University Professor John Parnell enjoys stellar success with the Foton M3 project

GaudieThe University Of Aberdeen Student Newspaper est. 1934

6th October 2008Free

On The Inside

News - For the second year running the university faces an accommodation crisisPage 2

Features - Ruth Minto examines the university’s idea of allowing freshers 3 months to acclimatise to life on campus.Page 3

Arts - The pros and cons of life as a gameshow contestant are discussed by Fergus KinnonPage 4 - 5

Music - Pink’s question of “So What?” is answered firmly and fairly. The Legend of Yeti Gonzales is also under scrutiny.Page 6 - 7

Opine - The merits of dating outwith your age range are discussed in a rather candid article.Pages 8

Listings - A round-up of whos, whats, whys and wherefors. All in AberdeenPages 9

Sport - A diamond in the granite, Aberdeen Uni’s secret world-class athlete. New sports kit finally sees the light of day...in Butchart and a look into lacrosse. Page 11 - 12

get involved with gaudieelections may be over but there’s still every opportunity to contribute, send articles to gaudie.editor@abdn.ac.uk

Accomodation Crisis Hits Aberdeen

Bradley aden

For the second consecutive year, aberdeen university has been faced with an accommodation crisis. although the majority of the new students have settled in after Freshers Week and are content with their new surroundings, some have been

left bitterly disappointed.

numerous students, many of whom have come to Aberdeen for the first time during Freshers Week, found themselves without a room. Instead, the University have provided temporary accommodation which ranges from rooms at local hotels to

sleeping in common areas with temporary bedding facilities.

One such example of this is to be found at adam smith halls, whereby the communal television room has been transformed into a dorm room accommodating ten new students. Amongst them are eight students studying

Masters degrees, an Msc student and a PhD student.

Five beds are lined along each wall, with a small metal locker for the students personal belongings, which means many are still living out of their suitcases.

Due to the differing courses

Hillhead Halls: has seen a number of new students sleep in kitchens.

Story Continued Overleaf.

News.•Page 2 - 6th October 2008

each student living within each room is undertaking and the differences in social activities, being able to study or sleep have become almost impossible. One student proclaimed, “I haven’t been able to sleep since I have arrived.”

the university managed to contact some of these students before their arrival to the campus which told them their accommodation may not be ready in time. But none were told about the two week wait for their new living quarters. Furthermore, they were told they would be accommodated in a room with six others.

the students did not have a say whether or not they wanted this form of

accommodation. Many of the students also received letters informing them that

their first instalment of rent for the temporary rooms had to be paid soon. They have

intelligent life from other planets would be able to tell that earth is inhabited if they had come into contact with a space voyaging piece of Orkney rock, scientists have revealed.

The specially prepared slab of rock was launched into space attached to a Russian spacecraft by University of Aberdeen experts in September last year as part of a European Space Agency mission.

studies of the quarter of the rock which survived the journey have shown that if it had landed as a meteorite on another far distant planet and been tested by an alien life form, its chemical formations would have shown that life exists on other planets.

Findings unveil that the chemical information found within the rock survived the rigorous process of atmospheric entry after 12 days orbiting the Earth. these chemicals, which exist in the rock due to biological processes and could not have been formed by chance, would have provided evidence of life on the planet from which the rock arrived.

Professor John Parnell,

school of Geosciences, university of aberdeen who led the study with colleague Dr. Stephen Bowden, will present the findings of the rock’s space voyage at the royal observatory edinburgh Workshop: Habitability in our Galaxy in Edinburgh next week (Wednesday 8 October).

Professor Parnell said: “The specially prepared piece of Orkney rock took part in the unmanned Foton M3 mission which aimed to examine the rock’s behaviour when it was exposed to the extreme temperatures involved in it’s re-entry through the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Three quarters of the rock, which was about the size of a small pork pie, was burnt off in the experiment. However, the quarter which returned to earth has shown us that if intelligent life were to have come into contact with the rock, it would have provided them with evidence that life exists on another planet.

“If they were to have scientifically analysed the rock the chemical information extracted would have indicated that the remains of some other life form had been incorporated within the rock, as those chemicals could not have existed or been created

by chance. In this case, the rock contains the remains of primitive algae that lived in the Orkney region almost 400 million years ago. We would be extremely excited if we found similar remains in a meteorite arriving from another world.”

“The Orkney rock was chosen for the experiment due to its robust qualities which made it most likely to be able to survive the harsh conditions endured during re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, and its organic-rich nature which gave us a chemical signature

to search for after the experiment.”

The rock was blasted into space along with 35 other European Space Agency experiments in life and physical sciences.

Professor Parnell said: “The findings of the experiment tell us that we should look very carefully at meteorites arriving on earth from Mars, in case they show signs of any life that might once have existed there.”

Professor Aids Space Studies

Foton M83: the craft that held the piece of Orkney rock which holds evidence of life on Earth.

seen no contract or written confirmation about what they are paying for or entering into.

After numerous attempts at trying to find out about the living conditions for the future, the students affected were sent letters on Friday 3rd october, informing them that permanent accommodation is available.

leith Forsyth, the director of Campus Services, stated that those hit by the accommodation shortage on campus, including the 100 students currently living in hotels round the aberdeen area, would all have permanent living space by Wednesday 8th October.

the reason for the accommodation shortage, according to Mr Forsyth, is due to the University’s success in drawing large numbers of new undergraduate and postgraduate students to study at Aberdeen. Furthermore, it is uncertain when or if undergraduate students will turn up for their new rooms, as

they can range from Freshers week, to half way through october, to some not arriving at all due to the deferred entry system which allows students to defer their entry until next year.

Also, on Wednesday, there will be a meeting which will detail plans for a new building at the Hillhead site. However, this will not be available in time for the new students in September 2009, but will hopefully be ready for the new students arriving in 2010.

Despite these problems, the inhabitants of the temporary accommodation are still managing to be optimistic and have managed to bond with one another and with other students who currently have rooms in the halls around them. One student said “Its lucky that they are all friendly and nice guys.”

Continued FromPage 1

Makeshift Bedding Arrangement: in Hillhead kitchens

Kelly Cromar

Features.•6th October 2008 - Page 3

WITH FIRST yEAR being a time of new surroundings and often great confusion, would you not prefer to come earlier and get your bearings?

