WINTER 2018
WALES #38
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STUDENT DISCOUNTS :: COMPETITIONS :: UPCOMING FILMS COOKING TIPS :: FITNESS ADVICE :: ONLINE GAMING AND MORE...
Auntie Anne’s
Unit Upper Ground 22, St David’s Dewi Sant Shopping Centre, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ Live between January 1st – 30th April 2018. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Must show advert from the Student Pocket Guide on phone and valid student ID when redeeming the offer. One discount per transaction. Only valid at Auntie Anne’s Cardiff. Drinks are excluded. Only one offer per transaction.
E D I T O R ’ S
L E T T E R
To kick-start this year with a sprinkle of positivity, here's a look back at a list of things that happened in 2017 which should make you smile: Grenoble, a city in France banned all outdoor advertising and replaced the signs with trees. Denmark became debt free for the rst time in 183 years. A 98-year-old woman has written almost 7,000 letters to men and women serving in the armed forces. A homeless man who helped young survivors of the Manchester attack was given a home re free for 6 months by West Ham United F.C. owner, and on a far rent more lighter note, we're back with a jam packed issue of the Student Pocket Guide, and it's full of bargains, deals and tips to see you through this term! Now that we're in good spirits, let's look forward to what we believe will be an amazing year, starting with some great news for sports fans because the Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games, FIFA World Cup and Ryder Cup are all taking place in 2018. NASA are launching InSight, a space probe on a mission to reach Mars. The disease Polio will be eradicated. Crossrail, one of Europe's largest ever transport projects opens in London. And if you read this magazine from page-to-page, you'll grab yourself some bargains and have a bit of spare cash in your pocket. So why not grab yourself a drink, relax and enjoy this terms issue of SPG - not only have we got loads of student discounts but read on for cooking tips, business start-up ideas, how to get your work published, upcoming movie releases, gaming reviews, student art, life hacks and interviews with Paloma Faith, Nick Grimshaw, Jonas Blue, Arden Rose and Borgore. Enjoy!
Ben Farrin Founder and Group MD
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Did you know a hedgehog’s heart beats more than 300 times a minute? Well now you do. The human thigh bone is stronger than concrete! You won’t want to break that anytime soon… You physically can’t kill yourself by holding your breath, no matter how hard you try! Not sure why you would attempt that, anyway. It is against the law to have a pet dog in Iceland. Well that just sounds miserable don’t you think? It is against the law to burp, sneeze, or fart in a church in Nebraska… Maybe give it a miss if you’re suffering with a cold or had a curry the night before? Dolphins sleep with one eye open at all times. Maybe they’re just paranoid. Most dust particles floating through the air are dead skin cells… You should probably hold your breath as much as you can from now on. Some worms get so stressed out they eat themselves! Sounds like a normal Monday morning, right? You can’t sneeze with your eyes open! And even if you did, they’d probably just pop out. Elephants are the only animal that can’t jump. Earthquakes would probably be much more common if they did…
Head for the water. Stock up on sh*t, get on a boat, and get out of there! Only make stops for supply runs but mostly stay on the water. Zombies don’t f*ck with the water.
I’d call my friends who are in The Walking Dead TV show. They’d probably know a thing or two about zombies.
We’d put our cowboy hats on and everything would be just fine!
We would go up to the top room of a pub we like to drink in called The Hawley Arms in Camden, lock the door and drink ourselves to death.
I’d probably stay in my house, get my pyjamas on, make sure everyone is around me who I love, like my friends, family, Mark and my dog, then I would get a massive Chinese takeaway and watch a really nice film.
If you can’t beat them, join them!
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Whether you’re going to the gym for the very first time or you’ve switched to a new gym, it can certainly be a daunting proposition. But as a total gym newbie you may feel lost and have no idea what does what and where you should start; it can be overwhelming. Here are a few of the best beginner exercises using standard gym equipment to help you start your fitness journey in transforming yourself into a fitter and healthier version of you!
Targeting all your leg muscles including your glutes, hamstrings, calves, and quadriceps, the leg press is a simplistic and easy to use machine that will help to tone your legs and develop a stronger lower body. It’s surprising how many people neglect their lower body during workouts despite some of the largest muscle groups being located there! Don’t skip leg day!
This machine works to strengthen your outer back (latussimus) muscles and of course your biceps. Using this basic machine will allow you to move onto bodyweight pull ups once you believe you are strong enough.
The chest press machine will work one of the main muscle groups; the pectoral muscles. It will also help to strengthen your triceps, as you grow your chest bigger and stronger – it’s a great exercise for newbies wanting to bulk up their physique.
The seated row machine will effectively work your central back (rhomboids) muscles and help you to develop a stronger back. It’s vital you equally work out muscles on opposing sides of your body; no one wants to look lop-sided and you will benefit from far better posture.
You guessed it – the shoulder press machine works your shoulders. They are a large group of muscles which, when built upon, create a fuller physique. If you were to neglect the large muscle groups then you could be looking at muscular imbalances. So for an all-round toned body, be sure to target all areas. Remember, before you use resistance machines; be sure to warm up on lighter weights doing at least three sets of eight on each exercise.
Cardio is often forgotten by many gym goers whose long term goals are to bulk. Regular cardio workouts such as 30 minutes on the treadmill or the cross trainer promotes a stronger heart and set of lungs as well as increased bone density and weight loss. The endorphins released during cardio exercises also aids stress relief and an improved mood.
We had a chance to catch up with the next breakthrough UK global superstar Jonas Blue, who has taken the music scene by storm since his first single ‘Fast Car’ - a smash hit which hit number 2 in the UK charts. Jonas reveals to us his plans for the future, including details of an up and coming events brand and an exciting new merch line, and shares some valuable advice for aspiring musicians. Interview by Ben Farrin Hey Jonas, you’ve had a monumental couple of years any particular highlights that stand out for you? Yes, one of my first big international shows was playing the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City to around 100 thousand people. That was a memorable moment for sure.
I think we’ve actually met many years ago - when I was around 15, I used to work at Shoosh Records in Theobalds Grove/Waltham Cross (which sadly closed down). I used to sell vinyl and worked with Mark and Danny - I used
I once slipped as I was getting down off a stage in Paris - I tried to style it out but a lot of people saw.
You’ve already got 3 Top 5 UK Singles under your belt, and have worked alongside massive names. Is there anyone in particular you’d like to work with in the future? I’d love to work with Shawn Mendez, Liam Payne, and Camilla Cabelo - but nothing’s confirmed yet.
to love that job, basically getting paid to mix. What was the first job you ever had? Wow, that’s going back! My first job was in a record shop too; 4-The Record in Woodford. What’s the best thing about Essex?
... I’m in the countryside of Essex now, and it’s amazing. What with your huge rise to fame, you must have travelled to pretty much every country. Is there anywhere you haven’t been where you’d like to go? Australia and India are definitely on the list!
Of all the places you’ve visited, where would you most like to revisit and why? I’d love to go back to Thailand and have some more time to enjoy it, usually with the touring I’m in and out – Thailand’s beaches and islands look so amazing.
You’ve had a huge amount of chart success and your songs have received over 2 billion streams! What’s next on your vision board? I just launched the radio show, along with an events brand ‘electronic nature’ which is going to be growing in 2018. I’m also about to start a merch line! As well as being an incredible producer, DJ and songwriter, you also spot new talent. Is there anything in particular you look for when doing this? Something unique and special – I’m searching for that goosebumps feeling! What input do you and your team have with upcoming musicians you work alongside? It’s all me and my team who make the decisions on who I’m working with; different collaborations come about in different ways but usually it’s someone me or my manager have been connected with who we feel is a good fit. Do you get nervous? Not really, more adrenalin than nerves!
Can you tell us about your upcoming night Electronic Nature? Yes, we’re taking Electronic Nature to Electric Brixton on 27th January. EDX, Marvin Humes and I will be playing the tunes and we’re going to put on a serious party. Are you constantly working on music, or do you manage to find time to unwind? Actually this month (January) I’m going to have some time off at home. What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you? I once slipped as I was getting down off a stage in Paris - I tried to style it out but a lot of people saw. I did my ankle in too, which wasn’t great just before having to play for 2 hours. If you could give our readers one piece of advice, what would it be? If you’re making music then firstly do it for the passion and love of the music, not to make money, and secondly don’t be afraid to take influence from others but be sure to find your own sound!
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START
Welcome back to START, where we showcase a range of student art, from across the UK.
