Sin Volume 16 Issue 5 by Student Independent News

FREE STUDENT NEWSPAPER | VOL 16, ISSUE 5 | 10 NOV 2014

NEWS

INSIDE

In the recent budget the government has looked to rectify their recent poor attempts to eradicate homelessness by injecting €10.5 million into services associated with it. That is over a 20 per cent increase of their current funds (€45.5 million) in their bid to eliminate homelessness by 2016. They also announced that 10,000 social housing units will be built nationwide over the course of the next four years. There is a discernible need for these houses to be built with almost 4,000 households (about 10,000 people) currently on the Galway City Council housing waiting list. This is a massive increase from the 3,434 households that were placed on the same waiting list last September. It is not yet known how many housing units will be built here but it is unlikely that this problem will be solved any time in the near future.

LIFESTYLE

year Biopharmaceutical Chemistry student. Having been one of the luckier ones to have gotten accommodation, it became evident that he was still going to be directly affected by the housing crisis in Galway. At one point earlier on in the semester, 17 people were staying within an eight bedroom house highlighting the urgency for students to find short-term places to stay. This is an extreme example of “sofa surfing” which is becoming ever popular among young people aged between 18 and 29 years of age. A new project by the Galway Simon Community is aimed at solving homelessness between this age bracket. The CEO of the charity, Bill Griffin, has said that the increase in the risk of homelessness in young people began when “social welfare was reduced to €100 per week two years ago”.

Unveiling the ‘the Geec’ (Galway energy-efficient car) at NUI Galway were (l-r); Michael Crothers, Managing Director of Shell E&P Ireland Limited; NUI Galway student Mary Rose McLoone; and Professor Gerry Lyons, Dean of NUI Galway’s College of Engineering and Informatics.

FINAL WORD

SPORT

According to a one-day census conducted in early October by local social services charity COPE Galway, 13 people were ‘sleeping rough’ while there were a further 124 people availing of emergency accommodation. Alarmingly, of these 124 people 41 per cent (51) were children. It has also been reported that at any one night in the city at least a dozen people are spending the night on the streets. This comes as a result of an almost 3 per cent rise in rent prices in Galway City this year which have left families and students alike struggling to find suitable places. While the housing demand faced by students and reported in an earlier issue of Sin has declined, it has not yet been fully resolved. The Facebook page ‘House Hunting in Galway (For Sound People)’ now has over 7,500 members and is still

receiving posts from desperate students. Final year Civil Law student Emily Gorman, who was directly affected by the shortage in housing this year, told Sin of her experience. She had “left it to the week before to look for a house” which “worked every other year” but it then became apparent to her that “it wasn’t a good idea this year.” With no place to stay she “booked into a hostel for what [she] thought would be a week, but it “turned out to be a lot longer.” Her situation has since been improved with the eventual acquisition of accommodation but her experience is just one of many that students have encountered this year. One such student who has also been subjected to the problems involved in the lack of landlords renting to students this year is Dan Kahn, a third

ENTERTAINMENT

By Kieran Kilkelly

FEATURES

Housing still a serious problem in Galway

NUI Galway students to make 200km trip cost just €1 with energy-efficient car

Panti Bliss to perform at NUI Galway

UHG Emergency Department: Rebuild necessary

UK cracks down on revenge porn

THIS WEEK’S DEBATE: Should we pay for our water usage?

The new age of Netflix

MARKET THYSELF: Show up like nobody else

The best ways to procrastinate

The charity of Imposter Beards

Porsche they did it again

RETRO REWIND: the roaring 20s

Breaking Tradition

Perfect Comic Timing

Dean of Letters

The top 10 opening lines in fiction

Ladies Soccer: NUI Galway kick off in style.

NUI Galway's cheerleading Pandas far from extinct

New safety regulations following Jules Bianchi crash

How do you solve a problem like Mario?

Diary of the Smokey’s Pigeon

College Insider

2 NEWS

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

NUI Galway students to make 200km NUI Galway student trip cost just €1 with energy-efficient car receives international By Maurice Brosnan Engineering Students at NUI Galway are currently designing and building Ireland’s most fuel-efficient car. The group will display their project, ‘the Geec’ (Galway energy-efficient car) in May 2015, as part of the Shell Eco-marathon Europe. The Shell Eco-marathon consists of the future generation of engineers and scientists aged 16-25 from across 25 countries competing in cars they design and build. Success is measured on who can drive the furthest

on the equivalent of 1 kWh of electricity or 1 litre of fuel and thus the competition requires creative designs and technical know-how. Shell Eco-marathon is one of the world’s most challenging student innovation competitions and takes place annually in Europe, America and Asia. The competition brings together current and future leaders, along with a broader public passionate about energy issues. The NUI Galway team’s model is efficient enough to drive from Galway to Dub-

lin on less than €1 worth of electricity. The team consists of students across the Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic and Energy Systems Engineering disciplines with full backing from the university’s College of Engineering and Informatics. In May 2015 in Rotterdam, the Geec from NUI Galway will race in the prototype electric category. The car combines electric drive with a streamlined composite body and ultra-low resistance tyres. Professor Gerry Lyons, Dean of NUI Galway’s College

NUI Galway student Mary Rose McLoone from Glenties, Co. Donegal, unveils the ‘the Geec’ (Galway energy-efficient car) at NUI Galway.

of Engineering and Informatics, recently unveiled the car alongside Shell representatives, students and alumni. “The Shell Eco-Marathon was first established in 1939 and I am delighted to see students from our College of Engineering and Informatics participate as the event challenges students across the world to design build and race ultra-efficient vehicles.” Professor Lyons added: “There has never been an Irish team to compete in the event and this will change in 2015 with NUI Galway’s contribution to the world of eco-friendly transport. This is a great team of students taking on the design, building and racing Ireland’s most fuel efficient car and I really do commend them and wish them well.” The car was unveiled this month and at this early stage everything on the car has been built and tested. The team are focusing on building the lightest, most aerodynamic design possible as well as combining other engineering design techniques to make the best car possible. For more information and to follow the project visit the team’s Facebook page, NUI Galway Eco-Marathon Team.

undergraduate award By Chelsea Tabert An NUI Galway student has been awarded the 2014 International Undergraduate award – an award programme that identifies top students across international universities. Nearly 5,000 submissions were made from over 200 institutes worldwide, which were judged by a panel of academics and industry experts from the corresponding field. Louisa Brophy Browne from Knocknacarra, Galway City was announced the winner of the Undergraduate Award in Classical Studies and Archaeology Category for her paper entitled Discuss and Evaluate the Main Points of the Debate on the Ethnics of Archaeological Work in War Zones and Occupied Territories Using Case Studies. In an inclusive interview, Louisa explained how it feels to win such a prestigious award: “It’s pretty incredible to have won. What I’d really like to say most though, is how much I really owe it to my lecturer, Mag-

gie Ronayne. She’s such an inspiration.” L o u i s a i s c u r re n t l y undertaking a TEFL course in Spain and plans on continuing with a Master degree in September 2015. She concluded by encouraging “everyone to apply”. NUI Galway President, Dr Jim Browne said: “Louisa’s success highlights the high quality of study which our undergraduate students are engaged in. Such success in these Awards will undoubtedly add lustre to the academic development of our students as well as underscore NUI Galway’s increasing profile as a centre of world-class research and teaching.” Each recipient will be recognised as the top student in their respective field globally and will be awarded with a gold medal at the UA Summit awards held in Dublin from 19-21 November. The Summit is designed to celebrate these outstanding students from across the world, to inspire them with speakers assembled from a variety of backgrounds.

Law lecturer setting her bar high Panti Bliss coming to NUI Galway By Orla Furey Dr Ciara Smyth, Director of the Doctoral Programme in the School of Law has been nominated by the Government’s working group on Asylum. The group’s focus is to advise the Government on what improvements should be made to the State’s direct provision and protection processes for asylum seekers. Dr Smyth lectures in Public International Law, I n t e r n a t i o n a l Hu m a n Rights, Refugee Law and Immigration Law. In Ireland asylum seekers are placed in temporary housing in the Dublin area and are then placed into a regional centre that takes into account one’s particular needs.

Delays can occur in the assigning of asylum seekers to permanent accommodation at a regional centre. Initial housing conditions which they are placed in face criticism. The aim of the working group is to improve on the service and to keep these problems to a minimum. The group is comprised of Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Minister of State at the department of Justice and Equality. The Chairman of the working group is retired High Court Judge, Mr Bryan Mc Mahon. Along with her teaching within the university Dr Smyth also teaches Refugee Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. She is director of the PhD programme in the School of

Law. She has been accredited with her PhD from Leiden University, the Netherlands. She was awarded a Max Van Der Stoel Human Rights award in 2013; an LL.M in Human Rights (with distinction) from Queen’s University Belfast; and an LL.B and B.A. from NUI Galway. Dr Smyth researches in the area of asylum, immigration and citizenship. In particular she focuses on the relationship between asylum law and human rights law. She has dedicated the past number of years of research on the EU Common European Asylum System and whether it is compatible with the rights of the child in international law.

By Mark Laherty Drag queen Panti Bliss will be performing their new comedy High Heels in Low Places in NUI Galway in the O’Flaherty Theatre on Monday 17 November. Panti, AKA Rory O’Neill, will speak on fame and controversy, particularly with

regard to the events and aftermath of a January interview on The Saturday Night Show, where the popular drag queen alleged that some individuals involved in Irish journalism were “horrible and mean about gays”. RTE removed O’Neill’s segment from its online player after legal complaints from the six specified journalists, including John Waters and Breda O’Brien of the Irish Times; David Quinn, head of the Iona Institute; and other institute members. RTE paid out a total of €85,000 to the journalists.

Popular drag queen Panti Bliss will perform at NUI Galway on 17 November.

Public outcry was so great that the incident was discussed in the European Parliament. O’Neill gave a speech as Panti at the Abbey Theatre in response to the events, which quickly went viral. It garnered the support of other popular figures such as Graham Norton, Stephen Fry, and Madonna. High Heels in Low Places has received financial and critical success from earlier performances in Dublin’s Vicar Street, Cork’s Opera House, and the Galway International Arts Festival. Tickets are €5 from the Students’ Union Office and the SU Engineering Desk. Student ID is required. Panti said in an interview with the Irish Independent that she wishes to take the show to the US and Australia “because I need to sell the f*cking tickets”.

NEWS 3

November 10 2014

Have you visited sin.ie yet?

By Jessica Thompson Technology is ruining our lives. There’s no point beating around the bush. Everywhere you look, there are people bumping into each other because one or both is engrossed in their inbox or their social networking feeds. They can’t look up because they suffer from something called Fear Of Missing Out, or FOMO. What has become of society? We’ve reached a point where technology completely rules our lives, and not in the iRobot or Terminator ways. At least a robot attack would make us socialise a bit better. Now don’t get me wrong. I have a smartphone and I use it every day. It’s always by my side, and it gets checked regularly. I don’t think I suffer from FOMO. I couldn’t care less what’s going on in internet land. But with my love of my smartphone, I am by no means higher and mightier than thou. But just consider it for a moment. We can’t sleep unless our phones are beside us, just in case one of our friends feels the need to text “u awake” at four o’clock in

the morning. Well I’m awake now because you rudely awoke me with your text. Not only is the conversation made up of mind-numbingly boring small talk that is completely pointless, but at four o’clock in the morning, you’re bound to be groggy and half asleep. You’ve also just interrupted your z-time, which means the quality of that night’s sleep is quite poor. And without sleep, you don’t function properly, so you’ll probably spend the next day sitting on your bed, scrolling through Facebook rather than spending time with real friends. What’s with the 700 friends anyway? Do you even know these people? I currently have about 300 friends. It would be twice or three times that if I didn’t regularly go through the list and weed out the people I don’t care for. In fact, my ideal friends list would consist of less than 100 people, so it’s time to do the weeding again. We think we have all these ‘friends’ on Facebook, but while we spend all our time interacting with them online, would you actually talk to them if you bump into them in person? If you go to a pub, you’ll often see groups of friends sitting together, but staring at the screens of mobile phones. Some will check their Facebook, Twitter or emails while on a date because they simply can’t miss out on stuff that they wouldn’t even know was happening had they just left the phone well alone.

32 pages once a fortnight simply isn’t enough when it comes to covering all the great stories on campus and entertaining our readers every day. This year, we’ll be ensuring our website is constantly updated with great news stories, opinion pieces, fashion, sport and much more. Visit our website at www.sin.ie or simply scan the QR code. There are even people who will tweet from the toilet, which raises some questions of hygiene. You certainly can’t leave your phone behind when going to the toilet because something major could happen in that five-minute window. Online relationships seem to be destroying friendships. What’s the point in Skyping your friend in Australia when you can see what they’re up to from their Facebook photographs and updates? If there’s nothing to talk about, will they still be more than an online friend in a month? Are we losing touch with reality because we can have a virtual world in the palm of our hand? Is our irrational fear of missing out ruining our chances of having a normal healthy life? Perhaps our fear of missing out on internet matters is causing us to miss out on reality? But we can cure ourselves. Perhaps we could start off by looking out the window instead of checking our ‘friend’s’ Facebook statuses

announced on the 19th of November. Declan Higgins, President of NUI Galway Students’ Union said: “NUI Galway Students' Union is delighted to be on the steering committee for this bid. It is no surprise that Galway has been shortlisted for this important honour as a young, vibrant city with 58% of the population aged under 35 years. “Winning this title will be a huge boost to the city and

an endorsement of the pride Galway has in the achievements and abilities of its young people.” The ‘European Youth Capital’ is a title awarded by the European Youth Forum to a European city for a period of one year. It would provide Galway with an opportunity to present a calendar of events and innovative projects designed and run by and for young people, to showcase its rich cultural and political life to Europe.

to find out the weather (and no, it’s not snowing). It’s just something to consider, and there’s more than one article that deals with the effect of technology on relationships in this issue of Sin. In fact, there are two (apart from this editorial). Val and Kieran have written very interesting articles on the popular app that is Tinder, and a relatively new app called Cuddlr. Are these apps the answer to our communication problems or do they just make it worse? Sure, they help you find someone to go out with or just to cuddle when you feel lonely, but has society lost the ability to find that person by natural means? Think about it. And then maybe look up from your phone and say hi to someone. Maybe it’ll be the man or woman of your dreams. Until next time, Jess Twitter: @Jess__Thompson (just in case you don’t want to look up from the phone).

Galway City is Shortlisted in Bid to Become European Youth Capital 2017 Galway city has reached the final of a competition to become European Youth Capital (EYC) 2017. This prestigious title, currently held by Cluj Napoca in Romania, affords the winner an opportunity to showcase its youth-related cultural, social, political and economic life. Galway will now battle it out against Cascais (Portugal), Perugia (Italy) and Varna (Bulgaria) to win the title. The winner will be

Editor in Chief: Jessica Thompson editor@sin.ie

UPCOMING SIN MEETINGS Thursday 13 November Thursday 20 November All Sin meetings will take place at 6pm in TB305. TB305 can be located on the first floor of Tower 2 (on the Arts Concourse). Meetings are open to everyone and new members are always welcome!

Get in touch with Sin:

NUI Galway students can help support the bid by liking and sharing the Galway for European Youth Capital 2017 Facebook page and following @Galway2017 on Twitter.

Email: Facebook: Twitter:

editor@sin.ie Sin Newspaper NUI Galway @Sin_News

Send us your tweets and we may publish them in future issues of Sin.

4 NEWS

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Life Society welcomes Solicitor Benen Fahy to NUI Galway By Jemima Burke The Life Society welcomed its first guest-speaker of the college-year, Mr Benen Fahy, to NUI Galway on Wednesday 15 October.

The meeting was prompted by a recent tweet posted by Richard Dawkins on his Twitter profile in response to a question from a woman who was unsure of what she would do if she was carrying

an unborn baby with Down’s syndrome. Dawkins advised: “Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you had the choice.” The event celebrated the

worth of human beings with Down ’s syndrome and the valuable contribution they make to the community. The statistics in regard to selective abortion and Down’s syndrome were presented,

Life Society Auditor Mr Enoch Burke is pictured with Mr Benen Fahy at the Society's Down's Syndrome event.

informing the audience that “some European countries are aborting over 90% of children with Down Syndrome”. Mr Fahy, a local solicitor, shared his experience so far of fathering a child with Down’s syndrome. “Seán brings diversity to the community. Our local primary school is a kinder, richer, more human place because he is there. He contributes that quality of innocence to society and his lack of inhibition endears himself to everyone he comes in contact with,” he said. Mr Fahy’s wife gave birth to a son, Seán, with Down’s syndrome in 2005. Seán has since progressed to primary school and plays Gaelic football every week with the local team. His teacher says: “We’re all learning from Seán. He’s a good reminder of living in the moment.” Mr Fahy expressed his appreciation of the friends, family and hospital staff that encouraged him at a time when all he could see was the Down’s syndrome and nothing of the positivity, inspiration and joy Seán now brings to his life.

The event was chaired by the Auditor Mr Enoch Burke who expressed his delight at the level of interest expressed: “The Life Society’s event with Mr. Benan Fahy was an exceptional opportunity to hear a genuine appraisal of the worth of people with Down Syndrome to the community, and to realize how dastardly are the ethics of one such as Mr Richard Dawkins who would advise that all unborn with that condition be aborted, as he did in a recent Twitter comment.” He said: “The generous turnout from both students on campus and professionals from the city was an indication of the appetite people have to hear the truth presented on an issue which has been invaded by so much spin, lies and selfishness. “Mr Benen Fahy’s presentation was painstakingly honest, as he charted his journey as father of a child with Down Syndrome. His communication of real-life experience left all in the audience in no doubt that the world is richer from every child born with Down Syndrome, that abortion is always wrong, and that life is the first right.”

UHG Emergency Department: Rebuild necessary By Chelsea Tabert On Friday 24 October, Health Minister Leo Varadkar has put it on the Dáil record that the best solution to the overcrowding in the emergency department of University Hospital Galway is ‘a rebuild’. In a statement released, Varadkar also stated that

previous steps taken towards solving the problem were only ‘stop-gap measures’ and would not be sufficient enough to prevent further crises. “It is a very old Emergency Department and the medium to long-term solution will have to be a rebuild so that it is fit for the purpose we would all

intend,” said the Minister. In relation to the recruitment of staff members and general pediatric nurses a panel of 21 experiences members have so far been created – 11 of which have been approved to start working in the Emergency Department in the coming weeks. Varadkar also said that

Permanent TSB fails bank stress test By Chelsea Tabert Some 25 Eurozone banks have failed a health check by the European Central Bank, reports have claimed, citing leaked documents. Nearly one in five of the 130 banks surveyed failed the stress test, the Wall Street Journal and the Daily Telegraph said, ahead of the publication of the official results by the ECBon Sunday.

Permanent TSB said it can cover over 80% of an €855m capital hole identified in European bank stress tests and is finalising plans to raise capital from private investors to fill the rest. The state-owned bank Permanent TSB said that the shortfall at the end of 2013 would be dealt with by financial actions taken so far in 2014 and existing contingent convertible bonds held

in the bank. PTSB has recently sold two portfolios of mortgage loans in order to help raise funds. Chief Executive Jeremy Masding said that the bank would “very probably” seek to raise additional capital on top of the residual shortfall that he estimated around €125m. The stress test that the bank underwent included

UHG had appointed a Patient Advise and Liaison Officer in the department to address the needs of patients and to improve their experience as they wait for the appropriate services to become available to them. “It is becoming evident from the data that the rising number of patients over

the age of 75 years who are attending and requiring admission is rising.” “But as Deputy Nolan points out, any of those measures around patient flow, greater use of community beds and so on, will only be stop-gap measures,” said the Minister. Deputy Nolan has also come out with state-

ments confirming that it is completely obvious that the existing Emergency Department is not sufficient. He agreed that it currently does not allow for effective patient streaming and currently is not compliant w ith infection prevention and control standards that have been set.

scenarios such as a 1.3% fall in gross domestic product and a 3.5% drop in house prices. Finance Minister Michael Noonan said that PTSB would see to raise the capital in the first half of 2015 as the Government expects the economy to grow by nearly 5% this coming year. House prices are expected to be up 15% year-on-year. Noonan also explained that it is possible for the Government to cut the shortfall

by converting €400m worth of contingent capital notes into equity. PTSB has also released statements saying that for the first time, they have reduced the amount of money set aside to cover losses on bad loans in the third quarter as it made further progress towards profitability. PTSB says that these test results “will have no impact on customers”, and has confirmed that it is in advanced

planning with international investment bank, Deutsche Bank, to raise capital from investors in the coming months. Permanent TSB also confirmed that the result of the stress rests will have no effect on the day-to-day operations of the bank and no impact on customers. “Customers are unaffected by these tests are not required to do anything as a result of today’s news,” the bank’s CEO added.

NEWS 5

November 10 2014

First water bills to come Cannabis valued at at the end of January €80,000 seized in By Eoin Molloy It has been revealed that the first bills for water in Ireland will start arriving at homes towards the end of January. This follows on from the news that the registration period for the water charges will be extended to November 30. The first bill will cover the period from the 1 October to the 31 December. Minor concessions such as these have been granted in response to mass non-compliance amongst members of the public, with many thousands taking to the streets to protest on the 1 of November. Around 750,000 householders have reportedly validated their accounts thus far. Roughly 450,000 meters have been installed, which is ahead of schedule. John Tierney, who is the managing director of Irish Water, said that his

company’s real function was to ‘safeguard water as a precious natural resource’. We all know that it doesn’t simply fall out of the sky. The implementation of the water charges has been a long and controversial road. There has been much resistance to their phasing in. However, there is some good

actually cost under the new system. Households without septic tanks will pay around 4.88 per 1000 litres as they will have to use a water-in, water-out system. Households with septic tanks will pay half of this rate, as they only need water-in. According to the Irish Times, a couple living together will pay around

Households without septic tanks will pay around 4.88 per 1000 litres as they will have to use a water-in, water-out system. Households with septic tanks will pay half of this rate, as they only need water-in. news for families. Each family will receive a water allowance of 30,000 litres, with an additional 21,000 litres for each child they are receiving child benefits for. There has also been much confusion about how much water will

69 euro per quarter after their free allowance. This is much less than the 900 per year that some sources were suggesting. Whatever the case, the will have to become much more frugal when it comes to our water consumption.

UK cracks down on Revenge Porn By Austin Maloney Legislators in the UK are taking steps to illegalise ‘revenge porn’. Speaking about the issue, Justice secretary Chris Grayling announced: “The fact that there are individuals who are cruelly distributing intimate pictures of their former partners without their consent is almost beyond belief […] That is why we will change the law and make it absolutely clear to those who act in this way that they could face prison”. ‘Revenge Porn’ is the practise whereby internet users post intimate images of their former partners online in revenge for some perceived wrong. There are currently no specific legal sanctions against it, as photographs are legally regarded as

the property of the taker, which in this case is often the ‘revenging’ ex. This means that perpetrators often avoid persecution, and victims are even unable to get their photos removed from public websites. It is another example of the struggles of legislation to keep up with rapidly changing internet practises. Vice ran an interview with ‘Sarah’, a victim of revenge porn who set up a website (endrevengeporn.com) in an attempt to persuade authorities to legislate against it. Sarah was forced to change her name and job after an ex posted naked photographs of her to social media and porn sites. She said: “I felt like I was having to act like a criminal, hiding when I wasn’t

responsible. Yes, I took the pictures and trusted the wrong man, but he was the one doing this to me. “I initially switched jobs when the photos started going viral because they were posted with my job position and office location and I was scared of being stalked. I was basically starting over”. The UK’s new law will classify revenge porn as “photographs or films which show people engaged in sexual activity or depicted in a sexual way or with their genitals exposed, where what is shown would not usually be seen in public”. The legislation will cover images distributed on social media and via text message, as well as physical distribution. Offenders could face up to two years in jail.

