Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
19 September 2005
Konsumer Revolt! barefacts Room 101: Barefacts is going In This Fortnight’s Paper
own team of scientific Guinea to banish select annoyances Comment | Does Patriotism =
Pigs. This edition they’re trying to the depths of this infamous Racism? | Page 4
OR out supermarket own brand room. What tortures of the Arts Section |Reviews of all
soft drinks... Do they live to tell modern age are going to be and sundry |Page 11
the tale? | Page 11 reloacted? | Page 5 Puzzles| So, barefacts has a
Su Doku now? | Page 22
DRINK Last year, CCTV caught him going of the University of Surrey security to work, study and visit”. He adds to
HERE
backstage at the Union last October, department in ensuring the safety this that the campus benefits from a
stealing a hooded top containing a of our students in such dangerous very low crime rate.
wallet and cash. He similarly used the circumstances. Although Surrey is UniS Watch can be accessed from the
stolen card later that evening, and a no longer the safest county, the Union UniSlife intranet page:
doorman caught him trying to enter the would like to stress to all students www.surrey.ac.uk/unislife/
Agony Niece
Q. I don’t know why but I keep bumping uglies Q. I moved into halls earlier than most people and already I feel really
with my ex. I know its only sex for him, as he lonely. It’s the first time I’ve lived away from home, and it’s even
once slept with three different women in one harder when I have no one to talk to. I see people walking around cam-
week, me being one of them. But I really like him pus, talking and laughing with other people like they’ve known each
and can’t let go. other for ages. I’m scared I’m going to be left out.
A. What a lovely term – “bumping uglies”. It is A. Those people you saw could have been second or final year stu-
a very ugly thing to be sleeping with your ex. If dents, so they probably do know the people they were walking with.
you are hoping to win him back by sleeping with They were freshers once and they came to the university with no
him, I’d give up as I don’t think that’s on his mind friends. Remember that all first year students are in the same position
if he’s sleeping with other women. Remember the as you right now. When more people have moved into your accom-
two of you broke up. Make a new year’s semes- modation, leave your room door open so you can say hi to people. As
ter’s resolution not to see him. If you miss male you’re already moved in, you could help the others unpack. The only
attention, go to the Union and pull some random way you or any first year student is going to get to know each other is
drunk. There’s more dignity in that! if you talk to one another.
Q. My girlfriend is obsessed with shoes. I didn’t realise how many pairs she had until Q. When I got drunk I accidentally kissed my friend’s ex boyfriend. It’s not like I was
we moved in together this month. She never has any money and expects me to pay for interested in him, it was just for a laugh. Now he won’t leave me alone. He keeps say-
things when we go out. Now I know why! I’m worried that she’s going to get into seri- ing that he knows I want him, but I won’t do anything because of my friend. He won’t
ous debt because she can’t go past a shoe shop without trying a pair or two on. take no for an answer. He has asked if I will go to his one evening so we can talk over
dinner. Should I go to try and sort things out?
A. Personally I don’t understand some girls’ obsessions with shoes. I suggest you use
an evil girly trick- make her feel guilty. When she’s trying on shoes, work out what else A. No no no no NO! For starters you would be giving out mixed signals, and he might
she could buy with the money, like “wow, you could buy 25 pints with that”. A less evil think he’s going to get lucky. If he cannot accept you are not interested in him, then
trick is trying to get your girlfriend to compromise. If she wants a new pair of shoes, you should avoid him as much as possible. Any time you spend with him, in his mind,
then she’ll have to give up something else for a while. She may dislike for trying to stop means that you like him. The less you see of him, the less likely he’ll turn stalker on
her splurging, but she’ll thank you in the long run. you.
4 COMMENT 19 September 2005
Patriotism = Racism?
After the London bombings, the country is beginning to ask what caused our own people to turn against us. Chris Ward
proposes that maybe our attitude to British patriotism is anything but constructive in building a safer and more united country.
ROOM I’m fairly sure every single one of us likes complaining, it’s like a natural instinct
101
or something. David Hynds is going to help us vent our spleens at the bits of
existence that really bug us, using the Room 101 concept from George Orwell’s
1984 (Or the Room 101 from the BBC TV Show if you haven’t/can’t read 1984).
A line from the infamous novel by George Orwell; 1984. Not only is it the year that I was
born (along with a good few others here at Surrey), but it is one of those classics that I
For a moment he was alone, then the
have yet to read – maybe in the course of this year I will. door opened and O’Brien came in.
Anyway, I digress. Room 101, a fantastical place in which one could place what that
individual deemed; ‘the worst thing in the world’ – in this case, Winston’s scenario was
rats. I can imagine a lot of things worse than rats, as can a great number of other people ‘You asked me once,’ said O’Brien,
– therefore, this slot in your fortnightly Barefacts has been devoted to airing some of your
Room 101 choices.
‘what was in Room 101. I told you that
you knew the answer already. Everyone
Firstly, a few of my choices, to give you some ideas and to spur you on, after which
details are listed so you can get your pet hates aired, and hopefully, banished to Room knows it. The thing that is in Room 101 is
101. Think of me as a younger, more attractive Paul Merton (but perhaps not as funny),
who will discuss your choices, and ultimately decide whether I agree or not.
the worst thing in the world.’
