YOH Head Butt! - Inspire-Me Edition

16th March 2010
Hi Everyone, 

It's mid month and news around Singapore have been surrounding a certain famous director having his own Tiger Woods fiasco - which brought up the whole public / personal privacy issue by people. Is 'Public' the new default for this current generation? Well instead of boring you with such a argument here, we'll probably take this offline and hear your comments during the upcoming sessions of YOH4. Moving on...

If your mind has been stuck on some problems and can't seem to get your head around it  - this HEADBUTT is for you.Sometimes this little scribe here also can't seem to find a relevant topic to write about for each HEADBUTT. However that being said, INSPIRATION comes in mysterious ways.... Here are some ideas for you if you are stuck in a runt in your head and want to get out of it.

SIX ways to get your creative juices moving...

• Take a 48 hour Computer Vacation - Yes that's right - it should possibly be the hardest thing to do since we're all so dependent on Internet to get things done. No Facebook, no L4D2, no Twitter, no checking of emails via your smartphones and Blackberries, no Google - just hang loose and go out and breath some non-radioactive air (well, no Wireless-Sg signal air). 
• Try Meditation - Listening to your inner thoughts and sounds and voices might be a good way to drown out all the external noise that is blocking your creative soul. and Meditation doesn't mean taking a nap or counting 'Z' monsters....
• Change the Scenery - This is not just about lifting yourself out from a physical zone that is causing a blockage in your creative mind, it's also about rearranging your current workspace. Less clutter in your physical space also means less clutter in your head. If not, you can always get up, spend ten minutes dusting bookshelves, reading your favourite tabloid magazine or just make silly faces in front of the mirror (tried and tested). 
• Stop looking at the clock - Yes, there are deadlines to be met. and that ticking of the clock doesn't seem to be slowing things down for you - but it's making your heart beat faster and sweat coming out from your palms. Cover them up and focus on just getting the work done and ignore those deadline constraints abit. 
• Press the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button - Yeap ever wondered what Lord Google will bring up to your screen? Instead of going through lists and lists of your search results, pressing the often ignored button may yield surprising results and also may lead your to more hidden treasure that you may not have expected.  
• just for added inspiration - look towards the pure young innocence of kids (this is not exactly a tip, but this bunch of 5th Graders in New York just recently inspired this writer) - Choral group PS22 - performing Alicia Keys' 'Empire State of Mind'.  Check out other videos from the group in their Youtube page and be surprised...

What's UP?

HIV: A Volunteer's Journey

Pelangi Pride Centre presents a talk by Gwo Yinn, sharing about his experiences that he has gone through as a volunteer who's worked with HIV positive people. More details are as follows:

Date - 27 March 2010, Saturday

Time - 4pm

Venue - Pelangi Pride Centre

Admission - $6 (includes two drinks and finger food)

Register - pelangipridecentre@yahoo.com with Full name, Contact number and names of guests (if any)

More details - http://pelangipridecentre.blogspot.com/

pinkdot fundraising tea party

Pink Dot will be having its fundraising tea party on the last week of March. If you are feeling generous and wanting to make this year's pink dot bigger than last year's - do go down for it. More details are below:

Date - 28 March 2010, Sunday

Time - 330pm to 630pm

Venue - HOUSE / Barracks Cafe at Dempsey (8D Dempsey Road)

Attire - PINK

Admission - $50 (includes drinks and finger food)

More details - http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/2010/03/pinkdots-tea-party-fundraiser.html

Step OUT with YOH!

We can't make leave this HEADBUTT without plugging our own programme. YOH4 is slated to start end of April and we're now accepting registrations to join YOH4! If you know of a queer youth between the age of 16 to 21, do encourage them to hop on over to our blogsite for more info about YOH4 and if they want to sign up, go to tinyurl.com/yoh4join. Registrations close on 31st March 2010. 

For More info about YOH:

Twitter: young_out_here

Blog: young-out-here.blogspot.com

Facebook: tinyurl.com/youngouthere

To join YOH4: tinyurl.com/yoh4join

till the next edition of HEADBUTT, 

Take Care,

YOH

Step OUT with YOH!