Dublin sting By Odhran Donovan Saturday 25 October, a twenty-nine year old man was arrested following a raid on a cannabis grow house in south Dublin. The property, an apartment located on Aungier Street, was discovered to be housing over one hundred cannabis plants following Saturday nights planned Garda operation. Gardaí entered the premises shortly before midnight, seizing a quantity of cannabis with an estimated street value of just under €80,000. The man, who was arrested at the scene, is currently being

held at Kevin Street Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act where he can be detained for up to a week. The search was later confirmed by Gardaí as being part of a wider attempt at combating the drug trade in Dublin’s south inner city. A Garda statement detailed that there were likely to be more seizures of this kind in the near future, as they are integral in “protecting communities from the devastating impact of drugs and associated criminality.” Despite the Garda National Drugs Unit costing

the taxpayer €6,000,000 in annual funding, cannabis consumption in the republic continues to climb. 76,000 people use the drug on a monthly basis, with 25.3 percent of the total population admitting to trying the drug at some point in their lives. Ecstasy and its variants also have a high usage level, with a lifetime prevalence rate of seven percent amongst adults. Psychoactive drugs such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms are the next most common category of drug, with 4.4 percent of Irish people having consumed them at some point in their lives.

6 NEWS

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

EU recognises Ottawa shooting city Ireland’s “unique” shut down: Insider’s view dependence on Cattle By Chelsea Tabert

By Tomás M. Creamer On Thursday 23 October, the EU reached a consensus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% of their Pre-1990 levels by 2030. This goal has been applauded and has confirmed Europe’s ranking on dealing with the issue of Global Climate Change. The Irish Government, however, has been given a tacit agreement to give a special provision for the Agricultural and forestry sectors in the final text. This was important for the Irish Government due to Ireland’s large Agricultural industry. Agriculture directly employs over 120,000 farmers, and Beef and Dairy output comprises over two-thirds of Ireland’s agricultural output. The associated Agri-food sector, which employs at least another 50,000 people, makes agriculture arguably the biggest single Domestic industry in Ireland. However, this presents a problem for Irish Environmentalists who were hoping to see a radical reduction in greenhouse emissions in Ireland Agriculture contributes 10-13% of Greenhouse gases produced worldwide, and Ireland’s 7 million-odd cattle contribute to a

share of Irish greenhouse emissions closer to about one-third of the total. With the lifting of the Milk Quotas next year, the Irish Government is already actively planning an increase of dairy production volume of 50% by the end of the decade – which would make Ireland one of the biggest dairy producers in the world. Ireland is also the fifth-biggest beef producer in the world, beaten only by giants such as the US and Argentina. A strict and severe greenhouse reduction regime, however, would jeopardise those positions. Environment Minister Alan Kelly says the previous targets were “unrealistic and unachievable” and did not take into account Ireland’s dependence on agriculture “or the fact that we have one of the most climatefriendly agricultural systems in the world”. He hailed the agreement as a “sensible compromise”. Some environmental groups such as Greenpeace said the EU has “pulled the handbrake on clean energy. These targets are too low, slowing down efforts to boost renewable energy and keeping Europe hooked on polluting and expensive fuel”. The groups’ statement concluded.

Alleged rapist’s killer hanged in Iran By Mark Laherty 26-year-old Iranian woman Reyhaneh Jabbari was hanged on 25 October for the 2007 killing of Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi, a former employee of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The United Nations and US State Department have said that she never received a fair trial. The United Nations said that Sarbandi hired Jabbari – then a 19-year-old interior designer – to work on his office. He sexually assaulted her and she thereafter stabbed him, a statement has said. Jabbari was held in solitary confinement without access to her lawyer and family for two months, according Amnesty International. She was tortured during that time, the group said. “Amnesty International understands that, at the outset of the investigation, Reyhaneh Jabbari admitted to stabbing the man once in the back, but claimed she had done so after he had tried to sexually abuse her.” “She also maintained that a third person in the house had been involved in the killing. These claims, if proven, could exonerate her but are believed never to have been properly investigated, raising many questions about the circumstances of the killing.” the rights group said. US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said “There were serious concerns with

the fairness of the trial and the circumstances surrounding this case, including reports of confessions made under severe duress.” Psaki joined human rights groups in calling the killing self-defence. Amnesty International described the legal process as “a flawed investigation and unfair trial.” Iranian Oscar-winning director Asghar Farhadi joined scores of Iranian artists and musicians calling for a halt to the execution. In an open letter, Farhadi asked the victim’s family to pardon her, a possibility under Iranian law. Rights groups have criticised Iran for a surge in executions under Hassan Rouhani in his first year as president. UK Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood said he was “very concerned and saddened” that Jabbari had been executed especially given the questions concerning due process in the case. “The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran, Dr Ahmed Shaheed, noted that her conviction was allegedly based on confessions made while under threat, and the court failed to take into account all evidence into its judgement,” he said in a statement. “Actions like these do not help Iran build confidence or trust with the international community. I urge Iran to put a moratorium on all executions.”

On Wednesday 22 October, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed at the War Memorial in Ottawa which stands outside the Canadian Parliament buildings. A city lockdown was issued and lasted through the early evening, meanwhile parliaments and other governmental buildings were being locked down across the country. Police stated that there was “no longer a threat to public safety” in the downtown center. However, police operations continued on Parliament Hill and continued to be off limits to the public. 32-year-old Zehaf-Bibeau was identified as the shooter and is well known by Canadian authorities. Zehaf-Bibeau then ran into Parliament and open fired down the halls, while being pursued by RCMP. Inside parliament at the time was Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and the Conservatives, as well as the NDP MP’s who were both mid-meeting. Kevin Vickers, Sergeant-at-Arms for the House of Commons, heard gun shots being fired through the corridors and grabbed his automatic pistol and ran into the halls. Security guards yelled to Vickers that the shooter was hiding in the alcove beside his office. According to guards at the scene, “you could actually see barrel of Vickers gun pointing just an arms-length away.” Vickers then open fired and emptied his clip of 9-bullets in Zehaf-Bibeaus direction. Brianna Halldorson, a member of the Page Programme that Parliament runs was inside the library at the time.

“I was organising files behind the far right desk at the time, then all of a sudden huge banging noises and screams came from the corridor,” she said. “The last thing you would expect to happen in Parliament is open firing and screaming. It’s usually a really quiet place. You aren’t allowed to raise your voice in the corridors at any time, so I immediately knew something was out of place.” Halldorson was hiding behind her desk when a bullet passed through the wooden doors and lodged itself deep inside a desk just a few in front of hers. “It’s absolutely terrifying. I’ve never heard of an entire city shutting down, especially the capital of Canada. It’s something you see in the movies, not in real life.” “Canada is meant to be such a peaceful country, it’s hard to believe this happened here,” she concluded. Halldorson along with the other page members and people inside parliament were escorted home by Police after an all clear was given. In a statement given by Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, he said that we will “learn more about the “terrorist and any accomplices he may have had” in the days to come. “This is a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to the types of terrorist attacks we have seen elsewhere around the world,” he said. “Canada will never be intimidated. In fact, this will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts and those of our national security agencies to take all necessary steps to identify and counter threats and keep Canada safe here at home.”

Darth Vader fails to tempt Ukraine’s electorate to the dark side By Eoin Molloy Viktor Shevchenko, the electrician who legally changed his name to Darth Vader to run in Ukraine’s parliamentary elections, has failed in his attempts to turn the troubled Black Sea nation into his very own ‘galactic empire’. The election was held on Sunday the 26 of October. Shevchenko, who also ran for the position of mayor in Kiev last year, is the leader of Ukraine’s Internet Party. He ran alongside other Star Wars-themed candidates, including a certain Stepan Chewbacca. Controversially, Mr Vader was not allowed to vote by strict election commissioners as he would not remove his mask. This would be emperor insists his aims are genuine. He told the Associated Press of his desires to replace the deputies in the Ukrainian parliament with computers, as Ukraine’s current batch of politicians have ‘proved their uselessness’. In a sense, this shows that Mr

Vader is concerned about the reliability of Ukraine’s parliament. The Sith Lord ran a rather successful campaign, touring the country in a blacked-out van flanked by a battalion of storm-troopers. He also released a widely-viewed election video of him wielding a light-saber in the Ukrainian countryside. The very fact that he is being reported on as far afield as Ireland reflects the success of his campaign. Mr Vader bears similarities to the American mock candidate Vermin Supreme, who contests every presidential election in America on crazy platforms. Joke candidates have become a symbol of disaffection with the political system. They aim to mock the pageantry of elections and the fruitless nature of modern politics in general. It remains unlikely that a joke candidate will ever be elected to a high office, but they really are a decent barometer for gauging political apathy.

FEATURES 7

November 10 2014

THIS WEEK’S DEBATE:

Should we pay for our water usage? YES: What’s unfair about NO: We have a fundamental paying for water usage? right to free water By Tomás M. Creamer Arguing in favour of a new charge or a tax is a good way to become unpopular. However, being ‘popular’ is the job of aspiring politicians and marketers. It is the journalist’s job to take the hard view of things. I live in one of the few areas in the country where the water system is controlled and operated by a local community scheme, rather than the newlyformed Irish Water. So, my household has been paying for water for several years. In fact, even when the water was basically untreated, there has always been a flat rate levied in my area for having the water pumped to the house. Don’t ask me how that situation continued into the 21st century. Throughout my childhood, I only got clean, drinkable water from boiling the kettle or picking up water from a local well. The idea of picking up a glass and being able to pour out a glass of clean water straight from the tap is not one I take for granted. So paying water rates in return for maintaining a system of clear, drinkable water is fair to the vast majority of people where I live. However, the vast majority of people do not pay water bills to their local scheme. Instead, they will now pay into the monstrosity that is Irish Water. Like the HSE, it was another newly-founded national body with the stated aim of taking over the duties of previously local providers in order to introduce efficien-

cies through economies of scale. And also like the HSE, it is doing absolutely nothing to achieve such efficiencies by say, reducing the numbers in middle-management that would usually be made redundant in a merger of any two (or more) organisations. On top of this failure, it has spent millions on consultants. It has also promised to pay overlygenerous bonuses to staff, even those who are marked ‘need improvement’ on their end of year assessment. And, of course, the top managers get much bigger bonuses. As a result, the water charge, as set by Irish Water, is a good bit higher than what people in my local community scheme pay currently. Another argument or two for the water charge is that it’s not fair if the rich individual with the private swimming pool and sprinklers has the same water bill as a little old lady living in an apartment on her own. Paying for the water you use would encourage you to reduce the unnecessary wasting of water, thereby decreasing demand for water that has to go through an expensive treatment process. However, it is clearly obvious that the government has only introduced the Water Charges to fleece more money off people. Otherwise, they would have waited until they have installed all the water meters before they start charging for water. This kind of defeats one of the most important rationales

behind a water charge, that you pay for your own water usage. I have heard some argue that we pay for the water system though our income taxes. Well, here are a few pointers: the income tax also pays for our teachers, our Gardaí, our welfare system (which is going to reduce the burden of the water charges on lowerpaid families when they come in), our health system etc. Even then, we are still currently spending billions more on services than we are taking in in taxation. So we either reduce services further, or else we try and dig into our pockets a bit more in order to maintain or expand currently-maintained services. Also, our water infrastructure is not in the best of health. It has been neglected for decades, and around 40% of all water is lost through leaks – which mean that major upgrades are desperately needed. And in order to introduce those upgrades, we’ll need to cough up money. I would favour protection for families, and I think that the government should wait until the water meters are installed before introducing the water charge, but our water infrastructure desperately needs major upgrades. If it has to be paid for, is it not fairest if the people who use up the most water pay the most towards those upgrades? Finally, you can’t survive without water, yes. You can’t survive without food either, but you don’t hear people arguing in favour of compulsory food packages for everyone, do you?

By Siobhán Mulvey Anyone who thinks that the government has implemented water charges because they care about our water supply is completely wrong. If the government cared about our quality of water, they would stop putting toxic fluoride in it, they would fix the situation in parts of Roscommon where people have to boil their water before they can use it. Water is a human right. Next, they will be charging us for breathing, for living, for being human. The Irish people are paying money which they do not have for a vital resource. The government are only using this water charges programme to take money from your pocket. In the meantime, they are wasting large amounts of money creating this company who preys on the instincts of humans and giving them incredibly extravagant bonuses. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it? There is no use for this tax. It is not as though the ordinary Irish people haven’t contributed to paying the government’s debt. We have faced charge after charge: the property tax and water tax being the most heinous to date. The university registration fee has increased by €250 every year in the budget under Fine Gael. Benefits, grants, subsidies have been cut down time after time. It is okay to be fed up of the fat cat coalition’s actions. It is acceptable for the Irish people to revolt against such ridiculous austerity

measures. In fact, it is long overdue. Ireland is, in fact, a democracy. This may be unknown to those sitting at the fireside complaining about the charges. Power lies with the people. We have a say in our country’s wellbeing. The very legacy of this state depends on prioritising the interest of the people. Water charg es w ill restrict the freedom of the Irish people and damage the health of our population. Naturally, those who cannot afford to pay for the vital resource of water will try to cut down on its usage. This means less frequent flushing of toilets, less washing of hands and so on. People will wash their children less, and care less about their own personal hygiene because doing so is no longer affordable. This charge will deprive families of a healthy supply of water. No one wants to have to price every drop of water they use, but we could be left with no other choice. No Irish citizen should feel guilty for using water. Those who cannot afford to pay this bill when it is demanded will resort to desperate measures to cut down on water. Disease will become more prominent, and the national death rate will increase. Somehow this unavoidable result of water charges needs to be carefully explained to the government. Water charges will result in the suffering of the Irish people. The Irish Water company and the government have shown no consideration for larger families who need more water, families

with disabled or elderly members, and families who cannot afford the charge due to pressure from other austerity charges. The government is using the right to water as an economic tool. They are saying that the water of this nation suddenly belongs to a company called ‘Irish Water’. Our water belongs to them, it is not ours, it is not free, and they will decide how much water our family ‘deserves’. ‘Water allowances’ will be granted to those who need water most. But doesn’t everyone need water? Why should anybody decide whether we are ‘allowed’ to have water? Water is not a luxury; it is a vital need for survival. The government has brought no clarity to the issue of water charges. There are huge gaps in the legislation. It is up to the Irish people to make the government realise that we, as a nation, will not put up with this. Those rallying against the charges have the courage to tell the government, whose actions we have tolerated for so long, that we do not and cannot agree with this charge. One reason which should be sufficient to halt the water charges is that the Irish people do not have the money to pay for their fundamental right – this charge can only bring suffering to the Irish people. Frankly, if you are going to complain about your water bill if it is issued at the end of January, and you are not on the streets protesting against the water charges, then you really only have yourself to blame.

8 OPINION Hong Kong’s ‘Umbrella Revolution’: one month on, what’s next? By Tomás M. Creamer It began as a protest against the proposed electoral “reform” imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing. This reform would only allow ordinary Hong Kong voters to choose their Chief Executive from a list of candidates vetted by a pro-Beijing electoral committee. The “Umbrella Revolution” has now earned a place in history among famous demonstrations, akin to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 (although hopefully unlikely to end in the same manner). In a narrow sense, the protests have achieved some progress. The Hong Kong government under the incumbent Chief executive, CY Leung, has made some gesture of negotiations with the leaders of the “Occupy Central” movement (as well as the leaders of various other pro-democracy demonstration groups). The government has, however, ruled out the key demands of the demonstrators – the resignation of CY Leung, and an openly-competitive nomination process that will allow any candidate, pro-Beijing or not, to run for the position of Chief Executive. Logically, there is a sound reason to this – conceding to either or both of these demands would be a direct rebuke of the policies of the autocratic mainland Chinese government. This would not go down well among the ruling classes of Beijing, to say the least. To quote protester, Jo Tai: “[The Pro-Democracy demonstrators] can’t occupy the streets with no time limitations”.

The plan of the leaders of the demonstrations to hold a “referendum” as to whether or not to continue these talks with the government or maintain their protests has been suspended. They acknowledged that they had not consulted the demonstrators properly before calling the referendum. It seems that there is now confusion among protestors about the next course of action. The “Umbrella Revolution” has also highlighted ongoing issues with media freedoms in the city-state. Technically, freedom of the press is guaranteed under Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the “Basic Law”. However, many of Hong Kong’s most influential media outlets are owned by local business tycoons, which make sure to maintain a “conservative” editorial line on the ongoing demonstrations. A notable exception is The Apple Daily, who is now suing some pro-Beijing protesters over obstructions to the pro-democracy paper’s operations, including cyber-attacks, blockades of the paper’s offices, and the destruction of thousands of copies of the paper with soy sauce. Due to the prevailing pro-Beijing editorial lines of the city’s otherwise vibrant media scene, most of the demonstrators turn increasingly to social media for news, as the viewpoints of much of the established traditional media and those of possibly the majority of the citizens of Hong Kong diverge, reflecting what has become a big divide between the pro-democracy and the proBeijing factions within Hong Kong. Where these developments will lead to next is anyone’s guess.

Ebola was caused by homosexuals, apparently By Samantha Kelly Various church leaders from the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) reportedly attended a meeting to discuss “a spiritual response” to the outbreak of Ebola. The virus has claimed around five thousand lives across West Africa thus far, according to the World Health Organisation. Religious leaders in Liberia are claiming God has unleashed the deadly Ebola virus as a plague upon the country to punish “immoral acts” taking place there, such as homosexuality. The Daily Observer reports that church leaders at the meeting unanimously agreed “God is angry with Liberia” and concluded Ebola has been sent “as a plague” on the country. Now, according to a report in Reuters, gay people are afraid to walk the streets after religious leaders have blamed the plague on them and newspapers have splashed their photos on the front page. Although, the real fear isn’t about homosexuality. It’s not even about sex or foreigners. It’s about purity and impurity. Studies have shown that humans would rather know that we’ve done something wrong

than believe there is no right or wrong whatsoever. If there are rules, then life is basically under our control. But if there are no rules, what becomes of our consequences and what can be controlled then? This notion supports that people would rather believe there is a vengeful God, who punishes a nation by unleashing a deadly virus upon it because of men having intercourse with men, rather than believing that there is no God at all. The resolution released by the LCC suggested that the government should restrict movement for three days of fasting and prayer, something which Liberia’s Catholics had already done this week. This was an attempt to repent for the immoral sins of the nation and to ask for protection from Ebola. But mass-scale religious interventions have a tendency not to work. Just as the Spanish inquisition failed to stamp out heresy, fasting and praying will not help to eradicate Ebola. Moreover, this is not just about the Liberians and their homophobic ways. This is about how people and those who follow religious orders have the tendency to grasp for explanations in a time of crisis, and blame whomever or whatever they can see as being different to them.

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

An Post’s address scratch-out highlights state’s lethargic attitude towards Irish speakers By Eoin Molloy Feidhlim Seoighe, the current Oifigeach na Gaeilge for the USI, posted a photo to his social media accounts on Thursday 9 October showing a letter that had been posted to him by Oireachtas na Gaeilge. What was significant about the letter was not the content, but the address. An Post had cheekily crossed out Mr Seoighe’s address, which was correct but typed in Irish. This was replaced by an adjacent hand-written English translation of the address. This is a sad state of affairs for An Post, whose own title is written in the Irish language. Worse still, An Post’s website offers an option for its users to view the website entirely in Irish. So why was there a problem with Seoighe’s address? “As someone who works in the Irish language industry, and who speaks Irish on a daily basis, this is yet another display of the way the civil service, and the government, treat speakers of the first official language of the state,” Mr Seoighe told Sin. “Under the Official Languages Act 2003, An Post, as a public service, has a responsibility as a public service to ensure that its services are provided in English and Irish. I will be taking a case to the Irish Language Commissioner regarding this issue, and ensure that An Post are reminded again of this obligation.” Mr Seoighe went on to say that if the “government was serious about promoting Irish” they would first have to “acknowledge those who use it”. This kind of behaviour by state and semi-state companies was often discussed by the now-retired Irish language commissioner, Sean O’ Cuirreain. He believed that successive governments did not take the issue of the Irish language seriously

enough. Mr O’ Cuirreann was a strong critic of state agencies who did not do enough to accommodate Irish speakers. He often spoke of Gaeltacht people who had to always use English when dealing with these bodies. This is simply not acceptable. It is little wonder that the Irish language is described as ‘dying’, with only 2% of our nation’s population speaking Irish at an advanced, fluent level. As Irish is no longer being used frequently as a working language by state companies and agencies, it is becoming marginalised as a purely academic language. Sure, it is alive and well on cam-

puses but its functional uses are becoming more and more restricted by the day. The state has a poor attitude when it comes to the preservation of Irish. It was this Fine Gael government that wanted to do away with Irish as a mandatory subject for leaving certs. It is this government that invests in science and technology to pander to multi-national companies, overlooking the teaching and safeguarding of Irish. Massachusetts Institute of Technology linguist Ken Hale said languages “embody the intellectual wealth of the people that speak them. Losing any one of them is like dropping a bomb on the Louvre”. We must act as stewards of the Irish language. It is our duty to preserve it for further generations. The cause would be helped greatly with assistance from

the top down. State companies need to change their attitude towards the Irish language. Scratching out a citizen’s address in our own mother tongue is disgraceful and disrespectful, and not just to the Padraig Pearses of this world. To say that slighting Irish is only offensive to those who fought and died for our country is a tired old cliché. Crossing out an address in the Irish language is an affront to every one of us who calls this island home. Too long have we looked on and watched our native language draw its last few breaths. It is high time the government took the Irish language seriously.

