As December rears its ugly head, some people diligently prepare for their upcoming exams. Others, resigned to their inevitable fate of  abysmal grades,  procrastinate instead. I unfortunately count myself among the latter camp, having whittled much of my time away by watching figure skating. After all, it is an Olympic year: the one time every four years in which the mainstream media gives an indication that figure skating does indeed exist.

My opinion on figure skating is rather mixed. On one hand, I love the sport sincerely–at best, it is a sport that blends athleticism with artistry, the triumph of the human will over the constraints of gravity. On the other hand,  the idiosyncrasies and the sheer ridiculousness of figure skating brings forth a steady stream of snark on my part. Today, it is the latter half of figure skating I focus on, a part of figure skating that lends itself to a substantial amount of (perhaps not completely unwarranted) ridicule and dismissal: the costumes.

Costumes are a fundamental part of figure skating. Most figure skaters regard themselves as artistes, wringing out their souls on the ice in the form of angsty expressions, overly-dramatic gestures and costumes that appropriately reflect the character of the arty masterpiece they are attempting to pull off.  However, as in life,  good taste is more often than not a rare commodity in the figure skating world.  Which, of course, spurs me to pass judgment on a bunch of hard-working athletes not by the content of their character but by their choice of attire and my completely subjective sense of aesthetics. Ah, internet, my never-ending outlet for catharsis.

And so, without further ado–the best and worst dressed figure skatings of this season (so far):

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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…I was an awkward first-year, fresh-faced and  right out of high school. I was also an entire continent away from my beloved hometown of Vancouver (which, in my extremely objective opinion, is the best city in the world). Not really knowing anyone, feeling rather lost in the inexorable bustle that is the University of Toronto, I wandered lonely as a cloud…until I met a bunch of rather loquacious individuals with a penchant for placards and extremely polite insults–in other words, the joy that is Model United Nations.

Image courtesy of www.namun.org

OK, I jest; that was an extreme (and rather melodramatic) exaggeration on my part. But like many lies, it does have more than a smidgen of truth within. Model UN, for the uninitiated, is a simulation of the actual United Nations, a conference in which people — often students — dress up in their finest “business formal” (a term that always inspires ferocious debate) outfits, and role-play a country’s diplomats trying to come up with solutions to the world’s many tangled problems that matches their foreign policy. Upon first perusal, Model UN does sound like an exceedingly geeky endeavour, but there’s something undeniably amusing about in engaging in polite but scathing verbal sparring matches. It’s also a great way to meet new people — it’s difficult not to be friends with people you’ve spent several days arguing and partying with — and it’s a fun way to hone one’s public speaking skills. Of course, the wild post-debate parties are always a plus, as is Model UN’s resume-boosting potential.

Before I bore you all to death by extolling Model UN’s many virtues, I’m going to assume that you’ve been swayed by my flawless rhetoric and are chomping at the bit to participate in Model UN-esque activities. (more…)

Image courtesy of Newscom

The topic of North Korea has frequently been in the news this year with topics ranging from its possibly formidable array of nuclear weapons to the incident with the American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling. Students interested in taking a more in-depth look at the so-called socialist paradise of North Korea (or internationally/Asian-inclined students in general) should definitely take the opportunity to attend an event featuring Dr. Ruediger Frank, who is Chair Professor of East Asian Economy and Society at the University of Vienna and Deputy Head of the Department of East Asian Studies, as well as an Adjunct Professor at Korea University and the University of North Korean Studies.

With the experience of being one of the few foreigners to visit North Korea, Dr. Frank will be hosting a photo slideshow accompanied by an academic presentation of his views on North Korea. He will also be highlighting his personal experiences in and his impression of the country.

The event will take place on Tuesday, September 22, from 5pm to 7pm in the 108N – Seminar Room, North House, at the Munk Centre for International Studies.

If there’s one thing figure skating has taught me, it is that life is never certain. And also, ice is very slippery. The ladies’ event at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships was an especially exemplary example of those life lessons.

