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Student Life

TEDxMontrealWomen built bridges and broke barriers with this year’s feminist speakers

by Emma Carr on

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On Nov. 5, Théâtre Saint-Denis hosted the fourth annual TEDxMontrealWomen conference, to bring together feminist minds. Since 2013, the independent, volunteer-led conference has presented innovative solutions for emerging social, political, and scientific problems to Montrealers. Predominantly organized by women, the event provides a platform for the work of emerging feminist thinkers. This year’s conference featured 18 speakers, including doctors, musicians, and activists. Presentations ranged from musical inspiration to indigenous rights, with the theme of ‘bridges’ linking them all together.

Each speaker’s unique interpretation of ‘bridges’ was shaped by their work and individual experiences. The focus primarily stayed on physical and metaphorical links currently shaping society at global and local levels. The program noted that building bridges is important because they can provide connections across people of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Saima Shah, a clinical hypnotherapist and expert on the workings of the subconscious mind, spoke about challenging one’s limits. She prompted the audience to understand their subconscious by addressing their fears and anxieties.

“[I was attracted to participating in the conference] because of the theme, ‘bridges,’” Shah said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “Bridges to the conscious mind [and] the subconscious mind [….] Connecting to ourselves helps us to connect to the rest of the world as well. I was very intrigued by the theme, and I thought it was perfect.”

Rachel Kiddell-Monroe, a human rights activist, presented on civil society’s role in determining a nation’s prosperity and conflict levels. For her, the TEDxMontrealWomen conference highlights the unique perspective women bring to global conversations. She was drawn to the event for this reason.

“Women have a very particular message to give, and a very particular approach to trying to reach out to people,” Kiddell-Monroe said in an interview with the Tribune. “I think that the attitude that we have as women and the talent, and the voice that we can bring into this is going to be very important, so it’s really great that this is a forum for that voice to be heard.”

Kiddell-Monroe explained that by featuring femme speakers, the conference and its organizers are able to inspire those passionate about helping others to become activists. In her talk, she shared her experience working with marginalized groups in Indonesia and Rwanda, and encouraged listeners to be more inclusive toward others.

“[Empathy] really has an impact on people’s lives,” Kiddell-Monroe told the Tribune. “The ripples of those acts can really affect policy and how people are thinking, and it creates a shift in society. I want to use my first-hand experience and try to get that message out to make people feel that there is more than they [can] do.”

Other speakers, such as Carol Devine, an environmental activist and McGill alumna, addressed the need to understand the ties between human activity and its direct consequences on the environment. Devine spoke about her research in Antarctica, which influenced her to consider the environmental impact of plastic pollution on endangered ecosystems.

“I’m talking about marine debris,” Devine said in an interview with the Tribune. “[I became interested in [this area of study] when I led this clean-up expedition in Antarctica, and there was a lot of land pollution, and that was 20 years ago. Our understanding about how our world interweave is growing and growing, and [it’s becoming increasingly clear] we need to get a grip on our fossil fuel consumption.”

Even though presenters interpreted the theme in a variety of ways, the takeaway of the conference was that ‘bridges’ are powerful tools for understanding the world around us and tackling the problems faced by younger generations.

“[With] fences people suffer more than ever, so we need bridges, physical bridges and metaphorical bridges between peoples,” Devine said. “We are more similar than we think and what’s different is not going to kill us.”

Opinion

RE: The Oct. 23 General Assembly

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Editor's note: After the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) Fall 2017 General Assembly (GA), and subsequent controversy on campus, the Tribune is accepting letters representing students’ current views on SSMU. Click on any of the titles below to read current submissions. If you would like to join the conversation please send a 600-word letter to [email protected]. If you would like to join in on the conversation for any of the other motions being debated at the GA, we welcome your opinions as well.

Arts & Entertainment, Books, Theatre

“The Violet Hour” provides marginalized voices with a spooky platform

by Josh Marchesini on

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The Violet Hour, founded by Christopher DiRaddio, is a bi-monthly reading series that showcases both established and emerging LGBTQ writers and performers. The reading series gives a platform to otherwise marginalized voices. Hosted in the Montreal Gay Village’s Stock Bar, attendees were also given the option to participate in a personal tarot card reading by artist Jesse Stong.  The Violet Hour has a strong sense of community which transcended language, locality, and genre.

