CampusIntel

The Steamwhistle Brewery, located at 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, is hosting an art exhibit brandishing photographs depicting some of rock’s biggest icons this March. The brewing house turned art gallery event, which is free, is displaying, for the first time in large-scale public view, a series of photographs taken at rock and roll shows in Toronto between 1979 and 1981. Included are shots of The Clash at their first performance in Toronto in 1979, and Bob Marley’s last Toronto concert.

The photos are a result of a pair of young punks’ do-it-yourself photojournalist tactics inspired by the early punk rock movement, around 1979. Nick and Simon White, brothers who grew up in Toronto, saw most of the shows that later went down in history as part of the beginnings of the new musical era. They got the idea to photograph these early performances, possibly foreseeing the nostalgic element they would later provide.

The mostly black and white photographs depict a youthful who’s who of 70s and early 80s rock: The Ramones, The Clash, Peter Tosh, The Specials, and U2 with a young Bono are among the legendary acts captured in the photos. Other rare performances like The Talking Heads, Johnny Rotten performing with post-Pistols band Public Image Ltd., and The Specials were also captured by the brothers.

For the past 30 years, the photos have been tucked away, and nearly forgotten about, by the brothers. They stopped photo-documenting the music scene when it became harder for them to obtain press passes for concerts. In the earlier, they were just seeing shows and taking pictures from the crowd. They started a fanzine, Smash It Up, where many of the photos were printed, but it went out of production when the 70s underground went mainstream and being punk no longer meant being free to publicize your favourite bands.

Now, the White brothers’ extensive work is on display for all to appreciate. The event is free, on for all of March at The Steamwhistle Brewery in Toronto, and, I’m sure, pints will be on hand to help commemorate the wild moments.

Throughout my life I’ve wondered many things (my brain never stops thinking), but one of the most prominent things that pops up is, “What if we had our own restart button.” Now I know you may think I sound nuts, but I’ve analyzed this frequently (to the fact that I wished that the button would be our belly button!), and have come to some interesting conclusions.

I am sure none of us students can disagree with the fact that, at some point in our lives, we wished we go back to the beginning of something and start over. This could be pertaining to the relationship that you recently found out would end; the paths you didn’t take in terms of education or work experience; or even those times when you wish you could go back to Friday, and maybe, just maybe, get some work done throughout the weekend this time.

Sometimes though, I know, the whole aspect of starting over scares us.

As I write this blog I frequently delete words here and there. But I don’t start over. I merely push CTRL and Z on my keyboard (or Edit -> Undo), and simply undo and get back on track. Could life function that way? Could I magically now hit my bellybutton (much like those two buttons on my keyboard) and get back on the path I am supposed to be on?

The unfortunate thing is that I realize we can’t go back to the beginning of our lives and relive our obsessions with Barbie and Tonka trucks… but wouldn’t that make life so much simpler? I’ve found out the hard way that skinned knees are a lot easier to heal than broken hearts. I still don’t know what I was thinking when I was 13, claiming that I could not wait to get older and have more responsibility.

I just feel that life doesn’t prepare you for the many paths out there. I feel that you only find out about the shortcut after you climbed 62,532 stairs, swam 24353 kilometers, and hiked 3,200 mountains. I did not know that there were other paths to education (guidance counselor gave me two options… Arts or Science) nor did I realize that there was other ways of getting to my final destination (what that is… I still don’t know).

So with that in mind, I shall continue to think about my “restart” button and my “undo” button… and finally realize why Staples’ Easy button may just be the way to go…

Teaching overseas had always been a dream of mine. You may ask “why?” and I’m not even sure I could give a person an answer. It all seemed very interesting at first; a new experience, a new country, culture, and lastly, getting away from everyone you ever wanted to! While all of these are certainly what you get when you decide to up and leave – destined for a foreign country – there are many aspects that a person should consider before making the move.

