Don’t hate on small talk
Every few weeks or so, I’ll see a post on Facebook, hear a guy at a party or read some think-piece bemoaning small talk. It’s a shallow waste of time that stands in the way, …
Veronica Ciastko
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Memoir: Missing the American Thanksgiving in Canada
In Canada, when Halloween season ends, the pumpkins are swiftly replaced with Christmas lights. My first year in university, I looked on this transition with abject horror. What about Thanksgiving?
Party4Health: A good cause that’s over-hyping itself
I’ve never gone to a party and chosen to stay sober. Drinking, to me, is the essence of partying, the party’s real core. On nights when I haven’t felt like drinking, I’ve stayed in. Simple …
Why you can't stop watching food videos
If you’ve spent any time on Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube you’ve seen them. Taco Bell copycat crunchwrap supremes and jalapeno corn poppers. Tinker Bell cupcakes and unicorn dip. Caramel apple cheese balls and Oreogasm skillet …
Why internet culture loves “Fireflies” by Owl City
I talked to UBC School of Music professor David Metzer, who teaches musicology with an emphasis on pop music. Our conversation turned to questions larger than Owl City’s resurgence: What is pop music? And what …
Nihilism for everyday life
A trope of the family-friendly Hollywood movie is that of the dead-eyed, “whatever”-sighing teenager. This teen is apathetic, bored, and nihilistic. They roll their eyes at family fun and take pleasure at resisting their parents’ …
The library is crowdfunding to buy a $25,000 copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In order to complete its collection of first editions from the Harry Potter Series, UBC's Rare Books and Special Collections department is trying to raise enough money to acuire a copy of Harry Potter and …
Delusion and desperation in Heineken’s #OpenYourWorld
My cousin, Ryan, and I were both born in Atlanta, Georgia in the Southern US about a year apart. As kids we wrestled, caught bullfrogs, and swung on a rusty tire swing among the peachtrees …
“It’s not like that at all”: UBC sociology prof breaks down that Pepsi ad
“It’s too overtly politically correct. The diversity doesn’t look right,” she said. “In fact, the crowd is so diverse, each person in the crowd tokenized to represent a specific identity, that it blurs all connection …
Review: Noche Flamenca brings an ancient story to life
Noche Flamenca was formed in 1993 and has toured worldwide to critical acclaim, and Santangelo is often credited with bringing purity and integrity to one of the world’s most mysterious art forms: flamenco.
The joy of sexting
Veronica Ciastko is a second year arts student at the University of British Columbia, hoping to major in creative writing. She's an avid reader and lover of words, which would explain her love for sexting.
Vancouver artists discuss collaboration and representation in upcoming Words in Motion performance
Some pieces, like Terezakis and Lee's tackle topical issues, and some are focused more on lyrical or poetic form. Usually the Chan Centre showcases big names from all around the world, but this series will …
Axis Theatre captivates Vancouver's youngest
Axis Theatre has recently begun their Wee Ones Series — plays intended for an audience ages 3-7. Shelby Bushell says that there was no quality market for very young children and Axis wanted to step …
Party4Health
Have you ever gone to a party and chosen to stay sober? For some people, that’s completely unimaginable. I’ll admit it makes me a little uncomfortable to think about. There have certainly been Saturday nights …