Megna Kalvani

Photograph turned Portrait

2012-02-03T01:22:00.000-08:00

I haven't been active on Deviant Art for a few months now and I was surprised (and a tad flattered) to see one of my photographs, Eye of an Equus used and translated as a drawn portrait by Cleo Valkenaers (aka 2BrightEyes). I think it has come out beautifully.

Portrait by Cleo Valkenaers

Original photograph (c) Megna Kalvani (2010)

What happens every 20 minutes on Facebook? Same story, different user

2011-06-13T02:48:00.000-07:00

via Onlineschool.org

iOS5's Ipad is most indefinitely beautiful!

2011-06-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

A Comparative analysis: German and Italian media in the twenty-first century

2011-06-02T17:10:00.000-07:00

This article compares the media environments of two western European countries, Germany and Italy. The study discusses how economic, political, regulatory and social factors have come to shape and influence German and Italian news media over the years.

Germany and Italy look back at a long history of mass media such as newspapers, radio and television that have played an important role in the construction of their national identities (Anderson 1983). Both nations have features of rich tradition, interpretative journalism, spiced with political partnership, sales-stimulating sensationalism and provocative criticism that may or may not have collectively contributed as a factor to give rise to the world’s largest media companies that currently have a significant and growing representation in Western Europe (T. Scott 2009).

It is commendable how the German media system have remade and extensively developed itself not once but twice in the twentieth century; once after World War II and again after reunification of the “two Germany’s” in 1990. Today, Germany stands to be the fifth largest economy[i] and Europe’s second largest nation (after Russia) with over 82 million[ii] inhabitants. A ‘dual system’ coexists in Germany characterising its media organization into two main forms: a private commercial daily press and public structure of broadcasting (Hickethier 2007).

On the other hand, we have the founding member of the European Union with a population of over sixty million[iii], Italy has a diversified economy whose GDP ranks lower than Germany but higher than 27 other EU countries. Although, the growth has been evidently slow over the recent years, Italian media is unique and a competitive market that is concentrated in a few hands. Media baron, Silvio Berlusconi thrice prime minister of Italy and owner of three of the four largest Italian TV channels and a variety of newspapers and magazine, plays an influential role as he blatantly uses his extensive media interests to fulfil his recurring political agendas (Doyle, 2002; T. Scott, 2009).

Concentration of Media ownership

With the likes of Italian media giants De Benedetti, Fiat Rizzoli and Berlusconi and the world’s largest companies owned by Bertelsmann and Axel-Springer in Germany, the director of the European Journalism Observatory recognizes a “frightening concentration of press” in the Western Europe (Russ-Mohl 2003; T. Scott 2009). The economic expansion of the media system in Germany is more balanced with private, independent media conglomerates, such as the Axel Springer and the Bertelsmann Group dominating the print media while the electronic media is financed by license fees and subsidies and controlled by the government (Pfetsch 1996). Whereas, Italy has had an unrelenting replacement of public by private media ownership since, the 1980’s, giving rise to a highly competitive market (Barlie and Rao 1992).

Traditional Media

Germany has a strong local and regional newspaper market that dates back to the beginning of the seventeenth century (J. Wilke 2000). Print media is dominated by 10 of the largest publishers who control 44.8 percent of the market, among them Axel Springer Group reins a bulk of 22.1 percent (BILD, Welt, Hamburger Abendblatt, Berliner Morgenpost, etc.) followed by Verlagsgruppe Stuttgarter Zeitung, a regional publisher who owns 8.5 percent of the market. The top-selling German tabloid paper, popularly known as the "boulevard press” is BILD Zeitung, with a circulation of 3.3 million. Sixty percent of the German magazine sector is controlled by four publishing giants Bauer, Springer, Burda and Bertelsmann. Weekly publications like Fie Zeit and magazines, led by Der Spiegel, a liberal and highly political publish investigative and interpretative style of journalism adding to the field (J. Klenisteube and Thomass 2010; T. Scott 2009; Hickethier 2007).

Italian newspapers are fragmented by privatized groups and owners. L'Espresso group is the owner of broadsheet La Repubblica, three magazines and 15 local paid-for newspapers while the Mondadori group, is controlled by Silvio Berlusconi's family, vital book publishers in Italy, owning 40 magazines like Panorama, a right-wing publication. Italy ranks the lowest in Europe in terms of circulation and readership (only the Greeks and Portugese read less) (Mancini 2007). Italian’s most prestigious newspapers, Corriere della Sera and Repubblica, has been steadily declining for over a decade (Barlie and Rao, 1992; T. Scott 2009) as their sales dip from 1.93million in 2004 to 1.73million in 2009 copies (Giomi 2010).

Even though, Italian press has a strong regional character it continues to have “historically low level of readership; a predominance of regional over national papers; a notable lack of independence of the press; virtual nonexistence of a popular press; and the existence of a group of daily ‘news’papers that are devoted solely to either sports, religious news or other specialized and sensationalist topics” (Lumley 1996; Doyle 2002).

Broadcast Media

Radio and television markets in Germany and Italy are competitive and highly depended-on by the public for news and entertainment.

· Radio

German radio is similar to the ‘public institution’ style of BBC Broadcasting, only more diverse as it is regulated separately in each of its 16 (Länder) states (Hickethier 1996; Pfetsch 1996). There are 51 AM stations, 767 FM stations, and four short-wave stations in Germany out of which only six percent of the public depend on the radio for news from the 77.8 million radios in Germany. Evidently, German radio is losing its importance in the twenty-first century (Ross and Fuher 2006; J. Kleinsteube and Thomass 2010).

Radio televisione Italiana (RAI) is the largest state owner of Italian’s public service broadcasting service. Two of RAI’s most listened-to stations are Radio Uno (news, public affairs, culture) and Radio Due (news, culture, music, entertainment) with an average of 6.2 and 3.8 million listeners in 2009. Radio Tre and Radio Capital are both “talk-radio formats” owned by RDI and L’Espresso group respectively. Among numerous local FM stations, the largest share belong to music stations RTL, RDS-Radio Dimensione Suono and Radio Deejay; all have over 5million listeners (Giomi 2010; T.Scott 2009; Barlie and Rao 1992).

· Television

Germans television is split between public and commercial programmers. ARD[iv], the first regional broadcaster set up in 1950 and is renowned for its oldest nation-wide TV channel “Das Erste”. The Second German Television or ZDF[v] is based on an agreement of all Länder (ZDF-Staatsvertrag). Commercial broadcasters in Germany are ProSiebenSAT, previously owned by Kirch and Bertelsmann’s RTL Group S.A. who owns TV channels in about a dozen European countries (Reinemann and Eichholz 2006).