Upon completion of my undergraduate degree from the University of New Brunswick, the world seemed wide-open to me with endless possibilities. I decided I would look into teaching in South Korea. The money seemed great, the cost of living was low, airfare is taken care of, benefits and no rent to pay. What more could a person want.. or need?! There was an agency in downtown Fredericton that helped me get the ball rolling. After a few months, a few fees, a few stamps and application forms I was ready to set out on an adventure of a lifetime.

I had decided to break my trip into two flights flying from Moncton to Los Angeles (spending 4 days in LA) then flying to Seoul, South Korea. Not only did I get to experience the city of LA but it was cheaper than flying directly from YQM to SEL.

Another advantage of coming to a place like Korea is that it is quite easy to travel around South-East Asia and even to Australia for a decent price. I have been fortunate to have travelled to Japan, Malaysia and Australia in the first 6 months of me being here. Other friends and people I know have gone to China, spent weeks on the beaches of Thailand, fired MK47s inVietnam, while others used their break to travel back home to Canada and the US.  My travels allowed me to meet up with an old high school friend in Japan where she was studying. I was also able to visit a former exchange student from my high school – spending 10 days in lovely Melbourne!

If you are thinking about coming to South Korea to teach, I strongly advise that you take advantage of being so close to so many countries. It’s easy and affordable.

Photo Source: Time-CNN

Violence erupted in the streets of Athens this week by protestors opposed to Greece’s new budget plan for 2010. The riot squad and ample police support were relied on during the riot, which resulted in tear gas and violent measures on part of the police in order to calm rioters. Minimal arrests were made in comparison to the amount of protestors, which numbered in the thousands.

The protests, and ensuing riots, were sparked by the Greek government’s announcement of a 4.8 billion euro austerity measure. The plan includes a freeze in pensions, cuts to government salaries, heightened taxes on luxuries like alcohol and tobacco, and a sales tax hike from 19 to 21 per cent. The Greek government’s move comes in a strategic political framework attempting to show European Union partners that it can avoid bankruptcy.

The controversial budget is in response to the world economic crisis, that has left many European Union nations in bleak financial state. Instead of claiming bankruptcy and relying solely on international support from the World Bank and IMF, the government of Greece sees financial stability available through tax hikes, expenditure cuts, and limited IMF support. The government has not ruled out accepting loans from IMF, but for now is trying a sovereign approach. Analysts see this as a motivated political move: Leaving the IMF out of Greece’s problems, for now, shows the stability of the European Union, dissolving any thought that it is doomed financially.

Whether or not this tactic of the Greek government will be a positive move in the long run will have to be judged later. For now, the general working public of Greece is outraged at the decision. Outlandish tax hikes that target popular demographics, and cuts to pensions, means a reassessment of living conditions for the majority of citizens.

It’s safe to say the majority of STU students are familiar with the Facebook group “Overheard at STU.” But what about those weird and wacky style sightings? You know, the ridiculous outfits and trends that make you think “Are they for real?”

Hey there. I’m a first-year journalism student from small-town Nova Scotia. I plan to rant about what’s in, what’s out, and what I have to say about all that. I’ve got an interest in fashion, but don’t expect to see me buying into every hooker boot, furry vest trend.

Let’s talk weekend wear. There’s a gaping contrast between evening and morning clothing choices, for obvious reasons. At night some girls just can’t get enough of tight skirts, tight shirts, tight anything. And then there’s the always classy choice of the magical shirt turned dress. Don’t get me started on that one.

Now in the morning there’s a chameleon effect. Baggy sweatpants, t-shirts, hoodies.. you get the picture. I understand the need for comfort. And yet I get the impression that subconsciously it’s a competition to see who can make the largest transformation. It’s like a math equation. To achieve the best results I put minimal effort into my morning appearance to appear as if a rough night occurred. Then I can put any amount of effort into my going out appearance and get compliments for the miraculous makeover.

