Empire Times 45.2

EMPIRE TIMES

health

Details at fusa.edu.au/events

The Team EDITORS Ainsley Ewart, Oli Glenie, and Cameron Lowe SUB-EDITORS Georgina Banfield, Elise Christopher, Chelsea Griffith, Courtney Lawrence and Karen Smart COLUMNISTS Chelsea Griffith, Renee Kohler, Hamish Richardson, Karen Smart and Michelle Wakim ARTWORK Sheydin Dew @sheydedart Diana-Elena Vornicu @arts_loader77 Connor McPhail @connor_mcphail (Front Cover) About the Cover Art “The idea/theme for the cover art was more relating to mental health than physical health, as this is commonly overlooked when people think about the overall topic of “Health.” The writing and diagrams around the picture are all different aspects or hormones relating to the causes or effects of depression - one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in Australia. It is common to feel “dissociation from the world” hence the fragmented face, and the dark insides of the head represent the depression itself.”

- Connor McPhail

CONTRIBUTORS Georgina Banfield, Laurent Bope, Michael Caroll, Evie Cazzolato, Laura Edwards, Richard Falkner, Oli Glenie, Chelsea Griffith, Emily Hallett, Madeline Hand, Stuart Jeffries, Renee Kohler, Cameron Lowe, Peter Moreman, Karen Smart, Michelle Wakim, Laura Vogt and Diana-Elena Vornicu.

Thank you to all of our contributors, and thank you to everyone who came out to meet us at O’Week!

ADVERTISING/MEDIA Steph Walker stephanie.walker@flinders.edu.au Enquiries Level 1, Student Hub, Flinders University (FUSA) 1 Registry Road Bedford Park, 5042.

Website: empiretimes.com.au Email: empire.times@flinders.edu.au Facebook: facebook.com/empiretimesmag

Empire Times would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people who are the traditional custodians of the land Flinders University is situated on, and that this land was never ceded, but stolen. We would like to pay our respects to the elders of the Kaurna nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal peoples, past, present, and future.

Empire Times is a publication of Flinders University Student Association (FUSA).

Empire Times is printed by Newstyle Print.

‘The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editors, Flinders University, or Flinders University Student Association. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Empire Times articles and other information are up-to-date and as accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Empire Times Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein.’

Twitter: @empiretimesmag Instagram: @empiretimesmag

ISSUE 4, DEADLINE APRIL 16 WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, ILLUSTRATORS & MAKERS OF PRETTY INTERESTING THINGS! Empire Times is a student publication that prints 8 times over the academic year. It is made by students, for students and provides a unique opportunity for students to be published, to talk about what's important to them and to be read by those in their community.

Empire Times relies entirely on contributions from the readers to make up its content. Each selected piece goes through a collaborative editing process. We're very friendly, visit empiretimes.com.au/contribute to find out everything you need to know about being part of the team.

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Editorial

Health is something we all think about sometimes. Where did that bruise come from? Is this minor problem bad enough to make a doctor’s appointment? Why have I had a headache for three days?

(Okay, that last one might be personal experience. Also a heat pack on the neck does wonders for tension headaches) I’ve seen quite a few doctors in the last year. Between starting hormone treatment and behavioural therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder, and my mum being diagnosed with breast cancer, it sometimes feels like I’ve spent more time talking to various medical professionals than to friends and family. But on the whole, both I and my mother are better now than we were about six months ago, and we’re both the kind of people to try and remain optimistic, so I can only hope we continue on this trajectory of recovery.

There’s some great pieces in this issue, covering things such as studying with Dyslexia or ADD or how to talk to diabetics – and, of course, Pets @ Flinders, my favourite every time always.

I hope y’all enjoy it, Oli

Health points are a mechanic seen in a majority of video games. They can either be limited or regenerate over time, depending on the game.

My favourite form of health points are the hearts in The Legend of Zelda series.

Keeping Link healthy meant me being able to continue on a quest with no annoying beeping sound. It’s what scared me so much about those ReDeads before getting ‘The Sun’s Song’ in Ocarina of Time. They would latch onto Link and suck away a lot of his health, killing him in a hit and bringing me to the GAME OVER screen.

Although this is a feature in a game, we can take this on into our daily lives. Like Link, we should stride to keep ourselves healthy, and avoid the ReDeads which latch on and suck away our health points.

We should also make sure we have our red potion bottles and fairies to help restore our lost hearts as, like Link, we only have limited hearts. By taking care of ourselves, we too can continue our journeys through life, be them at uni or in Hyrule itself.

Cam

All the way back in ET’s Issue 10 of 2016, I wrote an article called “Let’s Talk About Consent” about current news stories involving consent and teenagers. Here at uni, FUSA has started a campaign called “Be a Better Human” after the shocking results of the National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities released at the end of last year. One in five students have been sexually harassed in a university setting1. That is ridiculous and should not be happening.

I have been sexually harassed many times. From the boys who call out of their friends’ cars (which has been happening since I was twelve and still happens to this day, most recently last week), to the boss who constantly told me and every other woman who worked for him to smile, sexual harassment is commonplace in our society. When I was working for a store at a big shopping centre, I was asked by a customer if I was a security guard because he was “a shop lifter who needs to be strip searched” all while arm-in-arm with his wife.

I say “No More!” And so do all women.

Ainsley

(1) humanrights.gov.au/our-work/sex-discrimination/publications/change-course-national-report-sexual-assault-and-sexual

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VOL 45 NO.2

05

WHAT’S ON

06

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT

07

opinion

33

opinion

POEtry

LIVE AND IN STEREO

HYPERBOLE

16

34

COLUMN

FROM FUSA

CHELSEA

BE A BETTER HUMAN

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36

INCURABLE 124: FRANCO GUILIAMO

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FICTION

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O’WEEK PHOTOS

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THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER SAY TO A TYPE 1 DIABETIC

O’FIESTA PHOTOS

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24

QUIZ

FEATURE TRANS HEALTHCARE

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PERSONAL ESSAY BALANCING ACT

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Opinion

PETS @ FLINDERS

FEATURE

STUDY LESS, Study Smart

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CALL THE MIDWIFE

10

VOX POPS

SUCH IS SPORT

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COLUMN

12

FEATURE THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

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FEATURE THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDITATION

opinion

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Hey! YOU DESERVE A BREAK

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HEALTHY GAMING

LUNCHBOX IDEAS

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46

COLUMN

top six

SELF-CARE FOR THE UNINSPIRED

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32

ARTWORK @ARTS_LOADER77

FEATURE DOKI DOKI LITERATURE CLUB

Key: FUSA / Opinion / feature / column / creative / just for fun 3

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WHAT’s On Campus A LISTING OF ON CAMPUS EVENTS

FUSA SAYS RELAX

ANGUS & JULIA STONE

ROAMING LOCATIONS NEXT EVENT, 28 MARCH (PLAZA)

THE PLAZA, 25 MAY

FUSA Says Relax is back for 2018! Relax is an initiative of the Student Council, funded by your Student Services Amenities Fee. Chill out at your campus with free food and soothing services.

Head on over to the fusa.edu.au/events/ for all locations and dates.

Brother/Sister duo Angus and Julia Stone will be coming to Flinders this May as part of their Snow album tour. Truly loved for their intoxicating melodies and gorgeous songcraft, it’s no surprise that their national run continues to build into one of the year’s most anticipated tours.

For tickets go to: http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/angus-juliastone/100284

FLINDERS CINEPHILE SCHEDULE FLINDERS COMMUNITY MARKET OASIS, EVERY THURSDAY UNTIL 26 APRIL Low cost food and fresh produce available! Get amongst it!

MULTIMEDIA ROOM, EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 5PM 28/03 – Mortal Kombat & Street Fighter 04/04 – Rear Window 24/04 – Blade Runner 2049 02/05 – IT (2017) 09/05 – Kentucky Fried Movie & Blazing Saddles 16/05 – Jackie Brown 23/05 – What We Do In The Shadows 30/05 – Kindergarten Cop

FREE BRUNCH

ROAMING LOCATIONS NEXT EVENT, 27 MARCH (PLAZA) FUSA gives out free breakfast all over campus so keep an eye out for locations - it changes all the time. Head on over to the fusa. edu.au/events/ for all the deets.

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Colu mn /pr es i d en ts stat e m e n t

president’s statement Your mental health is as detrimental to your overall wellbeing as your physical health, and though not all issues related to mental health may be easily visible, or more-so, debilitating.

Health, Counselling & Disability Services provides confidential and professional services to all currently enrolled Flinders students, including those studying online. They can assist students in resolving issues related to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and victimisation.

FUSA recognises that in order to ensure the health and wellbeing of students, our campus must be a safe space for us all. We currently have rooms that function as designated safe and autonomous spaces, such as the Queer Space and the Women’s Space - however, we’d very much like to create more in the future for other autonomous groups within our community.

CW: Non-specific references to sexual assault and harassment.

Yesterday, I woke up at 6am, rushed through a bleary-eyed shower and ate my breakfast in the car on the way to a meeting at Grind and Press. From there, I drove into the city for a staff meeting at my workplace, before driving back to campus for the second time that day by 12pm. I then had three consecutive meetings, and thus didn’t eat again until after 4:00pm when I had a very late lunch, which was comprised of vending machine noodles and a Red Bull.

I stayed at my desk at FUSA until after 9:30pm, then went home, had a beer with my housemate, and fell asleep on the phone to my partner who lives in Perth.

That’s a fourteen hour day… and technically, I’m not even studying at the moment; I’m on holidays!

I’m clearly not mastering self-care and prioritising my health – so please take everything I say below with that in mind. As you know, whilst studying, it’s difficult but so, so, so important to stay healthy. When I say healthy, I’m referring to both your physical and your mental health, as well as looking after your general state of wellbeing. Life at university can often be stressful, as it’s both intellectually challenging and hard to earn a comfortable wage whilst remaining so time poor, but learning to manage stress is a vital skill during this time of your life.

Flinders offers many services and activities that you can access for free, including mindful meditation and yoga sessions at Oasis, as well as boot camps, Zumba, and self-defence classes at Flinders Sport & Fitness. FUSA Student Assist also offers free financial and academic counselling, which may help to ease stresses in those aspects of life. In addition, eating well, sleeping regular hours and ensuring that you put aside enough time for socialisation, self-care and activities that you find fun are just some of the ways that you can stay on top of those feelings of stress that we all experience!

However, there’s a difference between occasional feelings of stress whilst studying and feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and/or depressed.

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FUSA also recognises that Flinders University cannot be a safe space for all students until our community has an honest conversation about consent – and more broadly, about the ways in which we treat one another. The figures that came from the AHRC’s survey on sexual assault and harassment on Australian campuses were shocking and require an urgent and thorough response from all universities, including Flinders.

FUSA will soon roll out a student-led campaign which will tackle the issue of consent, focusing on building awareness, selfimprovement and building community whilst also addressing core issues highlighted by the report. The campaign will cover awareness, support and education surrounding LGBTQIA+ experiences, gendered and non-binary harassment, toxic masculinity and the male experience, and experiences of both residential and international students.

