A Post a Day #5

I have just been watching My Kid Could Paint That. It is a documentary about a 4 year old girl who is some kind of child prodigy and sells her paintings for thousands of dollars. Questions came up about whether the girl was actually painting the pictures on her own or whether her father was helping her or in fact painting himself. I really wanted to believe that she painted these pictures. But at the movie I mentioned to my wife that there was no proof that she had painted them and shortly after I said that, my suspicions were agreed with by the documentary.

There are a number of ideas brought up by this.

The first is "what is art?". This seems to be a unanswerable question. As the saying goes "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder". If that is the case, who is anyone to say what is art and what is not? Speaking as a literature major, when I read a book, I try to understand what the author is saying and what message they want to bring across. I imagine the same is true for visual art. The artist is portraying something with their painting or sculpture or whatever. There is a message in their art. If this is the case, then what message is a 4 year old girl trying to give us with her painting? Surely she paints purely for the pleasure. What are we to think of art like this? Is it the same as a picture painted by an elephant or a chimpanzee? They are not delivering a message, the purely putting paint to canvas. Does art need a message? Now, if we accept that a 4 year old can make art but then add that she is painting under the direction of her father, is it still art? Where is that line drawn? To me, it's a truly interesting question.

The second idea I considered as I watched this film was about the child prodigy. How would you know? To discover if your child was a prodigy, would you have to be a pushy parent? Could a child achieve their full potential without your guidance? As a father myself, I wonder this a lot. I could never be the kind of parent to push things onto my son, but sometimes I worry that I am letting whatever talent he has fade away. People often say he is great at sports. Should I pushing him more in that direction? He also seems to have some kind of art ability and maybe I should be helping this somehow? In these two regards he is very different from me. I'm not even sure how to proceed. I suppose it is all about the fine line between encouraging and pushing. I hope I will never be the pushy parent.

If you want to see some of the art, the girl's website is Marla Olmstead. She is now 9.

A Post a Day #4

I started blogging about food just now, but after one paragraph, I bored the crap out of myself. I'm sure if anyone was reading this they would have stopped sooner than I did!

Even though it's now Summer here in New Zealand, it is pouring with rain outside. I haven't heard this heavy a rain for a long time. On the plus side, it has cooled things down a lot. It has been really humid and hot this week and that's never fun. A true downside to weather in Auckland.

There is nothing better than lying in bed at night listening to the rain. I'm not sure why the sound is so soothing, but it seems that a lot of people feel the same. Last year when I was going through my rough patch, I used an application on my ipod touch to help me sleep. The application played the sounds of rain through my headphones. It was truly a relaxing way to fall asleep and helped me take my mind off things. Since my ipod fell in the toilet, I haven't been able to do this. I really miss it.

What do you do to get to sleep or take your mind off things?

A Post a Day #3

I stayed in Malaysia for a while. I was living with a friend and his family. They were kind of strange, but they were essentially good people. My friend's cousin came to stay while I was there and he was the same. I can't remember the exact details, but the cousin had a big wad of cash. I can't seem to remember why.

Well, one day he came rushing down the stairs yelling that his money was gone. Me and my friend went up stairs to see what he was talking about. Sure enough, the money wasn't where he had put it. We started searching around but we couldn't see it anywhere. My bag was sitting in the corner of the room and I thought to look in it. There was the money. I was shocked. I couldn't understand why it would be there. I took it out and handed it to the cousin. Who immediately started accusing me of having stolen the money and now feeling guilty trying to make amends. I can tell you, my faithful blog readers, that with hand on heart I never took that money. I looked to my friend for support and he told me that if I had needed money, I only had to ask him. I was shocked that even he wouldn't believe me.

It is the worst feeling in the world to not be trusted by those close to you. I could tell that no matter what I did he wasn't going to believe my side. I packed my stuff and the next day I left for Singapore. That was pretty much the end of our friendship. I suppose it shows that he wasn't a true friend at all. Or maybe it proves the old saying "blood is thicker than water"? Either way, to me, there is nothing worse than being in that situation.

Sometimes when things go missing or accidents happen at work, I get flashbacks to that time and feel like someone may accuse me of whatever it is. It is just awful. I am a very honest guy and to have people not think that about you... Damn!

A Post a Day #2

Last night as I was sitting in the lounge, my little boy came out complaining of a sore tummy. He sat on my knee and promptly vomited all over me. I could tell he had eaten rice and ham for lunch... It's at times like this that you realise what it is to be a parent. I wasn't grossed out by it and I didn't really even think about it. I called for my wife to help and we moved into overdrive cleaning the kid, the floor and me. This morning, as we headed to work. He was sick again, all over the backseat. Wow... who knew such a small child could produce so much?

I've never been overly disgusted with bodily fluids, but with my son, I don't even notice. All the things that come from this child's body... They don't affect me at all. This is what real love is, I guess?

A Post a Day #1

I told you it wasn't dead!

Starting from today, December 1 2009, I plan to blog a post a day for the whole month. This is over the holiday period, so I am pushing my luck, but I promised myself I would do it!

I have had a crazy time in the past year which has really affected my blogging. Lots of sadness, some happiness and all kinds of things. I have become lazy through facebook, twitter and plurk and I'm sure this affected blogging too.

Of course, on my first day I have nothing to blog about whatsoever. Thanks so much to Cergie for supporting my comatose blog. Hopefully I can repay your faith in me?

I have been learning French for just under a year, so maybe I'll post in French one of these days?

Thanks to Sarah and Francisca for reminding me of my blog!

Ok, that's number 1 down...

See you tomorrow!

The Blog's Not Dead

Tiger Hell, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

I AM coming back!

