YOUR MAG
Volume 5 | Issue 2 | November 2015
VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 2 | OCTOBER 2015
HALEY SHERIF
Creative Director
PEYTON DIX
MATTHEW MULLEN Managing Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Head of Design
Photo Director
CHRIS GARCIA
ARIELA RUDY ZALTZMAN
CHELSEA TREMBLAY
LINDSEY PARADIS
ANDREA PALAGI
LINDSEY MCFADDEN
Romance Editor
RIANA ODIN
Living Editor
ESTHER BLANCO
Asst. Living Editor
CLAIRE TORRES Asst. Designer
A&E Editor
PIMPLOY PHONGSIRIVECH Art Director
PERI LAPIDUS
Head of Beauty & Talent Manager
CHRISTIAN LOPEZ
Marketing Director
Head Copy Editor
Style Editor
MEGAN CATHEY
Asst. Style Editor
MADELINE BILIS & KAREN MORALES Digital Editors
MIA ZARRELLA
Editorial Stylist
Marketing: KATJA VUJIĆ, SYDNEY HANNIBAL, KALA SLADE, EVAN MCCRORY, MIA DOYON, KAYLA SALIBA, KIM GONZALEZ Copy Editors: KELSEY PERKINS, JULIA ROBERTO, EMILY PFAFF, ISABEL CRABTREE, IRIS PEÑA Your Mag TV Directors: HANNAH PERRIN, JENNIFER LEAHY Special Thanks to: THE TANNERY, H&M, AMERICAN APPARREL
YMEMERSON.COM | INSTAGRAM: YOUR.MAG | TWITTER: @YOURMAGEMERSON
editor’s letter
“Trap Queen”sounds from the basement of a cramped apartment in Roxbury. I’m smoking a cigarette I really shouldn’t be and I don’t even think I’m inhaling right. I lost the wig to my Mia from Pulp Fiction costume somewhere between the bathroom and the boy who asked me to watch Chris Brown videos with him. I start to look for my Vincent / pseudo girlfriend but instead I find a group of eight girls all dressed as Tom Cruise in Risky Business (as if the clan of underdeveloped blonde white girls didn’t look the same already).* For a moment, I start to think Halloween is tired and overdone, and, to be honest, I look too good for the company I am currently keeping. But then I realize the truth: this is the one night a year where we can embody our most exaggerated selves. It is the time when we are allotted the space to explore other identities, expressions, and worlds different from the ones we inhabit.
Some people tend to think other identities means other cultures, and trust me, I am not condoning black face or anything of the sort. I am simply advocating for both the right and the pleasure of becoming the dramatized versions of both our conscious and subconscious identities. In my opinion, Halloween is an exaggerated version of the college experience. We learn to try on all kinds of different hats. We leave behind the personas we may have picked up in high school and push the boundaries of rules and regulations, giving ourselves the freedom to be whoever we want. These four formative years are ones designed for us to be uncomfortable, vulnerable — to explore and to transcend. In Garcia’s Intergalactic Editorial (page 18), he pays homage to this sentiment via exaggerated geometric makeup, extreme contours, and atypical silhouettes. Enjoy.
-Peyton Dix
Romance 06 10 13 14
The Struggle of Dating as a Realist When You Find Out He Is Married Damsel in Disasters: Side Effects Handheld Love: Swipe Left
Editorial
Living
18 24 37
28 30 32 34 43
Intergalactic Pop Art Watching Me, Watching You.
Farmer’s Market Fan Favorites The “It” Pastry Your Things Let’s Hear it For Hair Best Off-Season Beaches
Style 16 17
CON-
Back to Bling Best In Brows
Arts & Entertainment 44 46 54 57
A Second Shot: The ‘90 TV Shows We Brought Back On Pointe The Fear of Fan Fiction Artist’s Staement
6 | Romance
THE STRUGGLE of dating as a realist “THEY ARE EITHER REALISTS OR HOPELESS ROMANTICS. A REALIST IN THE DATING SPHERE ACKNOWLEDGES THE POTENTIAL END AND THE PRACTICALITY OF THE SITUATION”
T
wo things in this life are certain: Love is a battlefield, and Pat Benatar’s lyricists were geniuses. Being in love isn’t always candlelit dinners and moonlit strolls, it’s a war zone, dodging heartbreak left and right, jumping through obstacles to preserve a relationship, and learning how to get up after you’ve been knocked down. However, even harder than being in love might be the process of getting there. Most people fall into two categories when it comes to dating. They are either realists or hopeless romantics. A realist in the dating sphere acknowledges the potential end and the practicality of the situation. The hopeless romantics? They follow the heart, not the mind. Where a person falls on the spectrum of realist, dreamer, or somewhere in-between, might dictate their dating experience. Just let the romantic comedies be a lesson. A young Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a hopeless romantic in 10 Things I Hate About You until realizing that just because somebody looks nice, doesn’t mean they are. On the other hand, his co-star Julia Stiles is a cynical realist turned romantic. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays yet another hopeless romantic
WRITTEN BY MIA ZARRELLA ARTWORK BY LINDSEY MCFADDEN
in 500 Days of Summer, while love interest Zooey Deschanel wants a fun love affair. Then there’s Sixteen Candles directed by the king of ‘80s teen romantic comedies, John Hughes, who cast iconic Molly Ringwald and geeky Michael Anthony Hall to portray dreamers. The characters these actors portray are now archetypes in the realm of young love. These movies taught us not to settle for anything less than a football stadium profession of love, a post-sex dance number, or a suave boy with a red convertible. And they also taught us that not every pretty person is a good person and that some great things aren’t meant to last. “In Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon is such a realist that he ruins a relationship because he thought that she thought he was nothing but a phase in her life—just a story she would tell her friends one day. When really she’s the actual realist,” says Liza Wagner, ‘18, VMA. Realists draw from real experiences. The truth, as harsh or inconvenient as it may be, never escapes them. They might burn a bridge to prevent getting burned, predicting the future in
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“Realists draw from real experiences. The truth, as harsh or inconvenient as it may be, never escapes them.” order to protect the present. Yet, sometimes being too practical isn’t practical at all. That’s when the heart takes over the mind, and the qualities of a dreamer shine through. Matthew Benson, ‘18, VMA says, “I think during every crush I had in high school I was immediately drawn to the idea of ‘this is the start of the story, we are going to be accidentally stuck in this one place and we are going to be talking, and I’m going to make her laugh, and she’ll have a boyfriend but...’ It took me a while to realize that in high school, I totally had an ego and that other people saw themselves as the main characters, too.” “There are people—and these people annoy me—who watch movies like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and will fantasize [about] the broken female with the hair dye and the piercings and they are like ‘I need to save them.’ That’s their romance story in their head. That is the modern day hopeless romantic,” says Benson. But don’t fault the romantics. They are dreamers and as dreamers, they are in love with the idea of love. They long for their Nicholas Sparks moment and the joy of a relationship is worth the potential heartbreak. Realist Alex Monto, ‘18, VMA, says, “We might never find someone who writes us a letter, every day, for year. A. Because of texting. B. If we do find someone who does that, it might be more annoying than romantic.” It comes as no surprise that a realist would be practical about starting a relationship as a
8 | Romance
college student. “Some people can get so fixed on either that person or trying to pursue someone that they’re really not taking into account what they’re here for, which is to get an education,” says realist Blake Greenawalt ‘18, VMA. “If I dated someone now I’d be like, ‘My inclination is to break up with you, not marry you, that’s the realistic thing about it,” says Greenawalt. “Why develop such an emotional connection with someone if you’re going to sever it later?” However Greenawalt says, “Obviously you need test runs.” Not all relationships end, however. A 2013 Facebook study calculated the number of people listed as “spouses” with someone who attended college with them. The result? 28 percent. A serious relationship in college puts stress on not only academics, but on other friendships and facets on a person’s life. “I’d rather wait until I have a nice steady life, income, and all that, and then I’d consider a serious relationship,” says Monto.
