Thursday, August 28, 2025
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A testament to resilience

Ethan Hunt
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A testament to resilience

On Sept. 28, under the lights of Wickwire Field, Wilfreid Kindo barreled in to score his first goal as a Dalhousie Tiger off a corner kick, against the University of New Brunswick. 

It took three years to find the back of the net, but it only made it that much sweeter for Kindo. 

“It was unbelievable,” Kindo said. “Seeing how the team was so happy for me — to help the team in that way made it an unbelievable feeling that I don’t think I’ll be able to recreate.”

Finding his way to Dal

The path to Dalhousie University was never clear for Kindo. Kindo grew up in the french-speaking Burkina Faso (BFA), a small African country wedged between Mali and Ghana. The country sees violence due to terrorism and political instability forcing nearly 10 per cent of its population to flee the country. Kindo said growing up there was very different from Canada in every aspect, and credited his teammates at Dalhousie for helping him get accustomed to his new home. 

He said soccer was also different in the BFA. Kindo would play on dirt and said street soccer was a common sight, comparing it to the way they play on the streets in Brazil. Kindo said it was much more physical there, and you were either technically gifted or you leaned into the physical side.

“It’s very different in that sense,” Kindo said. 

After graduating from high school in BFA, Kindo wanted a better life for himself and decided to start his university career abroad. Kindo left home alone after finishing high school and travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to The United States. Though Canada was one of his top choices, Kindo had a brother living in Georgia at the time, so he decided it was best to move there. The civil engineering student played club soccer during his time south of the border and always had the dream of playing for his university, but the cost was too expensive for him. 

It was hard to live in The United States as an international student, as Kindo had to pay much more to study there. Kindo decided a move to Canada would be the right choice.

During his decision process of where to go, he was stuck between the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, Queen’s University and of course, Dalhousie. Kindo talked to representatives from Dal and found out he would be the first student to come from BFA. 

“That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here and explore the city of Halifax,” Kindo said. 

Kindo met with the men’s soccer head coach, Alan Jazic, who saw Kindo’s untapped potential. The six-foot defender wasn’t able to make the team for the 2021-22 season but he continued to work and stayed in touch with Jazic. Kindo tried out for the team the next season and was named to the full roster. 

The work did not stop there. Kindo worked hard to make a name for himself on the team, increasing the depth of his role each year. Two years after making the team, Kindo was an integral part of a Tigers’ backline, starting in all but one game on a team who finished fourth in Atlantic University Sport (AUS). 

Advice to other African students

Kindo had never been to Canada before he moved and had never even heard of Halifax. He credits Jazic, his teammates, Tim Maloney, (the assistant vice president of athletics) and Cindy Tye, the women’s head soccer coach and director of athletics at Dal, for making his move as seamless as possible.

When asked about what advice he would give to other Black students, Kindo said to speak up and reach out for help on matters on and off the pitch.

“We live in a world where it is very cliché to ask for help,” Kindo said. “We feel like asking for help is quote-unquote weak, but it’s nothing close to that. It’s actually showing that you need help and you want to learn and meet people.”

Kindo said when he left BFA he was closed minded and by himself, but he grew to be comfortable with people enough to ask questions or for help. He said this has made him open to helping others because he sees how much others have assisted him. 

“Alan [Jazic] used to say to the whole team actually, he cares more about us as people, as students, and then soccer is another part of life,” Kindo said. 

Kindo will be graduating from the civil engineering program at Dalhousie University this spring.

You can’t win, so win

Reagan Lindsay-Kereluik
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You can’t win, so win

In the world of athletics, female athletes often find they can’t win; although not in a literal sense. 

Despite winning championships and breaking records, society upholds a specific set of impossible standards that women must follow. Where men are viewed as competitive and dedicated to their sport, women are viewed as selfish, and most of all, reminded that sports aren’t meant for girls.

But in their “Just Win” campaign, which featured their first Super Bowl commercial in 27 years, sports giant Nike made a bold statement, recognizing both the triumphs and struggles of some of the world’s most iconic athletes. 

Women “can’t” dominate, they “can’t” put themselves first, they “can’t” fill a stadium and they certainly can’t win — so Nike calls for them to do it anyways, a powerful testament to inclusion and empowerment, and one that extends beyond the realm of sports. 

In this ad, Nike doesn’t just offer a new perspective on the female athlete experience, but they also give recognition to the fact that feminism is not a one-dimensional concept, and no experience is one-size fits all. It exemplifies a diverse reality beyond the idea that all women’s experiences fall into one category simply because they are female; forcing feminism to look beyond gender on its own. 

We see Sha’Carri Richardson, a track and field champion, a Black woman and currently one of the fastest women in the world based on 100 metre times. Despite her amazing accomplishments, Richardson’s journey has not been without challenges. In 2020, Richardson was disqualified from the Olympic 100 metre race after testing positive for THC metabolites, which indicated the use of cannabis. 

