Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth.
YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them.
Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.
Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.
On Monday, February 5th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced the worst single-day point decline in history, plunging by almost 1,600 points. As the day progressed buyers were able to staunch the bleeding, but at the time of closing the Dow was still down 1,175 points, its worst closing point decline on record.
So, what does this mean? Are we about to plunge into another nightmare scenario, another 2008-era scourge of unemployment, bankruptcy, and billions in losses? Is it time to succumb to paranoia?
Well, not exactly.
Not every market plunge is cause for alarm, although it is true that most financial crises have begun with a market plunge. So how can we tell whether this little hiccup in the markets is an isolated incident, or the start of something much worse?
The answer lies, surprisingly, in the field of psychology.
Recessions occur when a little slowdown in spending in an economy feeds on itself. One drop in the index, and businesses are a little more cautious in their hiring, and vulnerable workers do a little more precautionary saving. This causes businesses to become even more cautious, and so on, and so on, until you eventually have a recession on your hands. They don’t magically appear out of nowhere, but rather, occur when everyone is worrying and saving all their money, the banks run out of money, and the economy itself gets stuck in a downturn. The recession is essentially an outbreak of collective fear.
Governments and economists have been aware of these trends for years. They have also realized that these outbreaks of fear can be fought, by persuading everyone that their worry is unsubstantiated, and that things are actually fine. To convince citizens that they should go back to being cheerful and optimistic (and freely spending their money, in order to keep the economy rolling), governments can replace the lost spending directly by increasing their own spending, or the central bank can set public policy targets that they aim to hit, such as changes in interest rates.
In other words, keeping an economy out of recession is just as largely a matter of psychology as it is based on actual policy. It’s about coordinating everyone’s expectations, so that everyone believes the economy will adapt to minor hiccups and continue chugging along.
So, if governments and banks know how to keep people optimistic, why do recessions even happen? Certain unexpected events can drastically change the mood for the worse. A bank failure that people didn’t see coming. Or a spike in the price of oil. Or… a dramatic drop in stock prices. But in the case of the latter, additional extenuating circumstances are often necessary, such as the common notion that the economy is “due” for a downturn after an extended period of prosperity, or the idea that the government or central bank might not quite be prepared to swing into their usual “mood-elevating” activity.
If the people lack trust in the government in some of these crucial times, then by the time these institutions realize the shift in mood it is too late, and the economy is already in a downturn. This is at least partially what happened with the mortgage boom of the 2000s, leading up to the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis.
But, going back to Monday’s drop, thankfully it is hard to conceive that such a plunge could shake economic sentiment enough that we would actually be facing any real problems. This is also particularly true for us in Canada; we aren’t as tied to the fate of the markets as our Southern neighbours. If you were to ask me personally, I’d predict that within a few more days the events of the 5th will practically be forgotten by the resurgence of the usual ups and downs of the Dow Jones.
These stock market dips are probably nothing. But then again, they usually are, except for the times when they aren’t.
Do you have a constant need to listen to new music? Well take a look and see what you like!
Artist: The Killers
An indie pop band that most of you probably know for their popular song, Mr Brightside. Their new album Wonderful, Wonderful that came out just last year, has some awesome songs that deserve more recognition.
Run For Cover (Album Wonderful,Wonderful)
Out of my Mind (Album: Wonderful, Wonderful)
Life to Come ( Album: Wonderful, Wonderful)
Mr. Brightside ( Album: Hot Fuss)
Jam out songs
This compilation has songs that I have been caught dancing to a handful of times and hopefully, you will too.
I Wanna Get Better ( Artist: Bleachers, Album : Strange Desire)
Here Is Gone (The Goo Goo Dolls, Single)
like that (Bea Miller, chapter two: red)
Ringer (The Unlikely Candidates, Bed of Liars)
Gives You Hell (The All American Rejects, When The World Comes Down)
Hoops (The Rubens, Hoops)
Losing My Religion (R.E.M, Out Of Time)
Pray For Me (The Weekend with Kendrick Lamar, Black Panther The Album)
She’s A Riot (The Jungle Giants, Learn To Exist)
Softer Songs To Calm You Down
These are more mellow songs that are sure to help you relax.
Since 2002, The Coca-Cola company hasn’t changed its coke flavourings. That was four days ago.
For the first time in what seems like forever, the brand is launching two new flavours with a vintage look.
The two flavours dubbed Coca-Cola Georgia Peach, and Coca-Cola California Raspberry will be popping up around american restaurants, bars, and possibly grocery stores this week. The flavours are locally inspired and sourced by fruit from the regions in their names.
These are more fancy then the traditional bottle, and have a good chance of competing with many craft sodas currently in the market.
Now, growing up with the classical cola brand, i’m not sure how this one will compare. However The Coca-Cola Company worked with 9,500 customers, and nearly tested 30 flavours, so i’m fairly confident these two new flavours won’t fail to impress.
These two sodas will act as a companion to the four new diet coke flavours also being released: Ginger Lime, Feisty Cherry, Blood Orange, and Twisted Mango. All of the new cola flavours are more locally sourced and fruity then the traditional coke brand. “We know that our consumers want more transparency,” Lillian Norton, senior brand manager of Coca-Cola Innovation, said in a release. “They want clear ingredient information, and they’re seeking out more local products. They’re shopping local, and eating local. So we wanted to allow people to experience some unique local flavors no matter where they live in the United States.” The company seems to be entering into a new age of innovation and flavours for the next generation.
