Changing times...

We were at the Bridgeman Centre's computer lab when Alwyn showed me this MTV. Official MTV of the 80s. I loved the song but it was comic relief for me after watching.

I couldn't tell if it's traditional para-para or mambo. Anyhow, this gotta be the funniest clip if you were to compare it to what we have today - PCD, Nelly Furtado, Cassie... just to name a few. Or if you were to compare them to another girl band.

By the way, before I get wrongly accused by some people, I didn't learn how to dance from this MTV. Also, I do NOT dance like that *wink*

Oh no, I can't get over it. They're so cute! Enjoy!



Last night, i was dreaming... HAHA!

Negotiated power.

This got me thinking. I was in the library and i stumbled upon his book. It was really an old tattered book, but it was like finding a piece of treasure for me.

French theorist Foucalt (1977) argues that power is not something that one person or group of people holds over another ot others. It is not 'something to be won or lost' (Katz, 2003). Power is a diffuse and unlocatable force that permeates all levels of society and that is reproduced in an indirect and often erratic way through multiply mediatory networks. This would be easier to explain how individuals are often in a position of empowerment and at the same time, a subject of it.

A good example for this - The prison.

(Not prison break). haha.

Anyway, back to the point from the lame digression, each of us assumes that in a prison, the warden has control and power over the prisoners. A study in the US prisons however, showed a different thing. Within prisons, exist an informal economy with inmates trading commodities for scarce items such as cigarettes. There is the powerful respected baron (who exerts power over others) and this shows the multi-level power negotiation. It doesn't stop there. The police warden comes into the picture. Some of the wardens allow the illegal trading activities to go on knowing very well that the need to stop them would mean extra overtime pay. In addition, some of these barons are indeed powerful criminals, who more often than not, resort to threats and intimidation towards the wardens and officers' families. Instead of the police warden having the power, we see an implicit fear of the police officers and this is translated into them trying to keep the relationship friendly between officer and prisoner.

Then, i tried relating this notion of power into our everyday situation. If say, i want to buy a 28 pounds purple dress and my mother says i better not... At face value, she has the power right? What if i i go through another network and ask my father? The probability of my father saying a 'yes' is higher. If he were to tell my mother to allow me to buy, then indirectly, i am empowered right?

Just a thought... The things i learn in school.

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References:

Foucalt, M. 1977. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. London: Penguin Books.

Katz, C. 2003. Social formations: thinking about society, identity, power and resistance. In: Holloway S., Rice S., Valentine G. (eds) Key concepts in Geography. London: SAGE.

Hilarious.

When it gets really quiet around here, i turn to youtube.com for my daily dose of laughter.
Here's one. It's so hilarious. This goes out to all F Block Ebay shoppers of Butler Court. You know who you are. Stay cool and funky always.

Dull Day.

Hey exchange is not all about fun ok. Today is one of those days i refuse to do anything and had to bribe myself just to get out of bed.

My fellow exchangees are missing home too. Must be the easter break. It's lonely here. Feels like PGP during special sem. Sparsely populated.

Then, i started talking to Jo about Singapore, politics, English men & taxi drivers.

I love taxi drivers. They're my avenue to get myself out from my temporarily sad life (which is sad cause i only take cabs to school when i'm late) and transcend into the life of another - most of the time, a final year law student or a Masters' student dating a medicine boy. Not that i am desperate to be somebody else. I am perfectly happy with who i am and what i am doing in life. I am passionate about Geography and i think it makes my world go round.

I still remember a particular conversation that happened before i got here.

Taxi: You teacher is it?
Me: No. i'm just a relief teacher in that school. Rushing for class now.
Taxi: You still study in the university. What you study?
Me: I'm doing my Masters' in psychology.
Taxi: Wah. Masters. Good good. Smart & pretty also. Got boyfriend?
Me: Yes, he is also in NUS with me. He is a doctor.
Taxi: Wah.....

(Before alighting, i found out i've no cash. Told him to drop me off at YIH and got someone to rush over with cash. Alas, he was too slow and i had to seek help from someone else at the bus-stop)

Me: Eh Haur Bin... You got $10? Can i borrow?
HB: Don't have. Use my card to pay?
Me: Can pay with card? Nevermind then. I have mine. Uncle, i pay using mastercard can?
Taxi: Can... (While proceeding with the transaction, he looked up and asked me) That one your bf is it? Chinese boy?
Me: Which one? Oh yeah yeah. That one. Medicine one.

HAHAHAHA. Please don't tell HB this. paiseh.