the matt kennedy show

Wow. Been a while it has it has,but best not to dwell on the passage of time, because really it’s all about the direction that one is facing. Looking forward or tripping backwards..in the words of Ferris Bueller- life’s fast, if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while you just might miss it.

Since my last post life has gotten an overhaul. I’m older than I was by a year, I’ve packed up my life and relocated to another part of the world. Bangladesh. Yes, you heard read correctly, I’m now part of that powderkeg of excitement and third world culture, Bangladesh.

I’m here to help develop the inaugural academic year of the Asian University for Women, a new school located in Bangladesh that helps educate and empower women so that they can become leaders, in not only their respective communities but also on a global front.  It’s actually pretty noble cause when you think about it.  They have assembled a group of instructors/staff/professionals from around the world, literally from Hong Kong to Harvard and back again. Pretty exciting company to be keeping, although that being said I have little to contribute to conversations about Robotics. Except what I’ve learned from Asimov, Roddenerry and Lucas. (But in grade 8 I did a science project about the Canadarm that made it to the district finals. Even had a model of the space shuttle and everything.)

We’re all in the feeling out period, getting to know vibe. Everyone has strong opinions but no one wants to ruffle feathered toes and what not, but i know that soon the push will be on to make more concrete choices. We must as the train has already left the station.

I am one of four men on the faculty. and currently, the token white guy. The culture here is both interesting and curious as when I walk the streets (and I use the term streets loosely) everyone stares. and I mean stares. I have to nod and smile to get any change of engagement from them, and even then they go from peering to aghast to surprised to smiles in a micro second. Also strange is that fact that coming from North America, more specifically, Canada, and even more specifically the theatre I try to use eye contact as often as possible as a way to connect with the people around me. Here in Bangladesh ( I wonder if that will ever be comfortable to say?), the use of eye contact is considered rude. A thought never far off. So I must offend the people to make a connection to illicit a response and change the way in which people engage. Fucking wild. and rude. and wild…

Also, all the men want to shake my hand. Really. If the connection is made and they realise I’m not the white devil (although I think I might be) they want to touch you. Yesterday a policeman with an automatic weapon stopped me in the streets to shake my hand then said thank you. Like I’d something noble or was of some importance…maybe given him more status, I don’t know. Truth be told it was a very Bono moment and I did feel a little like a rock star or maybe the Pope. Although at the end of the day it also felt a tad dishonest because although I am Matt Kennedy and awesome, I’m still just a guy, like Bono is and just like the Pope is when no one else is looking. It’s a bit of a trip to wrap one’s head around but I imagine it’ll get stranger before it gets easier. Still though, fucking weird.

The week goes from Sunday to Thursday here. Friday is a holy day, much like Sundays used to be growing up. Nothing is open and the day seems to start a little later so there is a slight lull in activity. However, every morning @ 5 am there is a Muslim call to prayer (this call happens about five or six times a day) and it ain’t subtle I can tell you that. I sort of think about it in this way: imagine the old RCA record label, the one with the bulldog on it next to the gramaphone, except the gramaphone is thirty times bigger and bellowing out a sound not unlike a drowning giraffe-a constant warbling invitation. It’s pretty cool but the timing comes way to early.
Again, different culture and different worlds.

I currently have a carpenter ant infestation so I have to split and try to talk the landlord out of using insect killer laced with carcinogens. Exciting times indeed.

Feel free to email me at matt@themattkennedyshow.com. It’d be nice to hear how the rest of the world is going, because here I’m a day ahead and a world behind.

We still had Bill.
Never Forgotten.

http://coedmagazine.com/2009/02/26/the-10-best-bill-hicks-stand-up-moments/

So I’ve recently had to jump a few hoops regarding a  job that I don’t really want but sort of need because it might help with what it is I’m currently up to, which as it stands will eventually take me miles away overseas to a country that floods 100 percent of the time 80 percent of the time.  Got that? Good now let’s keep moving.

The first of these hoops was compiling the numerous writing, artistic and professional gigs I’ve lived over the past several years, and by several I actually mean all of them. Normally i guess this is what most mortals call the rezoomay. You know the thing one needs to be a grown up and become an upstanding member of the work force that is the rest of one’s life? Yeah that.

For myself,  life is about art. I’ve been a professional theatre artist since I was 20, followed by professional writer, teacher, filmmaker, screenwriter, voice-actor, comedian and director. Basically my life choices have enabled me to live the life I want with all it’s glorious ups and downs, (not to mention a helluva lot of in and outs, wink wink nudge nudge say no more say no more). This means that I don’t really have what could be construed as the normal person’s resume.

That being said this job would like one of those resumes. So being the creative force I am and the worldly word smith I play on television I  came up with some nice adaptations of work experiences I’ve tailored to fit the requirements of this job I don’t really want. Remember folks, knowledge is power and perception is a mighty powerful tool, and these albeit truthful made me laugh. There are several but I’ve only included a couple so you don’t get too bored.

Mission statements. I hate them, but apparently they’re really important. These  quick lines or paragraphs that tell the potential employer a little about yourself and what quality it is that you and you alone can bring to a potential job are usually the make or break as to whether or not you’ll end up in the yes or no pile.

Mission statement: “I also have substantial experience and outstanding skills in customer service as well as several years of teaching experience working with groups of all ages. I have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with others, in both supervisory or support staff roles.”Mission Translation: “I’ve never worked customer service before but I’m the fucking man. I don’t take shit from anyone and given time, I will take your job.”

See how easy that is? And it sounds really positive, some might even say empowered, when really all I’m planning is my next step toward world domination. And you can do it with the specifics on your rezoombee as well. Just watch!

What you say is: “Special Effects Assistant-Duties included working inside a large team dynamic, time management, problem solving and coordinating with the public on several motion pictures and television series.” What you mean is: “Fx assistant- basically worked with a crew of wingnuts that got paid to light shit on fire and didn’t give a flying fuck about the environment, the rest of the crew or the public. We killed time by blowing shit up and drinking coffee until it was our turn to fuck some shit up for some crappy tv series.” The best part about it is that it’s all actually true. That was what we did. To the untrained eye however, we were dedicated responsible individuals that made the film industry a safer and better place to be.

” Don’t know about you, but I think that with a guy like that on our team, this company can go anywhere!!”

Knowledge is power. Perception is key.

I have an interview on Friday.

eventually you can trick the world into making myth fact.

if one were so inclined. i’m not saying i am or that i actually need too, however one COULD, if you’re picking up what it is i’m laying down.

so here this begins…

thanks mischiff, now let’s get it started.

so where do i begin?