Richardson said her use of cannabis had been in response to the recent passing of her mother, but nonetheless, her suspension brought great controversy upon The United States Anti-Doping Agency, Congress, and even U.S. President Joe Biden. 

Richardson returned from her suspension more determined than ever, and went on to the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where she became the U.S. Champion in the women’s 100 metres. She then went on to win both a silver and gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

NCAA all-time leading scorer and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson,unanimous 2024 first-team All-American Juju Watkins represent basketball in the ad. Also featured are Olympic gymnast and world champion Jordan Chiles, two-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas, WTA’s No.1 women’s singles player in the world Aryna Sabalenka, and former NWSL MVP Sophia Wilson. 

Central to the campaign’s overall message is the concept of intersectionality.We can examine A’ja Wilson’s rise to dominance in the sport of basketball through this lens. From leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to their first NCAA Championship title in 2017, to being drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2018 WNBA Draft,Wilson’s story is a testament to overcoming the barriers of race and gender in sports leadership roles, and urges viewers to consider the unique realities that come with her identity as a woman of colour. 

Now a FIBA Women’s Olympics MVP, World Cup MVP, two-time WNBA Champion, 2023 WNBA Finals MVP, three-time WNBA MVP, three-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, along with many more career highlights and honours, Wilson hasn’t simply excelled in basketball; she’s embodied the ideals of intersectional feminism, and set an example for young women with diverse identities across the world. 

Despite major steps in the right direction, female athletes and women’s sports as a whole have historically been overlooked and undervalued, especially when examined in comparison to their male counterparts. Women’s sports leagues typically gather less media attention and coverage, pay lower salaries to athletes and staff, and may even struggle with ticket sales and fandom. The lack of media coverage surrounding women’s sports leaves them with far less exposure than men’s sports, making it harder for avid fans to keep up, and even harder for the brand to reach potential new fans. 

Nike’s campaign is an acknowledgement that the fight towards equality in athletics is ongoing. The “So Win” campaign isn’t centered on a product, but rather a powerful message about gender equity in athletics. 

By showcasing this diverse group of female athletes, Nike gives power to shape the narrative back to women, allowing them to represent their unique and intersectional identities. Their ad serves as a reminder of how far the women’s sports landscape has evolved, and how much work still needs to be done. It challenges us to recognize the critical role that intersectionality plays in shaping female-centered movements, both on and off the court.

A Dhakkaiya winter: memories of home

Prarthobee Tariq
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A Dhakkaiya winter: memories of home

Winter in Dhaka wasn’t just a season; it was a feeling. A crisp breeze would weave through the streets, carrying the scent of fresh pitha and the chatter of street vendors. The afternoons were bathed in golden sunlight, fading into early sunsets that signaled the start of long, cozy evenings. There was no biting cold, no snowstorms, no layers upon layers of clothing, just the gentle embrace of cooler air, a welcome break from the relentless summer heat.

For me, winter meant gathering under a shared quilt with family, sipping on steaming cups of cha and watching our favourite TV dramas together. It was the time of year when neighbours lingered a little longer outside, exchanging stories as children played. It was a season that brought people closer, not because they needed warmth from the cold, but because winter itself was warm, wrapped in traditions, food and the laughter of loved ones.

Badminton under the evening lights

Every winter evening, without fail, our street became the neighbourhood’s meeting point for games of badminton. The makeshift court, set up under the dim glow of streetlights, was always bustling with life. Kids and adults alike took turns swinging their rackets, their laughter ringing through the crisp evening air. Occasionally, an enthusiastic uncle would jump in, making the game even more interesting.

On the sidelines, the aunties would sit together, wrapped in their shawls, gossiping about everything from local politics to the latest family drama. The uncles sipped their tea, nodding along to discussions about cricket and business. The scent of steaming cups of cha and freshly fried snacks like shingara and piyaju lingered in the air, completing the picture of a perfect winter evening.

The sweetness of pitha

A Dhakkaiya winter is incomplete without pitha, traditional rice cakes that are synonymous with the season. Every household had its own way of preparing these delicacies, but the love and effort that went into making them remained the same. From the delicate, flower-like shapes of nakshi pitha to rolls of pathishapta pitha, filled with jaggery and coconut, to the soft, warm delight of bhapa pitha — every bite was a reminder of home.

My mother and grandmother would spend hours perfecting each pitha, their hands moving deftly as they shaped and steamed the treats. I would sit close by, eagerly waiting for the first batch to be ready, my fingers itching to steal one straight off the plate. The best part wasn’t just eating them, it was the process of making them, the shared stories and laughter that came with every batch.

Wedding bells and festivities

December in Dhaka doesn’t just mean winter; it means weddings. Winter is the wedding season in Bangladesh and almost every day of the month is filled with one celebration or another. Invitations pile up, each promising an evening of extravagant feasts, lively music and dazzling fashion.

The food was always a highlight — plates piled high with fragrant biryani, kebabs and my favorite beef curry. The weddings themselves were grand affairs, where vibrant saris and sherwanis sparkled under fairy lights and the air was filled with music and the laughter of guests. As a child, I looked forward to these weddings not just for the food, but for the chance to dress up in beautifully embroidered outfits.

