Issue 1364

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REDBRICK

5th FEBRUARY 2010 ISSUE 1364 VOL 74

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1936

www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Custard Factory set for a major overhaul

News

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Birmingham students raise over £5000 for Haiti

Film

13

The top ten 'Meetcutes' turn to page 13 for more

Music

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The virtues of living room gigs

Lifestyle

23

An idiots guide to ebay with Charlotte Crowley

Sport

The popular Factory Club is set to be relocated and improved. Photos: Harvey McKeon/Tonightinmycity.com

Helen Crane POPULAR Digbeth nightspot the Factory Club is due for an overhaul.

The developments, which will begin in May of this year, will mean that the current Factory Club setting will no longer host frequent events.

This includes the Medicine Bar and Kitchen areas of the venue.

Instead, these will be located in what is currently Space 2, two sites opposite this area and The Archers, all of which will be redeveloped and improved.

The venue in its present form has been open for 14 years.

It was originally the site of the Bird's Custard factory until 1994 when the company relocated.

The building was derelict until

the first phase of its redevelopment in 1992, which was funded £800,000 by a City Grant Award.

The second phase of this came in 2002, when new media businesses set up at 'Gibb Square' section of the lcomplex.

At present, the venue hosts regular club nights such as the popular 'Stupid Underground'.

These often feature renowned bands and DJ's, and are especially well-attended by Birmingham students.

The Custard Factory also houses various retail outlets and cultural exhibits, and is widely thought of as the centre of Birmingham's creative scene.

There have been rumours that the Custard Factory is closing altogether to make room for more office space, with a Facebook group set up to pro-

test against this. However, the owners of Factory Events are keen to dispel these and maintain that the new development will make things bigger and better.

The new Factory Club will be much larger, with a capacity of up to 2,000 people. It will also boast a state-of the-art lighting system.

Events will still be held at the current location of the Factory Club, but these will not be organised by the Factory Events company.

Steve Carter, promoter for Factory Events who works alongside the owner of the Factory Club, said of the new venue: 'This is the beginning of a new era.'

'This is our own choice; we are much more confident in Space 2 and large, multi-room

events.'

Birmingham students seem to welcome the development, but hope that the new, larger venue retains the individual character of the present one.

Jack Kisby-Carroll, a secondyear History of Art student, said of the plans: 'The venue is the heart and soul of Digbeth. I hope it doesn't lose its character, but the new development could help clean up the club's reputation and maybe provide more opportunities for local artists.'

Second-year English and History of Art student Freya Gosling said: 'The Custard Factory is home to the only emerging cultural scene in Birmingham. They need to keep its authenticity.' - Any thoughts, let us know online at www.redbrickonline.co.uk

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Ben Whitelaw interviews Zena Wooldridge

2 News

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Gay Birmingham

Calendar Strictly Brum Dancing – Friday 5th February Back by popular demand, the Ballroom and Latin Dance Society is proud to present: Strictly Brum Dancing 2010.

Nine campus 'celebrities' partnered with nine society 'professionals' have four weeks, two dances and lots of sequins... Can they handle it? Find out more: http:// www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=247058667846 8pm Avon room, University Centre.

Doug Richard's School for Startups – Monday 8th February University of Birmingham will host Doug Richard, serial entrepreneur and original BBC2 Dragon and the School for Startups team to hold their much esteemed 'Start Here! Starting & Growing a Successful Business' masterclass. Great Hall – 12 noon.

Auction of Promises – Tuesday 9th February Friends of Medecins San Frontieres presents 'An Auction of Promises' on Tuesday 9th February, 7.30pm, at Joe's Bar, The Guild. Free entry..

All proceeds go to the Bham Action for Haiti Appeal and Medecins San Frontieres, who are currently involved in the Haiti Recovery.

Vice-Chancellor's open forum – Tuesday 9th February Your opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to you and your colleagues, with a member of University Executive Board. Cost is free, but registration is essential. Great Hall – 12 noon.

Women's Association Reach Wednesday 10 February 7.30pm Beorma Bar, The Guild.

Out,

Re-launch

–

'The Business of Sport' featuring David Gill, CEO of Manchester United – Thursday 11th February More information: http://www.business.bham.ac.uk/ alumni/events/Gill.shtml 4pm Great Hall.

Picture of the week:

James Williams THROUGHOUT February, the School of Education building will be home to the 'Gay Birmingham Remembered' exhibition.

February is LGBT History Month and to mark the occasion the Birmingham LGBT Community Trust is hosting the special display, documenting Birmingham's gay roots, and how the movement has progressed through recent decades.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in and around Birmingham is now flourishing, and compared to how it fared through the 1970s and 80s, the movement has come a long way.

The exhibition explores this transition through images, testimonies and archive material from the last 60 years.

The influence of both local individuals and organisations that brought about social and cultural change is analysed. Sections of the displays include a 'Portrait of Gay Birmingham', an explanation of 'How Bir-

Iconic satellite demolished

mingham got its Pride' and a map of 'Gay meeting places in the 1980s'.

Additionally looked at are the problems with HIV and AIDS which affected the city and also the struggle for equality 'through into the new millennium'.

'This exhibit is a fitting tribute to the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ equality' – Matt Ward Advice is given for those who are struggling to come out, and also firsthand testimonies given from those who have been victims of homophobic bullying.

Matt Ward, the Guild's LBGTQ officer, reacted positively; 'This exhibition is a fitting tribute to the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ equality, whilst it also appreciates the freedoms we enjoy today following the sacrifices made by our community in the past.'

Birmingham's Gay Pride this year takes place over the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th May.

Glen Moutrie Jemima Forrester THE proposed reconstruction of the Gisbert Kapp building and the demolition of its distinctive satellite commenced this week.

Many staff and students will have noticed that the once upright satellite has now been collapsed in preparation for its permanent removal.

The proposed redevelopment has caused sadness at the loss of such an iconic feature of the university landscape and frustration at the future disruption to lectures and seminars.

The building has been a university landmark since 1973 and symbolises this era in the University's history.

It houses the Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering departments and was named after the university's first professor of electrical engineering.

It can been seen from around Selly Oak and also from the Vale Village and many students expressed

distress at its destruction.

'It's such a shame' said Naomi Dixon, a third year electronic engineering student, 'You could see the satellite along with the clock tower from my house on Harbourne Lane. I liked being able to point it out to people and say, “that's my building''' The construction work, which commenced this week, has already been disturbing lectures with incessant noise.

Mark Harrison from Clegg Construction Company outlined the proposed work, which will be undertaken over the next three months.

The renovations involve putting scaffolding around the building, which will allow for all the windows to be removed and replaced..

This will be performed in four phases over seven weeks starting next month.

The upcoming work will lead to room closures but the company aims to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Winners of Redbrick writers workshop

Peter Griffith Campus 30/01/10

Send your pictures of the week to pow@redbrickonline.co.uk

4 News

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Birmingham students raise over £5000 for the Haiti relief effort Caroline Mortimer AS reported in Redbrick two weeks ago, the 'Bham Action for Haiti' campaign was set up to organise events to raise money for the disaster relief.

The figure raised, as of 3rd February, is a staggering £5,000 with more money yet to be counted.

Events throughout the week of 25-29th January including a bake sale, numerous musical and dramatic shows in the evening as well as buskers and bucket shakers on campus during the day.

On 12th January, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 scaled earthquake whose epicentre was near to the country's capital Port-auPrince.

So far, the number of fatalities is said to have reached 200,000 people with 1.5 million more being made homeless.

The money raised by University of Birmingham students will go to the DEC, Disaster Emergency Committee, which is an umbrella organisation for

13 leading charities such as the British Red Cross, Christian Aid and Oxfam.

This will go towards providing emergency relief for the Haitian people, which includes measures such as providing tents, food and clean water to an approximate two million people.

£5,000 raised by UoB students Up to 200,000 fatalities Up to 1.5 million homeless The UN estimates that a third of the population of Port-au-Prince will be reliant on this relief for several months and that 75 percent of the capital will have to be rebuilt.

Edmond Mulet told the BBC on Friday that the recovery could take decades.

Haitian people are reportedly attempting to flee to the neighbouring Turk & Caicos Islands in an attempt to escape the destruction.

Students at the Bham Action for Haiti meeting last week Photo: Lucy Percival

Birmingham Liberal candidate disgraced Matt Davies THE prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for Ladywood has been at the heart of an astonishing political scandal.

Barrister Ayoub Khan has revealed that he organised the secret recording of a conversa-

tion between political competitor Mohammed Afzal and one of his own cousins.

In a scandal reminiscent of Richard Nixon's notorious Watergate episode, Councillor Khan has admitted to 'bugging' his Labour rival.

He professes that he initiated clandestine

Ayoub Khan Photo: Birmingham Mail

undercover work in an attempt to save his career, after a court ruled he had been deceptive whilst under oath.

Cllr. Khan has been in the limelight throughout the last couple of years, since beginning a smear campaign against Cllr.

Afzal.

The Liberal Democrat claimed that Cllr. Afzal's followers incinerated a Range Rover owned by a party supporter.

Cllr. Khan also cited that his cousin Mohammed Banaris was subjected to menacing behavior from Cllr. Afzal, in an endeavor to prevent a court testimony relating to the burnt car.

The surveillance operation was concocted after Election Commissioner Timothy Straker QC found Cllr. Khan to had made 'unwarranted accusations.'

Commissioner Straker concluded the April 2008 court stating the 'sordid story' as an effort to tar-

nish the reputation of the Labour councilor.

Timothy Straker also declared Coun Afzal innocent of calumniating the reputation of Aston Liberal Democrat candidate Saeed Aemed.

The result of this ruling has caused Cllr. Khan to fall under the scrutiny of the Bar Standards Board.

The Ladywood candidate proposes to use his hour-long recording that took place between trio Mohammed Banaris, Labour councilor Mohammed Idree and Cllr.

Afzal. Cllr. Khan acknowledges he may struggle to use the tape in court, but believes the recording possesses evidence of Cllr. Afzal's felony.

Whilst a Liberal Democrat inquiry cleared Cllr. Khan of any malpractice, Labour take a different view. City Council Labour leader Sir Albert Bore has demanded Nick Clegg 'takes immediate action' against Cllr. Khan.

MEP talks civil rights Thomas Farrar LABOUR politician Michael Cashman has visited the University to voice his opinion on civil rights.

Cashman has been a member of the European parliament since 1999, representing the West Midlands, which he refers to as the 'heart of England.'

The talk, which took place on the evening of Friday 29th January, was informal and relaxed.

Despite Michael being perched on a table at the end of what one can only assume had been a tiresome week, students were clearly engaged by his charisma.

Initially expressing his devout zeal for the labour party, Cashman's approach was predominantly centralised around government policy towards sexual orientation.

Having registered a civil partnership in 2006,

his dynamism for equal rights for same-sex couples and equal age of consent illustrates Labours progressive policy making.

The talk swiftly developed into a Q&A, chiefly consumed with a debate concerning the Burka and France's recent policy change, as a 'secular state', fining anyone whose face is fully covered in public.

Opinions towards the economy and the deficit were also discussed when Cashman stated his belief in investing our way out of recession and interestingly undermined deficit concerns by insightfully claiming that it was only 15 years ago we paid off debt from the Napoleonic wars.

The underlying message was expressed through his concern for the imminent election, urging that Labour should start speaking what they feel and not what they ought to say.

News

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Clegg down with the youth Anna Brown LAST week it was announced that Nick Clegg, MP of Sheffield Hallam and leader of the Liberal Democrats, is to connect with younger voters through an announcement on the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, as well as through YouTube.

5,000 Clegg's friends on facebook According to Clegg's aides, he has the maximum number of friends allowed on Facebook at 5,000, and he is followed on Twitter by 6,800 people.

Clegg will send out his new policy on youth training in a bid to gain votes from young people struggling to find work.

Numbers of these are estimated to be at around 90,000.

He said that: 'Many young people feel cheated by this recession and let down by politicians.

Facebook, YouTube and Twitter play just as impor-

tant a role as TV or newspapers in their lives.

Politicians can't ignore new and social media if they want to connect with the next generation of voters.'

His policy, launched to reach the younger generation, will see help given to any young person who has been claiming jobseekers' allowance for more than three months.

This help would include a way into training, jobs or an internship.

If these three options proved fruitless, the jobseeker would then be fast-tracked on a welfareto-work programme as part of his flexible new deal.

This is seen as a direct hit on the Government's scheme to refer a young person to training after twelve months of claiming benefits.

This announcement comes after Clegg scaled back his party's plans to scrap tuition fees, as part of some £18bn worth of spending commitments that he revoked last week.

No more late-night fastfood at Mr Egg Edwina Moorhouse MR EGG, the iconic greasy café and local haunt for Brummies, has lost its late night refreshment licence following what Licensing Committee Chairman Nigel Dawkins called a 'serious violent incident.'

The revoking of the licence came after a private hearing between the café's proprietors and the committee following the late night disturbance of 29th November. This 'disturbance' resulted in thirteen people being injured after being sprayed with concentrated vinegar.

The late night refresh-

ment licence permitted the serving of hot food between 11pm and 4am, but as a result of losing this licence, food service will end at 11pm, with a significant reduction in business expected.

The November incident was well publicised, with reports of one victim of the vinegar burns seeking hospital treatment and the subsequent arrest of a 38-year-old man, assumed to be a member of staff.

Police who had been dealing with the matter, raised concerned with Environmental Health inspectors who issued an emergency probation notice and closed the

premises under Food Hygiene Regulations.

Owners and licence holders Rahman Mahbubur and Abdul Rahman were unsuccessful in their attempts to have the licensing hearing adjourned, and the license has been revoked from 16th February onwards with 21 days to appeal.

Policeman Abdool Rohoman, commented: 'Our licensing department will always work in partnership with licensed premises in Birmingham,' adding that they would, 'always take strong and robust action against premises that cause crime and disorder and jeopardise public safety.'

Midlands NHS facing millions in cuts NEW concerns have emerged over the future of the National Health Service in the Midlands over the next few years.

With the Department of Health hoping to have saved £15-20 billion in total by 2014, £2.4 million cuts have been proposed.

Primary Care Trusts (PCT's) have been told that they have to reduce spending, meaning that operations, mental health care and emergency care may well suffer as a result.

NHS West Midlands finance chief Paul Taylor stated: 'The coming year is pivotal for the NHS, we must act now for the medium to long-term future.'

However, former surgeon Dick Rodgers, aged 62 from Northfield isn't so sure: 'This amount is going to be devastating for patient care and will really take its toll on the NHS.'

PCTs have to cut back by 3.5 per cent despite the fact that prices are rising by the same amount, and are now struggling to achieve it.

They will also have to hand over one percent of funds to a 'reserve pot' being held by the health authority which comes to a total of £84 million.

New rules this year state that A & E treatment and operations will have to be limited since hospitals will only be paid for the same number of

News Briefs Anna Brown

TICKET MACHINE SPEAKS GERMAN IT EMERGED last week that a ticket dispensing machine, operating in a car park near The Mailbox in Birmingham city centre, speaks German to confused customers. The machine gives all instructions in English until the car park becomes full, when it switches to German.

A council spokesman said: 'Maybe the machine got confused', blaming a change in software in December when the city hosted the Frankfurt Christmas market.

Not so many years ago, visitors to Birmingham's Big Wheel, nicknamed 'the Brum Eye,' were confused to hear a French commentary about Paris.

Until the problem is rectified, there is a notice pinned to the machine explaining the situation, and staff are on hand to translate.

CADBURY WORKERS PROTEST AGAINST SALE

Mr Egg finally loses its late license. Photo: Lucy Percival

Jennifer Anderson

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patients as seen in 20082009.

If more patients than this are seen then the hospitals will only be able to claim back 30 per cent of the cost.

There are also concerns that departments will be merged to help reduce costs moreover.

This comes after the city council have been told they need to improve their service following the CAA audit report for this year.

Hospitals facing budget cuts. Photo: Lucy Percival

Local man a terror suspect Kate Mansell A MAN from Birmingham has been arrested under the Terrorism Act, police have confirmed.

30-year-old Ahmed Faraz from the Sparkhill area of the city was taken into custody on 26th January on suspicion of holding material likely to be of use to a terrorist and of distributing terrorist publications. He will be remanded in custody until 2nd March.

The discovery of the material came as his home in Sparkhill was being searched by counter-terrorism police.

Another property in King's Heath was also searched in connection with the suspected offence, along with an additional location in Sparkbrook.

'This arrest comes as a result of a long, detailed and ongoing enquiry,' said Detective Superintendent Kenny Bell, head of investigations at the West Midlands

Police Counter Terrorism Unit.

'The operation was carried out by unarmed officers in a way intended to cause the minimum amount of disruption for those in the immediate vicinity.'

Officers also took away computer equipment from the Sparkhill property for forensic analysis.

The British Government raised its terrorism threat level to 'severe' last Friday, four days after the arrest.

The decision means security services now consider an attack to be 'highly likely', but the government has emphasized that it has no information to suggest an imminent attack.

Mr Faraz appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court for the offences on Tuesday, but a verdict is yet to be reached.

OVER 100 Cadbury workers travelled to the House of Commons in order to protest against the sale of the company to American confectionery giant Kraft.

The workers made the journey to London from the Bournville factory on Wednesday in a final attempt to lobby MP's over the takeover bid.

Many MPs and Unionists have argued that measures need to be taken in the future to protect iconic British companies from foreign takeovers.

Some have even suggested that a 'Cadbury's Law' could be passed to protect further takeovers.

FRANK SKINNER SAYS NO TO RE-RELEASING FAMOUS FOOTY SONG FUNNY Brummie Frank Skinner has said that he and David Baddiel will not be re-releasing 'Three Lions On a Shirt' as England's unofficial 2010 Football World Cup song.

The famous comedian said: 'I don't think you cant get any more blood out of that particular stone. I don't think you can keep releasing it and releasing it. It would be wrong to do that and also it's tied to 1996, which I think was a very special period.'

However Skinner has said he may still be open to recording a new song.

6 News

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Graduate jobs on the rise Catrin Shi VACANCIES among graduate employers are on the rise, particularly in the investment banking sector, new research has shown.

According to High Fliers Research, graduate recruitment levels have increased across the board by 11.8 per cent.

Although recruitment dropped in investment banks by half last year, targets have been set to increase intake by onethird on last year.

