had shown up any later to my class (not an unusual occurrence) I would have missed his speech and probably wouldn’t be here today.

I emailed the Silhouette right away and eventually ended up covering women’s volleyball as a

volunteer writer. Despite knowing nothing about volleyball I knew this was a great opportunity and a chance for me to do something I was passionate about.

After writing for the Sil as a weekly volunteer, the position of Assistant Sports Editor came available and after some encouraging words from many Silhouette editors I decided to apply. To my absolute delight I got the job and that began a new chapter for me on my path to a future career.

I ended up learning later on that my Senior Sports Editor and myself were the first females (in recent memory) to assume the editorial roles. It empowered me but at the same time made me nervous as I knew I had a lot to prove.

The summer before I started working at the Silhouette a documentary on ESPN caught my eye, which focused primarily on the struggles that women have faced

to gain exposure and respect within the sports industry.

It amazed me that it took such a long time for females to gain acceptance into this field of work, but it also made me hopeful because so many woman before me had broken new ground and continue to do so.

After watching the full documentary I gained a new respect for the sports industry as a whole and for the people who work in sports journalism and broadcasting.

Women have come a long way and are starting to be seen in a similar light as men within this business. That to me was comforting.

Once my job with the Silhouette started I found it stressful to ensure I kept up with both my newspaper and school deadlines.

The Silhouette staff was wonderful, welcoming and always shared helpful advice when it came to learning how to manage my time accordingly.

It wasn’t until my second semester that things started to become eye-opening for me. I received a message from an individual living in the Westdale area who told me they had read the Silhouette for a number of years and had always been a fan.

The message seemed hopeful at first but then quickly became very blunt. This individual then stated that after learning that the sports editors were female that they saw the sports section in a completely different way, a way that they just simply could not comprehend. They then informed me that they refused to continue to read the section until the positions of sports editors were to be filled by two males.

It definitely woke me from the daze I was in, and I finally understood the struggle that many females before me had faced.

Many of my friends wondered why I would want to continue after receiving something of that nature, but in the end,

people like that will always exist, it is simply up to you to do what you love despite what anyone else thinks.

I encourage everyone with a passion to continue on your path to success. Although there will always be people who think their opinion is going to affect you, you simple can’t let that happen.

Despite the negativity that does exist, the positive feedback the Sil has received this year has been both positive and encouraging.

It is the positives that you need to hold on to that will keep you going.

No matter what, never let go of what you love. @Miss_AReilly

“

“They then informed me that they refused to continue to read the section until the positions of sports editors were to be filled by two males.”

Silhouette reader, Westdale area

SPORTS

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B5

PRO SPORTS

The end of trash talking?

How the NFL could start to take drastic measures to eliminate poor language during games

C/O KEITH ALLISON / FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS

Moussa Sangare-Ponce The Fulcrum OTTAWA (CUP) — The NFL is thinking of proposing a rule that would impose a 15-yard penalty against a team when one of their players uses a racial term in the field of play.

Specifically, the rule would target players who uses the derogatory n-word.

While the attempt to curb

racial language is admirable, it is ultimately a misguided effort that doesn’t address deeper discriminatory issues within the league.

Click here for the original article from the Fulcrum The first problem is that the NFL only wants to eliminate one particular term.

Why not penalize all offensive language from the field of play? With Michael Sam soon to be the first openly gay player

in the league, one must question why the NFL also does not target homophobic language, along with any other slur targeted at a specific group.

The second issue is that the n-word is part of the culture inside locker rooms.

What if some players, regardless of the colour of their skin, don’t use it in a derogatory way but as a term of endearment after a teammate makes a big play?

I’m not saying I approve of this language, but one of the things we learned from the Miami Dolphins fiasco, in which Richie Incognito was reported to have harassed teammate Jonathan Martin, is that Incognito was considered an “honorary brother” by some of his black teammates and used the n-word freely in the locker room without any repercussion.

Are we to believe Miami is

the only team in which a white player had such “privilege”?

We must also realize the hypocrisy of the NFL proposing the rule at all.

There are 32 teams in the NFL, none of which are controlled by a black owner. Roger Goodell, the commissioner, is also white.

How is allowing old, rich white men to dictate how black players interact with each other fixing racial issues?

Isn’t this only perpetuating larger issues?

The n-word is a big part of the way black people interact, for better or for worse, so why should they let anyone penalize their team for what they say to each other?

The final issue with the rule is that last time I checked there is an NFL team in Washington with a name that is a racial slur towards First Nations peoples.

How can the NFL be anything but hypocritical if they are willing to penalize players for their language, while marketing one of their franchises under an offensive term?

If the NFL truly wants to eliminate discrimination from the field and the locker room, it still has a long way to go.

Penalizing players in a game for their language to teammates, not in anger at the opposition or to a referee, sets a dangerous and hypocritical precedent for a league mired in controversy.

The league should look at cleaning up its own act before it decides what its players should and shouldn’t say.

FIND YOUR DREAM JOB IN THE ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE.*

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Warning: Employment with the Ontario Government will cause uncontrollable

work/life imbalance, loss of health benefits, reduced and inadequate long-term disability coverage and lifetime job insecurity. Permanently frozen income is a serious risk. Not suitable for anyone with professional career aspirations. Do not take if you are allergic to an employer that bullies and bargains in bad faith. Contact your career counsellor right away for advice on getting a job in the private sector.

