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TSSU sets up picket lines for first days of classes

By
EIC
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Image by Phoebe Lim

This story has been updated as of 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 4.

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) has announced its intention to set up picket lines at SFU Burnaby during the first two days of classes of the Fall semester.

The day of the announcement, the TSSU and SFU had just completed the first of three scheduled days of mediated bargaining, from Wednesday through Friday, in the hopes of reaching a collective agreement, the first bargaining in six weeks. The mediation was overseen by the Labour Relations Board.

In a statement sent out to union members and posted on their website on Wednesday evening, the TSSU expressed that “SFU Administration is still stalling and is still unprepared to negotiate,” leading them to believe that “even more pressure is required to reach a fair Collective Agreement.” The mediation was cut short after two days, with the parties not returning to the table on Friday.

“On the first day of mediation, SFU Administration did not bring a single proposal to the table,” stated George Temple, TSSU spokesperson. “After six weeks to prepare for mediation, SFU Administration brought excuses instead of proposals. In light of that, TSSU announced that picket lines would begin next week.”

“The University is hopeful that the TSSU will ultimately decide not to disrupt the first week of school.”

Kurt Heinrich, director of University Communications

Kurt Heinrich, director of University Communications, emphasized the difference between advocacy and disruption in his response to the TSSU decision.

He stated, “We are disappointed that the TSSU is targeting students, and even impacting the livelihood of their own members, in an attempt to influence their own negotiating position.

“The University is hopeful that the TSSU will ultimately decide not to disrupt the first week of school.”

The picket lines are scheduled to be set up around the Applied Sciences Building from 7:30 a.m. until noon on Sept. 8, and around the Academic Quadrangle beginning from 4:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, coinciding with SFU’s 50th anniversary “Celebrate and Savour” event, an evening of entertainment and dining to be held in the AQ Gardens well into the night.

Picket lines were also set up during orientation day, the week before classes.

Going into mediation, both the university and the union “prepared and shared confidential briefing documents outlining their positions and proposals,” according to Heinrich. The university stated that they tabled five new proposals during the two days of mediation, two of which the TSSU replied to in manner that suggest that they are “unwilling to work towards consensus.”

Heinrich also emphasized the university’s commitment to coming to a mutual agreement with the TSSU, pointing to the fact that SFU has recently agreed on a tentative Collective Agreement with CUPE 3338 and have made “significant progress” in bargaining with the SFU Faculty Association.

There are no upcoming mediation sessions scheduled thus far.

“We don’t want to drag out this disruptive job action for another semester.”

George Temple, TSSU spokesperson

 

The TSSU is asking all its members to respect and participate in the picketing, which may cause class cancellations for students’ first days back to school, dependent on individual faculty members, teaching assistants, and other class facilitators.

This strike escalation builds on the withholding of grades, which began in late July. The union stated that grades will “remain sealed and will not be released until an agreement is reached.”

Students were invited by the TSSU to apply for their grades to be released if special circumstances existed. In a letter sent out by the TSSU to applicants to graduate, the union outlined that the university does have measures in place to allow students to be considered for graduation without their transcripts being completed, and therefore won’t be releasing the grades of those students.

A grade appeal process for those cases of students who are facing immediate deportation — within the next 30 days — is now in effect, though the union warns that it may no longer be possible to process grade requests as all the withheld grades are currently sealed within the SFU Archives.  

“We feel that ending the grade appeal process will force SFU Administration to deal with the problem now,” said Temple. “We don’t want to drag out this disruptive job action for another semester.”

Heinrich also stated that “The University is committed to protecting the interests and experience of SFU students, and will do all [they] can to minimize disruption and impact on SFU students.”

Mitigating actions by the university have included academic advisors working one-on-one with students concerned about their grades, creating formal letters of explanation of the current labour situation to be given to external agencies and other universities, and encouraging students who have questions around their progress to reach out to their instructors for verbal feedback.

