LE NURB 20th October 2008

Credits Editorial
A word from the brain of Ben
Editor: Moxey, Union of Brunel Students
Media Officer.
Ben Moxey Wow, what a week.... one of the most tiring
and most amazing weeks of my life!
Designer: And I’d do it all again! For those Freshers out there, once again,
welcome! We at the Union hope you enjoyed freshers week as much as we
Sarah Francis did! The numbers were immense: 3000 moving in; 6500 through the door at
Freshers Fayre; 450,000 hits on brunelstudents.com!

News: For the returners, welcome back. As you can see, LeNURB has had a
polish and a lick of paint for the new year, and we are geared up for the best
Sub Editor: Mike Ryder year yet at Brunel!
As for licking paint, if you’re “...The numbers were immense:
Contributors: daft enough to want to join our 3000 moving in; 6500 through the
Rebecca Wilcock stellar radio station, URB, the
door at Freshers Fayre; 450,000
Peter Giblin broadcast is running 24 hours a day,
Lucy Palmer 7 days a week, and we have spaces! hits on brunelstudents.com!...”
Kelly Dolan It’s great fun, really easy and could
Deborah Klaassen kick off a stunning career on the wireless!
Mara Arts Finally, I must put out a call for layup artists and designers out there.
From the next issue our layup person is leaving us so we really need
someone to fill her sizeable (size 3) shoes! Please get in touch if you’re
Features: interested at media.officer@brunel.ac.uk.

Sub Editor: Donna Law

Contributors: Contents
Diane McMillan
Joe Greenwood Le News p.2 Film
Georgette Dyer
Reviews p.11
Jatin Patel
Thoughts of a
Emma Jolly
Lubna Begum Fresher p.4 Anthropology? p.12
Joe Sommerlad
Mike Ryder Thoughts of a A Student’s
Helen Murdoch Life p.13
Returner p.5

Sport: October is Le
Sub Editor: Ben Vallely GO! p.7 Sport p.14
Contributors:
Ollie Willis Brunel Debating
Malachi McPherson Society p.7
Fay Djemil
Donna Law
Dan Ross
Young, Gifted and
Black p.8
If you’d like your name to appear
here, get in touch with the editor Music
at media.officer@brunel.ac.uk
Reviews p.10

1
 Le News
apocalyptic predictions could have led to the ultimate
destruction of the
entire galaxy, at least “ . . . y e a r s o f w o r k a n d
it would’ve been billions in costs culminated
World News something! in something of an
Mmmm... Credit Crunch Physics hasn’t underwhelming mild cheer
and a few claps...”
Deborah Klaassen changed much since
The effects of the global credit crunch have the creation of The
begun to be seen around the world as Ireland falls into Standard Model in the 1970’s, a theory which describes
recession and England looks set to follow shortly. the fundamental interactions between particles. Built in
Unemployment is now at its parts 100m underground the LHC runs a ring 17 miles
highest for nine years as banks long crossing the Swiss-French border. Seven trillion
tighten their purse strings and are volts will power particle beams consisting of protons or
unable in some cases to provide lead ions through super-cooled magnets. Upon collision
loans or mortgages. they’ll recreate the
In America President Bush asked conditions just after the
Congress for $700bn (£380bn) to Big Bang, creating new
bring stability to the American particles and ushering in
financial markets, but was refused by Congress. a new era as it explores
Pessimists are suggesting the recession could last a few beyond known physics.
years whilst more optimistic city traders say the When The European
economy will be more stable by
“...with our sweet student loan we can Centre for Nuclear Research
next summer. have a good giggle at the big-wig (CERN) finally switched on
bankers who blow a billion in a day....” the device, years of work and
Feel a draught? billions in costs culminated in
Rebecca Wilcock something of an underwhelming mild cheer and a few
Hurricane Ike hit Cuba and mid-west America claps. Collision has yet to take place – so no black holes
including Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Ohio, yet, and recent equipment testing caused liquid helium
leaving $31.5 billion of damage and 61 fatalities. The to leak into the tunnel system. Repairs and winter’s
National Weather Service issued a ‘certain death’ elevated energy costs mean it won’t be operational until
warning to the people of Texas, but despite this cheery next spring.
forecast, almost 40% of people decided to forego the
chaos of evacuation to battle against the worst of the
storm.
Campus News
This year’s Freshers’ Week resulted in some thousands
The day the world didn’t end of people (Contacts and Freshers) feeling not so fresh on
Peter Giblin Saturday morning! After a whole week of partying,
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) presents this sporting, meeting new people and generally having fun,
millennia’s latest Doomsday scare, and although the most of us spent the weekend sleeping and regaining

Professor Heinz Wolff presents Gravity

Every now and then, we get a story at LeNURB, that is just too good to be true. When this
landed on my desk, I may have let out a squeal of delight…. Heinz Wolff has released a
Nintendo DS game. Following in the footsteps of Dr Kawashima and the Nintendogs, the
venerable professor has followed up his Great Egg Race TV show with a game called
Professor Heinz Wolff’s Gravity, where the aim is to progress through 100 levels using
barriers and items (and of course gravity) to press a button at the end of the course.
Throughout, the Prof will be there in virtual format to guide and pester you to completion. In
the next issue we will have a full length interview with the man himself and, hopefully, a full
review of the game. Personally, I hope you will all join me in saluting this legend on campus.

