MAGDALEN
DUNDEE STREET STYLE WHEN ARE YOU GOING HOME?
DECEMBER 2017
ISSUE 65
GRAND VISIONS FOR A NEW CENTURY
Dundee University’s Free Student Magazine
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MAGDALEN ISSUE 65 DECEMBER 2017
Season’s greetings and welcome to the December issue of the Magdalen! So what has the Magdalen been up to this month? We were sent controversial books (which we reviewed), got invited along to plays, enjoyed A Night With Ella at the Dundee Jazz Festival, and after the success of the Photography Competition in the last issue we’ll be continuing our collaboration with the Photography Society for many more issues to come! This issue is full of laughs, particularly the “Perfect Pinterest Prezzies” piece in the Lifestyle Section, and “Festive Expectations vs Reality” in Opinion; a contrast to some of the more hard-hitting pieces in Current Affairs about the struggles in Catalonia, and the Science Section’s article about the alcohol-fueled arguments this time of year brings.
Creative Writing’s “Juniper,” however, was one of the most heartbreaking pieces of this issue, and a sore reminder that the festive period can bring about more relationship nostalgia than Valentine’s Day. But in the spirit of love, Arts and Entertainment brought the theme back to cheery with “A Love Letter to Film,” reminding everyone about the beauty of cinema, while Community brought in the festive spirit with “Deck the Caird Hall with Boughs of Holly”. It’s beginning to look a lot like… we’re going to have a great holiday! And with that said, from all of us here at the Magdalen, we hope you have a wonderful winter break and an amazing New Year! Mila Georgieva Editor in Chief
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Mila Georgieva SENIOR DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF
David White OPERATIONS MANAGER
Ellie Biggs DEPUTY EDITORS
Murray Glen James Russell ART & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS
Liam Biddle Rebecca Reid COMMUNITY EDITORS
Alastair Letch Taylor Petrie CREATIVE WRITING EDITOR
Becca Wilson CURRENT AFFAIRS EDITOR
Calum Wilson FASHION EDITORS
Rachel Cairns Emily Fletcher INTERNATIONAL EDITOR
Shanley McConnell LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Malcolm Kyeyune MUSIC EDITOR
David White SCIENCE EDITOR
Alex McCraw COPY EDITORS
Catriona Leslie Dervla McCormick Paula Lyttle Stephanie Smith
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Fabio Maragno ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Sarah Duffy DESIGNERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Aaron Donald Claire Pollock Cushla Mercury Duncan Adams Eilidh Ferguson Ellen McLean Fabio Maragno Fraser Robertson Iona Sorbie Julie Cumming Justine Matthew Melissa Cocker Molly Porteous Olivia Sharkey Piyanut Daodueng Rebecca Reid Sarah Duffy Shannon Graham Veronica Hamilton Zara Elmi PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER
Nicole Cumming PHOTOGRAPHERS
Arjun Kalsi Ellie Biggs Mary Kinch Rachel Cairns COVER PICTURES
Arjun Kalsi © Rasa Malaysia
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Feature - Weed: The User’s Guide
10 12 13
Juniper Us Humans Principles
14 16 19
A Love Letter to Film ‘Tis The Season to Catch up on Everything! A Doll’s House Review
20 22 24
Deck the Caird Hall with Boughs of Holly… Merry Melodies What Even is Community
26 28 30
Grand Visions for a New Century The JFK Files Trouble in Catalonia
32 34
Men’s Fashion Dundee Street Style
38 40 42
Santa vs The Three Wise Men Winter Solstice Festival When Are You Going Home?
44 46
Perfect Pinterest Prezzies Three Step Carbonara
48
DUPS Photography Competition - Winner
50 52
Moderat All That Jazz
56 60
Festive Expectation vs Reality How to Carpe Diem
62
DUPS Photography Competition - Runner up
64 66
How to Bug Your Family This Christmas ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly
CREATIVE WRITING
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
CURRENT AFFAIRS
FASHION
INTERNATIONAL
LIFESTYLE
MUSIC
OPINIONS
SCIENCE
PUBLISHED BY
Ana Ranceva VPCC DUSA Airlie Place Dundee, DD1 4PH vpcc@dusa.co.uk
PRINTED BY
The Magazine Printing Co. www.magprint.co.uk mpc@magprint.co.uk
CONTENTS
COMMUNITY
06
FEATURE As a magazine, we get sent a lot of promotional material, usually in the form of books. One particular book which found its way to my desk is by author, David Schmader, and titled “Weed: The User’s Guide”.
The Guide starts out with the author trying weed and developing munchies, but also continues to talk about the much lesser known facts about weed, alongside a short history which takes us back approximately twelve thousand years. This first record of the cannabis plant suggests it started growing in the Eurasian steppe, which spanned across (current day) Romania, through Russia, and all the way to Northeast China. At this time, the plant’s fibre-rich stalks were used in pottery and the manufacture of various types of rope due to their strength. Fast forward to the 1500s during King Henry VIII’s reign, the demand for cannabis was so strong that the King ordered farmers to section off part of their land exclusively for cannabis growth. Elsewhere worldwide, weed was used in religious ceremonies, as anesthetic during medical procedures, and as a cure for depression and alcoholism, alongside other mental and physical illness. Much like a wet paper towel which seems to cure everything, people across the world have been using weed as their wet paper towel and it seemed the message was, “if something is wrong, put some weed on it”. At this point I feel I must mention my surprise at what I was finding out. As someone who feels sick walking
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Whilst I initially pushed aside the idea of reviewing a book about weed for a campus magazine, I later concluded it would be a missed opportunity not to (much to the horror of our Vice President of Communications and Campaigns, Ana)! After all, the book was almost 200 pages long, so it must have more substance than telling you how to roll a perfectly symmetrical joint.
down the street on a SAAS day when it seems half of Dundee are having weed parties, I was truly baffled that people have always had this addictive admiration of something which to me will always be the plantequivalent of a skunk. However, I was also intrigued by the phenomenon, so I kept reading.
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Naturally there was a lot of stuff on ingesting weed, and the 30+ ways to do so, however, there are hints and tips for ways to do so safely, which I found very admirable. While people will have very strong opinions for and against weed, it’s no secret that regardless of the law, people will find ways to do what they want, and usually think they’ve gotten away with it. But what happens if you get “high” and hate it? And what about dosage? The author recommends no more than fifteen milligrams on average, and leaving two hours between “doses”. If you over-do it, get some freshly squeezed lemon juice and drink it - it’s said to work wonders! As cannabis is a plant, it naturally produces what are are called “terpenes,” which are compounds found within the plant’s resin. As irony would have it, terpenes have an odor to deter herbivores and other animals from attacking the plant, but obviously this didn’t work out in cannabis’ case! It’s not the only plant to suffer this fate, however, as most other flowering plants have their terpenes used for making essential oils for aromatherapy. But why does weed make people high? There are two main strains of weed: sativa and indica. The terpenes contained within these vary but the main ones, myrcene and terpineol, contribute to the psychoactive and tranquilizing effects of weed. While more myrcene can enhance your senses, it’s funny to think it also lives in hops which are used to make beer! But the chemical which, when absorbed by the bloodstream, makes you “high” is Tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC” for those of us who don’t like tongue-twisters). It binds to the receptors in the brain to flood your body with different sensations, usually intensifying those you feel already. This can make your experience euphoric or completely terrifying. It can also make you very hungry: THC intensifies your senses, including your sense of smell - making you want to eat more. But it also tricks your body into thinking there is more ghrelin present in your body than there is. Ghrelin is a hormone released by the stomach lining which stimulates your appetite, causing you to feel hungry. (Fun fact: reducing stress can lower levels of ghrelin, which is why some people stress-eat!)
But what psychoactive effects does weed have? Unlike most drugs which fall into the category of either stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens, cannabis falls into all three: making it very subjective depending on your useage and your state of mind at the time of consumption. This can mean that while one person feels like a superhero, another can feel the lowest they ever have and become overwhelmed with a sense of paranoia, fear, and depression. This is again due to THC’s effects on the brain - stimulating the production of various warning signals about an ominous sense of danger, with no pin-point to a source. Feeling like everything is out to get you can therefore have detrimental effects to your sense of safety and wellbeing, causing a manic spell which can outlast your drug-fueled trip. Weed also has negative effects on your heart-rate as it causes your blood vessels to dilate, making for a hazardous situation for anyone with preexisting heart conditions. But the author does not want you to be scared: he wants you to be informed. If you’re completely aware of what’s going on you can change your experience into a good one, and ultimately protect yourself. While the book itself has a positive view on cannabis in all its uses, it’s also important to remember it was written by an American gentleman, in one of the States where weed is legal. A lot of his experiences are based on the fact that the many people have come forward with opinions and knowledge to help him write this book. Cannabis is illegal in the UK, making it even more important to know what to do if you find yourself in a situation where you or someone you know is having a bad experience after ingesting it. Remember to try to remain calm, get plenty of fresh air, drink water, and perhaps eat something or go for a shower once you feel you’re starting to get better! So thank you, David Schmader, for writing this book and helping educate us readers. A thank you also to James Doyle at Souvenir Press Ltd. for sending me this book. And happy holidays to everyone: wherever you go this festive period, remember to stay safe and enjoy yourself! Weed: The User’s Guide is available for purchase from the Souvenir Press website for the RRP of £15. http://souvenirpress.co.uk.