Heinrich concluded, “We’re hopeful that we will be able to get a fair and respectful deal soon with the TSSU.”

SFU lose 1-0 to UBC in soccer showdown

By
EIC
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0
Photo courtesy of SFU Athletics

Before a large crowd at Thunderbird stadium Friday night, the UBC and SFU men’s soccer teams played in what is becoming an annual preseason tradition. In a game that featured plenty of hard challenges, the Clan came up short, losing 1–0 to the Thunderbirds. To add insult to injury, the only goal of the game was scored by Justin Wallace, a former SFU player.

“Justin is special,” said SFU head coach Clint Schneider. “We knew that when we had him. We were unlucky that we weren’t able to keep him around longer, but he’s a hell of a player. He’s going to win them a lot of games on his own for them this year.”

The game started off well for SFU. They had the majority of possession within the first few minutes, and UBC were forced to attack on the counter once they got the ball. However, in the 11th minute, UBC forward Han Sol Kim was one on one with SFU keeper Brad Watson, only to be denied by a brilliant save. SFU had a chance to open the scoring in the 13th minute, a free header by SFU forward Michael North just going wide of the far post.

Later on in the 37th minute, North was at it again, this time making a great individual run down the wing only to be denied by Bush. North had a particularly strong game for the Clan, and was trouble for UBC’s back line throughout the night.

In the 2nd half, former SFU starter Justin Wallace came back to haunt the Clan. He made a great move to create himself space, then buried it into the bottom right corner to give his team a 1–0 lead. A poorly played back pass by SFU almost made it 2–0, but it was cleared off the line. SFU’s best chance to equalize was in the 90th minute. A low whipped cross was mishandled by the UBC keeper, but the Clan weren’t able to put it in the back of the net.

“I thought we played well,” said SFU head coach Clint Schneider after the match. “We really grew a lot in the two weeks as a preseason, and I’m really proud of our guys. We made a mistake on the goal, we told the guys the game would come down to a mistake, and we got punished by it by a good team.”

Despite the close scoreline, there is still much to improve before conference play for the Clan. “I think it’s just polishing some things up,” remarked Schneider. “In the last three preseason games we’ve had a mistake, and we’ve been punished for a mistake every game. Mistake free football is difficult to do, but that’s the goal for our team.”

SFU vs. UBC games are always exciting, and the program looks forward to these fixtures. “We can’t play anyone better to prepare us for our season. . . it’s good for BC soccer when both teams are good, and they’re both good right now.”
The second leg of this fixture will be scheduled at a later date, and it will be at Terry Fox Field. The Clan’s next home game is September 9th, against California State University.

The Peak is seeking a new Promotions Coordinator!

By
Peak Web
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Are you interested in marketing and communications work, event planning, and getting to know more of your fellow students? Do you love SFU’s official student newspaper but don’t quite know how to get involved? Do you want to earn some extra cash during the semester? If so, The Peak is looking for you to become our new Promotions Coordinator! Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] by Friday, March 11, 2016.  See job description and requirements below.

Promotions Coordinator

Purpose: The Promotions Coordinator’s purpose is to increase awareness, involvement, and readership of The Peak,  and to facilitate relationships between the paper and the SFU community.

