COM 443: Closing Reflections #3

I stand here before you today, as the last speaker for the last group, for what could very well be the last time many of us see each other in a classroom setting. It's been a hell of a ride. I'm not going to have a video with Black Eyed Peas in the background. I'm not going to open or close a heavy book. I'm not going to put away a script. I'm not going to sing and dance. I’m not going to recite poetry or have people run around and act out a scene.

I remember when I had to address a new batch of Student Council members as Editor on my first day of the job. I didn’t even have slides, so this is an improvement. But I’m not here as the Editor of The Buffalo Horn. I’m not here as the guy who does silly comics.

I’m not even exactly here as the head of Spatiality. I'm here as Naz, to tell you about Spatiality, though we each have our own stories to tell. Here is ours, in my words.

When the class list for our little foray into Advertising was revealed, I was quite impressed. Excited. Happy. I’ve worked with a number of people here, and have seen the way many others do their things too, and have always been suitably and quite awesomely impressed by the majority of the people gathered here. I can honestly say that there was almost no way I could have been displeased with the way the groups turned out.

That being said, though, I have to be frank with everyone and I vividly remember walking into class with Justin and Ken on Day 1 and thinking about working with them again, like we’ve done so a few times in and out of class before.

I look at Spatiality, and see six people I have had mixed and varied histories with.

Sean I’ve really only gotten to know this year, and with him I feel I share a close kinship, and he is probably the only other person other than Ken who can yell “Eh Malay” at any given time and place. He’s been the one who has provided direction when it has deserted me, and that’s happened a few times.

I’ve always looked at Suen Hui and wondered what goes on in that head of hers. Now I kinda know that she obsesses over Tetris, even before we got assigned Russia, and that hiding inside her is a writer of some imagination and talent, as well as someone with a rich and diverse collection of music and media. I won’t ask how she managed to… procure everything. But she’s always been the one more than willing to put things together, both graphically and musically.

Jamie. She lives near me, which is a definite plus point. She is a constant source of support and cheerfulness, able to tell you the most ridiculously funny stories with a straight face. Like how her friend killed a baby Koala. Seriously. And she is the person who can come up to me at 1AM and suddenly, out of the blue, talk about Left 4 Dead 2. Also being the one who enthusiastically volunteers to print things (at her workplace) helped immensely.

I’ve worked with Felicia several times, and no matter what, I’ll remember the cartwheeling dance she dared to do in front of the whole cohort way back in Sem 1. It’s on YouTube. It takes guts to do what she did, and to do what she does, dare to be different and to be proud of it. She’s also someone always able to think creatively, though sometimes her train of thought is nothing short of perverted.

I never knew Daphne existed before this class. Now, I can’t imagine how that was possible. One of the hardest workers I know, and someone always willing to pick up any slack from anyone, with no complaints, no hassle, no problem. She enjoyed Lesbian Vampire Killers, whatever that means.

Of all the people in Spatiality, and perhaps in this whole class, this whole school, our very own Miss SIM-UB is the one person that I’ve gone through the most with. Through thick and thin, comedy, tragedy, drama. When I saw that she drew number three too, I was… happy.

I was happy with my group. I still am, and am proud to be called their leader, and am only here now because of all their efforts.

But this is a class of more than seven. More than six groups and an instructor. I could never have enough time to go through what I think of everyone here, what I think of our shared journey. Someone talked about how they found that their experience was much more than a sum of the parts in their group, and no truer words have been spoken. Being last today means that there is little I can say that hasn’t already been eloquently said by everyone else in one way or another, but let me just say that through the blood, sweat and tears that we have ALL shed the past few months, we can all safely say “HOLY FRICKING CRAP IT’S OVER”.

But in all seriousness, creativity and execution aside, discounting photoshops, dismissing photography, not looking at editing, ignoring copywriting, we have all put in more than we ever thought possible into this venture.

For a long time, many of us worked towards being on the forefront of creativity, striving towards excellence and to be able to wield a spectrum of ideas. Trying to be original, unique, new, bold, captivating, interesting, the very best. Some tried pulling stunts and theatrics. But we all tried as hard as we could to be a step ahead and to produce something that we could be proud of, something to display and show off. Something to call our own. Something that would endure, something that we would create to last. In the end though, I think we can all, each and every one of us, we can safely say we have left big footprints in our collective memories, and that this class, this ordeal, this trial, this test, this challenge, this experience has left us changed. Through our blood, sweat, and even some tears, it’s a testament to what we’re all made of that despite all the adversity that every one of us has faced and been forced to deal with, to contend with and eventually overcome, we’re all still here.

