Glasgow University Magazine - Freshers Zine 2017

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editor’s note Welcome to Glasgow. As a large industrial city, one that is undergoing a massive cultural upheaval, we want this zine to represent everything Glasgow has to offer. And clearly everything that Glasgow has to offer is the Boyd Orr, which graces our cover.

(It’s not, really, but brutalism fits in with a normcore aesthetic.

Is normcore still a thing?). It’s an eyesore, and one of many incredibly illogically planned buildings on campus. I’m going into my fourth year and I still get lost.

The first days and weeks of first year pass by in a somewhat hungover daze – hardly ideal in a situation where you’re trying to get your bearings, especially in a city so saturated with art and culture. There’s an infinite amount of things to discover.

And speaking of new things to discover, this very subtle segue leads me to the point of this editor’s note and zine: introducing you to GUM, or Glasgow University Magazine as we are more officially known. We are one of the longest-running student magazines in the country, having been founded in 1889, and have seen multiple incarnations under different editors and different decades. This zine, compiled of writings by our editors, gives a little taste of what the various sections – features, culture, style, politics, science, creative writing – have to offer.

In addition to this zine, we publish three print issues per year – the first one coming out in November. We do meetings every Thursday at 18:00 in the McIntyre Building, where we’ll be presenting and taking pitches throughout the year, as well as brainstorming any articles you might want to write. Whether you’ve been writing for years or have never written anything outside of school, we’d love to hear from you. In addition to the print issues, we have a website, too, which gets updated regularly!

We’re also on the lookout for illustrators, artists, and photographers – so give us a message if you want to get involved.

editors and contributors Editor-in-Chief Erika Koljonen

Style Aisling Klimke and Charlotte Dean

Online Editor Julia Rosner and Berta Kardelytė

Deputy Editor Rachel Shnapp

Politics Reiss McInally

Copy Editor Kritika Narula

Features Morgan Laing

Science Joanna Ashby

Graphic Design Kati Brunk

Events Ruarí MacManus and Alkmini Nikopoulou

Creative Writing Jennifer Constable

Culture Emma McKie

Photo Editor Silvia Sani and Kati Brunk

Images Bessie Woodhouse - Rachel Byrne Maja Fiedler - Kati Brunk Imogen Whiteley - Julia Rosner Dr Catherine Juillard 3

honey, I’m hom In a curious twist of fate, I was perched on a chair inside Boyd Orr Lecture Theatre 2 when I was rejected from my first choice university.

31 March 2015. I was visiting the University of Glasgow for what was dubbed a “mock lecture” – an experience designed to acquaint prospective English Lit students with a new style 4

of teaching. Between hearing about Mary Shelley’s bending of narrative conventions and the depiction of Frankenstein’s monster across various genres, I decided – since it was deadline day for university offers – to check in on my UCAS application. I won’t identify the educational establishment that opted not to take me on, but I will tell you

me

features

written by: Morgan Laing image: Maja Fiedler

that its full title includes the name of Scotland’s capital and also the words “university of”.

I’m cryptic, I know.

Twenty minutes later, I left the Boyd Orr building – that hideous but weirdly charming feat of 60s architectural design – in a flurry of tears and anxiety about my future.

My parents took me to Naked Soup, a café on Kersland Street, where I sobbed hysterically into a cappuccino.

They then drove me along the bustling Great Western Road and back onto the M8, and I sat in silence all the way home.

Home. For seventeen years, home to me was a middle-sized, thoroughly unremarkable town in the east of Scotland that tends not to appear on basic maps. At the risk of sounding like one of those brooding artist types who says things like I think all latte art is inherently political, I just knew I had outgrown home. I craved something better – busy streets and luminous signs and buzz. I wanted to be Carrie Bradshaw, basically, without all the relationship drama. But that solitary rejection, that one “thanks, but no”, made me so sure my metropolitan dream would never be realised.