Since the 2006-2007 season, the ladies’ division has been dominated by Yu-Na Kim of South Korea and Mao Asada of Japan. This rivalry seemed to be as solid an institution as the legendary rivalry between Alexei Yagudin and Evgeny Plushenko, the two brilliant Russian skaters who had firmly monopolized the gold and silver positions of the men’s division previously. As for Kim and Asada, the two have been heavy favourites for every major ladies title for the past few seasons. However, cracks began to show. Asada had won the Grand Prix Final title over Kim in December 2008, but ‘only’ won the bronze at the Four Continents Championship in January 2009 (Kim won the gold). But in the weeks leading up to the world championships, Kim and Asada were still the favourites for the title, even with the vulnerability Asada had shown during Four Continents and an earlier competition, the 2008 Trophee Eric Bompard. After all, Asada has been a lock on the podium of every international competition she has ever competed in as a senior skater.

All seemed well during the short program last night. Kim skated a splendid short to Camille Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre and thoroughly trounced the competition with a massive 9-point lead over second-place finisher Joannie Rochette of Canada. Asada had finished in third place after her ethereal Clair de Lune short with a costly error by doubling her planned triple lutz, but had the most difficult technical content planned among the ladies with her two triple axels (Asada is the only lady to even attempt triple axels). Pessimists predicted that Asada would skate decently, but remain in the bronze medal position. Optimists insisted that she would overtake Rochette for the silver in the long program, given Asada’s formidable technical content. Die-hard Asada devotees hoped that Asada would make up the 10-point deficit between her and Kim and take the gold (technically possible, as Asada had done so in 2007 before). (more…)

The 2009 World Figure Skating Championships are being held this week at Los Angeles. Even if I’m not attempting to do my bit to promote the sport of figure skating, I must say that the Worlds are quite unlike any other sporting event. There is of course the sublime skating that (occasionally) occurs, but even the non-skating enthusiast can enjoy the parade of the most ridiculous skating outfits imaginable. If one is impervious to the delights of skin-tight fluorescent fabric and sequins, there is always the spectacle of watching the media or rabid fans working overtime to make spurious corrupt judging accusations and trying to drum up rivalries.

As for the actual skating that goes on at these Championships, I will be covering three of the four disciplines—the pairs, ladies, and men’s events. (more…)

We are excited to give away two tickets for you and a friend to go and see the latest production by the Trinity College Dramatic Society called “Rumors“. It’s directed by U of T second year student Victoria Wang, who is a venturing in the pleasures of theater by directing this production. Neil Simon’s “Rumors” is a farcical commentary about modern society. The play revolves around eight characters, all elite members of society who desperately try to keep up appearances.

In order to participate for a chance to win a pair of tickets, we would like you tell us what is the best rumor you have heard about UofT, and if it ended up being true (if it’s about someone, please avoid mentioning names or otherwise your comment won’t get published). The winner will be contacted on Thursdays, October 23. Please don’t forget to include your e-mail (it won’t be publised).

The show will play from Wednesday, October 22 to Saturday, October 25, every night at 8:00pm.  The venue is the George Ignatieff Theater, 15 Devonshire Place.

Tickets are $12 for adults, with a reduced price of $8.00 for students.

You want to watch a movie tonight, but you don’t want to spend money on it. You also don’t want to watch it by yourself in your room, but none of your friends are available. What do you do? I suggest you to go The Cat’s Eye! Definitely one of the coolest student lounges at U of T. Located in the basement of the Wymilwood building at Victoria College (150 Charles St. W.), The Cat’s Eye offers a wide range of events during the year, including a movie night with two features on the last Monday of every month.

In addition, The Cat’s Eye boasts to have the best sound system on campus, which is used to its fullest during its popular and traditional Halloween Party as well as rock gigs by Toronto bands. Another services provided by The Cat’s Eye are free pool, free foosball, giant couches, big screen-TV, and wireless internet.

Movie Night!
When: Last Monday of every month (Tonight too)
Time: 7:00pm to 11:00pm
More Info: The Cat’s Eye