2012-03 Beacon

The Martingrove

BeaconIt’s not as easy as it looksHow to Hold Your Own MMUNberber xue

Two Koreas; One Kerfuffle

Gina kwonWhen Kim Jong-Il died in late 2011, videos of

mourning North Koreans soon followed; it drew an international audience, as many questioned the sincerity of the theatrical woe. Comprehending the legitimate feelings of North Korean citizens towards their government and the death of their nation’s leader is no simple matter.

The Korean War, believe it or not, continues today, though only at low levels of engagement. Since 1953, the two nations have not settled any peace agreements, and a fragile armistice exists between them. North Korea’s citizenry are subjected to severe restrictions, while South Korea has recently accepted democracy as a model for its government.

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) (North Korea) is the only country that really takes care of its people and is a true democracy,” stated Hwang Seung-ho, who is a supporter of the North Korean government, despite living in South Korea. “All the people support one leadership and give their full-hearted support to one goal.” Hwang is a member of a small but persistent community of pro-North Korean activists in South Korea, who have formed an organization called the Victims of the Korean Nation Security Law.

Because it is illegal to support North Korea in the South, Hwang’s community is regularly raided by South Korean authorities. Under the influence of South Korea’s Nation Security Law, people may be swept up, and accused of pro-North activities – often without valid evidence.

In late January of this year, a South Korean citizen tweeted the message “Long live Kim Jong-il” on North Korea’s official Twitter account. He is now being accused of helping “the enemy.” South Korean officials may interpret interrogation actions as a case of national security; however, sometimes it is only a complete failure to understand sarcasm.

Although South Korea’s government avails itself of interrogation and surveillance of its citizens, they claim to do so in the interest of national safety. The nation looks at the situation as a whole, and takes into account many precautions to quell further conflict. After various acts of aggression taken by the DPRK, such as the 2010 submarine attack on South Korea, it is clear that there is a great deal of mistrust on both sides. It would appear that both nations are concerned with protecting their own interests, which certainly complicates any future peace agreement, not to mention possible re-unification. Sadly, while tensions and mistrust continue, it is the citizens of both countries who suffer in the name of democracy, regardless of where they stand with respect to the DMZ.

sara shahriariThe Beacon’s very own Jessica Kim is the winner of the Write

Across Ontario Creative Writing Competition, sponsored by the International Festival of Authors. In addition to receiving $500, Jessica’s short story will be published online in Open Book Magazine.

Given a short prompt to work with, the applicants were to continue the story in 500 words or less. The prompt is about two friends who find a key. The story goes into the future where the girl, now a grandmother, is telling her grandchild the story of when she and her friend found the mysterious key. The key’s function is left a secret, leaving it up to the imagination of the readers.

Jessica is a voracious reader. Her favourite book is Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe.

You can read her story on Page 4.

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Friday, March 9, 2012

MCI’s latest published author

A look at democracy in both Koreas

Good Readers Become Good Writers

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From left: Alexander Checca, Elliot Buczek, and Abhi Arya at Martingrove Model United Nations 2012

As many of you know, MMUN swept through Martingrove like a virulent flu in a congested school, like a very boisterous flu that doesn’t maintain any decorum at all. Since you’re reading this, you’re obviously wondering how to hold your own conference. Well, look no further, since the (self-proclaimed) expert on MUNs (Model United Nations) is in da haus!

Ahem. Yes. So the first thing you need for a successful MUN is a good staff advisor. Staff advisors are all generally addicted to coffee, so be careful not to disturb them too early in the morning. Your staff advisor should be up to date with the latest in international politics like Mr. Rakosy. A sign that they are NOT in the loop would be if they confuse North Korea with South Korea. CONTINUED ON P. 3