Quote from 1984
On with the list…
5. The fact that people don’t appreciate me making up words Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed my ramblings. Next edition, it’s over to you…
I know that some of my made-up words are sometimes silly;
but if they do what they are supposed to do, then why not? I If you want to contribute to Room 101, then send an email to; mu21dh@surrey.
mean, new words are being made up all the time. CHAV, for ac.uk, with ‘Room 101’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to write a little about
example, comes from the Romany word, chav or child, but yourself, and ensure that your choices are explained fully.
has become used to mean the lower class; uneducated and It is the columnist’s right to edit entries as he deems fit, so it would be most
ignorant people. Robot wasn’t a word until someone made it useful if explanations are lengthy, and in detail. Barefacts and the columnist
up, as were a great number of words. I am careful not to use will ensure that the majority of your contributions are used, however; if
them in assessed coursework, so I won’t lose out on degree suggestions are in any way derogatory, then they shall be omitted (Note from
marks – but I feel it is my duty to expand the already vast editor-in-chief: He’s right you know...)
English Language. Remember, keep it clean.
David Hynds
6 UNION UPDATE 19 September 2005
It’s been 3 months since many of you last stepped inside or even thought about the Students’
Union Flo is here to tell you about some of the things that everyone’s been getting up to union-
wise over the Summer break.
Guildford Borough Council, Barclays part of the decision committee for the architect for the
ussu.co.uk/elections
8 FEATURES 19 September 2005
What is a Student?
by F.S.C.
According to the UniS website, there are over 12’000 students (postgrad and undergrad)
registered with the university on award-bearing programmes. Twelve thousand? Well
with so many of them about, we must all know what a student is. So what is a student?
One common image conjured up when thinking of students is alcohol. All students like
getting drunk as much as possible…. don’t they? I can safely say they don’t. For starters I
don’t drink alcohol and I’m sure I’m not the only one. At least I hope I’m not!
Let’s go for a more obvious answer. A student is someone who studies. Well we all
know people who turn up to every lecture, spend hours in the library or sat in front of the
computer. We also all know people who rarely get out of bed for lectures, don’t do any
extra reading, but still manage to pass exams. I hardly think that can be classed as study-
ing.
What about student cuisine? Beans on toast and Pot Noodles. If that is all you eat, then
you certainly haven’t been reading the Barefacts food page. Last year I lived with people
that cooked fancy meals like lobster in white wine sauce. And I bet you all think I’m
exaggerating. I’m not.
Not actualy students... but trained actors...
So is there anything that links all students together? Dress sense? Music? Celebrity
most fantasised about? Brand of toothpaste that gets your teeth whiter than white with
a minty freshness? I think it’s safe to say that even if you can think of a trend amongst
students, there’ll always be someone that breaks the mould.
They say that variety is the spice of life. I haven’t lived a full life yet so I don’t know
about that, but variety is the spice of students. It’s brilliant that we have such a diverse
group of people all bunched together under the label of “students”. Just think, if we all
left university dressed the same, with the same interests and the same goals in life, how
would people tell us apart?
You might think that person in your lectures is a bit weird because they dress funny or
belong to some obscure society, but if you talk to them you may just find you have some-
thing in common. If you don’t have something in common, even better! That way you
can get the chance to experience how someone else lives their life. Perhaps being open
minded towards others is what makes you a student. Not a student either
19 September 2005 FEATURES 9
Flash... aaaarrrghhhh!
For those with a lot of time on their hands and a tendency to do things that have very little point.
Lia Parker introduces us to the concept of Flash Mobbing.
in.
Pillow Fight Club in action Mobile Clubbing is similar Flash Mobbing, but most com-
monly take place in train or underground stations. Instead
Mob was approached by a sales clerk, they simply said of doing something random at one precise time, everyone
“The first rule of Pillow that they all lived together in a warehouse, and wanted a starts dancing to music on their personal music systems.
love rug to play on.
Fight Club is - you will tell The idea has caught on all over the world. In Japan, peo-
These gatherings come highly recommended. As Mobile
Clubber, Jared Schiller said, “You get to listen to all your
everyone about Pillow ple took over the streets dressed as Agent Smith from The
Matrix. London experienced its first Flash Mob in August
favourite tunes, cause a bit of commotion and have great
fun at the same time... And, as an added bonus, you give
Fight Club.The second rule 2003. A sofa shop in central London was bombarded by
250 people at exactly 6.31pm, and Mobbers were instruct-
weary commuters something to smile about on their way
home from work.”
of Pillow Fight Club is - you ed to speak (in English) but not to use the letter “o”, and
commend the shop owner on the quality of his goods. Af-
TELL EVERYONE about ter 7 minutes, and a loud applause, the Mob disappeared.