There are three main television networks in Italy; RIA is the leading state-owned broadcaster (Rai Uno, Rai Due, Rai Tre), pay TV Sky Italia, a News corporation venture and commercial broadcaster Mediaset (Rete 4, Canale 5, Italia 1), which is owned by Berlusconi. Unlike Germany, Italian television is the main source of information for viewers and ‘main agenda setter’. Traditional TV consistently maintains its centrality within Italian media consumption patterns. According to Census, in 2007 television was regularly (at least three times per week) viewed by 86 percent of all Italian people, more than in other European countries excluding. Print media deal with issues depending on how much has been analysed and said on television programmes (Giomi 2010; Statham 1996).

Online Media

Since 2000, economic and technological developments or limitatons have led German and Italian newspapers, radio and television channels to adapt and adopt towards the online medium as a news platform. German magazine, Spiegel-online and news websites of La Repubblica and La Gazzetta dello sport were among the most-visited websites in 2009. Half of 24 million internet users in Germany depend on the net to obtain news at least once a week. While, internet penetration is still low in Italy compared to other European countries as only 41 percent of households have internet access (Giomi 2010; Wilke 2010; Reinemann & Eichholz 2006; B.Eimeren & Gerhard; C.Neuberger 2000).

Language and Foreign Media

Media in Germany and Italy are disseminated in their official languages German and Italian. The literacy rate among the German populace is 99 percent[vi] and unlike Italians they take their media seriously (Reinemann and Eichholz 2006). Italy has a 98 percent literacy rate which has improved over the two decades but it is said that they ‘still do not prefer to read newspapers’ (Giomi 2010; Barlie and Rao 1992).

Italy is fairly dependent and limited to its major media produced in their own language and corporations. However, in Germany is a more diverse consumption of international media and different perspectives. Over the past 50 years, foreign public service programming has been a developing field especially since Germany’s has a history of high numbers of immigrant labour coming to Germany in the 1960’s who were soon regarded as ‘permanent part of the German society, if not the nation’ (Kosrick 2000; Rissomet al 1977). International broadcasters are Deutschland-funk and Deutsche Welle, ‘international voices of Germany’. Deutsche Welle broadcasts German television programs to 31 countries worldwide from Berlin, transmits radio by satellite around the globe to 29 nations in addition to Deutsche Welle World, who provides a multimedia Internet service. Paris Match, Elle, Vogue and W are some of the reputed foreign magazine and western newspapers that are also easily available.

According to the study by Kolmer and Semetko (2010), Germany heavily focuses on Europe (32 percent) followed by East Asia (16 percent) and Middle East and North America toed and ranked third (13 percent) for foreign news. Same rank order exists in Italy.

Censorship and Regulatory bodies

German media has no official censorship and is one of the highest rated European countries for press freedom while Italy is ranked 49^th, by the World Press Freedom Index (2010)[vii] due to its strict Italian penal code and laws. Reporters Sans Borders (RSF)[viii] identifies reasons such as “violation of the protection of journalists’ sources, the continuing concentration of media ownership, displays of contempt and impatience on the part of government officials towards journalists and their work, and judicial summonses,” for Italy’s inability to develop its deteriorating press freedom over the recent years.

In Germany, the only regulation over the media was passed in 1995 against any child pornography on the Internet (Schweiger 2000). This bill was defined which online activities required licensing or structuring. Albeit, Germany has no official monitoring agency, it does have the active and independent bodies like the German Deutscher Presserat (Press Council) and Rundfunkrat (Independent Broadcasting Council) that oversee the operation of the print and broadcast media respectively and regulating both private and public media.

Journalism and Education Training

Journalism as a profession is not determined by any compulsory practical training in Germany but by in-house training (internships) and professional socialization (Frohlich and C.Holtz 2003). A freely available high-school diploma is sufficient to train an individual in the core aspects of journalism. Social and economic situations of journalists have improved since the 1960’s, journalists part of the German Association of Journalists and the German Union of Journalists have negotiated for higher wage claims as acceptance of journalism as a profession has improved. High job satisfaction is evident as there are low levels of attrition.

In contrast, joining a union or a corporation is a must for any aspiring journalist in Italy. Once certified by the Order of Journalists (Ordine), they will categorizes journalists into two: professionisti (full-time professionals, typically employed by one newspaper), and pubblicisti (free-lance journalists). Italian journalists find it cumbersome to follow the “complicated and conflicting laws and government processes” (T.Scott 2009; Weischenberg, Loffelholz and Scholl 1998). Others use the metaphor of a ‘journalist cut in half’ to describe the journalism environment as economic and political groups play a prominent role (Mancini 2007; Pansa 1977).

German and Italian media in the twenty-first century is rapidly evolving although we still see prominent features in today’s media environment that existed more than five decades ago; such as strong ties between the media and political parties in Italy or the ‘dual system’ in Germany these contribute as some significant factors if not all that have made German and Italian media, what it is today and will continue to shape their news environment (Mancini 2007) in years to come.

[i] According to the census by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook updated on December 2010,the German economy is the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest – is

a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits

from a highly skilled labour force.

[ii] According to the census by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, Germany has an estimated population of 82,282,988 (July 2010) and ranks 15^th most populous country in the world; second to Russia in Central Europe.

[iii] According to the census by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, Italy has an estimated population of 58,090,681 (July 2010).

[iv] ARD is an abbreviation for Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Rundfunkanstalten Deutschlands or “Consortium of public-law broadcasting institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany".

[v] ZDF, German abbreviation for Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen; The Second German Television.

[vi] According to the census by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, the literacy rate in Germany is 99 percent where everyone above age 15 can read and write German.

[vii] World Press Freedom Index (2010) is collated by Reporters Sans Frontiers (http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html)

vReporters Sans Frontiers (a.k.a Reporters without Borders) is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press; http://en.rsf.org/

References

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C.Hallin, Daniel, and Paolo Manchini. Comparing Media Systems:three models of Media and Politics. New York, United States of America: Cambridge University Press, 2004.

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Doyle, Gillian. Media Ownership. SAGE Publications, 2002.

Frohlich, R, and Bacha C.Holtz. Journalism Education in Europe and North America: A Structural Comparison. Cresskill,NJ: Hampton Press, 2003.

Giomi, Elisa. “Media Landscape: Italy.” European Journalism Centre, November 2010.