2
 strength. But it was a great week;
why don’t we do it again some time?
The STUDENT Credit
Crunch
Kelly Dolan
Since the beginning of time
students have been accused of being
broke, debt ridden bums…but with
our sweet student loan and cushy
campus accommodation we can
have a good giggle at the big-wig
bankers who blow a billion in a day. I
don’t know about you, but I don’t
feel so guilty about buying that new
outfit last week anymore!
Too many beans in a Lecture
theatre!
Mike Ryder
Another year, another awful timetabling
blunder.
This week, Creative Writing students
experienced real value for money in
their three-grand-a-year fees when
over twenty students were forced to sit
on the floor for the duration of a three
hour lecture/seminar!
Timetable clashes meant a class of thirty-five swelled to over sixty! This writer
wonders why Brunel persists in subcontracting out timetabling responsibilities, if
they cant tell that some beans and some beans is too many beans in a lecture
theatre.

there) but surely the segregation of the lovely colour coded maps are all
The Isambard Complex
the old guys and the new guys wont well and good, this writer wonders
Ben Moxey
led to much harmony? The facilities why instead of investing in signs, the
This Freshers Week saw the
over there university
opening of the sexy, new Isambard “....it’s all well and good finding the right
are excellent, building, but if you don’t know what that didn’t spend
complex (everything has a complex
these days). When I say Freshers
but no-one building is in the first place then you’re a the money
will use it, if bit stuck really....” on
Week, there aren’t any in there…they
none of the reorganising
cant be trusted.
kids live there! Its yet another shame the somewhat ridiculous room
With their sticky
in planning… numbering system and get the
hands, smelly feet
timetables sorted out properly. I
and posters of
You are now entering the mean, its all a bit Disney, isn’t it? ‘You
Morgan Freeman,
are in the Goofy Zone!’ Now it’s all
the uni decided to goofy zone..
well and good finding the right
partition the west- Mike Ryder
side for returners The more observant amongst building, but if you don’t know what
you will have noticed our beloved that building is in the first place then
and post-grads
university has provided lovely new you’re a bit stuck really. Sort it out
only. Now I can understand that
Brunel!
Freshers aren’t worthy of the mighty signs over the summer to help
Isambard (Ed – Only the greats lived Freshers, the lost and the confused
find their way around campus. While

NEWSFLASHES:
• A car thief who had his name and birth date tattooed on his neck is caught after CCTV images helped
police track him down.
• A couple in Cambodia give new meaning to "broken home" by sawing their home in half to avoid the
divorce courts.
• Goat 'condoms' save Kenyan herds - Drought is forcing Kenyan herdsmen to turn to traditional
contraception to control the goat population!
• The national debt clock in New York runs out of digits to record the spiralling figure.
• Messages are beamed to a planet 20 light years from Earth in the hope they will reach intelligent alien
life.

3
 I’ve had some
great nights out,
stocked up on
enough free Lea
& Perrins to last
the year, worried
that one of my
flatmates was
dead (don’t
worry, she soon
resurfaced) and
survived four fire
alarms. I’ve
even done my
laundry!

- On freshers
week.

Thoughts of a Fresher...
Diane McMillan

It was with a combination of experience, but at least it broke the night was Pyjama Party at the
trepidation and nervous excitement ice. Academy. A night spent dancing
that I rolled up at Brunel University After that our next port of around in your PJs with all your new
for my first day. Unsure of what to call was the Academy. It was a fairly friends turned out to be a great idea.
expect, I cautiously entered Lacy Hall strange start to the night; you don’t It was a brilliant night and a great
with my suitcases and boxes in tow. generally end up in a fully lit nightclub opportunity to get some embarrassing
Before I had a chance to catch my at seven thirty in the evening, without photos of your flatmates to use for
breath I was soon surrounded by a even having had a few drinks to put blackmail purposes in the future.
motley crew of smiley people, in you in the mood. It was a bit of a As the week wore on we
bright coloured t-shirts. As I was soon slow start to the night, with a fairly found we had a lot of spare time on
to discover, these were the contacts awkward atmosphere but once the our hands. This turned out to be no
who were on hand to carry bags, give alcohol started flowing and the lights bad thing, though, as all that waiting
advice about the best night outs, and went down people soon started to around leads to lots of random banter
smooth over the introductions mingle and it turned into a great (if a with your flatmates, which is a great
between new flatmates. bit random) night. way to get to know them all better. It
The first day passed by in a By the next day friendships was also during these times of
blur of introductions, boredom that we planned
goodbyes to parents and “...shouting daft songs at the top of your voice things like putting our money
hasty unpacking. At while you’re still relatively sober is quite an together to buy the student
seven o’clock we were experience, but at least it broke the ice....” essentials such as a
told to meet up outside microwave and a blender for
were already being forged between my
Bishop complex. When we got there making daiquiris. Daytime boredom
flatmates - the most challenging part
we were told to sit on the grass and being trying to remember everyone’s is also a great push towards the
were then taught various chants by the names. And, surprisingly quickly, my student lifestyle of sleeping all day and
contacts. Sitting on the ground with a little room was starting to feel like partying all night!
bunch of strangers, shouting daft home - it’s amazing how much Thursday brought the
songs at the top of your voice while difference a few posters and a string of Freshers Fayre, which in itself was
you’re still relatively sober is quite an quite an experience. On walking into
fairy lights can make. The second