OPINION 9

November 10 2014

The Ottawa shooting was not terrorism, nor was it unexpected By Eoin Molloy On 22 October 2014, Corporal Nathan Cirillo was tragically murdered at the National War Memorial at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. The perpetrator, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, was a convert to Islam with a criminal record and a history of drug abuse. The lone gunman was shot dead inside the parliament buildings before any more fatalities occurred. This attack bore striking similarities to the killing of two Canadian soldiers in Quebec by another Muslim convert, Martin Couture-Rouleau that had occurred just two days previously. The two soldiers were run over by the perpetrator in his car. Rouleau was a known supporter of ISIL and was also shot on apprehension for brandishing a knife. With both perpetrators dead, it is impossible to ascertain a motive. It is unclear whether or not there was any connection between the attacks, but it seems unlikely. Shooting first and asking questions later is not the optimal strategy to prevent these things from happening again. Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said that these attacks proved that ‘Canada is not immune to the sort of terrorist attacks that happen around the world’. US Secretary

of State John Kerry also did not hesitate to mark the act as terrorism. Contrastingly, the leader of Canada’s New Democrat party, Thomas Mulcair, said that there was simply not enough evidence to call the attacks terrorism. He went on to say that ‘there is a fundamental difference between the horrific acts of a profoundly disturbed individual and organised terror.’ Hear, hear. As Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept said, ‘terrorism is a malleable and inconsistent term’ who’s meaning is often changed around to fulfil a political aim. He believes that terrorism, as we understand it, has come to mean violence against westerners by Muslims. According to Zehaf-Bibeau’s mother, the shooting was the ‘last desperate act’ of a man who was ‘at odds with the world’. She believed that he saw death as being the only way out. She also clarified that her son had a serious addiction to drugs. The simple fact is that Canada cannot pretend to be stunned by attacks like this. They have been at war for the past thirteen years, enthusiastically assisting the US in invading and occupying Afghanistan. Canada just recently announced that they will be sending CF-18 jets to bomb ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria.

To paraphrase Greenwald, the only involved overseas, deranged drug users shocking thing about attacks like these is like Zehaf-Bibeau would have no reason that they don’t happen more often. You to use radical Islam as their shield. They can’t simply bring violence to numerous would probably be just as violent, but their countries and not expect to experience violence could not possibly be directed violence on your own soil. The US-led towards innocent soldiers. airstrikes on ISIL have lead to many civilian casualties. It As Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept is unsurprising that deranged lone gunmen with Arabic said, ‘terrorism is a malleable and heritage seek this misplaced kind of revenge in the manner inconsistent term’ who’s meaning they do. The counter-argument of is often changed around to fulfil ‘have you no sympathy for the Canadian soldiers?’ is to be a political aim. He believes that expected. The murders were nothing less than tragic, but terrorism, as we understand no more so than the killing of it, has come to mean violence civilians in Iraq and Syria. All of these victims are innocent. The killings of the against westerners by Muslims. Canadian soldiers are a sort of tragic blowback. They are indirect results As Mulcair said, men like these are of the trigger-happy nature of the Canadian ‘criminals and not terrorists’. It is not clear government when it comes to joining for- if Zehaf-Bibeau had an ideological motive or eign conflicts. if he was simply insane. Calling gun-toting The only way to stop attacks like these lunatics like Zehaf-Bibeau a terrorist withis to stop meddling in the affairs of other out evidence almost justifies what he did, SINPortrait_PGOD_Nov14_NUIG_Layout 1 29/10/2014 16:23 Page 1 countries. If Canada was not militarily and his crime was unjustifiable.

What about Reeva? By Laura Roddy Judge Thokoisile Masipa gave Oscar Pistorius just five years in prison for the culpable homicide of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. That evening he began his sentence in Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria, of what his defence lawyers believe will actually be ten months served in prison with the remainder carried out under house arrest. Reactions to the sentencing have been interesting. Though Reeva’s parents June and Barry Steenkamp believe that “justice has been served”, keeping in mind they were commenting on the five-year sentence and not just the probable ten months of prison; Simon Jenkins of The Guardian is of the opinion that Pistorius should not be going to jail at all and wrote that the athlete’s life had already been “ruined”. While some people think that Pistorius should have gained more than a five-year sentence – the prosecution demanded a minimum of ten years – Jenkins argues that the bladerunner has suffered enough from the trial and that his reputation is now damaged; he wrote that “Imprisonment is brutalism, reflecting society’s inability to police anti-social acts”. However, nowhere in his article is there any reference to gaining justice for Reeva’s death, nor mention of the brutalism that Pistorius showed when he shot his girlfriend three times in the head on Valentine’s Day 2013. The portrayal of Pistorius as a ‘broken man’ by his defence team is what has won the world’s mind and seeped into the media, it was a psychologist that treated Pistorius who first described him as a ‘broken man’ and a social worker that urged he should get just house

arrest and undertake community service. Furthermore, his lawyer, Mr Roux, said that Oscar “is not only broke but he is broken”. Poor Pistorius has suffered greatly from the death of his girlfriend and has not been able to work since his trial has taken place. Not only is he a fallen hero, but a South African national icon with no cash in his pocket. Pistorius’ defence also argued that the athlete should not get imprisonment because he is a first time offender with a disability who would be subject to much hardship in prison. Surely a man that has entered able-bodied athletic competitions and won gold cannot use a disability as an excuse? Whatever the case, his defence team seem to have formed a picture of him as a soul suffering greatly underv the stress of his trial, his breaking down in court and getting sick into buckets have further secured this image in the public’s mind. It seems that everyone has overlooked the old Oscar Pistorius, portrayed days after the death of Reeva Steenkamp by newspapers around the world, nearly one year and nine months ago, as Oscar Pistorius the ‘gun-lover’ and the ‘jealous boyfriend’. Now he will be remembered as Oscar Pistorius ‘the one that got away’. Those with the same opinion as Simon Jenkins have forgotten who the real victim of this case is. After serving his 10 months in prison, Pistorius will probably be taking part in the 2016 Olympics, if eligible. With a tell-tale book already on the cards for the athlete, it is evident that life has carried on for Pistorius. Even the memory of Reeva has faded.

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10 OPINION The new age of netflix By Ciara Treacy Ever had to fork out an extortionate fine for an overdue DVD rental? Well Reed Hastings was so frustrated paying $40 for a late return of Apollo 13 that he decided to set up Netflix, a bold reaction which has him currently sitting atop one of the most popular brands in the world which is only set to get bigger. He’s also in part to blame for the fact that you can’t remember the last time you even rented a DVD. The company, established in the 90s, has only been en vogue for the last several years thanks to a global expansion which has it boasting in excess of 50 million subscribers located in over 40 countries.

Netflix-original shows include Orange is the New Black and House of Cards as well as the fourth season of Arrested Development

What is the formula to its success? At the base level, it offers viewers an online back-catalogue of popular movies and TV shows, both outsourced and homegrown, for a modest subscription fee. Viewers hand-select what they want to watch, at a time that suits them, without pesky advertisements or sometimes even the wait for the next instalment. Netflix-original shows including favourites Orange is the New Black and House of Cards are uploaded back-to-back with each season, so viewers can binge-

watch to their hearts’ content. In fact when the first season of House of Cards was uploaded, Netflix engineers assessed that in a time span lasting almost 13 hours one person finished watching the entire season with just a three minute break in between. This demonstrates how the service caters to a generation who are growing accustomed to having everything at the click of a mouse – and with a tad too much time to spare. And it’s paying off for Netflix, who this year even had Obama tweeting a worldwide plea for no House of Cards spoilers, and the subsequent receipt of 31 Emmy nominations for their original series. Juxtaposed with this is the constant quest to gain rights to classics such as Friends, Gilmore Girls and even the Care Bears. Netflix has also given a reboot to the previously cancelled cult TV show Arrested Development. In an unprecedented move by a subscriber service, Adam Sandler has been signed to release four movies via Netflix exclusively, and the provider has also announced the production of its first original film, a sequel to Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Added to this revolution in viewing is a set of algorithms guaranteed to ensure that Netflix viewers are referred on to shows and movies suited to their taste. This has led to the creation of the job of ‘tagger’ for the company; a person paid to watch shows and pinpoint similar series for fans to enjoy. A downside to the extensive catalogue is a parallel increase in the potential for spoilers, although in a recent survey 94 per cent of people said they would carry on watching a show or film even if they had heard a key plot. In response to this, Netflix have set up a spoilers website, the modus operandi for which is self-explanatory. Like all successful innovations the company has attracted competitors in the very worthy form of Amazon and HBO. As all keep shtum about viewing figures, it’s difficult to know who is on top but it can’t be a coincidence that the day HBO announces their web-only service that Netflix’s share price plummets in the market. They later defended that consumers will more than likely sign up to both, as online television increases in popularity. Perhaps this is the solution to piracy that the music industry ignored; giving people what they want, at a price they are willing to pay for it. In Ireland a recent Eircom survey found that 20 per cent of us use Netflix or other on-demand services and this is likely to increase, perhaps to the point where owning a television is no longer a staple of modern homes. With an approximate rate of €8.99 for a subscription compared to €160 for a TV license (in exchange for Fair City and reruns of Ballykissangel), people may start to do the sums. Either way they add up to the eradication of the hackneyed complaint of having nothing to watch.

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Trews, Views and Substance Abuse: Russell Brand By John Brennan I initially thought Russell Brand was an ostentatious, obnoxious pain in the arse. His pretentious, abrasive nature was threatening to me. I never really understood why, it just seemed as though I was programmed to be at odds with him. In hindsight, it was undoubtedly down to his aesthetics. Backcombing, eye liner and leggings were threatening to the masculinity I was trying to cultivate within myself and it was at odds with the social norms I’d been indoctrinated to accept. Men did not behave or dress like Russell. To put it frankly, I thought he was a mouthy effeminate prat. I read his first book cleverly named Booky Wook begrudgingly having had it recommended to me constantly. I found myself horrified that I actually enjoyed his writing. I checked out his stand up; beyond how he presented himself I actually started liking his work. I started to enjoy the fact he was clearly an educated man and unashamedly so. I read his second book Booky Wook 2. At this stage I’d started reading some of his articles occasionally published in the Guardian. Ones on Amy Winehouse, Maggie Thatcher and his football articles he infrequently churned out. They were well-written and insightful. I’d started to see his aesthetics were merely a distraction played upon by the media, to detract from anything he said because he generally talked a fair bit of sense, albeit at this stage he also talked a fair amount of nonsense too. There was the bombast surrounding the award ceremonies where he thrived in the maelstrom of controversy he created around himself. Then the hyperbolic and scandals surrounding Sach-gate and the fall out in the press after he and Katy Perry went their separate ways. He was a lightning rod for tabloids and junk media to trash at will. The man found himself famous, loved and hated both sides of the Atlantic. His commentary over the years had become gradually more politicized. His comedy seemed to be slowly receding out of the limelight as interviews with Jon Snow and Jeremy Paxman showed him to be deft, loquacious and undoubtedly on point

with his rhetoric on global issues such as wealth, the environment and his proposed reforms on drug policy. Since its inception The Trews – his online video blog discussing news and current affairs – have been raising his political profile. Initially when I saw him beating his chest and preaching from the proverbial pulpit of YouTube I thought “Mate, you’re a multi-millionaire. Don’t preach about capitalism and flaws in this system, you’ve done well out of it for f*#ks sake.” His series of online spats with vacuous idiots like Sean Hannity from FOX News came across as both illuminating and in essence click bait. The Trews has succeeded in enlightening me on how, why and what is reported in the manner that it is. It has spurred me to question every shred of information I absorb. Ultimately, if that is all it teaches me it has still served an important purpose in my life at least. Russell has released his third book aptly named Revolution. A word he has thrown about over the last year to the extent that it’s burrowed its way into the public lexicon. In recent interviews he has claimed to be “willing to die for this cause”, but what is this cause he is willing to lay his life down for? He described it as a revolution to bring about the creation of a “socialist egalitarian system based on the massive redistribution of wealth and heavy taxation on corporations”. Where do I sign up? In the past Brand has come across as flippant, trivial and facetious. He was a man whom I once struggled to take seriously on every conceivable level. Yet he has slowly worked his way to the forefront of social consciousness. He’s an unashamedly intelligent man, a bloke from Grays, a former addict and now the quintessential politically aware man’s man. Do I think his Revolution will really kick off? Not really. I think he has harnessed the general political malaise experienced by the youth and lower classes and packaged in a way that fits into greater public debate. He has made people more politically aware and aware in that peace is something we should all strive for.

OPINION 11

November 10 2014

Show up like nobody else By John Mulry

Market Thyself

Have you thought about applying for graduate positions or internships yet? Are you worried and/or frustrated that your chances of being successful with these applications will be determined by one, being able to get your application noticed; two, being able to stand out from the hundreds if not thousands of other applicants; and three, your ability to successfully navigate through the rounds of interviews and tests? In the last couple of issues, I’ve walked you through why you need to treat your time in college as a way of marketing yourself to potential employers, the three biggest mistakes when it comes to applying for that dream job and I’ve covered the key question you need to ask when in an interview. If for whatever reason you miss those, visit www.sin. ie to get the back issues.

This time around I’m going to break down the concept of ‘showing up like no one else’. It’s a topic very close to my heart, and it’s something I show my clients week in week out. For me, embracing the art of showing up like no one else has led to so many more positive, profitable and worthwhile opportunities than just going along with the ‘norm’, accepting the status quo and doing things like everyone else. My favourite quote is one from the ‘dean of personal development’, Earl Nightingale; “If you can’t find a suitable model for success, find out what the majority of people are doing, and do the complete opposite.” I’ve taken that quote and applied it to everything I do. I model myself and my values on doing what the majority aren’t doing and aren’t willing to do.

Mionscéalta na Mic Léinn An tOireachtas 2014

Ó Chill Airne, Feidhlim Seoighe Tharla Oireachtas na Gaeilge i gCill Airne deireadh seachtaine na Samhna, agus shroich beagnach 700 Mac Léinn ar an bhaile don fhéile. Meallann an-chuid rudaí daoine go dtí an tOireachtas gach uile bhliain, idir a bheadh ag buaileadh le sean chairde, nó ag fáil blaiseadh den Sean Nós ag Corn Uí Riada (Amhránaíocht) nó ag Corn Steip (Damhsa). Rud nua atá tar théis tarlú leis an bhféile seo ná an oiread sin daoine óga go bhfuil spéise acu sa bhféile. Tá daoine iontacha taobh thiar den fhéile, agus ag obair

go díon an bhliain ar fad ar son imeachtaí Oireachtais na Gaeilge, ach is é an rud is mó go bhfuil spéis ag na daoine óga agus na Mic Léin ná na himeachtaí atá ann dóibh. Bíonn oíche gléasta ar oíche Aoine gach uile bhliain ag an Oireachtas, agus is ar oíche Shamhna ar thit sé seo i mbliana. Chomh maith leis sin, ar an tSathairn, bhí craobh uile Éireann de chuid díospóireachta Ghael Linn don tríú léíbhéal. Bhí foireann as Ollscoil Chorcaigh, Ollscoil Uladh, Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Ghaeilge, agus Coláiste na hOllscoile Bhaile Átha Cliath in iomaíocht don chorn. Tar éis díospóireacht bhreá ar an rún, “Tá deireadh le ré cloíte na bhFoilsiúcháin”, ba iad fhoireann COBÁC a thanaigh amach ar bharr, agus duais €200, chomh maith leis an chorn, buaite acu. Ba iad fhoireann Ollscoil Chorcaigh, buaiteoirí an comórtas anuraidh, a d’éirigh leo an dara háit a bhaint amach, agus duais de €100 buaite acu.

Rud nua atá cuireadh leis an bhféile le dhá bhliain anuas ná Cuardach Craiceáilte, a eagraíonn Conradh na Gaeilge. Is chun an Bhaile, ina mbíonn an tOireachtas a ghealú, a dhéantar an chomórtas seo a eagrú. Bíonn ar na mic léinn liosta dúshláin a dhéanamh, go hiomlán trí mheán na Gaeilge. Bíonn dúshláin ghealgháireach, agus dáiríre le déanamh ag na Mic Léinn, mar shampla pictiúir de comhartha sráide oifigiúil a bhí amháin i mBéarla a chuir go dtí Choimhairle Chontae Chiarraí, agus an Coimisinéir Teanga, chomh maith le hiarracht póg a fháil ó strainséir trí mheáin na Gaeilge. Bí Deireadh seachtain de scoth ag gach uile dhuine a bhí ag Oireachtas na Samhna 2014, agus is cinnte go mbeidh Oireachtas na Samhna, i mBaile Átha Cliath, an bhliain seo chugainn, níos fearr arís. Go mbeidh muid beo an t-am seo arís an bhliain seo chugainn.

So how does this apply to your success in marketing yourself to potential employers? Great question; like I mentioned in the last issue, one of the biggest mistakes is just sending in a boring, plain old vanilla application that will get lost in the sea of all other applications. What you could, or rather should do, is put together an application that has you showing up like no other. A quick sidenote here, showing up like nobody else does not mean embellishing or falsifying your application in any way shape or form in order to get ahead. It simply means, that you position yourself, and your application in such a way that it gets noticed. After all, your goal of the application is to get you attention, and to help the decision-makers take another step along your sales process which is inviting you in for interview.

I know what you’re thinking; sales process? What has marketing and sales got to do with me getting a job? Well, my dear Watson, it has everything to do with it. In your application you’re effectively marketing and selling yourself to the company you’re applying to. Your sales process is quite basic. Get noticed, get invited for interview, get the job. That’s it. A nice and simple three-step process. Showing up like no one else enables you to get noticed. So how do you do it? The best way you can show up like nobody else is to simply take a few extra steps in your application that the majority won’t. For example: 1. Mail your personalised and bespoke well-researched application in to the person in charge of the application process. 2. Focus on what you can do for the company, what you can do to add value to them.

3. Follow up with a genuine, hand-written acknowledgement of them receiving and inviting you in for interview. A simple thank you card goes a long way. Those three steps alone will enable you to stand out a mile from other applicants and then if what you’ve presented proves to be a good fit to warrant an interview, you get to showcase to them your qualities and why you’re the man/woman for the job. If this sounds like a lot of work, you’re right it is. It takes hard work and commitment to follow through on those three steps but won’t it be worth it if it helps you secure the position? If you’d like to find out more about how you can start implementing this or putting together an application that will help you show up like nobody else, reach out to me at John@JohnMulry.com.

12 OPINION

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

CUDDLR: The mark of a lonely addiction By Kieran Kilkelly Since the Stone Age man has always looked to make technological advancements, be it for survival, entertainment, or other purposes.

The people listed on the home screen are those in your area and they are the ones available for cuddling. Once you send an invitation to cuddle they have fifteen minutes to respond and if they accept, the two of you meet and discuss how not to make things awkward.

We have come out of those hunter-gatherer periods to be more civilised where a normal job is in an office as opposed to that of a cold-blooded animal-killer. This was made possible by the ‘Holy Grail’ that is the internet. For some people, it is on par with food and water and other things that they can’t live without. In the morning they check their Twitter feed instead of preparing breakfast and in the evening after work they take an Instagram photo of their food instead of actually eating it. If anyone from the past could look on they would do so with an overwhelming amount of amazement at what can be done with the click of a mouse but also with disgust at the dependency we have on technology. The new release of an app called Cuddlr (the clue to the purpose of it is in the title) could now even make the most technologically apt person wince. It is basically an app that lets you request to spoon a complete stranger. It has been labelled the “Tinder for cuddling” which makes sense as it follows the same platform except everything is completely platonic. I haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet but, from my understanding, the way it works is simple enough; the people listed on the home screen are those in your area and they are the ones available for cuddling.

Once you send an invitation to cuddle they have fifteen minutes to respond and if they accept, the two of you meet and discuss how not to make things awkward. Charlie Williams, co-founder of the app, created it because he thought there should be “a way to have physical interaction that isn’t tied to sex”. I think he’s right in a certain light but an app isn’t going to help. Realistically, this is probably going to turn into a different and more direct version of Tinder. But aside from what the app actually does itself, the whole idea that something like this actually exists and is becoming popular is somewhat baffling. Have we as a society become so reliant on technology that we cannot function normally without it? That any human contact we get must be obtained through an online source? Are we now living in a world where we cannot hug family or friends if we are having a bad day for fear of judgement? If so, it is sad to think. But I guess we should have seen this coming. Einstein did after all when he said; “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” We have an addiction to technology that is greater than any drug problem in the sense that we are losing our minds more so and it is costing us nothing. In the not-sodistant future we will have a generation of “twitheads” instead of crackheads – Face-

book junkies and Instagram abusers. And for some they are already there. People predict that robots will eventually rise up and take over such as they did in I, Robot and Terminator, but the reality of the situation is much more similar to that of what transpired in the Oscar-winning film, Her. We are already in love with our electrical devices and the freedom and acceptance that they give us. A notification of a friend request on Facebook or a new follower on Twitter can brighten up or day more so than meeting someone new in person. It is the social interaction that some of us fear, and the availability of these sites and apps makes us feel like we are part of something. But that something is superficial. Of course technology cannot be eradicated altogether; that would leave us in a more desolated world than that of the one to which we are currently on the way. Nonetheless, like with every small addiction that cannot be altogether gotten rid of – chocolate is one such good example – moderation should be practiced. And if you can put yourself out there into society without the crutch of technology, then there will be no need to rely on these online apps that promote “connectivity”. And if you still really feel alone and feel that Cuddlr could help; get a puppy or a kitten or something that doesn’t increase your chances of getting raped or harmed. Seriously.

Do you miss the old days? By Valeri Tarassov Have you noticed how impersonal we have all become? The communication between people has been downgraded to texting, Facebook messaging and emailing. Did we not used to think that meeting new people was a good thing? I am sure that a lot of us have complained that this affects our love lives and the way people used to start relationships. Back in the day, you could easily come up to a girl, talk to her and cross your fingers that when you ask her out, she would say yes. Remember those days? The situation has changed drastically. You can no longer approach anyone, men or women because they are stuck in their digital devices, and if you do, there is a real possibility that you can be labelled a ‘creep’ or even a ‘pervert’. How dare he or she approach me in real life, when I am so comfortable in my online bubble? Does this seem right to you? There are people everywhere and – including our campus – that complain that they are alone on Valentine’s Day. There is a solution; talk to people in reality – you might like it.

This is a vulnerability; we are unable to communicate with the opposite sex or the same sex, unless we have spoken online prior to the meeting. And of course, those who created this new fashion and those who have given us this vulnerability are the ones to profit from it. One of those companies is AC (InterActiveCorp), and Tinder belongs to them. Do you not see that you are using an invention of computer geeks, who probably didn’t get much action? But now that they are rich, thanks to your inability to meet in real life, they are getting more dates than any of you? I downloaded Tinder on Android, and tried it, and I noticed that it is using data from my Facebook account, and honestly if I didn’t go to a college where everyone communicates through Facebook, I could not have done so. It matches people around you, and asks you basically if you find said person attractive; so essentially it makes you judge the person based on physical appearance. Does that not seem a little wrong? At least dating sites have more information about the person you are looking at. But just based on appearance and first impression, isn’t it a bit shallow?

And boys and girls, if you download said app with a hope that you can go on an actual date, you could be deeply mistaken. I’m not saying there are no happy stories on Tinder, but from what I have noticed, people download it “for the craic”. So even when you do get a match, the person on the opposite side has satisfied his or her self-esteem, that “ha, someone finds me attractive”. And in most cases no chat and no meeting will follow. Yet the creator, who developed said application can now increase his advertisement prices due to the fact that he has more users of his application. Does this seem fair to you? So do you not miss the old days? Let’s bring them back. I know it is safe and comfortable to be safely tucked in the online bubble, but would it not be exciting to meet new, real people? I’m not asking anyone to date the first person you meet, but hey, maybe one day you will meet someone you like, and can judge them in real life, by their actions in reality. And of course, be safe; when you meet people in real life, you should do so in public and know for sure who you are talking to. At least there are no surprises

Do you not see that you are using an invention of computer geeks, who probably didn’t get much action? But now that they are rich, thanks to your inability to meet in real life, they are getting more dates than any of you? regarding age or a gender of said individual. So talk to people, lift your heads up from your phones; you might actually like what you see.

