Issue 7, Volume 123

ISSUE 7

XAVERIAN THE WEEKLY xaverian

Thursday Mar 29 2012

Volume 120 Issue 20

EDITORIAL STAFF

Thursday, Thursday, March December 21, 2012 3, 2014 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Volume 123 Issue157 Volume Issue Sean McEvoy121 xw.eic@stfx.ca | (902) 870-9431

OUR STAFF OUR STAFF

PRODUCT ION MANAGER Emma MacPherson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF xw.product@stfx.ca

Sean McEvoy Ron Jeremy MANAGING EDITOR xw.eic@stfx.ca Peter North Joe T hibault

xw.managing@stfx.ca | (902) 867-3732

NEWS Tree for Boston

Nova Scotia’s annual tree for Boston hails from Antigonish County

xw.eic@stfx.ca

COPY EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR Alexandra Adams Graham Haynes PRODUCT ION MANAGER xw.copy@stfx.ca

RACHEL REVOY | Senior Reporter

xw.managing@stfx.ca Jesus ART IST IC COORDINATOR Marie-Eve Pomerleau xw.product@stfx.ca xw.photo@stfx.ca

Since 1971, Nova Scotia has given a gift Christmas tree to the city of Boston for its efforts in assisting Halifax residents following the Halifax Explosion in 1917. Although the tree traditionally comes from other areas of the province, the Christmas tree shipped to Boston this fall was, for the first time in history, native to Antigonish County.

The Halifax Explosion occurred on the morning of Dec 6, 1917. A cargo ship, christened the SS Mont Blanc, full of wartime explosives, entered the narrow strip of water connecting the Halifax Harbour and the Bedford Basin and collided with another vessel, the SS Imo. Twenty minutes after the collision, with the shoreline crowded with curious observers, the historic explosion took place, killing roughly 20 000 people.

Soon after, Boston officials heard about the tragedy in the Halifax harbor via telegraph.

A dispatch relief team was quickly assembled and arrived in Nova Scotia’s capital city on Dec 8, 1917 to help the survivors. The relief team from Boston distributed food, water, and medical supplies. The following year, Halifax sent a Christmas tree as a token of their appreciation to the city of Boston. This tradition was revived in 1971, and has continued every year since. The Christmas tree serves as a way to maintain the connection between Massachusetts and Nova Scotia, and acknowledge Boston’s efforts during the Halifax Explosion. The tree is lit in Boston Common, the city’s central park, and is the city’s official Christmas tree.

The criteria of the perfect tree involves a height of at least 45 feet, a nice circular width, symmetry, close proximity to an accessible roadway for removal, with a spe-

ARTISTIC COORDINATOR

NEWS EDITOR Lindsay Hatt ART IST IC COORDINATOR Lewis Forward xw.news@stfx.ca x2012cdi@stfx.ca Fanny McToaster

xw.photo@stfx.ca CULTURE EDITOR Kennedy Murphy COPY EDITOR xw.culture@stfx.ca

Molly MARKETSchreiber ING MANAGER

SPORTS & HEALT H EDITOR xw.copy@stfx.ca Burt Simmons Micha Saade xw.sports@stfx.ca

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FEATURES EDITOR NEWS EDITOR Annie Ewing Julia O’Hanley BUSINESS MANAGER xw.feature@stfx.ca

xw.news@stfx.ca Dolores Umbridge OPINIONS EDITOR Amanda Daignault xw.managing@stfx.ca xw.opinions@stfx.ca

OPINIONS EDITOR

DIST RACT IONS EDITOR Emily MacGregor COPY EDITOR xw.distract@stfx.ca

xw.opinions@stfx.ca J.K. Rowling

SENIOR REPORT ER xw.copy@stfx.ca Seth Rutner xw.report@stfx.ca

FEATURES EDITOR SENIOR REPORT ER Lewis Forward NEWS EDITOR Ellen Crosby xw.feature@stfx.ca Larry King xw.report@stfx.ca xw.news@stfx.ca

DIST RIBUT ION MANAGER Adam Ross& CULTURE ARTS

EDITOR Devon Greene OPINIONS EDITOR Contact EIC at xw.eic@stfx.ca for information xw.culture@stfx.ca Bob Marley xw.opinions@stfx.ca

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Angela DIST RACTMacKenzie IONS EDITOR

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cies native to Nova Scotia. For 2014, the perfect 55-year old tree belonged to Antigonish County residents John and Ethel Ann MacPherson. Not only was the perfect tree

and then we arrange with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure [Renewal] and they provide the flatbed and the boom truck, and we arrange to have some-

found on the MacPherson’s land, it was also accessible, making it easier for the tree’s transportation to remove it from the site.

The tree, measuring thir-

one cut it. We usually have Santa Claus make an appearance. The event has been growing every year,” says Tim Whynot, manager for stewardship and outreach

teen meters in height, was cut down during a celebration that took place on Nov 17.

“Once we’ve chosen a tree we invite the local school groups, we promote it to the public,

with the Department of Natural Resources given the task of finding the travelling tree each year.

Once cut, the tree made the journey from Antigonish to

Halifax for its send off on Nov 18, where the tree received a First Nation’s blessing and an announcement was made dedicating this year’s tree to Tom Menino, Boston’s former mayor who passed away on Oct 30. After the Halifax send-off celebration, the tree made its official departure for Boston. For the journey, the tree’s branches were tied in, part of the preparation that is conducted by an arborist to ensure the tree will keep its shape throughout the journey. In past years the Christmas tree has been transported by the Yarmouth ferry, although this year the tree travelled entirely on land, making a stop in Amherst on its way into New Brunswick.

The Christmas tree for the city of Boston has not come from Antigonish County in recent years, but in the future, the tree could come from Antigonish again.

“We have a couple more candidate trees in Antigonish, but we also have candidate trees from all over the province. At this point we haven’t chosen for next year, but it could be [from Antigonish],” notes Tim Whynot.

Antigonish MLA Randy Delorey has been boasting of the tree’s location since the announcement of its geographic roots, and told the Xaverian: “It is a great honour for Antigonish with the history of why we send the tree down to Boston as a province, and recognizing their [Boston’s] support and contribution to the explosion,” adding, “The people of the community are ecstatic: it’s the first time its ever come from this part of the province so it is a big honour, a lot of pride and satisfaction.”

The official tree lighting is taking place on Thursday, December 4th. Featured photos are from www.facebook.com/ treeforboston

NEWS TIP? EMAIL XW.EIC@STFX.CA

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

NEWS

3

Xaverian Legacy Fund

Theatre Antigonish donates Frankenstein proceeds to president’s bursary fund JULIA O’HANLEY | News Editor

On the evening of Nov 20 to a crowd of roughly 130 people, StFX President Dr. Kent MacDonald opened the first night of Theatre Antigonish’s Frankenstein with the story of a StFX alumnus from Cape Breton. “I met with a gentleman, a guy named Tom Rankin, about two weeks ago in southern Ontario. Tom has gone on to do extremely wonderful things with construction of bridges, wind power.

He reflects what so many StFX students over the years have lived. He came from a small town in Cape Breton by the name of Judique. The only reason that Tom is where he is today, an extremely successful business man, is because someone years ago was able to fund his education. He came from a family that simply couldn’t afford to go to university. The Knights of Columbus supported him, and a bursary fund at StFX allowed him, when his family simply had no money, to go to StFX.” The story of financial assistance paving Mr. Rankin’s road to success set the tone of the evening of fund-

raising for the president’s new “Legacy Fund”. During his installation as president on Oct 3, Dr. MacDonald announced his intention to create the Xaverian Legacy Fund: a commitment to raise at least $25 million dollars over five years to be distributed in the form of bursaries to students in need of financial aid. According to Dr. MacDonald, the majority of the funds will be raised by “alumni and friends of StFX” and, with the Bauer Theatre donating its $1 500 in ticket sales from the first screening of Frankenstein to the fund, the initiative has officially commenced.

As for outreach to alumni, Dr. MacDonald has been hosting “President’s Receptions” across the country and into the US over the past four weeks.

“The purpose of those meetings is for alumni to come together as part of Canada’s most networked alumni group. It allows us to directly communicate to the people that have come before you [current students] what is happening at StFX, where our priorities are, [and] what the direction is.

What my intent over these receptions is to share with them [alumni] this issue of academic excellence, this notion of global engagement, but it really is that first phase of me being able to inform them of the need of this Xaverian fund. The reaction has been extremely positive so far, but the formal ask to go out hasn’t been heard yet, and so our advancement team has been putting that together: we’ll begin to build that up throughout the winter,” Dr. MacDonald explains.

The terms and conditions surrounding the allocation of the funds raised have not yet been finalized, but Dr. MacDonald illustrates that the process of receiving a bursary from the Xaverian Legacy Fund is a “needs based bursary” that will likely include an application for both new students and those already at StFX. Priority will be given to students engaged in their community who are in need of financial assistance. “What I sometimes get concerned about is that the strength of StFX will only be as great as the quality of the students who

come here. I want to make sure that we continue to attract the best, brightest, most intelligent, engaged students from across the country, not simply because of the size of their parents’ bank account, but because they’ve got something dynamic and important to contribute,” Dr. MacDonald told the crowd in his introduction to Frankenstein, adding “regardless of your background, if you’re another Tom Rankin from Judique, Nova Scotia, or someone like myself from New Glasgow, or anywhere, literally around the world, [there will be an] endowment fund to attract those students.”

Although the goal is $25 million in five years, Dr. MacDonald does not plan to stop once the initial goal is reached. “I would imagine that you and I could have this conversation in 10 years, and we will still be moving toward an even bigger number, but we’ll have to wait and see what that is,” Dr. MacDonald told the Xaverian following his announcement at the Bauer.

team xav is looking for a new member in 1st year!

