analyse your name

ok ok let me post just one more useless thing and then i'll stop...

so previously i posted up a link to find out how much you're worth, well now i'm back and this time it just gets better! click on the link below and you can have your name analysed... how amazing is that...

http://www.kabalarians.com/index.cfm

ok. that is the last of ollie's useless links.
promise.

a moment of catharsis (really???)

hello ppl!

1st of all, thanx paik yin, i think i should advertise my blog link right in this very post. it's http://babblesnramblings.blogspot.com
like ghafir, i'm also new into all these blogging stuff, so i guess i'll take it slowly & gently at a time..

hmm....
how should i start???
after all the evaluation conundrums (shall i just ditch the word evaluation & just call it frantic self-check???) we all went thru (or maybe it was just me??i bet everyone's feeling the same ya), i realise tht it takes more than just plain jump off the cliff...it depends on each & every individual on how they confront/handle the situation (or tension, rather).

as for me, i realise tht i can indulge into something very, very, VERY DEEPLY & i personally find it dificult 2 let go of things/memories until i realise i need 2 move on. i'm saying this because i felt a big pang after the individual "self-check". i also said this because i've always been paranoia of my own shadows so bad tht i feel rejected by the social in some peculiar manner-sort of 'i'm physically in the group but my brain/emotions don't belong in the group' feeling.

i did mention to square why i didn't do much acting during my "U" days. i told him i feel easily frustrated if i don't fulfill the character's "body & emotion"...well, here's my answer. i'm afraid to indulge/attach deeply into characters tht partially represents my TRUE emotions; i'm afraid 2 let all the skeletons in my closet out & i let them haunt me the rest of my entire life!! scary, isn't it?

in my opinion, i feel tht it's high time 4 me to face the real me & carry on with my life...the evaluation was more than an evaluation 2 me; it's was a reality check on myself & my emotions. now i feel less paranoid...hopefully i'll be a better person in times 2 come.

btw, 4 ghafir & victor:
when rey said i really blew him away with my lines "Go wash yourself", wht did he mean by tht?? i'm just curious & i'm all ears 2 knw. pls. comment on tht, thanx.

ok, enough scaring everybody on this blog...sorry guys, but i just got 2 let these out coz this is wht i felt aft. the evaluation thingy... & my graditudes 2 sums & ghafir 4 baby-sitting me aft. the session...i can't express anything more than THANK YOU. & the chakra exercise held aft. the evaluation really helped me a lot into stabilizing my energy & emotions inside. i think i i've not participated in the exercise, i'll be more & more unstable, paranoid to the core coz i'll start 2 think wht others will think of me etc, etc, etc. & I"LL NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT TIL I GO NUTS!!!

>phew!!<

session this week

hey how is everyone for meeting up this thursday 2/12/04 at 7pm, as the session on saturday has been cancelled.
let me know asap so i can reschedule if it's not a good time.

cheers peeps

edit: the time has been changed to 8.30pm at sspace.

Time

I was thinking, how is everyone on coming in the middle of next week for an extra session(s)? Apart from doing what I have mentioned before, I was thinking maybe it would be fun to have a writing session. Just to get some ideas out of our head. Just to play around on the idea of writing. Who said only the trainee writers can write. All of us can write, right? We can do solo performance writing or writing scenes or whatever lah. Judging from the evaluation this weekend, maybe a writing session could be beneficial.

Anyway, just let me know. I want to give all before I leave you all. We'll talk this Saturday.

Sharing sessioN + jom keluar

Hey I really think that it would be great if we end the session with the whole 'lets talk about stuf' thingy because well other than getting to voice out our worries and fears, I really think that in the long term that this activity would help us avoid major problems later on

i.e. One party is pissed off and decides to murder us all...muahahhaha

On an off note there is going to be an exhibition-JEMARI moving gallery in Zouk on the 4th of December(Saturday). It sounds really interesting and we could all go after the session. I think it is free so anyone game for it?