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Check the fine print and think twice. Or write us at realstory@amapceo.on.ca

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Publication: McMaster Silhouette

Client: AMAPCEO

Size: 8” x 12”

Colour: CMYK

Insertion Date: March 2014

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B7 Editors Amanda Watkins & Miranda Babbitt

B8

Email lifestyle@thesil.ca silhappens.tumblr.com Phone 905.525.9140 x27117

S

N O T L I M A H S R E T F A CR E T I UN B10 o t n r Tu ore for m

AMANDA WATKINS / LIFESTYLE EDITOR

SUSTAINABILITY B12

FOOD B11

Where does your coffee cup belong?

Bask in the joys of delivery

S

hould coffee cups be recycled, composted or thrown away? LifeStyle gives you the answer to this pending question.

W

ant to make your takeout possess the joys and emotions of eating out? Assistant LifeStyle Editor Miranda Babbitt how you can make home feel less like home.

MORE FOOD B8

Chicken Licken

T

he sky may not be falling, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grab onto some chicken licken. BBQ hotspot Charred is filling James Street North with some saucy piri piri aromas. Look to B8 for LifeStyle Editor Amanda Watkins’ review of the poultry paradise.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B8

LIFESTYLE

David Lee 4th year English

Who are you wearing?

HAT - Carhartt SHIRT - Ralph Lauren (Vintage) COAT - Borrowed from Dad JEANS - Cheap Monday SOCKS - American Apparel SHOES - Superga

YOSEIF HADDAD / PHOTO EDITOR

REVIEW

Charred: BBQ chicken Mastering the art of chicken since 2013

244 James Street North Amanda Watkins LifeStyle Editor Serving up BBQ chicken and a personally renowned piri piri sauce, Charred is one of a few Hamilton restaurants devoted to the art of chicken.

We headed to Charred on a weekday at lunchtime and it was bumping. The restaurant’s 20-customer capacity room was packed with a line going out the door. It was a bit of a wait but we were thoroughly entertained watching the chicken grill in their open-concept kitchen and eavesdropping on conversations echoing across their high ceilings and exposed brick walls. Unfortunately we ended up waiting for a half hour before being seated, or even being talked to, but we ended up with a window seat looking onto the slightly dingy but still charming James Street North.

We ordered the “Charred Sandwich” ($8) which was pulled chicken on a bun with assorted vegetables and aged cheddar. It was generously sized with a really tasty ciabatta bun, but the vegetables were uncooked and cold, the chicken was weirdly room temperature, and the cheese was pretty much non-existant. They also ran out of roasted potatoes

so it came side-less, which was a bummer.

We also ordered a regular-sized house poutine ($7) with added shredded chicken on top ($3). The cheese curds were doused in piri piri sauce, which gave the normally bland dish a unique flavour. It was really tasty and once again, a totally massive serving that could easily feed two people.

Contrary to our long wait in line, our food was at the table with 15 minutes, and the service was friendly and familial. They even have framed vintage family photos on the wall that evoke a homey and nostalgic feel.

Charred is in an easy to access location, for both drivers and commuters, and serves a variety of dishes with their signature BBQ’d chicken that is grilled fresh throughout the day. Their menu has more sit down prices, but they also prepare whole chickens for takeout at a reasonable $14.

Charred produces Swiss Chalet-superior chicken and an accessible location for wandering students. They understand the art of chicken. @whatthekins AMANDA WATKINS / LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B9

LIFESTYLE

RANT

Dear YouTube Ads, Jason Woo The Silhouette I don’t really want to rip on you too much, only because you are necessary for YouTube to run.

And what would I do without a place to watch Jimmy Kimmel clips, TED Talks, or listen to music? That being said, I would really appreciate it if you could get your act together.

I know your ads are targeted at things you think I like, which is actually quite nice. I fondly

remember the 15-second jam sessions I had to Miguel’s Kaleidoscope Dream before watching a Khan Academy video on physics.

That got me through some tough times. I also really enjoyed the Poo-Pourri commercial, with the British lady talking about a ‘before-you-go toilet spray that traps the odour at the source of your creamy behemoth’. How could I not watch that a few times? One of my friends actually bought it as a Secret Santa gift this past Christmas. So good for you,

YouTube.

But sometimes you just show me such random ads. Like that month where you kept showing me a Cadillac car commercial in Cantonese. I watched an Asian music video one time. One time!

Also, why won’t you let me skip the ad after a few seconds for all of your ads. I don’t care about this Duracell battery ad that also runs on the television 24/7.

I honestly don’t understand the purpose of ads like that. It doesn’t make me want to buy Duracell

batteries – in fact, I think I’ll chill with the Energizer bunny next time I need some batteries. That’ll teach you.

If you present me with a genuinely engaging ad that I’m interested in – like Poo-Pourri, obviously – I will watch the whole thing. If you don’t match my interests, forcing me to watch an ad only turns me off more, which is probably not what your beloved advertisers would want to hear.

That, and endless refreshing of the page in hopes that the ad will not

show again. It always does.

