RIO's Amazing December E-ZINE
It's all you want for Christmas!
From an ongoing novel told out of order:
Chapter 8 - Murder
by Emma Train
“Will you come outside with me for a minute?” asked the Acro.
“Ummmm, okay” said Omar.
Once they were outside, the Acro shouted “Look! Over there!”
As Omar turned to look, he felt a horrible pain in his side. He looked down to see the Acro sinking his 8-inch talons deep into his
belly. Omar cried out in pain. Suddenly, he realized that his shrieks could not be heard. He was outside the cave. Omar could
die. Thinking about this, Omar tried to fight the teeth and claws tearing into his flesh. But he could not. He had already been killed, wings ripped from his body. Couldn’t fight, couldn’t feel. He was dead. As Omar slumped lifelessly to the ground, the Acrocanthosaurus roared triumphantly. The murder was done. The mission was complete.
****************
In the morning, as he began to wake up, Oscar felt a sickening jolt of pain in the pit of his stomach. He could only hear his and Ceara’s breathing. He felt like he had been shot. All of a sudden, a rock hit him on the back of his head.
“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty.”
Oscar felt hopeful. As he looked, he realized that it was only Ceara. Omar was nowhere to be seen. He hoped he had not strayed too far from the cave. Oscar decided he might as well get up. As he sat up, he began to rub his aching muscles. “He must be just going to the washroom,” Oscar murmured to himself.
“Hey, Oscar.” It was Ceara again. “Still rubbing those wings, huh? Well that was quite the flight you had last night.” Ceara gave a curt nod, then scrambled out of the mouth of the cave.
Five minutes later, Omar was still not back. “He must have just gone hunting early,” said Oscar with increasing panic.“Omar!” cried Oscar.
Just then, Ceara scuttled into the cave. “I think I found your brother,” he said with grief in his voice. “He’s outside.”
“Ummmm, okay” said Omar.
Once they were outside, the Acro shouted “Look! Over there!”
As Omar turned to look, he felt a horrible pain in his side. He looked down to see the Acro sinking his 8-inch talons deep into his
belly. Omar cried out in pain. Suddenly, he realized that his shrieks could not be heard. He was outside the cave. Omar could
die. Thinking about this, Omar tried to fight the teeth and claws tearing into his flesh. But he could not. He had already been killed, wings ripped from his body. Couldn’t fight, couldn’t feel. He was dead. As Omar slumped lifelessly to the ground, the Acrocanthosaurus roared triumphantly. The murder was done. The mission was complete.
****************
In the morning, as he began to wake up, Oscar felt a sickening jolt of pain in the pit of his stomach. He could only hear his and Ceara’s breathing. He felt like he had been shot. All of a sudden, a rock hit him on the back of his head.
“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty.”
Oscar felt hopeful. As he looked, he realized that it was only Ceara. Omar was nowhere to be seen. He hoped he had not strayed too far from the cave. Oscar decided he might as well get up. As he sat up, he began to rub his aching muscles. “He must be just going to the washroom,” Oscar murmured to himself.
“Hey, Oscar.” It was Ceara again. “Still rubbing those wings, huh? Well that was quite the flight you had last night.” Ceara gave a curt nod, then scrambled out of the mouth of the cave.
Five minutes later, Omar was still not back. “He must have just gone hunting early,” said Oscar with increasing panic.“Omar!” cried Oscar.
Just then, Ceara scuttled into the cave. “I think I found your brother,” he said with grief in his voice. “He’s outside.”
Chapter 10 - Kingdom Of The Underworld
by Emma Train
Down Omar plummeted, faster and faster, until miraculously, he stopped. He had landed atop a large stone. But it wasn't hard, like most rocks. It was soft. "Whew," said Omar under his breath. The rock rippled, and Omar flinched in surprise. It was made of sound. It wasn't a real stone. Sound. That's all it was. Omar clambered over it. He was off - and falling again. The rock was floating. As it soared high over him, he called for Oscar. Then he remembered. He was in the Underworld, far away from Oscar and Ceara. He didn't like it. Floating rocks. What was next? A flying ostrich? An emu fluttered past him. He flapped his wings. Nothing happened. Everything was backwards here. He wanted to be with Oscar, away from the floating rocks, away from the flying emus. He wanted everything back the way it was supposed to be. He wanted to be home.