Jemari Moving Gallery
Jemari was born from the idea of three individuals, Gomez, Aris and Rozman. They envision a different approach to art appreciation in this country. They bring together art practitioners and enthusiasts with similar vision and aspiration and from thereon, Jemari was born in mid 2004. The members come from various backgrounds; theatre activists, film makers, photographers, musicians, sculptors and painters.For their first project, Jemari, together with Zouk Kuala Lumpur, will produce the first show from their series known as The Moving Gallery. It will be held at the Zouk, Jalan Ampang on 4 December 2004.From a conventional perspective, art galleries are seen as static arenas in which art works are exhibited to the visitors. The Moving Gallery aims to reach beyond these conventionalities. An alternative way of appreciating arts, one which is more interactive and dynamic should be introduced. Visitors to the Moving Gallery will experience a journey of the senses, they will be teased and provoked and eventually, become part of the art objects in the Gallery. For their debut exhibition from the Moving Gallery series, Jemari will showcase a live art, based on puppetry with plastic as their object, wire sculptures, video projections and live actors. All these elements will intertwine and eventually be moulded together to produce a work that will challenge the conventional interpretation of art. The visitors will witness a metamorphosis of the art pieces and they will be part of the apparatus used in the process. Audiences will interact with the artists whether consciously or subconsciously, creating a multilateral communications throughout the performance.Artists involved:Aris Ahmad, Sharif Majid, Rozmanshah, Avaa Vanja, Syko G, Hazmi Shoroin, Sher, Julia Hanim, Mohd Najib Mat Noor, Oyern, Jun Kit, Liz AN, Patrizia Adami, Hazuan & Phil, the clickproject.Featuring clips of Sandra Lee, Traci Amien, Gilbert & George and happenings in London by Hazuan & Phil production and series of photographs by Patrizia Adami from Switzerland.15 minutes Live Art and art showcase for the whole night with PUSH music spinning till late.

.......

have i been the red ant to bite you when you are eating candy?
have i been the rain to come down when you are happy?

it all so painfull true,
that i dont want hurt no one,

but no one,
understand this heart,
feel inside deep cuts,
that's inflicted
too restricted,

cant move,
cant see,
cant do,
cant be,

crabs are you,
to pull me down,
to see me frown,
to have the crown,

greed are you,
to have it all,
to see fall,
to make believe and become it all

it is true?
you made these up?
which is which
i dont know what to believe in,

are you my friends,
or are you a masked villian,
that lie with me
in my bed,
when im most vulnerable,

why you taint,
such precious meets,
why you paint,
such deceits,

who are you?
who am i?
im so lost
help me

no dont!
you'll make it worse,
stop wont!!!
take this curse!!!

i swear,
till this take my grave,
ill see the day,
it coulnt be saved

i wish you hanged,
i wish you arrested,
blind, deaf, mute,
to all the others...

and those who pretend,
to be my friend,
fuck you all,
burn i will then,

to this day,
that charges this courage to make this say
is none but may,
beware today,
be aware it's coming ure way.....


see no evil, touch no evil, smell no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

but will become evil when pushed against the wall of deceit.

Combat Workshop

I attended a Stage Combat Workshop today, organised by the Cardiff Uni Drama Society - Act One - with which I did The Crucible last year.

Man. It was fun.

The instructor's name was Kevin, tall built black guy who obviously has Martial Arts background and is a talented performer. He's a fight choreographer for some BBC stuff and teaches stage combat professionally.

