Put Your Laughter in A Can

The Simpsons, South Park, Everybody Loves Raymond and even VH1’s ridiculous reality shows have one thing in common. They make us laugh, snort and guffaw whenever scenes touch out funny bone. We rely on the sense of humor, the parodies and the one liners of each episodes. Have you ever wondered where the origin of the canned laughter is? The Know- It- All by A.J Jacobs provided me with the answer. Actually, it was passed on to him by reading the Encyclopedia Britannica. In 19^th century France, almost every theater was forced to hire a band called a claque from claquer, “to clap.” The chefs de claque got a monthly salary from the actors and each claque member has a specialization.

First, we have the reiurs who laughed loudly during comedies. Coming in at second are the bisseurs who shouted for encores. The third group, commissaires were the ones who elbow their neighbors and say “This is the good part” and the last intriguing group was the pleureuses, women who were paid to weep at the sad parts of tragedies.

After acquiring this information, I started to think about other people and myself. Thinking is one of my favorite hobbies especially when I cannot darn sleep at four in the morning. The above mentioned jobs can apply to us, how we approach everyday trivia and the over all presence of tragedy and comedy in our theatrical existence.

Reiurs

1. Our mothers who would show your baby pictures sans the diapers to your boyfriend/ girlfriend of one week.
2. Teachers who stifle a laugh when we colored our suns purple instead of the conformist yellow.
3. Co- workers who make a big deal when we cannot operate the complicated copier/ fax/ laminating machine (which has a paper jam every 5 minutes). I hate it so when somebody asks me to make copies- I suggest going to Staples.
4. Husbands and Wives who divulge our bathroom habits. The size and odor of our poop. Yes, marriage can be a portal of unromantic comedies.
5. People on the subway when a person suddenly debates about politics- only with himself.

Bisseurs

1. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles asking their children to play Chopsticks on Piano or even Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on violin for the nth time. Guests can turn into reiurs if these folks do this to poor kids. One performance is enough so move on to the next round of beer.
2. Professors who ask you to rephrase your answer. Either, he/ she half heard it or you are just plain wrong. I bet with the latter.
3. Groupies and the Homies. Enough said so we cannot live without them. Just ask Axl Rose and 50 Cent.
4. Children who ask their parents to read “The Runaway Bunny” twice for 5 nights in a row. A bedroom story is cute but for mom and dad who want action in the sack, it can be a killer.
5. Motivational speakers with their self help books who display a sudden epiphany when you are on pages 3, 10, 15. 22. To continue, just buy the sequel like the Chicken Pox for the Lost Soul Series.

Commissaires

1. Again, co- workers who elbow you to nod in approval when the boss says something….categorically stupid. Kissing Ass is tantamount to condone inefficiency.
2. People who like to dabble in politics agreeing with any point from opposing parties.
3. Subscribers of Maxim, FHM and Playboy. Need I say more? We, women blush demurely when we see Beckham’s abs, chest and tattoos. Let’s stay hush on what’s inside our side drawer.
4. A stranger in the Subway giddily talks about the weather, recent scandals regarding politicians and Britney Spears. I say Leave Britney Alone! And let me listen to my Ipod.
5. People who forward generic emails similar to chain letters. If you forward this to 5 people, it means you are loved. Less than 3 people, you are a hermit.

Pleureuses

1. Women living with jerks.
2. Women living with a jerk who fathers her children.
3. Women living with a jerk, fathers of her children and a son of awful parents.
4. Women who will date jerks.
5. Women who think jerks can change. ….(this is what I call pure tragedy)

Feel free to add to the list.

Filteany- NYC International Auto Show

 Drive Safe!

The Allegory of 99 Wolves

Cai Guo-Qiang’s exhibit in the Guggenheim Museum is an ambitious display of artistic talent. He was inspired by the omnipresence of German history particularly of the Berlin Wall. The title work Head On names one of his exhibitions showcasing art in its magnificent physical form. The installation consists of a pack of 99 life- sized wolves barreling in a continuous stream towards and into a constructed glass wall. Cai Guo-Qiang emphasizes the allegory of the people ages ago who struggled and failed to break down the Berlin Wall. It is stupefying to internalize that an artwork depicting an unpleasant part of history; is meticulously mesmerizing.

I had the privilege of seeing Cai Guo-Qiang’ s exhibit last Sunday and until now, I am still experiencing collective thoughts about it. Gunpowder, fiberglass, painted sheepskins and metal wires are among his media to bring life to allegories. Personally, I have a strong affinity with allegories. I like to fathom them as situations that require a second look thus entailing deeper contemplation. The feeling of being under the stream of suspended wolves is likened to being in a vortex that pulls you naturally. I found myself staring at a fallen wolf in front of the glass wall; feeling its diminished strength and the sadness of its failure. How can a wolf be so far from a human experiencing frailty? Art is indeed mirroring life.

I Want to Believe is Cai Guo-Qiang’ s general name for this exhibit. Four strong words that people are often scared to utter. A possible explanation would be the effect of inevitable failures as we tread through life. We have different means to cope with the disaster of our blunders. Some accept defeat as a pattern of their existence, others thrive yet remain broken and few stand up unscathed. Inspite of our differences, we have a common denominator which is We are All Destined to Fail. Harsh way to put it but nevertheless, we are beautifully defined by our frustrations, battles and even by our sorrows. This is the allegory that we would carry until our last breath. Our ability to succeed and fail simultaneously are indications that we live up to our nature. We are born survivors. To be called a survivor is to undergo and overcome struggles.