4
 the sports hall I was second year status some friends and I decided that Freshers
suddenly surrounded by have more fun, and so made our way down to Loco’s in an
seemingly hundreds of attempt to claim back that first year feeling. Firstly, I’d like to
people who all wanted to say I’m sorry to anyone I offended by looking at you like you
convince me that I really were Gary Glitter, but apparently I’ve completely forgotten the
did want to join the art of making friends since those intense few weeks of it at the
Climbing/Outdoors/ start of last year. A few drinks down the line, however, I found
Ultimate Frisbee club. myself getting more into the action. A couple of my
Negotiating my way housemates were Contacts this year, so after half an hour I had
around the hall without green stripes on my face, ‘Lancaster Forever’ scrawled down
being coerced into one arm, and ‘Bishops Rule’ down the other. I felt like a traitor:
joining the Sci-Fi society last year I was a Saltasher.
turned out to be an exercise in self-assertiveness. However, by It was disappointing to see the lack of Saltash
the time I managed to fight my way out to freedom I had presence in Loco’s this year, although one of my housemates
amassed quite an impressive selection of freebies, including said she walked past it the other day and there were asbestos
posters, a UV pen, foot spray and a packet of strawberry removal vans parked outside, so maybe it’s for the best that
flavoured condoms! Freebie-blagging was definitely one of the there aren’t many freshers living there. They’ve got that posh
highlights of the week. Isambard complex to swan around in now anyway… I bet they
One of the hardest things to get used to during don’t have sixteen people sharing one oven. Nah, I know it was
Freshers week was the dreaded fire alarm, which seems to go a death trap, but there really was no beating going poor chic in
off all too regularly. One minute you’re sitting in your kitchen, Saltash and having everyone in your corridor hear you going
glass in hand, chatting to your new flatmates and the next for a poo.
you’re being deafened by a klaxon and are expected to Anyway, hygiene standards between halls wasn’t the
stampede down the stairs and freeze to death outside until only thing I noticed was different about Brunel this year, oh no.
security decide it’s time for you to be allowed back in. By then It turns out the whole place has been divided into ‘zones’ now;
the lifts are back in what the heck is that about? I don’t know where
action, but with
“...One minute you’re sitting in your anywhere is in this place at the best of times (I only
everyone keen to get kitchen chatting to your flatmates and found
back upstairs there’s the next you’re being deafened by a out the
no option but to climb klaxon and are expected to stampede library
down the stairs and freeze to death
the six flights of stairs had
outside...”
once again. At least more
it’s a cheaper way of than
keeping fit than joining the gym. Although I am struggling to one floor in
control my homicidal urges towards people who can’t cook a November last
slice of toast without setting off the fire alarm! year) so now if
So all in all it’s been quite a week. I’ve met loads of some Fresher asks
people, some of whom I’ll probably never see again and some me how to get to
who’ll hopefully become good friends. Along with my flatmates Zone B or
over the past week I’ve had some great nights out, stocked up wherever, I’m
on enough free Lea & Perrins to last the year, worried that one going to look like a
of my flatmates was dead (don’t worry, she soon resurfaced) right plonker.
and survived four fire alarms. I’ve even successfully done my Zones and things aside, though, some things at Brunel
laundry – it’s not that bad, just make sure you take at least one never change. Freshers Fayre was just the same as ever (we
flatmate with you to stop you getting bored. I can’t believe that crashed that too, we’re such wannabes). You grab heaps of
Freshers Week is over, and that it’s already time to get down to posters of bands you don’t like/films you’ve never seen, take
the serious business of lectures! more condoms than is really healthy to use in a year, and just
generally get hassled by members of societies you have no real

Thoughts of a interest in joining. One guy from some hiking society asked my
friend if she liked the outdoors, and she replied with, “I like

Returner...
watching television.” I wish I was that honest about my
interests; last year I spent about half an hour listening to a girl
talk about dance club. I dance like your average forty year old
Emma Jolly man.
It was also comforting to find that none of the little
I’d forgotten how strangers just come over and talk to you things had changed either, the queerer aspects of life at Brunel
during Freshers Week. After a few days of revelling in our new

5
 that most Freshers will by now have already discovered. The having niggling doubts about whether you actually have
bouncers are still just anything in common with the people you’re
as weird and scary as “...Some of those people are now my currently hanging out with: seriously don’t worry
ever, and the cleaners best friends, while some of them I about it. Some people are lucky and find their best
are still weirder and have conveniently forgotten ever friend lives right next door to them, but the
scarier than the existed. It really is impossible to judge likelihood is that you’ll have to look a bit further to
bouncers. You also still who your real friends will be so early find the people you really get on with. It is a relief
have to wait for about on....” though when you can finally ditch that ‘Wow,
an hour at the bar in everybody loves everybody, isn’t that just so
Liquid before getting served (be wise - buy four drinks at a LUCKY?!?’ attitude. It feels so good when you can finally
time). admit to yourself, ‘you know what, I really hate that girl at
Finally, I number 12…’
don’t think the whole I do like being in second year, but it’s still a little sad to
‘friend making’ think that this year actually counts, and that I should probably
process will ever alter. turn up to a few lectures now and again. I walked into my first
I remember meeting lecture, and the first thing the guy said to us was: “This year,
my flatmates for the things get serious.” Damn. Enjoy it while you can, Freshers,
first time last because trust me, it
year. It was one “...It feels so good when you can goes immensely fast.
of those rare finally admit to yourself, ‘you know It seems like just a
what, I really hate that girl at
moments when couple of months
number 12…’”
you’re so ago that I was
nervous, you frantically scouring
actually nearly poo the charity shops of Uxbridge for a Halloween costume (make
yourself (I hope it’s not a mental note to buy white face paint ASAP, because last year
just me who gets that). But yeah, I remember for the first few the whole of Uxbridge had run out by the 31st, and I had to
weeks I met sooo many people. Some of those people are now paint my entire body with poster paints) and yet here we are
my best friends, while some of them I have conveniently again, a year later. Scary.
forgotten ever existed. It really is impossible to judge who your
real friends will be so early on, so, to any freshers who might be

6
 October is GO!
The UBS Executive Team

The upcoming month is all go, with more of you to have

elections, campaigns and referenda to your say. We also see
keep you all excited. The 20th the Annual General
October sees the by-election for the Meeting taking place
three remaining executive positions: on the 6th so that we
RAG officer, Societies officer and can ratify budgets for
International students’ officer. It is also the upcoming year
the elections for our 7 Congress and present the officers’ course of your studies. From the 1st
representatives for the upcoming year reports of the last academic year.
November to the 18th we are
launching Operation Christmas Child
“....Operation Christmas Child looks to spread We also have quite a in conjunction with Samaritan’s Purse.
Christmas cheer to underprivileged children few events and The venture looks to spread Christmas
across the world by sending them gift-filled campaigns going on cheer to underprivileged children
shoeboxes....” over the course of across the world by sending them gift-
the month. From the filled shoeboxes.
and also the 9 delegates who will be 3rd to 6th November is Union
representing Brunel students at NUS Awareness Week; an opportunity for So, we hope you all get involved and
national conference in April in you to gain an insight into the things take the opportunity to have your say
Blackpool. Woohoo! November also the Union does and what the officers and also donate to good causes. We
sees the referendum taking place for get up to. The 5th November is look forward to seeing you all over the
the review. On the 13th November, National Stress Awareness Day, a course of the next month.
the vote will be put to our student campaign designed to keep our
body to change the structure of the students calm and gain insight into
Union so it can be updated and allow how you can beat the stress during the

