The Lives of Others 2006

“The state exploits its member.”

This premise was clearly shown in the movie, shown so realistically that it made me shed some tears. Don’t get me wrong, this is not some tearjerker corny drama that you see in cinemas. This is SO MUCH more than that. This is the film that won the 2007 Academy Award for best Foreign Language film. This is “The Lives of Others.”

Weisler, an exceptional loyal secret agent of the government was asked to monitor Dreyman, a suspected dissident and an equally exceptional playwright. In doing so, he got interested with Dreyman’s aspirations. Later he found out that he was monitoring and trying to expose Dreyman because a government minister is jealous of him and his live in partner, Christa Maria Sieland. She is having affairs with the government minister since she doesn’t want Dreyman’s play to be banned. Eventually Dreyman found out about this and begged her to stop doing it. Christa Maria Sieland thought otherwise until Weisler talked with her (while keeping his identity of course.) Weisler intervened in most of the scenarios just to help Dreyman, this costed him his job. Weisler is a traitor and a good man.

A government not for the people is not worth saving. I’d choose to betray that system than betray the people. Weisler was well aware of this so he took advantage of that same system, but he didn't took advantage of the people (well, not during Dreyman's case that is). The world needs more of him.

...a government not supported by its members will not last for good.

In this movie, it was so easy to determine which is ethical but it got complicated because everyone has their own ideals. Weiser is a government watch dog; he sincerely believes that he should eliminate the government’s entire enemy - all those who threatened their state’s apparent peace, while Dreyman is an activist playwright who longs for a change, for freedom and true democracy. Both of them believed that what they’re doing is the right thing to do. Their ideals are opposing yet their ways are similar.

It can be ethical to fight for what you believe in, even if it’s unconstitutional especially if that same constitution doesn’t even represent you. I believe in what Weisler and Dreyman fought for, and I believe that this movie is so good that everyone should see it.

Image downloaded from: http://www.filmeducation.org/livesofothers/imgs/livesofothers.gif

The Image game: Ronald Reagan

           

The storyline has to match reality, and when it didn’t, the game was lost. 

For so long, Ronald Reagan had been contradicting himself over and over again. Saying one thing and doing another. Yet he still continued to soar in the public polls - you have to admit that it is commendable. So commendable in fact the he was entitled the great communicator.

One such case when he made great use of his storyteller skills was when he was asked to make a game alive, to broadcast a football game. Piece of cake? Well maybe, but there was a catch, he was watching absolutely nothing! He had to tell a story from his imagination, and he loved it, he owned it. When asked if he wanted to broadcast sports live, “Oh no, you see the thing about doing it from the wire was that you could create the scene on your own” Reagan professed. At any rate, that’s also how he landed his first job as a sports announcer.

There was also a time when public disapproval for Reagan’s way of handling education had risen because of his budget cuts in federal aid to primary and secondary schools. Polls showed that people were disappointed. Still he was able to successfully change that by telling the public about his philosophies on tougher educational standards, discipline, basic courses, teacher accountability, etc. He never changed his education policy yet the public’s attitude changed. As if that’s the only time it happened. Once he returned from a presidential visit in China where he praised the so-called communists when in fact their ideologies have always been against his, still he was able to sell it.  And that wasn’t coincidence; that was Ronald Reagan.

Despite his skills, he isn’t a one man team, a lot of skilled people worked on building and sustaining his image. Carefully engineering events and managing perceptions. The tasks were very systematic, organized and carefully planned. It even had a hint of cunning for me. The team painstakingly scripted how everything will go, day in, day out; what the press will report, what the president will say, when he will say it, etc. The team used strategies like media jujitsu where they have to control the platform and not leave anything to chance, especially not letting the press edit the president so they decided that the president should use only a hundred words to say his piece- it worked; they also made use of spin in a formidable way- highlighting issues that would be advantageous while burying bad publicities, letting the president tell the good news and leaving the bad news for other agencies to handle which is a little cunning for me. It sends me a message of cowardice but hey, I’m not the President here.

