Editors letter
Welcome to the final issue of The Writeous magazine for this academic year. Working on this issue has been an unusual experience in a sense: no sooner had we decided on a theme and set to work, we slipped into lockdown. It seems fitting then that our theme is ‘mindfulness’. We have all had to learn to adapt to tight restrictions on our lives, and now more than ever do we need to be mindful of ourselves and each other. Our team have worked hard continuing to compile this issue from home and I am incredibly proud of their commitment. I hope that this issue provides our readers with some new insights on mindfulness, but also reminds you that we can be flexible and adaptable to changes when we put our minds to it. Happy reading. - Stephanie Sekula
Contents Issue 9 | May 2020
6 8 10 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 40 54 56 58
What is Mindfulness? Lockdown Art Google’s ‘Free Things You Can Do In Lockdown’ Demise Piano Playlist Lockdown Ode Ethereal Art The Wandering Astronaut Everyday is Earth Day Growth The Great Escapists Ephemeral Ache Social Issues Magazine Showcase Beginners Guide to Ramadan Gentle Reminder Top 5 TV Show Recommendations
What is mindfulness ? Mindfulness is a state of being calm. You can achieve being mindful by accepting your thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness can be helped by doing practices like meditation, controlling your breathing, and many more.
Designed by Eleanor Morgan
11th-15th May How can you find out further about mindfulness, and good books available to you? You can find out further about mindfulness and practices by reading books like Mindfulness in 8 Weeks by Michael Chaskalson. It includes good advice on how to deal with stress and techniques you can use to relax you. There is also a podcast you can listen to that goes through how to carry out these useful techniques. Another useful app you can download is Mindfulness, it includes all sorts of techniques. A useful and interesting book is Stuff that Sucks by Ben Sedley. It is a book aimed at teenagers. It is about accepting what you can’t change and committing to what you can. It talks through pain or suffering you might be feeling and offers advice on how to deal with that. These are only a few of the books available to you but there are many more out there, and of course if you find yourself struggling, then it will help to talk to friends or family members and listen to their advice. You can also seek further help like going to your GP and getting referred to see a psychologist or a counsellor.
11th-15th May is Mental Health Awareness Week and I think in time for this people should have practiced a few mindful techniques. It will help you in the long run, dealing with stressful situations and dealing with any unwanted thoughts or feelings.
Written by Annabel Smith
,,,,,,,,,
Lockdown Art
Discover how college staff and students have been using creativity to stay mindful during isolation Article designed by Isabella Pavitt
‘I drew this using my copy of SAI2 and my art tablet, along with my knowledge of proportions in general. It allowed me to stay sane as I enjoy drawing, and this was fun to draw in general.’
- James Morrison
‘Planning and designing bracelets and necklaces take my mind off the current situation. It takes about an hour to make a bracelet. I need wire cutters and tools to bend the wire and a selection of beads, and findings ( items that allow you to structure jewellery). I must admit some findings come from China, so my supply of findings dried up for a while! Its a great hobby and easy to start with basic elastic and beads and progress onto wires and glass crystals.’
- Helen Marwood
‘Drawing has made me feel more calm. It makes hours feel like minutes.’
- Caragh Scurr
‘Using watercolours and markers to create some continuos line, botanical artworks has allowed me to take a break from the constant stream of bad news and anxiety, and create my own joy!’
- Isabella Pavitt
‘With lockdown cutting out a two hour commute from each day, I’ve found myself with more time to focus on my artwork. Setting aside an hour or two each day to draw at the kitchen table has kept me sane for the most part. It has also brought a renewed passion for my art. These are some of the drawings I have been working on since March, all using coloured pencils.’
- Stephanie Sekula
Trying Google’s ‘Free Things You Can Do During Lockdown’ Written by Jack Kerry Designed by Stephanie Sekula
As you most likely know, the world is in a state of crisis: schools have closed down, we’re all stuck indoors and we’re only really supposed to go outside for shopping. Our current circumstances have put major restrictions on having fun and I’d be lying if I told you I hadn’t been feeling very bored as of late. But I’ve decided that although we can’t have fun in many conventional ways, that shouldn’t mean that entertainment has to be put on hold altogether, so I thought up something that might help brighten up your day, or at the very least kill some time.
