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a, Student Life

New Year’s resolutions

by Natalie Wong on

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1. Aman Malhotra, U1 Arts and Science

(Jack Neal / McGill Tribune)
(Jack Neal / McGill Tribune)

What was your last New Year’s resolution?

Ironically, it was to avoid making unrealistic commitments. How young and naive I was.

Did you maintain it?

My hopeful pledge legitimately lasted until around teatime that very day, at which time I foolishly agreed to make lasagna for dinner. I don’t know how to make lasagna. Rough start to the year.

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

Alongside the classic tradition of “Get Jacked!” I decided that I want to be a less judgemental person. All fingers are crossed here that this one works out.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

By giving myself a broad, reasonable goal, the pressure is taken off. As long as I can see progress and feel like it’s positively affecting my peers and myself, I’m happy.

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

It’s helpful! Nobody likes undue pressure at the best of times, and least of all when it feels obligatory. Do yourself a favour and relax. Use your friends and family as motivation, but don’t lament over what they choose to do—that’s their decision. Honestly, New Year’s really cannot be the one chance we have to fire promises at ourselves. As long as I’m optimistic, I can give myself an attainable goal anytime, without having to force it. It’s about being ambitious, but making it something you feel is achievable. That said, be stern with yourself, exercise discipline, and give yourself incentive to avoid wavering from the goal you set—the results will be worth it!

2. Nathalie Cook, U1 Science

(Remi Lu / McGill Tribune)
(Remi Lu / McGill Tribune)

What was your last New Year’s resolution?

To learn how to skate. Having lived my whole life in France before coming to McGill, I never learned how to ice skate and I was so impressed by and envious of all the amazing skaters over here!

Did you maintain it?

I did keep my New Year’s Resolution. I did so by joining a weekly skating lesson at McGill taught by a student on the McGill Figure Skating Club. I also took advantage of all the beautiful outdoor rinks, such as the one by Old Port and Beaver Lake on Mount Royal.

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

To reduce my general stress level by trying to lead a more balanced life. I have a tendency to get caught up with school and neglect other important things in my life, such as my friends and extracurricular activities.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

I have decided to commit myself to things outside of school. I have joined  the Students’ Society of McGill University SSMU Ski & Snowboard Club, which means I’ll be skiing with my friends hopefully every Saturday of the season. I’ve also started volunteering at the Royal Victoria Hospital once a week.

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

I think that the concept of it is useful because it allows people to start off the new year with a specific goal in mind. This helps us stay motivated, especially when most of us are returning from two weeks of festivities spent with friends and family.  I would advise people to set specific short-term goals, rather than ambiguous long-term ones. Specific goals are easier to attain and people will feel motivated to continue pursuing them. Also, make sure that your [resolutions] are realistic­— it’s better to start small than to give up after a couple of weeks!

3. Meghan Collie, U1 Arts

(L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune)
(L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune)

What was your last New Year’s resolution?

[It] was a pretty long list, but it basically included all the basics. Eat healthily, work out more, keep my grades up. There were some other more personal ones too, like reminding me to talk to my family while I’m away at school more.

Did you maintain it?

I didn’t keep it to the extent that I would’ve liked and probably benefitted from. I entered 2014 a[…] high on the clean slate feeling everyone gets at the beginning of a new year, but I quickly got really stressed from dealing with first year, living in a residence, and having a long-distance relationship. I think it fell apart because I never viewed my resolution as a lifestyle change, but simply something to do because it was the start of a new year.

What is your current New Year’s Resolution?

I resolved to focus more on myself this year. A lot of my young adult life has consisted of me focusing on other people and other people’s happiness. This year, I […] decided to be selfish and do what makes me the happiest.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

I plan on approaching everyday with this “do me” attitude, and also making an effort to get to the gym everyday (regardless of how tired I am). It has to be a constant focus in my mind for it to work!

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

I think it’s a helpful concept because they inspire people to restart, even though it’s basically a facade (because you could realistically change your lifestyle whenever you wanted). However, the “clean slate” that comes from a new calendar gives people the motivation or the final push to really make a permanent change. [Resolutions are] hard because we […] aren’t very good at breaking habits, but once you do, it’ll become really easy to do the things on your list everyday. You can’t just write down your ideas and expect the existence of a list to change stuff. You have to live and breathe your goals every single day for them to take effect.

4. Julian Paparella, U4 Science

mcgillcatholics.ca
mcgillcatholics.ca

What was your 2014 New Year’s resolution?

I can’t remember exactly how I phrased my resolution last year, but it involved being more present to other people, and, as a person of faith, to God.

