TMAG Volume 1 Issue 42 by DhakaTribune

Dhaka Tribune

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Volume 1, Issue 42

HOT TOPIC

SWEETS ROSES AND EVERYTHING NICE

Status of the week No matter how old I get, I’m still gonna mentally sing the ABCs to see which letter comes next.

A weekly production of

DhakaTribune Editor Zafar Sobhan Magazine Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

Quote of the week “It takes a long time to become young.”

Lingo of the week

TMAG Team Sabiha Mahmud Sumi Rubab Nayeem Khan Munira Fidai Natasha Rahman Saudia Afrin Tahsin Momin Baizid Haque Joarder Fuad M Hossain

Air Tight Extremely desirable or attractive. Person 1 Beyoncé is overrated. Person 2 Are you crazy? She’s as airtight as they come!

Contributors Nabeela M Rad Sharar Syed Azraf Zaman Shishir Hoque

PICKS OF THE WEEK 2 Room of the week Eshaba Ameen 3 Doodle of the week Ehsan Alam 10 The Goodsheet “A Bad Dream” by

Graphics Sabiha Mahmud Sumi Mohammed Mahbub Alam Colour Specialist Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood Production Masum Billah Advertising Shahidan Khurshed Circulation Wahid Murad Email: tmag@dhakatribune.com, Website: www.dhakatribune.com

More inside FASHION 4 Beauty check Looking fabulous 4 Wardrobe check Valentines’ day checklist for guys

Keane

11 App of the week Spendee YOUR WORLD 5 Car Ferrari 458 Italia 5 FFPB 9 Fiction The white sunday trips 9 Non-fiction Party poopers on V-day 9 Comic book Wormworld saga by Daniel Lieske

9 Book Harry/Hermione fanfic authors, reunite!

11 Comic strip The boy HOROSCOPES 5 Your forecast

TMAG SAYS 2 FYI Outside the sunshine School Survival School drool 10 Playlist Top ten V-day mix 10 Commentary A valentines’ day eulogy 10 Music Pentatonix 11 TV Brooklyn nine-nine 11 Movie Eternal sunshine for the spotless

Editor’s note Dear Readers, This is an exciting week, make no mistake. There’s so much happening right now, it’s crazy. Don’t believe us? Check out our Event Tweets for all the cool stuff that’s going down in Dhaka as you read this. We’ve got something pretty special for you in our very first Valentine’s issue. Flip to Page 4 for an exclusive Beauty Tips column by celebrity beauty guru Nabela Noor. We’ve also put together two cool outfits, courtesy of Urban Truth, for both guys and girls for your special day out. In Hot Topic (page 6&7), we have a planner of things to do whether you’re single or dating. Finally, in Page 12, we’ve put up a special message board for all the lovebirds who wrote notes for their Person of Interest. Enjoy! TMAG wishes its readers a happy Pahela Falgun! Love from the TMAG desk

mind

Real Life 3 Event Tweets 5 Sports event 12 Listology Four types of couples 12 Love messages 12 Quiz

About the cover This week, it’s blue skies and red roses and everything romantic Models Baizid and Rifat Make-up and styling Wasifa Ahmad Photo Syed Wasim Location The Olives, House 3 Road 126, Gulshan-1, Dhaka

2 Funk up your room ‘Twas a moonlit night

4 Look of the Week Casual and party wear for Valentines’

6 Hot Topic Spreading the love

8 Written in the Stars MagicStar Studio

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Your Life

Funk up your room

FYI

’Twas a Moonlit Night Many look down upon people who show an abundance of love on Valentine’s Day. While we at TMAG believe that every day is a day of love, if Valentine’s Day gives you an official day to pamper your loved one, why not grab the opportunity with both hands and jump right in? Instead of decorating your room with cupids and arrows, here’s how you can create a fairyland for your love on your rooftop - TMAG takes the “love you to the moon and back” to a whole new level

Step 1 Decide your colour. People

go for red, pink, silver and white as the norms. Since this is night time, choose paler colours that will stand out in the dark. Helium balloons that shine and sparkle will work well in this setting. Remember to choose a colour you have in abundance at home - you will need a table cloth, napkins, balloons, streamers, and a cake, all in this colour. Step 2 Bring out a small carpet to the roof, and land your coffee table on it. Forget the chairs, use cushions as your perches. Make sure the space isn’t cramped for two - choose a spacious part of the roof. Step 3 Decide the menu. Know that hot food will be an issue since you do not need intruders to do this for you. A cold soup and salad as starters can be great to start the meal. Fried chicken that does not need to be enjoyed piping hot necessarily, and other such items will make this meal memorable. Step 4 Have a rose to give your girl/guy. It’s not just custom; we’re conditioned to feel special with a rose. Also, personalise your gift. Make it have meaning for the one you’re making it for. Step 5 Plan the entry nicely. Have some music ready, preferably their favourite playlist, blow some soap bubbles, and show them the beautiful palace in the air that you have created especially for them. munira fidai

Outside the Sunshine Come mid February, heart bubbles suddenly seem to be flying around everywhere. Couples wearing various shades of pinks, reds, and whites can be seen in every park, rickshaw, and fuchka stall. Eateries put up lovey dovey posters to attract lovebirds and telecom companies bring out attractive talk-time, SMS, and song dedication offers. Everyone seems to be happy with this hallmark day of love, except singles

Recently separated couples still alternating between phases of anger and self pity, suddenly feel the urge to get back with their exes, (which the happy-to-be-away exes may see as a massive irritation). And long time single people start having an unstoppable craving to change the relationship status on their Facebook profiles what’s better than knocking on the door of your childhood friend (who again, may never have seen you as anything more than a blood brother)?