Hickethier, Knut. “Journalism in Germany.” Chap. 12 in The Future of Journalism in the Advanced Democracies, by Peter J.Anderson and Geoff Ward, 191-207. Ashgate Publishing, 2007.

Humphreys, Peter J. Mass media and media policy in western Europe. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1996.

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Reinemann, Carsten, and Martin Eichholz. “What's News in Germany?” Chap. 11 in News Around the World: Content, Practitioners and the Public, by Pamela J.Shoemaker and Akiba A.Cohen, 165-188. New York, United states of America: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2006.

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Russ-Mohl, S. “Towards a European Journalism?-Limits, Opportunites, Challenges.” Studies in Communication Sciences 3, no. 2 (2003): 203-216.

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Facebook: A Life Saver?

2011-03-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

It comes by no surprise to readers that if Facebook was a country it would be the third largest in the world after China and India with over 500 million active users. And like every country it too has its share of virtues and vices.

Being the largest social network site, Facebook has become one of the most pervasive mediums making it unavoidable for anyone to not take interest in it. But it is more than just a place to meet and connect with ‘friends’.

Facebook is so powerful that it not only gets people hitched but also breaks them up. It has the ability to trigger protests and stop wars; save lives while becoming a point of contact for someone contemplating death. Facebook has groups where users can shed grief and remorse but can also resort to online bullying and hatred.

With millions of users are exposed to this and more, “Facebook is under increasing pressure unlike other social networks to be a bit more responsible on what happens on their site,” said Rory-Cellan Johnes, Technology correspondent on BBC.

Johnes added that the social network are currently under pressure by regulators from all over the world, particularly the UK to do more, to look after users that are vulnerable and young.

Simone Back, 42, of Brighton, UK, updated her status that read, "Took all my pills be dead soon bye bye everyone." at 10:53PM on Christmas Day 2010.

On January 6th 2011, The Daily Mail reported the story of Back's suicide. The charity worker had a history of depression. The paper spoke to her mother, Jennifer Langridge, who pointed out that her daughter had 1082 Facebook friends but not one of them responded to her cry for help in-person or contacted her mother.

Back's last status update was, in fact, seen by a number of her Facebook friends. Some responded with nasty comments but no one took her threat seriously enough, cared enough, felt comfortable intervening, or knew what to do.

According to the Daily Mail report, "Facebook friends from out of town begged online for her address and telephone number so they could get help, none of those who lived closer did anything to help."

This is just one among several incidents on Facebook that acted as a catalyst for the social network to adopt and launch a system that allows users to 'report' friends who they think may be contemplating suicide.

Anyone worried about a friend can fill out a form, detailing their concerns, which is passed to the site's moderators. It follows reports of several cases where Facebook users announced their intention to commit suicide online.

The reporting page asks for the address (URL) of the Facebook page where the messages are posted, the full name of the user and details of any networks they are members of.

Suicide-related alerts will be escalated to the highest level, for attention by Facebook's user operations team.

This feature has become active since the beginning of March 2011 and is being run in conjunction with the Samaritans, which said several people had used it during a test phase. So far the system had been operating in a trial mode, without publicity for three months, during which it received several genuine reports and no hoaxes, according to Samaritans.

It is hoped that the new reporting mechanism will help prevent cases like that of Simone Back, who died on Christmas day after taking a drug overdose.

Samaritans added that the new system was not launched in relation to one specific case, but to raise awareness of the ways in which people could get help.

“Some Facebook friendships are very distant acquaintances, at best.” said Dr. Irene S. Levine on PsychologyToday.com.

Levine, a psychology professor added that we live in the same virtual community, we are neighbours. When you have any suspicion that someone's health or safety may be compromised, it's always better to say something than regret doing nothing.

With this in light, it’s obvious how a range of industries have started using Facebook and social networks to their advantage.

"Organisations now understand the value of collaborating using public consumer tools like Facebook," said David Lavenda, WorkLight's vice president of marketing and product strategy.

Media stations, advertisers, public relations, marketing and event agencies are some markets desperately trying to gain the consumers attention by using Facebook as a promotional tool. Police and Forensics implement Facebook into their work by finding and identifying suspects and criminals.

On a medical front, patients share their symptoms on Facebook only to be helped by friendly doctors and advised by friends.

Not a medical forum but Facebook saved Kate Robb's life

And this isn’t quarter of the list. With all this in mind, one can’t help but wonder what Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook must be thinking, bet he never thought his site would help people in such a manner and extent.

Hall Pass Movie Review

2011-03-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

Director: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly

Starring: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate, Nicky Whelan, Richard Jenkins

The Farrelly Brothers are back, the ones who brought you those classic unforgettable comedies like ‘Dumb and Dumber’,’ There’s something about Mary’,’ Shallow Hal’ and ‘Me, myself and Irene’.

Similar to their previous works, Hallpass will be Farrelly’s eleventh comedy film only this one will be brimming with sexual humour, embarrassing pick-up lines and enough “No they didn’t!” moments, that could make you go ‘ewww’ or ‘awww’ all in a span of two hours.

Hallpass tells the story of Rick (Wilson) and his best friend Fred (Sudeikis) both happily married for years but unable to leave their lusty single ways completely in the past. Their wives decide to test them by giving them a week off their marriage, a ‘hall pass’ to live out their sexual dreams. But they're less than happy when their wives (Fischer and Applegate) are also tempted to let loose. So can the couples work it out? Watch to find out!

Undoubtedly, the movies secret weapon has to be Saturday Night Live's, Jason Sudeikis who plays his first major movie role. Sudeikis has an agreeably dorky, bootlicking officiousness making this film funnier than it had any right to be, largely due to the way he delivers his lines and facial expressions.

If you like the Farrelly brothers then in all likelihood you’ll love Hallpass. Although, if you do wish to enjoy this movie to its maximum, not only should you watch it with a group of friends but try not to predict the thin plot, for not knowing will guarantee a lot of great laughs.

In other words, stay away from spoilers. For you will remember the car arrest, the spa rescue and the girl with appendicitis. You'll tell your friends about them. You'll enjoy Hallpass and may even watch it again because of the story. Or not.

Rating: 6/10

Have you done something amazing this Christmas?

2010-11-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas is not all about presents it’s about charity, sharing, love and spreading that Christmas spirit. There may be a lot of presents with your name on them under the Christmas tree, but there are many people in our Preston community who have never received gifts because they are victims of war, poverty, disease and natural disasters. ‘Do something amazing this Christmas’ is one such project that strives to make a difference this year.

