Issue No 12
Friday November 7 2008
travisty.co.uk
The Independent Trinity Newspaper since 2007
>> TOGA WPR 3
Win an iPod Shuffle! 7
IN BRIEF
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FEATURES 4 COMMENT 6
On the Election Trail...
The United States Presidential Election 2008 is one of firsts: the first time in American history that two sitting Senators will run against each other for President as well as the first time an African-American is a presidential nominee for a major party. These are facts which merely add to the drama surrounding the election of the most influential man in the most influential country in the world. Sonya Passi reflects on this monumental occasion. Arguably the greatest political mind of his generation, Barack turned-PTA-mom from the farthest regions of the nation Obama has had an unprecedented, improbable race for the as his running mate. However, Obama’s 3-0 debate win and highest office in the world, making history again and again, almost consistent lead in the polls since his nomination is in the space of four whirlwind years. His rousing speech at down to the flawless execution of his campaign. the Democratic National Convention in 2004 catapulted him from the Chicago State Legislature to the United States According to a CNN poll, Obama currently has 203 safe Senate and on to the presidential primary stage. In a brutal electoral votes, while McCain has 121. 270 are needed to primary race, he went from underdog to victor, vanquishing win. Both candidates are sprinting through the battleground his opponent, Hillary Clinton, despite her (albeit unhappy) states in the last few days of this marathon race, fighting for marriage to the most well-connected and influential giant Ohio, Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania. McCain cannot in Washington - and he did so with gravitas. even begin to compete with Obama’s financial muscle and volunteer army, but still, two days before the election, The pundits thought Hillary had the Democratic primary Obama’s staff are terrified, scanning the wires incessantly, locked up, just as they said that no Democrat could beat in fear of an October surprise that could reverse their fate John McCain. Yet, here we are, on the eve of the most as it did for Gore in 2000. Is Obama’s illegal aunt the worst energising US presidential campaign of our lifetime, and of it? Barack Obama has a 9-point lead over the Maverick himself. Undoubtedly, McCain hurt himself in his insistence, on the Barack Obama combined Ronald Reagan’s 1984 message eve of a modern day depression, that ‘the fundamentals of of ‘Morning Again in America’ and Bill Clinton’s 1992 the economy are fundamentally strong,’ and in his selection insistence that ‘it’s the economy, stupid!’ with a charisma of a Russian-blooded, carcass-loving, pageant-queen- far exceeding that of John F. Kennedy. But can he possibly meet the expectation he has created? In the face of a crippled economy, a broken healthcare system and a flailing foreign policy, Obama promised ‘change we can believe in;’ yet even he seems to realise the pressure upon him, warning, in his unprecedented 30-minute ad, ‘I will not be a perfect President.’ His history-making campaign will seem like a picnic in comparison to the Herculean task he may have ahead of him. If predictions are met, the Democrats may very well seize control of both the Presidency and Congress for the first time since 1992. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, expect an even greater majority than they achieved in 2006; but, rather than making Obama’s job easier, this could likely result in vocal Democrats who have been forced into submission for the Kindly sponsored by
2 IN BRief last 16 years trying to shape his agenda for him. Not only this, but the first and most important task the next President faces is restoring the US economy. Healthcare, education and tax cuts will have to be put on hold until this challenge is overcome. However, that could take anything from the first 100 days to an entire presidency. Where he promises to provide most excitement is in the foreign policy arena. While I suspect he will, like Bill Clinton, maintain a strong focus on domestic policy, providing calm after the storm, he cannot back away from
Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
the concerns about Russian and Iranian threats, nor from his promise to set a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Will we see him restore US-Cuban relations? Will he sit down with North Korea’s Kim-Jong-Il? And will he be the US President to provide a lasting and peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict? Either way, after a honeymoon period of unprecedented approval ratings and media excitement, people will suddenly be reminded that the awesome impact of the most powerful man in the world and the effortless promises of an election campaign are subject to forces well beyond his reach.
