2015/11/03

The Carbon Footprint--C7

Achoo, when season changes, my nose is the first to know, especially in Autumn! I'm not the only one, more and more children are facing consequences of the climate change physically, cough, cough, cough!

Everyday we turn on TV, we watch the news about the impact of climate change around the world, drought, flood, we are warned about the global warming, and we are told to take action to reduce the carbon footprint to keep our mother earth clean and healthy!

What is carbon footprint exactly? The actual footprint is the mark we leave on the environment. Imagine we walk bare feet on the beach, we see our footprints left behind. Carbon footprint (Exhibit One) means green house gases, the harmful gases we leave behind, including CO2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and others. CO2 alone contributes 62% of planetary warming. CO2 is produced by burning fossil fuels, like oil and gas. The more fuel we use, the bigger our carbon footprint will be.

When we drive a car, the carbon doesn't just come from the engine. Think about the energy to extract the oil from underground, the pollution caused by the transportation, refinement, and the final delivery to your local petro station, not to mention the CO2 emitted to manufacture our car in the first place. We produce more green house gases than we thought.

We and everything we own has its own footprint, our book, mobile phone. Read a book, printing and distributing use energy, send a textmessage, communicating uses energy. Even the food (Exhibit Two) we eat, could have traveled hundreds of kilometers, or even thousands of pollluting kilometers to end up in our local supermarket.

We don't live in a cave now. Being it impossible to leave no carbon footprint behind, that'ss no reason for us not trying. Every person can make a difference by changing the pattern of our behaviour to reduce personal carbon footprint.

Food production and consumption are large contributors to green house gas emission. Buy locally produced food. if possible, plant vegetables in your garden. Don't waste food, the waste of food in the garbage produces harmful gases, such as methane. It's estimated that 30 to 40% of food is wasted after it leaves the farm. So, remember, plant a garden, buy local, eat the leftovers.

Tourism accounts for an estimate of 5% of global green house gas emission. An airplane travel is the most significant contributor to that percentage. How about planning your next vacation by reexploring our own city on foot? As for transportation to work, ride a bicycle, take a bus, take the MRT, instead of driving a car. Car pooling is another option to reduce the carbon footprint. Acquire electricity saving habits, turn off lights after you leave home. In summer, while cooling offices and homes, turn up one or two degrees. Likewise, in winter, wear warmer clothes to turn down the heater one or two degrees.

Making informed choices about transportation, food, and energy used at home is what we can do individually to reduce the carbon footprints. Start from today, mark smaller carbon footprints (Exhibit Three) day in and day out. Let's take a boot in reducing the carbon footprint to combat climate change and global warming!

2015/10/10

唯唯一途に--C6

トーストマスターズ コンピテント コミュニケーション プロジェクト 6 ボーカルバライティ(声の変化)

人生は不思議なものです。日本語にちんぷんかんぷんの私は寄席に行って落語を聞いてきました。百聞は一見にしかず、人から何度も聞くより、一度実際に自分の目で落語の話芸を観るほうが、やる気が湧いてきます。

去年十一月、日本トースターマスターズ秋季大会に参加した時に、日本トースターマスターズの友達に誘われて、お江戸日本橋亭という寄席に行って、笑福亭円笑の落語を聞きました。笑福亭円笑さんはトースターマスターズの友達が落語を習っている先生です。

噺を知らなくても、落語の落ち、つまり、笑い話の結末のことを何となくわかってしまうところはありましたが、そばに座っているおばあさんは始めから終わりまで、ずっと大笑いしていて、私も楽しい雰囲気の中で、落語の面白さを感じていました。

落語会のあと、笑福亭円笑さんが、「唯唯一途に」と美しく書かれた白板を私に下さいました。とても意味深いの言葉です。

本日皆さんの前で、落語の話芸に挑戦してみたいです。では、「まんじゅうこわい」という話しをお聞きください。

ある街に、男が数名集まり、それぞれ嫌いなもの、怖いものを言い合いました。「クモ」「ヘビ」「アリ」などと言い合う中にひとり、「いい若い者がくだらないものを怖がるとは情けない。世の中に怖いものなどあるものか」とうそぶく男がいる。他の男が「本当に怖いものはないのか」と聞くと、うそぶいていた男はしぶしぶ「本当はある」と白状する。「では、何が嫌いなのか」と念を押され、男は小声で「まんじゅう」とつぶやく。男はその後、「まんじゅうの話をしているだけで気分が悪くなった」と言い出し、自分の長屋へ帰って、寝てしまう。

残った男たちは「あいつは気に食わないから、まんじゅう攻めにして脅かしてやろう」と、金を出し合い、まんじゅうをたくさん買いこんで男の寝ている部屋へどんどん投げ込む。目覚めた男は声を上げ、ひどく狼狽してみせながらも、「こんな怖いものは食べてしまって、なくしてしまおう」「うますぎて、怖い」などと言ってまんじゅうを全部食べてしまう。一部始終をのぞいて見ていた男たちは、男にだまされていたことに気付く。怒った男たちが男をなじり、「お前が本当に怖いものは何だ!」と聞くと、「このへんで、濃いお茶が1杯怖い」。

日本語の勉強を始めて、早や十数年が過ぎようとしています。落語の練習によって、日本の風土や人情に、より一層親しめるようになっただけでなく、落語家のように高座にも上がれるようになり、今はとてもうれしいです。人生は不思議なものです。これからも唯唯一途に日本の伝統芸術に触れ合っていきたいです。

2015/09/08

肢體語言--2015年コンテスト審査員研修会

應中華民國演講協會J3區總監李雲貞之邀,參加九月十三日(星期日)下午日本語演講比賽審查員研修會,並負責帶動三十分鐘肢體語言的工作坊。藉此機緣重新整理三年前於無名小站部落格撰寫文山一人一故事的年度心得點滴,重溫一人一故事劇場 , 包括出席八月十三日(星期四)晚上一人一故事劇場團練及觀賞知了劇團 八月廿九日(星期六)晚上於納豆劇場  演出二○一五年臺北藝穗節《夢七淘》。

*********文山一人一故事實驗劇團(2012年)**********************
最近迷上了演戲,從今年三月份加入 Tellus劇團 開始,每個週末都積極排戲,為的是能掌握五月底預定推出的皮蘭德婁 (Luigi Pirandello)的『六個尋找作者的劇中人six characters in search of an author』的戲碼,現在每天除專心研讀劇團導演推薦的世界知名劇作外,也勤跑圖書館,借閱許多文學巨作及劇場表演的書籍,好像準備明年要上戲劇研究所一樣。

想起了小時候,在幼稚園的時候,就愛辦家家酒,上了小學以後,改玩官兵捉強盜的遊戲,我當然站在大同國民小學台灣人這邊,與眷村的外省人為敵,上了初中以後,仍手不離故事書,但演戲,就沒碰過了。

今天上午報名參加台北市文山婦女暨家庭服務中心「戲劇與遊戲—一人一故事團體」工作坊,每週二上午九點半到十二點,一共八週,外加一場對外演出,看來二○一二年將會是我引以為傲的戲劇之年(year of the theater)。

今天上午的工作坊,學員初次見面,指導老師帶領大家玩熊寳寳的遊戲,既可破冰、亦可暖身。首先老師拿出二隻熊寳寳,請學員先挑選一隻,接著學員們圍成一圈,玩拋接熊寳寳的遊戲,每位學員在拋出熊寳寳之前,必須先叫對方的名字。然後二隻熊寳寳上場,持續玩拋接熊寳寳,接著二個小球上場(紅球順時針移動、藍球逆時針移動),接著增加二隻小小熊寳寳,必須指定送達,一場遊戲玩下來,大家除了可以互叫名字外,集中力也準備好了!

接著進入主題,帶領者引導學員一同體驗「一人一故事」的表演,以四人組流動塑像(Fluid Sculpture)的表演方式重述說故事者的心聲,過程中重視每個人的生命經驗與故事,學員在分享故事、聽故事與表達故事的過程中可以提升傾聽、同理心、自我認知、尊重與表達的能力。

一人一故事劇場(Playback Theatre)是一種即興真實人生(Improvising Real Life)的劇場,重視分享、自發、參與及互動,由美國的Johanthan Fox所創立,結合了原住民的儀式、心理劇、劇場的元素,被運用在社區的凝聚以及學校的教育。劇場的基本佈置,包括左手邊陳列各種顏色的布,可以演出者當道具;右手邊是各式各樣的樂器,可供演出者提供背景音樂,並設定節奏。

一人一故事劇場的表演型態,特點在於現場觀眾說出自身的故事,由演員演出,觀眾成為演出中的重要部分,這是一種即興戲劇的表現方式。在演出中,台下的觀眾,都有機會傾訴自己的故事,當說故事時感受到演員積極傾聽,進而看見自己的故事被服務、被表達,是一種支持的能量,觀眾與觀眾之間也會因故事而產生連結;是一種人人皆可參與創作的劇場空間。

三句話

今天上午參加一人一故事工作坊的第二堂課,每位學員都已迫不急待地躍躍欲試。指導老師首先帶領大家玩『大象及花瓶』的暖身遊戲。首先三人一組,老師教導學員模倣大象,中間的同學演出大象的鼻子,二邊的同學演出大象的耳朵,接著小組成員變換位置,熟悉大象的動作,當老師口喊大象時,學員必須即刻正確演出大象。接著老師教導學員模倣花瓶、○○七、霹靂嬌娃,最後大家一起圍成正方形進行模倣競賽,動作不確實者被淘汰,必須蹲下,原有位置為隔壁的學員取代,持續三人組的表演,直到最後只留下三名學員。十分鐘的暖身遊戲下來,大家已經汗流浹背,精神飽滿,暖身遊戲不但讓大家玩得開心,學員彼此間的默契也無形中增加。

接著進入主題,帶領者老師在白板上『情緒三溫暖』,指導學員情緒的弱、中、強。四人一組,由老師喊出不同的情緒,學員三人,由右而左,表演情緒的弱中強,如緊張、害怕、難過,另外一名學員當觀察員,提供旁觀者的客觀意見。無論我如何賣力表演哭泣,觀察員評論總是,聲音、動作雖有到位,但是臉上的笑意猶存,情緒大打折扣。以往的我,一直學習如何掩飾情緒,現在我必須私下苦勤及勤練哭笑的情緒張力。

知名表演教師Uta Hagen所著Respect for Acting中曾提到「情緒記憶」,建議學生平常要學會如何在心中貯存各種情緒,當要演出時,立刻能將其和劇情聯想,有效地引起所需的反應,情緒能增長演出的動作,動作也能促進情緒的產生,但演員必須切記和所要運用的經驗保持距離。

接著四人一組,使用布條表演『門』的主題。老師指定今天的主題『窄門』與『心門』,三組學員分別演出升學的窄門、就職的窄門及心門。雖然是第二堂課,學員在老師的諄諄指導及學員間的相互勉勵下,不論是動作、表情、語言等強度及力度的掌控,都有一定的水準,大家都對自己的肢體語言又多一份認識。

為讓學員充份溝通想法與經驗,老師請學員圍成一圈,發表對『抽象的門』的看法。輪到我時,我提出歐陽予倩所著『自我演戲以來』的一段話與老師與同學分享。歐陽先生認為演員在台上做戲最初要能忘我,拿劇中人的人格換去自己的人格謂之「容受」,僅有容受卻又不行,在台上要處處覺得自己是劇中人,同時應當把自己的身體當一個傀儡,完全用自己的意識去運用指揮這傀儡,只能容受不能運用,便不能得深切的表演。戲本來是假的,做戲是要把假戲做成像真;如果在台上弄假成真,弄得真哭真笑,便不成其為戲。

接著帶領人教導一人一故事劇場基礎形式的「三句話」,「三句話」代表三位演員各自演出,由右至左,一人一段落呈現故事。演員可以使用彩色的布及椅子來表達抽象概念。今天的故事是公車司機的朋友,三位演員,有人演公車、有人演司機、有人演司機的朋友,老師扮演樂師。我扮演公車司機的朋友,但是我的演出已經超出說故事人的內容,再加上我選了皮包當道具,雖然錯誤不少,但也學會了如何正確表演一人一故事,特別是必須專注傾聽,才能扮好同理支持別人的角色,才能感動說故事的人、感動觀眾、成就團隊、成就自己!

三句話,或三段落(三段獨白),由三位演員擔綱演出,有人演配角、有人演物件、有人演主角,一位演員演完後,再由另一位演員接棒演出,通常是配角先上場,以為故事的序幕,接著是物件上場,可能是公車、可能是大門,以為故事的場景,最後是主角上場,演出說故事者(Teller)的角色,三段獨白的長度沒有限制,但戲劇的長度必須有趣又適切。三句話演完後,三位演員一起面向說故事者,以眼神傳達「送給你」!

一人一故事的即興互動式表演,由現場觀眾訴說自身的感受或故事,演員透過即席演出,將表演當成一份禮物,送給說故事的人。表演時,演員對著說故事的人與觀眾說出故事主人的心聲,可讓在場的人哄堂大笑,也讓在場的人熱淚盈眶。雖然每個人的生命經歷與生活經驗不同,要當下即興表演出當事人的感受,是高難度的挑戰,但能在當下通力合作製作一份感動人心的表演禮物,送給說故事的人,感到很有成就。

大合唱

今天上午參加一人一故事工作坊的第三堂課,每位學員都提前到場,老師準時授課。指導老師首先帶領大家玩『報數』的暖身遊戲。首先七人一組,一号同學報數時,必須同時拍手,七号同學報數時,必須拍手也跳腳,報數可以順時針進行,也可以逆時針進行。接著二、三、四、五、六号的同學也加入動作,大家開始手忙腳亂。接著二人為一個單位報數,學習彼此協調動作的整齊劃一,更增加了『報數』的挑戰性。接著大家一起演出「延伸」版的雙人合夥報數,以最慢的動作報數,最後大家一起定格。十分鐘的暖身遊戲,大家玩得開心,學員間的表演默契也更上一層樓。

在深入今天的主題『門』之前,帶領者老師談到過去文山一人一故事劇團曾演出的主題,如『決定』、『二○一一』、「我的第一次」。接著老師再與同學討論各種形式的門,實體的門與抽象的門,並復習『流動塑像』及『三句話』的表演方式。同學二人一組討論『抽象的門』,然後每組同學為自己的故事選擇主題。

經同學推選表演的先後順序,第一『被反鎖』、第二『爸爸,我愛你』、第三『外省媳婦』等。由於新的同學已經熟悉『流動塑像』及『三句話』,大家上台練習演出,都格外生動,再透過老師的戲劇指導及解說,學員都更能掌握一人一故事的精髓及療愈功效。由於一人一故事劇場所能使用的道具有限,指導教師利用色布及椅子教導許多劇場的詞彙,比如說,站上椅子象徵高壓教育,坐在椅子上暗示垂老,數條打結的色布,表示親情,透過親子課程,打破心結,縮短親子間的距離。

接著老師邀請六位學長一起上台,介紹『大合唱』,一人一故事劇場多元聲集的表演形式,演出『爸爸,我愛你』,第一次老師請同學使用簡單的字句,表演大合唱,學員們一起向前走,有動作,有聲音,再加上身體一部位的接觸,移動中每個成員輪流當帶領者與跟隨者(大合唱成員如同一只變形蟲一般 )。大合唱讓我想起希臘的歌隊,一個由眾人組成的有機體,能呼吸,有一個中心及延伸的四肢,像一個細胞能隨著四週的狀況,改變自己的形狀。歌隊通常由七至十五人組成,扮演的是敍事者和評論者的角色。

大合唱學員們的共同情緒感受,一次由一人說出情緒感受,其他組員要跟上,一起說出相同的話。每個人都可以表達感受,但要靠默契協調, 練習不停頓、不重疊、不搶話。說的話要簡短,說話速度不要太快。共同情境的情緒感受以肢體及語言表達,彼此有一體的感覺。一人開始表演,其他成員跟著做,直到下一個人的表演加上來,所有成員要有默契。

接著老師請同學只用聲音來演出『大合唱』,由於少有語言,學員的表達比較專注,演出的效果比較好。『大合唱』演出後,老師請同學們集體討論,舊學員認為『大合唱』比『流動塑像』及『三句話』相對的困難,因為牽連學員們的共同情緒感受,所有的演出者必須同心同力,像連體嬰般發出重復的單句或聲音來說故事,表達情緒。第一次接觸『大合唱』,就深深被『大合唱』吸引,一來『大合唱』可以訓練團隊默契,二來『大合唱』的集體行動力與聲音,讓表演更具張力,更能打動人心。

戲劇,如高爾基所言,是一種最困難的文學形式。戲劇人,不僅要有文學功力,還有具備音樂、舞蹈、繪畫、雕塑等藝術素養,且不能不懂得歷史、宗教、哲學、心理學等知識,除此之外、尚須能掌握劇作(故事)、舞台、演員、以及劇場的觀眾。

轉型塑像


由於五月一日(星期二)勞動節放假,文山一人一故事實驗劇團也跟著停課。今天是一人一故事第四堂課,隔了二個星期沒上課,對於才入團一個月的我,一人一故事到底是啥呀,好像全忘光了!教室放簽到簿的桌上,看到一人一故事實驗劇團Playback 公演海報,哇塞!真是不敢相信,月底就要披掛上陣啦!由於大部分舊團員已經參加過二次的公演,當然是老神在在,我雖是新團員,但也懷著「初生之襩,不畏虎」的精神,一想到能夠增加人生舞台的體驗,當然應該勇往直前啦!

