Month: June 2013

The triumphant return of Georges St-Pierre

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 27 2012

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Canadian UFC fans all across the country were holding their breath as Georges St-Pierre returned to the octagon after a 19-month absence. After tearing his ACL while training for a welterweight title defense against Nick Diaz in UFC 143, GSP began his long road to recovery that involved surgery.

On November 17, St-Pierre and interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit headlined UFC 154. Condit replaced GSP in the fight against Diaz and took the unanimous decision. Condit had been waiting patiently for months for GSP to recover and at the Bell Centre in front of a packed house in Montreal, he finally had a chance to take home the undisputed title.

“Somebody asked me in the locker-room, ‘How’s Georges looking?’” said St-Pierre’s striking coach Phil Nurse prior to the event, “you know what? The last time I saw him like this is when he flattened Matt Serra at the same arena.”

Without missing a beat and appearing in full athletic form, St-Pierre took the valiant contender to five rounds, dictating the fight with a formidable ground game and regaining the title in unanimous fashion. Condit was only able to defend against St-Pierre’s take downs one in eight attempts.

“Obviously that’s not where I wanted to be, I didn’t want to be under Georges taking elbows,” said the challenger after the fight. An early strike to the temple caused Condit to bleed profusely late in the first round, when St-Pierre effortlessly got through his guard. However, despite looking like a horror movie victim, Condit did not back down. In the third round, he snuck in a high kick after a series of jabs. The left leg struck St-Pierre in the head and knocked the welterweight champion down to the mats. He would have lost the title then and there, had it not been for his flexibility and strength. “I thought I had him there,” said Condit.

But St-Pierre had spent many hours honing his ju-jitsu just for that situation. Eventually, the champion’s wrestling over matched Condit’s and he managed to get back to his feet with only visible damage to his face. But it was St-Pierre who landed the majority of significant strikes 71–36.

“I’m sure he feels like he got hit by a bus right now. I’m not even going to talk to him about it for a couple of weeks,” commented Dana White, President of UFC, when asked about the potential super fight with GSP against middle weight champion Anderson Silva. But he adds, “I think we can get it done.”

For years now, the debate has been raging on about who is in fact the best pound for pound fighter. Most loyal GSP fans will not change their mind, but Silva has yet to be challenged in his own weight class the way St-Pierre had with Condit. Although I am certain White could make the event happen, I don’t believe the match should. As skilled as St-Pierre is at the moment, a challenger like Silva may be too overwhelming, especially after an injury. I suggest that instead Silva should raise his weight to 186 lb and face light heavy weight champion Jon “Bones” Jones.

Movies for the history books

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 20 2012

The best portrayals of historical figures in cinema
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Portraying a historical figure is a right of passage for professional actors. The challenge tests their limits, gives them recognition, and might even win them an Academy Award. Every year notable actors morph themselves into famous politicians, celebrities, and athletes. This year in the movie Lincoln, Daniel Day-Lewis will take on the title role as the United States’ 16th president. With one of the most renowned actors playing the part of one of the most revered historical figures, the star power is bound to cause a cinematic supernova. Therefore, it only makes sense to look back and mention five history- making performances.

5. Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Raoul Duke was the pseudonym for gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. It was Thompson’s alter ego, a character driven by a perpetual state of intoxication and in search of the elusive American dream. Depp was a close friend of Thompson prior to making the film—perhaps that was the only way to get into the mind of such a complex personality. One moment he’ll be exhibiting traits of a southern gentleman and the next he would be raging over a subject like a “manic beast.” Depp found reasonable qualities in a person that continues to puzzle the public and some might say that those Thompson traits still linger in Depp’s performances to this day.

           

4. Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006)

In 2003, Mirren was dubbed a Dame in the courts of Buckingham Palace. Three years later, her performance in The Queen won her the Academy Award. Being the only actor to portray both Queen Elizabeths on film proves it, as she was able to bring sympathetic qualities to a seemingly emotionless figurehead, a mere image on our $20 bill. To do it all with respectable grace and dignity is a daunting feat, especially for a British decent.

3. Forest Whitaker as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Whitaker’s chilling transformation into the Ugandan president ranged from subtle exchanges to dynamic teeth clenching sequences. The Last King of Scotland was far from an action movie, but Whitaker’s performance knocked me to the edge of my seat. There were close up shots where you looked into the man’s eyes and saw only the deep dilemma, the perplexity, and recognized the depth of the once too real dire situation.

2. Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhi (1982)

There are films that blend historical legacy with cinematic performances forever. A quality portrayal can allow the person, the message, and the memory to span the stretch of time. Kingsley’s Oscar-winning performance was both a triumph for cinema and humanity. We may watch superheroes and aspire to have special powers, but to watch a movie and inspire to be a better person—that is truly something else.

1. Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler in Downfall (2004)

Keeping the infamous YouTube Hitler meme from this film aside, this hauntingly heartfelt performance by Ganz as the Nazi dictator created a boundary many were not ready to cross: sympathy for the devil exemplified to the fullest potential. The world is used to viewing Hitler as the merciless villain upon the podium, but inDownfall we catch a glimpse of the monster cowering, whimpering, and anticipating the end. A man, a character, and a performance are a multi-dimensional configuration; recognizing those facets takes great skill and effort, but only then can an actor understand another person’s decisions—another person’s life.

BCGEU strike

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 20 2012

Picketing for equal wages
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

On Wednesday November 14, a large group of support staff employees gathered outside of the empty Douglas College. After a resounding 77 per cent vote in favour for the strike earlier this month, BC Government and Service Employees’ Union members displayed their dissatisfaction on Royal Avenue and 8th Street with prominent yellow signs.

The union has been without a contract since June 30, 2010, and negotiations have been a slow process.

“We prefer to be at work,” said Kirk Pedersen, a web and social media specialist, “we don’t want to be out here.” A statement most picketers echoed on a clear autumn day. But many are hoping that the strike would call some attention to the issues.

“We want a livable wage,” said Tana Frie, a graphic designer, “there should be an equal wage within all universities and colleges.”

Currently Douglas College offers one of the lowest wages for service employees in the province. Although these workers are doing the same jobs as those from UBC and SFU, they are not receiving equal compensation. “Cost of living has increased,” said Bryan Hoff, a web designer, “[The government and college] need to catch up and help people financially.”

“Douglas College support staff deserve a fair and reasonable deal,” said BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “The monetary offer on the table at Douglas College is half what support staff at other post-secondary institutions such as UBC and SFU have settled for. That’s unfair and it’s not right.”

At the moment, the 304 support staff members at Douglas include registration staff, IT services, library assistants, bookstore clerks, student services, and financial aid advisers.

“It’ll probably happen again if it doesn’t get resolved,” said Pedersen, in regards to the strike’s longevity, “rotating strikes will continue from one district to the next.”

Sandra Mountain, the Bargaining Committee Chairperson for Douglas tries to view the future with optimism, “We are waiting. There is bound to be more activity.” But a fair solution still seems to be up in the air. “It is time to move on,” says Mountain, “There are other things that need to be focused on.”

The striking staff returned to work on Thursday. A renewed collective bargaining agreement remains to be negotiated.

Quayside to be brightened with ads

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 14 2012

New Jumbotron set for approval overlooking Columbia Street
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

On October 24, Plaza 88, the condo and commercial property attached to the redeveloped New Westminster SkyTrain station, presented the concepts for a 732-square foot Jumbotron to the Quayside Community Board. For the past couple of years, New Westminster has been undergoing an extensive makeover. As cranes crowd the skyline and construction crews parade the streets, optimistic residence and business owners are anticipating a boom.

Yet the plan to incorporate the new ordainment does not come without obstacles. The New Westminster’s sign bylaw states that no sign can exceed 215-square foot and prohibits flashing or moving lights and animation. But Penny McIvor, president of QCB does not see a problem with the addition. “[The Jumbotron is] not facing a ton of residences, it’s facing the river and not people’s bedrooms,” said McIvor. “I can’t see it interfering.”

McIvor goes on and addresses the benefits of installing the sign. “We’re OK with it because we need to promote what’s in the mall to make sure the small business don’t fail,” she said, “We’d like to see one screen with all the businesses on it rather than 50 different signs and logos all over the building.”

Plaza 88, the city’s newest development incorporates a unique retail space encasing the New Westminster SkyTrain station. This economic use of space at a convenient location is now home to banks, travel agencies, dentists, small restaurants, cafes, as well as a Safeway. The future for Plaza 88 also includes a multiplex on the second floor.

The proposal for the new sign is still being processed by the council and is currently awaiting approval. The concern regarding the sign is that it can be a distraction for those in traffic, but more so for those who will move into the residential complexes when construction is completed. The parking lot at the front of the Inn at the Quay will eventually be renovated to accommodate both the shoppers and those who live there.

“We want the business to go in there to survive,” McIvor said. “90 per cent of those who live in New Westminster don’t even know there’s a shopping mall there.”

Idle ice

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 6 2012

The storylines we’ll miss because of the NHL lockout
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

A lot was planned for the 2012-2013 NHL season and patient hockey fans might not see any of it. The damage is done and as soon as the millionaires finish bickering over dollar bills, we can get the game back on the ice and answer the questions we have been asking since early summer.

