Ben on July 17 2009

Announcing Recognition Week

At the time of writing, it is 68 days until Recognition Week.

Today, I am announcing Recognition Week. It is going to run from the 24th September to 1st October. It will be a week for me to thank everyone for their contribution to Year 12, 2009. I’m doing this, because everyone has done so much for me, and also to show how much everyone has contributed to the Year 12 group.

I’ll be doing a lot of things for everyone to benefit from. Probably the most ambitious act during the week, will be my aim to give a free hug to everyone over the course of the week. Those who accept, will get a small card from me, saying thanks and also to remember the time spent. Certain others will get larger cards, for those with more stuff to thank them for.

This will not be limited only to Barker Year 12, I invite anyone who I have met, whether it is for one minute, one day, or one year to receive this free gift.

While I’m almost at the end of a significant part of life, it is a great opportunity to reflect on the happenings of the last few years. They certainly have made a considerable impact on my life, which has flown on to others, and that is something to be thankful for.

I hope you approve!

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Ben on July 6 2009

I have a vision…

I think most people have a short term aspiration or a goal. It might be something small or something that is bold and daring. Nevertheless, we find sometimes that our own goals are fun to work towards, and rewarding in the end.

I’ve had this plan inside for months, and I’d like to share it with you.

When December comes, I want to start something revolutionary, something that everyone who contributes to it gets something out of it. It is a collaborative effort, based on something that has been done before, but not many of you may know or have seen.

Based on the Laughing Squid blog, it is a blog reporting on Sydney’s art, culture and current affairs. The reporting will come from those who are in the scene; you. One of the great things about this is that the reporting will be independent from any news/media agency. It’s like going underground, without going underground.

Some of the things that would make up the reports include: music, film, stage, art, photography, food, icons, places, happenings, gatherings, impromptu parties, style, fashion, trends, plus a few.

This blog will also act as a guide of what is to come, an events list gathered from venues that host such events.

Now, that’s just the “contributing” part. The “benefit” part can be seen as twofold. The first, well, is obvious. You get independent analysis and commentary on events in Sydney. The second is a bit complex, but well worth it. Because the blog is a collaborative, it will be big enough to give opportunity to our contributors to do things that, say, a freshman journo probably won’t be able to. I hope this project will at least give a contributor a new experience, from something small, as photographing a slightly publicised event, to getting press passes for something big. Basically, those things that only big organisations get to do, but most common folk want to experience. It’s hard to put in words though, so sorry if some of you are still confused.

I think, that as some of our readers near the end of school, there is a small focus on how to keep in contact with friends that we have known for years. It’s obviously easier to do so now, due to the rise of social networks. This is probably a more interesting way to keep in touch, as well as sharing useful information that isn’t well documented.

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Ben on June 29 2009

How can they survive?

This is another photography related rant. (Sorry Mark)

Whilst looking around Facebook yesterday, I saw some photos of a particular formal had turned up. Obviously they had a good time. But what I noticed (and this is not new) is that people nick the photos from the photography company’s website, watermarks and all. I think this speaks volumes about me next point.

These photography companies are contracted by organisers of the formal to take photographs and document. This is in the hope that cash-strapped people buy their photos for ‘keepsakes’. It is like as if they expect you to look back in a few year’s time and say, “Look at me, this was at my formal back in year 11! Wow!” But they clearly don’t seem to notice that people are “stealing” their photos and recognising the hard work of others.

Mind you, I don’t have a problem with this happening. I think it is stupid how photography companies and afford the time and resources to shoot an event where they don’t expect their clients to buy their work. I mean, who spends the few dollars getting a low res file without a watermark? Wouldn’t it just be better to just offer the product pro bono?

This is the principle that I follow with my recent photography work. I don’t feel I have the authority nor the capacity to charge people for photos of themselves. I believe that I have done a good job offering my best service for the greater good of the people. All I ask in return is some recognition of the hard work that has gone into making a good product. Why should people have to pay for something that they may not look at in a few years? Granted, it just keeps the moment lasting for longer.

