Grip - Fall 2014

P
M

#
4
0
0
2
0
0
5
5

Grip_p01_Fall_14.indd 1 2014-10-06 1:42 PM
17
Grip magazine is currently seeking writers, journalists, illustrators
and photographers between the ages of 13 and 18. Join the conversation and
help Grip cover issues that are important to you. Send questions and samples to
creative@griponlife.ca. You will be paid. Really. Not a lot, but its still money.
Grip_p02-05_Fall_14.indd 2 2014-10-06 3:26 PM
17
facebook.com/gripmag
03
The Survival Issue:
Sometimes it can feel like were just
trying to get by. But survival means
so much more than just living it
also means overcoming challenges
and thriving in a tough world. In this
issue of Grip we consider what it
takes to survive.
How to Survive High School
Cool Albertans dish out advice on getting
through the highs and lows of school
In Case of Emergency
Take our quiz to see how your outdoor survival
skills shape up
Everything You Need to Know
About fnding a psychologist
BY DARCY ROPCHAN

Survival of the Fittest
Eating disorders live in all kinds of bodies
BY JAY WALKER AND JASMINE BLACKETT
Away We Go
How can you survive a really big move?
BY LUNA YANG
Immunity Challenge
Surviving a harrowing illness abroad helped
one teenager grow stronger
BY J.M.M. LEWIS
The Breakaway
Plan a day trip at one of
Albertas best hidden spots
BY MITCHELL KAYE
Not Just Another Indie Flick
We search the Netix archives for the best movies
and TV shows you (probably) dont know about
BY EVAN TRAN
Finding Your Tribe
Five lessons I learned while searching for friends
BY EVAN TRAN
4
Welcome to Grip
A message from a Grip contributor, plus an
introduction to three of our writers
6
News and views
Tips for keeping your school year resolutions,
what you need to know about boys and the
HPV vaccine, tackling FOMO, and music,
book and video game reviews
14
Off the Wall
A really important collection of must-know
trivia. Trust us
36
Fan Fare
Despite challenges in Calgarys all-ages
music scene, Samsara rocks on
BY BRETT MORRISON
38
This Is Kaetlyn Osmond
The Olympic silver medalist sits down to talk
competition, body image and friendship
BY ERIN EMILY ANN VANCE
48
Portfolio
The creative spirit thrives in Alberta!
Check out photography, art and words
submitted by teens across the province
53
Dodge
Sonny nds himself stuck in the wild
54
Last Word
Emoji we wish existed
DEPARTMENTS
whats inside
18
COVER ILLUSTRATION: STOCKWELL COLLINS
20
21
22
25
FEATURES
29
32
44
Find Grip on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/GripMag
When the Going
Gets Tough
The Community Helpers
program sets out to
help teenagers help
themselves
BY JUSTIN TRIN
Debate: Do dress
codes actually work?
Two Grip writers debate
the true meaning of
school wardrobes
BY LOUISE FOURNIER
AND J.M.M. LEWIS
42
35
46
GRIPMagazine
04
he pages of Grip are a place where young writers
and artists get to show off their creative abilities. In the
magazine, youll nd everything from reviews on games, CDs
and books, to full-scale articles and debates that give you new
perspective on the teen experience.
This issue in particular is all about survival. That can mean
a lot of things it can literally mean getting by, day
by day, or it can mean surviving a rough time and
moving on. It can mean heading out to the woods on
your own, or it can mean heading out to a new city on
your own.
Sometimes it seems like one of the hardest things to
survive is where we spend ve days a week, 10 months
a year: school. In this issue of Grip, weve brought
together a number of amazing Canadians to give you a
handy guide for surviving high school.
I wish Id had a guide like that when I started Grade 9
it could have helped me prepare for the obstacles that lay
ahead of me.
One of the hardest things to face in high school is
dealing with bullies and peer pressure. I have dealt with
bullies throughout my three years of high school, and
they have made me do some very regretful things, like
being just as nasty to others as they were to me. Ive also struggled
with my self-image and condence. A persons self-worth is a very
sensitive thing in this issue of Grip Jay Walker will give us his
take on overcoming self-image issues and surviving an
eating disorder.
This issue of Grip is really about showing us that everyone
can survive just about anything. We hear from one teenager who
became seriously ill while travelling abroad, and we also discuss
the best way to pack our backpacks so that were always prepared.
Some survival mechanisms may seem small, or even
insignicant, compared to others but remember surviving is
still surviving. Find something that matters to you, that helps you
keep going. And dont listen to anyone that puts you down just to
be hurtful. Listen to those who have your best interest at heart.
Because how good is just surviving if you dont have the people
who love you by your side?
Tiffany Diack
T
From a Grip Contributor
Louise Fournier enjoys exploring different
ideas through her writing and cross-stitching.
Currently, Louise is exploring the world of the
blind, which has always interested her, by
learning Braille and attempting to read chil-
drens books in Braille (with her eyes closed).
Once this new language is mastered, she
looks forward to tackling sign language. She
is extremely excited to be a part of Grip for her
second time and is blessed to have such a
great outlet to share her writing in. She also
writes an inspirational blog, which can be
found here: gostaystrongforever.
wordpress.com.
05
Fall 2014 | Volume 8, No. 2
PUBLISHER
Ruth Kelly
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Beth Evans
MANAGING EDITOR
Lyndsie Bourgon | creative@griponlife.ca
DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM CONTENT
Mifi Purvis
EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Beth Evans, Tammy OQuinn, Taryn Pawlivsky, Jody Walker
ART DIRECTOR
Charles Burke
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Andrea deBoer
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Colin Spence
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Betty Feniak Smith
PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS
Brent Felzien, Brandon Hoover
DISTRIBUTION
Karen Reilly | getgrip@griponlife.ca
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Madeleine Beaulieu, Jasmine Blackett, Bonnie Burton, Louise Fournier,
Megan Ganley, Christine Green, Jessica Highstead, Mitchell Kaye,
J.M.M. Lewis, Catherine Lieu, Kallan Thate-McKendry, Sage Miller, Brett
Morrison, Irtiza Oyon, Jessie Perin, Isabel Rodriguez, Darcy Ropchan,
Evan Tran, Joanna Tran, Erin Emily Ann Vance, Jay Walker, Luna Yang
CONTRIBUTING CONTENT EXPERTS
Katherine Jarrell, Eden McCaffrey, Richard Musto,
Lindsay Hope-Ross, Tammy Troute-Wood, Deborah Walchuk
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Stockwell Collins, Eric Gravel, James MacDonald, Irtiza Oyen,
Skate Canada / Stephan Potopnyk, Evan Tran
Grip is published by Venture Publishing Inc.
for Alberta Health Services
The content of this magazine is provided for general informational purposes only and
is not intended to replace consultations with your doctor or to provide medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
provider with any personal medical and health questions that you may have.
Printed in Canada by Transcontinental LGM Graphics
Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40020055
Contents copyright 2014 by Alberta Health Services. Content may not be reprinted
or reproduced without written permission from Alberta Health Services.
Venture Publishing Inc.
10259-105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3
Tel: 780-990-0839 | Fax: 780-425-4921 | Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276
circulation@venturepublishing.ca
The views expressed in Grip are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of Alberta Health Services or Venture Publishing
J.M.M. Lewis is a creator. She writes speculative ction, creative non-ction
and essays about her personal experiences. She is currently working a boring
job by day and adapting two authors works into illustrations and a graphic
novel by night. She also manages and publishes a digital magazine with The
Inkswell Collective, which she helped to found. She has a passion for linguis-
tics and world religion, and hopes to go back to school in 2015. You can learn
more about her by visiting jmmlewis.com.
Brett Morrison is an 18-year-old
writer from Calgary. He just gradu-
ated from high school, and hopes
to study lm and history. Brett is an
avid heavy metal fan, so we assigned
him to prole Samsara in this issue.
In addition to writing pieces for Grip,
Brett is also working on a full-length
novel that combines his passion for
history with warfare drama. If youre at
a metal concert, you can meet him in
the mosh pit.
Contributors
GRIPMagazine
06 itHAPPENS | News
Weve all been there: scrolling through our Instagram feeds after
waking up in the morning, we ick past a photo. Wait a minute
is that everyone I know? And are they all hanging out at a party
last night? Why am I not there?
That pit you feel in your stomach is the phenomenon known as
FOMO (which stands for fear of missing out) and it hits us all.
The comedian Mindy Kaling even wrote a book about it, called
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Of course fear of missing out is hardly new, but in our current
society, we get reminders about it at any moment, says Eden
McCaffrey, a clinical psychologist with Alberta Health Services. The
immediacy is very different, and motivates people in strange ways.
Its hard to overcome this you cant prepare for tweets, group
emails, texts and status updates that make you feel left out. There
is a high correlation between being overly connected and experienc-
ing various negative social dynamics, like isolation and exclusion,
says McCaffrey. This is the catalyst for FOMO, she says, and it plays
a role in negative feelings like insecurity and poor self-esteem.
Theres also the misguided perception we have that, by being
ofine at all, were missing out. Theres this false illusion that by
being connected, you wont be able to miss out and, in turn, youll
have control, she says. One way to get over this is to simply put
down your phone or electronic device for a bit. By distancing yourself
and connecting with something else a book, a movie, some music
or a walk in the park you might nd that your feelings are less hurt
than when youre stuck in a vortex of online voices and pictures.
News
#FOMO
07
MY DUSTY
BOOKSHELF
Zen and the Art of
Motorcycle Maintenance
By Robert M. Pirsig
Reviewed by Evan Tran
Following a 17-day motorcycle journey, Zen and the Art of
Motorcycle Maintenance is a rst-person account of an introspective
trip from Minnesota to Northern California. The title itself is
misleading author Robert M. Pirsig explains in his introduction
that It should be no way associated with that great body of factual
information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. Its not very
factual on motorcycles, either. That particular preface of Pirsigs
novel sets the stage for a peculiar journey.
Along with his son Chris, and close friends Jon and Sylvia Suth-
erland, Pirsig punctuates the novel with numerous philosophical
debates and discussions, referred to as Chautauquas.
Zen is the essence of a philosophical novel, and it is likely not
going to sway those who are disinterested in philosophy to sudden-
ly look up the works of Plato upon reading it. Though sometimes dry,
Pirsigs exploration of the meaning of quality leads to some engag-
ing thought. Particular examples of discussion revolve around the
romantic and classical approaches to thoughts and life. Pirsig
compares the Sutherlands romantic attitude towards the world to
his own classical approach.
The romantic views of Zen, and the classical representations of
motorcycle maintenance, permeate the various pages of Pirsigs
sort-of memoir. In fact, motorcycle maintenance is more of an
analogy for Pirsigs views of the world, an expression of his rather
abstract ideas in the form of how he repairs his motorcycle.
Pirsigs book is hard to get into, especially if you nd philosophy
to be a meandering topic. Slog through the slower parts, though,
and you will nd valuable lessons that are sometimes overlooked in
this day and age.
Grade: B- Though a book that has seemingly stood the test of
time, readers will have to overcome the slow pacing and muddled
theories that conceal some very touching truths that propel this
otherwise long read.
Every fall comes with a new surge of motivation: we think to ourselves,
This is my year! and buy sticky notes in every colour of the rainbow. Yet with
poor note-taking skills, its easy to become frustrated with your efforts in school.
Consider incorporating some of our tips to smarter note-taking:
Identify Your Learning Style
Before you begin purchasing supplies, gure out your learning style through a
quick quiz, like one from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
(at www.educationplanner.org). Are you a visual learner? Consider investing in
several coloured pens to colour-code your notes as you go. If youre more of an
auditory learner, consider buying a recorder for your class sessions.
Stocking Supplies
There are the supplies that are mandatory: a writing utensil, small scratchpad,
planner and highlighter. For the rest, tailor them to t your learning style and
needs. Have a separate pocket in your backpack where these supplies always
remain, so you dont have an excuse during class to not take notes.
High-Impact Note-Taking
First, decide whether you want to take your notes on paper or on-screen. Be
brutally honest with yourself: are you really going to be able to resist the lure of
the Internet? If your answer is a condent yes,
consider downloading a note-taking program
like Evernote.
While taking notes, abbreviate! Common
words that are tedious to write out can be
shortened to make your notes less wordy to
review. Summarize the textbook or lecture
notes into keywords rather than full sentences.
If rewriting notes helps you, consider reorgan-
izing your information each time into different
categories rather than writing the same notes
repeatedly this method forces you to think
critically.
Review, Review, Review
This is the catch: its not enough to take won-
derful notes once. To effectively store the infor-
mation in your long-term memory, you need to
review consistently. Set aside an hour at least
once every three days to review your notes,
and youll nd your memory improving.
Chicken Scratch
By Irtiza Oyon
GRIPMagazine GRIPMagazine
08 itHAPPENS | News
Have a camera? Great. Have any type of
cellphone that can take pictures? Also great.
Get out your device and take a few minutes
to create photographs that all your Instagram
followers will be envious of.
BEFORE TAKING THE PHOTO
Unless its intentional, blurred photographs
tend to look pretty awful. On every phone and
camera, there are different ways to steady the
picture, so spend a little time experimenting
with your cameras features to gure this out.
Start by holding the camera close to you for
stability and keep your arms comfortable.
Ideally, place your elbows on a sturdy platform
to act like a tripod. Next, take a deep breath
and hold it while you are taking the picture.
The small movement throughout the upper
body during a breath is enough to turn a photo
fuzzy. One foolproof trick for snapping a good
photo is to increase the le size or the resolu-
tion on your camera. This uses up more space
on your computer or phone but reduces the
chance of having pixilated images.
AFTER TAKING THE PHOTO
If youre editing on an iPhone, try:
PixelWakker: Unique and fun, this one turns
images into dot and line art, also known as
Pointillism.
Frametastic: Offering a combination of lters
and collages, this app is a great way to beautify
and organize photos at the same time.
If youre editing using an Android:
Photo Editor Pro: Great for photo editing on
your phone, featuring a little bit of everything
including a one tap auto enhancer.
Pixlr-o-matic: Theres no lack of lters here!
Choose from over two million different editing
combinations by downloading additional free
packages.
If youre using a PC program:
PicMonkey: Its user-friendly design makes it