Jane Taylor, brainchild of this project says that this is her way of giving back and helping our local community. ‘Do something amazing this Christmas’ is a project that strives to pack essential requirements in over 50 shoeboxes for various centres across Preston, including Parkinson House (a mum and baby unit for disadvantaged families), Fox Street Homeless Shelter and Merriweather Care Home (for 16-25 year olds experiencing times of hardship).

Shoeboxes filled unwanted clothes, toys, toiletries and anything else of good quality.

“We researched online the different charities doing it such as Samaritans, but decided that we'd like to have a more hands on approach and have control over where the presents went, so I researched centres in our local area that could use our help and chose three that catered to women, men and children. This meant we were helping a more diverse group and having a bigger impact,” said Jane Taylor.

The shoe box donation will have ended by 17^th December as the items will be put into shoe box style presents and are planned to be delivered to them on Christmas Eve, all wrapped up.

Organizers urged everyone to make a difference during Christmas, “Everyone at this university is fortunate to be working or have access to university education. There are plenty of people in our local community who have nothing. Let's make a difference.”

When asked what memories she takes from this experience, Taylor replied that hardest time was going in to visit the different centres and seeing what an amazing job the staff were doing, but how much help they still needed. “I suppose you feel like whatever you do it won't be enough, but if everyone thought the same nothing would get done! So we just have to do what we can.”

While her special moment yet was coming into university to find over 30 emails in one day responding to her requests for donations which were quite touching.

“But I'm sure the best bit is going to be giving out the presents.” she added.

The shoe boxes will be displayed at Preston North Premier Inn until Christmas.

Are you going home for Christmas?

2010-11-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

Have you thought about what you will be doing over Christmas? Will you be going home? Or are you planning to stay in the UK?

There are over two thousand international students who represent 100 countries at University of Central Lancashire.

True, not all of us celebrate Christmas, some come from cultures that celebrate Christmas in different ways while for others Christmas is not celebrated at all. Whatever it maybe it is hard not to experience some element of Christmas as the holidays approach.

Shopping windows filled with Christmas decorations and unbelievably attractive sales find students queuing up to buy their presents for Christmas or something special for their loved ones back home.

But some students aren’t as fortunate to return home for the holidays. Students who can’t go home at Christmas can find themselves in a difficult place without friends or support structures around.

Thirty three year old Jude Nwagbara, who is pursuing his postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management said he won’t be going back home in Nigeria this Christmas due to financial constraints.

“Home is far from here, it isn’t easy going back and forth whenever you want to. I will be spending my holidays in Preston. I think it should be fun as long as I my friends to celebrate with.” he said.

But most of the international students have agreed that they would love to know and experience how Christmas is celebrated in Britain.

First year International Journalism students, Pang Yanrong and Kerstin Tschernigg excitedly quip that they love learning about the culture here as it is wonderful how various people celebrate Christmas differently.

“I am going to buy a plastic Christmas tree and decorate it and sing carols in different languages!” said Kerstin.

They plan to have a mini Christmas celebration in advance before they part ways for the holidays.

Kerstin Tschernigg said she will spend ‘actual Christmas’ back home in Austria. “I am going back to my home country and plan to celebrate Christmas traditionally with my family. I will go to church at 10pm. Before that we'll exchange gifts, sing under the Christmas tree and have dinner together.” she entailed.

While, Pang Yanrong won’t be going back home to Singapore but instead will be heading to Munich for Christmas to visit her cousin who is studying there. “I don’t think it is worth the price of the flight to fly back to Singapore for a week or so and back again.”

Uzondu Izidoro, Business student from Nigeria said he is most likely to stay back in Preston as well. But he did go on to add that no matter where they celebrate it Christmas is a time for families and friends to celebrate the holidays and share memories of warm celebrations and delicious food.

If you wish to experience a traditional Christmas with an English family, you can. Christmas Hospitality is an organization that allows you to spend the festivity with a Christian family who are willing to share their traditional Christmas day: a time of festivity, celebration, family times, and the remembrance of a very special birth.

This is open to all international students of any or no religion and there is no charge involved. The scheme has been running since 2004 and the feedback from students has all been positive. To register log on www.christmashospitality.com. Although, numbers may be limited by the numbers of host families available and the places will be allocated in the order in which registrations are made.

If you are planning on staying on-campus over Christmas then you must look at the recommended list of events lined up for you this Christmas.

But no matter where you are, here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous year.

(This feature was originally published in PR1 Magazine on 29th November 2010)

PR1 is University of Central Lancashire's Student Magazine.

To read issue: http://issuu.com/jamesbutlin/docs/pr1issue61

Film Review: MegaMind - "I Make Bad, Look So Good"

2010-11-30T10:57:00.000-08:00

Directed By: Tom McGrath , Cameron Hood

Cast: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt, David Cross, Justin Theroux

We have all seen a clichéd hero-villain plot where the good guy always beats the bad guy and of course gets the girl. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the super-villain won for a change?

That’s exactly what screenwriters Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons asked themselves when they came up with the initial concept for Megamind, the animated adventure from DreamWorks being released on December 5th.

Megamind is a satirical take on the superhero genre focusing on a down-and-out super villain (voiced by Will Ferrell) who finally destroys his arch nemesis, Metro Man (Brad Pitt) during one of his many botched hostage plots involving news reporter Roxanne (Tina Fey), who may remind you of Lois Lane from Superman.

Lost and depressed without an enemy, he creates a nemesis, turning to Roxanne's lonely cameraman Hal (Jonah Hill) into Metro City's next big superhero, Tighten.

Unfortunately for Megamind, Tighten turns into one of the biggest villains who decide to utilize his new power against humanity as revenge for the lifetime of rejection he has endured for years. Megamind is left undecided; can he defeat his own diabolical creation? Will the evil genius become the unlikely hero of his own story? Will the super villain get the girl, this once?

Besides the noticeably A-list voice cast, Megamind is written by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons who take in their dexterous plotting that guarantees there’s never a dull moment while director, McGrath takes good care that the action doesn’t cross the line from the energetic to the simply exhausting.
Overall, the film stands as one of the best arguments in favor of 3D over the past couple of years that feels like mature, restrained, even natural use of the technique.

Moreover, if Megamind lives up to expectations, audiences can be sure that there will be a follow-up adventure. “I think Megamind creates a world that has a lot of possibilities story wise,” said McGrath in his interview with comicbookmovie.com.

