Student-faculty romance is dangerous and unacceptable

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May 24, 2016

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]dam Van der Zwan’s opinion piece entitled “Student-faculty romance. Sorry, where’s the problem?” further perpetuates the need to constantly satisfy our every desire instantly. In the age of fast food, fast fashion, and instant messaging, we have become so used to fulfilling our needs quickly, diminishing the need for waiting. We neglect to really take time to think and look seriously at the potential consequences. Pursuing a relationship with a professor will indeed incur many consequences that can be incredibly damaging to both parties.

Like many other students, I too have come across professors and faculty members who are incredibly attractive. Every week, I feel my heart beat faster whenever they begin their lecture, and always find excuses to go talk to them during breaks and office hours. But fantasizing and whispering with friends is as far as I will ever go, because embarking on a relationship beyond a professional one is not just unprofessional — it’s wrong.

Professors are people who have spent a considerable amount of time researching and studying, and because of that they deserve their students’ respect. But make no mistake, this level of respect also comes with great responsibility. According to SFU’s Code of Faculty Ethics and Responsibilities, professors have a responsibility to ensure that they do not “exploit students for their private advantage.”

Embarking on a relationship beyond a professional one is not just unprofessional — it’s wrong.

Even if the student initiated the relationship, the professor has the responsibility to realize that this is a boundary that cannot be crossed. Conflict of interest, favouritism, potential blackmailing, and sexual assault are all problems that can be prevented if professors and students alike realize that the relationship between both parties must be a professional one.

Further, I stand behind UBC interim president Dr. Martha Piper’s consideration to ban romantic relationships between students and faculty. There is indeed an “inevitable power imbalance” that comes about from these kinds of relationships, and this can lead to exploitation.

Ultimately, there will be people who you find attractive that you just cannot touch, either by virtue of social norm or just because it is absolutely not your place. Trust me, I’ve been there and I’ve drooled over certain professors, too. It’s never easy to put aside your feelings and your pride, but the last thing you need is a black mark to your name — and their name — before you finish your degree.

If you absolutely can’t keep your feelings to yourself, then I urge you to wait until you have your diploma in hand and you have tossed your mortarboard in the air. I urge you to pursue graduate studies away from the institution where you fell in love with Professor McHottie. No one can guarantee that this relationship will work out. If it doesn’t, both parties are in for an emotional roller-coaster and a host of problems.

Take a breath and step back. Love may be blind and irrational, but that doesn’t mean that you should be too.

Big Wild is a professor of EDM

By

EIC

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May 23, 2016

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Big Wild Emily Buckingham — Big Wild is able to create energy and happiness with his music.

Electronic house DJ Big Wild graced Vancity on May 7 with a performance at Fortune Sound club. Has my life changed since then? No. Do I have a new perspective? YES. Just as I thought I knew what to expect, I was blindsided. I’ve never been so pleased about being blindsided!

Big Wild’s riveting performance catapulted me into a mini-identity crisis. I arrived at the show knowing comfortably that I am a hip-hop enthusiast with a slight fetish for EDM. I left with a newfound love in EDM, and a resistance towards other genres of music. Okay, I exaggerate. But allow me to let the beat drop on what made the night particularly captivating.

Wild’s entrance was emphatic. His silhouette appeared before he did, casually bobbing to the incessant thud of a futuristic, gentle beat whose intensity raised with every second. He emerged shouting “Hello everyone! I’m BIG WILD!” and the energy of the room trembled as people cheered to the sound of an evolving melody that, throughout the evening, bridged the gap between pop, hip-hop, and electronic sounds. I admired that he would introduce himself, even though we obviously already knew who he was. Brownie points for crowd engagement.

The first minutes of his set made me feel as though my heart was running determinedly to a sanctuary somewhere between here and heaven, if such a place exists. The feeling was transcendental. At this point, I decided to take a step back and almost remove myself as a member of the audience so that I could play “the observer.” I meandered through the sea of bodies in the club to assess the atmosphere and reaction of people in different parts of the club. The vibe was ubiquitous. Everyone was on the same wavelength — energy and happiness.