A Guide to Varsity Skiing Pete Calvert AprÈs-SKI
There can be no doubt that the Varsity Trip has been going from strength to strength over the last few years. With 1707 students last year, and 2100 this year - making it one of the largest student snowsports in the world as well as being the most in its 86 year history - it seems that Oxbridge students are unable to resist the combination of low prices, snowsports and big nights out. But, despite the huge numbers, by going so early in the season, you won’t find long lift queues or crowded pistes. Having started as a trip for the Blues ski races in 1922, it has certainly developed into a much more inclusive event, with lessons available for any ability, and events organised to cater for most tastes. This year also sees the introduction of VarCity, a large marquee offering all the après-ski you could ever want! There’s also the various fancy dress nights to look forward to; generally, people made the effort last year, so get planning your Olympic, Futurama, and Carnivale costumes!
the slopes, and are just a short walk from all the local shops and bars. Throughout the week, you’ll be able to sign up for all the events at the main reception; and you’ll be kept up to date with all the developments by regular room visits from your cheery reps. The competitions themselves have evolved over the years, with new events being added at various points through the Trip’s history. Alongside the racing events, there are now also freestyle competitions and a ‘Combi’ which combines skills from both the freestyle and racing disciplines. The races aren’t all about the Blues either; and have opened up to include 2nd and 3rd teams from each University. A more relaxed Cuppers’ event is organised which will take place under floodlights. With several teams from each College, it’s well worth getting involved. Trinity will be looking to claim the title that we should have won last year, had it not been for the cancellation of the competition halfway through (something that shouldn’t happen again this year). Also, be sure to turn up for the end of the Blues competition on the Tuesday evening. There’ll be food and drink freely available and plenty of action to cheer on.
You should have by now received your booking packs with information on logistics, as well as a map of the resort. The So, I look forward to seeing you all out there for what I’m main apartments used for the trip are located right next to sure will be a great week! that he never accidentally stumbled into Life on a Tuesday night…
1TQ
Yet, the only reason why this incident is still stuck in my mind is that it remains the exception to the rule. And if Frash, funky and fabulous Trinity can’t compare itself to King’s College’s cliché role Lent Term 2008. Trinity Formal. The conversation as the fashionable forerunner of a more diverse student on the neighbouring table appears like an unpleasant scene - where being either gay, communist or incredibly intrusion from a somewhat unexpectedly repressive social ‘artistic’ appears to be an indispensible prerequisite for mentality: ‘Yes, two guys, kissing… in the middle of the social recognition - the LBGT community of our College club! Not that I have anything against this, but you do doesn’t have a bad time either, really. And it seems about have to get used to it first, really.’ time to put an end to the irrevocable prejudices about Trinity’s conservatism and supposed narrow-mindedness Two guys kissing…. Really? And in the middle of a club? – prejudices that simply are not true. OUTRAGEOUS! Good for this sensible Part III mathmo ... Cont’d on page 8 Daniel Zamani
Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
TCSU 3
“We Gotta do Something... You know what We’re Gonna do? Toga Party!” georgia hart ENTS OFFICER
Those immortal lines from Animal House have influenced college parties for decades - and I never like to fight with a good formula. So, in the tremendous wake of our last WPR (a huge thanks to everyone who was there: it was an awesome night and I hope that you all had as much fun as me. Check pictures at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37296366466&ref=ts), TCSU is hosting - you guessed it - a TOGA PARTY!!! As you can see, it brings out the beautiful people... (I hope that someone else sees the John Belushi lookalike there.)
HOW TO MAKE A TOGA: Date: Saturday 15th November Time: 9.30pm - 1am Place: WPR (we love it, yes we do!) Anyway, keep an eye on the TCSU website for details, as there will definitely be some fitting gimmicks, and I promise that, in the words of Boon: ‘It’s not gonna be an orgy! It’s a toga party!’ So, I hope that all of you also see the fun in wrapping yourselves in bedsheets; but will try not to pour alcohol all over your heads as I have to clean it up. See you there!