But Glasgow hadn’t rejected me. Glasgow had told me “yes, unconditionally”. So I accepted the offer. I packed my suitcase (read: three suitcases, four large storage boxes, ninehundred-and-eighty bags for life), and I moved. I moved forty-five miles west. I moved forward.

These days, I am living in a city that I never planned to live in while attending a university I was not initially intending to.

And I am happier than ever.

My flat sits above a cocktail bar and across from, like, fifteen hipster restaurants.

The Subway takes me where I need to go. I hear the whoops of Saturday night revellers and the steady hum of the street sweeper outside my window and I smile because it’s nice to know other people are awake at 2am. I look at the cone posited atop the Duke of Wellington’s head and I grin in silent agreement that this city has the best sense of humour in the world, hands down. I can get to a gig at a minute’s notice. I am proud of the “G” in my postcode.

Real talk: academic rejection is a bitter pill to swallow (even more so when you’ve surpassed the entry requirements, HELLO). It stings like hell. And yet that unhappy situation turned into the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I think there’s a certain symbolic resonance in the fact that I was in Glasgow – in the university – when I discovered my Great Life Plan would have to be tweaked slightly.

After all, in Glasgow I found some of the best people I’ve ever met. In Glasgow I found a great University, and a strong sense of belonging. In Glasgow I found a home. And home it shall stay, for now.

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what are we Taijitu @ Broadcast Third or Fourth Friday of each month, 11pm - 3am, 427 Sauchiehall St

An independent night focused on the full experience of an event. The intimate setting of the Broadcast basement doesn’t have a huge capacity, but this allows for a close proximity to the resident bundle of joy/DJ - Goldy Biscuit - as well as a different guest each month.

Mainly focusing on disco, house, and techno, also with strong connections to world music, Taijitu always provides everything you need for a good night.

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Mungo’s HiFi: Walk n Skank @ Berkley Suite iAM @ Sub Club

Every Thursday, 11pm - 3am, 237 North St

Every Tuesday, 11pm - 3am, 22 Jamaica St

Specialising in all derivations of dub and reggae, Mungo’s bring something a little different to a Glasgow scene saturated by electronic music.

From niche 90s Dancehall to those old school reggae tunes everyone knows, the Mungo’s men know how to get peoples’ feet shuffling to the beat.

Sub Club is infamous all across the electronic music world, being the oldest ‘subculture’ club in the world.

The iAM boys, Beta & Kappa, manage to maintain a consistent level of unparalleled excellence each week, bringing some of the worlds best DJ to the hallowed halls.

Expect all forms of electronic music from garage to techno and back up to disco, with everything in between. When Kappa is about you can probably expect some 80s cheesy pop thrown in for good measure.

Capri Collective @ Flat 0/1 Second & Fourth Thursday of each month, 11pm - 3am, 162 Bath St

This juicy bunch seem to be running things these days! After they joined their individual forces just over a year ago they have gone from strength-tostrength supporting the likes of Krystal Klear, Ghost Culture, Fort Romeau, Tornado Wallace and Project Pablo. These guys are such a tight unit when they aren’t behind the decks, which shows in their sets - high energy which permeates the dance floor.

Push It @ Stereo Mid-month Saturdays, 22:00-03:00, 22-28 Renfield Ln

Sometimes all you want is a silly boogie and songs you can belt your little heart out to – so, meet Push It. This monthly noughties/nineties female-led RnB/hiphop/pop extravaganza is hosted at Stereo, which doubles as a very, very nice vegan restaurant during the days. With its focus being on safe space and fun times, expect glitter, Britney, and J-Lo.

written by: Ruarí MacManus and Alkmini Nikopoulou image: Bessie Woodhouse

events

Big Vegan Fete @ The Flying Duck Monthly @ 12:00 pm4:00 pm, 142 Renfield St

Live Blues @ Howlin Wolf Every Saturday – 3am, 100 Bath St

Open Mic @ Nice’n’Sleazys Every Monday @ 8pmearly hours, 421 Sauchiehall St

‘Nice ‘n’ Sleazy’s’ Open Mic Nights will make you understand why everyone brags about the music scene and hidden talents of Glasgow.

