#panga first look

[rockislandadultreads]

Cozy Sci-Fi Picks

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.

Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers' series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

This is the first volume of the "Monk and Robot" series.

The Humans by Matt Haig

When an extraterrestrial visitor arrives on Earth, his first impressions of the human species are less than positive. Taking the form of Professor Andrew Martin, a leading mathematician at Cambridge University, the visitor wants to complete his task and return home to his planet and a utopian society of immortality and infinite knowledge.

He is disgusted by the way humans look, what they eat, and the wars they witness on the news, and is totally baffled by concepts such as love and family. But as time goes on, he starts to realize there may be more to this weird species than he has been led to believe. He drinks wine, reads Emily Dickinson, listens to Talking Heads, and begins to bond with the family he lives with, in disguise. In picking up the pieces of the professor's shattered personal life, the narrator sees hope and redemption in the humans' imperfections and begins to question the very mission that brought him there - a mission that involves not only thwarting human progress... but murder.

Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes

Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra cruise the galaxy delivering small cargo for even smaller profits. When her sister Mari is kidnapped by The Fridge, a shadowy syndicate that holds people hostage in cryostasis, Eva must undergo a series of unpleasant, dangerous missions to pay the ransom.

But Eva may lose her mind before she can raise the money. The ship’s hold is full of psychic cats, an amorous fish-faced emperor wants her dead after she rejects his advances, and her sweet engineer is giving her a pesky case of feelings. The worse things get, the more she lies, raising suspicions and testing her loyalty to her found family.

To free her sister, Eva will risk everything: her crew, her ship, and the life she’s built on the ashes of her past misdeeds. But when the dominoes start to fall and she finds the real threat is greater than she imagined, she must decide whether to play it cool or burn it all down.

This is the first volume of the "Chilling Effect" series.

The Tatami Galaxy by Tomihiko Morimi

Our protagonist, an unnamed junior at a prestigious university in Kyoto, is on the verge of dropping out. After rebelling against the dictatorial jock president of the film club, he and his worst and only friend, the diabolical creep Ozu, are personas non grata on campus. For two years, our protagonist has made all the wrong decisions, and now he's about to make another mistake. He and Ozu are preparing for revenge - a fireworks attack at the film club's welcoming party for new members. Then, a chance encounter with a self-proclaimed god sets the confused and distraught young man on a new course. Destiny will bring him together with Akashi, the blunt but charming sophomore he has a crush on - if he's brave enough to make a move.

Yet our protagonist cannot get beyond his profound disillusionment and the moment is lost. But what if there's a universe where he did join the club of his dreams, ditched Ozu for good, and was confident enough to get the girl? A realm of possibility opens up for our protagonist as time rewinds, and from the four-and-a-half-mat tatami floor of his dorm room, he is plunged into a series of adventures that will take him to four parallel universes. In each universe, he is given the opportunity to start over as a freshman, in search of a rose-colored campus life.

This is the first volume of the "Tatami Galaxy" series.

[altrbody]

"Cutting (2004) really came out of an intense frustration; I was in a moment when I found myself geographically out of my comfort zone. I had left Kenya and had moved from New York to San Antonio, Texas, for an artist residency at Artpace. It was the middle of the Bush era, and I remember looking at Texas and thinking, “This is the source of a lot of these issues that are coming out of this leadership.” After a few weeks of research and thinking, “Why am I here, how do I inspire myself in a place that gives me nightmares?” I decided that this issue was universal. The lack of humanity, this refusal to address issues through diplomacy, through regarding the problem, rather than just jumping into war without thinking or pausing. I thought: What is it about me that could possibly be like this issue? Instead of pointing the finger, how about I decide to be the perpetrator? When I enacted this cutting piece I was thinking about Rwanda, about women’s work and the connection and confusion between the weapon and the farmer’s tool, especially in Africa and Rwanda, where there were hardly any guns used — mainly machetes, knives, pangas and clubs. It was such a personal massacre and was so close to home, and I wondered what would turn people to do this kind of thing? It said to me: First, this kind of thing could happen anywhere. Secondly, it is easy for you to want to be in the position of the killer, of the persecutor. Cutting came easy for me. I was trying to cut a pile of wood and the sun was setting and so we were tackling this issue of time and light and sound. I was getting very tired and exhausted, and the image I captured for cutting, which was a six-minute piece, was the very end, where the pure exhaustion had gotten me and my knife got caught in a piece of wood. What happens for me in collage is I am able to separate myself and sort of mediate through the process of thinking about these issues that are important to me — issues of beauty, violence, politics, spirituality, etc."

Wangechi Mutu b. 1972

[quoteablebooks]

Genre: Science Fiction, 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Trigger Warning: Animal death, Cursing, Alcohol, Sexual content

Summary:

After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) and Mosscap (a robot sent on a quest to determine what humanity really needs) turn their attention to the villages and cities of the little moon they call home.

They hope to find the answers they seek, while making new friends, learning new concepts, and experiencing the entropic nature of the universe.

Becky Chambers's new series continues to ask: in a world where people have what they want, does having more even matter?

They're going to need to ask it a lot.

*Opinions*

This series is just delightful, these characters are delightful, this world is delightful, and the questions that this novella raises make me think far too much about morality and existence than one would think possible in a book that is just under 150 pages. I was worried that this second novella wouldn’t be able to live up to the feeling that the first novella gave me, but it was like slipping into a warm sweater to go back on the road with Sibling Dex and Mosscap as they return to society after their adventures in the wilds. Becky Chambers gives snippets of that adventure and the questions that it raises and gives a better look at this hope-punk world that she has created. While this novella didn’t make me cry, I still enjoyed every single page. Chambers once again tackles the ideas of purpose and burnout in this novella, which makes me confront myself about how I take care of myself and approach the world and my place in it. However, Chambers does it in a comforting way, staying in the scenes in which Dex confronts these ideas just enough to get the point across without sending the reader into a spiral of despair. The discussions about purpose are the same, though I feel like that is more of a focus in this novella with both Dex and Mosscap questioning their place in the world and how to complete what they see as their mission being with each other. Chambers really doesn’t try to answer any of these questions, just lets the characters discuss it on the page and pull meaning as they see fit. It is rather calming to have other people wrestle with these issues and not have to engage in them if you don’t want to. Dex and Mosscap as characters are relatable and rather anxious individuals, which I appreciate as someone else who has anxiety. They are both attempting to do their best, but are constantly confronted with new ideas and how they fit into a world that is changing or being seen in a new way. Their banter and conversations are just lovely to read and I like their buddy road trip from village to village. They have learned to understand one another without words and what the other needs, sometimes before the other individual did. It was just so nice to watch them become friends and protective of one another. As always, Chambers makes gender and sexuality just things that exist in this world and not needing explanation or shame. Dex’s parents have multiple partners and everyone lives rather harmoniously on the farm together, which is so nice. There is no label placed on anyone’s sexuality, but it is nice to see that non-monogamous relationships are just as accepted as any other. With everything going on in the world, it is so refreshing to escape into a world where people are allowed to be who they want to be and love who they want to live in peace. It’s sad and frustrating that sexuality and individual presentation seem to be more far-fetched than some of the science in this science fiction these days. Overall, a warm hug of a book or listening to two friends talk about life and philosophy on a relaxing weekend away. I strongly recommend this series and will probably read it again and again over and over again. Five stars, no questions.