Health goes beyond kale smoothies and active-wear. It’s good to look after yourself wherever possible – but no one’s superhuman; we all need help. It’s hard to maintain that healthy work/life balance when you’re run off your feet, so we should all take advantage of the services provided to us as students. Whether it be taking time out to have a coffee break with friends during exam time, or going for a run on the treadmill in Flinders ONE at the crack of dawn, everyone has their own way of managing their own well-being. The most important thing to remember about that, though, is that it’s more than okay to reach out to those around you for help when and if you need it.

Ashley Sutherland President, Flinders University Student Association student.president@flinders.edu.au _____ For more information visit: flinders.edu.au/current-students/healthandcounselling/ ahealth.sa.gov.au/yarrowplace beyondblue.org.au

op inion/h ealth & dia betes

Things you should never say to a Type 1 Diabetic... or anyone for that matter Words by Georgina Banfield It’s no secret that I jumped into the crappy gene pool when the life guard wasn’t looking. Growing up as a diabetic I quickly learnt that for the rest of my life I will be answering stupid questions by people who haven’t been able to read past the first line of a Wikipedia entry. Whilst we have moved beyond tasting other people’s urine to identify diabetics, I don’t believe we have moved past common decency when understanding diabetics. Here are some things you should never ask a diabetic (or anyone else for that matter).

1. Should you be eating that?

The answer is: maybe/maybe not. The school of thinking in recent years has changed to a carbohydrate-based approach in managing diabetes, while the continued legacy of the mellitus or ‘sweet’ label which has the sugary connotations we know today, has cast a shadow over most people’s perceptions. Either way, what I eat is my business and unless you’re my doctor I don’t have to answer to you.

2. Is that contagious?

I was asked this question at the age of 10, and at the time I had no clue why anyone thought diabetes was like the common cold.

While I appreciated the girl trying to broaden her knowledge, the older I get the more I have been astounded by the amount of people who have asked me that. It’s usually followed by “is it genetic?”

3. My father’s cousin’s niece’s boyfriend cured their diabetes with kale, Vitamin B and doing Pilates…

Firstly, I’m pretty sure they’re the male equivalent Belle Gibson.

Secondly, that’s how I’d die. Thirdly, treatments vary for person to person. While Lantus and Novorapid work for me Actrapid works better for others. It’s the same when dealing with mental health disorders or any other illness. Everybody is different and there is no standard cure for most things.

difference between Type 1 and 2 Diabetes. Seeing as diabetes has been thrown into the limelight in the Western world’s health epidemic. I can understand the confusion. 85% of all cases of diabetes are Type 2, which is caused by insulin resistance. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is unable to be treated without insulin, whereas Type 2 can be controlled with exercise and diet. I am more than happy to help you distinguish between the two as long as my health and lifestyle do not come under fire due to stereotypes about how much sugar I eat.

4. I could never be a diabetic I’m too afraid of needles…

I’d love to say I had a choice in the matter. I’m as much of a fan of needles as the next person but it’s something you adapt to.

Yes, I have to inject myself with insulin needles three times a day because my pancreas doesn’t work, it’s not because I want to.

Nobody likes needles. Please don’t be under any illusion that I do.

5. Can you have children?

Please ask my diabetic mother that question. Also, my reproductive issues or lack thereof are my business.

While I may bemoan the questions that I have answered and offhanded statements that have been made, I do appreciate people trying to educate themselves. It really all comes down to being thoughtful about what you say and how you say it. Admitting to being ignorant is better for everyone than running your mouth and saying something insensitive.

This comment reminds me of that not everyone is aware of the

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OPINION/a d vi ce

Study Less, Study Smart From One Student to Another Words by Laurent Bope There are three types of people in this world: those who claim to be smart, those who are perceived to be smart, and those who are constantly comparing themselves to others to see if they’ve gotten any smarter.

I really hope you didn’t read the last one and say, “wait, that’s me!” Because, sorry to inform you about this, but that last one is already taken. Yes, it’s been taken by people who seriously believe that the earth is flat, and that Liam is hotter Chris Hemsworth. I mean, really?! Objectively speaking, yes, the guy can charm but, come on – he’s no way close to the God of Thunder.

Anyway, this article is for Liam supporters, smart people and everyone in between who wants to find out how they can do well at University. The one most important thing I’ve learnt over the past three years is that ATAR scores don’t accurately predict university success. I’ve had friends and known people who achieved an ATAR of 80 or above who really struggled, while others who barely got through high school ended up doing relatively well.

“Nothing is more encouraging than knowing that you’re not as bad as you think you are.”

Now, this does not mean you should blow up confetti balloons and put your feet up on the table if you choked in high school. Instead, I would suggest putting some time aside to reflect on your inability to figure out stuff that others have already solved, and let that guilt eat your soul. By the way, I meant that metaphorically, just in case some Liam supporters were wondering.

So, here are the main four things I’ve learnt through other top students, and through my own failures throughout my degree.

1. Textbooks are not the only source of knowledge It’s true a textbook is not the only source of knowledge, nor should it be regarded as the MAIN source of knowledge. In this world,

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textbooks are guidelines that provide the concrete foundation, not the whole area of study.

Unfortunately for me, it took me until my second year to realise that. In my first year, I spent hours reading chapters and trying to retain every bit of information I read. However, what I later realised was that I wasn’t getting marked on how well I recalled the information, but on how I understood the content in the context of the ‘real world’.

Reading a lot of one thing conditioned my analytical mind, unconsciously, to develop a fixed style of thinking and analysing information. Which to the reader’s ears sounds like speaking in a monotone – or as I like to call it, intellectual monotone. Therefore, it is important to read from different sources, even the ones you disagree with (e.g. left-wing or right news sites, or journal articles).

2. Seek human contact One of the most important things I’ve learnt throughout my degree and became very aware of in my final year was how helpful social networking was when attempting to learn and retain information. It was through talking to my classmates that I realised that they were just as confused, and struggling just as much as I was. Nothing is more encouraging than knowing that you’re not as bad as you think you are. These simple conversations lead to study groups, and I guarantee you, it’s much easier to retain information when you’re hearing it from fellow students, than from a textbook or a lecturer. Not only that but it gives you an excuse to socialise outside of class, which makes university life a lot less stressful and more fun.

Furthermore, university is a good place to explore the discrepancy that exists between the internal self and what’s on the outside for others to see. With respect to your area of study, different professions demand different traits, skills, characters, and personalities. Thus, it’s only through interacting with your

OPINION/ a dv ice lecturers, professors, tutors, mentors, and fellow students that you will know what to retract and pick up from your pool of assets to help you succeed in your chosen field.

“Don’t be afraid to explore different ways of doing things.”

The most obvious argument against this view is that this is ‘faking it’. However, all it is, is applying an intellectual filter, because as ‘nice’ or ‘perfect’ we may be claim (or be perceived) to be, we all have characters, traits and behaviours that serve us best when sidelined. For instance, former President Obama, (one of the coolest people in the world) is sometimes known to lose his cool in private settings. But, you don’t see that when he is doing interviews or out in public. So, it is all about picking the things that you think will serve you well. The truth is, we are all actors; it’s just that some of us chose to do it for a living while the rest of us just do it to get by.

3. Take every bit of what you pay for

Ask for as much help as you can from all available sources, especially from your tutors and lecturers. That’s one thing I had to learn through my own experience. Early on, I felt that asking for help placed me on a lower level than everyone else. However, that is not true. After all, the extent to which one is valued by another person is directly proportional to the extent to which they accentuate desirable traits, skills and characters of that person, and minimise their weakness. For lecturers, professors and tutors, teaching is their job! The reason they are here is so that you can ask for help!

4. Explore and test your limits Don’t be afraid to explore different ways of doing things. Unless you are doing a research degree, every problem you have been asked to solve, has already been solved by people just like you.

And chances are, by people who aren’t as intelligent as you! Thus, if you approach study from this perspective, you will laugh at your own failures and strive for higher distinction in every topic.

Take advantage of every service and program that is intended to help you succeed. After all, you actually pay for them, so if you don’t take advantage you are doing yourself a disservice. Take the time to attend that essay or report writing session that at first sight seems like a total waste of time, because it could turn out to be the difference between having a great first year or a scrappy one.

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colu mn /s po r t

DEATH TO THE LADS 10

c olum n/ sport

SUCH IS SPORT Words by Michelle Wakim

G’day chums! I hope your university year has kicked off splendidly.

By now you have probably discovered that parking at Flinders is utter trash, but it will simmer down as the semester goes on, I assure you.

Let’s get straight down to business: HEALTH. We have revised the definition of health more times than anyone would ever care to admit. As F45, overpriced activewear brands, and Chia bowls saturate our limbs, bank accounts, and stomachs, it is clear that health is as much a trend as it is a necessity.

“Over time, the ‘lad’ has become a figure head for the complex nature of masculinity.”

But today I would like to drift away from the transiency of health, and look at a familiar identity that has survived and thrived in the sporting world for yonks: the ‘lad’.

We all know the ‘lads’. We may consider some to be harmless, jovial males, who are good company. Others, we may find intimidating and uncomfortable. ‘Lads’ have become so prevalent that they now have their own subculture: ‘lad-culture’ developed from ‘young men assuming an anti-intellectual position, shunning sensitivity in favour of drinking, violence, and sexism’.

Over time, the ‘lad’ has become a figure head for the complex nature of masculinity. As the lad is not free to display fear, sadness, or anxiety, substances such as alcohol are often used to tend to emotional wounds. This behaviour leaves emotional residue lingering on the conscience, and has been linked to the rise in mental health issues amongst men. Organisations such as Beyond Blue, Movember, Man Up, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics have allocated specific time, funding, and research to this particular area, and affirm the correlation between toxic masculinity and mental illness.

Alongside alcohol, violence and aggression is seen by the ‘lad’ as a way to deal with his emotions. Therefore, football, a ‘man’s’ game that celebrates aggression, has given the lad a place to call home.

The ‘lad’ exists in a kingdom where men are the rulers, alcohol is the fuel, and hook-ups are the currency. Anyone who has been associated with a football club will know what I mean.

But now, the ‘lads’ and their sanctuary are under attack. A revolution is here; women have joined the party. In the football world, these women will soon be as skilled, as aggressive, and as agile as any ‘lad’ before them. Just a few weeks ago, Adelaide’s very own Ebony Marinoff broke the record for most tackles in an AFL match, for both men and women.

In order to maintain their identity, the ‘lad’ is faced with two options. The first is to stand their ground, and cling to ‘lad-culture’ as we know it: it has served them well for decades. However, this is a quick fix as, like any rigid institution, the practices of ‘ladculture’ are becoming obsolete. This culture will inevitably die in its entirety.

“Young boys and girls look to our athletes for inspiration and moral guidance.”