WAnt to be a senior reporter?

Email xw.eic@stfx.ca for details www.xaverian.ca

4 NEWS

Thursday, December 4, 2014-The Xaverian

StFX celebrates Fall Gaelic Day Antigonish’s Gaelic history exhibited at annual affair LINDSAY JOHNSTONE | Staff Writer

The Celtic Studies Department at StFX has been filled with excitement the past few weeks with events on and preluding the annual Fall Gaelic Day. Events began on Nov 20 with a panel discussion that explored Gaelic and the Nova Scotia Economy. On Nov 22, the Celtic Studies Department held their annual fall Gaelic Day. It was a full afternoon filled with stories, tea, and songs. The afternoon began with a tree dedication to the late Celtic Studies professor Dr. Ken Nilsen who worked at StFX for several years. The tree was planted just outside of Immaculata Hall, which is where the late Dr. Nilsen taught many Celtic Studies courses. The tree planted was an oak tree, specially chosen to honour the late Dr. Nilsen says Dr. Linkletter, Head of the Celtic Studies Department at StFX. Oak trees are symbols of sacred centres, and have a lot of resonance in Celtic culture.

Many fond memories about Dr. Nilson were shared with the crowd who surrounded the newly planted tree.

The rest of the afternoon was packed with activities cel-

ebrating the Gaelic language and Celtic culture. Linkletter emphasizes that everyone from the community is always welcome to attend the Fall Gaelic Day activities as well as any student at StFX. The Fall Gaelic Day has been a tradition at StFX since the early 1980s, and according to Linkletter it has been a success every year since. The format for the Gaelic day has changed slightly over the years, but still provides students and members of the community with an enhancing Celtic experience.

Linkletter explains that Fall Gaelic Day was once a full day of learning the Gaelic language: students would be placed in different levels of Gaelic depending on their preexisting knowledge of the language. Now, the event is more informal, regardless of what level of Gaelic a person has they can are welcome to participate. Dr. Linkletter notes that the event provides the unique opportunity for students to get to know community members who are native Gaelic speakers.

Megan Ferguson, a fourth year Celtic Studies student says she appreciates opportu-

nities to attend events such as the Fall Gaelic Day. In her past experiences, she says, “You learn Gaelic the best from talking with Gaelic speakers, and you learn to speak better in Gaelic when you are able to speak the language with others.”

The Gaelic day ended with participants partaking in a traditional milling frolic. A milling frolic is an event where approximately one dozen people sit around a table with a woollen cloth that is wet. The people around the table proceed to beat the cloth to the rhythm of a song which is sung in Gaelic to ring out the woollen material to prepare for use.

Dr. Linkletter expresses that over time, Celtic Studies teachers notice a reflection of the experience and knowledge provided by the annual Fall Gaelic Day in their students’ Gaelic speaking, especially as a result of the singing.

Ferguson says she really enjoyed the presentation delivered by Dr. Ranke de Vries, a professor in the Celtic Studies Department who talked about the Irish Harp. Ferguson notes that if there were ever another opportunity to at-

tend Gaelic Day again in the future, she would not hesitate to attend.

Although the Celtic studies department is a small division of StFX, the annual celebration was capped off with the launch of three books celebrating Celtic Culture by the department. One of the books is co-authored by Dr. Linkletter and John A. MacPherson titled Fògradh, Fàisneachd, Filid-

heachd (Parting, Prophecy, Poetry). The second book is titled A Student’s Companion to Old Irish Grammar, by Ranke de Vries who is a professor in the Celtic Studies department.

The third book is titled Rudan Mì-bheanailteach is an Cothroman, Dàin (Intangible Possibilities, Poems) by Lewis MacKinnon, who is a StFX alumnus and CEO of the Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs.

Welcome to Atlantic Canada?

Study involving StFX international students presented by Mt.A researchers JULIA O’HANLEY | News Editor

On Nov 21, a trio from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick visited StFX to exhibit the preliminary findings of their research project involving StFX international students.

Professor Morgan Poteet, coresearcher and Mount Allison alumnus Bianca Gomez, and current Mount Allison student Ian Chew spoke to a crowd of nearly thirty StFX Sociology professors, students, and interested members of the StFX community about the experience of international students at three small Atlantic universities: StFX, Mount Allison, and Acadia University.

The presentation titled “Welcome to Atlantic Canada?” was made possible through focus groups organized at each of the three universities. Over the course of the two-year initiative, the focus group at StFX included 8-10 students selected in concert with Dr. Poteet and StFX international student advisor, Brenda Berthiaume. The research was launched in an effort to grasp a better under-

standing of international student life on campus in an effort to better understand how to retain international students in the region after graduation.

The presentation touched on many aspects of international student life and their experiences at the three small Atlantic universities. The study has made note of some additional challenges faced by international students in their transition into university life at small Atlantic Canadian universities than their Canadian peers. The study came to discover that in terms of adjustment for the international students overall, the academic portion was typically easier than the social adjustment.

These additional challenges coupled with external factors, such as home family and community, are believed to have some impact on an international student’s choice of residency after graduation.

One of the social challenges emphasized in the presentation was the existence of an ongoing silo effect between international and domestic

students directly upon their arrival into Canada. The study’s conclusive findings note that international student orientation activities falling directly before general frosh week activities often have a negative impact on an international student’s transition into domestic student circles. Gomez noted a feeling of exhaustion from international students who after a busy week of international student activities were less enthusiastic about attending the general frosh week events in the three schools. As a result, some of the students in the survey had difficulty “catching up” with domestic social circles, and therefore continued to identify primarily with international students on campus. She emphasized the positive impact of activities for international students separate from frosh week, but expressed the need to reevaluate the duration and timing of the events if the region plans to keep more of their international students after grad.

Natalie Moo, fourth year

Business student from Malaysia and International Student Councilor with theU took part in the focus group at StFX. Overall, she sees the presentation’s findings as “very relatable”. “I can’t generalize it to everyone, but I’m sure people face the issues that were mentioned [in the presentation] here and there [but] it might not be the full experience for everyone,” explains Moo. Moo does not necessarily isolate the findings to international students alone, but rather students from the far reaches of our own country, saying, “I’ve seen people, sometimes even Canadian students being from outside the Atlantic region experiencing the same things.”

As for the study itself, Gomez says this is just the beginning. “Right now we would say that the research is not done: it is just in the beginning phases.” Gomez calls the first presentation a pilot study, and adds, “We do intend, especially based on the feedback we get from StFX, Acadia, and Mt.A, that we’ll

go along with our research from there because as much as it is a research project, it is also a community project we hope would kind of help mobilize a little bit of change within the campuses that we included in the research.”

Dr. Poteet also emphasizes the need for more research on the subject and consultation with international students before a definite plan for internationalization in the region can be devised, adding, “After all, who better would know what the challenges are and what is needed [than students themselves].”

This presentation was the first of a series of presentations and discussions planned by the Department of Sociology at StFX for the 2014-2015 academic year. Although there have been lectures hosted by the department in the past, this is the first series of speakers. The department hopes to have at least two more presentations such as this before the end of the school year, and reminds readers that all members of the StFX community are invited to attend.

OPINIONS 5

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

OPINIONS The Happy Holidays syndrome Bill O’Reilly has a bad case of it, and he’s not happy about it ASHLEY DUGUAY | Contributor

No sooner have the pumpkin spice lattes and poppy red pins disappeared from existence then we have replaced them with annoyingly cheerful holiday music and tinsel towns left and right. Halloween had not even passed yet and the Dollar Store had Christmas decorations on display for sale. People get excited about the first snowfall and then curse each flake to fall after it. Snow turns to just random brown slush stuff that your boots barely survive each year and your face is permanently wind-burned from walking all over campus.

But hey! It’s the holiday season, and boy do I have a treat for you.

Close, it’s not peace and love. It’s Bill O’Reilly here to educate us on how to properly protect ourselves from the “Happy Holidays” syndrome.

The Fox News clip opens with Bill giving it to us straight. In big yellow lettering is written “THE WAR ON

CHRISTMAS CENTRALIZES”. Centralizes where, exactly? We’re not entirely sure. Only Bill knows and he keeps his diary password protected.

Ol’ Billy Boy speaks up by saying that over the years we have been taken on the role of protecting the federal holiday of Christmas. Aren’t there people out there who need more protection from the federal government than a religious holiday?

Say, starving children, the overkilling of African-American teens, the dire living conditions of Native Americans? What about universal health care? Maybe some will be lucky enough to receive that in their stockings if they remain true allies against the “Happy Holiday” syndrome.

The Christmas Holiday was signed into law by congress and passed legislation in 1870, officially giving shop owners and labourers the day off. But then one day, one of the darkest days in Christmas Spirit history, some-

body, somewhere, got offended.

All the peace we as a people had enjoyed since that glorious day in 1870 had vanished, had been robbed right from beneath us, when about 10 years ago there began a “creeping secularism and pressure groups like the ACLU” who began to “attack the Christmas holiday.”

And you know just what they did?

Those bastards demanded that the word “Christmas” be removed from advertising and public displays, and ya know what? Quite a lot of people “caved in” as Billy put it – I prefer to think of it as showing religious tolerance and human compassion… but tomato tomahto.

Which has now led us to the “Happy Holidays” Syndrome. What is this syndrome, you might ask, and what are its symptoms? Well first of all, our friend Bill points out that Hanukkah ends on a Thursday this year, an entire week before Christmas, therefore

there will be a week in between where it’s not Christmas DAY, it’s just Christmas. So if you want to give in to the “Happy Holiday” Syndrome, consider yourself warned …

Oh Macy’s, not you too, my darling – what ever has gotten into you? Is it? No, no it can’t be. Is it … the Holiday Season?! Why dear, you’ve written your Holiday Wish List rather than your Christmas List, how will Santa know what to get you? What exactly is Santa celebrating during the Holiday Season? The birth of a new reindeer? Hikes in minimum wage? Retirement?!? How will we survive this Holiday Season?

