Tips on Writing University Essays

Tips on Writing University Essays

By Mary Uchechukwu Okorie 

Writing essays can be really difficult and stressful and it might not be easy to get good grades on them. There are some tips provided here that might help to reduce the stress and difficulty level of writing essays.

• Write down your ideas on a paper

• Make sure to follow guidelines and instructions from your professor

• Go to class and watch some videos

• Review and discuss your paper with a writing specialist

Since we are now learning online and essays must be typed, writing down the rough draft on a piece of paper can go a long way when writing an essay. Your thought needs to be out on paper even if it is not organised yet. After writing down your thoughts, you can do research if the paper requires it, adding this information under your thoughts. Make sure not to plagiarize when citing the sources. Read this rough draft again and start looking for ways to make it more organized and concise. It will help reduce the stress when it is time to type it up.

Furthermore, following the guidelines and instructions from your professor will also help to improve your grades, as this ensures you are doing things correctly and to the standards of each professor. Do not do the opposite of what they ask. If they want a particular writing format, be sure to write in that format so that you do not lose marks.

Going to class and watching videos on how to write good essays are very helpful. People might think that it is just writing and there is no use for going to class, but this is an incorrect notion. Professors can explain what they are looking for in an essay, or what to avoid when writing essays. For thesis statements, which many professors say is the most important part of an essay, and the part students might find difficult to write; make sure to listen to them and if you still do not understand, after the class you should watch videos or ask the professor directly for clarification. That might help to clarify your misunderstanding.

In addition, reviewing and discussing your paper with a writing specialist is a great advantage when writing a paper. They are there to help you discuss your ideas and make sure you are on the right track and not writing off topic. They also offer suggestions of what could make a better essay. I find this resource very helpful and it makes me feel more confident about my essay. They are of great help if you have any difficulties.

In summary, reviewing and discussing your paper with writing specialist, attending class and watching videos, following the instructions and guidelines of professors, and writing down your ideas on paper are tips that can be of help when writing university essays. There is a high probability of reducing difficulty levels and achieving better grades on an essay when using these tips.

On the History and Horrors of The Demon Core

On the History and Horrors of The Demon Core

By N. Monk, Philosopher, Futurist, and Physics Student

*Disclaimer: I am not an advocate of nuclear weapons used in any scenario; the purpose of this article is for educational purposes. No number can be put on the devastation caused from nuclear warfare. The topic of nuclear weapons should always be taken seriously. *

While discussing other physics phenomena in my day-to-day life, the topic of a particular 6.2 kg or 14 lb ball of plutonium came into discussion. Later, after doing further research into this particular ball it became more apparent just how dangerous working with nuclear materials can be. 

Many people likely remember only two nuclear bombs in WWII -- Little Boy and Fat Man. Both of which resulted in the deaths of countless innocent people. However, there was in fact a third nuclear bomb that thankfully was never detonated. Even though it was never truly detonated it still resulted in at least two deaths due to an accident, giving it the name “The Demon Core”. 

A question remains on some people’s minds, ‘just how dangerous would the third bomb have been?’. If one were to look up the Demon Core, they would find little to no information on such question. However, I argue that the answer to this question should be known, so that future world leaders will better consider never using nuclear weapons. Just from knowing how much plutonium was in the ball I was able to put a rough estimate on the strength of the Demon Core. After getting my calculations checked, I estimated that the Demon Core would have the energy of about 84 TJ or 8.4*10^13 Joules of energy. Which is almost identical to the strength of Fat Man which was about 88 TJ or 8.8*10^13 Joules of energy. For a more understandable interpretation of those numbers: that would be about 21 kilotons of TNT. For reference, if the Demon Core were detonated on a city it would likely result in a similar scale of deaths as Fat Man which caused over 100,000 deaths. 

Thankfully, no country saw the third mushroom cloud. However, the Demon Core would still result in a few fatal accidents. The first being on August 21, 1945, when a nuclear physicist, Harry Daghlian was doing research on it. While working with the Demon Core, Daghlian accidently dropped a block of Tungsten Carbide on the mass causing it to go super-critical. Daghlian quickly knocked the brick of Tungsten off of the plutonium mass to stop the reaction, but his fate was already sealed from extreme radiation poisoning, and he died 25 days after the accident. A security guard, Robert Hemmerly sitting about 10 to 12 feet from the Demon Core at the time was exposed to enough radiation that would ultimately result in his death as well.   

After the incident some new safety features were put in place to prevent further accidents, but one should keep in mind that the Demon Core was deliberately designed to have a small safety margin, so anyone working with it would already be taking a huge act of bravery exposing themselves to it.

 The second incident would occur on May 21, 1946. When a brilliant Winnipeg-born scientist, Louis Slotin was giving a demonstration of the Demon Core to the newcomer Alvin Graves. Slotin had done this demonstration many times before and was known by his colleagues as being a virtuoso at handling the Demon Core. While giving the demonstration Slotin’s hand slipped while handling it, resulting in the Demon Core going super-critical again. Due to Slotin’s quick thinking he stopped the core from continuing to remain in super-criticality which could have resulted in a nuclear explosion. Slotin was also said to have shielded most of the radiation exposure from reaching Graves who was standing behind him. Due to his quick thinking Slotin also saved the lives of six other scientists in the room, but at the cost of his own life. Slotin would die from radiation poisoning nine days later. 

After looking through newspaper archives, I found two articles on the incident. One in the Winnipeg Free Press and another in The Winnipeg Tribune. Looking into Slotin, I found that he was born in Winnipeg and got both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Manitoba, before going on to work in the Manhattan Project. 

Despite the Demon Core never being launched, it still resulted in horrible deaths. From this it should be more apparent just how dangerous working with nuclear materials can be. Due to the nobility and sacrifice of the lives of these scientists researching nuclear effects with The Demon Core, many major contributions were made. Such as nuclear reactors, nuclear energy, advancements in medicine, and even household items like smoke detectors.

Louis Slotin on the left, and Harry Daghlian on the right. 

The Experience of Online Midterms and the Programs Being Used

The Experience of Online Midterms and the Programs Being Used

By: Maria Garcia Manzano, Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Reading week has come to an end and for many, which means it’s midterm time or a continuation of midterms. I was lucky enough (or unlucky according to some) to have several midterms before the break, therefore I have a pretty good idea of which platforms professors are using for their tests. I have taken midterms for a few different Psychology courses and my professors used “TopHat” and “Moodle” for their tests. “TopHat” provides proctored exams and, in my case, Moodle exams were not proctored since they were open book. All of my exams were multiple choice and therefore, my experience is different than others whose tests may have short and long answers or essay questions. 

“TopHat”, as mentioned before, provides proctored exams. Using the program “Proctorio” professors are able to view your computer screen while having access to your camera and audio. In order to take a test through “TopHat”, the first step I had to follow was to ensure all of my tabs were closed with only the exam being open. I also had to ensure that I had a strong enough WIFI connection and that I have a webcam. Another requirement needed was having Chrome as “Proctorio” will not work on other browsers. These requirements enable you to be recorded while you take the exam and your professors are able to monitor for any flag raising behaviour which can be: opening other websites, looking at your notes, or talking. Once the test begins you have an allotted time to answer the questions. On your screen you can see yourself through your camera and the amount of questions the test has. Every time you answer a question on “TopHat” it is saved and if you leave a question unanswered it lets you know before you submit the test. “TopHat” also lets you know how many questions you have answered and how many more you still need to answer. This feature is located at the top of the exam and is easy to keep track off. Once you have finished your exam, the program asks for confirmation to make sure you are ready to submit the full test. Once it is submitted you cannot change your answers, the website exits, and you are taken back to the “TopHat” home page. Your test results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to be uploaded. Some professors allow you to review the test on “TopHat” and you are able to see which questions you got wrong or right while other professors may not allow this and only your mark is displayed. 