Although, growing up on the sweet dark traditional coke, I’m not sure what to think of the new drinks. For the moment I’m undecided, at least until I can get my hands on a brand new bottle of Georgia Peach or California Raspberry.
So what’s your opinion on this new cola endeavour? Feel free to comment below!
Superfood. You may have heard of this term several times. And no, it’s not a lame comic book character.
Not what a superfood is.
According to Merriam-Webster, a superfood is a food that is rich in compounds considered beneficial to a person’s health. Basically, it’s the healthiest of healthy foods.
And I know that may sound daunting, but you may be surprised to find that many superfoods are probably already in your diet, and if they aren’t, they can easily be added into everyday meals (sometimes even tastelessly!)
Now, let’s get into my favourite 5 superfoods, their benefits, and how you can put them into your diet.
#5: Kefir
You may not have heard of this one. Or maybe you have. Who knows? Anyway, kefir is basically just fermented milk. To me, it tastes a lot like a stronger version of drinkable yogurt. You can find it in lots of different flavours at your local supermarket, and it tastes great. The best part is that it’s great for you too! Kefir provides your body with vitamins A, D, C, and B. It’s also filled with calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and essential fatty acids.
#4: Blueberries
Of course you’ve heard of this one. Blueberries are great tasting on their own, in smoothies, or in desserts. They’re a well rounded fruit (literally), since they have awesome health benefits as well. Blueberries contain fibre, potassium, and loads of vitamin C.
#3: Quinoa
Quinoa (in my opinion) tastes great. It’s wheat free, and you can put it in so many things. Parfaits, salads, a substitute for rice… the possibilities are huge! Quinoa is extremely protein rich, has lots of fibre, and contains iron.
#2: Spinach
Can I just start this off by saying how greatspinach is? It’s versatile, healthy, and if implemented properly, can taste really good. What’s not to love? Spinach goes well in smoothies and basically any lunch/dinner dish if you just believe. Because of spinach’s light taste, I’ve even heard of people sneakily planting it in baked goods, such as these baked brownies. Spinach is low in fat and cholesterol. It’s also high in protein, fibre, calcium, and iron. Spinach also includes vitamins A, C, E, and K!
#1: Almonds
Last, but not least. One of the reasons almonds are my #1 superfood is because of how versatile it is, like spinach. You can literally grind them up and put them anywhere. Almonds can be easily added into desserts, salads, casseroles, and more! Did you know that almonds are the richest source of calcium out of all the nuts? Almonds also provide vitamin E and protein. What’s not to love?
It’s probably a ridiculous time for a post like this, since exams recently concluded, but one of the reasons I’m writing this at all is because I thought of some interesting concepts after writing my English diploma. I hope this can be of some use to the ones writing in the next semester, or even those in earlier years of high school.
There are 2 main types of writing expected of students: critical essays and personal responses. I’ll start with the latter. Technically, critical essays fall under the category of PR, so you can familiarize yourself with just essay writing and still perform well, but the question chosen for a PR response is often much more vague; furthermore, the given text for the PR usually won’t have a clear specific thesis that you can derive in the given time and then write on, so it’s beneficial to explore other types of prose beforehand.
The PR’s pretty simple: you just need the message and give a good presentation of that. A good way to find said message is to gather impressions for the first section of the text (if you’re not using an image) and try to solidify them into a conclusive thesis after reaching the end. Like the phrase on the Snitch in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, the text will “open at the close”: the main idea is almost always revealed in the final stretch of the passage. It’s often very simple: an exemplar on Alberta Education’s website wrote on the notion that “parental forces encourage a child to act”. Of course, you’ll still need to integrate a quote from the text and reinforce your message throughout your writing, but finding the topic stem is relatively straightforward.
For the critical essay, try to consider the text you’re writing on as a sort of dissertation that’s trying to argue for a certain perspective, rather than a short story, novel, or whatever it actually is. This will enrich your interpretation of the text. For the thesis, a good format to utilize is “event-reaction-result”: something occurs that causes a character to act in a certain way or struggle, ultimately resulting on some other thing. (Remember to write about an individual and use “he/she” instead of “they”.) This fits the 3-paragraph essay well, as you can support one section of the causality in each paragraph. Of course, feel free to make your thesis whatever you want, but this is generally a secure setup for high marks in the IDEAS category.
Teachers are really good at recognizing bulls*** when they see it (I’ve learned the hard way before). If your ideas aren’t very deep, even if you try to impress with extravagant words and structure, you probably won’t get much of a higher mark. A good way to prepare for essays is to separate the concepts from the words: you can remember certain good-sounding phrases for the intro, but beyond that, try to plan and brainstorm in words that are as simple as possible. There’s no point in trying to impress yourself with fancy writing when you’re developing the foundation of your argument. This way, you’ll recognize any shortcomings or holes in your reasoning before the results end up biting you.
Of course, writing can be improved with practice. I found reading generally helpful in expanding vocabulary and improving my phrasing skills. A relatively abstract approach that I sometimes took was thinking of ways that the author could’ve written better, so when you’re studying for something – whether it be the sciences or the humanities – try to be critical of any text you’re reading (provided that you have time, and aren’t desperately cramming for tomorrow’s unit final that you’re taking big L’s on). Your mark – and sense of satisfaction – will thank you for it.
If you know me personally, you might already know that I’m into coding. I’m no expert at coding my any means; in fact, it’s been a while since I last coded anything in Python.
Over the long weekend, I was inspired to start learning something I’ve set aside for years, and that’s, as you may have guessed by the name of this post, how to program in html. More specifically, I wanted to learn to create my own website using html.