Editor’s Letter
By the time this issue of Travisty is released, the citizens of the United States will have cast their votes and the result of the United States Presidential Election 2008 will have been announced. This circus of an event, the culmination of which is the election of the most powerful man in the world, will have such a profound impact globally that it seemed only right to dedicate the front page to the story. Sonya Passi traces the story of the campaigns so far. For those of you who aren’t such keen politicos, Victoria Kleiner’s insight into the presidential race on page 5 demonstrates the lighter side of politics - even presidential candidates agonise
From my extensive research, it turns out that there are many ways. Basic info is a bedsheet will do, but you should try real cloth if you can, and safety pins really are advised unless you completely back yourself, but sewing is a bit keen. BOYS: wrap it round your waist and pin (should be knee-length), then chuck it over one shoulder and pin at waist. Add more folds if you fancy. GIRLS: slightly more care is needed and possibly a belt to add security, but the method is the same, only we wrap ourselves up under the arms. Fab!
about what to wear, and isn’t that a comforting thought? Travisty seeks to operate via democracy too; although, admittedly, on a smaller scale. Responding to the request of certain members of College, Georgia Hart’s regular What’s Hot and What’s Not column on the Features page is, for this issue, tailored specifically towards the Men of Trinity. We’ve been informed that you feel a little neglected… Last, but by no means least, there is something which all Trinitarians, regardless of gender, may be interested in: we’re offering you the chance to win an iPod shuffle. Turn to page 7 to find out more. All that is required is a little wit and enthusiasm.
4 features
MoT’s What’s Hot >> MEN OF TRINITY (Mot) So, I agreed to do a ‘boy-orientated’ Hot and Not this week to help herald in the formation of ‘Men’ of Trinity (and I use that phrase very loosely). I am not actually sure that MoT will be that hot... Lots of boys in a room eating, scratching, farting, smelling... It will be like 60% of the rooms in Trinity right now! However, on this side of the page it shall stay because, apparently, our little WoT get-togethers over pizza and ice-cream have driven the boys mad for long enough, so now they are getting their own version, painting it blue, and want others to join them in their fight for equality. Fit/hot it will not be, but there probably will be more food. >> 007: high octane action SEE IT! Definitely the best car chase in the history of the world; and the one-on-one pursuit showed that every spy must be ultimate at high-altitude parcours. These are probably replicated in the Wii game that came out a couple of days ago, helping boys everywhere to boost their self-esteem: yes, you CAN jump off a building and remain unhurt. >> clarkson (top gear)
I know Richard Hammond has quite a following, but he is just so short, and no-one can compare to Jeremy. Anyway, I adore Top Gear - have done since I was little - and I think that it appeals to all, which is why I am so happy that the new season has just started. Thank God for BBC iPlayer! >>MAC ATTACK Windows 7: definitely better than Vista - like anything could be worse - but rumour has it that this and Microsoft’s new ad campaign are gonna blow Apple away. I do hope so!
Miss Advise...
Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
Travisty’s resident agony aunt Dear Miss Advise
I write to you in desperation! My feet are killing me! I find myself constantly running from place to place: between lectures, supervisions and extracurricular activities, all of which seem to be at opposite ends of Cambridge. You may think that Cambridge is a small town and that you would soon get used to the walking, but you would be wrong! I swear that I walk miles everyday! The only solution seems to be cycling, but I have a confession: I am terrified of cycling! I have, on more than one occasion, been nearly decapitated by an over-zealous cyclist who signalled with no awareness of innocent pedestrians. Perhaps I should just submit to my fate and remain in my room. Please help! Angel’s Permanent Pedestrian
Dear Angel’s Permanent Pedestrian, Don’t let your University experience pass you by due to fear of walking! Your feet may hurt now, but it is only Week 5! I am sure that by Lent term, you will be skipping to your society events, though perhaps not to your lectures. I do wonder where you lived before that allowed you to do so little walking - I think people generally agree that Cambridge distances are small. As far cycling goes: overcome your fear! Cycling in Cambridge is a most enjoyable pursuit. If you need easing into it, try cycling in some residential areas and then build up. If you are unable to overcome this silly affliction, there are alternative forms of transport. If you wish to be boring, use the bus. The more daring individual might try something else, such as rollerblades. I have long felt that not enough students attend lectures by hang-glider. Be creative! With best wishes, Miss Advise
The Travisty Committee
This Issue’s Contributors
Editor.......................Fan Yang Deputy Editor........Georgia Hart Photo Editor...........Jase Taylor
Adam Blacklay Andy Brown Pete Calvert Mark Davies Andrea Dower Nathan Kettle
Soumaya Keynes Victoria Kleiner Sonya Passi Ellie Reeds Daniel Zamani
FeATURES 5
Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
Fashion and Politics – Why all MoT’s the Fuss? What’s Not Victoria Kleiner
>> itunes 8 has ‘genius’ It is not just the arrogance of this label that is laughable, but the entire concept of a gimmick on a media player being a genius is insulting; it can find those songs you own but, to quote Apple’s advertising, ‘you never knew you had...’ Super. I think that it is our music and we do not need a computer to tell us about it! Okay, I see the use in auto-creating playlists, but this one is not even good. Microsoft’s new Zune software Mixview is both less insulting, prettier and more practical. Boo-ya!
