LIBREZINE First Edition april 2016
ATROCIOUS AGONISING AUNT
Need some advice? Then don’t look here!
FASHIONISTAS OF BOLTON COLLEGE RACHELS RECIPES How to make salted caramel fudge cups.
LRC NEW RELEASES
ARTIST OF THE REVOLUTION
Parviz Kalidhi talks on his art & influences.
2016 BOOK & FILM REVIEW IN THE BIZ
Career focus on Amanda Byrne’s ‘Divine Nails’ business
Bolton College
Barber Shop Drop in for a free cut & shave Tuesdays 2pm - 9pm
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New releases Pick of the month In the Biz Showcasing Fashion atrocious Agonising Aunt Book & Film Review Theatre Review Rachel’s Recipes Creative corner Love in the Library
hat’s on in the Library
World Book Night 23rd April Reading Ahead Event in Diversity 6th June 6pm - 8pm Book Club 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4pm – 5pm Check the LRC enrichment calendArs on the Notice boards and the TV screens around college for more details on:Introduction to Macs Photoshop for beginners Graphics Tablet Taster (Wacom pad) Study skills
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ew Releases n the LIbrary BY Rachel WEBB
This term has seen the launch of this year’s Reading Ahead, an initiative to encourage everyone to read and record six things within six monthswhether it be a novel, an audiobook or anything you fancy! With this in mind we have introduced a collection of audio books this year, available now on CD; including, Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train, Andy Weir’s The Martian, Steve Coogan’s I, Partridge- We Need to Talk about Alan and Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. We have also produced a collection of largeprint fiction books, including acclaimed and award-winning novels such as Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.
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February sees the LRC and many other organisations celebrating LGBT History Month, for which this year’s theme is Religion and Philosophy.
Visit the first floor library to access a wide selection of newly added fiction which all relate to LGBT themes, we have also created a display for this which features information and quotes on the Religion and Philosophy topic. Here is a sample of our newly acquired collection to celebrate LGBT History Month:
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ick of the Month am Malala
Educational campaigner Malala Yousafzai rose to fame in 2012 after fighting for her right to an education, which resulted in being shot in the head by the Taliban. Malala’s inspirational journey from a remote valley in Pakistan to the hall of the United Nations is a fascinating insight into how one person’s voice became a global symbol of peaceful protest. Visit https://goo.gl/BAPDRs for more information and resources. We would also like to remind you about our monthly book club, which is open to everyone. Our next book for discussion will be the Quick Reads version of Malala Yousafzai’s I am Malala on Tuesday 8th March 4pm, refreshments provided. Tuesday 12th April Outside First Floor Library 4:00 – 5:00 pm Our next book club discussion will be M Train by Patti Smith 5
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n the Biz OW SHE NAILED IT… Interview by Gemma Fox
Facebook.com/Divine-Nails-ByAmanda-Byrne-467932256657464
Amanda Byrne of Divine Nails is a successful home-based nail technician who has utilised social media to grow her business. In this interview, she divulges her best-kept secrets to building success, and gives insider tips and advice to anyone thinking of going into the nail industry. Hi Amanda, so I guess the first question I ask you should be, how did you start out? I had worked at nurseries since leaving school. I started on an apprenticeship. I then did my degree in Childhood Studies, and then I just got into my nails. I started doing my own nails at first. [Did you go on a course?] I did later on, because I got made redundant from the nursery. I just got sick of paying to have my nails done, so I just though ‘Oh, I’ll just give it a go, and buy my own kit and try’. 6
