Imprint The university of Waterloo’s official student newspaper
Friday, February 2, 2007
imprint .uwaterloo .ca
vol 29, no 25
Nobel laureate talks quantum physics See page 25
FASS journeys through the seven sins See page 17
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AIN’T NO polar aT THIS JAM
Ciesielski hits nationals Shawn Bell staff reporter
Waterloo’s freshman golf phenom, Vic Ciesielski, capped an outstanding 2006 year by being named to 2007’s Canada’s National Amateur Golf team. “I am very exited,� said Ciesielski, “and looking forward to playing for Team Canada and representing our country on an international level.� The nomination comes on the heels of a unbelievable 2006 Warrior golf season, where Ciesielski, in seven OUA tournaments, won seven individual medals: four gold, two silver and one bronze, helping the Warriors to their second-straight OUA gold. “This season was a very good start to my career at the University of Waterloo,� he said. See GOLF, page 32
Winter blues Kinga Jakab staff reporter
photos by Mohammad Jangda
Mohammad Jangda staff reporter
It was fucking cold. Which is, of course, something you’d normally expect at a mid-winter, outdoor concert held in Waterloo. But there was an extra bite in the air last Friday night — enough to make my naughty bits tingle. It might have been fear of frostbite or just the excitement from watching stellar performances from acts like Brassmunk and Thornley. But the lack of audience interest in the event’s other main feature, a mini ski hill, might also have played a role. Either way, Polar Jam was lots of “jam� and not enough “polar.� The organizers decided to go all out. For a couple hours that night, the Fed Hall patio was turned into an intense outdoor concert arena. They had everything you’d expect and more: an elevated stage; a mini-
ski hill complete with jumps and railings; porta-potties; even a giant inflated beer can. And barely anyone showed up. I’m not a scientist by any means, but I know that human bodies generate heat and that lots of human bodies generate lots of heat. Polar Jam could have done with a few hundred more bodies. But they just weren’t there. It’s a shame really because, despite the severely sub-zero temperatures, all performers toughed it out and put on a great show. Due to a pressing stats assignment deadline, I had to miss out on the first two acts: Saigon Hookers and Intransit. Unfortunate too, since their MySpace pages had shown promise. The remaining openers, Brampton-based “indie rock� trio The Junction and Brassmunk, a hip hop ensemble from Scarborough, got me pumped.
Despite “their guitars going out tune like nobody’s business� and cymbals flying off drum sets, The Junction put on a solid set. Their smooth sound and heart-melting vocals made for a good warmer. During the bridge of the last song, drummer Michael Taylor decided to grab his displaced cymbal and in the process unplugged the guitar. Confusion ensued for a couple of seconds while the crowd suppressed shock and giggles. Being the rock stars they were though, the cymbals were returned, the guitar re-plugged, and the song continued from right where it stopped. All done flawlessly. With bloody hands and the returns from their merch sales, The Junction ran off to Toronto for another outdoor concert. Brassmunk threw in a two-minute warm-up period to profit off the fact that people took their sweet time to trudge out to the stage. The
DJ-cum-MC threw on a mix and did his DJ thing to get the crowd up and moving. Two more MCs joined the fray and began an explosive fusion of skillful rapping and soulful melodies, much like a synthesis of Nelly’s Suit and Sweat albums — except more meaningful and not at all repulsive. Both openers worked off the audience’s low but flowing energy. “Glad to see you guys nodding along to the music,� remarked the lead singer of The Junction. “It’s what keeps us going.� Brassmunk later commented on how the audience’s energy would help launch them on their tour across Canada-wide with Polar Jam being the first stop. It’s all stuff you expect performers to say, but it sure did warm my heart’s cockles.
It begins as one of those days where you’d give your right arm to stay in bed. Health Services is overflowing with suicide pamphlets, but the staff can’t find even one that will help you. Counselling Services refers you to Health Services. The closest you can get are stress management pamphlets — and depression, of course, but not SAD. As December rolled in, the hours of daylight grew scarce, leaving us in darkness for most of the day. Light and dark exert control over our sleeping patterns; too much or not enough of one can seriously affect our circadian rhythm — our 24-hour biological cycle. Mood Disorders Canada believes that too little light is the reason for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Also known as “winter blues,� this mood disorder occurs during the winter or at the end of the summer. SAD patients only tend to experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer. Incidentally, SAD is rare in the tropics. SAD is especially prevalent in mid-latitude places like Vancouver or Seattle, due to the rain.
See JAM, page 18
See SAD, page 13
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For More Locations And Naughty Gift Ideas Visit: www.stagshop.com
Friday, February 2, 2007
news@imprint.uwaterloo.ca News Editor: Suzanne Gardner News Assistant: Narmeen Lakhani
News Imprint
UWIHDA brings attention to social disparities in aboriginal communities Dinh Nguyen staff reporter
Greece
In the hands of many, knitting can be a very useful skill; it can be calming, relaxing and it can even provide profitable jobs. However, under the use of some, it can turn into the scariest thing, capable of sending even the holiest of people running. After accumulating more than 600,000 euros worth of debt from an unsuccessful knitting business, a group of 55 Greek nuns have abandoned their convent and gone into hiding. According to Reuters, the sisters, who all belong to the Saints Kirikos and Ioulitis monastery in Sidirokastro, Greece, had purchased machinery worth 250,000 euros to start their business some few years ago. However, despite supplying several shops with knit-produced products, they ran deeper into debt every year, almost leading their business into bankruptcy. It is believed that the nuns have taken refuge in a monastery in central Greece. The details of this claim have yet to be confirmed. However, it has been reported by the Greek press that the Catholic church of Greece has offered to help pay for the sisters’ debt so that they can come out of hiding. Despite the offered help, the sisters have yet to come out of hiding. Russia
Valerie Broadbent
UWIHDA project members Kim Kaiman, Don Lesar, Dave Siladi, Zack Kuehner, Becky Paetau and Christina Yakobchuk pose with a handmade drum from their trip to the Attawapiskat First Nations community. Suzanne Gardner news editor
Imagine living in a community with a population of 1,300 with only 220 shack-sized homes to house everyone. If you do the math, that works out to approximately six people per house. This is the way of life for members of the Attawapiskat First Nations community, and this is the life that eight University of Waterloo students immersed themselves in for one month. After previously providing social and health assistance to communities in both India and Tanzania, the student-run University of Waterloo International Health Development Association (UWIHDA) turned their
attention to Canada when they visited the aboriginal community from May to June of 2006. “You don’t need to go overseas to find development issues — you can find them in your own backyard,” explained Dave Siladi, UWIHDA’s 2005-2006 executive director. The objective of UWIHDA’s 2006 project was to bring attention to social and health disparities existing among Native Canadians. UWIHDA decided to choose an aboriginal community for their 2006 project because of serious problems these communities face, such as chronic and infectious diseases, low life expectancies and high suicide rates.
Attawapiskat, a northern Ontario Cree community, is completely isolated from the rest of Ontario — the only way in or out of the community is by plane or by boat. Ninety-five per cent of the community identifies themselves as Catholic. Additionally, 80.6 per cent of people under the age of 25 have not earned a high school diploma and school attendance does not seem to be a concern to students or their parents. There are problems with solvent, substance and alcohol abuse — even though Attawapiskat is a “dry” community, people still manage to sneak in alcohol. See ATTAWAPISKAT, page 5
“You don’t need to go overseas to find development issues — you can find them in your own backyard.” —Dave Siladi, UWIHDA’s 2005-2006 executive director
It is that time of the year again. Valentine’s? No, but close. The Russian Miss Atom beauty pageant is where it’s at. The nuclear power sector in Russia and across the former Soviet Union is once again calling for female applicants in the nuclear industry. Their aim is to seek out the industry’s most beautiful women to compete in the Miss Atom 2007 beauty pageant. According to the Associated Press, the pageant, which was founded in 2004, has grown to become popular amongst nuclear industry workers and researchers. In previous years, judges have seen an increase in the number of participants. This year they are looking forward to an increase of applicants from last year’s 220 submissions. In order to compete, contestants must be between 18-35 years of age and work in the nuclear sector in Russia or other ex-Soviet states. The only exception to this rule is open to females of the same age range who are studying nuclear science at Rosenergoatom University, which is in charge of running Russia’s nuclear power stations. Applicants have until February 20, 2007 to submit their applications and photos to www.nuclear.ru. Voting will take place online and winners will receive their prize later at a ceremony. In the meantime, let’s hope their beauty doesn’t radiate throughout the world. dnguyen@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
news
Friday, February 2, 2007
ES prof. discusses the increasing complexities of in-kind food aid Sukhpreet Sangha staff reporter
Although she stands at approximately the same height as the podium she spoke from on January 24 at the Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI), Prof. Jennifer Clapp’s presentation, entitled “The (New) Politics of Food Aid,” was both powerful and compelling.
Particularly, Clapp focused on inkind food aid, which is food donated in actual food form (as bags of grain, bags of rice, etc.), and the problems associated with it. The United States, which provides 45 per cent of global food aid, donates most of it in-kind. Clapp outlined the main problems with in-kind food aid: it distorts markets, is expensive to supply and limits food choices for the country receiving it.
Clapp outlined the main problems with in-kind food aid: it distorts markets, is expensive to supply and limits food choices for the country receiving it. Clapp, who is both the CIGI Chair in International Governance and an associate professor in UW’s environmental studies program, covered the complex topic of food aid, which most people — other than those present at the discussion — presumably know little about.
Clapp also discussed another significant problem with in kind food aid: it is often “tied” to specific conditions. The most blatant example she used was that of U.S. food aid, which must be processed within America and shipped on American steamers, among other stipulations that create
FEB. 5 - 9 STUDENT LIFE CENTRE - M.P.R. 9-8 9-5
forced connections with the U.S. This creates a situation in which 60 per cent of American food aid actually goes back to America itself, consequently distorting their donation figures. In fact, Clapp stated in an interview that “other countries [actually] give similar amounts in per capita terms of food aid.” Thus, Clapp propounded the cash-based food aid system, which has been employed by members of the European Union since 1990. The cash system addresses market distortion, ensures countries can choose what they import, costs 50 per cent less than in-kind food aid, and is able to reach more people in need. Recently, global pressure has been exerted on the U.S. to change their food aid policies, particularly from in kind to cash-based aid. The EU, one of the forerunners in this charge, says that America’s current food aid policies provide an unfair subsidy to American producers. Prof. Clapp argued that, “the Doha negotiations at the [World Trade Or-
ganization] (WTO) may provide the external push that the U.S. needs to reform its policy on in-kind food aid … the Doha Round is potentially going to set rules on phasing out in-kind food aid (by 2013), and if the round is successful, the U.S. will have to conform.” Clapp conceded that this argument is very speculative as “the Doha round may well collapse and is currently suspended.” However, UW associate political science Prof. Gerard Boychuk agrees that “this [Doha] would be a good opportunity for the Bush administration to negotiate food aid away since they are philosophically pre-disposed to dislike these sorts of subsidies.” He also contends that since Congress has not endorsed a growing proportion of U.S. food aid in terms of cash, the Bush administration, “would be likely to domestically portray it as being forced by the WTO.” Therefore, the Doha round is crucial to watch in terms of new regulations on food aid. Both professors also agree that no changes will occur if they are not determined prior to the expiration of President Bush’s Trade Promotion Authority this summer. It
seems that if the proposed changes go through, many political leaders will be rather pleased and the general opinion of American foreign policy may be much improved, even if they don’t usually seem to care. ssangha@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Correction The article “Ian MacKinnon as CRO” in Imprint’s January 26, 2007 issue, incorrectly named Brandon Sweet as Feds’ former CRO. He was actually the former Chief Electoral Officer and currently works in the department of Communication & Public Affairs as a Communications Specialist — not as the university’s vice-president of university relations as stated in the article.. Imprint apologizes for the error.
Federation of Students Election Forums Fri. 2nd Eng Soc Forum 11:30a.m.—1:30p.m. CPH Foyer Wed. 7th
On Campus Student Media Forum 11:00a.m.—2:00p.m. Great Hall, SLC
Thurs. 8th ASU Forum 5:30—7:30p.m. Location TBA Mon. 12th Federation of Students Great Hall Forum 11:00a.m.—2:00p.m. Great Hall, SLC
news
FRIDAY, February 2, 2007
Cops cap the kegs at Unit 36 Brendan Pinto staff reporter
Earlier this term, police shut down a fundraising party at Unit 36 in the Philip Street townhouses. Despite fighting the summons, none of the confiscated equipment has been returned to the organizers. According to the tenants, police issued a $2,000 summons to attend a provincial court, confiscated approximately $1,700 worth in beer and equipment — including eight kegs, their lines and taps. Construction signs, which have been a part of the house for multiple generations of students, were also confiscated. Engineering students have rented Unit 36 for years. Beginning, middle and end of term parties along with several other traditions have been held here, drawing hundreds of engineering students. Keg parties are a staple of such events, often featuring the age-old tradition of boat racing, a popular drinking game. Despite parties of this kind being held to a greater or lesser extent for at least the last 15 years, Inspector Bryan M. Larkin of Waterloo Regional Police Service denied any suggestion of a “crackdown.” “We would like to clarify that any police response to a ‘Keg Party’ is part of our fiduciary duty under provincial legislation, including the Liquor License Act,” he said. After purchasing kegs for the party from the Brick Brewery, the tenants
claimed that officers followed them back to the townhouse. Residents of Unit 36 are convinced that police had sent an “undercover minor” to the party to purchase a cup, after which the police approached the house and sent the crowds home. Police, however, were unequivocal in saying, “We also do not use ‘minors’ and non-police service members as part of our investigative strategies.” Part of the strategy that police have been using involves working with brewer’s retail in tracking the purchase of kegs. Students who live in the house are concerned that this foreshadows an end to the continued operation of Unit 36 as the engineering social hub. In a follow up e-mail with Inspector Larkin, he told Imprint “On January 4, 2007, we proactively met with residents at an address on Phillip Street, Waterloo to discuss information we received that indicated a ‘keg party’ was to occur. Through this meeting, the residents opted not to host such an event.” Members of Unit 36 have looked into licensing future events at a cost of $150 for two hours. This action, coupled with significantly reducing the number of students allowed to attend may allow the house to continue to operate — but with the reduced capacity, the parties and fundraisers will be significantly less profitable. bpinto@imprint.uwaerloo.ca
Attawapiskat: Students detail experiences Continued from page 3
The students from UWIHDA ran an example: “When we got in the HDA group ran anti-bullying activicommunity we realized that [talking ties and some of the kids wrote and several workshops for members of the community during their stay in about] sexuality is not like talking performed an anti-bullying rap. Zack Kuehner, another member of Attawapiskat, focusing on self-help to a group of university students; and leadership, healthy sexual- parents have reservations on talking the project, detailed some of the youth ity, substance abuse and education about that, as do some public health activities in the community, such as nurses.” after-school sports and drum circles. promotion. He also explained the Siladi explained that their prevalence of rap culture emphasis was on collaboration and sharing, stating that, “We thought we were going to amongst the Attawapiskat “You can kind of see “there is a growing body of a certain type of community, youth. the connections between the evidence that when working two communities [African with indigenous populations, but it was very different.” American and Native Americommunity participation is paramount to success.” —Dave Siladi, can]: government neglect, While some of the events UWIHDA’s 2005-2006 executive director oppression and isolation. There is a lack of respect for planned by the UWIHDA authority there and we tried to members were very successUWIHDA project member Becky re-establish this in the youth.” ful, such as a Poker Walk that had 160 “We thought we were going to people in attendance when only 50 Paetkau explained that when they did were expected, others did not work talk with a group of grade seven girls, a certain type of community, but it most of the young women “wanted was very different,” said Siladi. He out as planned. UWIHDA project member Don to grow up and go to college, get urged everyone at the presentation Lesar explained how the group at- a job, get rich and get married to to seek out more information, ask tempted to start a community garden someone who looks like Jonathan questions, spread the word and supbut that the area’s perma-frost made it Cheechoo” — a Moose Cree First port the cause. Nation who plays for the NHL’s San “You’re now considered to be at difficult for the vegetables to grow. least more informed now than you The group also discovered that Jose Sharks. Paetkau also talked about the were when you came in,” Siladi conthe Attawapiskat community was not necessarily ready for capacity build- growing problem of bullying in the cluded. “We just hope that in some community. “We each witnessed and way we can give back to the First ing in all areas, as they found a lot of resistance to some of their attempts intercepted incidents of bullying,” Nations community.” at social improvement. Siladi cited she said. sgardner@imprint.uwaterloo.ca In response to this issue, the UWItheir healthy sexuality workshop as
news
Friday, February 2, 2007
WEEF controversy wanting answers A closer look at the Waterloo Engineering Endowment Fund: where the money comes from and where it goes
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After the first three weeks of each term, the time allocated for refunds, faculty and students submit various proposals to WEEF requesting funding in different areas. WEEF directors sit as chairpersons among a funding council comprised of class student representatives when deciding on proposals but do not get a vote unless there is a tie. After much deliberation on each proposal, the funding council allocates a certain amount to projects that would benefit the most. Fifty per cent or more of the funds go towards specific department requests, and a great portion of the remainder helps student teams. To claim the money each project has to fill out a request for payment form or a requisition form,
he expressed his belief that the WEEF fee is so controversial because it is a substantially higher amount of $75 that is based on an opt-out system rather than an opt-in system. Also, some students don’t see the results of the endowment fund directly if they are not aware of some of the new projects and teams that WEEF contributes to. A more recent argument against WEEF has been that the funding is taking over the responsibility of what should be the faculty of engineering’s duty towards funding. WEEF is giving
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is how the faculty operates), this wouldn’t happen.” In response to this claim, Jeffrey Aho, who was at the time a member of the Feds Board of Directors, commented, “WEEF works to a certain degree on the concept of altruism. While the money I give now won’t benefit me as much in the present, it will benefit people in the future… This creates a snowballing effect which will increase benefits to the future (as the original donations keep gaining interest as the new ones are added and their interest is added).” In recent discussion with Aho, now a director for the engineering society,
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The Waterloo Engineering Endowment Fund (WEEF), founded in 1990 to support undergraduate studies in the faculty of engineering, has faced a number of student allegations of corruption and mishandling of funds in the past couple of years. WEEF’s website describes its motives: “WEEF collects donations and puts them into a fund. The interest earned on the fund is spent each year on undergrad laboratory equipment, student projects, computer upgrades and academic tools/ teaching facilities.” Accusations against WEEF reached a point of heated controversy in 2004 with the release of various anti-WEEF posters. The posters expressed that the funding was being misused towards increases in salaries for professors and other things far from the objective of updating equipment for the Faculty of Engineering. The posters also used irony and sarcasm to claim that it is “deceitful” to charge engineering students the endowment fee and then express distasteful responses when students requested a refund. Many students supported and continue to foment this anti-WEEF response through blogs. One argument was that WEEF is not cost-effective in its accumulation
of interest over time for funding. One blogger from http://hailtotheweef.blogspot.com wrote that “the cost that balances out the gain of interest, in general, is the delay in spending the principal… If on the other hand students, or the faculty, spent the money in the same term that the funds were raised (and this
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away money to causes that other departments have full capability to contribute towards. In an extensive interview, WEEF director Maria Arshad described the responsibilities and logistics of the organization. WEEF is completely run by engineering students. They elect the WEEF directors for a period of 16 months, who then recruit assistants through submitted applications.
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ensuring that each amount is spent as has been proposed and no mishandling occurs. This is the university policy: “We have to be very careful how we use the money,” Arshad emphasized. On the subject of the automatic charge of the WEEF fee, Arshad commented that the procedure is just “logistically better.” It takes a lot more time and resources to set up a system for students to voluntarily donate to WEEF. She added that anywhere
On Campus This Week 4v4 DOTA tournament. $30 per team to compete. Prize money awarded. UW Campus Cove
Friday
Waterloo Intercodia Group hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Sr.Leona White room in Sweeney Hall SJU 5P.M. to 9P.M.
Saturday
Water Fitness @ Waterloo. One day meeting for future water fintess instructors. Contact Campus Rec for more info
Sunday
Co-op Students’ Council Meeting to discuss service and governance review for various committees.
Feds front office 5:30P.M. to 7 P.M.
Monday
between 25 per cent to 40 per cent of engineering students opt out of the WEEF fee. This is not to say that she reproaches those who fall into this category. Arshad said that WEEF plays an important role as a parallel organization to the university in terms of funding. It functions to “enhance” equipment rather than claim to replace it, furthering progress by a few years. She cannot say whether the lack of WEEF would mean a downfall in progress for engineering students, but it was created because there was a lack in updated technology for the faculty’s benefit. WEEF is now the largest Canadian student-run endowment fund, furthering Waterloo’s reputation as a prominent engineering university. Regarding the controversy, Arshad believes that engineering students have the right to decide where their money is spent and should voice their complaints or concerns directly and actively with WEEF. The organization has not been able to promote a positive settlement to this controversy due to lack of volunteers and active participants. In a closing note, Arshad added, “WEEF is in existence for the academic benefit of the students in the faculty of engineering. If a student has a complaint or concern, I encourage them to browse WEEF’s website (www.weef. uwaterloo.ca) or they can contact me at weef@engmail.uwaterloo.ca. I would love to set up a time and have a chat with them. This semester there will be elections for the new WEEF director and engineering students are encouraged to run for office and vote.” nlakhani@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Lecture with Michael M’Gonigle on regional and planetary sustainability. Festival Room SCH 7P.M. to 9P.M
Regional job fair with Conestoga, Uof Guelph, UW, and WLU. RIM Park 10 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Tuesday
Wednesday
COMPASS Points Encounter every week. uwcompass@ gmail.com for more info. SLC 3103 5 P.M.
