debate issue 4, 2011 by Debate Magazine

issue 4 2011

retro & foam party photos

www.ausm.org.nz

interview with washington

the theories of ken ring

defending lady gaga

issue 04 2011

ISSUE 04 2011 5 Editorial 6 Letters/Creative Corner 8 O’Week Photos 10 News 11 News Quiz 12 Sport Scott Moyes wonders whether Auckland is ready for September

on the cover

Angel Photography by Guanlao Langaw

editor

Samantha McQueen samantha.mcqueen@aut.ac.nz

designers

Deanne Antao Nonavee Dale

sub-editor

Alisha Lewis

contributors

advertising contact

Kate Campbell kate.campbell@aut.ac.nz

This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 (“the Act”) to the holders of the copyright, being AUCKLAND STUDENT MOVEMENT AT AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED (“AuSM”). Reproduction, storage or display of any part of this publication by any process, electronic or otherwise (except for the educational purposes specified in the Act) without express permission is a break of the copyright of the publisher and will be prosecuted accordingly. Inquiries seeking permission to reproduce should be addressed to AuSM.

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Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AuSM, its advertisers, contributors, PMP Print or its subsidiaries.

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12 How To/Recipe 14 Pres Sez/AuSM Update 15 One Paper Two Ticks 16 Ken Ring: Lunar Genius or Lunatic 17 To Tumble or Tweet? Alisha Lewis looks at the lastest social media fad

18 Washington Interview

Samantha McQueen talks to the foul-mouthed musician

20 Love or Something Like It 22 Lady Gaga: Pop’s Nightingale Selena La Fleur sticks up for pop’s most scrutinised singer

23 I Think I Read That Somewhere 24 Get Some New Film Ideas Bro 24 Behind the Lens 25 Columns 26 Suggestions/Horoscopes 27 Agony Aunt/Word of the Week 28 Fashion

Petra Benton interviews AUT’s Joseph Mow about the Fashion Festival

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Write now or forever hold your pen.

debate is looking for awesome contributors for 2011.

If you are a news hound, sports nut, political guru, pop culture fanatic, columnist, reviewer, feature writer, camera happy, cover designer, cartoonist, general know-it-all or astrologer get in touch.

For more info on how you can get involved with debate, email Samantha at debate@aut.ac.nz or pop into the AuSM office for a chat

issue 04 2011

directory reception

hen I sent off the last issue of debate to print a couple of Thursdays ago, I breathed a sigh of relief that in the weekend I could disconnect myself from the news and catch up on some much-needed sleep and relaxation. I made it till 9pm on Friday night before my car radio informed me that Japan had been struck by an 8.9 (later adjusted to 9.0) magnitude earthquake, and a tsunami was about to hit their coastline that could possibly make its way down to Bay of Plenty, which was where I was heading. Needless to say, I spent the remaining hours once I had reached my mum’s house, watching waves wash out entire towns like they were made of sticks à la Three Little Pigs. Twitter was once again in full throttle over the weekend and trending topics dedicated to Japan dominated. But come Tuesday, a mere five days after we heard about this disaster, #prayforJapan, Tsunami and Fukushima were replaced with two words: Rebecca Black. It makes you question the intelligence of the human race when an international natural disaster like the Japan earthquake and tsunami would rank lower on people’s interests than a badly auto-tuned song by a 13-year-old about how she be so excited that it’s Friday (yes, I see the grammatical errors in this sentence but apparently illiteracy is catchy as shit). If you haven’t watched the viral “sensation” (heavy air quotations used on this word) don’t let curiosity get the better of you. But as I was watching my stream fill up with comments like “fun fun fun fun” and “which seat can I take?” (a dilemma when you’re pubescent, apparently) I realised that at some point we all have to move on with our everyday lives. Those who are not regular news watchers will flick back over to Friends, The Crowd Goes Wild or whatever reality show is playing on E! during the news hour. Others will stop watching the news for hours on end, putting their emotions through the ringer by looking at images of devastation and tragedy. Most will stop donating, either because they have run out of extra cash to give (students aren’t exactly flush) or because they believe they’ve already given enough. People will start rolling their eyes or groaning whenever words like “tectonic”, “magnitude” or “aftershocks” are used. Some may even stop reading this editorial based on its content. Kiwis have invested so much into the Christchurch earthquake that when Japan’s horror unfolded, there was not that much left to give. Sure, they will occupy thoughts and prayers, but if Kiwis had to choose between donating $10 to a foreign disaster or a home disaster, home will trump every time. It’s a sad reality for Japan – we are a country that can barely afford to rebuild its own destruction in Christchurch, let alone cities of Japan’s size. Unless another disaster hits over the weekend like that moron moon man “predicts”, this will probably be my last editorial on natural disasters (although don’t rule out a weather bomb editorial later in the year). You need to be informed on issues surrounding the student community, like the flatting shortage (p. 10), the extra World Cup games coming to Auckland (p. 12) and AUT students kicking ass in the fashion world (p. 28). And finally, I’ve managed to get my ass into gear and have organised the first debate contributors’ meeting for 2011. If you want to write for debate, sign up to the super awesome mailing list or even just come along to find out more, there will be a meeting – with snacks! – in the student lounge in WC202 (the room with the table tennis table) from 4pm. Feel free to stop by, introduce yourself and get your creative juices flowing! All the best for the week – try and keep public nudity to a minimum.

City Campus Level 2, WC Building 921 9805 8am-5pm Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm Fri North Shore Campus Level 2, AS Building 921 9949 8.30am-3pm Mon-Fri Manukau Campus MB107 921 9999 ext 6672 9am-3.30pm Mon-Thurs

management

Sue Higgins General Manager 921 9999 ext 5111 sue.higgins@aut.ac.nz

representation

Veronica Ng Lam AuSM Student President 921 9999 ext 8571 vnglam@aut.ac.nz

advocacy

Nick Buckby Liaison Manager 921 9999 ext 8379 nick.buckby@aut.ac.nz

marketing/events

Rebecca Williams Marketing Manager 921 9999 ext 8909 rebecca.williams@aut.ac.nz

advertising

Kate Campbell Marketing & Sales Coordinator 921 9999 ext 6537 kate.campbell@aut.ac.nz

media

Samantha McQueen Publications Co-ordinator 921 9999 ext 8774 samantha.mcqueen@aut.ac.nz

sports

Melita Martorana Sports Team Leader 921 9999 ext 7259 melita.martorana@aut.ac.nz

vesbar

Zane Chase Vesbar Manager 921 9999 ext 8378 zane.chase@aut.ac.nz For a full list of contact details plus profiles of AuSM staff & student executive and information on clubs visit:

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Letter of the week wins two movie tickets for Event Cinemas!

Letter of the week: Dear Debate, As a high-spirited and fun loving pacific islander, who is of mixed races, I have been affected by the overwhelming news from our sibling country Australia. I will not name ethnicities, but I am sure that all P.I’s have heard of the sad news about a young pacific female who was beaten up, because she wore a t-shirt with her country flag, (and died from internal injuries). Now I don’t want to get into racial factors of who did what, and who’s fault is was, but I would rather address the issue of how this has affected the P.I community. We are stereotyped as F.O.Bs, factory workers, 10+ children per nuclear family and we are the minority of almost every country, and yet when we hear news of achieving something we all stand tall as a proud pacific nation. But when we are let down by something of this matter, our judgmental antics go against one another, and so the ‘blaming game’ begins. If our indifferences collide and racial issues cause conflict we should not stoop so low and create something that will affect future generations to come. We should all remember that we are one, and even though we live in different parts of the world our hearts beat as one. I would like to dedicate this piece to all victims who have come across this nature, especially to Lasinita Paraha, may you Rest In Paradise x. ‘Ofa atu Harriet Tevi - concerned P.I Kia ORa, I read the letter on Debate regarding writing the pin yin in the role for my fellow Chinese friends. I want to support the letter. Hopefully there

will be realization by next semester. And I wish, there will be an article/articles coming regarding the importance of pronouncing the Chinese names as it is the way to respect people and defend human rights. Hi there, this is Jingjing An and I am a Chinese student. I support the article about correct spelling of Chinese names in the roll. Thank you very much. Regards, Jingjing An AUT’s response to letter by Ebe Fori regarding names of Chinese students on student rolls, published in debate in issue two: Dear Ebi, Thank you for your letter published in debate magazine. The issue you’ve raised is an important one, and AUT recognises the diverse ethnicities of our students and value their contribution. Unfortunately, like many databases, our current student database system does not include the specific Pinvin font for the spelling of Chinese student names. However, we will consider your feedback and provide the information for consideration when the software is next upgraded. We also recognise the importance of correct pronunciation of student names. We offer workshops to staff on correctly pronouncing student names for a range of languages including Chinese, Maori and Pacific. Thanks again for your feedback and if you

debate letters policy: Letters need to make it into debate’s mailbox before Wednesday, 3pm each week for the following issue. You must give us your name when submitting letters to be eligible for letter of the week, but you can use a pseudonym for publication if you wish. Any letters longer than 250 words may be subjected to editing. Spelling and grammar will not be corrected. The editor reserves the right to decline without explanation. Most importantly, the views contained on the letters page do not necessarily represent the views of AuSM. Send your letters to debate@aut.ac.nz or if you want to kick it old school, PO Box 6116, Wellesley St, Auckland.

have any more please contact Tiffany White, corporate affairs director on (09) 921 9241 or Tiffany.White@aut.ac.nz To the person who turned in my lost wallet to the business building [last] tuesday, thank you SO VERY MUCH!!!!! A million thanks wouldn’t be enough! I wish you best of luck on winning the lotto for the week when this issue of debate is published! TobyZ Dear tutors, Many singers have ponders what would happen “If tomorrow never comes” (Goodrem, 2004, Brooks, 1989, Keating, 2002), however, even if nothing happens, it in inconceivable that there would be anyone who would want to do any assignments until 2013. Just let us do the paper-based exams and get them over and done with. Nobody can research anything. Oh, scrap that thought... EVER! When the dust settles, it matters little we plagiarize anything from anyone? Nobody will think of novel ways to curse or say anything to comfort anyone. The pessimist in me already told my optimist self to shut up because he knew in 2005 that every comforting word that comes out of his mouth is a lie. I can see Maslow pyramid crumbling slowly everywhere, even if there is a chance that I will see you next week. References Goodrem, D. L., Last Night On Earth (lyrics), (2004) Keating, R.P.J, If Tomorrow Never Comes, (2002) Rocky

Derek Chuan Fireworks issue 04 2011

Feelings aching to explode Thoughts...from all over, all at once Within your mind But you keep yourself sane. Minutes becomes hours And hours become days Getting consumed for more than what’s today But you try to look the same. Each and everything around you Has changed All the dreams you had Have ceased or rearranged. Convenience was never an option So why must you wait ? Go Experience Don’t hesitate. Take those steps to where you ought to be. Give in to intuition Give in to breaking free.

F. Dragon Owl Dusk

Pooj GypsyPirate Break

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issue 04 2011

Orientation foam party

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Students left out in the cold over flatting shortage

by Jessica Beresford Auckland students have found a new place to call home this year – the living room couch. Fewer rental properties around the Auckland area have left a lot of people, especially students, struggling to find a place to live. Alistair Helm, CEO of Realestate. co.nz, says the shortage is due to more demand for rental properties in a declining market, as well as people looking for temporary accommodation because of the Christchurch earthquake. Since last year there has been a significant decrease in rental listings on the site, down from 3000 last year to around 1800 this year. “Now, people will accept almost anything if they have to, where in the past people could be a bit more picky,” he says. If people with full-time jobs are prepared to pay a little bit more for a place, that disadvantages students who can’t afford

to pay the extra few dollars a week, says Helm. Charlotte Meads, a third year communications student, has dealt with this issue firsthand. Having spent the summer in her home town of Palmerston North, Meads and her flatmates started looking for a flat in the middle of January in time for the start of the first semester. “We went to about 40 open homes and applied for around 30 flats with no luck,” she says. “You would ring in the morning to make a booking and by lunchtime it would be gone.” A parent of Meads’ flatmate bought a house in Ponsonby for them to live in, an extreme but necessary measure after three weeks of bunking with friends and family. If you find yourself in a similar situation, AuSM has a classified section where people advertise rooms to rent.