Here in Singapore we don’t usually pay attention to the occasion two days away, or last month, if you’re Canadian. But we have a lot to be thankful for, I feel.

I thank my group members for being supportive, receptive, open-minded, determined and ultimately for being there.

I thank the other groups, the other members of this class for keeping the big picture in mind, even as the competition heated up. For working together and not against each other, and for the enjoyable semester and past couple of years.

I thank Professor Bob Armstrong, for all he has done for us and even to us, and despite the arguments and disagreements many of us have had either privately or out in the open, I feel I can safely say that we understand and appreciate your efforts into making this a learning experience and doing your best to make this torture fun. It is said you learn more through failure and critique than success and praise, and so perhaps many of us have found the past few months thoroughly enriching.

And with that. I thank you for your time, your patience, your praise, your criticisms, your belief, your faith, your being here.

Thank you.

Star-Crossed

I'm tired. Like, physically drained and exhausted. I had about nine hours of sleep last night, which was nice, but also nine hours more than what I had the night before.

Been an eventful few weeks, for better or for worse. Feels like a long time since I watched a movie, or had any time to just lounge around and now have deadlines on my mind. All drawing to a close, though.

The Leonids Meteor Shower on Tuesday night was quite something. Not as spectacular as I'd have hoped for, and the crowd and slight drizzle were dampeners but still. The company was awesome, and I've never been rooted to one spot for such a long time before. The Day After Tomorrow and Deep Impact were also alright and ironic at the same time, for obvious reasons. I wished they had played Armageddon though.

A few people have... complained... that some of more recent posts have been too long, so I'll end here. Another big week (and weekend) ahead.

Black & Gold

A long, long, while ago, I responded to a notice appealing to interested writers for the Editorial Department of the SIM-UB Student Council. Signing up for the Council was honestly just a matter of me wanting a fancy testimonial that might impress any future prospects, rather than a genuine case of wanting to help out. Horrible, I know.

Since then, though, I've watched student leaders come and go, and been a part of a few things in my earlier days within the group. Then, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was asked to step up myself and assume the mantle of a Director by the President herself.

Now, it wasn't the first time it happened, and I'm not saying that out of a sense of pride or bloated self-worth. I had originally turned down the previous requests due to the simple fact that I was and am aware of the way I tend to grow less interested and bothered by things as time goes on. It's happened before, and I was afraid it would happen again. And I hate disappointing anyone, or giving less than my best, which is why I steer clear of things I am not totally sure of.

However, things changed, and people around me did a good job of persuading me that it could work. And it did.

Removing some dead weight from the team, and bringing everyone together with a common goal in mind was relatively easy, since so many of the ones who stayed were genuinely interested. In fact, it has been a great and fantastic honor and pleasure working alongside each and every one of them.

Kenneth Chow, Bryan, Rolan, Deepan and Ida have been on board since Day 1, and each has contributed in his or her own unique way. Sonia did too, though she left prematurely on her own accord. Later, Jacinda, Syidah, Qing Ling, Andrea, Manik and Kenneth Lee signed up as well, and like the others, have proven great assets to the team. Right now we have four new girls as well - Evona, Wendy, Aqidah, and Laila - who each look more than able to bring The Buffalo Horn to the next level.

The Editorial Team aside, it has been a wonderful experience working with many others as well. The other Directors have made life in SIM-UB vibrant and interesting, offering their expertise and unique advice as and when needed. The Vice-President has also been a source of support and amusement, especially when she isn't parking my car or stomping on my foot. And last, but certainly not in the least, Madame President is probably the single reason I agreed to take up the responsibility as Editor. As I've said before, and will proudly say again, I would not have done so under anyone else.

Of course, there have been disagreements in the past, which is to be expected. The Directors clash on things such as planning and execution of events and occasions. I still tangle with my lady boss over things she doesn't agree with (like my wanting to name the newsletter The Bull Sheet), but all in all it's a cohesive and functioning unit which has seen student life in SIM-UB flourish in many ways.

There are, however, exceptions.

I hate to critique any individual person on-line, but some things have gone on for long enough. Most of you also know that I rarely use names, and that won't change here (though the string of names earlier is different). For a long time, I had to deal with a certain individual who seemed intent on stirring controversy and purposefully brewing trouble and discontent among students in the more senior batches. The said individual is long-gone, and all the better, to many of us, though it seems that another has (not so) quietly emerged.

Like I said earlier, I (like several others) had originally joined the Student Council for material gains, for lack of a better word. But working with those I have named, however, and seeing the fruits of our labor come to actualization, I'll be damned if I let someone - anyone - defame or besmirch the Black and Gold shirts that so many have worked to earn.