Thursday
FRIDAY, February 2, 2007
news
When the pot calls the kettle black New attack ads by the Conservative party merely “schoolyard pettiness” against the Liberal opposition
One of the hallmarks of the Westminster style of government in Canada is that there are no fixed election dates. The thinking goes that without fixed election dates, the politicians will spend more time governing than running for office. In theory campaigning is limited to an actual campaign period. An example of fixed election dates going wrong is our neighbours to the south. The next presidential campaign is still a year away, and already candidates are jockeying for the next ticket. I’m reminded of this with the recent advertising campaign by the Conservative Party of Canada attacking Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party. If you haven’t caught the ads yet, you’ll see them during the Superbowl — a deliberate choice, no doubt, for a party with clear Yankeephilic tendencies. If you miss the Superbowl, you can catch them on the Conservative Party website. So what’s wrong with attacking the opposition? After all, politics is about clash, give and take, and proving that you’re right. In this case, there are a few problems. First, Parliament has barely been in session a week at this point. The Liberals barely had a chance to say anything before the Conservatives hammered home the Liberal record. The
first Question Period of the session devolved into this standard question and answer format: Liberal MP: Why didn’t you do this? Tory MP: So what? Neither did you! Granted, the Liberal record is not clean, but they aren’t the ones in power right now. The Conservatives have had more than enough to time to leave their mark. If they continue to campaign against the Liberal record, the Liberals might just return the favour. I can see the Liberal campaign slogan now: “The Tories spent more time complaining about the Liberals than governing. Vote Liberal: at least we’ll govern.” Second, the series of 30-second ads strike not only of electioneering, but also American-style personal attacks that avoid actual issues. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth anyone? Perhaps more appropriately, a flip-flopping John Kerry on a sailboard. A series of out of context soundbites and press clippings, repeated several times in the same ad does not a sophisticated critique make. Third, isn’t there some saying about it’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness? It sounds to me as if the current government prefers to complain about the fact that the previous government left the lights turned off rather than find the light switch themselves. This is particularly true for environmental policies. When the Conservatives came to power, the environment was clearly not one of their top priorities. After a dramatic shift in public opinion that began to take serious notice of the environment, the current government has had to do some quick backpedaling.
Airing campaign-style ads when a government should be governing is not good government, it is schoolyard pettiness. Finally, I have written before about the current government’s fixation with the term “New.” Calling themselves Canada’s New Government
worked right after the election campaign. Now that they’ve been in power for over a year, it’s time to drop it. When do new parents stop calling themselves new parents? nmoogksoulis@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
NOTICE OF MEETING Imprint Publications, Waterloo is holding its
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING on Tuesday, Feburary 13, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Student Life Centre 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1 THE PROPOSED AGENDA FOR THE MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS: 1. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS 2. PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, 2005/2006 3. APPOINTING THE 2007/2008 AUDITOR 4. PRESENTATION OF THE 2007/2008 BUDGET 5. POLICY AMENDMENT RATIFICATION** 7. ELECTION OF THE 2007/2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 8. ADJOURNMENT ** Proposed policy amendments are available in the Imprint office, SLC room1116 Proxy forms are available in the Imprint office and are due by Monday, Feburary 12 at 3:00 p.m Letters of intent to run for Imprint’s Board of Directors should be submitted to Imprint’s president by Friday, Feburary 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact president Jeff Anstett by e-mail at president@imprint.uwaterloo.ca, or by phone at (519) 888-4048
Friday, February 2, 2007
opinion@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Opinion Editor: Anya Lomako Opinion Assistant: Brendan Pinto
Friday, February 2, 2007 — Vol. 29, No. 25
Attention all idiots, don’t vote
Student Life Centre, Room 1116 University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 P: 519.888.4048 F: 519.884.7800 imprint.uwaterloo.ca Editor-in-chief, Tim Alamenciak editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Advertising & Production Manager, Laurie Tigert-Dumas ads@imprint.uwaterloo.ca General Manager, Catherine Bolger cbolger@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Editorial Staff Assistant Editor, Margaret Clark Cover Editor, Dinh Nguyen Photo Editor, Michael L. Davenport Assistant Photo Editor, Valerie Broadbent Graphics Editor, Christine Ogley Assistant Graphics Editor, Angelo Florendo Web Editor, Mohammad Jangda Assistant Web Editor, vacant Systems Administrator, Gautam Khanna Sys. Admin. Assistant, Peter Gibbs Lead Proofreader, Emma Tarswell Proofreaders Linda Kong Ting, Shivaun Hoad, Adrienne Raw, Duncan Ramsay, Tim Foster, Steven R. McEvoy
Last year’s Feds election was a farce. I mean, the candidates elected ended up doing fairly well, but some decisions were clearly influenced by some gitchy popularity factor. Instead of pleading with you to vote vote vote this year, I want to plead with you to grow an interest in the election and educate yourself. Don’t vote if you’re an idiot — plain and simple. The election of Sai Kit Lo was nothing short of a William Hung-esque popularity fiasco. Multiple people talked about voting for him without knowing exactly why save for all the cool people who trumpeted his name. His run as vice-president internal has been far from good. Like a koala trying to assemble a computer, Lo seemed to falter at every step. During one of our Friday meetings, the Feds exec and I jammed while waiting for lunch and,
of course, Lo to show. Vice-president education Jeff Henry candidly discussed the division of duties during president Michelle Zakrison’s leave of absence. “It’s about 45 per cent [vice-president administration and finance] Renjie [Butalid], 45 per cent me, and 10 per cent Sai Kit,” he said. Of the 20 committee seats listed in Henry’s e-mail, three of them are being taken over by Lo, 6 by Henry and the remaining 11 by Butalid. Based on Feds policies, the majority of the duties are to be taken by the vice president administration and finance and divvied up among the executives. Lo’s duties include supervising orientation for the tens of frosh that may show up before Lo’s flaccid reign comes to an end. He also sits on the wildlife rehabilitation task force and has a seat on the SLC management board — a board that Butalid will be supervising and chairing. Please, for the benefit of students everywhere, if you’re going to sheep along and vote for the candidate who most resembles an internet meme, don’t vote at all. To top off Lo’s list of accomplishments, he recently decided to make the once-public IFC and IAC mailing lists private. At our lunch he said this
Postscript
was because some members of the committee may feel uncomfortable discussing things over e-mail when “just anybody” could be reading it. It’s a public committee. These are public for a reason. If secret discussions are going on, don’t tiptoe around the whole thing. Wuss. But as much as it seems fit to direct all criticisms towards Lo, we have to remember that the executive is a team. The four of them must work well together — particularly when their leader is more preoccupied with farcical fights like the Great Tim Hortons Battle of 2006 rather than actually leading and managing a team. I predicted that this year would pass on the level. A comfortable executive sitting back and maintaining the status quo. Things are looking grim for the elections with two reruns, Zakrison and Royal. We’ll see if they can bring anything new to the table. The bottom line is to do your research. Meet the candidates and break through their politispeak exterior. Come to the media forums; read the newspaper; listen to The O’Fishbein Factor. If you don’t do your research, don’t vote. Or at the very least, write “I’m an idiot” on your ballot. editor@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Graham Moogk-Soulis
Production Staff Kaitlin Ojamae, Kaitlan Huckabone, Chris Miller Office Staff Distribution, Andrea Meyers Distribution, Amy Pfaff Sales Assistant, Kristen Miller Volunteer Co-ordinator, Angela Gaetano Board of Directors board@imprint.uwaterloo.ca President, Jeff Anstett president@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Vice-president, Adam Gardiner vp@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Treasurer, Jacqueline McKoy treasurer@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Secretary, Stephen Eaton secretary@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Staff liaison, Darren Hutz staffliason@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Imprint is the official student newspaper of the University of Waterloo. It is an editorially independent newspaper published by Imprint Publications, Waterloo, a corporation without share capital. Imprint is a member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA). Editorial submissions may be considered for publication in any edition of Imprint. Imprint may also reproduce the material commercially in any format or medium as part of the newspaper database, Web site or any other product derived from the newspaper. Those submitting editorial content, including articles, letters, photos and graphics, will grant Imprint first publication rights of their submitted material, and as such, agree not to submit the same work to any other publication or group until such time as the material has been distributed in an issue of Imprint, or Imprint declares their intent not to publish the material. The full text of this agreement is available upon request. Imprint does not guarantee to publish articles, photographs, letters or advertising. Material may not be published, at the discretion of Imprint, if that material is deemed to be libelous or in contravention with Imprint’s policies with reference to our code of ethics and journalistic standards. Imprint is published every Friday during fall and winter terms, and every second Friday during the spring term. Imprint reserves the right to screen, edit and refuse advertising. One copy per customer. Imprint ISSN 0706-7380. Imprint CDN Pub Mail Product Sales Agreement no. 40065122. Next board meeting: Tuesday, February 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Looking forward to a Pampers-free lifestyle
I spent this past Friday night babysitting for my big brother. While I love my two-month-old nephew and two-year-old niece to death, that night was pretty much a trial-by-fire ordeal for me. I am not a “baby person” — nor have I ever been. I played with stuffed animals and Barbies, never baby dolls and strollers. As a child, I dreamed of growing up and owning a dog — my mom has a fear of dogs, so I’ve never owned one — not having a baby of my own. Yet, as I adamantly tell family and friends I have no desire to have children, they give me a knowing smile and say, “You will.” As if one day I will wake up and think, “Gee, I guess it’s time to have a baby.” We live in a society that has a very structured idea about what course your life should take. You go to school, you get married, you have kids. Despite the “traditional” nuclear families being fewer, the expectation that you will, someday, have children, is still there.
I read an article this past summer in Bitch that detailed the struggles a lot of child-free by choice women face. The idea that they are accused of selfishness, greed, and “not doing their part” was very intriguing. Writing this article, I merely Googled the word “childfree” and a whole plethora of organizations, support-groups and resources for childfree parents popped up. Kitchener-Waterloo even has its own chapter of “No Kidding!” a social club and support group for adults sick of friends who can only discuss potty training and ballet recitals. The number of couples that are child-free by choice is on the rise. It’s clear I won’t be alone in my Pampers-less lifestyle; however, it’s also clear that those who choose not to have children are still marginalized, as though there’s something wrong with them. I don’t hate children — I just don’t have the patience for them. Far too many people have children for entirely the wrong reasons: they want to carry on the family name, their up-bringing prescribes it, they don’t want to die alone, etc. So what if my biological clock never starts to tick? The world is overpopulated as it is. Humans do need to procreate to continue the species — but should everyone necessarily do it?
Having children for the wrong reasons is worse than not having them at all. I would make a terrible mother. I literally panic when trying to hold a newborn, I have way too short a temper to be able to handle a toddler for more than a few hours on end, I like my space and my freedom. I would much rather be a great aunt than be a terrible mother merely to fulfill societal norms. Honestly, the world is better off without another me in it. People who have children, and have them for the right reasons — actually wanting to raise a good person, for one — should be applauded; but so should those who choose for equally right reasons not to procreate. I’m not selfish for choosing to have a childless future — sure, I’ll have more time, money, freedom and space than my child-bearing counterparts — but, frankly, it would be easier to go the more traditional route. I’m prepared for the “So, when are you having kids?” and telling a future mate about my reproductive choices. I don’t mean to degrade the beauty of having a child — it just isn’t for me. The whole idea of pregnancy has always seemed very parasitic to me. Think about it, something literally lives off your body for nine months. So, I’ll skip the Mother’s Days and keep my future tantrum and placenta free. acsanady@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
opinion
Friday, February 2, 2007
Have your drugs and eat them, too UW pitch a problem?
From its humble beginnings of hocking allergy medication to an eager, sniffling public, pharmaceutical advertising has blossomed into an over $4 billion a year hypochondriac wet dream. Unfortunately for the industry, general population watchdogs foaming at the mouth with rabid concern for public well-being want to stop these kind folks from letting you know about the newest and truest cures to hit the shelves. Direct-to-consumer advertising is filled to the tits with advantages over your run of the mill consulting a doctor. Let’s just say I can’t sleep some nights. The multitude of things a doctor would recommend you try first is as long and complicated as a list of drug side effects. Cut out coffee, exercise regularly and practise meditation? Why don’t I just get my nails done while I’m at it? Listen, just give me a pill and I’ll be on my way. But where do I find these pills? How
do I properly harass my doctor? Enter drug commercials. These beautiful 30-second spots give me exactly what I need. The main trade association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, defends their practices, and why shouldn’t they? How is medicine you probably don’t need any different than every other product on television advertised for that you probably don’t need? Dominick Frosch, an assistant professor of medicine derides these commercials. I’d first like to point out that Dominick is an anagram for omnidick. That’s the worst kind of dick. He and his research team analyzed 38 ads, narrowly focusing on the fact that while 82 per cent made factual claims, only 26 per cent gave information on causes and risk factors. They also highlight that 95 per cent of the ads made “emotional appeals” and 78 per cent implied that use of the drug would result in social approval. The sooner you realise you social ineptitude is a result of your allergies, the sooner I’ll be able to get over everything I hate about your red-eyed wheezy ass. Finally, despite the fact that most of these drugs go through a 10-15 year FDA approval process, 58 per cent of the drugs advertised were
portrayed as medical breakthroughs. Interestingly enough, 100 per cent of readers felt there were way too many statistics in that report. The United States and New Zealand are the only countries to allow pharmaceuticals to advertise on television. Canadians can get some of these, but only a watered down equivalent of the average 16 hours per year our neighbours to the south spend watching these commercials. This average is actually significantly higher than the amount of time Americans spend in consultation with their doctor. This is actually a better arrangement. If you spent all that time talking to a doctor, they’ll be totally gay for your health and won’t just give you the drugs you want now. They’ll probably stress the side effects, or tell you the medication is for chronic sleep problems, or that it’s for people with real erectile dysfunction. I have a reputation to medically contrive, damnit! I saw how happy those people in the commercial were so I don’t want a lecture, I want to feel how those actors looked. I’m Brendan Pinto and I’m single (but if that Viagra commercial is right, not for long), so tell your friends.
” “
bpinto@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Quote of the Week
The future ain’t what it used to be.
— Casey Stengall
We are all aware of the benefits that regular exercise has on human life. These benefits range from increased levels of energy and mental focus, to meeting new people and being part of a team, to increased life longevity. The list is all but endless and having been one who has played soccer for the past 17 years, I can attest to these bounties first hand. However, my aim is not to inform everyone how good exercise is for you, rather to address a problem of application of this concept called exercise. The problem I am referring to, one that affected copious amounts of UW students in 2006 is the utterly ill state of repair of the outdoor sports fields at the Columbia Ice Fields Complex. I know what everyone is thinking, “Hey wise guy, it’s February and there’s snow on the ground, get a life”. Because I have played on these fields for numerous years with their conditions often degrading, I thought it would be worth noting regardless of the season. Having played on an intramural soccer team this past fall, I had the privilege of playing on each of the different pitches at the Ice Fields. I have never, in my life, played on such muddy, wet and unpredictable fields in my life. Of course, it is quite entertaining to play with some mud on the field, but sinking vertically down four to six inches is ridiculous! I’m sure that it is probably
expensive, but is there not some sort of drainage system that could be put in place to alleviate or even eliminate this problem? The entire landscape would probably have to be revamped, but it seems idiotic to spend a large amount of money on such an advanced sports and recreational complex, only to weasel out of equally advanced fields and settle for the muck on which we play. We could take some pride in our athletics and build our own Waterloo stadium on campus, rather than trekking to Laurier to “share” that stadium with them whenever it happens to be vacant. Let us not forget the expense paid by this fine institution to have virtually harmless animals, which also happen to be our national symbol, killed in underwater traps, rather than live traps and relocating them safely elsewhere. Perhaps we could reassign some of our Beaver Defense funds to athletics. One can only imagine the mentality of a big financial decision maker at UW who gets a request from a recreational sports player for better facilities…“dream on, wise guy.” — Owen Slater Environment and business
Peter Trinh
Ace your midterms, all you need is good location
With midterms fast approaching, study time is at a premium. The thing is that no one really wants to study. If you say you do, then that makes you a dirty liar. There, I said it. With that being the case, it’s best to be efficient. And just like in real estate, one of the keys to efficient studying is location. So where is the best place to study on campus? I’m not going to tell you. If I do, you’ll just steal my spot and that’s not cool. Instead, I’ll tell you the pros and cons of a few campus study spots and let you make your own decisions.
If you haven’t really done much studying before, it may be news to you that there are actually two libraries on campus. Right in the middle of campus is the ten story behemoth known as the Dana Porter library. Contrary to popular belief, this library is not only good for spelling profanity that can be seen from miles away, but can also be used to study in. It’s widely accepted that the best part about the DP (as the kids call it) is that it’s really tall. This not only gives students an excellent view of the city while studying, but the scarce air allows one to simultaneously train for long distance running events (the effect is greatly increased if you take the stairs). The DP is also known for being nice and quiet. If you have a high boredom threshold, then this is a big advantage. If you don’t, you may find yourself trying to push over bookshelves or setting off fireworks just to break the
suffocating silence. The other library on campus is the DC library. “Club DC” (again, as the kids call it), is the only place on campus besides the University Club with a dress code. This can be a good place for studying in a group or playing capture the flag. It also has decent private study booths if you can get one sufficiently far from the dance floor. The loud music, flashing lights and smoke machine tend to be a little distracting. The next spot isn’t really on campus, but is still an option if you have the fortitude of will to risk your life. I’m talking about the Wilfrid Laurier library, which is very creatively named Laurier Library. This library is a nice middle ground between the absolute sterility of the DP and the “house party” feel of DC. The big problem is that WLU students don’t
take kindly to UW spies. You’ll want to leave your UW gear at home and learn the WLU lingo (which I think is Spanish) so that you can look and sound like you belong. Even so, make sure to keep your eyes open and have an exit strategy if things go south. Another option is to find an open building somewhere on campus. Once you’ve infiltrated such a building, seek out an empty room and set up your makeshift study facility. A popular building for this squatter-style studying is the math building. For those who don’t know, the math building is the giant prisonesque building between DC and the SLC. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll find a good room in the math building unless you have your own office there. Even then, you might want to keep a can of air freshener handy, just to be on the safe side.
The last study spot that I’m going to mention is the Bomber. While I certainly don’t advocate studying at the Bomber in general, I do think it’s important that everyone tries it at least once so that they can see for themselves why it’s such a bad idea. Accepting my word that the Bomber is a terrible place to study would make you a mindless drone; trying it for yourself to see if I’m full of shit is called “critical thinking” and that’s a key life skill. If you take only one thing away from this column, let it be that not studying at the Bomber makes you a vacuous, asinine pawn. If you can’t find a sweet spot to study after that in-depth breakdown, then you might be beyond hope and should really consider dropping out. Good luck and happy midterming. rhuneault@imprint.uwaterloo
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Fresh lovin’ appreciated
To the editor, I want to applaud Shayna Sparling for her latest Lovin’ in the Loo. A departure from the tried and true classics of how to please your man/ woman is long since overdue, and much appreciated. Branching out into sexuality as opposed to just sex tips is something that brings up many new areas to explore; perhaps visits with GLOW and other similar groups could bring up new discussions on the topics, beyond merely the associated battles in Parliament and the courts. I eagerly await future articles of all kinds from Imprint which dare to break with convention and bravely and successfully strike new grounds, even in the face of critics. From
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this article though, I would love to champion the issue put forth by anthropologist Gillian Bently by suggesting that we all try to help save babies and support government funded breast implants, lest more babies risk suffocation or the possible development of respiratory conditions. Props to Shayna. Props to Imprint. — Andy Daniels Civil engineering
Provocative vs. tasteless
To the editor, The philosophy described in the article “Vancouver lessons: fuck shit up” (Imprint, volume 25, number 24 explains the logic behind some of the poor quality articles in the Imprint over the past year or wo. A good provocative editor is someone who can read an article objectively to determine if it should be printed. He or she will ask themselves questions like “Is this important?”, “Do people care about this?” and “Should people
care about this?” and ask these questions objectively, despite the possible response. They will print the important story even if it means offending people. A bad editor subscribes to the philosophy mentioned in the article. They may idolize the good editor and think to themselves that the actual stirring of the pot is a good thing and that it shows you are strong and fearless. This type of editor will read a story subjectively and ask “Will this offend people? If so, it must be a good story.” For example, the article mentioned “Cheriton deal immoral”. A guy donates tons of money to our school. Is it important to criticize his relationship with his wife and kids? Definitely not. Does anyone care about his personal life? No. Should people care about his personal life? Not really, it is none of their business. Therefore, this is not a good story to print. However, does the story offend people? It certainly does. — Krzysztof Dziewa 3B engineering
Illogical, unintelligent, uninformed
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I was reading Imprint this week and was appalled at an article written by Brendan Pinto. Mr. Pinto presented his opinions in a way that was discriminatory and hateful toward the followers of all religions but especially to Christians. I’m not sure I have ever heard someone in an academic setting call followers of religion “a bunch of A-holes” before. In the university environment, we expect and encourage logical and informed debate. In my opinion, Mr. Pinto’s arguments were neither logical, intelligent nor informed. It is obvious that Mr. Pinto has not studied Christianity or the Bible. I have. If he had, he would know that in no part of the Bible did Jesus ask his followers to kill any “non-Christians for the glory of his name” or for any other reason. Jesus condemned killing.
