The Hype Issue 4

Vol. 20 Issue 4 14th November, 2018

Music

The Academic talk Croke Park, touring and guilty pleasures Rebecca Breene McDonnell chats with lead singer of The Academic, Craig Fitzgerald.

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ollowing on from their debut album, Tales From The Backseat, released back in January of this year, The Academic, and their frontman Fitzgerald have been met with warm responses from critics and audience alike. With a similar sound to both The Strokes and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, there was no doubt that The Academic would comfortably nestle into a certain rank of popularity.

The Academic has had a busy schedule this year, what with supporting The Rolling Stones in Croke Park, and headlining the Iveagh Gardens, not to mention their own live tour. Fitzgerald inevitably deemed these two monumental events as highlights of his year, along with the icing on the cake that was meeting the Rolling Stones. “Just after we played we got escorted over towards the dressing rooms, and we met them for a photo and about a brief one minute conversation. It was a minute and it felt as if it were ten [minutes].” When asked if the enormity of the crowd in Croke Park made him nervous, his response was not surprising.

“I actually was. I don’t normally get nervous but I was shaking in my boots.” Surprisingly humble, and clearly grateful for the opportunity, Fitzgerald explains how his family and team felt when they caught wind of the Croke Park news. “Everyone was so thrilled. We always get put forward for shows but we never expect it. When we get good news like that, we want to prove that we’re worth taking the chance on” Their schedule for the rest of the year seems hectic, touring over the next couple of months and he explained

that they were “heading back over to the States [in November] for a headline run”, and they’d be back in mid-December to finish off the tour in one of Fitzgerald’s “favourite indoor venue in Ireland” to play, Vicar Street.

Although, don’t brace yourselves for any new releases in 2018. When asked if there was anything planned, Fitzgerald responded; “We’re currently writing music, and doing a lot of crappy demo’s.

We have songs that we’re currently, kind of, testing a little bit but we haven’t sat down to play anything yet.”

Finishing up with some quick fire questions, Fitzgerald admitted that he doesn’t really have a particular song that he prefers to perform on stage.

“It changes nearly every tour. Usually every tour there’s [also] a song that you don’t really like playing also.”

He said.

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Although don’t brace yourselves for any new releases in 2018, when asked if there was anything planned, Fitzgerald responded; “We’re currently writing music, and doing a lot of crappy demo’s. We have songs that we’re currently, kind of, testing a little bit but we haven’t sat down to play anything yet.”

When asked about what contributed to their fame and recognition in such a short space in time, Fitzgerald commended the Delorentos for being a band that really helped them within the Irish music scene.

With the acknowledgment that he was talking to someone in the media, he acknowledged that radio was a great platform to sell tickets and play their songs.

“Kindness from other musicians, radio, and we have a lot to thank for Aiken Promotions, they’ve given us so many chances” have been the main things that he thinks have helped elevate The Academic’s status within Ireland and the U.K. When asked about his guilty pleasure, Fitzgerald gave the safe answer of Dirty Dancing. Similarly, his favourite band of all time was, in fact, the Beatles.

Make this “American Boy” great again With Kanye West reportedly distancing himself from politics, Aoibhín Bryant writes about how the relationship between musician and politician tends to backfire

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ack in the early 1960’s, Frank Sinatra became infatuated with soon-to-be president John F. Kennedy. The crooner temporarily changed the name of his own group, the Rat Pack, with other singers such as Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr to the “Jack Pack”. Sinatra even released a song titled “High Hopes” which encouraged the American populace to “Vote for Kennedy”.

The relationship between Sinatra and Kennedy began to blossom, the two both having a mutual admiration for one another. Steven Watts, author of the novel JFK and the Masculine Mystique: Sex and Power on the New Frontier, has said “There was a joke at the time that ended up having a lot of truth to it, that in a way, Kennedy wanted to be Sinatra and Sinatra wanted to be Kennedy”. Sinatra even introduced the commander-in-chief to the Hollywood bombshell Marilyn Monroe; the actress Kennedy would later allegedly have an affair with.

When Kennedy spent the night at Sinatra’s home in Vegas, Sinatra had a gold plate etched onto the bed that simply stated, “JFK slept here”. When Kennedy was due to stay at Sinatra’s mansion in Palm Springs, Sinatra had illegally installed a helipad especially for the president. However, their relationship soon turned sour. Sinatra was unable to shake rumours of mafia links and as Kennedy wished to keep his public persona clean, the president went with the option of staying at Bing Crosby’s. When Sinatra heard the news, he flew into a violent rage, reportedly bashing the heliport with a sledgehammer.

2 In present day, hip-hop singer Kanye West has

tweeted, “My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative”.

This follows the last couple of months where the rapper has become more outspoken on politics and, controversially, expressed his appreciation for president Donald Trump and his “dragon energy”.

This culminated with a meeting between the two figures where they got quite cosy, sharing a hug.

Donning the red “Make America Great Again” cap, West’s views included the belief that “slavery was a choice”. West also became closer with black conservative, Candace Owens, who seems to be the person he alludes to as “using” him. Owens claimed that West designed the logo for her Blexit campaign, which encourages African Americans to leave the

Democrat party.

West has denied this allegation, stating that he “introduced Candace to the person who made the logo and they didn’t want their name on it so she used mine,” “I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it.” He continued.

West has now seemed to backtrack on his more rightwing views and has now reportedly donated $200,000 to the campaign of Democrat Chicago mayoral candidate, Amara Enyia. Although many on the left believe that the damage is done, and it is unlikely that West is to win favour with them anytime soon.

The stories of Sinatra and West prove that friendships between musicians and politicians, especially US Presidents, rarely seem to have a happy ending.

The artist usually ends up feeling taken advantage of when they realise that politicians had used them for political gain and not much else.

For the time being, West is right to keep his mouth closed and focus on his creative works. Although it won’t last long, what else can we expect of the singer who brazenly stated that “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” on live television back in 2005?

Music

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

Amy Donohoe ponders when is the right time to spread holiday cheer.

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he Halloween decorations have just been taken down and Dublin City Centre is already decorated for Christmas, this includes playing Christmas music. And as you’re reading this Michael Bublé is currently defrosting for the Christmas season. Is it too early? Or are we ready for a Holly Jolly Christmas?

Whether it’s on the radio or in the shops, it doesn’t end until December 26th. Some love it, others can’t bear it, but it’s almost impossible to escape it, so we may as well embrace it.

Department stores annoyingly loop Christmas songs but can you imagine buying presents without the hint of saxophone and jingle bells in the background? It wouldn’t be the same magical atmosphere without it.

It has been said that listening to too much Christmas music is depressing but listening to any genre of music too much is depressing. But it is extremely cheerful music and it can put most anyone, even the Grinch, in a good mood.

There’s no quicker way to put yourself in a fabulous mood than to put on a few Christmas tunes. The upbeat, cheerful songs, that are so familiar, always make you feel like you’re in a happier mood.

A lot of Christmas music is joyous, repetitive, and so, so catchy.

It’s one of the many things that makes it

beautiful. Nobody can really ever outgrow Christmas music because most traditional Christmas songs have been remade at one point or another, and in more ways than one, so that every age can enjoy a version sang by their favourite artist.

Christmas music brings people together, everybody knows the same song no matter what age you are. It is a great genre for parents to leave on the radio, without having to worry about whether there’s an inappropriate song on next.

The old, familiar tunes will always bring back memories of coming down the stairs on December 25th to find the tree surrounded by toys. There’s something almost magical about that moment. It brings back good memories of a time in our lives we’d love to go back to and Christmas music always helps rekindle those old memories.

Whether it be traditional, classical, religious, pop,

modern, or even jazz, there is a fascinating adaptation to most Christmas songs to please anyone’s ear. Everyone from Taylor Swift to Ariana Grande to Snoop Dogg have covered Christmas songs and there is talk of John Legend releasing a Christmas album.

Although Christmas music is mostly known for being happy and uplifting, there’s really songs for every feeling and mood. There’s sad, slow songs longing for a far away love or home, angry songs about the unfairness of love and life, and every other kind of sentiment you could be feeling. There’s even lonely country ballads and heavy metal bangers all to the tune of a merry Christmas.

Whatever genre you’re into, there’s a Christmas song for everyone.

Christmas music is fun, happy and sometimes heartbreaking. You can party to it or sing it loudly for all to hear.

It’s one of the most underrated types of music ever, and it certainly deserves a spot in your playlist, even if it is a bit early.

There should be no shame in spreading Christmas cheer throughout the year. It brings a deranged comfort.

There’s some

thing about classic Christmas tunes, it offers a surefire escape route for the brain and heart.

Hobo Johnson and The Lovemakers - cringe or cute?

Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers rose into prominence after one of their songs was lambasted for embarrassing lyrics, Joeseph O’Gorman investigates.

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obo Johnson and The Lovemakers gathered attention recently after they released a music video on Facebook as part of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. The song Peach Scone collected millions of views in just a few weeks.

The group has divided opinion, coming in for criticism for their “quirky” lyrics, with many people calling them just cringy and doubting how genuine they were.