Did you maintain it?

It’s still certainly a work in progress!

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

This year I have two resolutions: First, to attend every class; and second, building on last year’s, to be more sincere with myself, with others, and with God.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

The first is extremely easy in theory, but if my past seven semesters are any reliable indication, far more difficult in practice. Thankfully, I don’t have the cruel punishment of 8:30 lectures so that’s already a step in the right direction, but getting to bed at a reasonable hour is probably my biggest strategy and struggle. As for the second, with things that are less concrete than class attendance, such as being more sincere, I think the key is being intentional. In my case, taking time […] to ask: Why am I doing this? What are my motivations? What are my desires? How do I approach others? Am I striving to be myself, and the best version of myself?

What is your view on New Year’s resolutions?

In my view, New Year’s resolutions provide a great opportunity to reflect, to see how you’re doing at life, to do away with the bad, and to strive to grow in the good. Sort of like pruning and fertilizing a prized rose in order for it to grow better, fuller, and more beautifully. For me, the difficulty comes in that the resolutions are so often confined to the New Year. They seem to last barely longer than the descent of the Times Square ball on New Year’s Eve! If I can remember what I’ve resolved to do and keep at it day in and day out (even if I slip along the way), I can get to where I want to be. A healthy combination of patience, realism, and determination is a huge help in this regard.

5. Desiree D’Souza, U3 Arts and Science

(Photo courtesy of DECA McGill)
(Photo courtesy of DECA McGill)

What was your last New Year’s resolution?

To eat healthier and exercise more often.

Did you maintain it?

I did! I set small goals for myself, and took concrete steps towards making them a reality. I found healthier foods that I liked, and started cooking more […] I took a circuit training class twice a week at the gym that was challenging […] and I’d try to go in twice more and run, or swim some laps. It was difficult at first, but after a while, eating healthy and working out became a habit. Over the summer I worked with a personal trainer, and this year I’m still taking that class and making an effort to eat healthy.

What is your current New Year’s resolution?

My first resolution is to become a morning person. I love sleeping in and often develop a terrible sleeping schedule over the course of the semester. I’ve been reading many articles that talk about the benefits of waking up early in terms of daily motivation, and find myself more productive earlier in the day[…] My second resolution is to read more books. I’ve always liked reading but find that during the semester, I stop reading novels for fun and get buried in course readings and scientific articles, but somehow still have time to watch Netflix. I also bought a lot of books at the Chapter’s closing sale and want to read them.

How do you plan on pursuing it?

By taking small steps. I’ve been trying to wake up during the week at 7a.m. or earlier, and heading to the gym straight away for a morning workout. I let myself sleep in on the weekends, or if I have a late night out, but I want to change my sleeping schedule so that waking up for 8:30 classes becomes a breeze. I also made a list of books that I want to read using the Goodreads app, and have been working through it for the past couple of weeks. I try and read a chapter or so each night. So far, I’ve finished three.

What is your view of New Year’s resolutions?

I think it’s a helpful concept if used correctly. Everyone likes the idea of a fresh start and I think it’s great to set realistic goals to become a better version of yourself, or do something you’ve always wanted to. People don’t necessarily have to wait until the new year to make these goals. It’s good to reflect on your lifestyle once in a while and take actions towards a happier, healthier you.

a, Sports

Sylla reaches milestone in lopsided win over Gaiters

by Elie Waitzer on

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McGill Martlets
85

Bishop’s Gaiters
30

Coming off a narrow defeat at the hands of No.1-ranked Windsor over the break, the McGill Martlets (6-0) reasserted their place atop the RSEQ Conference, blowing out the Bishop’s Gaiters (0-6) 85-30 at home Thursday night. The Martlets were led by Mariam Sylla, who recorded her usual double-double in just 17 minutes. Sylla also scored her 500th career regular-season point late in the fourth quarter after being subbed back into the game in response to “We want Sylla” chants from the spirited crowd.

“She’s an All-Canadian; she’s our best player,” Martlet Head Coach Ryan Thorne said. “If we’re going to do well, it’s going to go through her. As long as she’s productive and high energy, I think we’ll be successful.”

McGill started out strong, outscoring the Gaiters 23-6 in the first frame and dominating the smaller Bishop’s squad on both ends of the court. While there was no shortage of firepower on offence for the Martlets, with a stellar shooting performance from veteran point guard Dianna Ros and the unstoppable combination of Sylla and third-year centre Alex Kiss-Rusk in the post, Thorne maintained that the game plan will continue to revolve around high-intensity defence and rebounding, which lead to steals and fast-break opportunities.