Anna Urbanska - Fashion / Costume Design Queen Mary University of London
Gabriella Winter - Fashion Design University of East London
Teresa Rego - Illustration University of Arts London
Ceira Crainer - Contemporary Arts Bath Spa University
Becky Glending - Illustration / Graphic Design Canterbury Christ Church University
Seiza Friedrich - Fine Art Glyndwr University School of Creative Arts
START in association with:
If you would like to have your work showcased in the next edition, send your submission, along with your full name and place of study to: info@pocketmediagroup.co.uk. If the le size is larger than 1MB please use a third party le transfer service. Otherwise your email might not reach us!
Are you an aspiring journalist or videographer? Do you want your work seen potentially by millions of people and multinational companies? Then why not contribute with us? By becoming an SPG contributor you will gain access to a contributor login area, which will enable you to send articles directly to our site, for us to check. Once approved, your work will be published for the world to see. You can also include links to your socials and write a bio on your personal author page, which will link to all of your SPG articles. Many of our contributors have gone on to land amazing media jobs with the likes of BBC, Channel 4, Sky and The Guardian newspaper!
We’re expanding and looking for specific writers on the following subjects: TRENDING TOPICS GAMING/TECHNOLOGY MOVIES/MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT SPORT/TRAVEL/EVENTS If you’re interested in getting your work out there and wish to become an SPG contributor, please follow the simple steps below:
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Submit an article – this will automatically create a contributor account. You’ll then be sent a connrmation email containing your password. Log in and update your proole, including social links, a proole picture and bio.
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We will receive a notiication that you’ve sent us an article, check your feature, add the category, SEO keywords and approve it. You’ll also be automatically rewarded with 10 points each time one of your articles is approved. The contributor with the most points at the end of each month will be featured on the home page of our website and win a mystery prize. We’ve also launched two brand new websites/digital publications, the Travel Pocket Guide and Food Pocket Guide, which both have contribution opportunities.
‘Tis the season to be...
Golden
Register for 20%* OFF a package & lotion. First tanning session FREE! 20% Student discount all year round. REGISTER TODAY AT THETANNINGSHOP.CO.UK *Terms and Conditions: Subject to registration and consultation. Over-18’s only. Discounts can only be used on UV equipment & bottles of lotion. Discount cannot be used on Unlimited Memberships or in conjunction with any other offer. Discounts only valid for 7 days from registration. Free session length is determinded by skin type and tanning history. Offer excludes Lakeside and Enfield. Student discount valid on packages only. Not in conjunction with any other offer.
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SEE THE BEST OF BRITISH MARINE LIFE AT ANGLESEY SEA ZOO. IT’S IS A FUN AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL AGES! Did you know that an octopus has blue blood? At Anglesey Sea Zoo you can get up close and personal with over 150 fascinating British species and discover interesting facts about well known animals and less common ones.
Ever wondered what lurks in the seas around the coast of Wales and Britain? Would you like to know all about British seas and the kind of creatures that live in them? Want to see sharks, seahorses, octopus, lobsters and other exciting British marine animals up close and learn all about them? Then this is the place for you! As well seeing all our animals, you can learn all about British marine habitats and the research and conservation work which is helping to save them, both here and further afield, including our British seahorse breeding programme and the Lobster Hatchery of Wales. Experience British marine habitats including a colourful reef and incredible invertebrates in the No Bone Zone, the wolf fish lair, a real crashing wave, an eerie shipwreck brimming with conger eels and a kelp forest full of big fish.
Did you know that in seahorses it is the male that gets pregnant? Get nose-to-nose with our life-size replica of a 26 foot basking shark and the world’s greatest turtle, our 6 foot leatherback model. Enjoy delicious home cooked cakes, snacks, meals and daily specials all made from the best locally sourced produce in our licensed Café and visit our superb Gift Shop, well stocked with a huge range of gifts, souvenirs, toys, confectionery and local produce. We guarantee there’s something for everyone! We have group discounts and exciting interactive packages, including rock pool rummages and daily fish feeds, presentations and interactive sessions throughout the school holidays. Free adventure playground and giant Octojump bouncy castle with slide, crazy golf and outdoor picnic sites. Stroll along the shores of the picturesque Menai Strait with a backdrop of the Snowdonia mountain range.
Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn, Isle of Anglesey, LL61 6TQ 01248 430411 • post@angleseyseazoo.co.uk
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There’s enough to keep you occupied all day, inside and outdoors! It’s a Splashing Day Out for all the family.
Some of the biggest and best businesses are started from a bedroom. Mark Zuckerberg, for example, launched Facebook from his Harvard University dormitory in February 2004. He’s now estimated to be worth $74.2 billion as of November 2017, and in 2016 was ranked as the fifth richest person in the world by Forbes. So, as we enter into a New Year, what are you waiting for? We’ve listed some business start-up ideas you can launch whilst at university.
Internet spending is increasing (with no signs of slowing down), and it’s no surprise considering how easy it is to order your favourite items online via your mobile phone. One in four purchases are made via the web according to Nominet, and a staggering £68.2bn was spent online in the last year alone. The size of the e-commerce market is predicted to double in 2018, and platforms such as eBay and Amazon have made it easier for students to start selling products online. It’s also more simple than ever to create a website on a budget and market your business to the exact target market.
Blogging and vlogging are big business. They might seem saturated, but if you focus on specific sectors and create a unique tone, focus and layout, a blog can generate additional income to help pay for things whilst you’re a student. Even WordPress - one of the most common blogging platforms - was created by a university student. You can enter the blogging industry with very low setup costs. To start from scratch, simply buy your chosen domain name, which you can now get for 99p, and then upload a site template to the domain. Then start populating your blog with unique and engaging content. If it takes off, you can look at running sponsored posts and advertising.
Google estimates the UK’s app industry will be worth over £30bn by 2025, and research shows that there will be 2.7 billion smartphone users by 2018. Whilst the app industry is competitive, if you have a unique idea then there’s nothing stopping you from entering this space. With the help of a developer, it is possible to develop a basic app for as little as £500 for Android, or £800 for iOS. The process could take about 6 months, so what better time to start than whilst being at university or college?
It’s very simple, and practically cost-free. Decide which skills you possess, and which you’d prefer to outsource, then research online and register as a freelance provider. Just remember to register as a sole trader with HM Revenue & Customs - you don’t want to get hit with a fine for not paying your income tax and National Insurance. Make sure to research the cost of the service you intend on providing, and price yourself reasonably within the market.
This one’s very different to the other ideas, but get it right, and there’s no reason why your event can’t go national; selling branded merchandise, making money from ticket sales, and possibly getting a percentage of the bar takings. If this idea takes your fancy, our advice would be to market the event properly - use Facebook, flyers, and talk about the event everywhere you go. Most importantly, do what is necessary to get people through the door. Negotiating with artists, venues and thinking about how many tickets you’ll need to sell to break even and make a profit should be critical elements of your business plan. Some venues will provide space for free, and sometimes it might be the second event where you start to make money.
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A GUIDE:
Paying the deposit and signing a contract When you pay a deposit make sure you have a written receipt for the money you paid; this should include your landlord’s name and address. You should also be wary of clauses in your tenancy agreement that state your landlord can deduct charges from your deposit. If you spot any, try negotiating on them before you sign the contract.
When you move in
Draw attention to any outstanding repairs or damages that were made before you moved in (maybe by previous tenants). You can agree an inventory with your landlord so they can’t claim for any damage caused before you moved in. Photos are an efficient way of proving what condition the property was in when you moved in and how it looked when you left. Make sure photos (and maybe videos) are labelled with dates. When it comes to utility bills, take meter readings upon arrival and send these to your supplier to ensure you don’t get charged for the bills from the previous tenants.
During your tenancy
Look after the property and report any damages and repairs, and keep email records of correspondence with your landlord regarding any repairs.
Moving out
Have a look over your tenancy agreement and check what you need to do to get back your deposit and perhaps avoid any charges that apply. Make sure you remove all your belongings and clean the property fully. Don’t forget to take utility meter readings to prove final bills were paid.
What if my deposit isn’t returned? If you believe you are entitled to your deposit and they haven’t returned it to you after four weeks, you have the opportunity to raise a dispute through your tenancy deposit protection scheme. But remember, the dispute must be raised within three months after the end of your tenancy.
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Becoming a parent is just about the biggest event in anyone’s lives, bringing with it a raft of challenges and unforeseen scenarios that potentially pose the sternest of tests. For Paloma Faith, the experience of being a new mum may have left her wondering where her next night’s sleep might ever be coming from, yet it’s brought a renewed sense of purpose and focus to her music. “I’m trying to juggle being a mother and a singer. I have no idea how I am managing, but I am somehow,” she laughs, recounting her whirlwind existence recording her fourth studio album. The 36-year old Londoner has already amassed an enviable career over the past decade that has seen her become the only female artist beyond Adele to have three double platinum recordings to her name.