Aside from complaining about the weather, Canucks fanatics entertain each other with goaltending discussions. Well, I guess they can still blame Roberto Luongo for the storm clouds, but the main query on the burner is how much longer will they have their favorite scapegoat for. Trade speculations have been boiling ever since backup Cory Schneider took over in net late in last season’s first round playoff series. Rumors circulated about Luongo returning back to the Florida state or heading eastbound to Toronto, but here in Vancouver he remains blocking out the sun with no net to defend.

Yes, change is bound to happen, but one change Vancouver doesn’t want is their position on top of the NHL standings. For the second consecutive year, the Canucks have won the Presidents’ Trophy. It’s not the Stanley Cup, but it’s still something to be proud of. But they have been playing in a docile Division, the Northwest. While Calgary and Colorado fight just to make the playoffs, Edmonton and Minnesota linger at the bottom of the standings, collecting high draft picks. Vancouver has dominated in the past, but their time on the throne is ticking and experts believe this might be the last year the Canucks have before players in rival teams fully develop.

Elsewhere, the lockout halted many more entertaining scenarios. Blockbuster trades during the off-season created spectacles early on, but for now we can only imagine how game breakers fit into new teams. New York Rangers superstar Rick Nash, former captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, is expected to be the last missing piece in the Rangers’ playoff success. In Carolina, the Hurricane’s captain Eric Staal welcomed his brother Jordan, former player of the Pittsburgh Penguins to play alongside him. What impact will their sibling connection have on the team’s chemistry?

There are new players and then there are old players. Detroit Red Wings fans are wondering how big Nicklas Lidström’s retirement will play in the grand scheme of things. While New Jersey Devils’ organization hopes that the last playoff run was not Martin Brodeur’s final gasp for glory.

The lockout is also holding back the return of many great players that have suffered injuries. Sidney Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been ready for competition for months now. As for a player like Chris Pronger, future hall of famer and captain of Philadelphia Flyers, the question on returning still hangs in the air. After suffering from post-concussion symptoms at the ripe age of 38, is there anything left for him to return to?

If there are uncertain expectations for some, then there are high expectations for others. Players like Shea Webber, Alexander Ovechkin, Ilya Bryzgalov, and Erik Karlsson are expected to meet and exceed expectations after receiving new contracts or suffering from a subpar year.

The loss of a hockey season does not simply mean the absence of goals, saves, and numbers on a scoresheet. Storylines leave a permanent mark and that is what makes watching sports the ultimate reality television show.

Merchandise malice

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Nov. 6 2012

Proper etiquette at the cash register

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Nothing is stealthier than the month of November; every year it sneaks up and startles me. Now that it is here, that means Christmas and chaos are just around the corner. Breathe, keep calm; there is still time, but to avoid turning into a shopping mall monster, there are some lessons to learn. As a proud supporter of the “Customers are not always right” theory, I feel educated enough to teach it.

Inconsiderate people come in all shapes and sizes. But to members of the retail and customer service industry, everybody seems inconsiderate, and that’s something to keep in mind when approaching the queue. I know you’ve spent a long time at the mall, that you’re tired and frustrated from buying gifts, but the cashiers, clerks, and everyone else working have been there even longer. You chose to be at the mall—they didn’t. They were just victim to debts and the unfortunate holiday blackout schedules.

So how should you behave when the person behind the counter greets you with a friendly, yet composed smile? Smile back, of course. They aren’t the dirty squeegee guys that approach your car on the freeway exit. They are not attempting to waste your time by getting the price check or annoy you by asking if you are interested in their new promotion. They are just doing their job. Maybe not to perfection, but can you admit to never counting the hours until the end of a shift? So be a forgiving costumer, but more importantly, be a forgettable costumer.

You can learn a lot about someone by the way they handle their money. Having a good estimation of how much you have in your shopping cart before approaching the till can help you manage your wallet after the big lineup. There is a time and a place to pay with your loose change; the holiday season is not one of them. So if you’re paying more than five dollars by scattering nickels, dimes, and quarters onto the counter and expecting the cashier to count it all, you are inconsiderate. Admit it! And if you are buying anything less than 10 dollars by dropping a 100 dollar bill, well, don’t get angry when they hand you back a wad of fives. The ability to tell the difference between a bank and a store is important—recognize them before shopping.

Like bees in a hive or ants in their hills, we must all work together at a shopping mall. So please, control your children, walk at a steady pace—preferably on the right hand side—, and avoid loitering in front of entrances. Remembering these little tidbits might not make your shopping experience easier, but it’ll make everyone else’s.

