Home Blog Page 164

Me, and my incredible, cool, not bad, very good article titles have something to say

By
Peak Web
-
0
Novelist staring pensively at a typewriter while smoking a cigarette.
PHOTO: KoolShooters / Pexels

By: Totally-Not-the-Editor-in-Chief

On a bright Sunday afternoon, The Peak received this very strongly worded letter. In the words of George Orwell, or whatever: “Don’t be a hater.” We are sharing this letter as an example of what not to do, so don’t. Do not submit long headlines. Or we will hate you, forever. No, we’re not providing voices like these with a platform when we publish their letters. Whatever do you mean? Anyways, just read:

Dear The Peak, or whatever entities are controlled by you that are unknown to me, 

I don’t understand why you would limit my creative greatness by telling me my titles are too long. If your title doesn’t express the essence of your introduction paragraph, thesis, and life story as to why you are the person you are, is it even a title? Will your readers even get you? For example, when I submitted the Opinions article to your editors titled the very appropriate, “Why I think busses should simply be able to fly above Gaglardi Road with the sheer power of student energy and how its inability to fly is causing me severe distress with my IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome),” your editors told me that it was “TMI” for them. Also, I did not need to put brackets in my title. BUT, they don’t get it: my IBS is part of the story! That’s what I dislike most about essay guidelines, I think. I’m always told I need to be more specific and get to the root of what matters. But then, when I get more specific, I’m told, “This isn’t relevant to your essay,” and “You shouldn’t treat your readers as your therapists.” It’s absolutely mind-boggling stuff.

If my readers don’t know everything they need to know about me personally, how will they even know how to read? You know what I mean? No? Refer back to the title of this letter and its excellence — my excellence. If I don’t state absolutely everything that needs to be stated, I will never be known. And isn’t that heartbreaking? Aren’t I more important than your arbitrary guidelines about how I should change myself for your audience? Don’t answer that. 

So, anyway, to get to the main crux of the issue here, I think everyone should be more respectful of long-ass headlines. I have a lot to say, and I don’t think I should censor myself for your little rules. Or anyone’s little rules. I am beyond MLA, APA, and Chicago. Meanwhile, you probably have to look up Canadian Press guidelines for every word that stumbles you, like “manoeuvre.” How is that real spelling, anyway? Why don’t you focus on that issue instead of correcting me for being cool and creative?

Here’s what I’m thinking of for my next headline: The Peak needs to keep their business in trying to figure out ways to avoid being old news rather than worrying about my impeccable headlines.  

Signed,

Anonymous

A nightmare at the coffee shop

By
Peak Web
-
0
Café counter with a large sign that says “coffee.” The espresso machine’s paint is peeling and there’s “our machine welcomes scribbles!” scratched onto it.
PHOTO: Clem Onojeghuo / Pexels

By: Izzy Cheung, Staff Writer

It was a hot summer’s day — everyone was flocking to the malls to enjoy the air conditioning and copious amounts of iced drinks when I got this order at the mall café. 

“Do you guys have heavy-heavy cream?” they asked. 

I paused. As a staff member, I had only ever heard of the mythical “heavy-heavy” cream a couple of times. Legends said it was a rare type of cream made from full-fat cream, lemon juice, orange peels, and ginger ale. My supervisor told me where we kept it, deep in the bowels of the store, but I’d never risked going in to glance at it. The fact that this customer knew about it was unsettling. 

“Sorry, did you mean heavy cream?” I asked plainly. Maybe I’d misheard them. 

“Oh, no, I meant heavy-heavy cream. You know, made with lemon, orange, and ginger ale?” 

My eyes widened. Beside me, I could feel my coworker bracing herself. None of us had ever ventured into the deep, dark storeroom to fetch the heavy-heavy cream, but we’d both known someone who had. They retrieved the cream with an empty look in their eyes and ended up quitting the next shift. They’ve never been the same since.  

I looked over at my coworker, eyes wide. It seemed that fate wanted me to retrieve the heavy-heavy cream.  

“Oh, gotcha,” I squeaked, hands shaking as I punched the order in. “Go ahead and pay when you’re ready. I’ll just go and grab that for you.” 