While it’s been a road requiring plenty of hard graft, her artfully soulful sound and quirky style have undoubtedly played their part in propelling the Hackney-born star to success. The singer’s latest offering, The Architect, follows boldly in its predecessors’ footsteps, showcasing her distinctive powerful vocals that have earned comparisons with everyone from 60’s icons such as Etta James and Billie Holiday, through to the late Amy Winehouse. As she admits, she’s hoping her latest work, partly recorded in America, might yet crack the elusive holy grail of top slot in the album charts. If the slick, yet lyrically reflective lead single Crybaby is anything to go by, then the signs are indeed looking promising. It seems the singer is enjoying a comparatively settled phase of her life living with French boyfriend Leyman Lahcine, and it’s apparent that starting a family has directly influenced her music.
“I do feel my approach to music has changed since I’ve become a parent which does have an impact. With difficult things that are happening in the world, you feel protective and want to make things comfortable for your family. “I think things are changing in our history and maybe not for the better, which is something I’m concerned about. I feel there’s a sense of duty to talk about events.” Much like any other artist in the limelight, her rise has come with the perhaps inevitable burden of being followed around by the ever-hungry paparazzi. Everyone from Hello magazine through to the national red-top national papers has been waiting to secure pictures of her new youngster, whom she is keen to shield from un-necessary public attention. “I value my privacy more so than ever now, as it’s a real responsibility being a parent, and I want my child to know itself first rather than everyone else feeling that they know all about them.” Such determination to do things on her own terms has proved a consistent theme throughout her career, and something that has helped her stand out from the crowd. As she recalls of her childhood in East London, the half-Spanish artist says that she always had something of a creative streak. However, it was far from obvious that she was destined to become a singer, with her initial studies being at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. “Growing up in Hackney, I was surrounded by lots of different types of music - from my mum, I remember listening to plenty of revolutionary music from the 60’s such as Bob Dylan, while my dad was really into jazz, which is where my interest in all that comes from. “Later, when I was studying, I got into R and B dancehall as well, and originally I wanted to be a dancer. Then I did my musical theatre, and I think that music just chose me,” she explains of her formative years.
From her early CV that spanned everything from being a life model, cabaret dancer and bartender, to a gig as a magician’s assistant, her rich experiences have offered plenty of tales and adventures to fuel her inventive songwriting. As if to underline her determination, she famously walked out on a deal for a record contract when the agent watching her refused to stop texting on his phone. Needless to say, it was very much his loss, and the wider music industry’s gain, for Paloma then secured a major deal that set in motion her strikingly memorable debut album. To her credit, Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful? blazed a trail into the top 10, and proceeded to lodge in the album charts for the next 100 weeks. But how does she look back on it now? “Well, that was nearly 10 years ago, and it was what it was. But I think it is great that I’ve managed to sustain a career as unfortunately not many people get to make more than one or two albums these days,” reflects the singer on what she feels is now an oversaturated market. By her own admission, trying to sustain a fanbase and avoiding the trap of merely recreating a formula for previous hits has offered plenty of challenges.
But as she enthuses, she is not one to rest on her laurels, and ‘likes to mix things up a bit’ which is certainly the case with her latest material. While her towering vocal abilities have continued to garner contrasts with the late Amy Winehouse, it’s something Paloma is entirely at ease with. “I’m flattered by comparisons to Amy. It’s not something I am offended by, though I am quite different. “When she met me once, she asked if I played an instrument, but I said no, and she said that was a shame as she would really have liked someone like me in her group.
“I was a massive fan of hers, and after watching the documentary about her life, I actually wrote a song for her, Price of Fame, which is on the new album. Her death was such a tragedy,” adds the vocalist with a note of sadness. Her down-to-earth manner is a breath of fresh air in an industry awash with egos...
and her willingness to give something back was seen with her time on The Voice series. Beyond being a vocal mentor, she was determined to help those under her wing with additional songwriting classes. As for her own career, having been nominated several times for a Brit Award, persistence paid off two years ago as she claimed a long-awaited win in the best female solo artist category. Being in an industry that is often quick to cast judgment, she felt there was a real sense of vindication in claiming the coveted accolade. “It was amazing to win the Brit Award and to finally gain some acknowledgement. I come from a long line of people that haven’t really been acknowledged for what they did. I think there are a lot of people out there doing important work, like doctors and nurses who don’t get that recognition they should.” With a major award to her name, there has been plenty of hype surrounding her latest release, bolstered by notable additions including an appearance from Samuel L Jackson and a duet with singer songwriter John Legend in the mix. Besides the album, fans will have to wait a little longer for her next UK tour, which kicks off in March. It’s destined to feature some of Paloma’s trademark self-designed sets to spark the tone for a hit-packed series of shows. “The only reason I do what I’m doing is because I love touring – as when I’m out there I am excited and feel that I’m in the right place,” adds the engaging singer, who may well have a little more to think about with a young child in tow, yet it won’t stop her from enjoying every single moment.
Who said these delicious drinks can only be enjoyed during the summer? Here are some winter themed smoothies you can enjoy when it’s cold.
Treat your sweet tooth with this peanut buttery goodness – not to mention it’s packed full of protein and potassium! Just chuck all the ingredients in a high powered blender and watch your creamy creation come to life. ½ cup milk ½ cup water 1 small banana, sliced and frozen 2 tbsp natural peanut butter (smooth) 2 tbsp chia seeds 1 pinch of salt
Not only is this one incredibly delicious and perfect for the full winter months – ginger comes with plenty of health benefits including anti-inflammatory effects and support for your immune system! No winter flu for you. Throw it all in a blender! ¼ cup sliced banana, frozen 2 grams plain Greek yogurt 2 tbsp raw almond butter 1 tsp grated fresh ginger ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp nutmeg 1 cup ice
Hear us out – this isn’t as strange as it sounds. Don’t worry; you don’t just throw an apple pie in the blender! This will make you think you’re drinking your nan’s famous dessert. ¾ cup vanilla yogurt 1 cup ice 1 apple, seeded and diced 1 tbsp maple syrup ¼ tsp cinnamon
Enjoy a seasonally appropriate smoothie that’s also good for you! Cinnamon never tasted as good as this. Slam dunk it all in the blender and blitz it! 1 cup of water 1 tbsp almond butter 1 pear, cored 3 tbsp hemp seeds 3 fresh or dried figs ½ inch piece of ginger ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
With just 6 basic ingredients you can whip this up! Don’t worry, you won’t be chewing on the oats – they’ll be properly blended into the mix to make it thick and creamy! 15g dark chocolate, melted 1 cup almond milk 20g rolled oats ½ a ripe, medium sized banana 10 almonds 5g chia seeds
A roast potato is like Sir Ian Mckellen; iconically British and will steal the show from whatever it’s placed near. Perfect potatoes are the holy grail of a Sunday roast and will either make or break the meal. No, these won’t be as good as your grandma’s, but still, this is a pretty good start.
1kg Potatoes: The first step is choosing the right potato. You want a floury one like King Edward or Maris Piper. This makes the roasties fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Oil or goose fat: (Goose fat is ideal but it’s expensive so maybe save this for Christmas. I know this sounds crazy, but a 50/50 mix of olive oil and vegetable oil works really well.)
1. Turn on the oven to around 180. 2. Peel the potatoes and cut them up. Now, when you’re boiling them you don’t want them to fall apart, you just want them to be a bit scruffy around the edges. 3. While the potatoes are boiling, heat the oil or fat in a baking tray in the oven. You want this as hot as possible. 4. Very carefully, take the baking tray out and place the potatoes one at a time onto the tray. This is boiling fat so you kind of want to be slow and steady here – maybe use the pinchers. When they are all in the tray, brush them over with the fat/oil to make sure they get crispy on top. Then add a pinch of sea salt and some sprigs of rosemary. 5. Place it in the oven and check on them in about 30 mins. Turn them over and pop them back in the oven for another 30 minutes. Fluffy, crispy and golden. Bask in your family’s praise and admiration.
If you’re a high school student, college student, or a university student, then you are more than likely living either pay check to pay check, can only work weekends, or you’ve blown your student loan on pizza deliveries. Having a rather unhealthy bank balance isn’t an uncommon monthly occurrence for you and you are far too familiar with the struggles it brings...