This came on a total whim because to say “I was inspired” completely overlooks what actually happened. It was more of a “oh my, I have wasted half my weekend doing nothing” and “maybe I should spend the next half doing something useful, while doing nothing” sort of gist. What was really amazing about learning html, was that once I delved into the online textbook, the first pdf I found after typing the simple google search: html textbook, I caught myself reading the it for several hours without noticing time pass by so quickly. I hadn’t felt so focused and excited to learn something since I started snowboarding 4 years ago.
My previous exposure to html specifically, entailed by Gr.8 self taking the course on Codecademy, only to completely abandon it out of boredom a couple days later. To anyone who is unfamiliar with Codecademy, it’s an online platform that provides free classes on a variety of coding languages. For me, using Codecademy made it difficult to remember all the terms and jargon that got thrown my way. I remember caring too much about completing the tasks outlined by the course, instead of actually slowing down to learn the content.
Since picking html up again, I’m actually quite happy I started off on Codecademy. The platform did a great of job of introducing the terms and making me somewhat familiar with the types of symbols html used. Currently, the textbook I’m using is the html & CSS Textbook by Jon Duckett. I love it because it’s intuitive and easy to follow along. What has helped me through this learning process has been taking notes, just like you would do with any other school textbook.
Over the long weekend, I managed to read through 100 pages. I’m sure if anyone had an entire day free of any work, it would be easy to get through more than half of the textbook because much of the information is based on common knowledge.
For anyone wanting to learn html, I would recommend first taking a look into Codecademy. I never managed to finish their html course but it was super useful for someone who didn’t understand a thing about html to get an initial idea. As for the textbook, I’m sure there are many other versions online. I chose it only because it was the first one I came across – convince to say the least. If you’re genuinely interested in learning html, read my personal tips included at the bottom!
For those who don’t have a clue about what coding is and would like to learn, I find it helpful to first begin by finding someone who has had many years of experience to teach and explain it to you. Generally, learning online as a complete novice is difficult since many sites use terminology that only makes sense after you’ve become comfortable with coding.
Good luck to everyone with your next spontaneous endeavors!
Extra tips
1. The textbook I used recommends you to type your code in TextEdit for Mac and Notepad for Windows. I own a Mac and quickly found TextEdit to be quite tedious, especially since I needed to type so many repetitive symbols. I searched up ‘code editors’ and came across Brackets, an open source editor specialized to accommodate html, CSS and Javascript. If you have a Mac and some extra space on your drive, DOWNLOAD BRACKETS! It’ll save you so much time and spare you from so many typos.
2. Keep your open source editor on your desktop dock. That way, it’s much easier to access files since when html files are saved on your desktop, they tend to reopen as a web file. Or that’s just my amateur self!
They were were soccer players, dancers, artists, musicians, coaches and philanthropists. They were husbands, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and friends. They were innocent, loved humans.
As we hear about the shooting of the 17 people in Florida last week, I thought it would be timely to share with you this message written by Naomi Rosenberg an emergency room doctor at Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia. It was featured last year on CBC Radio – White Coat, Black Art with Dr. Brian Goldman. In this narrative, Dr. Rosenberg coaches a medical resident on the method she uses to deliver the worst possible news. Sadly, this is something that doctors all over the United Sates must do every day mainly because of gun violence.
Last year alone, over 12,300 people in the United States died from gun violence, a quarter of them children or teenagers. The number of annual gun related deaths in the United States is 45 times greater than it is in the United Kingdom and 5 times greater than it is in Canada.
As I browsed the Internet and scrolled through the countless messages of thoughts and prayers being sent to the families of the victims, I came across a heartbreaking story. One of an 8 year old girl who came home from school and told her mother she needed new shoes. Why? Not because, people where making fun of her old shoes but because if she was hiding from a shooter, the lights on her sneakers would give away her location. To me, an 8 year girl worrying about such is simply not right.
Take a moment to read the following essay that reflects the immense shock and agony of parents who must grapple with perhaps the most difficult pain of all, told through the eyes of physicians who must usher these parents in to the world of newfound loss.
“First you get your coat. I don’t care if you don’t remember where you left it, you find it. If there was a lot of blood you ask someone to go quickly to the basement to get you a new set of scrubs. You put on your coat and you go into the bathroom. You look in the mirror and you say it. You use the mother’s name and you use her child’s name. You may not adjust this part in any way.
I will show you: If it were my mother you would say, “Mrs. Rosenberg. I have terrible, terrible news. Naomi died today.” You say it out loud until you can say it clearly and loudly. How loudly? Loudly enough. If it takes you fewer than five tries you are rushing it and you will not do it right. You take your time.
After the bathroom you do nothing before you go to her. You don’t make a phone call, you do not talk to the medical student, you do not put in an order. You never make her wait. She is his mother.
When you get inside the room you will know who the mother is. Yes, I’m very sure. Shake her hand and tell her who you are. If there is time you shake everyone’s hand. Yes, you will know if there is time. You never stand. If there are no seats left, the couches have arms on them.
You will have to make a decision about whether you will ask what she already knows. If you were the one to call her and tell her that her son had been shot then you have already done part of it, but you have not done it yet. You are about to do it now. You never make her wait. She is his mother. Now you explode the world. Yes, you have to. You say something like: “Mrs. Booker. I have terrible, terrible news. Ernest died today.”
Then you wait.
You will not stand up. You may leave yourself in the heaviness of your breath or the racing of your pulse or the sight of your shoelaces on your shoe, but you will not stand up. You are here for her. She is his mother.
