Grok #1 2016

FREE Issue #1 2016 Published

by Curtin Student Guild

SIEM REAP 5 D O L L A R WI N E C R ITI C N O, I ’ M N OT YO U R GAY B EST F R I E N D W H Y ZO O L A N D E R 2 M I S S ES T H E M A R K

Grok#1_2016_Cover.indd 1

16-Feb-16 9:50:04 AM

Grok#1_2016_Cover.indd 2

16-Feb-16 9:50:04 AM

1.

Issue #1 / 2016

Contact

Contributors

Grok exists for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed therin are not necessarily that of Curtin Student Guild.

Email // grok@guild.curtin.edu.au

Grok would not exist were it not for the generous donation of time and effort of its contributors, to whom we are eternally grateful.

Editor // Caitlin Creeper Art Direction & Design // Rozanna Johnson Cover // Rozanna Johnson Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Grok #1_2016.indd 1

Caitlin Creeper / Jesse Stuart Keddie / Jarod Rhine Davis / Chloe Macri / Jake Dennis / Elise Van Aken / Amanada Frost

16-Feb-16 9:29:52 AM

2016 Grok Editor

editorial

Caitlin Creeper

2.

W E ’ R E BAC K. Welcome back, guys. And happy 2016! I swear I always think these three/four months off go by in the blink of an eye, but then I find myself not remembering how to hold a pen or what year we’re actually in. It’s then I realise my brain probably needs to do some more learning now, though every other part of me longs to stay in that 40+ degrees lazy Perth summer stupor forever, in a state of denial about my burgeoning food baby as I go H.A.M on yet another cheese-and-dip platter with my friends. Speaking of the heat, I don’t even know why Advance Australia Affair is our national anthem, when a litany of “fuck, it’s hot”, “isn’t it hot today?” “It’s so fucking hot” seems to be a great deal more representative of 70 per cent of the conversations that took place in Perth this summer.

Anyway, we’re all back here, and if you’re new here and just picking up your first copy of Grok can I just say HI!! you’re gonna have a good time. You’re gonna have some shit times. But just know you belong here, so don’t ever doubt that for a second. This isn’t some American-College thing where you have to earn your way in to the student body through hazing rituals or whatever. Nor is it high school where the seniors are the king-pins and you have to find your place among the hierarchy- not too loud, not too opinionated, not too out there. All that cliquey, caringabout-what-the-social-circle thinks of you stuff? That’s gone, far behind you in high school. This is the good years you’re coming up to right here. This is where you get to flex those wings and be your damn self in all your awkward, bad joking, snorting laugh, opinions-that-challenge-thestatus-quo weird, beautiful, glory. You find your tribe, and accept you are perfectly deserving of good friends and a good university experience and good love and a good life, exactly as you are. You’re done pretending to be someone

Grok #1_2016.indd 2

that you’re not. If you’re reading this somewhere around the Curtin Campus, looking around you and the whole university thing is feeling huge and daunting and terrifying and like everyone’s watching you, I have three things to say.

1) Take a deep breath. You got this. No, seriously. You’ve got this. Do your thang and you’ll attract the right kind of people.

2) No ones watching you. No ones ever watching us as much as we think they are, really. We’re all too focused on ourselves.

3) If there’s one tip i’d give, it is if you want to make friends, YOU have to get comfortable being the first one to say hey. If you wait for it, it might never come. Most of us are scaredy-cats when it comes to putting ourselves out there.

Yes, going out on a limb and putting yourself in a position where you could be shut down sucks, and yes, it’s cringey.

But trust me if you force yourself to drop that first ‘hey’ you will see how many people are hanging out for it. “But what if I get rejected” you ask? If you get rejected, or stonewalled, which is extremely unlikely, just know it’s not a reflection on you at all, but them. Be confident in yourself that you’re one dope individual anyone would love to have as a friend and see what kind of goodness you attract to yourself. If someone passes, no worries! Next!

On that note, i’ma let you finish Grok Issue 1 2016 in peace.

We hope you enjoy the rad interviews, reviews, articles and guides we’ve pulled together for your reading pleasure..

Also if you could see yourself writing for us, hit me up at grok@guild.curtin.edu.au. I’d love to hear from you!

Alright, i’m out.

Caitlin (Ed)

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

CONTENTS

3.

10.

From Where You’d Rather Be: Siem Reap

4-9.

YOU R STUDE NT RE PS Catch up on all the goss from around the Guild!

12.

Won’t Somebody Think of the Children?

16.

STUDE NT ASSIST Tips For Uni Newbies

18.

“She’s Crazy Man”

20.

Naked, Blue Haired, and Musical Men

22.

Five Dollar Wine Critic

26.

ONWARDS

REVI EWS The Bubble Lab Nine Nine Zoolander Room

23.

Hateful Eight End of the Line

Yes, I’m Gay. No, I’m not the ‘Gay Best Friend’

Getting f*ckboys out of having to justify thier poor behaviour since 1900BC

Grok #1_2016.indd 3

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

PRESIDENT / GEN SEC

4.

be doing all we can to see free parking in off-peak periods.

GUILD PRESIDE NT Jake Wittey Welcome for some, welcome back for others – and for us at the Guild, well, we never left. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m happy to be here. Finding out that our hard work in 2015 meant that 87 percent of respondents to the CASS survey said they were satisfied with our services meant a lot to us. It’s the kind of thing that keeps me going, but alas; we’ve been hard at work over the break making sure that this is year is the year you say “man, the Guild really kicked a few goals for students”.

2016 is going to be pretty full on, so here’s a tasty breakdown of the good and the bad that’s in store BAD NEWS Parking: The University is sticking to their guns on the matter. You will be charged to park on campus, unless it is an exam week. This is a real bummer and all, but rest assured that we will

Grok #1_2016.indd 4

Changes to the Curtin University of Technology Act: As you may be aware, Curtin University is created and governed by an Act of Parliament.

Currently, this act says that there are to be two elected students to sit on University Council. This Act also says that we get half of your SSAF money to spend on things like events, student assist, and clubs. However, the University wants to change these two things, so that they get to pick which students sit on University Council, and how much of your SSAF your Guild gets to spend on events. I like democracy, and I also like it when students have control of student money. If you do too, give us a hand in stopping this and sign our petition and visit www.saveourvoice.org for more information.

GOOD NEWS Amazing new events calendar: Have a gander at the Activities Vice President’s column for a big dose of excitement.

Potential Changes to your Assessment Structures: Myself, the Education Vice President and the Faculty Representatives have been speaking to the University, raising your concerns about your courses. It looks as though those pesky hard copy submissions that accompany a digital submission could become a thing of the past (though let’s not count our chickens before the eggs hatch).

GENERAL S E C R E TA RY Liam O’Neill Make Curtin Great Again, this is my motto for 2016, as your Guild General Secretary it is my privilege and duty to be the wall that ensures that no illegal activity crosses the border into our great Guild.

Trump jokes aside, I am currently stuck with the task for the first half of this semester of completing a thorough review and rewrite of the Guild’s governing documents.

This is as tedious as it sounds, it is however very important. My focus is to both ensure that the Guild is modern and efficient while still being as accountable and transparent to its members as possible. It is a mammoth task, but I am looking forward to it surprisingly.

If you have questions or suggestions you can send me an email at generalsecret ar y@g uild.cur tin. edu.au or come and find me in my office between 1pm and 3pm on Thursdays.

That’s all from me at this stage!

Much love,

Jake

Guild Sec

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

vp’s

5.

AC T I V I T I E S VIC E PRESIDE NT

E D U C AT I O N VIC E PRESIDE NT

Jack “Marto” Martin

Sarah Franz

2016, here we are again for another year of fun, parties and events. A little bit about myself I’ve been studying at Curtin now for 3 years and I’ve been involved in the events since the beginning. My time spent at and around the events of previous years have urged me to get involved to make them bigger and better than ever I’m looking forward to what we have in store this year and I can almost guarantee you will too. This year we are continuing to hold the best uni parties in the state whilst still growing.

In the first few weeks of Semester we have 3 massive events including our O’day After Party (Wed 24th Feb) featuring Jungle Giants and Nina Las Vegas as well as our Annual Toga Party on the Friday night of O-Week at the Tav which is always jam packed so get in early.

With the growth in 2016 we have now extended outside the boundaries of the Tav and are launching our own Female Led Music Festival, Athena Women’s Music Festival, the only of its kind in the country on March 11th . The lineups and artists playing at all of our events are available at the Curtin Student Guild Facebook page. I look forward to having a drink with you at our events or bumping into you in passing. Best of luck for the start of the year.