Student gets ready to go Gaga in LA

by Vaughan Alderson

An AUT student has won a trip to see Lady Gaga live in Los Angeles next week through The Edge radio station. Second year communications student Selena La Fleur could not believe her luck when she got the call from The Edge’s Fletch and Vaughan show. “I never get through,” she says “not even for CDs or anything”. La Fleur managed to get in the draw for the Gaga concert last month by listening out for the stations “queue to call” promotion and phoning in. Despite not knowing the name of the latest Lady Gaga song just played, La Fleur was placed in the draw for her concert. La Fleur went to Lady Gaga’s concert in Auckland last year and considers herself a big fan. “When she comes up in conversation I’m usually the one to defend her,” she says. While at work La Fleur’s phone rang. It was an Edge representative calling to tell her that five names were drawn and hers was one of them, meaning she had a one in five shot at the prize. La Fleur’s iPhone battery nearly died listening for the winner but five or six hours later, during her dinner break, her phone rang. “I just screamed,” she said “I was literally on the floor sprawled out.” When Fletch and Vaughan asked her what she was going to do now she had won she said she desperately needed to go to the bathroom. La Fleur leaves on Wednesday with her sister and is adding a on a few extra days to make the most of it. “I never had an aspiration to go to America before. Now I’m thinking ‘Ooo Disneyland!’” As a thank you to the radio station, La Fleur took two boxes of beer into the studio.

Like always, students fed up with studylink

by Lanuola Tusani

Students at AUT University are feeling disgruntled by delays in student loan contracts being approved by Studylink. Some of the students say its costing them money, time and affecting their studies. Second year bachelor of business student Justine Ng Lam says she needs text books for her classes but can’t buy them if her allowance and other benefits haven’t been approved. She says she’s worried about falling behind with her studies because of the loan delays. “They are taking too long. I still haven’t got my allowance for the past two weeks so it’s a struggle with my bus fare and lunch money,” says Ng Lam. Another business student, Dominique Leaana, faces a similar problem. “They are slow, my loan hasn’t been approved and it’s been almost three months. I have to use my own money to buy text books,” he says.

10.

He says the numerous letters asking for more information is a hassle and confuses him because he has already provided what’s required. Computer science and technology student Ethann Du Plessis has been waiting three weeks for his loan to come through so he can get discounted train tickets. But the general manager of Studylink, Wendy Beban, says one of the most common reasons for delay is students failing to include the right information to support their application. Beban says “without knowing the name it is impossible for us to determine whether the fault is at our end. “We have systems in place to identify any incomplete applications and follow up with the student to ensure they know what to do.” Beban says Studylink finds that sending out follow-up contracts or letters is extremely

useful in prompting students to provide the necessary information and help students to get what they need to study. Studylink is helping to reduce the use of papers since its online service was launched in November 2009. Beban says Studylink is a national leader in reducing paper-based applications. “Since “mail online” was launched, over 377,000 students have registered to use the service. Using the online service, students can register to receive their correspondence from Studylink online,” says Ms Beban. She encourages students to support the online services when they set up a Mystudylink online account where they can also update personal details, check the status of loans, and apply for course related costs.

issue 04 2011

Having a Laugh in the Name of Charity Events company The Edge has donated the use of the Civic theatre for free and is waiving booking fees for the tickets. BNZ will match ticket sales dollarby Jessica Beresford for-dollar up to $50,000. Michelle A’Court, one of the They say laughter is the best medicine comedians performing on the night, and Aucklanders have the opportunity to has spent a much of her life in help heal Christchurch by having a good Christchurch and calls it her “second chuckle. home”. The Stand Up for Christchurch comedy She says people all around New fundraiser on March 29 aims to raise Zealand have been helping out and money for Cantabrians affected by the as a performer she wants to help by February earthquake and also to help lift doing what she does best. spirits nationwide. “I’ve heard from friends in The evening has been organised by Christchurch that what they really Wade Jackson from the Improv Bandits, need right now is a jolly good laugh,” who will perform on the night, along A’Court says. with a handful of other well-known comedians, including Ewen Gilmour, Jackson hopes for a sell-out show Ben Hurley and Dai Henwood. and says all the money raised will be Jackson says this is Auckland’s donated to the Red Cross to support opportunity to show its support for the people in need. Christchurch. The evening will also by streamed “Just looking at the devastation I felt live on TV3 online. helpless being in Auckland,” he says. Tickets are $40 and can be bought Comedians are fronting the fundraiser from www.buytickets.co.nz or 0800 but sponsors have also come on board. BUY TICKETS.

kiwis can now walk 3000kms - for fun

by Celia Schoonraad

Te Araroa, the Long Pathway, a 3000km cross country walking trail allowing New Zealanders to walk the entire length of the country, is set for completion in early April. After a decade under construction the Te Araroa Trail will offer Kiwis and tourists alike the opportunity to walk from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south. Te Araroa Trust board member Trevor Butler was closely involved in the development of the trail. He says the trail is expected to generate more than $11 million a year in direct income. The trail is an “important factor” in increasing tourism in New Zealand, says Butler. Captain of the Auckland University Tramping Club, Kathleen Collier, says Te Araroa will be a big drawcard for tourists. “I can see it being very popular,” she says. “The unique trail will travel through a range of terrestrial environments – from North Island rainforest down to South Island beech forests and glacial

4. According to Forbes, who is the richest person in the world?

a) b) c) d)

7.2 8.7 9.0 9.6

2. Where has Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal matches been moved to? a) b) c) d)

Auckland Wellington Dunedin Hasn’t been decided yet

3. Rapper Nate Dogg died last week at 41 due to what? a) b) c) d)

Drug overdose Complications from multiple strokes Accidental shooting Heart Attack

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Bill Gates Mark Zuckerberg Oprah Carlos Slim

5. Who is New Zealand’s Minister of Finance? a) b) c) d)

Nick Smith Bill English Simon Powers Steven Joyce

6. Which weekday is not mentioned in Rebecca Black’s song Friday? a) b) c) d)

Thursday Saturday Sunday Monday

8. What is the national language of Brazil? a) b) c) d)

Brazilian English Portuguese Spanish

9. Which car manufacturer’s latest viral video features 300 harmonicas stuck on one of their models? a) b) c) d)

Audi Lexus Volkswagen Mini

10. Who did singer Jon Bovi Jovi say was responsible for “killing” the music industry? a) b) c) d)

Steve Jobs Sean Parker Mark Zuckerberg Bill Gates

7. Who wrote childhood classic The Secret Garden? a) b) c) d)

Louisa May Alcott Frances Hodgson Burnett Kenneth Grahame Roald Dahl

Answers: C, A, B, D, B, D, B, C, D, A

1. What magnitude was the Japanese earthquake, which triggered a tsunami that killed thousands of people?

a) b) c) d)

valleys.” It is hoped the trail will be a catalyst to encourage New Zealanders to walk for recreation and increase awareness of the natural environment. Butler says, “[This will] improve community health and reduce demand on medical services.” Conceptual planning of the trail started in 1994 and construction commenced in 2000. Minor setbacks have delayed the completion date as legal access across private land has needed negotiation. To date $8.4 million has been spent developing the Te Araroa Trail, a further $3.5 million is needed to complete less than 300km of remaining track. The Te Araroa Trust is working with the Department of Conservation, the ASB Trust and volunteers to secure the required amount. A significant event is planned to celebrate the completion of the trail, it is hoped that a large number of people will be involved in a “celebration of walking”, says Mr Butler.

11.

by Scott Moyes

It’s official. Christchurch will no longer play any part in hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup. The five pool matches and two quarterfinals that were set to be played at AMI Stadium will be shifted elsewhere after its surface was described as similar to a “putt putt golf course”. Ultimately, the decision is justified, if disappointing. You cannot take any risks when it comes to the safety of others. I feel as though Christchurch would have relished the opportunity to be back and running for the Cup. You could see it in Bob Parker’s reaction to the news. However you can’t expect a city that has suffered its worst disaster in history to then host the country’s biggest sporting event a matter of months later. Though it really is a shame. Sporting fixtures down South are an excellent chance to show off our stunning countryside and promote ourselves as the clean, green nation we are respected as. It denies the tourists the excuse to travel there and pump money into struggling businesses. Auckland has been identified as the city that will host at least two extra matches. Eden Park is going to have to deal with an influx of extra tourists which will really put its resources under the spotlight. However, from my recent experiences with the revamped stadium, I am starting to doubt that is ready to host its own matches efficiently, let alone more than they bargained for. Eden Park’s biggest issue is its location. It’s right in the middle of suburbia. It seems as though the Auckland Government were afraid to take a risk when the Waterfront Stadium was being proposed. They didn’t want to move the Rugby World Cup away from ‘New Zealand’s home of rugby’. Just look at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. It’s right next to the city, where everyone can go after and celebrate in its multiple watering holes post-match. The Waterfront Stadium could have done the same and shown off how picturesque the city is whilst providing it’s more prominent bars and hotels with masses of extra customers. Instead they stuck with the stadium that’s a real hassle to get to, in the middle of nowhere. The idea that public transport will solve this issue is feasible, yet still extremely flawed. To the designer’s credit, the bus roundabout right outside the stadium seems functionable. The issue lies in who will get on the busses in the first place. Aucklanders simply don’t have a mindset that will choose public transport over their own means of getting

12.

there. No matter how wonderful the changes are that have been made, you cannot shake the notion that Auckland buses are shit overnight. Example? In my most recent encounter with the beast that is Eden, the bus that was supposed to take me directly to Howick instead accidentally took us all to the Shore before doubling back and getting me home an hour later. From an architectural perspective, the stadium looks flash there is no denying. From a sporting and spectators perspective, it can get really frustrating. I find Eden Park’s actual playing surface to be an incredibly awkward size. Its dimensions are too small for a commendable cricket field, yet too big for rugby. From the stands, you’re actually quite far away from the action. The more removed you are from the game, the harder it is to create an atmosphere and the less likely the crowd are going to be satisfied with King’s ransom they paid for their tickets. This is the reason people get bored and decide to start Mexican waves that just piss off everyone. I also find the rows of seats uncomfortably close together. It’s a real hassle trying to edge your way out of your seat. It usually results in everyone else in that row having to stand just so you can get out. Though I think the facilities inside the stadium are probably of biggest concern. Having been to sporting fixtures recently where the stadium was only two thirds full, there were massive queues for toilets, drinks and food. I hate to think of what it will be like at capacity for the Rugby World Cup’s more important matches. Will the stadium’s lack in facilities lead to unruly crowds which officials are trying so hard to avoid? I really hope that a portion of the profits from Eden Park’s extra matches will go into the reconstruction of AMI Stadium and Christchurch in general. It seems unfair that Christchurch’s misfortune will lead to Auckland’s gain. Whatever happens, let’s just hope this tournament will prove to be the light at the end of the tunnel of this terrible tragedy.

issue 04 2011

by Alicia Crocket

by Les Tuilaepa Are you suffering from back pain, headaches, shoulder and wrist pain from sitting at your desk all day? Nasty impingements and stiffness from sitting in the wrong position in front of a computer or in a lecture theatre can do damage to your body. If this sounds like you, you need to do some different activities to help improve your body as well as your mind. Just like your car, you need a warrant of fitness (WOF) and a service every now and then. You pass your WOF if you can do all the activities that you need to do to live and enjoy life without pain. If you have regular pain in your everyday life then you’re not passing your WOF! If you can’t pass your WOF then what you need is a service. A service includes regularly doing activities that make sure you pass your next WOF with flying colours. Things that you could include in your service to get you and your body up to scratch are: • Yoga is an awesome way to get the body moving to help stretch all those pains away. Doing yoga once or twice a week stretches out hard to reach muscles and increases flexibility • Try sitting in a deep squat on your heels or finding other ways that you can stretch your body to get into those niggly sore spots. You can help release muscle tension by rolling on a foam roller or tennis ball.

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• Exercise is another way that you can get your body up to WOF standard. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to understand that exercise is good for you. Getting into a regular exercise routine will help with moving that body and increase your strength and flexibility. Just make sure you get a programme written by a fitness instructor or a personal trainer that is specific to your goals and needs. • Massage is a great way of making your muscles supple and has been practiced by people in many cultures for thousands of years. So why not do some self massage or get someone else to give you a massage in those hard to reach places. If nothing seems to be working, you can try using professionals like physios, chiropractors or a masseuse to find out where and why it hurts and what you can do to make it better. Remember that the basics are important as well. Sleeping properly and eating a balanced and varied diet is essential for a happy and healthy body and mind. So say goodbye to those nasty aches and pains by using some of these activities and tips.

