One of my best friends lives over 2000 miles away from me. We met online 4 years ago so we’ve always been long distance. As we’ve grown older, our lives have become a little busier. We don’t always have the time to send the daily flood of messages we used to during the pandemic. But we’ve grown closer over the years even with an entire … Continue reading Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?
TikTok is flooded with this image of spotless kitchens, flowery aprons and picture perfect homes – neatly folding together retro glamour and domestic bliss. For audiences tired of hustle culture and girlbossing, the trad wife lifestyle holds a certain allure. It’s a throwback to an era we’ve been told was simpler and happier. Yet, like all nostalgia, there’s a catch: this rose-coloured view overlooks the … Continue reading The Trad Wife: A Redux
As the Christmas season approaches, Cardiff transforms into a magical hub of festive cheer. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy hot chocolate or a festive cocktail under the twinkling lights, the city offers a range of delightful spots to relax after a day of shopping. Here’s your guide to Christmas drinks in Cardiff! Of course, I’ll start with Winter Wonderland itself. Situated within … Continue reading Best Places for Christmas Drinks in Cardiff
Content Warning: Discussions of abortion and sexual assault At its core, horror is a genre of fear. It is the fears of uncertainty and inhumanity manifested in a monstrous figure. One such fear that has manifested itself throughout history is the loss of bodily autonomy. At its most basic it can be a killer impaling his victim with a machete, a woman under the trance … Continue reading The New Sex: How Horror Films Have Reckoned With Threats To Bodily Autonomy
I recently joined a two-day “Give It a Go” trip to York and Whitby, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, the trip was well-organized and stress-free, with a comfortable coach ride that allowed us to relax and enjoy the journey. In York, I had the chance to explore some incredible attractions. The York Chocolate Story was a sweet highlight, where … Continue reading A Review of the York & Whitby GIAG Trip
I was kindly given the opportunity to attend The Overtones Good Times Christmas Tour in October. As someone who has briefly heard of the group, but isn’t incredibly aware of them, I went into this show quite blind and was pleasantly surprised with my evening. The opening act, Tom Ball, was incredibly notable for me, as his stage presence, crowd control, and voice were all … Continue reading Guaranteed Good Times with The Overtones!
Under the sea, it is certainly wetter. Act One’s sin-soaked panto The Small Mermaid plunges us into the deep end of a very wet (fever) dream; think Rocky Horror meets Sea World meets Am-Dram. Directed by Millie Quarm (Twelfth Night), the plot is anchored in the upcoming erections, I mean elections, of the human world – of which Just Stop Oil leads the polls – … Continue reading Act One’s The Small Mermaid: A Horny Whirlpool of Eco-Conscious Crustaceans
A growing tide of resentment is sweeping across popular holiday hotspots as locals, overwhelmed by the influx of tourists, begin to push back against the costs of mass tourism. With 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, this summer marked a tipping point for many locals increasingly concerned about over tourism driving up housing costs, harming the environment and eroding the fabric of local communities … Continue reading Overcrowded and Unwanted: How Locals In Popular Vacation Spots Are Starting To Reject Mass Tourism
Cardiff’s University’s winter showcase was an electric evening of singing, dancing, drama, and excitement. The show ran for just under three hours, broken into three parts with ten minute intervals. I found every single performance captivating, and at times I even had goosebumps. The evening demonstrated the immense amount of artistic talent amongst Cardiff’s students. Shriya Aaytee, the president and performance coordinator of Bollywood Dance … Continue reading Cardiff University’s Winter Showcase: A Night of Unforgettable Talent and Community Spirit.