Instead of asking out all the wrong people, drunk-texting your ex who you’ll really not want to be with come morning, and adding a permanent pinch of the awkwardness ingredient to the so far brilliant friendship concoction you had with your buddy, why not dole out a bit of self love? So everyone got a secret valentine message and you didn’t. Get a friend to write down a bunch of things they find amazing about you. Do the same for them. It’s a great way of finding out

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what your loved ones think of you all year round, instead of just that one day. The best way to defeat any level of self pity is to look your best and head out the door. Look for new people and enjoy their company. There is a reason people in your past didn’t make it to your present. Missing someone does not necessarily mean you want them back. It’s a constructive part of moving on - take it that way and this Valentine’s, pamper yourself, because you’re all that matters! Munira Fidai

TMAG’s Room of the week!

Name

Eshaba Ameen Area

Gulshan

A COZY STAIRWAY CORNER AND A REFLECTION OF A PORTRAIT- THIS CORNER IS ALL ABOUT LOVE

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saudia afrin

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Schoologistics School Survival

EVENT Tweets

School drool Whether you are slipping each other secret love notes under your school desk, or simply batting eyelids at your crush - the love bug will surely bite you while you are trying to concentrate in class. For all the frustrated and love-struck souls out there who are unable to express themselves, Valentine’s Day is the opportune day to fulfill that desire

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Unfortunately, only a handpicked number of schools celebrate the spirit of the day. Aga Khan School, for example, organises concerts after school every year on that day, with the spotlight shimmering upon some of our country’s most renowned bands. The “love” being implied here doesn’t only include your partner but also your friends and family. Spending

the day without your valentine may be deemed uncanny, but can turn out to be a fun one if you have lovable friends. For most cases, schools do not come forth with such illustrious ideas. It is then up to the students themselves to make Valentine’s Day interesting and the moments worthwhile. We now turn our attention to International School Dhaka (ISD). They,

TMAG’s Doodle of the week!

for instance, pick out a person from their batch or class and call him “the collector,” who is under the injunction to act as a freelancer, going around classes collecting anonymous letters from one person and passing it onto the person the letter is meant for. Secret admirers even express their love with chocolates, teddy bears, and other gifts. However, introducing such a tradition may have drawbacks as well ie can be used to play pranks. Let’s say, if some guys get together and send an anonymous love letter to one of their male friends, addressing themselves as a girl and the person receiving the letter fell head over heels for this “imaginary” admirer! On the other hand, there exist some valiant ones who send out letters to their crushes using their real name and reportedly, have had their feelings reciprocated. There are a fair number of other schools who want to adopt such creative ideas but lack the initiative. With all that being said, you could consider giving your parents a fair amount of time because they are people whom you’ve grown to love and they deserve their share of your time. Syed Azraf Zaman

Earth Club presents Encounters 7; photo exhibition “Planet Earth in 2050” February 17-19 Venue North South University 7th National Aloha Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Festival February 14 Venue Shahid Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur EconFest 2.0 organised by NSU Young Economists’ Forum (YEF) February 12 Venue North South University (NSU) ONE BILLION RISING FOR JUSTICE February 14 Chocolicious Valentine’s day 2014 celebration at The Westin Dhaka February 14 Venue The Westin Dhaka Ichhe Aako “Kolponar Bangladesh” organised by Meena Bazar March 7, 9:30am- 01:00pm Venue Abahani Football Field, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi “Concepts of space and Rabindranath Tagore” Solo Photo Exhibition titled by Samit Das (India) February 06-18 Venue Galerie Zoom, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Meet the Press on “WAR & COLONIES, 1914-1918” February 13, 11am Venue La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Photo Exhibition on “War&Colonies, 1914-1918” February 24-March 8 Venue La Galerie, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka International Conference on “WAR & COLONIES, 1914-1918” organised by Alliance Francaise de Dhaka and Dhaka University (DU) February 25 and 26, 10am-5:30pm Venue Senate Bhaban, DU

Ehsan Alam doodled this after giving up on studying for his mid-terms.

Take a selfie with your beloved and win a dinner date to the Westin

If you are a classroom doodler, email your doodle to tmag@dhakatribune.com and see it in our weekly!

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FASHION FACE-OFF Look of the week

Wardrobe Check

V-DAY CHECKLIST FOR MEN Unlike your date, you cannot carry a purse with you and taking your backpack to your romantic outing on V-day is not something your date will appreciate. So here are some things you need to keep in your pockets before you leave your house

Money

If this is missing from your pockets, it’s best that you don’t embarrass yourself in front of your date.

Cologne

(In a sampler, because you cannot carry an entire bottle in your pockets) – February in Dhaka means some humidity and to make sure that she doesn’t have a hard time adjusting with your body odour, carry some quality cologne.

