Trait Magazine by Niall Hunt

TRAIT Autumn 2011

Issue 1

What Matters To You?

TWISTED BY THE MEDIA? Catrin Podgorski explains how the media have made a generation of body conscious youths.

AUTUMN BEAUTY Get up-to-date with a fabulous autumn make over

TWO OF A KIND We discover what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really like being born with a double.

Inside The Magazine. On the cover TWISTED BY THE MEDIA The Real Size Of Beauty Page 20. AUTUMN BEAUTY Page 18. TWO OF A KIND Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Twin Thing Page 14.

Highlights The World From The View Of Stu Page 8. Do Women Belong On Venus? Page 11. Parkour? Page 13. Put On Your Dancing Shoes Page 16. Has Michael Schumacher Lost His Magic? Page 24.

Features

Music Review Page 27.

The Linguist Lounge Page 28.

Trait_Likes_Loves Page 30.

Editorial and Artistic Director Niall Hunt

Deputy Editor Katie Bergin

Editorial Assistant Emily Adams

Issue Illustrator Jackie Penny

Contributors William Callard, Tiffany Encina, Christine Felkin, Emily Fielding, Deanna Hallett, Michael Huang, Catrin Podgorski, Beth Thorpe, Stu Turley and Miranda Wilkie

Are you an independent artist? Do you want to get your work

NOTICED? You don始t have to use clashing colours for us to notice your talent. Just e-mail Trait with details on the artistic work that you do at traitonlineproject@gmail.com 4

Letter From The Editors.

Hi guys, how was your summer? Do you miss it already? This summer we had so much fun preparing for this first issue of Trait magazine and we hope you enjoy it just as much as we do. You’d think a day of arguing over fonts and colours would be boring, but no, it’s been an excellent time (even with Katie’s frequent nosebleeds). We’re already looking forward to up and coming issues and future articles. It didn’t seem possible that this project could ever come together and it wouldn’t be possible without you. But we still need more of your great work to keep Trait alive. For the first Autumn issue we focused on the theme “What matters to you?” This covered anything and everything you are passionate about. We received insightful articles such as “Sizing up to beauty”, confronting the media’s twisted perception on beauty or the hilariously crass article from Stu Turley! We setup the magazine to give the creative youth a voice. We felt that teenagers today were often stereotyped as delinquent thugs who lack intelligence, respect and ability. However we knew this was wrong so decided to create a magazine to prove the stereotypes wrong, to prove that the teenagers of today really do have a voice... and that it’s one that really matters. So we ask you today as you’re reading the first issue of Trait, what matters to you?

Niall Hunt and Katie Bergin.

TRAIT

re.

? ? ? It would be nice to see your photos here.

1) You e-mail us your articles/ photos/ art work/ blog URL始s

2) We edit, format and publish them into Trait magazine.

3) You and all your friends can read them at http://issuu.com/ traitmagazine

m o r F d l r The Wo f O w e i T he V S tu.

Stu

"What

matters to you?” The title, the topic, the agenda of this issue. (Though, a more clever title could be Bohemian Rhapsody). Most people would say the same business: Money, sex, their lovers, family...money, etc.

WHAT MATTERS TO YOU?

Jesus H Vishnu, who knows what I'd be doing with myself (probably what is implied) if there wasn't any gaming escapes or books or film or ANYTHING. I'd be sat in my room, hands wrapped around my cock, jacking it till even that couldn't satisfy me anymore. (Told you).

