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Purple monkey dishwasher since 1906
English Department begins controversial The more educated you are, the later you Is Australia’s V8 Supercar racing the
play with talented newcomer as the lead will get married, according to a new study sports equivalent to Jersey Shore?
>> pg.5 >> pg.3 >> pg.8
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2010 WESTERN’S DAILY STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1906 VOLUME 104, ISSUE 31
News Briefs
Other mental
More education means later Fall reading week
health services
available marriage for grads, says study not an easy task
Cheryl Stone I don’t know that
First-semester break could
“
>> continued from pg.1 NEWS EDITOR
people need a
“I have a few friends who […]
were told they would have to wait
Canada’s couples are holding off on
getting hitched.
career, but you
should know what reduce stress, anxiety
two months,” she said. “When According to Human Resources you want to do
someone is suffering from a mental and Skills Development Canada, in when you grow up. >> continued from pg.1
disorder, two months can mean 2003 the average age for a groom in Listed
Guy Grenier
everything.” Canada was 30.2 years and for brides Lecturer in the department of stress from heavy academic work- Ontario universities with fall
With lengthy waiting lists keep- it was an average of 28.2 years. This is psychology at Western loads and deadlines. reading weeks
ing students from getting timely the oldest age for an average first “Some [students] are procrasti-
support, other mental health out- marriage Canada has ever seen. On the one hand he saw our soci- nators and leave it until the last
lets are available in London, such Thirty years ago grooms aver- ety as more career–focused than minute and then it really over- Trent University
as the Middlesex-London Health aged 25 years of age and brides those in the past and on the other whelms them so it’s all a part of Nippissing University
Unit. averaged 22 years. hand he also saw Canadians as learning good self care, as well.”
York University
“We don’t do face-to-face ses- “From our standpoint as coun- graduating with more student debt Student mental health seems
sional counselling, but if someone selors, it is a positive,” Doug than in previous generations. like a valid reason for supporting a University of Ottawa
needed some brief face-to-face McGeachie, a marriage counselor “It’s an awful lot to do with the fall reading week, Coker thought. University of Toronto
appointment to debrief and figure with Oasis Victory Fellowship economic structure here in Cana- “Having a break in the middle of
out what they can do next to gain explained. He noted he sees many da,” McGeachie noted. “Many each semester is useful [...] and
some longer-term counselling, people in their twenties living in a young couples are continuing on in those are some great reasons as to Still, in the wake of what could
there are some other mental health culture which considers marriage school and […] working so they can why students should maybe be have been a much-needed break
facilities in the city and we would to be disposable, with more of a get there.” starting to ask for this more active- from classes, students are keen on
help them find the appropriate willingness to get a divorce. Grenier agreed, noting students ly.” the idea.
one,” Joan Kicks, access team “When people are older and need more education to get a Hodson believed a break could “I personally would love it,”
leader for the MLHU, said. more mature they are able to work career, and it takes longer to estab- be useful, depending on how stu- Michelle Briffett, a second-year arts
“We do have the London Mental things out,” he noted. lish a career after finishing school. dents chose to use it. and humanities student, said,
Health Crisis Service. It’s a 24-hour He did not see a correlation “I don’t know that people need a “If students used it for prepara- adding she would spend the time
support line where there are mental between every young couple how- career, but you should know what tion to reduce any ongoing anxiety catching up on work and studying.
health staff manning the lines. We ever. you want to do when you grow up.” it would be a great thing. I don’t “There’s such a heavy workload.
also have a mobile unit that can go Guy Grenier, a lecturer in the Grenier also noted a shift in gen- know if that’s what they would This is the biggest period of the year
off-site and help people in crisis sit- department of psychology at West- der roles would be needed to par- choose to do — that’s the hard you go without a break.”
uations.” ern, explained some of the reasons tially reverse this trend. part.”
Currently the mental health behind people marrying later in life “Everybody wants to be married Establishing a fall reading week
department at Western has a staff of
two psychiatrists who work three
were due to societal changes.