So there you have it; another silly craze that’s taken the
world by storm. But why should we have to go all the way
Pillow Fight Club.” Flash Mobbing is made easier by the internet. People can
to London to partake in a Flash Mob. How about starting
our own in Guildford?
sign up to various groups, and will receive e-mails, telling
Ever felt like doing something pointless yet wonderful at them the date and destination of the next Flash Mob.
the same time? Something silly yet something well organ- They are usually asked to text or e-mail anyone they know Send your articles/letters/
ised? Why not take part in a Flash Mob? that might be interested in joining in. personals to:
This craze involves hordes of people turning up in the
same place at the same time. They do something daft for a Some people have tried to use Flash Mobbing to advertise barefacts@ussu.co.uk
few minutes then disperse as quickly as they arrived. The their products, but it doesn’t really work. The idea behind
reason behind it? There is no reason! Flash Mobbing is that all the people mass unexplainably
Flash Mobbing started in New York in June 2003, when and randomly. Some have suggested that Flash Mobbing
over a hundred people massed on Macy’s department could be used by politicians or today’s youth to make their
store. At 7.27pm the crowd assembled in the rug depart- voices heard. But it shouldn’t be like that. Flash Mobbing
ment and congregated around one rug. If a member of the is meant to be harmless fun that anyone can participate
Six lemonades and four colas were located for this rigorous taste testing. All were from Round One: The Colas on their own...
supermarkets within walking distance of campus here at Surrey. Each drink was tested
in two ways: Way the 1st, as a regular soft drink & Way the 2nd, as a mixer to some very
cheap alcohol. Way the 1st will give us a valuable incite on how drinkable the drink is
normally and Way the 2nd will show us how well each drink covers up the flavour of
cheap, bad tasting, alcoholic substances (We perceive this as one of the main uses of
supermarket own brand fizzy drinks...)
The marking for each of the soft drinks was to be a very simple process, each of the 6
testers could either ‘Yay’ or ‘Nay’ each of the drinks presented before them. Obviously
a ‘Yay’ indicates that the fizzy drink in question was a fine beverage they wouldn’t mind
drinking again and a ‘Nay’ vote indicated that they didn’t enjoy the drink, and that they
perhaps loathed it. So each drink could score a maximum of 12 points – a maximum of
6 for the stand alone taste test, and a maximum of 6 for the ‘with vodka’ tasting.
Rather than a formal break down of results (save that for coursework) we’re providing Round Two: The Lemonades on their own...
our table of results along with some of the comments made by our six test monkeys over
the course the experiment. A Yellow Smiley face incides a happy ‘Yay’ vote, a green
ill-looking face means a ‘Nay’ vote, and that the subject may be in need of medical
assitance. You may also notice the names of the 6 test monkeys seem rather bizarre,
unfortunately we couldn’t help that...
Behold, barefacts own reproduction of the ‘Ents Planner’. Ents is short for Entainment in case you were
wondering. If you don’t can’t wait ‘till barefacts comes out to get a hold of it you can subscribe to it
digitally (woooo!) by going to ussu.co.uk/events and subscribing to grapevine - As you can clearly see
it’s a busy couple of weeks ahead.
Monday
19th
Cyclone in the HRB
Tuesday featuring:
Adam Bloom,
20th
Stuart Goldsmith
& Guests
Stella Screen
Sunday
Free Film
25th in the HRB 8pm
19 September 2005 OH YEAH! THE ENTS PLANNER 13
Tuesday ll
Chance or’s Cha enge: ll e t to
27th Tree & Piers attempt to run a quiz! in Chancellor’s no less!
8pm - £1 per person in a team D o n
r g
’t Fo en...
P
r i n gA
All entry money goes towards the Quiz Cash Prize! B
Wednesday
28th
with Jo O’Meara
Friday £2 Advance,
£3 before 10:30pm
30th £4 afterwards
Vinyl Soc (Funk, Soul) in the HRB
Saturday TEASE
1st featuring
4tune & more
7:30pm Rubix
14 MUSIC 19 September 2005
It’s theĐ
that follow it are the remit of Elizabeth Heale & Nicole Heel - And if you feel like getting involved with any of these ‘art’ sections
get in touch with them at: bf.arts@gmail.com - No idea when the new cd handouts are going to take place...
STEPHEN MALKMUS
Face The Truth
Domino
It’s quite hard to figure out what Stephen Malkmus is trying to achieve in this his third
studio album. He seems stylistically unsure throughout the whole album like some sort of
sexually confused teenager which in the end is just plain annoying. This gets confusing
very easily and unfortunately is quite hard to get into as it’s just plain weird in places.
After a while I found myself asking this question - Does a new generation of music lovers
really need a third solo album from Malkmus which includes songs that house guitar
wig-outs and last up to eight minutes? Not really is the answer I came up with. It sounds
sort of like the rants of a deluded songwriter who has hit his head one too many times.
Although it is musically acceptable it doesn’t really go anywhere and fails to cause any
form of inspiration as the album lacks a unifying thread, either sonically or thematically.