On Oct. 31, the Halloween edition of The Violet Hour featured work from prominent writers, notably critically-acclaimed journalist Elio Iannacci. In addition, David Demchuk debuted his Giller Prize nominated book, The Bone Mother, about a world of mythological creatures seeking refuge in Eastern Europe while evading the ruthless Night Police. Fitting the night’s Halloween theme, Montreal writer and translator Neil Smith presented a passage from his debut novel Boo, a story about  an afterlife populated exclusively by 13-year old Americans.

Aside from these whimsical fantasies, The Violet Hour also included artists’ whose writing reflected on the distinct experiences of LGBTQ individuals living in Montreal and beyond. In their reading of Femme Confidential, Nairne Holtz explores the lives of three individuals, navigating the lesbian community and their sexual identities, set in an increasingly gentrified Toronto neighbourhood. Cason Sharpe’s work Our Lady of Perpetual Realness & Other Stories focuses on the experience of being a young gay man of colour. Dishwashing in Saint-Henri, pool-hopping, and wandering down an empty Boulevard Saint-Laurent are just some of the various experiences that inform his worldview. His reading captivated the audience, who alternated between raucous laughter and tears in their connection to Sharpe’s lived experience in Toronto and Montreal.

While the majority of the speakers at the event recited excerpts from their latest works, the highlight of the evening was a scene from the Talisman Theatre’s upcoming production of Vic and Flo Saw a Bear, translated to English for the stage. Alexandra Lavinge plays a parole officer, pressing Natalie Liconti’s character Flo to reveal the whereabouts of her girlfriend, ex-con Vic. Set in Quebec, the production combines a love story, elements of the noir genre, and a distinct magic realism.

Throughout the evening, The Violet Hour showcased a diversity of voices, representing the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in the greater Montreal area. Stripped down to a single spotlight and microphone, the various artists and writers indulged the audience, confronting their own biases and connecting those experiences with their own. The artists proved that while LGBTQ+ is a unifying label, it encompasses a multitude of distinct viewpoints. The Violet Hour, in collaboration with the Concordia Community Solidarity Co-op Bookstore, is a unique, inclusive event, which provides local writers with a platform to both present and sell their work at an affordable price.

News, PGSS

PGSS Secretary-General candidates share platforms at debate

by Julia Metraux on

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On Nov. 2, the McGill Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) hosted a debate for candidates for the office of Secretary-General at Thomson House. Two days before the start of the voting period, which takes place between Nov. 4 and Nov. 11, the four candidates discussed their platforms and the projects they would hope to implement as Secretary-General. This by-election follows former PGSS Secretary-General Jacob Lavigne’s resignation on Oct. 2 following an accident over the summer.

The debate began with a presentation by each of the candidates on their platforms and qualifications. Candidate and Master of Social Work student Liam Murphy explained that among his strongest assets is his experience working with social justice organizations and student associations like the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA).

“The focus for my campaign is around advocacy because of my experience working on structural social work,” Murphy said. “[I have] experience working on provincial and federal student organisations, specifically Students Nova Scotia and [CASA], both of which advocate for accessible, affordable, and high quality post-secondary education.”

Murphy expressed his hope for PGSS to condemn discriminatory actions, like the recent vote to pass Quebec Bill 62, which ties into his platform of advocacy. Bill 62 bans people from receiving public services if their faces are covered, which Murphy says targets those who wear niqabs.

“Provincially, I would like the PGSS to take a vocal stance against Bill 62, which was recently passed, and is incredibly discriminatory against Muslim women,” Murphy said. “I think it is important that we speak out against injustices regularly.”

PGSS Student Support Commissioner Maria Tipler then spoke about how her current work for the Society qualifies her for the position of Secretary-General. Additionally, Tipler has been a member of the McGill community since 2011, completing her undergraduate degree and commencing her graduate work in 2014 before pursuing her PhD in Neuroscience all at McGill.

“Not only have I had to provide moral support to students, I’ve had to learn about the governing system and how the administration thinks,” Tipler said. “The confidential nature of my job has also given me a great insight of the real, core problems of members here.”

A new face to student governance, M.Sc. candidate in Computer Science Mohammad Amini, then presented his platform points. If elected he intends to reduce the financial burdens that PGSS members face.