Mila Georgieva Photography by Alexandre Chambon
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Juniper Rhiannon Lindsay-Andrews
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It was the third gin that made the phone come into focus. The faces on TV were blurring themselves but with every sip the phone was getting sharper and sharper. Demanding attention. It was sitting beside him, on a coffee table he didn’t remember buying. It was probably hers. Everything was hers. The only thing that wasn’t was the bottle of gin he’d kept hidden in the hall clock, and even that he wasn’t sure about. She’d just waltzed in like she owned the place until she actually did. Until even the tiny specks of dirt and the air he breathed were hers. Not him, though. He wasn’t hers. He fought and fought the urge to give himself to her, to allow her to own his body and soul. Then she left him and everything she owned and he’d realised how wrong he had been. Of course she controlled his every cell. Wasn’t that why he missed her so much? He took another sip and wondered what would be so wrong with calling her. Just to wish her a Merry Christmas. Just to hear her voice one more time. Would that be so bad? Surely it had been long enough since she walked out - they could be friends now. All he wanted was to have her speak to him again. A text might be better. Safer. If he heard her voice
then he might say something stupid and ruin any chance of being her friend. No, he’d text her. Something simple and casual. Merry Christmas! Could he add kisses? They were acceptable on that kind of message, right? They wouldn’t mean anything more than a platitude, something to round off the message and make it more friendly.
Yeah that would work Another glass first. Dutch courage. It wasn’t Dutch gin, or so assumed, but it could be. He didn’t know where gin was made. He didn’t really care. It was alcoholic and disgusting and suited him perfectly. He didn’t want to enjoy this, didn’t want to have fun while he got so drunk he forgot her name. He shouldn’t even be drinking. She didn’t like how he acted when he’d had a few and he didn’t want to think that that was why he was doing it. It was. He wanted to spite her for leaving, and getting drunk on gin seemed like a good way to start. She hated gin. She hated him. That’s what she had said the last time she’d spoken, when she was throwing clothes into a
CREATIVE WRITING
suitcase and sobbing, again. She was always crying, always threatening to leave. He’d thought this was just another one of her hissy-fits, that she’d go stay with her mother for a few days until he apologised and brought her flowers. He waited two days before buying the biggest bunch of violets he could find. Her mum didn’t live far, three miles or so, but she wasn’t there. She hadn’t even gone there this time. She had another bolt hole and he never found it.
One more drink and then he'd text her
He swallowed what was left in the chipped mug and picked up his phone. It unlocked at a touch, showing his messages. Nothing new since he’d looked last night but he knew she’d never text first. He had to make the first move. Just like always. Merry Christmas, love. Miss you xx
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Maybe Merry Christmas wasn’t enough. That’s what you send friends you barely speak to, not the woman you lived with for seven years. She deserved a little more than the usual. She deserved more than him, if he was being honest. She deserved something special. Something… just more. He couldn’t think of what else he could add so he poured a little more gin into his glass and tried to focus on the TV. Some kids’ film was on, bright and colourful, but he couldn’t work out the plot. He blinked, glanced at the phone, drank. She would still be at work for a while, until midday, and if he was less drunk he could have gone to see her. Gone to buy something in hopes of seeing her. God, he missed her.
Us Humans Us humans, who are we? We often think that we are superior beings. It is true in many ways, compared to all other species living, In our deeds, beliefs, actions, and in our ways of thinking. But the life we live, does it really have any meaning? Us humans, we have a very complex life. With rules, laws and politics that define our rights. Inventing machines, breaking the natural rules, But could we survive in the wild, without tools?
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More than half of the people on this planet live in a city. A place that never sleeps, a place that is busy. Cities are the centre of all our actions, Where we make business deals, and most of our transactions. But despite our intelligence, our progress, our rights, People are still causing chaos and are ready to fight, For their beliefs, for their religion, sadly it’s not rare; But to fight, to kill, for our causes, is it honestly fair? Today, extremist groups are bombarding civilians, Imposing terror and fear to people in their millions. So men are fleeing, left everything they had, This situation is a crisis, it is extremely sad. Not all mankind causes sadness and fear, Only a minority cause the problems that we hear. Most of us humans have peaceful thoughts and minds, Yet we need to think, because we are often very blind. History has taught us that we had war, And we know that civilians don’t want any more. Today we have weapons that can destroy us all, During the Cold War, we nearly did, if you recall. Us humans are rare because of our knowledge and technology, We are small, yet we have a very complex psychology. We are the only kind we know of in our universe, So who are we? We are precious and we are diverse.
Rosie Gallagher
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‘Drinking water out of a fire hydrant’ Is how someone once described it. And I wholeheartedly agree, Down to every last bit.
CREATIVE WRITING
Principles 2 weeks in
Ask my Spotify playlist, Churning Christmas songs on repeat, Catching up with coursework Sure ain’t no small feat. And by the way, it’s only mid-September, Which tells you it’s too early To be worried about 2 weeks’ work And for Christmas, surely.
Here’s to the Skype calls with friends and family That’s what keeps me going. The alarm clock that gets assaulted every hour, To country songs that remind me of home, And that December ain’t too far. Don’t get me wrong, I love that scenic bus ride to Ninewells! But all I’m saying’s that, I just can’t wait to be done with ‘em Principles.
Ri Fernandes.
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I’m a medic student, I know I signed up for this, But there’s the grocery, the laundry And my meals that I can’t miss.
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A Love Letter to Film I
bloody love film. I know, so unprofessional of me to start an article that way, but I really do. I’ve always loved watching films, but since coming to university and taking Film Studies modules for three years alongside my actual English and Creative Writing degree, I’ve completely fallen in love with that form of storytelling. Literature will never fail me, but there is something about the immersive nature of film that captures my heart. The visuals, the sound, the tiny little details that you notice and then they reveal a whole new narrative that blows your mind. Things like small details in the background of IT that no characters ever see, like a doll turning its head or an old woman in the background staring over someone’s shoulder directly at the camera, but they’re there for the audience to look at in horror. Extras that don’t need to be there, but because they are it creates a certain kind of storytelling that doesn’t just show you the character’s fear, it makes you fearful too. Or the pure poetry of Mother! which was horrific to watch, in the most incredible way. To me it read as a writer’s process and to the director and writer himself it was about
global warming. Sure, I was ‘wrong’ in that I didn’t see the director’s vision until I went home and read about it, but, I could never be wrong about my interpretation because that’s what it was: an interpretation. I saw a struggling writer because that’s what I am, a writer. I love how film does that. You can walk out of a screening and say, “that was the best film I’ve ever seen,” and later return to it and change your mind. Alternatively, you can leave a cinema feeling like you’ve wasted two hours of your life because you didn’t ‘get it’ and then spend even longer reading about it at home, totally enthralled at what that film managed to achieve. Film is here to make us think. It isn’t about a simple yes or no as to whether you enjoyed something. I think many people are quick to judge a film that didn’t fit a generic mould, or that wasn’t a completely enjoyable experience, but I would argue that it’s good to be left pondering a film. I can’t count the number of times I’ve struggled to explain the plotline of Donnie Darko to someone and then given up because I’ve made it even more confusing for them. To me, that film isn’t about the
Film can mess with your mind. It can play with time and setting and narrative. Think about Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk: there are layers of time piled on top of one another until finally they explode into one story taking place at the same time. You scream (internally) at the screen because you know that one character just needed to pay attention for two more seconds and they could have saved someone’s life. That’s good storytelling: feeling like you have superiority over the characters because you are omniscient, but then having that power ripped away from you while you realise that you are still just a viewer.
“ It’s infuriating, but that’s the point
“
This is my love letter to film. Film: the beautiful creation that invokes emotion, inspires creation, and makes you think. Maybe I’m biased because I love analysing films, and spend too much of my spare time watching breakdown videos on YouTube to discover any details my eagle eye may have missed. But I would argue that film is the kind of media that is open to all: whether you want to be a geek about it like me, or just want to sit back, relax, and lose yourself for a few hours. It is a wonderful storyteller, and one I know I’m always going to treasure.
“ Also, Jake
Gyllenhaal
“ Emily Fletcher
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One of my favourite things about film is that it can use music to wonderful effect. Both Guardians of the Galaxy films have had such fitting soundtracks that relate to every scene and character, and Baby Driver
was full of the same kin: songs which a character in the film was picking and listening to and which were so perfectly timed within the scene (because the director selected a song first and wrote the scene around it). As someone who used to make playlists of songs that related to my favourite book and screen characters, it makes me happy when I notice how well a song fits into a scene. And even if the songs aren’t specific to characters, think about some of your favourite film scenes. I guarantee a few will feature a song that has always stuck in your head since.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
confusing plot. It’s about the turmoil, the music, the total lack of regard for following a typical teen flick. Also, Jake Gyllenhaal.
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‘Tis The Season To Catch Up On Everything Hark, what’s that I hear? You’ve been so busy with uni work that you haven’t seen any of your favourite shows for a while? Well, rejoice! You can now control time — or at least what you do with that time.