I decided to try some of Google’s most recommended ways to keep busy during lockdown and review my experiences to give you some ideas of new things to try out when there’s nothing much else to do. I must admit that these aren’t technically Google’s ways to keep entertained, rather they’re from a blog called ‘FutureLearn – 50 Free Things You Can Do During Lockdown’, which was simply the first result. There were others such as ’21 productive things you can do during lockdown’ and ’24 things to buy on Amazon during lockdown’ but I decided that this was the best one since not only was it completely free, but it’s all about having fun. Of course, I’m not going to be reviewing all 50 of these activities, instead I picked five that I thought were the most unique and gave them a try. Now, without further ado, here are my experiences of some of Google’s best lockdown activities.
Weekly Fitness Routine The first thing I tried was a fitness routine, and although the blog suggested it be a ‘fitness challenge’, I thought that strained muscles would be the last thing I needed, so I opted for this instead. I decided to do an equipment-free work out every day in the afternoon for six days a week, spending one day resting so as not to pull any muscles. I did it in my bedroom, and although there isn’t much space in there, I found that I didn’t need very much. I got used to doing it quite quickly and it actually made me feel a lot better after a long day of online classes. I went at my own pace and it was really helpful in relieving me of any stress and worries I had about things. I found it useful to listen to music while I was exercising as it helped to me feel more motivated and allowed me to focus completely on what I was doing since it blocked out any background noise. Overall I thought it was very effective in keeping me busy and far more useful than I had ever anticipated. It made my body feel better after sitting at a desk and writing all day, and helped to forget about any problems that I had for a brief period. Although I’d set a fixed routine, I often found myself stopping when I was satisfied or when I felt like I’d done enough, I didn’t restrict myself to the routine I had set. The only issue I ran into during this activity was the heat. One week it suddenly got really hot and exercising became far more strenuous. Opening a window helped but it still wasn’t enough. I found it useful to have a cold shower afterwards to cool down making it easier to relax afterwards. If you’re thinking of trying this yourself, I’d suggest that you make a routine that you feel comfortable
with and don’t try to do too much. Also, don’t be afraid to break the routine, only do as much as you feel like doing and it will make you feel a whole lot better.
Birdwatching The next activity I tried was birdwatching, and from the outset I was expecting it to be quite boring, but I tried it anyway. I live on the third floor of a block of flats and don’t have a balcony so I just pulled up a chair next to an open window and looked outside. During my first attempt, not long after I’d started, a wet mop began sweeping across the glass and blocking my view. It turns out that I’d chosen to birdwatch the day that the cleaners scrub the windows, so I decided to give up and try again tomorrow. The next day, my birdwatching was much more successful. I saw about seven swallows, three magpies, a pigeon and a seagull who was probably the most exciting thing I witnessed. They weren’t anything I hadn’t seen before, but then I was
birdwatching from my flat. When I saw a bird, I got excited for a few minutes and then went back to being bored again so it wasn’t a very successful activity in terms of having fun. It did give me a chance to think and clear my head, but that was about all it did for me. It made me think that maybe birdwatching
isn’t actually about watching birds, but taking a step back from everyday life and thinking about some of the more simple yet beautiful aspects of the world. The way the birds flew was quite fascinating and watching it was at least a little bit entertaining. Overall, I’d say that birdwatching was slightly more interesting than I’d expected, but not the most fun I’ve ever had. I’d recommend it if you’re a big fan of birds (although there might not be a great variety where you live) or need to clear your head of some things that have been bothering you. However, just because I didn’t think it was very fun, it doesn’t mean that you won’t so at the very least it’s worth a try. Just make sure to do it on a day the windows aren’t being cleaned.
House Party Next was the House Party app, an application I’d never heard of before lockdown, that you play with your family and friends. The app is basically a way to contact people you know and play games with them to pass the time, like a video call and a quiz show combined. When I tried it, I did so with some family members and I have to say that it was quite fun. A lot of the quizzes were on subjects that I had close to no knowledge on whatsoever such as Netflix, teenage slang and Stranger Things but it was quite enjoyable to laugh with everyone at my (seemingly obvious) wrong answers. There were a few quizzes on things that I did know about so I wasn’t completely hopeless. However, my favourite game to play on House Party was the Pictionary game. It consisted of one person drawing a randomly generated word and everyone else trying to guess it. The aim of the game was to see how many we could guess in two minutes, but the thing I liked most about it was everyone’s terrible drawings and the panic that ensued trying to guess what they were before time ran out. It was surprisingly fun and it made me laugh quite
a lot. It was also a really good way to reconnect with family members who live elsewhere without going to see them in person. It was nice seeing people who I hadn’t spoken with in what feels like a long while. Overall, it was a very fun experience and it made me forget all about being stuck inside for a few hours. The app was quite handy and would even notify me when people on my friends list were online so that we could play together. Although some of the quiz questions do get a little repetitive, I found that it was more about having fun with the people in your life who you may not get to see so much at the moment than actually winning. I’d recommend this to anyone who’s missing their friends and wants to have fun with them.