But enough of that. This season’s trends have great potential for weekend attire that even I won’t deem inappropriate. Denim leggings are hoping to become the perfect mix between the look of skinny jeans and the comfort of normal leggings. Done with a longer shirt, heels and confidence, this look is sure to be a winner. And they can easily switch to day wear when done with boots and a tunic-style top. If you’re looking to pick up a pair check out Smart Set, American Eagle or Garage for $20.

In the tops department, designers have been putting the focus on necklines. Cowl necks made a comeback from the 30s and were a quick go-to item for going out. Slowly they’re finding themselves at the back of the closet this season, while halter, v-neck, and strapless are returning. A greater emphasis is now being placed on rising waistbands. This combination of neckline and waistband I find more appealing than the previous kangaroo-like pouch covering the chest.

Don’t get me wrong; lots of university students dress perfectly normal. But there are just some fashion statements out there that scream notice me. Two of my favourites around campus are the “I just rolled out of bed and yes I could care less” and “The gym, the caf, class, whatever; I’m always making a statement.”

If you need visuals, picture sweatpants tucked into slippers and a baggy t-shirt for the first. And for the second, hair always down (that includes the gym), and brand names galore.

Now, I don’t claim to be an expert fashionista by a long shot. But I do claim to be an avid fashion observer. So if you catch me staring, it’s most likely because I love your shoes, or find your bag atrocious.

This video contains me showing some of my crazy collections! I’d be interested to know if I am the only one with these random collections… anybody else a  collector?

Baltimore hardcore band Give opened the show at the Opera House Friday night, and set somewhat of a heavy tone for the night. Sadly, I only caught the last two songs of their set, and I really wish I could have seen more. The thunderous, bass-laden drums that continuously keeps rolling on through both fast parts and slow breakdowns initially captivated me. Their uniqueness kept my attention. Give is definitely a hardcore band, complete with tell-tale aggressive heaviness. This gets mixed, though, with a lighter guitar sound. There isn’t too much distortion, making it easy to follow the rhythm. Comparing the guitar style to a similar band would not be easy.  And, when a band can heed me from b-lining to the bar as soon as I get into a show, which Give did, they usually stick around in my playlist for good.

The D’urbervilles, who took the stage after Give, are also great at keeping your attention. Their new-age brand of rock-pop beamed through the Opera House. Their sound is somewhere between Joy Division and the Weakerthans, and much in common with most dance-rock indie bands. However, they strike their own pose. They have some very technical, high-tempo, yet sometimes hard to follow, drum beats. Two synthesizers, looked after by guitarist/lead singer John O’Regan and lead guitarist Tim Bruton, work together well with the clean, palm-muted, not too overpowering guitar lines. There were highs and lows to this set – when at their best, The D’urbervilles can trigger sporadic, arm-throwing dance moves in any wallflower, like they did for O’Regan.

After the D’urbervilles, Kurt Vile played a captivating six-song set that I, once again, was very drawn into. He opened with “Overnite Religion” accompanied by a second guitarist/percussionist, who laid down the tambourine and maraca lines of the song. The trippy folk-rock made up of loop-dubs, looped drum beats, and guitar, set an intimate vibe throughout the Opera House before Fucked Up went on. At times I felt like it was just Kurt and I alone in a room, and when I would come back to my senses, I would look around and confirm that everyone else was also entranced by him. The third song was drummed by Jonah from Fucked Up, which added a refreshing crack to the low-key stoner rock. In total, the Kurt Vile set felt almost like a healing process, a cool rejuvenator before Fucked Up tore the place apart.

