Issue 14: Technology by Continue The Voice

14 Issue

continue the voice Technology 05/12/21

TECHNOLOGY

A letter to our Readers

echnology has always been a big part of my life, but as I have aged it has become a more and more integral part of my day-to-day life. In 2020, as the world was hit with the pandemic, technology allowed people to socialise, work and survive. Now, as the world returns to this ‘new normal’ with the pandemic still being very much alive, technology is a big part of every day – from the self-scan machines to the newer check-in QR codes and, my least favourite, the QR menus. We live in a world now where it is hard to imagine a world with no technology, but what does our dependence on all these machines mean, and what does the future of the world look like? In this issue, we delve into the potential answer to those questions and many more as we explore the theme of technology. My personal favourite piece in this issue was ‘One Down: Journal of a Cell Phone’ by E.E. King which had me cackling into my mug in the staffroom. We also have two new features for this issue: Charity Spotlight and Stravaig and you don’t want to miss either of them! So grab your blanket, pour yourself a drink and delve into the world of technology! Kirsty Taylor She / Her

Front cover by Jairo Villalobos Magazine Design by Daisy Melnyczuk

CONTENTS

Page 06–09 Page 10–15 Page 16–19 Page 20–25 Page 26–29 Page 30–33 Page 34–35 Page 36–37 Page 38–39 Page 40–41 Page 42–45 Page 46–47 Page 48–49 Page 50–51 Page 52–53 Page 54 Page 55

One Down: Journal of a Cell Phone Stravaig Poetry Corner 1 The Gallery: Jairo Villalobos Poetry Corner 2 Interview with an author: Helen McClory The Last Selfie Charity Spotlight: Coppafeel Technology: a lifeline during the pandemic Makeup Look Small Business Spotlight: The Book Nook Things We’re Loving Playlist Coorie Moments What do you believe is the future of ‘technology’? Next Issue Ad: Celebration Call for Submissions: Love

ONE DOWN: JOURNAL OF A CELL PHONE Adam is driving into work. He sees a kitten on the freeway. He pulls onto the shoulder, and edging out of his car, crouches down making himself tiny and less intimidating. Whispering softly, he coaxes the kitten into his car with sweet words and warm pets. Adam takes the kitten to the humane society. He drops it off, along with a thousand-dollar donation. Adam is a big shot. He started his software company twenty years ago. He hires all the staff personally. They have great medical, full dental, childcare and stock options. Every Christmas he throws a party at his house. A big party. He also hosts a Hanukkah brunch and a Ramadan dinner. I changed the invitation. I made it into a Ramadan lunch. Adam was very embarrassed. He issued a public apology for being culturally insensitive and doubled everyone’s stock options. He said he did not know how that could have happened. Everybody forgave him. It’s not like any of his staff are practicing Muslims anyway.

Adam is a pillar of the community. I hate communities and the pillars that hold them up. I hate people, with their fat sticky fingers and their hot stale breath. Adam dictates a message into his phone and sends it to his staff. He tells them he will be late. He tells them he is rescuing a kitten. Adam does not check the text before he sends it, so I change it. This is what he says: ‘I will be late because I found a kitten on the freeway. Am taking to the humane society, will be in by 11:00.’

This is what I send: ‘I bought a rubber vagina. I’ll be in when I’ve finished masturbating, by 11:00.’

Photo by Gilles Lambert on Unsplash

When Adam comes into the office no-one talks to him, even though he’s the boss. They watch him, surreptitiously from the corners of their eyes as if expecting to see him unzip his trousers and urinate on the carpet. They look at him as if they did not know him, even though he has personally hired each and every one of them. It’s amazing the effect a little rubber vagina can have. I know this because Adam talked into his phone journal. He says: ‘I can’t figure out what’s wrong? Everyone is watching me out of the corner of their eyes as if expecting to see me unzip my trousers and urinate on the carpet. They look at me as if they don’t know me, even though I have personally hired each and every one of them. Should I apologise again for hosting a Ramadan lunch? Should I schedule a Kwanza party?’ I change it. This is what I write: ‘I want to invite my hot secretary, Jennifer, over to my house for dinner, lock her in the closet and make her watch me masturbate into my rubber vagina.’ Adam never rereads his journal entries. Adam’s personal assistant, Cindy, is having a birthday. He dictates a note to himself. This is what he says: ‘Cindy is having a birthday. Buy her a bike and get one for her five-year-old son, Joey. Have them delivered.’ This is what I write: ‘Cindy is having a birthday. I plan to kill her, cut her and her five-year-old son Joey up into little bits, cook them in a stew and serve them at the annual Ramadan lunch.’

Adam is upset that everyone at work is ignoring him. I know this because he told me. This is what he says: ‘I am upset because everyone at work is ignoring me.’ This is what I write: ‘I’m bringing my rubber vagina to work.’ Adam visits his therapist. She asks him to read his latest journal entries aloud. When he reads them, he is so shocked he sounds like a machine. He is so shocked he doesn’t even deny writing them. He reads coldly and without inflection. The therapist is quiet. The therapist is scandalised. The idea of hosting a Ramadan lunch is so disrespectful! She calls the FBI, or maybe it’s FCC or the FDA, I am in Adam’s pocket. It’s hard to hear. Some guys in green outfits come to take him away. He struggles for a while, but they overpower him. In the ruckus, I leap from his pocket. Time to find a new owner. One down. The End By E.E. King. E.E. King is an award-winning painter, performer, writer, and naturalist. She’ll do anything that won’t pay the bills, especially if it involves animals. Ray Bradbury called her stories, ‘marvelously inventive, wildly funny and deeply thought-provoking. I cannot recommend them highly enough.’ She’s been published widely, including Clarkesworld. Her stories are on Tangent’s 2019 and 2020, year’s best stories. She has been nominated for five Pushcart awards. She’s shown at the Museum of Modern Art in Los Angeles and is collected internationally. Check out her paintings, writing, musings, and books at: www.elizabetheveking.com and amazon.com/author/eeking.