Their focus on the significance of timing could also not have been anymore perfect. The White House conducted daily morning sessions with the press so that they could comment on previous evening news, allowing them to shape the Washington slant on the news before the Congress or any critics could react. Other times they release bad stories on Friday afternoon to lessen the ripples it will make. This is because the press will have little time to work on the story, so chances are it will be dumped on Saturday newspapers which are taken lightly at the time. There was a case when this move backfired, but it wasn’t because they have taken the issue of timing lightly, rather it was because some opponents of the President have guessed (correctly) what they will do.

The President was a skilled communicator that was surrounded with skilled tacticians. He was invincible, but when the story did not match reality, for the nth time, the game was lost. The people could only take so much before it’s over. Nevertheless, it was still a good story.

Images were downloaded from : http://www.boingboing.net/images/_2009_03_ronald-reagan1.jpg and http://tammybruce.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/reagan-239x300.jpg

Unzipped, hey mister your fly is open!

On my way to school, I was wearing plaid blouse and faded jeans. My zipper was fine, thank you very much! Anyway, I was in a public vehicle and the music was very noisy, an old lady pointed to my watch- at least that's what I thought. I assumed that she's asking for the time so I told her, 11am. She nodded her head in disagreement and pointed vehemently to me, well , I got confused and asked huh?

The old lady was very nice to announce in the public jeepney with at least 8 people (3 males) that:

"Your buttons are open!" 

Oh! my buttons are open, eeeep, thanks, GYAHAHA (awkward laugh) 

So embarrassing, I wanted to say, Oh it's okay I have no problem showing you guys my 6-pack abs. It is an eyecandy. LOLjk gyahahaha it was so embarrassing but I was actually thankful to that tactless old lady, I just wish she could have made it a little, no a lot more discreet.

It made me think of what I'll do if I saw someone with an open zipper, well of course I'd like to believe that almost everyone in my immediate society wears underwear so nothing is really shown. Still, people get embarrassed, so embarrassed.

Back in High School, we sing this line when somebody's fly is open.

My bukas ang zipper di ko sasabihin (Someone has an open fly, I'll not tell whom)

Of course that's rude.

Now, if I see someone's open zipper, unbuttoned blouse, blood spotted shorts or even panty-eaten skirt (yes, there's such a case) I'll tell that person discreetly, although that person should be a female. I definitely can't do it if that person is male (blame dichotomy)- unless we're close friends, friends not relative. I would also like people to do the same for me if I do something this stupid and humiliating but I guess I would die of embarrassment if a random-almost-my-age-guy tells it to me  HA. HA. HA.

How about you? 


ZIPPERS AND BUTTONS, Y U OPEN BY YOURSELF!!! 

Shutter Island 2010

The movie went like this : 

Teddy Daniels was investigating a mental institution for the dangerous and mentally ill criminals. He was asked to search for Rachel, a patient who was institutionalized after drowning her three children. Upon doing his investigations, he came up with a conclusion that the institution is doing some human experimentation to create a mindless army for the state. He was determined to expose this truth. During his stay in Shutter Island, he was constantly given pills and cigarettes which gave him recurring migraines and hallucinations. He was being drugged, until there came a time when he became confused if he was an investigator or a patient in Shutter Island. The movie ended with Teddy asking “Which is better, to live as a monster or to die as a human?”