Mouth freshener

OOK L Y T PAR

OK O L L A CASU On him Chill out in breezy shorts, loafers and a melon shirt. On her Fluorescent pink dress and a jazzy envelope purse is casual, and eye-catching. Perfect for that chill daytime date. Wardrobe Urban Truth

On him Plum jeans and a button down with subtle detailing take this basic party look from blah to wow On her You can never go wrong with black and white

Models Shahryar and Rifa

Photographer Saudia Afrin

Beauty Check

Looking fabulous

Celebrity beauty guru Nabela Noor TALKS MAKE-UP Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and it’s time to pick out the perfect ensemble from clothes, shoes, accessories, and of course, make-up. While I can’t help you select the perfect outfit from your closet, I can provide some tips for achieving the perfect make-up look

courtesy

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First, you must show off your fabulous complexion and glowing skin. My current favourite foundations are the Loreal True Match in Honey Beige and the MAC Match Master in 5.0. Next, it’s time to conceal! To brighten under your eyes, use the Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Medium. To colour correct, use the MAC Studio Finish in NC42. Remember, it’s Valentine’s Day so we need to achieve that stunning, flirtatious look. To do so, pop some blush on your cheeks. I love the MAC blush in Gingerly. It’s perfect for our tan complexions. Let’s move on to the eyes. I’ve been loving a simpler look for my eyes. It appears more natural and youthful. So, I recommend using a nude eye shadow on your lids and

accentuating your eyes with mascara. Rimmel London’s Sexy Curves mascara will give you length and a lasting curl. Finally, it’s time to glam up the lips. I’ve been addicted to the Revlon Just Bittten Balm Stain in Honey for that gorgeous, natural vibe. For a pink, bolder look, I suggest the Rimmel London lipstick in the shade 103. After you’ve applied the lipstick, you’re ready for your big date. Whether you’re staying in with your closest friends or going out for a romantic lunch date with your valentine, you will feel confident and beautiful in this fresh, natural make-up. Be sure to try it out and use the hashtag “#Nabela Noor” on Instagram and follow me on my new Youtube channel “Nabela Noor.”

You are expected to talk to your date, its best if she doesn’t focus on your bad breath.

Protection

Do not pressurise her but if anything happens be sure to use it. As they say, better safe than sorry.

Quick tips

Think of a nice, meaningful gift rather than conventional ones. And it’s best if you don’t converse only about you. That bores women. Rather be a good ear for your date. After you are done with the date and she reaches home, send her a text appreciating her time and that you had a great time. Send the text even if you didn’t have a good time. It’s just common courtesy and such a message goes a long way in the relationship BAIZID HAQUE JOARDER

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Street Car Talk

HOROSCOPE Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19)

Finding an activity that brings stability in your daily life should yield positive outcomes. Try not to mess with authority figures this week.

The obstinate prancing horse

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20)

Supercars don’t come any more exciting than this. With exotic looks, a huge image, and a thrill-a-minute drive, the Ferrari 458 Italia has got the lot. Awesome performance – not just upright speed, but flexibility, too This car is an absolute technological marvel. There is no other car on the planet that brings together form and function with such an exclamation point. Ferrari has taken all the technology they’ve gained from over 31 Formula One titles and put it together into one positively flawless package. If you step into the 458 Italia, it feels as though you have skipped two generations of the Ferrari rather than one. Everything in the 458 feels modern; it radiates a sense of handcrafted workmanship that was missing from its predecessor. Sitting just behind the driver’s heads, the 458’s 4.5-liter V8 engine is rated at 562 horsepower and it revs up all the way up till the 9,000rpm redline. A full 400 pound-feet of torque is at your disposal, but the numbers don’t tell the

full story of the Italia’s V8. The sound of the mid-engine is simply glorious. Only a thin divider separates the engine from the passenger compartment, and that means there’s a symphony of mechanical love affair going on every time you fire it up and plant your foot down. Just a quick stab of the gas transforms the car from a fairly mellow cruiser to a race-bred thrill machine in a split-second. There’s no manual transmission which, for many, is a source of bitterness. But the twin-clutch system in the 458 is so good, so good, that you’ll get over that fact without a fuss. So, is all this technology crammed under the skin of a prancing horse really worth it? Well, if you’ve got $300,000 to spend, prefer a steering wheel to

look like a video-game controller, have a constant craving for the sweet sound of a mid-engine and the ability to go 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds, then it’s absolutely worth it. It’s all encompassing, the emotional experience is unreal. This is one of the few cars that feels like it’s really pushing the limits of what is technologically possible. The carbon-ceramic brakes on the 458 can supposedly work at almost 1,000C, which is the temperature of molten lava. The Ferrari 458 Italia is proof that when it comes to building road cars, Ferrari is definitely on a bit of a roll. There’s something about this car that makes you realise that the impossible is possible. The 458 is not just a supercar, it’s one of the best supercars ever made. Tahsin Momin

You’re feelings may not be acknowledged at the beginning of this week. Try not to lose your temper. Gemini (May 21-Jun20)

Your week will begin with confidence. This isn’t the time to push away new opportunities or projects that are knocking on your door. Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)

Changes might be the highlight of your week. Adapting to them may be difficult but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Chin up, chest out, take a breather. Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)

If you’ve been brooding over some issues for a long time, now’s the time to voice them. It will make a difference. Virgo (Aug 23- Sep 22)

SPORTS EVENT

Rendezvous with US Soccer legends The American Centre at the US Embassy, Dhaka, in partnership with the Bangladesh Football Federation hosted two American professional football (soccer) players in Dhaka from February 3 to 8, as part of its Sports United programme of the US Department of State’s, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to use the universal appeal of sports to promote mutual understanding between people and nations. On February 4, Tony Sanneh and Linda Hamilton (Sports ambassadors of the US Department of State’s Sports Envoy Programme) appeared at the EMK Center for Public Service and Arts along with Biplob Bhattacharjee, Waly Faisal, Zahid Hasan Ameli,