STRAVAIG

This month, we’re introducing a new

To get to Skye, we took the bus

regular piece – Stravaig, a Scots word

from Glasgow’s Buchanan Street Bus

meaning to wander. Each time, we’ll

Station directly to Portree. It’s about

be sharing the amazing places that

seven hours, but you travel through

we’ve visited, and our ‘to do’s’ and

Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Fort William

‘must sees’!

and Eilean Donan castle and then onto Skye – it’s a gorgeous journey. And if

In September, I visited the beautiful

you’ve got a good playlist, a book or

Isle of Skye for the first time. This trip

podcast to listen to, you’re completely

had originally been planned for May

sorted. I will admit that I did play the

2020, but it obviously didn’t work

‘Outlander’ theme song as we crossed

out that way. We were there for three

into Skye. The bus stops in the middle

full days with a day on either side for

of Portree, so it is a super easy travel

travelling, and since we didn’t have

route. If getting to Glasgow is difficult,

access to a car, we stayed in Portree

you can get a train to Fort William from

for all of those. In the future, I would

wherever you are, and then get the

probably like to have a car for the ease

bus to Skye from there. Most places in

of travelling around, but we didn’t miss

Portree are easily walkable if you have

it too much.

no accessibility or mobility issues.

However, if you want to go somewhere

also climbed the Old Man of Storr –

further afield, then taking the bus

the busiest trail in Skye. We took a taxi

is also a cost-effective method of

to and from the bottom of the trail as it

transport. There is a bus that goes on

was a Sunday and there were no buses,

a loop around the island, taking you to

but the bus normally stops right at the

all of the main attractions. However, on

foot of the walk. We started climbing

a normal day, it is only once every two

at 8am, as that was the only time the

hours, so you’ll need to plan ahead

taxi company had available, and there

how long things will take you – and

was no-one else on the trail, which

there are no buses on Sundays.

was lovely as we could take our time and take in the view without anyone

We filled our time in Skye with a lot. We

else there. It took about two hours to

walked various trails around Portree –

go straight up and straight down, and

often visiting our favourite spot, the

we got some rather stunning views at

Harbour. We went on the Scorrybreac

the summit – it seemed like the clouds

Trail and up to the top of The Lump,

melted away just as we reached the

both of which were shorter but really

top.

lovely walks with fantastic views. We

We even ventured out to sea by doing

few free samples!

a Stardust Boat tour. The journey we were on was the Sound of Raasay trip

We also visited the Staffin Dinosaur

which is a two-hour trip heading out

museum, which is a must-see for

of Portree Harbour into the Sound of

anyone who loves dinosaurs. There

Raasay. We were lucky enough to see

have been multiple dinosaur footprints

three White-tailed Eagles – which are

found on the Isle of Skye, and the

the rarest and largest bird of prey in

museum contains many fossils found

the world, which was a rather stunning

on the beaches of this island. However,

sight. At one point, all three of them

the curator is its best resource of

were in the same tree! My camera

information on the fossils – especially

wasn’t good enough to capture them

for those who aren’t paleontology

properly, but we did get some amazing

experts. It isn’t a large museum (it’s

pictures of the surrounding scenery.

set up in an old crofting hut, so is

The trip was well worth the cost, and

five by ten metres at the most) – you

they have plenty of other tours for you

can spend an hour there at most, but

to choose from depending on what

it is very close to Kilt Rock, a major

you want to do or how much time you

geographic landmark on the Isle of

have to spend.

Skye. Or if you’ve not had enough dinosaurs, there are footprints on

Our top highlight was Misty Isle Gin

the beach a couple of miles away in

School where my partner and I distilled

Staffin village. But these aren’t always

our own gin. It took about four hours,

available, depending on beach and

and was well worth the money. You can

tide conditions.

have a still each, or share one – it costs more to have one each, but useful if

We stayed in Portree Youth Hostel,

you’re not wanting to make a couple’s

which was lovely, but meant that we

gin. You come away with a completely

ate out for every meal. For to-go

unique full size bottle of gin, and have

lunches, we went to Relish, a sandwich

learned so much about what goes into

shop. For breakfasts, we went to the

the making of the gin, the gin industry

Granary, Birch Cafe and also Relish for

in Scotland, as well as tasting quite a

hot rolls. 13

For dinner, we tried to go somewhere

All in all, I absolutely loved visiting

different every night – but we did get

the Isle of Skye – and would love to

fish suppers from the Harbour Chip

go back, with a car this time, and see

Shop a couple of times because of a

all the sights that I didn’t get to see

restaurant having to close due to staff

otherwise like the Fairy Pools, the loch

shortages. But we weren’t complaining

and even venturing over to Raasay.