Hey everyone! I’m Sarah your 2016 Education Vice President! We’ve got some awesome stuff planned for this first part of semester so lets get straight in to it!

Marto x

To start off with, Equity breakfasts are back! Every few weeks your guild reps will be helping dish out some delicious bacon and eggs. You’ll be able to find us every few weeks on Tuesday mornings from 9.30, better get in quick though, we run out fast!

Next is the Curtin Education Network which we’re super happy to be restarting the CEN this year, it’s a great way for people who are interested in education activism to get more involved and help to create change! Their first meeting is on Wednesday the 9th of March and they’ll be helping with the NDA Crafternoon on Wednesday the 30th of March too! If you want more info you can find them on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/ groups/862793977116620/ Finally, all of the Guilds different Equity Departments have been working hard over the summer break to come up with new and amazing events for this semester. With the Queer Department running Queers on the Lawn again in week one and the Women’s Department launching Athena Music Festival in week two there’s a lot to look forward to!

That’s all from me, have a fantastic start to Semester One! Sarah 

Grok #1_2016.indd 5

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

Student Banking

Join1 today and to say thanks we’ll put $202 into your account.

Visit our marquee at Curtin O-day on 24 February to find out more!

Our student banking has been developed especially with you in mind, incorporating a range of products designed to help you during this exciting time in your life. Join the Bank today and we’ll look after you when you need it the most, now and in the future.

Apply1 today unibank.com.au or 1800 864 864 UniBank is a division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238981.

1. Membership eligibility applies to join the Bank. Membership is open to citizens or permanent residents of Australia who are current or retired employees, students and graduates of Australian Universities, or family members of existing members of the Bank. This banking package is available to you if you are a current full time student at any Australian University, and may be withdrawn at any time. Conditions of use – Accounts and access document and Fees and charges brochures are available online or from any of our offices. You should read both of these documents before deciding to open accounts and access facilities issued by Teachers Mutual Bank Limited. Any advice provided here does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation, or needs, which you should consider before acting on any recommendations. For further information call 1800 864 864 or go to unibank.com.au 2. The Bank will credit an initial $20 into your Everyday account once opened. An additional $20 will be credited into the Everyday account when you make a purchase with your UniBank Visa Debit Card within 28 days of opening your membership. UniBank is a division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238981 | 00954-MAR-UB-0216

Grok #1_2016.indd 6

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

B USI N ESS FAC U LT Y R E P

HUMANTITIES FAC U LT Y R E P

Priya Raj

Lewis Whittaker

Hi, I’m Priya, your Business Faculty Representative for 2016.

I’m really looking forward to representing you this year, so if you have any CBS related issues, or have any concerns as a CBS student, please don’t be a stranger - come and see me! I’ll be in my office in building 106F on Tuesdays between 1:30pm and 2:30pm, and Thursdays between 12:30pm and 1:30pm.

Hi there!

I’m Lewis, your 2016 Humanities Faculty Representative! I’m going into my final year of an International Relations and Economics double degree. My role is represent your views to the faculty as well as run various events throughout the year, such as Arts Fair on the 23rd of March and I would love to see you all there.

Fac re ps

7.

A new initiative from the student reps this year is consult hours. This is a time each week your student rep will be in the office to answer any and all queries you may have about university life, academic issues or even what electives to pick(there is a LOT to choose from). My consult hours this semester are 1-3pm every Monday in building 106F (Guild reception). If you can’t make it, feel free to drop me an email and I’ll get back to you ASAP See you around - Lewis

H E A LT H S C I E N C E S FAC U LT Y R E P Kieran Gulvan

SC IE NC E & ENGINEERING FAC U LT Y R E P Noni Hobbs

Hey hey, It’s a weird feeling seeing a whole lot of the people I know from first year and high school graduating, meanwhile I’ve only just made it to third year after a course change.

Knowing that I have another 2 years on my degree is kind of daunting, but at the same time I’ve been doing this studying thing for a while now, so I’ve seen my fair share of the good and the bad here. So to all the freshers who are about to skip lectures to go to the Tav for the first time, so you can catch up on them at home (lmao), welcome! I’m here to represent you (more specifically health science students but I don’t discriminate). We at the guild are all enthusiastic about giving everybody the best experience we can, and we have a huge amount of stuff planned!

Dear diary, I’m so excited for 2016, I feel like it’s going to be a year full of joy and excitement as I take on my life long dream of being the Science & Engineering Faculty Rep. Even within the first few weeks of this year, I started realizing lots of things, like how it might be wise for me to address units within SciEng courses that have unrealistic pass requirements and late submission penalties, as well as review the manner in which group assignment peer evaluation is carried out.

Cheers, Kieran

2016 at the Curtin Student Guild. Looking good.

Grok #1_2016.indd 7

But most of all, I can’t wait to meet more students within my faculty, and help them with whatever issues they may be having. I’ll be available for them to personally visit me if they require my assistance from 12-2pm every Wednesday at the student Guild.

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

e q u it y d e partm e nts

8.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L STU DE NT COM M ITTE E Natasha Woenarso Hello! Welcome to 2016. I’m Natasha, the ISC President.

The ISC is the representative body for international students, responsible for voicing their concerns, issues and be their voice at Curtin. A department of the Guild, the ISC’s dedicated team aims to assist international students in achieving an all-rounded quality education whilst enjoying a meaningful and full-of-experience social life at Curtin and in Australia.

As the president of the committee, I am responsible to represent international students, so if you have any dissatisfaction or feedback during your time at Curtin as an international student, feel free to let me know by contacting me at isc.president@guild. curtin.edu.au The ISC also promotes multiculturalism within the campus and ensures the social calendar is kept full with many culturally diverse and exciting events throughout the year, starting with the Rottnest Trip at the beginning of Semester 1.

Follow us on Facebook to keep updated: www.facebook.com/ CurtinISC

Grok #1_2016.indd 8

Q U E E R D E PA RT M E N T

MAT U R E AG E D E PA RT M E N T

Logan Ward & Imogen Charles

Jordan Piggott

Welcome back to Curtin from your 2016 Queer officers! The Queer department (QD) is located in the 106 guild building right next to the guild courtyard. Our department is focused around everything sexuality and gender related and we are always happy to talk and answer any questions focused around these issues. The department works as a safe space for members of the Queer community as well as their allies and friends. Basically anyone that knows and accepts that people are all built differently (and that’s what makes us rad) is welcome here. Find us on Facebook for more information!

G’day folks,

Also… we have a meet and greet every first Wednesday of the month so if you’re in the mood for free Pizza— come and introduce yourself and get to know some likeminded people.

Whether you’re coming back to Curtin or starting here for the first time; we wish you luck and are sending you lots of good, positive vibes :^)

The Mature Age Department is back again in 2016 to make sure that your university experience as a mature age student is as stress-free as possible.

Whether you want to find out more about our emergency childcare assistance grants, talk about the issues you face as a mature age student or just want to come and have a chat, my door is (figuratively) always open. Feel free flick me an email at mature@guild.curtin.edu.au, or find me in my office in building 106F. We’ll be kicking off the year with a mature age sundowner, and have plenty more social and networking events in the works for the rest of the year.

Have a ripper start to the semester, and don’t be strangers.

Stay safe (especially sexually) everyone!

Love always, Logan and Immy <3

16-Feb-16 9:29:53 AM

WO M E N ’ S D E PA RT M E N T

I N D I G E N O U S D E PA RT M E N T

Jayne Kazich & Saraya Martin

Madison Ludwig & Sharleah Ramirez

Happy 2016 heavenly people. Your Women’s Officers for this year are Jayne Kazich and Saraya Martin, we are both nursing students nearing the end of our degrees and passionate intersectional feminists. So down to the juicy stuff! On 8th March we will be hosting a picnic for International Women’s Day, followed on the 11th by Athena Music Festival which will be a platform for talented women artists and performers. There is a whole bunch of other things in the works including women’s collective catchups, campaigning against changes to Medicare & SSAF, autonomous women’s car maintenance workshops and a great deal more. We can be found in Building 106F in the Women’s Department, Jayne is always there Monday’s 9-11 and Saraya on Tuesday’s 12-2pm. The Women’s department is a safe, autonomous space that you can use if you identify as a woman or experience oppression as a woman, the keys can be found at Guild reception. Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook. com/womenatcurtin to keep up to date on events and interesting feminist discussion or email women@ guild.curtin.edu.au if you have any questions. Xoxo Jayne & Saraya

The Indigenous Department aims to promote and educate non-Indigenous people on Indigenous Australian’s culture, history and issues. Our intention is to create a sense of awareness and acknowledgment between both Indigenous and nonIndigenous cohorts. Currently our department is in the process of creating its foundation which in future will turn out to be beneficial for all, this department aims to increase and sustain its Indigenous student cohort throughout Curtin University as we are here to support and encourage our students to be all that they can be. If anybody is interested in our department, or need to some sort of direction; by all means come around and have a yarn with Maddy or Sharleah- ALL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME! Every Thursday from 1pm-3pm we will be in our office at the Guild. For more information, our times we are in will be on the door of our office, have a great year everyone; make every second count :)

Grok #1_2016.indd 9

STU DE NTS WITH DISAB I LITI E S DE PARTM E NT Joshua Mackenzie Hi! I’m Joshua & this year I’ll be your Curtin students with disabilities officer.

e q u it y d e partm e nts

9.