While your friends in full time work are having the time of their lives in your local shopping centre, you’re simply “window shopping”. Browsing through the things you want but can never afford. You even get heart palpitations when you turn over the price tag.
Despite your pleas, your mates decide to split the bill evenly at the end of the night because it’s ‘only fair’ ...even though you only ordered a chicken salad. How rude. When your mates’ birthdays are coming up and you have to do that awkward, “I can’t afford a gift right now, but I will get you one at some point…” And you both know you’re lying. It’s even worse when they bought you a rather lavish gift for your own birthday – how are you meant to top that?
Sweat trickles down your face everytime you pull out your card - will it get declined this time? Is there anything in my bank? You just stick it in the machine and cross your fingers.
You’re so broke you don’t even want to know how broke you are. You avoid checking your balance at all costs and just hope for the best. If you can’t see the problem, the problem doesn’t exist right?
On the other hand, you might be one of those who monitor your account like a hawk, making sure there is the exact right amount for you to be able to pay your phone bill at the end of the month.
Forget running a car; you can’t even afford the lessons. You’re convinced you’ll still be biking and walking everywhere until the day you die.
presents
What is TRIBE all about?
TRIBE is a feature on the SPG website where you can register for free and complete simple tasks to earn points and win prizes. Select which category/prize you’d like to play for and watch your points rack up as you complete tasks (unlocking achievements along the way to play for higher value prizes)! Keep an eye on the leaderboard for your position in the league and keep unlocking those achievements until you reach TRIBE Chief, allowing you to play for the highest value competitions.
Earning Points
On you’ve selected the prize you’d like to Once win, be sure to check out the ‘Earn Points’ tab. The number of points you can earn depends speciically on the task you complete. TRIBE also rewards additional points to its more active users, further increasing their chances of winning, so don’t forget to come back daily to earn ea the daily bonus points!
Play for high value prizes now!
For a limited time only, all TRIBE members can compete for the highest value prizes! Usually, the highest value competitions are reserved for members who have unlocked the relevant achievements. We’ve already given away £300 worth of travel money, headphones worth £150 signed by world famous DJ YvesV, festival tickets and more! So what are you waiting for, head on over to our website, register to TRIBE for free and start earning points to win some amazing prizes!
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TribeComps.co.uk
captaindangerous Figure photographer and collector Kyleigh Parker kindly allowed us to showcase her gaming themed portfolio. We particularly adore her homage to Luigi’s mansion, along with the shot of Link relaxing under a tree, presumably in Hyrule eld. Follow @captaindangerous on Instagram for regular nostalgia educing beauty!
Sonic Mania’s 2017 release date doesn’t revoke its right to be retro. If you’re not up to speed, this 2D sidescroller was designed to serve as a love letter to the early Sonic fanboys of the 90s, featuring re-imaginations of classic stages, fine tuned controls, and gorgeous presentation. But does Sonic Mania live up to fan expectations?
Sonic Mania proves how beautiful HD sprites can look when handled well on a modern console. The broad, vibrant colour palette paired with the 60FPS frame rate solidifies Sonic Mania’s position as the best looking classic Sonic game to date. From a visual standpoint, Press Garden Zone Act 2 is the highlight of the entire game - its winter blossom theme makes perfect use of the aforementioned colour palette. If you’re not convinced about sprite graphics holding up in 2017, you seriously need to check it out. Unfortunately, I ran into a few dips in the frame rate during my multiple play-throughs, even after the post launch patch. They were brief and infrequent enough to not get annoying, but it’s still disappointing that these kinds of issues would exist while running a Sonic game on modern hardware.
Tee Lopes was selected to compose Sonic Mania’s soundtrack, thanks to his popular remixes of classic Sonic tracks on YouTube, along with his work on the Sonic 2 HD fan project. The soundtrack itself has even had an official release on vinyl, which the Sonic merch hoarders out there are sure to be all over. Lopes has done a fantastic job rearranging classic tracks for Mania’s re-imagined stages, as well as creating original tracks which fit in with the new stage themes nicely. Studiopolis Act 1 is a standout example of this: its catchy, ‘Hollywood-esque’ vibe compliments the stage’s film studio theme perfectly. I’d highly recommend giving it a listen if you want to get a feel for what this soundtrack has to offer. Just be warned that you’ll be muttering the phrase “Lights, Camera, Action!” for days.
Sonic gameplay is, by design, much faster than most other platformers - but just holding right on the joystick and hoping for the best isn’t going to get you anywhere. You have to balance outright speed with precision: play too carefully, and you may run out of time. Focus on speed alone, and you could easily get a game over after some accidental deaths. Getting the balance right gives you a great sense of accomplishment. Sonic has been given a brand new move: the Drop Dash. By holding the jump button down while airborne, players can charge a classic Spin Dash which will activate upon landing – giving you a short burst of speed. There were a few occasions where I unintentionally triggered it, due to my bad habit of holding the jump button while airborne in any platformer (Thanks a lot, Super Mario World). However, this never led to any deaths thanks to the forgiving level design, and after some experience I easily adjusted.
While Sonic Mania’s frame rate may suffer from the odd hiccup, its visuals are absolutely stunning and its soundtrack is a genuine treat to the ears. Gameplay will feel smooth and familiar to long term fans of the series, while new players will need to get a grasp of the basics before delving into the later stages. With a little patience, it’s a vastly enjoyable learning curve. Additionally, the new Drop Dash move fits in well without being too situational, or a gimmick. I only hope that future 2D Sonic games are handled by the same developers, and that they stick to completely original stages the next time around - they’re the most enjoyable moments for long term fans who are bored of playing Green Hill Zone for the 1000th time. Whatever the future may hold for the series, only this is certain: Sonic Mania is one game the fans will keep coming back to.
Enchanting, fun, and addictive, these German engineered board games from worldrenowned game publisher Kosmos help develop a number of valuable skills and qualities.
www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk
With an exciting new year of online gaming ahead of us, let’s look back on the absolute highlights.
This gem of a game type made its debut in Halo: Reach, and was then never included in another Halo title since. Why this is the case remains a baffling decision to those who loved the fresh experience in 2010. To sum up, a team of Spartans is tasked with defending their base from an opposing team of Elites, and as the Elites gain more and more territory, Spartans must fall back and make use of their various power weapons and vehicles to hold them off. It was the closest Halo ever got to feeling like a Battlefield game, and we loved it. The large scale maps, new vehicles such as the falcon, and the option to spawn on team mates collectively allowed a level of teamwork never before present in the series, while managing to stay true to Halo’s roots. That makes it all the more tragic that depending on the time of the week, finding enough players within the Invasion playlist to successfully start a game can be pretty difficult at best, and near impossible at worst. After all, it has been almost eight years since Bungie’s swan song to Halo was released. (Feeling old yet, millennials?)
Today, gamers are often faced with questions like this: do I buy the standard edition, the deluxe edition, the super deluxe edition, or the super deluxe definitive edition? The super deluxe edition may grant you access to all of the game’s future DLC, but the super deluxe definitive edition unlocks an exclusive character for only £10 more. What a world we live in. Additionally, micro transactions force you to pay for certain in game outfits, weapons and upgrades, after you’ve seemingly bought a full game. In the case of 2017’s Star Wars Battlefront 2, EA caused outrage by taking micro transactions further: you couldn’t even pay a few pounds for a certain weapon upgrade, but instead had to pay for a chance to get what you wanted. (You had a good chance of getting repeats). That’s why we recommend hopping into a game of Star Wars Battlefront 2 - the 2005 version. Online play has been brought back for the classic Star Wars shooter on both Steam and GOG, and it’s as fun as we remember it ever being. In fact, once you get used to the older graphics, we find it a hell of a lot better than the new version.
This was a brilliant online cooperative mode, and the objective was dead simple: with a limited number of lives, you and up to 3 friends had to eliminate a set number of AI enemies. You could adjust the difficultly, the number of enemies and even the density of their spawns. There’s also the option to set a time limit for added tension, and a wide variety of maps for you and your friends to conquer. It’s extremely tense on the harder difficulties, so anyone looking for a challenge will be in for a blast. But if you’re still not convinced, this next feature is what really set the experience apart from the crowd... Rainbow Six Vegas 2 contains one of the only instances of Microsoft’s ill fated Xbox Live Vision Camera being put to good use: you could use it to import your face into the game. And if you thought the Kinect’s face scanning ability looked bad in 2015, you should see what 2008 had to offer. Imagine printing out a 2D photo of your face, and then attempting to spread this over your actual face. That’s pretty much what the game did to your custom character, and it’s so laughably awful that we couldn’t get enough of it. We may love it for the wrong reasons, but online gaming has never provided a funnier experience since.
