Frivolity

I never knew that! With Kettle Health Editor Bekka Chaplin

9 years ago
by Naomi

At Kettle Mag the editors remain hidden away in Kettle towers occupying themselves with ideas, proofing, tweeting and keeping their ears tuned to the latest news. But what do we know about these busy creatures? Here at frivolity over the coming weeks we intend to find out…and this week we check up on our health editor Bekka Chaplin.  

My parents don’t know this about me but…

I hate jelly babies. No, but seriously, if I told you, they’d find out wouldn’t they?

What is your favourite word that rhymes with Kettle?

Metal.

How long after you wake up do you check your phone?

About ten minutes. I used to look at my emails as soon as I woke up, but I realised it was an unhealthy habit that wasn’t helping my mental health, as I’d get really down on myself about everything I needed to do that day. Now I try to give myself a minimum of ten minutes without technology in the morning so I can focus on what really matters and plan out my agenda for the day. Then I check the main news websites and twitter to keep me up to date with current news and events.

Stranded on a desert island you wouldn’t be without…

Practically? A water filtration system. I think I’d be able to survive in that kind of situation, but I get dehydrated easily so a filtration system would be essential if I could only have one thing.

However, if you had everything you needed to survive there already, I’d say a notepad and pen, so I could write about the experience and draw what I saw.

What is the most revolting food you’ve ever eaten?

Leeks and onions cooked together, anyone who has ever lived with me or cooked with me will tell you that I hate leeks and onions, so eating them together was a nightmare for me.

en.wikipedia.org Leeks and onion, pot-au-feu Kettle Mag

Look away now Bekka (I’ve added some carrots and turnips to ease the horror.) Ed.

If you couldn’t edit the Health section for Kettle, which section would you choose?

That’s a tough one, because there are so many good sections! I’d probably say Politics or Social Media as both fascinate me.

Since becoming editor of Health do your friends talk to you more about health issues, either their own, or in general?

My friends and family have always come to me for advice anyway, especially when it comes to mental health, but since I became Health editor the questions have increased (both personal and general) and I’m viewed as more of an expert, than simply someone with an opinion now.

Which friend that you met at uni is likely to be at your 60th birthday party?

My old housemates Ben, Lydia and Sarah. My time at University wasn’t the typical student experience. We made it through some tough times together, which meant that we became incredibly close. They’re more like siblings to me, so I think it’s very likely they’ll be at my 60th birthday, unless they’re in a different country at the time… we all have the travel bug so I’d understand.

Wine or beer?

Wine.

Tea or coffee?

Can I say both? I’m a bit of a coffee addict, so I guess I’d have to say coffee, but I like my herbal teas as well. I drink camomile and green teas quite regularly and every Christmas I try to get my hands on some Whittard’s mulled wine tea.

Cat or dog?

I’ve never been a cat or a dog person, I like both. My family has a dog though so I guess that makes me a dog person by default.

Football or rugby?

Football if I’m playing, rugby if I’m watching.

Junior Drs or Jeremy Hunt?

Junior Drs have my complete support. Hunt’s last name rhymes with an appropriate word in my opinion.

Android or iphone?

I have an iphone, but I hate it. I’ve had so many problems with my phone that I don’t plan to get another one. Plus the updates just take up all your memory. I got an iphone as I’d lost my ipod and needed a new phone at the same time, but due to the updates I don’t have enough room left on my phone for music, so there really was no point in me getting one.

Apart from writing, what other creative talents do you have?

I’ve always been good at art. I love to draw, paint and generally just getting stuck into a new project. I sew as well, although not as well as I’d like. I even made a dress out of crisp packets for an art project I was working on in school once, because I wanted to explore mankind’s effect on the planet and recycling from a unique angle.

I also love photography. I’ve never taken a course in it, but I’ve been obsessed with taking photos from a young age. When I was a kid I’d use up multiple reels of film taking photos of anything I found to be beautiful or interesting, which ranged from flowers and animals I’d found in the back garden, to old buildings and objects in decay. Nowadays, I’m still just as obsessed with it, but I’m more interested in the different ways you can use lighting and special effects to create imagery now.

If you were a punctuation mark, what would you be?

A semi-colon, because I always have more to say and I never give up.

What is your most unappealing habit?

I’ve developed a habit of chewing my pen when I’m thinking about something, which is something that I always found to be quite gross when I was younger.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I’d like to make a difference somehow, whether it’s through my writing or just by being there for those around me. I want to be remembered for having stood up for those who need support or cannot help themselves.

Have you ever volunteered for anything?

I’ve volunteered for a few things before. I abseiled down Ipswich Maternity Block to raise money for Mind and I ran up the stairs of University of Sheffield’s art block to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. I also volunteered in a Cancer Research charity shop until I got my first job at sixteen. I’d like to do something for Shelter next.

Who so far, family or otherwise has influenced you in your life?

No one has really influenced me. My family and friends have always encouraged me to be the best that I can be, but there is no one I want to follow in the footsteps of, so to speak. I’m quite a self-motivated and ambitious individual. To be completely honest, the people who have influenced and inspired me most are the creative types; writers, photographers, artists and entrepreneurs.

Which emoji do you use most frequently?

The monkey covering its mouth like it’s giggling.

What was the last song you listened to on your ipod/phone?

[video:https://youtu.be/8axUpG2472U]

Rich Folks Hoax by Sixto Rodriguez. I’d love to have the original Vinyl though.

What was the last thing you googled?

Switched On London

Do you listen/watch regularly to any health podcasts/programmes?

No, I watch documentaries sometimes, but mainly I just do a lot of reading and my own research.

Do you have a favourite TV Doctor – real or characters?

DR WHO! No I’m kidding, I know he’s not actually a doctor. To be honest I don’t like any real life Doctors that I’ve seen on TV, as I disagree with the advocation of vaping that many provide and few mention Mental Health. I don’t really watch TV in the traditional sense though, as I don’t like the idea of spending the majority of my time sat in front of box watching celebrity big brother or day-time repeats, so I stream the shows I do watch on Netflix, iplayer, etc.

I am a massive Grey’s Anatomy fan though, so my favourite Doctor would have to be either McDreamy or McSteamy.

What is your most over used word or expression?

I use the word ‘awesome’ so much, it’s not awesome anymore.

What keeps you awake at night?

I worry about what’s going on around the world; the safety of refugees, the police brutality in America, the decline of our planet, the homeless, and the political future of our country… things like that.

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