Entitled and Vulnerable: Young men and the Red Pill Movement Picture this… the year is 2024 and you are a twenty year old male. You attended an all-boys, state secondary school where you never really fit in, but you managed to make some friends. In recent years however, you have witnessed these friends swallowing the dreaded red pill and falling down the rabbit hole of … Continue reading The Red Pill
Kicking off the festivities and celebration, Cardiff University recently hosted their first Winter Showcase of 2024. A three-act performance made up of a variety of society’s prepared five-minute pieces, I was lucky enough to watch alongside two members of the Quench Team. The showcase was organised meticulously by Cardiff student union staff who made the audience feel welcome and prepped for a night of fun. … Continue reading Winter Showcase Review: A Medley of Musical Masterpieces
Charles Dickens is renowned for shaping our Christmas experience, so when I went to watch A Christmas Carol, I had high expectations. The show appealing to everyone, brings the festive magic to life with it’s charming humour. Debuting back in 2021, it has now returned and become a performance worth watching repeatedly. Staged at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and adapted by Gary Owen, this … Continue reading Review: A Christmas Carol At The Sherman Theatre
Jasper Wilkins is a video director, producer and photographer based in London. In his current role as a Senior Producer at the BBC he leads the creation of digital content for flagship shows like Gladiators, The Apprentice, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. His industry accolades include being a Media Week 30 Under 30 Winner, Cardiff 30 Under 30 Winner, and a Promax Gold Winner. He … Continue reading In Conversation With Jasper Wilkins
In an age where journalling has become a means of emotional overflow, creativity is often a form of release for those in search of relief. Looking at the bigger picture, there seems to be a connection between those with personal battles and creative pursuit: specifically in public figures. Conditions, ranging from bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia are, more often than not, diagnosed to these individuals. … Continue reading Mental Illness and the Creative Mind: Is There a Connection?
I can’t lie, there have been plenty of times I’ve found myself scrolling through Instagram, envious of all the travel photos I see. I find myself wishing that I could be sponsored by some big shot company and sent abroad to experience new cultures and new places to share with my very small following. That’s the beauty of digital marketing; it sparks emotion in an … Continue reading Sunscreen, Selfies, and Sponsorships
Breakthrough ‘brat punk’ sensation Delilah Bon is someone you should keep your eye on – especially if you’re a metal head! Infusing bratty riot grrrl punk with lyrical hip-hop and hard-hitting nu-metal, Delilah Bon’s distinct musical style generates fierce anthems that will give you the freedom to be angry and loud. Her music explores important political and societal issues, honing in particularly on women’s rights … Continue reading Delilah Bon: The Freedom to be Angry and Loud
October was not just the end of freshers and Halloween for me; it was also my birthday month! This year it was a special one, I turned 21! Do I feel 21? – absolutely not, in my head I’m still a 16-year-old teenager. However, being considered a fully-fledged adult everywhere in the world now, I thought I would pass down all of my wisdom. Both … Continue reading 21 Things I Have Learnt In My 21 Years of Life
Classical literature serves as a bridge between past and present, offering timeless wisdom, trends and narratives. But what makes these classics relevant to the contemporary era, and what defines a book as classic? For me, the beauty of classics lies in their invocation of originality and inspiration. While narratives and traits are often inspired by pre-existing works in contemporary literature, classics serve as fundamental blueprints. … Continue reading Remembering Tradition Through Classical Literature
In recent years, an overconsumption of media, mainly among younger generations has led to a rise in parasocial relationships. In these unrequited and one-sided relationships, members of the public obsess over influencers and celebrities, who are clueless about their followers’ existence. These relationships have sometimes proved helpful in providing a sense of community. ‘Swifties’, for example, are a massive fandom united around their shared love … Continue reading Parasocial Relationships: Helpful or Harmful?
In the face of growing censorship and threats to literary freedom worldwide, Cardiff University Book Club is leading the charge. By hosting engaging discussions and raising funds for PEN International, the club is committed to championing the right to read, write and share ideas. Krisha (President), Christine (Social Secretary), and Khalid (Reading Group Coordinator) discuss their insights and aspirations. What does the term ‘literary freedom’ … Continue reading Advocating for Literary Freedom: An Interview with Cardiff University Book Club