Fiance, moneyz, family and ‘Course, this applies to me, entertainment... but when I actually sit down with a pen and paper and a ...My career. In fact, I think mug of hot, hot coco and at this moment in time, it’s think what matters to me, and probably the thing that ONLY me, I can't think of shit. plagues my mind the most – So what did I think of? University and my career, Firstly, my fiancé. But of rather. For those of you The fabulous uncouth blogger, Stuart course he matters to me. If he that don’t know – I am an explains what really matters to him! Expect didn't, then I wouldn't be a actor. Not a professional remarkably crude remarks and all round Stu very good lover, would I? He one of course, but I’ve been greatness...follow his blog at makes me happy. I make him in quite a few shows etc, but I yummybrummy.tumblr.com happy. And the sex does both want to do it as my career. simultaneously. Sex matters Yeah it’s a hard, hard road too – though everyone is to take (l 0 l) but I’m always like; “SEX ESNT prepared to work my ass off EVRYTING IN DA RELSHINSOP!!!1”. (again, l 0 l) to get where I True as this may be, it’s still want to be. I wouldn’t mind important. To me, anyhow. I couldn’t live with a directing either, you know? I’ve always said I’d sexless relationship. Sex is too great. It makes act for free. In a perfect world, I would. I me jizz. I like jizzing. Then I was like; "Moneyz". honestly would. But this isn’t a perfect world. Money is so important, especially in these It’s a world where someone is constantly after desperate times of recession. I love money; your dollar. Taxes. Bills. The mob.So I guess money makes me happy. Money buys things and that’s another thing that matters to me – things are why people do what they do. Why did getting where I want. Also, I want to have I do it? I want something. Killers kill for their chirrens. (Children). Obviously not in the own personal thing: which may be thrillishbiological way (vaginas are creepypasta) but gratification or fame. People compete in sports in a Madonna way. (Adoption).Yeah, maybe one to achieve their personal thing: winning shit. child, actually. More could be annoying and Okay, off topic, but STILL. far too costly for me and the hubby to handle. So yes, add that to the list, Fiancé and moneyz, What else? Yeah, I suppose my family. I need someone to sponge off, and entertainment.

So we got: Fiancé, sex, moneyz, family, entertainment, career, chirrens, and cookies.

Do Women Belong On Venus? Miran

da Wi lkie

stumbles with her knickers around her ankles, jeered effective contraception on by her girlfriends. Is this h e “ M e n v s . W o m e n ” and a change in both the just a one-off embarrassing law and the values of incident or is the future of argument has been around employers, women are as women at risk? since the dawn of man (and career-driven, capable Increasingly, women are woman), and it can be “Women painted as sex symbols, reasonably said, that man has and independent as their are male counterparts. But, employed solely to prevailed for the best part of two a r e t h e n e w e s t the newest pop millennia, but, in the turn of the painted promote g e n e r a t i o n s o f s i n g l e , deodorant or twentieth century, women took a blossoming beauties as sex gadget. Clearly, the male few small steps toward equality. forgetting the struggle of society has After centuries of protest, symbols” dominance that their ancestors lasted, despite so many campaigning reached feverendured to be in the women’s efforts to gain pitch in the early 1900s, when position that they are equality. And now with the many suffragist supporters lost now? saturation of this “type” of their lives setting off bombs in woman – big-boobed, collagen We ’ v e a l l h e a rd t h e voting halls or, like infamous stuffed lips and a willingness to women’s rights campaigner terrible tales of the “ladette”. A undress as a means of getting Emily Davison, when stepping term coined to describe the new ahead – more and more young out in front of King’s horse at wave of “laddish” young women girls are being influenced that Epsom Derby in 1913. It was who binge-drink and reek micromarrying a footballer is the during World War I, when a skirted chaos throughout city easier way to success. serious shortage of able-bodied centres across Britain. Our country already has the If we want to continue the men (titled “manpower”, highest rate of alcoholeffort that Emily Davison and her much to the frustration of related death in males in colleagues went to, and so many t h e S u f f r a g e t t e s ) “We’ve Europe, but with these others before them, we cannot occurred, women were all raucous scenes of drunken allow the progress we have required to take on many of the traditional male heard debauchery, it seems that made to be hindered at this women are gaining on men point, by a slim few (whose roles. This led to the the in the race for Britain’s n u m b e r s a r e w o r r y i n g l y revolutionary view that w o m e n , s h o c k i n g l y, terrible Biggest Boozers. The crime increasing) to who choose to rate for women has risen by validate themselves by the could complete the same tales of 17% in the past four years, degrading views of the “macho”, tasks as men, in the as opposed to only 4.5% for beer swilling readers of Nuts same amount of time. the men, so are we women magazine. There is no need any It is pretty much t a k i n g o u r n e w - f o u n d more for the male breadwinners. ladette” unanimously agreed that freedom to the extreme? We are perfectly capable of gone are the days when A p h o t o o f a providing for ourselves. Let’s women sat at home young woman in Cardiff prove ourselves. doing the housework and centre recently emerged in popping out child after the news, as she drunkenly child. Now, with the aid of

Miranda joins us later in The Linguist Lounge...

Take a picture.