For “Moodle” exams as mentioned before, mine were not proctored because they were open book. The multiple choice set up was relatively the same to “TopHat” with the main difference being “Moodle” does not let you know the fraction of questions you have answered. Instead, it displays all the questions that the exam has in small numbered boxes and as you answer the question the number box gets checked off. “Moodle” also asks for confirmation before submitting test answers and as with “TopHat”, some professors may allow you to review the test while others do not. I have found Moodle to be faster in reporting test scores as I have only waited a couple of hours for my test results to be displayed. However, if the professor has the program mark the test, scores may be given immediately after the conclusion of the test.

Overall, both platforms have fundamental components of the remote learning approach and once one exam has been taken and you know the procedure, anxiety is decreased because you have familiarized yourself with what is expected of you. Goodluck to anyone starting or continuing exams!

Inside Johnny Depp’s Ongoing Crisis: What We’re Learning and Truth VS Lies

Inside Johnny Depp’s Ongoing Crisis:

What We’re Learning and Truth VS Lies

By Zach Roozendaal, contributor

(Photo Credit: Creative Commons_shahanaj27)

Many people have seen at least one film from Johnny Depp. The actor has starred in many great films over the years, from playing the swashbuckling pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, to the flamboyant confectionary connoisseur Willy Wonka in the remake of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, as well as sadistic psycho Sweeney Todd, and also the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.

            More recently, however, are the troubling and ongoing issues from beyond the silver screen or red carpet that the acclaimed actor has faced, as well as shocking twists and turns in regards to what is happening and the situation he’s in. For those of you who aren’t up to date with what’s going on, let me run you through the timeline of events.

            Depp’s ex wife, actress Amber Heard, allegedly was physically abused and claims that Depp beat her senselessly while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and had been abusing substances and became violent while impaired. She had filed for both a divorce and restraining order following one incident so serious, she called 911, however Depp claims that it was actually the other way around. Now, in the wake of the #metoo movement, many may have been quick to jump on the bandwagon with Heard, seeing Depp as trying to preserve his career and that Heard was simply a brave individual who came forward about her domestic abuse from her ex-husband, however things have been quite shocking as of recently. Heard was quick to deny her former lover’s claims of any and all violence or aggression against him. Many people took her side, at least until recently.

            Leaked audio of an altercation between Heard and Depp suggests the opposite of Heard’s claims against her former spouse, with Heard becoming physically and emotionally aggressive and violent against Depp. Many celebs have been quick to voice their support of Johnny following the leak of the audio, including singer/songwriter Sia, and Depp’s co-star from the movie Mordecai, Paul Bettany. Others to voice their opinions on the matter was Stranger Things star and Depp’s former partner Winona Ryder, who sided with Depp, as well as Depp’s own daughter through a post on Instagram, although that post has since been taken down for unknown reasons. His daughter described him as being a kind and gentle person, and a loving father to her and her younger brother.

            According to Depp’s Lawyers, Heard was only looking to benefit from her claims, both from the attention, and so she could attempt to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse. There is some behaviour that caused people to be skeptical of Depp however, and that was the fact that Depp had admitted to being addicted to Roxicodone since about early 2010, which is a powerful opioid. A journalist for the Rolling Stone, Stephen Rodrick, claimed that Depp had used Hashish in his presence.

            Heard had testified her abuse claims while under oath at a divorce court deposition. The media was abuzz after hearing Heard’s claims and other celebs who haven’t been so positive include former reality show star and former passenger of the Crazy Train, Sharon Osbourne, stating that both Heard and Depp are as bad as each other, and she knows exactly how they are because they apparently behave the way she and her ex-husband, rock ‘n roll legend and man who’s mouth is an occasional guillotine for animals, Ozzy Osbourne. People will point out that he and Sharon are both crazy as hell, but to the extent of abuse? Who knows?

            Depp has been fired from working on the next Fantastic Beasts film, a series that takes place within the same universe as the Harry Potter franchise, and was also created by British author JK Rowling. There has been much uproar as a result of this, especially considering the leaked audio of Heard’s abuse against her ex-husband.

            As if the actor couldn’t catch a break, Depp also lost a libel case earlier this month after he sued a British newspaper known as The Sun in the UK following an article they published that described Depp as a wife beater. The courts are also siding with Heard, as they see her being extremely vulnerable as a woman and Depp as a liar who’s far too concerned about his image and preserving his career than being honest. Depp may be a bit of an oddity, but following the leaked audio, and also the many character witnesses, I’d say it’s likely that he’s not exaggerating his claims. But as for whether or not Heard’s claims are totally invalid is completely up for debate.

            Abuse of any form is a very touchy subject and can be extremely difficult to talk about, and although sometimes it’s obvious to recognize it in an external sense, such as being friends with the victim and witnessing it or the effects of it on the victim, when a person themselves is a victim of it, it can be hard to recognize the signs of it, especially if the abuse is psychological or emotional. Abuse isn’t something that’s restricted between romantic relationships. It can be between friends, coworkers, colleagues, classmates, teachers and students, parents and children, roommates, and the list goes on.

            For anyone who isn’t sure if they are a victim of abuse and are wondering what the signs are, please make sure to visit www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/how-recognize-abuse.html as abuse can take on many different forms, whether it be leaves obvious signs like physical abuse or more subtle and harder to see such as emotional and psychological and even sexual abuse.

If you ever feel that your life is in danger from an abuser, always make sure you dial 911. If you’re not in immediate danger, and the abuse is more psychological, sexual or psychological, then you can call this number toll free 1-877-977-0007 for the Stop The Violence Manitoba Domestic Abuse Hotline. Domestic abuse isn’t limited to physical harm, or between romantic partners, and no one will fault you for calling it if you genuinely feel you need to. November happens to be Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, so if you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, refer them to that helpline or call it yourself.

Sometimes the scars we bear are psychological, and they don’t always heal fully, just like physical scars, and they can run deep as any cuts we’ve gotten, but it doesn’t mean a person’s not strong. Abuse victims come in all shapes and sizes.

And now as always, it’s time for my final thought.

Things aren’t always as they seem, but the truth is always worth chasing, because truth leads to justice, and justice leads to closure.

Stay safe out there, take care of each other, stay at home unless you absolutely have to go out, wear a mask, wash and sanitize your hands often, and social distance, and follow guidelines.

Until next time, I’m Zach Roozendaal. Goodbye for now.

Differentiating the Seasonal Flu from COVID-19

Differentiating the Seasonal Flu from COVID-19

Written by Moses Aisida

It is flu season again as we approach wintertime in a year that is a lot different from previous ones. The rapid, global emergence of the COVID-19 virus in the first quarter of the year has seen soaring numbers of infected persons and, as we approach flu season, these numbers seem to be rising at a more rapid rate than ever. With November ushering us into the winter season, the fear of having the flu will drastically multiply, and this is because of the similarities between influenza (flu) and COVID-19.

Differentiating between the flu and COVID-19 virus will be a challenging task for health practitioners and citizens as the mode of transmission of both viruses is similar. They are both airborne, transmitted through respiratory droplets, and are transmitted through the mouth and nose while coughing, talking, sneezing, or releasing saliva into the atmosphere. These similarities extend to the symptoms, as both viruses share the same manner of symptoms, which may include:

· Acute Fever

· Cough

· Sore throat

· Runny or stuffy nose

· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

· Tiredness or body pains

· Headache

· Nausea 

Both viruses can also lead to severe complications if not treated in time. The similarities in the transmission and symptoms between these illnesses make it challenging to differentiate between the viruses. While this might be the case, there are still lots of differences between the flu and COVID- 19. 