Hobo Johnson himself, or Frank Lopes Jr, to give him his non-professional name, is of Portuguese, Mexican and Native American origins. He began performing hiphop at the age of 15, making beats on his computer, after being influenced by D12 and other rap artists. At the age of 19, his father kicked him out due to a now ex-wife “who was f***ing insane.” With nowhere to go, he wrote and produced his 2015 debut project Hobo Johnson’s 1994 Corolla, while living in the titular car, working at a pizza parlor, staying in Costco parking lots, producing out of the library and laundromat, and showering at a local gym.​ The song that most people have problems with is the viral Peach Scone. To begin with, the music; it is just plain bad, and adds absolutely nothing to the song, even doing it a disservice really. A four minute song, and it contains all of six notes on the guitar, and a half arsed drum beat during each chorus. There is also a guy with a bass guitar but he seems to be doing very little, if anything, just doing the standard ‘play the root note of the chord’ whenever the mood takes him. The drummer can’t even play

for the whole song, because Hobo Johnson doesn’t seem to have the ability to keep to a constant rhythm. Whether this is part of his gimmick or he is a poor musician, it remains to be seen. Johnson has also taken a lot of criticism for his delivery. The strange inflections he has in his voice, and his odd rhythms, mean he is quite polarising. One writer called him a cross between Michael Cera and a hyena, with a nervously neurotic voice, which ungracefully changes octaves.

Lyrically, Peach Scone does not come off well at first glance.

It borders on sympathy porn for closeted misogynists and self-proclaimed “nice guys” who whine about the “friendzone” the classic situation of guy loves girl, girl has boyfriend.

“Man, I love the thought of being with you/Or maybe it’s the thought of not being so alone/I don’t know, the second one’s

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The strange inflections he has in his voice, and his odd rhythms, mean he is quite polarising. One writer called him a cross between Michael Cera and a hyena, with a nervously neurotic voice, which ungracefully changes octaves.

way sadder than the first one.”

It’s a very delicate line he’s walking in this song. Johnson is always so close to coming off creepy or misogynistic, but he somehow avoids it. If you were to just read the lyrics of the songs, it’s far easier to get on board with his work.

His performing style and demeanour is off-putting. While it may not be true, Johnson performs like someone who thinks they are much more talented than they are.

While performing may not be his greatest strength, Johnson is a fantastic writer. Romeo and Juliet, a song about love and the impact of divorce on children, inspired by his own life, is a beautifully written piece. While it suffers from the same issue as Peach Scone, with its boring and pointless musicianship, and Johnson’s love it or hate it delivery, it is lyrically incredible.

Hobo Johnson, do us all a favour, and just start publishing books of poetry.

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Film

Keeping the magic in children’s films alive, generation after generation

Cáit Caden looks into how childrens’ films keep their audience hooked, even with the changing tide

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ovies for children stand the test of time because children are generally possessive, sentimental and fiercely competitive creatures when it comes to the things they love.

Especially the inner child trapped in adults that dreams nostalgically of the movies and stories which shaped our imaginations and understanding of the world.

From the present-day, children’s movies are an institution for “the music makers” and “the dreamers of dreams,” as Willy Wonka would say. Therefore, the industry is constantly trying to outdo itself and reach the sweet spot of entertaining and educating modern children while keeping the traditional stories alive.

However, in such a vastly different society to what the average Snowflake, Gen Z and their parents grew up in, there is an argument that childrens’ movies are not of the same calibre with the growing influence of the Parental Control Brigade and Social Justice Warriors. Children’s movies have changed because of factors like these but not completely to their detriment. According to the Box Office, they certainly have not become more boring.

Incredibles 2 is the fourth highest ranking film in the Box Office for 2018 as it grossed $1.228 billion which is an impressive surge from what the original film’s $633 million grossed, indicating that more care than ever is going into creating quality childrens’ films.

People born pre-smart phone and CGI era that believe their childhood films are superior and that PG movies today are not as creative and nuanced as the ones in the past, may be looking back with rose tinted glasses. Many movies could have done with an intervention from the PC brigade such as the Hunchback of Notre Dame. This film depicts an old priest singing a song called ‘Hellfire’ in

which he sings about his lust for a much younger woman, Esmerelda, and if his affections were not returned then he would kill her with fire. Another film which caused con-

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The attitude of inclusion and acceptance is growing internationally. The portrayal of these changing narratives can be seen in children’s films.

The reason the quality of the stories did not deteriorate is because films still use the classic formula of good vs evil and other constant variables.

troversy was Song of the South. This film’s depiction of a black character was deemed racist by various critics.

The attitude of inclusion and acceptance is growing internationally. The portrayal of these changing narratives can be seen in children’s films. The reason the quality of the stories did not deteriorate is because films still use the classic formula of good vs evil and other constant variables.

Incredibles 2 exemplifies this. The first film used the theme of the everyday person being a superhero with a family twist. In the second, the nuanced yet dominant female presence was played out spectacularly by two incredibly different female leads while two of the main male roles were weaker characters. This could be because of the result of the #MeToo campaign or just film creators that the once male dominated world which used to exist does not anymore and therefore there is a necessity to depict the changed society to children.

The typical tragic hero that usually serves as the comic relief is still used today but can be used as a vehicle to show a change in society. Classic examples would be Harry Wormwood in Matilda, The Grinch or Willy Wonka in Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and more recently Gru: the single father with three adopted daughters in the Despicable Me franchise.

Girls and boys are often drawn to the stereotypical role of fabulous princesses and handsome princes which are still present characters today. The difference now is that they can be black, and can focus on relationships other than their one true love, like in Frozen where the bond between two sisters was the plot-line.

Rami Malek’s performance will rock you, but the movie won’t Alison Clair reviews Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic of rock icon Freddie Mercury.

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ueen is one of the most iconic rock bands in history, with one of the most legendary lead singers the Rock n Roll scene has ever been graced with. Queen fans, young and old have been patiently waiting for this movie to arrive in cinemas. The trailer set us up for what could have been an award winning production, but, to my surprise it was the Oscar worthy acting, on behalf of Rami Malek which saved this movie.

Bohemian Rhapsody certainly had its ups and downs.

Director Bryan Singer was fired from production just weeks before filming finished, and unfortunately the movie gives a rather dull depiction of what could have been the magnificent and messy journey that Freddie Mercury and his bandmates lived through. The movie gives a quick run-down of the fifteen years or so, when Queen emerged on the scene in the early 70s, to their incredible Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985.

The movie opens on the morning of Live Aid, but flashes back to 1970 where the story begins, with Freddie meeting the other members of the band outside a bar when their lead singer quits after a gig. The other band members are played, very well, by Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, and Gwilym Lee. The film follows on from this, through the years of Queen’s successes and failures, covering vaguely the writing process of all their hits like Killer Queen, We Will Rock You and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.

The closing scenes in this movie perfectly encapsulate everything at the Live Aid concert at Wembley. Aside from the shaky CGI crowd reconstruction, Malek’s performance was spot on. His routine is almost as captivating as Mercury’s himself. From the Radio Ga-Ga clap, to the iconic acapella sing-along with the crowd, it closed the movie on 4 a high note, but not necessarily the right note.

The film ended quite abruptly, and, while it gave a brief account of Mercury discovering he had AIDS, and his coming out to his conservative family, the film seemed to skim through these significant parts of his life. Who W a n t s To Live Forever, a song written

by Brian May a n d s a n g

by Merc u r y, containing very p o i g n ant lyrics played in the background of these particular scenes. However, they could have portrayed them with more meaning and weight. Mercury didn’t wish to be remembered as the ‘poster boy’ for the AIDS

crisis, but the sad fact is that a true queen, with impeccable talent was taken too soon.

If you are a Queen fan, this film is recommended, purely to see Freddie Mercury resurrected by an incredible actor. For anyone else, go to see this for the amazing soundtrack, especially in surround sound.

The producers incorporated all of the right hits, something many biopics don’t do well. You will find yourself singing along i n v o l u n t a r i l y.

This movie was one that had the potential to be great, like its subject, but fell short and ended up being adequate. It seems that once again, this is a biopic that bit the dust.

Television

The laborious adventures of bad TV

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Callum Lavery questions why we continue to watch shows that have “jumped the shark”.

rom shows that keep us on the edge of our seat, to those that leave us snoring in them, we all love television. A fictional adventure, an escape from reality, a simple bit of respite for most, we love nothing more than sitting down, zoning in and chilling out. But what happens when the shows we love turn sour? Why will we continue to watch the shows we hate?

In 2015, Netflix published a study in which they were able to show the point that a viewer becomes hooked on a tv show, and it is rarely, if ever the pilot episode. Although unable to pinpoint the reasons why shows catch viewers interest they could show that viewers that reached the episode that hook them, seventy per cent will watch the entire first series at least. Some shows have earlier hooks than others. Shows such as Suits and The Walking Dead were able to hook viewers by episode two while shows such as How I Met Your Mother needed viewers to reach episode eight before becoming fans.

In September 20, 1979 American TV show Happy Days released an episode so strange and hard to swallow that it led to a new term to describe shows that lose their way. TV shows who “jump the shark” are programmes that become increasingly unbelievable and uninteresting to watch.

Shows such as Prison Break, Gossip Girl, and Lost, are all examples, losing their way due to their increasing ridiculousness, or the show’s determination to continue after a reasonable climax has come. Unfortunately, despite viewers complaining of poor writing and planning in the later seasons of these shows, they continue to watch just to see how bad it can get, and importantly: how the absurdity ends.

Some shows can attract viewership despite being of poor standard from the very beginning. Often falling under the “so bad it’s good” category, these shows will continue to entertain viewers and keep them on the hook, despite being universally poorly received from audiences or critics or both from the very beginning. Shows such as The Walking Dead, Dexter and most recently, both Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa newest creations, Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, despite having a poor critical reception, and often being slated for taking

a strong premise and ruining it due to poor writing or storytelling have received a large following from everyday viewers. Often these viewers will admit that these shows are poor quality, but how they just cannot seem to look away.