It’ll last longer. We will always be looking for photos and art to illustrate articles, ideas and front covers. Thatʼs why we need your artistic talents to provide us with fantastic images. Again, it doesnʼt matter what your experience level is as long as you enjoy taking a few snaps or illustrating, we want your work. Hereʼs how it works, You send us good resolution images- we use them in our publication- we credit you with every photo we use. Simple. If we find your work particularly outstanding we can offer you ʻad spaceʼ. Meaning for every 6 decent photographs you send us we will offer you a full A4 space add where you can advertise your blogs and websites. If you send in 10 outstanding photos we can give you a double page spread of ʻadd spaceʼ. This will allow more traffic to your sites and guides readers to more of your fantastic work.

Parkour? Trait has a chat with William Callard about the urban sport of parkour. We see how parkour has allowed him to set and achieve personal goals and the impact it’s had on his life philosophy. Parkour really is something that matters to Will... Hi Will, could you explain to us, what parkour is? Basically parkour, which is sometimes known as freerunning, is getting from point A to point B as efficiently and quickly as possible using only your body and your environment. How did you first get involved? When I was younger someone said I should start gymnastics so I found my local gym club and joined but I hated it. I loved the moves and exercises but I hated all the rules and regimentation. Then I heard that they did parkour in another session, I went and instantly loved it. So has your love for parkour affected your life in anyway? From the beginning parkour taught me alot about myself and life in a way. With the danger element of parkour you have to be able to empty your head of thoughts and completely focus on what you’re doing which has helped me with things like exams. It’s also driven me to succeed in life and given me the determination I need. If there’s a difficult jump I want to do and I don’t do it first time then I will keep trying until I land it. Parkour doesnʼt follow any rules does it? Itʼs more about the philosophy of freedom. Could you explain what this philosophy has taught you? It’s taught me that nothing is ever going to be perfect but you just have to get over it

and do the best with the situation you have. Parkour made me realise that you shouldn’t think about the past because its gone, its not coming back and there’s nothing you can do. You shouldn’t worry about the future because whatever is going to happen will happen, the only thing that you can change is the NOW. Live in the “now” and everything will seem to sort itself out. Very wise words! Could you even go as far as to say that it has saved your life? In a way you could say that parkour has saved my life. If it wasn’t for parkour then I would be a stereotypical teenager, you know, drinking, smoking etc. But because I already have the rush of doing this thing most people would see as impossible then I don’t see the need to do any of that other stuff. Do you know many others that do parkour? That’s one of the things I love about parkour, the other like minded people that do it. The opportunities and identity it has given to me and the friends I have made along the way are amazing. I’m sponsored by UrbanFreeflow the worlds biggest parkour and freerunning company. Through that I have met more people that do parkour. The friends I’ve made through parkour are some of the best friends you could ask for. Even recently I travelled to London and stayed with one of my friends for 4 days! Well thank you William, itʼs great to hear how something can have an impact on your life in such a great way. Do you have any final words of wisdom? Remember life is only what you make it so make it what you want.

Want to watch Will in action? Check out his youtube account at www.youtube.com/parkourpal

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A TWIN THING... By Emily Fielding thediamondunicorn.tumblr.com

The facts, the laughs and annoyances of being a twin. 14

Identical

twins, they’re fascinating, aren’t they? They’re biological clones, yet they can grow up to be so different. People love asking twins questions like “What is it like to be a twin?” and “Is it annoying looking exactly the same?” Looking the same is no easy ride, I can say that any day, but sometimes it’s not bad fun either. When you’ve grown up for 16 years with it, you begin to get used to the fact that stupid questions will never really stop. People who aren’t twins ask these questions, not knowing how irritating they can be. The prime example: “Are you twins?” If you are a twin however, then you know the unimaginable annoyance that this question brings. Together with my twin, we came up with some answers to shoot back… :: “Yes”, for those with a little amount of time or patience. ::“No”, for those who are out to confuse people. ::“No, we’re triplets, but the other one is in the car.” ::“No, we’re extremely similar cousins.” ::“What, me and him/her? No, I’ve never

...stupid questions will never really stop...

met them in my life. Now you come to mention it, we do look rather similar.” The list of possibilities is endless, but these are just a few we came up with. If you are up for a bit of amusement, then these may work.

Some Quite Interesting Facts :: About 25% of identical twins are called mirror twins. For example, if one has a mole under their right eye, the other will have it under their left eye. (This is the case with me and my twin – we’re mirror twins!) :: According to the National Centre for Health Statistics the number of multiple births has increased by 74% since 1980.

