photos!

World Croquet Championships. Who knew?


Mike and Sue Grainger...my host counsellors!


At my new University!

Save the Performing Arts! Literally.

So people. Here's something worth your time and attention. They just announced at my Uni that they are planning on axing the ENTIRE Film and Theatre Department as of January 1, 2009....and why? Because they are saying film and theatre are not "core" subjects. What is 'core'? They can't really give a clear answer on that.

It's not a financial drain as the university system generates over 6 BILLION dollars per year, nor are the numbers significantly down in the department....there is something rotten in the state of Denmark BUT, we can and are doing something about it! Hooray!

People are really rallying around saving the department and it is SO encouraging to be in a place where people believe in the power of the individual voice making a difference.

So here's where you can help. We have an opportunity to send in letters, or "submissions" to arts-submissions@canterbury.ac.nz.

You can also check out the buzz on the Department website at: http://www.drama.canterbury.ac.nz/

We can make the Review Panel hear that this discipline is vital and core and necessary to a vibrant academic community....

I will be involved in a sit in today as well as sending the below letter to the review panel and vice chancellor.

Letters can come from anyone, anywhere, from any background and I am keen to rally as much international support as possible, so take the time to jot down a few words and send them off to save the Arts!

War Whoops and Thundering Eloquence!

Jaime

Dear Vice Chancellor and Members of the Review Panel:

In the process of preparing to come to New Zealand this year as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from America, I spent a good deal of time talking with people in the States about their knowledge and opinions of New Zealand.

From Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California, people unanimously equated New Zealand in general, and Christchurch in particular, with incredible natural beauty and the performing arts.

As I have worked professionally for years both in film and theatre, the majority of people I spoke to were functioning inside these two industries and not simply the common denominator of mass society. These were people who hear the industry buzz daily and are on the cutting edge of who is who in the world of theatre and film.

However, and perhaps even more significant, were the opinions of those operating outside the entertainment world. They also spoke on the theme of New Zealand's growing reputation as an up and coming centre for both cultural genres.

I was told by an American engineer that, "Christchurch has some of the best drama schools in that part of the WORLD."

An engineer. Someone who spends the bulk of their time focused on mathematics and science, subjects that bear very little obvious relationship to theatre and film, was educating ME on the performance merits of a tiny country in the southern hemisphere.

To my mind, this was a profound statement on the quality of artists and production coming out of New Zealand as well as the value placed on these subjects by the educational system.

As someone who has watched the Arts slowly being cut from educational programmes across America, I was thrilled to think that there are still places, which not only verbally value these studies, but financially support them as well.

I have watched the progressive impact of loosing Arts programmes in the United States for the last ten years and I can say without reservation, that it has severely hindered the development of creative and flexible young people and in many cases, has guided them into higher incidences of drug use and delinquency.

People need to be able to express themselves in productive and relevant ways, which can not only cultivate skill sets useful in any work situation, but also allow their vision of a different and better world to become tangible.

Stop the advancement of the Arts and you severely limit the progress of culture.

To say these subjects are not "core" is like saying that flowers have no place in a city.

All too often it is the vibrant and visible things that are the first to fall under attack when regimes demand change. This is what happened in the Industrial Revolution and is so clearly displayed in classic literature like Charles Dickens' novel Hard Times.

Many of you will remember, or at least be familiar with Dickens' gloomy description of Coketown; a place perpetually devoid of colour, life, or variation.

This was a place where 'core' values were taken to their logical and dismal conclusion.

I immediately thought of examples such as this when I heard of the alacrity and seeming impetuousness employed by the University of Canterbury to inform the Theatre and Film Studies that their entire discipline was being rendered obsolete.

It further disturbed me to learn that the University is neither in financially dire straights nor is the TAFS programme draining the coffers by over-taxing their budgetary perimeters.

In my experience, these are the first two lines of reasoning organizations utilize in justifying cutbacks. However, since neither of these appears to be rationally true, it makes me question what the true motivation is in attempting to cancel these programmes.

It was not until I tried to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Theatre and Film Studies this year, that I began to see how insidious this blitzkrieg has been. I was informed at registry that this might not be possible this year because the programme was being discontinued next year.

It was only after I refused to take their word as the final judgement on the matter, and went directly to the Drama House, that I realized the programme was going to remain for another year.

Clearly someone is intent on phasing out Theatre and Film Studies and is doing everything they can to sow miscommunication and discord amongst the infrastructure of the University itself.

I for one do not appreciate this situation at all.