OPINIONCrazy Abdullah’s Drive Thru Weddings

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Staff adviSorSMr. Kay

Mrs. Parsonson Mr. Sommerfelt

management editorS

April Qu, Sara Shahriari

editorS of layout

Sanchari Banerjee Berber Xue

editorS of CopyJelena Belenzada Hana Carrozza

Head of SportSCatherine Gao

pHotograpHyChristine ChungJeanette Cooper

Tancred Yip

Head of produCtion

Emily Pollock

HeadS of publiCityLaina Timberg Jenny Williams

exeCutive SeCretarySharleen Fisher

featured ColumniSt

Lily Liao Abdullah Manzoor

Staff WriterSAnkit Kamboj

Jessica KimHarris Khan Gina Kwon

Emilija Lafond Suhasini RaoAnnie Tang

Editor’s NotesHow ‘bout that weather, eh?jelena belenzada

Hot diddly golly gosh what lovely weather we’ve been having. And by lovely I mean terrifying. This wasn’t winter, it was an infestation; an invasion of singing birds and mountains of slush where they do not belong. My sled has never looked so lonely. It’s almost spring, yet winter hasn’t even happened yet.

Remember when seeing snowflakes drift gracefully from the sky on a crisp January morning actually used to mean something? You could look forward to rushing home after school for a snowball fight, or at the very least, the feeling of kicking off your snow-caked boots and letting the warmth of the house bring life back to your toes while you fell asleep in front of the fireplace. You knew there’d be plenty more days to enjoy the snow. This time around, it’s all gone by the time breakfast is over. The skies sent us millions of promises, and gobbled up each one.

I suppose some have taken a liking for the winter’s hot new look. I have to admit, it’s been kind of nice to make it as far as the bus stop without getting frostbite. When the weather is reminding us just how lovely life is, it doesn’t seem like the appropriate time for doomsday predictions.

We’re all doomed. Fly your kites, why don’t you, but save that spool of string for your children: They’ll need it to tie down all their belongings when they’re being pummeled eleven months a year by vicious hurricanes once the Maritimes have been devoured by the angry seas.

What was supposed to be the deadly grip of winter is more like an awkward prepubescent spring that can’t really make up its mind. And I don’t really have the patience for these games. Spring is officially here in 11 days, and I feel cheated of the brutal Canadian winter we’ve all come to expect. Who knows when I’ll ever see Frosty again.

Presidential AddressAcrostic poems are so grade 5 but here’s one anyway:lily liao , WitH Help from jb and bx (nofH)

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free,How many tests do I have to write until I leave?Antsy and anxious are we,No desire to study, you see.Kindly accept me, university!

Gone, gone is FebruaryOn the store shelves – Ben and Jerry’s,Oh, who needs men when you’ve got cake to keep you sane?Don’t fret about the instant weight gain!♫Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen,♪♪Everybody knows my sorrow…♫♪Sorrow…♪♫Sorrow…♫

It’s a shame sleeping counts as a sin, becauseTalent show is coming and I’m going to win.SAC loves me and I’ve got an in!

Math feels like being hit by a typhoon,Allegro is a musical word and it makes me swoon,Roses are prickly and violets are from Saskatoon,Can’t we just skip March and go straight to June?Honestly.

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The Martingrove Beacon

MCI students get hitched in style on Valentine’s Day

Black History Assembly PerformersPablo Milandu (Spoken Word) & Emanuel Esedafe (Steel Drum)

MCI NEWS

Interview with Maria Alexiou: Q: Which character from the play would

you most like to be trapped on a deserted island with?

A: The characters from this play are all delusional. I would never want to be alone with any of them! Q: What was the hardest part about playing your character?

A: It’s without a doubt keeping a straight face on stage. This play is

absolutely hilarious and yet my character, Goneril, never laughs

ever. She’s way too cool for me. I have to bite my

cheeks, I want to laugh so badly.

Q: As most of us know, you had a fantastic performance in last year’s “Little Princess.” What can MCI students

expect from your role this year?

A: Thanks! Last year I played Sara Crewe, this

angelic little child. It was great but I’m really glad that

my role this year is completely

different. Goneril is Cindy’s stepsister, and she is the perfect change. Mr. Farrow actually calls her “The Princess of Darkness.” This little raincloud of doom follows her around everywhere she goes. She’s moody and sarcastic and has so many issues. But she is ridiculously fun to play. The audience will get a kick out of her misery. Interview with Amani Sabry: Q: What was the most memorable moment during rehearsal?

A: The dance rehearsals were really fun; seeing people screwing up and falling all over the place was entertaining. Watching Maria try to lift Rory and nearly throwing him off the stage was definitely memorable.Q: What is your favourite part of the play?

