While acceptance of diverse gender identities is on the rise, it can still be difficult to explore and understand what that looks like for yourself. Non-binary identities in particular are often misunderstood or dismissed, making it much more challenging to be open and comfortable in your identity. Non-binary is an umbrella term for those who experience their gender outside of the binary of man or … Continue reading Breaking The Binary
Words by Tegan Davies Santa once proved his existence in front of my very eyes. I donÔÇÖt know how he did it, but when my uncle told me to put my Christmas list on top of the coals of the unlit fire that year, the whole thing disappeared without me even noticing. I must have been about seven or eight ÔÇô still old enough to … Continue reading Merry Memories
Words by Eva Castanedo When on Sunday, 21st of August, the first episode of House of the Dragon premiered, the stakes were very high for HBO. Many did not believe it could match what is considered the worldÔÇÖs most popular show in history. Data shows that even though the Game of Thrones finale was in 2019, the show still ranks very high in engagement. Therefore, … Continue reading Who did it better? The fight between House Of The Dragon and Game Of Thrones.
Words by Omo Ifabua Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Student UnionÔÇÖs sold out celebration – Culture Cwtch. The Great Hall was filled with students in their vibrant cultural attire and the aroma of delicious traditional delicacies from around the world. From tasty food and live music to Bollywood dancing and fashion shows, this is certainly an event you must attend. Having … Continue reading Review: Culture Cwtch
Tick Tick Boom Set in the theatre district of 90s New York City, HIV and AIDs is an unwelcome and threatening backdrop in Lin Manuel-MirandaÔÇÖs directorial debut: Tick TickÔǪ Boom! Based on the semi-autobiographical musical by the late, great, Jonathan Larson (portrayed by Andrew Garfield), Tick TickÔǪ Boom! embodies the dread of getting old and running out of time, only emphasised by close friends who … Continue reading Spotlight Recommends: Your Favourite Media Discussing HIV And Aids
Financial independence ÔÇô the status of having enough wealth to pay for your living expenses for the near future without being dependent on others. But when it comes to being in a relationship, how should the finances be handled? Of course, at the end of the day itÔÇÖs down to what you and your partner feel most comfortable with, and only you know what works … Continue reading Financial Independence: What Does It Mean To Gen Z?
It’s easy to get stuck in the repetitive routine of choosing Home Alone for the fifth time this month, but we have some Christmas films to get you in the festive mood that you may not have seen before. Carol┬á Words by Lana Davidson Flood When it comes to niche Christmas films, my favourite is definitely Todd Haynes’ Carol, a film adaptation of the book of … Continue reading Our Favourite Niche Christmas Films
As deadline season of first semester swiftly approaches at Cardiff University, we asked some of our contributors what they listen to whilst typing away in the ASSL. Words by Alice Lumley As someone with ADHD, it is essential for me to have music playing whilst I attempt to study. It must be music without lyrics, or there may end up being accidents (like the time … Continue reading Study Soundtracks: What Gets You Through Deadline Season?