當指導老師問團員有誰有興趣擔任帶領者(Conductor)的角色,我毫不加思索的舉手,也是唯一舉手的團員,其實對一位資深講演會員(Toastmaster)的我,如何導引說故事的人(Teller)應該不是件難事,但是要以何種型式呈現故事卻是一種挑戰,畢竟我還須要熟悉更多的一人一故事表演型式後,才能稱職。

文山一人一故事實驗劇團紀律非常良好,老師九點半準時上課,今天上午的暖身活動是發聲練習,團員分為A、B組,面對面成二列站立,先由A組團員個別發出細弱的聲音,B組團員個別發出強粗的聲音,接著聲音的接力,A組團員發音後,B組團員全員摹仿,B組團員發音後,A組團員全員摹仿,一大早大家一起玩聲音的遊戲,享受清晨共鳴的快感!

接著玩接球的遊戲,練習專注。接到球的團員,在丟球前,必須先喊上一位丟球者的名字,接著喊下一位接球者的名字,每位團員都輪過後,大家更熟悉團員的名字,無形中亦增加了團員的默契。接著玩動作的接力,團員依舊為A、B組,面對面成二列站立,進行摹仿動作的接力,A組團員演出特定動作後,B組團員全員摹仿,接著B組團員演出特定動作,A組團員全員摹仿,大家一起玩動作的遊戲,可以舒展身體及臉部的表情!

今天的重頭戲是『轉型塑像』,是一種一人一故事的表演型式。首先團員分為三組,每組四到五人,先複習流動塑像,接著練習轉型塑像。轉型塑像與流動塑像不同是,流動塑像是一種情緒的表演型式,轉型塑像有二種情緒,當個別團員以流動塑像表演完第一種情緒並定格後,聽樂師的指令,一起演出最強烈的第二種情緒後,即定格。由於轉型塑像有二次定格,如果在二種情緒定格間,不在肢體空間自我設限,是練習的重點。經過觀察,我發現全身臥地或跪姿都比較容易讓畫面的定格,更有層次感。

接著複習『三句話』,由團員MK練習當Teller談到母女的心結,其他團員三人一組,新人先上場表演(第一位扮演MK的媽媽、第二位扮演MK的家、我扮演MK),接著老鳥三人組輪番上場。身為新人的我,看到老鳥的表演,覺得薑真是老的辣,無論在語言及肢體動作,都比較能打動Teller及觀眾的心,當然今天樂師超水準的表現,也是功不可沒。今天的三句話讓我學到,三句話除了主角、配角外,物件也可以用「情緒」來表達,讓三句話的表演更有彈性及應變性!


今天負責扮演樂師的團員,表現可圈可點,每組三句話表演結束後,指導老師都對樂師大表讚許,我也特別注意樂師極力與演員配合,即興製作音樂, 希望下次我也有練習的機會,才能熟能生巧呀!

下課前,試穿了團服,一想到,一人一故事再上二堂課後,就要公演了,真希望有機會能私下跟舊團員多練習,多交流,以鍛鍊肢體的表達力及聲音的穿透力,期許能以最真實最完美的演出呈現給Teller及社區的好朋友們,以回饋大家的友情及溫情!

『門』一人一故事實驗劇團Playback 公演。Playback劇場,中譯『一人一故事』,藉現場台下觀眾的故事分享,由演員即興表演,將故事呈現。

開門關門進進出出之間,我在哪裡? 我在做什麼?
進不了窄門,我可以為自己做些什麼?
如果走進穿越時空的任意門,我好想要……
我的心門為誰打開或早已緊閉多年,心裡藏的故事……
眼前的一扇門,打開是另一種可能嗎?
門與門之間的故事 串起你我的回憶
誠摯邀情你~這是專屬於你我的一場演出
期待我們一起分享有歡笑、有淚水的時刻
……

主辦單位:台北市文山婦女暨家庭服務中心(台北市政府社會局委託社團法人台灣婦女展業協會承辦)演出團體:文山一人一故事實驗劇團

拼貼


今天是一人一故事第五堂課,我一踏進教室,就先急著找到自己的大字名牌時,指導老師卻說今天以後不再掛名牌了,大夥就開始緊張,努力記住團員的面孔及名字,其實只要用點心,不到三二下,就可記住至少一打以上團員的名字了,相信可以大大增加團員上台演出的默契。

今天首先上場的暖身活動是『喊人遊戲』,首先團員圍成一圈,左右或前後移動腳步,然後回原位,練習團員的方位感。接著團員練習對準視線及身體接觸,第一位團員開始先叫對方的名字後,以任何方式移動身體,直到接觸到對方的身體後換位,接著換人接力喊人遊戲,直到全部團員輪完後,再以更強烈的情緒及更誇張的肢體動作重覆喊人遊戲。

接著團員分為二組,練習長距離的移動。第一組團員採自由的方式從教室的一端移動另一端,接著指導老師示範想像的動作,請第二組團員以想像的方式從教室的一端移動另一端,接著老師播放音樂,請學員配合音樂的節奏移動身體,接著老師要求學員移動身體時,視線要隨著身體一起移動。視線的移動,讓我想到第四面牆。對準自己的眼晴在特定的位置,然後有意識地移動,想像第四面牆是自己的房間,或是風景,把視線固定在一棵樹上,背轉身去,然後回轉身,再找到那棵樹。佈景可沿伸到觀眾席,想像的事物置於觀眾席的後方兩旁走道,但切莫讓視線自由飄移,或讓第四面牆反賓為主。在舞台上,除了身體移動要跟著意念走,掌握感官與肢體的協調外,也要體驗動作的音樂性,如同一首曲子,每次移動肢體,都如同節拍上跳躍的音符,有變化、有節奏,節拍組成樂句,樂句組成啟承轉合的樂曲。

由於一人一故事劇場的道具只有椅子及色布,今天加強練習椅子的運用,團員分為二組,每組各得三張椅任意陳列視同障礙物,然後練習如何跨越椅子,但肢體必須都接觸到椅子。比如說大力踢椅子,並不是要真踢,而傷了腳,而是以演戲的方式呈現踢椅子的畫面,所有的感官都必須跟著到位。椅子可以是什麼呢?椅子可以是任何物件或情緒,可以是書包,可以是床,可以是壓力,當然也可以是椅子,就看演員帶入何種意念與情緒啦!

接著複習三句話,先是由某位團員說故事,『代課老師的緊張與不安』,接著其他團員分為二組上台演出,我是第一組,站在最右邊的位置,所以是第一人上場,我試著演輔角,扮演一名小學生,我使用了椅子當桌子,在椅子上寫作業,但是椅背遮住了我的臉,指導老師讓我轉動椅子,好讓大家都看我的表情,接著我談到小學生與代課老師的上課情形及師生關係。

如果有機會重演一次的話,也許我會扮演校長,談談經營國民小學的甘苦,也許我可以再演小學生,但我會用椅子當書包,裡面放些色布當教科書,扮演小學生上學怕遲到及下課累得像條狗的情形。下星期二上午可以早點到教室,試著把自己的想法付諸行動,試試看當一位老校長,講話有大陸口音,或者試試看當一位小學生,講話有童音。還好我家隔壁就是大豐國小,找時間細心觀察小學生上下課時,都在談些什麼東東!

今天特別高興,因為終於輪到我當Teller了,我講的是『外省媳婦』的故事,我是四年級生,在家排行老大,在眷村長大,嫁到本省家庭,給排行老四最小的兒子當媳婦,由於公公婆婆都受日本教育,我把握機會學了日文,也到日本留學,所以婆媳關係良好。我認為跨文化的婚姻可以讓人成長,可以讓人更寛容。

由於我的故事情緒起伏不大,指導老師建議同學,先以流動塑像表達,再試著以轉型塑像表達,最後老師邀請舊團員表演拼貼。拼貼是Collage,也是 Scenes V Narrative,以數名演員排列成V字型,並且輪番上陣,以不同的角度及觀點陳述故事,演員可以獨白,或以雙人組,或是成群表演,但一定要有人留守營地,可以接力演出,保持V型隊型。最後指導老師以『超越門界』為我的故事定名。第一次當teller,體會到別人表演『自己的故事』的感受及感動。從別人的眼中及行動中,重新看到自己,並得以客觀檢視自己的行為及想法,讓自己的生活劇本,透過其他溟員在舞台上重現。當了teller以後,更能感受PT對teller的意義,也督促自己更努力了解teller的內心世界,幫助演出夥伴、幫助觀眾、幫助teller、也幫助自己。

今天上課結束前,初次彩排一人一故事公演,首先是序幕(Prologue)我們的故事,演員的自我介紹,以『門』為主題,接著團員以一人一故事的形式呈現,讓觀眾充分了解一人一故事的來龍去脈及藝術特質,接著鼓勵來賓上台談談社區中活生生上演的故事,並分享個人的生命旅程。尾聲(Epilogue)將以伍思凱/優客李林的『有夢有朋友』,贈送給參加一人一故事公演的來賓
們!

夜將來臨 心靈黯淡時光 那一盞燈 最早為你點亮
當黎明時分 回首長夜漫漫 那一顆星 堅持陪你一晚
在難免有風有雨人生長路上 因為你我會變得更堅強
夢想在左手 朋友是右手 未來才會變得有看頭
軟弱的時候 我不會低頭 多麼幸運和你一起走
有夢有朋友 有汗有笑有淚滴 都會是一生溫暖的回憶

明天的天空 因為有夢有朋友 心靈的翅膀才能飛得久
有夢有朋友 有笑有淚滴 將是我們溫暖的回憶

 

一對對

今天是一人一故事第六堂課,指導老師提早半小時上課,希望充份把握課堂的時間,預演週六(五月廿六日)公演的流程。九點不到,學生們魚貫進入教室,聽著指導老師的指令搬椅子,為週六一人一故事劇場排定了五十個座位。今天照例不掛名牌,團員的面孔及名字,已大多數對的起來了。

上午的暖身活動是『用屁股走路』,首先團員圍成一圈坐在地上,用雙手抱著雙腳,嘗試雙腳離地,用屁股走路,大多數團員幾乎寸步難行,還好我的屁股還算有力,可以移動幾公分。接著團員練習發聲,張大嘴,由丹田發母音,由於每週都跟聲樂老師上課,發聲是我的強項。大夥一面發聲,一面用屁股走路,鍛鍊丹田及肺活量,好不快活哉。

接著練習定點移動,第一位團員一面喊叫對方的名字,一面以低姿勢移動軀體,直到接觸到對方的身體後換位,接著換人。輪到我時,我試著想像模仿重度腦性麻痺的大人,團員覺得我在演一位沒有方向感不會走路的小孩,我的演出還算討喜,但是我仍須加強面部表情的張力!

指導老師今天排定公演上下半場的演出人員,我被安排在下半場,先坐在觀眾席觀摩其他學員的演出。公演上半場的帶領人第一次擔任帶領人,訪問在場的模擬來賓對一人一故事的想法,我第一個舉手發言,演員以流動塑像表演我的心情,接著另外一位團員發言,演員以轉型塑像表演她的心境。

接著下半場的演出團員上場,由指導老師當帶領者,詢問上半場演員的想法,其中一位團員當teller表示,演完了上半場,終於可以鬆口氣了。當帶領者指示我們以流動塑像的型式演出時,我以『太棒了』來表達演員的情緒,但是似乎是演了自己的看法,而非teller的心情,指導老師建議如果我在『太棒了』之後,再加一句話『終於演完了』,也許更能表達teller的情感。

接著另一位團員當teller表示,十年前她絕對不會上台表演,但十年後她做到了。我用了一塊黑色的雪紡紗蓋住我的頭,演出『十年前的我』,指導老師建議,我可以先蓋著頭巾演『十年前的我』,再掀頭巾演『現在的我』,更有戲劇張力。一人一故事的精髓就是學習聆聽故事,以同理心了解Teller的內心世界,掌握teller的情緒,呼應teller想說的故事,再依據帶領者指示的演出型式,思考如何呈現故事的核心,並且如何與其他團員搭配即興演出。

接著帶領者要求下半場的演出團隊練習三句話,由於我是新團員,就先站在一邊觀賞老團員的演出,接著老團員練習大合唱。接著所有演員一起出場,依順序演練團員的自我介紹的,我終於說出公公重病,可能週六無法參與演出的事,取得了指導老師及團員的諒解,萬一到時無法一起演出時,也不會感到不好意思!