They include:

1. Mortality Rate: COVID-19 is a deadlier virus than the flu with a mortality rate of 3-4% compared to the flu, which reportedly has a death rate of below 1%.

2. Vaccination: There are currently annual vaccines available to combat the seasonal flu. However, COVID-19 has no vaccine as of yet.

3. Symptom Occurrence: Both viruses have different manifestation times. COVID-19 has a symptom range of two to fourteen days, while the flu lasts between a day and five days from the time of exposure. COVID-19 also has other unique symptoms like loss of taste and smell.

4. Adverse Effect: COVID-19 can lead to permanent lung damage and other long term health conditions which are still being researched and realized.

5. Spread: The flu does not spread as fast as COVID-19, and it has lesser secondary transmission than the COVID-19 virus.

In Conclusion, COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (flu) are very similar in symptoms, occurrence, and mode of transmission. However, the death rate, occurrence of symptoms, and other important details differentiate both viruses. Understanding the differences between COVID-19 and the flu can help to predict accurate treatments for both and subsequently save lives.

Remembrance Day; To Take Part

Remembrance Day; To Take Part

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman

Remembrance Day has been an active part of Canadian lives since 1931. The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day, which began at the end of the First World War. It officially became ‘Remembrance Day’ a few decades later prior to the Second World War. 

Each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (i.e. November 11, 11:00 am), Canadians gather in memorial parks, community halls, workplaces, schools and homes to stand in silence in honour of all those who have fallen and defended our country. Together we observe a moment of silence, a total of two minutes to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve.

Royal Canadian Legion members take pride in organizing Remembrance Day Ceremonies in over 1,400 branches across Canada and abroad. Through each branch, the Legion continues the traditions of Remembrance so that Canada “never forgets”.

Even this year, with the pandemic surging throughout Manitoba and Canada, people are still finding ways to honour those who have sacrificed and defended for our country. Virtual events are being held across the Canada.  

The Brandon University Archives has a letter from the Brandon University President in 1945, which emulates the feeling many of us are having, not only towards the emotions around war and the acknowledgment of sacrifice, but also towards the feeling of helplessness in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. It speaks to the need to go on and resume a feeling of normalcy. 

Remembrance Day is part of that normalcy even as the world changes around us.

Preparation for winter

 Preparation for winter

By Mary Uchechukwu Okorie, Reporter

(Photo Credit: Ronnie Neman)

(Photo Credit: Ronnie Neman)

As we know, winter is fast approaching, and Brandon winter can be quite brutal. We have to stay safe during this season so that we do not fall ill. Here are some tips on how to prepare for winter for both students new in Brandon and students who have been here for quite some time.

• Dress in layers when going out

• Get a heater if the apartment you are staying at does not have an effective heater

• Try not to stay out too long

• Wear thick socks and winter boots

Winter is a very cold season and few clothes, even if they cover the whole body, will not be enough protection against the cold. It is highly advised to dress in layers, starting from small, light clothing to heavier options and make sure winter coats are thick enough to help reduce the cold. Also, wear gloves if possible, in layers if the cold is strong enough to penetrate through one pair. In addition, try to protect necks and heads with mufflers and head-warmers and try not to expose body parts. 

Dressing in layers allows choice. When your destination is reached and the place is warm, one can remove some of the clothing and if it’s colder, one can add more clothing. Also, remember to check the weather before leaving the house to ensure that you are well prepared.

Moreover, try not to stay out too long during winter. If a lot of time is spent outside, especially without proper dress, it is very likely to catch a cold. If you are using the bus system, be sure to be at the bus stop when the bus is close by so that you do not have to wait out for too long. If it is a close by place that does not require transportation, try to walk quickly so you can reach it faster and this will allow your muscles to generate some heat to help keep you warm. Once again, try to limit the amount of time you spend in the cold.

Furthermore, not all shoes are suitable for winter, especially in Manitoba. The ground can be really slippery and shoes that have enough friction and stick to the ground will be more suitable and always make sure to watch your steps to avoid falling. For students who use car, be sure to check the tires of the car before heading out to avoid accidents; use of winter tires is highly advised. Warm socks should also be worn to keep the legs extra toasty. For people going through ear pains because of the cold, earmuffs are recommended to protect the ears.

As mentioned before, there are some houses or apartments that do not have effective heating systems. If there are no good heaters in your home and you feel cold inside the house, I advise that you buy a good heater to keep yourself warm in the house. You do not want to feel cold outside and then come home and there is not much difference. 

Buy an additional heater, suitable shoes and socks, avoid being out for long, and dressing in layers are tips on how to prepare for the coming winter season.

On Reaching Draw Death in Chess

On Reaching Draw Death in Chess

           With most of the top games in chess ending in draws, people, companies, and players lose sight of why one should even bother playing chess. In my opinion, chess should be played because of its artistic value, not its mysterious value. 

           My first point is that chess, being ultra-weakly solved as a draw is the best result that can be reached. “Draughts” or “Checkers” as Americans would say, was weakly solved in 2007 by Jonathan Schaeffer and the computer Chinook. The result found was that regardless of who moved first in Draughts with proper play the game ended with a draw. ‘Ultra-weakly solved’ simply means to prove whether the starting position in a game is a win, draw, or loss for the first player. ‘Weakly solved’ means to have an algorithm or program that secures the ultra-weakly solved result for the first player in a game. So, why is chess being a draw the best result? It has to do with the way openings are played.

In current times it is believed that white has a slight advantage and is the one playing for the win whereas black is just playing to equalise the game and if a win is available to take it. Some openings like the ‘Nimzo-Larsen Attack’ are generally not played at the top levels because with best play all white gets is a draw. As a result, top players deviate to playing things like the ‘Queen’s Gambit’ because it is believed that white still retains the opening advantage. If chess ends with a draw, with proper play, then this opening consideration becomes irrelevant, and players can play whatever openings they love most; except for those that lose by force like the ‘Latvian Gambit’. If chess were found to be a win for the first player then the opening options become heavily restricted and players will deviate to playing only one set. Thus, chess being a draw actually gives players free will on the first move to play whatever they desire, any other result takes away this freedom making the game deterministic in nature. One might now be wondering that if chess is a draw, then what are the players playing for?

This brings me to my second point. Chess should not be played for the result but the artistic flare; in the same way a painter paints a painting to express identity, ideas, and or interpretations rather than to paint a perfect painting. Unlike the conclusion of G. K. Chesterton’s essay, “The Perfect Game”, in which Chesterton simply says that “once one can play a game unerringly, the game becomes uninteresting; one should realise that it is the art and beauty of something that makes it interesting, not its mysterious value”. For example, a large field in chess is the field of chess compositions, in which composers create chess problems with a theme or pattern, often positions that would never naturally occur in a real game. A chess engine like “Stockfish” can solve these compositions correctly in seconds, or not at all! Despite that the solvers still love to solve them, they often already know the result of the composition is a win or some clever draw, and yet solvers and the like fall in love with solving them. This is because artistic beauty is what made the game interesting not necessarily the mystery of who won. Even after a solver finds the solution to a composition, they will often spend hours just looking at the placement of the pieces appreciating the vision of the composer. 