Meditating Meditating was something I had always thought to try but never got around to. I knew that it was about clearing your thoughts and focusing on breathing, but what I didn’t know was the best way to go about doing it and so I decided to watch a video explaining how best to meditate. The man in the
video read off some tips from a book called ‘Mindfulness in Plain English’, saying that the optimal place to meditate is on the floor with your legs crossed, back straight, eyes closed, hands resting on top of each other and feet resting on top of each other as it’s supposed to keep you wide awake and allows you to sit comfortably for long periods of time. He also said that a beginner should only meditate for five minutes whereas someone with more experience should meditate for ten to twenty minutes. I didn’t like being called a beginner (even though I was one) and decided to meditate for ten minutes on the floor in my bedroom. Once I started I tried focusing on my breathing but almost immediately I started to feel a really annoying itch inside my ear. Trying not to scratch it was very difficult, but eventually, after what seemed like forever, it went away. I didn’t scratch it which was something I was quite proud of. After that I began to focus on my breathing again, and every time I found myself thinking of something, I let the thought go and returned my focus to it. I think that I did quite well for a first attempt, although I may not have got the sitting position exactly right because after a
while I got pins and needles in my legs. Still, I managed to sit without opening my eyes for the whole ten minutes. It was quite relaxing and made it easy to forget about my circumstances. It wasn’t the most fun thing to do but it made up for it with how it made me feel. If nothing else it was a good way to spend ten minutes that I would have otherwise spent doing nothing. There were times when I felt like I’d been sitting there forever and got a little bored, but the more I meditated throughout the weeks, the quicker the time seemed to pass. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this to anyone feeling stressed who has some free time. It really helps with clearing your mind and I even found that it helped me to sleep better after not doing much all day. I thought that it would be more complicated, but it was actually very simple and easy to start doing effectively for someone who had never even tried it before.
Tour of the Louvre The last activity I tried was going on a tour
through the Louvre in Paris. When I initially saw this on the blog I thought it would be impossible until I realised that it meant a virtual tour. The first thing that I tried was going onto the Louvre website and taking a virtual tour there, but all I found were some images of paintings and statues inside the gallery accompanied by boxes of text describing their beauty as well as informing of each piece’s history and background. It was quite educational but it wasn’t really what I was looking for. I wanted to feel as though I was walking around the gallery myself, as if I was really there. I searched some more and eventually found a YouTube video that was essentially a first person perspective of the Louvre. There were people walking around as if it were open and free to roam, and although I knew it was simply someone with a camera walking around looking at the art, it did a much better job of making me feel as if I was
actually there, while in reality I was still sitting at home. It sounded like I was there too, because all I could here was people talking and it got a bit repetitive after a while. Looking at the art was quite a fun experience, but that too got quite repetitive as all of the large hallways started to look the same. It didn’t help that the video was almost an hour long. There were also instances where people would stand in the way of art that I was trying to look at, and although it’s something that would likely happen if I was really there, I didn’t want it to be that realistic. I had to take a few breaks in between because I got a little bored, and without an audio guide I didn’t really understand what I was looking at a lot of the time. Still, it was quite interesting to tour somewhere I had never been before without actually having to go there, and it wasn’t the only place I could have toured either as there were a few videos in other places like Ancient Rome. Overall, although the realism was quite impressive, it wasn’t a consistently fun experience. It could be that I simply didn’t pick a very interesting place to tour, but after a while I got tired of it and wanted to do something else. I’d recommend this to anyone who is interested in history or culture as there are a lot of interesting historical places to visit on these tours, or if you simply want to simulate the feeling of being outside again.