Serves 4 Dairy free, gluten free, vegan Cost per serve: $0.76 by itself or $0.89 with rice

I love this recipe because it’s simple, uses cheap ingredients and has a lovely light taste that is amazingly refreshing. This recipe comes from the Quick and Easy cookbook by Troth Wells that I got from my local Trade Aid store. This page is stained and spotted with food and the one that the book always opens at because I make it so much. It’s not the best recipe to freeze because of the vegetables but it’s easy to do a half batch and this tastes amazing for lunch the next day. If I don’t have any coriander I squeeze a little lemon juice over it instead. Ingredients 250g potatoes, diced into 1cm cubes 250g cauliflower, cut into small florets 250g peas 1 Tbsp oil ½ tsp of ground or minced chilli (to taste) 1 tsp turmeric ½ tsp garam masala ½ tsp cumin seeds (not ground cumin) 2 Tbsps fresh coriander, chopped Directions 1. Prepare vegetables and put your rice on to cook 2. Heat the oil in a saucepan or large lidded fry pan and fry the chilli, turmeric, garam masala and cumin seeds for about 30 seconds to 1 minute 3. Add the potatoes and cauliflower, half the coriander and a dash of salt if you wish. Stir for about a minute so that the potatoes and cauli are coated with the spices 4. Pour in a little water to cover the base of the pan. Put on the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally 5. When the potatoes are nearly cooked add the peas and cook for a few more minutes until all the vegetables are cooked 6. Garnish with the remainder of the coriander and serve on rice or by itself Note: You can use frozen cauliflower if fresh cauliflower is out of season but they’ll take longer to cook so add them about five minutes after the potatoes.

13.

Veronica Ng Lam AuSM President 921 9999 ext 8571

veronica.nglam@aut.ac.nz

Greetings my fellow AUT Titans, Now that the first few weeks of fun and games is out of the way, most of you would have settled quickly back into the pace of life. The ticking clock of the assignments and assessments has begun to loom largely upon all of us. Don’t let it all overwhelm you. Remember there is help everywhere; you only need to ask. If you don’t know where to ask, asking me would be a good start. I am an email or phone call away. I understand there are some concerns around shuttles that run between Manukau, North Shore and the city. For the students that have been affected we are currently working with the university to ensure that students are not disadvantaged and get the best outcome for us. Issues also around lack of water fountains have been highlighted as another issue and again I ask that if this is a major problem PLEASE

voice those concerns so we can have a united approach. We are here to make sure we support you through issues such as this and ask that you contact me on email prez@ausm.org.nz. No matter the problem or issue AuSM is always here to either provide the relevant information, assist with finding the right solution or support you through your time here at AUT. I would like to say hi to all our Manukau students as they are a fantastic bunch! Don’t forget we provide free feeds for you all on Mondays every week at lunch time, so make sure you are there! I am also based there every Wednesday so if you want to catch up, have a chat or share your lunch I am based MB107 (where the ping pong table and Nintendo Wii is). Pop in and say hi and let us know how we can help or improve what we are doing for you. There are also a lot of social sports that are available for you all to participate in on your campus. AuSM is proud to provide the tennis courts and have now officially opened so that you can use at your free time and leisure. If you want to have a fun game during lunch time, come see us at the office and ask for the key to the courts! Finally I encourage you to persevere through your first semester. Try your best, don’t be afraid to ask for help and always remember that AuSM is here for YOU! No matter how big or small the problem is we are in this journey together! Wishing you all a fantastic week Ia Manuia (Blessings)

Veronica

Five things

you might not know about the AuSM website

You can post a classified ad free of charge. Hundreds of people view the section each week so you have a great chance of selling/trading/ buying your stuff.

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We upload weekly competitions to the site that are exclusive to our online readers.

The debate section has bonus on line content. Check out the archive for all the juicy stuff that couldn’t go to print.

If you need someone AuSM, check out About Us > Meet The Team. Here you’ll find all the contact info for AuSM staff, making it way easier to get to the right person quick.

There are tons of free student-friendly recipes under About Us for you to enjoy. Send us new ones when you get a chance – there might be something in it for you.

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In other AuSM news… • Facebook is alive and well. Visit us to see your pictures, share the love or ask us about anything. • We are now selling AuSM water bottles from the North Shore office for $1 if you’re thirsty. The idea is that once you buy, you can refill it free in the kitchen as often as you like. Let us know what you think of the new service we’re deciding whether to roll it out to other offices. • Thanks to all the ladies who turned out to our first-ever North Shore makeover day. It was a great event and we were stoked with the turn out. Extra special thanks to Premier Hairdressing College and Elite International School of Beauty and Spa Therapies for coming along. • At Free Feeds this week – mention the secret code: O for AuSM and you’ll get a free Velvet Burger voucher. While stocks last! Don’t forget to keep your feedback rolling in www.ausm.org.nz. Until next week!

issue 04 2011

Before the tragedy in Christchurch on February 22, the media was fixated on one region, the Middle East and the beginnings of uprisings by people unhappy with their leader and the lack of freedom, equality and choice they had. They were also fighting for their right to choose the government and their right to vote. Something here in New Zealand and other democratic nations we’ve come to take for granted. It all started with Tunisia. Suddenly we read of massive groups of protestors in the streets demanding democracy and the resignation of their leader, moving to Egypt and the long protests to remove a defiant President Mubarak from power. Since then protests have begun in places like Yemen and Bahrain - all wanting removal of their dictatorial governments. Oh and how could I forget Libya? The rebels fighting Gadhafi’s troops – in a never ending battle, with many people dying and suffering. Yet, Gadhafi won’t give in. It can be quite amazing to see a massive group of people fighting for some form of freedom, for something they want or desire to achieve. I don’t mean ‘fighting’ in a violent sense; I don’t find it amazing watching the army or riot squad pushing protestors back and all the blood and destruction that goes with it. No, I’m talking about that passion you see in their eyes. But I digress. The awe dies away somewhat when you go past a service station and see that 91 octane is well over $2.00 per litre and all the spin off that has with food in particular. Damn speculators! Production of oil is not down and Libya only supplies around two per cent of world demand. See my confusion? Bringing this back to New Zealand, it frustrates the heck out of me when you hear people of voting age complaining about what the government is doing or not doing. You ask them, did you vote? No. No they didn’t. What’s worse is that the electoral process is not rocket science. You have an easy card, which speeds www.ausm.org.nz

up the process of giving you a ballot paper, you then you go to a booth and make two ticks; one for your party vote and one for your candidate vote. Place the ballot paper in the box and then you’re done. If it’s not a busy time it should take 10 minutes maximum out of your day. I recently scrutineered at a polling booth for the Botany by-election (not that fun, but hey, it was kind of interesting). One of the electoral officers summed it up simply: “One tick, One fold, One box.” Although at general elections you get two ticks, the principle is still the same. If some of you have forgotten (understandable considering recent events) 2011 is election year and the majority of AUT students will hopefully be enrolled to vote. If I’m allowed to continue this column, I’ll try to talk politics that affects us, but in a more, well, interesting way. That’s the plan anyway! There might be the odd bit of current affairs too. This year will be an important election – there is further economic recovery to be made, factored in with a rebuild of Christchurch. New Zealand is at an important crossroads in 2011; either we change and progress to becoming a stronger nation or we don’t change and well, expect things to get a lot worse. The 2011 general election will be an important step in choosing the path to take for New Zealand’s future. So with November 26 approaching, leading up to the election many will say that their vote won’t make a difference and yet there are thousands, if not tens of thousands, with the same thoughts. Ever year voter turn out dwindles – it goes up slightly or it just drops. Come on people! There are people fighting for the right to vote and here are most of us taking that right for granted. You don’t have to be a “political guru” or live for politics to get involved and make an informed decision. After all, you’re voting in a government to run a country, our country.

by Jarred Williamson

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I like to think I’m a pretty rational person. I pride myself on being able to say that I never look up when anyone says “look, someone wrote gullible on the ceiling”. I don’t buy into gimmicks. Psychics? Show me proof. Conspiracy theories? Stop being so paranoid. UFOs? As Greg from television show Dharma and Greg says, “those are for people in pickup trucks on dirt roads that, you know, ‘done seenit’ with their ‘own two eyes’!”. Granted, I do like to flick through the horoscope pages every now and then, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to foot the bar tab on Saturday night in anticipation of the ‘sudden windfall of cash’ I’m supposed to be getting over the next week. Nor do I really believe my horoscope when it tells me that ‘this week will see the man of your dreams finally make a move’. Somehow, I don’t see James Franco jumping on a plane and professing his undying love for me any time soon. So, given my level of scepticism, when lunar weatherman and natural disaster soothsayer Ken Ring claimed he is able to predict all kinds of natural phenomenon (including the Christchurch earthquake), my reaction was very much à la the Tui billboards: yeah, right. Ken Ring, or, as he’s now referred to in the media, the Moon Man, claims that he can predict all things weather and nature related simply by studying the movements of the moon. He says that he first noticed the relationship between the moon and the weather when he was living by the sea during the 1970s, and realised that the highest tides in the month were accompanied by storms. The basis of Ring’s theory is that the strongest of these storms or natural phenomena occurs when there is a perigee – meaning the time when the moon is the closest to earth. He noted that these perigees, which always created the highest tides, also appeared to be responsible for an increase in seismic activity, droughts, floods etc. Thus, over the next four years, Ken set about developing his “theory”. Notice the quotation marks around the word theory. Had I been speaking, I would have probably also made some annoying air quotations. I’m just still not buying what this guy’s saying. Say there is a connection; he still seems to be working with a lot of assumptions and guesswork. Show me the facts Moon Man, and maybe I’ll believe. So what facts does Ring have to offer? Not much. His theory doesn’t seem to be very solid. He goes out of his way to tell people that he’s

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“not a scientist” and that what he does is not science. That’s reassuring. Ring also goes on to say that his theory is only 80-85 per cent accurate. According to Ring though, this is the case for all meteorologists (i.e. real weather forecasters). He says that if he predicts that it’s going to rain in Auckland but it actually rains in Huntly, he considers it an accurate forecast because it’s in the general vicinity. I have a feeling people in Huntly and Auckland probably wouldn’t agree. As much as I can look at all the facts discrediting the Moon Man theory, another fact remains - he kind of got it right when it came to Christchurch. Coincidence? Or is Ken Ring actually onto something? Has he discovered a theory that may defy what scientists understand? On September 10, 2010, less than a week after the first devastating earthquake in Christchurch, Ken Ring appeared on a Radio Live show to discuss the catastrophe. He also said that in March of this year, the Canterbury region would suffer another earthquake. As we all know, unfortunately, Ken was right. He is now predicting that another large quake will hit the region on March 20. By the time this story is printed and distributed, March 20 will have come and gone, hopefully sans earthquake. But the question still remains; who will be proved right this time – the Moon Man or his sceptics? And there definitely are a lot of sceptics. Like me, a lot of people find Ken’s theory pretty baseless. Some even go so far as to say he’s simply scaremongering. Among these sceptics is television personality John Campbell, who interviewed Ken Ring on TV3’s current affairs show Campbell Live. The interview sparked a lot of controversy as people claimed Campbell displayed a blatant lack of patience – and manners – for what Ring had to say. While Campbell later apologised to Ken ring, TV3 backed up their presenter, stating on their website that Campbell Live only covered the story “because so many viewers emailed and phoned” about it and that while they felt it was their job to cover the story, in no way do they believe it and are not asking viewers to believe it either. The controversial interview saw a lot of public backlash in favour of Ken Ring and his theory. Online polls have shown a lot of people are really setting store by what he has to say. Indeed, many Cantabrians are heeding Ken’s ‘March 20’ warning and are fleeing the area.

