MASSIVE Issue 4

Cover by Annick Harvey

Editor’s letter

Kia ora, salaam. Happy Ramadan to our Muslim community at Massey University. Though I am not Muslim, I have several relatives and friends who are and being proudly of Middle Eastern origin, I love this season. I love the way families, friends and communities come together, to share cardamom tea and dates after a long day.

In my culture (Kurdish) we celebrate Newroz this week, the Kurdish New Year. It is a time for reflection and celebration of the year that was, and sharing delicious food, poetry, and company over candlelight. Though the Kurdish side of my family live overseas, I enjoy the way rituals can bring us together, as a shared celebration of life and light.

I have really enjoyed learning more about Ramadan, via the interviews that the MASSIVE team have done with key leaders in our Massey Muslim community. I also think you will love the double-page art spread this week, by a wonderful artist from the community. This week, the MASSIVE team also delves into the world of underground markets and being a design student, as well as celebrating the life of trans takatāpui trailblazer, Georgina Beyer.

We hope you enjoy this week’s issue and the week ahead x Leila

WEEKLY NEWS

“It’s insulting”: Students not impressed with staff’s pay rise

Sammy Carter (she/her)

Students say Massey staff’s pay rise of 4.25% is stingy, especially compared to other universities.

Last year, staff across all universities had multiple protests and strikes fighting for an 8% pay rise to match inflation.

After negotiating for eight months, two weeks ago Massey staff voted to ratify an offer of 4.25%.

In comparison, University of Canterbury staff secured pay increases as high as 17.9% and the University of Auckland had offered 9%.

Fresher students at Massey were not impressed to hear this news.

Jessica Kennington, Communications student, said, “If other unis can do it then there’s no reason why Massey can’t raise the bar.”

However, AUT was only offering a 2.45% raise, the University of Waikato had previously offered 2%, and Victoria University said those at the lower end of the pay spectrum had a 6% increase.

Kennington said, “If you want lecturers to put in their best work then they should feel heard and looked after.”

She said Massey staff put so much time and effort into students and deserved a higher pay rise.

Communications student Grace Richards said, “They should be getting the pay rise they deserve … It’s insulting.”

Richards felt it was fair for staff to ask for a pay rise that matched the cost of living, “It’s ridiculous it was even debated over.”

She said it undermined the achievements of all the successful teachers and students that came from Massey.

“People will assume that Massey isn’t as good because their teachers aren’t paid as well.”

Richards said lecturers and tutors were just as important as doctors or lawyers, “the work that they’re doing is shaping us.”

Fashion student Jetta BurtonBrown thought the pay rise was disappointing after all the protests and strikes.

Burton-Brown said it doesn’t make Massey look good, “definitely doesn’t look as if we’re valuing them [staff]”.

Communications student Leonie Sheehan said staff “weren’t asking for much”.

Sheehan said, “It’s not their fault that things go up, but employers have to match that.”

She described the 4.25% pay rise as “pretty shit”.

A Fine Arts student, who wished to remain anonymous, thought it made Massey look stingy.

It made them question “whether or not they [Massey] support staff as much as other universities”.

Staff from across universities protested for an 8% raise last year. Photo / Stuff

Pink sister vs purple sister

Tegan Jaggard (she/her)

A recent TikTok trend has sisters arguing whether they are the pink sister or the purple sister.

The psychological theory explains how between a pair of sisters, one would usually choose the colour pink for everything and the other would always choose purple growing up.

The general consensus is that the pink sister was the favoured ‘golden child’, while the purple sister was naughty. The colour-coded childhoods could be a subconscious decision on the parents’ part.

According to Stylist UK, the colour pink is seen as nurturing and empathetic while the colour purple is seen as powerful and energetic.

Massey student Ashleigh White is a younger sister, she said, “I think I was purple, not gonna lie.”

When asked if she thinks the pink and purple sister trope applied to her and her older sister, Tyler, she jokingly said, “Hmm, no cause I’m superior.”

“Tyler definitely was favoured throughout primary, but that’s because I was a little shit. I was the tomboy, so our grandparents favoured Tyler,” Ashleigh explained.

Ashleigh’s older sister Tyler said, “We definitely decided that I’m the pink sister.”

Tyler said, “I would definitely like to think I’m the favourite, but I think it’s actually pretty equal between me and Ashleigh.”

However, Ashleigh felt it was typical for the favourite child to think things were even growing up.

Despite being the pink sister, Tyler felt her younger sister got out of trouble a lot easier than herself, “maybe because she’s the youngest”.

Older sister Tyler (right) was always the pink sister, while Ashleigh (left) was the purple sister. Photo / Supplied

“Doesn’t feel fair”: New tax on Uber and Uber Eats

Sammy Carter (she/her)

A new tax making Uber more expensive doesn’t take into account women who rely on it to get home safely.