There are two more points I would like to address. First, as a Roman Catholic Chaplain at St. Jerome’s I took offence at the comments about Catholic priests. He stated that “If it weren’t for the Catholic Church, we wouldn’t have molestations.” It is true that there were priests that ruined people’s lives through sexual abuse and many good priests, including the Chaplain I work with, have to live in the shadow caused by their sin. While we expect more of religious leaders, it is wrong and hurtful to say that all priests and the whole Catholic Church are responsible for the presence of sexual molestation in society. The biggest cover-up of sexual abuse occurs throughout the world in all cultures — in families. Families have covered up the presence of incest as long as there have been families. Generations of children have grown up keeping the abuse they suffered at the hands of family members a secret. Even today victims feel such shame that it is often too painful to talk about. Instead they
keep quiet and hope that they were the only victim. They want to believe their perpetrator would not go on and abuse others, even though this is rarely the case. In the Church, brave victims were able to help ensure that Church leaders would not be able to turn a blind eye any longer. When will we do the same so that family members, neighbours, doctors, caregivers and others will not get away with molestations that are happening today across the world? The last point I wish to respond to is Mr. Pinto’s comment about Communism. Under Stalin’s rule it was not Utopia. He was responsible for the deaths of anywhere from three to sixty million people. Once again, if Mr. Pinto’s arguments were intelligent, I could see him being given a place to voice his concerns. Unfortunately Mr. Pinto’s ignorance and arrogance were given a forum in Imprint and I ask the editor to be more prudent in the future. — Melinda Szilva RC Chaplain at St. Jerome’s/UW and Chair of the UW Chaplain’s Association
Next issue’s topics
The Podium
How often should Feds elections be held? Hasyourco-opexperience been rewarding or disappointing? Imprint wants to know your stand on these issues. Submit an editorial of approximately 500 words to opinion@imprnt.uwaterloo.ca
opinion
Friday, February 2, 2007
Children of Men an intelligent masterpiece worth seeing
To the editor, In response to a previous film review on Children of Men, I feel I should elaborate on the major impacts of the movie and why people should not just wait for it to be released on DVD. This movie has an array of breakthrough action scenes and perfectly depicts, in a non-extravagant manner, a realistic perspective of a dystopian society in the next 20 years. This cinematic experience is upclose and personal and will most definitely get a reaction out of the audience. The camera work is what I can only describe as stunning and eyecatching with breakthrough innovative approaches to camera shots. A vehicle had been modified to the extent that the seats could be made to tilt and lower the actors out of the way, preparing for a series of clear and concise camera shots from radical angles. The windscreen of the car had also been altered so it would be possible to allow camera movements in and through the front windscreen — this scene definitely has your eyes locked to the big screen, which only enhances the picturesque adventure. The movie is brilliantly done in the way that there is a constant overarching feel of imposing chaos. Torture, terrorism and all-out war flavour the movie as refugees slowly fill the streets and racial tensions overflow into conflict. Claustrophobia, panic, and hopelessness grip the audience as the movie builds up to a satisfying grand conflict. Yet, we’re left with the feeling of disgust in ourselves for the sheer destruction and cruelty that the movie shows as being within human capabilities. “The beauty of this film is that it creates a world we can all believe
in” (Alan Hunter, Daily Express). It takes a brilliant approach to depicting an oppressive social order with such verisimilitude that the audience can accept and come to terms with. This is a movie that the majority will enjoy; if you liked V for Vendetta, Gattaca, The Matrix, A Clockwork Orange, Blade Runner or 12 Monkeys, you’ll highly enjoy Children of Men. Children of Men offers inventive energy, ferocious intelligence and yet affirmation of the life against the most calamitous circumstances” (Gene Seymour, www.Newsday.com). Don’t miss out on the cinema experience; see it as soon as you can. Waiting for the DVD will not do this movie justice. — Melissa Buckell Environment and planning
Back off little skeptic
To the editor, After reading the Friday January 5, 2007, edition of Imprint, I came across the article, “Back off Big Environment” by Brendan Pinto. As a first year environment and business student I must say that I am a little bit concerned with many of the allegations Mr. Pinto made regarding global warming. Mr. Pinto has some guts to start out with a statement like “the myth of global warming…” Any scientist, and probably any person living in Southern Ontario this winter, would note that global warming is not a myth: it is a fact. The earth’s average temperature has skyrocketed in the last 100 years. Any debate on the issue of global warming is not whether or not the world is getting warmer, but rather what is causing this warming. Furthermore, Mr. Pinto continues by saying that scientists are trying to convince the public that global warming is caused by hydrocarbons in order to achieve their own economic benefits. His argument continues that once people stop spending their money on hydrocarbons they will have more money to put into environmental campaigns like Greenpeace. This idea is absurd. The fact is that thousands
of scientists have agreed and provided many reports, like the IPCC being published in February, proving that global warming is caused by the consumption of fossil fuels. It is also clear that the only scientists that seem to disagree with this relatively consistent perspective are those that are working for petroleum companies. However, even this concept is no longer true because many of the major oil companies, like Shell and British Petroleum, are now admitting to the linkage between global warming and fossil fuel consumption. Fossil fuels are creating many health and safety hazards for people all over the world. Not only is it the cause of global warming but it is also causes such things as acid rain, smog, and land degradation. Even if someone is completely against the idea of global warming there are dozens of other benefits to using alternatives. — Barry O’Doherty Environment and Business
Citizenship act against nation’s best interest
To the editor, After reading the article, “Students born outside Canada may lose citizenship status after age 28,” published on January 19, I felt compelled to express my disagreement with the enforcement of Section 8 of the Citizenship Act. With the Canadian growth rate already on the decline, how is Canada going to be able to sustain its current standard of living without the help of immigrants? Although some may argue that this act works as a good security measure, it will cause a severe dent in the Canadian economy and its growth. As of 2006, Canada’s growth rate was estimated to be 0.88. What this means is any value below 1.0 is considered a declining growth rate; thus, the current growth rate in Canada is not large enough to maintain the present population size. In order to keep the economy at its existing size and standard of living, we rely on im-
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migrants. Canadian immigration will not only sustain the population but it will also increase the valuable assets of knowledge and skilled labour. The enforcement of this section of the Citizenship Act will negatively affect immigrants currently living in Canada and it will also deter future immigrants from coming to Canada.
Canadian immigration will not only sustain the population but it will also increase the valuable assets of knowledge and skilled labour. The immigration process is already slow enough as it is. Many people looking to migrate choose countries other than Canada, such as the U.S., because they have a faster process with less restrictive policies. If Canada is looking to draw more immigrants to sustain or increase our economic growth, this is not the right way to go about it. The implementation of Section 8 will turn out to be more of a hassle and a detriment to the country than a benefit. I suggest that the government re-examine its stance on this issue. — Jennifer Mansell 1B environment and business
Refundable bus pass a riskier move than flat-rate system
To the editor, In his article published January 19, Mr. Davenport was right to say that a U-pass referendum is not a matter of will it happen, but when it will happen. Mr. Adams’ petition, circulated last week and with over 2,200 signatures, proves that the U-pass is a hot topic for students.
The most recent move was by Mr. Henry at the previous council meeting passing a motion to delay a referendum on a non-refundable bus pass. Instead, the Feds will gather and analyze additional information for a refundable bus pass. Though laudable in an egalitarian sense, this move is a risky one. If results do not come promptly and exactly how students want it, the issue could escalate into something ugly. An equation that includes all possible variables, while possessing a high degree of accuracy, is immensely difficult to calculate. The same will be true with a U-pass that will try to accommodate all people, transit users, car owners and otherwise. An additional roadblock for a refundable U-pass comes from our heroes of congestion and long walks, the GRT. If the Feds have the creativity and know-how to hash out a refundable bus pass system, the next issue is the GRT who, like any business needing to reduce risks when investing, cannot offer a variable rate to the Feds; a bus still costs $250,000 regardless of ridership. The GRT will want a flat rate (most likely where the value of $41.67 per person per term was derived from). If people began declining the service and asking for their share back, the Feds have to foot the difference. Either the bus pass will be more expensive, or compensatory funds will be drawn out of other Feds activities, which is something that would disappoint everyone. Feds has good intentions by looking into a refundable bus pass system, but this is far riskier and more difficult to implement than a flat-rate system, especially if the wellinformed student body is told that it will cost more or take longer to implement. Unless an easy, no-nonsense method or system of implementing or maintaining a refundable bus pass system can be conceived, the U-pass will cost excessive time, effort and money, something that no one wants or can afford. — Eric Bays Environment and planning
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Friday, February 2, 2007
Across
How do you pass time in a boring class? By Dinh Nguyen
“I talk to the hot girl sitting closest to me.” Benjamin Clarke 4B history
“I think of the outfit I’m going to wear out on the weekend.” Meredith Ovenden 1B arts
1. Greek cheese 5. Chronic drinkers 9. Chuck up 14. Translucent gem 15. Back end; British insult 16. Hawaiian hello 17. Consciousness 18. Zits 19. Heathen 20. James Bond and Austin Powers 23. Home county of Windsor 24. Body suit 28. Relating to diazonium 32. Useless info 33. August 6, 1945 37. Ghanian currency 38. International Left Opposition 39. Brightly coloured birds 42. First-year pad 43. Blatant promotion 45. The science of elements 47. Gate-busting explosive device 50. Full-grown person 51. Pereninial herb 53. American mascot 57. Loot (three words) 61. Spiny plants 64. The centre of the earth 65. Clothing 66. Short 67. Contributions to the poor 68. Bono’s bandmate 69. Chilling 70. All that’s left 71. Papyrus
Down
1. Influential choreographer
“Guess.” Joel Nielsen
1B civil engineering
“Doodle or sleep.” Laura (Tuesday star flower) Contini 1B civil engineering
“I imagine the professors teaching in their underwear.” Chen Lu Li
“I don’t, I skip them.” Katrina Sauvé
“Play Pac-Man… No, literally!!!” Josh Oakes
“Daydream about France.” Ashley Mariani & Alex Furieri
2B drama
1B civil engineering
Biomedical sciences
2B sexuality, marriage and family therapy and 3A French studies
January 27 Solutions
2. Fencing swords
3. Soapy silicates 4. White pasta sauce 5. Petty fight 6. Keiko the whale 7. Space drink 8. Knife sharpener 9. Toronto basketball player 10. Stretchy band 11. Coat or cloak 12. Chinese tea 13. Chinese dynasty 21. Take up space 22. A fisherman’s friend 25. “_____ your gaze!” 26. Passenger 27. Hal’s final song in 2001 29. Take on me, take me on do do do do! 30. Bluish white metal 31. Largest Nebraskan city
33. Thick-skinned mammal 34. Sicker 35. Way to destination 36. Old people 40. Flightless bird 41. Aroused and angry 44. Comic writer 46. Uneven gait 48. Develop complicating consequences 49. Building block of life 52. Academy Award 54. Academic mark 55. Big 56. Withered away 58. Pit 59. Heraldic symbols 60. Bird home 61. Carson’s first network 62. French Joan 63. Felix Leiter’s agency
F eatures Shedding light on SAD Imprint
Friday, February 2, 2007
13
features@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Features Editor: Ellen Ewart Features Assistant: Christina Ironstone
Light and dark exert control over our sleeping patterns; too much or not enough of one can seriously affect our circadian rhythm — our 24-hour biological cycle. Continued from cover
But we’re in Waterloo, so what’s our excuse? Wikipedia credits the pathophysiology (which the Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines as “the functional changes associated with disease or syndrome”) to light rather than temperature. This may be the reason that your hate for winter is exponentially increased when it’s not only cold out, but also overcast. The wonderful Waterloo weather, although sometimes sunny even on the coldest of days, is crap right now. All apologies to skiers and snowboarders, but they’ve all got the right idea anyway: one of the treatments for SAD is physical activity that will increase your exposure to light. A problem with this solution lies in managing to work up enough of your depleted energy to get your butt onto those hills. Because the symptoms only mimic those of clinical depression and dysthymia (read chronic mild depression), sometimes you may not feel depressed, rather just lack the energy to do things that you normally would have found pleasure in. Alternatively, sitting under an abnormally bright light, including tanning beds, may do the trick. Bright light boxes are also offered by prescription. The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association recommends exposure for up to four hours a day under a bright light with about 10 times the intensity of a household light bulb. Sit right in front of the bulb, allowing the light to shine right through your eyes. The light will pass through your retinas, along to the hypothalamus, which controls your body’s main functions. The greenhouse at Biology 1 would also prove effective. A UW student, Julie Smith, who asked that Imprint use a pseudonym, has felt affected for the last three years. She tried the light therapy and is still getting used to it. “I felt slightly dizzy the first time I used it. I haven’t been using it for long,” she
Photo: Valerie Leah Broadbent, Processing: Kirill Levin
It can be hard to self-diagnose SAD since it can manifest itself in several ways. Problems sleeping, a state of lethargy, depression, overeating, anxiety, social problems, mood changes and loss of libido can all be symptoms of the winter blues. said. The Office for Persons with Disabilities in Needles Hall offers light therapy lamps to students that are registered with the office. Contact Susan Shifflett at extension 37025 for inquiries. As your body needs to fatten up to keep you warm, the winter season may come with some winter weight. Along with a depressed mood, a symptom of SAD is an intense craving for carbohydrates, which unfortunately, are very “out” these days. Craving sweets is also symptomatic of SAD, but take that with a grain of salt. Symptoms of SAD should be closely examined only if they are disrupting your daily life because some of them may be perfectly normal depending on the person. Mood Disorder Canada estimates that two to four per cent of Canadians
are faced with SAD. If there are about 32 million people in Canada, that’s about 960,000 people feeling like crap and wondering why. Smith advises that “if you have been feeling this for three consecutive winters, then you may have a problem. Make an appointment with a doctor and discuss it. I also believe that SAD affects each of us differently, so many of my symptoms may not be exactly what you experience.” A variety of other treatment options are available for those affected by SAD, including therapy, medication, ionized-air reception and cognitive therapy. If you have ever seen that late-night infomercial with the ionized bracelet that, when worn, provides relief from aches and pains, then you are already
somewhat familiar with the ionizedair reception treatment. The Centre for Environmental Therapeutics affirms that “recent advances in technology have led to the development of small, compact ion generators that can produce levels of ion density sufficient for biological effect. Although the original clinical trial relied on ion exposure during the day in timed treatment sessions, more recently the method has been shown also to work during sleep, providing an innocuous, automatic and imperceptible antidepressant effect within a few weeks. Thus far, however, there have been no studies of the potential additional benefit of combining negative air ion therapy with drug or light treatment.”
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine states that, “Although there have been many demonstrations of clinical improvement, major issues remain unresolved: the relative contribution of placebo response, optimum timing of light exposure, and the therapeutic mechanism of action of light.” Smith attributes the diagnosis of her SAD to the resources around her that highlighted her symptoms. She has combined bright light treatments with anti-depressants and claims they work wonders. Even if a single pamphlet on SAD is unattainable on campus, Health Services and Counseling Services maintain that there are professionals that will help you either way. kjakab@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Nurses disguised as Benny’s servers, reviving students
Benny’s receives a four out of five beer salute from me, mostly attributed to the number of Sundays that would have been hell without it. I don’t know what this eatery is like during the week, or on the weekend before noon for that matter, but for those few hours that seem to happen between waking up with a
headache and needing to rush off to the library to study, the restaurant seems to be dedicated to nursing the hangovers of the university community. You need not ask for a pitcher of ice water at your table. When the wait staff sees a group of dryeyed cotton-mouthed students slam down in one of the booths, they just assume that is the first thing you will ask for. Coffee is never wanting either. It almost seems like there is one server who acts as the coffee steward, and whose only job it is to make sure I get my week’s worth of caffeine jolts, so take advantage and guzzle till you’re shaking.
The restaurant acts as kind of a meeting place for the two universities. It is located on Weber, closer to Laurier but, waiting in line, we see sweaters from both schools worn proudly. Though Benny’s is apparently popular with real people with real jobs, they are few and far between on Sunday afternoons and with all the students, you might feel like you are at last night’s party. I advise all to plan your arrival before you get hungry. There is usually about a 10-minute line up at the door for the Sunday breakfast. But Benny’s entertains us with a strange looking waterfall fountain, a view of their many cakes, pies and desserts
and observation of the rest of the dining room from the line. The host and server are usually very friendly and quick. It is in the best interest of the servers to get as many people through their meals as quickly as possible. You don’t feel rushed, however — only as if you are getting breakfast while it’s hot. The dining room is often noisy, but by your second coffee and fourth glass of water it doesn’t matter as much. Even the hungriest of partiers can be filled to the brim for under $10. The delicious breakfast options are a mixture of everything you could want in a breakfast, all put in a piping hot skillet. I ordered a breakfast
meal with my eggs poached. Usually I have trouble getting my poached eggs soft enough to spread on my toast, but with Benny’s it was not a problem at all. Benny’s is an experience that all students should have, first year and graduate alike. Next time you’re the host, peel your guests off your living room floor, shovel them into the back seat of your car and make them treat you to breakfast. Even if it doesn’t seem like a good idea when you’re rolling out of bed and your head is pounding, you’ll thank me when you get there. msokolyk@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
features
14
Shawn Bell staff reporter
“When I graduated I went on a one-month road trip to BC,” she said. “I wanted to get a job in Victoria, but I had no experience, nothing; I couldn’t afford to stay so I came back [to K-W] and applied to everything I could. The company I now work for was the first interview I had, and then I had two more and I was hired. At that point my other prospects were pathetic, so I took the job. I’ve been there now 15 months. And in a few months I’m getting a promotion and a pay raise, transferring with the company out to Victoria.” Steinmetz works for a public corporation that supplies life-assistance products to the elderly. A 25 year-old psychology and human resources graduate, Steinmetz works at the company’s K-W office, located amidst the industry of east end Kitchener. Inside, the walls of the main office/ greeting room are lined with wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen masks. Four women work behind four desks set back from the customer service desk. Steinmetz is the youngest. Phones ring and the ladies pass messages and papers across the room. Managers enter, walking briskly, give their messages and leave just as fast. “My working environment is very hectic,” Steinmetz said. “We’re 24 hours, technically, because we have to be available 24 hours for oxygen clients. Our office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but there are drivers on call all night. Someone could call into our office at midnight and say ‘I
need a wheelchair’. The client has the option to page the driver. When they don’t page the drivers, I get the order in the morning.” Steinmetz company has three departments: Oxygen, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Home Care, where Steinmetz works. The oxygen department supplies oxygen to the elderly; the government pays $389 per month for a person, over the age of 65, who meets all the requirements. CPAP provides devices to people who can’t sleep at night, because the muscles in their throat relax and they can’t breathe. To solve this problem a mask is worn while sleeping that forces pressure into the lungs so he or she can breathe. Home care is the business of living-assistance devices: wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, things for the bathroom, stair lifts, lift chairs, even sock aids and shoe-horns, for when you can not bend over. “[The home care department] gets at least 50 orders a day from the CCAP,” Steinmetz said, “and at least five to six walker referrals [people coming in to buy a new walker]. We get on average three new oxygen clients a day, mind you every couple of days another one dies. Especially in this cold season.” There are about 100 people reliant on oxygen living in K-W. The supplier is based in Mexico; all equipment is made there and shipped up through the States to a base in Toronto. “Over the past few
Friday, February 2, 2007
Kim Steinmetz
Steinmetz at her desk where lives depend on the services offered by her work. months,” Steinmetz said, “it’s been horrible trying to keep equipment in stock. Toronto usually takes two or three days to get equipment to us and it’s been taking weeks. “You have your good days and your bad days,” Steinmetz said. “I do enjoy it when I can help someone who needs it and they’re grateful for it. But the job itself, if I took away all customer interactions, is monotonous. You’re just uploading orders, submitting it to the drivers and the basics like filing and that kind of garbage — it’s not enough to keep you liking your job. You know you’re putting yourself through this mental drain, and in the end coming out with a little bit of money.” Steinmetz graduated from UW two years ago. “When I first started in school I went through
kinesiology,” she said, “but I didn’t like the kinesiology aspect of my education so I went into psychology and human resources instead.” “My education taught me how to work hard. Psychology taught me how to understand people a little better, the rationale as to why they think the way they do. But it is basically just a piece of paper to me right now. I haven’t used it yet. “I had to prove myself, I had to work really hard when I first started. Now I have a lot of respect in that place. People look up to me, if they have a problem they’ll come to me. It’s nice going somewhere where everyone respects you and thinks highly of you.” sbell@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Handshaking should be confident and sexy Joanne Yeung reporter
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What’s in a handshake? Shoot, anything, everything, but definitely never, ever nothing. As a member of UW’s elite co-op society, I have had the opportunity to flirt many a time with the handshake. Sometimes, they’ve turned out well. My hand meets the other, they join and for one moment of glory we revel in blissful oneness. Then again, I’ve also had my share of awkward, prepubescent hand courtship. Scene one: our hands meet. The other hand is like a dead fish — limp and moist. Judging from the other party’s contorted posture, my grip appears to be bone-crushing. It’s true, I’m an everyday Hercules. “Oops, sorry,” I mutter. “Oops, sorry,” their hand apologizes. The handshake ends and we continue our dialogue, the other person’s hand cradled in their lap for the duration of our conversation. Scene two: Sometimes, it gets worse. Our hands fumble in an awkward attempt to coordinate with the other. They increase pressure, I decrease mine too much, they try to release a little, I strengthen more, they toughen the hold, I get fed up and let go. There goes another botched handjob. Scene three: They form a V with their hand, a weird beak-like thing with their thumb and four fingers, take a quick pinch of my fingers and release. It’s one of those situations where I’ve made a dive to swallow up their hand, and they’ve barely reached out for mine, so we end
up with a mangled handshake. No chemistry, no fireworks, not even a spark. The moral of the story is, a sexy handshake is a sexy (read: confident) you. Unless you live the hermit life, you will inevitably encounter new social groups, especially if you’re in the co-op grind. When you meet someone new, especially a potential employer, they give you the once-over. They look you up and down, they take in your appearance (psst, check your fly, buddy) and then give you the perfunctory handshake. This is your moment to channel the essence of you, your time to shine, y le the perfect moOg e tin ment to divert is r Ch your future employer’s attention from your mismatched buttons. So take the time to really wow them with your stunning hand personality. Meet their hand halfway. You need to be adaptable, smart and quick on your feet…or hands. Try your best to match your strength to theirs. Don’t be overly eager to clamp down right away, but don’t be a complete wuss either — start slow and draw them in. You want to match their grip for true hand compatibility. The ideal handshake should be firm with a stiff wrist, lasting two seconds or so with the webs of your thumbs and forefingers meeting. Once you’ve perfected the grip, you can work on the peripherals. Make eye contact, smile, let your hands do the talking and for the truly (and I mean truly) daring, go for the wink, you rebel, you. And hopefully with that, you and your newly employed hands can live happily ever after.
