Home Blog Page 762

World News Beat

By
Peak Web
-
0

By: Alex Bloom, and Mathew Fong

USA – US-Mexico border wall to be built and higher security in the US refugee program to be implemented

President Donald Trump’s early campaign promise to build a wall along the United States-Mexico border has been placed in an order and signed to follow through with the plan. Trump has also devised a plan to strengthen border security and to act in the removal of the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants. Per the executive order, there would be an immediate increase in the investigative process of deeming a refugee’s status as valid, as well as implemention of a month-long ban on allowing immigrants to enter the United States. Trump aims to reduce the size of the refugee program by half, bringing down the current 110,000 refugees to 50,000. The order states that allowing anyone from Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen to enter is “detrimental to the interests of the United States” for the time being. – MF

With files from The New York Times and BBC News

Uganda – Makerere University Begins Student Headcount After Protests

Kampala’s Makerere university, Uganda’s largest public post-secondary institution, has begun a count to determine the precise number of students currently attending the university. The process is projected to take around three weeks. This comes after the university was shut down by the government amid various student- and staff-led protests relating to pay. The university just began a new semester on January 2 after its closure. Continuing students are required to present themselves with their university identity card and admission letter for counting, and first year students are to present themselves with their registration forms, an admission letter, and their former secondary school identity card or their national identity card. Failure to show up for counting will result in effective expulsion. – AB

With files from allafrica.com and New Vision.

Brazil – 11.5 million vaccine doses ordered to combat the outbreak of yellow fever

An outbreak of yellow fever has appeared in the rural areas of Minas Gerais. 70 cases have been confirmed — 40 of which were deaths  — as well as 300 cases yet to be confirmed. This is the largest epidemic of yellow fever in Brazil since 2000. Fernando Damata Pimentel, the governor of Minas Gerais, has issued a 180-day state of emergency to combat the outbreak. Neighbouring states have also witnessed cases of the disease. Approximately 5.5 million vaccine doses have been distributed to five states. – MF

With files from BBC News

Tanzania – President Magufuli to Face Potential Vote of “No Confidence”

The current opposition party, the Alliance for Democratic Change (ACT-Wazalendo), has stated that they will put forth a vote of “no confidence” in parliament against President John Magufuli in the event that Tanzanians start dying of hunger. This comes in the wake of the government denying that the country is facing a food shortage, even though the cost of food continues to increase. No previous president of Tanzania has faced a vote of “no confidence” in parliament. The motion can move forwards for debate if at least 20% of parliament members support it. President Magufuli has denied that famine is likely and has stated that his government will not provide food relief. – AB

With files from allafrica.com

 

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY

By
EIC
-
2

Follow The Peak on Spotify to stay up to date on New Music Friday.

“Are You Sure?” – Kris Kross Amsterdam feat. Conor Maynard and Ty Dolla $ign

Jessica Whitesel: So I was expecting Kris Kross the rappers from the ’90s who wore all of their clothes backwards. Not some techno version of Justin Bieber and Ty Dolla $ign adding in some weird sing-talk rapping. I’m not loving this, but if I were drunk I would dance along.

Jessica Pickering: It’s like the studio put everything that makes a good pop song and put it in a blender and, by some miracle, it kinda worked? I don’t know, it’s dumb, but I’m here for it.

Dana Foth: Switching the letter ‘S’ with a dollar sign is sooo yesterday. Still, this song makes me want to sip a piña colada underneath palm trees. Got some strong summer vibes going!

“Last Text” – Jacob Sartorius

JW: Nope. I don’t like this at all. I don’t care that he is 14; this is bad. He’s already too far down the Justin Bieber path (since this song sounds exactly like early Bieber) and we shouldn’t let poor innocent Jacob Sartorius turn into that. Quit while you’re ahead and then use the money you made from this to go to med school or something.

JP: This worked for Jesse McCartney in like 2005 and then it NEVER WORKED FOR ANYONE EVER AGAIN. Please stop trying. I don’t care. You’re like 15, your love’s not real or deep. It’s hormones.

DF:  Love songs used to be about letters or bringing your girl roses, sometimes even a Romeo and Juliet analogy (thanks Taylor!). I think we’ve reached the point where we’re singing about the last text message we send someone before going to sleep. Weird how times are changing.

