<a href="https://the-peak.ca/2013/07/making-worlds-meet/" rel="bookmark" title="Making worlds meet">Making worlds meet

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July 8, 2013

For the sake of fairness, let’s spot Pixar the unasked-for existence of Monsters University in the wake of two projects that both suffered from the studio’s inevitable bastardization at the hands of Disney. For though the original film did not have the emotional depth or profundity of its three Pixar predecessors, Monsters, Inc. remains the richest, most original world that the animation studio has devised for one of their films.

That world’s premise remains more or less the same in University: in the world of monsters, electricity is generated by producing doors to the human world, sneaking into children’s bedrooms at night, and frightening them to produce “scare power.” The resolutely un-scary bookworm Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and cocky James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) both aim for a career in the Monsters Incorporated Scarer Team, and so in this prequel they attend a university “scare program.”

The new setting of this prequel — unlike its predecessor — is more interested in transmuting the rules of its world into the cliches of our own than in logically developing them for the sake of its own story. Mike and Sully meet for the first time, and at first, they are enemies. When they are removed from the scare program, Mike enters the two of them — along with a tiny fraternity of dorky misfits — into the University Scare Games, where victory will see them reinstated in the program.

The plot that follows — Mike and Sully learn to work as a team, and the misfit underdogs make surprising waves in the competition — is satisfyingly accomplished and has its fair share of laughs, but it’s hard to shake its formula and lack of a real emotional core.

None of the leads’ personal hangups (Sullivan’s family name, Mike’s fundamentally unscary appearance) is ever given personal weight or clear development , and so when in the final act they’re made the crux of plot points, there’s no genuine emotional connection. The character arcs (and the entire cast of secondary characters) feel as though they’ve been constructed around the plot instead of organically integrated into it.

My impression of the film was not so nearly as negative as it may seem, but one can only go so far in commending fair and polished storytelling, which Monsters University certainly is: it’s an incredible leap forward in environmental lighting, and each story beat leads smoothly into the next.

It has virtually no moments of out and out failure (save for a denouement that awkwardly flubs the bridge between University and Inc). But there’s a distinct lack of the risk-taking that used to be Pixar’s MO. Monsters University avoids missteps, but that’s not so hard when you’re taking baby steps instead of monster leaps.

My identity in Canada through hockey and photography

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July 8, 2013

Hockey and photography — the two things I love. They’re also the two things I found a passion for when I came to Canada a little over a year ago.

I went to my first hockey game on my second day in Canada, and sort of stumbled upon it because of the group of people I was hanging out with that day. I remember walking into the arena; the cold wind blowing up from the ice; the mixed smell of the hot dogs; popcorn and beer; the sound of kids yelling; different jerseys; and the sound from the crowd cheering and swearing. The atmosphere was fantastic. Even though I had no idea what was going on at first, I fell in love with the game.

Getting into photography was pretty much the same. I had a point and shoot camera, and a couple of my photographer friends asked me to go on a photowalk with them. The next thing I knew, I was buying a used camera and lenses for an incredibly sweet deal and taking my own photos. I feel like the ability to take good photos was already in me because I was able to pick up on it unusually fast, and became known for my photos by quite a few people.

However, when I first began doing portraits, I didn’t feel like I was taking the best photos I could take, so I took my camera to a hockey game. Combining the two things I love was the best thing I could have possibly done; I saw the game through a different perspective when I looked at it through the lens.

People have asked me what I love about taking photos. I’ve heard things like, “everyone does it, you just point and click a button.” But photography is so much more than that: it’s a vision. It’s the ability to see something in your mind and then make it so with the resources you have available. It’s not about simply clicking a button on the camera. It’s about the power of envisioning something and producing a tangible version of that thing that photography is all about.

I learned that by taking photos, I could see my vision form on that tiny camera screen. I’ve seen millions of hockey photos online, I’ve seen everyone taking out their phones and taking photos at a game. I’ve done that, too. It doesn’t matter what you take the photo with, it’s what you see and how you make it come to life through your photos that matters.

I see both hockey and photography as two very different art forms. When taking photos, you capture moments by using your imagination to make them look as remarkable as possible and preserve them. In hockey, you use your imagination to come up with the best plays possible to score the most unique goals.