I managed to find him afterwards, as he helped to load equipment into the van that his crew came in. This is part of the conversation that ensued:

Me: Are you religious? A lot of people use their faith as motivation.

Big Wild: I do believe in something bigger than myself spiritually but it’s hard to define. Something just drives me to want to create music and make people happy.

M: You did that! Typically, artists get big and then their relationships change. Would you say you’ve encountered fake friends along the journey?

BW: Yes, you can tell certain people are being more friendly than usual. I try not to let it get to me but some people are so obvious about it, it’s blatantly evident that they have an ulterior motive.

M: A lot of negativity is cast upon people who chase their creative dreams. On your side, is that something that was really pressing? Did any family members feel shaky about you choosing to go this route?

BW: My family were really supportive. A lot of people don’t like my music, but I have to be willing to accept that. If I stick to what I enjoy, at least they’ll respect it.

M: Agreed. If you’re not being true to yourself, then you are playing yourself. Have you been to Africa?

BW: Not yet.

M: Where would you go?

BW: Ghana. I actually have an adopted brother from there!!

M: What?! Are you serious?!

BW: Yeah he is super cool, he’s actually a guitarist and helped me explore music.

M: Oh wow. He’s black, right? I hate to go with the stereotype but did he teach you how to dance?

BW: [Laughs] If anything, I taught him how to dance.

M: Beautiful. Who would you say inspires you, outside of music?

BW: Anybody who has the desire to succeed and who I can tell just has a mindset of wanting to do what they are passionate about, despite the obstacles.

At this point, we were hounded by a group of audience members who wanted to take pictures with Big Wild. One of them poured his heart out about how Wild’s performance at Shambala had inspired him to pursue music and quit his day job. This guy looked emotional! Honestly, that almost brought tears to my eyes, too.

Just kidding — I wasn’t about to cry on the night I learned to love EDM.

National Energy Board recommends proceeding with Trans Mountain

By

EIC

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May 20, 2016

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CMYK - KM protest — On May 14 protesters converged on the Westridge terminal in North Burnaby in a kayak floatilla. - Photo courtesy of The National Observer

There are 157 conditions, but the Trans Mountain Expansion Project has been recommended for approval by the National Energy Board (NEB).

In a 533-page report released by the NEB, they suggest that the Governor in Council approve the project, which has a very controversial history.

Earlier last week the federal government appointed three individuals to the National Energy Board review panel for the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Kinder Morgan is looking to invest US $5.4 billion to almost triple the capacity of the current Trans Mountain pipeline to 890,000 barrels a day. The original pipeline was built in 1953, to act as a conduit between Edmonton and Burnaby.

Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr announced a three-person review panel on May 17. Among those named is Tony Penikett, former Yukon premier and visiting professor at the SFU School of Public Policy. Penikett has authored numerous books, including Reconciliation: First Nations Treaty Making in British Columbia.

Also named were Annette Trimbee, University of Winnipeg president and former deputy finance minister of Alberta, and Kim Baird, former chief of BC’s Tsawwassen First Nation who owns a consulting agency for indigenous policy. The proposed expansion has come under scrutiny from environmentalists, First Nations, and the mayors of both Vancouver and Burnaby.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has expressed his opposition to the expansion. Robertson has said that “Vancouver continues to be very much against the expansion,” and that “there’s no confidence in the community in the ruling.”

Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley looked to Ottawa for a go-ahead on the pipeline. In an address to the United Steelworkers’ National Policy Conference in Montreal, she said, “Let’s work together. Let’s get to ‘yes’ on a pipeline.

“It’s critical to the future of our country and to the well-being of every Albertan and every Canadian.”

Conservative natural resources critic Candice Bergen voiced her support for the pipeline, as The Globe and Mail reports.

“Oil workers have been through so much. They’ve been to hell and back,” she said. “Alberta needs to see something positive; they need to see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

Alberta’s budget shows a deficit of roughly $10 billion. Low oil prices and the recent fires have crippled the Albertan economy. The CBC reports that “Royalties from oil and gas projects are expected to decrease by 90 percent next year.”

