Touch Grass is an internet slogan aimed at people who seem like they spend too much time alone on their computer. It means ‘turn off your device for a moment and reconnect with the real world’.  I wholeheartedly support this message. Obviously there are big health benefits to being outside: getting fresh air, exercise, and that good vitamin D. There’s something so healing about warm sunlight on your skin.

I want to talk about something close to my heart. It’s something that has brought me both peace and understanding: spirituality.  Before you roll your eyes and think it's all rainbows and unicorns, it's so much more than that! As a queer individual who's delved deep into the spiritual realms, I've discovered mindfulness is my secret sauce that supports me to connect with the cosmic dance of life.

Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter is a truly unforgettable B-movie. It’s uniquely hilarious, and although its production is clearly home-made, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter is a labour of love. It’s my favourite movie of all time, my mission statement, and the piece of art that speaks most to my feelings around queerness and Christianity.

I have been seeing this guy casually, we’ve hung out sober a couple of times and then asked him if he wanted to get dinner sometime that week. He said, “Oh yeah, maybe,” and then ghosted me. What the fuck. I’m mortified. I feel so fucking stupid, embarrassed, and rejected. How do you handle rejection?

I broke up with my long-term boyfriend a year ago. I know he wasn't the right person for me, and we clashed in so many ways. However, I'm still as emotional about it as I was when we first split, and I miss him so badly. How do I fall out of love with someone and move on? 

I've been going on a date with a new guy every week in Wellington, but I haven't connected with any of them. They’re all disappointing? I'm considering giving up on dating altogether.

I’ve been dealing with the procrastination monster for far too long, and it’s high time to put an end to it. For as long as I can remember, instant noodles, iced coffee, and all-nighters have been my best friends. But that’s no way to live, is it?  I can’t even remember the last time I handed in an assignment with time to spare

People often think of queer defiance as brick throwing, riots, and protests, and they’re not wrong. Throughout our history, it has been the only way to make our voices heard, especially for queer black people, indigenous people, and people of colour. We only need to remember the trans rallies from earlier this year to understand why. Still, as queerness becomes more acceptable and we inch our way to achieving equality, we must adapt to honour the progress made and those who made it happen.

At the risk of revealing how old I actually am, I personally feel like our wellbeing, friendships, relationships, and general vibes would be considerably improved by bringing back mixtapes.

Autistic representation in the media is starting to become more normalised and we love to see it. Not all of it is great representation, but it is designed to strike a chord with viewers and help them to connect with the media. Sam (played by Keir Gilchrist), the central character in Atypical, is autistic, and some of his traits are recognisable even to those who are nuerotypical, such as the headphones Sam wears to soften noises.

I am unsure of my place in the world, both in a physical and mental way. When I first started struggling to fit into an often ableist world, I realised that no one talked about how disabled people can’t exist in a way that makes sense to others. 

Gay people can also be disabled! Shocking, I know. But I did once have someone say “how could you be both?” I am a Multitasking Qween. Sure, we are less common than non-disabled queers, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t here and full of pride.

Spirituality plays a significant role in the Pasifika community. It encompasses the people and cultures of the Pacific Islands. Pasifika spirituality is deeply rooted in our traditional beliefs, practices, and cultural values, often blending indigenous customs with more recently introduced religious influences, such as Christianity.

When you think of Tahiti, you probably imagine beautiful black-sand beaches, ripe and ready coconuts, and smiling women with flowers behind their ears and colourful sarongs wrapped around their waists. This is not the Tahiti I know. 

For this issue, I talked to some of my Pasifika peeps who resided in halls last year about the good, the bad, and all the terrible catering in between. Below are some of their comments on their experiences living in the halls.