Mulubinba Moments

Autumn sunset - Newcastle harbour

Fishermen on Newcastle Harbour

View over Horseshoe Beach (right).

...when you are made to feel you've done the wrong thing.

Last night we were ushers at a local venue (I will not disclose the venue). A gentleman who was dishevelled and in what we perceived to be an acute psychotic state was seated at the back of this venue talking to himself loudly. He was not making a lot of sense and was using expressions that implied violence (I won't quote for fear of spam) to himself/property/others - it was difficult to understand him and he was unable to give us his name or contacts. We made the decision to call an ambulance as we felt that he needed medical/psychiatric attention. The ambulance sent two policemen instead. (I think this was an OH&S issue/mental health act policy - not sure). The gentleman decided he would move to the front of the venue thus coming into full view of a number of people. The police professionally and gently escorted him outside and then took him to a facility that could provide him with appropriate medical/psychiatric assistance. As ushers, we were approached by two people outraged by what we had done in terms of calling for assistance - they stated they would have been happy to have had the gentleman stay implying we should have been more tolerant. They clearly misunderstood that we had called the ambulance out of concern for the gentleman's condition and welfare of others should he become aggressive (implied by some of his speech). The irony was that only two people had bothered to speak to him, most people steered a very wide arc away from him. They therefore had no way of assessing the state of the gentleman's mental state and what the issues were.
The other irony was that at the end of the performance, the audience would have left leaving the workers at the venue to ask the gentleman to leave in order to lock up - where would he have gone in that state? To roam the streets at night exposing him to more harm to self or to others... who knows? If we had waited until the performance had ended and then called an ambulance (they probably still would have sent the police), would that have appeased the people who were outraged? We left the venue (and we are volunteers with no procedures to follow in these circumstances) feeling we were entirely in the wrong.

I should point out that we are in no way strangers to mental health issues having a close relative who has had first episode psychosis. I wonder if the attitude would have been different if the gentleman had been a younger person - would they have let a young person alone to fend for themselves or would assistance have been called? As a parent, I know what my preference would have been particularly if the child had been in such a state rendering them incapable of telling people their name and next of kin.

Linking celebrity worship with Internet search engines (metaphorical eye(s) of Sauron?)

When I was very young, I went to see "The Way We Were" starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford. I'm going to be honest and say that for two years I collected bits and pieces on Redford out of magazines and watched as many movies he was in as I could on TV (some of them were not great, I can tell you, but I watched them nevertheless). I even persuaded my parents to take me to the Drive-In to see a repeat screening of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid - the sound came through a little box placed in our car window and we watched the movie through the foggy windscreen. I forgot all about Redford as time went by until I saw him in a film with Brad Pitt some years ago in which he played a father figure (well, that's what it seemed). Name of movie? I can't remember. Once upon a time I could have told you everything about it. At that time, there were no videos, DVDs and there was certainly no internet. I don't believe there was a fanbase.....well not one that I ever found out about.

Last year, one of our daughters played the role of Marian in the local youth theatre production of Robin Hood. Coincidentally, Series 1 of the BBC production of Robin Hood began to be aired at this time on ABC television starring Jonas Armstrong, Lucy Griffiths, Richard Armitage and Keith Allen. A few months later, the Vicar of Dibley Christmas specials (I am a particular fan of the Vicar given my connections with church people) were shown on the ABC. These Xmas episodes featured Geraldine finally falling in love and marrying a "Handsome Stranger" who was played by Richard Armitage (AKA Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood). Once upon a time, we would have seen these shows on TV and that would have been the end of it. My daughter however had the Robin Hood Series 1 DVDs and I had the Vicar DVDs which meant that we were bombarded with the characters and actors from all sides. I confess, interest in the actors does occasionally happen, and a brief internet search elicited a number of fansites for all actors concerned along with the Internet Movie Database, YouTube and Wikipedia which provided all sorts of information. Most of it was very innocent and harmless but I was astonished at the number of message boards I found and the number of people chatting to one another about their favourite actor. Some fansites were beautifully presented with features on every aspect of the actors' work. There were others however, that made me feel a little uncomfortable - message threads drifted from discussion of movie roles and characters to more personal discussions on actors' private lives. Confining expressions of enthusiasm for actors' works on a board drifted into actual letter writing and attempted contact with the actors. Watching the actors on the screen drifted into trying to see them in real life. So, what are the appropriate boundaries for fans? When does appropriate behaviour become inappropriate behaviour? When does interest become obsession? When does healthy fun become unhealthy? Is there a happy medium?