There are only a limited number of spaces (15) in each run of YOH, so apply here today!

Closing date for registration: March 31^st 2010

YOH Head Butt! - L-O-V-E Edition

03 March 2010

Hey Everyone, 

we hope every one is recovering from the pigging out that was the Lunar New Year's and Valentine's Day. Here at YOH, we certainly had our loads of festive fun with the traditional Lo-Hei and a fun evening out at Games Haven. Thanks to all that turned up for it. 

So why is HEAD BUTT having its L-O-V-E edition after Valentine's Day? Well there couldn't be a better time isn't it? To give you an indication, just take a look around at the newspapers (or online news) - with the double tragedies at Chile and Haiti, and all the humanitarian aid that is needed from international agencies to get the affected areas back on their feet, it does put our lives here in safe Singapore into perspective - be it our relationships with our parents, with friends or with the community. Of course being appreciative of what we have is just one part of the equation, doing what we can to help to make our lives a better one is the other. No we don't have to start singing 'We Are the World', but just take some time off your busy busy schedule - BREATHE, and make a genuine effort in making someone else smile (*cues 'Smile by' Glee Cast*)

5 Simple Ways to Show that U Care:

• Have a Break, Share a Kit Kat (okay, we know that's not the tagline, but go with us on this) - Buying a favourite snack and sharing it with your loved ones maybe a small gesture, but we all know that sometimes 'Action Speaks Louder than Words'. So drop your phone, drop your laptop (not literally) and instead of sending a 'How are You' text, share how much you are appreciative of that person or people (or even your pet) buy sharing a snack!
• Pick up your phone and call - remember what our phones were originally invented for before smart phones and IM-ing (or Grindr) came along? If you are too busy to do the first tip, don't send an IM message, don't even send an email and certainly don't send a Facebook / Twitter direct msg or anything that has to go through a third party social network. Dial the number and ask 'How are things going?'. You may be surprised at the answers you may get, and you'll never know what is hidden behind all the 'I'm fine' answer we get all the time.
• Sharing is Caring - the last tip brings us to THIS tip: Sometimes when all we have enough is to breath for ourselves, we tend to forget everybody else. Even the customary 'We'll catch up' line becomes overused and we never do it in the end. When was the last time you poured out your inner insecurities over coffee to your loved ones? We've become masters in building up walls through our fervent use of  technology that we assume that our 'status updates' show everything we need to know about a person. WRONG! If you feel that sometimes the going gets too tough for you (before you are pulling your pubic hair out), start reaching out to a trustworthy friend and lean on them for a while...(*cues 'Lean On Me' by Glee Cast*)
• Undivided Attention - The last tip wouldn't be effective without this following one - Yeap, no incoming Tweets, or Status updates, or trailing eyes on the cutest and hottest babe/hunk that just walked past. Just take some time out and LISTEN. Even if you are in the midst of a busy meeting, or your project mates threatened to delete off your hard work in your hard drive, remember to take a pause and say that you'll call back & make sure you do remember to do so.
• HUG - we think this last tip needs further no explanation at all. Just believe in the power of the HUG, and soon you'll be the one feeling all better (whether you are the one giving it or the one receiving it).

What's UP?

After all that helpful tips, and in line with our theme: here's what's coming your way in the community:

The Love Potion: For Lasting Same Sex Romantic Relationships

Oogachaga presents a workshop for all you seeking to maintain a healthy relationship. Details are as follows:

Date - 13 March 2010, Saturday

Time - 2pm to 5pm

Venue - 15 Philip Street, #03-00, Tan Ean Kiam Building.

Admission - FOC (please register at events@oogachaga.com to get your best seat!) 

For more info - please head to this link - http://www.oogachaga.com/node/181

pinkdot 2010

Remember the big fun under the sun we had last year during this event, pinkdot this year promises to be even bigger! This year, pinkdot honours the scared bonds of family kinship. So mark down your calendars & and bring your loved ones down for a pink ole' time. Details are as follows:

Date - 15 May 2010, Saturday

For more info - please head to this link - http://www.facebook.com/pinkdot

YOH4

lastly, YOH4 is coming up and we want YOU (if you meet the age requirements that is) to be joining in. More details will be given in the following three days. In the meantime, if you do know people that would interested to join YOH4, point them towards this link to sign up - http://young-out-here.blogspot.com/p/joining-yoh.html

Until the next edition of HEADBUTT!