In my mind, the feeling when you take a great photo and the feeling when you score a great goal are exactly the same. I’ve never felt as fantastic taking my first photo as I did when I scored my first goal. The feeling that I had actually created something by envisioning it and then getting the shot or scoring the goal are the most wonderful things I have ever felt. I’m grateful for seizing the opportunity to make photography and hockey a part of my life.

A lot of people have said I’ve become a “Canadianized photographer.” I love it, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Gender binary is harmful

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July 8, 2013

I never knew how to articulate how precarious my identity felt. As a child, I would draw myself as a boy, complete with a penis, but I was hyper-feminine in my gender presentation. Although I have now accepted that I am genderqueer, or that I do not fit neatly into the two genders we are permitted, I have not come out as such. If people like me are to exist comfortably, this dichotomizing of gender must end. What I am proposing is a paradigm shift that is long overdue.

When I was in kindergarten, I watched an Oprah special on David Reimer, best known for having been raised as a girl after his circumcision left him mutilated. The doctor overseeing his case talked his parents into him having sex reassignment surgery, so he was raised as a female instead. Reimer eventually committed suicide after years of depression relating to his gender confusion.

From this day on, the photo of the little boy with long brown hair and a white dress was burned into my mind. I thought I was in the same situation; someone had damaged my penis and decided I would be better off thinking I was born a female. On some level, I understood these events had not taken place — they were merely analogous to my situation.

Unlike Reimer, though, I could not go to my parents about this profound unease, as it was not the result of their actions. They were neither responsible for my condition, nor could they help me. I thought it must be caused by some sickness growing inside me, and to tell anyone would result in abandonment.

I continued presenting as hyper-feminine until sixth grade, when my family bought a house far away. I became depressed, isolated, and dressed like a tomboy. Once we moved, I began presenting as hyper-feminine again, terrified my new classmates would realize what a “freak” I was. I had severe panic attacks every day, and was certain I was mentally ill.

This same year, I learned it was unusual to be attracted to other girls, and felt deeply ashamed of my “marriage” to another girl in elementary school. She would fly out to visit me, send me care packages, and we would talk on the phone for hours each day. I began keeping a journal and drawing myself as a girl with a penis, something I would continue doing until grade 10.

Years later, and after a few false starts, I eventually started dating women exclusively. I was not able to come out to my family yet, so I presented as hyper-feminine and my parents remained oblivious to my secrets. Someone close to us had come out as trans two months after I realized I could not keep dating men, and my parents were struggling to address him with the correct pronouns and accept that his identity was not a sickness.

I was, of course, deeply invested in their reactions, and they had no idea who I was as they confided in me. My father in particular frequently contrasted his masculinity and attraction to women with me.

Four months later, I told them I was a lesbian and gradually began to dress more androgynously. I found that not only did I stop receiving unwanted attention from men, I felt stronger, confident, and sexy. But I have not told them any of the things I have written about here, because I continue to live in fear of being discovered by a society that does not accept my gender as real and has policed my identity since I was born.

This has to change, and can change, if we cease to approach gender dichotomously, and allow people to discover their identities for themselves.

SFU’s faith-based clubs promote dialogue and unity

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July 8, 2013

Every day, whether we’re turning on the news or jumping on the bus, we are confronted by the same age-old debate: where is the place for religion in our society?

Some may feel our world is becoming increasingly secular, citing new legislation on gay marriage or women’s reproductive rights in the U.S. The next moment, however, one might turn on their television to find tens of thousands of rain-drenched pilgrims cheering for the announcement of the new Pope.

So, is our world becoming more secular? Or is this just a Western-centric view? And where, for that matter, is the place for religion in a secular institution such as SFU?

Not everyone knows this, but the ivory tower has been the haven of religion for centuries. The whole concept of a university grew out of the idea of educating doctors of divinity — those who would advise the monarchs. It is only in relatively modern history these institutions have become secular strongholds.

Despite this transformation, religion can still be a part of university life: perhaps not in the way it once was, but in a world where conflict is often ruled by religion, it’s impossible to dismiss it from higher education. Atheism may be part of the status quo for many, but that does not mean we can remain ill informed and ignorant. Instead, it’s imperative we explore each other’s faiths (or lack thereof).