After trying these activities I can honestly say that all of them were worthwhile in different ways. Although I was looking for fun, many of them were more thought provoking while others were very relaxing. I found it to be a great way to distract myself from boredom and calm down after a long day filled with college work and not much else. I found that each of them had benefits in some shape or form, and even the ones that I didn’t enjoy as much helped me to kill some time that I otherwise would have spent doing absolutely nothing, so in that way they were all worth something. Hopefully I’ve given you some good ideas in terms of distracting yourself from reality and even having a bit of fun. It’s really important that we stay indoors right now since it’s helping people all over the country. It may be difficult, but it’s important to be mindful of others and do our best to help them in these hard times. That being said, it’s also important that we look after ourselves, and taking your mind off of things by enjoying yourself is the best way to do that. If you ever find yourself with nothing to do, try one of these activities and you might be surprised by how much fun you have.
Design by Eleanor Morgan
Design by Eleanor Morgan
Demise
Written by Daniela Dronic
I stood frozen. My mind blank as I watched my dad crying, tears falling from his bloodshot eyes. All the pain and vulnerability flashing brightly in his deep brown eyes. His body shaking from fear and lack of sleep. He slowly turned to me and shouted, “This is all your fault!” Suddenly I awoke. I was in my bed. The moon glowing brightly in the black sky as cars zoomed by and leading them safely to their families. I picked up my phone and looked at the time. It was 2 in the morning. I collapsed and landed on my soft bed. My mind awake. I just laid there. I have been having the same nightmare every night. Tears shattered the façade I carry every day. I feel alone. Ever since the accident and my mother died nothing has been the same. I lost all my friends and my dad. Every time I look at him, the guilt eats me up and I wish I could have died instead of mum. She would have known what to do and used her magic to spread joy. The house feels cold. Silent. All the laughter disappeared the moment her heart stopped. All the life and warmth, just gone. The only think lurking about is memories and darkness. I never see my dad anymore. The man he once was died too. All he does now is work and sleep. The spark and joy in his deep brown eyes turned grey and no longer holds life. I can tell he sometimes forget I exist. I get out of bed and put my warm fluffy robe on. As I walk, I can hear my dad’s snores echoing through the hallway. I open the door. A sudden breeze hits me waking me up and bringing me back to reality. I step outside. Sit on the fresh green grass and stare as the roses slowly die. Each petal losing a life just like me.
A Piano Playlist To
From The Chaos
1) Mariage d’Amour - Paul de Senneville 2) River flows in you – Yiruma 3) Clair de lune - Claude Debussy 4) Merry go Round of Life - Joe Hisaishi 5) Kiss the rain – Yiruma 6) Nocturne in E-flat Major (Op. 9, No. 2) – C 7) Für Elise – Beethoven 8) Spring time – Yiruma 9) Gymnopedie No. 1 – Eric Satie 10) Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven 11) Minuet in G major – Christian Petzold 12) When the love falls – Yiruma 13) Prelude in C Major from The Well Temper 14) Mvt. 3, “Rondo” from Sonata No. 8 in C m 15) Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor – Chop 16) Nuvole Bianche – Ludovico Einaudi 17) Liebestraum No. 3 (Love Dream) – Liszt 18) Rêverie – Debussy 19) Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod 20) Liszt – Consolations, S.172: No. 3, Lento p
Written by M
Designed by E
o Ease Your Mind
s Of The World
Chopin
red Clavier – J. S. Bach minor, “Pathetique” – Beethoven pin
placido
Maher Hossain
Elie Musieme
Lockdown Ode We may be keeping our distance and unable to meet, but thankfully with internet we can virtually greet. Right now we are restricted with normal life on hold, but hopefully these sanctions will keep us safe at home. It’s important we are mindful that none of us are safe and beating Covid-19 is our mission and our race. As humans we are needy and connect with those alike, but while we are in lockdown, we face a life that we don’t like. Stay home to help save lives and protect our NHS, because Coronavirus can cause many deaths. We need to be more caring, continue to be kind, because when it’s all over, we’ll be grateful to survive. For now a word of comfort to help our troubled minds, people all around the globe are together in this fight. Together we ‘CAN’ beat this if we do what we are told, keep our social distance and protect our humble abode. Let’s put our hands together and pray for those who fight, think of those who’ve sadly died and their families left behind. Until there is a vaccine or a future deemed more safe, we must retain our distance...
Stay Home, Stay Well, Stay Safe!