And the second option? The ‘lad’ is to adapt. He doesn’t have to give up everything that defines him. But in order to survive, he can no longer be a liability to his counterparts, whether they be male or female. And in order to improve his mental health, the ‘lad’ cannot be an unrealistically fearless character, who is, ironically, petrified of expressing emotion.

In Australia, our sporting stars are often considered our greatest celebrities. Young boys and girls look to our athletes for inspiration and moral guidance. These figures are our heroes so as we watch their interviews, track their charitable contributions, and froth over their social media presence, we form understandings about acceptable behaviours.

With the influence of football spreading far and wide, the AFL and AFLW have the power to demolish gender stereotypes and pave the way for social change right across our nation. For example, Buddy Franklin, an absolute champion of the game, took time away from footy for his mental health. He was criticised and emasculated by many members of the public. Phrases such as “man up” were used by some to dismiss the severity of his situation. But his club and the AFL stood behind him, demonstrating that there is no shame in such actions.

Alas, here we find ourselves bumbling about with these ideas at grassroots football clubs - the foundations of health and social pleasure for men and women. Having strong women in these environments is forcing the identity reconfiguration of the ‘lad’.

Females are the catalyst for a new, healthier male identity. There is no weakness in this change. In our little world at Flinders, this shift is coming right down the guts. So, to all the footballers, let’s take this movement cleanly, tuck it under our arms, and give those who oppose us the “don’t argue”.

Signing off, Michelle Wakim

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featu re /d ys l ex i a

The Long and Winding Road Completing a degree Dyslexic Style Words by Richard Falkner

Being dyslexic with a passion for writing and reading has been the enduring contradiction of my life. After navigating the initial speedbumps of phonetics and misspelling words, I mastered reading at a young age. Stories have bubbled out of my imagination for as long as I can remember. My dyslexia is inextricably linked to under-developed coordination and fine-motor skills. As well as making me a hazard for shipping on the dance floor, I have illegible handwriting and I must think through routine tasks that non-dyslexics take for granted, such as telling my left from right, turning into traffic, tying my shoelaces and spelling. Thinking before doing also cramps my speed reading style as it takes me longer than the average bear to process and digest information.

While inconvenient, this is far less disruptive to my study than the big one – the trapped thought. I can have a question, a paragraph or even an entire essay planned and flowing in my mind without making it on to the page. Quite the collection of challenges for a tertiary student, don’t you think?

I use the term challenges deliberately. When I was a child and an adolescent in the 1970s and early 80s, dyslexia was classified as a hidden disability. This meant that a large portion of the population didn’t believe dyslexia existed, while the well-meaning minority considered dyslexics to be disabled. As a dyslexic teenager, I responded to these majority and minority attitudes by completing my secondary education believing that my dyslexia would always be a barrier to achieving my full potential. I narrowly passed Year 12 and arrived at university thoroughly burnt-out. If gap years had existed in 1982, I would have greatly benefited from taking one.

Without this benefit, I was bored and frustrated with the learning business before I entered the university water. Despite engaging with the disability coordinator and getting permission to record lectures, I was instantly confronted with learning obstacles from the moment I dived/flopped into the pool. The hoary old chestnuts of handwriting and spelling convinced me to type essays. While I had learnt to type, I was no speed demon. Further, my capacity for misspelling, transposing letters and omitting words, ensured my completed pages were liberally daubed with correction fluid.

Finding resource materials was daunting. In 1982, personal

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computers did not exist. A library card catalogue system proved to be a mountain too high to scale. Given my mindset, a combo of learning fatigue and using my disability as a crutch – it is hardly surprising I opted for easier options. I attempted to play lots of sport, I learnt how to socialise, and I drank a shit load of beer.

Within eighteen months of entering the academic halls, I bailed completely, took a job with the federal government and vowed to return to uni in six months to a year. Years and life coalesced and gained momentum. I kept my vow to return but it took 31 years.

“So here comes the tale of dyslexic student 2.0.

Same person, older and perhaps a little wiser, same learning difficulties, vastly different result.”

I was suitably terrified after completing the series of orientation/ study skills lectures when I came to Flinders in 2015. However, once I got into the groove of each topic my fears dissipated. I found I could take effective lecture notes. I kept on top of tutorial readings and chipped away at the assignments. Most of my first results increased my confidence and I learnt from my mistakes.

Move forward to now and I have completed my degree with a more than healthy GPA and I’m about to start Honours.

There are several reasons for the dramatic shift in my academic fortunes. No doubt technological advances have greatly reduced the impact of many of my challenges. Hand writing is no longer an issue, spelling is reigned in via the twin powers of spell checking and careful editing. Reading comprehension remains on the slow side but has increased over the course of my degree. Trapped thoughts are still a concern – currently plaguing me as I write this piece. However, the study discipline I have developed enables me to punch through this challenge. As a wonderful first year tutor told us, ‘Just write.’ So, when the words are trapped I just come back to that dam(n) wall each day and hammer away. Eventually words trickle through, sentences form, and the essay takes shape.

Learning for passion rather than vocation is another key reason for the turn-around. Having a genuine interest in every topic on offer really helps the motivation.

f eat ure/ dyslex ia

There’s a lot to be said for the heightened public awareness and acceptance of dyslexia in this day and age. Back in the day, I was written off by most of my teachers and peers as lazy, stupid, or a combo of both. When you are naturally bright and industrious, these labels leave searing brands. To this day, lazy is a trigger word for me. This time around, I have experienced nothing but acceptance and understanding from both academics and peers.

It appears in this ultra-modern world that dyslexics are as valued and accepted as other historically maligned and marginalised groups who have been brought in from the cold.

limitations, I am also rather smugly appreciative of the gifts that are included with the bundle of challenges at no extra charge.

What gifts you ask? I have a terrific memory, I’m a creative thinker with a vast imagination, and most importantly, being different has given me the opportunity from a very young age to value and cherish diversity in all its wonderful forms.

But the greatest difference is my own acceptance and appreciation of my dyslexia. It is a fundamental part of me. It has shaped the way I think and process information. While I get frustrated by

Editors’ note: Some fonts are more dyslexia-friendly than others. Ever wonder why Comic Sans is so common in children’s’ texts? It’s because the letters are weighted in such a way that it makes the letters and words easier to keep separate, which is a challenge for younger children as well as dyslexic folk. If you don’t want to commit a design faux pas/look like a meme from 2015, other fonts that can be considered dyslexia friendly and come pre-installed on most computers include:

Arial

Century Gothic

Calibri

Verdana

Trebuchet

Geneva

When talking about fonts, you may come across the phrases ‘serif’ and ‘sans serif’. Serifs are small details such as flicks and strokes which change how the font looks. A common font that has serifs would be Times New Roman. Sans-serif fonts are simpler, as they don’t have these embellishments. All of the examples above are sans serif fonts.

As a general rule, sans serif fonts, without the flicks and embellishments of serif fonts, are easier to differentiate for dyslexic people.

There are also fonts that have been designed specifically with dyslexic people in mind, such as Dyslexie and Lexia, which are either free or reasonably cheap; Dyslexie can also be downloaded as a Google Chrome browser extension that changes webpages to the Dyslexiafriendly font, to make web browsing easier. However, in most cases, using the pre-installed sans-serif fonts on your computer should be a reasonable solution to ensuring your work is dyslexia friendly.

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featu re/m ed i tat i o n

Importance of Meditation The new medicine?

Words by Michael Carroll The benefits of meditation are starting to unravel. It is no longer considered a pseudoscience being preached by an underground group. Contrary to popular belief, meditation is not about ignoring your problems, but a means of finding a solution to them. Science has discovered the benefits of consistent meditation, even if it is just five minutes a day. These benefits include: reduced stress, improved mental health, and an increase in brain performance.

However, these are just the mental aspects. For the physical benefits, they include: increased weight loss, reduction of ageing, and increases your immune system.

For any student, meditation can be beneficial. It is free and can be done just about anywhere. Sure, you can meditate in your bedroom, but you can also do it while riding the bus or the 10-minute break between lectures. You will not gain a Holy ascendance, but you can see mental improvements within days.

“Workplaces such as Google are implementing mindfulness through meditation to lower workplace stress.�

Meditation is a simple practice. It can be done by closing your eyes and removing all of your thoughts. At first, thoughts will start flooding your mind within seconds and that is normal, however, the goal is to remove them again. Each time you do this, your concentration will improve gradually. Playing calm music is optional and there are thousands of videos on YouTube

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that can provide this. If you decide to use music, do not pick loud or distracting sounds. Sounds of beach waves or rainforests will suffice.

Applications are also available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. One great free app is called Smiling Mind. It has been developed by a non-profit organisation as an initiative to reduce stress and increase wellbeing. This app provides a structured program of meditation that is designed to improve your mental and physical health, also allowing you to track your progress. The lessons are not long and are narrated for maximum benefit.

More and more people are said to be practicing meditation. It is now being practiced by the Port Adelaide Football Club to improve the performance of players on the field and their behaviour off the field. Workplaces such as Google are implementing mindfulness through meditation to lower workplace stress. Just in 2008, Medibank released a report estimating that stress is costing the Australian economy nearly $15 billion a year. As stress is costing people their health, and businesses their money, it would be wise to reduce it wherever possible.

So, as a final message to readers, meditation requires you to literally do nothing. Just sit on a bed, close your eyes, and think of nothing. Do that for up to 20 minutes a day and your life will improve.

OP INION/ telev ision

live and in stereo

Three reasons why 13 Reasons Why is so much more than a YA drama Words by Madeline Hand The importance of mental health on our individual happiness and wellbeing is a hot topic in today’s media and 13 Reasons Why is no exception. I will be discussing the show and some questions that arise from it. There will be some spoilers, so consider yourselves warned.

A question that is explored is whether she was justified in taking her own life. Characters on the show accuse her of being weak, seeking attention, lying on the tapes, and trying to create drama.

Hannah thought she was justified in her actions as she gives 13 reasons why, right? And I do not believe that she was lying about any of it: the money with her parents or about Bryce at the party.

Not only that, but we can see Hannah tries to have a fresh start and does go to the counsellor for help. Maybe she was seeking attention, but she didn’t deserve any of the things that happened to her and she did seek help. But it demonstrates how, even with her death, Hannah only passed her suffering on.

Who is to blame for Hannah’s death? Tony describes it as they all let her down. They created the downhill spiral, as she explains on the last couple of tapes. It is possible that if any of them had changed their actions, things might have changed. But ultimately, Hannah was the one to do the act, and if she reached out to Tony, Clay, Alex, then maybe there wouldn’t be a show.

We see on the last tape, how Hannah’s death affected Alex. So then, do we blame Hannah? Does the blame game continue, with no one talking responsibility for their actions except for Clay and Alex?

The show explores the effects of her death and the tapes she leaves on all the characters, focusing on Clay as he listens to them.

Through him, our views of the characters are shaped. We see Clay changing, becoming angrier at the world and disconnecting from his parents. The show looks at the signs she was demonstrating before she died, and ironically Alex suffered similarly in the present. We see these characters and the effects of the tapes on them, how they change and deal with their actions and how they move on. At the end of the show, we see Clay, Tony and two others in the car, seeing that they are moving on with their lives. And we can see Sherry make amends, Courtney coming out to her dads, Jessica opening up to her father and Justin leaving Bryce.

