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griffiti

Cover Image: Samuel Burgess

Contents

griffiti

Issue 30 February 2009

Editor Noel Burke

Web Editor Agnieszka Bernacka

Sub Editor Suzanne Fitzpatrick

Photography Samuel Burgess Nathaniel Doyle ZoĂŤ McGovern

Contributors Iman Al-Majali Guy Arbell Oisin Collins Sara Devine Natasha Rocca Devine Nicola Byrne Roisin Trait Suzanne Fitzpatrick

Layout & Design Noel Burke For all advertising enquiries please call 01-4150463 Printed in Ireland by Impression Design & Print Griffiti Magazine is owned and published by the Griffith College Students’ Union

4 S.U News 6 Party People 8 The Genuine Article 10 PPAI awards winner 12 Griff Fm on the air 14 Caught in the Middle East 16 Des Bishop 18 Failure is an Option 20 Electric Ego 24 Camden Calling 26 Reviews 27 Win Concert Tickets!

www.griffiti.ie

e-mail griffiti@gcd.ie All contents copyright of Griffiti magazine. Reproduction of any part of Griffiti without permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Blizzards Photography in issue 27 by Tom Morgan

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Student’s Union News Charities for R.A.G week selected riffith College SU is pleased to announce that it will be donating all money made from this years RAG week to both The Irish Cancer Foundation and The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland. "Cancer is an issue that has affected too many families across Ireland, and Cystic Fibrosis is Ireland's most common lifethreatening genetically inherited disease.

They are both charities that need as

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Sean Reid S.U President

much help as possible, which is why we have chosen to help them out with our RAG week this year" informed SU President Seán Reid.

RAG Week will kick off on March 9th and students are asked to help out as much as they can so Griffith can help these groups as much as possible.

R.A.G Week Volunteers Needed!

U President Seán Reid has called upon the entire student body to help him and the SU raise as much money as possible for RAG week, by getting involved in any way they can.

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"Most students will go to the events during the week, however some of the most entertaining and rewarding ways for students to raise funds is for them to get themselves involved and come up with their own fund-raisers", Reid explained. "Last year, I shaved off my dreadlocks for RAG week and raised a

lot of money for charity. I'd like to see more students come up with ideas like this. I already have had a few people come up with some ideas such as a sponsored fast, head shaving, leg waxing, a week of silence, and even a strip show!"

If you want to get involved with fund raising, or have an idea of your own that you want to make happen, either pop into Seáns office in the Meagher building or email him at su.president@gcd.ie.

Revised Student’s Union Opening Hours Monday 9:30am-8:30pm

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Tuesday 9:30am-8:30pm

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9:30am-8:30pm

9:30am-8:30pm

9:30am-5:30pm

Officers on Duty

Officers on Duty

Officers on Duty

Officers on Duty

Officers on Duty

Pres: 9:30am5:30pm

Pres: 12:30pm8:30pm

Pres: 9:30am5:30pm

Pres: 9:30am5:30pm

Pres: 9:30am5:30pm

Welfare: 9:30am5:30pm

Welfare: 9:30am5:30pm

Welfare: 12:30pm8:30pm

Welfare: 9:30am5:30pm

Welfare: 9:30am5:30pm

Clubs: 12:30pm8:30pm

Clubs: 9:30am5:30pm

Clubs: 9:30am5:30pm

Clubs: 12:30pm8:30pm

Clubs: 9:30am5:30pm

Note: These opening times refer to regular college weeks only.

During assignment/ exam/study weeks the SU will open standrad hours of 9:30am5:30pm only

Welfare Week 2009! appy new year, can you believe it is 2009 already! Hope you all had a good time over Christmas and did well in your exams! I would like to take this opportunity to wish the nine students flying out to Malawi on the 26th of January the best of luck with their projects and I look forward to seeing all their hard work myself in June.

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On Monday the 9th of February we are starting Welfare Week 2009!!! Throughout the week we have organised fun events to allow us all to have both a good time and pick up some very important information. On the day of the 9th itself there is an awareness day with the Gardai coming in alongside self defence teachers. That night our LGBT society have invited you to attend an event in the Panti Bar on Capel street! On Tuesday the 10th we have our S.H.A.G Day with the much awaited S.H.A.G packs (yes more free condoms!). During the day there will be people from the H.S.E coming in to give you information on quitting smoking and doing free carbon monoxide tests on all you smokers out there. That night the S.H.A.G ball takes place in the Purty Kitchen, Temple bar. I hope to see you all there! On Wednesday the 11th we have our health day which is also a ‘Think Pink’ themed day. This day we ask you all to wear pink

Jacquie Ryan Welfare Officer

clothing and donate €1 to the Marie Keating foundation who will be visiting the college on that day also. Other people who are visiting include the Kidney Donor Association and the Blood Bank who are doing a pick up service to the donation clinic on D'olier Street. On Thursday the 12th we have a nutrition and fitness day, which will be promoting healthy eating and the use of the gym. The Heart Foundation are also coming in and will supply free cholesterol checks. On Friday the 13th we have ‘Please Talk Day’, this is where we invite you all to come to talk to Carole Wardlaw or myself and tell us if anything is troubling or upsetting you.

Have you noticed the new vending machines in the SU? The money raised from these machines goes to the Jack and Jill foundation which is a great cause. Now don't forget to call into the SU and visit us!

Jacquie

GCD’s Sporting Calendar s the new semester begins so does another round of college sporting Kieran Hickey events. February will see Griffith College compete in several Sports Officer intervarsity competitions.

First up is the pool Intervarsities, which are to be held in the Castle Arms Hotel in Birr, Co. Offaly on February 6th-8th.

The Pool Intervarsity has seen Griffith College compete with success in recent years and this year should be no different after a highly competitive pool league during the first semester which saw Will Flynn, Ian Donegan, Paddy Daly and Kieran Hickey making up this years team.

The same weekend the college will take part in the equestrian Intervarsities at the Broadmeadows equestrian centre in Ashbourne, Co.Meath. Last year saw Griffith College compete in the equestrian inter-college event for the first time and we will be competing again this year with a bigger and stronger team. Iona Ni Dhalaigh, John Sheridan, Bernice Gaffney, Zara Marie King and Sinead Ni Chinneide will represent the college

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this year. All 5 are competing in the show-jumping event in what is sure to be a highly competitive weekend.

February will also see this years Basketball intervarsities which are to be hosted by Queens University in Belfast. The college's basketball team will make the long trip north where they have being pitted against the Garda College, UUC and Dundalk I.T in the week long competition.