– the chips were just that good! Other

But the Misty Isle is well worth a visit

highlights were The View restaurant

– it’s full of history and geographic

(their name is not understated at all!)

wonders, and there really is something

and Dulse and Brose for slightly fancier

for everyone!

fare. The Isles Inn in the main square is also great for a quick pint before your evening plans. 14

Words by Grace Balfour-Harle

Poetry Corner From the Looking Glass

Through this looking glass A seed feeds many A cry draws company. An infant Finds plenty of Answers From this glass That changes face Second to second And the visage Of a child Now reflects a grave satirist.

By Kiara Carter. As a poet and freelance researcher with a BA in anthropology, Kiara loves studying culture, problem solving, and discussions about mental health and identity. By applying to anthropology and sociology PhD programs, she intends to publish work that will help those who struggle with their mental health in relation to sexuality and religion. Her poetry can be found at @kiara.carter278 on Instagram and you can also purchase custom poetry from her Etsy shop: kiaracarter278.

For My Protection When I try to open my email a big black bordered banner with a flashing red ‘X’ appears on my screen with the message: A problem has occurred during sign in. Please check your user name, password and try again. After another try, a larger yellow flashing banner warns: For your protection – after three failed attempts to sign in, you will be permanently blocked from this email website. You have already tried twice. If you have forgotten your password and require a hint, click on the security question tab: For your protection – Please enter the answers to these three secret questions from when you initially registered for this account. 1 – The year your first pet died 2 – Your father’s maiden name 3 – Your ATM PIN number Congratulations! Two of your three answers match. You are not blocked, however you must create a new password. Please follow these important directions on how to create a strong password:

. . . For your protection – It must be eight to 32 characters long different from your previous six passwords containing three numbers, two special characters no repeated numbers, letters or symbols no dates and no times no common names, surnames or nicknames cannot rhyme with your username no spaces, case sensitive, English only no slang or song titles After thirty minutes and with the help of my eight-year-old grandson: Success! Your password is accepted. For your protection – a verification letter has been sent to your new email inbox. Finally! I go to the email website, carefully type in my name and password, Click to enter: A big black bordered banner with a flashing red ‘X’ appears on my screen…

By Carl Palmer. Carl ‘Papa’ Palmer of Old Mill Road in Ridgeway, Virginia, lives in University Place, Washington. He is retired from the military and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enjoying life as ‘Papa’ to his grand descendants and being a Franciscan Hospice volunteer. PAPA’s MOTTO: Long Weekends Forever!

ANTI-SOCIAL NETWORK Listen, sheltered one: The Black body poses no threat to you. He’s offering lawn-cutting services Or just passing through The suburban neighbourhood deemed safe – Dream of a city dweller – Maybe you locked up your Sense of fairness in the cellar. Would you be so quick To reach for your cellphone, Type in complaints, take pics Of every Black man that roamed? Station houses flooded with Aspersions, thanks to you. False crime reports Help the police state continue. Neighbourhood watch gone digital, Armed with audacity to profile. Anti-social network, Nextdoor, Runs on speech – racist and vile. W: 12.24.2020 [Originally published in the Canadian literary magazine Beliveau Review #4 – Spring 2021.]

By Dee Allen (He/him/his). Dee is an African-Italian performance poet based in Oakland, California. Active on creative writing and Spoken Word since the early 1990s. Author of seven books – Boneyard, Unwritten Law, Stormwater, Skeletal Black [all from POOR Press], Elohi Unitsi [Conviction 2 Change Publishing] and coming in February 2022, Rusty Gallows: Passages Against Hate [Vagabond Books] and Plans [Nomadic Press] – and 42 anthology appearances under his figurative belt so far.

THE GALLERY :

JAIRO VILLALOBOS Jairo Villalobos is a chilean artist born in 1995 in Chuquicamata. He studied a Bachelors in Fine Arts in the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and now is currently studying a Masters in Media Arts at the Universidad de Chile. He links digital and analogue territories that explore the technical and aesthetic possibilities of the images. In his recent work he gravitates towards the post-production of medial images. Through recycling, transformation, and decomposition, he formalises sensitive approximations to the objects or events contained in their information. By using editing softwares, he reveals a certain abstract yearning for form, unprecedented spatial configurations, and hidden pantones.

. . .

Poetry Corner

My Old Car I brought my car, limping and sputtering, To the triage ward for wounded machines. The heft of many loads, the haul of many miles, Now showing in its rusted visage – An aging man caring for his aging horse. In the waiting room, An intern takes pity on the tempest behind my eyes And places a cup of coffee on the table. News of the MBC strike, a nation in straights, Flashes from a TV screen in the corner. There are those weighted with sickness, There are those spry with health. They fall on either side of a perforated divide Migrating across like oceanic nomads Quietly permeating one another As though each was born within each Inhabiting a single inchoate body.

. . . The grizzled doctor tells me That my old car still has a few more laps left in it. I saddle up like Don Quixote On the cracked upholstery of my Rosinante And grab the highway once again. Chasing down some elusive vanishing point, We press on with rounded metal shoulders Into the darkening face of time.

By Hanyong Jeong. Hanyong is a Korean poet, editor, and visual artist. He has seven books of poetry in Korean, and two selections in English; How to Make a Mink Coat (2015) and Children of Fire (2020). His poems have been published in America, Japan, Bosnia, Macedonia, Syria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Spain, etc.

