Nexus 2019 Issue 17 by Nexus Magazine

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David Bennett MP for Hamilton East

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EXPERIENCE

REVIEWERS - ARTISTS - FEATURE WRITERS - ONLINE COLUNMISTS

Nexus is seeking volunteer contributors with stories to tell in 2019. If you think you're ready to write then email: Editor@Nexusmag.co.nz

07 834 3407 DavidBennettMPforHamiltonEast davidbennettmp@parliament.govt.nz

Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by David Bennett MP, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

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UNDER EMPLOYED

CONTENTS Grace Mitchell Nexus Editor

editor@nexusmag.co.nz

Kim Sare Deputy Editor

kim@nexusmag.co.nz

Ashlea Curran Designer

design@nexusmag.co.nz

James Raffan Managing Editor

james@nexusmag.co.nz

Contributors Ella Morgan News Editor ella@nexusmag.co.nz

Kyla Campbell-Kamariera

Makayla Wallace - Tidd

Marnie Hunter Lifestyle Editor marnie@nexusmag.co.nz

Chelsea Grove

Caitlin Walters-Freke

Josh Umbers

Onyx Lily

Kaleb Adams

Mei Anne Foo

Mia Milne

Tara Overwater

Silvan Pislor

Lauren Alexander

Jordan Davies

Troy Matich

Tessa Preddy

Centrefold Alexis Clements

Sophie Miller Entertainment Editor sophie@nexusmag.co.nz Nelson Cooper Sports Editor nelson@nexusmag.co.nz Jared Ipsen jared@nexusmag.co.nz Luka Love luka@nexusmag.co.nz

Harry Malcolm Raaginee Rajah

Advertising Kendrah Worsley + Tara Overwater comms@wsu.org.nz

Grace Mitchell Nexus Editor editor@nexusmag.co.nz

What does one do for an editorial when the feature article falls through at the last minute and the team ends up taking the piss with a “Desert: A Concept Piece”, in the same week that Nexus is quite creatively described as “self-righteous trash”? You give advice. Specifically, the best advice I’ve received to get me through the kind of weeks where an insightful piece on the history of conflict in the Middle East morphs into a Year 10-esque creative writing class based on a picture of sand dunes. “People dumber than you have figured it out” - Dad Mainly applied when learning to drive, this sentiment is helpful in almost any situation - from starting a new job to working out whether the door is a push or pull. “Don’t let the concept of change scare you as much as the concept of staying unhappy” - Timber Hawkeye Whether you’re rethinking a relationship, a degree, or branching out from your usual takeaway option. “Treat uni like a 9-5 job, and you’ll never have to work late nights or weekends” - My uni tutor It’s too late for me - save yourself, freshers. “God helps those who help themselves” - Mum Not exactly said with the religious tone it may suggest - more like, stop bitching about how much work you have to do when you’ve clearly been procrastinating on Instagram for the past two hours. Everything in the Brené Brown talk on Netflix. With the risk of sounding like a middle-aged American reading self-help books, this TED talk was huge. The Man in the Arena chat is just like *mimes head explosion* “Take a 20-minute ‘nature pill’, every day” - Lecturer No joke; if there’s one prescription we all need, this is it (apart from, like, your heart meds). Epic for your mental health and physical health alike, find ways to spend time outside.

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

6 AUG

have you got tickets to sons of zion?

Seed Waikato’s ‘Let’s give a sh*t about local politics’ 5:45 -8pm / Free / Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts / Reserve a space at seedwaikato.nz

wanna get maccas?

7 AUG Beer Club!

6-9pm / $20 / Wonder Horse

Biddy’s tonight?

8 AUG

Craft Gin and Tonic Tasting 6-10pm / $60 from Eventbrite / Mavis and Co Hamilton East

8 AUG

Pack the City Council 9.30-10.30am / Free / The Council Chamber

COME TO OUTBACK

did you know we have a test this week?

9 AUG

girlBiddy’s you are Singles Night missing out / Biddy Mulligans 7:30pm wish u were here!!

10 AUG

WHERE ARE U?

Local just Authors won $50 Event 11:30am-1pm on the pokies / Free / Trust Waikato

FOMO 6

HIGH SCHOOL PARTIES

It’s Saturday 8pm, you’ve been smashing back Mavs with the boys since roughly 11:30am. What time is it? Raveee time, yessir. One of the boys is hosting an open invite, proper naughty sesh at their flat. Boys on the decks, throwing down tunes to absolutely lose your mind to. It’s the weekly occurrence that you and the gang froth all week for. Set your social anxieties aside; you don’t have to talk to anyone if everyone is dancing to their heart’s content. Also, since all partygoers are either tradies or uni students, that means there should not be any below 18-year-olds to get trapped with. God that would look bad, wouldn’t it. Flat raves can be such a mixed bag - but not in the age category. Fuck me do you get a variety of people, and I bloody love that. I found that every flat party I’ve been to in my career has been loose as fuck, a country fucking mile better than any highschool party. Everyone is just there to get steamed and doesn’t care about what anyone else thinks, it’s just so good. If I had it my way I’d send at a flat all night long and not go to town (I salute you my dunners breathers).

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

FLAT RAVES

There is nothing like wrangling a few of your best mates together, chucking your 6 watermelon cruisers in your $4 Warehouse backpack, and spending a night screaming Mr. Brightside as one of the local high school dropouts DJs the most exciting party you will go to in your entire life. By the time uni flat parties roll around, we’ve beenthere-done-that in the party scene. We’ve already thrown up everything but our dignity seeing how much raspberry vodka we could get down, we’ve hooked up with that girl/ boy from class and heard everyone talking about it on Monday at school, and we’ve spent weeks deciding what Supré crop top or Hallenstines shirt we were going to wear. After high school, parties just lose that magic touch they once had. You don’t sit in uni classes all week feeling excited for the party on the weekend like you did in high school, and that’s what made parties so special. Not to mention the crazy bangers that would play in high school like Country Roads, Like a G6, and Timber - now, you’re lucky to find a flat party that doesn’t only play drum and bass. Look back and remember what if felt like to go to your first ever party in high school; how cool you felt drinking illegally, and seeing that Year 13 you had a crush on looking great out of their uniform. Not even the coolest house party in the world beats that magical moment.

Hamiltonian Caffeination

Coffee Recommendations from New Zealand’s Best Barista Mei Anne Foo The cool-beans ground of Hamilton is fast becoming New Zealand’s coffee capital thanks to a few impassioned café owner-operators who dare to offer more than just espresso blends.

as my suburb in Shenzhen!” Chen quips. “But it’s definitely growing here. And people care more about coffee now. Whereas back in the day, they didn’t really care. They were more focused on the food.”

If you’re a coffee snob, you’d be proud to know that Hamilton is home to Dove Chen, this year’s winner of the New Zealand Barista Championship. It’s his second time clinching the title, too. Originally from Shenzhen, Chen left the Chinese metropolis to pursue a degree in economics at the University of Waikato. After learning that economics was not his cup of tea, he switched flavours to help build café businesses here.

Many baristas, including Chen, continue to point to the boys at Rocket Coffee Roasters, an industry pioneer who’s been operating in Hamilton since 1995, for continuing to offer highstandard and trendy coffee. Hamilton’s strategic central location in the Waikato region likewise makes beans from other regional specialty roasters easily accessible, including Raglan Roast from the nearby namesake beach town and Coffee Supreme from Wellington. Each roaster has their unique coffee characteristics, which makes the café scene in Hamilton a smorgasbord of different interesting flavors.

Chen’s love affair with coffee began when he was just a kid, saving up his allowance for a weekend treat of a canned coffee drink. It was the sugar that pulled him in but the flavour that kept him coming back for more. He chose to stay in Hamilton for its geographic and vast demographic potential. “Hamilton is a small market. In fact, the whole of New Zealand is small, in terms of population. The number of people in this whole country is probably the same

Though according to Chen, some cafés in Hamilton still stick to just what their customers like: Chocolatey and strong. Nothing wrong with that. But if you are thirsty for something different and you are not afraid to ask a friendly barista, you could be in for a real treat. Chen recommends a few of his favorite cafés in Hamilton that offer true caffeinated delights to try.