“There’s a lack of stigma around
but nobody wants to be the wife,”
Grenier explained. “Traditional
at Western could be difficult, and
would require active student LSAT MCAT
GMAT GRE
days per week, along with seven sex outside of marriage than there gender roles left women in the demand, Coker explained.
part-time general practitioner psy- was 30 years ago,” Grenier home doing domestic chores, and “I think that you would either
chotherapists and one part-time explained. He noted the increase in nobody really wanted that role.” need to start the year earlier or con-
social worker. non-married couples living togeth- He noted a shift in roles was sider compressing exams. That’s a Preparation Seminars
Student Health’s mental health er contributed to the higher ages. necessary. bit of the issue, how it would affect
department is open Monday to Fri- McGeachie thought the trend “Society will evolve the way the front end or the bottom end of • Complete 30-Hour Seminars
day 1-4 p.m. could be the result of two things. society wants to evolve.” the semester.” • Convenient Weekend Schedule
• Proven Test-Taking Strategies
• Experienced Course Instructors
Campus union set to meet this Friday V E G A N R E STA U R A N T • Free Repeat Policy
• Personal Tutoring Available
Now open for Sunday Brunch
Serving home-cooked meals with local, • Thousands of Satisfied Students
>> continued from pg.1 result in classes being shut down, You’re going to find an awful lot of organic and fair-trade ingredients
that doesn’t mean there won’t be delays,” Macleod said. “We perform
090911
table [Thursday] — we’ve got a 95 inconveniences on campus,” Con- essential services and essential OPEN Tuesday - Sunday OXFORD SEMINARS
per cent strike mandate,” McLeod nell said. work. Life is not going to be as easy 1-800-269-6719
646 Richmond St. Bike delivery
said. “Are we going to do what we UWOSA represents some 1,100 for students.” 519-850-8688 Licensed 416-924-3240
have the mandate for? If we have to administrative and technical staff Adding to strike worries, www.oxfordseminars.ca
— we will.” in every department at Western, UWOSA has announced a special
www.vegoutrestaurant.com
UWOSA has spent their last including administrative assistants, general membership meeting for
week preparing for every last detail laboratory technicians, residence this Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Nat-
of a strike. staff and drivers. ural Science Building.
They’ve rented a strike head- Although a UWOSA strike would It is believed UWOSA will use
quarters, co-ordinated vans and not cancel classes, it could severely the meeting to either inform mem-
finalized picketing schedules. affect student services. bers of a tentative agreement
They’ve also inherited the portable During exams, for instance, reached with administration today
Invest in yourself.
Help your community.
toilets that UWOFA had installed UWOSA members submit marks, or to mobilize a strike force.
Tuesday afternoon for their strike prepare exams, co-ordinate proc- “Even though we did not declare
that was eventually averted. tors and organize exam rooms. a strike deadline, I think most peo-
In fact, walking into the UWOSA “We know campus won’t shut ple can figure it out,” Macleod said. INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP
Lifelong Learning
offices unannounced Wednesday down if we walk. But campus is not “We’re set to go. If we say the word,
afternoon, a staff member could be
seen labelling and organizing a fleet
going to be a very convenient place. we can go.”
Register in Adult Education
Business Writing and Communications
of cell phones for communications
use in the event of a strike. November! Coaching
Communications and Public Relations
“Western is very concerned. Conflict Management
While a strike by UWOSA might not For every course you register Creative Writing
Languages
during the month of Leadership
November, $5.00 will be Management
donated to United Way! Marketing ONLINE
Not-For-Profit Management
The Food & Drink Issue
Project Management
Puzzle solution from page 8
Have your say by taking the Gazette’s Western CIM
survey on the best restaurants and
bars in London.
Opinions saywhat?
“It was like a leather texture, like a really smooth leather, really
soft. It wasn’t even scary, it was like, ‘Dude, it’s a whale’.”
>> Sam Matheson, Australian teenager, after jumping on the back of
and subsequently riding a wild whale in Australia
Fake friends?
Blame Facebook
er and look at the bigger picture.
This new application is no excep-
tion. While we might not like our
Kash-money
own relationships to be reduced,
we’re inclined to drift to these
friendship pages to see the status of
other relationships.
Meagan Kashty What used to be private is now
DEPUTY EDITOR open to the world, and the intimate
meagan@westerngazette.ca relationships we once cherished
have become a public spectacle.
I remember a time when the While it may seem silly to think
strength of a friendship was deter- about now, unconsciously Face-
mined by more than just the num- book is dictating our friendships
ber of photos you were tagged in or and the way we interact with one
how long your wall-to-wall conver- another. It used to be that you had
sations were. I remember when a to work to maintain a friendship,
friendship couldn’t be reduced to a but now a simple wall post can be
single screenshot on your comput- used as an excuse for not making a
er. short phone call.