11.8% The amount by which graduate opportunities in banking have risen The way into banking is often paved by an internship, which in itself is regarded as a 10-week interview.

'Internships are very important in the industry in general,' says Malcolm Horton, global head of recruiting and programmes at Nomura investment bank. 'Joining banking is a huge commitment both personally and profes-

sionally. We need to know that applicants are committed.'

According to Mike Hill, chief executive of Graduate Prospects, there is a negative public perception of the industry, with many graduates believing that there are no jobs available in the banking sector. Investment banks are however not expected to have any trouble filling their places – the ratio of applicants to jobs this year at Nomura were 20 to one.

According to the High Fliers Research report the average starting salary for an investment banker is around £38,000, making the banking sector one of the most highly rewarded sectors in the job market.

Banks say the key to a successful application is careful preparation and practice, as well as an excellent CV – but that's not all.

'One of the most important things we look for is the ability to sell yourself,' says Horton. 'We see a lot of people with great CVs but, when it comes to the interview, they cannot bring this to life.'

Supermarket giant Tesco bans the 'just got out of bed' look Helen Clough TESCO, the notoriously big business that people love to hate, has taken a stand in one of its Cardiff stores by banning people from wearing nightwear and insisting that they wear shoes so as 'to avoid causing offence and

STUDENTS in Oxford last week have braved the wind, rain and snow, some sleeping in tents for up to 38 hours throughout the night, to secure the best housing.

The estate agency, North Oxford Property Services, create this hype by releasing available houses in the best areas at 9am on a set date and working on a first come first served basis.

This results in students being forced to queue for hours and potentially panic sign contracts in order to get themselves the perfect house.

The estate agent even shows videos of previous years' queues and has a clock counting down the time to the release on their website, adding to the pressure for house hunters.

This means students make rush decisions.

Second year student, Laura Clegg said: 'You end up making a decision on where to live based on two sentences and a

thumbnail photo of a front door.'

Students also have to pay £135 per person in administration fees to the company.

This is a stark contrast to Selly Oak, where landlords are falling over themselves to recommend their houses to us.

You only had to step into the housing fair to be offered chocolates, sweets and alcohol galore.

House hunting in Birmingham is thankfully much more relaxed, with many of us plumping for knocking on random

the supermarket wearing your pink, teddy bear patterned, baggy on the bum and slightly too short from too many washes pyjamas?

Elaine Carmody, 24, a regular at the Cardiff supermarket and without the excuse of living a shameless student life would, justifying her

attire by saying, 'I've got lovely pairs of pyjamas.'

She described the ban as 'ridiculous' and 'pathetic,' threatening to take her custom to a more accepting establishment.

So, do University of Birmingham students agree with the ban, or do they proudly wear their pyjamas in public?

Do Birmingham students back the ban? Redbrick decided to find out....

Catherine Burgess

Grace Chapple

Shane McNeill

Laura Styles

Second year History

Second year English and Creative Writing

Second year War Studies

Second year Medicine

Although I'd obviously never do it myself I think people should be able to dress how they want. Especially students; slumming it is what uni's all about.'

'I did it once. It's so easy and comfy but I felt like a complete idiot. I'd never do it again, the looks you get just aren't worth it!'

'I completely agree with the ban. It's lazy and disgusting and shows you haven't showered. I don't want to be walking around a food shop with people like that!'

Oxford students camp out for top housing Helen Clough

embarrassment to others.'

This might seem obvious to most people but as students we generally have a more relaxed view on dress, with pyjama clad freshers a common sight wandering through the Vale.

But would you take it that step further and visit

doors, begging for a look around the house from the current tenants.

If you are still looking for a house there is no need to panic, houses remain available in Selly Oak and the surrounding area right through the year.

Students should never feel pressured into signing anything without looking around the property, talking to the current tenants and having the contract checked over by the ARC in the Guild.

Students are also advised to negotiate on price.

Camping out for a house. Photo: Lucy Percival

'People walking around in pyjamas just look like tramps. Bring back style!'

Reports on widening access contradictory James Green CONFLICTING messages have emerged this week regarding Labour's success in combating social inequality.

The Governmentcommissioned Hills report claims that the chasm separating the richest and poorest segments of society is the same today as the 1980s.

'The chasm separating the richest and poorest segments of society is the same today as the 1980s', says the Hills Report The report – and Gordon Brown – apportion significant responsibility to the Tory governments who presided over the huge rise in unemployment and social divisions during that decade.

Yet it also intimates that Labour have failed in their efforts to reverse the trend, despite a repeatedly stated commitment to increasing social mobility and devel-

oping a meritocracy.

The average household wealth of the richest 10 per cent currently stands at £853,000 – almost 100 times higher than the figure for the poorest 10 per cent.

However, as the Prime Minister steels himself for the class warfare that traditionally precedes elections – which found recent expression in his jibes aimed at David Cameron and George Osborne's Eton education – he may find a measure of solace in the findings of a study by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

They reveal that children from the most disadvantaged areas of the country are now 50 per cent more likely to go to university than they were 15 years ago.

The report praises Labour's increased funding for schools and education, and suggests – perhaps controversially – that increased fees have not deterred poorer students from embarking on degree programmes.

Several institutions have implemented spe-

cific schemes which aim to improve access to higher education among areas of 'low participation.'

Birmingham's 'Access to Birmingham' programme is tasked with raising awareness and aspirations in such neighbourhoods, as well as recruiting potential students.

50% Increase in disadvantaged students at university in the last 15 years, according to a HEFCE study Since its inception in 2000 it has supported over 800 people who have gone on to gain a place at the University.

The news came against a backdrop of concern over access to universities in the immediate future.

Peter Mandelson recently having announced that almost £1 billion must be cut from the higher education budget over the next three years.

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REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Features

Comment

Haiti's fate

This was not a natural disaster, says Jonathan Gilbert.

The humanitarian crisis currently faced by the people of Haiti is the result of systematic failures by the rest of the world to answer their cries for help AS Haiti makes its first tentative steps towards complete reconstruction, ever-increasing volumes of foreign aid, in the form of both resources and personnel, continue to arrive at its shores. The Caribbean nation has been almost obliterated by an earthquake of truly devastating effect. Mother Nature has, once again let it be known that we are but temporary occupants of her majestic world.

Yet if one delves a little deeper, past the tectonic plates which form Hispaniola's EnriquilloPlantain Garden fault zone, it becomes clear that the current fate of the Haitian people is not the product of an unstoppable and unpredictable natural force, but of the negligence of their human counterparts. The natural disaster in Haiti is, more accurately, the human disaster in Haiti.

The former Spanish and French colony is the poorest country of the Americas, and of the entire Western Hemisphere.

The figures to the right are conclusive. Whilst the Los Angeles Times' assertion that 'not even a developed country could completely withstand such a powerful temblor' holds truth, the Haitian tragedy is almost entirely the result of its underdeveloped, broken state – a culmination of economic, political and land management causes.

Insatiable corruption has been the crippling factor for Haiti's economy.

During the 70s and 80s, President Jean-Claude Duvalier is reported to have siphoned off $500 million of public funds whilst populist Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who held power on two separate occasions, has been accused of embezzlement and of encouraging Haiti's drug trade. Politicians' personal fortunes and the needs of their people are almost always mutually exclusive. Haiti's population has been devastated by neglect.

However, it is the international community that must bear the brunt of criticism. The role of G20, the UN, the World Bank and the governments of developed nations who have contributed to foreign aid needs, once again, to be called into serious question. The developed world's efforts to effectively deal with the Haitian crisis are commendable but belated.

buildings and 225,000 residences have collapsed or been severely damaged since the earthquake shook Haiti over three weeks ago, reports the New York Times.

The unregulated agricultural sector has contributed to deforestation and soil erosion, which has left Haiti prone to flooding. In 2004, Hurricane Jeanne caused widespread floods and 3,006

80% population lived below the poverty line before the earthquake

40% have access to healthcare 90% children suffer from waterborne (WHO)

diseases/internal parasites

The people of Haiti never benefitted from substantial foreign aid.

Debt repayments to the World Bank and the IMF made large-scale investment in the country impossible.

Furthermore, despite sitting on an active fault line, the infrastructure of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, was inadequately equipped to deal with sudden seismic activity. 20,000 commercial

(WHO)

deaths, and the multitude of storms which hit in the latter half of 2008 left 800,000 Haitians in need of humanitarian aid. This was Haiti's last scream for help to which the international community, and its flawed policies, never responded.

The present-day disaster in Haiti smacks of the negligence to which the world bore witness when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans five years

7

ago. Former University of Birmingham Environmental Governance lecturer James Evans stated that there was 'nothing natural' about the New Orleans disaster.

Economic inequalities and the sidelining of environmental management programmes provided the context for destruction, and former President Bush's claims that, 'no one could have foreseen such a disaster' were untrue.

The American government was remiss before Hurricane Katrina and, disgracefully, in its aftermath, when the habitants of the superpower's fifth most impoverished state were insulted by a halfhearted relief effort. 'The storm hits, capitalism preserves its profits and humanity drowns,' was Evans' summary of the Katrina-induced flooding.

New Orleans was the classic case of environmental injustice. A goal which will be achieved when 'everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards,' environmental justice emerged in the USA during the 1980s.

Today, in the globalised world, American-led international institutions have been deficient in ensuring justice for all nations.

The Haitian earthquake was the bullet leaving the gun's barrel, but the hand which pulled the trigger was undoubtedly human, not seismic. Yet, in what is referred to in academia as the 'ecology of fear', mankind has, once again, shifted the blame onto nature. The failures of global capitalism now have a devastated human front, not just a collapsed financial one.

Humanity's role in Haiti must not be hidden.

Unequal global-power relations have made the forgotten corners of Earth unjustly vulnerable to abrupt climatic and environmental events and left Haiti with little chance of avoiding its present tragic circumstances.

Clocking Off Features Editorial

Is it healthy to long for a better body? Jude Hill talks us through his opinions I AM sitting in my room in Selly Oak with the music blaring loudly to drown out the noise coming from the living room. The noise that I am trying to block out is the excessive shouting from my housemate, and the inane drivel of football commentators talking about the Crystal Palace versus Wolves match. This is a stereotypical male programme.

In complete reverse of this, I walked into a house in Bournbrook Road last night, the home of five girls, and what was on the television? A programme about female celebrities having unhealthy eating habits. How very stereotypical.

This got me thinking about how gendered body-envy stereotypes work, and how they have changed throughout the years. I can vouch for this change in the obsession with how one's body looks. Up until about three months ago, the concept of a diet and more exercise was totally alien to me.

That was until I, unfortunately, saw an unflattering photo of myself. I am now on a quest to do 20,000 press-ups before March; I refuse to eat anything fried and will not touch more than a single chocolate bar every couple of days.

Why have I changed and why am I striving for the perfect body? I think that it comes down to media perception. I look around and I see Cristiano Ronaldo plastered across various advertising boards wearing little more than a smile and a tiny piece of cloth. This does not affect my perception of myself, but I feel other people are now judging me. I do not want to be seen as some slob, permanently seen at the pub, whose form of

exercise consists of rolling off the sofa to pick up the Xbox controller that is slightly out of my reach.

Any guy can look around and see perfect male specimens. You have women saying, 'oh, but I like a bit of meat on my man,' and then a second later drooling onto your shoulder as she stares at a picture of a semi-naked David Beckham. I now understand the problems that women have always complained about with size zero models.

But the reason these people are on these posters is because they are the exception. Are these posters something to make us seem inferior specimens? Perhaps not.

Unlike the Kate Moss, Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham body shapes that many women long for, the male equivalent is different. There are concerns from all parts of society about the drastic dieting measures that women go to for skinny bodies. This is not so for men. The men that we all adhere to be are the men who clearly are in peak physical condition. Athletes such as David Beckham do not diet to get the body that we all long for, they must exercise and lead a very healthy lifestyle in order to attain the muscular physique that I long for.

They are role models that need to be looked up to, not just for their devotion to health and proper exercise. So maybe rather than simply looking at Cristiano Ronaldo's perfectly sculpted chest and Paul Sackie's six pack and saying, 'I can never achieve that,' it is time for us men to stop wishing and start doing.

8 Comment & Features

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Working girl

How near are we to complete sexual equality in the workplace? The efforts of both the Government and the University of Birmingham are scrutinised by Stephanie Harvey. Is fair pay fair play?

Graphic by Tom Walters THE Government Equalities Office (GEO) says its vision is 'a fair and equal society for all.' How close is this to the truth? A prospect once deemed impossible, it appears that women and the issue of sexual equality has improved in recent years; yet there are still improvements to be made for the future.

The GEO is the first department of its kind, created in 2007 and responsible for equalities legislation in the UK. Its practical aim is to reduce discrimination and 'integrate gender equality in all government policy.'

It states its principles as necessary not only to have a society based on equality and fairness, which is important for societal cohesiveness, but vital for a competitive economy to function properly as it must draw on all talents and abilities.

If it is blinkered by prejudice the economy will suffer, to the current amount of losses at £29 billion based on government research. In 2009 the Hon. Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality expressed her views on equality, views that are being developed through the implementation of various schemes and policies: 'Fairness and equality are the hallmarks of a modern and confident society.'

The Government's priorities on women's equality are outlined as follows: they are working to support women and families who care for children and relatives, tackle violence against women and the treatment of women of-

fenders, and to increase representation of Black Asian and minority ethnic women. And how is it faring? According to the report released in 2009, significant improvements have been enforced in the two-year period since its arrival. 'Strong and stable families are the linchpin of society,' according to the report. Families, among other things, receive increase in budgets through improvements to tax credits and benefit from extended rights to flexible working and childcare arrangements.

This is making it easier for women to manage a career and a family at the same time.

There have also been improved and more coordinated approaches to all forms of violence towards women, reducing incidents and offering more support when it does occur. This has been in particular directed towards the fight against sexual exploitation: prostitution, trafficking, and forced marriages and 'honour crimes'. Whilst still too low, the figures of rape convictions since 1997 have risen from a figure of around 500 to nearly 800 (2007). But the government estimates that as many as 95 per cent of rapes are never reported to the police at all. Of the rapes that were reported from 2007 to 2008, only 6.5 per cent resulted in a conviction, compared with 34 per cent of criminal cases in general. The majority of convictions for rape resulted from an admission of guilt by the defendant, whereas less

than one quarter of all those charged with rape were convicted following a successful trial.

Finally, the introduction of the Equality Bill has been the driving mechanism to the introduction of several schemes to better representation of women in underrepresented groups, ensuring women have a bigger say in public life and can bring home issues concerning the community that would otherwise remain unaddressed.

However, equal pay is still a debatable issue.

The widest pay gap exists in the skilled trades, the narrowest in professional occupations. According to government statistics for 2009, women are earning 16.4 per cent less than men’s full time pay, although these figures are down from 2008. However, the Guardian documented in 2007 findings provided by HESA, the Higher Education Statistic Agency which followed 25,000 graduates. It revealed a pay gap of £1,000 on average between men and women's earnings up to three years after graduation – 'men are significantly more likely to go into high paid jobs' – after three years, 40 per cent of men earn over £25,000 a year versus only 26 per cent of women, countering the popular argument that the only reason women earn less is due to their decision to start families.

It is within the finance sector that the greatest pay gap is revealed. Despite making up equal proportions, women earn on average 55 per cent less,

with men receiving five times the performance pay (or bonuses) of women, averaging at £14,554, to women's £2,875. Most significantly, the inquiry revealed no improvements have been made to address this discrepancy.

But it seems that sexual inequality in the work force has generally been reduced since the introduction of the Equal Pay Act in 1970. This made it unlawful for employers to discriminate between men and women in pay and conditions when doing the same or similar work: at this point women earned on average 37 per cent less than men. Warren Farrell, an American author and sociologist who has carried out extensive and very detailed research on the earnings of men and women, has concluded that men do earn on average more than women but this is because they take on harder or more risky, stressful jobs, and when this was not the case they earned the same amount. But ultimately he concludes that it was down to the choices men and women make. As Edwina Moorhouse, President of the University of Birmingham's Women Association, suggests, 'the greatest opponents to sexual equality can be women themselves. Women must realise they are just as capable as men, and must continue to realise their full potential and not being what the media or traditional stereotypes tells them they must be.'

And so the time has come...

We are looking for a new features editor, if you think you might be interested or you would like more information, please email us at features@redbrickonline.co.uk Emails need to be in by next week so we can prepare for interviews.

In Brief

Rethinking the recession Martin Theaker THIS week finally brought some cheerful news, with the announcement that we're finally out of a recession. The last eighteen months of very serious men standing in front of charts resembling the cliffs of Dover are over.

But before everyone gets too excited, what does this mean for students in the next couple of months?

The first thing is to be realistic, and students graduating this year are still going to find it tough to get their careers going immediately. It might be worth taking a temporary job, staying at university a little longer or having that gap year you never took in Sixth Form. Most industries are going to take time to recover confidence and re-open their recruitment schemes, especially as many are still fearing the famous 'double dip'. 0.1 per cent growth in the last quarter shows about as much industrial

muscle as a piece of soggy tissue and the future is still far from certain.

This being true, it's probably as good a time as any to try and get your finances as straight as possible, particularly when it comes to paying off student loans. Also, be aware that graduate loan schemes can often have quite high interest rates and don't be too hopeful of gaining course funding due to the huge cutbacks in university budgets this year.

12.5%

The current unemployment rates Even though the general message here is not to count your chickens just yet, the economic corner has probably been turned and better times seem to be on the horizon. The trick for those about to leave university will be to use the time waiting for a career to start profitably.

The value of international students Alex Marullo TWO years ago the University of Birmingham received 5,125 international students, representing 18 per cent of its total intake – a significant proportion. International students contribute billions of pounds each year to the British economy, both in fees paid and in money spent off-campus. Ultimately, their presence on UK campuses is essential if the high standard of further education for which the UK is renowned is to be maintained.

In 2007 to 2008, UK universities received £1.88bn in fees paid by students coming from outside the EU, compared to £1.76bn in government grants. In light of this it is hardly surprising that international students are crucial to the success of British universities.

Non-EU students on the whole pay three times more than home students, meaning that they effectively subsidise the education of their British counterparts.