The Goods and Services tax (GST) was approved at the start of March, charging 15% more on ride-sharing, food and beverage, and delivery digital platforms.

However, National promised to take away the law if it wins the election.

Georgia Cotterill, third year Screen Arts student, uses Uber often to get home at night and after parties.

When asked if she would still use Uber with the 15% tax she said, “My threshold for what I will spend will go up when I need to get home in the dark.”

The tax is set to start next April and is estimated to raise $47 million a year. Cotterill has relied on Uber many times to get her home safely and get her out of scary situations.

In her first year of uni, she was waiting for her bus after a movie at night when a man came close to her and started asking her lots of questions.

Cotterill felt uncomfortable and scared, “I was trying to stay calm… I told him my name was Lucy.”

She waited until the man got on the bus she was meant to catch, and she ordered an Uber home.

She said the bus system is so unreliable that students need Uber. Often, she’d try to catch the bus home at night and it would be cancelled or drive past without picking her up. Cotterill felt for younger students who will have to pay more for Uber Eats. “Flatting in first year, I had no energy or time to cook or supermarket shop, so you just get takeout and Uber Eats.”

Libie Nguyen, Communications student, said Uber driver’s wages should increase, not tax.

Currently, only Uber drivers earning over $60,000 annual revenue have to register for GST, but most do not earn this much.

Nguyen said, “They shouldn’t charge that much but I feel bad for the drivers, for all the crazy people they have to deal with.”

She said her friend once vomited in an Uber ride home.

She felt the tax was unfair on students, and that “they should do a student discount”.

Nguyen felt that ultimately the higher prices fall back on students and women who need to Uber home after a night out or in an emergency.

“In the end, you still have to use it.” Visual Effects student Sapphire

Wihiano said the new tax “definitely doesn’t feel fair”.

She said the government “doesn’t see the demographic using it [Uber]”. She felt it would be hard for women who rely on Uber after dark.

“It’s gonna cause a safety issue, especially because buses stop at certain times when people are partying till 2 am.”

The already expensive Uber you ordered to get home from town just got worse.

Photo / Uber

Wellington artist’s documentary shows the journey to Olympic glory

An Olympic medal designer has, with the help of Massey, finished his documentary exploring the idea that every athlete is an artist.

Massey alumni Zakea Page created the medal design for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020. His debut documentary short film, “Ink and Gold: An Artist’s Journey

To Olympic Glory”, showed his experience designing the Olympic medals and performing at the opening ceremony.

Created with the help of Massey’s film, music and sound team, the film highlighted the connection between art and sport in bringing together people of different backgrounds.

Page said, “The performance is a statement against the stereotypical art vs. sports dichotomy that youth are very often forced into, playing with the idea that every athlete is an artist.”

“It is an opportunity to share what I learned and experienced - a reflection on my Olympic journey and the fact that we are all multi-faceted beings.” The film has already received 27 Official Selection laurels from film festivals around the globe, including 19 Best Documentary Short Film awards, as well as multiple Best Director, Best Producer, and Best Editor awards.

“I hope that the audience develops a deeper understanding of the values

that went into my performancevalues that align with the Olympic movement which I take pride in as an artist, an athlete, and a New Zealander.”

His medal design, called ‘Beauty in Diversity,’ represented a culture of respect, friendship, and excellence, inspired by poet Maya Angelou who worked to educate others on human diversity.

The documentary’s first screening is on the 25th of March at the Sound Pacific Film Festival’s mid-season NZ Independent Film Festival.

The film will be up for an Audience Award and a place in the festival finals in August, held in Nelson and Wellington.

Page’s life has come full circle from winning the medal competition to now being selected to judge the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Medal Design Competition.

“Looking back on my experience at Lausanne 2020, I am so grateful to have been a small part of it,” said Page. “It is a great honour to be on the judging panel this time.”

The vision of Gangwon 2024 is to let young people celebrate peaceful coexistence and unity through sports. The winner will be announced at the end of March and the chosen design will be cast in gold, silver, and bronze to be awarded to winning athletes.

Zakea Page’s debut film shows the connection between athlete and artist. Photo / Ink and Gold

An Artsy Fairy Godmother’s Check-up and check- in: Some life hacks for Design Students

By Molly Richards (she/her)

This week I want to have a check-in with my design friends – you need help (everyone does sometimes). So, before this semester gets too crazy, I’m here to pass on some guidance, some shining pearls of wisdom if you will. Think of me as your artsy fairy godmother this week. Now, you won’t find a definitive list of tricks and tips on this page (unfortunately, I’m not that magical). I can only offer you some of the things I’ve learned as a young creative and as a student like you. A bit of a disclaimer before I begin; I’m no expert. I speak only from my personal experience as a design student (Concept) and this might be a bit niche, but I hope you can find something interesting or, dare I say, helpful.

