You can’t catch Rebecca Bassett

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November 28, 2016

rebecca-bassett-2-ncaa-xc-2016 — This year Bassett finished 23rd at the national championships, leading SFU to their best ever finish.

Rebecca Bassett has been nothing but consistent since coming to SFU. The track and field team has qualified for the National Championships every year since she came to SFU in 2012. Her passion for running has taken her to competitions in Washington, Kentucky, Missouri, and most recently Florida.

Bassett plans on combining her love of fitness and nutrition together with the goal of becoming a dietitian, but also plans to keep on running competitively as long as she can. Being an athlete, she knows the importance of proper nutrition and coaching.

Bassett grew up in Nanaimo and took part in running activities at a very young age. Upon realizing she was great at it, she began to dream of competing professionally.

“In high school I started competing provincially, which led to my hopes of competing on varsity teams in university, which led me here.”

Bassett ran in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II National Championships on November 19, placing 23rd in the 6 km race against more than 200 other girls.

“It was my last and fourth Cross Country National Championships that I competed in. It was a tough race, but it was good. I came 23rd overall, which was the best I have done nationally, and we also came sixth as a team, which is the best we have ever done at a national championship.”

“Looking back on it, I don’t think I would change anything.”

When comparing her first national competition to her last one, Bassett feels as though she has greatly improved as an athlete. In her first competition, she placed 122nd in 249 runners, then placed 24th and 23rd in subsequent national races.

“Last year I was the only girl to make nationals at SFU. Each year I raced with the top girls and gave it my best. Definitely having more experience helped with that. Knowing who I’m competing with, knowing what I have to do, and also just having fun. Since it was my last race, it was very emotional, but I loved it and I don’t have any regrets.”

When reflecting on her time at SFU, Bassett has had many wonderful experiences that she would do all over again. “Looking back on it, I don’t think I would change anything. Everything that I have done has led me to be a better student and a better athlete.”

Being on the only Canadian team to compete in the NCAA, it’s easy to feel like an outsider. However, Bassett has had nothing but positive experiences.

“Many don’t know that there is a Canadian school in the NCAA — SFU is the only one. Everyone who I’ve met at competitions has always thought that it was really awesome meeting me as a Canadian. I have never had any negative feedback from it. “

In addition to running, Bassett also used to compete in gymnastics, swimming, and figure skating before sticking to running full-time. “I used to compete in gymnastics, dance, swimming, and figure skating. I still swim sometimes at the SFU pool. I definitely prefer individual sports over team sports.”

When running on the treadmill, Bassett enjoys listening to Drake, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Rae Sremmurd. “I listen to music when running on the treadmill, but not during practices or competitions. Although it is allowed, I find it too distracting.”

If Rebecca could have any superpower, she would pick super speed and flying.

COMIC: Peers

By

EIC

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November 28, 2016

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Undergraduate students vote yes to Embark levy increase

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EIC

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November 28, 2016

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Just over 63 percent of students voted yes to increase the levy that undergraduate students provide to Embark, SFU’s independent environmental sustainability organization. This includes increasing the levy for full-time students from $2 to $3.50, and $1.50 to $1.75 for part-time students.

According to Embark’s website, “The referendum that was [previously] passed did not account for rising costs over time related to inflation and program expansion.” The increased levy would allow Embark to make a greater commitment to sustainability for students studying at all three campuses.

Deven Azevedo, chair of the board of directors for Embark, explained to The Peak that expanding and improving services on the Vancouver and Surrey campuses would be a key part of their plan to increase the not-for-profit organization’s effect.

Azevedo added that “The work that [Embark] do[es] is valuable to students,” in regards to the positive outcome of the referendum. He stressed, however, that with the lower voter turnout — just 200 votes over what would constitute approval of the referendum — that “we need to be mindful that there are other students that may not feel the same way.” He added that the organization plans to prove to the 36.6 percent of students who voted “no” that they will benefit from the increased levy.

Now that the referendum has been approved, Azevedo explained that they are in the strategic planning phase to improve the organization. He told The Peak that while Embark is still in the planning stages, they intend to hire a communications coordinator to increase “advocacy efforts and ensure effective advocacy takes place for our programs.” These programs include over 95 no-cost events, as well as the Food Rescue Program, Zero-Waste initiative, Learning Garden, and a peer education program.