With commencement of another semester we will also see all the clubs and societies starting up again. The pool league will break off on February 2nd from scratch, the pool is held every Monday in the Student's Union building, all new players are welcome. Three days later will also see the re-emergence of the poker society.

Poker competitions are also held on a weekly basis, every Thursday in E002, with the meet up time at 6.30pm, and again all new players are welcome. The new semester will see a host a more societies up and running again, as well as that if anyone wants to start up a new society this semester, don't hesitate call into the SU.

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Party People Xmas Ball 2008- Tramco

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Photography by: Keelan Meade

For more party pictures log on to:

www.griffiti.ie

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The Genuine Article With Star reporter Drew Peacock

Hego: I F**king love the Recession!

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n an intimate fireside interview with The Genuine Article, College Fat Cat Diarmuid Hegarty spoke about his life, business and love of thongs. The supremo also opened up to The Genuine Article about why he was revelling in the latest recession. "I've been in business all my life, and there really is nothing better than a good old recession! It gives you the excuse to do anything!

In Brief Govt officially declares Griffith Residence a 'Ghost Town'

When students ask for better facilites you simply say 'we can't afford it', or when a faculty asks for more cash you simply say 'Are you mad?

We're in a recession!' Nobody can argue with you. I cut corners everywhere! See this Armani suit I'm wearing right now? This should have been a new computer for the journalism faculty! It's great!" said an elated Hego.

GCD Soccer team relegated from primary schools league to 'High-Infacts Cup' Griff FM goes on the air.

We ask 'who gives a shit?'

Hegarty: Delighted with himself

Survey: Law Students Sluttiest in College

GCD lost & found office relocated to former welfare officer Ciara Healy’s apartment

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'Be a Raving Homosexual' now an official CAO requirement to enter GCD fashion course

n a survey conducted by The Genuine Article, Law students came out on top (no pun intended) as the sluttiest students in the college.

The highly scientific survey which was conducted with a blue Crayola and the back of a cigarette box showed that you are 42% more likely to get the ride off a Law student than any other student in Griffith. Law Student Shane Mooney told The Genuine Article "I've spent most of the year in one crevice or another. I

just can't get enough of it!" Research suggests that the sheer amount of study involved in Law causes the students to become so stressed that frantic riding provides the ideal release.

On the opposite side of the coin computer students came out as being the least sexually active in the college. Although upon further investigate, The Genuine Article discovered that this was not actually by choice.

U2 cancel concert in Griffith Conference Centre

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2 frontman Bono announced today that the band's 2009 Irish concert date will no longer be held in the Griffith Conference Centre.

Speaking from his home in Killiney via satellite, Bono explained the reasons behind the cancellation. "At first we thought it was a great idea ya know? People sometimes think that we forget where we are from, but sure we're as much of a bunch of Paddies as the rest of ye, so Griffith College was the first place that came to mind." However the world famous musician went on to explain the change of venue. "Even

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if we sold out the concert, sold out all the merchandising on the night, charged €50 for a bottle of water, recorded the concert and released it in cinemas as a 3D movie, then sold it on DVD, and recorded the music and released it as a live album, then put the DVD and the album into 1 special-edition boxset, and declared all these sales in our Dutch tax records, we'd still be €200,000 short on the venue hire fees….we'd have to at least break even ya know?"

The concert will now take place in Croke Park. "The G.A.A are a slightly less devious breed," the singer claimed.

New American Exchange students arrive. Sale of ear plugs skyrockets Hegarty hires former Anglo Irish staff to increase GCD accounts office efficiency Arthurs Bar manager hospitalised after shock of student ordering a pint Barry Finnegan announces decision to quit GCD to study fashion in Milan

*The contents of this section are satirical and may offend. The views espressed here do not represent the views of GCD Student Union

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griffiti writer wins PPAI award ongratulations to Griffiti writer Aaron Rogan who won Best Student Writing at the PPAI Magazine Awards in December. Held in the Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, the Periodicals Publisher's Association of Ireland ceremony awards a total of 11 prizes to Ireland's national magazine titles for excellence in magazine production. Aaron won the fiercely competitive best student writing category for his feature on the American election- entitled 'American Idols'-that appeared in the November issue of Griffiti magazine.

Previous winners of this award include student journalists from D.I.T and D.C.U, with articles from national publications Hot Press andVillage Magazine. This is the first time a student writer from an exclusively college-based magazine has won a PPAI award, and the first time a Griffith College student has won. The award was judged by a panel which included Stephen Quinn, the Publishing Director of Vogue, and Elaine Geraghty, Chief Executive of Newstalk. They said: 'Aaron presented an interesting opinion piece on a current topic, and displayed an engaging writing style in a well written piece'.

Other winners on the night included State Magazine and Hot Press for Designer of the year and Editor of the year respectively.

Information on the awards ceremony is available at www.ppa.ie/awards.

To read Aaron's features go to www.griffiti.ie

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Griffiti’s Aaron Rogan recieving his award

Christmas ball raises €600 for charity riffith College Students Union would like to thank everyone who came along to the Christmas Ball in Tramco. It was a great sight to see so many people wearing Santa hats and enjoying themselves, but some students may be unaware that by attending the event, they help raise funds for Irish Chronic Pain Association.

A total of €600 was raised and donated to the charity and was presented to Christina Donnelly, a previous Griffith College student and

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member of the charity.

"Many people are unaware of chronic pain syndrome, but it is a terrible condition that can literally change a person's entire life. I have seen the effects of it within my own family and am delighted at the chance to help out the Irish Chronic Pain Association in anyway shape or form.

I'm proud of the student body here for helping out and wish to thank everyone who came to the ball," SU President Reid said as the money was donated over.

SU Opens Dining Area he Students' Union has opened up a new kitchen/dining facility on the ground floor of the SU. The facility has been put in place to give students who don't wish to purchace food a suitable place to eat.

The issue was originally highlighed by Campbells Catering who operate the college resturant and College Facilites Manager Marcus Reidy. "There has been a problem of students using classrooms to eat their lunches for as long as I can remember. It's not really acceptable to have students eating in lecture rooms on any level. Marcus (Reidy) came to me looking for a solution to the situation as it really is his job to keep the classrooms up to spec. I suggested we utilise the area in the Students' Union for student dining. I have to give credit to Marcus as he has been very accommodating all year

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in terms of redeveloping the Students' Union and he was no different in this situation" said Students' Union Manager John McSweeney.