Longing for home

Now, thousands of miles away, as I trudge through snow-covered streets, I find myself longing for those Dhakkaiya winters; the badminton matches, the steaming cups of cha, the aroma of freshly made pitha and the joy of wedding celebrations. Canadian winters may have their own charm, but nothing will ever compare to the simple, heartwarming beauty of winter in Dhaka.

As I sip my tea on a frosty evening, wrapped in layers upon layers of clothing, I close my eyes and let my memories take me back to the warmth of home. No matter where I go, a Dhakkaiya winter will always be my favourite season. 

Performative activism might be necessary

Kate Link-Horvath
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Performative activism might be necessary

If you asked me if I think sincerity matters, I’d automatically want to say yes — but considering performative activism, it gets more difficult than a simple yes or no answer. 

With an increased use of social media globally, it can be difficult to discern what is real and what is not. And when it comes to activism’s connections to the media, it’s an entirely different ball game. In my mind, there are three categories of people within the realm of “performative activism” — the average person, the influencers and the celebrities.

The average person: intentions matters

Social media connects you with more people than you’d ever meet in person, so it can really feel like a defining factor in one’s life. If you don’t post anything regarding whatever activist movement is on the rise, it can feel like people will think poorly of you. But does it really matter what people think? If you do post something online about a movement, it can feel like you’ve done something instrumental — at the very least acknowledging your own standpoint on a political issue and making your followers aware of your view. But even then, will a post online really change the world? 

There is more to just posting on an Instagram story when it comes to activism: sure, you might post online about Black Lives Matter, but have you checked your privilege? Do you understand the current problems of marginalization? Or the past events that lead to what is currently being fought for? If you’re posting things about any current socio-political situation but not reading into the topic and becoming aware of past and present social settings, then you may find yourself in the slippery slope of performative activism. 

This may be relevant to most average Joes able to read and discuss and post. Not everyone has overflowing funds to be able to support movements like Black Lives Matter — but you can donate your time and effort to educate yourself. It is for this reason I believe intent matters. Especially when there is only so much you can do.

Influencers: impact over intent

Then, there is the case of someone not just reposting, but making content that revolves around activism. I always think of the woman online known as @surthycooks, who stitches reels of people wasting food with her own video of making hundreds of meals for impoverished children. She gets thousands of views, likes and comments. And in the comments, people always get really heated about it, claiming she’s only feeding the kids for views. 

Because of social media, it’s easy to display a personality that isn’t based in truth, yet regardless of her intent, she is still feeding those children — so what does it matter her reason for doing it? She could decide to make content of anything, but she chooses to use her platform to make a difference in people’s lives. So, if she gets a ton of views and followings, but helps people in need in the process, does it really matter? In this case, I would argue it doesn’t. It’s better than if nothing was done at all.  

Celebrities: impact and intentions 

Celebrity donations are yet another kind of activism to be analyzed. For those who are living paycheque to paycheque, or are unable to have lofty expenses each month, it’s reasonable to support oneself before supporting others. But for those who have far more means than necessary one starts to wonder why they’re not doing more. There is a large disparity in the money they make and the money they put toward important causes. As singers perform at charity events to raucous applause, are they really benefiting those causes? While it seems arrogant, there is something to be said about the publicity it creates. Beyoncé performing at a charity event surely brings in many more donations from the public than if she hadn’t attended. But what good could be done if celebrities donated instead?

As with influencers, good intentions would of course be fantastic if a celebrity is looking to take a stand in something they believe in, but if they are performing or donating only for fame, it’s not the worst thing in the world — as long as some good comes out of it.

These people should be held accountable and understand their own social and economic privileges — but things are more complex than if sincerity matters no matter who you are. 

Performative activism is acceptable, but only when good is being done.

Supporting for profit: ad campaigns during Black History Month

Kate Link-Horvath
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Supporting for profit: ad campaigns during Black History Month

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the history of Black communities in Canada and around the world, but also to celebrate Black resilience, legacies and contributions. At the tail-end of Black History Month, it feels as important as ever to continue learning about Black history and supporting Black excellence. People deserve recognition and support, especially when Canada’s history is filled with racism and injustice. 

But what happens when this recognition is monetized?

Companies and corporations

When it comes to companies and corporations promoting Black History Month, there is a line between companies celebrating Black voices and exploiting the people it intends to celebrate. In the first scenario, companies actually work with Black employees and consumers, and in the second, they profit off false gestures and provide no help to marginalized groups. It’s important to recognize this when it comes to advertising as well as the inner workings of a company.

