Observatory plans will have students seeing stars

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January 20, 2014

Watch out, koi pond. There’s a bigger fish planning to make its home on the AQ lawn, and it’s a $4.4 million observatory.

With financial support from the Trottier Foundation, headed by Lorne and Louise Trottier, SFU Burnaby will become home to the Trottier Observatory and Courtyard, set to be completed August, 2014.

The observatory will offer a range of programs including beginners’ astronomy courses for both SFU science and social science students in addition to permanent community outreach programs. Courses such as these may be offered within the next two years.

“[The observatory] is in part for science geeks, but it’s much broader than that. Everyone is curious about the universe,” said Howard Trottier.

Students taking the beginners’ astronomy course can expect to learn about the operation of the telescope: how to process its data as well as the physics behind it. Assignments may include looking for exoplanets around other stars and using information from previous discoveries to conduct analyses.

An amateur astronomer and SFU professor of physics, Trottier has been working on the observatory project for over seven years. The project lay dormant, until Trottier was able to involve his brother and sister-in-law who are now providing funding for the institution.

The observatory will be located near Strand Hall on the AQ lawn and will feature a 0.7-metre diameter reflector telescope within a six-metre-diameter dome.

The mandate of the observatory is threefold: public outreach, undergraduate education, and allowing outside schools to use the observatory remotely. Not only will visitors to the Burnaby campus be able to use its telescope to view and capture photos of distant galaxies billions of years old, but its remote capabilities will allow interested parties across the country to access it.

“SFU, as a community-oriented university, really plugs into that very well, and so we’re going to reach the entire province, and even beyond eventually,” said Trottier.

The building itself may spread beyond the AQ lawn, penetrating the concrete walls of the AQ itself. “The proposal is to actually extend [a cosmic timeline] into the AQ and have it line up with one of the stairways,” explained Trottier. “We would have a connection into the heartland of the campus, and that would be really exciting.”

The observatory and accompanying science plaza will be open in September. “It sounds ridiculous, but the architects say it’s a small building so it’s easy,” Trottier explained. “It’s going to be a destination place to hangout.”

Raw Power

By

EIC

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January 20, 2014

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“But… it’s raw!”

This is the main argument I get from those who have never before experienced what we North Americans call “real sushi”. But really, what makes for real sushi over here? If we can’t even get the terminology straight, how can we truly enjoy another culture’s cuisine to its fullest? It’s time to set the record straight on the edible work of art that North America loves to blindly indulge in: sushi.

But what exactly is sushi, anyway? Well, in plain terms, sushi is cooked rice with rice vinegar. It’s the sweet, sticky rice that holds the food you’re eating — and the whole restaurant — together. Like sushi, sashimi is often used incorrectly; it refers to a thin slice of unadorned raw meat which is, more often than not, fish. Slap some sashimi on top of a ball of sushi rice with a pinch of wasabi and, presto: nigiri sushi.

This is what usually gives sushi newbies the “ick” factor. However, most of the sushi eaten in North America is in roll form — the Japanese call this makizushi. Rolls are made up of rice and nori (seaweed), with pretty much anything inside. Raw fish, crab and roe (fish eggs) are popular in Japan, but up north our rolls can include avocado, cucumber, cream cheese, or even mushrooms.

There are also plenty of variations on the standard roll model. Maki with rice on the outside is called yukiwa-maki, while hand-made cones are deemed temaki. Futomaki are large rolls with two layers of nori, while gunkanmaki is a sort of roll/nigiri hybrid that features slices of raw meat wrapped in nori and sushi rice. It’s enough to make your head spin!

This next bit is for all you health nuts. In 2011, Japan earned the distinction of having the highest life expectancy in the entire world at 83 years of age. Apart from their cozy island lifestyle and high tech gadgets, what do they have that we don’t?

Well, for one, their cuisine! Though Japanese folks tend to eat sushi a lot less frequently than we do, it certainly doesn’t seem to be making them unhealthy. Some students may be hesitant to eat that extra slice of ebi between classes, but it turns out that sushi has a ton of health benefits for us, too.

For starters, all you celiacs will have no trouble with most things served at a sushi bar — sushi rice is gluten free, and sushi is easy on the digestive tract because of this. The other main upside is that fish is very low in calories: most white fish has less than 100 calories per 100 grams, while chicken breast clocks in at 172.

Because almost all sushi is raw, there is no oil or deep fried gunk to worry about clogging your arteries and lower bowels. On the other hand, if you’re craving a little more grease in your life, you’re in luck: on this side of the Pacific, deep fried maki is a popular option.

