BIG DEAL?

Like seriously, I think there are people who are conservative and there are people who can't bloody mind their own freaking business - and I dare say that majority of the so-called "conservative" Singaporeans aren't conservative at all.

Yes, they fall into the "I can't mind my own bloody business and I love to input my opinion onto everyone and everyone better bloody hell listen to me because I'm the Queen of this country!"

I mean, come on, GET A GRIP SINGAPORE! Just because of this...

Vivian Lai & Kate Pang's on-screen kiss sparks outcry
Source: Yahoo! Singapore
(http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/blogs/singapore-showbiz/one-second-kiss-star-awards-sparks-outcry-100038761.html)

Let's wage war against people who kiss on-screen! Yeap. At least that's how I want to take this whole issue out of context, just like how the rest of Singapore are so jealous that they didn't win anything at the Star Awards simply because, well, they are not stars.

Come on now. We're living in a modern society where the blacks have equal rights, where maids get well protected, where human rights seemingly have a place on this planet. I don't see what's wrong with people of the same gender, no less, kissing on screen. Offensive? Yes. I find their opinions offensive to people who want to express their happiness and freedom.

Singapore is seen as a modern country in the eyes of many but somehow, I beg to differ because just because the infrastructure and technology is advanced doesn't mean that the country is modern. What makes a country? THE PEOPLE! And if the people are like cavemen who are narrow-minded and loves to push their senseless opinions onto others, then I say, Singapore fails as a modern society.

What I'm trying to say is "Live and let live". Don't try to define how others should live because of what your religion (which no one is going to object because you have your own rights to it) stated, what your parents told you or what you hear-say hear-say.

Remember those days when you were younger and when these kissing scenes were on telly, or even violent scenes, your parents would cover your eyes? That's because they want to "protect" you. But honestly, the more you restrict someone, the more they want to break free and see what the hell was it they were being protected against. Wouldn't that be counter-effective?

On top of that, the internet is vast, as everyone would agree and access to information is just a mere seconds of "hard work". Censorship is not going to help anything at all if someone is determined to find out what is going on - it only slows down the process. So why bother? You can only protect them for so long until they find their own way and hopefully, form their own opinions of things without external influence.

I believe that everyone should form their own opinions and have a say of things rather than being manipulated by others. You have a mind, a brain. Use it like your own! Don't cower in someone else's beliefs because you're indecisive. If you are indeed indecisive, then let me decide for you - don't be a busybody and probe into other people's business. We're happier without your interference, thank you very much.



You want to know my personal opinion on this? I say it's perfectly fine. If Mediacorp wants to censor this moment of joy from the re-telecast, then let them be. Like I've said, they can only protect the general public for that long.

I say that everyone should be given the right to do whatever they want on the note that they shouldn't infringe the rights of others. So what if they kissed? Did you lose a million dollars? Did you get fatter suddenly? Did your child fall sick? No!! So why not just let them be? They can do whatever they want because it's their right to.

And don't come shitting me with them polluting the minds. Come on~ There are so many things that pollute the mind and LOVE is obviously not one of them. So is pure HAPPINESS and JOY. These are beautiful emotions that should be taught and encouraged - not be ostracized simply because they are "alternative" or "unnatural".

What's natural to begin with? If everyone has green hair, does that make the only one with black hair "unnatural"? Wake up, please.



To end this ranting post on why we should value human rights and let people do what they love to, I shall show you a screen grab of one of ayumi hamasaki's latest songs - how beautiful you are. This song is picked to be the Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2012's theme song.

ayumi hamasaki - how beautiful you are screen grab (gif)
Source: http://lohan.tumblr.com/
Original copyright by Avex Trax Japan

Go on. Burn me at the stake for thinking that whatever they are doing is beautiful. But wait, I'm entitled to my rights to my own opinions and say. Burning me or trying to bring me down won't change anything at all. So good luck with that.

And to all those who believe that human rights should be uphold, and TRUE BEAUTY like this should be embraced and promoted, let's make it known that our voices should not be overpowered by those who believe otherwise. We have our rights! We have our say!

And surely, joy, happiness and love will be free one day...

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Why "The Hunger Games" angered me

Before I continue, I must say that "The Hunger Games" is really one of the best films I've watched so far this year in regards to its technical filming, acting as well as story line but the themes explored in this movie (adapted from the novel written by Suzanne Collins of the same title) really shook me violently.

Well, before I continue, I must say that this post may potentially contain spoilers so if you have yet to watch the movie and do not want me to spoil this film for you, please turn away. Also, I will be discussing some of my personal views so if you do not want to hear my 2 cents worth, please also turn away.

Now that you're prepped for my rants. Here goes...

The Hunger Games promotional poster
Source: http://collider.com/hunger-games-poster-puzzle-hunt/132394/

SOURCE: IMDB
In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Written by Suzanne Collins  

That basically sums up the gist of the story without spoiling the entire thing. I'm just going to assume that everyone who's read thus far had either read the book or watched the film and are going to understand (I hope) what I'm trying to drive across so I'm not going to elaborate more on the story line. Let's drive straight to the issues I want to talk about.