[bobbinacrosstheequator]

March 22, 2023 (morning) Isabela

Rise and shine at 5:30 AM once again for 6:00 coffee. Well, takes a few minutes to shine, even after a solid night’s sleep. When dawn broke, we found ourselves in a lovely cove, steep hills on all three sides, with graffiti on some of the rocks carved by early visitors, and more recent painted graffiti. Needless to say, any new markings are prohibited by the park! Our pre-breakfast outing was a (dry landing) hike, first up stairs and then onward to successively gorgeous viewing points of Darwin Lake and the sea beyond. The park decided that Darwin’s visit to the Galápagos Islands in his ship, the Beagle, and his significant contributions to science from his study of island biology warranted naming quite a few places in his honor. The path was dirt, rock formed from ash, and at top (400 ft up) we had a 360 degree view of a couple of volcanos, the sea, a lava field and other areas with scruffy trees. The exercise felt good but with only a few hints of a breeze and loads of humidity from the rain last night, we were drenched at the end! Ahhhh, the views were well worth it!

Breakfast was ready for us on the back deck. Corn empanadas plus all the usual fruit, cheese, eggs, bread, bacon…We got an hour to relax or nap before taking off for kayacking. Jill is seasoned from the Potomac, Seb a novice. Off we all went in a single panga with the kayaks strung together dragging behind. Two-by-two, we loaded into the kayaks and went around Tagus Cove. It was a novel perspective, watching the crabs at their level, a few penguins and cormorants, pelicans, blue footed boobies, and we even spotted a chocolate chip starfish out of the water and a big orange starfish underwater. At one point, a mama cormorant feeding an eel to her baby (regurgitating into the baby’s mouth) looked like they were having a fight. The baby rejected the eel and it dropped back into the water. So much for breakfast. Above on the rocks, two courting cormorants squalking at each other and dancing around. All in all, a very nice ride.

After a quick attire change back on the Passion, again we headed off on the pangas for snorkeling. The water seemed colder than it had been. One turtle out a bit from the shore was fun to follow for a bit as he swam away. We saw a couple different kinds of jelly fish which were fascinating to look at, and a real treat was seeing a cormorant and later a penguin swim underneath us – man, they’re fast little buggers!

Back on board with mint tea as our greeting, we got out of our wet attire (so we had some hope of it drying for the afternoon activities ) and had lunch on the top deck. Spinach soup (with popcorn) to start and then a wonderfully presented full grouper (seriously delicious) were accompanied by some sort of squash-like thing, lentils and rice. Major kudos to Christina for jumping in to serve everyone the fish. We were stunned when Julian asked for the grouper’s eye. Good grief – hard to imagine being that adventurous an eater at 12(ish). An hour and a half to blog and nap….

[lossuenosfishingcharter]

Fishing Boats: A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Vessel

Purchasing your first Costa Rica fishing boat is an exciting milestone for any angler. Whether you dream of exploring the serene Pacific waters or casting your line near the stunning coastline, choosing the right fishing boat can make all the difference in your adventures. This beginner’s guide will help you navigate the process and find the perfect vessel for your needs.

1. Understand Your Fishing Goals

Before diving into the market, think about how and where you plan to use your fishing boat in Costa Rica. Do you envision offshore fishing trips in the open ocean or leisurely inshore excursions near mangroves and estuaries? Knowing your fishing style will help narrow down your options:

Inshore Fishing: Smaller boats like skiffs or bay boats are ideal for shallow waters.

Offshore Fishing: Larger boats such as center consoles or sportfishing yachts are designed to handle the open sea.

2. Choose the Right Boat Type

Different types of Costa Rica fishing boat cater to various fishing styles and environments. Here are a few popular options:

Skiffs: Lightweight and great for navigating shallow waters.

Center Consoles: Versatile boats that can handle both inshore and offshore fishing.

Sportfishing Yachts: Luxury vessels perfect for deep-sea fishing and extended trips.

Pangas: A local favorite in Costa Rica, known for their stability and efficiency.

3. Consider the Size of the Boat

The size of your fishing boat depends on your group size, fishing location, and storage needs. For solo or small-group fishing, a 15-20 foot boat may suffice. For larger groups or extended offshore trips, consider boats 25 feet or longer.

4. Evaluate the Key Features

Look for features that enhance your fishing experience, especially in Costa Rica’s diverse waters. Some important features to consider include:

Rod Holders and Storage: Essential for keeping your gear organized.

Live Wells: Keep bait and caught fish fresh.

GPS and Navigation Systems: Crucial for navigating Costa Rica’s vast waters.

Shade or T-Top: Protects you from the tropical sun during long fishing days.

5. New vs. Used Boats

Deciding between a new and used Costa Rica fishing boat depends on your budget and preferences:

New Boats: Come with warranties and the latest features but are more expensive.

Used Boats: More affordable but may require more maintenance. Inspect thoroughly before buying.

6. Set a Realistic Budget

Fishing boats range from affordable to luxurious. When budgeting, account for additional costs such as:

Maintenance and repairs

Docking and storage fees

Fishing gear and accessories

Boat insurance

7. Test the Waters

Before making a purchase, test drive the boat to assess its performance, comfort, and suitability for Costa Rica’s fishing conditions. This step is especially important for offshore fishing boats.

8. Learn Local Regulations

Familiarize yourself with Costa Rica’s boating and fishing regulations. Ensure your vessel is registered, and obtain any necessary fishing permits before hitting the water.

9. Work with Reputable Dealers

Purchase your boat from a trusted dealer or seller with experience in Costa Rica fishing boats. They can guide you through the process and provide valuable insights about local waters.

Conclusion

Buying your first Costa Rica fishing boat is an investment in unforgettable adventures and memorable catches. By understanding your fishing goals, exploring different boat types, and setting a realistic budget, you can find the perfect vessel to explore Costa Rica’s rich fishing grounds. Whether you’re chasing marlin offshore or enjoying a quiet day near the shore, the right fishing boat will ensure you’re ready for any adventure.