Et voilà, let’s begin…

Step Outside the Box.

Despite popular belief: you don’t have to be consumed by your project all the time, taking a minute to step outside (not always literally – unless that helps) is okay.

Take a Day.

Rest Days. A follow on from point one. But it needs to be said twice, don’t forget time out to just exist.

Don’t Break the Bank.

Having top of the range supplies doesn’t mean everything. You can find some things on the cheap. Some of my personal faves include paintbrushes from the dollar shop and old notebooks/paper you can pick up at the thrift. Same goes for fabric, op shops are overflowing with old fabric off-cuts and bedsheets. You’d be surprised by the stuff people throw away. Plus, recycled materials make for some interesting designs.

Branch Out.

Hobbies. Just try a new one out. I’m partial to chess and curating silly little playlists.

You’re not a machine.

TRY and look after yourself. Now I get it, you have a lot of work to do. Drawings, mock ups, presentations, and the general stress of life is understandable. I have found (the hard way) that when I eat right and sleep my work improves exponentially. I know it sounds obvious but eating random things from the fridge, sleeping irregularly, and working too much started to affect the work I produced. Then you might find yourself thinking why do I suck at this? Trust me, it’s not you. It’s because caffeine isn’t a suitable substitute for sleep. To quote Isabella Rossellini in the classic film Death Becomes Her; “Take care of yourself. You and your body are going to be together a long time, be good to it.” Or you might be quoting her other famous line; “and continue to watch yourself rot” (Yikes).

Social Media.

You don’t have to have socials for your art if you don’t want to, but it can be helpful. Connect with your classmates and find inspiration from the designers on your feed.

Socials (Part II).

Don’t feel pressured to post on your account every day. Honestly, I worry I don’t post enough. It’s just not on my radar all the time, I am at peace with that now. If you do, that’s great, if you don’t, that’s also perfectly fine.

Set those Dates.

Use a calendar. Or a planner. Seriously, my calendar has saved my ass countless times.

Scribbles

Write notes. They don’t have to be neat or complete. Just some thoughts.

Expand those Elective Horizons.

If you are feeling burnt out creatively in your field, try some electives outside your major. Honestly, this little hack has really changed my perspective on what I practice and how I design. Don’t feel like you need to be designing your major all the time, I found refreshment in writing, fine art, and film courses. Sometimes a fresh perspective and an unfamiliar medium can be what you need to fight that burnout.

Don’t Worry About Getting Everything Right First Try. You’re still learning. Chill.

Colour Code Your Photoshop

You can colour code your Photoshop layers. This might be obvious to some of you, but when I found this out my whole world changed. Oh, plus folders for your layers – it’s a game changer.

Two Man Rule.

Save your files to two locations. I don’t trust my laptop and you shouldn’t either (crashes happen). Upload your photoshop files to the cloud as well (Google Drive works well). You could also use a USB or hard drive, but that can just be another thing to remember.

SHOES.

Okay this has been an issue of mine for the longest time, only now have I finally cracked it. Invest in some good shoes. Just do it. If you’re walking in pain you’re probably not going to walk into uni. Also bonus trick; If you want to wear those cute shoes around the studio for the look, just bring them with you and swap them out. It’s very The Devil Wears Prada (Très chic).

Illustration by Annick Harvey

Aotearoa’s Very Own Trans Takatāpui Trailblazer

By Cameron McCausland-Taylor

CW: Mentions of sexual assault

The passing of Georgina Beyer is being felt heavily across Aotearoa, especially within our Māori, takatāpui and rainbow communities. She is best known for being the mayor Carterton from 1995 to 2000, where she then entered Parliament as the Labour Party’s candidate for Wairarapa. The world’s first openly transgender mayor and member of Parliament, she played a huge part in bringing trans representation to the forefront, creating a path for others to pursue. I admittedly did not know a whole lot about Beyer before her passing. However, having dived into her life story, there is so much inspiration to be taken from it. As a transgender Māori wahine, the odds were stacked against Georgina, but she twisted the narrative and became a rangatira that the world had never seen before.

Beyer is a descendant of Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Raukawa, and Ngāti Porou. She spent her childhood and teenage years in Taranaki, Wellington, and Auckland, experiencing feelings of gender dysphoria from as young as four years old. Growing up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, attempts were made by adults to condition habits and behaviours such as wearing women’s clothing out of her, to the point where Beyer began to hide how she truly felt. That was until she reached the age of 16, left high school, and moved

from Auckland to Wellington to work in gay nightclubs as a drag queen.

Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in ‘70s Aotearoa was unforgiving, with Beyer unable to gain employment or government benefits unless she claimed a “psychosexual disorder”. Therefore, her sex work career was born. A pivotal turning point in her life came during this time, when she was beaten and sexually assaulted by a group of men in 1979. She did not report this to the police, firm in the belief that the law would not protect her due to how she identified. Wanting nobody else to experience what she went through, Beyer decided to pursue a life of proud visibility as a trans woman.

As an SA survivor, I think back to when I went through my traumatic experiences, the pain and despair it cast upon my life, and the way in which I thought there was no future ahead for me. Not to mention, the circumstances around sexual assault and how these cases are dealt with in Aotearoa are still bleak as fuck, discouraging many of us from reporting a crime when it occurs, especially those who experience severe oppression such as Beyer. So, what came next is a remarkable feat that deserves all the recognition.

Illustrations by Eden Laing

Her experience in the sex work industry came full circle in her political career, being an advocate for the Prostitution Reform Bill in 2003 that offered legal protection for sex workers. In her speech at the third reading, Beyer spoke with integrity and honesty about what she and many others went through, believing that with such a reform bill, she may have been able to approach authorities instead of dealing with the situation alone. She also spoke of all the prostitutes she knew who died before the age of 20, talking of their mamae due to the “hypocrisy of our society”. It brings me a huge amount of hope to know that in my lifetime, a member of parliament had the bravery to discuss a taboo subject so openly and vulnerably. She also influenced at least three other MPs to vote for the bill… did somebody say, slay?

“I plead with those members in this House who are wavering right up to the wire, to think, for heaven’s sake, of the people of whom I have just spoken, including myself, who might be spared some of the hideous nature of the way society treats prostitutes—because that is here with us.”

- Beyer, 2003 (www.parliament.nz).

Beyer was, for the most part, unwavering in backing what she personally believed in during her time in Parliament, such as supporting gay marriage in the Civil Union Act 2004, supporting sexual orientation being added as grounds for forbidden discrimination in the Human Rights Act 1993, and playing an active part in the passing of the Māori Language Act 2003. Thanks to her, LGBTQIA+ and Māori viewpoints were finally included in conversations that we’d been kept out for so long. Having said that, there was one form of legislation that Beyer referred to as “the beginning of the end” of her political career; the seabed and foreshore legislation of May 2004.

The legislation is an ongoing debate, based around the ownership of Aotearoa’s foreshore and seabed, to which many Māori claimed their rightful title. While Beyer personally opposed the legislation, she felt compelled to vote it in due to pressure from her electorate, prompting the passing of the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 that declared the land to be owned by the Crown. Beyer later said she would “never be torn between who and what I am as far as my heritage is concerned” (RNZ).

This part of Beyer’s story is another that I felt, and many others can feel deeply connected to. Due to colonisation, Māori have become enormously assimilated into the Pākeha way of life, including our jobs. It sucks to say, but the majority of us will most likely not work in an organisation where Māoritanga and tikanga are the norm, and introducing our ways of life into mainstream organisations can be a tough journey to take. Beyer’s 2014 candidacy with the Mana Party was one way in which she tried to “make amends” with Māori for the vote which “totally broke her”, as she said in a 2014 Mana Party press release.

Personally, I can see why Beyer went with the majority. While it may seem out of character for her, it’s easier said than

done to stick to your values under times of pressure, especially when your job is on the line. In saying that, the regret of this decision stuck with Beyer until her passing, a decision she constantly reflected on when interacting with the media and in her parliament resignation speech. By admitting her wrongs, perhaps it can show us as Māori that staying staunch in our culture is always the right decision.

There is so much more that could be written about Beyer and the iconic queen that she was. She is remembered as being direct, honest, loyal, brave, and a trailblazer. Her contributions to the Māori, rainbow and takatāpui communities live on to this very day, with her mahi acknowledged recently in 2020 when she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to LGBTIQA+ rights. We are so incredibly lucky to have had someone so groundbreaking in our Aotearoa government. Looking towards the general election and seeing all of the Māori, rainbow and takatāpui candidates already putting their names forward to stand, I am so excited to see more gamechangers enter our political midst and bring even more minority representation to the highly conservative, Pākeha structure in our society that is the government. Moe mai rā, e te rangatira, thank you for all you did during your time on Papatūānuku.

Glossary:

Takatāpui - Māori who identify with diverse genders, sexualities and sex characteristics

Rangatira - Chief, noble Wahine - woman

Mamae - hurt, suffering, pain

Māoritanga - Māori culture, traditions and way of life

Tikanga - customs and traditional values in a Māori context

middle page

spread

Painting by Fatima Abughazala, Massey University Student

Ramadan: Some of What I’ve Learnt

By Aiden Charles (they/they)

Recently I was lucky enough to sit down and chat with Abdulquadri of the Massey University Muslim Society. During the time we spent together, he taught me a lot about a time of year very close to his heart and his faith: Ramadan. I must admit that prior to our meeting, I did not know much about Ramadan outside of very basic knowledge; that it is a very important time in Muslim culture, and that it lasts for roughly a month.