Duties

  • Acting as the first point of contact for community members looking to get involved with The Peak
  • Helping to promote individual articles and initiatives, in conjunction with section editors
  • Collecting information about reader preferences, as through readership surveys, and suggest possible changes
  • Working towards a unified presences and reputation across all SFU campuses
  • Directing potential contributors to specific areas of interest/editors
  • Helping to promote and organize section workshops and open houses as necessary
  • Promoting Peak events such as the Annual General Meeting and semesterly hiring
  • Maintaining contact with editorial board and Business Manager to assess needs
  • Tracking semesterly and yearly budgets for promotional materials and events, as per the annual budget created by the Business Manager and the Board of Directors
  • Managing and maintaining contact with satellite campuses, including maintenance of stands and communicating with distribution coordinators
  • Following through on ongoing projects as necessary, as advised by predecessor and EIC
  • Organizing outreach, such as visiting classes, hosting events, corresponding with campus groups
  • Attending weekly collective meetings
  • Working with other editors to plan social events to build the number of Peak volunteers
  • Representing the paper in events like Clubs Days to speak with potential volunteers
  • Organizing tabling for Clubs Days
  • Organizing other tabling opportunities throughout the semester, as necessary
  • Organizing semesterly Peakie Award nights, including having physical awards made and organizing the time/place
  • Sitting on committees, such as Board, as necessary
  • Keeping publicly-posted office hours on at least one day per week
  • Regularly promoting The Peak’s content and initiatives through social media, using the paper’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts
  • Committing to training if not proficient in necessary programs
  • Working with the production editor and production team to produce promotional materials
  • Tracking and storing updated promotional materials such as pamphlets, business cards, banners, tabling materials, etc.
  • Training incoming coordinators, including through writing a comprehensive and helpful exit report upon leaving the position
  • Giving regular reports on progress to collective and EIC
  • Filing a comprehensive report after large-scale events using the template provided
  • Tracking hours worked and submitting for payment to the Business Manager

Qualifications

  • Outgoing personality, comfortable with public speaking and interacting with strangers
  • Ability to work creatively and independently
  • Good time management skills
  • Ability to communicate with a vast network of people and groups
  • Basic knowledge of university policies and procedures

Other notes

  • This is a staff position and will be hired when the position is to be vacant
  • Pay is an hourly wage of $14.50, tracked by the individual and submitted to the Business Manager for payment every two weeks
  • Hours are flexible and will change from week to week, with an average of 8-12 hours per week

NOTE: not meeting the job requirements may result in disciplinary action or dismissal.

 

The Peak Publications Society Board Meeting agenda

By
EIC
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0

Peak Publications Society Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

August 20, 2015

Location: Havana, 1212 Commercial Drive

 

Chair: Max Hill

In attendance:

Editor-in-Chief, Max Hill

Collective Representative, Melissa Roach

Employee Representative, Katherine Gillard

At-Large Representative, Natalie Serafini

Maia Odegaard (Board Secretary, non-voting)

Regrets

Collective Representative, Tamara Connor

 

1. Approval of Agenda

 

2. Approval of past minutes from July 23, 2015

 

3. Investment update

 

Maia to report on the status of the Society’s investments.  See appendix A.

4. Financial update

Maia Odegaard to summarize the Society’s finances through August 31, 2015. See appendix B.

 

5. Peak newsstands

 

Max and Maia have been contacted by SFU’s Facilities Services, who has discussed the possibility of replacing The Peak’s current newsstands as well as helping to move them into more strategic places around campus. The Board will discuss how best to respond to the administration’s requests.

6. ACP Conference in Austin, Texas

The Board will discuss whether The Peak is interested in sending delegates to the upcoming ACP conference in Austin, Texas on October 28, 2015.

7. Replacing broken chairs

 

A collective member has approached the Board with a request to replace several of the office’s broken chairs. The Board will discuss the feasibility of replacing said chairs, as well as which chairs would need to be replaced.

8. Adjournment

 

– – –

Peak Publications Society Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

July 23, 2015

The Peak Offices

 

Chair: Max Hill

In attendance:

Editor-in-Chief, Max Hill

Collective Representative, Melissa Roach

Collective Representative, Tamara Connor

Employee Representative, Katherine Gillard

Maia Odegaard (Board Secretary, non-voting)

Guest, Adam Van der Zwan

Regrets

At-Large Representative, Natalie Serafini (proxy vote: Katherine Gillard)

 

1. Called to order: 5:00 p.m.

2. Approval of Agenda — item 7. switched with item 9.

 

Katherine/Melissa

3. Approval of past minutes from June 18, 2015

 

Melissa/Katherine

4. Investment update

Maia presented the current status of the Society’s investments. The total value of our investments are down $9,663.89, but overall, they are doing well YTD and these types of dips  are to be expected. See appendix A.