As an atheist let me tell you we’re all going to be fine as long as each individual - students, professors, and staff included - keep in mind that all religions are equal, and all religious festivities are equally as fun. You say tomato, I say tomahto, but we both like the fruit either way.

A StFX Holiday Wish List What we hope to get under our tree as we move towards 2015 SEAN MCEVOY | Editor-in-Chief

As the semester draws to a close, it is both a time to look back in reflection, and look forward with hopes for the future. From a StFX perspective, this year has been one of transition and with that comes a few rough patches. Bearing that in mind, and with the Christmas season right around the corner, here is a StFX wish list to Santa, in the hopes that there will be more presents than lumps of coal under the tree this year.

For President Kent MacDonaldhigher enrolment. MacDonald's plan for the future of the university revolves around increasing student enrolment significantly (in the hundreds) within the next five years. With the university running such a significant financial deficit, an influx of cash from an increased number of students on campus would be most welcome.

MacDonald's first few months as StFX President have had both positive and negative moments, but the new chief needs a significant feather in his cap during the next semester to solidify a reputation as a true campus leader.

StFX is currently the only Nova Scotia university with a declining enrolment trend, MacDonald must hope for that to change.

For VP Finance Andrew Beckettcash and lots of it. Beckett inherited perhaps the toughest job on campus, as he attempts to balance the books of

a university strapped on funds and facing a lot of potential future cut backs. In presenting to the StFX Students' Union, Beckett stated that enrolment would have to increase by 200 students each year to balance the books, and tuition would be in for a significant increase in the future if the provincial government could not contribute more funds. Here's hoping Mr. Beckett gets a windfall this Christmas.

For outgoing AVP Leslie MacLaren-luggage for her travels. We hardly knew you Leslie. In a move that has been kept relatively hush hush by the university, MacLaren will be exiting her job shortly and the search for a new Academic Vice President is already underway. As Chair of the Presidential Task Force, although MacLaren's tenure may have been a short one, it may end up being one of the most impactful depending on the final results of the Task Force process. Will she be remembered in a positive or negative light for her contributions?

Only time will tell.

For StFX Students, there's a quite a few things that we would like to receive in the new year. They include but are not limited to...

More Parking - This has been a recurring issue for many years now and the university has continued to push the idea down the road further and further. If President MacDonald wants to increase enrolment, there needs to be a place to put students' cars natu-

rally. So get paving StFX. Shorter lines in Meal Hall- Many students have complained this year that lines in Morrison Hall during peak hours have become unbearable.

Whether it's a switch to buffet style serving, or simply an increase in student traffic, something needs to be done about wait times Some students have come forward to The Xaverian, saying that the long lines have had an impact on what they choose to eat on a daily basis, often being forced to go for less healthy options with a shorter line due to time constraints. Peter Snow, are you listening?

Lower Mini Moes Prices- Run out of DCB before the end of the first semester? You're not alone. Forking over your hard earned tuition money for less than adequate Sodexo processed food never gets any easier, and has students praying for Tim Horton's or Starbucks to open a location on campus.

Achieving a comfortable room temperature in Nicholson Hall- This one is pretty self explanatory. When having a class in a building that is already falling apart at the seams and lacks windows in every single classroom, it would be nice to not feel like you're either in the middle of the desert or at the North Pole with Santa himself. The Mulroney Institute can't come soon enough.

Super SUB Tickets for all- A lot of X-Ring recipients in search of an extra ticket went home empty handed this

year, with many students not being able to enjoy the night of December 3rd with their loved one's or having to choose between family members or friends. If enrolment is set to increase for future graduating classes, StFX may want to look at other potential venues for the X-Ring after party with a larger capacity(temporary liquor license for the KMC perhaps?).

For the StFX Students' Union- an audience at council and an engaged student body. President Brandon Hamilton, Vice President Alicia Silliker, the executive team, and councillors have done a lot of good work for the StFX student body this year, but it's a shame that only a fraction of students know about the initiatives they are working towards, and the important decisions they have made that can have an impact on students day to day lives. While the U have dealt with communication issues themselves this semester, they deserve to be listened to. Here's hoping for an engaged student body when election season rolls around in second semester.

And finally, to all our readersFrom the entire Xaverian staff, we would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday season, 100's on all of your exams, the courage to speak to your meal hall crush, and dreams of shiny X-Rings and free Kenny's (or the The Wheel-whichever you prefer) pizza in your head. Thank you for your readership and we look forward to serving you in 2015.

6 OPINIONS

Thursday, December 4, 2014-The Xaverian

‘Monogamy is unnatural’

Why the natural world never provides a moral example for conscious beings COLTAN THOMPSON | Psychology Columnist

Arguing for no-strings-attached relations? Fair enough, but don’t look to the animal kingdom for backup.

Every imaginable and colourful sexual arrangement can be found in nature, it’s true. From semen-spraying sea-dwellers, to self-cloning geckos (Goudarzi, LiveScience), to the Kirk’s dikdik antelope of Africa which leads the “monogamous” life (Harmon, LiveScience), the range of animal sexual behaviour defies the human social categories of “heterosexual”, “homosexual” (Goudarzi, LiveScience), “promiscuous”, or “monogamous”.

The well-versed natural law-abiding moralist would here chime in that humans do not take moral examples from nature, as humans are above the animals – the human soul is usually evoked. Yet, taking the example of natural lawbased arguments against homosexuality, the exact opposite argument has been made: that because animals do not display homosexual behaviours, homosexuality must be unnatural. Since then, evidence that many species do participate in casual, on-theside, homosexual activity has multiplied (Goudarzi, LiveScience). Presented with evidence of animal homosex-

ual behaviour, what does the natural law-abiding moralist do? S/he retreats from his or her original position and emphasizes the massive gap between animals and our own glorified species.

The difficulty with many conservative natural-law theorists is their flip-flopping between emphasizing that animals are sister species in a sensible, usually divine moral order, and emphasizing that animals are lower creatures, so far removed as to be noncomparable to humans – the argument often takes the form: of course animals aren’t moral, they are not created in God’s image. It is very convenient to have both notions at hand. For those of us who prefer a little less cognitive dissonance in our lives, it’s worth considering the matter further.

In our ignorance we frequently sanitize animal relations; anthropomorphizing, we project a moral ideal of monogamy onto the animal kingdom. We sell the idea to our children: how sad when Bambi’s father died—too bad we don’t tell our children, and downplay to ourselves, the fact that buck dear have nothing but aggression for does and their fauns after the mating season.

Of course we, like other animals, have specie-specific social and biological factors that guide pair-bonding and sexual behaviour. For other animals, these factors are true determinants; what makes things more complicated with humans is our higher consciousness. It is not necessary to invoke a divine reason for why human beings are a step above other animals: the fact of consciousness and our ability to reflect on our own behaviour is sufficient, regardless of the why. Natural law theory overreaches and projects what it wishes to see: it supposes a moral world order when there is little evidence for that conclusion. We have no reason to think that morality was (or is) relevant to animal behaviour until the advent of consciousness, which, assuming an evolutionary perspective, was concurrent with the advent of humanity. Because morality is a function of consciousness, basing moral arguments in the behaviour of pre-conscious animals is illogical. In fact, those who use animal behaviours to argue for or against human behaviours are usually extrapolating, using animal behaviour to infer the design and desires of God.

As morality is exclusive to consciousness, it is illogical for humans to try and take moral direction from animals, which are pre-conscious. Realizing this, the muddled thinking that vacillates between saying that we are both more moral than animals yet supposes that animal behaviour reflects God’s design is resolved.

Speaking of social and biological factors that influence our pair-bonding and sexual behaviour, some suggest that the higher infidelity rates of men are attributable, at least in part, to a biological impulse to spread genes broadly, increasing the probability of gene survival (LiveScience). Other lines of thought claim that humans tend to pair bond because human children, which take long to develop, need abundant care (Bryner, LiveScience). Evolutionary possibilities like these cannot be negated; sociologically they mean a great deal and require further study. Still, the fact that only 3-5% of animals display monogamous behaviours means precious little for human sex and romance.

With the advent of consciousness came not only the concept of morality but also the experience of love. It can

be easily countered that love is just a chemical reaction in the brain, designed to encourage pair-bonding for the shared care of human young: to this I respond, what human emotion is not reducible to a chemical cocktail? The meaning we attribute to that cocktail is just as important. An animal knows only sexual relations but humans, because we are conscious, can experience a complex plane of emotions. Human experience includes an added layer of emotional and cognitive meaning that no other animal has access to.

Lest the reader feel that I am foisting a moral position upon him or her, I will leave my final thoughts in the form of an observation: isn’t it curious that conscientiousness and promiscuity rarely correlate? And is this really surprising upon consideration?

Soulfulness, thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence, sensitivity...it seems that the more true these adjectives are of someone, the less inclined they are to form casual sexual/emotional bonds.

It’s not about making a moral absolute: it’s about considering which behaviours encourage personal growth, mindfulness, and a healthy dose of conscientiousness.

Sex with an X: Merry Sex-mas Why December is the best month to have sex LAURA O’BRIEN | Sex Columnist

December is a wonderful month for many reasons: there’s X-Ring, winter break, spending time with your family, and of course, it’s also the best month for having sex.

Long gone are the hot and humid summer months, where cuddling feels more like being trapped in a sweat lodge and everyone smells a little funky down there from constantly wearing a bathing suit. You don't have to worry about sand up your butt, or mosquito bites in unpleasant places and instead you can focus your energy on who will be coming down the chimney this year and how they will be filling up your stocking. In December, sex and sexy activities are brimming with their full potential, and since there’s no school to worry about, everyone can enjoy the holiday season.