It’s too stylistically diverse, willfully weird and lyrically cryptic to be anything more than
shall we say an ‘acquired’ taste. This record could be described as a big leap although
I’m not too sure if it’s in the right direction as I’m sure Malkmus’ “genre” isn’t going to
be the next big thing that NME rave over (thank god). The album title is actually quite
ironic as I think it’s about time that songwriters like Malkmus ‘face the truth’ that weird
isn’t always good – if you want to do that go be some wack 20th century composer. 2/5
Ollie Ghaney
Editors
The Back Room
Kitchenware Records Ltd
Released on 25th July this year, ‘The Back Room’ is the debut effort from Birmingham
based foursome, Editors. To be honest, at first I wasn’t too sure, the first track, ‘Lights’ is
a little, well, boring. However the second, ’Munich’, which was also their second single,
packs a lot more passion into the dark. That is how this band sounds: dark and a little bit
distant. Their sounds likens to Interpol, and delving slightly further back, Echo & The
Bunnymen and Joy Division. At least to a certain extent. Editors work is much less epic
and urgent than Interpol, but it’s probably more suited to the current climate of ‘cool’
NME bands. I can’t completely repress my first thought that they sound quite a bit like
Franz Ferdinand, just with less camp catchiness and more intelligent lyrics. (Although in
that area FF aren’t really much to compete with now are they?) The sixth song ‘Camera’
displays some of the bands quirky ability to experiment within their own sound, mixing
some synth and electro sounds into shadowy, brummie concoction. Nothing else really
stood out, this is a band who likes their style and tries not to vary it too much, but I believe
that the album did relatively well in the charts (top 20) so they must be doing something
right….I have heard Editors described as “80’s Goth combined with early Coldplay”,
which isn’t entirely inaccurate, so I’ll conclude with this: Buy ‘The Dark Room’ if you
are a fan of Interpol, Echo or Joy Division and want to explore another direction, if you
like Franz Ferdinand but are slightly embarrassed by them, or if (heavens forbid) you
liked Coldplay before the charts found them. 4/5
SUFJAN STEVENS
(Come on feel the) Illinoise
Rough Trade
You might not know it but allegedly Sufjan Stevens has been around for a while, spawning
five albums since 2000, not counting the two albums he made with folk group, Marzuki.
This album is the second of fifty albums Stevens is setting out to make, and he declares
he will dedicate each one to a State in America. With Michigan down in his 2003 release,
Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State, he moves on to Illinois. The whole
concept album is a bit lost on anyone not from the USA; the themes and issues it covers
are, not surprisingly about Illinois. But it has a musical charm and an intellect about it
that listeners from around the world can appreciate. It has a folky feel, with lots of juicy
banjo playing and unconventional uses of orchestral instruments. Some bits also sound
like he’s been let loose with a sequencer so the songs become a bit more epic than you
might think they should be (just listen to THE BLACK HAWK WAR* and you’ll see
what I’m talking about) but that’s the album’s appeal. He smacks of The Flaming Lips
and perhaps some Badly Drawn Boy, and has a sort of poetic wistfulness about him. I’m
sure to anyone from Illinois his lyrics, as well as the quirkily named track titles mean a
lot. For us mere mortals, it’s something you can put on in the background and suddenly
think, “What the hell was that?!” 3/5 Nicole Heel
*Full title: THE BLACK HAWK WAR, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilisation and
Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning, or, We Apologize for the Inconvenience
but You’re Going to Have to Leave Now, or, “I have fought the Big Knives and will
continue to fight them until they are off our lands!”
19 September 2005 MUSIC/THEATRE 15
TONY YAYO
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Interscope
To be honest I wasn’t expecting a lot from this album. Mr Yayo’s straight outta G-unit,
in my opinion the most overrated rap collective of all time. I wasn’t disappointed, it’s
just another attempt to prolong the lifecycle of the G-unit brand. This album is just like
the other G-unit releases, same beats, same lyrics, same motives, same look, same record
label, same guest stars, yadda yadda. If this cut and paste way of doing things continues
for much longer I may have to beat my radio with a metal baseball bat every time a G-unit
production invades the space between my ears. The guest appearances are disappointing
such as ‘Drama Setter’ where Eminem (Yayo’s most/only credible ally) features but he
doesn’t even spit a verse, he just sings the hook. The track ‘I’m so high’ suggests that a
certain leaf can give you some sort of rude boy status. This is ridiculous, they should
meet some of my mates. The 50 Cent production is all too familiar and it just doesn’t
stand out. Not trying to sound too much of a cynic, but G-unit style is something to dance
to, not just a guide to a fulfilling life. My message to Tony would be to express himself,
not be a sheep to the Fiddy clan. I suggest that this CD be purchased by G-unit loving
B-boys willing to spend their hard earned monies on supporting their idol. Fans of “real”
hip hop stay well clear! 2/5 Sam Carney
Ok so it’s not technically a download but if you go here and buy the Amateur Transplant’s
album (they’re the people that created that jaded masterpiece ‘London Underground’)
they’ll donate some cash to Macmillan Cancer Relief. Go on, do a good deed…
THEATRE:
(Sing-a-Long-a) Rocky Horror
Richmond Theatre, Surrey
Richmond Theatre is normally a quiet slightly posh venue which hosts various plays
throughout the year, but this year they opened up their doors to a vast amount of Rocky
Horror addicts and the whole place was transformed into a cross-dressers dream come