You may have noticed some- If a friendship page has a lengthy
thing new on Facebook — an appli- wall-to-wall conversation, or you’ve
cation that lets you see a summary
of your friendship with another
person. The page includes wall-to-
attended a lot of events with that
person, this seems to justify avoid-
ing any actual conversation or need
Falling for a fall break
wall conversations, mutual friends, for future social interaction. Face-
likes and dislikes, events you’ve book used to be about helping As midterm season comes to a close, many students With that being said, a fall reading week may not be
both attended, and a photo select- maintaining friendships — now it’s are struggling to catch up on work that’s stuck on the needed by all students. Though it would benefit the
ed by Facebook to represent the just a crutch. It even notifies you of backburner. Anxious to get work done, some were hop- large majority who use it to catch up on school work,
friendship. friends it thinks you should check ing to use the time during a strike to catch up. At times we all know there’s more than a few students who
But a friendship encompasses up on or send a message to. like these, it’s not too hard to make a case for a fall read- would use a fall reading week as a time to head off to
more than just photos and likes or It’s important to remember that ing week. Punta Cana.
dislikes. Relationships take time to in the end, relationships — It’s not too surprising why many people look at sec- There is still a precedent for a fall reading week
develop — there are complexities whether romantic or platonic — ond semester much more fondly than first — though though. Universities and colleges, such as Trent and
involved, and every friendship has need to be maintained outside of the workloads are similar, second semester offers read- Nipissing, have implemented them. And while these
nuances that make them unique. Facebook to truly thrive. Interac- ing week and the Easter long weekend off school. institutions have acquired the stigma of being less aca-
To reduce these intricacies to a tions on Facebook do not always First semester, on the other hand, is stuck with a demically demanding, it’s unlikely the blame for such
screenshot is insulting. reflect two people’s relationship in desert of holidays between the beginning of school and a reputation can be directed at an October reading
As a society we have become far real life, and a friendship can cer- winter break — only the oasis of Thanksgiving week- week. Still, if Western added a fall reading week it could
too comfortable with taking the tainly not be reflected in a few mes- end offers an opportunity for some family time and a acquire a similar stigma.
information we see at face value — sages, pictures or a frivolous Face- turkey dump. But realistically, Western’s reputation as an acade-
we don’t take the time to dig deep- book application. To make matters worse, December exam period has mic and research intensive institution is not going to
notoriously been jammed into a two week crunch hinge on an extra five days off of a three and half month
while April exams are spread out over the month, giv- semester.
Letters to the Editor ing students more time to prepare. A potential solution that would allow Western stu-
So it’s odd we aren’t more upset about the current dents to maintain their snobbery about the amount of
Students should choose state of things. After all, stress can have serious health
effects, especially for university students. Mental health
issues and feelings of stress affect many students and
school we take would be to sacrifice a week off the end
of summer holidays.
As the phenomenon of fall reading week becomes
Re: “Choosing Sides” (Nov. 2, 2010) actually discouraging students from steps should be taken to help this. First semester is a popular at other academic institutions, perhaps West-
getting informed and making an stressful three and a half months for the general stu- ern students may start to want what they don’t have.
To the Editor: opinion. The Gazette is driving stu- dent population without any significant time off With Facebook providing a place to gather for com-
“So when it comes to taking a posi- dents away, telling them to shut up school. It’s not hard to imagine a happier student pop- plainers of all shapes and sizes, perhaps we might see a
tion on a strike, maybe the smartest and stay quiet. That’s not the job of ulation experiencing better grades to accompany their fall reading week protest group form in the near future.
thing is to not take one at all.” the media, it’s the job of the Admin- peace of mind. — The Gazette Editorial Board
It’s amazing how one line can istration. The Gazette should be
destroy the integrity of not only an researching and reporting on what is
article but of an entire newspaper known, not lurking around Facebook
as well. The sentence above is the
last line in the featured opinion,
looking for students to criticize.
