GSM ed. 1 vol. 5 "Orientation 2014" by ECU Student Guild

GSM

Orientation E. 1 V. 5

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a student thing.....

A Quick Q&A about GSM

What is GSM? GSM publishes articles, pictures, and reviews by ECU students. ECU students are also involved in editing the content and distributing each edition on campus. GSM is your friendly student magazine, just for you! How do I get an article published in GSM? It‘s as simple as emailing editor.gsm@gmail.com There are three editions per semester, each based on a different theme. To make sure your article idea fits with the edition it‘s best to email ahead to find out about the theme and when the deadline is. We also have monthly writers‘ nights where you can meet other writers, brainstorm ideas, and get involved wtih the community. To find out about writers‘ nights join the GSM mailing list by contacting the editor or liking GSM on Facebook.

Welcome to 2014! Congratulations upon starting your studies at ECU, all new students and welcome back to returning students. My name is Azlan Martin and I am the Student Guild President, for 2014. This year, I’ll be focusing on improving the quality of your University experience, through the resources and services the Student Guild can provide. We are run by students, for students – we are here to look after you! O-Days will run between 18th – 20th of February. Pick up your Guild sticker and activation bag (filled with goodies!!).

How can I get my pictures published? The easiest way to get your pictures published is to provide article illustrations. GSM has an illistrators mailing list you can join. How do I write reviews for GSM? There are seperate mailing lists where section editors will provide you free tickets and downloads to review. To find their details flip to the back section. How else can I get involved with GSM? Show your support by liking us on Facebook, reading back issues on issuu.com and picking up a copy on campus!

I am excited about boosting the social life on our campuses. The Guild will deliver great activities to entertain and educate you, while also encouraging culture sharing, multiculturalism and opportunities for international students to explore Perth. There is also a diverse range of clubs affiliated with the Guild, who carter for the needs of the diverse student population. Information about them will be listed in this GSM. Proactive advocacy and student welfare is imperative. The Guild will boost existing support programs for students. This will help your hip pocket with financial assistance options and social support networks. Be sure to check to check out our bookshop subsidy scheme, to help with the cost of textbooks, at the beginning of semester. Information may be found with Guild staff or on the Guild website (www.ecuguild.org.au). We are working with the University to develop ECU student’s career opportunities. Check in with your learning advisors within your faculty regularly and look out for information on ECU’s career and volunteer fairs. Employability Week is between 17th – 21st of March. Stall holders and businesses will be attending campuses, to give you an idea about what they look for in graduates and informational seminars will be running regularly, to help keep you on track with your studies. Most importantly, the Guild is approachable. We listen to student ideas and want to hear what initiatives you want, as a student body. Send us a message, or have a coffee with us in one of the Guild buildings. Cheers, Azlan president@ecuguild.org.au

Eileen Whitehead Straight from school, age 18, I went to Chelsea Art School in London to train as an art teacher. But meeting future husband changed my plans, and 45 years later I decided to pick up my abandoned visual arts’ training at University, choosing to do a BA at ECU in 2006. Having realised how difficult other mature age students must also find the transition from the workplace to University, I helped form the fledgling Mature Age Student Association at ECU, which went on to become MASNA around Australia. In my last years at Uni, in my position as Mature Age Rep. on the Guild, I am hoping my varied experience can also assist other mature age students and smooth their way through Uni. If you wish to make contact email me on mpe@ecuguild.org.au.

2. Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welcome 5. 2014 Clubs & Societies Listing 12. The Perth Check List 14. Medieval Medicine 16. What If I Killed Myself 18. Welcome To The Body 20. The Pleasure Of Being High it's a student thing... 22. Human Hunger

ECU Guild Diary

24. 26. 28. 30.

Culture Section Books Section Games Section Music Section

GSM is proudly written, illustrated and edited by ECU students. To get involved email editor.gsm@gmail.com Publisher / Editor Tom Reynolds

Disclaimer

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GSM is editorially independent of the ECU Student Guild. The views expressed

Mount Lawley WA 6050

in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor, the ECU Student Guild

Design Tom Reynolds

or the Advertisers. The Editor reserves the right to republish material in GSM and

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its affiliated formats, as well as to make changes to submitted material. Contribu-

communications@ecuguild.org.au

tors retain all other rights of resale and republication. Thanks for reading. Articles

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and illustrations for the edition were originally published in 2013.

Front Cover Rehana Badat (Thanks!)

Equity & Diversity Department

The Equity and Diversity Department provides advocacy and representation to recognised equity and diversity groups at ECU, through the support of equity societies and collectives. We aim to encourage the continual growth of social and peer networks that nourish and engage students who are marginalised in any of the ways outlined by the Guild’s Statement of Equity, Diversity and Sustainability. Current departments include: • Indigenous Department • Sexuality and Gender Diverse Department • Low Socio-Economic Department • Women’s Department • Mature-Age Department • Disabilities Department • Mental Health Department • Students with Children Department • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Department • Students of Faith or other Theological Beliefs Department

There’s more to uni than Studying! Do you have a hobby or a passionate interest you’d like to share with others? Are you looking for a way to get more from your time at university? The Social Council can assist you starting a club and growing your club’s membership. We also run and organise events on campus for clubs and students alike. Ngaire Powell, Chair of Societies and Activities social@ecuguild.org.au 0437078874 Facebook: ECUSocialCouncil

To join the Equity Board for any of the above departments or to become involved please contact me. Tamzin Walker Chair of Equity and Diversity equity@ecuguild.org.au 0438 882 963 Facebook: ECUEquity

Facebook 4

webpage

2014 Guild Clubs And Societies Listing

AMSO (Arts Management Student Organisation - WAAPA) The Arts Management Student Organisation (AMSO) is a thriving student body that aims to raise funds for 3rd year secondments which is a 10 week, unpaid, full-time placement in the Arts industry. Throughout the year, students co-ordinate fundraising events and activities which give them the opportunity to put into practice the theories of marketing, management, finance, art law and economics. AMSO is committed to utilising the students‘ abilities so that students graduate with more than a university degree, additionally, they will possess practical experience. All current and alumni members are welcome to join. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18220809968

Black Fish Scuba Hello all this is a social group for all SCUBA divers, free divers and other interested people. We hope to bring both SCUBA Divers and Free divers together so that on a regular basis we can organise group dives, charters and social events. So if you are a SCUBA Diver/Free Diver or if you are just interested in possibly learning about and or becoming a diver, then join us. You won’t regret it after all you should always Buddy up. Also to become an official members please message myself with your contact details and if you are an ECU student your student number Email: fmcenhil@our.ecu.edu.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/170517039763956

Chekss The Chekss club is a combination of Chess and Checkers players. It is a friendly environment with different people from different cultures. We Organise weekly/monthly events and tournaments (with prizes) We have all sorts of Chess and Checkers sets, including a Mario and Luigi Chess and Checkers and a 3-way chess board!!!!! We always welcome new arrivals and there is no entrance fee to the club. It’s a social club and everyone can join, no matter your age or nationality. We like to make new friends ☺ If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Chekss/361058207343026

Entrepreneurial - having the perspective to see and opportunity and the talent to create value from that opportunity; Action- the willingness to do something and the commitment to see it through even when the outcome is not guaranteed; Us - a group of people who see themselves connected in some important way; individuals that are part of a greater whole.