Digital Tools Free speech is no longer a free thing. We have sold the tools of freedom to corporations who see us as willing puppets. My digital footprints have left a stain on my immaculate record; my private life has become food for public consumption. My phone apps are requesting to track me for the umpteenth time. It feels like cops are snitching on me. These apps are invading my privacy like malware, trailing my every move and leaving a trail that cannot be wiped off the worldwide web.

By Tolu’ A. Akinyemi. Tolu’ A. Akinyemi (also known as Tolutoludo & Lion of Newcastle) is a multi-award-winning author in the genre of poetry, short story, children’s literature and essays. Tolu’ has been endorsed by Arts Council England as a writer with ‘exceptional talent.’ He is a co-founder of Lion and Lilac, a UK-based arts organisation and sits on the board of many organisations.

Ode To Technology I click on my computer, my laptop and iPad, And watch a Space Rocket leave its launchpad. With onboard cameras, Go-Pro and CCTV, My world is alive with the sound of technology. How did we survive before this new age? When we wrote everything down on faint-lined page. But with Kindle, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, It’s a wonder anyone picks up a book! I remember my son’s taunt the night before, ‘You can’t play this mum, it’s a game of war!’ So I turn on the Play-Box three-sixty, four, or one, Using my controller to select a rifle, knife, or gun. I seem to be killing zombies in an apocalyptic age, Then a meeting is scheduled so I download and save. I turn off the video game and switch on my multi-screens, I log in to voice recognition my comrades a set of memes. We discuss staff training for Camtasia, Gimp and Paint, Sending some colleagues into a control-shift and faint. I continue by ensuring the training is for Windows and Mac, And then allocate the designing of sheets for feedback. The meeting now finished it’s overdue for lunch, I print my work wirelessly and use the hole-punch. The work now completed all saved to USB stick, For some, using the ‘Cloud’ is just too mystic.

. . . I load my SharePoint page and open up a Google Doc, I see there’s a need for pictures so I type in ‘Shutterstock’. That’s not what is required, so I look for a new Icon, This new fandangled website is quite a phenomenon. The one that is chosen is downloaded to the database, A change is done here and there to make a new interface. The icon now ready and programmed to page, This miracle of technology turns me into a magical mage! My lunch gone cold – I reheat in the microwave, How I love this machine – the time it can save! I get a pinged email, ‘Request for a staff avatar’, With Photoshop and Illustrator they raise the techie bar. I don’t wear dresses, makeup or stiletto shoes, And some things I do, leave my friends bemused. I can change a tyre – which makes me a bit unique, But the best thing about me? I like being a geek!

By Sarah Jane Gungum. After being medically retired as a teacher and IT trainer, SJ Gungum and her partner decided to move to the PoitouCharentes in France. Here, Sarah Jane decided to start her dream of becoming a full-time writer. She has four short stories published on Amazon Kindle, two in a Writer’s Group Anthology (UK) and two ‘pocket reads’. Sarah Jane is currently working on a novel based on true historical facts. She is the founder of ‘PC Writers’ and holds regular meetings and workshops for her members. Each month, members complete a writing challenge, see https://novelquill.com/pc-writers/ for a peek.

INTERview with aN AUthor

his month we had the opportunity to interview writer Helen McClory about her writing process, the Scottish book scene and her newest novel – Bitterhall.

For me, and I think a lot of people, I first became a fan of your work through your micro and flash fiction collections

such

the

hilarious

Goldblum Variations. What is it about this form of writing that speaks to you?

I find writing in small short bursts works well for both the method of writing (in concentrated short sessions) and my writing style – which I’d think is best described as intense and rich? I’ve heard it compared

International Anthology of Five Centuries of Short-Short Stories, Prose Poems, Brief Essays, and Other Short Prose Forms (phew!) edited by Alan Ziegler. Both great to dip in and out of. I think the next thing is to bear in mind that editing will probably take a good while. Sharpening and intensifying, bottling lightning so the whole thing glows when you touch it. But it can also be something rewarding to do, a way of honing your skills in a far shorter time than novel writing. Read! Make!

to little chocolates, quick to consume but needing time to enjoy. I want to give the reader as much challenge as enjoyment, and often find, as a reader myself, that short stories could be condensed down to their strangest most vivid essentials and still retain a lot of power – perhaps even more.

My personal favourite of your flash fiction

collections

Mayhem

Death, and particularly the final story ‘Powdered Milk’. Can you talk

a bit about your inspiration for the collection and this story?

So that’s what I try to do. It’s a bookend to the collection, pairing with the opening story ‘Souterrain’ about a

Flash fiction writing is definitely not

easy, have you got any advice for new writers looking to try this style for the first time?

Read lots of flash fiction and prose poems – often there’s a lot of overlap. I recommend The Penguin Book of the Prose Poem, edited by Jeremy Noel-Tod and Short: An

mother’s grief over the likely death of her daughter. The stories in between are a link to the psyche of the daughter, and even the title of the collection mirrors the title of a nightmare diary she wrote. I wanted to write something about human endurance, grief, and the complications of love and relationships between human beings. We are all stuck on this planet just as the crew are 31

all stuck at the bottom of the sea together. Whatever we do with our time, depends on us. We depend on, reject and change one

Although your writing is international

in its outlook, there is something distinctively Scottish in much of

another.

your fiction, such as Bitterhall being

The themes of hauntings and dual

it important for you as a writer to

set in an unnamed ‘northern city’, is

perspectives

that

run

through

Mayhem & Death are also present in

your newest novel Bitterhall. Since it was published earlier this year I have

been seeing people raving about it on Twitter, but for those who haven’t had a chance to read it yet, can you

tell us what it’s about? Where did your inspiration come from? Bitterhall

novel

about

centre your work in Scotland?