FEATURES 13

November 10 2014

Continuing on from when I last sat in the Bialann thinking about relationships and why I chose to be single rather than in a relationship; how does one just know when all hope has gone from a relationship? It can be difficult to let go of someone who you have

invested so much time and effort into, although, when a relationship has hit a wall, the acceptance of this end is so much better than the false hope of a possible turn around. From personal experience and from what my friends have talked about, chances are just that -chances; not a get out of jail free card, they are a way to give someone a second chance to prove that they know that they made a mistake and they are willing to improve on that mistake. I grew tired fairly quick o f h e a r i n g , “g i v e m e another chance” when I had gone past all hope that those chances were really

going to prove anything but disappointment. However, I still gave more of them just because I hoped that maybe there was a possibility that they would work. The thing is, chances work just as they are suppose to, they give someone an opportunity that you feel they deserve to prove that they could change something from a previous mistake they made. Never theless, when someone has used too many chances for the same mistake, then they are not fully committed to making a relationship work, and this is where you need to

“Tonight I danced and danced. But it was to no avail, because no matter how many spins and twirls I did, she did not appear. I saw her in my whirlwind and then that disappeared and she became but a haunting mirage within my desolated mind.” I have had many melancholic laments such as this since she left, some in the right frame of mind and some in the wrong but all constant with that inner cocktail of love, want, need and desire that burns inside me. But now my ears ring with solitude, my eyes roll with despair and my mind aches with madness as her final loving breaths now falsely echo. “It will take me a while to move on” were some of her last words to me, “It will be difficult to get over you.” But it evidently wasn’t. I cannot blame her nor can I judge her for doing so but only be saddened and disappointed by it. And in this destitute of emotions I question what other untruths were said. Maybe I was not as “perfect” as she had once told me, that I

was merely mediocre and she just stuck out the relationship and did her time. Or perhaps, she never really loved me and it was just an infatuation with the idea of love that has since worn off. Doubts now not only lie in about she felt but about how I feel as my old insecurities begin to set in. Am I in any ways attractive? Do my minor habits annoy people? And are these words even good enough? I become lonesome in my thoughts. I am surrounded by people – family, friends, complete strangers – but it as if there is no one around. I feel as though this is a solitary battle against myself and only time will overcome it. And in a way that is true. After all, love is an unconventional drug with many side effects from withdrawal. You become so dependent on someone and then they leave. And that’s it. You become helpless for a while. Sadness turns into disbelief into desperation and then into anger. This anger becomes moti-

vation and an unwanted energy comes over me as I muse awakenly; her scent still lingering on my almost tear-stained pillow as I keep her side of the bed warm while mine lays vacant. I fantasised about unrealistic scenarios where she would portray a sheepish grin at my front door with a kiss lying in wait. Time wouldn’t stop because it didn’t need to because the more time passed the happier I would become knowing that she chose to spend it with me. But now I would not kiss her, nor would I welcome her at the door. I am not over her but there is a motivation and eagerness for me to do things to better myself. To study, to run, to be a better person but all this newfound energy lies in the wrong muscles. My heart is the muscle that has always ruled me. I am a better man for it but feel worse because of it. And in the depths of the beats – those beats which cry out – there is not determination nor motivation but seeping pain, and nothing more flows from it.

By Samantha Kelly

decide when too much is just enough! The point is, you are fully responsible to determine when you feel you have given enough chances. If there has been no change then it is up to you to make the decision to either stay in the relationship and leave things as they are or move on to what you deserve. It is said that if you break up from a relationship that should be the end of it. Others believe that sometimes a break up is exactly what a relationship needs to improve. Everyone has their own opinions on this subject. However, looking at both sides of this situation, if someone says “sure we can always get back together”, this is when you need to make it clear that a break up is not a free pass to be sin-

gle for a while and then get back together when everything has been gotten out of his or your system –unless this is what you both want that is. Although, if after months you both decide to get back together because you have established that you really want to work through your problems and make it work, then definitely go for it. Now, if you find yourself in the situation where you are breaking up and getting back together frequently then it is time to establish what is going wrong or what is not working. Basically, it is your responsibility to decide what is best for you and your relationship. This decision cannot be for anyone else to make for you. So if you want to give him another chance to prove that he won’t lie

or cheat again, then that is up to you. Similarly, if you want to give it another go after time apart then try it, do what you know is best for you. Just try to set a goal, a type of boundary that you for sure will not cross. So give him that second chance you feel he may deserve but if he makes that same mistake again (such as, cheat again) then do yourself a favour and stop giving chances that are not deserved. Know your worth and trust that things will work out, even if at the time you don’t believe that it will ever get better, trust me, it will. There is nothing worse than living in false hope of a dramatic turnaround in your significant other; which you know you will never find.

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14 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

The best ways to procrastinate How to By Mark Kelly Ah can you get that feeling in the air? The sense of dread and stress around campus, the smell of desperation and sweat in the library as people cram and try to finish their assignments on time. We all need to relax from time to time to take the stress away from this busy time of the year. Here are the best ways to enjoy yourself when you really should be doing something else:

What’s that? A YouTube link that’s funny - it can’t be that bad to watch it. A couple of hours later and you’re looking at cat videos, secretly wishing you had one while reading the latest gossip about people in the celebrity or sporting world. THE INTERNET: There you are, slaving away over your keyboard with a hot beverage in one hand, your notes and books on the table beside you, typing furiously as you try to finish the assignment that you are doing.

Then you get a Facebook message from your best mate. It can’t be any harm to read it. Just reply to them, tell them what you’re up to, have a nice chat about how stressed you are. What’s that? A YouTube link that’s funny - it can’t be that bad to watch it. You want to be nice to your friend so you look at that, have a laugh then scan the comments. Then you notice a massive argument. Nothing better to do than grab a nice snack and read through the comments. A couple of hours later and you’re looking at cat videos, secretly wishing you had one while reading the latest gossip about people in the celebrity or sporting world. You look at the clock and realise it’s too late to go back to studying so you just decide to play Farmville for the next while until it’s time for bed. The best part is you can blame it all on your friend and feel entirely guilt free. GAMING: We all know that studying and doing assignments are extremely stressful and really make your mind race. What’s a better way to unwind than to boot up your games console, play some internet games or download a game from your app store and giving your thumb a good workout while you relax. You promise yourself you’ll only play for 30 minutes once you start. An hour and half later you are determined, your tongue stuck out the side of your mouth, clicking

on the screen, determined to beat the level you are currently on while not allowing the fact you haven’t beaten it yet or the frustration get to you. When you finally finish the level you decide that one more level won’t hurt and you keep going, leaving all thoughts of doing your assignment and studying behind you. CLEANING YOUR ROOM: There is nothing worse than when you are on your bed doing classwork and find that your room is an absolute mess. Weird thing is you only notice it when you are trying to do work. Normally, you can wade through all the crap in the room, like an adventurer crawling through the jungle, without it taking a funk out of you. Now though, you have work to do, nothing is more annoying than seeing all the clothes, rubbish and other things strewn across your floor. You have to clean it up and you have to do it now. So you get to work: sorting it all out, putting the dirty clothes for a wash, throwing all the rubbish in the bin, arranging your books and other possessions into their proper place while using the laptop to blast your favourite music as you clean. Once it’s all done you feel exhausted and decide to leave your assignment for the next day while feeling satisfied that the work you did on your room was just as good as the study you would have done.

Winter is coming By Heather Robinson For the next couple of months, the only word on everyone’s lips will be ‘Christmas’ and the only flavour you’ll find is peppermint. With the weather getting stormier and the exams getting closer, all you want to do is curl up in bed surrounded by the things you love most: good WiFi, hot tea, a killer playlist (loads of Ed Sheeran obviously) and your comfiest pyjamas. When we are surrounded by such tantalizing temptations it can be so hard to get out of the house and go to lectures. Who wants to trudge around campus weighed down by grey skies and stuffy classrooms when we all know Friends is on Netflix? So here are Sin’s tips on surviving winter in Westeros…or just the West of Ireland. LAYER-UP: You’ve heard this a dozen times I’m sure, but layer your clothes. Throw on a tank top under that chunky sweater, wear fluffy socks with your boots and think twice before going bare-legged on a night out. This applies to all you guys too: throw on a hoodie under your jackets and double up on socks if needs be. Go on a knitted jumper shopping spree as you hum ‘Sweater Weather’ by The Neigh-

bourhood to yourself. Don’t forget a hat and scarf when you brave the crispy air outside. SUNRISE SIT-UPS: There’s no worse feeling than getting out of a warm, cosy bed when your room is icy-cold. Get your blood pumping in the morning with some jumping jacks and a couple of sit-ups. Not only will you warm up faster but you’ll wake up faster. Say goodbye to sleephazed 9am lectures. COLD-PROOFING: Being sick just makes it all worse, am I right? Top-up on your vitamin C intake (red peppers, tomatoes, dark leafy greens and of course, oranges are all rich in vitamin C). It’s a water-soluble vitamin so your body doesn’t store it which means you need to make sure you’re getting enough daily. Wash your hands regularly, don’t go outside with wet hair and make sure you’re protected from any cold drafts at night when you’re sleeping. Supplements like zinc and echinacea are great for strengthening the immune system and can be found cheaply in supermarkets or health food stores around Galway. Regularly interacting with other people can also strengthen your immune system so don’t be shy - this is the only excuse you

sound like an intellectual By Eoin Molloy You have to be a certain level of smart to get into university. You have to score enough points in the random memory test that is the Leaving Certificate to even earn your seat here. If you really want to fool your friends into thinking you’re a genius, just follow these simple steps: USE CORRECT GRAMMAR

This is probably the most important point. Correct grammar is to your sentences what your skeleton is to your body. You hang your sentences on your grammar. We’re in college now lads, and constantly using word processors does make your spelling a bit lazy but there is still no excuse for getting ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ mixed up. You just can’t do it. Likewise, ‘there’, ‘their’ and ‘they’re’ is the Achilles heel of many secondary school English students but it should not be a problem for university-goers. STOP MISUSING ‘LITERALLY’

“OMG I literally died” is a popular refrain used nowadays to describe mirth. In actuality, no you didn’t die. It would be infinitely more pertinent to use the word “figuratively” but that just doesn’t have the same ring to it. The popular phrase “I can’t deal” has also got to go if sounding intelligent is your aim. EXAMINE THE PHRASES YOU USE

need to get close to that special someone this winter. HOT MEALS: Forgo that summer way of eating and remind yourself how much tastier piping-hot mashed spuds are in the evening when you’ve just come in from the wind and rain. Start considering homemade soup as a serious meal option and eat all the steamed veggies you want. Hot means healthy!

It can be so hard to get out of the house and go to lectures. Who wants to trudge around campus weighed down by grey skies and stuffy classrooms when we all know Friends is on Netflix? Don’t succumb to fast food when vegetables are so cheap and last so much longer. Look up hot and tasty easy-to-make wintery meals online for plenty of ideas.

This point is similar enough to the last one. Have you ever noticed that people often rehash phrases as they hear them without paying attention to the actual words in the phrase? If you want to sound smart, do not say “for all intensive purposes” as the correct phrase is “for all intents and purposes”. This is a common mistake and should be avoided like the plague. KEEP AN EYE ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to become a smart-sounding individual. Has there ever been an intelligent conversation about the weather? Or about celebrity gossip? Not really. All of those things are well-and-good as small-talk but if you really want to sound like an intelligent person then you need to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world. Have a gawk at The Journal while eating your cornflakes in the morning or The Irish Times if you really want to be fancy about it. If you are well-researched and well-spoken, you won’t need to wear turtlenecks or suit jackets with leather elbow-pads to seem smart. Sounding like an intellectual is just a matter of flicking through newspapers and brushing up on your grammar. Carrying around tattered books and cups of coffee is also a good idea if you really want to give off that intellectual vibe. Best of luck!

FEATURES 15

November 10 2014

BSc: - Being Severely Counterproductive By Sylvia Power

Sinéad Egan

Since when did going to college and learning nothing become a thing? What is vital knowledge for any well-informed student is that the degree you’re doing is only vaguely relevant to your talents. A cruel realisation in life is that we are not good at things that actually matter. “This isn’t about me”, you say: “I’m in Engineering, I’m going places”. As much as you want to believe that, you young whippersnapper you, you know deep down that it’s true. We’re going to delve further into the deep chasm that is “specialised skills” and bypass all the real talents we have like break-dancing or knitting. You get €50 in a birthday card with the token picture of a vase of flowers on it from your Aunty Bridie and all of a sudden your mam is in front of you with the phone

YEAR OF GRADUATION: 2000 COURSE AT NUI GALWAY: BA Hons English

and Spanish CURRENT OCCUPATION: RTE Radio

producer

What is your fondest memory of NUI Galway? For me, it’s more about the people than the specific memories – I’m still very close to my college gang, I see them all the time. I also met my future husband in NUI Galway, although we didn’t get together until after we both graduated. From the academic side of things, lectures with Hubert McDermott in English, Gearoid O Tuathaigh in History and Colm Luibheid in Classical Civilisation were outstanding experiences - incredible teachers all! Has NUI Galway changed since you were here? Enormously - it’s far bigger. But the overall feel of the campus is the same. I’ve always loved UCG (I still call it that!), and I make a point of walking through it when I’m in Galway – people go on about Trinity and UCC being beautiful places, but NUI Galway has real charm too! How did attending NUI Galway develop you as a person? Choosing to do an Arts degree was a great decision for me – I didn’t know what I wanted to do, which I suppose is normal when you fill in your CAO at the age of 16. But doing a general undergraduate degree gave me a broad knowledge base which stands to me to this day. I did History and Classical Civilisation in first year as well as English and Spanish, and I’m still really interested in all four subjects. Did you partake in any societies, sports clubs or volunteering at NUI Galway? I was in the Lit and Deb, but wasn’t terribly good at the actual speech making part. Having said that, I managed to win the maiden speakers comp at the Political Discussion Society, mainly because the field was tiny. Career wise, the most beneficial thing I did was get involved in Flirt FM, which gave me a taste for radio. What was the college newspaper like when you were in NUI Galway? Did you write for it? Yes there was a college paper – in fact I think there were two, and I wrote bits and bobs for both. Do you ever miss NUI Galway? All the time - I definitely miss nights out in the Warwick on Thursdays and Jazz Juice in the GPO on Sundays. Those were fun times. I get really nostalgic when I hear any of that music.

screeching; “talk to your aunty now, talk to her, tell her thanks!” You surprise yourself with how solid your small talk is and both the weather and how dark the evenings have gotten are discussed in depth. Small talk is always handy to have in your repertoire, as it makes you a hit with chronically dull family members at Christmas. You’re doing Celtic Studies and while you enter your third year, you’re a bit unsure as to what this subject is about. You leave your 4pm Celtic Studies seminar because inexplicably there’s some driving force within you that’s directing you to a location off-campus. Dazed and confused, you end up in Tesco to see that all the baked goods are reduced to 5 for €1. This is your talent. Essentially, you are Lassie but instead this gut instinct is telling you not to go to a

school to wait faithfully for a small boy, but the precise time the doughnuts get branded with those beautiful yellow labels. The reason why this inherent skill is wonderfully useful goes without saying. Furthermore, you have unparalleled knowledge of the best places to get reduced food in every outlet within a 3km radius. Your fridge can be found overflowing with chicken thighs that are perilously close to their sell-by dates. So while you may think that you’re completely useless, don’t. Always bear in mind that niche, small-talk subject matter and cheap food are far more valuable than a BSc. Other talents include: the ability to start the ‘Mexican Wave’ in a crowded place, having seen every episode of everything on Netflix ever and not making eye contact with buskers on Shop Street.

Any juicy stories of your time here? The usual RAG Week madness, I suppose... There was an urban myth, which if it happened was certainly from before my time, about Med students stealing a human hand from the anatomy lab, then deliberately entering the wrong pin at an ATM to trigger the security shutter to come down, and throwing the hand in at the last second... Sounds far-fetched, but a great yarn nonetheless.

What advice would you give to current NUI Galway students? Take in as much as you can of everything. Learning for learning’s sake is a luxury, and one that’s only available to you for a short time... There are great minds in NUIG – engage with them as much as you can while you’re there! I made radio documentaries in Harvard and Oxford this summer, and I definitely felt a pang of envy for carefree student days when you can get obsessed with anything you want! They are so short...

If you could go back and do it all again, what would you do differently? I’d probably have started a year later – I had just turned 17 in first year, which was far too young, and not just from the perspective of it being difficult to get into the GPO sometimes... I was too immature to appreciate the opportunities I had at that point. I’d also get involved in more clubs and societies, or at least commit to them more. When you’re from Galway and going to college in Galway, you’re not under as much pressure to make new friends, so societies don’t seem as important - but they are such a big part of university life. Also, I was disgracefully lazy, I really should have played hockey or tennis when I was there – but the social life seemed so much more important at the time! GUF SU Diary Advert 148x210_2014.indd 1

05/06/2014 12:56

16 FEATURES

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Bombing around on bikes

By Hazel Doyle Healthy living is kind of a big buzz these days. There’s more gluten-free, diary-free, sugar-free, fun-free treats in shops than ever before. And there’s a big emphasis on all things organic. Celebrities are talking about all the super-foods they’re putting into their bodies, not all the foods they’re leaving out. Tourists love it when they come to Ireland; they love how green everything is. It’s as if they’ve never seen a field before! Every summer you’re bound to bump into a few foreigners sporting a pair of walking boots and going on about the Ring of Kerry. They’re so cute with their backpacks and their bags of oranges. Without actually really noticing it, Irish people have it great, in terms of the oul’ healthy living. We’ve a big back garden, full of muck and turf, and even in the Big Schmoke, you’re not that far from an organic farmer. I decided to hop on the band-wagon over the long weekend and I got on me bike. I did my research, and found a local trail that’s advertised to tourists every summer. Sure wasn’t I great? Then I made sure I’d highvisibility gear and a bottle of water. Not willing to brave the elements alone, I convinced a friend she was dying to have a

bit of a jaunt in the country. We’d be like the Famous Five – the two of us – heading off on an adventure. The trail was supposed to take an hour and a half. After we left the city centre, we got really stuck into the whole outdoor-pursuits thing, me donning my (albeit age eight) hi-vis jacket and her a helmet. We were all geared up and ready to go. The first forty minutes passed very pleasantly. We made it to a park a little way outside of the town, and we had a rest on a bench. We were pleased that we’d reached the half-way point so quickly. We were gonna kick that time-estimation’s ass and make it back in great time, taking a break and all. The way back was a little different. I called out the instructions and together we’d a little gawk at the map. The sign-posts for the trail had been a bit scarce, so I was happy we were taking the time to have a good look at the map. There would only be one instance where we would need to cross a main road, and then we’d be back in the schticks again. Happy out. We maybe should have taken a better look at the map on our little break, instead of congratulating ourselves on what good time we’d made so far. Due to the absence of sign-posts, we took a right turn instead of a left, and it all just went downhill from there. We spent about an hour peddling along the old Dublin-Waterford Road, with cars whizzing past us. They did not expect to see two cyclists swerving to avoid old cat-eyes and potholes on a Bank Holiday Sunday. I peddled quickly past the remains of a carcrash, thanking My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding for inventing hi-vis all the while.

My legs felt like they were going to explode. Our gentle cycle had become a never-ending spinning class. The cross-winds were overpowering, so in between peddles I would be forced backwards. My bum was so sore from the saddle that it felt like someone had scalded me with a pot of tea. When – finally! – there was a bit of a turnoff and my friend and I could discuss how to get out of this mess, we were both pretty rained-on and miserable. I was so wrecked that I’d to get off and walk with the bike up the hilly laneway. We looked at the map on my phone and we realised what had happened. We could take our chances and continue along the death-trap of a main road, or retrace our steps on parallel country roads to get back to where we’d gone wrong. If there had been any coverage on my phone, I’d have rung for a seven-seater for us and the bikes there and then. At least on the country roads there was a lot less traffic. Our chances of dying were lessened… or so we thought. Just when I was about to hop off the saddle and push my rothár in order to give my buttocks and my legs a break, a great, big bull-dog flew over a cattle-grid. It was like that scene in Stand By Me when the scrapyard owner screams ‘Chopper: sick balls’, except that no one shouted that, and I have neither literal nor figurative balls. The dog was coming at us, ninety miles an hour. I have never moved so fast in my life. There was drool coming out of his mouth, like someone squirting shampoo from a supersoaker. Of course I’d been lagging behind due to my lack of sporting competence and now the dog was right at my heels. I would die

Whistle for a hottie By Ciara Treacy I woke up this morning looking incredibly pale. Thankfully I wasn’t sick (with charges coming into the Health Unit you wouldn’t want to be), but the last remnants of fake tan from the graduation, a family wedding and other vanity-inducing events was exfoliated away last night. I have to say I wasn’t mourning the loss of my Johnson’s glow, perhaps in light of my recent addiction to RTÉ’s latest show Full Frontal. Its host, Angela Scanlon, has been my girl crush of late; a quirky and sartorially savvy journalist with a witty sense of humour, she’s not afraid to showcase in her latest documentary looking at the beauty business in Ireland. “It’s pretty obvious make-up, so it’s not like people would think, oh wow she has amazing cheekbones. They would just think why does she have a big lump of shite stuck to her face,” she quips during a makeover to transform her into the typical Irish hunzo. This species are found traipsing around Irish cities in high heels, side boob tops and mountains of slap after 9pm. Hours later they are seen sans said heels in Supermac’s,

peeling off fake eyelashes and begging for make-up wipes. I can’t say I’m exempt from this but am a proud member of the Hair Extension Support Group, having abandoned my weave ten months ago and counting, in order to embrace a ‘do that doesen’t look like I have been dragged through a bush – repeatedly. I’ve also slowly but surely phased out the more arduous aspects of female appearance– disco pants (too tight), fake eyelashes (too blinding) and to some extent, fake tan (too smelly, too time-consuming and too closely resembling HP brown sauce). Indeed during the course of her makeover Angela admits the smell out of the bottle reminds her too much of sausage rolls. The show reveals Irish people as the biggest consumers of fake tan, a startling fact which opened my eyes to the Irish infatuation with the beauty industry. “Some people like to look normal, other people like to look like a celebrity,” a suspiciously bronzed male says on the show, followed by a cosmetic surgery veteran complaining of her friends’ obsession with more procedures: “I’ve had to sit them down and tell them they’ve had enough.”

doing something I wasn’t even enjoying, and I was wearing a child-size hi-vis jacket that had actually, at this stage, burst. When we’d eventually escaped the dog, we spent about another hour peddling. I nearly cried when the city came back into view. Our water supplies had diminished and we’d planned on being back for a lovely lunch about two and a half hours ago. Nowhere was open. It was a Bank Holiday Sunday. All I wanted was a slice of banoffee and a gallon of water. No such joy. A further ten minutes was spent John-Wayneing it up and down streets in search of a sanctuary. You can bet your bottom dollar that when we finally arrived at a café, nothing I ordered was in any way green or organic, or resembled the outdoors or nature in any way.