接著指導老師邀請團員一起觀看去年公演『牽手』的DVD,除了看到老團員的精彩演出外,也看到了『一對對』的演出型式。一對對,顧名思義由數對雙人組演出,每對雙人組都演出teller內心世界的衝突或矛盾,讓故事走向更深層的地方,因而戲劇有張力,有看頭。「一對對」形式,通常是三對演員,兩人一對相互伸展與拉扯,以作用力與反作用力表現,一人朝前,另一人用身體阻擋對方,但不要擋到臉,也不要背對觀眾。兩人的位置要前後,不要左右,要有高低層次感。由靠近樂師的那一對先表演,一人先站好位置、擺好姿勢,另一人再做抵擋的動作。接著兩人輪流說出內心兩相矛盾的對話,兩人要有默契,不要搶著說話,讓觀眾聽清楚後,才定格。

下課前,我建議在週六公演前,再增加一堂排演課程,但是老師及同學都沒有空,看來只好自己一個人對著鏡子想像各種不同的場景,練習喜惡哀樂的情緒表達了。再二堂課後,一人一故事劇場就要放暑假了,暑假過後,若還開課,我想學習基礎領航的技巧,加強聆聽及表達能力,希望有一天我能成立『銀髮族一人一故事劇團』,帶領大朋友們一起玩記憶與經驗分享的遊戲。

一人一故事『門』

就在今天上午,我首次登台演出一人一故事,聆聽現場來賓的生活故事後,接力即興演出『當下的故事』,秀出無限的想像,送給說故事的來賓,也送給在場的觀眾。

上午九點不到,團員陸續抵達文山婦女中心暖身,十點整準時開場,演出一人一故事『門』,首先是團員的自我介紹,接著開放現場來賓說故事,有母女的故事,有夫妻的故事,有朋友的故事,有個人的心情故事。文山婦女中心事前制作了五十二張別出心裁的入場券,每張入場券都寫著有號碼的故事,五十二張入場券,也就是五十二個生活故事。


今天上午的即興表演,我原先以為台灣的觀眾都是乖乖牌,沒想到台下一連串的生活故事,台上接二連三親情與友情的戲碼:有未婚少女與男人上床,嘔氣的老媽在家等門的故事;有老婆被醫生告知得到腫瘤,先生感到晴天霹靂,成天提心吊膽地陪同老婆進出醫院旋轉門的故事;有手提包裡根本沒有照像機,好朋友間交相指責無稽之談的故事。今天上午一人一故事的演出型式,包括流動塑像、轉型塑像、三句話、及拼貼,劇情有鬧劇(Farce)、悲劇(Tragedy)、及喜劇(Comedy)。

雖然舞台上有演員臨陣逃脫、有演員人呆若木雞的突發狀況,但有更多的演員表現可圈可點,贏得在場來賓的稱許。現場有笑有淚,嬉笑怒罵中,但見諷刺與批判,來賓與演員一同分享當下的情緒與當下的時光,很有療癒功能,一人一故事劇場真不愧是最佳的心理劇(psychodrama)。對有勇氣上台說故事的來賓,在觀看自己的故事搬上舞台的同時,得以重新檢視自己的人生,再次聆聽自己的內心故事。中午十二點準時散場,相信所有人,包括來賓與演員的內心,都被豐富的情緒填得滿滿的。

談到即興表演,讓人想到十六世紀的義大利即興喜劇(Commedia dell'arte all'improvviso,英譯為comedy of the craft of improvisation)。即興表演沒有劇本,沒有戲服或道具,沒有角色和年齡的限制,憑藉豐富的想像力,表演任何角色與場景,展現劇場的無限可能。一人一故事的即興表演,以同理心為出發點,演員們使用台詞及/或肢體,輔以色布及椅子為道具,真實地將現場來賓的生活故事搬上舞台。

我會愛上即興表演,不是沒有原因的!一來我曾住過義大利,學過義大利語;二來我有許多義大利朋友;三來我喜歡義大利料理,更喜歡熱情的義大利人比手畫腳的表達方式,充滿喜劇張力,也充滿活力。學習一人一故事後,我更用心觀察生活周遭人群的點點滴滴,看到社區的生活


一人一故事『當我們窩在一起』

今天是一人一故事第七堂課,也是一堂開放教室的課,一來可讓上星期六沒有出席表演的團員,有上台演出的機會,二來可讓對一人一故事劇場有興趣的朋友有觀摩學習的機會。我邀請了一位喜愛劇場的年輕好友『飄』參加,剛好另外一位團員也邀請來了一位年輕的朋友『點點』參加,二位新朋友都有很奇特的名字,一下子就讓人記住了。

上午的暖身活動是『進化論』,首先指導老師介紹幾種動物的活動方式及聲音,從蛇、青蛙、大象、猩猩,一直到人類、台灣小姐。接著所有團員一起躺在地板上,二人一組猜拳,贏的一方即可進化,輸的一方必須退化。我從一尾在地板上爬行的蛇開始猜拳,一直在輸贏之間,當別的團員已進化成台灣小姐時,我還是隻在地板上跳來跳去的青蛙。暖身活動一下子就過去了,大家都活蹦亂跳,開心極了,二位新朋友也玩的很高興。

接著學員們通力合作搬排座位,部份團員上台表演,其他團員當觀眾,也當Tellers。當指導詢問團員是否願意分享『當我們窩在一起』,我首先想到我的先生,接著我被邀請上台當Teller,我選擇談我與弟弟窩在一起故事。我的弟弟年輕時被診斷精神分裂症後,一路跌跌撞撞至今,身為大姊的我,從弟弟一開始發病,一直跟他一起就醫、一起成長。如今弟弟的病情,隨著年齡增長,而日趨穩定,我感到很安慰。雖然父母都已過逝,每星期週末我都會和先生回父母家,與弟弟窩在一起。

由於今天是教學示範課程,指導老師特別分析說明『我與弟弟窩在一起故事』,如何以三段落的方式,演出我、弟弟、先生的故事。透過指導老師詳細地講解,我學習到如何抓住故事的核心、如何表達故事的情境、如何使用色布及椅子、以及如何演出一人一故事的技巧。

接著輪到其他同學說故事,我自告奮勇地站上舞台,爭取演出另一場三段落,這次我站到最靠近Teller的位置,負責演出第一段落,我使用了三條色布及一張椅子,雖然我準確地演出我的角色,但是未能有效使用色布及椅子,還有很大的改善空間。我喜歡演出,每次演出之後,都能感受到自己的成長,感覺自己更會聆聽故事,自己對Teller更有同理心,也能更精準地在舞台上表演動人的故事。

上課結束前,指導老師問團員對今天的課程的看法,二位來賓都表示今天很高興來參與一人一故事的課程。當我問道台灣是否有一人一故事協會時,指導老師告知今年八月十八、十九日,2012年TPG(台灣區playback聚會)在花蓮國軍英雄館舉行。雖然我才學了七堂課的一人一故事,但是我想報名參加看看,除了可以多認識其他一人一故事劇團的成員,也可以到花蓮去觀光耶!


【活動日期】 101年8月18日2:00pm 至8月19日3:00pm
【主辦單位】 花天久地劇團&遊戲基地劇團
【活動地點】 花蓮國軍英雄館(花蓮市花崗街56號)
【活動內容】 主題發表、小型工作坊、Playback大匯演、團隊交流演出、Playback園遊會等精采內容正在籌劃中喔!
【報名費用】 每人收1800元(包括住宿、餐費、活動費、場地費、保險費等)。
【報名方式與流程】報名截止日期101年5月30日。報名採網路報名,並完整填寫報名表後請發簡訊或來電通知。


一人一故事的樂師 

今天是一人一故事第八堂課,也是最後一堂課,但是學員並未離情依依,因為暑假過後,文山婦女暨家庭服務中心將續開一人一故事的延伸課程,真讓人拭目以待呢!

上午的暖身活動是『舒展末端肢體』,指導老師首先示範食指橫向伸展,接著食指縱向伸展,接著中指、無名指、小指、姆指、手掌、手臂、大腿、全身。接著雙人組相互練習,然後就是大風吹,持續更換隊友。大多數的團員都喜歡與他人互動,唯獨我喜歡跟自已的手指玩遊戲,因為我想到了佛朗明哥的響板及彈鋼琴,都是在鍛鍊自己手指的力氣及平均力道。

接著登場的遊戲『我是誰』,每四人一組,團員站成菱形,第一位團員比手劃腳演出自己的職業,其他三位團員跟著模倣,然後換人,大家猜猜看彼此的工作。有趣的是,職業相同的團員都編到了同一組,仿佛冥冥之中有磁場一樣。我屬於家管一族,表演自已在廚房做晚飯的情境,加點油、添點醋,接著就是好菜端上桌。當所有團員的職業都真相大白時,指導老師說明為何將『我是誰』保留到學期結束,是希望學員間沒有刻板印象。

今天是最後一堂課,當然也少不了讓學員們表達一些心聲啦!指導老師在舞台上擺了三張黑色的小板凳,每張都搭配了不同的色布。由左至右,第一張是灰色的布,表達學員是否持續上課,並說明原因;第二張是橘色的布,如果學員有疑問,請大聲說出來;第三張是綠色的布,學員若有學習及成長的經驗,請不吝分享。

我一馬當先,先坐上灰布板凳,表明自己除了繼續上課外,還要參加八月在花蓮舉行的全國一人一故事研習營(TGA3 2012),明年希望有機會到新加坡及紐約取經,未來計畫在新店創立老人一人一故事劇團;接著橘布板凳的提問,我請問團員是否願意跟我一起到花蓮去進修,結果在指導老師的登高一呼下,有三位團員表示願意同行,我們四人幫可在東海岸窩在一起,與來自全國四面八方的同好一起Playback大匯演,與其他一人一故事的團隊經驗交流,觀摩及學習即興表演;最後坐上綠布板凳,當然是滿心喜悅,在過去二個月學到許多一人一故事的表演技巧,並且認識社區內許多興趣相同的好朋友。

中場休息時,有團員問我未來在新店地區創立老人一人一故事劇團的動機,其實我的想法很單純,就是想聽老人們說故事,口述歷史,至於老人表演故事的部分,也可藉機會訓練老人的傾聽能力及短期記憶,老人一人一故事劇團主要到老人院去聽故事、去演故事,大家一起玩遊戲,活出回憶,分享黃金歲月。What's good abut the playback theater, it's about the playback of the collective memories of people around us!

休息過後,指導老師將所有樂器擺在地板上,請學員圍成一圈,輪流嘗試接觸不同的樂器,接著每三人一組,依照指導老師指定的情緒,製作音樂,接著全體團員分成二組,最後所有團員一起即興配樂。當指導老師指定為『愛』配樂時,我一直在想愛的聲音是什麼?從過往的經驗,人類習慣以語言表達愛意,如何使用打擊樂器表達『愛』,真是難倒我了!

談到配樂,對一人一故事的新手而言,光是抓到Teller說故事的核心,就已經大大的不容易了,還要能配合演員的即興演出,為劇情配樂,真是一大挑戰!看到滿桌的各式各樣的樂器,到底該選那一種或那幾種呢?如何配樂,才能成就演員,感動Teller,打動人心呢?不同情緒的音樂故事,高興、悲傷、忙亂、無助,音樂與言語應如何巧妙地搭配,以成就內心的安寧,生命的意義?

一人一故事的樂師,雖然扮演輔助的角色,但絕對是重要的。就如同每部成功的電影,一定有精彩的配樂。沒有久石讓的配樂,宮崎駿的動畫將會少了風彩!任何能為一人一故事加分的配樂,都有好好學習的價值與意義。我們不都是期望一人一故事能打動人心,打動自己,才站上舞台的嗎?學習更深層的聆聽,學習更多的音樂知識,更豐富自已的人生!

最近讀到中醫的音樂療法,根據宮、商、角、徵、羽等五種調式的特性與五臟五行的關係來選擇曲目,進行治療。宮調式樂曲(do):風格悠揚沉靜、淳厚莊重,有如「土」般寬厚結實,可入脾。商調式樂曲(re):風格高亢悲壯、鏗鏘雄偉,具有「金」之特性,可入肺。角調式樂曲(mi):角調式樂曲構成了大地回春,萬物萌生,生機盎然的旋律,曲調親切爽朗,具有「木」之特性,可入肝。徵調式樂曲(so):徵調式樂曲旋律熱烈歡快、活潑輕松,構成層次分明、情緒歡暢的感染氣氛,具有「火」之特性,可入心。羽調式音樂(la):羽調式音樂風格清純,淒切哀怨,蒼涼柔潤,如天垂晶幕,行云流水,具有「水」之特性,可入腎。

下課後,拿到文山婦女中心退回的保證金新台幣一千元,我為自己拍拍手,八堂課一人一故事的課我全勤,從未遲到早退,下星期二上午還有一堂免費的課程,暑假期間還有二堂暖身課程,再加上八月去花蓮大會師,今年的暑假將很playback theater


敘述者V 

今天是一人一故事第九堂課,算是一堂課外課,為了指導學員更進一步了解一人一故事的表演型式,指導老師加了課,教了敘述者V,由五位團員站成V形,以尖端面向觀眾,中間的團員是故事的敘述者,以第三者的角度敘述,左右兩邊的演員負責音樂及暗喻,配合敘述者的動作。即興演出當下,要能及時想出適當的隱喻及適切的音樂,真是一大挑戰!看來我得重溫伊索寓言,多聽各類型的音樂,才能演好敘述者V的型式。

敘述者V是澳洲playbackers發明的,是一人一故事劇場相當有力的形式,演員將所聽到的故事轉換為大家所熟悉的故事,變成童話/神話故事/伊索寓言,透過第三人稱用隱喻/寓言的手法敘述,能有效及深度分享故事。

上午風雨交加,從新店的家出門,經過景美舊橋時,看到景美溪暴漲的水位,淹過了黃色欄杆圍住的自行車道。昨夜這場大雨又不知造成多少土石流,增加多少受災戶?

上午的暖身活動首先是開放式的定點移動,團員各自出招,難免雜亂無章。接著指導老師拋出「飄」的主題,團員試著模仿想像的物件,身體的移動顧到了各點,活動比較有內容及意義,比較有看頭。接著二人一組,玩布娃娃的遊戲,一人當布娃娃,另一人玩布娃娃,讓團員們練習放鬆身體。

今天的敘述者V只開了頭,上午十一點就接到官方通知停班停課,只得草草收場回家。好在及時搞定班上四名團員報名參加八月十八及十九日在花蓮舉辦的第三屆全國一人一故事夏令營TPG3 playback的豐年祭-基花潛力運動會。

聽說暑假二個月,指導老師還會加開二堂課,讓學員能溫故知新,以免九月份新學期開始時,學員把過去所學的看家本事都忘光光了!


第三屆全國一人一故事夏令營

第三屆全國一人一故事夏令營實在是太精彩了,二天一夜的活動數度令人涕泗縱橫,主辦單位的用心,playbackers的熱情參與,身為僅三個月資歷的的我,第一次參加全國一人一故事夏令營,除了吸收江湖老將的經驗、觀摩前輩的演出外,還鍛練了聽故事核心的本事,並且提昇了「你說我演」的技巧,希望以後每屆都有機會能夠參加,與playbackers一起切磋琢磨。

文山婦女團代表四名學員(李向慈、鄭潤梅、陳素瓊、賴苑蓉),是吊車尾報上名的,從七月份報名以來,我們四人幫既期待又興奮,除可到花蓮旅遊外,也可以認識許多playbackers(盒子、知了、這一團、仲花枝玩、南飛、風子、高雄、遊基、一一、女巫、有你、新加坡、中部、你說我演、OOPS 、光腳、左手香)。由於時間緊湊,我們沒有在全國同胞面前宣傳我們團隊,下次一定準備週全,並攜帶文山包種茶,請大家品嚐啦!