features
Friday, February 2, 2007
15
Throw out the “why”s and focus on “how” New challenges for sustainable thinking and the future of business
When David Suzuki came to UW in January 2005, his lecture in the SLC prompted a slew of student responses. Interestingly, the two community editorials printed in Imprint the following week take issue with the same point from Suzuki’s lecture. Jan Tkac wrote: “During the symposium, Dr. Suzuki fell into the trap of segregating people into the following two groups: ‘environmentalists’ and ‘economists.’ … If we want to make a change, co-operation and integration is necessary.” Neil Hooey’s editorial added: “Economic theory isn’t the cause of environmental problems: it’s
part of the solution. Suzuki’s slandering of a profession instead of using economics to solve environmental problems does nothing but hurt his credibility.” Students have clearly been doing their homework. When Paul Hawken first released The Ecology of Commerce, back in 1993, his book on the integration of economics and environmental issues shook up the business world. Since then, we have seen the rise of consumer activism; the expansion of fair and local trade goods; the success of organics and more ethical, forwardlooking business practices. It is not that Dr. Suzuki’s comments were wrong: they just belong to a different era of environmental activism. Businesses are no longer the enemies of yesteryear: far from being a faceless corporation, Starbucks Coffee has developed a more socially-conscious identity; Hewlett-Packard puts out a yearly report on its commitment to the
precepts of global citizenship; pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is implementing its award-winning, site-specific CO2 reduction plan on a world-wide scale. Business is trying. So instead of writing about the importance of viewing business from an environmental perspective and vice versa, let’s take a moment to consider that the proverbial torch has not only been passed on — it’s also been transformed. Our generation “gets it,” so I’d be grossly insulting your intelligence if I were to make a simple appeal for business students to see the world from an environmental light and vice versa. It’s in the curriculum; it’s in the citizens’ polls: the merge is happening. The real question now is not why business and environmental studies must walk hand-in-hand, but how best do we accomplish this? This is the conflict of our generation; this is our battleground. The problem is that despite the changing nature
of our “fight,” certain archaic, oppositional mentalities about the two fields persist. Nowhere is this seen more than in the rise of the Green Party, a group even major media often misrepresent as being more left-wing than the NDPs. Ha! The fact is that the Green Party is intensely right-wing in its values — the economy being at the forefront of its platform. The difference arises in how the party focuses on the economy: namely, by taxing waste, not people. So how does the general audience confuse the two? The name doesn’t help, for one: the very colour green is still such a loaded term (a carry-over from previous eras of environmental activism) that it’s hard to dispel gut perceptions about the party as a whole. Similarly, personal experience has shown that many political scientists hold to the idea that economics drives politics — which is all well and good, except that their perception of economics is as the heartless machine of ages past, and not the more sustainability-minded vehicle of contemporary society. This
makes it easy for some to excuse political realities as the simple causalities of brutal economic “truth.” Ladies and gentlemen, this kind of oppositional debate (between “corporate cogs” and “stinking hippies”) belongs to our forefathers — and mothers. Certainly, we can’t drop our guard; we need to keep both companies and activists moving towards more sustainable and socially conscious practices. But will this proactive stewardship really be accomplished by using the language of another generation? No, I think not. For one, small businesses are not necessarily better than big businesses, while providing opportunities for gainful employment is as important to social sustainability as cutting back on pollution and deforestation. We are the children of a huge paradigm shift, one that rightfully unites business thinking with environmental concerns: it’s high time we hold our successes and failures to a standard all our own. mclark@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
“I’ll have what she’s having” Every once in a while I get a question from a reader asking how to know “for sure” that their female partner isn’t faking. It seems to be a major concern, especially among the fellas. Luckily (or unluckily) there are a few ways to tell if your partner is really having as good a time as they say. Men can really only fake an orgasm during penetrative sex if he doesn’t use a condom or if he disposes of it quickly, before his partner sees that it is suspiciously empty. A woman doesn’t usually have tell-tale spooge to let her partner know that she’s had an orgasm, but there are other physical cues: The sexual flush — after an orgasm her chest, neck and/or face will blush red for a few moments. Weak knees — for many women, after an orgasm they will sometimes find their knees weak; they may also find themselves having difficulty forming
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longer sentences and may prefer to just lay still and cuddle for a while. Erect nipples — some women’s nipples will become erect during orgasm and for a little while afterwards. Do not bother listening for loud screams. The porn industry have taught us that over-the-top orgasmic screaming isn’t necessarily an orgasm. You could just ask her. Few women will say that they are having fun in a genuine way if they are uncomfortable and/or unhappy. If she seems honest in her reassurances, then don’t press the issue. No woman wants to be caught faking, and harassing her after sex, whether she faked or not, could result in you having fewer opportunities to harass her — if you catch my drift. She doesn’t have to orgasm to have fun or feel good. Not all women can orgasm during sex, some of us just aren’t built to, and not all women can always make it to orgasm every single time. But if you’re listening for her cues during foreplay and sex, and you’re engaging her brain and not just her body, you can be sure that when she tells you that it was good for her too, she’s almost certainly not lying.
Another interesting question emailed to me not long ago had to do with something I said in my article about cat-girls in October (see Imprint online); this reader asked: “What is the connection with milk and cum?” Well, let’s see, your average glass of cow’s milk contains 3.4 per cent protein, 3.6 per cent fat and 4.6 per cent lactose. (Lactose is a sugar molecule, made up of two simple sugars). Milk is also full of vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamins A, D, K and B12. Now, your average teaspoon of semen contains four per cent sperm, 11.5 per cent prostate fluid, and 60 per cent seminal vesicle fluid. The sperms are little cells made up of a lot of different things, but most notably protein and acrosome (the enzyme used to break down the egg’s barrier). Prostate fluid contains citric acid, acid phosphatase and zinc. The fluid from the seminal vesicles contains some important fatty acids and fructose (like in a peach). Now that you know more than you probably wanted to about the composition of milk and semen, we can see that chemically, there is a connection between cum and milk. Both contain proteins, sugars and fatty acids.
But that was a little boring, surely the people who make those “Got milk?” adverts and the people who make porn with women pouring cream over themselves didn’t decide that milk was sexy because it shares basic components with semen. Let’s think about this a different way ... Hmmm well, milk is white and cum is kinda white. I think that’s it! Milk and cum look alike — there is a metaphorical connection between these two fluids. We’ve figured out the mystery of the milk-semen connection! This would be different from milk fetishism — erotic pleasure from lactation, breastfeeding and suckling — because it would be more about the look of the milk on an attractive body as opposed to the act of obtaining the milk. It’s like bukkake, just not so sticky! ssparling@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
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16
features
Friday, February 2, 2007
Life with a grain of sugar is a whole lot sweeter
I am going to get straight to the point because what I am about to say is incredibly serious business: sink into moist, chewy, chocolatestudded blondie bars. Before you raise an eyebrow at me, I’ll admit these delightful treats may not be at the top of everyone’s priority list, but they sure are wonderful comfort food. So why deny such a mood uplifting companion? Speaking of friends, we all are familiar with the expression, “the more the merrier,” so why not top your blondie bar(s) with a large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and while you’re sifting through your fridge, you shouldn’t neglect your fudge sauce. The bottom right corner of the fridge door shelf is my “red roped” area. It’s where my pecan caramel sauce (thank you Tennessee purveyors for this glorious creation) and bittersweet chocolate fudge reside. Naturally, no one is more pleased than myself with such sweet tenants. Ahhh… indulgence, isn’t it grand? While we’re on the topic of sugars, you ought to be thinking: there are many varieties of sweeteners — so from me to you, here is a guide to all that is sweet. Sugar was once considered a luxury reserved only for the elite upper-class who could afford it, but today it is inexpensive and plentiful. Sources of sugar varieties come from sugar canes and sugar beets. It is offered in many forms: granulated white, brown and confectioner’s. Sugar not only adds sweetness, but also tenderness and stability to doughs and mixes. It also helps develop the golden-brown colour you see in baked goods. Granulated (white) sugar: As the workhorse of the kitchen, it is the most common, all-purpose sugar. It contains 99 per cent sucrose. It has been refined and stripped of most of its original flavour and colour while being processed. Confectioner’s/powdered/icing sugar: Whatever you decide to call it, this fine powdery sugar is actually granulated sugar crushed to a fine consistency. In addition, cornstarch is added to confectioner’s sugar to keep the powder flowing and prevent clumps. This sugar readily blends with liquids to a smooth, silky consistency, which is why it is preferred for making icings and decorations. Brown sugar: It’s produced by crystallizing evaporated cane juice then purifying it slightly. Light and dark brown sugars bring a rich, distinctive taste with a hint of caramel flavour, and contain 85-98 per cent sucrose. If you substitute brown for white sugar, your baked goods will be moister. You may have noticed other strands of brown sugar at the supermarket: Demerara: Medium brown in colour, this sugar is coarsely ground and provides a crunchy texture with a mild molasses flavour. It is great to decorate cookies with, add to coffee or use as a crunchy topping to pies and fruit crumbles or crisps. Dark Muscovado (or Barbados): This type of sugar contains a lot of molasses. It has a
Navigate yourself to a grocery store, become one with the ingredients and create this scrumptious dish. If you only try one recipe this term — let this be it! rich, naturally dark colour. The moist texture of the sugar works well in gingerbread, cookies or chocolate cake recipes. Turbinado: Light/golden brown, this distinctive sugar is large-grained. It has a honey-like flavour and can be used for general baking or used as a crunchy topping for desserts like crème brulee, for breakfast on oatmeal or in coffee. Unrefined dehydrated cane sugar: Made by extracting and then dehydrating (or crystallizing) cane juice, thereby preserving most of the original flavour, colour and nutrients. It contains about 85-95 per cent sucrose. In terms of ranks in healthier sugars, this one is near the top because it has gone through the least amount of processing. This full-flavoured sweetener can be substituted equally with granulated sugar. Molassses: When sugar is refined, the syrup that remains after the sucrose has been crystallized from cane juice is molasses. Sixtyfive per cent as sweet as sugar, this thick, dark, full-flavoured syrup comes in several forms. Light molasses is created from the first boiling of the cane, dark molasses from the second and blackstrap from the third. As you would have guessed, each time the cane is boiled, the resulting product becomes richer, darker in colour and less sweet. While lacking sweetness, molasses makes up for it with high quantities of minerals like iron and calcium. Maple syrup and maple sugar: One of the food hallmarks of Canada, this pure natural sweetener is simply boiled down tree sap of the sugar maple, and it has an aromatic smell and sweet flavour. It contains about 62 per cent sucrose, about 60 per cent as sweet as granulated sugar. Because it is created by boiling the sap until the liquid has evaporated, it is more concentrated and tastes twice as sweet as refined granulated sugar. Honey: It is regarded as the oldest known, unrefined and natural sweetener. Honey is a sweet, golden-coloured substance, which has been concentrated by bees from flower nectar. Honey’s prominence in history reveals that it was frequently used in sweet and savoury dishes, during religious ceremonies and even consumed as an alcoholic beverage when fermented. Honey is naturally 25-50 per cent sweeter than granulated sugar. The flavour and colour of honey depend on the flower nectar and time of year it was collected by the bees. Dark shaded honey
Tiffany Li
varieties (such as buckwheat) have stronger flavours than their light counterparts (such as orange blossom). Barley malt and rice syrup: These syrups have a mild and gentle sweetness. They come from grains and undergo a special form of processing. Sprouted barley is soaked, then dried and cooked down to a thick syrup. This form of sugar does not cause blood sugar levels to spike drastically, as other sugars are notorious
for, because it is slowly digested by the body. Rice syrup is made in a similar fashion, usually from a combination of rice and barley grains. The robust, earthy flavoured syrup is used to complement Chai teas. Now take your sugar-coated knowledge to the kitchen and whip up these chocolate chunk blondies! tli@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Chocolate chunk blondies 2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar, light or dark 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon vinegar, white or cider 3 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 2 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups chocolate chunks or 2 cups chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, milk or a combination of your choice) 2 cups (about 8 ounces) coarsely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts or almonds) Preheat the oven to 350°F (if you are using a dark pan decrease oven temperature to 325°F). Lightly grease a 9” x 13” pan. 1. Stir to combine the butter, sugars, salt and vinegar. Add the eggs, vanilla and baking powder, beating well. Stir in the flour, mixing thoroughly, then the chocolate chunks and nuts. 2. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan, using your wet fingers to smooth the top. Bake the bars for 35-38 minutes, or until the top becomes golden and shiny, and the centre is just barely baked through. Use the sharp tip of a knife to peek into the centre; it should be very damp, but not unbaked. Remove bars from the oven. 3. A plastic knife will glide right through the bars without tearing them — make sure your bars have cooled to lukewarm, or you could end up with a disfigured knife as I once did! Serve with vanilla ice cream. Makes 24 scrumptious bars.
Friday, February 2, 2007
arts@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Arts Editor: Ashley Csanady Arts Assistant: Andrew Abela
Arts Imprint
17
Is FASS worth all the fuss?
Not just an UpStart little crow
Duncan Ramsay staff reporter
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Ashley Csanady arts editor
michael l. davenport
Robert Burke gets accosted in Lust, one of seven sinful segments in this year’s FASS. Although FASS sometimes feels like a patchwork of the dull and the funny, the comedy is always enough to inspire forgiveness of the dull — you know you’ll be laughing out loud again shortly. Highlights include Lisa Hagen as the Angel, Josh Hoey as the Demon, Selina Saba as Sister Mary Jane and Emily Sheepy as Honey Bunny— it was a real pleasure to watch this cast on stage. As for the staging itself, it was generally competent, and although the production was ob-
viously low-budget, it was never distractingly so. But FASS isn’t just a comedy, it’s a musical, and this is a blessing — as FASS is at its best when it’s singing. The wealth of parodies to spot throughout the production are often truly inspired, and are always enjoyable — parodies of Great Big Sea’s “Ordinary Day” and “It’s a Hard Knock Life” from Annie in particular stand out as some of the best moments of the play. A few songs were not
sung with enough volume for the theatre, but in general the singers here performed solidly throughout. Go ahead and see FASS if you have the inclination — at $8 a ticket, the play is good value, and you’re bound to enjoy yourself. It’s just a pity the upper echelons of the production couldn’t see fit to tighten up the script — it would make for a much stronger production. dramsay@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
“
There’s no point in judging slapstick on the basis of subtle wit, or kabuki on the realistic portrayal of human emotion. As with many art forms, these styles demand they be appreciated on their own merits, rather than on the standards of similar forms. The trick lies in approaching the experience without preconceptions, and enjoying yourself based on what you find. FASS is like this. The company (Faculty, Alumni, Staff, Students), which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, makes a point of accepting anyone who wishes to apply — the idea is to give people the chance to gain experience in a theatrical production and to have as much fun on stage as humanly possible. Approaching FASS like you would a professional company would not only be wrong, it would be a waste. The fun of FASS lies in getting swept up in the energy of people losing whatever inhibitions they have on stage, laughing along with the craziness, essentially enjoying yourself in the company of a bunch a fun people — the actors. These are the sorts of criteria that would make a production like this a success and, given that, the question remains: Does FASS pull it off ? Well, in part. It’s not that the production lacks an energetic cast or a good sense of humour — it has both in abundance. No, FASS’s greatest problem, and one which casts a shadow on the rest of the performance, is that the production is in desperate need of a script editor. Whether this is due to a desire to grant the members of a huge cast decent amounts of stage time, or for some other reason, the fact remains that at well over two and a half hours, FASS is butt-numbingly, FrodoI’m-so-tired, long. Far too much time is wasted introducing each of the play’s seven scenes (one for each sin), and entire five-minute stretches could be cut without hurting the story. When the jokes are rolling, FASS is great, but all too often the script drags, and when it does, the energy that is so critical for a production like this is sucked away. So FASS is bad? Boring? Well, no, let’s not go that far. During the majority of the play when the comedy hits, FASS is hysterical, a gleeful mix of pop culture references, sly swipes at UW, slapstick, ham and craziness. Anger and Lust in particular make it difficult to stop laughing, and the transition sequences introducing each scene are minor works of genius. In general, each scene gets funnier as it progresses, as does the play itself.
Approaching FASS like you would a professional company would not only be wrong, it would be a waste.
A theatre with only 60 seats where you are 20 feet away at most from the action distinguishes the plays of the UW Drama department’s UpStart ’07 festival from the typical productions the faculty produces. The eight entirely student-produced plays are unique both in their creation and their execution. The small theatre in which they take place highlights the talent of those involved in their conception. The UpStart festival is in its third year of production. Begun in 2004 and followed by a second run in 2005, the drama department decided to put on the festival on a bi-annual basis after the first two productions. Bridget Myers, 4B drama student and house manager for UpStart ’07 explains how the production has changed since her initial experience “teching” in the 2005 production, “The numbers have grown. It’s always different, [even] more so my understanding of the process.” Based on the fringe festival format, UpStart features eight 45-minute plays on a range of topics from Plato’s Cave to a biblical tale that culminates in the construction of a church in Kitchener, to a vampire searching for an ideal mate. The festival is named after a quote by Robert Greene, who referred to Shakepeare as an “upstart crow.” Being a fringe theatre festival, the students are able to experiment more than in the drama department’s main production, said Andy Houston, faculty advisor for UpStart ’07. Houston further explained that the nature of a fringe festival format means you are on the edge, changing the status quo and able to take more risks with the traditional forms and subject matter of theatre. UW drama students submitted all the plays in October and, after being whittled down for content and feasibility, 8 were chosen by lottery from a total of 13. Every aspect of the plays, from lighting to acting, is run by students. “[UpStart] really is up to the students to run,” Houston explained. “The University [of Waterloo] prides itself on its co-operative notion … hands-on practical projects and experiences … that’s what this is,” said Houston. “There’s only so much in theatre we can teach them through lectures and seminars.” “The department’s really good about that,” explained Myers, “we learn about every different aspect of theatre.” According to Houston, productions like UpStart are essential in creating models that will be appropriate for a long-lasting and relevant “theatre of the future.” He added that engaging with different kinds of culture and shifting more focus from traditional forms to more innovative productions is something the drama department really needs to do in order to stay relevant. Students involved in the production enjoy the atmosphere of participating in a festival. As Garth Graham, 2B drama and English literature, said, “It’s definitely different when you’re working with students. When you are working with your equals … you step up your game. It becomes a completely collaborative experience.” On February 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. two different shows are being shown each night. Tickets for these two performances are $10. On February 3 and 10, two all-day marathons with all eight plays are being shown. To see either the four matinee shows or the four evening shows it’s $20, or to see all 8 plays it’s $25. For a list of the plays, see page 19 acsanady@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
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Friday, February 2, 2007
Jam: Music trumps snowboard skills continued from cover
The openers played to a crowd of 20 or so people scattered across the front of the stage. It’s a known rule that while the opening bands are on, the crowd is supposed to remain scattered, since you don’t want to give them the impression that you actually like their music, in case you really don’t. There’s no room for that at an outdoor concert. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the urging of Idle Sons lead Mike Eastick (by then the crowd had grown to about 100) that everyone decided to pack tighter and move right up to the stage. The 20-minute slots between sets were apt times for the crowd to raise their body temperatures inside Fed Hall. Various booths treated the crowd to band merch, sponsor brochures, pizza and cotton candy. The bar was set up to serve hot chocolate in crude little paper cups, which turned out to be fairly popular. And then they had the ski competition. I didn’t much care for it. Neither did the rest of the crowd, it seemed. The organizers seemed to be working on a “if you build a ski hill, the masses will come” type attitude — it didn’t quite turn out that way. Without set demonstration times, the skiers and snowboarders took the slope when they felt like it — either when a band was on or during the down-time. At either point, they didn’t get much attention. When Idle Sons took to the stage, they were sporting a new lead guitarist, who was apt at making weird faces as he played and fitting in with the band musically — pretty awesome considering he’d been with them for a week.
