.... give me the road less travelled, the thoughts less thought, the words less spoken, the ideas unknown; the sting of salt, the rush of sugar, the zap of vinegar like a slap to my brain. And bring me round, again and again.

Anita Kapoor "Stressbuster" Interview, Prime Time Morning

Hook and Line, but Never a Sinker 
(first published on FB Notes,  January 10 2011, edited for this blog since)

I woke early this morning, so I could hit the hospital in time to catch my mother's doctors. Amidst the worry and observations, the deep love I have for her and the energy and focus required, an unsavoury and unnecessary - if rather spitefully driven - drama has emerged from the mouths and minds of people who ironically claim love and mad passion for the ocean and its inhabitants, but appear hard pressed to find it in themselves to extend that courtesy - or knowledge - to human beings.

How did this begin? With an interview on Prime Time Morning last week for my new adventure travel show "Stressbuster" during which, in a segment about my recent shark diving experience for the show, I commented on the "man eating" and predatory aspects of great whites. The context of the interview is far wider. My sincere effort was to ensure the public know that shark diving is NOT a casual sport, but an awe-inspiring experience that requires much respect for great whites - yet a huge level of caution and care. This is fairly obvious in the clip. Roll your mouse over the title to this post to take you to the video. 

An attack seems to have immediately been launched by a diver named Evonne Ong, who took the two words - "man eater"- entirely out of context and sought to use this as a pivot to blatantly - and frankly, cowardly - begin a rampant thread designed to discredit me as a presenter.

I would have let it pass.

The immediate braying of a community out for blood - of a TV presenter no less, a non diver, and a first time shark diver who conquered every single fear associated with the sport and the activity in a single afternoon - smacked to me of inner circle superiority, and a kind of misplaced fervor and zealousness.

I am also well acquainted with criticism. I live and breathe media, and most of it is par for the course. However, when a witch hunt in engineered and a community joins in to collectively - locally and from overseas - make a mockery of the work I do in an attempt to further a cause, that is where I draw the line.

The dangers of over zealousness, of self-appointed mouth pieces and representatives sneering in contempt, is a well documented global phenomenon. One only has to watch the FOX network, or walk into the sermons of lesser scholastic, political, religious or other spirits to see the results of insidious or obvious smear campaigns. Preach the narrowest of opinions to the easily converted and watch what happens.

It is a true disappointment that parts of the diving community here in Singapore and across the world - I say parts because just as many folk have come forward to contact me and place themselves apart from the rantings of Ms Ong and her crew - is so deeply entrenched in its own world as to not see further than, well, their own dive masks.

My experience with sharks and shark diving with the Rodney Fox crew is one I will never ever forget. They took a dive virgin into the ocean on an exceptionally rough, stomach churning day, gently led me step by step, and opened my eyes to the possibilities. That they did it with grace, elegance, insight and such meaning made my shark diving experience a most pivotal moment in my life.

Was I afraid? Damn straight. Should I have been? Suited up to within an inch of any ordinary sensorial stimuli, weighed down, and with a regulator stuck in my mouth in a metal cage, underwater for the first time in my life, as great whites silently swam around me - hell yes. But it was an unexpected, leg shaking thrill, its dangers balanced by the beautiful expertise and deep respect for sharks of Andrew Fox and Jennifer Taylor. With non other than the great Rodney Fox watching over the edge of the boat, I was awed, exhilarated, overwhelmed, and pee in my pants scared.

In the boat with us that day were noted researchers, students, shark enthusiasts, divers, first timers, a journalist, a photographer, and more. The gorgeousness of the experience was underlined by their support from the boat's stern, gently egging me on into the water and beyond, acknowledging my fears, yet guiding me forward with kind enthusiasm.

No overblown egos, no heroics, no snobbery, no bravado. No comments. No narcissistic posturing. Just a carefully considered moment, filled with fun, safely executed and, frankly, out of this world.

Reactions to a single uttering of the word "man eater" takes non of that exceptional moment away from me.

What it does underline however, is the massively lost opportunity here for the Singapore dive community to positively connect with myself, and the world at large, to communicate their understanding and educate with their intelligence.

Passion is one thing. A pervasive, insidious attempt at taking me down for an innocently uttered comment in a collective knee jerk smacks of petty shenanigans, but also of a deeper issue within a community that is clearly divided between the self-appointed warriors and goddesses of the oceans loud hailing their interests, and those who get on with the work of educating the world about the beauty - and dangers - of the ocean, peacefully, progressively and pertinently.

The ocean is in as much danger from the abundance of arrogant dive zealots, as it is from the arrogance of man.

Watch the episode, it airs on Saturday, 22 January 2011. Then tell me what you really think.

Anita Kapoor launches a second blog

Thanks for visiting, subscribing to my page and joining my Facebook Fan Page. 

I've just launched a new blog that encapsulates my work as a television host, rookie radio presenter and professional MC, do check it out at http://anitakapoor.wordpress.com. 

Gallivanting Glam Gal remains as a space dedicated to my first love: writing.

You can choose to follow this blog, the other one, or both. It's a free world people ;-)

Thank you for your support. It means the world. 

