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The Public Ineffectual

For entertainment purposes only.

Friday, July 30, 2004

Pokia

This is made by some guy in Britain who likes the Lo-Fi. Its to rustic-ize your $450 state-of-the-art (and science) phone. Such a decadent society...
Pokia
Originally uploaded by Robin Ahn.

Ironic Detachment to Life - I

I went out with Mike on Thursday to Fantasia, in lieu of shopping (my other favourite hobby), for their special Godzilla night. This evening was a showcase for two recent additions to the Godzilla canon (franchise?), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzillla (2002) and Godzilla Tokyo SOS (2004). Fantasia doesn't start with the three letters F-A-N for no reason. There were Godzilla T-shirts aplenty. The anticipation was cranked up to 11.

I suddenly realise that I have been transported into a microcosm of one of those fan conventions that are widely mocked. Trekkies who get together to pratice their Klingon, comix guys who debate who would win if the Hulk and Spiderman got in a fight, the geek character on the Simpsons. You, or someone you love, may be similarly afflicted. Seek help.

The interlude between films consisted of a video cobbled together on the Godzilla phenomena by the night's chief programmer - the making-of, bloopers, advertising appearances etc. Then - suprise! - Godzilla enters from stage right! A big cheer goes up when he (Man In Latex Lizard Suit) walks in the room but traverses the the floor just a bit too long. The pacing strikes me as off. A bit like when someone has a vice grip on your hand and holds your gaze for a beat longer than necessary. The moment is over only the man in the suit doesn't quite realise. BUT THEN two girls both dressed in orange flouncy skirts and matching orange one shoulder tops bearing midriff and their hair tied back saunter into the room. They look like they returning from a Jazzercise class. Some lame pop song comes on and said girls start dancing with each other and people are going ballistic, whooping and cheering.

This offends my Ironic Detachment to Life deeply. I want to die. I am SO embarassed to be there. Its as though I was suddenly transported to an adolescent wet dream. [Which would be ok so long as I had a part to play and could guide the situation somewhat...]

I ask Mike, "What is up with this random T & A?", (shorthand for "tits and ass" for the non-native english speakers). Mike explains that the girls are actually characters from the bloody film. Mothra (a giant butterfly that razed Tokyo circa 1961) guards two fairies represented by the Jazzrecise girls.

So, as it turns out, I'm the big geek. I am the one out of touch with my environment. I'm the anti-social one. I am the one who is a half-step behind. I am the one who's not in on the joke.

* sigh *

Thursday, July 29, 2004

And I cried and I cried and I cried.

It's really best for me to watch films by myself if I think its going to be a weepie. I saw "Failan" at the Fantasia Festival last night and I cried...a lot.

A film that was shown at Fantasia last year called "My Sassy Girlfriend" keeps coming to mind. The two central characters (boy and girlfriend) talk about how melodrama is central to the Korean narrative consciousness and how this one book that every young Korean reads (whose name I can't remember) is the archetype. I'm beginning to think the writer of "My Sassy Girlfriend" is truly on to something.

"Sassy" was legendary in terms of producing the water works. No film has ever made me cry outside the goddamned theater... It was probably even worse than the time I watched "Babe".

"My Sassy Girlfriend" was a big hit in Asia by all reports. Googling it yielded some interesting results:

1. The similarly titled film "My Sassy Boyfriend" (from HK, I think)
2. A theatrical production in China:
My Beast Beauty: Adapted from the South Korean film "My Sassy Girlfriend," the drama is to be staged in the North Theatre and acted by Chinese performers.
Time: 7:30 pm through September 23
Place: North Theatre, Beibingmasi Hutong
Tel: (010) 65001188

3. A remake forthcoming from Dreamworks.
4. And, of course, ring tones of a song from the movie...


Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Committement Issues I

The Wise One said that I have committment issues.

I went out the other day to buy an umbrella because it was raining. I came back with two dresses...because I couldn't decide which colour I liked better.

Thankfully, I look best in them completely drenched.

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Welcome Note

Thanks for coming! Take a seat. Feel right at home...

I set this up because I sent out a change of address email recently and heard from people in far flung places who were curious to find out what I was up to. Though I wish I had more to report, some of what is worth reporting might be here.

Also, Kerrii and Seb just had a baby...and she has a blog. So why shouldn't I?

Please comment and comment often!

p.s. the previous note was thanks to Warren who insisted that he set me up here "right away...right now...3 minutes...we'll have you blogging." Thanks Warren. Your Pat Smear story is on the boil and smells almost ready.

Monday, July 26, 2004

look at my fancy blog!

I'm fancy!