easy to experiment with editing through text,
lters, collages and more.
Pixlr: Choose from three different levels of
photo editing and enjoy the use of many
different tools and effects.
Picture Perfect
BLAZING A TRAIL
Make your seles shine with these tips for improving your photography skills
News
With warm weather stretching from
summer into fall, now is the time to t in as
many of your outdoor activities as possible.
But, hey, if youre going to be doing things
outdoors, then youre going to want some
food to help keep you going.
If youre going hiking, on a road trip or
even just for a walk, its best to have some-
thing to snack on when you take a break or
youre simply craving a bite to eat.
Tropical Trail Mix
The great thing about trail mixes is theyre
easy to carry around and you can add as
much or as little of the ingredients to the mix
as you would like.
For the tropical mix, just
grab any bowl, plastic bag
or container to throw the
mix into, and begin with
the ingredients. You can
include anything you
want, from your favourite
nuts to dried fruit, but to
make it tropical youre going
to need:
cashews
brazil nuts
dried mangoes
coconut akes
banana chips
With that, youre ready to go tropical with your mix!
By Bonnie Burton
Tested by Jasmine Blackett
09
Starting this fall, boys in Grade 5 and Grade 9
will receive the HPV vaccine. HPV, or human
papillomavirus, is a virus linked to various
health issues including genital warts and
some cancers. The HPV vaccine is most effec-
tive in preventing HPV-related diseases when
administered to youth.
The reason why the HPV vaccine is
important for boys is because boys are also at
risk for HPV-related diseases, says Tammy
Troute-Wood, a community health nurse and
sexual and reproductive health specialist
with Alberta Health Services.
The HPV vaccine used to only be for girls,
but the virus affects both men and women.
If boys get the vaccine as well as girls, it will
help close the loop on how HPV is passed
around and hopefully decrease disease rates.
The vaccine prevents HPV infections, which
are often the cause of cancer in both men and
women. It is part of a larger scheme of overall
health and cancer prevention.
In public schools, parents give consent for
vaccines. A public health nurse will give the
shot, which is administered three times over a
year. The vaccine is one piece of a much big-
ger puzzle when it comes to your health, says
Troute-Wood.
NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
Sticking
Point
Its the beginning of the school year, and youve got your shiny new binders, crisp
sheets of paper and a hundred pens that will go missing within the month. New
school year, new you. Youve got plans to earn high marks, study every day instead of
cramming for exams. Youve resolved to keep a tidy locker. Sure, youve said this before
and didnt stick to the plan, but this year will be different, right? Here are a few tips
from AHS clinical consultant Kathy Jarrell that will help you stick to your resolutions:
1. Seek the truth
Be honest with yourself about habits that dont serve you well. Do you let yourself
off the hook with excuses? Act like a detective to discover whats underneath a
destructive habit. Seek out a friend or mentor who can help encourage you and
know that youre not alone.
2. Choose a new behaviour
Instead of just quitting, replace an old behaviour with a new one. Think carefully
about a new habit that would serve you well and that you could realistically
continue to do.
3. Afrm your intention
Pave the way for new behaviour by rehearsing it in your mind. Wayne Gretzky
used to vividly imagine goals going into the back of the net. See yourself coming
home from school, going to your designated study space, quickly reviewing your
notes from the day and then ling them in their proper binders.
4. Start with a small change
Starting with a change that is doable can spill over to other positive changes. An
example is committing to being on time for the rst class of the day. You may nd
that by doing this, it will be easier to be on time for the rest of your classes as well.
5. Plan your time
In your agenda, write in times when you are going to work on the assignments and
have mini-deadlines, such as writing down dates to have your research and rough
draft completed.
6. Practise, practise, practise, without self-judgment
It takes time and effort to change old habits. Be kind to yourself, and keep
practising positive behaviours. If you are honest and compassionate with yourself,
you can develop constructive habits that will serve you for a lifetime!
By Joanna Tran
With that, youre ready to go tropical with your mix!
10 itHAPPENS | Reviews
GRIPMagazine
The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
REVIEWED BY ERIN EMILY ANN VANCE
This haunting story begins with a ashback
to a singular moment in time. The narrator,
Amir, recalls his childhood living peacefully
in Afghanistan with his father and their two
servants; Ali, and his son, Hassan. Hassan
and Amir have a strong friendship, despite
being from separate classes. Hassan is a
Hazara (a racial minority in Afghanistan), and
no matter his bond with Amir, will never be
an equal. Hassan is Alis servant, rst and
foremost, a reality that becomes painfully
true as the two boys mature in the shadow of
Afghanistans crumbling government.
Together, they compete in an annual
kite-ghting competition. But their relation-
ship deteriorates quickly. Amir is plagued by
guilt, and Hassan by shame. Amir and his
father move to America, where Amir goes to
college and marries. But his dad falls ill, and
Amir is called back to Afghanistan to x what
he let fall apart all those years ago.
Khaled Hosseini has painted a visceral
picture of friendship through the eyes of two
young Afghani boys on the brink of revolu-
tion. This book forces readers to open their
eyes to the injustices and prejudices inside
of their own hearts. It is the kind of book that,
after reading, you can never forget.
Grade: A Some readers may nd it difcult
to read, given the harrowing descriptions of
hardship. The novel takes place in Afghani-
stan and the United States, beginning over
50 years ago, but its themes transcend gen-
erational and cultural gaps. The Kite Runner
should be on the top of your fall reading list.
Inferno
By Dan Brown
REVIEWED BY JOANNA TRAN
Inferno, Dan Browns fourth novel featuring
Robert Langdon, Harvard Universitys
professor of religious iconology and
symbology, begins with a disoriented
Langdon waking up in a hospital room with
no recollection of the past few days. Before
he is able to nd out how he ended up in such
a state, he is interrupted by various attempts
on his life from a young spiky-haired woman.
Widely sought after by an assassin, the World
Health Organization (WHO), a mysterious
group called The Consortium and the U.S.
Consulate, Langdon goes on the wildest run of
his life. This mystery thriller unfolds as Langdon
attempts to retrace his steps and uncover the
secrecy surrounding The Consortium, Dr.
Sienna Brooks, the WHO and a dangerous
bioweapon. As he begins to uncover the truth,
he nds himself unravelling the complexity of
Dante Alighieris Inferno.
Dan Brown has never been a disappoint-
ment, and hes not about to start now. Inferno
captured me right from the beginning, and
I was able to dive right into the professors
intriguing adventure. The plot immediately
captured my attention thanks to its suspense-
ful beginning with many surprises that left me
eager to keep reading. Because Brown writes
from a rst-person perspective, the readers
form a strong connection with Langdon as
they are faced with the same heart-racing
anticipation he feels.
Grade: A Browns withholding of information
can be frustrating and really pushes the limit
of ones patience, but the stunning ending is
worth it all. I highly recommend this book and
the rest of the Robert Langdon series if you
appreciate a good thriller.
Reviews
Fall into reading
11
Reviews
Grip reviewers tackle the best books to distract you from
your homework
Un Lun Dun
By China Miville
REVIEWED BY MADELEINE BEAULIEU
Zanna is being watched by what appears to be
a broken umbrella and all the dogs, cats, foxes
and birds in her small neighbourhood. She was
given a mysterious card by a strange woman in
a coffee shop and saw her name spray-painted
onto a warehouse wall. Her friend Deeba claims
to have seen her face in the clouds. These
are all signs leading to something, but the
girls arent exactly sure what that something
might be. When the broken umbrellas trail
leads the girls to an old warehouse, Zanna,
stuck in a dream-like trance, opens a valve
and turns off London, revealing instead Un
Lun Dun, a strange wonderland of lost and
broken creatures. When they encounter Hemi,
a half-ghost boy, and Obaday, a man who uses
his head as a pincushion, the two girls safely
assume that theyre in a brand new world.
Touch
By Kim Firmston
REVIEWED BY LOUISE FOURNIER
As soon as you pick this book up, you
might discover that you are unable to put
it down. Kim Firmstons novel Touch is as
keenly crafted and addictive as her other
publications, which include Schizo and
Stupid. Firmston expertly weaves together
the thoughts and actions of all of her
characters to form a complex story that will
move you to tears. The gut-wrenching pain
experienced by teenagers and step-siblings
Hayley and Ethan will capture your attention.
She does an excellent job of showing more
than one side of the conict, which helps to
illustrate the fact that no issue is ever black or
white, but rather it is an artists paint palette
of greys. Throughout the journey you realize
that you sympathize with each of the different
characters as their perspectives of the events
But Zanna and Deeba have arrived at a
dangerous time. Un Lun Dun is at war with a
greedy cloud called Smog who is determined
to devour all of Un Lun Dun and its inhabitants.
Here, in a world where words rebel against their
creators, where carnivorous giraffes stalk the
streets and the alive discriminate against the
dead, is where the true threat lies. If Un Lun Dun
is destroyed, London will surely follow.
Grade: A Un Lun Dun is a story of the grotesque,
the creepy and the beautiful. It is a tale of friend-
ship and duty, of courage and loyalty, and it is an
inspiring tale that is poised to become a classic.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone,
especially young writers in need of inspiration.
that have transpired are revealed to the
audience. When you get down to it, you
should read all of Firmstons books because
of the eye-opening experiences they offer
while keeping you on edge as you watch the
drama unfold before your eyes.
Grade A+ For Firmstons ability to address a
difcult reality with tact and purpose. I found
that it was impossible to put the book down,
resulting in staying up until 1 a.m. to nish it,
which is a mark of a great book!
Reviews
GRIPMagazine
12
Septembers new
soundtrack
itHAPPENS | Reviews
X
Ed Sheeran
REVIEWED BY JASMINE BLACKETT
Ed Sheeran has just released his second studio
album, known simply as X but pronounced
multiply. Throughout Ed Sheerans journey as
a musician, we have come to know him for his
heartfelt lyrics and tender songs. X was released
worldwide in June, and his single Sing has
since reached No. 1 in the U.K.
Sheerans new album would most likely appeal
to those who listen to alternative and indie music.
In particular, the song, Bloodstream has that
vibe. All of Sheerans songs have a new sound
to them, adding yet another creative layer to his
already eclectic music.
Compared to his rst album, Sheeran has
developed yet another layer to his unique sound.
Some of the songs stray from the more acoustic,
Dont Kill the Magic
MAGIC!
REVIEWED BY CATHERINE LIEU
Almost everyone knows MAGIC!s incredibly
catchy debut song, Rude, but there hasnt been
much buzz around the bands debut album,
Dont Kill the Magic, released on June 30. The
title track has a pop-reggae feel to it, which also
matches the rest of the songs on the album. The
question remains, though, would an album full of
pop-reggae songs get old too quickly?
Denitely not! Every song has its own hook
and is uniquely catchy and distinctive. Some are
slower songs, some are great for dancing, but all
of them have their own personality and all of them
tell a story. The two title tracks from the album,
Rude (as mentioned above) and Dont Kill the
Magic are great representations of the album,
and MAGIC!s lead singer, Nasri Atweh, the
lead writer on 10 out of the 11 songs of the
album, outdid himself with his ability to tell a
real story from the song lyrics.
This album is something new on the
charts. Reggae fans will appreciate Atwehs
writing skills as the music from the album is
very much so a reggae album, but I would
advise listeners of all different genres to give
a listen to MAGIC!, which is full of happy, fun
and incredibly catchy songs.
Grade: A MAGIC! lives up to the hype of its
debut single with catchy tunes that everyone
can enjoy, no matter what genre you prefer.
piano-side of things into a more elec-
tronic sound, adding in some really cool
beats that just send you a good vibe.
Sheerans songs in this album are a little
grittier than what was heard in his rst
album. The topics have evolved into
something a little more rough, like The
Man, where instead of pouring out his
love he sings a song to someone he no
longer loves. Clearly, this new album has
worked its magic as critics have paid it
plenty of positive reviews.
Grade: A For making such a top-notch
album with catchy and endearing songs,
Ed Sheeran has most denitely earned
X an A.
Start the new school year off right with
Grip-reviewed albums
Reviews
13
Ghost Stories
Coldplay
REVIEWED BY MEGAN GANLEY
Coldplays new album Ghost
Stories is their sixth studio album.
Its full of songs about love, respect
and relationships. The songs, like
True Love and Anothers Arms
are emotional pieces about love
and sadness, and sound soft and
gentle, like you could fall asleep to
them. But a couple of songs, like
Ink, are louder and funkier than
the others. These are full of hope
and the will to go on. They are
touching yet fun, and get you in the
mood to dance.
True Believers
Darius Rucker
REVIEWED BY LOUISE FOURNIER
Have you been searching for one of those
feel-good summer-throwback songs? Look
no further than Darius Ruckers song Radio!
This song is bound to bring back all of those
summertime memories with its upbeat but
relaxed groove.
In True Believers, Rucker manages to
cover a broad spectrum of life experiences,
from summer melodies like Radio to tracks
that pull on your heartstrings like Miss You.
Rucker achieved a unique sound by mixing up
co-writers and stretching himself to write some
breakup songs. Rucker still makes sure he gets
his hands dirty when it comes to the writing
process, and helped create most of the tracks
on his third studio CD. Another aspect that
makes this album stand out from his previous
albums is his use of various talented featured
artists, like Mallary Hope and Sheryl Crow.
The single True Believers was a big hit, and
speaks to the difculties
faced in a relationship
and about how a couple
can overcome them if
they believe in each other
and stick together. No,
love cant be butteries
and roses 24/7, but that
doesnt mean it is not
worth experiencing, and
this song shows that it is
always worth it.
Grade: B For Darius Ruckers willingness to try a different sound,
and for his involvement in the writing process. I am impressed by how
engaged Rucker is in the process of creating his songs but I do not
personally enjoy all of the songs on this album.
The songs on this album have
great lyrics, like in the poetic love
song A Sky Full of Stars, when
frontman Chris Martin sings
Cause in a sky full of stars, I think
I see you. In the song Anothers
Arms, he sings When the
pain just rips right through me,
anothers arms, anothers arms,
and thats just torture to me,
stating that love can be torturous
and heart breaking, as well as
bring happiness.
Grade: A- I liked the beats and
lyrics of the songs. They were
peaceful, although some made
me sad.
What Myers-
Briggs
Personality
Type are you?
Find out here:
myersbriggs.org
N
ew
stud
ies h
ave show
n