It is neither fair to the interested students, who support this University with their tuition, nor to the development of a potentially HUGE industry in New Zealand to both cut the TAFS programme and then refuse to give a clear and accessible answer to those seeking clarification and a bottom line.

I have only been in this country for two weeks, but the amount of knowledge I have ferreted out regarding this impending course of action has given me years of insight into a decision, which can only be described as capricious and shortsighted.

This may seem like a logical and sound business decision but take a moment to consider the long-range implications of cutting these programmes.

People today base a huge part of their lives and interactions on things they see on the silver screen. A large percentage of what they see is based on books or theatre. I could name such blockbusters as Lord of the Rings, Chicago, The Importance of Being Ernest and Atonement. Many of these have not only triumphed in the box office but have also gone on to win Oscars.

These are genres which are not seen as superfluous by the world market and which are incredibly relevant to contemporary society. In many ways, they actually shape it.

People want to be taught and entertained in creative and meaningful ways. They are attracted to the bright and colourful flowers, which speak to themes they understand and relate to. They will chose a movie or play over a math lesson any day of the week.

This is a reality and it can be capitalized on.

If the university's bottom line is to increase its profit margin, a better option may be to increase funding for these programmes and build a stronger marketing campaign to attract overseas students.

One student paying international fees would be equivalent to two or three domestic students and would further facilitate the spread of the University of Canterbury's reputation as a centre of Film and Theatre excellence.

The foundation is already laid to make the University of Canterbury a driving and vital force in a thriving world market.

Poised in a physical location that already attracts visitors from around the world and evokes a sense of excellence in the Arts, the University has the opportunity to turn this potential disaster into a boon for generations to come.

From my experience working in film and theatre, these disciplines have a significant positive impact on the local economy.

Yes, it is expensive to shoot a film and put on a production, but this also means that hoteliers are getting business, restaurants are getting business and the local workforce is getting jobs, provided they are well trained.

This is a golden opportunity for the University to become a front-runner in producing some of the top people in the industry and playing a lead role in developing the entire economy of New Zealand.

People don't travel fifteen thousand miles and spend thousands of dollars to behold a complex vector.

I sincerely hope you will re-think this decision and let the flowers live. They may take more time and care than a concrete block, but they will continue to attract attention and spark stories that will bring people from around the world to witness their beauty.

It is never easy to do the right thing, nor is the path always clear. However, I am confident that you are listening to the voices raised in opposition to this cutback and will carefully consider the validity of their words.

I am available for any meetings or interviews you may wish to conduct in relation to this matter and encourage you to make this submission public.

Best,

Jaime Mathis

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

Graduate Diploma candidate in Theatre and Film Studies, 2008

&NBSP;<>

Kaikoura-Mt. Fyffe, 1600 meters, On the Way Home to Brahms

4800 feet and we are ascended sky masters. The Spanish artist and I, weaving tales of Picasso and dinner parties under a full moon in Barcelona...

And now the moon, aye-the moon...a giant apricot eye luminescing until the turqouise sea becomes a field for her to seed with moon dust....

And there she lingers as if waiting for an encore.

I am a firefly on the top of the world, spinning out naked delight in whispers of Catalan and Castillian....wonder, wonder, wonder...

J'aime

February 17, Birthday in New Zealand

My gosh.

I have discovered a fabulous recipe for ringing in your 29th birthday.

Go to a foreign country.

Meet interesting international people at the Art Cinema on the rainy day before your big day.

Make friends with them.

Accept dinner invitation for a special celebratory dinner.

Bring a nice bottle of wine as a hostess gift.

Proceed to make merry and ask thoughtful questions about local customs and culture.

Eat a little of everything on the table, even if you can't readily identify it.

Laugh over funny cultural differences.

Enjoy birthday ice cream.

Sing a little.

Dance a little.

Thank everyone for a lovely time.

You're sure to hit a jackpot every time if you follow these simple steps. I sure did. Bring on 30!

The Tuesdays

Oh the Tuesdays...or at least THIS Tuesday...I broke down...took some Sudafed at 3am....finally got to sleep...thank goodness...and now it's the evening and I feel much better, albeit a little drugged and snuffly...but at least not drippy down the back of the throat. That's gross.

In class today we started talking about 5 Elements philosophy which is essentially the coolest way to diagnose disease EVER. You've got your fire, water, metal, wood and air which all correspond to different organs and yin/yang counterparts...they also correspond to internal emotions like joy, anger, worry, fear, obsession, shock and one other one I forgot. Point being...every part of the microcosm is a reflection of the macrocosm...we are interconnected, we are all part of the EVERYTHING....so when diagnosing you are looking at color...of the skin, the eyes...listening to the quality of the voice....smelling the odors coming off a person...looking at the WHOLE picture...it's brilliant.