Down Omar plummeted, faster and faster, until miraculously, he stopped. He had landed atop a large stone. But it wasn't hard, like most rocks. It was soft. "Whew," said Omar under his breath. The rock rippled, and Omar flinched in surprise. It was made of sound. It wasn't a real stone. Sound. That's all it was. Omar clambered over it. He was off - and falling again. The rock was floating. As it soared high over him, he called for Oscar. Then he remembered. He was in the Underworld, far away from Oscar and Ceara. He didn't like it. Floating rocks. What was next? A flying ostrich? An emu fluttered past him. He flapped his wings. Nothing happened. Everything was backwards here. He wanted to be with Oscar, away from the floating rocks, away from the flying emus. He wanted everything back the way it was supposed to be. He wanted to be home.
Done With Dumb Dress Codes
by Emma Jones
|
It’s practically a daily occurrence. Some kid rushes into class just before the bell rings. But he’s wearing his hat, so the teacher raises her eyebrows and tells him to take it off. The kid obeys and slips his hat into his backpack. But on one of these days, the kid wonders why he has to remove his hat. It’s not hurting anyone, he figures.
And it’s not. The reasons against wearing hats in school are outdated and unfair. One of the biggest arguments for the removal of hats during class is that it’s rude. Wearing a hat indoors is said to be a sign of disrespect. This is simply an old tradition that shouldn’t be upheld just for the sake of it. Traditionally, women couldn’t wear pants, but we’re certainly not debating that. Many people also believe that hats worn a certain way can represent gangs. While this has some truth to it, gang symbols can also be featured on shirts or pants, yet we are allowed to wear shirts and pants to school. Banning a whole group of clothing just because it can be used badly is hardly fair. Another argument is that hats could be used to conceal your face so you can sleep during class. Again, banning hats because the privilege can be abused is not a reasonable argument. Instead, teachers should just ask students to pull up their hat so it doesn’t block their face. |
Furthermore, there are several reasons why we should be able to wear hats in school. For example, in an older building like Van Horne, the heating system is bound to falter at some point. If students are forbidden from wearing hats, they may not be able to stay warm. Remaining at a comfortable temperature is somewhat of a right, and wouldn’t be possible without hats.
Another right in Canada is freedom of expression. It is a fundamental pillar of democracy. Wearing my hat is exercising my freedom of expression, and I should be allowed to do that when I’m at school. And finally, some students need to wear hats because of medical or religious reasons. Kids with dandruff or greasy hair may face humiliation if they are deprived of their hat, and some people need their hat to feel secure. And many religions instruct their followers to wear certain headwear. Freedom of religion is a right. Some suggest that there should be exceptions to the rule for religious people. But this raises the question of what qualifies as religion. If my religion requires me to wear a baseball cap, shouldn’t I have the right to do so? As Grade 8 teacher Jodi Taylor says “Student’s should be able to wear hats in school.” The only real solution to these problems is to abolish the “no hats” rule, and finally let students wear their headgear. |
Whip It Hurls Itself into Movie History
by Emma Jones
Whip It, a movie with strong feminist themes, brilliant creativity and a clever script, was a complete pleasure to watch. Based on her book Derby Girls, Shauna Cross’s screenplay, Whip It, tells the story of Bliss Cavender (played by Ellen Page), a 17-year-old outcast indie-rock lover, and her mother, a middle-aged pageant mom still living in the 50s. Throughout the film we see contrast between Bliss’s world and her mother’s,
starting with the first scene where Bliss arrives at the ultra-traditional, Miss luebonnet pageant with blue hair. Later, when Bliss discovers the counter-culture world of roller derby and works up the guts to try out, this common mother-daughter conflict intensifies.