Grey Street Kitchen Chen unabashedly recommends this café “owned by a two-time New Zealand Barista Champion”, otherwise known as himself. The interior is bursting with natural light, and the bright wood furnishings are contrasted by indoor greenery. To stay on top of his game, Dove constantly experiments with different blends and styles. Some of his coffee concoctions pop up on the menu for an indeterminate time period, so you can expect the unexpected with every visit. Pair the perfect cuppa, typically made with beans from popular kiwi brand Coffee Supreme, with some scones, slices of cake or a selection of brunch benchmarks, including buttermilk fried chicken waffles and bread and butter pudding French toast. fb.com/greystkitchen; beverages NZ$1.80-$7.50

Café Agora Agora, which means marketplace in Greek, is a café that values community and is located in the heart of Frankton. Chen points out that the café uses La Mai beans from Northern Thailand. By using these beans, Agora supports Thailand’s Hill Tribe Hope who help to provide water, sanitation, irrigation, health and education to two Thai villages. Be sure to chat with head barista Takashi Ueno, who specialises in pour overs and latte art, to learn more about the coffee-central cause. Or pore over the café’s illustrated exterior and interior walls, which narrate the café’s charitable journey via NZ-based aerosol artist Cracked Ink’s characters and monochrome motifs. cafeagora.net.nz; beverages NZ$3.50-$7.50

Rocket Coffee Roasters It won’t take long before you hear this name circling around the coffee-consuming circuit when you’re in H-town. Rocket took off in 1995, and has since become one of the most established modern roasters in the country. The owners, Glen Crompton and Glen Woodcock, have a good relationship with other cafés in the region, making Rocket the go-to partner to roast specialty beans. Its own café area is filled with trinkets and memorabilia from coffee-making’s yesteryears. At the back, the massive rocket-like roaster sits proudly as the brand’s symbol, from which the aroma of freshly roasting coffee permeates every nook and cranny of the store. You can bring home a bag of their beans to prepare a shot of your own or watch the roasting process while sipping on drinks prepared by one of the Glens. rocketcoffee.co.nz; beverages NZ$4-$5.50

Camarosa Opened late last year, Camarosa is the newest destination in the city to grab some good coffee and a bowl of glorious food with plenty of dietary options, from vegetarian and gluten free to keto and vegan. The menu has been formulated by awardwinning chef Andrew Clarke while the best baristas, including Jassher Clayton from Grey Street Kitchen, were brought in to front the coffee-making process. Try the single origin batch brew from Rwanda, concocted by Wellington coffee company Flight Coffee, while taking in the strawberry field the café and restaurant fronts. Inside, the space is awash with natural textures in wood and stone and Scandinavian-esque furniture. camarosa.co.nz; beverages NZ$3.50-$9.50

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

FEEL GOOD NEWS Imam Abdullahi has been recognised for his courage in sheltering 262 Christians from the brutal attacks on their community in central Nigeria. The Muslim cleric ushered the fleeing people into the mosque and hid them until the danger was over.

An American city has clothed and fed over 1600 new arrivals over the last few months, with

the community organising food and clothing drives, and businesses providing jobs and incomes, bucking the trend from the top of vilifying asylum-seekers and choosing instead to open their arms to the world weary travellers.

A student at the University of Dundee in Scotland has broadened the scientific lexicon of British Sign Language. Born deaf, Liam McMulkin realised the limitations of the BSL for science when starting at the University. During his undergraduate years he has added over 100 new terms for scientific concepts that are now officially recognised in BSL.

An accident-prone koala has been rescued by volunteers in South Australia for a third time after getting his head stuck in a fence.

Canada’s Fisheries Act now requires the rebuilding of fish populations and bans the import and export of shark fins, passing the most progressive legislation in its history to undo the damage done to their oceans and fishery populations.

back out and saved her father as well. In a strange twist of fate, the rescue happened on the anniversary of their deceased grandfather’s brother drowning decades earlier. 10

Auckland woman Jackie Clark has been fighting the good fight for over 7 years since founding the charity group The Aunties. She assists and supports vulnerable women in South Auckland and has built a community of helpers and helpees. Follow The Aunties on Facebook for updates and ways you can help out.

to the Health Department for his unlicensed stand.

Seesaws were installed at the Mexico-U.S. Border to unite people through play. Two

professors came up with the idea for the temporary installation, choosing to take a humanistic approach to the “fundamental meanness around the concept of a wall.”

Canadian police dog, Zoe, has located two 16-year old girls who went missing in Ontario’s Algonquin Park for 6 days. The teens were dehydrated and covered in insect bites but otherwise unharmed.

Four American brothers visiting Ireland for their grandfather’s funeral rescued a 6-year old girl swept out to sea by a rogue wave. Once ashore they went

Health inspectors helped 13-year-old Jaequan Faulkner get a license for his hot dog stand, and even chipped in themselves to pay the license fee after Jaequan was reported

Ophthalmologist Dr. Sanduk Ruit has personally restored vision to over 130,000 patients after

years of trekking all over Nepal treating cataracts.

Toni Harris is the first female in history to receive a full college football scholarship. After

overcoming a lot of adversity in her life (we’re talking being adopted four times, enduring mental and physical abuse, being kicked off teams for being a girl, and surviving ovarian cancer at age 18), it’s no surprise that even Disney is chasing her down to cement her story on the big screen.

Short News

QUOTES

Luka Love / Tessa Preddy

US Attorney General William Barr has instructed the Department of Prisons to resume executions of federal inmates after a 15-year hiatus. After unsuccessfully demanding the death penalty for 5 innocent boys in the 1980’s and recently arguing for the execution of drug dealers, President Trump will settle for killing prisoners.

Boris Johnson has been chosen as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by a handful of Tory voters and no public mandate, proving that the only thing you need to lead the world’s great powers is to be a white male with an IQ of 75 and a bad haircut.

Europe has set new highs for the hottest days on record as various E.U. governments issue ever-escalating colour-coded warnings to the street-bound proletariat while doing little else. World leaders sitting in air conditioned buildings, apparently oblivious to the world catching fire, are presumed to be thinking “this is fine.”

A Gloriavale man who fled the cult with his wife and their 12 children in 2015 has spoken out about his newfound freedom. The couple have since had three more kids, bringing the total to 15 and proving that you can take the folks out of Gloriavale but you can’t take Gloriavale out of the folks.

“Great restaurants are voted by bums on seats. Don’t punish my people. Just know when you come into one of our restaurants, know when you pay the bill, that my people are getting paid and paid correctly.” - George Calombaris. “We will remain here until the bulldozers come. I’ve already planned to sacrifice my life for this campaign. I’m willing to die for it. It’s so important to my identity and to the history of our nation and my nieces and nephews.” - Pania Newton.

“The president asked me to come here and support these American citizens. I’ll be here until they come home.” Robert C. O’Brien, the top US hostage negotiator.

“You people should be banned because you’re evil” - A Wellington woman during her anti-vegan “Moving apprentices back to outburst at Sweet Release. polytechnics and creating one mega

polytechnic will cost at least 1300 jobs in industry and probably as much again in polytechnics.” - Dr. Shane Reti.

“I do know it, I wrote the damn bill.” - Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Medicare-for-all.

NEWS IN NUMBERS

1 6

people rescued from flash rips in Kariotahi beach.

new UK prime minister, Boris Johnson.

year old YouTuber buys a skyscraper in Seoul.

1400 people detained in a Moscow protest.

drug smugglers call the police on themselves after getting stuck in a shipping container while smuggling cocaine.

the number of Nexus issues left to go this year.

6.3 $200m magnitude earthquake in Japan.

the amount National pledges to put into cancer drug research if it wins the next elections. the age you’ll need to be to buy energy drinks from Countdown.

A Wellington man has appeared in court following a drink driving incident involving a steam roller. Police were called to Eastern Hutt Rd after the man, apparently frustrated at local boy racers, hopped steaming into the roller and ran over a group of cars which were apparently too slow to escape the ambling death machine.

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Fake It - Kayak & Canoe Slalom You know what they say about canoeists; half a paddle, half a man. I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to be a kayaker. Being on my knees in a cockpit just isn’t my thing. When talking about the rapids, mention their class and use the word gnarly. The red gates don’t mean stop, you just go through them upstream (in the opposite direction).

High Five This week, we take a look at the most successful athletes in the sport of kayak and canoe slalom. C1 = Canoe with 1 paddler / C2 = Canoe with 2 paddlers / K1 = Kayak with 1 paddler

Jessica Fox - Australia 2010 - 2018 Events: C1, K1 7 Gold, 1 Bronze

If you don’t like your chances of drowning, why not try slalom on the snow, seeing as that’s where the ‘sport’ originated from.

Sports Quiz 1. Canoe Slalom is also referred to as? 2. Touching a gate pole with a paddle incurs a time penalty of how long? 3. How does a competitor win in Canoe Slalom?

Jon Lugbill - United States 1979 - 1989 Events: C1 5 Gold, 1 Silver

4. How many ‘runs’ does a competitor usually complete in the heat stage of the sport? 5. When did the Canoe Slalom first feature at the Olympics?

Player Profile Pavol and Peter Hochschorner Slovakia 2002 - 2011 Events: C2 5 Gold, 2 Bronze

PLAYE

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Richard Fox - Great Britain 1979 - 1993 Events: K1 5 Gold, 1 Bronze

junio ra in Bra nd Under zil. 23

Michal Martikán - Slovakia 1995 - 2017 Events: C1 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze Answers:

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1. Whitewater Slalom / 2. 2 seconds / 3. Completing the course in the fastest possible time / 4. twice / 5. 1972 in the Munich Games

Sam SLALOMcCulloch M KA YAKIN G

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NEXUS HEALTH

Foot Fetish Tara Overwater Let’s face it. Feet aren’t the most attractive thing (sorry to those signed up to footfetish.com), but they’re obviously quite useful to have. Alongside their obvious benefits, they also reflect things going on in our bodies. Soles looking a bit yellow? You need to drink more water - you’ve got too many toxins left in your system from last nights’ booze up. Got a patch of dry skin down the side of your left foot? Could be because you carry your bag on your left shoulder. Change it to your right shoulder for a while. Your body will thank you for it. Reflexology is based on an ancient form of therapy which is said to have been practised as far back as 2330 B.C. It’s basically where trained professionals apply pressure to certain areas of your feet using their thumb and fingers. Theoretically, the reflexes on our feet (and hands for that matter) act as mirror images of the body, where the pathways between pressure points and other parts of the body are thought to be connected via the nervous system. This is why a reflexologist can pick up on problems you didn’t know you had. They can both see and feel issues going on. Been dieting on noodles and beer lately? There may be a spot in the bottom third of your foot that feels tender or hard to touch. This means you’re probably in need of some kiwifruit fibre to let that build-up flow.