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ut how can you possibly watch all the seasons you’ve missed while simultaneously catching all the Christmas specials and present yourself as a functioning human being, you ask?! Well, the answer comes in the form of a list — a wish list asking St. Nicholas for more time to watch more! In all seriousness though, a list that notes how many hours you can spend in a day watching things, be it a new Netflix binge-fest, a nativity play for the sake of your younger kin, a classic Winter theatre piece (looking at you, Dickens) or another family experience watching Shrek. You can now book that time, so that you won’t feel so overwhelmed.
If children’s telly isn’t quite your cup of Bovril (why you’d ever drink that though, I will never know), then feast your eyes on the premise of a BBC adaptation of Little Women: a three-part series following the fast-paced lives of the March sisters and their trials in growing up. Louisa May Alcott’s story will live again and, with an entirely new cast and location, given the fourteen other adaptations, this one is sure to be ever so different.
The BBC are continuing to present a line-up of quality TV for younger audiences, with the Dumping Ground (the place that Tracy Beaker grew up in) creating a TV special for Christmas day. The BBC have also allegedly (according to really obscure sources, like latestchristmastvnews2017.com) cast David Tennant in a Julia Donaldson animation (she did the Gruffalo, if you know).
So, the BBC doesn’t cut your mustard, for whatever reason? Then Channel Four is set to present Christmas specials of Bake Off, the Crystal Maze, and The Price is Right. And if ITV or STV are your slice of Christmas cake then you are sure to enjoy their Christmas special of The Chase or their new show, All-Star Musicals, which presents a list of singing celebs who will compete in the London Palladium for one night only.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
But how do you write this list — the list that will help you through all this, you might ask… Ask and you shall receive! Within the space of around a month and a half at most, you’ll have a number of hours that you can guarantee (aside from spending time with loved ones). Regardless of whether you work full-time or part-time for the season, there will be at least a couple of hours that you can spare, which you can prioritise for precious TV binge time. Let’s say you have three hours to play with in a day: that’s at least either three hour-long episodes or six half-hour episodes — almost half of a standard thirteen-episode series! In just one week, you can probably watch a good few series, enough potentially to satisfy your binging needs. So, if you wanted to go to a play (say the Arabian Nights at the Edinburgh Lyceum or the Pantomime at the Kings Theatre), from Dundee to Edinburgh and back it is around two and a half hours. If the show lasts around an hour and half or two hours, then collectively you have spent five hours of a day.
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Even looking past the intense number of television specials, the film lineup is set to impress, with Star Wars episode 8, Jumanji, and Pitch Perfect 3 all predicted to have massive takings from the box office. Will Luke Skywalker be the hero or the villain in this new trilogy? Will Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson convince the masses that he is presidential material? And, most importantly, can the Bellas do it again?!
While that might be an expensive example, it highlights how little time you could spend doing something that you enjoy. Mapping that time specifically for the quality entertainment that you so desperately crave gives you a certainty that you can spend time without having to worry or beat yourself up due to lack of productivity. As a student, there’s only so much time available where there is no societal expectation to actually do anything, hence why this time matters. While spending quality hours with family is fantastic, to catch a break from the intensity of university is a welcome miracle. So, go out and spend an outrageous amount of your time watching everything this Christmas… What’s the worst that can happen?
Alastair Letch
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A Doll ’s House Review
The play revolves around Nora Helmer and her forgery of her father’s signature in getting a loan to pay for a holiday to save her husband, Torvald’s, life. This comes back to bite her at Christmas, climaxing in a realisation of her objectification, casting a broader light on the plight of women in the period.
Next up is Torvald: the stereotypical English gentlemen, filled with honour and an air of male superiority. He is a complex character to portray as he isn’t a bad person, merely the circumstances of the period made the way he treated women an abhorrent perception to us today. Even though Torvald was played by a newcomer to Lip Theatre, David Virgo, I would remark upon this depiction as exceptional.
Kristine, an old friend of Nora’s who comes to stay for Christmas, was depicted by a new member of LIP Theatre, Kiran Reece. Although lacking projection in voice, her performance was very true to film depictions and most natural in form. Nils Krogstad, the closest the play gets to a villain, was played by Paul Flavell. At times, I felt the performance lacked conviction but there were some sheer moments of brilliance which should not be overlooked. Lastly, Doctor Rank, played fabulously by Craig Watson, was the crowd favourite of the play in my eyes: a loveable, roguish character who, in this portrayal, was also a significantly comical character. Although his actual role in the plot line was negligible, as a close family friend he was often present and made a pleasant interruption to the downwards spiralling plot. Recognition for highly competent performances must also go to the nanny, Anne-Marie, played by newcomer Kirsten Sherry, and the Helmer children, Emmy and Ivor, played by Eimear McNamara and Josh Smith (although please don’t cast any more 20 year olds as 3 year olds, it was a little creepy).
Further recognition goes to the production team and the Director for an altogether highly successful rendition of “A Doll’s House”.
David White
cegipqtlu
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The play started out with a faint chorus of Christmas Carols, setting the ambience for the actors to work their magic. First up our female protagonist. Nora was depicted in a seamless performance by Louise McCahery, fully embodying her sweet, doll-like persona whilst still providing the extremely moving, deep character that emerges from the final scene. McCahery displayed a deep understanding of the character and although in some areas it could be seen to lapse into an overly comical interpretation, for the vast bulk of the production it was a truly stunning performance.
He embraced the “loving” (if not significantly flawed) nature of the character and perfectly balanced it against his perception of male superiority and gentleman’s honour.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
T
he first production by LIP Theatre of this year was Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” in a new interpretation by Samuel Adamson. Trust LIP Theatre to put on a play set at Christmas in the second week of October. It does, however, make a perfect addition to this month’s issue of the Magdalen.
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Deck the Caird Hall with Boughs of Holly... Rebecca Reid Illustration by Justine Matthew
COMMUNITY 21
The nights are getting darker and there’s a definite nip in the air. Love it or hate it, the renowned pumpkin spiced latte has made its seasonal comeback — it must be that time of year again! As someone who loves all things Christmassy, it seemed only fitting to draw attention to all the exciting festive events in the local community that you can get involved with throughout the jolly month of December. Fancy some nice home-made Christmas decorations for your flat or halls, or even to gift to friends and family? Balgove Larder has got you covered with wreath-making classes complete with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie — rejoice! Just outside of St Andrews, the Larder is only a short bus ride away meaning you can always have that second glass. If mulled wine doesn’t tickle your fancy, a short bus journey on the number 16 will take you to Inchture where Olly Bobbins have wreath-making workshops, including a selection of festive treats and a glass of prosecco. You certainly don’t want to miss out on the Dundee Christmas Fayre in City Square — whether you fancy
a quick bite in the marquee or a browse around, there will be plenty of food and drink with over fifty different stalls selling ethically sourced and locally made products, perfect for those last-minute Christmas gifts. (For those of you that leave your present shopping to the eleventh hour, this is for you!) Whether you are new to the city or a born and bred Dundonian, you will find that Christmas is a unique experience in our little city. The festive season is truly lovely in a small city; the community feels closer-knit and there is a real sense of togetherness that you just don’t get in larger cities. For me, one of the best things about this time of year is going out and about; there’s something really exciting about getting wrapped up warm to head out to a Christmas market or for a festive drink in the evening with friends that just doesn’t compare to any other time of year. So, before you head back to see your families for the holidays or start revising for those pesky exams, make sure to venture forth from your cozy homes this winter. For a small city, Dundee really packs a punch!
COMMUNITY
Merry Melodies Celebrating Christmas with the Music Society
The Chamber Choir are currently working hard in rehearsals for the annual Winter Concert due to take place on the 2nd of December in the Caird Hall. The theme for the concert is “Night,” and the choir are very excited to be performing music by Gjeilo, Lauridsen, and Tom Cunningham. Preparations are also underway for the annual Carol Service which will be held on the 10th of December in St. Paul’s Cathedral. Come along for some beautiful carols and get yourself into the Christmas spirit! The Gospel Choir are also working hard to prepare for their annual Lunchtime Concert. This will be held on the 8th of December at Bonar Hall where they will have a chance to showcase songs both old and new. If you can’t make this, fear not, because you’ll be sure to find the Gospel Choir singing carols outside DUSA just in the time for the Christmas Party!
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Love music? The Dundee University Music Society hosts a number of different groups that perform concertos, overtures, symphonies, and even music from film and TV. And what better way to get into the festive spirit than by coming along to one of our upcoming concerts? The Choir are performing Sunrise Mass, an atmospheric and beautiful piece in their combined Caird Hall concert on the 2nd of December. They’re also performing the ‘Musicological 12 Days of Christmas’ with the Orchestra which is a fun take on the 12 Days of Christmas set to different composers’ styles through the ages. But that’s not all! They’ll also be performing a carol that they had commissioned for them by Will Todd at the University Carol Service set to the words of ‘What Sweeter Music’ by Charles Dickens. There will be many more events to come - this is just a small selection of what we have to offer. We hope that this inspires you to come along and check us out. No matter what event you choose to attend, you’re sure to have a great time! We look forward to seeing you!