If the mother has another son with her and he has punched the wall or broken the chair, do not be worried. The one that punched the wall or broke the chair will be better than the one who looks down and refuses to cry. The one who punched the wall or broke the chair will be much easier than the sister who looks up and closes her eyes as they fill.
If the mother asks you, you will tell her what you know. You do not lie. But do not say he was murdered or he was killed. Yes, I know that he was, but that is not what you say. You say that he died; that is the part that you saw and that you know. When she asks if he felt any pain, you must be very careful. If he did not, you assure her quickly. If he did, you do not lie. But his pain is over now. Do not ever say he was lucky that he did not feel pain. He was not lucky. She is not lucky. Don’t make that face. The depth of the stupidity of the things you will say sometimes is unimaginable.
Before you leave you break her heart one more time. “No, I’m so sorry, but you cannot see him. There are strict rules when a person dies this way and the police have to take him first. We cannot let you in. I’m so sorry.” You do not ever say “the body.” It is not a body. It is her son. You want to tell her that you know that he was hers. But she knows that and she does not need for you to tell her. Instead you tell her you will give her time and come back in case she has questions. More questions, or questions for the first time. If she has no questions you do not give her the answers to the questions she has not asked.
When you leave the room, do not yell at the medical student who has a question. When you get home, do not yell at your husband. If he left his socks on the floor again today, it is all right.”
Hello everyone, this is my first blog: the top 5 events in Pyeongchang’s 2018 Olympics you should watch! Hope you enjoy!
5. Halfpipe
Both men’s and women’s halfpipe are such entertaining events! The tricks, cheering crowds, and anticipation is something you don’t want to miss out on. Every athlete puts on their greatest show for everyone, including spins, grabs, and flips! In Pyeongchang 2018, history was made in both men’s and women’s categories. Even though this event isn’t live anymore, this is still a must watch on Youtube!
4. Super-G
This is one of the most thrilling alpine skiing events ever! Skiers race down the hill going at incredible speeds, winding and turning to get to the finish line the quickest. Often, the margin between podium places are only hundredths of a second apart! This technical event will captivate you from start to finish, keeping you on your toes the whole time! Needless to say, must watch.
(P.s. Admit it, the race suits also look cool.)
3. Ice Hockey
Of course, hockey. Hockey is one of the national sports of Canada, and there is always so much hype on the ice and in the roaring crowds! Hockey is one of the most entertaining sports, and incorporates strategy, puck-handling, athleticism, and much more. To be specific, the fights and goals are the most fun to watch, but the event as a whole is very exciting. Watch it live while you can!
2. Aerials
Aerials is like a hidden gem in the Olympics. It may not be the most fast-paced event, but the skiers launch themselves off jumps at over 60 km/h! In the air, the difficult tricks performed are so incredible, such as the “double full/double full/full”, which is 3 flips fused with 5 twists. (WOW!) The tricks are also extremely difficult to land, as the speed and direction of the wind can affect the landing significantly. This event is so ‘flipping’ impressive, and you should definitely watch it!
1. Ski/Snowboard Cross
This should be the first event you watch in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics! Ski/snowboard cross is the most compelling, thrilling event I have ever watched for a variety of reasons. There are 4-6 racers on the same course, which doesn’t happen in the rest of the freestyle or alpine events, so you get to see the skiers/snowboarders race their opponents instead of the clock. Often, only the top 2 athletes will move on to the next round, and in the grand final, only 3 will receive a medal, which is why this event is so captivating. There are also a plethora of high jumps, twisting turns, and rollers from start to finish, and it is very entertaining to see how the athletes deal with them. Overall, this event is a MUST WATCH!!
There you go! Ski/Snowboard Cross, Aerials, Ice Hockey, Super-G, and Halfpipe are my top 5 picks for what you should watch in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games! Thank you for reading my first blog! Now go check the Olympics schedule and watch your favourite events!
With Valentine’s Day having just passed and the recent release of diploma exam results, you might be feeling quite down recently. If you’re like me, you resort to listening to sad songs when this happens. Here is a list of sad songs that I’ve compiled, which includes both old songs and new from primary the pop and soft rock genres.
The Scientist-Coldplay
“The Scientist” is one of Coldplay’s early releases, and revolves around a man’s apology to his lover. However, the line “I was just guessing at numbers and figures/Pulling your puzzles apart” might hit close to home if a poor result on a math or science test is what’s bothering you.
How to Save a Life-The Fray
“How to Save a Life” was written by the lead singer to describe his experience in a shelter for troubled teenagers. Thus, the overall tone of the vocals are very melancholy and somber, with lines such as “Where did I go wrong?/I lost a friend”.
The Sound of Silence-Simon & Garfunkel
The opening line of the song, “Hello darkness my old friend”, has somewhat become a meme. However, the song address a serious matter: the inability to communicate. This is the oldest song on the list, having been released in 1965, and can also be considered to be the saddest song.
Chasing Cars-Snow Patrol
Although the song is meant to be a love song, the tune of the song comes across as extremely wistful with lines such as “Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”. It was also used in the series final of season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy.
Hello-Adele
Adele is known for writing sad songs, with “Hello” being no exception. A song about reconciliation with one’s past that includes lines such as “They say that time’s supposed to heal ya/But I ain’t done much healing” to remind you how difficult it is to heal.
Breakeven-The Script
The central theme of “Breakeven” is how one-sided breakups can be. However, some lines such as “They say bad things happen for a reason/But no wise words gonna stop the bleeding” can be applied to a variety of situations.