The same thing can be said about the game itself. There are more chess games than anyone could ever see. In other words, no man or machine will be able to see all the possible chess games being played throughout all time. Thus, if chess is ultimately always a draw, players should try to play an amazing game that has never been seen before while expressing their style, strategies, and tactics, rather than simply playing to win. Check out the game between Carl Hamppe and Philipp Meitner in Vienna 1872. It is known as “The Immortal Draw” and emphasizes my point nicely. 

  Conclusively, it becomes more apparent that what makes chess interesting is far more than the results, but instead because of the art and beauty produced through the duration of the game. A game that ends in a draw is the best result because it gives people the freedom to produce works of beauty. When I play chess, the board is my canvas, the pieces are my paints, and my mind is the brush.

N. Monk, Philosopher, and Futurist 

Halloween Aftermath 2020

Halloween Aftermath 2020

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman

This year Holidays are a bit difficult to take part in, but many have a virtual option to take part in. Halloween is a bit more difficult to do that way. Its an interactive, and mostly kid-oriented holiday. As with everything else this year, the pandemic left its mark on Halloween. Parades, parties and haunted houses were canceled because of bans on large gatherings and concerns that spooky celebrations could spread the coronavirus.

Many dressed up in costumes to share them online, a number of people went door-to-door trick-or-treating despite the risks, and people still found ways to have fun while trying to stay safe. People wore the masks as they went to doors to collect candy. Gloves were worn by many, as it was starting to get a little chilly. One solution made by Manitobans was to recreate classic drive in theaters to watch various Halloween movies. Other ways people were able to participate in Halloween was to decorate their front lawns and carving pumpkins to put on the front porch. 

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise to alarming numbers, staying at home during Halloween celebrations was the safest but it wasn’t something everyone did. Also, as if Halloween this year wasn’t frightening enough, the night sky was lit up with a full moon. The last time there was a full moon on Halloween was in 2001 and it won’t happen again until Halloween of 2077 (If you are a Fallout universe fan, that is near to the time the nuclear bombs fall).

Halloween was certainly a different experience this year, and it shows the ways we are able to participate for various upcoming holidays such as Remembrance Day and Christmas. Virtual is the way to go, but also decorating what people can look at from a distance. 

Please stay safe as we continue to experience this frightful and surging pandemic. Wear masks, sanitize and stay warm! 

The Haunting of Bly Manor: A Review

The Haunting of Bly Manor: A Review  

By: Mallory Johnson, Reporter 

“The Haunting of Bly Manor” is one season of a horror anthology show on Netflix, and it follows an au pair (Dani) who moves to London and takes a nanny job at the haunted Bly Manor. Although I am not a big horror fan, my friend convinced me to watch the show. The series stars Victoria Pedretti (You, The Haunting of Hill House), Amelia Eve (Big Boys Don’t Cry, Enterprice), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Haunting of Hill House, The Invisible Man), and T’Nia Miller (Sex Education, The Feed). I personally went into the show knowing quite a bit of spoilers from social media (because I was not planning on watching it), but I want to put a MAJOR SPOILER ALERT in place right here. I also want to put in place a trigger warning for the show in regard to death, ghosts, alcoholism, possession, an abusive relationship, suicide, drowning, spiders, animal abuse (not graphic), smoking, illness, a car crash (a man is hit by a car), blood, cheating, jump scares, murder, gaslighting, incest, and choking. On a scale of 1-10 scary wise (with one being not scary at all, and ten being terrifying) for me, I would give it a 4, maybe a 4.5. The scares are mainly trauma based (for example, the reflection that Dani sees in one scene is based on her own trauma). These trauma-based scares were very interesting to me while watching the show. I was honestly very surprised by how much I enjoyed this show considering I am not a big horror fan. 

My favorite part of the series was Dani and Jamie’s relationship. They were one of the healthiest parts of a show with plenty of unhealthy moments. Something that was very refreshing to me, was that Dani and Jamie are a queer couple in the late 1980s and early 1990’s but they don’t face any homophobia within the show. There were no slurs shouted at them, no hate crimes committed against them and they did not face the AIDS crisis (although this was more prevalent for homosexual men at the time). All these things could have easily happened to them, but they did not. Also, there was no coming out scene, and their relationship was not over sexualized. This is important because it shows that queer people can have a great life, regardless of those who disagree and it normalizes these types of relationships in media. The only hardship related to their sexualities is the inability to get married, but Dani still proposes and says “I know we can’t technically get married, but we can wear the rings, and we’ll know.” I loved how Jamie called Dani “Poppins,” because her job was like Mary Poppins. Additionally, the show takes place in the UK, so I loved all the different accents in the show. 

I found all the possessions and the ghosts interesting because during the first half of the show’s season, you have no idea about any of it but you slowly start to figure it out. The twist with Hannah being dead before Dani even arrived at Bly was crazy! I love how twisty the show’s plot is. 

The last episode was so heartbreaking, but beautifully done. It was a bittersweet ending to the show, but necessary since there is only one season of “Bly Manor”. I made a long playlist of songs that remind me of different aspects of the show on Apple Music (it is called “Bly Manor” and my account name is Mallory Johnson, for those interested). I really liked this show, and my overall rating is 9.5/10. I highly recommend it if you like horror! (And even if you don’t!)

On Fear in Bram Stoker’s Dracula

On Fear in Bram Stoker’s Dracula

By N. Monk, Philosopher, and Futurist

Many have heard of or read Bram Stoker’s Dracula, although perhaps not realizing the genius of the character known as Count Dracula. A common question among people is ‘what is fear’? What is the scariest thing? It can be said that Count Dracula is the perfect manifestation of human fear because of the varying levels of fear invoked in people. It has been said before by Bram Stoker that he had seen such a horrifying creature in a nightmare. Perhaps Stoker’s nightmare is not as light as it seems. 

           The first point one can make about Count Dracula is that he is highly knowledgeable. Count Dracula is said to be centuries old, and that implies that he has a lot of experiences. So, Count Dracula would have seen the progression of time around him, and history unfold. It was depicted within the novel, through Dr. Seward’s diary that Count Dracula has a mighty brain and there is no branch of knowledge he has not essayed on. From this, Count Dracula is highly intelligent, and it is unlikely there will be someone more so than him. Due to this extreme knowledge, Count Dracula will be able to outsmart any of his victims giving them a complete feeling of helplessness. When people are in a state of helplessness like this their fear will ratchet up quickly because there is seemingly nothing else for them to do. By the time Dracula’s victims realise what is happening to them they are already deep into Dracula’s trap and thus begin to experience a strong sense of fear knowing their demise is soon to follow; there is nothing one can do to stop it. This, however, is just one of the characteristics of fear that the vampire induces.

           Count Dracula can be considered a parasite to humans. In other words, Count Dracula feeds on the blood of humans and preys on humankind. There is not a large number of living animals that only feed on humans, or hunt humans. Knowing one is being hunted can induce fear into a person. In general, people feel safe in the cities they live in. It is unlikely that something like a bear or tiger will deliberately go into cities to hunt. A fair number of animals avoid cities and populated areas. This provides people will a sense of security. If people were suddenly made aware of a creature that hunts them in cities in plain sight this would rob them of that security in such an environment, leaving them with a constant state of fear of being hunted or watched. If people were told a dangerous serial killer is at large in the city they reside then their behaviour outside their homes would be different. In some sense, Count Dracula also induces the same kind of fear a serial killer would in people. He hunts and kills humans and yet, he appears as a human himself.