This is a new department for the guild & as its first ever officer I’ll be in charge of its creation. I’ll be establishing a strong support network for students with disabilities on campus, and will always be available to help with any issues, problems or concerns students with disabilities face on campus. I’ll also be advocating & representing us to the University as a whole. I’m currently looking for students who identify as having a disability or mental illness who would like to get involved or contribute to the department in any way. If you have any ideas, thoughts or would just like to be a part of our collective please contact me at disabilities@ guild.curtin.edu.au or in person at the guild, building 106.

16-Feb-16 9:29:54 AM

10.

10.

FROM WH E RE Y O U â&#x20AC;&#x2122; D R AT H E R B E: S I E M R E A P, C A M B O D I A Chloe Macri

Siem Reap is both one of the happiest and most eye-opening places youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ever go. The history, the culture and the spirit of the people were things I took away with me and have kept forever. From the startling magnificence of Angkor Wat, the French colonial inf luence, and the people; Siem Reap is absolutely amazing.

Grok #1_2016.indd 10

16-Feb-16 9:29:54 AM

11.

11.

WHAT EVE N IS SI E M REAP? Siam Reap roughly translates to “the defeat Siam” which is a reference to the ancient wars fought between the Siamese and Khmer people. Siem Reap is Cambodia’s second most populous city and the central tourist hub for Cambodia. Cambodia has a long and interesting but also extremely brutal history. During the Angkor empire the Cambodian people flourished, however they have endured much hardship over time, especially in fairly recent years during the Khmer Rouge; a radical restructuring of their society. By the very end of the 20th century, the oppressive Khmer Rouge had been stopped and Siam Reap and Cambodia in general has since enjoyed relative stability and peace.

THI NGS YOU’ L L WANT TO SE E There is one major attraction in Siam Reap that you absolutely cannot miss!

UNESCO world heritage listed and the reason why many people visit Siam Reap, the wondrous Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument.

The temple was originally constructed as a Hindu temple however was converted to a Buddhist temple in the 12st Century. Tours that take you to Angkor Wat for the sunri se are highly recommended; it is a magical experience even if you do have to get out of bed at 4 in the morning.

In addition to the main temple there are a variety of temples within the Angkor Wat complex that are worth checking out. This includes the temple that featured on the Tomb Raider films

Grok #1_2016.indd 11

(and is now known as the Tomb Raider temple) and Bayon temple which is known for its 216 different faces.

Once you’re all templed-out, the floating villages and Tonle Sap Lake are great to go see. In terms of shopping and chilling, the three markets within central Siam Reap and the aptly named Pub street are the places to go.

TH E PEOPLE AN D C U LTU RE The Cambodian people are genuinely the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

They’re friendly, modest and sincere.

They’re all about respect and saving face and also like to have a good laugh.

There are a lot of organisations and programs set up in Siem Reap that look after orphaned children and those with troubled homes. Some businesses employ young adults, providing them with an education, a job and getting them off the street.

One restaurant in particular, Green Star Restaurant, is a not-for-profit restaurant which supports the Green Gecko organisation, set up to help former street kids.

HOT TI PS B E FORE YOU GO CURRENCY- Although they have their own local currency, touristy areas like Siem Reap use American dollars in most places. Hotels and restaurants will accept both but often, market stalls and some cafes will only accept the US monies. This can sometimes be problematic, as the exchange rate for us Aussies is much worse for US, than it is for Cambodia Riel, so things aren’t

always that cheap. In saying that, we paid US$2.50 for a jug of beer.

SAFETY- Be cautious, Cambodia has a notoriously high corruption rate and can be a little dodgy at times, especially in the tourist-infected places like the airport, Angkor Wat, and markets. Never walk around by yourself, especially at night and carry your stuff nice and close. Common sense stuff really.

It’s an eye opener, and one that will probably make you sad at times. You will see children begging and selling things and some people living in poverty. If you want to make a difference (and trust me, you’ll want to), make sure you do your research, as there are many extremely fantastic options (like donating goods, time or money, volunteering, or visiting certain places) and organisations out there, many which rely on tourism to survive.

POVERTY-

VISAS- You’ll need a Visa! The Australian embassy and Smart Traveller website have good tips and some links for where you can get them before you go, but be wary of fake websites that claim they’re legit.

You can also buy your visas on arrival but that’s at the liberty of the customs officers and can potentially be quite pricey.

So have fun, be safe and enjoy the simple majesty that is Siem Reap.

16-Feb-16 9:29:55 AM

12.

WO N ’ T SO M E B O DY PLEASE THIN K OF THE C H I L D R E N? Jesse Stuart Keddie

Justice. One signature and a bill or two pushed through parliament. More funding to outreach indigenous programs. To get kids out of detention.

To get a cardinal back into the country to testify for church cover-ups into molestation. Further investigations into indigenous deaths in custody with actual convictions and not being moved to another position. Justice.

Grok #1_2016.indd 12

I was visiting a friend in lockup who was arrested for protesting the death of Cameron Doomadgee which occurred in lock up.

‘What kind of justice is this?’ I asked him. He replied ‘Look around here kobba. It’s just-us here.’ Referring to the colour of the other inmates and himself. ‘Justice’.

It all seems too much. People with power avoiding punishment for war crimes, crimes against humanity. The evidence of backroom deals, corruption, and cover-ups.

16-Feb-16 9:29:55 AM

13.

That’s why we vote. That’s why we write letters to our local members. That’s why we do sit in’s, that’s why we protest, that’s why move our bank accounts to building societies who don’t fund crimes against nature and children. accountable. Vote.

Here’s a non-fiction (and incriminating) tale of when I was forgotten about and fed to the kiddie fiddlers.

I was groomed, courted and molested by a high school teacher for 3 years. Sure, I’m expressing a terror in an attempt to validate my own experience (which I do – a lot) it is more about the consequences of not seeking help.

The consequences of being made to feel that you won’t be heard. I’m turning 31 this year and am only just picking up the pieces and trying to get on with my life.

The young whore I was had been seeking affection, attention and some sense of consistency and stability since my parents were dealing with a divorce. With a relatively complicated mental illness thrown into the mix it was easier to seek self-harm in any means possible. Drinking, drugs, physical abuse and the lure of sexual misconduct (promiscuity being a symptoms of bi-polar disorder).

Around the age 14 (and up until I was 16) I consented to and chased said buggerer of young children (or Duggering if you’re a fan of 19 and Counting). I craved the attention from a father figure a father who was absent from my life and on the other side of the country.

Consequently after all had been said and done I’ve got a boatload of unresolved post traumatic stress that would cause the most feared soldier to ‘accidently discharge his weapon while cleaning it.’

The PTSD was not caused by the rape, though is a part of it. It was caused by the egos from all parties involved that still cant and won’t face all of their failings on the matter.

Due to everlasting insecurities, ignorance, bigotry and

Grok #1_2016.indd 13

greed I would remain unwell. Fuelling ongoing exposures to a series of unfortunate events and relationships for the decades to come Relationships such as an ex that would beat me and chase me around with a broomstick. Another that was a serial cheater who would emotionally manipulate to get an outcome that they wanted. Another where work/money/ appearance was more important than happiness. Daddy issues, Mummy issues and issues with regret were common (though not always) traits in my partners. More so that they were who their parents wanted them to be to the point of misery. Not misery as in sadness, but Misery as in the film where you’re a famous writer strapped to a loonies bed about to have your ankles crushed. THAT kind of misery.