For starters, strip teases and strip poker finally reach

their maximum Canadianness. You and your boo will be dripping with anticipation as you take off your mittens, your coat, your hat, your sweater, your sweatpants, your socks, your long underwear, and by the time you get to your real underwear there won't even be any need for foreplay! All that stripping gives you plenty of time to make out and get in the mood.

It gets cold this time of the year, but that just means that a warm body is all the more welcome in your bed.

Sure, you might not have a lot of room in your twin bed at your parents’ house, but it’s exactly like living on campus, only with a fully-stocked fridge to replenish your energy when you’re done getting down. Cozy up with some rum and eggnog and get your freak on under mountains of blankets for the toastiest of sexual encounters. And if

anyone gets suspicious to why they thought heard someone creep into the house late at night, you can blame it all on “Santa” in the morning, ho ho ho!

December is also made for coupling up. Long-distance couples are finally back together, and if you’ve spent the semester single, there’s always the potential of rekindling an old flame in your hometown. Better yet, find an old friend from high school and get yourself a holiday Friends With Benefits. Have a gift exchange and make it clear with this person that the only thing you’re looking for under your tree is a dick in a box, or a pussy in a present. Put a bow on it, and nothing else and just wait and see how fast you get unwrapped.

You can even keep it casual and go on an adorable winter date like tobogganing or skating with that hot person from

Tinder. December is the last month of the year, so make it count in every way, from love to hookups, December is the last chance to end the year without regrets. And even if none of these tips are your style, there’s always going to

be some rando to make out with on New Year’s Eve, and who knows where it could go from there? December is the one month that wants nothing more than for you to end your year with a bang. Stay warm, stay sexy.

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

The Pants Predicament

OPINIONS 7

The story of a born-again denim enthusiast ERIKA KINACH | Contributor

Today, and typically as fall progresses, you might be wearing leggings as pants. You may or may not have worn them with a shirt or sweater of appropriate length, Hunters, and one of those drawstring jackets from Artizia--you know the kind I am talking about. Despite the fact that your leggings may indeed be thick enough to be one hundred percent opaque, hide cellulite and unshaved leg hairs, and make your behind look like you’ve just come back from squatting twice your body weight at the gym, you’re committing a serious fashion offence.

Yeah, of course there are many occasions where I would prefer leggings to a more restrictive pair of pants, the first being the entirety of my two years living in an all-girls residence. Then there are those early morning or late afternoon runs, where jeans simply aren’t an option, those desperate times during midterms and finals when the fact that you’ve managed to put on any clothing at all is a minor miracle in itself.

There’s when I’ve just been friendzoned and sweatpants would just make me feel fat, when I haven’t done

the laundry or when I plan on eating a rather large meal. But then there are times when leggings simply aren’t the answer, including but not limited to fancy dinners, evenings out (where there is an unspoken dress code), in a workplace or presentation and yes, even in class.

It’s not that I’m complaining that your wearing of leggings is significantly decreasing my quality of life.

It’s just that it looks sloppy and suggests your current appointment doesn’t mean enough for you to change out of something just a zany pattern short of pajama bottoms.

Yeah, leggings can look cute, they go well with boots, and eleven times out of ten they make you look and feel great. However, how do you expect anyone to ever take you seriously if the only apparel you ever wear are clothes without seams that more often than not reveal more to the world about your lower body than anyone would like to see more than above an intimate level? How do you ever plan on transitioning to a real-world workplace without any experience wearing proper pants?

As I previously mentioned, leg-

gings used to be my religion. The most daylight some of my old pairs of jeans ever saw was the trip from the store to the dresser drawer in my home, where they collected dust. I moved to a place where leggings were taboo and I pulled those jeans out and started to wear them on a daily basis, and something happened to me. While nowhere near as comfortable or flattering as my previous uniform of Lululemon, I realized that dressing a little less comfortably meant that I began to take myself more seriously. Realistically, leggings are footless tights, which is a category of hosiery… essentially an undergarment. Yeah, they’re comfortable, but so are my pink bunny slippers that I somehow manage to keep at home.

While some might argue that the leggings trend is an extension of the recent reemergence of skinny jeans, it’s simply lazy dressing with a little bit of indecency. The entire purpose of pants is to hide our nakedness, and I wouldn’t exactly call what I can only describe as the equivalent of dipping one’s legs in paint an appropriate covering. Yeah sure, you can

empower yourself as a woman by wearing leggings. But do you really want to subject yourself to this next level of ogling? Of course, like with everything, there is a time and place for leggings: yoga, the gym, heck, even the library during paper season. But in situations outside of that, realistically no one is interested in seeing your hipbones or camel toe, and believe me…. We can see it all.

I’m not saying to go directly home without passing go or collecting $200 to rip away any evidence of leggings ever being a legitimate clothing option in your life. It’s a free country and you can wear what you want, but stop and think of what kind of message you’re sending across by putting on the lycra, spandex or nylon on your lower half. Just like body language, clothing can also send an important message. Every morning in homes around the world and for a reason, mothers must explain to their two year olds the importance of wearing pants and that keeping them on throughout the day isn’t a choice; it is something you must do. Just because shiny black thighs and indentation of female of buttocks are trendy doesn’t mean it’s right.

Lost in translation My nine month struggle with British English EMILY MACGREGOR | Opinions Editor

Growing-up on the East Coast has given me a high tolerance for foreign words and indecipherable accents. I learned the metropolitan English of Halifax and the what-the-heck-didthey-say dialect native to Cape Breton, all the time thinking that if I could accomplish this then English would never ever confuse me. I can definitely understand the mates from downunder or those tea-lovers across the pond without breaking a sweat! Boy, was I wrong. So completely, totally, I-literally-can’t-even wrong.

Between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick alone, there are more languages than Switzerland. You’ve got the Acadians and their dual-lingual Chiac, saying things like “Je veux parker ma voiture dans le parking lot,” alongside the Cape Bretoners who revert to Gaelic when they’re happy, sad, angry, frightened, excited… the list goes on. I’m used to this, it doesn’t faze me. Surviving conversations with residents of Chéticamp, a Cape Breton town that has Acadians, Anglophones, and Capers, makes rocket science look like kindergarten math problems.

I decided to spend my third year participating in an international exchange, and eventually settled on living in the UK. Initially I wasn’t too happy about this. I mean, how different will the UK be from Canada?

They have tea, scones, and people

who don’t know how to drive—so do we! I’m a language nerd and I wanted to go somewhere I could interact with the locals in a different language. Germany wasn’t an option, France wasn’t at the top of my list, and unfortunately I don’t speak a single word of Danish or Turkish. So I decided on Bangor, Wales and packed my bag. No need to bring an EnglishEnglish dictionary, I’m already fluent.

Rookie mistake.

I flew into the Manchester Airport and already felt a world away. Customs gave me the third degree, asking if I was bringing any foreign goods into the country (does maple syrup count as foreign?). Everyone automatically knew I was foreign as soon as I opened my mouth, apologizing excessively and saying “please” and “thank you” a little too much.

Looking back on my year I can’t help but think it would have saved me many embarrassing moments if I’d had a book of “British English” terms. The first time someone asked if I had a rubber they could borrow, I was stunned into silence. In a classroom? Where do you think you’re going to get laid?! They didn’t understand my confusion. They just wanted something to erase something on their page. They had to explain to me that a rubber is not a con-

dom, but in fact an eraser. Oh. That makes more sense.

One of the best ways to relax is to come home, take your pants off, and just hang out. Make-up can be reapplied, but pants once removed are forever lost (at least until class the next day). I’m not ashamed of my inkling to a pantless existence, and often talk about my lifestyle with friends. I was visiting my American friend at her residence and we were bonding over the confines of pants, with her British flatemate in the kitchen with us. I was saying how I love to come home and take my pants off after class, and her flatemate looks very shocked and turns to face me. He asked me to repeat myself, and I did, though very confused. Taking pity on my North American ignorance, he then explained that ‘pants’ in fact means underwear in the UK, and ‘trousers’ are pants. It’s important to note this was three months into my exchange. That means that for three months, the Brits thought I was supporting a nudist lifestyle.

But this wasn’t the worst of it. Oh no, my most cringe-worthy moment had yet to come. Thirteen hours into my first trip to Edinburgh, I’d twisted my ankle badly enough to spend the next seven weeks on crutches. I returned to Bangor where my friends took the mick out of me—an expression meaning they made fun of me for

weeks. I jokingly referred to myself as a gimp, unable to even make it to the kitchen without hobbling. Now that was a spit-take worthy moment, because the word ‘gimp’ does not mean the same thing in the UK. They told me after wiping the tears from their eyes that ‘gimp’ refers a kinky sex slave in a latex suit, like the kind being led around on all fours by a leash. Whoa! Back up! Not what I meant!

I came back to Canada calling French fries ‘chips’ and soccer became ‘football.’ People said aluminum weirdly and no one was trying to run me over in the sidewalk. I even caught myself calling my home and native land ‘Canadia’ like some illiterate wanker. I had to readjust to Canadian English and re-integrate Eh! into my everyday vocabulary.

I went to Britain thinking I could speak English, and came back knowing an entirely new language. I used Urban Dictionary regularly and now have a whole new vocabulary of words that are totally applicable in my everyday life—I can insult someone without them having the faintest idea of what I’m saying. The freedom that comes with knowing what a minger is has opened my life to new possibilities. Thanks to nine months of embarrassing mistakes, I now know exactly how to fit in when I return to the motherland.

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Thursday, December 4, 2014-The Xaverian

Please run water for 60 seconds before drinking.

One. Two. You just got out of the gym.