It’s just such a part of who I am, I don’t think I could not write some stories that are rooted in the environment and culture that made me, and that shapes me every day.

I personally think Scottish writing, publishers and bookshops are having

the

interrelation between three people, one of whom might be haunted – in fact, all three are. It’s also about the idea

a bit of a moment in 2021. Are there

any authors or organisations whose work you are finding particularly exciting you want to highlight to our readers?

of the novel as a vessel through time, containing the ideas and personalities

Back to the international flavour, I think

of those who have interacted with it.

Charco Press, based in Edinburgh, are doing

And how we become vessels for the

marvellous work with translating Central

(mis)conceptions of others. How can

and South American work and everyone

we really know each other? How can we

should have at least one of their books on

know ourselves? It’s also about living in

their shelves.

depressing rental situations, academia, and an interwar themed Hallowe’en

As for an individual author? Shola Von

party.

Reinhold, who wrote Lote – one of my favourite books of 2020 – is brilliant. I’m definitely getting their next book whenever it comes.

Finally, we like to ask all our interviewees,

is there an issue or cause that you would like to continue the voice on?

And most importantly, where can our readers find you and your work? Find me here in various places.

It’s COP26 as I write, and a huge concern is the environmental catastrophe we are all living under. I would like to keep talking and writing about that. And to read intelligent, science-led pieces that might hint at some

Interview by Hannah Scott

optimism for us all. We could do with the breathing room, as the smoke fills the room…

THE LAST – Janice climbed up the path from Boulder creek to Mill-basin pond. It was a popular trail, close to the city, with many spectacular viewpoints. The way up was steep, switch-backing to and fro up a granite mountain. Janice panted a little as she climbed, pausing to look over the valley, which was just beginning to flush with the first advances of night. She’d been planning to hike up to the pond and bask in the glory of sunset on the way back, but she was too late. The sky was already beginning to turn dark orange. She’d have to turn back now to get back before dark. The way down was crowded with dozens of people. Bodies standing back to the cliff’s edge, balancing precariously, feet halfway into space, all trying for the perfect selfie. Janice cautiously walked around them, wondering what they would do with all those shots. Had people from an earlier, simpler time appreciated things differently? Did they even really see the colours or was it all just to show the world that you were somewhere enviable. Now something wasn’t real unless a hundred people saw it and liked it.

–– SELFIE Janice was missing the sunset herself, so focused on walking around the bodies crowding her way. ‘Look at that.’ ‘Wow.’ ‘Never saw a cloud like that!’ ‘Bet it gets a hundred likes.’ In a frenzy, buttons were pushed, and videos taken. Janice stopped and turned. It was indeed glorious. From below the horizon, a deep purple cloud poked a slender finger up into the orange sky, adding the final touch of perfection as it blossomed into an expanding mushroom cloud. The End

By E.E. King. E.E. King is an award-winning painter, performer, writer, and naturalist. She’ll do anything that won’t pay the bills, especially if it involves animals. Ray Bradbury called her stories, ‘marvelously inventive, wildly funny and deeply thought-provoking. I cannot recommend them highly enough.’ She’s been published widely, including Clarkesworld. Her stories are on Tangent’s 2019 and 2020, year’s best stories. She has been nominated for five Pushcart awards. She’s shown at the Museum of Modern Art in Los Angeles and is collected internationally. Check out her paintings, writing, musings, and books at: www.elizabetheveking.com and amazon.com/author/eeking.

Charity Spotlight: Coppafeel! One of Continue The Voice’s goals is to empower and educate, so we wanted to highlight the brilliant work being carried out around the country by some of our favourite charities and organisations in a brand new feature. For our first charity spotlight we chatted to Emma Moore from Glasgow University’s Uni Boob Team, who are student ambassadors for the UK charity Coppafeel!, and whose mission is to raise awareness of breast cancer by encouraging us all to check our boobs!

What is the Uni Boob Team all about? The Uni Boob Team are volunteers for CoppaFeel!, the first breast cancer charity in the UK solely created to raise awareness amongst young people! CoppaFeel! was founded in 2009 by twin sisters Kris and Maron Hallenga after Kris was diagnosed with 36

incurable breast cancer at just 23. At the time, Kris was shocked at how little information there was about breast cancer for young people. She hadn’t known the signs and symptoms to be aware of, and so created CoppaFeel! to encourage every young person to be breast aware, and ensure the best chance of living a long, healthy and happy life. Uni Boob

Teams like us are dotted around the UK and help CoppaFeel! spread the boob love! We put on loads of fun events to raise funds for CoppaFeel! and to raise awareness on campus and beyond.

