There hasn’t really been a dilemma quite like this. Having to write about myself, facing the alluring possibility of letting the narcissist take full reins. Before you continue reading, I should let you know that I'm WAP. Egoism tempts, but I shall resist, be a lesser devil and let my preferences speak on the behalf of me.



Writing

They say go with your passion and the money will follow. I say Belly Dancing would have been much easier. Cynicism aside, Writing to me can often be a predicament. One that exhilarates and yet perplexes. It exhilarates because nothing beats seeing your own thoughts & ideas conceived and published. Perplexes because often it takes more than talent to succeed. I am a freelance writer on Lifestyle (no Martha Stewart here but I'll manage) and the Arts where I write Reviews on Films, Books and Music events. Samples of my writings are available but due to copyright concerns, you can only find the excerpts in my editorial.

Advertising

Advertising is what I do for a living, one of those fine technicalities that one must undertake in life to bring in the dough. I like to see Advertising as a playground, but well those who are in the trade will say that's often is nothing short of a fallacy. But sheesh ... denial is bliss. Well I try to be optimistic, sometimes blindly, and I must say … so far I still like what I am doing. Advertising is a realm, which conveys as it isolates. I like it because it allows me to combine two of my greatest passions, that is, writing & photography and besides I don’t have any other real skills unless you count being able to spell my own name backwards a feat (prospective employers and clients please kindly ignore this).

Photography

My Passion, My Work. The camera allows me to encapsulate moments that sometimes provide a recluse from life. I do mostly Stock, Architectural, Portraiture and Events Photography. Of all the forms of Photography, I find Portraiture to be the most challenging, perhaps because it requires such spontaneity. Portraiture, at its best, is intimate, revealing and almost intrusive, unraveling a part of us which we may not want others to perceive. Some of my work are available at my gallery, do contact me if you wish to make a purchase or engage my services.


Michelle's What-abouts

What I'm reading lately

A Room of One's own Mrs. Dalloway Nausea Waiting for my cats to die The End of Advertising As We Know It

What I'm listening to lately

Catie Curtis Soundtrack of Chicago Bic Runga

What films I have just watched

The Hours Chicago Irreversible

What I have got used to over time

Scribbling my thoughts down in the dark because that's often when I get pangs of "inspiration" Cheesy ads (Well, it works and brings in the dough!) Uncanny glances people give me when I photograph the weirdest things on the streets Finding strands of my dog's hair on my clothes (Well white don't always go well with black!)

What I would be ... If only ...

A Talkshow Host if only TV don’t add ten more pounds to your weight!

What I like but am sometimes embarrassed to admit …

That I like Stephen Chow movies as much as Ingmar Bergman That I listen to "bad music" which to me resonates anything from Bananarama to N'Sync Smelly tofu and all-things-garlic !