花蓮往返台北的火車票秒殺,素瓊到火車站排隊搶票,潤梅的媽媽在花蓮幫我們買票,感謝她們的協助!本次的TPG盛會,天氣晴空萬里,雖偶有午後雷陣雨,但未減遊興。同時段共有五場工作坊,讓人很難取捨,大會服務台備有骰子,提供指點迷津,我選擇了李志強(你說我演)的發現故事的核心及高伃貞(知了)的如何擔當主持人。

8/18下午TPG3五場工作坊,包括:1 蘇慶元(知了) 的象徵的身體,以工作坊的方式,來探索不同層次應用身體的方式, 期盼能夠創作不同的表演思考方式;2 孔胖(一一擬爾、風子) 的塔羅貝克2.0,結合塔羅牌與playback的實驗,使用象徵與直覺來增進playback的演出;3 李志強(你說我演) 的發現故事核心的三種層次,參與者將體驗如何透過故事的本身,從說故事人所表達的語言、情緒以及能量模式,發現「故事的核心」;4 林宗緯、曾靖雯(南飛‧嚼事)的大家一起來失ㄕㄥ!,沒有滔滔不絕,沒有大呼小叫,當嘴巴休假去,我們如何互動、表達、聆聽、演出playback?;5 陳正一(仲花枝玩)的旅行X一人一故事劇場,一人一故事劇場人需要豐厚的生命經驗與體悟,而旅行是接觸不同風俗文化、擴展個人視野、體驗生命的絕佳方法,當兩者相遇了會有什麼火花?

8/19早上TPG3五場工作坊,包括:1 高伃貞(知了)的主持人,學習如何主持,一起思考主持人的認知,演出的前中後需要注意的事項和訪問的形式;2 趙懷玉(一一擬爾)的Welcome to火星,介紹即興劇中火星話相關遊戲,接受點子與提供點子,與伙伴一起即興創創作;3 喬色分(一一擬爾) 的走過創傷與美好,光腳的愛麗絲團體帶領經驗分享;4 蔡莉莉Anne(Tapestry Playback Theatre) 的形式的選擇與適應,探討四元素,一頁頁和調色板(流動塑像進化後的形式);5 陳志軒(知了) 的論文發表「進步或保守:一人一故事於社會議題演出中的侷限」,試圖透過對一人一故事演出的重新檢視,探索一人一故事劇場做為「社會實踐」及行動的可能性,並進一步提出「批判性」的社會議題演出所需要突破的限制,以及重新定義在演出過程中主持人及演員的主體內涵。

第三屆Playback台灣聚會,除了工作坊外,還會有Playback園遊會、Playback運動會、Playback營火晚會、Play&Back閉幕會。有些playbackers 已經提前一星期進駐國軍英雄館 館,走遍花蓮的大街小巷,並且利用機會與花蓮的團隊交流。文山婦女團住國軍英雄館房號517,左右鄰居都非常High,但是我們都已玩累到不行了,無法同樂!最後再次感謝主辦單位的精心規劃,文山婦女團員的相互扶持,為第三屆全國一人一故事夏令營留下美好的回憶!

託花蓮在地人潤梅的福,向民宿的老板租了摩托車,沿著東海岸線從花蓮市中心騎到水璉,希望日後有機會繼續南下走遍「散落在東海岸的珍珠」,從水璉、奇美、港口、真柄、都歷到東河部落,深入了解原住民的傳統手工藝及部落美食。我的奇想就是,到東部Homestay,跟著阿美族獵人到山裡採集食物,到秀姑巒溪放蝦籠、撒八卦網捕魚、利用檳榔葉做餐具,烹煮抓回來的魚蝦,晚上住在傳統的部落茅屋,在星空下唱歌跳舞


一人一故事開課了

今天開始第二期的一人一故事,我最早到,上午九點開始上課時,同學陸續抵達,幾乎有一半是新面孔,今年我交到的新朋友可望破百啦!

暖身活動首先登場的是360˚正逆向交互旋轉,從頭、頸、肩、上半身、下半身、腳、到全身,十分鐘的身體舒展活動,讓人通體暢快。接著是團體的暖身活動-5風捉影,有點像大風吹。所有學員分為五組,分別站在四方形的四角及正中央,當指導老師指示移動時,每組都必須移動,設法佔領四角,無法佔到四角的組別,必須進入中央,認輸一次。每組可以選擇移動或不移動,但不可以連續二次不移動。同組的同學,必須同心協力,才能順利搶到地盤,大夥都玩得很高興。

今天主要是複習前期的上課內容,喚醒學習的表演細胞,一半同學表演跟蹤,另一半同學表演敲門。每三到四位學員一組,每組都有老學員與新學員。三組同學表演跟蹤:狗仔隊跟蹤明星、徵信社跟蹤小三、歹徒跟蹤搶劫巨款提領人;二組同學表演敲門:家人忘了帶鑰匙。經過老師指導如何使用椅子、色布當道具,分析解說各組同學的優缺點,再加上觀察其他組同學的表演後,每組同學第二次的挑戰都更有看性,對即興表演的認知又得以苟日新,日日新。

由於不少同學遠道而來,建議延後到九點半開始上課,我住在新店,騎車十分鐘就可抵達文山婦女中心,很是便利!

敘事者V

我從小就喜歡看故事書,跟著書中的角色,在想像的世界中遨遊,今天造訪小人國,明天到金銀島探險,後天到森林裡看著白雪公主與七個小矮人一起辦家家酒。長大後,我參加國際演講會,練習說故事的技巧,今年我加入一些獨立劇團,練習即興劇及廣播劇,以肢體語言及聲音呈現畫面、表演故事,透過眾人合作學習,提昇人際關係,享後老後黃金歲月。

今天上午九點半打鈴上課,暖身活動為「荷葉上的露珠」,指導老師首先請學員想像自己是一片荷葉搖曳,接著指導老師在每位學員的身上點了一粒露珠,鼓勵大家移動身體,但確保露珠停留在荷葉,最後大家想像自己是一片枯葉在湖水上飄蕩。

接著指導老師直接切入今天的主題-敘事者V,五人排成V字型的展演方式,V頭的學員如同說書人,以簡單的手勢、肢體展現,說出故事,其他V頭二側的四位「幫腔」學員,除複製說故事者的動作,並進一步加大、誇張,彷彿自己就是說故事者一般。當團體僅四人時,可排成失衡的V字型或是菱形,後排的V尾可以站在椅子上,讓自己更顯而易見。

首先指導老師邀請學員當Teller,談到夫妻相處的過程,接著全員分為四組,每組五人。第一組上場嘗試新的敘事者V展演方式,我接受挑戰當樂師,為故事配樂,學習如何傾聽,第一組以青蛙為寓言,演出公蛙與母娃的衝突。第二組說的是王子與公主的故事,表演婚後夫妻的漸行漸遠,並以不同的色布,增加故事的張力。

下課前,指導老師依例請同學們圍成一個圓,大家輪流提出對今天課程的想法。許多同學都表示,聽完Teller說故事後,隨即以第三人稱述說一段隱喻的故事,相當有挑戰性。指導老師請大家放心,下堂課會引導學員說故事。

雖然東方人在肢體及口語表達比西方人含蓄保守,但經由故事接龍遊戲,有人開頭說故事訂場景,接著有人創造角色,再來由學員接二連三製造開啟承轉合的劇情,鼓勵學員踏出第一步,成為V頭的說書人,啟發學員的想像力及提高戲劇的參與度。

雖然踏出第一步,成為V頭說書人,人人自危,但若激發學員的同理心思維,鼓勵夥伴分享學習、討論、刺激多元思考,假以時日定可提昇的團隊一人一故事的展演能力,提昇美感,及對他人的尊重,讓學員更自信、面對挑戰、沒有壓力地表現內心的想法。

下課後,六位學員(四位新學員、二位老學員)相邀共進午餐。文山婦女中心隔壁的義大利料理店Mint,經濟實惠又美味,人滿為患。大夥一面品嚐香噴噴的義大利焗烤,一面討論一人一故事課程的點點滴滴,很有重返小學放學的感覺。


寓言敘事者


今天上午搭六點十分的太魯閣號由花蓮返台北,直接前往文山婦女中心,趕忙拖地板,因為今天我當值日生。上午九點以前就到中心了,早到的好處就是早點讓地板涼乾,大家上課時地板清潔光亮。

上午的暖身活動為「身體移動」,指導老師請學員想像自己的局部身體是一個平面,在空間上下左右自由移動,嘗試以身體的各部位為起始點移動,接著學員們相互接觸身體,在空間並行移動,兩人必須保持身體的接觸,最後指導老師將教室燈光打暗,大家黏在一起移動,在地板上滾動,舒展個人身體,建立團體軀體的連結。

今天的課程直接排成一人一故事的劇場形式,主題是「改變·影響」,同學們三人一組,每人二至三分鐘,輪流敘述生命歷程中的改變及其影響。經由同學的故事,指導老師復習「流動塑像」,接著由學員當teller,講述求學及成長過程,再復習「一對對」及「敘事者V」。

由於「敘事者V」以第三人稱敘事,講述場景及以teller為中心的角色,敘事者描繪故事時,應儘量減少角色間的對話與動作,直接解說角色的所思、所為、所感與所是。以一場五到十分鐘的演出,敘事者應以最經濟的方式,交待故事背景,簡潔地描述主角,敘事者應學習克制,僅用少數幾個描述性用語,預留時間空日給側v,表現主角的情緒及想法,接著導入主角面臨的難題,及解決的過程,展現故事的脈絡,最後,問題獲得圓滿解決。

今天有二組學員演出,我負責其中一組的V頭,但是使用過多的角色間對話,減少了主角的內在衝突。當指導老師提議增加「抒情」層面時,我直覺地唱了「哥哥爸爸真偉大」,如果我能及時切入主題,唱出「只要我長大」,也許更好,或者我可以使用耳熟能詳的兒歌,但是必須修改歌詞,以更符合劇情的需要。另一組的V頭以帶動唱表演整個故事,簡略了「敘事」,指導老師建議側v可以加入語言,以完成故事的結構性。

一人一故事強調演員的同理心,保持開放的心態傾聽teller 內在的心聲,切忌驕傲和懶惰,不能從teller收到片面的信號,沒有探索還未接收到的信號,就枉然導出主題或要點,只作了部分的觀察,得出不成熟的詮釋。敘事者V頭在選擇故事時,應注意避免使用teller的故事的場景,以達到以第三人稱寓言敘事的效果,說明teller如何追尋理想,或是面臨困境,尋求解答,滿足teller想要傳達的「意義與目的」。

下課前,指導老師要求學員圍成圈,玩故事接龍的遊戲,每位學員限定講一到二個字詞,由於同學過度思考,接龍的遊戲數度被打斷。指導老師強調平常多練習放空自己,直覺反應。下課後,六位同學一起午餐時,再次嘗試故事接龍的遊戲,並分享今天上課的心得,大學都覺得很有收獲。下星期的課,指導老師要求學員帶短褲上課,我很好奇會是什麼有玩的一人一故事呢?


情緒與想法

從小到大,我們被教導不可以隨便發脾氣,要懂得控制自己的情緒,不論是高興或是難過,三思而後行,為自己的情緒找到替代想法,沖淡當下的情緒,成為高EQ的人。長久以來壓抑情緒、控制情緒,不被情緒所操控,大多數人已制約地將情緒轉化為想法,為自己的情緒找出口。今天的一人一故事,學習了解情緒,進入情緒,表達情緒,接納別人的情緒,將替代想法回歸初始的情緒,以同理心感受teller的立場。 

為了今天上午的暖身活動,我買了一條桃紅色的短褲,特別放在鞋櫃上,結果竟然忘了帶去上課。還好我穿了一條寛鬆的麻布花褲,可以折起褲管,湊和著上課。沒有短褲的學員,指導老師在長褲的上方,貼上白色的膠帶,以為短褲的標誌。

今天的暖身活動為「蹲馬步」,兩腿打開,重心下沉,腰桿打直,練習印度瑜伽,調息呼吸、調心冥想,以達至身心的合一。接著練習蹲馬步前進,二人一組相互劍擊對方的下肢,如同日本武士宮本武藏與佐佐木小次郎在關門海峽上的巖流島對決,最後大家一起躺在地板上舒展四肢,我感到自己像隻蝴蝶,四肢已變成翅膀,可以跟著氣流,上下舞動。

今天的課程,首先三人一組,述說「高興的事」及「不舒服的事」,我想起今年八月前往張家界旅遊的霸凌事件,雖然我有「不舒服」的情緒,我再三告訴自己要有修養,指導老師解釋想法與情緒的不同。接著有位團員分享年少時一件「高興的事」,二組五名同學,練習敘事者V。大多數同學仍然對當V頭,講述寓言故事持保留的態度。我想如果說故事很難的話,何不我們先找本故事書,由V頭朗讀,側V可以學習當故事的翅膀。

下課後,必須趕赴友人午宴,只好約好同學下次共進午餐,商討一起研讀「寓言故事」的可行性,以提昇團員說故事的能力及表達情緒反應的能力。

自由發揮

今天上午的暖身活動,首先練習外擴與伸展,指導老師請每位學員假想自己是石頭,接著老師交給部分學員色布,鼓勵學員相互移動,接著大家玩「小豬小豬要回家」,遊戲規則類似「大風吹」。全體學員圍成同心圓,中間一人當鬼,學員交互換位前,必須先交換眼神,互相取得認可後,才可換位。中間的鬼可以利用學員們換位的空檔搶佔位子,沒有找到空位的人則變為鬼。本遊戲由於容易引起學員犯規,玩了老半天,大夥還是搞不清楚遊戲規則。

今天的一人一故事主題是「記憶」,首先學員分組,每組四人,討論一段美好的回憶。接著大家練習「自由發揮Free Form」,台上有四名演員,由說故事的人負責選角,指定二名演員分飾主角及配角,其他二至三名演員為忍者。忍者的角色為多功能,可以是人,可以是物件,可以是抽象的想法,可以是環境或氣氛。我們三組分別演出一位學員的兒時記憶,姐妹倆在大學時代,在南部老家的蔗田裡,搭著小火車,與司機一起拍照,學開火車的記憶。我分享的是結婚戒指的故事,從二十多年前買戒指到今天的夫妻生活。

在一人一故事的眾多表演形式中,我最喜歡自由發揮,尤其是忍者的角色,真是天南地北,無所不包,想像可以無遠弗界。除此之外,自由發揮允許演員們二十秒鐘的討論,演員可共同商議故事的核心,決定表演的段落,什麼該強調,什麼該省略,當樂師停止背景音樂時,一人一故事正式上演。

下課後,七位女同學一起到景美捷運站二號出口對面的牛仔部落聚餐,聽著同學分享生活故事,大家一起分享社區的人事地物,沒想到吃吃喝喝直到下午四點半,才背上書包回家。


青澀的歲月

今天上午的暖身活動,首先二人一組練習點/拍、踱/踏、拉/甩的活動,配合音樂的節奏,兩人在空間中自由移動身體。接著指導老師示範歪嘴斜臉的醜臉表情,請同學跟著練習跨張的臉部表情,接著吊著眼睛,身體拖著一條腿跛行,並發出古怪的聲音,感覺好像是在練法國戲劇的Bouffon。但我自知我一直設法迴避其他學員,避免看到他人的窘態,或許我還需要更多的劇場演練,以適應各種角色。

接著老師帶領同學唱歌,陳以生的「青澀的歲月」,並請同學提出歌詞中與自己有連結或感動的字彙,經過了二輪,幾乎所有詞句都被同學挑選了。指導老師請同學二人一組,交換歌詞所引發的心情故事。二組學員(每組五人)首先以流動塑像的形式演出Teller婚後的生活摩擦,接著二組者學員練習「敘事者V」的形式,演出teller婚前的彷徨與不安。指導老師並親身示範「流動塑像」及「敘事者V」,深深打動teller的心,也引起觀看者的共鳴。

我選擇的是「火花」,因為最近對移民花東感到嚮往,開始大量閱讀移居花東地區作家的小說及散文,讀到林宜澐的「晾著」,讓我拍手叫絕,真希望自己的想法及筆法也可以如此行雲流水,出乎讀者的意料。我的二人小組學員,聽了我的故事,但是感受不到「火花」,或許我的「說故事能力」寫實不足,寫意過多,讓人摸不著邊。


青澀的歲月 陳以生
還剩多少時光 還有多少彷徨 现在未来交叉 伴随着挣扎
點燃心中火花 燃盡所有牽掛 即使天雨路滑 也不會害怕
我背起行囊 我回顧以前的荒唐 喔 怎能遺忘
這夏夜的晚風 吹進我心田 有點滴傷悲
那青澀的歲月 永遠不後悔 我依然選擇這一切


今天指導老師另有要公,提前半小時下課,七位女同學(三位新夥伴)再次相約到景美捷運站二號出口對面的牛仔部落聚餐,同學們除了分享心情故事外,也再次練習當頭V及側V,重新演出課堂上的一人一故事,希望能一而再、再而三的改善表演的動作,提昇自己的演技,堷養更藝術化的肢體,更精準的美學動作,更深入演譯故事。跟「一人一故事」的學員一起話家常,自然會以「一人一故事」的方式進行,了解teller的情緒及生理反應,透過想像的表演,相互支持及安撫,課後的「在餐廳的一人一故事」時光,快樂且短暫,啦啦喳喳地聊到下午三點半。

回想今年四月第一次走進一人一故事的教室,開始學習聆聽他人的生命故事,學習貼近說故事人的生活經驗,學習提昇詮釋與轉化的多向性,讓觀眾看到說故事的人,看到演員,也看到自己。十一月八日(星期四)晚上「即興真實人生」讀書會,由譯者李志強先生導讀,我希望能認識一人一故事劇場的新朋友,一起積極參與社會的共存共榮!

