How Love Has Changed

How each of us view love and relationships has changed a great deal since we were in middle school. A pointless relationship that only includes mainly awkward hugs, winks, smiles, conversations, and constant use of the term “I love you”. Urban dictionary sums it up perfectly: When a kid in middle school (usually ages 11-14) “likes” another kid and they agree to a week of hugging each other every day. It lasts longer if you’re over 13. If you’re 12 and under, it’s basically just spotting your “lover” in their group of friends and hugging them, then standing around awkwardly when alone, every day for a week, or a day or two. It’s completely fake!

Crushes are way better compared to middle school relationships. At least you have something to dream about. Then it seemed so simple and innocent. It was easier because it seemingly had no real-life consequences to a young person. It was a friendship we called dating or having of girlfriend/boyfriend. Middle school is when some decide to try the romance thing, and, as with most experiences, the early and innocent attempts rarely resemble the high school or adult attempts. Relationships sometimes only involve two clumsy conversations: the asking out and the breaking up.

As an older person, that can be more heartbreaking. When you are younger, it doesn’t matter as much, though that is not to say that some early relationships won’t work out. Sometimes they do. Growing up has sadly made the world a much scarier place and romantic relationships are much more complex. It seems almost pessimistic to say that, but it is the truth. The long term is thought about in adult relationships. Even when it becomes stressful, it’s the love that matters, whether it is innocent middle school dating or the grown-up relationships, it’s the emotion behind it that matters. Love is wanting the other to be happy and that hasn’t changed. 

Epic First Dates

Welcome to an experience like no other. In these next few paragraphs we are going to look at some fundamental romantic stories of history. Together we will study them and learn the lessons they have to teach.

Today we are going to be focusing on first dates and  the beginning a blossoming relationship. Before you the reader actually get out there to ask someone on a date you need to study the art of dating. First dates are not something to be trifled with.

Well, let’s see, where do we want to start in first dates? Oh, I know, how about in the Garden of Eden? That’s right, we are going to look at the creation of mankind and assess for ourselves just what Adam  and Eve did wrong and right.

First of all, Adam was not prepared for his first date. He had not even heard of this woman or what a woman was before meeting her. Tough go, people always have an idea of who the person is before meeting them! Second thing, Adam showed up naked, that’s right. Naked. Risky, but a bold move, definitely unable to hide if he was interested in her or not. The lesson here: play it safe, wear clothing. Third and final point I want to make here (we will end on a positive note) they got to name all the creatures of the world. What a great idea and wonderfully thoughtful first date. All in all we will score Adam and Eve at a 3/10 for you know the “Fall of Mankind.” Solid first date but come on guys seriously, there was a whole garden.

Next we are going to look at Paris and Helen of Troy. Well I guess the first piece of advice here is to never get involved with deity business. If someone, especially a goddess, asks you to judge their level of beauty, run. Do not compare them to anything especially if it is a competition and they want to be compared to each-other. It is a lose-lose situation. Sure you get the woman of your dreams but sometimes you bring about one of the greatest wars in Grecian history. Second, if you’re married, especially to a king, do not try to go on a first date with someone else. And if that first date brings you all the way across the Aegean Sea there should be at least one or two red flags or sirens going off. Like don’t get me wrong ladies, go forth and SLAY, but realize war always makes more widows than lovers. Finally lets take a moment to appreciate Paris and Helen. First date, you steal her from her own kingdom. Start a war across the entire Hellenic world. And you end up killing one of the greatest hero’s in history by shooting him in the heel?! Well if that ain’t commitment, I do not know what is. The advice here is stay committed and work it out  after you’ve made a decision, but also practice archery. The couple still only get a 3/10, largely for dragging Odysseus away from Penelope but also killing Brad Pitt.

The final couple we will look at is Romeo and Juliet. First of all, do not fall in love with long time rivals or feuding family’s unless it’s (you guessed it) Family Feud. Second, you met at her family’s feast. Then you trespassed onto her property. You saw her once. People the lesson here is do not fall in love with someone you have seen once. Do not profess your love or try to get them to kiss you. Also thirteen isn’t exactly the age when one knows what love is. Finally, do not pretend to die, do not murder yourself by kissing poisoned dead people lips and then do not stab yourself after previously faking your own death. It’s not that complicated or hard to do. Again 3/10, just slow things down. Literally be patient, wait like an extra thirty seconds and ask yourself “Will there be consequences for this?”