We’re also introduced to Foxy and Roxy, the upper assets of a woman who travelled abroad with her mom for a mother-daughter plastic surgery bonding session (the Radisson spa must have been booked up that day). Is this a cry of insecurity or merely the routine practice of looking the way we’ve convinced ourselves we should? For years, magazines and television shows have created pin-ups who are clearly revered for their appearance, such as Kim Kardashian whose derriere has led to an upsurge in the use of moulded knickers worldwide. Yes, they are a thing. When Ms Scanlon makes her debut complete in war paint, extensions and a leopard print cocktail dress, funnily the first thing that came to mind is the fact that she looks the same as every other girl on a night on the town. How boring! Of course it’s personality which ultimately defines a person, but it’s for that very reason that perhaps we should re-evaluate how much time and money we spend on our appearance. In the grand scheme of things, if people feel better wearing slap (myself included) then more power to us. It’s just when we’re told that Irish women spend an average of an hour a day applying make-up (amounting to a year and a half in one’s total lifetime), you have to wonder is that time that could be spent making a difference to the world, or at the very least watching another series on Netflix.

FEATURES 17

November 10 2014

Astro Soc Science Week comes to NUI Galway After huge success last year, Astro Society’s science week (formerly Science Fortnight) is back with a jam packed week of wonderful events. Coinciding with national science week, running from 10 to 15 November, there’s something for everyone, with events ranging from everything between video games to talks on marine life. Events are being hosted by the following societies: Comp Society, Astro Society, Marine Society, Disney Society, Humanist Atheist Society, Physics Society and Video Society. The highlight of the week will be a special lecture on Comets by Professor Andy Shearer of the School of Physics at NUI Galway. The event will be on Wednesday 12 November to mark what will hopefully be the phenomenal achievement of ESA’s Philae probe landing on the surface of comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko. After travelling for over ten years with its orbiter probe Rosetta, Philae’s landing will be the first ever attempt to land on a comet. Professor Shearer’s talk will help us to understand the behaviours of comets, which will even include a live demonstration of a comet orbiting a star.

The talk will go through the origins of comets, as debris left behind when the solar system formed, to their suspected contribution in providing water for the development of life on Earth. The study of comets guides astronomers in unlocking the secrets of the conditions on Earth when it formed roughly four billion years ago. If the mission is successful, the talk hopes to show off some of the first photos taken from the surface of the comet. The highlight of the talk will be a live demonstration of a comet made from its natural raw ingredients of water, organic tar and gravel. To mimic the freezing conditions in deep space the comet will be cooled to -170 degrees Celsius. This will allow Professor Shearer to show the fuzzy head and tail of the comet. The talk is not one to be missed and there’s definitely something for everyone during science week. So keep an eye out around campus for the science programmes that will have details on these fantastic events. Any queries can be directed to astronomy@ socs.nuigalway.ie

Ability West needs your vote By Anna King, Eileen Jackson, Sarah Madden and Elaine McCann Ability West is an Irish voluntary organisation dedicated to enabling children and adults with intellectual disabilities to reach their full potential so that they can take their rightful place in society and in their communities. Services provided by Ability West include Day, Residential, Respite, Rehabilitative Training, Supported Employment, Active Aging, Community Supports and Multi-Disciplinary Supports. Ability West is based in 11 geographical locations, with 55 centres throughout Galway City and County, Ability West provides services and supports to 520 children and adults. Better Together is a nationwide campaign which aims to build support for hundreds of charities, community groups, clubs and associations across the country by encouraging the public to support these good causes and make a difference in their communities. The Better Together Campaign includes the Better Together Video Competition, which provides a platform for Irish charities, community groups, clubs and associations to showcase the work they do.

This is where we need your help. Our video is entitled “Achieving our ambitions with the help of our community” and we need your vote. To vote please log onto http://www.bettertogether.ie View our video entitled “Achieving our ambitions with the help of our community” and please give us your vote. You may vote once a day, every day, but only once within any 24-hour period. Voting closes on 21 November 2014 at 5pm. Once voting closes, the 70 mostvoted-for videos will be shortlisted. The winners in each of the non-profit categories will receive a €1000 prize each. The winners will be announced at the Better Together Awards on 11 December in Dublin Castle. We are a group of second year Business students that are working on a community group project to raise awareness for Ability West. As well as logging on to the website above you can also like the Ability West Facebook page and vote for our video there. Thank you in advance for your support.

THE SU PAGES CONVENOR OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES: SIMON NEARY

CONVENOR OF THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & INFORMATICS: OISÍN MOLONEY

My name is Simon Neary and I will be working Hi everyone! I'm Oisin Moloney and I'll be as the 2014-2015 Convenor of the Colleges of your Engineering & Informatics Convenor Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. for 2014/15. I am a final year medical student, originally from I've just completed my third year of Dromard, Co. Sligo. Throughout my time in NUIG, Electronic & Computer Engineering, and I have been involved with clubs and societies, acted I'm looking forward to my fourth year in as a class representative in second year, and last Galway. As Convenor, I aim to create more year I was fortunate enough to be elected auditor opportunities for peer assisted learning, of the Medical Society. I have a diploma in Irish and facilitate greater cooperation between with NUIG, travelled to Montpellier in the south of France on Erasmus, taught English in Thailand last faculty and students. summer and this summer I volunteered in a hospital It's going to be a year of hard work for all in Butare, Rwanda with Voluntary Services Abroad. of us, with a lot of new challenges facing

CONVENOR OF THE COLLEGE OF ARTS SOCIAL SCIENCES & CELTIC STUDIES: SARAH KELLY Hi guys! My name is Sarah Kelly and I'd like to thank you for electing me your Convenor for the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic studies. I am 20 years young, originally from Co. Mayo and am heading into the third year of studying the BA connect with Theatre and Performance.

This year, my main goal is to help any student, with any issue, big or small to the absolute best of my ability. So, if you have any problems at all, please I am looking forward to my new role and hope us each step of the way - so it's a good don't hesitate to give me a call or drop to tackle any issues affecting students in the thing that engineers are made to rise to me an email and I'll do my very best to help! Colleges trough their class reps. I also hope to bring the challenge! members from all disciplines and courses closer together within the College.

RESPONSIBILITIES

They shall act as the chairpersons of each They shall act as the chairpersons relevant College Class Representatives o f e a c h re l eva n t Co l l e ge Cl a ss Representatives Council (‘College They shall act as the chairpersons of each Council (‘College Council'). relevant College Class Representatives Council They shall represent their College's class Council'). (‘College Council'). representatives and students at the They shall represent their College's class representatives and students at They shall represent their College's class Executive Committee. representatives and students at the Executive They shall work with the Chairperson the Executive Committee. Committee. of Students' Union Council to see that They shall work with the Chairperson

RESPONSIBILITIES

They shall work with the Chairperson of each class in the University has a class of Students' Union Council to see that Students' Union Council to see that each class representative. each class in the University has a class in the University has a class representative. representative.

CONTACT

Simon Neary Mobile: 091 493570 su.medicine@nuigalway.ie

CONTACT

Oisín Moloney Mobile: 091 493570 su.engineering@nuigalway.ie

CONTACT

Sarah Kelly Mobile: 087 6511202 su.arts@nuigalway.ie

NUI GALWAY, YOUR NATIONAL F*&%KING TREASURE IS COMING TO YOU! Join National F*&%king Treasure, Performance Legend and Accidental Activist – Panti – in her hit comedy High Heels in Low Places, as she hitches up her skirt and hitchhikes to NUI Galway this November. Panti will be glamming up the O’Flaherty Theatre on Monday 17th November at 8pm. Tickets €5 from the Students’ Union Office and the SU Engineering Desk (NUIG Student ID Required) go on sale Tuesday 28th October. This warm and wicked evening of scandalously fun tales charts brushes with infamy, near misses with fame, and adventures in the seedy underbelly as Panti steadies herself (with gin) after the international whirlwind that has been dubbed 'Pantigate'. High Heels in Low Places played to chock-a-block houses and rave reviews earlier this year in Dublin’s Vicar Street, Cork’s Opera House and the Galway International Arts Festival. Critics called it “Hilarious” (Hotpress) and “a wickedly funny evening” (Irish Independent) with “impeccable one-liners” (The Herald). So round up your lover, your mother, your neighbour and your classmates as the ‘High Queen of Ireland’ invites you in to her ultra-padded, hyper-real, stilettoshaped world, embracing you in her over-inflated bosom and promising that you can ask her anything.

20 LIFESTYLE The Charity of Imposter Beards By John Brennan Initially I had planned to venture towards the obvious connection between beards and lifting heavy things repeatedly, but alas something else has grabbed the bearded one’s attention this issue. Every November the world falls victim to a heinous crime against beards. “Movember” has started a trend of guys trying to sport a beard, tache or set of mortifying sideburns in some dressed up attempt to raise money for charity. Now before you think the beard has gone belligerent let me qualify my previous statement. Sod all people actually donate and spend the month instragraming, snap-chat-

ting, facebooking their month long follicle exploits. I’ve donated to the Irish Cancer Society and to Irish Guide Dogs for the blind in the past; the charity isn’t my issue. Great causes do not annoy the beard. Dressing up beardy ambitions in the colours of charitable pretence is as abrasive to me as beard rash. Hence my apparent belligerence; charity and beards are separate things but trying to make them mutually exclusive does not sit well with the beard. Raising awareness of testicular cancer is invariably a great thing, but why just one month of the year? If you want to rock any form of facial hair just go ahead and do it. You don’t need society’s thumbs up 11 months into the year to do it. Just go ahead and rock that beard. That’s what we are working towards anyway. Also, throw some change the way of charity, it’s manly. That said, if last November you grew out 30 days of scruffage and thought “hey, look, there is a man standing in the mirror in front of me now” and subsequently ran with it then more power to you. I am happy to include you in my Beardy Band Wagon. There isn’t actually a wagon. You should be a month and a half into your new awesome aesthetics, you should naturally be able to tell the way to the nearest mountain, always point due north and sense

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

danger before it befalls you and your precious beard. This is what perma-beard offers you, as opposed to a month of confusion and Sixth Sense-esque brooding and worry. You should hopefully smell of turf, be fire resistant (don’t test this, you’ll just hurt yourself ) and cast a manlier shadow. Why would you only choose to live like this for one month of the twelve we are afforded annually? It doesn’t compute. It makes virtually no sense. Now if you are suddenly filled with an imminent sense of dread or even foreboding then this has resonated with something deep and eternal within you. Your basic need to cloak your face in something hairier than a scarf is undeniably drawing you in the masculinity and awesomeness. You cannot rewrite your genetic code, you can however choose to look about 14 if you continually shave and as of yet, have not befriended a bear. The beard within you is innate; it’s programmed in your manly DNA. It’s beard science. November in Galway brings with it rain, darkness and the copious puddles that’ll ruin your converse or vans. Grow a winter beard if you’re unsure of your dedication to the beard following currently rampag-

ing its way to faces everywhere. Try it for three months, Novermbeard, Decembeard and Manuary. They sound like much better month names, don’t they? A beard through winter offers you so much more than no beard. It’s a source of heat. It’s cherishing the feeling of having to towel dry your own beard (one of the manlier aspects of beard growth). You’ll undoubtedly be mistaken for Santa’s younger more suave brother and a more appealing masculine look. Seriously, unleash that goddam beard bubbling away beneath your skin. With that in mind, I have come to the decision to shave my head and beard as an act of defiance to the social pressures associated with the month of the year we are in. Charity should not dictate how hairy my face is. I wear a beard 11 months of the year. For one month, I have become a beacon of hope for all those who are follicle-y challenged. Give to charity and learn to grow from scratch. I shall be the light of Eärendil, I will be the light, when all other lights go out. Movember has to become Novembeard. Go forth and spread the word. The Beard is dead, long live the Beard!

Bearded Backpacker: South East Asia a rough guide By John Brennan

CAMBODIA: Buy your Visa on the border for

about $30; pass through into the Kingdom of Cambodia. This is as impoverished a place as I’ve seen in parts. The food isn’t stellar compared to the delectable delights offered in Laos, Thailand or Vietnam but it’s a cultural heavyweight.

Asia is nowhere near as expensive as Europe. The advice laid down in the previous issue regarding fund-watching and currencyawareness rings true here undoubtedly. The flight to Bangkok (it’s where most people fly to) will set you back a fair bit depending on when you book generally between €600 and €650 with a decent airline with minimal stops. I circumvented South East Asia on a budget of about €2,500 to €3,000; albeit I did a fair amount of rafting, kayaking, scuba-diving and lived like a veritable king for the time I was there. Street food is a huge part of the Asian experience. Avoid restaurants; they’re expensive and you’ve no idea how long the food has been lying there. Street food is cooked in front of you and generally where you see a queue for food, go there!

beaches, scuba diving and full moon parties. Plan your route according to your tastes.

THAILAND: The most expensive place in

LAOS: Usually entered from Northern Thailand,

South-East Asia, filled with beaches, islands, temples, tuk tuks, elephants and the ubiquitous monkeys. Bangkok is a noisy, busy, hectic blur of cocktails, palaces and decadence. Anything you can think of is available here. Be aware, be careful and be sensible. Wily strangers will promise you all inclusive tours, have a few words of Irish to woo you and end up ripping you off. Be careful with your new found largesse. North leads to the mountains, forests and a veritable gateway to adventures of the adrenal variety, far friendlier than the South to be honest too. South leads to picturesque

a visa on the border will cost you the equivalent of 35USD. On a side note, carry dollars on you at all times, just a few can really come in handy on borders and when bargaining or bartering. Luang Prabang is a relic of French Indo China. It has really great food and is aesthetically awesome. Lot’s to see, lot’s to do. Vang Vieng is worth a google search. I won’t go into specifics but take out your smart phone and search it and you’ll see what I mean about this village surrounded by mountains. There are islands in the south worth visiting, while the capital is a decentralised mess offering gun ranges and steak houses.

Know your currencies. Be wary of people trying to make a quick buck off your naiveté – happened to me! The Killing Fields, S21, Ankor Wat all warrant your time. Sihanoukville is a beachside party town. The currency is woeful here though; ATMS will give you dollars and when you spend them the local vendors give you back what is akin to monopoly money. Virtually everything is negotiable in markets in Siem Reap and Phnom Pehn. The monkey-filled trees are great to behold along the latest part of the Mekong you’ll see in Phnom Pehn (the capital). Definitely worth a trip but brace yourselves for the transport. It’s as much an experience as it is an ordeal.

Beware fake taxis that’ll undoubtedly try and rip you off. Trips north to the Cu Chi Tunnels along the Ho Chi Minh trail are an experience you won’t forget and not astronomically-priced, which helps. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: You’ll need

vaccinations a few months before you leave that’ll set you back a bit (ask your doctor). They’ll prescribe you malaria tablets: take them, malaria is no laughing matter. A small first aid kit, comfortable shoes, microfiber towels are a really big help, as is a decent backpack. You pretty much buy your required clothing there for pennies; you won’t need too many pants, although the mosquito bites can be an absolute killer on your feet and legs, so buy some decent DEET (google it) to repel them. You’ll need motilium, immodium and diaoralyte for the dreaded “Dehli Belly” – everyone gets at least once due to the new food and germs etc. you’ll be exposed to. Invest in these things. Lonely Planet guides are handy and give you a foundation on what you need to know. A credit card is preferable too to book your flights and hostels with. Most Visa-debits will work though. Know your currencies. Not off by heart but be wary of people trying to make a quick buck off your naiveté – happened to me!

VIETNAM: Ho Chi Minh City is a wonderful

chaotic, maelstrom of mopeds, museums and frankly unbelievable food. The currency is really devalued so you’ll be taking a couple of million out of the ATMS at a time.

I’ve attached my twitter handle, tweet any queries or recommendations you may need. @Jbrennan88

LIFESTYLE 21

November 10 2014

OPSH, THEY DID IT AGAIN: Interview with Sarah McGinn, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of Opsh By Jenna Hodgins Q: You and your sisters, Jennie and Grace, started your blog What Will I Wear Today back in 2009. How did you, or what inspired you to make the transition from bloggers to businesswomen?

these last few years. But what we didn’t know, we learned; and when we couldn’t learn it ourselves, we sought out experts who did know. We’ve been through two accelerator programmes, NDRC Launchpad and Irish Times FUSION, which has catapulted us into the business world, and we have built up an amazing team, in office and through our mentors and advisors - and it’s because all of these things that we are the businesswomen we are today.

had happened or happened successfully over the past number of years. We wanted to change that. The Sweatshop acquisition could not have come at a better time for us. We had already set the wheels in motion for our new venture (not yet called Opsh - that would come later, after many sleepless nights) and wanted a new home for The Prowlster, and there’s no better new parents then the Sweatshop family! Opsh would not have happened if it hadn’t been from our experiences with The Prowlster. And The Prowlster would not have happened if not for WWIWT, so you could say Opsh has been six years of learning, exploring and hard graft.

A: Subconsciously, it was always there for us. When we set up WWIWT, we did it because we were passionate about writing, fashion and design. Back then, there weren’t that many fashion blogs in Ireland, so for the first year or two, it was definitely about exploring what worked You guys were also the brainchildren for us and what didn’t. behind Prowlster until Sweatshop We won some awards, became ambassaacquired it last year. How was your dors for numerous brands, and started to get time at The Prowlster, and how did it some attention from the press both here in contribute to your next business ‘Opsh’? Ireland and in UK. Opsh is described as your “one-stop But it changed when we got that one The Prowlster really helped us to start explorshop”, but there’s a lot more to the e-mail too many - “We have these amazing ing the world of online shopping. For people site than shopping. Tell us more! shoes* that we’ll send to you for FREE, as long that haven’t heard of The Prowlster, it was a as you write a 500-word piece with 10 images fully shop-able online magazine. Opsh is bringing the High Street into one and link every single paragraph back to our A mixture of content and commerce; read- convenient place for the user. Shopping site! But no, no payment.” ing about an up-and-coming Dublin based with one account, one transaction, and We felt that the blogging community street wear brand? You could buy directly one checkout across your favourite retailas a whole was being used in a way that from the page without ever leaving the site. ers – simples! we weren’t comfortable with. Why As well as this, we want Opsh to should all the people putting their Our next event is based on the lies help you filter down your results – blood, sweat and tears into their blog what use is it getting 700 results for Sex and the City told us. We’re hosting the LBD you’re looking for? On Opsh, and the online community be expect to do free advertising for the sake of you can filter by retailers, brands and a panel-led discussion about the a pair of shoes they don’t even want? sizes, and shortly by your own perThis didn’t sit well with us. We sonal style. brainstormed, we challenged each realities of being a 20/30/40-year-old So instead of seeing a whole host other, we got customer feedback and of products you’re not interested in, woman in the city, trying to have it all. it will be personalised to you. A busy then we decided to take the leap into our own home-grown business. shopper wants convenience! You can The idea for The Prowlster was born We worked with some extremely talented sign up at www.opsh.com to start your own through our frustrations with online content people across the spheres of fashion, music, Opsh Shopping Profile. and the need for better ways to advertise and journalism and food, and this really made The other side of shopping is inspiration. monetise what’s being put online, without The Prowlster community explode very That’s where the Opsh Blog comes in, www. losing the quality of the content. early on. blog.opsh.com. We provide the user with It was a big step from bloggers to businessBut during this time, we noticed that daily updates on trending styles, products, women and it has been a rollercoaster ride online shopping was not nearly as simple as sales, advice and anything that will help to it could be. A lot of the process was cumber- make that shopping experience that bit easier. * They were hideous shoes, by the way some to the user, and not much innovation As well as all this, we want to celebrate all

things business and have a section on the Opsh Blog specifically for this, #OpshCareers. We take a look into the lives of different business women, what they do and how they got to where they are today. Our last Opsh event was based on Sophia Amuruso’s book #GirlBoss, and we had a panel discussion on the lives of Irish #GirlBosses – the event was packed to the rafters with inspirational women and the feedback was fantastic. Our next event is based on the lies Sex and the City told us. We’re hosting a panelled discussion about the realities of being a 20/30/40-year-old woman in the city, trying to have it all. We’ve invited a real-life PR woman, fashion writer, lawyer and an art aficionado to lead the conversation, and we’ll be screening some clips of the influential show to spark discussion. You can check out the event here: http://blog.opsh.com/opsh-presents-sexthe-city-exposed/ What are your future plans? Do you plan to further expand Opsh or do the McGinn sisters have another venture up their sleeves? We see Opsh as a global venture; we feel women everywhere are looking for a better way to shop and we hope to bring it to them - reach for the stars, and all that. We are bringing Opsh first to the women in Ireland, and hoping early next year to hit the UK markets. To do this, we need as much help as we can get! We would love for people to spread the word about Opsh - anyone you know that loves to shop online should know about Opsh. And for any male readers, we do Opsh vouchers on the site, which make for a perfect Christmas present for your partner. Setting up your own business is hard work; we’re at the beginnings of this and want to see Opsh go a long, long way. For that we need help, and so far the people of Ireland have done a superb job, so thank you to all!

22 LIFESTYLE

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

RETRO REWIND The Roaring ‘20s By Fiona Lynch and Áine Leech This issue we are beginning our journey through the decades with our new section Retro Rewind. Each new issue we will transport you back to another decade and give you all the deets to transform yourself into a 20s flapper girl, a 50s screen siren or even a 70s hippy chick. To kick-start the fabulous fashion journey we are bringing you some 1920s inspired looks, perfect for the upcoming science ball.

Makeup FOR THE FACE: use a pale matte and full coverage foundation focusing the cheeks with a bright rosy blush. EYES: Keep the dar, blended out and circular in shape. Blend a warm brown eyeshadow (or your bronzer) into the crease, apply a matte black on the lid and lower lash-line and blend it into the brown. Add a pop of colour in the centre with a dark blue or green shade if you wish. Finish with black kohl pencil on the waterline and top and bottom false lashes for a more dramatic and historically accurate look.

Use any dark red/brown or purple lipstick. Keep the lip-line sharp and pointed, especially around the Cupid’s bow. For a more in-depth tutorial check out Grace’s blog: http://longhairandlashes. blogspot.ie/

1. 2. 3. 4.

Miss Selfridge dress - £150 (online) Oasis bracelet - €15 Topshop necklace - €38.50 Oasis necklace - €22

5. 6. 7. 8.