th
at tak
in
g
a stu
d
y b
reak

can actu
ally lead to b
etter
w
ork w
hen w
e get b
ack at
it. So dont read u
ntil you
r
eyes tu
rn d
ry! G
et up and

take a w
alk, listen to a
song or take a n
ap b
etw
een

study session
s.
GRIPMagazine
14 itHAPPENS | Reviews
Off the Wall
Title: Bravely Default
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Rating: T for Teen
REVIEWED BY ISABEL RODRIGUEZ
Bravely Default immediately provides you with a reason to nish the game through to the
end, or at least a good chunk of the way. When you begin, youre instantly transported
into a world seconds before chaos hits. Its almost overwhelming, but the writers reassure
the player that the game ahead wont be as bleak as it seems. You follow the journey of
four strangers brought together by disaster, each seeking answers to their own personal
conicts while uncovering the mysteries surrounding the mishap.
Both the graphics and music are charming, and the 3D depth slider is used to its full
potential. The backgrounds are traditionally drawn, while the characters are rendered in
CGI, making the game look like a pop-up book. Itll leave you in awe as you travel to
different regions. The score ts whichever situation you nd yourself in, and fortunately
doesnt become too annoying when you have to grind through dungeons. The combat
system, which is turn-based, has been implemented with a high risk, high reward feature
called Brave and Default, leaving the player to decide their strategy and timing.
If youve played Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, released for the DS a few years
back, Bravely Default is its successor. Its not a sequel per se, though, as the two games
share similar traits, but they do not share the same timeline.
Grade: A Whether youre a fan of the Final Fantasy series, or just looking for a new
game to get your hands on, Bravely Default is one of the most solid games to be
released for the 3DS in 2014.
Title: Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Rating: E for Everyone
REVIEWED BY BRETT MORRISON
Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is the most recent
installment in the world-renowned Legend of Zelda fran-
chise. In this action-packed return to Hyrule, a threat known
as Lorule has popped up from an alternate universe,
threatening the safety of the world. Link, our timeless hero
dressed in green, must rise to the challenge and defend
Hyrule from the beauty-obsessed villain, Yuga.
Unlike previous Legend of Zelda games, A Link Between
Worlds features a new variable thats integral to both the storyline and the combat system:
merging into walls. Thanks to Yuga and a magic bracelet, Link gains the ability to merge into
and out of walls by transforming into a painting. This feature allows Link to avoid attacks and
transport between Hyrule and Lorule. In addition to having an enjoyable and simple combat
system, A Link Between Worlds contains a fairly signicant amount of puzzle solving that chal-
lenges the player to think about advancing through the area while also dealing with enemies
and/or obstacles that are present.
If youve been craving more of the mythical Kingdom of Hyrule, want to travel to another
realm and go on an adventure, or if you want to solve puzzles while ghting off the forces
of evil, then A Link Between Worlds is the game for you.
Grade: A- This game is very well done, especially within the Legend of Zelda franchise.
However, there is no aftergame (a disappointment if youre still craving more after the
nal boss ght), and certain combat mechanics and similar features require polishing.
Overall, A Link Between Worlds is an excellent video game.
Game Time
Here are Grips game picks for summer
N
o
t u
n
til w
e

a
re
lo
s
t d
o

w
e
b
e
g
in
to

u
n
d
e
rs
ta
n
d

o
u
rs
e
lv
e
s
.

H
e
n
ry

D
a
v
id

T
h
o
re
a
u
B
a
e
: T
h
o
u
g
h
th
is
w
o
rd
w
a
s

u
s
e
d
in
th
e

1
5
0
0
s
to
re
fe
r to

s
h
e
e
p
s
o
u
n
d
s
,
n
o
w
w
e
u
s
e

b
a
e
a
s
a
te
rm
o
f
e
n
d
e
a
rm
e
n
t.
Whenever you need to win a situation -
talk about jazz. It confuses people.
Caitlin Moran, How to Build a Girl
Is it stress or an
xiety?
A
nxiety is actually a reaction to
stress that reaction has a lot to
do w
ith fear
If youre tem
pted to treat

stress w
ith avoidance or

escape m
echanism
s, you could

be suffering from
anxiety
A
nxiety can cause you to feel

shaky, have panic attacks or

m
ake you w
ant to stay hom
e
Stress can be reduced through
exercise, relaxation and open
com
m
unication
15
Off the Wall
http://thehairpin.com/2014/09/
snackwave-a-comprehensive-guide-
to-the-internets-saltiest-meme/
GRIPMagazine
16
?
HELP
wanTeD
This month, AHS clinical therapist Eden
McCaffrey takes on your questions:
Im feeling a lot of pressure when
balancing my school work and
extracurricular sports. How can I show
that Im serious about both?
Finding a balance is all about managing
your time. You are your own life manager,
and since you cant re yourself, you can
only improve on the job you are doing. Its
a learned skill managing your life is not an
event; it is a process. Keys to success include
prioritizing, managing expectations and self-
care. Step back and give your life manager a
performance review. Are you showing people
what you can do best? Taking care of yourself
physically, mentally and emotionally? Putting
your life together in such a way that you are
having fun and enjoying yourself? The next
step is to dene the balance you desire.
How will this look in the real world? When you
know who you are and how you feel about
the important parts of your life, youll make
balanced and healthy choices that show
others your success and priorities.
My boyfriend broke up with me and I
cant get over it. Why am I nding it so
hard to move on?
When you are hurt emotionally, the pain can
last longer than the actual event. When
someone or something hurts you, it is only
natural to have a negative reaction. But you
have a choice. Holding onto the pain can
diminish your condence, self-esteem and,
in turn, prevent your heart from healing. All
feelings are normal, but the power of neg-
ative feelings can push other more positive
feelings to the background, creating an
imbalance. Is it fair you were hurt? No. Is
it easy to move on? No. It is worth it? Yep!
Moving on is a decision. Name it, and then
Got a question that no one can answer, or that youre too afraid to
ask your parents, teacher or best friend? Send it to us at Grip.
We guarantee anonymity, and were beyond embarrassment.
Well find an expert to answer the most persistent question you
have related to any topic: relationships, school, sexuality, puberty,
drugs, love, life and the pursuit of happiness.
So what are you waiting for?
claim it. Identify the least demanding thing
you can do to achieve emotional closure
(i.e., writing a closure letter you never send).
Write down words you need to say to yourself
to claim the freedom of moving on. Lastly,
re-engage in life, even if you are just going
through the motions at rst. Practise the old
clich out of sight, out of mind. Delete that
person from social media and dont revisit
the past (like listening to songs that remind
you of them). Move forward and make new
memories. Imagine the fantastic future
ahead of you.
Help Wanted is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultations with your
doctor or to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified
health providers with any personal medical and health questions that you may have.
Email helpwanted@griponlife.ca
or mail Help Wanted, c/o Grip Magazine 10259-105 St., Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3
WERE ALL UNCOOL
PROMINENT ALBERTANS DISH OUT ADVICE ON HOW TO SURVIVE SCHOOL
HOW LONG COULD YOU LAST IN THE
DEEP DARK WOODS?
TAKE OUR QUIZ BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT INTO THE WILD.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
FINDING A PSYCHOLOGIST
YOU CAN SURVIVE DEPRESSION.
AWAY WE GO
HOW TO HANDLE A BIG MOVE
HOW TO PACK YOUR BACKPACK
HEAD OUT FROM HOME KNOWING YOUVE GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SURVIVE
GET OUT THERE
WE EXPLORE ALBERTAS HIDDEN SPOTS
Sometimes it can feel
like were just trying
to get by. But survival
means so much more
than just living it also
means overcoming
challenges and
thriving in a tough
world. In this issue of
Grip we consider what
it takes just to survive.
18
20
21
25
27
32
THE SURVIVAL ISSUE
?
17
GRIPMagazine
18
Kris Demeanor
Mike Peterson
Spencer Beach
Clara Hughes
Don Iveson
Marko Aleksic
Naheed Nenshi
Angel Berry
Rod Peter Jr.
Cool Albertans dish out advice on
getting through the highs
and lows of school
FILMED IN
STARRING
19
Naheed Nenshi
Angel Berry
Rod Peter Jr.
Kris Demeanor: Poet, hoola hooper
Theres no getting around the emotional highs and lows.
I remember being obsessed with the same girl for months
just because she asked to borrow a pencil from me. I had a
self-made T-shirt that said Nothing Matters, which was
just wishful thinking. Everything mattered. No, all you can
do is cultivate your allies: Escape and Distraction. Escape
through reading and writing: enter worlds of wonder and
excitement in a book or create your own stories, poems,
songs and rants. For distraction, work up a sweat breathe
hard, get tired. This doesnt have to be organized sports,
though thats ne if its your thing. Ride a bike around the
reservoir, hoola hoop, run through the forest with an alumi-
num foil sword pretending to be a Middle Earth ranger. Its
harder to remember your anxieties and marks and doomed
romances when youre chasing a ball.
As far as school, think of your teachers as allies, even
peers. Challenge them when you think its justied, ask them
questions unrelated to the class or on a weird trajectory that
makes them excited to answer you. Remember that they are
probably only 15 to 20 years older than you, which is nothing.
They are searching, uncertain creatures like you, and just
want their jobs to be rewarding and for you to care just a little
bit, so meet them half way.
Clara Hughes: Olympic skater and cyclist, big talker
I went to the school of sport, where I learned about
kinesiology, psychology, business and much more. More
than anything, sports taught me about the inner workings
of the human spirit. If I could go back to my younger self and
give a few tips to survive, or perhaps just get by a little better,
this is what Id say: Talk to someone. If you can just realize
how important talking things out is, and not hold them
inside, youll save yourself from years of self-torture. Even
though it feels like the end of the world sometimes, know
that it may not get easier but you will develop more skills to
cope with these feelings.
Naheed Nenshi: Mayor of the City of Calgary,
happy nerd
I loved junior high and high school. There, I said it. I wasnt
the most popular guy, and heaven knows I was lousy at
sports. I didnt drink or party or do drugs still dont. My
dating life was pretty much non-existent, and I had, shall
we say, my own sense of style. Yet I looked forward to going
to school every day. Why is that? I think it was because I
was focused on things that I found exciting: not just classes
but also student council and yearbook and acting in school
productions. I found friends who I loved for who they were
and they supported me right back still do. I didnt really
care what others thought or said about me, since I knew that
I would succeed on my own terms. My most practical advice,
though? Join the debating team. Yes, its nerdy, but youll use
those skills every day of your life.
Mike Peterson: Director of Lloyd the Conqueror,
fan mailer
Read books. Find a mentor, a hero, someone who has done
it: write them a letter and ask them for help. Also, the coolest
dude in high school and the prettiest person often lose all of
those things a few years after graduation. So try not to worry
about the unimportant things and do what keeps you chal-
lenged and makes you happy.
Don Iveson: Mayor of the City of Edmonton,
not a worrier
The key to surviving high school is not to worry too much
about what others think of you. I was a super nerd in high
school, but I didnt spend much time worrying about what
the cool kids thought. So I focused on my studies and on
extracurricular activities and thats where I met the most
interesting people.
Angel Berry: Spoken word poet, picture taker
In my school this year there will be 280 new kids in my
grade! Thats crazy. Bring some pictures from your summer
vacation that will make you smile and hang them on your
school locker.
Spencer Beach: Burn survivor and speaker,
one of a kind
Being unique does not come from the color or cut of your hair
or from the clothes you wear or from the tattoos you have or
the piercings on your body. To truly be unique all you need to
do is know and be true to yourself.
Marko Aleksic: Edmonton FC defender,
true to self
Staying true to your real character is sometimes harder
than the academics itself. Accomplishing this difcult
task sets you up to have a good time during high school
and even after.
Rod Peter Jr.: Fringe Festival star of Kitt & Jane,
an Interactive Survival Guide to the Near Post-
Apocalyptic Future, high school survivor
Heres the thing about school: once its gone, ITS GONE.
The good parts and the bad parts, all that pressure from
teachers and parents, bullying. Gone! Just know that soon,
youll be the one running world. No really, you could be
prime minister or something if you really want to. Or an evil
mastermind ...either or...
GRIPMagazine
20
Sure, you can navigate your citys public transit and know
your schools hallways like the back of your hand. But
what happens if you nd yourself lost in the outdoors with no
survivor guide or GPS unit in sight? Take our quiz to see how
your outdoor survival skills shape up
QUIZ
In Case of
Emergency...
1. Youve found yourself stranded in the woods. Whats your
first concern?
A Uh-oh. What am I going to eat?
B Wheres my phone?
C Where can I find a spot to make a fire and build a shelter?
2. Youve gone one day without a home-cooked meal. Whats
your mindset?
A Cant think, too hungry.
B Not a big deal; I have an app that shows me what plants are
OK to eat.
C Campfire meals are my favourite kind!
3. How cold is it?
A As cold as my fridge!
B Here, let me check my phone.
C Good thing I packed lots of layers.
4. How far do you stray from your original path?
A I wont budge an inch.
B My search for reception has taken me far and wide.
C I mark a path behind me wherever I go, so I can find my way back.
5. You can hear a bear in the brush beside you. What do you do?
A Wonder if its looking for berries, and if it might share.
B Try to Google bear survival tactics.
C Make some loud noises and back away slowly.
6. A plane circles overhead a rescue! How do you make sure
they find you?
A Use the berries you found to spell out HELP!
B Use your now-dead cellphone screen to signal a bright light.
C Build a huge fire on the beach, as high as it can go.
7. Theyve missed you. Any chance you can you find your way out?
A Ill start looking around for a breadcrumb trail.
B Is there a payphone near here somewhere?
C If I climb a tree, maybe Ill find a landmark.
If you answered mostly As: You sound really hungry. Maybe take
this as a hint that you should read up in advance on yummy food
you can forage for in the woods?
If you answered mostly Bs: Technological advancements can help
make our lives super easy, but there are some places we just cant
use them. Lift your head up from the screen and learn some fun
skills so that youre set when theres no reception.
If you answered mostly Cs: Looks like youve got a cool adventurer
head on your shoulders. Are you sure youre lost at all?
8. Youve been stranded for a week now. What are you
absolutely dying to get your hands on?
A A hamburger and fries.
B A solar charger.
C A lighter and knife would be great.
9. Whats the scariest book youve ever read?
A The Hunger Games trilogy
B The Road
C Hatchet
10. Does the term wild potato sound appealing to you?
A Tell me more.
B Is that a food?
C Ive definitely read Into the Wild, so no.
The content of this quiz is for information and awareness purposes only,
and is not intended to provide any sort of survival or wilderness advice.
You should seek outdoors training from an accredited source before
heading into the backwoods or any dangerous situation in the outdoors.
Depression can make living each day feel like a struggle.
When I was struggling through depression, I would wake up in the
morning not knowing what my purpose in life was, and I avoided going
outside to meet the world. Activities that used to bring me joy and
excitement no longer held my interest and felt pointless. If you think
that you might be depressed, its crucial to know that youre not alone,
and you are capable of nding help. I talked to Dr. Brent Macdonald, a
registered psychologist in Calgary, who told me everything a kid needs
to know about nding a psychologist.
Whats the rst step?
Brent: It usually means talking with a trusted adult, if possible. Think
about asking to see a psychologist as a positive step most people will
praise you and make you feel good about trying to get some help. If you
cant speak to an adult, the Kids Help Phone is also a good starting point.
They can help hook you up with a psychologist in your community.