words by Mia Coley Heroes are the superior Christmas chocolate box. Not only is it from Cadbury so its┬águaranteed to be good chocolate, with the recent addition of the dinky decker and crunchie┬ábits itÔÇÖs a perfect balance of textures and flavours. For something chewy thereÔÇÖs the ├®clair,┬áfor pure chocolate thereÔÇÖs the dairy milk block, for sugary sweet thereÔÇÖs the twisted cr├¿me┬áegg or for crunch thereÔÇÖs … Continue reading The Christmas Chocolate Debate
Words by Megan Huws The news that Matt Hancock was joining Boy George and footballer Jill Scott in IÔÇÖm A Celeb was certainly surprising, inspiring thoughts of our former Health Secretary being forced to undergo the unpleasant trials.┬á There are claims that he is abandoning his constituents and travelling halfway across the world to partake in a reality TV show, but he argues that it … Continue reading Hancock Down Under
words by Eva Castanedo Christmas is by far the biggest holiday in the UK. The UK spends ┬ú24.2 billion in celebrating the festivity, consumes 10 million turkeys on Christmas day, uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper, and pulls 300,000,000 crackers each Christmas season. This festive period agglutinates a vast number of traditions that only occur once a year. Thus, most people lock these dates in … Continue reading Spending Christmas Abroad
Words and photos by Maddie McCabe-Smith Kicking off the UK leg of their tour at CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall, Pierce The Veil made their iconic return to the punk rock scene with new music releases for the first time since their 2016 album Misadventures. Even from the queue outside before doors had opened, I could sense just how excited fans, including myself, were to see one … Continue reading Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022
Words and photos by Ashley Thieme Although The Aces have previously undertaken their own headline UK tours, this was their first time performing for a Welsh audience. Originally The Blue Aces ÔÇô releasing a few extended play releases under that name since 2012 ÔÇô the band have been playing shows as The Aces since changing their name in 2016. Hailing from Utah, United States, the … Continue reading The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022
Words by Imogen Edmonds Marketing clothes as ÔÇÿgenderlessÔÇÖ has become a new selling point in the fashion industry, and whilst items of clothing obviously donÔÇÖt have a gender society has stitched gender into clothes, labelling them into the socially constructed gender binary. Whilst we are familiar with most high street shops having gendered clothing sections, the origination of gendered dress is relatively recent. Up until … Continue reading Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New
Words by Ashley Thieme Production of the mini-series has increased in the last few years, with lockdowns forcing people to stay home, cuddle up, and put the telly on. MarvelÔÇÖs new partnership with Disney+ during phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seen them release six mini-series from 2021 up to now, with two more series, Loki and What ifÔǪ?, getting second seasons coming in 2023. WandaVision┬áwas … Continue reading Marvel’s Obsession with the Mini-Series
words and images by Jess Margetson Architecture changes with society’s artistic tastes, available materials, modern technologies, and spiritual beliefs. With a deep and varied cultural heritage, Europe is a goldmine for architecture enthusiasts. From modern inventions to historical memorials, Europe has something for all tastes. Netherlands: Rotterdam vs Amsterdam Described as the ÔÇÿGateway to EuropeÔÇÖ, Rotterdam has rivalled its capitol, Amsterdam, for many years. The differences in … Continue reading EuropeÔÇÖs Rich History of Architecture
Words by Tabitha Murrell I was first introduced to Placebo by the┬áever-dramatic┬á1999┬áfilm┬áadaptation┬áof Pierre Choderlos de┬áLaclos’ 1782 novel┬áLes Liaisons┬ádangereuses. Cruel Intentions‘┬áopening scene streams┬áacross a graveyard and then up to the iconic┬áNew York┬ácity skyline. Ryan Phillipe (swoon) is seen driving over┬áBrooklyn┬áBridge in his┬ábeautifully┬árecognisable┬áblack┬ávintage┬áJaguar XK140 – the car is as much a plot device as the┬áfilm’s┬ásoundtrack, which of course begins with the blasting of Placebo’s┬áhit from the same … Continue reading Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022
By Lucy Matthews If putting cucumber on my eyes Is meant to block out bad vibes And rising at 5AM Sets me apart from them Why am I still not enough? Practicing self love is proving to be tough┬á Yoga doesnÔÇÖt dry my tears And no amount of journaling Cancels out the self loathing I have gathered over the years Loving yourself is a scam … Continue reading Self-Helpless
Words and Photos by Laura Schjoett ItÔÇÖs been a whole year since Cardiff graduate Micha opened her fashion re-sell business Bootysale. Situated on the ground floor of the Cardiff StudentÔÇÖs Union, the clothing store has become a staple part of the arcade and is frequented by many students daily. It is hard not to be drawn in by the fabulous clothes, or by Bonnie ÔÇÿthe … Continue reading Interview with Bootysale: A Year On
Words and photos by Alice Lumley On potentially one of the coldest and stormiest nights in Cardiff, I had the pleasure of going to see Spear of Destiny at a beloved Cardiff venue, The Globe. The Globe is one of my favourite venues in Cardiff as the staff are lovely, the venue is small and intimate but not too crowded and the drinks are cheap … Continue reading Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022