What really irks me is that some people are so comfortable in sowing strife within an organization they are actually a part of, and I am left befuddled and lost for words as to why this is so. If you're so unhappy, so scornful, so pitifully angsty, you are free to leave. The option has been presented to you for ages, and it has always been the case. For any of us. And if it were up to me, I would have hauled your little snotty mouth out the door a long time ago.

This isn't the best way of addressing the issue of course. And there's a good chance that many of those involved in one way or another will never read or see or know this one little (?) note. But writing has always been a form of catharsis for me and many others, though I'm not going to let this die just with a few typed paragraphs. Some have called for stern action, others suggest letting it slide.

I'm NOT going to stand around and let a childish twit heckle and bitch about something I consider a part of me. Something I have personally put a large part of myself into (hold the jokes), and something I am genuinely proud to be a part of. I take it as a personal insult to me, my team, and every other person who has ever and will ever don the colors of the SIM-UB Student Council.

There we go.

Coralineeeeeee (Spoiler-free)

I've always wanted to do something for Halloween. People in school know that, and I continually remind them in the couple of months leading up to Halloween that I'd like everyone to dress up and come to class in costumes and the like. Clubbing on Halloween isn't my idea of a great time though, not with ridiculously long queues everywhere. This year though, I did do something slightly Halloween-ish, and I'll say that it was quite something.

I've always been a fan of Neil Gaiman. I love Sandman, read Neverwhere years ago, and also have gobbled up some of his other work with people like Terry Pratchet (Good Omens). Never been disappointed. That being said, though, I've never actually read Coraline before hearing about it being adapted to the animated film playing now.

That being said, I went into the film with very high expectations for the movie, but told myself I wold be disappointed regardless. Kinda like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. However, I was very pleasantly surprised with the experience, and I can't really find anything wrong with it. Let's go through the movie step by step. Spoiler free, of course.

Before the movie began, a trailer for Avatar played. No, not the airbender, but something else from James Cameron. Looks really good, actually. But let's not get too sidetracked. But it was a good omen, and I do love movie trailers so.

As animated films go, this one didn't take my breath away like 9 did, though it's visually very pretty in its own unique way. Decidedly darker (even at its brightest) than, say, Up, every little thing sets the tone for a story that isn't exactly a children's tale. I actually didn't realise that Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher voiced the characters, which was a plus point. Not that I have anything against either of them (I am still a sucker for old school Lois & Clark reruns), but I always like to be surprised at cast members who aren't hyped.

Voice-wise, everything fits. Dakota Fanning does brilliantly as a complicated kid looking for something to spice up her life, bored to death by inattentive parents. Teri Hatcher's does great in her role(s) as well, and so does everyone else. Especially the cat. The music doesn't jump out at you like Up either, but is also generally nice, though melancholy, which is to be expected.

As far as the story goes, you have to expect a world vibrant and stunning when dealing with something coming out of Neil Gaiman's mind. Coraline delivers. Like a modern-day Alice in Wonderland (which I am also looking forward to), the Other World blows the mind in more ways than one. It reminds me of London Below from Neverwhere, and makes me wonder how in the hell someone can think up so many different things. The characters are all great and funny in their own unique way, and the caricature-like manner in which some are drawn adds to the effect.

The plot is surprisingly strong. Again, it's to be expected (at least I expected it) from something from Neil Gaiman, but we've all been disappointed before. Like I said earlier though, it isn't a children's tale, strictly speaking, and is definitely creepy and freaky in many ways. I wouldn't call it scary, but there are things which leave you haunted for a bit, and themes that aren't all rosy. It isn't a scary movie either, of course, but it's definitely something that can be enjoyed by many.

In most of my movie reviews I spend some time dissecting what went wrong in the one or two (or more) things that I have problems with in the given movie. It's hard to think of any here though, simply because everything seems to fit seamlessly. It's not too short or too long, songs are entertaining, the cat is awesome, there are no plot holes I can immediately pick out, and the 3D experience of Coraline is better than the one I had with Up, which was mildly disappointing. Here, many things stand out and leap into your lap, enhancing the whole experience.

All in all, I left the theatre thoroughly impressed and satisfied. I went in hoping for the best and expecting something sub-par, but was treated to a hundred minutes of fun, fright and fantasy. If you're contemplating watching Coraline, I would say it's your best bet looking at what else is showing right about now, other than The Hurt Locker. Definitely better than Darah or Lesbian Vampire Killers, at least.