“As I’ve talked to [PGSS Financial Affairs Officer] Matthew [Satterthwaite], there’s a sponsorship program that’s about to go on,” Amini said. “Through that, we can find free events and free food without us paying for the PGSS events, and I think that’s something a lot of us could appreciate.”

M.A. candidate in History Nooria Puri concurred with Tipler in prioritizing McGill services. Specifically, Puri hopes to focus on the mental and physical well-being of postgraduate students.

“I’d like to increase the attention to mental and physical health awareness, and support [students] through increased availability of Nightline and peer support systems,” Puri said. “[I’d also like to] work with the fitness center to create and  promote active lifestyle programs targeting postgraduate students.”

All four candidates expressed their desires to create a greater sense of community among PGSS members. Puri added that strong networks are important for international students in particular.

“As an international student, who is extremely far from home, PGSS for me represents a community that I could not only learn from, but feels like a home away from home,” Puri said. “Therefore, for me, it is important to revitalize the PGSS community [to be] a strong shared network of support and growth.”

Hockey, Sports

In conversation with Rich Clune

by Wasif Husain on

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Hockey players are, in a word, tough; they’re willing to risk their bodies and overcome injuries in the name of the sport. As a result, the general public rarely associates mental health struggles with hockey players, nor athletes in general. Rich Clune, who grew up playing hockey in the era of the ‘suck it up’ philosophy, is a professional hockey player from Toronto who has spent the last decade between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL), playing for teams such as the Los Angeles Kings, the Nashville Predators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has openly discussed his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction and mental health since he became sober in May 2010. He sat down with The McGill Tribune to discuss the changing culture around mental health in hockey and in university, and what can be done to further support people struggling with these issues.

“I think there [has] always been a misconception about what’s talked [about] in the dressing room,” Clune said. “[But] it’s improving. Hockey players care about each other.”

Nearly five years ago, the NHL launched a program called “Hockey Talks,” which has created many new avenues for the open discussion of mental health. The program started in 2013 after the tragic passing of hockey player Rick Rypien, a fan favourite in Vancouver who took his life after suffering from clinical depression. It started the conversation about mental health issues in hockey.

“[Rypien’s tragic passing] was eye-opening, […] essentially an alpha male, suffering from these mental health issues,” Clune said. “[The] perception of tough guys and fighters was so much different and it surprised many [that] these guys can have these problems.”

To help athletes struggling with mental health issues, and to reduce the likelihood that others develop them in the future, steps must be taken to educate people on mental health—especially for the sake of younger athletes who may feel that they they can’t discuss their problems. If they are struggling, players shouldn’t be compelled to hide it.

“Kids will see it’s okay to talk about the issues,” Clune said. “The more they can get coaches and parents to talk about these issues, the better it will be at the minor level.”

To combat mental illness, it’s vital that informative resources are available. They help give people the confidence they need to feel comfortable discussing their mental health and the skills needed to protect their loved ones.

“We have to educate people on what is going on,” Clune said. “If you can look at the symptoms and recognize them, we can be proactive about the issues and be well-equipped to try and handle the situation.”

Of course, mental health doesn’t just affect hockey players. Clune also addressed the importance of education and how mental health issues can affect students, and provided guidance for afflicted students.

“Education is a big part of the family,” Clune said. “I know students have a lot riding on school, whether it be parents [paying] tuition or [if] you have a scholarship. [Students] have to be world beaters. It’s okay to ask for help. There is a lot of strength in that. Take advantage of counsellors. Take a break if need be. If you look someone in the eye and tell them you have a problem, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who would look down on you.”

University is a difficult balancing act, and many students find themselves overwhelmed, struggling with the apparent either-or choice between extracurricular activities and academic pursuits. Still, Clune believes that students should make these difficult decisions with serious consideration of their own health.

“I know how hard it is to balance school, social life, and going out,” Clune said. “Your mental health should be [a] priority and if you have to cut back on something, it’s okay.”

Clune has become an inspiration for the hockey community and remains extremely involved in several capacities, all while playing in the AHL: In his spare time, he works with organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and SickNotWeak, while also volunteering as a counsellor for recovering addicts at the Renascent Treatment Centre. 

