My Third Attempting at Posting/Blogspot hates me today.

Fortunately, I didn't have to sit through another set of Blade Runner movie clips or a historical perspective on it, as I was expecting. But I admit I was a little disappointed since, maybe, if I had a deeper understanding of what the hell Ridley Scott was trying to achieve in his film, I would have a greater appreciation for it. Then again, I'd probably fall asleep through my professor's lecture. Two o'clock in the afternoon has been proven to be high time for my power naps, despite the professor's thoroughly strange take on history. Sitting in a darkened lecture hall would make things much, much worse. In any case, a happy coincidence happened. Instead of analysis on Blade Runner, we learned about the emergence of sexual deviation: homosexuality, transgenderism, and the like. As I checked the syllabus online (https://webfiles.berkeley.edu/~mgalvan/Schedule.html), the talk was entitled "The Queer Frontier." It made me think of our class and all the images from Paris Is Burning, which then made me homesick for our class in Wheeler. It also goes to show how everything's connected. As I may have mentioned before, my history class started with Blade Runner, as our English class did (I consider Philip K. Dick's book the start of our class since I have nearly erased all memory of Frankenstein). It's funny how two classes can parallel each other so much, beginning and ending on the same subjects.

After watching Paris Is Burning, I was rather shocked by how tragic it was. I was discussing the film with a friend and she brought up the topic of Thai ladyboys, Japanese new halfs as well as how often transgenders and transsexuals show up in Asian media, that I realized why I was so shocked by Paris is Burning. I recall listening to the Korean transgender pop star, Harisu, when I was younger. A few friends of mine also watched a Taiwanese TV drama back in high school featuring Harisu as the female supporting role competing for the leading man’s love against the leading female. My friends didn’t even realize that she was transsexual given that most of transsexuals featured in Asian media tend to look completely female. Personally, from the one episode I saw while I was at her house, I also think it might have been since Harisu was more physically attractive and effeminate than the female lead. Apparently, after Googling her just now, Harisu has also married recently to a male rap star. Though I’d heard the term, ladyboy, used previously, I didn’t know too much about Thai ladyboys and so I looked it up online. Though I knew they were accepted in mainstream culture, I didn’t expect them to be as visible as they are. There are apparently several popular models, singers and movie stars that are ladyboys. Newspapers print female and ladyboy beauty contest winners side-by-side and they’ve become an international tourist attraction amongst heterosexual men. Many also marry heterosexual men and have normal lives. It makes me wonder if it’s since they just physically look like pretty women that makes them more accepted or if it has more to do with culture and how the culture perceives masculinity. Yet even if it were cultural, it wouldn’t make sense for them to be so popular internationally to the point of being a tourist attraction. I’m just baffled by it all.

I’m missing 2 posts I believe and so am blogging now. In regards to the theme of the course, I actually watched a Japanese science fiction film rendition of Pinocchio a while back. It was entitled Hinokio, and though the film itself wasn’t that impressive, I thought the concept was rather neat. For starters, it emulates the original Pinocchio story in regards to how the main character progressively learns to become human (though in this scenario, perhaps relearning would be more accurate). Rather than having a magically animated wooden marionette, the main character is an elementary school student named Satoru, whom in a recent accident, has become wheel-chair ridden as well as lost his mother in a recent accident. Due to the recent trauma, he has secluded himself from the world and thus his father designs a remote controlled robot for Satoru so that the robot can go to school in his place. I find it interesting since Satoru essentially learns to interact with others and live normally again through the humanoid robot. Thus, though he still exists in his original human form within his room, it’s no longer really his physical form given that he’s for the most part projecting his thoughts and actions through the robot and receiving senses such as pain from the robot in turn. Yet, would you then classify him as a human or android given that his physical form through which he lives is essentially that of a robot? It got me questioning whether he’d be more or less human had he been fully paralyzed rather than just temporarily partially paralyzed and thus had no control over his human body whatsoever. However, similar to the original Pinocchio, it wasn’t really his physical form that ultimately defined him as being a real boy and so I thought how he’s already regained his life through the robot prior to actually living again as a human was a nice touch.