Brunel Debating Society

Joe Greenwood

Hooray! With much fanfare and
rolling out of red carpets (and just a
little exaggeration) Brunel Debating
Society has celebrated its inaugural
debate at an event that was agreed by
all present to be rather better than
satisfactory. The launch event for the
Union of Brunel Students’ newest
society included not only a debate on
whether the Olympics are a waste of
money, but also a highly enjoyable
introductory training session to bring
newbies up-to-speed on the basics of
the fine art that is debating.
The training included some leisurely
discussion and some initial rhetorical
exercises covering subjects as diverse
as whether hybrid cars are a waste of
time, whether grey is the new black
(daaarling!), and whether Bono is a
dick (is there really any debate to be
had, honestly?). The training was
designed to convey the point that
being an ace actor (so you can
convincingly assert a point) can be as
important as knowing fact and figures
when attempting to win over a
discerning audience.
The debate itself considered
numerous points ranging all the way
from the cold hard economics of the
Olympics through to the sense of
national pride that will come with
them. Both sides put solid arguments
and the points from the floor were
extensive and interesting. Crucially,
the team arguing that the Olympics
are a waste of money won the
audience vote by 15 votes to 12 (with 1
abstention). In summary, it was not
too shabby at all.
Naturally, the event was only the
beginning of a hopefully illustrious
run for the Brunel Debating Society.
In that light, they have already
organised their first event:
Debate: ‘This house believes that
Amy Winehouse is a tortured
genius’
Wednesday 23rd of October, 8pm
The Atrium, Union of Brunel
Students, Hamilton Centre
For more information on the event or
on the society more generally, please
email:
Ben Vallely
Secretary, Brunel Debating Society
me06bbv@brunel.ac.uk

7
 Barack Obama
Young, gifted and black - he’s African-
American and on track to be the first black
president of the US.

Young, Gifted and Black

Nat Foster

October is Black History Month and so frequently Group on Youth Affairs. She is
I hear young black students posing the same also an Honorary Vice
questions day in and day out. President for the British Youth
Council. In 2007 she was
appointed to the Children &
• ‘What should I do?’
• ‘How can I succeed in a culture which appears closed to Families Select Committee and
me?’ is the Assistant Chief Whip for
Gordon Brown's Government.
• ‘How can I progress in a society which tell me everyday
that young black people have been poorly educated, and She was born in London to
that our ambitions are low?’ Jamaican immigrant parents. She was the first black female
minister in the House of Commons. She was the third
The words of the Nina Simone song ring in my ears….  black woman to become a British MP, the others being
Diane Abbott and Oona King.
To be young, gifted and black, She is Dawn Butler MP
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black, After winning the 2005 series of Sir Alan Sugar’s ‘The
Open your heart to what I mean Apprentice’, and landing a one year contract with the
In the whole world you know health and beauty division of Amstrad, he remained in
There are a billion boys and girls employment for a further year
Who are young, gifted and black, until announcing that he was
And that’s a fact! giving up his £100,000 a year
job to start a male grooming
There are a multitude of assumptions about young black business of his own, as well as
people in the UK today that shape the reality of our lives, The Bright Ideas Trust, a
from issues relating to gun and knife crime, our low socio- social initiative to inspire the
economic standing and family life. These negative issues next generation of
surrounding our community shape the way we see entrepreneurs. In 2007 he
ourselves and instigate the self fulfilling prophecy. became a Social Enterprise
However, we are successful; we are leaders in our Ambassador as part of a British Government initiative that
communities and we are trendsetters. I present to you just aims to apply modern business solutions to social and
a few… environmental problems. He is of Jamaican origin and was
born in East London, Plaistow where he still lives with his
In 2005 she won by an overwhelming majority to represent family.
Brent South for Labour. She is the Parliamentary Private He is Tim Campbell
Secretary to the Health Minister Jane Kennedy, and in
2006 was appointed Chair of the All Party Parliamentary

8
 He is a British Rastafarian writer and dub poet. He is a prestigious awards in
well-known figure in contemporary English literature, and architecture, The Stiling
was included in ‘The Times’ list of Britain's top 50 post- Prize.
war writers in 2008. He was born and raised in He is David Adjaye
Birmingham, England. He
had finished full time I am a 2008 Brunel Law
education at the age of 13. School graduate. I was Brunel
His poetry is strongly African and Caribbean
influenced by the music and Society Events organiser and a Residences Student
poetry of Jamaica and what Mentor. I oversee the academic & welfare issues that
he calls 'street politics'. He students at Brunel may face. I sit on a variety of University
was not satisfied preaching and Union committees representing students. I’m also the
about the sufferings of Black union’s point of contact when it comes to issues regarding
people to Black people, so he equality and diversity. I oversee the Unions campaigns for
sought a wider mainstream the year and as well as that I oversee the running of the
audience. Over a 22-day period in 1991 he performed on Advice & Representation Centre (ARC). I am the author of
every continent on this planet. He was the first person to this article. I am Vice President Education & Welfare.
record with The Wailers after the death of Bob Marley in I am Natalie Foster
a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela. In 2003, he wrote in
‘The Guardian’ that he had turned down an OBE from
the Queen because it reminded him of "how my
foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised." He
is not afraid of controversy.
Who are you?
He is Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah

She has served in two terms of government for Labour. As

Foreign Office Minister working for the home department
at the Lord Chancellor's Office she is effectively number
two to Lord Irvine of Largs and the lead minister on
immigration and asylum
matters, legal aid, legal
services and the
development of Civil Law in
the UK. In 1991 she made
legal history becoming the
first black female QC
(Queens Counsel) at the age
of 35. She was made a
bencher of the Middle
Temple in 1997, becoming a judge in 1999, and raised to
the Privy Council in 2001. In 1997 she became the joint
first black woman peer when she was created a peer as Brunel African and Caribbean
Baroness of Asthal, in the County of Oxfordshire.
Society (ACS) presents….
She is Baroness Patricia Scotland

He is recognised as one of the leading architects of his ‘Who are you?’

generation in the UK. He has been a lecturer at the Royal
College of Art where he received his MA in Architecture
in 1993. In June 2001, he won the Idea Store competition Monday 27th October 2008
to design two new-build libraries in East London. The first
of the two Idea Stores (near Canary Wharf) opened in July Howell Theatre (H001)
2004 and won a 2005 RIBA Building Award. The 5-storey Doors Open 7pm
flagship library/community centre with a top floor café Price: Members £4, Non-Members £6
and dance/yoga studio opened in October 2005. His work
has led him to his nomination for one of the UK’s most