By the time Freshers Week is over, students will almost certainly have acquainted themselves to their new surroundings, spent countless hours swigging as many alcoholic concoctions than they themselves thought humanly possible before sampling what Aberdeen’s nightlife has to offer. All this occurs in the dead of night, yet only a few hours later you see groups of hung over freshers wandering aimlessly round the campus, trying to find out where the hell everything is whilst simultaneously acquiring freebies from a variety of sources. To top it all off, these poor unsuspecting people have to actually start waking up at a decent hour and again wandering with a lost expression on their faces trying to find a variety of destinations. What if you could just come to university a couple of months earlier, get used to the size of the campus and truly embrace student life before the hard work begins?

Well, now you can. Our very

own University has come up with a brilliant new scheme that allows new students to enjoy the benefits of academic life, not one week earlier but three months earlier. The Associate student scheme enables undergraduate students who are due to start their studies in September to come and sample our campus services, in the shape of the libraries, computer rooms and gym facilities months before the academic term commences. this innovative idea aims to give students the chance to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings, which many people hope will benefit them academically in the long run. Rachel Sandison, Head of student recruitment and admissions comments to Qs Top Universities, “We believe that giving students the chance to get to know the University over the summer months will not only benefit them in terms of their own personal, academic and social interests, but ultimately enhance their overall university experience.”

aberdeen is the only university in scotland to introduce this incentive. But what does the average first year really think about it? One student following a degree in

Geography commented, “I feel lost and disorientated most of the time and it can be really frustrating trying to find the right building especially within a certain time.” I’m sure most of us can sympathise with this. It can’t really be much fun not knowing where you are, and having to stop random passers by to get the answer you could probably decipher for yourself if you had only been in the city a wee while longer.

this said, other freshers are loving the fact that everything is a little alien to them at the moment as another comments, “I’m really enjoying the freedom already that university gives and although it does get annoying not knowing where everything is, it is totally part of the fun, I wouldn’t want to be here three months earlier, what would I do? I’m sure only a handful of people would be here, and knowing me I’d be bored.”

So what do we really think about this scheme? is it an innovative idea or simply an idea that will never take off the ground? also, would it not be a great idea to present to our international students? I’m sure they feel more lost than anyone when then get here, being in a totally new

country and all….would they not appreciate this incentive? Currently, it is only open to people from Aberdeen and the surrounding aberdeenshire area, although they are hoping to expand it to other localities next year.

anything that is beneficial for students can never be a bad thing, especially if it helps those who may be anxious about being away from home for the first time. Another thing to bear in mind is that we are lucky enough to have most of our campus on the same site. This can be another daunting prospect for new students. Perhaps if they were familiarised beforehand, the progression from being a first year fresher to a first year student would go more smoothly. Numbers of students have also commented that it has taken some of them almost two years to really settle in to life in a new city, this scheme could help people to feel at home from the get go. A lot of students are, at first, in the dark as to what range of facilities are open to them. Many assume that there is only one library where they can study and only a handful of computer rooms. Only after a few weeks of exploration

does this change. If we were to be on campus earlier, we would have all this information beforehand, leaving us free to get on with our studies.

While this is a positive new move by the student recruitment and admissions, does it not, on the other hand, somehow take the fun out of being somewhere new and would these students enjoy Freshers Week as much as the others. Although this scheme intends on providing students with knowledge of the campus and facilities, like all curious people, they are bound to venture out and discover places that are well kept secrets for Freshers Week. Who would know about Liquid if it weren’t for the cunning marketing work from our students association?

Would you really want to move to university three months earlier where inevitably the excitement of being somewhere different would start to wear off before you had even met the majority of your flat mates?

also, you would have to wait three whole months until you were able to witness the hilarity of all the activities and nights planned by the Students

Association. Liquid wouldn’t be liquid anymore, it would just be a hubbub of drunk, lathered up students otherwise known as the foam party as well as usually well turned out men in skirts and pigtails, otherwise known as the rugby boys night out…only joking of course…we all know the reference was to the one and only school disco.

your first year is mean to be the time of your life. One student even commented, “I wish first year could be like Groundhog Day.” Would this still be a common perception if every new student were to come three months early? Surely, after school we all look forward to the long summer of lazing around and not having a care in the world. Would we want to disrupt this by moving to uni almost immediately?

Whatever the opinion on this, it is safe to say that first year is a magical time. A roller coaster of emotion, most probably spurred on by the drink of course. It will benefit the people that feel they would like to be acquainted with what the university of aberdeen has to offer before term. Those who come before Freshers Week, we hope your ready.

Features will require contributors through the year, so send your stuff to gaudie.editor@abdn

Feeling lost? Ruth Minto looks into the university’s decision to allow freshers to familiarise themselves with the campus 3 months before Freshers Week

Arts.•Page 4 - 6th October 2008

Laura Merchant

Crazy for You Set To Hit The Stage

MUSICAL MASTERPIECE: TTB are staging the Gershwin musical

as it aPProaches its twentieth birthday, a campus-based theatre group is preparing for its next show, the Gershwin-based musical Crazy For you.

treading the Boards Musical society will stage the illustrious musical crazy For you in aberdeen arts centre from Wednesday 4th to saturday 7th February 2009. The show itself features songs by prodigious musical pair George and Ira Gershwin. Famed for the jazz compositions of George and soulful lyrics of Ira respectively, Crazy For you proved a hit with theatre-goers running for 1662 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1992. its endurance has been viewed

over the years with stars including musical sensation and television personality Ruthie Henshall all taking to the stage. crazy For you sees its action based at the Zangler theatre in New york during the 1930s and

centres around the love story between failed auditionee Bobby child and budding star Polly Baker. Featuring famous songs including i Got rhythm and Someone To Watch Over Me, Crazy For you marks the first venture of treading the Boards, more commonly known as TTB, into the music of the Gershwins. The show will appeal to singers, thespians and dancers alike with several

parts up for grabs, solos and chorus numbers ranging from smooth jazz to uptempo swing and some intricate and quick-moving tap dance routines. This should prove a well-met challenge for TTB, a group who

have already proved both their singing and dancing abilities with shows such as 42nd street since its founding in 1989.