Its combination of a cozy, laid back atmosphere and great variety of food will make you a regular habitué.

If you are into ‘Live Blues’, then why not head to the ‘Howlin Wolfs’? The pub in itself is not just a regular pub: the long tables are buzzing with people sipping their drinks while listening or dancing to the live music, a unique experience that you can relive every Saturday until the early hours of the morning.

Michael Simons’ Gig @ Tchai Ovna Every Monday @ 8pm, 42 Otago Ln

If you are a tea-lover, a fan of live music, or even if you get overly excited over a mysterious cat that likes to make appearances every now and then, this is the place to be.

With a range of tea that you didn’t even know existed, great food, vegan cakes, and most importantly, a live performance

by Michael Simons, make your way to the Tchai Ovna to listen to some acoustic, experimental music every Monday at 8pm.

Flying Duck’s vegan fete is now put on on a monthly basis. Its casual and intimate atmosphere perfectly matches the layout of a fete which hosts stalls full of goodies, produced by a variety of vegan companies.

Even if you are a devoted vegan or someone curious that indulges every now and then to vegan delights, you will be able to try and experience new flavours on a monthly basis.

Lady Balls Bingo @ Hillhead Bookclub 4th Wednesday of every month, 7 Vinicombe St

Hillhead Bookclub is one of those bars that make an impression on you as soon as you walk in. The venue itself used to be a cinema in the 1930’s, and since its renovation it has been the spot for many cocktail and food lovers, especially students.

The monthly Lady Balls Bingo features local drag queens and a chance to win free drinks, food, and £500.

doing tonight?

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written by: Ruarí MacManus and Alkmini Nikopoulou image: Rachel Byrne

Frank Quitely: The Art Of Comics Whether you are an avid fan of comics, an admirer of the arts, or just curious to learn more about the work behind Marvel and DC movies, you should put on your shoes and head to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (a magnificent piece of architecture in itself).

Scottish artist Frank Quitely is best known for frequent collaborations on titles like New X-Men, We3 and Batman & Robin.

Additionally, original artwork from legends of the comic book industry, Frank Millar and Neal Adams, and Batman creator Bob Kane, will be on display. This exhibition will not disappoint.

Saturday 1st April to Monday 1st October @ Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum — £7/£5 concessions

coming up

Superfood

Glasgow’s Affordable Vintage Fair The nationwide Affordable Vintage Fair brings itself all the way to Glasgow for the bargains of a lifetime. If you love to shop for eclectic vintage products all the way from the 1940’s to the 1990’s, then this is the place to be.

With over 40 stalls packed with fashion, accessories, collectables, homeware, all of which add up to thousands of items of vintage, what could be a better way to spend some of that student loan than on some of the finest vintage products?

Saturday 23rd September @ Wasps Artists’ Studios — 11:00 - 16:00 — £2

Birmingham-based band Superfood make a stop at Glasgow’s King Tuts as part of the UK tour for their new album ‘Bambino’. Promising a new sound with tracks such as ‘Unstoppable’, ‘Double Dutch’ and ‘I Can’t See’, they stay true to their pop 90’s vibes, but it only seems that this time they are fresher than ever, adding a slight reggae tinge that helps to carry the group’s songwriting to new levels. If you want to enjoy a definitely cool gig, and perhaps feel slightly ‘unstoppable’ for the night, then you should purchase a ticket and head to King Tut’s.

Flea Market

Tip: If you head earlier you can enjoy a drink with friends at the bar and find a comfortable spot for the night.

Everyone’s favourite space that they haven’t visited yet, BAaD is a new and innovative venue offering various different events and experiences. From food markets to cinema nights, BAaD has a little bit of everything.

Each month they host a flea market where you can pick up all sorts of retro items.

From lampshades that your Gran might have, but are still pretty cool, to film cameras and clothes, it has bits-and-bobs for everyone.