So we begin. I'm sparring with this First Year Brit called Tom who's taller, wider and bigger than I am. No, more like much taller, wider and bigger than I am. I wish I could illustrate the entire fight choreography that Kevin taught us in the 1.5 hours of the workshop... I'll try with words:

A does a Right Cross then a Left Cross followed by a Stomach Punch. B Falls. A lifts B by Collarbone, all the way up. B holds A's face with palm, A throws it away and follows with a Stomach Punch and a Headlock. B breaks Headlock and delivers 3 Stomach Punches to A and steps back twisting A's hand into a Hammerhold (I think that's what he called it...) A then Elbows B in the chest and turns around delivering a right punch (B blocks), left punch (B blocks), another right punch (B ducks) and another left punch (B sidesteps and delivers kick into A's abdomen). B then follows immediately with a Right Cross, A ducks and locks with Elbow, then jabs B's ribs and a knee into B's chest, followed by a throwdown. Once B is down, A lifts foot to slam into his face/chest, but B rolls over and kicks A's thighs or back, propelling him forward. A then turns around and spears B in the abs. B then knees A again in the stomach and slams his back. A falls and tries to get up, but B kicks him over and finally stomps on his chest in victory.

Ah. There. Anyway, here are the important things I learnt today:
i) Stage Combat is fun as hell and looks fucking impressive with practice and expertise;
ii) It's not that difficult;
iii) It's real fake - sound effects are made by cupping your palm and hitting your own or partner's chest or body. The movement takes attention away from the hand making the sound.
iv) Eye contact is key, not just to make it convincing, but also as a signal between you and your partner for timing, movement etc;
v) It's all about actions and reactions - the believability of it has to be 'sold' to the audience, by way of facial expression, body movements etc. Logic plays a great part, or having real experience of being punched, whacked, kneed, slammed, thrown etc.
vi) Speed is not important, it comes with practice. Precision and practice are the important things.

Man. It was fun. Kinda cool too because there's was this barely buffed Chinese boy (ahem... me...) who was actually lifting (Okay. Pseudo-lifting) a tall and big white boy by the collarbone... Haha!

Can't wait till I get back and experiment more with you guys... In the mean time, I will learn more stage combat shit... Go YAs!!!

On Chakra...

Here are a few links of interest on Chakra:

Wikipedia: Chakra

Naruto: Chakra

The first one's of use, the second one's not so of use. Hehe. I love Naruto by the way... If you don't know what it is, you have no idea what you're missing...

By the way, just thought I'd mention that Chakra's got a more kinky side to it then just arty farty theatre... It's exotically esoteric... He (or she) who is in control of his (or her) Chakra is in for one heck of a fucking good time... (read in between the lines... come on...)

A Word (After Quite Too Long)...

Dear YAs (love that acronym!),

Yes, its me again, the shape that crazily initiated the shaping up of what is now known as the YAs; then left it to the whims and fancy of other people (who I honestly think are much more talented than I am). I hardly post here, as you can quite readily tell, but mainly because I am not exactly in the know enough to say anything about anything. But that I hope to change from now.

Anyway, I am very glad to have read Ghafir's post, as well as speak to Sums, Idora and Oli about your most recent session. Needless to say, I am fucking ecstatic at the reports of excellent progress, and most importantly, cohesiveness of the YAs. Honestly speaking, all that is happening right now is very much in line with what I'd hoped for when I set out to experiment with the YA concept. And its quite because of you - all of you - with notable mentions to Victor, Ghafir, Oli and Sums.

I was just speaking to Idora earlier and I did disclose that amongst other things, I have an ulterior motive for the YAs, which as you should have guessed by now, is searching for talents to join the company as repertory actors/directors/producers etc. At the rate we are going, I can't exactly say whether that objective will be achieved with this pilot project, but I can most certainly say it looks positive currently.

At risk of boring all of you again, I would just like to state for the record that I am overly miffed at the fact that I have to be away in this cold wet country called Wales, and not with you guys, enjoying good discourse with musical interludes in between (Mikey, you've got to play for me when I get back...) But not much can be done about that, I suppose, I'll just have to come back Summer next year and watch the fruits of the program and hope that the incoming intake I will have more involvement with. By the way, I can't come back for Christmas - too expensive - and I'm already starting to feel utterly depressed about it. Sob.