Dates

So you managed to find yourself a Valentine’s date. Lucky you, those of us who are stuck at home going over our lab report to make sure that we really did find all the parasites in that fecal smear congratulate you. Oh, but perhaps you don’t know what to do now that you’ve tricked someone into going out with you. Well, here is what I’d do, should I ever build the courage to ask that brunette beauty out on a date.

You have to start it out right, take her dancing. No, not the kind where you jump up and down like a spastic ape to a deafening cacophony of bad music. I’m talking abou taking her to a ritual and historical dance. One where there is an apple slice under her armpit and the male eats it afterwards to prove his love, just like they did in old-fashioned rural Austria.

After getting to know each other and multiple sweaty apples have been consumed you can get more intimate. Spend the night together in a bed, each tightly wrapped in separate blankets and divided by a bundling board. All under the supervision of your parents of course. Seems weird? No, not at all, “Bundling” was common practice in colonial America.

In the future you ask? How will dating and courtship change by 2075CE? Well, imagine far more pieces of German memoribilia and everyone dressed in the Schwarz-Rot-Gold. After that imagine everyone singing in harmony to the classical music of  Johann  or Ludwig. Wow, dates will be so much more romantic then.

Well, you’re not going to get any more of my good advice for free. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my parasitical shit stain.

Asking For Blessings

Asking for a blessing is sometimes seen as a rudimentary and downright barbaric act by some people in western society. They see it as a demeaning and outdated practice. To many people as long as they say “Yes,” to the time old question, “Will you share my bed, so we can make babies?”, it is enough that their parents don’t have to be involved. I say nonsense! Who else will supply baby-sitters and Christmas gifts for little ones? Parents and potential “in-laws” must be involved with the baby making process! Let’s take a look at history and just how involved families have gotten with the making of miniatures.

In older times and foreign lands, sometimes families were very involved with this process of family extension. It started with the fathers of a household talking. Eventually deciding on value in the form of “Your son’s right to my daughter’s vagina is equivalent to ten head of cattle. Oh and I can use your land out by the sea, and you can name our first grandchild after your favourite horse.” The fathers would then see to the unification of their families. No blessings were really needed as no one got to decide besides the ones really involved with baby making, the old men!

Sometimes though the family was not all about a dowry and alliances between houses, sometimes it was just about getting more free labour. Back out on the farm (if you listen to how your baba  and gidi tell it) they worked  hard day and night for the farm. In the day they were plowing, seeding and fertilizing the land. And at night they were plowing, seeding and fertilizing again. Then poof, out came more children then they knew what to do with. So they used them as labour, married them off to distant farmers or got them to join the nunnery. Far too expensive any other way for one family. Blessings were not required here either as workers were needed in the fields and the more grand babies, the more labourers.

It’s only fairly recently that blessings have been based on much more than wealth or family status. To me, it’s very important to keep constant communication between potential family members. That way they know where two people are in a relationship and whether they need to invest in sound proofing the extra bedroom walls, so when you and your significant other visit you can have loud sex. Or whether they need to sound proof the extra bedroom walls so they don’t have to wake up every fifteen minutes when  grand baby is crying at night.

In all seriousness though it is truly a beautiful thing when two people fall in love. Maybe they are the type to ask for blessings from their spouses parents, maybe they’d prefer making sure that their relationship lasts for a long time. To me asking for blessing is much more than just asking permission. It allows for a safe and smooth transition unto the next adventure in a young couples lives.

Rocket Game Corner - Harry Potter Years 5-7

I own seven copies of Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7. It started out with me just buying a copy for my Nintendo DS, because I’m a giant nerd and portable games are great. That first copy turned out to be glitchy, so I bought a copy on sale for my Wii. I have yet to finish the Wii version, and after my Nerdboy moved in with me, we had one game between the two of us that had a duplicate. If you guessed that game was Lego HP 5-7, you get a virtual cookie.

After we moved in together, he also brought his consoles with him. He already owned Years 1-4 on his XBox 360. He bought 5-7 so that we could play it together for his YouTube channel. 