This has ACC Minister and Christchurch local Nick Smith up in arms. The minister, along with the Sceptics Society, is planning to lunch in one of Christchurch’s tallest, oldest buildings on the day that “moon man” Ring says the city will be hit by another big earthquake. The lunch will be held at midday in The Sign of the Kiwi – the building closest to the epicentre of the last quake. Smith says he finds it offensive when people make the claim they can predict the timing of earthquakes, especially given the high level of anxiety. Wanting to take a stand, he describes Ring’s claims as “mumbo-jumbo nonsense” and compared what he’s doing to the likes of people who cry ‘fire’ without cause in a packed stadium. Smith says he’s looking forward to meeting with geologists and earthquake engineers at the Sign of the Kiwi on the 20th. Ring has responded saying, “…there is lots of science…many universities around the world are working on the moon’s link to earthquakes, what would be considered science if not that? What is not science?” Considering the fact the Ring fails to name any of these universities and that he has also repeatedly said his work is not science but rather astrology – I remain sceptic. There are still just too many flaws in Ken’s history of ‘prediction making’. He predicted that the crater lake wall at Ruapehu was ‘likely to blow’ in November 2004. That obviously didn’t happen. He also claimed he had predicted the Boxing Day tsunami but his records revealed all he had predicted was some ‘heavy rain’. I’m sure the people of Indonesia would call that a bit of an understatement. But alas, according to Ken, weather is an opinion based product, based on best guessing and that by definition, an opinion, just like a feeling, cannot be wrong. I beg to differ. People in the 80s were of the opinion that mullets were the way to go. George Bush was of the opinion that Saddam Hussein was making ‘weapons of mass destruction’. Miley Cyrus is of the opinion that she should be ‘concentrating on her movie career’. It’s obvious an opinion can definitely be wrong. Let’s hope, for the sake of Christchurch, that Ken Ring’s is.

issue 04 2011

by Alisha Lewis Watch your back, Twitter. I’d sleep with one eye open if I were you, Facebook. Word on the street is there’s a new kid on the social media scene. Tumblr. Tumblr has been around for a while now, but it’s always been in the shadow of its social media counterparts. Recently though, Tumblr has been gaining more attention – and more members. US President Barrack Obama even named it as one of his top five tech tools. With the leader of the free world endorsing it, Tumblr must be pretty great. But as we all know, Twitter’s been a global sensation. Can David really kill Goliath? Or at least bump him of his pedestal. I’m sure many of you are telling yourselves there’s no way you’d abandon the twitterverse for some strange new micro-blogging imposter. We’re creatures of habit so we tend to shy away from change. But that’s how we felt about Myspace and Bebo when Facebook first emerged. And we all initially scoffed at Twitter’s puny 140 characters. Yet today, Facebook and Twitter dominate the social media scene. It’s about time someone shook things up a bit. Cue: Tumblr. Tumblr, like Twitter, is a micro-blogging website – part of the new and ever-expanding universe of social media. Twitter’s claim to fame is its ultra-unique micro-blog system – 140 characters. Tumblr meanwhile has a lot more scope and no character limit. So it would seem like Tumblr is just another blogging website. There are already tons out there; blogger, blogspot, Xanga, SquareSpace, wordpress etc. So what makes Tumblr different? What’s with all the hype? According to Tumblr’s homepage, creating an account on Tumblr, or a ‘Tumblog’ is: “…the easiest way to express yourself. Tumblr makes it effortless to share text, photos, quotes, links, music, and videos, from your browser, phone, desktop, email or wherever you happen

www.ausm.org.nz

to be. Customise everything. Tweak everything from colours to your theme’s HTML markup. Even use your own domain name.” It’s things like the ability to use you own domain name, such as ‘www.iamawesome.com’ that really sets Tumblr apart from Twitter. It’s all about the ability to personalise, individualise and customise. That’s what we’re all really aiming for these days. That’s the whole point of social media – to express our thoughts and opinions, share who we are, and basically export ourselves to the world. In a word where globalisation and consumerism reign supreme, people are left fighting for something to make them stand out from the crowd. Unlike Twitter, Tumblr allows you to personalise more than just the page background. It allows us to personalise font, post images and videos in an ultra accessible way and best of all, when you really need to have a good rant about something it doesn’t stop you once you reach 140 characters. Basically, Tumblr lets you express yourself with words in a way Twitter will never be able to (although Charlie Sheen may disagree). Yes, Tumblr gives us plenty of reasons to love it. No, it really does. On the homepage, there is a list of “30 reasons you’ll love Tumblr”. The website boasts having “the most sophisticated email publishing in the world”. It allows you to email your posts directly to your blog. Be it a thought, song, quote, video, or overheard conversation, Tumblr “senses what you’re sharing and expresses it beautifully”. And you really can post anything. Tumblr has it all covered with options available to post text, photos, quotes, links, dialogues, audio, video, slideshows, and more. Photos are high resolution and custom backgrounds come without annoying ads squeezed in. It’s a pretty good deal. Especially since it’s all free – and includes storage and bandwidth.

There is also a section titled ‘get noticed’ in which Tumblr explains how every week, people’s blogs are recommended in the Tumblr directory. With this kind of endorsement there’s a greater chance people will hear what you have to say. It also gives your blog more credibility. Tumblr allows you to queue your posts, so they are published at specific intervals, it allows you to use analytics and Google applications – there’s even a number you can call to record an audio post for your blog. For aspiring writers one of the best features of Tumblr is that everything you post remains your own, meaning you get to keep your copyright. The website boasts of dozens of users who have actually received book deals from editors and publishing companies who have stumbled across their blog. Yes, Twitter is tried and tested. We’re used to it, we know how it works. But there’s only so much you can say in 140 characters. It’s almost like virtual texting that’s visible to all your friends, or in ‘twitter speak’, followers. Tumblr allows you to really blog, while remaining within a well known, well developed social networking frame – something other blog sites don’t offer. And if you’re not quite ready to make the big switch yet, here’s the best part. You can automatically (or selectively) update your Facebook and Twitter pages every time you make a post on Tumblr. Whether you’re converted or completely unwilling to change, Tumblr does offer the best of both worlds, providing huge range and scope when it comes to micro-blogging. Even if you aren’t a blogger. Even if you think you’ve got nothing to say. Tumblr has all the tools to get you going. So, go on. Get tumbling.

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by Samantha McQueen

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issue 04 2011

In the days of auto-tune, cupcake shaped bras and tacky glitter, it’s nice to know there are genuine artists out there still concerned about the art of music. Megan Washington – who goes by the moniker Washington on stage – is one of these artists. Her name may not be familiar to a lot of New Zealanders but she’s already cemented herself in Australian hearts. She won Australian station Triple J’s unearthed competition in 2008, which landed her a spot at Big Day Out. Keith Urban’s called her up and asked to do a duet with him on stage. Last year she won the inaugural Vanda and Young song writing competition with her song How to Tame Lions and she won two ARIA awards last year for best breakthrough artist and best female artist. She was nominated for six. She’s put out three EPs and a debut album, and she’s already talking about album number two (if only to put rest to silly pop comparisons). She’s a 25-year-old with a fondness for MGM movie musicals, Billie Holiday and gin, who smokes like a chimney and swears like a sailor. I spoke to Washington at the Langham hotel on her first day doing promotion for her debut album, I Believe You Liar, which comes out in New Zealand today (Monday, March 21). It’s the middle of summer, but you wouldn’t guess that from looking at Megan, who is dressed in black jeans, black boots and a black singlet, while covering herself in a woollen jumper. She doesn’t have the elitist persona that seems to come with some musicians. In fact, we start off the interview talking about a scarf she’s in the process of making (or as she calls it “a great, shawly, pashmina thing”) for a friend who is moving to London later in the year. Or rather, the scarf she was in the process of making. She had posted a question on Twitter about whether she would be allowed to bring her knitting needles onto the plane, but when I ask whether she managed to get them on or not I’m introduced to Washington’s unabashed personality – and love of the F word. “I fucking forgot them, after all of that. I was going to find some nice lady to teach me how to cast off because I can’t remember how… but I left the fuckers in Melbourne.” It’s hobbies like these that will leave you scratching your head at how Australia has dubbed her the new queen of pop. For starters, Megan is not an Australian native. She was born and raised in Papua New Guinea until she was 11, where there was no youth culture and she spent her days with her sister, dancing and singing along to musicals and listening to records on vinyl. She doesn’t appreciate the pop ‘compliment’ as much as other singersongwriters might. “Yeah, that’s unfortunate,” she says about her royal label, before explaining in a two minute spiel why she doesn’t think she should be put in the same category as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus. “I find it quite funny actually that people say that I’m pop. The reason that it’s ‘pop’ is because it has hooks. But so do The Strokes. So does Beethoven. *sings* Ba, ba, bum, that’s really catchy shit. I guess that was pop at the time. It used to bum me out when people would be like ‘queen of pop’, and I was like ‘fuck off, this is just so retarded. I’m so not that’.” She’s not. Washington studied composition and jazz voice at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music when she finished up high school and writes all of her songs, a www.ausm.org.nz

feat a lot of pop acts couldn’t – or shouldn’t – admit to. Washington reckons the production aesthetics of I Believe You Liar should automatically disqualify it from being labelled a pop record. After all, the album, which was made over several years, was recorded in a garden shed studio in the back of producer and drummer John Castle parents’ Melbourne home. “All of our stuff is so grungy and so dirty and all the guitars are so out of tune. It’s so grimy.” But still, she says the pop comparisons will continue to come until she puts her second album out and they have a line which they can draw between the two. But she’s not letting the labels get to her these days. “You can call me pop until you’re blue in the face, until I make my crazy song cycle about the zodiac that just has soars and the sound of alligators mating and shit and then what are you going to do with my pop badge?”. Animals seem to be a recurring theme throughout Washington’s career. The title track on her last EP, How To Tame Lions, uses a lion as a metaphor for one half of a failing relationship and one of her most famous songs, The Ballad of Bokito and Petronella, is a love song about a woman and a gorilla. Based

me out/Kick my teeth” which weave violence and love together. “There’s been a lot of sort of crumbling and a lot of destruction in my life in the last couple of years so I guess that sort of is a theme through the record.” The way she talks about love and life, you’d be forgiven for forgetting she’s only a quarter of a century old. She references artists like Billie Holiday, Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe in her songs, her first album was Paul Simon’s Graceland (although she painfully admits she followed up with Mariah Carey’s Musicbox) and would love to write a musical about Rosaleen Norton, a Sydney witch from the 40s and the 50s. But she doesn’t consider herself an old soul – or any age in particular. But she is attracted to how celebrities and artists were allowed to have more than one dimension to them back in the golden era. “Billie Holiday got put into jail and she was allowed to come out of jail and perform at Carnegie Hall, and it was a big deal that there was an African-American, criminal, jazz singer that was allowed to sing. “I guess I look around me at all the things that people my age are into and I just don’t find them to be… maybe I’m like an artistic luddite, but I just don’t get it. I don’t get any of what’s on the radio, I don’t get any of that.” People seem to get her style of music though. After her brief visit in New Zealand, she’s continuing her quest – “I’m like fucking Zelda” – to LA and New York to do some song writing and “vibing”, as she calls it, and then onto Europe, before returning to Australia in April. With all the success that she’s had already and the accolades that are sure to follow, I ask what one thing she would like to achieve under the moniker Washington. Of course, she doesn’t disappoint. “Finish that fucking scarf.” Washington’s I Believe You Liar is out in stores now.

on a true story, a woman visits the gorilla in his enclosure at a German zoo every day for eight years. Eventually the gorilla sees her as his mate and one day climbs over the wall to embrace her, but crushes her in the process. It’s a horrifying concept, but to Washington, that’s what love is – it doesn’t need the labels and the complications that people, especially girls, place on it. “The reason that people connect to each other is much more quiet and much more kind of brutal and much more holistic. It isn’t about ‘well, I love him because he’s like the right age, he’s really handsome, he has a great car and blah and blah’. Like it’s actually you’re connected to people without any kind of classifiable reason. You make them up after the fact; you justify things after the fact.” Talking about love, Washington’s usual inyour-face brashness is momentarily subsided. Love is a recurring theme in her album, but it is often paired with pain, destruction or morbidity. The fourth track on the album, Underground, is basically her will to her family in song form, where she asks them to give her organs to medicine and burn the rest of her body. Spanish Temper has lyrics like “shut me in/You smash my jaw/Break my nose/Knock

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Everyday around the world, billions of people are in a state of insanity, finding themselves caught in the sweet embrace of a dangerous drug. It has been consumed since before we could talk – before we could even think. Everyone dabbles in it, some more addicted than others. Some enrich their lives with it while, for others, it causes them huge heartache pushing them into the deepest depths of despair. It is freely available to everyone. It does not discriminate between the young and old, the sick and healthy, the rich or the poor. More likely than not, you have found yourself caught in its tangled web, unsure how you got here, unsure how to get away, unsure if you even want to. I’m not calling you a meth mouth or a needle junkie. I am in fact talking about the most ancient of emotions – Love.

by Jason Burnett

Love is a battlefield and although the terrain has changed over the years, the war is still the same. In days gone by, mum and dad would throw key chain parties while the kids were down at the local coke float bar practicing their tried and true pick up lines. Once of the drinking age, the rules kind of changed but the goal is still the same, albeit a very messy one at that. These days a lot of people find dating websites the way of the future, and with more than AU$100million coming in annually from member subscriptions and advertising in Australia alone, helping you find your one true love is becoming big business. They cater to all tastes, with certain websites known more for one-night stands than finding true love. A new website recently launched on New Zealand shores, ashleymadison.com, which advertises that their members go to them when wanting to have an extramarital affair and amazingly, its New Zealand branch claiming to have a higher percentage of females than any of its overseas sister sites. However, when removing that face to face interaction, it seems all the weirdos who would stand off alone in a normal social situation become transformed by