Do you really keep it private?
Yes. One of the rst things a psychologist will do is clarify the limits
of condentiality. The rules are pretty straightforward: without your
permission, we cant share the things we talk about with anybody, parents
included. There are exceptions. If you tell us something that makes us
suspect that you, or someone else, is in danger of harm, or if were court
ordered to release information, we may have to break that rule. In my
experience, parents are respectful of the condential relationship and dont
ask. If parents request information from sessions, well ask you privately if
youre okay with us sharing, and only share what you allow us to.
Everything You
Need to Know About
Seeing a Psychologist
By Darcy Ropchan
21
Talk about the rst session.
This can be a bit scary, but thats only because you havent done it before.
The rst session is usually a meet and greet, in which the psychologist
will go over the limits of condentiality and discuss what the teen can like-
ly expect from their work together. Psychologists work in a lot of different
environments and styles, but usually its a private ofce and youll sit with
us and talk. Theyll ask you background questions and chat about what
you want to get out of therapy. Our role is to help, and the best way to do
that is to make sure that youre relaxed and comfortable.
How long will you need to go?
That depends. Sometimes one or two sessions can provide all the help you
need. Other times it takes longer. Some psychologists prefer short-term
counselling, in which the goal is to help you develop tools so that you can
work through some of your difculties independently.
Where To Look
Avoid seeking out help online there are a lot of untrustworthy sources out
there, and it can be hard to know whats helpful.
If youd rather not talk to your parents about this, seek out help from your
doctor or an adult at your school.
If you dont know who to talk to about seeing a psychologist, try the Kids Help
Phone at 1-800-668-6868. They will help connect you with some of the many
local agencies that can help you arrange a meeting.
GRIPMagazine
22
23
By Jay Walker Eating disorders live in all kinds of bodies.
Heres how I managed to come to terms
with body image
hen I was 18, my alarm was set for 5:30 a.m.
Most teenagers opt to hit the snooze button for that extra
few minutes of calm, but I forced myself to be up and moving
within 60 seconds. Even if I had wanted to continue to rest, there was
always a demanding voice in my head that reminded me I was not
allowed to do so. Before my classes began at eight, I was convinced
that I had to be at the gym for at least 90 minutes. I would show up and
make sure that I measured, calculated and logged all exercises done,
all energy spent and most importantly, all the food I consumed. These
were the demands I placed upon myself, for every moment of every day.
This was my life with an eating disorder.
My tedious and exhaust-
ing compulsions did not
begin suddenly, nor did they
start from a negative place.
Throughout my teenage
years, while I had never held
a particularly positive body
image, I was not ashamed
of who I was on the inside.
I did well in school, always held down a job and was a proactive person
who had many friends. My relationship with my family was great and I
had a strong support system. As a young boy I had a positive relation-
ship with exercise, and even engaged in competitive swimming. While
I had so much going well in my life, there were also parts of me that I
felt did not measure up, though at the time I did not know exactly what
they were. All I knew was that I felt different from other people. I never
felt masculine enough, even though I was not ashamed of the parts
of me that some people may consider to be more feminine. Over the
years this slowly tore down my self-esteem and with it all the positive
feelings I had about my body.
In my teen years I constantly dieted, unbeknownst to my parents, as
I did my best to hide it from them. I knew, though, that dieting rarely
benets anyones health or weight in the long run, and I decided that
exploring exercise and nutrition would be a more appropriate and
health-oriented path.
During this time, my father died after a long battle with cancer,
and it left me in a state of depression, which was followed by a constant
battle with anxiety. Focusing on tness functioned as a stress-reducing
technique for a short period but soon transitioned from interest to obsession,
and my knowledge of nutrition quickly transformed my love of food to a con-
tinuous mental battle about what was right and wrong to eat. What had
started off as an exercise regime to increase my tness level slowly grew
over several months into a set of obsessive habits that did far more harm to
my body than good.
My situation, like every persons with an eating disorder, was unique.
When I compared myself to several online diagnoses of various disorders,
only certain categories
matched up. I was able to
blend in with the other guys
at the gym on the surface
we were all t, healthy and
happy. The problem with
the surface is that it is only
able to reveal so much
information. While many
of the other men were exercising for purposes like improving sport-
related skills, maintaining optimal health or increasing a certain part of
their tness, what drove me was always something extreme. My mind
was only ever focused on the calorie burn and what that meant for
how much, or little, I would later allow myself to eat.
I believe that one of the many barriers that I had towards
understanding that I had an eating disorder was the fact that, until
recently, eating disorders have often been viewed only as a girls
issue. The media often says it results from a simple combination
of low self-esteem and a desire to conform to a thin body type. In
reality, eating and body image disorders affect everyone, regardless
of age or gender. While there are common behaviours associated
with eating disorders, namely some form of restriction or a binge
and purge relationship, these occur differently for each and every
individual. What all people with eating disorders have in common is
that their actual problems are not simply about food and the body,
but are most often something deeper and more personal.
W
What had started off as an exercise
regime to increase my tness level
slowly grew over several months into a
set of obsessive habits that did far more
harm to my body than good.
GRIPMagazine
24
For an extended period of time, I did not want to admit to having a problem
that I could not handle on my own. I did not t the stereotype, nor did I
understand how I had let myself get to what I thought was such a pathetic
existence. Eventually, my constant exercise compulsions and obsession over
food restrictions were no longer attainable, and I began to binge and purge.
This behaviour began weekly, then daily and eventually every few hours. My
energy dwindled to the point where I could exercise only every few days, once
a week, once every few weeks and then almost never. Through my disorder I
lost my passion, the quality of my friendships, my health and a good portion of
my income. I could no longer put energy towards anything enjoyable in life
because I simply had none to give. At that point, I nally knew I had to admit
that what I was doing was not at all healthy.
Asking for help was not easy, but by doing so I opened doors that were
invaluable to getting my life back on track. Through meeting with a counsel-
lor, engaging in group therapy and talking about my experiences, I was able
to begin to move away from destructive behaviour, and towards creating
new, positive ones. While I wish for my story to inspire hope, I would also be
lying if I said that recovery was a quick or easy process. My most extreme
behaviours dissipated in a matter of weeks, but the thoughts about those
behaviours left my mind at a much slower rate. Fully regaining my self-
esteem and rebuilding a healthy relationship with food as well as exercise,
took years. Thats not to say that I spent those years in a stressful or unhappy
state. Each day, week and month became easier, but it was work.
I now work in health and tness as a personal trainer, and I pride myself on
creating an environment where my clients do not feel pressure to conform
to any body type, regardless of their gender. I share my experiences, and
together we work towards nding them the best relationship that they can
have with their body. For me, exercise is no longer something that I feel I
must do but something that I choose to do, when I have the energy, in order
to live an active and healthy life. Food is no longer an enemy, a punishment
or even a reward. It is one of many things in my life for me to enjoy. I dont
live my life as a former anorexic but think of myself as someone who had
some troubling experiences, and through them, learned how to get better,
and help others who are struggling.
Chances are that you have met one or more persons that have some type
of negative relationship with their body. There is no one face of an eating dis-
order, and you can never simply assume that a person has one. They occur in
all kinds of people, span all ages and live in all types of bodies.
If youre concerned about your own relationship with your body, talk to
someone about it. If you are concerned for a loved one, let them know how
you feel. Come at these issues from a caring place, and understand that you
may not always get a positive response. The sole piece of advice I fully stand
behind is just to talk. That is step one in both the prevention of, and recovery
from, eating disorders.
BARBIE
By Jasmine Blackett
Her mother always called me a Barbie doll
and she never understood why I got offended
Did not understand why such a simple thing meant so much to me
So much to me that I knew what it meant to want to be that Barbie, to
wish you were that Barbie, to make yourself that Barbie
Her mother always said that I had the perfect body: skinny, long legs,
model material
A Barbie
Not understanding that the concept of being porcelain blonde, tall with
ocean blue eyes, pink lips, long legs, tiny waist
It was unattainable
I am not porcelain, I do not have golden locks of hair, my eyes are not
robins egg blue, my waist is not tiny
And do you think that Barbie has acne? No
She has been airbrushed to magazine cover perfection, eyelashes long and
voluminous, lipstick in just the right shade, eyeliner perfectly winged
I am not airbrushed for magazines and I dont wear foundation and if
my eyeliner is on point its only a bonus
Her mother always called me a Barbie doll and she never understood why I
got offended
Did not understand why I didnt accept it as a compliment with open arms
But how would you like to be compared to a Barbie doll?
I do not like my body, I do not like my skin, I do not like the splotches of
mixed colour on my back,my torso is too short, my eyes are not light
I do not enjoy the image in the mirror
I am not a Barbie doll, I am far from a Barbie doll.
I enjoy my baggy T-shirts because tight clothes make me
uncomfortable
Her mother always called me a Barbie doll and she never understood why I
got offended
Did not understand why such a simple thing meant so much to me
Because being called a Barbie is not a compliment
Notice how her skin is not an attainable tan, the toes of her feet and the
ngers on her hands remain stitched together, her hair the consistency
of straw
And that is not the way I want to be
I am uncomfortable with my body and I am learning to embrace the
things on my mirror outside and uncensored inside, I am learning
I am me.
HELP AT HAND
If you or a friend is struggling with an eating disorder, you can nd
help through the AHS Eating Disorder Services programs available
across the province. For more information, call 403-955-7700 in
Calgary or 780-407-6114 in Edmonton.
How can you survive a really big move?
25
ve moved to 10 schools and six cities in the past eight years,
and Im still not entirely sure how I survive it each time. Moving is
so personal and affects us in so many different ways. Adapting to a
new place is never easy, and it shouldnt be.
Dont let me scare you, though. Moving has its benets it keeps life
fresh, and encourages you to explore new places and meet new people.
Any change that you might be facing, like the possibility of living in a
new town, is not something you should fear, but something you should
prepare for.
I
Since immigrating to Canada in 2006, my mother and I have been
moving nonstop. Thats mostly due to the fact that she had to nd work,
but as the years passed, family issues and health concerns also arose,
and moving became a constant the only constant in my life. To this
day, the longest that I have ever stayed at a single school is two-and-a-
half years. Even when moving wasnt necessary anymore, my mother
moved because it had become part of our routine. We were constantly
running towards something new in hopes of something better, and that
expectation is something I still struggle with.
Away We Go
By Luna Yang
26 GRIPMagazine
26
Its aggravating to me when people
dismiss the challenges of moving as a
First World problem. While it might seem
like no big deal, being uprooted does take
a serious emotional toll, and its painful to
be told to just deal with it. Loneliness is a
suffocating thing for people of all ages. And
it is, unfortunately, also part of moving, at
least initially. It can prove to be damaging
to a persons psyche, and its not something
to brush off.
For me, moving has influenced my per-
sonality, and not always in a good way.
There are problems that constant change
has caused me that I will never be able to
fully recover from, like insecurity and an
unwillingness to become attached to peo-
ple or places. But thats only my story, and
Ive come to terms with it. Whatever situ-
ation youre in right now, I hope that youre
able to surmount the instability. Know that
its normal to feel lonely or sad about mov-
ing, and the only way to get over that is to
be optimistic.
Now, you would think that somebody
like me, whos moved so much, would have
a magical solution for The Big Move. But
there isnt one. However, there are some
ways to make it easier on yourself:
Know thyself: Do the things you love, no
matter where you are. Practise yoga, sign up
for a dance class or join the basketball team.
Youre not a new person just because youve
moved.
Be prepared: Get ready for your new
school, neighbourhood or city by doing some
research. What is your new town known for?
The more prepared you are, the less lost
youll feel.
Be nice to yourself and your family:
For the rst little while, these are the only
people youll know really well.
Let it suck: Youre allowed to not like stuff!
If youre feeling low, dont push your feelings
aside. But know that soon enough, with a bit
of effort, those feelings will be gone.
Write it out: For me, something that really
helped was writing. By allowing myself to be
vulnerable on paper, I could express myself
emotionally in a way that I never could in per-
son, and certainly in a way that I would never
allow myself to otherwise. Its therapy to be
able to put yourself out there.
Maintain a positive attitude: I know
that its one of those things thats really easy
to say but nearly impossible to accomplish,
but the only thing that you or anybody else
can expect of you is to try.
ts a new school year, and with it comes backpacks,
lockers and materials, oh my! Making sure you have
everything you need is stressful, and carting it all around
on your back is bad for your health. With this handy guide,
youll be avoiding stress on your wallet, time and shoulders.
First thing rst: the backpack. There are tons of styles out there,
ranging from the old school two-strap, to the one-side shoulder strap