A: Definitely all the twists in the second act! Super mysterious!Q: How was it being the Director?

A: It was not as difficult as I thought it would be; there is a smaller cast this year. There are problems now and then, but it was really fun to be a part of this play, with the fun people and the interesting plot line.Q: A dirty secret?

A: Everyone's pretty typecasted. David Oliver is insane and Christine's not the brightest. Rory is a pompous prince.

Cinderella WaltzSHArLeen fISHer, MICHeLLe HAn, SuHASInI rAo AnD AnnIe tAng

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An interview with the cast and crew

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I like to think of a successful MUN like a batch of brownies, a business-casual, placard-waving batch of brownies. If a staff advisor is the first ingredient on the list, then the next ingredient would definitely be a capable Secretariat. Your minions—err, Secretariat needs to be capable of waking up every Wednesday, regardless of the late start, so they can practice chairing.

You might be confused as to what ‘chairing’ is. Chairing is what we call the act of sitting on stage as the Chairs of the General Assembly and dealing without all the delegates’ sass. The first and only rule of chairing: “If unsure, just rule them dilatory.” Works for anyone who waves his placard frantically and thinks everything is either a Point of Order or a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry. “Chairing one-oh-one” is what I call it.

And lastly, any MUN would be incomplete with the delegates! MMUN 2012 had over 300 delegates from Martingrove and thirteen other high schools in the GTA. Diversity is what spurs the greatest debates and escalates the most drama. In MMUN 2012, Portugal got up in everybody’s business and Norway proposed a truckload of amendments. The UK found all the operative clauses to be redundant and the Russian Federation played the accordion. DRAMA.

And there you have it, a (somewhat) fail-proof recipe for a successful MUN!Wait, what’s that? You have a Point of Information? I rule that dilatory at this time.

Secretary General out!

CONTINUED FROM P. 1

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Everyone knows what a soup kitchen is, what a soup kitchen does and who a soup kitchen helps. We all know that they’re run by volunteers; students, adults, and seniors. During major holidays we’re all expected to donate to them because they’re in need of food and that’s how we demonstrate that we’re being good citizens…right?

Well, maybe in a perfect world the homeless, jobless, and those living on welfare or compensation only eat during the holiday seasons, but in reality they require food all year round.

This past winter, I took the time to volunteer at St. John the Compassionate Mission’s soup kitchen. I worked with volunteers of all kinds – university students, youth, retirees, business men, housewives and people who are in the same situation as those they’re serving. I learned a lot, and I would like to share what I learned with you.

St. John’s does a lot more than just serve hot meals on a daily basis. They operate a wholesale bakery providing baked goods for various restaurants in Toronto, a thrift shop employing men and women who are homeless or need help rejoining the work force, and a tutoring program. In addition, they offer counseling to individuals and families, and run St. Xenia house. St. Xenia house is a community house where a select group of individuals from the streets of Toronto work together to bounce back from their hardships and get integrated back into the working class.

Unfortunately the general public knows very little about these types of community projects and how they survive to do their work. The only thing we ever hear regarding social programs is the incredibly important funding our Mayor Rob Ford is greedily taking away from them.

Something’s definitely wrong with this…Let me shine a little light on some of the remarkable

things that a very small mission accomplishes in the heart

of downtown. For twenty five years St. John’s soup kitchen, not much larger than our small cafeteria, serves over 30,000 meals per year! This saves the government roughly $200,000.00 annually by providing meals 5-7 times per week!

According to Rev. Roberto Umbertino, Executive Director of St. John the Compassionate Mission, “The war on the poor by Ford is hard to justify from a business perspective.” He continues, “This financial contribution by our community does not include the staff and volunteer time that has been generously donated by the mission to the Mayoral Office by delivering essential services (food is an essential service!) at no cost to the City for 25 years.”

Per meal, a hundred people are served. Sadly for many it all depends on when their welfare cheques last came in. It’s often much busier at the end of the month than the beginning.