9
 Music Reviews
proud Boddingtons paunch he could probably just push the
Elbow: The
little oik over anyway.
Seldom Seen On a record of lush, layered but sometimes syrupy
ornamentation, 'Some Riot' comes as its real shock and
Kid shuddering heart. Against stark and mournful piano and
Joe Sommerlad strings, Garvey's hoarse wail is suddenly hardened and breaks
in with the ominous: “A friend of mine grows his very own
I wanted to hate this.
brambles...” Later he asks: “When will my friend start singing
I've never set much
again?” A more haunting question you'd be hard pressed to
stock by the Mercury
find in pop. It's presumably an allusion to Bryan Glancy, the
Prize and, from the
outside, Elbow look like late singer-songwriter whose ghost stalks the record and whose
just another Radiohead nickname gave it its title. Away from the morose, there's a nice
dash of grimy kitchen sink naturalism at its centre with 'The
tribute act floundering in the indie ocean, clinging to the
Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver' and a pleasantly verbose
bloated corpse of Britpop for want of a better idea. But I was
duet with bequiffed Sheffield crooner Richard Hawley on 'The
wrong. These perennial “underdogs” are actually rather good.
Fix.'
The rumbling 'Grounds For Divorce' is an early
highlight, pounding It's not all a success,
however. 'Starlings' and
out some of that “....Elbow look like just another Radiohead tribute
'Mirrorball' are tedious and twee,
baggy Mancunian act floundering in the indie ocean, clinging to the
crying out to be called “lovely”
energy we liked about bloated corpse of Britpop for want of a better idea.
when actually you find yourself
Doves or The Stone But I was wrong....”
Roses. Also excellent is drumming your fingers with
'The Bones of You,' setting out frontman Guy Garvey's impatience. And, personally, I
don't buy their sunny, carpe diem optimism on 'One Day Like
healthy preoccupation with death from the off. “I love the
This.' It's too obvious and cynical a punt for radio-friendly,
bones of you that I will never escape,” he moans. Elbow
anthemic festival sing-along, idiot hero-worship status. Still,
benefit hugely from Garvey's creaking-barstool romanticism
and weary experience in a field dominated by skinny-jean they deserve their accolade for sheer perseverance, and, in the
teenagers with nothing to say other than what an agony it is to end, Guy Garvey just wants to be loved like everybody else.
Which is a shame, as there's a truly miserable band here just
be famous. His astute and wordy lyrical observations leave
waiting to get out. Why deny yourselves, lads?
only Alex Turner still standing in his wake. And with that

Kings of ear. The craftsmanship of the band’s instrument playing is, as

always, second to none and drummer Nathan Followhill
Leon: Only By continues to inspire. His drumming never overpowers a track
or settles as a wall flower; it is an entirely essential element.
the Night. Many anticipated this most recent offering to be their
Laura Watts best to date, but Only By the Night doesn’t quite achieve this.
The recently Nevertheless, certain tracks stand out and could easily be
released fourth offering regarded as anthems. Tracks like debut release Sex on Fire and
from southern-fried Notion greet the ear with pure musical bliss. Back to Kings’
American preacher’s class of old, they will suit perfectly the main stage at festivals
sons Kings of Leon around the globe.
has met mixed “...they serve to excite and The band said
reviews. The BBC’s quench the listener’s thirst, that they wanted to
Chris Jones declared it as “the album that the world's been from the otherwise barren “tackle their southern
waiting for the Kings Of Leon to make;” other critics and landscape....” roots again,” and the
fans alike haven’t been quite so positive. efforts on the reflective
The album’s Followhill and Animal montage art work Revelry and the poignant I Want You have paid off in that
is striking and commanding, but in my view this doesn’t reflect respect. Certain tracks are reminiscent of songs from previous
the tracks on the album. Certain tracks pull you in after only albums; Sex on Fire includes evocative guitar riffs similar to
one listen, others take a few listens to appreciate, and some fail those of Aha Shake Heartbreak and even predecessor album,
to achieve such an effect even after several meetings with the Because of the Times. The greatest tracks don’t seem to have

10
 diverged from their classic neo-garage rock style, but those that
have attempted to end up quite bland. Caleb’s gypsy folk drool
is there to guide and preach the album to you; he seems to
have experienced no problem in transcending the band’s post
adolescent indie days, to those of current stadium glory.
With an exciting summer behind them and a UK
tour imminent in December, Kings have made the unusual
step of disappointing me. The problem I find with Only By
the Night is that it doesn’t cement at all - neither Kings’ status
nor the tracks. Individual tracks don’t work to complement
one another; instead, the few quality tracks that there are on
the album stand out like an oasis in a desert - they serve to
excite and quench the listener’s thirst, from the otherwise
barren landscape.

Film Reviews
On board with the and a cat and mouse game ensues as gangs attempt to
capture our hero. Denton is helped by his drug dealer Saul
Pineapple Express? Silver, expertly played by James Franco who can be
Helen Murdoch recognised from the Spiderman franchise. The character’s
journey is a mix of hilarious comedy scenes – watch out for
**** 4 Stars their fight with fellow dealer Red played by Danny McBride
– and there are some close moments between our two lead
Director: David Gordon Green characters.
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride Now, as farfetched as this plot is, Pineapple Express
Length: 111 minutes delivers in all the right places. The casting of Franco as loner
drug deal Saul fits perfectly against Rogen’s accidental hero,
It seems that the past few years have been and there are plenty of funny moments if you’re after a
dominated with the comedic stylings of Judd Apatow and relaxing night out with a few friends. However, if stoner
Seth Rogen; it began with the hilarious The 40 Year-Old comedies aren’t your thing then I would
Virgin, gave us the teen comedy
“...as farfetched as this plot not recommend this movie, as a five
Superbad, and now we have another
is, Pineapple Express delivers minute section about a cross-shaped
comedy from the Apatow camp: spliff may not appeal. I thoroughly
in all the right places...”
Pineapple Express. enjoyed watching Pineapple Express as a
The plot is as unbelievable as light movie to watch with friends and then have a few pints
most of Seth Rogen’s work but it still has a certain laughing about it.
something. The movie follows the journey of stoner Dale This movie is a standard comedy that hits the right
Denton (Rogen) who is the only witness to a murder by a spot for a movie of the week. It is not going to live on as a
local drug lord and a crooked cop. In haste, Denton drops classic comedy but for a fun night out I would recommend
his roach containing the very rare weed Pineapple Express, this movie.