to styles that include purses, suitcases and really large binders. At
the end of the day, its all about comfort and durability. Two straps are
easier on your back and shoulders. The backpack should also be made
out of a strong material that can handle the weight and space of all
your books and pens. Look for options that zip shut, not snap, because
snaps are likely to open spontaneously with really heavy loads.
I
27
Its a portable
survival pack,
classroom and
lunchbox all at
once. We look at
what supplies you
absolutely need,
and how to go about
packing your bag
The Weight of the
WORLD
By Jessica Highstead
28 GRIPMagazine
28
When it comes to your supplies, having the
right binder is super important. And whether
you keep yourself stocked with notebooks,
Duo-Tangs or one single large binder, its organ-
ization thats key. The bottom of your bag could
easily become a black pit of single sheets of
loose leaf and pencils dont let this happen to
you! Dont get caught up carrying several class-
es worth of notes keep what you need on hand
and leave everything else in your locker.
If you plan on bringing a laptop to school,
make sure its in protective casing and really con-
sider if its actually replacing your heavy notebooks.
Otherwise, youre just adding to the weight on your back.
A simple way to relieve stress once your schedule really gets
packed is to make sure you have a paper day planner, not just
your phone.
Make sure to use all the side pockets on your backpack.
They can be great places for house keys, your wallet and
things like Kleenex, a watch or lozenges. This is also a great
secret storage place for snacks you never know when youll
be stranded and hungry.
What to ditch? Anything that you dont actually use,
regardless of your best intentions, like the
book youve been trying to get through for
years. Some items that arent necessities
keep you calm, like your journal, iPod or
stress ball. Keep these.
Once you have all the essentials
from toiletries to notebooks to schedules,
its time to start packing. Start at the
bottom (or the back) with the largest and
heaviest things. This ensures you have
room for everything else and also that
you dont hurt your back with awkwardly
shaped items hitting it with every step.
From there, move on to the next largest item
and continue until everythings packed, with the smallest
items in the tiny pockets on the front.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Most backpacks come with a card for your name and contact
information. This is an invaluable tool if you lose your backpack,
but only include your name, email address and phone number,
not your home address, in case your house keys are inside.
29
month and one week after my 18th birthday,
I moved to China. For four months in 2013, I taught
English to rst- and second-grade students, and
travelled around China on the weekends and holidays. It
was the best thing I have done in my life so far.
I lived in a city called Weihai, on the eastern tip of the
province of Shandong. It is a gorgeous, lively seaside town
with a rich history and incredibly kind people. My memories
of it are so vivid: I can smell the sea, see the painfully
bright lights of downtown and feel the sticky humidity that
followed me everywhere. I heard my students voices in my
dreams for months after I came home, like they were still
standing in front of me.
A
Surviving a harrowing illness abroad
helped one teenager grow stronger
By J.M
.M
. Lew
is
Immunity
CHALLENGE
30 GRIPMagazine
30
About halfway through my time there, some friends and I planned a trip
across the country. Wed stop in the city of Xan, visit the famous Terracotta
Warriors and the Lngshng (dragons backbone) Rice Terraces, and
head to Yngshu. You know those Dr. Seuss-style mountains you see in ink
paintings of China? Thats Yngshu.
While visiting the Warriors, I had an incredibly delicious egg, tomato
and noodle dish at a restaurant just outside the museum. Being a veg-
etarian in China means eating a lot of eggs, and trusting that whoever
cooks them knows what theyre doing. The chickens had just laid the
eggs in a courtyard behind the restaurant we could see them from
where we were sitting.
I started to cough shortly after my meal at the museum, but
there is no way to prove the food made me sick. Im asthmatic,
and the cough quickly turned into a lung infection. I knew
I was sick, but I also knew that going to the doctor while on
the road would be difcult, so I decided to suck it up.
I could get antibiotics back in Weihai if I needed to.
Things took a turn for the worse a few days later,
at our hostel in Yngshu. I woke up freezing cold,
knowing that something was very wrong. My teeth
were chattering together too hard for me to get a
single word out. I was coughing so hard that I would
vomit, my throat was incredibly sore, I had full body
aches and pains and I was disoriented.
I have an amazing friend named Melanie.
Melanie was a pre-medical student at this point, and
is the daughter of an ER doctor in the United States. I
went to her with my concerns, and she called her father.
He thought I might have pneumonia, and recommended
that I go straight to the hospital.
Melanie, our friend Samuel and I left right away. A nurse
took us into a consultation room where we waited for a doctor
who spoke English. She arrived, but she used a translation app on her
phone for most of the conversation. We all agreed that I had a lung infec-
tion, and I was taken for tests.
I was suddenly starving, and asked my friends to go get me pizza (yes,
The Government of Canadas warning about avian inuenza,
otherwise known as H5N1 or the bird u, remains the same today
as it was in 2013.
If you are travelling to an area where avian inuenza is a concern:
avoid high-risk areas such as poultry farms and live animal mar-
kets, including areas where poultry may be slaughtered
avoid contact with birds (alive or dead), including chickens, ducks
and wild birds
avoid surfaces that may have bird droppings or secretions on them
ensure that all poultry dishes, including eggs, are well cooked
KNOW THE RISKS
31
CULTURE SHOCK
The emotional upheaval that comes with travelling is common and
often ignored. Plan in advance not just for physical health problems,
but psychological ones as well have a friend or family member on
speed dial who you can call when youre feeling low.
its different there). Melanie left me her cellphone, despite the fact that calls
would cost a lot of money. I broke down after my friends left; I felt like I was
living a nightmare. I kept trying to call my family, but no one was awake.
When they did answer, talking didnt help much. Explaining it all made it
even scarier, somehow.
Our group was due to head home on a 27-hour train ride the next day, but
the hospital wanted to conduct more tests. I had to get on that train, or risk
being stranded in southern China for an indenite amount of time. I asked
the doctor if I had the bird u, and she said she couldnt conrm that. I
asked her if I would infect other people if I got on the train, and she couldnt
conrm that either. I asked if I would be held in the hospital against my will:
she told me I would not be.
So I paid my bill, was given a bevy of antibiotics and face masks and
went back to the hostel. I remember falling asleep that night wondering if
I was going to die in China. I genuinely considered the thought of never
seeing my family, again. I couldnt stop crying.
Of that 27-hour ride, I remember only two hours. In the end,
we got off in Weihai, hopped into a taxi and went back to our school. For a
brief moment, I felt a little bit better, and I wondered if the antibiotics had
started to work.
They hadnt. Soon, the infection spread to my stomach.
I found myself in another hospital after an entire night spent running
between the bed and the toilet. This hospital was more frightening than the
last, even though I had a translator with me this time. It was certainly modern
medicine, but it didnt look anything like what I was used to back in Canada.
They did an MRI, took more blood and prescribed me new antibiotics. We
went back to the school we worked at, but that didnt last long. The principal
of the school wanted me removed from the premises right away he would
not allow me on its grounds if there was even a chance of me having avian
inuenza. I couldnt stop shaking. I wasnt allowed to get my belongings, to
use a phone, or to say goodbye to any of my friends.
I ended up in yet another hospital, where they performed more tests. I sat
with an IV in my arm for hours. Then, something amazing happened: I was
told that my illness was passing. As long as I stayed on the road to health,
I wouldnt be quarantined.
I had been ill for almost 19 days by this point. I had spent a lot of time
trying to accept that I might die, that I was going to go because I had eaten
a poorly-cooked egg. And then there was this saint of a doctor, writing in a
notebook and telling me that my infection was clearing.
The next two weeks were hard. I didnt recover as quickly as I hoped and
sometimes I wondered if I would ever really recover at all. I couldnt seem
to shake this idea that I was going to die, even though I could see myself
improving. Clearly, I didnt die, but my perspective on life underwent a
huge shift.
I cant forget any of what I saw or felt, and I cant undo the lasting damage
to my lungs. What I can say is that going to China changed me as a person,
in every way. Being sick made me more careful when it comes to my health
but also far less fearful of the world. If I survived that illness, I can survive
anything. Im not scared, anymore just excited for new adventures.
I had been ill for almost 19 days
by this point. I had spent a lot of
time trying to accept that I might die,
that I was going to go because I had
eaten a poorly-cooked egg.
Falling ill abroad can be a very serious issue.
Dr. Richard Musto at AHS Travel Services has some
tips for staying t and healthy while you travel:
Research where youre going by checking the AHS and Public Health
Agency of Canada listings for advisories in the region. Make sure
youve obtained all the vaccines you need to travel in that region
Visit IAMAT.org for listings of English-speaking doctors in the region
youre travelling
Make sure the food you eat is well-cooked, that fruit and vegetables
are peeled and that you open bottled water yourself
Be aware that it could be shocking to visit hospitals in other parts of
the world
BE PREPARED
GRIPMagazine
32
Breakaway
THE
here is nothing that a little adventure cant cure. But when we cant make a
quick escape, because of school or money or parents, it can feel like were stuck
being bored at home, twiddling our thumbs.
Good thing we live in Alberta, then. Our backyard is full of undiscovered treasures, a
place of great natural beauty (with the Rocky Mountains on our doorstep and badlands in
the south) and bustling cities with hidden corners to boot. So next time youre bored, plan
a day trip to anywhere. This can mean getting on the new bus line in your neighbourhood
and seeing where it takes you, or planning a full-on road trip to tackle the trails in Jasper.
You might nd that when you leave your comfort zone, great things happen.
PLAN YOUR WAY OUT
The best way to have a spontaneous adventure
is actually to make sure youre completely pre-
pared for it. Before you set off, pack your bag
and decide on where youd like to go. Heres
what youll need in your survival kit:
A sweater and shell jacket. Remember: there
is no bad weather, only bad clothes!
A snack and water bottle that you can rell
as the day goes on
Enough cash for transit fare to get home, plus
your wallet in case you need to buy a meal
A charged cell phone. Keep it turned off and
only turn it on if you nd yourself lost or late
A map or guidebook, if you like, especially if
youre not using your phone to get around
Your student I.D. for possible discounts on
admission and travel
Tell your parents or another adult where
youll be going and when you plan to be back
MAKE YOUR BREAK
1. Ice Caves in Fish Creek Park: In the win-
ter, Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgarys sub-
urbs freezes up, creating new landscapes that
you wont see the rest of the year. Youll have to
search for a bit to nd the caves that spring up
from the rivers edge.
2. East Coulee Springfest: Every spring, the
small town of East Coulee holds a folk music festi-
val that attracts some of the best names in music.
Never heard of it? Youre not alone. This is a true
music lovers festival, and youre guaranteed to
see master singer-songwriters on a prairie coal
town backdrop. Worth it for the sunsets alone.
3. Leseur Ridge: You can make this ambling
hill walk as long or as short as you like. Drive
about an hour or so northeast of Calgary, park
your car near the entrance for this hike and
walk along the foothills ridge that overlooks
the mountains. If you want to camp overnight,
you can pitch a tent along the route. Its well-
travelled in the summer, and youre sure to meet
lots of interesting people. You might also catch a
glimpse of the provinces wild horse population.
4. The End of the World: Well, not really.
But this secluded outlook over the river in
Edmontons Belgravia neighbourhood certainly
has that feel to it. Be careful when youre
reaching the edge and also be aware that youre
probably not technically allowed to be there.
5. Hidden C-train station in Calgary: Below
Calgarys city hall theres an old, abandoned
33
By Mitchell Kaye
Try something
new. Plan a day trip
at one of Albertas
best hidden spots
T
Breakaway
C-train station thats basically an eerie, dark
hallway. You can see videos of it on YouTube!
There are a bunch of tours and organizations in
Calgary that can show you a bit of the under-
ground tunnel system, if youre interested in the
citys darker side.
6. Abraham Lake: Have you ever seen that
photo of a turquoise lake frozen over, its ice full
of suspended bubbles? In the winter, thats
Abraham Lake. Its near Nordegg, an easy day
trip from many places in the province. The lake is
beautiful in the summer, but a jaunt there in the
winter will reward you with a fascinating science
lesson its methane gas caught in the frozen
water that makes all those billowing bubbles.
7. Devils Coulee Dinosaur Museum: This
tiny, kinda-creepy museum is worth the drive
to small town southern Alberta. In the nearby
badlands, some of the rst dinosaur eggs were
unearthed by palaeontologists not very long
ago. You can visit them and some of the other
nds from Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in
this Warner museum.
8. Art Galleries: Almost every city, and even
some towns, have a pretty cool art space, and
youre almost guaranteed to learn something
new there. Be sure to check out the university
or college art space where you live (like FAB
in Edmonton, or CASA in Lethbridge.) This is
where young artists get to show off their goods,
and sometimes theyre even there to answer
questions. Some art galleries are hidden, so
keep your eyes peeled when walking down busy
streets.
COMMON SENSE STUFF
Part of being old enough to undertake an
adventure without an adult is being able to
keep yourself safe.
Stay out of abandoned buildings, and dont
knowingly break the law. (This means no tres-
passing!) Your adventure can quickly be
soured by a hefty ne for things like forget-
ting to pay for transit fare.
If youre not an experienced outdoorsperson,
avoid backcountry hikes and winter climbing.
Make sure you read the weather report before
you go on any hikes, and make sure you have
enough daylight to get back safely.
Dont follow strangers to their home. Or any-
where, really.
Be friendly to everyone. This is also a good
rule in life, and the best way to avoid con-
frontations and trouble.