The dining area is a basic facility, it has several microwaves, a television, sink and is expected to be fitted with a hot water boiler within the coming weeks. All students who bring their own food to Griffith or purchace food in Spar are incouraged to use it rather than Arthurs Bar or classrooms.

NOTICE! THE STUDENTS' UNION WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A CLARIFICATION ALL EVENTS ORGANISED IN ARTHURS BAR ARE DONE SO BY ARTHURS BAR, NOT THE STUDENTS UNION, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. THE STUDENTS' UNION HAS ORGANISED THE FOLLOWING EVENTS SO FAR THIS YEAR: FRESHERS WEEK, HALLOWEEN BALL, CHRISTMAS BALL AND CHRISTMAS TABLE QUIZ. NIGHTS SUCH AS SALSA NIGHT OR DOCTORS AND NURSES NIGHT ARE ORGANIED BY ARTHURS BAR AND HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE STUDENTS' UNION. IN ORDER TO AVOID FURTHER CONFUSION, FROM NOW ON STUDENTS' UNION EVENTS WILL CARRY THE TAG-LINE "THE GRIFFITH COLLEGE STUDENTS' UNION PRESENTS‌" -THE ENTERTAINMENTS OFFICER

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Griff Fm takes to the airwaves Roisin trait

riff FM 97.3 is back on air for 2009 and is running from the 2nd-16th of February! This year the launch party will be held in Arthur's on the 2nd of February at 7.30pm.

After beating off strong competition from top stars throughout the country, special guest Des Cahill will be there to get things rolling.

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The students of the journalism faculty have been working endlessly to bring you a fun packed line up of shows. Each morning we will be kicking off with the morning show from 8am-10am followed by a daily line up of the mid morning show, drive time, sports, music and fashion. And to keep things interesting we will be bringing in special guests from within the college and outside campus to keep you entertained.

There will be a various amount of competitions held for you to be in with the chance to win some great prizes .This year we have got our hands on two tickets for the Griffith Ball up for grabs, which will be held in the Burlington Hotel in April. Competition prizes also include a selection of fine wines for you to win and many more great goodies.

Throughout the two weeks we will be encouraging students and staff alike to tune in and get involved in the show. And for you music lovers there will be live bands in the studio to let you get a taste for the new and up coming talent.

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This year like no other Journalism and Visual Media Student Hugh Hick will be doing a piece on “The War of the Worlds” in remembrance of Orson Welles, which will be one worth listening too.

We at Griff FM are so committed to our programmes that we have been roping in the best advice on the dos and don't of radio broadcast from presenter Jonathan Ross!

The station will broadcast live from 8am-Midnight seven days a week for 2 weeks, on a frequency broadcasting into the city centre. The station will also be streamed online for your listening pleasure on the GCD website. Previous Griff Fm launch parties have seen the likes of Ray D’Arcy and Pat Kenny come along for the free drink and chance to meet with the future stars of radio.

Now That Griff FM 97.3 is coming to a near grab your radio's, mp3's and get ready to tune into what will be a great two weeks of broadcast. Come along to the launch party down in Arthur's to join in on the complimentary drinks and to celebrate the launch of

Griff FM 97.3.

International Student Trip to Galway & Inis Oirr very year the Students' Union organises a series of off-Campus excursions specifically for international students. The trips can vary from a minor jaunt to Johnny Fox's pub in the Wicklow mountains to a major expedition around Ireland. On December 5th the latter took place.

Supervised by Students' Union Manager John McSweeney and International Student Services Officer Paul Mullally, a trip was arranged to Galway city and the smallest of the Aran Islands (Inis Oirr) off the west coast for a group of 45 students from a wide range of nationalities.

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The trip was heavily subsidised by the Students' Union and cost each individual student just â‚Ź45 for 2 nights accommodation, breakfast both mornings and return transport by bus and ferry from Onis Oirr and Galway to Griffith College.

"It was just something I felt we needed to do. Paul (Mullally) came up with the basic outline of where we should bring the students and then we set about making it a reality. The way I see it is, a lot of these students are paying over twice as much to come to Griffith as Irish students are. As such, I don't think we should crucify them with huge charges to go on these trips. Many of them come to Ireland looking to experience what they see on postcards back home, the sort of green emerald Isle image of Ireland. I had budgeted for this trip at the start of the year, as such I was able to knock about 60% off what the actual cost of the trip would have been per person. It made it very affordable for the students who went, and I'm very proud of that" said Students' Union Manager John McSweeney.

treated to a private pre-booked area in 'The Quays' nightclub where many of them danced the night away to some fantastic live music. During Saturday the students were allowed explore the sights and sounds of the city for themselves. That evening the students were transferred to Ros a' MhĂ­l ferry port where they boarded a ferry and headed to Inis Oirr for the night.

On the Saturday night on the island students were able to experience the slower pace of life that is enjoyed by the locals. On Sunday many of the students hired bikes and explored the terrain visiting ship wreaks and ruins of castles before returning to Dublin that evening.

"Every aspect of it surpassed my expectation. The care and planning that the student advisors put into the trip showed how much they really care about the international students.

I have never met such a respectable, likable group of student services employees. They made not only my weekend in Galway and the Aran Islands enjoyable, but my entire experience in Ireland. Griffith College is lucky to have such hardworking men on staff" said American exchange student Jeanne O'Leary In a survey conducted by the Griffith College Quality Assurance Officer Richard McHugh at the request of the Students Union the trip received a universal thumbs up. 100% of students describe the trip as 'Good Value for Money' with a further 98% of students saying that that they got a 'Good Experience of Ireland' on the trip. "I'm absolutely delighted with the survey results. I felt the trip went excellently and it seems that the students agree with me. It really is an amazing success story" said International Student Services Officer Paul Mullally.

The Students' Union is currently in the process of organising the next international student trip. Times and dates have yet to be confirmed. For more information contact the Students' Union.

n the Friday night in Galway the students enjoyed the social life that the city had to offer and were

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A Human Tragedy Caught in the Middle (East) By Guy Arbell

've always wanted to learn the game of Chess. I remember how as a young child I was fascinated by my grandfather's old mahogany chessboard, resting on his desk. 'It's the game of kings' he told me once, one which closely resembled the world we live in. It is a game of hard decision making, patience and strategy. And it is one where kings, queens, bishops and pawns' moves are carefully played out so one side can claim a victory in a world of black and white. Much like the world of global politics, wouldn't you think?