They started off with the harder, headthrashing tunes and moved onto the more melodic but still rock-laced songs. Having seen Thornley, the main act, before in Toronto and being adequately impressed, I wasn’t expecting much. I was initially turned off, with lead singer Ian Thornley sounding hoarse and off-tune. He slowly started hitting the notes a couple minutes into the set and then decided to blow me away. With their hard thrashing guitar riffs and worn but still slick vocals, Thornley treated the crowd to songs off their debut album, as well as unreleased tracks and “That Song” by Thornley’s predecessor Big Wreck. Their own raucous-rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” followed, as well as a seamless integration of U2’s “Sunday, Bloody, Sunday” into the bridge of “Come Again.” Ian Thornley took tuning downtimes as a chance to break into comedic routines and impromptu guitar solos ranging from blues to accidental riffs that he decided would do well in future albums. Feds, being much like the 55-year old aunt you never want to visit because the only toys she has are made of China, decided to disband the mosh pit that broke out during Thornley’s set. Way to take the fun out of rock, Feds. In a not so surprising move, Feds also chose to move the much “anticipated” 19+ after party to Bomber, with no given reason — slowly furthering very painful demise of Fed Hall. All-in-all, Polar Jam was a ball. The stellar line-up ensured that our socks were rocked off several times and more. Cold, sure, but that added novelty made it an extra special, albeit painful, experience. mjangda@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Feds, being much like the 55-year old aunt you never want to visit because the only toys she has are made of china, decided to disband the1/29/07 mosh pit broke imprint-shebops 2:58that PM Page 1 out during Thornley’s set.
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“You’re part of the family”
w w w . c e n t r e - s q u a r e . c o m
Smokin’ Aces Joe Carnahan
Epic Movie Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer
Universal Pictures
New Regency Pictures
First thing’s first: you have to walk into this movie accepting that you are about to step into a guys’ movie — full of blood, scantily dressed hookers, lesbian women who, to quote Jason Lee, just want “some deep dicking” and some other crazy shit. I was definitely the only girl, besides the friend I went with, in the theatre who was not on a date. I actually overheard one guy telling his friends that he had tricked his girlfriend into coming to this movie by telling her it was Notebookesque; she is a fucking moron. Smokin’ Aces focuses in on Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven), a Vegas magician who has been “Sinatra”-ing it with the mob, who have subsequently decided to put a milliondollar hit out on him. This causes five separate groups of assassins to go on a search for Israel to claim the reward. Donald Curruthers (Ray Liotta) and Richard Messner (Ryan Reynolds) of the FBI are also sent out to protect Israel. The assassins and FBI are all trying to get to Israel first, resulting in, the predictable, bloodshed. This is not to say that there aren’t some plot twists, some that even I didn’t see coming. All I have to say is pay attention to the dialogue. The choice of actors was superb. Nobody does sleaze quite like Piven, whose regular stint as an entertainment agent, Ari Gold, on Entourage. In Smokin’ Aces Piven does not disappoint. He is the classic Vegas showman, sporting purple velour suits and smoking jackets paired with matching slippers and a cocainepowdered nose. It is also my personal belief that a movie that involves the mob must either have Al Pacino or Ray Liotta in it; luckily Smokin’ Aces has the latter. In this movie, Liotta is working as a Fed but his mob-like antics and gunplay still shine through. One particular scene finds Liotta trapped in an elevator with one of the many assassins, which results in a gunfight to end all gunfights. Remember Ben Affleck back when he played small parts? Well, Smokin’ Aces brings back this classic Ben. His character may not be present for very long, but his Boston accented assassin makes for a compelling additon to the film. But, in every cast there is someone not up to par. In this case it was Alicia Keys who, like many other singers turned actresses, cannot act and has no emotional range. She has very dead eyes that convey no emotion at all, when she is shot at she kind of looks like she is going to fall asleep. Her mumbled chatter, along with her glazed eyes lead me to rather “stony” conclusions as an explanation for her low quality portrayal. To be honest, I went to this movie for the violence that is typical to this genre. I must say that at some points I was craving more violence, more blood. And then a guy sat on a chainsaw.
I was a big fan of Not Another Teen Movie and the first few Scary Movie installments. I see merit in the shameless spoof genre, but there is no such merit in Epic Movie. The genres those movies mock are rife with clichés to be exploited. I can see why someone would think that the epic genre would, considering how well it worked for horror and coming-of-age and the sheer quantity of epic clichés. The problem is that epic spoof already comes from another source — try, maybe, all other mainstream comedy. Epic movies are the blockbusters, the films that do very well, and are subsequently mocked relentlessly because everybody knows about it. How many times have comedys spoofed the famous “freedom” speech from Braveheart? How many Hamlet spoofs are out there? To their credit, Epic Movie avoided the old jokes, but consequently had an incredibly short memory and resorted to spoofing movies that weren’t epic by any definition — I’m sorry, Borat and Nacho Libre don’t cut it. The makers of Epic Movie know less about the epic genre than they do about spoofs — it’s like they gave a 15-year-old kid a pile of new releases and a bag of pot for the weekend and told him told him to write the script. Epic Movie started at the Da Vinci Code, went through X-Men and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory then the characters go through a wardrobe into the land of Gnarnia (guess what they’re spoofing). It didn’t go anywhere from there, leaving plenty of time for bad joke after bad joke, including when the various characters make cheesy references to their other movies. It was funny when Kevin Smith did it when in Mallrats, but that’s the kind of joke that can only be made once. Epic Movie makes the joke at least three times in an hour and a half. How many times do I have to tell you people, if I wanted to watch masturbation, I would’ve rented porn. Spoof films succeed by having lame jokes that cover an immense scope of film. Epic Movie fails because it doesn’t make nearly enough allusions — heck, they don’t even spoof Lord of the Rings! The cast was good, considering the theme. Kal Penn of Harold and Kumar go to White Castle starred as Edward, one of the four characters the loose plot follows. He might have a good career ahead of him if he can just dodge the next Van Wilder sequels. Jayma Mays, whom you might remember as the cute waitress with incredible recall on the TV show Heroes, performed well as the ditzy Lucy, but there isn’t a whole lot you can do with a script so vapid. Notable cameos included appearances by Kids in the Hall’s Kevin McDonald, Darrell Hammond of Saturday Night Live, and of course, the obligatory appearance by Carmen Electra. Epic Movie is a spoof that doesn’t spoof. Don’t go. You won’t laugh, even if you laughed at Scary Movie whatever-they’re-up-to-now. If only there was some catchy line I could use to go out on a high note. Something making some connection between the title and degree to which the movie sucked. Nothing springs to mind. Oh well, just go see Smokin’ Aces, I hear it’s pretty good.
— Emma Tarswell
— Darren Hutz
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Friday, February 2, 2007
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Groupies not included continued from page 17
Guitar Hero 2 Playstation 2 $80.99 w/ guitar controller
How do you imagine someone playing a video game? Perhaps he is leaning back comfortably, casually pressing buttons on a controller with a blank stare on his face, or sitting on the edge of the seat, leaning forward with his jaw hanging slightly open and looking completely engrossed in the intense action. Did you see someone playing the entirety of a game standing up? Probably not. Aside from DDR and a few Wii games, most video games are designed to be played sitting down. Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero 2 are games that seek to provide the player with a different type of virtual immersion. Both games are played with a custom guitar controller specifically built for the Playstation 2. Players are required to hold down buttons and “strum” appropriately as notes fly across the screen. Many people have trouble adapting to the PS2 guitar; however, once they play through a few tracks, they’ll realize it’s time to swap the air guitar for a controller.
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Guitar Hero was first released in November 2005 for the Playstation 2 with 30 licensed cover tracks and 17 original tunes. Notable covers included Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell” and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon.” The sequel, Guitar Hero 2, arrived last November and upped the ante with 40 licensed cover tracks including more memorable covers such as Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box,” Rush’s “YYZ,” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” as well as 24 original tunes. Music and rhythm games often suffer from mediocre covers, horrible track selection or songs that just aren’t fun to play, but Guitar Hero 2 avoids this previous downfall with its variety and selection. Harmonix, the developer behind both games, must be commended for their fantastic selection. Who knew that Kansas’ “Carry on my Wayward Son” and Spinal Tap’s “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight” would be so entertaining to play? Each song put the players’ customized characters in a faux gig scenario. Be it some kid’s basement, a shady bar
courtesy On Topic Media
or a stadium concert, the crowd cheers when the player does well and boos when a note is missed. Beginners can first start off on the easy mode, where only three buttons and strumming are required. Later, players will move on to the hard and expert modes, where different notes replicate every intricate detail of the song. Mastery of the single player mode is only the beginning, as both games support multiplayer rockoffs (in Guitar Hero 2 there’s also a co-operative mode). The satisfaction of nailing a track perfectly in the single player mode is only surpassed by trash talking and nailing the track perfectly in a multiplayer rock off — just don’t get too carried away and smash the guitar. For those not lucky enough to have a Playstation 2, don’t worry — Guitar Hero 2 is coming to the Xbox 360 this March with 10 bonus songs and Xbox Live Downloads. Activision, the publisher, has also promised that Guitar Hero 3 will come to all major gaming platforms within 2007. No matter what system you play Guitar Hero on, just remember, 11 is louder than 10. — Harold Li
746-6893
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KW natives manages success David Halk reporter
Paul Shull, a Kitchener-Waterloo local, started his professional music career ten years ago as production/stage manager for punk rock heavyweight Goldfinger. Now he owns his own successful management company, acting as an artist’s liaison with major record labels, publishers, and lawyers. He has managed well known acts like Pocket Dwellers and MC Chris, and if you read his résumé you’ll also find that he created a record label with Good Charlotte members Benji and Joel Madden called DC Flag. The success story of his career is his work with “nerdcore” artist MC Chris. As Shull explained, “when we signed, he literally had negative 16 dollars in his bank account. Now he makes $5000 a show, and sells between 30 000 – 40 000 albums a year.” Shull’s impressive credentials are the sole result of a strong work ethic, contradicting misleading media portrayals of crooked music industry representatives. “It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had,” he said. “You don’t sleep, there is no escape.” He clarifies that being a band manager for a successful artist is a risk, requiring three years of artist development costing approximately $30,000. Then you need to find the right team
of people (publicist, lawyer, record label etc.) with the same vision to be able to succeed. As Shull explained, the concept of the team is essential for an artist to be successful because “now the record labels are not prepared to spend the money like they used to in the 80’s and 90’s when everything was still exploding. You need to get very creative [in contracts]; everybody involved needs to chip in.” While record label avenues have narrowed for artists, Shull said other expressways have opened through the online phenomenon of Myspace. “Communication works both ways, it can help small bands get recognized, but if the right kid writes a bad blog about your live show, don’t worry about playing the next show because nobody will be there.” An amazing live performance is one of Shull’s indispensable criterion for signing a new band, but more importantly, he said, is that “they need to have the drive; they must be willing to chew glass and crawl through razors.” It is the raw potential of a band that Shull seeks while searching for new talent; he seeks the “star quality” that one can only be born Locals with, a quality that can never be imitated or duplicated.
Yet in the end, even if the team, finances, and abilities are all present, the success of the artist is still dependent on an element of luck. After years of experience in other countries, Shull’s current lead project is the Canadian band Die Mannequin from Toronto, a raw and experimental rock group that, unless patterns are broken, are destined to rise to stardom. For more infor mation v i s i t w w w. myspace.com/ diemannequin.
in the Limelight
Friday, February 2, 2007
Films about the fucked up
Some of my favourite films are about the psychologically disturbed. Maybe it’s because I have personal ties with mental illness, or maybe I’m just a product of my psychology major. What follows is a description of two cases of Schizophrenia involving trauma and a whole lot of unnecessary killing. The first psychologically involved film I was ever shown by my dear film-loving father was Taxi Driver, which introduced me to a Vietnam war veteran named Travis Bickle (played by Robert De Niro). After seeing this film many times, I believe that throughout the course of the film, Travis Bickle is slowly but surely becoming schizophrenic. Martin Scorsese did a beautiful job of portraying Travis’ paced descent into madness by dropping a plethora of psychological hints — hints that could be easily overlooked by the untrained eye. After a short while, I formed an “on the level” impression of him. This changed completely once I learned about his desire to own multiple revolvers and a semi automatic. With an itchy trigger finger, he kills a man robbing a corner store while grocery shopping and apparently armed to the teeth. It seems as if Travis has now taken it upon himself to rid the neighbourhood of the scum of the night, much like so many other New York super heroes have in the past. Unfortunately for the pimps and pushers, Travis means business and soon makes it his mandate to save a darling little child prostitute, wise beyond her years, played by the delightful Jodie Foster. His inability to deal with the severe trauma he experienced in the jungles of ’Nam, perhaps coupled with a genetic susceptibility, begins to surface in the form of a contempt for the wicked of the night. It’s too bad that this contempt was also accompanied by severe delusions of grandeur, as he becomes convinced that he is a secret government operative. Later we are shown more proof of his graceful descent into madness.
The camera begins on his rugged army boots and after passing his legs we learn that he has adorned his old war uniform — creatively complimented with shiny aviators and quite a bad-ass Mohawk. Like so many others, he has made a rash attempt to maintain his identity with his redundant army fatigues and the drastic change in hairstyle. Many soon-to-be patients who experience a sudden onset of confusing psychotic symptoms do this as part of the private struggle they experience. Even with the crime, Travis could be considered a hero for cleaning up the streets. Norman Bates, an eerie, intelligent and socially nervous owner of the hotel by the same name (played by Anthony Perkins) is not so fortunate. He is a prime character in Psycho, a staple movie for the psychologically disposed. The tale begins with an impulsive forty grand wedding present robbery, long before the actual wedding. The thief Marion, portrayed by Janet Leigh, stops by for a stay at the seemingly quaint and reclusive hotel, only to be disturbed by Norman’s curious habit of voyeurism along with jealous maternal ranting leaking down from above. After the archetypal shower scene, Norman realizes that his mother’s blood lust is far from abating and she has now struck again — or so he thinks. Much like Travis, Norman has suppressed the vivid memory of the murder of both his parents — which he viewed with his own eyes. Unable to deal with such daunting memories, he develops a particularly morose coping mechanism and does his part to keep his hotel guest list to a minimum. It seems Norman’s been forced to assume the personality of his dear mother to cope with the loss of both his conceivers. Maybe some things are easier than dealing with such a loss. Unfortunately, this fails to account for his blood lust, which just reeks of effort. Relieving himself of guilt, Norman resorts to projecting his blame on to his mother to relieve him. Wait, I thought that he thought that he was his mother? The psychopathic are indeed a complicated bunch. Norman finally finds himself within the comforting confines of a tight straight jacket, surrounded by white padded walls. I’m not a psychiatrist, psychologist, or even a social worker. I’m simply a psychology major with an affinity for film. I can only hope two friends fared well, perhaps with the sorely needed help of some good neuroleptics. aabela@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
veronique lecat
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Friday, February 2, 2007
21
Black History Month: more than a catchy DFA song
Gregory Pepper & His Problems Gregory Pepper & His Problems Gregory Pepper
It starts off with a rhythmic beat, going from barely audible to driving decibels in time similar to my experiences with the Dark Side of the Moon. Suddenly, Gregory Perets’ poppy falseto and catchy melodies remind me of a time when he was the lead singer of ex-band The Dymaxions. An end from causes still unknown, I can only guess that musical disagreements tore this group of likely lads apart. What’s important, though, is Gregory is still prepared to do what he has to do to get the job done. And believe me, he gets the job done right. With song titles like “How To Raise Canaries,” “The Price Is Wrong” and “Motherfucker,” one can be assured that their bird caring lesson thirst and epic price guessing show hunger will be satisfied in one fell swoop. With meticulously placed strings, nearly parallel to the job The Beatles used to do, “The Creeps” begins with synthetically robotic vocals, accompanied by the recycled melody and lyrics from The Dymaxions hit “Octopus Ward.” But instead of being disgusted by redundancy, I’m comforted to know that he’s no stranger to using at least a third of the environmental R activities. I must admit, The Dymaxions’ passing saddened me. At least now, after some grieving has taken place, Gregory has kindly personally provided me with quite a comfortable crutch. — Andrew Abela
Of Montreal Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? Polyvinyl
The Good, The Bad & The Queen The Good, The Bad & The Queen Parlophone
Of Montreal’s most recent release, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? is proof positive that the group has traded in a good amount of their whimsy for wisdom. Lacking in that quirky, sweet romanticism of their earlier work like “Tim, I Wish You Were Born a Girl” and “Let’s Do Everything For The First Time,” Hissing Fauna is deliberate and heartbroken. Despite the new darker tone, it’s mostly still good synth-pop; danceable, but not without being slightly guilt inducing. Of Montreal can do depressed without being depressing. The first half of Hissing Fauna is lead singer Kevin Barnes’ love letter to isolation and mood stabilizers. Before his honesty gets tiring, its 12-minute standout track, “The Past Is A Grotesque Animal,” kicks in with its painful admission of misguided loves over a lock-step bassline and spacey synth work. Hissing Fauna moves from bad moods to bad sex during the second part of the album. There’s kvetching about wanting to be rid of admirers without “soul power” in “Bunny Ain’t No Kind Of Rider.” They then revisit a funky feel in the booty-call ballad “Faberge Falls For Shuggie.” This half of the album is dominated by disjointed electronic lounge beats and squeaky falsetto and almost comically operatic harmonies. Strange, but it all works.
Initially planned as Albarn’s first proper solo album, with Danger Mouse producing, The Good, The Bad & The Queen eventually grew to absorb guitarist Simon Tong (of The Verve), bassist Paul Simonon (of The Clash) and drummer Tony Allen (Afrobeat legend of Africa 70). Unlike the free-for-all fun-fest that was Gorillaz, this album is serious. The music is sombre, melancholy, sad, brooding, sometimes depressing and always good. It’s the kind of stuff you’d listen to when contemplating who your true friends are, as you walk away into the sunset after vanquishing all the bad guys. Also, apparently it’s about modern-day London. Albarn takes the centre stage and never backs away, providing morose lyrics to the soundtrack of the rest of your sullen life as Allen drums out quiet, overlooked beats. Tong provides beautiful atmospheric guitarwork, with plenty of slides and proto-solos, and Simonon’s bass anchors all the songs to make you reminisce about that time your heart was needlessly broken. Despite the instrumentation being so standard, this music sounds foreign, timeless. It is simultaneously refreshing and recognizable, honest and alienating, appealing and depressing. The Good, The Bad & The Queen is too earnest to ever have the appeal of Gorillaz, but this album demonstrates that it definitely deserves the following it will no doubt generate.