Ad campaigns walking the line

Can Black History Month be celebrated through campaign ads? Well, it can be if Black excellence is supported by companies year-round and not just for the month. It’s not right to declare support of a marginalized group for only a certain time of year — this creates profit from their oppression. It also depends on what the ads are saying — the message they’re putting out to the world. Are the companies actively doing something productive and supportive in tandem with the Black community with revenue generated due to these ads? If a company wants to promote Black History Month in their advertising, they should not just profit from but support and make reparations. Perhaps they could donate extra revenue to Black-led charities like Black Health Alliance, a Canadian organization that supports health injustice. 

Another important consideration is if Black employees are taking charge of and/or helping to create these ads. If solely white company members are writing and designing ads used to profit from Black History Month, there is something very performative and false about that scenario. Black company members should be an integral part of the creation of ads to both better connect with the consumers and to allow for more sensitivity in working towards a diverse and equitable future. 

Real people deserve to be supported through advertising — it should not be used as a tool to make a company look good by appealing to certain demographics. 

Genuine support 

Aside from advertising for Black History Month, companies and corporations can also promote Black History Month with no ulterior motives. The promotion of Black excellence and the education of history can be a tool for inclusivity, something to allow employees to learn from one another, but to also ensure employees have the support they need. 

There are many ways to explore history and celebrate Black excellence. Workplaces should invite different speakers each week to discuss their experiences in the workplace and discuss strategies for building connections through equitable means. Companies should also spotlight employees who are members of the Black community, allowing for an exploration of history, presentation of a diverse range of voices and appreciation Black members of the workplace. This is essential, because for too long many employees would not have been hired at all, let alone have their voices heard or contributions celebrated. 

Throughout the year, many companies have networks in place: some have a Black employee network, which provides access to resources for Black community members of the company; these can include resources for mental health, mentoring and sponsoring opportunities — many of which can create more equal opportunities for employees. There are also a diverse range of committees that are in place all year round: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism boards in universities are just one example. The group further provides strategies for building connections. Outside of Black History Month, there can oftentimes be leaders who speak on behalf of the committee to all employees’ year round, and further provide support should Black, or other marginalized employees need it. 

As we celebrate Black History Month and pay attention to the ways in which companies and ad campaigns show their support, it’s important to remember Black History Month is not a trend. Support is necessary, but it must be done earnestly and consistently. Black companies and employees should not be celebrated and supported only in the month of February. 

Polyamory & me

Kate Link-Horvath
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Polyamory & me

Polyamory has increased in popularity lately, as more and more couples try out non-monogamous relationships: the practice of being sexually or romantically involved with more than one partner. Having never experienced it myself, I’m curious. Polyamory can be misunderstood, but there are definitely pros and cons.

Am I for polyamory? Yes, absolutely, as long as it is being practiced in a way that isn’t hurting anyone. Polyamory can allow for the discovery of sexuality and taking charge of one’s autonomy — not to mention a whole lot of love. The great thing is, if you try it for a while and hate it, nothing says you ever have to do it again. And if you like it, there’s nothing stopping you! Doing what you want with your own body should be gratifying and enjoyable. 

It is not applauded, though, when one partner seeks out another, without their other partner(s) being okay with it. The key to ethical non-monogamy, the kind of polyamory I would support, is communication. If everyone in the group is in agreement, then great! If there are lies and non-consensual activity, that’s where it starts to go wrong. 

Polyamory vs. polygamy

Polyamory and polygamy can be confused, but there are key differences. Polygamy, being married to more than one person, is a little different and a lot more legally binding. (PSA: It’s also currently illegal in Canada). 

When I hear the term, the first thing that comes to mind are the Fundamental Mormon polygamists who always seem to have a new mini-series out on Netflix. These stories have nothing to do with bodily autonomy and in fact make the whole idea of polyamory very off-putting for many. This makes sense, seeing as this form of polygamy is often rooted in a patriarchal and sexist structure where one man takes multiple wives, and a woman cannot do the same. It’s worsened by the fact that many of them are very, very young women. It also doesn’t help that historically, some of these polygamists were related! Not all polygamists are like this, of course, yet the idea still makes me pause. Polygamy is definitely not for me. 

From an economic standpoint

Considering that $30 worth of groceries is only three items right now, from a financial standpoint, a polyamorous relationship doesn’t seem so bad at all. If it were a serious polyamorous relationship, with multiple people living together to pool in their income, I’d honestly get it. Saving money on your rent or mortgage is a smart move in my books, no matter how you do it. 

And for those who wonder about a polyamorous couple raising a child, that doesn’t seem bad either — from both an economic and cultural standpoint. It would mean more resources and more income to support the child; and if the child grows up with loving parents, their childhood is surely a happy one, regardless of how many are in it. Families can come in all shapes and forms. 

Yet, history would say they were just roommates. . . 

Polyamory & me

Would I practice polyamory? That’s a whole other story. I hardly have time to seek out dates with one person, let alone multiple. Plus, with Halifax’s bussing situation, I can hardly make it to class on time; I can’t imagine what it’s like running to and from multiple dates each week. Those in polyamorous relationships have certainly mastered the art of time management. 

