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Coming soon, the design of my dissertation. It's all about how magazines are being affected by the increasing online activity and the affect that this is having on existing printed magazines.
I have been working on my dissertation for over a year and I have gotten to where I hate it. I made myself take it outside with me when I took pictures today so I would work on it when there were no birds around. I actually got a lot done... but I also made it a part of my shots :)
Don't worry about invites.. I just did this to amuse myself :)
Reared on a chicken farm in Van Nuys, the self-proclaimed Valley Boy grew up at a time when the San Fernando Valley was primarily orange groves and chicken farms. It was a time when Van Nuys had only recently became part of the City of Los Angeles. Like many children of German-Jewish parents of that era, Vincent was instilled with a heavy dose of social responsibility and achievement. It surprised no one in his family when he left Van Nuys to attend UC Berkeley, becoming an activist a role that he would embrace throughout his life.
After receiving a B.A. in history from Cal, Vince lived in Europe, admittedly “playing artist”. He returned to California, receiving a second bachelor's degree in art from Cal State Hayward, followed by his Master's Degree in painting from Cal State Chico. He worked as a Film Editor for eight years, during which time he moved to Silver Lake and married Karen, a kindergarten teacher in the Burbank School District. (In the summer of 2005, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Paris, France.) In 1980, they bought their home on Robinson Street where they still live today.
In 1994, as a member of the Silver Lake Improvement Association (SLIA), Vince organized the planting of 30 tipu trees on Robinson Street, which dramatically transformed the block. Vince estimates that he has been involved in the planting of more than 300 trees in Silver Lake through the SLIA and the Gateway to Silver Lake Project.
Back problems prematurely ended his film-editing career. Film editing in the pre-computer days was much more of a physical, low-tech task. Vincent started a new career in academia, teaching film history at several local colleges. In the spring of 2001, Vincent earned a Ph.D. from UCLA in Film and Television Studies. Currently he is an adjunct professor at USC, UCLA, Cal State Los Angeles and Pierce College, teaching various courses related to film and television.
During the past several years he also managed to win a national writing prize, and to have published numerous articles in some of the top journals in his field.
A member of SLIA since 1991, Vincent served as president from 1997 until 2003. One of his first accomplishments as president, together with Harry Otto of the Silver Lake Resident's Association, was the launching of the Gateway to Silver Lake Beautification Project. At the time, the first impression of the Gateway was a garbage-strewn area just off the 101-freeway ramp at Silver Lake Boulevard. Now Silver Lake visitors are met with a well-groomed strip of shrubbery with trees and boulders when they exit the freeway. The Gateway also has eight murals created by outstanding local artists. This particular area continues to progress with the help of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council’s Park’s and Green Space Committee.
Vince considers his work on Music Box Steps Day, the Annual Children’s Film Festival, to be the “harmonic convergence” of his two biggest interests – community activism and film. What began as a neighborhood clean-up effort in the area of Vendome Street between Sunset and Marathon evolved into the designation of the area with a plaque commemorating the place where Laurel and Hardy filmed their 1932 Oscar-winning short, The Music Box. The plaque commemoration then spawned the idea of the children’s film festival, which SLIA, under Vince’s direction, puts on each year. Vince’s capacity for evolution, change, and improvement was demonstrated once again.
Vincent was a prime mover in the formation of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council. This process took more than three years, and the SLNC was “certified” by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment in February 2004
Vince has written on a broad range of film and television subjects, focusing most recently on Jewish representation in sitcoms. His doctoral dissertation at UCLA was expanded and revised and published under the title, Something Ain't Kosher Here: The Rise of the "Jewish" Sitcom, published by Rutgers University Press, 2003. Rutgers University Press will also publish his forthcoming anthology, You Should See Yourself: Jewish Identity in Postmodern American Culture.
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A 17th century collection of juridical dissertations; each volume contains a collection of forty or more dissertations, bound together to form a matching series.
Korean delegate Hak Lae Kim shows us his dissertation, made using TiddlyWiki exported into Acrobat...using Mac OS X....on a Thinkpad! Yay!
Choose excellent essay writers of students assignment help to get writing help on different history dissertation topics.
Just couple of months into my masters, and they are already taking some dissertation sessions for us.
As a clinician, I haven't had much experience writing papers, so this will be a difficult task for sure.
What is amazing is how friendly the teaching staff is. And that they love tea as much as we Bangladeshis do.
Leicester Diabetes Center, Leicester.
4 places the ses and dissertations t.co/gVrLltc35f #acn (via Twitter twitter.com/AgenciaCN/status/806043414043226114)
The study below was derived from facts uncovered while doing research
for the following Doctoral dissertation:
Light to the shadows of their mind:
Criminal tactics and strategies
Criminology Department Dept.
Chatwick University
**************************** Story ***************************
A full moon peeks through the heavy fall clouds, its rays transcending down and bathing in a soft light, the over grown, untended, remains of what once had been a proper English garden. Its soft rays catch the old moss roses, lilacs, and various other old growth flowers, their once still vibrant colours faded now that the fall is approaching.
But something still is vibrant here, brightly flashing a colourful fire as it moves along an old flagstone path.
