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€2.50 (£2.00) NOVEMBER 2012

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“it’s us against the world!”They’ve already given indie a shoT in The arm – now The vaccines are ready To rock

special issue: the big vote + why your country needs you!+ is 16 too young to vote?+ Zimbabwe teens say: “help us be heard”

first impressions from a new irish citizen

“i was shocked to see teens kissing”

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I have always loved politics. When I was about 12, I put a chart on my bedroom wall that listed the names and dates of all the U.S. presidents. I read everything I could about them, and could name every one of them. I still have an obsession with politics and with the U.S. presidency in particular. My favourite presidents are Lincoln, Kennedy and Truman.That’s why I adore election years, and all the excitement of the presidential campaigns. I always have a favourite candidate, of course, and I follow his or her progress with tremendous interest and enthusiasm. On election night itself, I stay up until almost morning watching the results as they come in.It is the same with Irish and British elections. I love following the campaigns and the debates and the opinion polls, and who is elected and who is not.Politics and current affairs are not very popular with a lot of people today. They don’t really care who is elected or what politicians say, because they see all politicians and political parties as being more or less the same. In fact, a recent study found that only 8% of 11 to 25-year olds thought politicians cared about young people’s views.Still, even if we don’t care very much about politics, we know deep down that politics is important because it touches all our lives. This is a huge month politically because the U.S. presidential election is taking place. What happens on November 6 will have huge repercussions for people everywhere in the world, and so to mark the occasion, this issue of Face up has a special focus on politics. While we haven’t included a poster with the names of all the U.S. presidents on it, hopefully what our contributors have to say will get you thinking, and maybe even get you interested. And who knows, maybe one day you might even end up runnning for office yourself!

editor Gerard Moloney, C.Ss.R. associate editor Michelle Garnett design www.atticadesign.co.uk picture editor Michelle McKeon production Gerard Moloney, C.Ss.R. business manager Paul Copeland accounts Veronique Coller administration Michelle McKeon promotion John Goode, C.Ss.R., Claire Carmichael printed by Nicholson & Bassthanks to Gemma Youngman (design)

is published by Redemptorist Communications, 75 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. Tel: +353 1 4922488 Fax: +353 1 4927999 Email: info@faceup.ie www.faceup.ievol 12 no.7 November 2012 A Redemptorist Publication ISSN 1649-0274 www.faceup.ie

viP:4-5: “it’s us against the world”The Vaccines’ race to the top billing slot has been supersonic – so how come their lead singer is full of self-doubt?

real liFe:6-11: your vote – who cares?If you thought politics was as scintillating as counting from a billion backwards then a read of our special report might well change your mind... 12-13: Beyond BetrayalNext time you’re stabbed in the back, take our advice on how to move on and leave the hurt behind you.14-15: my super sweet electionAt what age should you be allowed to vote? 21... 18... 16? The debate starts here.16-17: a dark night – does Batman have blood on his hands?Following the Aurora movie house massacre last summer, we ask: is Hollywood to blame?18-19: “i want to live in ireland forever”A chat with two of our country’s official new residents.20-21: The Power of musicWhy we all need good tunes in our lives.22-24: life behind the lens TV producer Debbie Thornton gives an insight into her amazing career. Plus tips on making it big in the media.

camPaign:26-27: where youth holds the key to the futureTrocaire’s report on Zimbabwe’s murky election process – and why hope lies in the actions of the country’s next generation of voters.28-29: Tribal gatheringAn inspirational SERVE story about the 14 students who flew to the Philippines to support a tribe in trouble.

viP:30-31: Pure gouldEllie is winning over even more fans with her new album.

radar:32-33: Tech toys and gamesTorchlight II, the Apple iPhone 5 and a handy bookmarking app face Conor Tobin’s criticisms this month.34-35: moneywiseSizing up your true relationship with cash.

sPiriT & soUl:36-37: who said the meek are weak?This month we take a look at The Beatitude most in need of an image overhaul.38-39 snap happyMix photography with faith and what do you get? The stunning Faithfoto project. Read on to find out more.

mind & Body:40-41 Body talkThis month Marie Duffy’s motivational tips aim to keep you healthy, whatever the weather.42-43 “winning gold was insane”Paralympian gold medalist Darragh McDonald on his London success.44-45: adviceYour problems sorted.46-47: The style FileIt’s time for some retro fashion inspiration from the 20s, 60s and 80s.

sTUdenT liFe:48: The secret blog of an irish teenager This month Evie’s ready for any challenge life wants to throw at her. Thanks to Rafael Nadal that is...49: shadows on the wallOur razor sharp columnist Ben isn’t fooled by flashy US politicians, but could the Yanks teach us a lesson in passion?! 50-51: getting in the zoneIt’s not necessarily what you do – it might be where you do it, says study supremo Cillian Fahy.52: your alternative 5-a-dayAn essential diet of daily distractions to give you a break from your books!53: words of wisdomTuck into some tasty food for thought.54: you might be writeAll your views and news.

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Despite their protestations, the Vaccines have definitely Come of Age with their new album. Dan Stubbs traces their speedy rise to hugeness.

n 2001, future Vaccines guitarist Freddie Cowan and his big brother Tom, now of The Horrors, bought tickets to see The Strokes at Reading Festival with ill-gotten

money. “We told elderly relatives we were collecting for a charity called ‘the reading fund’,” he recalls. “It was actually the Reading Fund to get us tickets.” Freddie assumed that The Strokes appearing near the top on the poster meant they were one of the first on, and duly asked his dad to drive him to the site at six in the morning. There

Words: Dan Stubbs / NME, IPC Media / The Interview People

Girl Talk!one of their

new songs,

i wish i

was a girl,

describes

justin’s idle

daydreaming

about what

it would be

like to be a

pretty girl.

“it’s good to

be honest,” he

says. “i don’t

want to be a

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was something

i was thinking

about. we’ve

all thought

it, haven’t

we?...”

supporting both Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chili Peppers (general band consensus: Monkeys – great, Flea – fun, Anthony Kiedis – distant). Then in August 2012, they returned to Reading and Leeds, third from the top on the Main Stage.

Despite their success, the title of album number two [The Vaccines Come Of Age] suggests some self-doubt. It’s a tongue-in-cheek choice – Justin doesn’t feel like he’s growing up at all. “I always thought things were supposed to get easier in your twenties,” says the 25-year-old, “but I feel less sure of myself now than I did in my teens. Everyone you know is at a different point in their lives. There are people who are about to become

parents and there are people who still live with their parents.”

lost friendsSelf-doubt aside, the 2012 edition of The Vaccines is definitely hairier, heavier, more believable. “We don’t want to be an indie band any more,” reveals Justin. “We want to be a rock band. Indie music lacks ambition. When you

were five years old and you picked up a tennis racquet and pretended to be a rock star, were you staring at your shoes?”

Justin wrote around 150 songs for the new album. Perhaps there’s a touch of self-preservation behind their strong work ethics – after all, if they hadn’t written two albums back to back, they’d have been forced to go back to real life for a while.

“I’m much more comfortable on the road than I am at home,” admits Freddie. “You’re really excited to go home but you get there and think, ‘Is this it?’” Justin isn’t sure if he has a real life any more. “I’ve lost a lot of friends since starting the band,” he says, “but the four of us are closer than ever. I feel like we’re a gang now. It’s us against the world.” The world had better watch out then.

Their new album The vaccines come of age is out now.

followed a very long wait to see the band that still inspiresThe Vaccines.We find The Vaccines in Budapest preparing to play the long-running Sziget festival. Freddie, singer Justin Young, bassist Árni Hjörvar and drummer Pete Robertson are every bit the festival veterans now, having zig-zagged their way around Europe and beyond for the past two summers. Even Freddie can tell you that the way their name is rocketing up the listings poster is good news.

a conspiracyThe summer of 2011 saw their very own Reading and Leeds debut. What made the slots so successful was the feeling that it could be their Battle Of The Alamo. Justin’s vocal cords were conspiring to end it all.

He’d developed hemorrhages in his throat that required three bouts of surgery to correct. Each time, he was left unable to speak for weeks. If he hadn’t had gone through with the treatment, he would most likely have ended up permanently mute.

“I went to pick him up from the hospital after the first two surgeries and he was in a sorry state, trying to communicate with his notepad,” says Freddie. “I felt bad for him. I was laughing my arse off, of course, but I still felt very bad for him. He was drawing sad faces on the pad.”

Fetid clothesMost bands, having conquered rock’s defining festival, would sit back and take a year or two off to reconnect with real life. They’d at least stop to launder the bag of fetid clothes they’d been carting around for the past 18 months. The Vaccines did none of this: instead, they went straight back into the studio to record their second album.

In the meantime, they’ve also released a live album, non-album singles and a covers EP plus toured,

“We want to be a rock band.

indie music lacks ambition”

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when it comes to having opinions on what’s right and wrong, most of us don’t hold back. so why do we find politics less fun than watching paint dry? sarah cawthron investigates…

coVer story: Voting rigHts

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“never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”

hat springs to mind when you hear the word ‘politics’? Dull men and women spouting nonsense on the telly? Or some suit with a clipboard knocking on the

door asking your mum and dad who they’ll be voting for? But what if getting involved in politics actually affected whether your school would be receiving new iPads next term? Or if it meant the difference between you getting paid to go to university or not?

Fewer and fewer young people are interested in politics. It’s no wonder... there’s probably nothing more cringe-worthy than a politician trying to get down with the kids -whether it’s a TD doing high-fives while opening a new shopping centre, or even worse, a load of suited-and-booted old fogies doing dad-dancing along to their parties’ chosen pop song ‘anthem’ at their party conference.

A recent study* found that only 8% of 11

margaret mead, anthropologist.

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>

> >

to 25-year olds thought politicians cared about young people’s views. And 56% of 17 to 24-year-olds** haven’t even registered to vote. But don’t teens care how the country is run? Or is it the behaviour of the political parties that makes us feel like we’d rather watch grass grow than get involved?

getting connected“People don’t engage with the word politics,” says Onyeka Igwe, producer of Catch 21, a company that makes videos to help young people connect with politics. “Most young people are interested in big issues such as climate change, global poverty and war; they just don’t get involved because they see politics as too high-brow. It’s the way it’s presented.”

Nottingham Trent University ran a recent survey on young people’s voting habits. The results suggest that it’s the politicians themselves who are the problem. A whopping two-thirds of young people think past and present governments are dishonest.

Professor Matt Henn from the university agrees: “Young people have a sophisticated set of views on political issues, with higher education and youth employment topping their list of concerns. But our survey reveals young people have a deep unhappiness with and distrust of politicians.”

tHe big switcH onSo if the term ‘politics’ is boring and we don’t trust politicians, is there a more interesting way to get involved so our voices can be heard? The answer is yes! New initiatives popping up all over the place are inspiring teens to make a difference.

Starbucks has started Youth Action – an investment programme which helps source funding and training for young people running projects in their communities across the UK and Ireland.

In Leeds, the Skelton Grange Environment Centre won funds to improve disabled access at the centre by getting together to build handrails and ramps. In Dublin a ‘guerrilla knitting’ event was organised by local youth group, Trading Places. The project aims to bring local teenagers and OAPs together in a fun activity. The guerrilla knitters dressed Dublin’s statues in scarves they’d made together.

There are also coffee house debates hosted by Starbucks where students discuss issues such as whether the political

ballot box: the sealed box in which votes are placed.

ballot card: the card you mark your vote on.

electoral register: a list of all those in a constituency entitled to vote.

Poll: Vote or election.

Polling day: election day.

Polling station: Place where people go to cast their votes.

referendum: a vote that gives citizens of a country the opportunity to vote on changes to the constitution or bunreacht na heireann as it’s called in ireland.

returning officer: the official in charge of elections in each of the constituencies.

spoiled ballots: ballot papers which have been filled in

incorrectly.

jargon-busting

“young people think too many politicians are dishonest”

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we spoke to two students sitting on opposite sides of the political fence. who do you agree with?

“People who say politics is boring or dismiss it as irrelevant to their lives haven’t seriously thought about how much it affects everything we do. From the price we pay for a pair of shoes to whether public money is spent on a skate-park in your town; it’s all down to politics. “Lots of teenagers think that

politics is just for grey-haired men in suits but we can all be involved in campaigning for change, especially at a local

“celebs mean more to me than politicians”

“politics affects everything we do – get involved!”