There’s also the issue of jealousy. I have what I would call a healthy dose of jealousy. However, this would prove difficult to manage when coupled with polyamory. Communication, like in any relationship, would be imperative. So, as someone who struggles to tell people how I feel, this sort of relationship would not bode well for me. I used to have to write my mom notes asking her to buy more tampons, for crying out loud! Telling multiple partners about my jealousy should any issue arise would certainly be a struggle for me.

But who knows what the future holds. Relationships take many different forms and with the right people, maybe it could work. From my experience, some men are so incompetent (emotionally and sexually) that they should just automatically come as a package deal anyway.

Love dishes: Marry me chicken with crispy roasted potatoes

Bryce Goodyear
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Love dishes: Marry me chicken with crispy roasted potatoes

Valentine’s Day is officially here. Though, at this point in the semester, finding the time (and energy) to plan the perfect romantic evening can feel a little overwhelming. But, of course, you still want to impress your date. The perfect meal strikes a balance — delicious, elegant and just challenging enough to showcase your effort, yet simple enough for anyone to master. You could, of course, go with the classics — spaghetti and meatballs, chocolate-covered strawberries or a candlelit steak dinner — but, let’s be honest, those are a little cliché. Spaghetti has been done repeatedly since Lady and the Tramp first hit screens in 1955. Why not shake things up and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember? 

As your personal chef, I’d go with “marry me chicken” for this year. It’s a dish that is practically designed to impress. Enjoy a five-star meal without the price of a five-star restaurant. Whether you’re cooking for that special someone, or your special self, this recipe has you covered.

The chicken in this dish is to die for, served on a bed of warm rice with roasted spiced potatoes, all intended to feel like a warm hug. The dish simmers in a garlic parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, leaving it bursting with flavour and not too difficult to pull off. Pair this dish with a thick-cut slice of fresh bread and a glass of wine, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality meal on your hands — or in your bowls, rather.

So, if you’re looking to impress your date, or just yourself, skip the crowded restaurants and cook up something that says “I care” with every bite. Who knows? It might just be the start of something special. And hey, if this meal helps you lock things down, I’ll happily take credit as your official wingman. Just save me a plate.

Recipe ingredients

Chicken:

  • 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
  • Flour
  • Olive oil
  • Unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon oregano
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1⁄3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked rice

Potatoes:

  • 24 oz baby potatoes, cleaned and halved
  • Olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • Handful grated parmesan cheese
  • Pinch of salt

Preparation instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, oregano and salt. Add chopped onions and halved potatoes, tossing to coat. Sprinkle in parmesan and toss again. Arrange potatoes cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 25-35 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
  2. While roasting the potatoes, season the chicken with salt and pepper, then drench in flour, shaking off the excess.
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken for four to five minutes per side, until golden and cooked thoroughly. Transfer to a plate and cover.
  4. In the same pan, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add chicken stock and scrape any browned bits from the pan. Stir in heavy cream and parmesan, letting the sauce simmer. Add chili flakes, oregano, thyme and sun-dried tomatoes. Return chicken to the pan and simmer for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
  5. Fluff up cooked rice and spoon it onto plates. Place the chicken on top, smother it in the creamy sauce and serve alongside crispy parmesan potatoes. If this meal doesn’t get you a second date, at least you’ll have leftovers. Happy Valentine’s Day!

 Worst date/hookup story

Dalhousie Gazette Staff
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 Worst date/hookup story

One

This past summer I was in Sweden, travelling with some friends. My friend Emelie and I were in Gothenburg, ready for a big night out. At a rooftop bar, we drank a lot in anticipation. I’d had my first sips of absinthe, I had a couple shots,and we were hyped to be going out for the first time on the trip. Fast forward to the club,where they were advertising for a great time for those 22 and older. Though I was only 19, they let me in anyway and we danced the night away.

The next thing I knew, it was 5 a.m. and Emelie and I had left the club with two guys. We went to a McDonald’s down the street where they bought us food, to “sober us up.” Conversation was good —  at least the parts that weren’t in Swedish — until we found out the guys were 26 and 28, to our 19 and 21. This was the first red flag: they’d had plenty of selection of girls their own age, but had decided to ask us to leave with them. Unfortunately, my somewhat inebriated mind thought nothing of this. 

We ended up going back to one guy’s place, who asked if I wanted to hook up. I said yes, and only then found out he was a virgin. Not that I have anything against virgins, I don’t! Virginity is absolutely a social construct. Yet it is kind of concerning that he sought out a 19-year-old to stick it into for the first time. I will say, he was good enough at . . . other things, but the second we were ready to do the deed, he could NOT, for the life of him, get it up. For a couple of seconds, he was able, until whiskey dick got the best of him again. No wonder he was still a virgin!

And then, of course, being a man, after underperforming he asked me to give him head. Sorry pal, no can do.

The worst part, perhaps, might be that my friend was in the living room on an air mattress and heard everything. Awkward! Or maybe the worst part was that when I woke up a couple of hours later, I realized that the guy I was in bed with was ugly! 

