Olympics...protesters disrupt Vancouver Streets! Schwarzenegger hands-off torch...

Budget cruncher hands off Olympic Torch

True to form, protesters in Vancouver took to the streets - one thousand strong - to underscore their displeasure about the folly of the cost of the Olympics (and its impact on the environment) at a time when financial straits are hurting a lot of Canadians around the country.

As I noted in a post earlier this week, opponents to the games were gearing up for a full frontal attack to be launched on the day of the opening ceremonies.

Post:  02/08/2010

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/02/winter-olympicsprotests-in-vancouver.html

They did not disappoint!

The rag-tag posse of disgruntled protesters swept through downtown Vancouver yesterday chanting catchy slogans.

"We ain't got no tickets!"

"Homes not games!"

Although they were well organized (and nimble on their feet) the men in blue were out in full force, too, and managed to hold the upstarts back without any disruption at the commencement of the Olympic celebration.

It was one of the biggest organized rallies ever in Canada against the world games.

The protest was described as an "action against capitalism & colonization".

"There's never been an Olympian protest like this. This is a first," said Chris Shaw, a spokesperson for 2010 Watch who participated in the landmark event.

The main thrust of their protest pertained to cost.

According to the group - Canadian citizens are taking it on the chin and bearing the brunt of the multi-million-dollar games - which will ultimately only profit land developers and corporate sponsors for the Olympics.

In one tense moment, a masked man clad in black dashed forward with an anarchist flag to taunt police, but was quickly pushed back.

A spirited bank of Canucks - in opposition to the anti-Olympics protesters - sauntered into the melee as well sporting their own brand of patriotism.

Wearing banners with the red maple leaf etched boldly on their face, they proceeded to shout down the party-poopers.

"They say protest! We say party!"

The protesters managed to get their message out, nonetheless.

In fevered speeches, organizers denounced Canada's failure to sign treaties with the aboriginal First Nations, cutbacks in funding for education and the arts, and development of tar sands oil in Alberta.

The arts issue inspired another chant.

"With glowing hearts, we Kill the arts!"

Some grumbled to anyone within earshot that their children would be payng for the Olympic folly for decades to come.

Earlier in the day, protestors managed to disrupt the carring of the torch ceremony twice, by blocking the streets along the celebrated route.

Meanwhile, in an upscale part of town, Governor Schwarzenegger managed to hand off the torch to the Canadians to uproarous applause.

Guess the the protestors were worried that if the tried to interfere that he'd terminate them!

Like Arnold, I'll be back.

Olympic Logo symbol of dirty politics & injustice

http://www.julianayrs.com

Vancouver...intriguing unsolved mystery!

Lay Lady Lay

(Nashville Skyline)

Calderhouse Inn

In the old "head" days in Vancouver, I dwelled in a two-story craftsman-style building, which was divided into quaint individual apartments.

Back in the seventies, the 4th Avenue scene was pretty footloose and carefree.

At the time, I was just starting to collect a few select antiques.

One of my fondest possessions was a beautiful antique bed (a lover gave it to me) - which was quite appropos - in view of the fact Body Dylan's song (Lay Lady Lay) was popular at the time.

During that time period, I was quite involved in painting, since I was preparing for one of my first one-man exhibitions in trendy Gastown at the Galerie Allen (downtown Vancouver).

In those innocent days, I never locked my apartment door, that's how safe Kitsilano was in those romantic easy-going days.

One day, I returned home and was startled to spy Oscar Wilde's book "The Happy Prince" propped up and open on my bed, with a sheet of paper casually tucked inside the binding.

I plucked it up and found myself reading this lovely poem:

Untitled

Uncertain of the things I'll find
I explore you as an enchanted forest
that what may come may be a storm
but all may be as wondrous

Vain may be all thoughts of love
As lovely as the sight may be
of one that so close compares
to a century of dreaming

Author Unknown

Who left it?

Ah!

A mystery yet to be resolved to this day, if only for curiosity sake.

News at 11!

A former employer!

(Royal Vancouver Yacht Club)

Winter Olympics...protests in Vancouver over costs and value for buck!

Usually, when there are attempted boycotts of the Olympics, the major thrust of the criticim tends to be political in nature.

Leading up to - and during the Beijing games - there were a number of passionate outcries over Human Rights Violations, for instance (with one aspect of the protest focusing on oppression in Tibet).