TTB’s committee and production team have been promoting Crazy For you on the social networking site Bebo before extending the search for cast members from online to the less virtual setting of the University campus. Production

team member calum runcie expressed the need for singers and dancers but also those interested in the technical elements such as lighting and sound. By getting involved in ttB, cast members will also be able to contribute on an altruistic level, as the show is affiliated with local charity Cash For Kids. By the time this has gone to press, Treading the Boards will have already had their first meeting and auditions for crazy for you will have taken place. However, further details on the society and how to get involved with the group can be found on Treading The Boards’ bebo page: http://www.bebo.com/ttbweb.

"solos and chorus numbers ranging from smooth jazz to uptempo swing"

Peter Pan Ready to Wow Festive Audience

Zara Cameron

CHRISTMAS THEATRE TREAT: His Majesty's Theatre is showing Peter Pan over the month of December; Keith Jack (right), star of BBC1's Any Dream Will Do, will be playing Peter Pan.

IT’S THE jOy of the season and the pinnacle of Christmas indulgence. Not an extravagant feast but the panto. Call it corny or enthusiastically boo and hiss, His Majesty Theatre’s Peter Pan is not to be missed!

this year the city is invited to neverland with alan Fletcher who will be playing a role less heroic than his usual Karl Kennedy. Instead, Fletcher will be donning a wig and hook in

the twisted part of Dr. Hook. Joining him on stage is another celebrated television star, Keith jack of Any Dream Will Do, playing the lead role of Peter Pan. Although unsuccessful in bagging the part of joseph, jack - who worked in a supermarket before his experience on the reality tv show - was grateful for the experience and of course will add glamour when he takes to the stage in December.

We can also look forward to

seeing some faces from even closer to home than that of the enduring neighbours cast playing the parts of Micheal and john Darling. Four skilled actors will share the parts for the busy twice-a-day shows running between december and january. This follows the great success of hazelhead Academy pupil Laura Harrow in last year’s Aladdin. Harrow has gone on to study at stella Mann College in Hampstead specialising in theatre and dance so this is an exciting

opportunity for the locals involved.

Auditions were judged by director alan cohen, aberdeen Performing arts Executive Duncan Henry, the Evening Express’s notorious entertainment Editor Scott Begbie and aberdeen Performing arts Marketing Manager Lauren Taylor. In keeping with the youthful nature of Peter Pan, Alan Cohen’s advice to those audtioning: “The most

important thing is for the boys to have lots of energy, to be able to keep a cool head at all times and to have a spirit of adventure.”

2007 saw audiences thrilled with massive audience participation in the form of 3d glasses and foam missiles to add to the traditional taunts aimed at the pantos baddies. With promises of an abundance of fairy dust and plenty of flying around the beautiful setting of HMT we

can be sure to be transported into another world of make believe and staying forever young.

Peter Pan runs twice a day at 2pm and again at 7pm from 6th December until 4th january and prices are from £14.25. There is a signed performance on December 18th and students get a discount.

ART 6th October 2008 - Page 5

An easy way to make money? Fergus Kinnon explores the world of tv gameshows.HI, I’M FERGUS KINNON. you may remember me from such tv games shows as the Weakest Link or Who Dares Wins. If you fancy getting loads of cash for minimal effort then the world of tv game shows is for you. In this article, I hope to inform you how to get on game shows.

the first stage of getting on a game show is the online application. The questions will vary from show to show but the premise is the same. Make yourself sound as interesting as possible. joining the Revelation Rock-Gospel Choir at Aberdeen University played a key part in getting auditions as the researchers thought i was going to be a scottish mix of Alice cooper and Whoopi Goldberg.

if the researchers have thought you suitable for the show, they will phone you and give you a short interview. When the Weakest Link phoned I was given a long personal interview before being offered an audition; however, when Don’t Forget the Lyrics called I had to sing down the phone and do a lyrics challenge. The phone call is the second stage in appearing on a show, this game show lark doesn’t sound too taxing does it!

the audition is where the wheat is firmly separated from the chaff. First of all, you’re going to have to travel. you will get around a week’s notice so if you don’t drive you will most likely meet my friend Mr. Megabus – hey we are students, we practically live

on the megabus as it is. The audition is likely to be in either Glasgow or Edinburgh (Weakest Link comes to Aberdeen). The TV show pay nothing towards expenses (at this stage) and

don’t care if you have to miss work or university.

if you have managed to overcome these hurdles and find yourself at an audition you are doing well. At the audition you can expect to be given some sort of written test – to check you have an IQ level above that of chantelle

(Celebrity Big Brother) but less than Daphne (Eggheads). Next you will run through the actual show with fellow wannabe contestants, this is usually very fun so keep smiling and

act interesting as all the time the researchers are deciding who is getting the chop. Once the researchers/producers have seen enough they will announce who is getting to do a “piece to camera” and who is getting sent home early. The “piece to camera” is usually about a five minute filmed interview, this is what the

big-cheese producers watch in their offices in london to decide who is getting on the show.

If the big-cheese producers like what they see, you will get a “congratulations” phone call and from then on you’re treated like a star. The people on the show will phone you all the time to arrange flights, accommodation, diva demands… you name it. Once you are at the tv studio the fun begins: celebrities everywhere, free food and drink, people giving you money for meals you never even ate. Absolutely everything is paid for. On the first series of the national Lottery: Who Dares Wins I won five thousand pounds tax free. On the second series I won thirty thousand pounds

(also tax free!). Ok so it’s not all glamour and riches: over the last two years i must have done 10 or so megabus trips to audition for shows including going to london and Manchester and been flatly rejected. However, after getting on Who Dares Wins all the hours on the bus were worth it.

if you are interested in entering the world of gameshows there are tons of shows looking for contestants. For example on www.bbc.co.uk/beonashow you can apply to be on Weakest Link, Eggheads or Wipeout (not the Bob Monkhouse one). www.starnow.co.uk is another website that lists new adverts for gameshow contestants. Happy game showing…

Gameshows: The Inside

Story

"people on the show will phone you all the time to arrange flights, accommodation, diva demands…"