There are over seven billion people on Earth today. Traveling in different directions, possibly crossing paths without knowing, missing glances, and even worse, missing connections. Fate has the upper hand in soulmate searching though, leaving hopeless romantics to depend on serendipity in their quest for their perfect mate. Meanwhile, the realists aren’t as hung up. After all, finding a needle among seven billion pieces of hay can seem discouraging.
“It’s cliche to say the ‘perfect person,’” Greenawalt says, “I don’t think anyone is going to be 100 percent perfect for anyone, but obviously there are going to be people who are very compatible with you. I’m perfectly fine with waiting and waiting and waiting until that person comes along. In the meantime, I’m trying to have some fun.” “By dreaming you’re also just setting the bar too high and sometimes those people don’t exist and that’s crushing to hear,” says Sheppard. A possible compromise for romantics and realists is dating your best friend, because they have already reached your highest bar (just without the romance part). That’s the route realists Wagner and Benson chose to take. Almost four months into their relationship now, the two are best friends-turned-couple. “A best friend can last for years and to give all that up was nuts to me,” says Wagner, “but I don’t know, he convinced me.” Benson says, “I definitely had faith. Because of all the things we’ve been through, no matter what, we would be there for each other. I don’t know, I felt good about it. Maybe I did go into it with a gut feeling, but that gut feeling led to where we are now.” “He was like, ‘Oh yeah, let’s fucking do it’,” says Wagner. “I didn’t even tell him. I had the intention that I didn’t want to say how I felt, because shit ends and it’s just a matter of if the good is worth whatever bad may come.” As realists, they naturally are taking it day-byday instead of planning their wedding. “When you run, you’re supposed to look ten feet in front of you always. You’re not supposed to look straightforward,” says Benson. “Whatever happens, happens and all that really matters is what is in our lives now and where we plan to go in the near future.” Realism. Not cynicism. There’s a difference.
Self-proclaimed hopeless romantic Alex Sheppard, ‘18, VMA, says, “It’s just a lot of waiting and hoping that it’s right when it’s right. I’m a dreamer in every aspect of it.” Sheppard says that the majority of his thoughts when socializing with girls is, “Could this be the one?” He says, “ I think it too much.”
Sheppard says, “I saw something on Facebook, which is a dumb place to find any information, but it said, ‘You’re single not because you can’t get it, but you’re single because you know you’re worth something, and it’s worth waiting for someone that knows your worth.’ And I believe that.” The dreamer wants to save the damsel in distress. They imagine mending a broken heart and being the person who can change a person’s bad ways. They are optimistic, hopeful, and maybe a little naive. “People feel so compelled these days to save someone, people build this vision of someone and they keep pushing people into this box, to fit it, because that’s what they want. They want this idea of someone rather than the actual human,” says Wagner. “This is the most serious relationship I’ve ever had and I think it’s helped me become more realistic because I definitely at one point had a cinema-induced fantasy,” says Benson. “[Wagner] made me see relationships more as a way to grow as a human being, to learn from someone else, and to feel happy being yourself--not happy trying to be something else.”
Sure, sometimes being a realist in the romantic realm of dating may seem daunting. Dating is supposed to be all flowers and over-the-top gestures and invitations to your summer home to meet your grandma (maybe I’m getting carried away). But approaching love from a realistic viewpoint can be extremely rewarding, as can be seen with Benson and Wagner’s relationship. Remember, Pat said it best: We are young/ heartache to heartache we stand/ no promises, no demands/ love is a battlefield. YM
realism not cynicism. there’s a difference. YourMag | 9
I
wish I had Facebook-stalked him sooner. Then again, he should have told me that he decided to get back with his ex-wife in the middle of our fling. He was single last February, when we first got
together. At the time, I was on the rebound. I needed to feel wanted again (isn’t that why most married people cheat to begin with? To see if they still got it?). But it was tough meeting new people with my schedule, never mind being demisexual—that is, needing a deeper, intellectual connection just to enjoy fuck buddies—in a hookup culture, where that wasn’t getting across to my Tinder matches. But along came M. His sarcasm and witty banter were a match for mine. He sent more song links than dick pics. In his early thirties, he was the right age for this old soul
WHEN
(I’m no stranger to looking outside my age group). And the most beautiful thing was we both understood from the beginning that we had no interest in romantic dating. Sex was at the core of our relationship, and he understood that holding hands with me didn’t mean I wanted any more than that. No candlelit dinners. No family holiday parties or labels. Essentially, no tangible strings other than having
Some might call it an emotional affair. At least, from my side of things.
someone to text and kiss back when we both wanted.
I had a really bad day one Saturday last No-
Some days, I would ask him to come over
vember. Six months had gone since we had last
just to rub my back while we napped. Some days,
talked. But I texted M a lonely “Hey.” He responded
I would ask him to come over because he was the
immediately, as enthusiastic as always. We mes-
only guy that would. And he would answer, no mat-
saged all night, but it was clear he wouldn’t be able
ter how long we went without talking in between. A
to come see me.
booty-cuddle, of sorts. Intimacy without commitment; physical affection with or without sex.
The next day, his profile picture changed— while he was talking dirty to me the night before
you find out he is.
10 | Romance
....
MARRIED WRITTEN BY JANE DORIAN ARTWORK BY ALLAIRE CONTE
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he was with his wife and kid at the Christmas tree lighting just
because neither of us have comparable, or better, alternatives. I
a few miles away.
imagine his wife went through a similar process of pros and cons
It would be nearly another year before he and I actually talked about his family.
when divorcing him the first time around, and doubly so when considering getting back together.