Part of the magic of reflexology is down to the theory of ‘zones’. According to reflexology, every part of the body, including all organs, valves and muscles that lies within a ‘zone’ can be accessed via a point or area on the feet or hands. For example, working between toes 2 and 3, the eye point is found. These zones are similar to meridians found in Chinese medicine. The benefits of reflexology are huge. It aids in overall relaxation, helps internal organs function at their best and increases blood supply (which brings additional oxygen and nutrients to cells and enhances waste removal). It helps to alleviate pain, stress and anxiety by stimulating the body to become proactive and kick-start healing. So while a reflexologist may aid the healing process, they’re actually stimulating the body to heal and repair itself. But before you go out and over-exfoliate the dry skin on your toes to heal your runny nose, which is really only going to make your feet as soft as a baby’s bum (insert other reference here if need be - freshly shaved ball sack etc etc), go out and give reflexology a go. You’ll thank yourself (and us) for it. The best part is, it’s suitable for even the most ticklish of feet.

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

GROW GROW THE FUCK GROW OW THE FUCK UP GROW GROW THE FUCKUP UP FUCK GROW THE FUCK U UCK UP ROW T THE OW THE GROW GROW THE FUCK UCK U UP CK UP W FUCK UPGROW GROW THE FUCK GROW THE FUCK UP FUCK UP THE G GROW THE GROW TH GROW THE UP FUCK UP FUCK UCK UP FUCK UP F GROW THE ROWGROW RO THE THE FUCK UP G CKFUCK C UP UP GROW W THE F GROW FUCK THE UP GROW TH THEFUCK UP GROW THE FUCK UP FUCK UP Feminism & The Correct Way to Respond Marnie Hunter

Ah, the F-word, a controversial combination of letters. A word that is often frowned upon, causing people to wince when they hear it, and a word that Granddad probably wishes you’d stop using. What is it you might ask? Feminism. Not fuck. Feminism. When is it that feminism became more controversial than ‘fuck’ in some people’s eyes?

As a feminist myself (shock), I’ve experienced an array of reactions from both men and women when it becomes apparent that I identify myself with the dreaded F-word. Some reactions are more common than others, but each seems to have the underlying theme of a complete lack of understanding for what ‘feminism’ actually stands for. Feminism quite literally means you believe women deserve and are entitled to the same rights as men. Simple. However, for many people, this word has been twisted into one that screams hatred for the male species and essentially, anything good in the world. So how do we change that? My first suggestion would be to educate yourself. However, we are aware that this often requires far too much effort. Instead, below you’ll find a list of appropriate and inappropriate ways to react when someone says “I’m a feminist” to help you get better.

“Me too!” - Appropriate Alright, so this might be a bit far fetched. Some of you might not be ready to believe in equal rights for men and women just yet; I mean we only got the vote in 1893, right? Give the people some time to adjust. In all seriousness, though, this is your best answer and will allow you to avoid any hint of a heated discussion. However, I’m not stupid, and I do understand the reality of this answer actually occurring, so keep reading for a more practical answer.

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those feminists…” Inappropriate You know, with the hairy armpits, hatred for men and an endless stream of opinions - one of those feminists. Whether you’re aware of it or not, this is just a ploy to belittle said ‘feminist’ into appearing as a threatening enemy as opposed to a regular girl who just wants her equal rights. Stop doing this.

“Good on you!” - Appropriate Even if you might not agree with or understand the whole ‘feminist’ concept, try to respect that it is important to some people. While we’d rather you share our same wishes for equality amongst the genders, we can be somewhat understanding if you’re not quite there yet. So as long you’re respectful about it, it’s cool.

“Do you want to pay 50/50 on dates and open your own doors too then?” - Very (and I cannot stress this enough) inappropriate If this is the first thing that enters your head when someone says ‘feminism,’ then you have some learning to do. If we have to pay 50/50 on dates and open our own doors so that women can be correctly paid, treated and spoken to in their professional and everyday lives, then sure, sign us up. Essentially, this is yet another tactic to belittle our fight for rights into something that it is not. Grow the fuck up? “ … ” - Appropriate (ish) If you’ve got nothing good to say, then don’t say it all. If for some reason you can’t quite figure out if you believe women and men deserve equal rights, maybe just keep your mouth shut. While it is often true that ‘remaining silent is taking the side of the oppressor,’ at times your conflicting opinions just don’t have a place. Feminism is already a challenge, and sometimes we just don’t have time to waste our energy on small battles we won’t win.

W THE GROW ROW THE FUCK UP UP FUCK UCK UP W THE W THE T GROW GROW ROW THE GROW UP FUCK UP FUCK U FUCK UP GROW THE W TH GROW FUCK UP FUCK K UP W THE K UP GROW THE GROW THE FUCK UP FUCK UP HE P GROW OW TH THEGROW THE THE HE FUCK UP FUCKGROW UP FUCK UP GROW THE GROW THE FUCK UP FUCK UP GROW GROW THE FUCK FUCK UP GROW THE Instagram Likes Jared Ipsen jared@nexusmag.co.nz

I have to admit, I felt a twinge of malicious joy when I saw Instagram was removing likes and the already declining ‘influencer’ industry seemed to be in its death throes. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of being advertised to under the false pretence that it’s an authentic recommendation. I’m sick of seeing people talk about gemstones and My Food Bag and Uber Eats (#ad). I find myself trusting actual recommendations for products on Instagram less and less, cos I’m never sure if they’ve been paid to talk about them or not. Seeing influencers lamenting about having to work 8 hours a day (!) was the highlight of my week.

But as I started thinking about it more, I realised that maybe I was being a bit too ‘old man yells at cloud’ about the people that make money off Instagram. Sure, there are some awful influencers out there that are feeding off people’s insecurities to peddle hot garbage to their impressionable audience, but there are just as many honest, hardworking influencers just trying to pay their rent. Annoyingly, this seems to be another case that is much more nuanced than I’d like it to be. For those more well-balanced people out there that don’t know shit about Instagram, an ‘influencer’ is someone that has a pretty decent following and gets paid to talk positively about brands online. It may seem from the outside looking in that it’s an easy gig, and all you have to do is take selfies at Chernobyl to make a few thousand dollars, but growing an audience is hard work. Anyone that’s ever been disappointed at their latest photo not even cracking 10 likes knows how hard it is to build a

community on Instagram. It’s easy to get (most) of the people you know to follow you, but amassing an audience big enough for someone to want to pay you for access to them is no mean feat.

And, like it or not, we are all influencers in some way. Whether you have 100 followers or 10,000, everything we put out on to the internet is having an effect on the people that consume your content. Memes about depression, pre-town selfies, complaining about the service at KFC Frankton - there isn’t really that much separating us from the people who make it their job to get your likes. We’re all chasing approval, that dopamine hit that comes from people validating your existence - influencers have just found out how to make money from it. As the great Ice-T says, don’t hate the player - hate the game.

Of course, I still feel sour about the ‘influencer’ industry, and feel like it’s having a mostly negative impact on the world. I still will never as long as I live buy any literal trash that Kmart sells, no matter how many times they secretly pay popular Instagrammers to talk about them. But, like it or not, we all have followers, we’re all trying to get likes, and we all have people watching what we’re doing (like all those people hate-watching your stories - we see you). We all have an impact on the world, no matter how small. We have to think more intentionally about what we’re putting out there. Are we trying to boost our egos, make someone jealous, or get someone from Shortland Street to follow us back? Or are we trying to make the world a brighter, less shitty place?

whelmed. NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Sam from Tauranga Nelson Cooper nelson@nexusmag.co.nz This interview was conducted at a mixed-age party with flocks of first years and troops of third years. Our interviewee and his mullet were a guest appearance, and together they were head turners. NEXUS: Do you want to just quickly introduce yourself? Your name and where you’re from? G’day, I’m Sam from Tauranga and I’m from Aquinas College. NEXUS: So, Sam, what was involved in your decision to get a mullet? Lowkey, my Dad said, “you should get a mullet” and I was like “fuck, that’s loose as”. And I was like “yeah”, and that’s pretty much it really, aye. NEXUS: Can you describe the environment where the mullet was cut and who cut it? My Dad cut it and my sister, and the environment was my house and I was working at Pak n’ Save at the time. And I was just like “just fuckin’ get a mullet”. NEXUS: What have some of the reactions to your mullet been? “Awesome”. People love it, y’know, I’ve had it for nearly three years so, people, they love it, and that’s about it really, yeah. NEXUS: How has female interaction been since you got a mullet? Like good, good, yeah. NEXUS: If you could describe your mullet in one or two words, what would those words be? FUCKING AMAZING. That’s about it really, aye.