The BC government has officially come out against the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, according to a written submission to the NEB in January. Their primary concerns include Kinder Morgan’s ability to respond to oil spills, something that must be “world leading” in order to be approved.

The NEB review has been in the process for nearly three years. The aforementioned final report and recommendation have been in deliberation since February 17, when Trans Mountain filed its last written rebuttal.

Another proposed pipeline, TransCanada’s Energy East, has run into opposition in Quebec. The Obama Administration also disallowed TransCanada’s Keystone XL phase 4 pipeline expansion in November 2015.

Those in support of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project claim it will generate “almost $1 billion in economic activity and nearly 34,000 jobs annually,” according to the Conference Board of Canada.

Though the NEB review panel has recommended going forward, the final decision will come from Trudeau’s cabinet.

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY

By

Peak Web

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May 20, 2016

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By: Sarah Finley, Courtney Miller, and Jessica Whitesel

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

“Don’t You Need Somebody” – RedOne feat. Enrique Iglesias, R. City, Serayah, and Shaggy

Jessica Whitesel: This song is catchy as hell and it makes you want to stop whatever you are doing and dance. It harkens back to like 2011 when it was one dude featuring 20 other people, but as an updated throwback it is pretty good.

Courtney Miller: Combined with the tropical island poster adorning my cubicle, all I need is a tequila sunrise to let my problems float away. It’s a fun song. Try not to read too much deeper into the ska/reggae beats.

Sarah Finley: Enrique Iglesias and Shaggy may not be the first listed artists, but they certainly dominate the track. Created by a fun blend of artists I never would’ve guessed would collab, this is a track for singles who are exploring the flirting stage of relationships.

“Mayflies” – Benjamin Francis Leftwich

JW: Maybe I forget how BFL actually sounds, but this was much more upbeat musically than I was anticipating. The lyrics aren’t super upbeat but they aren’t totally depressing either. There’s plenty of emotional ambiguity, but they more than make up for it in relatability.

CM: The vocals are soft and breezy, but it works with the fantasy-style track he has going on. That being said, I’m not feeling it. It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just pretty mellow and breathy.

SF: Breathy vocals with muted percussion and soft guitar make for a very calming and uplifting track. Optimistic lyrics perfect for a rainy, reading-in-pajamas kind of day.

“I Am a Nightmare” – Brand New

JW: Oh man, I remember “Sic Transit Gloria. . . Glory Fades” being my jam back in the day. But this is not what I expected from them. It is less moody and more popped up, and feels like it could be from that period in the ’80s when bands were trying to capitalize on the punk sound but not actually doing right.

CM: It was unobtrusive in that I didn’t realize I was listening to anything until it was pretty much over. It’s like slightly rockier elevator music. I’d probably pass.

SF: Angsty lyrics like “I am a nightmare and you are a miracle” just sound like the emo version of “I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream” to me. This track relies too heavily on electric guitar and Jesse Lacey’s very limited vocal range is put on full display. Pass.

“Send My Love (To Your New Lover) – Adele

JW: I just want Adele to make a happy song once. Her voice is amazing, but I’m super over her never-ending heartbreak. That being said, I really do like this one: it’s paired down, but the focus is put on the beat and her vocals, making for a pretty stellar song. Also the chorus is 10/10.

CM: I love the low drum, guitar-picking intro. I like that Adele is branching out and trying new sounds, it’s pretty fun. I’d add it to my music collection easily.

SF: A suitable track for someone who’s just broken up with their wildly unimpressive (ex) partner. Empowering and devoid of any of the typical awful pettiness that accompanies break-ups, Adele demonstrates her radness once again.

“Life Itself” – Glass Animals

JW: This song is fashun. It doesn’t seem like something that people should enjoy or want to keep going back to, but damn it grows on you. I wasn’t fully convinced by the weird video game intro, but it works with the song, and I probably would listen to it again.

CM: It’s got a bit of that world-feel with the non-drum-kit drums. It has excellent beats, but dime-a-dozen vocals. It’s fun and a decent uptempo song that I’d listen to again, but not of my own volition.

SF: Glass Animals is back with their unique sound: upbeat and eclectic array of percussion combined with an electronic indie vibe. It’s not my favourite of their tracks, and certainly won’t top “Gooey” as most popular, but it’s a hit for sure.