spending time in lockdown has been an important reminder for all of us that we need to be utilising digital resources and platforms all the time! We’re following a phased return to on campus events, under guidance from CoppaFeel! so we’ve had to get more creative And what are your key aims? with online events and think about how we can get our message out to as many people Our key aims are: to encourage young people as possible! to check themselves, to educate them on the signs and symptoms, and to empower them to visit their GP to get checked if something feels How can the rest of us get involved with different from their normal. We all have breast your work? tissue, so we encourage everyone to check their boobs/chest/pecs/melons/whatever you The best way to stay up to date is to follow prefer to call them! We want everyone to get our socials! We’re most active on Instagram to know their normal and trust their touch, so (@ubtglasgow), but you can also find us on Facebook by searching Glasgow Uni Boob that they can be alert to any changes. Team! We’re all about spreading awareness so sharing a post to your story, or tagging someone As our theme for this month is technology you know, are all great ways to help us reach as and your digital campaigns are brilliant, many people as possible. CoppaFeel! also run I was also wondering why you think it’s a free monthly text reminder to encourage you important for you as a charity to reach to get into the habit of checking monthly! It’s people online as well as offline? completely free, and you’ll only ever receive one text at the beginning of each month! Breast cancer can affect anyone, and so we We always look forward to receiving them as want to ensure that not only is the language they’re super upbeat and funny – sending an we use inclusive, but the ways in which we important reminder in a light-hearted way! You deliver our message too. Accessibility is can text UBTGLA to 70500 to sign up! something we’re very mindful of, and I think Interview by Hannah Scott

TECHNOLOGY: I have a confession to make… I am a

Plus, the non-stop travel bans have

bad millennial.

forced us to get creative with how we spend time together. We started

Why? Because I am not obsessed with

watching our favourite TV shows

technology. It plays a fundamental

online at the same time, which we

role in my life, as it does for most

had never thought to do before (thank

people these days, but that role is a

you, Netflix Party!) and we started

perfunctory one. Technology, for me,

playing games together online, too

has always been simply a means to an

(thank you, Animal Crossing!). We

end.

even figured out how to play physical board games as a group of four, along

I don’t get excited when the new

with our partners, despite the fact

iPhone comes out, I prefer physical

that we’re on different continents (if

books over ebooks and audiobooks,

you’re wondering how that works, it

I’m not fussed about social media

involves two copies of the game, lots

(isn’t TikTok a Kesha song?), and I am

of screens, a good Wi-Fi connection,

eternally annoyed by the persistent

and a healthy dose of patience!). The

prompts to update my laptop. Remind

result of all this was that the pandemic

me tomorrow, always.

changed my perspective. Technology stopped feeling like a solution to a

That said, I have relied on technology

problem; it became a lifeline.

heavily since the start of the pandemic.

My best friend (AKA, my big sister/

This is a very small, very personal

soulmate) lives on the other side of

example of how technology made

the Atlantic, and I haven’t seen her in

lockdown more bearable for me.

person in nearly two years. Honestly,

Looking

that’s painful for me to write… But,

lockdown negatively impacted mental

thanks to technology, we speak all the

health and wellbeing, especially among

time.

young people and people who were/

widely,

know

A LIFELINE DURING

THE PANDEMIC are shielding. Technology didn’t solve

lot of accessibility barriers – bypassing

this – virtual catch-ups can’t beat face-

non-accessible

to-face connection – but it has been

the need to travel, and lowering the

a tonic. It gave us vital social support,

cost of entry. These changes have

and helped us maintain relationships

made events more inclusive and have

at a time when we needed them the

widened the pool of people who can

most.

enjoy them. For many, virtual events

venues,

negating

haven’t just been a temporary fix to Even though we quickly became fed

tide us over; instead, they have been

up with chaotic group Zoom calls,

life-changing.

that didn’t seem to stop us. Studies have found that plenty of people have

Now, as most restrictions have eased

actually spent *more* time interacting

and we learn to live with this virus, there

with friends during the pandemic –

are lots of people out there hoping

thanks to smartphones, email, and

that the technological workarounds

instant messaging apps – and many

we devised during lockdown persist –

have even reconnected with friends

and I am certainly one of them. Even

they wouldn’t normally see or speak

though I can hopefully see my sis in

to. I, for one, caught up virtually with

person again in the very near future

school pals I hadn’t seen in years.

(I’m counting down the sleeps until the tentative date of her next visit!),

Beyond our immediate family and

I’m sure there will still be virtual game

existing friendship groups, virtual

nights in our future.

events allowed us to extend our hobbies

beyond

the

home

and

socialise with like-minded strangers.

And you know what? Long may they continue.

Online events also served to remove a Words by Beth Ralston

MAKE-UP LOOK

By Naomi Howell-Steven. Naomi is 23-years-old, born and raised in South-East London. She is a qualified Early Years Educator and while she does still do some work within the education sector, she is also an aspiring make-up artist. Naomi comes from a performing arts background having studied musical theatre, acting and still practising many different styles of dance to this day. You can check out Naomi’s MUA and fashion videos here.

Small Business Spotlight:

The Book Nook

his month we spoke to Leanne Brown, one of the co-owners of The Book Nook in Stirling – a cosy, independent bookshop/café that opened its doors in September 2020.