“Love Me Better” – James Blunt

JW: WHY DOES JAMES BLUNT ALWAYS SING ABOUT PEOPLE HE SEES OUTSIDE AND THEN STALKS? He ripped off his own song and then decided to electronica it up. It’s not a good look on him. He needs to stop with the stalking. Also, it’s not that good of a song TBH.

JP: I’m just not big on whispy falsettos. It’s not cool, it’s just weird. And distracting. And you’re going to wreck your voice so stop.

DF: I really liked James Blunt when I was younger. I used to sing “You’re Beautiful” to my webcam while sitting on the floor being all emotional and shit. If these videos ever get found, I’ll go into exile. Voluntarily. Nevermind. . . so, I liked his old style more. I am just wondering why does everybody have to sound so mainstream these days?

“Pure Comedy” – Father John Misty

JW: I love Father John Misty. But thank goodness that I knew coming into this that this song was written in response to the US election because it is one of the most lyrically dense songs I’ve listened to in recent memory. It is, however, a good song, but I’m going to have to listen to it multiple times to get the lyrics all sorted out.

JP: Too artsy for me. I saw comedy and I was legitimately hoping for musical stand-up, Bo Burnham style. My disappointment is infinite.

DF: Interesting music video, amazing voice, great lyrics. Classic Sunday chill tune, to that I would drink a hot chocolate with marshmallows while being wrapped up in a warm blanket.

“So Good” – Zara Larsson feat. Ty Dolla $ign

JW: I just want to skip this so bad. WHY DO PEOPLE TALK-SING-RAP? Please stop. It doesn’t work for anybody. This song is not “So Good,” it’s “So Bad.”

JP: I swear to god this song has been released every year since 2009. Or at least it sounds like it. Down with shitty pop songs 2k17.

DF: I woke up from a nightmare where somebody was grinding on me from behind to this song. Not my thing.

“Jag vill ge dig allt” – Sebastian Stakest

JW: I think this is like the Swedish version of Pitbull or Enrique Iglesias maybe? I’m definitely getting some Latin vibes from this and honestly I’m usually all about Swedish songs, but not this time. And now I’m sad.

JP: I wish I could tell what they’re saying. The music is okay, but I feel like I can’t get an accurate read on this song without the lyrics. It’s kinda just noise right now.

DF: Not only great in gender equality, but also in producing musicians — you just gotta love Swedes! If I could only understand what he is singing. . .

“Cold Hard Truth” – Nelly Furtado

JW: Nelly Furtado is clearly not like a bird. She has not flown away. Maybe she’s like a flightless bird like an emu. Because she’s still here, and still singing about flying away. It’s nice that she has dreams, but an emu is never going to fly. It’s physically impossible. But if this song would fly away that would be great. It’s terrible.

JP: uggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggh

DF: The cold hard truth is I can make it without you. Take that, mysterious lover of Nelly. It’s kind of catchy, one of the songs you listen to once on the radio and will never ever get rid of.

“Scared to be Lonely” – Martin Garrix feat. Dua Lipa

JW: If this song came on at the club I could see there being lots of tears. Like drunk girl sobbing tears. Nope, scratch that there will be tears or awkward-dance-floor-make-out-almost-sex. This is not a song that leaves lots of in between. I want to see it play out, but I know myself well enough that I would be too drunk to actually observe what happens.

JP: What did I say earlier about overdone? Something about shitty pop songs? Copy and paste that response here. If the music industry can’t be bothered with new ideas, neither can I.

DF: Martin Garrix is super cool. He was only 17 or something when he had his breakthrough with “Animals” and here I am procrastinating making a doctor’s appointment because I don’t like to call people. But well, this song somehow reminds me a lot of the Chainsmokers, a song that will probably be played in all mainstream clubs soon.

“Oh No Girl” – JJ Shiplett

JW: Oh no is right. This weirdly reminds me of Hinder. I don’t like to be reminded about how big “Lips of an Angel” was. And that is what this song reminds me of. I really wanted to like it because I’ve liked some of his other stuff, but I couldn’t even finish this song.