-Kathy

fin

I decided that just in case I missed a blog entry that I might as well do another one since I want to take a productive break from studying and this is the perfect opportunity. Theres a new movie out, "The Golden Compass," and I've wanted to watch it since i first heard it was turned into a movie. I really enjoyed the books, actually that's an understatement, I adored the books they were so though-out and amazing. It's all about religion, so obviously some people are upset. their main beef, God is apparently murdered in the series, this is not what happens at all. In the book what is defeated is not God, and no where in there is God ever seen nor does anyone know he exist. Instead what is defeated is the corrupt immoral institution that creates their own ideas and labels them as God's. Now it seems that religion is the bad guy in the book, but thats not true either. The idea is not to defeat religion or God but defeat the "bad" God, the one that kills and that creates misery.

all this is taking me way too deep into the pool that is the infinite.

Hybrid Books

Ok, since I might need one or two more blog posts, I figure here's a chance to give some feedback.
One, in terms of books to recommend, Wicked would be pretty good. But really, what I'd like to see is some 'Choose Your Own Adventure' type books. What better way to deal with hybrid themes than to have hybrid stories. 'Now wait a second Shaunt,' you'll say, 'Aren't choose your own adventure books childish and not worthy of literary critique?' To this I can simply answer NO! Weren't science fiction books once held to that same regard? Aren't comic books just now coming to age within the literary world? If I were a writer today (and I probably shouldn't write this because it's such a sweet idea, but at least I'll know if anyone of you guys snaked me and demand royalties) I would write a serious choose your own adventure book. The non-linear openendedness of the book would really draw the reader into the story and make them feel more connected to the actions of the characters and have a deeper respect of the consequences. And, I don't think that it would be hard to market either. Following the example of Spiegelman, I would simply write a couple in some Avant-Gard publications, only for people to soon feel nostalgia for their 4th grade class when they read dungeons and dragons 'secret of the fire mountain.' Bam, instant success.

The Wicked soundtrack is apparently not bringing inspiration. Instead, all I can think of is how I can’t believe the semester is already over. I guess I’ll reflect on some of my favorite random memories/thoughts/lessons from this past semester: An egg shell skeleton can be art. Frankenstein likes to whine a lot. Austin Grossman is AWESOME. Does the goat really represent everything? Really? Lashika’s cheeriness makes me happy. Kudos to Tony for always being so willing to share his thoughts (and everyone else too! sorry I’m so quiet… I do enjoy listening though :] ) Outdoor lectures are nice as long as it’s a warm day. Every decision can be made with a vote. And lastly, don’t listen to rumors, which is why I should turn my paper in right about now. Thanks for a wonderful semester, Talissa!

If I were to choose a book with hybrid characters to add to the course syllabus, I think Wicked, by Gregory Maguire, would be a fun read. While it is a modern book written to entertain, it does make some great social, political, and ethical commentary on the issue of good versus evil. The main hybrid character would be Elphaba, better known later as the Wicked Witch of the West. Born green with some other eccentric features (sharp teeth? Yikes!), the novel follows her journey to find her place in the political order of Oz. The Animal vs. animal controversy that drives the political struggle in the book is also reminiscent of our Frankenstein and Equiano characters. Animals (with a capital A) are intelligible creatures capable of speech, but have the form of normal animals. One view argues that Animals have more in common with humans than animals because they are possess higher thinking. The tyrant Wizard of Oz, however, is creating social standards discriminating against Animals. As the recurring theme during this course, the novel brings up the issue of how society determined the definition of what is human and how education, indicating higher learning, plays a role in integrating. Plus, the musical is awesome, though of course a lot less dark and political. But who doesn’t like a good tune? I think I’ll listen to the soundtrack as I contemplate my last post…

While doing my business today in the Dwinelle’s downstairs women’s restroom, I was pleasantly surprised to decipher from the graffitied walls the following quote, “Love is an action- bell hooks.” I’m not sure from what context it originated, but on its own and from my literal interpretation, I think I can agree with Hooks this time around. Love isn’t just a feeling or a thought. In order for you to love someone else or even yourself, it’s necessary to show it. In her life, I guess she shows her love by fighting on behalf of the people she cares about through her writing. Lesson of the day: you CAN learn stuff from the mostly emo/crude/random gibberish written on bathroom stalls. Who knew.