Written by Anastasia Pavlou Designed by Stephanie Sekula
Ethereal art At most times I am unable to articulate what I wish to say and express the state of my misfortune in the form of art, or the appreciation of it as I cannot seem to like my own. By this I mean admiring the floating of prepossessing clouds like fleeting thoughts, and loving the temporary feeling of calmness projected by nature onto my broken soul. After years of internal calamity characterised by the inability to express how I feel externally, writing has become my only distraction. The corruption within me stems from deep within my ardour, however in the midst of all my pain and sorrow there is a garden. An ethereal meadow with sunlight concealing my dark and disturbing nature. The garden consists of rough bark and rich colours, iridescent rose-tinted skies and caterpillar eaten leaves, blossoming flower beds and the fresh warmth of an illuminating sun. In my garden I can hide within the grass, away from reality and the pressure of unrealistic expectations. I am free.
Written by : Atwiya Ahmed Designed by : Jesutomisin Adeagbo
The Wandering Astronaut Written and designed by Harry Bruns Numb. Drifting. Wandering. I’m in a spacesuit in the viscous galaxy. Floating through space, time running slowly. When we close our eyes, do we time travel? If I close mine where will I go? The past. The future. Or rolling ahead with current times, in spacial slumber? Conjecture. Simply I don’t know in the vast vacuums of space. Just drifting out amongst the stars. Up close, they illuminate your way in space, holding you together like a photo album - memories untold that keep you going. Black holes aren’t so kind. Memories you wish you’d forget, people too. You take the rough with the smooth. The galaxy here is winding, casting out my journey and where I must go and where I must not go. The ecstasy of colour bursts through my mind, great chunks of the galaxy illuminated with time. Deep blue mostly fought off by raging red, supported now in a battle for the stars with green. Much beauty never experienced and always experienced by me. Sometimes, I am allowed to walk planets as an observer on the outside of civilisation. Endless miles of joy and happiness, the things I cling to in space. Meeting people can happen and they make me smile. Although it’s not for very long. Every second that passes, they grow further away. The cold, machinations of the galaxy. The superlative souls of joy. I fear I am condemned to one but I keep going. Never stopping. I have a purpose.
Time? It ticks away. In space in the suit of an astronaut, seconds seem like millennias. There’s no one there. There’s no one here. But you have to keep going. If I am here long enough, I’ll drift and my purpose will be over. A goal I have. I’ll keep going. The purpose is lost sometimes. Finding something. Drifting always. Cutting through space and time. You have to stay happy. A light will come out of knowhere. Hold out your hand and reach it. The goal. Or something entirely different. Ask yourself questions perhaps? Is there life on…. Mars? Jupiter? Earth? A planet to get to. A symphony plays your song as you swagger off through life. Many songs you believe in characterise you. And you characterise them too. There is the thrill of life and the beauty of it all. You make it your own. Again you play songs on the guitar. Faster, more energetic, more powerful than you’ve ever played. You believe in yourself because you know who you are and you believe in what you’ve become. A rockstar. Living life on the edge and having fun is what life is all about. You’re lost to the waves of time. Rocking away like a ship. The music opens and takes you in, comfortably….
Everyday Is Earth Day
How the people called for one day to be everyday
Wednesday 22 April 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, an international day that calls for citizens across the globe to reflect on their actions towards the planet, and set resolutions to be more eco-friendly. When it first started in 1970, Earth Day mobilised 20 million Americans to take to the streets to protest against environmental ignorance, and to demand a cleaner, and healthier way forward. Since then, the annual event has seen the United Nations sign the Paris Climate Agreement, and now holds gatherings in 193 countries. However, this year, the action was taken to digital platforms as messages, live talks and videos flooded the internet and social media. One thing that was apparent, as Instagram hashtags flooded our feeds was that, clearly, many see the single Earth Day as worthy of being promoted to every day of the year. On Instagram especially, illustrations, photographs and short films adopted the message that, as inhabitants of the Earth, we should be thinking about our impacts towards our planet on a daily basis instead of waiting for an annual event to roll around each year. For the first time ever, we are in an era known as the Anthropocene where we, as humans, are controlling nature instead of vice versa, meaning our endless consumption, energy use and waste is having pivotal detrimental effects on natural ecosystems. It is estimated that we now only have 50 years to secure a safe future on Earth for the next 10,000 years. That’s a mighty statement, and one that most certainly cannot be achieved by simply calling for action once a year. So, the Instagram posts were right, right? Everyday is Earth Day? Unfortunately, this is not quite true. With the consequences of climate change seeming so distant from our busy daily lives, it has been shown that efforts to counteract climate change are actually slowing. Nathaniel Rich’s book ‘Losing Earth’ actually cites how we have known as much about climate change as we do now since 1979, yet the evidence of action is sparse. In this way, the Instagram posts calling for ‘Everyday to be Earth Day’ are a long shot from the current action towards global warming. Despite this, it is a positive affirmation of hope to see people using their voices to set goals and intentions, as well as reflecting on how urgent action is needed. Therefore, we should all make a pledge to ensure that we do not wait for one day a year to push us into thinking about how we affect climate change, but instead, make it a daily, everyday occurrence.