The university does offer additional support to its international students; however, is it

enough? Maria, a second year International Relations student from the Dominican Republic, said that the university had offered her activities designed to help her integrate into life in the UK, as well as free English classes. However, the lack of more focused help with assignments put her at a disadvantage

18% The proportion

of international students in the University's yearly intake academically.

Mohammed, a first year chemical engineering student from Saudi Arabia, said that for the most part he was happy with how the university had treated him, but complained about the lack of space in the library.

It seems that by and large international students are treated well.

However, increasing global competition, coupled with the possible cuts in government funding in the near future means that more must be done to keep them coming.

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Comment & Features

Hung, drawn and quartered?

9

A hung parliament could be a viable outcome of the next general election, says Ed Paton-Williams AT some point before June 2010, Britain is to become an electoral battleground.

Political parties will be campaigning for our votes at a general election, with voters potentially being swayed by issues such as the economy and the MPs' expenses scandal. However, this election may be historic for the most unexpected of reasons.

In Britain, one party usually gains a majority of the seats in Parliament, meaning they do not need the support of the opposition parties to make laws.

However all this might change after the upcoming election. For the first time since the 1970s, there is a strong possibility that no single party will gain overall control at Westminster, resulting in what is known as a hung parliament. The likely outcome would be that either the Conservatives or Labour would form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, working together to make laws and run the country. The most recent opinion polls show a narrowing in the Conservatives' lead over Labour, from around 20 per cent in early 2008 to 7-8 per cent today. Analysts

Could Nick Clegg be the deciding factor in this year's election? suggest that if these polls are vindicated on election day, the largest party will be the Conservatives but they will not gain over half the seats; a huge deviation from nearly every other general election result in British history.

Many are wary of such an outcome, fearing instability in Parliament due to a weak coalition

government with no clear legitimacy to rule. Unlike most politicians who have avoided the issue, Eric Pickles, the Conservative party chairman, went as far as saying in an interview with the Reuters news agency that a hung parliament 'would be hideous,' adding 'it wouldn't last very long.'

Do we really need to be

so suspicious of a coalition government? Coalition governments have functioned well in the devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales. Similar success has been seen in Ireland, Germany and Austria, Italy, New Zealand and the Nordic and Benelux countries. Except for Italy, none of these countries has suffered political instability due to coalition government.

In Germany, a country whose history has been punctuated by internal conflict, coalition government has led to a series of stable, consensus-based governments with smooth transition between administrations.

So rather than leading to disharmony, coalition governments could bring cooperation to British politics. Politicians would be forced to move beyond their tribalist conflict and the unproductive, confrontational politics which dominate Westminster. As Peter Kerr, a Lecturer in Politics at the University of Birmingham says, 'the major political parties are exceptionally close to each other in ideological terms and the chances of a coalition government

working are much better today than in the past.'

Despite these ideological similarities, parties do all they can to foster discord amongst themselves. A hung parliament and the resulting coalition government would unquestion-

bour received only 37 per cent of votes at the 2005 general election but won 55 per cent of the seats.

In contrast, a coalition government is more likely have collectively received a majority of votes. That must surely be a more

'Politicians would be forced to move beyond their tribalist conflict and the unproductive, confrontational politics which dominate Westminster'

ably help revitalise this tired culture of dispute and conflict.

Some claim that it would be highly undemocratic if the Liberal Democrats were to decide whether to form a government with the Conservatives or Labour despite winning the fewest seats of the three parties. I am no Liberal Democrat but the contrary is true. Due to Britain's disproportional electoral system, La-

democratic way of running Britain.

Whether coalition governments are preferable or not, politicians must stop avoiding questions on the matter and begin preparing for a hung parliament and coalition building. It would be inexcusable if the huge potential of coalition government were weakened due to politicians ignoring its high likelihood.

The presidential media circus As the world reviews Obama's first year in office, Phil Hughes questions the fairness of the responses PRESIDENT Obama is a 'racist' with a 'deep seated hatred of white people'at least, he is according to Glenn Beck, one of the most outspoken commentators for Fox News.

Of course, most people see that trying to portray Obama (who is half white) as a racist is ridiculous

and it epitomizes some of the more extreme rhetoric he faced during his first months as President.

However, as Obama reaches his first anniversary in office, it is clear that he faces a storm of negative publicity like never before. Where once it was confined to his most

Has the pressure put on Obama meant that he cannot live up to pre-election hype?

dogmatic and extreme opponents, anti-Obama sentiment is now appearing in the more moderate US media.

When Barack Obama was officially inaugurated as President of the United States just over a year ago, he seemed to be riding into office on a wave of positive press. I was in America at the time and Obama's image and message was as electrically popular as it was pervasive; he had a hold on the national consciousness in a way that's hard to imagine in post-Blair British politics. There was a sense of euphoria and optimism in American society and his image in the media was one of confident and charismatic eloquence as he roused a nation with promises of change from the Bush era.

One year on, he finds himself in a far more cynical environment. In 2010, the headlines are more likely to read 'disappointment' and 'frustration' rather than 'hope' and 'change'. There is no doubt that support for Obama amongst the general public has dropped, from 67 per cent approval

rating just after entering office to around 49 per cent today (Rasmussen). As if to emphasise his declining popularity amongst the public and the media, the day before the anniversary of his inauguration the Democrats suffered a humiliating de-

backlash that has boiled over in the last fortnight has been building for some time. Fox News in particular has been an outspoken critic of Obama across the board, on issues including health care, the economy and the War on Terror.

Often this has been hy-

'The President is a "radical", "fascist", "Marxist", "socialist" or "communist" - all accusations variously made against Obama on Fox News'

feat in the Massachusetts Senate race. After Republican Scott Brown took the seat that had belonged to 'liberal lion' Ted Kennedy until his recent death, the President himself was forced to admit to ABC News that 'the same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office‌people are angry and they are frustrated'.

Indeed, the media

perbolic and amounted to empty claims that the President is a 'radical', 'fascist', 'Marxist', 'socialist' or 'communist' - all accusations variously made against Obama on Fox News. However exaggerated their reporting has been, there is little doubt that Fox has given a voice to the concerns of many Americans and deserves much of the credit for the

recent swing in opinion against the Democratic Party. As a result, America is more divided politically than it has been for over a decade, with 88 per cent of Democrats and just 23 per cent of Republicans believing that Obama is doing a good job at the end of his first year in office (Gallup).

Whilst he is lambasted on the right for interfering too much, his supporters on the left are arguing that he simply hasn't done enough. The New York Times for example argued that 'a year later‌ the hope and hubris have given way to the daily grind of governance', and emphasised overall that progress has been 'slow' to non-existent on key issues, such as economic recovery, the introduction of a new health care bill, and the delay in closing Guantanamo Bay. Obama's first year anniversary is therefore one which he will be hoping to forget, as he looks to reinvigorate his image in the media as a strong, unifying President and recapture the 'Yes We Can' zeitgeist of the 2008 election.

10 Comment & Features

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Should drinking be a game?

Drinking games: peer pressure or just a bit of fun? Tom Lane looks into the popular student activity IN some countries denying the Holocaust is an imprisonable offence. In others it is a useful technique to avoid having to down a disgusting pint. Holocaust denial, you see, is a highly celebrated and rare moment in that exponentially expanding juggernaut, the Hitler Drinking Game, by which the player in possession of the two of spades – the 'Hitler card' – is exempt from drinking the contents of a communal beer glass, known as 'the Holocaust', thereby denying it.

You may not have heard about the Hitler Drinking Game, but let me assure you, you soon will.

The media rather foolishly kicked up a storm when it got wind of the Facebook group; the creators were expelled from Huddersfield University but lauded on the internet, and since then the game's popularity has gone through the roof.

It hasn't been a good month of publicity for drinking games. In January the Government announced that licensed premises would no longer be allowed to organise

Peer Pressure or purely for pleasure? Photo: Jude Hill 'dentist's chair' activities, involving the squirting of spirits directly into mouths. Never mind that the dentist's chair has rarely been seen since 1996, the message is clear: getting drunk should not be a sport.

Reports often focus on drinking games within universities, perhaps for two reasons; first, because they are such a pillar of our culture; and secondly, commentators believe that we are young and impressionable. With

the latter point no doubt in mind, one doctor, Sarah Jarvis, interviewed by Sky News, is quoted as saying: 'There's peer pressure, and the more you drink the more successful you are. You want to please people and be one of the

crowd, especially if you are a student that's just arrived at university.'

Does this really ring true? Possibly, in the very first few weeks of university, a naive student may be at risk of learning an unfortunate morning-after lesson. Equally, however, experts may ignore the fact that most eighteenyear-olds have already had years of alcohol experience and choose to drink lots because, far from craving 'success', they find it to be quite fun.

Peer pressure was an irrelevant issue to most of the Freshers I spoke to about drinking games.

Far more burning an issue was boredom. 'We used to play Ring of Fire in my flat as pre-drinks for every night out,' Katherine, a first-year in Tennis Courts, said, 'but it just stopped being fun. We got to the stage when it was like, ok, so we've got to keep on naming types of bird, have we? And then we just gave up, so now we have to talk to each other instead.'

But are there not instances of social pressure applied on unwilling par-

ticipants? Dave, a Mason Hall resident, seemed unsure. 'Last term there was a game of Touch The Cup when a guy was forced to down of mixture of Lambrini and Absinthe. You could tell he was pretty reluctant, and he didn't smile much for the rest of the night. I guess if we didn't have drinking games people would just find other ways to push each other around.'

With regard to the accusations of poor taste launched at games such as Hitler and Punch in The Face (where players must propose toasts, often to obscenely inappropriate people or events, or risk being hit) a balanced view is harder to reach.

As with downing a dirty pint, no-one should be made to ironically revere fascism against their will, but given this country's long history of treating dictatorships as a source of amusement, it is hard to escape the feeling that Huddersfield University made a gross misjudgement by expelling the Hitler Game's inventors.

iPad... ...iFailed

Technology:

James Ferretti asks how beneficial the iPad will be to everybody

Jude Hill looks at rotten apples

AFTER years of speculation, hoaxes and anticipation on the 28th of January 2010 Apple announced their latest product aiming to revolutionise and take the mobile electronics world by storm, just as the iPod has done for nearly a decade.

Their 10 inch touch screen device is just half an inch thick and looks like a huge iPhone and the similarities don't end with the way the device looks.

The menu system is heavily based on the iPhone's intuitive interface and the iPad can also use all 140,000 Apps in Apple's App Store, so you can run all your favourite iPhone apps on it from day 1, albeit warped to fit the larger screen. It also has direct access to iTunes over WiFi for downloading music on the go and a new feature, iBooks, for downloading novels to read on the iPad or iPhone, which Apple hopes will shake up the ebook market, currently dominated by Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader.

All these of course are just auxiliary features to what Apple sees as the tablet's main uses; an enjoyable mobile web brows-

APPLE has become a household name in the past 10 years, bringing us the Ipod, the Iphone, Macbooks, Imacs and countless other technological feats combining practicality and beauty.

They have not however always been the gadget fiend's wet dream. The mid 90s were not a good time for apple. Although they did have some success, it pails in comparison to that found after 2000.

The following are some of the failed gadgets that Apple have tried to force down our throats in the past. There is no chance of walking into a room and finding that 90 percent of the occupants have these products glued to their palms.

Will the Ipad just be a larger Iphone? ing, e-mail experience and HD video playback. The iPad's browser again resembles the iPhone's and the boss of Apple, Steve Jobs, says it is 'better than a laptop, way better than a phone. You can turn it any way you want. To see the whole page is phenomenal.' With access to youtube and movies from the iTunes store, it is also a very capable video playback device with up to 10

hours battery of constant video watching.

However despite all these features is the iPad really going to work as a useful device? To begin with, why put an operating system (menus etc.) designed for a phone and therefore limited in capability on a device this size. It would have made more sense to run a light version of Mac OSX rather than an enhanced version

of the iPhone's system, which will not allow you to have multiple programs running at once (e.g. a text document and the internet), or support Adobe flash for online games and videos (on any site other than youtube).

Starting at $499 (£310 – although it will likely cost more than this when it arrives) with only 16GB of memory the device isn't cheap either and if you want the additional mobile 3G internet it will cost you an extra $130.00 (£80) plus a monthly subscription. For this much you could afford a netbook (small laptop) that was more powerful with windows 7 installed.

Tablet PCs have been in existence for many years, running fully fledged versions of Windows XP and yet have never really taken off in the way Apple hopes that the iPad will, however with their stylish advertising and bespoken, sexy design they will no doubt be able to capture an economically viable audience for this device.

For more articles like this take a look at our online technlogy section.

The Apple Walt Apples first real venture into mobile communications saw the apple W.A.L.T (Wizzy Active Lifestyle Telephone). It was designed in conjunction with Bellsouth communications, and was designed to be a portable communications device.

It could even send and re-

ceive faxes!

Discontinued in: 1993 The Apple Penlite This would have almost been the precursor to the Ipad. Described as a 'flatscreen tablet'. It had a stylus to type messages and access features. It hit the heady heights of being able to run floppy disks.

The project was cancelled in 1994 after Apple introduced the Newton which was seen as another pen driven tablet device.

Discontinued: 1994 Apple interactive television Originally made in conjunction with BT, the interactive TV box was designed to give viewers the chance to have interactive television, something that in the mid 90s had never been heard of. After having a trial of 2,500 homes in the UK, as well as trials in Belgium and in five states in America the idea was shelved after it became obvious that it was not commercially viable.

Discontinued:1995

Film

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Opening Credits

Film of the Week

11

Sandra Heng hops up to the mark for The Princess and the Frog

Alex Jacques Rosie Willmot THIS week it's all about comebacks. In the sporting world the big news is hotly anticipated return of Michael Schumacher, the world's greatest living driver has decided he's no good at riding bikes, playing golf or being the Stig. For all the hype the big question is will it work? At 41 is he simply too old to compete with the new breed of driver that appeared in his absence?

The same can be asked of our film of the week: Can Disney's 2D animation, compete for cinema goers attention after the rise of Pixar and 3D? It's been a decade since Disney tried a 2D cinematic release, due to general film genius John Lasserter's input 2D can be expected on a far more regular basis and be hon-

est wouldn't you rather put that old VHS of the Jungle Book on rather than pay another extortion price for yet another lacklustre 3D film? Aside from that there's a forgotten super hero film, the final in our series of Lovely Bones coverage, there's also the latest reviews and some brand new information for your brain in ever brilliant Film News.

Finally there was a rather small gathering of press in LA this Tuesday, to reveal the Oscar nominations, and having had a quick glance it appears Redbrick Film has brought you interviews with quite a few of the nominee's.

Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, George Clooney, Jason Reitman and Carey Mulligan have all stopped to have a chat directly to us, just thought we’d drop that in there.

Enjoy the section and its filmy goodness.

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Bruno Campos Rating: U Finally! Walt Disney's return to their timeless hand-drawn fairytale musicals. Set in the jazzy city of New Orleans and the humming bayou surrounding, Disney injects new vibes into their classic stories. Picking up on the popular tale of a princess kissing a frog and finding her dream prince, Disney twists this story to make the princess turn into a frog as well.

Welcome to the slimy

world of an amphibian, but actually, 'It's not slime, it's mucus!' Add Randy Newman’s perfect jazz and blues music into the background of the 1900s, this makes for one memorable feel-good movie.

Our heroine is Tiana, a pretty but poor young girl, working two jobs to fulfill her daddy's dream and buy her own restaurant. Our prince is Naveen of Maldonia (we're not even sure that country exists) who's just been cut off by his parents for being a good-for-nothing and is out hunting for a rich girlfriend. Naveen is transformed into a frog

by the evil Dr. Facilier; but I'm afraid the adorable voodoo dolls which come to life with his magic simply kill the terror-factor.

The prince convinces Tiana to kiss him, she too turns into a frog and they escape into the bayou.

There they befriend a human-wannabe alligator, Louis, and a hopeless-romantic of a firefly, Ray, (in spite of the apparently questionable choice in character names, these two turn out to be absolutely loveable). Together the band searches for Mama Odie, who gives them advice to undo the curse. As the two frogs

learn the difference between what they want and what they need (which is to fall in love) the audience gets lots of laughs and melodrama.

Disney revives their colourful and lively musicals; expect dancing flamingos to cover the screen as a 91 year-old blind witch leads a jazz grove. The firefly family's fireworks display also adds to the glamour of being a frog living in a swamp. In-keeping with the times though, this fairytale ends with an actual wedding, but no mention of happily-everafter.

Verdict Sadly, there aren't any songs that make this movie stand out (remember Aladdin's A Whole New World fame?), so other than the comedy and attractive animation, this is another Princess Franchise to add to Disney's collection. With the addition of Eskimos, Malays, Peruvians and Amazonians, Disney might just conquer the world.

12 Film

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Film News

The Lovely Bones Matt Davis and Michael Brownlee bring us a glowing review of the film, out 19th February

Izzy Sanders This week we take a look at a few films that may have slipped off your radar somewhere between Sherlock Holmes and Iron Man II (curse you RDjr)!

This reviewer is exceptionally excited by the trailer for Legion (release date 5th March): angels with guns, zombie grandmas and Paul Bettany's dulcet English tones set against a back drop of apocalypse. It has been met with mixed responses but looks like a laugh.

Another film that has caught my eye this week is called I Love You Philip Morris (17th March), apparently based on the true story of con man Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) who falls for the titular Philip (Ewan McGregor) in prison, and goes to extreme and twisting lengths to keep them together. A basic enough plot, but has enough faith in Carrey and McGregor's abilities to character act,

this looks to be a sweet, quirky little film.

But if you prefer viking sociopaths to gun toting angels, or the romantic trysts of fellons, then Valhalla Rising (19th March) may be right for you. A straightforward hack-and-slash story of blood and vikings with the typical religious undertones.

However Nicholas Winding Refn (director of the infamous Bronson) promises everything one expects from a gritty viking gore-fest, as the viking leader 'One Eye' says, 'I slice open stomachs, bite out throats and get up to lots of gruesomeness.' Lovely.

Finally, after checking the credentials of director David Slade (30 Days of Night, Hard Candy), one must assume that in his version of Twilight: Eclipse, either Edward realises what a mistake he's made with his life and tears Bella's throat out, or she chops his cock off.

Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg Cert: 12A 'My name is Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie.

I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.'