Catherine, 16, from North Devon, believes politicians are irrelevant and out of touch.

“I don’t really know much about politics and, to be perfectly honest, it doesn’t interest me. Politicians seem so out of touch with real people’s lives – most of them have been to private school or have come from really wealthy backgrounds and they don’t know what it’s like to not be able to afford to go to uni or to have parents who struggle to pay for the shopping each week. “I feel like politicians

aren’t really interested in what young people say. Because we can’t vote until we’re 18, they ignore us. It’s ridiculous that we can get married, have children and drive cars before the age of 18, but they don’t trust our opinions enough to let us vote. “If politicians came into

school and spoke to our school council about young people’s

views, I might take more of an interest. Politicians need to make the effort to find out what affects teenagers. As it is at the moment, I feel powerless to change anything, so I don’t see any point in wasting my time listening to the news or political programmes.“Celebrities seem more

relevant to my life than politicians. At least they’re more entertaining, and most of them seem more trustworthy than politicians. In fact, I’d rather be a celebrity than a politician. “Some of my friends are really

looking forward to being old enough to vote but I don’t feel like my vote will change anything. Maybe I should find out more about politics and whether I can do anything to change the problems around us, but it just all seems so dull!”

Jamie, 20, from Manchester, explains why he can’t ignore politics.

level. I first became involved in my community two years ago through the youth club near my estate. I became chair of the youth committee, and one of the first successes I had was extending the opening hours of the youth club. This meant teenagers had somewhere to go on an evening and it also meant the older people on our estate were happy. “You can also make changes on

a more global scale. Getting involved with organisations

like Amnesty International or Greenpeace is just one way to make a valuable difference. Whether you’re signing a petition, delivering leaflets or helping out with a demonstration, there’s nothing better than the feeling that you can help change the issues you feel strongly about. “You may be surprised by how

one person getting together with another group of people can help change the world. Use your voice!”

> parties have abandoned young people.

take actionIf you feel strongly about something, or you have an inspired idea, there are plenty of other ways to bring about change. Why not …

≥ Use social media to get your ideas out thereThe recent uprisings in Syria, Egypt and Tunisia have all been supported by social media – young people have been instantly able to talk to a global audience about the injustices going on around them. In America, Domonique Paige uses Facebook to share messages about the Obama campaign. “I’ve been posting pictures and facts for a year or so,” she explains. “Most people don’t read the newspaper anymore, they go to Facebook and social media for their information.”

≥ contact your councillorCouncillors are responsible for making decisions about local services, such as sports centres, so if you’ve got a great idea, or if you’re fed up with a local issue, drop them an email.

≥ campaign or volunteerIt’s easy to think that your voice can’t make a difference but if you join a charity, and campaign about an issue that really fires you up, you can bring about change. Start by deciding what really bothers you. Next check out organisations that are already fighting for your chosen cause. If you’re passionate about justice, log onto Amnesty International’s website (www.amnesty.ie). If environmental problems really wind you up, then try Voice (voiceireland.org) or Friends of the Earth (foe.ie) for tips on taking action. And remember, there are loads of local charities willing to make a difference. They’ll welcome new volunteers.

≥ Put your money where your mouth is Buying Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance products helps you take a political stance and make a genuine difference to people’s lives at the same time.

≥ Join the debateMost schools and colleges have their own student voice through a school council or student union. “We have two school councillors in each year group at school and they feed back our views to the staff and governors,” explains May, 16. “Last year, thanks to the school council, we changed the timings of break and lunch.”

“guerrilla knitters dressed dublin’s statues in scarves they’d made together”

“campaign on an issue that fires you up and you can make change happen”

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doctor, family member, chaplain – and don’t let the betrayal become who you are.

Learning to forgiVe...Once you’ve survived the initial fall-out it’s time to start moving on. Forgiving can be easier said than done. But resentment and anger can fester inside you and if negative feelings are ignored it can trigger some unpleasant

“while it's hard to forgive, it can feel impossible to forget”

Next time you’re stabbed in the back you’ll be ready to make a full emotional recovery, thanks to Jenny Coleman’s advice. Here are her tips on how to move on and leave the hurt behind you.

few months ago, Twilight star Rob Pattinson had his personal life laid bare when his girlfriend

and co-star Kristen Stewart was papped mid-smooch with the married director of her latest movie. “How could she!” squealed the R-Patz fans, and actually, you could see their point. For KStew – who confessed all – had carried out the ultimate betrayal. Her boyfriend trusted her and had even told an interviewer, “Why do people cheat? When I have a relationship, I’m 100% into it.” Ouch. She, meanwhile, had broken that trust, inflicting a whole heap of hurt and humiliation on her other half.

Betrayal isn’t limited to couples. Family members can break the bonds of trust and it’s common amongst friends where competitive feelings run high. So if you know what it feels like to be

The most famous betrayalthere are so many examples of betrayal in movies – the Lion king, the fugitive, the social network – but the betrayal of christ is the most famous in history. after the Last supper, judas identified jesus to the soldiers in the garden of gethsemene by kissing him. this led to jesus’ arrest and, well, you know the rest of the story. no one knows why judas did this (a lack of faith or his selfish greed?) but his act will forever be known as the ultimate betrayal.

issue.• If you receive an apology you still need to decide if your betrayer is worth forgiving. Do you want or need them in your life? Are they making an effort to earn back your trust?• Don’t resort to plotting a revenge. This might give you immediate satisfaction but it won’t make the betrayal go away.• Avoid wallowing in self-despair. Talk to someone – a counsellor,

physical ailments too, in the same way any stress can.

To forgive someone you must be willing to accept their mistake, look past it and start again. It means not clinging onto grudges and never bringing up the incident again – especially in the heat of an argument.

If you intend to forgive, experts advise you consider the four R’s:• Regret: Do you feel your betrayer really regrets their

actions?• Repent: Have they apologised?• Restitution: Have they tried to make it up to you?• Rehabilitation: Have they done all they can to ensure their mistake is never repeated?

... and Learning to forgetWhile it’s hard to forgive it can feel impossible to forget. Learning to forgive is a work in progress. If we didn’t do it, we’d be constantly angry, and forever hurting one another. But are we really forgiving if we ultimately can’t forget? Even more importantly, should we forget?

Sometimes our minds won’t let us forget certain actions – it’s how our conscience protects us. And sometimes it’s absolutely necessary to remember, so we’re more aware of the actions of others.

Take my advice and remember a wrongdoing for what it is: a lesson that teaches us to be a bit more mindful of who we trust in life.

depression. bouncing backSo what should we do when someone betrays us?• Accept that it has happened and try to understand why. If you can, speak to the person who betrayed you to get a better feel for their motivation.• Like any other wound, broken trust needs time and TLC to heal. So don’t be hard on yourself if you haven’t dealt swiftly with the

stabbed in the back by someone you trusted, you’re not alone. In fact, we’ve all tasted betrayal in one way or another. I’m sorry to say I’ve been on both sides of the coin and I’m not proud of the fact.

The aftermath of a betrayal doesn’t fade away overnight, and depending on the scale of the act committed, the bitter feelings can stay with us for a long time. You can be left reeling with self-doubt, low self-esteem and even

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“Giving 16-year-olds the vote won’t magic our problems away”

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at what age should you be allowed to vote? 21... 18... 16? there’s a growing movement that wants the 16s and overs to have the yay or nay power. but, asks eleanor walsh, is that really a wise idea?

You may have heard of a campaign called Vote@16. It was launched by the National Youth Council of Ireland with the aim of lobbying to lower the

voting age. Rather than restricting the vote for local and European elections plus Dail elections and referenda to the 18s and over, they want to offer it to anyone aged 16 and up.

Their thinking is that if 16 and 17-year-olds can join the army, leave school, pay taxes, work full-time and be kept in a detention centre, then why shouldn’t they have a say in how the country is run and how their taxes are spent?

As an Irish 16-year-old, it’s an issue that affects me directly. But as I haven’t yet decided whether or not to support it, I set out to dig a bit deeper and check out both sides of the argument.

give 16-year-olds the vote!

keep the voting age at 18!

+ in 2007, austria became the first european country and international democracy to reduce the voting age to 16 for all elections.+ in slovenia 16 and 17-year-olds can vote if they have a job.+ the isle of man, guernsey and jersey have lowered the voting age to 16. Proposals to do the same in the uk are being considered.+ outside of europe young voting ages are the norm too: 16 in brazil, cuba and nicaragua; 17 in east timor, indonesia, seychelles and sudan.+ in the Philippines you can vote in local elections at the age of 16, but only if you’re married.

why? Because...

1There’ll be a higher turnout at the polls. Apathy has become a problem in recent years but most young people are fired

up with optimism and zeal.

2 It would make the political landscape more vibrant. Politicians are scared of the energy and determination young

people possess. To keep us happy and win our votes, issues affecting us would have centre stage in the Dail.

3 Some adults have a pretty poor attitude to voting. It’s often a case of, ‘We’ve always voted Labour in our family’

or ‘We’ll vote Fine Gael because didn’t we elect Pat last time and he fixed the road for us.’ 16-year-olds can be more politically conscious. Prohibit us from voting til we’re 18 and we might become just as disillusioned as our parents!

4Young people get stuff done. The opposition from Irish youth about the recent SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act]

bill highlighted how politically motivated we can be when we really believe in an issue.

5We’re full of enthusiasm and great ideas. The existence of Dail na nOg, Comhairle na nOg, Student Councils

and the various youth strands of most political parties in Ireland, proves that young people are interested in and dedicated to politics. Some of these young people have been documented in this very magazine. So there you go.

6Unlike our parents, we’ve been educated about how governments and voting systems work. Using CSPE,

the media and the internet, we can make more informed decisions and engage in discussions with other people about politics.

why? Because...

1Just because 16-year-olds can have a job, join the army, and leave school, it doesn’t mean they should. The same

goes for voting – maybe it’s not something that should be extended to the under 18s.

2Some teenagers (and it pains me to say this...) can be self-absorbed, immature idiots who don’t deserve to be given the

power to vote. Do we really want to risk them making immature decisions at the polls?

3CSPE is hardly the most popular subject amongst Irish teens. It’s often seen as a waste of time and ‘an easy

A’ in the Junior Cert. One of the tasks on the exam paper is ‘Draw a poster’ – that says it all. Most 16-year-olds find politics boring and won’t be interested enough to take their vote seriously.

416 and 17-year-olds don’t have much life experience. Most are still in school and haven’t seen much of the big, bad

world. They don’t have enough know-how to make a vote valid.

5Political parties are desperate to secure the votes of 18 to 25-year-olds, but those young people aren’t voting.

Is it worth offering 16 and 17-year-olds the chance if they’re not going to use it?

6Giving under 18s the vote won’t magic all society’s problems away.

power to the people

“young people can be full of enthusiasm and great ideas”

For more

info, lo

g

on to

voteat16

.ie

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uly 20, 2012... It was just another regular Sunday evening in Aurora, Colorado. Batman fans were enjoying a late night showing of The Dark Knight Rises at the

local movie theatre. Then, shortly after midnight, a lone gunman opened fire on the unsuspecting audience.

12 people were killed and 58 others were badly wounded. 24-year-old James Eagan Holmes was arrested outside the cinema. He’s now in jail awaiting trial for murder.

The horrific crime has reopened the ongoing debate over whether violent movies spark violent acts. Holmes, reportedly a smart student, was being treated by a university psychiatrist and had allegedly become obsessed with a sickeningly violent trailer for an up-coming Batman spoof film. Could this have triggered his actions?

extreme VioLenceIt’s a theory that has divided experts for years. Humans are inherently different from one

“By the age of 18 you’ll have seen 100,000 violent images”

a tragic gun massacre last summer saw the highest number of casualties in a mass shooting in a u.s. cinema. what triggered the attack – and is Hollywood to blame? karen cogan investigates.

factors at play here.

deadLy weaPonsIn America, when it comes to gun massacres, the direct blame may be an overly simplistic one: the issue of gun control. Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms and there’s thought to be around 90 guns per 100 Americans. That’s an awful lot of deadly weapons – some of which get into the wrong hands.

Oscar-winning producer Harvey Weinstein has made some extremely violent films over the years, including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill. Speaking after the Colorado tragedy, he said that Hollywood cannot “shirk their responsibility” when depicting violence. But, he added, “If we don’t get gun control laws in this country, we’re full of beans... To have the National Rifle Association rule the United States of America is pathetic.”