Three. Four. You’re so thirsty. Five. Six. It was cardio day. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. It’s so cold, so refreshing. Eleven. Twelve.

Honestly it’s such a small amount of lead.

Thirteen. Fourteen.

If anyone can last another forty-six seconds until that 60 second purity mark, then the lead concentrations found in StFX drinking water sourced from the 73 campus locations tested during late August and early September are low enough to be considered acceptable by Health Canada standards.

If you turn on the tap and put your cup directly under the faucet, then only 23 out of the 50 taps tested will provide you with water that falls under the maximum amount accepted by Health Canada of 10 micrograms of lead per litre. If you are filling your bottle in the Oland Centre outside the men’s washroom and can’t wait for your hydration, each litre of water could contain, as of September 10th, 600 micrograms of lead. If you’re thirsty on the ground floor of Nicholson tower, immediately that fountain produces 330 micrograms per litre. The numbers get far higher, but many of those faucets are out of the way- like the MacNeil base-

were designed to give a representative understanding of lead concentrations in drinking water on campus. “Whenever we look at quality issues, we’re looking at where we can find the worst cases.

You want to know the location of the worst problem.”

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

ment (room 16) faucet that spews 7700 micrograms per litre- and have probably accumulated corrosion over time.

Though that MacNeil basement tap actually tested lower in the late August tests.

If you wait thirty seconds, the picture gets a lot better. The numbers improve.

Now, only 15 out of the 73 sources fail. Facilities Management has, in lieu of tap and fountain shutoffs, recommended flushing for sixty seconds instead.

The tests, according to Director of Facilities Management Leon MacLellan,

Shut off vs. sixty-second-flush MacLellan told The Xaverian that for now, they are not shutting off any taps.

He says they have notified residents near problem sources. The signs posted above drinking fountains, and the emails and notices they have distributed have been part of a campaign to encourage students to flush the water.

“We’re trying to get people to flush....if they do that, they’re safe, and they’re within the guidelines.”

Whether students are regularly flushing is another story, and whether 60 seconds does bring the lead concentration below safe levels has yet to be determined by testing at StFX. Dr. Bruce Lanphear is a professor at Simon Fraser University who has spent a large part of his career identifying and combating the consequences of low-level lead toxicity. He’s currently investigating

the effects of childhood exposure to environmental neurotoxins- lead included.

After reading the results of StFX’s most recent round of testing, in an email to The Xaverian, Dr. Lanphear issued recommendations which differ from the flush-for-sixty recommendations of Facilities Management.

“If any of the sink are used to brush teeth or for drinking water and have lead levels greater than 10 to 15 parts per billion (a measurement equivalent to micrograms per litre) they should be shut off immediately until the source of lead is identified and corrected. Obviously the much higher lead levels (eg. greater than 100 parts per billion) are a more urgent problem.”

Dr. Lanphear recommends water source shut off, even if the safety limit is not exceeded after the 30 second and 60 second flush.

He says that a potential danger of adopting a flushing policy as the primary line of attack is that it can be unrealistic, and give the appearance of a solution in absence of any real change.

“The majority of people will not flush the system for 30 or 60 seconds, and the concern about elevated water lead levels will dissipate,” says Dr. Lanphear.

“We have dismissed the problem of lowlevel lead toxicity for far too long. We can prevent a lot of disease and disability if we prevent lead exposure.”

Small dose, big problem Ten micrograms per litre is a small measurement, but is enough to have some consequences. According to Health Canada, there is no healthy amount of lead. Lead deposits in the human body primarily in areas that are highly mineralized, like bones and teeth, but it has adverse effects on a wide range of organs and tissues.

The negative health effects are more severe for children, especially in early childhood development. Even at low levels, lead toxicity has been shown to occur in children, with relatively low bloodstream lead concentrations resulting in impaired intellectual and behavioural development.

In adults like us, lead toxicity can lead to memory issues, hypertension, fatigue, irritability, kidney damage, adverse cadiovascular effects like strokes, and has been shown to be correlated with IQ defects.

Lead is basically the gluten of environmental toxins, except that it really can cause severe health problems.

Sources at StFX MacLellan told The Xaverian that the source of lead in newer buildings is likely brass faucets, which up until January of this year, could contain up to 8% lead. In buildings constructed before the 1980’s, when lead solder and pipes could still be used in ‘wet’ areas of the plumbing system, the source could be lead pipes or the solder between the pipes in the buildings themselves.

According to MacLellan, the water mains and water system itself are not the problem. The town of Antigonish is responsible for the water system on campus up until the point of entry into buildings.

“The municipality is typically providing good water. It may be that other characteristics of the water are promoting leaching [of lead into the water], soft water, or the pH. They’re not providing the lead- they’re under 10 micrograms per litre.”

The chemistry of water supplied by public systems varies. Antigonish’s water system has what is known as “soft water,” which contains lower concentrations of metal cations, like calcium, than “hard water.” This lower concentration increases the rate that lead particles are transferred into the water from sources of lead.

The office in charge of Antigonish’s water system was unavailable for comment. Testing results for the five-minute flush (the only test performed by the Department of Health) which tests the lead concentration of civil water lines, were unavailable.

If the source of contamination is outside the building, lead can be much harder to avoid by methods like flushing, and the fix can be extremely costly.

The location of the drinking water source and it’s regularity of use also affects the lead concentration. Horizontal runs of piping deposit more lead into the water than vertical runs, so if a fountain is located on the fourth floor at the other end from the vertical run, it may have a much higher concentration of lead than a fountain located closer to the vertical section. The variability within each building requires a multifaceted approach to fixing the problem. MacLellan described the problem. “If it’s a four foot span, do you replace the pipe? If it’s a forty foot span you might put the filter on it. It depends.”

Plans in the pipeline “We want to get people drinking water in the buildings,” says MacLellan.

“That’s our goal. We want at least one drinking water source per building.”

Facilities Management has been meeting regularly with the Occupational Health and Safety Committee at StFX working towards a remedy, and is currently formulating an action plan. But, as mentioned above, there’s no quick-fix option for lead.

“We can put a filter on the tap, right away. You can replace the piping or fixture if you want a long term solution.

There’s a variety of solutions that we have at our disposal. We’re looking to get a plan together and address the high priorities first....Right now we’ve been looking across the campus at priority areas.

Right now we’re into the fountains and the daycare and any place where there might be children. There are some places where there are children present, and we’re addressing those right away. We’ll hope to have those done before Christmas. The next step is that we want to go to each building, and over the next six months we’d like to be assured that there’s drinking water in each of the major buildings.”

“Each building has safe drinking water if you do the 60 second flush. We would like to go to a zero-second flush if we can.”

MacLellan mentioned that budget constraints weren’t affecting the hunt for a solution. “Funding is available to address this problem. Right now we’re just trying to optimize the solutions....It wouldn’t be one solution across campus, it’ll depend on the building and the situation. It will be a lot of work to try and go through each one. We’re doing that right now.”

MacLellan told The Xaverian that further water testing will be conducted in the new year.

9

The absent department of health The position of the department of health, says MacLellan, is “no comment.”

“This is right across the province.

This is at other universities. They’ve all had this issue....I’ve never dealt with a water quality issue like this without interacting with the department of health.

We have tried to get in contact with them, but they haven’t commented.”

Regional problem Lead in drinking water is a problem common to maritime universities.

In Jan 2014 at SMU, a student detected a metallic scent coming from a fountain in the McNally building, which triggered a shutoff of several fountains by university officials after tests revealed unsafe levels of lead. SMU replaced a pipe in the McNally building that had lead joints, and added filters to all drinking fountains across campus as well as at other key locations. Some new fountains were installed, and upgrades to the residence water system were conducted- including the replacements of some faucets. Now, any unsafe water source is labelled as non-drinkable. Regular water monitoring is now conducted on campus.

At Acadia, after results from 2013 testing indicated higher than acceptable lead concentrations in some sources of water on campus, filters were installed on water fountains campus wide, flushing programs like StFX’s were implemented. Follow up testing revealed that the efforts had achieved some success in maintaining water sources’ lead concentrations below the accepted maximum level.

Mt. Allison performed a set of tests in August, and has further testing scheduled for december. According to Mt. Allison Director of Facilities Management Rob MacCormack, the results were positive. Test results were unavailable to The Xaverian at time of publication.

10 ARTS & CULTURE

Thursday, December 4, 2014-The Xaverian

ARTS & CULTURE Women’s self defense class, 2015 W.R.A.I.TH.S.- Women ready able intelligent technique home safe DEVON GREENE | Culture editor

A high risk of sexual assault is often associated with big cities, dark streets, and hooded strangers. The truth is, sexual assault is just as common in a small town and the majority of sexual assault victims knew their attacker prior to the incident.

It’s no secret that StFX has a reputation of embracing the party culture. Although each case is complex and unique, drugs and alcohol are large contributing factors when it comes to violence against women, and StFX has plenty of both. Add a “Jersey no Pants Party” into the mix and you are left with a dangerous combination of a bunch of intoxicated, fearless guys and equally intoxicated, easy access girls. True, not 100% of cases are made up of a male assailant and female victim, but this scenario is the most common and therefore is the focus of efforts to increase awareness about the risks of sexual assault as well as decreasing the incidents on campus and in the town of Antigonish.

Former police officer Michael Gerhartz and martial arts practitioner Stewart Barclay are hoping to help reduce the incidents of violence against women in the new year by offering a, first of its kind, women’s self defense class, entitled W.R.A.I.T.H.S. (Women Ready Able Intelligent Techniques Home Safe). Up until this point there have been very few, very small defense classes offered which are usually only open to a specific group. All women, 18 years of age and older, are welcome to attend these classes which will teach practical techniques as well as educate participants about the surrounding elements of sexual violence.

The course will begin in early January, 2015 and will be a drop in style course.