He bought me a copy of 5-7 for the PS3 as a joke. At some point between when we moved in together and when he bought the 360 copy, I’d picked up a sale copy for my 3DS. We were up to five copies of the same game on four different platforms in our house at this point. It was getting a little out of hand. Adding a sixth copy was kind of icing on the cake. 

I thought we were done after that. I owned a copy for every console that we owned and it existed for. That should’ve been enough, right? Well, wouldn’t you know that Warner Bros. and the company that they work with for the Lego games, Traveller’s Tales, decided to remaster the game for the current generation of systems. So, now I have a copy for the PS4. 

I’m kind of expecting to get a copy for the PlayStation Portable that Nerdboy acquired over the summer. Because at this point, I may as well lean into the joke.

QMail

Dear Quintilius,

Where was the Italian pavilion this past weekend? The English were present (you know, the previous owners of the largest empire in the world) but you Romans were no-where to be seen.

 Sincerely, Rome’s Fallen Off

#SizeDoesMatter

Dear Misguided,

The Romans are always present, at every event, and have a roll to play in every shape and form. The Latin/Roman pavilion is the Multicultural Festival itself. You talk about the English but where did they come from? Do you think they got to be the largest empire on their own or that they achieved superiority through their own political or military might? Who do you think brought order to the island initially?

The Roman influence can be seen in every major leader, in every major city, in every major battle in Britain. Their very language, religion, and weapons were brought to Britain from outside peoples. The Latins, the Germans, the Norse all influenced the England you come to know today.

The British were never truly an empire, merely a successful corporate business. Who really conquered India? The East India Company. Who really governed over 3.9 million km2 of North America? The Hudson Bay Company. Why did the Opium Wars occur? To force China to buy British opium. Why did the 13 States want to be free of British rule? Over taxed items such as tea. Britain has always put business ahead of country.

Here is a quote from a British and French Officer in battle. ‘British Officer: “You French fight for money, while we British fight for honour.” French Corsair: “Sir, a man fights for what he lacks the most.”’

All Salute The Eternal City,

Qunitilius of Rome

#WalletSizeDoesn’tLast

Pop Culture Of The Week- Slang

I’m ‘sups’ sorry for this one ya’ll. It’s gonna ‘b’ a bumpy ride all the way ‘thru’. In fact if you get epileptic seizures from flashing lights ‘u’ may want to sit this ‘1’ out cause it’s going to be Lit AF. For those who can handle it, prepare to get woke.

Slang is short language for short language. Sometimes short language is misspelling a word but so that it has all the proper letters to still sound right or it may be an acronym, initialism or abbreviation of some other type. It may even be just another word that people have accepted to have certain meaning.

Literally the English language is just made to communicate and what I mean by that is there is no absolute proper way to say or write certain words. As long as someone understands what you’re saying and you use the English guidelines for letters and sounds you’re technically speaking English. 

In some languages they have firm rules on what is what. The French have “Academie francaise” which is a council of forty people (Les Immortels) who deal with all matters of the French language. The German’s have the “Council For German Orthography.” In fact most languages in the world are endorsed by their countries and everyone is taught the official standard language.

Not English. Nope, nope, nope. That is why we are able to have all these fancy words that didn’t used to be words becoming slang. Here are two acronyms you may use but take for granted: Zip code (Zone Improvement Plan), and Radar (radio detection and ranging). Here is some slang to describe relationships: OTP (one true pairing), Ship (to describe people you think should be in a relationship), Bae (before anyone else).

This bastardization of the English language through text has been claimed by many to be ruining the English language. But really it isn’t. The English language was first thought to be ruined when William Duke of Normandy conquered Britain. It wasn’t. English was then going to be destroyed by the printing press. It wasn’t.

Texting and young people communicating are just innovative ways that the language is adapting and changing with the times. Adaption and change are not bad ideas. Would you say music is bad now a-days because its not played over a radio or that not every song has Gregorian chanting?

I’ve kept it as real as possible my G. Hundo P gave it all I got to be informative and not just goofy. If you liked this article give me a LB or RT but if you’s a stan, then you can str8 up F yoself. Peace LOL (lots of love).

Lead Up To Elections President

There is only one position that we haven’t gone over yet in terms of the BUSU election, and that is the head honcho themself: the President.