On the same, but different (ha), note, I went home this past weekend and told my mom about “Paris is Burning”. This led to a discussion about an Oprah episode. I swear Oprah does everything. Whatever you’re talking about, somehow Oprah has covered it. Kind of like the Simpsons…but less stupid, right? Is it just me or is there a Simpsons joke for just about every situation? Okay, end of tangent. SO, Oprah apparently did an episode about an Asian couple: married a few years, live in the suburbs, two kids. Then one day, the husband tells his wife that he feels like he should have been born a woman and wants a sex change. Surprisingly (or perhaps not), the wife decided stay with her partner. I was amused by my mom’s comment, “He was a good looking guy too! It’s such a pity.” Although she said this half jokingly, it still made me wonder how race plays a role in different stereotypes about transvestites. The documentary was about African Americans and Latinos, but what if there had also been Asian characters. Would there have been a different response? My mom would definitely say so. Hmm… I don’t quite know what to make of this, and I know this will probably be one of the last posts, but any thoughts?

To make my complete circle, the wife definitely displays Bell Hooks insight. =)

When asked about the blogs a few weeks ago, Talissa told us to basically “make it happen”. Sooo… a few weeks later, I’m making it happen...with 4 consecutive blogs. =)

I found “Paris is Burning” to be very interesting and, sorry Bell Hooks, quite entertaining. I think I would have been one of those movie-goers that she seems to despise so much, the ones that left the theater exclaiming how insightful and enlightening the documentary is. While I don’t want to come off as closed-minded or sheltered, I never knew such a community existed. Since I have no oppositions to homosexuals/heterosexuals cross-dressing, the documentary served as an amusing introduction to a previously unknown world. There’s no doubt that a white patriarchal prejudice still exists in today’s society, so I cannot argue that Bell Hook’s feminist and racial concerns are completely unfounded. Nonetheless, I don’t believe Hook’s concerns approach the major issues transvestites confront on a daily basis. Her battle is minor in the larger scheme of things. I doubt Venus Xtravaganza was murdered because she was conforming to an illusion of a weak white female dominated by male society. The real battle transvestites have to face is finding acceptance into a disapproving society so that they can live safe, normal lives outside of poverty. Once that has been accomplished then maybe Hook’s concerns won’t seem as trivial. As for now, I think she’s focusing on the wrong issues.

Sorry for the rant...

Here's my problem with today's educational system. The emotion behind all of it is never encouraged. We read a book about slavery and we read a book about the holocaust and we are told to make arguments. We read a book about the holocaust and we are supposed to analytically take it apart and be smart about it. I certainly understand the value in the ability to do this, and i certainly don't expect this particular class to be the front-runner to where I think schooling should be (I think Talissa is wonderful and I almost always enjoy class... though maybe that's just because i'm loud), but there's also a dire necessity for emotions. It's not like they're not there anyway, they're just partitioned away in the corner. You can't ARGUE about someone's emotional reaction to a book (well you can, but you'd be wrong... and a jerk). You can't satisfy people's desires to EXPLAIN everything through taking a thoughtful and honest look at how a book makes you feel--I mean, you can, but you better not turn it in because you'll get a C.

I think it has to do with our culture's tendency to want EVERYthing IMMEDIATELY, ALL THE TIME. Why consider how a book changes you emotionally over time when you can pull apart details and form them into a mildly-amusing, skill-building paper that demonstrates your ability to express your thoughts coherently? Who needs emotions when you have a FIERY INTELLECT?!?!?!!!?

Of course the reason we don't express ourselves emotionally in the world of academics to satiate our desire to fit in. Plus we get to feel superior if other people express emotions as equally important as fancy theses.