13 Reasons Why is emotionally powerful with its transitions between past and present, and well developed characters. It has become quite controversial, covering ideas of rape and suicide in the fear that it would increase the rate of both. But if it is a show that gets people talking about it, it will, hopefully, get more people aware and reaching out.

Need support or information around depression and anxiety for yourself, a friend or family member? You can get immediate support by contacting the beyondblue Support Service and for details of other national crisis and help lines.

The beyondblue Support Service provides advice and support via telephone 24/7 (just call 1300 22 4636), daily web chat (between 3pm - 12am) and email (with a response provided within 24 hours) https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 15

colu mn/hea lth

how to get skinny

(from someone who was once skinny) Words by Chelsea Griffith To the untrained eye I am a very different person to Friends’ Matthew Perry. I am a female, I am half his age, he has been in a long-running TV show while I have been in a road safety video for SAPOL. Sure, we may seem pretty different. But, our weights have both yo-yo’d noticeably over the years due to a drug addiction (albeit while his drug is probably cocaine, mine is chocolate). We are also both hilarious.

Apparently the first time I went on a diet was when I was in year 1.

That’s right, six years old. People always reminisce about the days when they were a kid and could eat as many lollies as they wanted, and didn’t have to worry. Conversely I always reminisce about the days I was a baby and didn’t have the object permanence necessary to understand my relationship to food, and therefore didn’t have to worry. This article stops discussing drug addiction and small children with eating disorders soon, don’t worry.

“If you are vegan, you are not exempt from the protein rule.”

When I was eight years old, I remember being told I didn’t have a ‘bikini body’ – so I proceeded to put myself on a diet that consisted of eating three meals a day but no snacks, and one ‘special’ drink (juice/soft drink/cordial) per day. After about six months, I put a bikini on to go to a ninth birthday pool party and, to my delight, was told I had a ‘bikini body’. One would have hoped this Godawful term to describe a body would have disappeared in this supposedly more politically correct and body-positive era, but lo, we have Pablo and his guide for achieving the body that is allowed

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to wear bikinis, that has funded a Lamborghini that can’t park for shit but has gained Shit Adelaide notoriety (the most prestigious kind of notoriety, FYI international/interstate students).

When I was seventeen years old, I looked back on my years of dieting and gaining, dieting and gaining. Years of never feeling good enough built up and pushed me to ‘eat clean’ and exercise for up to two hours every day for about eight months.

I didn’t just lose a bit of belly fat like I’d done a million times before after a million times dieting – I actually reached the holy grail – I became actually skinny. Turns out when you weren’t built to be skinny, being skinny isn’t that great, as I learned. It’s been five years since I became ‘skinny’, and I am no longer ‘skinny’. I’m the weight that is healthiest for me. But, if you’re one of those ‘New Year, New Me’ people who posted their first progress photo on New Year’s Day with the caption ‘chapter 1 of 365’, or if you’re normal on social media but are also looking to lose weight, I am pretty much an expert on the journey, and on all the social media influencer health trends that suck you in along the journey. So hear out my tips on the process first, before the Nazi social influencerrun health world brainwashes you, chews you up and spits you out into a downward spiral of starving, binging and telling your partner to ‘just admit you don’t think I’m attractive’. I mean, at least that’s what my friends tell me happens at the end of a failed diet.

c olumn/ hea lth

To do: Eat. When. You. Are. Hungry. I don’t care which influencer said to cut out snacks. You need to eat when you feel hungry, and there are plenty of healthy, low-calorie snacks that you can snack on when your tummy rumbles. And I’m not going to tell you to go to your local health food shop and buy a quinoa/kale/chia-infused acai pod with goji berries and psyllium husks. Just eat a bloody carrot or three. Eat some nuts. Wholegrain toast. It’s fine.

Even better – when I’m peckish between meals I chuck all the veggies I can find into a blender and make this gross vomitcoloured juice, which I then add something tasty like mango to, to make me not want to gag. It’s filling and nutritious, and low-calorie.

But, you shouldn’t need to count calories too closely if you’re eating regular healthy meals.

Eat protein with every meal. Chicken/beef/kangaroo/fish/egg, whatever poor innocent creature your heart desires. If you are vegan, you are not exempt from the protein rule. I am not vegan because it’s too much bloody work. It takes a fair bit of effort and planning to get the right amount of protein from plants. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you’re going to need to be nourished and energised, so you’re going to need to get enough protein. Eating low-calorie, proteinless vegetables alone is not a helpful demonstration of your willpower and it will not keep you healthy. Have some chicken or go see a dietician and plan what you’re going to have instead.

“I have found that a cheat meal once a week stops me from wanting to drive a fork into my eyeball, keeps me on track with healthy eating and doesn’t affect weight loss.”

If you spend two hours wrecking yourself at the gym, you’ve got to eat extra calories, or your body will go into starvation mode which makes you put on more weight in the end. On the note of exercise, you can just go for a couple of runs/brisk walks or do a few gym classes a week. You don’t need to work out for hours on end. You don’t need to work out every single day. It’s good to get your heart rate up a few times a week, but it’s not going to kill you to miss a few sessions because you’re working on an assignment. Although, that post-workout feeling does make you feel happier and gets your metabolism going so even after your workout, you continue to burn calories throughout the day. Think of those bonuses as motivators, not as reasons to beat yourself up for not going. When you’re 107 and on your death bed I highly doubt you’re going to be thinking ‘damn, wish I did Body Pump on the 8th of August 2018’.

What not to do: Follow a trend. Because that’s what it is. A trend that was started by social media influencers who want to capitalise on your selfesteem issues. Raw till 4 probably (and hopefully) will go out of fashion. Eating regularly and healthily, and doing moderate exercise won’t.

I know nothing I have said is new information. But that’s the point!

You know how to be fit and healthy. The problems arise when we’re scrolling through all these health and fitness models on Instagram and feel like we need to up the stakes by eating 1000 calories a day or eating salad only. I reached The Goal Weight and realised I was a lot happier and functioned a lot better when I stopped eating like I lived in a prison camp and started doing the things above.

Remember, the only person that doesn’t think you’re ‘bikini-ready’ is Pablo – and that’s just because he needs to convince us all we’re not, so he can buy a new Lambo to park like a Flinders’ student in car park 3 late for their 9am tute.

SIDE NOTE: If you want to follow a health ‘influencer’ who is refreshingly normal and body positive, go suss Leah Itsines on Insta. She will never tell you to stop eating cheese.

P.S. For those who want to know more about “PABLO”, check out Shit Adelaide for more info.

I have found that a cheat meal once a week stops me from wanting to drive a fork into my eyeball, keeps me on track with healthy eating and doesn’t affect weight loss. Would recommend if you want your life to be worth living.

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Creative /F I ct i o n

Incurable 124: Franco Guiliamo Words by Evie Cazzolato

The doctors found me today. It took them long enough.

Dr Gensler seemed to hope it was anything but me. He’d seen me only once before, when I’d ripped through a six-year-old’s jaw in four merciless weeks. Dr Gensler had been a lot younger then. It was one of his first cases as a qualified oncologist. He took a twomonth sabbatical after the boy died.

I moved on to a single mother of three within the next day or so.

I ruptured Franco Guiliamo years later. He’d already survived one kind of cancer. It was called a benign ependymoma, and as far as brain tumours go it was one of the better ones. A few radiotherapy sessions, an encouraging pat on the back, and Franco was momentarily cured.

But then I came along. Activated by the radiation and too small to notice, at first. Like Franco hadn’t been through enough.

Dr Gensler hated return cases. They made him profoundly 18

uncomfortable. He’d practised his speech numerous times, saying ‘unfortunately’ a lot and trying to remain disaffected by his mistyeyed patients.

He danced around Franco’s diagnosis, coughing frequently and chewing his gums. Franco sat with his worn hands clasped together, picking at his calloused thumbs.

Alex, his son, didn’t say a lot. He nodded slowly and shook Dr Gensler’s hand when they stood to leave. Alex held his father’s elbow as they left, guiding him to the exit.

Rather suddenly, Franco showed me a memory. Not intentionally.

But that’s what happens when you’re a brain tumour; you get a front row seat to psychological self-reflection.

I saw a 4-year-old Alex latched onto Franco’s arm, sobbing into his shoulder as Franco bandaged a deep cut on his forearm. I watched Franco remember Alex calming down only when he was handed

C r eativ e/ fiction an overflowing ice cream cone topped with rainbow sprinkles.

Franco smirked at the boy, shaking his head.

-I’ve spent a few days looking at Franco’s cerebral cortex, where his memories are stored. When I was younger, I used to simply attack the cerebellum, push the nerve endings and grow until the brain stem ruptured and be done with it. But I’m older now, and since there’s no control over how long I’ll be with someone, I like to get to know the person I’m destroying. Killing a stranger leaves me feeling more like a serial killer than a tumour.

Franco’s days have followed the same ritual for around 20 years now. He wakes at 6.30am, has a coffee and biscuits for breakfast, and fetches Talia’s newspaper from the driveway. She used to read it every morning, just for the scandalous classifieds. He’d meant to cancel the subscription after she died, but quickly realised he didn’t know how. So he reads it every morning over a coffee, and has an amused browse over the classifieds. Franco’s interest in international politics means I’ve been able to keep in touch with the real world, even if it is all in Italian. Multilingual tumours are actually very common these days.

Afterwards, he listens to 82.7, the Italian radio. Then he carefully waters the plants, and heads back inside for lunch. Pasta, usually.

Never as good as Talia’s, but he gets by. Next, he has a little ‘nap’, where he rests his head but very rarely sleeps.

Later, he’ll go for a slow walk around the block, carefully treading the stony footpath. Once home, he calls a friend or two for a chat and laugh about their pains and memories. Franco then has a small dinner, watches some TV (The Voice and Millionaire Hot Seat are two of his favourites) and goes to bed at the reasonable time of 9.00pm.

He re-reads the classifieds before drifting off to sleep.

Things are a bit different now though.

I’ve started pushing on his optic nerve, so his vision is starting to blur. He just looks the classifieds, only guessing the captions. I give him headaches now, so his little naps creep into sleeps.

He’ll never give up the morning coffee, though, or the walk around the block.

Franco spends a lot of time thinking about his youth. Not his late teens, though, which to me seem like his prime years. Girlfriends, card games, tight jeans, slick hair. People in town used to say their cologne was so strong that you could smell the Guiliamo brothers before you could see them.

But no, Franco thinks of his twenties. He remembers the day he met Talia, and how he swore to God he’d marry her someday. She’d rolled her hazel eyes, shook her head, and strolled away, giggling.

Two months later, Franco was gutting a pig with her father and clinking stumpy glasses of Grappa in preparation for the upcoming wedding day. Franco told her father he’d never before met anyone as beautiful as Talia.