“Say My Name” – Ólafur Arnalds feat. Arnor Dan

JW: I was expecting this to just be all instrumental. But then Arnor Dan comes in and sings this slowed down version of Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” and holy fucking shit I got chills. I’m a huge fan of the original but like this is just so pretty, and so raw. And just listen to it for the love of God, you will not regret it.

CM: Soft, measured opening, the layering of the different instruments results in a bittersweet, nostalgic instrumental. So much more emotion in the subdued but confident voice. I much prefer it over the original.

SF: The combination of string instruments with piano could probably bring me back from the dead. I 100 percent wish this cover didn’t have the detracting vocals accompanying it; the instrumentals are beautiful enough on their own.

“Svartskallar” – Stor

JW: So this is Swedish rap. It’s not bad, and he has really good flow — the beat isn’t too bad. But I feel like I might appreciate it more if I actually spoke Swedish. If you don’t care about words but like rap then this might be the song for you.

CM: As far as raps go it was inoffensive. Possibly because it wasn’t in English so I have no clue what he was saying, but still. It had rhythm, repetitive cowbells, and a virtually unchanging melody — listen at your own risk.

SF: Is this. . . Swedish rap combined with chimes? Alright. Although I have absolutely no idea what Stor is saying, I’m sure it’s straight fire. Anyone with the confidence to add a child’s favourite part of the garden section at Home Depot to their rap clearly knows what they’re doing.

“Can’t Let You Do It” – Eric Clapton

JW: Clapton is a guitar god. This song is blues-tinged and is clearly Clapton. I know my dad would love this song because he’s liked Clapton from the beginning. I wouldn’t even be mad if he made me listen to this in the car, so that is high praise.

CM: I like the horns and the harmonica. It’s easy to listen to, with just the right amounts of everything. Good laidback song, with a little guitar showing off.

SF: I didn’t realize Eric Clapton was still around doing things, but apparently so. This track isn’t particularly interesting or attention-grabbing. It’s just skilled guitar playing with repetitive, boring vocals.

“Nattpojken & Dagflickan” – Kent

JW: This is just so darn pop-py! But also super Swedish. That being said they all have good voices, and even though some of the words seem abrupt in comparison with English, it is a really good song. Side note: I have come to the conclusion that I need to learn Swedish.

CM: I get a musical’s climax-feel from the intro. Can’t tell you what the lyrics are saying, but the beat is solid, the music isn’t too monotonous, and the vocals — though gentle — are good.

SF: OooOOOooO more foreign tracks! This song sounds like it should be in a Disney film with the major chords and soft harmonizing between the artists.

“DOPE” – T.I. feat. Marsha Ambrosius

JW: T.I. can do better. This is better than “No Mediocre” mostly because Iggy Azalea isn’t on it, but that is setting the bar pretty low since she is kind of the worst. So if you were excited for new T.I. be prepared to be disappointed.

CM: The intro was fine but then no way. Nope, super turned off by the mediocre rap that’s got too many “motherfuckers” for its own good.

SF: I flinched as soon as I saw the track name and cautiously pressed play. I wasn’t pleasantly surprised, either. The first 30 seconds of this track are literally just, “Dope, dope, dope, dope” being faintly whispered, followed by the repetition of “high as a motherfucker.” Yawn.

“Don’t You Forget” – CAFUNÉ

JW: I want to like this but it’s just not my thing. There are too many things happening with the weird computer sounds in the background and then the change just past halfway through just seems like they were trying to do something so they could create the singing equivalent of a bass drop before the end; but the drop never comes and it’s just an anticlimactic build to the end.

CM: Crystalline crisp vocals, cheerful, yet a little seductive musically — I think this is a worthy song, both to listen to and to show your friends.

SF: “Put some red on your lips, give your reflection a kiss,” are lyrics I definitely needed to hear today. While not a 10/10, I would listen again. CAFUNÉ’s soft vocals are gentle and soothing and perfect for a candlelit bubble bath.