He left the conversation with one lasting mantra—for athletes and students alike—to follow and apply themselves in tough situations.

“I’m not responsible for my disease,” Clune said. “[I’m] responsible for my actions and how they can improve it. I am always willing to put in the work, […] especially if it improves me as a person.”

News, SSMU

SSMU Legislative Council votes against endorsing Daily Publications Society

by Jackie Houston on

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At its Nov. 2 meeting, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council voted against endorsing the Daily Publications Society’s (DPS) upcoming existence referendum. Additionally, Vice-President (VP) External Connor Spencer and three faculty representatives moved for a special extension of the Fall 2017 referendum period. The Council also passed a motion mandating that SSMU contest Quebec’s Bill 62.

DPS Referendum question endorsement

Legislative Council deliberated Spencer’s motion to endorse a “yes” vote on the upcoming DPS existence referendum question posed to all downtown campus undergraduate students, which would renew the DPS’ non-opt-outable fee of $6 per undergraduate student per term and $3.35 per graduate student per term. The DPS relies on student fees to publish both Le Délit and The McGill Daily. As is mandated for clubs with non-opt-outable fees, a referendum question is posed every five years asking students to support the DPS’ existence. Although the Legislative Council previously endorsed a “yes” vote for the Winter 2013 DPS existence referendum, the current motion failed to pass, with 10 votes in favour, 12 votes against, and two abstentions.

The motion emphasized the importance of a diversity of independent publications on campus, with Le Delit being the only francophone paper at McGill. It also highlighted the fact that a free and critical press is necessary for SSMU’s democratic legitimacy.

“The Daily and Le Delit have constantly been at all of our [meetings],” Spencer said. “It’s really important that we, as an institution, support those that are holding us accountable,”

Some council members opposing the motion worried that, by encouraging students to support the DPS, SSMU would appear to be endorsing The McGill Daily’s editorial views, including support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Some argued that it was inappropriate to encourage all students to renew a fee that would support The Daily given its political stances. SSMU President Muna Tojiboeva voted against the motion, believing that SSMU should not take a stance on the DPS’ existence.

“Seeing that this is a student referendum, we should let the students make their own individual decisions, and vote on the referendum as they wish,” Tojiboeva said. “I wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable endorsing The Daily specifically, because we shouldn’t endorse a paper that marginalizes certain voices on campus.”

Throughout the debate, several councillors questioned the impartiality of the student press. Nora McCready, a news editor at theThe Daily, emphasized the DPS’ role as an educational institution in the absence of a formal journalism program at McGill.

“Both The Daily and Le Delit provide a space on campus for students to explore the field of journalism,” McCready said. “and even if there are people in the room who might disagree with The Daily's current editorial line, that’s something that has shifted through the years that it’s been in existence.”

Online voting on the 2017 DPS existence referendum opens Nov. 13.

Motion to Call a Special Referendum Period

Citing the importance of SSMU’s accountability to students, Spencer moved to extend the Fall 2017 Referendum period in order to add a question for a motion proposing sweeping amendments to SSMU’s constitution. Although the question was submitted in accordance with all submission regulations, it was not approved for the normal Referendum period due to concerns about the scope and legality of its proposals.

“[Last year] a lot of changes to the Constitution and [Internal Regulations] took power away from Legislative Council and the GA and give them to the [SSMU Board of Directors],” Spencer said. “[We’re] trying to […] give those powers back.”

SSMU General Manager Ryan Hughes explained at a previous meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) that the motion requires further approval from the BoD and SSMU’s legal team. Extending the Referendum period from Nov. 8 to Nov. 30 would allow time for this process.

Tojiboeva also presented the BoD’s main reservations on approving the question.

“The Board doesn’t feel like it’s rightful to bring it right now, because it’s a bit rushed,” Tojiboeva said. “The [Board’s] recommendation was [to] have more consultations with the student body, and then bring it back to the Winter 2018 Referendum [….] If we don’t do it properly then, moving forward, we won’t be able to have a proper constitution that’s coherent.”

Council tabled the special Referendum motion until its next meeting on Nov. 16.