Stephanie Smith
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side from Dan Harmon’s masterpiece of a show, the concept and ideals behind community is often lacking in specificity. It can be that group of people online that advocate the daily consumption of cinnamon roles or it could be the people who you grow up with and depend on. The idea itself saved the human race, back during the days where winters left entire civilisations asunder. Even now, the harshness of the cold months inspires us to band together, whether to keep warm like penguins or to celebrate being together when all the lights are dim. Whether religious or not, the time spent in winter is often associated to comfort: with the snow acting as a good enough excuse to lie down in bed and eat an embarrassingly large amount of cake. That said however, many would disagree with the concept of community, disproving the concept of togetherness. Although it is widely accepted that there are many communities, the words of Margaret Thatcher continue to challenge what it means to be in a community. “I think we have gone through a period when too many children and people have been given to understand ‘I have a problem, it is the Government’s job to cope with it!’ or ‘I have a problem, I will go and get a grant to cope with it!’ ‘I am homeless, the
Government must house me!’ and so they are casting their problems on society and who is society? There is no such thing! There are individual men and women and there are families and no government can do anything except through people and people look to themselves first.” Regardless of political opinion, this statement goes against the concept of what people would usually define as community. What I aim to convince you within this small piece is that the concept of the community is alive and well. Though not arbitrarily existing, but kicking due to our shared need to look out for one another. Optimistic, a critic might say, yet can we not want to see the best in things? The reason why things continue to happen (bonfire nights, St. Andrew’s Day celebrations, Christmas celebrations, etc.) is partly due to a capitalist strive for wealth, yet mostly inspired by the idea of sharing good times with one another. Moreover, the archaic view that “bad people do bad things” is simplifying and detaching from the real concern: that people have the compulsion or need to take from others. In times of famine or rationing in the winter, people would steal food, whether from the suppliers or those around them, in a bid to not starve to death. What influences a
COMMUNITY
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person to act this way is not down to greed, but more so the nattative that winter produces: a harsh climate where everyone needs to survive. With that said, it is important to remind oneself of the good times and what it means to live life together. It could be the reason why many believe winter is the best time to celebrate, which I went to find out, from the International Society.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMIND ONESELF OF THE GOOD TIMES AND WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE LIFE TOGETHER. Talking with the head of the society, Mishal, I became aware of the culture in Pakistan and what wintertime is like. While the culture has not originated from Christian routes, the westernised Christmas is becoming apparent in the east. That said however, the 25th of December is a different holiday: Quaid Day, celebrating the founder of Pakistan, Muhammed Ali Jinnah. As political holidays go, it is unique to see that quizzes and literacy competitions are ran
nationally on that day. In contrast to the UK, it is a very different celebration; however, it still encourages celebrations during the time of winter. In contrast, an understanding of Christmas celebrations from the German Head of Communications, Marlena, discussed the cultural value of filling shoes like stockings and venturing through German Markets. The markets have become a staple within the UK: with cities like Edinburgh and London hosting grandeur events. Even Dundee hosts a German-like market, with gluehwein and stollen cake making an appearance. To see the similarities between German culture and the UK’s take on Christmas, strives away from the purely economic purging that Christmas is associated with. These yuletide events might seem trivial, given the state of the world and the impending doom that comes with each day of news. Yet in the face of every day trials and misery - be it shared or personal - the time to celebrate and band together could not be more vital in challenging the frost and haar. Warmth, and the feeling of it, undoubtedly brings us together.
Alastair Letch
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GRAND VISIONS FOR A NEW CENTURY Recently China had its most important event on the political calendar - the National Congress of the Communist party of China. The event is attended by thousands of the most important politicians in the country and occurs every 5 years, with the most recent event being the 19th since its inception in 1956. It is held in the imposing Great Hall of the People in Beijing and attracts widespread international media attention as its purpose is to make leadership changes, set the direction of the country and elect members to the powerful Central Committee, ‘considered the ultimate decision making body’. Throughout the conference Western media has been quick to focus on enigmatic president Xi Jinping. Announcing a ‘new era’ in his 3 and half hour speech, he signalled his growing pride at China’s fortunes. Believing that ‘tireless struggle’ had made it ‘tall and firm in the east’. While asserting his intention to transform China into a ‘mighty force’ in global leadership. A pioneer of the ‘Chinese Dream,’ a play of the American, Xi has maintained Chinas long standing rise to the higher echelons of global authority and firmly maintained that China’s rise would be its own and not follow any Western blueprint. His achievements include ‘lifting 60 million people out of poverty, improving living standards, education, enhancing law, order and national security’. But perhaps Xi’s biggest accomplishment is his wellpublicised anti-corruption drive. This has seen more than 1.3 million public officials punished for bribetaking and corruption. Which again has seen his popularity rise with the people. All of which has made him extremely popular but put him at odds with the Chinese constitution which expressly prohibits a personality cult. In a grand exhibit in Beijing, China has showcased ‘the advances China as a whole has made’ with credit being placed solely at the feat of the president. This policy of celebrating the man and not the party has deviated from former leaders and many
see this as a symptom of his intention to stay more than the usual 2 terms in power. A move that was confirmed when he failed to pick an heir at the recent event, which is standard for serving leaders. Leading many to label him the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong and perhaps the most fitting of the term “dictator,” because of his perceivable self-aggrandizing actions. Exemplified by his appointment of close personal friends and allies to top positions instead of the traditional best in the party method that had been practised previously. He has also cultivated an image of a defender of Chinese sovereignty through his defiance of international law in the South China Sea, where it has claimed a large portion of the busy international sea route - an action that has made many countries in the area wary.
‘And as the 20th Century was known as the ‘American Century, the 21st will likely be known as the Chinese’. China’s intentions to assert itself globally are on the rise and the ‘United States will be presented with an increasingly confident and formidable competitor’; one which is only bound to get stronger when US influence is waning and its leadership is in a prolonged state of instability. This leadership was recently displayed with China emerging as the top global player in the fight against climate change, after the US pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords in the face of worldwide condemnation. Whereas China has professed its intention to ‘continue to work with relevant parties for enhanced dialog and co-operation, hand-in-hand to manage climate change, to promote efforts to put the global economy on a green and low carbon path, in order to pass on a better future to the
Calum Wilson
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So while many have seen the election and subsequent isolationist policies of Donald Trump as the beginning of the descent of America’s tenure as the foremost global authority, the same cannot be said for China. Experiencing immense and unprecedented economic success since the 1980s, this ‘sleeping dragon’ is slowly tasking a more substantial role on the world stage. These implications are bound to be wide and far reaching, and as the 20th Century was known as the ‘American Century, the 21st will likely be known as the Chinese.
CURRENT AFFAIRS
generations to come’. A policy that will undoubtedly do wonders for its global soft power standing. Something that is designed to ‘rearrange the global order towards its primacy’.
THE JFK FILES
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Calum Wilson
54 years after the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated while traveling in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, the event has again caused ripples throughout the country with the release of thousands of previously classified documents regarding the death of America’s most popular president - placing fresh intrigue on one of the most important and controversial events in US history. His death has prompted countless conspiracy theories that continue to capture and divide the attention and opinions of Americans to this day, with a recent poll showing that 60% believed the assassination to be a conspiracy. These conspiracies have often found mainstream appeal, with the most famous being the 1991 Oscar-winning film, JFK, which supported the idea of a more ominous explanation for the death of the president. Much of the information released has naturally pertained to the killer of JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, who after killing a police officer seeking his arrest was restrained and taken to a local police station for the death of the office and the president. Just a couple of days later, while leaving from the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters, Oswald was himself shot and killed by local nightclub owner Jack Ruby. An incident which deprived the public of much needed
information on his motivations, thereby denying them closure and helping to fuel the myth of a conspiracy. Both these assassinations, JFK and Oswald, were caught on film. With the president’s being filmed by a bystander and Oswald’s captured on live television. The footage of both helping to burn the incident into the American psyche. The revelations of the files have been far from damning or revealing, yet they have shed more light on Oswald, whose previous visits to the Soviet Union had been a major source of intrigue for investigators and the public. The files tell how Oswald was regarded by the Soviets as a ‘neurotic maniac,’ that the day before his death the police had been warned about his murder and that he had previously been in contact with the KGB in Mexico. But perhaps the most mysterious revelation was that a local British newspaper, the Cambridge News, was contacted anonymously, 25 minutes before the assassination, and instructed to call the American Embassy as something important had just happened. These tapes have fed the myth of the incident and it is unlikely that unanimous satisfaction with the official conclusion will ever be achieved. Photo from PRNewsFoto / Newseum file
CURRENT AFFAIRS8 29
Trouble in
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nother day another development in the ongoing series of events threatening to cede Spain’s wealthiest region from the powers to be in Madrid. Catalan identity has always been starkly maintained and promoted in relation to the rest of Spain, but after years of the idea of independence bordering the attentions of mainstream Catalonian politics, the fuse has been lit and Catalonia looks poised to finally withdrawn from the Kingdom and Spain and become the Catalan Republic. In 2012 between 600,000 and 2 million people marched in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, demanding secession and again in 2014 activists staged a 480km human chain with 1.6 million people in support of it. Both of which were precursors for the vote and subsequent declaration.