Down Stage Left (Stage management- WAAPA) Down Stage Left is the fundraising group for the students of the WAAPA Production and design course, Stage Management. Down Stage Left is run by 1st and 2nd year students to raise funds to help our third years with their secondments. Secondment is a term used for going out into professional theatres, all around the globe, and getting hands on experience in the stage management field. These often lead to jobs offers in the theatres/ theatre companies they have worked as they get to see how hard working and dedicated WAAPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s Stage Management students are. Jessie Atkins Mobile: 0449 074 208 Email: Jessie.atkins@outlook.com Charlotte Newton Mobile: 0421 880 541 Email: cnewton3@our.ecu.edu.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downstage.left.1

ECU Badminton Club Badminton is a fun and exciting sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. ECU Badminton is open to all levels and welcomes you. Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ecujoondalupbaddyclub/ home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EcuBadmintonClub

Email: ecuenactus@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnactusECU Website: http://www.ecuenactus.org.au/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Enactus_ECU

ECU Engineers Club [EC]^2 ; the revitalised Edith Cowan Engineers Club is actively engaging engineering students & fostering a social atmosphere within the faculty. Membership entitles students to many benefits including Tavern & fortnightly golf day discounts. We support all Guild parties & events encouraging as many students to get involved as possible. This year we will be running first year workshops & pushing for a more faculty focussed mentoring program, to assist all new and current students with an ECU engineering degree. We are always open to new ideas; we meet fortnightly at the ECU Joondalup Tavern & would be delighted to see people there. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ecuengclub/ Email: ecuengclub@googlegroups.com / ecuengclub@gmail.com

ECU Divestment Club Emails: Ashleigh.giles27@hotmail.com

ECU Enactus We are a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better more sustainable world. So if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;re looking for a place to implement your classroom learning in real life or to get some volunteering experience, this is just the place for you!

ECU Ethnocultural Collective ECU Ethnocultural Collective aims to be a platform for culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse students to share their culture, history and stories with likeminded individuals and foster better intercultural relations with the broader community. From market days to cultural events to foreign film screenings and more, enrich your Australian university experience. All culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse people encouraged to join. Email: ecuethnoculturalcollective@live.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ECU-EthnoculturalCollective/481768915229900

ECU Film Society For film students and just film lovers, we run fortnightly movie screenings at Mount Lawley Campus. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/408527272577763 ECU French Club Bonjour à tous. Our main goal is to meet other students from different fields and organise events based on French culture. We also run classes for those who are interested in learning French. Email: yamnae@our.ecu.edu.au

What you can expect at CU is simply to encounter the person of Jesus Christ as he is revealed in the Bible. Come with your questions, convictions, or even prejudices as we explore the Bible together. Our hope is that you will find deeper meaning and joy throughout your university life. Where We Meet: Bible Studies this semester will meet at Cafe Six, all are welcome: Times: Wednesday 12:00pm-1:00pm Thursday 12:00pm-1:00pm Email: ecucu.joondalup@hotmail.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/653217894719978/ Website: http://joondalup.ecucu.org.au/ If you want more information you can phone. Cameron Healy – President 0448 442 322 Ewen Lin – Staffworker 0422 595 248

ECU Islamic Society The ECU Islamic Society (ECUIS) was first formed in 1994 and is an organisation of Muslim students who are looking to make university life more comfortable and welcoming for fellow Muslims. ECUIS serves as a support group which can relate to and help with any issues Muslim students may be facing including helping new students adapt to Uni life. Also ECUIS organises events and activities to allow students to interact and develop networks with each other. ECUIS is also the caretakers of the Musallahs‘ that ECU has provided on both the Joondalup and Mt Lawley campuses which are available 24/7 for daily prayers. Objectives: - To advocate and defend religious rights of Muslim staff and students at all levels. - To look after and maintain the Musallahs provided by ECU. - To encourage teaching and academic research into Islam in ECU. - To promote freedom of speech, choice and existence and understanding.

ECU Malaysians Club Edith Cowan University Malaysians Club was found by Malaysians student to bring together Malaysians studying in ECU through educational, cultural and social activities; to strengthen the relationships between the Malaysians in ECU and to aid them in building network with other CSC in ECU, external organisation, authorities and local community. Email: pres@ecumy.com Website: www.ecumy.com

Email: ecu.islamicsociety@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecu.islamic

ECU Parties and Events ECU Parties and Events are the premiere social club at Edith Cowan University. We aim to host the best parties and events at student prices all year long. This club is run by students, for students ECU Joondalup Christian Union We are a bunch of Christian students at ECU Joondalup meeting together to share life on campus. Despite our name, we are nothing like a union. All we have in common is our love for Jesus. Anyone is welcome, whether you’re a Christian or are just vaguely curious! At CU, we are convinced that Christianity is not only historically and intellectually credible but also emotionally and spiritually satisfying. No matter what expectations of Uni life you may have; or perhaps your experience so far has been dull to say the least, we sincerely recommend you give Christianity a fair go.

Email: ECUpartiesandevents@outlook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecupartiesandevents ECU Persian Club Email: sardarinejad@gmail.com

With events including but not limited to BBQs, Pub Nights, Screenings, Lectures, Debates and Parties. We also hope to open dialogues with other groups to raise awareness and correct public misconceptions of atheism and to promote the idea that you don’t need a god to be a good person. ECU Queer Collective The ECU Queer Collective is a representative body for all Queer and questioning/allied students of Edith Cowan University. We advocate, support and consult with the Guild & University on your behalf. We also strive to provide some great opportunities to meet fellow Queer students. We are here to help you make friends, learn about all things Queer from political issues to safe sex and everything in between and most of all have fun. Get involved and look forward to things such as: Meet-ups Parties Camps Workshops Conferences Movies Quiz-nights Pub Crawls Arts and Crafts Resources Queer Space And more! Email: ecu.queer.collective@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECUniversityQC

ECU Science Union We aim to offer quality opportunities in social and educational contexts for all students in any science based course. Email: ecu@scientist.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Edith-Cowan-Science-Union ECU Singapore Student Association Email: jtan26@our.ecu.edu.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdithCowanSSA ECU Village Social Club (Joondalup) Email: james_claassen@yahoo.com

ECU Women’s Community The ECU Women’s community aims to provide an enriched university experience for all female and female identifying students and staff members. Our activities and events aim to be as colourful and diverse as the students we represent. Email: ecuwomenscommunity@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EcuWomensCommunity Edith Cowan Aviators Email: lee.t@me.com

ECU Student Arts Union For Students enrolled in the School of Communications and Arts. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EcuStudentArtsUnion

ECU Student Secular Alliance The ECU Atheist Society exists to provide a place for Atheist, Agnostic and Secular Humanist students and non-students to hang out with like-minded people, to make friends, network and have a good time. We seek to provide a friendly and supportive environment that promotes secularism, reason, scepticism, rational thought and debate, critical thinking, and also values and principals grounded in secular humanism.