The chances of having twins have rapidly increased over time. According to the BBC, the chance of having a twin birth 10 years ago was one in 50. Now, one in 37 is born a twin. Nearly 10,000 multiple births were recorded in England and Wales last year and the rates are still increasing. But does this mean these annoying questions will ever end? Probably not. The streams of annoying questions, looking exactly the same as someone else, and people staring and pointing… that’s the life of an identical twin. It’s not as cool and fun-filled as you may think.

But hey, it’s a twin thing.

PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHO ES It's a Saturday evening, and I'm writing this article for this edition of Trait Magazine. My room is surprisingly clean, which leaves me inspired to write about "what matters to you" (With the help of Kylie Minogue , I may add.) ! When I was asked to write an article with this edition, my mind went completely blank. I had no idea what p e o p l e w o u l d fi n d interesting or even amusing. A f t e r a d e e p b re a t h I realised it was the one thing that I eat, sleep and drink... Dance! ! Most 16 year olds have a boyfriend, however I have an on going love affair with dance. Like a relationship, t h e fi r s t t i m e I w a s introduced to dance I could not get enough of it. When I was 3 years old I would spend the majority of the day spinning, leaping and turning to the latest pop hit of the time. ! At age 7, I was heavily into gymnastics, which was also something I adored but one day something clicked. My favourite part of gymnastics was the floor routines. I would spend a considerable amount of time picking the music that inspired me the most and left me with nothing but a good feeling. The thing that clicked was that I wanted to dance! After pestering my mother, she finally gave in and found me a dance teacher. Looking back on my childhood my mum always said that whenever we went to see a show, I would buy a programme and immediately tell her I was going to the same schools which the cast members had been to, and then tell her that I was going to be on that stage in a few years time. I didn't think she really realised how determined I

was and still am to make those dreams come true. ! Going to dance class was uplifting. Only dance had the ability to uplift me after a bad day, and made me forget about the outside world. Dance has the ability to lure me into a world which was surprisingly hard to break free from. I was hooked, and I couldn't wait until the next time I would get to spend more time dancing. I guess you could say that dance had won my heart...I knew I wanted it for the rest of my life. As a young dancer, we sacrifice normal teenage things to develop our craft. For example ballet classes take priority over doing homework or spending time with friends. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lifestyle which forces you to be organised and on-top of everything. I would love to h a v e a! c a r e e r i n contemporary dance. However it's always a good idea to have a backup plan, just incase disaster strikes. Living this kind of lifestyle teaches you how to have a perfect balance. One thing about culture today is that it allows dance to be all around us and shows how accepting the art can be. Take â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strictly Come Dancingâ&#x20AC;? for instance, it shows us that dance has no age limit and can be enjoyed by anyone. There are even more classes for beginners and seniors. No matter what age or what ability, I truly believe that dance can be for everyone. Street dance and contemporary dance is also growing ever more popular, and it seems to be that people actually like to dance instead of pretending they only dance at weddings! However like any relationship, dance can leave you frustrated, full of anger and disappointment.

This can be from rejection or just not getting a certain step right. Sometimes, this feeling can leave you wanting to cry. I know it sounds dramatic but, it's because of the passion that lives inside you that makes you want to be the best dancer you can possibly be. Even if dance is not what you want to pursue,! just not getting it right can leave you wound up. But you can't be mad at Dance for too long. So far in my small dance experience I've lived through cuts, scrapes, low's, highs, self doubt, failure and rejection. As the saying goes, "What does not kill you, makes you stronger", and from experience, I've learnt this is true. As well as hard feet we grow a thick skin. Which is vital for success. If we let every rejection and bad criticism get into our state of mind, we'd be reduced to nothing. However hard you try, you can't be everyone's cup of tea. But as long as you enjoy what you do, who can stop you? But after every fall, disappointment, bruise, cut, rejection and every other emotion under the sun, I'd never leave dance. It's become a part of me, it's part of my identity... I h o p e y o u a l l fi n d something that you honestly think you'd love to do for the rest of your life, even if it's not dance.No cheesy ending was intended I swear!

Christine Felkin

music makes the people...

We始re not looking for the next Madonna, but we are looking for talented solo and group musicians. Do you have an E.P or Album release coming up soon? Would you like a community of readers to listen to your tracks? Send us an e-mail at traitonlineproject@gmail.com and a link to your music site. We can review your current tracks, do online interviews with you and advertise your music. All great ways to allow you to make it BIG.

...come together.