Human Rights

Scene where Katniss is being escorted by agents of the Capitol
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19925 

Well that's the first thing that really made me stir when I watched this movie - the theme of human rights. In the film, 24 young people of the ages 12 to 18 are recruited into this game from 12 different districts controlled by the Capitol against their own rights. Knowing that out of these 24 hopefuls, only one of them will emerge as the winner while the rest of them gets killed by each other or by acts of God, the families are helpless and definitely hopeless because there's only 1 in 24 chance that they will see their child ever again.

What rights do the Capitol have to make these young people fight?! What rights do they have to snatch someone's child?! Well even though this story is obviously fictional (if it isn't, it would make my blood boil even more), this theme kinda manifest in many contexts in reality. Well, no names but mandatory service in the military is one of them (If you get it, good for you. If you don't, this happens just like the movie - you don't really have a choice).

Don't these children have the rights of choosing whether or not they want to represent their district? Who can force them to fight for something they do not want to? I mean, if the person volunteered, that could make the person a hero because they believe in what they are fighting for but if the person is forced to, then what's the point?

No one should make someone fight for something they do not believe in because it just make them feel like victims of a grand scam. Well, that's what I believe...


Children in Military

Rue - a character from the film, probably the youngest victim of the games
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19923

Though rare nowadays, you cannot deny the fact that children through time had been ill-treated before - for instance being drafted into the military in some nations or being forced into slavery in others. When Rue died in the film, I think I almost cried out of sadness, helplessness and anger because I don't believe that children should be treated this way. Thank goodness we are living in an age where the future are well taken care of but who knows, there may be part of the world where children are still deprived of happiness.

Furthermore, Rue is so adorable she shouldn't die! Maybe I'm just one of those people who gets angry when they kill my favorite character - like how I flipped the first time I heard that Jill Valentine was dead in Resident Evil 5 but thank goodness it turned out otherwise. But what I'm trying to say is that children should be given a chance to grow to a ripe age - everyone should be given a chance to do so! This Hunger Games thing is retarded!! Well, again, I'm thankful that it's fictional.


Oppressive Government

Effie & Katniss
Source: http://hungergamesdwtc.net/2011/12/two-more-hunger-games-stills-from-people-now-in-uhq-gale-effie-katniss/

As the proverb goes, "The poor gets poorer, the rich gets richer". In this movie, I would say that the Capitol represents an oppressive government who is sucking its districts dry. It's just like in modern days where the government taxes the people just to support it's selfish needs - in this movie, the need for high fashion which really tickles me throughout the film. In reality, this vaguely translate to North Korea - using resources to support the military and letting people starve to their death. Poor people...

Which also reminds me of how well paid some ministers are but there are people begging for money on the streets...


Necessity of War / Meaning of Peace

Katniss - Master Archer
Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/sneak-peek-the-hunger-games-2012121/19921

I'm grateful that they decided to make this movie PG13 - which means that gory and disgusting scenes are kept to a minimal because otherwise, I think I might really flip. Throughout the film, you see lots of people die unwillingly because they were forced to play this game against their will to begin with. Furthermore, you also witness the selfish nature of how people fight for their survival and also the nicer side of humanity where they look out for one another in an attempt to rebel against this concept.

When the contestants (or in the context, the "tributes") die, I was constantly reminded of their families who are made to watch them die on screen - as though the Capitol was not sick enough to implement this game. Imagine the hurt and pain they have to go through... Also, it also reminded me of the aftermath of wars.

Are wars necessary to obtain what one needs? Are military required just to demonstrate how strong a nation is? Are they just mere decorations just to show the world that "Don't mess with me because I can kick your butt real well and make your citizens bleed to hell"? Really...?

Is throwing in so much money to create nuclear bombs at the expense of your nation going hungry necessary? Is throwing in so much money into expensive military equipment better off feeding the people or investing in health care or helping the homeless more effective in making the nation strong? Is investing so much manpower and funds into fighting imaginary enemies on imaginary terrains with imaginary weapons and imaginary troops necessary when these money can be used for a better cause?

The Reason for being angry?

Honestly, I don't know. I decided to blog this entry just to reflect on my emotions because I have never ever watched a movie that got me thinking so much - to the point where I actually got pretty angry. Maybe because some of the themes mentioned above are still true in this modern society where people think that everything seem okay. Maybe because some of the themes still affect me in this age. Things may seem peaceful but when shit happens, you never know...

Maybe because I feel like I'm just a pawn on the chessboard. Well, the Hunger Games may not be real but in different contexts of life, it may very well be. If you can see the reference I'm trying to make here, you probably would have guessed why I'm so mad but oh well... What's there I can do? I don't want to be banished to death like the 13th district of the Hunger Games fiction.

Well, I guess that's the end of my rather useless rant. Makes me feel so much better for just bitching and whining about a fictional story that somehow translate a lot into my reality.

I'm awaiting the sequels of this movie where Katniss will go kick the Capitol fat puwets for the freedom of it's oppressed citizens. I think only then will my anger for the Capitol be fully contained... 

Hopefully one day, the Capitols of the world will have their puwets kicked and they will realize that decorations are not necessary and that there are other more important matters to look at...