           Perhaps the most fear inducing characteristic that Count Dracula possesses is the ability to shapeshift into pretty much any animal or creature as well as the bodies of other people too! Such an ability means that Count Dracula can hide in plain sight disguised as a bird on a branch studying the behaviour of his prey. Even worse, Dracula could wear the skin of some other person one is familiar with, allowing him to infiltrate people’s homes and feeding on them when they are most likely alone, or feel the safest. Imagine Count Dracula disguised as a caretaker, a delivery person or even worse, a hotel maid. A hotel would be a death trap and the perfect place for him to set up camp! Probably the worst part about the shapeshifting is that Count Dracula could transform into the thing one fears most -- paralyzing one in their fear. Someone could be afraid of a panther, for example, and one day coming home find a panther waiting for them in their bedroom, emerging from the shadows. It is highly improbable that this would not freeze that person in fear. 

           It all becomes more apparent the more one analyses the character of Count Dracula that the vampire is a perfect manifestation of fear and could be considered the scariest entity in existence. Count Dracula induces or invokes fear on multiple levels. Fear of helplessness, fear of being hunted, fear of no safe space or trust, and so forth. The character of Count Dracula strongly outlines the genius of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, giving the reader a clear example of what could be considered the scariest thing; other than death itself.

Jim Carrey Featured as Joe Biden in SNL’s New Season

Jim Carrey Featured as Joe Biden in SNL’s New Season 

By Zach Roozendaal, Contributer

In the past few weeks, much tension and hype has been built leading up to the 2020 US Federal Election. The two frontrunners are of course current President, Donald Trump for the Republicans, and Joe Biden for the Democrats.

SNL has started getting A-list celebrities to cameo as some of the politicians, as they have for many years. The cast has acted as members of Trump’s Cabinet, and people tied to it, including Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump, Larry David as Bernie Sanders, Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh, Adam Driver as Jeffrey Epstein, and Jason Sudeikis, Woody Harrelson, John Mulaney, and now Jim Carrey all as Joe Biden. Carrey has hosted the show at least three times prior and has also made a cameo appearance back in 2011 and on the 40th anniversary special, but the Canadian comedian has now come back to Studio 8H of Rockefeller Plaza to play the Democratic nominee.

Now take it from me, I was quite skeptical that he was chosen as I wasn’t sure if he could pull it off. After all, say what you will about Alec Baldwin but his Trump impersonation is not exactly spot on, and I wasn’t necessarily a massive fan nor am I one now, but it is still cool to see a celebrity cameo on the show.

It was announced in early September that Jim Carrey would be appearing on the show as Biden, replacing Sudeikis for the season. Many fans of the show including myself were curious about how Carrey would look, sound, and feel as Biden.

A few weeks ago, following the show’s return to the studio and NBC’s brief stint of an “At Home” edition of the show back in the spring, SNL alumni Chris Rock hosted the first episode of Season 46, and the cold opening of the show mocked the presidential debate. Baldwin was back as Trump, and Maya Rudolph showed up as Kamala Harris, but the real showstopper was Jim Carrey as Joe Biden. Carrey almost 100% nails Biden’s behaviour and mannerisms and portrays Biden with a kind of wholesomeness you’d see watching a video of puppies and kittens playing in a basket or a baby trying ice cream for the first time.

He portrays the former VP in such an amazing way and is clearly having fun doing so. Carrey makes the show even more interesting, so if Biden wins, expect Jim Carrey for four years on SNL.

Anyways, as I always do before I go, I’ll leave you all with my final thought. Laughter is a medicine that doesn’t require a prescription, just a sense of humor. Remember to social distance and wear a mask when possible, wash and sanitize your hands often, and stay home if you don’t feel well.

Stay safe out there, and until next time, I’m Zach Roozendaal, signing off! Goodbye for now!

What the U.S Presidential Election Means for Canada

What the U.S Presidential Election Means for Canada

By: Cedric Bell, Reporter

(Photo Credit: Creative Commons)

The U.S presidential elections are fast approaching as they will be taking place on November 3rd. It’s a big deal, specifically for those living in the United States, since whoever the winning candidate is will significantly impact the direction they take on a variety of topics in the future. For Canadians, however, the impact of the U.S election is still something to consider because the results will invariably affect Canada in some way.

All the ways that the election will affect Canada are not immediately apparent and will be impossible to specifically predict. It is possible, however, to speculate on what could happen and what it will mean for Canada, since the only certain thing about the election is that it will somehow affect Canada too. Some of the most pressing effects that the vote will have on Canada include economic and environmental impacts, as well as changes in international relations. The presidential election will affect economies worldwide and Canada is no exception. During the Trump Administration, tariffs were placed on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, which have since been dropped. These tariffs did have an impact, as they lasted for about two years, and threaten to reappear. The results of this next election could mean more or less restrictions placed on trade between Canada and the U.S, as Joe Biden’s platform is promising less tariffs and more free trade, while Trump being re-elected could mean more restrictions being imposed on Canada. Additionally, how the U.S does financially will impact Canadian finances, meaning that if the value of the U.S dollar goes down, Canada’s could too. Often, the U.S stock market tends to fluctuate lightly pre and post-election, meaning that the changes to their economy could cause changes in ours, too.

Not only will the changes in U.S-international relations affect Canada, but the international stage as a whole. If Biden wins, he has claimed that he wishes to re-enter into several agreements that the U.S had previously abandoned, such as the Paris Accords and the Pan-Pacific-Trade pact, which would affect the U.S’s standing with other global political actors. If Trump wins however, these agreements will likely stay abandoned. Covid-19 has also thrown a curveball into international relations, especially with Canada. The two presidential candidates have differing views on how it should be handled, with Biden supporting masks and other safety restrictions, and Trump having notoriously lax procedures. Canada has remained closed to the U.S for some time now, and the speed at which it is reopened to them will depend heavily on which candidate wins, since Biden taking office could mean a speedier recovery for the U.S rather than if Trump is re-elected. 

The environmental impact that the election is going to have shouldn’t be ignored either; as previously mentioned, Biden plans to re-enter the Paris Accords. The environmental influence doesn't stop there. Trump’s platform seems to be running on promises to increase oil production and drilling, which have been shown to be environmentally hazardous practices, while the Biden platform is suggesting more renewable energy. Additionally, Biden has suggested putting restrictions on those not adhering to environmental protections. One of the most contentious issues in Canada, the Keystone XL pipeline, would also be denied into the U.S if he holds office.

Overall, the election seems like it’s going to have a massive impact on Canada. The effects will be far reaching and will likely influence Canada’s economy, international relations between the U.S and Canada, and be environmentally impacting not only Canada, but the world at large. It appears that a democratic victory in the United States would benefit Canada, while a republican victory could be a detriment, but how the election will actually affect Canada in practice remains to be seen.

Is the iPhone 12 worth it?

Is the iPhone 12 worth it?

by Hashim Farooq

Last week Apple held their annual October iPhone event where they launched their latest and greatest phones. This year’s theme was Speed, with the launch of 5G in North America, Apple have focused their attention on making the new iPhone 12 take advantage of everything 5G has to offer. 

Let’s talk about the design. As I said before this phone is focused on taking advantage of the 5G and the design reflects that. It may look like Apple took a step back a decade to the iPhone 4 with the “boxy” design, but in fact the “boxy” design made space for more antennas and drastically reduced the size of the phone. Some can argue that the iPhone 4 is the most sold phone by Apple (also one of the most sold of all time) and Apple is just going back to what works (the “boxy” design). This would actually be surprising because Apple isn’t known to listen to its consumers, their slogan “think different” has them taking drastic steps to be different in the phone industry and not repeat the past. Whatever the inspiration may be, the fact is boxy equals faster, slimmer and reduced screen to body ratio. This design isn’t surprising as it was predicted by many people on the internet for the iPhone 5 SE back in 2015. 

iPhone 12 has some other upgrades; they made the camera better by adding LiDAR (which enhances the AI in the camera to give better portrait shots), it can also take 4K HDR videos, massively improved night-sight technology, it has a big magnet in the back to stick to the wireless charger and different accessories Apple made to make money off you, and  the phone is packing their new A14 bionic processor which is supposed to be the fastest processor on a phone to date. 