 

Arts & Entertainment, Comedy

Artist Profile: Nicholas Krywucki is making lanes in Montreal comedy

by Virginia Shram on

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Nicholas Krywucki, known onstage as Nick K, has quickly identified himself as an emerging figure in the Montreal stand-up comedy scene. Wearing a baggy green sweatshirt, his floppy blond hair brushed out of his eyes, Krywucki’s posture is unassuming. As he steps on stage he nonchalantly adjusts the microphone and slides into his opening line with a soft voice reminiscent of Bo Burnham—though if pressed, he would say his favourite comedian is Doug Stanhope. An American attending McGill for its psychology program, his ability to read people serves him well in class as well as onstage.

Despite dedicating himself to comedy only this past summer, he has since performed at the Open Air Pub comedy show at McGill, and started The Dropout! Show, a weekly student-focused stand-up night at the ComedyWorks stage on Bishop Street. Although the structure of the show varies depending on performers’ schedules, both professional and academic, the Dropout! shows take place every Thursday night through December.

A newcomer to comedy, Krywucki is sympathetic to students looking to develop their skills.

“It’s really hard to do your first [show],” Krywucki said. “Before I went away for the summer I went to an open mic and I didn’t go up because I was too nervous. You get there and it’s so scary. A lot of it is based on how memorable your first experience is. My first experience wasn’t that big of a deal to me. It was brutal, but there were like three people that paid attention, so it was just something that was easy to shrug off.”

Krywucki's shy confidence pays off when it comes to the deliberate wit of his jokes. His favourite one-liner? “Have you heard the one about the depressed comic? I know my therapist has.”  

But while his jokes may lean toward dark humour, he prefers to draw from his personal life than indulge in the ubiquitous disdain for current American politics.

“I just don’t think [it’s] that funny. It’s too easy. A Donald Trump tweet is funnier than anything I could say about a Donald Trump tweet. If you’re a talk show host then it’s different, because you have a guest, and you have a whole working staff with everyone’s angles.”

For students who love a cheap night out, a local stand-up show filled with half a dozen performers provides ideal entertainment. Krywucki is even setting up a students-only free comedy night at Gerts before the semester’s end; details will be available once he finalizes the event and passes his looming midterms.

Even though doing a first set for a live audience may feel excruciating, Krywucki still says it’s the way to get critical exposure and practice.

“You have to just do it,” Krywucki said. “Some people are not confident or overconfident but you just have to find your own confidence level. There’s nothing wrong with doing it once and that’s it.”

Some locations have ideal audiences for first-timers, such as Saint-Laurent’s Art Loft, which hosts informal shows weekly. Due to its kitschy decor of mismatched sofas in a semi-circle around an askew mic stand and its BYOB policy, the venue has a perfectly laid-back energy.

One of Krywucki’s earliest shows was at Saint-Laurent’s Art Loft.

“I had this moment walking along St. Laurent on the way […]” Krywucki said. “I had never done this joke, and it’s a seven minute set—the longest I’ve ever done, I look down at my paper… I don’t know what it says, because I’m super drunk. I just cram it into my pocket and they tell me I’m going first, and there was a huge crowd that night. But it ended up [being] a super memorable set.”

Since then, Krywucki has quickly established himself on stage and as the producer of recurring shows at McGill and in greater Montreal. It’s hard to believe he was once so nervous, but if his success is any indication of his honesty, you’ve got to believe him.

Basketball, Martlets, Sports

Basketball season opener ends in McGill Martlets loss

by Ender McDuff on

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It was an emotional start to the season: In a tough championship final rematch on Nov. 4, the McGill Martlets basketball team (0-1)—top-ranked defending national champions—fell to L’Université Laval Rouge et Or (1-0), 58-50 in their RSEQ regular season opener at Love Competition Hall. At the start of the game, the Martlets stood with their arms interlinked for the banner-raising ceremony for the prior season’s U Sports Women’s Basketball Championship—the first national championship title in team history.

Finishing with an 8-2 record, the champs looked sharp in the preseason, outscoring their opponents by more than 14 points per game. The Martlets hoped that they would not succumb to the slow start that had plagued their previous season. This would prove a difficult challenge against a Laval team looking to avenge last season’s championship loss, and fueled by a stifling full-court press.