I know you’re here to stay, so maybe a little more about dropping mother loads and less ads that are geared towards something I watched just that one time, I swear, in the future.

Regards, Unusually-and-unnaturallyfascinated-with-Poo-Pourri

Choose alternative products. Period.

Sustainable choices for Aunt Flow’s next visit Amanda Watkins LifeStyle Editor For the last few weeks I chose to complete a “Zero Waste Challenge” which involved producing zero garbage for three weeks.

Everything was going pretty smoothly − until I got my period.

Apparently, recycling is the new glass ceiling.

If you’re interested in using some more sustainable products when you’re on your period, searching for an organic alternative to synthetic pad and tampon blends, or are simply just looking to try a new way to manage, here are a few reusable period products to keep in mind.

REUSABLE CLOTH PADS Much like conventional pads, reusable and washable cloth alternatives attach onto your underwear and need to be changed every few hours. But, instead of throwing them out after, you put them in the wash.

The Canadian, female-run company Lunapads currently makes a series of reusable products that come with two parts: a “pad” part that snaps onto your underwear, and a liner that is held within the pad. You don’t have to change both parts during the day, just the liner when you feel it is necessary, which you can keep in a waterproof storage bag until you have the chance to wash it.

Their cloth products come in a variety of sizes for different body types and flows, and are a good alternative for those who get irritation from disposable pads.

Lunapads also runs a program called One4Her, which donates a set of reusable pads to young girls in Uganda for every product purchased. Many of these girls don’t have access to menstruation products and often end up missing school and falling behind when they have their periods.

Reusable pads are a bit more expensive (roughly $15 per pad, with liners) but if they’re taken care of, they can last for years

(think about the hundreds of dollars you’ve already spent on products over the last few years).

SEA SPONGES A natural alternative to synthetic tampons, sea sponge tampons are made of actual sea sponges, from the sea, that have been harvested and bleached.

They need to be sanitized (usually with hot water and vinegar) after purchasing, but after that, with regular soap and water washing they can last up to six cycles. They are about the size of a dinner roll when purchased, but can easily be trimmed, and seeing as they’re sponges, they squish right up into a neat little tampon size.

Sea sponges can be purchased online or at health food stores, and can be left in for three to six hours, depending on the heaviness of your flow. Although they are organic, they do not reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome, and they cannot be

substituted with non-organic or coloured sponges.

REUSABLE MENSTRUAL CUPS Another alternative to tampons, menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, and instead of absorption, they work by catching the blood in a cup.

Menstrual cups are shaped like halved eggs and can be left in for up to 12 hours. Their simple design, which includes the silicone or rubber cup and a pull-tab for easy removal, comes in two different sizes, can last for years on end, and can reduce the risk of TSS. They’re a bit larger than standard tampons or sea sponges, but inserting and removing them should be no more stressful than your first tampon experience.

Before and after use they should be thoroughly rinsed with water and detergent. It’s also best to insert the menstrual cup after washing it with warm water as it makes it more comfortable. This

means you’ll likely need to wash it in public sinks at some point, but hey, do it in solidarity − it’s not exactly a secret that you get a period.

The Keeper Mooncup and the Diva Cup are two popular menstrual cups that can be purchased at select pharmacies or even health food stores.

ORGANIC AND CHLORINE-FREE TAMPONS AND PADS If you aren’t ready to get blood on your hands (sorry, I couldn’t resist) by washing reusable products, organic and chlorine-free tampons and pads are a more environmentally friendly option than most available disposable brands. They function the same way as conventional products, and can be found in health food stores. @whatthekins

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B10

LIFESTYLE

Crafters of Hamilton

These downtown workshops and boutiques are promoting local and handmade goods

1

Amanda Watkins LifeStyle Editor @whatthekins

AMANDA WATKINS / LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Hand Knit Yarn Studio 4 Cannon Street East

Specializing in yarn and knitting supplies, Hand Knit Yarn Studio sells a variety of wools of different textures and colours. They also offer beginners workshops for knitting and crocheting. Their popularity within the community, and the growing trend of handmade goods, has them starting additional workshops. They’re also looking into selling some handmade knitted products of their own in upcoming seasons.

2 White Elephant 133 James Street North Selling handmade clothing and accessories, White Elephant is an advocate for locally made fashion and hand crafted attire. They currently retail five different handmade clothing lines, four of which come from Canada. With a variety of clothing, jewelery, paper goods, White Elephant is a one stop shop for a wide range of handmade products.

Blackbird Studios 161 James Street North

3

Hamilton designers, Buckshot and Kiki, handmake 80% of the clothing sold in their crafty boutique, Blackbird Studios. With retro and gothic inspired dresses crafted in an open studio at the back of their store, and a unique selection of imported purses and separates, Blackbird provides a variety of one of a kind pieces that are made with care and creativity.

Needlework 174 James Street North Both a store and studio, Needlwork sells a rainbow of fabrics along with sewing and crafting literature. They also provide an open studio space for local makers looking for high quality sewing machines. Customers can book a sewing machine for $60/hour for quicker projects, or purchase a year-long membership. They also offer pattern, sewing and quilting classes throughout the year.