As my previous behavior demonstrated, being romantically involved with these people was just another symptom of self-destruction. Instead of attempting to drink myself to death or throwing myself off bridges as in the past, I’d emotionally cause so much damage that in the end I wouldn’t want to have any kind of relationship. With anyone. To be ‘forever alone’ like a neck beard.

All the terrible things I had allowed myself to be part of had been a learned and accepted behavior. Behavior’s that had been imprinted on me since childhood.

Sound familiar? Kids who get beaten by their parents, emotionally manipulated, raped, drugged, locked up, forced fed, starved, brainwashed, sold off, put on a pedestal or even worshipped the cycle will often repeat history. My PTSD was again, partly due to that I was fighting against the injustice of it all with a voice and presence that felt invisible.

Often those who do the abusing have also inherited their parents PTSD behaviors and traits. I’m fucked up because I’m trying to undo intergenerational abuse. Inheriting all that pain and suffering from my parents. But you, I, others

16-Feb-16 9:29:55 AM

14.

WO N ’ T S O M E B O DY P L E A S E T H I N K O F T H E C H I L D R E N?

SU

C

we can all work together, we can work on moving forward.

We can undo the damage (I’m looking at you Boomers’).

Back to the hot cosby.

My perpetrator was a homeless child prostitute in his youth, smuggling 8-balls across the border and being made to do sex acts with actual 8-balls. Rich peoples play toy. All this was before straightening out his (cock) life and learning to behave. Though it wouldn’t last long. He ended up repeating the behavior that he was subject to and eventually groomed young boys into said abuse that was committed onto him.

He’s rotting in jail. Unfortunately his conviction was in the early-mid 2000’s when newspaper archiving in Queensland was a new thing. Finding evidence to prove my story has been…tricky, especially since he was a Teacher and all names were withheld to protect the innocent.

Having a bi-polar disorder, one of the symptoms from my youth (pre teen) had been ‘telling stories’ and/or ‘convincing lies.’ So why would anyone believe or listen to anything I had to say? My ongoing experience with my friends and family say otherwise – I was not to be taken too seriously (crying wolf) and wasn’t to be given the benefit of the doubt. The old’ Boomer mantra - kids should be seen but not heard. I felt like I was neither seen nor heard. I was by my abuser though.

Yet if it were all a lie, something to be made up, wouldn’t the prudent thing be to get more help, to dig deeper into the underlying problem? Why would I make up such terrible things? Who was I really trying to hurt or embarrass?

Given the resources and advancements in mental health in the late 20 th century there is no excuse as to why it took me almost two decades to finally be given the correct treatment for my disability/illness. All parties involved are to blame yet are all not at fault. There is not just one cause, one victim or one scapegoat.

It’s been fun. Why the confession now? It’s not for me.

It’s for all of you who might have gone through something similar. So, if you suspect you’re unwell, or that something’s not quite right in your head – go see someone. Go talk to a doctor, a shrink, a day nurse, healthcare worker, mental health worker – anyone (that isn’t a friend or family member). Figure it out. Maybe you don’t need to be medicating, maybe you need to be hospitalized. Maybe you just need to be heard. What you don’t need to be is abused, raped, manipulated, and made to feel invisible. There is help out there and plenty of it. So ask for it – especially if you don’t think you need it. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Being 30 isn’t so bad.

One last thing. To all you anti-vaxxers. I’d still rather be disabled than be responsible for the return of the bubonic plague.

I F YOU, OR SOM EON E YOU KNOW N E E DS H E L P...

www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/getting_help/Emergency_help/emergency_mherl.aspx

Meli

nga

OR EVE N J UST SOM EON E TO TAL K TO - SOM E OTH E R H E L P FU L CONTAC TS M IG HT B E...

C

Curtin Counselling (during business hours) - 9266 7850 or 1800 651 878 (Freecall) http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

Grok #1_2016.indd 14

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

CAFES, RESTAURANTS, TAKEAWAYS & THE WATERFORD TAVERN

SUPPORTING Curtin Guild Sign Up Week March 1st

Ask retailers about

Curtin Student

DISCOUNTS!

STUDENTS

NEED! STUDENT SERVICES & PERSONAL SHOPPING

SUPERMARKETS & SPECIALIST GROCERIES

Follow us for special offers, news & events Only 400m from Curtin’s Kent St Entrance

Lp

Ct

KENT ST

NN

L

A

nga

Meli

AD R

Low an

WA

MANNING

/WaterfordPlaza

RD

OPEN 7

DAYS 7am - 11pm

Corner of Kent St & Manning Rd

FREE 4 hour shaded parking on upper deck PLUS OVER 55 SPECIALTY STORES

Grok #1_2016.indd 15

waterfordplaza.com.au

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

16.

Student Assist is the welfare department of the Curtin Student Guild. Simon, Juliana, Jo-Ann, Andrew, Olivia and Onki are there to support all students, postgrad and undergrad, with any personal, welfare or academic issues. Their services are free for all Curtin students and cover three main areas: ACADEMIC SUPPORT such as: appealing assessments or termination status and/or academic misconduct issues.

WELFARE SUPPORT such as: financial support, legal referrals, various types of grants and grievance advice.

OTHER SUPPORT areas such as: resume and interview skills, personal development workshops and exam skill advice.

Student Assist is completely confidential and will help make your life at University that little bit easier.

You can drop by GUILD RECEPTION (Building 106F) or you can make an appointment at a time that is convenient to you.

Call Reception on 9266 2900 or email RECEPTION@GUILD.CURTIN.EDU.AU

Grok #1_2016.indd 16

HOT TI PS FOR

STARTING UNI Starting University can be a scary time for both new students and their families. The first thing to remember is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Thousands of students will start university for the first time in 2016 so you are definitely not alone.

B E CON FI DE NT You have earned your place at Curtin, so be confident that you belong here..

B E PRE PARE D Get to know how Curtin works and what will be expected of you in your first semester. A great way to do this is to participate in Orientation Week and attend all the central and school activities, including all of your Orientation lectures,.

Make sure you have everything that you think you are going to need for your first week of University. There is nothing worse than arriving at your first class without a pen (although it is a great way to meet new friends).

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

17.

HAVE A GO Part of the adult learning experience is about learning what not to do. As with many things at Curtin, especially extra curricular tasks, you are better to have a go and get it wrong than never trying in the first place.

JOI N A C LU B OR STU DY G ROU P University is about more than just attending classes. By joining an academic, sporting or social club you are guaranteed to get the most out of your time here.

KNOW WH E RE TO GO FOR H E LP Student Assist are here to help you.

If you have any questions then these are the people to ask, if they can’t help you straight away then they will put you in touch with someone who can.

Check out the range of Fact Sheets on the Guild website.

TALK TO PEOPLE I F YOU ARE HAVI NG ANY PROB LE MS

Ensure that you have a quiet and uncluttered study space from week one. If you don’t have this space at home then get into the habit of regular study on campus.

Sometimes just talking about issues your undergoing at University will make life easier. A parent, friend or lecturer will provide a good starting point if you have any University related concerns and are not sure what to do. Remember that there is a free counselling services on campus if required.

LI B RARY

HAVE A G REAT TIM E

Get to know your library. Do a library tour or just spend some time learning how the library works. Having a good understanding of the University library is a great way to improve your success as a University student.

University can be tough, but it should be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. If you are enjoying your studies the time will fly by.

STU DY SPAC E

Grok #1_2016.indd 17

If you’re feeling a little lost or have some questions you need answered please call Student Assist. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions, no matter how big or small they maybe! Curtin can be a difficult place to ‘get you head around’ so please call into the Guild for a friendly ear if you are unsure of what to do next or who you should speak to about a concern you might have!

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

18.

THIS IS FOR THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE HOVERING YOUR THUMB OVER THE ‘SEND’ BUTTON OF A TEXT MESSAGE TO A DUDE AND FRETTING THAT HE’LL THINK YOU’RE ‘CRAZY’.

“SHE’S C R AZ Y, MA N ” Getting f*ckboys out of having to justify their poor behaviour since 1900BC Caitlin Creeper

Today it struck me how many times that word pops up in the dating world. Frankly, I’m over it. How often have you heard your guy friends tell stories about the ‘crazy’ girl they’re seeing, simply because she might have texted him first to suggest they hang out, or even – oh hell no! – drunktexted him? How often have you tried to talk a friend out of calling a guy for clarification after he went cold for whatever reason, out of fear of appearing ‘crazy’? How often have you stopped yourself from saying something too forthright to a guy you’re seeing because sending a ‘hi’ text to a human being who has seen you naked is pretty fucking crazy?