— Jacqueline McKoy
— Kirill Levin
The beginning of February, my dear readers, marks the beginning of Black History Month, a welcome break from the 11-month cycle of White History. It is a time I use to brush up on my Bell Hooks, to review the proposed policies of Jomo Kenyatta and to refrain from taking any milk in my coffee. February presents a chance to “expose the harms of racial prejudice and cultivate black self-esteem.” Now, a single month is obviously an inadequate response to the exclusion of important African-American narratives from larger North American histories, but still, it provides a good incentive for white people to rent Alex Haley’s Roots and claim they “understand.” Personally, I thought LeVar Burton was much better in Reading Rainbow. As a bit of a history buff myself, Black History Month at least gives me an excuse to depart from my routine study of crusty old European men (which, admittedly, can get a bit tedious). There are only so many stories of colonial exploitation and racist oppression you can read before having your faith restored by the heroic stories of Black activists such as Stokely Carmichal and Harriet Tubman. Sometimes I worry though, dear readers. I fear that Black History Month may be sinking into clichés. After all, everyone from DJ Williams (of Stomp the Yard fame) to George W. Bush is sending “shoutouts” to Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. We must ask ourselves, how long can we allow the Civil Rights Movement to dominate our appreciation of Black History? Yes, I understand the Civil Rights Movement was probably the most important event in North American Black History, and yes I understand that Civil Rights Leaders have been deservedly elevated to Saint status, so please don’t send me hate mail just yet. As a member of the patronizing, overeducated cultural elite, however, it is my duty to tell you that Black History Month has much more potential. It needs to acknowledge the bigger
picture, to address a historiography that encompasses so much more than just social activism. Within Black History, after all, there exists a powerful cultural legacy that deserves to be celebrated. It is time to recognize, for instance, the historically supported fact that behind every successful white artist, there is predictably a much more creative Black man or woman. And I’m not just referring to Justin Timberlake; this is a tradition that stretches back centuries. Black History Month should work to lift the more financially endowed and historically “market friendly” White cultural behemoth from its place on top of the suffocating Black artist. Give credit where credit is due. The serious arts snob, of course, already sees the Melvin Van Peebles behind the Quentin Tarantino, the Nina Simone behind the Feist, but unfortunately not all North Americans are so enlightened. It is the responsibility of Arts Snobs to always know the Ur-text, to be there at the birth of the next scene, to dig beneath commercial bastardization to find the independent roots. Black History Month emerges as an excellent opportunity to discover and celebrate the cultural innovations of Black artists and writers that have had such an effect on the larger project of Western Civilization. Everyone already knows the names of Malcolm X and W.E.B. Dubois; it’s time to add some Black artists to the February pantheon. It is the 21st century, after all. How much longer can we deny the relevance of painters like Raymond Saunders and Jean-Michel Basquiat? Is it just to ignore the brilliance of Little Richard and James Brown? Or even J. Dilla and Talib Kweli? Ralph Ellison and Zora Neale Hurston made pioneering progress in American literature, but where are their shout outs in fictional step dancing movies starring Ne-Yo? Innovation has characterized Black History as much as social progress, and Black History Month should reflect this. It’s only fair. Admittedly, society has labeled me a “white dude,” but you cannot deny that somewhere, back at the beginning of time we were all children of Africa, and so this is technically sort of my fight too. Okay, it’s really not. But please, if you’re only going to get one month to celebrate Black History, make it count. Godspeed. cmoffat@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
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22
Friday, February 2, 2007
Throwdown Thursday tantalizes crowd
Andrew King
At left Jamie from Of the First Born Sons performs a gig onstage and at right What’s He Building In There rock out at this past Throwdown Thursday at Phil’s. Andrew King reporter
Like a 50-year old hooker, Phil’s isn’t easy on the eyes, but still offers that little extra something that the younger, flashier breed just can’t match. For the last year or so, Phil’s has been hosting Throwdown Thursdays, where the music finally matches the décor — dirty, gritty and a lot of fun. I hadn’t been until this past Thursday, when in lieu of playing songs ranging from metal to hardcore and everything in between, Phil’s turned it’s DJ booth into a stage for one fantastic night of live metal from one hell of an underrated lineup. Anyone familiar with KW’s local music scene has probably heard of Abacus, who have re-banded under the new (and clever) moniker What’s He Building in There? I’d be lying if I said the name change came along with a complete sonic makeover; however, this new formation offers a more fine-tuned musical machine than its predescessor. Their
set was completely engaging, striking a fine balance between energetic presence and musical precision, ideal for any live act regardless of genre. Their songs themselves sound like they were written for the stage in that that they are extremely lucid, hence the time and tempo changes which could potentially disjoint the songs’ flow out in a progression so natural that it’s hard for an attuned listener not to be drawn in. Vocalist Chris Schroeder was on the ball with his Dillinger EP Mike Pattonesque vocals that transition seamlessly from screaming to crooning and filled the stage with a dominant presence. What a great band made up of some down to Earth dudes who were more than a pleasure to talk with. Do yourself a favour and keep an eye out for these guys. Cute costumes, too. It was announced that headliners Threat Signal bailed on the show due to an illness, but to say that Farewell to Freeway taking their place on the bill was a rainbow after the storm is a complete undersell. The only
February 2 Bocce, The Sourkeys, Agile Like This and Knock Knock Ginger — Artery Gallery $5 or $4 with food bank donation, doors at 8 p.m.
thing I’ll say about this emotional metal band is that if you haven’t heard them yet, you should get on it like a Texan does his sister because they’re a solid live act with some above-par releases. Starting to feel the effect of the ever-lovely $1.75 gin and tonics, my excitement to see Of the First Born Son again grew exponentially. This band have snowballed into a much greater entity since the last time I was treated to their brand of breakdown-drenched metal, and it seemed that their fan base in the area has done same. I found their set to be great, and they ruled both the stage, and subsequently their audience. I know they had the home field advantage, but I’ll be the first to say that with this confidence and energy, this band could own any stage they graced. Their songs were tight and accentuated by a rock-solid rhythm section that made the breakdowns all the more fun. I have the first EP they released about a year ago and have loved it since, and so I was a little disappointed they left “Ignite” off of the set list; however
February 3, 8 - 10 Upstart Theatre Festival — Hagey Hall $10 in advance
Imprint’s Music Mix
February 2 Prize Fighter C.D. release party with guests — Bomber Tickets $9 at the door, 9 p.m., a 19+ event
Gregory Pepper & His Problems “Motherfucker”
February 2 - 3 F.A.S.S. — Hagey Hall $8 at the door, Fri 7 & 10 p.m., Sat 8 p.m.
Cut Chemist “The audience is listening”
February 2 - 8 Pan’s Labrynth — Original Princess $6 at Turnkey, Sat 7 p.m., Fri, Sun - Thur 9:30 p.m.
Love is All “Aging has never been his friend”
February 3 B.A. Johnston and Wax Mannequin — Jane Bond $5 at the door, doors at 8 p.m.
they made up for it with an array of tracks that I’ll regretfully say could probably eclipse my old favourite. I need to get my hands on whatever this band has released lately. That was a hint… A band called A Satellite Connecticut closed the show, but I had to leave early, and so I’ll say that the crowd seemed to love it and to warrant a headlining spot in front of these three groups has to count for something, so check them out. To regurgitate, I had one hell of a night out. Phil’s is actually a good live music venue that brought back memories of the good old days of The Embassy in London. I have to strongly recommend Throwdown Thursdays to any fan of heavy music in the area, and so even though there won’t always be live music, there will be a lot of great people and a fun atmosphere matching that of any other night of the week at Phil’s, minus the dudes dressed like Flava Flav. Kudos to Tony and Corey for organizing the event and taking really great care of me, as well as the local talent that should be drawing much larger
Tokyo Police Club “Cheer it on” Knock Kock Ginger “Love Renee”
February 4 Play With Clay — Clay & Glass Gallery $5 each, 1 to 2:30 and 2:45 to 4 p.m. February 7 Golden Dogs w/ Yoko Casionos — Starlight $9 advance, doors at 9 p.m., all ages February 7 The Anxiety Graphs - Reverend Luke Murphy — UW at Cambridge lecture hall Free, 7 p.m. February 8 Emerald City Wine Gala and Fundraiser — Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery $75 in advance
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007
HELP WANTED Weekend counsellors and relief staff to work in homes for individuals with developmental challenges. Minimum eight-month commitment. Paid positions. Send resume to Don Mader, K-W Habilitation Services, 108 Sydney Street, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3V2. Summer of your life! Camp Wayne for girls – children’s sleep-away camp, Northeast Pennsylvania (6/168/12/07). If you love children and want a caring, fun environment we need counselors and program directors for: tennis, swimming (W.S.I. preferred), golf, gymnastics, cheerleading, drama, high and low ropes, camping/nature, team sports, waterskiing, sailing, painting/drawing, ceramics, silkscreen, printmaking, batik, jewellery, calligraphy, photograhy, sculpture, guitar, aerobics, self-defense, video, piano. Other staff: administrative, CDL driver (21+), nurses (RN’s and nursing students), bookkeeper, mothers’ helper. On campus interview February 7. Select the camp that selects the best staff! Call 1-215-944-3069 or apply on-line at www.campwaynegirls.com. Let’s make 2007 your best summer yet – Camp Wayne, northeast Pennsylvania, USA. Counselor-specialists all land/water sports inc. Tennis, golf, soccer. Outdoor adventure: camping, mountain biking, climbing/ropes, roller hockey, rocketry, arts and crafts. Water sports: water ski, wakeboard, sailing, canoe/kayaking.Theatre, radio, video, CDL drivers and more. RN’s for our health centre. Let’s get the ball rolling now! Online application www.campwayne.com or e-mail info@campwayne.com or 1-888-549-
Classifieds 2963, 516-883-3067. Have the summer of your life at a prestigious coed sleep-away camp in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, two and a half hours from New York City. We’re seeking counselors who can teach any team and individual sports, tennis, gymnastis, horseback riding, mountain biking, theatre, tech theatre, circus, magic, arts and crafts, pioneering, climbing tower, water sports, music, dance or science. Kitchen and maintenance positions also available. Great salaries and perks. Plenty of free time. Internships available for many majors. Interviews on February 7, 2007. Apply online at www.islandlake.com. Call 1-800-869-6083 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time on week days. For more information: info@islandlake.com. Summer camp counselors on campus interviews for premier camps in Massachusetts – positions available for talented, energetic and fun loving students as counselors in all team sports including soccer and lacrosse, all individual sports such as tennis and golf, waterfront and pool activities and specialty activities including arts, dance, theatre, gymnastics, newspaper, rockertry and radio. Great salaries, room, board, travel and US summer work visa. June 16 to August 11. Enjoy a great summer that promises to be unforgettable. Apply now! For more information www.campdanbee.com (girls) or 1-800-392-3752 or mark@campdanbee.com. Interviewer will be on campus Wednesday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Life Centre, main floor. Now hiring student fundraisers! $8.50/hour to start. Work on campus, flexible hours, raises every 20 shifts. If
you are a good communicator, enthusiastic and dependable, then we want to talk to you. Please apply in person at the Office of Development in South Campus Hall. Please include a cover letter, resume, class schedule and three references. Advertise for us and earn great commissions!! Earn great commission by promoting our services through posters, stickers and other marketing activities. E-mail us at custom 1901@ hotmail.com for details. Web Application Developer – The Federation of Students is currently seeking an Undergraduate Student to fill the position of Web Application Developer. The Web Application developer will research, implement and maintain web-based applications in a *NIX environment to facilitate the smooth operation of the Federation of Students. For more info see www. feds.ca or e-mail egerlach@feds.uwaterloo.ca.
HOUSING Premium three-bedroom townhouse unit in a professionally managed student complex. Perfect for students, close to UW campus. Now renting May or September 2007. Call Perry now at 519-746-1411 for all the details and to set up a showing. Three bedroom, $1,390/month – available September – duplex in Century home near uptown Waterloo, two-story, hardwood floors, on a garden. Call for details 519-579-2676 Monday to Friday between 2-7 p.m. Room for rent for a quiet individual in a detached home near both universities. Parking and all amenities. Please call 519-725-5348.
Berlin Palace – bachelor $565/month, one bedroom $650/month, two bedroom $795/month – plus hydro and parking. Loft style, hardwood floors, new kitchen, french doors, courtyard. Call 519-579-2676 Monday to Friday between 2-7 p.m. Attention Cambridge School of Architecture students! Live conveniently and comfortably right across the street from s[chool in this beautifully renovated apartment. 4, 8 and 12-month leases available with excellent signing bonuses and rental incentives! Call Perry at 519-746-1411 for more details. Three bedroom, $1,450/month – available September – Century home near Uptown Waterloo, two-story, hardwood floors, backyard access, new kitchen, parking available, on a garden. Call 519-579-2676 Monday to Friday between 2-7 p.m. Stone Alley – two bedroom $895/ month available now. Four bedroom $1,495/month available in September plus parking. Balcony, walkout, hardood floors, new kitchen. Call 519-579-2676 Monday to Friday between 2-7 p.m. Only $395/month inclusive for newly renovated house located at 11 McDougall Road. Big rooms, five minutes from UW, on-site laundry, very close to bus stop. Contact 519585-1242 or rooms4students@gmail. com.
23 $16-$20/hour. Airfare and initial visa application costs are covered. For more information visit www.arthritisnetwork.ca. SP-100 Forest Firefighting course, London, March 7-11 or Waterloo, March 14-18, 2007. To register, please call Wildfire Specialists Inc., 2233 Radar Road, Suite 5, Hanmer, Ontario, P3P 1R2. Toll free: 1-877-3815849. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources accredited. No guarantee of employment.
Classified and Campus Bulletin submission deadline is Mondays at 5 p.m. Drop in to SLC room 1116, call 888-4048 or e-mail ads@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
COURSES Industry Summer Training Program for Undergraduates – Application deadline: January 31, 2007. Participate in cutting-edge arthritis research in an industry setting. Salary USD
Campus Bulletin CHURCH SERVICE
CAREER SERVICES
FINANCIAL AID
St. Bede’s chapel at Renison College offers worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. or take a break mid-week with a brief silence followed by Celtic noon prayers on Wednesdays. Beginning Janaury 21 there will also be a 4 p.m. worship. For more info call 519-8844404, ext 28604 or mcolling@renison.uwaterloo.ca.
Monday February 5 – Starting Your Own Business: The Basics, TC2218A, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 7 – Work Search Strategies, TC1208, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Career Interest Assessment, TC1112, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Alumni Career Planning Workshop, TC1208 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Job Fair at RIM Park, 2001 University Ave., E., Waterloo from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 8 – Exploring Your Personality Type (Part 1), TC1112, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Successfully Negotiating Job Offers, TC1208, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 12 – Work Search Strategies: Special Session for International Students, TC2218B, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Starting Your Own Business: Next Steps, TC2218A, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Interview Skills: Selling Your Skills, TC1208, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 13 – Networking 101, TC2218A, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 – Business Etiquette and Professionalism, TC1208, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Alumni Career Planning Workshop, TC1208, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 15 – Exploring Your Personality Type (Part 2), TC1112, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Interview Skills: Preparing for Questions, TC1208, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, February 26 – Writing CVs and Cover Letters, TC2218, 12 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 27 – Work Search Strategies: Special Session for International Students, TC 2218B, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Career Interest Assessment, TC 1112, 2 to 4 p.m.
February 2007 We are located on the 2nd floor of Needles Hall and are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Scholarships/awards available for winter 2007 on-line at http://safa.uwaterloo.ca/
ANNOUNCEMENTS The GO! Music Festival takes place on March 9 and 10 in Uptown Waterloo. Over 30 live acts; five licensed venues. Details: beatgoeson.com or myspace.com/gomusicfestival. Hey students! Tune in weekly to “Morning Drive” with DJ Cool at CKMS 100.3FM for important info on what is happening locally, on campus and in your area. Music, fun and more – morningdrive1@yahoo.ca. Exchange opportunities to RhoneAlpes, France and Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany for the 2007-2008 academic year – to undergraduates and graduates. For additional informatiton and application form/deadlines contact Maria Lango, IPO, Needles Hall, room 1043, ext 33999 or by email: mlango@uwaterloo.ca. Cigarette study – smokers needed. $70 cash paid. Please state your name, age and brand of cigarettes smoked most often. Call Sandy at 519-578-0873 or e-mail this info to smokesstudy@hotmail.com. Turnkey Desk Recycles Batteries. Drop your old batteries to the blue bin at Turnkey.
VOLUNTEER Distress Line volunteers wanted – Canadian Mental Health Association is seeking caring volunteers to provide supportive listening and crisis deescalation to callers living in Waterloo Region. Please call 519744-7645, ext 300. Summer volunteer opportunities with Grand River Hospital/Cancer Centre. Information sesions will be in March, April and early May. Please call 519-749-4300, ext 2613 or e-mail volunteer@grandriverhospital.on.ca for details. Volunteers needed – volunteer with a child at their school and help improve their self-esteem and confidence. One to three hours a week commitment. Call Canadian Mental Health at 519-744-7645, ext 229. Volunteer Action Centre – connecting talent and community – “Give the gift of friendship” by volunteering to visit a senior or adult with a disability. Call 519-742-6502 or email laura@k-wfrienship.org for info. “Hopespring Cancer Support Centre” is looking for peer support volunteers. Call Barb at 519-742-4673 or e-mail barb@hopespring.ca. “K-W Sexual Assault Support Centre” is seeking female volunteers. Info night on February 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. Call 519-571-0121 or e-mail volunteer@ kwsasc.org. “Participation HouseWaterloo Wellington” is looking
for volunteers. Training is provided. Call 519-742-9424, ext 204 or e-mail elsa@phwaterloo.org. “Help street youth” by volunteering at R.O.O.F. For info call 519-742-2788, ext 224 or volcoordinator@roof-agency.net. Volunteer Marketing Intern needed at RBC Dominion Securities Inc. starting in February, 10-15 hr/week. This internship will involve assisting an Investment Advisor with various marketing projects throughout the term in question. The intern will be required to pursue various tasks requiring strong communication, organizational and computer literacy skills. Qualified individuals are students with a strong initiative, direction and desire to succeed. Email cover letter and resume to jeff. gates@rbc.com, attention Jeff Gates.
AWARDS Win up to $1,000 for your writing! Students in third/fourth years qualify for STC’s Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award for Student Technical Writing. Visit www.stc-soc.org/awards/student.php for details and an application.
UPCOMING Friday, February 2, 2007 Fundraiser rock show at the Artery Gallery, 158 King St., W., Kitchener. Performances by Bocce, The Sourkeys, Knock Knock Ginger and Agile Like This. Doors open at 8 with cover. Donation to food bank is appreciated.
Monday, February 5, 2007 The UW Genocide Action Group is hosting a free screening of the Academy Award-winning film “The Pianist” and a short documentary “Defying Genocide.” Donations for Oxfam will be collected. Plan on attending the presentation in Arts Lecture Hall, room 116 from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday February 6, 2007 Inflation Targeting: The Canadian Experience – A public lecture with David Longworth, Deputy Governor, Bank of Canada at Humanities Theatre from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Contact 519-888-4567, ext 32440 or www.arts. uwaterloo.ca. The Planetary University as a Catalyst For Local/Regional Sustainability – A public lecture with Michael M’Gonigle, Co-founder of Greenpeace International at Festival Room, South Campus Hall at 7 p.m. Contact 519-888-4567, ext 32440 or www. arts.uwaterloo.ca. Saturday, February 10, 2007 rare presents “Bald Eagle Monitoring Workshop” with Bill Wilson from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at rare Administrative Centre, 1679 Blair Road, Cambridge. Call 519-650-9336, ext 122 to register. Sunday, February 11, 2007 rare presents “Winter Wonderland Hike” presented by Greg Vincent and Jeanette MacDermott from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For info/registration call 519-650-9336, ext 122. Tuesday, February 13, 2007 “U-First” – presentation for family caregivers who support a person with dementia. Holiday Inn, 30 Fairway Road, Kitchener from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments and lunch included. Call Tiffany at 519-742-1422 by February 7 to register.
24
Science Imprint
Neuroscience research gains prominence UW Prof. David Spafford earns project budget of $400,000 through research grants Kirstin Boehme
staff reporter
Although it appears that cancer is the primary disease wiping out the human species, statistics show otherwise. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the number one killer for men and woman around the globe. CHD is an illness caused by a variety of factors which affect a variety of different areas of the body. The universal idea behind CHD is the occurrence of a block in coronary heart vessels leading to a heart attack and eventually death. However, the mechanism behind a heart attack is much more complex with a diverse array of receptors and hormones acting on trying to maintain heart and cardiovascular function. A new research group lead by Dr. C. Wiysonge has completed a research based on testing the efficiency of beta blocker drugs. Beta blockers are receptor-specific drugs which
Zodiac a future consideration in medical studies staff reporter
kirstin boehme
Prof. Spafford studies voltage-gated calcium channels in his neurobiology lab. on these channels, researchers gain a greater understanding of methods for physiological regulation. For example, blocking N-type calcium channels can prevent pain transmission, while blocking L-type calcium channels, which are involved in heart and blood vessel contraction and heart rhythm conductivity, can be used to treat cardiovascular complications such as angina and arrhythmias. Other areas of interest include skeletal muscle contraction and night vision. Dr. Spafford’s recent grant money funds equipment purchases such as the electrophysiology unit, the recording apparatus and, in the future, a vivarium or aquatic facility. This would allow the laboratory to culture upwards of 10,000 snails at one time, which is ideal, as they are able to isolate the same
neuron on approximately 100 snails a day. “We need lots of snails,” said Dr. Spafford. At this time, he is one of three University of Waterloo researchers to receive funding from the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation. Lora Giangregorio and Clark Dickerson, both in kinesiology, similarly received monies matching those received from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. “I like the fact that we’re moving forward in our strengths. I’m very glad to be here,” said Dr. Spafford, who also went on to say that this is not only a very exciting time for research at Waterloo, but for the university’s science department in general. With what Dr. Spafford called “exploding enrolment numbers” in the life science programs, it’s clear that the student population feels the same way.
have the tendency to decrease heart rate and contraction in patients experiencing hypertension. The study used a controlled experiment with a patient pool of 91,000 participants. The test was conducted by monitoring the patients after dividing them into two groups, one ingesting the beta blockers, while the other was given a placebo drug with no functions or effects. According to the results of the study, the beta blocker users had no significant differences from those using the placebo especially in terms of CHD and stroke prevention. The result of this study is excellent evidence for a process which is already in use by physicians in the cardiovascular field. Beta blockers are rarely used as first-line drug post heart attack and instead a combination of drugs is usually prescribed in order to decrease heart contraction and decrease the probability of another heart attack. The study, however, pinpoints the impor-
How nervous would you be if you saw your doctor looking up your horoscope to determine what’s wrong with you? Scientists are investigating the possibility that being born at different times of the year influences your susceptibility to certain diseases. Not exactly horoscopes, but not far from it. A recent review in the New Scientist describes a well-known phenomenon, which has been observed during numerous time periods and is statistically relevant, associating an increase in the risk of developing schizophrenia with a late winter birth. It has been shown that people born in the northern hemisphere between the months of February and April have a 5-10 per cent greater risk of developing schizophrenia than people born at other times of the year. Schizophrenia isn’t the only disease that seems to have a seasonal trend; in a study involving 25,000 suicides in England, it was shown that 17 per cent more people who had committed suicide were born between April and June than in the rest of the year. The occurrences of suicide also seem to follow a seasonal trend, happening most frequently during the month of maximum daylight. People diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who were born in the northern hemisphere were 13 per cent more likely to be born between April and June. People with an autumn birthday have an eight per cent increased risk of suffering from panic attacks. Although these disorders are fairly well known by the general public, a quick recap is always good.