In Vogue
As you may have noticed, the Presidential Election has taken up an extraordinary amount of news space this week – hardly surprising considering the impact the next President will have on Britain and Europe. Journalists and analysts have discussed every possible aspect of the campaign: from the candidate’s views on Iraq, to their plans to bolster the economy – and, of course, their personal style and fashion sense. In some respects, it seems quite extraordinary that so much discussion has been devoted to the subject of the candidates’ appearances. The disclosure last week that $150,000 had been spent on Sarah Palin’s wardrobe and image since late August caused outrage amongst the American public, contributing to McCain’s slump in the polls. Much earlier this year, the discovery that John Edwards had spent $400 on a single haircut provoked similar feelings. And when Hilary Clinton chose to make a keynote speech in a bright orange pantsuit, the amount of comment this resulted in almost equalled the analysis of her rhetoric in the national press. From the beginning of their campaigns, the various candidates and their families have utilised fashion to deliver a political message on a subliminal level. Obama’s laid back, casual style contrasted with McCain’s more formal attire, reinforcing the younger politician’s message of change and a move away from previous ‘outdated’ traditions. Hilary Clinton’s seemingly endless succession of power suits delivered the subconscious message that she was as capable of controlling the top job as a man would be. Certainly, it can’t be easy for a female politician
to decide on a suitable choice of outfit for each different occasion and know that her particular ‘look’ will be mercilessly criticised. Whatever her decision, she is sure to offend someone, be it through the perceived cost or its style and suitability. McCain and Obama, in contrast, need only change a shirt or tie to produce a subtle new look - one with endless unobjectionable variations. We should congratulate each candidate on a hard-fought campaign. But we should also take a brief moment to appreciate the amount of time and effort that must have gone into the all-important image crafting process. An inappropriately dressed politician insults both their party and their audience and, ultimately, classic elegance never fails to impress - as the current candidates seem to have realised.
Trinity College Tea Society is proud to present the perfect antidote to Week 5 blues...
Tea Party
Sunday 9th November, 2-5pm in the Junior Parlour
All are welcome. An entry fee of £1 applies to non-college members.
>> portable drum kit Voted one of the best ‘big boy toys’ of 2008, it is a mat with a plan of a drum kit on that connects to the USB port of any computer and you can take drumsticks and... pretend to be Charlie Watts? I have no idea, but it sounds crap. >> google phone It makes me sad because I think that our iPod crazed culture has gone a bit far, but it seems that this new supergadget is not enough of a contender for the beloved but expensive iPhone. Google’s first flaw was not beating the cool pinch-motion zoom, which is the only thing that’s kept me occupied on an iPhone! At least when G1 becomes available in the UK (in November) it will be free on a £40 monthly price plan! >> boy racers It seems that boys will always be boys, and asserting manhood by facing danger is a favourite pasttime of some: RAF pilot Andy Green, apparently unsatisfied with his 1997 world record for driving through the sound barrier, is now attempting to drive faster than 1000mph. Insane! The aptly named Bloodhound SSC is powered by a rocket bolted to a Eurofighter-Typhoon jet engine. Hang on, who am I kidding? 0-1050 mph in 40 seconds? This thing is just cool!