Curiously, protests which have sprung up in Vancouver (B.C.) on the eve of the Winter Olympics, have sought to toss the glare of the spotlight on the cost of the games, value for the dollar, and corporate greed.

While my fellow Canucks tend to be a relatively peaceful lot (except for a little rough-housing that breaks out on Hockey Night in Canada)  - when push comes to shove - residents of the great White North are capable of being quite the sh** disturbers, too (no problem!).

Even still, a cool reserve normally prevails.

A case in point? 

Anti-Olympic protests are being organized for venues expected to attract heavy traffic in a low-key fashion without much fanfare or hysteria.

Politicans and business owners are expected  to raise red flags over the exhorbitant costs, potential damage to the breathtaking Pacific Northwest territory, and traffic congestion that will take its toll during the two-week event (and the residual effects thereafter).

The goal, according to a resistance group rep, is to make it clear to the world (and to other residents in Canada) that the Olympics are not all they'e hyped up to be and to highlight the increasing number of Canadians who  believe the games have a lot more of a  negative impact than a positive  one.

In response, Mary McNeil (Minister of the State for the olympics)  noted that on the upside, there were undeniable benefits for Vancouver and that seizing the day (putting in a successful bid for the games) was a smart move.

"For us to be welcoming a quarter-of-a-million people to our lower mainland - that's very very exciting and is good for the economy."

In addition, McNeil pointed out that there were rewards not easily calculated in dollars and cents.

"There's also the other benefit,and that is having the athletes in the community, so your local athletes can see and aspire and be motivated."

The resistant group intend to kick-start the uprising with workshops on Wednesday and Thursday.

On the day of the Opening Ceremonies a - "Take back our City" - demonstration  is slated with the specific aim of shaking up officials and athletes alike.

Meanwhile, the protests at Whistler - one of the most picturesque Olympic venues - will focus on the loss of trees and displaced wild life  - arising from the construction of a  four-lane highway installed to accommodate  increased traffic flow to the mountain resort.

One  Whistler resident put it quite succinctly.

"You grow up with the idea that the Olympics are a wonderful thing, you watch it on TV, and you think it's all about the athletes and the world coming together."

"But the reality is it's become more of a corporate creation whose primary motive is greed. And the people that need the most support are the people that get trampled on when things like big corporate sporting events come to town."

Whistler Ski Resort

Asian Pacific Film Festival...feature film "Dim Sum Funeral" a celebration of life! Bai Ling plays lesbian with zest...

Anna Chi stumbled across a cache of dog-eared documents one day and was suddenly thrust headlong into the ancient customs of her ancestors - a handful of which inspired her to shoot the poignant film - "Dim Sum Funeral".

"The tradition of honoring a parent with a seven-day funeral is the highest honor a child can give."

The idea of the long-held tradition piqued her curiosity.

On the heels of the revelation, she started up a collaboration with her writing partner, which resulted in a final draft on the subject matter ripe for her insightful lens.

In the opening scenes of "Dim Sum", four siblings - three daughters and one son - are summoned to the family residence by a longtime confidant to commence with arrangements for their mother's last rites in the wake of her untimely death.

When it is revealed that their mother desires that they respect her wishes for a week-long ceremony, the angry four balk at the notion.

As the story unfolds, it is revealed that each of the children were not only "at war" with each other, but were unanimously out-of-sorts with their strict unfeeling mother, too.

Essentially - each harbored a grudge based on their hurtful perception that the grand Dame (to the Manor born) was selfish, overly critical, and incapable of public or private displays of affection.

Once the seven-day "ordeal" commenced, however, many startling revelations unfolded.

The wise "elders" of the Ancient Societies were obviously cognizant of at least one fact.

The painstaking rituals would surely give rise to reflection - and ultimately - lead to a cry for forgiveness.

Such was the case here, after a dramatic - and unexpected turn of events - ultimately healed.

In addition to the underlying themes of love and relationships, Chi's scripted words underscore how much Asian-Americans appear to have one foot in the "old country" and the other in the ever-changing frontier that is America.

Will the two that tug at each other split the community asunder?

In a sort-of sub-pot, Bai Ling appears as the lesbian lover of one of the daughters.

"I represent the modern Chinese woman who is bold and not afraid to let go of traditions," she stressed in a deliberate tone.

She was inclined to philosophize a little, too, on the issues that raise their ugly head in the thought-provoking drama.