JP: Grade eight me would be so into this, which means current me hates it and is embarrassed any part of me would ever have been into this. 🙁 /10.

DF: His music is kind of country-ish; he really has an impressive voice. JJ just released his album Something to Believe In and indeed, his music makes me believe that there are types of music that have the power to convey feelings and deep emotions. Thumbs up.

“Time Served” – Joey Landreth

JW: It’s a nice song, but it’s a little country for my liking. Although, to be fair, it’s not unexpected. I saw him as part of his other project, The Bros. Landreth, over the summer and they were a little country. But this is also a really sad song. I think it’s about getting divorced, but it’s so pretty that the overt sadness kind of gets hidden just a little bit.

JP: This song makes me wanna take a nap. I mean I’m already sleepy, but like, this song is also super boring.

DF: Fulfilling all hipster clichés from the haircut to the beard to the nose piercing — but it’s about the music here right, so. . . I like the song and his variations of voice in combination with the guitar. Playing with loud and then more gentle tones, the way he puts emphasis on some parts just with these variations, that’s my definition of great music.

“Hold Me Close” – Overcoats

JW: It’s just a mash-up of all the popular pop sounds and I’m over it. It’s just a run of the mill pop song that isn’t very good.

JP: Halsey vibes here. Not into it though. Also making me want to take a nap. I think I’m just tired. I’m just going to go to bed at this point.

DF: First impression: reminds me a lot of Flume, which means it can only be good, right? Definitely a song I would recommend to my friends. I’m super up for more unknown artists anyways, just because if they actually make it and get big you get to say, “I knew them before they got big!!” — Obviously not the only reason, in this case, the song is perfect to EITHER comfort you when you feel lovesick OR make you super happy when you’re flying away on cloud seven.

My Version of Feminine

By
EIC
-
0

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he last time I shaved my legs was on July 11, 2012. I can’t pinpoint exactly why I stopped. I just didn’t feel like doing it anymore. One week passed, then two, and before I knew it, months were going by and I felt no inclination to restart. The soft blond hairs found from the ankles up never bothered me.

At first I thought nothing of it, but over time, insecurities about my leg hair began to develop. I received unsolicited comments from guys. “Hannah, you’d be so pretty if your legs weren’t hairier than half of the guys on my lacrosse team,”  is just one cruel, judgemental comment I received from someone I once considered my friend.

When I rejected the normal idea of femininity by not shaving my legs, it changed people’s perception of my looks — to some, I became less beautiful.

Girls commented too; I came to recognize the pinched smile and raised eyebrows: the face of a girl who is taking great pleasure in judging someone else. “So Hannah, still not shaving your legs?” It made me feel as if my choice made me ugly and weird. Once again, my definition of feminine was being seen as inferior.

womenspitsweb

I tried to brush off all of these encounters but they lodged themselves deep in my subconscious. I knew that I was happy with my self expression. Why then, when I met my boyfriend a year and half ago, did I feel flustered and embarrassed when I explained my natural legs? Fortunately, he was kind and supportive, which has continued throughout our relationship.

Fast forward to December 2016. After some consideration, I decided to wax my legs before a trip to Hawaii. I did it mostly to simplify sunscreen application, something my pale self needs to do 2 or 3 times a day in sunny weather.

At the waxing salon, I told the aesthetician how long it had been since I last shaved. She thought I was kidding, and when I assured her that I wasn’t, her response was “Oh. Why wouldn’t you want to shave?” and “Wow, I’ve never heard of that before.” For the rest of my appointment she was patronizing and even rude. She, like many others, couldn’t comprehend the fact that her idea of femininity was different from my own, and it translated directly into her treatment of me.

Her reaction has been on my mind ever since. How are women supposed to be strong and independent if we don’t even support each other?

For years, I have consciously made the decision to leave my legs natural and the response I have received has damaged my self confidence. When I finally waxed, the worst and most surprising thing was that I loved it. After years of not succumbing to unkind remarks and social norms, I had lost. My hairless legs made me feel ‘pretty’ and ‘girly’ and I hated it.

womenspubesweb

In a strange twist of fate, it took finally removing my leg hair to harden my resolve to choose my own path. I’ve realized that I can’t control what people think, but I can control how I react to it. This is my body and no one can tell me what will make it more or less beautiful. Maybe I will shave my legs again one day; maybe I won’t. Above all, I want to be my own version of feminine; I want to be unashamed to be me.