This is an embarrassment to stu-
dearlife dailyquote
“Choosing Sides.” I found the dent journalism and the University Why was everyone saying that we All things on earth point home in old
rhetoric used in this piece distaste- Students’ Council for allowing a
ful and manipulative. The Gazette comment like this to be published. were going to have a strike? I mean, October; sailors to sea, travellers to
calls it “choosing sides” while oth- —Jonah Wolfraim I’m happy that everyone has come to walls and fences, hunters to field and
ers will call it “forming an opinion.” FIMS IV
hollow and the long voice of the
It’s the media’s role in society to an agreement, but now I’m in class, in
inform its readers to the best of its Ed note: While the University Stu- last night’s clothes, with a hangover hounds, the lover to the love he has
ability so that people can under- dents’ Council is the Gazette’s pub-
on a Wednesday. forsaken.
stand what’s going on. lisher, editorial autonomy ensures
It’s a natural human tendency to they have no authority over content >> westerngazette.ca/dearlife — THOMAS WOLFE
have an opinion on the matter. Read- in the newspaper. They do not see
ing the Gazette, I see this line which is content before it is published.
Editorials are decided by a majority of the editorial board and Gazette Composing & Gazette Advertising
thegazette are written by a member of the editorial board but are not nec- Ian Greaves, Manager Mark Ritchie
News
Gloria Dickie
Opinions
Jesse Tahirali
Volume 104, Issue 31 essarily the expressed opinion of each editorial board member.
www.westerngazette.ca Maja Anjoli-Bilić Karen Savino Monica Blaylock
All other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not nec- Photography
Cheryl Forster Diana Watson Cheryl Stone
essarily reflect the opinions of the USC, The Gazette, its editors Kaleigh Rogers Corey Stanford
Contact: Nyssa Kuwahara
or staff.
Stuart A. Thompson www.westerngazette.ca Gazette Staff 2010-2011 Arts & Life
Editor-In-Chief To submit a letter, go to westerngazette.ca and click on “Con- Editorial Cartoonist
University Community Centre Katherine Atkinson, Alli Aziz, Christian Campbell, Elliott Nicole Gibillini
tact.” Amani Elrofaie
Rm. 263 Maddie Leznoff
Meagan Kashty All articles, letters, photographs, graphics, illustrations and car- Cohen, Adam Crozier, Angela Easby, Mark Filipowich,
Anna Paliy
The University of Western Ontario Amber Garratt
Deputy Editor London, ON, CANADA toons published in The Gazette, both in the newspaper and online Jennifer Gautier, Ricki-Lee Gerbrandt, Jessica Gibbens,
versions, are the property of The Gazette. By submitting any such
Grace Davis Creative Director
Mike Hayes N6A 3K7 James Hall, Katie Hetherman, Elton Hobson, Eliot Hong,
material to The Gazette for publication, you grant to The Gazette Sports Lauren Pelley
Managing Editor Editorial Offices: (519) 661-3580 Alan Hudes, Elena Iosef, Aras Kolya, Jay LaRochelle, Colin
Advertising Dept.: (519) 661-3579
a non-exclusive, world-wide, royalty-free, irrevocable license to Daniel Da Silva Gazette Creative
publish such material in perpetuity in any media, including but not Lim, Jared Lindzon, Pat Martini, Paula Meng, Lauren Moore, Kaitlyn McGrath Sophia Lemon
limited to, The Gazette‘s hard copy and online archives. Ora Morison, Maciej Pawlak, Jonathan Pinkus, Aaron Pinto,
The Gazette is owned and published by the Associate Richard Goodine
University Students’ Council. • Please recycle this newspaper • Jaymin Proulx, Chen Rao, Cali Travis, Drew Whitson Arden Zwelling Anders Kravis
thegazette • Thursday, November 4, 2010 •5
Arts&Life saywhat?
We don’t want your sympathy. We did this to ourselves and feel like
idiots. But we’ve grown up and are definitely not as naïve anymore.
>> Spencer Pratt on his and Heidi Montag’s poor financial situation
Zumba Fitness
Grace Davis around the world, like belly dance, is fun. It doesn’t feel like you’re exer- are half guys and half girls. So yes,
ARTS & LIFE EDITOR merengue, salsa, and maybe even cising because the focus is on the in Canada it might be female-dom-
African rhythms. It’s a mix of a wide music. There is no right or wrong — inated, but any guy who might be
Zumba is a dance-fitness program variety of rhythms. the instructor leads you through interested in trying a class — what
that is proving to be more than just visual cuing and you just follow other way to meet great girls? In the
a fad. What kind of a workout is along. I think the thing that surpris- bigger city centres there are def-
Celebrity fitness trainer Beto Zumba? es people the most is how much fun initely more guys. It was
Perez accidentally stumbled upon It is a full body workout. It is very the class is. We call it “exercise in designed by a man so it is
the concept of Latin-inspired dance- much a cardiovascular workout. We disguise” because it doesn’t feel like designed for both men and women.