Take Care, 

YOH

STEP OUT with YOH!

Do YOU want to

o   Gain more confidence?

o   Find out more about yourself?

o   Make more friends in a safe, inclusive environment?

o   Voice your opinions about issues that concern you?

o   Learn more about the LGBT community?

If you say ‘YES’ to any of the above questions, and you’re between the ages of 16 to 21, feel free to join Young OUT Here (YOH)!

YOH is a social support group, run by queer youths, for queer youths. We reach out to teens like YOU, who want to come together to not only learn from each other, but also to share experiences and build your social and support networks. We provide you with all that – for FREE!

The 13 Sessions cover a range of topics from coming out, family, school, friends, community, and relationships and of course… sex!

Started back in 2006, YOH is about to embark on to its fourth run (YOH4) and we are inviting you to join. Just email us your name, and your basic particulars (including cell phone number, age and interests) we’ll contact you from there!

What are you waiting for? 

There are only a limited number of spaces (15) in each run of YOH, so apply here today!

Closing date for registration: March 31^st 2010

YOH coming soon

YOH Head Butt! - Indie Edition (Extended Cut) - 11 Feb 2010

the extended cut.... 

11th Feb 2010

Another week and another edition of YOH's Headbutt! Yeah we're a week behind but get ready for quite an explosive (and longer) edition of HEADBUTT! 

Sometimes when we're all sick and tired of reading the same iPad news on tech blogs, or just plain irritated by hearing another single or remix from Beyonce or Lady Gaga (or noisy CNY music all around), watching another screening of Avatar 3D, it's nice to take a breather and take the road less travelled sometimes. Thus we subtitled this HEADBUTT! the Indie Edition. 

Most music acts and movies (except probably from the big major blockbuster studios) had its humble beginnings as small basement projects, crafting pieces that few people appreciate but gained a following. A good example is a little known ditty that spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Top 100 charts last year - Fireflies by Owl City. Adam Young worked on his music in his parent's basement and his song grew in popularity virally online and soon he got signed on to Universal Music. and next thing you know, we can't get that song out of our heads for a period of time. So this edition is pay tribute to such brilliant artisans that pave the way forward for many of what we consider 'popular' art!

CONGRATS!

Firstly, congratulations need to be handed out. In our last issue of HEADBUTT! We've mentioned that the short films that were eligible for this year's Singapore Short Film Awards were being screened at the Substation. We're very happy to announce one of YOH's guest speakers - Loo Zihan won 'Best Script' for his short film 'Threshold'. 'Threshold' was also nominated 3 out of the 10 categories, namely 'Best Script', 'Best Soundtrack' and 'Best Cinematography'! You can view the trailer for 'Threshold' here. 

Other LGBT short film makers also took home awards. Sun Koh took home the award for 'Best Director' and 'Best Fiction' award for her short film 'Dirty Bitch'. Tan Wei Keong won 'Best Animation' for 'Hush Baby'. and Royston Tan recieved an honorary award for outstanding contribution to the local film community through his short films. Congrats to all winners!

WHAT's UP?

Probably in the next coming few days, you'll be either rushing around, doing last minute shopping for CNY, or making huge plans for an upcoming V'Day hot date...in which case there are a few things happening around town that you might want to check out. 