This particular mission receives approximately $17,000 in funding per year to fully function. $17,000 is less than the average income of a Canadian home which serves an average of four members. This home serves over 1,200. Funding goes towards purchasing necessary foods, cleaning products, supplies, electricity bills, gas bills, and miscellaneous repairs. And they get by.

For the past twenty five years, the government has financially covered the garbage collection! Unfortunately, Rob Ford thinks that ‘garbage’ collection is giving too much to the community and decided to revoke this generous privilege in his cutback scheme. This decision will cost the mission approximately $15,000 annually, subsequently putting the mission out of business. This means no more meals and no more community programs.

So, how does this all really work? Where does

the mission get all this food from? Well, part of it is donated by people like you and me, and organizations such as Second Harvest. The food cycle through these soup kitchens works on a different system than the food that goes through our homes and cafeteria.

Whose garbage is it really? Does it belong to The Mission because they’ve taken the initiative to prevent waste? The Mission receives boxes of produce and, in sorting them, sometimes has to throw out half of it because it’s not entirely usable. The Mission is the one saving the government hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Does it belong to the grocery stores? They chose to get rid of perfectly good food and hand it off to others to deal with it because they have to maintain a ‘perfect food only’ reputation?

Next time you’re going to take more food than you’ll eat, seriously consider the number of people living in your city, attending your school, playing on the same sports team as you, who don’t have the means to get by, and must rely on these programs.

When you’re of legal voting age, do all your research and vote for someone who has their priorities straight.

For information on volunteering at St John’s or other soup kitchens visit www.stjohnsmission.org and www.secondharvest.ca respectively.

FEATURESUp close and personal with Hunger in Torontoemilija lafond

KarmaI don’t know which one of us saw it first. Suddenly—just—there it was. Glinting a little in the sunlight, half-hidden in the tall grass. A key. The old-fashioned kind. Parts of it rusted so badly it looked as though, if we picked it up, it might crumble away in our hands. How long had it sat out there, like that, I wondered. Rusting in the overgrown grasses at the edge of Mrs. Ellis’s front-yard. Ten years? A hundred? How many times had we just walked on by? More to the point, though—what was different about this time? Why had we both, all of a sudden, paused—our eyes drawn to the same, almost invisible fleck of light, just barely glinting on the lawn? At first, when Ben knelt to pick it up, I wanted to put out my hand to stop him. But then I didn’t. And he picked it up. And held it. It looked surprisingly heavy in his hands. He turned it in slow circles, so we could get a look at it from all sides, and when he did so all but the

most rusted bits—even in the diminishing sunlight—seemed to glow. I am not sure how, but in that moment I knew: nothing, after that, was going to be the same.

The cuckoo sprang out ten times from its tiny closet. Lily’s eyes, half-closed with sleep a moment ago, opened wide when she saw me straining to get up from the rocking-chair.

“Nana, don’t go! I’m wide awake!” she cried out in dismay. “I want to hear the rest of the story!”

I rose, feeling stiff, and assured her that I’d continue the next day. Still protesting, Lily yawned.

“Goodnight,” I said. I flicked the lights off and closed the door softly behind me.

The story I’d begun to tell Lily didn’t have a happy ending – it felt like picking at an ugly scab. But she needed to know the truth; after all, it was as much her story as mine. Memories as clear as daylight, as sharp

as the edges of broken glass came flooding back. If I closed my eyes, I could almost believe that I was there again.

A chilly wind shook us from our trance. The golden radiance from the key was fading fast with the sun. Then, on an impulse that was almost instinctive, I grabbed the key from Ben. And just before it lost its sparkle, I turned it in empty air—exactly as I would open a lock. I didn’t think about it - it seemed like the only thing to do. I was convinced that the key would lose its magic with the dark. Ben and I were rooted to the ground in anticipation. That fleeting second felt like an eternity, after which, our eyebrows rose in disbelief. The thinnest sliver of light—delicate as a hair—appeared and drew itself in an arch, widening. The key had unlocked a door.

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jessica kim

Wait, did you say garbage?

If I eat this cookie now, that means I can’t eat too much at dinner. But I have to eat my dinner because I don’t want my mom to give me that knowing look again and besides, that food is good for me and I need the nutrients. But if I eat more at dinner then I’ll gain weight. And I’m already a whale. If I eat this cookie now I can just immediately throw it up. I know not everything comes back out, but I’ll go for an hour run to work off the leftover calories. I can’t gain weight. I can’t get fatter than I already am...