即興真實人生


If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas. ~ George Bernard Shaw (1856 7 26–1950 11 2)

今天上午在家努力K了一人一故事劇場創始人Jo Salas所著「即興真實人生(improvising real life)」,希望晚上參加譯者李志強先生導讀的讀書會時,不致於一問三不知。

今晚第一次到一人一故事劇場協會位於台北市林森北路的大樓,那是一棟屬於台北市政府文化局的三層建築,租借給各式各樣的劇團。二樓的排練場,鋪有黑色橡膠的地板及整面牆壁的鏡子,是今晚讀書會的場所。

開場時,志強說明翻譯即興真實人生的過程,三位譯者如何分工合作,一而再三的校稿,使本書的文字及關念前後統一。譯書的版權費有限,三位譯者一分,每本所得有限,志強再次感謝今晚讀書會的成員及購書。

接著,我們圍成一圈,志強給我們每人一張玩具紙鈔,讓我們玩換錢的遊戲,接著大家在紙鈔的背面寫下自己對一人一故事的問題,然後大家交接寫上問題的紙鈔,志強詢問大家交換玩具紙鈔及寫上問題的紙鈔的不同感受,接著志強分享愛爾蘭劇作家蕭伯納 (George Bernard Shaw) 對集思廣益的看法,點出一人一故事的精神。<你和我各有一個蘋果,如果我們交換蘋果的話,我們還是祇有一個蘋果。但當你和我各有一個想法,我們交換想法的話,我們就都有兩個想法了。原文:"If you have an apple and I have an apple, and we exchange apples, we both still only have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea, and we exchange ideas, we each now have two ideas. ">

今晚文山婦女中心有二名學員參加讀書會,小草和我。我們沒有事先約好,且我倆是今晚讀書會最資淺的成員(最資深的成員自二○○四年已入團),小草和我不約而同,加入「如何建立一人一故事的夢幻團隊」的四人小組,其他二組為「形式的意義」及「真實與藝術之別」。三組學員把握時間與讀書會成員交換意見,並將想法以圖文並茂的方式呈現在海報上,三組分別報告結論。

我很高興參加了「如何建立一人一故事的夢幻團隊」小組,因為解答就在即興真實人生第九章及第十章,好巧不巧參加讀書會前,我只讀完第八章,今晚的讀書會等於讓我讀完了Jo Salas所著的即興真實人生,並與十二位一人一故事劇場人交換心得想法,真是滿載而歸。

後記:我計畫於今年十一月加入一人一故事劇場協會,希望明年文山婦女中心可以成團,除了定期團練外,也可以走進社區的每個角落,在不同的場域裡做中學,鍛鍊自己的同理心及創造力,提昇演出的美學與質感,加強團隊的默契與向心力,以回饋tellers及觀眾,成就個人於社會中的自我價值。

寫實與風格


今天上午的暖身活動,練習眼神的觀注,首先身體不動,用眼神在地上畫圓或方,接著加大半徑在地上畫圓或方,接著用手臂伸長移動身體,目光注視手指,在空間畫圓或方,接著加大半徑在空中畫圓或方。

今天不少學員請假,只有十二位同學出席,大家一起玩「枕枕相依」的活動,學員分別將頭枕在別人的肚臍上,如同躺下的疊羅漢。指導老師打暗燈光後,第一位學員開始學習日本武士用丹田呼嘯「哈」,下位學員必須逐次增加呼嘯數,如果有人呼嘯次數錯誤,則必須重來。據說,這是練習集中傾聽的好方法。

接著面對面分站二列,以眼神報數。由於許多學員平日不常與人目光接觸,報數的速度緩慢。接著大家任意移動,閉眼報數,如果二人重覆報數時,必須重來,結果僅有一次,由一報到十二。接著四人一組面對面,練習情緒接球,包括恐懼、生氣、噁心、羞愧。當我演出噁心後,看到三位同學的模仿時,好像看到三面不同鏡子的情緒反射,內心裡有很大的震撼!

接著學員二人一組,學習色布及椅子的使用,首先以彈性布表達二人的情感糾結,接著以透明紗布演出夢中情境,椅子就來表示位階的高低與個性的強弱。接著由一位學員當teller,述說兄弟感情之事,演練一人一故事的自由發揮,但沒有選角。第一組以寫實的手法演出後,第二組由指導老師教授以風格方式呈現,結果一個接著一個賺人熱淚的故事發生,如同人與人的相遇、情感的投射,從對方身上找到量、找到不同生命的滋養,應是一人一故事最高的境界。

指導老師希望我們多吸收表演的手法,我覺得除了課堂的學習,課外的演出也很重要。透過劇場於社區的實踐,更能提昇演員的自信並增加臨場的靈感。今天指導老師補上星期的課,延後半小時下課,六位同學(一位新加入的男夥伴)再次相約到景美捷運站二號出口對面的牛仔部落聚餐,同學們除了討論未來成立一人一故事劇團的方案外,也了解部分學員走進一人一故事教室的機緣,課後的「在餐廳的一人一故事」時光雖短,卻有意義,牛仔部落最近生意好像好了許多。


一人一故事一家人

文山婦女中心一人一故事的課程預訂於下星期二結束,適巧我報名參加金融人員特訓,所以今天是今年最後一次在文山婦女中心上一人一故事的課程,當然要更認真地學習,讓指導老師及同學留下美好的印象與回憶!

上午的暖身活動,大家首先圍成圈,閉上眼睛,慢步向圓心移動,直到大夥都擠在一起後,再慢步向外移動,直到碰到牆壁,睜開眼睛,利用眼神找到夥伴。接著配合音樂,閉著眼睛移動,音樂停止時,睜眼找夥伴。

接著大家再度圍成圓圈,利用眼神找到夥伴後,口傳「我愛你」接力,接著玩「我愛你」的換位遊戲。最後玩搶救夥伴的遊戲,大家都很努力地躲著鬼,也很努力地搶救夥伴。

今天有十六位同學出席,首先四人一組,三人圍成圈,一人在圈內或圈外,練習「時光」、「迷失」、「慌亂」、「不和諧」。接著二組練習流動塑像,二組練習寫實及風格的自由發揮。今天說故事的學員選我當主角,我很高興有機會嘗試風格式的自由發揮,雖然我的表情做到了哀傷,而且也熱淚盈眶,但是我的身體仍然過於僵硬,指導老師建議我還要降低身段,還需練習集中,培養同理心,演出才能更打動人心,引起說故事人的共鳴。

下課後,一共七位同學,還有一位眷屬,相約到一位外號為富太太的同學位於紅樹林的溫泉渡假別墅,歡唱卡拉OK及泡溫泉直到日落西山,才搭捷運回家,真是美好的一天。


註:一人一故事的表演型式包括 流動塑像轉型塑像 三句話 三段落 一對對 自由發揮 ,大合唱 拼貼

2015/09/07

プレイバックシアターの体験

プレイバックシアターの体験 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/プレイバックシアター

プレイバックシアターは、観客や参加者が自分の体験したできごとを語り、それをその場ですぐに即興劇として演じる(プレイバックする)独創的な即興演劇。芸術的な側面を持つ一方で、その場で演じるもの(アクター)、語るもの(テラー)、観るもの(観客)が、共感や知恵、勇気や癒しをもたらされることになる。そのため、劇場の舞台はもちろん、ワークショップや教育の場、臨床や治療現場など広く活用されている。

人はだれでも語りたい、感じている、考えているという信念のもと、意識的に様々な観客の前で、その方の体験した話(ストーリー)を募り、それを即興で演じた。観客とは、子どもや高齢者、あらゆる年齢層の町の人々、囚人、精神障害者であった。その活動を通じ、プレイバックシアターとしての基礎の形や様々な手法を作り上げていった。

プレイバックシアターの中心となる手法。個人的体験のインタビューをもとにアクターが即興劇を演じる。舞台準備の間などの即興音楽や、テラー(語った人)とコンダクター(指揮進行役)の会話なども重要な要素。

動く彫刻(ちょうこく)
起承転結のある体験ではなく、ある瞬間のテラーの気持ちや体験を再現する。短い手法の中では最も頻繁に演じられる。

ペアズ
コンダクターの質問に対して、会場に座ったままのテラーが「同時に抱く異なる二つの感情」を語る。語られた二つの対照的な感情や相反する気持ちを二人一組になったアクターがそれぞれに立ち位置を固定したまま演じる。

タブロー
テラーの話で五つの場面構成とタイトルを考えたコンダクターの語りにあわせ、まるで静止画のようにアクターは五つの場面を作る。ミュージシャンが雰囲気を情感豊かに表現することで静止画がぐっと生きてくる。

ナラティブV
舞台上にVの字型に並んだアクターの最前列者が、テラーが語ったストーリーを「物語」として三人称で語りなおす。それに伴った自然な動き。後ろのアクターもそれに続く。

スリー・パーツ・ストーリー
3人のアクターがストーリーを3分割し、順番に一人ずつ舞台を大きく使いながら演技し、自分が演じ終わったら彫刻のように静止する。最後に3人のアクターで構成された1枚の絵のようになって終わる。

コーラス
複数のアクターが同時に声と身体と動きを同じように使って表現する。アクターは、個としても集合体の一部としても存在しつつ、高揚感を持って動く。

ユニオンジャック
ユニオンジャックに使われている矩形と対角線を舞台上に想定し、アクター全員がその線上を移動しながら演じる。アクターの動きに多様性が持ち込め、ダイナミックなステージとなる。

パペット
人形劇のようなイメージで、人間の代わりに「物」が動き、アクターはそれにせりふをつける。舞台中央に簡単な幕を設置し、アクターたちはその後ろに身を隠している。

コラージュ
アクターは横に並んでたつ。ストーリーをいくつかの断片に分け、その断片ごとのストーリーを短く演じる。一つの断片を演じ終えるとアクター全員が静止する。

プレイバックシアターを上演する主な形式としてパフォーマンスとワークショップがある。 いずれの場合も基本要素となるものは観客、テラー、コンダクター、アクター、ミュージシャンそして舞台空間である。 舞台空間には、観客からストーリーを募り、インタビューするコンダクター、それを演じるアクター、ミュージシャンが存在している。

パフォーマンスは、一般的に、コンダクター、アクター、ミュージシャンからなるカンパニー(劇団)によって上演される。60分から90分の時間帯で行われることが多い。観客数は、10人あまりの少人数から照明や音響装置のある小劇場空間で300人という場合まである。

ワークショップは、コンダクター一人で、あるいはコンダクターと何人かのアシスタントで運営される。参加者は、テラーにも、アクターにも、ミュージシャンにも、ときとしてコンダクターにも、もちろん観客にもなる。時間枠は数時間のものから数日間のものまで様々。参加人数は10人から20人が望ましいとされる。

2015/09/02

My Robot Husband--C4

"Honey, I'm home," I opened the door. A pair of slippers were in front of me with my loyal robot husband bowing to me on his knees. "Welcome home, sweetheart," said my husband.

Fellow Toastmasters, good afternoon! Are you happily married? Do you want to be happily married? Joy shared is twice the joy! Today, I want to tell you the secret of my marriage. Firstly, let's hear what my husband has to say!

My name is ROBOT, an acronym for really outstanding boy of technology, entertainment, design. It should be Robo TED, or Roboted. I don't want to be the past tense. Just call me Robot! I am programmed and empowered by my Master Sherry, or shall I say my Mistress Sherry. She took me home, married me, and has made me who I am now. We were happily married after love at the first sight.

During the first tenty years, I was programed to perform two functions, to make money and to make love. During the day, I worked for challenging jobs with precision and accuracy with good pay. At night, "When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we'll see. No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me." Sherry was a frenetic Toastmaster. She was so much into leadership. So she led in bed, I followed. She was satisfied, I was happy.

Ten years ago, Sherry decided to reprogram me. She switched the love making funtion to peace making. She is still a frenetic Toastmaster, but much more interested in communication. At night, we practice in bed, "I love you. Ich liebe dish. Je t'aime", only oral, no body languages.

As for the future, I don't know when Mistress Sherry will reprogram me, but I certainly look forward to whatever she bestows upon me. Maybe I can regain my functions of musculinity, I keep my fingers crossed! Thank you for having me here!

I was single and fun loving. One midnight I was on my way home after a crazy party, suddenly out of the blue, I found a blue creature along the road. I was given a map. Before I took any action, I found myself in front of a warehouse full of robots. They all looked at me in their pleading eyes, take me home. I found one at the corner. We pledged our love and kissed each other on the spot.

Given the fact that my encounter with my robot husband was a stoke of luck, I enjoy our intimate, nurturing, lengthy relationship. No in-laws, no two timers, no jealousy, no betrayal are between us, only 1 and 0. From I to We, I know myself better through my robot husband, the ture reflection of myself in him. I cherish the precious gadget of artificial intelligence, breakfast in bed, handy at housekeeping, no talking back. And I am happier each and everyday!

Robert Frost said, two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. It applys to the marriage life of me and my robot husband. Robot or not, happy marriage is about self-awareness and personal growth to take a chance, to achieve a goal, and to make a difference. So, be happy, be a happy better half to a human or to a robot! Contest Master!