Rockstar’s second attempt at an old western themed, open world game offered a unique and immersive online experience. Just like GTA acts as an urban simulator, Red Dead acted as a western simulator - you could ride horses, go hunting, compete for territory in ‘land grab’, clear out gang hideouts, go on a maniacal killing spree to become the town’s most wanted criminal, or play the hero - hunting down criminals for their bounties - all while unlocking various weapons and mounts as you gained experience points. You could also invite players to enter poker games, more traditional team death matches, cooperative story missions, and even zombie survival maps (provided you’d bought the incredible ‘Undead Nightmare’ DLC). We simply couldn’t list all of Red Dead’s features in one article. You could imagine the fans’ disappointment, therefore, when hackers infected the servers, making global online play next to impossible. If you were thinking of buying this classic, be warned that multiplayer will pretty much be limited to private online games with your friends.
What kind of a multiplayer highlights list would this be if we only included one Halo game? Upon its release in 2007, the holy grail of the Halo franchise boasted a variety of great multiplayer maps and game modes. The ability to easily create and share custom maps and game types offered an online console experience like none other at the time, which led to the establishment of a dedicated community. From Zombie survival modes to sumo wrestling, from virtual sports such as ‘Grifball’ to intense 1v1 slayer - there really was something for everyone. Another feature ahead of its time was theatre mode, which allowed players to watch, save and edit replays of their games, and then share these clips with their friends. Today, this functionality comes built in to consoles, and is used by pretty much everyone. Sadly, most of the player base has moved over to The Master Chief Collection, which disastrously only features a fraction of Halo 3’s game types within the multiplayer playlists, and somehow doesn’t include as intuitive of a file sharing system, or community features in general, even though Halo 3 nailed it seven years beforehand.
The internet and our digital devices have provided us with the ability to track our lives and the world via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many more social media channels. It’s a blessing and a curse to be living in a time which is so technologically advanced.
We’re guilty of showcasing our lives online just like millions of others across the world, but it is having negative effects on our health. Going on a digital detox comes with some unexpected health benefits...
If your phone isn’t in your hand or back pocket vibrating every two minutes like it normally is, you’re going to get a lot more done in the real world. Being online or on your phone 24/7 will make you feel detached from reality. Less distraction and less procrastination mean a more productive attitude. Have someone take your phone and any other digital distractions away from you when you know you have more important things to do such as an assignment; you’ll notice your work will be done much quicker.
Stepping away from the virtual world for a few days will allow you to do some meaningful connecting with other people around you. You will appreciate the company of others and even develop some new relationships. Online relationships aren’t as satisfying as the ones you make in real life, and we should be making more of an effort to maintain our relationships with loved ones.
Without the distraction of your phone or the internet, you’ll find you will have more time to relax and think about the things which really matter. Feeling relaxed will also be down to having more hours in your day to do all of those important things, as opposed to spending them with your eyes fixed on a screen. Falling asleep will also be easier and your stress levels will drop. A peaceful mind makes a peaceful life!
We’re part of a generation where it feels strange and sometimes scary to not have our phone in our hands or in our pocket at all times. You probably try to do three different things all at once while still holding your phone in fear you’ll miss an important notification! You should switch it off, put it away, and see how much more quickly you can get other things done! Know that there will be no dramatic changes in the time it will take to do the hoovering.
Nick Grimshaw is one of television and radio’s hottest new presenting talents. Chances are you’ll recognise his Oldham accent, skinny jeans and trademark quiff. Nick is best known for having hosted a variety of shows on BBC Radio 1. If you catch their Breakfast Show during the week, he will no doubt be on the mic.
Hi Nick! How are you? I’m really good thanks! You’ve been a successful host on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show since 2012! How do you keep your show so current and interesting? I like being on the internet, consuming stuff and consuming pop culture just naturally, so it never feels like a job to me. But I guess that is a job; staying on top of things. I naturally want to do that anyway. I just think that by doing as much reading, watching, and listening to as much music as possible, you can always find something to talk about. With a breakfast show, your life kind of becomes the show. Whatever you’re doing, experiencing or watching will become content for the show. I bet waking up early in the mornings to start the show at 6:30am was hard to get used to! Oh my God, yes it was. When I started it was a real shock to me, as I was doing my night time show before that. I was almost nocturnal, finishing work at midnight, and not getting in ‘till like 4 in the morning. I didn’t have to be in work until 8pm, so starting the breakfast show was the complete opposite. Getting up at 5 was a real struggle to start with, and I was so tired all of the time, but you just get used to it. I love getting up in the morning now.
What’s your morning routine and how do you think it would help students get out of bed? When I was a student, I was always late. I couldn’t deal with mornings whatsoever. To deal with the early mornings now though, I always have to plan ahead what I’m going to wear the next day. It saves so much time as I literally wake up, get in the shower and get dressed; it’s the easiest start to a day as your outfit is ready to go. I always have to eat breakfast as soon as I wake up too; nothing other than food wakes me up. I think listening to good music in the mornings is so important, as it gets you in the mood for the day. We’re really conscious when we’re doing the show of making sure we play what people want to hear. I think what you’re listening to really puts you in a good mood! I always listen to music on the way to work and it definitely helps! How much prep goes into your radio show? I’ve always wondered if celebrities turn up not knowing what to say, so do you have to prep them No, not really. If it’s a movie star, I’ll obviously watch their film and if it’s an artist, I’ll make sure I listen to them. I work on that naturally and make sure I become a fan of who I’m interviewing. I’ll watch their videos and listen to their album so I know what to talk about. I always try to ask questions I really want to know the answer to, not just necessarily about someone’s album. It’s good to get personal in a positive way so you have more to talk about. Yes, definitely.
You’ve conducted countless interviews during your time at Radio 1. How do you get around asking questions you know people probably won’t want to answer? I never want to be mean to anyone, I never want to make anyone feel awkward and I especially don’t want anyone to feel as if I’m stitching them up. It just depends on what the question is and who they are. I guess you could ask pretty much anything. If they’re a reality star and made their success, fame and money from telling people about their life, I think you can ask them anything as their business is their life. So it really depends with everyone who comes into the studio; I’d never ask someone something they wouldn’t want to answer. There’s definitely ways of getting around it. What’s been the most awkward interview you’ve ever had with someone on the show? You know what; no one has actually been that awkward, like, at all. Everyone’s been pretty good. People come in and they’re just so tired as they don’t naturally wake up early. Being on air at 7am means they will probably get up at 6am, minimum. People are tried, but no one’s moody or stroppy. Speaking to all of these A-list stars most mornings must be a pretty wicked way to start your day off. When you first started, how did you prepare yourself without freaking out? I guess you never really know what to expect when meeting someone new. I did used to get really nervous about people I’ve seen on films or at a gig. I talk to people all day; I talk to listeners, people I work with and guests. I’ve never met a famous person who’s wanted to be treated differently; they’re all human and just want to talk. I think radio is quite a nice way to interview someone, as it’s just you and them in a room with no audience. They know they’re not on live TV so they feel less self conscious. You’ve spoken to a lot of people, and I think that makes it so much easier. Is there anyone you haven’t yet interviewed who you’d love to tick off your check list? I’d love to interview Missy Elliot. I’ve loved her ever since I was a kid. I’d also love to interview Prince, I’d have so much to ask him. Madonna would be amazing as she was the blueprint for female pop stars. We have so many great female pop stars, so I’d love to know what she thinks of them all.
Can you tell us about your relationship with Harry Styles? From what I’ve seen, you guys seem like really good mates. We’ve been friends for years now. We met from just being in the same industry I guess. It’s quite nice that you can make friends through the industry and through meeting people, and he’s one of those people. He’s been on the show a few times. So let’s talk about Jan Slam, seeing as it’s nearly here! Can you tell us a bit more about it? So this is going to be loads of fun, we did it last year and it’s so great. We want to give away prizes, as January can be so boring and miserable, you’ve got no money because it’s just been Christmas, and everyone’s being healthy and not drinking, it can be a tough month. So every single day of January, we’re going to give some prizes away, but not any usual prizes, insane money prizes which you can’t buy. Last year you could win tickets to every single festival in the U.K, or we took you to Paris with the 1975. There’s going to be prizes across everything like sport, music, film, TV, entertainment and just absolutely everything; prizes you could never buy. I’m so excited. Such an amazing thing to do! Can you name any prizes at this stage? That’s the only thing - I can’t tell you at the moment. They’re all amazing, and the stuff which we’re doing is nuts. Expect some really great stuff all month. A few of the prizes are things I’d love to do and have never done before. Putting it all together and coming up with these prizes must have been a lot of fun. Lastly, have you ever turned up to work after a really heavy night out? Yes! When we first started, we used to have really big nights out and turn up to the radio either hungover or without any sleep. It was so much fun when we first started, but now we’ve been doing it for 5 years, it’s less funny (laughs). You’re just like “oh, the alarm goes off at 5am everyday”. So yeah, we definitely have. Take care Nick and thank for your time. It was nice talking to you.