Dunnes hat and gloves - €15 Miss Selfridge dress - £150 (online) Topshop shoes - €59 Topshop feather shoulder wrap - €84

Fashion faux-pas By Áine Leech Have you ever had a bad fashion day? Ever looked back at old photos and cringed at the clothes you once wore? Well but of course, we all have. It’s the tragic, yet inevitable part of growing up. Embarrassing yourself with wacky hairstyles, ridiculous shoes, and colours that are best suited to a clown at the circus. But would bad fashion choices be enough to turn you off a potential partner? Here is a list of those “WTF” fashion faux-pas. My advice? Just don’t. CROCS: Comfortable, practical, durable, whatever the excuse may be, these things are hideous. Try dress them up with charms all you like but you’re not fooling anyone. But the black ones you’ve bought

for work can’t even be seen you say? Trust me, something that shameful can never be hidden. Anyone spotted in these is the embodiment of the “walk of shame”, regardless of last night antics. HEAVY BODY WARMER JACKETS AND SHORT-SLEEVED T-SHIRTS: A look reserved for the bicep-sporting college boys. For anyone looking out their college apartment window prepping for the day’s weather, this outfit is just confusing. Is it hot or is it cold outside, and are you really prepared for either? Pick a side boys, and leave the biceps for the nightclub, they’re too distracting for lectures. UGG BOOTS AND SHORTS: This perpetrator can often be seen on a Starbucks date with “heavy body warmer and short-

sleeved t-shirt” guy. Again confusing those of us inside, looking out at the world. It looks like you looked out the window and panicked. Isn’t your body confused too? Do us a favour and whip on some tights. And get us a frappe while you’re at Starbucks. KNICKER LINES A.K.A THE VPL: The dreaded, yet sometimes unavoidable fashion faux-pas. Usually spotted via leggings or, even more unattractively in the line for taco chips at the end of a night out. Ask your nearest and dearest pal to give you the once over, only the meanest person would let you go out with that VPL. Or maybe your friend wanted a good chuckle. CARGO PANTS: Nobody needs this amount of pockets. Nobody.

MAKE-UP LINES: More of a beauty faux-pas, but a faux-pas nonetheless. White face, orange neck or vice-versa, not matching neck to face looks absolutely ridiculous. Believe me, everyone notices. All girls are guilty of it now and then, that’s excusable, but consistent ridiculousness is not allowed. If you can’t colour inside the lines, don’t colour at all. TRACKSUITS TUCKED INTO SOCKS: Particularly white sport socks. You are not Damo from Damo and Ivor, although this look is often spotted on boys possessing names with O’s at the end. Let’s all think about this logically. Farmers tuck pants into their wellies to keep them clean. Townies are not keeping anything clean. Your socks are going to get dirty. Stop it.

LIFESTYLE 23

November 10 2014

Breaking Tradition

In the spotlight: life of a lady bear

By Ivan Fahy

By Ciara Treacy

I’m the boy that graduated in high heels. Yes, him. I’m Ivan Fahy. I’m an androgynous model, a gender and LGBT activist, and a recent graduate of Psychology and Sociology & Politics. I decided to graduate in high heels simply because I wanted to and my graduation day was exactly that – mine – so I would exercise autonomy and decide by myself, for myself, what I would wear. I wore what expresses my being; high heels, skinny jeans and a Britney Spears t-shirt because she is my favourite singer. I also wanted to take a stance in support of all the transgender and gender nonconforming students in Galway, Ireland and the world.

Looking around the Bailey Allen Hall on graduation day, what do you see? You see everything ‘typical’ and heteronormative; boys in suits, girls in dresses, Mammy and Daddy in tow. Where is LGBT visibility? Where is diversity? Everyone dresses normatively, something tradition demands. This tradition forces you to pay for and wear a gown, forces you to wear a graduation cap if you are female (because your education is being traditionally capped), and forces us to abide by gender and social norms. Such tradition prevents me and others like myself from being ourselves. Such tradition reflects sexism, homophobia and transphobia. Such tradition rejects the diversity within humanity. Therefore, I wore my high heels to get everyone thinking. My high heels are my tool of activism. They attract attention. They force people to think and to question, but only because I, a human born male, wear them.

They wouldn’t have such an impact on the feet of a woman. They’d be barely noticed. Yet, when I wear high heels, it’s all people see and remember. I look forward to the day when a male in high heels isn’t so shocking, but right now it is, but only because gender and its expression is so restrictively understood, and we only have ourselves and those before us to blame. Society isn’t to blame for we create and maintain society. Gender is beautiful. Norms and traditions constructed by humans hide its beauty. Gender norms and gender policing restrict human potential. They, if allowed, will hold you back. They will hold you back from living the life you want to live and from loving the people you want to love. We need to protest against these gender norms and this is done most effectively by living your life openly, proudly and visibly. I studied hard for three years and I was not going to conform and dress ‘traditionally’ on my well-deserved graduation day. What for anyway? For the strangers in the room? For the heads of the university? We care too much – way too much – about what others think. Also, my androgynous modelling and expression of gender isn’t something that exists only online or in fashion magazines; it exists where I decide. My androgyny will not be confined to ‘appropriate’ spaces. It will not be hidden, shamed, condemned or censored. By being myself in the graduation public space, I broke graduation tradition. I hope this results in people dressing exactly how they want to in all future graduations. I hope I may have encouraged and inspired others to feel confident and secure in graduating how they personally want. I was taken aback by all the love and support I have received in person and online. This love and support was very much needed and hugely appreciated. Nobody wants to live in a boring and closed society, so we need to positively reinforce and support those that live proudly as themselves. We all have LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) friends and family members, and we may be LGBT ourselves, so we must all stand up for diversity and equality. I want to thank everyone who showed me love and support on my Facebook page (nearly 1,000 of ye). Ireland is becoming more accepting, and soon we will all vote in the referendum on marriage equality. It is crucial that everyone is registered and goes to vote (the deadline for registration is November 25th 2014). I would like to end this piece with an empowering quotation; ‘’Why fit in when you were born to stand out?’’ Please check out my androgynous modelling and LGBT activism Facebook page and click ‘Like’: http://facebook.com/ IvanFahyOfficial. Thank you very much!

For budding fashionistas today it’s easy to create a blog, but to have one which strikes the balance of fabulous photography, bundles of personality and a plethora of inspiring outfit posts proves more of a challenge. However it’s a formula Galway girl Michaela O’ Shaughnessy has perfected through her blog Life of a Lady Bear, a name as sweet as the lifestyle posts on her website. Michaela has made the leap from graduating in Biomedical Science to pursuing a postgrad in Business at NUI Galway, and feels that blogging provides her with a creative outlet outside of lecture theatres. What began as an online diary has developed into a thriving daily must-read for her ever-growing number of followers. “Initially I started Life of a Lady Bear as a means to keep my family and friends up to date back home while I was spending my first summer in New York,” she says. “I’ve always enjoyed reading other blogs and I really wanted my blog to be composed of not only outfit posts but also a representation of everything I love like baking, travelling, modelling and photography. “I really think it will be such a nice thing to look back on in a couple of years and remember all of the fun things I did in my early twenties.” Making the most of her college years is a recurring theme in Michaela’s blog, with instapics of behind-the-scenes modelling, uplifting quotes and her gorgeous dogs which are guaranteed to melt the hearts of readers. She also shares a monthly update of her favourite songs, movies, books and current Netflix binge-watch.

This is of course all done in incredible style, shared through outfit posts bursting with autumnal capes, vintage pieces and cosy sweaters. “I’ve always been hugely interested in the fashion industry; I love seeing how different people’s style reflects their personalities. I’m quite lucky because my mom has a massive closet filled with the coolest vintage pieces that she kept from growing up so I love to mix some vintage and high street pieces.”

Her top piece of fashion advice? “Avoid buying trendy pieces. I’ve recently learned it is so much better to buy key pieces that will be staples in your wardrobe like a nice pair of leather pants, a white shirt, a blazer and some Chelsea boots.” These are style tips picked up from summers in New York, which Michaela describes as her favourite place in the world. Her ‘Lady Bear’s Travel Guide to New York’ has brought readers on a trip to the main attractions as well as the hidden gems of Manhattan, Dumbo, the West Village and Soho.

Spottings of Kendall Jenner, a morning spent at a free Kings of Leon gig and endless postings of mouth-watering sweet treats are sure to be responsible for an increase in J1 visas next summer. Although current posts are more likely to feature the Quad or stationary hauls, fans won’t have to wait too long until Life of a Lady Bear is on tour again. “I’m so excited to go to Paris in November for a weekend getaway,” Michaela says. “I absolutely love travelling and I’m already working on a list of delicious restaurants and bakeries to visit while I’m there. “I’ve also been in touch with some fashion photographers out there to shoot a couple of outfit posts in some beautiful Parisian streets. When I come home I’ll be writing a ‘Lady Bear’s Travel Guide to Paris’ so be sure to keep an eye out for that!” O nce she has completed her studies, Michaela is hoping to return to the Big Apple next summer, to pursue a career in event planning. A lesson that sticks with her is something she has learned through her blogging journey: not to be afraid of putting yourself out there and say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. FIND MICHAELA AT: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @lifeofaladybear Blog: www.lifeofaladybear.com

24 ENTERTAINMENT Fury By Ken Glennon Sticking to the tried and tested formula of men in vehicles from Training Day and End Of Watch, writer-director David Ayer’s latest is a bruising, engrossing piece of macho tank-warfare driven by a keen sense of atmosphere and excellent performances. Opening with an intent that sustains throughout, Ayer presents us with a Nazi horsemen moving across a battlefield lined with burning tanks, bodies and wreckage. It’s an eerie, ghostly image, evocative of the tone of horror that pervades the picture. From this impressive opening emerges Brad Pitt’s Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier and his hardened crew (a series of distraught, occasionally thoughtful and generally sympathetic men played excellently by Shia LaBouef, Jon Berenthal and Michael Pena). Working together in the confines of the eponymous tank for three years and now in the tail end of the Second World War, Pitt’s team are the heart and soul of this impressively grim experience, with whom the bulk of its two hour fifteen minute running time is spent. “Ideals are peaceful, history is violent,” muses Wardaddy to Logan Lerman’s callow new recruit, a typist in service for eight weeks plucked and dropped into the hellish confines of Fury, replacing the tank’s original assistant driver/bow gunner and cleaning pieces of his predecessor’s face of the floor. Hopelessly unequipped for battle, Ler-

Nightcrawler By Ken Glennon If it bleeds it leads. That's the mantra offered by an LA Nightcrawler (a type of journalist chasing down any brutal event and filming it for sale) played by Bill Paxton in Dan Gilroy's vicious début film. At its centre Jake Gyllenhaal gives an extraordinary performance as Lou Bloom, a manic obsessive who sounds like the by-product of 23 hours a day of internet exposure and every online self-improvement guide known to man. A quick learning and violently persistent man, Lou sees potential in the world of freelance crime reporting. Stealing a mountain bike and selling it for a camera, our plucking aspiring journo swiftly finds his way sticking his lens in the face of a bleeding gun-shot victim. Before long he's selling footage to Nina, the news head of a bottom rung LA station running the vampire shift. She's played by Rene Russo in an excellent performance playing one of the few characters who will reach as far as Bloom

man is slow to react in his first taste of combat with disastrous results. Like the opening to Saving Private Ryan before it Ayer’s film quickly bypasses grandiose and contemplative notions of the evil of war by depicting battle as a gruelling and terrifying state of affairs for which survival is key. There’s little time as our new gunner discovers to pontificate on the pitfalls of murder when, for instance the man in front of him is burning alive. Consequently the battle scenes in Fury are tremendous in evoking tension, horror and the constant threat of impending death. Adding invaluably to the action stakes the tank crew themselves exude a strange kin of authenticity that great films can convey. Each man, with the initial exception of Brad Pitt for whom I needed maybe fifteen minutes to get over the movie star in period attire (his forceful performance gradually wins out) bears the look of battlefront trauma on their respective faces. From Berenthal, tremendous in an aggressively nervy performance that threatens manic but never caricature to Shia LaBeouf, both shockingly authoritative and reserved as the religious member of the tank to Peña’s reliably strong work each of which demands sensitivity, aggression and even surprising moments of comic timing. The ensemble’s work is impeccable. As their commander, Pitt, now 50, is a commanding presence although the film arguably over-eggs his heroic male status. It’s one of the few noticeable instances when the execution isn’t note perfect. This is especially evident at its otherwise magnificently staged climax where Ayer matches Spielberg’s sentimentality in Saving Private Ryan with his own brand of glorious machismo.

in her desperation for ratings. “Think of our newscast as a screaming woman, running down the street with her throat cut,” Nina advises Bloom. Together they share an uncomfortable, symbiotic relationship both professional and otherwise though Gilroy only teases at the extent of the latter. It's all very entertaining, a nocturnal ride through LA with Gyllenhaal dominating the film almost entirely. Twenty pounds lighter to play the gaunt Bloom and wearing an unnerving grin underneath which a results-driven sociopath lurks its tightly calibrated performance.

Additionally in the negative column there’s one scene involving the crew and two women in a sacked German village which downplays a borderline rape scene. While the film is ambivalent in the feelings of the young German woman in question my feelings were the attitude here was genuinely out of touch of the context of that scene. These two, not minor issues aside, proceedings confidently plough ahead without any missteps. As lensed by DP Roman Vasyanov the picture is startlingly beautiful, the battlefields at times carrying an otherworldly haze shrouded in smoke, fog and fire as Hertfordshire doubles for Nazi Germany. Adding to the inescapable sense of doom Steven Price’s music is effectively haunting, capable of creating dread as well as saluting moments of valour. Concerning the latter I will concede that Fury indulges in occasional movie heroics which wouldn’t feel out of place in The Lord of the Rings series.

enabling and then filming a shooting in progress makes for better footage then all the better. That tabloid journalism has dubious ethical standards and revels in the sensationalist isn't news but the film has a lot of fun following Lou along his meteoric career path. There isn't as such much in the way of a moral message at the heart of Nightcrawler which contently follows its deranged, and in several scenes impressively terrifying leading man into the LA night. Such fervour at the job at hand isn't shared by Lou's eventual driver/cameraman (well played by Four Lions star Riz Ahmed ) and as the film progresses there's a nice counter between enjoying watching Lou be very good at what he does and wanting to see him wind up in one of his own videos. As a rival nightcrawler, Bill Paxton is reliable in a handful of scenes and Rene Russo has the most to do among the supporting cast. It's Gyllenhaal's film though. Alongside this actor's obsessive lead turns in Zodiac, Prisoners and Enemy this feels like the end result, a culmination of excellent work and in Lou Bloom one unforgettable character creation that deserves the widest audience possible.

“Think of our newscast as a screaming woman, running down the street with her throat cut,” Nina advises Bloom. Together they share an uncomfortable, symbiotic relationship both professional and otherwise. Every twitch coupled with the actor’s bug-like eyes calls to mind a devious parasite not to be trusted. He's also bereft of anything approaching human speech, his endless monologues about careerism representing a hideous realisation of the American Dream where anyone can get anything if they work. If tampering with an active crime scene or

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Yet these scenes worked for me and in this sense I think Ayer has his cake and eats it with dogged grimness somehow married to the image of Brad Pitt war action-hero extraordinare. When the time comes for flat out boys-own heroics, Fury harnesses good old-fashioned men at arms, fight to the last staples at their most effective. The end result is a rousing depiction of the dog days of World War Two, ably carried by outstanding performances and potent action.

The Babadook By Ken Glennon Made on a budget that comfortably gives Blumhouse horror (responsible for low budget mega-hits like The Conjuring and Insidious pictures), Jennifer Kent’s Australianproduced horror is a moving and stressful portrait of motherhood in breakdown. Developed from the writer-director’s original 11-minute short, this Gothic drama revolves around the dynamic between a bereaved woman and her young son who find things go bump in the night after they find the film’s eponymous and quite grizzly fairytale book. Terrified that the Babadook monster from the book will kill his mother (Essie Davies) young Samuel (Noah Wiseman) , already a socially isolated child goes into hyperactive protective mode, arming himself with a bizarre but effective cache of homemade weapons (cricket balls a must). Believing her son to be deluded, the opening act does an emphatic job showing the strain inherent in the single parent’s relationship with her problematic son before the reality of their unwanted house guest becomes all too apparent. It’s patiently teased out as Kent offers glimpses of the creature (itself a wonder hybrid of off-camera effects and stopmotion), a creepy visage reminiscent of F.W. Murnau’s vampire in Nosferatu while simultaneously depicting the breakdown between the stubborn Samuel and his increasingly put upon mother. Mixing the terrifying supernatural elements with the refreshingly depressing domestic scene within the film Kent has produced a film that is both a moving ode to parenthood and a rivetingly tense and classy horror.

November 10 2014

ENTERTAINMENT 25

Slipknot .5: The Gray Chapter By John Brennan After the death of Bassist Paul Gray back in 2010 and the subsequent parting of ways with drummer Joey Jordison Slipknot looked likely to be done and dusted. Slipknot had only released five albums since 1999. Their fifth album is a patchwork of throwbacks to previous works, with the melodic savvy of Vol.3 and the overtly broody and convoluted lyrics in All Hope is Gone. It’s testament to the abilities of the band that they’ve such a limited a catalogue and yet they’ve still amassed a huge following. The album opens with a haunting organ piece with a slow deliberate brooding sense dread building, guitars and drums seem distant in this lyric-laden opener. Loss and anger overwhelm gradually as ‘XIX’ kicks the album off. This anger boils over in ‘Sarcastrophe’ which harkens back

to the grimy, dirty, guttural brand of metal prevalent in their second album Iowa, but the groove driven sections will undoubtedly make this a must see live. Some of the songs undoubtedly come across as ‘by the numbers’. It’s not something that is going to make you switch off but ‘AOV’ falls prey to this sameness. The slower breakdowns and vocal clarity are very reminiscent of a bygone Slipknot album Vol. 3. Their first release of the album is the infectious ‘Devil in I’. This will undoubtedly have heads moving. The song shows that Slipknot with all their pageantry haven’t forgotten how to pen a lethal metal cum pop driven juggernaut. Corey Taylor’s vocal range is something to be admired here; both non-metal and metal fans alike will like this song. While Jordison’s drumming prowess is without question the one short fall of the song, it

Hot Sprockets to play Monroe’s Live By Jessica Thompson Dublin blues rockers, The Hot Sprockets, have announced details of their end-of-year tour which will include a date in popular Galway venue Monroe’s Live. The tour is to mark the release of their brand new EP Lost Lessons and will come to Monroes Live, Galway on 5 December. The band released their sophomore album Brother Nature to critical acclaim in June, roaring in at number 11 in the Irish album charts. Claudia Elliot from Blues Magazine UK had high praise for the album: “Those longing for a band to take blues to unexpected places will find this record a thing of deep joy.” To celebrate the launch of their album, the Hot Sprockets took to the road with an Irish tour, finishing on a high note with a sold-out show in the Button Factory.

They also toured the UK, Germany, Canada and the USA this year, even making an appearance on MTV’s The Real World in Chicago. The Hot Sprockets launched their very own radio Honey Skippin’ with the Hot Sprockets on Radiomade, and their song ‘Cruisin’ was featured on television sets as the soundtrack for the new AIB ad campaign. The Hot Sprockets are at their best on a stage, performing for an audience and this November will see the start of their sevenweek tour of Ireland which will finish just before Christmas in Vicar Street. The Hot Sprockets will perform at Monroe’s Live alongside Youth Mass, The Wood-Burning Savages and Sandy Rats on 5 December as part of the Monroe’s Live fifth birthday bash. Tickets cost €5. Doors open at 9pm.

ticks more boxes than one might expect. “Step inside! See the Devil in I!” guaranteed head banging catalyst. ‘Killpop’ unfortunately sticks out like a sore thumb, jeopardizing the flow of the album. This is Slipknot at their most commercial. This could potentially get big radio play; despite the odd breakdown where Taylor growls “She’s beautiful!” this is as commercial as they get. ‘Skeptic’ is easily the best song on the album and a fitting homage to former bassist Paul Gray. It is driven by anger, sadness and really harnesses the signature growls people associate with Slipknot, the chorus booms out in the catchiest possible way “the world will never see another crazy motherf#*ker like you, the world will never know a man as amazing as you”. Catchy beyond catchy. This song is as close as you’re likely to see Slipknot channel their inner Iowa anger. ‘Lech’ is the metal equivalent of filler. It’s decent, but certainly not exceptional. Realistically speaking seven songs in this is the most forgettable. This song is followed by the slow, almost lounge-esque piece ‘Goodbye’, barring the wonderfully obtuse breakdown this song is another nearly was. The pacing of the album is hard to move past. There is no definitive sound to this

album rather a cavalcade of tributes to their better albums. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing it comes across as confused and at times jarring. ‘Goodbye’ flows seamlessly into ‘Nomadic’, easily one of the highlights of the album. The use of turntables, charging drums and the quintessential Corey Taylor angst this song works on every level. It’s Iowa meets Vol.3 in effect. The album draws towards its climax with ‘The One That Kills The Least’. It’s a veritable radio-friendly hard rock song and unfortunately, infinitely forgettable. Following this is the anthemic ‘Custer’; it’s ridiculous and fantastic in equal amounts. It’ll be a behemoth of a song to hear live. Heavy and mosh-inducing. ‘Be Prepared for Hell’ is just an interlude of sorts, distorted softly-spoken words and a bit of pseudo metal ambience. ‘The Negative One’ is up next with undercurrents of their back catalogue circa. 1999-2001, it’ll be a crowd pleaser live but not a definitive classic by any stretch of the imagination. The album closes with ‘If Rain is What You Want’, putting the meh in metal. Ultimately this album will not be remembered as favourably as some their previous works, it good but without question not great.

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26 ENTERTAINMENT

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Charlie Byrne receives honorary MA from NUI Galway By Jessica Thompson Charlie Byrne, owner of one of the most popular bookshops not only in Galway, but in Ireland, was awarded with an Honorary Masters of Arts Degree on Tuesday 21 October in NUI Galway. The award came at a great time, according to Charlie, as the bookshop is currently celebrating 25 years in business. Charlie’s father was a keen reader and took regular trips to Dublin’s second-hand bookshops, accompanied by a young Charlie who developed a passion for books as a child. “When I was young, my dad had the house full of books and he’d bring me up to Dublin to look for second-hand books in the shops up there,” he said. “So I always had it in the back of my mind, even when I was studying in college; ‘I’d love to have a second-hand bookshop and someday I’ll get around to it’.” Charlie graduated from University College Galway in 1981, receiving his degree in History and Archaeology. He worked from 1981 to 1989 as an archaeologist. It was an archaeological dig in Galway that took him back to the west and it was then that he finally got around to realising his dream of opening up a second-hand bookshop.