TELEVISION APPEARANCES: My team mate Matt and I (with the short lived blonde hair) on the first series of Who Dares Wins; looking terrified (centre) on the Weakest Link.

interested in contributing to the arts section? drop an e-mail to gaudie.arts@abdn.ac.uk

Music.•Page 6 - 6th October 2008

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME coming but finally, on june the 23rd this year, ‘The legend of yeti Gonzales’, yeti’s debut album was released. And it’s not a disappointment. the scheduled release may have been for the start of April but this is one album definitely worth the wait. john Hassall’s project doesn’t even hint at his past as one of the Libertines, leaving this album the chance to stand alone in its own right. The only slight disappointment, and it is slight, is that for those of us who have been listening to yeti for the past three years, there are no surprises.

you only have to read the back of the album sleeve to realise that all the old favourites such as ‘Merry Go Round’, with its poetic lyrics and light catchy chorus, ‘never lose your sense of wonder’, sure to put a spring in your step and keep you singing along, and ‘night Flight’, with its disturbing lyrical

content yet jazzy melody, are all on there. As for the rest of the album? It is fantastically likeable and you will listen again and again.‘Obviously’, the first track on the album, will have you

singing and dancing around your room in no time. ‘Don’t go back to the one you love’ is full of harmony and building tension in the guitars. there are slight clashes in tone but these only help in bringing

out these tensions without the music sounding wrong. indeed, the album is so brilliantly written that the music, lyrics, melody, harmony, and rhythm all come together to create a homogenous

rosanne chambers

For those oF you who joined the droves at this year’s Fresher’s Fayre, you might have noticed a new society perched slyly amongst many of the other regulars, the electro Propaganda society.

Stemming from parties at University halls and last year’s Minival, this society aims to satisfy those with a penchant for all things electronic particularly minimal house and techno.

Last term the group found resounding success with its beach party Minival and this only continued with its successor, Maxival. So if you were after something from your fresher’s week other than a cruise down Belmont street and on to the exhiliration of liquid, this was exactly what the doctor ordered. set in what can only be described as a crater, nestled between the enormous sand dunes of Balmedie beach, the action kicked off at 6pm and

music all around (from electro and Deep Funky House to Drum’n’Bass, Techno and so on), but with the influence of the so called genre, Minimal.though minimal can sometimes be seen as a grungy underground genre, it is not this at all, or at least not the minimal we propose. Our intention is to combine minimal with a fun, sociable and sometimes congenial atmosphere. From here the name Minival arose, a mix between carnival and minimal.

Maxival was the awesome stepbrother. The name gives it away: farewell to the intimate atmosphere; the rest of the ideas which minival stands for are still valid, but everything is done with twice the attitude. It was amplified, from the actual sound system, to the guest dJ line-up, the lighting effects, the music choice, the euphoria, and so on. It served as a launch party to demonstrate that minival was a new start, not just a rare glimpse into the real electronic music world and culture for Aberdeen. In fact, the plan is to propose a number

to it. There is a slight country flavour about ‘jermyn Girls’, but for all the influences that have been drawn into this album, the sound is distinctly yeti. Influence at no point becomes imitation. In fact the whole album flows brilliantly.‘The last time that you go’ is fast paced, and full of resolve. It ends the album perfectly because it is shorter than most of the other tracks, faster and little less laid back. It will drag you out of your seat.As for ‘Shane McGowan’ it is simply a ‘just for fun’ track that begins, “Shane isn’t like a big bad snake, he’s Shane McGowan”. It’s the kind of track that is light relief and, most definitely, for the encore. however, it is easily one of the best encore songs in ages.

this is an album that you will keep forever and your best mate, brother and mum will all love. It has such a wide appeal thanks to how well written it is‘The Legend of yeti Gonzales’ sounds so different to all of the repetitive dancefloor, semi-ironic, indie that is everywhere right now. And with the news that yeti are working on their second album, lets hope it’s not another three years away.

sound.‘In like with you’ is a soulful number but the rhythm keeps it moving, as it does through the whole album, which means it’s as easy to dance to this song, as it is to relax and listen

electronic music culture, getting members involved, either working on their PR relations, and offering ground for aspiring musicians Dj’s and

Yeti Gonzales Apparently Set For Legendary Status

Electro Propaganda Society Gives Us Tunes In The Dunes

of other events throughout the 2008/2009 academic year.Electro Propaganda won’t stop at music, but will offer the whole package. It will promote

much more. The society will feed members with constant updates of what’s ON in aberdeen within the electronic music scene.

continued right through until past 6am the next day. I caught up with cristoforo ranocchi, the resident Minival Dj to find out exactly what it was all about...

The primary idea that the Electro propaganda society has, is to diffuse the new wave of electronic music to the aberdeen uni students; minimal house/minimal techno in particular, as a genre which has seen a rapid and successful diffusion not onlyaround Europe but also across the seas. We feel that Aberdeen hasn’t witnessed this expansion, even though, as seen at Minival, the demand is high for electronic music and the atmosphere that it brings with it. In fact, I am convinced that there is a growing crowd within the aberdeen uni student community that either cultivates passion for this style, or at least claims their interest in trying it out (therefore we created our own society electro Propaganda).

The events we propose aim towards popularizing electronic

Balmedie beach: where the action took place

Yeti: Mid set, Mark realised he had forgotten to feed the cat...

Album ReviewYeti“The Legend of Yeti Gonzales ”

Katie Henderson

MUSIC 6th October 2008 - Page 7

Pink Might Think Her Actions Have No Consequences But...

on a Personal level, Pink’s 2003 single “Feel Good Time” holds a special place in my heart. It was around this time that I was completely engulfed in all things Beck, particularly his fan-dividing, Prince-aping Midnite Vultures album. having fanboyed my 16 year old self to dizzying new heights of snobdom, I’d come across the fact that Midnite vultures was originally conceived as a double album; leaving a whole albums worth of material on the chopping board when the idea was ditched.

So what was I to think when I heard Pink’s stab at this ludicrous slice of Parliament style funk other than “I bet that’s a Beck song”. Two weeks later, leafing through an “Easy To Play Pop” guitar book, it was confirmed to me. Under the writing credits for “Feel Good Time” were the names Beck Hansen and William Orbit – the writing team on Midnite

Vultures. At this precise moment I knew I’d arrived in the high Fidelity, rob Fleming world of being a dick about music. It felt terrific.