It doesn’t often bother me that he’s married. Morally, I
My crisis of conscience is not from his infidelity, not en-
mean. Which, I guess, just bothers me more because I feel like it
tirely anyway. I am more at war with myself over breaking my
should. I’m not immune to how it feels to be cheated on, and in
own philosophy surrounding this social exchange: if it isn’t a
fact, it led to my own parents’ nasty divorce. Yet I have this de-
“fuck yes!” it’s a “no.” Basically, I only enter a relationship—of
fault mentality that it’s his issue, not mine. That he’s the cheater,
any kind—if I’m 100 percent enthusiastically sure about it. I
not me; that he carries the burden and makes the choice. But in
don’t act out of fear or convenience. This kind of all-or-nothing,
a way, by being a part of it, I am condoning his behavior. And
black-and-white way of making decisions has kept me out of
I suspect, deep down, it does bother me—beyond the incon-
gray areas. But if I’ve learned anything from M, it’s that gray
venience it presents (I’ve learned not to text him or expect a
areas are where the lessons are learnt.
response on the weekends or after his work hours: family time).
So perhaps we should embrace gray areas more often.
I still occasionally have dreams where his wife shows up at my
Maybe I haven’t run away screaming from this situation because
door—which according to M is not likely to happen.
I realized that gray areas can be beneficial. M allowed me to see
She is apparently aware of his tendencies, just doesn’t want to know the details.
that we’re all just trying to to find our trifecta; his is composed of the perfect friend, the perfect parent, and the perfect fuck.
“I’m not condoning cheating, or condemning it. I’m not glorifying it or normalizing it. I’m not judging the act at all, because each case is different.” I want to tell his wife that she deserves better. That M can
Maybe it’s unrealistic that we can complete our trifectas with
still be a good father without her accepting his unfaithfulness.
one person… perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. And I’m not talking
But who am I to say what is best for her and her family? She al-
about open relationships or polygamy, I’m talking about the
ready divorced him once. It’s her choice to turn the other cheek.
gray areas that go without being discussed and are pushed be-
It’s his choice to climb into another bed. It’s my choice to let him
hind closed doors, and sometimes become known as “the other
in. We can all choose to end it at any time—but we don’t. We’re
woman.”
all getting something out of it.
Some may think this is where I make excuses or try to ra-
There’s a theory in communications studies called social
tionalize bad behavior. Others will realize that I’m staring a gray
exchange: assuming that we are rational beings, we assess our
area in the face and questioning it. I may not have answers, but
relationships with cost-benefit analysis. Consciously and sub-
it’s a start.
consciously, we weigh the value of a friendship/partnership
I’m not condoning cheating, or condemning it. I’m not glo-
according to our satisfaction (are our needs being met?) and
rifying it or normalizing it. I’m not judging the act at all, because
stability (are there competing alternatives?). At this point, my
each case is different. Not from some cognitive dissonance or
relationship with M is unsatisfying but stable. Our individual
lack of conscience, but from an understanding that we are all
needs are not fully being met—he is looking for what he physi-
lonely on some level, in some way, at any given stage of life and
cally cannot get at home, while I’m more concerned with the in-
love. We all do stupid shit in the name of love, but we all do far
timacy I’m missing. So, we settle at the intersection of our needs
more stupid shit in the name of loneliness. YM
12 | Romance
DAMSEL IN DISASTERS WITH CHELSEA TREMBLAY
Side Effects
I
didn’t think much of it when the study director handed me a little white pill and warned me of the side effects. I’d taken trial drugs for money before. No big deal. You swallow the mystery tablet, answer a questionnaire, collect your check, and get on the Forest Hills inbound train. I didn’t think much of it when I scheduled this trial drug appointment for the morning of my first date with “Dan.” We had met on OkCupid, so I was nervous to meet him in person. There were no pictures of fishing or Satanic sacrificing on his profile, so things seemed promising. He was taking the commuter rail into the city to see me. It was a beautiful fall day; we were going to walk around, chat, and get to know each other. Casual. And then the clock struck 1:45 p.m. And the little white pill chose to strike. My phone lit up with his number and a “Where are you?” text as I became prisoner to the fourth floor bathroom. Suddenly, the woman’s warnings at the trial center didn’t seem so trivial. Suddenly, $50 didn’t seem so important. It is literally always something with me. Dan was sweet. Dan was innocent. I pictured him pacing outside, standing out as a 6 ft. jock in a baseball cap among us colorful Emerson folk. I couldn’t just send him back home. He had travelled a few towns over to see me. I couldn’t be one of those “something came up” girls (although something had certainly come up—or, out). So I texted the sweet, innocent boy:
I know this is weird. But I have to take you home. Not exactly a date’s worst nightmare. But it was my worst nightmare having to wait for the Green E train while trying to appear charming and nonchalant about why we had to drop plans and rush to my apartment while simultaneously praying I wouldn’t pull a Bridesmaids move. (In which I have no faith in myself that I could pull off a classy Maya Rudolph performance, but much more of a Melissa McCarthy delivery.) We boarded the train and I tried to conceal my perspiration while making small talk and clearly kindling our love. Evidently, I have an accidentally-bringing-home-firstdates issue. Once I made it home, the pill’s wrath calmed. I immediately emailed the woman at the clinic: Yeah... just had some pretty serious... side effects—thinking these pills aren’t going to work for me. -Chelsea Dan seemed charmed by my spontaneity (and ignorance of my condition, I assure you). I explained that nothing ever goes as planned with me. On the T ride back to South Station we were sandwiched between commuters as a man waving a cardboard sign preached about us going to hell. As I said, never as planned. Oh, and if you’re ever looking for a guaranteed way to get out of a date, I have a number for you to call. YM
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H
A
N
H D
E
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“I’m busy.” The phrase has changed its meaning as long as people have had schedules. But today, telling someone you’re “busy,” may not just say something about the schedule, but more so of the agenda. Social dating apps like Tinder, OkCupid, and Bumble have populated tens of millions of smartphone screens nationwide and for different reasons. “I’m bored with the bar scene,” some will tell you, or simply, “sex.” Many say “I’m looking to meet new people,” because they’re “too busy” to go out and do so in person. There it is again. What is the real end goal here? For some, it’s actually about finding mutual love and companionship. For others, it’s about finding that, but maybe just for the night (insert winking emoji, eggplant emoji, and peach emoji here).