We might never know the true motive behind the Aurora massacre. Violence is a part of the human condition and our art mirrors and comments on life as we see it. Can a violent movie compel an otherwise sane person to commit murder? Are these images simply providing details for the means of murder to an already disturbed character, rather than the motive? Or would a murderous individual find the means to carry out their evil desires no matter what? The debate rages on.

On March 7, 1995, in Mississippi, teenagers Ben Darras and Sarah Edmondson

shot William Savage twice in the head with a .38-caliber

revolver. They then went to Louisiana and gunned down store cashier Patsy

Byers, paralysing her from the neck down. It was later

discovered they’d taken drugs and watched the Oliver Stone film Natural Born Killers on a loop just prior to their

crime.This is just one of over ten tragic incidents considered

to be ‘copycat killings’ that mirror violent scenes

from that movie. Most famous is the Columbine

massacre of April 20, 1999, when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 fellow students and one teacher at Columbine High School,

Colorado. In their diaries, the boys referenced ‘going NBK’ (Natural Born Killer)

to free themselves from the world.

The Scream movies have also been cited in several murder cases. In LA, a boy who was obsessed with the film, murdered his mother

by stabbing her 45 times; in Florida, a man wearing the

Scream mask shot and killed a woman; and in England, a pair of boys repeatedly stabbed a third, claiming the film had

prompted them to do it.

more movie-

inspired murders?

another and have varying responses to stimuli. But some studies estimate that by the time a child reaches 18, they’ll have been exposed to 100,000 violent images on TV, film or in video games. Wouldn’t this have some influence on them? And could that influence become magnified in the mind of a mentally ill person?

Forensic psychiatrist Michael Stone says: “I don’t think a young person sees a violent movie and then, from that reason alone, goes out and decides it’s a cool thing to do, buys a gun and shoots a bunch of people. I think it’s about some event in his personal life, unrelated to any movie.”

However, after studying the effects of violent images on young people, a Dr J. Grafman believes that continued exposure to such videos will make people “less sensitive to violence, more accepting of violence, and more likely to commit aggressive acts.”

Extreme violence in storytelling has been popular throughout history – beheadings, gruesome stabbings and child murder are par for the course in Greek tragedies – only now, we have the capacity to replay these acts time and time again. The majority of people can ‘enjoy’ these stories without resorting to violence in real life. But there’s a small, yet significant, number who cite these movies as their trigger to the violent crimes they commit. But even if that’s the case, as Stone suggests, there’s likely to be a combination of

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ive years ago, Ta Kaw Paw, then 18, arrived with her family in Ireland. They’d travelled all the way from Burma where life

was tough. They had no freedom in Burma. Ta Kaw was unable to study. And if the government didn’t like something, such as a

new shop, they simply closed it down.

Serious relationships between teenagers were frowned upon too. “I was so surprised when I arrived in Ireland to see boys and girls kissing,” remarks Ta Kaw. “In Burma, we can’t ‘be together’ until we’re married.”

Despite the hardship of her

homeland, her new life in Ireland felt strange to Ta Kaw. “My English wasn’t good and that made things difficult,” she says. “But there was a lot of help for me. I was able to study and study, and now my English is getting better.”

She came here along with nine other members of her family. “I live in Castlebar in County

Mayo, but other members of my extended family live in Ballina. It only took a few months to settle and I really like Ireland now. It’s so different.”

more confidentEarlier this year Ta Kaw finally gained her Irish citizenship. The main advantage for her family was to acquire Irish passports.

“They want to visit friends in Thailand and up until now we’ve not been able to leave this country,” she says.

But for her it meant so much more. “I went to the ceremony for new citizens in Dublin and it made me so happy and more confident in myself. I’ve never been so happy.”

Now 23, Ta Kaw still lives

Kai Feng Dai, 16, arrived in Ireland from China when he was seven. His main memory is of seeing his mum again for the first time in years. “My parents had come over to Ireland first,” he says. “Then my dad came back and brought me over. I was so pleased to see them. I hadn’t seen them in two or three years.”Kai had no English when he

arrived and that was tough. “I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying. But I went to school in Tallaght, and had some extra lessons away from the other kids. That really helped me to settle down.”Now at school in Summerhill,

County Meath, Kai sat his junior certificate last June. “After school, I’d like to take a business or science course at college in Dublin. I’m ambitious and I want to start up my own company one day.”

Kai’s younger sister and two younger brothers were born here, which gave them automatic Irish citizenship. But it wasn’t until February that his parents gained citizenship and Kai finally became an Irish citizen in June. “I’m really proud,” he says. “It means a lot to me, and to my parents.”He helps his parents a lot.

“Their English isn’t that good, so I go along with them to meetings. I don’t mind, because it helps me understand what they’re going through. They like it here, but they miss China. There aren’t many Chinese people around and sometimes they get lonely.”“But I really like it here. I

love playing soccer in my spare time and I love swimming, too. And although my father works in a Chinese takeaway and we mostly eat Chinese food, I just love chips and pizza!”

“i’m proud to be a citizen”

at home – by her parents’ strict rules. “I still don’t have a boyfriend because my mother wouldn’t like that. She told me, ‘first you have to study, then you can get married.”

no restrictionsTa Kaw has never been afraid of hard work. In fact, she’s so grateful to have no restrictions

on her life, she has grabbed every opportunity. When she first arrived she studied part-time in an IT and then did a computer course in a VEC. She still studies for two days a week but works in childcare on the other three days.

“I also go to conversation classes to improve my English and for the past two years

I’ve been studying community development on Saturdays, which I’ve now finished,” she adds.

Next year Ta Kaw will realise a long-held ambition when she starts a nursing course. “I couldn’t have done that if I still lived in Burma,” she says. “I want to live in Ireland for the rest of my life. I love it.”

We take our citizenship for granted but for the thousands of new Irish in 2012, it’s something to be celebrated. Sue Leonard talks to two of our country’s official new members. “Becoming a new irish citizen made me so happy”

forever”

“i want tolive in

it alters our emotionsDo you ever hear a certain song and find it triggers vivid memories? A song that makes a smile spread across your face, or a tear well up in your eye? Music can have a profound effect on us. Classical composer Beethoven was renowned for being able to evoke specific emotions in his listeners – and his musical scores still hold that power. Even the rhythm of music can affect our bodies so that our pulse and breathing patterns fall in line with the beat.

it’s healthyAfter a stressful day at school or work, listening to our favourite ballad can physically calm our bodies and distract our minds from any worries. Loud, fast music with a strong beat can exhilarate us and even motivate us to do some exercise. Many scientific bods claim music has a hugely positive effect on our body by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, increasing levels of melatonin (which causes sleep) and triggering the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkiller).

it influences our actionsMcDonalds carried out some research which showed that we eat according to the speed of the music being played. Therefore, when a restaurant is busy, with a queue building up, they’ll play fast music. This subliminally encourages the customers to scoff quicker and free up their tables for the next diners. It’s not just humans who are under music’s spell. Scientists have discovered that hens are happier and produce more eggs when they’re serenaded with calming music.

it helps us learn and developMusic Therapy is used to treat people of all ages with a variety of conditions, including mental health needs, learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s, substance abuse, brain injuries and chronic pain. Studies have shown that children who learn a musical instrument are quicker at developing spatial awareness and problem solving skills.

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an you imagine a life without music? It would seem weird not being able to listen to our iPods when we’re on the move. Some

radio stations exist exclusively to play music. And it’s a rare TV moment that doesn’t use a melody in some way. This is because music is universal – from classical to pop, rock to swing, country to jazz, it appeals to people on different levels. But it’s all for one purpose, isn’t it? To entertain. Why else would we listen to it? Well, surprisingly, there’s a whole heap of reasons why.

it allows us to express ourselvesThe music you listen to can make a statement about you and your personality. When we’re trying to find our niche in the world we often turn to music we can identify with and which expresses our feelings. It provides us with the freedom to be ourselves at a time when life is pretty confusing.

it speaks to our soulMusic is an important part of spiritual life. Many major works have been composed for religious occasions and music is often used to convey the glory of God. It has a central role in all sorts of religious celebrations and observances, and songs are used to pass on religious stories and values. It’s also used to help create the mood for prayer and worship.

from fighting pain to filling us with joy, music can influence our lives in so many positive ways. Hey, it even keeps hens happy! marguerite furlong reports.

“music gives a soul to the

universe, wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination, and life to everything”

Plato

“where words fail, music

speaks”Hans christian

anderson

“music saved my life” us singer cee Lo green has spoken about the effect that music has had on him. the 37-year-old says that, at one point, he felt that a life of drinking and violence was the only available path. but then his passion for music made him realise he needed to change: “i was angry about being an outcast. i wanted to fit in and have tons of friends, but i didn’t. so i’d cut school and drink beer. music saved my life. i’ve always said that if i wasn’t famous, i would be infamous.”

it helps to set the sceneThink about the music you hear in movies. Music signals to us when something scary, romantic or ominous is about to happen. Even the old ‘silent’ films were accompanied by a pianist in the cinema trying to strike the right mood. At times, when watching a film or TV programme, we can predict what’s about to happen simply because of the music being played. The most famous example has to be in Jaws when we hear the ‘Da da... da da...’ and anticipate the horror of the shark attack. To this day, those two notes have the power to send shivers down the spine of anxious viewers.

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guess I always knew what I wanted to do when I was ‘grown up’. From the age of 5, according to my mother, I would shout at the telly when the wrong camera angle was used. And if I spotted a niggling continuity error (when an actor’s hair mysteriously switches from being tucked neatly behind their ear to sticking out in front) I was irate. Despite my career advisor’s

suggested plan B – “become a Paramedic” – I was determined to work in television production.

Fast forward nearly 15 years and I was studying Communications at DCU. I threw myself into the various film clubs and societies on offer, grabbing loads of hands-on opportunities to make and edit my own mini-films.

My first big break came during my second year. The Helix is a studio on campus that hosts many live TV shows (including, back then, The Dunphy Show, which tried and failed to take on the Late Late...). I landed a job there as a ‘Runner,’ which involved putting crisps and water in dressing rooms and generally making sure the guests had everything to make them comfortable (or in some cases keeping them away from the bar before they went on live TV!).

unPLeasant jobsI discovered that being a Runner is a great way of getting your foot in the TV production door. The pay is minuscule, the hours are long (you arrive at work before everyone else and you’re often the last to leave) and you’re

Every day, 2.9 million people in Ireland watch TV. But who makes all the shows we love? London-based producer Debbie Thornton for starters. Here’s her tips and tales about working in the world of the small screen.

behind thelens

sometimes asked to do the most unpleasant of jobs (I’ve cleaned floors, run across town to get a vital prop which then wasn’t used and put people’s shoes on their feet). But it also gives you an opportunity to learn about the industry without too much pressure. You can ask questions, learn what various roles entail and ultimately get a clear idea if this is the industry for you.

After my first few Running jobs I was hooked. Live TV is a huge adrenalin rush: if something goes wrong, everyone at home sees it! It forces you to be prepared in advance and to work to your absolute best during those key moments when the show’s on air. I also realised I’m not keen on politics, so I’ve stuck to Factual Entertainment programmes ever since.

fantastic oPPortunityI was lucky to be offered a one-year contract as a Production Assistant, working across lots of different shows and helping out with programme development. It was a fantastic opportunity. After a few years as a Researcher on shows like You’re A Star (RTE), Failte Towers (RTE), The Apprentice (TV3) and Ghost Hunting With... (an ITV2 show which spooked out celebs in a haunted castle), I then moved onto a cookery series called Heat (RTE). I was now an Assistant Producer with more responsibility for the content of the show. A huge part of my job was the casting, which meant I had to tour the country tasting people’s yummy cooking!

roles within tV production fall roughly into four categories:

+ editorial... these will be the creative team members who look after the content. it could involve drafting presenters’ scripts, finding key experts to give on-air opinions or dreaming up

scenarios for big brother tasks.

+ Production... members of this team look after the practical side of making

a tV show, such as time schedules, budgets and transport, etc. basically editorial dream it up and Production

help make it happen.

+ technical... this is the hands-on crew who are involved in the actual

broadcast or recording. it includes the camera operators, sound recordists and

lighting technicians.