Two feminine figures in fancy dress move guardedly along the path, gown and jewels are the source of the added fiery colours now caught by the full harvest moon’s rays. The rustle of satin is heard as a long, slinky gown sweeps along the leaf littered flagstone path at the spiked heels of its owners feet. Soft voices carry in murmurs as they walk, breaking up what, until a few minutes, ago had been the hushed silence brought upon by the notice of the pair by the gardens inhabitants.
The twosome finally reaches an old garden shed, its weather-beaten door half ajar, broken remnants of glass still hang in its front window; some ancient, rusty tools still lay up along its side wall. As they stand there the younger one suddenly jumps, giving a little gasp. What is it dear? her companion asks sweetly. She looks into her companions’ deep mesmerizing brown eyes, someone is moving along that path over there, on the other side of the pond. Mother said that no one should be outdoors on this side of town, she add, worry now creeping up on her. The older woman turns her head abruptly, I see him, you had better wait her, and I’ll make sure that whoever it is will not bother us.
A cop on his beat is seen walking along the outer path that lines the old garden leading to the manor house at the opposite end of what is now an inner city block. He jumps a little as a figure steps out of the mist that has now started to spread from a small pond the he is walking by.
Mae looks back at the garden shed that now sits back in the woods a little ways; her youthful companion’s colourful gown is vibrant against the faded walls of the shed. She turns away and looks at the copper walking towards her, unaware as of yet that he is no longer alone. Mae walks out of the mist and onto the sidewalk, noticing with satisfaction that she has startled him. She approaches and walks past the stern copper, as she does Mae tosses his way the sorta glance that she knew would pique the coppers natural distrust, making him turn to follow and see what mischief was going on!
Her long hair streaming down her back, creating a halo in the moonlit garden, her shimmering long jeweled earrings sway gently, watches as her companion walk up to the figure on the path. She is suddenly self-aware of how she is dressed, and how vulnerable they are out here alone, away from the bright lights and safety of the manor they had left some ten minutes ago. She hopes the figure isn’t someone nasty who will harm her friend. Her back is to the old door of the shed. The clouds again cover the moon. The young girl shivers, though it really is not that cold out. Suddenly a quick shadow emerges, a hand is clasped over her mouth, another grabs her by her silky waist, and she is pulled struggling into the darkness of the shed, vanishing from sight like the moon above her. Gradually the night voices of the garden return, chirping, hooting, and such. But as for the garden shed, sounds are no longer heard from within…..
What Led to This?
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It had been the boys who had first spotted the ladies in colorfully long shiny gowns. Those gowns fluidly rustling along shapely figures crossing the street leading to ornate front doors of the old Hampton East club Mansion. But it had been their “sparklers” the glittering jewelry the ladies all seemed to be temptingly showing off, that had made their mouths wolfishly drool.
But, what they had seen when stealing peeks through slits in a velvet curtained window, had made them run to find Mae. They then breathlessly babbled on about the halfcocked, half-baked scheme they had dreamed up. “Even the young’uns had jools” they had excitedly told Mae. She figured that most of it was probably paste, who wears anything of value on the eastside she thought to herself. But just a glimmer of a possibility began to take seed, as she maternally continued to listen to the excited pair.
Mae decided to humor the pair of excitable petty thieves, she owed them some favors anyway, and Mae hated leaving a debt unpaid. Besides, business had been slow lately; it seemed that no one well to do these days need their fortune read. So, for no rhythm or reason other than to see what all the chatter had been about, Mae crashed the upscale event. She slipped inside through the large matching oak doors, without even a second glance from the pensioner guard wearing a loose uniform “manning” the entrance.
Mae was amazed, even she could not have predicted the marvelous displays of wealth, so tantalizingly close, and yet seemingly so far out of reach. Even the dangling “jools” worn with careless abandon by the “Young’uns” mostly 18 through 20 year olds, with a few 16 and 17 year olds peppered in among the multitude of guests, appeared to be the real McCoy!
Mae was also surprised that she had been able to get this far, and so had not even begun to think of ways to profit from the situation. A condition that was going to have to be quickly rectified Mae told herself. Itching to somehow lay her greedy hands on some of the expensive jewels she observed being beckoningly worn by the female guests in attendance. Like the royal appearing lady she was just now walking past. She was in an elegantly flowing purple gown, dripping in gems, especially the small diamonds that were glistening on the thin tiara that held up the rich girl’s luxuriantly long hair.
All in all, Mae was glad she had positioned the boys to wait in the old garden shed, promising it would be worth their while. Mainly Mae had wanted to keep them out of mischief, too avoid having them upset her apple cart, and it appeared to have been a canny move on her part, as she surveyed a young lady with a long flowing mane of hair sweeping by, causing Mae to perk up with interest.
So, it was still with no real purpose in mind yet, that Mae had started to shadow the fetchingly gowned young lady of about nineteen who was timidly working her way , weaving in and out amongst the groups of happily chatting guests. Mae’s desire was a closer scrutiny of the prettily dressed young girl’s savory fiery ruby jewelry, so enticingly slippery upon her sweat glistened figure.
***********************
Mae had always been attracted to rubies ever since a poshly dressed young mother had wandered into the carnival sideshow that Mae had been working some years prior. Mae had been the first to try for a share of the young Mother’s dazzling jewelry after spying her predicament from the interior of her tent.
The obviously well-to-do young Mother had been unwisely left alone to tend to a colicky baby. Mae had forced herself on the wretched Mother, using the pretense of giving a helping hand. Unscrupulously, Mae had seized the opportunity to check along the young Mother’s thick satiny clothes for any valuables.