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However, I have found our world to be far more complex. The constant global power struggles manifesting in countless regional conflicts have now made it the more and more difficult to make out the black from the white, the good from the bad, and the right from the wrong. I am from the MiddleEast, you see, where a century of conflict between Israel and its neighbours have made their mark not simply on the grand chessboard of global politics, but on my very own life. And despite living in Ireland for the past few years, the recent war Israel waged in Gaza against Hamas has shown me, yet again, that it is a conflict I cannot ignore.

I am by no means an expert on Middle-Eastern politics, nor do I pretend to be. However, I believe growing up in Israel and serving three years in the Israeli army puts me in a unique and valid position to comment on these most recent events. If you are hoping for a quick and easy-to-understand synopsis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and 'Gaza war' I'm sorry to disappoint you. There is no such thing. Our history is long and tedious, contested and complex, where each side has suffered tragic losses, and has its adamant supporters.

Unfortunately for me, it has become quite unfashionable to support Israel. I say 'unfashionable' for a reason, as it has become quite clear to me that most interest in recent events in the region, particularly here in Ireland, amount to no more than a passing fad. Last year it was Darfur, then is was Burma, and now its Gaza. I have been solicited two-cent advice on how to 'solve the problem' by people young and old, students, friends and work colleagues, everywhere I go - be it in the cafeteria, a smoking area, or online. Based on two minute news coverage (by an rather biased Irish media), these people are now experts. Armed with Facebook status updates which show how much they care, they have found a new pet project to distract them from daily life.

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Don't get me wrong, I love to talk politics. In fact, many times I find myself hungry for a good political debate. But these discussions are as far from debates, as Ireland is from sunshine. They are one-sided accusations and half-baked peace proposals based on little to no true understanding. It seems to me that too many people I've met seem to have forgotten this country's 'troubles', and how it affected their lives. Thankfully, it's been quite a while since a bomb exploded in Dublin city centre, and it appears that that is a chapter in Irish history which will not be repeated. And yet, it is once which seems too quickly forgotten.

Israelis and Palestinians living in the Middle-East don't have the privilege of having short memories, you see. It's a hard thing to have when each passing day you are afraid to take the bus, go to the mall, or simply live your life without fear. For them, Gaza is more that an item on the six o'clock news. The twenty-two days of war in Gaza may no longer be headline news in Ireland, but is still a reality both sides of the conflict must face. Rocket still fly, cities are still in ruins, people are still afraid and too many lives have been torn apart. And despite not being 'news' anymore, it is far from over. How do you make peace with someone who won't let you breathe? Who won't even acknowledge your right to exist? How do you break the cycle of violence? Much like those two cent peacemakers, I don't know the answer to these questions. I wish I did.

I believe peace is possible, and change can occur. And if it can't come from the top, it must start from the bottom. From us. Whether we live in Israel, Palestine, Ireland or anywhere else, people must band together and continue caring. Armed with compassion for both sides, knowledge and an awareness of the complexities at play, people can spread understanding, not hate - and make a difference. Let us not let these governments play regular people like mere pawns in a game.

They cannot be left to get caught in the middle.

I never did get the chance to learn how to play chess. And for me, the black and white on the grand 'chessboard' of the Middle-East seem to have all but faded to grey. I find myself caught in the middle. No longer able to make the distinction between what is just and unjust, right from wrong, the 'good' guys from the 'bad'. I am but a one Guy, one voice amongst the many pawns played out in this game, who refuses to remain silent.

Two Griffiti writers analyse the Gaza Crisis

Under Siege By Iman Al-Majali magine sitting at home amongst your family and within a heart beat, everyone is dead, you do not know how just yet. You're left there with only enough organs for you to survive, but you can never live. Later, you get to know that all that mattered to you was just another expense for Israel to achieve some success in a political election. When you lose all you love, you would do anything to gain it back.

The product of the three week war between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas was 1,300 deaths on the Palestinian side of which 410 were children and 100 women and over 5000 injured. This product was the sum of 2,300 strikes from air, land and sea from the ruthless Israeli war machine.

As a Jordanian and an Arab I have followed the events of this horrific war daily. After I graduated as a media student from Ireland Griffith College last year, I came to Lebanon to start a life in the media world.

Having lived in both Gaza and Ireland, I see the similarity between Gazans and the Irish, both simple, kind and down to earth people, possibly the Irish are similar due to them having suffered in order to achieve independence like the Gazans are suffering now, and this is why I've found much support for the Palestinian cause in Ireland.

However, the distress of the people of the strip started long ago and remains ongoing. For the past 22 months the Gaza strip had been suffering an Israeli blockade. In a city; with a population of 1.5 million spread over only 360 square km; poverty, hunger, health and lack of basic human needs are a daily ordeal. The long siege on Gaza left people with deteriorating conditions.

Hamas a defacto power in Gaza saw the Israeli closure as a declaration of war and as a result launched 17 rockets on Israeli territories. Hamas' aim was to end the blockade. Israel took Hamas' act as an excuse to retaliate in the form of massive aggression against the entirety of Gaza not differentiating between civilian and militant.

Israel's goal was to demolish the infrastructure of the military wing of Hamas, destroy tunnels between Rafah and Egypt- which Israel believes are being used to smuggle arms to Gaza- and finally stop Hamas from launching more rockets into Israel. How can Israel ask to destroy a group such as Hamas when in January 2006 Hamas won the elections for the legislative council. Democracy was called for in Palestinian territory and so it was…but now they want to destroy it.

However, according to independent observers, Israel's goal to abolish Hamas was far from clear on the battleground. Independent organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, foreign reporters and even the bodies of the United Nations all reported that illegal weapons such as phosphorus gas were used

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during the Gaza conflict. White phosphorus shells are only legal in battle if used as smoke screens. However according to initial reports from these organizations, they show that Israel used those weapons in crowded civilian areas which could lead to war crime charges. Israel insists it used the gas only as smoke screen and denies all the accusations.

Chris Gunness, the UNRWA spokesman in Jerusalem, told AFP that 53 of their installations have either been damaged or totally destroyed. Gunness said, "Our main warehouse in Gaza was completely burnt down. We also have health clinics and warehouses which have been damaged so it is an initial assessment, a significant number of those were direct hits, I'm not talking about shrapnel, I'm talking about direct hits."

Many children from schools in the UNRWA ran back home to find their shelter had been completely destroyed and now homeless.

Statistics bureau reported 4,100 homes totally destroyed and 17,000 others damaged. One could hardly believe that all this just to destroy the Hamas militants or was it intentional?