The nails I did at first were shocking! So, what money I did get when I was made redundant, I put towards a course, and I’ve done it ever since. It’s the starting out on your own thing that’s scary for a lot of people; did you feel this way too? It is scary, it was for me. I mean setting up all your tax with the tax office and all that, and doing all your accounts. I do all that myself. Everything that I pay out, then every client that I have every month goes into my book and it all gets added up, and that’s as easy as that. but you’ve just got to keep on top of it. So, did you start off mobile? Yes. I did that for a while, but it did hurt my back having to cart all my stuff around. So I still carried on doing it, but tried to get people to come to me rather than me go to them. I made my spare room upstairs into my nail room and it took off. [Me, looking around: It’s like a man cave, only for girls] It’s my Lady Cave! Full of polishes and glitters! [laughs] It’s fab! What made it take off for you? You’ve got thousands of followers on your Facebook page! I think it’s just a case of word of
mouth. Facebook has done a lot for me. If it weren’t for Facebook, I don’t think I’d be where I am now. People share the pictures of their nails on Facebook with 100s of their friends so they can see what I’m doing. I also share my own pictures. They weren’t great at first. I’ve since learned how to get the lighting right, and the good camera, and positioning of the hands. And all my pictures are consistent as well; I always do the same pose. You’ve just got to keep on sharing your stuff and get your name out there”. So you’ve done some tutorial videos on YouTube too, what made you want to do that? It was just from seeing what other nail techs have done. Another girl, Sarah R she’s called, I watch her on YouTube, and it’s really useful (youtube.com/user/CODWIDOW77). It’s also a case of if I do a nail design and then I’ve shared it on a group, some people are like ‘oh my god, how’ve you done that?’ So rather than put it in words, I think it’s easier to show them rather than them read it. What do you use to create the videos? I just use my phone. I asked Sarah R, what do you use for yours?
And she showed me this bendy thing that clasps onto the desk. It’s called a goose neck. It just bends over so the phone’s just above my hands while I’m working. I use iMovie to edit them. Amanda’s Advice • Create a brand using a consistent style for your photographs with good lighting. Put your logo on all of your images. • Get people interested in you. Share examples of your nails on your social media sites and in local community groups, but try not to bombard them with posts. Post examples of your work weekly. • Watch video tutorials on YouTube to learn new techniques • Join nail technicians’ Facebook groups • If you’re copying elements of someone’s work, always give them credit for it. 7
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howcasing rtist of the revolution
It’s not every day that you get to meet an inspirational and political artist who studies at Bolton College but this issue’s Librezine features a super talented guy from Kurdistan. Zoe - Could you give us a brief overview of your background?
Zoe - So have you still got quite a lot of family out there that have survived? Parviz - Yes my family are living there but really they are abused in many different ways. They are in the west of Iran – Kurdistan Iran – on the border with Iraq. 8
Parviz - This is my dream for a long time. I study on the Btec Art & Design course, level 3 Zoe - Do you have any favourite artists and what is it that inspires you about their work? Parviz - My favourite artists are Claude Monet and Shishkin and one Kurdish artist from Iran – Scream of Halibja 1992
Parviz - My name is Parviz Kalidhi I am 44 years old, I come from Iran and I have been in the UK since 2006. As you might know there isn’t a right for minority political ethnic groups or any kind of minority religion, particulary for the Kurdish in Iran it was more of a problem, so as an artist I always got targeted by Iranian authority and discriminated against so I ran away.
Zoe - What are you studying at Bolton College?
Zoe - What is your preferred medium? Parviz - My preferred medium is to follow the Impressionists with colour – I am interested with the idea of finding colours, which are invisible. I realised in the past there are some colours that we can’t see when we look at them directly but when we look at colours indirectly then the invisible colours appear around the colours. Zoe - What inspires you with your subject matter?
Singar Mountain 2014
his name is Hadi Ziaadini. With Claude Monet it’s more about the landscape and colours, so I understand how to use the colours in art, and also Shishkin who’s a Naturalist - how he interprets form and shape in landscapes and his study of nature. And Hadi for his subject matter and also his style - he followed the Impressionists.