Use the bathroom when you have a chance,
because you never know.
Keep bus schedules in your backpack and
plan to take the second last trip home to give
you some wiggle room to prevent you from
becoming stranded.
GRIPMagazine
34
35
Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans
(2001)
A gripping documentary reminiscent of the popular
Planet Earth series, Blue Planet is a look into the vast
underworld of the ocean, its inhabitants and the
intricacies of the largest classical element on Earth.
Narrated excellently by David Attenborough, this
collection of episodes is something to check out if
youve ever been interested in marine life.
Zoom (2006)
A guilty pleasure of mine that I watched as a kid,
Zoom features Tim Allen as an out-of-practice super-
hero who gets back into shape by recruiting a motley
crew of super-powered teens. Its a little clich and
doesnt necessarily reinvent the wheel, but its a
coming of age story that still leaves a warm feeling
for me to this day.
RV (2006)
In light of the news surrounding comedy star Robin
Williams death, theres been a predictable resurgence
in popularity of movies hes starred. RV is a lesser-
known one among his many hits. A comedy about a
familys mammoth road trip to the Rockies, the Munros
prepare for an adventure to rant about. Released eight
years ago, this is a comedic gem worth watching.
Fairy Tail: Season 1 (2009)
If youre an avid fan of anime, then youll likely have
heard of this show produced by Funimation, but
those unfamiliar with the Netix anime section
might have missed the premiere of this stellar
series. Continually airing new episodes in Japan,
the rst season of Fairy Tail introduces you to
mystical powers, magical guilds and a lot of laughs.
The History of Future Folk (2012)
An expertly crafted independent lm, The History
of Future Folk centres around two aliens (who look
peculiarly human) from the planet of Hondo, who
decide to take over Earth but become distracted
by music and form a band. The premise is a little
crazy, but no one can resist a banjo rendition of the
Super Mario Brothers theme song, an example of
the fantastic music this indie lm showcases.
Bonus Gem: Example Short 23.976 Burned
in Timecode (2010)
This is an example of how ridiculous some movies
on Netix can be youll have to have a glimpse
at this short to believe it. When youve really felt as
though youve seen it all, think again! Seemingly
without rhyme or reason, this 11-minute short will
give you something to talk about.
Not Just Another
Indie Flick
We dive deep into Netflix archives to find the best movies
and TV shows you (probably) dont know about
By Evan Tran
So youve nished binge-watching the newest season of your favourite show, have exhausted the James Bond
movies more than twice and cried your eyes out for the 50th time over Titanic. You might think that youve seen your entire
queue, but if youve ever jumped into the deep end of Netix content, you know theres a vast collection out there, just hiding
beneath the curated surface. Ive journeyed into the depths of Netix to nd its hidden treasures. Some are funny, some are just
weird and others are moving, but all of them are worth watching after a long day at school. So sit back, grab some popcorn and
enjoy the shows and movies listed below.
GRIPMagazine
ake a step back from the world
of pop music and super-produced
musicians, and place yourself all
the way back in 1982. Heavy metal is on
the rise, and some of the biggest names in
music are Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Ozzy
Osbourne and Iron Maiden, all of them part
of the British Heavy Metal movement. Now,
a Calgarian hard rock/heavy metal band is attempting to revive the
British Heavy Metal sound by combining elements from the hard
rock of the 80s with their own modern twist.
Samsara was originally formed in 2009 with four members, and
later recruited its current vocalist Reed Alton through an online ad.
The band soon suffered through the departure of one of its original
guitarists, bringing the number of members back down to four. But
as with almost all rock and metal musicians, a love for the genre and
36
By Brett Morrison
Despite challenges in Calgarys all-ages
music scene, Samsara rocks on
37
a passion for making music drew them back
together with a new guitarist, culminating
in todays Samsara. The name comes from
the bands bassist, Brandon Sittler, who
had listened to a song with the same name
by Australian metalcore band Parkway
Drive. Intrigued, Sittler looked further into
the meaning of the name and learned that
Samsara is a ow cycle of reincarnation
within certain religions.
When it comes to inuences, the members
of Samsara have been inuenced by
everything from Green Day and electronic
dance music to Howard Jones and the melodic
death metal band Wintersun. Drummer
Brayden Tario says that indie and alternative
rock bands heavily inuenced his drumming
before he joined and was introduced to metal.
Guitarist Brandon Haddow, on the other hand,
has been inuenced by progressive metal as
well as various rock bands.
In September 2013, Samsara released its EP
Into Oblivion on iTunes and in physical copy.
After having the EP out for a year, the album
is still an important release for the band, but
they have begun to move on from that sound
and only play its songs every now and then.
Samsaras new music retains much of
the older style, and continues to sound like
a hybrid of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.
The band has also begun toying with
acoustic music, playing several acoustic
gigs with plans to release an acoustic EP as
well as a new single before 2015. In addition
to playing its new music live, Samsara
enjoys covering songs by bands it loves
(Alice in Chains and Black Sabbath are both
favourites), most of which are quite well
received by the crowd.
Calgary remains a tough city for an
underage band, despite its roaring crowds
and eager fans. One of the most important
all-ages venues in the city, the New Black
Centre for Music and Art, closed down in
September 2013, devastating the tightknit
community that depended on the New Black
for local all-ages shows. Since then, hardly
any new all-ages venues have risen to the
level of popularity and reliability that the
New Black had, a tough situation for bands
that cant play 18+ shows yet.
Reed says that the local music scene was
a great place to hang out with your friends
and watch small bands perform. I miss the
scene. The closure of the New Black has
taken away the underground, basement
venue feel we all loved, he says. At the 18+
shows, in addition to housing fewer fans
that know of them, the audience generally
pays less attention. Despite all of this, Reed
and the rest of Samsara have high hopes for
the future. Calgarys a growing city, he
says. People want to live here, and as long
as people keep coming here, theyll keep
demanding a local music scene.
None of this has stopped Samsara from
rocking out wherever they can play. The
band continues to play small local venues,
and there have even been talks of going on
tour, though nothing is set in stone yet. Until
then, Samsara will continue to unleash its
arsenal of heavy metal and spread its music
throughout Calgary and the rest of Alberta.
METAL DETECTING
Heavy metal is one of the most diverse genres
of music. Heres a glossary to help you through:
New Wave of British Heavy Metal: The rst
subgenre to emerge after the initial wave of
metal, spawned by bands like Iron Maiden and
Def Leppard. It features fast tempos, tough
sounds and a lack of the blues element that
was evident in the early metal music.
Progressive Metal: Includes bands like Tool
and Dream Theatre, who are inuenced by rock
bands like Rush, as well as classical and jazz.
Extreme Metal: This subgenre is heavier,
louder and angrier, and includes thrash
metal bands like Slayer and Metallica.
Death Metal: Take it one step further, with
bands like Obituary and Deicide that include
more screaming and growling than the others.
GRIPMagazine
Kaetlyn knows that in
the ght against gravity,
sometimes gravity wins.
38
The Olympic silver medalist sits
down to talk competition, body
image and friendship
By Erin Emily Ann Vance
hether shes entertaining her 14,000 followers on
Instagram, or retweeting one of her 24,000 Twitter followers,
Kaetlyn Osmonds life is not much different than that of any
other 18-year-old with a bit of extra glamour and excitement thrown in.
While most teenagers are applying lters to their party snapshots, Kaetlyn is
posing in front of a rink named after her, and while some teens tweet about
their summer jobs, Kaetlyn is sharing her training schedule.
Kaetlyn is an 18-year-old gure skater extraordinaire based in Sherwood
Park. Or at least thats where she trains she spends the rest of her time trav-
elling across Canada and around the world for competitions, and visiting her
hometown in Newfoundland. Kaetlyn won a silver medal in the team event
at the Sochi Olympics, and is Canadas reigning womens national champion.
Even after participating in the 2014 Olympic Games and a tour with
Stars on Ice, Kaetlyn is still astonished that she has come so far: It is still
mind-blowing, but knowing I can inspire other people to pursue a sport or
reach a goal is really important to me. I still think about it every day! Im
always thinking about the most positive side of things, she says. Although
Kaetlyn considers having competed in the Olympics one of her greatest
accomplishments, she is extremely proud of having overcome a serious
injury to win nationals last season. It was unbelievable! she says.
W
Thisis
39
Kaetlyn performs at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia,
this past winter.
GRIPMagazine
My biggest challenge as a teen
is to nd friends outside skating
Kaetlyn says. I like to hang out
with friends just like everyone
else.
With fun, ashy skating costumes, Kaetlyn
infuses her programs on the ice with a rock star
attitude and Audrey Hepburn-esque grace.
Kaetlyn loves to perform and loves having the
attention of an audience, says Ravi Walia, her
coach at Edmontons Ice Palace Figure Skating
Club. She gets really excited when its time to
compete but during training, she is quite calm
and focused. The daily training can be intense
but shes always able to keep things positive
and enjoyable.
Both Ravi and Kaetlyn agree that the Sochi
experience was amazing. It was special to be
there with an athlete I have coached for eight
years, Ravi says. I was honoured to be a part
of such a supportive Canadian team. Beyond
that, Sochi was inspiring for both. Kaetlyn has
a very bright future ahead of her, Ravi says.
Our focus is to improve each year, both tech-
nically and in her program components, as we
work towards the 2018 Olympic Games.
Being a young gure skater means extreme
commitment both on the rink and in the class-
room. But Kaetlyn has somehow managed to
nd a balance between the high-prole lifestyle
of a gure skater and that of a regular teen. She
recently graduated high school, and has chosen
to take some time off studies before pursuing
post-secondary education.
I went through regular high school, but I never
really got to experience high school parties. At
my school everyone always seemed so dedicated,
and I was so tired from training every morning,
she says. Everything I do is focused towards
skating, or towards relaxing from skating.
Because I train ve or six hours a day, Im not
quite ready to jump into university, so Im going to
take some online courses to gauge my interests.
She says that skating has given her the focus,
independence and dedication to know that she
can take her time and wait.
Being a teenage professional athlete can
make developing friendships and balancing
school tricky, but Kaetlyn has found that the
negatives outweigh the positives, and being
an athlete has helped her navigate adoles-
cence. My biggest challenge as a skater is to
constantly be recovering from injury, but my
biggest challenge as a teen is to nd friends
outside skating. I like to hang out with friends
just like everyone else, she says. Shes also not
40
Thisis
During the Winter Olympics, Kaetlyn competed in
two events: team gure skating and ladies singles.
the rumours! It was where I rst stepped onto
the ice. Kaetlyn recalls that moment clearly and
fondly: When I was two, my parents dragged me
in my boots on the ice, but when I saw my sister
skating, I demanded skates. They found a pair
and I skated with my parents for two laps, and
then went on my own.
shy at all, answering a question about dating
by stiing a small giggle and replying, Yeah!
It gives me a break from skating. Who doesnt
need someone to conde in? But they know
that skating comes rst.
Kaetlyns social media accounts are full of
her and her friends laughing, and in several
she pokes fun at herself she recently posted
a photo of a botched jump in practice with the
caption: In the ght against gravity. gravity
won. Its encouraging to see a young woman
in the spotlight remain so down-to-earth.
She even uses her social media presence and
inuence for more than just candid photos with
clever captions: Kaetlyn recently retweeted
an anti-bullying campaign, and posted on her
Facebook page: I will be participating today
in the Maier Centre for Autism Celebrity Golf
Tournament at The Links in Spruce Grove.
Great event for a great cause. I visited the Maier
Centre for Autism last night in Edmonton and
what a great facility!
Kaetlyns support of the autism community
and engagement with Stand for the Silent
(@SFTSorg) on social media has the potential
to raise awareness of important issues to her
fans, many of whom are young.
That doesnt mean that she doesnt expe-
rience challenges. Sports like gure skating,
gymnastics and competitive dance are famous
for placing heavy pressure on top female ath-
letes when it comes to their body image. You
hear about it in skating, she says of eating dis-
orders. You are constantly being judged. You
must be perfectly thin, t and strive for perfec-
tion it doesnt work. You need to fuel yourself
to do your best. A lot of skaters have fatigue.
Coach Ravi agrees. There is a lot of pres-
sure on the top skaters so its really important
that they have a good support system around
them. I try to make sure Kaetlyn keeps things
in perspective and doesnt get overwhelmed by
the expectations. Its also important that she
keeps a balanced lifestyle where she has some
time to be a normal teenager.
Aside from her life in skating, school and as a
teen, Kaetlyn is very invested in family, and has a
lot of pride for her hometown of Marystown, N.L.
Initially, Kaetlyn began skating in the shadow
of her older sister, but the two always remained
amicable. I wanted to be like my older sister,
so I did the same things as her, she says. The
sisters fostered an even deeper friendship after
they stopped competing, and Kaetlyn recently
helped welcome a nephew into the world. Her
hometown also recently renamed the skating
arena she grew up skating in after her. It was
pretty outstanding, she says. I didnt believe
My biggest challenge as a teen is to nd friends
outside skating Kaetlyn says. I like to hang out
with friends just like everyone else.
41
Kaetlyn performs to the song Hey Big Spender at
the 2013 Skate Canada International competition.
GRIPMagazine
42
FIND YOUR
TRIBE
43
1. To gain true friendships with others, its important to become
friends with yourself.
Ill admit it sounds sappy, but forming a friendship is about putting yourself
on the line and opening up to a stranger. If you dont like yourself for who you
are, how do you expect others to?
2. Youre not going to be friends with everyone, and thats a
good thing.
Naturally, not everyone wanted to be my friend. That became an asset,
because otherwise Id have no time for myself or time to learn new subjects.