NEXUS: Can you describe for us the mullet community in New Zealand? It needs to get bigger, but every day is a new day, and every day that you decide to get a mullet is a good day. NEXUS: Just a random one, but what kind of car do you drive? I don’t have a car, but I’ve got me own work van, it’s a Toyota Hiace, three-meter diesel, Yeah boiii! NEXUS: Do you have any words of advice for people thinking of getting mullets? If you want to get a mullet, you don’t decide to get a mullet, the mullet decides to get you. If you want to get a mullet, the mullet wants to get you, you don’t decide to cut the mullet, you decide to get a haircut and it’s a mullet and that’s about it really. Mullet’s choose you, you don’t choose the mullet.

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Spit or Swallow? Try and be coy all you want, we see you reading this piece

đ&#x;&#x2018;&#x20AC;

When it comes to love, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d do almost anything for the people we care about. Key word being: almost. Prime example? Giving blowjobs. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the age-old dilemma. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in bed with a sexy mofo. After some hard mahi, your boo is on the verge of something...cue last-minute panic. Shit, what do you do?! Take one for the team and neck it down? Hold it for a minute and spit, like a distressed alpaca? Hope to hell you can get the tissue there in time? Or just let him figure it out? Recent conversations have enlightened me on the fact that my mates unanimously hate oral. Apparently, blowjobs are something to half-arse to get the party started, but not something to see through to completion. Here I was feeling like a damn fool, thinking that anything except swallowing was rude, and that tolerating an hour of jaw-lock was just part of the experience. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame them to be fair; blowjobs tend to come with a cramped jaw, a powerful urge to gag, and the general anxiety that your technique is shit (P.S., everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s different, but in general, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no such thing as too much saliva, use your hands as much as possible, never try to excessively deepthroat it like a pornstar - youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll risk puke dick and if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been over 45 minutes, give up. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll tell you to keep going, but let me tell you, it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happening). If you honestly detest the very thought of giving a blowjob and/or genuinely fear you may tear something trying to see things through to the finish line, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absolutely fair enough. However, sex involves both give and take: e.g. if you expect to receive oral sex, you should probably offer to give it, too. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the type to cater way too much to your partner (ladies, we can be bad at this), maybe pull back and expect a lil more work put in on you. On the other hand, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the type who has a canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t-be-fucked attitude about oral, try swallowing (apologies, unintended pun) your pride and giving head every now and then. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absolutely nothing anti-feminist or emasculating about wanting to help your lover feel great; giving head is sexy AF.

The spit vs swallow debate is a surprisingly common point of contention. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have a quick look at the pros and cons for each: Pros: swallowing baby gravy has health benefits. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right; mood-enhancing compounds will help you feel great, apparently even helping you sleep and reducing pain. It boosts your own confidence when you can get your partner to that sweet spot, plus thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the joy of knowing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made them feel lush. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also some research showing that it can help boost your fertility, by prepping your immune system to accept the foreign proteins present on your partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sperm (which sounds suspiciously like male-led research, but anyway). The benefit of spitting is that, obviously, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to face the taste if you absolutely canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand it. Cons: the taste of semen is pretty fuckinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bitter, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be real (Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sorry, pineapple consumption doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a damn difference), and some women may find it literally makes them vomit. However, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the risk that spitting can make your partner feel a bit shit about themselves (mainly if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re screaming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and making dramatic retching noises). Spit or swallow, both options come with the risk of transferring STIs. As much as people may have an expectation on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right or wrong, the choice is completely and utterly yours. I know this sounds like a cop-out answer to my question, but seriously consider your partner, but also consider your own preferences. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just providing an overview of both sides here to humour you all; if somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mad at you because you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t swallow or something, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solid gold douchebaggery. The moral of the story to settle this entire debate? At the end of the day, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still getting head, so if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re complaining, literally go fuck yourself. (As far as oral goes for the lasses? Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a whole different column, still to come...)

A PUNCH IN THE FACE WITH A FISTFUL OF FLAVOUR

UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO STAFF AND STUDENTS PAY

JUST $1.70 ONE WAY ON BUSES IN HAMILTON WITH A BUSIT CARD.

JUST SHOW THE BUS DRIVER YOUR UNI ID TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT.

CRUSH OF THE WEEK

TOP 10 -

Student streets - finding a nice gaf in the tron isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a look, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we reckon.

Greensboro Street couches burning, jaws gurning, 0 learning. What a magical place.

Greg Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea Oh my, where do we start? Not only is this lad Irish (hot), a rugby player (hot), and ruggedly handsome (again, hot), he oozes the manners and charm to simultaneously moisten your loins and make your mother proud. This Love Island champion proves that good guys do win, and that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure going to be paying more attention to the Irish Rugby Sevens games come February. (And yes, we know, now we can shut the fuck up about Love Island x)

. Getting the Richie McCaw card in the first

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đ&#x;&#x2DC;?

. Being that person who covered their books in holographic book cover in primary school

đ&#x;&#x2DC;Š

. Ed Sheeranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music before he got wifed up . A cold sausage after town WHAT'S NOT

. 76% dark chocolate . Fletcher Buildings stocks this month . Vomiting after you get with a girl đ&#x;¤˘ . The amount of uni boys who think their chat is good enough to start a shit posting page

. Being an Arbonne consultant đ&#x;&#x2019;&#x2026;đ&#x;?˝ 20

Inverness Avenue 10 metres from the curry shop and the bakery. Solves your issues on a Sunday morning.

Helena Road loose; lives in Greensboroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shadow.

. Amber and Greg beating Molly-Mae and Tommy

York Street spitting distance from The Hilly. Enough said.

Cameron Road a poor manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inverness.

WHAT'S HOT

Weetbix box you buy

Hogan Street good ratio of sesh to gremlin.

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Old Farm Road when the glass barbie isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t firing on all cylinders in their state houses, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a useful shortcut to countdown. Knighton Road if this road was a penis itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be a solid 5 inches; not much but can get the job done. May Street a little under the radar but looks like it says mav street if you squint. Silverdale Road For people who couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a place on the cool side of uni.

DIMINUTIVE POST

StudyLink Offers New Cafe Loan Studylink, the lifeblood of Mr. and Mrs. Uni-Student, is offering a new loan in 2020 available to any white girl between the ages of 18-22. This loan will provide them with enough funding to fuel their 7+ cafe trips per week. “Look mate, the cafe foodgrams are just as worthless as their marketing degree, might as well pay for them too. Simple maths”, says one Studylink employee. Nexus caught up with Courtney, an 18 year old cafe frequent. She offered her thoughts on the matter: “This is so good, it gives me an excuse to skip class, piss my degree up against a wall and catch up with my hunnies!” Nexus can confirm Courtney ordered the large Kombucha.

Male Wonders Why He Can’t Get Chicks Despite Apparently Being a Nissan Skyline Family, friends, and various females have been left confused after local bogan Tyler, 22, has changed all forms of social media to reflect his apparent identity as a shitbox vehicle. “I don’t think he included a single photograph of his face that didn’t feature a Monster cap, some mirrored sunnies, and an energy drink,” comments a female Tinder user. “Like, am I meant to date the guy, or his shitbox of a car?” It has since been revealed to Nexus that Tyler’s car is definitely promoted as a distraction from his well below-par personality.

Surge in Spending on The Big OETM In other StudyLink related news, statistics have shown an increase in claims over the last several weeks. Those students who have managed to refrain from claiming the $1,000 available under course related costs are now withdrawing the amount in droves. Multiple Nexus sources have confirmed this is due to being in week 5 of B Semester, where motivation to complete a degree is at an all time low. Nat, 21, told Nexus, “Yeah, I took the whole lot out to put towards my big trip at the end of the year; I’m going to Europe and Africa and everything, and then I’ll go to Bali to really find myself and figure out what I want to do with my life.” Several of Nat’s acquaintances have corroborated the big “Eat, Pray, Love-like” trip, and are reportedly also collecting the remainder of their fund.

Flat Branches Out From Pasta Dishes for Evening Meal In a shocking twist of student culture, residents of a Liston Crescent flat have been seen consuming something other than pasta. While dinner-time meals within the house usually involve penne, fettuccine, fusilli, or macaroni, last Thursday involved no carbohydrates of the pasta variety; instead, the housemates enjoyed some Heller’s London Pride beef sausages with a side of mashed potato. One member of the group told Nexus, “we thought we’d better stop buying those Leggo’s pre-made pasta sauces, so we switched carbs for the night.” While the group haven’t quite made the jump to include at least one vegetable, insiders are said to be “very happy they’ve made that first small step.”