+ Post Production... this team look after the programme throughout the

editing process, pulling together the polished final version of the show from

all the footage and recordings.

which job would suit you?

“Live TV is a huge adrenalin rush – everyone sees your mistakes”

every show i’ve worked on has been so different, so there’s really no typical day in tV.

while working as a Producer on four rooms (c4) i managed a casting team of eight, who all worked furiously to cast this potentially problematic programme. we had to find people who had exceptionally valuable and interesting items that they wanted to sell – it was like searching for a bunch of needles in a huge haystack.

i also liaised closely with the legal department and the art department. our excellent antiques dealers were not experienced tV presenters, so i needed to spend time coaching them to ensure they were comfortable on set and could deliver some great moments for the show.

a typical day.. er, what's that? >

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6 tips for Tv successThere’s fierce competition for jobs but to make matters harder most people who work in TV are freelance, which means they’ll sometimes do anything to make themselves look good – and those around them not look so good. Stick by these rules:

1 if you want to get into the industry fast and see if you like it, offer to work for free as work experience. try live tV first – that way you can sample life in the production office during the lead up to the broadcast and then ‘run’ on the show when it goes live.

2 Heaps of people are eager to work in TV. Once you’re through the door you need to prove yourself if you want to get rehired!

3 it’s all about attitude; if you work hard and offer to help anyone who might need it, you’ll go very far.

4 You don’t need a degree. I’ve worked with talented TV bods who have no education past secondary school. In fact, experience counts for more than education here. Courses teach you the basics but learning on the job is a must.

5 it helps to be multi-skilled. if you can use a camera, edit and record sound, you’re an all-in-one package for any employer.

6Find a mentor. Seek out someone who’s talented, successful and doing a job

that you’d love. Befriend them, work hard for them and learn everything you can from them. Good luck!

“My job can be

showbizzy, but mostly it’s hectic

and stressful”

Then came a few more Assistant Producer jobs on shows like The Apprentice (TV3) and Dragons’ Den (RTE), as well as a short stint in programme development. This was an amazingly creative process of coming up with ideas and seeing if you could put them into practice. At the age of 25 I pitched one of my ideas to RTE and to my amazement they commissioned it – a 10-part series called Test The Teachers for RTE.

aVid fanA couple of years ago I moved to London where I landed a job with Talkback Thames on The Apprentice (BBC). It was a dream job for me because I’d been an avid fan of the show for years. As you can imagine it’s a tough place to work, with filming days up to 18 hours long. The time spent back at the office wasn’t much less and I soon got very used to eating dinner at my desk.

Since then I’ve taken the jump to Producer level and have a team of Researchers and Assistant Producers who I work very closely with to make the best shows we can. People tend to think of my job as glamorous and interesting, and they always want to hear the backstage gossip. I do have some showbizzy moments, but mostly it’s hectic and stressful.

There are still plenty of programmes I’d love to work on and lots more programme ideas to develop. So while I still have all this drive and passion, I think I’ll keep following my dream.

what i love most!

“capturing a magic moment, or getting a contributor to trust you enough to tell you their fears and dreams on camera, can be magical and rewarding.”

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trócaire

where yoUTh holds The key To The FUTUre

“I’ll be honest with you. I’m heartbroken when I see what has happened in Zimbabwe.” With these words Barack Obama made headlines around the world in August 2010. He was at a White House event to discuss Africa’s future and his comment was prompted by a question from a young Zimbabwean called Sydney Chisi. You may not recognise the name,

but Sydney Chisi hopes to play an important role in the future of young Zimbabweans. He’s a director of YIDEZ, an organisation that (in partnership with Trócaire) focuses on educating young people about voting. It can be hard to get interested

in politics at the best of times, but in Zimbabwe the elections are routinely rigged. Sydney says this, along with the country’s really bleak economic prospects, is why less than 10% of young people aged 18-35 turn out to vote.It’s part of Sydney’s job to try

and reverse this trend and ensure the voice of young people gets heard at election time. YIDEZ are aiming for a 50% youth turnout and have launched a campaign to help them reach that goal.

Pretty sHakyIt’s a tough call. Youth unemployment stands at a whopping 90%. You can see how that might wreck any incentive to care about the future. After all, imagine knowing that only one in 10 of your mates stood a chance of getting a job. The education system over there is pretty shaky too, and there’s a vast difference between the lives of rural and urban youths, who react very differently to the social and political

problems they face.Many young people in Zimbabwe

have been lured into the political process and then used as cannon-fodder by various parties, especially through state funded youth militia. According to YIDEZ, between the

years 2001-2007, about 80,000 youths underwent militia training but only 10,000 of them can be officially

voters? Well, their plan is to run training and education events to help them understand the importance of their vote and to get to grips with the whole concept of democracy. They also want to get more young people on the voting register, something that many of the youths don’t know how to do. To get registered to vote in

Zimbabwe, young people need to get their hands on some vital documents: a national identity card (which doesn’t prove to be too much of an issue) and proof of residence. This is where the problem starts... a ‘proof of residence’ can either be a household utility bill or a credit store account bill. Now, given the levels of unemployment affecting young Zimbabweans, these pieces of paper are near impossible to get.There is a way around it,

though. A landlord or guardian has to go to a lawyer who needs to be paid to provide a written certified affidavit. However, very few young people or their families are willing to go that far. So YIDEZ has been helping young people by putting them in touch with a network of lawyers and local councillors, hence avoiding the need for parents/guardians or landlords to travel with them.Sydney says that the violent

political culture, the heavy hand of the state and the collapsed economic situation have, in Zimbabwe, totally de-politicised young people. But with the help of YIDEZ that could all change and there’s hope that young Zimbabweans will feel empowered to develop their country into a thriving democratic nation.

“The violent political culture has totally de-politicised young people”accounted for afterwards. They’re the ones who’ve been moved onto public service jobs. The rest are operating in communities as ghost workers (youth militia officers), or have failed to make it into the civil service despite the initial promises that were made. Right now covert militia training is already underway in Zimbabwe as the 2013 elections approach.

signing uPSo how do YIDEZ hope to rouse the interest of potential young

ZIMBABWE’S GOVERNMENT HAS LONG BEEN TAINTED BY ALLEGATIONS OF RIGGED ELECTIONS. BUT COULD THE YOUNG PEOPLE THERE BE THE ONES TO FINALLY BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE FOR THE AFRICAN NATION? EMMET BERGIN REPORTS.

fast facts+ In September 2008, after an election clouded by violence, the then leader President Mugabe signed a power-sharing agreement with Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition party.+ Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister in 2009, while the infamous Mugabe now retains control over the army.+ In August, the Guardian reported that Mugabe came top in a poll in which Zimbabweans were asked who they planned to vote for in the 2013 elections... + ...But, more than 50% of those questioned refused to disclose who they intended to vote for, suggesting that fear and intimidation is still felt by many. Mugabe’s share of the total vote, including those who refused to disclose voting intentions, is about 25%.

Lorraine Keane with pupils from the Amazon School: Photo: Jeannie O'Brien. Once a voter's name is confirmed to be on the register, they sign against the register and proceed to receive the ballot paper. Photo: Carol Nyamu.The voice of youth is especially important, such as in the recent referendum in South Sudan. Photo: Carol Nyamu.

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The next school summer holidays seem an age away. Do you long to loll on a sun-lounger by the pool, sipping a fresh fruit smoothie while you chill to tunes on your i-Pod? Boring! A 14-strong group of volunteers from County Mayo had far better plans for their last vacation. They chose to spend five weeks working on a project with the Badjao tribe in the Philippines.The tribe, who live in Cebu city,

is one of the most vulnerable in the region, with a life expectancy of just 40 years. This was a chance for the crowd from Mayo to make a big difference to the Badjao people’s lives.So, SERVE – the Irish-

based development organisation – set the volunteers a challenge: to work side-by-side with the Badjao community, making bricks and building their smart new one-roomed homes. best PossibLe cHanceWilliam Browne from SERVE explains that brick making is part of the Skills Training Programme that’s up and running out there. “Each family does at least 400 hours of voluntary labour towards construction. But the project also aims to improve education and nutrition, as well as provide skills training too. So the volunteers supported the teachers in the pre-school and helped with a nutrition programme. Both initiatives give each child the best possible chance of continuing with school.”

The volunteers lived with host families during their stay in the Redemptorist Parish in Cebu. They were all bowled over by the hospitality and welcome they received. One of the volunteers, Fergal Mohan, described how everyone in his host family took turns in cooking and helping out. He got the impression that hosting the volunteers wasn’t a burden, but a great honour for the community.“I’ve learned how doing activities

together as a community helps create a great sense of solidarity, brotherhood and love for one another,” he says. a big HugAndrea Keane, a fellow volunteer, recalled a powerful encounter with a lady from the Badjao tribe. “I paid a visit to some houses in the Badjao community,” she says. “One lady, who barely spoke any English, gave me a hug, and said, ‘Thank you so

much for helping us!’” Later on that week Andrea had

the chance to help the woman learn to write. “I assisted her as she tussled with the pencil, attempting – and very much succeeding – to draw straight lines. It was such an emotional experience for me, as I suddenly became aware of how much I’d taken my own education for granted. She demonstrated such determination and strength of mind. The poignant smile on her face said it all...”Another of the volunteers, Majella

TriBal gaThering TRAVELLING TO THE FAR-FLUNG PHILIPPINES AND HELPING THE BADJAO TRIBE SECURE THEIR FUTURE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE AN ExPERIENCE. WILLIAM BROWNE FROM SERVE RECOUNTS JUST HOW AMAZING AND REWARDING THE PROJECT TURNED OUT TO BE.

“i met so many

incredible people who i'll never

forget”

Andrea (Middle row, second from left), Majella (Front row, first on right) and Fergal (Back row, third from right).

serVe

Bottom: New Houses.Right: Volunteers hosting a sports day for the Badjao teenagers in Cebu, Philippines

Andrea (Front row, fourth from right), Majella (Front row, first on left), Fergal (Back row, fifth from right).

Over €75,000

was raised in the south mayo area for the project.

McGovern, summed up the whole experience in one word: inspiring. “I met so many incredible and inspiring people who I’ll never, ever forget. I’ve learned to appreciate everything I have at home, especially my friends and family. And that no matter what goes wrong in my life I should always have hope and faith.”

• For more info contact William browne at serVe (tel: 087 9256958; email: will@serve.ie).

The fab 14 (as we now call them!)

come from four parishes – Ballinrobe,

Party/Tourmakeady, Roundfort/Robeen and

Kilmaine, also known as the robe Pastoral

area.

the volunteers hope to use their experience to form a social justice group in the robe Pastoral area.

what the Badjao saidFor a community facing so many challenges, the visit from the volunteers meant so such to the Badjao tribe. A spokesperson told how they were really touched that communities in the outside world care for them and their future:

“We want to thank the Robe Pastoral Area for sending us this group of talented, skilled and kind-hearted people,” they said. “Their presence made a difference in the lives of the Badjao community, especially our little ones. They felt loved, valued and cared for. The attention that they got from the volunteers has boosted their confidence. It has allowed them to see that there’s more to life than just being confined in the Badjao community... that anyone can dream freely, regardless of race, colour and status in society. Thank you for walking with us on our journey.”

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we loved your summer single anything could happen. how many times have you thought that about your life?“Over the last two years it’s something that I’ve said a lot. So many weird things have happened. Crazy, amazing things.”

like when you got asked to sing at kate and wills’ royal wedding last year?“Yeah and I couldn’t tell anyone – it was really difficult. I was on tour when I got the phone call. It was a mad time for me and it was very, very, very, very, very unexpected to be asked.”

do you stay in touch with the royal couple?“We did stay in touch. They’re really big fans, so I’m sure they’ll come to a show and we’ll see each other again at some point.”

do you think you’ll be a recording artist indefinitely?“Touring is the most fun I’ve ever had. So if I can continue making music and touring for the rest of my life I’ll be really, really happy. I’ll probably retire at some point to the countryside, but at the moment life’s fun. I want to party quite a lot in the next year, but I’ve

got to save my voice, so I need to be sensible as well.”

you can really blast your voice out, can’t you?“Oh I can definitely belt it. My voice is quite unusual and versatile because it can go from being very quiet and soft to really big and loud. I’ve experimented with it since I was young and listened to different singers. Someone said I sounded like Justin Bieber the other day!”

who said that?!“It was a Facebook group. I love his voice, it’s a compliment, but...”

you’re big in the states now and have spent quite a lot of time over there. will you make the move permanently?“I don’t think so. I’d miss home too much and it’s a long way away, so I couldn’t make a habit of coming back and forth.”

do you like america?“America is beautiful. When you fly over all the different states from New York to LA in the daytime the landscape is incredible. Even LA has the most incredible places to go running and Colorado is beautiful. They’ve got epic mountains and

countryside.”

your new album halcyon is a very autobiographic record. was it upsetting to make? “It was upsetting because I’d write lyrics out on paper and then I’d read them back and think, ‘Wow, where did that come from? That’s quite deep and strong.’ I’ve had so many good memories of making this record though, of being back home in Herefordshire.”

you mean back in the area of england you come from? “Yes. Me and the producer Jim [Elliot] had a lot of fun. I get on so well with him and his family. So it’s been quite an odd one because I’ve been so elated one minute and then at other times it’s been emotional to keep revisiting stuff.”