When looking for the best sushi in town, the key is freshness. Japan is great at this: their fish markets are teeming with live fish being carted around in barrels waiting to be purchased and served that day, raw or cooked. The fish used for sushi should be so fresh and well-cut that it melts in your mouth.

Believe it or not, by putting those well-trained googling fingers to work, making maki sushi at home could be a reality tonight — and, since most recipes don’t require cooking, it’s also dorm-friendly.

You’re going to want to chop some long, thin strips of your veggie of choice. I suggest cucumber or carrot because they’re cheap and easy. Add some faux crab meat or fish to complete the package.

Your shopping list should also include sushi rice, rice vinegar, nori, and a bamboo mat to roll your delicacy. The latter should be the fanciest of the bunch — after all, you want it to last you for years of homemade sushi dinners.

Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then cook it according to the brand’s instructions. Transfer it to a bowl and add some rice vinegar, along with salt and a little sugar to taste. Put down a piece of nori on your bamboo mat, and layer it with some rice. Leave a strip of nori bare of rice on one side and dampen it with rice vinegar so the roll will seal up. Add your fillings, roll it up and, ta-da! A tasty and healthy maki roll that’s all your own. Mom would be so proud.

RCMP responds to threat on Burnaby campus

By

EIC

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January 14, 2014

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Photo by Helen Crofts (@croftsyyy)

Students were all atwitter on Burnaby Mountain as the RCMP flooded the campus on Wed. Jan 8, responding to a threat made against the university.

On their website and Facebook page, the university stated at 1:31p.m., “There is a police incident at SFU’s Burnaby campus. The university remains opens.”

The intersection at Gaglardi and South Campus Road was shut down for approximately one hour as police interviewed persons on the scene.

Several students tweeted SFU for information as the incident unfolded, which had begun prior to SFU’s Facebook announcement. Helen Crofts, a member of the SFU track and field team, tweeted at 1:12p.m., “Police everywhere @SFU and asking to see peoples id. Hope everything is ok!”

Students waiting at the transportation centre bus loop were left stranded for approximately 45 minutes until the university announced that the police incident was over and began letting buses proceed through the intersection.

The SFU website and Facebook page later confirmed that the police incident had been resolved “without issue,” but students questioned why the university had not employed their recently implemented emergency system, SFU Alerts. The university replied that “this incident did not warrant its use.”

SFU and campus security have refused to comment on the nature of the threat, as the matter is currently under police investigation. However, in a update on their website and Facebook page, Simon Fraser released the following statement on Thurs, Jan 9:

“On Wednesday January 8, 2014, the Burnaby RCMP and SFU Campus Security responded to a threat made by unknown persons against the University.

Access to the Burnaby campus was briefly restricted by the RCMP as an initial precautionary measure; the police quickly determined there was no threat to the campus community. University operations were not affected by this incident and the University is operating as normal.”

“What I can say is, the incident was not a threat to SFU students,” Steven Maclean, director of campus security, commented. “As an initial precautionary measure police closed Gaglardi Way at South Campus Road, however the investigation quickly determined that there was no threat to the community and the road was reopened. There was no impact to University operations.”

Peak Behind the Scenes: PQ Photoshoot

By

Peak Web

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January 13, 2014

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Today we go behind the scenes of a photoshoot; the latest issue of PQ had Luke Henry, professional table tennis player, grace its cover. With words from Markus Burnham, an established figure in the fashion-photo industry, we uncover some of the challenges faced in this job.

Created by Brandon Hillier

Dating in the Internet Age

By

EIC

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January 13, 2014

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Do use Yelp and other review aggregates to help plan a dinner date.

Dinner and a movie might sound like a positively twentieth century approach to dating, but you’d be surprised how much intimacy can build between two people when they’re sharing a meal. It helps, of course, when the food is good — when you use Yelp (my personal favourite), Urbanspoon, or any of the other myriad restaurant or café review services on your mobile phone, you can pick a spot that will impress every time without hitting you where it hurts: your wallet. Plus, you’ll look like a savvy city dweller who knows the best place for every sort of food.

Don’t text during the date.

No exceptions. Why even think about it? That’s what trips to the washroom are for, guys. No matter how many times your phone buzzes (and I hope you’ve remembered to turn your phone to vibrate — no one wants to hear the same tritone chime every ten minutes), do not pick it up and text that person back. If it can’t be helped, make sure to politely excuse yourself and travel a safe distance away before texting back your mom, roommate, or step cousin.

Do use a Calendar service to remember important dates and times.