3. Use the time you have to learn new skills and become a more
interesting person.
Speaking of which, when it wasnt possible to nd the excitement of life in rela-
tionships, I learned to work on myself as a person. That meant reading up on
how to make new friends, or learning a new skill, like cooking or photography.
4. Appreciate the other important things in your life.
Human beings might be social animals, but at times there are responsibil-
ities that need to be prioritized ahead of a social life. Aiming for balance is
great, but during social sobriety a lot of extra time can go into school, and for
me, that extra effort paid off in marks and scholarships.
5. Eventually, youll nd your own style of making friends.
Everyone has their own friendship style. After having an abundance of time
on my own I found that I prefer to see people infrequently, having more to
talk about in between the lulls of studying or reading. I might not see some-
one for a few weeks, but I knew there was a lot to chat about when I did.
And my lessons to myself about making friends have paid off. As I write this, I
have just indulged in dinner at a new restaurant for a friends birthday a girl
that I got to know this past year. Though most of the people at the table were
her friends, and strangers to me, I was able to get to know them and become
familiar with a new tribe. It took a while, but slowly Ive begun nding my
own tribe too.
By Evan Tran
H
Five lessons I learned while searching for friends
aircut? Check. New clothes? Check. Hopeful attitude?
Yep, check. It was the summer before Grade 10, and I had
gotten rid of the mop of long hair that took all of Grade 9 to
grow out. (It was a phase, I swear.) I gured this was the year I was going to
become part of the popular group, go to every social gathering and make up
for all the time I lost in junior high.
As the youngest of three siblings, I was protected by my parents and
mothered by my eldest sister. Its not as glorious as it sounds that meant
my sister had full rights to ground me whenever I did something that she
thought was wrong, and my parents were too busy with work. Gradually, I
limited talking to my family about my daily life, in fear of being grounded for
something I didnt know was wrong.
All the more reason to do what many teenagers do: seek out my peers in a
quest to nd a tight knit group of friends, a second family, where I could rant
about anything on my mind and not be slapped on the wrist for it.
So I walked in with a new hoodie, brand name jeans, brooding hair with
combed over bangs and a zealous smile glued to my face as I embraced
my rst day of high school. This was the popular style in junior high, and I
was sure that just dressing this way would give me a leg up on all the com-
petition. All I needed to work on was talking to people and look awesome
doing it.
Long story short, that didnt turn out so well. Ultimately, I fell into the
wrong crowd, the complete opposite of the people I aspired to become
close with.
I tried again, searching through every school to nd the one that felt
right for my Grade 11 year. It was a gamble, I admit, but a gamble that I
had to take. When I nally did switch schools, I never did nd the tight-knit
set of friends that you see in movies.
Since I exhausted what seemed to be all the possible options, plenty of
self-reection followed: Why didnt I have any friends? What about me was
alienating others? A lack of social connection really took its toll on me.
Instead of searching outward for answers to my predicament, I slowly
diverted my attention inwards. Without my own tribe, I found some valuable
lessons in a busy process of self-growth lessons that I didnt realize were
preparing me for the day when nding my own tribe was a possibility.
GRIPMagazine
44
REASON TO SMILE: Brendan Chalifour has
used his Community Helpers training to ease
mental health stigma at his school.
45
TOUGH
T
The Community Helpers program sets out to help teenagers help themselves
When the Going Gets
hink about a friend that helps you
through hard times. What qualities do
they possess that make you turn to them?
Good helpers are often reliable listeners and non-
judgemental, open-minded and trustworthy. It is
their understanding and empathy that makes us
turn to them, time and again, for help when we
need it most.
Community Helpers, a program that takes
place in schools across Alberta, sets out to nd
those around us who are good helpers, and
trains them to help them hone their special
helping skills. The point of the program is to help
teenagers help themselves, by preparing those
teens that are good at listening with knowledge
on how best to help their peers in trouble.
Brendan Chalifour, a grade 12 student at
Victoria School of the Arts in Edmonton, always
knew he was a good listener. Hes been actively
involved in student government at his high
school, and when the survey was spread among
the entire student population last year, he didnt
think much about it. But a few weeks after the
survey, he was notied that his peers had
singled him out as a good listener and
understanding friend.
Because of student government, I was already
pretty comfortable talking to people, he says.
But there was a lot I didnt know about mental
health. Brendan went through the Community
Helpers training program at the school, and says
they discussed everything from talking about
suicide to stress management, and he walked
away with a strong knowledge of the many
services that are available in the province. Since
he took the training last year, Brendan says hes
noticed a difference in how hes able to talk with
his peers about tough subjects.
I know that many of us dont always want
to turn to teachers or other adults with our
problems, he says, and now I know more about
where to go to get information and help.
Melinda McNie is a Community Helpers
program co-ordinator, who has given the training
at many schools in the province. Its not meant to
turn teens into counsellors, she says, but it helps
give them the right tools for helping their peers,
which only they know how to do.
The Community Helpers training process
begins with a school surveying a group of
students this can be the entire school or just a
particular grade or group. The survey is only a few
questions long and asks students to name two
students and two adults who they often talk to in
hard times. If the same student is named by many
of their peers, they are then alerted (via email or
in person) that theyve been identied as a good
helper and are encouraged to come to a meeting
to learn more about the Community Helpers
program. Its not mandatory for them to attend,
but Elise Kruithof, a provincial injury prevention
co-ordinator at AHS, says most of the students
are honoured that theyve been noticed, and
show up.
When youth are struggling, they turn to
their own groups before reaching out to adults
or professionals, says Kruithof. We want to
provide helpers with additional skills, training
and knowledge so that when they are being
approached by their friends and classmates, they
are better supports for those friends.
Meetings are either stretched over a few weeks
or held over a few days, but they cover the same
topics like addressing labels, understanding the
language of mental health and knowing when
people need adult help. Kruithof calls this the
helping skill, and says that, at the meetings,
students work to understand how their peers best
deal with tough situations. They also talk about
the ethics of helping, and discuss when they
should break promises or seek outside help for
a friend.
The group also spends time thinking about
how to take care of themselves. Brendan says
that hes never felt stressed out or like hes a
counsellor. His friends would come to him with
their problems anyway. Now he knows more
about his own limits.
Hopefully, this information will lead to an
increase in people talking about mental health,
says Kruithof.
In Brendans case, its led to him becoming
more involved in mental health awareness around
his school. With another Community Helper
program participant, he attended the Unleash
the Noise summit, a student-led mental health
conference. He wants to bring back what he
learned to Edmonton, inspiring the peers around
him to talk more openly.
By Mitchell Kaye
46
GRIPMagazine
HER OPINION: YES.
Its important to bring all students
together under one common banner. In this
way, dress codes are extremely benecial for
many students. When a school implements
dress codes, it is greatly decreasing the visible
economic divide between students, diminishing
the difference between those who have and
those who have not in the school. The school is
preventing students from expressing aggression
or negative inuences through messages on
their clothing, and it is avoiding the over-sexu-
alization of youth. On top of that, students dont
have to worry about what to wear on any given
day imagine how much time that would cut off
of a nervous teenagers daily routine.
Every student wants to look good, but there
is so much that goes along with how we dress.
Clothing brands often turn into status symbols,
separating students into different cliques. As
teenagers, clothes are an important aspect of
how we broadcast who we are and who we hang
out with. Of course, if thats how you want to
express yourself, theres nothing wrong with
that but it should happen on your own time.
Different clothing spreads
different messages, some of
which are distracting and not nec-
essary in a learning environment.
Were just too young to self-gov-
ern our dress code rules. Its crucial
that people are not excluded because
of their nancial status, or lack of
afliation with a specic group. There
are plenty of mature, forward-thinking
students who see school as an opportu-
nity to meet new people, study hard and
learn important life skills. But its hard
for some students to separate it from a
social opportunity. Of course, its very
important to express oneself in society
and to nd people you love spending
time with but school should be a
place to explore that and expand
your horizons, not to be indenitely
placed in one group or another.
Dress codes are one of the most
important tools in making
that change a reality.
Different clothing spreads
different messages, some
of which are distracting and
not necessary in a learning
environment.
She Said She Said
By J.M.M. Lewis
Two Grip writers debate
the true meaning of
school wardrobes.
47
HER OPINION: NO.
Across the different school boards,
theres one common element: the dreaded
dress code. Whether the school has uniforms
and is public or Catholic, theres always going
to be some sort of standard when it comes
to what the students wear. At some schools
theres a three-nger-wide strap standard,
or the no-rolling-up-kilts rule or the famous
ngertip-dress-length rule. But, really, whats
the point? Especially considering that the rules
are subjective to how long a students arms are
or how wide their ngers happen to be. Dress
codes are awed in their double standards and
lack of realistic enforcement.
Schools are quick to make up rules for stu-
dents to follow but then have little to no conse-
quences for those pupils who dont follow them.
We cant be expected to blindly follow rules if
there is no justication for those rules being in
place. Listing off principles for teens to adhere
to, without expecting and knowing how to deal
with the group who will openly rebel and con-
tinue wearing whatever they choose, is like a
king expecting his subjects to follow whatever
he says without question. Its simply ridiculous
for the administration to presume that a poorly-
crafted plan will take ight when tested on
unenthusiastic students.
School dress codes also lack consistency
between genders. For some reason school
administrators often focus on girls when it
comes to dress codes, ignoring boys who wear
low-riding pants. while insisting that girls
should not wear clothing that shows their bra
straps because its far too suggestive. Girls cant
wear short shorts, but Ive seen boys wearing a
T-shirt with a bikini-clad model on it. How does
this make sense? Why are these double stand-
ards allowed to exist? If youre going to dictate
how students should dress, then it should be
equal between both genders.
In order to create a dress code that will stand
up to youth and the test of time, there must be
set penalties laid out and practised by staff with
uniformity between genders on all matters. No
one will respect, or follow, an ill-conceived plan
because teens will soon learn that theres noth-
ing backing up those words. At the root of dress
code ineffectiveness is the fact that they are so
poorly constructed. All thats required to form
an effective dress code is co-operation between
staff members, agreement on what the punish-
ments or consequences will be for different vio-
lations and reasonable expectations of what is
inappropriate. The concept of dress codes is not
a bad one; its simply the construction of them
that makes them unsuccessful.
Dress codes are awed
in their double standards
and lack of realistic
enforcement.
She Said She Said
Do dress codes
actually work?
By Louise Fournier
GRIPMagazine
48
Portfolio
In each issue of Grip, we feature creative works from
our readers poetry, personal essays, short stories,
illustrations, comic strips and photography.
BY KALLAN THATE-MCKENDRY