I kept my expression composed, even though it felt like someone had dropped an ice cube down my back. My pulse quickened as I went into the back, eyes locking on the wooden door behind the shelves housing paper cups and frozen muffins. Climbing past all the extra storage space, I made my way to the small entrance that would hold my fate. There was a bright-looking light oozing from beneath the door. 

I took a deep breath, nails digging into the palms of my hands. It was time to be brave. 

My hand found the doorknob, and I turned, wrenching the tiny door open with the might of the Roman Empire. The light disappeared, immersing me in a world of darkness behind the café. 

A flash of blue struck my vision, and as I looked across from me, only a few feet away, I saw the carton of heavy-heavy cream. It was around the length of my forearm, with a label that depicted a dramatic war scene like those seen on old tapestries. 

It was beautiful. 

I ran towards it, ignoring the sounds of coffee being made in the background. The heavy-heavy cream would be mine, and mine only. No one else would take it from me. 

I snatched the carton, peeled the top open, and waterfalled it into my mouth. Rainbows poured out and angels sang as the heavy-heavy cream touched my tongue. 

And then my stomach gurgled. 

I looked down, trepidation hitting my senses as my stomach began to growl even more. Soon enough, lion-like roars echoed from my stomach, a boulder-like weight settling within it. 

I looked back down at the carton, my jaw dropping as the label began to fade. The curly “heavy-heavy cream” writing morphed into a recognizable scrawl that made me gasp. 

“Oh no,” I whispered. “Oat milk.” 

The carton released a maniacal laugh. “That’s right! Consider yourself cursed.” 

I dropped the carton, hands moving to my stomach. “No. No, no, no, no —” 

Before anything else could happen, I ran back out of the storeroom, reaching for the door and pulling it shut behind me. While I may have escaped, I knew deep inside of me something had changed. No longer could I drink regular milk with my iced lattes — the dairy would cause movements that I would never be able to stomach again. I had to face the truth — I was now . . . an oat milk person. 

Still using a backpack? Grow up!

By
Peak Web
-
0
Super fashionable person wearing a bunch of designer items and a tote bag that has “Tote bag supremacy” written on it.
ILLUSTRATION: Andrea Choi / The Peak

By: Cam Darting, SFU Student

Hi, bestie! I’m your resident fashionista, and I am here to guide all you lost sheep on what to wear this season to look so incredibly expensive. You may think this is classist, but all I have to say to you haters is: “Stop Being Poor.” 

Let me set the scene. Two college students walk into an Aritzia; one is wearing a tote bag, while the other is lugging a backpack. Who do you think got approached the most by the sales associates? The answer is obvious: the one wearing the tote bag. Why? Because tote bags give put-together clean girl, while backpacks give 15-year-old in high school.

Newsflash, people: if you’re not wearing a tote bag in 2023, you deserve to go to jail for your crimes against fashion. Not only are backpacks ugly, but they completely ruin your cute outfit. If I see a man in a suit with a backpack, he’s very much giving lives in his parent’s basement and has no partner (yes, I’ve arbitrarily decided that’s bad). Now, if that same man replaces that backpack with a TOTE BAG??!?!??! He’s giving clean, articulated, rich. And he has a yacht in Dubai. You know what? Make that TWO yachts in Dubai. Same guy, same suit, but the TOTE elevated his status. 

Some may say “backpacks are more convenient.” Are they? Are they REALLY? Let’s dissect this, because I’m tired of hearing how troublesome tote bags are. They fit all the essentials like a laptop, charger, and wallet. If your bag has more than these items, you need to start leaving some stuff at home. You do not need to be carrying your whole bedroom with you. Moving on, tote bags are convenient because you just slip your hand right in, and BOOM, you have what you need. Easy access. Speaking of easy access, that’s what you’ll have on public transit because you’ll be able to slip through the crowds without having your backpack weigh you down by having to take it off.

Imagine you walk into class with a backpack on and see your crush. You’re nervous, excited, and geeked to see him. As you sit in front of him and take off your backpack, all you hear is laughs. Confused, you turn around to see your crush and his friends laughing at you. Then you realize you have a huge sweat stain on the back of your gray Aritzia Sunday Best Dream T-Shirt. Embarrassment, shame, and humiliation fill every ounce of your body. All this could have been avoided if you just used a tote bag. With tote bags, you don’t get back sweat. The only sweat that’ll even come near you is everyone sweating as you walk past them because you look so amazingly delicious.

