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I am the Architect of Death

posted on Monday, March 03, 2008 01:44 AM

I sat with the top politicians, architects, leading activists and thinkers, economists, professors, medical workers, journalists, building planners, and so on… but was not inspired or captivated in the slightest. These people bored me with facts and figures as they pursued the idea of building healthier cities in a means of profit, and not as a means of a person’s holistic wellbeing. When it was the Fit City winner’s time to present their work (me being one of the five winners), I choose not to talk about my work – instead I spoke directly to them, and by using indirect syntaxes I told them all that they were looking at this whole war with chronic disease from the wrong angle. I then proceeded to tell them briefly what my idea of a Fit City was. Afterwards, many a people came up to talk with me, including those who give out sponsorships and grants for various projects. One even asked, how could I be so calm in speaking in front of all these powerful and internationally well-respected individuals. Quite simply really – their opinion is no more valuable than mine, albeit I am an aspiring documentary filmmaker and young social entrepreneur with no background or medical journals written. All in all I felt that the summit failed in integrating young and local people within its discussions and agendas– it was an elite audience for a local and social issue.

I did enjoy the opening traditional aboriginal dance, but from the second day onwards I decided to work back stage with the Joose TV film crew (the creative director being my previous film tutor at university back in London). It was a truly fantastic experience – helping and watching live interviews from the angle of the director – it was another great learning experience. My friend and I also went out in Sydney to take some general view shots, and we interviewed many people. Depending on whether my mate gets the time to edit that footage – then our interviewing session will also be visible to view on the 3Four50 website in relation to the Sydney 2008 OxHA Summit. So yes… couple that with lavish dinners at the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the Sydney Opera House, VIP access to the club lounge of the Intercontinental Hotel, which looks over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Having breakfast with Rod Stewart sitting on the next table, and which was previously visited by G.W Bush – it’s safe to say that winning the competition was well worth it. My friends Tommy (see you again soon), Ji Eun (I miss you!), and Ferdie (drink one on me mi matey) ensured I had a great time in Australia, so thank you very much! It was just soo Zdravko! ; )

Sydney is a fantastic place, albeit it slightly expensive – but I was very surprised by how beautiful it was. It’s a very tropical city where parrots and bats flap freely throughout, and where there is an acceptance of homosexuality (the big Mardi Gras festival is just around the corner – and its been promoted amazingly). I enjoyed being able to view the cruise ships (Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth 2, and the Sapphire Princess). I met new friends and old friends, drank until late into the night, and even contemplated death.

During my stay Sydney witnessed a ferocious storm – and I as I looked out across the Sydney sky in the club lounge as it lit up in a antique haze with flashes of lightening (a scene which I had never seen before) – I stood rooted in awe at mother nature’s power and beauty – and it was at this point that I thought how nice it would be to just jump all the way down to my death. I’ve been like this since I was around my teenage years. Whenever I got very depressed I would think about how to become stronger and better, and set myself new goals to reach – but whenever I was caught in a moment of sheer happiness I think about death and become acceptant of it. Of course I would never commit suicide – the mental image of my children keep me from performing such an act. I am able to think of ways those close to me can be killed either by murder or a freak accident (usually always combined with great emotions), but I always fail to create these scenarios for people I dislike. I tend to think of this as a positive mental process rather than a negative one. It perhaps demonstrates that I never hold (possibly never did) any strong feelings of hate or dislike to towards another being. I called this Blog ‘I am the architect of death’, because my mind truly has the ability to explore death in all scenarios and treatments – hence, I appreciate life fully.

In closing, I would say that Sydney is a wonderful city, but I would never contemplate living here – like Tokyo, it lacks its own unique and original identity. Throughout my trip I have thoroughly enjoyed myself – but naturally missed my children, and can’t wait to get home to hold them. I write this in present tense, because I am in actually fact on board my flight home with around 3-4 hours left of my journey ahead of me.

And wow – we flew over the butterfly island on the way back to Japan from Australia… apparently viewing the island will make you lucky (it really was a beautiful image in the middle of nowhere – one of the most beautiful images I have ever seen in my life). I am lead to believe that this is the island known as Moorea (Society Island) of the French Polynesia – and unfortunately there are no aerial photos of this magnificent island on the Internet.

I would like to add one more thing:

‘We are all children of mars – newly born and always looking for meaning and answers’

Comments

Vixie Labanda

Monday, March 03, 2008 10:36 AM

another lovely article!

I-Genius Team

Friday, March 07, 2008 03:57 AM

Thanks vixie ; ) And thank you for your recent lovely e-mails.

Tommy Hutchinson

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 09:11 AM

This is special