Apologize-Timbaland, OneRepublic
“Apologize” explores the pain involved with relationships gone away, and highlights the importance of moving on; the most famous line of the song being “It’s too late to apologize”.
Boulevard of Broken Dreams-Green Day
It’s difficult to find a rock-oriented song that comes across as sad, however “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is a song completely about being alone. Included are lines such as “My shadow’s the only one that walks beside me”.
Sign of the Times-Harry Styles
The latest release on the list from former One Direction member Harry Styles, “Sign of the Times” is here to remind you to move forward with your life. In an interview, Styles has said “The song is written from a point of view as if a mother was giving birth to a child and there’s a complication. The mother is told, ‘The child is fine, but you’re not going to make it.’ The mother has five minutes to tell the child, ‘Go forth and conquer.'”
Carry On- Fun.
Finally, a song to remind you that no matter what happens, you’ve got to continue on. There are many universally applicable lines such as “If you’re lost and alone/Or you’re sinking like a stone/Carry on”.
Do you ever get freaked out about how much you have to do? You spend hours of your day at school, maybe six hours, maybe eleven. Then you’ve got all your extracurriculars or work or whatnot that you attend. Then you probably have some sort of chores or help around the house somehow. Then, you still have all that homework that somehow always seems to be at its peak on your busiest day. Then, when you’re done all that, it’s already time (or way past time) to go to bed because you have to get a decent amount of sleep so that you’re somewhat awake the next day.
Sometimes I think about how if I didn’t put so much effort into schoolwork, I might just generally end up happier. “I don’t even care anymore” I say as I continue to care very deeply that I’m doing well. At this point, I’ve been caring deeply for such a long time that I can’t just undo it all right away. Because then, when I don’t do as well, I begin to panic that I’ll never get anywhere in life, even though I know that it’s irrational. I think about how I have to get into university and get scholarships and all that so that I can supposedly get a good job and live a reasonably okay life and buy a house, because that’s what you’re supposed to do to be an adult, and then what do you know, it’s time for retirement, and then I begin to wonder how much I actually have to save for retirement, and then remember that I’m still in high school and have more pressing matters at hand than panicking about the future.
When you really step back and look at it, you realize that your current stresses might not even matter 5 years from now, 6 months from now, or even a week from now. If you think about it, it’s important to remember to live in the moment. Even though you probably see that message often to the point that you don’t even acknowledge it, it’s still some good advice. While it’s important to plan for the future, it’s easy to get caught up in the uncertainty of it all. Maybe I’ll try to remember that next time I’m freaking out about all that I have to do and why I’m doing it.
One of the contenders for Crunchyroll’s ANOY 2017 was this 13-episode production by Kinema Citrus, a studio that wasn’t especially well known up till now. (I’ll try to discuss it without spoiling anything, because it’s an anime I think both otakus and non-enthusiasts would equally enjoy.)
***
The story is paced inexplicably well, and excitement permeates the plot from the very first episode. Most of it is unpredictable, with little quirks and information reveals before you’d expect, leaving you outside your comfort zone for how far you’d expected the story to progress in an episode. And just when you think you see a pattern in how the characters move, or in the events that occur, a devastating scene both grasps you fiercely and has you feeling hopeless like few other animes can accomplish.
The two main characters are children who live in an island like any other, except for one particular characteristic: a hole in the center that’s a kilometer wide and with no discovered bottom, aptly named “the Abyss”. Adventurers are drawn by curiosity into the pit to discover rare relics and interact with the unique creatures; the deeper you go, the more dangerous the journey – especially since those who descend into the pit suffer the “curse of the abyss” when they climb back to the surface, plagued with symptoms ranging from mild nausea to massive bleeding or even death – escalating with the depth from which they ascend. The theme interestingly draws parallels with UofT prof Jordan Peterson’s concept of the human spirit, which voluntarily shoulders burdens and walks forward in the face of suffering, in its depiction of adventures who willingly confront the terrible and dangerous unknowns of the Abyss.
Gobble gobble smack smack… There goes your backpack
Although the art style in any film is subject to arbitration, Kinema Citrus’s impeccable attention to detail and fantasia-like expression set the mood through color and techniques such as intentionally roughly drawing creatures in situations of danger and fear, reflecting the emotions of the characters themselves. Here are some examples:
Sunshine and grassNope, this picture isn’t upside down.The fourth sublayer of the Abyss, the “Goblet of Giants”
Finally, no good anime would be complete without a unique and compelling soundtrack. Australian-born composer Kevin Penkin, also an underdog in the industry prior to Made in Abyss’ release, created soundtracks that both complement the scenes and hold up under musical scrutiny. In an interview, Penkin described the ascending musical key of a certain song as an acoustic metaphor for the walls of the Abyss rising to engulf the main characters as they ventured ever deeper. For the rest of the pieces, the Australian specified on his compositions being played by an extra-small ensemble of just 19 musicians, in a full-sized stage that could fit over 130: a parallelism of the relatively tiny characters’ adventure in the massive pit. Although it’s not known if it had any significant effect on the recorded music, it’s refreshing to see such passion and resonance between the musical and visual aspects of an anime.
In essence, Made in Abyss has a great, fluid storyline, complete with art and audio that seamlessly accompany each other and simultaneously draw the viewer in. Although it’s not suitable for younger audiences, due to some occasional inappropriate references and (very slight) gore, it’s an anime that most people should find highly enjoyable. My only complaint is that it’s too short – but a second season’s reportedly underway.