It’s 2013, people — there’s absolutely no excuse to be late to anything anymore now that we’ve all got miniature computers in our pockets. You don’t have to use Apple’s Calendar app; if you find a better one, download it and use it instead. If you intend on dating this person for a while, think about writing down casual details — a birthday, a religious celebration, whatever — for serious brownie points later.

Don’t use Wikipedia or other search engines to cheat in conversation.

One of the most important things when you start dating someone is establishing common ground — what your common interests are, what movies you both like, what foods neither of you can stand. Now that it’s easier to research pretty much anything immediately, it’s tempting to cheat when finding out about another person. Say their favourite book is Moby Dick, and you’ve never read it. Your mini encyclopedia phone is not an excuse to look up the SparkNotes or a quick review; just tell your beau you’re planning on reading it soon. The earlier you get in the habit of telling the truth, the smoother your ‘ship will sail.

Do agree on a way to present your relationship on the web.

Is it really a relationship if it’s not Facebook official? To some of you, this will come off as an asinine question, but to a few of you, it’s probably a serious consideration. Maybe both of you are pleased as punch to be “In a Relationship” on social media sites; maybe neither of you are very interested in using labels just yet; maybe you’ve never had a Facebook account or a Twitter username, making this a moot point. Still, any relationship with a set of legs should include at least one conversation that ends with a consensus on how to handle the delicacies of Internet fine print.

Don’t drop bombshells electronically.

This one I can’t stress enough. Don’t tell her you love her over text; don’t ask if he wants to meet your parents over email; don’t pop the question through Facebook chat. The Internet does make it easier to communicate, but it blurs the lines of the appropriateness of communication in equal measure. This is especially pertinent in the age of the cowardly breakup — too many yellow bellied boyfriends have broken it off via text. Even if it’s only been a couple weeks since you’ve started dating, they deserve at least a phone convo, and preferably a face to face sit-down. If you’ve been dating three months or more, that last part is non-negotiable.

Seven Essentials

By

Peak Web

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January 13, 2014

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1

Coffee: “For sure.”

2

Exercise: “I try to run if not every day then at least every second day.”

3

CBC Radio: “I’m addicted to CBC Radio.”

4

Email: “I wouldn’t be wholly honest if I didn’t say I was also addicted to email, whether I wanted to or not.”

5

Reading the news: “There’s SFU in the news, that I check every day and of course The Peak every week (pandering there).”

6

Smartphone: “Yes, I am addicted to my smartphone.”

7

The Daily Show: “I guess I have to confess that when it’s not in repeats, The Daily Show.”

– LEAH BJORNSON

Look Incredible

By

EIC

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January 13, 2014

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I SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT THRIFT STORES. The unique, cheap clothing is a perfect fit for my unique, cheap self. But deeper than all of that, I do so to protest clothing produced in sweatshops. Buying second-hand puts a wrench in the buy/discard North American attitude that contributes to the demand for cheap working conditions.

But maybe you thrift shop simply for the unique items awaiting discovery. You can stumble upon clothes from lines that are out-of-production for whatever reason ó maybe they’re too old or they just didn’t catch on to any market. You might even find something homemade (though sewn-on cat patch sweaters have never been my thing).

Or maybe you’re just a starving student who’d rather pay half the price for the countless H&M and American Apparel articles that end up as thrift. In any case, if you love thrift stores then you’ve probably walked away with something that was discarded for a reason: shirts with stains, stretched out ties, etc. But don’t give up. Enhance your thrifting experience with these tips for getting the most out of your second-hand expedition.

INSPECT THE GARMENT CAREFULLY.

Look for reasons that someone might have given the garment away. I’ve walked away with one too many shirts with stretched collars, faintly stained sweaters, and pants with covert holes. If an article has a slight stain, make sure you can get it out and that you’ll even want to spend the time doing so. It’s might be easier to just put it down and keep looking.

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.

Go into the store with an idea of exactly what you want to buy, and only shop for what fits that criteria. There’s no reason to settle for a shirt with a hole in it, or pants that are a size too big — the store you’re at will probably have new stock a week later and there are so many thrift stores out there. Having a clear idea of what you want also helps curb the desire to buy super cheap trinkets that seem like a great idea until they’ve been sitting on your window sill for three years.

DON’T BUY WHITE CLOTHING.

It’s possible these items look good in the dim light of Chateau de Thrift, but exposed to the sun, stains become evident. This doesn’t mean the clothing isn’t clean, of course, but some stains just won’t come out when you’re dealing with whites, especially after they’ve been treated with heat or with certain chemicals. Chlorine bleach, for instance, tends to make some stains worse.

TRY ON EVERYTHING.