4

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

LIFESTYLE

B11

The luxury of How to get the ease of takeout, with the glamour of dining out Miranda Babbitt Assistant LifeStyle Editor My love of takeout/delivery/surprise boxes of Chinese food on my dinner table really knows no bounds. I could be at rock bottom – wallowing in my own inability to drive to a restaurant for an evening of solitary sophistication and pouting at the fact that my culinary skills are at the illustrious level of fried egg sandwiches – but takeout resolves my self-pity as soon as I hear that knock on my front door. When I hear restaurant quality food knocking at my door, it’s like hearing the ice cream truck circling around my block. I leap down those stairs and whip open that door… delicately, yes, so as to not knock out my kind deliveryman.

But alas, the notion of stuffing your mouth with fried rice is not quite as glamorous as actually attending a restaurant.

Most likely because you can’t stuff your mouth to the same extent as you could on the couch, or at least with as much ferocity.

When you’re seated in a booth or table, and displayed to the grand public, eating tends to slow down. Mouths tend to stay closed instead of instinctively remarking on the hilarity of Kim Kardashian’s voice (just saying).

The whole atmosphere of a restaurant changes the eating experience. You won’t eat the same way at home. Of course, you are being literally served as though you have a smidge of royalty in you, and you can leave with clean hands as the dishes are left to the dishwashers. And then you can return home with a satisfied tummy and collapse on the beloved couch.

Granted, going out is awe-

some. Everyone loves a good night on the town, especially with good food. But some nights, that’s just not in the equation. How do you bring the same atmosphere right into your own humble abode? Well, LifeStyle has a few ideas for you.

First up, and please take this one seriously, light some candles. I know, I know, that’s just asking for a night of cheese, right? Wrong! Candles are more than just a staple in romantic comedy date nights.

They infuse the whole evening with that sense of intrigue and luxury that can generally just be reserved for the swanky tables down in the city. And scented candles are just generally a girl’s dream come true, if you have them handy. (Can’t tell you how many nights of boring studying have been saved by a single, fragrant candle.

I do live in the eighteenth century, yes.)

Okay, now that we have that romantic lighting, even if the intention of the night is the furthest thing from starting a romance, let’s delve into how our dining table looks. Your table can be the cheapest thing from IKEA, but will still be transformed with a) the right tablecloth, b) the right flatware, and c) the right serving plates.

If you’re super gung-ho about trying to make this night different than the rest of them, try taking a bed sheet and draping it over the edges rather than your stained tablecloth. You won’t notice the longer edges, and it makes a very clean/potentially hilarious table setting (miniature dog and cat patterns gracing the table is a new fad

in high end restaurants, I’m telling you). Also, don’t forget the existence of a washing machine if you’re concerned with soy sauce getting on the sheets you sleep in every night. After the night has come to a close, pop it in the washer and you’ll never know the

difference.

Bring out the best damn plates you own. It might feel silly eating on these china plates your mum randomly gave you the last time you came back from home, but do it.

Tonight’s the night. At the very least, look for your cleanest plates.

Now immediately transfer all the delicious goodies from inside the delivery cartons into serving plates and dishes. This will make it just like if you had a waiter come in, gracefully serve the food you ordered, and vanish into thin air. The magic of this night is simply endless.

Hold up, aren’t we missing something?

You’re absolutely right!

Music! Set the mood, whatever that may be, with the sweetest of melodies. Ever think that the music of choice at a restaurant is just too much? Sometimes the most sophisticated of joints can just mind boggle me with their music. Taylor Swift is never okay! Reserved for all-girl car rides, okay? Okay.

Once the night is nearing a close, don’t rush it! Just because you’re eating at home, doesn’t mean this experience needs to be painfully cut short. Sit in the enjoyable company of your friends and sip on your beverage while pondering who will inevitably end up doing the dishes. Actually, resist that line of thinking.

Ponder who would win in the Hunger Games if you were all

entered. Much less somber than contemplating who’s getting their hands dirty.

Whoever loses the Hunger Games should do the dishes.

Survival of the fittest prevails in every situation. Or, if you’re really friends, then migrating over to the sink together with the tunes still going couldn’t sound that bad.

Good friends, good food, good music. No matter where you are, that sounds like a pretty pleasant night to me. @mirandababbitt

“

“But alas, the notion of stuffing your mouth with fried rice is not quite as glamorous as actually attending a restaurant.

Most likely because you can’t stuff your mouth to the same extent as you could on the couch, or at least with as much ferocity.”

DON’T BE CROSS ACROSS 1. Singing Johnny 5. Winter Palace resident 9. One fell ___ 14. Balm ingredient 15. Bring aboard, in a way 16. Eyelashes 17. Is in motion, but gets nowhere 20. Impresario Hurok 21. Frat party garment 22. Cast iron and bronze 23. Playful kiss 24. Brought about 25. Suppose 28. Sugar unit 29. Fond du ___ 32. Aviary cry 33. Wise guy?