2015/08/17

パラダイムの変遷--C3


皆さん、こんにちは。先月二十二日に台湾李登輝元総統は日本国会議員会館で台湾のパラダイムの変遷について特別講演をされました。ご覧になった方は手を挙げてください。李先生が唱えられた台湾のパラダイムの変遷は中国式の「託古改制」の思想から台湾の「脱古改新」にしようということでした。

今日は台湾の民主改革の話ではなく、パラダイムの変遷についてお話をしたいと思います。パラダイムというのは、自然科学の概念を応用して、ある時代に支配的な物の考え方や認識の枠組みのことです。変遷は推移、転換と変革ということです。私は初めてパラダイムの変遷という言葉を聞いた時は、二十何年前のある新薬開発の論壇でした。あの時から、ずっとパラダイムの変遷に興味を持っています。

自然科学で、一番有名なパラダイムの変遷は地球中心説から太陽中心説への変遷です。コペルニクス(Copernicus)は十五世紀のポーランド出身の天文学者であり、カトリック司祭であり、当時主流だった地球中心説を覆す太陽中心説を唱えました。自然科学の発展に大きく貢献しました。

人間の脳は硬いものです。幼い時から、受け入れたイデオロギーはなかなか変えづらいものですが、時代が変わった時、文明が衝突した時、逆境にぶつかった時には、パラダイムの変遷の契機となります。

時代が変わった時と言えば、現代の人間関係を見ますと、片親家庭、同性結婚、未婚で子供を生むなど、目も眩むばかりの多元社会になりました。そして、電気通信やロボットを開発するにつれて、将来人間と一緒に親しく暮らすロボットの義務と権利はどうなるのでしょうか。遺産相続の相手になれるのでしょうか。これはパラダイムの変遷の契機となります。

文明が衝突した時と言えば、宗教の違いとか、カルチャーのギャップとか、経済や知識の格差など、武力紛争がある世界で暮らしている我々は、どうやって、公平な世界、公正な世界、博愛的な世界を作ることができるのでしょうか。別々の国の人間として、基本的人権を手に入れるのでしょうか。これもパラダイムの変遷の契機となります。

逆境や困難にぶつかった時や、期待が外れた時は、自分の考え方と認識の枠組みを変える時です。危機は転機です。成長するチャンスです。失敗から立ち直ったら、経験になります。失敗に対するパラダイムの変遷の契機となります。

これからの台湾のパラダイムの変遷は、単なる台湾と中国との関係だけにとどまりません。台湾の人々は地球人の一員として、自然環境を守るためや、世界の平和に貢献するためや、宇宙の開発を提携したりするための、立派な目標をたてて、世界の人々と一緒に頑張ることができれば、最高のパラダイムの変遷だと思います。

最後に、皆さんにお聞きしたいですが、バナナをどのように召し上がりますか。いつものように、違う端から、試して見ましょう。ちょっとした気分転換ができるかも知れませんよ。

2015/08/06

Taiwan BioBank--C2

Fellow Toastmasters and friends, Good Afternoon!

Welcome and thank you for your interest in Taiwan BioBank, a research project sponsored by Taiwan Academia Sinica to look into the future. This project has by far been the biggest and longest project, a 5-year research project from 2012-2017 to include 200,000 volunteers.

In Taiwan, we are now challenged with more and more citizens with chronic diseases, such as cancers, cardiovascular dieases, diabetes. It is important that we know how to prevent the diseases and to detect the dieases at early stages. With the genes pool of 200,000 volunteers in Taiwan, scientists and doctors can conduct researches and made predictions to help Taiwanese citizens stay healthy!

We are Homo sapiens, by our appreances, yes! In fact, we are coded in our genes, from our parents! A gene is a segment of DNA that encodes biological function. DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid, stores biological information. The double helix DNA strands have four nucleobases, cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A), or thymine (T), with the base pairing rules (A with T, and C with G) two separate polynucleotide strands to make double-stranded DNA. DNA strands work as a template RNA strand (guanine, uracil, adenine, and cytosine), then translate to specify the sequence of amino acids.

Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species and later introduced basic mechanism of evolution through natural selection resulting in the diversity of life. The first human appeared 70 thousands years ago in Africa. Throughout years, the genes mutated to fit the environment and to cause diseases.

Angelina Jolie, one of the most beautiful women on earth, made a choice to remove both of her breasts and ovaries at age of 39, because the blood test revealed that she carried a mutation in the gene and gave her an estimated 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer. She lost her mother, grandmother and aunt to cancer. She took the preventive measures with the knowledge of her genes.

At the moment, there are genes pools in Iceland, England, Japan, Estonia, US, Germany, and Canada. I welcome you to join Taiwan genes pool, if you age is between 30 and 70. Angelina can't join Taiwan genes pool, because she is not a Taiwanese and she was diagnosed with cancers. After you join Taiwan BioBank, your blood will be tested and you will be offered a gift of NT$500 Family Mark Coupon!

Please rise, extend both hands to reach out to your neighbors! Let's join hands to build a healthy society by pooling our genes together. You and I can help ourselves and our future generations detect and treat the diseases at early stages, if not to prevent the diseases! Now, please be seated!

Thank you again for having me here and I look forward to your participation in Taiwan Biobank, Toastmaster of the Day!

2015/07/19

Division J Club Officers Training

It was a productive and fruitful Division J Club Officers Training on a rainy Sunday afternoon, July 19th, in terms of Distinguished Club Performance (DCP) and toastmasters networking. Four club officers from MOFA Toastmasters and four club officers from Pacific Toastmasters participated in the training. CDE President Fanny Hsu and I (on behalf of MVP Lucy Wang) represented CDE Toastmasters!

During the group discussion, I joined MVP (Membership Vice President) group to network with many outstanding and enthusiastic MVPs. I like the acronym MVP (Most Valuable Player) in stead of VPM (Vice President Membership)!

Division J is a composed clubs of Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, Japanese. Mandarin is the official language for club officers training. The conclusion of MVP is, as followed, categorized into three targets, how to recruit new members, how to reconnect with inactive members, and how to retain active members.

(一)新會員
1. 宣傳單門口告示欄
2. 獎勵現有會員邀請新朋友
3. 熱情主動接待來賓
(二)舊會員
1. 打電話聯絡感情
2. 重溫舊夢
3. 餐敘聯誼
(三)現有會員
1. 隨時更新整理會員名單
2. 打氣加油啦啦隊
3. 善用社群 (FB, Line)

After the training, it was raining cats and dogs. I joined District 67 Trio for dinner at a Chiense restaurant 十里安 (literally Ten Miles Safety) with incumbent Division J Director and Immediate Past Division J Governor. What a Sunday of a lot of sweet memories!

2015/07/16

外交部トーストマスターズクラブ日本語部通信7月号

2015年第1回外交部バイリンガルTMC例会が7月16日に、行われました。会議前、会員の皆様は、「ふるさと」という日本の歌を斉唱しました。そして、会長の黄水益様は開会にあたり、主催者として、一言ご挨拶を申し上げました。司会担当のハヤシ・ライスは、トーストマスターズ豆知識に花を咲かせてから、会議を始め、タイマーや集計係などによるご報告の後、スムーズに指定演説に入りました。

マニュアルスピーカーは、蔡緯中様、李向慈様及び林展弘様の三人様です。三人様はそれぞれ、「自己紹介」、「還暦と私」及び「旅行と私」をテーマにし、レベルC1、C1及びC5を挑戦してみました。デビューした蔡緯中様は、始めの時やや緊張してか、一時話が止まりましたが、スピーチの途中で、段々要領が得たように、アイスブレーカーとして完璧な演説を遂げました。日本語の造詣が深い向慈様は、自分を例として、さわやかな口調で、六十路に突っ込む人生を生き生きと語りました。取りを務めたのは、経験豊かな旅行者である林展弘様です。旅行を通じて、各国の人々を触れ合うとともに、視野を広げました。まさに、「可愛い子には旅を行かせよ」。
会例会の後半は、感謝儀式や交代式などの特別行事が行われました。その後、陳清南博士が四方山話として自分の留学経験について分かち合いした。論評コーナーには、論評者は、津村葵様、黄伝尹様及び李忠雄様の三人様です。最後に、孫秀先生と陳信良様がそれぞれ言語講評と総合講評を担当してくださいました。どなたでも日本語が達者であり、貴重なご意見と丁寧なご指導いただいきました。

黄会長は、会議終わりのご挨拶として、「ふるさと」を再び斉唱するよう提議し、うれしい歌声の中、会議が円満にお開きになりました。実りのある一日でした。(トーストマスター ハヤシ・ライス)

旅行と私 林展弘 アイスブレーカスピーチ
皆さん、こんにちは。今日は旅行の話をさせていただきます。旅行と言えば、皆さん、何を思い浮かべますか?観光名所をめぐって写真を撮りまくって、その国ならではのグルメを堪能するイメージかもしれません。もちろん、それも旅行の一環なんですが、私にとって旅行はその土地のすべてを知るという大切な学習時間なんです。私は高校時代、特進クラスに属していましたので、数学や物理など理系の科目しか勉強しませんでした。大学に入ってから日本語を勉強し始めましたが、日本の地理や歴史について何も知りませんでした。でも、京都に一年間留学したお陰で、私はたくさんの友達と知り合って、彼らと一緒に日本を旅行したことによって、私は日本に対する認識がかなり深まりました。百聞は一見に如かずというのは、まさにこういうことです。

私は去年生まれて初めてアメリカに行って来ました。初めてのアメリカ旅行だったので、目に映るすべてが新鮮で胸が踊るばかりでした。ニューヨークの高層ビルは想像以上に壮観的でしたし、マサチューセッツ州の紅葉は色鮮やかで思わず息を飲みました。それに、ボストンの遺跡を辿って私はアメリカの独立戦争のことを初めて知りました。

外国語を身につけるためにも、旅行は欠かせません。現地の人と触れ合わないとコミュニケーションの能力が身につきません。アメリカにいたとき、ある日電車に乗る前に道の傍らにある屋台でコーヒーを注文しました。すると、How would you like your coffeeと聞かれて戸惑いました。あなたのコーヒー、どう、好きですか、、、。私はしばし考えたあと、I like it very muchと見当違いの返事をしました。ネイティブの人にとっては極日常的な会話ですが、学校では必ずしも学べません。私はあと数日でフランスに旅立ちますが、この一ヶ月間、語学センターの集中講義に参加して、フランス語を猛勉強しています。現地で少しでも使えたらいいなと思います。これからも旅行を通じて自分の視野を広げていきたいと思います。ご清聴ありがとうございました。

お知らせ
ディビジョン J クラブ役員研修会がが7月19日に、無事に行運ばれました。外交部バイリンガルトーストマスターズクラブが四人の役員が出席し、DCP 0.5点を取りました。今年度の予定はDCPゴル9点を目指すつもりです。会員の皆さんは、これから、一緒に頑張りましょう。

外外交部バイリンガルトーストマスターズクラブ日本語ミーティングは、毎月1回第3木曜日に外交部にて例会を行います。次回は、8月20日(木)。見学は自由です。どうぞお気軽にお越しください。


お問合せ先
会長 黃水益syihuang1960@gmail.com
教育副会長 李向慈 sherryli.ms@gmail.com
会員副会長 陳信良nitakayama2005@gmail.com
広報副会長 林佾靜 yiclin@mofa.gov.tw
秘書長 陳清南chingnan0410@gmail.com
秘書 津村葵aoitsumu@hotmail.com
事務長 林展弘linchanghong1017@gmail.com
財務長 王林郁翔 kettn0504@gmail.com
前會長 葉嘉華wyeh@mofa.gov.tw

2015/07/12

還暦と私--C1

時間の経つのは速いものです。今年で還暦を迎えている私には感謝の気持ちが胸にいっぱいあります。一秒、一秒、六十年間をあっという間に、過ごして来ました。今日は心をこめて、自分の六十年間の小さいな物語を三つに分けて、述べさせて頂きます。

人生最初の二十年間は家族愛の二十年です。父と母からたくさんの愛をもらって、人生の価値観と生きがいを深く受け入れました。長女の私は1955年に生まれ、四人兄弟がいます、妹が二人と弟が一人います。父と母は二人とも中国大陸から参りました、嘉義市内にある軍人の村で、貧しく穏やかな生活を送りました。今父と母はきっと天国で私のことを見守っていると信じてます。

二十歳から、四十歳まで、人生に一番成長した時期です。大学卒業、アメリカ留学、就職、結婚、転職など、その二十年間は夫婦愛の二十年です。主人は私より一つ上です。同じ中学校に通ってから、いつも故郷の話題を分かち合って、最高なパートナーだと思います。

四十歳から今まで、日本語の勉強をし始め、日本までも留学して、人生が大きく変わってきました。その二十年間は同士愛の二十年とも言えます。特に、トーストマスターズのおかげで、英語を始め、そして、日本語にも精通し、たくさん国内と海外の親友ができて、多彩な人生に恵まれてきました。

私は自分の長生きことを信じてます。120歳まで、生きられます。これから、どうやって老後生活を挑んでいきますか。まず、心身を鍛えざる得ないことです。生涯学習には、本を読んだり、スピチをしたり、友達と食事したり、おしゃべりしたりします。充実な日々を楽しんでいくつもりです。

そして、コミュにティ団結と国際平和に仕えて、社会貢献にお役に立てば幸いです。例えば、トーストマスターズクラブの若い会員と付き合い、世界のトーストマスターズメンバーと協力して、刑務所ボラを支えて行くことです。

最後に、今年七月から外交部日本語トーストマスターズクラブの教育担当を務めさせていただき、皆さんと一緒に努力して、 外交部トーストマスターズをよりいっそう優しい学習環境と卓越クラブを作り、プレジデンツディスティングィッシュトクラブを目指しましょう。

2015/06/27

Up the Yangtze

By three methods we can learn wisdom: First by reflection, which is noblest; second by imitation, which is easiese; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. ~ Confucius
子曰:「生而知之者,上也;學而知之者,次也;困而學之,又其次也;困而不學,民斯為下矣。」《論語·季氏第十六》

I took my first cross-country cruise on Princess with golden ladies last September. It was such a joyful experience, I made it a plan to aboard a cruise every year, preferably with Toastmasters, say to organize a joint Toastmasters meeting between Japan and Taiwan on Princess. While enjoying the delicious food, we could have plenty time toastmastering.

After watching Up the Yangtzu* directed by Yung Chang (張僑勇), I thought I must board Victoria at least once in my life time, to see the beautiful scenery along Yangtzu River--the longest river in China.

I searched on-line immediately to see how many cruise liners running along Yangtzu. Take Victoria Cruises, there are Victoria Anna, Victoria Grace, Victoria Jenna, Victoria Katarina, Victoria Lianna, Victoria Sophia, and Victoria Selina. I like Victoria Sophia the best, firstly, the Victoria Sophia is the flagship for Victoria's upgraded fleet, secondly, the Chinese name of Victoria Sophia is "the Dipper", last but not the least, Up the Yangtzu was filmed on Victoria Sophia!

The old famous three gorges was replaced by modern Three Gorges Dam completed and fully functional as of July 4, 2012. I wonder what Li Bai** (701-762), the Immortal Poet, would say, if he could get on board of the Victoria. I won't see the three gorges of the past for sure, because they are under the water, but I still want to see the three gorges because of Li Bai.

Remarks:
沿江而上榮獲二○○八年金馬獎最佳紀錄片。
** 李白 下江陵  "朝辭白帝彩雲間,千里江陵一日還。 兩岸猿聲啼不盡,輕舟已過萬重山。"

2015/06/16

Prison Movies and Books

In order to understand more about prisons, officers, and criminals, I’ve watched at least 20 prison movies in the past two month. Some of them are brutual (The Experiment, Law Abiding Citizen), some of them are touching (The Green Mile, The Longest Yard) , some of them are hilarious (Big Stan).