Anita

It's More Than 60 Minutes - Support Earth Hour 2010

 

Get involved. Come witness the live event, or simply do your part by switching off and tuning into the earth, and to yourself. A simple action with a powerful message that could change how you view life and your role in it forever. 

Also, follow me on Twitter and FB in the run up to Earth Hour 2010 and live from the event on the 27th of March!

MEDIA RELEASE  

STELLAR LIST OF PROMINENT PERSONALITIES IN SINGAPORE PLEDGE COMMITMENT TO WWF'S EARTH HOUR 2010 

Nadya Hutagalung returns as strong supporter of Earth Hour for the second time 

More well-known faces step up to join Singapore’s fight against climate change including: Utt, Hady Mirza, Denise Keller, Jamie Yeo, Tung Soo Hua, Chua Enlai, Jacqueline Chow, Anita Kapoor, Adrian Mok, Aun Koh, Jo Soh and Jack & Rai 

(yeah, that's me!)

Singapore, 11 March 2010 – WWF, the World Wide Fund for Nature, announced today that an inspiring line-up of prominent personalities in Singapore have pledged their support for Earth Hour, due to take place on 27 March 2010 at 8.30 pm. The wide reach and influence of these stars will help spread the message island-wide that we can all take personal responsibility in lessening our adverse impact on the environment. 

International host and founder of GreenKampong.com, Nadya Hutagalung, returns as a strong supporter for the second consecutive time. She is accompanied by other well-loved local personalities like Utt, Hady Mirza, Denise Keller, Jamie Yeo, Tung Soo Hua, Chua Enlai, Jacqueline Chow, Anita Kapoor, Adrian Mok, Aun Koh, Jo Soh of Hansel and popular music duo, Jack & Rai. They are lending their star power to make Earth Hour 2010 reach even more people in Singapore.   

Together, they represent a strong and collective voice in raising the profile of WWF’s environmental campaign to call on all Singaporeans to make ‘Earth Hour, Every Hour’ by taking their commitment beyond 60 minutes and adopt a sustainable lifestyle. 


They will be sharing their thoughts on the significance of Earth Hour through digital platform such as blogs and Facebook as well as lobbying support from their followers to participate in the ‘big switch off’ event. A number of the artistes and personalities will be making special public appearances at the Esplanade Park on 27 March 2010 for the ‘big switch off’ event with some contributing their special skills and/or performances. 

Amy Ho, Managing Director of WWF Singapore, welcomed all the public personas to the Earth Hour family. She remarked, “Globally, this year’s focus of Earth Hour is on ‘Showtime!’ - Show the world what can be done and show where you stand in the fight against climate change. I’m delighted that so many public figures in Singapore are embracing this ethos and taking a lead in making a stand against climate change. We thank them all for their support.” 

What Earth Hour means to me: 

Anita Kapoor, Host, Writer & Earth Hour Supporter said, “There is no ‘movement’ without action. There is no action without inspiration. There is no inspiration without information. Inform, inspire, act and give the earth a chance. Turn off and tune in. Support Earth Hour 2010.” 

Globally, renowned international celebrities and revered community figures have also pledged their support to Earth Hour 2010 including international artist Tom Jones, actress Cate Blanchett, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chinese film star Li Bingbing, Portuguese footballer Nuno Gomes and South African rugby international Bryan Habana. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

Earth Hour 2010 promises to be one of Singapore’s largest street parties with activities for the entire family.  This year’s outdoor concert, hosted by Jamie Yeo, will take place at the Esplanade Park where all are welcome to attend and witness Singapore’s skyline plunge into darkness.  

Getting involved Earth Hour 2010 is easy.  Supporters just need to follow a simple three-step process:  

1. Sign up for Earth Hour 2010 on www.earthhour.org  

2. Make a resolution: Commit to long-term efforts to reduce your impact on the environment 

3. Switch off your lights for one hour on Saturday, 27 March 2010 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm or longer 

Members of the public are also invited to participate in WWF Singapore’s online competition entitled: ‘My Earth, My Ideas’.  Open to people of all ages and from all walks of life, Singaporeans have the opportunity to share their innovative and effective ideas on how we can lessen the negative impact of our actions on the environment during Earth Hour and every hour.  The best three written responses in 80 words or less will stand to win over S$1,000 worth of fabulous prizes.  

The entry form can be found on the Earth Hour website (www.earthhour.org) and clicking on the Singapore link.  Entry deadline is 21 March 2010.  

Winners will be announced at the official Earth Hour event - Esplanade Park on 27 March 2010.  The top ten ideas will be shared with the public to encourage every person to make a difference to environmental protection as an individual. 

Poster Perfect

Just plain cool. The exceptional interpretative poster art 
of Albert Exergian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/gallery/2010/jan/30/television-art-albert-exergian?picture=358496687

Alone, naturally

Not talking to anyone at all when we are troubled, is isolation at its finest. Talking to many, is delusional. Both seek the same end product: conviction of choices made or about to be made. 

In the end whatever path we choose, the decision eventually becomes solo. We must make our own minds up. No one else lives our dreams, our failures or our desires. No one else then can write our chapters but ourselves.