Embark also provides two sustainability grants which encourage social innovation and sustainable community projects. Any SFU student can apply for the Sustainable Community Grant and Social Innovation Grant. However, Azevedo explained that the organization has in the past had difficulty meeting the demands of these grants.

“We will now be able to meet those demands” that these grants require, he said.

Embark will also be holding a referendum with the Graduate Student Society, where graduate students are invited to vote between November 29 at 8 a.m. to December 1 at 11:30 a.m.

The broke-ass student’s holiday gift guide

By

EIC

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November 27, 2016

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Jessica’s present picks:

$30-Netflix gift card

For the poor student

Every student needs Netflix. Let your favourite starving student continue to procrastinate without the cost.

$30, Best Buy

A collage photo frame

For your parents

If there’s one thing your parents love, it’s you. Buy a collage photo frame and fill it with pictures of you and your family. It’s the adult version of making them something!

$39.99, Bed Bath & Beyond

Harry Potter toque

For the Potter-head

Stay warm and show off your love for all things Harry Potter. Hot Topic has toques for Hogwarts, the Deathly Hallows, and all four of the houses.

$19.90, Hot Topic

Charmed aroma candle

For the accessory addict

These candles are one of the best gifts you can give. As the candle burns, it reveals a hidden ring in the wax worth up to $5,000! They also have bath bombs, body scrub, soap, and body butter.

$26.99, Charmed Aroma

A shower speaker

For your roommate

Who doesn’t love listening to music in the shower? And if you happen to benefit by getting to use it too, all the better.

$29.96, Walmart

The ultimate hot chocolate kit (and the perfect tea spoon)

For the tea lover

Comfort is the best gift of all. This set comes with a special-edition mug, tea strainer, chocolate tea, and mini marshmallows! Pair it with the perfect tea spoon for the ultimate tea experience.

$35 (set) + $6 (spoon), DavidsTea

The Ultimate Bar Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Over 1,000 Cocktails

For the party bartender

There’s always one friend who wants to play bartender at the party. Treat them to a book on how to make every drink they’ve ever heard of. It will also come in handy for New Year’s Eve.

$27.95, Indigo

Cult Following

For the board game lover

This awesome kickstarter game allows players to create their own cults. Using the prompts, players try to convince others to join them and have to answer questions about their cults. Most convincing player wins.

Free demo print-out or $34.00 pre-order, CultFollowingGame.com

One of the world’s softest blankets

For the person who is always cold and sleepy

Everyone loves a good, soft blanket. Show someone you really care by getting them the closest thing to a permanent hug.

$39.99, Costco

Sherlock Holmes mystery puzzle

For the puzzle lover

Not only do you put a puzzle together, but you can solve a mystery while you’re at it. Read the storybook, then complete the puzzle to search for clues.

$19.99, Amazon

Julia’s present picks:

Starbucks Christmas blend ground coffee

For the late-night studier

Give the gift of caffeine! A cup of this lively aged Sumatra brew is the perfect way to perk up after December exams.

$19.95, Starbucks

Indigo reading socks

For the bookworm

Prevent frozen feet by giving a pair of cozy faux-sherpa socks — a must-have for reading in front of the Shaw fire log.

$34.50, Chapters

Fossil luggage tag

For the world-traveller

Available in a variety of colours, this luggage tag is the perfect personalized travel accessory. For a special touch, emboss the giftee’s initials for free!

$39.30, Fossil

EZ drinker beer can belt

For the party person

This hands-free beer holster can maximize holiday party fun! Plus, last-minute shoppers can take advantage of Amazon’s one-day shipping.

$10.38, Amazon

A bottle of bubbly

For the New Year’s Eve fiend

Kick off the New Year by popping a bottle of champagne — the perfect gift to celebrate with! Try Bottega’s sparkling bottle in white gold, gold, or rose.

$27.49, BC Liquor Stores

Cineplex gift card

For the Christmas couple

The next best thing to Netflix! A $25-gift card is enough for one fun date night at the movies.

$10–50, Cineplex

S’well bottle

For the fit friend

Sip drinks in style with S’well, a trendy bottle that’ll keep drinks the perfect temperature on the bus, at the gym, or on campus.