The Lovely Bones is a production trembling with emotional poignancy from the outset. Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) is a 14-year-old girl, brutally raped and murdered by neighbourhood paedophile George Harvey (Stanley Tucci) in his underground slaughterhouse. Susie is preserved in an in-between world gazing down upon her fractured family who seem unable to heal wounds left smouldering by the sickening incident.

Immortalised in a mystical world, she witnesses her family members grow up and experience the luxuries of life that she will never enjoy. Mr. Harvey's actions cause mother (Rachel Weisz) and dad (Mark Wahlberg) to tumble from a perfect family to one splintered

and disintegrated.

In adapting Alice Sebold's highly praised novel, Jackson and his special effects team faced the daunting task of portraying the afterlife on screen. After two years of post-production the result is visually picturesque, although CGI often hinders the portrayal of the Salmon tragedy. It would be unfair to condemn Jackson's screen interpretation of the novel, but in some cases he pointlessly flaunts his technical talent. Jackson's breathtaking representations of the after-life repeatedly serve as a distraction for the nail biting audience, who await the continuation of gritty drama. Using a consistent execution of stunning visuals, the viewer can honestly question whether this is a cinematic canvas or a harrowing drama.

The Lovely Bones is still a remarkable piece of work. Susie is portrayed as the typical schoolgirl with teenage passions and family spats underlining her innocent character.

Walsh and Jackson coordinate the murder of Susie

shortly after highlighting her teenage normality and though the abduction of a young girl is inevitably harrowing, it is the initial character development of the girl that crucially sores the viewer's conscious. The audience is provided with interesting connotations between the spiritual and real world, and Jackson thoughtfully delivers an insight into the dark content of happy families disrupted by the existence of wicked humanity.

Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) is magnificent in this film and as the protagonist she cradles the film with a formidable ambience. The best

performance of the film comes from Stanley Tucci.

His characterisation of the reclusive paedophile Mr. Harvey is both chilling and petrifying, in the sense that his depiction of the demonic persona is genuine, a character portrayal that should burden all adult viewers.

Verdict

Brilliantly adapted and powerfully acted. Despite the CGI's occasional interference with the storytelling, The Lovely Bones deserves to be rewarded in Oscar season.

Reviews PRECIOUS

Jack Brumby Director: Lee Daniels Cast: Mo'Nique, Gabourey Sadibe Cert:15 Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.

Bit of a mouthful that, but ignore the title and what you have left is an intelligent and emotional film about surviving domestic abuse. Precious is a story about humans at their best and their basest, and it is a story that has struck a chord winning awards and box office success.

Precious is a sixteen year old obese black girl living in Harlem, 1987.

She is abused by her mother, and pregnant by her (now absent) father

Edge oF Darkness

for the second time. She is poorly educated and often uncommunicative.

She has flashbacks of her father raping her, which she keeps at bay with daydreams of dancing on TV in a beautiful dress.

The ability to see Precious' flights of fancy and memories of abuse puts you right next to her, experiencing her existence. The daydreams jar desperately with the claustrophobic reality of life with her mum in a flat, curtains drawn. The daydreams show us a personality that is horribly oppressed.

Precious' strength sticks in the mind and infuses the film with an essential sense of optimism. She overcomes her obstacles with the help of well-realised supporting

characters.

Gabourey Sidibe embodies Precious, and Mo'Nique gives a towering performance as the fearsome and bitter mother. The scene of her confession will be one of the most powerful of any film this year.

Lee Daniels, as a first time director manages to create a vibrant and powerful film, though at times the cutting of scenes and pacing of developments can be surprising. Strong performances from the cast overshadow any minor technical issues.

Precious resonates on an emotional level and deserves to be seen.

Sam Jansen Director:Martin Campbell Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone Cert: 15 This remake of '80s TV mini-series Edge of Darkness is an attempt to modernise the film noir style by injecting it with a plot straight from a Tom Clancy novel.

Unsurprisingly, this attempt is about as successful as trying to make a cake by throwing the ingredients at a wall whilst standing in the nude and making caveman noises.

The film begins with cop Thomas Craven (Gibson) meeting his visiting daughter, Emma, at

the airport. The happy reunion is short-lived, however, as Emma is shot dead on the front porch of Craven's house by unknown assailants that very evening. The assumption is that Craven himself was the real target, but as he digs deeper into his daughter's life, he finds himself drawn into a mass political conspiracy, the consequences of which could bring the world to the brink of chaos…

Edge of Darkness' storyline is, to say the least, convoluted. Whilst the course from plot-point to plot-point is fairly easygoing, each new nugget of information is noticeably more far-fetched than the last, and the concluding scenes completely undermine the rest of the film.

Gibson performs the role of grieved-yet-vengeful father competently, though this is to be expected – it is hardly a challenging part for him.

Ray Winstone takes a turn as a CIA agent-cum-Socrates, popping up every now and again to offer some words of wisdom and/or to shoot someone, without really adding anything to the story.

In short, Edge of Darkness is akin to a tower of building blocks, precariously stacked and eventually kicked out from the bottom – a disappointment.

Film

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

13

Justified Existence

Silverscreen

Kate Davies tries to prove that Jason Statham has more to offer than the average mortal.

Genevieve Taylor on the forgotten classic 90s film Mystery Men

Jason Statham is a name that everyone should be, but sadly are not, familiar with. He is fast becoming a big name, synonymous with high octane, explosive action films.

Following a career as an Olympic diver turned model, Statham was plucked by Guy Ritchie to star in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. His role demonstrated his acting talent and propelled him into a career with roles in films such as Snatch, The Italian Job, and in The Transporter franchise where he takes the leading role. But essentially there is only one word needed to justify 'The Stath' and that is – Crank. It is a myriad of

Once upon a time there was a spoof which was actually good, a movie in which Eddie Izzard played an evil disco henchman and Ben Stiller a wannabe superhero whose power was 'being angry'. This movie: Mystery Men. A cult gem of 1999, the film follows a band of friends with a simple goal: to become like the ultimate superhero (Greg Kinnear's sarcastically titled Captain Amazing), and save the world from the evil Casanova Frankenstein. Our team of protagonists are a starry bunch, featuring Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, The Simpsons' Hank Azaria, comedienne Janeane Garofalo and the

ingenious, ludicrous sequences that ejaculate blood and bullets and pummel the viewer with non-stop tongue in cheek action; and Jason Statham is the only man capable of carrying such a film. It has everything a good action film should have – drugs, guns, car chases, gangsters and sex in the middle of Chinatown. Yes the plot tends to be forgotten, and yes it is hilariously stupid but that's what makes it so good. It further proved Statham's ability to star as the leading man, and gave him ample opportunity to show off his martial arts expertise, whilst also being very fun to watch.

Statham comes across

as a likeable down-toearth star, who exudes an implacable presence on screen; he is the everyday action hero. You can't help but feel that if he were American everyone would be singing his praises. It seems Statham is the only purely action star Britain has to offer, he is in essence a national treasure yet is sorely under-appreciated in his own country. Pumped full of testosterone he is appealing to both sexes emanating both charisma and sex appeal and is successfully flying the flag for Britain in the action genre – one that the Americans undoubtedly dominate.

latter half of 90s doubleact Kenan and Kel. They're aided in an example of inspired casting, by the magnificent Tom Waits' mad scientist. The opposition is headed by Geoffrey Rush's epic overacting and the many factions of stereotypical villainy including Suits, Rappers, Disco Boys, the all-female Susies and the Frat Boys, including, in a ridiculous and legendary cameo, Michael Bay. With such a comedic cast and being largely adlibbed it's unsurprising that the film is hilarious.

Rife with one-liners and witty interchanges it never misses a laugh. The team's powers for example are a farcical take on

traditional superpowers, Hank Azaria's Blue Raja (who incidentally wears green) throws forks at his enemies while 'The Spleen' utilises his god-given talent for flatulence, spouting the catchphrase 'pull my finger' at every opportunity.

Featuring some of the best performances its principal cast has produced (including Mr Stiller) this movie feels surprisingly unique. It's heartfelt and entertaining, before-its-time and brilliant and it's hard to believe that Mystery Men didn’t achieve box office success, but now with a surge in superhero movie popularity, it's well worth a watch.

Top Ten: 'Meet-cutes' Completely lost at what on earth this means? So are we. In our second week of shameless girliness, Emma Andrews explains..

10

9

THE meet-cute originated from screwball comedies and romcoms. But it's used in any film that incorporates a spot of romance! This little convention warms our hearts/makes us cringe.

Two characters meet, there are sparks and their destinies are set.

8. His Girl Friday

10. The Holiday Multiple meet-cutes for multiple romances. The best: Iris meets retired script writer, Arthur.

Though they don’t end up together romantically, Arthur indirectly allows Iris’ real meet-cute with Miles to come to fruition.

Smiles all round.

9. Avatar Jake Sulley, in avatar form, meets his life-saver, Neytiri, next in line to be 'shaman'. Boy saved by girl in this topical and tropical action-filled meet-cute.

8

7

7.Brokeback

and kebabs whilst the reserved Julia Roberts carries on with her life.

She leaves, he's dazed… and then he spills orange juice all over her bosom in a 'star-crossed' collision… comical and sweet.

Mountain

4.

A fairly nondescript meeting: two men hired to herd sheep together.

Simple and effective: the right place at the right time.

Summer

Walter never fell out of love with his ex-wife Hildy; a reuniting meetcute full of lingering sexual tension.

6. Spiderman A rather tragic first meet-cute. Parker, the outcast in high school, boards the bus only to fall flat on his face in front of Mary Jane, love of his life. Bless.

5. Notting Hill The awkward and loveable Hugh Grant rambles on about Turkey

6

500

Days

of

An Indie romcom with a twist. There's a happy ending but it's not the one you expect. The film is based around an 'antimeet-cute': Summer and Tom meet but only he falls in love. The conventional 'happy' meetcute doesn’t occur until the end when Tom meets Autumn...

3. Dirty Dancing Across a sea of erotically-charged teens, innocent Baby sees the 'time of her life' man, Johnny, owning the dance floor.

5

He’s hot. She carried a watermelon. Need I say more?

2. Casablanca.

Rick and Ilsa are reunited in the occupied Casablanca. As Time Goes By plays, an angry Rick comes charging in to be stopped in his tracks when their eyes lock. A classic film with a classic meet-cute: it's all in the eyes.

1.

Breakfast

3

at

Tiffany’s A sleepy Holly (Audrey Hepburn), beautiful and strange, meets her new neighbour, Paul. A meetcute to make you smile.

It’s not love at first sight, at least not for Holly, and yet we know this will be the man that changes her.

4

2

1

M A E T R E C I OFF S N O I T C E EL

!

N E P O W O N S N O I T A E S O NOMIN L C S N O I T A NOMIN nd February @ 10am 2 2 y a Mond

The Guild Officer Team leads the Guild of Students and works to represent and support students within the University of Birmingham. There are 7 full time and 10 part time positions up for election, which cover a wide range of areas and remits. Being a Guild Officer gives you the chance to directly improve the lives of Birmingham students while gaining valuable new skills and experience.

If you’re interested in standing for a position in the forthcoming elections, or want to find out more about what the Guild Officer Team does, visit the elections webpage at:

www.guildofstudents.com/elections or email: elections@guild.bham.ac.uk democracy

16 Editorial

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

REDBRICK EDITORIAL

Please send all letters to letters@redbrickonline.co.uk. Letters/emails for publication must be marked 'for publication' and include your name and course title. Letters without these details will not be published. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Privacy or role model?

Jessica Tarrant Should John Terry lose his captaincy?

Well, I don't claim to have the best football knowledge (as my house mates will reiterate) and therefore don't feel particularly equipped to make a correctly informed decision on the matter. But what I do want to question, within this highly debated issue, is the fine line between public and private spheres. Or perhaps more specifically, professional and public. Surely in his position as the captain of the England football team, John Terry has indirectly agreed to uphold a certain degree of moral standards in order to serve as an ambassador for his country and also as a role model to thousands. He not only represents England, but also holds a certain amount of representation for the sport as a whole on an international level. At what point did we decide to drag his sordid affair into the public domain and make it a question to be debated in Heat magazine? Perhaps that is another media-related question altogether.

However, I would be very much surprised if his England contract didn't include some kind of clause designed to deter inappropriate behaviour that could damage the reputation of the team.

Whilst I didn't want my first editorial to be a football or a Facebook comment piece, I was shocked to hear that students from Huddersfield University were recently expelled for publicising a drinking game; a particularly offensive, Holocaust denying drinking game (see our Feature on page 10). Don't get me wrong, I entirely condemn the game itself and the entire premise behind it,

Letters but it hadn't automatically occurred to me that their actions on Facebook could, or would, affect their place at university. But of course, we too are ambassadors of an institution; we also signed a contract agreeing to certain codes of conduct on how to behave. The actions of these boys were widely reported in the national press and they were defined, as I have described them in this article, by their status as 'students of Huddersfield University'. Therefore, haven't the University also got a right to punish the actions of their students accordingly.

At which point along this blurry line does John Terry's private life affect his game? Aside from the relationship with his teammates, I don't think it does. Just as the boys from Huddersfield University's group on Facebook did not affect their ability to study at the University. However, by entering into a contract with the University, by entering into his contract for England, both parties took on a public responsibility to their institution. Their shady moral judgements took them on a pathway whereby the matter went beyond a freedom of speech and directly brought their institutions into a state of disrepute. I strongly argue that they should step up and take responsibility for their actions, and urge you as students to consider your responsibility to our University and to the privilege of higher education in general. We have all signed that contract. And John, to borrow the words of one kind of hero to another, 'With great power comes great responsibility'.

Auf wiedersehen It is with great sadness that this week we say goodbye to our beloved Arts Editor Jess Kim. Her Redbrick career has spanned throughout 50 issues as a writer, pictures Editor, Editor and finally Arts Editor. Her dedication to Redbrick, her unfaltering wit and her irreplacable presence in the office will be long-remembered and sorely missed. We wish her all the best in her degree and for her career. With love and best wishes from everyone at Redbrick.

Photographers needed

Dear Editor, I write following your front page article last week 'BUCU reports 200 job cuts'.

The Union's commentary contained some inaccuracies which the University would like to correct as it is important that students have a complete picture of this issue.

There have been a series of public announcements recently, from Lord Mandleson and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), outlining significant reductions in funding to universities. In response, many UK universities are making swinging and immediate cuts in order to survive.

Birmingham is not in the same position.

We are making long-term plans which will enable the University to emerge from the economic recession financially independent and academically strengthened.

The Sustainable Excellence document, referred to in your article, identifies alternative means of generating funds which will be invested to secure the reputation of Birmingham degrees, enhance the educational experience of our students, confirm Birmingham research as amongst the most respected in our sector and secure the University's position as a globally leading university.

The Colleges identified a series of proposals that would both increase the University's earned income and reduce costs over the course of a three year period. Staff are aware that the scale of the cost savings proposed would equate to a reduction in the number of posts of approximately 200 by 2012/13, but this would be offset by new posts. The University currently employs close to 6,000 people.

The University has not taken the potential impact of these plans lightly. The

view of the Unions was reported to University Council members and the student Council members provided the student perspective, so that decisions made were in light of the full range of opinion on campus. Council was strongly supportive of the proposals, recognising that to thrive in a challenging environment, the University must take clear-sighted decisions. As soon as the document was approved by Council, it was made available to all staff, in its totality, on the staff webpages. Staff comment was welcomed via a dedicated email address.

Progress is already being made. Before Christmas, the University Executive Board agreed £6.4 million of investments in existing areas of academic strength, including additional funding to further enhance the educational experience of our students. This is in addition to the significant investment already made in facilities across campus, including the £16m new Music and Performance building in Chancellor's Court.

As outlined in our recent financial forecast to HEFCE, when the University achieves the targets outlined in Sustainable Excellence, the number of staff will rise by close to 100 by the end of 2012/13. These are difficult times for UK higher education and we are not underestimating the challenge that Birmingham faces.

We believe that Sustainable Excellence will play a part in establishing Birmingham as a prestigious university. That is not arrogance. That is ambition.

Yours faithfully, Lee Sanders Registrar and Secretary University of Birmingham

Redbrick & Resexec first year housing survey We are running a survey to discover what first years think about a range of issues, from halls through to crime.

Redbrick is in need of new photographers – no experience is required (although you will need your own camera) Meetings are at 11.30 on Fridays in Student Development – for more information please email chiefphotographer@redbrickonline.co.uk

Just visit www.redbrickonline.co.uk and look for the survey link on the right hand side of the page. – It will only take 5 minutes Remember, if you want to be in with a chance of winning an Apple iPad, then you need to fill in your University email address at the end.

(You must be a first year to be eligible to take part and win)

Editor Nick Petrie Deputy Editors Jessica Tarrant Nadine Baldwick Online Editor Pete Blakemore Treasurer Rosie Aggett Pictures Editor Thomas Walters Chief Photographer Lucy Percival

l.percival@redbrickonline.co.uk

Multimedia Editor Dan Southall

News Editors Ned Murray Helen Crane Samuel Lear news@redbrickonline.co.uk

Music Editors Erica Vernon Alex Spencer music@redbrickonline.co.uk

Features Editors Laura Hewitt Jude Hill features@redbrickonline.co.uk

Arts & Culture Editors Jess Kim Sam Langtree Sian Gray arts@redbrickonline.co.uk

Lifestyle Editors Jessica Geary Alex Beard lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk

Television Editors Natalie Timmins Joseph McGrath tv@redbrickonline.co.uk

Film Editors Alex Jacques Rosie Willmot film@redbrickonline.co.uk

Travel Editor James Bunting travel@redbrickonline.co.uk Sport Editors Tom Clarke Ben Whitelaw

Simon Hall sport@redbrickonline.co.uk

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Copyright (C) Redbrick 2009

Editorial Assistants Jonathon Gilbert Anna Reynolds Victoria Shires Natasha Williams Copy Editors Felix Rehren (head) Kate Ashley Sian Evans Rebecca Gresley-Jones Emily Haseldine Rachael Hewison Harriet O'Brien Alex Smith Ingrid Matts

Redbrick strives to uphold the NUJ Code of Conduct. The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.