The President has the biggest responsibility on Council, as they are expected to lead effectively and with the best interest of the majority of students in mind. According to the BUSU website, the President is mandated to fulfill responsibilities including but not limited to : Chairing Council Meetings, acting as the main Union spokesperson on all student issues, providing input to all BUSU committees, acting as the Chair of the Campaigns and Government Relations committee, overseeing all campaign and government relations of the Union, providing long term strategic direction for the Union, Chairing executive committee, Board of Governors, KDC Board, Alumni and other committees.

The President is a full-time employee of the Student Union, salaried at 40 hours per week. Like the Vice-Presidents, the President’s salary works out to approximately $14/hour. Like many other salaried positions, there will be times when the President will work more than the allotted 40 hours in a week.

A Presidential candidate should consider that they cannot work alone. They need to be able to effectively lead their Council to make decisions that will impact the entirety of campus. In the past, Presidential candidates have campaigned on promises of integrity, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in their actions.

For more information about the position, contact current President, Nick Brown at Pres@BUSU.ca or pop by the BUSU office on the first floor of the Knowles Douglas Centre. 

You can also visit the Returning Officer, Krystal Kane, at the elections information booth on Mondays in the Mingling Area from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, or on Thursdays in front of the John E. Robbins Library from 9:30AM to 12:00PM.

We at The Quill wish all potential candidates luck in their run, and look forward to covering electoral events.

Keystone Centre Changes Name

Westman Communications Group (WCG) purchased the naming rights for the Keystone Center’s main arena in 2007, but their ten-year contract came to an end in October 2017; the arena will no longer be “Westman Communications Group Place”. 

WCG were the first every sponsor for the arena, providing financial support, high-speed data, internet services, HD cable TV, and most recently, free Wi-Fi. 

Dave Baxter, WCG president and CEO said in a press release, “The Keystone Centre plays a vital role in the Western Manitoba economy. We have been able to provide nearly a million dollars in financial support to the Keystone over the term of our agreement and are pleased that the Keystone has found a new naming rights partner”. In the past year, Westman provided nearly $200,000 in community support through sponsorships, donations, and other services to the community. Baxter says, “Westman will continue playing a leadership role in supporting local events and organizations based in Brandon and Southwestern Manitoba”.

In June 2017, the Keystone Centre sent out a request for expression of interest regarding the naming rights sponsorship. The request outlines a five-year commitment. Keystone Centre board chair Shawn Berry said last year that the contract with WCG had an exclusivity clause to negotiate a new deal; explaining that “we just thought maybe it might be an opportunity to exercise our right on that and maybe look for some expressions of interest just to see if there’s other parties interested”. Signage stayed up during negotiations, but removal began January 30th. The new name for the arena is Westoba Place, with Westoba Credit Union becoming the new sponsor at the beginning of the month.

WCG will remain involved for the broadcast of their 27th season of the Brandon Wheat Kings games on Westman owned radio station Q Country 91.5FM/880AM.

February At The Evans - Jayce Paul

The Evans Theatre film programme is presented by the volunteers of the Brandon Film Festival Inc. The theatre is located in the Brandon University 270 18th Street Brandon, MB, inside George T. Richardson Building (B.U Library). The show-times are 7:30pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday; from September to April. The admission is six dollars cash at the door, with concession items being only two dollars. The contact information is evanstheatre.ca, phone number: 204-727-9704.

The February 2018 movie listings include: 

Call Me By Your Name

February 2nd – 4th

In Northern Italy in 1983, seventeen-year-old Elio begins a relationship with visiting Oliver, his father’s research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape. 

The Florida Project *

February 9th – 11th 

The Florida Project is a deeply moving and unforgettably poignant look a childhood. Set on a stretch of highway just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World, the film follows 6-year-old Moonee and her rebellious mother Halley over a single summer. The two live week at a budget motel, but despite these surroundings, the precocious and ebullient Moonee is filled with joy, her endless afternoons overflowing with mischief and adventure as she and her ragtag playmates fearlessly explore the unique world into which they’ve been thrown. The Florida Project demonstrates that anywhere can be a Magic Kingdom, it just depends on how you see it. 