Aungmaraching Marma and Suni Pro Marma (Bangladesh football players) for a press conference. Sanneh is a former player of the Los Angeles Galaxy. In 2002, he was part of the US national team that played in the FIFA World Cup, South Korea and Japan. Hamilton is a former member of the US Women’s national football team. In 1991, she was part of the team that won the first Women’s World Cup in China. “Your goal should be to produce Messi’s. I think perseverance, hard work, competitiveness, experience, concentration and coaching styles are what you need. Encourage and motivate players to be great. It’s all about the attitude and dedication, don’t compare them with other players, compare with

themselves. If you really want to make a good soccer player, make him a great person and teach him to be successful,” said Tony. Linda told, “You have a relatively successful men’s programme. But I would request you to create more youth programmes for boys and girls. You need to find a system since there is lack of one. Start identifying the talent in seven, eight or nine year olds now so that you can make them grow up to be good players. It takes time to improve and grow. You don’t have many clubs either. There are 64 divisions, create at least 64 clubs and youth programmes. But even then you do not have the area and space required. Find a way to create space and programmes. And then develop future players!” Faizah aziz

Be careful of the things you say at the beginning of this week. It might give people the wrong impression about you. Libra (Sep 23- Oct 22)

If people are labelling you as “plain and boring,” it’s time to show them what you’re made of. Try not to get too ambitious in the process. Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)

Try to immerse yourself in whatever is going on in your friend circle. If it goes against your beliefs, steer clear. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)

You’ve single-handedly nailed a lot of projects. Working in teams is highly favoured this week. Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan19)

FFPB Fantasy Football Players of Bangladesh (FFPB)

Fantasy League Top 10 after Gameweek 24 Rank Team 1 Da_Dreamers 2 EBeastmode 3 Dream United FC 4 Tomahawk Galacticos 5 Underdog FC 6 Sesc17 7 Firehouse 8 Noob FC 9 Spellbinder 10 ABRAR FC

Manager Fazle Rabbi Ibrahim Mohammad Fahim Al Ifran Rahim Rax Rahman Shazzadur Rahman Shadman Haque Quamrul Hassan_FFPB Fathin Shadman Priyo Arifin Satej_FFPB Abrar Moeen

GW TOT 60 1,587 54 1,554 57 1,547 66 1,542 64 1,532 54 1,525 67 1,517 63 1,512 59 1,506 57 1,506

If you’re thoughts are a little more than clouded this week, it’s time you got some clarity. Talking to a friend or a family member should be of help. Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)

Keeping your actions in check will help you sail smoothly through this week. You’ll be inviting a mishap if you don’t shape up. Pisces (Feb 19-Mar20)

Your week may begin with conflict. You could either stretch the issue like chewing gum or bury the hatchet. It’s your call.

The code to join FFPB fantasy league is 975-707

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HOT TOPIC

ALL ABOUT LOVE Come February, and card companies and commercials have hearts pouring out the wazoo for their Valentine promotions. With all the commercialism, it’s hard to remember the actual reason one celebrates St Valentine’s Day. This week, let TMAG bring some romance back into the day of love Photos by

Saudia afrin

Models

Baizid Haque Joarder Rifat Jahan

Wardrobe

Urban truth

Where is the love? Sabrina Fatma Ahmad and Saudia Afrin

Once upon a time, in the days of yore, couples had to send their romantic missives via pigeons (or ravens, if you believe Westeros is real), and wait by the window, praying that some eagle wouldn’t mistake their messenger dove for breakfast. Then came the postal service, and now the wait was for the postman to bring a romantic missive. Alexander Graham Bell became the true patron saint of lovebirds with his invention of the marvellous instrument that allowed you to actually hear those sweet nothings. And fast forward a few decades, we’re back at bird mail, or what is commonly referred to as “tweets.” While technological advancements promise to help people stay connected, they also make it easier to get detached. Why bother painstakingly penning a love poem when you can

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send a naughty text message? You can convey a multitude of expressions with an equally abundant array of emoticons. It’s quick. It’s (mostly) free. What you gain in terms of efficiency and convenience, however, you lose in terms of authenticity. If you subscribe to the idea that romance shouldn’t be restricted to February 14, there are three things we need to bring back in relationships and dating.

Calling it what it is

This isn’t the same as being “Facebook official.” You may fly under the radar as long as you need to, and what you are to one another isn’t anyone else’s business unless you choose to make it so, but at least be honest with one another. Don’t call it ‘just seeing each other’ when you’re actually going on

dates and playing tonsil tennis with each other, and if one of you doesn’t want to be in a committed relationship, say so, instead of leading the other person along.

Romantic gestures

When you have money, showering someone with gifts isn’t difficult to do. Posting silly Facebook messages isn’t either. But if the other person actually means something to you, show them with a genuine gesture. Write, like really hand-write, a letter to them. Make them something, even if it’s just a scrapbook of ticket stubs from all the movies you’ve watched together.

Real conversation

Forget social networking, forget text messages. Sit face to face and talk. Ask them about their day, tell them about

yours. Talk about things you’re passionate about, and things you don’t like. Build something together that doesn’t need telecommunication to survive.

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HOT TOPIC

Gift ideas out of the box Natasha Rahman

If red roses, box of chocolates and teddy bears have bored you to death, then here are some ideas to make the typical Valentine’s Day not that typical after all.

Handmade gifts

Sharpie mugs are a DIY gift anyone can make. All you need is a plain ceramic mug with a matte finish, a bunch of permanent markers or sharpies, and an oven. Use the marker to write a love note or make a cute doodle on your mug, let it dry for 24 hours, and then bake it from room temperature to 425F for thirty minutes, and you have a personalised mug. This makes a great gift by itself, or you could fill it with candies as an added boost. Make your partner a calendar of your best photos for each month and highlight a certain date on each month where you have a surprise for your partner.