Tore it apart they did. Fucked Up started their set with drummer Jonah’s mother playing the flute line from “Year of the Rat,” and then dove into “Son the Father,” off their Polaris Prize winning album “The Chemistry of Common Life,” and staple opener for recent shows. They moved smoothly into “David Comes To Life,” with a tweaked breakdown in the middle, differing from the studio version of the tune. By mid-set, lead singer Damian Pink Eyes Abraham lit things up and tore his t-shirt off, as usual. For the next song, Damian sang while pulling an impressively long microphone cable around the entire Opera House floor, a perfect way to engage the crowd. Near the end of the set, while playing “Crusades,” a fan who grabbed the mic from Damian and started singing was attacked by another audience member, the attacker was swiftly removed from the event. After a quick break, the debacle was sorted out. The band just picked up where they left off, and finished the song with the final chorus. The performance was full of Fucked Up classics,  including a thrashing rendition of “Two Snakes” off the band’s debut LP, “Hidden World.” The sextet played well together, in sync at all times, while frequently switching and changing parts of many songs.  A tight set, that was undoubtedly planned and polished, from one of Toronto’s hottest bands.

Peter Russel’s book Recognizing Aboriginal Title: The Mabo Case and Indigenous Resistance to English-Settler Colonialism provides a meticulously thorough overview of Aboriginal rights in Australia since the inception of British Colonialism in Australia in the sixteenth century. In a time when, in Canada, Aboriginal rights are still at odds with our legal system, Russell’s story of how one man, Eddie Koiki Mabo, managed to instil key Aboriginal rights in Australian law provides an uplifting ray of hope.

The first half of the near-400 page book provides a background of Indigenous history in Australia. Not too surprisingly, it is 200 pages of extensive research on how the Natives on the British occupied land mass come to be at the mid-point of the twentieth century. It is a wealth of information to take in, beginning with the onset of colonisation and the threat it created on non-British culture. Much like in Canada and the United States, the Native peoples of Australia intended to work together with colonisers during the first wave of colonisation.

But, also like in North America, there were many injustices done to the original inhabitants of Australia by colonisers over the past 500 years. More or less, the many unrecognized land claims and Aboriginal rights treaties were left to rot, and be forgotten, until the famous Mabo case.

Eddie Mabo was a descendent of original inhabitants of Mer Island, an offshore land mass north of Australia. Mabo’s life consisted of countless political endeavours in order to decolonize Native life in Australia. In other words, he wished to see Native culture persist despite the assimilation, and oppressive techniques, of the British Crown. 

All this came to a head in the Mabo vs. Queensland case, beginning in 1982 and ending in 1992. In the end, the High Court of Australia deemed that Native title to lands, cultural practices and lifestyles are a fundamental right of Native Australians. Not to sound too promising, the second half of Russell’s book looks at how the government of Australia, like in Canada and the US, found loopholes to further challenge Aboriginal title rights for its own economic and political agendas.

I cannot give it all away in one small blog, because the story of Aboriginal sovereignty in Australia is a long, and still unfinished tale. However, Russell has managed to tell the story in a captivatingly interesting way. A real page-turner that any history buff should find hard to put down.

A Vancouver Olympic Committee parking lot in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is home to a sea of red tents. The public staging is the reaction of homeless activists in Vancouver who feel the Olympics are problematic for homeless people.

The idea is about catching the public eye. The red tents have bright white blurbs and slogans designed as a visual aid for the homeless movement. Quite simply: Red tents equal homeless movement. It seems the intention has succeeded. There have been stories about the tent activism throughout the media in the past weeks.

The homeless movement in Vancouver has chosen the Olympics as the backdrop for their activism because for Vancouver’s large homeless population, the recent preparation for the Games meant displacing them from the downtown core. The movement asks that instead of spending billions on international sporting events, that Vancouver and other major cities address homeless problems.

The tent city site is one of many major social protests meeting the Olympics. First Nations activists fighting for land rights, environmental activists educating about nature deprivation, domestic violence and women’s activists, them andmany more have all utilized the soapbox the Games provide.

Tent city is expected to remain assembled until the Olympics are over. Small groups of activists have also taken to the streets, handing out free tents to anyone in need. After the games, and gold medal reports, we will see if the tent campaign achieves any success for the homeless cause.