"There is a glass wall. We know it's there. But, it's difficult to break through."

Gosh, that's twice this week that Ms. Ling has taken me by surprise with her profound thoughts.
At "premieres", Ms. Ling - the "sexy" spitfire - often sashays onto the carpet with a big splash as two-dozen-or-so media hounds snap away furiously from the sidelines.

But, at the kick off ro4 the - "Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup" - Ms. Ling was low key.

"Children are our future and we must give for their best welfare."

As Shakespeare would opine:

"I have never seen such a young body with such an old head."

For those of you interested in production matters, at the Q & A post-screening, it was noted that in spite of all the intricacies of the storyline and a difficult shoot, the movie was wrapped without any delays or snafus.

A remarkable accomplishment, no?

"But, I should point out that Anna (the director) used to be in the Red Guard, " one of the producers laughed.

"Each day she marched onto the set ready to deal with production problems with military-style precision."

It worked.

"Dim Sum Funeral" is an insightful and entertaining film without any "fat" dragging it down.

Maybe that's why Ms. Chi and her team were able to secure a distribution deal so quickly out-of-the-gate.

"Dim Sum Funeral" is being released on June 12th (2009) at Laemlle 5 in West Hollywood and Laemlle 7 in Pasadena.

Enjoy!

http://www.julianayrs.com

David Bowie...kissed me!

Several years ago when I was ensconced in the local art scene in Vancouver (Canada), I caught drift of a rumor that David Bowie would be landing at the dock down at the waterfront - at which point - he planned to check local venues for up-coming concert dates.

Since Mr. Bowie (in the glitter-Queen phase of his musical musings at the time) was antsy about air travel, he chose to take a cruise up the coast on a luxury liner.

All my pals were inclined to doll themselves up in wild "Ziggy" Stardust get-ups - and swarm the docks - to get an up-close in-your-face gander at the legendary stage performer.

Since I just got back from an all-night trek up the coast from San Francisco, I was dead tired. Too pooped to participate! But, how could I pass up a golden opportunity to meet Ziggy?

So, I sashayed down to the harbour with a gaggle of Queens in tow. To be truthful, I didn't expect much, except a glimpse of the celebrated pop icon from afar.

But, as luck would have it, our motley rag-tag gang was given the nod to flounce right alongside the musical wizard as he disembarked from the gangplank.

Well - at this fantastic juncture - hysteria broke out among the fans.

A host of Ziggy Stardust impersonators screamed out Bowie's name - and on the heels of the chant - shrieked with delight when he favored 'em with a wave their way. As the frenzied throngs surged forward - for one fleeting moment - I thought the wild-eyed fans might carve out an actual scrap of flesh for a ghoulish souvenir.

Nonetheless, Mr. Bowie remained cool, and barely blinked an eye.

In the eye of the storm - Cherry Vanilla (who was acting as a sort-of press agent) - managed to steer the scintillating pop entourage out of harm's way.

Rock historians probably recall that Cherry Vanilla was an infamous plaster-caster, known for fashioning strikingly realistic "molds" of the co**s of a handful of rock stars she'd bedded on the rocky road to fame.

Suddenly - out-of-the-blue - the gathering circus struck me as surreal.

What the heck, at this pivotal moment, I opted to take a leap into the great unknown. Yup, grab for the brass ring, if you will. After all, I was in a wild and zany mood heightened by the fact I was fantastically sleep-deprived.

As David brushed up next to me in the crush of ecstatic fans, I unabashedly asked for a kiss - in what amounted to a titillating tease - I guess.

Suddenly, Mr. Bowie turned - gazed deeply into my eyes - and leaned forward.

Then, in one brief moment, our lips touched!

As fate would have it, a couple of photographers quick on-the-uptake, excitedly snapped away and captured the entire episode on film!

I was flabbergasted a few days later when one of my pals rang me up on the telephone and reported some startling news.

"There's a picture of you and David Bowie kissing in the morning Terminal City Express!"

I suppose the caption should have read: Two stars collide!

Since that bizarre outlandish day, I haven't had the pleasure to cross paths with Mr. Bowie again.

If the honor ever descends on moi - I wonder - would the Pop Star know me from - um - Adam, let's say?

Naw, I used to look like Peter Frampton in those heady days!

Now, I'm just another pretty face in Tinsel town.