These were thoughts of mine and other tens of thousands of people that have protested and still protesting today to show their support and sympathy towards Gazans. All of Venezuela, Mauritania and Bolivia have apprehended diplomatic relations with Israel. Qatar also suspended its diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.

It seems to me that the reactions and the demonstrations in major capitals of the world sympathising and supporting the Palestinians in Gaza have sent a solid message to Israel that its practices are no longer tolerated and that the international community is fed up with the act of war and is rather looking for initiatives of peace in that part of the world.

On the 19th of January, a unilateral ceasefire was agreed upon by both Israel and Hamas. Israeli troops withdrew from some key areas and Palestinians were dug out from the rubble of the Jewish state's deadliest assault on Gaza yet.

By Wednesday; January 21; Israeli military completely withdrew.

The humanitarian aid, meanwhile, trickled the Gaza strip. Israel agreed to allow 200 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid into Gaza and to supply 400,000 liters of fuel to the territory.

With the halt to fighting, Palestinian ambulance workers were able to dig out the dead from areas which had been unsafe to enter. A Palestinian medic reported that bodies were so badly decomposed that they could not distinguish boys from girls.

Some may say the war on Gaza would not interfere in a future peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians; while others infer it's only a glimpse of what's to come.

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“Generally, I don't think comedy attracts people who are prone to depression�

Des Bishop Interview by Natasha Rocca Devine

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At what age did you realise that comedy was going to be your path in life? For comedians in general, do you think it is instinctive in you or is it something you can practise?

months learning Irish for your show 'In the Name of the Fada'.

How would you describe the experience? Best and toughest moments?

Definitely, I was not born knowing that, no. I didn't think that I was going to get into comedy until I started to do comedy. It wasn't a burning passion within me. Maybe what I was into was performance. Stand-up comedy just happened.

I wouldn't think that too many stand-up comedians know that they want to do this. It's not something that you get exposed to until later on. When you are young, you wouldn't be that aware of stand-up comedy. It's kind of for older people. It wasn't until my teens that I knew what stand-up was.

There weren't really any toughest moments and if they were tough, in terms in relation to other moments there weren't tough as it was a pretty positive experience.

But, it was an amazing year. Language is very inspiring, the people were very inspiring. Having that much time to put into something was a luxury that I got a lot out of.

So, I couldn't say what my best moment was, the whole year was amazing. There was the progression of not being able to speak a language. Then, having full conversations in Irish, to starting relationships with people through that language.

Regardless of the fact that it's Irish and that's powerful in itself.

Do you think comedy it is something that you can learn?

Actors can learn methods but it doesn't mean that they are good. Anyone could learn how to do a set, I guess. But, not everyone has a talent for performance. You can learn some of the tricks but you either have a natural talent or you don't.

Being both Irish and American, would you say it is your New York background or Irish influences that would be used as part of your comedic work?

I don't think there is any distinction; it is just my sense of humour. There is as many sense of humours in each place as there is different sense of humours in terms of different countries.

Do you think your show 'Des Bishop's work experience' was the launching pad for your career here in Ireland?

Well it was a launching pad for greater success, but I was doing comedy since 1997 and doing comedy for 7 years before. There were times in those 7 years where I would have been delighted how things were progressing as well.

I guess in terms of the public eye, yes it was the launch pad for greater successes. Personally, I was content. It's more than notoriety for me, so being on TV was just as satisfying as the rest.

Would you say that in the age of Technology, Internet, You Tube etc is it necessary for comedians to perform on Television in order to truly 'make it'?

You can make a living, definitely without getting on TV. There is a certain necessity to get on TV to get yourself out to a broader audience. I also think that live stand-up comedy is its own thing, is very important and what I love doing best. But I also think that, there is more to being funny than being funny live on stage. I think it's good to try to discover how to be funny live on TV, its good for your own development.

Definitely, In terms of getting audiences to your shows, you need to be on TV otherwise you are reliant on comedy clubs and that would be limited in what you are doing. Eventually you would become dissatisfied with that.

You were based in a Gaeltacht area of Connemara for 12

You are here in Vicar Street performing your 'Unbearlable' stand-up show in Ireland? What can we expect from you this time around?

Yes, this is the start of 'Unbearlable' tour around Ireland. It always evolves. New stories and new funny things in life. This one has more personal stories about my life. Plus, Irish men and their struggle with intimacy. You shall see yourself.

Which do you prefer, live shows or TV? Definitely live shows, they are more fun. TV is a process that has an end game at the end of a certain time. You are not engaged with the energy when the end game is on TV. TV is more like a traditional job. There is no comparison. There is no immediate gratification but I do enjoy it as well.

Is it true what people say, that most comedians are actually quiet and morose when they are not on stage? Or is that a myth?

No, that is just a stereotype. I think that the job brings high energy so what goes up must come down, but there are elements that can drain you emotionally. Generally, I don't think that it attracts people who are prone to depression.

Who has been the most influential comedian/public figure that you have met to date?

When I first started out I used to watch a lot of Bill Hicks but that has changed. Inspiration evolves as you so I take inspiration from other comedians and so many different things around me.

Not one figure in particular now.

What are your plans for the future? Are they based here or in the United States?

I am based here, as I have been here 18 year. There is only so much time in a year. You really have to make a massive life change to have an attack on another place. I have been doing work in Australia but I just don't have the time or desire to go there permantly.

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Failure is an option Noel Burke discovers why quitting smoking is a lot harder than qutting a part-time job in Tesco’s.

uring an appearance on 'The Tonight show' with Jay Leno, actor Matt Damon revealed he had just quit smoking by using hypnosis to break the habit. Leno

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was intrigued, asked him how long it took. Thirty minutes said Damon. Stunned, Leno asked him if he was sure it was really that easy. 'Sure' said Damon, 'but you have to wanna quit'.

I had been interested up until the exact point he said these words. They don't seem terribly deep or important, but believe me they are. I have heard (and tried) nearly every method there is to break my smoking habit, and always failed miserably. I'm talking patches, inhalers, gum, yoga (I'm lying I didn't try yoga) and every other financially viable method. And no matter how revolutionary the method, they always tell it's going to work, but of course it requires a small thing from you, just a little thing, a contribution to the cause, something to help the whole thing along, a helpinghand, and it is this: you have to wanna quit.

No fair, say I. It's like the medical small print, another way of saying 'some willpower required' when advertising Nicorette gum. What if I have no willpower whatsoever, not even 'some'? Is there nothing out there for the weak-willed smoker?