Passing up on a temptingly lovely, lengthy dangling pendent, Mae’s fingers instead whisked down along the slick long sleeve of the young mother’s arm, as all her attention was being given to the thrashing infant. Passing over a thick braided gold bracelet, Mae’s fingers darted to the young ladies’ left ring finger.
The harried Mother struggled to keep a tight hold on the silken clad infant squirming in her mother’s satin covered arms. As the thrashing child bawled, the mother, finding herself being handicapped by the long sleeved slippery satin blouse she wearing was unable to really pay attention to anything else going on around her. Therefore, Mae was easily able to slip off the invitingly large ruby and diamond engagement ring from the mother’s ring finger, conveniently tear moistened from the squealing infants sobbing.
Ring in hand, Mae then finally listened to the mother’s pleas she didn’t need any help, quit caressing down her tingling attire, and retreated to the dark depths of her tent to watch the rest of the drama unfold.
By the time the young mother had gotten her squalling infant daughter to sleep she had fended off about a dozen additional hands offering to help. Mae had watched with professional interest as some of those hands had cunningly been searching the young lady for anything of value…
Mae observed that the distracted mother’s pendent had been nicked next, easily unclasped and slipped away from the ruffled throat of her glossy blouse! Then, as the mother was bent over the baby’s stroller, her long dangling earrings (the pair!) had been whisked away from out of her long mane of straight hair. Soon followed in quick session by the jeweled pin from her satin ascot, her wrists thick braided gold bracelet, a gold pinky ring, and the contents of her velvet purse. Even the mahogany rattle, and silver pacifier had been plucked from the now sleeping infants hand and mouth as her mother’s shiny back had been turned while searching about for the her babies vanished ermine blanket. All in all a very masterful and complete plucking of the erstwhile pretty hen and her downy chick, Mae thought smugly, for nothing else had been as grand as the ruby ring that Mae had slipped off first.
Now, there were still occasions where Mae dared to wear the magnificent ring, but tonight, had decidedly not been one of those occasions.
(Editor’s note:
The incident Mae instigated at the Carnival was not an original part of her story line
It was actually lifted by our author based upon similar experiences of one Lady Eileen St’D , Surry 1910)
************************
Mae plotted a way to at least grab this girl’s attention for a closer look, and so she moved in such a fashion to make it a possibility. At the same time the nineteen year old turned her head away, her long hair swirling to behind her back as someone called out a name. Mae broke off her approach and stood nearby, filing away the girls name for future reference. (It had always amazed Mae that just knowing a person’s name could break down barriers and inspire confidence when a stranger used it. ) Mae watched as an older model of the young girl approached, dressed in a glossy satin gown of mint green and laden with shimmering emerald encrusted jewels. She stuck a finger under the girls nose. Mae followed it, the gold ring she was wearing of a serpent encircling her finger with bright emerald eyes, mystifying her.
The lady lectured her daughter on wandering off , especially when it was only her and her Auntie there to watch her. Mae saw the mothers eyes travel towards the regal lady in the purple gown and tiara. Losing interest Mae wandered off, not caring to hear the rest. She knew a blind alley when she saw one. She paused; she also recognized other quarry when she saw it… A lady wearing a flowing gown of red silk was standing off to one side. Shy and uncomfortable, she was the epitome of a Wall-flower, one who attracted little or no attention, or luck, unless it was of the unfortunately bad kind. One who Mae knew she would have to meet.
Mae walked up to her, and began a conversation. It started out uncomfortably, but Mae soon won her over, enchanting the edgy lady enough so that she actually, with a little hesitation, allowed Mae to pick up her palm: believing it was with the the intention of reading her fortune. As the girl was told that fortune, the mousey miss was totally caught under the enchantment of Mae’s eyes and sing-song way of speaking. Mae could see that she had captured the girl’s imagination as she wove her fortune telling around her like a spider would weave its silky web. Then, with delight, Mae saw a special gleam in the girl’s eyes that she knew all too well. A look she had seen before in previous clients, one that told her they were no longer completely caring of what was going on around them.
Mae ever so slightly tightens her grip on the palm she held. Than, with baited breath, Mae began to work a jeweled ring over the knuckle of a warm slender finger , her practiced eye watching the girls face for any sign that she was catching on to what Mae was up to! Mae smiled broadly as she had a habit of doing when one of her wicked schemes was coming to fruitation. The girl smiled impishly in response, totally misinterpreting what that smile stood for. Never in her wildest dreams would she have guessed what this nice lady: with the deep black eyes from which she could not pull away from, who was so pleasantly stroking her palms while telling her fortune so enjoyably, was smiling about! Nor did she have the slightest of inklings that her Grandmother’s pretty ring was going to vanish!
Mae suddenly felt a noticeable vibe wash over her, and she chanced a look around her. Along a back wall was a row of palm trees, in-between them were a series of small stone benches. A solo figure was walking along them, a slinky, long soft gown, fell flowing down to her feet. The figure of the girl whose name Mae now knew. Mae turned her full attention back to the task at hand, easily maneuvering her captive audience so that the wall was now in her full view. Over a silken shoulder Mae watched as the young miss made her slinky way into a powder room, disappearing with a muted swishing of her gown. . Suddenly Mae had an epiphany, realizing exactly how to ensnare the pretty little miss into her web, at the center of which dangled the old garden shed where there were debts to be paid!
