Red Bull Perspective - A Skateboard Film

Cedar Trees and Enemies

Sitting here trying to come up with something to write for my last post, I think about how quickly time has gone by. Time has gone by, as well as a lot of other things. I feel motivation has gone as well. And that is a VERY bad thing. I feel the excitement for things has somewhat lessened over the past year and I think I may know why.

Living in Lebanon has really opened my eyes up to seeing negatives. For example, I never used to listen to the news, and this was because I was in an environment that didn't strain me psychologically. In Lebanon it’s always just one big cluster-fuck of political scare tactics and religious oppositions claiming their own “brilliance” in the eyes of their own. At first I didn't really pay attention to all the ruckus, but for sure I would be sucked in eventually. Being a communications student being informed is pretty much a general requirement for being in the department. I guess it sounds like I may also be having a dislike for my major.

That is definitely not the case. The truth is, living in Lebanon and hearing about the nonsense that happens in the country really has the power to push someone. More than ever have I been more enthused about being a communications student, because I know someday I want to be able to reveal all the shambles and “mishaps” that happen in the land of cedar trees, Mercedes, and never ending enemies.

Say no to crack Pee Wee

We all remember Pee Wee Herman. I remember him from my childhood as this dorky goofball who just wants to bring happiness to those around him. The truth is when i first saw this PSA i kind chuckled a little. I cant take that face seriously, at all. Come on, it's Pee Wee Herman! I see where the director of this was trying to head, but honestly, you should of picked a different actor buddy. I feel someone like Chuck Norris or Bruce Willis would of made this completely bad ass. I kind of want to try to try crack now, thanks Pee Wee.

Kidding.

Arthur

ARTHUR! Wow watching that episode in class really brought back memories of my childhood. I remember watching that show on Saturday mornings before my parents would wake up. One thing I just realized about the show is how meaningful the stories are. This episode was about these 2 girls who watch a movie, and they realize that girls have really lame roles. So they set out to create a cartoon with a BADASS superhero girl.

Basically the show is trying to teach the youth that girls can do anything they put their kinds too, and they shouldn’t become slaves of the media, because the media actually is very controlling if you think about it. Watching Missrepresentation opened my eyes to the many struggles women go through on the daily just because that’s the image the media has made them out to be.

The documentary shows a list of well-informed, self-influenced ladies that have made it far in life, knowing they can accomplish anything.

Reel Bad Arabs

Growing up in the Middle East has done a lot of things to my mind. But not in any way has it scarred me. I remember living in Saudi Arabia and not having a care in the world. I never felt I lived among “terrorists” or “savages”. I felt safe as a kid. It was a good time.

The only time I can remember having a certain negative opinion about the country was when the bombings happened in 2002. I felt that the place I once called home was gone. Gone in the sense that everyone I knew that wasn’t from there had left. All the schools closed down, and I lost contact with everyone. But still, something in me was missing and it was horrible. I never came to hate the country, or the people, I was just disappointed. Disappointed because all that I knew was there, and then all of a sudden it was seen in a dark light.

When I see movies that depict Arabs negatively, it obviously bothers me. The movie “Rules of Engagement” gives us a real amazing example of “American Democracy”. The movie starts off with a scene of US Marines on a roof firing round after round onto innocent civilians in Yemen. As the movie moves forward the investigation shows that the Marines were fired upon first by the crowd, thus enabling the rules of engagement. Obviously US Marines would not fire into a crowd of civilians for no good reason. This is probably why the movie won the hearts of so many nation-loving Americans.

It’s absolutely ridiculous that directors, writers, and producers can go along with these absurd ideas into their movies. The words used are not something that should be used. It is a shame that people can allow such things to happen.

The Iron Lady

So I turned the news on today and saw that last night former Prime Minister of Britain passed away, due to a stroke. Apart from hearing how much of a motivation she was for England, I also saw that people were celebrating her death. 

Margaret Thatcher was known for her involvement in ending the cold war, and she herself said “I like Mr. Gorbachev, we can do business together”. This was a time when the Russian leader at the time was more understanding of his countries policies. 

Thatcher also had close ties to American President Ronald Regan, with whom she also shared conservative views of their countries.

She was named the “Iron Lady” by the Russian press after she made a speech in 1976 stating that “the Russians are bent on world dominance”, which may or may not be such a suitable nickname.

Maybe I’m not as up to date with my world history as I should be, but I really had no idea who Margaret Thatcher was. She seemed to be a good example of British history.