This past week of February 26th - March 3rd was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The majority of you were probably unaware of this, since eating disorders are rarely discussed outside of health class.

And why would they be? Having an eating disorder is not something you want to share with other people. When you suffer from one, you never feel more ashamed in your life. Your world would end if someone found out. Take it from someone who knows. I struggled with bulimia in secret for four years before I had the courage tell someone, and a year later I still struggle with it today.

An eating disorder is a mental illness. It is not

a lifestyle, an extreme diet or a choice. You can’t simply turn it on or off when you so choose. Eating disorders attack you when you are already down. They make you hate yourself, honestly and truely hate yourself. They degrade you and make you feel worthless. The image you see in the mirror disgusts you. Your whole life ends up revolving around food, how to get it, how to get rid of it or how to avoid it completely.

Maybe you know someone with an eating disorder. Maybe you have your suspicions about a friend or relative. Either way, it is difficult to ‘clinically’ diagnose someone with an eating disorder. The symptoms for anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are very strict. Most people with psychologically irregular eating habits fall under the category of EDNOS, or Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified. The label it’s given doesn’t make a difference. What matters is that eating disorders wreak havoc on your body and mind and cause physical and mental damage that can lead to future complications or death.

Even if doctors won’t take you seriously or you are too ashamed to get help, it is important to

understand that you are not alone. Millions of people suffer from eating disorders. If you don’t have someone to talk to, though I urge you to try to bring it up with a trusted parent, relative or friend, there are websites such as proud2bme.org or The National Eating Disorders Association that provide a healthy and anonymous place to talk about what you are going through and to get help.

Controlling an eating disorder is mind-bogglingly difficult, but doing it alone is even worse. The road to recovery is long and hard but the journey can be made easier if you accept help from others. If you suffer from an eating disorder like me, just remember that having an eating disorder might be a part of you, but it doesn’t have to define who you are.

FEATURESComing soon to an internet service near youSARA SHAHRIARISOPA, also known as the “Stop Online Piracy Act,” is one of those things you hear about on TV but decide to ignore because, let’s face it, you’re better than that. What those politicians say or do has no effect on your life whatsoever. Well, I would think again. SOPA along with ACTA could completely change the face of the World Wide Web.

SOPA was introduced with this goal in mind:“To promote prosperity, creativity,

entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes.”

—H.R. 3261This is B@#$^%&*@t! How does this have anything

to do with the Internet?Let’s go down memory lane to a time when iTunes

was nowhere in sight, 1999 to be exact. Do you remember Napster?

I present you Exhibit A. Napster was a free music file-sharing website that was shut down by the U.S. Federal Government three years later due to copyright infringement. Who would have thought that a website as popular as Napster would go down? I’m sure the 64 million users did not see it coming.

Obviously, to get music [legally] we have to pay for it. OK, that’s understandable. However, at the time, Napster believed downloading music online without paying for it was legal—especially due to the fact that they made no profit from the recordings—and did not break any laws under the… That’s exactly it. What law made it legal?

This brings me to Exhibit B. Megaupload.com. Megaupload—the website where you streamed those shady movies that were clearly filmed using a camcorder,

or better yet the website that saved you at four in the morning while you were fanatically trying to think of alternative ways of sending that fifty minute history PowerPoint to yourself. Megaupload was shut down in January 2012 after six successful years, but what made it legal thus far?

The site’s founder, Kim Dotcom is now behind bars in Auckland, New Zealand. Kim Dotcom is a dual-citizen of Finland and Germany, and a resident of New Zealand and Hong Kong. His multi-million dollar empire was abruptly raided by the FBI on January 19, 2012.

“The U.S. Department of Justice has reported that the monetary damage to copyright holders caused by Megaupload is approximately $500 million,” (Time).

Other file-sharing websites such as Dropbox, Amazon, MediaFire, YouSendIt, Rapidshare, Box.net, and FileSonic are also at risk.