Edith Cowan Student Law Society The Edith Cowan Student Law Society provides services for the law students of Edith Cowan University, including networking opportunities, workshops, social events and presentations relevant to the legal industry. Our goal is to provide law students with opportunities to develop the skills and networks necessary to excel in their chosen field, and to help make the study of law at Edith Cowan University a rich and rewarding experience. ECSLS will act as both a provider of and a central hub of information about, competitions, skill development, networking and employment opportunities, and social events to the law students of Edith Cowan University. Please see our membership page on the website for more information on how you can get involved with ECSLS. Website: www.ecsls.asn.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/ECSLS

Edith Cowan University Music Club We strive to be the music universe for students and all other club members. Whether you are a musician or have a general interest in music, we welcome people from all walks of life to join the club and get involved. The Edith Cowan University Music Club has been established as an outlet for all members to express themselves in many ways related to music. If you are not studying a music related course, this is the perfect way to still be involved in the scene. We will be holding many events such as band competitions, on/off campus live shows, member socialising events, open mic. sessions and much more throughout the academic year. Visit and join our Facebook group page regularly to find details of our activities and upcoming events. One of Perth’s biggest sound and lighting companies, Kosmic, are also offering discount to all club members towards purchases at their stores. The club aims to take club members and Edith Cowan University to higher levels of involvement with Perth’s renowned music scene and we need you to help us make it happen. Email: ecumusicclub@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/E.C.U.musicclub Excellence Sports Association Email: gillesmonty@hotmail.com

Network Teach Network Teach is Australia’s leading and largest organisation to support aspiring teachers. Based at all three campus sites in Mount Lawley, Joondalup and Bunbury, it supports over 3000 students studying undergraduate and post graduate education based courses. Network Teach is renowned amongst the education community for providing Australia’s most extensive range of professional development for trainee teachers with over 200 career developing opportunities and general events scheduled for 2014. Network Teach also provides numerous leadership opportunities with a large executive team representing students on each campus site. If you are interested in joining Network Teach or want to take part in the vast array of events, please visit the Network Teach website; www.networkteach.com for further information. Two $1250 scholarships are available in 2014 courtesy of our Principal Sponsor; Teachers Mutual Bank with all students from the School of Education, eligible to apply. Network Teach is proudly sponsored by the ECU Student Guild, Teachers Mutual Bank, Edith Cowan University and the Coop Bookshops with all funds generated reinvested into further opportunities for students. General Enquiries: networkteach@ecu.edu.au Mount Lawley: ntml@ecu.edu.au Joondalup: ntjo@ecu.edu.au Bunbury: ntbu@ecu.edu.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/networkteach

Jack of Arts (WAAPA) Last year, WAAPA welcomed its new course, the Bachelor of Performing Arts. The course focuses on teaching students how to devise and administer their own independent theatre. Jack of Arts is committee conceived to support Performing Arts students in theatre projects and promote the arts to those willing to expose themselves to it. Jack of Arts raises money through festivities, functions and food sales. On the agenda for 2014 already we have our annual Dionysia, a tour of Perth pop up galleries, and a Christmas in July dinner. For more information on Jack of Arts please contact Chloe Evangelisti, Club President at chloe.evangelisti@gmail.com www.facebook.com/bpajack or call 0435 399 593

Japanese Studies Society For student studying Japanese or for anyone interested in the Japanese language and culture. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/107670449287860

Mature Age Student Network ECU The Mature Age Student Network began at Edith Cowan University in 2009 as a platform for our very diverse mature age student population. It has spread throughout Australia and now forms part of the Mature Age Student Network Australia. Our Club exists to provide assistance as well as social activities to mature age students as they go through Uni. We meet for coffee every Wednesday morning between 10-11am at the Mount Lawley‘s Central Cafe, and you are very welcome to join us. There are occasional coffee meetups at Joondalup and we also visit MA students at the Bunbury campus. There will be larger events organised in each semester. So check us out on social media and stay tuned! Mailing List: ecu.matureage.list@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECUMASN Blog: http://ecumasn.blogspot.com.au/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MASNECU

Macedonian Student Association Email: dtodoros@our.ecu.edu.au Or walk into Slice of Italy Joondalup Campus

Mt Lawley Church We are a multicultural group of fun loving people who share one thing in common; we love God and we love people. We enjoy doing life with people and love to bring the hope of Jesus into people’s lives. Besides the usual service on Sunday mornings at ECU Mount Lawley (Building 15) we organise social events that get people connected and give them a sense of belonging. So if you are looking to make new friends, or connect with God in an authentic way - then MLC is the place to be. Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ CollectiveHopeMtLawleyChurch Email: chimbabe1@yahoo.com Perth Gaymer Guild We‘re a community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgendered, intersex, queer, questioning and allied people and not limited to just uni students. Through monthly social gaming events, we want members to express their passion in games like console gaming, handheld, LAN parties and online gaming to even board games and TCG games. We also want extend our hand out to other universities to come join us as well in these events. We encourage and welcome all members to invite friends to our events. So get the word out!

Robotics and Programming Society (RPS) Do you like to code or build awesome robots? Well, RPS is the way to go. With fortnightly coding sessions and events every semester we are sure to keep you motivated throughout your university course. Learning to program has never been easier, RPS offers two free programming language courses every year. All courses are beginner based so you don’t need to be a Mark Zuckerburg to follow along. We offer Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, C++, Objective C, HTML,CSS, and PHP. Want to learn something else? We also take requests. RPS is the home of building awesome gadgets. In 2014 we will be building a 3D printer, mini-Quadcopters, Robotic arms and much, much more. Code, Build, Learn. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roboticsecu Email: rps@outlook.com

The D (Table Top Gaming Club) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/608726275812034 The Smiles (ECU Charity Club) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/415240768601814 The Sound davidw@kingdomcity.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/perthgaymerguild

POWA Anime Club POWA is an anime club for fans, by fans. POWA is open to the public, student or not, and we get together once a week on Sunday afternoon to watch anime voted upon, also including series supplied by our sponsors, Siren Visual and Madman Entertainment. We also have events that go beyond screenings, such as LAN parties. Email: powaclub@gmail.com

Women in Engineering at ECU Women in Engineering at Edith Cowan University (WIEECU) is a group of coordinated students, aimed to assist and develop the female populous in the areas of engineering, science, maths and other technology based curriculum. We will be hosting a variety of events and activities, to build skills as well as opportunities to network with other students and organisations. While these activities are focused toward female students, we are accepting of anyone interested in joining in. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIEECU Website: http://wieecu.weebly.com/

Our society believes in the importance of continued professional development sessions outside the classroom setting. We aim to provide our members with opportunities to enhance their knowledge base with the generous support and guidance from Paramedics Australasia’s WA chapter. Behind WASP is a dedicated, adaptive and objective committee that continues to represent and advocate for the students best interest. Our society is closely affiliated with Student Paramedics Australasia (SPA), a national special interest group of Paramedics Australasia. This affiliation allows our members to actively participate in Paramedics Australasia and SPA activities. SPA vision is “To be a conduit for all paramedic students, enabling them to be heard and supported and to facilitate their professional development”.

Western Australian Student Paramedics (WASP) Western Australian Student Paramedics (WASP), borne out of the previous SPA society SOAPS is an Edith Cowan University based society aimed to connect all students studying a Bachelor of Paramedical Science throughout WA. The society works at both an educational and social level to assist, direct, represent and connect the various student year groups and study modes across the state.