“There are a lot of stories you can tell from the point of view of the villain other than just the relationship between good and evil.”

(This article was originally published in PR1 Magazine, Entertainment Section on 29th November 2010)

PR1 is University of Central Lancashire's Student Magazine.

To read issue: http://issuu.com/jamesbutlin/docs/pr1issue61

Film Review: Gulliver’s Travel

2010-11-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

Directed By: Rob Letterman

Starring: Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, Catherine Tate

5/10

Gulliver’s Travels is yet another remake of the classic tale based on the 18^th century novel by Jonathan Swift of a man who ends up on an island, and he’s HUGE! So what sets this latest version new Gulliver’s Travels apart from the rest? For one, it stars our ever so talented Jack Black who will be playing the big guy.

In this epic and modern tale Gulliver (Black), a mailroom clerk at a New York newspaper bluffs his way into an assignment about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle, he is then hurtled to an undiscovered land, Lilliput, where hilarity will no doubt ensue! At first enslaved by the diminutive and industrious Liliputians and later declared their hero but soon learns that it’s how big you are on the inside that counts.

This 20^th Century Fox film is set to hit the big screens this Christmas of 2010. There’s a mixed response when it comes to its release, some critics say that if you’re a Jack Black fan or care for some live-action family adventure, you should definitely give this flick. While, others say that judging from the posters and trailers it looks like a fake movie similar to Funny People or Tropic Thunder, leaving room for disappointment.

(This article was originally published in PR1 Magazine, Entertainment Section on 29th November 2010)

PR1 is University of Central Lancashire's Student Magazine.

To read issue: http://issuu.com/jamesbutlin/docs/pr1issue61

Contemporary Art, Museums and Galleries, Who Cares?

2010-11-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

As you approach Preston's Market Square, it’s hard to miss the stunning Neo-classical building which was designed by James Hibbert (1833-1903) to house the Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library.

As you walk into the grand 117 year old building, it is quiet, comfortable and engulfed in a history of its own. You're greeted with smiles from the art shop which leads to a cafe that is surrounds itself with exquisite artefacts. As you ascend the two storeys of the Museum, you will experience the story of Preston unfold before your eyes.

Harris Museum and Gallery is a host to several community engagement projects that strive to intrigue Preston’s diverse community through a wide range of local organisations on creative, tailor made workshops, projects, talks and tours. These projects are funded by Renaissance North West and are in association with six hub museums and galleries namely Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, Whitworth Gallery, Bolton Museum, Tullyhouse Museum and Harris Museum and Gallery.

A constant proportion of 16 million adults in England alone, visit museums on a yearly basis, said The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport, Annual Report (2006).

Who Cares? is one such community project which explores the positive impact that museums and galleries can have on our lives. The research will be completed by 2011 but ongoing outcomes of this project can be seen in and around the museum.

“Who Cares? is a project that targets young adults and working people thereby trying to gauge how museums and galleries affects their well being,” said Kyra Milnes, Access and Inclusion Manager at Harris Art Gallery and Museum.

It includes several workshops and exhibitions such as Sharing and Learning: A Touching Experience, Fun, Food and Fabric, Stories of the World and Reminiscence sessions.

Sharing and Learning: A Touching Experience is a ceramics project in partnership with Galloway’s Society for the Blind and Coppull Parish Church School.

“This project works towards educating the community in understanding that visual impairment is a disability and not an inability. Often, people with visual impairments are excluded from the making of art, so during this project young people were educated through working collaboratively with visually impaired adults to create ceramic artefacts,” said Viv Booth, Project Manager from Galloway’s.

Fun, Food and Fabric, a creative textile project in partnership with Sahara Preston’s African Caribbean Women’s Group, featured in the Embellished: the Art of Fabulous Fabrics exhibition in Harris.

Stories of the World is a graffiti project in collaboration with young people at Beneast Training Ltd, this will be featured as a part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project for young people.

While, Reminiscence sessions involve a specialist team of volunteers, trained to facilitate reminiscence sessions on a monthly service to local care and rest homes. They take them themed boxes of Harris objects and artefacts out into the community and use them to trigger memories.

Harris Museum and Library

Student opportunities to gain some experience

There’s a wide range of volunteering opportunities at the Harris, in all departments of the museum. “At the Harris, we always need volunteers to help the team develop the program, assist curators, aid with talks and tours and get involved in several projects,” said Milnes.

If you are student aged below 25 years, you could get involved in the ‘Young Harris-Youth Arts Group’ where you get to meet at least once a month and work on creative projects relating to the Harris using art, performance, poetry, animation and music.

For more information you can visit www.harrismuseum.org.uk or contact 01772 905 412.

Art of Matter

2010-10-19T05:39:00.000-07:00

With the growing art movement in Dubai, X V A Gallery has pioneered Middle Eastern art in Dubai. Since 2003, it has been one of the foremost contemporary art galleries in the Middle East. The brainchild of Mona Hauser, owner of X V A Gallery, the fair is now in its fourth year and aims to showcase the best the region has to offer.

X V A artists have recently exhibited in the 2009 Venice Biennale. Art Abu Dhabi 2009 and the Unveiled: New Art From the Middle East’ exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London. This year, the gallery has four remarkable exhibits between 17th January to 5th May 2010. Two art exhibits, Abdulnasser Gharem: Restored Behaviour and Al Braithwaite: Hall of mirrors ran simultaneously, between 17th January to 10th March.

Abdulnasser Gharem: Restored Behaviour, the first major solo show by acclaimed Saudi artist, Adulnasser Gharem, restored behaviour will showcase recent ‘stamp’ paintings, installations and photographs from a series of site specific performances made in and around the artists home in southern Saudi Arabia. Al Braithwaite: Hall of Mirrors are Braithwaite’s portraits of modern Middle Eastern figureheads present a powerful message about the geographical realigning of power in the 21st century. An unusual mixture of modernity and tradition.

Bastakiya Art Fair returns for its 4th year from 15-21 March 2010. Dubai’s only fringe art fair, BAF has a global reach with a focus on Middle Eastern contemporary art. BAF promotes gallery collaboration and artistic unity with Dubai’s art community, plus the fair attracts International artists, collectors and curators. With a series of brunch talks curated by Rose Issa and a wide range of exhibitions including national art pavilions fro Iraq, UAE, Pakistan, Lebanon and Iran, BAF successfully showcases the best of the best emerging talent in Middle Eastern contemporary art.

A Double Exhibition between the 4th April to 5th May, allows us to preview a return of the well loved Lebanese artist Moussa Tiba and a debut in the UAE for German-born-artist Carolin Kropff.