The moral of the story is that tote bags are Kris Jenner and backpacks are Yolanda Hadid. Tote bags are Chanel, while backpacks are Coach. Hot people wear totes, period. If you don’t want to be hot, then be my guest, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Low maintenance fitness and nutrition tips for a balanced lifestyle

By
Peak Web
-
0
a photo of a home crafted poke bowl.
PHOTO: Hailey Miller / The Peak

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

As a health-conscious individual, I’ve always been passionate about fitness and nutrition. Being a full-time university student with a busy schedule, I know first-hand the challenges of setting aside time to make homemade meals that are nutritious, while staying within budget. Over the years, I’ve gained a lot of experience in fitness and nutrition, and have learned many tips along the way. Here’s a simple guide to the best way to maintain a pattern of healthy eating and exercise for university students on a budget — and a tight schedule. 

Find a fitness regime that works best for you

Whether you’re new to fitness, trying out another sport, or you’re a seasoned pro, the key to successfully partaking in regular physical activity is to find something you enjoy, and to keep your workout routines varied. Everyone has different interests and abilities, and finding a fitness routine that you’re interested in will help you want to stay active and set aside a designated workout time. Try different fitness routines and see what you like the most. Each type of exercise has its own benefits, whether it be weight and resistance training, yoga or pilates, cardio-based activities like running and swimming, endurance or interval training (e.g. long-distance running and CrossFit), or a combination of all of the above. Exercise variety allows your body to work different muscle groups, improves different areas of strength, and keeps you mentally focused. Finding an adaptive routine that’s safe and effective based on your abilities is extremely important. Anyone who wants to can partake in fitness as long as they feel safe and comfortable, and have been cleared by a professional. Remember to consult your health care provider if you’re new to fitness or partaking in a different routine, and especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries. 

Some movement is better than no movement

Timing is tight, and scheduling is tough. On the days where it seems impossible to incorporate some level of fitness into your daily routine, remember that the little steps go a long way. Instead of scheduling one long workout routine, break your routine up into smaller components whenever you have time in your day. For instance, do 15 minutes of weight training here, 15 minutes of yoga there. Factor in whatever remaining time you have for simple activities, such as a walk! Even if it’s just between classes or around campus — any movement counts! Mini bouts of fitness throughout your day will help you stay focused, be more productive, and feel less exhausted from the typical grind of work, study, repeat. 

Take advantage of discounted fitness classes and recreation

Many fitness classes offer free trials and discounts to newcomers who try out their services for the first time. Off-campus options such as 30-day workout sessions, hot yoga, and spin classes are just a few great options for getting the best bang for your buck. Don’t forget about on-campus recreation and fitness opportunities, and discounts on community passes for recreation within your city. Aside from this, fitness doesn’t have to cost anything — you can work out for free! Grab a workout mat, and start your own routine. YouTube is full of fitness regimes for everyone from beginners to elites. Plus, check out one of my favourites, Kaijafit, on Instagram. Moving your body outside also costs nothing. So, take a hike (as long as you’re prepared), walk your dog, run the track, or swim in the lake. Remember to work out safely to avoid injury.

Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep!

I promise that prepping meals and planning ahead will be worth your while, especially on those days where your schedule is crammed, or you’re rushing out the door and barely have time to make lunch. Meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with simple preparation such as homemade energy bars, hummus and veggies, chopped fruit, smoothie prep, salads, and bowls (with roasted vegetables, quinoa or rice, and a simple dressing or pesto, for example). As you become more adept at meal prepping — and if your fridge or freezer has the space — make double-batch recipes whenever you can, and save the leftovers for later. On that note, always save your leftovers; they’re the easiest, ready-to-go form of meal prep out there, since you have another meal for later and you didn’t even plan on it.

Make simple, nutrient-dense recipes

Who has time to follow a 10-step recipe? I sure as hell don’t. Find recipes that are easy; one-pot meals with minimal ingredients. The more nutrient-dense, the better. If you’re a kitchen lover or a seasoned chef, create your own recipes that you know are full of good ingredients and are easy to make in a bind. Incorporate the food groups, create balanced meals, and even follow the Food Guide if you need it. Some of my favourite healthy food nutritionists and bloggers to follow include The Roasted Root, Minimalist Baker, and Plantbased RD. Instagram and TikTok are full of endless simple recipes that can keep you scrolling until your next meal prep day.