At SFU, we have many faith-based clubs that reach out to atheists, agnostics, and believers alike. No matter your affiliation, you are sure to find a place where you can either enrich your faith and understanding or inspire dialogue among peers.

In fact, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association actually states in their mandate they hope to both “engage in religious activities and to create a dialogue with other religious groups within SFU.” Similarly, the Shia Muslim Society offers “open dialogue between all Muslim and non-Muslim SFU students.”

Whether or not this is a reaction to increasing tensions between the Muslim and Western world, the opening of doors and dialogue is precisely what should be promoted at SFU.

The Christian groups are taking a different approach which is more in keeping with their evangelical past. For example, the Chinese Christian Fellowship is hoping to “see our campuses transformed into a land of faith, hope and love.” On a similar vein, the Christian Fellowship (SCF) possesses “the desire to have everyone fall deeply in love with God.”

Of course, not everyone is interested in learning about different religions. Some are more keen to chuck a frisbee around, while others are interested in hunkering down and preparing for World War Z. The bad news for frisbee-ers but good news for the apocalypse-ers, is there might still be a religious club for you!

The Bible Believers Club’s vision is to “gather around the Word of God and be aware of modern events made clear by prophecy to prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus-Christ, (better known as the Rapture).” When asked for comment, the Bible Believers were unavailable, presumably busy preparing for the end of the world.

This is just a glimpse into the plethora of faith-based clubs at SFU, all of which provide unique experiences for believers and nonbelievers alike. However, the importance of these clubs transcends simply meeting new friends.

Opening up dialogue between world religions and beliefs is the key to moving forward, and the impact of doing so is well exemplified by the Bible Believers mission: unless we start looking at religion in a more open and scholarly way, preparing for the end of the world may not be such a bad idea after all.

China does not need the Occupy Movement

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July 8, 2013

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I’m not joking around when it comes to the betterment of my people. My point here is this: Instead of waiting for the global revolution to reach China, China should spark its own revolution, but without pledging absolute allegiance to the global revolution started by Occupy Wall Street.

My primary reason, drawn after so many years of being a social activist, is that not everything promoted by Occupy Wall Street is best for China. While this may sound disturbingly familiar with the Communist Party’s sour excuse for rejecting the division of power or universal suffrage, I’m merely trying to fight against the Communist Party over the power to speak.

Let me give you an example of how this breaks down categorically: I’m all about the division of power and universal suffrage, but the abolishment of state? Sorry, but no.

Many activists who grew up in China understand that, after 65 years of the Communist Party regime, the morals of the Chinese people in mainland China have been all but destroyed. Moreover, those good old virtues — like “saving a life is more powerful than building a seven-level tower of worship” — are now nothing but fragments laying in ruins.

That’s dominantly, if not entirely, why in China there’s Sudan Red in ketchups, Malachite Green in fish, gutter oil in cooking oil, “formula” powder with no protein, you name it.

Without a state to restore and re-establish the virtues that govern our people, even after the Communist Party regime is overthrown, the entirety of mainland China will fall into disorder rather than becoming a better place. This proves why the abolishment of state, strongly promoted by Occupy Wall Street, is no good for Chinese people.

Not only are many theories of Occupy Wall Street not suitable for China, but neither is its common practise of alienation suitable for China. For an activist, being arrested by the police may not scare you, but getting fired at by your supposed comrades breaks your heart into pieces.

Last week, Occupy Wall Street disheartened us again by saying: “If petitions changed anything, they would be illegal.” What this says is that all those who start and / or sign petitions are good-for-nothing wimps. True, protests are important, but do you absolutely have to do this to those who have their own legitimate concerns for attending protests themselves?

Activism is on a dangerous crash course, because activists are
firing at each other rather than at the 1 per cent, and this saddens me. But what saddens me more is that alienation by Occupy Wall Street is becoming such common practice.

Given that the most vital task for Chinese revolutionists is to unite the Chinese people, which have already been divided big time by the Communist Party — meaning a united anti-CCP force would die out before it could be formed — can Occupy Wall Street’s practise of alienation do any good for either the Chinese revolution or the Chinese people? Absolutely not.