Hidden photographer

This could be difficult but get a photographer to take snapshots of you all day, and then present it to you on insta collage with edits and a message in one corner, you can give this to your significant other at dinner, or have the waiter bring it looking like it’s a dessert.

Scavenger hunt for presents

lot of discretion on your part. If your parents are cool with your frequent visits to the house, then you are set. Or else, you could ask your significant others’ sister or brother to help you out. Turn your baby’s house into a fun valentine scavenger hunt. Keep something in the car with a clue to lead him/her to the next gift which could be on the stairway. Put up a trail of candles on the stairs and place another gift near her doorstep. This gift should have clues he/she needs to sniff out in the bedroom. You could leave clues under her pillow, in her school bag, which could finally lead to the final gift that could be hidden in her closet.

Boat Rides

If you are saving up every nickel and dime, then this is it for you. Mohakhali and Banani boat rides are oh-so-perfect to knock your sweetie’s socks off. Talk to the boatman in advance and confirm whether you will be able to deck up the boat or not. A ride will cost Tk50 for half an hour. The prices may vary from place to place a little bit, but in hundred bucks, you will have your special ride. You can put a mattress in it with flowers and a small present. If you get a bigger paddle boat that would accommodate three people comfortably, you can ask a friend of yours to sing a song that you both love, and ride into the sunset.

This will take planning and a whole

Single love

Baizid Haque Joarder

Whether you got your heart broken, can’t find that connection, or simply enjoy flying solo, Valentine’s Day is the worst day of the year to be single. But don’t let it rain on your parade this year. Let TMAG show you how.

Me love

Don’t have a date for V-day? Don’t sweat it! Or rather, do. Hit the gym and work off what you gained over the wedding season. Go to the spa and pamper yourself. Whether you get the works, or just a trim is up to you, but do something for you, not because you need to look nice for someone else, but for the heck of it. When you look good, you feel good, and that’s all you really need. That, and a good camera phone for that killer selfie!

Movie night

Grab some popcorn and finger food, make yourself a mocktail, get some

DVD’s or download a few movies and call your single friends over for a movie night. With the Oscar race on full swing, there are tons of great flicks to watch. In fact, you could even throw in a DIY trivia game and make a themed event out of it. Valentine, shmalentine!

Master the munchies

You could be packing Masterchef level skills, or be the kind that can’t boil water, what is a chore by yourself can be fun with friends and family. Stock up the fridge, pop open Youtube or Pinterest, call the gang over and make a cooking date out of it. Even if what you come up with together is inedible, the memories will be sweet. After all, the day is about showing your loved ones that you adore and appreciate them and it does not necessarily have to be one particular person but anyone and everyone around you!

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written in the Stars

Mission Hatirjheel

PHOTOS: COURTESY

Though this is not the first, but this is the most extensive initiative taken to create a video game in Bangladesh. With “Hatirjheel: Dream Begins,” the game from MassiveStar Studio , it’s still a long way to go. Explore their voyage with Saudia Afrin

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Humans instinctively love to dream, however, to fulfil that dream beyond all hindrances is the biggest challenge. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s list 2014, Dhaka attained the first place in terms the most squalid city on earth. Though, embracing all the cons of the country some people still harbour a belief to create a truly beautiful Bangladesh. “Hatirjheel: Dream Begins” is a culmination of that dream, hope, and hard work. Its beauty and accessibility is what makes Hatirjheel the current sizzling place for city dwellers. It’s a true demonstration of what we as Bangalis can do. Additionally, this project greatly inspired the MassiveStar Studio team. To further enhance their plans, the team conducted an extensive research on the gaming perceptions of Bangladeshis. The realisation that people are

clamouring for a locally developed video game, fuelled their journey. Besides aiming to create a game that is fun, MassiveStar Studio , also aim to convey an insight into the meaning of life to the gamers. The game features 31 levels of gameplay, and is suitable for ages eight and onwards. With each passing level, gamers learn how to fight back during emergencies and learn how to survive. On top of that it is able to bring people closer and strengthen ties among family members. The video game is set to be launched soon and initially can be played only on the PC. However, MassiveStar Studio plans to update it every two months. Also, later on the game will be made compatible with both Android and iOS. Currently, the team is working on how to incorporate our history and culture in video game.

They have recently incepted a project to be carried out in 400 schools. They plan to take in around 80,000 students, to whom they will teach game development. SM Mahabub Alam, ceo of MassiveStar Studio , said: “A prevalent norm in today’s youths is that there is nothing to do in Bangladesh. Most choose the easy way out and fly to a developed country to become successful in life. But their house of cards soon falls apart when they face the reality.” He sincerely believes that Bangladesh has thousands of opportunities to work. He added: “Lots of new arenas needs to be created and thousands of projects require nourishment. We want to create a platform for the youth, to show them that there are lots of opportunities. Be patient and explore it!” n