Although SOPA has been at a standby as a result of a large scale attack on the FBI website soon after the Megaupload raid by a hacktivist group named “Anonymous,” it is only the beginning.

ACTA (the “Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement”) first introduced in October 2007 by the European Union (EU) “is a broad agreement that aims to create uniform international standards on protecting the rights of those who produce music, movies, medicines, fashion, and other products that are victim to intellectual property theft (which costs $250 billion annually) and patent issues,” (the Guardian).

What is the difference, you say? SOPA was a bill introduced by the U.S. Congress

while ACTA is an international treaty which has been signed by many countries, including France and Slovenia. Nonetheless, there are many nations such as Germany, Switzerland, and Estonia who have not signed the bill. ACTA will not be able to come into effect until it has been ratified by the EU parliament. The vote will take place in June 2012.

Many websites have taken a stand. English Wikipedia had a twenty-four hour blackout that allowed us to “Imagine a World Without Free Knowledge.”

A unified set of laws needs to be put in place over proper Internet usage; ones that do not violate the free speech of the public all the while respecting the rights of intellectual property. This was Napster’s main problem. They believed free music downloading was legal, but which laws backed it up? The law saw Napster as a copyright and piracy violator.

You can love it or hate, but change is inevitable. The Internet wasn’t going to be free forever. Everything is censored, no matter the time or place.

** The ideas presented in the article above are the writer’s opinion and do not represent those of the Beacon. **

SOPA: Censorship in the Twenty-First Century

Suffering in SilenceNational Eating Disorders Awareness Week

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SPORTSRolling in the Deep (End)Martingrove has a swim team? Since when?

It has always been clear that the swim team is not necessarily one of the most popular sports teams MCI has to offer. The swim team might be small, though what they lack in popularity, they make up for in success. Despite having to endure early morning practices twice a week at Alderwood Pool the team had one of their strongest seasons to date. The team started the season off strong with success in November at a meet hosted by Richveiw, and carried their success on to the University of Toronto meet in January. The whole team qualified for the West Regional Championships, which were held February 7th at the Etobicoke Olympium. MCI Bears swam exceptionally well, taking home many medals and sending nine swimmers to the City Championships, which were held February 13th at the Etobicoke Olympium. At City’s, the team did not disappoint. Hana Carrozza and Emma Compeau won gold medals. Other medalists included Maura Coulman, Sarah Walters and Siera Carrozza.

As well, Hana Carrozza, Emma Compeau, Sarah Walters and Siera Carrozza all qualified for OFSAA, which was held March 5th and 6th in Milton. Congratulations on the successful season to all members of the swim team!

The Top 5 Craziest Things MCI Students Do For Their Sports

Catherine gao

Not that I would know, but it seems to me that being an athlete is pretty tough. There’s a risk of injury, you have to compete under pressure, and you need to be able to make your body do things that it really shouldn’t be able to do. At Martingrove, we have dedicated athletes who are willing to go to any lengths to excel in their sport.5. they play in the snow.

I know this sounds like fun, like those days back in kindergarten when you frolicked around and threw snowballs at the girls you liked and then they told the teachers because girls are such tattle-tales. But it’s so much worse playing soccer with Frosty and Father Christmas. Members of the Senior Girls Soccer Team have played in 15cm of snow, which is about optimal for snowball fights, but not really an optimal soccer playing environment. Of course, add in the fact that you’re in shorts and a windbreaker; think less snow angels and more frostbite. 4. they drag around six year olds.

Not literally, of course, but strength training requires dragging weights of up to 50 pounds. The average six year old weighs about 46 pounds, which is only a little less than what many basketball players use for strength training. Of course, as if doing laps around the gym with these weights isn’t crazy enough, if you get it to start moving the trainer will go and stand on them. This is a great way to exercise—your patience, that is. 3. they employ hair removal.

The joke has always been that swimmers are completely hairless, but that’s not entirely true. Swimmers are only completely hairless for meets. For those who don’t enjoy the sexiness of looking like a gorilla, hair removal can be done in a variety of ways. If you wax, you get to pour hot, melted wax on your body and rip hair out of its follicles while simultaneously screaming like a girl and losing all manly points. If you shave, you run the risk of slicing off some important bits, but I’m sure you can tape it back on. After all, don’t all jocks fix problems with tape?2. they puke.