It’s the third and final instalment to the famous and particularly erotic romance between billionaire, Christian Grey and his wife-to-be Anastasia Steele. If you’re a fan of the books, you’ll know that the marriage is in for a bumpy ride... Expect a lot of drama and saucy scenes.
A live-action/CGI animated film based on one of our favourite childhood characters from Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit. It features the voices of James Corden, Margot Robbie, and even Sia and will certainly take us on a trip down memory lane.
Fiercely independent character, Lara Croft, portrayed by Alicia Vikander, goes on an outrageous tomb raiding adventure in search of answers after the passing of her eccentric explorer father. She embarks on a dangerous journey as she battles against the deadly organisation, Trinity...
An upcoming horror film existing in the Marvel Universe follows five young mutants who are being held in a highly secret facility as they discover their new abilities. Against their will, they must fight to escape and move on from their past sins...
17 years after the first film, the stars of Super Troopers have gotten together to create a sequel in which the original whacky characters reunite to set up a highway patrol station as Canada and the US debate over the location of the border.
Ryan Reynolds is returning for another instalment of last year’s favourite “superhero” movie, Deadpool. We can expect to see even more R-rated humour and comedy violence as Wade Wilson slips into his shiny red spandex for more hilarious action.
The wait is over! We are finally going to be reunited with the Parr’s as it picks up exactly where it left off almost 14 years ago. The animation has been eagerly awaited by millennials across the globe and we can’t wait to see the super powered family finally take on the Underminer.
Hollywood heart throb, Chris Pratt, is returning this year for a sequel of Jurassic World. Jeff Goldbum will also be back to reprise his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm from the original back in 1993. Get ready for more scares and more Jurassic action...
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We are thrown straight into the deep end as the crude sex scenes and references are consistent from start to finish. The first scene we are presented with shows Jordan snorting a white substance from a woman’s butt crack. I think this really sets you up with what other dirty stuff to expect from the rest of the film… At least you’ll know from the get-go that this film should not be watched with your parents.
I had the pleasure of watching this in a classroom with my teacher for a film project back in college. Red Road, directed by Andrea Arnold, features one of the most cringe-worthy and uncomfortable sex scenes I’ve ever had the misfortune to witness. We’re talking about full on up close angles of stuff we really don’t want to see. No non-diegetic music, no script, just full on awkward sex that you’re just begging to end sooner.
For anyone who has lived on earth, we all know why we shouldn’t be watching this with our parents. Kinky bondage, low key sexual abuse, spanking… just a few of the acts we definitely don’t want to have to witness with our mum sat next to us.
The first time Jack and Ennis have sex, its awkward, rushed, and there’s no eye contact. Just the rustling of denim, the grunts, and the tent door flapping about. Without any non-diegetic sound, it’s almost too quiet and the sex somewhat doesn’t seem enjoyable, which just makes the scene a whole lot more uncomfortable to watch, especially with its complete and utter lack of romance.
Watching Fogell finally “get some” is beyond awkward, and that’s probably down to the fact it reminds many of us of our own first times. Uncoordinated, awkward, and no one has any idea what they’re doing. Your parents will also relate. At least the scene is purposely made to be funny and uncomfortable; McLovin’ must’ve been ironic.
If you’re a strong believer that your star sign has the power to impact your personality and your ability (or lack of ) to flirt with other people, then you might feel personally attacked after reading this...
They’re a massive flirt without even knowing it. They tend to flirt with multiple people at a time and can come across a little overbearing... But really Aries is a sweetheart and simply enjoy making others feel loved and appreciated.
These guys are stubborn as hell and won’t admit to flirting even when it’s more than obvious. They can be pretty crude and love to lower the tone to an inappropriate subject which makes others feel uncomfortable. But it’s all in good fun!
Their split personality can make them unbearably confusing and difficult to understand when it comes to flirting; one minute they’ll be dedicating their life to you, the next they’ll pretend you don’t exist out of embarrassment because they like to give off the illusion of having no feelings.
These guys are super sensitive and will only flirt with someone they are genuinely interested in. They will lay their hearts on the line for you and give you their everything. They tend to be a little awkward when flirting because they are always aware of how clingy they may appear.
They are crude as hell! Cheeky, witty, and they make everyone blush. They’ll flirt with everyone and anyone but it’s all a bit of fun!
They can’t flirt to save their life. They just don’t get it and will confuse flirting with being friendly all the time. When they fancy someone they like to playfully bully like they did in the playground. Don’t be offended if they seem a little mean; it’s not intentional!
A touchy flirt! They suck with words sometimes so they use their body language to communicate those flirty feelings they have towards you. Unfortunately they’re pretty clumsy too...
These guys are typical flirts; they will laugh at everything you say if they like you. They’ll be grinning from ear-to-ear when they’re flirting and are usually damn good at it.
They are sometimes too forward and unintentionally make people feel uncomfortable with their intense flirting abilities.
Their brain doesn’t have a filter; they stutter, say the wrong thing, and are just generally awkward when it comes to flirting. They fall pretty hard hence why they find the sudden intensity of a crush so hard to cope with. It makes them really adorable though!
These guys seem a little passive aggressive when it comes to flirting, similar to Gemini, they hate to open up and show their true feelings. They would rather pick out your flaws in a desperate attempt to convince themselves they don’t like you… (But they do!)
Subtly flirty and incredibly sensitive even if they don’t show it. They hate rejection hence why they don’t shove it all up in your face; they’ll probably cry if you don’t like them back so be kind to Pisces.
national
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pride 9-11 feb
2018 london
friday: opening drinks & club night at g-a-y with £2.50 drinks saturday daytime festival: attitude debate on homelessness, trans panel, celebrity interviews, live music & bar,the UK’s largest LGBT+ careers fair & Blind Date saturday night: g-a-y club night with £2.50 drinks daytime only: FREE sunday: london tour
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You’ve had a smashing weekend, but now it’s Sunday evening and you’ve already got the Monday Blues. Don’t worry; we think we can convince you to finally start loving Monday!
If you spend every Sunday and Monday feeling miserable, that’s around 96 days a year of potential happiness wasted! Imagine how many days of your life you will waste being depressed about Monday. Is it really worth it? Let’s face it; there are more important things to worry about in life other than waking up early.
How lucky are you to be here on this earth, in full time education? You could’ve been a snail or even a lamp post! But you have a life with the potential to do amazing things and you’re caught up worrying about getting up on Monday mornings? Don’t wait for Saturday, make every day a Saturday!
Sometimes this is easier said than done, but working hard to get somewhere you’re happy to be is a journey in itself. Apply what you’re good at to a career and surround yourself with motivational and positive people. Remember, find a job you love and you’ll never work another day in your life.
Perhaps the week you had before was a little slack and things didn’t go quite the way you wanted them to. Try picturing Monday as the day you have the opportunity to do things differently! You’ve had the weekend to recharge, and now you have a new week to prove yourself and make the week count.
Stop getting so wasted at the weekend that you spend the whole of Sunday feeling depressed, hungover and full of self loathing – alcohol is a depressant after all! Get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly; it’s pretty amazing how much a healthy body can impact your attitude towards life.
When it comes to describing Arden Rose, using the word ‘fun’ would be an understatement. To those familiar with her obsessively watched YouTube videos, it should come as no surprise that the 21-year-old is full of sensible advice which inspires you to be yourself. Arden’s devotion to creating quirky videos on beauty and lifestyle advice gathered from her own experiences has helped her establish a dedicated fan base of millions. If that alone isn’t incredible enough, she is also an actress, producer and comedian!
Hi Arden, how are you? I’m really, really good. I’m enjoying your English accent already, because I’m very ready to get back to the UK - so thank you for making me feel like I’m already there (laughs).
For those who don’t know you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what your vlog is all about? My name is Arden Rose and I’m a YouTuber, content creator, producer, writer and an actress. But in general, most of my YouTube videos are life advice videos. If they’re not a week in my life, they’ll be a sit down, big sister video, talking about sexual education or body positivity, which seem to be my big sellers on my channel. I’m really proud that my demographic loves that kind of stuff. So yeah, that’s kind of what I’m all about!