After determining these seasonal trend biases, the obvious next step was to determine the causes of variation without resorting to an astrological explanation.
tance of further research on the medications prescribed and their individuality in function on different people. Each person tends to respond differently and it is up to the physician and rehabilitation facility to determine which combination of drugs works best for each specific individual. A focal limitation to this study is the use of only one type of beta blockers. This limitation is a main drawback to the evidence due to the many different types of beta blockers prescribed to patients in North America. Most beta blockers used in North America are disease specific. For example, Bisoprolol is most commonly used for congestive heart failure, whereas Esmolol is an agent often used to treat cardiac arrhythmia and Atenolol is used to treat myocardial infractions, in other words, heart attack patients.
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder where a person loses contact with reality (psychosis), experiences false perceptions (hallucinations), has false beliefs (delusions) and in general has impaired reasoning and problem solving. One or more of these symptoms must last for six months or longer to accurately diagnose the disease. Anorexia nervosa is a medical condition characterized by the relentless pursuit of thinness to the degree that the person attains an unhealthy low body weight. It is a serious medical condition that can be fatal. Diagnosis is made clinically and treatment involves behavioural therapy as well as certain medications to prevent relapse. After determining these seasonal trend biases, the obvious next step was to determine the causes of variation without resorting to an astrological explanation. The first idea that scientists explored was that the health of the mother could affect the neural development of the child. So a virus infection (flu, measles, etc.), which would be more common during the winter months, could lead to damaged developing brain tissue. At first this line of thought proved fruitful; however, after a large scale study, no statistical correlation was found between virus infection and altered neural development.
See BETA, page 26
See HOROSCOPE, page 26
Beta blockers become newest weapon in heart treatment Basma Anabtawi
science@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Science Editor: Rob Blom Science Assistant: Yolanie Hettiarachchi
Faisal Naqib
reporter
Often, as we walk through the hallways of the many buildings on campus, the only aspect of university life that occurs to us is that of teaching. There is, however, an entire world of learning that occurs behind the scenes: the world of research. Walking into the Spafford Neurobiology Research Laboratory, the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and full of excitement. Though it quickly becomes clear that this laboratory environment is accustomed to enthusiasm, some of this jubilation may be due to the announcement of Dr. David Spafford’s most recent funding: a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation. This award of $120,000, matching $120,000 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and along with $60,000 from the laboratory’s vendors and additional monies from the University of Waterloo for renovations, puts Dr. Spafford’s current funding total at just under $400,000. Dr. Spafford, who previously worked as a post-doctoral researcher at both the Free University in Amsterdam and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, joined the University of Waterloo biology department in October of 2005. He currently lectures for two undergraduate courses, human anatomy 201 and analytical methods in molecular biology 208, as well as a graduate course in neurophysiological methods, and is a member for UW’s newly founded Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience. Dr. Spafford said that at this time, “there are not many, if any, [researchers] on campus who employ single-cell patch and single channel electrophysiological recording methods.” In general, the Spafford Neurobiology Research Laboratory studies voltage-gated calcium channels, or “the quarterback” of synapses, explained Dr. Spafford, as they “mediate the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.” Tests conducted involve the use of snails, as they contain fewer neurons than humans and function well at room temperature. Either through channels in the intact brain or by cloning the calcium channels and expressing them in-vitro, “we listen in on their activity.” This has resulted in the recording of networks of simple behaviours, such as respiration and reproduction, as well as the relationship between the channels’ structures and functions, all of which can then be correlated to human physiology. Dr. Spafford stressed that “anything that modifies calcium channels will affect the release of transmitters.” Therefore, by studying the effects of different kinds of proteins and toxins
Friday, February 2, 2007
science
Friday, February 2, 2007
25
Nobel laureate shines macroscopic light on quantum mechanics Sir Anthony Leggett gives first lecture as UW faculty member
PHOTOS BY Michael L. Davenport
UW President David Johnston (centre) and IQC executive director David Fransen (right) introduce Leggett (top, left) and his seminar, “Does the Everyday World Really Obey Quantum Mechanics.” Brandon Pinto staff reporter
Sir Anthony Leggett, knighted for his many contributions to the field of physics, gave a lecture last Friday, January 26 titled “Does the Everyday World Really Obey Quantum Mechanics?” Awarded the newly-created Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Distinguished Research Chair, Leggett will add his considerable expertise to the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), already a world leader in the field of quantum information theory. There was an enormous amount of interest in the lecture as the Centre for Environmental Information Techonology lecture hall was bursting at the seams with an eager audience. Anticipating large crowds for the event, seminar organizers had set up cameras to film the event, the feed being shown in the hall outside the auditorium. Even this wasn’t enough as students keen on hearing the Nobel laureate speak crowded the aisles of the lecture hall to relieve the pressure of the crowd building up at the back of the room.
The first two rows were reserved for members of IQC. As a physics major myself, I recognized the majority of the audience as hailing from the physics department, both professors and peers. The remainder of the crowd was comprised of an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds. After an introduction from UW President David Johnston, who praised Leggett for his many achievements, UW’s newest faculty appointment approached the stage to a resounding applause. As lectures of this sort often do, Leggett’s began with some of the major conceptual issues facing the adoption of quantum physics as the modern scientific worldview. The seemingly contradictory dualities that exist in the properties of matter present an abstract barrier to simple understanding. An important question becomes: do these “weird” properties belong solely to individual microscopic particles, or do they still apply to larger, macroscopic structures? The lecture focused on how to investigate this question by observing systems in what is called a coherent superposition of states. Physical systems are described
FREE
The 2003 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Sir Anthony Leggett for pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids
by “states.” Plainly put, coherent superposition refers to a situation where two “states” or ways in which systems can be arranged that can be mutually exclusive in character and property, exist simultaneously as the actual description of the state. The “spin” of an electron is such a property that is often cited. Finding examples of this coherent superposition of states for larger, more complicated structures may serve as a demonstration that quantum weirdness isn’t exclusive to the realm of the subatomic, but instead finds itself expressed in some larger instances. Examples of large scale coherence are evident in cases such as Carbon60 molecular diffraction that include particles numbering in the hundreds on the smaller side to superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) which include anywhere from 107 to 1010 particles. As Leggett puts, “[SQUIDs] hold the Guinness Book of World Record,” for demonstrating the largest physical example of coherent superposition. Leggett looks like the quintessential physicist. Possessing a grandfatherly demeanour, eyes bright with enthusiasm, he speaks with clarity and authority. Not just being able to work with complex phenomena, but to speak about them in an accessible way, has been said to be the true mark of a genius. bpinto@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
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science
26
Friday, February 2, 2007
Juice up your gadgets with Solio The universal, portable, solar powered charger, plugging into the sun and into our hearts the “window sucker” which is a small stick like object with a suction cup at the end. staff reporter However, this portable charger powered on a Are you tired of moving dressers and climbing renewable energy source isn’t all fun and saving under desks trying to find a socket to charge your the environment. The most common criticism cell phone, iPod, smart phone or portable gaming of the device is its slipperiness. Positioning the device? Do you worry about ex-vice presidents charger with a pencil is almost a circus-balancmaking documentaries? Then welcome Solio, a ing act. However the device can be positioned portable, hybrid, universal solar powered charger against anything a book, a surfboard, a hacky from Better Energy Systems that actually does what sack, etc. It will probably be even easier, if you it claims to do. Charging your portable electronic haven’t been drinking. The benefits of the Solio are numerous. Using device can be as easy as looking out a window, solar power reduces green and then positioning a house gas emissions, the hand-held solar powered production and disposal charger next to it. Using the Solio is The Solio can be used as of harmful batteries and quite easy. Simply open a direct power source or noise pollution. Solio itself is made with precious the three solar panels hold energy for up to 6 metals such as silver, that pan out into a three gold and copper, which leafed clover shape, aim months. provide further incentive them at the sun and for proper recycling. The press play. The Solio can Solio is also a portable be used as a direct power source or hold energy for up to six months. power source, which is useful for emergencies or It takes about six to ten hours to charge the for activities like camping or traveling. While sunlight is free, Solio is not. The Solio Solio by sunlight but it also comes with an AC charger for those rainy days, which can charge is priced at $99.95 USD, and tips specific for each the device in approximately four hours. A fully electronic device start at $9.95 USD each. While charged Solio can then completely charge a cell this might seem like a hefty price tag the price for something that doesn’t even have a touch screen, phone or iPod. The Solio has a hole in the middle of the the amount we save from protecting our natural three solar panels, which is designed to allow resources is priceless and thus Solio is the sale of a pencil to support the device while it is facing the century. the sun. The middle hole also allows the charger mharvey@imprint.uwaterloo.ca to be attached to a backpack or to hang off Monica Harvey
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Yolanie Hettiarachchi assistant science editor
Olmec influence prevalent in unearthed Mexican city
Excavation of a site in Central Mexico that began in 2006 has resulted in the discovery of an ancient city more than 2,500 years old. The ruins, called Zazacatla, are located 40 kilometres south of Mexico City and its former inhabitants are thought to have practiced the ancient Olmec culture (1200B.C.E. - 400B.C.E.), as evidenced by two statues and architectural details at the site. The Olmec are considered to be the first advanced civilization in Mesoamerica, the region stretching from central Mexico to eastern Honduras. They were the first in this area to create a writing system. Zazacatla was discovered buried under housing developments, a gas station and a highway; six buildings and two sculptures have been unearthed. The find provides new insights into ancient Mexican long-distance trade and cultural developments. According to David Grove, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois, 95 per cent of Mexico has yet to be explored, due in part to the lack of financial resources.
Most dense computer chip built by scientists
Approximately the size of a white blood cell, a memory chip capable of holding 160,000 bits of information has been developed by California researchers James Heath of the California Institute of Technology and J. Fraser Stoddart of the University of California, Los Angeles. The bits are crammed together so tight that it has been called “the most dense chip ever made.” Heath has described this achievement as a “manufacturing technique that is effective at the molecular scale.” The density of bits on the chip is about 100 billion per square centimetre. This is huge in comparison to current memory chips, whose densities are about 40 times less than that of the revolutionary chip. The wires used in the chip are as wide as proteins, allowing for the possibility of tiny circuits that could detect cancer or other diseases. For the time being, however, the developers say that the chip is a prototype and is not ready for such applications. — With files from the New York Times and National Geographic. yhettiarachchi@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Beta: hope for CHD patients Continued from page 24
According to Dr. Michael Sharratt, a professor at the University of Waterloo in the field of kinesiology and health studies, “The results of the study are not surprising since Beta Blockers are most commonly used to reduce angina as supposed to hypertension. The reason lies in the actual mechanism of the blockers and their effect on beta receptors. Beta blockers compete with catecholamines for positions on the receptors. Catecholamines are hormones such as epinephrine whose functions are to increase contractility and blood vessel dilation. Hence the opposing beta blockers tend to decrease heart muscle contractility.” Dr. Sharratt is an expert in cardiovascular health, with a focus on CHD rehabilitation, and is one of co-founders of one of the most important Heart disease organizations in Ontario, Hardy Hearts. It is important to raise awareness that heart disease does not happen over night, but is instead a long process requiring 40-50 years of development.
The advantage to this time span, however, is that awareness at early age could help decrease the risk factors working on it and actually aid in preventing it. Some of the most common risk factors are smoking, lack of physical activity and diets high in saturated fats. The time spent avoiding the risk factors of CHD is a worthwhile investment for the future. Although spending 20 minutes three times a week working out could appear as a difficult task, it has been proven to extend lifespans by a significant amount. As for smoking — it is common knowledge that just one cigarette can cause significant harm. Life doesn’t need to be dull — full of vigorous exercise for hours on ends while eating lettuce and brussels sprouts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Healthy living means living in moderation, by eating healthy food and still enjoying timeless favourites. The key to success in acquiring a healthier lifestyle, while minimizing the risk of cardiovascular disease is education and awareness.
banabtawi@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Horoscope: a way to gauge susceptibility to certain diseases Continued from page 24
A second attempt at describing the phenomenon lead to melatonin, a hormone released by the pineal gland that is responsible for the sleep/wake cycle. Melatonin is suppressed by sunshine. It is thought that melatonin might play a role during gestation or early in life. People born between April and June (previously stated to have an increased risk of committing suicide) were conceived between July and September and develop in the winter. Scientists think that the high melatonin levels during these important months of development could lead to changes in the brain that will later on in life stimulate the act of suicide. This conjecture has yet to be theorized in the lab. Another illness that follows a similar seasonal pattern as suicide is anorexia. People with anorexia are eight times as likely as the general population to have a parent or sibling with the disorder. Often that relative is the mother. The explanation of anorexia’s seasonal trend balances on the fact that the fertility of overly thin women is greatly variable. Perhaps the higher temperatures of the warmest months allow an anorexic mother to conserve enough energy to become fertile. Thus the anomaly can be explained by the fact that the seasonal effects allow babies who are vulnerable
to the condition to be conceived and born only at certain times of the year. A primary study looked at 400 women in England with anorexia. During July and August the temperature in England is above 15oC, and it was shown that significantly more of the women were conceived during these months. Two secondary studies went out to look at this association with people in different climates. 200 anorexic patients were examined in Australia, where the temperature is below 15oC between June and August; accordingly, fewer patients were conceived during these cooler months. Finally, a group of patients were examined in Singapore, where the temperature is above 25oC year round, and no seasonal trend was found. These three conclusions greatly support the hypothesis. Many more studies are trying to give a biological explanation to the statistically significant seasonal trends observed. Not only are they focusing on melatonin or body temperature, but also vitamin D and other physiological parameters influenced by the surrounding climate. The explanation will unravel similarly to the immediately previous one, where a greater degree of statistical analysis is required to pinpoint the source of the anomalies. fnaqib@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
S ports Waterloo fifth in CIS, tie surging Lions Friday, February 2, 2007
Imprint
27
sports@imprint.uwaterloo.ca Sports Editor: Shawn Bell Sports Assistant: Doug Copping
Warriors atop Far West; the battle of Waterloo, at Laurier Feb. 3 is for first place in OUA James Rowe staff reporter
The Waterloo Warriors men’s hockey team hosted the York Lions on Saturday, January 27, and the two teams skated to a 3-3 tie. It was the second time this season that the two teams were unable to find a winner, having tied 2-2 in Toronto in November. In the opening period the goal scorers were defenseman Kyle Searle for York and winger Frank Fazio for the Warriors. York goaltender Kevin Druce kept his team in it in the opening 20 minutes as Waterloo came out flying in front of their home crowd, outshooting the Lions 14-7. The following period it was Waterloo goalie Curtis Darling’s turn to stand on his head. Despite being outshot 18-7 in the frame, the Warriors managed to stay on even terms. UW’s Doug Spooner beat Druce to offset a goal by York’s Matt Passfield and the two teams went to their dressing rooms tied at 2 after 40 minutes. Both teams threw all the offence they had at the two goalies in the third period, but once again only Spooner and Passfield were able to put the puck behind the netminders. With the score 3-3 and 60 minutes having settled nothing, the two teams played a 5-minute sudden death overtime. Neither team was able to find a deciding goal in the extra period. The two teams have now played 130 minutes of hockey this season with neither team able to register a win. Warriors head coach Brian Bourque spoke about how evenly matched the two teams have been. “They work real hard, and that’s what we try to do is to outwork teams every game,” the coach stated. “They were able to match how
Simona Cherler
Jordan Brenner slides in on the Lion’s keeper in the 2-2 tie. Waterloo dropped one spot in CIS rankings to number five. hard we compete and they have a great goalie in Druce, just like we do in Darling.” For the game Druce and Darling made 30 and 37 saves respectively. Waterloo now enters the stretch run of the season with just four games remaining. As the playoffs approach, the Warriors are looking to fine tune a few aspects of their game. “Our goal is to make gains all year so that we can play our best hockey in the playoffs,” Bourque explained. “We need to be ready for the extra energy that is needed in playoff hockey.” While this season has seen a large amount of penalties called for all teams throughout the
league, the Warriors must play more disciplined in the playoffs. “We’ve got to focus on our penalty kill and on reducing the number of penalties we take as a team,” said the coach. The Warriors are currently the fourth most penalized team in the 16 team OUA, averaging over 26 penalty minutes per game. This week the Warriors were to travel to Guelph on Thursday, February 1 to take on the Gryphons. Results were unavailable at press time. On Saturday, February 3, the Warriors take on their cross-town rival Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. The game pits the top two teams in the
OUA against each other. A win for the Warriors could clinch first place overall and home ice advantage heading into the playoffs, something the team wants. “We’d love to have our home fans around and have more students come out and cheer us,” coach Bourque said. The Warriors will have to play better defensively than they did in an 8-6 loss to Laurier earlier this season. Game time is 7:30 at the Waterloo Recreation Complex. jrowe@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo splits weekend games, still third in West division 3-1 loss to Mac snaps winning streak; Warriors get back on track with 3-0 defeat of Guelph Shawn Bell sports editor
On Warrior weekend, in front of the biggest crowds this season, the third-place (in the OUA West) Warriors welcomed secondplace McMaster and fourth-place Guelph to the PAC. With the weekend split Waterloo retained third in the West and heading to the final three games of the season with a lock on a playoff berth. Game one on January 26 saw Mac (133) come to the PAC and snap the Warrior’s seven-game OUA winning streak with a solid 3-1 victory. The score gives credence to the standings, but reality speaks a different tongue. This was not the Warrior’s we’ve become used to seeing. After winning the first set 25-22 the girls looked sluggish on the floor, getting burned by lobs over the blockers, hanging their heads en route to losing the next three sets 25-14, 25-17 and 25-18. Mac is a good team. Give them credit. “McMaster brought their ‘A’ game,” Warriors coach Gaby Jobst said, “this was a much better team than the last time we saw them (a 3-2 Waterloo victory in November).”
But I’m not convinced the Marauders are a superior team. Which is good, because the first round of the OUA playoffs will pit third in the West, currently Waterloo, against second in the West, currently Mac. Guelph (8-9) came to PAC the next night. The real Warrior team showed up for this battle of third place; and in no time it was over, 3-0 Waterloo. With the victory Waterloo established solid control of third, four points up on Laurier and Guelph. Susan Murray and Gaby Lesniak led the way again for Waterloo. Murray racked up 24 points, 17 kills and 28 digs over the weekend; Lesniak 23 points, 18 kills and 20 digs. The defensive star, as per usual, was the phenom Libero Amanda Verhoeve who dug 37 balls in two games, giving her 292 digs on the season, fifth most in the CIS. There are three games left. On February 2, at 6:00 p.m., the first-place Western Mustangs (14-1) come to the PAC. February 3, at 6:00p.m., Windsor (3-12) comes to the PAC. On February 9 the regular season ends with Laurier visiting the PAC at 6:00 p.m. sbell@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Simona Cherler
Gaby Lesniak hits as her teammates cover. Next up — Western Feb. 2 at PAC.
sports
28
Friday, February 2, 2007
BMX in Buffalo
Brody Hohman reporter
NHL Bostjan Nachbar – He’s been getting minutes lately (31 per game in his last 3) and is 17/7/1 over that stretch with 4 threes. He missed Tuesday’s game with the flu but will be fine. Paul Millsap – The big man is 10/10/1/2/52% over his last 4. Boozer will be back soon hurting his value but monitor the situation. Brandon Roy- No clear cut rookie of the year? Yea right. Brandon a.k.a Roy is averaging 14.5/4/3/1 and 85% from the line. If he didn’t get hurt there would be no question, it’s worth trying to snag him from someone now because he’s only getting better. Brendan Haywood – 10/10/1.7/58% in 33 mpg over his last 3 and a great pickup at C. NBA Jason Arnott – 6 pts in his last 6 games and 35 points/+11 in 39 games, all is well in Nashville. Ric Jackman – Also has 6 pts in his last 6 and has found a home in Anaheim (7 ast in 9 games). He makes for a good start and an even better pickup. Ales Hemsky – He’s picked his play up lately (11 pts in 10 games) and seems back on track for a nice season. Shane Doan – He’s flying under the radar with 31 points in 41 games.