Head On has engraved a permanent mark on my psyche. I still have long years to carry on my back. Perhaps, life is full of allegories that we constantly have to be metacognitive to fathom the purpose of our existence. I would always remember the wolves crashing into that glass wall. The beauty of Cai Guo-Qiang ‘s art has added to my appreciation of the complexities surrounding us. His 99 wolves are definitely more than meets the eye.

Note:

JP… the person who took time to accompany me to the museum. I am eternally grateful to. It would always be a pleasant memory added to my cove of knowledge.

 

 

Doubting Faith yet Born a Believer

It is holy week and most Christians follow the practices in the name of penitence, repentance and a promise to avoid doing wrong. I was born and raised in a faith that exalts Him. He was also represented as a shepherd, redeemer and savior. Throughout the years, I believed and oftentimes I doubted. Thomas is no match for me for I questioned the scriptures, the supposed miracles and His promise of a better life. Life has given me opportunities to do so much contemplating thus I was left confused. Confusion led to frustration and then to apathy. I was apathetic to His presence. I convinced myself I was fine being alone, “uncorrupted” by stories about Him woven by men of long ago.

I want to enumerate the situations and events that led me to believe I was capable of existing without believing in Him.

My first job was a supervisor in a hotel. My work hours were crazy and I often went home past midnight. One time, I was so tired after a wedding reception that my feet were literally on fire. I got behind the wheel and my head urged me to drive faster to get home as soon as possible. In addition, sleep was crawling inside me too. What I remember next was blinding lights and I steered the wheel to the right abruptly. The loud honking of the other car was deafening. I was still shaking until I parked in the garage. The next day, I went back to work as if nothing happened. I dismissed that I am a good driver thus avoiding a tragic accident.

I chose to work in a city much to the dismay of my parents. I still went without informing them thus the rampant police search. I was relaxing in the nice apartment my employer provided for me apathetic of the trouble I caused. It was only when a family friend went to my workplace to check if I was alright. I never apologized to my parents and upheld my stubbornness for deciding on my own. The news of rampant human trafficking did not even faze me.

A relationship defined me. The person became my focus and I took for granted the other facets. I shrugged my shoulders when my parents and friends warned me of bad things to come. I digressed that their “premonitions” and “instincts” about the impending danger I would have were utterly morose. It was only when I fell into a trap of deception and paranoia that I created too. My judgment told me that a relationship should be worked out no matter what. I did my best yet my partner was unwilling to do his part. One night during one of our many turbulent arguments, he was driving dangerously fast to fuel more my anger. I was screaming and then I thought, ” So be it! If you are going to do this, might as well kill both of us!” He slowed down and I knew it was the the end. I left him without a word, with four bags of my tears and after a week, he replaced me like a flat tire. I blamed myself for a failure I brought upon myself.

My broken heart was not like anything. It consumed me and as I predicted, when it rains it pours. I had to do a presentation of my thesis. That afternoon, my mind was in constant squabbling. In front of the panel, I was half hearing their questions. Numbness was setting in and my eyes were welling up. My strict advisor looked at me and whispered “What happened?” I faced her and she knew. The next thing was straight from a court case. She became my lawyer and she supplemented my unrehearsed replies. After the presentation, she reprimanded me harshly and cautioned me to never ever let matters of the heart affect the path to achievement. I finished my thesis in one semester with flying kaleidoscope colors. I felt good and my heart was beating again.

I was reading the local newspaper when I chanced upon an ad. New York City was looking for teachers and I was intrigued. I called up the agency and the rest is history. After so many tragic events, I was bound to start a new life. People said I was blessed. I replied I had abundant luck.

The first years here were hard. After each hurdle, I patted myself on the shoulder and said “I am a survivor!” I was doing fine in the city that never sleeps. Though I was lacking sleep, I was being on top of my game. I was also into a budding relationship with a great man. I was lucky again.

After four years, I woke up and made a decision that others called irrational. I made up my mind to take a break, re- think my goals and learn new things. I am aware that I am not that young yet I knew I had to do it. My family supported me again and inspite of the financial constraints, I am content. Worries come yet they do not linger. Unlike before when I had too many wants. I feel luck is overflowing in my pocket and I smile waking up from my deep slumber.

Perhaps, I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul. I may possess a lucky clover or a rabbit’s foot.

…or perhaps, He was there when I never acknowledged Him

… warned me through people when I made haste decisions

…gave me opportunities to turn away and try another path

…waived my doubts and still believes that I am His believer.

 

 

Nyms, Nymphs and Miranyms

 Nyms, Nymphs and MiranymsI am aware of homonyms/ homophones, synonyms and antonyms. The rigid teachers in my elementary school made sure that these list of words were drilled in my head

(Jeopardy Music)

What is the homonym of mail?

What is male? The opposite of female. The specie that has two sacs that hold…. Enough Ms. Filteany

What is the synonym of understand?

What is fathom? It can also be a size varied slightly depending on its base definition, either based on a thousandth of an (Admiralty) nautical mile or as a multiple of the imperial yard. …This one I copied from wikipediaWhat is the antonym of healthy?

What is couch potato? …Beat that!

Miranyms- Words between two opposites

I will try my best to create a list to educate our young who would one day, use their gametes to spawn for the continuous generation of our kingdom.

1. Smart- Stupid   (boss)
2. Sexy- Unattractive (Spouse)
3. Plain- Fancy (Clearance)
4.  Famous- Unknown (YouTube)
5.  Popular- Hermit (MySpace)
6.  Boy- Girl (Y)
7.  Work- Rest (Internet)
8. Happiness- Misery (Marriage)