Autumn Beauty

With Tiffany Encina

As a professional makeup artist it is always important to stay on top of the next makeup look of the season. A way to do this is to follow the fashion runway of the past season. Makeup and fashion are closely connected in trends for the season. The winter look of 2011/2012 can not be described as just one specific look. Break it down to what you may want, more focus on the eyes or lips etc. Maybe attempting it all at once is too much and overwhelming. See more of Tiffany Encina’s work at www.tiffanyencina.com

e f th r e k o ion a o o l h as up ou ke n d f ty a a ha ing. m p t w x u m o ne a k e n t hel i, ow verw the n . M nd d f o so it r o Fe f k a o o a y ur se re nce ks) st wa .B un ng yo chec f a c e ok l at o r o l c al the addi your y o u r w e r cifi pt p e ttem rom Try oss g o n e p o f s r t : a a p l e T i p t a c s i n a t to to ly a a m t h ( p u t i f o c u l y a m teps a p p x g e a r m a n d h e n a p p nal s e t o b llin f w W Pu sh o lush ok. then he fi ould l a i t e b s s l o a n d y. T e w p a ov s ur o e l e c i l ll d f a v a t i m p e n sts a n o t m i t h la Tip o t, o u i n w so it e m t s Top ʼ y n h t a t m i f f Ti t h e set l l o w rite a to fav o u ur r u te) e n t o g yo er yo th a d d i n lightly ov urite nd Try y vo

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Last but certai nly not least fo cus on your love have always been ly eyes! Smokey in season. This eyes se as on there’s a focus browns, copper/g on old and orange blacks, . Any of these will bring you colours in any that much clos shade er to completi Remember you ca ng th e winter look. n do both, smok ey eye and lip for nights out but try keeping or special occa it only sions. Doing bo be too much but th fo r th e da y time may it will definite ly make a wonder look. ful and elegant night

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#$ %&'()$ '##%$ *+,-.'/

0)12#$ 34564.0$ )&$ %70.88#.5$ .0$ 9&:#';$ " #$ % 7 0 . 8 8 # . 5$ 7 '$ 5 # < # 5 0 #$ /$ 3 1$ 5#<.:87',$ .'%$5#<#.27',$ &45$ 3&%7#0$ )&$ :##)$ #=)#5'.221$ 7:8&0#%$ <707&'0$ &+$ +#:.2#$ 3#.4)1;> said female motivational author and speaker, Robin Gerner. In 1970 the average age that a girl started dieting at was 14; it is now just 8 years old. In accordance to ongoing research

Image: Graeme Weatherston / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

conducted by the American Medical Council, 50% of all girls aged 13 - 15 now see themselves as overweight and according to a separate study, young girls are now more afraid of becoming fat than they are of nuclear war, cancer, or losing their parents. These statistics and quotes are nothing new as we find ourselves increasingly accused by the media that we, the parents and teachers of the future generation, are to blame for our children's overpowering unhappiness with their body shape and size. However, I argue that this is not the case; that it is not our fault at all. I ask you all now to consider, what has changed so much in the past 30 years

