Anvee, Thea, William, Louis and Nathan, the Media editors, introduce themselves through their desert island picks!
Anvee Bhutani, Senior Media Editor
Ideal Daily Routine
Wake up at sunrise, walk on the beach, listen to music all day long while swinging in a hammock, cook myself delicious food
Favourite Way to Relax
Being curled up in a hammock with a good book
Best Part of Being Stuck on a Tropical Island
The amount of time. I’d go back and watch all the movies I’ve been meaning to and read the books that have been on my radar for years
What Would You Miss Most About the Real World?
The people. No amount of content can make up for the quality banter that comes with having loads of people around you.
5 Things You’d Have to Bring With You
Phone, speaker, loads of assorted spices, a notebook with a pen, a ukelele (for the island vibes)
What Content Would You Be Consuming?
Literally everything. But probably I’d be listening to 90s rap music, watching true crime TV shows and mafia movies and reading some good history and philosophy books. And of course, tuning into The Blue Spotlight every Sunday 😉
Thea Drinkall, Media Editor
Ideal Daily Routine
A sporadic and unexpected mix of napping past lunchtime and extreme early rises to see the sun come up (hopefully closely associated with the number of mojitos consumed the night before). Then I would spend the day blasting tunes whilst out on my makeshift raft. I’d float around, bobbing gently on the waves. In an ideal world I would be joined by dolphins, playing in the water around me as the sun sets. And in an absolutely perfect world I would return to the island after my day on the water with nothing close to a pinky glow (tl;dr sunburn doesn’t exist).
Favourite Way to Relax
Bobbing along on those waves, immersed in music, icey gin and tonic in hand.
Best Part of Being Stuck on a Tropical Island
Silence, space and stillness! You’d think after a lockdown I’d be all done with this, but honestly the idea of being stuck on a tropical island just frees my mind from any anxieties. Oh and the amount of time! My reading list wouldn’t know what hit it; a never before seen passion for books I’ve been told (yuck) to read might even emerge with this lack of daily structure.
What Would You Miss Most About the Real World?
My friends. As much as I’d appreciate the “silence, stillness and space” (oh look at me trying to be a mindfulness guru) I’d miss my friends! If the pandemic has taught me one thing, zoom parties are not a replacement for a *non-virtual* pint in the pub.
5 Things You’d Have to Bring With You
The fattest sudoku puzzles book you ever did see, a sodastream (retro I know, but I bloody love sparkling water and equally hate plastic bottles), sushi rice (so I can live out my poke bowl fantasies), a phone with all my music downloaded on it and earphones (music is i m p o r t a n t to my enjoyment of this island).
What Content Would You Be Consuming?
So much music. A daily song for me would have to The Beach Boys Good Vibrations, it just hits differently when surrounded by the ocean. Following the audio trend, I’d also be rabidly consuming podcasts. Some of which being The Missing Cryptoqueen, How to Fail, Grounded, Stephen Fry’s 7 deadly sins (God I love his voice) and… oh so many more, but I’m going to get carried away with podcast recommendations (genuinely hmu if you want some more lol). And of course I can’t forget the brilliant Oxford Blue Spotlight, self-indulgently a favorite of mine!
William Atkinson, Media Editor
Ideal Daily Routine
Once I’d got over the existential terror of being stuck on a desert island, I’d probably live pretty lethargically. I’d get up late, read my book, maybe catch a fish, and then go to bed once the sun has gone down. I use my Fitbit as a watch and it would have probably run out of charge. Not because there isn’t anywhere to charge it, but because it’s a bit crap.
Favourite Way to Relax
Reading my book, or going to the pub, if there is one. I’m assuming there isn’t, though I wouldn’t put it past Wetherspoons.
Best Part of Being Stuck on a Tropical Island
No taxes. Or cheese, as I can’t stand the smell of it. But knowing my luck, I’d get stuck on the only desert island in the world with naturally-occurring camembert.
What Would You Miss Most About the Real World?
Probably the pub, or human company. It would be like lockdown, but sunnier and with more coconuts. I hate coconuts.
5 Things You’d Have to Bring With You
Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Tolstoy’s War and Peace, The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Churchill’s A History of the English-Speaking Peoples and a toothbrush.
What Content Would You Be Consuming?
Books (see above) and real ale if there is a pub (see above). Also, fish (see above). Definitely not cheese or coconuts (see above).
Louis Finegan, Media Editor
Ideal Daily Routine
Wake up before noon, drink coffee and stare blankly into space for a while, get into an argument about politics, then fall asleep.
Favourite Way to Relax
Reading at 4am; something to do with social sciences or a novel.
Best Part of Being Stuck on a Tropical Island
Peace and quiet and I get on well with everyone there.
What Would You Miss Most About the Real World?
I think the fact that everything changes constantly; music, arts, technology, politics and ideas. There’s a lot to keep up with the real world, and on a desert island I think the main thing to come to terms with would be the mundanity. Also The Oxford Blue content.
5 Things You’d Have to Bring With You
A sturdy knife (obviously), a piano/guitar, my laptop, the complete works of Shakespeare and… a friend? No? Well, then one of those 4 litre bottles of vodka, please.
What Content Would You Be Consuming?
My subject would become redundant on a one-person desert island (well, maybe not philosophy), so probably classic fiction. On top of that, Spotify would be a blessing.
Nathan De Giorgi, Media Editor
Ideal Daily Routine
Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy, scranning some chocolate shreddies and then making some spicy media content on the beach.
Favourite Way to Relax
Binging Peep Show on a little makeshift television.
Best Part of Being Stuck on a Tropical Island
Ironically for a member of the media team, being away from social media.
What Would You Miss Most About the Real World?
Dogs, we honestly do not deserve them.
5 Things You’d Have to Bring With You
A can of Salt and Vinegar Pringles, record player and records (don’t know if there are sockets on this island??), pair of aviators, laptop and headphones
What Content Would You Be Consuming?
Some delicious Oxford Blue content, obviously.