“We’ve got one of the biggest front courts in the conference and we measure up with anyone in the country, so those are the kind of things we expect,” Thorne said. “Once again, coming off the break, those are things we tried to focus on—we have to get better on the boards, box out better—make sure that if we have an advantage there, we have to capitalize on that.”

Thorne’s players are obviously buying into the philosophy, as McGill outrebounded Bishop’s 52-25 and allowed their fewest point total all season while also shattering their own season-high point total of 73. Bishop’s point total didn’t break the double-digit mark until the waning minutes of the first half. Sylla and Kiss-Rusk bruised opposing bigs Danielle Lumley and Naomie Zitt-James under the rim, pulling down a combined 11 offensive boards and extending McGill’s possessions to the point where the shot clock should’ve been unplugged to save energy.

Leading 39-14 at the half, Thorne turned the game over to his bench, and was immediately rewarded as the Martlet reserves outscored the Bishop’s subs by 30 points on the night, shooting 44 per cent from the field.

“We […] played a lot of people today,” Thorne said. “So maybe that’s something I’ve got to learn from, and get more people out there and have more confidence because we can all score.”

Rookie wing Stephanie Blais impressed with a game-high 13 points on 5-for-11 shooting, and sophomore forward Jenn Silver added seven of her own, going 5-for-6 on free throws. In her second year on the team, Silver has shown promising flashes this season, adding an aggressive drive to her game while also getting to the line more frequently.

While the sure-handed Dianna Ros remains the team’s primary ball-handler, Coach Thorne gave 5’3” backup guard Caren-Carissa Tapia a shot to close out the lopsided affair. She made the most of it, scoring five points and dishing out three assists without turning the ball over in her 14 minutes of action.

“This is that return on [her] investment—what [she] does every day in practice that allows [her] to come out in the game and showcase it for you guys,” Thorne commented. “You guys get to see it—I already know who [Tapia] is.”

After picking up a 67-50 victory in the second game of the double-header against Bishop’s on Saturday, the Martlets sit snugly atop the RSEQ. Next Thursday, they head to Quebec City to face off against third-place Laval [3-3], and will look to remain undefeated before returning home on Saturday for a rematch.

guy stares at girl
a, Arts & Entertainment, Theatre

Cock opera takes Old Montreal

by Eric Noble-Marks on

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Johnny Legdick is a rock opera about oppression, identity, and above all, a man who has a leg where his penis is supposed to be. (more…)

a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

Celebrities You Didn’t Know Could Sing

by Evie Kaczmarek on

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“Why Do You Let Me Stay Here”

Zooey Deschanel

Released: January, 2008

Zooey Deschanel has garnered massive fame in recent years with her leading role in the successful TV show New Girl. Not everyone knows that she also stars as front-woman in the indie duo She & Him next to accomplished producer M. Ward. The discography is compelling; Deschanel and Ward seem to capture an old-style Americana romance with a perfect mix of spookiness and charm. Deschanel’s warm, buttery vocals have a vintage feel and will endear you through every single one of the pair’s old-school love songs. The single, “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here,” is an intriguing portrait of self-aware feminine naiveté placed over a catchy bouncing melody.

<iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/iYvABfWf6cM” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

“I Wish I Was in New Orleans”

Scarlett Johansson

Released: May 16, 2008

Although she is a household name, not many people know that Scarlett Johansson has a music career to go along with her on-screen success. Her iconic, seductive, husky speaking voice transitions surprisingly well into a singing one. This Tom Waits cover from her 2008 studio album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, is hauntingly lovely. The music box track that runs in the background gives it a sort of nostalgic, lullaby feel. Johansson is able to bring deep emotion to this piece; her scratchy and sometimes imperfect vocals are not detrimental, but instead wistfully captivating.

<iframe width=”420″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/Cb1V_Gf4904″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

“Sonnetanz (Sun Don’t Shine)” ft. Will Heard

Cara Delevingne

Released: August 20, 2013

With her famous eyebrows and one-of-a-kind look, Cara Delevingne is one of today’s most talked about supermodels. She walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2013,  serves as the face of both DKNY and Burberry, and has won British Fashion Awards’ “Model of the Year” in both 2012 and 2014. She has also made the transition to acting and will be starring in the 2015 film, Paper Towns. Rounding out her package of talents, she sings—and she’s pretty good. In this acoustic duet, “Sonnetanz (Sun Don’t Shine),” with British soul and jazz singer-songwriter, Will Heard, Delevingne showcases her sultry voice while weaving around Heard’s syncopated lines with some serious harmonies.