 

5. Financial update

Maia Odegaard presented the Society’s finances through June 30, 2015. The expenses have been fairly normal to date and ad sales were above average for the summer semester. Staff expenses were slightly higher than last month because there was an additional production night in June. See appendix B.

 

6. Hiring board representation

 

Both Tamara and Katherine put their names forward for the position. The Board decided Katherine would serve on the hiring panel for the fall editors and Tamara would be the alternate, as this is likely Katherine’s last chance to be involved in the hiring process.

No vote.

7. Questions/concerns surrounding the current plans for the 50th anniversary Peak reunion

 

A member of the collective came to Tamara because he feels that the current collective should be included in the reunion and that The Peak should be more transparent regarding the plans for this reunion. The board brought up the counter argument that the collective is treated to a special event every semester (The Peakies) and that the promotions coordinator is planning a 50th anniversary event that is exclusively for current students. If there are members of the current collective who wish to be involved in the reunion, they are welcome to volunteer during the event.

The board decided that Max and Katherine would give a more in depth explanation of the 50th anniversary plans (reunion and otherwise) at collective, and ask for up to five volunteers. If there is a collective member who is very keen to come, but all the volunteer positions fill up, they are welcome to contact [email protected] to work out a different arrangement.  

8. Request for access to The Peak material by SFU administration

 

Christine Lyons from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Ivana Filipovic from the Communication and Marketing Department have requested use of material from The Peak, including articles and images, for the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The board decided to authorise the Department of Communications and Marketing use of this material, so long as they credit this material “photo courtesy of the Peak Publications Society” and Maia is tasked to respond to Ivana. Max is tasked to follow up with Christine and determine exactly how they will be using our material.

9. 50th Anniversary Peak reunion budget

 

Katherine and Maia brought forward a potential budget for the 50th anniversary reunion. The board decided that the t-shirts should be removed from the reunion budget as ¾ of them will be given out to current collective members/staff and are not exclusively for the reunion. The final budget approved is for a maximum of $3,371.55, with the understanding that this amount is in case every person invited RSVPs yes (87 guests).

Melissa/Tamara

All in favour

10. Clarification on multimedia pay policy

 

A contributor came to Tamara as he remains unsure how to properly invoice their hours spent assisting on a multimedia project. The board requested that Tamara point the contributor towards the updated Contributor Pay Policy and to list a contribution to a multimedia project in the same way as a written article, photograph, or illustration: include the date of publication, title of the project, and the amount. Contributors should always check with the multimedia editor if they are unsure of how much their contribution is worth.

11. Adjournment: 5:55 p.m.
Approved by:  ______________________________________  &  _______________________________________ on August 20, 2015.

Greenpeace’s founding president knew How to Change the World

By
EIC
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0

Greenpeace, the internationally renowned environmental activist organization, had its humble beginnings in 1971 in Vancouver when a group got together to protest the atomic bomb testing on Amchitka Island. Reluctantly led by Bob Hunter, a columnist at the Vancouver Sun, a ragtag group of accidental sailors set out on a rickety old ship to see if they could raise awareness and derail the testing.

That first mission didn’t go exactly as planned, but upon returning to Vancouver the group were treated as heroes, and they had raised awareness about an important issue. They all felt that things were unfinished and there was more that they could accomplish, and after a bit of discussion and convincing by Hunter, they decided that their next mission would be to confront whaling ships and try to stop the brutal slaughter of whales in the Pacific.

With a voiceover reciting Hunter’s journal entries and plenty of old footage alternated with present day interviews with those involved and Hunter’s daughter, Emily, this documentary provides an inspiring look at the brave people who began this international movement and contributed to changing the world. It is also framed by five rules for changing the world: plant a mind bomb, put your body where your mouth is, fear success, the revolution will not be organized, and let the power go. Hunter knew that in order to raise public awareness, you had to create an image that would become iconic and travel around the world — you had to plant a mind bomb.