Written and designed by Isabella Pavitt
Growth. There was once a time where you felt lonely, So you sought out comfort from strangers miles away from you, countries away from you, continents away from you, Though many find good healthy relationships online, Unfortunately yours wasn’t the case, You found the toxic kind, The kind that gave you temporary pleasure for a second and trapped you for a lifetime, The kind that ate you up inside and took away your happiness, appetite and self-worth, The kind that brought you more worry and doubt than comfort, But then you were so desperate that you preferred this kind of comfort than the feeling of loneliness, So you choose temporary comfort over health. Overtime you grew out this relationship, But the feeling of loneliness didn’t suddenly leave like your ex, So you decided to try something new, This time you sought out comfort from a familiar stranger, zones away from you, buses away from you, Though for many reconnecting with a familiar stranger can blossom into a good healthy relationship, Unfortunately you got unlucky again. You knew from the start that your differences outweighed your similarities but the temporary pleasure was too sweet that you decided to fight for it, You ended up fighting for it throughout your entire relationship, You pushed your boundaries, both physically and mentally, Only for them to be built up stronger than ever when it was all over, Time has gone past and now you are in the present, You’ve learnt from your past, not mistakes or regrets, You still feel lonely but this time it’s good and healthy because Written by You no longer seek comfort from others but yourself, Designed by You’ve grown.
Title goes here
Designed and Written by : Jesutomisin Adeagbo.
The Great Escapists Written and Designed by Eleanor Morgan
Escapism can sometimes be seen as a bad word. To some people, it’s just another way of avoiding responsibilities or choosing to foolishly not face reality. But I for one have always been the biggest advocate for the escape artists of our generation. To us dreamers those films, books, games and worlds that we choose to lose ourselves in are a crucial part of our identities, our personalities and even the lessons we’ve learnt. At the moment, we find ourselves with an abundance of time on our hands. For weeks now, our escapisms are all we’ve had. After all, when you turn on the TV, if it’s not the news telling you the death toll, it’s a handful of new documentaries and dramas from those in isolation or even a lovely new and up-to-date
advertisement featuring face masks and rubber gloves. It’s hardly a surprise that we turn to our on-demand feature films and e-book providers to get away from it all. While I agree it is good to be informed about our situations and circumstances, don’t feel bad for turning away from it once in a while. Peace of mind and mental health should be more important in my opinion and therefore I’m more than happy to accept the role of the cheerleader for the blanket-grabbers and biscuit munchers who are curled up in the corners of their beds and losing themselves in the plethora of fictional wonders we are blessed with today. While all in good intentions, I wonder if I am the only one feeling that there’s currently even more pressure to do something remarkably reinventive with oneself. All around people are encouraging us to learn challenging skills or “finally get fit” that it’s in fact had the opposite effect on me. If you’re the same, then let me the first to tell you: there is pride in having the thing you you accomplish by the end of this While in lockdown, for some reason I’ve seem to is that you finally got to enjoy be caught by a murder mystery bug. With us all those films, books and games turning to our streaming services and kindle stores to you’ve been meaning to find some entertainment, it’s easy to settle for anything that get to. sounds mildly interesting just because helps pass he time. So whether you want to So why not try something that might be a little different to your broaden your horizons normal pick? While still being entertaining, I find that a good or re-kindle an old murder mystery can also keep the little grey cells in your brain classic, here’s some working as you -sometimes subconsciously - start to make ideas. assumptions and try to figure out whodunnit yourself. The murder mystery is a classic genre and therefore has been revamped and reinvented many times, so if you’re thinking that it’s just for grannies, you may be surprised. If you’re a book lover, you are spoiled for choice. The classics run for miles: pretty much anything by Agatha Christie and any Sherlock Holmes will promise an interesting read. If you’re a regular reader of the college mag, you may remember that I also recommended