true. In traditional Rocky Horror fashion everyone was handed a ‘goodie bag’ as they
took their seats which consisted of all the props that you need to get the real Rocky
Horror experience. Before the actual performance started they did the whole fancy dress
competition in which all the people who have spent the time / been sad enough to dress
up parade across the stage for everyone else’s amusement. After the winner had been
decided the emcee (clad in Frank N. Furter costume) gave everyone instructions on how
to get maximum pleasure out of their goodie bag. So, with everyone ready to go the whole
thing started. A lot of singing and dancing around ensued as well as people shouting the
words ‘sl*t’ and ‘a**hole’ at least 100 times which must have been quite surreal for the
folk of Richmond theatre. There was a much needed break half way through so we could
all get more drinks to continue the festivities in a more merry fashion. At the end of it
all I think we were all suitable tired and transexualed out for the evening so we all went
home to bed – hopefully nobody else forgot to take their drag makeup off the next day…
5/5 Ollie Ghaney
The first ever stage adaptation of one of Joanna Trollope’s best-selling novels. The curtains
open to show two kitchens, one modern and functional and the other a quintessential
English country kitchen complete with prerequisite Aga. If you haven’t heard of Joanna
Trollope before the Aga is a big clue to her novels. Marrying the Mistress was great
example of an “Aga-Saga” adapted for the stage. An esteemed English judge announces
that he is leaving his wife after 40 years of marriage to marry his young mistress. Not
surprisingly this decision sends shock waves throughout his family, disrupting not only
his life, but the lives of his children, partners, and grandchildren to varying and surprising
ends. The play cleverly opens with a series of phone calls between various characters
explaining the situation. The dynamics between the family members was fabulously
portrayed, energetically acted out with some robust dialogue in a series of short scenes.
I am not sure how appealing it would be to an audience under the age of thirty, as most
of the amusing lines were targeted to more mature age group. I was impressed by the
stage design, which basically did not change, but with the use of skilful lighting and
the ingenious use of a variety of chairs and tables, one really got the sense of different
locations. What let it down was the 80’s style tinkley piano music that punctuated each
scene. Marrying the Mistress was a nice and unchallenging way to spend a couple of
hours and this delicate subject was well illustrated and the production was to a high
16 FILM 19 September 2005
More of a retrospective than a look to the future this (every other) week for the film section. These films are either out already or
were out over the Summer.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of THE films to see this summer. Whether
you’re a Roald Dahl fan or not, the promise of a film containing chocolate and sweets
galore probably enticed you anyway. For those of you who went to see it, you may have
come away from it thinking, “Huh?” or “Weird…” or “Squirrels!” I know I did. The sets
are stunning, Charlie’s family is eccentric yet loveable, and Freddie Highmore gives an
excellent performance as Charlie Bucket himself. Yet there is an uneasiness we get from
Johnny Depp’s eerily flawless smile, and his Michael Jackson-esque portrayal of Willy
Wonka. There’s something not quite right, and it’s not just in the mystery of his factory.
We learn why he is the way he is at the end of the film, yet the reason seems somewhat
disturbing and relevant, rather than “children’s book ghoulish”. But Depp’s presence in
the film definitely gives it the edge the original version didn’t have. The score is great,
the songs are…questionable. Don’t know what composer Danny Elfman was thinking
there, but I’m sure if you listened to them enough you’d find them strangely catchy. Apart
from the welcome song. I liked that. However, Tim Burton has proved once again that
although his films are slightly off-the-wall, they bring with them an array of fantasy that
can’t be duplicated by anyone else. I don’t know what else to say. Make your own mind
up about it! 4/5 Nicole Heel
(Note from the Editor in Chief - I loved the song in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Especial Mike Teavee’s...)
The Island
Director: Michael Bay
BayStarring: Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean,Steve
Buscemi, Michael Clarke Duncan
As the Island opens, the year is 2019. We are deep inside a post-apocalyptic, hi-tech
facility where the strangely perfect, slightly bored looking inhabitants go about dreaming
of winning a lottery. The ones who win are sent to an island of paradise, the only place
left uncontaminated, hence the title. One of the more inquisitive residents, Lincoln Six
Echo (McGregor), begins to wonder if all is as it seems and when his friend Jordan Two
Delta (Johansson) is picked to be sent to the Island he decides they should escape. It is at
this point when all hell breaks loose and Michael Bay’s penchant for fast chases and loud
explosions is fully recognised.(He’s the guy who made Armaggedon and Bad Boys 2)
Our heroes should really have died around four or five times but that would just ruin it all
really now wouldn’t it? On the whole the film worked pretty well, the moral questioning
of human cloning being made more blockbuster friendly with some crazy visual stunts.
McGregor and Bean gave the most dramatic performances, Doctor Merrick (Bean) was
subtly sinister, a deluded scientist playing at being God. Johansson’s talent was slightly
wasted as the blonde, pretty side-kick, but visually she was marvellous. (For the guys-
skin tight white jogging suit) As long as you’re not too bothered by the odd discrepancy
or plot-hole then this summer time movie with a conscience is worth catching at the end
of it’s run, or at least getting on DVD.