fitness when he forgot to bring his do tone all the muscle groups as you’re exercising even though you
music to an aerobics class and had well, through body weight and that come away with a fantastic work- What would you say to encour-
to use traditional Latin salsa and kind of stuff. out. And we also try to keep a party- age someone who is nervous
merengue music as a substitute. The like atmosphere, which is why we about trying Zumba?
warm reception from his class How does Zumba stand out don’t use a microphone. It is important to go and try it,
prompted him to start the program. from other group classes? and not expect yourself to be per-
After he brought the program to Zumba is very simple and easy What should someone wear to fect at it because Zumba isn’t
the U.S. in 2001, he was approached to follow. It’s designed so that any- the class? about going and getting all the
by entrepreneurs and together they one can do it. You don’t have to Wear either a dance fitness steps perfect. It is about going and
trademarked the word Zumba and have any dance experience to do sneaker, or a shoe that’s worn out having a good time, and increasing
created a global company based on this class. In a regular dance class, that doesn’t have a lot of tread on your agility and your ability over
his fitness philosophy. you might have to have some dance the bottom. Just wear regular fit- time. So even if you have two left Robyn Holm
After taking a local Zumba class experience. In Zumba, if you go to ness clothes — anything that you’re feet, don’t worry because a lot of Zumba Education Specialist
at the Athletics Club, the Gazette one or two classes, you will have a comfortable in. the people in the class will have • Been in the fitness industry for
caught up with Western Canada handle on it and you can just get two left feet as well. And the more eight years
Zumba Education Specialist Robyn better from there. From the outside it looks like you practice, the better you are • Group fitness instructor for
Holm to talk about the program. it’s mostly women who try going to be at it. My advice is dive six years
What are some of things people Zumba. What would you say to in — grab a friend, go together and • Began instructing Zumba
in 2008
What is Zumba? would be surprised about when a guy who wants to try it? just give it a try.
• Started working for Zumba
Zumba is a Latin-based fitness they go into a Zumba class? Zumba was created by a guy. In Check the “find class” section on March 2009
dance program. So it includes Latin It’s different from other dance the [U.S.], especially in places like www.zumba.com to locate local • Travels around Canada training
rhythms along with others from fitness programs because the focus Miami, I would say the instructors London classes. Zumba instructors
6• thegazette • Thursday, November 4, 2010
Friday Nov. 5
4
Girls
Now Playing $ 99 tion actually has videos free to
watch. The site also features forums
and caters to television viewers of
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When: 7 p.m.
Nov 4 about your favourite childhood commercials by choice may seem
3
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Sunday Nov. 7
Another unique feature on the favorite toys, cereals and fast food
Rated 14A Rated 14A What: Orchestra London Concert
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site is the inclusion of a “writer’s restaurants. Before you know it,
Where: Best Western Lamplighter
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Inn & Conference Centre
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LET ME IN
write articles about what they hours reminiscing about your
enjoyed as a child. The site’s devel- childhood, chastising yourself for $55 online
oper posts these articles on a still knowing the lyrics to an old
www.westernfilm.ca 519-661-3616
Review > CD
No experience necessary.
Seriously.
thegazette • Thursday, November 4, 2010 •7
saywhat?
“I’m upset about a lot of things taking place in the game, but I
Sports
don’t want to say anything negative. Well, one thing. The LeBron
James spectacle, his reality show when he was signing up with a
team, I thought that was in poor taste. That’s not basketball, as
far as I’m concerned.”
Ian Naismith, grandson of James Naismith inventor of basketball,
on the game today.
rundown >> Eight of Western’s varsity teams are ranked in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports top ten > Teams include the men’s football, basketball, hockey, soccer,
cross country and volleyball team, and the women’s basketball and cross country team | After completing an undefeated preseason, the men’s basketball team will
start OUA action this weekend
Mustangs miss
shot at Final Four
Women out after 3-2 loss
Kaitlyn McGrath ese beat Oberholzer to give her
SPORTS EDITOR team the one goal lead. But it didn’t
take long for the Mustangs to
The Mustangs women’s soccer respond when Grand rifled a shot
team was paired up against the past the Laurier goalkeeper to tie
league–leading Laurier Golden the game minutes before the first
Hawks last Saturday and a win was- half expired.