“Gucci Coochie” – Die Antwoord feat. Dita Von Teese, The Black Goat, and God

JW: The best way to describe this is early- to mid-2000s Eurotrash club jams. It is a hot mess. Dita Von Teese is talking throughout the whole thing, and someone is talking about how great someone’s boobs are. It is just like the audio equivalent of being hit on in a club, but you know it’s only because you are feeling yourself. It’s just a super weird song.

CM: Weird club/Alvin and the Chipmunks/Indian World music mix — and it does not work at all. Annoying noise that I couldn’t wait to be finished. Then the rap comes in and it is so bad, so monotonous, so inane. Cannot deal with this, I’m out.

SF: God bless this name, and who else could this have possibly been thought up by other than Die Antwoord? Dita Von Teese seductively mumbling “She gets everything she wants, she gets everything for free, she will fuck up your whole life” underneath Yolandi’s very childlike voice is a juxtaposition if I’ve ever heard one.

rEvolver Theatre Festival 2016

By

EIC

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May 20, 2016

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[sangar-slider id=”91692″]

SFU visited by High Commissioner of Cyprus to Canada

By

EIC

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May 20, 2016

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1462382684434 — The event at which Anastasiades spoke

Simon Fraser University played host to Pavlos Anastasiades, the Republic of Cyprus’ first resident High Commissioner to Canada, who presented an informal discussion on current and future prospects for Cyprus-Canada relations.

In a talk at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies, faculty, students, and staff were welcoming to the High Commissioner. It featured a variety of historical, cultural, and educational links between the two countries.

The role of High Commissioner to Canada is a new diplomatic mission initiated in December 2015. Educated at the University of Birmingham, Anastasiades served in Washington from 2010 to 2013 as an ambassador to both Canada and the US.

Anastasiades spoke with much esteem of Canada’s history of relations with Cyprus — specifically Canada’s peacekeeping mission with the United Nations. Named operation SNOWGOOSE, it has been running for over 50 years.

“Canada showed how peacekeepers should operate,” said Anastasiades, remembering Canada’s successful defence of Cyprus in 1974 when Turkey invaded. The “Canadians forced the aggressors to stand down” through active peacekeeping.

All Canadian regiments did rotational duties in Cyprus throughout the mission. The Commissioner spoke of a recently erected monument in Cyprus, in honour of the 28 Canadians who have died in service there since 1964.

The Canadian Armed Forces currently has one staff member in Cyprus. The High Commissioner jokingly remarked that Canada may “triple” its presence next year.

The Commissioner is interested in strengthening academic relationships between Cyprus and Canada to include SFU. The “niche” SFU has in Hellenic Studies could be of “great significance and mutual benefit” if developed.

Canada likewise has a “niche of federalism,” said Anastasiades. Cyprus is looking for a federal solution to their governance from the UN, and Canada’s experience and expertise could be beneficial to Cyprus.

A perfect death

By

EIC

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May 20, 2016

1

[dropcap]I [/dropcap]like to think that I am an empathetic person; I often put myself in the shoes of others in order to gain a better understanding of their thoughts and feelings. On a few occasions, I have caught myself wondering how I would think and feel if I were to be suddenly diagnosed with a disease that would cause me to be in pain for the rest of my life.

Would I want to wait until I succumbed to my disease? Would I want to take my own life? Would I want someone to take my life for me? The decision is one that I would not take lightly because it, obviously, is a decision that I would not be able to take back.

There are some individuals, as The Global and Mail reports, who feel that the recently proposed assisted-death legislation is “playing it safe.” I, however, feel that the legislation is perfect considering the weight of the matter.

Yes, medical assistance in dying is to become legal in Canada as a result of the Supreme Court’s recognition that parts of the Criminal Code violate one’s right to life, liberty, and security. The federal government has until June 6 to officially respond to the Court’s decision by passing the proposed law.

There are right-to-die advocates who are unhappy with the legislation. From their perspective, its requirements are too strict, and would result in people suffering needlessly. One particularly stringent eligibility requirement is that one’s natural death is “reasonably foreseeable, taking into account all of their medical circumstances.”