Gridiron Gang is a touching movie, based on a true story about kids at the Camp Kilpatrick, LA County Probation Department. The supervisor and former football player Sean Porter sees the lack of discipline, self-esteem, union and perspective in the teenage interns and proposes to prepare a football team to play in one league to fill their void. With the support of his superiors, he coaches and leads the kids to become mentally tough by playing football together. His successful experience changes the lives of many young kids at the detention center.

True Notebooks: A Writer's Year at Juvenile Hall by Mark Salzman was touching about juvenile delinquents. Mark taught at a writing class for boys at LA’s Central Juvenile Hall in 1977, a lockup for violent teenage offenders, including thoses charged with murders. The redemptive power of writing gives the boys a chance to come to terms with their crime-ridden pasts and searching for a reason to believe in their future selves.

In the US, the juvenile halls are filled with gangsters kids from minorities, black, hispatic, orientals. In a more homogenous society in Taiwan, the kids at detention centers are mainly from broken families. Likewise in the world, quite a few are gangsters kids.

It is a serendipity to know another dimension of the real world through prison volunteers. I felt blissful when I conducted a book reading of True Notebooks at Taipei City Library Wanhua Branch Saturday morning, May 23rd.

2015/06/15

Make a Difference--Prison Volunteers

In less than a week, Toastmasters from District 67 will hold two consecutive demo meetings in Mandarin for prison officers at Taipei Juvenile Detention Center Monday and Tuesday, June 22nd and 23rd. Hopefully the prison volunteers initiatives will be accepted and recognized by the Ministry of Justice, so that prison volunteers can appy the communication and leadership skills they acquire in Toastmasters to help incarcerated people at juvenile detention centers and prisons in Taiwan. Toastmasters don't give up upon themselves, let alone kids at the centers or on the streets.

For juvenile detention centers in Taiwan, we can adopt Youth Leadership Program and we can charter gavel clubs for juveniles. It is not a dream to organize a speech contest for kids at detention centers if we coach them how to organize their thoughts, control their fears and emotions, face failtures, stand up from where they fall, and eventually gain self-esteem. It would be the ultimate goal to organize a speech contest outside the detention centers to give those who once make a wrong choice in life to turn into winners of their own and prove to the outside world that they are worthy and to win respect from family and friends again.

There are now over 100 juveniles incarcerated at Taipei Juvenile Detention Center. They are dividied into four classes, including one for girls and one for high-risk offenders. Like all juvies around the world, many incarcerated juveniles have mental retardation, learning disabilities, and emotional disturbances. For more information about the surroundings of Taipei Juvenile Detention Center, please see the mircofilm produced by Taipei Juvenile Detention Center.

In American criminal justice systems a youth detention center, also known as a juvenile detention center (JDC), juvenile hall or, more colloquially as juvy, is a secure residential facility for young people, often termed juvenile delinquents, awaiting court hearings and/or placement in long-term care facilities and programs. Juveniles go through a separate court system, the juvenile court, which sentences or commits juveniles to a certain program or facility. There are 120,000 juveniles incarcerated in detention centers across the United States. Upon release, 75% will either retrun to prison or die on the street.

Toastmasters training is proven to reduce recidivism in the US. Let's join hands to help incarcerated juveniles and adults learn communication and leadership skills in Toastmasters and become better persons in the society.

2015/06/13

China Toastmasters Club's 30th Anniversary

Golden ladies were invited to China Toastmasters Club's 30th Anniversary to perform Mamma Mia Parody Saturday evening, June 13th.

MC: We are about to see a grand show by sexy and spicy golden ladies. Please turn on the flash lights of your smart phones. I give you "Mamma Mia Parody".

Lights off~

Daughter (singing from the back of the hall): I have a dream, a song to sing, to help me cope with anything. If you see the wonder of a fairy tale, you can take the future even if you fail. I believe in angels, something good in everything I see (walking on stage). I have a dream, a song to sing!

Lights on~ (Golden standing on stage in position)

Daughter: I'm getting married. Mamma mia is so excited to invite all her best friends to my wedding party. They have a song to sing, Super Trouper.

Mamma Mia and Friends (Singing and Dancing): Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me, but I won't feel blue, like I always do, 'cause somewhere in the crowd there's you. I was sick and tired of everything when I called you last night from Glasgow, all I do is eat and sleep and sing, wishing every show was the last show (Wishing every show was the last show). So imagine I was glad to hear you're coming (Glad to hear you're coming), suddenly I feel all right (And suddenly it's gonna be), and it's gonna be so different when I'm on the stage tonight. Tonight the Super Trouper lights are gonna find me, shining like the sun (Sup-p-per Troup-p-per), smiling, having fun (Sup-p-per Troup-p-per), feeling like a number one. Tonight the Super Trouper beams are gonna blind me, but I won't feel blue (Sup-p-per Troup-p-per) like I always do (Sup-p-per Troup-p-per), 'cause somewhere in the crowd there's you.

Daughter: Yes, I do, I do, I do. I found the secret diary of Mamma Mia. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, five romatic evenings with five gentlemen. (Five gentlemen* with masks on walking on stage) They all want to give me away together. Mamma Mia, I thank you for your love. Please pursue your dream from now on. Let's give a warm round of applause to welcome Mamma Mia to perform Mamma Mia.

Mamma Mia and Friends (Singing and Dancing): I been cheated by you since I don't know when, so I made up my mind, it must come to an end. Look at me now, will I ever learn? I don't know how but I suddenly lose control. There's a fire within my soul. Just one look and I can hear a bell ring. One more look and I forget everything. Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Mamma mia (Daughter and Fathers with masks on clapping hands), here I go again. My my, how can I resist you? Mamma mia (Daughter and Fathers with masks on clapping hands) , does it show again. My my, just how much I've missed you? Yes, I've been brokenhearted, blue since the day we parted. Why, why did I ever let you go? Mamma mia (Daughter and Fathers with masks on clapping hands) , now I really know. My my, I could never let you go.

Ending Pose, Group Photo~

Remarks:
* Originally, Mamma Mia Parody was to mock past District 67 Governors in a funny way, George B.(ush) (Yen), Eric C.(lapton) (Liang), Mike J.(ackson) (Yang), Harry F.(onda) (Fong) would be called upon, but we cancelled the scene to make the show as smoothly as possible. The musical turned out to be a blast with the full support of the audience. The silvery A-Go-Go costumes of the 70's were stunning! Five gentlemen were called upon at the last minute to wear masks to hide their identities. They added much fun and mysteries to make Mamma Mia Parody another memorable and successful performance of golden ladies!

2015/05/09

City Summer

listening to the rain pour down from the sky, I love city summer!

2015/04/21

Youth Leadership Program

Quite some years ago, I was invited by Toastmaster Trini Ding to visit her elementary school and taught English at two classes. Being excited, I exerted myself to give the best of what I had in me. One of the boys sitting at the front row asked me if I could not sputter on him while talking. Wow, it was embarrassing to behave like an exciting talking woman in front of graders kids! I slept two days afterwards to recuperate my strength. Teaching is tiring. It consumes a lot of energy, especially at elementary schools.

My husband has been a volunteer teacher of computer science at Taipei Juvenile Detention Center for a decade. Upon my request, he took me to the Detention Center as his teaching assistance with PowerPoint Monday morning, April 20th. Within less than one hour, I felt exhausted with the naughty teenager boys. More than half of them just ignored me most of the time. They were more eager to play computer games. Some followed my instructions and gave good presentation with the PowerPoint.

Why out of the blue, I thought about visiting Taipei Juvenile Detention Center? For a year or so, I've been involved in Prison Toastmasters Volunteers Initiative prompted by Toastmaster Umemoto Katzumasa of District 76 (Japan). He visited 8 prisons in the US, and he is trying to charter a Toastmasters club in prison in Japan.

When Toastmaster Umemoto informed me of his arrival in Taipei in two weeks to promote Prison Volunteers among Toastmasters in Taiwan, I thought about firstly recruiting potential Toastmasters volunteers at District 67 Spring Conference 2015 in Taipei this weekend, April 25th and 26th. We can organize workshops and prepare materials for potential prison volunteers to help incarcerated people develop communciation skills to become better persons.

Who knows, maybe I can start Toastmaster's Youth Leadership Program among teenager girls at Detention Center. We shall see if we can make it happen after we visit Detention Center with Toastmaster Umemoto Monday morning, May 4th.

2015/03/31

Aesthetic Diplomacy —Republic of China

Function Scenario: Opening Ceremony of MOFA Office Building
Venue: MOFA Banquet Hall, 5th floor
Date: August 1971

Advanced Communication Series—Special Occasion Speeches, Project 2 Speaking in Praise

ROC Foreign Minister's opening address on Aesthetic Diplomacy —Republic of China!

Vice Premier Chiang, Chairman Chen, Ambassador McConaughy, Distinguished Ambassadors, Ladies and gentlemen, Good Afternoon!

Welcome to the Opening Ceremony of MOFA Office Building, Republic of China!

It is a big day for MOFA today as MOFA has a new home, designed and built by the most prominent architect in the Republic of China, Architect Wang Da-hong.

I'd first like to express the heartfelt appreciation to US Government and Taiwan Province for providing the precious land in adjacent to the Presidential Hall and the Taipei Guest House.

I'd like to thank Architect Wang for agreeing to build MOFA office within a short notice. Wang won the design competition of National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in 1965. During his tight schedule in building the national hall representing the father of our nation and his spirit of revolution, he completed MOFA office building in 14 month.

Mr. Wang was born in Beijing in 1917, son of celebrated law expert Wang Chung-hui, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. Mr. Wang was bought up by his grandmother in Suzhou. At age of 12, He went to high school in Switzerland where Spartan education was applied.

After graduating from Architecture Department in Cambridge in 1939, Mr. Wang continued his studies at Harvard where he and Ieoh Ming Pei were students of first generation architect Walter Gropius who taught them about modernism.

Wang opened a joint architect firm in Shanghai in 1947. He moved to Taipei in 1952. Wang holds very specific aesthetic views. He applies strict spatial rules. He believes less is more. With Wang's Suzhou background, he introduced interesting Chinese elements to functionalist modern buildings in the Republic of China.

MOFA office building was commissioned to Mr. Wang in 1969 with the theme of simplicity and modesty. Mr. Wang applied his aesthetic diplomacy in the symmetrical structure with two arms standing forward to embrace friendship from all over the world and to reinforce the image of stability of the Republic of China. The white walls of small mosaic tiles give MOFA a taste of dignity and solemnity.

Wang is an architect of arts, music, literature. He wrote his English novel Phantasmagoria when he studied at Harvard University. He translated Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" into Chinese, changed the scene from high society in London in late 19th century to that in Taipei in the middle of 20th century. Wang considered it an opportunity to hone his language skills in Mandarin. What a diligent and outstanding architect in pursuit of perfectionism.

My fellow diplomats colleagues, with the completion of MOFA office building, we can work in an elegant office with beautiful rectangular windows in odd numbers of 3 and 5 signifying the scrolls of Chinese paintings. Enjoy the fresh air and practice Tai chi during the coffee break at MOFA atrium gardens. Mr. Kissinger met Mr. Zhou last month. The Republic of China is losing the security council seat at United Nations any moment. Let's embrace the tremendous challenges held in store for us. Let's stay modest and proud by serving our country to the best of our abilities. No matter how strong the storm we shall face, we have faith in the fate of our country.

Allow me to propose a Toast to aesthetic diplomacy of Republic of China!

Long live the Republic of China!

Reference:
June 30, 1971 President Nixon spoke by phone with Walter McConaughy, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Taiwan. Nixon told McConaughy to, "Just say that we, that our—as far as the Republic of China is concerned that we have—we know who our friends are. And we are continuing to continue our close, friendly relations with them." Nixon explained that the U.S. would not support throwing Taiwan out of the United Nations, but he said there was no way to prevent Taiwan from losing the Security Council seat.
At the same time, Nixon stressed, "But we must have in mind, and they must be prepared for the fact, that there will continue to be a step-by-step, a more normal relationship with the other—the Chinese mainland. Because our interests require it. Not because we love them, but because they're there." Nixon noted the Taiwan government had just sent a nice wedding gift for his daughter. He said that if he were in their situation, he wouldn't worry about staying in the UN: "I would just say the hell with the UN. What is it anyway? It's a damn debating society. What good does it do?" Nixon went on to say that the Chinese, if they had a decent system of government, would be an economic powerhouse. (State Department, Office of the Historian)

Time magazine, July 26, 1971
National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger met with Premier Zhou. On July 15, 1971


2015/03/26

Aesthetic Diplomacy--Wang Da-hong

I wish to express my appreication to Toastmaster Charles Teng, Immediate Past President of MOFA Toastmasters Club. He gave me a grand tour of MOFA building for my C7 speech (Research Your Topic) this afternoon, March 26th!

**************************************************************************************************************
Welcome to MOFA Toastmasters Club! What is your first impression about the white building of Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Did you notice the hand-chiseled 8 pillars of the entrance arcade?

Fellow Toastmasters, good afternoon! Among all prominent Taiwanese architects, Mr. Wang Da-hong certainly comes on top of the list. He is the laureate of National Culture Award in 2014. He is the architect of MOFA office building.

At age of 97, Wang shares his secret about his keen eyesight. Every morning before he gets up from bed, he looks around four corners of his bedroom to massage his eyes. To see is to believe!

Wang was born in Beijing in 1917, son of celebrated law expert Wang Chung-hui, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China.

Wang was bought up by his grandmother in Suzhou. At age of 12, He went to high school in Switzerland where Spartan education was applied. After graduating from Architecture Department in Cambridge in 1939, Wang continued his studies at Harvard. He and Ieoh Ming Pei were students of first generation architect Walter Gropius (1883-1969) who taught them about modernism.

After World War II, Wang founded a firm in Shanghai in 1947 and moved to Taipei in 1952. Wang holds very specific aesthetic views. He applies strict spatial rules. He believes less is more. With Wang's Suzhou background, he introduced interesting Chinese elements to functionalist modern buildings in Taiwan.

Wang won the design competition of the National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in 1965. The building represents the father of our nation and his spirit of revolution. The yellow roof is a hat, the front is tilt upward to see the bright future of our country.

Wang was invited to build MOFA office in 1969 with the theme of simplicity and modesty. Wang's aesthetic diplomacy is found in the symmetrical structure with two arms standing forward to reinforce the image of stability. The rectangular windows in odd numbers of 3 and 5 signifies the scrolls of Chinese paintings. The white walls of small mosaic tiles give MOFA a taste of dignity and solemnity.

Wang is an architect of literature. He wrote his English novel Phantasmagoria when he studied at Harvard University. He translated the novel of Oscar Wilde’s "The Picture of Dorian Gray" into Chinese, and changed the scene from high society in London to that in Taipei in the 50s.

After Wang settled in Taiwan in 50s, he never went back to UK, US, he didn't travel abroad. He leads his life on this land, Taiwan. Wang is not a showman, he is a quiet hero. A crowned reticent poet of architecture, Wang believes architecture bridges the gap of ideals and reality.

It feels blissful that we can enjoy MOFA Toastmasters Club meetings at such an exquisite and magnificent building designed by a great architect of the Republic of China, Mr. Wang Da-hong!

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2015/03/23

Bologna Illustrators Exhibition

I bought the discount ticket to Bologna Illustrators Exhibition (2/14 ~ 4/6) at the CKS Memorial Hall before Chinese New Year. Since then, I had look forward to selected illustrations from all over the world.