Start your journey today and discover the incredible fishing opportunities Costa Rica has to offer. Happy boating.

[jacks-tracks]

30 kilo striped marlin

My 6 am taxi was a no show, but got a flag stop up at the highway down to Playa principal to catch the boat. Just light at 6:30, stiff Easterly breeze, warm and pleasant. The very nice panga is driven by Leo and he brings a deckhand to do the work. With Brian from Pender harbour, Andre from Montreal and of course my buddy Tortuga(aka jimmy) we zoomed out 10 miles to fish. Choppy but only a small groundswell and full sun by 7 am. Nothing usually happens right away and indeed we waited an hour for the first fish. Jimmy hooked a nice sailfish(10 kilos,6 meters long) and handed off to Andre when winded. The sailfish jump a lot so it,s exciting to see. Boating the fish is done by the crew who put on gloves, grasp the fish beak alongside , let them thrash a bit ,then hoist the whole fish inboard and let it expire on the side deck.

Taking turns we had time for bag lunches(brian drank beer instead) and banter. Makes fishing more fun, and I got caught up on Jimmys adventures over the winter. Sold all his boats! After 27 years staying at the YuriMar hotel he and Tracy will upgrade into a Calle Morro palace for January. The Yuri Mar(dump right by the 4 lane highway) has started bringing in bus loads of Mexicans with screaming kids thrashing in the tiny pool till all hours.

Fishing here is very different from home. The panga runs 6 rods on outriggers, and the baited hootchies a re splashing on the surface just 60 feet behind the boat which is zooming along at 5knots(6mph). The skipper looks for current lines where bait gather, or trash floating which gives cover for the bait fish and a feeding zone for the predators. Fish hit hard, hooking themselves and running off a lot of line.This gives the crew time to pull in the other lines and the guest a chance to jump into the fighting chair. The big Penn deep sea reels are loaded with lots of high test line and everything was top shape.

My turn to fish, and a striped Marlin(there are 6 kinds) ripped off 110 meters fast. Plunked into the chair, grabbed the stiff rod and held on! Oddly enough another marlin started jumping 100 feet away from the boat while mine went west. I,ve reeled in a lot of fish but this was one of the hardest, giving no ground just pulling strong. Salmon come up after a while, and Halibut go down but rise easily once their heads are turned upwards. Not Marlin. No jumping just a powerful pulling resistance. It took me 20 minutes of supreme effort, giving it my all to gain line enough to boat the fish and even then he ran from the boat at the last minute. I seriously contemplated handing off the rod to a younger guy, but pride kept me at it. Once the skipper grasped the beak he let the fish thrash against the hull to tire it ,then in one smooth lift hauled it inboard. I was beat and happy. 30 kilos, 7 feet long , a powerhouse of pure muscle. My muscles were done and my left arm which held the weight still feels weak a day later. Back muscles, butt bones, neck stiff, and generally aching all over! Fishing is fun! That,s the biggest fish I,ve ever caught.

We caught another small sailfish, and released it,then after a few good bait stripping hits we trolled towards town. Jimmy was hoping for Dorado, best eating, but the long liners have got them, and Russian trawlers and factory ships have stripped the coast of tuna. All illegal, zero enforcement. Saw federal truck with a bumper sticker : report illegal fishing 1 800...) Ha! They probably transport he catch for the pirates. We were back at the beach by 11:30 from a 6 :30 start, which was enough pitching and rolling exercise for a day.

So... Everybody got to play a fish, we all had a good time, and the price was right given Jimmys bargaining skills. 1000 pesos each plus tip and fish cleaning, my cost was $100 canadian. Probably cheaper to buy it, but the experience is well worth the cost, and it,s fresh. After sharing out the meat I took home 15 pounds, 10 of Marlin ,5 of sailfish. The fish cleaning lady, (there a re several) with shady cleaning table right at the boat landing tried to charge us 300 pesos per fish, but our captain dealt her down to 150. Very expert, fast and no waste, with roll bags provided. By the time the skin, guts and fins, head and tail are chopped off the yield is perhaps 50% flesh. They'll cut the meat down to paper thin filets , the local choice, but we wanted chunks. With a fish as big as me and just as thick, there,s some chunks. My freezer filled with portions ,using every bag i had,, and I gave fish away to the neighbours,(it,s good luck and good neighbourly policy). The meat is red, firm and not fishy, more like meat. I prefer to poach fish as that drives off the fat and leaves a tasty slab. Put fish in pot , cover with cold water, lid on and full flame till it boils. Done! I ate my fill, and the stray cat ate scraps till she fell over, still meowling . I,ve enough fish for a month when I'll look up Jimmy and go again. No guarantee of catching, but jimmy is lucky and we,ve done well in the past.

[greywhalebaja]

Baja's Gray Whale Spectacle: A Guide to Unforgettable Encounters

Baja California, Mexico's sun-drenched peninsula, is renowned for many natural wonders, but none quite compare to the annual gray whale migration. Each winter, these gentle giants of the sea travel over 5,000 miles from their Arctic feeding grounds to the warm, sheltered lagoons of Baja. For wildlife enthusiasts and casual travelers alike, witnessing this spectacular event is a bucket-list experience that combines natural beauty, scientific marvel, and heart-stirring encounters.

Prime Locations for Gray Whale Watching Baja

Baja California boasts three primary lagoons where gray whales congregate, each offering unique viewing opportunities:

Laguna Ojo de Liebre (Scammon's Lagoon): Located near the town of Guerrero Negro, this is the largest of Baja's whale nurseries. It's known for consistent whale sightings and well-developed tourist infrastructure.

Laguna San Ignacio: Often considered the heart of gray whale watching, San Ignacio is famous for intimate encounters with "friendly" whales. It's more remote, offering a pristine, less crowded experience.

Bahía Magdalena (Magdalena Bay): This expansive bay system provides diverse whale watching opportunities, from the open Pacific to mangrove-lined channels.

The Whale Watching Experience

Grey whale watching Baja is unlike anywhere else in the world. Here's what you can expect:

Close Encounters: Baja is unique for its "friendly" whales, curious individuals that often approach boats, sometimes close enough for a gentle touch.

Expert Guides: Local naturalists and biologists lead most tours, providing insights into whale behavior, biology, and conservation efforts.

Small Group Sizes: Regulations limit the number of boats and visitors, ensuring minimal disturbance to the whales and a more personal experience for tourists.

Varied Perspectives: Options range from traditional panga (small fishing boat) tours to kayaking expeditions and even glamping experiences on the lagoon shores.

Best Time to Visit

The gray whale watching season in Baja typically runs from mid-December to early April, with peak activity in February and March. During this time:

December-January: The first whales arrive, with numbers steadily increasing.

