A Glendon Club Spotlight: Radio Glendon

Our awesome Radio Glendon man!

Similar to Glendon's student newspaper, Pro Tem, Glendon's radio station, Radio Glendon, is knee-deep in history too! A fun fact: in 1982, my own father used to guest DJ with his buddy (who went to Glendon) - He would also bat his chest and pretend he was in a helicopter to tell the traffic report....but I won't get into that...

Since its creation in 1977, Radio Glendon has gone through a major evolution. Originally a "cable radio" outlet, Radio Glendon converted to an AM radio station in 1990 and later to FM radio in 2005 under the name CKRG-FM. Finally, Radio Glendon made the big change to online radio in 2010.

Taking up new residence at Radioglendon.ca, Radio Glendon is home to a variety of student run shows, filled with the best talk, mainstream music, and even some music that you've probably never heard of. As an extra plus, Radio Glendon strives to be a twenty-four hour radio station and with Glendon's multi-lingual student body, Radio Glendon does not limit itself to English only shows. So whatever time it is and whatever language you speak, Radio Glendon can cater to your needs. 

As this year's Music Industry Rep for the station and on the air every Thursday from 12:30 - 1:30, I can personally tell you that Radio Glendon is one extra-special part of the Glendon student community. Located in the basement of the manor, Radio Glendon is a hidden gem at Glendon, always looking for fresh, new show ideas and new student involvement.

Once again, like Pro Tem, Radio Glendon has been about rebuilding and rebranding, hoping to become more acknowledged within not only the Glendon community but in the student radio community as a whole. We marked this rebuilding process in style with an official launch at the start of the school year.

As two huge supporters of Radio Glendon, Kelly Lui and Nazampal (Naz) Jaswal are two of our most prominent DJs, hosting their show "Hummus and Baba Ganoush Show" every Monday from 11 to 1pm. (You can like the show on Facebook!) Featuring great conversation and always stellar tunes, Kelly and Naz answered a few questions I had for them about their involvement with Radio Glendon:

What do you like most about being involved in the radio station?

Naz - I get to listen to myself talk....*laughs*
Kelly- You get to play the music that you like!
N - Yeah, that's the biggest thing. Actually playing the music that you like and introduce people to sounds that they might not usually listen to.

Why do you think future students should be involved with Radio Glendon?

N - To hear themselves talk. *laughs* I think it's important because you get different voices on the air and you get different music. It's another way for people to express themselves and it's important to have a fun outlet when you're in school.
K - I just love getting that nervous feeling when you're on air. And also, it works on your confidence. As Naz said, having a form of expression and getting yourself out there. It's also a different side to the Glendon personality, I think.

For all things Radio Glendon, we're on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, to listen live check out our website.

A Glendon Club/Organization Spotlight: Pro Tem

Founded in 1962, Pro Tem is Glendon’s student newspaper, York University’s oldest student-run publication, and the only bilingual newspaper in Ontario. Impressive, I know. Pro Tem gives the Glendon student-body a voice, addressing Glendon and common student life issues. With that said though, Pro Tem covers a wide-range of topics that stretch beyond our school’s boarders, to include the city of Toronto, Canada, and because of our strong international student population, a personal look at world issues. 

Currently, Pro Tem is going under some major changes after running into problems during the 2010-2011 school year. Due to some administrative issues, Pro Tem went on an unfortunate hiatus but has returned with a new spirit and have big rebuilding plans. 

Pro Tem’s assistant English editor, Elsa Ascencio told me that there are three major issues that the paper is currently combating to get back to its top-form. “What occurred from this hiatus is there’s a gap of many things: a) Glendon students knowing that we exist, b) technological changes, and c) what’s current in with the publishing world. As a result, this year is kind of an interesting year. Cheryl [Kane], our editor-in-chief, Paola [Paulino], our assistant French editor, and I, and our team, have been working tremendously but it does sometimes feel like starting a new newspaper.” 

As Pro Tem found themselves behind when it came to technological changes, as a result of the gap year, Glendon’s paper was quick to play catch-up, now keeping up to date with their Facebook and Twitter pages. Another big change that’s happening right now for Pro Tem is the ability for its audience to read the newspaper online. With Pro Tem’s new Tumblr page, you are able to view this past year’s editions of the paper (Psst, I’m in them) and spotlights various articles from the past fifty-years worth of papers.