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the thin internet veneer into a raving, sexual sycophants who like nothing more than to send x-rated pictures of themselves (I’m sure most use the warp tool in photoshop to “emphasize” certain traits), call you nasty names, offer you cash for services and for you to call them daddy. Sounds great huh? But what is it, what is love? Poets, playwrights and even politicians have lamented over this since we could lament over anything. Some believe it is what makes us human, the essence of the heart and of the soul. I am a tad more cynical, after all chowing down a block of chocolate can, chemically at least, give you those same butterflies you feel when you find a dirty birdie who’s DTF. I’m not saying sex = love, but it is an integral and essential part of love. Biologically, GOOD sex releases Oxytocin, a chemical which accelerates bonding between two people (funnily enough, hugging does this also). BAD sex however can be like a kick in the nuts, especially when said lover leaves you with a little parting present. Remember kids, condoms are cheap but herpes is forever. Also have you ever noticed that people in love tend to become a little unnerved? A little out of touch with reality? A little OCD? This temporary insanity becomes apparent during the honeymoon period of every relationship. You know, that treasured time when a girl

issue 04 2011

meets the love of her life and already has the wedding date set, named all the children, and has deleted every female name in her boy toy’s iPhone. It is during this time her brain has actually gone a bit off track suffering from a huge influx of dopamine. Essentially this makes her believe she is six feet tall, bulletproof and can spew fire from her mouth should the need arise. Guys are not left out of this crazy rollercoaster ride called love either. As with the girls, not only do we get a dopamine injection, we also get super high on serotonin – the happy hormone. This means men are more than happy to buy girls dinner, diamond rings… anything really all for the sole purpose of getting a bit of regular tail (exchanging money for sex – maybe someone could think of a way to turn that into a job somehow?). In fact, guys are so happy that they decide to forget that any other women even exist (or so women think). But this state of crazy doesn’t last forever - things change, people gain weight, money becomes an issue (because the guy had to take out a second mortgage on the house so he can still buy his girl things, but for some reason he no longer gets sex in return?) and everything falls apart. But have no fear, 60 per cent of men will find someone younger, thinner and more beautiful to spend their money on, while 55 per cent of women will find another source of expensive gifts, diamond rings and lack of impotence, all while still in a relationship. Tiger Woods recently had his dirty sexy laundry made brutally public. Unlike most of us, he didn’t have a care in the world: a billion dollar income, a blonde, Swedish ex-model wife – the man was at the top of his game. So why did he cheat repeatedly with an unknown number of women, who were all insanely hot? Every single female in the world knew he had a wife, yet they pursued him with ravenous abandon; the feelings of Elin the most distant thing from their adulterous minds. We live in a society that has principals based on monogamy, yet 53 per cent of people will have one or more affairs in their lifetime. Some researchers suggest the human species is slightly more polygamous which indicates a preference to multiple partners and this isn’t skewed towards the male population either. Females are only slightly less likely to cheat than their male counterparts. A lot of us will never reach the status that Tiger Woods has achieved; the power, the fame, the money he has achieved. But power and money go hand in hand and are ranked as some of the most attractive traits in a male from a female point of view and as such males in huge excess of these things tend to have females throw themselves at them, even if he’s not currently on the market. As the old saying goes, “men are from Mars, women are from Venus”. We are so different to each other in the way our brains are wired. Guys are simple. Girls are complex. Scientists have even indicated a “love rat” gene responsible for the levels of vasopressin in humans, which affects our affinity towards monogamy or infidelity. Add to this, modern life that has so blinded us to our genetic cues in finding a mate with showers, cologne, cosmetic surgery, diet pills and every other conceivable way to hide our true selves that finding an ideal mate is like trying to find an invisible angel fish in a water tank filled with blood thirsty great white sharks. Divorce rates are currently one in three, and more often than not within the first few years of marriage. However, divorce is on the decrease coming down in just a few years from one in two. If this is because people are not giving up so easily or if less people are getting married is not clear yet. Regardless, at the end of the day, all relationships end. We cannot live forever. Even if relationships go the distance, people die and partnerships end. It is the natural way of things. I may have taken quite a dark and cynical outlook on relationships in writing this but trust me when I say I am not old and bitter; rather more selective with whom I invite into my life. I look around me and see a lot of what I call “relationship jumpers”, people who need to be in a relationship for confirmation of who they are. I see them make the same mistakes over and over again. For example, the girl who says she’s sick of always getting cheated on but is only interested in dating players? It’s my view you need some single time between relationships to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what to bring to the table next time round. You experiment in a relationship. You grow when you’re single. I want to leave you on an interesting philosophical point I read recently on what love is; To love another person in a philosophical sense is to love oneself, to love another person in a biological sense is to give oneself pleasure. Happy hunting!

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21.

by Selena La Fleur

I was having a chat with my Dad when he asked me, “Which artist would define your generation?” I had to think about it for a second. For Dad, it was Bowie. Hands down. Madonna for Mum. Two hugely successful artists that defined the youth of their generation. I cringed at the thought that my generation would be remembered for Britney or even worse, the Biebs. Dare I say, my choice would have to be Lady Gaga. Before you grab your pitchforks and alert the townspeople, hear me out. I don’t need to regurgitate well-known facts on her success. Her Grammy success, her achievement as seventh most powerful woman in the world and how she now has her own university paper called “Lady Gaga and the Sociology of the Fame”. She is the first major star of the digital age. Since her rise to fame in 2008, she has remained in the spotlight be it for her songs or her much discussed image. She has been labelled “manufactured” and is simply copying those creative artists before her. I don’t call it copying, I call it paying homage. At the end of the day, even the greatest artists borrowed images of their great proceedors. Pablo Picasso once said “Bad artists copy. Great artists steal”. Lady Gaga has been accused of stealing her image from Bowie, Madonna, Roisin Murphy, Elton John, Gwen Stefani and Kylie Minogue. Maybe the resemblance of her video Alejandro video to Madonna’s Vogue and Express Yourself is similar. But let’s not forget 20 years ago, Madonna was stealing her image from Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot in her videos. While Lady Gaga’s fashion sense will have our tongues wagging for a long time, I find the fact some people think she is destroying the music industry a little farfetched. Under all the makeup, wigs and costume is a young woman named Stefani Germanotta who, back in 2003 was singing and playing the piano in the underground New York bar scene. She was writing songs and opening for rock bands when she was discovered by Akon who later signed her on to his record label.

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I wouldn’t be defending her singing ability if she lip synced to an auto tuned back up track like Ke$ha. She sings live. And is actually good. Last year at her concert in Auckland, she often missed the pace of the track and went acapella so she could keep up with her dancers. I couldn’t imagine Britney doing that. I also couldn’t imagine Britney sitting at a grand piano set ablaze singing her own song. At the moment, Lady Gaga isn’t ruining the music industry; she’s running the whole joint. Her songs play on the radio, her image is on the Internet and TV; it is hard to get away from it all. Everyone wants a piece of the Gaga. She was the first artist to reach a BILLION YouTube views for her videos Poker Face, Paparazzi, Bad Romance and Telephone. I remember when her new video Born This Way aired, my male flatmates who absolutely despises her, wanted to watch it. I asked them why, with which they replied, “just wanna see what weird shit she’s gonna do this time.” Even if you say you don’t like her, there is still an incy-bincy teeny-weeny bit of curiosity that surrounds her. This to me, means not only have you got your fans hooked, but people that hate you still want to see what you’re up to. If that’s not being successful, then I don’t know what is.

issue 04 2011

by Ashleigh Muir

It seems the world is constantly awaiting the next instalment in one or another cinematic series. Whether it’s Harry Potter or the Twilight saga, Hollywood has us impatiently anticipating a film whose story we already know. We are obsessed with seeing our favourite books projected onto the big screen; even more so, it seems, when they are part of a series. Despite anxiously awaiting the release of any film adaptation, those who have read the book always find themselves leaving the cinema seething with anger at anyone associated with the film and analysing every minute detail that was left out of the script. We have all done it. Whether we feel a character was incorrectly portrayed or an important scene was left out, it feels like inadequate depiction of the book. I always felt that the character Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird was represented terribly in the 1961 film and cannot bring myself to accept it as a good film because of this single misrepresentation. (Ed: or Nick Cassavette’s adaption of My Sister’s Keeper where he changed the ending from the novel, thus changing the entire original meaning.) Regardless of this, there is a never ending stream of films that have simply adapted the plot of a major novel into a screenplay. And they make money. In 2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone made over US$90,000,000 in its opening weekend alone. In 2010, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 made over US$125,000,000 in its opening weekend. Even though a large portion of the Harry Potter audience has read the books – and knows what happens – we still flock to the cinema to see what happens next. Why are these films so successful? What makes us see a film when we already know the ending? The ancient Greeks fill their amphitheatres to see plays that followed stories they knew very well. Most of their tragic plays were based on

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mythology and were common knowledge to the entire audience. For whatever reason, we seem to love hearing the same stories over and over again and always have. A film, after all, is just a way of transferring the theatre of the mind to the screen. After a quick Google search it seems that the online world can agree on a couple of top book to film adaptations. To Kill a Mockingbird, American Psycho, The Godfather, Fight Club and A Clockwork Orange each came up on a number of different lists. The success of an adapted film should not come down to whether it is an honest depiction of the written original, but rather whether the film can stand alone as a great film. It isn’t after all, worth watching a film that requires you to read the book in order to understand the film. A book may add to your understanding of the film but a good film must make perfect sense to any audience. I think it is important to realise that films and books are very different. People will always say that the book is better than the film. A book can offer so much more. There are no limits to the written word. Writing a seven part fictional account of a magical orphan is perfectly acceptable; however each part cannot be a seven hour film. Audiences struggle to sit through three hour films and that is very limiting. The average feature film is approximately 90 minutes long. In that time, the filmmaker must set up characters, the narrative, conflict and resolution using only dialogue, setting and film techniques. A novel can simply say “Adam thought Eve was pretty”, but a film has to show this. It is less explicit and can require far greater skill. A good book doesn’t necessarily make a good film, or the other way around. They are each a different medium presenting an idea and as such, the ideas don’t always translate perfectly from one to another. They can,

however, complement one another if you can look at them separately and appreciate each individually. We are often told to read the book before the movie comes out. I always find this will only cause disappointment. On the other hand, if you watch a film – and loved it – that is adapted from a book, read the book! The film is a bite of a tasty cupcake. The book lets you munch down the remaining batch of cupcakes. You might be surprised at what is actually based on already written word. This year we will see adaptations on the big screen in the form of Tamara Drewe, The Lincoln Lawyer, Water for Elephants, Never Let Me Go and Breaking Dawn. Last year’s Eat Pray Love, The Runaways, Tomorrow When the War Began, and Alice in Wonderland were also adapted from books. And let’s not forget about the highly anticipated David Fincher English version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, which is due for release next year. So it seems we are forever doomed or blessed (depending on your own opinion) to watch what we have previously read. We will continue to judge, make comparisons and in some cases, wish we’d never let curiosity get the better of us. My top five book-to-film adaptations: Pride and Prejudice – The BBC edition with Colin Firth (Ladies, how can you go wrong?) is not only true to the novel but is beautifully depicted and perfectly adapted. In My Father’s Den – Adapted from Maurice Gee’s novel, this New Zealand film takes the basic storyline from the novel, but adds its own twists and turns. Each is without fault. The Ciderhouse Rules – The film is slightly awkward but pulls at the heartstrings. The book is intriguing and heartfelt. A perfect complement to one another. Chocolat – Many love the film, hate the book. I think the novel has an original way of telling a story; different but the same as the film. The Secret Garden – that cute film from your childhood is actually based on a classic. The film stays reasonably true to the novel, but the novel grabs at the heart a little tighter.

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by Jess Etheridge

I swear, almost every day that I hit the web, about 10 new sequels, prequels or re-imaginations of a film franchise have been announced, even though the original is considered already perfect by its fan base. Fan forums run riot with crazed fans at the news of their beloved film being tarnished. They sit there, cussing out the industry and plotting either a petition or threatening to post photos scrawled with insults all over the internet. But are fans really seeing the whole picture? Based on a select few atrocious remakes, they may have a leg to stand on.