So, come out and show your support to your local theatre, with these great films. I’ve added a star beside the titles of the films I’d recommend watching. I’m also looking forward to seeing The Florida Project! If you find yourself bored on the weekends you may enjoy volunteering at Evans Theatre too! Thanks for reading.

BU Open House PSA

That time of year is here again! No, its not quite time for finals just yet, its the time of year when Brandon University puts on their open house. This year’s open house will take place on Tuesday, February 20th from 10:30AM to 2:30PM.

This is when BU opens its doors to potential and future students. While current BU students will be enjoying their February break many future students will be visiting the campus for the first time. Attendees will be able to see first hand what type of education is offered at BU.  Representatives from all five faculties will be there, including the Faculties of Arts, Music, Science, Health Studies and Education!  Attendees will be given the chance to sit in on lectures and attend demonstrations throughout the campus. They will also have the chance to go on full campus tours and get a glimpse of what BU has to offer. Potential students will also have the opportunity to apply for university at the open house. Attendees can bring a copy of their interim transcript and begin the process of becoming a BU student! To top it all off many different booths at the open house will be hosting a series of activities in which prizes are up for grabs! 

This year’s open house will take place primarily in the Healthy Living Centre. To kick things off BU Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steve Robinson and Acting Dean of Students Ms. Katie Gross will give welcoming remarks.  Following the remarks attendees will either be part of Group A or Group B. Group A will be taken on their campus wide tour while Group B will take in the Information Fair, where the representatives from the universities faculties will be, as well as attend a residence tour and lunch. The lunch will be at Harvest Hall and include a hamburger, potato chips and a drink for $5.00. At noon Group A and Group B will switch places and take part in the other activity, meaning that Group A will then go to the Information Fair and residence halls with Group B taking part in the campus wide tour. Following the completion of the second activity attendees will have a choice in which afternoon information sessions they wish to attend. These sessions will give attendees a closer look at the various degree programs that Brandon University offers. There will be sessions from the Faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Music and Health Studies as well as a general session which will give attendees an overview of all the programs offered at BU.  Following the afternoon sessions prizes will be given out at the Healthy Living Centre with the open house concluding between 2:15PM and 2:30PM.

Registration is required to attend the open house. To register for the open house either as an individual or a student group visit the BU website at www. brandonu.ca. Then proceed to the Brandon University Open House Registration tab. From here you can choose whether you are registering as an individual or as a student group. After filling out the required information you’ll be all set for attending this year’s open house!

Brandon Multicultural Fest

For both those who are Brandon born and those who ended up here, Brandon can be a bit boring. So, when there’s something like the Westman Multicultural Festival going on in town, it’s kind of a big deal. The Westman Multicultural Festival has been running for 15 years. It was previously known as the Lieutenant Governor’s Winter Festival, and is more commonly called the Pavilions. The old favourites included Ukraine, England, Ireland, Scotland, Philippines, Honduras and Métis pavilions with two new additions, India and Mexico. 

I’ve fortunately been able to attend the last two years, and I personally find the pavilions that have less attendance more pleasurable to visit. One pavilion last year was so busy that it felt like people were being herded like cattle, while another that wasn’t liquor licenced, had spectacular entertainment and the hosts were genuinely thrilled that have festival-goers arrive.

This year, I was excited to try the Indian food, but after 15-20 minutes waiting outside without the line moving, I decided I valued my toes more than buying dinner. Saturday night temperatures were expected to drop to -43 degrees with the windchill, so I carried on. I expected that as many people I’ve spoken to were stoked for an Indian Pavilion.  The Métis Pavilion was less populated, in part I would guess is chalked up to the earlier close (11:00PM vs 2:00AM) and that it was non-liscenced), was fantastic. It was located in the Auditorium on campus, and had food such as bannock, rice pudding, stew and bison burgers. The entertainers were a pleasure to watch, and when Ryan Lepin played, he got people up on stage dancing.  There was also cultural displays and Métis lanyards, keychains, etc. for purchase.

