So I want to write about stuff I like, and since Monday, I have become obsessed with the show X Factor. Most people will laugh at me for it, make fun of me and tell me how bad the show is, but I like it. I don’t know what it is about shows like Idol and X Factor and all that baz. They just seem…cool. I like the idea of making a complete nobody with some dreams and a talent and throwing them into the spotlight. This guy sang on X Factor last night (I don’t know his name). But he had tongue cancer and now has a weird lisp but he got through anyway. But the point of it is that no one knew he was a week a go. In a week we probably will forget who he is, but that’s the fun of these shows. We can totally be sucked in to these characters that are edited and manipulated before our very eyes, and before we know it, there is a new show with new people that are generating thousands of new conversations around the country.

Anyways, so this was a short one this time (secretly I am rushing because X Factor is on and I want to see what is happening). But whatever

Channel 9 are lame

I am utterly disgusted with Channel 9. How dare they air the Michael Jackson Documentary “What Really Happened”. I’ll be the first to admit that most of the networks both commercial and on pay TV have over-played the death of Michael. With endless tribute shows and dedications to the late king of pop, it is easy to see how people would be sick of hearing about Michael’s death. But for channel 9 to air a documentary that was advertised to the public as “what really happened” and to air a documentary that was nothing more than lies and speculations is disgusting. I am also disgusted at the fact that the network promoted the documentary as what really happened in regards to Jackson’s death, and not the “claims” that were made by the good for nothing journalists that feature in the documentary. Channel 9 needs to have a long hard look at their programming and how they advertise it. My twitter and facebook account has been flooded with angry “blogs” and “updates” by the online community. “Channel 9 should be ashamed there allowing this doco,” one person said. “Stupid media people, for god sake the man is dead leave him alone,” another said. So channel 9. You are lame. I hate you. Many people do. It isnt the fact that I was a massive Jackson fan, I wasn’t. But the fact that you extend shows to alert the public of his death, air a tribute show and to top it off air this piece of crap doco, well, I just think you are a bunch of unethical twats.

Cleaners are constantly picking up after smokers who don’t place their smoked cigarettes in provided disposal bins.

A recent study found that 80% of smokers at Griffith University didn’t use provided bins and were illegally dumping their cigarettes on the floor.  

A cleaner of the university who wished to be unnamed said smokers who were littering were lazy

“I don’t mind doing my job and cleaning, but when I see someone throw their smoke on the floor when they are two steps away from a bin, I get angry,” she said.

“I don’t understand what is so hard about walking a few steps to do the right thing,

“The fact of the matter is these bins are there for a reason, but people just don’t care.”

Griffith Student and smoker Tracey Moore said she didn’t think the litter in the area was a big deal

“People have every right to smoke in the designated area, so I don’t understand why people get so upset,” Miss Moore said.

“It probably does smell bad of smoke but all the smokers I know go to the right place to do so,

“I don’t like the smell of coffee but I don’t tell people not to drink it, so people should stop telling smokers to stop smoking.”

Another smoking student Tony Welling said the conditions at Griffith were no worse than anywhere else.

“I understand why people get angry, but it really isn’t any different from people leaving their rubbish at a table in a food court, or their popcorn in the movies.”

Smokers have been called "lazy" for dumping their used smokes on the ground

This smoke was found in the close proximity of a bin a Griffith University's Nathan Campus

Art acts as an important medium of communication, expression, reflection and storytelling to Australia’s Indigenous story. Through dance, performance, music and visual art, the Aboriginal community often turn to art as an achievable means of therapy.

Mr Barton said his contemporary style paintings were a result of his culture and upbringing.

“My art consists of a range of themes, subjects, textures, colours and techniques that are heavily influenced by my Indigenous heritage,” Mr Barton said.

“Art for me is like a documentary and it’s all about opening up and bearing the soul.”

Often the messages and stories behind Indigenous art are misinterpreted by the audience.

Mr Barton said it was important for his audience to understand the stories behind his pieces and the meanings they portray.

“If I just leave my art as it is without any explanation, the audience can interpret it wrong and not understand the messages I am trying to portray,” Mr Barton said.

“I’m not particularly worried about what people think of my art, as long as they have some sort of reaction or an opinion,

“I would rather someone not like my art and know the meaning behind it than to not feel anything at all.”

Mr Barton said art was often the only way for members of the Indigenous community to release their emotions.

“Words can’t always describe the feelings that are inside our hearts and art allows us to show the world what we are feeling inside,” Mr Barton said.

“Painting is an outlet for me, just as performance and dance is an outlet for many others in my community.”

To contact Robert Barton or to veiw his art work, click here.

Art such as Long Grass reflects personal stories and heritage of Robert Barton-source: http://www.robertbartonart.com/default.asp?PageID=139)

Situated just north of the sunshine capital, “the Valley” as it is known by locals, hosts an array of musical events including Valley Fiesta, Valley Jazz Festival and Valley Transmission.

The suburb’s nightclubs and unique bars also showcase some of the best local and international musicians that the industry has to offer.

Striving music artist Hannah Javis said the Valley was the best place to go to get her music heard.

“The big recording companies used to go to Melbourne and Sydney to find upcoming talent, but with such popular festivals here in Brisbane, they now come here,” Miss Javis said.