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comicbook

Fiction

book

YOU WRITE IT

Harry/Hermoine Fanfic Authors, Reunite! My whole childhood is a lie. Let me start from the top – in the latest interview conducted by Emma Watson (the guest editor for Sunday Times), J K Rowling had changed her stance on the Hermione-Ron relationship. Having read a snippet from her latest interview, it appears that Rowling is not sure that she should have put them together. The actual headline reads: “JK admits Hermione should have wed Harry.” My childhood is a lie. The relationship I had based my boy/girl adult friendships on (don’t judge me now!) is something that the author would take back if she could. As Rowling puts it: “I can hear the rage and fury it might cause some fans, but if I’m absolutely honest, distance has given me perspective on that. It was a choice I made for very personal

reasons, not for reasons of credibility. Am I breaking people’s hearts by saying this? I hope not.” Breaking hearts? Yes, but it also gives me hopes. I would take anything at this point, as long as it doesn’t involve the death of everybody’s favourite, red headed Weasley Keeper! Remember Rowling telling us about wanting to killing off poor Ron in 2011? Shudders! I can’t help but wonder if Rowling wishes to take a walk down the memory lane (if so, please take me with you). An alternate timeline? Another book? The greedy person who grew up with the characters in the Harry Potter universe can’t help but hope that is the case. Just, no killing Ron, okay? I’m still not over Fred’s death. Other than that, Accio, book! Nabeela M

Satisfied, she walked out of the room, straight into the hallway. The elevator took her to the lobby, where the clatters of her heel echoed. She walked out the main door, sat in her car and drove to the church. It was a Sunday. She arrived at the church and walked past the empty benches, straight to the front, where the father is supposed to stand. She smiled and turned to face the empty church. This was not the first time she had made this journey. She had started making these trips 10 years ago, when a fire broke out in the very same church. Instead of getting married that Sunday, she had returned home with only the memories of her to-be groom and all the invitees present in the church on that day. Khatidja Hussein Jiwani

Lost for a cause Daniel Lieskes graphic novel Wormworld Saga, depicts the story of 10 year old Jonas Berg. The story begins with the protagonist of the story narrating his feelings. It’s the last day of school before summer vacation, and all Jonas looks forward to is spending six weeks at his grandmother’s house drawing and playing in the forests. In Jonas, Lieske has created a dreamer; for a 10 year old he is fully aware of the fact that reality is just too mainstream for him (with reference to his distaste for homework and school). The plot slowly unfolds as Jonas and his father reach his grandmother’s place. Amid fun and frolic, Jonas is taken by a storm as memories from the past start surfacing. But that’s not exactly what takes the

Party poopers on V-day You and your date are impeccably dressed and having a nice time, bonding over a romantic dinner. What can go wrong on such a perfect Valentine’s Day date? A lot, yes a LOT can go wrong. Here are just some of the few things that might go wrong and tips on how one can handle such mishaps.

Planning

The White Sunday Trips She was sitting in front of her dressing table, braiding her hair. After setting her hair, she moved towards her walk-in closet. She looked through her clothes, and picked out the white dress. As she pulled it out from her wardrobe, the dress’ fluffy white bottom slid on the ground. She closed the door and took her time changing into the dress. The door opened after 15 minutes, and she stood there looking elegant. She slipped into her white pencil heels, sat on the red stool, and put on some make-up which consisted of the silver eyeshadow she had bought years ago. For some reason, that one box never finished. Of course her make-up included the blood red lipstick she loved. She looked into the mirror to check whether she was looking okay or not.

non fiction

cake in the plot; while he’s in his room, supposedly studying (at least that’s what his father knows), he’s spends time inside a secret hatchway that he had made previously, while staying over at his grandmothers. Mysteries begin unravelling from then onwards. Lieske has not only created the conventional “troubled child at school,” but has also given several layers to this mere 10 year old, which makes this graphic novel a good read. Even though the plot is somewhat predictable, it’s not an absolute disappointment, that’s for sure. If you’re in the mood for light reading, you should definitely consider this one. Wormworld Saga is available for reading at http://www.wormworldsaga.com rubab nayeem khan

Why do people opt for a solid foundation while constructing a building? Well if you do not have a strong foundation, your building will come crashing down due to the slightest tremor. Planning for a nice date on Valentine’s is that foundation, without which, your date may go haywire. Pay attention to every last detail such as asking your date about how she is going to come to the venue to even carrying change for tipping the waiter. If you are planning to stay indoors, you should plan well for the arrangements. No matter how easy it seems, it’s wise to plan for it beforehand.

Out of cash, out of order

This should probably be the first thing you keep in mind and this is when budgeting helps. It is best to make a list of the expenses you might have to incur and plan accordingly. However, if you are entirely out of cash, ask for some from your parents and if you have an income source, promise them that you will return them the money.

Return of the ex

This one is harsh! Imagine you are deep in conversation with your date and you see your ex walking in with their date. Be prepared to encounter one of the most awkward situations you will ever be in. If the past was not stars and rainbows with your former “better” half, don’t fret. If there is eye contact between you and them, just a simple, “hi, how are you?” will suffice. If the other party becomes too hostile (there is always that chance), just walk away forgetting it ever happened and go back to conversing with your date.

Exams the next day

A very common thing for teens is an exam the next day and that you haven’t studied for it. In this case, plan the outing earlier with your date and if that is not possible, postpone the date and have it on a more convenient day for the both of you. Baizid Haque Joarder

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stereo

The goodsheet

Tunes and tones Commentary

A Bad Dream keane E

F#m

Why do I have to fly over every town up and down the line?

F#m

I’ll die on the clouds avobe and you that I defend I do not love

F#m

I wake up it’s a bad dream, no one on my side I was fighting But I just feel too tired to be fighting

Guess I’m not the fighting kind

F#m

When will I meet my fate? Baby I’m a man and i was born to hate

F#m

When will I meet my end? In a better time you could be my friend

I wake up, it’s a bad dream, no one on my side I was fighting

F#m

But I just feel too tired to be fighting

Guess I’m not the fighting kind

F#m

Wouldn’t mind it if you were by my side

But you’re long gone, yes you’re long gone now

F#m Em

Where do we go?