  His film Tropic Thunder is based around a bunch

Tropic Thunder
of Hollywood prima donnas making a war movie set in
Nathan Tyers Vietnam who inadvertently get caught in fight with a drug
cartel. Armed with fake guns, movie explosives and their
Director: Ben Stiller acting skills they have to escape alive. The film certainly
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, delivered on the comedy aspect, with humour interspersed
Robert Downey Jr. with action and drama scenes. Thankfully this film avoids
Length: 107 minutes the cliché slapstick humour that Hollywood seems to deliver
quite often, but neither is it a film that makes you think too
So I’m a fresher, completely new to university, and at hard. You won’t feel emotionally for the characters of this
Freshers Fayre I show some interest in writing in this very
film, but maybe that’s a good thing, considering that they’re
magazine. So, what do they do? They ask me to review the all misfits. The only let down for this film is the ending, as it’s
film Tropic Thunder as my first assignment with a deadline a typical Hollywood ending. 
less than a week away (Ed: welcome to journalism…). Otherwise Tropic Thunder is definitely a
Watching a film and sitting down with friends saying that it’s recommended must see, especially with Tom Cruise making
cool or rubbish is easy; however, that isn’t a review. This is. I a special cameo appearance as a complete lunatic (Ed:
admit, as a film fan, I like to criticise, but writing about a playing himself then?). Definitely one of Ben Stiller’s better
film is quite hard, as I’m now finding out. I’d hate to imagine films of his writing-directing career.
a film writer’s method, never mind directing it. Well, that is
exactly what Ben Stiller delivered.
11
 staying there (Tyler & Speedman) in the process. Kristen and
The Strangers
James are supposedly enjoying a romantic weekend away,
Georgette Dyer but it’s not just their unwanted guests that cause the mood to
turn sour. However, as bad as it is, you still can’t help
Director: Brian Bertino screaming out, “RUN – HE’S BEHIND YOU!”
Starring: Liv Tyler, Scott
Speedman If you’ve already seen the trailer, you’ve no doubt seen the
Length: 85 minutes best, or worst, this horror tale has to offer. All in all, Bertino
clearly fails to include much suspense or a story line in his
Ultimately, this horror flick by debut flop, The Strangers. Here’s hoping that his mooted
director Brian Bertino fails to offer much more than a trio of sequel, which is scheduled to start filming in early 2009,
masked psychopathic men and women making random provides a viewing more prone to leave you jumping out of
appearances and then miraculously disappearing in and out your seat rather than slumped in it.
of a secluded holiday home, terrifying the adorable couple

Anthropology?
Lubna Begum

Anthropology is a ‘sexual anthropologist.’

the study and Famous anthropologists can write volumes
observation of dissecting human behaviour, those with the credentials and
human behaviour, scientific research to form and back up theories relating to
especially their human behaviour. These theories relate to the holistic view
society and that is anthropology. But I take a more light-hearted
customs. It approach. No two people are ever alike, but when
includes the encountering and socialising with a variety of people (all
similarities and part of the uni experience), you will inevitably spot
differences of the similarities and
world’s people. trends which I “...Sex and the City fans will
Humans are often find recognise Carrie Bradshaw
complex creatures, amusing. Case as, in her own words, a
having the ability to think beyond the realms of their most in point, I ‘sexual anthropologist.’...”
basic of animal instincts i.e. eat, drink and procreate. recently got
We’re educated from an early age, and encouraged to talking to a friend-of-a-friend, and, within five minutes of
question and observe the world around us. We are also speaking to him, felt I kind of had him figured out. He was
equipped with the ability to feel emotion. With all this in the kind of bloke who only liked art-house films, hailed
mind, it’s not surprising human behaviour was going to be Catcher in the Rye as a literary masterpiece, and when the
put under the microscope, and thus, anthropology was inevitable MySpace friend request came, had the most
born… obscure track loaded on his page. Pretentious is too strong
Often identifying trends and patterns with how a word, but you know the kind of people I’m talking
humans interact with each other, and exploring the about…
reasons why people act and behave a certain way, Anthropology appeals to all kinds of people, from
anthropology looks at those who observe it, to those who
a range of things in “...He was the kind of bloke who only liked can identify with it. When looking at
depth: from art-house films, hailed Catcher in the Rye as a anthropological discussions, we can
relationships and love, literary masterpiece, and when the inevitable usually find some similarities in
to how people react in MySpace friend request came, had the most ourselves, or an ideology that we can
certain situations. obscure track loaded on his page....” relate to. And the little self-indulgent
Directly related to part that’s in all of us will always be
Sociology and Philosophy, this can include all aspects of interested in something that we feel correctly describes our
human life. It is not meant to be judgmental or actions and motives, often because we don’t understand or
condescending, simply an observation. Sex and the City notice them ourselves.
fans will recognise Carrie Bradshaw as, in her own words,