So, yah.

Just a quick comment on Ghafir's post - I very much like the spiritual, internal aspects that he is advocating and the idea of infusing shamanism and theatre is something that is similar to what I have been learning about, experimenting with and trying out with actors over here as well (last year, when I did the Crucible), though it was certainly much less scientific than that I'm sure Ghafir's teachings will be.

(Ghafir, I would love it if you could write a blog on the concepts of it...) Umm... Oh yah. I'm attending a Combat workshop today!! Random thought that. Will update you guys about it!

Back to the point. I hope you guys can make the best use of the time Ghafir has left with the YAs. It's a blessing that he's going to further his studies, but I'm sure the rest of feel (like I do) that it will be a marked loss to the YAs this year. Note, I said this year. Ghafir, I'm hoping you'll come back and join me in the future - you know I'm for real.

As for Victor, I'd just like to say a great big thank you - been receiving many WOW reports about how you're doing with the group and yes, I agree with Ghafir, you do know your shit. For real.

Now just a few more things:
i) Can someone please take some nice shots of sspace and email them to me, and then I can put them on the website as well...
ii) For those of you who are having troubles with getting onto the blog, please write to me directly at my email address;
iii) My MSN ID is square, email is yang@victoriantheatre.com; ICQ # is 8535017, Yahoo ID is why_square - if I'm not on your list, please add me. I'm online 24-7 so I'd be more than happy to have a few chats now and then...;
iv) Just in case, my UK phone number is +447717745521 or +442920204152, and my Maxis line is still working, +60123080813.

Let's try and make this blog cracking. Its a good place to enchange thoughts etc. Right-o. Long blog this. Take care people and believe me, I'm fucked at the thought of not being able to share what you are sharing amongst yourselves now.

I am Bloggable

Finally, after weeks of waiting, I can blog. For those of you who don't know, I have never done this before, so please go easy on me. Be gentle, it's my first time...

I'm even more compelled to blog (I'm loving this word) today after having such a wonderful session. In fact in all the previous sessions, I have learnt a lot from all of you - as a person who assists the session, as an actor observing the session, as a peer joining the session and as an audience watching such raw passion transform into fragments of what is theatre.

Over the weeks, each one of you have evolved and begin to discover your own abilities at your own pace. I realize this has been pretty remarkable since we only meet very limited hours and tardiness just makes the time shrink. After the session today, I hope all of you could release some worries and tension that has been in your mind since we started. I was pretty happy to hear you all share your problems. Happy because ALL your worries are common and that means you all are normal. I would be worried if you guys aren't nervous, insecure or unfocused. I know we didn't really spend enough time, but whatever we had, I hope it helped. I hope what we told each other helped. I think that talk benefited us all - so we shall try to include more of that.

Now, let me make some sense.

Today's session got me to thinking about how wonderful this program is. Here we have a group of energetic, talented individuals; each with their own talent and armed with another hidden talent waiting to be given the sspace to express it. We saw that tonight with Michael and his guitar. Mesmerising us with his sweet raspy voice and honest strums on his guitar. To me, that was a moment I will remember. It was a 'moment' because as he sang, I looked around the room and realized that we were at that point a unit. Completely warm and bonded with each other, just like the chocolate scented cooled wax. Michael - listen to Victor, he knows his shit.

But for me, in that moment sitting in that dark room, it didnt matter if you hit the wrong key or whatever. Like I told you, it was such an honest moment that I was truly honoured to be part of. I was inspired and felt the need to create something. And its moments EXACTLY like this that keeps me doing theatre. Because during that moment, be it a nanosecond or an hour - you touched your audience (me at least) and moved him to want to create something as well. On top of that, you changed the entire atmosphere assisted only by a sweedish amber glow. I hope you realize what it meant to some of us. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I'm romanticizing - I know. But pretty pictures aside, I feel good about this group. I hope you feel the same way too.