I’ll stop here because I’ve made my point clear. Of course, if you’d like to help or join our revolution, feel free to do so and I’ll still request a blood chit on it for you. However, if you want to crusade into China with your Occupy Wall Street doctrines, please don’t. You don’t even know what you’re doing.

SFU Food Bank to undergo radical changes

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July 8, 2013

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Over the past 20 years, the SFU Food Bank has provided undergraduate students with much-needed groceries and nutrition information in difficult times. However, recent challenges such as insufficient storage and lack of knowledge may bring an end to the current system.

The issue was brought to the attention of the SFSS by Student Services, which manages the administration and coordination of the Food Bank. Student Services cited problems such as issues of waste, inadequate cold storage which results in an inability to store fresh food, and a lack of knowledge of best practices.

According to the SFSS — which funds the Food Bank — Student Services would like to be out of the distribution business by Sept 1 this year. The Peak attempted to contact the Food Bank Coordinator, but received no reply.

Despite these concerns, neither group is looking to abandon the food bank program; instead, they are approaching the issue with enthusiasm. “We at the Food Bank Working Group like to see the proposed changes as an opportunity as opposed to a challenge, because there are definitely issues with current the food bank,” spoke Chardaye Bueckert, SFSS External Relations Officer. “There’s many challenges around accessing a food service, and that’s something we need to change.”

Currently, the Food Bank is accessible to any SFU undergraduate student in need; yet, it is only used by 75 students per semester out of a total population of 20,000. Bueckert feels that the lack of knowledge surrounding eligibility and accessibility is one of the biggest challenges that the SFSS and SS are currently facing.

“You don’t want to exclude anyone who needs [help] by establishing firm criteria, but when it’s very vague and open it’s also difficult to know who is eligible,” said Bueckert. “Some people may think that you need to be in dire straights, whereas if you only have a small grocery budget and you need to stretch it out, maybe it is appropriate to use it. We need to come up with some clear branding to let people know that it’s okay to go there if they are in need.”

Although both partners agree that change is needed, Student Services and the SFSS do not agree on which path to take. SS is hoping to switch from a distributive to an education and referral based model, where students in need would be referred to a food bank off campus. A similar referral-based model has recently been implemented at SFU Surrey Campus, with relative success.

In contrast, the SFSS does not feel that such promise would be found at SFU Burnaby; the closest community Food Bank is located in Port Moody, a 40-50 minute transit ride away. Instead, the SFSS is looking to pursue other logistical models to create “a high quality, accessible, stigma free service where any student who identifies as having a need to access a food service is able to do that,” according to Bueckert.

In this pursuit, the SFSS has struck a working group to consider the various options available, which include a voucher program and a food hamper system. Bueckert spoke to the benefits of the voucher program, saying, “We’re lucky to have a lot of food services on campus, even a grocery store, so that’s a huge benefit to students . . . they would have access ideally to fresh foods and hot foods, meat, dairy, produce, things we couldn’t provide under the current Food Bank.”

As an additional benefit, the SFSS and Student Services would not have to be involved in the actual food distribution and storage, relieving a huge administrative burden. Although a food hamper solution is also being considered, it would require coordination similar to the current system.

These are only some of the many solutions that are being considered by the SFSS working group. “We don’t want to narrow in too specifically before we get feedback from the community at large because there might be some really new, innovative things that could be presented so we don’t want to close the door to any of these possibilities,” commented Bueckert.

To facilitate this, the working group is organizing a feedback survey that will be distributed to the entire student population. Students will have a period of two weeks to reply, with responses coming in until the Food Bank Stakeholder Representative Focus Group takes place on July 19. The working group is confident that this event, which will be attended by representatives from SFPIRG, the GSS, SFU Health and Counselling, and various rotunda groups, will result in an SFU Food Bank solution.

Bueckert concluded, “No matter what, we want a food service on campus.”

Rolling in the steep

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July 8, 2013

On a day much like today, Chinese Emperor Shen Nung was casually drinking a bowl of hot water when, out of nowhere, a tea leaf fluttered into his bowl. He sipped this new brew and decided he could definitely get on board, subsequently ordering the mass planting of tea bushes.

Tea was introduced to the west at the beginning of the 17th century by Dutch and Portuguese sailors, then to North America about 100 years later.