LOVe: SWIPE left WRITTEN BY ANTHONY MASTRACCI GRAPHIC BY LINDSEY MCFADDEN
14 | Romance
D
But the truth is that social dating apps may be preventing you from finding real love and meaningful relationships instead of facilitating them. Sure, you read that and say, “Well, my friend met her boyfriend on Tinder and they’re fine.” And yes, that happens to a small amount of people. But how many winners did she have to sift through in her inbox to find that one guy? How many days did “Jimmy Whatshisname” over there have to wait to hear a response back from her? In a self-conducted survey of 50 men and women ages 1828, over 90 percent said they had used or are still actively using at least one dating app. Despite the popularity of these tools, 70 percent of those surveyed said that they haven’t found mutual love while using. Here are some reasons why. There are a whole world of options at your fingertips (depending on your swiping method). If someone was “playing the field” previously, they can now add the whole stadium to those odds. When you match with someone, it’s exciting. You have the potential of meeting them, hitting it off, and developing a wonderfully fulfilling relationship. Unfortunately, this happens only about 8 percent of the time for people 18-29 according to an infographic compiled by the Berkeley School of Information. It’s like fishing. You never know what you could pull up. When messaging and texting, you meet creeps, you meet one-word-responders. One girl who took our survey went as far as sharing her experience receiving “unexpected dick pics right off the bat.” This causes a condition that doesn’t really exist, albeit it may just as well, called NOUS, or Next One Up Syndrome (as if we’re all never-ending contestants on MTV’s Next). If it doesn’t work out online or after the first encounter, you can look at your list of others, who you may or may not already be texting, to see if that works. Many users have been conditioned to connect with “the some,” rather than find “the one.” The speed at which we are able to find potential mates shows how fast our lives have become. We have fast food, fast music, fast schedules. But love isn’t fast; lust is. Swiping allows you to more easily objectify people and in turn, be objectified. This isn’t necessarily the user’s fault. The
platform being used may help create this without your realization. Profiles may try to humanize a user, but when your first impression of somebody is from photos, text, and emojis, they become a mere concept in your mind from which memories are harder to make. The human element to the equation that has been largely erased because of dating apps. Some users admit to being shy or fear being shot down in public, so the app-based approach helps them cope with that. But at the same time, it eliminates the possibility of somebody valuing their bravery and courage for striking up a conversation face-to-face, which helps develop a better sense of understanding about a person. It’s easier to find out where someone is in their own lives while speaking to them. You hear tone, you see facial expressions, body language, etc. Chatting and texting offers much more room for deception, misunderstanding, and miscommunication, which leads to: Disliking the opposite sex more than we won’t admit we already do. We all have a story. But trying to communicate just by text and emoji is more detrimental than it is helpful. With the Next One Up Syndrome, comes the widely known side-effect called ghosting. Ghosting is the cutting off of communication after a connection (online or in person). Some texts will be received but not responded to; many texts if the other person doesn’t get the hint. Or there’s the infamous “sorry, something came up” text that comes an hour before the date. You may become numb to feelings as a defensive maneuver from not matching with many people or not hearing back to your messages. It’s discouraging. In this way, the Next One Up Syndrome becomes our safety blanket, and then when someone decides to approach you and ask if you’re seeing somebody, your initial thought is, “Not really, but I’m texting about four people, they were all just ‘busy’ tonight.” When you swipe, you’re essentially playing a game to see how many matches you can find. Tinder, for example, offers you two options when you match with somebody. You can send them a message, or you can “Keep Playing.” When the motion is encoded by muscle memory, it desensitizes the user to the original reason behind swiping in the first place. YM
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BACK TO BLING WRITTEN BY CHLOE WARFFORD
SIMPLICITY IS KEY When picking an outfit to pair with statement jew-
A
s fall and winter roll in, bright colors and flo-
ral prints move to the back of the wardrobe, and neutrals and darker tones are brought
out. With less busy colors and prints during these seasons, statement jewelry can shine through. Previewed by the Fall 2015 Runway, clothing designers presented outfits with everything from large geometric earrings by Saint Laurent to elaborate crystal chokers from Alexander Wang.
Statement jewelry isn’t always easy to wear, how-
ever. Like the name suggests, statement jewelry
makes a statement—usually in a big and bold way. They’re not limited to just loud and vibrant necklaces, but also earrings and brooches. There’s no
one definition for it, it is anything that uses size,
elry, it’s always good to go for neutral clothing. This
allows for your necklace or earrings to bring in a spot of color and catch the eye. By focusing on neutrals
and simple colors, you allow these detailed accessories to take center stage. By matching simple clothes
with an elegant statement piece you can be assured that your jewelry will stand out.
COORDINATE, COORDINATE, COORDINATE!
For statement jewelry, it’s important to remember to let it make the statement. Try to plan your outfit
around the specific piece of jewelry you want to
wear and make sure it balances out your clothes. Don’t try to pair a loud, bold necklace with a busy
print, because both will end up trying to outdo the other, making the outfit look tacky.
color, and shape to grab attention. The purpose of
DON’T OVERDO IT
or bland outfit into something unique.
“less is more.” Don’t try to wear earrings, a necklace,
these pieces is to catch the eye, and turn a neutral
Yet it’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts
of statement jewelry. What’s great about these pieces is that, when paired correctly with the right outfit, they can really help you stand out. It isn’t
just fast fashion retailers like Primark and Forever
When it comes to statement jewelry, live by the motto and a bracelet that all make a statement. Keep it simple and choose one main piece to center the outfit around. If you try to pair too much together, you’ll
end up creating areas where everything is busy and unappealing.
21 that sell affordable statement jewelry. Shop at
COMPLETE THE LOOK
tique jewelry for a great price. And if you’re looking
the right statement pieces you can create the perfect
Small Pleasures on Newbury Street if you want anfor jewelry from all periods of time like Art Deco or
Victorian, Brodney Antiques & Jewelry on Newbury
Remember that these are accessories; by choosalso you who’s making the statement.
Remember that these are accessories; by choosing outfit overall. Going for something fancy or formal?
Choose statement jewelry that includes pearls. If you want something girly or flirty, stick with floral and vintage pieces. Don’t be afraid to be bold! In the end
it won’t only be your necklace, but also you who’s making the statement. YM
16 | Style
BEST IN BROWS
WRITTEN BY MEGAN CATHEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY SABRINA ORTEZ
PENELOPE DE LA ROSA Penelope de la Rosa ’17 loves her perfectly arched brows. “They’re the center of all my selfies,” she says. She uses a
dark brown Anastasia Beverley Hills brow pencil (Sephora, $23) to fill them in, but besides that she doesn’t like to get
them waxed or threaded too often. “I like to let the hair grow and thicken,” she says. She will, however, occasion-
ally use concealer under her brows to highlight their shape.
ANDY PHAM Andy Pham ‘17 is low maintenance when it comes to his brows. In fact, he doesn’t do anything to them: “I’m not one to spend time
waxing or plucking.” Even though Pham doesn’t do anything to
his brows, they demand attention due to how expressive they are. His friends consider his brows to be his trademark. “Rather than
a fashion statement, [they’re] a part of my personality,” he says.