the Truly Devious series before, which is a modern YA twist on the classic murder mystery. For the film lovers who are waiting patiently for the cinemas to re-open, you will also have plenty to choose from. Many of the classics have been adapted into film - BBC iPlayer currently has two Agatha Christie’s up to watch for free. Don’t let the old timey quality fool you, they’re classic whodunnits. And of course there’s the iconic Clue, inspired by the equally iconic board game, Cluedo (shocker, I know). But if you really can’t stand the sight of 1950’s film, then never fear. The 2011 remake of Murder on the Orient Express is AMAZING (please go watch it, it’s one of my favourites) and, of course, Knives Out (2019) has just been realised to DVD and is a cinematic masterpiece. Take your pick! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Genre pick: It’s a mystery
One for all: some escapisms that you won’t run through in an hour To begin, I’m going to throw something universally recognisable at you. I’m sure you’ve heard of Tomb Raider, especially if you’re an avid gamer then you’ve probably already played through the 3 Tomb Raider games (the 2013 reboot series - I’m currently on Rise of the Tomb Raider. Love it). I highly recommend them and if you haven’t gotten all the relics yet or nailed those challenges, now is also the perfect time for a full sweep rerun! 2018 also saw another film reboot which you can watch on Netflix right now, or - f you’re more of an Angelina Jolie fan - BBC iPlayer currently has the two earlier films (slightly more hammy and questionable, but they exist). If you’re someone who loves a series binge though, may I offer you some anime? Now if you’re not a regular anime watcher, please don’t roll your eyes! I urge you to give them a try: they’re all the entertainment of a TV box set and so much more especially when it comes to style. My two rec’s are relatively short series (as I know I get very intimidated by super long seasons of 1000 episodes), so these are long enough to keep you company, but aren’t overwhelming. Death Parade is set in a mythical bar in which the recently deceased are judged via morbid gameshow-esque competitions in which their behaviour decides whether they get to ascend to rebirth or be dammed to the darkness. Each episode provides a circus ride of moral judgment and mystery plus it’s super cool and dramatic. On the flip side, Violet Evergarden follows a young woman once a brutal war weapon who has now lost both her arms, her commanding officer and, mainly, herself. It’s a tad longer and more slower paced, but utterly beautiful and, I found, emotional. The full series is on Netflix, and if you like it, there’s even two feature-length specials on there to take you even further. And finally for my last two suggestions, I’m going to turn the clock backwards to our childhoods. Hopefully you’re not a stranger to Narnia. If you’ve never
Short Escapisms The five minute runaways:
for
Webtoon:
Free to download on your phone or access on your laptop, Webtoon is a comic reading platform with hundreds of free comics to read, created by independent artists around the world. You will have to make an account to save comics to your My series and read multiple chapters at a time, but it costs absolutely nothing except a password. My personal favourites at the mo are Cursed Princess Club (fun fairytale-esque comedy about self love and sisterhood) and Shiloh (dystopian steampunk thriller with an epic art style).
Empire Magazine:
Personally, I’m not a big magazine r reader, but this lockdown Imahin I found myself picking up the these pages on a whim. The Jun June 2020 edition of Empire is is a feel-good collection and [p packed with both eager looks forw forward to the future of your favo favourite movies and loving looks looks back. Lovers of all things givh fiction can pick up something from from this mag - it might be a new rec recommendation or just something you you never knew about your already fav favourites. Give it a go!
actually read them, now’s a good time! Each book makes for quick, light reading, but with seven main books in the series it will provide extended fantasy-filled sittings. And once you’ve lived up to your inner post-war childhood fantasies via ink and paper, you can always turn to the three movie adaptions (although I’d probably stick to just the first two myself - Voyage of the Dawn Treader went way down in quality). If you’re not a Narnia fan however (silently judging you), A Series of Unfortunate Events is another iconic and vast universe to indulge in just a touch darker and more sarcastic. There’s multiple books, a bingeable Netflix series and one glorious film to lose yourself in, all sharing that gothic wit of Lemony Snicket aesthetic that I personally adore.