Me and Emelie hurried out the second we woke up.

I’d thought that since he was older, he’d be good in bed. However, I was proven very wrong. I still don’t know his name. So, he will forever be known as the 26-year-old Swedish virgin.

Two

I once showed up to a Tinder girl’s apartment whose boyfriend passed away less than two months ago. She said this when I was there and I decided then I needed to get out. So I did.

Three

I should have known the date would be bad when he suggested we go see Bad Boys: Ride or Die. I don’t know why I didn’t walk away right then. But as embarrassing as it is to admit, neither the guy, nor his crazy taste in movies, was the reason things went wrong. This wretched tale really began the moment we decided to watch the movie high.

I thought it would work out great — it would make me less stressed, make the movie more bearable too. I’d gone out with this guy once before, and met him through a friend, so it wasn’t like he was a total stranger…. But the edibles I normally took had five milligrams a piece, and these ones had 10, and I am, apparently, an idiot, because I didn’t think to check that.

I took one whole gummy right before he picked me up. Things were going well, and we were in the parking lot before the show, where he took his own. There was no reason for me to have more weed, and definitely no reason to have another whole edible, but apparently I’d decided I was stupid now, so that’s exactly what I did. 

I even made a joke, holding the little bastard in the air and saying, “I’m doing the thing they tell you not to do!” before popping it in my mouth.

It turns out, they tell you not to do that for a very valid reason. I made it about 30 seconds into the movie. A wave of chills and nausea spread from my legs up to my face, and I was suddenly very aware of my skin. It prickled and itched and stretched way too tightly. But my face. My face was the worst. It felt like a clay mask was pressed against it, like I could take it off, and I really wanted to. So, I was much more concerned about removing my face than the guy beside me or paying attention to the beginning of the movie, but it turns out it didn’t matter, because that’s the last thing I remember.

Will Smith was a cop? Or maybe a spy? There were guns out for sure. All I really remember was this shoot-out in a candy store and a disturbing image of a man eating fro-yo straight out of the machine with sparkles in his eyes — which, the more I think of it, is very probably not part of the movie at all.

Before you judge me too harshly, please remember I normally take five mgs and have a good time. I had now taken 20. It was no longer a good time.

When I regained consciousness, the movie was almost over. My legs were heavy, my stomach was churning and the images were moving way too quickly. I was going to throw up. I was going to throw up on a date in a movie theatre watching Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

But I couldn’t rush out of the theatre — that would be embarrassing! So I, very graciously and daintily, lifted up my bag of popcorn, and vomited in it. I snuck a peek at my date, but he was too riveted by whatever the hell was going on on screen to notice, so I just, very subtly, put the bag back down. I was now on a date with a bag of vomit in my lap. Romantic. 

Then the credits were rolling and my date was wondering why I wasn’t getting up. He asked if I was ready to go. So, I had to finally admit how high I really was. 

“I don’t know if I can move,” I said.

“You can move,” he told me.

“I don’t know if I should move,” I said.

But he helped me to my feet. The movement was surely very slow, but the room spun anyway. Thankfully, that good old popcorn-vomit-bag came in handy yet again, and I was able to get the vomit in there instead of on him, just in time.

So, our plans for after were scrapped. It was a long drive home — and not only because I kept yelling he was going too fast. He nodded along to music sheepishly and we drove 40 km/hour with the window rolled down in case I puked again. 

To give him credit, he was a really good sport about it. But no goodnight-kiss for vomit face over here, that’s for sure. I got inside as fast as I could manage, which was slow as hell. And I’m sure I left him with quite the lasting impression, haggard and shuffling, my popcorn-vomit-bag still sitting on the curb outside the theatre.
So, that was probably the worst date I’ve ever been on. I will never again take that much weed on a date. Or ever. And to this day, I could not tell you the plot of Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Four

When I was in first year, I went out with this guy. One night, he picked me up and took me for a sweet treat, and we ended up in some random parking lot up by the mall. I was really inexperienced with dating at the time, and had only gone out with him a couple of times. We were sitting in the car with the heat on, when all of a sudden, smoke started billowing from under the hood. It was 11 p.m. on a school night. 

At first, he called CAA, who said they weren’t going to be able to come for over an hour. Since his family lived locally, he then called his dad, who, along with his little sister, ended up meeting us in this parking lot in the middle of the night. I had never met either of them before and was slightly mortified when the first question they asked my date was something along the lines of, “What on earth are you guys doing out here?”

His dad told me to go sit in the car with his little sister, who also had no idea who I was. Thankfully she was very sweet, but I really wasn’t expecting to have a family meet-and-greet in the middle of the night in a parking lot. His dad drove us back to his house in Dartmouth, where he and I switched cars before driving back to the parking lot to meet CAA. The only thing I remember from the drive back with his dad and sister is his dad unpacking the nuts and bolts of my future journalism career — despite the fact he had no idea who I was.