February-March: Peak season, with the highest concentration of whales and most active behaviors.

Late March-Early April: Whale numbers decrease, but you might witness mothers and calves preparing for their northward migration.

Planning Your Gray Whale Watching Adventure

To make the most of your Baja gray whale experience:

Choose Your Base: Decide which lagoon you want to visit and book accommodations accordingly. Options range from eco-camps to comfortable hotels in nearby towns.

Select a Reputable Tour Operator: Look for companies with strong environmental ethics and experienced guides. Many operators contribute to whale research and conservation efforts.

Prepare for the Elements: Bring layers, sun protection, and waterproof gear. Mornings can be chilly, but afternoons are often warm and sunny.

Bring the Right Equipment: A good camera with a zoom lens is essential. Binoculars can enhance your viewing experience, especially for distant whale behaviors.

Be Patient and Respectful: Remember, you're observing wild animals in their natural habitat. While sightings are nearly guaranteed during peak season, the whales' behavior can be unpredictable.

Beyond Whale Watching

To enrich your Baja experience, consider complementary activities:

Visit the San Ignacio Lagoon Whale Museum to learn about gray whale biology and conservation.

Explore the surrounding desert landscapes, home to unique flora and fauna.

Bird-watching opportunities abound, with many migratory species visiting the lagoons.

Experience local culture in charming Baja towns, sampling fresh seafood and traditional cuisine.

Conservation and Responsible Tourism

The success of gray whale watching in Baja is a testament to effective conservation measures. Once hunted to near-extinction, these whales have made a remarkable recovery. Today, responsible tourism plays a crucial role in their ongoing protection by providing economic incentives for conservation.

When choosing a tour, prioritize operators that follow strict wildlife viewing guidelines and contribute to local community development and research initiatives. By doing so, you're not just witnessing one of nature's great spectacles; you're actively supporting the preservation of these magnificent creatures and their critical habitats.

A gray whale watching expedition in Baja offers more than just wildlife viewing; it's a transformative experience that connects you with the rhythms of the natural world and the majesty of marine life. Whether you're locking eyes with a curious whale calf or marveling at a mother's protective grace, these encounters leave an indelible impression, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of our oceans and the importance of preserving them for future generations. https://www.greywhale.com/gray-whale-watching-in-baja/

[poohnotpiku]

Chapter 13 : Pooh & Feminism

Hey Peeps…Longggg Time! After a long gap, Pooh is trying to bring back her blogging bug with a controversial topic i.e. Feminism. Feminism is a concept which has seen varying descriptions and avatars, since its inception. When asked what is Feminism, there is no limits to one’s imagination for an explanation. You will hear most heart touching definitions to the most horrendous views, depending on who is answering!!

Pooh also has her rights, when it comes to define and practice feminism. YES, I am a Feminist! A Feminist with her own definition of Feminism!!

Feminism for me means being respectful and supportive of one another and it has nothing to do with Female gender. Feminism means fighting for Equity and not Equality. Feminism is more about empathizing than sympathizing. No gender needs pity or sympathy, we all just need understanding and compassion. Stop calling any gender the ‘weaker sex’. God didn’t make one gender strong and others weak. Each gender has its own strengths and weaknesses. We need people to not make assumptions and opinions on some pre-defined notions. It would be great if people with rigid and rudimentary thoughts could just for once come out of these boundaries and breathe in the open air!!

There are a few anecdotes which just left Pooh shell-shocked! Sharing some of them below :

Scene#1

Pooh is out veggie shopping and the vendor says ‘Bhabhiji, sab sabji ekdam fresh hai….itna accha khana aap banayenge ki bhaiya khush ho jayenge!’ (translation : the veggies are totally fresh and your husband would love whatever you cook with these!!)

Unmarried Feminist Pooh, who also hates cooking, was left dumbfounded…I was literally speechless…my mind was running in all directions…which point should I clarify with this moron first?? Point that I am not married and hence there is no bhaiya for this bhabhi? Or the point that I simply hate cooking? Or the point that who the heck he is to assume that a wife would cook for her husband and not vice-versa?

Instead I just smiled and walked away. Later, while having my tea, I went through all the possible comebacks I could have used!!! The best was ‘Bhaiya ko cook k haath se bana khana zyada pasand hai!!’ (Translation : The husband loves meal prepared by our cook more than mine!!) I can just imagine the expression on his face if only I had used my wit at the right time!!!

Scene#2

Pooh was in the managerial round (last round of interview) in a global company and salary negotiation discussions were going on. I wasn’t asking even the market value but much less, still this manager was hackling with me for 20mins or so. At the end he says : “Why do you even need this much salary? It’s just going to be your pocket money!” Again. I was left speechless. I didn’t want to take any panga and just ignored the remark. But today after 7-8 years when I look back on that incident, I feel so much anger on myself that why didn’t I escalate that stupid man to the HR!!!!

Scene#3

We were in a social gathering and I heard a middle-aged man saying : “Women were made by God to breed, give birth and look after the family and the house. But, nowadays women want more and that is against nature’s definition for their role. So, they are going to suffer and they should not crib….”

Yet again, Pooh was left speechless. Yet again, worrying about society, Pooh didn’t answer back to that ignorant man. Yet again, chauvinism was allowed to win by the ‘weaker sex’!!!!

--x--

There are many such anecdotes but no antidote yet! In fact, at times, we ourselves laugh away at statements like ‘is it that day of the month for you?’, ‘don’t give excuse of hormonal misbalance again’, ‘you need someone to support you’, ‘let the men of the family handle this’ etc etc

No one can help you, until you decide to help yourself. So, instead of being a silent spectator or the meek oppressed, we need to speak out…Speak with conviction and confidence…World is changing but still there is a long way to go, before all can truly understand and appreciate Feminism!!

Ending with a quote by Malala Yousafzai :

' I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. '

Until next time, ciao!!!!

[zukkaoru]

[ID: three colored panga panels of Panda, Kirara, and Megumi from Jujutsu Kaisen. the backgrounds have been erased, replaced with solid dusty pink/red. the first shows them all from the shoulders up, angled left, all looking worried. the second shows them from the shoudlers up, in a simpler, more cartoon-y style. Panda appears worried, Kirara appears surprised, and Megumi appears angry. the third shows them from the chest up. Panda stands on the left, behind Kirara, appearing to be smiling though he sweats nervously. Kirara rests their head in their hands, their gaze pointed towards Megumi, who is on the right. Megumi looks down, pouting, a bead of sweat coming down the side of his face. /End ID.]