Like every university newspaper, Pro Tem does struggle with student involvement and according to Ascencio, the biggest obstacle that the paper has in getting back to its former-self, is student apathy. “It’s just students don’t care. And they do have opinions, I don’t question that, it’s just for some reason no one really wants to write about it.” 

As future Glendon students and being part of the culturally rich and unique student-body that makes up Glendon, you can be part of the next generation of Pro Tem and combat student apathy. It’s so important to express your voice at university and in life. Pro Tem is the perfect place to do so. 

“We are on a liberal arts campus, our niche, our whole thing is writing, communication, and critically analyzing the issues presented,” says Ascencio. 

“Pro Tem gives every student the opportunity to do that. That’s one of the inherent advantages with working with Pro Tem. A student who comes in with a liberal arts education in mind, will get the most out of it.”

For all of your Pro Tem needs and questions, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

Awesome Of The Day - "Ain't No Reason" - Brett Dennen

I don't usually spend my time here blogging about music, unless it's my occasional acknowledgement of my love for Simon & Garfunkel, but this song (and stunning video) has been in my head for the past couple of days. American singer-songwriter Brett Dennen has been writing very telling and socially-conscious folk-pop music since 2004. Dennen's "Ain't No Reason" in particular, is a hard hitter, as it addresses people's tendency to get wrapped up in routine and comforts and ignore important social issues.

So, whether you are enjoying reading week or need some inspiration with your homework, take a listen to Brett Dennen's "Ain't No Reason."

Awesome Of The Week - Canada Reads

Jian Ghomeshi (host), Carmen Aguirre, Shad

If you follow me on Twitter, you've probably noticed the influx of Tweets this week talking about "Canada Reads." But Laura, what the heck is Canada Reads? Essentially, Canada Reads is an annual "battle of the books" organized by the CBC. Since 2002, Canada Reads has been crowning books that "every Canadian should read." (You'll be happy to know that Michael Ondaatje's (former Glendon professor) "In The Skin of a Lion" won the first ever Canada Reads.) Beginning months before Canada Reads airs, Canadians are asked to submit their favourite titles, which must be Canadian fiction, poetry, or plays, to Canada Reads. From these recommendations, the top 40 books are chosen which are then voted upon by the public and voted down to the top 10. Finally, (this does seem like a long process...) five Canadian "celebrities" choose one book to defend in a debate style setting that takes four days.

This year, for the first time ever on Canada Reads, the non-fiction genre was tackled with the final five books being: "Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter" by Carmen Aguirre (backed by Shad), "On a Cold Road" by Dave Bidini (back by Stacey McKenzie), "The Game" by Ken Dryden (backed by Alan Thicke), "Prisoner of Tehran" by Marina Nemat (backed by Arlene Dickinson), and "The Tiger" by John Vaillant (backed by Anne-France Goldwater).

Through four days of debates with tears, passion, outrageous claims (*cough* Anne-France Goldwater *cough*), and questions about the Canadian identity, Carmen Aguirre's "Something Fierce" took this year's title of Canada Reads champion. If you don't know the rapper Shad already, his music is filled with well-versed and intelligent lyrics and easily one of my favourite Canadian rappers. So it wasn't too surprising to see Shad's intellect and poised manner carry over to the debate table, even being called one of the best celebrity book-backers Canada Reads has ever seen.

All of the final five books are available at Chapters/Indigo and for more information on Canada Reads, do check out their website.

Five Great Movies About Education (And You Should Watch Them)

Dead Poets Society

Although I want to avoid my blog turning into one that's just filled with lists, I thought that this post would be a great sequel to my previous post, "Five Books You Should Read Before Coming To University." I don't consider myself to be as knowledgable about movies (I've never seen "Titanic" for instance. *GASP* I know. I mean, I know what happens, all the memorable quotes, and Celine Dion singing and batting her chest etc. but I've never seen it in full) as lets say music, but when I fall in love with a movie, I usually get pretty excited about it.

Similar to my book post, I thought it would be appropriate to make a list of movies that get me excited about learning, academics, and are just generally inspirational, perfect for someone about to go to university. So when you need a break from studying hard or you are just procrastinating, check out any of these five movies and try to restrain yourself from getting so excited about university and your future in education and therefore start packing for school...even though it's January.