Some shows may start off great, continue to be fantastic and manages to keep the story interesting and the viewers engaged. However, through the removal of characters, whether intentionally or not, showrunners can turn their audience against them. Sometimes, this may be justifiable, such as the removal of Kevin Spacey from House of Cards after allegations of sexual assault, or Charlie Sheen’s removal from Two and a Half Men after suffering a large mental break down. Removing characters from these shows was understandable. In comparison, shows like The US Office and Scrubs, which saw main cast members removed in later seasons and had many viewers watching simply waiting for their favourite character’s return.

Of course, there are other reasons why viewers keep watching that which they hate, from the show featuring their favourite actor, to shows being spin-offs of the ones we love. Eventually it all boils down to when we will eventually bite the bullet and sever the chord that hooks us onto the shows we hate. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Who wants to be six seasons and multiple hours into a terrible show?

Phily McMahon documentary shows the devastating effects of drugs Sarah Barrett reviews RTÉ documentary, The Hardest Hit.

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here has been a big reaction to a new RTE documentary, The Hardest Hit. With many taking to social media and various publications to praise the program and share their opinions.

With one viewer saying “New level of respect for @PhillyMcMahon an exceptional piece of TV,”.

The very personal documentary itself explores the nation’s drug culture and the causes and potential solutions to drug addiction. The documentary highlights Ireland’s inability to tackle a widespread issue that affects people from all backgrounds. Drug addiction doesn’t discriminate.

The documentary was presented by Dublin GAA star and recent author Philip “Philly” McMahon. In the documentary, cameras are invited into Philip’s home where he discusses the horrid impact heroin addiction had on his older brother, John and the deteriorating cycle of addiction, as well as the work he does with Dublin’s Mountjoy Progressive Unit, where he trains prisoners and also gives half-time talks.

Philip says his brother “never had a chance” after taking his first hit of heroin in a lift at the Ballymun towers at the age of 14. Before the documentary came to the screen, the six time all-Ireland winner had previously wrote a book with Niall Kelly titled “The Choice” where he described the story of his brother drifting away from him, because of his addiction and he also spoke about their relationship. John McMahon passed away at the age of 31. The book was also a tribute to the redemptive power of sport and an epic story in the face of adversity

and of loss. It also documents the roles that compassion and resilience play in our lives.

In the documentary, Philly said: “In all my years playing football for Dublin, my number one goal has never changed – to get that blue jersey and to wear it as many times as possible.”

“I never got a chance to share any of it with John. I’d give all my All-Ireland wins to still have him here with me today.” The work of the drugs court in Dublin was also a segment, with Judge Anne Ryan leading the judicial response to the drug crisis. The entire programme

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Throughout there was avocation for certain drugs to be decriminalised, while McMahon discussed a variety of services that should be deployed in a massive effort to help deal with the problem. He also brought attention to the KCCP Reach Out Programme in Kilbarrack, where young adults are coached through strenuous football training and how it is of benefit to the teenagers that are enrolled in the programme. Upon watching the documentary, it was educational and informative on the matter and is well worth watching.

There is a vivid scene in the programme in which we can see Philip’s parents discuss the relationship between John and Philly McMahon, and how GAA was an escape for Philly even though there was a drug crisis when he was growing up in Ballymun. According to the Health Research Board, 9,000 people are being treated for drug addiction every year.

With nearly 63,000 people presented with drug abuse between 2010 and 2018. While those being treated for cocaine on the rise, there are changes in the types of drugs that are being reported.

I never got a chance to share any of it with John. I’d give all my All-Ireland wins to still have him here with me today.” The work of the drugs court in Dublin was also a segment, with Judge Anne Ryan leading the judicial response to the drug crisis. The entire programme was efficient in highlighting what has become a health crisis here in Ireland was efficient in highlighting what has become a health crisis here in Ireland.

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Television

With the rise of streaming, soap operas remain resilient

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Gillian Hogan explains how soap operas remain a titan in a post-Netflix world

ince the takeover of Netflix, traditional television ratings have been on a downhill slope. Genre upon genre of tv and film are available in an instant, so why wait to watch something on the box in your sitting room like a caveman? Well, there is one exception to this trend. Soap operas are a television titan that aren’t going anywhere.

Coronation Street first hit bulky television screens around the UK and Ireland 58 years ago in 1960 and although the actual screens are thinning, it’s audience isn’t. Since then, many more soaps like Eastenders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and even one that has a special place in Ireland’s heart, Fair City, have made their debut and stuck around.

In fact, 2018 has been Coronation Street’s best year for rankings in a long time. Despite controversy from viewers, Pat Phelan’s murder spree coming to a climatic reveal in front of Eileen, pulled in audiences of 9.4 million.

This makes it the most-watched episode in the Friday slot in more than four years, and Coronation Street’s highest audience in any slot since 2015. 6 million people also tuned in for Aidan Connor’s suicide episodes, the largest viewership of any show on ITV that week.

There was once a time that only two episodes a week were shown by each soap and this was enough to keep people’s soapland cravings satisfied. Now Coronation Street and Emmerdale show six episodes a week, Eastenders is on four times a week, Hollyoaks

airs five times a week and Fair City matches Eastenders with four.

Lots of people can’t even manage to see their closest friends and family four times a week let alone six so it’s no wonder that people grow attached to the characters they see on screen and become emotionally invested in what happens in their lives, even if they know it’s make-believe.

“I started watching them [soaps] when I was a kid with my mam because she watched them. I watch them every night, probably because most of the characters have been the same for years and I’ve been following

them the whole way up. There’s also the fact that some of the story lines are true to life so they are relatable,” said Rachel Keogh, aged 28 from Dublin.

William Roche, aged 86, who plays Ken Barlow on Coronation Street has been a regular on the show since its very first episode. He is listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving living television actor in a continuous role. Tracy and Peter Barlow, Gail Rodwell (or any other surname you want to give her) and Rita Tanner have all also been in the show for over 40 years.

Ian Beale and Dot Branning have both been in Eastenders since the show’s first year in 1985 and are still appearing in episodes. There are many more characters across all the soaps, including Fair City’s Paul Brennan and Charlie Kelly, that have been there since the very beginning in 1989. There are also characters that may not have been present since the beginning of the respective show’s lifeline but have been there since the beginning of the lives of new generations that will grow up watching them.

This poses the question of whether children growing up now, in a world where television is far less prominent than it was for their parents, grandparents and even older siblings, will continue watching the soaps because their parents do or if they are too busy with their nose in their phone to realise what is on the tv in the first place, bringing an end to the long held traditional cycle of soap operas.

The rise and fall of the Netflix MCU

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David Kelly laments at the downfall of Netflix’s own Marvel Cinematic Universe

he Netflix branch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was a venture loaded with promise. Its conception appeared as a dynamic method of integrating the lower echelons of the Marvel pantheon into the wider MCU. After the success of The Avengers, this feat seemed plausible.

It was not.

Daredevil was the first hero to get the Netflix show treatment. Its arrival was met with critical and audience acclaim. The dark tone and mature themes resonated with an audience in a manner that the films couldn’t. The season was almost unprecedented in its storytelling style and substance.

Daredevil set the tone for the Netflix MCU, the ideal now was for the shows to accumulate in an Avengers style crossover titled The Defenders. An exciting prospect.

Next; Jessica Jones. This show was another masterpiece in terms of superhero storytelling. The themes of sexual assault and subsequent PTSD had an engaging delivery. David Tennant’s despicably charming Kilgrave stole the show.

Luke Cage was another bombshell. Created as a love letter to urban black culture, the show enjoyed a more pop-cinema aesthetic than its counterparts, with an invigorating soundtrack ranging from Motown to jazz to gangster rap to modern R&B. After three consistent successes, it appeared Marvel Television could do no wrong. This hypothesis was dashed against the rocks when Iron Fist flopped right onto a 19 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Whereas its three predecessors had unique themes, tones, styles and characters, Iron Fist failed on almost all those fronts. Its protagonist, Danny Rand, was bland, as were his supporting characters. The fight choreography 6 paled in comparison to its forerunners.

This was the first chink in the armour of the Netflix MCU. The crossover show, The Defenders, was next on the production line, and the failure of its final hero did not inspire hope among the fanbase.

The Avengers crossover worked for numerous reasons, one of the crucial elements of its success was the character interaction, they all had moments to shine, and the villain that brought them all together.

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This was the first chink in the armour of the Netflix MCU. The crossover show, The Defenders, was next on the production line, and the failure of its final hero did not inspire hope among the fanbase

Loki was the most popular and well received villain, despite the meagre reception to his character in Thor. The chemistry of The Avengers combined with their chemistry with Loki allowed for a fun, compelling narrative.

Finally, Marvel Studios was under the direction of the visionary producer, Kevin Feige, with the talent to weave together a cinematic universe without compromising any one film’s artistic integrity.

Contrast this with The Defenders. Forgetting Iron Fist, each individual hero had been given ample room to develop. Their shows contained a compelling story that they wanted to tell. However, the crossover event completely lacked this vision.

The Defenders had very little chemistry. The weakest villain from their canon, The Hand, brought them together. Their appeared to be no Kevin Feige working behind the scenes to ensure it had vision. In short, the show wasn’t its own version of The Avengers.

Now, imagine that The Avengers had been underwhelming. MCU would not have expanded as it did, the interest in the characters would have been severely diminished.

This appears to have been the effect on the Netflix MCU. Iron Fist and Luke Cage lost nearly two-thirds of their viewership in one season and were cancelled.