Moving right along, ehem ehem...

I would like to know from all of you if you would like me to repeat any of the exercises that I have facilitated. As some of you might now, there is a strong possibility that I am leaving in about 3 weeks time. That means, I only have a few more sessions with you guys. I would like to give you as much time as I can to facilitate. Extra hours to do some exercises, either new or otherwise, just so I know you guys have a deeper understanding on the work we've done. I am more inclined to organize a more spiritual exercises to assist you in relaxing your body and mind, finding the center, and exploring your creative potential etc. If you guys recall the one session we did a relaxation exercise followed by finding the center of the body. I feel this exercise is worth repeating now and throughout the period of the program.

I also would like to explore the idea of infusing shamanism and theatre. It's not as crazy as it sounds, but from my experience, it can potentially unlock blockages and unleash your hidden emotions. Wah - like terrer like that! But seriously, it uses the idea of chakra points on your body and retrieving emotions at each points. I will get into the details if you guys are interested.

To explore all this I propose:

Do another after-session session like today and anyone can stay and join. We can do internal exercises to help with focus, internalization, keeping in energy and finding the center. Also, we can do problem-specific acting games to help you guys to get comfortable with the stage. We can also go crazy and drink from the same mug Azhar drank from...

Or we can just sit and talk. Or hear another of Michael's composition.

So, adik adik, that's all I have to say. I wanted to say a whole lot more as I was driving back home just now but I guess my brain is already on shut down.

Take care, have a great weekend and stay sane.

ghafir

Nov 20th Sat

hi all. i just thought i'd write something about today's session.

i felt i really benefited from the 'talk' we had after the official session was over. the observations of how everyone basically normally reacts, acts, etc were very helpful. i mean, things that are so plain for others to see can be the best kept secret to ourselves innit? and today was a perfect example of how true that is.

i guess i do get into 'puppy' mode as a self defense mechanism. it's the most positive side of me. that's why i come across very 'happy-happy, cute' etc. and i guess part of me believes that that is the side of me that people would want to 'work' with. my friends know my more serious side or as david calls it - my "online persona". and i bitch sometimes about how artificial theater can be sometimes and here i am propogating that artificiality by only subjecting a certain specific side of me. all this while - i thought i was going at it "on the edge" because when i get into 'puppy-dog' mode - i'm game for anything. but that's not the way it should be done is it?

thanks for helping me figure that out guys.

here on in - in the sessions to come - i'll make a conscious effort to be 'serious' and be in control of all that 'energy'. then i can start playing roles that i do really want to play. the serious ones. the silent strong types. the regular joe types. as vic told me today, he said he'd like to see me play a person having a regular type of serious conversations about life. serious stuff that i think people like ariff, theresa, azhar and the like always potray. i'm gonna give those a go. :D

as for the evaluation coming up - i'm not really nervous - this whole thing is a learning experience. there's no place for 'fear' in that sense doncha think? :)

anyway - don't worry lah y'all.
p/s: thanks for listening to my songs and giving me motivation to keep at it.

laters.

free workshop

Hey guys
Just thought you guys might be interested in this workshop. It sounds like fun. I have just registered for it and if any of you guys are going give me a call la(012-6148075) then we can go together gether .


Dear Friend,
We invite you to participate in a workshop conducted by Mr. Rohaizad Suaidi, the director and initiator of the Ophelia Project, who recently staged OPs OPHELIA: a FaShioN opera with Artsee Networks at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Ops OPHELIA was the first of a series of performances that make up the larger, community-based Ophelia Project which aims to provide a creative platform for the exploration of gender issues. Find out more about the Ophelia Project at www.artsee.net/ophelia
Mr. Suaidi will provide workshop participants with an interactive exploration of the creative process of how to transform an idea or concept inspired by works of literature and art into a piece of theatre involving various performance disciplines and traditions.
Participants can expect to be:
. treated to a video and multimedia presentation,
. involved in actual theatre-making exercises,
. presenting/performing their own “mini theatre projects” to be completed during the last hour of the workshop.