Mae finished her “business” with the shy wall-flower, convincing her to go one her way now that her fortunes were assured to be taking a turn for the “better.” She moved off happily enough, glad that she had met the charming stranger, falling for Mae’s story hook, line and ring less finger!
Keeping an eye on the retreating lady as she swept away, Mae headed towards a stone bench that sat near the back exit leading to the old garden, a stone bench that was in a direct line to the approach that the young miss should be taking on her journey back from the powder room. Mae waited, and when she saw her victim open the door, she buried her hands in her face and acted like she was sobbing, all the while watching the girls approach through a crack made by her fingers.
The girl stopped, You okay Ma’am, she asked with genuine, childishly innocent, concern ( as Mae had predicted), Mae jumped like she had not noticed the girl, and looking up into her face, she called the girl by name, starting to spin a new web of deceit. The young miss offered Mae her embroidered silk handkerchief, which she gladly accepted, holding the girls well ringed fingers for a second showing her gratification. While “drying”her eyes, Mae went into her story full throttle; she knew there would not be much time.
The young miss, nervously looked around, as she played with her shiny necklace, holding it with slender ringed fingers , as she innocently listened to the captivating dark haired stranger. Mae, for a second blinded as the diamonds and rubies flashed in the light, smiled inwardly. Overly pretty teenage girls were so naïve and easy to manipulate, she thought, while weaving another , totally different type of story, then the one she had fed the flowing red silked wall flower.
Mae accurately interpreted the reveries of the young miss now in Mae’s clutches. Now under different circumstances the tale that Mae fed the girl would have not gotten her anywhere. But the fact Mae knew the girls name, knew how to make use of the exchange she had witnessewd between the girl and her mother, and also possessed some knowledge of what attracts a young ladies fancy, the circumstances worked wonderfully in her favor. Then, add in Mae’s fortune telling abilities, and the poor, beautifully adorned soul never stood a chance
Mae hit her with all the talent of a quick change artist. And soon Mae was had lured the girl into following her out the exit and walk with her out into the darkened garden. It happened quite literally before the young thing could catch her breath, or clearly think things through. She had totally fallen for the fortune teller’s fairy tale, and now believed she was aiding this lady in distress, as she believed Mae to be. The young miss, more than a little bewildered, walked obediently alongside Mae, under her dark spell, as they made their way ever closer to a seemingly quiet old garden shed.
Mae looked at the girl now walking next to her, innocently unaware of the fact that she had been led out here for one reason only. Totally oblivious to the fact that she now presented nothing more than to the seemingly sweet lady walking next to her than the value of her expensively flowing gown, the bright jewels she was wearing, and the contents of the small purse dangling by her side. Mae smiled to herself, knowing that in the greenhouse her two muggers would miss nothing, the young girls jewels, , fat silken purse, even the gown would all fetch a sweet price when peddled.
It was when they had reached that shed, that Mae’s captive companion had spotted the figure walking along the path by the pond. A figure that Mae knew she would m have to take care of, else risk having her carefully wrought plan fall to pieces…
Led to This:
******************************************************************************
Mae looked back and smiled smugly at the copper hot on her heels. Someone is going to be in trouble for leaving his post she thought. Just a couple more blocks should give them enough time in the greenhouse, and then Mae would easily give this flatfoot the slip. Mae’s mind went deliciously back to what should now be happening to the luckless lady in the long shiny gown, and how much Mae’s cut of the take would amount to. It was too bad she would miss the boys at work; Mae did so enjoy watching a good mugging.
As Mae happily led the harness bull away from the garden she marveled over her good fortune, wondering over how things had worked to her benefit. As she did she found herself walking along a block populated with small pubs. At the end of which lay an alley which Mae was going to use as passage to slip away from the copper. By then he would then be safely away from the old gardens. Mae would than circle back. She knew the boys would be finishing their job, but she did not want them to leave without her. She was going to take personal possession of the girls most valuable items. There was no way she was going to trust the two nimble headed crooks with not being cheated out of a fair price for the girl’s jewels.
It was as she reached the alleyway and looked back that she realized the copper was no longer tailing her. She swore to herself, what had happened? She cautiously backtracked, looking into the windows of the pubs as she passed. She stopped at one she knew, one appropriately, in Mae’s mind, named the Hook and Fiddle. It was their that she spotted her lost cop, cradling a beer, and sitting next to tall man at a back table.
Mae headed back on her way. She indistinctively knew that the copper would be occupied for a while. Mainly because she knew the cut of man he was sitting next to. Renauld, a man whose hands touched everything from the rackets, extortion, blackmail, down to trafficking and kidnapping, Renauld, to whom Mae owed some personal favors.
As Mae reached the sidewalk where she had first met the copper, she hastened her step. It would not be long before the girl’s bejeweled mother would be noticing her daughter’s absence…… Mae suddenly stopped, freezing in her tracks. A slow grin spread across her appealing face.
The epiphany that had made Mae stop to think contained the seed of a plan, that was in her opinion, brilliant. The mother should have noticed her daughters absence, and what if someone ,Mae, were to find the wealthy , overbearing lady, as she searched and helpfully divulged to her just what her daughter had been up to. Sneaking off into the garden with a young man, of all the nerve…why I would bet the pair of them is inside the old garden shed in the back snogging away as we speak.