So I talked to my instructor who is sort of a guru with the Woosley 5 element approach and asked if we might be able to work more closely together on 5 elements specifically since I would only be here for one year. She seemed amenable to it and I hope it works out for both of us...of course it will work out just as it should, and I am thrilled at the possibility of being her protege for awhile at least!

Still trying to track down permanent lodgings, but Mike and Sue are very supportive of finding the RIGHT place so I don't feel like I'll be kicked out or am being an imposition...which is such a relief to my mind.

I'm pretty sure the reason I have gotten a bit under the weather is because I was really overloaded on the Yang energy coming here...all the racing about, being proactive and assertive with luggage and tickets and contacts etc...really drains me down...or did...but I've been doing my qi every day and I know that's helped keep things in check...

On to day three and the adventures of tomorrow!

Never Underestimate the Value of Wandering

Found an outdoor summer theatre production while traipsing through Hagley Park today. What are the chances...the park is ginormous...

I was actually stalking a bagpiper through the park because he looked interesting, lost him, and ended up at a 90 minute production of the History of New Zealand (abridged) Much innuendo and egg cracking ensued and I got to see my first Hakka. Heh.

(a note about the Hakka)

IT IS THE HOTTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN.

The Hakka is the dance men do to be scary and manly. They bang on their chests, they stick out their tongues, they bellow, they thrust their arms and legs around like weapons. It's suprising how fabulous men being men can be.

(back to the story)

This all happened after I stumbled upon the world croquet championships. Who knew they even HAD such things? But they do, and white is the color, apparently, for all fancy pants types of sports.

Oh, and then I bumbled into the Arts Centre, which used to be the old university but now is home to a conclave of artists, independent cinema and theatre and a small wine bar. It is, in a word, heaven. In a fit of friendliness ( I know, I know, how suprising) I met a weaver and her apprentice who practically adopted me on the spot. Tapestry anyone?

And now, here I am, about to go back to my roost for a jacket cause it got a bit nippy.

The last thing? I found chocolate. Oh yes I did. At the Fudge Cottage. Heh heh heh. Good job me.

Who's coming to visit first?

New Zealand Meets Jaime

WHEEE!
Ok, first off, the qi worked. I am sitting here in an internet cafe in the center of Christchurch with ALL my wits about me after flying 8,000 miles around the world. It's amazing. No jet lag. None.

Next. This cafe is filled with adorable asian kids all playing some random video game online and shrieking in whatever language they're speaking, every so often yelling "Yoo sock!" American culture is a subversive thing.

Next. My host counsellors are adorable. Mike is the editor of a Harness Racing mag (yeah, HORSE harness racing-shriek!) and Sue is blonde and cute and in love with my clothes. It's really just a stupendous combination. And we are staying in a snazzy flat in the middle of the city...with balconies looking out over the Avon (yes, like England) river where there are punters that shove off up and down the river all day long.

I haven't had a proper ramble yet but I'm off to do that after I finish here. Sue and Mike have gone house hunting and Sue was all concerned about leaving me here by myself. So cute. Mike is a little eccentric and runs around wearing t-shirts with a picture of Chairman Mao on it. Could this be any better? No.

I'm actually trying to find accomodations right now, but think I'll just wait until school starts on Monday and I can talk to some of the students etc. This country. My my my.

February 6-The Begining of It All

Oh my lord. It's about to happen. In three hours I'm getting on a plane and flying around the world to start a whole new SOMETHING.Friends have cautioned me about not getting pregnant and tattooed. I just want to GET THERE and then we can see what happens. I'm nervous, trying to stay in the moment and just PERCHY...like on the edge of a precipice looking over saying, "Hollllllyyyy Crap. WHAT did I get myself into?"And I'm just going to feel that way until I don't, cause boy, it's one thing to fly to visit friends and it's another entirely to BE that friend setting up camp for everyone to come visit. But it's cool. And I'm a little jittery. But it'll be great. And I'm still a little jittery.So that's me right now. And I love my friends. ALOT. It's especially at times like this, the un brave Jaime is like, "We could all just stay HERE and not do anything scary! Wouldn't that be nice?"Not even going to try and talk myself out of this. It'll just have to run its course.But I DO love you all and will continue breathing so I don't pass out.Whee!