*Note: Under the Copyright Act of Canada, Sections 29, 29.1, and 29.2, the fair dealing exception to copyright law applies to articles with the intent of criticism or review. I do not own any rights to images, film, or publications mentioned in this article, which belong to their respective owners. Please support the original release.
If you’re going to be taking your English 30 Diploma exam in a year or two, don’t make the same mistake I did. I thought it would be a great idea if I did something different and wrote my Critical/Analytical Response to a Literary Text on Breaking Bad. Full disclosure: it did not turn out well.
But I digress. Essentially a modern-day Macbeth and Hamlet intertwined into one story, Breaking Bad is, in my humble opinion, the greatest television show ever made.
The premise doesn’t sound like it would appeal to everyone. A high school chemistry teacher is diagnosed with lung cancer and starts cooking and selling crystal meth in order to pay his hospital bills. But the story really is fascinating, in the way that the characters progress and events play out.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Although the show finished airing in 2013, Breaking Bad’s 16 Emmys and Guiness World Record as the “Most Critically Acclaimed Show of All Time” should at least pique your interest in wondering what all the hype was about. Watch just the first episode, and you’ll probably understand.
What’s it about?
Walter White, a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer on his 50th birthday. Living in the United States, where there is no such thing as universal healthcare (if this series took place in Canada, it would be over in less than 1 episode), Walt is aware that his family cannot exactly afford all the treatment he needs. His wife Skylar is pregnant with their second child, and he already takes a second job at a car wash just to make ends meet. While his friends and family offer their support, Walt’s pride motivates him to seek a way to pay for his treatment himself.
Seeking out his former student Jesse Pinkman, who is now a cook of crystal methamphetamine, Walt makes a proposal: they will partner up, with Walt using his chemistry knowledge to produce high quality meth, while Jesse will use his “street knowledge” of the drug trade to sell their product. Walt wants to use his share of the profits not only to pay for his cancer treatment, but also to provide for his family once he has passed away.
And so begins Walt’s descent into the world of drugs and crime. Along the way, he meets a myriad of new people (mostly criminals and hitmen from the criminal underworld); some helpful, some violently insane, and some chillingly ruthless. Another one of Walt’s main problems is keeping his new job hidden from his friends and family (his brother-in-law is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent).
Walt’s character development truly is the highlight of the series. Initially a very mild, quiet man, his capacity for violence increases exponentially as the series progresses. He is pulled deeper into the illicit drug trade, becoming more and more ruthless with every new season. This evolution from school teacher and family man to ruthless criminal mastermind and murderer is slow, but significant to the point that the Walter at the beginning of the series is a completely different person from the Walter at the end.
Why is it good?
I think the real beauty of this show, and why it was so successful, is that we all have a little “bad” in us, and it is truly fascinating to see what could happen if it were to “break” out. Bryan Cranston gives an amazing performance portraying Walter White, with many critics considering it some of the best acting in history. I’m inclined to agree. Cranston portrays Walt’s ambition and growing ruthlessness in a perfectly nuanced way, so that no action he takes ever seems unnatural or out of character.
To be fair, the performances of practically the entire cast are phenomenal. Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn, who portray Jesse Pinkman and Skylar White respectively, are also fantastic, as well as Bob Odenkirk who plays the sleazy, flamboyant “criminal” lawyer Saul Goodman, introduced in a later season. In fact, the latter’s portrayal was so good it launched a prequel spin-off series, Better Call Saul. That show is also fantastic, and I highly recommend you watch it after you binge through all of Breaking Bad.
But beyond this, the storytelling, cinematography, and world-building of Breaking Bad are all incredible. I’m far from a television connoisseur (I mostly just watch a lot of TV), but I’ve still noticed that the way in which Breaking Bad episodes are framed draws me in like no other show has. There’s a reason that most people who start this show can’t help but binge, finishing the entire series in the span of a few weeks.
Mentioning too much about story arcs risks spoiling the series, but rest assured that if you want to be captivated by a show’s plot, you will not be disappointed.
In honour of Valentine’s Day, I will share with you the totally relatable 8 stages of having a crush.
No doubt that everyone who has ever lived has had a crush on somebody before. It’s just apart of life. Don’t tell me you don’t catch feelings because we all know it’s a lie. Even though you might not want to admit the feelings you’ve had for a few specific people, you’ve still had them. And as embarrassing as the memories may be, just remember: there are other people facing the same situation! So, why don’t we laugh it off together?
Starting from the very beginning, stage one: realization.
This is when it hits you. It may not be the first time you’ve see them, it might be the one-hundredth time, but the truth is realization could happen at any given time. This is when you start to notice all the things you’ve never noticed before. It’s also when you begin to stare at them in class and in the hallways. You’ll know something is starting to form when you realize 3 things. First, they’re constantly on your mind. Two, you purposely want to see them all the time and three, you can’t help but stare at them. If you’ve got all three checked off, oh boy, buckle in because this is merely the tip of the iceberg.
Then, the inevitable stage two: stalking them on social media, duh.
Obviously, this is the unavoidable part of any crush. After you find out their name, what else do you do except take out your trusty cell phone and immediately search them up on Instagram and Snapchat? Before you even know it, you’ve already scrolled down to a post from 85 weeks ago and are well aware of who their exes are and probably know if they have any pets or not. That’s okay, you’re definitely not alone. There are two types of people in this world; people who stalk their crushes on social media and liars. I mean, how else are you going to find out this information?
Once you’ve got your eyes on them, here comes the third stage: confusion.