Abdulquadri clarified for me that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, but it is also so much more than that. It is a month that encourages good action, building relationships, bringing friends and family together to strengthen their relationships. It is a time that encourages social responsibility, giving charity to those who are in need. It is a time to show restraint and resilience. It is a period to look at what has happened, to reflect and prepare for the year to come.

During our talk, Abdulquadri opened my eyes about aspects of this time of year that I had little to no familiarity with. Afterwards, I came away with new knowledge, insight, and appreciation for Ramadan, confident that I could share what I learnt. Stay tuned, I’m sure you’ll learn something new too.

When IS Ramadan?

As I previously said, Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar. The beginning of this month is marked by the appearance of the crescent moon. Abdulquadri taught me that Ramadan begins when the crescent moon is first seen, and will continue for twenty-nine days, until the next crescent moon is visible. If the new moon is not visible, Ramadan will go for thirty days as opposed to twenty-nine. As the month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, the start date for Ramadan will be slightly different each year.

Why is it observed?

Those of the Muslim faith believe that during the year 610 A.D. the angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran. Abdulquadri informed me that this time of year is a time to remember and celebrate the revelation of the Quran, as this event occurred during the month of Ramadan.

Fasting

A commonly known but often misunderstood aspect of Ramadan is the practice of fasting. To the uninformed, fasting may seem like a form of punishment. However, it is used to gain self-control and practice resilience. Fasting doesn’t even mean you’re not supposed to eat for X number of days either. There is a misconception that fasting during Ramadan means no food or drink at all, which could not be further from the truth. During Ramadan, the day is begun with the morning meal, Suhoor, which is eaten as close to dawn as possible. As a way of practicing self-control, people are encouraged to eat as close to the moment of sunlight breaking over the horizon as they are able. This is the first meal of the day, with the second taking place after dusk. Iftar is eaten after the sunset prayer. It is a meal shared with friends and family, either in their homes or at a Mosque.

Eid Al-Fitr

At the end of the month, Eid Al-Fitr, the “feast of fast breaking”, is held. This feast signifies that Ramadan is at its end and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwāl, the 10th month in the Muslim calendar. This feast is a time for official receptions, friends to visit one another, gifts to be exchanged, and families to visit the graves of loved ones.

Ramadan is an incredibly special time of year for Muslims, and I would like to thank Abdulquadri for taking the time out of his day to teach me more about it.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Massey University Muslim Society, you can find them at the Massey Islamic Centre on the Palmerston North campus or visit their Facebook page: Massey Muslim Society - Palmerston North.

If you are observing Ramadan over the coming weeks, then I hope you are well and have a good month. If someone you know is observing, remember to treat them and their culture with kindness and respect.

General President of Te Tira Ahu Pae, Jake Law

Q & A with the editor

MASSIVE’s Editor, Leila, recently got together with Jake to discuss what his first few weeks as General President of the student association has been like.

Leila: Kia ora Jake. How’s your first few weeks as president gone?

Jake: It feels like a wonderful opportunity- to be the first ever general president for the different campuses. It’s been energising, exciting, and I’m enjoying looking at how we can bring our diverse student communities together.

Leila: What does the new ‘Tripartite presidency’ mean?

Jake: It means wider representation for students, as we have me (General), Ramairoa (Manawhakahaere), and Aniva (Pasifika). We work together to advocate for the whole of the diverse student population across campuses and distance.

Leila: What do you like about working in student representation?

Jake: I’m a people-oriented person, I love opportunities to listen to other people, be transformative, support others. I really enjoy calling for better solutions for students and working with the university to achieve that.

Leila: Something we might not know about you?

Jake: I’m a massive K-Pop fan (points to poster on wall). Stray Kids, they’re probably my favourite band. I suppose that might be kind of niche in NZ.

Does MARVEL Suck or Are We Just Getting Old?

By Elizabeth Chan (she/her)

It was Friday last week when I went to the cinema, feeling unexcited yet hopeful, to watch Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

I was never a huge Ant-Man fan because my favourite MARVEL superhero has always been Spider-Man. Heck, I was just there to watch a good movie for once, MARVEL always has something amazing in store. Yet, when I left that unusually empty cinema, I was left disappointed, mixed with an overwhelmingly neutral feeling. The kind that makes you go, “meh,” when someone asks how the movie was.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s brooding over that movie. All my friends and relatives thought that it was “only okay.” If they were to rate the movie out of 5 stars, they would rate it with a meagre 3.5 out of 5, which is pretty disappointing for a MARVEL movie. I would always reply, “MARVEL has been getting worse ever since Disney took over.”