In other words, the legislation does not explicitly cover individuals suffering from degenerative mental conditions, such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease. That said, those suffering from such conditions may still be found eligible for medically assisted death in that the legislation does not require that one suffer a fatal or terminal disease. An individual suffering from dementia may still be found eligible, taking in other factors such as their age or frailty.

The legislation that already exists in California, Oregon, and Quebec is very similar to that proposed by the Canadian government.

In a way, the proposed legislation, though strict, also allows for some flexibility. It is ultimately important for people to remember that each case of medical assistance in dying will be considered individually.

Making the legislation more flexible may cause problems in that the right to physician-assisted death may be abused. One of the primary reasons that assisted dying was previously prohibited was because it was meant to “protect vulnerable persons from being induced to die by suicide at a time of weakness.” If the eligibility requirements were less strict, I fear that there would be vulnerable individuals quick to exercise their right to die in lieu of seeking other medical help.

Moreover, there are a handful of other jurisdictions in the Western world that already have physician-assisted death legislation in place, such as California, Oregon, and the province of Quebec. The legislation that exists in these jurisdictions is very similar to that proposed by the Canadian government.

So, rather than starting from scratch, the government has decided to take the successful physician-assisted death legislation in these other jurisdictions as a foundation for its own. Thus, I would not say that the proposed laws are too cautious.
At the end of the day, I think that it is important that people put themselves in the positions of individuals who would be exercising their right to medical assistance in dying. The decision is an irreversible one that carries a lot of weight. The strict nature of the proposed legislation is to ensure that individuals are able to voluntarily make such a decision with complete certainty.

Athletes should be allowed to use performance enhancing drugs

By

EIC

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May 19, 2016

1

[dropcap]“D[/dropcap]o drugs! Drugs are good for us!”

These statements look bizarre. That’s because the opposite has been enthusiastically drilled into our heads for a long time. We’re averse to the idea that drug use might actually lead to a positive outcome. This sentiment can be seen in how professional athletes are treated after being caught using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). These athletes are seen as criminals, gaining an unfair edge. However, there is no logical argument for why PEDs should be banned.

The fact that athletes caught using PEDs are shamed and cast out of ‘sports Eden’ shows that the drugless athletes are held in a high-regard. The player who ‘cheats’ by using drugs is dishonourable. The public believes that their performance is not based on hard work and strength of will, but on the simple act of popping a couple pills.

If we consider a player’s worthiness of reward, I don’t think that athletes completely deserve all the accolades they get. Athletic talent is largely due to genetics — being born with the right body. One doesn’t choose the body they are born into. Athletes who have won the genetic lottery simply got lucky.

To deserve praise, the outcome has to have been brought about by choice, not accident. Even willpower is arguably largely determined by genetics. If we think our value of athletic achievement is predicated on desert, we’re deluding ourselves. Realistically, I think our value of athletic achievement has more to do with spectacle. Everyone wants to see a guy throw a ball over 100 m.p.h.

Is a PED like a magical potion that results in superhuman strength? No. It gives one the same edge another athlete has genetically.

We set a precedent by the way we treat athletes. We establish social values through the way we deal with athletes and talk about them in media. Our current shaming practices send out arbitrary and confused messages about what constitutes desert. We shouldn’t be publicly enforcing an athletic value that we don’t even have a clear and consistent conception of.

Is it fair that one athlete is born with a higher red blood cell count which allows them to run a sub-two-hour marathon, and another athlete with a lower count cannot take drugs to be given the same advantage? Suddenly the drugged athlete no longer deserves the praise for the sub-two-hour marathon because they chose to raise their red blood cell count?

I think the disapproval of athletes using PEDs is due to a lack of understanding. If we understand what taking PEDs actually amounts to, I think we will become more accepting of them. Is a PED like a magical potion that results in superhuman strength? No. It gives one the same edge another athlete has genetically.

What does it take to earn or to deserve reward? We’re taught value through social practices. We watch esteemed athletes get punished for choosing to level the playing field in order to make competitions fairer. We dole out reward and punishment without a coherent rationale. Here we seem to be perpetuating a system of values without an underlying logic, and that’s kind of scary.