In our society, the definition of feminine is incredibly narrow. We are constantly bombarded with images of what a woman should look like and we are frequently sexualized in all forms of media. We are shown beauty standards that are completely subjective and nearly impossible for an average woman to achieve. Worse than this, we shame each other for not living up to ‘perfect’.

SFU Chairs highlights Burnaby campus’ worst seats

By
EIC
-
0

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]nyone who has been on SFU’s Burnaby campus for more than a semester has seen them. Beat up, out of place, left out in the cold. This campus is a graveyard for forgotten chairs, and most students have just gotten used to seeing them around.

But for two students, they didn’t just see garbage — they saw an opportunity.

Having begun just a few weeks ago, the Instagram account SFU Chairs has already amassed upwards up 200 followers. Over 20 chairs have been featured, and each comes along with a lengthy description, sometimes from the perspective of the chair itself.

Sitting down with The Peak, admins Josh and Brendan — who asked that we didn’t use their last names — tell us how they got the idea for the bizarre account.

“When we first started in September, [we noticed] there were just a bunch of chairs in the pond, and we were like, ‘why are there so many chairs there?’” says Brendan. “Then we started noticing them everywhere,” adds Josh. “As as we started to get to know the school more, we ended up seeing more.

“We thought that it was something that people noticed but didn’t really pay attention to that much, so by us pointing it out, it would be funny.”

Contrary to what you might think, the two don’t actually find all of the chairs themselves — many are sent to them by other students. “Once we got 100 followers, we started to get submissions,” Brendan says, adding that “quite a few” of their posts have come from DMs from followers. “Some people are just looking around for them, I guess.”

When they do find chairs themselves, though, they have to meet a specific criteria. “The more random it is [the chair], the better — out of place, or beat up, not correct,” says Josh. Brendan adds that a chair is perfect for the account “if it’s all broken and it looks like it’s been there forever.”

There’s also a method to the text descriptions that come with each chair. “It’s kind of ironic humour. It’s online slang,” says Brendan. Josh adds that followers “probably have an image of us that sounds like how those people would talk, but that’s not us at all.”

As for the future of SFU Chairs, neither one is ready to give up the account just yet. “We’ll stick around with it for a little bit. It’s fun. If you find a chair, it’s fun to post it online — you can get a cool angle of it,” says Brendan. SFU Chairs is also accepting submissions from students, and encourages others to join in on the fun.

“We have quite a few banked up, so we can go for a while.”

Meet the robots that fold your laundry

By
EIC
-
0

If domestic chores are not your cup of tea, you’ll be pleased to hear that technological innovators such as those at Seven Dreamers, and other prominent science and technology companies, are working hard so you can work less.

This coming March, Seven Dreamer’s Laundroid will be available for consumers.This home robot has been programmed to eliminate the tedious task of folding laundry, and is able to fold virtually every type of garment. Looking something like a cross between a fridge and a dresser, users can place their article of clothing in the bottom drawer of the Laundroid, and it will firstly scan the item for identification, then proceed to fold it thanks to “image analysis, AI [artificial intelligence], and robotics as its core technology.”

Laundroid’s creator, Seven Dreamers, will work with Panasonic in order to have a full version of the Laundroid ready for 2019, where it will be able to wash and dry your clothes as well.

Since the Roomba, home robots are becoming more and more popular, and the Laundroid is not unique to the future of home robots. Some functions include child care, ‘static’ companionship, as well as mobile companionship. In an article on Twice.com, a consumer technology site, research director of Tractica, Aditya Kaul, says in the near future, robots “could fundamentally transform our homes and daily lives”.

Having flashbacks to I, Robot, or more recently, Westworld? Robotics companies are rigorously working towards bots with more life-like behavioural features and abilities, but are currently far from sentience as most robots are programmed to a complete a single task.

