Shirin Delsooz

My Life Adventures and Thoughts

Me? A Negative Nancy?!

The other day I was informed by a former close one (with whom I severed the ties with anyway) that I was negative. In fact, unbarably negative. I was quite dismayed because I genuinely could not recall being anything but positive. But then I recalled another close friend from years ago making a similar complaint. Maybe they were onto something? But then it dawned on me that these were the same people who attempted suicide.

I decided to analyze myself anyway! I listed the subjects of my conversations as a start. Hm… I like to talk about the wonders of music, books I’ve read, character analysis, local politics and culture. Then I analyzed my blogs and I find them to be a pattern of praise and complaints (as most critical writing may come across that way).

These weren’t subjects I could share with those ones closest to me because it was no interest of them- which is why I probably started the blog, I had so much to say but nowhere to say it to. When I tried with these former friends, I didn’t really get a response. They never went to shows, doc screenings, public meetings or demonstrations with me, ever! Even when I pleaded with them! So then I asked myself, why did I carry on talking to them if I didn’t even enjoy their company?

Some people are like parasites, you don’t really want to hang out with them, but you aren’t going to be rude and push them away either. But since they have been rejected by others, they take this as a sign to stay, and you tolerate them, then you get used to them. Then you realize you’ve wasted your time. Oh my! Why haven’t I realized this before?

I’m not a negative nancy, I’m the pushover who needs the strength to say ‘fuck off’ before having to complain about it. I have the right to enjoy my free time and talk to people I actually like. Sometimes the answers are so simple it hurts!

In university, I met a lot of cool people, and I wish I pursued their friendship more, but the older you get the harder that becomes. Regardless, I am still in casual speaking terms with a lot of great people, and I should be very grateful for that. How I wish I went to their potlucks, demonstrations and fundraisers! Oh well, there will be more! And there has. Lately, I’ve been speaking to some levelheaded musicians and journalists. And with the projects I’m working on in the near future, there will be more cool people on the path! I’ll be making more docs, writing more articles, and writing and playing more songs!

And I have the freedom to do so! I’m not on jail, or addicted to heroine, or live in an oppressive country! Life is just great!

Why Jerry Springer is the best television show!

People always give me flack for watching this show using the same arguments against it- it’s trashy and its low class. But one thing you can’t argue is that it’s honest.  When we see impulsive behaviour like a guy punching out a guy, or a woman snatching a wig, we are watching human nature at its rawest form. This is possibly one of the best shows to have ever been on television!

The Jerry Springer broadcasts a side of life we always ignore- the impoverished, the mentally ill and the uneducated. These guys are hardly on television because of its somber tone, but only Jerry Springer can bring the marginalized side of our society in an entertaining easy-to-digest sort of way. The light humour doesn’t ask the viewers to relinquish all their pity, rather it brings about exposure to a dire problem.

As for that argument about Jerry Springer not being classy, I strongly disagree because unlike ‘classy’ people,  Jerry never judges his guests. Ever. No matter how outlandish or unusual their behaviour is, he never ridicules or embarrasses them in anyway. Some may argue that the guests embarrass themselves, but perhaps it appears embarrassing because we chosen to ignore people who act up.

Jerry Springer once said that all these problems, be it affairs, prostitution, tranny deception are prevalent in our society, it’s just that the higher up we go in our society the better these ‘problem’s are hidden. I agree.

There are no secrets with Springer, the guests on the show are free to act however way they want, as lude as they can be, no sugar coating of civility and manners . It’s the only time on television where we get to see genuine everyday human nature. Television shouldn’t only be used to broadcast the pretty and rich elite!

The other argument I often hear is that the show is staged, its fake only because “nobody acts like that”. Well of course it’s hard to believe people could be so outlandish, but did you ever consider that the rough circumstances in these peoples lives makes them so that they have nothing else to lose? They don’t care what you think. I’ve ventured to the crummy side of life, living in a ghetto and working in a dive bar and I know a genuine down-on-luck folk when I meet one. And nothing comes across as anymore genuine than the guests on the Jerry Springer show, for that I love it.

Finding my Perfect Medium

I’ve always been very expressive but always had trouble deciding what medium was most suitable- which is one of the many reasons why I pursued a degree in Communication Studies. It gave the opportunity to tap into all these fascinating theories around why we communicate, to whom we communicate, and analyzing how we communicate along with gaining first hand experience in film making, audio production and even new media design. From all this I conclude that sound and print as being the most effective tools for communication.

