Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Profile Me for ACMI & The Sisters Hayes

Fuck, it has been a long ass minute since anything has been posted up here. I've really been missing the motivation train lately. There aren't any other excuses, I've surely had time to write something but I've just been lazy as shit. Nothing's different. 

So when I saw a reminder about this project being run by ACMI, I thought I'd take advantage of it as a helpful push back in the direction of regular reflection and creation...as well as potentially taking part in the works of some awesome artists. 

Naturally, I chose to go with the questions set out by The Sisters Hayes because I can't go past three sisters who are channeling Frida Kahlo in their bio photo. So here are my responses.



The Sisters Hayes would like to know:
1.     What did you (or do you) want to be when you grow up?
      As a child I wanted to be a lot of things – shopkeeper, author, teacher, artist. Now, I just want to be happy.

    How many siblings do you have and what is your birth order (oldest, middle child, youngest, only child)?
I am the oldest of three girls. I love my sisters to death and I hate being so far away from them.
3.     Are you doing what you love with your life? Why or Why not?
There is a lot of love in my life at the moment. Living in Melbourne, writing for a publication I have loved for a long time, sharing my days with the most amazing man. It’s been a long time coming and I had to leave a lot of other loves behind but these are truly the best days of my life. And it’s only just getting started.
4.     What is your favourite hobby or past time? Is this something you prefer to do alone or with others and why?
As little as I do it these days, writing will always be me refuge. I always do it on my own because so much of my writing comes from a dark place; not in a sombre/depressing way but in that what I put on paper is often something I can’t easily convey in any other way. The conflict then becomes whether I share that with everyone, or anyone, else.
5.     What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod that you do not want to delete?
I don’t think I have any songs I’m embarrassed of. I love what I love and no one can really tell me otherwise in regards to my playlist.
6.     Describe an important place to you. Include things like what season or time of day it is. Also let us know of any important smells or colours you associate with that place.
My grandparents’ houses have always been integral in our family’s lives. My dad’s parents in Perth have lived in the same house in the suburbs as long as I can remember. The biggest family gatherings would happen there, the shelves and walls are overflowing with grandchildren and it always smelt of soap…or cooking oil. Exposed brick walls, carpet and tiles from the ‘60s and ‘70s, furniture – everything was beige or brown or something in between.
In Melaka, my mum’s father lives on a fairly big property in the village. The house was fairly small but I always used to look at it like they were palace grounds – always so green, huge tropical trees and bright flowers everywhere. At one point he kept a monkey, Aliyah, that bitch was crazy. I would always wake up to blaring sun and the smell of burning mosquito coils and rubbish. There was always a smell of smoke, but never in a bad way.
They both seem like worlds away from each other and in a physical way, they are. But I always found a familiarity and safety there. This is where our lives began and where they are still prayed for and appreciated and celebrated. I’m fortunate to still have these places, and the people that live in them, to come back to.
7.     What three things do you ‘feel you need’ to carry with you (other than your phone, wallet or keys)?
I always need a pen and notebook. As much time as I spend on the computer in my various professional roles – not to mention my terrible social media addiction – I can never disregard the therapeutic nature of putting ink to paper and being able to flick through memories and thoughts of days past. Other than that, I always carry the memory of yesterday to help me push forward and appreciate the things I achieve and have today.
8.     What fictional character do you most identify with and why?
I fucking love Arthur (aka Wart) from the animated Disney version of The Sword in the Stone. I can’t say I’m unfamiliar with being that awkward skinny squire-type kid knowing there was always some bigger, deeper, fantastical adventure awaiting me.
9.     What book OR movie do you enjoy reading/watching over and over again?
I grew up on Disney movies and Alice in Wonderland was always on high rotation in the VHS player. I could still watch it over and over to this day – there are so many positive emotions, moments of wonder and the beginnings of dreams that I can attribute to watching that animated movie.
10.     Describe something you wear that makes you feel confident, happy or powerful.
Many can attest that I am the most indecisive dresser on earth. My favourite outfit today could bore me tomorrow and, more often than not, I am not content with anything in my overflowing wardrobe. The only thing that pulls anything together for me is my pride – pride in my work, pride in my life, pride in my achievements, no matter how big or small. I wear my pride all over my face and it’s the only thing that guarantees my head is held high on any day. 

K.x

Khairun Hamid
khairun.h@gmail.com