After lengthy preparations, the Greenpeace team set out on their mission to save the whales. Once they go out into the open ocean, there was only one problem — they didn’t know where the whaling ships were or how to find them. With a bit of luck and the help of ecologist Patrick Moore, they managed to get maps of where some of the ships might be. It was still like looking for a needle in a haystack. Moore has led a very uninspiring career since leaving Greenpeace, and now exploits his former affiliation with them when acting as a spokesperson for large corporations claiming that climate change is either not happening — or if it is, that it’s not a problem.

When they finally found a Russian whaling ship, they had a dramatic encounter with a harpoon flying about 15 feet over their zodiac. Paul Watson, a key member of this mission, later went on to found the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and he said that the moment that changed his life was sitting on top of a floating dead whale, feeling its body heat, and looking into its still-open eye. From that moment on he knew he had to keep fighting to save the many species that were being driven to extinction by whaling. Now his organization confronts Japanese whaling ships who are illegally plundering the oceans and anyone else on the wrong side of environmental laws. You may have seen him on the reality show Whale Wars.   

The images of whale blood spilling out the side of these massive slaughterhouses of ships is enough to make you feel sick, and possibly even more brutal than that was the footage of the seal hunt in Newfoundland. Watching men club a baby seal to death and drag it away as its mother follows behind in distress immediately makes one understand why Watson felt so passionately about the issue and why he and Hunter stood in front of an icebreaker ship to protest the hunt.  

Independent Greenpeace offices were popping up all along the West Coast and doing their own fundraising while the Vancouver chapter was in debt from their expensive 1975 whaling mission and 1976 seal hunt campaign. While some wanted to fight to get the other offices to give some of their funds to Vancouver, Hunter knew the importance of letting the power go and wasn’t interested in controlling them. They eventually decided to bring in a new leader and create some cohesion among the offices while allowing them to remain independent, creating Greenpeace International in 1979. Personal politics drove Hunter to leave Greenpeace, but he later returned to journalism and covered environmental issues, including boarding Sea Shepherd ships to help them create iconic images and plant more mind bombs. This is a thrilling documentary full of great footage of eco-warrior adventures and enlightening interviews revealing all the different perspectives of their journey.

Paper Towns provides predictable laughs

By
EIC
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0
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox.

The cast of Paper Towns successfully delivers laugh-out-loud performances while asking the questions: what should I do with the rest of my life? And what is the significance of my existence?

The movie opens with 14-year-old Quentin (“Q”), who experiences love at first sight when vibrant and vivacious Margo Roth Spiegelman moves next door. The two youngsters build a fast friendship despite their significant differences. They are conservative Quentin and rebellious Margo. Years pass and the two adolescents grow naturally apart. Margo becomes the most popular, gorgeous girl in school, and Q develops into a straight-A student, still stuck in love with Margo Roth Spiegelman.

Everything changes one night when Margo shows up at Q’s window requesting that he go on one last adventure for old time’s sake. The adventure entails revenge on her cheating ex-boyfriend, cheating ex-best friend, second best friend who supposedly knew of the cheating, and cheating ex-boyfriend’s best friend. Q reluctantly agrees and partakes in the hilarious pranks crafted by the magnificent Margo including breaking and entering, eyebrow shaving, and spray-painting.

The night comes to a close with Margo and Q on a rooftop, looking over the view of the town. Margo mysteriously compares the Orlando town below as a “Paper Town”: “All the paper kids drinking beer some bum bought for them at the paper convenience store,” he says. “Everyone demented with the mania of owning things. All the things paper-thin and paper-frail. And all the people, too. I’ve lived here for 18 years and I have never once in my life come across anyone who cares about anything that matters.”