Tuesday 10th October @ King Tut’s Wah Wah — 20:30 — £12

Sunday 24th September @ Barras Art and Design — 10:00 — Free

Mount Kimbie After a five-year gap, Mount Kimbie will be releasing their third studio album in September. The duo has been heavily influential within the UK music scene since their inception in 2008. Whether it is electronica, post-dubstep, or future garage Mount Kimbie’s signature glitchy, etherial sound will be permeating venues around Europe as a celebration and exhibition of ‘Love What Survives’ from the start of October.

Monday 30th October @ The Art School — 19:00 23:00 — £15 approx.

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culture makes glasgow

written by: Emma McKie image: Kati Brunk

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culture

Culture and Glasgow. Glasgow and Culture. It’s everywhere, isn’t it? The Glasgow Boys’ beautiful artworks and Joan Eardley’s paintings of life in a 1950s Glasgow tenement.

Walking through Kelvingrove Park imagining you’re in Alasdair Gray’s Poor Things.

Ending the night surrounded by pals dancing away in Stereo. The city of Glasgow is overflowing with art, music, and culture.

Glasgow is viewed by some as Edinburgh’s other, opposite in every way. In comparison to Edinburgh’s rich history, throughout the twentieth century, Glasgow was plagued with poverty, boredom, and sectarian violence. It was not until the 1980s, with the final decline of the Clydeside shipyards, that people finally took notice of Glasgow’s distinct cultural style.

When I was growing up in Falkirk, a town neatly sandwiched between Glasgow and Edinburgh, I was always led to believe that Glasgow was still a dangerous city.

Having now lived in Glasgow for four years, that could not be further from the truth. The warmth and friendliness of the people and the much-loved institutions making their mark on the city were something I never knew about. For example, the Glasgow Women’s Library, the only accredited museum in the UK dedicated to preserving women’s history and celebrating their lives, or the Tramway, once the city’s main tram depot now turned into a contemporary performance and art space. Furthermore, Tramway, based in Govanhill in the Southside of Glasgow, is a culturally rich area with over 50 languages spoken within the space of one square mile - something I discovered from local artist Rabiya Choudry’s exhibition ‘Signs of the Times’.

Being honest, it’s difficult to tie down Glasgow’s culture in one article and some of the names I’ve mentioned above only touch the surface of the city’s compelling history. As Culture Editor, my section will focus on the compelling range of events and opportunities that Glasgow offers to everyone living here. ‘Culture’ is an immense word, one not easily defined. By covering art/film/ gigs/theatre/comedy and more, I encourage you to contribute to this section, step out of your comfort zone a wee bit, and explore Glasgow for yourself. If you have never been to the theatre before, why not review a show? Write a review of your favourite club night. Or even a feature on the fantastic street art around Glasgow.

My advice to you is to approach Glasgow with an open mind. Go to something that you’ve never been to before. Even if you hate it everyone loves to read bad reviews as much as good!

This city always seems to have this permanent buzz in its atmosphere. Don’t let this intimidate you. The next four years are yours to make in Glasgow. Enjoy it.

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Welcome to university.

Congrats on taking the first steps towards being the well-accomplished young adults that your parents hope you’ll one day be. In the first weeks of uni, you will have to consider not only the stationery required for lectures (which, FYI, will ultimately consist out of a single black pen and scraps of paper, so save yourself the hassle), but also your uni look. Luckily we are here to help you, with our guide on how to achieve the ‘Glasgow Look’.

To start off, we would advise that you either dye or shave your hair, and if that seems like too much effort, at least cut yourself a fringe. Having a nose-stud helps, but it is not a necessity. In order to not be ostracised from your peers, you should also consider wearing your hair at no longer than shoulder length. Whilst we at GUM advise against getting a stick and poke tattoo, there is no denying that it is a great addition to your cut-off mum or dad jeans.