This moment of pure joy has always coloured the way i see Pink (top notch pun there, you can’t teach that). Her new single, “So What” does little to change that. To start with, it’s so indebted to Deep Purple’s “Dark Night” that to not pay royalties would be legally irresponsible.

Lyrically it’s the same mess Pink has been peddling her entire career, the forced bravado of getting over her estranged husband only highlighting how vulnerable and essentially how “totally not over him” she really is. Pink has always smacked of over-compensation, as if being an independent, confident woman in an industry full of fame hungry size-0’s isn’t enough, Pink feels the need to shove her over-wrought brand of tomboyism down the listeners throat to thoroughly illustrate just how different she really is. Inevitably this all comes across as a bit of a

gimmick and ironically starts to hint at the sort of contrived, major label, think-tank sourced image she so publicly rails against and lambasts in her contemporaries.

While it is true that women in pop music are poorly represented in what is essentially still a terribly misogynistic industry, characters like Pink only serve to undo any good work done by the likes of Missy Elliot who not only create insistent, relevant and original music but who also demonstrate that it is possible to be a respected voice in the traditionally male oriented forum of popular music whilst retaining femininity.

It might only be pop music, but Pink’s constant assertions that she’s so different and singular positively invite criticism of this sort; the fact that she deems herself above the hollywood trash only places her high enough to aim the big guns at.

The track ends with Pink blowing a raspberry - the juvenile sentiment won’t be lost on anyone.

Single ReviewPink“So What”

Chris Regan

Pink: Her antics have Emily Pankhurst rolling in her grave.

Music News - News About Music - Musical News ViewsThat doesn’t smell like ‘Teen Spirit’...

an australian artist is claiming that as part of an exhibition she will smoke the ashes of Kurt cobain, the late

nirvana front man, in a spliff. recently stolen from courtney love, the ashes seem to have mysteriously found their way into Natascha Stellmach’s hands and will be smoked at the Set Me Free exhibition at Berlin’s Wagner + Partner gallery. Stellmach is claiming that the act will symbolically “set free” Cobain from the media circus. Deep.

Dirty Pretty Things are deadwood

IT WAS ANNOUNCED on Wednesday that Dirty Pretty

Things have indeed split up after a mere three years.

Front man carl Barat commented that the members of the band would be pursuing new musical projects, but that these would not involve the Libertines. In their final waltz Dirty Pretty things will be playing Glasgow ABC (October 4 )and Edinburgh Old Picture House (5).

Clarity for Coldplay (well...almost.)

in a recent interview, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has revealed that his band are “less shit than they used to be” in an interview to be broadcast tonight. After a gig in Munich, Martin commented to a reporter, “I think our concert is the least shit Coldplay concert at the moment that you could have possibly ever seen. Do you see what I mean?” No, I don’t think we do Chris...

Asked whether the band felt more comfortable playing large venues, Martin commented: “We’ve turned from a Mars Bar into a King-Sized Mars Bar.”

Cheap but not so cheerful for the Kills

as iF a Flea ridden front man was not enough for the Kills, those indie scenesters seem to have misplaced not only their tour bus but their bus driver too, midway through the band’s current US tour supporting The Raconteurs. The duo said in a statement that the FBi were currently searching for their driver, last seen on September 26 in Los Angeles.

Despite the disappearance of the van and the recent flea infestation, front woman Alison Mosshart said the band were remaining upbeat evening with the loss of many of their possessions.

Jay-Z to Play Free obama showsit seeMs that everyone who’s er... anyone, wants a bit of Barack at the moment. joining jay-Z, in support of the presidential hopeful at free voter registration drive shows, includes the likes of My Morning jacket, The

National, Fiery Furnaces, Bruce Springsteen and Vampire weekend. Not one to keep his political views to himself, Jay-Z also prerecorded a message of

support for Obama back in March and on recent tours has on occasion stopped to flash an image of the senator onto screens to resounding cheers from the audience.

She’s a Santogoldigger

not one to KeeP his face out of the Gaudie pages for too long, Kanye West this week announced the support for his upcoming tour will be none other than the electro, indie, nu-ravLil Chris sound alike, Santogold.

The tour kicks off in Belfast on

8/11/08.

Tricked into Rick

ricK astley has been nominated as Best act ever at next month’s MTV Europe Music Awards.

This isn’t, in case you were wondering, due to to some well deserved career recognition but instead the result of a prank sweeping the net known as Rickrolling. The Rickrolling craze tricked nearly 15 million internet users into clicking a link to watching a video of the 42-year-old’s 1980’s hit Never Gonna Give you Up.

Mtv awards chief richard Godfrey commented: “MTV has been well and truly Rickrolled.

Eager Eavis 8 months early.

in a Bid to develoP the fairest ticket buying operation ever Michael eavis has announced that for the first time tickets for Glastonbury will be on sale eight months before the event from the 5th of October onwards.

Eavis hopes that this will mean everyone will have the same chance of being able to purchase a hallowed ticket for the Somerset festival. Festival goers will have the option of buying the full price ticket (coming it a whopping £175!), or reserving one by paying £50 deposit. Next year’s festival will also be a full five days running from Wednesday 24 june until Sunday 28 june 2009.

Enoughy for Duffy?

it has Been revealed this week that welsh whinger is apparently on the verge of a nervous breakdown. yay.