F#m

I don’t even know

My strage old face

A VALENTINES’ DAY EULOGY Who does not love Valentine’s Day? Once a year, one day comes along when people get together to celebrate love, and profess their love through indulging in chocolates, cakes and cards. Capitalism, projected in media and projected well, is one of the major reasons this sham is kept alive. However, what does the media really say about love? Let’s take an example. Neyo and Rihanna’s “Hate That I Love You.” Perhaps one of the most realistic depictions of a man and a woman in an abusive relationship, Rihanna and Neyo sing their hearts out lamenting their inability to leave their partner whenever they find it hard or troubling to stay with them. Now some can say that is cute. In other words, “how nice is that, the girl or the guy cannot leave, they love the other so much.” Sure. However, a lack of choice or a lack of skill to leave a partner just because they love the other so much represents a cycle of denial. And a cycle

Intro: E Bm D F#M

Em A

And I’m thinking about those days

of abuse. Not so romantic. Nor so valentic, I must say. But what about others? One of One Direction’s most famous songs is “What Makes You Beautiful.” With a very catchy tune, it has proved to be quite popular on Youtube. However, the lyrics declaring “shyness” and “insecurity” as both “attractive” and “redeeming” qualities in girls sends out the un-savoury message of someone coming to save another. And that is not only insulting, but awfully unrealistic. Why on earth would anyone come over to save someone? When governments abandon their own countries and people? And speaking of realism, who can forget about Katy Perry? Her famous “Teenage Dream” was the flavour of the town when it first came out. Who gets into a car, goes to a motel and builds “a fort out of sheets?” Surely not a reference to rape, is this? Oh well. Happy Valentine’s day, everyone! Nadia Chowdhury

And I’m thinking about those days

I wake up, it’s a bad dream, no one on my side I was fighting

F#m

But I just feel too tired to be fighting

Guess I’m not the fighting kind

F#m

Wouldn’t mind it if you were by my side

SPOTLIGHT

But you’re long gone, yes you’re long gone now

TOP

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Some country lovin’ A little Taylor Swift never hurts anybody. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we from TMAG think it’s the best time to let your guard down and groove to songs by this country musician. Believe it or not, the artist of “Love Story” does bring a lot to the table when it comes to music. Over the years, her performances and style of music seems to have gone through a huge transition. If you’ve heard songs like “Teardrops on my Guitar,” “Breathe (featuring Colbie Caillat),” and “Fearless” you will notice how much her

V DAY MIX

We are stars The Pierces

2. Sugar Wanderlust

songs have evolved. It’s slightly upbeat, which should instantly tell you, that Taylor Swift is not just another country singer with cheesy lyrics and music videos. Songs like “Red” and “I Know You Were Trouble” are a perfect example for this. And if you’re still in the mood for some classic Taylor Swift love song, try “Everything Has Changed (featuring Ed Sheeran).” Tune in to her songs from her 2012 album “Red” to find out if Swift has done justice to country, to music, and love songs. Rubab Nayeem Khan

3. Falling with you Metic 4. Fade into you Jackie 5. More than words Owen 6.

You and I Ingrid Michaelson

7. Happy together Turtles 8.

Glad you came The Wanted

9. Lovesong (The Cure Cover) Voltaire 10. Impossible Shout out louds

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music news

A bit of both worlds Youtube covers of mainstream music have gained a marked recognition over the last couple of years. If you’re hooked to Youtube or Soundcloud, you may have come across a cover of Daft Punk’s song “Get Lucky” last year. It was done by Pentatonix, a five person a capella group that rose to fame by covering some of your favourite songs. A lot can be said about the group, without going into the history of their formation, particularly by listening to their covers on Youtube. Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado and Kevin Olusola, each bring separate styles of singing; and they have certainly left an impression on viewers. The five different voices triumph over the

background music, and the beatboxing during the songs and between the pauses is done immaculately. One of their covers was the “Evolution of Music,” which is a mashup of songs from the 11th century till 2013. This video had about 32 million hits on Youtube. They’ve also done a cover of the Christmas song “Little Drummer Boy,” which had a rather unique tone to it. The best part is that in their music, there is a mix of everything; they play around with existing genres and add their own zing to up and coming music. Those of you who are seeking variety, Pentatonix is something you should definitely look up. Rubab Nayeem Khan

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playroom

WE RECOMMEND app of the week

Platform Price Size

iOS/android Free 13.5Mb

movie

Cash flow in-check Budgeting and expense tracking apps might not sound very appealing, but they do come in very handy when managing one’s cash flow. Spendee is a brand new app that allows you to do exactly that. The app is not only ridiculously easy to use but also has a simple interface that makes life easier for a majority of the users. Adding your income or your expense can be done in a few simple steps, just hit the plus icon at the bottom of the screen and the app will guide you through the rest. Even better, the app lets you take snapshots of your invoices, a perfect way of keeping everything in one place. The overview section, likewise, allows you to review your spending

Tahsin momin

A Clean Slate When Love Turns to Hate “Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind” explores the possibility of deleting every memory of the desired person and starting off with a clean slate and an unhampered mind. Clementine (Winslet) is an impulsive woman who meets the mundane suburban man Joel (Carrey). Her ever-changing hair colour and his never changing schedule make for the perfect balance when two opposites attract. However, after a heated argument, Clementine decides she wants to completely forget Joel upon learning this, he decides to do the same. There are no icebergs, massive ships or extremely implausible ideologies of a sweeping love with a song that makes you want to raise your lighter in “Eternal Sunshine.” It relies on its simplicity of unadulterated love, making the seemingly ordinary love story ever

comic strip

and earnings in a sequential order. Underneath, you find the breakdown section that separates your spending into categories and can also tell you what you spend most of your money on. There is no doubt that Spendee is easy to use and the presentation is spot on. However there are a few problems – the range of categories is rather small in number and you cannot add your own to it. Then, there is no tagging ability and you cannot just jump to your current balance. Nevertheless, as a quick way of keeping an eye on your finances and with an ability to add a password for security, it is a decent choice.