Apple released 4 phones at 4 different price points to attract more consumers as their cheaper phones tend to attract a new audience, specifically the Android audience. Apple tries to match their cheapest phone with the average cost of a “flagship” Android phone to attract a cheaper phone that offers the exact same speed and design as the other iPhone 12s. Out of the 4 phones, iPhone 12 mini (slightly smaller than iPhone 6 ), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 pro and iPhone 12 pro max, the iPhone 12 mini is probably the best bang for your buck. Before we talk prices, let’s talk about one of the biggest scams in phones, which is their memory (storage) , how much gigabytes it has, this scheme was made just so phone companies can slap a number on phones and increase the price by a $100, when consumers started to realize this, the higher storage phones didn’t sell well. After realizing this, Apple, Samsung, Google, Huawei and many other companies needed to do something to the phone physically so people could tell the difference between the “rich consumer” and “not an idiot who wants to spend hundreds on a phone with 20 cameras,” so they decided to increase the size, cause bigger is better right? This worked, and soon came the generation of pluses and maxes. Now phones are in the 1000s just for being an inch bigger and having 1 or 2 extra circles on the back which lets the customer take better photos of their friends who by the way didn’t even buy the damn thing, now they can have all their friends give them photo creds in their Instagram posts, congrats $1000+ for creds which they may or may not mention.  

Alright, let’s look at the prices (these are prices on the Apple website and not from cell service provides as they may vary); iPhone 12 mini $979 CAD, iPhone 12 $1,129 CAD, iPhone 12 Pro $1,399 CAD, get ready to refinance your house or get a mortgage on this next phone, iPhone 12 Pro Max $1,959 (I should probably mention, if you live in Manitoba, which you probably do because your reading this, get ready to pay 13% tax on this.). These phone prices are starting to get out of hand. The iPhone 12 Pro Max costs as much as a used car, which is insane to comprehend, it’s about the average monthly income (considering that they are working and not in school studying like 80% of them) of a 18-24 year old (which is the main audience for this massive mistake of a phone which everyone will buy and take selfies with on the bus cause they can’t buy a car anymore).

Now the big question, Is it worth it? As much as I want you (the reader) not to buy this overpriced, big, metal domino, majority of you will. Maybe you’ll buy it because you want to upgrade your phone or because your friends have it and you don’t want to look like a “not an idiot who wants to spend hundreds on a phone with 20 cameras” just know this, selling your kidney for this phone is not worth it, but if you’re rich go for it. All jokes aside, Apple didn’t do a bad job on the iPhone 12, it looks different and is a bigger upgrade since the iPhone X. If money wasn’t a factor, this would be the one to buy. 

(source: Apple ) iPhone 12 specs sheet

Covid-19 and the online classroom experience

Covid-19 and the online classroom experience

By Eder Leonel Torres. 

We live in uncertain times. Covid-19 is to stay with us for a long time if not forever but people tend to have different views about the pandemic and the changes that come with it. Receiving online classes is one of those changes, some have welcomed the experience positively while others may struggle with it. Experiences could go from having poor internet connection to having to take care of children while attending an online lecture. Each student may have something to share with this “new normal”. However, the point of this article is to highlight important differences between online and classroom learning. Although for some students online learning can be grateful since no traveling is required and, in some cases, hiding behind the screen to do anything one wants while the class takes places can feel delightful. No more social anxiety at school for those that may experience it.

Online learning tends to not provide an environment of inclusiveness and friendship since students do not get to see or interact with classmates in real life, socialization is not required. It also reflects isolation in a world where social interactions are being framed by a global pandemic. On the other side, the classroom provides a healthy atmosphere for physical and intellectual interaction. Being in the classroom disengages students from the world of media and internet. Often you hear professors say words like, “all right folks cellphones off” and even if this was not the case, professors usually find it disturbing to find a student checking their cell phone while the class goes on, unless it is class related. The classroom environment incites the student’s imagination without any technological or media interference. In fact, imagination is stimulated by interacting with real life experiences. The online learning system is a unique experience in human history as we know it. Through human history, students had experienced different learning methods from the philosophical school of Plato located on a property “that included a grove of olive trees”. We also find in Africa children receiving lectures under trees. However, we don’t know a period in history where teaching was not associated with classroom interaction. Apart from a school system delivered through mail that started in the 19th century. 

We find ourselves in a unique time, masses of students receiving classes online. However, human innovations have not come without their negative consequences. When the industrial revolution was in its infancy many poets and intellectuals at the time expressed their discontent to the new system. They argued that industry was going to destroy the environment and create a new mechanism of social control. The industrial revolution changed the course of humanity, it altered human interactions and created new social classes and systems of governments. 260 years after the industrial revolution we find ourselves in another scientific revolution, the rise of artificial intelligence, technological devices, as well having to live with a global pandemic. The future appears uncertain, we cannot predict with certainty how these new changes in health and technology are going to impact the future to come.

Life in Canada in a Pandemic: What’s to be Expected and How to Survive?

Life in Canada in a Pandemic:

What’s to be Expected and How to Survive?

Contributor: Zach Roozendaal

The Coronavirus pandemic has decimated many economies and industries. Life around the world has been turned upside down. For some this pandemic feels on par to the way disintegration of many beloved characters in Avengers: Infinity War following Thanos’ snap, the aftermath of which was depicted in Avengers: Endgame with a quiet and sparsely populated world.

            Though the last thing I said is a film reference to a fictional universe, the same cannot be said for our world. Industries have had to take hits and learn to adapt, and educational facilities have had to try and find new ways to teach students and evolve to deal with the state of the world.

            This isn’t a situation many of us are familiar with. Millennials through to Gen Z have never experienced a global pandemic like this before. Yes, there have been pandemics withing recent history, like with HIV/AIDS and SARS, as well as Ebola and Zika, but none to such a scale and magnitude as COVID-19.

            Life is rapidly changing, and for better or worse, just as we have for millions of years, we have to adapt if we’re going to make it through this tough situation. Together, anything is possible. That’s why it’s important we help others during these difficult times. So, for those who may be new to life in a COVID-19 infected Canada, here are some things to help you get through life here.

            First of all, don’t hoard resources. That logic can be applied to anywhere right now, but it’s not like winter isn’t going to come this year. Don’t try and buy all the cold and allergy medication to prevent yourself from freaking out that you may have COVID-19 when your nose runs.

            Secondly, it’s important to know that you can grow indoor gardens from home, so that way if you need to and can’t go to the store and are unable to get food delivered, you’ll at least have fresh fruit and vegetable to help you get the vitamins and minerals you need. All you need for this convenient life hack is a black lightbulb, the kind used as heat lamps for animals. The Ultraviolet radiation is what plants absorb from the sun, allowing for photosynthesis to happen, so by using a black light, you can use the UV to help simulate sunlight and allow a garden to grow. If you get a heat lamp variant make sure to turn it off after using for a couple of hours or you could cause damage to the plants, cause the bulb to overheat and shatter, or even potentially trigger an electrical fire.

            The next lifehack is somewhat similar. If for some reason your power goes out, get a generator for yourself, and make sure to also purchase a solar charger. They look like an iPad cover, but will come in handy if you’re unable to use the outlets in your home to charge it. Again, with the generator you can power a UV light which can also simulate sunlight, allowing your phone to charge from the UV radiation.