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Ben on June 28 2009

Photographer’s Respect

When I shoot any event, whether it be a concert, official school event, or a music tour, there are those who are always bugging you for new photos. Having done my fair share of events, I have to say that it sometimes gets annoying, but the satisfaction that you see on your “client” is well worth it. This got me to think, does this happen between photographers on a smaller scale?

I think that everyone would love to live in a perfect world. But this isn’t one. It’s filled with anger, harassment and negative criticism. Nevertheless, there are those that seek to shine a light in the dark holes of the world. I want it to be the same with photography and photographers. Luckily, we are nearly half-way there, with social networks that encourage good photography mixed with the vivacity of life. However, not everyone is willing to share their work with others. Many stay cooped up on Facebook and share only with friends. (Don’t get me started on the Facebook photo argument!)

What I want to see more of is some personal recognition, face-to-face. I think it would be great, if someone you knew came up to you and said, “Hey! I just saw your photos of the art stuff in Sydney last week. It’s sooo good!” I want to see photographers respecting other photographers.

I guess the reason why I am writing this is that I suspect some people out there really like my stuff, and respect me for it. But something is stopping them from saying it. I’m not trying to show off here, I’m just noting an observation.

So can I challenge you to respect a photographer if you really like their work. I’m sure that they’ll thank you for it.

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Ben on June 16 2009

Marketing an Extreme Sport

Extreme sports need extreme forms of marketing. Take extreme ironing for example. If you ever see an ad about it, you normally see some enthusiastic person overdoing the ironing action. The “extreme sport” of debating has had its fair share of clever marketing campaigns over the years.

This year at school, our 1st Debating team has been prolifically handing out badges with a photo of the team. Also part of the campaign is revealing the long history of the members of the team, showing a photo of them back in the primary school days. A promotional video was made, poking fun at their other interests: drama, footy and that Christian notion. In the past, such campaigns have included Debate ’08 (based on Kevin Rudd’s Kevin07 election campaign) and iDebate (based upon the Apple i frenzy of the time)

I have to say, that the marketing is trying to position debating as the Next Big Thing, the pinnacle of extreme sports. Compared to footy or music, debating unfortunately has a low profile. It has a stigma upon it that only those who are smart can play, and that it requires a lot of wit. Being a former debater myself, I have seen that for the majority of people out there, most have a fear of public speaking, and that all due respect is given to those who can regularly stand and speak, let alone improvise a rebuttal at a complex argument.

The marketing has retained its wittiness, which keeps it in line with what the “sport” is all about. I think people are drawn to the cleverness of it, and that is why it has such a strong support group. Now their next challenge, is to recruit new debaters, as talent these days is ever so hard to find.

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Ben on June 6 2009

From the Archive: Recollections of a Camp: Day 1

This is a post I wrote in November of 2007. It was about the first day of the Yr 10 Camp. At the time, I felt the need to document it, as the days surrounding it were interesting. Anyway, here it is.

It was the day after the formal. All the glitz and glamour from that night just disappeared that afternoon. It was the beginning of Adventure Camp 2007. 180 people gathered beside the oval, ready to be whisked away to Jindabyne. Some people were excited about it, others not so.

I arrived at 1pm with my large bulky pack and a small daypack. At the time, there weren’t many people there yet. I went to my team bus and sat outside for a short while. Several minutes later, Mr Ashby called us over. He had some things to talk about, one of which was to not take this camp for granted because it was a rare opportunity to do so many activities in one week. I took this into mind, but it did not stay there. In my mind, there was opposition to the camp. Nevertheless, those thoughts could not overpower the schedule of the camp. I felt helpless and trapped. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ben on May 24 2009

Inherit the Wind

A few people have asked me to write a review of Barker’s Year 11 play, “Inherit the Wind”, because they themselves couldn’t get to the play. Having seen it yesterday night, it’s fine.

Note that the powers that be have forbidden me to use people’s names, so I’ll write about it in context.