Despite this, I keep trying. These days it's becoming more and more socially unacceptable to be a smoker, what with the loitering outside buildings, pacing absently, shoulders hunched against the cold, non-smokers eyeing you with pity and admiration. Indeed it takes a certain amount of willpower to keep smoking at all.

I know I should quit, all smokers do. I'd save money, feel better, live longer, all that good stuff, but here's the thing: I like being a smoker. It's a great way of avoiding nonsmokers. But I have another problem. I'm not one of those 'I can quit whenever I want' people; I can't quit whenever I want, I'm hopelessly addicted, and I know it.

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I'm emotionally, physically, psychologically and aesthetically devoted to those little white sticks of happiness. They comfort me in times of need. They make me happy when I'm sad. They make me calm when I'm stressed. They have always been there for me, through the good times and the bad. And they never ask for anything in return. Do you have friends like that? know this, but I also know that it's bad for me, and that I need to quit. So I decided to give the hypnosis a try. I saw an ad for it in the paper, a hypnotherapy clinic that specialises in all sorts of groovy cures, but crucially states it is possible to quit smoking in one hour. One little hour. But it is expensive- â‚Ź200 for the session.

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I'm reluctant at first. I tend to measure amounts of money in number of cigarettes it is worth, and â‚Ź200 is like, loads of cigarettes. Plus I'm mildly afraid of being hypnotised; I fear I'll come out of it not being able to pronounce my 'R's' or something. But I persevere, make an appointment, front them the money. The centre is in Swords, and very nicely decorated it has to be said.

When I get there, I realise I have time for a quick smoke before I go in. I also realise it could be my last. Last smokes are a religious thing. I've had a few of them. You like to pick a place, a time, a moment in your life in which to have it. It's like saying goodbye to a loved one. But I'm in Swords. During the day. And it's raining. The mood just isn't right, but I have no choice. I smoked what was meant to be my last cigarette and went inside.

They run a tight ship at this centre. No waiting around nervously for me, they had me in a scented room in seconds.

A woman came in who didn't look at all like a hippy, and said she was the hypnotherapist, and that she saw me smoking outside. I wait until she laughs and then I laugh too, and mumble something about last cigarettes.

he is very nice, professional, explains that this treatment has a 80% success rate, is very simple, very effective, that I shouldn't worry at all, that I have invested my money wisely, but first she needs to ask me a few questions. Her first question is this: how would you describe your dependence on cigarettes?

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I tell her I need them. She laughs a little. I tell her that wasn't a joke; I need them, I can't live without them. She's heard it all before, jots something down on a notepad (probably the word 'weak'). She asks how many I smoke a day, when I smoke them, what brand, stuff like that. I answer as honestly as I can.

She seems happy enough, tells me to lie back in the chair.

This is the strange part; it is not at all like you might think.

No 'look into my eyes' or 'imagine yourself in a safe place' or anything like that. She tells me to sit back and relax. She keeps telling me to relax. 'Just relax', over and over again, in the softest tones you've ever heard.

She asks me if I'm relaxed. I say 'yes', while secretly thinking I'd be more relaxed if I could spark up a smoke while we are doing this. She obviously didn't believe me because she kept telling me to relax. I must have been a difficult client because this went on for another 20 minutes, until finally you could say I possibly felt a little calmer than normal.

On this she told me I didn't need cigarettes. That my body didn't need them. That I would never think about cigarettes again after this session. I know she said all this, because I could hear her. Which is another thing you don't expect. She had told me that I would still be conscience and able to hear her voice. When you are hypnotised, you don't go asleep or anything, you are perfectly awake, just, you know, 'relaxed'.

Anyway this went on for a while, her telling me I didn't need cigarettes, me dosing away. When the hour was up she told me to rise and shine. I've never felt more groggy. But that was basically it, job done. She gave me a pamphlet to read, something about self-hypnosis, and sent me on my way.

By the fourth day I'm starting to fantasise about murdering people in increasingly horrific ways (by 'people' I of course mean college lecturers and bus drivers). It dawns on me that the hypnosis hasn't worked, and that I might as well give and have a cigarette, put me out of my misery. Would Rocky Balboa have given up so easily? I doubt it, but then again I'm snapping at people and they are not taking it too well, and the 'I've just quit smoking' excuse is wearing thin.

So on the night of the fourth day after I had quit, I smoked a cigarette.

I honestly believe that hypnosis is still the best way of quitting. Four days without a cigarette is like a miracle for me. And if you are a smoker, and serious about quitting, I couldn't recommend it more. It's quick, painless and‌ relaxing. But you have to wanna quit.

“She asks me if I'm relaxed. I say 'yes', while secretly thinking I'd be a lot more relaxed if I could spark up a smoke while we are doing this�

That night I didn't smoke, but I did think about cigarettes. I could have sworn she said I wouldn't think about cigarettes again. The next day I still wasn't smoking but you better believe I was thinking about it. Constantly. I began noticing other smokers, and feeling mildly jealous. This was not how it was suppose to be.

By the third day I was feeling irritable. I was scratching my head so hard and so often that people began asking me if I had head lice. I told them I had just quit smoking. They understood completely.

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C A M D E NCALLING he January Blues. We’re all far too familiar with it for comfort. Dull weather, even duller

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personal finance issues and the apprehensive trudge back to work, school and college. A holiday is only complete and you’re left gagging for the next.

On December 31st 2008, I decided to do something to beat the start-of-year demons rather spontaneously and I may have found what could be the coolest, most unique town on the planet.

Camden Town in North London has been an epicentre of alternative pop culture since the 1960’s. Renowned for its vast amount of markets and stalls , it’s sometimes known as ‘the Amsterdam of London’. Walking up the High Street for the first time; you genuinely feel like you’re on some strange Indie culture island; everyone looks like they’re in a band (this month; Kings Of Leon in particular), the crème-de-la-Cool set amongst elaborately graffiti-painted shops, many with large 3D animals and shoes nailed on the front of them.

You think Temple Bar depicted unconventional Chic? You ain’t seen nothing yet. Once you’ve experienced this place, it’s like comparing Lidl to Marks & Spencer’s, McFly to the Stones, Pat Kenny to Jonathan Ross.

Camden is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination in the UK with its infamous markets such as The Camden Market, Electric Ballroom, The Stables Markets and Buck Street Market. Most of the markets in the town are open during the week although some do have odd and seemingly irregular opening hours.