In the summer of 1989, Charlie began to operate a weekend book stall at the West End Trading Post at Munster Avenue. The stall became very popular and soon it was time to consider the first of many expansions. In the autumn of 1989, that dream was realised and Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop became more than just a stall. The first proper bookshop opened on Dominic Street, Galway. “Galway was always where I wanted to open the shop. I did live in Cork for a few years, but Cork wasn’t really the right place for me. I always thought; ‘If I’m ever going to do it, Galway is going to be the place’. “Back in the 80s there was always a great scene in Galway. The Arts Festival was on the go in its early days, and Macnas. It just felt like the right place to have the kind of bookshop that I wanted to have and I always had this idea of having a place that was friendly enough to browse in – just an interesting place to spend time,” he said. Since its establishment, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop has grown successfully, moving location in the process. In 1995, with books and customers increasing rapidly, Charlie packed up and moved to his present shop at The Cornstore. Since then, the shop has expanded within the same site to become the Charlie Byrne’s

LOT S OF REFRE SH M E N P R OM

Bookshop that the people of Galway, Ireland, and many around the world know and love. The shop has been on a long journey to greatness, and has strived to stand out from the crowd, with three adult book clubs, various launches and book signings and the highly successful children’s book club which take place every Saturday morning. “It’s been open 25 years just this month so it’s appropriate that it’s being marked by this award,” Charlie said. “It’s a great honour. I’m delighted really and it’s great for the staff as well. They’ve put so much work into the shop and it’s great to get an award like this. “It was a complete shock to be honest. I wasn’t expecting it, but it is nice. It’s an honour.” The honorary conferring is not the only honour to the bookshop. Last year, the shop was voted Best Bookshop in Ireland in the Irish Times Best Shop in Ireland competition. It was also shortlisted for the 2014 competition. “The point from the beginning about Charlie’s, the thing that wins it recognition and awards, as well as customers for life on an ongoing basis, is that it doesn’t feel – has never felt – like a mere shop where one can browse and buy books,” said Dr John Kenny,

speaking at the conferring ceremony in NUI Galway. “A visit to Charlie’s is, for readers of all ages, always an adventure, a conversation, an education, a joy. It is, as one review on the international profiling site TripAdvisor puts it, simply ‘The Narnia of Bookshops’.” “It is highly appropriate that a university committed to the arts, to the teaching of literature and publishing, journalism and creative writing is hereby honouring a graduate who has gone on, through support and sponsorship as well as his inimitable bookshop itself, to have such a key role in the cultural life of Galway and its hinterland, and in the general life of the mind among its people,” Dr Kenny concluded. Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop is located in the Cornstore Mall, Middle Street, Galway and caters for “everybody really”, according to Charlie. “It’s very popular with the younger children because of Olivia [Lally, who runs the Children’s Book Club]. We’ve got a huge following of younger people that come in. The university students like coming in as well, and then the older people, so it’s a cross of everyone.” For more information on Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, visit www.charliebyrne.com.

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Sign up for our mailing list at www.roisindubh.net for special offers & more facebook.com/roisindubhgalway Charlie Byrne receives an Honorary Masters of Arts Degree at NUI Galway on 21 October.

November 10 2014

ENTERTAINMENT 27

Perfect Comic Timing By Thomas McBride

Since Calvin doesn’t age, he can’t develop in the conventional way, so for characters The artwork of a comic is its grammar. A like him it’s more about how the artist sequential artist should not only be skilled develops, getting more familiar with their at drawing, but also at telling a story visually, characters and how they should act. and this means being able to convey a sense The closer a comic gets to real life, howof time passing. ever, the less well negative continuity works. In the earlier days of the medium, less Some cartoons have aged their characters, attention was paid to this; the transitions from such as Gasoline Alley (a strip that’s been one panel to another were not as subtle, and around since 1918, with its cast aging in realthis was something that only improved gradu- time), Peanuts (which aged its characters so ally over the decades. subtly that it’s only noticeable in retrospect) One panel of a Superman comic from the and Funky Winkerbean (which has had sevfifties could show him flying through space, eral time skips). while the next could show him landing in It’s usually in the more “serious” works, Metropolis. In contrast, a modern comic though, that we get to see what happens would devote several panels to Superman’s when characters do get older along with journey, as this allows for a more engaging their readers. narrative than “Superman did this! And then Adult comics don’t work well as longhe did this!” runners. Blankets and Black In some ways, Comic Book In order to Hole were both originally Time is at its most interesting serialised, but read better stay relevant, in the graphic novel formats when confined to one panel. A good example of why can be they were later published Spiderman found in Gary Larson’s daily carin. Their plots are compact toon, The Far Side. and self-contained, with has had to live a clear beginning, middle At first glance, it might seem like a collection of humorous and end. through each snapshots, brief and immobile Other graphic novels peeks into the weird lives of such as Alice in Sunderland decade, all of and Persepolis didn’t even its characters. Closer inspection reveals it to be more like a begin life as periodicals. It’s which have selection of short films, rarely easier to tell a serious story allowing the bizarre scenarios when there are limitations they depict escape from their been mentioned in place; a new chapter single frame. every month could lead by name. But at to a decline in quality and Larson himself even addressed this idea in The Preunnecessary sprawl. the same time, history of the Far Side, when There are exceptions, discussing his infamous “Teththough. The Sandman getting too old lasted for years and is often ercat” cartoon. The Far Side regarded as a masterpiece of uses not only captions, but would cause small amounts of dialogue and story-telling. Then there are action, too. Japanese comics (manga), him to lose If a photograph is a reflecwhose lifespans tend to tion viewed in a smooth lake, be impressive, and whose then a comic strip panel shows relevance. So, he moods can range from the what happens when that pool unbelievably silly to the undulates. Comics present us ages, but slowly. extremely serious. with a stylised version of reality, Manga seems more fitted revealing the ripples in the everyday. to long narratives in general. Its art style is Many popular comics have been around different from that of Western comics, with for decades now, and because of this Comic lots of close-ups and a more erratic arrangeBook Time is often used as a clever way to ment of panels. make sure that longevity doesn’t age the charThe former allows for more of a sense of acters too much. immediacy, as well as an attention to detail The cast of Archie Comics are permanently (depending on the skills of the mangaka), pubescent, while at this point it’s doubtful which means that certain plot points could that Mary Worth will ever die. take up several chapters, while an American Comic Book Time can allow for a sort of comic would need only one or two. negative continuity, something that’s also There are plenty of mature and original been used for animated series such as The comics in the American market. UnfortuSimpsons. nately, the most popular American comics It’s a useful technique, as it allows a strip to outside of the humour genre tend to be keep its original appeal; I’m certain that the about superheroes. Marvel and DC are the delicate world of Calvin and Hobbes would two biggest companies in the industry, and have been instantly destroyed if Watterson both are almost entirely devoted to superhad decided to age Calvin even a day over six. heroes. Then again, this lack of aging can backfire Even alternative companies like Image if a strip keeps it characters static. There’s a focus a lot on superheroes; though in their huge difference between Calvin and some of case it’s usually on subversions and so on. the other child characters that can be found The result of this is that, when the topic of serious comics comes up, most people will in the comics.

immediately think of superheroes, which are really only semi-serious. I love superheroes, but after so many years in print it’s hardly surprising that the genre has become a little stagnant, and I’m not going to pretend that they aren’t silly. They require more willing suspension of disbelief to work than any other type of story does. It’s this suspension of disbelief that allows for possibly the weirdest effects of Comic Book Time. Aging superheroes wouldn’t have been an issue if not for the creation of The Fantastic Four. In the sixties, Marvel introduced a more realistic type of superhero, injecting a little more realism into the genre’s world. Today, these sixties heroes might come across as simplistic, but they’re still as entertaining as ever, and they did challenge the popular idea of what comics could be. Heroes like Spider-Man were real(er) people with real(er) problems. Like their readers, they could be total losers. And also like their readers, they had to grow up eventually. I have no idea what age Superman is meant to be. Superman isn’t supposed to age. Neither is Batman. Apart from in Elseworlds stories, we’re never going to see them as old men. We don’t need to, anyway. They’re not static, but they matured as characters long before we knew them. Spider-Man is a different story. Debuting in 1962, Spider-Man was the most relatable hero of his time, being around the same age as his target audience. But he couldn’t stay that way forever. In time, Peter Parker grew up. He went to college, married Mary Jane and even got a proper job. (I’m going to pretend that the Civil War, One More Day and Superior Spider-Man storylines never happened, since they retconned all of this character development for the sake of cheap gimmicks.) Spider-Man stayed interesting and (relatively) realistic because he aged along with his readers. And yet, despite being around since the early sixties, he’s still only in his late twenties. Spider-Man is not like the cast of Gasoline Alley. In order to stay relevant, he’s had to live through each decade, all of which have been mentioned by name. But at the same time, getting too old would cause him to lose relevance. So, he ages, but slowly. A warp zone exists between his lifetime and real time. It is best not to get pedantic about this, though there has been one fan theory that actually offers a clever explanation for why this might be. In a universe populated by such geniuses as Reed Richards, shouldn’t technology have advanced to near-futuristic levels by this point? Well, maybe it has…for its time. Perhaps it’s still only the eighties in the Marvel universe, but Richards and his fellow scientists have already allowed for such things as laptops to be invented. Then again, that doesn’t explain how so many characters have been able to make so many current pop culture and political references, but expecting every detail in superhero comics to be ironed out is asking a little bit too much.

Public Domain Comics These comics and thousands more like them were published by companies which didn't quite make it, and as such many of their works have fallen into the public domain (no longer protected by copyright). Want more? Google 'public domain comics' for thousands of weird and wonderful issues, free!

28 ENTERTAINMENT

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Video games are literature By Dean Buckley You know what’s the best thing about having my own column? I can talk about whatever I want. So now I’m going to tell you why video games are literature. Deal with it. I think an important point for me to begin with is to explain what I mean by “literature”, because I think a lot of people who oppose the literary

To say that literary analysis of video games is thin on the ground is an understatement. study of video games have missed this part. When I say video games are literature, I’m not saying that video games are books, obviously. I’m also not using literature in the sense of books of particular worth, in the way that one might describe Dickens as literature, but not Twilight. What I’m saying is that video games are texts, as that term is understood in literary

theory. And, to go a step further, that they are texts worthy of study. The first is probably the less controversial statement. From the literary theorist’s perspective, a text is ultimately any arrangement of symbols that signify meaning. For the most part, that does mean novels and poetry and plays and such. But literary analysis can be and is equally applied to film, television, comic books and music. Well, equally, in theory. In practice, it’s exactly the most popular genres of text that see the least analysis and examination. That can only be a fundamental failing of literary studies. If there are any goals which we can ascribe to literary studies, they could be broadly described as increasing literary understanding of texts, providing cultural criticism of texts and extracting social knowledge of texts. None of these goals is particularly helped along when we ignore one of the most popular forms of media in existence.

Literary analyses of film, television, music and even comic books are fairly wellestablished, if not an incredibly powerful array of forces within academia. But to say that literary analysis of video games is thin on the ground is an understatement. Literary understanding is, first of all, valuable in itself, and as a set of basic principles from which cultural criticism and social knowledge flow. So we should want to read video games as literature just because we do. But cultural criticism and social knowledge are important too. The latter increases our understanding of society, because we see society reflected microcosmically in video games, as with any text. The former creates a social good when we’re able to articulate how certain social attitudes reproduced and supported in video games are bad, whereas others show us a way forward. If we all agree that the status quo is bad, and we do, we should want more cultural

criticism of video games so that video games are vehicles of positive change rather than negative reinforcement of the way of things. And I know lots of video games are terrible, but if we’re honest with ourselves, we study bad texts all the time. First, because bad texts still contain social knowledge, and also lots of them, like Twilight, are really popular and therefore require cultural criticism. More importantly though, the best video games are just as good as the best novels, like Fallout: New Vegas, a video game with more nuance and complexity than most books I’ve read. And I think that’s what really scares the literary establishment. Because first, video games became more popular than books, and now some of them are just as good as them. But video games aren’t here to replace books. Both are part of the magical tapestry of human endeavour and experience. Literary studies lives for that tapestry. And only ignoring its facets will destroy us.

BOOK REVIEW: Wonder by R.J. Palacio. By Áine Leech They say to never judge a book by its cover, however that becomes extremely difficult when even the front cover of Wonder by R.J Palacio holds an image of judgment. One boy standing with his back face to the audience, being stared at by what appears to be group of children or teenagers. And so the judgment carries through the novel’s entirety. Wonder is a heart-string pulling tale of August the young boy born with extreme facial deformities. By extreme we mean the author cannot even put them into sufficient words. Instead we are given acute descriptions from close family and friends but more often from August or “Gus” himself. The book depicts August’s terrifying journey to school for the first time. Making friends, learning the system, and trying his

best not to stand out. What makes this depiction so heart-warming and special, is not just how August tackles these issues, but that the majority of reader out there can relate (on a less severe scale), to these feelings of anxiety when starting a new school. Although the book’s main character is a young teenager, and appears to be aimed at the same ae group, it is one that can be read, enjoyed and empathized with by readers of all age groups. The style of the book is quite unique from other books for this age group (young teenagers) but is excellent in portraying all the views of those whom August encounters. Divided into short chapters, each one or each couple of chapters is given from a different point of view. From his sister Viv’s feelings of being neglected, to his friend Jack’s struggle to stay friends with August despite the judgment of

the school bully. You will be filled with an overwhelming amount of emotions throughout this book. There are moments of triumph, sadness, and feelings of anger, sympathy and pride. These are not just feeling shown towards August, they are in fact shared with all the characters who receive a voice in this text, all adding to the emotional rollercoaster that this book is. Wonder will make you re-evaluate your whole thinking towards beauty and what it truly means, yet manages to do so in a nonpreachy sort of way. R.J Palacio simply questions the modern idea of beauty and allows the reader themselves to come up with their own answer. A book that is not heavy on jargon or flowery language, simply read it, cry, laugh, and get yourself a cup of tea to calm your emotions afterwards.

The top 10 opening lines in fiction By Jenna Hodgins

HE OPENING LINES of a story are arguably equally as important as a meaningful and memorable ending. How a story opens determines whether you’d like to read on, it also gives us an insight into the writing style, narrative and general story-ness of the novel/ novella/short story. Similar to the opening scene of a film, the opening lines are key in the art of storytelling. On that note, here is a list of a few classics alongside some of my favourites:

1. “Call me Ishmael.” – Moby Dick, Herman Melville 2. “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous insect.” – Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka 3. “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” – 1984, George Orwell 4. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it

was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” – A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens 5. “Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a moocow coming down along the road and this moocow that was coming down along the road met a nicens little boy named baby tuckoo. . . . His father told him that story: his father looked at him through a glass: he had a hairy face. He was a baby tuckoo. The moocow came down the road where Betty Byrne lived: she sold lemon platt.” – A Portrait of the

Artist as a Young Man, James Joyce. 6. “All children, except one, grow up” – Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie 7. “It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.” –Matilda, Roald Dahl 8. “All this happened, more or less.” — Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut 9. “Time is not a line but a dimension, like the dimensions of space.” —Cat’s Eye, Margaret Atwood 10. “Once upon a time…” – Every generic fairytale ever

SASSI (Student Activity and Sport Study Ireland survey) Dear NUI Galway student - we need your help! IF YOU receive an email regarding the Student Activity Sport survey please complete it as you have been randomly selected. We need your help it is a request as part of a National survey – known as SASSI being undertaken by all third level institutions in Ireland. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. It’s incredibly important to the direction of Health, Recreational Activity and Sport in your institution. It’s about you having a say. If you take part in activity great and if you don’t let us know why! Please complete before 14th November as we are giving a prize to everyone who completes the survey on time! To complete the activity survey go to this link! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nuig1

30 SPORT

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

LADIES SOCCER: NUI Galway kick off in style By NUI Galway Ladies soccer The 2014/2015 season began with a home game for NUIG Ladies Soccer. As usual, Dangan was the venue for the exciting opening game, albeit played in poor weather conditions, against Athlone IT. With a few new additions to the team, it took the Galway ladies a while to get into their stride. However, they soon found it when they took the lead. Striker Lisa Casserly rounded the AIT keeper, after a great team passing movement to, make it 1-0. After the lack of a prolific striker over the last couple of seasons, the arrival of Irish U-19 international Casserly on a University Sports

Scholarship is exactly what the college team has been crying out for. With Rachel Keyes wide on the right and Katie Gibbons playing on the left flank, the Athlone defence was being threatened from both sides. It wasn’t long before Casserly had another chance and she supplied a neat finish to make it 2-0. The Ladies were then unlucky to see Athlone’s top player Shaunagh Jackson put the ball in the back of the net, with a powerful strike, just before halftime. First year Sarah Peters, exchange students Morgan Rath and Nina Stromizzle and the experienced Sarah O’Connell regrouped and kept chances to a minimum after that with

some top defending. To great applause Cass completed her debut and a stylish hat trick with goal number three, which rounded off a sublime woman of the match performance for her. With a halftime score line of 3-1, Rebekka and Maebh Coleman completely took control in the middle of the park after the break, while captain Jennifer Byrne was in commanding form as usual. The home side went on to dominate the second period of the game and were able to rest some of their key players for the next game away to UCD. Ex-U19 International Jenny added to her incredible tally with yet another reliable goal

for the Galway team and also to bring the final score line of 4-1. Aisling Hanley will be disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet, but she made a hugely promising debut in goals, a position which has been a worry for the side for quite some time. Many positives will have been taken from this home win; a fantastic positive attitude, team spirit and high work rate, all to be seen on the pitch. Much hope and belief is instilled in this young talented squad and the managers, John Hynes and Padraic De Burca, will be hoping that the fantastic turnout of over 20 dedicated players will continue throughout the year.

Third time lucky for St James’ ladies GAA and NUIG coach By Luke Luff Saturday 11 October 2014 was a day where demons were banished in Tuam stadium as St James’ ladies GAA team made it third time lucky with a hard fought 0-8 – 0-2 victory over Kilconly to win the county championship. David Henry, St James’ coach is a man who has been on the GAA scene all of his life and has been coaching for ten years. An English and History student here in NUI Galway, Henry got involved in NUIG GAA three years ago when he began his studies. Today, he is the university’s chairman of the football board. There have been many high points in terms of his involvement in NUIG GAA, with two of the great heights coming within the space of just three days this October. Henry coached the NUIG intermediate team to glory in the All-Ireland Championship 7s in Dangan just two

days before St James’ county championship victory. However, it has not all been highs for Henry as St James heartbreakingly missed out on the championship in the final in both 2012 and 2013. I had a chance to have a chat with Henry about his double success in October and he obliged in answering a few questions.

After the losing the last two county finals, your morale as well as the morale of the team must have been quite low going into this Championship. How did you pick yourselves up? To be honest, losing the final in 2013 was quite emotional and I really had to consider whether I would continue for a third consecutive year. Strangely enough though, with a few weeks to go before the 2014 Championships, I read a quote somewhere. ‘Our greatest glory is not in ever failing but in rising everywhere we fail’. This inspired me greatly.

Was there any special talk or advice given by you to inspire your team? There was something actually. I told the girls to write themselves a motivational little note to themselves a week before the final and not to look at it until going out on the pitch. It must have worked!

It was a great achievement, what are your hopes and plans for next season? Will you be continuing your role? I will be staying on yes. I want to enhance and develop the future of ladies football in Galway City to the best of my ability through St. James’ GAA.

Sunday the 19th of October NUI Galway's TaeKwon-Do Club attended the Connacht Championships in Oranmore. The students were happy to accept a number of medals on the day. A Gold medal was awarded to Emmanuel Antunes for TaeKwon-Do sparring, Enrique Campos took Silver, and six other students took home Bronze medals for sparring: John Kinsella, Ross Duffy, Joseph O'Connor, Kealan Moore, Javan Neves, and Sean Feeny. Bronze medals went to Chris Walsh, Javan Neves, and Sean Feeny for TaeKwon-Do patterns.

So you decided to stay and were rewarded with St James’ ladies first county Championship ever. How did that feel?

St James’ ladies GAA team coach David Henry.

We were very nervous leading up to the final but we didn’t let the nerves get to us. It was a very unique feeling and one of relief after the past two years. I was delighted for the girls and our captain Martha Connelly who was a student here in NUIG.

NUI Galway Men’s Soccer club had a great 3-1 win last week at home to GMIT in the Colleges Universities Football League (CUFL). A hat trick from Padraic Cunningham ensured three wins from three, top of the group and therefore a home draw in the qualifier forthe National Quarter Finals versus Letterkenny IT next week.

SPORT 31

November 10 2014

NUI Galway’s cheerleading pandas far from extinction By John Ivory The university’s cheerleading society, the NUI Galway Pandas, are thriving despite not being recognised as a club by the university and in mid-November will represent the college at the “21st Century Cheer” competition in Limerick. NUI Galway is home to the first collegiate Cheerleading squad in the Republic. They are trying to establish themselves on the NUI Galway sporting scene and as is the case for most new societies, it is a tough task.

The Pandas were eager to attain to club status, however, this is not possible at the moment, due to cheerleading in Ireland being a relatively unknown commodity. Team manager and choreographer Hilton Holian said that the college didn’t take into account; “the fact that that there is an Irish Cheerleading governing body”. While this has been a setback for the Pandas, it hasn’t held them back one bit. “There are people here who would practice up to three times a week, but because of the cost

Double cup success for NUI Galway RFC By NUI Galway RFC PRO NUIG Rugby completed a historic double, over the other Irish universities, in retaining both women’s and men’s intervarsity trophies at last weekend’s Irish Universities Rugby Union (IURU), Festival of Rugby in Dublin. The Kay Bowen Cup drew some of Ireland’s most prestigious universities to UCD’s Belfield grounds. Trinity, NUIM, Queen’s University Belfast, UCC and NUI Galway all joined the hosts to compete for the title. The NUI Galway women claimed the trophy, for the second year running, with wins over Trinity (33-0) and Queen’s (29-0) in the pool stages, and University College Cork (24-5) in the final. In two years of competition, NUI Galway’s women have posted more than 100 points and until to the 18th minute of last weekend’s final, their try line remained uncrossed. Those to impress for NUI Galway women were: Elizabeth McKeever, Elaine Johnson, Sorcha Tarpey, Hannah Smith and Connacht players Edel McMahon and Rhona Julian. At the same time as the women’s tournament, the men’s squad were contesting a hard-fought final with UCD. The Galway men were also looking to become the first university to win the MaughanScally Cup three years in a row. The home side, who accounted for University of Ulster and Trinity in the group stages, dominated the early exchanges, which yielded them a penalty and slender 3-0 lead. This prompted NUI Galway to raise their game and the holders could not have hoped for a better response. Immediately, from fly-half Tony Hall’s lofted restart, back-rower Sean O’Gorman fielded the ball in the air, and not only did the open-side retain the ball but he carried deep into UCD’s 22, forcing a penalty. From the resulting lineout, UCD collapsed NUIG’s maul and the Galway men were awarded a penalty

try, which Matthew Kavanagh converted. The remainder of the final was a close affair. UCD assailed NUI Galway’s line, but resolute defence from the Galway men saw them secure a first hat-trick of intervarsity titles. NUI Galway were best served in the tournament by captain Luke Murphy, Roy Stanley, Tom Downes, Kieran McMullan, Niall Wilcox, Sean O’Gorman and Tony Hall. A memorable day for NUIG concluded with the presentation of the trophies to women’s captain, Rhona Julian and men’s captain, Luke Murphy, before both cups made the now-familiar journey west for another year.

of coming to Doughiska’s gym for its sprung floors, it’s not possible,” said Holian. Having to travel to Doughiska is unfortunate due to its location, but it’s also a necessity as there are no facilities with the required cheerleading equipment, closer to College. Furthermore, NUI Galway development officer Kathy Hynes said that “currently the Sports Unit is not in a position to fund the purchase of such equipment”. Holian went on to say that; “Cheerleading is the fastest growing youth sport in Ireland. They (the Panda’s) are level two. There are six levels in Cheerleading, six being the most skilful, with each having its own rules, which are mostly safety based.” This means the Pandas are allow to do backflips and two-leg extended stunts, supporting ‘flyers’ at full stretch on the palms of their hands. An impressive feat for an organisation that was only founded in December 2013. Travelling to Doughiska means that the members have to pay as much as seven euro for transport and gym rental per week to take part – a decent chunk of a weekly budget and a potential barrier to the participation levels in the club. Dedication is not something that is lacking in the Pandas, as 20 regularly make the journey. The maximum number a Cheer team can have is 32, so they’re a strong outfit.