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Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
The Female Eunuch
ellie reeds
Greedy for Greer
Meeting one’s idol always induces nervousness even in the most assured of Cambridge undergraduates. It was rather the same for me as I clutched my glass of chardonnay in the Union Bar Extension, watching Professor Germaine Greer opt for the merlot. I have always admired her, even admitting to wishing to be her whilst sat in the front row of an Edinburgh Fringe improv comedy show (perhaps not my wisest move, especially when it was misheard as a desire to emulate ‘Shrek’). My feelings of solidarity with her were only increased by reading a recent article she wrote for The Guardian, declaring her own love for the classical ideal of male beauty, having fallen for the Byronic look at a young age. As has been my (admittedly limited) experience of meeting public figures, her voice and her presence were exactly as I had witnessed them on television and felt hardly more real when standing close to or speaking to her. I was not disappointed over dinner as I was able to listen in on and even contribute to her conversations with the group of vehemently feminist students surrounding her. Her intimate knowledge of Cambridge was obvious in her praise of a hopeful CEO’s role in a May Ball committee, commenting on how broad the skills required were. A suitably controversial discussion was enjoyed by most of our table on the naturalness or otherwise of paternal feeling and its place in our current society with men in fancy dress on the roof of Parliament; paternity tests galore on Jerry Springer and its lesser imitations; and, more seriously, the tragically common murder of children by their shortly-to-be suicidal fathers. I also noted with glee that Germaine is just as aware of the practicalities of female underwear (no longer the oppressive Vesuviuslike constraints of the Sixties) as the rest of us, producing her speech notes from beneath her black dress. Whilst dinner was certainly more rewarding for me in making a delightful new acquaintance from Caius, it also allowed me the privilege of front row seats to the debate: ‘This House believes Cambridge is institutionally sexist’ (I’ll spoil the ending by telling you the ayes had it). These front row seats were comfortably upholstered in mahogany leather and, I am
told, afforded those watching on video some local interest. However, my passionate enjoyment was mainly found in being ringside for an epic and reassuringly alliterative battle between Germaine Greer and Hugo Hadlow - some may say between good and evil. All I know is that one of them was most definitely in the true blue corner. Passions were running high all evening and the presence of such a respected and reviled person fuelled attendance and also, for myself and other like-minded members of the floor, relief at proper representation. Professor Greer was both entertaining and eminently persuasive in her nuanced argument for Cambridge as an inherently masculinist place. Personally, my strongest impression of Germaine Greer was that of a type of supervisor that I’m sure we’ve all had, whose certainty may sometimes lead them to state their opinions as facts, but whose long involvement in their chosen subject is both enriching and awe-inspiring to learn from. The pre-debate dinner was one I wished to attend in order to get closer to such a giant in two of my own beloved fields (literature and feminism), but I rarely felt the privacy of such an encounter. I believe this is because with Germaine, what you see is her true unaltered self all the time with no spin or public face. Her concern and interest for her dinner companions was far more sincere, for example, than the charming Jeffrey Archer who was unexpectedly fascinating (perhaps due to his wellhoned skills in embellishment) when I met him the following evening. The contrast between two such famous figures lent a certain piquancy to an unforgettable week of carpe diem exploitation of Cambridge opportunity.
An A-Z of Trinity College - Q: Queue-Jumping
Andy Brown and Nathan Kettle On Cue
Let’s face it, queuing for Hall has never been the most orderly of affairs – it’s a testament to the British psyche that we even queue at all! What’s more, over the past few years, we’ve seen Hall queues grow steadily in size, until now, they regularly extend round and out into Great Court before service has even begun... This, in itself, is no real issue - something I suppose us grumpy old people will have to learn to deal with (bah, humbug!). But with the increase in queue lengths has come a growth in another practice, subtle enough that
College society now seems to accept it where elsewhere it would cause general outcry. I’m talking, of course, about queue-jumping. If the level of queue-jumping in Trinity queues were repeated almost anywhere else, there’d be serious trouble; but it’s okay because it never would be: you wouldn’t even consider cutting in the queue at the train station when waiting to buy tickets (or at least I hope you wouldn’t!). But what is it that makes it ‘alright’ to do it here in College? Presumably, it’s down to the fact that people know not only those they are cutting in with, but a significant proportion of those they’re cutting past as well. But, even here, there are limits – go too far and people will speak out. So I ask: here in Trinity, when is it really acceptable? Surely pushing past that mathmo gazing into the middle distance at the end of the queue to join your friends near the back is fine? After all, it would just be awkward to have a conversation across him. No-one’s going
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Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
to get annoyed if you seamlessly go from checking the menu to standing in line; after all, it will only be an unnoticed extra five seconds wait for those behind you. This all seems fine, but can lead to trouble as two friends queuing are joined by another two, then the boyfriend of one of those already there arrives, quickly followed by three of his mates back from lectures. Soon, the poor
In the War Zone
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people at the back of the queue are finding themselves getting further away from their next square meal. Is queue-jumping inevitable? It seems as though it will be as long as another facet of the British psyche, that of avoiding public confrontation, is adhered to. One thing is for sure though – queue-jumping for Saturday Formal tickets is a bridge too far!