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By Suzanne Fitzpatrick

Electric Ballroom is one of the few indoor markets open during the day but opens as a great club and venue at night with recent performances from the likes of AFI. If you are in any way a compulsive shopper you’ll need to be blindfolded and put in a taxi to Heathrow. It’s impossible not to want everything. The most unusual trinkets, the trendiest alternative clothing (a lot of which are hand made or uniquely designed), and vast amounts of jewellery are everywhere (Plus if you like belts…you’ve come to the right place). amden is also famous for it’s vibrant nightlife. The town may be all about alternative pop culture but there’s a venue to suit all music types. If you’re lucky there’s a strong chance you might succeed in some celebrity spotting in the pubs too.

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The Hawley Arms opposite the Stables Market is ‘the local’ for Camden-Dwellers such as Amy Winehouse, Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh, Razorlight and ex-Dirty Pretty Things/Libertines Carl Barat to name but a few. A close look at the masses of Polaroid’s caking the walls of the place and you’ll find snapshots of many, many well-known faces.

Even the bar-staff there are pretty well-known: many of them are extras in The Mighty Boosh , which most Camdener’s will talk the arse off you about if given the chance.There’s nearly always some decent band playing in the town known or unknown. Barfly is a pretty good place to start with a pub downstairs and a venue upstairs it hosts unforgettable showcases of local London bands and regularly has Special Guest DJ’s.

oko A.K.A. Club NME is at the bottom of Camden High Street has great gigs but only at weekends, although there is a ‘weekly club night’. Bands such as Babyshambles, Coldplay, Polyphonic Spree, My Chemical Romance and eh, Miley Cyrus have packed the venue out in recent years and it’s also the setting of Channel 4’s Album Chart Show. All the decent pubs and clubs in Camden is quite close together which is a big plus; no walking for halves of hours trying to find somewhere else to fall in the door of.

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The Roundhouse at the top of Chalk Farm Road was opened in 2006 and has become one of London’s leading music and cultural venues. It was originally a railway building constructed in 1847 for the London and Birmingham Railway but eventually became derelict and was converted in the 1960s. It has had true icons on its stage: David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zepplin most notably.

Camden Randoms The World's End on Lower Camden High has been a pub since 1778 when it was known as ’ Mother Red Cap’ and then ‘The Red Cap‘, was featured in 1986 cult classic Withnail and I starring Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann.

Nick Hornby's hit novel High Fidelity is set in Camden, including a fictitious record shop called 'Championship Vinyl'.

The Clash recorded the demos for London

Calling somewhere in Camden Town. Also, their song The Prisoner makes reference to Camden Town.

MTV now occupies a modern business complex, complete with studios around the corner from the Camden Market. It was designed by Terry Farrell as the original studios of TV-am.

If shopping the day away at the markets and partying the night away at the pubs and clubs bores you (how could it? It’s all you’ll ever need, really), Central London e.g. Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square are no more than a 10 minute taxi ride away.

Madness often reference Camden on tracks. Also, the joke and fancy dress shop Escapade on Camden High Street features in the video to ‘House of Fun’.

axi’s are incredibly cheap (which reduces your guilt for buying so much ‘market produce’ that day) with a 10 minute journey costing a mere £5. Alternatively you can take the tube 2 stops down to Paddington. Because of the mass of people that flow in and out of it, Camden Town Underground station is closed to outbound passengers on Sunday afternoons for safety reasons.

London Zoo is a short walk from Camden Town or if you wanted a different transportation method you can always get a boat that goes from Camden Lock, up Regent’s Canal and into Regent’s Park where the Zoo is situated. One reason for coining the term ‘the Amsterdam of London’.

A stereotypical Camden town resident is parodied in a sketch by The League of

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The only downside to a trip to Camden is the range of accommodation. It’s difficult to find somewhere that doesn’t make Fawlty Towers look like The Ritz. Most of the ‘hotels’ in the town are quite run down and dodgy looking. Luckily a Holiday Inn has moved in the past couple of years and is actually a very nice place to stay. Holiday Inns may not have the best reputations but this one is exceptional. The views of the canal and locks from the rooms are exceptional if you get one at the back of the hotel.

Prices aren’t too bad with a single room costing around £119 per night and the Executive Suite costing £300 per night (It’s well worth it for the views out the 3 windows in that room).

The film The Rules of Attraction (2002) features images of a busy Camden High Street during a fast-paced montage of a character's promiscuous tour of Europe. He cites "girls with pink hair" as a notable feature of area.

Gentlemen.

Camden and the nearby towns Shoreditch, Dalston and Hackney are constantly referenced in the surreal comedy show The Mighty Boosh.

Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding also appeared in the short film Sweet, which is set in and filmed around Camden.

Alternatively there are endless amounts of hotels in north London that would only be minutes away from Camden High Street.

So gather up all those notes you got from those Grandparents and parents over Christmas and get going the next chance you get. You won’t regret it and you certainly won’t want to leave.

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Reviews

Lily Allen- “It’s not me it’s you” Release date: 9/2/09

After listing to this album I sat back and realised, that was an hour of my life I'm never going to get back. With two previous best selling albums, Franz Ferdinand really made a mess of things on this one. Frankly their last two albums were quite similar and it is good to see them trying new things but no. This was crap. There is some electro beeping noise in almost every song that just ruins who Franz Ferdinand are.

Franz Ferdinand- "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" Release date: 26/1/2009

Bruce Springsteen -"Working On a Dream" Release date: 26/1/09

(1/5)

Working on a Dream is the sixteenth studio album from legendry American rocker Bruce Springsteen and it is the speedy follow up to 2007's Magic. But that's the problem. It's such a short time after his last album Magic, one has to wonder if The Boss was forcing himself to write songs. Truth be told he was just churning out shite. It's not all bad however. Songs such as The Wrestler, Tomorrow never knows, and Good Eye are all little gems in themselves. This is a middle of the road album. Hopefully it's not a sign for things to come.

(3/5)

Ok so I'm not the biggest Lily Allen fan. There is only so much ranting that can come out of someone's mouth, but dear old Lily seams to shovel twice as much. Having said that her new album "It's not you it's me" is actually quite good.

There is a good few tracks like "The Fear" and "It's not fair" that are very dance friendly and although the lyrics are shunning someone somewhere in the world, musically it's great.

Besides they probably deserved it.

Lily Allen- "It's not me it's you" Release date: 9/2/09

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(4/5)

Win Academy Concert Tickets!

Griffiti magazine and MCD Productions are offering one lucky reader the chance to win tickets to the following 4 tribute shows: Ledd Zepp- Feb 27th

Metallitia- March 7th

The Stone Roses Experience- March 13th Hells Bells- May 8th

To be in with a chance to win this great prize simply answer the following question: What is the title of AC/DC’s new album?