Jessica Jones season two received less acclaim than its previous season.

Daredevil is the only show still standing on firm ground, with its third season securing universal acclaim.

However, it’s still losing significant viewing figures. While each show has immense potential on its own,it was cut short in the ensemble piece. The remedy? A wider vision worthy of their cinematic counterparts. When? A year ago.

Filmic piece at the IMMA leaves audience breathless

Judy Williams reviews “Last Breath”, a filmic artwork by artist Marie Brett

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ast Breath, a filmic artwork by Marie Brett, was screened at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) on Thursday 1st November. The film explores the meaning of death through art and is based on extensive research in ethics and folklore as well as being informed by healthcare and palliative processes.

Brett, Artist-in-Residence at IMMA, deals with the difficult, and often unspoken, themes of death and loss in her work. In this artwork, she does not shy away from the realities of death, but she deals respectfully and thoughtfully with the subject.

The film is short at just 10 minutes running time, but it shows exceptional insight and sensitivity despite its brevity. Brett researched and explored thanatology, the scientific study of death and the practices associated with it, to inform and underpin the content of the piece.

Brett has an interest in Irish folklore and death rituals, particularly work around the female supernatural and she was also inspired by ‘Dante’s Inferno’ and Japanese films, including ‘Departures’.

Speaking after the screening, she said, “One of the biggest challenges was to stay true to the film in representing a difficult place of the unknown – what happens during and after a last human breath. To allow for a “what if” and to not feel obliged to pull back and end up censoring creative possibility”.

Funding was provided by the Arts Council of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Arts and UCD Parity Studios.

This piece of work brings together sounds and images to create an intense and poignant journey for the viewer, which stays in the consciousness long after the film is over.

Brett worked with anthropological sound artist Michelle Collins to create the vocal landscape for the film. Collins is a specialist in keening (a wail in grief for a dead person) and the evocative sounds provide another layer of energy for the viewer.

The film was edited by the artist with cinematographer Colm Mullen and was the culmination of over two years researching with scholars and healthcare professionals in Ireland. Brett also travelled overseas to witness death rituals from different perspectives.

Some of the images are ethereal and shadowy while others are vivid and direct, such as the image of the open mouth of the dying person. This is stark and surprising at first, but blends into the more familiar images of folklore, such as the covering of mirrors, to create a powerful narrative.

Folklore, and the changes in rituals around death, particularly in Ireland, is explored in the use of contrasting images. Soft hazy images are juxtaposed with hospital equipment to show how death has moved from the home to a hospital environment.

The image of death, expressed by the ebbing breath, is slightly disturbing as it is such a private moment and yet so beautifully portrayed. The level of intricate detail in the piece is stunning and the silence in the screening room was a sign of the powerful feelings that the work stirred up. A thoughtful and thought-provoking piece about the most inevitable part of living.

Film

Shane Dawson fails to get “inside the mind” of Jake Paul Shane Dawson’s rookie mistakes led to the demise

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of his Jake Paul documentary, writes Peter O’Neill

t’s dramatic. It’s content. It’s views. It’s Jake Paul.

Shane Dawson’s eight-part series about the controversial 21-year-old vlogger originally from Ohio is a big hit. The finale of the documentary currently sits at 20 million views on YouTube and has generated various reactions and think pieces.

The horror movie motifs are the first thing that strike you when watching ‘The Mind of Jake Paul’. Quick edits jump out featuring dramatic music and shots of maniacal laughter more befitting a show about the Zodiac Killer than a vlogger. This is odd, considering Dawson often describes his role not just as a documentarian, but as someone who wants to help Paul. It’s easy to tell that the series was being filmed as the first episodes were posted online and not shot fully before releasing. Although this benefits the later episodes as the sociopath angle Dawson takes early on is dropped for the most part, the fact that Dawson felt the need to over-dramatize his subject matter hints at his own insecurities in making the series.

However, Inside the Mind does succeed in giving the viewer a much better understanding of why Jake Paul’s personality is the way it is. Dawson dives into the backstory of his upbringing. It features a messy divorce between his parents during his early teenage years which Dawson theorises hindered Paul’s emotional development. The viewer also learns about his competitive relationship with his brother, Logan. However, the most interesting aspect of his family life is easily his father Gregory. His father still retains an active and controlling stake in Paul’s life, even to the point of living in the floor above him in his son’s multi-story house of influencers and friends.

Although self-aware of the potential back-lash for giving Jake Paul a redemption arc, Dawson pushes on and strives to give Jake one. This does prove interesting, and there is a better image of Paul presented to the viewer than the commonly held one by the end of the series.

However, Shane Dawson makes a massive error in not pressing Paul on one of the revelations in part seven of the documentary. Paul’s ex-girlfriend Alyssa alleges that

while living with the vlogger, he would frequently have sexual relations with “Instagram models” whilst giving them the pretense that they might be able to join his vlogger business, Team 10, by hanging out with him. The fact that Dawson, not only over-looked this during his interview with her but didn’t bother mentioning it in the final part of the series when he had final interview with Paul himself is astounding.

The horror movie motifs Paul had a lot power in this are the first thing that of situation, and although young strike you when you watching ‘The Mind of himself, get the impresJake Paul’. Quick edits sion from the interview that jump out featuring he was at the dramatic music and very least taking advantage shots of maniacal of the power laughter more befitting he had when conducting a show about the Zodiac these relationwith these Killer than a vlogger. ships young impressionable women. As much as his ex-girlfriend, who he had a very public falling out with, may be an unreliable narrator in this scenario, this should have been a major topic in the final interview.

This highlights one of the difficulties in having an amateur director for a documentary. Dawson’s attempts at trying to be nice and to “not cause more drama” hindered this documentary. This isn’t to say that beginner directors on YouTube creating fact-based documentaries shouldn’t bother attempting, but in this case, Dawson failed in creating a hard-hitting unbiased documentary, but he did give somewhat of a decent a character study on Paul’s head-space.

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Games & Stories

Battle of the consoles: XBOX versus Playstation

Darragh McNally weighs the pros and cons of the console collasols

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o, say you want to play some video games.

And you don’t want to go to the hassle of building a gaming PC. Well, in terms of bigblack-VCR-looking-boxes-that-play-videogames, you have two options; Sony’s Playstation 4, or Microsoft’s Xbox One. Each console has pros and cons that will be discussed here to help you make the right decision for you. This article will discuss console specs, pricing, online ecosystems, and exclusive games in order to come to a conclusion.

In terms of raw power and specifications, Sony’s Playstation 4 was a clear winner here. Until last November that is. Both Sony and Microsoft released half-step, upgraded versions of the current generations game consoles – the Playstation 4 Pro, and the Xbox One X. Both units are able to display game in native 4K resolution and support HDR, but Microsoft’s new system has the advantage here, often being touted as “the most powerful console ever made.”

Pricewise, the Playstation 4 Pro is priced at an RRP of €399. Which is still very expensive, but much cheaper than the other option. Microsoft’s Xbox One X launched at a staggering RRP of €499. However, if you want to buy the standard versions of both consoles, they are relatively inexpensive, both sitting at a price of €300 or even under.

Both systems have great online networks. However, online play comes at an extra expense. One must pay a membership fee to even play online, so add an extra €60 to your budget. Both systems offer free games every month as a way to entice consumers to pay up, Sony’s Playstation Plus Free Games, and Microsoft’s Games with Gold. While both services aren’t immune to a bad selection of free games every few

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Each console has pros and cons that will be discussed here to help you make the right decision for you. This article will discuss console specs, pricing, online ecosystems, and exclusive games in order to come to a conclusion

months or so, Microsoft’s output in this field has been far more consistently good.

The deciding factor for most consumers in purchasing

a current-gen console is the selection of games available for each system. And here, there’s no contest. Both systems offer a variety of exclusive titles only available on each respective system. However, this is Sony’s bread and butter. Playstation 4 has an insane amount of exclusive (and more importantly, brilliant) titles available, including Bloodborne, Horizon: Zero Dawn, the Uncharted series, The Last of Us: Remastered (and its forthcoming sequel), and the newly released Spiderman. Microsoft offers Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo 5, Gears of War 4 (and 5 in a few months), the forthcoming Crackdown 3, and Sunset Overdrive. The Playstation above all else has variety in its exclusive games, offering a varied range of games that can only be played on Sony’s current-gen console.

In terms of the points previously discussed, we’ve reached a tie. However, the amazing selection of exclusive

games pushes the Playstation 4 to success here and has led to lifetime sales of over 70 million consoles worldwide. While it lacks the raw horsepower of Microsoft’s console, The Playstation 4 is a brilliant piece of kit with an extensive library of exclusive games, and at a decent price. This author would highly recommend it if you want to get your game on.

The power of the short story

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Aoibhín Meghen explains why the short story should not be undereistamed, and what makes a good one

hort stories have a way of conveying a strong message in just a few words, they are difficult to write but when they are done correctly the result can be more powerful than a 1,000 page novel.

The creativity of short stories is often what makes them so powerful, a common exercise for writers is to receive a word or phrase and write a story around it.

This forces writers to be creative in their approach often bringing life to inanimate objects or animals and creating a poignant story that extends beyond the plots surface level and contains deeper messages.

Classic fairy-tales such as the Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson, or stories like Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, which has a statue and a swallow as its central characters use metaphors and imaginative writing techniques to portray powerful messages about human nature.

Often it is the simplicity of short story that makes it so compelling for readers. In a 1,000 ,page novel the reader can lose the meaning or point of the story as they are laden down with extensive back stories and unnecessary details.