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Some Place Else MorMor

Branded as psychedelic pop and R&B, Some Place Else manages to transport the listener into a trippy and kaleidoscopic world. With the EP comprised of six songs, MorMor bares his heart and soul in this new release, especially with the lyrics holding heavy personal significance – and purposefully titled to show how music is his escapism. Rife with smooth synths and dreamy vocals, Some Place Else is both mesmerising and entrancing enough to lull you to sleep – in the good way, though, I swear. A mournful tone twists the songs into something melancholic, so beware, the album might also make you cry. Seth Nyquist, better known as MorMor, states “I am always drifting inbetween worlds. I guess I like making music that’s dream-like but also melancholic” – basically summing up what I’m trying to say perfectly. While I know most of you are probably too busy listening to the new Taylor Swift or Chance the Rapper albums, you should still definitely give Some Place Else a shot – just trust me on this one (and if you don’t agree with me, feel free to send me a strongly worded email of disagreement).

The Archer - Taylor Swift Single She should have just stopped after We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.

Air NZ’s New Safety Video Short Film

Stellar work from marketing, team!

University parking Place

Dragging myself out of bed at an ungodly hour of the morning just to get parking at university is enough of a hassle, and yet there’s one thing can render both my efforts and my education meaningless – the very lack of parking on campus. Despite leaving my flat early and arriving to uni at the bloody crack of dawn, I still manage to be late to class every time. Circle after circle around parking lot after parking lot, at last I manage to find a spot - though on the opposite side of campus (shout out to Gate 10 parking). To make matters even worse, the recent abundance of reserved signs hogging half the parks has made the impossible task so much worse for us all. While the saying usually goes easy peasy lemon squeezy, I say difficult difficult lemon difficult. According to stats from 2010, the University of Waikato accommodates over 12,600 students – though there’s clearly not enough parks for us. I think I’m going to have to start taking a 3 minute Uber ride just to get to uni and avoid the horrible parking situation. C’mon uni, just do something to help a gal out.

Leave (Get Out) - 2018 - JoJo Single If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Ben Hurley @ The Don Show At least the cheap beers made up for the lack of seats.

D I L A V Male Fragrance Review It’s no evolutionary secret that scents are sexy. While female fragrances often tend to be too intense, sickly sweet and frighteningly floral-heavy, there’s something incredibly alluring about a man who smells good - we can’t fight our olfactory glands after all. If you want to win women over, the secret is to go for their nose. With that in mind, we thought we’d get you started on some of the good, the bad and the ugly in the world of male aromas. Pick your poison. Lynx Africa Lemme emphasise this for the boys in the back: Lynx Africa is NOT a substitute for a cologne, you cheap bastard. I literally don’t think you could be any more stereotypical if you tried. Seriously, every male flat you’ve ever stepped foot in goes through these babies faster than a liquorstore worth of Billy Mavs on a Saturday night. In saying that, I regret to admit that it actually smells decent as fuck. The entire Calvin Klein range Unoriginal, slightly boring, yet nonetheless reasonably enjoyable; congratulations! You’ve just found a scent to complement your sex life.

still can’t hide the fact that he’s a ragey, rum-and-coke guzzling bogan by nature with a tendency to punch holes in the wall when triggered. COACH Man EDT If you wear this, I will personally sleep with you. Paco Rabanne 1 million EDT Wear this, and one million girls will sleep with you. That’s why they’ve called it that. Just pure ol’ body sweat Perfect for when you desperately want to stay single and avoid all female interaction. Rexona For Men Antiperspirant Deodorant All Blacks Unfortunately, will not make you an All Black. We can guarantee you’ll still be a scrawny fuck after applying. Ralph Lauren Polo (Blue, Red, Black, etc) Wear this, and all your dreams of coming across like a douchebaggish management student whose parents unknowingly fund a weekend ecstasy problem will be realised. Diptyque Figuier Candle Okay, bear with me on this one. I know, I know, it’s not a cologne, it’s expenny, and you think candles “aren’t manly,” but let me tell you something: this candle screams elegance. This candle is sophisticated. This candle shows that you’re such a mature, got-your-shit-together gentleman that you can purchase a candle for your room and not have your masculinity called into question. If that’s not enough, unofficial studies also show that sexy scented candles increase the intensity of your partner’s orgasms x100. (Btw, quality-wise, anything you can buy from the Warehouse or Countdown is not up to standard.)

Diesel Only the Brave EDT The fist-shaped bottle (ironically) says it all; ideal for any Kyletype lad whose corporate graduate role and Hallensteins suit

PASS THE

AUX

New Release Bangers Spotify: nexusmag

The Greatest Six60

Some Place Else MorMor

RNP YBN Cordae feat. Anderson .Paak

It’s Real Love Yellow Days

Movie Screen Tommy Newport

The Big Day Chance the Rapper

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Nexus: Tiki Taane is a bit of a legend in New Zealand, what has it been like to work with him? Working with Tiki was a pretty special moment for us at the time. He’s been a mentor to us and a really good friend. We all looked up to him as young

Nexus: Your latest single All I Want is a bloody great tune. What’s the story behind it? All I Want is basically about being on your own journey (whatever that may be) and just not giving up. It’s also about taking time to reflect and enjoy the small moments (in between the stress of making dreams come true) like something as simple as a beautiful day at the beach.

Nexus: It seems dirty Dunners is producing some great musicians, yourselves included! Is there something in the water down there, or does the youthful nature of the city just bring talent to the surface?

Nexus: Your debut album Warped came out in 2017, congratulations! How did it feel to be able to release your own record? Thanks! Seems like a long time ago now but it’s still feels pretty rad seeing it out there in the world. We worked hard for a long time on it and we’re proud of what we put together.

It is ae, always has done. I don’t know what it is honestly. Being so cold you’re stuck inside with nothing to do and being cooped up you wanna get out and let loose in the weekend. It’s such a compact space of students, playing parties and gigs makes it pretty easy to get out and play a lot. Practice playing live and seeing how the music goes down with crowds.

Nexus: You’ve performed alongside some pretty big names from the music scene; what’s been the career highlight so far? Jake: The career highlight changes constantly. Here are a few that stand out for me. Go back 6 years opening for Katchafire in Dunedin at the venue Sammy’s and at the time that was by far the most surreal thing. They were our idols. Then getting the opening slot for Macklemore for his debut NZ show. We had to prove we can do a hip hop show so we recorded a version of Another One Bites the Dust with our old mate Max Dad E. We finished and sent the track off at 7 am and got a call a few hours later saying we got the gig. That was a cool moment. Now all the shows are highlights cause we’re selling our shows out and playing our own tunes.

Nexus: The name Summer Thieves begs some questions – how did you come up with it? Hahaha, half stole it? It was used by a couple us for one show with an old group. Coming up with band names is tough so when we were starting up we just thought screw it, let’s use that, who’s gonna call us up on it...

Nexus: You guys are the name behind some seriously sick NZ music. Who would you say are your biggest inspirations? Everything and anything. Musically we’re all into different music but come together and influence each other’s listening. Keeping it local, we’ve been pretty lucky to play and work with some of our biggest inspirations. The likes of Katchafire, Kora, Tiki, L.A.B, Sticky Fingers, etc.

Self-described as a melting pot of reggae, hip-hop, rock and funk, Dunedin band Summer Thieves are definitely one to watch in the NZ music scene. We had a chat with bassist Adam Spencer and guitaristcome-vocalist Jake Barton to get the inside info on how they’ve made it to where they are today.

Nexus: Finally, what’s the best shit town in NZ? A wee spot south of our home town Dunedin; Milton - “The town of opportunities”.

Nexus: Your song Coast Roads is a stellar summer tune, but what are your recommendations for a killer winter playlist? Put some smooth RnB on, light the fire, let the mood take you. D’angelo, Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Curtis Mayfield on and on.

Nexus: We’re in full swing of our second uni semester here at Waikato; do you have any advice for students that might be lackin’ in the motivation department? Throw on some good music, put your head down, go for a run. If all that fails, get a pint?

Nexus: Besides music and the band, what’s life like for the boys of Summer Thieves? Pretty usual. Surfing, working away, finding ways to keep busy and sane! Living in Ak’s been a good change from Dunners. Summer Thieves family life? Our day to day? Each doing our own thing. Jake’s usually out surfing while Johnny drinks craft beer and Adam burns his thumb out on dating apps.

musicians and to have someone like that believe in what you’re doing and call me (Jake) up and say “you ready for an album? I’m keen to record you guys!” That recording process went on for quite a while. I think the album took about 2 and a half years. We were young and fresh. Our sound and our vision changed which made the process take a bit longer… But that turned out to be a good thing because we kinda found ourselves in the process and where we wanted to go with our sound for the album.

FULL EXPOSURE: SUMMER THIEVES

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 18

The stars are saying that if you just trust yourself, you’ll get it right. This love is forever; you can feel it in your bones. You can stop all communication with your oldest friends. They’ll understand.

Refuse to be numb to the world this week, Aquarius. You’re full of emotion that must be released or you’ll explode. Stop using passive aggression to get your point across and try just straight up yelling at your flatmates.