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

that has lead to are far from them. These girls have been us to find more altered beyond recognition using the beauty and latest technology to remove their pores, desire in a their spots, their birth marks, their beauty model with a marks, their stretch marks, their scars d i s t i n c t l y p re anything that could be seen as an pubescent male figure than models similar 'impurity' is removed, leaving them to the beautiful, size 12, Marilyn Monroe? seemingly 'perfect'. But these are all the What has taught our children to idolise things that make us human, individual and and aspire to be, the thin, "beautiful" girls ultimately, beautiful so why preach that that they see in the magazines? And what these are bad things? Not only are the is telling them that dieting and depriving models shown in these adverts airbrushed themselves of food and nutrients to but the women featured on the coveted become "beautiful" is right, normal and cat walks showing off the most desirable ultimately, healthy? fashions are (on average) 5"11 and weigh It's the media - almost 9 in 10 British 117lbs - contrasting shockingly with the teenage girls say they feel pressured by average British women who is 5"4 and the fashion and media industries to be weighs a healthy 140lbs . Why are these skinny and that an unrealistic, unattainable bodies being promoted when the body image of beauty has been created. shape presented is forged and it is Hardly a day goes by when we are not common knowledge that to obtain this bombarded with adverts spewing from figure, the models are continuously magazines, newspapers, even the sides depriving themselves dangerously of food of public transport, which exploit the sex and therefore essential nutrients and glamour appeal of the female body. something which all doctors and health The most recent adverts for such popular professionals condemn? designers as Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss and An extension of the Media's progression Dolce and Gabanna all feature scantily of their obsession with body image and clad models pushing out their protruding shape is one that is erupting more and hip bones parallel to their collar bones as more frequently on the cover of women's they clutch at the non-existent fat on their lifestyle magazines. It's always the same; 22" waists. These 'sexy' models have as the image on the front is a completely much sex appeal as an avocado. These airbrushed celebrity posing in a adverts which promote clothing - clothing fashionably revealing dress in a slightly that incidentally, is hardly ever seen on the provocative pose with various words models themselves - are beginning to scattered in different and colourful unmistakably promote the 'sexy' new typefaces around her body to flatter f a c e o f ' b e a u t y ' t o t h e m o re her chest and waist. The words and â&#x20AC;&#x153;These susceptible and impressionable phrases that come in tandem with 'sexy' population of young girls. this image are always the same models This population are continually sex, perfect diet, ultimate beach failing to realise that the body shape body, how to please your man, guide have as that is so freely promoted, is not only to a happy relationship etc. These much sex unhealthy and unfeminine, but images and magazines promise that completely unattainable as well. The appeal as as soon as we lose those extra models in these photos are not the pounds we'll have the perfect an women that were photographed at partner, the perfect kids and the avocado.â&#x20AC;? the original modelling shoot - they perfect sex. These words

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instinctively jump out at the reader, 18 - 80 years old, all with dress sizes indeed and although magazines akin to ranging from 8 - 16. It was begun to Cosmopolitan and Glamour may not prefer real 'bring diversity and individuality to realise it, their readership is the catwalk' and was brought to life women b e c o m i n g y o u n g e r a n d m o re by the 60s model Erin O'Connor, impressionable by the day. These with real shot by Rankin. It premiered in the sex-associated words are making curves... National Portrait Gallery this year. the readers immediately connect Caryn Franklin, another founder of sex, happier relationships, and the project has said that their project pleasing your partner with the has lead to the fashion industry thinner and more "ideal" figure. I ask 'widening its message' with fellow you: how many times do we need to designers such as Marc Jacobs and point out these horrors for this Mark Fast releasing a range for unacceptable behaviour to end? larger women. The campaign has However, is it not that a more been a huge success, with all the voluptuous and curvy women has, managers being applauded for their through evolution, become a symbol initiative and idea. However, this of fertility and maternal instinct, campaign has sparked some less making men instinctively prefer a than pleasant remarks with a stylist curvier women? Many studies have and a creative director leaving concluded that in real life, men do indeed London Fashion Week as All Walks hit the prefer real women with real curves. Surely runway due to 'creative differences' in the that should have settled it? If men in fact, decision to use plus size models. are not attracted to unimaginably thin This is a sign of change in the fashion women but curvy women then why should industry and media, there is no doubt the media still promote this shape? A few about that, but two campaigns? It's just years ago, the beauty product company not enough. There are more size 12 and Dove launched a well publicised size 14 women in the World than there will campaign for a skin product using female probably ever be size 0, so why can we models of all different sizes including not promote the real shape of real women models of up to a clothing size 18. This throughout media if it has so much was to bring to light the way in which other influence? The influence and damage has product companies are presenting already been done to the younger female women. It was extremely effective at the generation leading to the media getting time, waltzing straight into the spotlight. what they wanted, but it is never too late However, we just need to take one look in to stop this campaign of sizing up to Vogue and we can see that this real beauty. I urge you all to open your eyes to campaign for real women as models has the influence being done by the media been dropped almost instantly and that and ignore it because we are all beautiful. the media have fallen back into their No matter what size you are, not matter wicked ways of using the same stick thin, what size you want to be, not matter what new age 'Twiggys'. size the media wants you to be, no matter But the fashion and media industries how many spots you have, no matter have realised their effects and its flaws- to where your scars are, what hair colour you an extent - leading to some of the have, if you have muscles, if you are industries braver designers creating a skinny: you're beautiful, we are so change. In London Fashion Week back in beautiful. September 2010, a new project was Read and follow Catrinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog at conceived using such famous designers as Vivienne Westwood and Matthew catrinwrites.tumblr.com Williamson named "All Walks Beyond the Catwalk" which showcased models aged