Among seven days a week, I'm free on Mondays. I work on Tuesday and Friday mornings. I have dance classes Wednesdays and Thursdays. On weekends, I prefer to stay home to avoid the crowd.

When my brother informed me of the family tomb-sweeping on March 30th (Monday), I knew I had to see the exhibition as soon as possible. Today would be the last Monday before the exhibition comes to an end. I arrived at CKS before 10 in the rain. I left my raincoat at the information center.

The prepaid ticket of NT$250 covers one-day admission and an audio-guide. In order to see as much of the exhibition as possible, I stayed at the exhibition for more than four hours, including a coffee break for 30 minutes and a drawing break at the designated area for another 30 minutes.

It was exciting to see many techniques and media used by the world famous illustrators. It was inspiring to read many illustrated stories. I like the story of seven penguins traveling around the world and the fate of dust particles before and after the clean-up from Korean illustrators.

2015/03/19

The World At TMU

Dr. Val Crawford gave me a copy of "The World at TMU—International Students Share Their Stories" after my visit to TMU International Office yesterday afternoon, March 19th.

I met Val at TMC TMC meeting Wednesday evening, March 14th. She gave me valuable suggestions after she listened to my international speech "Seven Minutes and Thirty Seconds". I wrote her a thank-you email after I got home and Val invited me for lunch at TMU the following week.

I rode my scooter to TMU and found a parking space right in front of the hospital. I saw Val waiting for me at the Starbucks Café. She gave me a hug and a caramel waffle. Wow, sweet Val, I love sweets. Val suggested her fluent Café Chuang (since 1986) and I didn' t mind trying new restaurants. It felt good to reconnected with TMU campus after almost four decades.

TMU has grown a lot, it is like a small university town. The old clock has been relocated. I had the sense of homecoming when I saw the clock. I could remember good old times at various cafeterias on Wu-xin Street corners. I won the nickname of hippopotanous (I weighed 70 kilograms). It wouldn’t be hard to imagine how much I enjoyed eating back then.

It was fun to read The World at TMU 2014. I knew some of them as Toastmasters. I noticed that they were quite a few internaqtional students from Mongolia. Most international students are relustant to join Toastmasters because of the membership fees. Maybe a gavel club can solve the problem.


2015/03/13

A Bilingual Cat in Disguise

Somebody has to say something! If not me, who? If not now, when? There is a joke about a bilingual mother cat who gives a lesson to her kittens about the importance of a foreign language when they encounter a junkyard dog on the street. What if the bilingual cat crosses the line to fetch the food in the territory of the canine world?

In this flat world now, many people speak more than one language to see the world with more perspectives. The multilingual people are more humble and modest, because they know the world is so big that there are all kinds of people in existence.

But if people of language skills take advantage of the system, say in Toastmasters, it's disturbing. Take bilingual Toastmasters clubs, for example, they seize the opportunity to compete at contests of different languages. They cross the line to another territory, namely another area to loot. Being a toastmaster, I'm obliged to safeguard the system, in the name of Fairness.

Birds of a feature flock together, so are people. I am a polyglot, and I am proud of myself. But I shall stay away from those bilingual cats in disguise. There is a Chinese saying, "If you live with a lame person you will learn to limp. 近朱者赤,近墨者黑". People just can't be too careful to be selective about friends in the human societies, including the Toastmasters.

2015/03/11

7’30”

I was lucky to rehearse my international speech at Taipei Medical University Toastmasters Club (TMU TMC) Wednesday evening, March 11th.

It was a chilly and rainy evening. I put on my raincoat, rode my frayed scooter in the mist of dim street light, meandered through small slippery alleys, asked a trembling food vendor for directions, saw the road sign of Wu-Xin Street, parked my scooter in front of a dental clinic, walked through Taipei Medical University Hospital, got lost on campus, asked for directions from a security guard, eventually I made it through the labyrinth, reached Room 8004, Teaching Building, Taipei Medical University, just on time for social gathering session, 15 minutes before the regular weekly meeting.

The warm-up variety session was entertaining. Toastmaster Anas Khalil from Jordan, a PhD student at Department of Pharmacy, hosted the session. Anas must have prepared a lot of time collecting celebrity photos of past and present. We were requested to find missing halves in a group of 30 Toastmasters members and guests. I was given the present photo of Nicolas Cage and Toastmaster Andrew Lee had the young Nicolas.

At the first sight of Nicolas, I thought he was Oscar Wilde, the author of the Picture of Dorian Gray. Gradually, Nicolas came to my mind. Nicolas played in many movies, the most impressive one that flashed over my mind was Face Off. I saw that movie by myself at Plum Blossom Theater near the Mall on Dun-hua South Road many years ago. Half way through the movie, I had an urge to leave, because it was so horrifying. But I stayed, finished the movie, and liked it. And I remember it.

Andrew and I volunteered to share our story about Nicolas Cage. Anas gave us beautiful souvenirs of fridge magnet from Dubai as tokens of apprencitation for our active participation. Being a movie fan myself, I need to know more about the past of celebrities and their endeavours to become who they are today.

I might've stayed at home watching DVDs from Taipei City Library, if I was not invited to TMU TMC TMC. I was glad I accepted the invitation to get another chance to rehearse my international speech. Luckily Former District 67 Governor Mike Yang was my individual evaluator. He gave a lot of feedback for my improvement, such as facial expression, body movement, blocking, I really appreciated it.

Professor Vallaurie Crawford was the language evaluator. She listened carefully to my speech and gave comments about the wording of my speech. Being a native speaker of the English language and professor of English, she stressed the correct usage of words with right connotations.

In my speech, I mentioned when I was young and “insatiable”. The reason I used "insatiable" is to stress the over-supply and insatiable demand in the market. I had no idea what-so-ever, “insatiable” has sexual connotation, especially for a woman. Who knows, maybe it was sheer luck, a dead rat fell into a blind cat's clutches,  I was young and "insatiable" after all.

Dr. Val also commented about my use of "causes" in the sentence, "I found the value of my life when I offer my helping hands for free for bigger and more meaning causes". She suggested that I use purposes. And I took her advice accordingly.

I was lucky to rehearse my international speech in cold early spring rain Wednesday evening for three reasons. Firstly, I had a seasoned Toastmaster Mike Yang to evaluate my speech; secondly, I had an English professor to check my vocabulary; thirdly, I had the chance to speak in front of a group of energetic and enthusiastic students of alma mater. What a fruitful evening to feel thankful and grateful!

2015/03/09

Friends from Afar

Emiko already checked in Grand Hotel Room 1201 when I received her email after I came home from the lecture on Food Safety at Anatonia Formosa Association Saturday afternoon, March 7th.

Emiko likes Taiwan. She enjoys Taiwanese food, scenery, and people. Emiko and I met two decades ago at a language school in chambery, France. We have kept in touch ever since. Emiko is more interested in the English language now. For me, I stopped learning French after I shifted my interest to Japanese two decades for at least three reasons. My parents-in-law spoke Japanese fluently. There are more Japanese speaking people than French speaking people in the world. Japan is close to Taiwan.

Last week, I borrowed the Story of Four Seasons by Eric Romer from Taipei City Library. After watching 4 DVDs with subtitles in French, I regained my interest in the French language. I found it easy now to study French with on-line Larousse dictionary by listening to real people pronunciation of examples. I considered living in France for some time in the future to bring back old memories.

Emiko invited two of her belly dance friends to Taipei this time. On Sunday, we visited the Gold Museum at Kinkaseki 金瓜石,  saw the sunset from the famous tea house in Kyufun, enjoyed the most delicious dumplings for dinner at Dingtaifung. On Monday, we visited the National Palace Museum, National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine, went shopping Ximen District, and enjoyed the most delicious beef noodles in Taipei. Emiko and I spoke Japanese most of the time. Only once a while, we conversed in English and French.

 Taipei is ever-changing lady. Everyday she puts on different veils to allure tourists from all over the world. Many thanks to Emiko, I could visit Taiwan from time to time as a tourist. For all scenic places in Taiwan, they are new to me every time I pay them another visit, because a lot of renovations takes place.

On top of that, during different seasons, I could appreciate different flower blossom. There is a Chinese saying, "the time isn't as important as the terrain, but the terrain isn't as important as unity with the people, 天時不如地利, 地利不如人和. It's the joy of meeting friends from afar that stays in our heart for the rest of our lives.

2015/03/07

Eat for Health

When I saw the invitation from Mrs. Sencan Arikan, Vice Chairman, Anatolia Formosa Association, I was thrilled to know it was about the food safety. On top of that, the keynote speaker is Professor Tsung-Yun Liu, an old colleague of mine at the Department of Health. Not having seen Professor Liu for more than three decades, all I saw was wrinkles of his profile photo. I thought I might just look old to him, too, when he sees me.

Indeed, it's a great pleasure to see an old friend with whom I worked with on Hepatitis B Prevention Project when I just came back from the US in 1983. Dr. Liu has not changed at all, easy-going and friendly as usual.

Dr. Liu mentioned about the recent news about carcinogens of McDonald’s French Fries in Taiwan. In fact it was old news of acrylamide produced in the heated condition of carbohydrate and aspartagine. Fortunately, I am not crazy about French Fries. But I don’t mind having tiny amount of acrylamide in my favorite pork stew. For pregnant women, they can't be too careful to pay attention to the food they consume.

The biological condensation was a catch-up for me. I must have learned it before, but I just forgot all about it. As some toxic substances are deposited in the fat tissue, it is important not to lose weight suddenly to increase the toxic compound level in the blood.

Everyday, five kinds of vegetables and fruits (three vegetables and two fruits) are recommended, for the purpose of chemoprevention. Photochemicals, such as sulforaphare (green), procyanidins (red), indole-3-carbinal (yellow), are anti-oxdiants. They are good for beauty and youth. The greener, yellower, redder vegetables and fruits, the better. Consuming local vegetables and fruits in season is the key to stay healthy and fit.

2015/03/05

The Art of Essentialism

At MOFA Forum in March, we discussed about an article contributed to Forbes by Lawton Ursrey, advocating simple and actionable ways to simplify small business life, Thursday noon, March 5th.

Forum Facilitator Toastmaster Howard Chien briefed the art of essentialism by quoting "Do Less and Earn More" and "Less means more and more = mediocre". He mentioned his personal story happened the night before. When his friend's relative asked for an urgent translation service, he agreed instantly. But he regretted immediately after he said yes, he didn't sleep well, he was regretful the whole morning. He felt better after he decided to increase the charge for his translation service before he attended the forum.

In this mad, mad world, everybody has an urge to saturate his or her life with work and more work. We rush to say yes to everything. Being nice as "Yes Man” in the movie can lead to unhealthy/non-essentialist decisions. We should refrain from being impetuous to just say yes, practice "let me get back to you", to evaluate if things are essential.

Essentialism is a discipline proposed Greg McKeown. Greg says, "We've been oversold the value of more and undersold the value of less." Essentialism is the art of discerning between external noise and internal voice, it is a mindset to pursue doing less, resulting in greater success. Essentialists are a highly discerning folk, being open and honest to communicate with others to benefit everyone.

When I was young and insatiable, I valued a packed calendar. I wanted more friends, more money, more titles, I couldn't bear to miss out any opportunity. Now at face of 60, leading a life of simplicity, I think twice when I go shopping. Do I really need one more clothes in my closet? I have enough of almost everything till I expire with one exception. I’m insatiable just the same, about reading, writing, and toastmastering. They are priorities in my life in pursuit of KNOWLEDGE!

MOFA forum proved to be a great initiative to benefit all participants. Members can boost the fellowship through discussion about specific topics extensively and intensively in a small group. As the General Evaluator of MOFA's #26 meeting, I suggested MOFA Forum facilitator consider calling upon any member to conclude the group discussion for 1 to 2 minute. It would keep the spirit of Tabletopics to give every member a chance to speak up impromptuly in a timely manner.

On the lantern festival today, we took a group photo after the meeting in front of the auspicious flower decoration at MOFA's grand lobby on the first floor. We wish everyone a prosperous and happy year of golden goat.

2015/03/04

Ready for the Battlefield

At Grand Toastmasters meeting Wednesday evening, March 4th, it was another small but smart gathering of 12 participants, including 9 members and 3 guests.

Toastmaster Helen Lin and I were given two topics to practice before Area H1 Tabletopics contest at Tatung University Sunday afternoon, March 15th. I was asked how to make the world a better place for all and what new things I planned to do in 2015. Helen was asked about the service leadership and fun activities on Lantern Festival.

During the prepared speech session, I rehearsed my international speech on 7'30", I felt the connection of audience. When I saw the receiving eyes of the audience, I burst into laughter to surprise everybody. I left people with an impression that I forgot my lines. Maybe I did.

During the intermission, many members complimented me about my progress in PERFORMING 7'30" and gave me valuable suggestions to claim a trophy at the area contest. Winning or not, I am happy to be able to seize the opportunity to share my thoughts about life with fellow toastmasters and friends.

2015/02/28

On 228

District 67 held the serial advanced workshop on Effect Club Officers meeting at the National Postal Museum Saturday, February 28th. I participated in the first serial workshop (Club Coach Workshop) when I took the challenge as a club coach of Aloha Toastmasters Club in December 29th, 2013.

As Taipei Botanical Garden is in the proximity of Postal Museum, I thought it would be a nice idea to create a facebook event for participants to enjoy an early morning promenade at Taipei Botanical Garden for an hour, from 7:30 till 8:30.

Only three participants showed up, President Zoy Jaung, Treasurer Betty Lin, and me, VPPR from Grand Toastmasters Club. We saw many early birds at the garden, including Taiwan Magpie, Chinese Bulbul, Gray Heron, and we took many photos holding Toastmaster Magazine February issue with hibiscus blossom in the background. What a refreshing warm-up before the workshop!

The workshop on Effect Club Officers Meeting was conducted by senior Toastmasters (Edward Chen, Harry Fong, Joy Tsai, Jorie Wu) featuring four demos in-between. It was very rewarding to observe veteran Toastmasters coach juniors to run club officers meetings effectively. I saw the giant leap of Zoy in presiding two mock club officers meetings in the morning and in the afternoon. She excelled her communication and leadership skills in less than four hours, from knowing how to listen actively to asking questions timely and accordingly.

During the lunch break, Zoy, Betty and I paid homage to 228 victims at National Postal Museum, right across the street from National 228 Memorial Museum. While we took photos with the red banner of US Marine Corps—Devil Dogs (from Devil Dogs to Grand in 1984), we caught some attention on 228, the most devastating day in Taiwan history.

When I was called upon to tell why I joined the workshop, I replied that I simply wanted to network with Toastmasters and friends. In the end, I caught up with old members and made acquaintance with new members. I was contented that I made it to the workshop. I learned about the importance of ownership of each club officer and 3 W (Who to do What at When). Meetings are not about talking in the air, meetings are about making solutions and building solidarities among club officers.

Be the advent in social media, Line, Facebook, Instagram, I believe more in vis-a-vis networking. People can bring up ideas and put them into actions instantly. After I listen to other members' opinions, I adjust my perspectives accordingly. For life-long learning toastmasters, it's never too late for us to learn new tricks, junior or senior Toastmasters. Toastmasters are proven examples of neuroplasticity through learning by doing!

After the workshop, I rushed to golden ladies Spring Wine Party. It was a full house of people, food, beverage, noise and laughter. I put on my newly bought Latin dancing shoes to practice tango, cha-cha, and jitterbug. At the coming dancing class from next Wednesday, I look forward to learning Rumba and waltz intensively in the next three months.

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