Action for AIDS (AfA) is organizing an event on 12th Feb (yes it's tmr) night in PLAY club. It's for BOTH couples and singles - it promises to be an event that celebrates everything in a relationship. More details are as follows here:

• Date - 12 Feb 2010, Friday
• Time - 1130pm
• Price - $10 cover charge
• Venue - PLAY Club: 21 Tanjong Pagar Road

If you are looking for a quiet place to celebrate that all important day of St Valentine's with your loved ones, our friendly neighbours at 'The Garden Slug' have prepared a GLBT-only Valentine's Day dinner on 15th Feb 2010. Please call to make your reservations. More details are as followshere: 

• Date - 15 Feb 2010, Monday
• Time - starting from 6pm
• Price - $55 per head or $60 per head
• Venue - The Garden Slug: 55 Lorong L Telok Kurau #01-59/61

If you do recall during one of the stop's of YOH's own 'Rainbow' tour last year, we stopped by Utterly Art and found out that alot of LGBT artists held their first exhibitions there. Well we've just been informed by our dear Dr Pwee Keng Hock that there's a new exhibition from Singapore artist Wong Shih Yaw happening there. More details are as follows here: 

• Date - 18 to 28 Feb 2010
• Time - Utterly Art's opening hours
• Venue - Utterly Art: 229A South Bridge Road (2nd Level)

If you have been following Oscar news and buzz, this debut film from gay fashionista director would not be a stranger to you. Adapted from Christopher Isherwood's novel, 'A Single Man' is one of the most critically acclaimed film of this year. Be the first in Singapore to watch this film and at the same time help raise fund for the Fridae Community Fund. It will go into community led projects such as Indignation and Pink Dot - the Freedom to Love campaign. More details are as follows here. 

• Date - 3 Mar 2010
• Time - 9pm (Reception starts at 8pm) 
• Venue - The Cathay @ Handy Road
• Price - US $30 for VIP (with reception), US $10 for standard tickets. Get your tickets viaFridae Shop. 

Indie Shuffle!

Inspired by the recent spate of amazing music acts that have landed in Singapore (or are scheduled to appear), HEADBUTT! would like to highlight some of them have been playing in our playlist and be ready to be bedazzled by them! The tracks listed below are of course not exhaustive of the great library of songs produced by these acts. What's more, go googlearound for their remixes and alternatives mixes of their songs - they are bound to bring up some surprises!

Florence + the Machine

She was just here in Singapore over the weekend and performed to a packed audience, Florence + the Machine rose to fame across quite a few music media in 2009. Her sound is generally described as soul-inspired indie rock and the band's debut album 'Lungs' rose to the number one spot in the top 40 UK charts earlier in Jan. Here are just a few tracks from their debut album to wet your appetite.  

• You've Got the Love [XX Remix]
• Kiss with a Fist
• Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
• Drumming
• You've Got The Love

Phoenix

This French alternative rock band recently won in the Grammys for 'Best Alternative Music Album' and rightfully so! Here in YOH, we do agree that their latest album 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' was one of the best sounding albums of 2009. A few of their tracks were used in trailers for various movies and used in top prime time shows such as CSI. Although their sound is more of alternative rock, but they have smartly blend in synth pop into their songs, making the entire album a real joy to listen to. 

• 1901
• Lisztomania
• Fences
• Long Distance Call (25 Hours A Day Mix)
• For a list of Phoenix remixes - click here.

Passion Pit

Bringing back the sexy back on electro pop, Passion Pit's debut album 'Manners' was lauded as one of the best debut albums of last year. So far so that John Mayer recommended one of its tracks 'The Reeling' and 'Moth's Wings' in his Battle Studies blog! With a wicked mix of loose beats, fruity melodies and 'lil boy' vocals, 'Manners' is one album that will have you listening to it to lift any spirits up! (Lady Gaga took notice of Passion Pit and asked them to remix her upcoming single 'Telephone')

• The Reeling (Bubble Gum Mix)
• The Reeling (Calvin Harris Mix)
• Sleepyhead
• Little Secrets (Jack Beats Remix)
• Telephone - Lady Gaga (Passion Pit Remix)

and to end off this really long extended HEADBUTT!, and in the same vein as Passion Pit's 'The Reeling', we found this two tracks to be absolute ear porn! 

• Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (The Twelves Remix)
• Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)

On behalf of all in YOH, we would like to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year and a Blissful Valentine's Day holiday ahead!

HEADBUTT would be taking a short break next week to recover from the overdose of bak kwa and chocolates...

Take Care, 

YOH