Franco would chuckle at his younger self for being so brazen, immature, and stupid.

first time in his life, he felt wildly unprepared and terrifically out of depth.

Talia had been so much more than just beautiful.

-The doctor had another look at me today. Dr Gensler studied an x-ray snapshot awhile, and then asked Franco if he wanted to go on chemotherapy tablets. Alex translated the question.

At the word ‘chemotherapy’, Franco’s thoughts jolted to his own father’s hollowed face, his sallow body and shaking hands trying to grip Franco from his white hospital bed. He remembered his scratchy voice, the pleading cries and breathless sobs that Franco had never heard from a man before.

Franco shook his head.

‘No.’ ‘Pa,’ Alex started.

‘No!’ Franco crossed his arms.

And that was that.

-Today Franco fell down on his walk. He stumbled on a stone and fell onto his hands. His knees and palms were all cut up, and he had a glorious bruise on his hip. A neighbour found him and called an ambulance, much to Franco’s dismay. He hated a fuss. And his hands and waist had softened the fall. I hadn’t been aggravated, which I could’ve told the paramedics, given the chance. But the nurses at the hospital were all very lovely, and Franco spent the entire afternoon trying to make the ladies giggle. Franco was ruled clear of any major injuries and discharged that night. The nurses were sad to see him go, that cheeky Mr. Guiliamo.

That night, as Franco sat in his old armchair, Alex told him that walking alone was dangerous and he wasn’t to do it anymore. They sat in silence for a while, until Alex said he would walk with him when he could. The girls would too.

Again, another memory. This time of a toddler stood shakily, with Alex lying on the floor holding a video camera in front of his face.

Franco’s hands hovered either side of the child, carefully following each unsteady step. A baby Victoria lay gurgling in a cot.

‘Sienna!’ Alex sang, and the toddler looked over at the camera, then up to her grandfather. Franco’s own laugh rumbled through his memory.

‘Nonno?’ Victoria’s gentle voice broke through his thoughts. He felt a soft hand slide into his, and he clutched it tight. Franco shook the old memory from his mind.

Sienna asked how he was feeling. He imagined them finding out he’d been in hospital, and was exhausted with guilt. He couldn’t really see their faces, they were just blurry outlines now, but he knew they were scared.

In broken English, Franco said he felt pretty beat up, but they should see the other guy, he was a filthy mess!

And that was all they needed.

Something to show he was still there, in spite of me.

Talia’s father had just smirked silently, patting Franco on the arm.

In that moment, rather abruptly, Franco had realised that for the 19

Creative /f i ct i o n -Franco stood in front of the mirror for an hour today. His eyes were open, but he couldn’t see anything. He was looking, searching for a sign of identity, some recognition of who he was before.

But he couldn’t, of course. All he saw was a clouded blur. He waved his arm, but couldn’t even see a shadow. Several streaking tears glided down his cheeks. Franco felt his way back to his old armchair and rubbed his eyes until little dots appeared.

smell of the crackling fire, and the warmth of his two grandchildren beside him.

Alex arrived later and fixed Franco his dinner. They all sat quietly in the lounge room for a few hours, until Franco asked to go to bed.

The girls kissed Franco goodnight. Alex put a glass of water on the bedside table.

‘Alright now, Pa?’ he said.

It was horrible to watch.

‘Si, Si,’ Franco replied. I was giving him a slight headache, but that was nothing new.

I’ve heard no one really loves their job, but boy, try being a brain tumour.

‘Okay.’

-The house echoes between visitors. Alex comes several times a day, to fix Franco his meals and help him to bed for his nap. His work has been very understanding, but he can’t afford to take time off. Sienna and Victoria visit often. Others come and go.

-They’ve stopped asking each other how he is.

-Some extended family visited this morning, and Franco got quite confused by the number of voices that echoed around the kitchen.

He’d been in bed all morning, and had clumsily made his way to the table for lunch. As he sat slurping his soup, Victoria and I watched her older cousins exchange pitiful glances. Victoria turned her back on them and looked to the ceiling, trying to keep herself together. I was furious at them, until I remembered it was actually all my fault.

They didn’t stay long. Her tears broke as the door closed behind them.

Victoria cried silently as she fixed Franco a coffee, evening her breaths as she exhaled. She replied to his questions with one-word murmurs. Franco saw nothing, of course, but he felt something in the air.

He asked if she had a cold.

She coughed to clear her throat, squeezed his hand, and said yes.

-Franco sat in his brown leather chair, one granddaughter on the seat beside him and the other curled on the seat’s arm. They sat eyes closed, arms linked, listening to Andrea Bocceli singing through the stereo speakers. Franco hummed along, his tired face lifted in a slight smile. One thing I didn’t destroy was his hearing.

He could still listen to music. He could still hear his family’s voices.

That had to count for something.

I prepared for a million memories to flash through his mind, maybe of Talia walking down the aisle, or the last time he’d hugged Alex, waving goodbye on his first day of Australian school fortyfive years ago. Or the time he’d given the girls a lolly before bed when they’d stayed over, or his mother singing and dancing in the kitchen.

But no, Franco’s thoughts were still. Peaceful, even. In that moment, the only thing on his mind was the sound of the music, the 20

They waited for him to sit on the side of his bed. But he stood. ‘…Pa? Franco weakly grasped his son’s hand, feeling his way to Alex’s shoulder.

‘Pa?’ Franco breathed heavily. He pulled his son towards him in a frail embrace, clutching Alex with all the strength he had left.

Alex’s brow furrowed as he wrapped his arms around his father. I like to think Alex was remembering their last hug, forty-five years earlier.

God. How sentimental am I? But it was what Alex needed.

And that’s when we all knew.

Franco would always be Franco, in spite of me.

K O O B P A R SC

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SC R

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K O O APB

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just for f u n /pets @ f l i n d e r s

pets @ flinders BELLA Name: Bella Owner: The Cazzolato family (Evie) Age: 8 Breed: Cocker Spaniel Likes: watermelon, carrots, beaches, cuddles on her own terms and multicoloured fluffy toys (only) Dislikes: vacuum cleaners, tall men, puppies and lettuce You can follow Bella on instagram! @bellathespanielpup

samurai Name: Samurai (Sam) Owner: Laura Edwards Age: 13 Breed: Thoroughbred Likes: Food, cats, his best friend Mickey Dislikes: Wind, new places, bareback riding

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j ust for f u n/p ets @ flinders

louis Name: Louis Owner: Karen Smart Age: 4 Breed: Italian Greyhound Likes: Eating, having his snoot booped, and sleeping, lots and lots of sleeping…

Dislikes: Bigger dogs (but he can run faster), being away from his humans, and suffering through the indignity of being awake.

snowflake

Name: Snowflake Owner: Emily Hallett Age: 8 Breed: Papillon x Maltese Shi-Tzu Likes: Being sassy, going for walks, eating Schmackos, throwing her own toys around Dislikes: Toe tickles. And seeing any other type of living creatures… especially birds.

On this page we feature some of the cutest side-kicks of people here at Flinders.

If you want your pet to feature in the next issue, send us an email at empire.times@flinders.edu.au and we’ll put them in the magazine for all of Flinders to admire!

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vox p ops

VOX POPs

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (ON CAMPUS)

O’Week Edition

JOEL

DAVID

CARMEN

PRESIDENT OF FLICS

BACHELOR OF IT

BCA: CREATIVE WRITING

Q1. As ok as I can be currently

Q1. I’m fine

Q1. Yes!

Q2. Exercise, although completely undermined by my eating/drinking habits

Q2. I like soup?

Q2. Take naps

Q3. 3 minutes back so I can pester myself

Q3. To the future to see new technology

Q4. Spiderman!

Q4. Wonder Woman

Q5. Fantasised about memes

Q5. Shot a gun (in the country)

Q6. Jesus “Chris”t

Q6. Chris Pine (not the politician)

Q3. 1970s California Q4. Ash Williams (Evil Dead 2) Q5. Many alcohol induced strat’s visits Q6. Chris Jericho

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vox pops

Q1. Are you okay?

Q2. What do you do to look after yourself?

Q3. If you could travel in time where/when would you go?

Q4. Favourite Superhero?

Q5. What’s one thing that you’ve done that you won’t tell your mum about?

Q6. Which Chris is your favourite?

HILARY

EILISH

CURTIS

PUBLIC ADMIN

FOUNDATIONS

ROBOTICS ENGINEERING

Q1. Sure am!

Q1. Yeah

Q2. Get an early night

Q2. Give myself some me time

Q3. 70s to get free ed

Q3. Korea, 2015

Q4. Jay Weatherill

Q4. Aquaman

Q5. Smashed the side mirror of my car

Q5. I don’t remember

Q6. Chris Wigg (my dad)

Q6. Chris Hemsworth

Q1. Yes, a bit stressed but that comes with prez of a club at o’week Q2. YouTube and computer gaming Q3. Future, so I can go live on Mars Q4. Batman Q5. Q6. Chris Pratt

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vox pops

Q1. Are you okay?

Q2. What do you do to look after yourself?

Q3. If you could travel in time where/when would you go?

Q4. Favourite Superhero?

Q5. What’s one thing that you’ve done that you won’t tell your mum about?

Q6. Which Chris is your favourite?

LIAM

JOSHUA

KRISTI

CREATIVE ARTS

BACHELOR OF IT (HONOURS)

JUSTICE AND SOCIETY

Q1. I am excellent

Q1. Yes of course!

Q1. Yes

Q2. Fuck all

Q2. Do gardening and go for hikes!

Q3. Gallifrey

Q3. I would go back to when the Vognich manuscript was made so I could learn its secrets.

Q2. Socialise, eat, drink, sleep (it’s a hard life) ;)

Q4. Radioactive Man Q5. I think I’ll pass. Otherwise, the meth lab Q6. Christopher Eccleston

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Q3. Right before Batman and Spiderman’s parents died

Q4. Iron Man

Q4. Loki

Q5. Nothing haha!

Q5. My grades

Q6. Chris Pratt

Q6. Chris Hemsworth

Op inion/ ga ming

HEALTHY GAMING ROUTINES Gaming is growing to be one of the most popular recreational activities and can be a very unhealthy one, if you don’t take the right precautions.

Words by Peter Moreman

Many gamers enjoy a long gaming session, whether that’s playing alone or with friends. But playing video games for 2 hours or 12 hours can take its toll on your physical and mental health, therefore you as the player should incorporate a set routine so that you don’t strain yourself. If you do not, you could heavily fatigue your body resulting in sore eyes and short term pain in your hands.

Unless you are playing Just Dance, or are a very enthusiastic player of Guitar Hero, there is a chance that games are not giving you the physical exercise your body requires. You may be thinking, are you going to suggest I get a gym membership? Or start jogging? The answer is no, not necessarily. However, keep in mind that a short jog every couple of days is marvellous for your body. Simple exercises you can do is every half hour is go for a walk around your house, go and stand outside or do some stretches for 5-10 minutes. This also includes moving your eyes from side to side and closing them. You will feel a lot better after this.