Parviz - I like always to express a meaning from my heart and a message from a hidden world. For example, I painted a tree. The tree was burned but even though it was burned it grows again. So this is only a tree but the meaning is that we never give up. Zoe - What is it that you are trying to express with your art? Parviz - Memories and situation and how I react to a situation. A lot of my art is to create an awareness.
The Wild Flower 2015
Zoe - What are your goals and aspirations? Parviz - Fortunately I have been accepted for a few universities for next year. I am going to carry on studying and my goal is to become a professional artist. Interview by Zoe Rothwell 9
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ashion
ABENEZER MESFIN Favourite thing about this outfit? From all my trainers, these are my special ones which I like most. I have other jackets but I wear this one today because it matches the shoes because of the red. Favourite places to find clothes? Zara is my best place. I go to Sports Direct generally but Zara if I want to buy something special. And Footlocker.
Favourite thing about JAKE WILSON this outfit? My favourite thing is the coat. You can wear it in the summer, you can wear it in the winter - it’s good for everything. Favourite places to find clothes? I shop in Primark a lot or Topman & H&M.
Photography & Interview By Katelyn Poon 10
Favourite thing about this outfit? It’s pink and it basically goes well with my complextion.
AMINATA SOW
Favourite places to find clothes? Probably Beales, like Quiz, that sort of that area. And also Primark - I do love Primark. I also like New Look as well. House of Fraser - that one’s really cool cause it’s quite authentic. MEGAN BELLEW Favourite thing about this outfit? The top, the jumper. I love the contrast of the blues. I’m very much a blue person. It’s baggy as well. I like baggy clothes - they’re more free to move in. Favourite places to find clothes? New Look - I like New Look a lot. River Island’s quite good.
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trocious agonising Aunt lways here to help.....or maybe not!
Q. My girlfriend has dumped me six times. What do I do? A. Wellll a couple of songs pop into my mind right now such as, ‘Cry Me a River’ by Justin Timberlake, “So What’ by Pink, ‘I Don’t Care’ by Cheryl, ‘Forget You’ by Cee-lo Green and ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ by Taylor Swift. My advice to you is the next time she takes you back, just wait 24hrs and then DUMP her!!! Give her a taste of her own medicine and see how she likes it. Once you have done that you can then play her the tune by Ray Charles- ‘Hit the Road Jack’ or Stacey or what-ever her name is. Q. What is the best way to woo a man with cooking? What food will win your way to a man’s heart through his stomach? A. You said it, girl. Men like food, anything edible I would say- made with a (lor-o-luv) and loads of care.
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Q. A girl that I’m kind of seeing wants to be in a relationship but I’m not ready as I have a lad’s holiday on the way. What should I do? A. Sooo your worried that she might cheat on you while you are away with ‘THE LADS’? - Hmmm, I would too mate with an attitude like yours. Yer dumped!!!
Q. My mate keeps going on about this girl in college. He says she really likes him but the thing is it’s really annoying me cause he’s not interested in her, so what is the point? (BTW she wears a blue dress and she is very small.) A. I get a feeling the real issue here is you fancy her yourself but don’t know how to approach the subject with your mate. … Thoughts on this? – Just give him a copy of this Librezine and point to this page I think he will get the message. AAA always happy to help Q. My problem is one of the girls. She really likes me but the thing is she is good looking but I am not into her that much and she is not my type. I don’t know what to do? A. Don’t worry, your mate who also wrote to us fancies her, nature has a funny way of sorting these things out - you and her were just never meant to be. Q. Why do girls all mess with your heads? A. Well this is an easy one - the simple truth is because they can!