When my gym teacher first told me about ‘suicides,’ I thought I’d joined a cult and had to avoid the fruit punch. For many athletes, this is a cornerstone in their training. Suicides build endurance and are solely enforced sometimes just to—you guessed it, make athletes puke. If you haven’t puked after the 60th suicide, you probably drank a Red Bull and just flew the whole way. That’s cheating.1. they starve.

Committed MCI wrestlers, apart from going to the gym three times a week, will undergo a period of fasting generally once per year before a weigh in to fit into their desired weight class. They are required to drop 3-6kg in under one week. In simple terms us simpletons can understand: they stop eating. Wrestlers may go for as long as three days without food, and two days without drinking any water. I can’t even last three minutes without food before I claim low blood sugar. It gets better. While starving themselves, wrestlers will continue to do rigorous exercises in wool sweaters and parkas to sweat out the last few pounds so they come out like gleaming, chiselled Greek Gods. The best part? After their weigh-in, they need to binge eat as much as they can—probably until they puke.

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hana Carrozza

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MCI’s Swim Team could’ve had it all

And you thought studying for a unit test was hard?DiSCLaiMer: DUe to CreatiVe LiCenSing, neither the BeaCon nor the aUthor Can Be heLD reSPonSiBLe For anY interPretation oF the ‘eMBeLLiShMentS’ MaDe in thiS artiCLe.

On February 12th, the 54th Grammy Awards honoured the absolute best of the music industry. Our favourite artists gathered at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles to create a night to remember. The show opened with “We Take Care of Our Own” by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, followed by hits from Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and many others.

What would otherwise have been an all-out celebration was struck by a wave of grief due to Whitney Houston’s death only a day before. LL Cool J led a prayer for the passing of one of the greatest female singers of all time, while Jennifer Hudson sang Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” which brought tears to many eyes.

Despite the solemnity, the evening was full of highlights. Adele rolled in glory by sweeping six Grammys—including Album of the Year for “21” and Song of the Year for “Rolling in the Deep.” Taylor swift won Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance with “Mean.” She raised a laugh saying, “there’s no feeling quite like writing a song about someone who’s really mean

to you and makes your life miserable, and winning a Grammy for it.” The much talked-about Chris Brown also won his first Grammy for Best R&B Album.

As for fashion, we saw both the stunning and the outrageous. Sequins dominated on the red carpet. Katy Perry, Carrie

Underwood and Taylor Swift wowed us all in their sparkly gowns. The most dazzling woman at the show was undoubtedly Gwyneth Paltrow in her simple, classy black dress showing off her figure. The best dressed male was Adam Levine, who arrived in a crisp, stylish three-piece suit.

On the other hand, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga scared us with their attempt to gain

attention. Minaj wore a red nun’s habit by Versace, arm-in-arm with the ‘Pope.’ The costume was clearly for her performance, “Roman Holiday,” but she looked like she just stepped out of a church. Gaga had

her face covered in fishnet, typical of her controversial style. To sum it up, this year’s Grammys was

dramatic and entertaining. Clearly the ratings, which were the show’s second highest in its history, speak for themeselves.

LIFESTYLEThe latest and greatest gadgets of the year

The International Consumer Electronics Show 2012

The world’s largest tech show, the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), took place this year from January 9th-12th. Like every other year, it did not fail to excite the world for what 2012 has in store for us technology-wise.

This year Razer has unveiled a new concept gaming tablet that has

left gamers both startled and shocked. This little, yet sleek beast, contains an Intel Core i7 processor bundled with Hydra-style controllers and a 1280x800 display. Now on the go gamers will be able to command troops and carry out headshots on a device that is expected to cost about $700.

Sony has finally unveiled their new smartphone, the Sony Xperia S: HD powerhouse, which will compete with the Samsung Galaxy S II and iPhone 4S. This smartphone contains a 12MP camera, a dual core 1.5GHz processor, the ability to record in 1080p and a 4.3-inch screen. It is also Playstation Certified. The Xperia S is expected to be released in March and Sony is hopeful that it will help revive their smartphone sales.