1) Dead Poets Society (1989)
Notable Stars: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard (Dr. Wilson from House), Ethan Hawke.

After being told I had to watch this movie before I went to university by my friend's Mom, Dead Poets Society will forever be one of my favourite films. Based around an all-boys, upper class, conservative school in 1959, Robin Williams shakes everything up thanks to his unorthodox teaching methods when hired as a new English teacher. By making a huge impact with his students, Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke being among them, Williams inspires, awes and teaches them all about carpe diem.

Memorable Quotes: "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boy. Make your lives extraordinary," "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world."

2) Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Notable Stars: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal.

What I sometimes refer to as the girl version of Dead Poets Society, Mona Lisa Smile is similarly based around a conservative, upper-class, all-girls college in 1953. Like Robin Williams' character, Julia Roberts is the new art history professor and begins to test the conservative ways of thinking and learning by her students. (Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal...the list goes on) Although there's a little romance thrown in throughout, the movie questions women's gender roles in the 50s, a time in America where gender roles were a hot-button issue, the importance of education, and to always think outside the box.

Memorable Quote: "See past the paint. Let's open our minds to a different idea."

3) Good Will Hunting (1997)
Notable Stars: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck

Maybe this list should have been, "The Best Roles Robin Williams Has Ever Played"... Incredibly charming and heartbreaking at the same time, Good Will Hunting tells the story of Will Hunting, Matt Damon's character, who's a genius, but has chosen to work as a janitor, and how he's dealing with the struggles endured throughout his childhood. With the help of his therapist Sean Maguire, Robin Williams, Hunting learns that he's not alone when it comes to battling past demons. (It was also partially filmed in Toronto!)

Memorable Quotes: "Will - I read your book last night. Sean - So you're the one." "Son of a bitch...He stole my line."

4) An Education (2009)
Notable Stars: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard

An Education doesn't focus on the typical classroom style of learning like some of the other movies on the list but issues surrounding academia are not overlooked. A British coming of age story, Mulligan's character is on her way to being accepted to Oxford University when she meets an older man, Peter Sarsgaard, who starts to romantically pursue her. Showing her there's more to life than education, Mulligan's character starts to abandon her educational desires until the truth about him is discovered.

Memorable Quote: "If you never do anything, you never become anyone"

5) School of Rock (2003)
Notable Stars: Jack Black, Joan Cusack

This is another movie that doesn't base solely around "classroom" academics but when I think of school, I think of the School or Rock. Struggling musician played by Jack Black impersonates his friend and roommate to land a job as a substitute teacher for a fifth-grade class at a prestigious prep-school. After hearing his class in their music class, Black's character decides to enter them into a local battle of the bands competition. Instilling the best kind of education in these kids, the education of rock, Black teaches them to be themselves, be confident in who they are, and the most important lesson of all, always stick it to the man.

Memorable Quotes: "You're tacky and I hate you," "We will continue our lecture on The Man when we return. Have a good music class," "Your homework is to listen to some real music. Get inspired."

Awesome Of The Day (CanLit Is Sexy)

On one of my many trolls through the internet this week, I ran across the blog, "CanLit is Sexy" and I had to share! With pictures of Canadian authors paired with clever sexual innuendos, what's not to like. One of my favourites, seen below, features the former Glendon English prof, Michael Ondaatje, looking rather seductive... (It's true, Michael Ondaatje used to teach at Glendon! How awesome is that?!)

CanLit lovers and English nerds alike, rejoice in the humour!

The Joy of Books - Something to Brighten Your Day

Uploaded only four days ago and now with almost 1.5 million views, maybe the love for books (physical books, not that ebook non-sense) isn't completely gone. This stop-motion video of books dancing(!) is sure to capture your heart. Filmed at Toronto's Type bookstore, 883 Queen Street West, "The Joy of Books" gives you a special incite of what books do when after closing-time at the bookstore. Endearing to say the least, the video is so whimsical and magical, fun with books certainly appears to be endless!

For more info, check out this great article from The Toronto Star. 

Support your independent books stores! And record stores while we're on the subject.!