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/dNmpoj2Izwc” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

“Ruth”

Michael Cera

Released: August 8, 2014

Who doesn’t love Michael Cera? From Arrested Development to Juno (2007) to Superbad (2007), he’s the guy who relieved our worries: Awkward is, in fact, cool. Last August, in Beyoncé fashion, he released a surprise album. Titled True That, this album serves as a much-appreciated insight into the diverse skill set and emotional depth of this Canadian actor. It is just the kind of music you would picture Michael Cera making in his bedroom—soft, lo-fi, indie-folk infused with pleasant, exploratory instrumentals and bits of profound sampling here and there. The track, “Ruth,” is both melancholic and uplifting; it successfully summarizes the perfect Michael Cera-ness of Michael Cera’s music. 

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/DaShMwyjkFY” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

a, Science & Technology, Student Research

This month in student research: Jacob Kantorowitz

by Chloe Nevitt on

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As a third-year pharmacology major, Jacob Kantorowitz has spent the past year in the Whiteway lab studying an interesting fungus that is genetically similar to yeast-Candida albicans.

Kantorowitz has been researching C. albican fungal infections, which are the cause of thousands of deaths of immunocompromised individuals in Canada every year. C. albican, Kantorowitz explains, will exist harmlessly in the body the majority of the time, and can be found in high concentrations in places like the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, problems arise when there are overgrowths that cause infections.

“One study found that the mortality rate of Canada nosocomial bloodstream infection, BSI, is 40 per cent,” explained Kantorowitz.

His lab is responsible for manipulating C. albican genes into strains that are more easily analyzed during genomics studies. The group uses these gene knockout strains to pinpoint the genes that give C. albican resistance to certain drugs.

“My job is to use this information to develop new synergistic drug candidates,” Kantorowitz said. “We can determine if a strain is sensitive to a drug because the gene will be missing.”

This is due to the fact that the protein that is coding for resistance will be absent, causing the C. albican to lack the resistance, causing it to die. This allows the researchers to extrapolate information about which genes the organism is using to protect itself.

“We can then find chemical inhibitors of the protein causing the resistance,” Kantorowitz said. “That way, the strain is no longer resistant to the drug.”

Part of the research process, explains Kantorowitz, is making mistakes.

“One time, I had just spent all day running an extraction, ran my [polymerase chain reaction] PCR, and needed to confirm the absence of a gene,” Kantorowitz recalled. “I accidentally pipetted the wrong solvent into the wrong well with my supervisor watching behind me—that’s when I had to tell him I ruined 10 hours of work.”

Kantorowitz and his colleagues’ bacteria-fighting lab work is improving people’s lives, but his advice to anyone interested in working in a lab is something many aspiring lab-rats can relate to.

“Look for something that interests you before you commit your time,” Kantorowitz said. “In the short run, it may be harder, but in the long run, you will be a lot happier and enthusiastic about what you are doing.”

He recommends doing research side-projects through McGill while applying or working in a lab, not just casually volunteering.

Kantorowitz, who hopes to eventually become a doctor, says unfair diseases push him to study medicine.

“I believe everyone should have the life span they deserve,” he explained.

Many cancers have terrible reactions to chemotherapy treatment, which is why he believes that preventative medicine is the best solution. Certain diseases treated via genomics could even be reversed.

The opportunities Kantorowitz has had working in his genetics lab have given him the tools he believes will be essential in the future of medicine.

“With one’s genomic information, the possibilities are truly endless,” he said.

a, Editorial, Opinion

Editorial: Dalhousie’s restorative justice – Just in theory, not in practice

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Dalhousie University has opted for a restorative justice process to address a scandal in which a group of 13 male dentistry students posted misogynistic comments and photos about several of their female classmates in a Facebook group. The 13 men embroiled in the conflict are now back from suspension, but are being taught in separate classes. Dalhousie administrators have also rejected a formal complaint filed by four professors, which expressed their discontent that the disciplinary process will be handled inside the Faculty of Dentistry. The administration has decided to keep the disciplinary process as localized within the Faculty of Dentistry as possible, which has been met with criticism from both the media and the female students themselves.

Richard Florizone, president of Dalhousie University, has repeatedly asserted that the university is pursuing a “just process” that will serve the interests of all those involved. The most widely proposed alternative has been to forward the case to the police and take it out of the university’s hands. Unless the victims in question file formal criminal complaints, it should be the university’s job to handle incidents involving its students. Universities have the responsibility to provide a safe environment for their students and to handle incidents brought to the administration. Simply delegating the job to the Canadian justice system would disregard the responsibility that universities have in fostering a sense of safety and positive culture on their campuses.