Soumaya Keynes Turning LEBANESE
My tutor’s face took on a slightly worried edge when I asked him about the likelihood of receiving a travel grant from Trinity to go on an intensive Arabic course in Beirut. The widely reported images of a city of bombed out buildings and gun-toting men waving Hezbollah flags probably contributed to his concern, particularly alongside the Foreign Office’s blacklisting of Lebanon, advising against ‘all but essential travel’ to the country. I was told that it was unlikely that Trinity could support such a trip as they would be ‘in the firing line’ should anything happen to me. Though I explained that both my grandfather and my mother would also be in Beirut for the duration of the course, and that the high security around the accommodation due to its proximity to a prominent politician’s headquarters actually rendered it one of the safest places to be, I soon relinquished all hope of financial assistance and, sadly, contemplated selling my soul to an investment bank. In my pigeonhole one morning, amidst the ADC flyers and TV licence letters, was a curiously official looking letter. Opening it revealed that I had been awarded the maximum possible amount awarded to a single student from the fund, fully covering the £1,500 tuition fees. The internship was postponed; the flight booked; then, after a rush of lectures and exams, I was at Heathrow, paying £35 because of my inability to pack light (though I’ll always blame it on the sheer weight of my Arabic textbook). Having spent most of my summers since toddlerhood in the deep south of Lebanon, either waiting at army checkpoints or watching my grandfather happily gardening as Israeli planes moaned overhead, the military presence around my campus in Beirut felt quite normal. I did sometimes question the reasoning behind heavily-armed men, clad head-to-toe in black, loitering around camouflaged vehicles, demanding to inspect my semi-transparent bags full of figs. The routine of classes and discovering the quirks of Beirut quickly
took over. There was backgammon to be played with kindly men sitting outside gloomy shops; films to be watched with more subtitles than picture; and fig sellers to haggle with. ‘Total immersion’ did not quite occur simply because I made such good friends with my English-speaking classmates. However, by the end, my Arabic was transformed from something for locals to laugh hysterically at into something only prompting a stifled giggle; and even the complete beginners could hold a conversation. In my intensive dialect class, I learned to say phrases such as ‘he has good taste in camels,’ and ‘the drunkard doesn’t like pickles;’ and during my breaks, I became the resident dialect tutor, helping my friends write their roleplays involving pickle-consuming drunkards. Although over 120 had paid the $250 deposit for the course, fighting involving Hezbollah in May slashed attendance to just over 50. After the Euro 2008 football final, my classmates and I looked out of the window for the fireworks, only to realise that the bangs were in fact celebratory gunshots. Looking out over Beirut, it was easy to see how someone in England might feel terrified at the thought of travelling to Lebanon, but it was also painfully obvious that someone would have missed out. I would strongly advise fellow Trinitarians to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the travel grant - risks pay off.
WIN AN iPod SHUFFLE!
We at Travisty are a generous, warm-hearted bunch. And to prove that these are not just empty words, we’d like to offer you the chance to win an iPod Shuffle. All you have to do is finish this sentence: ‘It’s a travisty that...’ The prize will go to the wittiest entry - what better way to beat the Week 5 blues than with a bit of humour? E-mail submissions to fy218 by Sunday 16th November.