12
 A Student’s Life
New housemates, Thai brides and… MURDERDISK.

Michael Ryder

So a few weeks have passed since I wrote my last article over used exaggeration, but in this particular case I don’t
and quite a lot has happened in Bellclose Road that is think any other expression could be closer to the truth.
worthy of a report. First of all, I need to mention our new Apparently, her name is Ju, she’s from Thailand, and Tom
housemate Barry. He arrived a forlorn figure on our met her on the internet. Barely believable as this is,
doorstep a couple of weeks ago with just a guitar, and a tin apparently he’s paid for her visa and everything and will be
of ‘Barry’s tea’ to his name, and in the few weeks he has collecting her from the airport on Saturday. Rather
been with us has become a firm fixture on the sofa in front worrying if you ask me, especially if you consider Tom’s
of the television, regularly sitting for six hour rugby tendency to have a sudden loss of blood to the brain
sessions with Tom who is at last happy to have at long last whenever anything remotely female is concerned.
found a friend. Considering my housemate’s typical idiotic behaviour and
Quite an interesting addition to the Bellclose offensive alpha-male attitude whenever women are present
Road dynamic you might think, this tea-drinking, Guinness in Bellclose Road I fear I shall be spending the next week
swigging, rugby loving post grad from foreign lands. Well locked in my room wondering what I did to deserve this
you’d think cruel, cruel fate.
that “..naturally the two of them have been talking It’s not all bad however.
wouldn’t in Irish accents for nearly two weeks now Though Tom and I have certainly had our
you? thinking that perhaps the joke is still funny...” ups and downs at Bellclose Road recently,
Unfortunately Barry suffers from something of an one big positive from the past few weeks has
affliction- a curse if you will- that has caused me no end of been the invention of the game we have all lovingly come
grief these past few weeks. What is that curse I hear you to call Murderdisk©. Though it started off as just a very
ask? I can’t hold it back from you any longer my friends. I dangerous game of throwing a nylon-and-wire Frisbee at
might as well just tell you all straight away and get the pain each other indoors to see who could cause the most
out of the way now… damage to household items and in many instances, each
Barry is Irish. other, the game has now come to take on something of a
Now on meeting him most people wouldn’t think gladiatorial edge. We now have rules (or as Tom will have
twice about the fact Barry comes from Ireland, other than them called, ‘laws’) setting out player positions, point-
ask the stereotypical questions: ‘Do you like Guinness?’ scoring methods and bonuses which include hitting David’s
‘Do you like Rugby?’ and ‘Have you ever considered girlfriend Amy, or just David in general really with bonuses
joining a boy-band?’ for head shots or catching spectators unawares. Obviously
The problem is of course that Dave and Tom have taken when we hit David while he is watching the television it’s
the whole ‘embracing other just an ‘accident’. We can’t
cultures’ thing to a whole “....such is our level of accuracy with the help it he sometimes just
Murderdisk© now both Tom and I can pretty gets in the way! I say that of
new level. According to my
safely call ourselves ‘Frisbee Assassins’ course, but such is our level
housemates, the fact Barry is
when it comes to our sudden strikes that of accuracy with the
from Ireland is of course his
come from nowhere....” Murderdisk© now both
sole defining feature, and
naturally the two of them Tom and I can pretty safely
have been talking in Irish accents for nearly two weeks now call ourselves ‘Frisbee Assassins’ when it comes to our
thinking that perhaps the joke is still funny and that yes, sudden strikes that come from nowhere and typically hit
Barry appreciates the small taste of home. Personally, I’m our housemates on the side of the head when they’re busy
not buying it and if I’m honest with you now reader, the cooking. Given the strength and sheer amount of
Irish accents are wearing a bit thin. If I hear another Mrs. profanities that issued forth from the Irishman’s mouth
Doyle impression or if I hear Tom or Dave say ‘You fekkin yesterday when Tom hit him I don’t think Barry really
egit!’ once more I may well have to take matters into my appreciates Murderdisk© just yet, but don’t worry, he will:
own hands. The results could be very messy indeed for all - he doesn’t have a choice!
parties concerned.

With the somewhat multi-cultural theme to this issue’s

article, I feel it somewhat appropriate to now turn my
attentions to the expected second addition to our house
over the next week or so. You may think use of the words
‘Thai Bride’ in the title to this piece is something of an
13
 Murray can’t
have been too
disappointed –
he still left with
a cheque for
one million
dollars…

Le Sport
lower than they should have. A factor they claim has a
£500,000 price tag. Where will this all end I
wonder?
Ben Vallely
Toon Turmoil
A long way away, in the
deep dark North-East, a band of
West Hammered! loyal followers have lost their
West Ham United’s legal troubles show little sign Messiah and their way. Since
of dwindling quickly. They are currently tackling a multi- Kevin Keegan left Newcastle
million pound damages claim from Sheffield United over United after deciding that he
their controversial relegation from the Premier League. could no longer work under
Sheffield claim that pocket-sized Argentinean meddling owner Mike Ashley, the
striker Carlos Tevez was instrumental in their demise from portly chairman has ensured that
the Premier League as he scored against current club Newcastle United has retained its
Manchester United on the last day of the status as the most tabloid-
season, clinching the Hammer’s safety and “...With the ADUG holding 10 times friendly club in England.
hurtling Soppy Sheffield to the realms of more money than Chelsea, it looks as Fresh off the back of
the though City will be doing anything to offering star players (such
get their first Premier League title...” as Michael Owen) to rival
Premier League clubs
Championship.
(against the manager’s will), he sold fan-favourite James
Tevez’s signing broke FA
Milner just before the transfer deadline. This was all hard
rules on third-party ownership
enough for ‘King Kev’ to deal with, without the man Ashley
due to him selling part of
put in place to oversee transfer activity, Dennis Wise. His
himself to his agent, although
purchase of two players Keegan didn’t particularly want and
West Ham were fined, a few
this was the last straw for the popular manager and he left the
football clubs refuse to see this
club despite a promising start. It has now been 5 losses in a
as comeuppance.
Both Fulham and Wigan row for ‘the Toon’ and after the appointment of 61 year-old
ex-Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear (pictured) as Keegan’s
also claim they are entitled to
replacement, the city is in uproar. It is unclear who they hate
compensation, in light of a FA
more – Wise or Ashley, but it is certain that both are ‘persona
ruling that Tevez was worth at
non-gratis’ in the Toon.
least three points to West Ham
in the season, this has seemingly launched a free-for-all; both
teams alleging Tevez’s goal caused them to finish one place

14
 Jim Furyk’s par putt at the 17th was conceded by Miguel
Ángel Jiménez to provide the 14 ½ points needed for the
victory, and the United States went on to defeat Europe, 16 ½
to 11 ½, to return the Ryder Cup to America’s hands for the
first time since 1999.