$38+, Chapters

Big Red Beard oils and balms

For the bearded bro

Shipping from Victoria, the handcrafted oils and balms in the Big Red pilot kit are a beard maintenance must-have.

$34.99, Big Red Beard Combs on Etsy

A Lush Christmas gift

For the Lushee

Lush has an abundance of beautifully wrapped packages for a variety of affordable prices — most include hand lotion, soap, and bath bombs.

$12.95–$49.95, Lush

A mall gift certificate

For the picky pal

Finding the perfect present can be a challenge, so why not gift the whole mall? This one card can be used at a variety of stores.

$50, your local mall (Sorry, but you’re going to have to go to the physical mall for this one)

The 10 best Christmas movies

By

EIC

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November 27, 2016

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frosty-the-snowman — Regardless of how you feel about Christmas, *Frosty the Snowman* is an all time great.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

I love this movie. The songs are on point, and it’s also a multi-holiday movie, which is a big plus — especially since most places barely get the Halloween decorations put in the clearance section before the Christmas ones start coming out. It’s also a fun way to explore the power dynamics of local politics and cultural traditions, if you don’t want to sing along with the residents of Halloween Town.

Elf (2003)

The first time I watched Elf, I wasn’t sold on it. But then I watched it a few more times and fell in love. Buddy’s love of Christmas is infectious and the jokes that are added in for the benefit of any adults watching are refreshing since they aren’t necessarily of a sexual nature. Also it means that I can tell people that they sit on a throne of lies, which is a nice bonus.

Home Alone (1990)

Was Kevin kind of the worst? Yes. Should he have gotten left behind? Probably not. But we did get one the best anti-burglar systems out of this movie. While the comedy is a little cheesy and slapstick, does anybody really watch Christmas movies expecting Palme d’Or and Oscar winners?

Arthur Christmas (2011)

If the voice casting doesn’t draw you into this movie (James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, and Hugh Laurie), the story should. It is an update on all the classic Santa-themed movies, and how Christmas shouldn’t just be a big commercial racket. Arthur has enough heart to make up for the fact that his dad is a non-executive figurehead, his grandpa lives in the past, and that his brother runs Christmas like a military operation.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

The Jim Carrey version is hot garbage compared to the original. This is the only version that matters. It’s nice because it’s short and sticks to the book. Boris Karloff also narrates it, so that is a huge plus. I love Max, the music, and that in the end the Grinch gives everyone their presents back after understanding the true meaning of Christmas. (Hey, I might like the feeling of the season, but I was a kid once and thought that presents were the most important part.)

White Christmas (1954)

It hasn’t been Christmas until I’ve watched this movie with my mom. The musical scenes are wonderful, the costumes at the end are iconic, and given that it was released in 1954 it’s not too problematic. Also it features the only version of “White Christmas” that really matters, so there’s that too.

Scrooge (1951)

Of the zillion retellings of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this one is probably the best. The ghost of Christmas past is kindly, the ghost of Christmas present is a realist, and the ghost of Christmas future is kind of fucking terrifying — also he looks like the grim reaper. Alastair Sim’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge is masterful and he captures the inner conflict Scrooge experiences perfectly.

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Even after watching this film 18,272,734 times to find out if the doll had a name, and to analyze the movie for a homework assignment in Grade 6, I still like it. It’s a touching movie that speaks to universal acceptance and has a brilliant cast of supporting characters. It’s a well-done take on giving a story to a song that can be sung in about 30 seconds.

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

I watched this so much and so frequently — like, year-round kind of frequency — as a child that my parents had to replace the VHS because I wore it out. It also helped to foster a lifelong love of snowmen and made me somewhat suspicious of poinsettias. I still also get excited by the first snowfall of the year and the draw of “magic Christmas snow.”

Die Hard (1988)

Sometimes you want warm fuzzies, and sometimes you want to yell “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker!” while shooting at bad guys over Christmas carols. While this isn’t the most Christmas-y movie on the list, it’s set at Christmas, and who doesn’t love watching Bruce Willis kick ass while you’re slowly descending into a turkey coma?

The five best and worst Christmas albums

By

EIC

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November 27, 2016

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Best

Christmas by Michael Bublé – The man is a Canadian treasure and his voice is angelic. His Christmas album is the only thing you need all December.