Shop smart on groceries 

Coupons are a budgeter’s best friend. Buying produce in-season is a good starting point, since pricing on produce and foods fluctuates depending on the time of year. Eating fresh, local produce is great, but can be expensive. When the budget is too tight for fresh foods, opt for frozen vegetables and fruits — this is the next best thing and still offers a great variety of nutrition while lowering the cost. Another option is to buy non-perishables, and these options can be healthy, too. Be a conscious shopper when it comes to the ingredients in your food, and the costs on the shelves. Keep your eye out for grocery store deals, and stock up when needed. If a certain product or food is more expensive one week, avoid buying it and substitute another food instead. Before you know it, you’ll be a grocery shopping pro!

Creative Corner: Five economic ways to spice up your home this fall

By
Peak Web
-
0
An illustration of a person in oversized pyjamas hanging a string of leaves on a wall in their bedroom.They have turkey and pumpkin plushies on display on a mantle, and other plushies sprawled across their room, including a candy corn plushy.
ILLUSTRATION: Alyssa Umbal / The Peak

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

I’ve spent the last few weeks upping my home decorating game. There’s something about cute and colourful organizers in my workspace and a string of fairy lights over my bed that makes a home feel more homely. As a student, my budget is limited, but I’ve garnered tips from my mother, who’s always had a knack for finding the best deals and making our home look festive when fall rolls around. Here are some crafty ideas from mine to yours!

Autumn decorations 
Seasonal decorations can be expensive. Dollarama is the perfect place to find cheap alternatives, like leafy foliage you can reuse every year or whimsical Halloween mugs — there’s so much to choose from. Try stringing decorative leaves around your TV or wrap them around a thrifted vase. You can even find tiny assortments of pumpkins perfect for perching on shelves or a dinner party table. The thrift store is also a great resource, as it tends to bring in unusual and vintage Halloween goodies for the fall season to get in the spooky mood.

Plant goodies
Look no further for the perfect pots and plant friends than your local dollar store. My mom has the biggest green thumb and we both appreciate a unique piece of pottery. We’ve seen so many pretty indoor pots at Dollarama, from large pastel pots to simple terra cotta pots, in all different sizes. Ornamental plants that bloom great colours in this season include perennial poinsettias and the amaryllis. Missed out on planting an herb garden this summer? It’s not too late! There are many edible plants you can grow indoors this fall including leafy greens, peas, or even tomatoes! If you’re feeling creative, you can make an activity out of it and paint your own terra cotta pots with whatever designs you like. You can get paints at the dollar store too!

Upcycled vintage perfume bottles
My favourite Youtuber, Fernanda Ramirez, recently shared one of her favourite hacks to upcycle pretty vintage perfume bottles for display. You can find bottles at antique or thrift stores stores, and after giving each bottle a thorough wash, fill them with water and add a few drops of food colouring. This gives each vintage bottle the look of being brand new. Other fun ways to upcycle empty perfume bottles include creating miniature terrariums, using them as flower vases, or even filling them with strands of battery operated lights! 

DIY pressed-leaf picture frames
For my mom and I, there’s nothing like flipping through printed photos we’ve taken over the years. There’s something so special about putting your favourite memories on display.  Embrace the coquette aesthetic and visit the thrift store to find antique frames that look expensive. Frames are a great way to add a pop of colour to your space. Create simple yet beautiful pressed-leaf prints to put on display in your home by taking foliage clippings and pressing them between heavy objects like books. Frame your creations and prepare to be complimented on your space!

DIY cork boards 
A perfect way to personalize your bedroom, home office, or dorm room is by building your own cork board! All you need are cork tiles, which can be found at Dollar Tree or most hardware stores, a sharp cutting tool, and some thumb tacks or push pins. These squares can be pinned directly to the wall, or cut into shapes of your choice. Or, pin faux autumn leaves or a string of spooky cobwebs to get your board dressed up for fall! You can use these boards to display photos, reminders, and mementos. A cork board is also a great way to begin creating a personal vision board!