“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” – Proverbs 11:29 (King James Version)

This is a play is based on the Scopes Trial in Tennessee in the 1920s. The Scopes Trial was a rather famous case, testing the Act that prohibits the teaching of creationism, i.e. from Charles Darwin’s book ‘The Origin of Species’. Although the characters and accounts are fictionalised, it does stay true to the core ideas of that case.

The play started off rather quietly. I could sense that the audience was watching closely with intent. As we watched the case unfold, with every piece of evidence presented to the audience, the intensity in the courtroom built up. You could see it becoming a landmark case. Add in the zany journalists from Baltimore and the UK, and suddenly there’s another set of opinions to think about.

While the dialogue was concentrated on a few characters, the acting was well done. Another point to note was the minimal staging and props, mainly chairs, desks and picket signs. Also, flawless American accents.

Overall, another fantastic production. Nothing else needs to be said.

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Ben on May 10 2009

Weeks 1 and 2

Well, the first two weeks of term 2 have passed. I have to say, that it hasn’t been as pressured as last term. Finally I have some free time on the weekend (at least that’s why I’m writing tonight). I’m glad that this time has been sufficient to plan how this term will unfold.

You know, I’ve been doing those KenKen puzzles that started to appear in the Sydney Morning Herald last week. They’re quite fun, and they also help with developing basic number theory. (Quick, 4 numbers between 1 and 6 that multiply to give 160!) Do these puzzles really make you smarter?

While my logic develops, my social is on the backburner. Though this next term is quiet, unfortunately it isn’t time to let my guard down. I think everyone wants to be able to fast-forward to some time in November, after the last exam. For now, can I suggest to get each milestone through, one at a time, and still feel good about it?

Here ends.

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Ben on May 2 2009

Statistics from the Holidays

Below are a set of statistics from the holidays past. A couple of holidays ago, I wrote a page of haikus to describe the three weeks of that holiday. This time, by compiling a set of statistics, I’ve done something different.

If there are any that you want more info on, drop a comment below.

Statistics for the holiday – T1 2009

Days of Holiday – 20
Extra days of Holiday – 1

Days spent at coaching/tutoring – 3

Money found on the ground – $50.20
Amount CityRail “stole” from me – $8.40
Value of CityRail compensation – $8.60

Birthdays observed on Facebook – 3
Average number of Facebook wall posts about other person’s birthday – 25
Wall posts for my birthday – 24
Emails for my birthday – 2
Texts for my birthday – 1
Phone calls for my birthday – 1

Total value of gifts – $375
In cash – $270
In vouchers – $105

Sydney Email
Texts sent – 117
Emails sent – 106
Total people sent to – 136
Method of reply
Total replies – 49 (36%)
By text – 32
Number of those who did not recognise my identity (BH) – 19 (59.3%)
By email – 14
Other method – 3

Newspapers bought and read (excluding our Friday-Sunday subscription) – 4
Free newspapers taken – 3

Time spent at Centennial Park – 1 hour 10 minutes
Estimated number of dogs that Monday morning – over 100

Days without my MacBook Pro – 3.5

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Ben on April 22 2009

Birthday ’09

Yesterday was my 17th birthday. I wanted to celebrate this year quietly, as I do have bigger and better plans for the future. There is another reason though. Most people turn 18 this year, and celebrations of that variety often put others to shame. Hence I did all I could to still “belong”, but not too much to “not belong”.

Last night, I took some close friends to dinner

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who used social and terrestrial media to wish me a Happy Birthday.

Facebook friends:
Thanks for your short and thoughtful comments. Though we don’t talk to each other everyday, it is still great to know that you are there for me and for everyone. Most importantly, thanks for your support during all sorts of good and bad times and my (sometimes) thought-provoking and controversial comments. The use of one (1) exclamation mark, funnily enough, represents genuine sincerity, as does proper use of capital letters.

Foinally, a set of statistics for this holiday will be released next week. More on that later.

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