British Council is proud to support the Ophelia Project and welcomes this opportunity to work together with Mr. Suaidi to provide a fun and practical introduction to the process of non-commercial and alternative theatre-making.
Dates:Friday 26 November & Friday 3 December 2004
Time: 7 - 9pm
Venue: British Council, Classroom 15, Second Floor, West Block,Wisma Selangor Dredging,142C Jalan Ampang,50450 Kuala Lumpur

British Council is proud to support the Ophelia Project and welcomes this opportunity to work together with Mr. Suaidi to provide a fun and practical introduction to the process of non-commercial and alternative theatre-making.
The workshop is free but spaces are limited. To register, email

arts@britishcouncil.org.my

About the Workshop Facilitator
Rohaizad Suaidi, 33, has an American M.F.A. degree in Theatre, and is a full time lecturer by profession. He has made time outside of teaching and research to conceive and direct The Ophelia Project, a performance and multimedia project involving the Internet, theatre, music and dance. The first performance that came out of this project, OPs OPHELIA: a FaShioN opeRa, was produced by Artsee Networks and premiered in June 2004 to much acclaim. The companion website and blog (www.artsee.net/ophelia) has received more than 11, 000 hits since it was launched in April 2004. As a performer, Mr. Suaidi has worked in theatre and dance productions in Hawai’i, New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In Kuala Lumpur he acted in Instant Café Theatre’s production of The Baltimore Waltz (2002) and most recently, co-directed Sumunda’s production of Five Letters from an Eastern Empire (Oct., 2004), starring Edwin Sumun.
The Baltimore Waltz (2002) and most recently, co-directed Sumunda’s production of Five Letters from an Eastern Empire (Oct., 2004), starring Edwin Sumun.

Acting & Writing by dilettante.

it's 2.35 am. once, quite a while ago, i tried to explain(to myself) what it is i like about acting and writing. this is a lame attempt at trying to articulate this fascination i have with acting and writing. but for now, it'll have to do.

after all, this blog is supposed to be for us to use as a forum to discuss how we are going to handle theater. right? anyway, here it is...

ACTING and WRITING.
Take your worst fear, your worst insecurity, your worst fault or even you worst frailty. Take something so terribly heinous about yourself and share it. And you suddenly discover a whole other angle to something that used to be such a thorn in your heart and soul. It was something so bad that you would never share it with anyone and if things went your way, nobody would know about it and it will die and go to the grave with you. And it will be as if it never happened.
In fact, many people do get their way. If the dead could talk, I cannot even imagine the skeletons that might be unveiled in some closets.
That is what I love about acting and writing.
When I watch a good movie. Chances are, it is good for me because of the story and a story is sometimes only as good as the characters in it ie the people involved. One can always spin out a good story but if nobody cares about the people involved, the meaning would be lost.
The greatest moment for me would be if I could write and create a story or character, or act as a character sharing a deep and dark secret. Imagine if I had killed someone. Whether or not it was an accident is somewhat irrelevant. How would I react to it? If I could get away with it without anyone knowing, would I? What would the next person do?
If I lived out the rest of my life doing good in the society, like making millions of ringgit and giving it all back to the people who really needed it. but after 30 years of doing 'good', what if the news of the death resurfaces? How would I react to it? What would the next person do?
If you knew me and had been working side by side with me for the past 25 years, would your opinion of me change? What if you've been witness to all the wonderfully 'good little things' I've done over years as well? What would you think of me then?
Acting is to me a medium to allow questions like this to arise and be examined. Writing a story like that and being able to capture the reality of it would be a tremendous thing as well. The examination of people and how we all are the way we are is such an exciting and is wonderfully fascinating to me.
Take away the money, politics, religion, 'pop-culture', mass hysteria, jealousy, greed, bad manners, etc - all of which are mere products or 'scenarios' that are essentially inconsequential and take a good proper look at the 'people' involved. Things that basically serve to exploit and expose the 'ugliness' of human nature and realize that these things are part and parcel of what makes a human beautiful as well. The beauty of being human or perhaps a better word at this point would be the beauty of being a 'person'.
I am never much in tune with what is going on in politics whether it be my very own country, in school, college, university or even the office. What I see and can assess from all the situations mentioned coupled with the 'ugliness' of human behaviour is what I base my decisions and actions on. Sometimes when you least expect it, out of all the 'ugliness' something 'beautiful' is born.
Like a child born out of rape who eventually grows up and becomes someone who saves someones life 30 years later. Like a soldier risking his life in a 'meaningless' war (about politics) and saving or even sparing lives at the risk of his own. Think of the police officer who refused to take a bribe on one particular day and inspires a kid to become that type of police officer who 'never' takes bribes years later when he becomes a police officer himself.
All the 'little things' that lead to something bigger.
If I had an opportunity to act or write any of the above. It would be a wonderful experience.