40 Year-old Virgin
Watching the trailer in the cinema made it look pretty lame. It looked to most like a
feeble attempt to rise from the ashes of the America Pie trilogy – “Please! How many films
about somebody losing their virginity do America have to produce?”. Pleasantly surprised,
the film wasn’t that bad. The shocking political incorrectness of some of the one-liners
kept the film together, and acted like a sort of “comedic nudge” whenever the storyline
got too boring, which was quite often unfortunately. The film is exactly what it says on the
label. 40-year-old man has never had sex. And guess what? He’s an engineer working at
an electronics store, and has the fashion sense of Richard Wilson. He also collects action
figures, and is the type that goes schizo when somebody even suggests taking it out of the
box. Some films satirise by using stereotypes, this film just takes the piss.
In Britain, if your mates find out you’re a virgin, they generally take the piss out of you
and leave it at that. In true American style, his colleagues embark on a quest to get him laid.
This involves women who work in Ebay stores, the scary electronics store boss who looks
like she has more balls than he does, transsexual prostitutes, and some crazy woman who
enjoys the alternative uses of shower-heads.
Out of five, I’d give it a three-and-a-half. Although some of the outrageous jokes were The
absolutely hilarious, the plot-line was weak, and has been done more times than Paris
Hilton. You’ll likely leave the cinema thinking the film was absolutely hilarious, but you’ll
40 Year-Old
struggle to come up with any substance when trying to remember anything but the various
one-liners. Definitely worth watching, but don’t expect a sophisticated script.
Virgin
19 September 2005 UniSTUFF 17
Not only students love barefacts, the University like it to! Collect on this page are some submissions from various areas of the
University itself - Imaginatively we’ve called in UniSTUFF. We made the ‘Stuff’ blue & everything!
I’ve just got back and I am in a panic about fitting in job-hunting with my In case you haven’t visited us before, you can find us next to the
final year studies. Got any good advice? Accommodation Office in the Philip Marchant Building. We are open
between 9am and 12.30pm and between 1.30pm and 5.30pm, though we
Some students like to concentrate entirely on their studies in their close at 5pm on Fridays and during vacations.
final year so they can get the best possible degree. Your first option
is therefore to delay the whole career thing until after you graduate. Is it OK to just to drop in?
There are good reasons, though, for doing some of your thinking and
preparation while you’re still here. For a start, most of the things we Absolutely no problem. You don’t even have to talk to anyone but we
are organising will be easier to attend now than after you’ve graduated. are there to help if you need us. The first thing you will see when you
What’s more, if you would like a job next year with a popular graduate walk in is a series of files marked “Your degree….. What next? A browse
recruiter, you simply have to meet their deadlines, often before through the one for your degree will give you ideas about what to do
Christmas, to stand any chance. Early applications for other options such when you leave. If you’d like to speak to a careers adviser there is often
as teacher training are also advisable. someone available to deal with a short query. If you think you’d like a
longer chat then we can easily arrange a time which is suitable for you.
What can the Careers Service do to help?
Russ Clark
Just to give you a few examples, our Vacancy Bulletin, which you can Careers Service
view on the Careers Service website at http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/careers
will keep you up to date with the latest employer requirements. The
annual Careers Fair on Thursday 6 October is a good opportunity for you
to talk informally to employers from about 50 organisations. We also
have a series of talks by careers staff and invited speakers taking place
throughout the semester. You could come along to a seminar to sharpen
up your interview technique or you could try a practice aptitude test.
Every year we produce a Careers Service Guide offering help and advice
for your future career. It will tell you what’s going on throughout the
year. Every final year undergraduate and postgraduate student will have
their own copy delivered to their department. If it’s not there, try your
departmental office first and then the Careers Service. The information
in the Guide is also available on our website.
M U R D E R AT T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F S U R R E Y
He was not going to let some English bastard steal her. He had to arrange a contract. What he believed in the the horizon; piercing the sky and towering moodily over
That was for sure. He thought of how he should never business they called ‘a hit’. its surroundings. From its commanding position on Stag
have let her go to study that Management degree at Hill and seen from the A3 the cathedral was indeed an
Guildford. Who was he kidding, as if he ever had a A few evenings later the French hit man that Meuller had imposing landmark.
choice in where she went? tracked down booked two single rooms at the Heathrow
Crown Plaza Hotel for a fortnight’s time. Saying he was The Frenchman found the Management School easily
He always longed for the moment when he saw her again. Henree, the second name he gave was the one in his own enough and waited patiently for his prey. As the sun-
The moment when her mouth completed the smile her passport. He said he was sending a book ahead of him light on the plaza outside hardened and grew cold, Mike
eyes always held. and asked if the hotel minded holding it till he arrived. headed for home – followed slowly, silently. It was a
Carrying a gun into the UK was no mean feat so he summer’s night; wan, dull and glaring. The air became
The photo on his desk showed the object of his affection. would simply have to post it to his chosen hotel for safe close and sticky, once again threatening storm and rain…
Not that a photo was needed to remember that face – flat, keeping.
tanned and slightly freckled. A sexy, cat’s face - wide Mike never new why. Seeing a man in the door way of
mouth, glossy with lipstick. She wore heavy dark glasses The Frenchmen picked up a book he had just bought on his little room he rose to enquire as to what he wanted.