But is it?

Or are we just getting old?

When MARVEL feels MEDIOCRE

I remember Avengers (2012) being the first ever MARVEL movie I watched that brought me into the MARVEL Cinematic Universe as a fangirl, which is why I feel like 2010s MARVEL was the only time MARVEL felt MARVEL-ous. There was more thought put into the plot, writers actually knew how to arouse emotion whenever a character died. It felt surreal. My mind would even play the scenes of the movie all over again whenever I came back from the cinema as a tween. Compared to that golden era, MARVEL movies these days just feel lacking.

And it isn’t just the recent Ant-Man movie I’m talking about. I mean major movies that did not have the pizzazz but were overhyped in the media, tricking you into believing that the movie was the greatest of its series when it was not. Then when you give your opinion on the film, you steal some gasps of disbelief and the occasional judgemental stare (because I just don’t like any of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movies).

But is MARVEL really deteriorating since Disney took over or are we just not enjoying anything anymore because we have gotten older?

We Have Aged

There is that terrible possibility, isn’t it? That we just can’t enjoy things the way we used to because we have become older. We all have witnessed this, whenever our parents or grandparents rant over how things were better in their time. Film, music, life itself.

“Horror” is how I would describe the realisation of this horrible truth: we have aged… just like the now-wrinkly stars in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. But have we? Surely there must be a childlike spirit in us where we never grow older. Where we stay as kids blown away by superheroes and supervillains from the blockbuster action movies.

Not All is Lost

There are some recent MARVEL movies my friends and I enjoyed, like Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

A very miserable handful, I must say. In fact, it’s not a handful, there were only 2 movies we actually enjoyed!

Though, there were other MARVEL creations I enjoyed, like ‘Hawkeye’, ‘Loki’, and ‘Wanda Vision’, to name a few. What all these shows have in common is the fact that they are TV series, not movies.

This means that, with Disney taking over, different kinds of MARVEL content feel more enjoyable, as opposed to their movies.

MARVEL isn’t that blockbuster action central we fell in love with because it feels like Disney excels in animation and TV series, rather than movies. That leads us to question, was MARVEL better on its own?

Of course, we would say, “yes”.

But with how huge Disney has gotten, not to mention the amount of money Disney poured into creating a certain growing behemoth of a streaming service drying up some of our paychecks, we’d just shrug.

Then we would dodge the question and continue with our everyday lives.

Although, some of my friends believe that Disney’s takeover isn’t the real issue.

The Challenges of Ushering in the New Phase

Many people were impressed by Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

I remember the day I was watching Avengers: Endgame and took out my phone just to check the time. I never text or take calls when watching a movie, I only use it to check the time because those were the bygone days before Fitbit and Huawei watches, in which the time could light up. But the guy next to me grunted and gave me the scariest death stare to the point I thought he was going to take my phone and toss it away… just for checking the time!

All that just for checking the time while watching the movie proves that people were extremely hyped for the Avengers

series, to the point they were ready to throw hands if someone took out their phone, or even dared to make a sound while breathing.

Compared to the hype MARVEL built up with the older phase of the MCU, as my friend highlighted, the newer ones just could not beat the love it garnered from loyal fans. With that said, will I continue to support MARVEL, waste tens of hours of my life on future MARVEL movies that I will end up grumbling about like a bitter prune to my friends at the end of the day?

Yes, because that’s what it means to be a MARVEL fan.

Sexcapades

It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your cloves

On holiday a few years ago, my boyfriend and I went on a trip to San Francisco to meet some of his friends and enjoy the free and easy Californian summer. I met one of his best female friends and we really hit it off. We went to City Lights Bookstore (because I love Beat poetry) and I insisted on dinner at the infamous restaurant next door, called The Stinking Rose, where said Beat poets used to hang out. Somehow it didn’t register with me that ‘Stinking Rose’ means garlic and it was a garlic restaurant where every course (literally) was garlic heavy. I’ve always loved hummus and maybe I thought you could never have too much of a good thing. How wrong I was...

The first course was a delicious garlic bread, crunchy and dripping in garlic butter. We sipped on garlic frozen margaritas and locked eyes across the dinner table as garlic ragout with garlic croutons arrived for the main, followed by a garlic ice cream with spring onion garnish for dessert. We were a few margaritas in by this point and the foolishness of our restaurant choice

hadn’t quite become clear as we walked back to the hotel, ready for a few more cocktails and a game of ‘Strip Poker’. One thing led to the next and we ended up in bed together, which would have been a good time except for the fact that it was punctuated by excessive trips to the bathroom to brush our teeth and shower as the garlic gradually permeated through our pores and breath, which wasn’t very sexy. A very pungent first threesome experience.