Whip It features an all-star cast including Ellen Page, Eve, and Drew Barrymore, who also directed the film. Page’s character resembles the one she played in her most famous film, Juno. In fact, she has a history of playing free-spirited characters, but manages to put a unique spin on her role in Whip It.
Though Bliss isn’t a completely original character, she still escapes the clichés of other “outcast” characters. Bliss has a little more substance and Page helps bring a surprising element to the character.
Before this movie I only knew of Drew Barrymore as the Covergirl, but after Whip It I have come to know her as more than that. According to the movie website IMDb, she used to be a vegan, her favorite poet is e.e. cummings, and she loves photography. Along with her role in Whip It, these credentials demonstrate Barrymore’s true “more than a pretty face” status. While she was rated the 3rd most wanted female celebrity endorser, Barrymore has proven her true artistic talents in this movie, from clever directing to witty and often downright hilarious acting as Smashley Simpson, one of the derby girls.
Smashley Simpson isn’t the only one with a tough nickname. It’s a derby tradition. Other names in the movie include Bloody Holly; Iron Maven; my personal favorite, Maggie Mayhem; and Bliss Cavender’s alter ego, Babe Ruthless – not your typical female protagonists. Though the plot twists are generally predictable, Whip It presents strong independent female characters who are unique.
Overall it was an enjoyable movie with well-developed, original characters that all women can relate to. In fact Whip It is my second favorite movie ever. And as Bliss’s derby team, the Hurl Scouts, says, “We’re number two! We’re number two!”
starting with the first scene where Bliss arrives at the ultra-traditional, Miss luebonnet pageant with blue hair. Later, when Bliss discovers the counter-culture world of roller derby and works up the guts to try out, this common mother-daughter conflict intensifies.
Whip It features an all-star cast including Ellen Page, Eve, and Drew Barrymore, who also directed the film. Page’s character resembles the one she played in her most famous film, Juno. In fact, she has a history of playing free-spirited characters, but manages to put a unique spin on her role in Whip It.
Though Bliss isn’t a completely original character, she still escapes the clichés of other “outcast” characters. Bliss has a little more substance and Page helps bring a surprising element to the character.
Before this movie I only knew of Drew Barrymore as the Covergirl, but after Whip It I have come to know her as more than that. According to the movie website IMDb, she used to be a vegan, her favorite poet is e.e. cummings, and she loves photography. Along with her role in Whip It, these credentials demonstrate Barrymore’s true “more than a pretty face” status. While she was rated the 3rd most wanted female celebrity endorser, Barrymore has proven her true artistic talents in this movie, from clever directing to witty and often downright hilarious acting as Smashley Simpson, one of the derby girls.
Smashley Simpson isn’t the only one with a tough nickname. It’s a derby tradition. Other names in the movie include Bloody Holly; Iron Maven; my personal favorite, Maggie Mayhem; and Bliss Cavender’s alter ego, Babe Ruthless – not your typical female protagonists. Though the plot twists are generally predictable, Whip It presents strong independent female characters who are unique.
Overall it was an enjoyable movie with well-developed, original characters that all women can relate to. In fact Whip It is my second favorite movie ever. And as Bliss’s derby team, the Hurl Scouts, says, “We’re number two! We’re number two!”
COWTOWN?
by Emma Jones
The other day I was on the phone with my friend Alex. She’s from Toronto. Usually when she knows I’m calling, she picks up and says “Howdy Emma!” Then she asks me how my cows are doing and whether I’ve finished harvesting my wheat for the winter. Did I mention she’s from Toronto? Apparently, they’re the cultural capital of the universe. We talked for a bit, and then she asked me this: what’s the difference between Calgary and yogurt? Umm, Calgary’s richer? I guessed. She laughed. “Yogurt has culture,” she replied.