IT NEEDS TO STOP. GUYS NEED TO BREAK THE HABIT. AND FRANKLY, GIRLS NEED TO STOP CARING ABOUT IT AT ALL. LIKE, RIGHT NOW. STOP IT.

To be clear, I’m not saying girls can’t be dicks when it comes to dating – particularly these days, where romantic courtship seems less like dating and more like a competition of ‘Who Can Give the Least Number of Fucks’. But men dismissing women’s expressions of emotion as ‘crazy’ is a deeply ingrained habit.

In an excellent post on his men’s advice blog, Dr Nerdlove, Harris O’Malley points out that “the association between women’s behaviour and being labelled “crazy” has a long and infamous history in Western culture”. Until the 20th century, O’Malley writes, women were diagnosed as ‘hysterical’ for exhibiting any number of symptoms including “emotional excitability, outbursts of negativity, excessive sexual desire and ‘a tendency to cause trouble’”.

Grok #1_2016.indd 18

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

19.

“Dude, girls get so clingy when you spend months making them psychologically and biochemically dependent upon you.” -Trevor S, Twitter.

Attributing these very normal ‘symptoms’ to a medical condition made it easier for men “to diminish women’s concerns and issues without having to pause to consider them as possibly being valid”.

O’Malley goes on to confront his own tendency to describe his female dates using labels like “crazy” or “irrational”. He realises that he and his friends have, in the past, effectively been talking about their ex-girlfriends as though they had legitimate mental health issues, when really, they were simply “acting in a way I didn’t like”.

“It’s a habit that we men need to break,” O’Malley insists.

“It’s damaging to relationships, trivializes genuine mental health issues and – most importantly – hurts women as a whole.”

Hit the nail on the head. Case in point: Mr Jet Ski was a man my friend was seeing and, as his nickname suggests, was very proud of his jet ski. He spoke of taking my friend out on said jet ski no fewer than seven times. He showed her the jet ski, even let her sit on the jet ski… parked in the garage. Thrice, he actually set a date for said jet ski outing, though each time it fell through due to work, weather, ominous signs in his tea leaves, etc. When my friend had the gall to ask when they’d actually be taking the jet ski out, you know,in the sea, she was surprised when Mr Jet Ski was taken aback by her forthrightness. She was “acting pretty crazy, man” – that is, he didn’t like that she’d called him out on his flakiness.

THE TALE OF MR JET SKI.

Second case in point: MR STRAIGHT-UP. Named on account of his priding himself on always being ‘straight up’, Mr Straight-Up was bewildered when my friend asked for a straight-up answer as to why he’d suddenly gone cold on her. He thought it was a “crazy” proposition – a girl wanting to know why things had abruptly ended between them? Nuts.

Grok #1_2016.indd 19

Perhaps he lost interest. Perhaps he met someone else.

Perhaps he just wasn’t in the right head space. Or maybe, as one friend helpfully suggested, he dropped his phone down a deep, dark well. It totally happens (perhaps not so much the latter). It’s life; you’re not a bad person if you decide someone just isn’t for you.

However, especially if you pride yourself on ‘owning’ everything you say and do, a woman isn’t crazy for asking why you’re not ‘owning’ the fact you treated her like your girlfriend in front of your friends, talked to her as though you had a future together, had sex with her, but then never called her again.

LADIES, HERE’S MY MESSAGE TO YOU. Don’t shut down your feelings out of fear of appearing too keen or even “crazy”. I see it happen so often and it breaks my heart. I don’t mean to give you full licence to let your freak flag fly and knit that winter scarf out of his pubes you’d been slowly collecting in a box under your bed. But you aren’t “crazy” for expecting some basic common courtesy – an honest reply – if you send a damn text message.

Worried about appearing too keen? Don’t be! If this past year has taught me anything, it’s that life is short – it turns on a pinhead and you don’t know how long you’re going to be here for. I, for one, am not going waste my time being anything less than open and honest about how I feel and what I want in a relationship. I’m not going to hide behind smoke screens and extended pauses between text replies to appear as the mysterious chilled-out girl I am not.

I like you, I clicked with you, and I want you to get in my life, so let’s see what happens. No? No worries. Next!

If that makes me crazy, c’est la vie.

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

20.

NA K E D, B L U E HA I R E D, AND MUSICAL ME N Jake Dennis interviews Will Hull-Brown from The Cat Empire

Friday 4 March will be a big day for fans of The Cat Empire.

It marks the launch of their 2016 Australian tour and the release of the band’s seventh studio album Rising with the Sun which contains artwork featuring the faces of 3,500 of their fans. For one lucky duck, it will also be a chance to meet and learn from drummer Will Hull-Brown ahead of the band’s performance at the Fremantle Arts Centre. “I’m completely up for whoever wins [the raffle draw] to guide the one-on-one hang out and lesson; whether they want to learn drumming techniques or ask me about how to deal with travelling on the road,” Hull-Brown explains.

The Melbournian, who lives every musician’s dream of touring internationally, knows much about touring, having performed throughout Europe, USA, Canada, and India in the last year. “It’s been quite a busy year. You gotta pinch yourself sometimes. We’re quite lucky like that,” he admits.

The Cat Empire’s success changed Hull-Brown’s life dramatically when he was in university. “I studied urban planning for one year after high school and then the band started touring so I decided to defer,” he reveals. Like many university students trying to find their place, he found uni classes and study uninspiring and was “just not into it.”

“Sometimes you try something to find out what you don’t want to do. The best thing about university for me was the friends I made,” he reveals.

Grok #1_2016.indd 20

Hull-Brown has since earned a diploma in building design and works casually as a draftsman when not touring. “It’s a job with a nice headspace and quiet atmosphere; the polar opposite of the noisiness of crowds and being on stage.” The crazy shenanigans of performing live with The Cat Empire began way back in 2002 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“We had been playing the 3am to 5am slot fifteen nights in a row following the the Late ‘n’ Live comedy slots. One night, a really sweaty, hairy, cave man looking comedian called Dave ran on stage naked and started playing my drums! I never sat on my chair the same way again,” he jokes The father of four boys would much prefer his sons to play his drum kit. “One in particular already takes a liking to it.

I think he tries to imitate Animal from The Muppets,” HullBrown chuckles. Music runs in the blood of the men in HullBrown’s family. “My dad played classical guitar and violin and two of my most treasured musical possessions are my grandfather’s cymbal and drumsticks. I never got to meet him,” he laments. “Time will tell which of my boys takes up music. It’s something I’d like to expose them to.” The gypsy jazz, ska, funk, Latin, hip-hop, and rock-influenced drummer with global entertainment industry experience is undeniably the man for the job.

Hull-Brown has performed with The Cat Empire on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, Late Night with Craig Ferguson and Rove MacManus’ Rove Live. According to Hull-Brown, meeting comedic talk show hosts isn’t as thrilling as one might think.

16-Feb-16 9:29:56 AM

21.

“You don’t really get to hang out with them much because they are so busy. They do their token greeting and then go prep for the show.” However, performing as a support act for James Brown’s 2004 Australian tour was unforgettable.

“I’m really glad we got to do that. It was a huge experience.

We waited a long time after the show to meet him. ‘Why’s his hair blue?’ we wondered when he approached,” HullBrown remembers. “It looks good on stage,” the Godfather of Soul explained.

The Cat Empire’s upcoming album, like 2013’s Steal The Light, tries to “recapture that early energy from when we were young,” Hull-Brown says. “We have already road tested songs from Rising with the Sun and are looking forward to playing about four songs from the album.” Fans can look forward to hearing infectiously rhythmic “Wolves” as well as the follow-up single “Bulls” for which they recently filmed the video clip out in the country. “We look forward to coming to WA. We always have a great time over there.”

Tickets available at www.thecatempire.com where you can pre-order the album enter the draw to win the drum session with Will Hull-Brown.

Grok #1_2016.indd 21

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

22.

F I V E DO L L A R W I N E C R IT I C Chloe Macri PASSION POP

Passion Pop is an institution of the $5ish wine category and a definite winner in my books. The Fruit Tingle-like wine is perhaps the finest of the Australian Vintage collection.

With its highly carbonated fruity blend, the aptly named wine features heady notes of passionfruit, a light floral body and a soft highly sweet flavour. The flamboyant sparkling has a distinct aroma of Kirks Pasito and is perhaps the inspiration behind the ingenious addition of passionfruit.