Bottoms is unabashedly gay, unhinged, and bloody

By
Peak Web
-
0
A film still featuring two protagonists of Bottoms, PJ and Josie, in a school gym looking to the side, looking bewildered. PJ has a slight black eye and a bandaid on her nose.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

By: Emilio Gutierrez, SFU Student

When I first read the synopsis of Emma Seligman’s Bottoms — two girls start a fight club at their high school to meet girls and lose their virginity — I thought I knew what I was in for. I expected a queer take on the edgy high school comedy formula, and some of the magic found in Seligman and Rachel Sennott’s (Bottoms’ co-writer and lead) previous collaboration, Shiva Baby. 

I walked out of the theatre pleasantly surprised.

At a quick glance, Bottoms would seem like it fits under the high school comedy genre label. And, technically, it does; it’s a comedy set in a high school. However, stamping that label on it brings to mind movies like Mean Girls, Superbad, or, more recently, Booksmart, which aren’t really the same type of movie as Bottoms. Those movies seem to hold on to a degree of realism when depicting high school, which Bottoms doesn’t really bother with maintaining.

Seligman and Sennott are not afraid of being completely nonsensical and unrealistic, showing football players acting like bemused cheerleaders or school mascots walking around with huge, flopping . . . you know . . . phalluses. The writers have a lot of fun playing around with their action-packed, over-the-top version of high school, which, at its strongest, provides the script and actors with great opportunities to be outlandishly hilarious.  

The highlight, however, is without a doubt the film’s cast. Sennott and Ayo Edeberi do a solid job at translating the desperate awkwardness of the two main characters, PJ and Josie, into two consistently likable and hilarious performances. 

But they’re certainly not the only performances that stand out. Two of my own personal highlights were Nicholas Galitzine as Jeff, the fruity star quarterback, and Miles Fowlers as Tim, Jeff’s scheming, fiercely loyal right-hand man. They both knock it out of the park portraying their respective ridiculous personas, seamlessly injecting them with so much detail and character. Marshawn Lynch as Mr. G and Summer Joy Campbell as Sylvie also deserve honourable mentions, as they were both consistently funny.

The cast also demonstrates a good amount of flexibility by, surprisingly, providing the film with some genuinely well-delivered emotional notes, in spite of the characters’ seemingly unhinged amorality throughout a lot of the film.

Seligman and Maria Rusche (director of photography) also succeed at employing a fair share of fun, creatively-shot sequences, making the movie that much more engaging to watch. But perhaps one of the most striking technical aspects of the film is Leo Birenberg and Charli XCX’s soundtrack. The duo provide the movie with a beautifully textured mix of synth and guitar instrumentation that’s simultaneously lush and electrifying. Although its use in the film feels a bit limited at times, overall, it gives Bottoms a ton of memorable flair and character.

In the end, I do feel that Bottoms’ lack of focus and occasionally spotty humour keep it from being a definite favourite for me. In spite of that, I still find it to be a comedic, well-made movie that stands out as a unique take on the high school comedy formula. If Bottoms sounds like something you might like, I definitely recommend giving it a shot. Bottoms is currently only being shown in select cinemas, so if you are unable to find a screening near you, you’ll have to wait for the film to release digitally.

Paperback isn’t dead

By
Peak Web
-
0
An open paperback
PHOTO: Lily Rum / Unsplash

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

Even though I love spending afternoons scrolling through the countless options of free e-books on Libby, there is something special about the feeling of scouring the library for the perfect read. You know: the book that fits perfectly in your hands, the texture and smell of its pages transporting you to another place entirely. It takes me back to the days where I used to visit the public library near my house, leaving with a bag of books so full that practically tipped me over on the walk home. An e-book is convenient, but a real book is an entire experience. Anyone who claims the digital e-book is going to completely replace print is entirely mistaken. 

The most obvious reason is books have a sentimentality to them that can’t be replaced. I treat the books on my bookshelf with care and attention, the space they take up in my room a sentiment to not only my interest in mystery and romance but a window into my inner personality. The books on my e-reader become faceless when I’m finished, disappearing into the depths of an invisible bookshelf. My physical copies are tear-stained and worn down from being flipped through so many times. 

The second is that the environmental impact of paperback has been overblown. A single e-reader’s carbon footprint is around 168 kg, whereas a book is equivalent to approximately 7.5 kg. According to these statistics, if an e-reader read 44 books on an electronic device this would halve its negative impact on the environment. A frequent reader that uses an e-book would significantly reduce their carbon footprint. 