Once you’ve got a good idea of who this person is, you’ll have to make a decision: do you like them or not? There’s a big difference between thinking that someone is attractive and actually having a crush on them. This is a messy stage because it requires you to sort out your feelings. Figure out if it’s an “oh-they’re-kinda-cute” or an “OH-THEY’RE-REALLY-CUTE”. Trust me, this is easier said than done. In my opinion, I wouldn’t suggest asking people for advice at this point. Talking about it with your friends could possibly expose you to various biased ideas on that person. You want to make a choice without prejudice. If the people you’re chatting with has strong opinions for or against your possible crush, it would influence how you think. But if you insist on seeking help, do whatever you feel but don’t let your judgement be clouded for this stage!
After having your emotions sorted out, you get to move on to stage number four: talking about it and seeking advice.
At this point, you can start to talk to friends about it. Side effects of this stage include many, many, many jokes being made about you and your crush. But along with those, you receive some pretty good advice too. Peps talks and reassurance is exactly what friends are for. It takes the workload off of you for a little while since you’ll be getting help with your decisions. It’s also a crucial step because now, you’ll have people to find out information for you. Your friends suddenly will become agents specialized in finding out everything you need to know about your crush.
The embarrassingly weird fifth stage: casting them as a character in one of your daydreams.
No one likes to talk about this stage, but everyone experiences it. It’s when you imagine what it would be like if you were dating them or possibly even married to them depending on how hard you’re crushing. Like social media stalking, you’re not alone in this! Having daydreams about your crush is probably as old as time itself! It’s not weird (well, maybe a little), it’s all apart of the process. Don’t force yourself to imagine scenarios starring you and your crush, but also don’t force it away! Let it flow naturally, Cupid knows what he’s doing.
The sixth stage is finally taking action.
This part is the hardest. It takes the most courage and guts to do. Whether there are any further stages all depend on what happens in this stage. This is where it all adds up to. Take a breath, you can do it. Talk about anything and everything, just don’t talk about nothing. You’ve already gotten the chance to figure out why you like them and now it’s your opportunity to show them why they should like you. This is the real start.
Ah, the grand seventh stage: La La Land.
Based on how your previous stage went, you either continued to stage seven or ended it at stage six. If you’ve made it this far, welcome! Stage seven is the longest of all the stages. It’s where you’ve already gotten it all figured out and you’re simply sitting back and waiting for them to make a move. It’s a happy time if you let it be one. Smiling whenever you think of them, heart pounding whenever you speak to them. Maybe even looking at them with googly eyes.
Big finale stage eight ends in a variety of ways, depending on who you are. The feelings could eventually die down and they just become one of those embarrassing memories you lie awake at midnight cringing about. Or, if you bribed cupid, you could even end up dating them! I’m just kidding. If the odds really want you two to be together, don’t worry, you will. But if not, then maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. And in that case, do whatever you can to make sure they know what they missed out on.
Liking someone is a basic part of human life, what are you gonna do? There’s no prevention of it, but let me send you out there with some tips. If it doesn’t work out, don’t be too hung up on it. Remember, they are just a temporary part of your life. People come and go, so don’t even stress it.
Meet Dylan Zhao. Currently in grade 12 doing full IB at Western Canada High School, Dylan boasts a wide array of interests and involvements which range from economics and philosophy to his involvement in his school’s debate club and Model UN team. His latest achievement? Being Youth Are Awesome’s February 2018 blogger of the month. Since joining the team back in December 2016, Dylan has shared a wealth of knowledge on the site such as his understanding of trickle down economics and why they don’t work, the benefits of participating in Model UN , and of course his brilliant Netflix recommendations. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet up with him at the Rosso situated at the base of the National Music Centre a little over a week ago and we ended up bonding over our mutual admiration of Arctic Monkeys and Netflix’s Black Mirror.
When Dylan is not writing for Youth Are Awesome or participating in debate or Model UN, he can be found reading, watching Netflix, catching up on current events or skiing. I asked him right off the bat what are some possessions he couldn’t live without, and he answered “Definitely my laptop just because I probably spend too much time on it, and I guess everybody could say their laptop or their phone but in terms of more unique things, maybe a book? I like to bring a book most places and I like to sit down and read. So maybe it’s not exclusively one book, but something to be reading wherever I go.” which segued into a discussion of books.
If you’ve read his article “4 Books To Read To Not Go Broke”, you’ll know that Dylan is definitely an avid reader so it shouldn’t come as a surprise when I tell you he had a difficult time trying to come up with a single favorite novel, so instead, he gave me five. The first book to come to mind was “Nudge” written by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein which focuses on behavioral economics, followed by Stephen King’s horror novel “It”, his novel “11/22/63” which centers around a time traveler who tries to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, George Orwell’s dystopian “1984” and “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller.
When you meet Dylan, it doesn’t take long to realize how involved he is with debate club and Model UN. One of the things he admires the most about his school is the number of activities it offers which is evident given how involved he is and I was curious… What made him so interested in joining Model UN? “…Some of the stuff you talk about in debate is also similar to stuff you talk about in Model UN like politics, economics, that type of thing. I think that has just naturally drove me to try out for Model UN. After I attended the first conference, I figured out that yeah this is pretty fun and I think I’ll stick with this.”
In terms of school, his favorite subject is Philosophy. This comes at no surprise when I recall his interests. Zhao strikes me as the typical academic: thoughtful, intuitive and wise beyond his years. He likes the class because they’ll often discuss controversial topics and carry out debates, which is right up his alley. “it’s really nice to apply the same things i’m doing in model UN and debate in a classroom setting” he remarks.