34. Kibbutz dance

DOWN 1. Fiction’s Timberlane 2. Chow chow chow 3. Potter’s purchase 4. Mothering type 5. Pick’s partner 6. Whizzing bullet sounds 7. Sphere of expertise 8. Legal matter 9. Carry all over the place 10. Maintain 11. Dairy bar 12. Like service station rags 13. Freebie 18. Asks unanswerable questions 19. Pitcher’s chore 23. Like Schwarzenegger 24. Actress Delta 25. Pungent 26. Excelled 27. Lustrous 28. Auspicious

29. Around here 30. Ridge produced by glaciation 31. Celebrated engineer Jones 33. Items in a stock record 34. Depend 36. Air pollution, for instance 37. Bullock’s co-star in ‘’Speed’’ 42. Curtain ornament 43. Infielder’s gaffe 44. Undemocratic government 45. Creator of the Count of Monte Cristo 46. ‘’Up and ___!’’

47. Epitome of stubbornness 48. Hollywood Pitt 49. 1984 Peace Nobelist 50. Kind of bag 51. Kind of song or dive 52. Sole 54. Edge 55. Brought about

35. Reacts to a business slowdown 38. Black 39. Be fond of 40. Related on the mother’s side 41. Algiers title 42. Wee 43. Ed, Jr. of Tinseltown 44. They may be laughing 45. Peace symbol 46. Waylay 49. Idiot box 50. Culinary chicken general?

53. Denies a request, emphatically 56. Cause to beam 57. Catchall term 58. Sloping type (Abbr.)

59. Gold, for one 60. Erato, for one 61. Contradict

Thursday, March 27, 2014

theSil.ca

B12

LIFESTYLE

Can coffee cups be recycled?

Garbage, recycling, or compost? Addressing the wasteful ambiguity of single-use cups.

AMANDA WATKINS / LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Melina Mamone, Josh Ribau, Brandon Sarjoo, Yana Sawchouk, Karan Seth The Silhouette In the midst of midterms, assignments and all-nighters, coffeehouses and cafés can be a student’s best friend. We get our caffeinated boost, often multiple times a day, and dispose single-use coffee cups into waste, recycling or green bins.

Consumers often feel throwing their coffee cups into recycling or green bins is enough, and as far as the majority is aware, this means they are recycled or composted and we are moving towards a more sustainable future.

But contrary to this belief, landfills in Hamilton and Toronto receive over 1 million coffee cups per day. The standard coffee cup used by big chains such as Starbucks, Tim Horton’s and William’s Café contain a polyethylene coat-

SNAPS FOR

Brianna Buziak The Silhouette Voxer Walkie Talkie is pretty much the Snapchat of audio smart phone apps… if Voxer was as popular as Snapchat. The premise of the app is simple enough; it is like leaving a voicemail without having to use your phone minutes to call or pick up the message. It gives the illusion of a walkie-talkie but pressing down a ‘hold and talk’ button and releasing it when you’re done. For anyone who used to play with toy walkie-talkies growing up − I had a pink and white Barbie walkie-talkie − it gives the feeling of an old toy and makes me feel nostalgic for the days when we weren’t so dependent on our smart phones.

The downside? Like the Barbie walkie-talkie set of my past, I could only talk to one person. The only contact I had on Voxer was the person who told me to down-

ing around the paper cup as well as the rim to prevent the cup from soaking. Non-recyclable ink is used for the graphics on the cup, and it seeps into the paper itself.

In Hamilton, coffee cups are directed towards organic waste piles, ready for composting. However, Joel McCormick, Manager of the Central Composting Facility in Hamilton states, “coffee cups can be the largest contaminant of waste processing facilities other than polyethylene bags themselves.”

Once a coffee cup has arrived to a waste processing plant, it undergoes organic treatment to degrade the paper layer. The polyethylene layer remains, and what was once a coffee cup devolves into a pseudo-plastic bag. These plastic components are then sorted in the “hurricane” phase and piled with other organics that are shipped to a landfill.

However, unlike Hamilton,

most North American waste processing plants are not capable of treating coffee cups as organic waste. Instead, they are usually shipped to landfills, recyclable components and all.

A report by Entec Consulting in 2009 further emphasized that the cost to process coffee cups outweighs their overall financial gain, and that it is best to continue treating coffee cups in the “waste” stream of processing plants. Any profits the plant receives in selling batches of recycled paper are threatened due to the increased likelihood of polyethylene contamination− a threat that can be reduced if waste processing plants are upgraded.

Yet the need to place convenience over sustainability remains a uniquely North-American problem. In Europe for example, homemade coffee is increasing in popularity, and in China, paper cups are not used. The over-con-

sumption of coffee cups is not a global issue, thus policymakers cannot examine our European counterparts for possible solutions. In some cases, simply increasing consumer knowledge can produce results. In an IPSOS focus group in 2009, over 90 percent of Torontonians believed coffee cups are recyclable. In addition, 70 percent of coffee cups received at a landfill are used as a part of daily routine. If these individuals were to use reusable coffee cups, reduce caffeine consumption and/or use Styrofoam cups, the amount of single-use coffee cups in landfills is estimated to decline by 65 percent.

Initiatives that can be implemented right at McMaster University include the use of designated coffee-cup bins. This ensures sorting of the single-use cups before they enter the waste processing facility, thereby reducing the risk of contamination with

other mixed paper and organic products. Not only will this reduce contamination, it works to debunk the myth of recyclable coffee cups. Further, students are recommended to take advantage of sustainability programs put in place by coffee giants like Tim Horton’s, where using a reusable cup takes 10 cents off your purchase; and Starbucks, which uses coffee cups made of 10 percent recycled fibers, the provincial maximum.