Opine.•Page 8 - 6th October 2008

I ’ M S U R E y O U ’ V E a l l h e a r d t h e t e r m s ; g o l d - d i g g e r , s u g a r d a d d y , c o u g a r , t o y b o y , j a i l b a i t , L o l i t a , M . I . L . F . , c r a d l e - s n a t c h e r a n d C h i h u a h u a . A g e d i f f e r e n c e i n a s e x u a l r e l a t i o n s h i p i s n o t a n e a s y t h i n g t o m o r a l l y s u p p o r t a s i t ’ s c o n s i d e r e d a t a b o o , o r i n s o m e c a s e s i l l e g a l , i n o u r s o c i e t y . A l o t o f u s h a v e a p o l i c y o f ‘ l o o k b u t d o n ’ t t o u c h ’ i n r e g a r d t o t h e a g e g a p , a n d s o m e o f u s b e l i e v e a g e i s n o t h i n g b u t a n u m b e r – b u t c o u l d t h a t b e a n e x c u s e f o r p o t e n t i a l c r a d l e s n a t c h e r s ? a g e i n a r e l a t i o n s h i p d o e s n ’ t m a k e a d i f f e r e n c e , u n l e s s i t ’ s a r i d i c u l o u s a m o u n t o f y e a r s . L e t ’s c o n s i d e r f a m i l y, f r i e n d s , a n d c o l l e a g u e s

t h a t m a y d i s a p p r o v e o r e v e n o n l o o k e r s t h a t c h o o s e t o m a k e i t t h e i r b u s i n e s s . yo u c a n ’ t a v o i d e v e r y o n e t o m a i n t a i n a r e l a t i o n s h i p a n d e v e n t u a l l y y o u ’d h a v e t o s h i n e t h e r e d l i g h t o n e a c h o t h e r ’s I . D a n d a s k w h e t h e r a l l t h e n o n s e n s e i s w o r t h h a v i n g y o u r t o y b o y o r C h i h u a h u a .

A s l o n g a s i t ’ s l e g a l w h y w o r r y . R i g h t ? F i n d i n g o u t t h e a g e o f y o u r p a r t n e r a n d a g e o f c o n s e n t i n y o u r c o u n t r y s a v e s y o u f r o m w a i t i n g f o r y o u r p a r t n e r t o b e c o m e o f a g e i n j a i l . I l o o k , b u t d o n ’ t t o u c h – t h e r e a r e h a n d s o m e m a n -l o o k i n g b o y s ( N i c k j o n a s ) b u t b e c a u s e I d o a c t l i k e a c h i l d s o m e t i m e s , I d o n ’ t i n t e n d t o t a k e c a r e o f o n e m y s e l f , i f i n d t h e w h o l e i d e a s l i g h t l y

s u s p e c t . I f t h e g a p i s s i g n i f i c a n t p e o p l e w i l l b e a b l e t o n o t i c e . I f n o t p h y s i c a l l y t h e n b y g e n e r a l c o n v e r s a t i o n – w h i c h l e a d s m e t o t h i n k t h a t a g e i s n o t h i n g b u t a n u m b e r o f y e a r s e x p e r i e n c e d . A m a t u r e s i x t e e n y e a r o l d w o u l d s t i l l l i k e t o p l a y v i d e o g a m e s o r g o a n d h a n g o u t w i t h f r i e n d s i n t h e l o c a l m a l l . I t d o e s n ’ t m a t t e r i f t h e y l i v e b y t h e m s e l v e s o r p a y t h e i r o w n b i l l s e v e n t u a l l y y o u ’ l l e n d u p p l a y i n g t h e p a r e n t .

I s u p p o s e w h e n t h e m a n i s o l d e r t h e y l i k e t h e t h o u g h t o f b e i n g a b l e t o t a k e c a r e o f t h e i r g i r l , b e a b l e t o p r o t e c t h e r f r o m ‘ b a d t h i n g s ’. I t j u s t s e e m s l i k e s h a d y b u s i n e s s w h e n t h e w o m a n i s o l d e r, l i k e s o m e o n e i s b e i n g u s e d , i f n o t b o t h p a r t i e s . I w o u l d n ’ t

m i n d h o o k i n g u p w i t h a y o u n g l i n g a t a n o l d e r a g e b u t w h e n i t c o m e s t o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d s e c u r i t y , I w o n ’ t l i e , I ’d b e d a m n m a d i f I h a d t o d e a l w i t h s u c h t h i n g s m y s e l f . yo u n g e r m e n t h e m s e l v e s d o n ’ t s e e m t o h a v e a p r o b l e m w i t h h u g e a g e g a p s . F o r m o s t o f t h e m , w o u l d i t j u s t b e s e x u a l ?

F o r a y o u n g m a n t o s c o r e a c o u g a r, w h a t w o u l d i t t a k e ? G o o d l o o k s m a t u r i t y a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, p e r h a p s a d o w n - p l a y o n t h e e g o s i n c e s h e w i l l b e c a r i n g f o r h i m a l o t . a s f o r t h e c o u g a r, y o u n g e r m e n w o u l d p r o b a b l y g o f o r t h e p h y s i c a l a t t r a c t i o n , m a t u r i t y , c o n f i d e n c e a n d e x p e r i e n c e . W h y w o u l d a y o u n g w o m a n f a l l f o r t h e o l d g u y ? W e l l t h e r e ’s

m o n e y , s o m e t i m e s l o o k s , g r e a t s e x c o n v e r s a t i o n , m o n e y, m o r e ‘ c o n v e r s a t i o n ’ a n d m o n e y – i f y o u ’ r e n o t c o n v i n c e d l o o k a t H u g h H e f n e r. H e ’ s a s u c c e s s f u l b u s i n e s s m a n w i t h p l e n t y o f m o n e y, a n d I ’ m s u r e h i s b u n n i e s w o u l d v o u c h f o r h i s ‘ c o n v e r s a t i o n ’ s k i l l s . P e r s o n a l i t y i n a n o l d e r m a n g o e s a l o n g w a y, a n d t h e k i l l e r d e a l m a k e r w o u l d b e c h a r i s m a . I f G e o r g e C l o o n e y w a s n ’ t s u c h a s m o o t h t a l k e r a n d o o z i n g w i t h c h a r i s m a h e w o u l d n ’ t l o o k s o d a m n g o o d i n a s u i t , t h e s a m e w i t h s e a n C o n n e r y.