My new favourite trio [Panda, Kirara and Sea urchin head]

[playermagic23]

20 Years of Munna Bhai MBBS EXCLUSIVE: Khurshed Lawyer talks about playing Swami in the Sanjay Dutt-starrer: “The film got delayed for nearly 10 months due to Shah Rukh Khan’s back injury”

Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) completed 20 years last month, on December 19. It’s a film that revived Arshad Warsi’s career and made director Rajkumar Hirani and actors Boman Irani, Kurush Deboo, Yatin Karyekar, etc known personalities across the country. Another actor who got fame through the Sanjay Dutt-starrer was Khurshed Lawyer. He played the role of Nagarajan Swami, Munna’s roommate. Despite limited screen time, he left a mark and is also a part of the now famous ‘Mast hai; apun ko bhi karne ka hai’ meme. As Munna Bhai MBBS celebrated its 20th anniversary, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke with Khurshed Lawyer about the film and a lot more.

What were you doing before you landed the role in Munna Bhai MBBS? After I graduated from college in 1996, I started working with Tinkle Comics. I was the sub-editor in Amar Chitra Katha. Then I was an information analyst at The Indian Express. We started with having news on the web. This was in the year 1998 when the internet was new. Hence, the experience was thrilling. Then I underwent laser surgery for my eyes. This gave me the confidence to get into acting. Until then, main bahut hi darr raha tha. The number in my eyes was -16 or 17. I used to look funny wearing the soda bottle glasses.

After the surgery, I spent my savings and made my portfolio. In 2000, I worked in three ads. One of them was for Channel V. Since the director liked me a lot, he offered me two more assignments. So in all, I worked on five projects. In 2001, I didn’t get any work. My bank balance was low. Those were the days when we used to have only hard copies of the photographs. So, once you gave the pictures to someone, we had to make another copy and that used to add to the financial burden. Nevertheless, I decided that I’d do one big project and then I would quit. Then one day, I got a call to audition for Munna Bhai MBBS.

What was the audition process like? I got a call from Rajkumar Hirani’s office. I was told to not just get ragged but also rag a student. Dono karna tha. Later, I was told on call that I had been selected. At first, I thought they had wrongly called me because the person who called me was from Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s office. Aur maine toh unki office dekhi bhi nahin thi! I felt ‘Main wahan jaunga aur pappu ho jaayega’! I told them that they had dialled the wrong person’s number. This is when they explained the whole situation to me. And I was like ‘Toh fir right number lagaya hai aapne’!

How did you get the audition call? There was a casting coordinator in those days. Also, I had gone to Rajkumar Hirani’s office, Canvas Films, many times for auditions. So, they had my photographs. Those days, directors would meet people. They would have an interaction with actors. It was unlike the chaotic, undisciplined scene that exists today. There were limited people and there was a system in place. Tab aisa nahin hota tha ki har dusra insaan bole ki ‘Main acting karunga’ and reel bana ke daal di.

Meanwhile, I was getting older obviously and people used to mock me that I left a steady job. It’s a typical Indian mindset. I was the first one in my family to get into acting. Though my parents were very supportive, somewhere deep inside, they also felt anxious. And I also felt guilty since no money was coming in and I was living off my parents’ money.

Finally, Munna Bhai MBBS went on floors. It got delayed for nearly 10 months due to Shah Rukh Khan’s back injury. Once I shot for the film, I joined a call centre. I was true to my word – I had decided to work in one big film and quit, with a heavy heart though. Thankfully, Munna Bhai MBBS worked. People started recognizing me. I started getting more work. Meanwhile, call centre mein panga hone laga as some people were jealous. My team leader Atul purposely would make things difficult for me. He was not able to digest the fact that I was getting a lot of popularity. My call centre manager, however, used to adjust for me. He would grant me leave if I had to go for a shoot. On my part, I used to manage in such a way that work would not be affected. Nevertheless, I was told that things were getting messy because of my work arrangement. This is when I decided that I’d quit. My family was also supportive.

How much were you paid for your part in Munna Bhai MBBS? I was paid approx. Rs, 50,000. That was a big amount then, as good as Rs. 5 lakhs.

How many days did you shoot?

I shot for 15-20 days spread over six months.

What was your first shot? I had to first rehearse the chaddi dance. I was wondering why I was doing this bit as the scene was different. Nevertheless, I was happy that chaddi mein dance karne milega! Then, I was told that I didn’t have to do the chaddi dance. Dil toot gaya bechare aadmi ka! But on second thoughts, thank God for that actually (laughs).

So, this was the first rehearsal that happened. But my first shot was the one in the room when Munna Bhai enters the room and Circuit tells him ‘Yeh room toh shuru hote hi khatam ho gaya’.

Were you nervous? Not at all. Why would I be nervous? I was excited. But I was not able to stay serious when Munna told my character ‘Sab kuch apna samaj, mere underwear ko chhod ke’! I was supposed to be petrified and keep a poker face. It took a while to get the scene right.

Then, there’s a scene where the doctor is explaining about a dead body. It was being shot in J J College of Anatomy. The room next to the one in which the scene was shot had trunks full of dead bodies. I was roaming around and opened a trunk. And I saw dead bodies staring at me! They were dunked in a solution called formalin. It was enough to get my b***s in my mouth! I ran from there. But I couldn’t resist and went back to check out the mortal remains! I must have done it the whole day.

Then, one doctor asked me what exactly I was doing (laughs). I told him, ‘I am scared to look (at the bodies) but I still want to look at them’. The doctor explained to me the whole process. I also shook hands with a skeleton. I assumed it was made of Plaster of Paris. But the doctor told me that it was a skeleton of a real, dead person. Ussi waqt maine uska haath chod diya!

Did people start recognizing you after the film was released? I went to see the film at Maratha Mandir with my family. In the interval, people noticed that I was a part of the film. In the second half, they would look back at me instead of staring at the screen during my scenes! After the film got over, I was mobbed. Koi bahar hi aane nahin de raha tha. It was the first time that this happened to me and I was wondering, ‘Ab bahar kaise jaayenge hum log?’! We waited inside. Then we assumed that everyone must have left. This is when we came out but 30% of the people were still outside to catch my glimpse!

You said in an interview that you were offered a role in Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009). What were those roles? In Lage Raho Munna Bhai, I was supposed to be a part of the scene when Munna goes to the toilet before meeting the RJ (played by Vidya Balan). Circuit mouths the ‘vinamra’ dialogue to him. That part was ultimately played by Dileep Desai, Rajkumar Hirani’s colleague. Since I was shooting for Home Delivery (2005) and Mr Ya Miss (2005), I had to decline as they called me to shoot the scene at the last minute.

As for 3 Idiots, I couldn’t do it as it was being shot at the same time as I was shooting for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009). I don’t remember which part I was offered, though.