“All you see is flames”

By

EIC

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May 16, 2016

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Smoke- — This is what Brandon Tidy, SFU student, saw as he was evacuating Fort McMurray

Brandon Tidy just finished up his first year at Simon Fraser University. He played for the men’s hockey team, and is trying to transfer into business.

He went back home for the summer hoping to make some money for school. He was going to see friends and family, and spend more time with his girlfriend. A typical summer for a lot of SFU students, with one major exception.

Brandon’s home is Fort McMurray. Within two days of being back, he was evacuated.

“I got back Sunday night [May 1] and there was some smoke. On Monday, it was really smoky. Tuesday, it was all clear, but by the afternoon it was bad and we heard on the radio basically just ‘Leave town,’” he recalled. “I was only back for a day and a half, and then right away we had this problem and we had to leave.

“The initial shock is over. Now it’s just kind of frustrating.”

Within 48 hours, his entire summer plan was gone. Instead, he and an entire city now had to look ahead, and quickly. He had less than half an hour to figure out a plan to get what he could in one fell swoop, and leave his home for what could be the last time.

“I was at the gym with my girlfriend and we got back to my house and they basically said on the radio that we had 20 minutes to get out. One minute you’re just planning lunch, the next minute you’re packing,” he said.

Flames engulf homes which forced a mandatory evacuation of Fort McMurray.

“My dad was at work and we were trying to go pick him up. We were trying to go north, but officers told us we had to go south. We actually drove through the fire, it was pretty crazy. Driving through town, you look to your left and you look to your right and all you see is flames. It was surreal. Once you get out of town, you drive 50 kilometres, and it’s clear blue skies again. It’s just really weird.”

A Family Divided

Brandon is now on Vancouver Island, where he grew up before moving to Fort McMurray seven years ago. He’s with family and his girlfriend, Sophie. While he and his family are all now safe, the evacuation was hectic as they were all split up. Brandon’s father was trapped for days by the fire.

“They’re safe now. My mom got out right away as well. I was worried about my dad, he got trapped north of Fort McMurray,” he said. “He was sleeping on a piece of plywood for four or five nights before they were able [to get to him]. He was supposed to fly out the next day, then eventually it cleared up enough for him to drive out.

“The smoke was so dense that even driving through the car they had to wear gas masks [. . .] The air quality was so bad, it was suffocating.

“That was a little tense, and my mom was having a hard time especially when my dad couldn’t get out of town, but now we’re all safe and out of town. Now we’re just waiting for when it’s safe to go home.”

The Next Step

It’s the waiting part now that could take up Brandon’s summer. With the fire still raging on, there’s no telling when evacuees can return to the city.

In an update on May 12, provincial officials said that there wasn’t going to be a way for them to tell for at least a couple of weeks when folks could return to Fort McMurray to see what remains of the city, which last month held more than 80,000 residents.

There’s no timetable in place for any sort of permanent return, which means Brandon and the tens of thousands of other evacuees are in limbo.

“We’re trying to make a plan, but it’s tough. You want to get a job and save money for school but no one wants to hire you for as little as two weeks depending on what happens,” he said. “Right now, it’s been great getting support from everyone. The whole nation has been supporting this cause.

“So I just keep putting myself on Kijiji and trying to do odd jobs for cash, trying to save some money and hopefully I’ll have a job to go back to when I get home.”

Brandon is one of the fortunate ones whose home wasn’t touched by the fire. He said it got as close as 700 metres, but smoke damage is the worst he’ll have to deal with personally.

There is no telling yet when the fire will be put out or the extent of the damage it will cause.

“My home is likely going to smell like a campfire for a while, but at least I have a house to come back to so I’m really grateful for that,” he said.

The Road Ahead

Another thing he’s really grateful for is the “overwhelming” support he and the rest of Fort McMurray have received from everyone. The drive from Fort McMurray to Vancouver Island was filled with fundraisers, and the donations and relief efforts hit home for him. The kindness of strangers personified itself in a bar the first night on the road after he evacuated.

“Me and my girlfriend and a buddy from Edmonton went to go for a beer and when they ID’d us, they saw we were from Fort Mac. They said ‘Everything is on us, don’t worry about it.’ Everywhere you go, everyone’s trying to help out the best they can, and it’s awesome how kind Canadians are,” said Brandon.