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Arts & Culture

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

17

Photography

Art

Twiggy: A Life in Photogaphs @ The National Portait Gallery, London

A profile on visiting artist and established legend in the world of Album covers, Lemi Ghariokwu

Chloe Hayward

Caitlin Pearson

Having just closed Beatles to Bowie, a chronological exhibition of swinging London, The National Portrait Gallery is a haven of retro photographic icons this month. Previously unseen portraits of The Beatles in their early career, donning geeky smiles and crooked teeth, reveal the Liverpudlian teenage lads on the cusp of becoming the biggest pop group of the century.

The names Bailey, Donovan and Beaton will be synonymous with avid fans of photography from this era, but the exhibition is full of rare shots by lesser known photographers and stunning portraits of The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix in their heyday, reeking of the strong stench of cool. However, do not fear if you missed this injection of sixties hipness as the gallery’s latest exhibition is sure to quench your thirst for memorabilia celebrating the decade.

Twiggy: A Life in Photographs, marks the sixtieth birthday of the famous model and documents the progression of the elfin teenager into a twentieth century icon.

Last week, the Centre of West African Studies (CWAS) was lucky enough to play host to one of Africa’s pioneering designers, Lemi Ghariokwu. Best known for designing album covers for Afrobeat star Fela Kuti, Lemi has worked as an artist and designer in Nigeria and abroad for many years.

Perhaps one of his most recognisable works is the cover for Fela's 1976 album Yellow Fever, which Lemi explained by talking about the title song and how it addresses the trend of skin bleaching in Nigeria. Fela's lyrics tell how the inferiority complex that lies behind this phenomenon cannot be solved by expensive bleaching creams, but is one more deeply rooted.

In the role of a cover designer, Lemi sees himself as trying to express the message of the song. His designs are supplementary rather than complimentary, they are able to stand on their own and Lemi sees this as the marker of his success.

It was special to hear of Lemi's relationship with the legend that is Fela Kuti, in which Lemi saw himself as a son, an

Damn Twiggy! You're so fine...

Yes, Twiggy was pretty famous before the M & S adverts and extremely beautiful, often referred to as having 'the face of an angel.' The exhibition highlights her otherworldly grace through wellknown black and white portraits of ‘the twig’ in the tiniest of miniskirts and less familiar images of her in soft focus with eighties hair and lip-gloss laden lips.

A true style chameleon, the exhibition shows the influence of the skinny model on past trends

and the transcendence of this girlish charm to current fashion. Girls strolling around the gallery, study the pictures whilst fluttering their clumpy, mascara laden eyelashes, emulating the style of the model showing just how iconic Twiggyness still is today.

Exhibition closes 21st March 2010, Entrance Free.

For more information go to www.npa.org.uk

advisor and a comrade in arms. Lemi shared many of Fela's political views, particularly his pan-Africanism. Lemi's more recent work is markedly different in style and larger in scale, but maintains a powerful articulation of his political views, dealing with issues such as border control and child soldiers. He terms this work as 'Afro-pop art' and one of the most striking recent pieces is E-mindcipation, where Lemi has superimposed Barack Obama's image on the classic drawing of an Atlantic slave ship. Lemi's message is 'set your mind free, express your culture and be conscious'.

It is refreshing to see an artist who is so excited to share their own work

with others, open about both their process and the reception they have received. He describes himself as 'free' from formal artistic training and believes that this has influenced his eclectic style. As inspiration for the vibrant quality of his work, Lemi names everyday movement, colourful environments and interaction with fellow human beings. Lemi says he has tried to become more business-like recently during his time in the US, but just imagining him in a gallery meeting with a pair of trendy New York curators brings a smile to one's face. His untainted passion for his work and for people is a great thing to see.

A classic example of Lemi's vibrant, warm colours.

Is technology becoming art?

A cunning guise to trick foolish consumers...

Jonathan Hundson At first glance I thought this a silly question. To me art and technology are so different that the two should never meet. However, taking a closer look at the (arguable) beauty of the iPhone, the outlandishness of Alienware's Aurora desktop and the choice to add a Mike Ming cover to a new Studio 15, it’s easy to see where the line has become blurred, especially with technological advancements in day-to-day objects on a rapid increase.

But there is a crucial difference to make between art and technology, rendering them fundamentally distinct. Art is a largely subjective concept. It encapsulates the ideas, beliefs and motives of the creator. In many respects art has the purpose to evoke feelings or emotions but in just as many instances it has no purpose at all but to be created for the sake of creativeness. Someone can hate a piece of art but appreciate the intrinsic 'artistic' qualities about it.

Technology, on the other hand, is the offspring of design. Design cannot be appreciated for simply

existing; the purpose is to be functional. All technological gadgetry is developed for the purpose of being sold and used, be it a set of headphones, a laptop or a mobile phone.

The ultimate goal is to design a product that is accessible and liked by as many people as possible.

Product design revolves purely around pleasure for the end user.

The iPhone is smooth so you enjoy holding it and has a touch screen so you enjoy the ease of its use.

Regardless of how artistic it may appear it exists only for comfort and enjoyment of use, not to be appreciated in a subjectively conceptual man-

ner.

Alienware caters to the niche market of gamers who like having a desktop that looks like it came from Star Trek and get a thrill from the social status they gain from owning a high-end system. 'Artwork' by Mike Ming isn’t for the beauty; end-users get pleasure from the ideology it represents. Technology isn’t art; it has simply embraced the illusion of art to maximize use of the end product.

Any comments or ideas for debates that you may have, please email in to arts@redbrickonline. co.uk

What would Da Vinci be thinking...

Rosie Price Today, roads are littered with cars of all shapes and sizes, pockets are littered with the smallest, sleekest mobile phones and kitchens are decked out with the slimmest, shiniest appliances. The Bakelite days of the 1950s are distant memories and now, when car salesmen attempt to make a sale, the aesthetic aspects of the design will always play a prominent part in the pitch. But surely a car is a car, to get to places in? A teapot is a teapot, to pour tea? This is no longer the case.

When antiques are sold, function is

in fact a bonus. In mainstream store chains like Laura Ashley, furniture seems made to be seen and not sat on. We can wake up in the morning and drink coffee made in a delicately pretty espresso machine. Even buildings that we inhabit are designed with aesthetics in mind and some, like The Eden Project attribute some of their fame to this idea of dual appearance and functionality. Bridges we cross and stairs we climb are now analysed based on whether they are, and this is the crucial point, 'stylish'.

The 'style roots' of technology itself lie in art. Without Leonardo Da Vinci, we would not

The Eden Project: A beautiful union of art and technology or a stunt to promote environmental awareness?

have half our means of transport, without Clarice Cliff, china would be dull and without the likes of Tiffany and Cartier, lamp shades would be, well, just lampshades. The Art Deco and Bauhaus movements provided us with the S-shaped chairs now seen in most living rooms and even contemporary art uses technology in exhibits, in installations and even artistic urinals, made in the shape of open mouths.

The minimum expected from technology is function. It’s hard to believe that the artistic merits of a toaster can make or break it but there you go, it's often the selling point of today's objects.

How many times are we students told not to be fussy about what an appliance looks like, when secretly we would prefer something, 'a bit nicer'?

And why not have something pretty that also works? It certainly makes sense and undoubtedly 'adds something'. When watches contain gold hands and clocks have jade faces, it isn't difficult to see the temptation in technology that not only carries out its function but also matches the curtains and carpet.

18 Arts & Culture

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Literature: A new name and a farewell to a literary giant.

A quiet triumph for Christopher Reid

J. D Salinger, with love and squalor

James Reevell Having had one's soul crushed whilst in the tyrannical employ of Costa Coffee, I still find it hard to comprehend that a prize sponsored by this behemoth would choose to award a book of poetry that brims with soul and beauty. Not only award it, but award it against the odds, with Christopher Reid's, A Scattering the first time that the Costa prize has awarded Best Book to a piece of poetry in a decade.

Whilst critically hailed as a work of poetry, few including the bookies, would have believed in A Scattering's cross-over appeal and its subsequent beating of vastly more popular novels. However, anyone who has read even a few lines of this beautifully sparse landscape of a man's grief can immediately understand its decoration.

A Scattering seems to me to be an ideal book of our time and season, with winter the perfect setting for this, at times, barren and somber work.

Inspired by the death of Reid's wife, and published in a year containing so much tragedy, it would

Christopher Reid after winning his award have seemed frivolous to award any other piece over this. Even Reid's style reflects this white season we have endured, with each word fluttering as snowflakes onto Reid's canvas. Reid draws simple sketches of his former life with his wife, and as one is engulfed slowly into this bewitching text, you realise that it is not just a tribute to his wife, but a tribute to the former life that he has lost.

Reid's greatest tribute to his wife is not just an award winning poetry set, but also to open up their lost love to all and invite them to experience it too.

It is this sharing that separates this from all other

contenders to the prize's crown this year.

The Costa Prize has done us a service by celebrating death and choosing a piece of work that can only bring us closer together as people. A Scattering is poetry that all can appreciate, and only a few cannot love, giving credibility to a prize that had long lost its allure next to the titanic Booker Prize. This is a victory for sentiment and sense, proving that, for once, the coffee bean counters have got the right idea.

Pick up a copy of A Scattering from any good bookshop for £7.99 (RRP)

Secret Birmingham:

Sian Gray When the news was broken last Thursday that the American author J. D Salinger had died at the age of 91, it was as though a great friend, but one I had lost contact with, had just passed away.

Salinger is a name almost every adult and teenager will know of, and unlike Shakespeare or Austen, he commands a certain respect from the adolescent sphere. Salinger is a name synonymous with the feelings of teenage angst and of disillusion, naivety and confusion that are so embodied by his most famous character, Holden Caulfield.

This character, the protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye, reaches out of his fictional boundaries and integrates himself in the minds and bodies of the male teenager; identifying with them in such a way that resulted in Salinger becoming one of the most loved and popular writers of post-war America. However, what makes Salinger such a wonderful writer is that elements of his unruly character can be recognised in most teenagers across the globe. He had such a rare talent for understanding and capturing the most hidden and darkest of feelings.

Indeed, when Mark David Chapman, the murderer

Previews

The Electric Cinema

A diverse range of scintillating, titillating events of general awesomeness...

Victoria Shires It's not every day that you stumble upon a new artsy gem in a concrete jungle almost by accident. Birmingham's The Electric in Station Street is the oldest working cinema in the UK, predating its Notting Hill namesake by two months. Situated only a short two minute walk from New Street station, it is so close to the hustle and bustle of this modern city that we call home yet the renovation and restoration of the cinema in 2004 to its 1930s Art Deco look transports you back decades.

Celebrating its centenary year last December, the cinema has seen many a change since its opening in 1909. The Electric, which originally showed silent movies, served as a news theatre during World War II and has progressed from showing mainly art house and continental pictures to the large variety of independent and intelligent mainstream films that we see today, even indulging in a stint of pornographic film showings in the 1970s.

The screen rooms themselves house rows of vintage-seeming red vel-

The hunk himself. Brooding, sexy Salinger...

of John Lennon was arrested he stated that The Catcher in the Rye would explain his brutal actions and essentially his inner turmoil.

Despite the fact that Caulfield is such a beautifully constructed character, Salinger's other poignant stories must not be over shadowed.

In the collection of short stories, For Esme – With Love and Squalor, Salinger momentarily focuses on the lives of soldiers who are suffering from what would now be diagnosed as post-traumatic stress; something Salinger fell victim to after working in the American army.

So gentle are the soldiers and so delicately are they depicted that the stories, in particular A Nice Day for Bananafish, despite being short, maintain a heartbreaking pathos that I cannot find matched in any other story of such size.

Perhaps it is a little morbid that this first editorial should include such news but, as I said, Salinger is something of a friend to the lost teenager inside of me and for that reason, this is something of a homage to his work and to his memory.

If We Go On @ The Rep, Friday 5th February, 8.00pm – Through dance, movement and song Charlotte Vincent explores language and sound. Watch as the musicians morph words into movements in this nostalgic and darkly intelligent performance. Tickets £12-20.

Rush Hour Blues, Kairos Quartet @ Symphony Hall Foyer Bars, Friday 5th February, 5.30pm – Originally from London, this blues group includes a very talented saxophone player and pianist. Admission free.

Transatlantic Sessions @ Symphony Hall, Friday 5th February 7.30pm – Having travelled over 38 different countries, Beatty is an inspiring storyteller and this audio-visual presentation is a fantastic chance to see some of his work. Tickets £12.

GOT SKILLZ w/ UoB Hip Hop Society @ The Underground, Friday 5th February, 6.30pm – The University's Hip Hop society puts on a display of rap, dance, poetry and comedy with 50% of profits going to BHAM ACTION FOR HAITI. Tickets £2.

Bridget Riley: Flashback @ BMAG, Saturday 6th February, 8.00 pm – The optical illusions of the 1960s artist Bridget Riley finally come to Birmingham. Admission free.

The new screen in its boudoir sexpad glory. vet chairs with a section of sofa seating at the back; each sofa named after one of the cinema greats, Laurel, Hardy and Dietrich for example.

The 'Text Waiter Service' is available to those lucky enough to be sitting in the sofa seating and this, teamed with the intimate atmosphere, makes The Electric stand out from the more commercial cinemas that we visit on a regular basis.

The concession dis-

count (yes for NUS!) and the fact that we should take advantage of the only independent cinema left in the city today makes The Electric a mustvisit. Whether you want a one-off film, the big latest release or the occasional poster sale, make sure you get down to The Electric at some point this term.

For more details go to www.theelectric.co.uk

Black Dyke Band @ The Symphony Hall, Sunday 7th February, 3.00pm – One of the world's oldest and most famous brass bands perform a variety showcase.

Tickets £12.50.

Swan Lake @ The Hippodrome, Monday 8th February, 7.30pm – Matthew Bourne's adaptation of Swan Lake is unmissable. His all male cast display ballet at its best.

Ticket £14.50 - 39.50.

Porridge @ The Alexandra Theatre, Monday, 8th February, 7.30pm – From the creators of Auf Wiedersehen Pet and starring Shaun Williamson (Barry from Eastenders), this play is no doubt going to be a must-see. Tickets £10.

Rhod Gilbert and the Cat That Looked Like Nicholas Lyndhurst @ Town Hall, Monday 8th February – Following a sell-out tour and an appearance on Michael McIntyre Comedy Roadshow the Welsh comedian is back. Tickets £16.50.

Cling To Me Like Ivy @ The Rep, Thursday 11th February, 7.45pm – Based on a chance statement by Victoria Beckham this play explores relationships within the Jewish community and the anxieties of a future bride. Tickets £8.

Music

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

VERSUS: Coldplay Toni-May Skidmore hates on the whiny stadium-botherers BEFORE a mob of hardcore Coldplay fans chase me out of Joe's bar and my flatmate never talks to me again, let me just be clear on one thing. I appreciate good music and though music is subjective, I feel strongly enough about Coldplay to say that they are a most definitely overrated band.

Don't get me wrong.

I can say there are a few Coldplay songs that I could identify, listen to, and tolerate. Generally, though – and prepare for the backbone of this argument – their songs sound the same. Where's the progression?

Aside from the glory days of songs like Yellow and Lost, I can only name one song – that being Viva La Vida – that has not either bored me to tears or purely made me cry out of how depressing it was.

The word melodrama also pops into my head, when I occasionally venture into the shrine to Coldplay that is my flatmate's room. Everyone likes a good cry but can this guy, or set of guys, really have that much sorrow in their lives that they can afford to spread it to us all?

Aside from the yawns they cause, appreciation is due for the solid indie genre they represent. The cult of Chris Martin just needs some variety.

Spotlight On...

Zara Sekhavati defends the worldconquering force of Chris Martin & co.

AS I sit in my room writing this article and listening to Coldplay full blast, I can hear my flatmate next door curse me for my album choice – Parachutes.

How can there be Coldplay haters out there?

Have they forgotten how to appreciate good music and quality song writing? Do they not realise that Coldplay composed the beautiful melodies Warning Sign and Green Eyes? That they created the catchy piano of songs such as the Grammyaward winning Clocks and Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love that you always find yourself humming to?

Despite popular be-

Photo: Hoong Wei Long

Living Room Gigs

Music Diary JLS LG Arena Adam Green O2 Academy 2 Johnny Foreigner Hare & Hounds

Sunday 7th The Low Anthem O2 Academy Ocean Colour Scene Kasbah, Coventry Chris Addison Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Rachael Hogg on the virtues of intimate gigs for small bands 'WE will play your house/ flat/maisonette/tenement/apartment/drug-fuelled sex den, all you need to do is ask', professes Liam Conway, vocalist and guitarist of up-and-coming Brum band Goodnight Lenin. So I did just that.

I asked, and soon, I shall receive. Goodnight Lenin have added an additional show to their 2010 tour due to popular demand, and will now be appearing in 'Rachael's Kitchen' on the 19th February.

I thought it all appeared too good to be true: a band I'd recently discovered and really liked, and then found, whilst perusing the internet, an advert of them offering to play in my kitchen for free. Well, for 'a glass bottle of Mason's Cream Soda, some pickled onion Transformer snacks and Rumours

by Fleetwood Mac on Cassette'. I'm hoping I'll be able to manage that, or at

least something similar.

For those of you who haven't heard of Goodnight Lenin, they have an upbeat Fleet Foxes/ Mumford and Sons-esque sound, tight vocal harmonies and mandolin in hand. They are currently unsigned, but in my opinion, are soon to be Birmingham's new 'it' band.

The two songs Crook in the Creek and Wenceslas Square are currently doing the rounds on the internet. They highlight that Goodnight Lenin really do mean business, and can create really great and catchy songs that will definitely appeal to the masses.

Their offer of 'kitchen gigging' is definitely a win-win situation. Me and my (hopefully) significantly sized bunch of friends and acquaintances get a free gig without even having to leave our rather comfy sofas. Wonderful!

Goodnight Lenin, meanwhile, get the chance to showcase their talent, expand their listener radius; try out new things;

create a mini-film; gain a reputation as a charitable, friendly, and down-toearth band; receive tasty snacks, and generally grow as a band.

So my question – is this hailing a possible future for new bands? The music scene has changed extensively over the past few years, from the overnight internet successes (take Arctic Monkey's I Bet You Look Good on the Dance-floor for example), to the huge demise in sales of CDs. Bands now make most of their money from touring, so starting small and starting interesting surely makes logical sense?

The only way from playing kitchens is surely up and in my opinion this is definitely the case for Goodnight Lenin. Hopefully a promising future for the band will lead to the mini-films they are creating on their 'Kitchen Tour', eventually becoming a sought-after rarity from 'the good ol' days'.