I t i s p o s s i b l e t o f a l l f o r a n o l d e r g u y w i t h c h a r i s m a a s I c a n ’ t h e l p b u t w o n d e r a b o u t l a t e n i g h t c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h M r c l o o n e y , b u t t h e w h o l e t h i n g

w o u l d n ’ t b e r i g h t – I ’d b e t h i n k i n g a b o u t h i s a g e a l l t h e t i m e ( e v e n t u a l l y ) . W h e n y o u r p a r e n t s a r e t h e s a m e a g e o r y o u n g e r t h a n y o u r p a r t n e r , w h y w o u l d y o u w a n t o n e o f y o u r w o r r i e s t o b e w h o ’d k i c k t h e b u c k e t f i r s t . C o u g a r s -t o y b o y s , o r c h i h u a h u a -s u g a r d a d d i e s , h o w s e r i o u s l y a m i m e a n t t o t a k e t h e m ? I f i t ’ s n o t a b o u t t h e m o n e y, l o o k s , c h a r i s m a o r g o o d ‘ c o n v e r s a t i o n ’ t h e n m a y b e i t s l o v e , a n d l o v e i s m e a n t t o b e b l i n d , b u t n o o n e s a i d i t s h o u l d n ’ t m a k e a n y s e n s e . T h e b o t t o m l i n e i s i n m y o p i n i o n , t h e w h o l e a g e g a p t o p i c a p p e a r s t o s u s p e c t , b u t h o w e v e r,

I w o u l d s t i l l h o o k u p w i t h G e o r g e C l o o n e y a n d r i s k b e i n g s u s p e c t !

The Stigma Surrounding Cougars and Playboys

Nike Akinfenwa

The Hef and his Bunnies attending a Premier in Los Angeles

Listings.•Page 9 - 6th October 2008

Listings for Tuesday 14th

Listings forThursday 16th

Listings forFriday 17th

Listings forSaturday 18th

Listings forSunday 19th

The Blacktooth Rock Lounge: FudGe dJsEntry: £3 Doors: 21:00Free Passes from Moorings and retro rebels

the lemon treeil Panico13.30 and 19.30Tickets: £8

Listings for Monday 20th

Youtube Clip of

The WeekEver had too much to drink?

I think this kitty has...

Drunk Kitty (Sedated after going to the vet)

Listings for Wednesday 15th

Music HallAn Evening with Ray Mears19.30Tickets: £20

HMTAn Ideal Husband14/10/08-18/10/0819.30Tickets: £13.50-£23.50

King’s CollegeDirector’s Cut: Hans Petter Moland6pm, Free

DrummondsOpen Mic Night10pmFree

King’s CollegeTeatime Recital17.15

Sports Union:Winter Blues Ball@Liquid10.30pm-2amDrinks Promos all night.

SnafuThe Dirty Hearts Club: Endor Static in the City DHC DJsEntry: £321.00

The Lemon TreeThe Jamm19.30Tickets: £12

The Blue LampThe Ryan Quigley Sextet19.30Tickets: £8 at the door(take student card for TWO FOR ONE offer)

Aberdeen Art Gallery Lunchbreak Concert: Vertavo Quartet12.45-13.30Free

The Music HallThe Hoosiers19.30Tickets: £17.50

MoshuluCreeping Nobodies19.30Tickets: £5

The Lemon TreeIndie-Cent Exposure21.00Tickets: £5

SnafuLeatherhead with Giles Walker22.00Tickets: £6

AECCAbba the Show18.30 Tickets: £32.50

MoshuluCancer Bats19.00Tickets: £7.00

The Lemon TreeRumba Caliente21.00Tickets: £12

SnafuJimpster (freerange) with Funky Transport22.00Tickets: £6

MoshuluGlasvegas plus Friendly Fire19.30Tickets: £12

Gonzo Aftershow Party feat. Zane Lowe (DJ set) 23.00Entry: £5

SnafuChris T-T and the HoodratsMark McCabe and the Tearoom Posse Doors: 20.00 Entry: £5

The Music HallHayley Westenra19.30Tickets: £26.50

Moshulu Bromheads Jacket 19.30Tickets: £8.00

Room 103, The HubElphinstone Road

Old AberdeenAB24 3TU

Tel: 01224 272965Web: www.ausa.org.uk

Email: gaudie.editor@abdn.ac.uk

Printed by BAM Editor-in-chief: Duncan McKay

This weeks edition was produced by:Editor:

Chris ReganDeputy Editors:

Nick HafeziAlex Lewis

News:Bradley Aden

Ruth MintoRobyn Travis

Features:Rupert Williams

Arts:Kevin Guyan

Music:Rosanna Chambers

Opine:Katy Campbell

Listings:Lily Paterson

Sport:John Braid

Michael RepperCopy Editing:

Katie HendersonDelivery:

Sandy MacKinnonAdvertising:

Shannon TubbyRoss Brechin

We voluntarily adhere to the Press Complaints Commision Code of Conduct (http://www.pcc.org.uk/) and aim to provide fair and balanced reporting of local, national and international

affairs.

We are always anxious to correct any mistakes thatmay occur during publication. If you find any

Editorial.•Page 10 - 6th October 2008

it MiGht not looK liKe Much, it might look like the decapitated head of the Iron Giant, but to Professor John Parnell and his colleague Dr. Stephen Bowden it represents their own “one giant leap for mankind”.

the students of aberdeen university should not only regard this as the wonderful achievement it is, rather it should also serve to affirm the world class quality of staff the university attracts.

however, while it seems that the university shines academically at the moment as it seeks to maintain it’s great reputation, on a practical level it would appear mistakes are being made.

For the second year running new students have been left without adequate accommodation. Though not as severe as last years miscalculation, questions must surely be asked as to how this has happened again, and whether the university can realistically seek to offer housing to every first year student, as it currently does.

While there is no question that the university has gone to great lengths to make those unfortunate few comfortable for the time being, there can be no doubt that this is a massive inconvenience both for the students themselves who rightfully expected better from such an institution, but also to those staff who are still trying to permanently place those in temporary dorms. Again it is doubtless that their time could be better spent.

However, as pertinent as it may be to enquire how this has happened and ruminate the mistakes made, at least one eye must be settled on the future, with a view to ensuring the same situation cannot happen again.

so while, to the outside world at least, aberdeen university seems to be in the rudest of academic health, the infrastructure so necessary for attracting future leading minds would seem to be somewhat insecure.

That’s not to say that the student-run activities and societies are suffering any

similar set-backs.