I can tell you that now I have mentioned the names of several actors (particularly one) in this post, my statistics for hits will increase. Most hits will be from search engines which I can only assume have been set up to trawl the internet for mention of the actor's name. Apologies to LOTR fans, but I could not help but make the comparison of Frodo placing the Ring on his finger and by doing so, incurring the scrutiny from the "Eye of Sauron", with me mentioning a certain actor's name on this blog, and by doing so, incurring scrutiny from search engines which I can only assume have been set up by fans trawling the internet for any mention of news of that actor. This, I believe, is not an official "trawl" for news stories; I don't believe the people initiating the searches are paid. So, when does an interest become an obsession? When does fandom become unhealthy? Fans have always been around but media and the internet make the objects of fandom so much more accessible.

I first came across the term "Celebrity Worship Syndrome" by reading a post entitled "When good Fans Go Bad" over at Lady Eleanor's Ramblings. The author, Eli, has a wealth of experience working with fanbases. The phenomenon of "Celebrity Worship Syndrome" was described by Maltby et al in 2003. A recent article written by them entitled "Praying at the Altar of the Stars" can be found here.

"imagine, if you have to, that you are a diehard fan of a famous individual. How much of your life is spent thinking about that individual? How much money have you spent on him or her (concert tickets, books, travel, souvenirs and other merchandising)? How important is it to your identity that you are a fan of that person? How would you feel if that person did something bad and it became embarrassing to be associated with them?" (Giles, D. & Maltby, J. (2006): "Praying at the Altar of the Stars", The Psychologist, Vol 19, Part 2.)

Maltby et al identified 3 dimensions of celebrity worship:

"1.Entertainment-social. Fans are attracted to a favourite celebrity because of their perceived ability to entertain and to become a source of social interaction and gossip. Items include ‘My friends and I like to discuss what my favourite celebrity has done’ and ‘Learning the life story of my favourite celebrity is a lot of fun’.
2.Intense-personal. The intense-personal aspect of celebrity worship reflects intensive and compulsive feelings about the celebrity, akin to the obsessional tendencies of fans often referred to in the literature. Items include ‘My favourite celebrity is practically perfect in every way’ and ‘I consider my favourite celebrity to by my soul mate’.
3. Borderline-pathological. This dimension is typified by uncontrollable behaviours and fantasies about their celebrities. Items include ‘I would gladly die in order to save the life of my favourite celebrity’ and ‘If I walked through the door of my favourite celebrity’s house she or he would be happy to see me’."
(Giles, D. & Maltby, J. (2006): "Praying at the Altar of the Stars", The Psychologist, Vol 19, Part 2.)

One of the scales used in these studies was developed by McCutcheon, Lange and Houran in 2002 and is called the Celebrity Attitude Scale with 34 items to be answered by respondents. It can be found here or here.. Scoring method is outlined at the bottom of the survey. Item scores are added for each category and % calculated. eg. Entertainment social = total score for specified items/35 x 100.

Now before I start getting brick bats thrown at me from the internet fanbases - I am not implying that fans should not indulge in harmless fun chatting away on message boards and talking about favourite movies/shows - I do it myself.....but when the actor's privacy starts to become invaded and the distinction between the characters they play on screen becomes blurred with fantasies about the real person, then it is time to stop. When fans start competing with one another for the attention (albeit imaginary) of the actor - it is time to stop. "Item 20. My favorite celebrity would immediately come to my rescue if I needed help".....No! Some readers will know what recent circumstance this applies to - for those of you who do not, this item is not as outlandish as you might think.