One of the most spectacular items at CES was the LG 55EM960V OLED TV. At 55 inches, this is the largest Organic LED TV to go on sale to date, measuring only 4mm in depth. It presents a richness, intensity and purity of colour that hasn’t been seen before on a flat-panel display. It is expected to be released later this year, though expect a heavy price tag.

ankit kamboj

Action thriller entertains but fails to amaze

Movie Review: Safe HouseHarris kHan2.5 stars out of 4Starring: Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds

The action thriller Safe House is the perfect example of the ‘popcorn’ action film. Safe House is an espionage film of the likes of The Bourne Identity and Mission Impossible. Like those films, it is full of bone-rattling action sequences and spy-versus-spy action. Unfortunately, it lacks the smart script that made those films memorable. With its typical action fodder plot Safe House is no doubt entertaining, but it’s the type of film you see once and forget about the next day.

Safe House stars Denzel Washington as rogue CIA Agent Tobin Frost and Ryan Reynolds as low-level agent Matt Weston. Weston’s menial job is interrupted by the sudden arrival of Frost, who has been captured by the CIA and is being held for questioning. Frost has knowledge of top-secret CIA information and is being targeted by mercenary groups as well as his former CIA employers. Frost and Weston eventually go on the run together and things are revealed to be quite different than what they appear.

Despite the top-notch cast in the film, Safe House has a very rudimentary plot that is atypical of most films of its genre. Washington portrays a very good villain, but the movie has no convincing hero to match wits with him. Reynolds seems very flat in his role and most of the supporting cast give sub-par performances. Despite this, the various action sequences in the film managed to keep me entertained for the entirety of the film’s 115 minutes. Safe House is a solid action film, but it’s nothing special.

The 54th Grammy Awardsjessica kim

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The glitz, the glamour ...and the Pope?

Images: Courtesy of google.com


Training the world’s next Chopins, Lizsts, and Beethovens. Sorta.

THE LAST PAGEMarch Break Madness

1. Get New Year’s resolutions off

hiatusFor all of the people who set New Year’s

Resolutions on January 1st and promptly forgot them

by January 2nd, March Break is an excellent time to

show everyone you were actually serious this year.

So whether you hit the gym for ten minutes or open

your Calculus book for five, this is your opportunity

to give up a second time.

2. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring

Often called the season of love, spring is a season

to cherish, with its blooming flowers, baby birds and

slow walks with a loved one through green expanses.

March Break gives students a chance to herald in the

coming of this beloved season by allowing them to

rush outside, hyped up on images of spring, sink

ankle deep in the mud, notice the biting cold and

forlorn grey ice piles, realize they live in Canada,

and head back indoors. Additionally, March marks

the beginning of the dreaded return of the Canada

geese, ensuring that people can once again enjoy

not being able to walk through grass for the fear of

cleverly camouflaged goose poop.

3. Get ahead on schoolworkThis is probably not going to happen.

Clinician’s Day

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The most unproductive nine days of the year

4. Perform spring cleaning.

See previous.

5. have your entire schedule messed up by daylight savingsSelf-explanatory.

6. Go downtown for St. Patrick’s

day’s festivitiesIf March Break were a Twinkie, St. Patrick’s

Day would be the cream centre, probably due to

the fact that it is the only major event celebrated

during March Break’s ever so brief duration,

other than the ever so popular daylight saving day

parties. Students can go downtown to enjoy the St.

Patrick’s Day parade, enjoy delicious Irish dishes

such as potatoes and cabbage and potatoes, and

step in frozen pools of green vomit for the next

two days. Armed with this list, readers will be back

on track to make this the least boring March Break

ever, and will be able return to counting down the

days until Summer Vacation in no time.

While the expansive Summer Vacation features the end of the school year and promises of sunny days at the beach, and the Winter Holidays’ two weeks are host to Christmas and New Year’s, the March Break’s nine days barely give students enough time to forget the bonding laws for hydrocarbons. However, this does not mean that March Break has to be boring or eventless, as even the runt of the litter can shine with the right planning. Like we do every break, the Beacon has your back with an extensive list of March Break activities to look forward to.

Documents

2012-03 Beacon