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photos by doug copping
Those serious about excellence explore new territory and attempt new challenges. Bringing this idea to life with a BMX, Drew from Primary Racing composes air time with courage and style. Doug Copping assistant sports editor
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The truck swerved off the road, skidding onto the sidewalk, only moments before we walked past the accident scene. Someone comforting the snow-covered victim dialed 9-1-1. He was injured but would survive. We move on and continue planning our road trip. “Routines like walking downtown can be deadly,� I state, voicing fear for elements beyond one’s control. Drew Pautler, my traveling companion, agrees. “It’s important to change things up, to discover new flavors and experiences,� he adds. Our destination is Buffalo, New York. Our mission is to explore new territory for riding BMX — bicycle moto cross — a sport combining strength and agility, precision and creativity. “Riding is a creative outlet. You’re a composer, visualizing a sequence of expressive maneuvers,� Drew says to describe the process. “Drawing upon your skill and experience, you then bring the vision to life.� To expand this vision, an impor-
tant exercise is to expose yourself to new opportunity, to new possibilities. Thus, we travel to America. Crossing our national border, the patrol agent is serious, intimidating. “You’re going biking in the snow?� she asks in disbelief. “Its an indoor bike park.�The straightforward reply grants us entry into the U.S. Arriving at our destination, an old warehouse thriving with action, we begin to explore. Sparking a conversation with a local spectator reveals tones of nostalgia. “I used to skateboard,� he says in reference to his youth. “With these extra 60 pounds around my waist, I just don’t have the agility, I don’t have the fitness,� he continues. When embarking upon adventure, dialogue with the characters you encounter can be a powerful source of information. Resting between riding sessions is the opportune time to converse. Targeting a question towards one of the elite riders I ask, “What makes the best so good? Why do they excel?� His reply is obvious, if you think about it. “Riding feels good,� he says.
“The best riders never forget this‌ they’re the ones out there having the most fun.â€? My curiosity continues. I inquire about how they learn. One of the riders with refined skills responds with intelligence. “BMX isn’t rocket science, it’s harder. This isn’t something taught in school. We learn on the streets.â€? Of course, like walking down the street in Toronto, this sport entails an element of danger. Another character has an answer to my inquiry about risk and reward. “You can’t be scared to fall,â€? he bravely states. “You proceed with courage. You learn by trying.â€? Those in the pursuit of excellence constantly explore new territory and attempt new challenges. The world is filled with characters, venues and opportunity for adventure. Returning home, the soundtrack to our journey includes music by Bob Dylan. Perhaps the age-old themes of progression and exploration were best articulated with his words, “He not busy being born, is busy dying.â€? dcopping@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
sports
Friday, February 2, 2007
29
Warriors drop two Pair of losses extend streak to four Warriors sit seventh in OUA West as playoffs draw near; top six make it in Brody Hohman reporter
Naema nayyar
Karen Vanderhoek watches Alexis Huber cover-up vs. WLU.
Waterloo’s 15 points have them sixth in the OUA, one point up on Western and Windsor for the final playoff spot Matt Levicki reporter
There are a number of great rivalries in sports these days: Maple Leafs vs. Senators, Yankees vs. Red Sox, Patriots vs. Colts, and Warriors vs. Golden Hawks. Any good rivalry will cause emotions to rise, tensions to grow, and pressures to increase. An important rivalry will make that game seem like more than just another game. In the case of this past Saturday’s match-up at the Columbia Ice Fields between the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier, it was not just a win on the line; it was bragging rights for the entire city. In recent years, the Battle of Waterloo has been dominated by the Golden Hawks, en route to winning the OUA championship three years in a row. Coming into this game, the Golden Hawks again found themselves atop the OUA standings, ranked fourth in the country. The Warriors would provide stiff competition however, as they have been playing some of their best hockey of the season in recent weeks. A boisterous crowd, backed up by the Warriors varsity band, witnessed an even start to the game. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Golden Hawks would slowly shift the momentum in their favour by opening the scoring at 14:09 of the first period on a goal by Andrea Ironside. Late in the first, the Golden Hawks would go up by two with a penalty shot goal, which was rewarded by the referee on a questionable call for closing the hand on the puck inside the crease.
The second period would see Wilfrid Laurier establish control of the game by taking a 4-0 lead on a pair of goals by their captain, Laurissa Kenworthy. The Warriors would have a chance to get back into the game with a five on three late in the second period, only to be foiled in their attempts by Golden Hawks goalie Morgan Wielgosz. Finally, with only 12 seconds left in the period, Warriors forward Jo-Ann Scott would find the back of the net to make the game 4-1 and offer hope to a comeback attempt in the final period. There would be no comeback on this afternoon, with the final score ending up 5-1 in favour of the Golden Hawks. Warriors goalie Alexis Huber played strong in the loss making 26 saves, doing all she could to keep the Golden Hawks scorers in check. Despite the Warriors best efforts, the result of this rivalry once again goes to Wilfrid Laurier. The Warriors would have to quickly shake off the loss and prepare for another tough match-up the next day as they travelled into Toronto to take on the seventh-ranked Varsity Blues. Another hard fought battle ended up with a second Warriors loss on the weekend, this time by a 1-0 margin. The Warriors record now drops to 6-8-2-1, leaving them in a tight battle for playoff positioning. Next action for the Warriors this weekend is a road trip to Brock Friday night, followed by a crucial home game against Guelph Saturday night at the Columbia Ice Fields.
The Warriors’ extended their losing streak to four this past week when they dropped games to both Brock and Laurier. The Brock Badgers came into the PAC Wednesday night and left with a 75-55 victory before the Warriors visited Laurier on Saturday afternoon, falling 75-66 to the Golden Hawks. Waterloo remains in seventh in the OUA West with a 6-10 record and one spot short of a playoff berth. Occupying that final playoff spot are the Guelph Gryphons (6-9) who the Warriors beat 73-68 in Guelph, three weeks ago. Those same Gryphons visit the PAC Saturday afternoon at 3 pm on autograph day in a very important game for the Warriors post season hopes. But before Guelph the Warriors faced a gritty McMaster Marauders team (8-7) on Wednesday night, results were not available at press time. The shots will need to start falling for the Warriors if they hope to make it to the post-season. As a team they are shooting 39 per cent from the field and 31 per cent from the arc while allowing 5 points more than they score per game.
The Warriors held the Badgers to averages of 42 from the field and 20 from the arc but countered percentages of just 32 and 13. After a low scoring first half UW came out with energy and hustle but Brock point guard Brad Rootes tried his best to knock them down with 4 timely three-pointers. Waterloo also wasn’t getting any help from the referees who after a series of missed calls sent the home crowd into a chorus of boos. Coach Tom Kieswetter was stressing ball movement to his team as the game progressed and they responded by spreading the ball around nicely, but the shots were just not falling. Brad Rootes continued to be a thorn in the Warriors side with some flashy passing to his big man Chris Keith. Rootes finished with a near triple-double of 19 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds while Keith added 24 points. For the Warriors Michael Davis had 12 points, five rebounds, a block and three steals but also had six turnovers. Matt Kieswetter and David Burnett both had nine points while Jordan Hannah had six of his own in just eight minutes off the bench. It was a similar story against the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday as UW held them to just 39 per cent
West (Men’s Basketball) TEAM
GP
W
L
PTS
Windsor
16 12 4 24
Brock
15 9
6
18
McMaster
15 8
7
16
Western
15 8
7
16
Laurier
15 7
8
14
Guelph
16 7
9
14
Waterloo
16 6 10 12
Lakehead
16 1 15 2
from the field but the Hawks made 11 of their 21 threes which help lead them to the win. Waterloo led 30-28 at the half but Laurier scored 47 points in the second half en route to the win. Waterloo shot 34 per cent which included a tough night for Matt Kieswetter who was 1 of 13 shooting. UW moved the ball well with 15 assists but were out-rebounded 45-33. Dave Burnett and Matt Hayes both stepped up to post career highs in points. Burnett scored 16 while Hayes added 12 of his own. Olivier Quesnel scored 11 points and pulled down 4 boards. Matthew Walker had 25 points for Laurier while the CIS leading shot blocker Andrew Pennycook (2.93 per game) rejected 11 Warrior shots. The energy and the will are there for the Warriors, as they continue to hustle for every loose ball, play hard defence and show a desire to win. They just need a player or two to step up and fill the scoring void at a more efficient rate as the race for the playoffs is winding down with just six games remaining on the regular season schedule.
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sports
30 Warriors upset Brock, lose to WLU
Friday, February 2, 2007
Waterloo loses two more Shawn Bell sports editor
photos by Shawn Bell
Laurier hit the final free throw; Kimberly Lee walks off; she scored 14 points and nine rebounds but missed the final shot. Shawn Bell sports editor
On January 24, CIS ranked eighth Brock visited the PAC; the Warriors upset the highly favoured Badgers with a total defensive effort. Then, four days later, Waterloo traveled down the road to Laurier and were upset themselves, 63-62 after a late Golden Hawk comeback. In the back-and-forth game against Brock, the Warriors’ full-court pressing defence held the normally prolific Badger scorers down. Despite Gillian Maxwell’s 14 boards, the Warriors lost the rebound battle 37-33; and though Brock tied the game to end the third quarter, Waterloo came out hard in the fourth, winning the quarter and the game. Kate Poulin led the way with 16 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds. Then, January 27 at Laurier, Waterloo took a 9-point lead into the final minutes but couldn’t hang
on. Laurier went on a run, tied the game by hitting threes, and with 12 seconds left on the clock, got fouled and went to the line — the Hawk made one of two and Laurier went up by one. Kimberley Lee had a shot at the buzzer to win fall short. Lee led the way on offence for the Warriors, with 14 points and nine rebounds. Poulin scored 13, grabbed seven boards and three steals. The split leaves Waterloo (10-8) with 20 points, in fifth; they are 2 points down of Brock and 2 points up on Lakehead. The top six teams make the playoffs; seed three and four earn a home game in the quarter-finals. This week McMaster comes to the PAC January 31 (results unavailable at press time). Then, on February 3, at 1:00 p.m. in PAC, the Warriors host Guelph (13-5) for the final home game of the season. sbell@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
Presents
THIS WEEK IN ATHLETICS
In the first set of the January 26 men’s volleyball match against McMaster, the Warrior’s trailed 22-15 and the set, against a very good Marauders side, was sliding away. That was when setter Andrew Thorpe turned to his big gun, Duncan Crains, to pull Waterloo through. Thorpe went to Crains three times in a row and just like that, Waterloo was in a battle. It wasn’t enough, and hasn’t that been about the story of the Warriors’ season? Mac pulled through in the first set, dominated the second, and won the third, despite Thorpe turning to the other young hitter, Tyler Vivian, and Waterloo’s late surge to 22-23. The next night Guelph, an inferior team tied with the Warriors for ninth in the OUA, came to the PAC and beat the home side in three straight sets. Waterloo now sits at 2-15, tenth. They have not won since Rememberance Day; that’s 10 straight losses. Included in that stretch is a five-game losing streak to open 2007. In four of those games Waterloo didn’t win a set. But hell, be positive. There is good to speak of, for while watching the men play Mac, I liked this team. They were outgunned and out-talented, but they were fighting for balls and the young stars looked like they really will be stars, specifically Thorpe, Crains and Vivian. True, Thorpe and Crains are freshmen, and Vivian has only a year under his belt. Yet they’re the leaders of this squad, on the floor at least, and it is good that they appear to be growing comfortable together. We’ll start with the vet, Tyler Vivian (top photo). The 6’2�, 170lb outside hitter carries himself with as much confidence as anyone on the team. He splits the number-one-option role with Crains, and over the weekend led Waterloo with 25 kills and 27 points. Thorpe looks for him, and Vivian seems more than happy to take a shot around, or right through, whatever block might be set. Next, the setter, Andrew Thorpe (middle photo). He’s good. In the two weekend games he dished out 55 assists. One he sent over Vivian’s head and the guys on the court smiled; the wild pass is a rare occurance with this kid. He’s 6’3�; chipped in with a couple of key blocks, plays defence, and in the first set against Mac, with the Warriors down 20-24, he stepped up to serve that lanky jumper and hit three good serves before Mac could put one down to win. Crains (bottom photo), the 6’3� 188 lb outside hitter from Georgetown, looks to be the turn-to guy on the floor.
VOLLEYBALL
Friday, February 2 Waterloo vs. Western Women @ 6 pm & 8 pm PAC Gym Saturday February 3 Waterloo vs. Windsor Women @ 6 pm & 8 pm PAC Gym
James Rowe staff reporter
Track and Field The Warriors competed in the McGill Team Challenge in Montreal on January 26 and 27. Although many UW competitors were able to lower their personal best times and improve their CIS rankings, Waterloo was unable to reach the podium in any of the events. The Warriors finished 9th out of 17 teams on the men’s side while the women’s team came in 13th place in the 14 team field. Both the men’s and women’s divisions were won by the University of Guelph Gryphons. UW will next compete in the York Classic on Saturday, February 3, in Toronto. Squash The Warriors wrapped up their regular season by playing three matches. On January 27, Waterloo tied Toronto 3-3 and then beat McGill 6-0 later in the same day. The following day the Warriors split 3-3 again, this time with Queen’s. Second-year student Eric Dingle had a big weekend, going 6-0 for the Warriors. The Warriors finished the season in second place in the OUA, trailing only Western. Waterloo now advances to the OUA Championships which will be hosted by McMaster on Saturday, February 10. The Warriors will meet U of T in their semi-final match.
photos by Simona CHerler
He and Vivian hold their own counsel but the rest of the team look to Crains when they get down. He looks short in the power spot, but boy can he jump; his 17 kills over the two games second only to Vivian. He’s a beach volleyball specialist who looks like a surfer; in the second set he showed an attitude to match, arguing a call and then lying on the floor after the next point, before being benched for the rest of the set. These are the things experience provides; regardless, he’ll have years of being the face and leader of the Warriors; let us hope he learns quick. There are three games left. Next up the Warriors are home to Western. Game time is 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at PAC.
Swimming On Saturday, January 27, the Warriors took part in a meet at Brock against Western, York, Trent, and the host Badgers. The Warriors’ men’s team was able to defeat Brock, York, and Trent but fell short against the Mustangs of UWO. The women were successful against Trent and York but were defeated by Brock and Western. The next day the UW teams took part in a meet against Laurier and Laurentian. The women were beaten by both of their opponents while the men came out on top. Both the men and women are now preparing for the OUA Championships which are being held in Guelph from February 9-11. jrowe@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
BASKETBALL
Saturday, February 3 Waterloo vs. Guelph Women @ 1 pm ; Men @ 3 pm PAC GYM Listen Live on ckmsfm.ca
Women’s hockey
Saturday, February 3 Waterloo vs. Guelph 7:30 pm CIF Arena
ATHLETES OF THE WEEK ALEX WATSON, SWIMMING A fourth year Arts student from Oshawa, Ontario led the Warriors this past weekend. On Saturday agianst Brock, Western, Trent and York, Alex paced the Warriors with wins in the 100 and 200 butterfly. Alex continued his winning ways with firsts in the 100 fly and 100 free. In all of these victories Alex demonstrated that he has benefited from the Christmas training camp and is ready to have his best ever OUA championships in Guelph on Feb. 9-11.
GABY LESNIAK, VOLLEYBALL A third year Kinesiology Student from Hamilton, Ontario had a stellar weekend in matches against the #2 McMaster Marauders (L 3-1) and #4 Guelph Gryphons (W 3-0) in the OUA West division. Gaby, an OUA All-Star, led the Warriors in all statistical categories with a total of 18 kills, 1 assist, 2 service aces, 20 digs and 4 stuff blocks for the combined matches and was a noticeable force on the court the entire weekend. The Warriors remain in third place in the division after splitting the two matches.
sports
Friday, February 2, 2007
GOLF: Victor Ciesielski named to Canadian national amateur golf team
31
Athlete Profile:Victor Ciesielski
courtesy of vic ciesielski
Hometown: Cambridge
Birthplace: Poland
Doug Copping assistant sports editor
Warrior freshman Victor Ciesielski talks about his mindset, formative influences and future direction, connecting his experiences to themes that affect us all.
courtesy vic ciesielski
Continued from cover
Ciesielski’s season also included the PGA tour’s Canadian Open in September, where he scored a hole in one, made the cut ahead of Mike Weir, finished among the top Canadians and became a national golf celebrity in the process. Canadian Press stories flashed across the country, profiling the smiling 21 year old with the shaggy blond hair, flashy plaid pants and the cheering section of friends echoing through the course. “The 2006 Canadian Open was an unreal experience in many ways,� Ciesielski said. “It taught me to keep my composure and how good you have to be to make a living in professional golf. Also, it made me realize I have that potential. So I have more drive now that it is attainable; you could say I got a taste and I’m hungry for more.�
The 2007 National Amateur Team started with a training camp in Phoenix, and this week the team is off to train in Orlando. The tournament schedule begins in the spring. In June the team will defend their titles (women’s, men’s and overall) at the 2007 Copa de las Americas tournament, held in Canada for the first time ever, from June 18 – 23 at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Aurora, Ontario. Later in the summer the team heads to Australia for the Four Nations Team Championship with six players squaring off in Ryder Cup format. For Ciesielski, 2007 is yet another step on his climb up the golf world. “My short term goals,� he said, “are to win the Canadian University national championship individually and, more important, as a team for UW. Then to take advantage of the opportunities this year and improve my game.�
“I am very excited. I’m looking forward to playing for Team Canada and representing our country on an international level.� —Victor Ciesielski The National Amateur Golf team is a year-round program that encompasses fitness, sports psychology, nutrition, technique development and exposure in international competition. The 2006 team graduated four players to the professional ranks. “This team gives us so many different opportunities,� Ciesielski said, “including the coaching staff; not only golf coaches but also physical strength coaches, nutritionists and mental coaches. They cover all expenses too, which is nice for my parents due to this game being very expensive.�
But for this Warrior star, the sky’s the limit. “Long term, my goal is to make the PGA tour as quickly as possible when I turn professional,� Ciesielski said. “I have many other goals, but they all are pretty much earn enough money to continue playing, improving and providing for my family. Then, after that is secure, work hard enough to engrave my name in history as one of the best players to ever play the game.� sbell@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
GROWING UP Both my parents played national volleyball and are super competitive. My buddies got me into golf at the age of 12. It was a laid back thing. We were joking around and having fun. At 15 I started to really excel. My competitive side also comes from playing other sports and was developed before I started playing serious golf. I injured myself playing basketball in my senior year. After I got hurt, and shifted my focus to golf, over 300 schools contacted me for scholarships. High school nationals and provincials grew on me. Once I started winning, I began to think of the potential. I devoted all my focus and resources to golf, so that I could become as good as possible. I’ve been going on six years playing hardcore. ATTITUDE The game is 90 per cent mental. It has so many variables. You need strategy. You need self-confidence. It comes down to how you handle pressure and how you prepare to make yourself better than the competition. It comes down to how bad you want it, and how hard you work to get it. I compete to raise my potential. My mindset is simple: win. I don’t think of anything else.
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LIFE LESSONS Getting up at 5:30 a.m. to train before class, you learn to apply this dedication and work ethic to everything else that you do. The social factor is very important. You learn how to talk to people, how to read people. You learn how to carry conversations, and that’s an essential aspect to business. You socialize. Golf is a king’s game. You meet a lot of people and you learn from them. We play together. I ask them questions. They ask me about golf. PREPERATION As a professional golfer, you need to be at your peak performance every time you touch the club. I plan out my training a year in advance and focus to peak at the competitions weighted with more importance. Everyone taking their game to higher levels does this. That’s how they are able to perform consistently. For my training, I have eight different coaches. Nutrition. Workout. Psychology. Swing Technique... This is what it takes to get to the next level. Now that I’m playing on the national team, I have zero expenses for the entire year. The technology and analysis is amazing. It’s a culture shock. My coaches assess my program to say exactly what action I need to take to improve. For me, golf is more of a lifestyle than something to do. You need this mentality to progress, to move forward. To take your game to the next level, you need to think bigger.
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WILLPOWER A lot of golfers come from wealthy families and take it for granted. My sister and I moved to Canada from Poland in the late ’80s, a time when Poland was unstable and had little opportunity. I appreciate what my parents did for me. They put all their resources towards my golf. We were scraping together for the last eight years, just so I could keep playing. It’s a very expensive sport. When I was playing a tournament, I knew I needed to make it count. If I don’t perform, it might be the last. This willpower comes through in your golf. It’s a long, focused event all about being mentally strong. If you’ve had everything handed to you, you’re less able to persevere when things aren’t going well. THE FUTURE I’m looking forward to helping the UW team win the national championships. I’d like to grow this sport and get the resources to build a strong program, to build an outlet for competitive golf in Canada. Currently, the money isn’t there. We need more resources put into athletics. Small high schools in America have 20 times more resources than UW. I want that to increase. Eventually, I would like to give scholarships to keep talent in Canada and build programs to develop that talent at home. dcopping@imprint.uwaterloo.ca
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