Ephemeral Ache The everlasting ache in our hearts Routinely leave and return In swirls of sorrow Like a storm - a raging cascade. That never completely abandons us But leaves us for enough time To contemplate hope. For a while The pain attenuates And the sun shines Illuminating all the good In our hearts, And allows us to forget That we were ever cold That we ever let sadness dominate our Fragile, and Weak bodies. We believe we are strong But the love is temporary... Too temporary. But then the sun retires And the dry river is nursed to health The river of sorrow flows again Cold and endless And full of our tears.
Written by : Atwiya Ahmed Designed by : Jesutomisin Adeagbo
Social Issues Designed by Stephanie Sekula
The lower sixth Digital Publishing students were asked to find and research a social issue which they felt needs addressing, and to design a poster campaign centred around it. Here is a selection of their posters - can you guess their chosen social issues?
Arenz Baluyut
Madalina Pop
STOP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
Smoking and tobacco causes more than 5 million deaths per year worldwide.Quit today.
Visit ash.org.uk to quit today.
Ellie Medhurst
DON’T LET THE LAST ICEBERG MELT.
Aleisha Cooper
STOP Ocean Plastic Pollution
HELP PREVENT CLIMATE CHANGE https://www.wwf.org.uk/node/38751
the ocean is NOT a bin
Give the animals a voice that people will hear
WWW.Savetheanimals.com
Victoria Waller Mental health matters. Talk to someone
www.fightmentalhealth.com
Mental Health Matters
Emma Hartley
IN A MANS WORLD: MEN ARE ‘SUPERIOR’
WOMEN ARE EQUALLY STRONG & SMART
IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD
SAME LIVES = SAME PAY
Mya Cooksey
Make-up is for people not for animals
Caden Christie-Prendiville There is no second chances with climate change.
Charlotte Dobie Men account for 3/4 of suicide cases in the UK.
1 in 8 children have a mental health disorder
1 in 4 people suffer from
Let
Global Warming is a much bigger issue than many people take it to be. Species are losing their habitats due to our contributed efforts. We are slowly approaching the point where our actions will not be reversible anymore. We do not have a second chance, so don’t make this our last one. Please stop global warming if you don’t want to waste the only chance at life we have.
Help
Us
You.
Kirra Hill
THINK ABOUT THINGS... YLTNEREFFID & SPEAK OUT.
Bradley Hustings
www.mentalhealthawareness.com
Ashlie Lonergan
Andy Osei
Ivomira Simeonova
Oluwatosin Olatunji Louis Hamilton
“Quar mtaetrtedroes ” not
James Ashley
mag� azine show� case Designed by Stephanie Sekula
Every year the upper sixth Digital Publishing students design their own 20 page magazines from scratch, ready to launch at the Arts, Performance & Media’s Faculty Showcase. Sadly this year due to lockdown we’re unable to hold our yearly showcase - so here’s a little taste of what they’ve been working on!
ByI ma ni Pa t e l
Title goes here Gentle Reminder When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, That’s when you are most vulnerable, Throughout the day you are master at concealing your emotions and Bottling up any thoughts that can render you vulnerable But you lose this ability when the stars come to play, When it’s night-time and you are alone in your room, You no longer have the strength to pretend, Only then do you permit your mind to open the chambers of your heart And the “What if ” questions come bursting out, overflowing your thoughts, flooding your mind, Only then do think of your insecurities, past lovers, Poor mistakes, embarrassing moments and Writtenyou by and you almost Your crippling loneliness overpowers Lose yourself. Designed by
You forget how far you’ve come and how far you are going, Once upon a time you were in a dark place, A place where your self-worth depended on others and You sacrificed your mental health and body for bittersweet words, A place where a simple word could shatter your crumbling self-image and Send you spiralling deeper into your self destruction, You spat harsh lyrics to yourself more than you sang sweet songs to yourself, Once upon a time you were in a bad place But now you are in a better place, A place where you are learning to love yourself again and You realise that calculating your “worth” is as toxic as placing your worth on others, A place where you value your mental health and body over bittersweet words and You are steadily picking up the crumbling images of yourself and slowly mending them So that a simple phrase can no longer shatter your core, When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, That’s when you are most vulnerable And during this time remember how you’ve come and how far you are going So that you don’t easily lose yourself.
Written & Designed by : Jesutomisin Adeagbo
ByI ma ni Pa t e l