To say that F1 matters to me is the biggest understatement in history. It’s literally part of my life. It’s a sport that I grew up with. I couldn’t even tell you what the first race I ever watched was because I started watching it from such a young age. The cars are just out of this world and it amazes me how far you can push boundaries and create something extraordinary. If it wasn’t for that I would still have no idea what career I want to do. Two and a half years ago I decided that I wanted to become a race engineer for a team because I want to be part of something that constantly evolves. There are plenty of surprises throughout the races, let alone one season. Some races are epic and will always be remembered, there is always a controversy that gets everyone talking and sometimes there will be some hilarious moments. Words can’t fully describe why it matters to me. It’s just part of my life and in my opinion one of the most cutting edge and unpredictable sports ever.

ur O e r e W her c a m u h c y S l l a l e e R a e h H c i s a M or h h g i H o o T s Expectation ic? g a M e Beth Thorpe h t t s Lo

He is known globally for being one of the best drivers in F1 and when it was announced in late 2009 that the seven-time world champion that is Michael Schumacher would be returning to the sport with Mercedes GP we all waited impatiently with excitement to see what he would bring to the 2010 season. However over the past two years he’s come under criticism that his performance since his comeback is not up to standard and that he shouldn’t have made the come-back in the first place. But is this a fair judgement or were we all expecting too much from him? It’s fair to say that his results from the past two seasons haven’t been as good as before he had retired at the end of 2006 but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he has failed in his comeback. He’s no longer driving a championship winning car. Instead he drives a Mercedes GP. Although it isn’t the worst car on the grid it isn’t a front runner either. Yes, it does push McLaren and Ferrari and is closing the gap as the season progresses but it is still no match to the fiercely dominant Red Bulls. Schumacher won’t be able to win a race or get a podium finish if he doesn’t have a car that allows him to. We have also seen him struggle to level up with his team mate, Nico Rosberg. We have seen Rosberg out-qualify and finish races ahead of Schumacher many times but that doesn’t mean that he’s under performing. Although qualifying towards the front is ideal for every driver it isn’t necessary to all of them when it comes to finishing in a good position in the race. Take Jenson Button for example. This season we’ve seen him struggle with qualifying but that hasn’t stopped him from winning in the infamously long and wet race in Canada after starting 7th on the grid.

We should also consider that Schumacher is now a 42-year-old man. He won the championship between the ages of 25 to 35 and retired two years later. In the seven years since his last championship win he will have aged. Nowadays it is very rare to see a 42year-old man racing F1 cars. It has become almost like an endurance sport and one that tests how strong and fit the driver is. Now of course Schumacher isn’t unfit. He could most probably put the majority of 42-year-olds to shame at their lack of fitness, and probably some of the other drivers but it will be more difficult for him to be just as fit as a spritely 26 year old. There was also the neck injury that he sustained in a motorbike accident in 2009, preventing him from standing in for Felipe Massa at Ferrari after having a horrific crash that put him out of the sport for the rest of the season. There was discussion that the injury would prevent him from ever returning to F1. Fortunately this was proven wrong when he stepped back into the cockpit but it doesn’t rule out the possibility that his neck could still be a weak spot. If this is the case, it’s likely that he would find it harder to drive the car when having up to 5 G-forces acting on it. So have we expected too much or has Schumacher really lost the magic? The answer is that it’s a combination of both. We haven’t seen the driver that caused controversy for being so ruthless and running other drivers off the road which has disappointed the fans. However when his comeback was announced we all forgot that he was 40 and we expected to see him fighting on the track for 1st place. Maybe our expectations were too high but the only way we’ll find out is when Mercedes GP produces a winning car and by the look of this season, it could be sooner rather than later…

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Winter 2011/2012

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Music Review: All Time Low - Dirty Work By Deanna Hallett

After the smash hit album 'Nothing Personal', ‘Dirty Work’ was sure to be a success. The Baltimore pop-punk band have changed almost completely from their EP 'Three Words To Remember When Dealing With The End'. The band have moved on quite drastically from album to album maturing with their music. But as always the old time fans find controversy in everything and were in for a shock when ‘Dirty Work’ came out on June 7th, differing greatly from their previous classics. All Time Low set out to take the world by storm by appealing to a wider audience, which was glossed up by their new major record deal with Interscope. The albums new vibe is kicked off by an impressive opener "Do You Want Me (Dead)". The song has punchy vocals and a catchy riff which sets off the album greatly. This song is an example of what All Time Low are capable of. Behind all the glamour of major success they can still kick off with a great sounding song with great lyrics. Next up is the most controversial track on the album "I Feel Like Dancin'". Like marmite you either love it or you hate it. It is my personal guilty pleasure off the album. Although the lyrics lack a bit of integrity, the song is no doubt fun and catchy and they pull it off in style with their music video. Hilarious and original containing more clichés than thought possible. The best choice of single release due to how media friendly it is. This album I fear that All Time Low have gone too hard on the mainstream side. Although you can still tell it's them, it doesn't get the same feel as Nothing Personal. This is demonstrated with "Forget About It" and