n’t going to come easy. “After going down 1–0 we didn’t
“The team has to give everything give up. Tying up the game going
and work hard every second of the into half was a huge confidence
game […] we need to want it more booster for everyone on the team.”
than Laurier and have the desire to And the regained confidence
beat them to every ball,” Mustangs definitely showed as the Mustangs
goalie Melanie Oberholzer said went up eight minutes into the bot-
before the match. tom half with a goal from rookie
The Mustangs made it as close as Emily Decker. But the lead was
they could get, pushing the Hawks short–lived — only two minutes
past overtime and into penalty later Laurier levelled the playing
kicks. Unfortunately, luck was on field once again.
Laurier’s side and they were able to Since overtime solved nothing,
come out on top 3–2, ending the the game would be left to chance. Jody Bailey GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Mustangs season in the process. Or, as it’s called in the soccer world, THE MUSTANGS KICKED THE BUCKET INSTEAD OF THE BALL. The Mustangs women’s soccer team may have outplayed
“Shootouts are a terrible way to penalty kicks. the Laurier Golden Hawks, but they couldn’t overcome them in a shootout, ending Western’s season in heartbreak.
end a contest,” Mustangs mid- “[Shootouts] never really show
fielder Erin Grand said. “We were the outcome of how the game was rocky one, beginning with a slow playoffs,” Grand said. “When we of the girls back next year. Having
the better team across the 90 min- played,” Oberholzer added. start where they only won one of needed to the most, during the experience and older players is an
utes of play and 30 minutes of And for the Mustangs that might their first six games. But toward the playoffs, we played our best games.” important factor in Ontario Univer-
overtime and the result doesn’t be so, as they fought hard, but ulti- end of the season and after adjust- Despite the bitter loss, the Mus- sity Athletics and something we
show that. The Laurier keeper mately lost in the shootout, send- ments to the line-up, things began tangs will have much to take away haven’t really had in the last couple
made two great guesses and our ing Laurier off to the Final Four and to click for the Mustangs. from this season, most importantly of years,” Grand said. “Our success
season was done as a result.” leaving themselves to prepare for “Regular season should have experience. in the playoffs is a testament to the
The Mustangs fell behind early next season. gone better, but ultimately those “We were a young team this year skill that we have and will have
when Laurier forward Julie March- The Mustangs’ season was a games are just a means to get to the so it will be great to have majority again next year.”
Guilty pleasures,
now in V8 form
concrete barriers at speeds well
over 200 km/h.
Hayes’d & Also, because the width of the
Confused track often only allows for two cars
to squeeze around a corner, pass-
ing happens in a split–second,
often with cars crowding for posi-
Mike Hayes tion like jockeys at the Kentucky
MANAGING EDITOR Derby whenever a turn comes up.
mike@westerngazette.ca It’s rare to see a race–winner’s car
not missing a body panel or mirror
I’m at a crossroads. I’ve always when the checkered flag comes
looked down my exceedingly long down.
nose at anyone who claimed to But for all of that, the rules are
watch and enjoy American Idol or fairly simple: cars are either heavi- FILE PHOTO
Jersey Shore or any number of those ly–modified Ford Falcons or Hold- AL GORE IS GOING TO NEED TO CHANGE HIS TIGHTY–WHITEYS AFTER SEEING THIS. It takes an Australian mind to come up
guilty pleasure television shows. en Commodores — both cars built with something as crazy as V8 Supercars — a racing event similar to NASCAR but with much more complicated track layouts.
But now it looks like I’m once in Australia — with strict rules on all
again verging on hypocrisy because modifications. With five litre Is my enjoyment of this kind of One only needs to sit down and fuels haven’t totally expired, it is
I’m at a point where I now have a engines putting out 600 horsepow- racing merely a sign my brain is watch one of the many exciting becoming increasingly harder to
guilty pleasure television event to er, it goes without saying that these devolving to Cro–Magnon levels? races this season, including the justify the sheer excesses of motor-
call my own. It’s called V8 Supercars cars can go face–flatteningly fast. After all, while watching highly thrilling conclusion of the Gold sports. Though NASCAR and For-
— and it’s basically the Australian Races often end with only a second modified stock cars fly around a Coast 600 race, to get a glimpse of mula One are financially backed by
equivalent of NASCAR. between first and last place. track trading paint and pulling off why these races are so much fun to large corporate donations, V8 has to
In my defence, comparing V8 So where does the fun come in? desperate passing attempts can be watch no matter how one–dimen- rely on a much smaller Australian
Supercars to NASCAR is about the One of my Australian friends asked very exciting, it’s also pretty dumb. sional they may appear. market for support.