Passion Pop features a slightly crisper finish however it is definitely still a million times sweeter than your ex.

Fragrant and clean with a good bit of finesse for a cheap wine, but perhaps a bit cloying for some, this wine is sure to please any sweet tooth or indeed any novice wine drinker such as myself. Most importantly at 5.6 standard drinks per bottle and a tender price of just $5 a bottle (at discount liquor stores) there are 1.12 standard drinks per dollar spent which is fantastic value for money for any poor uni student. This wine is fresher, lighter and bubblier than a first year on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; day, and so accordingly, I award this grape drank 4.5/5 whatever tannin is.

Grok #1_2016.indd 22

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

23.

Y E S, I ’ M G AY. N O, I ’ M N OT T H E ‘G AY B E ST F R I E N D’: Jarod Rhine-Davis chats to Boaz Stark, director of web series The Horizon.

Jarod Rhine-Davis

There are some things us gay boys get aplenty of in life. Puppies for pets.

Fabulous boyfriends. Discrimination in the streets. There are also things we don’t get much of, like realistic media representation. Not in Australia anyway.

From my perspective, seeing relatable people like me on TV was an impossibility until the day I discovered web show The Horizon when I was 20 years old. Until then, I thought my experience as a homosexual human being was mine and mine alone. But The Horizon changed everything.

Grok #1_2016.indd 23

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

24.

Y E S, I ’ M G AY. N O, I ’ M N O T T H E ‘ G AY B E S T F R I E N D ’

Rather than relegating characters to the “gay best friend” or “jolly old queen” clichés, the experience of living with this identity-defining “condition” was instead showcased and explored in a way I’d never quite seen before. It was a glorious occasion in my life. Knowing that on the other side of the country being gay was that little bit more moral and accepted, I could breathe a great sigh of relief. Let me explain. This Perth boy had had next to no non-heteroinformation provided from support services about sex and relationship issues growing up and so had to educate himself, which was a long, lonely, and confusing trek. I’m on the other side of that mountain now, and have concluded that although I still don’t necessarily consider “gay” my identity (e.g. being introduced as the “gay friend” irks me to no end), I feel like it’s a very vital part of me. This is the reason why the show became required viewing. The Horizon wasn’t a show about “gay people”; rather a show about people who just happened to be gay. Furthermore, it offered a unique opportunity for vicarious viewing into some of the issues that soaked into my life, and made me feel that tiny bit less alone in the world.

I subsequently binged, watching all then-four seasons with the intense focus of a man having a staring competition with his phone. Truth be told, a smidge of my curiosity had stemmed from the show’s softcore-esque titillating elements (which I assume is what appealed to much of its target audience). Let’s just say curiosity killed the cat…and “beat the monkey”. But not exclusively, and I really started to warm to the young country boy from Bega who made his way in the big city of Sydney, where a group of individuals navigated their way through hard-hitting topics like STIs, drug abuse and cheating. I respected this show not just as an opportunity to witness webseries homo-action, but to see gripping, intense, and moving content that just happened to be about someone like me.

So anyway, that was the past. What happened next is kind of crazy. But it’s the truth. Honest. Essentially I hopped onto the public Facebook page for the show, and wrote a comment asking about some of the behind-the-scenes

Grok #1_2016.indd 24

technical aspects, because this perspective had started to intrigue me. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I found myself Skyping Boaz Stark – the show’s director. No. Seriously. I expressed my love for the show and asked some questions and off it went. Really a modern day Cinder-fella story. With less high heel. It was a huge honour and it gave me the ability to write the very article you’re reading right now.

If you have ever attempted to do an interview via Skype, you’ll know at least a smidge of the intense pain I went through. I downloaded an add-on called Pamela to record my convo and practiced at least twice the previous week to make sure it all worked perfectly…and sure enough Murphy struck again and the program bugged out during showtime (damn his law!), so I had to use my hand to write notes down like a savage. We also rescheduled a few times, plus a three hour time difference between the east and west coast rendered me half-asleep. And apparently it looked like my dormant webcam had acquired a coating of Vaseline due to the fuzzy image. (Sadly this was not the case). But we made it, and we did it, and it was good.

For those of you who don’t know, the stark truth is that Mr Stark is a pretty prolific writer within the Australian TV scene and his IMDb credits prove it. His thirty year career include some hits you may have heard of including Sons and Daughters, Neighbours, Home and Away, and Packed to the Rafters. PttR fans may be pleased to know that he actually had the honour of writing the acclaimed “Mel’s death” episode, the most-watched episode of the series and one of the highlights of his career. So I guess the question is how Boaz found himself engrossed in a series about gays in Sydney. Long story short, he originally became involved as a favour for a friend back in 2009, and in the first season he worked with a production budget of $3000 – an embarrassment of riches! The blame for the name is claimed by gay-themed host site SameSame who came and exclaimed it be named “The Horizon” after the famed high rise. It stuck. A few seasons and cast changes later, the show had become a sleeper hit, amassing a large and loyal

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

25.

community of fans across the world (affectionately called “Horizontals”), something that came as a nice surprise to Stark and co.

Towing the line between peep show and character-based romcom-drama, the ensemble cast of actors both gay and straight managed to capture the imaginations and hearts of their audience, many of whom admired its ability to broach serious topics that it no doubt gravitated towards due to being sponsored by ACON, the Aids Council of New South Wales. This partnership, however, necessitated a careful balancing act which involved placing educational content organically into the script without dialogue coming across as a preachy PSA. Boaz believes the tightrope was wobbly at times, but on the whole the cast and crew managed to tread across it carefully enough. In any case, I for one learnt a thing or two from the show and I am eternally grateful for that. (There’s only so much data you can glean from placing condoms on bananas in school).

Now it’s time for some intriguing facts that will give you a hard-on if you’re into the creative process. I must explain that as The Horizon is the first show directed by Boaz, it has been a steep learning curve for the Sydney writer as he becomes accustomed to heading a webseries. The gaps in his knowledge are filled by his producer-partner-incrime Brian Cobb. To this day, the budget is still restrictive, and the crew have had to adopt a series of techniques to make every cent count. The music is pooled from various sources who graciously donate their catalogue to the show due to its HIV Awareness agenda. Meanwhile the script is written two seasons at a time, and scenes within each biseason series are filmed out of order. The current cast was mostly sourced by Patrick James, who plays resident drag queen Wilma Bumhurt (what a name!), and a serendipitous scenario even allowed The Horizon to nab former Queer Eye For The Straight Guy star Jay Rodriguez. Needless to say, all of these actors and even the crew have had to accept reduced rates in order to make the production a reality. Although if Jake (Paul Layton), AJ (Indigo Felton),

Grok #1_2016.indd 25

Micky (Matthew Clarke), Saxon (Adam George), and Stevie (Francis Mossman) ever decide to leave the show, with those names they could always start a boyband. “One Direction” is already taken. “Both Ways”, perhaps?

With 100,000 YouTube subscribers and 40 million views, The Horizon is the most successful online series made in Australia and the most watched gay web series in the world. Recently the show has made a potential foray onto the small screen, with a Screen Australia-financed TV pilot directed by Stephan Elliot, probably best known for directing the 1994 Oscar-winning LGBT film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Gathering momentum like a surfer attempting to flail away from an all-to-eager shark, The Horizon is set to explode with an even greater fanbase to rival its current vivacious following. Many will love the show for its man-on-man sexy action, but my mind will always flick to the emotional stories of Wilma coming to terms with her queer-phobic father’s death and Micky being diagnosed with HIV, as well as the spicy and tasty humour peppered throughout.

I grew up gay and Jewish. Two minorities for the price of one. I hit the potshot jackpot. But while you’re Jewish along with your family and friends, you’re gay all by yourself. You find some days searching for that special thing to drift into your field of consciousness. Something to remind you there’s a family of people out in the world. People just like you. So that is why this show was important to me.

Why I wanted to sink my teeth into all now-six seasons of this series, and have a chat to its director. The Horizon broadened my horizons, and allowed this Horizontal to stand tall.

So, what’s on the horizon for The Horizon? And for the Horizontals “who rise on” watching their favourite show?

Who can say? I guess it’s in the cards. And… ooh let’s see.

This card is a Queen of Hearts. Yes, I think we’ll continue to love these queens for many more years to come.