The priority, especially for an educational institution, should be to teach wrongdoers about how their actions were oppressive and contributed to a culture of misogyny. More preventative programs focused on ethics and respect should be implemented within universities to dismantle the systemic sexism that is present not only on university campuses, but broadly throughout society. If this results in even a minor change in the existing culture, it will have been more effective than a purely punitive measure such as expulsion. The goal must be to prevent occurrences such as these from happening in the future, not simply giving a retroactive slap on the wrist and moving on without addressing the pervasive sexism that is at the root of scandals such as these.

Restorative justice gives a voice to those involved in the conflict and requires wrongdoers to truly consider their actions and acknowledge their mistakes.

The formal justice system does not seek to achieve the same rehabilitation as a restorative justice process does. Restorative justice gives a voice to those involved in the conflict, and requires wrongdoers to truly consider their actions and acknowledge their mistakes.

One legitimate critique of the restorative justice process is that it cannot be forcefully implemented, and one of the men involved in the scandal has in fact opted-out of participating. The administration’s inability to force all of the wrongdoers to cooperate in the restorative justice process undermines Dalhousie’s efforts to remedy the situation.

The main way in which Dalhousie University has floundered in its response to this scandal, however, was its failure to consult the victims and tailor a plan catered to their desires. Several of the female students whom the Facebook comments were about even wrote a letter to Florizone condemning the University’s decision to pursue a restorative justice process without first consulting them. Florizone himself, though, maintains that a restorative justice process was the path chosen by the women most involved in the Facebook scandal. Regardless of which specific women were involved in selecting the restorative justice process, it could result in uncomfortable situations in which female students involved in the incident could feel compelled to sit down and engage in discussions with classmates who made very explicit comments about them. Although the restorative justice system may have indeed been a means through which to address the situation, the administration’s unilateral decisions were too paternalistic. This only further reinforces the inherent discrimination that was already present, and perpetuates a culture that belittles and silences women. Although Florizone may have had been able to justify opting for a restorative justice system, the women affected by the Facebook posts should have been consulted in the decision to adopt restorative justice, and the final process that was selected should have gone farther to implement mandatory disciplinary measures that would provide greater accountability.

Universities should bear the ultimate responsibility in determining the proper method of handling incidents on campus. Promoting proactive changes that will address the underlying social issues is the main goal of university administrations facing campus conflicts. Nevertheless, this must be balanced with the need to respect the desires of the victims. In Dalhousie’s case, restorative justice may work well in theory, but the university ignored the many negative impacts that such a process could have on its students.

a, Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV, Music

Wrapping Up the Holidays

by Morgan Alexander, Tiffany Okotako, Eric Noble-Marks, Max Joseph, Clark Bray on

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The McGill Tribune arts team presents an overview of the movies and music you may have missed over the break.

  • Nicki Minaj | The Pinkprint

    Since her verse in “Chi-Raq” where she promises to give her audience “a new trick every week until this album drops,” anticipation has been high for Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint. Nonetheless, there are a few disappointments. Fans are tired of “these girls/boys is my sons I’m just not showing yet” and any other variations where Nicki Minaj refers to other rappers in the game as her sons. Another trend that needs to stop is her frequent mention of pills. It makes one wonder if her endorsement with Beats Pills™ pays her for just mentioning the word. The most horrendous thing on this album is bad collaborations— who approved of any of Lil Wayne’s verses. But things get better. “Get on Your Knees” is a melodic mix of rap and pop featuring powerful and harmonic vocals from Ariana Grande and a catchy chorus. “Only” ft. Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown puts all rumours to rest about any relationships between Nicki and the aforementioned. “Trini Dem Girls” is dancehall track that provides that island vibe and really makes you want to wine to it. The album blends ego-stroking lyrics and self-assurance with the turbulent experiences of love and loss. Upon listening, the album name becomes self-explanatory. The Pinkprint, unlike a blueprint, is not a design plan of her final path, but rather, the shaping of her destination and insight to her initial trajectory. The Pinkprint is a journey of self—the self-evolution and self-reflection of a woman striving for success, intertwined with self-love and self-empowerment.