Breaking up with someone [she split from radio 1’s greg James earlier this year] can be a lonely time. is that why you wanted to go home?“It really helped me to be around Jim’s family and to be back in Hereford around friendly faces, like Hannah, my best friend. Doing what I do, it’s important to have good people around you because you spend a lot of your life with them.”

she’s smashed it stateside, has found love again after a painful break up and is winning over even more fans with her new album Halcyon. ellie goulding, this is your moment.

Words: Heidi Bridges / Hot Features

“Someone said my voice sounds like Justin Bieber’s!”

a lot of artists talk about waking up in a hotel room feeling lonely. is that true? “I totally get it. Being in different hotels all the time is quite disconcerting and makes you feel weird. I don’t get to wake up in my flat very often.”

you’re dating skrillex (grammy-winning Us producer). how did you two get together?“He sent me an email ages ago saying he was a big fan and I sent one back saying I was a fan. It went from there. We made a song together and then as I spent more time in America where he lives we ended up seeing a bit more of each other.”

what’s it like dating a musician?“It’s really good. I can imagine people will think it’s difficult because you’re completely engrossed in music all the time. But it’s cool to have someone who shares the same passionate interest.”

you’re going on tour next month. what will your shows be like?“I’m not gonna go OTT but if people are paying to see me I want to make it really special. We’ll see, we’ll see...”

ellie’s new album halcyon is out now.

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THIS ISSUE, CONOR TOBIN BATTLES EVIL IN A NEW GAME CALLED TORCHLIGHT II, CHECKS OUT THE APPLE IPHONE5 AND FINDS A NIFTY LITTLE BOOKMARKING APP CALLED POCKET.

GADGET

apple iPhone 5Last year’s iPhone 4S launch, despite astronomical sales figures, was met with some degree of derision. Not because there was anything wrong with the device (besides a certain battery issue), but rather due to people’s huge expectations and subsequent disappointment. So how does the iPhone 5 measure up?

Well, its most striking feature is the screen. Sure, half an inch might not sound like much, but the bump from 3.5’’ to 4’’ is glaringly obvious. The pixel count increases to 1,136 x 640, or 326 ppi, which means an increase in the overall height to 123.8mm. But the device weight has dropped,

width remains the same and the depth has decreased to a mere 7.6 mm, largely thanks to Sharp’s in-cell touch technology. Other changes include the repositioning of the headphone jack and inclusion of the new Lightning connector in place of the 30-pin dock connector.Under the hood, the familiar iOS 6

is managed by an Apple A6 system-on-a-chip, clocked at a mind-boggling 1GHz and assisted by a triple-core GPU. The need for speed is helped by 1GB of RAM, to give an overall package that’s twice as fast as the 4S. Storage options are again 16, 32, and 64GB. And then there’s LTE. 4G LTE is the

primary selling point, with download speeds reaching up to 50 Mb/s. That’s five times faster than 3G. But it’s unlikely we’ll see 4G networks on our shores until late 2013. The iPhone 5 is by no means a quantum

leap in the mobile market but it’s certainly a major competitor amongst the superphones. Available now from €679.9/10

APP

Pocket (Formerly read it later)We’ve all been there: five whole minutes left until class; just enough time to take a quick glance around the Interwebs. You spot an engrossing opinion piece, a mouth-watering recipe, a riveting review of that game you’re saving for... But before you even reach the end of the first sentence, the bell rings and it’s back to the grind.Formerly known as Read It

Later, Idea Shower’s Pocket is so much more than a simple series of bookmarks. As a stand-alone app, it serves as a continuous reminder that there are boxes to be checked off on your ‘to read/watch/listen to’ list, while providing a place to store this content in case of an unavailable web connection. Synchronization of new

additions across your phone, tablet and desktop deliver a sublime user experience and the flexible tagging feature far surpasses that of a simple browser-incorporated bookmarking system. But Pocket’s appeal doesn’t end with its practicality. Visually, the app provides a feast for the eyes with its simple, well organised and easy to navigate interface. Described by critics as “DVR

for the web,” it’s available free on iOS and Android platforms, as well as the trusty desktop.9/10

GAME

Torchlight iiThis long-awaited sequel is an action role-playing game (or ARPG) with all the elements of your typical fantasy title. The delicate balance between the world’s six elements has been corrupted and you must defeat the tyrannical Alchemist, restore harmony and rescue the town of Torchlight.Many of the original

gameplay elements return, such as exploring randomly generated dungeons, fighting hordes of gruesome monsters and harvesting an envious supply of loot and experience. The four character classes (Berserker, Embermage, Engineer and Outlander) offer a variety of fighting styles, giving wildly differing upgrade

paths and plenty of replay value. The new in-game clock,

weather and character customisation options bring a hugely immersive experience, helped by the inclusion of your very own in-game pets. Users will grasp the intuitive control scheme and game mechanics almost before they can spell Mana.A new multiplayer

mode takes the form of cooperative gameplay, with up to six simultaneous players connecting via either LAN or the Internet. Optional player vs player gameplay is included. It’s a thoroughly

enjoyable, even addictive experience that’s available for a meagre €18.99 via Steam (or on disc, if you do things the old fashioned way!)9/10

Tech Toys & games

“Players will grasp the game'smechanics before they can spellMana”

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moneywiseTHIS ISSUE, IT’S TIME TO ANALYSE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY. WHY? BECAUSE IT’S YOUR GENERATION WHO’LL BE DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT FROM IRELAND’S DEBT PROBLEMS, SAYS SINEAD RYAN AND FRANK CONWAY. ILLUSTRATION BY CLAIRE NEWDICK

don’t forget, our new book cents and sensibility. it’s €5.99 from eason, or from our website (www.centsense.ie), and has brilliant hints and tips about how money works.

Illustrated by Claire Newdick, who is a graduate from University College Falmouth.Contact Claire on Claire Newdick claireynewdick@gmail.com clairenewdickillustration.tumblr.comwww.clairenewdick.co.uk

If money could have its own Facebook or Twitter account, it would have the most followers in the world. Money is so central to our daily lives and yet we take it for granted. It’s one of those things that we only miss when it’s gone but can be careless about when we have it. In fact, we have such a blasé approach to cash, it’s a wonder we manage when things get tough. Ireland’s recession hit five years

ago, making it by far the longest in our history. Have we learned any lessons or do we still have a very casual relationship with money? Do you know how much money is in

your bank account (if you have one), how much call credit you buy every week, or how much change you have in your pocket right now? Are you constantly tapping friends and family for extra cash? Are you running out of money and wondering why? Your answers probably paint a pretty

accurate picture of how you and your money rub along together.

take it easyImagine what life would be like if we took everything so casually. What if going to school was something you could opt out of? On a cold Monday morning, do you really think you’d be up and out by 8am? Hmm, maybe a lie in would sound more attractive. In fact, chances are the take-it-easy approach to school on Monday mornings would soon extend into Tuesday... and Wednesday and who knows, maybe Thursday and Friday too!Of course, we’d all be worse off in

the long term and that’s why education isn’t an opt out scenario (whether you like it or not). But why then do we leave our money education to chance? Could it be that ‘some people’ don’t want others becoming smart with their money? By ‘some people’ we mean banks... it

must suit the banks that most of us get bored stiff by finance and switch off when we hear the words ‘terms and conditions’ mentioned.

smart generationWell, listen up, because today’s students need to become the smartest generation ever with money. Why? You’re going to be repaying all the debts your parents’ generation caused: €40,000 for each of you. That’s how much every single person in the country owes the EU and the IMF. And you’ll start paying it back the second you open a bank account, get a job and begin paying tax. So this month, it’s time to take

stock of how you relate to and manage your money. Check out our tips on this page.

get friendly with your financestoP tiP: Track your spending for four weeks to find out where your money is going. To do this effectively, ALWAYS ask for receipts, check them and then keep them in an envelope. At the end of the month, add up your spending. top tip: As you get more independence from your parents, you’ll become more dependent on money. Your goal should be that your money works for you and not the other way around. NEVER be a slave to it!top tip: Use free text on your laptop. Mobile phone companies make a mint out of every text you send.top tip: Pre-paid money cards are great but can really stick you for a lot of hidden charges. And top up fees are huge, so always ask how much before you commit.top tip: Put purchases off. When you’re broke, stick it out until your next cash fill-up, whether that’s from the Bank of Mum and Dad, Uncle Cash or a part-time job. Avoid an emergency bailout – it can become an expensive habit, as our country is finding out!

get smart with phone costsThe launch of the new iPhone 5 in September might have had us all green with envy, but who can afford one? We’ve found some better value options in the smartphone market from just €50.+ Vodafone Smart: 2.8” screen, 2 megapixel camera. Basic, but clever. Available on Pay as you Go.+ Samsung Galaxy Mini: Not quite the S, but has a 3 megapixel camera, larger screen and you can download great apps and maps. €79 on Meteor pre pay.+ Sony Xperia Tipo: 3.2 megapixel camera for sharp shots, 2.5gb of storage and it runs on the newer Android OS. €99.99 from Meteor pre pay.

“you'll each have to repay €40,000 to sort ireland's debt problem”

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Several years ago, The Onion, which calls itself ‘America’s Finest News Source,’ scored a major scoop. They reported the pope as saying, “Screw the meek!”

They said he remarked, “There has always been a tacit understanding between the Church and the meek that this ‘blessed’ status was conditional upon their inheritance of the earth, an event which seems unlikely to happen anytime in the foreseeable future. Our relationship, therefore, must be terminated.”

The pope then did the unbelievable; he blamed the meek for their situation: “Twenty centuries should have been more than enough time for them to inherit the earth. For years, the Catholic Church has made every effort to help them, but at some point, enough is enough. We are patient, but we are not saints.”

The pope, of course said nothing of the sort. The Onion is a newspaper built on satire. Its articles are based on sarcasm, ridicule and irony. It mocks the things it initially appears to support.

kick me!So what did Jesus mean when he said, ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land’? It’s one of the Beatitudes most in need of a public relations campaign. For many (and maybe because the words rhyme with each other) meek is synonymous with being weak. It’s as if a person has no spine; they just won’t stand up for themselves or others. Some see being meek as like putting a sign on yourself that says, ‘Kick me!’ Others liken it to being a doormat, inviting people to walk all over you.

Meekness doesn’t have the best of reputations. And yet, properly understood, meekness is at the heart and life of Jesus. St. Paul

captures the essence of meekness in his Letter to the Philippians (2:6-8) when he writes:

‘Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.’

a different PatHIn a world where people try to grab privilege and power at all cost, Jesus shows another way. Rather than put up walls to protect you from harm, Jesus offers the path of vulnerability, intimacy and relationship. To those who use the arrogance of armed weapons and

barbed words, Jesus responds with a patient peace and general trust in the goodness of others.

When someone is meek they don’t need to boast about their latest triumph or make themselves the centre of attention. Their confidence and sense of self doesn’t come from public acclaim; it comes from the strength of their relationship with God. But on the flipside, following the example of Jesus, meekness isn’t about being a ‘yes man’ or a ‘yes woman’, or doing whatever you’re told. It’s about asking, “What is the will of God for my life?”

IF YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD ‘THE MEEK’ SIZED UP, THEN THINK AGAIN. IN HIS NEW SERIES ON THE BEATITUDES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY, MICHAEL DALEY DISSECTS THE THIRD TEACHING FROM JESUS.

who said The meekare weak?