Even if someone reads enough to reduce their carbon footprint with an e-reader, producing traditional books requires less materials. It takes the extraction of nearly 15 kg of minerals and uses about 300 litres of water to produce a single e-reader. Electronic waste is also a concern, because when it comes time for an e-reader to be replaced, they must be recycled properly in order to avoid improper disposal of toxic metals. 

While e-books tend to be cheaper than physical books, printed books do not necessarily need to be bought brand new. Thrift stores and second-hand bookstores are great places to reduce the amount of money you spend and support small businesses. Additionally, there are thousands of books that can be borrowed and returned to the library for free. 

Many of the books I own have been passed down through generations. Not only do they represent specific chapters of my life, but they reflect some of my deepest ambitions, emotions, and thoughts. Books connect me to the people I love, the places I hope to go, and the experiences I’ve lived. Reading an e-book just doesn’t compare to the feeling I get when I hold a physical novel. 

Council Chats: Council elects temporary vice-president internal after resignation

By
Peak Web
-
0
This is an illustration of a graphic that reads “Council Chats.” The image also has two text boxes to symbolise messages being sent.
ILLUSTRATION: Andrea Choi / The Peak

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer

The Peak attended the bi-weekly Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) Council meeting on September 13. The business included nominations for the vacant vice-president internal position and a presentation for a new sustainable initiative. 

Elections to fill vice-president internal position 

During September, the previous vice-president internal resigned from their position. At this Council meeting, the SFSS elected a temporary replacement, until a new vice-president could be elected through student bi-elections. President Liam Feng stated they will “have a by-election in the coming months before April 30 of next year [2024].” 

Temporary operation organizer, Sindhu Dharmarajah, noted, “Our by-laws call for a by-election in the event of a vacancy with certain parameters, so we need to appoint a councillor in the interim.” 

President Feng called for nominations. Ashley Flett, representative of gender, sexuality and women’s studies, self-nominated for the role. No other candidates stepped forward. The motion was passed and Flett was elected temporary vice-president internal. 

However, Thomas Leuth, vice-president of university and academic affairs, voted to express dissent for the motion, but the matter was not discussed further. As Flett held the vice-chair position before their election into the temporary vice-president internal role, another election was held to see who would fill the vice-chair position. Flett nominated molecular biology and biochemistry student union representative, Sam Killawee, for the role, which they accepted. Killawee was elected as temporary vice-chair. 

Presentation for a new sustainability initiative, Reusables

Anastasia Kiku, chief operations officer and co-founder of Reusables, delivered a presentation to the Council regarding the brand’s mission. Their project is rolling out at SFU in October. 

Reusables is a company that promotes reusable stainless-steel food containers. Kiku explained how the mission of Reusables is to “eliminate single-use plastic waste” and raise awareness for how “only 5% of plastic is recycled, while the rest ends up in our landfills or the environment.” 

The company is supported by major corporations such as Bunzl, Disney, Doordash, Uber Eats, and IGA. Reusables is coming to SFU in the Mackenzie Cafe on October 2 in response to how “students are demanding climate action.” Students will be able to take out food and beverages in Reusables containers through the Reusables app to log their container and then, after five days, drop off their borrowed items to the situated return bins around the Mackenzie Café and the AQ. 

Kiku also stated using the app will not be necessary, as the Reusables containers have barcodes that will log when checked out and will require a debit or credit card preauthorization. This means the user will only be charged if they do not return their containers after use. Kiku noted in her presentation that Reusables has a 98.5% return rate, and they saw success when they tested the project over three months at the old dining commons. According to Kiku’s data, 2,500+ Reusables were used over the trial of 3 months by over 100 students. Councillor Denise Arias-Guillen asked Kiku if students were expected to wash the containers before returning them to the bins. Kiku responded that Reusables and the Chartwells groups have partnered and will collect and clean the containers. 

Evan Accettola, Indigenous studies student union councillor, asked if Reusables sells subscriptions to students and if access to credit cards is necessary for the app. Kiku noted students can use debit cards to check out the containers.