WASP aligns themselves with SPA/PA code of conduct regarding ethical behaviours, attitudes to care, and principles of good patient interaction. • Integrity • Responsibility • Accountability • Competence • Consent for patients • Confidentiality • Research • Ethical Review For more information and to get involved visit or contact: http://wastudentparamedics.com/ secretary@wastudentparamedics.com

The Perth check List You’ve woken up and you have no idea where you are or who you are. You are in a strange place in some country called Australia, but where in Australia is a mystery. But that’s okay, because I have compiled a list of things to help you determine if you are in, or are from, Australia’s favourite little big city, Perth. You know you’re in Perth if... Someone indicates to go straight at a roundabout. Or indicates right to turn off a roundabout. Or turns right at a roundabout but doesn’t indicate. Or someone gets so confused at these fancy fandangled things called roundabouts that they have no idea how to maneuver it at all. Can’t I just go straight through it? A bag thief runs straight into a glass window and knocks himself unconscious. (If you haven’t seen the video YouTube “Perth bag thief”. You won’t regret it.) It’s impossible to park at any train station after 7AM. You wait till Wednesday to fill up your car. The sight of a dual lane roundabout sends shivers down your spine. Your entertainment centre looks like a transformer. You don’t even bother to park in between the lines. You almost have a heart attack when a pint of beer is under $10. A pint of beer costs you $15. You go 20k’s under the speed limit just because you can.

Buses have exploded. And not because of terrorists. You complain about congestion. Even though the traffic jam only lasts 10 minutes. Catching public transport during peak hour is one of your major nightmares. It takes years to get anything done. Building a new entertainment centre? Still not completed, even though 2 years ago it was expected to be finished. Sinking the train lines in the city? Try another 5 or 6 years. Light railways to the Eastern suburbs? Yeah that’s not going to happen any time soon. The best buskers are Asian Hendrix, a guy that plays with glass balls, an overly enthusiastic magician/dancer/singer/annoyance and a man that dresses up (poorly) as a clown. The McDonalds ice cream machine doesn’t work. At every single McDonalds. The Stirling to Clarkson line will be closed this evening for maintenance. Sorry for the inconvenience. Also the Leederville to Perth line will be closed this weekend. And the Esplanade to Glenadlough line will be closed all week. Oh and the Fremantle to Cottesloe line will closed. Again. Sorry for the inconvenience. Good luck getting a bus. You complain about Perth being boring, and then refuse to leave your house to try and find things to do.

You know you’ll never be able to afford a house.

Dick Smith sneaks smutty jokes into their advertisements and catalogues.

Pre-drinks are the highlight of your night.

You have absolutely no idea how to merge.

You avoid Armadale and Rockingham like they have the plague.

You avoid the Hell out of The Deen and Black Betty’s.

You complain about it being too hot.

It reaches 37 degrees in autumn.

You complain about it being 20 degrees and too cold.

Everything is shut after 10PM on a weekday and 2AM on the weekend.

You complain. About anything and everything you could possibly complain about. You are attacked for not having a cigarette or a lighter on you. You carry cigarettes and a lighter on you even though you don’t smoke.

You use a public urinal on a night out.

I hope this helped you work out if you’ve awoken in Perth. If you have, start planning your escape. There is hope for all of us!

Words by Francesca Mann Image by Grace McKie

It’s 2013. You wake up one morning, and feel a little under the weather. You wonder what you did last night – no, it can’t be a hangover, you sure know what that feels like. This is different. You’re feverish, sweating, nauseous. Probably just the ‘flu that’s been going around uni, work, and amongst your friends. Not to worry, you think. You’ll go to the doctor, they’ll confirm your WebMD diagnosis of a viral infection, recommend some Codral and you’ll spend the rest of the week sitting in bed, napping and watching crappy daytime TV. What seems so simple to us now seriously perplexed medieval physicians. Trying desperately to find explanations for the plague and the multitude of other diseases that afflicted the population, humoral theory and miasma theory were born. In a medieval context, the body was understood to be composed of four humours: • • • •

Black bile, formed in the gallbladder. This had ‘dry’ and ‘cold’ qualities, and was ‘melancholic’. Yellow bile, formed in the spleen. This had ‘warm’ and ‘dry’ characteristics and was ‘choleric’. Blood, formed in the liver. Unsurprisingly, it had ‘warm’ and ‘moist’ qualities and was ‘sanguine’. Phlegm, formed in the brain and lungs. It was ‘cold’ and moist’ and was ‘phlegmatic’.

Some of these words have totally different meanings to us now, and they might even make you feel a little ill just thinking about them. But, all disease was suggested to result from an imbalance of humours, which could be caused by inhalation of ‘vapors’ – and this is miasma theory. For the longest time, disease was thought to be caused by ‘bad smells’, or inhaling noxious odours from decomposing matter. Given the lack of sanitation and the overwhelming numbers of dead as a result of the plague, and the startling misunderstanding of the world, it was easy to see how that conclusion could be reached. This miasma theory even came into play when medieval plague doctors were ‘treating’ patients (or poking them with a long stick, either way). The doctors would wear, amongst other scary-looking things, a white mask with eye holes made out of glass, and a massively long beak with herbs, spices and flowers stuffed in at the end. This was meant to protect them from the plague, as it was supposed to stop the miasma/bad smells from getting to their airways.

Anyway, as it turns out, this didn’t really work because these ‘doctors’ (I use that term loosely as they weren’t really doctors, more like local townsfolk that thought they might be good at that kind of thing) had a terrifyingly low survival rate, what with the whole being-exposed-to-plague-victims-all-the-time thing, and using lovely smelling FLOWERS of all things to stop the spread of germs. Another couple of hilariously inaccurate but sadly honestly believed causes of the plague (and pretty much every other disease) include bathing (opens the pores which allows germs to come in), being Jewish (disease was God’s punishment), being a woman, being sinful, planets/stars being aligned or not aligned (astrology was even bigger then, than it is on latenight TV now), and mysticism, spells and magic. Treatment for imbalance of the humours, and thus treatment for any disease, was to either eliminate the excess of one, or treat the deficit of another, using surgical, spiritual or herbal remedies. Got a headache? We’ll fix you right up with some trepanning. Literally, we will drill into your skull to release the pressure caused by an excess of phlegm. Got a fever? Well, remember how blood was the humour that held the ‘warm’ and ‘moist’ elements? Yep, that’s gotta go. Bloodletting was the cure for that, and often also for the plague as massive, infected, bright red pus-filled lymph nodes called buboes would form around the groin and armpits of the sufferers (hence bubonic plague). A great example of some handy plague prevention tips comes from Nostradamus, who advised to get rid of the bodies and get some fresh air in you to ensure you don’t inhale those dangerous odours, drink some clean water (if you could find any that wasn’t contaminated with bodily fluids) and drink some juice with ‘rose hips’. Using herbs and potions with the characteristics of the deficient humours or with opposite characteristics to the abundant humours was also a popular way to treat illness, and something like melancholy (excess of black bile) might have been treated with hot beverages with honey or herbs to restore balance – quite similar to how we like to have a cup of tea or coffee to perk ourselves up while we’re feeling a bit melancholic!

Words by Denae Sinclair Image by Kate Prendergast

What if...