The guy and I drove back to the parking lot, where we met CAA, before he gave me a ride back to Shirreff Hall, my first-year residence. His Cadillac was done for, and unfortunately, that wasn’t the last time we went out — or the last twist in our story. He would go on to be the first guy I ever kissed.

Sex position horoscopes

Dalhousie Gazette Staff
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Sex position horoscopes

Missionary is cool and all, but why not spice up your sex life by trying a totally whack new position for no reason? We have painstakingly researched astrology in order to recommend a position for every sign that will have you asking yourself, “Why would a person ever want to try those?” We’ve even made it easy for you. Every position is demonstrated by our models Zack and Joe, so we can basically guarantee they’re possible, even fully dressed in un-stretchy clothing (which is exactly how we like it). 

Most of these positions can be modified to accommodate all gender pairings and anal is an option with almost all of them. 

Aries – March 21–April 20: The Alley

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Alley (Image by Jenna Olsen)

This position is perfect for the assertive Aries who effortlessly takes control. This enthusiastic sign will be able to confidently control the pace and movements from on top while soaking in the opportunity to put on a bit of a show. The penetrating partner lies on their back, propping themselves up with their arms, bending their knees and spreading their legs shoulder-width apart. The receiving partner sits between the legs of the penetrating partner, bending their knees, placing their feet on their partner’s chest and straightening their arms behind them for support. 

Taurus – April 21–May 21: The Sphinx

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Sphinx (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Tauruses keep it pretty traditional. This loyal sign ruled by Venus likes what they know, so this doggy-variation is enough to spice it up, without putting them too far out of their depth. It differs from doggy because it requires the penetrating partner to straighten their legs behind them, lean forward to put more weight on their partner and brace their hands on the floor instead of their partner’s hips. The partner on the bottom will need to push their pelvis deeper into the floor and spread their legs a little wider than they would in the classic doggy. Taurus also governs the neck, and the sphinx gives the penetrating partner the neck access this sign craves. 

Gemini – May 22–June 21: Butter Churner

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Butter Churner (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Playful and agile Geminis will love this position, which is known to allow for deep penetration and intense G-spot orgasms. This sign excels at communication and flexibility, both of which will be key to ensuring the butter churner’s success. The partner on the bottom lies on their back and raises their legs, pushing up on their arms and shoulders allowing the penetrator to squat over their partner, penetrating from above while holding their partner’s legs over their head. 

Cancer – June 22–July 22: Golden Gate

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Golden Gate (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Not going to lie, this position was mostly picked because the symbol for Cancer resembles a 69. This is probably the most difficult 69 variation and requires good back and upper arm strength from the person on top. The person on top sits over the person on the bottom’s face, before doing a back bend to access the person on the bottom’s genitals. To help out the contortionist on top, the bottom partner may need to thrust their pelvis up so their partner’s mouth can actually reach their genitals. 

Leo – July 23–August 22: Asteroid 

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Asteroid (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Bold and dramatic Leos will love this doggy variation where they get to be the centre of attention. The receiving partner starts in a plank while the penetrating partner kneels behind them, lifting their legs and gripping their hips and thighs to allow for thrusting. 

Virgo – August 23–September 22: Anal Bumper Cars

Zack and Joe demonstrate Anal Bumper Cars (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Perfectionist Virgos will appreciate this position that is infamously difficult to achieve. The receiving partner lies down on their stomach, spreading their legs as the penetrating partner lies face-down on top, near the receiving partner’s feet. Virgo’s problem-solving skills and adaptable nature will help them coordinate the careful genital alignment that is necessary to make this rear-entry anal position successful. Lube is a necessity, and the angle works best when both partners are propped up on their elbows. Once in position, participants move forwards and backwards, mimicking the movements of real-life bumper cars. 

Libra – September 23–October 22 – The Seesaw

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Seesaw (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Peaceful Libras are all about partnership. It’s important to them that everything is reciprocal and it’s no different in the bedroom. The seesaw position guarantees ultra-deep penetration that’s incredibly pleasurable for both partners. To get into the position, the receiver lies on their back, folding their body until their ankles are over their head and their butt is off the floor. The penetrating partner then kneels where the receiver’s butt used to be on the floor and presses their pelvis against the receiver’s genitals. The penetrating partner braces their hands on either side of the receiver’s head as the receiver grabs the penetrator’s hips for support. 

Scorpio – October 23–November 22: Fifth Element 

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Fifth Element (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Passionate and emotionally deep Scorpios will love the intensity of this position. The partner on the bottom lies on their back, bringing their knees up to their chest and spreading their legs to allow for the partner on top to kneel around them. The partner on top puts their arms around their partner’s neck, leaning forward so they’re chest to chest. This intimate position puts you face to face, allowing for the passionate make-out this sign craves. 

Sagittarius – November 23–December 21 – Brazilian Capoeira

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Brazilian Capoeira (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Fiery, explorative and larger-than-life Sagittariuses will be curious to try this unusual and impressive position. The receiver leans forward, bracing themselves on a chair or a bed. The penetrative partner bends over and puts their hands on the ground, lifting one leg at a time onto their partner’s back before entering from behind.  