MARNI MARGO-ZIPPER Marni Margo-Zipper ‘19 lets her full, dark brows do what they please. “They have a mind of their own,” she says. “They’re free to
do whatever.” She doesn’t fill them in or use gel to keep them in place, but will occasionally get them waxed. Margo-Zipper loves
her thick brows now, but that wasn’t always the case. “When I was
younger I was really self-conscious about them,” she says. However, she remembers as a young girl and older woman coming up to her in a nail salon and complimenting her eyebrows. “She grabbed me by the shoulders and said, ‘You have beautiful brows.’” YM
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interg photography by: CHRIS GARCIA styling by: PERI LAPIDUS, MADELINE LIES , ALEXANDRA CHUMA models: ALEX ELLISON, HILTON DRESDEN, BEN CHER, YASLYNN RIVERA, MONA MORIYA, MALACHI MCDONALD Clothing: TANNERY, H&M, TOPMAN, URBAN OUTFITTERS, ANTHROPLOGIE
18 | Arts + Entertainment
galactic YourMag | 19
20 | Arts + Entertainment
22 | Arts + Entertainment
inter g a la ctic
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POP ART PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SAMANTHA MUSTARI STYLING BY: PERI LAPIDUS, MADELINE LIES MODELS: SYDNEY HANNIBAL, SHAWN MCNULTY-KOWAL
24 | Romance
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farmer’s market fan favorites WRITTEN BY RIANA ODIN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
B
efore the weather officially confines grocery shopping to fluorescently lit aisles or laptop clicks, getting to the farmer’s market is a must. We all know that these pop-up markets offer a boost to the local economy and provide some of the freshest organic produce available, but figuring out exactly what to take home isn’t always as clear. Because area farms are limited to what is seasonably feasible to grow, their harvests might not be familiar entities to that of yearround commercial grocers—and therefore finding what you need takes some research. Here are the top picks for seasonal shopping at your local farmers’ market.
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CAULIFLOWER Broccoli’s pale cousin is nothing new to the produce line-up, but how you prepare it certainly can be. A bunch of fresh, pesticide-free cauliflower—and all of its many vitamins and minerals—can be quickly pureed, mixed with raw egg, and baked to make the most guilt-free pizza crust of all time. Even more fresh than this farmer’s market vegetable pick are the recipes popping up in restaurants for grated cauliflower as a rice or mashed potato substitute your digestive system will thank you for.
WINTER SQUASH These colorful, oddly-shaped gourds are the best way to decorate your kitchen counter space and your fall meals. Butternut squash has been a popular menu item as of late, but need not be reserved for only trained chefs. Butternut and acorn squash can be scooped from their beige and green rinds, respectively, and blended into warm, soothing soups. For a quick side dish, each can be halved, cleaned of seeds, and baked with butter, brown sugar, and pepper. Recipes for spaghetti squash lasagna, baked directly in the rinds, are an inexpensive way to turn a vegetable into a satisfying main course.
MUSQUÉE DE PROVENCE PUMPKIN: The Musquée de Provence is not your average jack-o’-lantern. This French variation of pumpkin is flat and wide, with a smoother, creamier texture than its American counterpart—making it perfect for pie recipes. Because the average Musquée de Provence pumpkin weighs around 15-20 pounds, you can usually find it being sold slice by thick slice. Though its origins are exotic, preparation of the gourd doesn’t have to be. These pumpkins can be used for recipes that usually call for traditional pumpkins or Winter squash. Pumpkin is a staple of the season and should be, considering its abundance of vitamins A and C, potassium, and beta-Carotene. YM
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THE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE
THE BLUEBERRY GLAZED
THE CLASSIC
THE RASPBERRY
THE SNICKER
30 | Living
The
“it” pastry
BLACKBIRD DOUGHNUTS Follow on Instagram at @blackbirddoughnuts Located at 492 Tremont Street, Blackbird Doughnuts
makes gourmet donuts entirely from scratch. The doughnuts are baked on site and also have natural
and local ingredients. As a shop, the bakers like to
infuse interesting flavors with classic preparations. Some are quite unexpected, like the $3 Salted Pepper Lemon donut or the Potato Skin donut. If you’re
not feeling savory and can’t ignore your sweet tooth, Blackbird also makes soft serve donut sandwiches!
UNION SQUARE DONUTS Follow on Instagram @unionsquaredonuts At 20 Bow Street, two-year-old Union Square Donuts is right in the center of Somerville. Their award-win-
ning donuts are handmade daily and they pride
themselves on making all of their glazes, sugars, jams, and creams at the shop.
WRITTEN BY LAURA CAFASSO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN GUSTAFSON
“I feel like so much of our memory is connected to
food,” says founder Josh Danoff. “I feel like food has the ability to elicit memory in an incredibly powerful and visceral way, the sense memory of food has the ability
I
to transport you back to another time, another place.”
them completely different is that they are here to
just $3.50 you can get their Maple Bacon donut and
n the past few years there have been several food
trends such as cupcakes, macaroons, and cookies.
Whatever memory you want to capture, there are
tion. Donuts are the new “in” thing, and what makes
their premium, original, cake, and vegan donuts. At
But there is a new player in this delicious competi-
stay.
tons of chances at Union Square to do just that with
feel like you’re having a scrumptious breakfast all in
Donuts are staples for fast-paced breakfast goers
one bite! Other donut favorites of patrons include
that get any better? They are convenient to munch
Boston Cream.
driving, or even when sitting in a coffee shop. They
shop, at a farmer’s market, or at a family gathering.
because they are portable, delicious and fried. Can
the Brown Butter Hazelnut Crunch and the classic
on while hurrying to class or work, riding the subway,
Donuts bring people together whether it is at a
have also recently become a medium of expression
As Danoff says, “I think overall, it’s just a good time
for several food enthusiasts.
to be a donut!” YM
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Y O U R THI N GS With Haley Sherif
THIS MONTH I’M FEATURING YOUR MAG’S PHOTO DIRECTOR CHRIS GARCIA’S FAVORITE THINGS MY MOLESKIN I’m always interested in how design and content coexist, and the simplicity of the exterior juxtaposed with the wildly random writings on the inside is something I really love. I’m a college student who likes practical design and taking notes. Fight me.
Abbey Lane. I think tortoise shell is such a classic look that will outlast every other faddy style people flaunt in a parade-like fashion (see: Crystal Frame Glasses).
MY 70D Yeah I know I’m a huge cliché but my camera is a sacred piece to my eclectic, often-scattered ensemble. It’s still amidst the “Shiny and New” stage, but this camera is my most essential “thing.”
I COLLECT MOLESKINS FERVIDLY, because I am a hoarder. I love having different ones for different kinds of notesones for class, ones for work, ones for Ted Talks and Photoshop How-To’s, and ones just to fill with random observations or quotes I pick up. I think it’s essential to gather as much information about whatever you can to have a stronger foundation and widened perspective.
MY STRIPED DENIM SHIRT I’m not proud of where I bought this from, or the price I paid (thanks mom), but this shirt is my favorite. It’s a bold twist on the standard denim shirt, which you really can never have too many of (try 3-again, thanks mom).