Vancouver meets LA in first round

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Oct. 30 2012

Whitecaps make Major League history in sophomore year
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

The Vancouver Whitecaps will have a chance to do what their sibling professional athletic club could not. Yes, it was only seven months ago that the Vancouver Canucks, Presidents’ trophy-winning team got knocked out in the playoff’s in the first round by the LA Kings. LA went on to win the Stanley Cup, leaving a bitter taste to linger in sport fans’ palates. Well, redemption has resurrected in the form of the Whitecaps, because once again a Vancouver-based team will face a Los Angeles titan in the first round.

With that being said, I wouldn’t plan any parades yet. For many, the real championship was being the first Canadian team to ever reach MLS post-season. Everything now is bonus. After starting the 2012 season in terrific form and being touted as the most solid defensive team in the league, the Whitecaps stumbled down the stretch going 3-9-3 in their last 15 games. Vancouver’s far from stellar finish was highlighted by their potential playoff clinching game against Cascadian rival Portland Timbers on October 21. In front of the home crowd at BC Place, the Whitecaps didn’t simply choke, but required the Heimlich Maneuver to get them through the game. Losing 0–1 to a team more than 10 points beneath them was not a good sign. Fortunately, on the same night, the Seattle Sounders defeated FC Dallas in a 3–1 finish. That game mathematically knocked Dallas out of playoff contention and allowed the Whitecaps to be stretchered in.

It is the Caps’ first foray into MLS post-season and the LA Galaxy—last year’s championship team—are as experienced as it gets. In the three regular season games between both teams this year, the Galaxy won the series 2–0–1 and outscored the Whitecaps 7–2. With one game remaining in the season, LA could finish anywhere from six to 12 points ahead of Vancouver. There is no denying that the Whitecaps have a huge mountain to climb on November 1 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

Moreover, playing away from home has not been a strength Vancouver can lean on. July 4 in Colorado marked their last win away from BC Place. Their eight game losing streak on the road can be a distant memory if they are able to defeat Real Salt Lake in the last regular season game on October 27. Doing so would go a long way in rebuilding confidence for an underdog team facing the bright lights. After all, stars don’t come any brighter than those of the LA Galaxy, such names as David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane are as internationally recognized as it gets.

November 1 at 7:30 p.m. PST, Vancouver Whitecaps will face LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Knockout Round. If Vancouver manages to pull off an upset, they will remain in sunny California and face the San Jose Earthquakes on November 4.

Ghoulish garments

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Formerly published in The Other Press. Oct. 30 2012

Dressing for the Halloween spirits

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Nightclubs, house parties, random neighbourhood cul-de-sacs: it doesn’t matter where you end up on Halloween night or the weekend prior. What matters is that you are dressed appropriately for the end of October ritual.

What is Halloween if not a chance to show all of your friends how clever you are? You’ve dug deep into the gallows of your imagination and scrounged up some abstract ideas. You tied them all together and examined yourself in the mirror. After nodding with approval, you headed off to the party and realized that most people don’t watch the same television shows, play the same video games, or even understand the same scientific concepts you do. So what ends up happening? Well, everyone you encounter that night will wholesomely ask you the same question: “What are you supposed to be?” You’ll look down at yourself, observe the obvious, and say, “Duh, I’m Kevin Kline’s character from Sophie’s Choice,” or “I’m the Prophet Skeram from World of Warcraft” or “I’m the concept of condensation.” I’m not telling you to dress like the cliché pirates, princesses, and cowboys. Thinking outside of the box is good, but remember you want to receive high-fives for recognition and not shunning looks of alienation.

Concerning the maniacs: as long as you are not physically injuring others, there is no such thing as an offensive costume. If you want to dress as a different race and/or gender, nobody will stop you. Explore, but consider ahead. Ask yourself, in a couple of years do you really want to remember that night you were cross-dressing? Your costume is a brief legacy; make sure you’re proud of it. We all wonder how we would look as Wonder Woman, but let’s not be hasty. You won’t offend me, but you might offend the person you become later on in life.

Concerning the femme fatales: for years now, girls have been using Halloween as an excuse to dress, shall we say, eccentrically, and that is why I enjoy Halloween more than Thanksgiving. But I will not let you get away with wearing a cat ear headband and a black low-cut dress and calling yourself a pretty kitty. Looking attractive is not a costume! It should be, I know, but it isn’t, so be creative. Also, don’t forget to bring a jacket; unless you’re going as Smurfette, you won’t look good with blue skin on the walk home.