Q. Most support tutors are not educated on how to use computers and software packages that are crucial when helping students with their course work. Please fix this issue already! They are not helpful. A. Sooo you’re a teenager sat in front of a computer not knowing what to do. Use some initiative man and Google it or better still a little bit of research never hurt no one. YouTube goes a long way. Hey-ho, independent learning there you go. “I’m proud of you” your mum will say “standing on your own two feet finally at the age of 52.” Finally - there is a confidential problem cup on Beckies desk in the 2nd floor library for the next issue of Librazine’s Atrocious Agonising Aunt collumn On a serious note if you have any questions regarding more sensitive issues, I feel I should mention that the college provides an amazing counselling service with a highly qualified team. If you would like to find out more information just call into student services for more details. 13
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ook/Film Review he price of salt/ Carol
Throughout the history of cinema, many of the most successful films have been based on books. Despite recent controversies over the lack of diversity in the movie business, the representation of books and literature is widely apparent; with the 2016 Oscar nominations for best picture including ‘Carol’, the adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s (pseudonym Claire Morgan) ground-breaking novel ‘The Price of Salt’ (which will feature in our LRC Book Club in May). However, issues surrounding the under-representation of the LGBT community in major cinema are still apparent- as pointed out by Ian McKellen, who asked: ‘Why has no openly gay man ever won the best actor Oscar?’ Despite this, 2015/16 has seen ‘Carol’ and ‘The Danish Girl’ bring LGBT themes to a mainstream audience and the first Oscar nomination for a transgender person in 30 years (Anohni of Antony and the Johnsons, for Best Original Song for ‘Manta Ray’ from the documentary ‘Racing Extinction’). 14
Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 Romance novel, ‘The Price of Salt’ was controversial in its depiction of a love story between two women for its time and paved the way for future LGBT fiction. ‘Carol’ stays close to the novel, including its relatively happy ending – a feature which has been mostly unprecedented in gay film and literature; for example, the tragic ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005, Ang Lee). Just as ‘The Price of Salt’ was a novel that needed to be written and read, ‘Carol’ is a film that needed to be made and seen by many, since it beautifully focuses on a classic and emotional love story between two women, without stereotype. It tells the story of a beautiful romance, irrespective of gender or
sexuality. The two main characters are poles apart: the glamorous and high society-based Carol has bravely embraced her sexuality, fighting for divorce from her husband who refuses to let go; in contrast, the younger Therese is slightly awkward, shy and unsure of herself and the future. This develops throughout the film, as Carol’s confidence, presence and encouragement seems to rub off on Therese, whose drive to pursue a career in photography is realised. Within the perfectly authentic and stylish setting of 1950s New York, ‘Carol’ intricately explores the two characters, taking the audience on an emotional journey. Review by Rachel Webb
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The story is split into numerous perspectives; one minute you’re wondering what will happen to Bran Stark and his castle-climbing hobby, the next you’re agonising over the fate of Daenerys, the heir to a ruined noble family. The twisting tale seems to draw out the worst in most characters, who find themselves struggling in a world full of brutal people not entirely unlike themselves. A Game of Thrones is a great read for anyone who likes the TV show, and for anyone who loves history and light fantasy stories. If you’re a fan of Philippa Gregory, J. R. R. Tolkien or Angela Carter, then this is the perfect book for you! Review by Hannah Wood
Game of Thrones, song of ice and fire y George R. R. Martin.
Having seen all the hype about THAT television series, I started reading the books to see what all the fuss is about. And I was not disappointed. A Game of Thrones is one of those books that is hard to put down, because it’s so easy to get caught up in the rich plot and the hard, ruthless characters of Westeros. 15
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heatre Review wo by Jim Cartwright ctagon Theatre - February
The action in this play takes place over one evening in a pub in the North of England Using the bare minimum of props & a cast of just two actors, the stage is transformed into a lively thriving pub with the aid of an atmospheric sound track of clinking glasses & chattering punters. During the evening, characters come & go, and all have a story to tell. There is the lonely woman, a carer for her disabled husband, the elderly man grieving for his dead wife & re- living the memories. There are comic moments too, the weak husband too scared to go to the bar for drinks, jostling around the bar comically, trying to make his way to the front. The playboy who chats to any attractive woman he comes across ( in this case a member of the audience) whilst his girlfriend dreams of marriage. However, it is the relationship between the landlord & his wife which is at the heart of this play,
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with the very last scene acted out with almost heart-breaking intensity from the two cast members. Two is ultimately a sobering experience, not to be taken lightly. Review by Janet Eckersley Feb 2016
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achel’s Recipes alt(ed Caramel Fudge Cups Makes approximately 20 chocolate cups
Ingredients: 250g chocolate of your choice 200g caster sugar 120ml double cream 40g butter 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (plus more for sprinkling) 1. Melt the chocolate and paint it into mini paper cupcake liners. Allow to harden in the refrigerator (it doesn’t take long), then add another coat. Return to refrigerator until hardened again.