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MY LEMONS They make every pasta or chicken dish complete, which is what my rigorous & athletic diet almost exclusively consists of.
MY CAR I may not be your atypical boy but let me just say I love my car, Rafiki, just like any other warmblooded human being from LA does. Rafiki was awarded its name from blasting Circle of Life on a cliffside next to a car where some very R-Rated things were happening in (my anthem was successful in disrupting them).
DO YOU THINK WE AS HUMANS PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON MATERIAL THINGS? It’s second nature. People hunted and people gathered. And now we have Newbury Street. That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with placing emphasis on material things as long as there’s a balance and understanding of what said things signify and/or do. Without that, you get the brand whores and culture hermits, both of which are just as incorrect as the other.
MY WHISKEY TORTOISE JENNINGS Yes they are Warby Parker. I’m a college student on a budget who’s extra money goes directly to Trader Joe’s and
WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? A new navy blue quilted bomber jacket. It was time for something that wasn’t black leather. YM
Photography by Chris Garcia
let’s hear it for hair WRITTEN BY MIA ZARRELLA ARTWORK BY CHRIS GARCIA
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azor burn. Razor bumps. Waxing. Lasers. Tweezers. Three-bladed razors. Razors with moisturizing strips. Four-bladed razors. Disposable razors. Threading. Electric razors. Enough yet? Hair removal. We’ve been doing it for centuries, but it seems that this social norm is getting a bit…hairier. Women, most notably, are starting to question the obsession with being completely hairless. Currently, it’s a social norm to remove all body hair. Even the slightest fuzz on the upper lip compels women to spend thousands on laser hair removal to zap away the little fibers. Self-consciousness usually begins in middle school, where angst runs rampant among pubescents. At this time in a person’s life, hair is sprouting up everywhere, making middle school a popular time for girls to start removing hair from their legs and underarms. From then on, it becomes a daily task that they will repeat indefinitely. However, the tedious act of shaving has come into question in recent years and women around the world are beginning to stray from the norm in hopes of living a more natural, less painful life. Shaving originated as a survival tactic and for hygienic purposes, not for beauty. In the last ice age, early humans removed facial hair with shells to prevent frostbite. Hair collected moisture that gradually froze to
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“BEYOND AESTHETICS, A WOMAN’S DECISION TO NOT SHAVE EXPRESSES FREEDOM AND EMPOWERMENT.” the skin, so shaving became vital. In Egypt, hair removal was necessary for keeping cool and preventing lice, therefore being bald in Egypt was a sign of cleanliness and prosperity. As time went on, shaving became a sign of wealth because it meant you could afford a barber. At this time, razors were evolving and resembling what we now know them to be. In 1054, Western church clergy members were required to shave in order to distinguish themselves from Jews and Muslims. By the 18th century, shells and pumice stones were a thing of the past and French inventor Jean-Jacques Perret created the safety razor and encouraged its use as a man’s daily activity. By 1895, a traveling salesman named King C. Gillette (yes, that Gillette) created a razor with a removable head. Bada bing, bada boom: here we are today. As time went on, and women’s hems scandalously rose above the ankle, razors specifically marketed for women were advertised. And so it began. In an article titled, “Kim Kardashian: ‘My Entire Body is Hairless,’” Kim Kardashian told Allure magazine in 2010, “I am Armenian, so of course I am obsessed with laser hair removal! Arms, bikini, legs, underarms… my entire body is hairless.” Naked mole rats and Kardashian are on one end of the body hair spectrum, while Miley Cyrus is on the other end. In July 2015, Cyrus shamelessly revealed her unshaven underarms on social media, but when does Cyrus do anything small-scale? She dyed the armpit hair, too: bright pink. Comments on Cyrus’s Instagram account contain a variety of beauty-shaming comments like, “ew,” “gross,” and “shave your pits.” Cyrus is not the only female in the limelight to put down the razor; Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, and Madonna have also been known to sport their natural pit hair. Body hair advocates aren’t always trying to be trendy or edgy, though. It’s a personal preference—the way an individual chooses to present and care for their body.
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“Honestly, I was just lazy and had no desire to shave. I In different parts of the country, body hair standards didn’t feel like it was necessary,” says Natalie Echeverria ‘16. vary. Samson Brody ‘18, a Marketing Communications maBeyond aesthetics, a woman’s decision to not shave ex- jor from Portland, Oregon, is not surprised by the no-shave presses freedom and empowerment. It’s taking advantage movements. “It’s more prevalent where more people are of the ability to make decisions—decisions that can impact more accepting of that,” says Brody. “I don’t know if Boston how the world classifies beauty. is, but Portland is— Portland is more accepting.” Xiao Meili, a female rights activist, created the Armpit In relation to other female empowerment campaigns, Hair Competition on Sina Weibo, a Chinese social blog- such as “Free The Nipple” Brody says, “[Females today] are ging site. The competition was meant to raise awareness as more just ‘do what I want to do,’ instead of conforming to well as to protest the social pressures for women to shave what society expects. Back when our parents were growing their underarms. This competition’s impact? 1.7 million up I think it was pretty much expected that girls were going hits. That’s 3.4 million armpits. to shave their armpits or leg hair, but I think that’s fading a Regarding shaving, Echeverria says, “Whatever floats little bit. I feel like in ten years it will be more normal.” your boat. If you wanna shave, then do it, but if you don’t Hunt and Sissel wrote on Freeyourpits.com, “Today want to, then don’t feel pressured to do it.” we ask you to join us in this effort by being true to your“I shave sporadically,” says Echeverria, “I shave my self, whatever that might mean. Whether you shave or not, legs occasionally—like once or twice a month—whenever I women should be allowed to make decisions about their start feeling too hairy, but everything bodies without judgement from else is all natural.” This conscious deciothers.” “...BUT MOVEMENTS SUCH AS FREE sion-making is what Seattle hairstylist “I think it means we are movRoxie Hunt and freelance writer Rain ing towards a society where we don’t YOUR PITS REMIND WOMEN, AND Sissel are trying to inspire through hold women to their looks as much THE REST OF SOCIETY, TO EMBRACE their empowerment blog, How-to and less to beauty standards, at least THEIR NATURAL BODIES AND MAKE in the United States anyway,” says Hair Girl. Hunt and Sissel have another Echeverria. CONSCIOUS DECISIONS.” blog, too. These women are leaders of Male body hair is expected. It is the Free Your Pits Movement, which something to cultivate and showcase. encourages the suppressed to free themselves of unneces- And in most areas of the body, like arms, armpits, and feet, sary beauty standards. Hunt and Sissel share their no-shave the hair is acceptable in its natural, untouched state. Yet tostories and feature other people’s shaving experiences on day’s women were born into a world that broadcasts silky their blog, Freeyourpits.com. “We aim to normalize the smooth legs and airbrushed underarms, that advertises concept of body hair on women and help others embrace waxing and hair removal as “beauty needs,” that displays their own if they so choose,” they write on their blog. facial hair as “unwanted hair,” and that calls bikini lines The blog doesn’t encourage people not to shave. “embarrassing.” Instead, its aim is to motivate women to make their own “I don’t see anything wrong with [female body hair],” conscious decisions regarding their body and life. In this says Brody. “I think probably some people see that and case, a person’s freedom can start with hair. Spreading pho- think that’s strange, but I’m like ‘why do you give a sh*t tos of women flaunting their underarms, no matter what what she wants to do with her armpit hair? That’s her decondition—hairless or hairy, blue or pink—as a statement cision. If she feels like she doesn’t need to shave then that’s of freedom and choice. her thing.” “I never felt pressured by society—I was always indifThe power to make decisions is something often hinferent, but I know other girls who felt oppressed and really dered by societal pressures, but movements such as Free pressured to shave and felt freed when they decided to stop Your Pits reminds women, and the rest of society, to emshaving,” says Echeverria. “I think it’s great for those girls brace their natural bodies and make conscious choices. to have that different perspective because they, hopefully, So, let’s hear it for hair. And let’s hope that over time a won’t ever feel that pressure to shave or feel gross or ugly picture of a woman with hair under her arms won’t justify or weird about it.” over 14 million hits on Google. YM
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WATCHING ME, WATCHING YOU.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS GARCIA MODELS: CATHERINE COLLINS, MATT BILODEAU CLOTHING: AMERICAN APPARREL, H&M, VINTAGE
I
t’s no secret that November is the awkward in-between
out of all the months. Besides the day we celebrate the supposed truce between the settlers and Native Ameri-
cans, it is the downtime after Halloween and the opening
act for the holiday season. Even though the air is noticeably chilly and the leaves have fallen, you can still experience a relaxing fall weekend at the beach.