“ ‘screw the meek!’ said the pope. Allegedly”

you choose the wayat first glance, the traditional beatitudes don’t make much sense, especially in our current ‘survival of the fittest’ society. you’re almost embarrassed by them. cynically, when you hear them you might say, “as if!” or “maybe in a perfect world.”this summer i was tidying up my desk when i came across an alternative (or counter) set of beatitudes. unfortunately, they sound a lot truer to what’s valued in today’s world.

tHe aLternatiVe setblessed are the powerful, for they shall control others.blessed are the movers and shakers, for they make things happen.blessed are the strong, the young and the beautiful, for they shall be greatly admired.blessed are those of white, european descent, for they shall inherit the earth.blessed are winners, for they shall be lauded and applauded.blessed are the affluent, for they have what they need – and want. blessed are those in authority, for they shall possess all power and truth. be honest. compare them to the traditional beatitudes and i’m sure you’d say there’s some tension between the two sets. and this leads to an important question: which is the wiser set? which set truly reflects who you’re called to be as a follower of jesus?

“meekness doesn't have the best of reputations”

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“snaP haPPy”MIx PHOTOGRAPHY WITH FAITH AND WHAT DO YOU GET? A COLLECTION OF REFLECTIVE IMAGES LIKE THESE. ANNE KEELING FINDS OUT MORE ABOUT THE FAITHFOTO PROJECT.

How many of you love taking photos? Facebook snaps of your friends doing the Usain Bolt ‘lightening’ pose? Arty Instagram pics of your BFF strumming a guitar? Whatever your style, with decent camera phones at the ready and handy websites to upload our artwork onto, photography is now as natural to us as sneezing.So when the Kerry

Diocesan Pastoral Team wanted to find a way for local teens to explore their faith, a photo-friendly challenge was the obvious choice.Pope Benedict wants

more young people to engage with their faith and thinks tapping into modern technology is the way to go. In a shout out to teens and students, he said: “I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!... Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God’s infinite love will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!”So a group of 25

teens from five different parts of Kerry – Milltown, Killarney Parish, St John’s Parish Tralee, Caherciveen and Killarney Youthreach – did just that. Here are some of the results.

Katie Phelan (on left) and Katie Groves

“when you think of faith through photography we think of crosses and churches, but this has broadened our minds to what faith really means.”

– katie Phelan, milltown Parish.

“Photography can help people

embrace the issues in

their lives”

silence is goldensilence might seem a strange subject to photograph, but Pope benedict has talked about the important role it plays in communication. bishop john mcareavey of dromore describes silence as, “a precious commodity” and says it helps us make good judgements when we’re being bombarded by so much outside stimuli (tV, tweets, emails, etc.). “behind all the technology,” he says, “there are humans constantly searching for answers to life’s questions.”

Faithfoto: the facts+ before they got snapping, photojournalist eileen o’Leary held a day-long workshop for the teens taking part. the creative bunch came up with some cracking ideas for themes: emotion, the beauty of nature, religious symbols, unexpected moments and silence.

+ that afternoon, they set out on their photography assignments and the results were displayed at a summer exhibition which was launched by bishop bill murphy at the kerry diocesan youth service centre.

+ afterwards, eileen o’Leary praised the amateur snappers: “they had limited experience but innate ability to embrace the medium. it’s an example of how photography can be used to motivate people and help them embrace issues in their lives.”

“as our photos show, god and

faith is part of everything we

do in life, from laughing with

friends to quiet and peaceful

moments.” – katie groves, milltown

Parish.

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Body TalkTHE DARK, COLD NIGHTS OF WINTER ARE A TURN-OFF WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING FIT. BUT DON’T SWITCH TO HIBERNATION MODE. MARIE DUFFY’S MOTIVATIONAL TIPS CAN HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY WHATEVER THE WEATHER.

Finding the enthusiasm to exercise is tough at the best of times. Factor in wet Irish weather and sub-zero temperatures and you’ll find your motivation has booked the first Ryan Air flight to Benidorm faster than you can say “deep-fried donuts” (Mmmm...)Exercise is the body’s way

of keeping itself in tip top condition. Here’s why...

... It boosts your energyThis will give you more get up and go to enjoy the activities you love. Plus it will help you crawl out of bed easier on those grey mornings.

... It improves mental sharpnessStudies show that people who exercise regularly have better memories, better reaction times and better level of concentration than the rest of us. We’re not promising you’ll morph into Einstein over night but at least you won’t be on a par with Jedward

in the dopey remarks department. ... It relieves depression Exercise can be nature’s best mood lifter. How? Because it bumps up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. 15-30 minutes a day can improve the mood of those with depression. It will also help people with low self-esteem feel better about their body.

... It lowers stress and anxietyExercise gets rid of the hormones and chemicals that build up during periods of intense stress. Your body and mind get the chance to relax too, which helps give stress the boot. Yoga and Pilates are spot on for this purprose and will also strengthen your core muscles.

... It prevents certain cancersStudies have found that men and women who exercise are less likely to develop certain cancers, including breast and bowel cancer.

... It cuts the risk of heart diseaseExercise increases the good (HDL) cholesterol in your bod making it less likely you’ll develop heart disease. Couch potatoes are twice as much at risk of having a conked out ticker than those who get moving on a regular basis.

just do it! Now that you know why it pays to shift your butt off the sofa and get active, here are a few tips to keep you going.• Keep a check list: Refer to the list of health benefits any time you feel like giving up.• Find a fitness buddy: Persuade a friend to get fit with you. If one of you is feeling lazy, at least the other will drag you away from the xbox.• Warm up: It’s much easier to venture into the cold if you’ve warmed up indoors first and you’ll be less likely to injure yourself too. Jog on the spot for five minutes. • Wear a hat: About one-third of your body’s heat is lost via your head. And pile on lots of thin layers that are easier to carry if you need to peel them off again. • Stay safe: If you’re exercising after dark, keep to well-lit areas and wear reflective clothing. Ideally, exercise with a friend, and always tell someone where you’re going.• Be careful: Avoid listening to music while running outdoors. It’s far more important to hear on-coming cars and bikes.• Economise as you exercise: Join a community gym rather than an expensive private gym. And hunt around for pay-as-you-go classes which are more cost effective.

“Exercise regularly and you'll be

a stress-free, energetic genius.

Maybe”

BODY BITSDo your eyes

water at the mere mention of a spicy

madras curry? It’s all in your genes. Scientists have discovered that carriers of one particular

gene find the hot taste of chillies

more intense than others. Oh and they dislike beetroot. Random.

body bitsIn a study of people reaching the grand old age of 100 (and beyond) researchers in New York found they had something in common: a love of

chit chat but a dislike of gossiping. The secret to eternal youth maybe?

Feeling sad?Bad weather and a lack of sunlight can trigger a mild form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms include lethargy, increased appetite, longer sleep and weight gain. To combat it, spend more time outdoors in the fresh air and take regular exercise.

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When Darragh McDonald started swimming at six years old, it wasn’t for the sport. Born with no legs below the knee, and with a lower arm missing, his parents thought it would be a good way for him to keep fit. But he took to it straight away.By his teens he was swimming

internationally and at just 14, he won a silver medal in the Beijing Paralympics. “I think it went over my head at the time,” he says, “but it did drive me on. Even back then I wanted the gold.”And now he has it! Darragh’s

performance in the 400 metres freestyle swimming at the London Paralympics was phenomenal. He finished the race a whole eight seconds clear of the former gold medallist, Anders Olsson, and smashed the Irish record.“Winning the gold was

indescribable. It was insane,” he says. “I don’t know if it’s really set in fully yet but it was nice to see a reward for all the training and hard work.”Was he aware of the huge crowd

watching that day? “You don’t notice the crowd before the race. You’re so focused, all you see is the pool. But when I was on the podium getting my medal and Ireland’s anthem was playing, there was such a buzz. The British cheered for me, but it was obvious there were lots of Irish in the crowd.”

earning resPect Darragh says the best part of his London Paralympic experience was the response he got back home. “It was so gratifying to see us all recognised as elite athletes, and to

“winning gold was insane”PARALYMPIAN SPORTS STAR DARRAGH MCDONALD HAS NEVER LET HIS DISABILITY HAMPER HIS DREAMS. HE TELLS SUE LEONARD WHY HIS SUCCESS AT THE 2012 GAMES MEANT SO MUCH TO HIM AND REVEALS HIS AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

my sPorting Life

be treated as equals to the able-bodied athletes. Some people assume people with a physical disability must be lacking mentally too. The Paralympics is changing the way people think, and earning the respect everyone deserves.” Darragh’s win came on Ireland’s

best day at the Paralympics – ever. Later that day, Jason Smith and Michael McKillop won gold on the track and, needless to say, the team atmosphere was electric. “The swim team is very close knit. I shared a room with another swimmer called Laurence McGivern, and with two other lads, James Scully and Jonathan McGrath. We had lots of really funny moments.”When the Paralympians arrived

back in Ireland they received a rousing welcome. First up was an appearance on the Late Late Show, and then Darragh went back to Gorey Community School where he’s studying for the Leaving Cert. As he pulled up in an open top car with his medal around his neck and Chariots of Fire playing, his teachers and fellow pupils roared out their admiration. Now, though, it’s back to study.

“Last year my school work took a big hit. I managed not to fail anything, but low C’s won’t get me where I want in life. I want to study medicine at Trinity College, Dublin, so this year sport will have to take a back seat. After all, school will justify the rest of my life, while sport will last 10 years if I’m lucky.”

amazing suPPortDarragh’s training schedule for the Games was hardcore. “During the school year I trained for around 15-18 hours a week, some before school, and some after. Usually I’d do 250 lengths in the morning, and another 250 lengths in the evening, for at least six days a week.”He still managed to find time to

see his long-time girlfriend, Clara Peters, and his mates. “Four of my friends were at the Games to watch me win gold. The support of all my friends was amazing.”Where does he see himself in five

years time? “I hope to win another medal or two in Rio and to break that troublesome world record, because I’m not happy with just the Irish record. Maybe I’ll take up Triathlons too. I’m trying to source a racing tricycle, because I can’t balance on a normal bike. And hopefully I’ll almost have finished my medical degree by then and be well on the way to specialising.”Swimming has brought so much to

Darragh’s life. “It has kept me fit and healthy, and most importantly, swimming has put me in touch with some of the greatest people in the world. I know I’ve made lifelong friends through my sport.”

“It was great to be treated as an equal at the games”

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helP

“i’m not allowed a boyfriend”Q: I’m 17 but my parents won’t let me have a boyfriend. For the past three months I’ve had a secret relationship with a boy. I can’t bring him home, mention his name or even admit that he exists.

My parents are very strict and over-protective and it’s making my life hell because all my friends have boyfriends and healthy social lives, but I hardly ever get to go out. They clearly don’t trust me, and that hurts. How can I convince them that I’m old enough to have a relationship and that I’m not going to do anything stupid?Jenny

Answer 1: Your parents’ attitude seems over the top but they’re just trying to protect you. They’re afraid that you’ll get pregnant and mess up your life, and it’s great that they care so much. No matter what you say, they probably won’t change their mind, so it’s best to keep your boyfriend a secret. You’ll soon finish school and then you can move out and be honest about your relationship.Nicole

Answer 2: It’s unbelievable that your parents act like this in 2012. Don’t they realise this isn’t the 1960s or 70s when they were growing up? Is there another family member who could talk to your parents and get them to change their minds? Hopefully, they’ll be able to persuade your mum and dad that 17-year-olds are well able to behave responsibly and that they should learn to trust you more.Graham

Answer 3: Three months suggests that it’s a pretty serious relationship. Why not take the risk and bring him home one day? Introduce him as a friend or a study companion. Don’t sneak off to your bedroom – that will raise your parents’ suspicions. Let them talk to him. If they get to know him, they might be more relaxed about your friendship with him. Then, slowly, you can introduce the idea that he’s your actual boyfriend. Jane

Next issue’s problem

“The way my parents treat me is wrong”Q: I feel discriminated against because I’m a girl. At home I have to do most of the jobs around the house while my 17-year-old brother gets away with being lazy.