– her hair an arty red. the history of London, expensive and very heavy, and set He suddenly saw what the visitor held in his hand and
to work with a scalpel. When he had finished he sealed half opened his mouth. Two slugs went into his chest and
Flying regularly from Munich, Fritz Meuller tried to visit the book in a strong polythene envelope and sent it on its the third, as he fell to his knees plopped into his head. But
as much as he could. And she flew every two months or way to London. he didn’t even feel that one. He never stood a chance…
so to Munich - to start with. Though her trips were now
almost non existent. But what worried him most was that Arriving at the Crown Plaza Hotel two weeks later he The two men; client and killer, met in a bar in Paris the
when ever he turned up, this English kid always seemed explained to the receptionist that his friend Henree would next evening. Fritz Meuller had flown over as soon as he
to be there. He knew she liked this bloke. On one occa- not be joining him but that he would obviously settle both had received the call. He seemed nervous as he handed
sion he had really lost his temper when she had men- accounts. He then produced a letter from his absent friend over the €10,000. “No problems?” he murmured.
tioned the wonderful Mike just once to often. Had her authorizing permission for him to collect the book on
friends noticed the swollen eye? Henree’s behalf. The receptionist quickly went out back, “Very simple and your little Englander is very dead”
returned and obliviously handed over the murder weapon. smiled the Frenchmen. “Though someone did come in
Each separate dying ember, from his study fire, cast its and see me with the body. It must have been the rain I
ghost upon the floor. He placed both hands flat on the ta- If he had been caught he would have claimed to have didn’t hear them.” The German stared in horror “who”?
ble, closed his eyes and raised his face to the ceiling. He been an innocent party doing a friend, and an absent one “A woman” replied the Frenchmen. “Tall, red head?”
was not a man for bowing his head, even when address- at that, a favour. Without any clear signs of a motive…it gasped Meuller. “Yeah. A nice looking piece too Mon-
ing the Almighty. They were after all close confidents. would have been easy. sieur.” Seeing the panic in his clients face the Frenchmen
After his pray his eyes burned with the conviction of a patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Monsieur” he
man who truly had no doubts. The Lord was with him The next day he soon found a car to ‘borrow’. A Ford said comfortingly “I shot her too”.
in his endeavour. The Almighty understood him. And Mondeo – quiet common in the UK. After avoiding some
to a guilty man being understood is the same as being annoying speed cameras on the M25 he roared up the A3 Matthew Gardiner
forgiven. in the pouring rain. Guildford Cathedral appeared upon
23/09/05
3
19 September 2005 SOCIETIES 19
USSU offers a wealth of societies for the student who wants to do that little bit more than get a
piece of paper at the end of three/four years. In this section of the very prestigious barefacts,
we explore a couple of them...
Afro-Caribbean Society
The main focus of the Afro-Caribbean Society (ACS) ion event ‘Unified’ in association with Da Jump Off Ent.
this year is to encourage unity amongst ourselves, and on the 13th of October in the Main Union (it’s going to
Afro-Caribbean Society
integration with fellow University of Surrey students, as be big!), presentations on African and Caribbean culture Contacts
well as other societies across the country. We intend to do in the Lecture Theatre foyer, and series of performances committee@surreyacs.co.uk
this by educating ourselves and everyone else about our from the University Gospel Choir throughout the year. events@surreyacs.co.uk
various cultures. We will also be organising/taking part in sporting sports@surreyacs.co.uk
We will be holding meetings fortnightly on Thursdays, events, competing against other societies in friendly webmaster@surreyacs.co.uk
and EVERYONE is invited! You don’t need to be African games, leagues, and charity matches to name a few.
Website
or Caribbean to join the society. The meetings will begin These games will be open to both men and women, so no
www.surreyACS.co.uk
with a brief talk/presentation on a selected African or one is left out.
Caribbean country. The idea being that no matter where So if you share an appreciation of our music, our food, Upcoming events
you’re from, you can come and learn a little about some- our way of life or just want to meet some new people, Freshers Fair: 21st September 2005, PATS field.
one else’s culture. We will also be discussing any relevant you’re more than welcome to come along. You could
issues, as and when they arise, passing on details of any learn to sing gospel music, join one of our sporting teams, Black History Month Launch. Stag Hill
Reception. 8pm.
up and coming events, and socialising! learn about our food, or just come to PARTY!
In terms of events, we have so much in store for you If you have any questions or want details of meetings, Unified. Presented by ACS and Da Jump Off.
this year. The first few include the Black History month events, or the choir, feel free to contact us via our new At the Union (Rubix), 10pm.