so extraordinary. The supporting cast is stellar in their respective performances, however Winslet and Carrey steal the show. Winslet is ethereal as always, her span of characters throughout the years is so eclectic and astounding. Carrey invokes the necessary amount of ordinary required to portray Joel. The movie is ever confusing and requires nothing short of the audience’s full attention in order to be comprehensible. Though it will seem extremely perplexing, without any purpose and boring at times, the movie is nothing short of a brilliant love story that will be remembered eternally. It reminds us that though the ashes in the garbage bin are forever lost the next morning, our memories and burns are not something we necessarily want to forget. Shaikh Ashfaque Zaman

Book This Cop Comedy! This single camera comedy celebrates all that is good about the genre today; great script, talented ensemble cast and the fabulous Andy Samberg of Lonely Island and Saturday Night Live (SNL) fame. To sweeten the pot, you have Terry Crew – the Old Spice Man, and Jo Lo Truglio from MTV’s heyday comedy sketch, the series. There’s Christina Peretti who is surely the next Amy Poehler. So, by now, you can guess that it isn’t a one man show. You have cops under a new captain in with a chip on his shoulders (Andre Braugher). There is a brilliant if immature cop Jake Perelta (Samberg) and a squad leader suffering from an emotional breakdown (Terry Crew). The mysterious Detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) with anger management issues, Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) is Jake’s uptight, competitive partner, and Charles Boyle (Truglio) as a clumsy, but hard working and sweet detective at the precinct. There’s also an incredible succession of guest stars, many of whom are comedians from SNL. Each episode is the trials and tribulations of the detectives’ lives at the precinct. A show like this depends on the comedy and the Brooklyn nine-nine gang delivers! They manage to tread a fine line between comedy and reality without a hitch, and deliver wonderful performances, without going overboard, as some comedies today do. If you still aren’t convinced, we’d like to point out that Brooklyn NineNine won two Golden Globes this year, as a freshman series. A good reason to check it out, huh? Nabeela M

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Listology

TEENARAMA

four types of couples Sometimes, when love takes a turn, a really bad turn, we find ourselves in the company of the most unreasonable partners. TMAG shreds the four most annoying types of twosomes that are far from being awesome Natasha Rahman

Cling-aling

The paparazzi celebs

PDA alert

My precious

Joined to the hip like Siamese twins, you’ll never find this twosome apart. Be it coaching classes, shopping malls, or a walk to the photocopy centre - this pair is inseparable. Plus, it’s not pretty. It will only make you feel like your sanity is being clogged.

Decked from head to toe in Gucci, your guy sporting a Bulgari watch - this one’s always ready to step out on a red carpet. Always looking and smelling like a million bucks, this couple makes a conscious effort to make sure his hair is in place, and the colour of her belt matches her toe nails. Overly romantic on Facebook, with love posts and hours of edited profile pictures, they look ohso-perfect. Their repressed emotions and fights, are safely closeted by a facade of materialistic hoopla.

Not a care in the world, this duo will be all over each other. People may come and go, the waiters may cough a few times, but none of that matters - this is serious business for them. Dim lights, a corner table and a few spectators, this is live entertainment in broad daylight. Or for most, this would just be excruciatingly awkward.

Like Gollum going gaga over the ring, we have the two lovebirds treating each other like their patented property. Not leaving your woman out of sight for a moment and constantly checking the boyfriend’s phone is a disease. Tolerable for the first few hunky-dory months of courtship, after a point, you’d want to pull the trigger.

Love notes June 20, 2013, was the start of an unexpected yet beautiful journey. The caring friend I always had, turned into the person I love and can’t be without, even for a moment. You came into my life in the most unexpected way. But I feel it’s nothing but a blessing. I know we had a lot to go through; probably more coming ahead. But it’s only a test of patience. I believe as long as we are together there is nothing to be worried about .Today I stand proud and happy because I have you as my boyfriend. Someone who is my best friend, who understands, believes and respects me more than anything else. It feels like I am living a fairy tale, because you are too good to be true, Bub. I thank you for everything you have done for me and for loving me more with each passing day. These words may be too little to express how much I love you. But on this special occasion I just want to tell you that “I love you a lot” and you mean the world to me. I promise to be there by your side until I grow old and wrinkly. Happy Valentine’s day bub! You are really precious to me From Christine

Ashreen, I don't really believe in love for just one day. Love should be eternal. And I'm yours eternally. LG for life.

Here's a playlist • • • • • •

- Erad

Seventh grade's “Instant Crush!” Then you were a “Face to Call Home” Then you went “So Far Away” Always “Leaving On A Jet Plane” Damn “It’s Been A While!” Now “I Wish You Were Here”

- Your cutest Imam

For my Prince Charming, Junaid, who has shared all my pain and sorrows, and also all my happiness and love. For him I am truly thankful. - Afsara

I'd choose you in a hundred lifetimes. In hundred different worlds, in any versions of reality; I would find you and choose you. I hope you choose me too I love you Nayeem Ahmed, unconditionally. - Zarfisha

TM AG TU ESDAY, FEB RUARY 1 1, 2014

To the best Khan,