A week later, I arrived at my dad’s and was embarrassingly reminded of the escapade when he leaned in to hug me and said I ‘stank of garlic’ and ‘what on Earth had I been doing?’ All three of us since then have vowed that next time we feel adventurous in the bedroom, we will make less pongy dining decisions.

Solicited Advice

From Pocket

Solicited advice is a weekly column where Massive’s own four-legged Agony Aunty, Pocket, shares her wisdom and experience with you all. She speaks only truths.

I’ve moved to Auckland for uni, but I’m scared to go out on the town. There are so many people! How can I get over this?

The outside world. How I detest its uncleanliness as much as I need its wild and untamed nature. To be beautiful and to despair— two sides of the same coin and another of God’s cruel tests.

As an apex predator, I am a force in the outdoors. A beast, as biblical in nature as Leviathan itself, I stalk the streets of Mt Cook with a ferocity and speed hardly matched by a tigress in wildest India. I select my prey carefully. Small rodents, insects, and loose socks are easy targets, and I have mastered their swift disposal. This semester I have moved on to freshers. Perhaps next year I could be taking down cyclists and local MPs— the importance is in the challenge, pushing my capabilities. So, select your targets carefully, my nervous disciple; start small and work your way up.

Do you have a question you’re dying to have answered?

DM Massive Magazine on Instagram or editor@massivemagazine.org.nz and look out for next week’s issue - no question is too difficult for Pocket.

Horoscopes

Aries Taurus Gemini

Call your parents back ffs. Let your inner child out. Buy a bag of choccie fish and watch cartoons.

Drink more water. It will help with the hangover 100%.

Cancer Leo

You’re feeling a bit under the weather maybe, but just remember: you’re hot x.

Random acts of kindness will give you good karma. Like bringing Pocket the Massey cat some treats (she like Whiskas kibbles fyi.)

Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius

Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean everyone isn’t out to get you. Watch your back.

Look sweetie, you’re not weird, don’t worry. You’re just special.

Maybe go see a fortune-teller, idk.

Capricorn Aquarius

You will meet someone very sexy this week. You get to decide who.

Get the 2 for 1 cocktails. Double the happiness: one is free! And one is overpriced.

Repeat the following mantra in the morning for maximum selfconfidence; “I is kind, I is smart, I is important.”

Pisces

Seriously, just dump them.

Going Underground

By Tui Lou Christie (she/they)

Usually, it’s only the very old and the very young who don’t hide that they’re staring at me. This was the same case.

The 7:15 am bus from Johnsonville is not very busy on the weekend. A couple of younger people were scattered about, maybe on their way to work some hospo jobs on a Saturday morning, or maybe a (colloquially named) bus ride of shame home after a big Friday night. The only other passengers were a mum with a toddler bouncing on the seat next to her and an elderly woman with a big coat and a shiny black walking stick. I walked through the priority seating area and the old woman’s eyes narrowed into a squint above her facemask, to get a better look at me as I went past with my big brown suitcase. To be fair, I was wearing an outfit that can only be described as “someone’s dad going through a mid-life crisis and reviving their punk youth.” Bright red mullet, big black boots, weird band patches all over my pants, you get the picture.

In my defence, it was a Saturday. That’s my time. I was on my way to the “Underground Arts Market” in Newtown to sell some of the clothes I make. It specialises in all things goth, punk, and witchy, and I’ve booked a stall. I couldn’t show up looking normal, could I? I gave my suitcase the window seat halfway up the bus and sat down next to it. Everyone about my age gave me a glance but soon returned to their phones. The little girl was not the same. I’m used to children staring. I look weird and they just got here, I understand. I think it’s kind of fun, actually. The little girl was a few rows ahead of me and kept turning around, kneeling in her seat to look over the top at me. When I made eye contact, she sat down quickly, so I pretended not to notice.

Gradually, the bus filled with more people carrying reusable bags and trundle-along shopping carriers. The little girl stared over her Mum’s shoulder as they were getting off about halfway along the route. I gave her a little wave and she just kept staring, eyes wide and mouth hanging open slightly. Eventually, we pulled up to Newtown school. In the parking lot outside the hall was the usual bustling fruit and veggie market full of independent sellers. Being dressed like this in the middle of a veggie market at 8 am on a Saturday is such a wild feeling. I was part of the oil slick in this sea of puffer jackets, khakis, and baby slings. Luckily, there were a

couple other weirdos wandering into the hall, so I followed them.