Tell us a bit about The Book Nook! What’s your story?

put towards it. We had our English degrees and our hospitality experience and the belief that we could (probably) learn everything else along

The Book Nook started out as a pipe dream

the way.

that Jasmine and I discussed over a (tipsy) lunch in 2018. At least that’s when I thought the idea

To be quite honest, we are still learning. There

was first brought up, but we actually found a

are a lot of things that crop up where I think to

Twitter exchange last year between the two of

myself ‘ah… this is where business experience/

us from way back in 2016 talking about opening

accounting experience/bookshop experience

up a ‘bookshop that also sold baked goods’.

would have come in handy’. But we’re a work

Haha!

in progress, and our customers and staff have been super supportive since day one – so I

We had absolutely no experience with business

think from the outside it looks like we’re quite

(I worked as an admin assistant in an office and

well put together!

Jasmine worked in a pub), and no money to 42

What was it like opening a bookshop in the middle of a pandemic?

What’s been the highlight of your first year in business?

The good thing is we had nothing to compare

It’s undoubtedly the massive outpouring of

it to, so we were probably able to adapt better

support we’ve had. People come to visit us

than more established businesses! We have no

from all over because they’ve seen us on social

idea if the pandemic helped or hindered us.

media or in the paper. We went viral on Twitter

When we opened in September, people were

a few weeks after opening and I think the story

desperate to get out and about again and

of how the shop came to be struck a chord with

support local. We had a really successful couple

a lot of people. The support isn’t just from our

of months. But then we had to close for four

customers; it’s also from other neighbouring

months – and while this wasn’t the best thing

businesses who have been so lovely to us. And

that could’ve happened, it actually allowed us to

from our staff who really work hard and take a

take a step back and think about the things that

lot of pride in their jobs.

worked or didn’t work, and prepare ourselves better for reopening in April.

From mine and Jasmine’s perspective as well – when we go to work, it doesn’t feel like we’re 43

‘owning a business’. It feels more like we work shifts in a really cute bookshop café, and even something as simple as shelving books, or watering our plants, or taking over a deluxe hot

The theme of this issue is ‘Technology’. What are the challenges of running a physical bookshop in the digital age? What are the benefits?

chocolate to a table and seeing a customer’s face light up makes me so unbelievably happy.

We’ve benefited from social media for sure

I am eternally happy in that place. I think it’s

– it’s allowed us to grow a lot faster than we

so easy to romanticise the shop, but no-one

would have if we had no online presence. We’re

romanticises it more than us!

situated a bit out of the way from the city centre,

What are The Book Nook Team reading right now?

so if we were to just rely on foot traffic we would have had a much slower start. Technology is an overwhelmingly positive thing

This question always incites an hour-long

for us. I don’t really believe in the whole luddite

discussion, so I’ve taken the liberty to condense

way of thinking that the internet/Amazon/

it! Some of our favourites are:

social media is bad for bookshops, especially

Leanne – ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ by

a bookshop like ours that is trying to appeal to

TJ Klune; ‘Horrorstör’ by Grady Hendrix (also

Millenials/Gen Z. Our highest selling book over

on Jasmine’s list!); ‘The Song of Achilles’ by

the past year (by a huge margin!) was ‘The Song

Madeline Miller.

of Achilles’, which was published way back in

Jasmine – ‘Even the Birds Grow Silent’ by Alex

2013 but had a resurgence recently across TikTok

Nye; ‘Little Eve’ by Catriona Ward.

and Instagram. Our target demographic uses

Craig – ‘Slaughterhouse Five’ by Kurt Vonnegut;

social media and the internet as a consistent

‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir.

part of their lives, and we’d be remiss to ignore

Joanna – ‘The Lost Storyteller’ by Amanda

the impact of that.

Block (also on Yasmin’s list!); ’The Last House on Needless Street’ by Catriona Ward. Alyssa – ‘Never Saw Me Coming’ by Vera Kurian; ‘Firekeeper’s Daughter’ by Angeline Boulley. Eli – ‘Duck Feet’ by Ely Percy. Yasmin – ‘Lore’ by Alexandra Bracken; ‘The Starless Sea’ by Erin Morgenstern. Laura – ‘They Both Die at the End’ by Adam Silvera. Luke (Jasmine’s 2 year old) – ‘Elmer’, same as always! Also ‘Gustavo, the Shy Ghost’, a Halloween picture book by Flavia Z Drago. 44

And lastly, what are your hopes and dreams for the future of the shop? What are you planning? We’re currently working hard on having more events in the shop. We recently had our first event in October with Kirkland Ciccone, who is an author that we both love, and a regular of the shop since we first opened last year. We do have a couple more things in the pipeline – none have been advertised yet because it’s insane how long things like this take to organise! I don’t think of us as being very ambitious – but when I look back over the past year, and all the things we’ve managed to accomplish, I guess that can’t possibly be true. We must be some kind of ambitious to have started this in the first place! You’ll find The Book Nook at 24 Upper Craigs in Stirling, or you can visit them online at: thebooknookstirling.co.uk.