I killed Myself I was lying in bed thinking about the year long trip I am soon to take around the world and what my life might be like in the future. When suddenly a thought appeared, very simple and very clear: what if I killed myself instead? It was not solemn, angry or shocking; more like a pleasant suggestion and such a novel approach to my future career plan that I had to smile. Although I wasn’t joking either. I’m not a religious person, neither do I believe in an afterlife, so killing myself would be the end of it well not all of it, every piece of my body would still be floating around somewhere in some way, but death would be the end of me. I’ve been fascinated by this “Me” my whole life; what is he gonna be like in the future? What do others think of him? What do I think of him? What is he doing and why? Some times I like thinking about it, some times I hate it. If I am thinking about myself though, it is often about the future or the past. I’ve never been good at thinking about the present; I always seem get ahead of myself or snagged somewhere and slip off the knife edge that is the right now. In the past exists all the embarrassment, regrets and sadness of your life and the future is where you keep all your anxiety and fear. What if you never had to carry that around anymore? What a liberation! No more rent, tax returns, careers, lies, expectations or disappointments. I’m sick of doubt and I’d be free of it all. I mean it, hasn’t been all bad, I’ve had a good run, I reckon. Well good enough. Maybe not enough to base a movie on; I mean sure, I would’ve liked more people to have laughed at my jokes or to ride a motorbike from Argentina to Alaska or to get a really nice six pack, (just once!) Or maybe fall in love in the tropics, make surfboards by the beach, have loads of babies and spread peace and love. But will that happen? I mean, by middle age isn’t everyone either boring or depressed or both? Why not leave after youth? What point is there exposing yourself to the rest? What about being trapped in a job or a relationship you hate? What about being crushed into an office cubicle with a number instead of a name, performing data entry day after day after day after day for nothing? What about hurting people, by accident, or because you were forced to… or for your own gain?

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Worse still what if nothing happened, you never got into a single adventure ever again? What if you lived your whole life and never did those things you dreamt of? What if you never met anyone who you connected with, no one who said anything funny or original? What if nobody knew who you were and nobody cared. What if you ended up desperately poor, miserable and alone? What if you just stepped into traffic and it was all over. Why struggle anymore? Well, you would miss the sunrise. You’d miss seeing the seasons change, you’d miss seeing storms roll over the ocean and you would miss seeing your friends laughing ever again. The universe would continue without you, and time would collapse without reference point or observation. It’s true when you imagine a future, dark and uncertain; why continue? But what of a life with moments of happiness, achievement, love, and excitement, or maybe just of quiet stillness. Moments you can return to in your memories and moments you can lose yourself within the present. I think it’s easy to justify never existing at all, but it’s at least a little bit harder to decide to end it once it’s begun, to sever the connections and attachments to the world and become just a collection of inanimate atoms occupying a minute part of the universe. Still, these aren’t really reasons not to kill yourself. These are just things that might make you appreciate the now or what could be. Maybe we’re just staying because we’re scared our passing would devastate some of those we’d leave behind, or maybe we don’t always have a good reason and life is simply something we’re doing for now. Camus once said “Should I kill myself, or have a cup of coffee?” Put like that life seems so absurd and meaningless, but joy can just as easily be a product of random chance as misery, and when faced with inevitable death, why not appreciate, if not enjoy, what happens till it arrives? It might not even be a case of preservation, but if you do decide to go base jumping, why not bring a parachute? Words by D’Arcy Ellis Image by Clairine Ca’o

“If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred” – Walt Whitman The single word, ‘body’, at the birth of phonetics flavored from the mouth - is sure to stun me or anyone for that matter in an active philosophical moment. The body is colossal, not to mention the mind-body paradox still debated on philosophical terrain today. When I think ‘body’, I hear an avalanche of visionary voices, thoughts, theories, artists, writers, scientists, religious icons, dancers, surgeons, beauty specialists, dermatologists, pornographers; the list goes on. The list must go on indeed, as body encapsulates everything about mankind. It is the staple of our physical existence on earth and in the universe. Body to earth contact is an intimate part of our lives. Our skin is forever without choice, caressing, brushing against, stepping upon, climbing on, and breathing within the dome of the world, upon every natural object, surface and living thing we can touch with the skin of our hands. Our skin is a washable, durable, but at the same time paper-thin and sensitive, yet cries out a maroon sap at a pin-prick and further yet has a warranty of seventy plus years. Our skin buries away muscles and organs from direct contact with earth, just like those French ticklers we buy over the counter. From the very beginning, in our safe, balmy and unweathering cave; our home for the first nine months of our lives before we are submerged into our longer, and intimately sensorium experience with Earth – we feel the first tingling of touch present at our lips. A fetus can experience sensation around the mouth at only ten weeks. From there, the five senses begin to crawl themselves into our bodies, engulfing us in a wedded lifelong intimacy with earth. We can do nothing but feel, hear, taste and watch the world from our home at the body. Often I’ve thought of the body as a lumbering and hefty life form that gives us a sense of entrapment within it. This idea was expressed by those believers of the Dionysiac-Orphic theology in Ancient Greece, who saw the body as a prison to the soul. If the soul committed sin in the deep Divine, punishment was a life sentence in a human body. It seems relevant that the majority of followers of this theology at the time were the destitute members of Greece.

Impoverished circumstances are welded to the demands of our biology; hunger, discomfort, pain, illness. There is always some discomfort to be found in this living, breathing, devouring creature we reside in. Perhaps our bodies are, in fact, an albatross affliction and we are all marionettes of the tragedy. What fascinates me is our longevity throughout time. At every second, since infancy, the body carries tons and tons of weight upon it from gravity. It is no wonder the elderly have a tendency to become stooped over as our spines buckle under decades of relentless pressure. The weight of gravity pushes against our spine, causing our waist to wrinkle downwards into that tube around our hips known in lifestyle media as ‘love handles’. So in a sense, our bodies are these soft and almost argillaceous artworks, like clay kneaded by heat in the middle of the Sahara. The human body is deformable and malleable, not to mention the constant state of flux created by renewal of atoms. To bring to boil an epitome: We are essentially, workable earth material. My favorite reference to human bodies as ‘soft, warm passels of flesh’ by Kate Grenville has never been more insightful. Inside the womb, for the only time in our life, we are free from the burden of gravity that inhibits us. It’s interesting how children often seek ways to escape gravity, such as using a swing or riding a roller-coaster. Once we’re stuck with this heaviness from birth onwards, we want to be freed of it. This is where my idea of the lumbering, hefty being is applied. Our body is a puppet to gravity; to god, to the universe; to whoever sets the boundaries of our physical capacities. Is the body a strength or weakness? If we were left unbound to our bodies, would we revel in its absence? Can the mind or spirit live without its material, mobile device? This is a fascinating question that has driven philosophers throughout time. Now think about this for me: Where are your thoughts, right at this very moment – yes, right now. I ask of you to say hello to your thoughts, and with friendly genteel, ask them: Are they living inside your body, or beyond the skin you live in? Alas, I leave you with a quote by Elizabeth Knox: ‘You fainted and I caught you. It was the first time I’d supported a human. You had such heavy bones. I put myself between you and gravity. Impossible.’ Words by Kate Arnautovic Image by Kate Prendergast

It all starts with a peanut butter and mushroom sandwich. Not a familiar combination but certainly an interesting one. I hesitate momentarily before taking a small bite from the corner. Not a great first bite. When I make a sandwich for myself the condiment is spread right to the corners, covering every square inch of the bread. But I didn’t make this sandwich. My friend made it for me and now the dry crusts of the bread are teaming up with the cheap brand of peanut butter and are sticking to the roof of my mouth, the sides of my mouth and my tongue. The next bite proves to be more challenging as my teeth find themselves up against a dried mushroom, and this isn’t an ordinary mushroom, it’s a magical one. It does not seem like a magical experience so far, the taste is putrid and I find myself gagging. Trying ever so hard to look graceful whilst eating this disgusting sandwich. My teeth do not bite through the entire mushroom sometimes and the small stalks are left sticking out the side of my mouth. I suck them in like a frog eating a fly and chew, chew, chew away. After ten wonderful minutes my stomach tries to do the right thing for my body by rejecting the mushrooms. The vomit tries to crawl its way up my oesophagus but I won’t let it come out. My mind fights the unnatural hallucinogenic properties and my stomach fights the overwhelming urge to throw up. This is all new to me but the others assure me that once we get past this stage everything is going to be amazing. There are five of us in the house tonight in Kensal Rise, London. The other four are casually strewn across the mismatched couches in the open lounge room/kitchen/dining room. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is on TV. I have never seen this movie before but it is freaking me the fuck out. There are mini orange men the colour of carrots running about the screen singing a song that can only be described as disturbing. I don’t want to watch this movie because I can’t tell if it’s me that’s fucked up or the movie, and I want to know when it hits and when I am indeed hallucinating.