Classes will be offered a couple times a week, allowing students to choose a time that is most convenient for them to ensure that participation remains consistent.

Each class will cover a different topic which will help sharpen the minds of women in vulnerable situations and focus on a different physical technique which can be used by women of all shapes and sizes. Instructor Michael Gerhartz encourages future

members to take advantage of flexible course schedule to attend as many classes as possible. “In order for them to get the best out of it, it would be best for them to come every week, because the information will be spread over the course. If you want to talk about details about something, it would take several hours. So, the first day we’re going to do one thing and the next day we’re going to do the next subject. It’s going to be only one piece of information at a time because otherwise it’s going to be too much. But in order to get the whole picture, it would be best if they would come as often as possible,” says Gerhartz. The information will eventually reoccur, giving students a chance to catch up on any classes they may miss, however there are also plans to include seminars with special guest speakers which will give special insight from professionals into the psychology and reality of violent situations. Participants will be able to pay a small drop in fee or have the option of purchasing a punch card, giving them a discount on classes and allowing them to attend class at their convenience.

The overall structure of the course will include a short presentation of that day’s topic, exercises to increase situational awareness and a large focus on practical techniques. Gerhartz describes the purpose of the class as, “A practical, efficient means of self defense which does not really on strength like many other programs that we have. Most important thing, it should be accessible for everybody. It should be fun. It’s not going to have any traditional elements of a traditional self defense; no kata, no extensive warm up or no muscle building, it will just be down to the techniques.” The techniques which comes from a combination combative martial arts can be learned and used on anyone. Barclay and Gerhartz emphasize that the course will teach simple moves that are easy to remember. The two instructors want every woman to feel safe and able to defend themselves, no matter what their size, age or fitness level. “A 100lb girl can effectively use a technique against 260lbs of

Arnold Schwarzenegger muscle,” says Gerhartz.

Practicing the physical techniques to help women escape a situation once it arises is great, but Barclay and Gerhartz also want to help women avoid dangerous situations altogether.

While understanding that it is never the fault of the victim, the instructors will talk about certain things women can do to reduce their risk of sexual assault. Gerhartz plans to use his experience as a police officer in Germany to address specific scenarios. “We are going to have some theoretical topics that we’re going to talk about: Prey mentality, how does one become a prey in the first place. Verbal/nonverbal communication skills, the escalation of violent situations, predatory psychology tactics and the different types of guys.

Mostly we are going to be talking about the drunks.

Those are the ones that 99% they’re going to be facing here.” Gerhartz also wishes to address the important steps to take in the unfortunate case that an incident does occur, such as preservation of evidence.

In addition to using his martial arts experience to instruct the practical components of the class with Gerhartz, Barclay will touch on some of the important psychological factors to remember when considering one’s own risk of becoming a target. Barclay stresses the importance of being realistic while living in a small town with a large university population. “People fall prey to egocenticism thinking that everyone should be like them. They think “I should be able to do this because I wouldn’t do this to somebody else.” That’s a fundamental error that they’re making. If everyone were a good person then we wouldn’t have situations like this to begin with.” The W.R.A.I.T.H.S. course is about real life. It will provide real facts, address possible situations that do happen to real people. The course is not designed to make women feel targeted or unsafe, in fact it intends to do the opposite. However, the instructors want to raise the situational awareness of the women in the class and

Source: Johnson, “Limits of a Criminal Justice Response: Trends in Police and Court Processing of Sexual Assault,” in Sheehy, Sexual Assault in Canada: Law, Legal Practice and Women’s Activism, 2012

remind them that we do not live in a perfect world. It is never anyone’s intention to make themselves a victim and no one is ever asking to be sexually assaulted, but feeling that no one has the right to hurt you doesn’t mean that they won’t try.

This course is designed to help women feel safe and confident in the real world that we live in.

University students are busy, there is no way around that fact. It may seem as though there is simply not enough time in the week to enroll in another activity, however this is not your everyday self defense class.

Barclay and Gerhartz want the class to be fun and enjoyable but it is also an educational experience for women of all backgrounds and experiences. The course will

teach women defense and awareness skills in a safe environment that could one day be the only thing standing between themselves and an assailant. By taking one night out of their week, participants can decrease their risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault and feel safe and prepared for real life situations.

Dates and times of the course will be announced in late December with classes set to begin early in the new year. Don’t be afraid to take your safety into your own hands. For more information about the class and how to register, join the Facebook page “W.R.A.I.T.H.S” : Women Ready Able Intelligent Techniques Home Safe or email Michael Gerhartz at michael@atlanticcanadawreckdiving.com

Course co-instructor/co-creator Micheal Gerhartz

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

ARTS & CULTURE

11

Movemember wrap up

StFX students and faculty raise funds for prostate cancer research CASSIA TREMBLAY | Staff Writer

A few key events such as house hockey cups, Shinerama, and Relay For Life seem to capture the hearts, minds, and enthusiasm of the StFX community year after year. After a strong month of involvement from students and staff alike, it appears that Movember will be joining the ranks as a favourite event at StFX. Highlights of Movember 2014 include a dodgeball tournament with over 300 student participants, acclaimed guest speaker Dr. Greg Wells, and the infamous Polar Bear Dip at Jimtown Beach.

You need only notice to the upper lip of nearly every fellow on campus to understand StFX’s dedication to the cause. Whether it be by means of a barely-there-‘stache, a full-on beard or a photoshopped moustache, students and staff alike proudly support the mo-movement.

Prostate Cancer Canada says that prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. Here on campus, it has personally affected the families of many individuals, including Sean Ryan, General Manager of the Students Union, whose father passed away from the disease in 2013. By raising upwards of $8 000 for research to combat the disease, StFX community has proven that it really does care about making a positive difference in

the health and lives of those affected.

A few key players lead by example during the Movember online fundraising campaign, including students and faculty members.

John MacGillivray, a second year Arts student, commented about his ambitious fundraising, “Movember is a month that has a lot of meaning for myself. I am doing this for my best friend Clayton Christie and my Uncle Ronnie (StFX Alumni, I might add) who both passed away from cancer. They both had a long hard battle that saw them never giving up or having a negative attitude. Because of this I want to raise as much money as I can to help out men’s health so that others will not have to go through what these two great men did.”

English professor Dr. Joseph Khoury challenged the StFX community in a creative way this year by reversing the Movember tradition.

Khoury committed that if he was able to raise $2000 for prostate cancer research he would shave his 34 year old moustache. A man of his word, having raised $2230, Khoury kissed goodbye to his longtime friend during a shaving session at the SUB on Dec 1.

Combined, Dr. Joseph Khoury, student John MacGillvary, and Sean Ryan raised an amazing $4380. These megafundraisers show a determination and

involvement that is truly to be admired.

Overall, this year’s Movember fundraising efforts showed recognition and support for not just prostate cancer, but for all health issues. The keynote address by Dr. Greg Wells encouraged listeners to “Be Better” by mindfully examining their eating, sleeping, and moving habitats in order to tackle modern health challenges.

Jack.org, a student society, tied raising awareness for mentalhealth issues in with Movember by running a fun moustache themed photobooth.

The month of moustaches not only brought StFX together as a community this year, but made a significant contribution to the health and wellness of individuals across the campus and the country by raising funds and awareness. So, here’s

to putting the ‘staches away until next year but maintaining the supportive and involved community that Movember has fostered.

A cultured exam season “One night to save a semester’s worth of mediocrity”

RACHEL REVOY |Senior Reporter

Exam Season: the time of year spent between a study panic and doing absolutely nothing. The glazed over eyes, the “I just don’t care” attitude, and the endless amount of carbs – ‘tis the season when the very being of StFX shifts to encompass the wide range of emotions in these dark few weeks.

Prior to the drudgery of this time of year, the epic StFX ritual known as Last Class Bash allows students to have one last moment of freedom before exam lockdown. There is no better feeling than walking out of this semester’s last class and having one night to be free from thinking about school work. One more night to have fun before the realization that you’ve done nothing all semester sets in. This is the one night.

The one night to let yourself be free.

Following the bash of last classes is the two or three day period of rest. The time when you allow

yourself to watch a movie and to lounge around, a few days to sleep off the stress of final essays and assignments. It’s totally justifiable, too, because why try and study when you just stressed yourself out to the max all through November?

Yeah, sleeping in today won’t hurt!

Sure, watching a Christmas special won’t take up that much time!

Next phase: the panic. You realize the last day of classes was Dec 2, your first exam is Dec 5, and today is Dec 4. Okay. One night. One night to save a semester’s worth of mediocrity. You pump yourself up, and that voice in your head becomes a personal motivator that sets you into overdrive. You head to the library in order to get some major isolated cramming done just to realize every single person on campus has the same idea. Seriously. There isn’t a single empty table at the library. You notice one table covered in someone else’s belongings. Some-

one is off galavanting while they reserve themselves a table. A table you need. You either a) slide everything off of the table onto the floor, b) take a deep breath and leave c) draw profanities all over their hundred dollar textbook, or d) you are that person. Don’t be that person.

It’s easy to question whether or not to pull an all-nighter, though they never work out well. It is even easier to question getting on a plane and never returning, but that rarely works out well either. Buckle down mode begins, and you manage to retain some information from the past three months. All you can manage is a caffeine-induced daze filled with 40% note rewriting, 30% self loathing, 10% buzzfeed articles, and 20% Christmas break fantasizing. Don’t worry, it wasn’t all useless. Get a good night sleep, and you’ll do better, right?

So you walk into exams like a champ, sharpened pencil in hand,

www.xaverian.ca see you in january and happy holidays!

and you give your professor the look of a champion - as they retort with the look of a classic Disney villain. Time to regurgitate all that information you crammed in your exhausted cranium last night. The exam is laying on your desk with an aura of intimidation. Either it goes well or it doesn’t. Once the time is up, you march out of there with the effervescent feeling of completion.