1. When there is a storm inside of you,
Let it grow.
Let it turn into everything it is capable
of being.
Let it become an avalanche,
A cyclone,
A tornado,
A hurricane.
Let every ounce of your drought
Be ooded with everything youve held
inside of you for so long.

2. When there are words,
And prayers,
And screams
Hiding under your tongue
And scratching at the back door of
your teeth,
Let them out.

3. When you look in the mirror
And dont like what you see,
Remember that you are not what
is reected
When you stand in front of a stupid piece
of glass.

4. You are in no way dened
By the night you convinced yourself
Your veins were the strings of a balloon
Meant to be cut free.

5. You are not weak
Just because it is sometimes hard for you
To carry your heavy heart.
I have never seen a heavy heart
That wasnt lled with strength.
That didnt house more than what most
people are capable of holding.

6. When your body is too much to hold,
When youre shaking like a prayer
To a God who betrayed you,
Lie down.
You do not need to handle everything
all at once.

7. You are under no obligation
To suffer quietly.
If your trembling winter bones
Need to kick,
And punch,
And scream,
Let them.
Let them break down walls.
Let them grow.
Let them out.

8. When you feel like you are standing on
a cliff over an ocean,
And realize that its really just the oor
On the side of your bed.
Remember that not all waves
Are created by the sea.
I know that the current is strong
But so are you.
You will learn
How to inhale the ocean
Without getting salt in all of your wounds.

9. When loneliness
Is pressing its ngertips into your spine,
Brush it off.
Let it know
That you can feel whole
Without someone else.

10. Remember,
Its okay to not be okay.
Its okay to not be the calm before
the storm.
Its okay to be a hurricane.
Ten Things To Remember When Trying To Be Okay
49
Halos
BY MADELEINE BEAULIEU
Halo-wearers;
Only the ones not twisted by stereotyped sin
After years of de
composition of the way the ddler tunes his violin
My Halo-wearers walk among men
Human nature follows in their wake
Like studio silhouettes despised
Little mermaids
Who walk among broken glass and shattered
swords to save the ones they love
Or themselves
Winning submissions are awarded $50 and are featured here.
Send in your submissions to creative@griponlife.ca
Close Up
JAMES MACDONALD
Last Summers Cake
EVAN TRAN
Athabasca Falls
IRTIZA OYON
Clay Sculpture
JAMES MACDONALD
GRIPMagazine
50
Portfolio
Portfolio
(This poem is a haiku and does not include a title.)
A haphazard crawl
Subverts elegance but is
Movement nonetheless
By: Christine Green

(If you choose this poem for an issue of Grip, please do not include my name; please leave the author for this one as
anonymous. I live with OCD every day, and this poem reects what some of the struggle is like.)
OCD
organize never
straighten ever
fold perfect
align enough
organize never
organize never
straighten ever
straighten ever
fold perfect
fold perfect
align enough
align enough
organize never
straighten ever
fold perfect
align enough

Raining Colours (Bangladesh)
IRTIZA OYEN
51
Portfolio
Hesitation
BY CHRISTINE GREEN
Adrift in the unknown
waiting
wandering
wondering
Desperate for
certainty
constancy
clarity
Of something besides
bs
fables and
fears.
Fortunate
BY CHRISTINE GREEN
The rain echoes the cries of the
once vibrant ones.
Now empty, they are deemed the
Unfortunates.
But in the eyes of Love,
their worth is immeasurable.
As they weep, Love
calls to them.
An exclamation of truth,
Love declares that
even the Unfortunates can be lled again.
That Love can surpass
the most powerful pain
the most horric hurt
the most festering failure
That they must not
always be conned to the blackness, for
Love will redeem
Love will restore
Love will renew.
Unfortunates, you are chained no longer.
Extend your hand
and Love will never let go.
Columbia Iceelds
IRTIZA OYEN
GRIPMagazine
52
Portfolio Portfolio
The Sandwich
AN EXCERPT FROM A SHORT STORY
BY SAGE MILLER

Jeffery woke up one morning with
a desire unlike any hed felt before.
He wanted a sandwich. Not just
any sandwich, The Sandwich, the
perfect sandwich, the sandwich that
would trump all other sandwiches,
the almighty delicious sandwich.
This was the kind of sandwich that
Jeffery wanted, and so he set out on
his quest.
Jeffery ew from his bed, swiftly
got dressed, sped down the stairs,
threw on a pair of shoes and ran
out the door. The air was warm,
the sun was shining and it was
a beautiful Saturday morning,
but Jeffery had no time for air or
sunlight or any of those things, he
needed his sandwich. He boarded
a crowded, smelly bus that would
lead him downtown to his citys local
sandwich shop. His foot tapped
anxiously as the glowing neon sign
of the sandwich shop came into
view. The bus halted its journey and
Jeffery shoved past construction
workers and wrinkly old ladies as
he leaped from the bus and dashed
towards the shops glass doors. He
threw them open and ran towards
the counter clutching his debit card.
In a condent tone Jeffery yelled,
One sandwich, my good man.
The acne-ridden teen behind
the counter stared blankly, his eyes
hidden behind thick lenses. Yeah...
okay. he said. Jeffery grinned wildly
and slid down the counter, picking
out the exact ingredients to form his
blessed God-wich. Upon reaching
the end of the counter, the youth
smashed a second slab of bread on
top of the mass of ingredients and
then wrapped the sandwich up in a
small paper bag. Then, to Jefferys
surprise, the pimply cashier leaned
in close over the counter, his warm
breath uncomfortably close to
Jefferys ear. If that isnt to your
satisfaction... he said, his voice
trembling in a way that made Jeffery
cringe. Meet me in front of the store
after close. I can tell you are quite
the sandwich enthusiast... The
teen then leaned back behind the
counter and went to the stores back
room.
That evening, Jeffery sat on
his couch, replaying the cashiers
words over and over in his head.
Finally, he grabbed his jacket and
ran to the bus stop. In the evening
light, the shops neon sign was
prominent, glowing green and
yellow and red. Jeffery hopped from
the bus and dashed to the front
of the store. It was closed, and he
couldnt see the teenager anywhere.
After waiting a few more minutes,
Jeffery sighed and turned to leave
when a smooth voice called out to
him: Hey, Jeffery!
Jeffery spun around. The
teenager was silhouetted in the
conical spotlight from a nearby
street lamp, his voice had changed
dramatically and instead of the
greasy white sandwich shop
uniform, he wore a red tuxedo.
Come on over here, buddy. the
teen called out. As he approached,
Jeffery stuttered out a cautious
question: How do you know my
name?
The boy smiled. We like to keep
tabs on all potential members. he
said, putting a hand on Jefferys
shoulder and leading him to the
sandwich shop. Im Tom, by the
way. Tom Ato.
Jeffery blinked several times as
the boy unlocked the shops door.
Is that your real name or are you
messing with me?
Tom laughed. Real name. My
parents were sandwich makers,
very talented too I might add,
renowned throughout Germany for
their craft.
The back room of the sandwich
shop was small. One wall held an
oven, and the others were lined
with shelves holding sandwich
ingredients. You know, Jeffery
said, glancing at the ingredients,
Its not smart to keep these things
so close to the oven, it dries them
out and they lose their avour.
Tom laughed and patted Jeffery
on the back. I think youre going to
t right in here, he said, pressing
a small button on the bottom of
the oven. As he did, the entire
wall began to shift. The ovens
top opened up to reveal two red
leather chairs inside, and a long
tunnel appeared behind it, leading
downwards. Step right in, Tom
said as he opened the oven and sat
down in one of the seats. Jeffery
nervously followed his instructions.
Things had quickly gotten out of
hand.
Tom threw a lever beside the
cart and the oven began to trundle
forward slowly. As they moved down
the tunnel, Jeffery turned around in
time to see another oven rise from
the oor and the wall reseal behind
them
53
GRIPMagazine
Last Word
54
How have we gone this long without a ?
By Jessie Perin
Emoji We
Wish Existed
Starbucks coffee cup Katy Perrys sunglasses A plateful of sandwiches
Side-eye smiley Harry Styles A magic wand Cheese
Humour
Grip_p54-56_Fall_14_v1.indd 54 2014-10-06 1:13 PM
Last Word
Show the world that
youre a leader in the
land of fashion and
techology with Smooth
Operators new iTie
!
Here are just a few of the
exciting features:
Forget about Apples watch,
youll be the envy of all your
friends with the latest in
technological wearables!
WARNING: Some users reported double vision and neck pain from constantly
looking down. Users should refrain from using spin notifications if they
experience shortness of breath due to tightening of the tie from excess spinning.
Do not wear iTie
in the bath, shower or while swimming.

Updated weather info
Date and time
Patented spin
notications!
Email and
instant messages
FASHION FORWARD
Be up to your neck
in information!

Grip - Fall 2014

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Grip - Fall 2014

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

P

in the bath, shower or while swimming.

Potrebbero piacerti anche