When sequels/re-imaginations go well: The Hobbit Even though we haven’t seen it, we know this will be a success. Throughout the beginning of this epic project, there were so many controversies and issues to work through but production on the first of two films began this month in Wellington. The best thing about this is Sir Peter Jackson has a book to go off instead of making something so confusing and magical off the top of his head. It’s destined to do well because of the millions of fans the Rings trilogy gathered and no one can say no to little hobbits, can they? Tron: Legacy Released late last year, Tron: Legacy built upon the original 80s film Tron, starring Jeff Bridges. With all the new technology available, such as CGI and 3D, this film was a fully-immersive film with a mean soundtrack by Daft Punk. It also did much better than the original, because the large majority of releases last year were utter rubbish. One reason the big companies are so attracted to rebooting films is because of the buzz and attention it creates for the original which is certainly what happened for the original Tron. Where sequels/re-imaginations go absolutely, terrifyingly wrong: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The collective worldwide groans at the release of this film prompted writers and creators involved with the Transformers franchise to really get their A into G for the third film, due out this year. Revenge of the Fallen hit many bumps in the road and director Michael Bay

mainly blames the writers’ strike of 2008 for such a fail script. Yeah, whatever. Too many irrelevant and ridiculous story lines, mate. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull The first three Indiana Jones films are perfect. No contest. So when news broke of a fourth Indy film, you can imagine how excited so many fans were for another adventure, including myself. Unfortunately, a lot of people couldn’t get past the alien idea Steven Spielberg tried to pass off as Indy’s next adventure and wasn’t well received by critics or fans. It still did exceptionally well at the box office however, making well over $700 million worldwide. Catwoman (2004) Poor Halle Berry. This one is on worldrenowned critic Roger Ebert’s most hated film list and not many other critics disagree. After such iconic portrayals of Catwoman in the past, Michelle Pfeiffer and Eartha Kitt, Halle had a lot to live up to. It’s a shame she wasn’t given a better script to work with. Studios have stayed away from Catwoman since 2004 but Anne Hathaway is giving it a crack in The Dark Knight Rises, set for release in mid-2012. Honorable mention: Check out Troll 2 (1990) if you want to see not just a really bad sequel but a terrible film overall. What do you think are the worst sequels/prequels of all time? Leave your views on the AuSM Facebook page!

by Matthew Catin

n the inner sleeve of a Fleet Foxes album, there is a think piece written by Robin Pecknold (the lead singer). He starts by describing his first childhood memory; a cloudy day on a Seattle beach with his mother and friend, hunting for crabs in the driftwood. He remembers it vividly; the swaying grass and the salty air. Years later, while flipping through a family album as a teenager, he found photos of that cloudy day at the beach and realised his memories of that day were not actually real memories, but instead memories of looking at the photos of the moment. He realised that the scenes he remembered so clearly matched up perfectly with the camera angles, colours and textures framed in each shot by his mother. It got me thinking. Photography has changed a lot in our short wee lifetimes. I’m sure you all remember back in the day when the only camera in the house was daddy’s big film camera with the massive lens. He would bring it out only on special occasions because getting film developed was as overpriced as Apple. I recently had a look through some pre-digital family albums and noticed that the majority of the photos were of birthdays, Christmas and family trips. What’s interesting and a little scary is that I remember very little of early life experiences which happened in between those special moments when the camera was dragged out. Do you? Nowadays every mundane moment of life is captured and uploaded. Everybody our age has a digital camera or camera phone at their

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disposal. Search through Facebook and you will find entire albums devoted to average times labelled ‘fun at uni!’ or ‘Me aNd maA gUUrlzz’. These albums will probably be full of photos taken in a computer pod or bedroom. They’ll be pixelated, grainy and made ‘unique and kewl’ by Apple’s tacky Andy Warhol function. I digress… My point is that photographs of moments are becoming tacky, less real versions of our memories. When you reminisce about a holiday trip, do you find yourself mentally flicking through your photo holiday album? Do your memories coincide with the camera angles in your Facebook album? Do you remember the conversation interrupted by the camera flash or the photos’ comments and who has ‘liked’ it? My theory is this. When a photographer is present, people sub-consciously rely on the camera to collect the memories for them. I mean, why dedicate all that brain energy and space to storing every little detail of a sunset when taking photos can ease the load? How often do you hear this phrase “can you take a photo of me by the…)” Maybe it’s an issue of vanity. Or maybe it’s an issue of ‘can you take a photo of this? I can’t be bothered remembering it’. Of course we remember all of these moments. I’m not saying cameras wipe memories. But I definitely think they distort and lessen our memories. What do you think? Attempt to engage the reader. I say live for now, don’t live for the photographs of the now. Spend your time drinking in the detail of a moment, the sights, smells and feelings. Don’t get too hung up about snapping the perfect profile pic. Peace out.

issue 04 2011

by Jason Burnett Every morning I get on the bus, look around for a seat and sit down. Nine out of 10 people around me (usually the younger generations) have headphones on with iPods buzzing away. I can hear iPhones going off with text messages and calls. I can even see a few scatterings of Macbooks powered up with last minute notes being frantically read before the brief bus ride ends. For a company that a little over a decade ago was in serious financial trouble, Apple seems to be coolest kid on the block in the 21st century. The iPad 2 was released two weeks ago and all major cities had run out of stock by 5pm that day, selling almost a million units in the first three days. Apple.com says there is a three-four week shipment wait for all iPad 2s. Ranging in price from US$499-US$849, it would appear Apple is recession proof, with its iPad generating huge revenue when people are being advised to give the credit card a rest. No matter what the product is though, it’s always Apple that seems to catch the consumer eye, with 230,000 new product activations everyday around the world. The iPod alone has sold over 275 million units since its conception a decade ago. And while these numbers are staggering it isn’t even the main cash cow for Apple. iTunes boasts 160 million user accounts over 23 countries. There have been 11.7 billion songs downloaded legally from its site along with 450 million TV episodes and 100 million movies. And with the newer generation of iPods, iPhones and iPads, the market for apps is huge – 6.5 billion apps downloaded to date, at a rate of 200 apps per second. It reminds me of a weapons dealer giving away free automatic machine guns to its customers but charging for every single bullet: ca-ching, ca-ching, ca-ching all the way to the bank. What is it about Apple that has made them so successful? I think in any industry being the first is ever important. And Apple regularly does just that, launching the iPad 2 and iPhone 4 in record time to replace outdated items, just as Apple’s competitors are trying to break into the market. Genius. I think also when it comes to technology, simplicity is key. While I can open an application and write a few words and send an email, I have no idea how this is done. We forget that it’s the super computer geek geniuses that design all this technowizardry for the simple laymen like myself to use. No easy feat when you think about it. And again, Apple delivers with a very intuitive product that is very easy to use. Will Apple always dominate? I say no, remembering that all empires fall. In fact, one of Apples main competitors is the Google Android and with the way sales are going, it’s picked to overtake Apple in both the cellular and tablet markets in the next few years. Regardless, Apple is everywhere right now for one reason and one reason only – it’s easier to swallow than all the other fruit at the farm right now, so make sure you take a byte sooner rather than later.

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by Elana Kluner There are so many antics around the idea of love. Some people believe in love at first sight. Some people believe that falling in love takes time. And some people believe in “the one”. But regardless of how you get there, or who you get there with, it’s always about getting there. So, what happens when you aren’t there? What happens if you have a ‘who’, and the ‘who’ loves you, but you don’t love them back? I’m not talking about falling out of love. I’m talking about falling in love. Or the lack there of. Once upon a time, a friend of mine met a fabulous man. On paper, he was the ‘it guy’. He had a good job. He came from a good family. He was tall, dark and handsome. He was kind. Romantic. Generous. Loyal. Basically, everything you could dream of. Their relationship unfolded like a fairy tale. They met. They kissed. They made it official. They slept together. They met each other’s families. They became friends with each other’s friends. They had a schedule that allowed them to spend ample time together. And he made her smile every day. Ever since the first day, they had promised to be completely open with each other. They both agreed that honesty was the best policy, regardless of the situation. About three months in, they wanted to know where each other were at with the relationship and, luckily, they both felt the same. Their feelings were growing and they were really enjoying getting to know one another. About eight months in, her boyfriend said to her, “I have something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while, but I don’t want you to answer unless you truly feel it”. She knew exactly what this was about. The four letter word. Starts with L. Next letter, Oh crap. He loved her and she didn’t love him back. Although a bit disappointed, he accepted this and knew that in time, she would feel the same way. Four more months passed and the couple grew even closer, but to his disbelief, her feelings didn’t change. A whole entire year and still no love. She cared about him deeply and knew that he was the type of man that she could spend the rest of her life with him, but for some reason, she just couldn’t fall. So, this got me wondering. Is it possible to trip yourself to make you fall? We all learned about gravity when we began to walk. Without doubt, when we took that first step, we would lose balance and end up on the floor. Although very frustrating, we babies may have been on to something. I asked my friend if there was anything in the way of her falling in love with her boyfriend and she answered “well, I may not be completely over my ex”. The other factors, if you don’t have an ex, would be that a) that person has obvious flaws that you can’t get over, or b) you won’t get over your fear of love and admit to yourself that you may actually already be there. Key word in all three of these scenarios is ‘over’. So, if the law of gravity says what goes up must come down, then maybe we need to get up and over something to fall in love. In that case, the answer is yes. So don’t be scared. Go trip yourselves. Just like daddy or mommy never let your nappies hit the floor, you’ll have someone to catch your fall.

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Now that’s what I call

horoscopes Volume Four Now Calling

Everyone

Whoever came up with Vodafone’s Free Weekends needs to be shouted a round of drinks, showered with presents and taken to Disneyland. If you’re like me, it isn’t unusual to be out of credit come Friday night when all your friends are trying to make plans for the weekend. But now, you no longer need to secretly swipe your flatmate (or mum’s) phone when they’re not looking to send some sneaky texts. All you have to do is spend $5 of credit and a month’s worth of free weekend calling and texting is all yours! It’s brilliant. The only side-effect has been the sudden increase in late night drunken phone calls. It really isn’t necessary to call your boss/cousin/ex and tell them that they’re ugly/irritating/completely irresistible. But other than that, go crazy. It’s FREE!

Now Eating

Girl Guide Biscuits

March is one of my favourite months of the year, purely for the fact that this is the only time I can stock up on the yummiest biscuits in the world! They’re only on sale until the end of this March, so make sure you stockpile your fridge for those winter months when you watch your Monday night drama over an english breakfast tea and a couple of plain girl guide cookies. Plus, by purchasing a packet of these delicious, golden morsels you will be helping out all the girl guides, brownies and pippins’ girls. Nothing tastes sweeter than giving to charity.

Now Watching U Channel

For some, TVNZ’s new channel U is the crap that no other station will air. They are SO wrong. With shows like Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Cafe, Hotter Than My Daughter and Britain’s Missing Next Top Model U is destined to surpass Keeping Up With the Kardashians as your guiltiest pleasure. But there’s more than silicon and Brazillians to keep you entertained. U also offers a selection of shows for adrenalin junkies, sports fans and short attention spans including The Buried Life, Crusty Dirt Demons and Take Me To the Edge. Whatever your kink, give U a chance...I won’t tell anyone.

Now Browsing

parentsshouldnttext.com

There’s nothing better than laughing at parents’ texts, especially when they’re not from your own. Now there’s a website where you can see texts from all the parents from the world that have committed awkward and inappropriate texts, spelling fails and the worst of the lot, txtn lk ths. This is the perfect website when assignments are making you RAGE IN CAPITALS – make sure you also check out their other hilarious website, www. damnyouautocorrect.com

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Now’s the time to hit up your parents about those care packages you were promised – it’s been a month since you started uni!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Nudity features a lot in your sign this week. Take from that what you will.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

Make friends with a Libra this week. I hear they’re about to come into some money.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Sell your car and buy a bike this week. Not only will you get a killer ass and a great workout, you will also be able to wave at all the suckers pretending they can still afford petrol.

LEO (July 23-August 22)

The chance that you will rip your pants in class this has dramatically increased. Stay at home to avoid humiliation.

VIRGO (August 23-September 22)

Positivity surrounds you this week so make sure you ‘like’ every post possible on Facebook. No one will think you’re annoying, honest.

LIBRA (September 23-October 23)

Your lucky numbers are five, 17, 25, 29, 35 and 10. Buy a lotto ticket.

SCORPIO (October 24-November 21)

The stars advise against a fake tan this week. Or next week. Or any week in 2011.