I Break the Law

I Break the Law, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

Cornified

Cornified, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)

by my lovely friend, Kai.

1. Put your iTunes/Ruckus/Napster/etc on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag however many friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got it from

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Mary Jane

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Six Months in a Leaky Boat

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Dancing Choose

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
My Boner Just Died

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Razor

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
The Safety Dance

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
The Denial Twist

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Untitled

WHAT IS 2+2?
Changes

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Boys Don't Cry

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Animal Bar

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Hungry Like the Wolf

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Thru the Eyes of Ruby

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Full Nelson

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Blew Job

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Got No Love

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Lozenge of Love

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Catching the High Speed Train 6

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Young Hearts Run Free

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Team Mate

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Vegetable

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Everlong

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Moth

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Sukkafish

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Philly Boy Roy

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
God is on the Radio

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
The Chippert Report

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Electrolite

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)

Happy New Year

Sunset, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

Dear Friends, 

I have some serious posts in mind, but I thought I should start off by not being so serious. This being 2009 and all. 2009 is special because it is the Korean year of the Ox. That's a big deal for some of us. So, 2008 was not good, but 2009 is going to be great! And because I am so generous I will let some of my fortune rub off on my dear readers. You can't ask for a better NY present than that!

Love,

San

Plane in the Undergrowth

Plane in the Undergrowth, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

So, I'm thinking with the upcoming new year it should be time to start blogging regularly again. A friend of mine made a joke about blogging. I said that social network sites like Twitter or Plurk were no place to air your personal problems. He agreed and said that should be left to blogs because no one reads them... It's probably true. I mean, who wants to read boring real life crap? Still, maybe it's kind of a therapy to put things in words and maybe people read it and maybe they don't. I wonder if I care? I probably do, truth be known. Ah, raving already...

So this year. It's been a pretty awful one really. I am trying to think of something nice to say. I met a very good friend this year. Once her blog is up and running, I will post a link here. You all have to go over there and marvel at what amazing things she will write about. Thanks for everything Bre!

Of course, Heather has always been supportive. I haven't been a good friend to you recently and for that I am really sorry. I promise to be better in the new year.

Chère Cergie! Je veux écrire en francais en ton blog mais j'ai besoin de apprendre plus! Merci beaucoup!

And to the others who still check in every once in a while. Thanks a lot. Hopefully there will be something here worth looking at?

I have a bunch of ideas running around in my head about how to get this thing kickstarted again. We'll see what happens... Still, stay tuned.

Thanks

I've Been Memed

Auckland Museum and Sky Tower, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

From Eileen, I've taken the 6th photo from the 6th page of my Flickr account and here it is.

It's my weekly walking route from my French class to my carpark. With Summer here, it's a really nice walk in the evening.

I don't know who still reads this blog!

I would like to "meme" Breanne and Matt. I'll take volunteers too :)

Back Blogging More

Auckland Waterfront, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

Yes, it's been a really long time.

I need to get back to blogging.

In my hiatus, I have been thinking of so many things to write. My life and has been in rollercoaster state... first it was right at the top. Things were amazing, I was so so happy. Then however, things got really really bad. Things aren't so great right now.

I am trying to sort through what has happened and what can happen.

In the meantime, maybe blogging again will help me in some way. We shall see I guess.

There's always pretty pictures to keep you coming :)

Under the Sea

Under the Sea from San Nakji on Vimeo.

One Day

Mangaia Kingfisher, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

I need to blog! Is anyone out there still?

Holiday

Aitutaki Lagoon, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

San Nakji has been away. He has missed you all! Blogging shall commence shortly.

Love to you all.

Death and Taxes

Praying Mantis, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

Morbid text to come

Lion Fish

Lion Fish, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

Ain't got nothing but

dreams, hopes and some junky toys...

I'm coming!!

I mean... It's coming!!

Tokyo Circus

Now or never...

Life is a circus

It's not about winning or losing

Let's just live fully

From Tokyo Circus

Racismo

North Head, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

A teacher from my son's school is leaving. She is an Indian and I have found her nothing but helpful and good to my son. The problem for her is that she has a thick Indian accent which can be difficult to understand.

I was talking to a fellow parent yesterday who was so happy that she was leaving. He complained that he couldn't understand her and he was angry that she hadn't made an effort to try to speak properly.

It took a lot of self control to stop myself from leaping on him and beating him to death with my bare hands. It was truly an ignorant statement and something that I constantly have to battle with.

I think the thing I hate most in this world is racism. It is a deep seeded instinct I feel, but as intelligent human beings it is something that can be overcome. There is no excuse for it.

It really frustrates me that people have to be so ignorant. I mean to believe, and he truly believes this, that she is purposely talking in her accent makes me so angry.

It is even more frustrating when people that I have to deal with on a daily basis or even friends have these attitudes about people who look different from themselves. I mean I could chew them out and beat them down, but I need to keep a good relationship with them. Just like this parent. Damn, it makes me so angry. Anger that could consume me inside.

Music

North Head, originally uploaded by San Nakji.

I am going to see the Smashing Pumpkins on Saturday night. Although the band is now only a shadow of its' former self, I was unlucky to miss them at their prime. This is my only chance to hear the music that shaped my younger years.

Everyone has music that takes them back to a different time. I am always amazed by how songs do this to me. Whether it be 'Dont' Dream It's Over' by Crowded House which reminds me of school discos and young love or 'Cold Contagious' by Bush which reminds me of my time in Korea, songs and music have this power.

I can feel myself turning into my parents. I know that one day my son will laugh that I love Radiohead. He will crack up when I talk about 2008 and the time I saw my idols, Smashing Pumpkins. And you know what? I don't care! Music is deeply personal. And these are things that are important to me.