Sound, particularly music has the deepest impact into the core of our being. Music is the universal language that speaks to the spirit of humanity. All I have to really say to prove my point is Michael Jackson. Can anyone else have made such an impact on Earth from just a few songs?

And why is it easier to listen to a radio, rather than watching completely silent movie?  Why are we affected by the sound of someone’s voice and not their appearance?   The frequencies really hit a deeper nerve I believe!

Print is also a super effective communication tool.  Well, a word is a word. I don’t have to pay a sound guy, rent a fancy camera, or rely on flakes. With story writing I’m judged on story telling and not on my budget. It’s the most democratic and strongest way of telling a story. Words alone can illustrate details very vividly delving deep into your mind. Movies does the imagining and for that it doesn’t pull you into the story as much…

Reasonable Accomodations in Quebec – A Story of a New Canadian not Tolerated

When I heard about the whole controversy on Quebec’s reasonable accommodation forum, a story came to mind.
Many years ago in my French class, my teacher, who wore midriffs, told us to pick a very controversial topic and present the points of both sides. At first she gave us some topics to choose from, racism was one of them. “I don’t want to hear the points supporting racism!” said this one girl. And everyone agreed.
“Okay, fine you can chose your own topic”, she said.
Everyone tried to steer away from controversy, including myself. I chose to talk about censorship in music, a guy from Alberta talked about the NHL, but Song decided to talk about gay people. Song was new to Canada from Eastern Asia. He was quiet all year and had an awkward composure, but now he got up in front of his class to present his argument against the gays. According to him,  it wasn’t natural to be gay, that it was wrong.

Big mistake. Immediately everyone just shot at him. “what do you mean?” said one girl
“Oh my god, he did not just say that,” a girl beside me said. Everyone else continued to yell at him, in English.
The only person that I thought would have said something was the dyke, but she sat quietly. I must say it was a very awkward moment.
Song just left the class and never returned.

This is what kind of bothered me. Song, probably in his mid 30’s, had recently moved to Canada. He, like a lot of immigrants, was most likely raised with a traditional upbringing, and in a culture that rejects homosexuality. How could we expect Song to come here and right away erase his values and adopt ours? I don’t think Song will join a hate group, or beat up someone because he is gay. He seems pretty peaceful, but he just doesn’t think being gay is right. Are we going to shout at him so he can think otherwise? Are we going to cast him away until he agrees with everyone else?

Yelling, intimidating, and isolating someone isn’t the way to reason with their beliefs.
Instead of shouting at him that day, I wish we just reasoned with him. It was a rare opportunity to confront his beliefs and explain that its not up to us to decide what’s natural for others, and that this was a multi cultural society that accepts everyone despite differences.
Song was one of few newcomers who openly spoke up about his beliefs and he was not even tolerated, let alone being accommodated.

Anyway, Song never showed up to class again.

Socially irresponsible Malls.

I went to Scarborough Town Centre today, a local mega mall, to find out there were absolutely no recycling bins to be found.

This is particularly disturbing as reciepts are issued by the second, newspapers are being bought, and worst of all flyers are being distrubited all to end up in the garbage bins.

It came to my attention when I saw promoters aggressively handing out stacks of flyers and brochures to everybody. As he waved one in my face, I asked him, “Did you wonder where those flyers and brochures go after people are done with them?”

They end up in the garbage bins conveniently located every 10 yards.

It wasn’t the promoters fault for sure, but I implored him to please advise the management… something I took upon myself to do later on anyway.

Frontline guest services were eager to help relay my complaint. It didn’t came to their attention before it seemed.

How could it not have? Malls are demons when it comes to landfills!

Especially their food courts. Sure, luckily there are bins provided for cans and bottles, but this is as far as they go it seems. The reality is that so much left over food are thrown out into mounds along with their disposable cups, plates, and cultlery.

Why won’t more food-chains provide reusable cups and plates? Why can’t the food left over be composted? Do we really need our subway sandwhiches to be wrapped in an assortment of paper?

It’s not a one way street, people need to make some changes too. Why can’t people bring their own tupperware for food to be put in next time they buy it? (Maybe that’s a bit too far). Whats the harm in bringing reusable napkins?

Its small changes like these that are required to get closer to a cleaner and more sustainable society.

– I have yet to hear a response from Scarborough Town Centre’s Management.