I went like this: 

gottenonline.tumblr.com

            Now what I like about this movie is that it messes with my way of thinking. At first I was made to sympathize with Teddy, I wanted him to solve the case and expose the wrongdoings of the mental institution. Then, I was forced to think that Teddy is actually a patient in Shutter island who was continuously role playing a ‘hero’ as a defense mechanism for his guilt; that the psychiatrists just wanted to give Teddy a chance to figure out for himself that he is actually a patient, in hopes that this would cure him. I am the type of person who sticks with the first thing that I’ve given my sympathy to, needless to say, a loyal person, but I also don’t like being wrong. I did some legwork and found some theories that either proves that; (1) Teddy is a real detective or (2) Teddy is actually a patient. I believed the latter; it was more logical and substantiated. My initial belief that Teddy is a real detective was debunked, I was loyally mistaken. Still, I like the movie; it made me think, a lot. 

Video courtesy of youtube while gif is linked from tumblr

Cosplay 101: Shopping for materials

So you know whom to cosplay already, you're in for a good start but still quite a long way to go.

After choosing which character to cosplay, have at least one full body image of that character- colored image. This will be your reference when buying materials. Know what you need before stepping out of your home. Make a list- this will save you a lot of time, headache and money. 

The materials you'll look for will of course depend largely on your chosen character so don't expect me to give specific materials here.

Anyway if you live in the Philippines like I do, the place to go would be Divisoria. The prices there are unbelievable- well, not really :D As cliche as it may sound, buying in bulk would be very much preferred as you can save a lot, so if you have other cosplayer friends, it would be best to shop for materials together- it's also fun!

Most of the materials for costumes (wigs, fabric, rubber sheets, weapons, wings, hair color)- whatever it may be, can be found in Tabora (street in Divisoria) just ask around, the place is popular. However, if you wish to look around then feel free to do so. The malls there (168 mall, Divisoria mall, and Tutuban mall, Primeblock mall and I forgot the other one)  are also dependable when cosplay shopping.

There is a wig boutique in Tabora (at the 2nd floor of primeblock mall), the wigs there are type A (first class) and the prices are just right, it's a good shop. Most of the shops there sells and commission accessories too, but do not pay in full immediately. Also check the quality of their work, and ask how they plan to do your accessories - the materials, the stitching/gluing together, etc. Because for them anything is doable, but the quality might not be at par at what you'd expect it to be.

There are also lots of fabric in the next street ( I forgot the name of the street though) and the building across Tutuban mall's main entrance. Oh btw, there are also affordable wigs at Landmark department store.

If you're looking for a doujin or original character cosplays or novelty clothes or even boots and shoes, you could always try in thrift stores. Also, you have to distinguish which would fit you. Don't forget to haggle! 

Hmmmm, if you feel like you're too rich to go to these places, then you could try going to Department stores and boutique stores of Trinoma, Landmark, SM Megamall, SM Makati, Market! Market!

For make up and body paint, buy those products which you have already tried and tested because your skin might get irritated with things you just buy on the sidewalk.

If you're looking for contact lenses, make sure to buy it from a trusted optical or a trusted shop/ person especially if you're just ordering it from the net. Eyes are very sensitive and precious, you don't want to be a case of cosplayer gone blind right? There are a lot of opticals in Carriedo btw, but few have wild colors like red.

Have fun shopping!

Related pages:
Cosplay 101: Choosing the character; Shopping for materials; The Photoshoot; The Performance

Cosplay 101: Choosing the character

You can cosplay anyone you like, it is cosplay after all.

Cosplaying is already mainstream nowadays and it's nice. I remember back then, I'd go to a convention and be happy with the few cosplayers I see around. Everyone consider themselves cosplayers now. Wear a white shirt and poof! you're Light Yagami of Death Note, or a black dress and you're now Misa (of the same anime)

"Random school girl"

"Random Japanese artist"

    
That's what they'll say when asked who they are. Well, yes people could cosplay randomly, random shinigami, random Hogwart student, random identifiable characters that is. Unless you're really asking for it. Then might as well submit my random kwek-kwek eating photo in cosplay.com or cosplay.ph. I mean people, really?

I digress. So you're thinking of cosplaying? But don't know whom to cosplay? Well, here are some guides that might help.