Mae, with a quick stop over at the shed to check on things, hurried back to the manor. And best of all she thought, licking her lips in savoring anticipation as she fine-tuned the story she would use, best of all…, Ladies of that ilk always travel in pairs…
40 minutes later:
Three shadowy figures emerge from an old dilapidated garden shed. Two run off carrying small bundles under their arms. A third follows, taking a look back inside, closes the door and walks almost serenely off in the opposite direction. Something glistens from a finger as the moon once again peeks cautiously from the dark clouds overhead.
*************************************************************************************
Addendum est
In a smoke filled pub that he owns, a man, wicked, is puffing on a long black cigar. He is seated alone at the back table where he has been holding court that late evening.
The door opens and a female enters. Looking neither left nor right she heads directly to the man’s table.
Wotcher, he says, with perhaps a trace of compassion in an otherwise traditionally unemotionally stern deep voice. He spots the ring she is wearing, a gold serpent enter twined around her finger, its arrow shaped head home to a pair of flickering green emerald eyes.
What fresh wickedness have you been up to this evening he asks her expectantly? Adding, even you shouldn’t be sporting something like that around this area.
Mae meets his gaze, knowing full well she had taken a risk wearing the ring. But she knew that she had to make use of it to gain Renauld’s interest quickly, If game, he would not have much time…..
For if Renauld took the bait, not only would Mae be squared with Renauld, but also probably now be in his debt. For as much a Mae loathed to be in debt to someone, she loved to be owed one……
Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
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All rights and copyrights observed by Chatwick University, Its contributors, associates and Agents
The purpose of these chronological photos and accompanying stories, articles is to educate, teach, instruct, and generally increase the awareness level of the general public as to the nature and intent of the underlying criminal elements that have historically plagued humankind.
No Part of this can reprinted, duplicated, or copied be without the express written permission and approval of Chatwick University.
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As with any work of fiction or fantasy the purpose is for entertainment and/or educational purposes only, and should never be attempted in real life.
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My work as a writer and as an artist have been closely connected for the past five years as I've worked on jewelry design and my dissertation in the same physical, mental, and emotional spaces. Dissertation Amulet makes these interconnections explicit, commemorating a landmark in my writing process. I preserved segments of text from a recently completed chapter under glass cabochons in a design evocative of my aesthetics as a writer.
IFS Batch of 2005, the Media proclaimed her as Mizoram’s greatest Pride when it comes to the Indian Civil Service, making a new earth shattering NATIONAL RECORD in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) by bagging BOTH the two most prestigious IFS Award recently, namely, the Ambassador Bimal Sanyal Memorial Gold Medal for the Best Officer Trainee and the Ambassador Bimal Sanyal Memorial Silver Medal for the Best Dissertation. Nobody in Indian history has ever received both awards before!!! She was deservingly declared as The Best Probationer of 2005 Batch of IFS Officers.
On her first UPSC attempt in 2003, she made it to IA&AS (Indian Audits and Accounts Service). She wrote the exam again in 2004 and got into IRS (Indian Revenue Service)! But again, she decided to aim even higher and wrote the exam again in 2005. She made it to IFS (Indian Foreign Service)!!!
She’s always been my inspiration and role model when it comes to the civil service exam. Apart from that, she’s also my role model when it comes to leading a devoted life. She’s selfless, cheerful, and always ready to help out anyone. If there is one true example of “What goes around comes around”, then she is it. Good things come to those who are pure at heart. Amen!
In spite of her hectic schedule (she’s flying to South Korea next week for her new posting), she managed to find time to meet me (surprise surprise, she’s even a regular reader of my blog!). She even agreed to do an interview!
Some of you may be familiar with my style of interview. I’ve interviewed Mizo celebrities like Jenny (Former World Boxing Champion) and Zonunsangi (Zonet TV anchor) before. I like adding a lot of humor and good clean fun to my interviews. The Print media and other professionals have interviewed such personalities before, so I don’t want my questions to sound redundant. Hence I ask them questions that others wouldn’t have asked before. Some people strangely considered that as an insult and that I am making fun of people we should be proud of. That is not the case. I have the utmost respect for such people. It’s just that, when I add the “zing” in my questions, I bring out the “fun” in them. If you can’t stand such sense of humor, then with all due respect, I wouldn’t recommend you to read this post.
The interview was a great success. Muanpuii was sporty as usual, laughing out a lot and blushing sometimes, but nevertheless, answered every question.
We picked her up from JNU and proceeded to CP for the interview. We had a small problem initially with the interview venue, because it was Sunday AND Friendship Day, so all the hangout places like CCD, KFC, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Costa’s etc were all jam packed. We finally found a good place at Baskin Robins.
The interview:
What subjects did you take for the UPSC 2005?
I took Public Administration and Anthropology.
How many hours did you use to study?
Well… ummm… I never used to time myself but let’s say… approximately 8 hours a day. That was for around 6 months until the Prelims exam. After that, for the Mains exam, there were so many different coaching classes I go to that there was hardly any time to study at all! That hectic lifestyle went on for around 5 months until the Mains exam.
Is it true that you used to wrap your study materials in a transparent polythene bag and read them while taking a shower? (yeah it was really hard trying to keep a straight face while asking this question).
NO!!!! (laughs out loud)… but… (gives a silly grin) sometimes I read while washing my clothes!
