Charlie the Unicorn - German Fandub

You've all heard of Charrrrlliieee (and if you haven't a) you have not yet lived, and b) go to http://dan-jon.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html)... and now he's gone GERMAN!! This one goes out to Sez (and Tamie!).

... sobering

I thought I'd take a brief break from writing an essay (why is it that I can write more in three night-time hours, than the whole of the day spent sitting in front of the computer?!) to share a bit of what it's about because ... well, it's pretty sobering stuff.

And this also should help keep me focussed on actually getting the darn thing done (ironically, I hear you say, as I'm actually actively NOT getting it done by writing this? Never mind such logical logic, at this time of the night it simply doesn't apply... Ah, sweet denial).

The question for anthropology which I've ended up doing is this:

'Analyse and discuss the impact that amputations and mutilations had on Sierra Leonean society during the war of the 1990s. To what extent was the power of the rebels literall and physically inscribed on the bodies of their victims?'

I've spent the last couple of days immersed in reading about all this stuff - in graphic, detailed descriptions about how people had arms or hands hacked off in 'short' (above the elbow) or 'long' sleeve fashion, were indiscriminately killed or abused, had to watch silently as family members were tortured or murdered, women and girls raped and sexually abused, children made to become soldiers and carry out the above with abandon, losing their childhood along the way...

Reading about all of that makes me uncomfortable. When I was little I used to think the majority of the world was like the peaceful little world that I lived in, with a couple of dusty countries in Africa having trouble finding food (but not to worry, America would soon enough fly in some supplies, or Oprah would save the day) ... But so it should make me uncomfortable - I don't want to look at the world through desensitised or purely academic eyes. In a strange way it's good to be filled with a sadness and compassion for people outside my own circumstances. It really does fill me with sadness and anger for the things these people have gone through, and the utter evil possessing the people carrying such atrocities out. It's like think of your worst nightmare, and that happened to these people. It's both mind-blowing and sobering.

But anyway, the specific and intetional way that the rebel groups used amputations and mutilations on people to send a message is clever in a very disturbing way - rather than killing a person it leaves them with a ceaseless reminder of the power relationship between themselves and the aggressor (sorry if this sounds like an essay :P). Basically they're leaving their mark on the person for life, as well as sending a political message to the government (which was what they were wanting to do) that they aren't protecting their citizens, and aren't good enough. Add to that the corruption in the government and things are pretty dire!

At the moment though things look like they're on the up and up so that's pretty hopeful :)

Makes me think of what we were looking at in the last small group on camp though, of what we can look forward to in heaven, we won't be in a stuffed up world forever:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Rev 21:3-5

If you got here to the end of this impassioned post, well done, when I next see you I might you a pat on the back (I was going to say I might give you chocolate, but that would be cruelly raising your hopes only to be painfully crushed... so I didn't) ;)

Night...

on the air

big news: i have a mobile again, after a month in the communication wilderness! Same number.
Yay :D

henna, moisturiser and hot cross buns...mmm!

Well well well, it has been an eventful while. I've decided this is going to be a multi-faceted post.

Facet #1 : a picture.

Here is my foot. My foot does not normally look like this (*gasp* I hear you... uh... gasp) because I got it TATOOED!! Henna tatooed that is, so it'll only last for a few days (to save Dad a freak out :P) ... but what a beautiful few days they shall be, where my foot brings a bit of life, culture, and novelty into my life, and through my wearing of thongs (no matter how cold it gets), into the lives of others as well!

Facet #2

A story.

A very bizarre story.

Last night as I lay dreaming in bed ... No scrap that beginning of the story, I got writer's block. Here's what happened - I've got NO idea WHAT the heck I was dreaming about, but some strange storyline must have been taking place under my eyelids, because a mysterious force took hold of me. You know that Body Shop body butter that comes in the big tubs and smells so good you want to taste it? Well, you can take it from me, it doesn't taste good.

I happened to have one on my bedside table last night. That's right, I half-woke up during the night, took the lid off, took a scoop out with my finger, and ATE it. I ATE my strawberry body butter IN MY SLEEP. How WIERD is that?! I vaguely remember taking the lid off, and then half waking up throughout the night thinking that moisturiser sure does have a wierd aftertaste, not registering that that's because it's abnormal to actually EAT it, regardless of how good it smells!!

When I properly woke up in the morning I could still taste it in my mouth so I knew it wasn't just a dream. It tub didn't have any large labels saying 'POISON: IMMEDIATE DEATH ON CONSUMPTION' so I'm not too worried. She'll be right! It was just SO bizarre.

Facet # 3

Some good news.

I HAVE A JOB!!!! (wow, so many capitals in this post!)

I am now officially a part-time sales assistant at the Norwood Baker's Delight. I get to wear those hot and flattering collotte/shorts, lol. Nah, it's actually good. It was such an answer to prayer to get it - it's local, the manager's got good priorities and is flexible but focussed, and the other people I've met so far are nice. The main challenge is trying to memorise the thousands (at LEAST) of buttons on the till, and learning all the money ... things. But free bread, woo!

Facet #4

A reflection ... possible whinge.

I heard someone say the other day that if you're too busy to catch up with friends, you're too busy. At the moment that qualifies me as too busy! It's crazy - all my time just seem to get slotted up, there's always something to do. We've got such a busy culture - where a lot of the time we seem more task focussed than relationship focussed, that getting all those 'things' done is the priority, and friendships lose out in the mean time. I'm finding it really frustrating that I've got good friends who I haven't seen in what seems like ages and am really missing being able to catch up with, but the weeks just keep flying by in a haze of getting stuff done, and racing from one thing to the next. Even with holidays coming up there's not going to be much down time. That's a bit of a depressing way to end, hey!

That's all for now.

Night! xo