“The Story of Three Journeys” showcases Tassos Boulmetis’ childhood in Istanbul

By
Peak Web
-
0
This is a photo of the outside of the SFU Burnaby campus. There is a reflection pond with a water fountain surrounded by trees and other buildings.
PHOTO: Kriti Monga / The Peak

By: Olivia Sherman, News Writer

Content warning: mentions of genocide and forced displacement. 

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic studies at SFU is hosting a series of seminars this fall, where Greek scholars and artists will present stories and lived experiences. Tassos Boulmetis, a Greek director, presented at the most recent seminar. The presentation was titled, “On Sublimation of Displacement: The Story of Three Journeys.” 

The journeys in question spanned over several decades of Boulmetis’ life. He described them as, “One, geographical, that created the trauma. Another, esoteric: an inner journey which helped me overcome the denial of my childhood homeland. And another, [a] hidden journey that led to the creation of my film.” Boulmetis said it was that hidden journey that “helped [him] to reconcile with [his] past.”

Boulmetis was born Greek in Constantinople, now Istanbul, at a turning point in both Greek and Turkish history. “I remember my mother telling me not to speak Greek loudly in the streets,” he recalled, noting this was unusual for him because he was previously comfortable speaking his native language in Istanbul.

Boulmetis describes the political strife he faced throughout his childhood: “If we consider the Greek-Turkey relationship, metaphorically, as a film production, the screenplay for this film was written back in 1908,” during the Ottoman Revolution. The first act took place in 1915, during the Armenian Genocide. The second was in 1922, during the mass exodus of Greeks after the burning of Smyrna. In 1964, over 45,000 Greeks were deported from Turkey, including the young Boulmetis and his family. He and his family relocated to Athens, Greece. 

Despite being friends with both Turks and Greeks in Istanbul, Boulmetis found himself ostracised in Athens. In order to assimilate with his peers, he learned Greek and attempted to hide his Turkish identity. “It was a bad word to say to a Greek that he’s a Turk,” and vice versa for Turkish people. This was the beginning of Boulmetis’ trauma with his cultural identity. “I became a displaced Constantinoplian of Greek origin.” 

Later, Boulmetis enrolled as a physics student at the University of Athens but felt a calling toward film and directing. Throughout university, he directed short films. These were ripe with artistic and political themes, which reflected the ongoing political strife in Greece and Turkey throughout the 1970s when Boulmetis was a student. “We were very active and very thirsty to be involved in the arts and politics and demonstrations.”

After moving to California and graduating from UCLA, Boulmetis began directing commercials. To date, he has directed over 500 commercials, some of which have been broadcast worldwide. However, despite his success, Boulmetis said “there was something missing.” He broke the contract he had made with his producing company, in order to become a filmmaker rather than a commercial director. At the recommendation of a friend, he travelled back to Istanbul, the place he was forced to flee decades ago. “I realized, the last 30 years, I had been almost all over the world, but I never went to my homeland, which was only 50 minutes by plane.”

Boulmetis describes walking around his childhood neighbourhood with an “emotional GPS,” and was able to find his old home, his grandfather’s grocery store, the old playground, and the schoolhouse. “I recorded almost every single step that I did for three continuous days.” He documented his travels with photographs and videos taken at waist-length, about the height of a seven-year-old, the age he was forced to leave his home. 

He was inspired after returning to his homeland. Throughout the next several years, Boulmetis directed films about reconnecting with his heritage. The most famous, gaining worldwide attention, is “A Touch of Spice,” inspired by Boulmetis’ own life and history with being expelled from his home country and finding his lost identity. 

A summer of SFU athletics updates

By
Peak Web
-
0
photo of SFU swimmer midrace
PHOTO: Garrett James / SFU Athletics

By: Isabella Urbani, Sports Editor

Swimming 

Women’s Recruitments 

  • Abigail Andrews: backstroke and freestyle swimmer from St. John’s, Newfoundland, who won seven events at her high school’s provincial championships. 
  • Grace Arnott: breaststroke and backstroke swimmer from Calgary, Alberta, who competed at the 2023 Western Canadian Championships. 
  • Kayla Houlder: sprint freestyle swimmer from Milton, Ontario, who won two medals at the 2023 Eastern Canadian Championships.
  • Chloe Mcara: freestyle swimmer from Montréal, Québec, who competed at the 2019 Eastern Canadian Championships.
  • Laine Perry: freestyle and backstroke swimmer from Comox, BC, who won four medals at the 2023 Vancouver Island Regional Short-Course Championships.
  • Nicole Petrisor: sprint freestyle and individual medley swimmer from Richmond Hill, Ontario, who won the 50-metre freestyle at the 2023 Winter Ontario Youth-Junior Championships. 
  • Rachel Tong: butterfly and freestyle swimmer from Burnaby, BC, who won two medals at the 2023 Swim BC Winter Provincial Championships.