Now that we have covered the basics, on to more complicated stuff: the perfect Burberry accessory. Don’t worry, here at Glasgow Uni we do not discriminate. Whether your preferred item is a scarf, jacket, patterned trousers or maybe even a cheeky skin-coloured, off the shoulder top, as long as it is vintage and you can obviously see that it is branded, all is good. Speaking of brands, do not forget to buy anything Adidas, and wear your best black Dr. Martens eyelet shoes. Quick tip: do not take them off at parties, otherwise you might risk losing them in a sea of identical shoes. You should also invest in some Vans and a beanie.

If you really want to make sure that your future best friends/ random drunk acquaintances respect you, you should try and get your hands on a Juicy Couture hoodie. This looks especially great if paired with random food stains and a slight look of despair.

Glaswegian winters (and summers) tend to be cold and rainy. Personally, I like to combat the rain by wearing one of the multitude of fake fur coats I own. A leather jacket or a light cardigan will also do. Getting wet outside is inevitable, however, so you could always just go coatless because at the end of the day, the coat’s not really going to help much. You might as well accept it and move on to other more important concerns,

written by: Aisling Klimke and Charlotte Dean image: Imogen Whiteley 12

get t

style such as making sure that your patterned 80’s shirt is more oversized than anyone else’s in the room. Also – make sure to invest in something see-through or mesh. Why spend your student grant on overpriced bras or Calvin Klein boxers if you can’t show them off? Nothing says: ‘the heater in my flat is broken’ like wearing a bra, high waisted shorts, and a see-through dress.

Overall, as long as you manage to master the ‘vintage is always better, why was I born in the wrong era look’, you should do just fine in Glasgow.

And if all else fails you can always revert to impressing people by showing off your superior taste in music.

the glasgow look

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politics

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orange

e of tatur e in s d for is r n o de be go ably, e sud “[T]h P can only nd, inevit e a w U the D rn Ireland loyalism… here e w d h n t n r a io o at N ionism a situ ard for un nefit from can be he rs e e e can b ange voic ourts. Sist ost r c m f O o r is t s ou re highe e futu in the ethren, th .” r nity e and b ely Orang nist frater be it io ld n n u fi u de al t co a voc (wha s, the As rveyor of ian belief ble. r u a ou and p ered) sect itself in tr blic u s id p d s n n a co as n fi te r ofte ere w Orde mmer, th ppropria s a u s s in e r e is d h h t y T over n to fanc Hall y r c t or ou ge Oran mes w costu at a local included s s and partie costume ed pope, e g tholic s n a e a C h h –t ce, a ces to the ndal and a f k ren blac e sca it refe abus explic ’s sexual d ch ccuse police Chur locaust. ere a eorge ging. unch of a w in s s o r H la cil d in the embe lence in G hen joine owing the City Coun t on 14, m w en oll he In 20 ing the vio ptember F t m , e t n

a us th Se saltires tigatio definite st arianism.

9 s of ca 1 e v n in ct in re o yed the d an he se Squa ts destro tes to the h issue onse to t med that is lu tis t n a s o io p r c i s z n S uman ffi e a u f H r a o N s n n s e it o r a av is, te kesm he ntion and g d suppor llowing th ed a A spo an Conve s people t d n te o e n e p a iv defea ndence. F people sig ches o Eur ich g mbly e r 0 ts, wh ceful asse , “are not Indep han 24,00 tarian ma e h ig R a n t k ec nced to pe essio more n to ban s ntre, but li right m of expr st be bala e the e u r o u d m petitio gow city c d protests t s free te. They a to en s d.” n ibility t infringe t” in Gla etitions a e Order th one, olu s s n b a o o p p g s h n is y n e ig h e r n a t r e ar Or ma d) altby th f others llowe the “ st the n o e s h t again ed (and fo as taken. e d w e righ s an r w d g a tim head prece cial action he Order a e Durin ing their daries of t h t ffi t , s o is n ain ally no are ra g the bou ow has an n. ies ag . Typic hin Outcr hort lived hes away lasg its opinio s t G u , p in h a s f s w’s peec oice often ation bru ing with a free s unity to v nd Glasgo hoice is d he t a c r , o a il organ , respon ation or t n. It c p e op oun hav or m tio ism City C SPs alike, e speech critic e of refor y accusa e d h T n t a n a M is a t h f d h m o n n o ig l r a p ia fs MPs er condem ech. year, out o g den e h stron on being rity of the ations to eit te free sp DUP in d s r t jo e -mixe the oca thriv or the ma r demons v h d a it a w tically in f e , li r – d o m e p d v in m e u m ct Howe ment, the ly to risk a ation hen s expe . rn ent and w scandal is old news’ il like gove plem c ‘ , re un n ncil a om the im will most begin is already City Cou u o C r y w it s sh f , the d way, er, Glasgo sanction backla n. Instead route an he v se to er d t a ir b il Howe w consid in respon ia t h a t n of nu r d alks vel a no may t the Orde social me ly tra this decisio r these W e k li e s e n e h v o in T n o a . o d t e s te ag postp al outrag er year.