After the Métis, we attended the Mexican Pavilion. The Shriners Club has little seating, but I didn’t mind standing to watch the entertainment. Dancers from Cancun were flow in for the festival, which was great to watch. The pico de gallo with guacamole and chips was delicious, and there was also a traditional soup available when I went on Saturday. Although the severe cold can be daunting, making it to the Pavilions is one of the highlights of living in Brandon

Big Band

Big Band Dance Lights Up BU’s Floor. Brandon’s Annual Big Band Dance was held at Forbidden Flavours by the Brandon University Music Students on February 2nd. The Big Band Dance was conducted by Professor Michael Cain and featured jazz, pop, funk, and rock music music in honour of Black History Month. The mingling area was lit with colorful lights and Brandonites dancing to the live music, both old and young. Various drinks such as the “jungle funk” were created by Forbidden Flavours as a feature for the event. Highlights of the night were voice major Lenaya Wilks’s powerful voice leading the band and the band breaking out into coordinated dances during their breaks. Big Band Dance is among various other events held by Brandon University in honour of Black History Month throughout the month of February.

This was the first Big Band Dance for fourth year Brandon University sociology student Brittany Rigby. Rigby described the event as “thoroughly exciting and a chance to meet a lot of new people at the University.” She had come to the event with many of her friends who were all trying to catch a breather from the increasing amounts of schoolwork before reading week. 

Elizabeth Poirier, who is in her graduating year, has attended the event multiple times and said “Big Band Dance is definitely one of BU’s better socials and better every year in terms of performance. I just wish they advertised better this year as many of my friends did not know this was happening today.” 

The event, though mostly attended by music students, included students from other faculties as well and Professor Peter Morin from the Faculty of Fine Arts. The event ran from 10:00PM to 2:00AM and saw an attendance of approximately a hundred people.

Q-Mail : Quintilius

Dear Quintilius,

How does one lose 15lbs or more? I know it’s a long process but I want to get beach body ready!

Sincerely, Look Good, Feel Good

Dear Physique,

Losing 15lbs quickly can be very dangerous. What I would recommend if you’re looking for immediate results would be to take off an arm or two! This will be the fastest way to lose that pesky weight and be ready for the beach.

Think about it, with one or two fewer arms, you could run so much faster on sand! You would be super aerodynamic, cutting through the wind like the wings of an eagle. Not to mention with running you could probably lose another 15lbs.

If that’s not what you meant about losing weight might I suggest you play hide-and-go seek with your weight. Except when it’s your turn to “seek” you don’t. Weight will try to coax you to find it “Hey pay attention to me,” and “You don’t look as good as that person.” You are trying to lose weight so just forget about it and you won’t find it.

Don’t lie to yourself or go looking at models and feeling depressed, everyone is human and sometimes unhealthy mental and emotional habits need to be challenged. Am I saying don’t workout? No. Am I saying go all vegan and only eat super healthy? No. Take care of yourself and accept your self. When you start feeling better then you start looking better and the best beach body is confidence.

So here are your final two options: accept yourself or join the legions of Roma where we will conquer fear and hate together in the forms of barbarian tribes.

All Salute The Eternal City,

Quinitilius of Rome

RGC- January Recap

I should have known better than to set myself a gaming goal during the school year. I am sorry to report that I did not finish even one game in the month of January. Not even Pokemon. I have shame.

This is not to say that I haven’t played games. I started and put several hours into both Pokemon X and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I just got overwhelmed. How do days go so quickly? Getting older sucks.

In Pokemon X, I got my starter (a Chespin named Quillbert), caught several team members, and took on the first gym in a pretty quick order. Then things got vaguely difficult and I temporarily rage quit during the second gym. I’m currently locked into a Tyrunt-vs.-Tyrunt battle. It is not going well for me. Someone send me a Revive.

In Link to the Past, it was a rough start. It took me a little while to reacquaint myself with Super Nintendo controls. It has been several years since I played anything on the console of my childhood. I got out of my house and into the castle, took the sword and shield from my dead uncle (how weird is it that the death of Link’s uncle is barely a plot point?) and saved Zelda from the dungeon. I got her to the sanctuary. I died a lot.

Now, I’m in some ruins looking for a pendant that the Elder of Kakariku Village thinks I need. I’m dying. A lot. This didn’t actually make me rage quit. I am still extremely interested in playing. I just know I won’t finish before the end of January (tomorrow).