How did you get into vlogging? Well, it was kind of a weird road for me because I got into it ten years ago, so it was before the ‘Zoellas’ of the world or any of the big beauty gurus existed. I was fourteen when I started, but I was watching YouTube videos when I was thirteen, trying to figure out how to grow up and do makeup. I was looking at older teenagers on YouTube, trying to work out how to be a normal girl; I was young and a bit of a tom boy. I felt like I didn’t have a lot of femininity in my life and I found a lot of that on YouTube. When I first started, you couldn’t even get paid on YouTube, you just did it because you wanted to. That’s the exact same reason I did it. I was trying to keep in contact with my friend who moved to Texas, and to deal with the long distance, we would make YouTube videos for each other. I saw that people were watching my videos and I just thought it was crazy, so I carried on and it just kind of spiralled out from there.
Did you ever think you’d become this successful? No, definitely not on YouTube. I think at the time I had no idea that YouTube was even a viable career option, and I don’t think a lot of other people did either. It was definitely something that I didn’t ever intend on doing to get followers. If anything, when I was younger I really wanted to act - that was my biggest thing - I was using the internet as a way to get my face out there in some form. But I never focussed on becoming a professional YouTuber; I never thought that would be the end goal of my channel. I can just remember other people having like a hundred thousand subscribers, and how that was such a crazy thing at the time. Now people have like fifty six million – crazy numbers!
You have over a million subscribers on YouTube, and I bet that’s still a massive thing for you. Oh yeah, it’s insane. Every time I look at it, I wonder whether people clicked a button they shouldn’t have. But I’m proud of it, as it has been a long time coming. I feel like I’m not one of those YouTubers who got popular overnight at all. I think the people who do stick around and watch my videos appreciate them, which I’m very grateful for.
We figured you’d be the perfect person to ask: do you have any tips for aspiring bloggers/vloggers? I would probably say to anyone who’s starting straight off that it’s a very hard road right now, because the sites are so over saturated, especially YouTube. It is so hard to make a mark unless you know someone, or if you’ve got a really good idea which you’re fully committed to executing. It’s a very tough thing to just jump into, but if you’re going into it with the mindset that you’re going to make money or a career out of it, you’re almost shooting yourself in the foot: the people who seem to have fun on the site, and do it because they’re passionate about it, end up being the ones who get popular anyway. I would say if you can, focus less on the end goal and focus on how much fun you have creating the content. Try not to think about the fact that you might get paid for it one day.
That’s great advice! As well as vlogging, you have your own sassy collection with Ohh Deer and your Balance collection with Mejuri. How did these collaborations come about? Most of the collaborations which I do, if I partner with any brand, are organic. For instance, Ohh Deer have a service called the ‘Papergang’ box where you can subscribe to get new and wonderful paper goods every month. I always like Ohh Deer as they work with a lot of independent illustrators and they pay them pretty well, which I think is very important. They also support a lot of UK artists which I really appreciate. I thought their stuff was so cute, that when they asked me if I wanted to have a meeting with them in London, I said yes, of course! Two months later I sat down with Katy Ford over in the UK, and they were talking about how they want to branch out a little bit and maybe try doing a line with a content creator. It sounded so fascinating, and I felt like my crowd loves that kind of stuff. Four months later - after a billion emails, Google docs, and pictures of things which worked and didn’t work - we came out on the other side with a little brand, which was cool. The Mejuri line came about a couple of months ago. I had seen a couple of other YouTubers like Claire Marshall and Jenn Im who did lines with Mejuri which were beautiful, bespoke, high quality jewellery. I feel like some YouTubers cop out on merchandise. They think if they produce something cheap, people can buy it for a very little price and that somehow makes it okay. I don’t really buy that philosophy. If I’m going to make something, I want it to be high quality regardless of how much it costs; I want it to be really good material. I saw that Mejuri were doing that with creators, making really high quality stuff, so I decided to partner with them and once again, it was a Google doc, running around, ‘what am I going to make?’ sort of thing. I made a whole video on making Mejuri - it was a really fun process.
What are your favourite products from each collection? Oh that’s so tough, let me think... Thank you for putting me in a place where I have to choose between my children! So from the Ohh Deer stuff, I loved the big notebook (which looked like something you pulled out of an old library) so much when we came up with the concept for it. It’s big, it’s lined so you can write all your notes in it, it’s hardback so it feels really really high quality, and it’s got this beautiful mustard cover on the inside, so it just looks like something your very tasteful grandpa or grandma would pull out from their beautiful old library and give to you. If you were to buy anything from the line, that’s definitely number one – I love it. Then from the Mejuri line, we actually already sold out of the gold hoops so that’s the one people probably love the most. But for me, I would say my balance ball earrings - they’re beautiful. Or the little choker; we specifically designed it to be tubes rather than flat plates, so it has more dimension when you take photos with it, or so how when you’re walking around it will flash in a certain way. It was really interesting putting a lot of time and effort into a necklace; even though I have no idea how many people have actually recognised that.
I love wearing a choker! They always seem to make your outfit look so much better. As well as vlogging and fashion, you found the time to write your own book, ‘Almost Adulting’! What made you decide to write your own book? So originally, the book I had in vision was sort of a scrap book of my life, rather than an actual written novella. Originally, when I was talking to an editor about potentially making a book, I really liked the idea of adding art to really high quality photography and just making a really beautiful book, and then she revealed that the book would’ve been incredibility expensive to produce. It was something I couldn’t necessarily afford. So she told me to write a couple of anecdotes - which were stories about me going off on my own at eighteen, seeing as that’s the thing which inspired me most. I wrote a couple of chapters and sent it out - I didn’t really know if I was going to be that great at writing, or proficient enough to write a book. The editor was like “Just write a whole book, what are you doing? It’s great, just keep writing and don’t stop!” – so that’s what I did! We came up with some fun chapter titles, which was my favourite thing to do as some of them are hilarious. I also got to spill my guts a little bit which was very therapeutic; I got to talk about my dad, my family and my upbringing which was really helpful mentally.
It must have been nice to write your feelings down on paper. What, in your opinion, is the best thing and worst thing about being an adult? That’s so tough! The best thing is that you can do pretty much whatever you want within the law, and no one can judge you for it - especially living in LA, and you probably feel the same living in the UK. I feel like I can do whatever and no one will reel against me. The inverse problem with that is now I’m an adult, I feel like I judge myself so much harder than I ever have before. I’m always so careful to ensure that I’m setting my life on the right path. So even though I have all of this freedom, I feel like I’m almost blocking myself in sometimes because I’m worried about making sure I’m always doing the right thing, or eating the right thing. Instead of having your parents telling you, you know you should be doing it! Being an adult puts you under a whole different type of pressure.
What are your top beauty hacks or tips? I’m really not very good at beauty hacks or tips (laughs). This isn’t a beauty hack, it’s just truth, but number one would be to always take off all of your makeup before bed, every night! I always say to take it off as soon as you get home; give your skin time to rest without makeup. I don’t understand how people can sleep with makeup on! It’s so gross, don’t do that. You don’t just want to get off that first layer; you want to get that second one off. Another one would be: even if you think you have oily skin, you should always moisturise at night - even if you are worried about it. Your skin can over produce oil if it’s dry, so always moisturise and always use an eye cream.
In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would be your plan of action? That’s a very weird question, but very appropriate. I feel like my first instincts would be to pack up all my stuff, get in my car and go. I live in LA most of the time, so I have an earthquake kit which has food, water, gas masks; pretty much everything you’d need for a zombie survival kit. So I would grab that backpack, grab my boyfriend and get out! I don’t know what I would use for a weapon though (laughs). I’m definitely going to be one of the first who gets bitten.
Thank you for your time Arden! It’s been really nice talking to you. I’ve had a really good time chatting with you. Thank you!
Bill Downs X-Factor Arena Audition Bill Downs is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Norwich who recently made the audtitions for the 2017 X-Factor. This is the song he sang for his X-Factor arena audition, which they chose not to show and was recorded live in one take; just a piano, vocals and a couple of cameras.
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Neel Dani Mashup) Artist, producer, songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. A truly independent musician who wears many hats, Neel Dani does it all... and very well as witnessed in this brilliant mashup performance !
Gypsy Unit - Benefits Street Pioners of the ‘Gyp-Hop’ sound, full of character and bouncy basslines, Gypsy Unit are definitely not your run-of-themill hip-hop act. Combining a rowdy, cheeky party vibe with a quirky string section and hooky choruses, their trademark sound makes them one of the freshest acts to hit the scene.