"You cannot control a population thaT doeS not want to be governed" A referendum regarding the issue took place in early October, with the majority of voters signifying their desire for Catalonia to become an independent country. With an overwhelming majority in favour, 92%, the Parliament of Catalonia and its president, Carles Puigdemont, passed the motion. This action was met with an enraged response by the Central Spanish Government, who were quick to label the vote illegal while simultaneously dissolving the whole
CATALONIA
Catalan Parliament to prevent further action which they deemed as threatening to destabilise the entire country. Holding countless cabinet meeting on how to deal with the crisis, Spain have called for new election in hopes of reversing the decision democratically, while also removing any public figure who is actively seeking its succession, including the president and chief of police in the region. The idea of Catalonian independence has never been as strong as it is today and the referendum has been credited for ‘pushing the country’s worst political crisis in 40 years to new and dangerous heights’. And while Spain has a lot of international support from governments who do not want to see autonomous regions seeking their own independence, the harder the Spanish government fights against the wishes of Catalonia and the more it seeks to undermine the democratic election then the harder those who see sovereignty as the only option will fight. You cannot control a population that does not want to be governed and in forcing its will against a democratic movement, Spain will only harm its own image, as the outcry of the police’s ‘heavy handed response’ in preventing protestors from voting has proved.
Calum Wilson PHOTO : VERONICA HAMILTON
DUSA BELIEVES THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOURS ARE UNACCEPTABLE... UNWANTED SEXUAL COMMENTS, INCLUDING COMMENTS ON AN INDIVIDUAL’S BODY OR PRIVATE LIFE COMMENTS DEEMED AS RACIST, RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION, SEXIST, HOMOPHOBIC, XENOPHOBIC, TRANSPHOBIC AND DISABLIST UNWELCOME SEXUAL INVITATIONS, INNUENDOS (SEXUAL SUGGESTIONS), AND OFFENSIVE GESTURES WOLF WHISTLING, CATCALLING, OR OFFENSIVE SEXUAL NOISES GROPING, PINCHING OR SMACKING SOMEONE’S BODY MOVING OR GRABBING SOMEONE’S CLOTHES WITHOUT CONSENT EXPOSURE OF SEXUAL ORGANS ANY CONDUCT WHICH INTIMIDATES, DEGRADES, HUMILIATES OR VIOLATES AN INDIVIDUAL’S DIGNITY OBJECTIFICATION, FETISHISATION AND STEREOTYPING OF INDIVIDUALS BASED ON THEIR GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION LEADS TO A CULTURE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND ITS NORMALISATION.
Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) Registered Scottish Charity No. SCO16047
Author Liam Biddle Illustrator Duncan Adams
Men’s Fashion The Bomber to Parka Transition
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hen the air becomes crisp and your faithful bomber is starting to feel a lot thinner than it usually does, we’re made to delve deep into our wardrobes where the big ol’ parka lays in wait. I have always felt guys have a lot harder time finding a new winter coat or jacket that feels especially new. Look, you’re a big boy now and momma has pushed you out of the pond to swim in the sea of life: a.k.a. you now must buy your own cosy coats to brave winter. I know, it hurts, but it’s one of the most crucial buys of the year so put some thought into it and don’t take the easy route. Most of us don’t tend to carry umbrellas. Respect to those who do, but I’m never that kind of prepared. Hooded jackets are rarely fashionable, so parkas have always been the go to for myself and most people because the hood is traditional and doesn’t lose its
The faithful four of puffer, parka, Barbour, and trench/ overcoats become tedious but if you know what to look for there is always a style that will fit you and feel fresh. Colour is crucial, I’d say do your best to avoid a black winter coat and instead choose a dark navy. If you have always had dark winter coats, maybe it’s time to switch up your style and burst into something more expressive. Red Parkas are a perfect way of avoiding the mundane khaki or black, which will set you aside from the crowd. Red is really in right now and gives you that sense of warmth. Surprisingly, they don’t clash with too many colours either and will probably help highlight your jumper style or even a simple white tee underneath.
Puffers are a strange one. There are a lot out there without hoods, but that doesn’t give you the essential practicality that you need when you’re dropping that kind of dolla – and you shouldn’t spare expenses when it comes to combatting the cold. Bump that heating up inside and bump your insulation up outside, it’s an investment, remember. I recently bought a puffer (escaping the parka/overcoat cycle) and what really sold me was the fit – as well as how tremendously cosy it was. A lot of puffer jackets are the same shape all over but try to find one that comes in around the waist. You will also feel the difference between having it unzipped if it’s cold but not freezing, and zipping it up to really
Now, the unhooded is still a viable option, it is risky but with proper planning you can have the insurance you need for the odd rainy day. That insurance is either an umbrella – a big baller move – or a cap, and perhaps more likely a woolly hat or beanie. Beanies are usually my go to. Because of the slouching back, it stops water or snow from slapping against the back of your neck – the weak point of any Titan, if you know, you know – or you can always spin your cap around and embrace the full baller lifestyle. Caps aren’t just for summer, they’ll protect wet neck slappage too. Borg is bae. Seriously, the stuff is like teddy bear fur and what more would you want inside your jacket? Whether you opt for a hooded jacket or not it’s vital that it is lined with something cosy. Borg is the dream, but I would settle for any sort of cosiness on the inside because nothing is worse than your arms rubbing against slippery synthetic. You will be rustling a lot and even worse, if you are only wearing a t-shirt it’s not going to feel so nice against your skin. If you think it could get too warm (is that even a thing you consider a risk in winter?) you always have the option of keeping the jacket unzipped. Key points to consider: colour is crucial, try to avoid black, and let your jacket be complementary rather than just a seasonal necessity. Lining is love, lining is life. It is what’s inside that really counts, so don’t be fooled by a pricey jacket with no substance. Try not to think of it as a cash splurge, think of it as paying a heating bill over the cold months which will potentially last you years. It makes the price tag hurt a little less.
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“ Colour is crucial, I’d say do your best to avoid a black winter coat ”
hold in the heat. Many have zip on and off hoods - so if you really are averse to the style, you can be prepped for those 9am lectures when you open the door and are greeted with a potential Noah’s Ark 2.0.
FASHION
appeal. So, what are the other options that will have your back for when the clouds are puffier than your jacket and darker than the sky at 8am?
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DUNDEE STREET STYLE
‘I don’t think I bought any of these clothes, I think I just acquired them!’ Like me, many of you might have recently been surprised to hear that Dundee is soon to be ‘Scotland’s coolest city’. According to Wall Street Journal’s ‘Where to Travel in 2018,’ Dundee will be the fifth most exciting destination in the world next year. And we students will leave behind the grubby, yet comfortable city we know and love this December, only to return to an inspiring metropolis on par with
Madagascar and Shanghai, in the New Year. In honour of our newfound status as the country’s coolest city, the Magdalen has turned its eye toward the city’s coolest inhabitants. As a UNESCO City of Design, it is only fitting that Dundee is home to some incredibly quirky, stylish, and confident dressers, many of whom were thrilled (read: “embarrassedly agreed”) to grace our pages this month.
(Interviewer) - ‘What item in this outfit makes you happiest?’
FASHION
*Points to Backpack*
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‘The cat was a threat to my favourite tights’
Photography by Rachel Cairns
‘I like my outfit today because [my t-shirt] is insulting everyone I meet low key’
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‘It’s not about what you wear, it’s how you wear it’
‘I used to be pretty self-conscious, but now I love putting together eccentric outfits’
FASHION
‘The coat and the headband are both hand-me-downs, the coat is from my aunt, and the headband used to be my mum’s
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‘Make sure you tell people [my trousers] are my work uniform!’
SANTA vs THE THREE WISE MEN
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Everyone knows that Santa has one of the worst jobs. I mean, as rewarding as it must be to watch the children with happy faces and eager hands unwrap Christmas presents, delivering all those thousands of gifts in the first place is bound to be exhausting.