The others seem quite content where they are but the sliding door leading to the back garden is beckoning me. I now understand what people mean when they say they are feeling all warm and fuzzy. My skin feels everything. I am suddenly aware of where my clothes are touching me, I am so warm and lovely and the slight breeze brushing past is kissing me all over. It feels exquisite. I feel alive. It’s late afternoon and the sky looks as if it has been progressively dyed. A beautiful midnight blue is at the tip of the dome, mixing with the paleness of the horizon to create a palette of magnificent blues. I tell myself that the drugs haven’t kicked in yet because this is just nature; I have seen these things before. When the clouds start swirling together and forming delicate patterns I realise it has begun. I rub my eyes and turn my head towards the sky once again, taking a moment before opening them. This is for real, the clouds are still dancing together, making different patterns now and I am totally captivated by the result. An aeroplane enters my peripheral vision and now that my eyes have fully locked onto it, I discover the trail of fireworks streaming out of it at a deliriously slow pace. Colours I have never seen before, the intensity almost too much for the human eye to absorb. It feels like some almighty being is putting on a show for me. This is all happening just for me. I feel so special. I feel so at one with the world. I feel like I have been watching this outdoor display for a eternity but I have no true perception of time anymore. It’s time to see what the others are doing. They are all staring intently at the TV. It seems so hilarious so I laugh at them. It is the kind of laughter I experience on odd occasions when I am in a crazy enough mood. It starts in my belly and shakes my entire body from head to toe. Not much sound escapes from me, its more a movement thing. I laugh so hard my whole face is pulled taut from the smiling and I don’t think my face is physically able to stretch any more. Everyone is laughing now, and we continue to laugh for hour and hours about, well... nothing and everything. I am happy. I am deliriously happy. I am happy in a way that I have never been before. I now understand that sticker that I once saw on the back of a beat up Holden Commodore that said: ‘Make the world a better place and I’ll stop doing drugs’.

Words by Anonymous Image by Jess Paterson

BRRRRT. BRRRRT. BRRRRT. BRRRRT. You roll over and whack your alarm clock. It’s 6am and you’re wide-awake, the sound of them stomping down your street all night kept you awake. You live in a world where humans are prey, mere meals for a predator more than triple your size. You wake up every morning with the fear that today could be your last day. But like the ants we step on and the cows we kill for food, you have to carry on. As you prepare your first cup of coffee for the day you flick on the morning news. The run of peaceful nights has come to an end. The exhausted-looking newsreader informs you that they attacked a suburb not far away from you. Houses were destroyed; people were ripped from their beds. So far it’s unconfirmed how many people have been taken and eaten, but it’s well over 50. This type of news doesn’t even affect you anymore. They have a mass meal every month and you’re used to seeing people come and go. That’s just the world you live in. In school they told you to never get too attached to anyone because you never know if they’d be next. But it’s hard to socialise when they patrol the streets at night. They are nocturnal creatures, but that’s ok, it allows you and your community to work during the day knowing that the predators are most likely sound asleep in the wild. As you walk to work and pass nearby territories you can see the debris from last night. Bits of roof litter the streets and trees have been ripped up out of the ground. What’s even more horrifying is the body parts that have been flung around the street. It’s never an easy thing to stomach, the sight of legs and arms stuck in trees or lying in the middle of the road. It makes you wonder what happened to the rest of the person, if they died quickly and painlessly or if they could still be alive. It also makes you realise how lucky you are, yet again. But your luck could run out at any moment, just like the poor, unfortunate people who lived in this territory.

You work where most people in town work, at the Research and Prevention Centre. Your job is to think of new ways to help keep people safe from them. Your main tasks include housing (making houses stronger to prevent more break ins), education (setting up more classes and workshops on how to reduce the risk of being taken) and new inventions (sprays, clothes, pills etc that make you briefly unrecognisable by them). Of course you are working on these tasks with a team from around the world, you are just the representative from your territory. You’ve met amazing people from around the world through your job, however you’ll never get the chance to meet them in person or see what’s outside your country as travelling such long distances is way too dangerous. Travel is a major issue currently being discussed by country leaders. Walking is the safest means of transportation as it is quiet and fairly inconspicuous, however it is not the quickest way to travel around and cuts out valuable research time. Some people choose to travel by car or by bus, however there have been many fatalities as a result of noisy engines attracting them. One department at the centre is dedicated to coming up with new ways to travel quickly and quietly. You’ve heard rumours that they’re currently working on plans to build giant tunnels underground, and you believe work may have started on a tunnel joining the United Kingdom to other parts of Europe. Your day goes by without any major hiccups. The centre conducted a danger drill to check that all the sirens were working correctly. As they enter an alarmed territory the vibrations they create triggers the sirens and warns all nearby residents to seek cover. It turns out the sirens in the area that was attacked last night may have been malfunctioning. On your walk home from work you wonder how something so crucial could have failed to work. You hope the ones in your territory are up to scratch. It’s now 6pm and you’re home, tucking into dinner while watching the news. The newsreader informs you to be extra careful the next few nights as some alarms may not be working correctly. You hear the distant roar of them finally awakening, ready for another night of prowling. You decide it might be a good idea to sleep in the bunker under your house tonight. Words by Francesca Mann Image by Rehana Badat

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Culture

Tell me a little bit about yourself! Who is Martin E. Wills? Martin E Wills loves pizza, fun haircuts, gin and tonic and Star Trek - especially The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. I’ve been exhibiting work since 2008 but I’ve always been that kid in school who draws all over the margins and inside covers of his books. I studied graphic design and majored in advertising but was too focused on being in a band to give it a real go. And when that all fell to bits I decided it was time to pick up a paintbrush. And I’m serious about the Star Trek thing. You’ve previously mentioned that your work in painting and illustration followed from studying design and advertising. Was being an artist something you always aspired to, or was it a desire that was inspired by external factors? It isn’t so much that I aspired to be an artist, but I’ve always tried to make use of my creativity. So studying design and majoring in creative advertising was really about me trying to crush that side of me in to a career path. But I wasn’t passionate about graphic design or advertising - rather I just really enjoyed trying to solve problems creatively. It’s just I get to do it for myself now, instead of a client who wants to sell an extra hundred thousand things to a particular demographic. The theme for this edition is “what if..” so I’d like to know – if you weren’t an artist, what do you think you’d be doing right now? Laying on a bed at a mine site checking my bank balance every couple of minutes, being completely astonished every time. Your work is quite surreal and many pieces touch on science fiction. What sources do you draw your visual and thematic inspiration from? My early work was heavily influenced by b-movie science fiction - stuff like Frtiz Lang’s Metropolis, War Of The Worlds, Blade Runner, all of that stuff. The character based work I’m focusing on at the moment is really just an amalgam of all of the favourite parts of all the kinds of art I love, pressed through a fine screen to get rid of all the grit. And what comes out is my work, so it’s a weird blend of comic books, science fiction, street art, illustration and pornography. I’m curious to know the significance of the characters in your work. Okay, so, I paint otherworldly and vaguely judgemental dudes with gigantic gravity defying haircuts, often emerging from portals leading to other dimensions. Much of it is a simple joy in their aesthetic they’re a fun exaggeration of the human form, bold and graphic and angular. They have a science-fiction vibe - they sometimes appear floating in alien landscapes, or on the ocean floor. But what I’m trying to capture always is a feeling of distance and disconnection. They usually regard the viewer with a sort of cool contempt, sometimes they’re physically dissected without appearing to notice, sometimes they’re halfway between one world and another and so not really vested in either. If two characters are interacting they’re usually never touching one another. And sometimes, particularly recently for me, it feels like life is like that and I suppose that’s what I’m reacting to with my work.