With a short story every detail is thought through and has a distinctive purpose, no characters are introduced unless they play an integral role in the story’s progression and the world created by the writer is small so that they may add life to it.

This means that after reading a short story readers will 8 have a strong sense of the story’s message but after a novel readers may know more about the

characters and the world created in the book.

Short stories can be revisited time and time again and one will often discover something new each time as you read deeper beneath the surface. It is these layered meanings found in great short stories that makes them more dynamic than books.

Writing a great short story requires skill and lots of practice, however there are five key elements that are essential. These elements, character, setting, conflict, plot, and theme all work together and if one of them is missing then the story falls apart.

Unlike novels, short stories should only ever centre around one central character, there may be other people introduced but adding too many makes the story confusing as there is not enough time to develop each one.

A clear setting is needed, but as writers don’t have a lot of words to spare, this setting can be shown without explicitly saying where and when the story takes place. Describing characters clothes or the way they speak help to convey the place and time in which the story takes place.

The conflict is what the main character must overcome in the story and the plot is what helps this conflict to progress. Every sentence in a short story should bring the reader closer to the conclusion of the conflict.

A writer should know the theme of their

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short story before they begin writing and should work it in throughout the text naturally. In short stories, the theme will most likely be a deeper message or moral lesson. This can be seen in The Elephant Rope, a short story that shows how people go through life believing they can’t do something because they failed once before.

When written well, short stories are powerful tools to improve your own writing skills and make difficult or confusing subjects approachable for readers which can make them more powerful than a 1,000 page book.

Short stories can be revisited time and time again and one will often discover something new each time as you read deeper beneath the surface. It is these layered meanings found in great short stories that makes them more dynamic than books.

Health & Beauty

MDMA to meaning

Have you gone off the rails due to drug abuse? David Kelly is here to help get you back on track.

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he first hit of ecstasy is just that; ecstatic. A warm feeling of pleasure and love surges through you.

The beauty of music is dialled to 11, its very rhythm pulsing through your veins, your essence melting into the beat. People become overwhelmingly attractive, everyone becomes your best friend. It is pure, undiluted ecstasy.

Well, for a few hours, depending on the dosage. Then, it’s the first train to skag town. Coming down from MDMA, or the skag as its more commonly known as, is almost like your soul’s way of telling you how irresponsible and stupid you are.

While the feeling the night before could be said to have approximated something like bliss, the morning after can come close to falling into Hell. A fair trade, one might surmise. What’s one, two days of wretchedness for a night of unadulterated joy?

So, you indulge the second hit, maybe a few days after the first, maybe a few weeks. Its amazing, not quite as good as the first, but still amazing. A buzz unlike any other. The come down is still there, but look, it’s not unmanageable.

You may find yourself at a crossroads now. One path dimly lit. It’s littered with dull green, red and blue pills, powder sprinkled down it like a discoloured snow. At the end is that first night, the initial buzz that started it all, the feeling of pure ecstasy.

You may find yourself choosing this path without even a moment’s consideration for the other. After all, what can top that first buzz? Surely, nothing down another path?

What another phenomenon in life causes bliss?

So, you take the first path. You gorge on the fruits of the journey in an attempt to reach its end. As time passes, you notice the buzz beginning to taste bitter. That ecstatic feeling is just static, a love buzz without love. Now and then you see catch a glimpse of your reflection, and it frightens you.

You look on towards your destination, yet it seems further than ever. Your heart falls from your chest. The bliss turns to ash in your mouth as you realise that the lights have dimmed completely. You turn back but the crossroads are out of view, shrouded in shadow. Hope dies as you see no way out and at last, depression grips your soul.

This is how an excess of MDMA consumption can feel.

It’s essentially a trap. It tempts people into a lifestyle that is fundamentally hedonistic. The flaw in a hedonistic lifestyle is that it only accounts for short-term pleasure. It does not address the human need for long-term meaning.

Finding your way off that path is tough. It involves completely revolutionising the structures of your life. The user needs to completely transform their value hierarchy so that different actions achieve results that replace the need for instant gratification.

What MDMA essentially does is release a huge burst of the chemical serotonin at once. Serotonin is what regulates our mood. A significant increase in serotonin is what creates that ecstatic feeling. The lack of serotonin thereafter is what causes the comedown.

Dopamine, the chemical released when we achieve our goals, is also released. Cocaine is dopaminergic drug, that’s why it makes the user feel confident and strong, as

if you’ve accomplished something impressive.

The biological effects of serotonin mirror its ethical impact. To indulge in MDMA is to indulge expedience.

It’s a literal and metaphorical abdication of a long-term attempt to achieve fulfillment. Engaging in expedient activity in antithetical to the pursuit of meaning.

The problem with drug use in general, but particularly with MDMA, is that it’s the easy way out. It’s selfish. It involves no personal responsibility. It’s cheating your future self out of happiness. It’s denying yourself something profoundly beautiful.

So, what’s the alternative? To start, assume your mental health is important. You would not want someone you loved to depend on a drug, so why would you want that for yourself? It is important that you establish this as one of your fundamental axioms.

Setting goals is important in replacing the pursuit of expedience. The goal should be difficult but achievable. It should push you. Taoism posits that one follows The Way by having one foot in order and one foot in chaos.

The yin and yang symbolise this; the interplay of chaos and order, with either one within the other. This ancient idea is present in much of mythology. The hero who confronts chaos voluntarily and crafts order from the chaos. This is the myth of the hero.

Craft a plan. Set up a couple of goals. Rank order them in terms of importance. Break down those goals into achievable steps. It’s crucial that you establish a method of measuring your progress towards a goal. Even the competition of a sub-goal releases dopamine, the reward chemical.

When you acquiesce to your vices, when you choose drugs over responsibility, you only contribute to the misery in the world. An ancient mythic truth is that life is suffering.

The correct response to this is to try your hardest to stamp out as much of that suffering as you can.

Finding meaning is not the same thing as finding happiness. A meaningful life isn’t the pursuit of happiness.

Adopting responsibility is to bear a load, it’s to realise that the alternative warps your Being into something Hellish.

A life characterised by excessive drug use is a life often drowning in chaos. For the user, drugs often take priority, which causes a plethora of problems in numerous aspects of life; social, financial, academic etc.

In addition to devising a plan and set of goals, begin to add structure to your life. Start small. Write up a schedule.

Establish a fixed sleep schedule. Make your bed in the morning. Eat some breakfast. Create a routine. This incremental steps towards order will add up.

Essentially, choose another path. Now, upon first glance, this path looks rather threatening. It’s dotted with jagged rocks. It’s steep. It’s slippery. That’s okay, you’re going to fall, a lot. The trick is keep going.

Eventually, after an arduous journey, you’ll reach a peak, and you’ll gaze upon the brilliant sun illuminating the path. Its rays will warm your face and spark a smile.

You’ll look onto the horizon and notice another path, a steeper, more slippery, more dangerous path, and funnily enough, you’ll begin climbing that one too.

That is meaning.

“ The problem with drug use in general, but particularly with MDMA, is that it’s the easy way out. It’s selfish. It involves no personal responsibility. It’s cheating your future self out of happiness.

It’s denying yourself something profoundly beautiful.

” 9

Health & Beauty

Why roids aren’t all the rage

Eoin Harte takes a look at the physical and mental side effects of using anabolic steroids.

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here’s no doubt that Ireland has been experiencing a fitness craze in the last number of years. More and more people are flocking to gyms, hoping to achieve the perfect bodies that are regularly displayed on social media sites, Instagram in particular.

The pressure that women have felt for decades to look a certain way is now beginning to enforce itself on men.

It is now quite rare for high profile male actors, models or even contestants in reality TV shows to not have toned, bulging muscles.

This obsession to achieve the look that Arnold Schwarzenegger brought to the public eye in the 1970s is now widespread. The impossibility of achieving the look formerly seen as only attainable by professional bodybuilders is now being presented as a body that anyone can have through hard work and dedication.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney, who got into unbelievable shape for comedic effect for the latest season of the show, rubbished the notion that anyone leading a normal life could achieve this goal.

In an Instagram post back in September, McElhenney put up a picture of himself from season seven where the actor purposefully gained over 20 kilos of fat (again, just for comedic purposes) next to his new ‘Hollywood’ physique.

The comedic actor wrote, “Look, it’s not that hard.

All you need to do is lift weights six days a week, stop drinking alcohol, don’t eat anything after 7pm, don’t eat any carbs or sugar at all, in fact just don’t eat anything you like, get the personal trainer from Magic Mike, sleep nine hours a night, run three miles a day, and have a studio pay for the whole thing over a six to seven month span. I don’t know why everyone’s not doing this. It’s a super realistic lifestyle and an appropriate body image to compare oneself to.”

Still, this one Instagram post which takes a more realistic approach to the difficulties surrounding getting into such great shape is greatly outnumbered by countless fitness pages that would have you believe that people leading ordinary lives can achieve their dream body (as long as you buy the sponsored supplements).

What these Instagram models don’t tell you is the sheer amount of hours they need to put in that anybody in university or working in a full-time job simply don’t have.

While they are in incredible shape, these models also have a few simple tricks up their sleeve.

Most of these fitness models will take time to find the perfect lighting for their pictures which will accentuate the definition on their bodies. They also take pictures directly after they exercise, at which time they have a ‘pump’. The ‘pump’ is when your muscles swell up during a workout from the excessive amount of blood being sent to the muscles. Not only do the muscles then appear larger but they also look leaner as the skin around them becomes tighter because of this.