Q wakes up the morning after to no Margo. The weeks that follow leave Q wondering why Margo left and what that night meant. With the help of his hilarious best friends Radar, Ben, and new friend Lacey, Q searches for Margo, following clues she leaves.

While the first 20 minutes are executed brilliantly by Delevingne and cast, unfortunately the middle portion of the film loses momentum due to an unmemorable plot and unlikely circumstances comprised primarily of Q and his friends revealing clues left by Margo. The fortunate saving grace comes from the hilarity of supporting actors Radar and Ben, played by Justice Smith and Austin Abrams respectively. Ben recalls the toned-downed characteristics of Stifler from American Pie and is inappropriately hilarious throughout, making countless MILF jokes towards Q’s mom. Radar is equally hilarious with his family’s collection of black Santas and delivers the role of the sensible best friend with ease.

Nerdfighters, for the most part, will be pleased with the movie adaptation of Paper Towns brought to life by an engaging cast and an unexpected cameo by a familiar friend. The movie, with all its clichés, will surprise some with its unexpected ending, breaking the film’s fairy-tale façade.

Despite its plot flaws and farfetched scenarios, Paper Towns is a must see for Nerdfighters and comedy goers alike.

Stephen Harper’s takeover and transformation of Canada

By
EIC
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Mr. Photo

After reading Mel Hurtig’s myth-shattering The Truth About Canada, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy of his latest work, The Arrogant Autocrat. Much like his previous book, this is a criticism of corporate takeover, foreign ownership deals, and changes to our social programs, but this time it is focused on the man who is leading the charge to transform Canada into an unrecognizable place — Stephen Harper.

Harper’s determination to remake Canada based on his own values and priorities is outlined in this short, shocking look at what he has done so far to radically alter the democratic, social, and economic fabric of the country.

His support and promotion of oil companies and the tar sands has damaged not only our environment, but also our international reputation. While many Canadians would fashion themselves as peaceful, democratic people who support social programs and fairness, Harper’s agenda is contrary to this image and is gradually being implemented without our knowledge.

Much of what is written about our unfair democratic system, environmental policies, and Harper’s disdain for science was not new to me, but there were some shocking facts and figures that Hurtig revealed which made me shudder.

The most important part of this book is the section about the economy, something the Harper government loves to talk about. The section is split into two chapters to include all the details about how our economy isn’t doing as well as they claim and the way things are skewed. The second chapter, subtitled “Federal Deficit Voodoo,” contains three pages of facts showing how our economy has worsened under Harper’s leadership.

With short chapters and succinct writing, Hurtig summarizes all the reasons that Harper is not our hero.

SFU Adjunct Professor in Communications Donald Gutstein has also written an eye-opening book that demonstrates the way Harper, with the help of neoliberal think tanks and colleagues, is systematically transforming Canada to suit his ideological vision. Harperism shows how Harper is pushing his agenda in the vein of other neoliberal leaders, such as Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.

The term Harperism is used to label this ideology that encourages a weakened labour movement (ideally the disappearance of unions), reduced government scientific research and data collection, and lower taxes. The overall idea is that the role of the government is only to support the economy, not to provide services and to intervene in public life as little as possible.

Stemming from neoliberal economic theories first popularized by the Austrian economist Friedrich von Hayek and his associates, these are the same ideals that inspired Thatcherism and Reaganism, but Gutstein argues that Harper has taken his neoliberalism further in many areas.

I was fascinated to learn about the underlying ideological basis for many of Harper’s strategies, and disgusted to see how successfully he has been able to implement many changes without question. Harper’s level of success has not been accidental. Gutstein expertly shows the links between the politicians, think tanks, journalists, academics, and researchers who have collectively promoted these neoliberal ideas so far that they have almost become common public consensus. These links are not surprising, but realizing just how many and how effective they are was astounding.