So, I’ll just have to accept that my goals will likely be pushed back. February’s goals look equally promising, as I’m packing up my life and moving for March 1st, and also I can’t find Ham-Ham Heartbreak.

Pop Culture - Studio Ghibli

I have always loved Studio Ghibli. When I was very young, I loved My Neighbour Totoro, a sweet animated movie about a forest spirit (Totoro) helping two young girls adjust to their new home in the country and cope with their mother’s ongoing illness. It contains all the best things for a movie: magic, yelling Japanese children, and a cat bus. I love Totoro so much, I got him tattooed upon my person. From there, as I got older, I watched more of Studio Ghibli’s wonders.

The next (age appropriate) movie by Ghibli that I watched was Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kiki is a witch who must go off on her own to learn more of her craft and accomplish... something. I don’t know. Kiki is like ten, so I think it’s a little crazy that her parents were totally cool with her going off to live on her own — although, she’s not truly alone. She has her talking cat, Ji-ji. I still very much enjoy Kiki, but it’s not in my top three.

Also in my youth, I watched Princess Mononoke with my dad. It was not appropriate for children. It has graphic violence and mature subject matter. That being said, I loved it. I had a weird fascination with it, despite being utterly terrified of it. The Princess in question lives in the forest, raised by a giant wolf. A heroic Prince, infected with a demon, joins her in her quest to save the forest from pollution and evil forces. It’s a wonderful comparison to the state our natural world is currently in.

Probably one of my very favourite movies of all time, let alone from Studio Ghibli is Howl’s Moving Castle. The cast works together so well, and anyone who doesn’t ship Sophie and Howl is wrong. Howl is a wizard, Sophie is a young woman who is cursed to look like she’s 80... what’s not to love. (My favourite part is Calcifer, the fire demon. He’s gonna be my next tattoo.)

Do you have a favourite Ghibli movie? Let me know!

OP ED Public Transit Cuts

Despite public transit being a vital service for many and providing an environmentally friendly alternative to individual transportation, budgets have failed to reflect the critical nature of the service.

Lower or modest income individuals, students (who often fall into the previous category as well), disabled, or those who don’t have access to a car are the ones who depend on this service, and are the ones the government should be championing. The word depend is not used lightly- for instance as seen this season Manitoba winters often and quickly fall into freezing temperatures making traveling by foot simply dangerous. Other times Manitoba’s weather seemingly attempts to have all four seasons within a week resulting with the rapid melting and refreezing of water creating patches of ice that are inches thick at times, again creating dangerous conditions and making it inaccessible for individuals with mobility difficulties. Public transit isn’t simply a cheaper taxi service, with routes spanning the city it’s a means to work and life. One simply can’t offer a service that becomes utilized by people on a daily rate then take it away. It shows inconsideration and incompetence at providing for the people they are supposed to serve and interests represent.

It could be assumed that common sense would not only dissuade anyone from decreasing funding to public transit, but with increasing environmental concerns the service would become more critical in the province’s efforts to decrease carbon dioxide emissions from cars. With the increasing knowledge of the endangered state of our environment the necessity for green initiatives and friendlier alternatives as opposed to the current callous consumption of natural resources continues to be evident.

This decreased funding introduces a feeling of unreliability- if rates continue to rise and hours are further limited it begs the question when it will stop, or if public transit will continue to be under attack with each new year, making a supposedly accessible service inaccessible. These actions are nothing more than counter-productive. Those who depend on the service and the environment are most vulnerable to the whims of the city, yet the government continues to disregard for the responsibility they hold.

Mental Health Week 2018

As we’re nearing the end of the first month of the Winter semester, it’s not too soon to be feeling stressed. January 29th to February 2nd BUSU is holding their 2018 Mental Health Week. The week is intended to alleviate stress from school, but also increase awareness and aid in ending the stigma around mental health.

Dogs and free David’s Tea were in the Mingling Area of the Knowles-Douglas Centre (KDC) from 11:30AM to 1:30PM on Monday, January 29th. We sincerely hope you (all of you) went and hugged a puppy to chase your winter blues away.

On Tuesday, January 30th, there will be a free cereal bar in the Mingling Area from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Also on the docket is a meet and greet with BU’s counsellors from 12:40PM to 1:30PM in the Indigenous Peoples Centre, complete with free hot drinks and snacks.