When playing video games, people tend to snack on unhealthy foods such as: potato chips, lollies, pretzels, and party pies. Even if you are a thin person, this is still not good for your body. Some healthier options you could try are: apple slices, muesli bars, grapes, yoghurt, and even popcorn. You may even notice you have more energy!

Try to make a routine that works for you, your body will be grateful.

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colu mn/s el f car e

SELF-CARE FOR THE UNINSPIRED Physical health isn’t the only thing you should keep in mind! Pun intended.

Words by Renee Kohler Today’s column is brought to you by the letters: T, I, R, E and D, because there’s nothing like starting the university semester off right. I’m hardly an expert on Health, far from it. But the concept of self-care has recently garnered a lot of attention. So, I thought, why not try my hand at giving myself and others the reminder to look after ourselves just as university picks back up. It’s easy to get forgetful about your wellbeing when your brain consists of 50% study and 50% existential dread. Here are some completely optional self-care tips from me to you, all in good fun of course.

Under the Sea It may be painfully obvious, but hydration is incredibly important, especially around this time of year. Unfortunately, it’s a little too easy to forget to drink anything when you’re distracted. I too am guilty of forgetting to drink enough water and often find myself opting for the unhealthy option when I really shouldn’t.

“Destroy your electronics before they destroy they destroy you Black Mirror style.”

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However, this year I am trying to do better and having a decent water bottle around has helped. I implore you to attempt to drink more water than you do currently, even if it’s just an extra glass a day. Sure, it’s no fizzy drink or milkshake but eventually you’ll feel better for having done it. Just maybe don’t go all Luke Skywalker on everyone and maintain an uncomfortable level of eye contact while doing so. Or, at least, stick to the water. That blue milk looked all kinds of nasty.

Hell is Other Robots We’re living in the future, except “actual” hoverboards or flying cars are nowhere to be seen! Thanks Robert Zemeckis for nothing. Instead, you can play Animal Crossing on your phone, watch the entirety of Parks and Recreation on a whim and do I even need to mention the wormhole that is Buzzfeed quizzes? I’m really more of a parmesan than a cheddar girl.

Nothing I didn’t know before. It’s not surprising how it can be all-consuming; hours spent tapping away before you realise it’s nearly the next day and you’ve not moved in three hours.

c ol u mn/ self care

My advice? Destroy your electronics before they destroy you Black Mirror style. Or, alternatively, take a break from them. You’ll thank me later. Now I know, this is funny coming from the person currently writing this on a laptop. But I often find myself getting to the point where I’ve been reading the same sentence over and over (and over and over). That’s usually enough for me to power down, even if only for a few hours. It gives your eyes and brain a rest and lets you recharge before you sit down and boot up again. It’ll do wonders for your concentration. But admittedly, sometimes, the temptation is too much and instead of doing the responsible thing I instead start a new save in Fallout 4. Nobody’s perfect, okay?

For me, there’s nothing worse than staring at a blank page.

So, to sidestep this issue it’s actually helpful to at least write something down, even if it’s completely ridiculous. It means that I’ve already beaten the first word jitters that plague each new project or essay. If this initial step works for you, utilise it. If it doesn’t, try something else. Eventually you will find your rhythm and from there you can begin to block out exactly how much time to allocate a task. Repetition is often criticised, but the muscle memory of it all works in your favour.

Rinse and Repeat

Though it doesn’t always mean going out and buying all the scented bath products you can get your hands on. Yes, a glitter filled bath may be fun for some but sometimes it’s the smaller things that make an overwhelming day that bit more calm. For me, it’s usually starting something new that I haven’t had the chance to yet, finally getting around to the never-ending pile of ‘one day’s that await me. A game, book or TV show that’s been calling your name could do you a world of good. There’s a spate of interesting films, games and shows coming out or returning in the following months which should allow for more choice. Even if it’s only for an hour, escapism is good for the soul. I read it on the Internet once, so it “has to be true.”

Self-care isn’t all wine and meditation, though neither of those are necessarily a bad thing. But often self-care is focused on the after effects of stress, rather than preventative measures. Though not everything can be controlled you can sometimes determine to what degree something will affect you. I find the best way to look out for myself is to think forwards, even if it’s only by a little bit.

The thing that stresses me out most is deadlines. I delay starting something for fear of starting it too early and the next thing I know it’s a week out from being due. Let the stress commence.

“A game, book or TV show that’s been calling your name could do you a world of good.”

My suggestion is to channel Groundhog Day and get repetitive.

Find what stresses you out the most! Yes, “what” and not “who”. It may be study, work or even your creative outlets. Then, attempt to formulate a plan that will forgo as much of the stress as possible.

Treat Yo’ Self!

Or, eat. Simple, I know. Probably not the best advice ever, I know that too. But a little treat now and then in moderation isn’t such a bad thing. Or, your idea of a treat may be something healthy. You do you. But maybe don’t go ham, á la Spirited Away. Pig transformations are never ideal– and yes, that scene still terrifies me to this day.

And that’s all, folks! Four self-care tips for the unmotivated. These tips are all relatively simple but even the simplest of things can be forgotten in the rush to get assignments and readings done. Try and look after yourself, inside and out.

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featu re /g a m i n g

Doki Doki literature Club A Surprising Glimpse into Mental Health Words by Cameron Lowe On the surface, Team Salvato’s Doki Doki Literature Club (DDLC) looks like a light-hearted anime dating simulator. Its plot is simple: you are a single boy in high school, who is introduced to a literature club full of women by your lifelong friend, Sayori. However, behind its bright pink colours and cheerful music is, in fact, a psychological horror story which gives players a surprising glimpse into mental health. As I will be discussing particular scenes within the visual novel, a SPOILER warning is in place.

DDLC deals with many forms of mental health, with depression being the first one early in the game. One of the characters is often depicted as being cheery, but is absent-minded. She keeps wanting the player to make friends with the other women, just so he can be happy. As you get to know her more, you find out that she has chronic depression. For players, this comes out of nowhere as it can be seen as being completely opposite to who they are depicted as. However, this gets truly disturbing when you discover shortly after a problem in the game, she has committed suicide. This scene comes out of nowhere and the effective use of imagery and sound really hits the player hard. This depiction shows that sometimes people hide their true feelings by acting cheerful and happy.

“Being obsessed with something is normal human behaviour, but when it goes into overdrive, it can become a mental health issue.”

Another aspect of mental health that is explored within DDLC is self-harm. One of the girls is depicted as being quiet and withdrawn from the others. Upon getting to know her, you realise that she is obsessed with knives and has a collection of them. This 32

is seen as being a little weird at first, but becomes central to Act 2 of the story. In Act 2, you find out this character cuts herself frequently and brings a different knife to school every day. This is further enhanced in flashing scenes which show cuts across her arms. Much later on, the player is confronted by another character who speaks about this character’s tendency to selfharm, claiming even she does not know why. Including this as an aspect is an interesting glimpse into the ideas of why someone might harm themselves.

Being obsessed with something is normal human behaviour, but when it goes into overdrive, it can become a mental health issue.

Overly obsessive behaviour is another aspect of mental health explored in DDLC. Two of the girls display some sort of obsessive behaviour which becomes frightening to the player. This is seen when one character becomes so obsessed with the player that they cover their poem in drops of blood, just so the player can have their scent. The other, which is the main antagonist, breaks the fourth wall and actually deletes character files from the game files. This is further enhanced as she stares at the player directly and gives him no other option but to love her and only her. She then says how she never wants to let the player go and actually prevents them from progressing any further.

These are but only three aspects of mental health that are covered within DDLC. If you wish to discover the other aspects, or experience these aspects yourself, then download it as it is free on Steam. The developers themselves do provide a warning about these themes for those who may be easily disturbed.

c r eativ e/ poetry

Hyperbole Poem by Diana-Elena Vornicu

I wake up this morning,

The doctor comes up to me

My organs feel as if they’ve been punched.

And starts working his magic.

Maybe I was squeezed to death in my sleep

I count the seconds ‘till my death.

Because my head feels tightly bunched.

It will be tragic.

I get up, slower than a sloth,

When all the tests are done,

Starting my quest for the day.

The doctor folds his hands neatly.

My bones must be broken.

He looks up at me,

I will definitely need an x-ray!

Smiling sweetly.

A thousand bees must have stung me

He starts speaking

I think.

In a humorous tone.

What if someone tried to kill me?

How can this man not see

What if I drunk a poisonous drink?

That I will be under a stone?

I sit on the couch forever

‘Well you have no fever.

Staring into space.

No nodes, no cancer,

My brain has shrunken to the size of a pea.

No heart or lung problems,

What if cancer is my case?

But I may have the answer.’

My breathing quickens.

‘Doc, tell me already.

My lungs will explode!

I won’t last much more.

My heart is pulsing way too fast.

What do I have?

It must have a node.

I feel very sore.’

I put on my coat

‘I checked everything in you,

And rush to the hospital quick.

Even your mitochondria.

I bang on the doctor’s desk and say,

What you have,

‘Hurry up! I will die! I’m so sick!’

Is hypochondria.’

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In 2017, The Australian Human Rights Commission conducted a randomised survey of university students, including here at Flinders, and released the National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities. The report offered a lot of suggestions for Universities to adopt, and while we think those recommendations are fantastic, here at Flinders we want to do even better.

We’ve created a campaign called Be A Better Human, an initiative created by a group of Flinders students from the ground up, to reflect our campus culture and what we think everyone needs to appreciate – consent, respect and empathy. We don’t just want it to be about what we shouldn’t do; we want it to be about self-improvement for everyone. And when we say ‘everyone’, we really do mean everyone. We’re encouraging everyone who is part of our campus community to take a moment and consider how we can ‘better’ our behaviour.

Let’s examine our behaviour in a way that most of us have not had to do before. Talk to people you know, ask them how they’re going and talk about how you are. Let’s allow ourselves to picture a new reality, a new campus, a new community. What would that be like?

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In the coming weeks we’re going to talk about sex, and affirmative consent. We’re going to talk about what happens when consent is not provided and what to do – as someone who changed their mind or never gave it, as that person’s friend, or even as a bystander. We’re also going to look at the culture and attitudes that shape the way we think about sex, consent, and well… each other, because it affects everyone and it’s something we ought to explore.

Empire Times would like you to be part of this conversation.

We’re interested in how you define consent. What does consent mean to you? If you’d like to take part, email your thoughts to empire.times@flinders.edu.au for inclusion in an upcoming issue. Please note we may not be able to include everyone’s opinion, but it is valued. Your opinion will be treated as anonymous unless otherwise specified.

Deadline is April 16.

Let’s figure out how we can all be better humans.

You’ll start seeing us around campus soon. Until then you can go to fusa.edu.au/babh for more information.

fusa.edu.au/babh

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just for f u n /q u i z

Empire times quiz 1. Who played the Janitor in the TV show Scrubs?

2. What did Elon Musk recently launch into outer space?

3. Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula was inspired by which historical figure?