Wells, Maine is the perfect little getaway for tired,
antsy college students. In the summer, Wells is jam-packed with young families from New England and Quebec. But
the off-season eliminates all possibilities of suffocating tourism. Wells becomes idyllic, homey, and full of possibilities for those looking for a change of scenery. If you’re in a relationship, it’s also beautifully romantic.
Plenty of affordable places to stay: Wells has bed and
breakfasts, motels, and cottages either on the beach or
less than a mile away. If you’re feeling really rugged and
naturalistic, there are RV parks and campgrounds. Also, none of these options break the delicate bank we all hold
dearly. For example, the Atlantic Oceanfront Motel is only
$79-$89 a night and it’s directly on the beach. Also worth considering are USA Inn, Anchorage by the Sea, and the Aspinquid.
What’s not to eat? Besides lobster galore, there are
THE BEST OFF-SEASON BEACHES WRITTEN BY LAUREN CAFASSO PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS GARCIA
seafood joints every square inch of Wells. These restaurants were built to accommodate the average family, so
the prices can’t be beat. Billy’s Chowder House has the best clam chowder, period.
Shop ‘til you drop: If you’re in need of a tie-dye shirt
that has some Maine pun on it, you’re in luck. There are
tons of tourist shops in Wells, but also unique boutiques. If you’re really mainstream, there are the Kittery Outlets
about 15 minutes outside of Wells. Or try Kennebunkport, where there are more mom-and-pop shops that deal with artisan goods, crafts, and homemade gifts.
The Great Outdoors: Let’s not forget the main at-
traction: the beach. Wells has a beach that is so large it had to be split into two different ones. There is of course
Wells Beach, which has muddier sand and less shoreline. Moody Beach is the alternative with loftier sand and killer
waves. Even though November is colder, the beach is lovely for exercise, chilling, and water sports, if dressed appropriately.
If any of these perks appeal to you, then definitely
give yourself some time to reenergize! A trip to Wells can
de-stress you and also offer the chance to make memories
with your friends. It is cheaper to go to Wells than New York City; for example, a train ride from North Station is
just $18-29 each way! In less than two hours, you can be in Wells, Maine just before the beach fantasy hibernates in the back of your mind until spring. YM
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A Second Shot: The ‘90S TV Shows we brought back WRITTEN BY RACHEL FUCCI PHOTO: STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
T
oday’s young adults make our longing for the ‘90s glaringly obvious, from our grunge-inspired clothing choices to our wistful (albeit, often ironic) utterance of the phrase “only ‘90s kids will remember…” The high demand for reminders of our childhood have led to increased popularity in cultural products of the time, including music, movies, and—thanks in part to streaming sites like Netflix—TV shows. Many of us watched these stories and cursed our age, wishing that we could have been able to fully absorb these shows while they were still on the air. Well, sentimental twentysomethings rejoice—several ‘90s classics are making their way back onto our screens for one last shot at television glory.
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TWIN PEAKS WHAT IT WAS: This offbeat murder mystery followed the strange happenings that occurred in a small Washington town after the death of a popular teenage girl. Viewers tuned in to keep up with Agent Dale Cooper and the rest of the eccentric residents as they dealt with the personal and supernatural misfortunes that branched off of the crime. However, the show ended unexpectedly after two seasons due to declining ratings, leaving fans with an ending that many found unsatisfying and inconclusive.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Although there was some dispute over finances, director David Lynch has officially signed on to direct and write every episode with partner Mark Frost. Kyle MacLachlan will reprise his role as Cooper, and many other fan favorites are rumored to reappear as well as a few new faces. All 18 episodes are scheduled to air on Showtime in early 2017. As a wise giant once uttered on the original series, “It is happening again.”
THE X-FILES WHAT IT WAS: FBI agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder are recruited to investigate the unexplained in this sci-fi horror drama, including aliens and phenomena associated with the occult. The show ended after nine seasons with a two-part series finale that received mix reviews, but not before taking the ‘90s by storm. It appealed to many who mistrusted authority and were bold enough to make the statement, ‘I Want to Believe.’
WHAT TO EXPECT: Lead actors David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will return to their roles in a six-episode miniseries. The reboot will pick up where the series left off in 2002, as Scully and Mulder continue to look into the unknown under the tagline “The truth is still out there.” The show will premiere in January 2016 on Fox.
FULL HOUSE WHAT IT WAS: Full House was a feel-good sitcom centered on a father of three girls who enlists the help of his brother-in-law and his best friend to aid him in raising his children after his wife passes away. The show documented the growing Tanner family as they navigated the misadventures of everyday life. Its eight seasons left a cultural impact that can still be felt today, as catchphrases such as “how rude!” and “you got it, dude” are still easily recognizable to people of all ages. It ended in 1995 due to budget issues and crucial cast members that refused to sign on for a ninth season.
