 International News and Universal Art
I don't know if it offers any relief to the situation we're in right now in Turkey, which
is hotter than a blazing hellfire, but we're not the only ones burning. The state we all
know through the agents of virtual reality - California - is struggling with wildfires
that consume trees like a nicotine-deprived smoker would cigarettes. The toll is the
destruction of 38,000 acres and 63 structures, a good deal of those being homes. Due to
the insane speed at which the fires had spread, hundreds of thousands of people were
forced to flee so they could maintain the flesh-to-water ratio in their bodies, and not
smell like barbeque. Arnold 'Governator' Schwarzenegger made a public statement, and I
quote: "If I were one of the people who started the fires, I would not sleep soundly
right now, because we're right behind you." Unofficial sources claim 'the Governator'
also promised to personally beat up the people who caused the fires and has asked the
Marines if they could lend him a tank and renew his license to smash.
The only problem with this plan could be the fact that the evil genius behind the fires
that caused this terrible tragedy appears to be just an unsuspecting kid. Who would think
that an innocent game of playing with matches could result in the burning down of a dozen
forests? The child-whose name and age is not disclosed-is currently being prosecuted. His
punishment is likely to have all his toys confiscated and be under life-long kindergarten
arrest. Remember what your mother used to say when you were little - never play with
matches.
In other, yet similar news, the famous and endlessly celebrated movie-phenomenon 'High
School Musical' has finally made its way to our part of the globe, and is consuming the
minds of the youth with its wonderful and sparkly images of the good life. The movie, its
sequel and its possible tri-quel are all being criticized for their Shakespearean
language, overwhelming use of academic vocabulary and its anarchist/social activist
messages. As one might assume from the name, the movie is set in a high school, and is an
unlikely, but perfect blend of 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Grease,' with an occasional
element of 'V for Vendetta' type rebellion here and there. The movie depicts the epic tale
of a bunch of excitement-deprived teenagers on their quest to break free from the web of
the status-quo, and replace it with their own reality that favors glitter and blither over
the sad, harsh realities of life. To accomplish this, they strip from their established
identities and take on new ones. Although the movie is mainly dominated by the charisma
and manly charm radiated by the lead male - Zac Efron - we occasionally get a glimpse at
the lives of the non-leadership material in the school. These miserable lowlifes don't
feature any odd behavior or melodramatic tendencies, and therefore fail to be cool. Unlike
the cast members displayed on the poster, these 'normal' people are just extras and only
get to sing 5 second solos, if that!
If you happen to have any time left after your studies, 'High School Musical' is a must
see. Side effects; such as uncontrollable vomiting, a pointless desire for excessive
drama, and constant singing or skipping around like a hyped up grasshopper may occur.
Consult your common sense before using - and please, for goodness sake, keep it away from
children.
Onur Çelik (AMER/II)
o_celik@ug.bcc.bilkent.edu.tr
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