Capricorn – December 22–January 20: Birthday Party 

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Birthday Party (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Hardworking Capricorns have the commitment necessary to make this ambitious position work. Capricorns are never ones to settle, including in their sex lives, and are willing to tenaciously persevere in pursuit of their goals. This anal position requires the receiver to lie on their back with their legs over their head, propping up their butt in their hands as the penetrative partner does a plank over top of them, balancing their feet on the edge of a couch or bed.  

Aquarius – January 20–February 18: The Full Nelson

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Full Nelson (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Visionary Aquarians are a bit of a paradox; they love to innovate, but they also hold structure in high regard. This position is enough of a rarity and challenge to satisfy their pursuit of the unique, but still inside the box enough that they have a semblance of structure. To accomplish the full nelson, the penetrative partner must lie down on their back and bend their knees before the receptive partner lies on top of them. The penetrative partner plants their feet into the ground for leverage and then wraps their arms around the receptive partner’s legs, spreading them as their knees are folded into their chest. This position works for vaginal penetration and anal sex. 

Pisces – February 19–March 20: The Torch

Zack and Joe demonstrate the Torch (Image by Jenna Olsen)

Empathetic and mystical Pisces are deep feelers, and this position allows for deep eye contact and connection with their partners. Pisces are ruled by feet and this position allows for those to be more involved in the fun. The receiver sits in between the penetrator’s legs and puts their ankles over the penetrator’s shoulders one at a time as both brace their palms behind them on the floor or bed. Alternatively, for an even deeper connection, the penetrative partner can wrap their arms around the receiver’s back.

How to abandon limerence and seek out healthy love

Maryn Rice
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How to abandon limerence and seek out healthy love

Oxford University defines limerence as “the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, typically experienced involuntarily and characterized by a strong desire for reciprocation of one’s feelings but not primarily for a sexual relationship.”

An important addition here is that the sometimes intrusive thoughts associated with limerence often continue past the point of realization that romantic feelings are not reciprocated. So what do we do about this? How do we alter this urge to be inside someone’s skin who may not even know we exist, let alone reciprocate our feelings, toward a version of love that doesn’t distract us from ourselves and what we deserve romantically? 

To get a semblance of an answer, we must first try to understand why so many of us experience limerence, especially today. Then, in considering how it manifests, I’ll give you my take on how to rewire yourself to seek out healthier love.  

For all I know, this phenomenon could very well be intergenerational, but my gut tells me that limerence has been exacerbated by the age of the internet and social media.

As a member of the cohort that completely missed the transition from middle to high school in the pandemic, many of my blurry memories from that era revolve around TikTok trends and dances, 24-long FaceTime calls and receiving millions of virtual “waves” from my middle school friends to join a group video call on the app Houseparty. I am no expert on why Grade 9 is an important time for in-person socialization, but I imagine it helps you discover new kinds of people you gravitate towards. But what does this have to do with limerence? 

My theory is that in the past five years, there has been a dramatic shift in location for the cultivation of young teenagers’ social lives. The reality is, it’s safer to exist behind a screen. As much as we can boast about the resurgence of “casual Instagram,” there is no risk in putting yourself out there in the form of a curated social media post. I don’t care how casual or unedited your content is. If you feel okay posting something, you are not experiencing the fear associated with socialization. And putting yourself out there romantically is the biggest risk of them all! So if real relationships are too scary and vulnerability is increasingly easier to resist, we still need some kind of outlet for that desire in us to connect as inherently social animals. Cue limerence, and obsessing over the idea of someone caring about us. It’s really quite sad when you think about it. 

So how can you tell if you are experiencing limerence, and more importantly, how can you shake it? 

For my fellow journalers, I am going to share a sign of limerence that is easily identifiable in your writing. 

I have been an avid diary owner since before I could form proper sentences. My diaries have always been a safe space for me to explore a feeling, without necessarily having a name for it. For that reason, I find the act of journaling very meditative. But because my diary functions as an unbiased best friend who keeps her mouth shut while I pour out my secrets, sometimes I find myself confiding in her as if she is the person I am writing about. Think about this like how you sometimes role-play conversations with a close friend before you have them, or write letters to people and never send them. 

In reading my diaries retrospectively, I noticed a particular pattern in when I would shift between second and third-person pronouns which lends itself to this conversation. When I’ve been unhealthily obsessed with someone romantically, I address them as “you” in my diaries. I’ve only shifted to a third-person pronoun when that person has been successfully cut off from my life, or we have entered a healthy relationship, and the elusive quality about them has faded. I find this fascinating, and perhaps an interesting commentary on how we centre people in our lives, or more strikingly, how we decentre ourselves. Maybe that’s the key. If you really are obsessing over people, particularly through screens, as a protective mechanism, there’s likely some inner turmoil going on you may want to address. Ironically, a quote I found on the internet a while ago reminds me, you are happening to the world. Look inwards. 

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