8 Sports and Societies
Friday November 7 2008 travisty.co.uk
Brash, Beautiful, and Bussiere Mark Davies
Reporting from the Bootroom
Last year, Trinity College AFC were league champions for the first time in over a decade. An open-top bus tour was touted; muted applause was the reality. How are we so unloved? We long for the adulation given to sports involving copious amounts of ‘squeezing.’ To ingratiate ourselves, we present our manifesto: the 5 Cs. Classless: an apparent class war wages between the Rahs and the not-so-Rah. Not at TCAFC. On one side, we have Richard Falder, a man so working class that he renounced the very notion of fun in favour of pure graft. On the other, we have Rupert Compston and Paul Charlot. Rupert is from a time when football was, ‘a game for thugs played by gentlemen:’ a one-man throwback to 1848. Paul is self-appointed aristocracy, and almost moustache-twirlingly Gallic. They stand together under our blue flag, testament to our universal appeal. Cosmopolitan: with more than 8 nationalities in our ranks, we are a living College prospectus. From the Frenchman – not Charlot, sorry ladies – Martin Bussiere, hailing from Beijing, yet with an impossibly camp Americanised accent, to Dany Gammall, who claims to be a national of 17 countries, we welcome everyone. Even Phil Hall – a ‘party boy’ who considers a mankini an integral wardrobe item. We are also the most strident Equal Opportunities employer in Cambridge. Not to support us is borderline prejudicial. Chic: that mankini aside, we are almost impossibly dapper, catering
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is definitely one of Trinity's under-appreciated societies. I'll admit, using the word ‘ultimate’ in the title of your game sounds more than a bit geeky and arrogant; and this often leads people to view the sport (and those who play it) with condescension. However, it is a game which is played increasingly widely, with the national press picking up on its success. This is seen, in particular, with Ultimate's introduction into schools through the Disc Sports 4 Schools initiative, chosen for its fun, safe and low-cost way of getting kids active, fit and learning new skills. ‘Arctic,’ a team from Arthur Terry School near Birmingham, is worthy of particular reference, as
Adam Blacklay Spinning Around
... Cont’d from page 2 In the course of the last few years, Trinity’s LBGT society - 1TQ - has done much to provide an official platform which signals the diversity of our student scene. The Society’s activities include purely social events, such as pre-Life drinks, film nights, Formal Swaps and the May Week Garden Party; but also more campaign-focused projects. For instance, last academic year, 1TQ organised a couple of high-profile speaker events, including: the former Cambridge mayor Jenny Bailey; Ali Hili from the human rights organisation Iraqi LBGT; internationally acclaimed comedian
for all tastes. For the urban crowd, Bussiere displays ‘bling’ with gay abandon. For those of a more flamboyant disposition, Phil has an admirable ability to embed sexuality and salmon into all his clothing, with Lars Boyde almost outrageously Teutonic. As icing on our cake, Charlot was in Varsity’s fashion section: true validation, as if we needed it. Charming: we overflow with irrepressible allure. Jon Hawkes’s doeeyes are famous, as is the brusque magnetism of Kelechi ‘Adonis’ Oganya. And, for those overdosed on the ill-directed testosterone of the ‘522s,’ we have the College’s boyband-in-waiting – Martin Bailey, Andy ‘Gandy Semitic’ Garside and ‘Dr. Fun’ Gammall. Mostly, though, we have Paul: a man who, it is said, once made a woman pregnant with a single glance. Charlot: for our 5th C, Mr. Charlot becomes a separate platform for attraction. Despite the characteristic cigarette that accompanies his attempts to become a full-time French stereotype, Paul is a sporting PR dream; and if he doesn’t work, nothing will. it was their success in the national championships which elevated the sport to the attention of The Guardian newspaper. Ultimate is distinguished from many other sports by its ‘spirit of the game’ - the principles of fair play; sportsmanship; and the joy of play and, as a result, it is open to all players of all abilities. However, it is also competitive and, despite not being recognised by the Hawks’ Club, it has been accredited since 2006 as a British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) for UK universities, both for indoor and outdoor open division events. You can also, I am told, get a half-Blue in the sport (if you’re a woman, that is), and join the Ospreys. So, if you’ve never played and you think you’d enjoy playing in a team which recently crushed the St. John’s team 13-1, then come along to one of our open sessions; become fit; become active; and become Ultimate. Regular practices are held on the Backs on Thursdays from 2pm, with matches played on Saturday afternoons. For more information, see our website: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/tcuf or e-mail our captain, Nathan Kettle (nk294). Jen Brister; and a delegation from Out for Our Children, a Londonbased LBGT parenting group which talked about their experience with raising children in same-sex relationships. All these activities are designed not only for the benefit of the LBGT community, but also to raise awareness of LBGT-related issues which could be of interest to the student body as a whole. It is always great to see a number of ‘straight’ faces amongst the audience… And, no worries, we’re very accepting of heterosexual lifestyles! If you want to be updated on our forthcoming events, please send an an e-mail to trin-1tq@lists.cam.ac.uk.