BAF and X V A Gallery guarantees to satiate everyone’s artistic sensibilities and is definitely worth your time.

Glimpses of the Fair

Bastakiya, Dubai

Art Gallery at BAF

¬Orginally written for an art magazine project that explores contemporary art in the Emirates¬

Dear Africa: new book launched

2010-10-18T14:15:00.000-07:00

¬Original Article published in University newspaper- Pluto¬

http://www.pluto-online.com/2010/10/dear-africa-students-launch-new-book/

A book of letters between Lancastrian and African children is being published by UCLan students.

Letters to Africa is a riveting collection of letters exchanged between more than 250 children from Lancashire, Kenya and Zambia, as well as contributions by UCLan students and renowned authors.

The aim of the book is to exemplify a side of Africa never seen before.

The book is a charitable project and all proceeds will buy educational resources for the African schoolchildren in Kenya and Zambia.

Project Manager Debbie Williams, explained what she wants the book to achieve.

“By publishing this book we hope to bridge the cultural divide between UK and African school children by giving them a chance to tell us about their lives through letters, drawings and photographs,” she said.

“This is a completely unique venture. There are a lot of projects and publications about Africa written by adults and experts but none which allowed the children who live there to speak directly about their environment, daily life and their future.”

This eight month project is a collaborative effort of second and third year students from UCLan’s publishing, photography, writing for children, children’s illustration, linguistics and sport science. Photography student, Gemma Nolan, even won a BBC Wildlife photography competition for her close up of a lion in Kenya.

Letters to Africa is supported by celebrated children’s authors Lauren St John (author of The White Giraffe), Mary Hoffman (author of Amazing Grace and the Stravaganza series), Ifeoma Onyefulu (author of A is for Africa) and others, who have all contributed to the book.

This 145 page book proves to be an exceptional resource for primary school teachers and the creative curriculum helping students discover Africa through cultural anecdotes, fun facts, journal entries by visitors who have exchanged engaging tales with the Maasai people and equally captivating fiction accompanied with beautifully captured local photography.

Concurrently, since its publication in August 2010, it has been long-listed for Channel 4’s TV Book Club. What makes Letters to Africa even more

The UCLan Publishing House has joined hands with charitable companies such as The National Literary Trust to help them promote this spellbinding book and have also started working on a second instalment focussing on the social and environmental changes in Kenya.

You can purchase your copy at Blackwell Bookstore (Student Union) for only £9.99.

***

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy by working with individuals who struggle with literacy and the professionals that support them.

One in six people in the UK struggle to read and write. Poor skills compromise health, confidence, happiness and employability but with better literacy, everyone can succeed in life.

That is why the National Literacy Trust campaigns to improve understanding of the importance of literacy and to help individuals to understand the importance of literacy in their lives.

Night Is Here

2010-10-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

As dawn turns to dusk,
the night settles in.
Shining, glimmering
With the moon up high.
>
Feeling the nights wind on my face,
Deep in thought,
Lost in fantasy,
I ponder.

Unsure, unaware, unbound
I wander up and down
To seek answers to questions
That I ask myself
Day after day
And night after night.

'I remained spell-bound. I had definitely fallen in love.'

2010-10-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

I always get my camera out when I see a clear or an unusual sky. I can spend hours staring at that brilliant blue space.

String of clouds

After the Rains

The Yellow Surfer

The Rising Sun

Sweet Surrender

Black balloon and Yellow Skies

"I emerged at last, stumbled a few steps in the mud and then I saw it: an ethereal mountain emerging from a tossing sea of clouds framed between two dark barracksöa massive, blue-black tooth of sheer rock inlaid with azure glaciers, austere yet floating fairy-like on the near horizon....I stood gazing until the vision disappeared among the shifting cloud banks. For hours afterwards I remained spell-bound. I had definitely fallen in love."

-Benuzzi, Felice No Picnic on Mount Kenya

Love is in the Air

Pink Skies

My first Rainbow

Black Skies

Yellow Heart

Sun-eat

(doesn't it looks like an animal/creature sort (unicorn) gobbling up the sun)

Mind over Matter

2010-10-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

When something's are left undone
it torments my mind
leaving it forever in unrest
perturbed and almost crucified
it hangs more than a mere reminder of thought
of decision,
of passing
that one is left speechless
at the control mind has over matter.

2010-10-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

When the heart is enlivened again, it feels like the sun coming out after a week of rainy days. There is hope in the heart that chases the clouds away.

Hope is a higher heart frequency and as you begin to reconnect with your heart, hope is waiting to show you new possibilities and arrest the downward spiral of grief and loneliness. It becomes a matter of how soon you want the sun to shine. Listening to the still, small voice in your heart will make hope into a reality.- Sara Paddison, The Hidden Power of the Heart.

PC: Megna Kalvani

'1 Billion Die Hungry Every Year,' Who's Responsible?

2010-10-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.allafrica.com; http://www.africaonline.com - both of these sites contain information on the perils of Africa including starvation and aids http://www.aah-usa.org – Action against Hunger site for efforts to save millions of people a year from starvation

http://www.thehungersite.com – a site for statistics about world hunger; also, donate here towards the starve out hunger cause

http://www.manteno.k12.il.us/drussert/WebQuests/HallOvandoRobinson/start.html – site that investigates the question, “What can one person do about hunger?

http://www.wfp.org – World Food Programme site

According to the US Census (2009), there are 1.8 deaths per second worldwide, meaning that there are over 100 deaths per minute.

Out of which, every six seconds a child dies of starvation.

Can you believe that? I cant.

With World Food Day celebrated yesterday, on 16th October 2010. It was shocking to read that over 1 billion are starving.

yeah, you read right, 1 billion. Dying. Why? from simply starving.

So, for those of those you, who don't understand the seriousness of this rather common term, 'Starve' which we use quite recklessly in our 'healthy' lives.

Starvation is that feeling of hunger one experiences with a lack of food, the “persistent gnawing condition resulting from a lack of adequate food intake, which prevents one form working of thinking correctly.” Starvation is the most severe case of the condition of hunger.

Starvation and hunger, if not combated, lead certainly to malnutrition. Malnutrition is the condition resulting from a lack of life sustaining vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

On October 11, a new global hunger index released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) showed that one billion people face hunger this year.

The 2010 Global Hunger Index showed there was alarming hunger in 25 out of the 122 countries surveyed.