You were a part of a funny scene in Dunki. How did you become a part of this film? I was called by Mukesh Chhabra’s casting team. But I guess it was Raju sir’s call because he is someone who knows who’ll fit in which role. However, the protocol was followed and the casting director called me.

Did you interact with Shah Rukh Khan? No, as it was a very tight schedule. There was no time to interact and also, it was a very professional setup. On top of it, it was very hot. We shot it in April in Film City. It’s not the time when we can chit-chat under the sun!

Did you get a chance to interact with Shah Rukh Khan for Munna Bhai MBBS?

No, as he never shot for the film. Eventually, things moved with Sanjay Dutt. In my personal opinion, Munna Bhai wouldn’t have been Munna Bhai without Sanjay Dutt and Dunki wouldn’t have been Dunki without Shah Rukh Khan. They both were meant to do their respective characters. It was God’s will, I guess.

How did your parents react to your success? They were more thrilled than me. I am just doing my job, just like everyone else. The only thing is that in my field, there’s a lot of glamour and public love. Both my parents were bankers. They were also very loved by their customers. They knew my parents would help out in case they got stuck. Yet, I received different kinds of appreciation and hence, it was an out-of-the-blue experience for them.

Interestingly, my dad was there in one of the posters of Munna Bhai MBBS. I had gone for the photoshoot. My father was with me and they clicked his snap as well. It is part of a group photograph setup where Munna and Dr Asthana are seated with several professors. My father is next to Boman Irani.

I have now started getting my father to do some ads occasionally, but strictly under my supervision. Unfortunately, the industry doesn’t really take care of people today. I am very particular that he doesn’t need to work at this age. But he likes to act as it helps me get a little excitement in his life (smiles).

[tomsquitieri]

We Do It For You; Now You Can Look And Act

WASHINGTON -- The first massacre victim I met was really two, an elderly couple still holding hands three days after an ambush along a dusty Bosnian road left them and a dozen others dead.

The only way to find out who they, and the others who were slain — to give them their voice, to tell their story — were was by getting close, looking at any documents they may have had, trying to piece together the bloodied event that left innocents baking and rotting in the hot August sun, or those who never made it out of the bus they thought would bring them to safety.

Moving their hands from pockets, rolling them over, whispering questions in their ears hoping for answers to help me tell their stories and, ideally, make them the last to suffer like this.

In the dust was Veselinka Masic, her birth certificate in her left front pocket; Mlade Todorovic, atop a school diploma and working papers; Veselinka Todorovic slain nearby, her bankbook showing 77,000 dinars - then around $385; Ninela-Nia Galvanic, 16; Dragica Pljevaljcic, 84; Joka Ikohic, 65; Dalibaor Matovic, 11; Dragon Spasogevic, 24.

And a baby, tiny, helpless, whose name I was never able to get.

It was called a small war, Bosnia. The elderly couple and those murdered with them would be faces of hundreds I would see, smell, touch, ponder, come far too close and internalize far too much.

Here is some of what I learned, no matter if it was in Bosnia, Haiti, Burundi, Rwanda, Iraq, Corsica, Afghanistan, and dozens of other places where innocents were murdered, bullied, raped, and tortured:

First, those who commit the crimes always say they did not do it. Second, the war crimes we journalists learn about - or discover on our own — are just a smattering of the horrors that have occurred.

The war in Ukraine has from the start been like those I had covered, one reason I considered steps to get to Ukraine, to get to besieged cities, to follow the flow of weapons from the United States to the hands of Ukrainian troops to their use. I knew, like others who crouched and ran with me in past wars, what was going to happen in Ukraine — and it did — and what is still to happen as that war worsens.

Destroyed buildings, attacks on schools and hospitals and shelters, hundreds fleeing, lawless troops. We knew that once the Russians arrived and then would retreat, greater horrors would be unleashed.

One of the biggest single horrors of the Bosnia war was the July 1995 Srebrenica massacre, where more than 7,000 Bosnian Muslim boys and men were slain and dumped in several mass graves as the area was “ethnically cleansed” of all Muslims. A war term to soften the horror, “ethnically cleansed.”

We found some of those mass graves and relayed the information to authorities. We trekked across mine-strewn roads and wound up arrested, but we did not stop.

Be a “voice for the voiceless,” my first editor told me again and again. So I, and others, did.

Those victims of those wars needed us to give them a voice. Just as those who are deep in Ukraine reporting are doing for these latest victims.

The world always wants to look away. It does not want to hear about the grandmother who dropped to her knees to kiss my muddy boots as she begged me to take her grandchildren to safety. It does not want to hear about the trembling voices from the pre-teen girls who were raped. It does not want to hear the boasts of the bullyboys who chortled — when I asked how they knew who the “others” are — said “they smell differently” and it made it easy to pick them out to murder. It does not see the bodies bobbing in an eddy of a river, after floating downstream from a Rwanda massacre site or the Burundi bodies chopped by “pangas” — machetes — to finish them off after first being gunned down.

And it never even seems to know of the bandaged bodies of the wounded, the bloated stomachs of the starving infants, and the soft whimpers of those slowly dying.

The world does not want to be the ones going through the pockets of rotting corpses to find out who these people were, the precious lives they led, before they were ruthlessly ambushed, now strewn for animals and nature to dismember their remains on that dusty road.

We do it for you. As uncomfortable as it is, at least you can do is look and act.

[rockislandadultreads]

Read-Alike Friday: In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.

Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers' series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

This is the first volume in the “Monk and Robot” series. 

Borne by Jeff VanderMeer

In a ruined, nameless city of the future, a woman named Rachel, who makes her living as a scavenger, finds a creature she names “Borne” entangled in the fur of Mord, a gigantic, despotic bear. Mord once prowled the corridors of the biotech organization known as the Company, which lies at the outskirts of the city, until he was experimented on, grew large, learned to fly and broke free. Driven insane by his torture at the Company, Mord terrorizes the city even as he provides sustenance for scavengers like Rachel.

At first, Borne looks like nothing at all—just a green lump that might be a Company discard. The Company, although severely damaged, is rumoured to still make creatures and send them to distant places that have not yet suffered Collapse. Borne somehow reminds Rachel of the island nation of her birth, now long lost to rising seas. She feels an attachment she resents; attachments are traps, and in this world any weakness can kill you. Yet when she takes Borne to her subterranean sanctuary, the Balcony Cliffs, Rachel convinces her lover, Wick, not to render Borne down to raw genetic material for the drugs he sells—she cannot break that bond.