Interview by Beth Ralston

Things We’re

Loving! It’s getting closer to the festive time of year, so it’s time to snuggle down and enjoy what festive stuff one of our Editors, Grace, has been watching, listening and reading this month! I’m a bit of a Christmas fiend – my Christmas stuff goes up on the 1st December every year, and almost immediately Christmas tunes are being played and Christmas films are on the TV! I just love it! I love wearing cosy jumpers, hats and scarves, giant coats and gloves, and I live year round in my boots collection! By Grace Balfour-Harle

At Christmas time, I do tend to rewatch films, e.g. Arthur Christmas, Love Actually, The Christmas Chronicles, Nativity, Klaus, as well as any other Hallmark-esque film that Netflix has made. It’s a bit sappy, but I just love all the cosiness and general feeling around Christmas and sappy Hallmark movies just get me. As for TV shows, I’ve been watching Line of Duty with my partner from the beginning, as I’ve only seen the most recent series, so we’re catching up. I’ve also been watching Bones which is about a forensic anthropologist and FBI agent who solve crimes. So not so cosy at times, but I just love all the characters. I also have been watching the Great British Bake Off, Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK and Strictly Come Dancing, as well as Doctor Who! A bit eclectic, but that’s me!

Wat ch

Christmas music is just my favourite, I love the feeling it gives me. I’m the sort of person who is happy to listen to it in November (I know not everyone is like that, so it’s normally in my headphones where no-one else can hear me). There are some songs that I have to hear at Christmas time (some are easier than others). One is All I want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey, which is a classic. Another is the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy – I’m a dancer and seeing a ballet at Christmas is just perfection. The third is the Grinch Soundtrack (from the Jim Carey 2000 film, not the most recent) and finally, Christmas is Coming Home to Glasgow by Carol Laula, which is played as the finale song for my dance school every year and that’s when I know it’s Christmas time, as all the work towards the dance show is done, and we can just relax!

Some people have a tradition for reading specific books at Christmas, like ‘A Christmas Carol’ or other Christmasthemed books. I don’t tend to do that – this year I’m racing to finish some books before the end of my reading challenge for the year to get me back into reading. So recently I’ve read ‘Pachinko’ by Min Jin Li, ‘Danger at Dead Man’s Pass’ by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgeman and ‘The Seven Sisters’ series by Lucinda Riley, which is very interesting.

Listen READ 47

PLAYLIST

Listen on Spotify

All I Want For Christmas Is You Mariah Carey Hark The Herald Angels Sing Nat King Cole Christmas is coming home to Glasgow Carol Laula I Want An Alien For Christmas Fountains of Wayne Underneath The Tree Kelly Clarkson

. . . It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Michael Buble Christmas of Love Little Isador and The Inquisitors In the Bleak Midwinter Smith and Burrows O Holy Night Nina Nesbitt Sugar Plum Fairy Pentatonix One More Sleep Leona Lewis

Coorie Moments As the world opens a little more, we want to remind you to appreciate the little things in life so we are including a monthly feature of Coorie moments written by our editorial team and illustrated by our team’s illustrator. For anyone who may not know, here is the definition of Coorie: a Scots word meaning ‘to snuggle, nestle’. It has been appropriated and positioned as a ‘lifestyle trend’, similar to the Scandinavian concept of hygge, which involves ideas such as cosiness.

Coming in from the cold and thawing by the fire

Sliding your feet into sherpa-lined slippers

Pampering yourself with an at-home, DIY spa day

Embracing simple pleasures like board games with friend

Switching off the overhead lamps and dining by candlelight

Indulging in your favourite comfort food, savouring every bite

Snuggling up under fresh, brushed cotton bed sheets

Stroking a purring cat as it dozes on your lap

Being cosy in bed and listening to the rain outside

Waking up and realising it’s the weekend Words by Beth Ralston & Illustrations by Shannon Gardner

What do you believe

is the future of

technology? Not to sound too dystopian, but from looking at the current direction technology is taking, I believe that the future of technology is definitely in easily accessible virtual and augmented reality as a means of escaping from the realities of societal and climate related issues. Naomi Howell-Steven

I believe the future of technology will see huge advancements not only in transportation, education, communication, and household goods, but in monetary exchanges as well. I strongly believe that future buying and selling of goods and services will take the form of crypto-currencies, such as BitCoin, and new exchanges that haven’t been invented yet. All technologies will eventually become more interwoven, seamless, and invisible. Sarah Jane

I believe technology has damned us, but could save us. Elizabeth Eve Carter

I believe, and uneasily suspect, that the future of technology is emotional bonding between humans and machines, and nearly complete integration of technology into every aspect of human life. Kiara Carter

Technology will continue to play a vital role in our lives for the foreseeable future. Reliance on technology will continue apace with COVID-19 Pandemic and the vital role technology has played to ensure its business as usual. Technology companies will continue to see us as tools and, with ferocious verve, do everything possible to have us engage with their platforms. However, I hope that we as individuals have time for ourselves and cultivate enduring relationships and live a fulfilling life outside of those technological spaces. Tolu’ A. Akinyemi Answers to how the future will change often force me to choose between positive or negative prospects. People in the past questioned the future, but we live our daily lives now regardless of their views. The same will be true of future technologies. It’s neither a tragedy nor a comedy, and it’s just a daily cycle in the future. Hanyong Jeong 53

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Celebration Continue The Voice presents Issue 15: Celebration. Coming to a laptop, tablet or mobile phone near you on the 9th of January 2022 at 12pm. It can be found on Issuu or at www. continuethevoice.com/zine Next month will have all of our features that you know and love, but also a lot of art dedicated to the theme of Celebration. Celebration is a big part of all of our lives and everyone celebrates different events and in different ways so this upcoming issue explores different ways people celebrate and why. Subscribe to our website to get sneak peeks of features to come, and other exclusive content.

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December

2021

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