Take many items into the changing room. Often, something will look good on the hanger, but, on you, it might be obviously stretched out or a wacky foreign size (ever tried on American clothes? They’re a lot looser than Canadian brands).

CHECK FOR TAGS.

If something is dry-clean only, consider if you really want it. Remember that it’ll cost a fair amount (depending on size) to get the garment cleaned each time. Rest assured, too, that if a store smells musty, its clothing will too, and will require cleaning.

I bought a big coat once that smelled a little musty, a smell that a $25 dry-cleaning did not remove. I opted for hand-washing instead, which kept my coat intact, but it still took a few washes to get rid of the smell, a process that might ruin certain pieces.

CLEAN THE CLOTHES BEFORE WEARING THEM OUT.

D’doi. Learn from Macklemore.

Your next barber visit

By

Peak Web

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January 13, 2014

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The Handlebar (aka The Lion Tamer)

This one is best pulled off if the rest of your face is smoothly shaven and the hair on your head has attitude to match. Ask your barber to keep the ‘stache full and longer at the ends for that essential curl. Keep your hair long on top and shorter on the sides. You’ll need some hair wax for this one, for both parties involved.

The Long Route (aka The Fabio)

Long hair doesn’t work on every dude, but for those who can pull it off, flowing locks can suggest just the right amount of romance and edge. Get your barber to cut it just above the shoulders and make sure there’s enough layering for movement and softness, but not so much that you’re treading in mullet territory. Think medieval hunk, not late 80s cock rock. Heads up: this doesn’t work quite as well with super curly hair.

The Elvis (aka The Pompadour)

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Go for longer in the front and on top, and get your barber to show you how to use gel, wax, or clay to create that perfect pompadour. It’s all about volume and attitude with this one — plus a pelvic thrust or two.

The Frosted Tips (aka The Young Leonardo DiCaprio)

Ever feel old? Want to reclaim the youth that seemed to slip away so fast? No better way than to channel boy bands of yesteryears with this spiky, bleach-tipped 90s favourite. Beloved by teen girls (and boys) everywhere, the Frosted Tips will either win your sweetheart’s favour or lose it very, very quickly.

The Fresh Prince (aka The High-Top Fade)

Want to really stand out from the crowd? Go for the sky-high-top fade and tower above all your friends. It’s got personality and requires little to no styling in the morning, which means you can spend more time picking out the right duds. Ask your barber to keep it as high on top as possible. This one doesn’t work with straight hair.

Ask a real live SFU Gentlewoman

By

EIC

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January 13, 2014

0

Q: I recently unearthed an old pair of MC Hammer pants from my youth and I’m itching to wear them again. I’ve been seeing a lot of loose-fitting, casual pants in magazines, so I think I can pull them off, but my girlfriend disagrees. What do you think? Can I make it work?

If you’re ever planning on having sex again, I’d leave the pants at home, or only pull them out if you’re planning on dressing up as MC Hammer for Halloween. They may be roomy and comfortable, and that material (I’m imagining shiny gold, with a diaper-like quality?) may bring all the magpies to the yard, but you know what else is roomy? Sweatpants. And if you want some shine, borrow some of your little sister’s glitter. Your girlfriend (and society) will thank me.

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Q: I’ve been trying to dress a bit better for classes, but I have a hard time putting away the hoodies and sweatpants. It’s hard to be stylish at 6:30 a.m. when I’m running out the door for an early lecture! Any advice on how to make an easy and comfortable transition into looking good?

It’s all about materials and fit. You have to find something that will make you feel comfortable, but that something shouldn’t always be fleece-lined and smelling like sweat. Grab some soft cotton button up shirts and casual fitted blazers and pair them with a good pair of jeans. Or throw on a (clean) graphic t-shirt and top it with a blazer or cashmere cardigan. To make it easy for yourself, lay out what you’re going to wear the next day before you go to bed; that way you can just slip them on and slip out the door, even if you’re still half asleep.

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Q: I really like accessories and I always see guys in magazines pulling off tie bars or pocket squares or signet rings, but I just can’t seem to make them work. My friends end up teasing me about my newsboy caps or suspenders, and I feel like I stick out, especially on campus. How can I make it work?

Rocking personal style is all about attitude and going with your gut. If you feel good in something (and that something is not MC Hammer pants) then it’s all about being confident, despite your naysaying friends. Check yourself out in the mirror in the morning and tell yourself “I rock this” or “I am a golden god.”