Wednesday, January 31st is Bell’s Let’s Talk Day. From 9:00AM to 3:00PM in the Mingling Area, you can sign your name to the banner or fill out a thought bubble to support mental health initiatives and receive a free toque.

Local resources and de-stress booths will be in the Mingling Area from 9:00AM to 3:00PM on Thursday, February 1st. There will also be a special collaboration between the Sutherland Art Gallery and the BU Theatre club titled “Drawing Truth, Erasing Stigma: Understanding mental health” at 7:00PM in the art gallery.

To complete the week On Friday, February 2nd, there will be free cookie decorating (and of course, free cookie eating) outside the library from 12:00PM to 2:00PM, and free massages available from 12:30PM to 3:30PM in the library gathering space. The massages are, as always, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Don't Eat Tide Pods

The recent internet challenge featuring the ‘Forbidden Snack’ otherwise known Tide Pods has resulted in teenagers and young adults like posting videos of themselves consuming the chemical filled packet.

This trend has gotten so prevalent that Poison Control has issued a high alert and people continue to ingest the packets. Poison Control’s statistics display that since January 1st, they have handled 119 cases on contact with detergent pods among thirteen to nineteen-year old’s. Tide themselves have taken note of the misuse of their products, Tide’s official Twitter addresses the issue in a video, restating that their products are intended for laundry and consist of highly concentrated cleaning chemicals.

There’s a reason for the high alert. Despite what individuals have referred to as a candy like appearance, Tide Pods remain inedible. Consuming the liquid can result in burns to the mouth, throat and stomach, and when it burns there’s a risk of it coming into contact with eyes or even lungs if a person happens to gasp when the packets burst in their mouth. Poison Control themselves warn that serious consequences can lead to seizures, respiratory arrest, coma, Pulmonary edema, and in extreme cases death.

Individuals such as Harold Zeliger, who wrote an article for Fortune, argue that if safety measures the companies have put forth have failed to prevent ingestion, then manufacturers shouldn’t be permitted to sell them in stores. Alternatively, Wake N Bake Donuts in California has made a donut with the tide pods design in icing on the front, a detergent free alternative to the pods.

As a result of the risks YouTube has opted to pull any videos of YouTubers participating in the challenge, citing in an interview with that it goes against community guidelines prohibiting “content that’s intended to encourage dangerous activities that have an inherit risk of physical harm”. Amazon has been deleting reviews that refer to the taste of the pods.

 A review three days ago by user “Z” addresses the issue simply, “Works well for cleaning, bad for eating”.

Creative Writing With Melanie Schnell

For the past two weeks, we’ve looked at the responsibilities of the Brandon University Students’ Union (BUSU) Council Directors. Today, we’ll have a look at the Vice President positions.

BUSU Council has two Vice Presidents: the Vice President Internal, and the Vice President External. The Executive positions are salaried, which means the lovely individuals who occupy them are paid for their efforts. According to BUSU.ca, this equates to roughly $14/hour (which is more than I, personally, make at my part-time job), with the President working 40 hours per week and the Vice Presidents working 20 to 30 hours per week.

The VPE deals primarily with clubs and collectives. According to BUSU.ca, the VPE is responsible for:  electronic communications and newsletters, serving as a liaison between BUSU and student groups, overseeing services specific to student groups and councils, overseeing the Union’s events and activities and ensuring they cater to the academic, cultural and social interest of the Members of the Union while also overseeing promotion of Union events at the University and off campus. The current VPE is Mohammed Agavi and he can be reached at VPE@BUSU.ca.

The VPI has many responsibilities, including but not limited to: overseeing the financial management of the Union, including preparing and maintaining the budget (in conjunction with the General Manager), acting as Chair of the Finance Committee, overseeing various BUSU services (in conjunction with Office & Services Manager), advising students on academic and disciplinary appeals and related matters, and acting as the official Student Advocate Caucus. Maintaining all the BUSU bylaws, policies and standard procedures, including implementation of the rules with the President, advocating the Union’s best interests in University meetings, Board of Governors, Senate, KDC Board, Alumni and other committees. The current VPI is Emily Simon, and she can be reached at VPI@BUSU.ca.

Next week, we’ll talk about the President!