Christmas of Hope by various artists – This is the Christmas album I grew up listening to. My mom and I are particularly fond of of Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

Now That’s What I Call Christmas! by various artists – All of your favourites in one place! Between “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” performed by Frank Sinatra and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” performed by Band Aid (ignoring the fact that it’s slightly problematic but super catchy) and countless other classics, you’ll have almost two hours of music for your holiday get-together.

Home for Christmas by NSYNC – Bless ‘90s boy bands. NSYNC may not have been my personal favourite (Backstreet Boys 4 lyfe!), but I respect the fact that they put out an entire Christmas album. So if you love Justin Timberlake, or whoever else was in NSYNC, this is the Christmas album for you.

A 604 Records Christmas by various artists – This album features covers and original songs for the winter season. It has some of the most popular Canadian artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen and Marianas Trench frontman Josh Ramsay.

Worst

A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi – I hate Charlie Brown and I really hate this album. This movie is terrible and “Christmas Time is Here” makes me want to die. I hope someone burns that pathetic little tree to the ground.

Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album by Glee – I know there are still some diehard Gleeks out there, but the show took a downward spiral early on. The fact that they got to a point where they could put out a Christmas album is upsetting. And they put it out in season two? Yikes.

The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler – Technically not Christmas, and technically not an album, but still the worst. I don’t care who you are, if you think any part of this song is good or funny you need to seriously re-evaluate who you are as a person.

Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album by various artists – Anyone who’s seen the Star Wars Holiday Special knows this album is a tire fire. The album is mostly performed by the actor who played C-3PO. It also has the first professional recording of Jon Bon Jovi — so, there’s that, I guess.

Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey – I know Christmas albums are her thing, but has anyone stopped to ask if we really need that many from her? It’s time to stop, Mariah. Just retire.

COMIC: A Peers Christmas

By

EIC

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November 27, 2016

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Hacksaw Ridge is a war movie with heart

By

EIC

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November 26, 2016

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Over the years, Hollywood has produced countless forgettable war movies. Movies that in the moment intrigue the audience with intense violence, but beyond the action lack any real depth. To my delight, Hacksaw Ridge is not one of those movies. Following the epic story of Desmond T. Doss, we observe how he stays true to his values even as it seems — quite literally — the entire world is against him.

Casting Andrew Garfield as Doss was potentially problematic, as an actor who’s easily recognizable (thanks to The Social Network and The Amazing Spider-Man) usually takes away from the performance; it’s more difficult to get lost in the illusion that the individual on the screen is Desmond T. Doss. Fortunately, Garfield’s performance went above and beyond to erase any concerns I had. His portrayal appeared authentic and provoked genuine feelings of connection to the character.

An unsung hero in terms of acting was the performance of Hugo Weaving, as Desmond’s father Tom Doss. He gave a very powerful performance, without stealing the spotlight away from Garfield, resulting in the perfect supporting role for the storyline.

All the great performances culminated in an ability to transition from hysterical scenes to heartbreaking ones only a few minutes later. The love story was truly cute and will make you envious of their relationship.

Where this film shines most is undoubtedly the battle scenes. Reminiscent of the gold standard that is the Omaha Scene from Saving Private Ryan, this movie must be applauded for just how intense they managed to make these battles. Many in the audience couldn’t help but flinch during several particularly gruesome moments. You have a sense that no character is safe, and your heart breaks as they start to fall one by one. Beyond that there are also some well-done surprises amid all the action scenes that speak to the fact that those caught in this hell are human beings like you and I.

A good measure of the effectiveness of this movie was that as the screen faded to black and the lights in the theatre came on, there was a moment or two of collective awe; a few seconds to take in everything we had just witnessed, followed by applause.

All in all, Hacksaw Ridge excels in many different areas. The performances, the plot, and the script all come together to brilliantly tell the genuinely touching story of Desmond T. Doss. For those history buffs out there, you will love the authenticity of the battle scenes. For those who aren’t typical fans of war movies, you will love the emotional side of the story, and the heart that lies behind the love story, Desmond’s family, and the brotherhood of the soldiers.

Watch Dogs 2 is a much improved sequel

By

EIC

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November 26, 2016

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watch-dogs-ubisoft — After taking player feedback on the first *Watchdogs* instalment seriously, Ubisoft has released a much improved sequel.