WHAT TO EXPECT: This spin-off of the series follows the oldest Tanner daughter, DJ, a recently widowed mother of two who is expecting a third child. When she becomes overwhelmed with her situation, she invites her sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy (now a mother herself) to come and live with her. Netflix will premiere all thirteen episodes in 2016, kicking off with an hour long reunion special starring many of the former cast members. YM
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ON po
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ointe
Gustav mahler third symphony, boston ballet BY CHRIS GARCIA
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the
FEAR of fiction fan
WRITTEN BY LINDSEY PARADIS ARTWORK BY CHRIS GARCIA
I
n its simplest definition, fan-fiction is an answer to all of the deepest desires and questions of fans. What if Draco and Harry were dating? Or Sherlock and Watson? What if my two favorite boy banders were secretly gay? What if Frodo failed and Sauron regained the ring? What if these characters were in a different world? What if the story never ended? For Lord of the Rings fan-fiction writer Lindsay Andrews ‘17 these ‘what ifs’ are fan-fiction’s biggest appeal. Andrews has been writing on FanFiction.net under the username LinzRW since 2011. While she has written some smaller works of fanfiction, Andrews is currently working on a longer Lord of the Rings piece that, as of now, is 417,188 words in length. According to Andrews, this piece has made her one of the most viewed Lord of the
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Rings fan-fiction writers out there, and her works have garnered over one million hits. As to why she started writing fan-fiction, Andrews says, “most people, when they read books, start coming up with ideas and things they want to interact with. And because I like writing I starting writing it, and I found out about this site where you could publish it, so I did.” Not only does she find it fun, but Andrews says the experience is a good way to get feedback: what in the piece worked, what can be fixed, and what was just wrong. “That helped me develop my writing,” she says. Emily Bazydlo ‘17 writes fan-fiction on ArchiveofOurOwn.org, under the name Emmybazy. As part of the 5 Seconds of Summer fandom, she ships Cake, a relationship between band members Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood. She has also seen the benefit of feedback from the fan-fiction community.
n
Bazyldo started writing fan-fiction after the end of a rough relationship. A friend suggested she work through it by writing about the ordeal using the pairing of Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. Bazyldo soon saw the chemistry between the two 5 Seconds of Summer band members and switched fandoms. Bazyldo likes to think that she has notoriety within the fandom, but admits that it is still a small one. She has been able to connect with her readers and get feedback through a commenting system. “If someone messages me and is like, ‘hey I really like your stuff,’ obviously I’m going to milk them more,” Bazyldo says. “So I’ll have back and forths, and I actually have made really good friends [this way] online. Now, I have around four to six people I can message and be like ‘hey can you read this over for me?’ I have a little crew that likes to edit for me.”
In regards to the fan-fiction community, Bazyldo says, “It’s a really cool place to be, a really cool, positive space.” Yet Andrews says, “I don’t even like admitting that I write fan-fiction.” Why? Because recently a stigma has developed around the writing and reading of fan-fiction. Well known authors, such as George R. R. Martin, Diana Gabaldon, Orson Scott Card, and Anne Rice vehemently oppose fan-fiction work, especially in regard to their stories. On his website Martin, the bestselling author of the A Song of Ice and Fire (also known as Game of Thrones) series, says, “every writer needs to learn to create his own characters, worlds, and settings. Using someone else’s world is the lazy way out.” Gabaldon, a friend of Martin’s and writer of the bestselling Outlander series, has also
“WHAT IF DRACO AND HARRY WERE DATING? WHAT IF MY TWO FAVORITE BOY BANDERS WERE SECRETLY GAY?”
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“The only people who should be reading your fan-fiction are the people who care about the subject matter.” been pretty outspoken regarding fan-fiction. In 2010, Gabaldon posted on her blog, “OK, my position on fan-fic is pretty clear: I think it’s immoral, I know it’s illegal, and it makes me want to barf whenever I’ve inadvertently encountered some of it involving my characters.” Gabaldon deleted subsequent negative comments and eventually the post itself, but still has a statement on her website requesting that fans do not create fanfiction based on her work. Even creative writing professors outlaw fan-fiction from workshop classes. Andrews says, “I get [it] because they want to foster original stuff, but at the same time you can reference other works and play off of that but they don’t count that as fan-fiction. But you’re still taking from another work.” It isn’t only a portion of the literary community looking down upon fan-fiction, it is also stigmatized by the general public. And while Bazyldo doesn’t hide or find shame in her writing, she definitely has felt judged because of her writing and reading of it. “My friends back home all make fun of me terribly for this,” she says. Bazydlo believes that most of this stigma stems from the use of sex, particularly gay sex, within fan-fiction, a category usually referred to as smut. “Because, oh it’s fan-fiction, everyone knows that there’s going to be sex in it, there’s something dirty about it,” she says. “I’ve had this conversation with people before.
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There’s not really a stigma around men watching lesbian porn, like that’s not something people freak out about. They might be like ‘eww it’s gross,’ but it’s not something that’s talked about or stigmatized as much. But women reading gay sex in fanfiction, I’ve just been made fun of ruthlessly by my friends for it, in a mockingly friendly way but at the same time it’s like, really guys, come on.’ Andrews agrees that most of the bad rap fanfiction receives is due to the smut factor. “And then you have Fifty Shades of Grey come out, which is a huge thing, and [everyone] just associates that to what fan fiction is” she says. “But that’s not what fan fiction is, it’s a broad spectrum.” This spectrum includes famous literary works. Virgil’s Aeneas was actually Homer’s Aeneas first in the Iliad. Jean Rhy’s Wide Sargasso Sea, which, seen as a great work of feminist literature, is first and foremost Jane Eyre fan-fiction. The same goes for the bestseller Wicked, and the recent Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The other end of the spectrum: Sherlock smut, One Direction one-shots, Doctor Who drabbles, and Malfoy/ Harry multi-chapters. Bazyldo pays no mind to those who aren’t fans of her spot on the fan-fic spectrum. “It’s like how Tumblr is the friends that you would have, and Facebook is the friends that you do have. That’s how fan-fiction is,” she says. “The only people who should be reading your fan-fiction are the people who care about the subject matter.” YM
ARTIST STATEMENT
PATRICK ADLEY MARKETING, ‘17
P
APA RUGGLES has been a hobby of mine since high school. This
past summer, my friend Dan Terry had the idea of turning it into a T-shirt company. After being introduced to the lim-
ited edition aspect of the fashion industry from my other friend Mack Ryan, I found that it was the path I wanted to take. Every
shirt created is special because only 99 other people are wearing that design. Instead of being mass produced, they feel more personal, where people can feel a connection with the artwork. I’m
committed to making surreal works. Creating art is something I
love, and knowing that other people like what I make is the reason I continue to do it.
YM
To see more of Pat’s work, check out PAPARUGGLES.COM
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ARTWORK BY PATRICK ADLEY
THE END.
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