But then I heard about some of her faults. One for example was about South Africa, and how she called Nelson Mandela a “terrorist”. I’m not sure about you but that’s a pretty terrorizing statement. 

But I guess everyone has their negative sides, even Thatcher. Maybe I should read a little more.

Television

Only now am I realizing the power the television set has on a person, and it's because I barely watch it anymore. TV as a child was something I'd rush home from school for, only for an hour though before homework. But it was also something that made me rush through my homework. I remember watching nickelodeon, with shows that if I look back at now, kind of trip me out. But being young my mind was able to mold into this weird and funny world.

I kind of wish I could go back and have that imagination back, but that's what I feel becoming an adult does. Your imagination lacks that ability to conjoin with that once loved land of, well; whatever the hell you want it to be. Now whenever I turn on the TV I see reality TV shows. And that's my point exactly. Now, we have to watch these "real life" scenarios which are fully scripted. I just find it lame that's all.

Being a university student my opinion on this matter is not necessarily meaningful, but nonetheless, I would like to see some cooler stuff. I'm not saying there isn't cool stuff out there. Take the documentary channel Vice for example. Vice is a YouTube based documentary channel that basically covers anything out there. Although being bias is ultimately a given, the channel shows unreal and elaborate details on topics such as the Syrian conflict, to suburban life in the United states, to "munchies": their mini segment section of fine dining for the concrete jungle guru.

I guess it really just lies on ones taste, and what they consider entertaining. That's why these reality shows are so enjoyable to a number of my generation. Let's get real... it is Kim Kardashian.

Music

There are so many times when i have my headphones plugged in, I'm taken away. I don't really like to milk my descriptions, but music has an effect on me that i could care less about how lame i seem. Ever since i was a young child i have tried almost every attempt to become involved in a music scene, whether i was in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, or Canada.

As a kid growing up in Saudi Arabia in the early 90's, the censorship of music channels and radio stations kept kids like me from hearing about new bands. So i really have to thank my father for his influence on me growing up. He introduced me to bands like The Rolling Stones, AC DC, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and spoke of legends like Jimmy Page, Freddie Mercury, and even Bob Marley. By the age of 7 I ws able to sing along with songs recorded almost 3 decades earlier.

As i got older and the accessibility of music in Saudi became more retrievable, my music style adapted to those of my peers. By that time Eminem was coming out big in the mainstream, and with that came the establishment of cursing and being profane. Thank you Eminem.

Looking at the music industry now really kind of hurts the eyes and ears, especially in Lebanon. We have had a huge impact on the arabic orld with acts like Fairouz. And now, we have the Klink. Sad. And to think she's running for a government position. God help us.

The truth is music has a grip on the world, and by that i mean it has powers of its own. Every single person in the world may, at some point, turn to music to get away. To get away from life at its current position, to find inspiration for a certain subject, or to just chill out and feel the music.

Music has the power to make people judge, such as Marilyn Manson. But it also has the power to heal. Heal humans from anything. We just need to find our "muse".

Facebook

I was first introduced to Facebook in 2007 when my sister back in Canada told me about the site, and thought it was a great way for us to stay in touch when I move back to Saudi. Soon enough I was on the website daily, checking to see if I had any updates or comments on my page. I would not admit that it was a time waster, or that I could have had better things to do. But at that age, and with that type of new software, almost everyone was being distracted. Facebook became a daily norm for me and my friends. Constantly pictures were being uploaded from "crazy" parties the night before, and sometimes the pictures would be up by the time you got home after the events.

As I got older, I started to realize that all this publicity may not be such a good idea. I remember at one point my girlfriend at the time and I had fake accounts made of us, and the two accounts were constantly posting on each others walls pretending to be us. I never really understood this. But I then came to an understanding that people become overwhelmed by the internet. And Facebook makes acts like that become a lot easier, you just need an email account, or a fake one.

I remember Facebook actually being a page where I had my actual friends on it. Now it has become some sort of bank where you gather these random contacts, and not necessarily know the majority of them. Think about it, how many people on your Facebook do you actually consider your friends? There are probably just a handful of people on there who you could trust, and the rest are just random people who look at your page, judging your pictures or your posts.

I hate the fact that I have trash talked this company, and Mark Zuckerberg, but the truth is that Facebook makes being a "stalker" a set and normal fashion trend. Although I accept the fact that I have one to keep in touch with friends and family, there is always time for a little scan and search.

Marina - Dbayeh