While these fitness models on Instagram won’t deny using these ‘tricks’, there is one that they will almost always deny; their use of anabolic steroids. While not all of these Instagram models use steroids, there is a significant number who do. The usage of anabolic

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steroids

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Many people have flocked to using anabolic steroids to achieve their goals but are unaware of the side effects that come along with using these substances. While they can be used to build muscle and decrease body fat, they are certainly not healthy for the user, especially if the user is -not well educated on how to use them.

has dramatically increased in Ireland in recent years, with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) revealing in April that almost 450,000 dosage units of anabolic steroids were detained in 2017, compared to just over 38,000 in 2015.

Many people have flocked to using anabolic steroids to achieve their goals but are unaware of the side effects that come along with using these substances. While they can be used to build muscle and decrease body fat, they are certainly not healthy for the user, especially if the user is not well educated on how to use them.

Anabolic steroids can be taken in a number of ways, through injections, oral pills and also as creams that can be rubbed on the skin. Injecting anabolic steroids can be especially dangerous for unaware users. Users can unintentionally inject a small amount of air into their blood stream. This is known as ‘air embolism’ and can result in strokes and heart attacks, which obviously can lead to death.

Even if steroids are taken correctly there is no guarantee that they won’t cause users some serious problems. There is an extensive list of serious side effects that steroids can cause for both men and women. For men anabolic steroids misuse can result in serious issues infertility, shrunken testicles, erectile dysfunction, liver damage and an increase in the chance of prostate cancer.

Side effects that are less serious but are aesthetically unpleasing include baldness, severe acne and breast development in men. Considering many users are on steroids for aesthetic reasons, this may give potential users reason to think again. Female users don’t get off any easier, with anabolic steroids causing facial and body hair growth, loss of breasts, swelling of the clitoris, a deepened voice and problems with periods.

There are also psychological issues that arise when misusing anabolic steroids. The term ‘roid rage’ exists for a reason, as aggressive behaviour, mood swings and paranoia are all common complaints among steroid users. Adolescents who haven’t yet had a growth that misuse steroids can expect stunted growth as the drugs can cause premature aging of the bones.

Last but not least, anabolic steroids are addictive substances which can result in pretty serious withdrawal symptoms if users decide to suddenly come off the drugs. These symptoms include depression, feelings of anxiety, decreased sex drive, fatigue, headaches as well as muscle and joint pain.

So, while these celebrities with perfect bodies may appear to be leading perfect lives, they could be encountering a range of serious issues thanks to steroid misuse. While these drugs certainly do encourage muscle growth, they often come with a host of other effects that should make most potential users think long and hard about how badly they want bigger muscles.

Health & Beauty

Attacking asthma

Asthma is difficult but during these winter months, symptoms become even worse. Béibhinn Thorsch gives us all information we need to know about attacking asthma this winter.

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ne person a week in Ireland dies from an asthma attack.

90% of these are preventable. In winter time symptoms worsen so it’s important to know how to cope with it.

Asthma is a common punchline in movies and TV shows, often portrayed as a wheezing geektype. Severity of asthma cases differ, however all asthma sufferers will have certain triggers that could set off an attack.

The changing of seasons is often a difficult time for those with allergies, and as those with asthma are often more susceptible to allergies of all kinds it can be more vital than ever to know how to keep the symptoms of asthma under control.

Asthma is best defined by the Asthma Society of Ireland as “the airways become over-sensitive; meaning that they react to things that wouldn’t usually cause a problem, such as cold air or dust.”

When the airways are irritated, they tighten, mucus is created and the passages become blocked and swollen.

This is a slower process to the tightening, and takes more work to relieve.

The main types of inhalers are preventers and relievers - preventers work gradually to stop the mucus buildup over time, and the reliever relaxes the muscles that have tightened. The preventer must be taken even when asthma symptoms seem non-existent.

Asthma is particularly common in Ireland and can be hereditary. Though most often it develops from childhood, asthma can develop after a respiratory tract infection (colds, flu, chest infections) in adults.

The Society also notes that asthma symptoms become worse in winter, as the wet and windy weather wreak havoc. Wet weather encourages mould growth, which can be blown around by the severe winds. One of the most difficult triggers to deal with, however, can be the simply the wind alone - made even worse when the wind is so cold.

It is worth using scarves or other wraps, such as halfface balaclavas, to cover the nose and mouth. This filters out the cold air, which can cause lungs and throat to tighten.

The wind can catch your breath also, and so it is recommended to keep an eye on the weather forecast before going outside if it will be a particularly bad day, and keep the windows closed in your home.

The Society recommends always taking medication as it is prescribed, keeping an update action-plan if an

emergency occurs, and always carrying the blue reliever inhaler. Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth is also thought to be helpful.

An unseen trigger to asthma in the home also comes particularly as the weather grows cooler, and that is the lighting of candles and fires. Keeping chimney dust and candle smoke to a minimum is vital. Animals are often kept indoors for longer, and this common trigger can go unnoticed but needs to be kept an eye on.

Those with asthma are not only more susceptible to getting the flu but are also more susceptible to complications arising if they do catch it. The annual flu vaccine is extremely important for this reason and is free if you are in an at-risk group. Otherwise, it is 25 euro.

The Asthma Society covers the stigma involved with asthma, saying: “There is a widespread, popular misconception that asthma is a mild disease that only affects children. Not many people are aware of the severe consequences it can have on a person’s quality of life.”

Social situations can be extremely difficult for those with asthma, particularly if their asthma is severe. Crowded rooms where it is difficult to breathe even for non-asthma sufferers, smoking areas, loud clubs and pubs where shouting for extended periods of time can put pressure on the lungs, are all part of a world many take for granted.

In a European study quoted by the Society, 69% of respondents said asthma had held them back from physical activities and sport. Quality of life is heavily affected by those with more severe asthma, and fear is often a large part of that. One Irish sufferer of asthma told the Society “I was often worried about having an asthma attack in the middle of the night and not being able to call out for help. I would keep a shoe by my bed and would bang on the floor for my mother to hear in case I suffered an attack.”

It is a constant battle for those with chronic illnesses

such as asthma to remain in control of their condition, as the Society points out: “The whole aim of managing asthma is to put you in control of your asthma, rather than letting asthma control you.”

Approaching exam season it is also important to make sure symptoms are well managed to avoid an upset that could affect exams, the Society suggests that if you are an asthma sufferer and happen to be suffering from a cold, flu, throat or nose infection, to deal with this promptly.

If there are ever concerns about the symptoms of asthma worsening, some important signs are waking in the night with coughing, wheezing, or tightness of the chest, as well as shortness of breath in the morning. If you feel you have been taking or wanting to take your reliever more often or have been unable to keep up your usual level of activity, see your doctor for an assessment.

Asthma can also make the sufferer feel more lethargic as the body works harder when the symptoms are badly controlled, and disturbed sleep from asthma can have this effect too. Alongside the common Seasonal Affective Disorder which can bring fatigue and depression, it remains increasingly important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.

They recommend a strong relationship with your doctor or asthma nurse and keeping a daily routine of managing and preventing symptoms of asthma. It is recommended to have your asthma reviewed once a year. While the illness is not curable, it can be well-managed to the point of living practically symptom-free.

If you’re ever in an emergency, asthma.ie have an ‘Asthma Attack’ button on their homepage with immediate advice available. Call 999 if the symptoms do not improve after ten minutes.

Go to a doctor and keep your health in check, as a gift to yourself this coming winter.

“ Asthma can also make the sufferer feel more lethargic as the body works harder when the symptoms are badly controlled, and disturbed sleep from asthma can have this effect too.”

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Health & Beauty

Beauty Buzz: Skin Saviours

Home-Remedies are a cost-effective way to achieve baby-soft skin. Lorna Lawless tested out the best ones for you.

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oft, baby smooth skin before applying a fresh layer of tan can sometimes cost a small fortune.

We all want even, soft, subtle skin at all times, especially before tan, but sometimes this can be hard to achieve.

If you are scrubbing and moisturising on a daily basis it’s important to know what you are putting on your skin.

Most products are full of unhealthy chemicals in order to preserve them for way longer than you actually need them. Sometimes the cost-effective and most efficient is a home remedy which is way easier to make than one might think. Home-made remedies seem to be a thing of the past, however, there is a reason older people in this generation age well and this is due to simple, natural but effective home-made remedies.

Exfoliators are either too gritty or not gritty enough and can cause breakouts sometimes. One that has been trialed and tested is a scrub with three ingredients. The base of this scrub is coconut oil which, as we all know, has multiple uses and being used as an exfoliator is just one of them. Coconut oil is extremely moisturising but also naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal so it will help clear up breakouts. So using a measurement of about two tablespoons of coconut oil this as a base, you then add one and a half tablespoons of sugar and add a squeeze of lemon juice. There is no need for any more than that because a small amount does your whole body. The best time to use it is in the shower before you even turn it on.

It’s more effective without water. For the best results, use an exfoliator glove to help spread the product. When you’re finished wash it off. It will leave a glowing and soft skin texture. Coconut oil alone can be used as a fantastic body moisturiser.

If the sugar exfoliator doesn’t do it for you why not turn to another alternative. If you are a coffee drinker you could be getting more bang for your buck by making a coffee exfoliator. Once you have finished drinking the coffee from maybe a cafeteria, remove the granules from it and scoop them into a bowl. These used coffee

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granules are an amazing base for a scrub. If you add a squeeze of lemon to make it a fresher scent this is an ideal before-shower scrub. If you apply this scrub to your face and areas that suffer from cellulite the caffeine in the coffee has been proven to tighten and firm your skin. It has a cellulite reducing effect as well as leaving your skin glowing.