VIRGO AUG 23 - SEP 22

PISCES FEB 19 - MAR 20

The moon is in Pluto and a fresh start is coming, bringing with it complexity and transformation. Hold onto your hat, hun; this is complete overhaul. Fingers crossed it replaces your drug habit with some manners, amiright?

Our crystal ball shows you’re trying to blend in to the sea of people around you to no avail. It’s not your fault that you settle for a romantic partner that’s much less than you deserve and that people pity you. Perhaps trying dying your hair - that always works.

LIBRA SEP 23 - OCT 22

ARIES MAR 21 - APR 19

This week sees you prepared to love deeply and unconditionally. Unfortunately, further star mapping reveals this love does not extend past yourself, and will result in the loss of friendship, respect, and potential employment.

An impulsive act has affected your social life this week. While you may find other people’s breakups entertaining, beware of making jokes in front of them. As a first, try apologising, or face being kicked out of your Knighton Road flat.

SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21

TAURUS APR 20 - MAY 20

Pay attention to the earth and the way things have changed from what they once were. We all know that you used to be a fun-loving teen, but times have changed. “The old you would’ve done it” is not an excuse to invite your boss to pres.

This week gives you the energy to put yourself first. You’ve stopped inviting that Sagittarius kid to everything; good, no one likes them. Take it a step further and remove them from the group chat. Be the leader you were born to be.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 20

There is conflict between your inner self and the rest of the universe this week. Your Taurus friend didn’t invite you to kick-ons, and you’re taking it personally. Maybe message the group chat to plan a dinner catch-up; no one can say no that way, can they?

We’re seeing a grand romantic gesture from your significant other in the near future. Show them just how much you appreciate them through yet another social media post, and your love will only grow stronger.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 19

CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22

Few things move faster than you when motivated. Your infatuation is clear, your puppy dog eyes are a dead giveaway. He knows how you feel, he’s not playing hard to get. Consider the length of time you’ve been pursuing this, and then maybe consider that he’s just not that into you.

The act of flattery sabotages the possibility of real intimacy. You already got a job at her place of employment to be close to her; stop the workplace harassment before she issues a restraining order.

DESERT: A CONCEPT PIECE

THIS IS NOT THE FEATURE WE INTENDED TO WRITE: A Rorschach test of student media. Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, the talented team of writers, designers, illustrators and editors who put together 44 pages a week for your enjoyment get things a little wrong. This week was one of those weeks. A very thoughtful writer decided to tackle the complex narrative of the Middle East, with the noble aim of getting experts and lecturers to provide balance and context. Unfortunately what he ended up with was something that by his own admission was a little ‘paint by numbers’ and didn’t serve to advance the debate, provoke or allow you to invest in it. So at his request, we decided to pull it and give him some more time to put together something he was happier with. With a day to go, and some fairly decent back-up prospects we could’ve pursued, we decided to go in a different direction. Our lead creative Ashlea really loved the cover image of a desert, so we decided, fuck it - let’s have a little fun! Here it is; a modern inkblot test. We showed six of our writing staff the same image and asked them to write 250 words. One (GRACE, who is a genuine geek) wrote about the composition of sand and climate change. Another wrote about isolation; a third person wrote a poem. So for your consideration and at an ever greater risk of being told we are self-righteous, on a soapbox, and have disappeared up our own arse, we present to you “Desert: A Concept Piece.”

Sand lie down let the ground take you in a rippling shadow self merge, blow away, race across the land in tiny pieces stick out your tongue taste a gritty squeak between teeth, a tongue itch dig until cold seeps up into sun-warmed grains write the name of the girl you used to love erase it write your own instead

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Desertification Grace Mitchell Deserts are defined as ecosystems with very little precipitation, that make up approx. one-third of the Earth’s land surface. If you didn’t already know, deserts aren’t always hot: “hot deserts” and “cold deserts” exist, both of which contain unique assemblages of species with specific evolutionary adaptations to resist desiccation due to water loss. We’re talking reduced sweat glands, super-concentrated urine, hairy plants, and even adaptations like sh*tting on your own legs to cool yourself (if you’re a turkey vulture, anyway). While temperatures may sky-rocket during the day (i.e. exceeding 40°C in the Sahara over summer), desert nights are extremely cold as there’s no moisture in the air to trap heat (temperatures can swing dramatically to near freezing). With a maximum of 250mm precipitation per year - delivered in 3-15 pulses, max - and a low nutrient supply, deserts are undoubtedly tough to survive in. However, you may be surprised to learn that they’re home to a vast array of rare species. Climate change is the 3rd biggest driver of biodiversity loss, and because of this, we face a double-edged sword where increased desertification and threats to natural desert ecosystems are simultaneously important topics of concern. Warmer global temperatures will cause arid areas to expand via desertification, as you may well be aware. Additionally, exploitation of “true deserts” is affecting the rare species that live there - mining groundwater reservoirs, poisoning the soil through increased salinisation (i.e. as a result of desert irrigation), military exercises like nuclear testing and destroying vegetation through vehicle usage are key examples where human activity threatens the beautiful landscapes which have been at the forefront of many ancient cultures for centuries. Climate change will make these deserts even drier by driving higher temperatures and reducing the glacial melts that provide water for deserts such as the Atacama in South America, leading these regions to become far more arid than before. Since this occurs at a much faster rate than animals can evolve, as natural selection teaches us, they’ll die. So what can we do? Plan water use more intelligently. Employ long-term thinking. Support desert restoration and conservation projects. Above all, we need to stop climate change.

Sand: A Requiem Luka Love Sand is arguably the most underappreciated and important of all the Earth’s resources, and we are running out of it. Sounds crazy, I know, but bear with me here. Here are some things you should know before we get started. Concrete is, in large part, sand. So is asphalt. So is glass. It is

a primary source of iron and titanium, the silicon in the chips running your smartphone and computer. The world is advancing technologically and urbanising at rates unprecedented in human history. Look around you, wherever you are, and consider how much sand is in everything you are looking at. Now consider that there are 4 billion people living in cities today, with more flowing in by the millions, and that we are adding the equivalent of eight New York Cities to the world every year. That’s a lot of concrete. That’s a lot of sand. Can’t we just get more sand out of the deserts I hear you ask? Well...no. The sand needed for concrete has to be rough and angular, like the stuff at beaches and in river systems (which we’ve already decimated). Desert sand is smooth and useless as a binding agent. What about the seafloor? Well, we’re taking that already, vast amounts of it, and the stuff we can sit on during the weekend beach missions is slowly but surely being swallowed the sea. So the next time you’re upset because you’ve got sand in your bum crack, just remember, we might be one of the last generations to have that privilege. Read The World in a Grain by Vince Beiser, or listen to 99% Invisible podcast’s Built On Sand and weep into your Sex On The Beach. While you still can.

Camel Racing Nelson Cooper I hope you’ll believe me when I tell you this, but Camel Racing exists. I’d let you guess how it works, but the name sums it up pretty well. A bunch of Camels bolting through the desert as fast as they can (popular in numerous deserted nations mostly in the Middle East, such as Egypt, Pakistan…but also Australia). Not only is it good for a laugh (who thought camels did anything more than plod?), there’s actually a bit of money in the sport. Camel Racing betting is rampant on its own, but in the United Arab Emirates, winning prize money can exceed two million dollars. Queensland, Australia has its own competition boasting a $25,000 prize. Every sport has its scandal, and camel racing is no different. As of 2002, child jockeys (under the age of 15) - preferable for their lightweight - have been banned in the sport. Before the ban, children as young as two years old were getting sold from their homes, strapped to these Camels and made to whip them. According to the BBC, the children sometimes wouldn’t know who their parents were, would live in “slave camps” and work up to 17 hours a day. And to think you didn’t even know this sport existed. Anyway, the industry is working on it. Children have been replaced by remotely controlled whips. That’s right, mini robot whips. Camel owners drive on roads parallel to racing tracks and press the ‘run faster’ button from the car. Also, according to our editor, camel milk is really good for you. The more ya know

❤

Desert Diary

Isolation & Hope

Caitlin Walters-Freke

The desert is a two-part metaphor. It is isolation and it is hope, and right now, it is helping me sleep at night.

It’s now day 23. We’ve been out here way too long and I’m starting to lose hope of rescue or salvation. I knew sandboarding was a terrible idea but did my friends listen to me, no. Now we are all trapped out here, hungry, thirsty, hot and terrified. I’m starting to get sick of all of them. We ran out of food today and the only things around for miles is golden sand and the occasional cactus but they’re spikey so eating them won’t be fun. My friends are starting to look really tasty but I know I can’t think like that...yet. Unfortunately, sleep is almost out of the question because of how hot it is, and it’s not like we have a comfortable bed we can lie on, it’s just sand or our boards. The only good thing about the mess we’re in is being able to watch the sunset and rise everyday, they’re gorgeous, but we should probably stop wasting our phone batteries on taking photos of the sky and selfies everyday in case we finally get some reception and can call for help. I don’t know how much longer we can cope and last I checked, none of us are Jesus who apparently survived for 40 days in the desert. I wish I could call my family and let them know I’m okay, I miss home so much. Oh well, we just have to keep going, surely we’ll be rescued or find a city somewhere, right?