SAGITTARIUS (November22-Dec21)

Stalk out the inorganic collection days happening around Auckland so that you can furnish your new flat. Remember, one man’s trash is a student’s treasure.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) Remember that assignment you stuffed in the bottom of your bag in the first week of uni? Yeah, that’s due on Friday.

AQUARIUS (January 20-Febuary 18)

It’s almost April – better get cracking on those New Year’s plans.

PISCES (Febuary 19-March 20)

The planets have aligned to say that this will be a crap week. Literally. Buy an umbrella.

If you think you’re on the pulse with what’s happening in Auckland, email debate@aut.ac.nz with your own Suggestions for Volume Five.

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issue 04 2011

Dear Agony Aunt

This Agony Aunt column is brought to you by the team at Health, Counselling and Wellbeing. If you have a question you would like answered email debate@aut.ac.nz and put Agony Aunt as the subject or drop it in to the Health, Counselling and Wellbeing office.

My girlfriend has told me I have bad breath. I’m really embarrassed by this. What can I do to make my breath smell better? I don’t smoke and I brush my teeth every morning and night; what else can I do? From Bad Breath

Dear Bad Breath

Having bad breath is not pleasant for anyone and it must have been very embarrassing for you when your girlfriend told you. She clearly cares about you and doesn’t want anyone else to have to tell you or talk about Dear Agony Aunt you behind your back. The bad smell is produced by bacteria that build My girlfriend insists that I use two condoms at the same time when we have sex. I don’t think this is necessary, surely one is enough or everyone up in the mouth. The tongue is responsible for 80-90 per cent of mouth related bad breath (halitosis), especially the back of the tongue where it is else would use two? She is also on the pill and never forgets to take it. difficult to clean. Try some of these tips for a sweeter smelling breath: I think she is being a bit paranoid. Do you? »» Brush your tongue as well as your teeth morning and night. You can From Two Too Many buy a toothbrush with a tongue cleaner on the other side of the head or just use your ordinary tooth brush. Dear Two Too Many »» Eat breakfast and try to include rough foods like toast or muesli. This It’s great to hear you and your girlfriend are being responsible and are helps clean the very back of the tongue after the bacteria has built up using contraception. However you may be being a little too cautious. The overnight. combined contraceptive pill is 99 per cent effective against pregnancy »» Chew sugarless gum. A dry mouth can increase bacterial build up if taken correctly. Using condoms as well is also a good idea as they will and cause or worsen bad breath. protect you both against sexually transmitted infections; however using »» Gargle with mouthwash just before bedtime, preferably not after you two condoms at the same time is not. Using two together may cause brush your teeth. Some mouthwashes contain an active ingredient the condom to slip resulting in the possibility of sperm escaping into that is inactivated by the soap in some tooth pastes. the vagina. Reassure your girlfriend that one is enough. You could tell »» Visit the dentist regularly every six-12 months for a check-up. her that she could speak to a nurse at uni or Family Planning for more »» Brush your teeth morning and night and after meals. information.

by Katie Montgomerie

Now that classes have well and truly kicked off, I can understand if you are all feeling a little stressed about upcoming assignments. So, to help you put a name to that phenomenon of readings avoidance, assignment delay and general laziness, I enlisted UrbanDictionary.com’s help.

Assignmental

The craziness that comes over you when it is time to start or hand in assignments. This can manifest itself in panic attacks, insomnia, obsessive room tidying and other delay tactics. Example “I went a little assignmental today due to the three, 8000 words essays that are due tomorrow.” “When I clean my room so that every window shines and not a speck of dust is left on my ornaments, I know that an assignmental attack has begun.

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(s) of the week with UrbanDictionary.com But not everyone is as unorganised as, well, the majority of university students. For the people who start their assignments months before anyone has even thought of them (or have even received the assignment questions) I have found a special word for you.

Planny

Used to describe someone who has to have everything they do planned and mapped out. Without a plan, this person feels lost and out of control. This does not mean this person stays at home and does nothing, but they are extremely uncomfortable doing things on the spur of the moment (such as an essay). Usually indentified by their meticulous dress, even in 8am classes, and the 15 or so drafts they write for each assignment. Can find spontaneity very unsettling and upsetting.

Example “Jill had to break up with her boyfriend Jack. Her planny tendencies could not handle his refusal to co-ordinate his shirt colour with her blouse, and that he would leave everything to the last minute to complete. Jack had to go.” That’s all for Word(s) of the Week this issue and I hope that you guys don’t get too assignmental over the coming weeks. See ya next time!

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Does your design ethos differ in aesthetic or motivation from Joshua Jang’s previous collections? To be honest it does. I think coming onto this label with fresh eyes really offers the label a whole different aesthetic. Heather is a great designer. Because we were designing on a commercial level, it wasn’t hard at all for us to bridge that gap. How much time and work have you put into this collection? Well let’s just say while every other student spent their summer break basking in the glorious sun, we were busy working. I guess that’s just who I am as a person really, I love doing what I do; I love being submerged in my work. Do you think you’ll stay on to work with ISBIM in the future? Well, if ISBIM still wants me… What has this experience taught you about the fashion/design industry? It is HARD work! How much work have you still got to go for the collection? The collection is pretty much done, now it’s just fixing up a bit here and there. After the Fashion Festival what will happen? Well, whatever life throws my way really… I’m sure whatever it is, it will be challenging.

by Petra Benton

While most students were lying on the beach, frolicking with friends and working less than satisfying jobs over the summer, AUT fashion students Joseph Dennis Mow and Heather Rutherford (pictured) were hard at work designing and producing a collection for label ISBIM. Introduced through mutual friends, Mow met ISBIM (‘I Still Believe in Miracles’) founder Joshua Jang in late 2010 and was soon after asked to design a collection for the label, to be shown in the upcoming Fashion Festival. Mow brought Rutherford on to the project and together they have been busy as bees, working towards unveiling their desert-inspired Spring/Summer ‘11/’12 collection in a few short weeks at the Auckland Fashion Festival. Joseph Mow talks about ISBIM and his and Heather Rutherford’s upcoming collection: What is the name of your collection for ISBIM? ‘Storm in the Desert’ spring/sSummer 2010/11 For this collection what was your inspiration and how have you worked to translate this? Well, for this collection I drew inspiration from the arid desert oasis, which really translates in the use of fabric – crisp cotton, linens and voiles with sand, beige, muted colours, finally followed by a touch of deep red. What new skills and knowledge do you feel you have gained through this experience? Being exposed to so many different wholesalers and general trade in the fashion industry,

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which plays a really important part as a fashion student as well as a designer. I am already so grateful for the ISBIM label taking a risk on me and letting me work with them. Just having this experience under my belt already gives me a broader perspective in what I can achieve as an individual. What are you hoping to get from your work showing in the Fashion Festival? Exposure. When were you first made aware that your work would be showing in the Fashion Festival? Not until one month ago really, we weren’t designing with the show in mind. Fashion Festival is a super bonus.

Do you feel AUT has prepared you sufficiently so far for such a “real” job in the fashion industry? Absolutely, I don’t think that I would’ve been equipped properly with the right amount of tools if I hadn’t learnt what I have so far at AUT. I definitely still have a lot more to learn. However with saying that, because of the nature of this industry the best way to learn is really to work in the industry. What else in the Fashion Festival (e.g. which shows) are you particularly excited for? Zambesi. Finally, why should people reading this article (design students or otherwise) come to see the ISBIM show, and others in the Fashion Festival? I believe we have done an exceptional job. ISBIM summer 2011 and Fashion Festival is really a fun event. It is an event targeted towards the public, unlike fashion week which is really a trade event. The Fashion Festival takes place between March 21 and 27. Mow and Rutherford’s ISBIM show takes centre stage on Saturday, March 26 at Caffee Massimo, Takapuna. To book tickets to the ISBIM show go to iticket.co.nz or visit the ISBIM page on Facebook . To book tickets and find out about other shows in the Fashion Festival visit http://nzfashionfestival.com/

issue 04 2011

Hin Ha Bachelor of Fashion Design (third year) Shirt: Margiela Jeans: Dior Shoes: Adidas Sunglasses: Karen Walker Jewellery: Karen Walker

Mary Winnington Bachelor of Fashion Design (second year) Dress: own design All rest from Topshop

Blue Valentine

Directed by Derek Cianfrance Film Review by James Wheeler

(A)

If I had to describe Blue Valentine in two words I’d use “emotionally raw”. It takes you on a journey, shows you what true love looks like and then turns it upside down, disintegrating it within the space of one weekend. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams who portray Dean and Cindy. They are an average American family of three. They have a daughter, Frankie, who is enjoying life as a family. Sadly, she is oblivious to the growing differences her parents face as they try to make their marriage work. The films narrative structure is intelligently mapped out with a mixture of present day and flashbacks. The film introduces you to Dean and Cindy and their separate lives before www.ausm.org.nz

they meet; Young Dean works for a moving company, while Cindy studys medicine, their relationship, and then finally their marriage which sadly ends during one destructive weekend. While watching, I found an amazing change in both characters as they developed. In the present, both Dean and Cindy seem to have forgotten what they wanted in life. Dean paints houses during the day to help support his wife and daughter, while Cindy works as a nurse. Her job seems to dominate more of her life than her family at times, which is evident when Dean wants to take her out but she says she is on call the next day. The way this is contrasted through moving back and forth between the past and present really illustrates that somewhere along the way both of them lost something. Gosling and Williams are simply outstanding in Blue Valentine. Gosling has always been a gifted actor. He received an Oscar nomination for Half Nelson a few years back and has been out of the spotlight for the last two years. That being said, his range and ability to take on and portray this character with such realism and depth shows there is certainly no

Kieran Ritchie Bachelor of Communication Studies (first year) Jeans: Ksubi Top: From LA

rust in his abilities. Not only the emotional transformation of the character of Dean, but also having to gain weight and change his appearance to effectively convey the time difference was also a true mark of dedication. I was really disappointed when he didn’t get a best actor nomination for the Oscars this year. It’s rare that two performances in the same film have an impact on me. I found that hours after I’d seen the film I still couldn’t get it out of my head. It’s a real, truthful, and brutally honest examination of a relationship. There were times during the film where the barrier was broken down and I felt as if I was watching an actual couple argue about whether to go out that night or which one of them would pick their kid up from school. The on-screen chemistry between the leads, especially for a film this emotional, was very refreshing to see. This film holds nothing back. The arguments feel unscripted. The love they originally had feels genuine. The end will affect you. To go back to my opening line about this film being emotionally raw, if you want to be taken in, absorbed by this film and witness two amazing performances, watch Blue Valentine. The film is as real as they come.

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Cooper seem to be randomly thrown in and the merger storyline – his whole purpose for Directed by Neil Burger being in the film in the first place – is never Film Review by Samantha McQueen (B-) fully resolved at the end. Even in his final “showdown” with Cooper at the end of the film, audiences hang out for the twist that only De Niro could pull off – but it doesn’t come. Director Neil Burger has used colour hues to distinguish between the two worlds of Eddie; the morose, blue-tinted outlook Eddie has when he’s off the drugs and the colour saturated, golden hue cinematography he Despite its name, Limitless has several experiences when he’s in the midst of a brain limitations that prevent it from being a great euphoric high. It’s simple, but it works. The film. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro put speeding camera zoom, which is used several in solid performances in this psychological times during the film, makes viewers feel thriller, but even they can’t lift this film to the like they’re experiencing the same rush, but euphoric high it promises. unfortunately, cheesy graphics – like those Eddie Morra (Cooper) is an aspiring novelist, falling gold letters when Eddie is writing his who looks like he’s suffering from a case of novel – sucks audiences back to reality. homelessness rather than prolonged writer’s For a movie about using your brain to its full block. Fresh from being ditched by his fed up capacity, Limitless feels like it’s only running at girlfriend, Lindy (Abbie Cornish), he runs into 40 per cent. Sure, there are clever camera tricks, his ex-brother-in-law (Johnny Whitworth), who some bloody fighting and a wicked soundtrack makes his money pedalling an unregulated drug to lure you in, but once the credits roll, you called NZT, a pill that will allow you access to can’t help but feel like you’ve just experienced 100 per cent of your brain. Of course, Eddie a bad trip. takes a sample. From here, everything he does is in overdrive. My Perestroika He finishes his novel in four days, becomes Directed by Robin Hessman fluent in all languages, fights off a group of guys Film Review by Danielle Whitburn (B+) with only childhood memories of martial arts movies to guide him and sweet talks his way into any girl’s panties. Of course, this naturally leads to the stock market, where he turns thousands into millions and gains the attention of billionaire Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro), who is crafting the biggest oil merger in history. But all highs must come to an end and soon Eddie begins skipping hours with no This year’s Documentary Edge Festival had, recollection, becomes entangled in a murder he as it would suggest, quite an array of foreign may or may not have done and finds previous and Kiwi based films. Liking the look of a few NZT addicts are dropping dead. That doesn’t but being constrained by time issues (hell, I’m stop the ruthless thugs also after the super pill, sure I’m not alone on that one) I ambled over who will stop at nothing to get their hands on one fine Saturday to see one before the festival a rush. ended: My Perestroika, at the quaintly-lovable This is Cooper’s (The Hangover) first foray Academy Cinemas (for those who don’t know, it into the thriller genre, after taking over from is under the Auckland City Library). original lead Shia LaBeouf, who was injured in I expected the film-documentary to be merely a car accident just before filming. Cooper takes a prelude to a nice dinner somewhere. Yet My a solid stab at it, and he’s got that charisma Perestroika manages to capture your attention and strut to pull off being a cocky young quite quickly. It starts with a few black-andmega-mind at the height of his career, but his white video clips of the old USSR regime and transformation into paranoid addict is far more propaganda, but before long you are launched clichéd. It’s not entirely his fault; writer Leslie into five quite engaging stories. Dixon (Hairspray, Mrs Doubtfire) started off The stories belong to quite diverse characters, writing elaborate ways of escaping criminals all from the same primary-school class: Andrei, but by the end it’s all on-foot chases and bloody the successful business-owner; Olga, the punch-ups in Manhattan penthouses. pretty one; Lyuba and her husband Borya, Likewise, De Niro is severely underutilised alternative, philosophical teachers; and Ruslan, in his role as Van Loon. His interactions with