The atmosphere in the gym is positive, welcoming and upbeat and aided by the club music that plays in the background. Cheerleading is so unique, that to compare it to another sport would do it a complete disservice. “Ironically, there is no cheering in cheer. It’s all about synchronisation, it has to look like there’s four or five mirrors on the floor, with everybody doing the same thing at the same time,” said Holian. It has a warm-up like many other sports: running, push-up and stretches. Then it’s onto the jumps which require agility, coordination and rhythm to execute. From cartwheels and round-offs, to hoisting team members into the air, cheerleading requires an amazing amount of skill. As is the case with every new club or society, the Pandas need funding. Subsidisation of travel costs being one of the main issues. Plans are in place to make this happen and with cheer squads being established in GMIT and Queen’s University Belfast, the Pandas need to have support in order to compete. The Pandas make their competitive debut on the weekend of 14 to 16 November in the UL sports arena. For anyone interested in joining the Pandas and seeing some videos of the highest calibre of Cheer, go to galwaycitycougars.com.

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NUIG men's squad with the MaughanScally Trophy. Photo by Robert Downes.

Special Student Membership NUIG players Louise Fitzgerald and Hannah Smith receive the Kay Bowen Trophy from Ms. Kay Bowen, Trinity. Photo by Robert Downes.

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32 SPORT

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

Connacht inclusion in Ireland squad By Maurice Brosnan If ever there was confirmation that Connacht Rugby was on the rise, it came with the news that five Connacht players have been included in the Irish squad for the upcoming November internationals. This time last year, only one Connacht player was in the squad for the same set of fixtures. That was Robbie Henshaw, but he is now joined by Kieran Marmion and Rodney Ah You, who were both capped in a friendly against Argentina last June, as well as first-time call-ups Darragh Leader and Nathan White. Ireland will play South Africa, Georgia and Australia over the course of the three weeks. The fixtures take on an added importance with next year’s Rugby World Cup in England. Robbie Henshaw is realistically the only probable starter of the Five. The 21 year-old Athlone native was originally a full-back, but has emerged as a candidate to replace Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s outside centre. He was the single Connacht inclusion last year in the squad for this group of fixtures last year and has represented Ireland at Schools, Under-18 and Under-19 levels and will battle out the 13 spot with Ulster’s Jared Payne. O’Driscoll himself has said Henshaw would be his preferred option. With a ringing

endorsement like that this will be a massive group of games for Robbie Henshaw. Kieran Marmion is a graduate of the Irish exiles program having been born in Britain. However, he has played for Ireland at under18, under-19, and under-20 level and earned a cap against Argentina last summer. Marmion has also played for the Ireland Juniors and Irish Wolfhounds and has seized the nine shirt at Connacht. Currently, he is probably considered third-choice scrum-half, in the Irish squad, behind Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan, but has himself stated he is aiming to become first choice in time for the Rugby World Cup. Marmion’s distribution is currently not at the level of the other options, but he offers a running game and intelligence that merit game-time. He is well capable of forcing his way into the 23 in time for the Six Nations and this is the ideal platform to do so. Rodney Ah You may have come into this squad expecting no game-time, but due to the injury crisis that has hit the front-row, with four props currently injured, he now looks sure to get his chance. While Ireland have the outstanding David Kilcoyne and Jack Mcgrath to pick from at loose-head, due to Cian Healy’s injury, the uncertainty over tight-head Mike Ross’s fitness paves

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the way for Ah You to get his opportunity. The New Zealand native looks set to battle with Munster’s Stephen Archer as Ross’s replacement. 21 year-old Darragh Leader has also been included in the squad in what was an excellent week for the Galwegian. In the same week that he get his first call-up, the fullback also graduated from NUI Galway. Also a graduate of the Connacht academy, the young man’s development has been astonishing having only made his first senior appearance in October 2012. He trained with Galwegians for most of last year before establishing himself in the Connacht senior set-up in early 2014. While Rob Kearney is the established full-back and Felix Jones likely to deputise for him, Leader may not get

his first cap at this stage. However, his inclusion shows he is in Joe Schmidt’s thoughts and his versatility – he can also operate as a winger – may result in him getting an appearance off the bench. Finally, Nathan White was also included in the squad. At 33 White had a much longer wait than his team-mates for his call-up and was set to start in the first match against South Africa, having impressed forwards coach Les Kiss and head coach Joe Schmidt. Disappointingly, White ruptured a bicep tendon during training, ruling him out of the fixtures. With the inclusion of these five players, as well as the fact that Denis Buckley and John Muldoon can consider themselves unlucky not to be included, a period of unsurpassed success looks set to emerge in Connacht.

Galway FC gain promotion By Michael Farrell At the start of 2014, even with the optimism generated by the new club, it would have been hard for fans of Galway FC to imagine a better year. True, some fans would have preferred not to have to endure the nerve racking ordeal of the playoffs, but they need not have worried, as the post-season turned almost into a victory lap for Tommy Dunne’s men. A 3-0 win over UCD, in front of a raucous home crowd of 2,890 at Eamonn Deacy Park on 31 October, sealed promotion for Galway FC Already carrying a 2-1 lead from the first leg of the tie in Belfield, Galway fans knew that UCD would have to score two goals to get anything out of the game. That was going to be a big ask for the students, considering Galway had only conceded two in their last five home games. An early goal might have spooked the home side, but they kept the game tight until half time, when Gary Shanahan opportunistically punished poor UCD defending. Shanahan’s goal had given both the Galway players and crowd encouragement, but in truth didn’t change the complexion of the game as UCD still required two goals. However, these goals were not forthcoming and so UCD were forced to adopt a three man defence and use centre back Hugh Douglas in the “Gary Doherty” role up front. This was all in the hope that a flick-on from him would lead to a goal. Instead, it lead to a goal at the other end of the pitch. Top-scoring American striker Jake Keegan had his shot saved by UCD net minder Conor O’Donnell, but the rebound fell at the feet of the ever-alert Ryan Manning, who gleefully slotted home. Both Manning and Keegan have been Galway’s go-to men over the course of the year, but they may have trouble keeping them next season, such has been their form. In particular, Ireland under-19 international Manning, again instrumental against UCD, in whom Everton are allegedly interested in signing.

Galway FC Manager Tommy Dunne

After Manning’s goal there was no way back for the students, who now needed three goals. The game was finished off in style by Alex Byrne, who found the net in the 81st minute and Galway FC’s incredible journey was complete. It was an impressive post-season showing by the Galway men, who scored nine goals and conceded only two in four matches. Great credit must be given to the management team of Dermot Ryan, Alan Murphy, Emmett Hartigan and assistant manager Leo Tierney, but most of all to manager Tommy Dunne. Indeed defensive reliability is clearly a Dunne family trait, as former Ireland defender Richard Dunne is the current Galway supremo’s first cousin. Galway FC were in safe hands all year and could always rely on the experience Dunne had in guiding Cork City to promotion in 2011. After spending three years managing in Finland and three years managing in Cork, Galway FC supporters will no doubt hope to see Dunne in the dugout for a similar length of time, if not longer. It shows the strength of the Galway FC squad that they were able to so convincingly defeat a Premier Division side. During the year, along with Keegan, Shanahan and Manning, there have been reliable performers, such native Galway men Paul Sinnott, Vinny Faherty and goalkeeper Connor Gleeson, all over the field. Shortly after the playoff win, Galway FC announced that the club would change its name to Galway United FC in homage to the former club. As names go, it’s quite an apt one for a combined Galway club to move on up to the top tier of Irish football with.

SPORT 33

November 10 2014

Rally Champions in Spain By Yvonne Clinton Given that Sebastien Ogier’s Rally Spain ended with a dented roof and a mere 11.3 second lead, one could be forgiven for thinking the championship decider was a close run affair. The reigning champion needed just one point more than teammate Jari-Matti Latvala to seal a second championship in his Volkswagen Polo. A DUSTY START

The Spanish event is unique in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for featuring both gravel and tarmac stages. Thursday evening saw a tarmac test around Barcelona’s Montjuic hillside – but with the Friday featuring gravel roads, the cars were set up for the loose stuff, with chunky gravel tyres. VW’s Andreas Mikkelsen had other ideas. By scrubbing his Michelins on the road section he gained slick tyres and the fastest time. But he would regret his tyre-burning activities next morning. The excess fuel used meant the Norwegian ran so low that he and co-driver Ola Floene had to push their car into refuel. The rally proper began with six tough stages. Champion in waiting, Ogier, running first on the road, faced the worst of the conditions. In a role he has played many times, the Frenchman swept the road free of loose gravel for those behind. Northern Irishman Kris Meeke took full advantage of his later starting position, flying his Citroen through the opening stage to take the win and move into second overall. But it would be a case of what might have been for Dungannon’s finest. He was fortunate to get away with a wild moment on stage three, but the consequences quickly made themselves known. A double puncture ended his day on the roadside. Meeke was typically frank. “One spare wheel, two punctures – it doesn’t work.” The battle for first place became a race between Ogier and Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville. The Belgian closed to within

five seconds of the VW, but getting “distracted by the dust” on the final stage would end his hopes. Stopping in-stage to change the resulting puncture lost him two and a half minutes. It looked like normal service at Friday’s end, with Ogier heading the time sheets, followed by Latvala over thirty-six seconds adrift. The Frenchman was pleased, declaring that he “couldn’t have made it better” in coping with the loose morning stages. In contrast, Latvala was downcast and admitted to being “very, very disappointed” with his performance on his favourite surface, unable to understand the monumental time loss. “I don’t have the speed, I have no idea how he can do it,” was all the perplexed Finn could say. SWITCHOVER TO TAR

A seventy-five minute service was all the teams had to change the cars from rugged gravel specifications to sleek tarmac racers, in preparation for some of the most race-track like tarmac found in the championship on the Saturday. For Ogier, it was business as usual. He managed his lead from the front, driving within himself. A rejuvenated Latvala won four of the six stages, but the gap stood at 27 seconds by the end of the day. The Frenchman had no cause for concern. M-Sport’s Mikko Hirvonen was on a roll. The Finn, generally less than comfortable on asphalt, put in a performance of the sort that has been lacking from him this season. He moved from fifth to a comfortable third, overhauling both Mads Ostberg and Mikkelsen, who fell to seventh with a puncture. SUNDAY DRIVE

Mikkelsen powered his way past Neuville to snatch sixth. The duo were engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle, separated by just two seconds going into that last stage. Unfortunately for Mikkelsen, co-driver Floene made an u ncharacteristic error, checking them in a minute late to the final stage. The resulting ten second penalty

New Safety Regulations Following Jules Bianchi Crash By Thomas Murray It has been over twenty years since the last Formula One driver was killed on a track. Ayrton Senna, whose life and untimely death was examined in the 2010 documentary Senna, was killed when his Williams collided with a concrete wall during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Italy. In the wake of Jules Bianchi’s horrific crash during the Japanese Grand Prix on October 5 we find ourselves asking the age-old question: should there be more safety regulations in Formula One? The answer, simply, is yes. But should radical proposals such as enclosed cockpits become a reality? Many fans and teams have rejected concepts of F1 cars with either a forward roll-cage or a canopy, believing that such measures would make the cars unsightly. Also, the reduction in the driver’s vision caused by these canopies would only lead to more accidents. Charlie Whiting has said that no cover could have prevented the injuries that Jules Bianchi sustained during his 160mph collision into a vehicle recovery crane. The recovery crane had come out onto the track earlier to remove Adrian Sutil’s Sauber when he crashed at the Dunlop curve on lap 42. A proposed ‘skirt’ for such recovery vehicles, although costly, would certainly help in future situations. Safety car conditions have also been suggested, should a telehandler or crane have to enter the track. The French driver was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital in Yokkaichi, Japan, where he remains in a “critical but stable condition”. While safety regulations in Formula One have improved over the last twenty

pushed the Norwegian back to seventh. American Ken Block, of the Gymkhana videos, made his only appearance of the season at Rally Spain. Working his way up to tenth, the Fiesta driver was robbed of a championship point after a puncture on the very last stage. CHAMPAGNE SHOWERS

But the day belonged to Sebastien Ogier. Coming off the final stage, his face stretched into a mile-wide smile as

years, it seems that simple mistakes with simple solutions are still being made. However, the race at Suzuka is one that never should have happened in the first place. The day of the Japanese Grand Prix coincided with Typhoon Phanfone, a class one storm. The race was red-flagged on the second lap due to the heavy rain and then again on lap 46 following Bianchi’s crash on lap 43. Sutil had already crashed due to the poor weather and Magnussen came very close to doing the same. There were already double-waved yellow flags warning drivers to slow down. However, telemetry data from Bianchi’s car as well as video evidence indicates that he did not decrease speed as regulated. It has since been revealed that Bianchi’s car aquaplaned. That is, his car skimmed across the water-logged track leaving the 25-year-old French driver unable to control his car. Whiting had decided against sending out the safety car following Sutil’s crash; believing, instead, that it was the driver’s responsibility to slow down under the double-waved yellow flags. There is no denying that new safety measures need to be implemented in Formula One. But it is also undeniable that nothing could have prevented Bianchi’s crash which can be categorized as a ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ accident. It is a universal truth that Formula One is a paradoxical sport. Part of its allure for both drivers and fans is the looming specter of death which hangs in the air like the smell of burning rubber. But twenty years without a fatality in Formula One is still an impressive record and the FIA has, and will continue to, raise the bar when it comes to driver safety.

he clinched his second championship. Leaping onto his Polo’s roof, Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia jumped for joy and embraced each other. The car suffered the worst damage of its weekend when Ogier dented its roof in his victory celebrations. The newest double world champions must have felt relief. Having missed chances to win the championship in Australia and France, the long wait was finally over. Joining seven other multiple champions on the roll of honour, their emotion was clear to see. Kissing his Polo, Ogier declared that it “was a great achievement”, proving that “the first title was not a one-off.” With a contract with Volkswagen signed for next year, and pace and demeanour reminiscent of nine-times champion Sebastien Loeb, it’s unlikely the Ogier will stop at two titles.

34 SPORT

Sin Vol. 16 Issue 5

How do you solve a problem like Mario? By Kieran Kilkelly “Why always me?” was the question that Mario Balotelli, the Italian born and then Manchester City striker asked the press after he scored on Manchester Derby Day back in October 2011. Fast-forward three years and the question seems to be answering itself. Having signed for Liverpool from Italian giants AC Milan for a relatively reasonable fee of €20 million this summer one could be forgiven for having some optimism of his arrival. In 33 league appearances for the Rossoneri he had scored a total of 16 goals and

One would think though that with an inflated ego such as Balotelli has, he would rise to the occasion and prove those who doubt him just as he had done so before. But one would be wrong. was also a regular fixture in his national side. It appeared as though his childish days of self-arson and inexcusable attacks on fellow teammates or couches were over. Not to mention his risky on-field conduct which had got him in trouble with the FA

multiple times. Balotelli even got engaged to Belgian model Fanny Neguesha after Italy’s World Cup exit suggesting that sensibility had perhaps set in. But no, it hadn’t. After his move Liverpool the pair reportedly split with Balotelli apparently having “a new flame” in his life. His private life aside, Super Mario as he was once known, has struggled on the pitch for much, if not all, of the season. Going to press, he has yet to score a single Premier League goal in eight appearances and has only gotten two for the Reds this season; one in the Capital One Cup against Swansea and the other in a Champion’s League tie with Ludogorets – hardly world class form. But is it really Balotelli’s fault? Does the blame lie solely with him? Well, yes and no. Usually when things go wrong at a club the manager is the first one to blame and in this scenario there is no exception. Brendan Rodgers had been the subject of much praise coming into this season after an unexpected near title victory last season. However, his has failed to win over his sceptics as the arrival of Mario Balotelli and the media presence that surrounds him has paper over the cracks that are rapidly beginning to appear. Having sold Luis Suarez in the summer the onus was on Rodgers to replace not only the goals he brought to the team but also the fear factor demeanor that comes with him – and that fear had nothing to

do with his biting history although it is somewhat intimidating. Rodgers, having spent in excess of €135 million during the summer thought he had the cheap solution in Balotelli. But as everyone knows in the footballing world; you can’t put a price on talent. This is where you begin to feel sorry for the Italian as the pressure of filling the boots of Suarez, now of Barcelona, is immense. His tally of almost a goal a game – 31 in 33 – showcased real goalscoring ability; something which has been sporadic of Balotelli’s game. One would think though that with an inflated ego such as Balotelli has, he would rise to the occasion and prove those who doubt him just as he had done so before. But one would be wrong. His inability to lead the line has meant that not only has he suffered but also Liverpool has with main striker Daniel Sturridge having missed most of the season with various injuries. On further analysis it can be seen that despite his individual and solitary persona he is by no means an individual. At Manchester City his strike partner consisted either of Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero or Carlos Tevez while AC Milan adopted a more central attacking format with Robinho acting as a second striker in support. It is clear that he is need of a ‘wingman’ as it were, someone to fall back on up top with him. His best minutes on the pitch have been when Raheem Sterling has took up a central attacking role or when Rickie Lambert has came off the bench and done the dogged work of a hold up big man.

There have been and are many complexities to the Palermo born striker which have baffled psychologists and pundit alike. However maybe a simple change

in formation might be the answer? It seemed to suit him in Italy and in the brief moments on his return to England. And maybe not. But it is frustrating all the same knowing that a talent lies in wait and is just waiting to be unleashed. The beast within lurks and is biding its time until it can strike again. But in releasing this beast do you risk letting the mindset of Balotelli wander? It can be noted that when he is at his best on the pitch he is at his worst off it. And that is the question that Rodgers must ask himself; “Is it worth the hassle?” Because just like the riddle of the Sphinx that cannot be solved, you will never be able to solve a problem like Mario.

Richard Hughes retains jockey championship and looks on to next season By David Taheny Richard Hughes was crowned British Champion Jockey for the third consecutive year following on from the confirmation that Ryan Moore wouldn’t ride in the U.K again this season. Moore, who has rode 155 winners domestically this season, confirmed that the championship is not a priority this season, and focused on international rides, which culminated in victory in the Group 1 Canadian International aboard Hillstar

for Sir Michael Stoute, as well as victory in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Australia on the Aidan O’Brien trained aptly named Adelaide and also a Melbourne Cup win aboard Protectionist. Hughes, who had rode 161winners this season at the time of print, was behind Moore for much of the campaign after missing the first month of the season having suffered a broken vertebrae following a fall from the Mike de Kock trained Mars at Meydan back in March. Hughes, a Kildare native and son of the national hunt trainer Dessie, started off the season rather frustratingly. Having returned from injury he chose to ride Toormore ahead of stablemate and 40/1 outsider Night of Thunder in the first Classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. It was the un-fancied Night of Thunder that sprang a surprise to give Kieran Fallon his only Group 1 winner of the season.

Despite that, it’s been a predominantly good year for Hughes, gaining his first Group 1 victory this term on Toronado in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, before completing a memorable Group 1 double on the same day when landing the King’s Stand Stakes on the Irish trained star sprinter Sole Power, a horse he won the Nunthorpe on little under two months later at York. Hughes’ boss Richard Hannon Jnr, who took over his father Richard’s training licence this season, has a host of top class two year olds, and Hughes gained further Group 1 success on the outstanding filly Tiggy Wiggy when landing the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on her final start of the season. Previously, she had looked a top class prospect when readily beating the subsequent Group 1 Moyglare winner Cursory Glance when making all in the Group 2 Lowther at York. The Kodiac filly looks a

sprinter of huge potential for next year if she can train on, having already earned a rating of 117, just 1 pound below Sole Power, the highest rated sprinter in the U.K and Ireland. Hughes also has the smart two year old Ivawood to look forward to at three. By first season sire Zebeedee, he lost his unbeaten record last time out when just going down to Charming Thought in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on what was probably unsuitably soft ground, though he had previously looked a top class prospect when running away with the July Stakes and Richmond Stakes at Newmarket and Goodwood respectively, and still sits second in the betting for next season’s 2000 Guineas as a general 12/1 shot. Hughes was officially crowned champion jockey at Doncaster on Saturday on what is officially the final day of the British flat season.

FINAL WORD 35

November 10 2014

THE COLLEGE INSIDER “I look really smart now,” thinks first year arts student who wore suit jacket to lecture By Eoin Molloy 17-YEAR-OLD brother-of-two Rhys Murphy shocked bystanders by wearing a suit jacket to his 11am philosophy lecture in the Kirwan theatre on NUI Galway’s concourse, Tuesday last. It is believed that Murphy bought the jacket in Penney’s in the Galway Shopping Centre for the princely sum of twelve euro. News of Murphy’s suit-wearing exploits filtered onto social media

before long. He and his jacket were going viral by lunchtime with #nuigsuitjacketguy trending on Twitter in Ireland. Sin contacted Mr Murphy and his family for comment, but both declined to do so. We may only speculate as to why this brave young student chose to wear such swanky attire in so pedestrian a setting. It is thought that Mr Murphy chose to wear the suit jacket in question to create an aura of intelligence and ele-

gance. He combined the jacket with worn-down jeans, tattered converse shoes and oversized hipster glasses, achieving that perfectly ironic “too smart to care” look. Sin’s fashion department have reached out to Mr Murphy for a fulllength photo-shoot, showcasing his beautiful dressing skills. It is hoped by all here at Sin that Mr Murphy will combine this flawless look with perhaps an ironic t-shirt or messy neck-beard for maximum effect.

The issue of suit jackets is vastly divisive, with activist student groups like the ‘Suit Jacket Solidarity Society’ campaigning for an end to the taboo on suit jackets. This group hopes to dispel the negative image around young male students ironically wearing suit jackets to college for no good reason. Here’s to hoping that the Students’ Union holds a referendum on this issue as part of their program for 2015.

diary of the SMOKEY’S PIGEON

OH SMOKEY’S HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU. Those muffins, those Taytos and even those weird healthy foods are an upgrade from what I was having before. Being here comes at a price though; all my new friends have left me, even Henry. They said that “pigeons are wild habitual creatures and should act accordingly”, whatever that means. They said they’d visit which is nice but it doesn’t replace this alone feeling that I now have. First years are scared of me and every other student is too busy to entertain me. I see them sitting with their coffees reading books and talking using big words. It makes me feel stupid. Maybe I should go into those big rooms and get me some brains? It seems as though students go in there every day and come out smarter. It’s worth a try and I can impress some new friends with all the new things I learn.

Time to get an education. Follow @Smokeys_Pigeon on Twitter for regular pigeon musings

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