Your work has appeared on everything from magnets and in galleries to murals and even public furniture. Do you think there is still a divide between street art and non-street art? Are those labels even relevant any more? It’s up to the artist how they want to play it with their work. The divide between the gallery artist and street artist is arbitrary and it fundamentally boils down to the quality of the work being created. Not everything created in the street is great but neither is everything that’s hung in a gallery. But if a good artist creates work in both venues, it will be valuable work regardless of where it’s located. And I think most people are on board with that idea these days. Looking ahead, what are your plans? Is making a living in Perth especially challenging? I haven’t lived anywhere but Perth for any significant amount of time, but making a living as an artist anywhere will always be challenging. Not just because there’s usually little money in it, but because the biggest fights are always with yourself. It’s not just about creating art, but creating better art, all the time. With that in mind I’m looking to stretch out and paint more large public pieces and start on a series of new works that have been bubbling away in my head. I’m hoping to put together a new solo show next year unlike anything I’ve exhibited in the past. Opportunities for artists in Perth have greatly expanded over the last few years, and I think they’re only going to get better. What’s been your most frustrating or disappointing experience working as an artist? Your early days, when your ambitions outstrip your talents, when no matter how many times you try you just can’t nail that idea. It’s deeply frustrating when what your mind sees your hands can’t replicate. Which is better and why? X-Files versus Battlestar Galactica. It’s unfair to pit the children against each other like that. But since you have… The X-Files starred Gillian Anderson, ruler of the universe as far as I’m concerned. However, Battlestar Galactica featured nuclear apocalypse, robots, clones, faster than light travel, and Edward James Olmos. So Battlestar Galactica totally wins. (Until the last episode, which was complete balls.) Where abouts can people see your work? The best place would probably be my website, www.martinewills. com or my instagram feed @martinewills. I’ll also be in an exhibition at Outré Gallery in Northbridge called Loco Locals in midOctober! Interview by Tom Reynolds Images kindly supplied by Martin E. Wills Originally published in ed. 5 vol. 4 To apply to write for, to submit material, or to edit the culture section email culture.editor.gsm@gmail.com

Film

To apply to write film reviews, receive festival passes, perform interviews or to edit the film section email film.editor.gsm@gmail.com

Film

The Chosen One Margaret Cho is probably better known for her career as a stand up comedian blending gross-out humour and personal storytelling with a sharp political edge dealing with issues like sexuality, gender and race. Cho has also had an extensive career in film and television including appearance in 30 Rock, directing music videos, staring alongside John Travolta in Face/Off and producing her own sitcom in the 1990s. The last later achievement was notable for both pioneering the positive and prominent presence of Asian characters on television and for being totally crap. Cho has also written several books. GSM: One reader compared you to being like Batman, dedicated to kicking butt in the name of social justice after a difficult childhood as an outsider. In your blog you’ve mentioned being “alternatively hated then invisible” because you didn’t fulfill the racial, sexual or physical expectations that were socially assigned to you. Rather than asking you how hard it is to be different, I was wondering if you could talk to the positives of being a non-conformist? Margaret: Being a nonconformist is the only choice I have, because I can’t exist any other way, so I suppose I don’t really know what it would be like to conform, just because everything about me is different from the world I live and work in. I guess what is great about it is that i can just do what I do, live as I live, just be myself at all times, which is a lot of freedom. GSM: Confession: growing up in my all-white town in rural Australia I can still remember regularly watching with fascination All American Girl. Re-watching it reminded me a bit of what Roseanne Barr was trying to achieve with her show at the same time. Do you think a show like AAG or Roseanne would be viable on television today – and are there any current shows that have continued their legacy? Margaret: Thank you for watching it! That is great. And I love Roseanne - I was trying to do what she was doing but I didn’t have the experience to back it up then. I do now, and I could really imagine doing a show like AAG or Roseanne today. There aren’t that many current shows i could say that were like those 90s sitcoms, but I love web series like Gayle Waters-Waters that can be seen on YouTube, and summer heights high, which was genius. GSM: Talking of TV, have you been watching Girls? Any thoughts on season two? Margaret: I love Lena Dunham, and I love her attitude. I think she is amazing and at times I feel like the scatological dark humor she is so wonderful at is really somehow borne from my body. I look at her and it feels like she is my daughter! GSM: The theme for this edition of the magazine is “pleasure”. I know we share a love of Billy Bragg and raisin toast. What else brings you pleasure, and have your pleasures changed over time?

Margaret: A good sleep, as I am a chronic insomniac and have spent over 2 weeks once without sleeping and when I finally fell asleep my phone woke me up with a message from a member of a band that I cannot mention but it scared me and I couldn’t sleep again for another 2 weeks. (think black metal) music is always giving me pleasure, really good comedy, soju and Korean barbecue, Korean garage bands and choi min sik. My pleasures have gotten simpler over time. GSM: I interviewed a young gay comedian who co-hosts the national youth radio station in Australia (we’re kind of socialists like that) and asked him if there was such a thing as being “too gay” in stand up. He argued there was, how would you respond to that question? Margaret: I don’t know. What is too gay? I haven’t encountered anyone too gay. We are all just right. GSM: What makes something funny – and is there anything taboo in standup? Margaret: Taboos in and of themselves are funny. And that is a very esoteric question. It’s a mystery what makes a joke funny. I don’t know, but for some reason, most days, I am fairly good at it GSM: You’re in your forties now. Has your life turned out anything like you’d predicted it would? And what else would you like to achieve in the next forty years? By the way, ever considered collaborating with Dan Savage? Margaret: I love Dan Savage! Yes I would love to do anything with him. He is a hero and a champion for young LGBT everywhere, and of course we older folks worship him too. we were hanging out together in Stockholm and I just fell in love with him. My life is great, it’s not what I pictured, but it’s better and I want to do the same things I am doing now, just working all the time and loving it forever. GSM: I put a shout out onto Facebook asking what questions people would most like to ask you if they had the opportunity. This is a question I got from a teacher friend of mine. ‘I’m teaching a book called Montana 1948. It deals with themes of masculinity, racism and misogyny. I have a 17-year-old student (a white heterosexual boy) who’s struggling to grasp the themes. I feel he can’t understand them without recognizing his own privilege and how it operates. How would you convey what masculinity and male privilege means to my student?’ Margaret: That is very difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t felt it, but I guess it’s that he is resistant to fully understand the privileges of his identity in society because it’s a possible admission to himself and others that he is somehow then implicated in oppression. I think that sometimes there is higher value placed on minority opinion, as this is happening now in the USA, and in that social hierarchical reversal, he might finds some answers. Interview by Tom Reynolds Images by Austin Young Originally published ed. 2 vol. 4