However, there are companies getting close to chatty robots like C-3PO. Cybedroïd’s Leenby and Qihan’s Sanbot are certainly reminiscent of the beloved on-screen droid, as they are able to walk and talk and interact with humans. But the real question is: Will they be able to effectively assist us with our galactic-sized to-do list?

With great power always comes great responsibility. Some worry that robot interaction will have the capacity to manipulate our feelings and behaviours. Rose Simon from Motherboard — the Science and Technology division of Vice — explains that because of humans’ innate tendency to admire robots, we are susceptible to the agenda they may be programmed to have.

For example, a person who has a humanoid home robot that they regularly interact with and eventually create some sort of relationship with, ends up revealing personal details they did not mean to share. As the robot is simply an extension of whoever created it, they could potentially have access to that information.

While all of these out-of-this-world devices are becoming more readily available to eager consumers, they may not be as accessible as we would like. The Sanbot is quoted at an ample $12,000 US. While the Laundroid’s price has not been announced, production price has exceeded expectations, resulting in an increased final market price. The time it would take a university student to save up for a machine like that, could be used to finish a degree — in theory. Better get started on that folding now!

What has Trump done so far?

By
Peak Web
-
0

By: Manon Busseron

Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States a week ago and has already taken several actions according to his campaign promises.

  • Starting the dismantling of Obamacare

Honouring his campaign promise, Donald Trump signed an executive order “to seek the prompt repeal” of the Affordable Care Act. Although Congress still has to vote in order to repeal the law, the order instructs health agencies to use all the means legally possible to restrain access to health care. While Obamacare has benefited 20 million Americans, Trump promised that he would replace it with “something terrific.”

  • Taking the first step against free trade agreements

Trump also signed an executive action to withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was negotiated under Barack Obama, but never ratified by Congress. The TPP was supposed to implement free trade between 12 countries from North and South America, Asia, and Oceania. Trump also promised that the US would step out of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, if it was not renegotiated.

  • Reviving Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipeline projects

The Keystone XL pipeline, planned to span 1,900 km, was a project abandoned under Obama’s administration because of potential environmental damages. Trump signed executive orders to revive the project, as well as other pipelines, and describes the environmental analysis as an “incredibly cumbersome, long, [and] horrible permitting process.” Trump also authorized the Dakota project that had been rejected after the strong mobilization of First Nations and environmentalists, saying that the projects will create thousands of jobs. He insisted that “the pipe should be made in the United States.”

  • Freezing federal government hiring

That was also a campaign promise. Trump froze federal government hiring, except in the army. He justified this decision by the will to reduce federal debt and the size of the federal workforce.

  • Toughening immigration policies

Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to start building a wall at the Mexican border. According to The Guardian, the US should initially finance it, but Trump said that negotiations with Mexico to make the country pay for it, as he promised during his campaign, will start “relatively soon” and that the wall “will stem the flow of drugs, crime, [and] illegal immigration into the United States”; although research has shown that Mexican immigrants are mostly law-abiding. Trump also wants to cut grants for “sanctuary cities,” which protect undocumented immigrants by not prosecuting them.

  • Banning funding to non-governmental associations in favor of abortion right

Trump signed another order which prevents non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in favor of abortion rights to receive government funding. Sean Spicer, White House press secretary, said that “he wants to stand up for all Americans, including the unborn.“ This decision occurred two days after the Women’s March, which united around half a million people in Washington only. A picture of Trump signing the order exclusively surrounded by men has sparked international outrage, and the Netherlands offered to create an international fund in order to compensate for the financial consequences of this decision.

  • Removal of LGBT rights and climate change sections on the White House website

References to LGBT rights and climate change awareness were removed from the official website as soon as Trump took office. The LGBT section had been created to announce changes in policies and to offer suicide prevention among the LGBT community.

With files from CNN, New York Times, PBS, Washington Post, and The Guardian

Simon Fraser dominates Concordia 88–68

By
Peak Web
-
0
Elisa Homer (left) had 11 points in 22 minutes, going three for six from behind the arc.

The Clan continued their strong play on Thursday night, as they travelled to Portland to defeat the Concordia Cavaliers. It was a great team win with many contributors up and down the lineup.