It's a great opportunity too for fans of the band, or

live music lovers in general, to have something raw and new happening, right in their front room (well, kitchen).

The idea of a band 'live in your living room' has always been a soughtafter prize in competitions, or for a lucky donator on Children In Need.

Therefore, the idea that this could be available to more people is an exciting prospect for the future of music. Other bands could take it in different directions: different rooms of a house; gardens; public places; businesses... oh, the possibilities are endless. And of course, add a camera crew to the mix and document the journeys for an added sprinkling of intrigue and excitement for new fans to discover.

So, Goodnight Lenin, I look forward to you playing in my kitchen and look forward to other bands taking your lead. I'll provide the cream soda, you provide an intimate show in an interesting, unusual and utensil-filled setting.

lief, Coldplay are not shit and Chris Martin is certainly not a twat. There is absolutely no doubt that Coldplay are one of the most iconic British bands out there.

When our kids ask us about the classic bands of our time, they will definitely be included. Over the past decade, Coldplay have developed into incredible musicians and are undeniable geniuses in their craft and art.

Having sold over fifty million records worldwide, they are indisputably successful and we dedicated hardcore fans thrive upon their phenomenal live performances.

Even if you are brave enough to admit that you don't like Coldplay, massive anthems such as Yellow are surely essential on your iTunes.

What's On...

Friday 5th

Photo: Rachel Khoo

19

Monday 8th Hot Club De Paris The Rainbow

Tuesday 9th Lamb of God O2 Academy

Twin Atlantic O2 Academy 3 Cobra Starship Wulfrun Hall, hampton

Wolver-

Wednesday 10th Vampire Weekend O2 Academy Los Bastardos O2 Academy 3 Fanfarlo Hare & Hounds Fightstar Wulfrun Hall, hampton

Wolver-

Thursday 11th NME Awards Tour (with Bombay Bicycle Club, The Big Pink, The Drums, The Maccabees) O2 Academy Doll And The Kicks Hare & Hounds Twisted Wheel O2 Academy 3

Photo of Doll And The Kicks : www.flickr.com

20 Music

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Album Reviews New Boyz Skinny Jeanz & A Mic

4

Will Hunter AFTER a quick glance at the information for this record, it's quite clear which of this two-piece is the lyricist and who was in charge of writing the song titles. To directly quote bandmember Ben J, 'thank u for bein around and keepin me goin when I needed to be helped.'

If you can push past the hilarity of the song titles (You're A Jerk; Way 2

Many Chickz), it appears that their production skills are almost as awful as their literacy. Take a list of any famous rap artists that come to mind, and it's pretty likely that you'll recognise one of their tracks within this album.

Rather than pulling influence from the tracks, it seems they have literally just lifted one bar from each of them, and played it on a loop, with the help of a drum-machine. The aforementioned Way 2 Many Chickz sounds almost exactly like Snoop's Drop It Like It's Hot by way of GarageBand.

There is perhaps one rectifying factor on this album, and that is Bunz, which is the only track to show actual potential for release. I certainly wouldn't recommendz u buyin thiz album any tym soonz.

Rob Zombie Hellbilly Deluxe 2

8 John Asquith YOU could be forgiven for suspecting that Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool, to give the album its full title, is a blatant attempt to cash in on the massive success of Rob Zombie's solo debut, Hellbilly Deluxe: Thirteen Tales of Cadaverous Cavorting Inside the Spookshow International.

However, to dismiss it out of hand entirely

would be a mistake. From the opener Jesus Frankenstein, it is clear that Zombie's record label might have changed (to the metal juggernaut that is Roadrunner), but he is not considering a change of style any time soon.

The trademark soundbites, and instantly recognisable, gloriously rhythmic riffs flanked by pounding drumbeats. The album is well-rounded, with a welcome depth.

This is not an album to be listened to once or twice, this is something that could sit in your CD player for months to come.

As strong and well balanced as this album is, few songs are as memorable as the clear champions of the album, Sick Bubblegum and What?.

With tongue-in-cheek tracks like Werewolf Women of the SS in support.

However, Zombie has not fallen far short of his wellestablished mark.

Lil Wayne Rebirth

6 Kenji Lloyd REBIRTH skims through by the skin of its teeth, but it definitely doesn't have much bite. At times it seems to be trying to blend rock and rap in a way that might seem ground breaking, but more often than not, falls far short of the mark.

About three-quarters of the record suffer from a severe case of mediocrity or, worse, being less than catchy and having almost as much lyrical genius as

a rabbit. Nevertheless, the album has redemptive saving graces.

Wayne's collaboration with Eminem on Drop The World goes down perfectly, a stand-out single worthy of spinning onto the airwaves. Of the twelve tracks on this record, eight will promptly be making their way off my mp3 player, and those that stay are all songs featuring other artists.

Working with someone else, Lil Wayne creates something good, but he can't do it himself.

Eminem's verse is easily the best thing about this album, and having a guest outshine you is never good. His performance at this year's Grammys alongside Eminem, Drake, and Travis Barker (best drummer in the world – fact) was honestly something special, but just goes to show he's more of a collaborator than a solo artist.

WATHAWT:

Let's make out.

RECRUITMENT Photo: www.florencerawlings.com

Singles

David Inkpen Florence Rawling Love Can Be A Battlefield

Erica Vernon Jedward Ice Ice Baby

Ross Wittenham HIM Heartkiller

Miss Rawling is a woman who can sing very well.

Love Can Be A Battlefield is a soul-influenced pop ballad. Listening to the non-radio-edit version, I find myself bobbing along as one does with a good song. It definitely has all the necessary elements – a good singer, a catchy phrase, a choir and large instrumentation. However I find myself checking how much is left of the song at about 3:30. It's long, and doesn't really have enough variation in order to pull off the full 5:15. Luckily the radio-edit stops at the appropriate 3:30 to make it into a very decent tune and worth looking into her musical catalogue. Assuming they all have radio-edits.

Staying power: that is the superhuman quality that the Jedward monster possesses. They're still very much alive post-X-Factor.

The song choice comes as no surprise, nor that Vanilla Ice had space enough in his diary to contribute.

Ice Ice Baby. It really only works as a comedy music video.

As their recent appearance on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross proved, the young lads are überengergetic and confident, but rather confused. As television personalities though, they are rather adorable. Jedward's music is 100% cheese, let us hope its shelf-life is short.

I know what you're thinking. HIM are the embodiment of an adolescent metal cliché, a joke; noone in their right mind would take them seriously, and they are rubbish.

And you were nearly right too, until you crossed the line. They're not rubbish.

Sure, if you actually listen to it, Heartkiller is just a pop anthem wrapped around some pseudo-macabre lyrics.

The fact that the band can play instruments is a bonus, but this just adds to the fun. Just like how the music from school discos is still popular ten years on for the shame/ nostalgia factor, HIM are a reminder of those same teen metal obsessions.

And you have to love it.

IT'S time for a mutation of the Siamese freak which goes by the name of Redbrick Music. Now one half is sick of eating, sleeping and shitting together and has raised enough money for them to be surgically split. Alex Spencer and Erica Vernon are looking for a replacement music editor. And I'm sure, after that beautiful image, you will be enticed.

Her first contribution to Redbrick was a distant 50 issues ago, and now Erica has captained the ship that is Redbrick Music for over 40 issues. It's clearly

time to wheel the old warhorse in. We're looking for someone who has a passion for the newspaper.

Keep in mind that Redbrick is by the students for the students, and we always want our content to reflect that.

Being a section editor involves having to both work as a team, be led by the senior editor and lead your writers. There is much fun to be had, but there is a lot of time-consuming work. Don't feel daunted however, one gains a lot of experience in return. It's very much

worth it in the end.

There's no need to be Birmingham's wittiest writer. What is essential is a passion for a variety of music. Everything else, like how to manage our contacts to set up gigs and put together the pages, can be learnt as you go along. Expect to become a superhuman with a critical eye, ear and mind.

Interviews will be held in a few weeks, close to the end of this semester.

The student with the most enthusiasm and feasible ideas will get the position and join the hivemind.

You, yes you, should go for Music Editor. If you are interested in music and you want to get in to journalism or publishing, why the hell not?

If you are keen: it is recommended for those of you who don't, to start coming to our weekly meetings. The meetings take place in the Basement of the Guild, every Wednesday at 16:00, and are informal. Different people turn up every week, so no need to feel tied down!

Email us at music@redbrickonline.co.uk if you have any queries.

Travel

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Romance on the road:

Liz Crump tells us why meeting someone whilst travelling might just be the highlight of your entire trip Travel, it can't be denied, is an experience that, good or bad, will live with you for the rest of your life. It is an accentuated living that offers so much, and a close encounter of the romantic kind could make it just that little bit more.

Don't get me wrong, I am far from a hopeless romantic and often a little fling is more than satisfactory. However, what happens when romance turns into something else?

Something you didn't plan for; something you didn't necessarily want. Does that certain je ne sais quoi add some extra depth to your travels?

To meet somebody out of the blue, somebody you connect with on an entirely different level – and I'm not just talking physically – is an experience many critics don't even think exists.

However, what does it mean if you're one of the lucky few?

Romance is certainly plentiful on the backpackers circuit; I have witnessed many romantic connections whilst travelling and admittedly have had one myself – it was an experience where everything seemed to fall into place and is etched into my memory forever. Even though it ended six months down the line, it has taught me a lot. I can honestly say I was glad to let go and get emotionally involved.

Admittedly you're most probably going to wonder if it's the person you're with or the environment you're in that is

Hostel Sex 101

21

WHEN you get the urge to have some fun but you're sharing a dorm with a snoring German and the communal area is busy all hours with the comings and goings of a dozen other travellers where can you go to get your fix? And, more importantly, how can you feed your passion without getting caught? Here are a few suggestions as to how to get down and dirty discreetly...

Bathroom – Probably the most obvious sugges-

tion and the reason why? It's the most practical. The vast majority of hostels have lockable bathrooms and those that don't will at least have a lockable cubicle (if this is not the case then why are you staying there?). I don't think I need to say anything further other than a hot and steamy bathroom can be rather satisfying and the noise of running water can cover up any suggestive sounds.

Laundry Room

Long walks make everything seem better Photo: dot chris on Flickr really tickling your fancy?

It's true the heat factor, crashing waves, sunsets and probably a few too many tequilas may have something to do with it, but it can't be argued flirting is a grand art form!

For that time you are

body, but you can still be smart and safe with an open mind. Even if you don't see them again it could be one of the greatest things to ever happen to you; if you do see them again then you surely made the right decision.

'It's true the heat factor, crashing waves, sunsets and probably a few too many tequilas may have something to do with it' with them, be it 24 hours or longer, if it is a romantic encounter of another kind then don't shun it away. Undoubtedly, with the nature of travelling, relationships are going to be intense and naturally you need to be a little cautious with your heart and

Meeting somebody when travelling, whether they are a local or another fellow traveller, is rewarding. These are some of the best years to experience wonderful things in other countries and cultures and, even if your romantic rendezvous doesn't

turn into something a little more serious, you could still make a friend for life, and a great travel companion.

It may be soppy of me to even consider the element of fate and, heaven forbid, the L word here, but I say whatever happens, happens. There's certainly no harm in looking around and if it happens to find you then even better. You only have one life and if it feels right in that moment then grab it. The worst feeling is being left to wonder 'what if' and jumping in at the deep end could lead to some fantastic unforeseen journeys. If you come out at the end of it over the moon or heartbroken you can just say 'oh well, that's life!' It's a tough road but unquestionably worth it.

– Again this is a room that could very well be locked and if not then is certainly one of the more private rooms at certain hours. A few coins in the washing machine could add another dimension – be aware it may be noisy and attract more attention than you had planned – and a comfy towel bale gives for a nice soft landing. Just make sure it's the clean, fresh laundry pile...

The Closet – Another lockable suggestion, but

also a smaller one. A closet or cupboard doesn't give much room or very much comfort for anything too adventurous and with dirty mops and strong bleach you probably won't hang around long enough to experiment.

Kitchen – Just don't. There are times when you

need to put yourself in other people's shoes and let's face it you wouldn't take very kindly to a stray hair in your sandwich! Plus the kitchen is guaranteed to always have someone wandering in at any hour.

Outside

– This is probably the most versatile option and gives the most potential for ticking a few more boxes. You are also guaranteed to find somewhere that isn't going to disturb or annoy anyone else.

Take a walk around your hostel and depending where you are in the world there will be some form of secluded space close by. You could try any of the following: a copse of trees, a beach (preferably at night and take a towel), a balcony, the roof of your hostel (safety first!), a pool if your hostel has one, or even a lonely, secluded hammock...

Valentine breaks: James Cull profiles Stockholm as an upcoming romantic destination Stockholm, the 'Venice of the North', is a hidden gem.

Many people wouldn't automatically think of hopping onto a plane bound for there, but once they do, they never come back regretting their decision. The Swedish capital is only two hours away by plane, making it an easy destination for a Valentine's Day weekend.

The old town, Gamla Stan, is located on an island in the middle of the city and crossing the bridge into it feels like being instantly transported back two centuries in time. The buildings are old and tightly packed together and there are so many little alleyways and passages that you could spend the whole day trekking through the old town and probably never walk down the same alley twice.

Gamla Stan is also a good place to pick up a cruise around the archipelago, which gives you a real flavour of the city from a

different perspective.

Walking down Strandvägen, one of Stockholm's most beautiful streets, brings you to Djurgården, a park on an island in the middle of the city which is stunning and offers a real change to the bustling city centre. For some retail therapy and some quirky Nordic design, head into Ahléns City department store or Gallerian shopping mall in the centre, and try not to recoil at the prices!

Yes, the rumours are unfortunately true; Sweden is expensive. A pint will set you back about £5 in a bar and the price of eating out in restaurants can bring tears to your eyes. Budget yourself for at least £50 a day including meals, transport and sightseeing and bear in mind that going out clubbing every night will double this figure. The best district for nightlife is Stureplan which is rela-

How to get there: Ryanair fly from London Stansted to Skavsta, just south of Stockholm. From there, it is about 90 minutes on the coach. Flights are around £150 return for two people.

Where to Stay: Unfortunately, accomodation is very expensive. A recommended one is Colonial Hotel; about 15 minutes walk from the central railPhoto: Claudio.Ar on Flickr

tively close to the centre; however there are plenty of bars all over the city.

Alcohol is reasonably priced at Systembolaget, the state off-licence, however you have to be 20 to buy anything. Stockholm offers something for everyone's palate, however real Swedish meatballs with boiled potatoes and lingonberry jam have to be sampled.

Stockholm may be a pricey place but it never fails to amaze. The city is far more beautiful, in my opinion, than Paris or Rome and the archipelago setting of the city gives it a magical appearance that you can't match in any other city. This will certainly be a Valentine's weekend that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Next week: Travel reveals it's final Valentine's suggestion & Easter trip advice!

way station. A double room over the weekend will cost about £270.

What to do: Walk down Drottningsgåtan and into the Old Town. Cruise round the archipelago before getting off at Djurgården and looking round.

Walk back along Strandvägen and into Östermalm, where you'll find cafés, bars and restaurants galore.

22 Lifestyle Hello from Lifestyle lovelies Jess and Alex

For those of you in the know, you'll be aware that the much anticipated Redbrick awards are drawing near and the competition is thoroughly underway.

This award season is upon on us, all the big ceremonies are coming up and we're not just talking about Redbrick.

Already we've had the Grammy's which went down a treat – Lady Gaga once again stole the show with her insane obstacle course outfit and Beyoncé walked away with a mere six awards. The Golden Globes have also come and gone dazzling us with its usual array of couture. Our favourites this year were Cameron Diaz dressed head to toe in beautiful dusk pink Chanel and Eva Mendes' white Dior gown teamed with a stunning Van Cleef and Arpels vintage necklace. Finally, we have the biggest date on the award circuit calendar, The Oscars. We can barely contain our excitement! Lusting after dresses we will never be able to afford is surprisingly fun!

On a slightly smaller scale, in this week's paper we discuss everything from plastic surgery to super skinny models, how to bargain hunt on eBay to good old fashioned romance.

Bye! (Off to dress shop).

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Catwalk: Super Skinny – Sooo Last Season Sarah Connel

It has no doubt entered all of our heads at some point that this year is going to be the year we actually stick to our new year's resolution of trying to lose weight, in an attempt to

girls feeling fabulous just as they are!

The word is that 2010 is said to see the end of size zero models! Rumours in the fashion world are saying that the age of super skinny is on its way out, and that 2010 is going to see the beginnings of a

the trends as they are, new designs seem to be adding curvaceous details such as fins, sculpted bodices, padded bra and shoulder details which work to mirror an hourglass that

new era in fashion. There are already several big name high street stores, including H&M, that have confirmed they are in search of models size 1012 to promote this year's fashion lines; sounds like the campaigns for healthy body image promotion from TV stylists, such as Gok Wan and his 'Miss Naked Beauty' ambassador, are starting to pay off.

However, the big question is how long will such actions last if the major fashion names continue to create and manufacture luxury designer gear that ultimately requires the smallest of models to wear it? If the big names don't change then we can easily kiss goodbye to the thought of no more size zero, 'have some chocolate' days coming our way, and will forever be in the shadow of beautiful coat hangers disguised as models.

But there is hope! With

Debate: Is romance dead?

Is romance dead? I find that hard to believe. Despite an alcohol-fuelled make-out session in a club or sneaking a girl or guy into your room past mocking housemates for passionless, awkward sex being a common occur-

'After all romance is acting with emotion over libido, and libido will only get you so far.' rence here at university, I refuse to think that is the desire of every person.

Looking around, you could find hundreds of students not looking for anything serious, wanting little more than a hookup every now and again. At the same time, you could find hundreds of students in happy, stable (sometimes) long-distance relationships that are kept alive by the creative efforts of both sides. Yes romance can be soppy,

predictable, incredibly cliché, movie-inspired and embarrassing for anyone else, but it is easily the greatest way of expressing affection for someone you like or love.

I personally am not looking for a relationship right now, but that doesn't mean I have discarded any romantic notions for the rest of my life. I feel certain I will meet someone that will make me want to act in ways I never assumed I would.