By: Vincent Justin Mitra, Peak Associate

Watch Dogs 2 is the sequel to the 2014 open world hacking game by Ubisoft Montreal. It is larger and more developed than the original, and puts players in the role of Marcus Holloway, a resident of the sunny San Francisco Bay Area.

The game takes place in a world shortly after the installation of the “ctOS,” an advanced surveillance and data collection system, which controls cities across North America and connects citizens to the cities in which they live. Marcus — after being profiled as a potential criminal due to his race (African American) and skill with technology — joins the hacker collective known as DedSec to take down the company in charge of the system.

Players are given more ways to explore and interact with the world with the addition of a far more detailed hacking system, allowing them to hack into cars in traffic to clear a path, for example. Missions in this game are much more open than the previous game, with many able to be completed entirely remotely through the use of the newly added land- and air-based drones.

While the opinion of the original Watch Dogs was mostly positive, there was still much to be desired. Having been released less than a year after the latest Grand Theft Auto game, the original Watch Dogs did not quite overthrow the king of open world games; there was a glut of very diverse yet inconsequential side activities, the grimy streets of Chicago were not as engaging as the fictionalized Los Angeles of Grand Theft Auto, and the driving was somehow both too weightless and too clunky.

In the marketing prior to the recent release, the developers repeatedly underscored that the sequel would address the issues in the original game.

The most notable change is in the tone of the story. Whereas the first game was a gritty story of death and revenge with a perpetually grumpy and largely non-descript protagonist, Watch Dogs 2 is much more cheerful and fun. The move to the brighter Californian coast makes the game much more inviting than the dark underbelly of Chicago. Although protagonist Marcus Holloway also seeks revenge, he still manages to keep a sense of humour, which provides nice variety when compared to the constant intensity of the previous protagonist.

While the first game curiously chose to deal with street gangs and family drama, the new location of Watch Dogs 2 allows it to more easily set its sights on corporations, featuring a number of fictional counterparts to tech giants like Facebook, Google, and even Ubisoft itself.

The driving has also been vastly improved. The game shows off its new driving system by including a high-speed chase relatively early in the game, putting the player behind the wheel of a muscle car modified with boosters. It’s not quite at the level set by Grand Theft Auto but it’s very close.

A hope held by many fans was that if the leap in quality between the first and second Watch Dogs games was as big as the leap between the first two Assassin’s Creed games, also by Ubisoft, then Watch Dogs 2 would be a great game. With Watch Dogs 2, Ubisoft Montreal has succeeded in making a very fun game, and didn’t crush the hopes of fans.

Getting to know the communi-tea

By

EIC

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November 26, 2016

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SONY DSC — Blooming tea will be one of the many varieties of tea featured at the 3rd annual Vancouver Tea Festival taking place on November 5.

Let me preface this by saying that, all things considered, the third annual Vancouver Tea Festival was an educational, and fun time. With a packed schedule of tea tastings, a companion schedule for workshops that educated the average festival-goer on the tea-making process, and the differences in plants and regions, I can confidently say that I know more about tea than I ever thought I would.

For instance, a ‘flush’ is a season of tea-leaf picking. Four flushes is the maximum possible for a tea plant per year, but it’s a rare occurrence. Green tea and black tea can come from the same tea plant, but the different flavours come as a result of oxidation and the heating method used. Green teas aren’t oxidized at all, black teas are oxidized the longest, and darjeelings and oolongs are oxidized for a middling amount of time.

The vendors were all really friendly and generous in pouring out mini-teacup after mini-teacup, some of them even offering up to eight different brews. Most people had sales on: Silk Road gave out cards for free cups of tea for the month of November, and JusTea showcased a brand new purple tea from Kenya. Purple tea came about as a genetic mutation from the regular green tea plant, but has a different flavour than the original.

There was only one thing about the festival that deserves to be on the list of things to improve for next year: communication. It’s always difficult to keep track of which people know which facts, and which volunteers have been trained, so it’s an understandable shortcoming. Things like this can be minimized, and though it wasn’t as smooth as I’m sure the organizers would have wanted, I’ve seen worse.

So, despite overbooking the tea leaf reader, and an entry line-up that went from the entrance of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden almost all the way to Carrall Street, the tea festival was a success. Plenty of happy tea tasters, drinkers, and purveyors roamed around, engaging in conversation, and bonding over steaming cups of leaf water.