We live in a city of more than a million people from around the world. We have a vibrant art scene, and increasingly progressive politicians. And yet too many people still think we’re a town of yahoos living in a Clint Eastwood western.
When you search the term “cowtown” on the website Urban Dictionary, the first result is “Calgary, Alberta.” Texas isn’t even mentioned. When I think “cowtown” I think of outlaws, general stores, and Lone Ranger-types roaming the prairies. But, the
site says “Calgary, Alberta.” How could we have gotten this reputation?
Well, it all started with a man named Sam Livingston. He was the first settler in the area, and there’s a bust of him at the airport wearing a cowboy hat. He came here in 1875. Then many other cowboys, ranchers and settlers followed him in 1883 when the railway came to Calgary. Even then it was a booming town. In the years that followed, business was hopping, and life was pretty good for most people. A few years later, in 1912, Guy Weadick solidified our cowtown status when he joined four of the most powerful men in
Calgary to create “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth,” the Calgary Stampede. Since then, the Stampede has continued to be a symbol of Calgary.
Fast-forward to 1983 and another prominent symbol of Calgary is built: the Saddledome. What can I say? The building is in the shape of a saddle. My friend Alex thinks its ugly at best. I think its charming, and nothing if not unique, but it certainly does reinforce our cowtown reputation.
October 10th 2010 was another big moment in Calgary’s history. On October 10th, the rest of Canada watched in awe as Calgary elected Naheed Nenshi our 36th mayor, and the first Muslim mayor in North America. Nenshi’s win marked a significant change for
Calgary. Or, more accurately, his election was the culmination of many years of cultural progression and new ideas. And in his time in office so far, Nenshi has moved us forward even more. He has plans to increase arts and culture spending, and create a more open, inclusive Calgary. On September 14th, 2011, Nenshi broke more ground. This year he became the first Calgary mayor to serve as grand marshal in the Pride Parade. We’ve come a long way since 1991, when mayor Al Duerr wished to participate, but couldn’t because of backlash from his constituents. There were only 192 people at the parade that year. This year,
there were more than 15,000. Also present at the parade this year was our new premier, Alison Redford. She has also broken ground by becoming the first female premier of Alberta. Like Nenshi, she has shown her support for arts and culture, and is moving ahead on plans to increase funding. According to alisonredford.ca, “arts and culture-related industries” accounted for about 3% of Alberta’s Gross Domestic Profit in 2006. That amounts to about 7.1 billion dollars. Calgary topped the Maclean’s magazine list of most cultured cities two years in a row (in 2008 and 2009), while Toronto, Alex’s hometown, came in at a disappointing 9th place. According to Maclean’s, Calgarians spend more money on reading, the performing arts, and museums than any other city in Canada. And just last month, the Canadian government announced that Calgary was chosen as Canada’s cultural capital for 2012. This means more money to support the arts, and more recognition for the great work that Calgarians do everyday.
So much for my friend’s mildly arrogant jokes about Eastern superiority. As our politicians help us build the new west, and as our art scene flourishes, even Calgary’s oldest tourist attraction is updating its image. The Stampede has always brought people together to share our history. Now, with initiatives like the “Western Showcase,” the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is becoming a much more progressive event. The showcase helps publicize art and culture in Calgary, and also raises awareness of art for kids.
So when Alex called the other day, I told her she should come visit me in Calgary sometime. We could see the production of To Kill A Mockingbird by Alberta Theatre Productions. Or we could walk downtown and see the different sculptures and pieces of public art
scattered around the city. Maybe we could even catch the Western Showcase at the
Calgary Stampede. Because everyday, Calgary is growing, and it’s growing further and further away from our cowtown reputation. With more progressive leaders, an increasingly vibrant art scene and more cultural events, we aren’t just cowboys anymore. We are becoming the true heart of the new west. As Mr. Nenshi says, “Our community is about knowing that together, we are stronger.” We are together. And we are stronger. And we aren’t living in a Clint Eastwood movie.