Misanthrope Chealse Grove As the sun floated in an ocean of blue, so I stood an oasis of sandy absolution. Exploration off of the beaten track had never been my forte; after all, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Yet, it’s as if the sugary hills possessed undeniable beauty that beckoned my soul like a moth to a flame. Merely spectating brought me a sense of purification that endless buildings and ant-like streets could not. Mindless shopping and malls filled with mice-like people, scurrying, gathering, had pushed me into this forbidden solitude. Maybe I had just aged early, or maybe my soul was beyond materialism, but the “deafening silence” had become a glorious melody sung by spiky cacti and birds of prey. I could hear the people who had graced the velvet before I had. They whispered an echo that rainforests and grasslands just couldn’t. The desert was elderly too, coughing up dust in the disguise of sandstorms and providing mirages to please its grandchildren. Wisdom, secrets, all hid beneath her endless wrinkles, misjudged as dangerous. She was merely an entity lost in decay.

The desert is loneliness, isolation and the feeling that the situation is both endless and inescapable. We all have that friend who is going through something right now. The loss of a loved one; the feeling that no one understands and that you can’t reach out for help; your own crippling self-doubt and lack of confidence. It is an endless chasm with no idea where you are or how to get out, and no one can really draw you a map. The really shit part of this is that no one lives in a single issue desert, and as you try to deal with one thing, the world throws more on you to compound that feeling of loneliness. For me, today’s desert is a friend’s break up. The feeling that I haven’t done enough to help him to cope, or let him know he is loved and supported. The idea that I have failed him as a friend. It is irrational and stupid, and it keeps me up at night because it is something I have no control over. Like everyone else, I’m a little lost and hope I am heading in the right direction. The desert is also hope. It’s the weirder side of the metaphor, but it is no less important. In the worst possible situation, life finds a way. The cactus adapted to thrive. The kangaroo actually recycles moisture in the air - the metaphor alone is breath-taking. In the US, there are varieties of tortoise that have adapted to desert life. If a fucking tortoise can live in a desert, then what excuse do we have? It doesn’t matter that I can’t solve someone else’s problems or that I am as full of selfdoubt and anxiety as anyone else. What matters is that if I keep moving I either find a way out of my desert or I grow and adapt to deal with it.

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

How a Mouldy Flat Affects your Health

Is it Time to Turn the Heater on?

Marnie Hunter With winter weather in full swing and Hamilton greeting us with its usual rainy gloom, it’s time to discuss the multicellular filaments hiding in your flat. That’s right, I’m talking about mould. Firstly, what is mould? Mould is a naturally occurring fungus that thrives in damp, poorly ventilated areas, and spreads by means of spores. These little spots of bother can be grey, yellow, green and white. They can be found behind curtains, in bathrooms, around your windowsill - basically anywhere that suits their basic needs for moisture and a dark area to brood in. Mould, as fuzzy as it is, is definitely not our friend. For those who are sensitive to mould, it can pose some pretty annoying symptoms due to spore inhalation, as well as close contact. Symptoms include sneezing, allergies, red eyes, and an unruly skin rash. For people with asthma, it may trigger an asthma attack. For those with sensitive sinus, it can cause sinusitis (otherwise known as inflammation of the nasal sinus) due to incidental mould inhalation. Let’s talk about black mould. What makes this mould so scary? Black mould is usually black or dark green with a very distinctive “mildew-y” smell. This type of mould loves warm and damp conditions such as bathrooms. The mould itself is not toxic, but it releases toxic spores called mycotoxins. If these are inhaled for a long period of time, it results in black mould poisoning. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, a stuffy nose, and an itchy throat. Don’t fret, this problem can easily be solved! Open up your windows and doors to allow for proper ventilation throughout the day. Wash your curtains regularly. If you spot any mould appearing, invest in some mould cleaner. Better living everyone x 34

Do you have warm clothes? Did nana not knit you any slippers? Are all the curtains closed in the house? Has your landlord still not put insulation in your house? Do you have an extra blanket on your bed? Are you ready for your flatmates to complain about the extra power usage? Have you tried opening the oven? Are you sick for the second time this winter? Is soup not doing the trick anymore? Do you not have anyone to spoon at night? Have you tried drinking to get an alcohol blanket? Are all of your windows still open?

Which Nexus Page Are You? If Nexus pages were stereotypical personality types, which would you be?

• Loves a good debate • Gets political after a few drinks • Curses like a sailor • Opinionated AF • Gets stuck into arguments in the FB comment section

• Keeps their cards close to their chest • Smart AF • Has many layers; a metaphorical onion • Very attractive • Has a constant supply of baes

• An absolute gem • Full of positive vibes • Loves cute animals • Passionate about the environment • Always makes you feel better

• Has absolutely no clue what’s going on • Always skips lectures or leaves early • Constantly asks what everything means in class • Definitely a joker • May as well piss off to the Hilly right now

• Owns at least one Hunting & Fishing fleece top • Loves Billy Mavs, Diesels and any other bevvy that kinda resembles petrol • Hasn’t showered today • Bogan • Mistakenly thinks they have great game

• Organised • Always attends class • Has a summer job already lined up • Here to hustle • Probably an accounting or economics major

• Effortlessly popular • Everybody’s favourite • Gets tipsy on the reg • Froths a night at House • Essentially a tacky piece of bullshit

• Uses star-sign forecasts to justify their behaviour • In touch with their emotions • Uses essential oils • Is often tagged in memes about houseplants • 90% likelihood of being a white girl NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

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(worthy of making you look like a unicorn amongst a field of horses) Raaginee Rajah Skills Think about both soft skills (personal attributes) and hard skills (technical abilities). Don’t just state them, explain how you do it - an example wouldn’t hurt either. A good trick is to look at the skills required for the job you’re applying for and use them as a basis for your CV. Keep it current Yeah, that time you got a most improved certificate in Kindergarten is great, but perhaps not what your potential employers are looking for. Don’t be afraid to cut down on the information content either, we’re aiming for two pages. Had a new volunteering experience? Chuck that bad boy right amongst your other past work experiences. The cardinal rule is to update your CV frequently and always proofread it after each edit. Say cheese! It’s completely your preference on whether or not to include a photo. Photos are great for potential employers to match a face to the amazing person they’re reading about. That Facebook photo makes you look irresistible, I’m sure, but a professional looking photo would look better for the position you’re applying for. Presentation Yes, you read that right. There are so many templates that you can find online and on Word. Use some design elements to your advantage, particularly for creative professions. With all that said and done, go forth and conquer.

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SJS Weird Jobs of the Week LABOURER I PALMERSTON NORTH CBD Demolition work sounds like the best way to get out all that group work anger - sign me up. ASAP GARDENING I WELLINGTON Get your gardening gloves out and help improve the atmosphere. RESTAURANT DELIVERY DRIVER I HAMILTON A good excuse to drive away and eat the food yourself. VALET DRIVER I AUCKLAND If you’re one of the girls that struggle to park your Swift, you may as well ignore this one. AFTER SCHOOL NANNY I WESTMERE Channel Bear Grylls and show them how to survive on twominute noodles. It’ll be easy as.

REO TAUIRA May the Chowder be Ever in Your Flavour! Kyla Campbell-Kamariera Can’t wait ‘til that next kaupapa or hui to get your kai Māori fix? I’ve got you covered! And by covered, I mean a quick search on Google for a recipe, cos there’s no way in hell I’m giving you Mum’s, Aunty Swaany’s, or even Mahara Hepi’s kaimoana chowder recipe…that is straight up gold! Anyway, wait no further for the kai Māori at the Hamilton Night Markets, Kāwhia Kai Festival or Tainui Regionals; you’ll now be able to make it from the comfort of your own kitchen by following these next steps. Like any mean hearty feed, I can give you a recipe and you’ll add what you want to taste anyway. But if you seriously follow recipes, well, good luck! May the chowder be ever in your favour. Kīnaki (ingredients): 300 ml cream 200ml fish or chicken stock 1 bay leaf Cumin Curry powder Turmeric Coriander Fresh chilli Diced onion Crushed garlic Mussels Surimi Prawns Tohutohu tao kai (cooking instructions): 1. Fry onions in oil, add garlic and fry for a minute. 2. Add cream, stock, bay leaf and 1 teaspoon of each spice. 3. Simmer on low for about 10mins. 4. Add chopped mussels, surimi, and prawns and let cook. 5. Add freshly chopped coriander or parsley and finely chopped chilli. Āna, kua reri te kai!