All he has to do is mow the lawn every week and take the rubbish out. I have to wash up, hoover, iron clothes and anything else my mum wants done. I’m also supposed to get top marks in school. It’s so unfair. I’m 16. How can I tell my parents that what they’re doing is wrong?Anne

“my period makes me so angry”Q: I’m 15 and I’ve noticed that I get really angry when I’m due on. I’ve checked on google and I think it’s PMT? What can I do? I’m too embarrassed to ask mum, and my friends will think I’m dumb for not knowing.

A: Yes, it sounds like Pre-Menstrual Tension. This is caused by the hormones in your body which change during your monthly cycle. Go easy on yourself at this time of the month. Get lots of sleep and have a relaxing bath. Your mum and friends will empathise, but why not talk to your GP too?

“how can i impress her?”Q: I’m 17 and I really like this girl but she says she won’t go out with me. How can I impress her and make her change her mind? I’m not amazingly handsome but I’m not ugly either.

A: When the answer’s no, the answer’s no. You can’t force someone to fancy you, whatever you look like, so accept her decision and move on. She’s obviously not right for you. Concentrate on being friends with girls first rather than basing relationships on physical attraction.

email your advice for anne to advice@faceup.ie putting ‘november Help!’ in the subject line.

fact! If your friend smokes,

you’re 11.5 times more likely to

take up the habit too. Do yourself

and your mate a favour – encourage

them to stop, now, before their health and their

bank balance suffer.

CHILDLINE24-hour hotline if you are in trouble or dangerROI: 1800 66 66 66NI & UK: 0800 1111www.childline.iewww.childline.org.uk

THE SAMARITANS24-hour support if you’re feeling desperateROI: 1850 60 90 90NI & UK: 08457 90 90 90Email: jo@samaritans.orgwww.samaritans.org

AL-ANON / ALATEENAdvice on alcohol problemsROI: 01 873 2699NI: 028 9068 2368UK: 020 7403 0888www.al-anonuk.org.uk

EATING DISORDERSBodywhysROI: 1890 200 444www.bodywhys.ie / info@bodywhys.iebeatNI & UK: 0845 634 7650www.b-eat.co.uk

AWARE DEFEAT DEPRESSIONHelping to defeat depressionROI: 1890 303 302www.aware.ieNI: 0845 1 20 29 61www.aware-ni.org.ukUK: 020 8554 9004www.supportline.org.uk

CURAHelp for those affected by an unplanned pregnancyROI: 1850 62 26 26www.cura.ie

ARE YOU GOOD AT GIVING FRIENDS ADVICE? EACH ISSUE WE’LL PRINT A READER’S PROBLEM AND WE WANT YOU TO TELL US WHAT YOU THINK THEY SHOULD DO.

we want y o U r advice!

ILLU

STR

ATIO

N B

Y JE

N P

RIO

R

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When it comes to style you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s essential to look to the future and strive to be cutting edge. But it’s often a flirt with the fashion of the past that can give the impression you’ve just stepped off the runway. When it comes to trends, what goes around comes around, and this season’s catwalk shows took big lashings of inspiration from times gone by. Here are my favourite fashion decades, along with some helpful tips to look the part. tHe roaring twentiesThis was a revolutionary time for fashion with women and men looking up to their idols from the silver screen. Hemlines grew shorter as women became more independent. Low-waisted dresses, fringing, neutral colours and cloche hats were the order of the day. Men went for classic tailoring with smart shoes, although wider trousers known as Oxford Bags crept in by the mid-20s. They also began wearing sportswear, like cricket jumpers and tennis shirts.Get the look: Thanks to TV shows

like Boardwalk Empire the high street has embraced the look and AWear recently debuted a collection called The Jazz Age. Girls should wear classic fringed flapper dresses, long strings of pearls and kitten heels. Boys can pay homage to the era by throwing a tailored waistcoat over their shirt and wearing a formal long overcoat with smart shoes.

The sTyle FilesGET SET FOR A TIME-TRAVELLING TRIP DOWN FASHION BOULEVARD, COS THIS MONTH BRIDGET FITZSIMONS IS TAKING INSPIRATION FROM THE STYLE GURUS OF DAYS (LONG) GONE BY.

tHe swinging sixtiesLondon was the centre of all things fashion in the 1960s. Mary Quant invented the miniskirt and mods provided a new way of dressing for both sexes. In the early part of the decade men wore polo necks, cashmere jumpers and drainpipe trousers or jeans with pointed-toe leather shoes. Women wore mini dresses, often featuring sharp geometric patterns, or capri pants. Make-up was distinctive with exaggerated eyelashes and eyeliner, teamed with nude lips and a matte base.Get the look: It’s very easy to

copy 60s style. Try tailored leather jackets and drainpipe jeans for boys and shift mini dresses with skinny belts for girls. The 60s trend is always present on the high street but it’s worth searching in charity shops for an original gem.

spandex item per outfit to avoid looking like an aerobics instructor! To modernise the power suit, take an oversized jacket with shoulder pads (these can be bought separately if you want to customise an existing jacket) and team it with a simple skirt and t-shirt. Boys should wear a suit jacket – sleeves rolled halfway up the forearm – with blue jeans and a bright t-shirt. If you’re going for the punk or goth look then tone it down by simply wearing a leather biker jacket with your regular clothes (boys), or pulling some fishnets on with a modern-day dress (girls!).

Top tip!make sure you don’t look like an extra from a fancy dress party by keeping the look simple. wear just one or two key elements from your chosen decade with your 2012 everyday pieces.

winTer warmersfrom top...

Now is a great time to express yourself with accessories. If you want to look young and playful then animal hats – wooly hats with ears and faces – are still in style. Or you can opt for a stylish beret for a more classic look. For guys, chic Fedoras and flat caps are bang on trend.

...to toeWellies are perfect for when the going gets slippery because the

grip is so good. You don’t need to sacrifice style; there are plenty of fashionable designs in chain shops such as Dunnes Stores or Penneys. If you want to splash your cash, head to Office for a smart pair of Hunters – celebs

love ’em! I always buy my wellies a size too big and wear them with

thick slipper socks. Toasty!

Top tip!the internet is a great resource for tracking down photos and videos to give you inspiration and detail. retro fashion is easy, but you need to wear it with confidence!

“When it comes to trends

what goes

around comes

around”

tHe ecLectic eigHtiesFashion tribes became a big thing in the 80s. Goths, punks, new romantics and yuppies were just some of the groups people took style inspiration from. In fact, there are so many looks to choose from, but while some may seem extreme today, they can easily be toned down for a modern take. Big hair was, er, big for women (and some men) requiring lots of backcombing and gallons of hairspray. Men also helped the sales of hair gel rocket. Lycra, lace and spandex were the fabrics favoured by women, and denim jackets and power suits were also popular.Get the look: Today, it’s best

for girls to wear just one lycra or

I often find Irish politics pretty depressing. The parish-pumpery and constant griping are bad enough, but it’s the smallness and sameness that really get to me. It’s rare to hear any of the major parties come up with any big ideas – indeed, to hear them suggest anything other than a version of The Conventional Wisdom. But there is a country that

reminds me that more exciting politics doesn’t necessarily mean better politics. That country? The United States of America.I was entranced by the Obama/

McCain presidential race in 2008. After the depressing Bush years, here were two men of integrity who cared about their country. Both seemed ready to challenge their party and work with the other side for the greater good. Both opposed torture. Both cared about the poor, and the environment. Whoever won, I felt that things in America would change for the better.

robot assassinsFour years later, we’ve been through the Great Recession and America still hasn’t recovered. Nothing has been done about climate change, and the gap between rich and poor is wider than ever. Perhaps most disappointingly, President Obama has set about having suspected terrorists assassinated by robotic drones. Obama’s line seems to be: ‘We won’t torture America’s foes, we’ll kill them instead.’This election, I’m not so much

entranced as depressed. The Obama/McCain race was a choice between two well-regarded candidates. Obama/Romney sees America deciding which of them it dislikes least. How did it end up like this?

What I missed in 2008 was the underlying screwed-upness of the system. Firstly, America is an incredibly polarised country. Most Irish parties aren’t that different from one another but Democrats and Republicans have opposite agendas

shadows on The wall

Illustrated by Tyrone Logan, who is a graduate from Norwich University College of the Arts. Tyrone is a UK based illustrator who likes to work with traditional and digital media.Contact Tyrone by email: Teejdaturtle@hotmail.comPhone: 07575898505

and go to great lengths to block the other’s goals. A lot of their passion goes into demonising the other side. Secondly, the American system

makes it easy for one side to block the other. To pass a law, a party needs a majority in the House of Representatives, 60 out of the 100 votes in the Senate, and the presidency. This system of checks and balances was designed to facilitate compromise and prevent overreach, but it means that it’s incredibly difficult to do, well, anything.Thirdly, despite their differences,

both parties are heavily funded by very rich people. So, no matter who’s in power, the position of the rich and powerful rarely changes much.

better offThis is oversimplifying things, but look at the results. America’s dynamic politics leaves them in a

state of near-constant war. They have almost no healthcare for those without insurance, and they’re one of the most unequal nations in the western world. As bad as Ireland’s problems are,

they’re not that bad.That doesn’t mean Irish politics

is ideal. Far from it. But if we siphoned off a bit of the Americans’ passion and innovation, leaving them a bit calmer and less inclined to go off the ideological deep end, and us a bit less stuck in the mire of mediocrity, we’d probably both be better off.

BORED BY POLITICS? WISH OUR IRISH POLITICIANS DISPLAYED SOME OF THE AMERICANS’ GLAMOUR AND PASSION? WELL, DON’T BE FOOLED BY ALL THAT PHONY PIZZAZZ, WARNS BEN CONROY. ILLUSTRATION BY TYRONE LOGAN

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Illustrated by Fern Newton, who is a graduate from University of Westminster. 'I moved to London where I learnt to draw, print and stay up late. I'm

a keen animal enthusiast, lover of fashion, and as well as working with pens, pencils and ink I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine.'

Contact Fern on fernnewton33@hotmail.com www.fernnewton.weebly.com

The study plans are laid out, scribbled-on paper has become almost as common as oxygen in one’s bedroom, and the ink in that favourite pen lasts for an unpleasantly short amount of time. This is where it all begins for us final year students. This is where we board the big

ship Study and accept the challenge, bravely waving

“au revoir!” to the more laxidazy times of years gone by.

The secreT liFe oF an irish Teenager... by Evie McCullough, aged 17 THIS ISSUE, EVIE FACES UP TO THE CHALLENGING YEAR AHEAD AND – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM A CERTAIN TENNIS CHAMP CALLED NADAL – HAS A BIG THINK ABOUT THE TRUE MEANING OF SUCCESS.

Benevie

I’ve come to realise that whenever I’m feeling challenged, I find motivation in the oddest of places. Take Rafael Nadal, for example. I was recently chuckling away at an interview featuring Mr Rafa and The Fed himself (that’s Roger Federer, by the way – shame on you for not knowing!). The clip made me think: doesn’t it say a lot about these two men that, despite being sporting ‘enemies’, they’re able to forget their rivalry and have a genuine laugh together? From Nadal’s perspective, he sits beside the man who probably has everything he’s ever wanted in tennis. Yet Nadal has the strength of character to share a joke with his rival. Isn’t it impressive?

tremendous aPPLauseI heard a lovely story about Nadal once. It went a little like this: ‘So, it was the Wimbledon Championships dinner, just after Nadal had won the title. Naturally, he turned up late what with having to pose with his trophy and all that. When he finally entered the large room he was met with tremendous applause. It then took a good while longer before he sat down to eat at his designated table. But

that wasn’t because he was making outrageous diva demands. No! Rafael Nadal took it upon himself to shake

the hand of every single individual at his table. And at every shake he said, “Hi, I’m Rafa Nadal. What’s your name?”’I was reminded of that story while

I watched the interview. And to put it simply, I was struck by a wave of inspiration thanks to Nadal. It had nothing to do with his titles and trophies. I was simply bowled over by the fact that, despite all the reasons he might have to be an arrogant idiot, he’s not. Despite all his success, he’s still humble.

troPHies and medaLsSuccess is an odd thing, isn’t it? Looking around people’s homes, one attaches success to trophies and medals. But that doesn’t really fit, does it? Success is everywhere. And it’s not always in the shape of a shiny award. That tattered old book of your parents’ sitting on your shelf; you know, the challenging read you managed to finish? Success. That collection of inspirational music you’ve managed to compile over the years? Success. That bracelet you still have from years ago, given to you by a good friend who’s still a good friend today? Success.The problem with medals and

trophies is that they’re what success has been defined as by society. But it’s far simpler than that really. We should decide how to measure success for ourselves. Still, who doesn’t love a shiny trophy every now and then? Rafa sure does.