These exfoliators alone will leave your skin ready for a fresh layer of tan which will, in turn, give you the perfect glow going into this festive season.

“If you are a coffee drinker you could be getting more bang for your buck by making a coffee exfoliator.”

Avoiding grim winter skin Need to stop messing around with your skincare routine and start seeing results? Nicole Cassidy gives us all the details on how to achieve glowing skin by Christmas.

C

oming into the winter months it’s so important to take care of your skin, especially so it’s glowing for this festive season. We have all tried different trends to try and achieve glowing clear skin, from bubble face masks to activated charcoal facemasks, that cost extortionate prices.

Skin is the largest organ in the human body. As you age, looking after your skin is an important part of a daily routine. Finding the right skin care can be difficult, especially on a budget, but with Christmas only around the corner here are some of the best-recommended skin care products for all types of skin.

Keihl’s skin care is an American brand that promotes healthy skin care for both men and women using naturallyderived ingredients.

Some of these include Squalene, an oil that is steamdistilled from olives, Lavender which can have an antidepressant effect and can cause restful sleep because of its aroma and Calendula which comes from the marigold flower and can be used for soothing or healing purposes.

Caffeine, vitamin C and Beech Tree Extract are among the other natural ingredients that Kiehl’s use in their skin care products.

They have recently released a Limited Edition ‘Holiday Skincare Secrets’ Gift Set retailed at €55.00. This can be purchased online and in Debenhams stores.

The gift set contains the ‘Calendula’ Deep Cleansing Foaming Face wash 75ml, The ‘Midnight Recovery’ Concentrate 30ml, ‘powerful-Strength’ Line-Reducing Concentrate 5ml and the Ultra Facial Cream 7ml.

The gift set includes some of the brand’s most desired products suitable for all skin types, it is a great idea as a present or to try these products yourself and see what works best for your skin type before investing in the fullsized product.

If you suffer with super sensitive skin or problems such as redness and dry skin, products from the popular brand La Roche-Posay would be highly recommended.

The brand’s best selling products include Cicaplast Baume B5, Lipkar Baume AP+ and Anthelios XL 50+.

Cicaplast is a multipurpose balm that soothes, protects and repairs delicate skin. The great thing about this product is it’s suitable for all ages, from babies to adults.

Lipkar is a balm that locks moisture into the skin allowing it to be protected from the drying effects of water. This product provides 24-hour hydration to the skin when applied.

Anthelios XL 50+ is a facial sunscreen which is ultra light and non-greasy that can be used for everyday wear.

La Roche-Posay products can be purchased in Boots or in pharmacies nationwide. If you are not a fan of using many different products when it comes to skincare but still want to achieve a radiant glow, a must-have product as part of your skincare routine is Bio-oil.

Bio-oil is an amazing product that retails between €5.95 and €27.95. What makes Bio-oil different to other skin care products? It helps to reduce stretch marks and can be used on other parts of the body and not only your face.

It helps with ageing skin, dehydrated skin and it also can reduce uneven skin tone.

Bio-oil is an excellent product, it is affordable, smells lovely, feels great on your skin and most importantly it works.

Using products like these and drinking plenty of water will ensure your skin is plump and glowing this festive season.

Grub Guide: Póg Tara Street Another restaurant that has been added to the list of millennial brunch

Food

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spots springing up around the city. Lorna Lawless gives us her thoughts on the new Póg on Tara Street.

óg has just launched a sister restaurant on Tara Street and it’s a must hit up spot in the city centre for that Instagram worthy brunch.

The café culture is stronger than ever before in Dublin so they have been booming since the store opened but even more so in the last two years. It is just another restaurant that has been added to the list of millennial brunch spots springing up around the city. They have added a second shop to their small branch with their original restaurant being on Bachelors Walk just off O’Connell bridge.

The original Póg restaurant started trading back in February 2014 and has been so successful with creating the perfect breakfast and brunch menu that people just keep coming back for more. Rachel Keane the Póg owner created the restaurant branches to offer “healthy and low-calorie options” according to their website. Póg is renowned for their protein pancakes which are a customer favourite in both restaurants menus.

The new Tara Street store is only a six-minute walk from the original Bachelor’s walk store, however has something totally different to offer. Firstly to note, immediately when you walk in it’s a totally different feeling to the original store. The marble table tops and the neon pink light saying “find what you love.. and do it” is very trendy and immediately gives that urban vibe. It was an incredibly smart marketing ploy to have people who go the café want to tag and location drop the store.

The Póg brand has always been very successful with their online marketing mainly through Instagram and has a very steady following. Currently, they have 27.4k followers on Instagram which helped launch their new store which has been packed out since day one. They display their specials from Tara Street everyday on their Instagram stories. They are responsibly priced and always different which urges customers to check it out.

The new restaurant is an open plan space where you can see the chefs cooking the food in front of your eyes which emphasises the message of fresh food to the customers and gives a real buzz around the place. On arrival, you are immediately greeted by a waitress who brings you to a table. The restaurant floor isn’t a big space but it has bar seats where you could do some laptop work while having a coffee. It also has a large bench table which you are able to book for a big group by emailing the store. The rest are all two or three seater tables which are marble topped, which looks very classy and provides the perfect backdrop to take a picture of

your food.

The menu for this store is fairly priced considering the quality of the food. The quality is incredible at that price point and the presentation of the food is amazing. It looks good but also tastes amazing. The most expensive thing on the menu is €14 which makes it affordable for students but also an ideal hang out for a party or if you just want to go for brunch with some of your friends without breaking the bank. Póg has curated the menu perfectly to suit everyone. They offer vegan and vegetarian dishes and guarantee everything is made with your health in mind. They don’t use any refined carbohydrates or sugar but focus on good fats and protein. They offer their famous protein pancakes but let you choose whichever toppings you wish, which is a major selling point.

According to their website, the protein pancakes are only 257 calories per portion and contain 27 grams of protein(before toppings) which means if you have a sweet tooth Póg are providing a healthier brunch alternative for you. The menu in this store gives a massive amount of variation with acai bowls, toasties, avocado toast and large array of salads to choose from. They also offer something they call the hot pot which is different every single day. It’s a dinner meal which can include anything but usually is some sort of stew, perfect to warm up on a cold wet day. They usually have a daily pancake special and if you keep an eye out on their Instagram sometimes offer a 2 for 1 pancake special.

The general vibe in the restaurant is great, the place is buzzing with people constantly moving and it feels very fast paced with the kitchen right in front of your eyes.

The staff are great, especially the waitresses who are very friendly and explained all the specials as soon as we sat down. The layout is ideal, meaning the tables are close enough together to feel cosy but not too close that you can hear other tables conversations.

Everything is about the food and presentation is quality. However, there is one downfall, some of the beverages are very highly priced. A mocha costing €3.80 and €4 for a Nutella hot chocolate is a big ask for anyone.

All the lemonades, sodas and ice teas are €4 and above and are quite small glasses. So this is something Póg definitely need to consider tweaking. The beverages are quite good to taste but it is just a lot of money for a hot drink considering the reasonably priced food menu.

Overall Póg Tara Street is a must visit restaurant for brunch in the city centre. Located just off Pearse Street and beside the Trinity Luas stop it’s easy to get to and from. Its prices are competitive for the amazing quality food you get and the restaurant’s menu caters for everyone. It’s a great spot with a great buzz and a lovely place to meet with friends.

“

“The most expensive thing on the menu is €14 which makes it affordable for students but also an ideal hang out for a party or if you just want to go for brunch with some of your friends without breaking the bank.”

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Travel

Wanderlust: Christmas Markets

The holiday season is almost here, and Michael Walsh has the destinations to fill your Christmas weekends.

T

he humble Christmas market, there’s nothing quite like the smell of it. The delicate aromas of seasonal spices that just aren’t around the rest of the year. The sweet scent of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg flood the nostrils marking the imminent arrival of the favourite holiday.

Throughout the continent, the festive markets are the destination of many weekend holidaymakers, ready to fill their hearts and bellies to the brim with Christmas cheer.

Copenhagen The markets in Copenhagen start the earliest with the Nyhavn Harbour market starting on the 9th of November and lasting until the 23rd December. Nyhavn Harbour is the most famous harbour in Denmark and serves as a beautiful and stunning backdrop to the seasonal festivities.

Feel the warm, cosy atmosphere and listen to the carols while browsing through the stalls that line the waterfront. Get lost in the magic of the Danish craft goods, merry food and warm drinks that are sure to ignite the imagination of people of all ages.

Berlin Germany has become synonymous for its Christmas markets, offering tasty Germanic sweets and treats like Baumkuchen and Stollen. Berlin is Europe’s most popular destination for a seasonal getaway but with over 60 markets in the city throughout the Christmas period, there’s no need for fear of overcrowding.

Weihnachtszauber at the Gendarmenmarkt is Berlins biggest market and hosts up to 60,000 people every year. Running from the 24th November to 31st December, the month-long festivity will cost you €1 entry (except for children under 12) and is open daily from 11am-10pm.

Trades like glassblowing and candle-making can be seen producing their traditional crafts in the frosty German square. Unlike most other Christmas markets, this one has an indoor section that market-goers can warm up in while browsing through the local handicrafts.

Budapest The Hungarian capital of Budapest offers the seasonal tourist a more convenient shopping experience.