Launch/party on the 1st of October at the Stag Hill recep- web-site: www.surreyACS.co.uk.
tion (tbc), Our Caribbean Film and Food night on the 6th
of October (as part of Caribbean week); and our first Un- barefacts@ussu.co.uk
20 POSTGRADUATE 19 September 2005
PG Tips barefacts very own postgraduate-centric area... full of things to do with postgraduates. I
think that’s all the explanation that’s needed. Pages collated by: Lisa Ahmed
Thanks to all who attended last month’s quiz 1. Grasp the telephone book with the hands on the free page side where you leaf
in Wates House. We had nearly 90 post- it open. Place the book firmly on your knee, and with the heel of each hand push
graduate students and staff crusading for the the pages back so that they slant towards the edge of the book farthest away from
mighty case of Carlsberg. After a gruelling your body. The more you slip the pages back, the easier will it become to tear the
battle, Team Bob took the beloved green book, because you actually only tear a few pages at a time in succession.
box with 62 points. Last Orders at the Bar
Please came in a not-so-close second with 2. To your beholders, it looks as though you were tearing the whole book
52.5 points, though we are all still wondering
through at once. They never realize what you are doing, as the act is natural
where that extra .5 came from. And, in a last
When you have slipped the pages as much as possible, begin to tear, pulling up
minute quiz-off, Western Allies beat out Re-
with the right hand as you rear downward with the the left. Once the pages are
public of Bonk in a fastest-finger tie-breaker
broken, the rest tear easily.
question for third place: The largest bunch
of bananas grown on the Spanish island of
3. 0f course, you will not be able to do it first time you try. Like everything else,
El Hierro on July 11th 2001 weighed 130 kg.
it takes practice. One you have mastered the trick, it will be an easy stunt for you
How many individual bananas did it contain?
to perform.
September’s quiz is scheduled for Thursday the 22nd starring Quizmaster Sin-Sin-Sin-
Many are able to progress on this stunt by tearing the telephone book into quar-
namon at 7pm in Wates House. Put your team together and be sure not to miss out! It
ters. (Barefacts takes no responsibility if you injure yourself trying this out when
only costs a pound per person and a heaping plate of curry is only a pound-fifty more!
bored in the office)
Oh, and if you want to know the answer to the question… it was 473 bananas.
Tuesday 4th 5:30pm-late ‘Welcome Reception’ in Wates House with John Turner (Deputy Vice Chancellor). Chance to meet
October current and new postgraduates, and members of the international socities to have a chat about post-
graduate life and anything else you like! With International Buffet & Chocolate Fountain.
Wednesday 5th 7.30pm-late Bowling at the Spectrum with the PGA - Meeting at Senate House at 7:30 (2 games of Bowling inc.
October Shoehire £9.20, minibus 50p)
Thursday 6th 7pm PGA Quiz & Curry night at Wates House - 7pm. Quiz £1 per person, Curry £1.50 per person (Veg-
October etarian Available)
Friday 7th 9pm-late ‘Welcome Party’ in the University Hall - Featuring a disco, the band ‘Timshel’ and a bar. Chance to
October meet other postgraduates and have fun! £1 Entry
Clues Across:
7) What a fabulist cannot help doing. (5)
8) See 20 across.
10) Take lend of. (6)
11) Units of energy. (8)
12) Expression of gratitude. (5, 3)
13) In mythology, the river route to the underworld. (4)
15) First book of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. (7)
17) Attack; Assail. (7)
20) and 8 and 26 across. Outrageous fictitious MP for Haltemprice. (4, 9, 6)
22) Where in vitro fertilisation may occur. (4,4)
25) In poker, five consecutive cards of mixed suits. (8)
26) See 20 across.
27) Every other. (9)
28) For example: Sheepshank, Reef, Bowline, Figure-of-eight. (4)
Clues Down:
1) Percussion instrument. (9)
2) Bewitch way in. (Cryptic) (8)
3) Tomato sauce will gain ground, I hear. (Cryptic) (7)
4) People who play the cello. (8)
5) Disorder. (6)
6) Where it is inadvisable to be when you don’t have paddles. (5)
9) A sporting fixture that doesn’t occur at a teams own stadium. (4)
14) Provide further details; Fancy. (9)
16) Nine-sided figures. (8)
18) Rare naturally ocurring element, heaviest of the halogens. (8)
19) Law evicts alien from statuette. (Cryptic) (7)
21) Five sevenths of the feast for the five-thousand given by Jesus Christ. (6)
23) Boss breaks down and weeps. (Cryptic) (4)
24) Ring-shaped coral reef. (5)
Su Doku:
barefacts, never being one to shy away from modern trends, has included 2 Su doku puz- HOROSCOPES
zles to it’s puzzle page for your enjoyment. There’s a regular 9 x 9 puzzle and, for those
who haven’t got the hang of them yet, there’s an easier 2 x 2 puzzle. We like to call it Now, I’m sorry about the horoscopes for 2 reasons - 1. They don’t
‘Binary Su Doku’ look very pretty (They could’ve had some sumptuous pictures with
them, couldn’t they...) and 2. I have to remind you that basing
your life on the stars is a very silly thing to do. Read with caution
PUZZLE ANSWERS: READ UNDER ADVISEMENT This edition of barefacts was brought to you buy the letter ‘S’, the
number ‘6’ and a selection of motivated individuals.
barefacts doesn’t write itself, we need all the people we can to
make this paper based communication-come-entertainment
tool. You could write just about anything and we’ll gladly accept
it; lovingly even.
The next all highly adsorbant edition of barefacts will hit the
(small) kiosks Monday 3rd October. Get those articles/reviews/
obscene phone calls in now!