The McGill faithful erupted early after the Martlets opened up the game’s scoring with their first shot, but poor shooting kept them from pulling away, and the lead changed 15 times during the game. The teams stayed within five points of each other through the first half. The Martlets entered the locker room with a 29-28 advantage, propelled by 10 points and six rebounds from fifth-year centre Alex Kiss-Rusk. The third quarter saw a quicker pace and some sloppy play from both teams that ended with the Martlets still holding onto a one-point lead, 45-44.

With Kiss-Rusk on the bench to start, the Martlets’ shooting woes caught up with them in the final quarter as they were held off the scoreboard until there were only three minutes left in the game. Laval’s lead grew to 11 points, as the Rouge et Or had McGill on the ropes.

However, fifth-year guard Frederique Potvin gave the Martlets new life with a driving layup that ended the drought. Potvin soon grabbed a crucial offensive rebound, leading to a layup by fourth-year wing Marie-Love Michel, which cut the lead to two possessions. However, with a minute to go, Laval hit a mid-range jumper, a dagger that put the game out of reach.

Following the loss, the Martlets turned their focus toward improving for future games.

“We want to make sure we take care of the little things we can control,” Potvin said. “Long and short safety, three people going to the board. And also we’ve got to hit some shots.”

McGill sank less than a third of their shots from the field, which understandably frustrated the team.

“We’ve got to stop settling for shots.” Kiss-Rusk said. “We were settling for some tough ones at times, which obviously makes it harder for them to go in.”

Despite the pre-game banner raising ceremony, Head Coach Ryan Thorne stressed the need for the Martlets to improve every game and not rest on last year’s success.

“If we can get better every game, then what happens at the end will take care of itself.” Thorne said.

The Martlets next home game is scheduled for Nov. 18, when McGill hosts the cross-town rival Concordia Stingers.

 

Moment of the Game

Love Competition Hall, packed with fans eager to celebrate their championship team, was quick to erupt as the Martlets won the opening tip and scored first on strong ball movement that culminated in a three-pointer by third-year guard Geraldine Cabillo-Abante.

 

Quotable

“Last year is last year. We aren’t trying to measure ourselves based on last year.” – McGill Head Coach Ryan Thorne

 

Stat corner

The Martlets couldn’t buy a bucket, shooting 17-56 from the field (30 per cent) and 4-22 from three (18 per cent).

Off the Board, Opinion

It’s November—Merry Christmas!

by Grace Bahler on

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Today, there are exactly 48 days until Christmas. But, the most wonderful time of the year has already begun.

The day after Halloween, stores switch out their cobwebs and witch hats for cheery window displays with fake snow and tinsel filling their fronts. The candy aisles transform, too, from cheap bags of mixed gummies to gourmet chocolate and candy canes. Christmas is no longer restrained to the last week of December—it now starts Nov. 1—and I am here for it. Although it’s become the norm to hate on this trend, there is nothing wrong with starting the party early.

The first week of every November, you can find me roaming the aisles of Dollarama, stuffing my basket with twinkly lights, scented candles, over-the-top velvet bows, and occasionally a wreath. It’s almost difficult not to commence the celebrations: When stores go from Halloweentown to a Winter Wonderland overnight, giddiness is the instant reaction. In a mere month-and-a-half, exams will be over and students will find themselves at home with family and high school friends. ‘Tis the season to look forward to it all.

For context, I’m American, and our Thanksgiving is not until the tail-end of November. But, when I came to McGill two years ago, Canadian Thanksgiving came and went before Halloween. Suddenly, it was November, and I found myself in a slight lull with nothing to celebrate. Then came Christmas. It became my holiday, and it became the thing that got me through the dreadful essay and exam season. Nothing puts me in a state of euphoria as much as organizing Secret Santas, or curling up with a good book and eggnog while it snows.

It’s not just the material items that accompany Christmas that I love, though. Growing up, holidays always held a sentimental value. On Easter and Thanksgiving, my whole family would pile into my grandma’s house and we’d celebrate like no other. I have countless fond memories from years past, but nothing is quite as special as Christmas. Dec. 25 was always a day of pure happiness. As a kid, presents were the main source of that happiness, along with notes from “Santa.” But now, it’s the quality time that I get with my family and friends that sparks the most joy. I used to take this time for granted, but coming home for the holidays from McGill has made me realize how special it is to be with family and old friends.