"The present dramatic situation has come about because instead of tackling the structural causes of food insecurity, the world neglected agriculture in development policies, resulting in an under-investment in this sector, in particular in developing countries," said Kanayo F. Nwanze, the Nigerian vice president of IFAD, a United Nations agency and an international financial institution, whose mandate is to help rural poor people pull themselves out of poverty.

I understand natural disasters. I understand incurable diseases. I understand accidental deaths. I (don't) understand Wars. I understand mental/health issues. I understand natural deaths.

What I don't understand why do people have to die because there's no food available.

I see plenty. Why aren't they getting any?

Before you start pointing out that hunger is most severe in the 'poorest' parts of the world such as Africa, India, Pakistan and Indonesia. I agree, that they do have the largest percentage of hungry people of all the countries in the world.

But even developed countries like United States, have nearly one in four people, 1.3 billion total, live on less than US$1 per day. One out of every eight children under twelve in the US goes to bed hungry every night.

So back to the question, of why these people aren't getting any food?

Is it due to lack of food?

Is it be because the countries don't have any money?

Is it because of lack of technologic advances?

No, NO & No.

I highly doubt its any of these reasons why nations are finding it hard to feed its citizens.

I think I can safely say that they have enough of money to spend on basic necessities like food or technology to make that required amount of food.

Even, Nwanze, the Nigerian vice president of IFAD, a United Nations agency and an international financial institution said, 'that there is too much hunger in the world, even though there are abundant global food supplies, better economic prospects, and lower food prices,' a Press TV correspondent reported on Friday.

For fun, lets review some approximate amounts spent by countries only on SPORT instead of feeding their people.

Africa, spent billions on the World Cup 2010.

India spent billions on the Common wealth Games 2010.

UK will be spending billions on the Olympics 2012.

Is SPORT that important? Now you may say sure, it is. It increases the country's economy, there's more jobs, development in telecommunications, roads.......etc just to look good in the public eye.

So if there's so much money gained, where does it all go?

People are STILL dying from not having food and basic health facilities.

Where do you think nations are going wrong? Are they doing enough?

References:

http://www.starvation.net – by Starvation.net, to-the-minute information on the starvation crisis in many third world countries worldwide, including to-the-second statistics

http://www.napsoc.org – National Association for the Prevention of Starvation home site containing information of how to aid in the cause to eliminate starvation

Baraka: A Silent Masterpiece

2010-09-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Movie’s Name: Baraka Directed by: Ron Fricke Produced By: Mark Madigson Written By: Constantine Nicholas & Genevieve Nicholas Music By: Michael Stearns Release Date: 1992 Running time: 96 minutes

Baraka is an ancient Sufi word, when translated means ‘a blessing’. This movie is no ordinary everyday movie that one watches but is a silent masterpiece. Baraka has no plot, actors, dialogues or subtitles thus entitling this movie to be watched anywhere by anyone. The movie is a breathtaking journey through six continents and twenty-four countries. The rich cinematography and sensuous music compels the viewer to know more. The film offers no answers but many questions. It is up to us to perceive it in our own way and come up with our own conclusions. The movie may seem to be a wondrous jigsaw but it all does fit together to make perfect sense.

Baraka illustrates the basic elements of earth which are air, fire, water and land and how these are used in various ways by several people in different places. The movie shows an antithesis to any situation thus maintaining a balance on mother earth but yet at most times this balance is not equally shared, causing bedlam.

The movie also depicts how man has evolved from Stone Age to today’s digital world. But in the process of advancement, mankind has let machines take control of their emotions, making their lives more mechanical and monotonous. People throughout the world are becoming more materialistic day by day and are forgetting the basic fruits of life itself.

The beauty of the movie Baraka is that it targets no particular audience. It tries to convey a message without any words concentrating on the visual representation thus offending no one. It also shows that even though we are all so different in our own very ways, yet we are all the same. Baraka is indeed a one true blessing by itself as it makes the viewer acknowledge the value of life and how an individual must stop to savor each ‘blessing’ in ones life before its too late.

View trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYZ8RWqqicQ

Debating Darwin's theory

2010-08-23T15:32:00.001-07:00

Over the years, we believed Darwins theory, but the debate still continues...which one will prove to be the fittest?

'Survival of the Fittest' is disputed.

"Competition did not play a big role in the overall pattern of evolution”

-Professor Michael Benton (Bristol University)On the other hand,

"What is the impetus to occupy new portions of ecological space if not to avoid competition?”

-Professor Stephen Stearns (Yale University)

Is Beiber everywhere?

2010-08-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

I dont think theres a single day where I haven't seen Beiber in the tabloids or heard him on the radio or seen him on TV.

At age 16, he got it all going on and boy... does he know it, If its not about his oh-so-gorgeous-its just-his-hair, Justin finds some odd request to fulfil everyday.

Most recently all I've been reading are requests from him in exchange of private concerts Beiber wants football lessons from David Beckham or wishes to date Emma Watson or wouldn't mind (only) if he was older courting Katy Perry and Cheryl Cole, but for now he says he would settle for advice from them so he can find girls like them...(like seriously).

Today he decided to have a biopic about his life and career (and yes, he was only born in 1994).Paramount Pictures, MTV Films and Bieber's record label, Island Def Jam, say the 16-year-old pop star has signed on to appear in the yet-to-be-titled movie and is set for release on St Valentine's weekend of 2011. Did I mention, its going to be in 3-D!

Its like he has an ever growing charm over anyone who cares to give a listen to his 'music', undoubtedly mesmerizing children aged 1-14...they are going absolutely head over heels over him. All I can say is WOW.

P.S:- I am not a fan, just awestruck. O_O

Care for some Beiber jokes

Photo Credit: www.roflrazzi.com

Sheer Brilliance

2010-08-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

From the author of the riveting bestseller ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Deception Point is Dan Brown's third book, first published in 2001.

Deception point is a pulse-pounding fiction at its best and is a book of sheer brilliance. Brown’s book is well-researched making arcane scientific premises comprehensible; he also writes realistic dialogues that compel the reader to enliven the characters. Brown's characters in his novel are mostly slack-jawed scientists, shrewd, scheming politicians, and a couple of truly honest, righteous souls one can really trust.

Brown's pacing is certifiably breathtaking. The story jumps in short spurts and transports the reader from the ultra-secret National Reconnaissance Office to the towering ice shelves of the Arctic Circle, and back again to the hallways of power inside the West Wing, as one reads on to find out what happens next only find that while doing so, more dangling threads have been woven, more twists inserted thus letting the reader watch hell break loose.