same as comparing the Boston me why I’d want to write a column V8 lacks the champagne–swilling Even beyond the dumb grin that Some will call the end of motor-
marathon to the Olympics’ 100 about V8 since, as she said, only you’ll find on the Formula One cir- V8 leaves on my face, there’s still a sports a step forward for the human
metre dash. For one thing, the “bogans” like to watch the races. cuit and real gearheads are likely to special place in my heart for the race and a rejection of our over–
route V8 drivers take extends a lot And while I resented the implica- trend towards endurance or GT3 races. consuming and cavalier approach
further than taking left turns tion that I was somehow an Aus- races. It is the Fosters of the auto- Because in the end, it’s doubtful to the Earth. But why not make hay
around an oval for an afternoon. tralian redneck, and therefore at the motive world — weird and dubi- this style of competition will be while the sun shines? I intend to
Most tracks for V8 go through the bottom of the global redneck social ously Australian. around for much longer. While enjoy my newfound guilty pleasure
centre of the city with cars flying by hierarchy, she did have a point. But all the same I still enjoy it. we’re still at a point where fossil as much as possible while I can.
Of course, it’s not all familiar. every week, and they seem to
HEALTHY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED for research at This year, they’ve managed to take change the way the rules are
UWO examining brain and cognitive processes. In-
volves computer tasks, questionnaires, and MRI. If their awfulness to staggering new applied whenever they feel like it.
interested contact research office of Dr. Derek heights. I mean, how is the famed Lam-
Mitchell: 519-685-8500 x32006; mitchellem-
coglab@gmail.com They wasted no time getting beau leap in Green Bay not deemed
MEN INVOLVED IN a romantic relationship wanted started either. In a week one tilt taunting when the Dallas Cowboys
to participate in research on relationships. Partici-
pants will receive monetary compensation in appre- between Chicago and Detroit, the are called for having two players
ciation for their contribution. For more information Lions were driving for a game-win- jumping around in the end zone in
please email: slackenb@uwo.ca
SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION? Participants
ning touchdown. Wide receiver celebration of a touchdown?
needed for research at UWO examining brain and Calvin Johnson caught the ball in NFL teams are doing everything
cognitive processes underlying depression. Involves
questionnaires, interview, and MRI. If interested the end zone, landed on his back, they can to beat each other. They
please contact Steve: 519-685- 8500 x36565; email rolled over and placed the ball on don’t need the referees to sway the
mailto:sgreenin@uwo.ca
the ground. The crowd went wild. game in one particular direction.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND silent auction by Lon-
N
CANADA GOOSE Oh wait, according to the ruling,
Johnson did not “complete the
process of making the catch.”
Especially when teams only play 16
games in a season, they can’t afford
to lose games because of a poor call.
don Central Lioness on Saturday, November 6 from
11am-2pm at St. Luke’s (Broughdale), 1204 Rich-
mond Street at Bernard. Refreshments. Free admis-
sion.
O Apparently he needed to cradle the
ball like he was Mufasa holding the
Maybe the NFL should actually
step in and call out the referees who
DANCE CLASSES ATDance Steps, 743 Richmond
St. at Oxford. Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop. 519- 645-8515.
V baby Simba before they would give
him the touchdown. And league
are making these spectacular blun-
ders. Or change the rules so that
www.dancestepslondon.ca
A officials actually backed the referees. they aren’t as open to interpretation
SERVICES
C Okay fine, that’s the new rule
that the NFL is going with. But what
from the men in stripes.
Or perhaps they should stop
NEED HELP? The Ombudsperson provides advice
and information about University policies and pro-
K Back In Stock… but not for long! about the many times this season their policy of hiring people off the
cedures, investigates complaints of unfair treatment,
virtually the same events have hap- back of a turnip truck to officiate
and may be able to intervene on your behalf. Confi-
dential service. Contact info: WSS- 3100b, 519-661-
3573, ombuds@uwo.ca, www.uwo.ca/ombuds/.
S www.novacks.com 519-434-2282
LONDON’S MOST INTERESTING STORE AT 211 KING ST., DOWNTOWN LONDON
pened and were ruled a catch? The their games.