US Open Tennis Men’s

Singles Final
The US Open Tennis Men’s Singles tournament saw
Defeated we stand - United Andy Murray reach his first ever Grand Slam final, having
overcome 2008 Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal in an
they strut. epic, rain-delayed match of four sets. The Brit is no stranger
to success at Flushing Meadows, having won the junior title
It was on the 17th green at the Valhalla Golf Club there in 2004. However, with a back-on-form Roger Federer
in Louisville KY, on Sunday, where the United States team to contend with in the final, victory was to be far from easy.
won the Ryder Cup and closed the widest margin of victory In fact, it proved to be elusive, with
since 1981. the imperial Swiss ace beating Murray
Led by the Cup rookies Anthony “...Murray gave it his all, as ever, but in less than two hours in straight sets,
Kim, 23; Hunter Mahan, 26; even the tenacious Scot wasn’t going
to stop Federer romping to his fifth and seizing his thirteenth Grand Slam
Boo Weekley, 35 and J.B. title in the process. Murray gave it his
successive US Open..”
Holmes, 26, who combined for all, as ever, but even the tenacious
eleven of the team’s points, the Scot wasn’t going to stop Federer romping to his fifth
United States team never stopped soldiering on against the successive US Open. Still, Murray can’t have been too
Europeans. At the same time, the European Ryder Cup
disappointed – he still left with a cheque for one million
stalwarts Padraig Harrington, Sergio García and Lee dollars…
Westwood failed to win a match.

Manchester City
Sale
Ollie Willis

So summer is over and the

excitement and terror of the
transfer window has come to
an end. Berbatov and
Robinho are now both playing
in Manchester, however, not
for the same team.
As unlikely as it sounded when it
was confirmed on Sky Sports News
on 1st September, Manchester City
did in fact hi-jack the expected bid
of Chelsea for Real Madrid’s
Robinho, spending a British record
fee of £32.5million. They almost had
Berbatov from under the noses of their city rivals, but he could not be prised away from his ‘dream move’ to Old
Trafford.

So where has the money come from? The Abu Dhabi United Group is the answer to both the question and the
prayers of Manchester City, for competing against their Red rivals. With the ADUG holding 10 times more money than
Chelsea, it looks as though City will be doing anything to get their first Premier League title, and prove that they are
more than the new Chelsea.

15

Lewis Hamilton Penalty
For
Ok. I’m probably one of very few Englishmen who
don’t work for Ferrari that think that Mr. Hamilton deserved
the 25 second time penalty that he sustained at the Belgian
Grand Prix this year. I speak and write as a person who was
lucky enough to actually be stood at the Bus Stop Chicane
for the duration of the day, from the GP2 Sprint Race at
9.30 BST through to the end of the Grand Prix at about
14.45 BST and so I feel I can comment on what was a
blatant breach of the Sporting Regulations and Code due to
the incident happening right in front of my vantage point.
The FiA Sporting Regulations state that if a driver gains an
unfair advantage by cutting a corner, then they are to receive
a Drive through penalty. However, article 16.3 of these
Regulations states that:
Ok first off, it was a stunning GP, a great spectacle
The stewards may impose any one of three penalties on any
driver involved in an Incident:
a) A drive-through penalty. The driver must enter the pit
lane and re-join the race without stopping;
b) A ten second time penalty. The driver must enter the pit
lane, stop at his pit for at least ten seconds and then re-join
the race.
c) A drop of ten grid positions at the driver’s next Event.
However, should either of the penalties under a)
and b) above be imposed during the last five laps, or after the
end of a race, 25 seconds will be added to the elapsed race
time of the driver concerned.
Mr. Hamilton gained an advantage by cutting the at 6kph slower than Kimi as they cross the line, and he is still
chicane. A penalty will be forfeited if the advantage is given
back immediately. This Lewis appeared to do and I will not
dispute that. McLaren’s basis for appeal of the decision was
that Lewis had lifted off the Go-pedal and was 6kph slower
Now I’m not going to beat up the FIA/politics/
when crossing the start/finish line. However, the boy is
driving a 200mph machine, and as a result, 6kph is nothing,
especially if you are going to cut straight back into the
slipstream of the car in front and gain your advantage
straight back again.
Felipe Massa, who ended up being credited with the
win, when questioned on the incident glossed over it to an
extent, not wanting to get involved in the politics, but said
that if you follow a car through that chicane properly, then it
is impossible to pass at La Source (the first corner of the lap),
due to you losing approximately five to ten metres on the car
in front of you, in acceleration, out of the chicane. This is
true and anybody watching the entire race will have seen this
happen time and time again throughout the field.
Lewis deserved the ensuing penalty, for nothing other than
what was a mistake. It was inexperience in these sorts of
To get involved in Le Nurb get in touch with Ben Moxey, the editor at mediaofficer@brunel.ac.uk.
You can find out more about us online at www.brunelstudents.com/media. This issue will be
available online from 30th October 2008 for your viewing pleasure.
16
situations that led to a mistake. He has only been driving
Formula One cars in competition for a year and a half ! A lot
of people forget that he is in
fact still learning. He
obviously had the faster car
and the superior grip in the
slimy, wet conditions, but he
also had two more laps to
pass Kimi on track, the most
obvious of places being into
the top chicane after Eau Rouge. He most certainly didn’t
need to pass that early. The penalty is justified and we can
rest assured, that Lewis won’t make this mistake again,
especially not at such a crucial stage in a Race for the World
Championship title…
Against
and a stunning battle. The last few laps are what every
petrol-head and every F1 fan wants in a race. The shear
thrill of “any one of four can win it, who has the biggest
balls?”, and without a doubt, that man with the cajones is
Hamilton. He did all the work, kept it on the road when no
other man could and won…but...
In the incident, Hamilton went in a bit hot and
Raikkonen closed the door, as is allowed. This meant that
Lewis had to dive off, sharpish, or crash. He chose to run in
the only safe place available, the inside of the corner, the
only tarmac not filled by Ferrari that was open to him. So he
has to concede the place, he does. Mclaren have him tracked
off the fast pedal. So halfway down the straight, Lewis is
coasting, and then he ducks inside and takes the spot legit,
getting a nudge from Kimi for good measure.
Ferrari route. That’s muddy water, I am though, going to say
that this is exactly what the sport doesn’t need! A thrilling
race which was ruined by meddling stewards two hours later.
Mclaren told him to back off, he did, he went behind, he
tried again a corner later, job done. Now the FIA have
clarified, like the blind man trying to find the exit, and said
that in this instance, you can’t retake until AFTER the next
corner…excuse me? In Monza, you had drivers tip-toeing
around, sliding off in the conditions, only to rejoin the track
and then spend half a lap mincing around trying to
differentiate whether a kink was a corner or not.
Just let them bloody race! Yes, he got an advantage
from the chicane, but no, he should not have been penalised,
as he administered the punishment on track, as all good
drivers do.