Please send an e-mail with the answer followed by your name and contact number to griffiti@gcd.ie

Retail tickets price for all shows above are €15 including booking fee.

On sale now through all ticketmaster.ie

Choice Music Prize urray! It's prize time again! The nominees for Irish Album of the Year 2008 have been announced and we are very bloody excited. Whether you're punching the air with delight or wagging your finger at everyone who'll listen, this year promises to be full of surprises yet again.

The Choice Music Prize live event will be held at Vicar Street, Dublin on Wednesday March 4. The judges, who are made up of 12 media professionals representing Irish print, radio and TV, meet on the night to punch/kick/scream at each other until they can decide on a winner. Be sure to tune into Today FM on the night as the show will be going out live.

The winner of the Choice Music Prize receives a whopping €10,000, provided kindly by IMRO and IRMA. The winning act also receives a specially-commissioned award provided by the Recorded Artists And Performers Ltd.

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2005 Irish Album of the Year Julie Fenney "13 Songs" 2006 Irish Album of the Year The Divine Comedy "Victory for the Comic Muse" 2007 Irish Album of the Year Super Extra Bonus Party "Super Extra Bonus Party" www.choicemusicprize.com

Fight Like Apes - Fight Like Apes and the Mystery of the Golden Medallion www.fightlikeapesmusic.com Mick Flannery - White Lies www.mickflannery.com Oppenheimer - Take the whole mid-range and boost it www.oppenheimermusic.co.uk Jape - Ritual www.myspace.com/richiejape R.S.A.G. - Organic Sampler www.myspace.com/rarelyseenaboveground David Holmes - The Holy Pictures www.davidholmesofficial.com Messiah J & The Expert - From the word go www.messiahjandtheexpert.com Lisa Hannigan - Sea Sew www.lisahannigan.ie Halfset - Another way of being there www.myspace.com/halfset The Script - The Script www.thescriptmusic.com

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Skate 2 is not just a skate game. It's more of a real time sim that you just can skate in. This game features more lifelike tricks and a lot more skate area to play in. Even for the less active types who haven't seen a skate board since the fishtail, skate 2 will not disappoint in the enjoyment department. I was really happy I played this game and I've never been to a skate park in my life. Well unless there was booze involved. A definite must play.

Skate 2- release date 21/1/09 Available on- Xbox 360, PS3

5/5

Rock Band 2 offers gamers to play not only solo but as a real band. The game is much more indepth than the original. The games has over 100 tracks along with the ability to download more from Xbox live and transfer songs from RB1 to RB2. Amazing! Some artists featured on the new game include: Beck, Bon Jovi, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, AC/DC and many many more. So if you have the friends and the spare time to get together than Rock Band 2 is for you.

Rock Band 2- release date 21/1/09 Available on- PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii

3/5

The developers EA games decided to spice things up with their new game. Sim Animals does exactly what it says on the tin. We all know and love the Sims games. Nothing better than spending time and effort building your sim up only to set him on fire by an indoor firework.

Just me? In the new game you get to roam the forest as a little critter. But that's about all you can do. Sim Animals is a good game for animal lovers however as I said before, that's about all.

SimAnimals- release date 21/1/09 Available on- DS, Wii

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2/5

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Director: David Fincher Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Elias Koteas, Faune A. Chambers Release : February 6th

n short, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ focuses on Brad Pitt’s title character, who is born with a rare defect, causing him to age physically in reverse. Well, watching the movie, I felt like I was also aging, but very much forward. I began with huge expectations. Having achieved much hype upon it’s release in the states, I was ready to inevitably conform and further indulge director David Fincher and screenwriter Eric Roth’s egos with a mushy review of endless praise and acclaim. Not quite.

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The movie is based on a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald (of The Great Gatsby fame), who was inspired to write a story by the reckoning that it's a pity the best part of life comes at the beginning, and the worst part at the end. We follow Button’s life from the end of World War I and into the 21st century in New Orleans, where much of his life takes place. The story is told as Benjamin’s great love Daisy (Blanchett) lies on her deathbed as her daughter Caroline (Ormond) reads from Button’s diary, a whole scenario reminiscent of The Notebook, while lacking the actual passion.

Without wanting to give too much away, the movie begins with Button’s father abandoning him on worker Queenie’s (played wonderfully by the great Taraji P. Henson) doorstep after his mother dies during birth. She immediately takes him into her room in the quarters of a retirement home, and introduces him as her new son, and that’s that. Obviously just your average day in the retirement home. This is only the first of many motions that the characters sail through emotionlessly during the movie.

Firstly, Benjamin was the dullest protagonist I’ve had the displeasure to watch. He did nothing, had no goals, no motivation- well if he did, we were hard pressed to get an insight into it. From growing up as a child in an 80 year old body, to being on a tiny fragile ship during the war- Button has no emotion, no quality that makes him pop. At no point does Benjamin’s interaction with other characters highlight or draw in his rare condition- he could have had any disease imaginable, but no he had this one, causing the writers to

have really missed what made Fitzgerald’s Curious Case of Benjamin Button just so curious.

Much of the movie is centred around the love story between Benjamin and his ‘soul mate’ Daisy- plenty of which just wasn’t believable. What was it that caused them to connect, and continue to cross paths despite Daisy’s initial rejection of Button’s advances? The only conceivable answer would be that ‘it’s in the script.’ Killer cheekbones are clearly a higher factor in their two dimensional romance than chemistry seems to be. Benjamin’s rather detached exit from her life just further enforces that you saw it coming. Their love never really pulls you in. ulia Ormond's character had no reason to exist in her thankless role only to fondle a book and read a few words to her dying mother- a series of scenes which, when cut to during the movie, where off-putting and inconsistent to the story as a whole. I was also left wondering as to why her mother chose to tell her about Benjamin when she was on her deathbed. What was the big secret? We are never told. It must have been unearthly large.

I could try to detail a synopsis, but what this movie really consists of is a series of scenes that fail to connect well with each other. Individually they show some promise, albeit, drone on. There are two things that can almost make a save. The acting from Blanchett and Swinton is superb as usual, and the cinematography is simply breathtaking. I imagine that this film would have been much better off casting itself as a series of photographs than make an attempt at trying to tell an actual story.

The movie’s tagline ‘Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments’ is a gutsy claim. 166 ‘moments’ of my life tick by and I’m still curious about what made Benjamin Button’s curious case ever so curious.

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Nicola Byrne

2/5

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