In a mere month-and-a-half, exams will be over and students will find themselves at home with family and high school friends. ‘Tis the season to look forward to it all.

There’s a certain aesthetic that comes with the holiday season, too, regardless of what holidays one celebrates. We have commercialism to thank for this. Christmas has been at the forefront of materialistic North America, with decorations and gifts at the centre of celebration.

For some, this isn’t ideal; it strays from the religious history of the holiday. However, I live for Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” and re-watching Love Actually throughout most of November and December. Although this form of Christmas may very well be a dream that capitalism has conjured, it’s a dream that I welcome. Celebrating it so early is simply an escape from the hustle and bustle of student life. It’s living in a dream where all you hear is Michael Buble’s voice, and all you drink is superb hot cocoa. I may be a true sucker for the commercialization of Christmas, but there’s nothing that I love more than seeing Starbucks holiday cups and making my annual gingerbread house.

The holidays pass by fast, so we might as well enjoy them as much as possible. Pharmaprix and Dollarama trinkets aren’t there just to buy—they’re there to get everyone in the spirit. That’s what Christmas is really about. Beyond watching Elf while eating Lindt chocolate, it’s the warm and fuzzy holiday feeling inside that matters. Christmas encompasses everything from wholesome memories to wholesale candy. And the best part is, the joy begins long before Dec. 25, and extends far past it. I carry a little bit of Christmas around with me all year—but in November, it really starts to show.

 

 

Grace Bahler is a U2 International Development and Communications student and Student Living Editor at the Tribune. One time she accidentally swallowed a bee while running.

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 

 
Hockey, Men's Varsity, Sports

McGill Redmen hockey restrain Ridgebacks in late-game surge

by Patrick Beacham on

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On Nov. 4, the McGill Redmen (8-2-0) outlasted the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Ridgebacks (5-2-1), 4-2, in a hockey match plagued by penalties and turnovers. While it wasn’t a dominant performance, McGill coaches were still happy with the effort that placed them atop the OUA.

“Overall, it was a good team game,” Redmen Assistant Coach David Urquhart said. “We played for a solid 60 minutes, which is good to see on back-to-back nights, to not have a letdown after having a big win the night before.”

McGill’s offence was slow to start in the first two periods of the game. Finding trouble executing breakouts and generating scoring opportunities, the Redmen only scored one goal in the first period.

“Sometimes it’s [that] you get sloppy in the slot and you don’t apply the extra effort to put it behind the goalie,” third-year forward Jerome Verrier said. “Once everything [is] working, […] you just shoot the puck and it goes in.”

To add to their uphill battle, the Redmen were frustrated by an extended string of penalties. While such a handicap usually dooms teams, McGill’s stellar penalty-kill dug in and fended off UOIT on almost every power play.

“I can’t say that we could have done anything better than what we did defensively,” third-year defenceman Dominic Talbot-Tassi said. “We got scored on in the last [penalty kill….] Maybe we could have blocked that shot, but we played a solid game defensively.”

    Once again, the Redmen strategy of attrition paid off, finally wearing the Ridgebacks down. Late in the game, McGill’s emphasis on puck control won out as they outmaneuvered UOIT with crisp tape-to-tape passes and took the second period 2-1.

    “We’ve been working on our conditioning, we’ve been working on our battle drills and everything like that,” fifth-year forward Jan Kaminsky said. “At the end of the day, if we’re going into the second and third period [with better conditioning] than the other team, we’re gonna wear them down and see some success in the later parts of the game.”

    The win placed the Redmen at the top of the OUA conference. With upcoming matches against the Laurentian Voyageurs on Nov. 10 and the Nipissing Lakers on Nov. 11, they have every intention of holding their first-place league position.

    “We can beat anybody in this league, so [if we] just play our style and everything will go well,” Verrier said.

 

Moment of the Game

With 20 seconds left in the second period, the puck zigzagged across the offensive end down to the slot, where second-year centre Alexandre Sills stuffed a one-timer in the net.

 

Stat Corner

The Redmen and Ridgebacks took a combined 44 minutes in penalties.

 

Quotable

“Usually they [the referees] let us play more, but tonight they were strict and we had to adapt to it” – McGill third-year defenceman Dominic Talbot-Tassi on the numerous penalties on both sides.

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