We live in a city of more than a million people from around the world. We have a vibrant art scene, and increasingly progressive politicians. And yet too many people still think we’re a town of yahoos living in a Clint Eastwood western.
When you search the term “cowtown” on the website Urban Dictionary, the first result is “Calgary, Alberta.” Texas isn’t even mentioned. When I think “cowtown” I think of outlaws, general stores, and Lone Ranger-types roaming the prairies. But, the
site says “Calgary, Alberta.” How could we have gotten this reputation?
Well, it all started with a man named Sam Livingston. He was the first settler in the area, and there’s a bust of him at the airport wearing a cowboy hat. He came here in 1875. Then many other cowboys, ranchers and settlers followed him in 1883 when the railway came to Calgary. Even then it was a booming town. In the years that followed, business was hopping, and life was pretty good for most people. A few years later, in 1912, Guy Weadick solidified our cowtown status when he joined four of the most powerful men in
Calgary to create “The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth,” the Calgary Stampede. Since then, the Stampede has continued to be a symbol of Calgary.
Fast-forward to 1983 and another prominent symbol of Calgary is built: the Saddledome. What can I say? The building is in the shape of a saddle. My friend Alex thinks its ugly at best. I think its charming, and nothing if not unique, but it certainly does reinforce our cowtown reputation.
October 10th 2010 was another big moment in Calgary’s history. On October 10th, the rest of Canada watched in awe as Calgary elected Naheed Nenshi our 36th mayor, and the first Muslim mayor in North America. Nenshi’s win marked a significant change for
Calgary. Or, more accurately, his election was the culmination of many years of cultural progression and new ideas. And in his time in office so far, Nenshi has moved us forward even more. He has plans to increase arts and culture spending, and create a more open, inclusive Calgary. On September 14th, 2011, Nenshi broke more ground. This year he became the first Calgary mayor to serve as grand marshal in the Pride Parade. We’ve come a long way since 1991, when mayor Al Duerr wished to participate, but couldn’t because of backlash from his constituents. There were only 192 people at the parade that year. This year,
there were more than 15,000. Also present at the parade this year was our new premier, Alison Redford. She has also broken ground by becoming the first female premier of Alberta. Like Nenshi, she has shown her support for arts and culture, and is moving ahead on plans to increase funding. According to alisonredford.ca, “arts and culture-related industries” accounted for about 3% of Alberta’s Gross Domestic Profit in 2006. That amounts to about 7.1 billion dollars. Calgary topped the Maclean’s magazine list of most cultured cities two years in a row (in 2008 and 2009), while Toronto, Alex’s hometown, came in at a disappointing 9th place. According to Maclean’s, Calgarians spend more money on reading, the performing arts, and museums than any other city in Canada. And just last month, the Canadian government announced that Calgary was chosen as Canada’s cultural capital for 2012. This means more money to support the arts, and more recognition for the great work that Calgarians do everyday.
So much for my friend’s mildly arrogant jokes about Eastern superiority. As our politicians help us build the new west, and as our art scene flourishes, even Calgary’s oldest tourist attraction is updating its image. The Stampede has always brought people together to share our history. Now, with initiatives like the “Western Showcase,” the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is becoming a much more progressive event. The showcase helps publicize art and culture in Calgary, and also raises awareness of art for kids.
So when Alex called the other day, I told her she should come visit me in Calgary sometime. We could see the production of To Kill A Mockingbird by Alberta Theatre Productions. Or we could walk downtown and see the different sculptures and pieces of public art
scattered around the city. Maybe we could even catch the Western Showcase at the
Calgary Stampede. Because everyday, Calgary is growing, and it’s growing further and further away from our cowtown reputation. With more progressive leaders, an increasingly vibrant art scene and more cultural events, we aren’t just cowboys anymore. We are becoming the true heart of the new west. As Mr. Nenshi says, “Our community is about knowing that together, we are stronger.” We are together. And we are stronger. And we aren’t living in a Clint Eastwood movie.