As students, most of us are scrapping by, but it is not okay to rehash the previous year’s costume. Halloween is like New Year’s Eve: it’s about change, rejuvenation, and growth (or is that St. Patrick’s Day?). Costumes create a timeline for your life. To have the same costume every year is to have a repetitive, boring life that’s not worth remembering. So even if you throw something together last minute, it is still better than throwing on the same bed sheet and calling yourself a ghost for another year.

Despite the lack of statutory respect, Halloween is a holiday people remember. Dress accordingly so the memories don’t come back and haunt you.

The art of being alone

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alone

Formerly published in The Other Press. Oct. 23 2012

There is no shame in solitude
By Elliot Chan, Contributor

After a grueling week of customer service and group projects, it’s healthy to want some alone time. Yet, to many people the idea of going out by themselves is pitiful. What could be worse than entering a restaurant and asking for a table for one? Society has made it taboo to enjoy solitary pleasures, but I find solace in knowing that nobody can alienate those already alone.

We live in a chaotic world where everyone is juggling responsibilities and relationships in one hand, and trying to hold their coffee in the other. People claim to know how to relax, but they’re often simply introducing another stressful activity. Don’t underestimate the strenuousness of hanging out with friends. It can be exhausting trying to gather everyone and diplomatically decide what to do. Enough of them—it is time to focus on yourself. Go on and ask yourself what you really want to do, and do it.

Time alone is not wasted time. In fact, occasional solitude is beneficial. For one thing, being alone allows your brain to function at a slower pace. In a group, a collection of minds can work as one to formulate solutions. Alone, your mind is simply allowed to drift from thought to thought, analyzing data at its own speed and arriving at personally desirable conclusions. This is a replenishing experience. I consider it the ground floor of being yourself. From there, you can understand your ideal mode of concentration and that is the staircase to self-discovery. Sorry to get all Zen on you guys, but it is a vital part of examining whether or not you are in fact a needy jerk.

Of course, I am not telling you to join a monastery and become a recluse. I’m also not telling you to cancel plans to take naps either. What I am saying is that it is okay to negotiate time with yourself, your co-workers, classmate, friends, family, and significant others. Solitude will improve your relationship with all those people, because any form of relationship is a reflection of yourself. So the better you recognize your own features, the clearer you can see those in others.

Being independent is a positive attribute. Some people consider it loneliness, but I consider it freedom. I am free to try that new restaurant, watch that old movie, or visit a town that I never knew existed. We don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed for going on adventures alone. We should feel privileged. So schedule some solitary time, because in a world of over seven billion people, it is the time alone that we should truly cherish.

Vampires, zombies, aliens, oh my! Why we love our classic monsters

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zomb

Formerly published in The Other Press. Oct. 23 2012

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Mythology, folklore, and campfire stories have fuelled some of humanity’s most frightening monsters, but few of them have made an impact on pop culture the way vampires, zombies, and aliens have. Television, cinema, literature, and even public events are dedicated to these popular monsters. There is no killing our love for them. They will haunt us forever.

Monsters, like technology or any other form of entertainment, bridge the gap between generations. People live, age, and die, but our fears are immortal. Take a look at the vampire; is there a reason why contemporary culture still finds these castle-dwelling bloodsuckers relevant? Well, since the early 1800s, vampires have evolved from the caped Count who “vanted to suck your blood” to the Twilight series’ heartthrob we all know today. The vampires’ versatility is the reason they are so popular in entertainment. The fact that they not only transform into bats, but also take on human attributes makes them so dauntingly endearing.

While vampires are always different, zombies are always the same. So why do we have these undead obsessions? Hidden deep in our primal brain is the knowledge that one day, all will end. The plethora of apocalyptic possibilities is a rainstorm in our heads. We can shield ourselves from it, but we can’t stop it. Plagues and epidemics might seem like a concern for the dark ages, but even with our wealthy medical care we are not immune to diseases. With popular shows like The Walking Dead enforcing people’s fears and adding to the realism of such trying situations, there is no wonder that zombies are so frighteningly infamous.

We are not so different from the monsters we create—especially those that really make us cringe and shiver. Those that force their way into our lives are the ones that stem from a strong possibility of existing. All quality monsters are mysteries, and there is no bigger mystery than aliens. We can play ignorant and imagine a lonely universe, but to most people the idea of life beyond Earth is not only plausible but expected. With all our science and technology, the question is not whether or not there are aliens, but whether or not we will find them—before they find us.

It’s not an accident that certain monsters are more popular than others. Each one triggers a unique reaction in the human psyche. By analyzing these fictional fiends, we are able to dig deep into our instincts and understand the creative link between fear and fantasy.