Ferris & Sylvester - Save Yourself (Live Session)
Ferris & Sylvester are a London based folk-pop duo made up of Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester. The two met as solo musicians, battling through the carnage that is London’s vibrant music scene and started writing together.
Childish Gambino - Redbone (Ericka Guitron Cover) Soul, Pop, R&B singer/songwriter Ericka Guitron performs her amazing cover version of Childish Gambino’s ‘Redbone’. She takes influences from John Legend, Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Adele and has a beautiful voice as shown in this video.
MB14 - Road To Zion (Damian Marley & Nas) - Beatbox Cover WOW! This is a must watch as MB14 effortlessly loops sounds, beats, raps and sings his version of ‘Road To Zion’ using a RC505 Boss Loopstation, an E935 Sennheiser microphone and filmed with an iPhone 6. As stated on his Facebook page, MB14 is a Beatboxer - Chanteur - Rappeur. The genres of music he performs is Hip-Hop, Reggae/Dub, Classique, Beatbox/Acapella, World and Electro. This guy has huge talent and a worthy winner of our one to watch category. Go check it out!
We spoke to the young Israeli dubstep producer, DJ, singer-songwriter, rapper and self proclaimed creator of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gorestepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; about his influences, favourite tracks and big dreams for the future.
You must get such a buzz from your job! Producing music, running your own music label and brands whilst doing your own thing must be difficult. What do you enjoy doing the most? Writing music is my favourite. I just love sitting in the studio writing music for the world to hear. Tell us more about Buygore! How did the idea come about? The idea came about when I was pretty successful touring. No one was releasing my music; it was sitting on YouTube and Myspace back then. I was waiting for labels to pick my music up so I just thought ‘f*ck it, I’m going to set up my own label so no one can say anything and so I can release whatever I want’. Also, when I started Buygore, I was very forward thinking with social media as that’s how I got big. Back then, other labels weren’t forward thinking and they were still working on the traditional way to release records. My team and I were finding artists on Soundcloud and YouTube, signing them to Buygore and helping a lot of kids from the internet grow up. So you kind of created a platform for all dubstep producers pretty much? It wasn’t just dubstep, we found everything from everything – so many different genres. It must have been a big change from being in a metal band to now producing dubstep. How did that happen and what changed? It wasn’t just metal; I’ve been playing in bands my whole life. I’ve played in punk bands, funk bands, country bands, jazz bands - everything. Dubstep is just another angle and I still play metal and jazz. The one thing I love about producing electronic music and other genres is the capability of waking up every morning and doing something different. Also not being in a band means you have full control over your stuff and no one can say ‘yo, this shit sucks’ if you think it’s great. If you put one hundred percent of your time into doing something you love - no one can stop you from becoming the greatest. Who influences you? Influence comes from so many different things all of the time. Back in the 90s when I grew up as a kid, I always used to buy one CD and listen to it for three months and that was my inspiration. But right now, every day you discover new songs that are all sick, so it’s hard to find one inspiration.
You said in another interview that you are influenced by other unknown artists you find on the internet. I find that quite interesting! That’s exactly what I’m saying. There are so many things that can inspire people right now. I’m most inspired by my life and stuff that happens. My life inspires me so much. Besides the music and the Borgore side of things, what else are you in to? It’s funny because it’s just music – that’s the only thing I do. I guess I’m into climbing, reading and sports. You travel a lot! What’s the biggest highlight for you when you travel around for shows? I like seeing new places and the world! Not a lot of people can say they’ve seen everywhere. You can write music in the studio all day but there is something so special about playing your music in front of a crowd and seeing their reaction – if it’s bad or if it’s good!
Out of all of your Borgore tracks, which one goes off the best when you play? Or are all of your sets different? Out of all of my tracks, I’d say all of them go off, if not I wouldn’t play them haha! I’m not saying I’m the greatest producer, I’m just saying the ones that go off are the ones that I play. The ones that don’t work so much are the ones that I tend not to play. Do you have a favourite track? I literally couldn’t pick a favourite one; I’ve worked so hard on all of them. If you could play an event again, which one would it be and why? I don’t know, there are so many amazing events I’ve played, I can’t just pick one. There are so many events I want to play again! What’s next for Borgore and Buygore? Dubstep and jazz! We’re just going with the flow.
Are you tired of the winter months always getting the best of you? Well we’ve got some handy winter life hacks to help you kick winter’s arse this year...
If your car gets stuck in the snow, put some cat litter beneath the tyres to try and gain some grip. Throw some old socks over your windshield to prevent it from freezing up overnight. No one likes being late to work because they were too busy de-icing the screen. Can’t find your ice scraper? No problem! Use an old debit card or plastic kitchen spatula to rid your windshield of ice.
Electric blankets don’t use as much energy as you think! 10 minutes before bed – switch it on and heat your blankets. After using the oven, leave it open and warm up your home with the leftover heat from dinner! Stick some tinfoil behind your radiators to reflect the escaped heat back into your home – you’ll save money on heating too!
Stop your skin becoming so dry in the winter by taking quick but thorough showers. Put on some gloves straight after moisturising your hands to keep the moisture locked in and prevent the skin from drying out! Take Vitamin D tablets - your body produces less of it in the winter months. It can dramatically lift your mood and boost your immune system to fight off the winter lurgy.
Gently run a cheap razor over your woolly jumpers to get rid of those pesky little fibre balls! How do they even get there in the first place? If you’re going for a brisk winter walk in the snow – put sandwich bags over your socks before putting your shoes on. Nobody likes soggy feet! Similar to the sandwich bag hack, wear rubber gloves under your woollen ones to prevent frosty fingers.
New year, new you? Fat chance. Every year we vow to make changes to be healthier and happier than we were the year before. But most of us really kid ourselves... Here are the most common resolutions that no one sticks to.
Most people do pretty well at this for a good month or so... until they remember how dreadful winter is and how amazing unhealthy food tastes. Winter is probably the hardest time of the year to try and lose weight - it’s cold and we’re all craving a hot chocolate. So maybe summer might be a better time to start that diet... Just a suggestion.
Yeah right, it’s easy to make that claim during the Christmas holidays when you don’t actually have assignments to do... But the moment you head back to college or university you remember how awful doing coursework in your own time is. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix for this one other than to suck it up and get it out of the way!
You’ll go out of your way to buy the instrument, maybe a guitar, sit down with it and... blank. You have no idea what you’re doing and all the online tutorials are beyond complicated. You strum a few dodgy sounding chords and then put it in the corner to gather dust. Musical talent doesn’t come overnight! Put the work in and you’ll soon reap the benefits.
The main reason we promise ourselves this is because we’ve gotten sick of the stuff over the Christmas period and at that point wouldn’t mind ever touching it again. But after a few weeks you realise it was just the constant holiday hangover that made you say that and now all you want is a damn drink because winter is terrible and alcohol is a good time. Maybe to quit drinking is a little extreme in this case – perhaps a more gradual decrease in your alcohol consumption would be wiser?
If you fall victim to the lurgy this winter, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how to kick its ass before it really ruins your week.
Bacteria and germs enter your system when you touch your mouth, eyes, and nose. Keeping your hands clean and germ free will prevent that from happening. Did you know adults touch their faces up to 16 times an hour? It’s also a good idea to carry hand sanitiser around with you; do you have any idea how much bacteria was on that bus handrail you just held? Or the stair banister on the escalators? Trust me, you don’t want to know.
Feed a cold, starve a fever! Eating fruits, ice cream, ice lollies, and drinking hot beverages with lots of flavour (not tea or coffee) helps your immune system tackle that cold! Top up on vitamins and keep your sore throat at bay with a cup of Lemsip and some chicken soup… Bland, I know, but it’s better than a continuous stream of snot.
Avoid antibiotics and simply tackle your symptoms by taking regular doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen. To an extent, they will relieve a sore throat, headache, aches and pains, and just generally perk you up a little. You can buy painkillers specifically designed to target the symptoms of cold and flu. If you’re feeling particularly rough, try Nurofen Cold & Flu relief tablets. They’re pricey, but worth it.
A connection between tiredness and catching colds has been found: when you are sleep deprived, your body doesn’t function as efficiently, which inevitably means your poor immune system also suffers. Not only will you be more likely to catch a cold, you won’t be able to fight it as quickly as you’d like to.
If you are keeping your fluid levels up, your body is going to function better than how it would if it were dehydrated. You can’t expect to fight a cold to your body’s best ability if you can’t even drink enough water.
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