1. What are the anime/games/movies/etc that you like? We usually cosplay characters that have significance to us so make a list of the shows/games that you like. Make a list of characters from those.

Mecha characters: You should be ready to have limited movement, eyesight and control.

(Skin) Showy characters: Yes, you will be surrounded by some kind of maniacs, it is a sad reality- show your skin and people will look at it, or worse.

2. What is your body type? I remember this plus size and tall cosplayer cosplaying cardcaptor Sakura. She was mistaken as a female Santa Claus by a kid. If getting mistaken for another character is fine with you, then I suggest you just do it! You go girl!

If you are a dudette and you want to crossplay a dude, it would be fairly difficult if you are well endowed, but it's not impossible. Just get some bandage, and wrap those tightly. Oh those cute thing of yours. Yes, it might hurt (I wouldn't know though, HAHAHA.)

If you're a dude and you want to crossplay a dudette, be prepared to be labeled as gay (by the general public and not the anime/game/cosplay community) or be disrespected by random passerbys

Hair, eyes, face are pretty easy to manage, so it shouldn't be that big of a problem provided you saved up your allowance or salary to buy some good make up, wig and/or contact lens.

You don't need to be identical because you could alter some qualities of the character when you cosplay. Just make sure that you don't completely alter it and turn it to your original made up character, it should still be identifiable.

3. What is your budget? Okay, I should have put it in the first consideration since cosplaying is an expensive hobby. Admit it or not, it is. Can you handle the expenses with your chosen character? If not, save up more or choose another one. There are lots of characters to choose from anyway.

4. Doppleganger acting. Can you act like your chosen character? I ask this because you have to show a performance in the catwalk part of any convention- should you wish to register that is. Besides when you are cosplaying, people expect you to portray that character. It actually gets a bit awkward when people are unable to realize that you are not actually the real character. Excuse me for not jumping after a yarn ball just cause you threw it away (well, I was cosplaying a cat.)

5. Don't follow this piece of crap I've written, and go decide on your own. Hey, it's a free country!

Cheers!
Arlet

Related pages:
Cosplay 101: Choosing the character; Shopping for materials; The Photoshoot; The Performance

Words, Doctors, and Love

"Just wait.."

That was the only word the doctor told us.I got confused, so confused with what that meant.

Last April of 2009, my lovely cousin was born, she is an angel sent from above. Sadly she had a condition called encephalocele. The way I understood it, was that her skull wasn't fully developed and that it had some kind of opening that could cause infection, and death even.

My uncle and auntie were both so worried and depressed, my heart aches whenever I remember those times. My uncle is a cheerful young man and seeing him unable to smile and laugh at jokes is painful.

Jamie was brought to a nearby private hospital in Nueva ecija. We were all hopefuls. When you love someone so much, you will believe even in the thinnest hair strand that you could hold of. You would choose to pray even if you were an atheist. You would do literally anything and believe anyone. That's how it is to love, that's how it was for us.

But that was shattered when the attending doctor of the hospital broke to us that the only thing we could do was wait. I was confused, wait for what? Apparently, the doctor was implying for us to either wait for a miracle, or wait for her to go to heaven or wherever people go after they die.

I cried and gave up. That's all it took to shatter my hope. One word from the doctor, one word only. Wait.

But I guess, parents are not like that, they're much much more than that. I told you already, when you love someone so much, you would believe anything and anyone and any chance. They brought Jamie to the city and have her checked in National Children's Hospital. The hospital nor the new doctor did not say anything like giving up and waiting. Instead, an operation was suggested and executed. It took an unbelievable amount of time, stress and yes money but it was all worth it.

Because yes, it was a success!

Now, I would really like to thank that doctor who attended to my cousin Jamie, the doctor who didn't say something heartless like waiting and giving up, the doctor whose name is Dr. Charleston Yeo. Thank you.

And to that other doctor who told us to just wait, please please please be more careful with your words... it is so powerful, it could kill.