Limitless

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a rock-musician who busks on the street. What makes their accounts of the Soviet tirade so interesting are their candid attitudes: open and accommodating, they show you the smallest facets of their life, acknowledge their blindness to the regime, and graciously laugh it away as they compare it to the open corruption of much of the world today. My Perestroika is not a clean film. You can see bits of laundry and ash hanging around the camera. The same can be said for the content. Although it is impossible for almost any kind of media to be without a bias, it was about as close as it comes to not having one. Andrei’s high-end shirt business is shot in much the same light as Olga’s servicing of the pool tables in some seedy part of the city. There seems to be little commentary on anything, most noticeably of what is good and bad for children, which is something that you would expect to see in a Soviet history film. Lyuba and Borya’s son, Mark, experiences everything that goes on in the house, passively smoking as he watches South Park. There are videos, black and white and crackly, of USSR kids’ campaigns to make posters and send letters and sing, all in aid of the communist dream, but no obvious judgment as to its happening. All is left for the consumption of the naked eye, and the camera is both indifferent and unflattering. What I found best about the documentary, however, amid the constant smokiness of their apartment-bound lives was its open-endedness. Not to spoil it for the prospective viewer, I will leave you with the bitter last moments: shots back and forth, exactly matching, from the Soviet time to now, respectively. It leaves you thinking, despite the lack of a clear persuasive angle, that not really that much has changed; quite a scary thought.

Never Let Me Go

Directed by Mark Romanek Film Review by Samantha McQueen (A-)

Love stories in films are often moulded on the cliché that time is short. Never Let Me Go, based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of the same name, is not a love story, but a film using a tale of love to question your morals and ethics that is as heart-warming as it is heart-wrenching. The tragic love triangle of Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) begins in the late 70s

issue 04 2011

at Hailsham, an exclusive boarding school set in the English countryside. Right from the outset, it’s obvious the children are different to most; they don’t have last names, never venture outside the school’s boundaries and use an electronic wristband to move around the school. Kathy, the quiet achiever, finds a friend in the constantly teased and hottempered Tommy. Their personalities make for an unlikely friendship, but it’s the really the beginnings of young love. Ruth, Kathy’s friend, sees this affection and through either jealously or spite, steals Tommy for herself. From here, the film fast-forwards seven years to them leaving Hailsham. Tommy and Ruth are still together, Kathy is still in love with him and the three of them are transferred to the Cottages to live together under the same roof. After hearing whispers from former Hailsham alum that people in love can get a “deferral” so they can be together, Tommy finally tells Kathy his true feelings, but like everything else in this film, timing is against them, and it’s not until part three of their tale that they’re finally together. Alex Garland’s screenplay manages to use romantic whimsy to capture the horror of their situation and is perfectly set against the backdrop director Mark Romanek has created. Scenes showing the allure of the seaside and the sweeping countryside are punctuated with grim realities and longing glances (not to mention Rachel Portman’s moving score). Romanek hasn’t relied on grand declarations or drawn out monologues to captivate audiences; the most striking stabs to the heart don’t come from what is said, but what is not being spoken. This is due to the cast’s performances, particularly Garfield. His moments of brilliance come from his pleading stares to Kathy, the determination in his drawings, looks of horror and realisation and at the end, one heartbreaking scream that will haunt you long after the credits roll. It’s a shame his younger self (Charlie Rowe) doesn’t exhibit the same characteristics. For a film revolving around a love story, the beauty of Never Let Me Go is not shown through the moments of love, but in the scenes of realisation that love is sometimes not enough.

Jessie J Who You Are

Album Review by Joshua Martin

www.ausm.org.nz

(C+)

I have been a fan of British pop sensation Jessie J since I first heard Big White Room on the internet over a year ago. There was a sincerity in her voice that appealed to me and a depth to her writing that refreshed me. Mama Knows Best, a song that gained her YouTube notoriety and acclaim (now up over the two million mark) gave us a little something else from the profundity of the aforementioned song; she gave us fun and a wee bit of soul mixed in with an English rose. I was captivated. Jessie was discovered as a result, began to write songs with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown and she even helped pen a little ditty called Party in the USA for Miley Cyrus. Do It Like A Dude is a tongue and check stab at the scummiest examples of males there are, those that wear their hats low and grab their crotches. After listening to the vocal capability Jessie J has, leading single Do It Like A Dude seemed like a cheap throw away single (albeit catchy and fun) to lure in a market that was now ready for an English version of Lady Gaga meets Adele. Her follow up single Price Tag is a brilliant combination of catchy music, easy yet profound lyrics and an international music star (B.O.B), which has taken her to the top of the charts in both New Zealand and the UK. Due to high demand, record label Island Records bought forward the release date of Who You Are by a whole month, which sparked a buzz within Jessie J fan circles around the world. However, disappointment sets in almost immediately when you are inundated with this amazing vocal artist who goes far too over the top with riffs, high pitches and English slang in Big White Room (live), Nobody’s Perfect and tongue and cheek songs Whose Laughing Now and Do It Like A Dude. Songs such as L.O.V.E and Standup whilst fun seem far too rushed and almost incomplete when listening to it. There are two singles which stand out to me as the real and organic Jessie J that was first discovered on YouTube; I Need This and title track Who You Are. Both take us on an emotional journey and connects as if it is something that Jessie has really experienced in her life. Not just a whole pile of wishy-washy lyrics and insincere ramblings masqueraded by electronic equipment. Let’s be honest – there is no one in the market at present who is as vocally talented as Jessie J but Who You Are lacks individuality, and identity. It is caught between being one of four different genres: rnb, hip hop, pop and reggae come rnb. The idea of title track Who You Are is to challenge listeners to stick to their guns and be who they are no matter what comes against them. The irony is that for someone who started out as an individual and knowing exactly who she was, Jessie J has obviously

allowed producers and record execs to dictate who they think she should be, and as a result she has become as confused as this album is.

Surf Friends Confusion

Album Review by Ben Matthews

(B)

When listening to Confusion, you cannot help but say that the band The Clean have been a major influence on Surf Friends, a local New Zealand band. If you have listened to the song Tally Ho then you would what I mean. Surf Friend have taken elements from the bands that were signed to the legendary Flying Nun label during the early 1980s. In a way, this album can be seen as homage to the Dunedin sound genre. The album begins with the song Goals, which has distorted changing guitars and talking-like vocals. By the chorus, the keyboards enter, which highlight the influence The Clean has on them. You’re On My Mind is a catchy song, which a jingle like guitars and bouncy keyboards, yet again reminiscent of The Clean. Even the vocals are melodic here, which forces you to hum along. No Oil brings in the serious issues, in which they tackle the problems with oil running out. This song sounds more like Husker Du’s Powerline than any of the Flying Nun bands (strangely enough, when I asked the band if they were influenced by the song Powerline they told me that had never heard the song before). Musically, this song is their best, with such a catchy bass line. Other highlights on the album are Edmund, another song so catchy you starting humming the tune, Human, which also contains The Clean influenced keyboards, and Rask, which has them sing “I’m so beautiful”. The song ends with the title track, a 10 minute long psychedelic jam. There are a few mistakes on this album, such as the drums being mixed too loud. But overall, it’s not a bad debut; there have been a lot worse. Someone that mainly listens to the music on the Billboard 100 will most likely not enjoy this album. However, if you are looking for your new favourite new indie band, then this is the album for you.

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issue 04 2011

Spot the Difference

them es in the two photos then circle Correctly identify the five differenc side the on box the or e, offic M est AuS and drop your entry into your near Wellesley St 6116 Box PO ate deb to post or of the red debate stands, up for grabs? Two “squawk burgers” before 12pm Thursday. What’s St, Auckland CBD. Congratulations vouchers for Velvet Burger on Fort ston, North Shore Campus! John to last week’s winner: Jessica

Name Phone # Email Campus

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MOVIES LADYGAGA FASHION WASHINGTON LOVE www.ausm.org.nz

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Submit your eye catching covers ideas to debate! For more information on specs and themes contact Samantha at debate@aut.ac.nz

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Odessa Coleman Bachelor of Design

What do you think about Rebecca Black’s song Friday? Haven’t listened to it…but apparently it’s the worst song ever How prepared are you for a natural disaster? Pretty good. I’ve made a whole kit with water, a radio and stuff. If someone gave you a one way ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Barcelona because of all the architecture. Finish this sentence: Lady Gaga is such… a mystery What do you think about the decision to move Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup games? I’m for it.

Cameron Wilson Bachelor of Arts

What do you think about Rebecca Black’s song Friday? I’ve never even heard of it. How prepared are you for a natural disaster? Not at all. I’d probably be one of the first ones to die. If someone gave you a one way ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Nepal so I could climb all the mountains. Finish this sentence: Lady Gaga is such… a ‘unique individual’…I think that can be interpreted in a few different ways. What do you think about the decision to move Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup games? They should be taken out of Christchurch because they won’t be physically prepared. They should bring them all to Auckland because we have the facilities.

Bianca Thompson

Certificate of Art and Design

What do you think about Rebecca Black’s song Friday? Never heard of it. How prepared are you for a natural disaster? Not much. I’d say like 2 out of 10. If someone gave you a one way ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Back to America to visit my friends. Finish this sentence: Lady Gaga is such… a freak. What do you think about the decision to move Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup games?

Richard Vavega

It makes sense.

Bachelor of Social Sciences / Bachelor of Communication Studies

What do you think about Rebecca Black’s song Friday? It’s the most disgusting song I’ve ever heard. Worst lyrics ever made in music history. I wanted to know what the buzz was but turns out it’s just some thirteen year old girl with some hideous song. How prepared are you for a natural disaster? I’m so prepared. Run underneath the table and you’ll be fine, right? If someone gave you a one way ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Libya, so I could meet Gaddafi and congratulate him on what a good job he’s doing right now. Finish this sentence: Lady Gaga is such… a free bitch, baby. What do you think about the decision to move Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup games?It’s good. Do we want our players playing on cracked rugby fields?

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Chris Wilson

Bachelor of Science

What do you think about Rebecca Black’s song Friday? Fucking ridiculous How prepared are you for a natural disaster? Not at all If someone gave you a one way ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Amsterdam. It’s pretty self-explanatory, really. Finish this sentence: Lady Gaga is such… a stupid crack head What do you think about the decision to move Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup games? Smart

Watchout for debate around campus - you 34.could be the next micro-celeb!

Zac Suvalko

Bachelor of Design

What do you think about Rebecca Black’s song Friday? Yeah, it’s not the best thing How prepared are you for a natural disaster? Not really If someone gave you a one way ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Croatia, ‘cause that’s where I’m from Finish this sentence: Lady Gaga is such… a freak What do you think about the decision to move Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup games? I think it’s unfair but it has to be done issue 04 2011

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