Almost 5000 years since its discovery, the tea scene has changed a lot. Starbucks is cashing in and every other day we seem to be bombarded with new studies about how skinny you’re going to be if you just drink green tea. Hell, there’s even a political movement that’s all about the mighty leaf (that’s what the Tea Party is about, right?).

Tea leaves have been used in contexts from medicinal to fortune telling, and it is currently so popular that it is second only to water in world consumption. What is it that makes this beverage so popular?

Michael Menashy, co-founder of local company Tea Sparrow, has been drinking tea since childhood, but his passion grew when he was walked through a traditional brewing ceremony in China. Since then, he has made tea his life — and the man knows his tea.

“The biggest thing I would recommend is to experiment,” he says. “Once we discover a tea we like, we try brewing it several different ways to find the perfect cup. Take the etiquette out of tea and have fun. Personalize the experience and find your own love.

“It is totally awesome!” concludes Menashy. “The range of taste and flavours and the incredible benefits that come with tea crush the other daily beverages on the market.” Drink a type of tea you’ve never tried before or drink it over ice. Dress up and have a tea party — the Alice in Wonderland type, not the political movement. Menashy also suggests having fun with tea by pairing it with alcohol and making tea cocktails (my kind of a guy).

Green tea has been established as being the healthy thing to drink. We all know that: it fights cancer, heart disease, lowers cholesterol, and the list goes on.

Black teas such as Earl Grey don’t get as much of a rep as their green counterparts, but they have a lot of the same benefits, not to mention immunity boosting. The caffeine provides more energy and less jitters than coffee.

Likewise, jasmine tea is derived from green tea and so it has many of the same benefits, but is also considered one of the best natural stress-reducers, and works to lower blood pressure. Maybe consider drinking that instead of Timmy’s XL coffees next exam period (a real “do as I say, not as I do” moment here). Its popularity is also linked to its benefits for the skin.

The less popular white teas actually have more antioxidants than some of their other counterparts, mainly because the tea leaves are less disturbed when picked. They’re also nature’s Colgate. Or Crest. Or, if you’re a broke student, whatever no-name-brand toothpaste is on sale.

Sometimes we just can’t handle anymore caffeine so peppermint is the answer, really refreshing and comforting when you’ve had so much espresso you can’t hold a pen. It aids in digestion, helps headaches and pains associated with PMS, and lowers fevers — among other things. Basically, if something’s hurting, peppermint tea is the way to go.

Rooibos (roy-bos) is another caffeine-free option. I provide the pronunciation because I felt judged by the Starbucks baristas when I said “the one that starts with R,” and I would not wish this upon anyone else. This tasty bad-boy contains different antioxidants than, say, green tea, and it fights off the cardiovascular and liver disease that you’re probably bringing upon yourself in your university years. It is also known to lower blood pressure.

Yerba Mate is the new kid on the health nut block and is often cited as being a healthier alternative to coffee, controlling appetite, detoxifying blood, and boosting immunity.

Chamomile was always the go-to that my grandmother would suggest when I was feeling sick. Turns out, it’s not just an old wives tale — this tea is perhaps the most medicinal of all. Not only does it boost the immune system and fight off infections and colds, it also soothes the stomach, aids in muscle spasms and menstrual cramps, reduces inflammation, and relieves back pain. Not enough for you? It boosts liver function and is used as a sleep aid.

The craziest part? This isn’t even an exhaustive list of all the types of teas, or of their health benefits. As tea enthusiast Alice explains — while clutching a steaming mug of vanilla rooibos, “Tea will always be there for you. Whether you’re stressed, tired, upset, or just trying to kill time, tea’s got your back.”

Green Iced Tea
1 Lemon Tea Bag (also try Lemon Ginger)
3 oz. fresh Cucumber Juice (or cucumber slices for the same refreshing results)
1 1/2 oz. Tequila
Splash of Lemon Juice

Steps
Steep tea with tequila for a half hour, then remove tea bag. Combine and stir ingredients. Serve on ice, garnish with lime wedge.

Hot Tottie
Okay, not a summer drink, but if you’ve got a cold, this will clear it up!