July 1 o pos of and a vide e Walk on owed one ason for anoth Orange, as e s d h t h e s is ar e e r le id c s u after llegedly s participat ine fut ing sub a t m d, the oice will r ilent. e video bands tha g ‘The Fa song e d s v n I s n in 3 rder’ emain the 6 vent play d sectaria the O liberals r e h n e is a r h t I s t is a d c in n a long lics a thers ’–ar Song d at Catho – while o d e t n c dire cotla le in S peop

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science

Glasgow is blessed with a rich history of scientific discovery, innovation, and progress, led by some of the greatest science pioneers on record – both old and new. One exciting thing to look forward to is an inaugural year-long series special on Global Surgery. Five billion people, more than two-thirds of the world’s population, do not have access to safe and affordable life-saving surgery; whether that’s for a difficult childbirth, a road traffic accident, or cancer. This theme was selected not only because of its nature as a global humanitarian imperative, but also because it spans every area of science and will require organised interdisciplinary and international effort to tackle.

So, without further ado, here is a taster of what’s to come with our first global surgeon – Dr Catherine Juillard from San Francisco, California. The full interview will be up on the website soon.

Catherine served as a Peace Corps Rural Health Volunteer for three years in Senegal prior to attending medical school and it was from there that her interest in global surgery stemmed. As a general surgeon with clinical interests in trauma and critical care, Catherine obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford and her M.D. degree from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), before receiving her M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and continuing her post-doctoral fellowship with the John Hopkins International Injury Research Unit. After completing her General Surgery residency, she completed a fellowship in Trauma and Critical Care at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Catherine has a strong interest in global surgery research and was recently named Co-Director of the UCSF Center for Global Surgical Studies. At the department, she improves access to surgical and trauma care in low- and middle-income countries through health systems strengthening.

global surgery 16

written by: Joanna Ashby image: Dr Catherine Juillard

Global Surgery in a nutshell?

That’s a tough one. We have an organised system of healthcare here that we take for granted and in other countries, that just doesn’t exist. Injury is one of the biggest killers globally and it affects young, healthy people too. We know that it doesn’t just happen by accident, and the only way to prevent it from happening is by studying it.

How did you get into global surgery?

The thing that really rooted my interest was being a Peace Corps volunteer in my early twenties. I was interested in medicine, but not convinced it was the path for me. I went to live in Eastern Senegal in a very small village for nearly three years. There was no running water, no electricity and the only the language was Pulaar, so I learned that while I was out there. The key event that happened was that I was in a car crash in which two people died. After that I realised what it meant for a country to not have an emergency response system. Before that I didn’t really see it as a public health problem so that was when it became very real for me. You are just left on the side of the road, left to figure it out and you are only reliant on the good Samaritans that happen to be walking by. So I made the decision to go to medical school because I wanted to be able to do something to help people in that position. I loved the immediacy of surgery and also the satisfaction of reversing a catastrophic event, even more so when in healthy, young people.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Biggest achievements in global surgery so far?

I think the biggest achievement so far is that it is now actually a field. Public health was initially so rooted in infectious diseases and vertical disease interventions. It has been a very slow shift to realise that there are many other types of disease states that can be analysed and improved using the exact same evidence-based techniques, and I think injury is a perfect example of this.