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onetheless, if you, the reader, decided to travel South, let’s say Spain, you might find that Santa has not visited Spanish children. Spaniards can be obnoxious sometimes, but surely they do not deserve this punishment, right? Worry not because, while Santa does not sleigh his way to Spain himself, Three Wise Men deliver presents for him. Other Latin American countries, such as Puerto Rico and Venezuela, and even the Philippines, also receive presents brought by the Three Wise Men on Epiphany, the 6th of January. Similarly to the way they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus when they arrived in Bethlehem, the Three Wise Men bring presents for well-behaved children. And of course, if naughty children involve themselves in just one too many shenanigans, they might tear through wrapping paper to find coal instead of their highly anticipated games console. This tradition is welcomed with a “Cabalgata” (parade) the night before on January 5th. On this night, the Three Wise Men march through the city throwing sweets and small toys. As you can expect, the young
kids (and the not-so-young) will be in a frenzy to catch as many sweets as possible. I must say, it is a wonderful spectacle. In fact, you might find elderly women with an upside down umbrella to catch them all (to the distaste of the children). Now, if you don’t believe me, Google it. Finally, in recent years, Santa has decided he wants to take control of the deliverance of the presents in these countries. In other words, some children now receive presents from both Santa and the Three Wise Men. Is this because The Three Magi can no longer manage the task? Or does Santa plan to take over the whole market? And lastly, should we expect The Three Wise Men to bring us presents here in the UK too? Unfortunately, these questions remain to be answered. Written by Lucas J. Morales Moya on behalf of the Hispanic Society
INTERNATIONAL
SANTA vs LOS TRES REYES MAGOS
Todo el mundo sabe que Santa tiene uno de los peores trabajos del mundo. A pesar de lo satisfactorio que ha de ser ver a todos los niños felices desenvolviendo ávidamente sus regalos, repartir cada uno de éstos en una sola noche ha de ser tremendamente agotador. 39
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in embargo, si usted, el lector, decidiese viajar hacia el sur, dígase España, se encontraría con que Santa no ha visitado a los niños españoles. Los españoles pueden ser odiosos, pero no se merecen semejante castigo, ¿verdad? No se preocupe, ya que pese a que Santa no pasa por España, los Tres Reyes Magos reparten los regalos en su lugar. Otros países latinoamericanos, como Puerto Rico y Venezuela, e incluso las Filipinas, también reciben regalos traídos por los Reyes Magos en la Epifanía, el 6 de Enero. De forma similar a la que hicieron con el niño Jesús, trayendo regalos de oro, incienso y mirra, los Reyes Magos traen regalos a los niños que se han portado bien. Y por supuesto, si los niños traviesos han hecho demasiadas trastadas, al abrir el regalo se pueden encontrar con carbón en lugar de su tan ansiada consola. Esta tradición viene acompañada con una Cabalgata la noche anterior, el 5 de Enero. Durante este evento, los Tres Reyes Magos desfilan por la ciudad lanzando caramelos y pequeños juguetes. Como cabe esperar, los niños (y los no tan niños) se abalanzan
frenéticamente para coger tantos caramelos como les sea posible. He de decir que es un espectáculo maravilloso. De hecho, uno se puede encontrar abuelitas con paraguas del revés para coger todos los caramelos (para el disgusto de los más pequeños). Y si no me cree, búscalo en Google. Finalmente, en los últimos años, Santa ha decidido tomar el control en el reparto de los regalos en estos países. Es decir, algunos niños reciben regalos tanto de Santa como de los Reyes Magos. ¿Se debe a que los Tres Reyes Magos no pueden con esta tarea? ¿O es un plan de Santa para hacerse con todo el mercado? Y por último, ¿deberíamos esperar a que los Reyes Magos también traigan regalos al Reino Unido? Desafortunadamente, estas preguntas quedarán por responder. Escrito por Lucas J. Morales Moya en nombre de la Sociedad Hispánica.
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Picture from Rasa Malaysia (rasamalaysia.com)
INTERNATIONAL
Winter Solstice Festival Kayla Sng
“Yay! There’s not long to go until Christmas… I can’t wait!” is such a common conversation around this time of the year. 41
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rom turkey to mince pies and party puddings, picking presents to decorating Christmas trees, who doesn’t enjoy Christmas? Well, in China and East Asia, we don’t celebrate just Christmas, but also another equally important festival that has been long celebrated in Chinese traditions. We call it Dong Zhi ( : Winter Solstice Festival).
On the 22nd of December (21st of December in Asia), where daytime is the shortest and night is longest in 2017, family members and relatives that are scattered all around the world gather around together for a big reunion celebration. We worship ancestors and eat dumplings on that day, but the most exciting part for me is the making and eating of Tang Yuan ( ) or balls of glutinous rice, which symbolise reunion. Tang Yuan are made of glutinous rice flour and sometimes brightly coloured. Each family member receives at least one large Tang Yuan( ) in addition to several small ones. The flour balls may be plain or stuffed. I like mine stuffed with sesames and peanuts. They are cooked in a sweet soup or savory broth (normally made from sweet potatoes and ginger), with both the balls and the soup/broth served in one bowl. It is also
often served with a mildly alcoholic unfiltered rice wine containing whole grains of glutinous rice. The reason why the Chinese people celebrate the Winter solstice is related to the theory of Yin and Yang. According to the Chinese astrology, Yang symbolises light and positive whilst Yin is dark and passive. The ancient people think after the winter solstice, Yin will gradually disappear whilst Yang and all positive things will become stronger and stronger from that day onwards, which is why winter solstice is regarded as a propitious day to celebrate. Using bare hands to knead dough into balls of different sizes and colours is an experience that left an imprint in my heart. There are always more smiles with laughters when we gather together for a happy reunion and gatherings are always memorable. ‘Families and friends warm the heart even on the coldest of days’, I truly believe that. Happy December everyone!
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When Are You Going Home?
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arm rooms lit up with fairy lights and cinnamon-scented candles. Red takeaway cups and gingerbread lattes. Obnoxiously uplifting Christmas songs blasting in every shop you enter — admit it, you love it too! Sipping on hot chocolate whilst wrapped in fluffy blankets all cozied up on the windowsill, looking out dramatically into the gloomy streets. No, sorry, that was probably just the picture I double-tapped on Instagram earlier. Snow. Wait, snow? In Dundee? Likely not. Whatever else from that list you associate with this time of the year, for the vast majority of us, Christmas will be the opportunity to finally take a breath, slow down and relax a little. And for the most part, it will be the time we spend with our families. I could not begin to count how many times people have asked me, “So, when will you head home?” Like — as in what time I’ll be leaving the pub tonight? Oh I have not decided yet. “No, I mean homehome. Your actual home?” Wow, thanks, I must have misunderstood ‘term-time address’ to mean roof-overyour-head and that’s where service ends. Don’t you even get me started on the less avoidable option — my mom never forgetting to finish the
routine Skype call with an ever-so-subtle question along the lines of ‘have you booked your flight HOME yet?’ No, mom. No, dear whoever is so concerned about my family visit, regardless of how well you mean. No, I have not yet planned a time to leave my ‘temporary home’ and return to my ‘past home.’ Nor was I feeling guilty about it before you thought it was a good idea to ask. Because for some reason, in my mind, I was trying to be the adult who moved out and built a life abroad. As much as I know it will feel wonderful seeing my family and friends, and I do indeed miss them, I wish people understood that living here is not a punishment. I am not counting down the days ‘til I know the precise time of my last exam so I can search for the earliest flight home immediately after. I hope someday that booking a holiday abroad — away from both my homes — isn’t something I am judged for by other people, or worse, reproached for by my family. My whole point, I suppose, is this: ship all of our pets from home and all the ‘where is your home’ dilemmas will be, doubtlessly, sorted!
Barbara Mertlova Photography by Arjun Kalsi
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‘No, I have not yet planned a time to leave my temporary home and return to my past home’
Perfect
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Prezzies
Ho-Ho-How the hell am I supposed to pay for all this? I’m a student, therefore my bank account is either empty or in the minus, or I’ve just been given my student loan but it’s going on SKINT and food. But I must buy my brother a £60 Xbox game, my gran a Yankee candle, and my parents a five-bedroom house with a garage and green-grass garden. I mean, I’ve spent longer online adding items to my basket for Christmas than I have on this 6000-word essay due in a month’s time. Welcome to Christmas!
However, if you are anything like me and have designed your dream bedroom plastered with fairy lights (including light bulb and flower shapes), paper lanterns and stupidly-pretty tapestries, then you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when I say – Pinterest. This website is my new religion. It has everything, literally everything! You want
to try a new cocktail? Pinterest. You want to find an exercise plan which works for you? Pinterest. You want to plan your future 20k wedding with a meal plan, bridesmaid lists and venue decorations in secret hoping your boyfriend doesn’t see your ‘future pinboard’ and freak out. Pinterest! Pinterest, Pinterest, PINTEREST!
LIFESTYLE
“This website is my new religion. It has everything, literally everything!”
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Type in ‘Christmas presents DIY’ and I promise you, soon you’ll have created a new board and will have saved yourself 50 quid. Plus, you’ll have killer presents to show for it! Okay sure, the Xbox game there’s no getting around, but the candle your gran wants? How about something a bit more personal and heartfelt? I’m sure she would love a personalized mug or photo frame from her wee angel. If that’s too boring, then how about a personal slipper box? You would never think of it, but throw in a nice cozy pair of fluffy slippers, a mini bottle of rosé, a small box of chocolates and a small (just as nice) candle, and it looks like you’ve spent £40 and thought a lot about your gift, even if it was last minute! Your mum? A hamper of course! Now I’m not saying that these kind of gifts can’t get pricey, but what’s better - one expensive box of chocolates, a book and a small Lush gift set OR a cheap wicker basket (Hobbycraft, £7) filled with some tissue paper (Tiger, £1) with some of her favorite chocolates (Thornton’s, £3-£7), a couple mini bottles of her favorite liquors and wine (Tesco, £10-ish), a few special bath bombs and a nice face mask (Lush, £10-£30, or you could even try handmade!) and a couple bits and bobs such as candles, teddy bears, a special photo of her beloved cat, etc...
And before you know it, you may have spent around the same as you would have for more ‘commercialized’ presents, but look how much thought you’ve put in! Plus, it looks way more thoughtful with the tissue and basket than it would in a plastic box! Pinterest allows you to spend £10 on what ultimately looks like a £20 thought-out gift. Buy a mason jar for £1, throw in a bag of Maltesers, stick on some googly eyes with a pompom for a nose and some pipe-cleaners for antlers and you’ve got yourself a super cute reindeer present! I promise you, once you’ve had a look around even for just 5 minutes, you’ll be hooked. Not only will you have your perfect Christmas gifts, but you’ll have your own study plan, new recipes, and funny photos to laugh at during class. Trust me, once you start you’ll be a Pinterester forever!