I’m going to assume most people have at least pondered the idea of working at the government at least once in their life. I mean, lets face it, it pays really awesome, they get a ton of vacation time and they have some great benefits and a wide range of places to work at within the departments and across Canada. I also am going to assume that a lot of students have had very few chances or none at all to work at a desk job or at the government. I say this because up until about 2 years ago, all my friends I would do every year was complain about our summer jobs and how we’d always get stuck in retail doing hard work for minimum pay at all hours of the day/week. We used to dream of the day we’d get to work in an office in front of a computer all day and get weekends off…yes, we actually wanted the 9-5 jobs…

            Of course, you may have read a blog I wrote a while back talking about how the student life and the ‘real world’ lifestyle are very different and how the student is so efficient that they have to slow down a lot when they start working outside of school. Well, my perspectives on that topic really came from working in the public service. Now, I’m not going to say that all jobs in the government are boring or demand very little attention/hard-work because honestly, some of them are very hard and stressful, and it really depends on where you work and what’s going on in the department at the time you’re there…Also, it helps if you have a higher status and are not just working at entry level positions with a lot of other people trying to work their way up. However, I have spoken to a lot of students and people around my age who have reiterated my concerns about working in the government. It can get boring and not really tap into your strengths or skills.

            This being said, I do not want to discourage anyone from perusing a carrier or job in the government as, like I said, not all jobs will be the same. I DO however, want to warn people as to what they may be getting into and also maybe give some insight as to how to avoid getting stuck in this position and also how to get your foot in the door in the government.

Advice for getting in:

-If your school provides you the opportunity to do a field placement and there is a placement available in the government, I would say take it. Do everything in your power to get into a placement position that has opportunity for advancement. This is how I got into the public service, and honestly the majority of entry level positions I see are filled with placement students.

-With this advice in mind however, there are other way I know of getting into the government, these are: applying though FSWEP (Federal Student Work Experience Program), by either going to jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm or Googling FSWEP and filling out the VERY long form (don’t worry there is an end to it and after filling it out once, it’s just a matter of updating it from year to year). You could also go on the government of Canada website at www.jobs.gc.ca and search for jobs in your area. Keep in mind however, that most job postings will be posted internally, so another way would be to try and find someone working in government already who can update you on any jobs and can take your resume around to those looking to hire.

-Finally, it’s a great idea to start looking for jobs well in advance. Actually, if you’re looking for summer employment, you really should have been looking back in Dec or Jan, however, it’s never too late…so get moving!

Advice once you’re in:

-You will have to do some dirty work once you start working in the government, and by this I mean, boring and tedious tasks…sometimes reading about your department or catching up on the latest developments in the area you work in. Other times, filing documents or photocopying things for your employers.

-Do all of these tasks in an efficient manner, and ask for work when you’re done, do not wait around for your supervisor to give you something to do. Doing this shows initiative and if they have nothing more for you to work on they can possibly hand you over to someone else in your department to help them, this provides you with more exposure to others and to different work.

-Keep close contact with all those you work with and get to know them and spend as much time with them as you can. Research people who work in your department so you know who the “big wigs” are and try to rub shoulders with them any opportunity you can get. There are often small events that are held from time to time and if you receive emails for these events, ask your supervisor about them and see if you can get the chance to go and mingle, or go with your supervisor and ask them to introduce you to some people.

-Those you get close with will often be more than happy to forward you any job opportunities they hear about or provide you with references and contacts for future employment. Also, if you’re on the inside, like I said you’ll likely be given more chances to apply internally to jobs.

-All of these strategies will hopefully lead you to a higher position or one that taps into your strengths more than the entry-level ones, and at the very least, all of this exposure should provide you with a wealth of knowledge on various tasks which can promote your capabilities to those you work with, which may lead them to providing you with more difficult, demanding, rewarding and meaningful tasks.  

 Good Luck!