You never have to think about the course material again! You’re elated, until you realize that you have to repeat the process before tomorrow’s exam.

Eventually, no matter how impossible it seems, we manage to complete the term. No matter how stressful and unattainable passing that course may appear, we somehow get through this in order to spend some much needed relax time at home. So let’s buckle down, give each other support, and know that we will make it.

12 ARTS & CULTURE

Thursday, December 4, 2014-The Xaverian

Featured artist: Ashley Clarke Bringing StFX artists into the foreground

DEVON GREENE | Culture Editor

Untitled stain glass 13.5”x15.5”

This week’s featured artist is 4th year business major Ashley Clarke.

Clarke has an extensive background in visual and hands on art from before her time as a business student. Before coming to StFX I did some photography classes, I did photo editing, I was the editor of my high school year book. I also did fashion design, I designed and made my own prom dress. I always kept art as a way to mellow me out.” Any true artist can find a way to make art a part of their everyday life. Clarke did this by enrolling in the materials and methods course as an elective. This was soon followed by the intro to design class which she hopes will help her work towards a future career in design. With Anthropology taking up her minor credits, Clarke decided to take two more arts classes to make visual art her pair.

Clarke expended her vocabulary of mediums by taking studio batik in her third year. It was in this class that she created her piece Luna by going even further outside the box in this already unique and creative course. “It’s on a cotton cloth and we use wax and different material dyes to get the colour onto the cloth and separate the colour with wax… I started with a circular background and I dipped it in blue and thought it looked a little bit like the moon. I really do enjoy colour and I think it brightens up anything so I decided to incorporate the rainbow, light colour scale. I wanted to try a different technique of batik. Usually you drip it onto the took and move it around but I really wanted it to be more free flowing and natural. I literally dripped paint down and dripped wax on top of it to make it flow so the colours

blend. I guess it was more a technical inspiration than an emotional one. This was my third batik piece but really my first big one.”

To complete her pair credits, Clarke continued her hands on approach to art with the stained glass course. “It’s extremely difficult, it was very hard on my hands because I got a lot of cuts, but after a while, by the end, probably about the last couple weeks I had a grasp of it. You have, almost like a cookie cutter and you roll it across the glass to indent it and you have to use your hands to break it. It was a lot more physically demanding than I thought it would be since glass can be pretty thick and strong. By the end it became a lot easier. We started the project during the second week of classes and it took me about three months to complete.”

This incredible piece was inspired by a vacation and a love for reggae artist, Bob Marley. I recently had come back from Jamaica and I really wanted a Bob Marley piece but couldn’t get one.

When stained glass came up I decided I would do something revolved around him. I found a picture with half his face being background to the face of a lion. I took that as inspiration and went with it, made it a little bit different so it could actually work as a stained glass piece. I didn’t want it to be boring. Stained glass has so many cool pieces of glass and materials and patterns so I wanted to incorporate a lot more colour because I love colour. Once I turned out the design and started going with the colours it was easy from there.”

It comes as no surprise that someone with such a diverse artistic background is driven by a passion for art and creativity. “Art is like my other side. Being a busi-

ness student, I’m usually very analytical and technical and by the book but there is a lot more to me than just my degree. Art is the other part that fits in the puzzle for me… I really enjoy using art as an escape from all the academic, textbook style stuff. Art is more expressive and I enjoy being able to create something out of nothing,” says Clarke.

As many StFX students would agree, the constant flow of school work can become overwhelming. Artistic expression is a different way of using the mind to create something like a truly great piece of art. “I think [great art] is something that is thought out and that appeals to the eye and the brain. The brain does process colours and images in a very specific way. I think someone who can use that knowledge in order to convey a message, a feeling an emotion, that’s the difference between art and a really great work of art. I think [artistic value] lies more in the creation of the piece. I did do a piece for someone else and they liked it but I think I liked it more than they did. Someone could like your art or not, but if you like it then that’s all that matters.”

The StFX art department is small but mighty, however the academic departments were not a huge contributing factor in Clarke’s decision to attend StFX. Clarke claims that her decision was based more on the overall atmosphere of the university and the town. “I really enjoyed the Xaverian community and loved coming here and visiting and getting to experience it before I applied. I knew that this was somewhere I could really be happy.” Coming from Oakville, Ontario, Clarke was excited by the strong arts community in the small town of Antigonish. Antigonsih is very art focused, more than I knew.

It’s really nice to see events like Antigonight and the Bauer theatre because it is art as well. I think its great we have so many local artists and that we have establishments that support local artists, like the tall and small. Coming from Oakville I didn’t really notice an art presence. There was always so much going on that overshadowed it but here it’s very present and a big part of the town even with L’arche and their art project too. Art is a part of the culture here in Antigonish.”

Closer to home, back on campus, Clarke fell in love with the little art department, especially the passion and dedication of fellow students and instructors.

Clarke says her professors have a l w a y s been supportive and encouragi n g throughout her time as an art student here. “[The instructors] are all very supportive and very helpful. I’m usually described as being very ambitious and complicated with my art.

Learning a new medium, like batik or stained glass, they’ve never told me “no, you can’t do that,” they’ve always tried to help me do it, which I think is really great for the faculty. For anyone who wants to take art, you don’t necessarily have to be an artist beforehand.” Clarke is yet another student to add to the list of featured artists who truly believe in the strength and

Luna- Batik 18”x18”

passion of the faculty members. StFX creates a safe and supportive learning environment for students of all experience and skill levels.

Although finishing her final art course at StFX this semester, Clarke hopes to continue on her artistic path into her career in the business world, specifically considering pursuing design as a profession. With natural ability, experience and the encouragement of the StFX art department, Clarke will be able to make the most out of her degree

DISTRACTIONS 13

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

DISTRACTIONS KURT BROTHERS | Proud X-Ring Owner!

Spotted’s Say: X-Ring Fever December 3rd, a day that is more exciting than Christmas and your birthday combined. It’s a day that you’ve waited your

Exam Study Distractions 1) THOSE NEW X-RINGS: after December 3rd, sparkles of gold will be everywhere. And it’ll be hard not to stare at them flash by in the library while you try to study. And to those that received your rings, you’ll be stuck in a trance of gazing at your finger for hours.

2) NETFLIX MARAT HONS: exam time always creates a sudden urge to binge watch every show on the Internet. Hopefully you can overcome this epidemic.

whole life for, and once that new,

3) GYM OBSESSIONS: oddly enough, some people choose exam time to get in shape. It’s just another excuse to not be studying, except it does have its benefits.

shiny ring slides on your finger for the first time, it will mean something much more. It will represent your four hardworking crazy years, along with memories that’ll last a lifetime. There were thousands of X-ring related posts that were sent into the page over the years, such as, “I personally think receiving an X ring is a bigger achievement than a wedding ring,” as well as, “Can we make like an exclusive deal where if one of us ends up ruling the world, they give everyone with an X ring free beer for life and a mansion?” To all the lower years, make sure you watch the ceremony, as it’ll give you motivation to continue. To the grads,

4) PONDERING T HE FUTURE: almost everyone starts to wonder what they’ll do after they graduate, this can also strike while studying for exams. What starts as a quick search of grad schools turns into a daylong hunt to map out your future.

5) FIND THE PERFECT STUDY SPOT: yes, many people spend too much time hunting for that amazing spot and not actually studying. The PSC pods will always be full, save yourself the trouble.

6) SLEEP: your bed becomes extra comfy around this time of year and it’ll be hard to drag yourself out to start studying.

7) PRET T Y MUCH ANYT HING ELSE: need to reorganize your sock drawer? Clean the closet? Color-code your agenda?

All these things suddenly become more interesting than studying, and you’ll probably do them to avoid the dreadful task.

party hard at the super-sub and try not to lose your ring the first night. You’d be surprised how many have in the past. Congratulations to the grads of 2015, you did it!

Sincerely, Spotted

Becca’s Blurb: It’s Finally Here!

SPORTS & HEALTH

SPORTS & HEALTH Wait...what’s gluten?

Latest diet fad might not be all its cracked up to be SOFIA T SALAMLAL | Contributor

When I need a thoughtful and well-researched commentary on my health, I look no further than a late-night comedian.

In a segment on his latenight talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel asked a bunch of health-conscious people: “What is gluten?” The answers—or lack thereof—were surprising.

While all claimed to be on a gluten-free diet, not one of them could explain what gluten was. My personal favourite was an Adonis of a man who claimed to be very health conscious (and it showed!). He responded with: “This is pretty sad, but I don’t know”. Another clip was a young, fit man who attempts to answer the question and then gives up: “It’s in bread… a flour derivative... It’s wheat… it’s like bread, pastries… it’s a grain right?”

These so-called health conscious folk were anything but.

Before we can decide whether or not the fall of civilization will be due to you eating an extra piece of toast, let’s clear the air. What IS gluten?

Gluten is a protein that is found in some grains such as wheat, rye, triticale, spelt, kamut and barley. Originally, a gluten-free diet was a treatment method for those with celiac disease.

This disease is a serious medical condition where the consumption of gluten damages

the absorptive surface of the small intestine. That means that when a person with celiac disease consumes gluten-containing products like wheat, barley, rye and triticale, the body is unable to absorb other important nutrients that are necessary for good health.

According to the Canadian Celiac Association, celiac disease affects 1 in 133 persons in Canada.

However, the diet industry has taken this serious health concern for some and made it a huge western diet fad. All fads begin with a celebrity endorsement, in this case Miley Cyrus.

But fads come and go. Remem-

ber the Atkins or South Beach diet? Those are now solely a distant memory.