Alongside all the markets in the city being within walking distance of each other, snowfall is always a possibility at the Christmas fair’s so wrapping up warm is essential.

The Christmas Fair situated on the Vörösmarty Square in the very centre of Budapest, is the oldest in the city.

Craftsmen begin selling their goods there on the 9th of November but the Winter Festival doesn’t begin until the 23rd of November and finishes on the 1st of January, so it is worth waiting until then to go.

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A giant advent calendar accompanied by choral

singing set the scene as the smell of roasted goose and paprika sausage bombard the senses. Hungarian delicacies like honey cookies and chimney cake are a must-have when visiting the wooden stalls that contour the market.

Prague

Vienna There are over 20 Christmas markets for visitors to choose from in the Austrian capital of Vienna, the first one starting as far back as 1298, making it one of the first homes of the humble events.

Ranked in CNN’s top ten Christmas Markets, the Czech Republic’s Capital city of Prague might just be what the European holiday traveller is looking for. The location of many a wanderlust snap on Instagram, The Old Town Square in Prague is the picturesque host of a winter wonderland market.

The Viennese Dream Christmas Market held in front of the city hall will no doubt be the unforgettable highlight of a winter visit to the country’s capital. Opening on the 17th November and running every day, including Christmas day, until December 26th, the market is sure to cast an enchantment over any visitors.

Open from the 1st December to 6th of January, the idyllic setting and sensory overload make this festive event simply magical. Wooden toys and puppets, a handcrafting tradition that is still strong in the Czech Republic, make excellent presents to bring home to children.

The delightful fragrances of the punch and chestnut stalls are scattered amongst the stalls of artisan meats and charming gifts. The gentle lull of international carol choirs can be heard as market-goers scan through the artistry on display. Situated on the ground floor, inside the City Hall, there is an area dedicated solely to children where they can learn how to make Christmas cookies and candles.

“Feel the warm, cosy atmosphere and listen to the carols while browsing through the stalls that line the waterfront.”

The hypnotic aromas of wood smoke, BBQ blood sausage and mulled wine titillate the taste buds while wandering through the Czech festivities. Folk dancing and music are performed regularly while workshops and demonstrations of crafting are available to little ones. A real-life nativity scene with a donkey, sheep and a llama, is located by the brightly lit Christmas tree, bringing the biblical story to life.

Bruges The medieval Belgian town of Bruges serves as a superb location for one of Europe’s favourite Christmas holiday destinations. From the 23rd of November until the 1st of January, the old town transforms itself into a merry utopia, charming its way into the hearts of all those lucky enough to visit.

The Bruges Christmas Market Village takes centre stage of the holiday season in the city, located directly in front of the historic towns Belfry of Bruges. An ice rink with a captivating white-blue lit tree at its heart commands the focal point to the square among the surrounding booths selling trinkets and the infamous Belgian chocolate.

The narrow 12th Century streets leading off the main square, beautifully adorned with all manner of fairy light, bobbles and wreathes, give the illusion of stepping into a Christmas movie and filling visitors with an overwhelming sense of Christmas cheer.

It’s hard to choose where would be the best place to go for to get that astounding excitement that a child gets on the lead up to the holiday season. Taking a weekend away to explore and become 5 years old again in the magical enchantment that is Christmas can reignite the seasonal cheer and there is no better place to go than a continental yuletide market.

Royal fashion through the ages

Fashion

Amy Donohue shares the history of royal style, from Diana to now.

I

n the two decades since her death, Diana, Princess of Wales, has ascended to the pantheon of the best-dressed women in history with Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie all following in her footsteps.

Princess Diana started the royal style evolution. She was the fiancé of Prince Charles in flowery blouses and pastel ruffles whom the press nicknamed “Shy Di.” Over time she became the sleek and confident woman who strode in embellished gowns and bodycon velvet which made her one of the most photographed women in the world.

“She didn’t wear gloves because she liked to hold people’s hands. She would sometimes wear chunky jewellery so that children could play with it, and she never wore hats to children’s hospitals after a while, because she said you couldn’t cuddle a child in a hat.” Eleri Lynn, Fashion Gallery manager told Vanity Fair.

“Even textiles were an opportunity for Diana to convey empathy: “if she was visiting hospitals for the blind, she would often wear velvet so that she would feel sort of warm and tactile.” she continued.

One of her most famous outfits was the black Christina Stambolian dress which the media referred to as the ‘revenge dress’ she wore to the Serpentine Gallery summer party in 1994, the same night Prince Charles admitted to having an affair with Camilla. Many would have hidden away from the limelight, but she emerged as happy and free as ever.

Diana’s sartorial influence inspired Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle and both often pay tribute to her in subtle ways. Meghan Markle wore Diana’s ring on the evening of her wedding night, and just like Kate, she had Diana’s blue ribbon sewn in her wedding dress. In 2013, Kate’s maternity dress was a touching tribute to Diana.

Even though Diana started a fashion revolution, female members of the Royal Family still have to adhere to royal protocol at public engagements in terms of fashion.

Meghan and Kate have been seen wearing nude tights with certain dresses and skirts. It’s understood the Queen prefers female members of the Royal Family to keep their legs covered. Stewart Parvin, one of the Queens couturiers, told the Daily Mail he sews weights into the hem of the royals clothes, which prevents them from blowing up in the wind.

Colourful nail polish is also avoided, instead royals must opt for nude, pale pinks or clear polishes on their nails. The Queen has worn the same nail polish shade since 1989 - Essie’s Ballet Slippers.

Royals must always have an all-black outfit on hand in case of an unexpected death within the family. This way, when they arrive back in the U.K., they are dressed appropriately for the occasion. This became a rule after King George IV died unexpectedly and then Princess-Elizabeth was in Kenya and had to wait inside her plane when she landed home for an outfit to be delivered before stepping out.

Tiaras are worn only to the fanciest of royal events, and typically, they’re worn for the first time by brides.

This is a privilege reserved for married women only—single women and children never wear them. “It signals the crowning of love and the loss of innocence to marriage,” Geoffrey Munn, author of Tiaras - A History of Splendour, said in an interview with Forbes.

Kate Middleton borrowed Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo tiara for her wedding to Prince William in 2011, and she’s even worn Princess Diana’s tiara on several

occasions. Meghan and Kate also wear hats for formal events, but no headwear is to be worn after 6pm other than a tiara.

Diana had a tendency to go for large, wide-brim iterations hats which always covered her face from the sun.

Kate, although she’s been spotted in a diverse range, tends to wear smaller, more delicate toppers, which is not only trendier these days but way more practical when you want to look around. Meanwhile, nobody will ever forget about Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s

“ Meghan Markle wore Diana’s ring on the evening of her wedding night, and just like Kate, she had Diana’s blue ribbon sewn in her wedding dress ” iconic hats at the royal wedding back in 2011.

It’s a tradition that the Queen needs to approve the final version of a royal wedding dress. Apparently, Queen

Elizabeth had to approve of Kate Middleton’s Alexander McQueen gown in 2011, and she did the same with Meghan Markle’s dress for her wedding to Prince Harry.

The Queen is never without a handbag, and that’s because she uses it to send signals. For example, when she wants to leave dinner, simply setting her bag on top of the table lets her staff know that the party is ending shortly and that she wants to leave. When she’s in conversation and switches her purse to her other hand, it means that she would like to politely wrap it up.

Princess Diana’s handbag designer Anya Hindmarch famously called her clutches “cleavage bags.” In photos every time Princess Diana got out of a car, her clutch was right there to shield her chest from prying photographers.

Clutches are also used to avoid handshakes. Kate Middleton often holds her bags in front of her with both hands when shaking hands might be awkward. This is why Meghan Markle’s bags, which usually have a shoulder strap or top handle, seem out of the ordinary when it comes to protocol.

Meghan Markle has been seen wearing a lot of neutral shades for many functions she has been attending, choosing blush shades, ivories and cream instead of the rich shades like forest green, stripes, midnight blue which she was seen in before the wedding.

This could be a mark of respect to the queen, who is often in bright colours, and Meghan is simply choosing a palette which sits well at events where the monarch is present. The Queen’s trademark is wearing bright colours as it’s easier for her security to find her in crowds in time of emergency.

She also needs to stand out for people to be able to say ‘I saw the Queen.’ If she’s wearing one of her bright outfits, the public can easily catch a glimpse of her in a large crowd. The Queen once said, “I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am.”

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EXPOSURE

The Castle of Silves: Sitting on the top of a hill in the Algarve, Portugal. Credit: Alison Clair.

Looking up: Sky rise building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Credit: Sonja Tutty.

Ruins: The Roman Forum, Rome. February 2015. Credit Rachel Halpin.

NYC: Central Perk, the home of ‘Friends’, November 2018. Credit: Cáit Caden.

Wells House: The gardens of a Victorian house and gardens pictured on a sunny afternoon. Credit: Michael Walsh.

IMAGE CREDITS Page 1: Popsugar Page 2: RedBull.com, ABCNews.go.com, Page 3: HOFisbetter.com Page 4: Collider.com, Popsugar.com, Kapanlagi.com Page 5: Cosmopolitan.com, Rte.ie Page 6: BBC.co.uk, Screenrant Page 7: Artsandhealth.ie, Orfhlaith Carragher Page 8: Metro.co.uk, Tripadvisor Page 9: Carrie McMullan, Page 11: Verywellhealth.com Page 12: Alison Clair, Logolynx.com Page 13: Lorna Lawless, EndlessExplorers Page 14: Wikimediacommons Page 15: Eonline.com