3/4 cup black tea (e.g. Earl Grey)
1 ½ oz whiskey
Squirt of lemon
Teaspoon of honey
Cinnamon stick

Steps
Steep black tea. Add lemon and honey. Add whiskey last, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Long Island Iced Tea*
Makes two drinks

2 cups ice cubes
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce gin
1 ounce white rum
1 ounce white tequila
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup Coka
2 lemon wedges

Steps
Shake vodka, gin, rum, tequila, Triple Sec, lemon juice, and ice in cocktail shaker. Pour mixture and top off with the cola. Garnish with lemon wedges. Serve.

*Not actually a tea. Whatever.

Five Rejected SUB Designs Revealed!

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July 8, 2013

Although Build SFU has already selected an architect for the university’s new SUB building, their encouragement for public involvement in its design has led them to receive a number of proposals and sketches from SFU students and other weirdos. Here’s a look at some of those designs.

1) The “Student Union Bunker” (by Tom Bartowski)

Fearing a much darker world just on the horizon, Bartowski’s SUB proposal was intended to give students a central place on campus to just hang out, grab some food, nap, participate in recreational activities and escape the risk of being killed by the constant aerial attacks from our enemies. Bartowski envisioned the Student Union Bunker as a simple concrete structure that wouldn’t be flashy or over-the-top and would definitely fit in well with the school’s current architecture.

Features:

– Food court with multiple non-perishable food options.

– Blast and nuclear radiation protection

– Air Conditioning

Projected Cost:

$65 million (adjusted for WW3 inflation)

Reason it was rejected:

The concept did not include a space for a Booster Juice location.

2) The “MR. SUB SUB” (by MR. SUB)

Promising to heavily fund the building’s construction if their design was selected, MR. SUB’s SUB design was pretty much just to build a giant version of a MR.SUB restaurant. According to MR. SUB, their SUB would be a central place where SFU students could hang-out and do everything university students love, including and limited to eating MR. SUB sandwiches.

Features:

– Assorted Cold Cuts

– Maple Baked Ham

– Meatball

Projected Cost:

$49.99 million or $79.99 million for SUB/Stadium Combo (includes free medium drinking fountain)

Reason it was rejected:

Build SFU’s long-standing feud with MR. SUB.

3) The “Student Union Stargate” (by the ‘Students for Sci-Fi TV Show Filming on Campus Now’ Society)

Hoping to inspire the return of the Stargate franchise to TV and make sure SFU is a key filming location, the SSFTSFCNS’s design was to be built an exact recreation of the show’s central plot device, an actual Stargate. According to its designers, the SUS would reduce the CGI costs for any potential Stargate reboots, making SFU an even more desirable filming location and would also allow students to be instantaneously transported to other universities light years away and go to their SUBs instead of building our own.

Features:

– Wormhole area

– An information plaque about Stargate: SG1

– Our very own Richard Dean Anderson

Projected Cost:

65 million Shesh’ta (Read: Joke Submission)

Reason it was rejected:

Build SFU just never really got into Stargate.

4) The “Trump SUB” (by Donald Trump)

With a new tower on the way in Vancouver, the Trump corporation’s SUB proposal hoped, to expand the Donald’s power in Vancouver. The buildings actual dimensions or content were unclear however, with Trump simply writing that it would be “bigger and taller and fancier than any other SUB in the world.”

Features:

– Giant “TRUMP” logos on every wall

– Solid gold foosball tables

– Instead of a football stadium, a 7,000 meter 18-hole golf course will be built after the destruction of all trees and other buildings at SFU

Projected Cost:

“More expensive than any SUB in the world”

Reason it was rejected:

Trump refused to allow Build SFU to see the long-form version of his blueprints.

5) The “Studunt Unin Bilding” (by Josh, Age 6)

The concept by the youngest designer and also most likely person to actually get to use the completed SUB building, was intended as a place where “kids culd go hav fun” between classes. Along with the sketches, the proposal also included some of Josh’s absolute favourite rocks.

Features:

– Ice cream ferris wheel

– Video games

– Meatball

Projected Cost:

$5 (Kids say the darndest things)

Reason it was rejected:

Josh backed out of a potential deal after a lengthy debate concerning the “ice cream ferris wheel.”

SFU rises in world university rankings

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July 8, 2013