The success of future sustainability programs relies on transparency to the public, making it clear that the city discourages use of single-use coffee cups that are not recyclable or sustainable with our resources.

REVIEW

Voxer Walkie Talkie load it, and they only had three contacts as well. It also isn’t much fun when you send your only contact a message on Wednesday, March 19, and they never send anything back.

I found the app a little confusing to navigate and to add contacts, especially since you are given a code featuring numbers and letters as a username, and you have to pay to make it anything else. Contrary to my elderly relatives’ beliefs, just because I was born after 1985, that does not mean I am the most tech-savvy person alive. And since apps are created for a wide range of people, it should be easier to use.

I could see this being a good way for parents to get in touch with their kids while they’re away at school if they don’t want to charge their phones for the long distance, but the app should be simplified so it is user friendly for the ‘youngins’ all the way to their grandparents.

C/O VOXER.COM

theSil.ca

Thursday, March 27, 2014

ANDY E-mail: andy@thesil.ca Meeting Time: Wednesdays @ 11:30 a.m.

Phone: (905)•525•9140 ext 27117

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Senior Editor: Bahar Orang Assistant Editor: Cooper Long Contributors: Tomi Milos, Shane Madill, Nicole Vasarevic, Laura Halleran

Cover: Bahar Orang

coming up in the hammer

viewing list

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this ain't hollywood •mar. 28 |the great machine •mar. 29 | mark wilson •mar. 30 | sunday slamfest •apr. 01 | hello cat piano

homegrown hamilton music

•mar. 28 | marina marina •mar. 29 | dark breakfast

the casbah •mar. 28 | the mackinaws album release party •mar. 29 | dodger •mar. 30 | dear rouge

club absinthe

Tune in to 93.3 CFMU on Thursdays at 1 p.m. to listen to the Silhouette's Off the Pages radio show for all you need to know about this week in campus news.

cinema

westdale theatre

the combination project C6

C7

film review three mc's

C8 holy mackinaws

• until apr. 03 | inside llewyn davis • until apr. 03 | finding vivian maier • until apr. 02 | particle fever

mcmaster museum

art

Students in the Art History seminar “The History of Collecting” worked on a collaborative research project that led to this exhibition of works from the Mohawk College and Foundation art collection. The students were Curatorial Assistants for this exhibition; they prepared the didactic panels and catalogue entries and helped with the installation of the show!

•mar. 27 | prophet •mar. 28 | road to pouzza #3 •mar. 30 | the hanson •apr. 06 | chaosfest w/thy

C4 C5

•until may 3 | margaret watkins: domestic symphonies •until mar 29 | jon w. ford:

house not a home •until mar 29 | françois dallegret:

beyond the bubble •ongoing | antiquities •apr. 8 - 26 | chiasmata:

summa 2014,

graduating art student

exhibition

The Cover Story “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

- Muhammad Ali

theSil.ca

ANDY

Thursday, March 27, 2014

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THE HUMONGOUS TICKLE

Spring films to spring into post-zamz

we bothered the Sil staff again this week to share films they return to again and again

Alex (Assistant Sports) The Longest Yard directed by Robert Aldrich “It’s funny, but it’s also about the concept of teamwork and passion for the game. ”

Karen (Graphics) Casablanca directed by Michael Curtiz “Before Hollywood became obsessed with happily-ever-afters.”

Kacper (Opinions) Phone Booth directed by Joel Schumacher “It’s terrible, repetitive, nothing happens really. But still so great.”

Jemma (Executive) Waking Ned Devine directed by Kirk Jones “Charming, hilarious and perfect with a cup of tea and biscuits.”

Cooper (Assistant ANDY) Stop Making Sense directed by Jonathan Demme “The greatest concert movie of all time. ”

Bahar (Senior ANDY) Spiderman (the one with Tobey) directed by Sam Raimi “With great power comes great responsibility...”

Liz (Assistant Photo) Two Weeks Notice directed by William Faulkner “I’m a cheesball - and who doesn’t love Hugh Grant?”

Yousif (Senior Photo) Pulp Fiction directed by Quentin Tarentino “Generally all-around awesome.”

Tomi (Features) Dead Poets Society directed by Peter Weir “The wardrobe is incredible.”

Sam (Managing) Silence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan Demme “Perfect for when you’re having friends for dinner.”

the

big

tickle what’s your fave wes anderson film?

LIZ POPE /ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR TOMI MILOS/ FEATURES EDITOR

Omar E.

Josh O.

Jill K.

Jasmine D.

Simina B.

“Rushmore”

“The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou”

“Fantastic Mr.Fox”

“Rushmore”

“Royal Tenenbaums”

theSil.ca

Thursday, March 27, 2014

ANDY

C4 & C5

The Combine Project

A new art exhibit by Steven White at the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology Laura Halleran The Silhouette

“White makes the viewer an active participant by giving them the tools to transform his hushed sculptures into moving musical objects.”

The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology houses two of the oldest Canadian-built steam engines. This historic site is where Hamilton established their first waterworks to supply the city with clean water, and is currently where Steven White’s exhibition The Combine Project is being held.