“If you walk down any street in the Valley on a Friday or Saturday night, I guarantee that you will find a busker or entertainer of some kind”.

Some of Australia’s biggest artists including The Veronicas, Ricki-Lee and Bobby Flynn started their musical careers in Brisbane.

International artists and bands are opting against other Brisbane entertainment venues such as the convention centre and entertainment centre and are playing gigs and concerts in hotspots around the Valley.

Artists including Panic At The Disco, Sneaky Sound System, Operator Please and Death Cab For Cutie have played gigs at popular Valley Clubs including The Arena, The Family, The Zoo and The Tivoli.

Hannah Javis said that clubs such as The Zoo also host unsigned bands.

“The thing I love about the Valley is there is such a variety of talent ranging from international stars to unsigned bands,” Miss Javis said.

“Clubs such as the Zoo frequently feature unsigned bands and give them a chance to have their music heard.”

For information on upcoming events in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, click here.

 Click the following link for video content of Operator Please’s recent gig at The Zoo.

Operator Please\’s recent performance at Valley Nightclub \”The Zoo\”

The Valley is a hotspot for local and international bands including Operator Please

The non-profit organisation relies on donations from the public, sponsorships and memberships to provide the community with a range of specially designed programs.

These programs target youth, and are based around local issues including sports, news, the environment, health and lifestyle.

The station contrasts from commercial stations as it caters to Brisbane’s wider community, but a lack of funds threatens the station. Switch volunteer Glen Dinsdale believes that it a drive for profit that is impacting community radio.

“Commercial stations are driven by money, and unfortunately this impacts on community stations such as ours.” There is no choice for some community stations but to compete against commercial stations. “Some community stations have had to resort to taking on commercial stations in order to keep alive- this has taken out some of the voice in radio,” Mr Dinsdale said.

“The government doesn’t really support us either. We are at a point now where we could face closure if we don’t get the needed support.”

Mr Dinsdale believes that the station is doing well with what they have.

“We are lucky we have such a great bunch of enthusiastic volunteers. All we can do is rely on the support of the community in terms of donations, and hope that people continue to help out at the station,” he said.

“I really encourage people to get out there and support community radio stations.”

Donations can be made to Switch 1197am through their official website: http://www.switch1197.com. .

Here’s what some radio listeners had to say about the situation (click the links below for audio content).

Listener A

Listener B

Listener C

Does community radio still hold a place in Brisbane City?

Just as students would receive scholarships for academic achievements, the school is offering local students with excellence in the sporting field five year scholarships to pursue their sporting goals and dreams.

Recently the school introduced a Rugby League scholarship, rewarding talented pupils of local primary schools with a scholarship to further their skills in the game.  

13 year old Joshua Watts is amongst a handful of boys to receive the football scholarship.

While other students participate in extra curricular activities such as art and music, Joshua and his team, “The Mountain Creek Creekers” train hard for their weekend matches against other local teams.

Joshua Watts said sporting scholarships are just as important as academic or art based ones.

“It is good that we get to play football and do what we really want to do, but at the same time we are learning just like the other kids,” Joshua said.

“The more footy we play the better we are going to get”.

Parents of the “Mountain Creek Creekers” also believe that the scholarships are a great part of the education system.

Sam Watts, father of Joshua said the program was helping his son further his football career while gaining an education.

“Back in my day we never had anything like this and I remember wanting to be a footballer but it was never something I could do during school time,” Mr Watts said.

“The school makes these kids do their work and stay focused on their work. If they start causing trouble or are misbehaved they know they will be expelled.”

Joshua encourages anyone with a passion for football to strive for similar scholarships.

“I have a chance of living my dream thanks to my scholarship.”

Students with the football scholarship get to live their dream while gaining an education

The Mountain Creek Creekers

While the hills of Hollywood or streets of Manhattan appear to be galaxies away, similar social patterns in Australian learning institutions suggest that such shows influence young adults worldwide.

Student Joshua Patch said social groups existed but weren’t as extreme as what is shown on television.

“The groups at university aren’t as extreme as what we see on television, but we still have the nerds and the cool kids like these shows.”

“I’m an individual and how I act has nothing to do with television,” another student said.

Do cult television shows such as Gossip Girl really influence Australian Youth?

Haven’t heard of it? You’d be in the same boat as many Australians.

Despite being the highest grossing Australian film of the year so far, the feature has gone unnoticed in comparison to Hollywood blockbusters.

Movie Goer Centeine Crawford said she would support the home grown film if she had heard of it.

“I’ve never heard of it and I don’t see movies I know nothing about,” she said.

Representatives for the film said their budget wasn’t as big as other blockbusters, restricting the advertising of Mary and Max.

Mary and Max is on limited release and is playing in select cinemas nation wide.

Many aussies are unaware that such a film exsists

 Students can use the internet system to download class notes, pay for enrolment, hand in assignments, and even complete courses without attending university at all.

Student Chloe Mallon said the system was praised by many but acknowledges how the internet could be frustrating.

“If something happens to my computer or my internet isn’t working, I’m instantly at a disadvantage,” she said.

“Computers can be very tricky to get your head around and sometimes doing things in person is way easier.”

Griffith University shows no signs of easing it’s reliance on internet communication.

Not everyone is happy about Griffith's internet communication