Men’s recruitments 

  • Thomas Caruso: backstroke and individual medley swimmer from Lindell Beach, BC, who won the 2023 Bell Canadian Swimming’s 200-metre backstroke junior national championship.
  • Gaspar Lazure: butterfly and freestyle sprint swimmer from Windsor, Ontario, who won three events at the 2023 Eastern Canadian Championships.
  • Mateja Mesic: backstroke, individual medley, and breaststroke swimmer from Belle River, Ontario, who competed at the 2023 Eastern Canadian Championships.
  • Peter Morch: freestyle swimmer from Lantzville, BC, who won two bronze medals at the 2023 Winter Provincial Championships.
  • Owen Nicholson: distance freestyle and individual medley swimmer from Halifax, Nova Scotia, who won a bronze medal for Canada at the 2023 Best Fest Open Water Festival. 
  • Jordan Raume: freestyle and breaststroke swimmer from Comox, BC, who holds nine records for the Comox Valley Aquatic Club. 
  • Lochlan Rogers: freestyle sprint swimmer from Victoria, BC, who is a two-time Canadian Junior Swimming Championships award winner. 
  • Luka Tomic: butterfly swimmer from Kitchener, Ontario, who was the sole member of his swim team to compete at the 2022 Eastern Canadian Championships. 
  • Hayden Visscher: breaststroke swimmer from St. Albert, Alberta, who competed for Canada at last year’s Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

News 

  • The swim team will make the switch to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference to begin the season.
  • Sophomore, Monyo Maina, competed for Kenya at the 2023 FINA World Aquatics Championships in the 100 and 200-metre freestyle. He was joined by SFU coach, Demone Tissira.
  • SFU assistant coach, Dexter Bligh, resigned after one season to become the head coach of Camana Bay Aquatic Club.

Awards 

  • Sophomore, Randon Hall, was a recipient of the Academic Achievement Award, winner of his second Faculty Athletic Representative Scholar-Athlete Award, and Nadine Caron Top Scholar-Athlete for the highest GPA with a 4.31 CGPA as a mathematical physics student.

Track and Field

Recruitments 

  • Jacob Hall: sprints runner from North Bend, Washington, who has competed for the US at the Track & Field National Junior Olympic Championships.
  • Liam O’Donnell: sprints runner from Surrey, BC, who won the 100-metre in the U-20 BC Championship Jamboree. 
  • Kerlinda Chatwin: sprints and triple jump athlete from Surrey, BC, who competed at the 2022 Canadian Track and Field Championships. 
  • Gemma Dumas: middle distance and distance runner from Delta, BC, who will compete for SFU in both track and cross country. 
  • Serena Kennedy-Hailu: sprints runner from Port Coquitlam, BC, who finished third at last year’s 100-metre high school provincial championships. 
  • Grace Mack: middle distance and distance runner from St John’s, Newfoundland, who competed at last year’s Canada Summer Games. 
  • Steph Millar: middle distance runner from Lake Country, BC, who won the 2023 800-metre Okanagan Zone championship.

Awards 

  • Gibbs and Paugh were two of 10 recipients of the Nadine Caron Top 10 Scholar-Athletes Award. 
  • Gibbs, Lenton, Paugh, Schmidt, and Voloshin win the the Faculty Athletic Representative Scholar-Athlete Award for having a 3.85 CGPA or higher.
  • Last year’s GNAC Rookie of the Year, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, was named 2023 Outdoor Track and Field Female Athlete of the Year. She is also the SFU women’s individual sport Athlete of the Year.
  • Women’s track and field team was named President’s Team of the Year.
  • Javelin thrower Jarrett Chong was the SFU men’s Freshman of the Year.
  • Women’s track and field team earned NCAA Div. II All-Academic Team honours. 
1...163164165...1,431Page 164 of 1,431

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024