3. Take off the heat, then carefully stir in the cream, butter, vanilla and salt until it becomes a gooey sauce. 4. Leave the sauce to cool, then tip into the chocolate cups - allow to cool in the fridge 5. Paint the rest of the chocolate over the tops of the cups. Once it’s beginning to harden a little, sprinkle on some more sea salt.
2. Tip the sugar into a heavybased frying pan, stir in 4 tbsp water, then place over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved into a liquid. Turn up the heat and bubble for 4-5 mins until you have caramel. 17
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REative orner When the Earth Went Dark By Hannah Wood
Remain calm. This is a government announcement; thermonuclear weapons have been deployed. Our anti-missile systems have been compromised. Remain calm … That crisp, impartial British voice rang through my ears, again and again. It was there when I tried to sleep, it was there when I was out on the field, and it was here now, as I washed my hands. It was the last voice I heard before the world ended.How long had it been? A year? Two years? It was hard to tell. The sky had turned to ash and there was no one around who cared to keep track. I scrubbed at my hands viciously, watching as the blood ran free, swirling in many different shades of red and orange as it was flushed down the sink. Running water was a precious luxury. Remain calm…This is the end… Do not fear… “Hunter?” “Yeah?” I called back, pushing 18
at the grey medical curtain. A woman with a dirty trench coat had poked her head around the door. I knew her only by her New World name; Doctor. ‘You’re needed. Basement.’ The Pharmacy, as I liked to call it, used to be a classroom. Now it was a room with a sink. Crates of unused paracetamol, aspirin and anti-biotics were piled up in one corner. We kept the good stuff, the anaesthetic and the morphine, locked away for severe emergencies. The walls were grey and cracked, and the remaining patches of white paint were dusty and peeling. The windows had been blown out when the bombs hit. The sky hadn’t changed since; it was dark with dust from the buildings which lay as rubble on the field once known as Bolton. A single candle was enough to illuminate the room and a plastic tub underneath was ready to catch the hot wax as it fell dripping from the flame. Like everything else, wax was precious. I left the Pharmacy and took the steps two at a time. Before the world ended, this place was known as Bolton College. I worked here, and was working here, when the first of the bombs hit. [To be continued]
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ove in the ibrary
To the beautiful brunette in the construction library. I thought I’d blown my chances when I farted in front of you. I hope I haven’t – you are the wind beneath my wings – plasterer in the tracksuit. To the Zayn Malik lookalike in the second floor Library – I’ll be your Gigi Hadid and we will only go in One Direction – beauty student with lilac tinted blonde hair Our hands touched briefly as we reached for the same BTEC level 2 sports text book – I’d like to give you a work out – Amir Khan lookalike in the blue tracksuit To the lady reading Fifty Shades in the first floor library – I’ll be your Christian if you’ll be my Ana – older gentleman with a less damaged sense of self than Christian Grey.
We both reached for the breadmaking cook book – please let the baker see your buns – catering student still in chef whites in the first floor library. We fought over the Ant and Dec autobiography in the second floor library – I’d love to get ready to rumble with you – twenty something in a green t shirt.
If you would like to submit a piece of creative writing or post a message for ‘Love in the Library’ please pop into the 2nd floor library. 19
THE ART of Reading