Eye of Sauron, internet search engines and celebrity worship

The Eye of Sauron - in Lord of the Rings, Frodo would place "the Ring" on his finger and feel the Eye of Sauron search him out. What is the connection between the Eye of Sauron, search engines and celebrity worship syndrome? I will reveal as I develop this post further...

No vegemite sandwiches!!!

A food policy has been implemented in day care centres in the Hunter New England area which has caused uproar. The Good for Kids, Good for Life program has defined what can be put in a child's lunch box. List as follows:

Recommended serving sizes for a luncheon meal From "Good food for Kids, Good for Life"

1 small piece of fruit, such as apricot, kiwi or 1/2 apple, orange, pear.

2 dried apricot halves or 3/4 tablespoon sultanas

1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup yoghurt

1 slice processed cheese or 20g block cheese

1 slice bread or 1/2 medium bread roll

1/2 cup cooked rice, pasta or noodles

30-50g cooked meat

40-50g fish

30-50g chicken, pork or veal

1/2 cup cooked vegetables

1/2 cup salad vegetables

No spreads.

Confidentiality and blogging.

As many of our regular visitors know, Geoff and I both work in the medical field. Personally I would love to use this space to debrief, vent, and relate the sorrows and joys my daily work brings with it. Unfortunately confidentiality means that I am unable to discuss most aspects of my work here on the blog. I can tell you that I work with children as a physiotherapist and that I am currently working one day at a special school and two days at the local children's hospital with a mixed caseload which includes rehabilitation of children with cancer, muscular dystrophies, cerebral palsy and general orthopaedic and developmental problems. Six sessions are spent in the water doing aquatic physiotherapy.

As this blog is public, I have to keep the content fairly trivial at times and am unable to share some of the more significant aspects of our lives.

Shakespeare for students

We received an email last week announcing auditions for a regional scholarship with the Bell Shakespeare Company. I thought I would post this information mainly to illustrate that Australia does actually have theatre companies and a lot of us are interested in the arts. Also, promoting Shakespeare to students is being encouraged by Bell - all my children have loved studying Shakespeare whereas I confess to hating it - probably because it was taught so horrendously at my school. I must reform and start to go to some of Bell Shakespeare's productions - they often tour to Regional areas.

This scholarship looks quite good particularly for students in country areas. Here is a section of the ad:

"The Regional Performance Scholarship comprises a week in Sydney and includes:
a) Return travel and accommodation in Sydney;
b) Sessions in the Bell Shakespeare rehearsal room with the acting company of a Bell Shakespeare
production;
c) Specialist classes with the acting company;
d) The opportunity to observe rehearsals; and
e) A visit to Bell Shakespeare’s Sydney venue, the Sydney Opera House."

Avoiding strain and injuries - actors and musicians

This post is for an acquaintance I met through the internet. We had joined a discussion thread on acting and the stress some performances can have on the actors' bodies. As a physiotherapist, I have a bad habit of watching a program and analysing the movement and postures of actors thus predicting potential hazards, injuries and the potential for repetitive strain injury.

A very brief and no doubt incomplete summary of Alexander follows - thanks to numerous references including MedicineNet.com and Wikipedia. Teachers of the Technique would be able to do a far better job than I have here and I do have to emphasise that this is a very amateurish attempt at explanation. Anyway Imba, hope it gives you a little idea about what we were discussing elsewhere!

Definition of Alexander technique from MedicineNet.com

"Alexander technique: A process that teaches how to properly coordinate body and mind to release harmful tension and to improve posture, coordination and general health. The technique is named for the Australian Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) who developed it. An actor, Alexander began his career as a Shakespearean orator. He developed chronic laryngitis while performing. Determined to restore the full use of his voice, he carefully watched himself while speaking, and observed that undue muscular tension accounted for his vocal problem. He sought a way to eliminate that restriction. Over time, he discovered and articulated a principle that he believed profoundly influenced health and well-being: when neck tension is reduced, the head no longer compresses the spine and the spine is free to lengthen. Alexander restored his own natural capacity for ease by changing the way he thought while initiating an action. From this work on himself and others, he evolved a hands-on teaching method that encouraged all the body's processes to work more efficiently -- as an integrated, dynamic whole. Today the Alexander technique is usually considered to be within the context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)."