Oh! And how long do you wash in between, say two chapters?
(laughs out again) it was never like that…
Ok maybe it’s easier to answer this way. How much do you read while washing a blouse?
(giggles) well… two A4 size study materials…
And jeans? How much do you study while washing jeans?
(laughs again) I need both hands to wash my jeans, so I don’t read anything then.
So you’re saying jeans is bad, and that if we want to become like you we shouldn’t wear jeans…
Yes… NO!!! I mean… what? You can wear what you want… I’m just saying…
That we cannot read anything while washing jeans.
Yes.
So we shouldn’t wear jeans if we want to read.
Yes... NO!!! Aaaargh. I’m going to kill you!!!
(After 2 minutes of uncontrollable laughter and a chase inside Baskin Robins that cannot be mentioned here…)
Apart from all the studies then and the work now, how is your romance life?
(blushes) romance? Ummm…… uhhh…. It’s like the waves (shows the up and down action of waves and then laughs out loud. I was biting my lips not to laugh too. After sometime she became serious) Well… seriously speaking, you know me personally. There had never been such waves in my life so far. And I haven’t found Mr. Right yet, but yeah I have my fair share of suitors (smiles).
That’s not surprising. You’ve got the looks and the brains. Right now you’re the most eligible woman in Mizoram.
Yeah rightttt….
Seriously! And just to give some chance to your ardent fans, what would be the minimum criteria or eligibility for somebody to woo you?
(giggles) comon! You don’t expect me to reveal that (giggles again).
Be a sport please (smiles) Just give us 4-5 points on what you see in a future life partner.
ummm… (smiles) well.. first and foremost, he should be a man of God. And then after that, he should have brains, obviously. Thirdly… he should have a great sense of humor. And last point… ummm… he must be polished.
Polished? As in…
Polished as in… you know… polished.
As in Cherry Blossom polish?
(laughs out again) NO! I mean polished as in, refined, well mannered… someone who opens the door for me…
So basically you mean a door man?
(laughs and punches me) You…. You….
And moving on to my next question…. (yeah I was enjoying it!) lets talk about your new posting. Where in South Korea?
It’s in the capital Seoul (she pronounced it “Soul”).
Oh! It’s pronounced “Soul”? I always used to say “C-OL”.
The “e” is silent.
Ok. Thanx for letting me know. And what’s the language called?
Korean.
Script?
Hangeul (han-gul)
Currency?
Won.
What’s the equivalent of Won in Indian rupee?
1 rupee would equal to around 20 Won. But the cost of living is much much higher than here in India.
Which side of the road do the people drive over there?
They drive on the left side of the road.
Ah. So it is a former British colony?
No. But it was once under the Japanese. Even today, there is quite a strong Anti-Japan sentiment among the general population because of its violent history.
Uhuh… and what about Korean movies which are a big craze among the Mizos. You watch Korean movies?
Not that much. But I’ve seen two Korean movies recently and I really love them.
What are they?
“A moment to remember” and “Spring Summer Fall Winter... and Spring”.
Source amazon.com
Well, will you send us Korean movies from Korea?
Of course! That I definitely will do!
Thank you, thank you. Now coming to your posting, what exactly is your designation? Imagine you are explaining that to a layman.
Well, I will be working as “3rd secretary” when I join the Indian Embassy over there. The hierarchy is usually like this: Ambassador followed by Counselor, followed by 2nd Secretary, followed by 3rd Secretary. Since the Counselor is not there, I will be third in command at the Indian Embassy.
That’s so cool! And will you be staying at the Indian Embassy?
(laughs out again) No, it’s not like that. It’s similar to the fact that politicians don’t live in the Parliament House here in India. They just go there for work. Similarly, we will be going to the Embassy on a daily basis for work, but our residence is outside the Embassy premises.
Oh! Ok. And what about diplomatic immunity? Do you have it, and do you mind explaining it briefly to us?
Yes, I do have diplomatic immunity. Diplomatic immunity is that special privilege we diplomats have at a foreign soil, in which we cannot be tried for any case at a foreign Court. But we can be deported back to our country and tried there.
Uh huh. And what about North Korea. Do you have diplomatic immunity over there?
As a diplomat, yes something like that… but the situation at North is more complicated because of the obvious reasons. Plus I need to be assigned to the Embassy over there and all other red tapes and bureaucracy etc. I can’t just explain the situation just like that, plus it will not be a wise move to make to talk about any of our foreign affairs relationship…
Yes yes I completely understand. So let’s not talk about sensitive information anymore. Instead let’s discuss about your romance life again (grins).
Noooo… (buries face with her hands).
Oh comon! This is what most Mizo bachelors would want to know! (Points at my friend Tawia) Imagine he is one of your suitors (Tawia nearly gets a heart attack). What are the ten questions you would ask him?
Ten???? That’s too much!!!
Just ten. The first ten questions at the top of your head. Remember it’s all in good fun.
(laughs) ok ok. Well the first question is…
Look at him, not me.
I am so going to kill you (laughs). Ok my 10 questions would be (looks at Tawia):
1.Are you a man of God?
2.Do you have a steady job?
3.How is your relationship with your mother or a significant woman in your life?
4.What kind of relationships did you have with women in the past?
5.What kind of books do you read?
6.When was the last time you cried and why?
7.Do you like kids?