The view of the market economy as all important above democracy, freedom, the environment, and general quality of life is not something I’m interested in seeing as our country’s political agenda, and I hope that this information can be taken into account as we prepare for an election this fall.

Christopher Gaze set to host SFU’s 50th anniversary

By
EIC
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0
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Lim Photography.

As our university approaches its 50th anniversary celebration on September 9th, The Peak caught up with the emcee of the evening, Christopher Gaze, founder and artistic director of the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. “Nothing gives me more pleasure than people having a good time,” he says, in anticipation of the event.

Gaze received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts in October 2006, and, as he recalls, “it was the most extraordinary moment of my life when the president called me and told me that I was going to receive the honorary degree. [. . .] I have everything to be grateful for SFU to honour me in that way.”

Having hosted hundreds of events including concerts for the Vancouver Symphony and their popular Tea & Trumpets series, Christopher Gaze considers himself highly experienced in being able to link things together, especially at events that could end up not particularly lively or fun. He wants to use his humour and fun to make sure people are happy at any event he hosts.

Gaze’s many honours include Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal (2004), Honorary Doctorates from UBC (2008) and SFU (2006), the Mayor’s Arts Award for Theatre (2011), and the Order of British Columbia (2012).

Being at the helm of Bard on the Beach for 26 years (and counting), Gaze feels comfortable in front of crowds. Public speaking does not scare him, he says, as he welcomes the Bard audiences night after night before each show. 

Gaze is grateful to have learnt good graces and manners from his family, which he deems as a valuable asset in guiding an evening of introducing, welcoming, thanking, and recognising various people. He does all this with humour and a lot of heart. “Being an emcee is sort of like being in a certain league of all-rounders, and I like to always do my best,” he said.

When asked what attendees of the SFU 50th anniversary celebration can expect from him, Gaze promised, “conviviality, fun, clear direction, and I will provide all that I can in celebratory remarks and joy in accomplishment of SFU over 50 years and looking forward to the next 50 years.” And he assured that he can entertain: “I have managed to convince a lot of people over a lot of years that I can inject humour, lightness, perhaps a bit of profundity when required, and maybe the odd anecdote which amuses.”

Gaze subscribes to Noel Coward’s notion of joy, which says “if all I have is a talent to amuse, then that is all right.” He hopes to keep the evening joined together in an elegant fashion to celebrate SFU, saying “It is marvellous what SFU has accomplished, clearly delineating their brand of university, reaching great heights of intellectual capacity and exploration. It is really remarkable how they have achieved that over 50 years in its unique location. It is something to celebrate and recognise and where people should want to come to achieve great things.

“That’s what SFU is — a very grassroots and imaginative university.”

Reality versus expectations of doing a “Reality versus expectations” piece

By
EIC
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The inception

 WEB---idea---Phoebe-Lim

Expectation: Hours of creative bootcamping and it finally comes to you. The idea that will put your humour writing on the map: a reality versus expectations piece. It’s familiar, yet leaves enough room for your own touch of flair. While third-party review of the moment would argue otherwise, you swear a literal lightbulb went off over your head when the idea came to you. Hopefully you’re ready for minor celebrityhood, because it’s ready for you.

WEB---watching-tv---Phoebe-Lim

Reality: During your umpteenth viewing of the indie rom-com 500 Days of Summer, you get to the heart-stomping scene where Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s expectations of an intimate dinner party fail to line up with the reality where his ex-girlfriend is now engaged. In-between mental notes on who you’re more in love with (Gordon-Levitt or Zooey Deschanel) you think to yourself, “Wouldn’t this be a fun scene to riff off of?”

The pitch

 Screen Shot 2015-07-31 at 7.51.05 PM

Expectation: You’ve been sitting on this idea all week, just waiting for the next collective meeting to really blow people away with a reality versus expectations pitch. This is how Steve Jobs must have felt all those years. The words have barely left your lips before a standing ovation erupts.