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

FOOD REVIEW

26.

expand the options to students. Jason explains, “I had a look after the first week at the analytics on the website and it was the most clicked on policy. So we were like ok, we’ve gotta print a hundred more of those posters and just put them everywhere”. Once elected, the two ideas eventually amalgamated to become The Bubble Lab. “We didn’t know how we were going to do it or where we were going to put it.

So we came in and I went and talked to [Darren], and I was like, ‘Daz, where are we putting froyo?’”

T H E B U B B L E L A B:

F ROYO O R N O? Amanda Frost It had been raining all morning but walking across campus to the beach chair filled courtyard buzzing with K-Pop music to ‘destination point’, The Bubble Lab, was definitely worth it. I sat down with my delicious vegan, gluten free, and dairy free mixed berry frozen yoghurt and a peach bubble tea with mango jelly, to chat to Jason Giancono, 2015 Curtin Student Guild President, and Darren Carter, Commercial Manager, from the Guild office. Like many students, I want to know the who, what, when, where, how and why frozen yoghurt; because if you were at Curtin University for the Guild elections in 2014, you would know that fronting Illuminate’s campaign were hundreds of ‘froyo’ flyers. It was pretty amusing at the time and a great election grab, but is The Bubble Lab proving itself?

The idea first began buzzing around the Guild office “One of our staff members came to campus with a bubble tea and I said, ‘What’s that?’” Darren explains, “I’d seen the stores before but it never really appealed to me and I thought I’d give it a whirl. I remember it was a peach black tea with rainbow jelly, and I was like, this is amazing, I need to know more about this. So we went to all the little bubble tea places around Bentley and the adjoining suburbs, and tried them all out and I was hooked - I thought, this has got to be on campus.”

Some time later Illuminate had the genius idea to have froyo as one of their election promises because they wanted to

Grok #1_2016.indd 26

The Bubble Lab project was based solely on gut instinct: no student was ambushed with a survey at Henderson Court. Darren’s market research was observing the student populace, “We saw the number of people going around with these big fat straws in these clear cups; we knew that it was something that was going to be pretty popular around here.”

The Bubble Lab is convenience plus with the easy to use ‘order online’ function on their Facebook page. “We’ve never done mobile ordering for anywhere on campus before, so it was kind of like a test to see how it would go and it’s just been phenomenal.” Darren beams, “When we first started The Bubble Lab our ice machine could not keep up!”

The Bubble Lab is a friendly and vibrant accessory to the courtyard which is the perfect chill out zone. The mango jelly catches in my straw blocking the liquid and I place the cup back down pretending nothing happened, and casually wrap up with the most important question: what is their favourite?

Darren: “I am a big fan of the sodas, it’s a bubble tea but it’s fizzy. So we use the fruit tea base – you can’t do it with the milk tea because that would be really weird - with the jellies and stuff in it but it’s fizzy and it’s just so refreshing...The mojito [mocktail] is another one of my favourites and we actually put real mint in it as well.”

Jason: “Darren doesn’t like it when I do this, but I’ll get the froyo with no toppings and then go into The Spot and buy a bunch of lollies and put them in.” Gummy lollies too? I ask.

“Everything.” But they freeze! Darren and I exclaim. “I tried skittles once and it was really bad...don’t do it.”

LOCATED: near the Tav in the 106 courtyard VERDICT: It is safe to say The Bubble Lab is a solid yes

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

FOOD REVIEW

27.

N I N E N I N E FOO D “Modern Japanese Food with an Australian Twist” Address: 227 Bulwer St, Highgate WA 6003

Chloe Macri FOR: When you want to give your dining companion the impression you are very sophisticated and have your life together.

If you are a hip and trendy youngish uni student, with bulk coolness and many friends, then you need to get yourself down to Nine Fine Food, in Highgate. Go there with someone special who you want to impress, that’s what happened to me a few weeks ago and now I’m really impressed.

Not trying to talk it up, but this place does such amazing Japanese food. And I’m not just saying that; trust me, I’ve been to Japan. The way it works is simple; a set menu so delightful, you’ll want to try it all. The good news is, you pretty much can. Different course options range from 3 to 5 with essentially the same choices, meaning the more you pick the more you taste. Each course is small and delicate, with extra fresh ingredients and a modern twist. A shout out to the Caviar Pasta, with caviar that pops in your mouth ever so slightly, you’ll forget you’re eating overpriced fish eggs. And the Mattcha Brulee, which speaks for itself.

The place itself is modern and has a simple elegance. It’s close and compact, without being stuffy and overcrowded.

You can go there with a group of friends or on a hot date and still manage to hear everyone just fine. In saying that, this is the kinda place you’ll want to take people. Especially

Grok #1_2016.indd 27

if you want them to take you seriously. This place is cool.

Like grown-up cool. Suggest this place and everyone will think you have sorted your life out and still have time to fine dine and wine.

The only downfall? It is a tiny bit pricey. Like, special occasion pricey…

Put it this way, it wouldn’t be your go-to for uni bargain cheap eats. It’s more the “I’ve sold my first year Human Structure and Function text book and my neighbour’s cat, just to eat here so I’m gonna pretend to be a sophisticated, successful individual. Surely I can do that for one night?”

“Yes I will order the caviar” “Yes, I know how to use chopsticks” “Yes, I’m trying to impress you and God I hope it’s working cause I just spent $6.50 on some still water.”

Just don’t spill anything and don’t order the pretentious water (what’s wrong with tap?) and no one will know you can barely sort your life out.

So there you go. No need to thank me when you’ve impressed some gal pals or a significant other. Nine Fine Food; it’s very impressive and rates 9 out of 10 popping caviar.

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

MOVIE REVIEW

28.

ZOO L A N D E R 2 Elise Van Aken

In the great tradition of sequels, Zoolander 2 is resoundingly cliché. Despite a strong cast and many laugh out loud moments, the Ben Stiller film just didn’t quite hit the mark.

Struggling to find its own plot, the film’s action emerged like a bad 80’s reboot, focusing on high production value and quips similar to Austin Powers - without the memorable one-liners. Through all of this, the charm of the original movie is lost.

Many of the Grok’s readers will grow tired of the jokes mocking young people and hipsters in the form of the character Don Atari, a new and upcoming fashion designer.

In comparison, jokes about the old has-been models die fast, leading me to question if that was the best material they could produce when there was potentially so much for the taking. Since Zoolander’s 2001 release, the fashion world has certainly become more mainstream and accessible to the non-elite due to social media. This should have provided the sequel with much satirical fodder.

However that was all left behind to rehash Zoolander’s old jokes, which in this new setting are no longer fresh but “Old and Lamè” (a new joke given away in the trailer).

Grok #1_2016.indd 28

Many of the fashion personalities made fun of in the first movie were now in on the joke. A star-studded cast including designer Marc Jacobs and notorious fashion editor Anna Wintor exacerbated the film’s lack of authenticity. Similarly, the demise of Justin Bieber early on in the movie would have been pleasing to most viewers... if the movie was released a few years ago! But now the Biebs is cool this joke only really resonates with the older generation, leaving the rest of us feeling sorry....

The second half of the film was saved by Will Ferrel as Mugatu. His loud caricature managed to steal the show and offered some actual commentary on the self-important fashion industry. His character added some credibility and explanation to the over-the-top ending of the seemingly money- hungry reunion special.

I have awarded the film three stars because after all, I did enjoy it. It was likeable and not quite a flop, providing some good laughs. Even though it almost spoiled the film that came before, I would add it to my DVD collection, but would recommend saving your popcorn and ticket money to support your Netflix addiction.

16-Feb-16 9:29:57 AM

ROO M Jarod Rhine Davis Imagine the 2012 puzzle video game The Room. You know the one I mean. Where you have to click on things and collect clues to escape each room. Now imagine a film adaption of that video game. No that’s not a good analogy.

Okay we’ll try this. Imagine a piece of cheese that… Oh damnit, let’s face facts. This review is going to contain one or two spoilers. Possibly in the region of 50 or so. It’s unavoidable. My vocabulary is simply not nuanced enough to include emotive verbiage that adequately explains why this film is so special without giving away the specific details that justify my argument. But I’ll try.

Room, an adaption of the 2010 novel by Emma Donoghue (who also wrote the screenplay), is at its core a story about a mother and son. Ehh, even that feels like a spoiler in its own right. Okay, so essentially these two characters are in a room. Trapped. Because “he” won’t let them leave. For five years Ma has taught young Jack that Room is the entire world in order for him to cope. But on his 5th birthday she reveals the truth. That life can be different. Outside of Room. They escape, and the movie is brave enough to continue past this sequence to show the aftermath of abuse-survivors once the media gets a hold of them. Ma and Jack both find it difficult to adjust to life outside of Room, and the outside find it equally as hard to adjust to them. But they eventually find the strength to return to their former prison and say goodbye to Wardrobe, Bed, Lamp, and the rest of their friends. The credits roll as they walk away, not as prisoners but as people.