    -Tiffany Okotako

  • D’Angelo | Black Messiah

    It’s no secret that D’Angelo’s been off the map for a while. Until his long-awaited Black Messiah dropped last December, D’Angelo hadn’t released an album since 2000’s Voodoo. With such a long layoff, many worried that a new D’Angelo album would be nothing more than a self-indulgent mess, à la Guns and Roses’ Chinese Democracy (2008). Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Black Messiah is a triumph, one of the best albums of 2014. With the help of his backing band The Vanguard, D’Angelo has produced yet another stunning R&B opus. Enlisting the help of Pino Palladino and Questlove on bass and drums respectively, D’Angelo provides some of the deepest grooves since, well, Voodoo. That isn’t to say that Black Messiah is simply a Voodoo redo. The former is much more stylistically diverse, shifting from Voodoo-esque funk jams such as “Sugar Daddy” and “Ain’t That Easy” to more experimental and psychedelic work on tracks like “1000 Deaths” and “The Charade.” Always aware of his influences but never derivative, D’Angelo in Black Messiah is more than worth the wait.

    -Eric Noble-Marks

  • Kanye West | Only One

    Kanye West blessed us into the new year by releasing his first track since dropping Yeezus (2013). “Only One,” featuring Paul McCartney on organ, is a quasi-lullaby, supposedly sung to Kanye West by his late mother in a dream. While the idea of Kanye West serenading himself may seem off-putting (particularly considering the fact that West’s musical talents do not extend into the world of singing—cue autotune), the sincerity of the lyrics make it a worthwhile listen. While many detractors will want to illuminate this song as being just another of West’s egotistical romps set to a gentler rhythm, it cannot be denied that this track succeeds in showing off the versatility of West as an artist, both lyrically and through collaboration with artists outside of his usual genre.

    -Morgan Alexander

  • Inherent Vice

    Snarky internet denizens have taken to referring to Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film as “Incoherent Vice,” and they’re not totally wrong. The adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 2009 picaresque, stoner-noir novel is challenging to follow when trying to keep track of the myriad of ways in which the protagonist Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) encounters neo-Nazis, prostitutes, drug dealers, and cops along his journey to track down his ex-girlfriend Shasta Fay (Katherine Waterston). Still, a thorough comprehension of the film’s many details appears to be far from the rambling narrative’s primary aim. Much more pressing is its vibrant array of characters (played by actors such as Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, and Michael Williams), beautiful colours (see it in theatres if you can), and gorgeous soundtrack (which is an idiosyncratic compilation of older pop songs and some of the most romantic music Johnny Greenwood has written in ages). As with any work of art, the viewer must acquiesce to the film’s internal logic rather than impose his values on it in order to appreciate it, and Inherent Vice operates under a singular rationale that’s well worth accepting.

    -Max Joseph

  • The Imitation Game

    The best actors are masters of performance styles that distinctly render their personalities transparent to their audiences. Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of tortured genius Alan Turing in Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation Game is an example of such a superlative performance. Cumberbatch has proven he has the talent to express bizarre personalities, particularly after seeing him excel as the eponymous hero of the hit series Sherlock, but The Imitation Game proved just how cultivated of a skill set he has in his arsenal. This film explores Turing’s development of a code during WWII that deciphered the Nazi’s encrypted communication system, Enigma, and the backlash he faced from the government for his homosexuality. Cumberbatch’s brilliance comes out in his ability to capture both Turing’s genius and the repressed side of the character. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode. Considering all of this year’s Oscar buzzed films, it seems that Cumberbatch has a strong chance to win Best Actor.

    -Clark Bray

  • Rob Delaney | Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.

    The funniest man on Twitter has surpassed his character count in his latest novel, a less-than pithy review of his life before he reached comedic fame. Delaney expresses in unabashed detail his introduction to drugs, his descent into alcoholism, and his near-twenty-year bedwetting stint. The novel is undeniably raw, and it is Delaney’s self-criticism and consistently honest outlook on his past that makes for a read that is both superficially humourous and deeply moving. The biggest failure of this book is, surprisingly, the cover, which misrepresents a book full of insight and ingenuity as one of cheap jokes and forgettable chuckles. Thankfully, Delaney manages to set the darkly humourous tone of the book in the first page, and by the end of the opening chapter confirms that he is a force to be taken seriously in the world of comedy and introspection.