8.Can you cook?
9.What’s your idea of a romantic date?
10.What is your dream woman?
(Tawia turned towards me and gave me a look. I understood that look immediately: He failed in all ten questions.)
Wow! Thank you so much for that important information, Miss Muanpuii. I can picture many of the Mizo hopefuls out there writing the ten questions down on a note pad.
The pleasure is all mine (smiles sweetly).
[So we ended the interview then, and got down to more important discussions like how to prepare for the upcoming MCS (Mizoram Civil Service) examination and which chocolate flavored drink should we order next. Finally we headed back to her hostel. She was kind enough to invite us all up to her room, even though it was already past 10pm.]
Nice room!
Thank you.
I was expecting it to be a bit untidy, with all your heavy schedules and stuff. It’s as if you ran ahead in front of us and cleaned up your room before letting us in.
Ummm…
So (looking at the map on the wall), can you tell us where exactly is South Korea?
Of course, its right over here (points it out on the map).
Now can you just pose (aims the camera)…
No!!! Min bawl eee!!!
Bawl lo. Seriously, I’m just taking the snap for my collection.
Ok (posing).
Now smile.
*click*
Let’s talk about Music now, shall we?
Yup. At last, something decent (smiles).
So what kind of music do you listen to?
I listen to mainly P&W songs. Then there’s Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban. I like classic rock too, like Queen and Manfred Mann. Wait! Don’t mention Manfred Mann, people will think I listen to such old genre of music!
Ok I won’t mention Manfred Mann.
When it comes to style of music, I love Baroque… you know Bach?
Well, I never knew him personally, but yeah I heard he’s a great composer (grins). Speaking of Bach, I hear you are really really really good with the keyboard!
(blushes) I’m not thaaaat good…
What is your… rank when it comes to music, like a yellow belt, black belt etc in karate?
I am a Grade 7.
And to a layman, that would be…?
Well, the maximum grade is a Grade 8. We have to write an exam called The Royal School of Music exam, and an English man comes to conduct the exam all the way from UK.
Wow! So you are just one grade away from becoming the next Beethoven! So how long did you take to reach grade 7 from 1?
Well actually I started from Grade 5 since I could play the keyboard pretty good then. It didn’t take me long to reach 7.
That is so impressive! And speaking of Beethoven, can you finish his unfinished symphony?
(throws a book at me)
There is one small part I can play on the keyboard. My sisters used to teach me when I was just a kid. I don’t even remember the name but I still remember bits and parts of it.
By all means, the piano is all yours.
(I sat on the huge piano and my fingers went “ting ting ting ting ting ting…”)
(laughs out loud) That is so sweet of you to know that. That symphony is called “Fur elise” by Beethoven and it’s one of my all time favorites. Here I will play it for you.
(Muanpuii sat on the piano and her fingers moved like magic, full of passion and sleight. My friends and I couldn’t move even a bit until she finished playing. We were entrapped in the beauty of her sheer talent and rapture. We all applauded after she played it.)
Thank you thank you (smiles)
Can you teach me?
Sure
Thank you so much for teaching me, Muanpuii. It was an honour.
You’re welcome.
So do you have the medals you won?
No, they are with my parents in Mizoram. It’s safer there (laughs).
Are they running trophies type, you know, where you have to hand it over next year…
No no, it’s mine for keeps (grins).
Gold plated?
Yup.
And what was the name of your dissertation topic that won you the medal?
“Reemergence of the left in Latin America and it’s implication for India”. My guide was JNU Professor Varun Sahini.
Phew! That’s a pretty long topic! I’m sure a couple of marks were added on the length alone (grins). Speaking of adding, how come you don’t look like the stereotype Civil Servant with protruding belly and double chin? Isn’t it true people add a lot of weight once they join the service?
No that is a gross misconception. There are many thin Officers too (smiles). I guess I watch what I eat to a certain degree.
What’s your weight? (smiles)
Hmmm… if I tell you that, then I’ll have to kill you (laughs). Actually I am around 56.
Do you mind if I show the people that?
Well… (thinks for a long time) ok (smiles) Anyway my weight is quite proportional to my height and body mass, so it’s ok.
Thank you dear Muanpuii. It has been a real pleasure for sparing us some time to get to know you better. May the good Lord protect you in South Korea and may you continue carrying the good name of India and Mizoram wherever you go.
That is so sweet of you. God bless you too and all the best for the upcoming MCS exam.
Thank you Miss Muanpuii.
We stayed at her apartment for a few more minutes, singing while Muanpuii played the piano. She is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known, and she truly deserves all the accolades she had received. We wish her all the very best in her endeavors and may she continue making the Mizo name proud wherever she goes. May the good Lord watch over her in everything that she does and once again, a very big thanks to her for the interview. God bless you Muanpuii Saiawi. You are not only studious, hard working and dedicated, but also a whole lot of fun, sporty and humorous.
mizohican.blogspot.com/2007/08/chp-138-interview-with-mua...
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Currently trying to finish my dissertation... hence the photo! Feel free to add as many notes as you like (as per Mark!)