Entering what once was the boilerhouse, White’s exhibition of “large kinetic sound sculptures” made from deconstructed parts of an abandoned combine harvester are on display. Five sculptures are included in this exhibition, one occupying each corner of the modest space of the gallery, the fifth welcoming visitors into the exhibit.

Lining the walls of The Combine Project are White’s lithographic prints on steel and wood that depict layered images of crops and drawings from the original manual of the combine.

Like his previous exhibitions, White makes the viewer an active participant by giving them the tools to transform his hushed sculptures into moving musical objects.

In Grain Bin Sound Machine, White uses a cubic section of the combine harvester to contain a forty-foot long track that is lined with bells. Viewers can insert a ball into the opaque, rust-coloured cube through a circular opening near the top of the piece. This then sends the ball spiralling down the track, ringing bells along the way.

Viewers can look through small peep holes into the machine and watch the ball, while listening to the wind chime-like sounds. Printed on the outside of the piece are pale blue and pink depictions of crops that are surrounded by gears and machine parts. Other sculptures, such as Tooth Organ, Cricket and Molecular Roulette all have a crank which viewers can turn to create a unique sound.

The largest lithograph at 42” x 108”, Bee Breakdown, is again printed on combine parts. On the right of what appears to be a sheet of glass, a large depiction of the combine in pale yellow immediately grabs the eye. After further observation, pale blue and orange insects and crops cover the rest of the glass.

Behind is a grid-like piece made of metal and wood through which light passes, creating a large shadow on the wall.

Although each of White’s pieces vary widely in form and sound, the use of combine harvester parts in all of his work and the reoccurring connections between agriculture and technology help tie White’s sculptures and lithographs together. While kinetic sculptures and the theme of environmental tension is not new for White, the specific issue of aging technology and the resulting impact on the agricultural industry is unexplored territory for this artist. By using an outdated combine harvester as the medium in his works, and incorporating additional agricultural references with lithography, White highlights the struggles of the family farm. The importing of international agricultural products has made it hard for family farms to make any profit. The interactive nature of this exhibit emphasizes people’s individual contribution to the family farm’s struggle, as most shop at large chain grocery stores and not at local farmer’s markets. In addition, advancements in technology have left family farms and combine harvesters in the past and put factory farms and more efficient machinery as the present and future. What some may consider as improvements in technology is also what is phasing out family farms in the agricultural industry. This tossup is what The Combine Project addresses.

White’s focus on the interaction between technology and the natural environment makes his

work seem particularly at home in Hamilton’s Museum of Steam and Technology. The museum showcases obsolete machinery that was used to harness a natural resource, and today is a reminder of the advancements in technology that has occurred over centuries. The Combine Project is created with an out-dated combine harvester that was used to harvest crops, and represents the consequences of changes in technology within the agricultural industry. While the museum celebrates the advancements in technology that gave society access to clean drinking water, The Combine Project highlights the negative changes such types of advancements can have on society.

This interesting discourse exposes gallery and museum viewers to the difficulties behind technology and its so called “advancement”.

While White is successful at showing the complexity of the relationship between technology and nature, there are additional aspects of this relationship that could have been explored. Had White showcased more of the gradual abandonment of the combine harvester, perhaps with lithographs of the machine being taken apart, piece by piece, it would have helped narrate a feeling of change and evolution of technology, rather than simply a choice to abandon a way of farming. Paralleling this gradual change of machinery with the gradual change in farming infrastructure could have further established the influential role that technology can have on society.

White has received much deserved attention and praise for The Combine Project, and it has been showcased at the Tom Thomson Gallery, Robert Langen Art Gallery and the Grimsby Public Art Gallerymbed. It will be at the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology until June 20.

theSil.ca

ANDY

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Another grand achievement by Wes Tomi Milos Features Editor

Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel is not the first of his many films to boast an all-star cast, but it’s certainly his best.

Following the lacklustre disappointment that was Moonrise Kingdom, we find the king of quirkiness using his vast arsenal of thespians to craft the most rounded work in his canon yet.

Anderson’s past works have normally polarized viewers, who either love or hate his unique style. They have attracted disparaging critics who either branded them as too twee or too white. The latter comment has been rather accurate in regards to his casting

“I sleep with all my friends.”

-Gustave H, the concierge

practices, with a few exceptions like Waris Ahluwalia, Danny Glover, and the late Kumar Pallana.

Grand Budapest Hotel sees the auteur taking that knock on the chin and then having a good laugh at himself. Tony Revolori stars as Zero, the lobby boy of the Grand Budapest Hotel in the years leading up to and during World War II. Opposite Revolori is the inimitable Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H, the snobby concierge of the same hotel. The two share a rapport and exchange banter in such a way that only seems like it could have been harboured by Anderson’s habit to have the entire cast live together rather than in separate trailers.

Prone to writing and directing brilliant movies about inconsequential matters like lost youth,

Grand Budapest Hotel is the first time that Anderson has chosen to confront a decidedly unglamorous part of history in World War II. Granted, Anderson doesn’t do so in documentary-style, but rather through an entrancing narrative that has all the aesthetic consistency one has come to expect in his work. Each character’s costume is distinct and adds to the appeal of an Anderson movie without feeling over-wrought.