and that's it.

Selamat Hari Raya

Dear happy YA's...

SELAMAT HARI RAYA!

Hope u collect lotsa duit raya, eat loads of rendang n lemang n play with loads of illegal fire works!



*sums humming the selamat hari raya song*

blogging ppl!!

btw..i hv my own personal blog, can post me some infos if u all like, just 2 keep the blogsite of mine active..

yeah...i also wondered wht happend last wk...care 2 enlighten me!!!! need 2 prepare 4 d evaluation as well..

ok, wishing everyone eP deepavali+slmt hari raya+merry xmas & eP nw yr 2005

hint hint

since vic seldom check this blog (or does and i don care) his birthday is coming up on the 23rd this month!!!! just n fyi..... let's start sharing bdates. mine's 8th may. you?

msn & "Masculinism & Feminism"

hey all...if you have a msn account and would like to talk to me online every now and then - just add me...

july21_1982@hotmail.com

dont send email to me here tho. i use my gmail account more....

Also, here's a little speech i wrote for an elocution contest a loooong time ago...sums told me to post it ere...so blame her...heh.

MASCULISNISM & FEMINISM

Like most men, I’m confused by feminism. Actually, it also confuses many women, but that’s another story. At first, I thought it was a study of what men do wrong. Seriously, this is because most of the loudest early voices in feminism seemed to be man-haters. They didn’t like us very much. In fact, they said we screwed up everything and that the world would be a better place without us. However, when they were feeling generous, they might say that we were only good for ONE thing, and that we weren’t very good at that either. I do not know why, but I took that personally.
I have to say though, that feminism has grown a lot since then. Now, most women don’t think we should be exterminated. In fact, they’d be satisfied if we agreed to submit our brains to some good house cleaning—and if we’d hire an undocumented alien to do it, and also remember to pay her taxes.
I’ve always wanted to understand feminism, so I did a little research. The end result? I now realize that feminism is not a study of what men do wrong—“whew”—but actually describes an ideology with an ongoing agenda to support women’s self-image, to create equality in the workplace and to provide more choice in all areas of life. In short, as former NOW Chairwoman Patricia Ireland has said, feminism’s goal is to promote the recognition of this simple fact: Women are people too.
Unfortunately, there is no related term or ethos—no opposite of feminism—to bind men together. Hmmm… some would say we don’t need one because we already own everything, run everything, have the best jobs and we do whatever we want, when we want all the time. So we actually don’t NEED a philosophy for being on TOP. Don’t we sound like PIGS. Well, I beg to differ, most men actually do not enjoy, take advantage of, or even recognize this alleged superiority.
Nonetheless, I figured we still needed a credo. So I read all the great philosophers, scaled all the mountains, swam every sea and finally decided to look it up in the dictionary. The only word that came close to defining us was “philanthropist” which means “love or benevolence toward mankind in general.” Although I think that definition has become obsolete ever since women joined mankind about 30 years ago with the advent of feminism. Still the definition of philanthropist includes that a philanthropist is someone who makes an “effort to promote the happiness or social elevation of mankind, by making donations.” Don’t understand anything I just said? Don’t worry, I’m still trying to understand it too. In layman terms, a philanthropist is a lover of man, but a feminist isn’t a lover of women. Actually that would be a “philanderer” which conveniently comes right BEFORE philanthropy in the dictionary. A philanderer is someone who makes love without serious intentions. I don’t know anything about that.
Finally, a friend that was helping me said, ”Clearly you have found an epistemological void…”. I didn’t even WANT to look that up. I was afraid it might turn out to be something I should go see a doctor about. I’ve taken enough abuse without having to look stupid too. So I had no choice but to coin my own term so that men didn’t feel left out. I call it “masculinism”.
It’s simple actually, feminism celebrates female traits and masculinism celebrates male traits. They collide to create the volatility of life, the Sturm und Drang. The exquisite passions and the troublesome tensions.
To some, the distinctions between sexes—their attitudes, sexual styles, communication skills and personal hygiene habits—are unsolvable conundrums, destining men and women to be forever at odds. Yes, I think that sounds about right.
Masculinism and feminism embody those differences. We hate them, we love them, we can’t do much about them. So we might as well enjoy them. After all they are quite entertaining.