After all, romance is acting with emotion over libido, and libido will only get you so far. I'm not talking about ridiculous 'courtly love' but neither am I talking about your pastiche bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates.

Romance is a private thing between two people and can reveal itself subtly and privately, which is what makes it so special.

would rival Marilyn Monroe. So we could even see the top designers heading towards a curvaceous breakthrough and start using models with natural curves rather than having to sculpt and create them on size zero girls. If this style revolution does make it into the top designers' catwalk collections we can almost guarantee that the high street will lap up every thread of it!

So we can expect to see this trend everywhere throughout 2010 and seasons yet to come. Let's face it, we're in the 'teenies' now and as the year reaches double figures so does the latest dress size. After all, size zero is – literally soooo the 'noughties'.

Sam Langtree and Sarah

Oestrogen:

Roses are red, violets are blue, romance today; can it really be true? Stereotypical, unrealistic, film contrived notions of romance have shaped they way in which both men and women now think of romance. But will these dreamy eyed visions I see on the big screen ever become my reality? I undoubtedly think not.

I've never had a man stand outside my window serenading me, or that all important first kiss on my doorstep. Today's romance is a kind that is done because it is expected. Men follow the chocolates and flowers Valentines drill, they say the right things at the right time because they know it's what we want to hear and anniversaries generally follow the dinner format.

Never before has a guy surprised me with a picnic when I expected a restaurant, or gig tickets instead of the standard roses.

Romance years ago involved love letters,

Haiti Fundraising – get involved, don't miss out on the ample opportunity to give with events all around the town. Check out 'BHAM ACTION FOR HAITI' on Facebook.

Summer plans – Arctic conditions don't deter us from planning for a summer that is fast approaching. Interrailing in Europe? Volunteering in South America? Or even just jamming in Oz, get your clan and plan, the world and STA travel at the Guild is your oyster!

King investigate Testosterone:

NUDE – everything: whether it be as subtle as nude lips or as out there as a pair of statement nude patent shoes à la D&G, or even trusty Topshop. Nude IS the new black. Go nude!

Cool winter wear – Scarf? Hood? Do not fret and embrace the snood. Stylish and snug this must have, is the winter accessory to be seen in on campus. Versatile? The boys can have in on this too.

'The age of super skinny is on its way out.' look more like the super skinny models and celebs we feel pressured to live up to. Well it's a month into the new year and if the exercise plan and diet aren't going too well, there is a rumour of hope circling the fashion world that might leave all curvy

Fierce

courting, corsages and compliments. Today, the letters have been replaced with text and Facebook messages, and courting is well and truly a thing of the past. For students it's more like 'let's watch a film', instead of the desired dinner and drinks.

Cynical I may seem, but for me romance in the traditional, sweeping you off your feet, sense is dead.

I see romance as simple gestures of love, like a post-it saying 'I'll miss you', or buying someone their favourite chocolate bar. Romance for me, is letting someone know you care. Note to boys; not just on Valentine's Day.

Mr Hudson – Playing with fire in the music industry has worked a treat for Brum-born Mr Husdon. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kanye, N-dubz and Jay Z himself, outshining the music world; he is bigger than a supernova.

BBM – stay in touch for the most trivial or deepest convos, the only question this term is: What's your pin?

One-shouldered dresses – fashion fixes always work, we had to sneak this one in, it's gonna be major. Who needs two straps when one is fierce? With the likes of ASOS, Mango and American Apparel on the bandwagon, size and body shape is no obstacle, this spring/ summer '10, trend is ONE for all...

Finished Facebook 'fan of' – advantages aside, you know Facebook has hit a new low when you can become a fan... of becoming a fan. Get a grip on your social life, bang that essay out and let this 'fan of' craze be forgotten!

Crop-a-thon – Topshop you don't have to crop everything! We totally got crop tops in summer-autumn '09, but sub zero temperatures are not crop-a-thon friendly.

Forget this trend.

Gossip Girl Break – Who ever implemented the GG hiatus...? Are you mad? Forget about it and give us procrastination fascination Chuck Bass back!

Cadbury takeover – economics aside, Cadburys Kraft?

It's just not the same... you are and always will be Brummie. We want to forget Cadbury Kraft, and Cadbury, in the words of five great thinkers, 'neeeeeever forget where you're coming from'.

Wastemen/girls – Allow it. They don't reply to your texts, they're confusing, they're confused, and do you know what? They're not even that great. You might want that fish now, but just think of all the fish out there in the sea. Get on it!

Exams – for those of us that had them... over and out...

Queues for clubs – Is it just us, or are queues for our fave clubs getting longer? Since when did you have to wait hours and hours to get in to Propaganda? In the freezing cold.. maybe we'll have to resort to staying in as the new going out. Its warmer...

Deepika Katyal and Hania Akhtar

INTERVIEWING SOON FOR NEW LIFESTYLE EDITORS! Current Lifestyle Editors Alex and Jess are standing down from their posts at the end of this year so they need someone to fill their shoes! Keep an eye out for updates and email Lifestyle at lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk for any queries.

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Culture: How to be Charlotte Crowley I'm no expert but I do think eBay is fantastic, so here is my idiots guide to bidding on (and hopefully winning!) clothes on eBay: Know what you're looking for; There are a lot of treasures and a lot of rubbish on eBay, so you need to find a way of separating them. There are two ways of doing this – you can type something specific in – for example 'Balmain studded blazer' (okay, a girl can dream of finding one for a fiver…) or if you just want a good old browse type in 'Urban Outfitters size 10' and watch the little beauties pop up!

Know how much things cost; I know someone who bagged a £130 Monsoon dress for £40. Bargain.

But a Primark skirt for a fiver? Not much of a saving! Be aware of how much things cost so you know how much to expect to pay, and also set an amount you're willing to spend. Things can get pretty heated in the final few minutes and in the

excitement to win you can often find yourself blowing your budget!

Be Careful; There will always be someone out there wanting to con your money out of you. Check the feedback of the seller, be aware of words such as '-style' (eg. Not the real thing) and check the quality of the item (obviously brand new items will cost more). If in doubt, ask!

Check shipping price – and location; A pair of shoes for a tenner is not a bargain if the postage is £30 from Mexico. And similarly those shoes won't be here in time for Fab on Saturday. Shipping can often make one hell of a lot of difference between whether you chose to bid or not so always check!

savvy To snipe, or not to snipe?

Sniping is the term coined for bidding at the very last second. For some people, this is a great idea and wins them many bargains – there are loads of programmes you can download which will automatically ensure you snap up that designer dress at the last minute.

But for others it's a bit mean and unfair. It's entirely up to you, but from the other perspective there's nothing more annoying than losing out (or having to pay much more than you expected in a bidding war!) in the final few seconds. If you're really worried there's usually plenty of Buy It Now items which save all the hassle of bidding – but often at a price!

Check when the auction ends; There's nothing worse than being the highest bidder until you leave the house and miss out in the final few minutes. Get text alerts if you're out and about or if you really can't be there in the crucial final seconds, get a friend to bid for you!

Ugly endings to the unconventional yet still absolutely beautiful.

But, three series on, the tour de force that swept into Mode with ambitions and drive failed to make her move into the publishing world, remaining Daniel's faithful dogsbody even after finally receiving the promotion, which, let's face it, wasn't earned on legitimate merit. It was earned on the flip of a coin after the previous insane editor fell from her office window whilst chasing pigeons, and went splat onto the pavement.

Our sunny hopes

Issue: Plastic fantastic?

Ellen Fitzpatrick The Hills star Heidi Montag caused controversy last week after revealing her new face and figure on US television. The twenty three year old underwent a staggering ten cosmetic procedures in a single day to become, in her own words, 'a new person'.

Statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that Heidi is not alone in opting to go under the knife, with procedures on under 18s doubling in the past decade.

Face lifts were once a tool for the rich and famous to help roll back the clock but now young women are taking pre-emptive action against aging with 15 percent of Botox injections being given to those under the age of 35. Simon Cowell (no stranger to a bit of Botox himself) recently stated his surprise that Cheryl Cole's forehead wrinkled when she frowned, providing a perfect example of the entertainment industry's blasé attitude toward cosmetic surgery.

However, even the Geordie beauty seems to have succumbed to the lure of such procedures

with pictures surfacing this week of her sporting a suspiciously bee-stung pout.

In a society which thrives on programmes entitled 'I Want a Famous Face', Heidi's actions are just a heightened incident of what is becoming commonplace.

Likening her new look (which includes buttock augmentation, chin reduction and liposuction on waist, hips and thighs) to changing the colour of her nail polish, Montag's attitude is in denial of the potentially dangerous and irreparable damage surgery can cause. Whilst the British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has stricter regulations than their US counterparts, there are still worrying loopholes – Did you know that surgeons can legally use untested products within a surgery?

Montag's television interview was painful to watch, with the fresh faced, pony-tailed girl from season one of The Hills seeming almost unrecognisable. Worryingly, she claimed her 'main message is that beauty's really within', begging the question of why she would subject herself to such radical action? Is

23

media pressure a contributing factor to her decision? A recent survey by Girl Guiding UK revealed that 24 percent of girls between the ages of 16-21 would strongly consider surgery suggesting that the 'airbrush culture' of the entertainment world is filtering into every day life.

When Montag was asked wouldn't she rather look like herself than a Barbie doll a smile almost broke through the plastic-y sheen of her new face as she claimed she would love there to be a 'Heidi doll' someday. In reality, her actions seem to be transforming her into a real life Barbie doll but I for one can't help thinking the Heidi who bounced onto our screens in 2006 was a much more beautiful, and real, person.

Birmingham's watchful eye...

With Ugly Betty's cancellation, Natalie Timmins looks into the ugly truth behind the failure of our favourite geeky heroine.

ON the 27th January, ABC finally announced the inevitable – after rating disasters and ridiculous dramas, Ugly Betty has made its last fashion disaster and is preparing to depart the catwalk on our screens permanently.

After dismal ratings and being shunted from weekday to weekday in the USA to try and boost its popularity, the ugly truth is that Betty and the Mode crew have exhausted the amount of crazy capable from one company.

Struggling to get above five million viewers on its Wednesday debut, American viewers had quite clearly opted for the many other beautiful options available.

So why has Ugly Betty stumbled out of its heels and into the telly graveyard?

Well, let's look at our leading lady: as inspirational as it was to finally see geek chic succeed within a cut-throat world where beauty appeared to rule, Betty's true success was severely limited despite the emphasis place on her determination.

With her hideous outfits, questionable glasses, and adult braces, Betty looked set to shift our expectations from our telly heroes, moving from the predictable gorgeous-and-tortured souls

Lifestyle/Television

turned into cloudy desperation, watching Betty prioritise everything above the career she so coveted.

Of course, Betty wasn't the only disappointment.

Daniel Meade's persistent characterisation as the playboy with a heart has done him no favours.

How many times have we seen the crazy bachelor fall head over heels despite the writers' attempts to convince us that he's the original player? While Eric Mabius may look good in a suit, Daniel does not look good in all these different shades.

Place that alongside the unbelievable continuation of Wilhelmina's plans for Mode domination despite apparently being ridiculously successful and therefore entirely capable of finding any other magazine that would worship her like the fashion royalty she craves to be seen as, and Ugly Betty has been flogging a dead horse for a long time.

Despite her attempts to make flawed fashion the new thing, Ugly Betty has to finally admit the truth: ugly just doesn't make beautiful television any more.

Simon Fairbanks asks which programmes our very own University of Birmingham staff and students are unable to miss.

Jinesh Lal Physiotherapy Third Year 'Take Me Out on ITV, hosted by Patrick McGuiness, is hilarious. Thirty random girls have to decide if a bunch of guys are datable or not. But I don't understand women.

This one guy was doing lots of awesome cocktail-flaring and they weren't impressed at all!'

Laura Thurow Mathematics and Business Management Second Year 'I'm currently watching Glee, along with the rest of the country. It is basically about a bunch of losers who can sing and dance. The cast are actually really good singers and their version of Journey is brilliant. Plus, Sue Slyvester is an amazing character and very funny.'

Johnny Davis Vice-President of Welfare 'I watch Dancing on Ice every Sunday. It is like watching Strictly Brum Dancing only more exciting because someone might break a leg. Our house is doing a sweepstake on who will win. I've got Danny Young and Hayley Tamaddon so I'm hoping they last until the end.'

Do you feel like your favourite programme is being neglected by Redbrick Television?

Would you like to be part of the Redbrick team and see your name in print?

We're always looking for new writers, so why not come along and share your ideas at our meetings at 3pm on Wednesdays in Student Development.

24 Television

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

More on Four

Manhattan Madness

Box Bites

Charlotte Lytton looks into what the future holds in Channel 4's 2010 schedule...

Joe McGrath tells us why television addiction has reached an all-time high in Mad Men.

Simon Fairbanks gives us a breakdown of the latest television news.

SALACIOUS teen drama Skins made a welcome return to our screens last week with its usual mix of sex, violence and post pubescent woes. Last year's bunch are back to cause some more trouble, which unlikely guest star Will Young will have the pleasure of dealing with in his one-off role as a school counsellor.

Gritty British serial Shameless is back for a seventh series, charting the misdemeanours of the Gallagher clan on the notorious Chatsworth estate. David Threlfall's ingenious portrayal of Frank may have been pipped to the post by Tennant's Doctor Who, but this programme will undoubtedly be one of the best things on TV in 2010.

Comedy fans can let out a huge sigh of relief following the news that cult classic Peep Show has been commissioned for a new series to be broadcast later in the year. Captain Sensible Mark Corrigan and his drug addled counterpart Jeremy return for more romantic and career based mishaps for the show's seventh series.

Going across the pond, we'll be saying a very sad farewell to our favourite metal-mouthed office hack Ugly Betty, who

has fallen foul of the ratings. As Mode's new Features Editor, Miss Suarez will have a lot to handle as the employee of her ex boyfriend: a captivating plot twist that certainly won't fail to entertain.

The Desperate Housewives of Wisteria Lane made their comeback last week, with the newest batch of shady characters setting up shop in the suburbs. With the Susan/ Catherine rivalry dial currently at a 10, there's definitely more juicy dirt to be dug up in this series.

The eternally underrated Brothers and Sisters has also started back up again, currently being aired on More4.

With Kitty's health at risk and Ryan out to destroy the family business, things aren't going well for the Walker brood.

Finally, everyone's new favourite injection of cheese, Glee, is continuing this year, and with the singing successes both of the show and of Matthew Morrison (who's been signed to produce an album after his sensational performance on the show), the charmingly termed 'Gleeks' can breathe easy as the show has been renewed for a second series.

SOME programmes simply ooze quality. Mad Men is, needless to say, one of those programmes.

With two seasons already released in the UK, this stunning drama is back for a third, with more ruthless dealings and enough alcohol consumption to drown a large hippo.

If you are unfamiliar with the story, Mad Men refers to the advertising men of Madison Avenue, in 1960s Manhattan. The series follows protagonist Don Draper (John Hamm), as advertising firm Sterling Cooper's charismatic creative director.

Whilst being markedly skilled at his occupation, Don is less astute in his personal life, maintaining numerous extramarital affairs and not comprehending his wife's psychological needs.

We pick up the story, in season three, after Sterling Cooper's merger with a British company.

True to form, the Brits are seemingly unable to appear on American television screens without playing the villains.

BBC Four treated us to a double helping of this delectable drama, and the unbelievable consistency that Mad Men has shown was strictly adhered to in these first two installments, proving why it has won the Golden Globe for Best Television Drama for three consecutive years. The high quality shines through in the beautiful cinematography, the wonder-

fully crafted screenplay and the universally fantastic performances.

For two years, viewers have watched Don Draper puffing on a Lucky Strike cigarette and sipping on a glass of expensive rye whiskey with near meditative contemplation.

It is incredible how two such activities retain almost poetic, philosophical significance when undertaken by the hand of a personality like Don Draper. In fact, if one wished to encourage others to start smoking, about five minutes of Mad Men may well succeed in convincing the most wilful of non-smokers.

An utterly immersive sheet of class is draped lovingly over every glossy frame of this show. The smooth, expertly realised aesthetics of 1960s Manhattan are only matched by the superb depth in the narrative and the characterisation.

Creator Matthew Weiner relishes in painting a retrospective impression of this era, with strong brushstrokes and rich colours.

It is a bizarre joy to watch politically incorrect institutions treated with such indifference.

Racial and sexual prejudice, misogyny; the attention given to these notions is that of peripheral apathy. The conservative repressions that defined this society are displayed here in a medium that is intelligent, poignant, sometimes comic and always totally engaging.

IT is an exciting time for television with several of the big players returning.

Skins is now two episodes into its fourth series, with the opening suicide looking set to tear apart all of their lives, and with Naomi's big secret hanging in the balance, it's only a matter of time before the teens find out Cook isn't always the bad guy.

24 returned to Sky last Sunday. The action has shifted to New York and the new cast features Freddie Prinze Jr, Battlestar Galactica's Katie Sackoff and Slumdog Millionaire's Anil Kapoor. Time is running out yet again.

Also on Sky, the final season of Lost begins on Friday 5th February.

Executive producer Carlton Cuse has confirmed that flashbacks, flashforwards and time-travel are being replaced with a new story-telling device. The opening episode is titled 'LA X' and Frank Lapidus, Richard Alpert and Ilana have been upgraded to the main cast. The longterm fans are finally promised some answers.

Bad news and good news: Ugly Betty has been cancelled due to poor ratings and will terminate after its up-

Ten Things You Never Knew About... Bruce Forsyth Jemma Saunders looks into the life of a national treasure...

1. WHETHER you love him or hate him, Brucie's longevity cannot be denied; he made his first television appearance on a talent show over seven decades ago in 1939. Impressive.

2. So just how old is our Brucie? On 22nd February the energetic octogenarian will celebrate his 82nd birthday, with the majority of his life having been spent in the public eye. But remem-

ber, he's not doddery‌ 3.

Multi-talented, Bruce's passions from an early age were singing, dancing and even playing the accordion.

Now if only he could do all three on Strictly...

4. As a teenager in the theatre, he was known as 'Boy Bruce, The Mighty Atom'....

Well, I'm sure it made sense back in the 40s.

5. Back in 1971, Bruce had a small role in the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks, playing a henchman called Swinburne.

6.

In six series of presenting Strictly Come Dancing, he's only ever missed one show, due to a nasty bout of flu and even then he bounced back without a care in the world.