Rachel Tennick
Three Step Carbonara
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Dorcas Adambu
Equipment
• 1 Litre of Milk • 1 Packet of Bacon • 1 Onion • Cheddar Cheese • Pasta • Roughly 4 tablespoons of SelfRaising Flour • Butter
• 1 Frying pan • 2 Cooking Pots • Spatula • Wooden spoon • Cheese grater • Drainer Recipe
Dice the onions and fry them, then set them aside. Fry the bacon on medium heat, once cooked set aside.
Step 2: Melt your butter in a pot, then add three spoons of flour to the melted butter and mix, keep adding flour until you get a thick paste. Then add in a small amount of milk until the mixture becomes more runny.
Step 3: Boil the pasta and mix it with your sauce.
Bon Appétit!
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Step 1:
LIFESTYLE
Ingredients
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Dundee University Photography Society Monthly Competition winner Mady Cheng @mady_mie Theme: Light and Shadow
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I left a Friday after work, on a flight from Edinburgh to London, stopped for a few pints with friends and then off to Berlin on a second flight. About 17 hours of travelling. Standard. I love Berlin. There is something so vibrant about the city, its eclectic assortment of architectural styles, ethnic melting-pot and cultural offerings make it one of my favourite destinations in the continent. However, after a day and a half with no sleep I gave up any desire of wandering its streets, waking up to an early September morning and proceeded instead straight to my hostel in Wrangelkiez. The reason for my venture across Europe? Modeselektor and Apparat’s (also known as Moderat ) last scheduled show at Berlin’s Kindl-Bühne
Wuhlheidein. The trio had announced earlier in August that after “an incredible 4 years as a band” they would take a break from the project to go back to be Modeselektor and Apparat.
Wow. You must be a huge fan of the band to fly solo 700 miles for their last concert. To be honest. I’m not. I mean, I love their music. I have listened to their stuff
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for years now, admired their amazing artworks — all created by Berlin-based design and motion graphics studio Pfadfinderei — and especially in the last few years I found them to be a perfect soundtrack for long design sessions at university. But I could hardly name most of their songs or place them in the right album. Nevertheless, I also knew that I had to see them performing live sooner or later — just like Radiohead. I swear I’ll see Radiohead one day. In total, 18 songs were performed at the Kindl-Bühne Wuhlheide amphitheatre; in fact, it was one of the most amazingly intense live performances I have ever had the pleasure to experience. With the help of — once again — Pfadfinderei’s work, Sascha Ring, Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary put on a show of sound, light and visual art tailored down to the millisecond.
Moderat live is the musical equivalent of a fine dining meal where each song is carefully put together, presented, served, and consumed by the diner in a precise order, following a very accurate flow; a sequence of sensations and stimuli that transport the audience throughout a well-designed performance. It renewed in me the belief of the importance in being able , as a designer, to construct a well-crafted, targeted experience for the user to truly experience one’s work, one’s vision. Thankfully, Moderat won’t let it die. Meanwhile, I will be here, waiting. “It’ll take us a while but we’ll be back!”
Fabio Maragno Photography by Yannis Papanastasopoulos
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ALL THAT JAZZ
Unlike many singers, Seonaid didn’t just mimic Ella: she understood jazz in a way that only the best jazz performers do and her ability and understanding was evident to me from the start but truly came to the forefront when she performed “How High The Moon”. Until this point in the evening there had been an absence of a key element of what made Ella, Ella; this missing element was, of course, scat and boy did she make up for it in this song. She must have scatted for at least 3 minutes straight, quite possibly longer - not surprisingsly she went for a lie down afterwards while the orchestra played. Not only was her understanding of jazz amazing but her own tone of voice was gorgeous. It was smooth, rich, entrancing, as well as being powerful and soft simultaneously. It did not contain the raspy aspect of Ella’s but this is what allowed her to make the songs her own. Seonaid is not the only one deserving of praise though as Sam West, playing the part of Louis
The only critique I have the night is that it was all over too soon, the issue with entrancing music is that time vanishes and you are left at the end after a run through of every emotion, in a state of bliss, wanting more. The evening concluded with a standing ovation inciting a final encore by Seonaid of “Get Happy” which left everyone in a jovial state. I couldn’t think of an evening that would mark a better celebration of Jazz. That wasn’t where my evening ended though as I went back home to a flat of people who put on Postmodern Jukebox, a YouTube channel that turns modern classics into Jazz and Big Band songs in the same way that Ella did for a lot of the latter part of her career. Ella kept making albums well into the 80s and had gone some way to adapting with the times. She famously made a big band cover of “Can’t Buy Me Love” by The Beatles, but mere months after its original release, which Seonaid did a stunning job of in that evening’s performance. A huge well done also has to be extended to the The Groove Merchant Jazz Orchestra which accompanied Seonaid Aitken and Sam West and to the brilliant team who organise the Dundee Jazz Festival each year to great success.
David White Photography by Nicole Cumming & Jacob Scoular
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Seonaid Aitken was the singer taking on some of Ella’s classics alongside the superstar young Big Band and accompanied in duets by the smooth Sam West. To say Seonaid did Ella justice would be an understatement; as Scotland’s best Jazz singer and arguably one of the best jazz singers of the 21st century, she controlled the room. From her dynamic, fun performances of “Cheek to Cheek” and “Summertime” with Sam West, to her breath-taking and heart-wrenching renditions of “My Funny Valentine” and “Every Time We Say Goodbye,” the audience were entranced.
Armstrong in the duets, had a smooth bluesy voice and managed to cause great surprise part way through his third duet of the evening. During “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” Sam switched from his soft, Buble-style tones to Louis’ croaky, raspy voice and the likeness astounded everyone resulting in quite a few chuckles. I must admit, had I been blindfolded, I would be hard pushed to tell the difference between Sam’s impersonation and the original. His dynamic with Seonaid was also an especially endearing moment and made “Summertime” an incredibly memorable song of the evening.
MUSIC
“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” and ain’t that the truth. With 2017 marking the centenary on the first jazz album’s release, it seemed more than fitting that the Magdalen was this year invited along to the Dundee Jazz festival. After perusing the line-up, “A night with Ella” caught my eye. What better way to celebrate jazz than a tribute to the first lady of jazz herself, Miss Ella Fitzgerald, on what would also mark her centenary year?
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IT DON’T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING
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IT WAS ALL OVER TOO SOON
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FESTIVE EXPECTATION VS. REALITY
OPINION
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hey say the festive season is a time of joy to spend with your family, sharing in delicious meals whilst bathing in love and generosity. Nice idea, right?
The reality of it is that you find yourself wrapping your insufficient jacket closer as you gaze out at the sleet dribbling down the train windows. When you finally make it home, the lights draped over the malnourished hedge are flashing more erratically than the interior of Reading Rooms on a heavy night. You quietly let yourself in. The hall light is off, the silence only interrupted by the mumbling of the telly. Slush has seeped in through the hole in your shoe, and as you open the living room door to find the only person home is your dad, asleep in front of EastEnders and drooling onto a half-eaten mince pie, you feel your hope of a warm, happy holiday drain back out that same hole in your shoe. In your mind’s eye, decorating the Christmas tree should be a delightful affair: your little sister choosing her favourite baubles and decorations out of the box and passing each one carefully to you as you balance on the crooked stepladder to perch them near the top of the magnificent tree.
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Picture this: you can’t wait to get home for winter break. As you stare out the train window, you hope the forecasted snow will have started to fall by the time you stride up the garden path, edged with twinkling fairy-lightdraped hedges. At the front door you quietly let yourself in, wanting to surprise and delight your family with your early homecoming. The smell of warm cinnamon and cloves beckons you inside, enveloping you in a festive hug. Nice idea, right?
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In reality, it takes your mother 34 minutes to find the boxes of decorations in the cluttered attic and you’ve just about given up hope of her ever returning from the black hole in the ceiling. But then you hear a high shriek and she comes sliding down the ladder screeching, “Spider! SPIDER! HUGE effing spider!” They say the tree is always the center of delight at Christmas, a beacon of glitter and light under which presents and small children are crammed. Nice idea, right? Not quite how it usually pans out though, is it… The tree has been in the house no more than 6 minutes before the top snaps off. Your stepdad had optimistically estimated the ceiling height to be 2.7 meters instead of measuring it to find that it is in fact only 2.4 meters. The tree is the center of delight. Especially for the cat who, for the second time this morning, has climbed up the back then out on a branch in search of a loose bauble to skitter around the carpet with. Also for the second time this morning, the cat has gotten tangled in the lights and started to sneeze glitter. There are lots of presents under the tree but the sad truth is that at least 40% are socks and all the ones for your uncle are bags of mixed nuts and cranberries from a very well-meaning Gran who doesn’t know what to get her vegan son-in-law who lives so far into the north of Scotland that he might as well be living within the Arctic circle.