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Q: I’m the kind of guy who likes to wear suits to school. I love wearing skinny ties and tweed blazers, but I always feel like people look at me like I’m a professor instead of a student, and sometimes my peers treat me like they think I’m pretentious. How can I make my look say “refined and gentlemanly” rather than “middle-aged paleontologist”?

Mix it up. Tweed blazers are great, but you can’t wear slacks and a tie with them without people assuming you’ve got a phD and an anatomical skeleton in your closet. Try pairing the blazer with some slim black jeans and high-top Converse sneakers. If you’re going to go for the tie, skip the tweed and go for a lighter material instead. A skinny black tie, navy blazer, and dark denim can look gentlemanly and still say “I study literature.”

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Q: Going to school on a mountain is hard, especially in the winter. I find I often sacrifice style for warmth, but then I feel unprofessional when confronting my professors, not to mention just plain sloppy. Any advice on staying well-dressed and warm in the chilly months on the mountain?

When it comes to staying warm and stylish, whether you’re on a mountain, waiting for a bus, or just living in an area with harsh climates, there are a few tricks to the trade. For starters, pick the right winter gear — this ultimately comes down to quality, fit, and versatility. Grab a warm winter coat that is going to last through the seasons and won’t look sloppy or out of place. If it doesn’t get too far below zero, a nice wool peacoat (navy or black are classics, and you can play the brooding James Dean or Albert Camus game) should be warm enough, especially with a good wool cowl-neck sweater underneath. Test drive a deep merlot-coloured wool scarf and waterproof black leather boots. You’ll stay warm, plus you’ll be ready to go straight from class to that hot date at the campus pub.

5 Old Technologies You Should Be Using

By

EIC

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January 13, 2014

1

Typewriters. If you’ve never used a typewriter before, you might be surprised by how much work you’ll end up doing before you even get to the writing part. You have to physically slide the paper into the machine, measure out the margins and, in some cases, manually replace an ink ribbon. This thing makes noise, too — each key has to be pressed down with enough force to make an imprint on the page, and there’s no such thing as a delete key. However, what these machines lack in practicality, they make up in style — unlike your average laptop, typewriters double as decoration, and add an old fashioned flair to your dorm room or apartment building. Anyway, is there any better way to make typing masculine than to press metal keys onto paper with your own strength? Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck and Hunter S. Thompson all wrote on these babies, and chances are they’re more rugged than you’ll ever be.

Pocket watches. There’s no better way to look suave when telling someone the time than to pull out a pocket watch from your waistcoat pocket — and though you may not have a waistcoat, buying an old school pocket watch is a good first step. Durable, finely crafted and impeccably designed, pocket watches ooze old school charm. They’ve been around since the 1400s, so you know they’re made to last — not to mention they free up your wrists, giving you more opportunities to show off your skin when you’re wrestling bears, paddling boats, or playing poker. Recommended: Find a model with a cover to protect the clock’s face. You can even keep a personal photo or engraved message in there.

Film cameras. Whether you’re a family man or a bachelor, taking pictures to commemorate the events in your life can be one of the most gentlemanly and constructive projects you can undertake. We recommend that you leave the digital camera at home and invest in a sturdy analogue model — there’s something in the tangible quality of a film image, and the patience required to develop one, that builds character, discipline, and class. Look for one that’s relatively easy to use and in good condition. You’ll be surprised how bringing an old-fashioned camera can make any occasion seem like an adventure — whether it’s your three-year-old’s birthday party or a walk in the park with your better half, a snapshot or two can add a touch of class to any situation.

Turntables. Listen to the cracks and pops of an old school jazz record with a double malted scotch in your hand and tell me you don’t feel at least 100 per cent manlier. Vinyl is making a comeback: its sales have gone up each year for the past half decade, turning record stores back into the cultural hot spots they once were. Buying yourself a new turntable (or dusting off your old one) won’t only put you at the cutting edge of an emerging trend — it’ll also gain you significant class points and make your old boombox look positively infantile. Plus, it doesn’t hurt as an excuse to invite someone home and, ahem, “listen to records” together. Hey, it worked for your grandfather.

NES. Now I’m not saying the Nintendo Entertainment System is quite as old as the other items on this list, but it’s certainly as rare — these puppies fetch up to 100 bucks in used game shops, and that’s without the controllers (if you can find them). It’s a shame that they’re so pricey, because nothing puts hair on your chest like beating a game designed in the 1980s. They just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Take Super Mario Bros. 3 for example: not only is it one of the toughest platformers ever made, you’re not even allowed to save the game. Seriously. The accomplishment and manly pride felt when beating anything designed for this system will make your Xbox 360 gather dust — if you’re going to play video games, there’s no classier way to do it.