    -Morgan Alexander

a, Arts & Entertainment

Album Review: Smashing Pumpkins – Monuments to an Elegy

by Luka Ciklovan on

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The Smashing Pumpkins’ latest studio effort, Monuments to an Elegy, comes in as the fourth and penultimate installment of the group’s ongoing project Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. Given the album’s unconventional release—technically existing as an album within an album—and Billy Corgan’s incessantly vocalized desire to be appreciated as a brilliant artist prior to the album’s release, Monuments to an Elegy comes off as a conscientious stab at high art. But it ultimately flops.
Though the album features an abridged, three-piece lineup with only Jeff Schroder on guitar, Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe on drums, and Billy Corgan manning everything else, it is very solid instrumentally. The guitar riffs and drums, for the most part, deliver a resounding, edgy punch in a style reminiscent of their 1995 release, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, as is most evident on the raw opening track “Tiberius.” This edge is nicely counterbalanced with various spacy and rather low-key synthesizer and keyboard parts skillfully mixed in tracks such as “Monuments” and “Being Beige.” The highlight of this album, though, is “Anaise!”, which pushes the band into new funk/space-rock directions, yet still delivers a solid groove.
The vocals, however, kill this album. Disregarding the love-hate relationship one may have with Billy Corgan’s (in)famous wails, the vocal melodies and lyrics themselves are the real problem here. Numerous tracks, notably “Dorian” and “Run2me”, are lyrically sparse and melodically repetitive. A drinking game could easily be made by merely counting the obscene amount of times the word ‘lover’ is used. Monuments to and Elegy clearly demonstrates a genuine change of sound for The Smashing Pumpkins; however, much to the dismay of Billy Corgan, change itself does not equate to brilliance.

a, Campus Spotlight, Student Life

Campus Spotlight: Heart City Apparel

by Remi Lu on

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In preparation for the camera crew, Matt Dajer and D’Arcy Williams had rearranged the furniture in Dajer’s small studio apartment. The bed went into the kitchen, and the desk was shifted to create a frame with Heart City Apparel’s merchandise in the background. Dajer and Williams, the two co-founders of the organization, had to ensure that the camera captured the company’s professionalism. By the time the reporters had finished framing the shot, the scene resembled that of a businesslike workspace. Dajer and Williams had, after all, invited the CBC reporters to Heart City Apparel’s office.

As young entrepreneurs without any financial backers, Dajer and Williams have had to work with their limited resources. When the duo launched Heart City Apparel in May 2014, Dajer had just graduated from McGill, and Williams was about to enter his last year as an international development studies major. The idea for the organization grew out of their appreciation for Montreal’s colourful street art, and their recognition of Montreal’s widespread homelessness.

“Heart City [Apparel] started from […] the beautiful street art of Montreal—which is just so plentiful—[combined] with a social cause that both [Dajer] and myself find truly important, and is usually overlooked a lot of the time,” Williams said. “When [Dajer] approached me with the idea, I couldn’t help but love the fact that it was a more local approach to giving back and helping.”

The company purchases designs from local street artists in cities around the world, and uses them to create clothing—at the moment, the organization offers sweatshirts and t-shirts—which are then sold to raise money for local charities that combat homelessness. Within Montreal, the company has worked with three artists, with money going towards Dans La Rue, a charity that provides resources for homeless youth. According to their website, Heart City Apparel has raised over $3,300 to date.

“Our main focus is on the youth, especially on the homeless youth,” Dajer said. “Dans La Rue has a cafeteria for the homeless [and] they have education for the homeless [….] I’ve gone to talk to the people who run Dans La Rue, and they say that even a couple thousand dollars can [help.]”

So far, the company has partnered with 10 artists from around the world, hailing from cities such as Chicago, Stockholm, and New Delhi. However, as a small organization that began without any credibility, Dajer and Williams had to start local by focusing on the talent within McGill and Montreal.

“In the beginning, we had a really good break where one of our first artists was Sarah Mehta, who’s a McGill student and a good friend of ours,” Williams said. “The second was Waxhead, [who] is one of the largest street artists in Montreal. That really boosted our legitimacy.”

In keeping with the company’s local identity, Dajer and Williams have also focused on marketing Heart City Apparel to local university students.

“Our entire market is pretty much 18- to 25- year- old college students who like social awareness campaigns […] fresh clothing, and affordable clothing,” Williams said.

At McGill, Heart City Apparel’s “College [Representative]” program has become a core part of the organization’s marketing and outreach efforts. As young entrepreneurs in their early 20s with minimal financial flexibility, Dajer and Williams’ marketing efforts have relied almost entirely on word of mouth initiatives and the efforts of their campus representatives. Tessa Battistin, a Heart City Apparel representative at McGill, cited the organization’s charitable focus and opportunity for marketing experience as reasons for her continued support of the company.

“I like how [Heart City Apparel] is helping charities, as well as doing something artistically,” Battistin said. “[As a representative,] you get experience if you like marketing, art, design, and any type of startup interest. It’s really good to learn from [Dajer and Williams]—they have a really good clue about what’s going on.”

With the organization expanding across the globe, Dajer and Williams are preparing to continue building their base of artists and charities, while further establishing Heart City Apparel’s brand.