“I just want to say thank you to anybody [who supported Fort McMurray] and even if they have no ties, being a Canadian people are still supporting the cause and it means a lot.”

Review Roundup: end of TV season

By

EIC

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May 16, 2016

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HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER - "Hi, I'm Philip" - Philip makes a threatening move and ADA Sinclair may have figured out a way to take down Annalise. Meanwhile, Catherine and Caleb are forced to make a life changing decision, on "How to Get Away with Murder," THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Tony Rivetti) CHARLIE WEBER, VIOLA DAVIS, JACK FALAHEE, BILLY BROWN, KARLA SOUZA, AJA NAOMI KING, ALFRED ENOCH

Spoilers below.

How to Get Away with Murder, Season 2

This season felt like an absolute shit-show. I mean, it’s always a gong-show, but this season felt more driven by formula than creativity. Okay, Rebecca’s dead and it’s obviously not someone we’d expect. . . so Asher or Bonnie did it. Bam, it’s Bonnie. Then, surprise, Asher kills someone too, so now they’re all in this together. The only people not in on everything are Eve and Oliver. I plead to whatever TV gods there are, do not touch poor, innocent Oliver.

The copious flashbacks and criss-crossed plotlines were quirky in the first season, and though they still inspire adrenaline rushes with every cliffhanger ending, it’s also getting a little tedious. All that being said, this was another roller-coaster of a season that followed in the first season’s footsteps.

Lucifer, Season 1

Lucifer is flawlessly portrayed by Tom Ellis, taking nothing too seriously. Amenadiel and Lucifer’s sibling rivalry — though sadly not culminating in a devastating heaven versus hell showdown — did result in a brawl before they started working together. This season revealed that Lucifer was mortal, but only around Chloe. Sadly, this was expected. The two didn’t get together, though, which is fantastic.

Many jokes were cracked, a pair of angel wings set ablaze, and an overall great time was had by all. The finale ended on a cliffhanger, with the mother of the angels being set free from hell. No idea who it is, but I for one am burning to find out.

Shadowhunters, Season 1

Thank God the Mortal Instruments series’ screen adaptation found new life in this show by Freeform. Spot-on casting and an overall respect for the books’ plot launch this show into the small group of book-to-screen adaptations that are actually really good.

There’s magic, duels, demons, and even a little bit of gay to round the show out. Magnus and Alec getting together at Alec’s wedding to Lydia Branwell is a highlight. The writers haven’t shied away from the Jace-Clary incest subplot from the books, and Dominic Sherwood skilfully portrays Jace’s inner struggle with his feelings for Clary.

Supergirl, Season 1

Was it cheesy? Extremely. Is it unfortunate that Kara seems to mimic Clark in both secret identity and outfit? Of course. But I’ve got to say, in a TV landscape that’s filled with dark thrillers, crime shows, and series that try to showcase the good side to the bad guys, Supergirl’s cute and slightly over-the-top messaging about hope is a nice contrast.

The season-long battle with Non finally drew to a close after Kara battled her sister Alex, who was under evil Non’s mind control. Also, it was extraordinarily convenient that human Alex could pilot Kara’s Kryptonian space pod, but I forgive them that stroke of fortune — especially because Kara finally got a promotion at CatCo and, most surprisingly of all, Cat finally got her name right. Also, there’s a surprise new pod with something exciting in it, but we didn’t get to find out.

Young & Hungry, Season 3

Another satisfyingly comedic season with a twist of heartbreak. Josh, a dorky but super-rich tech entrepreneur, and his personal chef, Gabi, finally started dating. This happened after Gabi drove off with Jake, Josh’s brother, in their jointly-owned food truck. Alas, the Josh-Gabi couple we’ve seen coming since the pilot (where they slept together) hits a major snag when Josh realizes he’s afraid of commitment.

He goes to therapy to try and get over it, which provides the base of the comedy for the last few episodes. Though the season ended on a sad note, there were more than enough innuendos and one-liners to keep things rolling.