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Probably the most beautiful ad I've seen in my life...

From pinkdot.sg (http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/)

*Sheds a little tear* Isn't this advertisement the most beautiful thing you have ever seen - where people stand up for what they believe in and toss discrimination out of the window, especially in Singapore; a typical Asian country with too many rigid "rules" and old-fashioned mindsets still lurking in this modern age.

Actually, I've noticed this video on facebook at the pink dot page (where you can access by clicking on this link: https://www.facebook.com/pinkdotsg) because Ms Chua Ying Ying invited me to this event on June 18, 2011 at Hong Lim Park (where on earth is that anyway?) but I haven't got the chance to actually read through what this pink dot thing was about until just now... And I'm amazed.

I'm amazed that there are actually people in Singapore who gives a damn over what other people are feeling, that there are actually people who challenges the notion of what "traditional" people are thinking and that's the notion of love - yes you know~ the key ingredients to many songs nowadays?

I believe that everyone should be given the basic right to love (or to feel whatever they are feeling because it's their own mind, own emotions and own feelings). No one's to dictate what's right or wrong to them. Heck~ Nowadays, what's actually defined as right or wrong, normal or abnormal?

Who defines normal? What is normal actually? How did this normal came out in the first place? Aren't human beings the ones who defined rules and regulations in civilization, science, math, languages, etc? Aren't they the ones who defined that 1 + 1 = 2 and not 3 or blue or Z or apple? If that's the case, then do you agree that they define what normal love is?

Where did the discrimination against the LGBT begin? Probably when they were called abnormal for their preference of who they love. Well, who defined this normal? Heck~ Do they even have the right to define what a normal thought or idea is? Is it up to them? Think about it...

To me, everyone's free to feel what they want and definitely to love who they want. No one should be judged on that because it's what the person feel is the most normal, most natural to themselves. What's the point of living life with a mask to blend into the normal society just to suffer, yes? It's time for these people to have a voice - have an event catered specially for them - and for them to be FREE...

Initially, I had doubts on whether to go to this event because there are definitely people who are going to judge me (and that my schedule's already so friggin' tight). Well, I've made up my mind. LET THEM JUDGE! I'm going to give my support to overthrow the old-fashioned to welcome the revolution of human rights! Yes! Human rights again!! I should totally be a human rights activist!

actually, I want to go there to cover the story and to take pictures but...

YES! So let's show our support and head down to this event on June 18! RSVP your attendance on the facebook page or check out their website at http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/ to learn more! P.S. I do not earn commissions for promoting for them. The only reason why I'm bothered to "advertise" their advertisement for them is because there is finally a group of brave people willing to stand up for what they believe in Singapore and I like that!

Go pink dot! You have my support!!

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For human rights & equality!!

Petition against Uganda's "Kill the Gay" Law

http://www.allout.org/en

No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian or transgendered life
I'm on the right track baby, I was born to survive
-Lady Gaga "Born This Way"

Early in the morning and the world has to give me this kind of problems to headache about - this retarded "Kill the Gay" law in Uganda. Anyway, before I start ranting, I urge everyone reading this post to go click on the link above (shall put another one at the end of this post in case y'all are too lazy to scroll up) and spend less than 2 minutes just filling in your name, email address, contact number to help repel this law.

For more information, visit the website as well - of course right?

Honestly, I'm sick and tired of these discrimination because look - what's the freakin' point? To me, it's the human rights because I feel that I'm already deprived of it at where I stay and what I'm doing and I don't want others to be going through this oppression. Speaking of oppression, the heat in Singapore's really bad, no? Good thing it rained a little bit just now and I'm enjoying the cool air whilst it lasts.

Back to the topic. Other than the fact that "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga is a fabulous song, it speaks volume against discrimination. If people are born that way, then LET THEM BE! You're not God or some celestial being that can change the way they were created. If you don't like them, let them be! It's not as though they are posing any form of threats!

Come on~ We're already in a modern civilization (correct me if Uganda is still not one and that's why, I infer, that they are passing this mindless bill out) and everyone should be given a chance to speak and to have opinions. Just because someone else's personal feelings and opinions are different from yours doesn't mean you can KILL them! Is that fair?!

Which comes to my other point - if you're al-so-mighty, they why do you feel THREATENED? Yes! You're just like a mouse in the rathole! Cowardly!

So, if you like what I said against people who are against human rights and you want to have a VOICE for yourself, then you should petition against this law. But please, I urge you to do it quick because they don't have much time left - these innocent people who were born UNIQUE do not have much time left. We need the world to be their supporters - to be with them in this fight.

For lazy people, here's the link again - http://www.allout.org/en/petition/uganda



Sometimes, I feel like I should go be a human rights activist because I'm so frustrated against restrictions on people's lifestyles but again, I want to be a photographer and I don't want anything to do with politics but I'll do whatever is in my capabilities to help - like blogging about this incident. It's the least I can do and I hope you feel the same way too.

"If you were one of them who are going to be sentenced to death for 

being born the way you are, how would you feel?"

IS IT FAIR?

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