Mentors?

I met Charlie Mock at the World Health Organisation (WHO) while I was applying for residency, trying to figure out how to merge surgery with my interest in public health.

Looking at surgical disease from a public health perspective was really novel at the time, and he really was one of the pioneers in the field. I quickly latched onto him as a mentor.

Always do what you love. I made a decision to do surgery although many people advised me against it. I decided I didn’t want to be in academics unless I could do that so I was going to try it and if it didn’t work out I would try something else. You make little compromises along the way, but always try to make your long-term goal something that you really care about.

Another thing that really stuck with me was something the former chair of our department said. When you’re having a bad day, go talk to a patient. It’s very easy to get caught up in getting things done, but doing that reconnects you with the people who brought us into this in the first place and reminds us why we do it.

17

The twisted handles of bulging plastic shopping bags had cut deep purple grooves into the soft skin of Alice’s forearms, clammy with perspiration and the dampness of the day. Collecting her ticket, one-handed, heavy laden with an arsenal of groceries and gift bags, she negotiated her way down the station steps, picking her way through the battalion of commuters already exiting en mass from the newly arrived subway train.

It was rush hour, and the carriages were predictably packed; the sliding doors of each compartment opening to reveal commuter upon commuter wedged into every crevice inside. Although already full to capacity, the assembled stragglers on the platform advanced forwards towards the open doors, squeezing themselves into every space and slot available; a sweltering mass of intertwined limbs and luggage.

Alice was last to board; forced to stand, half stooped, in that awkward place where the roof of the carriage starts to curve, making it impossible to stand up straight. The humidity of the subway clung to her; a heady aroma of dozens of tired, work-worn passengers pressed together like a pack of cards. Alice could feel the moist, warm breath of the gentleman standing above envelop her face; it smelled of stale milk and cigarettes. She felt queasy: faint. A thin sheet of sweat had begun to bead on her forehead, making the whisps of hair at her temples cling to her face in damp strands.

The orange coloured carriages jolted along the rail, each turn of the corner

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throwing subway passengers clumsily into each other as they struggled to retain their balance. Alice tried to breathe steadily through her mouth, every bump below her threatening to make her retch into one of her overflowing shopping bags. Fighting away feelings of nausea and searching for a distraction, she craned her neck to survey her fellow commuters.

The passengers on the subway shared a similar dishevelled appearance, their heads bowed, staring into their laps or briefcases, or else gazing unseeing straight ahead with heavy eyes. Further along the carriage, she could make out the thumping bass spilling out from someone’s headphones, just audible above the whirring and thudding din of the rail. She caught the eye of a woman sitting three persons down, who was surreptitiously checking her reflection in the front camera on her phone. The woman, smiled, embarrassed, and Alice gave an acknowledging smile back at this shared moment between them. Contorted into various positions, the occupants of the carriage around them bore the tell-tale signs of a hard day’s labour; an unofficial uniform of loosed neck ties and rolled up shirt sleeves, each person wearing a similar look of defeat and exhaustion.

A disembodied voice over the muffled tannoy of the subway announced the next stop as St George’s Cross, and the

written by: Jennifer Constable image: Imogen Whiteley

an evening commute

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creative writing carriage came to an abrupt halt at the platform, with dribs and drabs of passengers hastily making their way towards the exit. Alice joined their ranks as she made her way along the platform, the disembarked train speeding on into the dark vacuum of the tunnel ahead, leaving a welcome cooling breeze to whip through her hair.

Discarding her ticket stub into a nearby waste bin, Alice pulled her scarf tightly around

her. Below her feet she could feel the rumblings of the subway beneath the ground as a second carriage of weary commuters sped away. The sky was a dusky pink that faded into a soft blue hue on the horizon. The air was calm and quiet. The peaceful street ahead lined with windows lit with the warm glow of their residents settling in for the evening.

Alice readjusted her grip on the plastic bags and walked on. She was home.

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