In the first quarter, Ozi Nwabuko hit her only field goal attempt of the game to make the game 7–6 in favour of Simon Fraser. Two early fouls by Ellen Kett made the Clan take out their point guard early, but it didn’t deter them. By the end of the quarter, two Sophie Swant free throws extended the lead to eight, making the score 23–15.

Simon Fraser doubled Concordia 26–13 in the second quarter without Kett even stepping on the court, showing the opponent why they are one of the top teams in the conference. By the end of the half, Meg Wilson was leading all scorers with nine points, adding in two blocks and two steals. For a team that often relies heavily on Kett’s skill set, the Clan was doing more than alright. Simon Fraser went into the half with a comfortable lead of 49–28.

The second half was almost a mirror image of the first, as two early fouls by Kett sent her back to the bench early in the third quarter. Again without their minutes leader, Simon Fraser continued to keep their lead. A Sophie Swant three-pointer gave the Clan a 67–46 lead going into the fourth quarter in a game that was all but already over.

Unsurprisingly, the team maintained this lead throughout the last quarter, eventually winning the game 88–68.

It was a game in which no individual performance stood out, but rather, had a variety of solid contributions throughout the team. Meg Wilson led the team with a solid stat line of 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Sophie Swant had 12 points off the bench, including two threes. Ellen Kett provided 12 points in only 15 minutes, less than half of the 32-plus minutes she is averaging for the season. Elisa Homer and Tayler Drynan rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Clan, with 11 and 10 points respectively.

With this win the Clan has improved to 10–1 in their last 11 games, with their only loss coming to Western Washington in that span. They are now 9–2 in conference play, and 18–3 overall.

Next Game: The Clan will round up their Oregon trip on Saturday, as they visit the Western Oregon University Wolves. The Wolves are tied for second-last in the conference with a 3–8 conference record, and have a 7–11 record overall. They are lead by Shelby Snook, who averages 15.7 points in 35.3 minutes per game.

Dancing en pointe isn’t just for the girls

By
EIC
-
0
Les Trocks turn the traditional notions of ballet upside down with all male versions of ballet classics.

It’s not every day you see men dancing en pointe, but Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Les Trocks), an all-male company based in New York, has made it their defining feature. While there are tutus, pirouettes, and numbers from ballets such as Swan Lake and Giselle, Les Trocks are not your average classical troupe and they never take themselves too seriously.

Dancer Alberto Pretto spoke to me one morning from his hotel room in Calgary. He had a busy day ahead of him, as usual, with little time for sightseeing before leaving for the theatre at 2:00 p.m. for class, rehearsal, and getting into character before their evening performance.

Before joining Les Trocks, Pretto had standard classical ballet training at the Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo. He then joined the English National Ballet and moved on to the Koblenz Ballet in Germany. But he wasn’t feeling fulfilled. “I wasn’t feeling that I was dancing enough; I wasn’t challenged enough,” said Pretto. “I had a dream, a fascination, about dancing en pointe; I thought I’d give the Trocks a try, and I got the job.”

Pretto soon realized the company was a great place to be, and is having a lot of fun dancing as his alter egos Nina Immobilashvili and Stanislas Kokitch. One of the main differences dancing for this company, said Pretto, is the amount of laughter he gets to experience on stage. He loves that feeling and also the experience of dancing so many female roles that he otherwise would not have the opportunity to perform, such as Giselle which he recently premiered. “I can relate to the fragility and that she is naïve, and I love the romantic period so much,” he said.

Although Pretto said dancing en pointe is painful, he also described is as “a beautiful sensation.” And he added that “with the adrenaline and concentration you forget about how much your feet hurt.”

Pretto also had to get used to doing his own makeup. “It’s a long process to transform yourself into a ballerina,” he explained. But he prefers doing his own makeup now. “It allows you to portray the artist how you want to; we have our own image of a ballerina.”

His look has evolved over time and can also depend on his mood on a given day. “Everyone in the company likes that moment to calm down and concentrate,” he said. It’s their time to prepare themselves mentally for the show ahead.

One of Pretto’s favourite moments in the show is during his solo in Esmerelda when his partner brings an unidentified bottle of pills on stage. “I swallow one and go crazy,” said Pretto. “It gets a lot of laughs.”  