Ok. That was getting a little too skeptical. I mean, i had to write something! Did everyone know that the nazis created a new way to speak (which roughly translates to bureaucratese) in which nobody had to take responsibility for anything they did since it was always because of orders? That way everyone could be blameless for committing atrocities: just say someone else made you do it.

and Tran, again:

My friendship bracelet broke. Is that a sign?? As I sit here next to my dorm room's window, staring into the darkness, I am reminded of the novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. My English teacher made my class read that book because she said that it is powerful and we will encounter it again in college. I didn't take her word for it, but here we are, reading (or read past tense) Equiano. Theory Toolbox even dedicates two three paragraphs to Conrad and his novella in the "Differences" chapter. For a story less than 100 pages, it has some pretty complicated ideas that confuzzled us all. I don't know if any of you guys and gals have read it yet, but I would still like to discuss it. There's basically a summary in Theory Toolbox pages 161-162... but... anyways so Conrad was a "white man" during the time that Africa was being colonized by the Europeans. Maybe it was his word choice or something, but people called him a racist. I dont' think he was racist because he wrote it to expose the evils of colonization and how the Europeans became corrupted, but Chinua Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart in response to Conrad. He showed that Africans had a culture, and they were civilized and content. Until the Europeans came along and then their lives began to fall apart. (good book btw) What I noticed was that in Things Fall Apart, the style was very simple, with some cultural words, and easy to read. It had the effect that Achebe wanted. I compared this to Equiano, which was lengthy and, excuse me, boring. Halfway through writing this blog, I realized I shouldn't be comparing the two because they were written in different time periods. They are both effective in helping the authors' cause. Now I lost my train of thought. It's funny how I get riled up about something, then I fall flat on my face. So... no, Equiano is not the greatest possibility of our times. But that phrase itself is ambiguous. Now I'm confused.

uh-oh. I forgot to post Tran's last blog entry. My bad.

I hate blogging because I don't get the thrill of seeing my name as the person who posted the blog. Darn google for its complicated ways. So... my building played a game called "Erhmanopordy" (a hybrid between the game Jeapordy and the building's name) which pitted each floor against one another. Reminded me of that first page in Maus when Vladek mentioned something about locking friends up together for weeks without food. The floors were playing for free Gypsy's pizza, and dang, did it turn foul. The extent some people go to for some free food and to win... tsk tsk. Whatever happened to being friendly neighbors? Anywho, Pinky and the Brain... awww I am forever in their debt. Because of them, I memorized the different parts of the brain and the nervous systerm and got extra credit for Physiology in high school.

I don't think I will ever get tired of talking about Maus. Instead of pouring our ideas onto an essay, I say we share them to enlighten one another. I always like hearing about other people's opinions. There's so much more to interpret! I'm being optimistic =] I really want to read Maus II. I went to the Cal student store on my way back to my dorm to look for it. I spent an hour wandering around. Why didn't I just ask the information desk? I don't know. Instead, I ended up reading a book about Dr. Seuss and his "Seussisms." Oh, the places I will go... It was pretty inspirational.

At 2 in the morning, I remember how I used to be afraid of every little noise I hear back at home if I stayed up this late. I was especially afraid after reading "All Quiet on the Western Front" and watching "Schindler's List." Anything that is borderline horror-ish or mentions anything of that sort makes me nervous. I was scared of that one old Nickalodeon cartoon "AHHH Real Monsters!" So it was interesting for me to discover that Maus isn't giving me any nightmares. (I probably jinxed myself and end up having nightmares tonight. If I do, I shall inform the class tomorrow, or today.) I think I fooled myself with the images into thinking that yea, this is just a story that happened to animals. I know that this was reality, but I just can't fathom the truth. It's too scary for me. I prefer to live in a bubble.

This is in response to Shaunt's post about nervous ticks:

I also noticed Grossman's habit of pushing up his glasses. It was something about the precise way he pushed them up so delicately that caught my attention. It just shows that something so simple and everyday can be a beautiful movement. I think its beauty comes from the fact that it was not intended to be performed in any way. In my modern dance class we spend one day working on a gesture exercise. We had around twelve everyday gestures (like waving at someone or eating food) and we performed them rhythmically in beat to create movement. It was interesting because everyone had their own particular way of gesturing. Once these gestures were performed in class they did not seem like everyday gestures anymore, but part of choreography instead.

Shaunt's remark about pushing up the glasses reminded me of a photograph I once took of my friend. I took him to the photography studio in Wurster and snapped a roll of film entirely dedicated to him and one of them caught him in the act of pushing his glasses up. Of all thirty eight pictures, this was the one photograph I decided to print. It captures him in his natural state, frozen in a moment of time where he is completely himself. If you guys want to see it, you can view is on my very incomplete website with very poor photo-quality: http://jeannie.art.googlepages.com/mainportraits.html