Alongside debate and model UN lies Dylan’s involvement with Youth Are Awesome. His interest in writing for YAA was sparked when his friends told him he should write about his TV recommendations. “So I started out with TV recommendations because I watch a lot of TV, but then I also thought hey this is a place where I can write about anything. So then I started writing about my other interests such as music, economics and whatever else popped into my head.” he notes. His favorite part of YAA? The freedom it offers.
In regards to where he finds inspiration, Dylan admitted it comes to him periodically and sporadically. “One second I could just be doing nothing in particular, like maybe on Reddit or something (his favorite site), and then I’ll feel an urge to write something about anything.” Dylan likes to write his articles as if he were having a conversation with someone, but the writing process is just as unexpected as his sudden bursts of creativity. “…[The inspiration] just comes out of nowhere, and as soon as it kicks in I just write it all in one go. I don’t usually plan something out and then go back to it periodically to finish it.”
As soon as I start on something, I get this urge to get it done.
“I feel like in a way, I like that I do that because I hope it comes across as more genuine in a sense, but also at the same time I wish I was able to plan everything out. It’s just hard for me because a day will come around and I won’t know what to say at that very moment.”
I asked him if YAA had helped him in improve in any aspects of his life, and he took a moment to reflect. “Yes. Definitely English because after writing for YAA, in terms of posts where I’ve been talking about parts of my own life, it’s actually helped me a lot with PRTs in English class. And then when I write posts that are a little more analytical, it’s more practice for CARs. On top of that, I also feel that just by expressing thoughts in a written form has made me a bit more open to talking about stuff, just because I’ve now gotten into this habit of being able to express how I feel about something.”
In terms of his many articles, his favorite blog post that he’s written so far remains his first one, which was a recommendation for the show Black Mirror. “…[That post] was my first real trek into this world of writing blog posts. It’ll always hold a special place in my heart.” He adds that it was the first instance where he opened himself up and expressed his thoughts to a wider audience, and because it marked the start of him doing that, it was still the most important to him.
Still from S04E04 of Black Mirror titled “Hang the DJ”
Black Mirror is also a favorite show of mine, and I had to ask him about the latest season but specifically which episode he enjoyed the most. “I really liked “hang the dj”. It had a really heartwarming ending but at the same time I’m not sure how much that is traditional black mirror. I feel like you’re supposed to feel hopeless after the ending.” and he’s got a point. I recall the episode “Metalhead” from the same season and shudder at the thought of robotic AI “dogs” trained to hunt and kill humans. Not exactly fun for the whole family.
Our discussion about Black Mirror eventually led us to technology and it’s effects on society, but more specifically human interaction.
I guess technology is almost like a double edged sword in a sense because all of us can’t live without our phones, laptops, or anything that keeps us connected to each other or allow us to get things done.
“I think there’s this problem because even now when I was just on the train, everybody is on their phones, me as well.. Guilty. But I think the more and more we rely on it, we’re going to be able to get more stuff done but also lose just a little bit about what makes human connections so valuable. The fact is that nobody is really obligated to seek those out anymore when you can just keep communicating with the people you already know, which makes it harder to meet new people. So then there’s no more instances where you’re just walking down a street asking somebody for directions when you can just look it up on google maps. So yeah I think it’s really, really great that we have all this technology to make our lives easier and better, but at the same time I feel like everybody should just try to communicate as we once did I guess. But that’s also somewhat hard to do I guess so we just have to accept what’s going on and go with the times…”
Reflecting on his time thus far on the blog, Dylan notes that his favorite part about writing for YAA is the flexibility the platform offers, comparing it to other blogs that may possess an established direction /or target audience. “When it comes to YAA, it really is just complete creative freedom when it comes to what you wanna do, and I think it also makes it unique from some other blogs.”
Dylan is set to graduate this year, and when I asked him what he’d like to accomplish on the blog before he’s done, he had a succinct answer: post more. “I’ve tried to maintain a somewhat consistent schedule since I’ve started posting but in terms of volume, it’s not quite what I want to get out there. So if I just start posting more in these last few months before I graduate, then I think that would be my number one goal.”
Looking ahead 10 years, Dylan envisions himself hopefully having a positive impact on the world. “Either I’m still in college trying to pursue some sort of graduate degree, or I’ll have a job somewhere, hopefully in a city that I like and it’s either a job in economics, politics or something along those lines where I’m actually able to express my thoughts in a way where what I’m working towards will have some kind of tangible effect on people. So whether that’s crafting policy or whatever, I feel like ideas are best when they’re put into some kind of action. So that’s why I hope in 10 years I’m in some kind of position where I’m able to do that.”
Throughout our entire conversation, Dylan provided some rather earnest and insightful answers with wisdom beyond his years, however perhaps his best piece of advice was saved for last. I asked him if he had any advice for his fellow youth, and he replied “Do your homework.” with a small laugh, before admitting he had some work to catch up on himself after our meeting. I laughed at this omission, wholly feeling the pressure of senior year and my own homework hit me all at once. So believe me when I tell you that Dylan knows what he’s talking about. Please, do your homework!
I wanted to extend my gratitude to Dylan Zhao for meeting me downtown on a cold Friday afternoon amidst exam season. I can’t wait to see what else he recommends on the blog in the future, and what he’ll accomplish after high school. He’s a bright individual with a bright future and I’m very excited to congratulate him on being our February 2018 blogger of the month!
To read posts from our blogger of the month, clickhere!
Jam out songs
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