When a new NASA satellite discovers an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory, that has profound implications for U.S. space policy and the impending presidential election.

With the Oval Office in the balance, the President dispatches White House Intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton to the Milne Ice Shelf to verify the authenticity of the find. Accompanied by a team of experts, including the charismatic academic Michael Tolland, Rachel uncovers the unthinkable, evidence of utmost scientific trickery, truly a bold deception that threatens to plunge the world into supreme controversy.

But before Rachel can contact the President, a deadly team of private assassins controlled by a mysterious powerbroker who will stop at absolutely nothing to hide the truth, attacks her and Michael. Fleeing for their lives in an environment as desolate as it is lethal, they possess only one hope for survival: to find out who is behind this masterful ploy. The truth that they slowly learn, is the most shocking deception of all…

Who Moved My Cheese?

2010-08-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

If the name isn’t interesting enough to catch your attention, Who Moved My Cheese? is a motivational and inspirational book that helps deal with change in ones work and life. Written by Dr. Spencer Johnson in 1998 Who Moved My Cheese? has spent over two hundred weeks on Publishers Weekly's hardcover nonfiction list.

Johnson’s writing style is conversational and illustrative.

Who Moved My Cheese? is highly recommended book to management professionals but we could all do with this read, for one it is only a mere of ninety- six pages so it wont take much time and the lesson learnt at the end is worth remembering.

Happy Cheese

Visit http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/ if you'd like to know more.

Photo Credit: focol.org

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: Another Vampire Sensation

2010-07-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series has taken a narrative detour with the publication of “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.” The new novella focuses on Bree Tanner, a character introduced briefly in “Eclipse,” the third installment of the best-selling vampire series. Fans of the “Twilight” books know that Tanner has already died, so here Meyer gives us the teen runaway’s backstory, along with a few details that shed light on other characters from the series.

Reading Bree’s story enriches our reading of the Twilight saga and will enhance enjoyment of the “Eclipse” movie. Parts of the novella are woven into the film; Jodelle Ferland portrays Bree. Bree Tanner is a brilliant reminder that “Twilight’s” vampires, despite physical beauty and passion, are tragic creatures. Meyer strips them of romanticism through a teenage girl who never had a chance for happiness in her first, or second, life.

The story told feels complete, unrushed, and is oddly satisfying despite its tragic end. The writing style is a little different but no less readable than the full novels; Bree is more straightforward than Bella, less guilt-ridden and emo, and she tells her story unflinchingly. An easy read with only 192 pages as to we see all the characters we already knew through new, and perhaps less sympathetic eyes, changing your perspective on a few things in the Twilight universe.

Most interestingly, the story provides a supple, unexpected ripple in the events of Eclipse that pieces together some unnoticed dangling ends and makes the story that much more solid. Heartbreaking, exciting, and so invigorating, the story of Bree Tanner is a must read for any Twilight fan as it reminds readers why they’ve become a fan of Meyer's in the first place.

Photocredit: twilightsaga.org

‘The King’ lives on

2010-07-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

The "King of Rock and Roll" had humble roots in the American South, but from them went on to embody the American Dream, becoming nothing less than the most popular entertainer the world has ever seen. Here’s a glance at the King's life, career, music, and legacy.

It’s been 75 years since the ‘King of Rock and Roll’, Elvis Presley was born. Elvis, remains to this very day, one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Legions of fans around the world are reminded of the melodious rhythms of his legendary music, his personal style that unselfconsciously broke down barriers and the unforgettable velvet sounds of his voice that will always be etched in our minds for decades to come.

His Life.

Elvis Aaron Presley, in the humblest of circumstances, was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. Living just above the poverty line, he and his parents soon moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. Elvis began his career there in 1954 when Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, eager to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience, saw in Presley the means to realize his ambition. From here on he went on to embody the American Dream, becoming nothing less than the most popular entertainer the world has ever seen.

Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967 after 7 years of courtship. They had one child, Lisa Marie Presley, born in 1968. They separated in 1972, Priscilla retaining the custody of Lisa Marie.

His Music.

Though not the first or only American to mix various musical styles into one singularity that would come to be called "rock and roll," Elvis Presley may have had greater command of more styles of popular music than any other musician of his day -- white or black taking the world by storm. Presley performed this music with a natural hip swiveling sexuality that made him a teen idol and a role model for generations of cool rebels.

Nominated for 14 competitive Grammys, he won three, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. He has been inducted into four music halls of fame. Some of Elvis's greatest hits were 'I Want You, I need You, I Love You', 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Hound Dog', ' Jail House Rock', 'All Shook Up' and many, many more. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist.

Elvis in Hollywood.

With 33 films to his name and box office smashes such as Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, Elvis transitioned from singer to on screen star and how he took Hollywood by storm to become its highest paid actor.

Farewell Elvis.

His last song. Elvis performed in private was a rendition of "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," done on his piano in Graceland hours before his death. Similarly, Presley's last performances, both public and private, don't reveal much in the way of understanding his demise, if he was planning on slipping away into obscurity or simply realizing his mortality, it didn't show in the music. Then again, the very circumstances make his song selection seem sadder than usual.

His last recording. Elvis made a vocal overdub of "He'll Have To Go" on October 31st, 1976 in the "Jungle Room" at his home at Graceland.

His last words. Elvis always kept his mind on the future, even as he was physically and emotionally falling apart towards the end of his life. His last words to anyone outside of Graceland were to his first cousin and assistant, Billy Smith: "Billy, son," he said, referring to his upcoming series of concerts, "this is gonna be my best tour ever."

His Legacy.

Even though Elvis Presley died from a heart attack in 1977, he lives on through his legacy of music, movies and the never-ending impersonators which has become an integral part of American culture today. They can be found in Vegas, on Hollywood or in shows or attractions across the country.

Over thirty years have passed since his death was reported, and yet Elvis is just as popular today, if not more so, as he was during his career. Look up the legend on the internet and you will be amazed to know what great lengths, family, friends and fans have gone to pay tribute to his name. An umpteen number of results on how to dress like Elvis, dance like Elvis, play like Elvis to lists that entail on how to bake an Elvis Presley pound cake, prepare an Elvis mixed drink, celebrate birthdays and how to take an Elvis Presley tribute vacation only prove that he will always be 'The King' in the eyes of his countless admirers.

Photocredit: gossiboocrew.com

This article was published in Khaleej Times Newspaper on July 4th 2010, as a feature celebrating the anniversary of America's Independence Day.