Against his better judgment, out of affection for Rachel or perhaps some other impulse, Wick respects her decision. Rachel, meanwhile, despite her loyalty to Wick, knows he has kept secrets from her. Searching his apartment, she finds a burnt, unreadable journal titled “Mord,” a cryptic reference to the Magician (a rival drug dealer) and evidence that Wick has planned the layout of the Balcony Cliffs to match the blueprint of the Company building. What is he hiding? Why won’t he tell her about what happened when he worked for the Company?

This is the first volume in the “Borne” series. 

Anthropocene Rag by Alexander C. Irvine 

In the future United States, our own history has faded into myth and traveling across the country means navigating wastelands and ever-changing landscapes.

The country teems with monsters and artificial intelligences try to unpack their own becoming by recreating myths and legends of their human creators. Prospector Ed, an emergent AI who wants to understand the people who made him, assembles a ragtag team to reach the mythical Monument City.

In this nanotech Western, Alex Irvine infuses American mythmaking with terrifying questions about the future and who we will become.

Wanderers by Chuck Wendig

Shana wakes up one morning to discover her little sister in the grip of a strange malady. She appears to be sleepwalking. She cannot talk and cannot be woken up. And she is heading with inexorable determination to a destination that only she knows. But Shana and her sister are not alone. Soon they are joined by a flock of sleepwalkers from across America, on the same mysterious journey. And like Shana, there are other "shepherds" who follow the flock to protect their friends and family on the long dark road ahead.

For as the sleepwalking phenomenon awakens terror and violence in America, the real danger may not be the epidemic but the fear of it. With society collapsing all around them--and an ultraviolent militia threatening to exterminate them--the fate of the sleepwalkers depends on unraveling the mystery behind the epidemic. The terrifying secret will either tear the nation apart--or bring the survivors together to remake a shattered world.

This is the first volume in the “Wanderers” series. 

[tildaataru]

Observation to imagination

For this task we had to observe an item in front of us and see how well we could draw this only looking at it for thirty seconds. I struggled with this as I found myself remembering details instead of the entire form.

However after a few tries I slowly got the hang of it by memorizing basic forms in my head then where the light sore was coming from to try my best to draw it from memory accurately.

Weather piece

I decided for this price I wanted to choose specific panels to draw rather that one panels cut up into six. This way I would be able to show how the different stages of a volcano eruption and its aftermath would interact with different substances. I first started planning and mapping out what my panels would look like on the panga and what would happen in them. I narrowed down different stages of a volcanic eruption, such as ash clouds, lava and fire. I wanted to show how the lava would interact with water, so I decided to show lava falling into the water with small bubbles and steam coming off of it. However jeff said that this away not clear enough in my piece so I changed the zoomed in panel of lava for a zoomed in on a panel of bubbles forming in the water due to the heat of the lava.

I did my first draft in red colored pencil however jeff stated that some of the pannls where niot clear enough and to advance my contrast in tone using watercolor. I gave this a go and I was able to distinguish more the ash smoke cloud more from the buildings in the third second and third panel.

Color lesson

I personally struggle with color theory so this lesson helped me a lot to understand how to produce different colors and what colors when with each other. One of our activities was to tonally make other colors as light as yellow, this posed as difficult as they always needed to be lighter than I thought to bathe of same tonal value to yellow. I did this by squinting to check if they where the same or at least similar.

[wamuzimedia]

Bondo woman kills mother, child before dying by suicide.

After a 30-year-old woman allegedly killed two people before taking her own life, the Nyangera Kambajo village in Bondo Sub County was overcome with shock and grief. It is believed that Macrine Atieno killed her mother, who was between the ages of 55 and 60, and her daughter, a grade 4 student, who was only 10 years old. She then allegedly attacked her 35-year-old boyfriend before taking her own life. Usire Assistant Chief Austin Bunde says that around 12:30 in the morning, he received a distress call that Kennedy Onyango had been attacked with a panga and was in bad condition. According to Bunde, his team arrived quickly at the scene and transported the victim to a hospital in Bondo Sub County, where he is currently receiving treatment. At the emergency clinic, he said, Onyango admitted that he had been gone after by his sweetheart, Macrine. As indicated by Onyango, Macrine went to his home around evening time and was exceptionally agitated. He said that Macrine couldn't rest and on various events, she was in and out of the house guaranteeing that she had a stomach disturbed. However, it is said that she struck Onyango in the head during this time and attacked him. Following the disclosure, the associate Boss and some cops returned to Onyango's home where they tracked down Macrine's garments. "Then we got a call that Macrine had been seen bathing at her homestead. However, he stated, "the caller alerted me within minutes that she was not bathing but dangling from a tree naked." According to Bunde, Macrine's homestead and Onyango's are 100 meters apart. They then continued to her residence and found the fundamental house and kitchen entryways were locked. He claimed that when they realized there was a mistake, they broke the doors. "When we discovered her mother and daughter lying in a pool of blood, we were shocked." The associate boss noticed that they suspect that the woman could have first killed the mother and girl prior to pursuing her sweetheart. He said the two bodies were taken to the Bondo clinic mortuary. The assistant chief stated, "The motive behind this all is still unknown." The police said they are looking into the situation. Read the full article

[bobbinacrosstheequator]

March 18, 2023 Santa Cruz

Early to bed and early to rise. Oops, we forgot to go to bed early — between blogging and reorganizing – LOL. Our instructions were to be in the lobby by 6:10AM. We, of course were there by 5:45. Getting downstarirs early was initially a disappointment, but when the concierge showed us where the coffee was, it made all the difference! The hotel provided bag breakfasts – a nice thought even if it wasn’t appealing. Dianna was once again there to meet us and shepherd us through the airport. Seasoned travelers, we don’t really need the help, but then again at the crack of dawn it was sort of nice not having to think about anything! She handed us our Galapagos entry permit and cash for the fee… Wilderness Travel includes everything. As with the arrival in country, the airport was easy to transit. A latte at the gate and onto the quick 1 ½ hour trip to Baltra, home of the main Galapapos airport.

A word (or words) about ecotourism. This place is all about protecting the environment, the endemic and native species, the sea, the earth. Everyone seems to be on-board and does their part. Indeed, tourism is the business of the place, but it really feels like everyone buys-in. From limiting single use plastic to very specific recycling bins; to banning seeds, fruit and animals to ensuring that tourists understand not only the rules but the motivation for the rules, it’s an inspiration.

Through the checkpoints, we stood behind a yellow line where the sign told us to wait for the K-9 inspection. With our fellow new arrivals, we followed the rules, waiting as we recognized our suitcases being added to a stack. When all were in place, a police narcotics officer led her K-9 colleague to the stacks. His job? Prance back and forth across all of the suitcases and select those for special treatment. Thankfully, neither of our bags was one of the five or six carted away! And the K-9 went back to his kennel!