Will the gluten-free diet join the ghosts of diets’ past? Well it seems like it has only gotten stronger. In Canada, glutenfree products are a $90 million enterprise. In the United States, the gluten-free market is valued at $4.2 billion. It is books like “Wheat Belly”, by American Cardiologist William Davis, that have convinced the public that even if you do not have celiac disease, it is better for your health to eliminate “evil” gluten. To counter that, many researchers have found that a gluten-free diet can lack impor-

tant vitamins, minerals and fiber. The gluten itself may not have nutritional benefits, but gluten is found in whole grain foods that contain a variety of minerals and vitamins such as B vitamins, iron and fiber.

The fact of the matter is that a gluten-free diet is a treatment for those with celiac disease and is essential for their health. But what about my friend who went gluten-free and lost all that weight, you ask? The gluten-free diet as a weight loss tool has been proven false. Many physicians have said that a lot of people may put on weight when they go on a gluten-free diet, because

This is equally unhealthy, whether it has gluten in it or not.

Via Flickr Creative Commons

they are not used to the restrictions and may overcompensate on other foods. Also, they may be eating a lot of processed gluten-free foods that lack important nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

“Anti-gluties” have said they feel better, fitter and more energetic since they’ve switched to a gluten-free diet. Many describe that as a placebo effect – they may be feeling better because they have become more health-conscious.

Meaning they may be exercising more, eating more whole foods, and cooking at home rather than going out to eat. The glutenfree diet is becoming a public health concern, because many of these dieters are not going to health care professionals such as physicians, nurses or dietitians to understand the possible negative implications of avoiding gluten-containing products. Want real health advice that doesn’t come with a price of $29.95? Consult with a dietitian. They are very knowledgeable, and can provide you with reliable dietary information and guidance to ensure you are meeting the sufficient nutritional requirements.

As Sophia Loren best describes it: “Everything you see is because of pasta.” Put down that Cosmo “miracle weight loss” article and pick up a forkfull of pasta. That’s a celebrity endorsement I can get behind.

Nursing students come together for CNSA Conference Opportunity to learn and support Antigonish Friendship Corner LAURA ALOISIO | Columnist

St FX nursing students have a reputation for working hard.

Many get their exercise not at the gym, but by lugging around backpacks filled with textbooks and technical journals covering both the social and scientific dimensions of patient health. Most weekends, they can be found in the halls of The Mount practicing their craft. Many who believe the Mount is haunted have mistaken the moaning’s of a future nurse preparing for the semesters practicum for the bellows of a ghost. But if you were passing by during the weekend of October 24th The Mount was empty, as its normal inhabitants were out raising money for a local Antigonish charity, The Friendship Corner, during the Canadian Nursing Student’s Association (CNSA) 2014 Atlantic Regional

Conference. Students from all over Atlantic Canada visited the beautiful and rainy campus of St. FX for a two-day conference where they learned about current health issues, and gained insight into the world of nursing.

The CNSA acts as a critical resource for nursing students focused on innovation in research and the subject content of nursing schools. It provides a vehicle for students to express their opinions, communicate with students at other Universities, and participate with the administration to bring about effective change. These students are the future of nursing and after days of presentations and networking they all gathered in the Oland Centre for a night of fun and fundraising.

The goal for this year’s con-

ference was to have a more unique fundraising experience for delegates. The charity auction featured shoes and purses up for grabs using a Chinese auction, which combines the financial power of a regular auction with the random elements of a raffle. Unlike a regular raffle, where all the tickets are put into one hat and winners are drawn sequentially, at a Chinese raffle participants buy sheets of tickets and place them in the hat under the prize they want the most. The hard part was waiting for the draws to start near the end of the evening but food and drinks made it easier to pass the time.

Prizes featured a selection of new and gently used merchandise donated to the event with many designer pieces in the mix.

The highlight for many was the

Kate Spade bag that had everyone on the edge of their seats waiting for their number to be called. No matter what your academic discipline, the chance for a new bag is a great reason to ignore what they said in statistics class and have confidence that wishing hard really can tip the odds in your favor.

Since the event is entirely student run the decision to donate the auction proceeds is personal.

The Friendship Corner was chosen because it touched many of the third year nursing students who have had a clinical rotation in mental health. Founded and based in Antigonish, this organization represents individuals with mental illness, physical impairments, economics struggles, as well as assisting seniors, newcomers to the community, and

even those reentering social life after an illness by providing a way to meet new people. It is a gathering place for individuals, where they have the opportunity to share a cup of coffee in an open and supportive environment. Since May of 2004 The Friendship Corner has been fostering the feeling of inclusion and been a source of information and support for members of our tightly knit Antigonish community. Every donation is greatly appreciated and the auction was a great success, raising $1,500 that will cover the operating costs for The Friendship Corner for one year. Congratulations to the school of nursing for fostering such a wonderful sense of community spirit and demonstrating exemplary commitment to giving back.

The Xaverian-Volume 123 Issue 7

SPORTS & HEALTH

15

X-Men fall short at Loney Bowl A look at what fall sports are coming to a close, and which are just heating up AARON THORNELL | Sports & Health Editor

I don’t think I’m far off in saying that the upcoming, post-exams break is a welcome sight for most. Likewise, I’m fairly certain that some semi-professional relaxation will be high on most peoples’ to-do list – be it in the form of twelve hour naps, aggressive snacking, binge watching all of the first four seasons of Seinfeld, and more napping. I know I have a sizeable portion of time blocked off for those activities. Yet, being in the Sports and Health section, you know this article is going to have to tell you to get up off your rear and enjoy this time off by doing something active.

And therefore I have the enviable job of listing off some of the things you can do while outside in the cold.

Walking: We will start out with something seemingly straightforward. You’ve been walking since you were pretty small, and you probably feel as though you’ve got the whole one foot in front of the other thing down pat. But as many of you will know, comparing a walk in the winter with one in any other setting is like comparing the first bite into a coconut, versus the first bite into an apple: it is going to be a lot harder, and you’re probably going to hurt yourself. Lunging over snow drifts, high-stepping to avoid slush, and steadying yourself by grabbing the nearest street sign after stepping on some ice hiding under a few inches of snow are all fantastic examples of some of the involuntary exercises you can get yourself into when walking pretty much anywhere.

Whatever your destination, you’ll arrive feeling like you’ve just come from the gym – and underneath all the layers you were told were the secret to staying warm outside, you’ll find that you are sweating up a storm. Double bonus.

Making something out of snow: This may seem like a juvenile practice to some, but those who have done it enough will know that this is a great way to get your ‘swell’, all the while having a great time and creating some majestic artwork. It is rare that you will find such a fun way to lift heavy bails of snow, and if you make any sort of shelter, you can even do some of your relaxing out in the great outdoors. I’ll be honest, this isn’t exactly my favourite winter activity (some scarring incidents as a child have ruined snowmen for me...) but I don’t deny that it is some wholesome fun

You’ll be lucky if you have this much control on a toboggan.

Via Flickr Creative Commons for the whole family.

Shovelling snow: See the activity above, minus the fun. Also, you’ll probably ruin you back, so while you’re outside, make an ice pack for yourself too.

Throwing snow at other people: Another snow-filled danger-fest.

There are few feelings more satisfying than hitting your friend square between the shoulder blades with a perfectly shaped snowball. Of course, when anyone throws one at you, they’ll have hell to pay. Snowball fights have been known to break out at all times of day, in any location, so be prepared as soon as you leave home.

Skating: Now this is the first activity that isn’t for everyone. Not to say that everyone can’t participate – I just know that some might never want to put skates on again after have gone on that skating with their Grade 4 class and falling backwards and hitting the back of their head and not even getting hot chocolate after even though Mrs. Humphrey promised you some...

But, another childhood memory aside, skating is a fantastic little activity. You get to wobble around an outdoor rink, holding onto the boards for stability (if there are any), and you’ll inevitably finish the day having trouble sitting down because you fell on your tailbone six times. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a piece of wood in your hands, and next thing you know, you’re playing hockey.

Watching the World Juniors: This one is a bit of a cheat, if I’m honest. It doesn’t involve very much physical activity - although there can be a fair bit of jumping, remote-control throwing,

and high-fiving involved - and it is rarely done outdoors. Regardless, it is a staple for many. Every year, many will dismiss themselves from their extended family gatherings to revel in the glory that is World Junior Hockey.

For those unfamiliar with this annual Canadian pasttime, it involves the world’s best hockey players under the age of 20 playing their hearts out for thei respective countries. This year’s tournament will fortunately be held in Toronto and Montreal, so those interested won’t have to be watching at random times of the day and night, as has been the case for the past two

years. As alluded to, this tournament often inspires a fiery passion within many young Canadians, and can lead to fits of passion and sprints-aroundthe-block of ecstasy. It gets pretty serious.

Tobogganing: As we return to the universally accessible activities, we find this little treat. Sliding down a hill on a piece of thin plastic sheet, with little or no control and no ability to stop save for running into a chain link fence or a snowbank. But from a workout point of view, you’ll likely be flexing every muscle in your body in fear as you descend. Now that is Fun with a capital F. This can be a very enjoyable experience if you aren’t worried about breaking your arm, so I recommend a bit of adult eggnog prior to setting off on your excursion. Also, if you start off with anything in your pockets, even if they are zipped up or velcroed closed, they will inevitably end up buried in the snow. Finding your keys again in the fading light can be a whole different game, so the Fun never stops.

Now these are just some suggestions, as there are plenty of other wintertime activities you can get up to over the few weeks you have away from school. Just remember that not everyone in the world gets to experience Canadian winters. So we should consider ourselves lucky, right?

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16

Congratulations SUMMER JOB 2015 to all 2015 x-ring Become a Parliamentary Guide recipients! hail and health from team Xav! Look for new issues Give guided tours in january. of the Parliament

Thursday, December 4, 2014-The Xaverian

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