Nikon D800E & Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF Lens photos of my HDR Hero's Journey Mythology LA Gallery photos taken with a Nikon D800E & Nikon AF-S Zoom Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF Lens! If I keep this up I may create a black hole! See the full-seize photos here:
www.flickr.com/photos/herosjourneymythology45surf/sets/72...
dx4/dt=ic & 45SURF Hero's Journey Mythology Photography (31 photos)
From press release: "Theoretical Physicist hosts Hero's Journey Mythology Photography Gallery Show in Honor of Moving Dimensions Theory Physics Research." Ph.D physicist and photographer Dr. E signs all of his fine art with dx4/dt=ic -- the foundational equation for Moving Dimensions Theory, which stipulates that the fourth dimension is expanding relative to the three spatial dimensions at the rate of c--the velocity of light. His Princeton advisor, the late J.A. Wheeler, wrote "More intellectual curiosity, versatility and yen for physics than Elliot McGucken's I have never seen in any senior or graduate student," and Dr. E's award-winning artificial retina dissertation, titled Multiple Unit Artificial Retina Chipset to Aid the Visually Impaired and Enhanced CMOS Phototransistors is now helping the blind see. Though seemingly disparate pursuits, all three endeavors--the photography, retinal prosthesis, and MDT are united in light. For MDT stipulates that photons surf the fourth expanding dimension on their way to exciting electrons in our our retinas or camera chips. The Hero's Journey Mythology motif derives from the heroic pursuit of truth and beauty, calling the viewer to adventure--to turn up Beethoven's Eroica and join the fellowship. When Dr. E's Princeton mentor J.A. Wheeler passed away, the National Post wrote, "At 96, he had been the last notable figure from the Heroic Age of Physics lingering among us. . . the student of Bohr, teacher of Feynman, and close colleague of Einstein. . . Wheeler was as much philosopher-poet as scientist, seizing on Einsteinian relativity early . . . He was ready to believe in the new world before most physicists. . ." And so it is that in honor of the noble Wheeler and all the heroes of yore, the Hero's Journey Mythology Photography seeks to remind us that the heroic age has not yet passed, that it is everywhere we look, should we only look towards the immutable ideals which mark both nature's sublime beauty and the imperishable soul. Words alone can do little to honor those who came before, but only action in the service of truth and beauty--serving those who come hence--can truly honor those heroic spirits of all ages. — in Malibu, CA.
Los Angeles Gallery Show! Dr. Elliot McGucken's Fine Art Photography! Dr. E's Legendary Malibu & Socal HDR Photography!
Some photos of my fine art photography hanging in the gallery for all my flickr fans! Thanks for the 120,000,000+ views y'all!
Setting up in a gallery was fun! It did not seem like work. :) I even got to drive to Home Depot & buy lumber (pine), hammers, nails, and a saw! I added a few dozen feet of new wooden strips to hang all the Hero's Journey Mythology photography--white strips and grey strips--cut them, nailed them up, and painted them so that we could fit all my fine art photography in the gallery! I told them I have even more on flickr if they want more photos--haha. :)
Some photographs are 13"x19" metallic prints on Kodak metallic paper mounted on 18"x24" matts in wood frames with 2.5" black, wood-grain borders, set behind anti-reflective, UV protective, museum glass! Awesome--everyone asks "why didn't you put these behind glass" because the anti-reflective museum glass is so clear! Other fine art photographs are 24" x 36" printed on canvas wraps, or 24" x 36" printed on canvas and front-mounted to plexiglass / acryllic (I love these! Great for HDR)! And the finest ones are 40" x 60" laser-printed on Fuji-crystal archival paper, front mounted to UV-protective acryllic / plexiglass, with a solid aluminum backing for durablity! Heavy, but nice! :) Also have a couple huge 40"x70" (the motorcycle in Venice and Corvette on the PCH) printed straight on a sheet of metal! Some were printed on Canon, some on Epson, and others on a laser printer so expensive it doesn't even have a name. :) I saw it in downtown LA--it was HUGE!
This is my first gallery show, and the funny thing is that while setting it up and adding all the carpentry/new wood strips, I shot more photography than usual, getting up every day at 5 AM to shoot the sunrise at around 6:30-6:45 AM. The Journey Never Ends! As Malibu faces South, the sun rises over the water this time of year, and sets over it too! So it keeps me busy as I hate missing the awesomely magical December cirrus cloud sunrises & sunsets, some of which you see hanging in the gallery, with many, many more to come!
Well, all the best on your epic hero's journey! The gallery is just below Bel Air Camera in Westwood, and if you ever want to meet up, drop me a line! :)
Happy Holidays & Best on Your Epic Hero's Journey!
P.S. (Some folks have asked me when I am going to have a goddess gallery show--soon! :)
I spent part of today sorting through the diss-related piles that had accumulated around the house in recent weeks, and put everything into folders. Very satisfying.
I made this a large photo, so feel free to play the game of trying to identify the books on the bookshelf. The second shelf has a number of writing studies books on it.
Im finally free!! All these images are the Araneae section of my dissertation. Thanks for all the comments on my pics folks ill catch up over the weekend. Im off to forest of dean tomorrow for a walk with Iolo :)
I celebrated last night with friends down he beach and feels like such a weight has been lifted!
The first dissertation to be ever presented by a graduating student to both the university and Macedonian art society. This event led directly to Maja's early introduction to the society.
Coming soon, the design of my dissertation. It's all about how magazines are being affected by the increasing online activity and the affect that this is having on existing printed magazines.
I think this was supposed to be a few weeks ago, but hey better late than never right? Not sure I like this new format though ;/