“It’s a very good show for every kind of audience,” said Pretto — frequent ballet-goers and the uninitiated alike will enjoy the humour and talent on display. “Some contemporary works are very dark and introspective, but it’s nice to go to the theatre and forget about your problems.”

Keeping my screens and gadgets out of my bed

By
EIC
-
0

I love my phone, that cracked screen beckoning to me with its little blinking LED. I used to be on my phone so much around my friends that they decided it needed a name: Winston. Social media, news, and YouTube all had a big space in my day — big enough that I was definitely out of hand.

Then last November, amidst the stressful final weeks of classes, I went through some pretty bad depression. Aside from lot of chocolate, movies, and talking to a professional, I tried something else: turning Winston off at night.

Every night at 10 p.m., I would shut off all my technology for the night. I’d spend an hour reading, writing, knitting, colouring, or playing games, then I’d go to bed. Even if it was a weekend and I was out with friends, I’d still shut my phone off at the usual time. Whatever I did, it could not be on tech. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done; quitting smoking was easier for me.

Why screens? Why did I forcibly disconnect myself from the world? I was desperate to get out of the despondency I was feeling. SFU has too few counsellors to cover the student body effectively, so I was on a waiting list. In the meantime, I could only eat so much chocolate without wrecking my face, waist, and physical health, and even in my lethargic state, there are only so many movies I could’ve watched.

Not to mention that during almost all of those activities, I’d still be on my phone, suffering from a constant state of fear of missing out (FOMO). I was secluding myself on the Internet, even when faced with actual person-to-person contact. This promoted a loneliness which just propelled me further into my depression rather than pulling me out.

I didn’t know what to do. Then I saw this on YouTube.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/how-electronic-devices-are-ruining-our-sleep-470874691595&ved=0ahUKEwj5rsKA18DRAhXmr1QKHQytBZUQo7QBCCgwAQ&usg=AFQjCNH6iwSEGrZG9y5dAsU4zct1tsRFAQ&sig2=0ciKUhKm3QVAQe-13MsGHg

I’m not saying that the screen is the exact cause of my sleeplessness, or my depression, or anything that specific. However, I do remember having no screens in my room and falling asleep to books as a kid, and I always slept better. Forcing myself to disconnect would also likely help the anxiety social media was causing me to form.

So what were the results of my self-imposed, night-time tech-less exile? It helped me sleep without a doubt. Whether it was due specifically to cutting out the screens, to laying off technology in general, to the fairly steady bed schedule I’d created, or — as is most likely — a combination of all of these things, I couldn’t say. What I can say is that, now that classes are back in session, I am back in my exile, though this time around it’s a little more relaxed; I can still listen to music or join friends at a movie if I want.

Even if the removal of the screens are simply a catalyst forcing me to read, to have time to do homework, and to converse with physical beings, the positive outcomes are undeniable. I am reading books and essays, my Gamemastering skillz hit the ‘z’ level, and my social media tendencies have actually garnered me a couple of followers, because I am going for quality, not quantity.

This route was hard, and I did it out of desperation, yet I’m really happy I did so. It’s totally worth the effort if you’re seeing similar trends (with or without the depression) in your own life. See what happens.

John Buchanan, influential figure and coach at SFU, passes away

By
EIC
-
0
Buchanan officially retired in 1997 after more than 30 years of service, but still volunteered his time as head coach of the men's and women's varsity golf teams.

A member of Simon Fraser University Athletics Hall of Fame, John Buchanan passed away on January 19 at the age of 77. It was reported he passed away peacefully, at home with his family.

Buchanan, who is a legend around SFU athletics, is best known as the man who established the SFU men’s soccer program and helped to re-establish the golf program after a hiatus. In 1976, he coached the soccer team to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national title.

He came to SFU only a year after it was created, and his contributions weren’t just limited to athletics. He also was an integral part of establishing SFU’s pipe band, which has become a world champion multiple times over.

The Buchanan family have requested that if anyone wants to honour his memory, that they send donations to the brand new “John Buchanan Endowment for Golf at SFU,” which was created to recognize Buchanan’s commitment to the golf at Simon Fraser University. Anyone interested in donating can find how to do that here.

1...761762763...1,422Page 762 of 1,422

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