While films like Rushmore and Darjeeling Limited aren’t exactly appropriate for younger audiences, Grand Budapest Hotel has an R rating and deservedly so. Willem Dafoe plays a hitman who manages to make the audience laugh even when severing Jeff Goldblum’s fingers or killing a cat, and Adrien Brody’s character is the most foul-mouthed of any

in an Anderson film. The usual slew of Anderson regulars — Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, and Owen Wilson — make appearances, with several newcomers like Saoirse Ronan and Léa Seydoux making strong impressions.

With all that in mind, Anderson doesn’t shirk away from the war’s graver repercussions, but refrains from doing so in a preachy manner. The fact that Anderson enlisted two actors in Fiennes and Norton who rose to prominence playing a Nazi and Neo-Nazi in Schindler’s List and American History X respectively is too direct of a reference to pass over; the film is witty and light at times, but conveys the tension that pervaded Europe at the time perfectly.

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theSil.ca

Three

MCs

ANDY

Thursday, March 27, 2014

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A list of hip-hop freshman

by Shane Madill, based on 3 conditions: • Has not released a major label album • Has released new material within the year • Has not been mentioned in ANDY before

Vince Staples Despite claiming not to take rap all that seriously, Vince Staples’ guest verse on “Epar,” off of Earl Sweatshirt’s album Earl, was quite well received by the hip-hop scene as a whole. Now that he is taking his rapping more seriously, Staples has joined onto more features, mainly with Odd Future members Mike G and producer Syd tha Kyd. Working with producer Michael Uzowuru, he released Shyne Coldchain Vol.

1 in 2011. Shyne Coldchain Vol. 2 followed in 2013, with production

by No I.D. and Evidence. With slick wordplay about his drug dealing father, running from the police, and his time on the streets, Staples’ consistency shines through every verse. His relatively new record deal, with Def Jam Recordings, home of Big Boi, Frank Ocean, and Pusha T, should bring his talents to the forefront.

Kevin Gates It was not until his eighth mixtape in 2013 that Kevin Gates began to receive legitimate attention. The Luca Brasi Story resulted in a fairly large amount of popularity. He also recorded a feature on Pusha T’s Wrath of Caine, and signed with Atlantic Records, home of B.o.B, Lupe Fiasco, and Flo Rida on the hip-hop

Chance the Rapper Chance the Rapper’s rise to relative fame has been quite quick, and it is amazing how ANDY has managed to hold off on mentioning him for so long. 10 Day, in 2012, was his first mixtape, but Chance managed to hit instant success opening for Childish Gambino’s tour. His true acceptance into the mainstream came with 2013’s Acid Rap, which had features from Twista, Action Bronson, Childish

Gambino, and Ab-Soul. Despite being a free mixtape, it debuted on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at number 63, just from bootleg downloads. Through new collaborations with Justin Bieber, Skrillex, and James Blake, Chance’s very unique rapping about love and drugs has successfully and quickly become a mainstream success, even though Chance still only has two mixtapes to his name.

scene, and stars such as Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and James Blunt. With Stranger Than Fiction later in 2013 and By Any Means in 2014, his predeal pace has persisted. Gates’ style of southern rap, hard-hitting beats remains a catchy, radio-ready total package.

Holy theSil.ca

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Mackinaws ANDY talks to the young Hamilton rockers about their upcoming album release party Nicole Vasarevic The Silhouette

GREG CAIN/ THE MACKINAWS

Childhood friends Michael Tokarchuk (lead guitar/vocals), Greg Cain (guitar/vocals), Bryce Green (drums) and Adam Tokarchuk (bass/vocals) started out as a group of local Hamilton teens that would get together and mess around with music.

“There is nothing more fun than hanging out with your best friends,” said Cain.

The boys started playing together after high school and have been together ever since.

Michael Tokarchuk said that the band “just came to be.” Making music started out as an excuse to hang out and have a beer. However, it soon turned into much more than that.

The Mackinaws released their first album on Feb. 9, 2014.

The self-titled disc is made up of eight rock and blues filled tracks recorded at Porcelain Records in Hamilton, with Grammywinning producer Steve Bigas.

The boys also released their first music video for the album track “Spending Time.” “It was so much fun doing the video,” Cain said.

Being from Hamilton, The Mackinaws have played their fair share of stages around the city, including Lazy Flamingo,

Honest Lawyer and Absinthe just to name a few. “We like to see where the song takes us live,” said Michael. “We never play them exactly the same.”

The boys will also be taking over the Casbah on Friday, Mar. 28 for their first CD release party. They’ll be joined by The Bandicoots, The Zilis and Fever City.

This lineup is fitting, considering that one of these other local bands encouraged the Mackinaws to take music more seriously. “We went to a Zilis concert and got inspired,” the Mackinaws said. Bob Dylan, The Band, Blink 182, The Doors and Led Zeppelin were a few of the other influences on the band’s music.

“There’s The Mackinothing naws also had more some advice for fun than other musihanging cians seeking out with to break into your best the Steel City’s friends.” music scene.

“Hamilton is really inviting,” Cain said.

“Get your foot in the door and get to know other local bands,” the boys added.

“Just have fun. Keep a smile on your face.”

ANDY

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