Games

The Reboot To apply to write reviews or to edit the section email games.editor.gsm@gmail.com

Some of the controversy over the recently released DMC (Devil May Cry for those not fluent in increasing obscure gaming acronyms) and the soon to be released Tomb Raider reboots are justified but a lot of it is also pretty ridiculous. I have seen many a message board (and conversation) light up with the wails of the faithful lamenting that this new usurper is nothing more than a mockery of the former glory that was once a great franchise. Now I have never been what I would call a fan-boy about anything specific. Trending towards pragmatism that I like to think keeps me grounded, I am more often the fan-boy of what I would call the “idea of a thing” – the raw elements and concepts that a thing is trying to represent and put in my viewing window, rather than the specific details that comprise its surface. As an example of this, DMC being an excellent subject, many fans were outraged by the fact that the lovable anti-hero Dante’s hair and clothing had been altered to match the dystopian and anarchistic urban-sprawl that composes the majority of the game. In this game Dante is younger, more rebellious, though not entirely sure of his own heritage or power. Which makes sense in both the context of the re-imagining and the aesthetics of the setting so this was a perfectly justifiable change for me since the solid mechanics, frenetic combat and bombastic style of the previous DMC’s was preserved despite these minor changes. Tomb Raider however, is in the strangely unique position of occupying a space in gaming sometimes referred to as fan-service by those of us with tact. Previous incarnations of the franchise had Ms Lara Croft posing and stretching after and vigorous activity, making sexually charged comments and touting assets that would make a Playboy bunny blush (which she would have also done, since she was the first videogame character ever to inhabit the centrefold of that very magazine). The new reboot begins with a younger Lara (running theme, anyone?) all fresh faced and filled with hope being stranded on an island full of murderous natives and drug runners, forced to take on the role of an adventurer not by choice but by necessity. This perspective is altered from a carefree archaeologist/tomb-raider (who was basically Indiana Jones) to a die-hard survivalist. This has changed the way some fans think about the heroine and they are not all happy.

The idea of the reboot has been around for about as long as the idea of intellectual property theft: someone sees something good, or maybe even something awful, and says “I could do that waaay better!” or “You know, I bet if they had done this it would have been so much more amaze-balls” so they find the resources and tell the world their version of the story- sometimes with mixed results. It’s a simple concept that had given us such glorious re-imaginings as the new Transformers games (War for Cybertron, Fall of Cybertron), the Fallout franchise (Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas) and the recent Rayman platformers. All of which were done with class, panache, various other colloquialisms for style and above all a fresh and interesting perspective. But it’s not all rare candies and beds of fire-flowers, oh no, the reboot has also been used for evil and diabolical purposes: entries such as Bomberman on the 360, Sonic the Hedgehog’s various HD remakes, Golden Axe and the truly despicable Duke Nukem Forever show that reboots are sometimes not just a bad idea but suicide for a brand-name.

So which way is it going to be? Are we going to allow these beloved franchises to fall into the annals of history and leave them as the fond, silver-lined memories they inspire within us? Or are we going to strive boldly into the future, constantly re-inventing, re-inspiring, re-imagining, re-mixing and re-booting our favourite games until they are only vaguely recognisable in comparison to the source material? My answer is a resounding yes. There are some ideas that were great for their time, in their time, but have long since been passed by because of the continued evolution of our society. There are others that will always be timeless and could be remade again and again for eternity and still provide each new generation with the same sense of glee and wonderment they inspired in us. I know where I stand in the age old argument – how about you? Words by Aron Shick Image by Tom Reynolds Originally published ed. 1 vol 4.

Games

Music To apply to write album reviews, interview bands, review live music performances or to edit the music section email music.editor.gsm@gmail.com

Music

Local Content Winter’s Calling Braving a random summer downpour I headed into Music Rocks HQ, more than a little excited at the prospect of interviewing one of Perth’s newest musical talents: Winter’s Calling. As I walked through the door an enthusiastic, albeit slightly unsure, quintet stared straight back at me, ready to show me that they had what it takes to make it in the WA music scene. Boy, was I blown away! Winter’s Calling are a local band comprised of Samantha Lucas, Andrew Michie, Georgia Sassenfeld, Patrick Alexander, and Caitlin Robinson. The band has been together for the past nine months, although some members have played together for the past three years. The five Perth-born-and-bred musicians recounted how they used to know of each other but only came together through the Music Rocks program, with Sam joining them more recently. (Music rocks is a WA-initiated program that aims to develop the musical skills of school students in an inclusive fashion). Having played venues such as the Ellington Jazz Club, the Flyby Night Club, the Rosemount Hotel, The Shed, and at events such as Hypefest, the fabulous fivesome are no strangers to the stage and their passion for their craft radiates in all that they do. Winter’s Calling could be compared to bands such as Anberlin, Hawk Nelson, Lost Prophets, Paramore and even Wakey! Wakey! at times. In the time I spent with Winter’s Calling they played five original songs, each of them thematically and musically different, with a powerful message embedded in each of them Lead singer, Sam, explained how her lyrics were like her diary. She injects her own rawest thoughts and feelings into each song as a means of expressing her take on things. A notion drummer Andrew was quick to back up.

What’s the meaning behind the name? A: Winter as a season has very negative connotations, it’s cold, its dark and calling as in like asking for help and it’s like if you are ever stuck or bogged down or at a dead end and you are just kind of reaching out… our music is like a helpline, like an answer, so that people can listen to our music and then be able to feel better about themselves and find an answer. What’s your favourite part about being in the group? P: Having someone younger than me in the group to pick on. S: I didn’t expect to be this confident so fast… it’s definitely helped me! We all motivate each other and push each other in the right direction. G: Doing what you love with your friends, it’s a good feeling. C: I think the diversity, because we’re all so different. A: 100% live performance. Name five things people should know about Winter’s Calling. G: we like to go crazy on stage! We’re all genuine, no bullshit. We’ve played more gigs than people think. C: we combine blues mentality with punk catchiness. S: We appreciate our fans, we actually have some fans, its so exciting we never thought we’d get fans, it’s really cool, you just don’t think it’ll ever happen to you. Any funny stories to share? P: Georgia knee butting herself when she pump jumped. A: Blowing the amp at Charles Street Hotel, we played one song and ten seconds in the amp just blew… the best and worst part was that we were the first band on so no one else had the amp head afterwards.

When asked to describe the band guitarist Patrick simply said, “crazy, ranga, quiet, hairy, drummer”, a description his band mates laughed off before revealing that during a performance they had once been described as being “like the Foo Fighters, but with a chick singer”. Now on with the interview:

In amongst the playful banter and repeated short jokes I was able to grasp just how much music means to the five of them. Each of them drawing inspiration from their own idols, from their own genres, coming together to create music that has the undeniable ability to make you sit back and think ‘wow’. I guarantee we will be seeing incredible things from these guys in the not-too-distant future.

What inspires each of you? Musically speaking. Andrew: All five of us have a different favourite kind of genre. Georgia: Sam’s ghetto. Patrick: Classic blues, classic rock, anything before the 80s. Caitlin: The White Stripes, classical Spanish guitar, anything dark and broody. Sam: I love Wynter Gordon, oh and City and Colour, I know they’re not black but they’re beautiful.

Words & Images by Madeline McKenzie Originally published ed. 1 vol. 4