This week has seen the introductory nights-out of a number of sporting societies, with the legendary King St. Shuffle bearing it’s usual fruits; nappies was it guys?

on a similar and altogether more relevant note, the Gaudie had it’s editorial elections and welcomes to the fold our new sports editors; Michael Repper and John Braid, our news team; Bradley aden, ruth Minto and Robyn Travis, new opine editor; Katy Campbell and new listings editor Lily Paterson. these guys all come aboard with impressive enthusiasm and every intention of making the paper as good as it can be which is frankly all we could ever as of them.

Though it will take a number of issues to iron out the creases it is clear to the existing staff that everyone involved believes this can be an excellent year for the Gaudie. If you think you can write better articles than are currently being published why not contribute? send all your efforts to gaudie.editor@abdn.ac.uk

Sport.•6th October 2008 - Page 11

interested in sport?

the sports pages need contributors, so even if you feel under qualified to contribute, get in touch with us and we can talk you through writing your articles.

all sports will be covered so with 58 societies to chose from there’s plenty of them to report on plenty of matches to cover.

gaudie.editor@abdn.ac.uk

The Fastest Sport on Two Legs: Lacrosse

the Fastest sPort on two legs, the best nights out at uni, the biggest thrill of your life?

lacrosse is definitely the hid-den gem in the sports union, a great team sport and brilliant Women’s and Men’s Clubs.

So what is it? It’s a 12-aside team game played with sticks with nets on the end of them, and the aim of the game is throw the ball between the players in order to score goals!

It is not as scary as it looks, for the girls its non-contact so

Diane Mennie we don’t hit each other with the sticks, the mixed practices and games are also non-con-tact. The men’s lacrosse club wear body armour and hel-mets, so boys you can hit the hell out of each other as much as you want without the pain!

We compete in BUCS and the scottish league so there are plenty of road trips all over Scotland. Also the Women’s and Men’s Clubs have plenty of socials together. The graffiti night went down a storm last Wednesday whereby many white t-shirts were used and abused by permanent mark-ers.

So if you fancy picking up a new sport, or dusting the cob-webs off your lacrosse stick, and want to get involved in a relaxed and friendly, then lacrosse is the sport for you!

Ladies practice is on Wednesdays 2-4pm, Mixed practice is on Sundays 12pm-2pm on the Kings Pitches.

Mens practices are Wednesdays 2-5pm and Sundays 2-5pm on the Kings Pitches.

If you’re interested feel free get in touch via email or just come along to a practice.

ladies and Mixed- aberdeenu-nilacrosse@hotmail.com

Men’s- u01ik4@abdn.ac.uk

Also, if you’re not sure about

playing Lacrosse, but fancy watching a match, we have two coming up:

Wed 8th October- aberdeen 1st Ladies v St Andrews 2nds, 3pm

Kings Pitches

Wed 15th October- aberdeen 1st ladies v edinburgh 2nds, 3pm Kings Pitches

Take this coupon to our Links Place Shop

Aberdeen: 1 Links Place, Aberdeen AB11 5DY Tel: 01224 212212 Fax: 01224 210066www.langstane.co.uk

To redeem this offer present it to the cashier in our Links Place shop and receive a further 10% off already

discounted prices for personal use.Offer ends 07.11.08

10%10%

Gaudie Sport.Page 12 - 6th October 2008

SOME OF THE OLDEST sports teams in the world pulled on new kits today when students at the University of Aberdeen took delivery of their new colours.

The University’s Sports union boasts around 60 clubs, from aikido and athletics to golf and gliding. Several other clubs such as rugby, shinty and the boat club have been in existence since the 1860s.

however, many of the teams have sported com-pletely different strips over the years, with all six football and rugby sides turning out in different colours last season.

Century Old Teams Take Delivery Of New ColoursKelly Cromar

that situation was con-signed to the past today when hundreds of students pulled on their new matching strips and shorts at University’s Butchart Recreation Centre.

Some 3,500 pieces of mod-ern sports clothing were deliv-ered, and between 500 and 750 students posed in their new togs, which have been custom-made by kit firm, Kukri.

A special design was created for the kit using the colours from the university crest and has been named ‘Butchart’.

Gordon cox, vice President of Sport within the Students Association has respon-sibility for all the teams

within the Sports Union.

He said: “Some of our teams are the oldest in the world but we’ve always had the slightly unsatisfying situation of many of the University sides playing in completely different colours.

“The goal of every one of our teams turning out in the same kit is something we have been working towards for some time now, so get-ting the funding from the university for such distinc-tive new clothing is brilliant.

“The kit has caused a bit of stir among the clubs as well as alumni and now eve-ryone is just eager for the new season to get going.”

World No 1 Status For Aberdeen Runner

Kelly Cromar

an aBerdeen acadeMic has reached the top of the world rankings for middle distance running.

laura Mahady, a teaching Fellow in the school of Medical sciences at the university of

aberdeen, has been named the fastest 800m athlete in the over-50 age group.

a member of the aberdeen amateur athletic club, laura achieved the accolade follow-ing her victory in the Sport Tayside championships in Perth earlier this month, where she celebrated a personal best of 2 minutes 24.05 seconds.

This latest world ranking adds to Laura’s host of ath-

letic achievements in the field of middle distance running. she is rated third in the world across 5000 metres, fifth in the world across 1500 metres and ninth in the world across 400 metres.

Laura is now prepar-ing for the British and irish

Masters cross country which take place on November 15th in swansea where she will represent Scotland, and the World Masters Track and Field Championships which will be held in Finland in july, 2009 where she will represent Britain.

Laura said: “In February this year I moved up into a new age group. I had been training relentlessly for what I hoped I could achieve when i entered

“Laura is rated third in the world across 5000 metres, fifth in the world across 1500 metres and ninth in the world across 400 metres”

this category, running 6 days a week alongside three weekly gym sessions.

“This year I have already achieved various medals in the World Masters Indoors, scottish Masters and irish Masters but the intense run up to the Sport Tayside cham-

pionships was one of the most challenging times in my run-ning career. I am thrilled to have been successful in reach-ing the top of the world rank-ings in this category and plan to train hard to maintain my form in the hope of striking gold at the world champion-ships next year.”

Aberdeen University Sports Union members in their new kit

Laura Mahady: fellow in the School of Medical Science