Inside was a big brown room covered in signs and drawings from the after-school program. I stood in the doorway and looked lost until Jess came and got me. She ran this market and a few others around Wellington. Band tee shirt, roughly 20 necklaces, and enough eyeliner to be seen from space. She must have been only 5’2” or thereabouts, and even with at least three inches of platform boot underneath her she barely made it past my chin. I’m definitely in the right place. She was setting up her own stall of ritual candles and beard oil but showed me to my stand and chatted away politely with me as I unpacked. I looked around the hall as I screwed together my clothing rack. Mangel Prints was already setting up in the back corner, the owner being a proper lanky punk with silver teeth and an acid wash battle vest. A woman with pink hair and a long black jacket smiled at me as she was hanging up some banners around the walls, as she had already finished setting up her stall of cat voodoo dolls. An older lady with purple hair, tall and slim like a dancer, was laying out studded leather corsets like the one she was wearing over her copious black skirts.

In horror, I realised I’d walked into a nightmare. I was underdressed.

When customers started walking in, they barely gave me a second glance. Why would they, when there’s an old man looking like the Crypt Keeper at the next stall over? I was hardly wearing any makeup or jewellery comparatively, and my black tee just had the ghostbusters logo on it instead of Mötley Crüe or Black Sabbath. Compared to the bus ride, I was almost delightfully invisible. I took a 10-minute break around 12 to go hurriedly eat some dumplings out of a paper cup on the steps outside, and Crypt Keeper was already standing there chuffing away on his vape. I saw he had white contact lenses in that made it look like his eyes were rolled into the back of his head, and his black boots had buckles all the way up to the knee. I smiled quietly into my dumplings, knowing any passer-by wouldn’t even glance at me if I was stood next to him.

Every time I saw another person with a red mullet, which was more than you’re probably imagining, we shared a

knowing smile. Every now and then one of the casual veggie market shoppers would wander in; young parents with a baby in a papoose, elderly couples kitted up in puffer jackets and pull along shopping bags. I had a clear view of the door from my stand, and they were all in and out of the market in under a minute. People say that it’s hard to dress like we do every day- I guess it’s even harder to stomach us.

A young guy in a Dead Kennedys shirt stopped by to buy one of my patches. He had long hair, fingerless gloves, and a penchant for repeating himself. He showed me a whole pocketful of patches he’d got from a few other stall holders and told me he was buying a bunch to populate his new battle vest, as his old one got taken off him by a cop at a riot.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said, “just because my vest said ACAB on the back, they took it off me. It just said ACAB and they took it off me!” Evidently, this guy is a proper punk, I guessed, in altercations with police and whatnot. Suddenly I felt very much like a poser. Sure, I’ve got the political leanings, I just lack the blood lust. Not wanting to get caught, I offered up a joke that seemed in line: “Huh. I didn’t know cops could read.” Luckily, he laughed. My secret was safe.

“See I’m from Christchurch,” he continued, “and there’s still actual Nazis in Christchurch, and I went to a punch up, right, I’m at this punch up.” He put his fists up in his fingerless gloves and mimed along as he was talking.

“And I was like, what are the rules? You know, what are the rules? Anything below the shoulders except the crotch?” He threw a couple of imaginary jabs.

“And he was like ‘how old are you’ and I was like ‘I’m 15,’ and he was like ‘Oh. I’m 32.’” He mimed another couple punches in the air.

“That sounds like a very cordial fight,” I said. “Did you shake hands on it, too?” I wondered if this happened a long time ago or if this kid was still 15, but then his mum came and got him from my stand. We waved goodbye as they headed out the hall door together.

At the end of the whole day, I was pleased with my overall sales and the nice weirdos I’d met. I packed up my stall back into my suitcase, once again looking around the room as I disassembled my clothes rack. There was the tall

woman with purple hair, who looked intimidating until she began fretting over me like my mother when she found out it was my first time at the market. There was the pink haired lady with the dead cat dolls who almost skipped when she walked and had come by my stall again and again to take some toffees from my bowl. And there was the punk from Mangel Prints, who’d flashed all his silver teeth as he grinned at the designs I had on display. I added my new pins to the collection on my lapel, slipped my cool new prints into the top of my suitcase, and zipped it up proudly.

On my way out, I walked over the check out the gothic rosary beads that Jess was selling, and we chatted about the decorations on them. The one I bought had Baphomet sitting cross legged hanging off it, I put it round my neck and congratulated her on running such a cool market.

“Yep, what a good crowd of stallholders,” she said. “I’ll have them all back again, except one.”

“Oh yeah?” I asked.

“One of the stallholders, well… a couple of the younger alternative girls came up and asked me if I knew him, and-“

“Oh, he’s a creep?” We both wrinkled our noses in disgust. “Big time. So he’s not welcome back to any of my markets.”

“Chuck him on the blacklist, absolutely,” I grinned.

I got on the afternoon bus and sat next to my suitcase as the sun came through the window, satisfied with my Saturday. My black boots were rubbing at the heel and my studded collar was itching like crazy, but I wore them with pride all the way back to Johnsonville.

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