There are plenty of children gathered around the tree but four out of five are crying; one because of the scarily loud laughter rumbling from Grandpa as he watches reruns of Top Gear. Two are crying because mummy said they weren’t allowed to go and build snowmen outside until after cousin Louise does her customary squeaky violin recital and one is crying because Susie just told them that Santa isn’t real. The fifth and gleeful child is Susie. Earlier, when your little nephew had presented you with a surprisingly phallic looking snowman (“because snowmen need two legs but everyone only makes them with one”), you struggle to keep the smile on your face as bland as possible whilst you praise his nursery craftsmanship. Meanwhile, you’re wondering if your 74 active followers on Twitter are enough to make it go viral. As day drifts into evening, all daytime disasters have been swept under the fraying carpet and any particular embarrassments fuzzed into insignificance by large helpings of Christmas pudding which appears to be sweating alcohol and increasingly lukewarm mulled wine. Anyone who was absolutely full after the banquet of dinner mysteriously finds room to stuff in a few marzipan sweets and the children finally hit a sugar crash and begin to slip into slumber, scattered like war victims across the carpet. Elderly relatives are quick to follow and before you know it, you’re the last one standing, glad that nobody is awake to judge you for finishing off the cooking sherry and thinking to yourself, ‘this year was actually quite a laugh’.
Rose Kendall
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How to carpe diem
‘Maybe it’s just about living in the moment. Enjoying the small things.'
Even though it does feel good to get a clean slate, a brand-new start, 365 pages of blank space (who doesn’t love all these good clichés), it doesn’t mean you too have to experience that ‘big revelation’, that big life-changingmoment you always get inspired by when you watch the latest Hollywood movies. Maybe instead we should all focus on something else.
It could also be something bigger than ourselves, our own goals and motives. Maybe we should make new resolutions such as “I’m going to give at least 1 compliment to someone each day.” Or perhaps, things such as “I will ask my friend Lisa if she needs any help with her fundraising.” You know, small things. Things that might just take a second out of your day but that in the end, might change people’s lives. It might change how 2018 is going to be so that when you end up in December, 12 months later, you won’t be filled with regrets. You won’t wonder what happened to 2018, which was supposed to be your year. You might, just maybe, be filled with gratitude and actually think to yourself; this was my year!
Lizzie Husum
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You had thought to yourself that 2017 was going to be a great year! And yet here we all are, 12 months later, thinking, “where did all the time go”? I was definitely not prepared for the time to fly this fast! You realised you never got that summer body ready for July (though the winter body is coming along quite nicely), you didn’t exercise more, eat healthier or learn any new skills or hobbies. You did quickly fall into old habits without even realizing it, and that’s how you ended up here, at the end of 2017, getting ready for Christmas and another magical night with fireworks, planning all these new resolutions you won’t keep. But maybe that’s okay.
Maybe you woke up to the smell of coffee and homemade cinnamon buns this afternoon, really appreciating your moms amazing cooking skills. Maybe you watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the 100th time, still laughing at the same lines and goofs. Maybe you just sat laid back on your sofa at home, laughing with your family and friends, getting that it’s Christmas feeling, we’ve all experienced since Santa first brought us a present. Maybe it’s just about living in the moment. Enjoying the small things. Enjoying that homemade cinnamon bun, and those special moments with your loved ones.
OPINION
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ou woke up sometime in the afternoon, after watching all those pretty fireworks that lit up the sky. The magic of that one, final night, somehow always gets to you. There is something about final endings, isn’t there? Something about new beginnings. That feeling of having the world laid down at your feet; all the doors open, no rejections. Saying a final goodbye to all the tears and sorrows you experienced in the last year, saying hello to a whole new year of mistakes, experiences, love and good memories.
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Dundee University Photography Society Monthly Competition runner up Domas Radzevicius @domas.radz Theme: Light and Shadow
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The theme for the February issue will be ‘Winter’ Deadline for submission: 15th January Submissions to be sent to dups.dundee@gmail.com Max of 2 submissions per person
How to bug your family
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this Christmas Mila Georgieva As people, we’re obsessed with surveillance: phones listening in to what people talk about, data being gathered about our shopping habits, where we go to drink coffee, who we go with, and what we thought of the experience. Everything is monitored and recorded. And while intrusive, this still appears to be the best form of gathering opinion, even if that opinion is unanimously to stop being so nosy!
Governing bodies have been nosy for as long as anyone can remember, because gossiping on a political level is always more fun than eavesdropping on someone’s Saturday night. Being in journalism you feel you have to be that fly on the wall for whatever politics are going on in your area, whether it be the university, your town, or even your country.
'Could you easily bug your own house? Maybe'. As residents of the Media Hub at the Union, myself and the other media managers soon realised how thin our deceptive stone-effect walls were when we could hear the booming voices of those in the offices around us and quickly realised “Gossip O’Clock” in the Hub had to stop.
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With every intention of getting the gossip from the Exec hallway first, we became the butt of our own joke when we were told off about discussing matters which we weren’t supposed to know about… Which raised the Execs’ eyebrows but also ours as we were certain we were whispering. So could the Media Hub be bugged? Maybe. Could you easily bug your own house? Maybe. Over the years we’ve seen some spectacular examples of listening devices,created by individuals beyond their time. The Great Seal Bug was one of the first surveillance devices which did not require charging as it ran on electromagnetic energy. That being, it contained a capacitive membrane paired with an antenna, which meant it would be triggered when a certain radio frequency was detected by the device, thus causing it to activate. The Bug was hidden away in a wooden shield case, so whenever speech or other sounds passed through the case, it caused the membrane inside to vibrate, and in turn this was picked up by the antenna and re-transmitted.
Only caught due to someone tuning in to the wrong radio frequency at the right time, the Bug remained undetected for over six years. And it got us thinking: if this could be done years ago, what’s stopping people doing it now? You can buy these devices, or if you’re savvy enough could even make one at home, and after a bit of rewiring, you’d have your very own loitering device.
'As people we're obsessed with surveillance' Now, I’m in no way suggesting you should do this, but thinking back, if we started off with a rope and empty Pot Noodle container to create makeshift phones, then I think we can upgrade our ways of getting festive gossip this winter when all the family get together to celebrate the holidays.
‘Tis the Season to be Jolly? 66
James Dale
C
hristmas is arguably one of the biggest holidays of the year. Christmas is the time to taste delicious cakes and puddings, decorate Christmas trees, spend time with our families and friends, give, share, and laugh. Only, for many, it’s also a holiday of stress and family arguments. It may not only be the turkey that gets overheated in your home this Christmas as family flare-ups are almost inevitable.
The best catalyst for Christmas day arguments is alcohol While Christmas carols, stocking fillers, mulled wine and tinsel are all grand, for most British households, Christmas is only truly Christmas when there is the annual Christmas row. A study found that the typical British family will experience their second argument before 1pm on Christmas Day - with the first occurring shortly after 10am. One in ten people in the study revealed lunch time squabbles revolved around family
gossip, ‘who is the better person’, and old family arguments resurfacing. There are an estimated three arguments to follow, meaning the British household experiences an average of five arguments during Christmas Day alone. Arguments can be sparked by many things. Competition and cheating during board games, cooking the Christmas dinner, gift dissatisfaction, chocolate, the Queen, the heating, the washing up, the use of electronics at the dinner table. But the best catalyst for Christmas Day screaming, crying and meaningless arguments across the Western world is alcohol. This fermented or distilled wonder brings out the best in none of us and often opens the floodgates of jealousy, greed, immaturity, and resentment. It doesn’t help that the festive season appears to be getting longer every year, with Christmas decorations appearing in shops from as early as the beginning of October. Our local Home Bargains in the Wellgate centre featured Christmas decorations and tinsel from mid-September. With the retail outlets and TV adverts promoting the festive season so early, there’s already lots of opportunity for the stress of pulling off the perfect
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Christmas to sink in. Then, there’s the additional pressure of meeting the associated costs of Christmas as well as making arrangements with our families which can get the better of us before we’ve even come face-toface with those members we really rather wouldn’t. 39% of those responding to a relationship support charity survey pinned Christmas Day as the epicentre of their family disharmony. Many modern-day British families have additional factors that add to the stress of the Christmas period. The logistics of including ex-spouses and partners for the benefit of the children potentially brings with it old tensions running between members of the family. Underlying issues between family members that are kept under control throughout the rest of the year often play out during this time. Rather trivial rows such as the washing up and the heating are much easier to focus on, and allow us to express how angry or upset we truly are whilst hiding the deeper issues between some family members. If you are currently caught up in a feud with a member of your family, you are not alone – as many as one in four of us are also in the middle of a feud. 14% of
people in a survey blamed personality clashes with family members as the cause of discord. But how can you stop this from ruining the big day? Well, if you know somebody who rubs you up the wrong way who you will see over the Christmas period, hold your cool around them. Not only will this keep tensions low, it will leave them looking rather silly when they attempt to gain a reaction from you. It is also worth realising that although we would all ideally get on, few of us experience the cheesy Christmas holidays seen on the TV adverts with the perfect families and Christmas dinner cooked to perfection. There will inevitably be times in which we all fall out and row with someone in our family. Old wounds do indeed run deep and Christmas is probably not the ideal time to start extending our hands to the people we’ve been hurt by. The most important part of any Christmas Day is to simply relax and try to have fun. And if it all goes horribly and disastrously wrong, feel free to hide a secret bottle of wonderfully fortified wine to guzzle and hope that a Christmas miracle will keep those floodgates of all things bad, firmly shut!
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