WEB---pitch-no---Phoebe-LimReality: Only three of your co-workers are on their phones — a new best! — as you try to explain the harmonious balance between humour and reality your piece will contain. A few chuckles are heard, and everything in the universe continues to exist, uninfluenced by your suggested retread. They’ll probably laugh more when they read the actual article.

The execution

WEB---type-yay---Phoebe-Lim

Expectation: Creativity flows from your fingertips like water from a faucet. The jokes all click and the piece comes together without the slightest hiccup. You have fun thinking of people’s wild expectations for themselves, and have slightly less fun writing the opposite realities — though paired together, the dichotomy has some wicked comedic chemistry.

WEB---type-no---Phoebe-LimReality: What started as a funny idea with a promising premise quickly dissolves into something you’re not even sure will be workable, much less enjoyable. Is there even humour in just comparing what boils down to fiction and nonfiction? Why does Gordon-Levitt make everything look so effortlessly charming and witty?!

The payoff

WEB---Computer-yay---Phoebe-Lim

Expectation: Your piece gets shared more times than a joint at a Snoop Dogg concert. A minor celebrity posts your article and the number of visitors crashes the site. This piece was it. Your Magnum Opus, your Ulysses. What a time to be alive!

WEB---washroom---Phoebe-Lim

Reality: So the website didn’t crash from web traffic as you anticipated, but that’s okay. A hundred views isn’t that bad when you think about it. The “splash” you thought it would make turned out to be more of a ripple, but that’s just the problem with reality versus expectations: reality always wins.

The Acorn brings you brunch

By
EIC
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0
Photo courtesy of Yelin Gemma Lee.

The Acorn and Luke’s General Store are collaborating to introduce the most exquisite vegan/vegetarian brunch in Metro Vancouver. The Acorn restaurant on Main Street at 24th, highly reputable among food critics, is proudly and successfully serving my favourite meal of the day in fresh, local style.

The restaurant draws you in with their modest but eye-catching sign, and makes you stay with their genuine service and stellar ambiance boasting a modern, elegant scene with staple plants and decor pieces that add a rustic and down-to-earth touch. Picture wooden tables, but polished and sleek, with all the decor, unique and eye-catching, while seamlessly organized and clean cut. This incredible balance creates a perfect setting that’s appropriate for any brunch occasion, whether it’s your grandma’s birthday or the kickoff to a day out with the girls.

The best part is of course the food and drink. Luke’s cold brew provides a sharp and sophisticated taste that compliments the rich brunch dishes. Having selected artichoke from the menu, I was pleasantly surprised. The southern fried artichokes were served alongside vegan house waffles, bourbon maple syrup, pickled shallots, and mushroom red eye gravy. The portions are just right — enough to fill you up, but not so much that you will leave half of it hastily discarded on the plate.

The dish was made into an appealing work of art with the garnish of pickled onions and edible bachelor buttons grown in a nearby garden and placed just so. It’s the kind of thing that is too pretty to eat, but irresistable to not. The Four Barrel Roasters brewed coffee is one a coffee-lover can truly appreciate: a smooth roast with tasteful notes that don’t make you cringe at the acidity. It’s perfect for when you are finished your delicious meal sooner than you expected, and want to linger a while.

Almost everything on The Acorn’s menu is gluten free or vegan, and the items that are not have that option available. You will not find a single dish presented here at any other restaurant. They take the base of classic meals and turn them into unique concoctions that can’t be mimicked or compared.

My favorite thing about the restaurant, though, would have to be their devotion to supporting local markets and farms. They credit them on the menu and make great efforts to establish a connection between the farm and the table. This is shown in their Beggars Banquet at brunch and Harvest Meal at dinner which are composed of seasonal ingredients harvested that very day and served on the table within a couple of hours.

Brunch at The Acorn is nothing short of a beautiful and pleasant experience with friendly staff, an incomparable menu, and a delightful ambiance that will surely end with being enticed to visit again and again.

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

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For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society