            This next lifehack is one used by people everywhere, but is particularly good in uncertain situations like pandemics. Purchase non-perishable foods and drinks, and if the stores near you close or something is to happen, you’ll be able to have food that’s good for months on end. Some examples include ramen, pasta, rice, cereal, tea, coffee, soda, chocolate and candy, seeds, especially sunflower or pumpkin, marshmallows, honey, jerky, nuts, and so many more things. Dried fruits are also good to have.

During the winter months, if you lose power and have meat products in your fridge or freezer, no worries, since you’re likely living in sub-zero temperatures, unless you’re in Vancouver. Just move it outside, or buy things like nuts which contain lots of protein but last for years and have a good shelf life. Jerky is the same, and is still meat, yet will last for years without spoiling.

If your water shuts off during the winter, no problem! Just use snow, as it’s 100% water, and it’s already clean and good to use. If it’s not winter and your water is off, place buckets around so when it rains you can collect it.

In case you’re unable to buy fresh fruits and the frozen option isn’t a satisfying one for you, just buy fruit juice instead, as you can still get plenty of nutrients. Although not many people’s first option, some brands of dog food or treats can be a great source of protein, and there are even some that aren’t as disgusting sounding as you might think, with my late dog Bolt (Rest in Peace buddy) at one point having dog treats that were literally just precooked chunks of bacon with seasoning on it, and very much safe for human consumption. Now in case you’re wondering, I only watched a YouTube review on them, and the ingredients in the treats are no different than what you’d find in bacon bits at stores, in fact most of the bacon present in the treats is precooked bacon that wouldn’t meet customer satisfaction for something like bacon bits.

Don’t have a mask? No worries, simply use a bandana or scarf or neck warmer as a mask during winter months, as I even did it before COVID-19 was an issue in the province, because the ice cold air in my lungs made my chilly walks home from the campus at night hard to breathe, so a thick face covering will help keep the air you take in and out stay a little less frosty. Halloween masks may be a bit ridiculous, but they’re also still face coverings, but just make sure that there’s no holes for your mouth or nose on them, and if there are be sure to cover them.

And there you have it, just a few helpful pandemic and survival based lifehacks. Hopefully these are able to help you out, especially in a time of need. There are hundreds of thousands more lifehacks, not just for the pandemic, but survival in general, and I encourage you to read up on some in your spare time.

One last thing before I end this article, I would like to mention that this is dedicated to a few friends of mine, one in particular though who recently inspired me to start writing again, and that this is also dedicated to all of the people serving the public on the many frontlines of work in this pandemic, especially to those within the medical industry who’ve put their health and safety second to those of the public. Keep on doing the things you’re doing, and thank you to my friends who’ve helped motivate me to write again.

Thanks for reading, and once again, I hope that the information I provided helped you or your friends in some way. Remember to wash and sanitize your hands, take care of each other, wear masks in public, and social distance when possible. And now, I’ll leave you with my final thought.

The most sought-after resource isn’t water, oil or gold, but is in fact knowledge itself, as we spend our lives immersing ourselves with it, wanting to know more.

Thanks again to you all, and until next time, I’m Zach Roozendaal. Stay safe out there, and goodbye for now!

Halloween Kills Postponed by Pandemic...

Halloween Kills Postponed by Pandemic...

But is Still Building Hype

Contributor: Zach Roozendaal

Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, scares, and a big corporatized opportunity to gain companies lots of cash, whether it be through the sale of decorations and fun Halloween themed treats and games, or through movies and music, and as John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis can tell you, Halloween is a time like no other for horror movies, and that the scares are real for the residents of Haddonfield, Illinois in the film series of the same name, and Halloween is the night that HE came home.

            Who exactly? None other than the jumpsuit clad emotionless psychopath with a huge fanboy admiration of William Shatner and knives. That’s right, Michael Myers is who HE is, first popping up in Halloween, and being given the nickname “The Shape” in the 1978 John Carpenter horror classic that launched the career of Jamie Lee Curtis as the iconic final girl Laurie Strode. Over the years, many Halloween films have been released, with all sorts of stars, and they’ve featured quite a few notable names over the years, including Paul Rudd, Busta Rhymes, the late Donald Pleasence, Tyra Banks, and as mentioned before, Jamie Lee Curtis.

            The original film is about a young boy who brutally murders his sister and ends up institutionalized due to his young age making him unable to face criminal charges, and then over 15 years later that boy to have grown into a tall intimidating and silent monster, (only in the metaphorical sense), breaking free to return to his hometown and hack and slash his way around, donning a mask that was originally supposed to be from a Captain Kirk costume, along with a blue jumpsuit and kitchen knife, eventually stalking and trying to kill a blonde high school student named Laurie Strode, while his psychologist Dr. Samuel Loomis attempts to track him down and end his reign of terror.

            Since that first film, many sequels and even a duology of remakes from Rob Zombie have been released and several times there have been retcons, with the latest film in 2018 being a direct sequel to the first from back in 1978, undoing some storylines, most notably the plot point of Michael and Laurie actually being siblings, with Laurie being put up for adoption following Michael’s murder of their sister Judith. John Carpenter returned to the franchise with that movie for the first time in over 38 years since the 3rd film, Halloween III: Season of The Witch, the only film in the franchise with a storyline unrelated to Michael Myers, choosing instead to focus on an evil Irish toymaker and his android henchmen manufacturing hexed masks to kill children on Halloween.

After the 2018 film, it was announced a sequel would be released in 2020, and despite Michael being shot, stabbed, punched, kicked, and even burned alive at the end of the latest film, he’s back in a recently released trailer, and isn’t about to give up his pursuit of Laurie. He may be in his 60’s but that’s not stopping him. But what is stopping the film itself from being theatrically released is of course the Coronavirus pandemic. Though Michael Myers seems to be unkillable, the rest of the public isn’t and for the safety of movie goers around the world, the film has been pushed back until October 15th 2021, as releasing a Halloween film any other time besides Halloween wouldn’t feel right to even the most diehard of fans. The original release date of October 16th 2020 just won’t happen unfortunately.

Carpenter tweeted a screenshot of a letter for fans on July 8th about the conclusion that he and collaborator David Gordon Green had come to with regards to the release date of the film, and rather than give the editorial staff a harder job by having to add the text to my word count, I’ve instead included the screenshot below for you to read if interested.

While the delay was likely inevitable, the bonus came in the form of Carpenter’s upcoming sequel getting a trailer, as well as the announcement of an IMAX presentation. Like with most other big films from popular franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe or James Bond, the idea of just going directly to a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu would be absolutely disappointing for many fans.

While many movies have skipped theatrical releases, (just look at all the unnecessary direct to home release sequels to classic animated Disney films for example) it should go without saying that for the amount of time and effort that are put into these movies with an incredible cast and crew, they deserve a theatrical release. Skipping theatrical releases for big movies like this one is also a bad move financially, while the studio would still get money through merchandise sales, royalties for character’s use in TV games and other films, and through purchases on Google Play and iTunes store,  the reality is that a large amount of sales are from tickets to see these films, so they’d lose a lot on that by skipping it.

In the meantime, all we can do is get excited, or visit pirate bay or some bootlegged hacked copy of the film from the studio’s database and get the movie ourselves for a private screening at our homes, although the latter is a joke so Universal please don’t blacklist me from seeing your films.