We met Carolina, our guide for the week, and the three brothers traveling together who also booked through Wilderness Travel. Carolina led us to a public bus for a quick drive to a dock to cross over to Santa Cruz island by ferry. On Santa Cruz, we drove to the middle of the island where there is an area replent with giant tortoises. It was their land first, but now they share it with farms. The tortoises have the right of way, with fences that allow them to pass (except if there are vegetable gardens; farmers can keep tortoises out of those). Even driving up to the farm, we spotted a number of them along the side of the road. At the farm, we saw bunches. The first, a big male, probably 600 lbs or so, was very impressive, even if he refused to turn around and face us. To get to an area where there were a number of slimy looking watering holes (cooling waters, drinking water and bathrooms for the tortoises – no one consulted on sanitation…), Carolina led us down through a lava tunnel. Very interesting, natural tunnel where many many moons ago, indeed lava flowed through leaving a tunnel behind. Cool, dark and a little slippery. Carolina provided all sorts of info about tortoises, the patterns on their shells, the varieties and similarities, their behaviors ,at the same time that we watched them meander (lumber) around, crane their necks, seemingly yawn, and generally mosey about. They’re unique creatures – some upwards of 100 years old!

We carried on in the bus to Puerto Ayora, the biggest town on Santa Cruz, where we took a panga (dinghy/zodiac in local language) out to the Passion – home for the next week. Oo la la. Such luxury! The boat is spacious and our room is terrific. Boat-sized cabin and head on this boat doen’t even seem boat-sized! Lunch was on the back deck with seven of the eleven we’ll travel with all week – yummy and with a breeze in the shade, a nice relief from the heat of being on the road. Oh, did we mention that it’s HOT HOT HOT here?

The afternoon excursion was to a tortoise breeding center. The islands are doing whatever it takes to protect, maintain and rebuild wildlife. Many turtle species have been hit hard over the years, and the Ecuadorans are working on building up the populations again. We saw all ages of tortoises, from one to six-ish years being fostered before returning to the island of their parents to live out their years. The little babies are in “nursery” cages, sorted by island family and birth year. The cages are open during the day, but covered at night to protect the little ones from rats and cats, two introduced species who prey on the young tortoises. Tortoises mating observed – ‘tis the season and even while they were a ways away, we could hear them. Interesting note, Carolina pointed out that the study of tortoises takes a long time given their lifespan. Scientists won’t have answers to some questions for generations.

After wrapping up at the tortoise breeding center and Darwin Research Center museum, we wandered back to town, kicked around a while, went into some lovely craft shops, and watched some of the wildlife right around the dock – stingray and sea tortoise swimming in the shallow water, Sally Lightfoot crabs on the rocks. We hooked up with the last of our group, a family of four, completing the group for our journey.

Pangas back to the boat, a quick shower to freshen up, snacks and wine in the bar, a briefing of tomorrow’s activities, and then a very nice dinner inside, sharing travel stories and preferences with our travel companions. It was a tremendously tiring day, but so exciting to be here and already in the thick of this wonderful place.

[jasnmedia]

Treatment

Day in the Life 

By. Jasmine Nolan 

January 2023 

This will be about a day in the life of mine. It is a glorified version of it. I wanted to show the beauty of Phuket and the island surrounding it.  

The locations would be in Thailand. In the panga bay islands as well as Phuket wake park. I wanted to show my sport as well as my life and love for the ocean. The characters in the opening title sequence and my close wakeboarding friends and I wanted to show my love for my friends and my sport.  

Shot:1 

Filmed on GoPro 

The scene starts with a black screen where if fades into a closeup shot of the waves coming into the beach with added audio extracted form YouTube of the waves coming in. The sounds of waves coming in starts before the shot is presented to build suspense. The music fades in (used J cuts) when the studio title appears.  

Shot:2  

Filmed on GoPro 

It transitions to the next shot which is nature shot of an island in the Phangnga bay area. The title appears when the camera begins to pan to show the surroundings The audio used is extracted from YouTube Aswell, layering the backing track with the added audio of the longtail boat.  

Shot:3 

Filmed on GoPro 

Shows the surroundings in the bay in the next location, there is no added audio as the shot is only short. The backing track plays through the shot. Pans to next shot  

Shot:4 

Filmed on GoPro  

Uses flash cut to next scene as so that it appears smoother, shot from POV of jumping into the water. No added audio. The backing track plays through this scene. 

 Shot:5  

Filmed on GoPro  

Re-emerges and shows boat as and bounces, wide shot of the boat, camera submerges and re-emerges from water in a river. No added audio backing track plays through the scene  

Shot:6  

Filmed on GoPro  

Pans from the water of the river showing scenery with wide shot this shows the surrounding area of the river. Added audio from the scenery extracted from YouTube, it adds to the scenery and replicated the feeling of being there in real life. Backing track still plays throughout the scene. Pans up to the sun. 

Shot:7 

Filmed on GoPro  

Pans back down from the sun showing other side of river, same sounds of nature play without cuts to create a smoother feeling within this section of the opening title sequence. Backing Track plays throughout the scene  

Shot:8  

Filmed on GoPro  

Pans down and shows the man paddling the pier, the nature sounds continue despite the cut a then shake transitions at the end to next scene  

Shot: 9 

Filmed on GoPro 

Shake transition to waterfall and there is waterfall sounds in the background that are added. The water hits the screen for the next transition  

Shot: 10  

Filmed on Phone 

Pans down from the sky at the park and then all the way down showing scenery. Has crickets sounds playing in the background as that is the sound of the surroundings first things in the morning. The audio is added because it was not picked up well on the mic.  

Shot: 11 

Filmed on Phone 

Shows the carrier carrying ropes up, close up shot. Only backing track playing  

Shot: 12  

Filmed on Phone 

Shows man organising ropes at the wake park can only see his hands and body, headless figure  

Shot: 13  

Filmed on Phone  

Shows the handles dripping with water, sticking with theme of water  

Shot: 14 

Filmed on Phone  

Shows two people in the water swimming passing the control tower they look out into the lake which is the next transition 

Shot: 15 

Filmed on GoPro 

Shows the main character Kungfu, when he turns his head towards the camera and the camera moves away and turns  

Shot: 16  

Filmed on GoPro 

Shows the next main character PJ and the camera moves towards him and ends up right Infront  

Shot: 17  

Filmed on GoPro 

Shows the next main character is Jasmine which can be seen riding a wakeboard, it cuts to the next scene  

Shot: 18  

Filmed on Phone 

Shows 3 boys riding a motor bike and the co-star credits roll as they are coming into frame. Then cuts to the next shot  

Shot: 19  

Filmed on GoPro 

Shows people at the dock and the camera is up close to their faces then cuts to black.