Love Evie x

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STUDY ISN’T ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT YOU DO, BUT WHERE YOU DO IT. LEAVING CERT SUPREMO, COLUMNIST CILLIAN FAHY, ExPLAINS WHY. ILLUSTRATION BY RYOKO ARAI

geTTing in The ZoneTake good care of your environment – it’s the only one you’ve got. I know what you’re thinking: ‘Hang on a minute, this is study advice column, not some eco-hippy’s ramblings!’ Don’t worry, I’m talking about a different type of environment: your personal study space. Just like the Earth, your study

can go into meltdown if you don’t take care of your environment. The spot where you study can have a significant impact on how effective your revision time is and how much you enjoy it (yes, enjoy it!). So here’s how to find the perfect work

study in. If there’s an office in your house, then that could be an option. We didn’t have one, so I moved a desk into our quiet guest room. Result.

PuLLing tHe PLug on sound PoLLution:Study and silence go well together. As a golden rule keep as far away

all about meHi, I’m Cillian Fahy, an English student at Trinity College Dublin. When I sat my Leaving Certificate in June 2010 I received straight A’s. So what did I do? I sold my Leaving Cert notes on eBay. This caught the attention of the Irish Times who asked me to write a study series for the paper. I’m now a regular Face Up columnist and each month I’ll be giving you my advice on how to ace your exams.

from the TV as possible. If your study space has to be close to the kitchen or sitting room, then ask your family to keep the racket down during certain hours. That’s what I had to do.It’s not just other people who can

pollute your silence, however. When you’re studying, avoid listening to music or the radio. I used to think music helped me study, but then I realised it was much more of a distraction than a help. It’s just a habit that sidetracks you away from your focus. too many distractions:The radio is one distraction but there are plenty of others. It may depend on where you study. If you’re based in your bedroom, then remove your phone, iPod and laptop. Hide their chargers too, so you don’t even think about gadgets.The same goes for a PC or printer

– try and put them elsewhere, if possible. The internet is a great

resource for study, and you should definitely make use of it. However, that doesn’t mean it should be in your study space. It’ll prove a massive distraction. Trust me, I know!

foLders, foLders, eVerywHere:One of the big problems I had was not where my study space was, but what I brought into it. In particular, folders caused a major problem. It’s important to have quite a few for your different subjects, but this can create an awful lot of clutter. The best solution is to store

them somewhere specific like on a bookshelf. Even simpler, label them clearly and keep them on the floor. Whatever you do, don’t leave them scattered all over the place. After all, a tidy study space = a tidy mind, and that’s just the thing you need if you want those facts and figures to stick.

“Everyone in your house should respect your study space”

environment and keep it clean.

a sPace to caLL your own:Make sure your study space is somewhere you can retreat to any day, any time. Routine is essential, so this usually rules out the kitchen table. It should be a space that you can call your own, and everyone else in your house should respect that. If they don’t, tell them so! Your own room might be an

obvious choice, but even this is problematic because it can be better to separate the place you relax in from the place you

Illustrated by Ryoko Arai, who is a graduate from University of Westminster."Please feel free to contact me for commissions, comments and collaborations."Contact Ryoko on riyocoryoko@gmail.com www.ryokoarai.com

cillian8 steps to a tidy desk

1Never eat at your desk.

Dirty plates will soon stack up. Fill up the water bottle you bring to school to cut out the need for cups.

2Remove all gadgets (and

their chargers) from your room.

3Have a watch or small clock

on the desk so you don’t need your phone to keep track of time.

4Always pack away your

notes when you’ve finished studying. If you leave them out to tidy up the next day, it’ll never happen.

5Keep the number of folders and

books on your desk to a minimum.

6Store your stationery in a

pencil case.

7Get a small rubbish bin so

you can stash your trash immediately.

8Every now and then, wipe

the desk with a damp cloth. It’s simple, but very effective.

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USE YOUR EVER-DECREASING DOWNTIME WISELY – OR RISK A LIFE DOMINATED BY WORK, WORK, WORK. CHRIS O RIORDAN HAS SOME USEFUL DISTRACTIONS TO HELP TAKE YOUR MIND OFF YOUR BOOKS.

yoUr alTernaTive 5-a-day

On the search for some alternative rock? The Vivid Hollow deliver an intoxicating, fresh sound, fuelled by catchy melodies and propelled by the driven vocals of lead singer Micki Consiglio. The band say their influences range from Delta Goodrem to Led Zeppelin. That’s quite an eclectic mix, but then again The Vivid Hollow are a pretty diverse bunch. Give a listen to their new EP, Last Place to Hide. It’s out now.

new sounds

sHare a smiLe

e very r ain cloUd has a silver liningJessica and Brian Smith were driving home during a torrential rain storm when they noticed their two-year-old son had stopped breathing. They pulled up on the highway and attempted to revive Nathan with CPR, but he wasn’t responding. A couple of miles away, Andy Harris, a practicing doctor, was on his way home. Because of flooding he had to make a detour... onto the very same highway. On reaching the scene he rushed to help. “I did what needed to be done: opened up the boy’s airway and held it open. After a few seconds, he started gasping and then started breathing – irregularly at first and then more regularly,” says Harris. Within 15 minutes the ambulance arrived and Nathan soon made a swift recovery. What started out as an annoying disruption to Harris’ travel plans ended up as an opportunity to save a boy’s life.

Page-turner

inTo The wild By Jon kr ak aUerchristopher mccandless is a young man who decides to set off on the stampede trail, crossing the alaskan wilderness on a quest to live off the land devoid of worldly possessions. it’s a true tale that teaches us how

to be accepted into society, but how finding yourself can conflict with being an active member of that society. the truth is often stranger than fiction and this book’s certainly a mystery of the highest order.

The vivid hollow

LoL

Pigs mighT FlyHave you seen the youtube vid of a baby goat getting rescued by a young pig?

(yes, you read that right!). the hilarious clip shows the poor bleating kid struggling in the middle of a pool at a petting zoo. seconds later, the super porker paddles through the water towards his furry friend. it seems the kid had got its foot trapped, but luckily the sheer force of the pig ploughing into him was enough to free him and the two happily swam to safety. that pig certainly saved the goat’s bacon! Here’s the link: youtube/g7wjrvg1gmk

wacky web

a whole new meaning To weB chaTsEver fancied a proper chit chat with your lap top? Some mindless prattle with your PC? Or a quarrel with your computer? Well, say hello to Cleverbot. This web app uses Artificial Intelligence to talk with humans. As you might expect, Cleverbot is a tad big headed, but when it does grow too smart for your liking, simply click exit to end the chat. If only it was that easy to walk away from awkward conversations in real life...

B r a n d n e w

e v e r y i s s U e ! words oF wisdom

REFLECTIONS AND HUMOUR TO HELP YOU THROUGH THE DAY

PoliTics is The arT oF looking For TroUBle, Finding iT everywhere, diagnosing iT incorrecTly and aPPlying The wrong remedies.groUcho marX

THINGS WE SAY IN SCHOOL: 1. I’m tired. 2. I’m cold. 3. I don’t get it. 4. I’m hungry. 5. What time is it? 6. I want to go home.

did yoU know iT’s imPossiBle To say "good eye mighT" wiThoUT soUnding aUsTralian?

life is too short. laugh when you can, apologize when you should and let go of what you can’t change.

IF TWITTER AND FACEBOOK WERE SCHOOL SUBJECTS, MY PARENTS WOULD BE SO PROUD OF ME.

I hate it when I don’t forward a chain letter and I die the next day.

That weird awkward run you do when a car lets you cross the street.

five rules of Happiness: 1. don’t Hate 2. don’t worry 3. give more 4. expect Less 5. Live simply.

i Tried sniFFing coke once.... BUT The ice cUBes goT sTUck in my nose.

THE THREE GREAT ESSENTIALS TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING WORTH WHILE ARE, FIRST, HARD WORK; SECOND, STICK-TO-ITIVENESS; THIRD, COMMON SENSE. THOMAS EDISON

and no, we don’t know where it will lead. we just know there’s something much bigger than any of us here.steve jobs

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.Helen Keller

You actually have friends? "Yeah, all 10 seasons on DVD!"

Rebellion against your handicaps gets you nowhere. Self-pity gets you nowhere. One must have the adventurous daring to accept oneself as a bundle of possibilities and undertake the most interesting game in the world -- making the most of one’s best.Harry Emerson Fosdick

everyone has an annoying Friend. iF yoU can’T Think oF one, Then yoU are The annoying Friend.

WHO ELSE IN SCHOOL USED TO DRAW THE SUN IN THE CORNER OF THE PAGE?There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you. The criterion is: Have they brought you inner peace?The Peace Pilgrim

I hate it when people pour my cereal. They don’t know how much I want. They don’t know my life. They don’t know what I’ve been through.

My days are always backwards… I wake up exhausted and I go to bed wide awake.

Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth. Souza

54 www.faceup.ie

we want to hear from youThere are more ways than ever for you to get in touch with us.

* email us You can tinkle the keyboard and email us about anything at info@faceup.ie* write to us If you’re a fan of snail mail and like the traditional way of doing things, you can put pen to paper and write to us at Face up magazine, 75 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. (Smiley faces are optional!)* Find us on Facebook You can join us on Facebook. Post a comment, start a conversation, let us know what you are up to!* Follow us on twitter You can also follow us on twitter @faceupmagazine It’s a great way to keep in touch.* check out our website Of course, there is also our website - www.faceup.ie - where you will also find all the latest about the magazine.we would love to hear from you, whichever way you choose.

stoPPing tHe onLine buLLiesI love the way you talk about real issues affecting teenagers. One topic you need to write more about is online bullying. So many people are using Facebook and the internet to bully and belittle others, and it is doing dreadful harm. Young people are committing suicide because of the abuse they get online, and most parents and teachers are not even aware of what goes on. We need a campaign to raise awareness and Face up could take the lead. I think you should have a column or feature on this issue every month because people need to be reminded constantly of what is happening.D. Smith, via email

Pranks, no tHanksThe feature on pranking was interesting (October 2012). I think pranking can be a lot of fun but it should never go too far. It is very easy to go overboard without even realising it. Before we do anything, we should ask ourselves: how would I like itif that prank was done to me? If I wouldn’t like it done to me, then I shouldn’t do it to anyone else.B. D., Dublin

oVer egging scHooL PranksI think you exaggerated the problem of pranking in your October magazine. The incidents you highlighted were only a tiny minority out of all the pranks that took place during the last school year. You shouldn’t be making such a big deal out of it, and giving teachers excuses to clamp down on students even more. The vast majority of pranks are just a bit of harmless fun.C.C., via email

soccer starYou need to do more features about Premiership football. If you focused especially on Irish players like Shane Long, it would make your magazine a better read.You give too much coverage to minority sports.G. D., Galway

soUnd oFF

LoVing ritaI love Rita Ora. She is a huge talent and so natural. Thanks for putting her on the October cover.Sandra J., Dublin

Clonard Youth Ministry Belfast youthministry@clonard.com www.clonard.com Tel: 028 90 445 950

Redemptorist Youth Ministry

It is important to take time out from our ordinary life to reflect and relax. It is even more important for young people who are at a crossroads in life to have this time away from the stresses and pressures of modern life. A school Retreat provides a perfect opportunity to do this. At the heart of our school Retreat programme is the creation of a welcoming, caring and safe environment that encourages the participation of the all young

people. A wide range of techniques and activities are used to provide an enjoyable and stimulating experience. These include large group activities and games, small discussion groups, role play, music, drama and Para-Liturgies. We explore a range of life issues in an age appropriate manner such as relationships, spirituality and social responsibility in fun and engaging ways.

“Inspired by Jesus Christ,

we engage with young people in exploring faith and life issues,

and journey with them in

discovering their worth, and the

potential to live life in service of

others”

Send to: FACE UP MAGAZINE, Redemptorist Communications, 75 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6. Tel: +3531 4922 488.Fax: +3531 4927 999. Email: info@faceup.ie www.faceup.ieSimply fill in & post this cut-out form with the appropriate subscription fee.

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