Halloween Kills is part of a trilogy, and as stated before, it’s set to pick up where the last film, Halloween (2018), left off, and the last film is a direct sequel to the original film in 1978, ignoring the subsequent sequels on various timelines from afterwards. The final film in this new trilogy is set to release in October of 2022, and is titled Halloween Ends, so it’s very unlikely that Michael Myers is going to be killed off in the next film. I mean, the guy’s taken bullets to the face and being immolated, and he’s still going, somebody give him a trophy or something because he’s the textbook definition of perseverance.

Until then, just binge the franchise if you want your fill of Michael Myers (skip Season of the Witch if you’re only doing it to see Michael), and be safe, wash your hands, social distance when and if possible, and I’ll leave you with my final thought, but first, here’s a quote from the original Halloween from Donald Pleasances’ character Dr. Sam Loomis:

“I met this six-year-old child with this blank, pale, emotionless face, and the blackest eyes, the devil's eyes.”

And now for my final thought:

Can a person truly be born evil, or is evil something that we all have laying dormant in us until something awakens it?

Thank you for reading, stay safe, wash your hands, wear a mask and social distance when possible, take care of each other, and remember that on Halloween everyone is entitled to at least one good scare.

Until then, I’m Zach “The Shape” Roozendaal.

Goodbye for now!

On Going for Walks

On Going for Walks

           In these difficult times of the pandemic, it is not clear whether one should go outside at all given the risks. I however believe that people should still try to go for a walk outside for a multitude of reasons. 

           When I go for my daily walks, I never go without a notebook and a pen. Some of my most peculiar ideas seem to come to me while walking outside. I think in general one should always keep a notebook, regardless of where they are going or where they are. By writing any of your interesting thoughts or ideas you are more likely to come up with new ones. Walking for me, seems to be the best time for me to think about new ideas, however, this is not all.

           One time I was asked by a family member “Won’t you run out of things to write if you’re writing every day?” I always thought this was a strange question. Every time I go outside on a walk something happens. New poem ideas, essay ideas, even short story ideas just come out of seemingly nowhere. Once when I was walking home from the grocery store one summer, and I saw a crow on a tree branch I watched it fly down to a dirty puddle on the ground and start drinking from it. I distinctly remember watching the crow drink from the puddle for at least five or ten minutes. For some reason, I found it subtle and sad to see such an amazing creature have to drink some leftover dirty water. When I got back, I wrote a poem to try and capture the essence of that feeling when I saw the crow and the puddle. Another time I was walking out very early morning in the winter and I looked behind me down the street, and I saw one of the most peaceful and beautiful scenes my eyes could witness. An empty street in the dark hours of the morning with thousands of twinkling snowflakes falling in the lights. Not even another sign of life was present. It felt even better than a calm before the storm, and to think I would have missed experiencing this if I had not turned around; I would have loved a photograph though! Like I said before, I always found the question of running out of things to write strange, because things to dwell and think about just keep popping up every time.

           It was never really any secret that meditation or traditional meditation never worked for me. I used to be quite good at it, but I found it did not help in my day to day life. Instead, I found that if I were stressed about something, after a walk I would be calmer, and it did not bother me as much anymore. I think that walking can be a good way for people to process some emotions that they are dealing with. I often even find myself talking to myself sometimes while doing it. For most people, they do not have any privacy in their homes and apartments. Behind one wall there could be another apartment or above you, there could be a person staying above you, there could even be people just outside your door! In other words, a lot of people do not get much privacy where they live so they are not likely to make time for themselves. By going for a walk, you are more likely to get the privacy you need. One could say that walking is my meditation, well if it is, I guess it is. The main thing I learned about walking is to not control your thoughts if your brain wants to think about this then think about that. Probably the main reason why I do not find mindfulness helpful, you spend so much energy trying to get your mind to focus on one thing, instead, just let things flow and one will be more relaxed. 

           In conclusion, more people should take the time to go for a walk. It helps you come up with ideas, it can relax your mind, and it forces you to experience something. Even in these times, it is important to make time for oneself. We all have quite enough to deal with every day already, so it is nice to just step away from it all now and then.

N. Monk, Philosopher, and Futurist

Photograph credit: N. Monk

A University Student Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe: Caramel Crack

A University Student Friendly Thanksgiving Recipe: Caramel Crack

By: Maria Garcia Manzano 

This year Thanksgiving will look very different compared to previous Thanksgivings. With Covid-19 precautions still in place, many families will not be able to visit other extended family members and as a result perhaps less variety of food will be present in your home. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it will give you an excuse to show off your cooking skills in front of your family if you are stuck at home with them. However, if you are not stuck at home with family and are instead living with a roommate / roommates, not too fear as this will be a good way to show off your cooking skills to them. 

While university students may not be known for their cooking whole (partly due to the cost that goes into preparing nice meals and the amount of time needed) here I present you with a cheap and easy dessert that at least shows your family /roommate /roommates that you’re trying.

Ingredients:

• One cup of butter (equivalent to 2 full sized sticks)

• One cup of brown sugar (packed or loose, dealer’s choice)

• As many saltines it takes to fill a baking sheet with a slight lip along the sides

• Two bags of your favourite kind of chocolate chips

• Cooking spray 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 

2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (that way you do not need to do dishes later) and spray with a healthy amount of cooking spray. With foil in a nice coating of cooking spray all around, line up the saltines in rows, salt side up. Break a few in half if needed to fill the space along the sides. 

3. Put the cup of butter and a cup of brown sugar into a saucepan over medium to medium high heat. Let the butter melt and sugar dissolve into the butter. Scrape across the bottom of the pan to avoid the sugar burning. Stir occasionally until it comes together in an easy version of a caramel sauce. 

4. Pour the hot sugar/butter sauce over the crackers carefully so you do not disturb the lovely pattern you probably spent too long making look pretty. 

5. Put that in the oven for five minutes to get the sauce bubbly.

6. Sprinkle over the bag of chocolate chips over the top and spread with the back of a spoon. It should not take too long for the chocolate to melt and become easier to spread. If it gets to a point that the chocolate is not melting anymore, put the pan back into the oven for a few minutes, take it back out and finish spreading the chocolate over the top until it is completely covered. If you have extra chocolate chips left, well, darn. 

7. Put the whole thing in the freezer for roughly 30 minutes or until it hardens completely. 

8. Take it out of the sheet (this is where the aluminum foil comes in handy) and break it apart into whatever size pieces you want. 

9. Enjoy! 

Sweet Potato Supreme

Sweet Potato Supreme

By: Kiersten Garbutt

Thanksgiving is always the long-awaited holiday for university students. Finally, we can eat something else rather then cup-o-noodles and pop tarts. As we hurry home for a home cooked meal, something many of us have been missing in months. Platters upon platters of food, turkey, stuffing, fresh vegetables, more than I can name. and a whole day preparing this food with your loved ones, could not paint a more perfect picture. The anticipated Thanksgiving dinner. Here is a quick and easy recipe you can contribute to the dinner this year. Sweet Potato Supreme, all you need is:

4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

2 Tbsp. of milk

1 tsp of salt

¼ tsp of paprika 

½ cup of brown sugar

1/3 cup of butter 

1 cup of pecan halves 

Once you get all your ingredients ready to go. Start by mixing your potatoes, cream, salt, and paprika. Once everything is combined spread the mixture into a greased casserole pan. To make the topping heat the brown sugar and butter over low heat stirring constantly, stir until the butter is barely melted. Then spread the brown sugar topping over the potatoes and cover the top with the pecans. To finish the dish off pop in the oven at 350 degrees, leave it until the topping starts to bubble. (Recipe from the Best of Bridge series)

This dish is guaranteed to not last five minutes on the table as it becomes everyone’s favourite. My advice to you is to take a fair share because you will regret it when its all gone! Happy Thanksgiving!