4. Which actor played the role of Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the original series of Star Trek?

5. Who voiced Fry, Doctor Zoidberg, and Professor Farnsworth in Futurama?

6. Snow is a 2017 album by which Australian band?

7. What is the furthest man-made object from Earth?

8. Which George Harrison album is a famous triple album?

9. What are the name of the films in which Peter Cushing appeared as Doctor Who? 10. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was originally released on which Nintendo console?

11. Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays which character in AMC’s The Walking Dead?

12. What is the name of the 1981 horror film that was directed

by Sam Raimi and stars Bruce Campbell?

13. What year did Singapore become an independent nation?

14. Who is the longest serving Premier of South Australia?

15. In which Australian city was Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl arrested in 2000 for drink driving?

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j ust for fun/ quiz

16. What 1840s war saw Hong Kong Island become a colony of the British Empire?

17. What is the name of The Simpsons episode where Bart prank calls an Australian kid?

18. King of the Hill is primarily set in which fictional Texas town?

19. How many premierships have Fremantle Dockers won?

20. The Cthulhu Mythos was created by which U.S. author?

BONUS QUIZ Match The Simpsons Quotes to the Pictures!

A) “A little late for Lenny.”

A) “What the hell was that?”

B) “Please don’t tell anyone how I live.”

B) “Stupid sexy Flanders!”

C) “Look at me I’m a grad student. I’m 30 years old and I made $600 last year.”

C) “Good Lord, what is happening in there?”

D) “900 Dollarydoos?!”

D) “This isn’t my house.”

1. Neil Flynn 2. His Tesla 3. Vlad the Impaler 4. DeForest Kelley 5. Billy West 6. Angus and Julia Stone 7. Voyager 1 8. All Things Must Pass 9. Dr Who and the Daleks (1965), and Daleks Invasion Earth 2150AD (1966) 10. Nintendo 64 11. Negan 12. The Evil Dead 13. 1965 14. Sir Thomas Playford IV (19381965) 15. The Gold Coast 16. The First Opium Wars 17. Bart vs. Australia 18. Arlen 19. None 20. H.P. Lovecraft BONUS QUIZ Left pic: B), Right pic: D)

QUIZ ANSWERS ANSWERS TO ISSUE 1’s “FLINDERS GRADUATES AND STAFF” CROSSWORD 1. Peter Goers. 2. John Schumann. 3. Nick Prescott. 4. Annie Maynard. 5. Noni Hazlehurst. 6. John Bannon. 7. Amanda Rishworth. 8.

Hannah Kent. 9. Grieg Pickhaver. 10. Xavier Samuels. 11. Rosalba Clemente. 12. Mem Fox. 13. Doc Neesen. 14. Scott Hicks.

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featu re /t ran s hea lthcar e

Trans Healthcare and Gatekeeping in the Medical Community Words by Oleander Glenie “Your only option is to see this psych. He’s got a long waiting list, but it’s the only way I know of to get you on hormones,” is what my doctor said to me early last year. I wasn’t happy with this answer; the doctor she was suggesting is an old white man, and psychiatrist, and up until recently, one of very few psychs in the state who specialized in treating trans patients. Some of my friends have gone through him and the feedback I’ve heard was pretty unanimous; he’s not likeable. He’s pretty much just another way of restricting which trans people can pursue gender-affirming treatment such as transitional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). He is not good with non-binary people (not trans enough) or with binary trans people who choose to present in non-gender conforming ways (probably faking it for attention).

SA as a counsellor, I would still be waiting for that appointment to see the psych I didn’t want to see. With his help, I managed to bypass the psych visits completely and see the endocrinologist directly, and get a prescription for Primoteston, one of the most common forms of injectable testosterone (I will talk more about Primo specifically in a minute), in the first appointment. I was lucky – I had made the decision to pursue hormone treatment a few months after laws changed in South Australia. A bill was introduced eliminating the requirement to see a psychiatrist to access gender-affirming treatment; a bill that my GP, and many other medical practitioners, seem fairly clueless about, since I’ve had to show more than one doctor the proof that I can do things the way I’ve planned.

Aside from being, from what I’ve heard, an unlikable guy, he also has: A twelve-month waiting list at least – which you can’t get on until you’ve written a letter justifying yourself and your decision.

You have to see him until he’s convinced you’re trans enough (usually around 4-6 months) in order to get anywhere near a referral to one of the two endocrinologists he works with.

A good friend of mine was not as fortunate. She started hormones in March 2016, after sitting in the year-long waiting list for the aforementioned psychiatrist. She saw him for a further four months before finally seeing the doctor who could actually give her the prescriptions she needed. She was pretty upset when she found out I only waited about three months to see the endo, and did not have to see a psychiatrist at all, just because I happened to start after a bill had passed. She was even more annoyed to find out that the bill had also changed who could prescribe anti-androgens (a type of hormone blocker which restricts how much testosterone the body creates) and oestrogen – at their discretion, any GP can now write the prescriptions needed for an AMAB (assigned male at birth) trans person to shift their hormonal balance. If the laws (written by cis people, I might add) had been changed earlier, she could be celebrating three years on HRT instead of two.

This makes at least sixteen months to see the people who can actually prescribe the treatment so many trans people need. A lot of these doctors do not bulk bill either. This is just one example of how trans people are restricted in their right to medically transition – through HRT or surgeries – because of arbitrary rules put in place by cisgender people with no idea of who these rules are affecting and how.

If I had not been lucky enough to know a guy who works at SHINE

Even now, with fairer laws and requirements, some gendernon conforming (GNC) people are still having trouble accessing gender-affirming treatment. Another friend of mine was telling me about their attempts to be prescribed anti-androgens. This person has already talked to a therapist, who’s referred them to another psych, who first wants them to see a different doctor…

It all gets a bit cyclical and confusing. You lose track of which doctors you have seen and who you are supposed to see next, and there’s not many guides out there to help – it’s mostly people who are already on HRT telling you what they did or what they’ve heard about others’ transitions. There are more services coming up to help people with this – there are some support groups which can be helpful, and SHINE SA has several counsellors who are trained in gender diversity – this was the route I took, and I still talk to

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F eat u r e/t rans hea lthcare

Resources

my counsellor regularly to help me understand various facets of social, medical, and legal transition.

Affordability is also an issue. Most endocrinologists don’t bulk bill, and the one I see has a $100 Medicare gap payment for each appointment. Before you can get to the endo, you will have to pay about $80 after Medicare for each appointment with the psychiatrist. Once you’ve actually got the prescription(s) for your gender-affirming treatment, you have to actually pay for them. This is a kick in the gut if you do not have a concession, or worse, they are not even on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). On February 1 this year, Primoteston was removed from the PBS, meaning trans-masculine people who have previously only had to pay $6.20 for each script now have to pay the full price, which is between $35-$45, depending on which chemist you go to. Primo is injected every 2-4 weeks depending on what your testosterone levels are. There is another common form of injectable testosterone, Reandron, which is a slow release form of the hormone, which is on the PBS. As it’s slow release, it is only injected once every three months. However, there are issues with it, ranging from the huge needle which can’t be self-injected (meaning a visit to a nurse every time you need to inject) to the fact that slow release hormonal methods tend to come with more emotional imbalance, as there’s a longer wait between doses.

There are some good resources around for trans people in SA to get info on transition, as well as general support groups to meet other trans people, ask questions, and feel more comfortable and safe.

Useful info: Trans Health SA: www.transhealthsa.com SHINE SA Counselling: www.shinesa.org.au/health-services/ counselling/ SHINE SA Trans Wellbeing: www.shinesa.org.au/communityinformation/sexual-gender-diversity/trans-wellbeing/ Support Groups TransFemSA*: www.facebook.com/TransFemSA/ TransMasc SA*: www.facebook.com/TransMascSA/ *TransFem and TransMasc both have private groups which you can become a member of by messaging the page and asking to join. The private groups are closed to trans-feminine people and trans-masculine people respectively.

Being trans is already hard – I can guarantee at least one person you know won’t be trans-friendly, no matter how you explain it to them. Well-meaning strangers will misgender you without even thinking about it. Less well-meaning strangers will ask rude questions. “Are you a boy or a girl?” is common, but I’ve heard worse. You get scared of using public bathrooms. If you’re lucky, your family will try to understand, but it will take time. If the healthcare system were a little kinder to trans people, a little more understanding and a little less restrictive, trans existence would be just a little more bearable. I love being trans, make no mistake – I am proud of who I am. But sometimes it would be just a bit easier if someone would actually listen to us, and maybe actually implement some of our ideas to try and make our existence feel like less of a burden.

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Person a l Es say /at t en t i o n d e f i c i t d i s o r d e r

balan cing act Words by Stuart Jeffries

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I’ve been sitting on this piece for the better part of a week, which seems indicative of my writing life as a whole. In fact, it’s currently nearly 3.30am which, again, is totally on brand for my writing habits – but, as I’ll discuss, it’s essential to seize the moments I have. Having been on the ADD spectrum from a young age, staying focused on something and finishing the job is easier said than done. Of course, it also doesn’t help being a habitual “avoidance coper” who puts things off until the anxiety and stress builds enough for me to get the job done. It’s something I’m still working on with my psychologist, but god it’s easy to fall back into. The ADD comes strong when I’m faced with something I have to do but would much rather be doing something else, and that weak impulse control has followed me into everything from substance (ab)use and not knowing my alcohol limits, to buying snack food and devouring candy because that’s what I’d rather be eating.

It’s terrible.

It’s a behaviour pattern I’ve long come to recognise. It derailed my first two years of studying Law, and followed me somewhat into my first real attempt at a degree, Creative Writing. In fact, I put off writing this because I’m currently in my second of two consecutive summer school topics in order to graduate by April. Fuck it’s a lot.

Of course, studying at all is challenging when you’re torn from project to project, losing interest in one on a whim and suddenly frenzied to start another after watching a documentary or reading something biographical or taking in a new film – it’s that thing of creating, recreating and producing something from within that’s much more exciting than what must be done. The thought process is as jarring as the previous, elongated sentence; illdefined and seemingly never-ending.

Perseverance is key. Depression hasn’t helped either, swinging between suicidal ideation and bouts of deep, languishing idleness over the last three years I’ve been studying – though this hit well into Law as well.

P er s onal Es say/at t ent ion d ef icit disorder

Between the rubble of relationships and work – nightfill has crippled my mental state even more in the last year or so, although it’s okay now – study has been there. It’s been a constant slog of pushing and pleading and dragging myself over deadlines just to achieve the minimum expectations. I wonder how easy people find it sometimes. Studying and working alone has been one of the biggest ongoing challenges in my life to date. Throw a longterm relationship and a ravenous desire to be creating endlessly like a shark who absolutely has to keep swimming, easing my existential anxiety of not doing enough like water over that same shark’s gills. The incongruity of doing and not doing all at once can be exhausting. The difficulty comes in doing something I enjoy, or doing what’s necessary. Creative Writing brought a good mix of both but fuck me there were some awful topics in there that I literally had to begrudgingly plod through, again just to meet this end goal.