7.

Besides

Strictly,

B r u c e is renowned as host of The Generation Game, a role he filled for seven years in the 1970s and then reprised from 1990 until 1994.

8. Undoubtedly the catchphrase king, Brucie's greeting of 'Nice to see you, to see you nice' was publicly voted the nation's most popular catchphrase in 2007.

9.

Whilst

talking

to fellow Strictly host Claudia Winkleman last autumn, Bruce revealed that Fred Astaire was the person he would most liked to have met.

10. Besides all the show business shenanigans, Mr Forsyth is also a family man; he has five daughters and one son, and has been married to former Miss World Wilnelia Merced since 1983.

coming fourth season.

But have no fear because Glee has been renewed for a second season. Happy days for fans of the eternally entertaining Sue Slyvester!

In reality news, Jordan's boyfriend Alex Reid won the last ever Celebrity Big Brother, continuing her habit of dating reality stars. However, with Channel 5 looking to buy the rights, it appears that the show must go on.

Family Guy addicts can rejoice because The Cleveland Show, a spinoff focussing on Cleveland moving to Virginia with his obese son, premiered on E4 last Monday.

It looks set to continue in the politically-incorrect footsteps of Family Guy and Kanye West will be voicing a character in a future episode.

Adrian Pasdar, who plays flying Senator Nathan Petrelli in Heroes, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Hiro would disapprove.

And alarmingly, The X Factor sensation known as Jedward have attended the open auditions for The Hobbit. Will they be swapping their red catsuits for hairy feet?

We'll keep you posted.

Sport

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

25

'On the verge of something special' ZENA Wooldridge is more warrior than princess but doesn't seem to mind a bit. The 48-year-old has spent much of her life slaying opponents on the squash court, where she competed in the World Masters Championship until injury forced her to retire in 2008. She now spends her time fighting the corner for the university as the Director of Sport, where she heads a team that manages the strategic and business planning for University of Birmingham Sport (UBS).

She sets the agenda for sport at Birmingham and believes the next five years can be the most successful in the university's history if a robust and sustainable business model is adhered to. Zena took time out of her busy schedule to explain three of the most important concepts.

Engaging the masses THE eternal question for any higher education institution's head of sport is how to increase participation and, for Warwick graduate Wooldridge, it is no different. She appreciates that universities such as Birmingham are unusual in terms of the range of what they cover, catering from beginner to the world class, but feels the University does a reasonable job in its offerings.

'For us, getting more students engaged in an active lifestyle helps provide a balanced lifestyle and increased productivity in their studies and work. We're pretty good at sport but we're probably not engaging as many students as we'd like to.'

'Everyone realises the facilities we have at the moment were built in the 1960s when the student population was a quarter of the size that it is nowadays. The fact is that the University has recognised this and is absolutely fully on board in terms of resolving the problem.'

The next part of Wooldridge's response is positive in terms of the progress of UBS in the next five years. 'We've spent a lot of time over recent years considering the various options for future sport provision.'

Wooldridge continues: 'The University has a long list of major redevelopment projects, all important for improving student experience, and all needing big chunks of capital in the midst of a recession. These include a new library and new residences for instance, which are difficult to compare in relative importance. They each bring different value to student experience. But sport is high up on the agenda, and we're hopeful it will be in the mix for the next set of projects. Watch this space.'

Developing off the field skills WOOLDRIDGE believes it is a responsibility of UBS to equip Birmingham students with more than onfield experiences. She is a firm believer of the need to foster skills within Birmingham's sports clubs and to generate core skills such as leadership and teamwork that set athletes up for life. This, Wooldridge says, is one of UBS' strengths. 'UBS is very much a partnership between our team, the VPS and the students who

'We need to capitalise on our potential but we haven't quite done that yet' When quizzed as to why this was the case, Wooldridge insisted it was nothing more than a space issue. 'It's primarily because we don't have the space or the facilities.

Student teams, the biggest Active Lifestyle programme in the country, the Intra League program, sport within academic colleges, together they don't leave much space for the ordinary student and staff member who wants to play sport for fun.'

The problem is that the University has outgrown the dilapidated Munrow Sports Centre. What can be done about this?

Zena Wooldridge believes Birmingham are on the cusp of an era of sporting success. Ben Whitelaw talks to her about the three big issues for university sport in the immediate future

are driving their clubs.

The UBS team should provide expertise to help run clubs. UBS is an enabler, but it's the students that are the doers.'

But what happens when communication inevitably breaks down between club committees and the UBS team or when the clubs don't utilise the help that is on offer?

'The integrated nature of how we run student clubs within UBS, I think, encourages students to get more involved.' Wooldridge is quick to point out that one way this is facilitated is through the Club Training Conference

Photo: Courtesy of Buzz Magazine at the beginning of the year which tries to equip new club committees with the necessary skills to manage their club.

BUCS points make prizes AS much as Wooldridge realises the importance of a high level of participation in university sport, she is more than aware that the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) tables are equally key. They, she admits, become a focus of atten-

tion at the end of every academic year. And Wooldridge wasn't as surprised as most that Birmingham slipped to fourth last year, after Leeds Met stole into the top three. 'If you'd tracked the huge investment in scholarships, coaching and marketing over the last 4 years, Leeds Met's sudden rise was inevitable. The question everyone is asking is whether it's sustainable.'

Wooldridge insists that, despite the slip, it's not a time to panic. 'We have to be realistic about where Birmingham positions itself as a Russell Group university with a

track record of sporting excellence. If you look back 12 years ago, we were slipped to third, not because of our performance, but because Bath invested a great deal in facilities and infrastructure.' Wooldridge continued: 'If you look at the rankings over the years, Birmingham have been remarkably stable.'

Rather than worrying about the past, Wooldridge suggests that Birmingham has a bright future. 'My belief is that Birmingham is the only institution in the country that has the set of attributes to challenge for number one and challenge

Loughborough.' The university's central location, being a Russell Group university, the reputation it has for sport, are all reasons, says Wooldridge, to be excited about Birmingham's future.

'The combination of all of that is actually quite hard to find elsewhere.

What we need to do is to capitalise on our potential but we haven't quite done that yet. I think we are sitting on the verge of something quite special.

It won't happen straight away though; it has to be a long term sustainable plan'.

26 Sport

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

Second half battle not enough for beaten Brum Men's Rugby Union 3rds: Birmingham v Nottingham Trent 3 - 24 James Phillips A DEVASTATING first half performance from Nottingham Trent was enough to secure them a comfortable victory despite a vastly improved second half performance from University of Birmingham's

rugby union 3rd team. It was a game of two halves on a freezing afternoon at the Metchley Pitches, with all points being scored in the first half as Trent took advantage of the slightly sloped pitch.

In what was Birmingham's first game in over eight weeks, due to bad weather and player unavailability, the hosts started slowly and after Trent's Matt Watkins launched the ball forward, inspired scrum-half Shane Wright scored the first try with only five minutes on the clock. The same player then missed the conversion but he would have further chances to impress as the half went

on. On 16 minutes, the home side racked up what would prove to be their only points when fly-half James Clark converted a penalty, capitalising on a rare first half period of Birmingham pressure.

From this point Trent pushed forward and set up camp near the Birmingham try-line, winning a series of scrums.

Good play by Wright and Josh Watson resulted in centre Andy Bushell scoring the visitors' second try and this time Wright made no mistake with the conversion, extending the lead to 12-3. Wright, Robin Coates and Owen Pearce did well attacking down the left flank and

only Rhys O'Neill looked up to the job of defending for the hosts. Birmingham were on the back foot for lengthy spells in the first half, Clark and Jack Roper attempted to break but they were frustrated by organised opposition.

Bushell then scored his second try of the game after a good run down the right wing and Wright converted from an unbelievably tight angle to put the visitors out of sight at 19-3.

Things got worse before half time, clumsy handling from Dan Shepherdson almost let the away side through, and although the hosts survived that scare, minutes

later Andy Longworth succeeded in increasing the lead to 24-3 and Wright was unlucky to see his attempted conversion hit the post and bounce out.

Birmingham coach Dan Tanner had stern words for his team at half time, emphasising the need for better communication, organisation and setting a target of two tries in the second half. 'We look dejected, but it's not over, get back in there,' he told his players.

Birmingham couldn't quite reach the target of two tries, but the second half saw a much more impressive display from the home side. The hosts looked far more organised

defensively and Trent struggled to launch the kind of attacks which had served them so well in the first half. The game became tense and flanker Shiedu Ufodama, scrumhalf Spencer Barnes and substitute Callum Mackenzie all impressed for the home side.

After the match, Tanner was proud of the turn-around: 'The team listened well, it's a developing squad and it was good to see them respond to the team talk.' Birmingham will be looking to take the positives from their second half display and use them when they play Warwick away in two weeks time.

Photo: Tom Flathers

Brum attempt to get quick ball from the scrum and mount an attack

Hockey disappointed but take pride in narrow defeat Women's Hockey 4ths: Birmingham v Oxford Brookes 2-4 Simon Hall THEY may not grace Redbrick’s back pages every week but, on Wednesday, the Birmingham Women’s hockey 4th XI demonstrated the strength in depth of the club at the University.

The team put in a performance of great grit and determination but were ultimately unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a 4-2 score line against Oxford Brookes.

The home side got into its stride quickest and they deservedly took the lead after five min-

utes. A slick, well-worked short corner was drilled into the area where Emily Crack was on hand to cleverly guide the ball home.

Sadly, the hosts’ elation at taking an unexpected lead was short lived as the visitors leveled just two minutes later with a powerful long-range effort from Brooke’s striker.

This moment proved to be very influential and the complexion of the game shifted immediately.

Both teams increased their tempos dramatically, almost to the point of it being frenetic. Both sensed that victory was possible and it was clear that the next goal would be crucial. The away team applied increasing amounts of pressure but strong defending from sweeper Katie King and successive smart saves from Charlie Fowle in goal kept them at bay. But Brum still looked very threatening on the counter attack and from one of these breaks Kate

Baker came very close but flicked agonizingly wide.

However, it was the Oxfordshire side who scored the decisive goal with half an hour gone.

A visiting midfielder was the first to react to another fine save from Fowle to fire low into the bottom corner of the goal. This was followed five minutes later by another Brookes goal doubling their lead and striking a devastating blow to Brum’s chances.

After half time both sides came out looking fresh once more. Birmingham created numerous openings but simply couldn’t find the killer pass to slice through the seemingly impenetrable opposition defence. The home side was dominating possession and it seemed it would only be a matter of time before they pulled a goal back. Alas, much to the frustration of the sparse home support, it was their opponents who scored against the run of

play. Neat build up on the edge of the area created some space for the away striker, who shot powerfully into the goal to put Brookes 4-1 up.

Following this, the home side absorbed more intense pressure but their defence held firm with Jess Smith battling valiantly on the frontline. This allowed scope for Brum to display more of their counter attacking quality and it was one of these attacks which resulted in a fine consolation for the home team.

The ball was cleared long and flicked on before Kate Baker coolly rounded a stranded Brookes keeper to slot home.

This completed the scoring and the match died down from this point with fatigue setting in.

The Birmingham girls will take great encouragement from this performance and it is easy to see why women’s hockey has enjoyed the success that it has at Birmingham.

Despite defeat Birmingham showed glimpses of talent

Photo: Tom Flathers

Sport

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

27

Brum kick lifeless Leicester to another defeat

Birmingham were left frustrated that they did not get more points on the board but can be satisfied with a comfortable win

Men's Rugby 2nds: Birmingham v Leicester 1st 14 - 0 Patrick Surlis

W

BIRMINGHAM'S rugby union 2nd XV ran out con-

vincing 14-0 winners over a lacklustre Leicester 1st XV on Wednesday afternoon at Metchley Park. In unforgiving conditions and with the pitch cutting up horribly even during the pre-match warm-up, the performance of the Birmingham side was impressive against a Leicester team struggling alongside them at the wrong end of the table.

From the start, Birmingham's forwards put pressure on their opposite numbers, Harrison and Jones in particular driving

the Birmingham pack on.

A good number of early breaks from the backs almost capitalised on this momentum, Delvin-Jones and Liton on several occasions motoring through a leaky Leicester defence.

However, points were hard to come by for both teams, with the ball often getting bogged down around the half way line and neither side made many inroads into their opponents twenty two.

Nevertheless, as the half wore on, Birmingham's forwards controlled the

lineout. This heaped pressure on the Leicester defence and they eventually buckled, conceding two penalties, both of which were dispatched confidently by Delvin-Jones, giving Birmingham a 6-0 half-time lead.

Less than 10 minutes after the restart, DelvinJones had extended Birmingham's lead, kicking another penalty. The home sides scrum-half, Thompson, was particularly impressive, marshalling the forwards effectively and forcing a series of errors

from his opposite number, which allowed Birmingham to retain much of the possession. With ten minutes remaining a lightning attack from the hosts put the Leicester defence on the back foot, forcing them to concede a penalty try.

From right in front of the posts Delvin-Jones could not convert, the only blemish on a superb performance, and whilst Leicester ended the game well, solid defending enabled Birmingham to seal a 14-0 victory. Leicester

=the===redbrick==crossword= Sephron Mansell

Redbrick 1364

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Photo: Tom Flathers

Sponsored by Waterstone's at the University of Birmingham With Valentine's Day fast approaching, the prize this week is a copy of Adriana Trigiani's Very Valentine, plus a card and gift wrap paper of your choice

Across

Down

1. Society, cultivation (12) 6. ____, 1987 Terry Pratchett novel (4) 7. Spanish capital city (6) 9. ____ Shelley, Frankenstein novelist (4) 10. Golden-yellow colour (5) 12. Desire strongly (5) 14. Bellow, wail (4) 15. C.G. ______, author of 2007 novel Dark Fire (6) 16. ____ It Up, latest album from Pixie Lott (4) 18. Lines of poetry consisting of 12 syllables (12)

1. Species of ape (10) 2. Luther ________, US singer with hits such as Dance with my father (8) 3. Extravagant, wasteful (6) 4. ___ Ball, Live and Kicking presenter (3) 5. Tusk, bone (5) 8. Internal, native (10) 9. _____ Streep, actor of 2009 film, It's Complicated (5) 11. Referee's assistant (8) 13. ______, James Cameron's latest blockbuster (6) 14. Matthew _____, Gavin and Stacey actor (5) 17. Of Mice and ___, famous John Steinbeck novel (3)

have now failed to score in 160 minutes against the Birmingham 2nd XV, with the reverse fixture finishing 24-0 to Birmingham earlier this season.

The home side's performance was commendable in tricky conditions, the wind and rain making it difficult to get much grip on the soft pitch.

This win sets Birmingham up nicely for next week's game against league leaders Harper Adams University, a good test for a side that has started brightly since the new year.

Last issue's solutions:

casablanca=== o===r===e=f== r===i==scar=p proverb=e=a=a o===f==alan=l r=a=====i=c=p a=fascinate=i t=f=e=====s=t i=arch==a===a o=b=o=fervent n=lone==o===i ==e=d===m===o ===usurpation Think you've cracked it? Pop your completed crosswords (and bribes, naturally) in to the Redbrick office with your NAME, COURSE, YEAR and EMAIL ADDRESS for a chance to win Adriana Trigiani's Very Valentine plus a card and gift wrap paper of your choice from the University's Waterstone's branch.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday 9th February 2010.

Last issue's winner was Amy Jones, 2nd Year, Law with French.

We will email you to arrange a time for you to collect your prize.

28 Sport

REDBRICK 1364 / 5th FEBRUARY 2010

SPORT

27 Rugby 2nds Birmingham kick their way to a comfortable win

26 Hockey The women's 4th team are narrowly beaten Photo: Tom Flathers

Brum's men's third team battle against the elements Full report: page 26 and a tough Nottingham Trent side

Tennis triumph over limp Leicester Men's Tennis 1st: Birmingham v Leicester 10 - 0 Dave Rudge THE Men's tennis 1sts kept their promotion bid firmly on track on Wednesday afternoon

with a resounding 10-0 win over the Leicester 2nds at the Edgbaston Priory Club. Birmingham's victory made it seven out of seven in the BUCS Midlands Conference this season and their opponents never looked like causing an upset.

The action began with Birmingham's Alex Henderson and Tom Stevenson's 8-0 whitewash over Leicester's Kris Wilcox and Craig Edwards. They overwhelmed their East Midland opponents with relentless force of serve and clinical returns. The away side's serves, on the

other hand, though accurate, lacked power and they made countless unforced errors which only served to propel the hosts to victory. Stevenson hit a controlled volley down the centre, after a lovely feign, to take the fourth game and Henderson was raining aces throughout.

The match reached the point where the returns stopped coming back and the away team started to look very demoralised.

Meanwhile on the opposite court, Birmingham captain Jamie Bourne and Simon Blatchford toppled Julian Calunga

and James Dewar 8-0, handing the hosts a 2-0 advantage going into the singles matches. Next, Stevenson took on Marc Freedman on court 15.

The home player took the first game without breaking sweat, broke Freedman's serve in the second and gave him the brush in the third. The Leicester man's almost freakishly strong serve enabled him to pull it back to 3-1. But a combination of poor technique and successive double-faults allowed Stevenson to race to victory, 6-1, 6-0.

Over on the other

courts, straight sets wins for Henderson, Bourne and Blatchford meant the hosts wrapped up an emphatic victory in less than two hours.

After the game, captain Bourne was pleased with the attitude of his players: 'It was difficult to keep concentrating but everyone came through their matches comfortably. I was happy with the concentration levels shown. It was a good confidence boost for everyone, having not played tennis in a while. Bourne now believes promotion is all but secured. 'One

more win and we should be there. I think we're too strong for this league.

If the team carries on playing the way it is, we should definitely be promoted.'

It certainly would be a travesty if they didn't go up given the ease with which they've brushed aside every opponent so far this season. Their next league game is a tricky away tie at mid-table Warwick 3rds. Victory there would almost certainly see them gain a promotion which, judging by today's performance, will be richly deserved.

Last call for Redbrick Sport editors – Are you committed to covering all aspects of University sport?

– Are you interested in producing The Lion, out in March to cover the University's success in the BUCS Championships?

– Do you want to be part of the legendary Redbrick Sport podcasts?

If you would like to be interviewed for the position of sport editor, email sports@redbrickonline.co.uk by Monday 8th February