“It’s been pretty fast growth so far,” Dajer said. “We’re considering eventually becoming more of a brand, so […] wherever our garment is made we give back to that city for example.”

“Going into the [U.S.] is really important,” Williams added. “I have so many friends from schools across the country that are interested. There is so much potential that is untapped—we just need to find a way to get there.”

In the midst of Heart City Apparel’s continued growth, both Dajer and Williams caution that they are focused on maintaining the company’s core vision.

“We’re trying to change the clothing industry […] for the better,” Dajer said. “It’s generally a pretty selfish industry, so it’s good to see more and more companies come up like this that are giving back.”

a, Opinion

Commentary: The inadequacies of a restorative justice process

by Jessie Ouyang on

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In response to a sex scandal at Dalhousie University, in which 13 male dentistry students posted explicit sexual and misogynist comments about their female peers on social media, the university opted for a restorative justice process in an effort to curtail flaws in the traditional judicial process. Despite its theoretical benefits, however, restorative justice alone is just as ineffective as the Canadian justice system in delivering proper solutions.

Many universities, like Dalhousie, have begun to favour restorative justice because it solves problems not addressed in the punitive Canadian justice system, such as recidivism, lack of victim input in the justice process, and minimal peace restoration in the community. Attributing the benefits of restorative justice processes to its focus on communication, the president of Dalhousie University remarked that he was “struck by the horror and regret he heard from some of the men involved.” Through directly instigating victim and offender discourse, the restorative justice process exposes offenders to the transgressions of their actions, and thus encourages rehabilitation.

Moreover, the formal justice system can also be intimidating for victims to navigate when they are at their most vulnerable emotional states. It is a less complicated and traumatic avenue for victims who do not press charges, but instead want apologies from offenders and a better learning environment.

Although it sounds favourable on paper, restorative justice can only be realistically operational if the third party administering it, in this case Dalhousie University, has trust from students involved in the scandal and is well-equipped to handling traumatic issues that require a high degree of sensitivity and professionalism. Due to the university’s inadequate treatment of the issue so far, which has incited enormous public outcry, Dalhousie’s qualification as a trustworthy and operational system has not been demonstrated.

This issue was exacerbated from the very beginning when Dalhousie failed to immediately take action when it came to light. According to the vice-president of the Dalhousie Student Union, “The president of Dalhousie University knew about sexism complaints against the Faculty of Dentistry in the summer.” Since the university neither prioritized nor respected the safety and well-being of its female students, it is difficult for students to have faith in the administration system.

It is a less complicated and traumatic avenue for victims who do not press charges, but instead want apologies from offenders and a better learning environment.

Furthermore, even with prevalent misogyny on campus, the university protected the offenders by not expelling them, but merely suspending their clinical privileges temporarily, thus still allowing them to have accreditation. This decision endangers the psychological well-being of not only the women involved, but also every student on campus. “Imagine sitting in a classroom and trying to focus on studying […] when you’re sitting in a room with people that have talked about raping you”, said Jennifer Nowoselski, a female dentistry student. Even more angering was when the university recently rejected a request from the licensing body that governs Ontario’s dentists to hand over the names of the 13 offenders. The prioritization of the offenders’ privacy rights disproportionately harms the entire dentistry class, who will all face more unnecessary scrutiny when applying for licenses and employment opportunities.

Lastly, it is ambiguous whether the university actually allowed the female dentistry students to fairly consent to this justice process. Recently, in an anonymous letter to the President of Dalhousie University, four female dentistry students wrote that this form of punishment is inadequate and unfair: “Telling us that we can either participate in restorative justice or file a formal complaint is presenting us with a false choice. We have serious concerns about the impact of filing formal complaints on our chances of academic success at the Faculty of Dentistry, and believe that doing so would jeopardize our futures.” If Dalhousie University chose to operate restorative justice without clear permission from the students involved, it is highly likely that the process will fail.

Although restorative justice may provide greater focus on rehabilitation, it must work hand in hand with the already existing justice system to deliver adequate restitution. The sexual assault scandal at McGill and the Facebook harassment incident at Dalhousie expose greater problems within the internal university systems that are ill-equipped to deal with student issues. The solution is to not only improve the judicial process, which would be a long and arduous process, but to push universities to provide a more professional restorative justice process, counselling services, experienced professionals to aid victims in dealing with the justice system, and a more supportive and non-discriminatory campus. These changes combined can not only help victims have a smoother psychological transition back into their learning environments, but also lessen social stigmas against victims of sexual assault and encourage more survivors to come forward.

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