I’m still super anxious about needing to pass this last bloody topic so I can get out

– and then work is still there, 8 hours yesterday and 8+ hours today and then of course when do you rest? Well, you can’t if you need to be working on stuff.

My psychologist reminds me that life is a balancing act and in order to live a truly healthy life, every element must be equal in weight: work, recreation, sleep, study. Lately, work has meant sacrificing uni because I need to rest or sleep – downtime is essential – so, like dominoes, these necessities overlap and thus begin superseding the other. It’s a nightmare.

I’m amazed at how people achieve this juggling act. Of course, the desire to go off and do something different, take advantage of the creative urge that wants to be fed and, like playing video games while there’s real work to be done, this is so easily accomplished at the detriment of the other elements. Commitment, aside from study, is difficult. Being committed to the big three – work, relationship, uni – in daily life then also negates maintaining friendships which comes under recreation and again the balance shifts.

Essentially, I can’t wait to be fucking done with uni. It’s so close, but my bones are itching against the sinew at the fact that I’m far from done yet. There are still requirements from the previous intensive that need to be attended to while this one is going on – another nightmare. I know the solution to the problem, and it goes back to balance: reduce work, enhance study time, maintain current recreation/down time, and prosper…hopefully. Nothing is certain, that’s for sure. I’m proud that I’ve managed to get this far. There were some very dark patches in the last 2 years but here I am, hungry for that piece of paper that means “congratulations, you have something to show for all of this” which means so much, not just symbolically but, again, existentially: I stuck around and worked hard and dug deep for a good cause. I just have to beg myself to stay the course because it’s make or break: graduating alongside my peers has been the goal for the last 3 years and it could easily not happen. Wish me luck, mi amigos, I’m going to need it.

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featu re/t el evi s i o n

call the midwife: a health conscious period drama Call the Midwife is about healthcare in 1950s and 60s London, but the show is feminist storytelling at its finest, and changing the game for women in television Words by Ainsley Ewart I love Call the Midwife. I watch it with my parents, and in every single episode my dad cries when the baby is born. However, this show is not solely about birth. It’s about healthcare in the 1950s and 60s, which includes many aspects of maternal and nonmaternal healthcare and social change. Call the Midwife is one of the most watched programs in England, and has recently released its seventh season to incredibly high ratings.

The main cast is of nurses and nuns who work as midwives for the East London burrow of Poplar. Throughout the show’s run, Poplar has been changing from a run down, over-crowded part of London where many have to share certain facilities with many other families to many self-contained units with the latest hygiene standards.

Throughout the run of the show, there have been episodes focusing on the necessity and introduction of contraceptives for women. They have shown the consequences of backyard abortions and the fact that if legal abortion is taken away, women will die from these crude operations. They have dealt with many still relevant topics as the rights of sex workers, domestic violence and post-traumatic stress disorder in the lives of ordinary women and men.

In season 5, one of the recurring plotlines dealt with the thalidomide scandal of the early 1960s. Thalidomide was a drug prescribed to women with morning sickness, which led to deformities in unborn children. Many doctors left the babies who were fortunate enough to be born alive exposed to the cold so that they could instead tell the parents their baby died in childbirth. Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann) has to deal with his guilt over prescribing the drug to so many women.

They also deal with the changing healthcare landscape around them. The nurses and midwives travel around Poplar on bikes to deliver prenatal and postnatal treatment, and practice home deliveries.

Nonnatus House works closely with a nearby maternity home that is under threat due to the increasing number of women attending hospital for childbirth.

While the show has a mostly white recurring cast, their patients come from a variety of countries and religious backgrounds.

There have been refugees and patients who have spoken no or limited English. In season 7, Leonie Elliott, an actress of colour, will be joining the cast as a midwife. One of the midwives, Patsy (Emerald Fennell) is a closeted lesbian in a relationship with Delia (Kate Lamb), a nurse at a local hospital.

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Call the Midwife works hard to ensure medical accuracy. They have an on-set midwife who advises birth scenes to make them realistic and many medical professionals for scenes involving surgery and 1950s birth methods.

The show features women of all ages who are all fascinating and strong women. Characters like Trixie (Helen George) who is in her twenties, is outspoken, fashionable and revealed to be an alcoholic. Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) is a spinster in her 50s who likes to keep herself amused by learning new skills and is one of two characters in the show with a car. The nuns themselves are the real driving force of the show with the maternal figure Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), East London native Sister Evangelina (Pam Ferris) and sweet-tooth former midwife Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt). All three are portrayed by women over 60, a demographic not often seen on television.

Call the Midwife is a feminist love letter to healthcare and those who provide it. The show is written, directed, starring and created by women. This has led to dismissal within certain circles, but with recent movements calling for more to women to be represented within the entertainment industry, Call the Midwife may serve well as a blueprint for the future of television drama.

f eat u re/ self care

Hey! you deserve a break Here are some tips on how to stop being a stressed puppy and instead take some time for yourself from one of our editors, Ainsley Ewart

1. Watch a show that portrays the best of humanity. I’d recommend Parks and Recreation (right) and Brooklyn Nine Nine which both show how you can be a good person and get stuff done.

2. Go for a walk. You don’t have to go far, or anywhere in particular, but just going for a walk can help you relax (and you can see/meet cute dogs!)

3. Go and see a movie. With a friend if you want, but even on your own when you’re in that dark room it forces you to focus on the film instead of whatever else is going on.

4. Catch up with a friend or family member. Coffee and cake are always solid bribing tools.

5. Take a bath. Get yourself some nice bath bombs and relax while reading a book.

6. Make yourself something. Food is always a great thing to make, but you could also try knitting, sewing, crochet or anything involving physically making something.

7. Learn a new skill. Maybe you always wanted to learn Italian or how to decorate cakes? Sites like Open Culture are your best friend. http://www.openculture.com/ 8. Watch something funny on YouTube. I would recommend Australian funny woman Natalie Tran a.k.a. communitychannel if you’ve only got a small amount of time, or Starkid Productions (bottom right) for funny parody musicals on Harry Potter, Batman and Star Wars (as well as their great original shows Starship, The Trail to Oregon and Firebringer) if you have hours to spare.

9. Maybe you could write an article for your friendly neighbourhood university magazine Empire Times?

Our next deadline is April 16 with the theme “Adelaide”. Send your submissions through to empire.times@flinders.edu.au

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lu n chb ox i d eas : s weet p o tato , k a l e @ q ui n o a p i laf

Flinders University Vegetarian and Vegan Club Presents:

Lunchbox Ideas Sweet Potato, Kale & Quinoa Pilaf

This pilaf is hearty and delicious. It’s perfect for packed lunches – prepare a big batch and store it for the week ahead!

Ingredients 1kg sweet potato, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 stalk celery, diced 2 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp turmeric 1 cup quinoa 2 cups vegetable stock 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds 2-3 kale leaves, de-stemmed and shredded Salt

Method Pre-heat oven to 200°C. Use 1 tbsp olive oil to lightly coat the sweet potato, and spread on an oven tray. Bake for 40-50 minutes, until they’re soft in the middle.

Rinse and drain the quinoa, then add it to a saucepan with the vegetable stock and spices. Bring the pan to a boil, put the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid.

While the potato is cooking, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan. Add onion, cook for 3-5 minutes until translucent. Add celery & garlic, cook for a further 1-2 minutes.

Pour the cooked quinoa and sweet potato into the frying pan, along with the kale. Cook for a minute or two, until the kale begins to wilt.

Stir through the pumpkin seeds, salt to taste and serve.

Did you know?

Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of protein, 100g of pumpkin seeds contains 24g of protein!

Recipe by Laura Vogt

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Top Six/Ar t i sts who ta l k ab o ut m e n tal i ll n es s

Top Six:

Artists Who aren’t afraid to talk about mental illness

Paramore

Wil Wheaton

Halsey

The rock band from Franklin, Tennessee has seen many line up changes and disagreements over the years. With their latest album After Laughter, the trio has discussed growing older and dealing with mental health issues. In an interview with The Guardian, lead singer Hayley Williams said “I wasn’t OK for a while; maybe I’m still not.” Later on in the same interview guitarist Taylor York discussed his own dealings with anxiety: “If I envision my future, it’s really dark. I just can’t even go there in my head. I know it sounds weird but I think I get enough anxiety and fear about tomorrow or this afternoon.”

Sometimes you just need to cry a little bit longer.

We best know Wil Wheaton as Gordie Lachance from Stand By Me and Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: The Next Generation. In the last ten or so years, Wheaton has opened up about suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Chronic Depression, which have plagued him throughout in life. He speaks a lot about his own experiences with depression on his blog and to other places like Project UROK. While his character Wesley Crusher is questionable among Star Trek fans, his speaking out about mental health has been exceptional.

Electropop artist Halsey often talks frankly about her experiences with bipolar disorder. She was diagnosed at seventeen, after being submitted to a psychiatric hospital following a suicide attempt. She told Rolling Stone in a 2016 interview, “I grew up in a really chaotic household. There was always shit being thrown.” Her debut album, Badlands, was based on the concept of feeling trapped in a ‘dystopian wasteland’ – a sick brain. One of the tracks from the album, Control, is quite literally about losing control of oneself: “I can’t help this awful energy / God damn right, you should be scared of me / Who is in control?”

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T op S ix/Ar t ists wh o tal k ab ou t me nta l illness

According to the World Health Organisation, one in four people are living with mental illness worldwide. Naturally, this means that some of your favourite stars have had experience with mental health issues - here are six artists who aren’t afraid to talk about mental illness.

Carrie Fisher

Anthony Field

Kristen Bell

How could we not include Carrie Fisher?

She wrote an entire book about her struggles with mental health (It’s called Wishful Drinking and it’s amazing). She was cremated her ashes were stored in a novelty Prozac pill! Upon going to rehab and being diagnosed as bipolar, Fisher was sent to AA meetings: “Going to AA helped me to see that there were other people who had problems that had found a way to talk about them and find relief and humour through that.” She said in The Guardian, to a fellow bipolar sufferer that “[w]e have been given a challenging illness, and there is no other option than to meet those challenges.”

The blue Wiggle has been very open about his struggles with mental health.

While being painted on Ahn Do’s Brush with Fame, Field opened up to his battles with depression during the heyday of the original Wiggles. He described how he often would cry backstage after a performance and had considered ending his life during his period. With help from the other Wiggles, he was able to overcome this difficult part of his life.

Field is now a spokesperson for men with depression and has a book about his experiences called How I Got my Wiggle Back.

The star of Veronica Mars wrote an article for Time Magazine in 2016 about her experience with depression. She recounts her mother telling her of her maternal family’s history with mental illness, and to have no shame about needing help from doctors or therapists to help deal with it. Bell says that she went through a depressive episode in college, but thanks to her mother’s advice, she knew she could get help. She didn’t discuss her mental illness for the first fifteen years of her career, but broke her silence when she realised she could help others experiencing mental health issues.

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Artwork by Diana-Elena Vornicu Instagram: @arts_loader77

Artwork by Connor McPhail Instagram: @connor_mcphail