ollie's crazy family returns

installment 2.

12.06am

ok, so ollie is in her room minding her own business right, when she gets a knock on the door, she hears some mumbling. she gets up and goes to open the door, to find her mum standing there.
"yea?"
" have you seen the remote? we can't find it. can you go down and look for it."
"why do i have to go down and look for it?"
"cos you were the last person who had it. you and sam were fighting over it earlier. you haven't got it hidden in your room somewhere have you?"
"no. well, do you need it desperately?"
"no, but sam's gonna need it in the morning. it's on channel 70, and she's gonna want it on 63."

ollie is thinking, now that can only be a good thing.....
for those of you who don't know, channel 63 is Playhouse fucking Disney. or Disney fucks in his Playhouse, or whatever. it drives ollie crazy, they can't have anything else on when her sister's at home. she knows all the words to the stanley song, it's the great big book of everything, with everything inside, see the world around us, this books the perfect guide! omg. shut up, just shut up!

anyway, to cut a long story short ( or should i say, to cut a short story even shorter), ollie goes downstairs, pretends to look for the remote, when...shock, horror...her dad announces that he's just found it stuck down the sofa.

national lampOONs.

come come COMMEEEEEE

Hello, I would like to extend a personal invitation to you on the opening of my artwork. It is entitled ‘Access Granted’ and it’s a media installation. There are other fabulous works displayed there as well. Do come and let me know what you think. I would really like to see you there.


Show: Young Contemporary Artist Awards Exhibition

Venue: National Art Gallery (1st floor)

Date: 6th Nov 2004 Saturday

Time: 5.30pm


See you there….please forward this to your love ones and people I know but cannot reach. Thank you.

Love always,

Idora Alhabshi
Media Artist

A few Q's

Hey all!

How about making a little excursion to the National Art Gallery after the session Saturday to go see Idora's exhibit?

On another note... I have to figure out a collective name for u guy's (The YOuth.Arm is too long). Calling u 'The kids' just isn't going to cut it since everyone's older then me. Would the 'YA's' sound too weird?

Sums

Halloween

Hello ppl's!

Just have to say that it was a brilliant Halloween. We should do more stuff like this often.

Had a peek at Theresa's pic's... Alia still scares me! All u guys looked great. Hope u guy's didn't give too many ppl heart failure after I left.

In anycase, thanks a bunch Victor ( o should I say Lestat?) n bunny, we should do the pub crawl some time soon, just for kicks...!

See ya Saturday!

Sums