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

Random Audit

Random Audit PSYCH 203 - Cognitive Psychology and Development Let me just say that this was the first time I’d ever been in a class where a Tauranga lecture was involved via video, and it was mind-blowing. If I lived in Tauranga, there’s no fuckin’ way I’d go to class if my face was going to be skyped in for a bunch of strangers to look at on the big screen in L.G.03. Maybe a few of our Bay of Plenty classmates felt the same, as there was about seven students who showed up. There’s not much to report from this class. Normally I get enough inspiration from the ten minutes before the lecturer even opens their mouth to crack out a Random Audit and be out the door before the real stuff begins, but not this time. Perhaps everyone was too busy psychoanalysing everyone else around them to actually be interesting themselves. My biggest problem was trying to make sure the people behind me didn’t catch on that I was outsider who was only there to make fun of them and that I had no fucking clue how to make it through a psych class. The lecturer started up and all I could think was that his lecture slides looked like those error notices you used to get on real old-school PCs. You know, the ones with the blue screen and the yellow typewriter print that sent you into a meltdown about breaking the computer, and got you wondering how you would ever survive Year 7 if you couldn’t play Marble Blast. It was a shame, because I feel like this class could have been super interesting if it hadn’t brought back such awful memories. The Tauranga kids seemed just as interested, especially the one girl in the front who was definitely more interested in her phone (looking at you, red-and-white-stripes girl). We were then told by the lecturer that he was going to show us some images and we had to say the first thing that came to our head – our most basic level of thinking which is, as he put it, our preferred way to think. Sounds about right. He then talked about how an ostrich is harder to identify as a bird than a canary. I have to disagree as they’re both horrible and I dislike all birds very strongly. I must say, though, I do appreciate discussing the fact that dogs and pigs and birds are animals; I always did like kindergarten. Honestly, this class is pretty tame. There were no noteworthy students to mention (except maybe red-and-white-stripes Tauranga Phone Girl, or the kid in the front row with what can only be described as a possum hat). There was no juicy gossip to overhear. It was even too silent and filled with concentration for me to sneak out early, so I sat through an entire 40-minute lecture on something that I didn’t understand. To be fair, I didn’t really listen to what was being said you could ask me what he talked about and I would say “memories and birds” - but who would’ve thought that a lecture theatre filled with psych students would be so plain?

UNI STUFF He Tirohanga ki Tai: Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery @ Calder & Lawson Gallery, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato - 26th June to 13th September. Free lunchtime yoga in Tauranga @ Tauranga City Yoga, 162 Durham Street - Tuesday 6th August, 1:05 - 1:55pm. Stop.Drop.Breathe Workshop for Staff and Students @ The Wellbeing Hub - Tuesday 6th August, 1-2pm. Hamilton Lecture Series: Professor James Brasington @ Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts - Tuesday 6th August, 5:15-6:30pm. 3MT Doctoral Final @ Concert Chamber, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts Thursday 8th August, 7-9:30pm.

Reminders Finish Essay Do Moodle Quiz Put laundry away Vacuum Study for that test on Wed. Buy Vodka Get Petrol Cheeky Mecca shop.

2019 Education Colloquium - Winter series @ TT1.05 - School of Education, University of Waikato - Friday 9th August, 1-4pm.

This week’s menu Mon: Dominos Value Pizza Tues: Hell Pizza Wed: House pizza - Skint Night Cook Islands Language Week (August 4-10) Celebrate Cook Islands Language with the Library. Come in from the cold and take a break in the Cook Islands, or at least our Cook Islands photo booth! Snap yourself on a beach, with some local wildlife or surrounded by gorgeous flowers. While you’re there, check out the Cook Islands Language Week display and learn a new word or two.

Thurs: Pizza at The Bank Fri: Homemade pizza ? Sat: Sals after town Sun: Back to House for pizza

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

PROCRASTINATION STATION PUZZLE Who makes it has no need of it. Who buys it has no use for it. Who uses it can neither see nor feel it. What is it?

LAST ISSUES ANSWER: The travel agent revealed that he had only booked a one-way ticket for his wife

lABYRINTH Print sudoku

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EASY

5 6 98 2 19 5 4

87 9 8 5 71 1 4 85 8 3 26

9 6 6 41

http://1sudoku.com http://1sudoku.com

76 4 4 1 38 4 2 3 9 8 5 6 92 7 9 1 3 5 8 7 1 4 8 61 3 9 7 1 8 9

n° 225030 - Level n° Medium 12941 - Level Easy

http://1sudoku.com http://1sudoku.com

7 34 7 3 41 5 6 8 7 1 54 2 1

84 1 7 99 8 6 6 9 57 5 87 3 3 8 9 27

7 3 8 2 6

n° 25786 - Leveln°Medium 114244 - Level Easy

83 9 2 8 4 6 9 5 67 1

8 2 6 9 1 6 4 1 8 2 7 1 3 8 7 3 1 8 9 8 2 5 4 4 1

n° 2357 - Level Medium n° 318582 - Level Hard

http://1sudoku.com http://1sudoku.com

http://1sudoku.com

3 1

5 87 22 4 96 4 9 31 1 2 1 38 44 9 8 4

6 5

1 41 3 45 5 5 6

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HARD

69 4

8 31 3 7 5 92 7 3 9 7 5 2 3 6 23 4 8

MEDIUM

20 by 40 sigma maze

3 9 5 86 7 2 5 8

24 6 3 84 52 3 7 9 67 38 11 5 3 1 86 2 7 3 67 11 84 19 5

Print sudoku

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228553 - Level Medium n° 322945 n° - Level Hard

2 7 3

1 4

n° 32316 - Level Hard

6 5

3 8

4 9

6 3

http://1sudoku.com

5 7

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5 n° 318295 - Level Hard

2 97

7 5

9 2

Print sudoku

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5 8

Name:

Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Make

WORD LOCATOR

KAI KAIMOANA MAKO Kai - food WHEKE Wai - water HONU

WAI KOTAKOTA KINA MANAIA

IKA WHAI Pāua - abalone TUNA AIHE Kōura - crayfish

Ika - fish

Tuna - eel

Kaimoana - seafood

Wheke - octopus

Kotakota - shell

Pātangaroa - starfish

Whai - stingray

Manaia - seahorse

Mako - shark

Tohorā - whale

Pāpaka - crab

Aihe - dolphin

Kina - sea urchin

Honu - turtle NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

WAIKAT FLATS THE NORTH RIDGES

Set among rolling hills, citrus orchards, and apparently some rather friendly runaway cows, this flat is just about as wholesome as the girls living inside. Despite the fact that someone apparently vomited in the bath in the weekend, the place was significantly less grimy than the flats Nexus is accustomed to. With greenery in all directions and lots of open space, all we can say is: hit us up if you guys need another flatmate Want to land yourself a spot in the mag and some free Salâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pizza to boot? Get in touch with us at editor@nexusmag.co.nz

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

SNAPPED

Keen for some free BurgerFuel? Simply snap us the shitfest of your student lifestyle for the chance to win. Prizes can be claimed from the SUB.

WINNER

BLIND DATE She’s a PR major that froths cheeky nights on the piss; an animal-loving tall blonde who can’t funnel to save her life. He’s a blind date veteran, ready to find true love. While Nexus thought they’d finally cracked it and made a real match, these two write-ups seem to tell different tales…

SHE SAID: So I’m severely hungover (probably still drunk if we’re being really honest) as I write this, but man, what a night. I rolled up to this date thinking “this guy’s gonna be average at best” but alas, I was wrong. He had an Adam Devine vibe (but actually cute) and the chill sense of humour to match, and it only got better from there! The comedians kept roasting him for his lack of dressing up (which I had no problem with), but he took it like a champ. The chat was great, can’t lie, and we ended up going to hospo with a couple of my friends (don’t remember much of that so if you’re reading this; I apologise if I was majorly tragic). I woke up this morning at his place, so it can’t have gone THAT badly (turns out he has a pet cockatoo that I hadn’t noticed previously, which was just kind of interesting more than anything else) but of course the night had to come to an end so, like the gentleman he clearly is, he dropped me off home. Overall, I don’t think I could have asked for a better match, such a lovely guy and hopefully I’ll see him again some time soon. Cheers Nexus, you outdid yourself!

HE SAID: Ah shit here we go again, they say 3rd time is the charm but I call bullshit on that. Words can’t describe the date but numbers can, 5/10. It started off with the usual send and bend at the flat before the date and my first action once getting to the venue was a short sharp trip to the toilet for the essential tacky. After drying my eyes and a pep talk in the mirror I returned to see my date had arrived. Lovely looking girl, dressed very well and on the taller side which sucks for me since I belong in the hobbit cast. I’m sure the night would’ve been better if I didn’t get fucking grilled by every act that was on stage. Seriously whoever the 1st act is, fuck you man. The date though, it was kinda like having sex with your sister, it’s still sex but something just doesn’t feel right yanno. We had the plans of going to hospo together but the bouncers had different ideas and my date did not see the inside of Shenanigans that night. The gentlemen inside me screamed “take her home she’s too drunk” but the alcoholic inside me argued “hospo is going off” and into Shenanigans I entered. Stumbled back to my flat with a tumble here and there but get your head out of your ass because no funny business happened although she did go sleep on the couch, which was pretty fucking weird but I enjoyed the spacious sleep. Anyway cheers Nexus always a pleasure, never a chore and let’s hope if I do it a 4th time I find true love xx

Brought to you by House on Hood. If you're keen for a Blind Date, email editor@nexusmag.co.nz

NEXUS MAGAZINE / ISSUE 17

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