"Time Bomb". Although quite catchy tunes they lack creativity and the songs fall flat. “Forget About It” was ruined with the spoken parts, however a very cool video pulls it up a tad. Despite the album being completely different to their others, they still try to show some roots, however it falls flat. Trying to reconcile with old songs "Daydream Away" tries to hit as hard as 'Remembering Sunday' but doesn't quite get the same feel or have the depth to fill it's shoes. "No Idea" and "Return The Favour" also disappoints with a lot less heart. The songs are obvious attempts to make mainstream radio but they disappoint true fans with the bland guitars and tune. The album in my opinion goes from bad to worse when I heard "Just The Way I'm Not" and "That Girl". The songs contain a lack of good punchy lyrics, a lack of good composition and a lack of instrumentation. However in amongst all the terror, bad pop tunes and terrible lyrics All Time Low are still the same good pop punk band we all adore. Pulling the album back up to a high comes the song "Guts". A personal favourite off the album with a great riff and great lyrics and quite frankly this song shows me why a fan would love them. All Time Low may have changed from what they used to be, however a fan can't help but listen. Although I think the old timers might have angled a little away this album and more towards a guilty pleasure. Many of the tracks are well listened to but the whole album together is a little bit disappointing and ironically as they've sung about on this very album it's everything they're not.

The Linguist Lounge is open for anyone to show their creative writing talents, no matter how experienced you are in writing we welcome everyone to contribute and partake in discussing the creative work.

Love Poem From Your Best Friend By Michael Huang If I told you that I love you, how would that make you feel? I was told it!would!make!a girl’s day instantly bright but what if you!think that!I am ugly? Would it still make your knees weak? You think the one who!recites I!love you!would be your Mr. Right, but in this scenario he’s just Mr. Nice,!Mr. Best friend,!or Mr. Polite. He isn’t your!Mr. Sexy, Mr. 6 pack, or even!your knight. So you’ll just throw his flowers away and ignore his texts. He isn’t rich, and he doesn’t even have Taylor Lautner pecks. but he does have a heart that shines brighter than any knight’s armour. He would kill or probably get killed by anyone who tried to harm you. you are the only reason he breathes, at the same time you are the only reason he doesn’t.! His mind screams I love you, but his mouth just wouldn’t let him. because in front of you, both of his ears are!buzzin’.

sweaty hands, his whole face is flushin’.

Next time you talk to your best friend, please stop getting angry at him for stuttering. and please stop getting annoyed every time he is muttering. He is probably is just trying to tell you!he loves you.

Moon By Miranda Wilkie I’ve just received news from another star It’s a while away, it hangs in the night sky But it reaches me, even from so very far “Away, and away, and away” I heard the moon say She’s a vicious mother, a cruel lover To those who peep at her pale curves She sighs as they stare, she calls them pervs They rape her with rockets They poke at her crevices, her cracks They shame her with satellites And tear off chunks for meteorites She wants to quit, I heard her say Well, my friend, the star, heard it And shocked, he told me from far away That’s she’s no longer fit for the night shift, the changing of the day The pull of the tide is no longer on her mind Nor the eclipse the first thing on her lips She’s really feeling the strain, To wax and to wane So she’s chucking it all in, Leaving behind Nasa and Apollo Buzz, Neil and Pete Were flings from forty years ago She’s retiring from the star-struck stratosphere Where on-lookers gape and gasp and curse At her terrae and maria From that bastard Planet Earth I’ve heard it all from my pal, a star Who got it from Callisto and Sinope The go-to gals for the gossip of the galaxy Who get all the juice from Jupiter I’ll be sad to see her darkside I bid her goodbye, as she turns to go But we’ll find another On a late night talent show

We welcome you to voice your opinions on any of the creative work by e-mailing your thoughts to traitlinguistlounge@gmail.com You can also use this address to contribute a piece of creative writing...we look forward to hearing from you.

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