Alexander technique can be useful for actors and performers by:

"1. Enhancing movement skills, breath control, vocal production and range of physical and vocal choices.

2. Preventing injury and reducing pain from strenuous physical activity associated with acting as well as daily life activities that can interfere with the ability to act. (***!! i.e.. what we were talking about, Imba)

3. Working with strength and endurance to create powerful characterisations without strain.

4. Facilitating focus and freeing their imagination to enhance creativity.

5. Avoiding personal movement habits that do not belong to a character.

6. Improving spatial awareness and the ability to relate to other actors, props, and sets."

From: Alexander Technique for Actors". This article lists names of some of the actors, authors, musicians who have benefited from using the technique.

For musicians, the Alexander Technique can help the player or vocalist improve tone, coordination, and enjoyment. They can learn how to identify and change patterns that lead to neck ache, back pain, tendonitis, (often common from habitual poor posturing), shallow breathing, performance anxiety and other problems of tension and habit. Even without the motivation of pain, musicians often gravitate to the Technique to help facilitate growth.

...and I can't talk - I have SHOCKING posture!!! Had better make an appointment with my friend from the Cathedral who is an Alexander Teacher!!!

Learning SD Part 2B - Last night I dreamt........

Last night I had a dream I was chalice assistant and encountered all the Vicar of Dibley cast waiting at the altar rails...Mental note: DO NOT SPILL wine if confronted with someone famous or of notoriety...maintain calm!!!

Captions for photo above:
HUGO: "I don't care what happens - nice full chalice!"
HARRY to GERALDINE: "She'd better not spill it down my front. At least you're wearing black!"
GERALDINE to HARRY: "Be brave.....she has to learn sometime!"
DAVID: "I'd rather she practised on someone else and not us! Whose idea was this anyway?"

Researching the Role of SD - Part 2A.

Four Sundays and I'm on! My next step in studying the Subdeacon role was to again sit in the Cathedral last Sunday and watch the Subdeacon, Deacon and Celebrant. To complicate matters the Bishop was also there and the Dean has gone overseas. As a consequence, things were done slightly differently with less bowing and genuflecting. The Bishop and Deacon administered the Chalice (the Celebrant, the Host), so that meant the Subdeacon did not have to do anything at the actual receiving of bread and wine..... The Subdeacon on that day is a good friend and so informed me afterwards that you need to be on your guard the entire service to detect the subtle differences in how different priests celebrate the Eucharist...be prepared to be flexible! Bishops are notorious for being unpredictable apparently.....

Thursday (Ascension Day) my friend dropped round a book on intercessions and the lectionary. Procedure for second reading and intercessions:

1. Check lectionary (2008 Year A) for the readings for the appropriate Sunday HC (Holy Communion). Mine is the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.

2. There are two NT readings to choose from - which one will they choose?? (Mental note: Ask!). Once reading has been found, copy and practise marking sentences for emphasis etc. (Nothing worse than trying to listen to someone who hasn't practised the reading). If there are any points that "stand out", try to weave them into intercessions...sounds hard!

3. Intercessions. Must not be longer than 5 minutes!!

4. Intercessions - check order in Prayer Book for Australia. (World and trouble spots, Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth preparations, our Bishops).

5. Intercessions - check Janet Nelson's book for inspiration (I can't help thinking of the Vicar of Dibley episode where Geraldine had a complete mental blank for her Christmas sermon).

6. Intercessions - arrive early and check intercession book for names of sick on prayer list and those who have recently died or have anniversaries. (Mental note; Check pronounciation of surnames). Also mention any saints.

7. Chalice - beware...as you walk the wine moves from side to side in waves particularly if the chalice is full. Therefore....maintain a "stately, upright posture" in order to keep wine movement at minimum! (..and I thought the slow stately walk was from a sense of ceremony and dignity...LOL!)

Tomorrow Ascension Sunday - acolyte 2.