The experience of watching Room can only be described as electrifying. Information is seeped to the audience one thin slice at a time as the story threads begin to take shape. Plot twists abound in this film as our cognitive interpretations of the narrative are knocked down countless times when things like a “thick metal door with a beeping code” and an “out-of-sight man who brings asked-for things” are

Grok #1_2016.indd 29

revealed in quite shocking and abrupt ways. All the while the narration by five year old Jack adds some levity to this world as he mediates these traumatic and harsh happenings through his own childlike mind full of wonder and innocence. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture. Rightly so, I might add. Still, this is quite unheard of for an Irish-Canadian indie film, and speaks volumes of the faith the Academy has in this work.

MOVIE REVIEW

29.

Jacob Tremblay is a complete revelation. The 9 year old actor is wise well beyond his years, epitomised by his acceptance speech for Best Young Actor/Actress at the Critics Choice Awards, where he admitted “it must be a super-hard vote [for critics] because of all the other great actors in this category”. The awws from the audience said it all. This incredible actor is going places. May even end up winning an Oscar before Leonardo DiCaprio. Just wait and see. Grok said it first!

Meanwhile, Brie Larson is phenomenal in her role as Ma. In this psychological thriller she plays such a strong character and brings her completely to life. You really do forget she’s an actor. It’s amazing to me how Ma makes Room seem so normal for five whole years under unimaginable circumstances. A huge testament to her character, and Brie’s portrayal of her. The scene in which a desperate Ma is forced to reveal the difference between real and fake to Jack in order to pull off an escape attempt is incredibly moving. And watching a journalist bully the poor mother in an exploitative interview conducted so Ma can pay her legal fees is truly heartbreaking and the single most horrific thing we see. Which is saying a lot.

Room is a movie of hope, survival, determination, and a mother’s boundless love for her child. I saw it two days in a row and I was in tears by the end of both viewings. Highly recommend.

16-Feb-16 9:29:58 AM

LIVING AWAY FROM HOME? FOUR VIDEOS TO HELP YOU LEARN ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA HEALTH SERVICE COSTS

Jesse Stuart Keddie

DISCUSSING STIs

BE

SAFE S TAY

T H E HAT E F U L E I G HT: F I L M R E V I E W

WELL

1.5 JK’s out of 5: TL:DR - The Thing meets Reservoir Dogs meets A Coke Bloated Ego whom has gotten tired, boring and repetitive - the hallmarks of a director who has run out of ideas.

For Quentin Tarantino Fans: 3.5 out of 5. Samuel L Jackson Monologues? Check. Kurt Russell being badass? Check.

Ham fisted, cliché and poorly executed social commentary?

Check. Dialogue quips being overly used to establish character dynamics and racism of the time? Check. Classic QT. (Film Snob) REVIEW: Needless exposition starts the affair with a score that was originally used as toilet paper

by Maestro Ennio Morricone.

All the hallmarks of final year student film from your choice of desired Perth film school. Cliché dialogue, by the book framing and paceless editing. All of which I’ve been guilty of!

IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SEX

Perhaps Bob Richardson was asleep or was just was happy to have a gig/70mm. More than likely he was sick of QT’s amateur weekend warrior bravado from second rate Mexican shoe smack and phoned it in.

SEX AND THE LAW

Lack of preparation for the coverage of... well... coverage was evident when he threw in uneventful Dutch shots, his ‘hallmark’ looking up from the trunk of a car, wides and

Watch the videos healthywa.wa.gov.au/internationalstudents

Grok #1_2016.indd 30

16-Feb-16 9:29:58 AM

MOVIE REVIEW

31.

establishing shots that could have been copied and pasted from a Sergio Corbucci film.

Editor Sally Menke probably dropped dead when she read the script as it would have destroyed her career. She wandered out to the desert with no water, like a bird flying out to the ocean to die. RIP Sally, your edit of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is masterful. She had been the mastermind behind re-writing QT classics much like Gale Anne Hurd was for James Cameron.

Editor Fred Raskin who put together the amazing Bone Tomahawk obviously had stuff-all footage to work with, or QT’s push to keep the frame ‘pure’ and not cropping makes the film suffer – not enough coverage that could have been scraped from that 70mm print.

QT’s gimmick of ‘previously in the time line’ doesn’t save the shit story. We have the added bonus of a needless Blade Runner voice over. If only he had a producer with balls it could have been cut down to 90 - 120 minutes and the film would have been better for it.

Props to Gregory Nicotero for the SFX as they were perfect.

Samuel L. Jackson returns as Jules Winfield, Christoph Waltz has amazing prosthetics applied to make him look like Tim Roth while Kurt Russell is embodying Sean

Grok #1_2016.indd 31

Connery in LXG. Kurt looks as though he’s given up on film acting and is having to resort to starring in something that clones a story his good buddy did in 1982. Master of horror John carpenter, famed director of Big Trouble in Little China (stolen coverage included as previously mentioned).

Walton Goggins appears as himself while Michael Madsen still proves that there must be some sex tape of him and QT doing some depraved act to the corpse of Chris Penn in order for ol’ Mike to still be getting work.

Jennifer Jason Leigh gets a monologue.

QT relies again on his dialogue structure cut and pasted from any given Elmore Leonard novel with said dialogue/ story beats from True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds. The only thing that makes this a western is that they are wearing cowboy attire with the excuse of civil war racism to cuss.

Being the eighth film by QT you would have thought he’d gotten over the ‘ten commandments’ of scripts, ‘Save the Cat’ of story telling and relying on his crew to do his job for him. Stay in the 90’s mate.

Or at least get Danny DeVito back in to call the shots.

16-Feb-16 9:29:59 AM

movie review

32.

T H E E N D O F T H E TO U R Jesse Stuart Keddie A metaphor for the end of the road. Death. A road movie.

David Foster Wallace hung himself in 2006. He left a legacy of brilliance and change in how we view literary endeavors.

Infinite Jest is a narrative encyclopedia, the bible of the corporate take over of the horror that may come from that enduring corporation of profits over people.

Based on David Lipsky’s Although of Course You End Up Becoming Youself.

Jesse Eisenberg plays said author who’s performance is familiar though needed for the verbal swordsmanship played throughout. He walks through it without breaking away from his own acting tropes much like Nicholas Cage has over the past few years. A kind of comfort for the viewer.

Jason Segal plays to his strengths and leads as David Foster Wallace. A man looking for a way to not fit into the world.

Jason disappears into this role much like Brando did for the Godfather. The only resemblance to a previous character could be his stint on Freaks and Geeks as Nick Andopolis – a burn out.

Wallace is loved by critics, fans and book shops. He understands deeply why the book is a best seller. Further, he is frustrated to why he is part of the problems of humanity that Infinite Jest reveals. Lipsky is envious of both the talent and success but can’t fathom the emotionally crushing nature that endures within Wallace his peculiar success.

Grok #1_2016.indd 32

Wallace just can’t win. He comments that your book is unpopular because you aren’t a sellout – you’re creating a genre defining masterpiece that may be forgotten. Or worse – it’s a huge success so you must be a sellout due to said popularity.

Wallace’s fear of self harm (and the paths that lead him to self destruction) are littered heartbreakingly throughout the film. Imagine that? Killing yourself and fucking it up so terribly that you becoming a vegetable. Creating a life that wont have any resemblance of control that will be forever now out of your grasp.

After the first ten minutes I stopped looking for holes in the plot and dialogue. There were none to be found. Writers take note – put down ‘save the cat’ and watch this instead.

Cinematographers? Look how they used natural light and sneaky lamps.

The film is shot, scored and edited in a way that feels natural. Not over produced, No quick cuts. Paced, patient and pulling. tears at the end of the film will be a symbol of life and ideas that are missed and much loved from the man David Foster Wallace. Now, he’s at the clearing at the end of the path.

I won’t give this film any stars or score or whatnot, much like Kubrick not getting an Oscar for Director, it’s not needed. Just see it.

16-Feb-16 9:29:59 AM

Grok#1_2016_Cover.indd 3

16-Feb-16 9:50:05 AM

Grok#1_2016_Cover.indd 4

16-Feb-16 9:50:06 AM